News and Notes (07/23/2014) | Modesto Bee

OAKDALE MAYOR SEEKS RE-ELECTION

Mayor Pat Paul is seeking another term in Oakdale, and Cherilyn Bairos and J.R. McCarty are running for the City Council, the city clerk’s office reported. They were the first candidates to emerge since the filing process started last week for the Nov. 4 election. The seats of council members Farrell Jackson and Michael Patrick Brennan are up for election, along with the mayor’s post. Aug. 8 is the deadline to file candidacy papers for the city, school and other races in Stanislaus County, or Aug. 13 if the incumbent is not running.

HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS COMPETE FOR TITLE

Two teens from the Modesto area will be among 29 contestants vying for Distinguished Young Woman of California for the Class of 2015 this week. The Bakersfield competition, formerly known as Junior Miss, will wind up Saturday. Modesto High senior Maya Raj, representing Modesto, captains the MHS cheerleading squad and competes on the swim team. She will play a classical piano solo for the contest talent portion. Connecting Waters Charter School senior Meredith Monroe, representing greater Modesto, teaches Sunday school and participates in Math Club, which she founded. She will give a violin performance for her talent entry.

FREE LEGAL CLINIC FOR HOMEOWNERS, TENANTS

Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach, a nonprofit social-justice organization serving the Asian and Pacific Islander communities in the greater Bay Area, and Lao Family Community Empowerment Inc., a nonprofit organization in San Joaquin County, are holding a free legal clinic for all Stanislaus County and San Joaquin County residents who have housing-related legal issues. The clinic will be Aug. 1 at 8338 West Lane, Suite 101, Stockton, from 1-5 p.m. Preregistration is required; call API Legal Outreach at (510) 251-2846 or Lao Family at (209) 466-0721. Help is provided in several languages, including but not limited to Cantonese, Mandarin, Hmong, Khmer, Spanish, Punjabi, Vietnamese and Urdu.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA SEMINAR THIS THURSDAY

An educational seminar on medical marijuana will be held in downtown Modesto on Thursday from 6-8 p.m. A panel of experts will speak at the event, including three physicians and local father Jason David, who gives his 7-year-old son a non-psychoactive form of medical marijuana to treat his seizures. A medical marijuana advocacy group called 420 InSight is hosting the event. It will be streamed live at www.420insight.com, but you can attend the discussion in person by inquiring at (209) 589-2495 or info@420insight.com.

COLUMBIA HAS TOURS, MYSTERIES AND MORE

Columbia State Historic Park is a Gold Rush-era business district with working shops, restaurants and hotels. Stagecoach rides and gold-panning are available for a fee. Summer attractions include:

Mysteries: A live, two-hour re-enactment of a historic crime and trial of accused characters,10 a.m. Saturday and Aug. 2, 16 and 30. Cost is $5.

Gold Rush Days: From 1-4 p.m. on second Saturdays, docents dress in period attire and answer questions from visitors. Historic toys and games, gambling and mining demonstrations are also included.

Ghost Tours: At 3 p.m. Aug. 9, Sept. 13 and Oct. 25. Cost is $10. For more, call (209) 532-3184.

Fallon House Theatre: “The Sound of Music” runs through Aug. 31. Cost is $18 to $32. Go to www.sierrarep.org.

Daily: Free, hourlong tours start at 11 a.m. at the museum through Labor Day. Free presentations at 1 p.m on daily life; check at the museum for locations and topics. The museum is free, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Labor Day. For more, go to www.parks.ca.gov/columbia or www.columbiacalifornia.com, or call the park office at (209) 588-9128.