Around the Region

Modesto

HISPANIC LEADERSHIP COUNCIL: Phil Alfano, principal of Downey High School, will make a presentation on his vision and goals for Downey students at the Hispanic Leadership Council's meeting at 7 a.m. Friday. The meeting will be at El Concilio Community Center, 1314 H St. The group's weekly meetings are free and open to the public.

SAFE TEEN DRIVING: The Modesto area California Highway Patrol is offering the "Start Smart" teen safe driving class from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Modesto CHP office on Kiernan Avenue. Doors open at 6:45 p.m.; there's no need to pre-register. A parent or legal guardian must attend the class with the teen. For more information, call officer Tom Killian at 545-7445.

KIDS CRAFT FAIR COMING UP: Handcrafted items made by children will be featured in the All Kids Craft Fair on the portico of the Modesto Library, 1500 I St., from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. The craft fair provides a chance for young artists and crafters to showcase their talents and learn about sales, customer service and business. The children set up their own booths, sell their items and make change. All items must be sold for $5 or less and must be made by the young artists. For more information, call the Modesto Children's Library at 558-7810.

Helping to coordinate the 50 Plus Club dinner are, from left, Jim West, Mike Gorrasi and Peter Johansen.

ANNUAL DINNER MEETING FOR 50 PLUS: The 50 Plus Club of Stanislaus County will have its annual dinner meeting Oct. 20 at the SOS Club, 819 Sunset Ave. The club is open to all residents of the county who have lived, or whose spouse has lived, in Stanislaus County for at least 50 years. A social hour and mixer will begin at

5 p.m., with dinner at 7. The meeting will be chaired by President Peter Johansen and will honor 80 years of professional baseball in Modesto. Tickets are $20 and are available by calling Alta Robbins at 578-1524 or Carol Streeter at 578-0325.

WE'RE IN WINE COUNTRY: The Modesto Kiwanis Club will present its Wine Country Evening on Oct. 25 at the Gallo Center for the Arts. Proceeds will benefit children in the area, organizers said. For more information, contact Pat at 578-4636 or Plaza611@sbcglobal.net, or Terry at 604-2417 or Terrymcgrt@aol.com.

ITALIAN GUITARIST AT MJC: The Modesto Junior College Friends of Music present world-renowned Italian guitarist Flavio Cucchi in concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Emanuel Lutheran Church, Stoddard and College avenues. Organizers said Cucchi is known throughout the world for his guitar interpretations of the classical repertoire. He has been playing the guitar for more than 50 years and has been a professor at the Conservatorio Mascagni of Livorno since 1986. Tickets are $12 general admission and $10 for students and senior citizens, at the door. All proceeds help support MJC music programs. Cucchi will provide a master guitar class at 12:30 p.m. Friday in the MJC Music Recital Hall on the east campus, 435 College Ave. Admission to the class is $5 at the door. For more information on the Friends of Music Concert, call David Chapman, 575-6601.

Ceres

HARVEST DAY: Heifer International, an interfaith group that provides livestock to hungry families around the world, invites the public to Harvest Day at its Ceres Education Center on Saturday. The event, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., will feature displays of the group's work. There also will be a corn maze, cart rides, garden tours, a global village and animals, including goats, rabbits, llamas, an ostrich and a water buffalo. Admission is free. Doughnuts, coffee, hot dogs, soft drinks, pumpkins and pumpkin pies will be for sale. The center is at 3906 E. Don Pedro Road.