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Last 7 Days

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• Iron will

• Lodi seniors take much-needed trips

• Thousands flock to see wayward whales lost 90 miles inland

• Flag City continues to grow — but crime, strangely, does not

• 3 arrested, 3 cited in undercover alcohol sting

• Ready to run

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 (135)
• I predict: A conservative tide will rise in 2010 (73)
• David Diskin is first to give an invocation under new city of Lodi policy (70)
• The Treaty of Tripoli hoax (60)
• Universal health care solves big problems (54)
• Here's what my father knew about the assassination of JFK (35)
• Stuck in neutral? Hardly! (35)
• Words from our forefathers (27)
• City of Lodi staff looking into possibility of limiting number of taco trucks (24)
• Majority cannot deprive the minority (23)

ADVERTISEMENT

Service Master fights fire, flood damage

Business: Service Master Advantage

Owner: Brock and Franse Mathews

Vitals: 226 Commerce St., Suite 1 — 333-1880

How long: Since 2004

About the business: Service Master Advantage aids businesses and residences in cleaning up damage caused by fire or flooding and cleans out areas affected by mold. Flood damage may be as severe as the whole house or just a case of an overflowing toilet or a water heater leak.

With backgrounds combining both construction and restoration, Brock and Franse Mathews jumped at the opportunity when Service Master Advantage had its Lodi franchise available. Since acquiring the business in 2004, the couple has taken the time to help others out of disasters.

Q: How did the business get started?

A: This is actually a franchise. The former owner had it up for sale. My husband has a construction background. I wanted to concentrate on toxic mold and I also grew up in restoration.

Q: What challenges have you faced?

A: It was hard to take the business over and have to deal with people who are distraught over their home. Being there for them emotionally and trying to calm them down, it gets difficult. It's also difficult making sure they know they are not being taken advantage of and building a trustworthy relationship with them.

Q: What do you enjoy about the business?

A: It's nice to be able to help other people. That is always satisfying. Being a role model in society in a company that is honest and ethical. That's where we receive joy from our job. All of our employees talk about how they enjoy working for us. It's nice to see that in them.

Q: What's the biggest disaster you have ever responded to?

A: The fire that was at Frames and Fine Things, mainly because we were on a time frame. She was trying to prepare for an event for Christmas and we had two weeks. We worked some 25-hour days. There are a lot of collectibles and we needed to handle them with extreme care. We did it and she was ecstatic. The biggest water disaster was Barbosa Cabinets in Tracy. The whole office was flooded. They were having their air conditioner worked on and there was a hole in the roof. It rained and no one expected it to.

Q: What is your advise on how to prepare for disasters?

A: To read over the policy and know what the coverage is. To be aware of what you're getting recorded by taking pictures of the home and its contents. Also turn in jewelry that is inherited because that is extra coverage. There are certain limitations on the policy. Also to make sure to get a response right away because there will be more damage the more you wait.

Q: What has been your more memorable experience?

A: The sense of accomplishment, especially with Frames and Fine Things because it was a large job. We still see her and she is happy to know we fulfilled our obligation. That is fulfilling.

Q: Describe yourself in three words.

A: Devoted, honest and caring.

Q: What has been the best decision you ever made?

A: Putting together our corporate objective, which is "honoring God in all we do and investing in people and companies."

Q: How do most people get in contact with you?

A: Their insurance companies usually give us a call or they will call our 800 number at our call center and request us.

Q: Do you ever have multiple businesses calling and if so how do you handle them?

A: Yes, it happens on a daily basis. We have a one-hour response time. We have to make it happen. We make sure we schedule in the order received.

If you know of a local family-owned business deserving of a profile, call Pam Bauserman at 369-7035.