LOCAL CALENDAR

Thursday Friday April 12-13

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.

CLUBS

THURSDAY

Porterville Exchange

Club meets at noon on Thursdays at Giovanni’s Pizzeria & Arcade, 45 N. Second St. For more information call 789-3929.

Porterville Optimist

Club meets at noon on Thursdays at RJ’S Cafe, 81 W. Putnam Ave. For more information, call 781-5764.

Porterville Breakfast

Rotary Club meets at 6:30 a.m. each Thursday at Jenny Lynn’s Cafe, 670 S. Plano St. For information, call 359-2695.

Orange Belt Lodge No.

303 Free and Accepted Masons meets at 7:30 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the Porterville Masonic Center, 2440 W. Henderson Ave. on even months and Exeter Masonic Center, 128 So. E. Street in Exeter on odd months. For more information, contact Master Tim Perrotta at 679-0912, or Ben Hagan at 592-2836.

Happy Honker Model A Ford Club of Porterville meets at 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the Golden Hills Mobile Home Estates recreation room at 720 E. Worth Ave. New members are welcome. For more information contact Carson Blaydes 539-3815.

Tulare Kings Mensa,

the high IQ society in the South Valley, meets at Panera Bread, 4103 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia, at 5:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month for coffee, bagels, sandwiches and conversation. Prospective members are encouraged to attend. For more information, call 280-9774.

The Valley Oak Quilt

Guild meets at 10 a.m. the second Thursday of each month at Tulare

Community Church. There is a $5 charge for guests attending the meeting, or $20 to join the guild. For more information, call Barbara Daniel at 534-2299, or Linda Toledo at 651-0706.

CLASSES

THURSDAY

Exercise at the Porterville Senior Nutrition site is from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Monday through Thursday at 280 N. 4th St. Lunch is available each day at noon. Call the day prior for lunch reservations. For more information, call 7824725.

Crack O’ Dawn Country-western Line

Dancing classes are held from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday at the Old Santa Fe Depot (Senior Center), 280 N. Fourth St. All ages are welcome. Beginners on Monday and Wednesday; intermediates on Tuesday and Thursday. Cost is $5 per day or $100 for 24 sessions. For more information call Sylvia at 202-9105.

Orientation for becoming a CASA volunteer advocate is held Mondays at 5:30 p.m. and Thursdays at noon, except for holidays. Call for orientation location. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. For more information, call 625-4007 or www.casatulareco.org.

Parenting Class

in Spanish is at 6 p.m. each Thursday at the Family Crisis Center, 211 N. Main St., Porterville. For more information, call 781-7462.

FRIDAY

Building Trades Classes are held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays at 27488 Avenue 150, Porterville. Beginner through advanced classes in residential electricity are offered. For more information, call Bobby Powell at 782-8567.

Healthy Hearts Senior

Exercise meets at 9 a.m. each Monday, Wednesday and Friday, excluding holidays, at the Porterville Church of the Nazarene.

ENTERTAINMENT

THURSDAY

A Thursday Night Dance is held each Thursday at the Veterans Hall, 1900 W. Olive Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m. and dancing starts at 7 p.m. with music by Jerry Hall and Trick Shot. For more information, call 791-7695. Boppy Time is from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. each Thursday at the Porterville Public Library at 41 W. Thurman Ave.

FRIDAY

The Best of the Valley Quilt Show will open its doors to the public for the 22nd time, April 13-15. Held at the Mcdermont X, nestled in the foothills of Lindsay, show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, April 13-14; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 15. Admission is $10 per day or $15 for a three-day pass. There is on-site food, and free local parking with a free shuttle to and from Mcdermontx. The venue is handicapped accessible, and group discounts are available. For more information, visit www.botvquilts.com. Barn Theater’s production of “Harvey” will take place April 13, 14, 15, 20 and 21. Friday and Saturday shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinees begin at 2:30 p.m. A Sunday brunch is planned prior to the April 15 show at 12:30 p.m. Reservations for the brunch must be made by Wednesday, April 11. Tickets and reservations are available by calling 3107046 or visiting www.barntheater.porterville.com. Bob Merzoian is directing the local play. “Harvey” is the story of Elwood P. Dowd and his imaginary friend Harvey, a 6-foot-tall rabbit that he includes on all of his sister Veta’s socail gatherings. To avoid future emberassment, Veta’s mother, Myrtle Mae, has Elwood committed to a sanitarium.

MEETINGS

THURSDAY

CSR (California State Retirees) meets the second Thursday of each month at 11 a.m. at the Porterville Senior Center at 280 N. 4th St. Lunch is available. For information contact Carolyn 756-5954 or Marlene 784-1616.

FRIDAY

Congressman Kevin Mccarthy, R-CA 23rd District, has announced a monthly staff mobile office in Porterville on Friday, April 13. The mobile office will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Centennial Plaza Conference Room, 15 E. Thurman Ave., which is across the street from Porterville City Hall. This is one hour earlier than the usual time. A staff member from Mccarthy’s office hosts each mobile office held throughout California’s 23rd Congressional District. This time provides an opportunity for constituents in the local community to conveniently visit and share concerns on important issues, current events and discuss casework matters regarding problems with federal government agencies. Cole Karr, Mccarthy’s field representative, will meet with visitors in Porterville. For more information, contact Mccarthy’s district office at (661) 327-3611.

SUPPORT

THURSDAY

AA Springville meets Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Lighthouse Chapel at 35811 Rio Vista Dr. For more information, call 542-0800. Al-anon meetings are held Thursdays, except holidays, at 5:30 p.m. at 348 N. G St., Porterville. The Porterville Public Library has Al-anon and Alateen books available. Call 7848636 if you have any questions. This meeting is for adults only. AA meets each Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Porterville 12-Step Recovery Club at 186 N. D St. at the corner of D and Walnut. For more information, call 539-3814. Gamblers Anonymous meets at 6 p.m. each Thursday at Porterville Church of the Nazarene, 2005 W. Olive Ave. For more information, call Dave Snow at 359-1365.

A breast cancer support group for women diagnosed with breast cancer meets from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the Sequoia Regional Cancer Center, 4945 W. Cypress Ave., Visalia. For more information, call Sheri Leimbach at 624-3209. A support group for family caregivers is held the third Thursday of each month from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Valley Caregiver Resource Center at 201 N. F Street in Tulare.

ONGOING

the 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.

the 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.

the 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.

residents without air conditioning at home or work can escape the heat at four day-time cooling centers. The Heritage Center at 256 E. Orange Ave. is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. City Hall at 291 N. Main St. is open Mondays through Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Porterville Transit Center at 61 W. Oak Ave. is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The Porterville City Library at 41 W. Thurman Ave. is open Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Sergeant 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.

the 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.