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• 'The perfect storm'

• Locals still warming up to Feb. 5 state primary

• City of Lodi to pay $30,000 in sidewalk fall settlement

• Lodi business cited for connecting hoses to fire hydrant

• Sam Swofford, former LUSD supe, dies at 62

• Regional Roundup

• Hearing set for Baxter Dunn

• Dangerous Tesla mines to be sealed with steel bar gate

• Lab pulls explosives-testing application

• 'I'm not quitting until he's home'

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

• 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

• Chase ends in crash

• Operation: Christmas

• Logbook

• Suspect arrested after hiding in fridge

• Galt Joint Union High School Distric hires new superintendent

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

November 18th, 2009

• Regional Roundup

• Paranormal group conducts second investigation of building

• Congress allocates money for local water projects

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

• Galt City Council rejects study on rent stabilization

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

November 17th, 2009

• Clarification

• 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

• Paying tribute to a Lodian

November 16th, 2009

• Correction

• Public Meetings

• Regional Roundup

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

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

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

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

November 14th, 2009

• Galt school district narrows superintendent search to one

• Regional Roundup

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

• Watchful neighbor in Lodi helped bust suspected burglars

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

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

• New Galt city manager juggles job, family

November 13th, 2009

• What to expect with new homebuyer tax credit

• Lodi Muslim: Local mosque not involved

• Regional Roundup

• Mayor Larry Hansen points out Lodi's economic progress

• First phase of Lockeford park by 2011?

• Lodi veteran recounts close calls in Vietnam

• Burglary suspects are under arrest

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

• The country's mess is our fault (147)
• Obama is not a moderate (130)
• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react (63)
• Despite budget cuts, some Lodi Unified School District salaries continue to rise (55)
• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22 (46)
• The haves should help the have-nots (30)
• Lodi Flames slim playoff chances vanish in setback to Tracy Bulldogs (25)
• Tokay in, traveling to unbeaten No. 3 Grant for football playoffs (25)
• Nightmares about America's future (22)
• Tokay Tigers blow late 27-point lead in loss to Wolf Pack (22)

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Helping from the heart

Local senior, who feels a calling to help others, enjoys volunteering for several organizations

Catherine Wawro thinks of volunteering as a calling.

"It is a heartwarming sensation," she said. "It just makes me feel good to help (people) out and do what I can."

Wawro, 83, has been a volunteer for eight years at the LOEL Center, where she helps out in the kitchen. She is also a member of the 50 Plus Club and enjoys assisting the club with their activities.

Q: How long have you volunteered at the LOEL Center, and how did you get involved?

A: It has been approximately eight years or so. Actually, it was through the 50 Plus Club. One of the members was a coordinator for the kitchen crew. She asked me if I would do it. We work two Mondays a month on the second and third Mondays. If there are five, we work a third. We also do fund-raiser dinners once a month.

Q: What kinds of things do you do?

A: If we need to help prepare the food, it's a matter of cutting and serving. If there's a cake, we put on the cream and stuff like that — the fancy things. When we had parties in the garden, we were totally involved — serving and everything. I'm also on the Senior Advisory Board.

Q: What is your role in the 50 Plus Club?

A: I'm serving my second term on the board. I'm also the kitchen supply person. That's quite an endeavor. I try to find items on sale.

I also assist with bingo, which is their big activity.

Q: Do you volunteer for any other groups?

A: Recently, I started working for the Lodi Community Center. I do the preparing of the food boxes for the needy. There are quite a few of us. It's enjoyable to see we can help in that way.

Last year, I helped sign up people who came to register for the food items. I had to check IDs and make sure they qualify.

Also, I am very active in the Moose Lodge. I have held chairs for the last nine years, either as an officer or a chairperson. There are two men's groups that meet there and I help serve for them. Also, the Mental Health Department has a Thanksgiving dinner there every year and I help with that.

Q: Why do you choose to volunteer?

A: Actually, I think it's because I have all this free time. I'm retired as an elementary school teacher. I've done all the crafting I want to do. We used to travel but don't anymore, so I have more freedom. I don't like to watch TV but I do enjoy reading.

Q: What is the last book you read?

A: It was a Christmas story. I'm going to be picking up Danielle Steel's "Amazing Grace," which is her newest. I also enjoy Nicholas Sparks.

Q: What has been the most exciting thing that has happened while volunteering?

A: What happened to me and how I started volunteering ... I had a friend suffering from Parkinson's Disease. She was in need of therapy. I happened to be there when the therapist was and I said, "I can do this." So three times a week, I went and sat and talked with her. I helped her with her physical therapy. That's what got me started volunteering.

Q: What is the best decision you have ever made?

A: Probably marrying my husband. We've been married for 61 years and they have been very precious years.

Q: Which celebrity would you most like to meet?

A: I admire Julie Andrews. I have seen ("The Sound of Music") so many times. I just admire what she does in life and I love her singing. Of course, I taught music to kids — the "Do Re Mi."

Q: Where did you teach?

A: I taught at Needham for 22 years and at Washington for the last several years.

Q: What did you enjoy the most about teaching?

A: I felt like a second mother. Sometimes kids would come to school without breakfast or would come with egg still on their face. I enjoyed mothering them. I loved my job. I was the first to arrive and the last to leave.

Q: What would you like to see for the future of the 50 Plus Club?

A: I'd like to see them grow in membership. I think we need that. We also need other activities besides bingo. That seems to be the mainstay of it.