Around the Region (12/08/16)
MODESTO
What: Modesto Rockin’ Holiday
When: Through Dec. 23
Where: Downtown Modesto, Tenth Street Plaza
Info: The city of Modesto will celebrate its third annual Modesto Rockin’ Holiday every Thursday-Saturday, 6-9 p.m., during December. The Tenth Street Plaza will be transformed into a retro holiday feel. Rockin’ Holiday is free and photos with Rockin’ Santa and his Rockin’ Elves are free in the Classic Rockin’ Sleigh at the Rockin’ North Pole in Tenth Street Plaza. There also will be a 50-foot tall Rockin’ Holiday Tree that will feature light shows and Rockin’ Holiday music seven nights a week from 6 p.m.-1 a.m. to dazzle downtown Modesto visitors. For more information, visit www.facebook.com or visit www.modestogov.com.
JAMESTOWN
What: “The Polar Express” train ride
When: Through Dec. 18, 4:30-9 p.m.
Where: Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, 10501 Reservoir Road
Info: California State Parks, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park and the California State Railroad Museum Foundation present “The Polar Express” train ride on Friday through Sunday from Dec. 2-18. Three festive train rides will be available each day, starting at 4:30 p.m., 6 and 7:30. Tickets are $50 per person for coach seating, open-air car is $180 per table of four, and $65 per person for first-class seating that includes a commemorative “Polar Express” mug. Children under 2 are admitted free and must be seated on an adult’s lap during the ride. The train ride is a fundraiser for the California State Railroad Museum Foundation, which supports Railtown 1897 State Historic Park. Advance tickets are available only at www.railtown1897.org. For more information, call the hotline at 209-984-3407.
KNIGHTS FERRY
What: Oak Summit Masonic Lodge, Toys for Tots
When: Through Dec. 15, 4:30-9 p.m.
Where: Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, 10501 Reservoir Road
Info: Oak Summit Masonic Lodge No. 112 F is co-sponsoring a toy drive for the Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program throughout Stanislaus County. Donations of new, unwrapped toys are being accepted through Dec. 15. The Masons have established 21 drop-off points in Knights Ferry, Oakdale, Riverbank and Waterford. For more information and the locations, call Cpl. Bill Johnson of the Marine Corps Reserve at 209-896-5057.
MERCED
What: “Lights Before Christmas” Holiday Extravaganza
When: Friday and Saturday, 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Applegate Park Zoo, 1045 W. 25th St.
Info: The stars of the Applegate Zoo will be highlighted in the “Lights Before Christmas” holiday extravaganza. Kids can make decorations in Santa’s Workshop, pet some of the “reindeer” and visit Santa. The cost is $3; $1 kids 5 and under. The holiday extravaganza is sponsored by the Merced Parks and Recreation Department and the Merced Zoological Society. For more information, call the zoo at 209-725-3337 or visit www.mercedzoo.org.
Send Region items to Region, The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto 95352; call 209-578-2330; fax 209-578-2207; or email region@modbee.com.
50 YEARS AGO: A Modesto High School student was named a national runner-up in the 1966 achievement awards competition put on by the National Council of Teachers of English. Junior Darlene Azevedo was one of 75 California finalists from a pool of 8,300 students from 820 high schools from entire the country. Azevedo was joined in the competition by classmates Brian Lindvall, Marvin Shumate and Charles Yekley.
This story was originally published December 7, 2016 at 3:34 PM with the headline "Around the Region (12/08/16)."