Lodi’s Serna to be inducted into Mexican-American Hall of Fame
The San Joaquin Mexican-American Hall of Fame (MAHF) is proud to announce seven outstanding and dedicated individuals from San Joaquin County to be honored and inducted into the Mexican-American Hall of Fame on Saturday, August 11, at the Elkhorn Country Club.
Induction into MAHF recognizes deserving Inductees who reflect the importance of being active in the community and are a significant part of the social, cultural, economic and political fabric within San Joaquin County.
Inductees being honored:
Reuben Serna, Civil Rights
Born and raised in Lodi, he attended Delta College and later enrolled at American River College. After two years in the Peace Corp, he helped organize farmworkers in San Joaquin County which included the tomato strike and the Franzia grape strikes in 1973 and became a full-time organizer with the UFW.
He later served as a labor union representative for various unions in several states and California. As a representative with the San Joaquin Employees Association (SJEA) he predominately acted for employees in the Public Works Department and the San Joaquin County General Hospital. As a photographer, he created a photo exhibit along with Steve Montalvo, “Gold Mines in the Fields,” containing images of the poor conditions of farmworkers in the Central Valley. It was exhibited throughout California, notably at the Haggin Museum and the Mexican Heritage Center in Stockton.
Juana L Dement, Business
Dement works at Dement Real Estate Group and generously gives her time to many community groups in Tracy such as the School Site Council at Louis Villalovos Elementary School and Youth Central of San Joaquin County Media Arts Program. She served as Tracy Cultural Arts Commissioner and as a volunteer for the Tracy Tomorrow Steering Committee, Tracy Hispanic Business Group Scholarship Program and the Tracy Latino Leadership Awards Gala. She currently serves on the Tracy Unified School District Board of Trustees and Tracy City Council.
Walter J. Gouveia, Education
Gouveia holds a master’s degree and 10 professional credentials. He retired in 2008 after 34 years of teaching, counseling and administrating. As Adult Education Program Principal, he focused on mentoring young Latino educators. He was elected to the Tracy Unified School District Board of Trustees and has served in various committees, programs and boards. For his contributions in San Joaquin County and positively impacting generations of families, he has received countless honors such as 2011 Tracy Chamber Male Citizen of the Year, He is listed in Who’s Who Among American Administrators, the 2009 Hispanic Business Group Educator of the Year and the Association of California School Administrators 2003 Administrator of the Year just to name a few.
Dr. Ines Marta Ruiz-Huston, Education
Ruiz-Huston is the LatinX Outreach and Resource Center Coordinator at University of the Pacific (UOP) and advocates access to higher education. Together with Bernard School of Education, she was instrumental in implementing programs with San Joaquin County Office of Education Migrant Education such as University JUMSTART, Pacific Academia de Matematicas, Reach for the Stars Academy and the Pacific Tutor Mentor Program just to name a few. She received her doctorate in educational administration and leadership from UOP. She has been awarded the Susan B Anthony Woman of Achievement, the San Joaquin County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce John Aguilar Spirit Award and the African American Chamber of Commerce Women of Color Award.
Raymond Morelos Jr., Community Service
After receiving his bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1981, Morelos was hired as a substance abuse counselor for San Joaquin County. He retired in 2001 after 20 years as an outpatient coordinator. He was elected to the Tracy City Council in 1984, serving six years, the first Mexican-American to serve. He also served on the South Side Community Organization as president and the Tracy Chamber Mariachi Committee. Morelos is a lifetime member of the VFW and a member of the American Legion.
Roy J. Perez, Community Service
Perez was born in Stockton and graduated from Delta College with an associate’s degree in administration of justice and photography. From 1965 to 1971 he was a member of the Stockton Police Youth Activities Unit playing in the Stockton Police Commodores Drum and Bugle Corps which consisted of over 100 member musical marching unit for atrisk youth. He was the youngest member to be sworn in to the Stockton Police Department at the age of 21. As a volunteer, he was a board member of the Stockton Police Youth Activities and Sponsors of Musical Enrichment, Inc. He was President of the Stockton Mexican Heritage Center. After the death of his son, he created a “casita,” a metal devotional candle for his son’s headstone. After many requests from all over the U.S. and Mexico, he fabricated over 2,000 casitas. All the proceeds were dedicated to fund the Michael James Perez Memorial Scholarship for Latino graduates of San Joaquin County. To date, the fund as provided over 13,000 to more than 20 graduates for the county.
Edward O. Ramirez, Education
Born in Stockton and raised in Tracy, graduating from Tracy high School and San Joaquin Delta College, Ramirez continued his education and earned a master’s degree from San Jose State University and completed the course work and dissertation proposal for a doctorate in higher education administration at Oregon State. Throughout his career, he made serving the Latino community a priority. Some of Ramirez’s honors include the Human Relations Award of Special Merit, Santa Clara Human Relations Commission, Outstanding Administrator of the Year, and many more. In his retirement he has operated his walnut farm in Linden. He is an avid blues guitarist and often plays with a family band.
Free assistance for veterans
Doye Sivils, a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs counselor from the Sacramento Vet Center, will be available from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Tuesday at the American Legion Lodi Post 22, 320 N. Washington St., Lodi, to help veterans with benefits and health care needs and to answer general questions.
Sivils is also available by appointment, which can be made by calling 916-55667430.
For more information, call American Legion Lodi Post 22 between 1 and 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday at 209368-1420.
Galt Historical Society hosting fundraiser
The Galt Area Historical Society will host its annual wine, food and beer event Sip & Snack at the Mac from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the McFarland Living History Ranch, 8899 Orr Road, Galt. All proceeds from the event support the McFarland Living History Ranch.
Wine, beer and food tasting will be held from 6 to 9 p.m., and live music will be performed by Phil & da Pinots from 7 to 10 p.m. The evening also includes hay rides and tours of the McFarland Home,
Tickets are available at Barsetti Vineyard’s tasting room, 400 4th St., Galt, at
via PayPal or by calling 209-745-1477. The cost is $30 in advance and $40 at the door. No one under 21 will be admitted.
Elliot Christian family dinner night
The Jim Elliot Christian High School Parent Club will host an orientation for new students and families at 5:30 p.m., Aug. 7, followed by an orientation for returning students and families at 6 p.m.
Students can pick up their class schedules and books, get their locker assignments and families can meet one another as well as Elliot’s staff and board members.
For more information or to make reservations by Aug. 2 with the number of family members attending, contact Tammy Johnson at 209-7474622 or
Stockton Ports Faith and Family Night
The Stockton Ports will collect socks to donate to students at Gospel Center Rescue Mission for their Faith and Family Night during the game at 7:10 p.m., Aug. 18 at Banner Island Ballpark, 404 W. Fremont St., Stockton.
The event will also feature player testimonials before the game, live Christian music as well as a post-game fireworks show, and various local churches, youth groups and Christian organizations will attend.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit
Computer classes at the Lodi Public Library
The Lodi Public Library will hold the following computer classes:
• Managing Files and Folders: Wednesday and Thursday at 9 a.m. Participants learn to recognize, organize and back up files. Prerequisite: Basic computer skills.
• Computer Basics and Internet: Aug. 1 at 9 a.m. Participants learn to use a computer and the internet for beginner or intermediate users.
• Email and Cloud Computing: Aug. 2 at 9 a.m. Participants learn to set up and use email accounts safely and learn to create, share and store files online.
• Microsoft PowerPoint: Aug. 6, 7, 13 and 14 at 9 a.m. Participants learn to create and use PowerPoint slideshow presentations for business or social situations. Prerequisite: Basic computer skills.
All classes are free and require advance registration. They will be held in the library’s Computer Learning Center, 201 W. Locust St., Lodi. For more information or to register, visit the library, call 209-333-5554 or email
Lodi student makes Dean’s List
Lilia Frank of Lodi, a sophomore majoring in English language, media and communications at the University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y., was named to the Dean’s List for academic achievement in the spring 2018 semester.
Lilia is the daughter of Kharis Powell and James Frank, and graduated from Middle College High School in Stockton.
Lodi High School Class of 1968 reunion
The Lodi High School Class of 1968 will hold its reunion on Aug. 25 at the Woodbridge Golf and Country Club, 800 E. Woodbridge Rd., Woodbridge. For more information or to purchase tickets by Aug. 10, call Cindy Horst Campora at 209-3276180 or Laurie Herrmann Tinkey at 209-333-3838.
Lodi Union High School Class of 1958 reunion
The Lodi Union High School Class of 1958 will hold its 60th reunion at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 217 E. Lockeford St., Lodi.
For more information, call Toni Gaudet Miller at 209-3685091 or Elida Manna Harris at 209-333-0801.