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• Some Lodi-area students seek a new course for college because of rising costs

• Increased admission fees likely for some local colleges

• After 10 years, Vino Piazza files bankruptcy

• 45 years later, Lodian treasures card from Jacqueline Kennedy

• Lodi teens ditch school, crash car into tractor trailer on Guild Avenue

• Regional Roundup

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 (161)
• Obama is not a moderate (130)
• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react (70)
• Despite budget cuts, some Lodi Unified School District salaries continue to rise (58)
• 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)
• 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 (23)

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45 years later, Lodian treasures card from Jacqueline Kennedy

Many Lodi-area residents remember where they were on Nov. 22, 1963, — 45 years ago today — when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

People all over the world were stunned and grief-stricken by the charismatic president's sudden death. In Lodi, an 8-year-old girl, Gena Katnich Brentt, decided to offer her sympathies to Kennedy's widow.

When Brentt got home that day from Leroy Nichols School, she asked her mother if it would be all right if she wrote a letter to Jacqueline Kennedy. Her mother said it would be very nice of her to do so.

The first lady not only received Brentt's letter, but she mailed back a "thank you" note that reads, "Mrs. Kennedy is deeply appreciative of your sympathy and grateful for your thoughtfulness."

The note, in italicized handwriting, now sits in a picture frame in her Lodi living room.

Brentt recalls what she was doing on that fateful day of Nov. 22, 1963.

"I was sitting on a step outside a classroom," she said. "It was recess. It was chilly, and they rang the bell early to come in from recess. The teacher turned on the television and we watched."

After school, she sat at the dining room table as her mother cooked dinner. She took a piece of binder paper and wrote "The Lord's Prayer" to Jacqueline Kennedy. She doesn't recall if she wrote anything else to her.

"I guess my need was to let her know how I felt," Brentt said.

She recalls watching the funeral procession on TV.

"Such sadness. It showed her with the black veil over her face and the riderless horse," Brentt said. "It was just so sad."

Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.

What was your reaction to Kennedy's assassination in 1963?

Bob Sorensen

"I was a parts man at Eagle Ford in Stockton. It came over the radio and everything came to a stop. It was almost like no cars were driving. Everybody just had a stunned look on their face. 9/11 was the same feeling — 'My God, what is our country going to do?'"

Joanne Murphy

"I was working at AAA when it was on Lodi Avenue. My husband had called me on the phone at work. Everybody was really astounded. I think they had a moment of silence for him. We were all devastated."

Marge Weaver

"Like everybody else, I was shocked. If it happened today, I might have been as shocked. I think our lifestyle has changed."

Carroll Sorensen

"I was ironing, I remember, and watching TV. I just couldn't believe it. I was glued to the TV set the rest of the day. I thought it was something that shouldn't happen in our country, especially at that time. Now I believe it could happen. You don't know what's in people's minds."