Former Lodi High grad Ricky Aguiar launches career with SpaceX
You weren’t alone if you felt a sense of American pride when the SpaceX Demo-2 rocket lifted off the launchpad a few weeks ago, carrying two astronauts aboard. Former Lodian Ricky Aguiar was ecstatic about it, and for good reason. He works for SpaceX. He and his team were responsible for testing all the pieces and parts (structures) of the spaceship.
“This Demo-2 mission is huge for us as Americans, SpaceX and NASA!” says Aguiar. “Also, coming from Lodi this is an honor for me,” he says.
Aguiar is a Lodi High graduate, class of 2004. His parents are Salvador (Sal) and Sonia Aguiar, both of Lodi. Aguiar credits his start and later success to his naval career. He joined the Navy in 2003 as a junior in high school. He was in bootcamp a month after graduation. He would deploy three times, first providing disaster aid in Indonesia after the 2005 New Year’s Eve tsunami. He was also called upon to help in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, and was later sent to the Persian Gulf.
After concluding his stint in the Navy, Aguiar was a civilian contractor working in Afghanistan. He would also work for an aerospace company in Livermore, after which he got on with SpaceX in 2016. His title is Dragon Test Technician. He and his team were responsible for testing the structures for every dragon launch from 2016 to the recent Demo-2.
“I’ve worked hard and took long roads that weren’t easy, but somehow I’ve made it to this point in my journey,” says Aguiar. Indeed. Lodi is proud of you.
BACK FROM THE DEAD: State-of-the-art sound system. Large professional kitchen. Two “green rooms” for performers. A rooftop cocktail lounge and deck overlooking Lodi Avenue. Façade lighting that can be changed at will to cast a different color or hue. An indoor space that’s large enough to accommodate hundreds, depending on the event.
These are just some of the dramatic changes included in the Sunset Theater renovation that’s currently underway by owner Terry Clark. The grand old theater has been hollowed out and is currently nothing but a shell. Steel beams that support the roof rest upon cement walls that are many inches thick.
It could actually be said to be nearly earthquakeproof. The renovation project is a labor of love to Clark. The innovative plans of local architect John Vierra are being built out in first-class fashion. The new events center probably won’t open for another year, at least, but when it does it will rival anything that currently exists in the Lodi area. It will be unique in every way, from the striking exterior to the exquisite interior.
Clark confirms the project will cost $7 million, “or maybe a little more,” he says. The Clarks bought the old theater and the adjoining bakery property late last year with the idea of preserving a huge piece of Lodi history, transforming it into something beautiful and functional. At the time, Clark said he was making the investment for his children and the community. Many people have grand ideas and visions, but their plans end up gathering dust in a drawer for lack of funding. Clark’s vision is both grand and elegant. But the important difference is that he apparently has the wherewithal to pull it off.
And that’s what he’s doing, making it a reality. Right now.
SHOWTIME?: This year’s Grape Festival is still a “go,” but the final decision won’t be made until the middle of July, according to Festival Manager Mark Armstrong. “A lot has to fall into place” for this year’s fair to actually happen, says Armstrong. Until then, he says, “Your guess is as good as mine.” … The COVID-19 shutdown has cost Hutchins Street Square an estimated $200k in anticipated revenue, according to city officials. They say the budget shortfall will probably affect ongoing maintenance of the site, unless the city’s cash-strapped general fund kicks in some money (not likely alert).
QUITN’ TIME: Local dentist Jim Decker has decided to retire rather than reopen his dental office, after the COVID-19 pandemic forced its closure.
In a letter to his patients, he said, “After being closed for a month, I realized that dentistry, as I had been practicing it for over 40 years, was no longer possible.” Decker, 67, says he is trying to sell his practice, but concedes it’s not a great time to do so.
RECALLING HISTORY: History buff Dan
Tarnasky wants to know if anyone remembers a small VW van that would stop in Lodi neighborhoods. The driver would lift a side door and sell pastries and other baked goods. He seems to think it may have been Alexander’s Bakery delivering bread to customers, but isn’t sure. If you remember, let us know and we’ll pass it along to Dan.
SKY PILOTS: Most school graduations were canceled this year, as everyone knows, thanks to The Virus. Schools and families opted for “virtual” graduation celebrations, or “drive-by” ones where friends and family would motor by the graduate’s home, yelling and screaming out car windows.
That’s all good and fine, but Grandpa Stan Helmle wanted something more for his granddaughter Isabella, who graduated from the sixth grade at the end of May. So, he and two of his aeronautic buddies jumped in their planes and performed a “fly-by” over Isabella’s home in Elk Grove, leaving white contrails streaked across the sky. Isabella’s mom (Stan’s daughter) later texted Stan, “All of the parents and teachers thought it was so cool!” Stan’s been on Cloud Nine ever since.
SLIME STORY: The water weeds are back at Lodi Lake and some people are upset that the city has not eradicated them. Mark, who simply describes himself as “A Dodger Fan,” writes to say that once upon a time trucker Frank Alegre offered to dredge the lake bottom for free. Unfortunately, Frank is gone and probably the offer, too.
When we wrote about this last year, Jeff Hood, who was then head of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department, said the city is at the mercy of Woodbridge Irrigation District (WID), since they alone control the river flows and decide when (or if) Lodi Lake empties.
The slimy vegetation apparently forms every year because of a lack of adequate water circulation into and out of the lake. So, at least for now, the slime is back. … Many months ago the city received a state grant to shore up the levees in the back part of Lodi Lake, near Pig’s Lake and the nature area. Mr. Hood says work will likely begin next February after all the permits have been gotten.