News & Notes | Modesto Bee

Gallo Center for the Arts

Read Friday's Scene section for details on performers Patti LuPone, Los Tigres del Norte and Cirque-Works' "Birdhouse Factory." Profiles on arts center performers Tony Bennett, Rosanne Cash and the Joffrey Ballet will appear in the Scene section on Sept. 28.

The Gallo Center for the Arts, on 10th and I streets in Modesto, holds its grand opening gala Sept. 27. The center has two theaters: the 1,252-seat Mary Stuart Rogers Theater and the 444-seat Foster Family Theater. www.galloarts.org, 338-2100.

Tax bills out early; deadline the same

Stanislaus County property owners got an early surprise this week: property tax bills. The bills are arriving a few weeks earlier than normal, although the payments are due when they always are, Dec. 10 and April 10. Treasurer-tax collector Gordon Ford said the bills are out a bit early to help people plan and get the bills paid on time. Ford also urged property owners not to wait until Dec. 10 to come in and pay the bill. The lines are long that day, he said. Every property owner should have received his or her tax bill by the end of this week, he said. Anyone not receiving a bill should contact the treasurer-tax collector's office at 525-6388.

Two charter schools get OK from state

Two more area charter schools were designated "Certified Charter Schools" on Wednesday by the California Charter Schools Association. Denair Charter Academy and Valley Charter High School in Modesto are now among 56 California schools found to meet the association's standards for academic achievement, ethical leadership, focus on increasing quality, responsible governance and fiscal accountability. Other certified area charter schools are: Connecting Waters Charter School in Waterford, Hickman Charter School, Hickman Elementary and Hickman Middle School. For more information, go online to www.myschool.org.

Yesteryears

50 YEARS AGO: A new postal station to serve Modesto's northwest area opened in Keller's store in the Roosevelt Shopping Center. There was no mail delivery at the station but people could buy stamps or other supplies there and mail packages and letters.

25 YEARS AGO: Media Alliance, a 2,000-member Bay Area group, gave its annual photography award to Miguel Blanco, who lived in Modesto. Blanco was cited for photographs taken the previous year in El Salvador. -- Karen Aiello