Good morning, Lodi!

There are so many new and fun activities coming to town this week and I can’t be happier about it. If you’ve been itching to get out of the house all winter, this newsletter is especially for you! Bingo, Y2K Trivia, Weekday Cocktail Hours, and more!

In today's Lodi Locals:

And if by chance you aren’t staying fully up to date on all things Lodi Locals, check out our Instagram and Facebook for more daily updates!

Let's get into it.

— Kylie Talamantez

The Saetern Strawberry Stand on Vine Street (off of Lower Sacramento Road) has ruined grocery store strawberries for me forever and I am eternally grateful. The  strawberries are freshly picked, deep red all the way through, and taste better than you  remember.  

We were just given these beauties over the weekend and they were the best  compliments to our Easter cheesecake and daily smoothies. Not to mention, our  toddler ate 20 of them before we had a chance to take pictures when the carton was  completely full. Is anyone else’s kid a berry addict?  

Highly recommend getting your strawberries here before the summer season ends!

Spring Into Spring | Saturday, April 11 | 10:00 am to 11:00 am

Pack up your family and head to the lake this Saturday for some family fun brought to you by Lodi Public Library’s Director, Jenni Fontanilla. There will be story time and crafts to do. Just bring your chairs, blankets, and anything else you or your little ones may need while out. It's going to be located in the outdoor amphitheater just inside the entrance of the nature trail!

This event is part of Friends of Lodi Lake's new monthly "Second Saturdays at Lodi Lake" program.

📍 Lodi Lake Nature Area Amphitheatre under the Redwood trees, 1101 W. Turner Road Lodi, CA 95242

Free Chess at the Lodi Public Library | Drop In Any Monday | 2:30 pm – 5:00 pm

One of Lodi's best kept secrets for families is the free chess program at the public library every Monday afternoon. All ages and all skill levels are welcome, no experience needed. It is a great way to spend a few hours on a weekday, completely free, and your kids might just leave with a new obsession.

📍 Lodi Public Library, 201 W Locust St, Lodi, CA 95240

Youth Swim Lessons at Hutchins Street Square | Tuesdays and Thursdays | Various Times

Before summer gets here and the pools are packed, this is the perfect time to get your kids into swim lessons. The indoor pool at Hutchins Street Square runs group and private lessons at multiple skill levels, from absolute first-timers all the way up to competitive strokes. Register through the city's ActiveNet portal or call the aquatics line at (209) 333-6744 to check availability.

Current Session: April 7 – April 30

Next Session: May 2 – May 28

Pricing (per 8-lesson session) Group Lessons: $75 resident / $82 non-resident Private Lessons: $122 resident / $134 non-resident

📍 Hutchins Street Square, 125 S Hutchins St, Lodi, CA 95240

Try a Class at Impact Sports Center | Flexible Schedule | $20 for Preschool / $25 Ages 5+

Impact Sports Center is worth knowing about if you have active kids who have been curious about gymnastics, tumbling, Ninja Zone, or dance. They offer trial classes at a super approachable price so you can test it out before committing to a full session. Check their schedule online and book a trial class to find out if it clicks.

📍 Impact Sports Center, 1110 W Kettleman Ln STE 7, Lodi, CA 95240

Nature Walks at Lodi Lake Nature Area | Open Daily | Dawn to Dusk

Lodi Lake Nature Area is one of the most underused family spots in the whole city. Shaded trails, wildlife, river views, and that slower pace that kids actually need more than we realize. Pack a lunch, bring the bikes or the stroller, and just wander. Nature docents lead educational programs on river ecology throughout the season too, which is a really cool bonus if you want a more guided experience.

📍 Lodi Lake Nature Area, 1101 W Turner Rd, Lodi, CA 95240

The pup entries just keep coming and honestly we are not mad about it one bit. This week's batch is giving us everything. Meet Brindle, Louie, Kane, and TJ, your next four Very Important Pups representing Lodi in the best possible way. We are obsessed with every single one of them and we think you will be too.

“Here are our 4 rescues! Brindle pup on the left is Louie, then Kane next to him, TJ in the front and Mrs. Sadie in the back. All 4 have different backgrounds and it’s so amazing how far some have come with trust, loyalty and their unconditional love. Great reminder to always adopt and not shop no matter the age of the dog as these dogs have been the BEST EVER! They all have their own personalities and it’s so fun to watch them all together. We bring the party to the dog park and they all have their favorite friends! Please give a dog in need a chance and adopt your next best fur friend!” - Brindle, Louie, Kane, and TJ’s Human

FRI • APR 10   Working Class Band (80s Rock)   📍 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi, CA • 🕕 6–9 PM

SAT • APR 11   Rob Stevenson (Acoustic Rock)   📍 21 N School St, Lodi, CA • 🕠 5:30 PM

SAT • APR 11   Kool Shifters (Multi-Genre)   📍 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi, CA • 🕔 5–8 PM

SUN • APR 12   William Smith Jr. (Acoustic/Covers)   📍 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi, CA • 🕐 1–4 PM

FRI • APR 17   Georgetowne Band (Rock/Country)   📍 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi, CA • 🕕 6–9 PM

SAT • APR 18   The Jebby Trio (Jazz/Blues)   📍 21 N School St, Lodi, CA • 🕠 5:30 PM

SAT • APR 18   Summit Band (Classic Rock)   📍 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi, CA • 🕔 5–8 PM

SUN • APR 19   William Sconce (Acoustic/Singer-Songwriter)   📍 1973 W Turner Rd, Lodi, CA • 🕐 1–4 PM

SAT • APR 25   Tribal Seeds + Dub Souljah + Amp Melo (Reggae/Hip-Hop)   📍 9 W Locust St, Lodi, CA • 🕟 4:30 PM

WED • APR 29   Wine Down w/ Wilson & Friends   📍 18273 N Lower Sacramento Rd, Lodi, CA • 🕕 6 PM

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! 🍇