IN BRIEF: Downey aims to spell out good times

MODESTO -- Downey aims to spell out good times

Performances begin Friday of Downey High School's spring musical. "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" centers on a fictional spelling bee set in a geographically ambiguous Putnam Valley Middle School. Six quirky adolescents compete in the bee, run by three equally quirky grown-ups. Performances are Friday and Saturday and March 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on March 3. Tickets are $7 for seniors and students and $9 for general admission. Tickets will be available at the door. For more information, call (209) 576-4255

Enochs seniors seek blankets for needy

A group of Enochs High School seniors are working with the American Red Cross to help those who are homeless, in poverty or in an emergency situation to stay warm. "We are collecting new and used blankets and are hoping to collect at least 400 blankets," according to a news release from organizers. "Please help us spread the word and help the people of America." Donations can be made from 4 to 7 p.m. today at a booth set up at The House, 1601 Coffee Road.

Civility initiative enters final chapter

The Stanislaus County Choose Civility Initiative began with a book — "P.M. Forni's Choosing Civility." The Stanislaus County Office of Education will wrap up the initiative the same way — with a book. The Office of Education is sponsoring a poetry/ writing and art contest for county students. Winners of the contest will become published authors/artists in its "Kids on Civility" book. Winners will also be invited to a year-end ceremony where they will receive a copy of the book and be eligible for prizes. Information about the contests, including how to enter, can be found at www.stancoe.org/civility.

The Office of Education launched the campaign in the fall of 2010. To date, more than 250 businesses and nearly every school district in the county have signed on to support the initiative. "It's been encouraging to hear the dialog throughout the county about the importance of civility, and to see and read of the efforts to promote it," according to the Stanis- laus County Office of Educa- tion. "It's also excit- ing to see Choose Civility spreading beyond our county. We know of seven other counties that are moving forward to adopt their own initiatives modeled after ours."