Trustee, former firefighter on the mend
Retired Lodi firefighter and current member of the Lodi Unified School District board of trustees Ron Heberle is accustomed to responding to emergencies and rendering aid to the injured.
Ten days ago, on a Saturday night, he found himself on the receiving end. As he was driving home from a visit to his daughter’s house near Galt, an alleged drunk driver hit Ron’s car head-on at about 8 p.m. on Lower Sacramento Road near Jahant. The impact caused the fracture of one of his vertebrae. Ron was able to get out of his car through the back hatch, but he collapsed on the pavement where he lay until authorities arrived.
He spent several days in the hospital and says walking has been very difficult, although he believes he’s improving. He says he faces weeks of physical therapy, but hopes to be “mostly recovered” in six weeks.
DECISION TIME: The city council will soon decide (maybe today) what to do with Bob Johnson’s open council seat. As you know, Bob passed away a couple weeks ago. The choices are a special election, appoint an interim, or leave vacant. Some council members favor appointing someone to fill the unexpired term. Stay tuned.
FEAR AND PANIC: If there’s been panic selling on Wall Street lately, there’s been panic buying at local stores as people brace for an outbreak of the coronavirus. Within 30 minutes after opening last week, Lodi’s Costco was nearly sold out of such staples as bottled water, toilet paper and paper towels. Hand sanitizers and sanitizing wipes were long gone. Shelves are empty all over town for that stuff. With all checkout stands open, the lines at Costco were longer than at Christmas. Some TV newscasters have suggested that people stock up and prepare for the possibility of a twoweek quarantine, and folks have evidently taken it seriously. … Make your own hand sanitizer: two parts 99% rubbing alcohol to one part aloe gel. Mix together and add scented oil for fragrance, if you want.
BOOKS AND BREWSKIES: The Lodi Library Foundation will be sponsoring a fundraiser titled “Books, Bubbles and Brew” on Thursday, April 23, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Besides raising money, the purpose of the event is to “support the community and raise awareness for the Lodi Library.” The gig will feature craft beers and other bubbly stuff, small bites, live music and a dessert bar — all the kind of stuff you’d like to take into the library, but can’t. The foundation works to raise money to support the library, so all the proceeds will go to that cause.
“The Lodi Library could not operate without the help of the community to continue its services to children, teens and adults,” organizers say. Lodi is unique in having an independent library, which is financed through donations and tax dollars. All the other area libraries are part of the Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library system.
POTPOURRI: One of the best-kept secrets in town may be Noriega’s Chicken Grill at 234 E. Lodi Ave. But for the six-foot plastic chicken and the smoker\barbecue outside, you’d probably drive right past the place. Inside you’ll find perfectly barbecued chicken and ribs along with other typical Mexican dishes like tacos and burritos.
We tried the chicken taco macho, which was excellent. The place is owned and operated by Ernesto and Araceli Noriega. It’s a family affair and everything is scratch-made. They’re closed Mondays. Well worth a try. … If it seems like progress on the new bowling alley has been sa-low, here’s why: “The owner is managing the project and speed is not a number one priority for him. We are still dealing with the metal building manufacturer on a couple of items as well,” according to the project architect. They expect to have a spring, 2021 opening date. … Just down the street, the new Papapavlo’s Bistro & Bar is coming along. Owners Andy and Jennifer Pappas say work is currently being done on the interior of the building and the roof should be finished shortly. They tentatively plan for an opening in June. … There’s a new sandwich shop going in at Reynolds Ranch (Costco) Shopping Center called Sourdough & Co. It’s a restaurant chain with about 45 stores headquartered out of El Dorado Hills. They will feature sandwiches made with their signature sourdough bread, soups and salads. Construction is still ongoing inside so it could be a month or more before opening day. … Speaking of great sandwiches, try the Joe Montana at Fiori’s Butcher Shoppe and Deli on Lodi Avenue. Or try the Cranberry Express, or maybe the Humphrey Whaler. Heck, they’re all good—all 32 of them on the menu. Your sweet tooth won’t go hungry, either, because they have great desserts. Get there before noon as the place fills up fast during lunch. … That’s a new elevator they’re putting in next to Prestigio Jewelers on School Street. Word is it will be used for new office space upstairs in the building near the corner of School and Pine.
REMEMBRANCE :We note the recent passing of Harry Marzolf, who was 73. Harry served on the Lodi Planning Commission and was a candidate for city council back in the ’90s. Harry worked hard to improve Lodi and was one of two candidates for appointment to the council seat vacated by David Warner. The other candidate was Bob Johnson, who was ultimately selected. Both Harry and Bob ran for election that November to fill the seat permanently, but neither was elected. Harry and Bob died within 10 days of each other. Both men were committed to the betterment of Lodi.