LODI – More than 3,500 third-graders from the Lodi, Linden and Stockton areas this week will get a taste of just how important agriculture is to the Central Valley.

STOCKTON – The Stockton Black Expo slated for Saturday promises to offer a vast variety of discussions, workshops, information fairs, tributes and more.

MERCED – An information meeting for those interested in the California State University, Stanislaus doctoral program in education has been slated for 5 p.m. March 14.

LODI – Lodi Memorial Hospital offers a variety of classes for all stages of a person’s life. Here are some of them.

STOCKTON – Pamela Eibeck, president of the University of the Pacific, will be the keynote speaker at the 10^th annual Power of One – Women Making a Difference Luncheon in May.

It is tucked away and hard to find in a south Stockton business park, but it may be a key to lowering the drop-out rate in San Joaquin County and ultimately leading to a far more skilled workforce.

Record unemployment rates and stiff competition for jobs are sending many Central Valley residents back to school – and ultimately back to work.

Education is crucial for people currently in, entering or re-entering the labor market in today’s hyper-competitive economy.

STOCKTON – The Women’s Center of San Joaquin County is gearing up for its 32nd annual luncheon slated for the end of March.

STOCKTON – County education leaders recently announced its policy for providing free and reduced price meals for children served under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.