Resources

Where to go for local stuff
The city of Lodi Parks and Recreation Department offers sports leagues for children, ages 4 through 18. Visit the Parks and Recreation Department Web site or call (209) 333-6727 for more information. Sign ups must be done in person at the parks and recreation office located at 125 N. Stockton St., in Lodi.
The Lodi Public Library has special programs for toddlers, preschoolers, school-age children and even teens. Visit the library’s Web site or call Children’s Librarian Jim Tinder at (209) 333-5508. The library is located at 201 W. Locust St., in Lodi.
Throughout the year, the city of Lodi sponsors events for older kids, such as the California Coastal Cleanup Day held annually in September. Visit the city’s Web site for updates. Individual departments can be reached at 333-6800.
Visit the Lodi Arts Commission Web site for a schedule of local classes such as “Big Messy Toddler Art” and “Kinder Tap.”
Teenagers have a safe place to hang out at the One-Eighty Teen Center that holds regular hours and special events. Check back often at the center’s Web site and click on “coming events.”
Lodi holds many family friendly festivals and fairs throughout the year. Don’t miss any of them; sign up for a free newsletter at the Lodi Conference and Visitor Bureau Web site .
The Lodi Unified School District Web site is the place to go for everything from school boundary lines to testing scores if you live in the district. The district office, located at 1305 E. Vine St., in Lodi can be reached at (209) 331-7000.
Lodi Memorial Hospital offers several pre-natal classes covering everything from breastfeeding to diaper changing. The hospital also has an online calendar .
Where to go for fun
Micke Grove Regional Park , located just outside Lodi, offers fun for all ages. Visit the park’s Web site or call (209) 331-7270 for more information. The park, which includes Fun Town and a zoo, is located at 11793 N. Micke Grove Road. It is open daily (except Christmas) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is required.
Pixie Woods Children’s Playland , where children can ride a train, boat or merry-go-round, is located at Louis Park, at Monte Diablo and Occidental avenues, in Stockton. $3.50 for children over age 12, $3 for 12 and under. Rides are $1.75 each, or three for $4.25. Visit the Pixie Woods Web site for more information.
The new Stockton Arena and adjacent Banner Island Ballpark is the place to go for minor league sports. The Ports baseball team plays through September, while the Thunder hockey team picks up its pucks in October. The indoor football team, the Stockton Lightning, also plays there. Visit the arena’s Web site for ticket pricing and game schedules.
Here is a collection of local online sites to visit before planning your next family day trip or a school field trip:
Haggin Museum
Oakdale Cheese & Specialties
Chocoholics
Pumpkin Maze (October only)
Where to go for help
Have something you want to give away, or looking for something to get? Freecycle.org is an international organization with local groups set up to connect people wanting to recycle old things. It’s a great resource for free child items and clothes, even school uniforms. Join the Stockton-Lodi group to get connected to locals.
Got school-age children? Visit the Multnomah County Library Homew ork Center for information and homework help on everything from algebra to zebras.
Looking to save some money? Visit A Full Cup for downloadable coupons and tips from other parents on how to budget with children. Coupons.com is another great place.
You can post comments and questions on this helpful parenting message board at the Huggies Baby Network .
Similar to many magazines, Parenting offers archives of articles. With the touch of the keypad and just one word, you’ll be connected to helpful tips and stories about raising children through age 12.
Just found out your pregnant? Sign up with your due date at Babyweekly.com and receive week-by-week development updates before and after he or she is born.
Fisherprice.com not only provides information on age-appropriate toys children, but provides parenting tips.
Join Growing Up Gerber to get free coupons and an e-mail newsletter on feeding your baby and toddler.
Hard to keep up with government recalls lately? Check out the latest recalls, including children’s toys, at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission . You can also sign up for a free e-mail subscription list.
Making your own baby food is not as hard as it sounds. Visit Super Baby Food for easy recipes.
Visit the U.S. Department of Labor Employment Standards Administration Wage and Hour Division for information on the Family and Medical Leave Act. If you’ve just had a baby or need to take time off work to care for a close relative, you may be entitled to paid time off work.
Got a digital camera but no printer. Get prints of the entire family with the touch of a few keys on your computer at Shutterfly . It’s easy enough for even the computer illiterate to use.
Looking for unique neccessities for your baby or toddler? From airport car seat pulls to tabletop placemats for eating at restaurants, One Step Ahead is a great online catalog.
The International Association for Child Safety maintains a database of professional home baby proofers and swimming pool fence installers.