Not in Kansas anymore ...
Lodian Dan Christy and his Santa Barbara Silver Surfers water polo team won the gold medal in the 60-plus category on Sunday, defeating Germany by a score of 6-3 in Gwangju, South Korea. The competition was all part of the FINA World Masters Championships. Dan works in the building trade and his wife Janis is a retired speech therapist. Janis was also along on the trip (she calls herself a team groupie). Upon arriving, she writes on her Facebook page to add emphasis to the cultural and geographic change, “We’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto!” In between games, the Christys have been able to sightsee a little, including a hike to the 5/18 memorial park, which commemorates the Korean uprising for democracy in the late 1970s. “The photos in the cultural center were very sobering,” she writes.
BUILDING BOOM: The Bank of Stockton will be building a new branch office at the corner of Kettleman and Fairmont, across the street from F&M Bank and down the road from Compass Bank. A new Jimmy John’s sandwich shop will also be built next to the new bank branch, according to plans approved by the planning commission last April. The new branch will include a drive-thru. … Site improvements have begun for a new 234home residential subdivision at the corner of Lower Sacramento and Century. The property is being developed by K. Hovnanian Homes with construction slated to begin early next year, and homes available next winter. They will all be singlefamily homes up to 2,310 square feet in size and as many as five bedrooms.
LAST PICTURE SHOW: If you’ve always wanted to own your own movie theater, here’s your opportunity. The old Sunset Theater is up for sale again. It can be yours for only $575,000! The listing agent describes the property, “600 theater style seating with stage area. Remodel to re-create the past or perfect for commercial offices or even as an event center! This unique building has may uses. Be creative!” If you want to own almost the whole block, the old Alexander’s Bakery building next door is still for sale. … The Lodi Christian Life church on Hilborn is also for sale for $725,000. … The building at 16 W. Pine St. (where Pret is now) will undergo a complete exterior makeover, according to local architect John Vierra. Most of the major work will begin next spring as the plans and specs still need city approval (which is rumored to take a while). The building is one of the oldest in Lodi. It originally was home to Zimmerman’s Pharmacy, thought to be only the second drug store to open in Lodi back in the 1800s. The store changed hands and names over the years, eventually closing down in the 1970s. Next door to Zimmerman’s, adjacent to the alley, was Paul’s Safe Lock and Key, a spot they occupied before moving to Lockeford and Church.
WHERE’S THE BEEF?: What do places like Orange County, Orlando, Dayton, St. Louis, Cleveland, and Louisville have that Lodi doesn’t? A Burger Week! And local burger-meister Peter Knight is trying to change all that. He’s actively promoting the idea of creating a Burger Week for Lodi.
A committee has been formed and sponsoring restaurants lined up. All across the country participating
restaurants offer special off-menu burgers for the week. There’s even a website.
Knight owns the Lodi A&W Root Beer restaurant and is hopeful that Lodi can join the list of cities that “pay tribute to America’s sweetheart — the Hamburger!”
CASH FOR K-NINES: A call has gone out to raise $1,000 for the Lodi Police Department K-9 training facility at Lawrence Park. The money will be used to purchase the materials volunteers will use to make improvements to the facility. Donations can be made to the Lodi Police Foundation.
BATTER UP: Lodi’s Emmanuel Lutheran Church celebrated its 99th birthday a couple Sundays ago, and what better way to celebrate than to have a pancake eating contest? The goal was to eat 99 flapjacks. The prize was a breakfast for two at IHOP, of course. Even kids got into action, with Ethan and Evan Morgan eating more than 50 apiece! Who won? Chris Townsend — the church pastor!
SIGNS OF SUCCESS: “You’re on fire! You scored a ‘5’ on the AP exam!” That’s what the sign says in some proud parents’ front lawns, letting the world know a smart and motivated kid lives there. The recognition for those Lodi High students is a great idea, don’t you think?
MISSING: If you’ve noticed something missing across the street from the Denny’s Restaurant on Kettleman, it’s the Arco gas station. It’s gone! But it will be back. A new modern gas mart will be constructed there. The project will include several new fueling islands, an AM\PM minimart, and car wash, according to plans submitted to the city for approval.
HEADS UP: Many of us are undoubtedly concerned about safety and security at the Grape Festival in the wake of the horrible mass shootings across America in recent days.
Heightened security at the Festival has been a top priority for the past several years, according to manager Mark Armstrong. Metal detectors at the gates, bag searches and enforced rules of conduct are a few of the security enhancements that have been in place for a while.
Armstrong, who’s been the fair manager for the past 27 years, says additional precautions are being planned with the police department, which maintains a mobile command post on site during the Festival. New signs will be posted asking fairgoers to “be aware” of their surroundings. … Armstrong also wants to quash rumors that the Festival has been cancelled this year because of the road construction out front.
Not to worry, new asphalt will be laid the week of Sept. 5, according to the city—plenty of time before the fair starts the following week.
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