LOCAL CALENDAR

Saturdaysunday Dec. 30 - 31

To have your event included, please submit information in writing at least one week in advance by email to recorder@ portervillerecorder.com, Attn: Community Calendar, or by fax to 784-1689. For information, call 784-5000, Ext. 1048.

SUPPORT

SATURDAY t A 12-Step Workshop meets from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. each Saturday at Porterville 12-Step Recovery Club at 186 N. D St. at the corner of D and Walnut. It is open to all 12-Step groups. For more information, call 539-3814.

t Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturdays in the Fashion Center at the Porterville Developmental Center. Weigh-in is from 9 to 9:45 a.m. For more information, call 784-9539 or 799-4291, or visit www. TOPS.ORG.

SUNDAY

t Pills Anonymous, a support group for people who have been using pills addictively, meets each Sunday from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at The Recovery Club at 186 S. D St. in Porterville. For more information, contact Carolyn at 920-1382.

SATURDAY

tthe Springville Farmers’ Market is held each Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon in downtown Springville. Fresh, local fruits and vegetables, home-cooked foods, hand-crafted articles and collectables are offered. For booth space or information, call Ralph at 544-4069.

tthe Porterville City

Library holds introductory computer classes on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. For more information on services and programs, go to the Library at 41 W. Thurman Ave., call 784-0177, or visit www.portervillelibrary. org and www.facebook. com/portervillelibrary.

SUNDAY

tthe New Year’s Eve Gala, a long-standing

celebration, takes place at the Veterans Memorial Building on Dec. 31. It starts at 8 p.m. and goes until the ball drops at midnight. Local favorite, Jerry Hall & Trick Shot, will provide the musical entertainment. Admission is $10 per person and includes refreshments and party favors. All adults are welcome and tickets are available at the door. the Tule River Historical Museum is open to the public from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays with no admission charge. The museum houses a collection of vintage lumber mill and farm equipment. Antiques from local families are on display in the 1860 Murphy House and in the main museum. For more information, contact Betty Harding at 539-6314.

THRU DEC. 31

the City of Porterville will conduct its annual “Food For Fines” campaign Oct. 1 through Dec. 31. This program is designed to exchange non-perishable food items for library fines. One food item equals $1 in fines, up to $10 per card. The cans of food and other nonperishable food items received must not be damaged or expired and all items must have an expiration date. Patrons who have library accounts that have been sent to collections cannot participate. The objective is to collect enough food to contribute to the needs of the local community. This year the library will partner with the Porterville Kiwanis Club, a non-profit organization that coordinates an annual family food basket giveaway. Patrons without fines who want to donate are encouraged to do so. For more information on services and programs, visit the Porterville City Library at 41 W. Thurman Ave., call 784-0177, or go to www. portervillelibrary.org and www.facebook.com/portervillelibrary.

THRU JAN. 6

tporterville Historical Museum’s 33rd Annual Model Trains and Antique Toy Exhibit starts on Friday, Nov. 24. This event was started by the Underwater Trains Society and “has become the largest model train show in Tulare County.” The head Engineer Dr. Don Stover has increased the exhibit by adding his experience, time, money and love of trains. His fellow engineers Rick Struble, Sam Winters, Ann Zimmerman, Jerry Kirby, Judy Holloway and Don Wheeler have added a circus setup and a tribute to our military troops. The museum will have antique toys from the collection of Bill Warner that your grandparents or great-grandparents played with. Joe Sanchez will exhibit his handmade art collection of tanks, airplanes, motorcycles, etc. This year the museum will open on Sundays, Dec. 3, 10, 17, and 31 from 1 to 4 p.m. The museum will also be open from Dec. 26 to 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Museum is located at 257 N. D St. in Porterville. Admission is $5 for adults, $1 for students, and 6 years and younger are free. There is no charge for Friends of the Museum and Sponsors. For more information, check the website www. portervillemuseum.org, email us at portervillemuseum@gmail.com or call 784-2053.

UPCOMING JAN. 3

start the New Year by

donating blood at the Springville Blood Drive on Wednesday, Jan. 3 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Springville Veterans Memorial Building. The Central Valley Blood Bank is always in need of donors. Plan on spending an hour of your time. Refreshments will be served to all donors. Call 359-1135, for information.

JAN. 6

tan Authentic Elvis Experience, starring Jim Anderson and the Rebels, is coming to the Lindsay Theater on Jan. 6 at 7:30 for one night only. Anderson embodies the spirit of Elvis as few performers can, organizers said. Tickets are just $20 each or for groups of 10 or more, just $15 each. Tickets available at lindsaycommunitytheater. com. For more information, call 284 2223. Anderson’s show has never had a negative review and has sold out most of its venues. It sold out the Firehouse Arts Theater in Pleasanton five weeks in advance. Jim Anderson and the Rebels were the featured act at the Atlantis Casino Resort in Reno for the entire week of Hot August Nights.

JAN. 9

tthe Visalia Economic Development Corporation is hosting its second job fair Tuesday, Jan. 9, at Fresno Pacific University’s Visalia campus. Employers are seeking to fill various openings from entry level to skilled level employees. Some of the participating business members are Hilti, Jostens, Fresno Pacific University, Seals Construction, VWR, Electric Motor Shop, Visalia Ceramic Tile, Visalia Marriott, California Water Service, VF Outdoor, the County of Tulare and USA Staffing. On-site interviews are not guaranteed for all applicants, however, all job seekers are encouraged to come prepared with hard copies of resume.

ONGOING

tthe Porterville Historical Museum, located at 257 N. D St., is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for students. Children age 6 and under are free. Friends of the Museum and sponsors are also free. For more information call 784-2053, go to

www.portervillemuseum. org ,or visit the museum’s Facebook page. tthe Zalud House Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Admission is $2 for adults and 50 cents for children. The garden is available for special events. For more information, call 782-7548 or the Heritage Center at 791-7695. tthe Porterville Art

Association gallery is located at 151 N. Main St. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and admission is free. Art work is changed every two months. The gift shop features items handcrafted by members. The PAA gallery is located at 151 N. Main St. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and admission is free. For more information, call 784-4323.

tporterville Art Walk is held the first Friday of each month in downtown Porterville. Ten or more venues including galleries, studios and businesses will open their art exhibitions from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Participants can meet the artists, listen to musicians and poets, and enjoy receptions and beverages. The gallery is located at 151 North Main Street; everyone is welcome and admission is free.

tsergeant Shepherd, the new costumed mascot for the Porterville Police Department, is available to appear at youth-oriented meetings and events. The mascot’s purpose is to spread the motto — “Stand Up and Speak Out!” According to the Police Department, Shepherd will be encouraging the community to “Stand Up” for family, friends and community, and “Speak Out” against drugs, bullies and crime. To check Sergeant Shepherd’s availability for events targeting youths in the community call Sgt. Rick Carrillo at 782-7563.

tthe Porterville Youth Center offers free recreation for youths after school. The center is open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and is located inside the Heritage Center at 256 E. Orange Avenue. The Youth Center offers a stimulating environment for youths ages10 to 18 and there are no registration fees or monthly costs. The Youth Center’s game room features pool and pingpong tables, game consoles, foosball, board games and more. Members can also enjoy arts and crafts, organized sports and regular adventure trips. Access to the Margaret J. Slattery Children’s Library located inside the Heritage Center offers students a computer lab with Internet access. A quiet classroom is also available for homework assistance. Parents and children must be present when enrolling. Visit the Youth Center for a tour, or visit the City of Porterville website or call 791-7695 for more information.

tmake your summer reservations at the City Pool starting Jan. 2. Pool parties are a way to celebrate any event, from your child’s birthday party, a graduation, end of the school year activity or even a family reunion. The City Pool is open to all ages and requires little to no set up. Reservations for school events can be made between May 21 and June 8. The bookings are not to exceed six hours in one day and schools must have a 30 minute break between parties. The general public can reserve private bookings on Saturdays and Sundays between May 26 and Aug. 26. Hourly rates for use of the facility begin at $85 and vary based on the number of guests. Reservations can be made at the Heritage Center, 256 E. Orange Ave. They will be taken on a firstcome, first-served basis. Early booking is advised as available time slots are limited. Visit the City of Porterville website or call 791-7695 for more details.