San Joaquin Fair

First, you knew her for her pies, those decadent strawberry and rhubarb slices she served for 24 years at LaVerne’s Coffee Shop in Downtown Lodi.

The Lodi Elks Lodge No. 1900 had a drug awareness booth at the Lodi Street Faire on Oct. 7. The Elk volunteers were able to get more than 180 children’s signatures to commit to remain drug-free. They also passed out 200 bags full of goodies with coloring books, all tied with a “Drugs don’t fly with Elks” logo balloon.  

They’re tight-knit. They’re super fun. They’re musical. They are the Gruber Family Band, and they will be the ones getting you up and dancing at tonight’s Oktoberfest in Lodi. They’ve made a lifestyle around polka and waltzes, and they will share their best with Lodi.

Pull up your lederhosen and lift your stein. Tonight, Lodi’s American Legion will transform into a German hub of lively ladies and gents celebrating a longtime tradition revolving around culture, beer, bratwurst and music.

It’s time for Oktoberfest, a celebration of all things German — and my favorites, beer and sausage.

The German Hermann Sons is having its annual Oktoberfest on Saturday at the Stockton Eagles Hall, 1492 Bourbon St. There will be dance music by Don Sommerfield, German food and beer. Doors will open at 1 p.m. Admission is $15. For more information, call Heinz Lehrach at 209-369-6722.

Tickets are now on sale for the annual Lodi Oktoberfest, a fundraiser for the Lodi-Tokay Rotary Club.

It's surprising more countries don't have a Day of Thanksgiving.

Canadians celebrate the holiday in October. We do it in November. The custom seems to have gone no further. But the act of giving thanks, of looking back over a life or a year and counting our blessing is an uplifting experience that we would commend to everyone.

The smell of freshly cooked bratwurst wafted through the doorway as Louis Ettlin and Mary Reichmuth strolled in with a fresh mug of ice-cold beer.

1. Ballet performance of ‘The Spiral Bridge: Space’

Tickets are on sale for St. John’s Episcopal Church for a Community Harvest Celebration tri-tip and oyster dinner dance from 6 p.m. to midnight today  at the American Legion Hall, 320 N Washington St., Lodi.  

1. Evening in the Library dinner

Looking for something to do on a weekend in the Lodi area? Beginning in spring and running nearly year round, chances are there’s something happening in or around the city.

Starting July 1, the Lodi Tokay Rotary Club has a new president.

Looking for something to do on a weekend in the Lodi area? Beginning in spring and running nearly year-round, chances are there’s something happening in or around the city.

Oct. 23

Today