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Last 7 Days

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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 2nd, 2009

• Deputies name suspect in fatal Acampo shooting

November 7th, 2009

• Lodi High graduate was at Fort Hood

• Lining up for flu shots in Lodi

• Tour packs buses as birdwatchers admire Sandhill cranes

• City of Lodi staff looking into possibility of limiting number of taco trucks

• Daytime thieves targeting Lodi homes

• Lodi High School rally featured on 'Good Day Sacramento'

• Out of control

• Homicide suspect Anthony Hubbard arraigned

• Regional Roundup

• New Lodi Memorial rule to combat spread of H1N1: Visitors must be older than 16

November 6th, 2009

• Short sales make up nearly half of Lodi market

• Regional Roundup

• Lodi man accused of smuggling drugs, weapons for inmates at state prison

• 'I-5 Strangler' sentenced to 6 terms of life

• Jury convicts Acampo man of torture, assault of his girlfriend

• Young girl is 200,000th person to assemble AIDS, HIV care kit

• Woman in wheelchair struck by car

November 5th, 2009

• A lower Lodi Lake

• Streetside scarecrows

• San Joaquin County considers moratorium on new Williamson Act contracts

• Speakers address Lodi Unified School District budget shortfalls, plea to keep programs

• Armed robbers still targeting Lodi shops

• Regional Roundup

• California voters have final say over $11 billion water bond

• Weekend bus service to continue until Lodi City Council makes decision

• Paul Tebbel shines spotlight on sandhill cranes

• Your complete guide to Sandhill Crane Festival

• David Diskin is first to give an invocation under new city of Lodi policy

• Man wanted in Acampo homicide gives up to San Joaquin County Sheriff's detectives

November 4th, 2009

• Candle fire

• Rep. Jerry McNerney sets telephone town hall for Thursday

• Jason Behrmann is unanimously named Galt's city manager

• Regional Roundup

• Galt City Council argues over ordinance hiring residents

• San Joaquin County sues state over prison hospital planned for Stockton

• Big win for Allen Baroni in reclamation election

• California sends Democratic loyalist John Garamendi to Congress

• Bicycling father raising awareness of teen suicide

• Lodi City Council weighs raising fares to restore some bus service

November 3rd, 2009

• 500 attend service for Kyle Coumas

• Correction

• Galt considers ordinance that would require city contractors to hire locally

• Regional Roundup

• Have you seen a missing guide dog puppy in Lodi?

• Galt man dies after weekend Highway 12 crash

• Jason Behrmann is top candidate for Galt city manager

• Deputies name suspect in fatal Acampo shooting

• Clarification

November 2nd, 2009

• Downtown Lodi trick or treat

• Public Meetings

• Correction

• Kyle Coumas funeral today

• 27-year-old man shot to death Saturday night in front of Acampo home

• Regional Roundup

• Group investigates reports of haunting

• Sandhill Cranes Festival comes to Lodi next weekend

• Lamborghini lovers gather for show, fine wine, luncheon in Woodbridge

• Lodi's 'Biggest Loser' Christy Richesin runs 5K Halloween race

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

• Bible is entwined with American civic life (137)
• I predict: A conservative tide will rise in 2010 (74)
• David Diskin is first to give an invocation under new city of Lodi policy (70)
• The Treaty of Tripoli hoax (66)
• Universal health care solves big problems (56)
• Stuck in neutral? Hardly! (37)
• Here's what my father knew about the assassination of JFK (35)
• Words from our forefathers (27)
• Majority cannot deprive the minority (25)
• City of Lodi staff looking into possibility of limiting number of taco trucks (24)

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.