Around the Region (12/01/16)

MODESTO

What: Film: “Paper Tigers”

When: Thursday, 7 p.m.

Where: Modesto JC, East Campus-Forum 110, 435 College Ave.

Info: The Modesto Junior College Civic Engagement Project invites the community to a screening of the documentary film “Paper Tigers.” This documentary follows the lives of students and staff at an alternative high school that has changed its approach and has become an inspiration for other institutions. Following the film, there will be a facilitated discussion. The free event is part of the CEP Fall Film and Lecture Series. Campus parking is available for $2 in student lots. For more information on MJC’s Civic Engagement Project or the Fall Film and Lecture Series, contact Jason Wohlstadter, professor of English, at wohlstadterj@mjc.edu.

What: Presentation: “Fusion: Building a Miniature Star on Earth”

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Modesto JC, West Campus-Sierra Hall 132, 2201 Blue Gum Ave.

Info: The Modesto Area Partners in Science (MAPS) offers the presentation “Fusion: Building a Miniature Star on Earth” by Tammy Ma, Ph.D., experimental laser-plasma physicist with the National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Rapid progress is being made in the quest for sustained thermonuclear fusion using the world’s largest and most energetic laser system at the National Ignition Facility. Ma will discuss her research with inertial confinement fusion and provide an update on the progress, methods and challenges of obtaining controlled nuclear fusion as a source of abundant, clean energy. The free event is intended for people over 12 years of age. MAPS programs are made possible by contributions from ASMJC, the MJC Foundation and the MJC STEM program. Both the program and parking are free. For more information, visit maps.events.mjc.edu or visit the MAPS Facebook page.

CERES

What: Ceres Women’s Club Christmas Boutique

When: Saturday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: Clubhouse, 2841 Fowler Road

Info: The Ceres Women’s Club will hold its annual Christmas Boutique. The annual event will feature baked goods, candies and crafts, as well as drawings for door prizes.

COLUMBIA

What: Columbia State Historic Park-Lamplight Tours

When: Friday and Saturday

Where: Columbia SHP, 11255 Jackson St., Columbia

Info: Take part in the docent-led Lamplight Tours. This year’s program titled “The Grand Holiday Raffle!” focuses on the year 1855, where a raffle brings together the local citizens to help a destitute immigrant woman and her children newly arrived in Columbia. Participants will be led by kerosene lanterns along the streets of Columbia to visit various vignettes in a walking play. For more information, visit www.visitcolumbiacalifornia.com or www.parks.ca.gov. Tickets are $25 for people 18 and over; $15, ages 9-17, and free under 8. To purchase tickets, visit www.friendsofcolumbiashp.com.

SALIDA

What: Great Valley Academy Holiday Boutique

When: Friday, noon-4 p.m.

Where: Great Valley Academy, 5901 Sisk Road

Info: The academy will hold a holiday boutique, featuring handcrafted items, food and more. For more information, contact Patrica Hoffman 209-404-5474 or phoffman@homesmartpva.com

50 YEARS AGO: The Modesto Junior College adult education program, featuring federally financed retraining programs, saved taxpayers $177,000 over a two-year period. Dr. Frank C. Pearce, research analyst for the then-expiring Manpower Development and Training Act, submitted the report for the two-year program. In the report, Pearce stated that the cost of training 1,000 adult students, including teachers, materials and other items, was $275,000. He said the resulting savings of public funds, getting former students off welfare and job earnings the first year after training was $452,000.

This story was originally published November 30, 2016 at 3:01 PM with the headline "Around the Region (12/01/16)."