Woo! It is time to celebrate. We have all survived tax season and stormy weather so lets officially start to focus on all of the summer fun that’s coming up in Lodi!

Here’s a sneak peak at today’s edition:

Let’s get into it!

Kylie Talamantez

Got an event you think the community should know about? We're now accepting submissions from our readers, so if you're hosting something public in Lodi or know about an event that deserves a spotlight, send it our way. We're excited to start featuring your events alongside everything else happening around town.

Cherry Picking at Lodi Blooms | Friday, May 8 through Sunday, May 10 | 8:00 am to 2:00 pm

Cherry season is one of my favorite times of year in Lodi, and if you have never been out to Lodi Blooms, this weekend is your sign to go.

Just watched a helicopter fly right over the cherry trees on their Instagram—blowing water off the branches to save the harvest!

Lodi Blooms is a fresh cherry U-pick orchard where you can pick your own world-renowned cherries in a completely family-friendly environment.  It is run by fourth-generation farmer James Chinchiolo, whose family has been growing cherries with generations of accumulated wisdom that results in premium, export-quality fruit that is sweeter, larger, and firmer than anything you would find at a grocery store.  The Chinchiolo family has been farming since 1918, making this one of the most storied agricultural operations in the whole Central Valley. 

May 8 through 10 lands right at the start of the season, which is honestly the best time to go. The orchard opens when the cherries ripen, usually the first or second week of May, and stays open for approximately three to four weeks.  Early season means the trees are full and the fruit is at peak freshness. The orchard grows five delicious varieties: Bing, Brooks, Coral Champagne, Lapin, and Tulare.  The Coral Champagne variety is the first to ripen each season, followed by Bing, then the grand finale Lapin. 

Here is what makes this such a great outing for families: there is zero pressure and zero over complicated logistics. The orchard provides buckets for picking and bags to take your cherries home. Each bucket holds up to 22 pounds, and you pay only for what you pick.  Pricing runs around $5.00 per pound, though it may vary weekly depending on market conditions. Both cash and credit card are accepted on site. 

Kids are going to love this. The trees are trained so that most of the fruit is within reach and you will not need a ladder to pick.  Orchard educators guide you to the designated rows that are open for picking each day and get you set up with everything you need. Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes since the orchard grounds are uneven, bring hats and sunscreen, and bring water since late spring in Lodi can get warm.  Leave the coolers and backpacks at home since they are not allowed in the orchard.

Your Birthday Just Got a Whole Lot Better in Downtown Lodi

If you are a Lodi local with a birthday coming up, listen up. Because you have been sleeping on one of the best kept secrets in our own backyard.

Downtown Lodi is full of local businesses that genuinely want to help you celebrate your birthday with something special, from sweet treats to drinks to fun experiences.  And the best part? You do not have to sign up for anything, download an app, or jump through a single hoop.

Just bring a valid ID, show up during the week of your birthday, and stroll down School Street popping into each shop to claim your freebies.  That is it. No reservations. No email list. Just you, your ID, and a birthday excuse to wander one of the most walkable downtowns in the Central Valley.

Here is the full rundown of what is waiting for you:

Scotto’s Wine and Cider hooks you up with a $15 birthday gift card.  Scotto’s is a family-owned tasting destination where five generations of winemaking tradition meet fresh, handcrafted ciders,  so it is a perfect first stop.

The Rabbit Hole Trading Co. sends you home with a birthday candle. If you have never wandered into The Rabbit Hole, it is exactly the kind of eclectic local gem that makes downtown Lodi so fun to explore.

Nava and Co. gives you a free face mask for your birthday. Treat yourself. You earned it just by being born.

The Dancing Fox Winery and Brewery offers a $15 gift card, which means you can come back and use it toward a cold pint or a glass of wine whenever the mood strikes.

Angel Ra gives you a free crystal. Whether you are into the energy of it or just think crystals are pretty, a free one is a free one and we love to see it.

Olive Crush Farms rounds out the crawl with a free oil or vinegar. Olive Crush is one of the downtown Lodi staples known for a collection of snackable favorites,  and if you have never done an olive oil tasting, your birthday week is a great excuse to start.

To make sure all participating businesses are open and ready for you, plan your birthday stroll for Thursday through Sunday.  That sweet spot gives you the best shot at hitting every stop without finding a closed door.

The whole thing is so Lodi it is almost hard to believe. Six local businesses, zero sign-ups, and a full afternoon of free stuff waiting for you just because it is your birthday. This is the kind of town we live in and honestly it is something to be proud of.

Screenshot this, send it to whoever has a birthday coming up, and make a day of it.

Are you ready to adopt your furever best friend?

This new segment is a passion of mine because I love dogs and truly believe they are all just waiting to find their perfect human companion. I'd like you to meet Coconut. She is a very sweet 2 year old cattle dog type girl who loves meeting new doggie friends. She likes to pretend she's shy at first, but she quickly warms up to become a total party starter. She loves all people and is always eager to meet new friends. Coconut is deaf and would love a home that has the ability and patience to teach her hand signals.

All of our featured adoptable dogs come from Lodi Animal Services, who are open for adoptions Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 3:30pm.

A Little Note About Training a Deaf Dog (It Is Easier Than You Think)

I know what some of you might be thinking. A deaf dog sounds like a lot of work. But I promise you, it really is not. According to the folks over at Deaf Dogs Rock, a nonprofit dedicated to deaf dog education and adoption, training a deaf dog is not that much different from training a hearing dog. You just need to tweak your training approach a little bit.

What's the tweak? Hand signals instead of verbal commands. And honestly, once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature pretty fast. The learning curve is shorter than you'd expect.

Start with "Watch Me"

The very first thing you work on with a deaf dog is getting them to look at you. This is crucial because before you can give any sign command, your dog needs to be looking directly at you first.

Here is how it works: hold a high value treat under your dog's nose so they get a good sniff, then slowly move it up toward your face. The moment your dog makes eye contact with you, flash your open hand toward them to mark that correct behavior, and immediately give them the treat. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Repetition is the whole game here.

If you think Coconut may be the girl for you, you can inquire about her here. Adoption hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 3:30pm.

Fri - May 1

📍  Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi

📍  Idol Beer Works - 100 S Sacramento St, Lodi

📍  Bokisch Vineyards - 18921 Atkins Rd, Lodi

Sat - May 2

📍  Hutchins Street Square - 125 S Hutchins St, Lodi

📍  Michael David Winery - 4580 W Hwy 12, Lodi

📍  Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi

Sun - May 3

📍  Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi

📍  Van Ruiten Family Winery - 340 W Hwy 12, Lodi

📍  Wilson Family Winery - 11484 E Harney Lane, Lodi

Thu - May 7

📍  Oak Farm Vineyards - 23627 N DeVries Rd, Lodi

Fri - May 8

📍  Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi

📍  Bokisch Vineyards - 18921 Atkins Rd, Lodi

Sat - May 9

📍  El Encanto Event Center - 100 N Cherokee Ln, Lodi

📍  Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi

Sun - May 10

📍  Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi

📍  Van Ruiten Family Winery - 340 W Hwy 12, Lodi

📍  Idol Beer Works - 100 S Sacramento St, Lodi

Wed - May 13

📍  Idol Beer Works - 100 S Sacramento St, Lodi

Thu - May 14

📍  Oak Farm Vineyards - 23627 N DeVries Rd, Lodi

📍  Five Window Beer Co. - 9 W Locust St, Lodi

Fri - May 15

📍  Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi

Sat - May 16

📍  Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi

📍  Oak Farm Vineyards - 23627 N DeVries Rd, Lodi

Sun - May 17

📍  Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi

Sat - May 23

📍  Jessie’s Grove Winery - 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi

Thu - May 28

Fri - May 30

Thanks for reading! It means more than you know that you take a few minutes out of your day to stay connected with our little corner of the world. See you around Lodi! 🍇