Cell Block 7 to perform at American Legion
Cell Block 7, a Lodi-based Dixieland jazz band, will be performing at American Legion Hall on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.
The performance is free and open to the public, but food will be available for purchase. Dinner — barbecue chicken, potato or green salad, a roll and strawberry shortcake — is $15. Hamburgers will be available for $8, and hot dogs for $5.
Cell Block 7 will play from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Legion, 320 N. Washington St., Lodi.
Merrin Straw, the leader of a group known as “The Sisterhood,” spoke recently to members of Soroptimist International of Lodi. SI Lodi made a donation to the group to continue this valuable program.
The mission of the group is: “To help sixth- to 12th-grade girls develop confidence by instilling faith, hope, love, and unity for a fulfilling junior high and high school experience and a strong foundation that will last a lifetime.”
This program fits well with the mission of Soroptimist, which works to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment.
Straw explained the goals of The Sisterhood and how our donation to the group last year was used.
Straw founded this group two years ago. Her aim is to provide these girls with the tools to build self-confidence and the social skills necessary for a successful experience in school and life. Straw hosts weekly meetings at her home. The girls are divided into two age groups, sixth through eighth grades and ninth through 12th. She also provides one-on-one mentoring to 13 girls.
With one-on-one mentoring, junior high and high school girls are given specialized mentoring tailored to fit their individual needs and goals.
Mina Sebastian also presented a computer to Ayisha Willaims, a recipient of the 2016 “Live Your Dream” award. Ayisha is a mother of four and continuing her education as a single mother while working fulltime. To learn how to become a member of The Sisterhood or to make a donation, visit or find them on Facebook at “The Sisterhood.” The Sisterhood is a nonprofit organization. Donations help cover organizational costs, weekly meetings and event scholarships for girls of low-income families.
To learn more about Soroptimist International of Lodi, visit
or call Deb Miller at 209-368-8173. Meetings are held at Richmaid Restaurant on Cherokee Lane at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursday of each month.