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Street Signs Pay Tribute to Soldiers

admin writes, "TRACY - Stockton and other towns bearing the burden of the war in Iraq are finding ways to pay tribute to the fallen. Off Holman Road in north Stockton, streets are named for two soldiers killed in the war: Army Pfc. Jesse Mizener and Army Lt. Col. Mark D. Taylor. In Tracy, six slain soldiers will have streets named after them in the city they once called home. The town is reviving a 20-year-old practice of naming roads in honor of fallen soldiers. Motorists already make their way down Joseph Menusa Lane, and streets named in honor of Tracy's five other fallen soldiers will follow in sprouting subdivisions. The family of Army Spc. Patrick Ryan McCaffrey looks forward to the day they can drive down a street named in his honor. "We're all very anxious to see it. It would be a wonderful thing," said Nadia McCaffrey, the soldier's mother. Scott Conover, the stepfather of Marine Lance Cpl. Brandon Christopher Dewey, who was killed in 2006, said it would take time to get used to seeing his stepson and the other soldiers' names on street signs, given that type of commendation typically goes to historically notable people, such as presidents. "You wouldn't expect to see any one of your loved ones on a street name. Even with all (Brandon) did it would take a little time to sink in," Conover said. Tracy stands alone among San Joaquin County cities with its policy of naming streets for soldiers killed in service. The names of new streets in the city of Stockton typically are proposed by developers and approved by the city. No rule requires the recognition of slain soldiers. The decision to honor Mizener and Taylor was made by H.D. Arnaiz Corp., which is building a large housing development in the area. Manteca recorded its first fatality in the Iraq war with the death of Marine Cpl. Charles O. Palmer on May 5, but the city does not have a policy similar to that of Tracy. A memorial to all soldiers that stands outside the Manteca Public Library bears only the names of locals killed in World War I through the Vietnam War. Developers building hotels near the Big League Dreams ballpark have discussed relocating and expanding the memorial to include the names of those killed in the current war in about two years, said Karen McLaughlin, Manteca's assistant city manager. While Manteca has no policy for street dedications, developers can name streets in their subdivisions for soldiers and have them approved by the city, McLaughlin said. Lodi does not have a policy for dedicating streets to soldiers, city spokesman Jeff Hood said. Kimball Hill Homes spokesman Bill Stanton said the company supports Tracy's policy. "It just recognizes the sacrifice the people are making for the country," Stanton said, adding the company has not encountered a similar policy in other cities in which it builds. Patrick McCaffrey lived on Robert Rusher Street - named for a soldier killed in Vietnam in 1968 - and told his mother he hoped no streets would be named for him, his mother said. In death, he would be proud of the honor, she said. "It's also a wonderful way to remember him. It's something he would have been proud of," Nadia McCaffrey said. Twenty-two soldiers with ties to San Joaquin County have died in Iraq and Afghanistan, three of those in May. As of Wednesday, at least 3,499 members of the U.S. military have died since the begin-ning of the Iraq war in March 2003. "

Posted on Jun 17, 2007 19:59pm. (Read More... | 3536 bytes more)

Animation festival and juggling act

admin writes, " TRACY — An animation festival and a comedic juggling act will be held at the Tracy Branch Library this month. Students from the West High School Anime Club will show artwork and preview anime movies at 2 p.m. Saturday at the library. Comedic juggler Jean-Paul Valjean will be at the library at 4 p.m. Thursday. Both presentations are free. The library is at 20 E. Eaton Ave., Tracy. For more information, call (209) 937-8221. "

Posted on Jun 17, 2007 19:54pm. (Read More... | 465 bytes more)

Bean Festival pageant tickets

admin writes, "TRACY — Tickets to the Tracy Bean Festival Queen and Princess Pageant on June 23 are on sale for $5 at the Tracy Chamber of Commerce, at 223 E. 10th St. Local girls will compete for the title of Bean Queen and Bean Princess. The winners will serve as the Bean Festival Royal Court. For more information, call pageant coordinator Juana Dement at (209) 914-0635. "

Posted on Jun 17, 2007 19:51pm. (Read More... | 384 bytes more)

Tracy to host four teen swim events

admin writes, "TRACY - The city will present four themed teen swim events for middle school and high school students this summer at the Joe Wilson Community Pool, at 900 W. Lowell Ave. The swim events begin at 6 p.m. Friday with a "Survivor" theme. Other events are scheduled for July 6 and 20, and Aug. 3. The cost is $5. For more information, call (209) 831-6200 or visit www.ci.tracy.ca.us. "

Posted on Jun 17, 2007 19:49pm. (Read More... | 400 bytes more)

Fourth of July Day in Lincoln Park

admin writes, " TRACY - The annual Fourth of July Day in the Park brings hot-air balloons, games, food and fireworks to Lincoln Park. The July Fourth event begins at 6 a.m. with a hot-air balloon liftoff, followed by a pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. Clowns Sparkles and Ravioli will perform on the community stage. An evening fireworks display will be held at the Tracy High School football stadium. Tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for children and seniors, and can be purchased at the Tracy Chamber of Commerce, at 223 E. 10th St., or at the gate the day of the event. For more information, call (209) 835-2131. "

Posted on Jun 17, 2007 19:47pm. (Read More... | 623 bytes more)