Around the Region (08/13/15)

Modesto

What: MUSEUM VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

When: Mondays through Aug. 31, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Great Valley Museum, Modesto Junior College West Campus, Science Community Center, 2201 Blue Gum Ave.

Info: The Great Valley Museum is seeking volunteers to perform duties including working with the public as docents and behind the scenes with museum operations. New docent training is scheduled for three Monday sessions on Aug. 17, 24 and 31. Docents conduct tours, handle phone inquiries, engage visitors through hands-on learning, and assist with museum tasks including animal care, Discovery Room and Science on a Sphere demonstrations. For more information or to reserve a seat to attend, call 209-575-6196.

What: AUTHORS FOR LOCAL FAIR

When: Sept. 12, 9 a.m. to noon

Where: Modesto branch of the Stanislaus County Library, 1500 I St.

Info: The Stanislaus County Library is looking for local published authors to take part in the sixth annual Local Author Fair. This is an opportunity for local authors to promote their work and sign and sell copies of publications. Registration required, space limited, registration deadline Sept. 3. For more information or to register to participate, call Laura Ferrell at 209-558-7817.

Turlock

What: DEMOCRATIC CLUB MEETING

When: Monday, 6 p.m.

Where: Denny’s Restaurant, 1525 McHenry Ave.

Info: The monthly meeting of the Central Valley Democratic Club will feature guest speaker Astrid Zuniga, executive secretary and treasurer of the Stanislaus & Tuolumne Counties Central Labor Council. Zuniga will speak on the work of the council to bring unions together to take action on local and statewide issues. Event is free; nonmembers welcome. For more information, call Linda at 209-863-9137.

Patterson

What: VETERANS BENEFITS WORKSHOP

When: Friday, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Where: City of Patterson offices, 1 Plaza Dr.

Info: At a Veterans Benefits Workshop hosted by U.S. Rep. Jeff Denham, attendees can connect with the congressman’s staff along with staff from the Stanislaus County Veterans Service Office to get help with individual cases and receive additional information. For more information, call Jordan Langdon at 202-225-4540.

What: BACK TO SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY AND SAFETY FAIR

When: Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Downtown Patterson, North and South Parks, El Circulo Ave. and Highway 33

Info: The Community Back to School Block Party and Safety Fair will feature music, games, a book giveaway, Klaas Kids Foundation child ID and fingerprinting, information and educational booths. For more information, call the city of Patterson at 209-895-8010 or the Patterson Joint Unified School District at 209-895-7700.

What: STAGE SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST

When: Oct. 3 and Nov.14

Info: A college-articulated scholarship competition is planned for West Side youths in sixth through 12th grades who are interested in pursuing the performing arts. There are two divisions: a junior division for sixth through eighth grades and a senior division for ninth through 12th grades. Auditions will be held in October and November. Eligible West Side students include those living in ZIP codes 95360, 95313, 95387, 95385, 95322 and 95363. Application forms are available at http://bit.ly/1HHtMLS. For more information, email Dr. Merza-Fillpot at schoolyoga28@yahoo.com.

Yesteryears

50 YEARS AGO: A call was put out for all able-bodied workers to help salvage Stanislaus County’s tomato crops. At least 500 workers were needed in the tomato fields to pick ripe tomatoes that were hit by an unexpected rainstorm. The growers made arrangements to transport workers from the state’s Department of Employment office at 12th and F streets in Modesto at 5 a.m. The growers were paying 20 cents a lug box, 3 cents above the pay scale recommended by the California Tomato Growers Association.

This story was originally published August 12, 2015 at 2:44 PM with the headline "Around the Region (08/13/15)."