The solemn ritual plays out dozens of times every day with a neatly folded flag, a crisp salute and one more goodbye to a fast-fading generation of soldiers, sailors and Marines.

Fish caught from rivers and streams are generally safer to eat than fish taken from lakes.

(BPT) - Al fresco dining is one of the great pleasures of warm weather. Whether you’re hosting a neighborhood barbecue or an intimate dinner party on your deck, outdoor dining is a great way to savor good food, company and the great outdoors. To ensure your meals are safe and enjoyable, it’s important to know how to prepare, transport and store food for outdoor eating.

The Delta: On the Sacramento River, striper trolling has slowed down a bit, but fish are still being caught in the areas of Isleton to Walnut Grove, Cache Slough up in the shipping channel and West Bank. Anglers are using shallow runners, working close to shore. For deep-diving lures, use Rebels, Predators and Yozuris. For shallow running, use Yozuris, P-Line Angry Eyes, Rebels, and Bombers.

The Lodi Sportsman’s Club is hosting the 22nd Annual Lodi Lake Youth Fishing Derby on Saturday, June 1.

Looking for some outdoor fun during these wonderful summer days? Make trip to these terrific spots, all either around Lodi or a short drive away. From water sports and boating, to fishing and hiking, there will never be a dry day.

With clear Sierra streams flowing through the foothills, man-made reservoirs that stretch for miles and the meandering waters of the Delta nearby, Lodi is an angler’s dream.

Favorite place to eat: If I am going out to dinner with my wife Shelby, we like The Dancing Fox. It has great food, a great environment and great pies for dessert.

Whether it’s coming up with a new creation for a food truck, adding a Mexican flair or adding a twist to comfort foods, culinary talents abound in Lodi. Some area chefs are self-taught, while others have learned on the job.

Marvin Albert "Butch" Abeldt , 92, of Lodi, died May 16. He was born March 5, 1921 in Tampa, Kan.

(BPT) - Warm weather is here, bringing barbecues, picnics and more time spent outdoors. Everyone should be able to enjoy these popular pastimes, including the up to six million Americans at risk for a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis. For these people, a bee sting, shrimp on the barbecue or a latex balloon may lead to a life-threatening emergency. That’s why it’s important to have a plan in place to help avoid allergens and be prepared if accidental contact occurs.

(BPT) - Imagine what it’s like to slowly lose your vision over time - until one day you no longer can read, see the faces of loved ones or participate in your favorite hobbies. While most people accept achy joints or muscle weakness as part of the aging process, eyesight is a critical factor in maintaining a high quality of life and independence.

The following is a list of this week’s lunch menus for area schools and LOEL Center. Milk is served with each school meal. The LOEL Center lunch menu is for congregate lunch at the LOEL Center only. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance. For more information, call 209-369-1591.

Barbara Miller used to routinely take her dog on evening walks by the river near her home — but not anymore. About eight to 10 weeks ago, Miller and some neighbors say they spotted a mountain lion roaming in a field near a river. But by the time she'd found her camera, hoping to capture a picture of the elusive creature, it was gone.

A California agency on Thursday unanimously adopted a broad, long-range plan to manage the ailing Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.

Patti Wallace stood on a busy street corner at Pine Street and Cherokee Lane, a brush dripping with brown paint in her hand. She hemmed and hawed, looking for the right angle to apply a nose to the face she was creating on the side of a traffic control signal box on the sidewalk. A dropcloth taped around the base of the box protected the sidewalk, and a line sketch of her design was lightly penciled in on its surface.

(StatePoint) Not sure what to give your dad for Father’s Day? Classic choices like a tie or cufflinks are nice, but don’t forget to give him the most meaningful gift of all -- quality time.

Because our state is so awash in debt and unfunded public employees’ pension requirements, it is imperative that we citizens pay attention to projected huge expenditures that will impact our state for years to come. Can we really afford a high-speed railroad that seems more a dream of Jerry Brown’s ego than anything realistically possible in the near future?

Mother’s Day — and HOT. This day should be gently spring-like: warm in the sun, cool in the shade, with a very soft breeze.

(StatePoint) There may be some credence to the old saying that “beauty comes from within.” Scientific research shows that the appearance of your largest, most visible organ -- your skin -- can be directly affected by the vitamins, nutrients and minerals you feed your body.

Lodi city officials spent Tuesday morning patrolling the Lodi Lake Nature Area after a citizen reported seeing a mountain lion around dusk Monday.

The following is a list of this week’s lunch menus for area schools and LOEL Center. Milk is served with each school meal. The LOEL Center lunch menu is for congregate lunch at the LOEL Center only. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance. For more information, call 209-369-1591.