Lodi, California

Lodi (IPA: /ˈlo.daɪ/) (Low-Dye) is a city located in Template:USCity. As of the 2000 census, the city had a population of 56,999. As of a 2005 estimate, the city had a population of 62,133.

Lodi is best known as a center of wine production (the "Zinfandel Capital of the World"), although its vintages have traditionally been less prestigious than those of Sonoma and Napa counties. However, in recent years, the Lodi Appellation has become increasingly respected for its Zinfandel wine and other eclectic varietals. Nearby Woodbridge is the home of a famous Robert Mondavi winery, Mondavi Woodbridge.

Lodi recently gained international attention when local residents Hamid and Umer Hayat were convicted in the first terrorism trial in the state of California. Both were alleged to be part of, or associated with, a terrorist sleeper cell. Their case has been controversial, and is pending appeal.

It is an increasingly popular exurb for commuters priced out of homeownership in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The origin of the city's name is unclear. Historians have not agreed whether Lodi was named after a winning racehorse, a bridge in Italy (site of a great Napoleonic battle), or a town in Illinois.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2004, there are 61,961 people residing in Lodi. More specific data is not yet available from the 2004 census, but in the 2000 census, there were 20,692 households, and 14,339 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,798.0/km² (4,657.9/mi²). There were 21,378 housing units at an average density of 674.4/km² (1,747.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.42% White, 0.60% African American, 0.87% Native American, 5.05% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 13.99% from other races, and 4.95% from two or more races. 27.13% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In the 2000 census, there were 20,692 households out of which 35.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.7% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.7% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who were 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.25.

In the city, the population was spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,570, and the median income for a family was $47,020. Males had a median income of $37,738 versus $27,073 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,719. 16.7% of the population and 12.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 23.3% of those under the age of 18 and 9.6% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Media

• Lodi News-Sentinel
• The Record (Stockton)

Trivia

• Originally named Mokelumne, the town was too often confused with nearby Mokelumne Hill and Mokelumne City.
• The fictional GI Joe character Flash was born in Lodi.
• Author Stephen King has mentioned Lodi in four of his books, including The Stand.
• A & W Root Beer was first concocted in Lodi by druggist Roy Allen in 1919.
• The first bottled wine cooler, known as the California Cooler, was invented in Lodi by Michael Crete and Stewart Bewley. Crete and Bewley later sold the company for $55 million.
• Lodi is the home town of The Girls Next Door co-star Bridget Marquardt
• John Fogerty of 1960s rock group Creedence Clearwater Revival wrote a song called "Lodi" referring to the California town.
• In May 2006 inhabitant Curtis Gokey attempted to sue the city for damage to his car caused by a municipal dump truck. It emerged in court that he worked for the city and was driving the dumptruck at the time of the impact with his own car - the case was promptly thrown out. The story featured in a local newspaper, The Drudge Report, and BBC Radio Two's It's Been a Bad Week programme.
• The small yet popular Lodi Airport is home to the invention of skysurfing, as well as being the first test location of the Single Human Hover Platform.
• WestCoast Wingsuits {http://www.westcoastwingsuits.com} operates a wingsuit flight school at the popular Lodi Airport. The modern wingsuits of today enable a skydiver to fly miles across the sky after jumping from an airplane, before they have to open their parachute. WestCoast Wingsuits is owned and operated by Professional Skydiver Ed Pawlowski.
• Lodi is known as being one of the best locations in the world for growing the wine grape varietal Zinfandel.
• Until the early 1980s, prior to the market appeal of Zinfandel, Lodi touted itself as the "Tokay capital" of the world.

Culture

Museums

Lodi currently has two museums, the Hill House Museum, a restored Queen Anne Victorian built around 1906 for a wealthy Lodian, the museum has all of the house's original furniture. Also, the San Joaquin County Historical Museum is just south of Lodi, at the Micke Grove Regional Park, and traces the history of the area through many exhibits and interactive dispalys. It is the largest museum complex in the county.

A science museum, called the World of Wonders, is soon to take home in the Downtown Lodi parking structure. It will feature interactive science exhibits, classrooms, and a retail store. It will be modeled after the San Francisco Exploratorium.

Grape Festival

Lodi is well known for the town's production of grapes and wine. Lodi is referred to as the wine-grape capital of California. Every September there is a Grape Festival held which includes rides, food, and wine tasting. Also popular is the Spring Wine Show (held in late March/early April, so as not to coincide with Easter every year), which showcases the area's 50-plus award-winning wineries.

Taste of Lodi

Taste of Lodi is one of the area's most prestigious food and wine events. The event supports tourism growth in the Lodi's community and features over 40 award-winning Lodi wineries along with food selections from some of the area's finest restaurants and caterers. The event also has wine seminars, chefs demonstrations, live music and a Port, Cigar and Chocolate Pavilion.

Zinfest

Born in 2005 by the Lodi Winegrape Commission, this wine event is held at beautiful Lodi Lake and features Lodi's finest Zinfandel wines. Usually held on the third weekend of May this event includes a Friday night dinner called "Vintner's Grille" ($75 with limited tickets sold), and general wine tasting on Saturday & Sunday. Learn more at www.zinfest.com

Sister cities

Lodi has two sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI):

• Kofu, Japan
• Lodi, Italy

See also

• California wine

External links

• Official City Website
• Lodi Conference & Visitors Bureau
• SeeLodi (Community Website)
• Lodi-Woodbridge Winegrape Commission
• Lodi Chamber of Commerce
• San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum