LOCAL CALENDAR

Friday Saturday April 27-28

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.

CLASSES

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

FRIDAY The Sierra View Golf Classic which will be held on Friday, April 27 at the River Island Country Club in Porterville. The Sierra View Foundation hosts the golf tournament to further its mission to raise awareness for Sierra View Medical Center. For any questions, additional information or to register as a sponsor for the event, visit sierra-view.com or contact the tournament headquarters at 788-6124 or golf@ sierra-view.com.

The Nutrition on the Go program will host a food distribution

event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 27 at the former Masonic Lodge, 2440 W. Henderson Ave., Porterville. The only stipulations are that residents be 18 years of age and that the food is not re-sold for profit elsewhere. Because the program receives its food supplies through a partnership with Community Food Bank (CFB) of Fresno, community members will be asked to register on their first visit by providing their name, number of people in household, and nationality — demographic information CFB needs for grant applications.

The City of Porterville will join communities across the nation on April 27 in celebration of Arbor Day. The holiday encourages the planting and care for trees and, unlike many holidays that recount the past, Arbor Day plans for the future. To celebrate, we will be holding a short ceremony at 11 a.m. followed by the planting of a few trees at Murry Park. Join us on Arbor Day for the ceremony or by simply making sure to go outside, maybe head to a park, and enjoy all the benefits of trees.

SATURDAY The 70th Annual Springville Sierra

Rodeo April 27-29 and promises fun for the whole family. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 6-12. Admission is free for children age 5 and under, and for all active U.S. military members in uniform. Tickets can be purchased for a discount at the Hamburger Stand at 35684 Highway 190 in Springville or Evans Feed and Livestock Supply at 79 W. Orange Ave. in Porterville. The first events start Friday, with bull riding and barrel racing at 7 p.m., followed by the Queen’s Coronation Dance at 9 p.m. The dance costs $10 to attend. Saturday events begin at 7 a.m. with breakfast followed by the Rodeo Parade in downtown Springville at 2 p.m. Happy Hour will be from 2 to 5 p.m. at the rodeo grounds with discounted price draft beers available. Children ages 2-7 can participate in the Mutton Bustin’ competition, where kids don helmets and ride sheep like imitation bull riders, at 3:30 p.m. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PCRA) grand entry and rodeo competition will be held at 6 p.m. that evening. A dance will again conclude the night’s activities beginning at 9 p.m. On Sunday, the breakfast opens at 7 a.m., followed by the cowboy church services at the rodeo grandstands at 10 a.m. There will be a prerodeo and another Mutton Bustin’ event at 12:30 p.m., followed by the PCRA grand entry and rodeo at 2 p.m. The 20th annual Iris Festival on Saturday, April 28, promises to be another success with a variety of entertainment and activities for folks of all ages. Organizers said there will be approximately 150 booths, including about 25 food vendors. There will also be a Kids Zone, a Chili Cookoff, and entertainment. Booths will feature food, arts, handmade crafts and informational materials. Robert Sutton Irises and The James M. Gibson Iris Society will have bouquets of Irises for sale. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Main Street in Porterville. The Visalia Mighty Oak Chorus is presenting the “American Experience,” a seriously funny look at American history with a barbershop twist, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, at the Central Valley Christian School Auditorium. The barbershop quartet “Hi Fidelity” will also be performing. They have appeared on “The Tonight Show,” and “Lopez Tonight,” just to name a few. This fundraiser supports the non-profit chorus with music, uniforms, a professional director, and anything else that is needed so group can provide musical entertainment throughout Valley communities. Tickets are $15 for adults, $7.50 for children 12 years old and younger. A $35 family package is available and covers two adults and all children 12 years old and younger. For tickets or entertainment, call Dee Baughman at 280-5715 or Bud Case at 901-4615. For more information, visit www.visaliamightyoakchorus.org.

SUPPORT

SATURDAY 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. 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.

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.

tresidents 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.

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.

UPCOMING MAY 2

Porterville College’s

sixth annual Job Fair is set for Wednesday, May 2, in the PC gymnasium. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The 9-9:30 a.m. time slot is reserved for military veterans and their families. Last year’s event drew 62 employers and nearly 700 job seekers. Job seekers are encouraged to dress appropriately for an interview and bring three copies of their resume. Employers that are hiring and would like to reserve a table at the event should contact Ashley Land, PC program technician, at 791-2216 or ashley.land@portervillecollege.edu. The event is open to the public and no parking permit is required.

MAY 5

The Cinco de Mayo parade will start at 10 a.m. and will be rolling down Main Street in Porterville on Saturday, May 5. The parade will consist of many different forms of entertainment such as the 2017 Cinco de Mayo queen and royalty float, a Danza Azteca ceremony, color guard, colorful floats, dance groups, local school bands, Mariachi and Banda music, mounted entries, Mexican folklore, decorated cars, clubs and many other surprises. Amongst all the entertainment, the parade will honor its Cinco de mayo grand marshals. Cinco de Mayo is wildly and internationally celebrated to commemorate the “Battle of Puebla,” which took place on May 5, 1862 in the city of Puebla, Mexico. Parade entry applications are available to fill out at Porterville Area Coordinating Council, OLA Raza, or by calling Teresa de la Rosa at 784-1121 or 784-1214.