Around the Region (11/6/12)

Modesto

• AUTHOR AND GUEST SPEAKER

When: Today, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Petersen Event Center, 720 12th St.

Info: Stanislaus PAWS, partnering with VOICES of Stanislaus County, Stanislaus Family Justice Center, Guide Dogs for the Blind and VIPS of Modesto, will present "Advocating Against Violence in our Families and our Community" with guest speaker Belo Cipriani. Guests are invited to meet and listen to Cipriani's story of how he triumphed over adversity and about his new life with guide dog companion Madge. Free. For more, call Valerie at (209) 613-6101.

• CLERGY SYMPOSIUM

When: Thursday, noon to 1:30 p.m.

Where: Community Hospice Patient Services Center, 4368 Spyres Way

Info: Annual symposium includes lunch with keynote speaker Nancee Sobonya, the filmmaker of "The Gifts of Grief," an educational documentary. The workshop offers practical information to faith leaders on how to provide care to congregations, as well as how to identify the physical, emotional and spiritual effects of grief. Free. To reserve space, call (209) 578-6300.

Patterson

• BOOK CLUB MEETING

When: Tuesday, 7 p.m.

Where: Call for meeting location

Info: The Westside Readers Book Club continues its reading schedule with a discussion of "The Finkler Question" by Howard Jacobson. Lively debate and discussion, even if you haven't read the book. For information and the meeting location, call (209) 862-0608 or e-mail westsidereaders@hotmail.com.

Send Region items to Region, The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto 95352; call (209) 578-2330; fax (209) 578-2207; or e-mail region@modbee.com.