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• With water and artistic glass, San Joaquin County administration building to open in Stockton

• Thornton woman's experiences continue to change her

• Regional Roundup

• Public Meetings

November 19th, 2009

• Logbook

• Water surges in Mokelumne River yield more salmon

• Suspect arrested after hiding in fridge

• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22

• Operation: Christmas

• Corrections

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

• Chase ends in crash

• Lodi Unified School District board votes to cancel summer school for 2010

• Lodi City Council will consider redevelopment next June

• Galt Joint Union High School Distric hires new superintendent

November 18th, 2009

• Congress allocates money for local water projects

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

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

• Regional Roundup

• Galt City Council rejects study on rent stabilization

• Paranormal group conducts second investigation of building

November 17th, 2009

• Lodi Budget and Finance Committee to look into ways to save money on employee benefits

• Redevelopment to be discussed by Lodi City Council again

• Paying tribute to a Lodian

• Regional Roundup

• Court reinstates death penalty for killer of Lodi grad

• Clements gets free water rescue boat

• Clarification

• Decision on summer school expected at tonight's Lodi Unified School District meeting

November 16th, 2009

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

• Regional Roundup

• Correction

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

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

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

• Public Meetings

November 14th, 2009

• Regional Roundup

• 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

• Watchful neighbor in Lodi helped bust suspected burglars

• New Galt city manager juggles job, family

• Galt school district narrows superintendent search to one

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

November 13th, 2009

• What to expect with new homebuyer tax credit

• Lodi Muslim: Local mosque not involved

• Regional Roundup

• Burglary suspects are under arrest

• Lodi veteran recounts close calls in Vietnam

• Mayor Larry Hansen points out Lodi's economic progress

• First phase of Lockeford park by 2011?

November 12th, 2009

• Logbook

• Correction

• Robotics team at Jim Elliot invited to compete in Israel

• City of Lodi begins annual leaf removal program Monday

• Liberty Ranch construction at standstill as state pulls funds

• Will Lodi adopt a program that will allow volunteers to work at parks?

• With song and speech, veterans are recognized in Lodi

• 20 years later, Acampo man remembers the fall of the Berlin Wall

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

• The country's mess is our fault (130)
• Obama is not a moderate (129)
• Lodi Muslim: Local mosque not involved (94)
• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react (60)
• Despite budget cuts, some Lodi Unified School District salaries continue to rise (49)
• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22 (42)
• Lodi Flames slim playoff chances vanish in setback to Tracy Bulldogs (25)
• Tokay in, traveling to unbeaten No. 3 Grant for football playoffs (25)
• The haves should help the have-nots (25)
• Tokay Tigers blow late 27-point lead in loss to Wolf Pack (22)

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Bridal shop owner Sandra Gonzalez talks about tradition of Quinceañeras

Since the Aztec period, the Hispanic culture has been throwing Quinceañeras for teen girls on their 15th birthdays.

Sandra Gonzalez, co-owner of Gonzalez Bridal Boutique, said the tradition began as a way to recognize that a girl is ready to be married or to enter into the adult society. She said it compares to coming-out parties in other cultures, such as a bat mitzvah or a Sweet 16.

Though she is of Hispanic descent, Gonzalez chose not to have one herself. Years later, she feels it was an important stepping stone deserving recognition.

"It's a once in a lifetime experience," she said. "You can never get it back."

Do you think this is becoming a trend for other cultures to have Quinceañeras?

There definitely has been an increase. They have revitalized the Sweet 16. Some have both. We've had girls where they have been mixed races such as Hispanic and Anglo or Hispanic and Filipino. They see it as a way of reconnecting with their Hispanic side. I think there has been an influence in resurrecting it because girls get excited and say they want a Sweet 16.

What are some must-have accessories?

Definitely the dress. That's the No. 1 thing. And definitely the crown.

You have to have your shoes. It's a part of the ritual. You go into the ceremony with flats and when you come out at the reception, your dad changes the shoes to heels. The gesture shows a girl becoming a woman.

The godparents will give you special items as gifts such as a medalion made out of gold with diamonds or crystals on it, or with the number 15 or a heart on it. Also, you might get a gold bracelet. They are placed on the girl during the ceremony. If she is Catholic or from another church, she'll get a Bible or a rosary.

What is the most popular trend?

I think probably the customizing. We have books that are becoming very popular. Girls get to have their picture imprinted on it. It is a set with a pillow, photo album and a Bible. You can custom make all the accessories. The emboidery comes in 100 colors. You can choose to have a poem on the book or have a rose put on it. Girls love it because it's very unique.

What has been the most elaborate Quinceañera you have seen?

We had a Quinceañera which had two live bands. They are very famous bands. It was surprising to people. They didn't know what the entertainment would be. When they came out, everyone freaked out. There were full-on decorations. It was very elaborate. There was a horse-drawn carriage and two limos, a full-on catered buffet.

How can you plan a Quinceañera while sticking to a budget?

First of all, you've got to make a budget. Sit down and be very realistic about the budget. Find out what's most important. If there's going to be a ceremony, that's most important. For everything else, see what you can do without.

What are the typical costs of a Quinceañera?

They can range from $5,000 to $65,000 and $75,000.

What kind of dress should you wear?

Definitely a full ball gown with a full skirt. The fabric comes in satin, organza or tulle. Color is very important. We have a dress collection, where the girl can make her dress in 300 different colors. A lot of girls are customizing their dresses.

When you plan a Quinceañera, what is the first thing you should do?

Definitely the budget. Get the dates down with the church and the hall if you are having a reception.

Are there different themes?

Oh, yeah. We had one that was a masquerade. We've had rainbows and stars. Some have "Cinderella" themes with castles and a horse-drawn carriage. There was an ocean theme, where she had sea shells and starfish. It's bascialy the imagination of each girl. It should be a reflection of each girl's personality and what she likes.

What is a Quinceañera's court and who is in it?

A court of honor is a set of boys and girls. You can choose all boys or all girls or couples. They are generally like bridesmaids or groomsmen. They stand up for you.