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• 3 teens injured in shooting

• Should religion be part of political decision-making process?

• Holiday closures throughout the area

November 2nd, 2009

• Deputies name suspect in fatal Acampo shooting

November 8th, 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 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)

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What we can learn from Jennifer Silveira

Florist shares the secrets of floral designs

For Jennifer Silveira, making floral arrangements runs in the family. Now 25, Silveira said she watched her grandmother make them since she was eight years old. Two years ago she took over the floral business from her grandparents, and as the owner of The Flower Basket, Silveira said she enjoys working with the long-time customers her grandparents established.

What is the best thing about being a florist?

I really like doing the wedding work. I like sitting down and talking to the brides. Since I just got married five years ago, I feel I can relate to them. Also, we've had customers since my grandparents opened the shop and they still come in. I enjoy working with them.

How do you get ideas for arrangements?

We have two books that have floral arrangements in them. We can go off that. We also go to floral shows.

Are you busier during the holiday season?

Yes, Christmas, Mother's Day and Valentines Day are the busiest times of year.

What is the most popular Christmas arrangement you sell?

I would say the centerpieces with candles, and the Teleflora Thomas Kincade products.

What is your advice on how to keep arrangements fresh?

Keep them in a cool place and add water daily.

What is the longest you can expect an arrangement to last?

It depends on what it is. If it's carnations or roses it can last up to two or three weeks. Roses usually last about five days but if you take care of it, it can last two weeks. We include a care tag with it that tells how to take care of it. There's a preservative that you can add to water.

Do people buy arrangements mostly for their own homes or for gifts?

Usually for gifts, and we deliver them to family or friends.

What do you put in your gourmet baskets?

I usually do fruit, meats, cheese, crackers, chocolate and tea or coffee.

How do you learn to make arrangements?

There are design schools, but the truth is, either you've got it or you don't. I bought this place from my grandmother two years ago and I just watched. There are people who try and try and still can't get it.

What is the most elaborate arrangement you have ever made?

I would say it was for a man who came in about two months ago. For his 25th anniversary, he ordered a vase of 50 roses — 25 white and 25 red. It was just gargantuan.

What is the most unusual request you have ever received?

I've had people bring in diamond earrings or a ring and have it attached to the arrangements. Sometimes they want to set figurines in the bottom of a vase and have the flowers coming out on top of it.