Around the Region (10/18/16)

MODESTO

What: “San Joaquin Blues”

When: Friday through Sunday

Where: Performing and Media Arts Center, MJC East Campus, 435 College Ave.

Info: The Modesto Junior College Theater Department presents “San Joaquin Blues,” an original play about life in the mid-1960s in the Central Valley. The play was written by and is being directed by MJC theater professor Michael Lynch, with original music composed by Steve Sigel. Tickets are $11 general admission, and $9 for students and senior citizens (62 or older). Tickets may be purchased in advance at mjc.tix.com, at the MJC box office or by calling 209-575-6776. Tickets will also be available at the door beginning 90 minutes prior to each performance.

What: Presidential debate watch party

When: Wednesday, 5:30-9:30 p.m.

Where: Campaign Office of Hillary Clinton, 1216 I St.

Info: The presidential debate watch party is hosted by the Democratic Women’s Club of Stanislaus. Refreshments and potluck style watch party. For more information, call 209-303-4042; to register to attend, visit www.hillaryclinton.com/events.

What: Guit-Artist Series Concert

When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Where: Music Recital Hall, MJC East Campus, 435 College Ave.

Info: Modesto Junior College presents a Guit-Artist Series Concert by classical guitarists Daniel Radu and Aaron Davis. Concert tickets are $10 general admission and $5 for students and seniors. Tickets may be purchased in advance at mjc.tix.com, at the MJC box office or by calling 209-575-6776. Tickets will also be available at the door beginning 90 minutes prior to each performance.

What: Special education surrogate parent training

When: Wednesday, 6 to 8 p.m.

Where: Special Education Local Plan Area conference room, 1404 Stonum Road

Info: Free training will be given to certify volunteers willing to act as parent advocates for special education students at IEP meetings and throughout the special education process. Interested persons can register at stanislaus.k12oms.org. For more information, contact Angie Van Wagoner at the SELPA office at 209-541-2335 or avanwagoner@stancoe.com.

CERES

What: Stanislaus County Library Town Hall

When: Wednesday, 6 p.m.

Where: Ceres Community Center, 2701 Fourth St.

Info: The library is in the process of developing a new strategic plan and community input is needed to shape the development of library priorities and strategies. The public is invited to attend town hall meetings scheduled to take place at locations throughout Stanislaus County. Valuable input will be gathered through these meetings. Residents will have an opportunity to share ideas about what they like about their library, how the library is supporting community priorities, and what they would like to see done differently. Each meeting is expected to last approximately one hour and refreshments will be offered to participants. For more information, call 209-558-7801.

SONORA

What: Central Sierra Audubon Society

When: Wednesday, 6 p.m.

Where: Tuolumne County Library, 480 Greenley Road

Info: The Central Sierra Audubon Society will be hosting a lecture by Dr. Nancy Muleady-Mecham, a retired national park ranger and adjunct professor of biology at Northern Arizona University. Dr. Muleady-Mecham will discuss the anatomy of birds and how they interact with their environments. For more information, call Jan Jorn-Baird at 209-532-1106.

25 YEARS AGO: It was announced that the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors was to consider an ordinance to designate Stanislaus as a “right-to-farm” county. The right-to-farm ordinance first came about in the Stanislaus County Planning Commission, by a 6-0 vote, because the Modesto Association of Realtors, along with title companies, wanted to assure homeowners still had rights. However, Chairman John Hertle said, “This right-to-farm ordinance puts people on notice that this county will stand behind its farmers.”

This story was originally published October 17, 2016 at 2:42 PM with the headline "Around the Region (10/18/16)."