Panorama: Happenings Judge’s ruling: Warner retiring from bench, but not ready for couch
Former Lodi mayor and council member Dave Warner recently retired from the bench of San Joaquin County Superior Court, after serving as judge for about 20 years. But don’t expect to see him lying around on the couch any time soon. He returned to work as a “visiting” judge virtually the day after his retirement. Dave joins another city of Lodi alum, Bob McNatt, who served as Lodi’s City Attorney before being tapped by the governor to join the SJC Court in 1995. Bob retired from the Court a few years ago, but also continues to preside over cases as a sub.
BLUE NEWS: Lodi Police Lt. Sierra Brucia was promoted to captain and will fill the position recently vacated by now-retired Chris Jacobson.
BEHIND THE SCENES: Despite all appearances and in contrast to comments made by skeptics like me, there are undercurrents of progress being made by folks working hard to turn around the Eastside (sometimes referred to as the “Heritage District”), especially when it comes to gangs. Liz Stevahn, a young woman who works in conjunction with the 180 Teen Center and Care Lodi, fearlessly moved into a place on the Eastside, in a neighborhood where most would fear to tread, so she could work with, and hopefully redirect kids who are current and future gangsters. Her intervention activities include an after school program at Hale Park — a notorious gang hangout — where some 50 kids show up twice a week. And the program is having some success. The donor-financed program shows promise and is worthy of support.
OFF THE CLOCK: In case you’ve missed them, parking meters are gone from Downtown Lodi, not to return anytime soon, according to City Manager Steve Schwabauer. While the “test” meters generated significant revenue, they also produced tremendous resistance by almost everyone. Downtown had parking meters back in the ‘60s and ‘70s, but they were also considered a scourge by merchants. They were finally ripped out by their steel roots in order to silence the constant drumbeat of complaints by shoppers and merchants
STEVE MANN
alike … but not before they became famous as a prop in the movie, “Cool Hand Luke,” where actor Paul Newman was seen cutting the heads off the beasts — an action local merchants fantasized of doing.
FIT TO PRINT: Retired band director and father of the Grape Bowl Classic Band Review Bob Gross, 75, a regular at Fitness Works gym, had just finished a vigorous walk on the treadmill and was sprawled out on a yoga mat, resting, when another gym-goer thought Bob was looking a little too relaxed and asked, “Hey, Bob, are ya dead?” to which he whispered, “not yet!”
MY SPIES ARE EVERYWHERE: Overheard at the Raley’s meat counter… Man to butcher: “Can you believe it? My daughter doesn’t like bacon. How can anyone not like bacon?” Butcher utters, “I dunno.” Man: “I figure it’s some kind of genetic defect — on her mother’s side.” Must be one of those gene mutations you get from eating too much chicken.
GREEN GOODNESS: Have you ever tried the fare from the Moveable Feast, that lime green food truck that normally parks along Kettleman Lane near F&M Bank? I just have to say that they’ve gotta have the best French fries in town. (If you have a different favorite, write to me at the email address below and let me know where). In the meantime, I hope Dr. Navone isn’t reading this …
HOT SPOT: A group of diners was waiting patiently for their food to arrive at the always-busy Habanero Hots the other evening, taking note of someone at another table celebrating their birthday and being serenaded in song by the wait staff, when someone in the group said, “If it takes much longer, it will be MY birthday!”
HABLA ESPANOL?: With all the new city council districts drawn and official, councilwoman Joanne Mounce finds herself smack dab in the middle of District 4, which is about 50 percent Hispanic. While her term won’t expire for two years, she’s not wasting any time in boning up on her Spanish. But she says that if a “young Latina rises up, one who has a passion for the Eastside” like she does, she’ll consider stepping aside and supporting that person.
BETRAYED?: Ten years ago this month the Delta College Board of Trustees was purring assurances that a satellite campus would surely be built in the Lodi area, perhaps as soon as 2010, starting off with modular buildings on a site that would feature cool amenities like walking trails leading to the Mokelumne River. What a difference a decade makes. Not exactly what taxpayers who voted for the bond measure had in mind, no?
SUDS AND STUFF: Just as Lodi is known for its wine, the Lodi area is fast becoming the region’s craft beer capital. There are already four independent breweries downtown, including Lodi Beer Company, Five Window Beer Co., Idol Beer Works, and Dancing Fox Winery and Brewery. Soon there will be a fifth — High Water Brewery that will be located on Industrial Way east of 99. Projected opening is this summer. They will be joined by Delta Distillery, makers of craft spirits.