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• Officer laid to rest in Galt

• After three fires in one week, arson suspected at Lodi home

• Agency, city can begin application process to build Lodi power plant

• Renovation in Thornton

• Regional Roundup

• Correction

• Noche Mexicana

November 21st, 2009

• Logbook

• Holiday drive spreads cheer to U.S. troops

• Galt High students want board to approve open-campus policy

• Poisoning victims remain hospitalized

• Expert: Half a mushroom cap can be deadly

• Tokay grad files claim over Lodi's Grape Bowl

• Lodi Middle School holds annual Turkey Trot

• Regional Roundup

• No motive or suspect in shooting

• Sacramento cop arrested for alleged kidnapping

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

• Operation: Christmas

• Logbook

• Suspect arrested after hiding in fridge

• Chase ends in crash

• Galt Joint Union High School Distric hires new superintendent

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

• 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

November 18th, 2009

• Regional Roundup

• Paranormal group conducts second investigation of building

• Congress allocates money for local water projects

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

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

• Galt City Council rejects study on rent stabilization

November 17th, 2009

• Paying tribute to a Lodian

• 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

• Clarification

November 16th, 2009

• Correction

• Public Meetings

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

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

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

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

• Regional Roundup

November 14th, 2009

• Galt school district narrows superintendent search to one

• Regional Roundup

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

• Watchful neighbor in Lodi helped bust suspected burglars

• New Galt city manager juggles job, family

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

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

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

• The country's mess is our fault (165)
• Obama is not a moderate (130)
• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react (70)
• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22 (48)
• The haves should help the have-nots (30)
• Public health care is a Christian option (29)
• Tokay in, traveling to unbeaten No. 3 Grant for football playoffs (25)
• Government-run health care is a bad idea (17)
• Young woman fatally shot at Acampo home (17)
• Sierra Adventure store to close after four years in Downtown Lodi (16)

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Nonprofits seek community's help to bring Christmas to less fortunate

As the colored leaves fall off the trees, volunteers sit at tables at the Salvation Army. A line of people stretches across the room. The line has been set up for people to turn in applications for Christmas assistance.

The Salvation Army, along with five other nonprofit organizations, are gearing up to help bring Christmas to the less fortunate and are seeking the community's help.

Each agency cross references with the others to make sure there are no duplicates. Dale Ludwig, director of the Lodi Community Service Center, wants to make sure people understand there can be no duplicates.

"They can only sign up for one agency," he said. "This is so we can make sure we can hit more families."

Salvation Army

The kettles are out and volunteers are still needed for the bell ringing, said Lt. Kim Williams. Businesses are being sought to host angel trees or to be a drop off site for toys. Angel ornaments that include the name and profile of a child along with their Christmas wish will be provided with the tree. Those who "adopt" a child by picking a name, can provide a new Christmas gift for that child. The deadline to purchase the gifts is Dec. 15. The Salvation Army will need volunteers to help package the gifts on Dec. 17, 18 and 19 for distribution.

Turkeys and non-perishable foods for a Christmas dinner, Christmas gifts for the homeless and new and slightly used coats for the Coats for Kids partnership with News 10 may also be donated to the Salvation Army. Coats will be accepted until Dec. 19.

Volunteers are also needed to distribute food packages, toy packages and deliver gifts to nursing homes. For more information or to make a donation, call 369-5896.

Lodi Adopt-A-Child

Lodi Adopt-A-Child will again be doing the angel tags. They are seeking clothing for all children and also age-appropriate toys. The deadline to bring in toys is Dec. 14. Volunteers will then be needed to help wrap gifts and then help in the annual party, which will be held on Dec. 20 at the Lodi Boys and Girls Club.

"We rely on our volunteers heavily," said Diane Jones, who is the office manager.

At the party, volunteers will be needed to help serve cookies and hot chocolate and to help get the guests in and out.

Larger toys such as bicycles will be distributed on Dec. 21 and volunteers will also be needed for that, said Jones.

Lodi Community Service Center

The center is now taking sign-ups for up to 500 families. Food baskets will be given away on Dec. 15, 16 and 17 at 10 a.m. at the Grape Festival Grounds.

"We will be serving 50 families every half hour," said Ludwig. Those who sign up and are unable to make it on the assigned day, can come on the make-up day which will be on the 18th, he said.

In addition to the food baskets, blankets, jackets and at least one wrapped gift for each child under age 13 will be given. The center is accepting donations for needed items. For more information, call 331-7516.

Century Assembly's Building Blocks

The nonprofit group from Century Assembly Church, Building Blocks, is having its toy giveaway on Dec. 20. Director Kathy McClelland said they are still having their annual Christmas program, but it will be a little different this year. It will be a full-fledged theatrical show featuring children ages 3 to 20. The show will include dancing, singing and a story dialogue. Children will be dressed up like actors and actresses.

"It's going to be a very festive year this year," she said. "We wanted to give them an atmosphere that is special and unique so they know how special they are."

The event will be held on Dec. 20 and 21 at noon. Toy bundles will be handed out after the show and they are expecting to give away between 300 to 350 toys. A food give away will be held on Dec. 13 and about 250 people will be served. Food will still be given after that date but may not be the typical Christmas food items. People will be given directions on how to prepare it, said McClelland.

"We get creative. We give them the recipe and suggestions on how to make it a feast," she said.

Monetary donations may be given to the organization by mailing a check to Building Blocks, in care of Century Assembly Church, 550 W. Century Blvd., Lodi, CA 95240. For information on other ways to help, call McClelland at 747-1219.

LOEL Center

Tags will be placed on a Christmas wish tree at the LOEL Center for those who wish to help fulfill a senior's wish. The tags will include the name and a gift idea for that person.

"The wishes are like a Secret Santa," said Kim Smith, event site manager.

Two luncheons will be held at the center on Dec. 5 and 12. The center is seeking volunteers to help serve on those days. The deadline for the wish tags is Dec. 12. For more information, call 369-1591.

Children's Dream Works

This organization, which partners with Share Homes in Lodi, has been busy shopping in the last two weeks for about 150 children.

"My dining room and family room is stacked with bags for families and foster kids from Share Homes," said Rita Sperling, president.

A Christmas party to distribute toys for the foster children will be held on Dec. 14. She said last year toys were provided to over 600 children.

All other families will receive a wrapped gift for children, along with a small gift for the parents. A gift certificate for Christmas dinner will be given to those who need it.

The organization is helping many new families this year, she said. Many of them have lost their jobs or hours have been cut.

"All they're really asking for is something for their children," she said.

The organization is also collecting toys to help out Lodi Adopt-A-Child. Donations may be dropped off at the Cutting Edge hair salon. The salon is also selling raffle tickets for two Christmas baskets, one containing an Xbox 360. The drawing, which will be held on Dec. 20, is open to everyone and tickets are $5 for three. For more information, call Sperling at 334-5357.