Local Business
California removed 47,229 acres of wine grape vineyards between August 1, 2025, and August 1, 2026, leaving 439,115 total acres, according to a mapping report from the California Association of Winegrape Growers and Land IQ. The industry continues to face an oversaturated market, declining consumer demand, and the loss of most wine exports to Canada, resulting in bankruptcies, downsizing, and layoffs. Last year's data showed San Joaquin County (home to Lodi) and Fresno experienced the highest acreage losses; this year's public report does not include a county-by-county breakdown. California produces roughly 80% of all U.S. wine, supporting more than 422,000 jobs and about $73 billion in annual economic activity.
Public Safety · San Joaquin County
The San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services launched the Know Your Zone public awareness campaign this week to help residents understand their evacuation zones and prepare for potential emergencies, particularly flooding associated with El Niño. As part of the initiative, the county will begin using evacuation zone codes instead of street names in emergency alert and warning notifications to provide more precise information during emergencies. Residents are encouraged to look up their evacuation zone now at www.sjready.org/knowyourzone so they can recognize their zone code when an emergency occurs.
Public Safety · San Joaquin County
San Joaquin County Public Health Services and the San Joaquin County Opioid Safety Coalition will host National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 24. Collection sites are at the Lodi Police Department (215 W. Elm St.) and Young's Payless Market (18980 Highway 88 in Lockeford). Tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid prescription drugs will be accepted; syringes, sharps, and illegal drugs will not. Liquid products such as cough syrup must remain sealed in their original container with the cap tightly closed.
Social Events · Lodi, CA
The Lodi Tokay Rotary Club will host its annual Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Lodi American Legion Hall, with festivities beginning at 4:30 p.m. and an official 5:30 p.m. kickoff led by Mayor Ramon Yepez tapping the first keg. The event features German food from Waterloo restaurant's German Guys, beer from Lodi Beer Co., traditional music by the Gruber Family Band until 9 p.m., and Alpine folk dances by Oakland-based Nature Friends Schuhplattler. Tickets start at $45 for ages 13 and older, with discounted rates for children 5–12 and free admission for those 4 and under; proceeds support local community projects and international humanitarian efforts. The festival had been on hold since the pandemic and a tree falling on the Legion Hall in Lawrence Park.
Education · Lodi, CA
The nonprofit Educational Results Partnership announced its 2026 Honor Roll of California's top-performing schools, recognizing seven Lodi Unified campuses. The named schools are Aspire Benjamin Holt College Prep Academy, Aspire Vincent Shalvey Academy, Elkhorn Elementary School, Ellerth E. Larson Elementary, John Muir Elementary, Middle College High, and Vinewood Elementary. These schools fall within the top-performing 24% of California schools. Full Honor Roll listings are available at honorrollschools.com.
Community News · Lodi, CA
Students ages 5–18 in San Joaquin County schools or homeschool programs are invited to submit artwork for the 2026 Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival Student Art Exhibition, themed "Mokelumne & Cosumnes River Wetlands: Helping Migrating Birds." Selected pieces will be displayed at the festival on Nov. 7–8 at Hutchins Street Square in Lodi. Entries must use official 11-by-17-inch festival art paper and be submitted by Oct. 26 to the Lodi Unified School District Mail Center via teachers, who may submit up to five works per class with a completed inventory sheet. Free art paper is available from Watershed Program Coordinator Kathy Grant at kgrant@lodi.gov or 209-327-2063.
Social Events · Lodi, CA
Lodi Adopt-A-Child is hosting three holiday-season events at 100 E. Pine St. in Lodi: a Windows of Imagination ribbon-cutting Thursday, Oct. 22, from 5 to 6 p.m.; a Christmas Wish Program kickoff Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to noon; and an open house Saturday, Nov. 21, from 10 a.m. to noon. The Christmas Wish Program lets community members select Angel Cards listing children's holiday wishes and purchase gifts, which must be returned by Dec. 6. The kickoff also offers volunteer opportunity information and details on the organization's online volunteer management system.
Local Business · Lodi, CA
Visit Lodi is encouraging residents to submit free recommendations for three local culinary businesses and professionals for the 2027 James Beard Awards, including Nick Guantone of Guantonio's, Lynn and Fausto Echeverria of Ruby's Bakery & Cafe, and Pietro's Trattoria. Submissions must be received by 8:59 p.m. Nov. 30 and do not confer official nominee status. Separately, Appellation Lodi at Wine & Roses Resort and Spa has scheduled wine dinners and culinary workshops through January 2027, including a Cheese & Wine Pairing Workshop on Nov. 4 and a Vintner's Table Dinner Series featuring Mauritson Wines on Nov. 18.
