Plenty of opportunities for fun, service and more

As regular readers know, we try to keep it pretty light and bright on Saturdays. The theme for today's shorts — opportunities.

FOR FUN: Riverbank's Cheese and Wine Exposition is always a popular October event. It runs through 7 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Visitors also will have an opportunity to see the major beautification of downtown. Some people are unhappy about how much it cost, $9 million, and how long it took, almost two years. But the result is very attractive.

FOR SERVICE: Within a few weeks seasonal homeless shelters will open in Modesto and Turlock. And the sponsors are looking for organizations, families or other groups to prepare meals.

Modesto: The Salvation Army will open its seasonal downtown shelter on Nov. 2, and is welcoming groups willing to bring in dinners for 140 people. In fact, the shelter is already serving about 40 people a night, those with medical needs and in the transition program. To learn more or sign up for a date, call 525-8954 or 596-6780.

Turlock: The We Care Program will operate its shelter for men from Nov. 8 to April 1. Groups of four to 10 people are needed to buy, prepare and serve dinner for anywhere from 34 to 40 people. An informational meeting is scheduled Wednesday from 6 to 7 p.m. at the shelter, 213 S. Broadway. Those interested also can tour the facility. For more information or to sign up to provide a dinner, e-mail wecareprogram2006@yahoo.com or call 620-2414.

TO REGISTER TO VOTE: Oct. 19 is the deadline if you want to participate in the Nov. 3 election. Registration cards are available at the county clerk's office, the library and online at www.sos.ca.gov.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT VALLEY ISSUES: Fresno radio station KFSR (90.7 FM) and The Maddy Institute at California State University, Fresno, put together a weekly radio show on valley issues, such as growth and water. It airs Saturdays at 1 p.m. and Sundays at 11 a.m. If you can't get radio reception, the program is easily accessible online at www.csufresno.edu/kfsr/ maddy09.html#hudoct.

TO COMMENT ON POLICE SERVICE: The Modesto Police Department is inviting feedback via an online survey. The survey takes less than five minutes to complete — and you can be honest, because providing your name is optional. The survey is available at www.modestogov.com/mpd/survey or in the lobby of the police department, 600 10th St., or at the security kiosk on the first floor of Vintage Faire Mall.

TO BECOME A VISITING EDITOR AT THE BEE: We're accepting applications for the 2010 positions. Volunteers spend three months attending weekly editorial board meetings and are invited to write their views on local issues. Participants need to be Bee readers, available Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m. and have e-mail access. To apply, e-mail a one-page letter telling us why you are interested and a résumé (or paragraph) detailing your experience to jsly@modbee.com. Call 578-2317 if you have questions. Oct. 30 is the deadline to apply.