Around the Region (08/24/16)

MODESTO

What: 50 Plus Club annual dinner

When: Sept. 24; social 5 p.m., dinner 7 p.m.

Where: SOS Club, 819 Sunset Ave.

Info: The 50 Plus Club welcomes all longtime residents of Stanislaus County. At the once-a-year dinner everyone is encouraged to come early, stay late and reminisce with old and new friends. The event is open to all longtime residents who have lived in Stanislaus County, their spouses and their guests. The cost is $25. For reservations, call Linda Pedego at 209-523-1420.

What: Showing of documentary “Salam Neighbor”

When: Sept. 1, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Reedemer church, 820 H St.

Info: World Relief Modesto is partnering with a local downtown church, Redeemer, to offer to the community a free viewing of the movie “Salam Neighbor,” a documentary about the Syrian refugee crisis. The movie takes viewers into one of the biggest refugee camps in Jordan and puts faces and names to the masses of people who are struggling there. The overriding message is one of hopeful compassion and friendship. Dr. Ben and Aubree Colton from Modesto, who have been working with Syrian refugees in Jordan, will also speak about their experiences.

YESTERYEARS

40 YEARS AGO: The State Assembly passed a bill that would have allowed Stanislaus County to transform the countywide court system into a municipal court system with seven judges. Senate Bill 1807, a once-controversial bill as then-Gov. Edmund G. Brown threatened to veto it, passed the Assembly 58-0. The reason for the governor’s stance was a 1974 study he cited that said six would be enough; however, the study did not take into account that the county would be losing its justice court judges. A Stanislaus County delegation met with Brown to lobby for the bill and convinced him to sign it when the bill crossed his desk.

This story was originally published August 23, 2016 at 3:22 PM with the headline "Around the Region (08/24/16)."