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• High fuel rates aren't stifling car, truck sales in Lodi

• Fourth of July weekend may not be a gas for everyone in Lodi

• Federal judge will not be removed from the Lodi vs. Lehman case

• Local pastor announces intention to run for council

• Music, art show to highlight Celebrate America Festival

• Playground toys, equipment stolen from local preschool

• Judge asked to hold Cardinal Mahony in contempt of court

• City looks for new insurance provider

• Regional Roundup

• Logbook

• Nakanishi's bill warns against 3-D ultrasounds

• Tobacco fund may save some county programs

November 21st, 2009

• Logbook

• Holiday drive spreads cheer to U.S. troops

• Galt High students want board to approve open-campus policy

• Poisoning victims remain hospitalized

• Expert: Half a mushroom cap can be deadly

• Tokay grad files claim over Lodi's Grape Bowl

• Lodi Middle School holds annual Turkey Trot

• Regional Roundup

• No motive or suspect in shooting

• Sacramento cop arrested for alleged kidnapping

November 20th, 2009

• Acampo woman killed

• Salvation Army Kettle Kickoff

• Advocacy groups sue East Bay Municipal Utility District over Pardee expansion

• Regional Roundup

• Galt plans to help residents with energy-efficient projects

• Stable southeast of Lodi approved

• One year after a heart attack, Lodi's Judy Mims thanks rescuers

• National Guard troops return home in time for the holidays

• Real estate market gets on more solid ground

November 19th, 2009

• Operation: Christmas

• Logbook

• Suspect arrested after hiding in fridge

• Chase ends in crash

• Galt Joint Union High School Distric hires new superintendent

• Sales tax hike yields dividends: 5 new officers join Galt Police

• Lodi Unified School District board votes to cancel summer school for 2010

• Water surges in Mokelumne River yield more salmon

• Lodi City Council will consider redevelopment next June

• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22

• Corrections

November 18th, 2009

• Regional Roundup

• Paranormal group conducts second investigation of building

• Congress allocates money for local water projects

• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react

• Lodi man finds wife's ashes during police display of stolen property

• Galt City Council rejects study on rent stabilization

November 17th, 2009

• Paying tribute to a Lodian

• Lodi Budget and Finance Committee to look into ways to save money on employee benefits

• Regional Roundup

• Decision on summer school expected at tonight's Lodi Unified School District meeting

• Clements gets free water rescue boat

• Redevelopment to be discussed by Lodi City Council again

• Court reinstates death penalty for killer of Lodi grad

• Clarification

November 16th, 2009

• Correction

• Public Meetings

• City Council 'triple-dog dared' to ditch cars, use Lodi buses

• Sierra Adventure store to close after four years in Downtown Lodi

• Lodi's First Sip event showcases area wineries' latest vintages

• Three members of Lodi-area family fall ill after eating poisonous mushrooms they reportedly found at Lodi Lake

• Regional Roundup

November 14th, 2009

• Galt school district narrows superintendent search to one

• Regional Roundup

• Despite budget cuts, some Lodi Unified School District salaries continue to rise

• Watchful neighbor in Lodi helped bust suspected burglars

• New Galt city manager juggles job, family

• Despite an increase in homeless students, school districts look to bolster enrollment, raise revenue

• A first look at 2009 vintages at Lodi's First Sip wine-tasting event

The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.

• The country's mess is our fault (161)
• Obama is not a moderate (130)
• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react (70)
• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22 (48)
• The haves should help the have-nots (30)
• Public health care is a Christian option (29)
• Tokay in, traveling to unbeaten No. 3 Grant for football playoffs (25)
• Government-run health care is a bad idea (17)
• Young woman fatally shot at Acampo home (17)
• Sierra Adventure store to close after four years in Downtown Lodi (16)

ADVERTISEMENT

Local teens compete in international sailing event

Monique Watanabe and Heather Chandler love the water. They also love the challenges that open channels and small lakes give vessel-bound enthusiasts.

So when the two 16-year-olds found out a few months ago that they qualified to compete in the Koch International Sea Scout Cup held at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy last week they went right to work raising money for the trip to Boston.

With more than 100 competitors from seven countries, the event is one of the largest Sea Scout regattas in the world.

With just over two months to raise $6,500 after a qualifying performance in the Sequoia Cup in Redwood last April, Watanabe and Chandler joined forces with Watanabe's mom, Jackie, as part of the Lodi/Stockton Sea Scouts.

Both Monique Watanabe and Chandler worked on various fund-raisers, including making homemade Christmas wreaths, cleaning and setting up for dinners and the Asparagus Festival in Stockton.

"It was a very hectic time," Jackie Watanabe said. "But we did it."

So when Chandler, who teamed with Stockton's Megan Hahnaman, took sixth place in the Kiwi Cup division, the local Sea Scouts knew all the work was worth it.

"It's a great chance to meet new friends," said Monique Watanabe, who served as a lifeguard for the six-day event. "We also got to go to Martha's Vineyard and the Naval War College Museum."

Chandler, who is entering her senior year at Lodi High, agrees.

"It's all about meeting people and having fun," she said. "Everybody tries to help each other out with tips."

Heather Chandler

Jackie Watanabe says considering that Chandler and Hahnaman only started sailing together shortly before the event makes the sixth-place finish that much more impressive.

"We were all surprised when they qualified," she said. "And for them to do so well back East says a lot."

Now, Monique Watanabe and Chandler are eyeing the next world event in two years in Miami.

"I really want to go," said Watanabe, who will be a junior at Lodi next year. "It's a lot of fun."

"At least we have two years to raise the money this time," Jackie Watanabe added.

Monique Watanabe

"Sea Scouts is a great way to travel," said Chandler, adding she has taken cruises to Canada, Alaska and the Catalina Islands.

"They aren't pleasure cruises," added Watanabe, who has also been to Virginia for a regatta. "But we learn a lot about boating."

Both Watanabe and Chandler say that Sea Scouts is the "best kept secret in scouting."

"It's lots of fun because you're always learning something new," Chandler said. "People don't realize how much fun it is," Watanabe said. "We're always looking for new recruits."

If anyone is interested in joining the Sea Scouts or donating money, contact Jackie Watanabe at 334-5381.