While they’d never admit it, some people are procrastinators when it comes to Mother’s Day. Busy schedules, meetings and plain forgetfulness are all routine — and rarely credible excuses.

Shaped by the land and climate and further molded by the economy and markets, Lodi’s agricultural landscape over the decades has evolved from grain to watermelons to grapes.

It helps to be a “one and only.” Talking about the Grand Tasting at the 16th annual Rhone Rangers Celebration that took place March 23 in San Francisco.

(BPT) - Warm sun, fresh air, soft grass – the summer season is the perfect reason to plan a festive gathering with friends and family. Whether you’re celebrating a momentous occasion or simply spending time with the special people in your life, a few tips and tricks can help you plan a fun party without breaking the bank.

Effective leaders are often affable and diplomatic. As executive director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission, Camron King humbly blends traits in his ongoing work with winemakers and growers to promote the area.

When Robert Torres started working for his family's winery as 5-year-old boy, he helped his grandmother on their home bottling line. She would fill the bottles by hand, and Torres would screw the cap on before it was tightened with a machine.

(NAPSI)—Anyone who thinks a low-maintenance landscape has to be plain green and ugly should think again. With a bit of planning, some smart plant choices and the help of these seven garden designer secrets, you can have a yard that’s the envy of your neighborhood—and enough time to enjoy it.

Grape growers and wine industry officials in San Joaquin County learned some good news Friday. This year's crush had a record fall harvest — and record prices paid by wineries.

(NAPSI)—Many people spend a lot of time and effort trying to find the right wine for a particular event or meal. In fact, there are even some who try to find the right wine for tax season.

Camaraderie. Community. Cause. CRAB!

Steve and Carla Cole have been cooking for various organizations’ crab feeds for 36 years. Some of them have included the Lodi Police Department, Tokay High School, St. Luke’s and Pacific Gas and Electric. Saturday will mark the 11th time the two have cooked crab and all the fixings for the Lodi Boys and Girls Club. The two enjoy showing support to the club they feel offers a lot to local children.

It might be too cold this week to work in the vegetable garden or refinish the deck in the backyard. But it is never too early to start planning a string of creative improvement projects for the years ahead. A slew of vendors and local businesses at this weekend's Lodi Home and Garden Show are eager to help you get going.

The Lodi Chamber of Commerce will host an Outstanding Citizens Award Celebration later this month to celebrate their 90th year in operation this month.

(BPT) - Grab your fork and knife. Amateur and professional foodies alike highly anticipate the newest food trends, and 2013 will not disappoint. Throughout the country, restaurants and home cooks are utilizing their creativity to make food that satisfies the palate and leaves a lasting impression.

Zumba let people shake it like they did as teenagers

(NAPSI)—A TV channel that's known for keeping kids entertained now features programming designed to make moms laugh.

The front-page headline of Nov. 16 was a great one, and our country's veterans deserve our respect and honor. We have a family to be deployed next year to a volatile area of the world, and we are hopeful of his safe return. Thank you for your coverage of our veterans and current military.

Holiday shoppers had three choices if they wanted to get their gifts early. Friday was Black Friday, in which stores offered goods that brought shoppers to the store before the sun rose. Saturday was Small-Business Saturday, which had great participation from Downtown Lodi merchants. Then there was Cyber Monday, where people could purchase discounted items, but only through the business' website.

(NAPSI)—When the party is at your place during the holidays or at any time, you can take the worry out of deciding which wine to serve by taking a few tips from the professionals:

The Lodi Salvation Army is gearing up for its eighth annual Kettle Kick-Off Luncheon on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. in Chardonnay Hall at the Lodi Grape Festival Grounds.

When the gates swing open on Sept. 13, the Lodi Grape Festival will present the community’s annual harvest celebration that has grown and evolved over the last 78 years.