Want to play blackjack, poker, craps or roulette without leaving Lodi? You can do just that on Friday night while raising money for school programs that the Lodi Unified School District cannot afford to provide.

The Hutchins Street Square Foundation held a low-key ceremony today to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Square, formerly known as Lodi Union High School. The original cornerstone was placed on this day a century ago.

One hundred years ago, Feb. 13, 1913, was a momentous day in Lodi.

David Moore was seated behind a long low table covered in a green cloth. Several small items rested before him. A tractor. Needle nosed pliers. Ballet slippers. A dinosaur figure. An unfilled red balloon. 

Donald Luhdorff

A funeral for Donald Luhdorff, 78, of Galt, who died Oct. 6, will be held at 1 p.m. today at Galt Funeral Home, 702 B Street, Galt. A graveside service will immediately follow.

Lodi will be a cheeseburger and margarita paradise tonight.

The Lodi Chamber of Commerce and more than 70 businesses are inviting Lodi citizens to a business showcase on Tuesday.

Jim Natsis, chairman of the Consumer Wine Awards at Lodi, needed a favor Saturday.

The Lodi Historical Society is holding its October program at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Hutchins Street Square Senior Center. Marty Weybret, publisher of the Lodi News-Sentinel, will speak on the history and future of the Lodi News-Sentinel. Everyone is invited. Refreshments will be served.

The tables were set with white linens, wine glasses and silverware for five courses. The band, the San Francisco-based Grupo Buongiorno, started the evening with signature flamenco, bossa nova and samba. And about 240 men and women, dressed in bow ties and evening dresses, filled Hutchins Street Square for one of Lodi’s biggest art, wine and food fundraisers.

Stockton’s Community Service Department is offering a five-week beginner golf program from 9 to 10 a.m. every Saturday beginning Oct. 22. PGA teaching professional Tony Troncale will teach the fundamentals of golf. Classes are open to those age 13 and older and will be held at Swenson Park Golf Course in Stockton. The cost is $60 per person. Registration in advance is required by Wednesday. For more information, call 601-3388.

Located in the heart of Lodi, Hutchins Street Square is the hub for many forms of entertainment. Whether it’s attending a concert, play or art show, taking classes or even holding a wedding, the site is the gathering place for many local events.

Bob and Betty Davis teach country line dance lessons from 7 to 8:30 p.m. every Wednesday night at the Lodi Eagles Lodge, No. 848, 217 E. Lockeford St., Lodi. Partner dance lessons will be offered on request. The cost for lessons is $5 for non-members or free for members. For more information, call the Eagles Hall at 339-1615.

As the world prepares for Prince William and Kate Middleton to tie the knot in the most extravagant wedding of the decade, Lodi merchants reflect on how they would make the day special for the royal family.

For more than 18 years, bunches of grapes have fluttered in the wind around Lodi as a symbol of the city’s largest industry.

Resident Patrick O’Connell drew the symbolic flag in 1993. His design of a giant cluster of grapes and rolling strips of color in the background won a citywide design contest.

The city purchased flags to display throughout Lodi as a way to promote tourism and the wine industry, said Phil Pennino, who was mayor when the flag was approved.

Phil and Daphne Felde have been named the Lodi Chamber of Commerce's Outstanding Citizens of the Year for 2010. The couple was selected by a committee of previous winners for their volunteer work outside their occupation, according to chamber President/CEO Pat Patrick.