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• Water on the way

• Tokay High teen gets chance to meet star of her dreams, Robert Pattinson of 'Twilight'

• City of Lodi begins leaf removal program

• Lodi school district Trustee Ken Davis eyeing seat on Stockton council

• 'Principal for a day' gives appreciation for the job

• Regional Roundup

• Public Meetings

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 (74)
• 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 (24)

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Exchange students give host chance to learn and teach

Susan Pazo became interested in hosting foreign exchange students as a senior in high school, when her family hosted one. Pazo was contacted last year by a local coordinator about hosting some foreign exchange students for a short time, then later she was contacted about hosting year-round students. Now, she hosts both and currently has two staying with her. She also serves as a teacher and coordinator.

Pazo said she enjoys the learning and teaching process that hosting students involves. "You learn and teach constantly. We've had some interesting conversations of lifestyles and opinions," she said.

What is your role as a teacher/coordinator?

I have organized and coordinated groups. I make lesson plans from the approved curriculum. Since I was a beginner, we did basic grammar. I do activities so they learn about the community and the culture. We learn about holidays and make Mother's Day cards, decorate Christmas trees and have birthday parties with piñatas. I accompany them on trips, such as to the capitol in Sacramento and to San Francisco, so they can see parts of the California culture.

What are the benefits of being a host family?

One of the benefits for my kids is to see some of another culture and how they are. It forms a lifelong bond. Some have been in contact with students for years. I know I'll be in contact with James when he goes back. It's rewarding when you show someone else your hometown and way of living.

What do students do when they are here?

The academic year program students are enrolled in school. They are required to take certain classes. They can participate in sports or clubs. The short-term (students) are supposed to hang out with the host family because it is such a short time, to get the real feel. They are supposed to participate with the family and are really encouraged to participate in American teenager activities.

What is expected of the host family?

To treat them like your own. They are not really a house guest. James has chores assigned to him. They are expected to do the same as my teenagers.

What has been a memorable situation while hosting?

In the Japanese culture they are really respectful, always bowing and saying, "Yes, ma'am." I brought my Japanese student to my Puerto Rican in-laws and at the end he was hugging everyone.

Also, James was very serious when he came. The first joke I ever played on him, he got me back with a zinger and it hasn't stopped. It's (great) when they become comfortable.

What are the benefits of foreign students coming here?

For them, it's giving them that deep base understanding of English. That can give them that edge in China because it is so competitive. English is so desirable. For others, it gives them that authentic exposure that America isn't like it is on TV. They are exposed to things they have never thought about before.

You have students coming here in the next month. How can someone become a host to them?

They can visit the Web site or contact the area coordinator, Janice Vanderlans, at 662-0318. Or they can contact the school. It's a lot of word-of-mouth. We always need short-term (hosts) and they can contact me at 345-8035. Once you are on the list, you'll always be called. All three of us do the short-term and long-term programs.