John Teerlink has always had a fascination with science. He majored in comparative religious studies and minored in cell biology at Swarthmore College near Philadelphia. While these areas of study may seem like they are on opposite ends of the spectrum, Teerlink says they have worked together in his favor — they combined his keen interest in science and people.

A Union soldier in the Civil War and pioneer farmer on the Plains before settling in Lockeford, George R. Garretson was a witness to America's frontier history.

I cannot understand why you give Cynthia Neely space on your editorial page to spew out her misinformation.

(NAPSI)—Some may be surprised at the thought of the king of a North African country calling for the restoration of the country’s synagogues and acknowledging the country’s rich history of cultural diversity.

(NAPSI)—Does your cell phone bill seem like it is consuming more and more of your budget? If so, you are not alone. Today’s average U.S. families, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, are spending over 261 percent more on cell phone bills than they would have 10 years ago. They’re bypassing things like weekend outings, clothing purchases and dinners out in favor of game downloads, watching TV and surfing the Internet on their smartphones.

Cirque du Soleil is presenting the Asian-themed “Dralion” at the Stockton Arena.

Dear Straight Talk: In 1787, our founding fathers gathered behind closed doors to decide what form of government the fledgling United States would have. The newly-freed colonists held their breath. When the delegates finally emerged, someone asked Benjamin Franklin, “Well, Doctor, what have we got — a republic or a monarchy?” Franklin smiled and replied, “A Republic — if you can keep it.”

An earlier political party (Mugwumps) resembles "modern" Catholic hierarchy. You place your mug on one side of the fence and your wump on the other.

Mandi Eisenbeis stood over her dad. It was a Thursday in May 2011 when she said her private goodbyes at a mortuary in Lodi. George "Randy" Eisenbeis had died young, felled at age 57 by a methamphetamine overdose.

"It's Up to the Voters Now" (Wall Street Journal, June 29). If Americans want to repeal Obamacare, their only recourse is to demand it at the ballot box in November. The Supreme Court decision reminded Americans that they cannot count on others to protect their liberty.

Charley Reese wrote an article called "The 545 People Responsible for America's Woes!" All of the country's problems can be attributed to 100 senators, 435 representatives, one president and nine Supreme Court Justices.

A century ago, in April 1912, Lodi residents were swept up in shock at the tragic sinking of the Titanic. Also that month, the community enjoyed the spring with picnics and the citywide clean-up, which yielded freight carloads of garbage.

Should Stephen Glass be allowed to practice law in California?

Complete list of 2012 Readers Choice winners:

Once again News-Sentinel staffers have selected the absolutely best gifts (Lodi bacon or Wonder Woman mixer, anyone?) to give and to receive this holiday season.

When Brooke Hummel’s boss told her that there were some new items to be listed on eBay, nothing could prepare her for what she found in a brown box on a shelf: two human skulls.

There is so much that I love about back-to-school shopping! After all, it’s shopping — and what woman with a credit card doesn’t love to shop?

The fight for women to have the right to vote was a hot topic in Lodi a century ago in 1911.

If you were to rule the globe, what two large bodies of the free world would you have to compromise?

Ten years have passed all too quickly since a malevolent, fanatic enemy chose to strike unexpectedly at symbolic buildings in New York and Washington. Like the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, innocent people were violently killed while going about their own daily lives, civilian or military.

When it opened on Jan. 20, 1950, the Sunset Theater was a state-of-the-art 1,000-seat theater that was billed as “California’s most modern motion picture house.”

Pardon me, but on Sept. 22, "Letter displays intolerance ..." states, "secede from the Union and begin their own island country." I thought this point was understood already, because I probably wrote about this twice already.

The holiday season … it's simultaneously the most wonderful and most stressful time of the year.

Folks, all of us must work overtime between now and November to decipher/disclose what President Obama and his minions are up to.

Four Republican candidates are vying for the Board of Equalization in California's second district, which serves Lodi and Galt.