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• It's in the cards

• Local brewers, winemakers honored

• Galt Council may raise curtain on movie theater agreement

• Spanish story time, classes gain popularity

• Lodi's science museum still has a way to go

• Regional Roundup

• Board member: Officials at Vineyard school thought building work was legal

• Officers rebuff assistant sheriff, endorse Lobenberg

• Snowmobile users may get sanctuary near Yosemite park

• Logbook

March 4th, 2010

• Attacked judge sues county, sheriff

March 10th, 2010

• Lodi Finance Department puts customers at a safe distance

• Former Galt City Councilman Jeff Bryant dies

• Lodi pastor Leo Duncan to celebrate his 80th birthday by jumping out of plane

• Lodi Middle Schoolers earn limo ride and lunch

• Principal's decision to allow Galt High seniors to go off campus for lunch is under review

• Acampo man sentenced to 80 years to life in prison for torturing girlfriend

• Lodi Unified School District rocked by threat of four schools closing

• Regional Roundup

March 9th, 2010

• Third Republican announces candidacy for State Senate

• It's a gift!

• Lodi Unified School District to discuss closing schools, eliminating buses

• Regional Roundup

• Sanborn Chevrolet dealership in Lodi will be allowed to renew contract

• Lodi Inn bought by Motel 6

• No arrests in gang-related shooting that left buckshot in Lodi man's eye, hand

• Four Lodi Unified School District campuses could close

March 8th, 2010

• Two shot in Eastside fight

• Public Meetings

• Correction

• Japanese exchange student seeks donations for Lodi House

• Stop human trafficking

• Regional Roundup

• Science Olympiad

March 6th, 2010

• Logbook

• Will nuclear power make a comeback?

• Best of fair

• Project Lodi Art unveils 24 mosaic sidewalk tiles at First Friday Art Hop

• New hope

• Regional Roundup

• Erica Davis, first paraplegic woman to summit Kilimanjaro, shares experience

• Surviving H1N1

• Lodi Unified School District moving forward with campus conversions — for now

March 5th, 2010

• Man guilty in killing of Lodi High grad may face life sentence

• Fire at The California Street Pub

• March 5

• Regional Roundup

• Delta College's future in Lodi beginning to look more certain

• Sidewalk mosaics on display at celebration tonight in Lodi

• Protests draw attention to statewide education cuts

• Retired judge Cinda Fox suing San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office

• Continuing the steps to home ownership

March 4th, 2010

• Lawrence Literacy Night

• Regional Roundup

• City of Lodi demands taco trucks to face increased inspections

• Lodi City Council accepts gift of statue, approves spending up to $27,000 on transport, installation

• Couple appeals approval of Costco

• Logbook

March 3rd, 2010

• Lodi Lake on the rise

• Logbook

• Lodi City Council hears more information on water meter costs, payment plans

• Lodi Unified School District targets $30 million deficit

• Supervisor: Changes ahead for cash-strapped hospital

• San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors temporarily bans marijuana outlets

• Regional Roundup

The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.

• Couple appeals approval of Costco (74)
• We are the last beacon of hope when darkest day falls upon us (59)
• Elton John: Talented but 'cruel gay man' (59)
• Four Lodi Unified School District campuses could close (58)
• Lodi Unified School District rocked by threat of four schools closing (57)
• Clements School set to close doors (46)
• Lodi City Council accepts gift of statue, approves spending up to $27,000 on transport, installation (43)
• Is government able to think before acting? (41)
• Four Lodi Unified School District campuses deemed among state's lowest achieving (33)
• Retired judge Cinda Fox suing San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office (31)

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Lodi's science museum still has a way to go

After almost two years of planning, fundraising and meetings, the backers of the World of Wonders Science Museum are a bit closer to their goal.

In May, the Lodi City Council approved the museum's request to use vacant office space on the ground floor of the central parking structure on the corner of Sacramento and Pine streets.

Plans call for a hands-on science museum in which area residents can learn the principles of science through various displays.

The council originally gave the museum six months to raise enough money to open, but no contracts have yet been signed, said Dan Ingrum, who thought up the idea after visiting San Francisco's Exploratorium museum.

"It's really a win-win for us and the city," Ingrum said.

Ingrum, owner of Danz Jewelers, is also on the museum's board of directors. The board has applied for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and is waiting to apply for grants to supply exhibits and educational materials.

The 12,000-square foot museum will have a store run by Lodi School Store owner Harrison Weese, and a classroom.

Exhibits could be leased, purchased from the Exploratorium or built in Lodi based on Exploratorium models. To save money and keep displays fresh, some will be traded among other museums, said marketing director David Diskin.

About $20,000 was raised at a recent private fundraising dinner, Diskin said.

The city of Lodi is not funding any part of the project, Diskin said. The offices, which have been vacant since the parking structure opened in 2002, don't have floors, insulation, lights, plumbing, or air conditioning.

Despite the vacant offices on the north end of Sacramento Street and a tattoo parlor, liquor store, card room and bar nearby, Diskin and Ingrum, aren't worried if the site is appropriate for children.

Diskin said downtown Lodi as a whole continues to improve and believes a children's museum could help kick off a revitalization of Sacramento Street. He and Ingrum also say the museum's location is ideal because of the parking and bus depot.

Diskin said that because about 411,000 public school students live within an hour of Lodi, schools won't need to travel so far for a great field trip. They are estimating about 25,000 visitors per year.

First published: Friday, July 14, 2006