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DIGITAL EDITION

 

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DIGITAL EDITION

 

Click here to read the

DIGITAL EDITION

 

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DIGITAL EDITION

When asked why someone might consider taking up cheese tasting as a hobby, Lodi's Cheese Central owner Cindy Della Monica's answer is simple: "Everybody loves cheese!" For the most part she's right, but even if you're on the fence, Della Monica's wealth of knowledge can at least put you on the path towards the best grilled cheese sandwich you've ever tasted.

Like many boom cities developed during the Gold Rush, Stockton was not always called Stockton. Perhaps its most famous lost name is Mudville, popularized by the rivalry between Holliston, Massachusetts and Stockton.

Kandi is famous for her delicious, homemade pies, ranging from classic apple to a banana split concoction that's to-die-for. If you're looking to bake your own sweet confections this year, Kandi has some great tips so that your pies come out as perfectly as hers.

For the past six years, Christopher Sanchez has been an instructor at Stockton's Community Center for the Blind, a non-profit organization that offers services and support to those with visual impairments. An instructor of adaptive technology, Sanchez teaches his clients to read Braille, operate a computer, use their smart phones, check and send e-mails, create Microsoft documents, and stay informed of new technologies for the blind. He is acutely aware of the day-to-day obstacles visually impaired people must overcome because he himself is blind and partially deaf.

When Gene and Deanna Avakian first visited their future home, it certainly was not love at first sight. Deanna recalls saying to her husband, "You really don't expect me to live here, do you?" As she remembers, the house was an ‘eight year-old mess' and everything seemed to need updating. After a complete gutting of the interior of the home (although the Avakians did stick to the existing footprint), the Avakian family—Gene, Deanna, and their two teenage children, Tayler and younger brother Tyler—are living in their dream home, designed just to their liking.

As Californians, we have so many perks: the scenic landscapes, the coastal climate, Disneyland, the list goes on. When it comes to food, our proximity to the Mexican border definitely gives us bragging rights. Unlike so many other states, Californians have access to some of the most authentic Mexican food available, save for crossing the border. After conducting some spicy research, we've put together a list of nine local restaurants serving up plates that are muy delicioso.