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• Small school, big enrollment

• Lodi gets grant to fill four police positions

• Survival guide: Bay Bridge closure

• Lodi Muslim Mosque welcomes new president, Khan Afsar

• City of Lodi could eventually receive $1 million a year under land deal

• Firm solicits input on new Galt High School District superintendent

• Local students score higher than state test-takers

February 8th, 2010

• Public Meetings

• Locals pick best, most memorable Super Bowl commercials

• Regional Roundup

February 6th, 2010

• The Home Depot hopes to join Costco at Reynolds Ranch

• Meet Larry, Curly and Moe

• Baboon business

• Regional Roundup

• Several Lodi venues let you watch the Super Bowl in style

• Lodi Library celebrates 100 years of serving the community

• Culinary craft

February 5th, 2010

• Kids, teachers help Haiti by collecting pennies for Learning Link

• Lodi, Galt students reach out to help Haiti earthquake survivors

• Tasered suspect claims he is Yosemite Sam

• Hours of sweat and work go into putting on crab feeds

• Things looking up for state's real estate

• Correction

• Regional Roundup

• Stray bullet strikes Lodi home; police suspect gang activity may be factor

February 4th, 2010

• Managers at Geweke Toyota answer questions about recall

• Lodi City Council votes to replace play structure at Century Park

• Lodi extends ban on pot shops for another year

• Mokelumne River triathlon set for June

• Family, friends to run half-marathon in memory of Galt family

February 3rd, 2010

• Correction

• Regional Roundup

• Delta College trustees again collide over stipend committee

• Lodi-area senators Dave Cox, Lois Wolk admit to gifts; Tom Berryhill case pending

• Lodi Unified School District president issues warning to speakers over cuts

• Galt City Council avoids budget cuts — for now

• New Lodi Memorial Hospital emergency room opens to the public without a hitch

• Bad bugs, weeds are hot topics at Grape Day

February 2nd, 2010

• Big rig plows 7 cars

• Local business leaders say tourism, Costco, Home Depot may play roles in city's future

• Former Lodian Erica Davis is first paraplegic woman to summit Kilimanjaro

• Jumpers across California

• Correction

• Regional Roundup

• No snow leopards, otters for Micke Grove

• McNerney leads in campaign cash

• Police: Train victim was a Lodi teen

February 1st, 2010

• Find cuddly alpacas not too far from Lodi

• Public Meetings

• Patients can expect faster, better service when Lodi Memorial Hospital's new emergency room opens

• Man killed by Amtrak train in Lodi

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

• Will terrorists be given Miranda warnings? (75)
• President Obama's first year (67)
• Lodi Unified School District president issues warning to speakers over cuts (64)
• Local business leaders say tourism, Costco, Home Depot may play roles in city's future (60)
• Islamic symbol in mosaic — what is all the fuss? (49)
• Many reject the politics of 'no' (43)
• Writer comments on Neely column (42)
• The Home Depot hopes to join Costco at Reynolds Ranch (41)
• Police: Train victim was a Lodi teen (31)
• Time to shed the convenient sham of 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy (31)

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Lodi Muslim Mosque welcomes new president, Khan Afsar

After six years as president of the Lodi Muslim Mosque, Mohammad Shoaib has turned over the reigns to Khan Afsar, a newcomer to the mosque board. Afsar took over as president on Aug. 1.

Afsar takes over the mosque leadership after being on its board a little more than a year. So how did he become president so soon?

"The board asked me to become president," he replied, giving no reason why he accepted the position.

Born in Pakistan, Afsar moved to the United States with his father in 1978. He became an American citizen in 1984.

Afsar attended school in Pakistan, but didn't attend college. Afsar was a farmworker picking pears, apricots, peaches and grapes. He also worked at Pacific Coast Producers in Lodi and at a glass plant in Tracy. He is not employed at this time.

Afsar lives in Lodi with his wife, three daughters and a son. One daughter attends Heritage Elementary School, and the other three children are Tokay High School students.

Afsar talked to News-Sentinel staff writer Ross Farrow about his life and plans for the mosque.

Q: What are your goals as Lodi Muslim Mosque president?

A: Unity and peace, work with everybody — all religions and the community. Listen.

Q: A few years ago, there was lack of unity within the mosque with individuals fighting for power. Has that a problem anymore?

A: It has been solved — all solved. (He credited Shoaib's leadership as former mosque president for forging peace.)

Q: Who was the biggest influence in your life?

A: God — He can change your life just like that (snapping his fingers).

Q: How do you feel about the United States' potential military involvement in Pakistan?

A: That's up to the Pakistani government and American government. I hope both governments do something good for humanity. And I expect something good.

Q: It has been a Pakistani custom for teenage girls to not go to school with boys. How do you feel about it?

A: I have two daughters at Tokay High School, one in ninth grade, one in 10th grade. I have no problem with that. Girls cannot swim together with boys.

Q: What is your favorite movie?

A: "Home Alone." It's a funny movie.

Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.