WHAT’S ON tap
AS THE WEEKEND APPROACHES, IT’S TIME TO BEGIN PLANNING FOR SOME REST AND RECREATION. HERE ARE SOME OF THE EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES COMING UP IN THE NEXT WEEK.
THURSDAY
A Foodlink food giveaway for families who have lost jobs or hours from work due to the drought is held each Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon at the old General Tire store at 416 S. Main Street, Porterville. Bring ID and proof of residency such as a rental agreement or power bill.
FRIDAY
The City of Porterville is holding its Summer Night Lights event on Friday for the next six weeks. The free event is a six-week series aimed to provide positive programming and a safe environment for all ages. For the third event, Summer Night Lights will have a movie and late skate at Veterans Park from 7:30 to 10 p.m. on July 7. The Summer Night Lights series will continue with different activities planned for each week. The program is sponsored by the Tulare County Board of Supervisors as part of their Step Up program. For more information on all the activities planned for Summer Night Lights, check out the City of Porterville website, call 782-7521 or follow Porterville Parks and Leisure on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Brad Wilson and his Rollin’ Blues Thunder band is performing in Springville on Friday, July 7. It will be from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Springville Veterans Park. The free summer Concerts in the Park series is a joint effort of the Springville Community Club and the Apple Festival Committee. Wilson and his band opened three times for the legendary group, Chicago. And the CBS-TV show, “The Young & The Restless,” featured six of Brad’s songs in various recent episodes. Wilson and his band play every weekend, over 100 shows a year, appearing at music venues, clubs, wineries, city events, casinos, fairs and festivals, all over the West Coast. Wilson’s website has all his tour dates: www.bradwilsonlive.com. For more information, call 359-1135.
Throughout the month of July, Arts Visalia is presenting “Form and Function Repurposed,” an exhibit hosting four artists who utilize rescued materials to create new forms with dimension and storyteller emphasis. Within this show will also be a number of repurposed artists in the gift shop. On display for the exhibition will be art pieces by Brent Mosley, Shirley Keller, Buddy Jones, and David Griswold. This show runs from July 5 through July 28 at 214 E. Oak Ave., Visalia. The opening reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, July 7, and is sponsored in part by Bueno Beverage, Jack and Charlie’s, the Vintage Press Restaurante, the Southern Pacific Depot Restaurant and Renewable Solar. An artist talk with Jones will be held at 2 p.m. on July 8. For more information, visit www.artsvisalia.org.
Congressman Kevin Mccarthy has announced a monthly staff mobile office in Porterville on Friday, July 7. The mobile office will be held in the Centennial Plaza Conference Room across the street from Porterville City Hall from 10-11 a.m. 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.
Lindsay Night Market has started for the 2017 season, and will continue through the fall. The market is held each Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. in downtown Lindsay. It features food, vendors and other activities.
Main Street concert series is held each Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Centennial Park across from City Hall. The concerts, which feature local talent, are free. Attendees are advised to bring a lawn chair or blanket.
SATURDAY
Let your City Library take you on a journey through the Polynesian Islands at the midsummer performance from 8 to 9:30 p.m. July 8 in Centennial Park. The performance will be complete with music, tradition, narration and dance. They will visit several of the islands including Tahiti for the traditional Tahitian Otea and Apatima; New Zealand with the Maori Poi Balls; Samoa with the Samoan Princess Dance; and Hawaii with its beautiful and graceful hula — the true language of Hawaii performed and chanted. Centennial Park is located at 296 N. Main St. For additional information, call 782-7487 or visit www.portervillelibrary.org and www.facebook.com/portervillelibrary.
The 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.
SUNDAY
The 4th annual Follies and Melodrama will be presented Friday and Saturday, Aug. 4 and 5, on the outdoor stage at the Barn Theater. Auditions for the Follies portion of the show will be held on July 9 and 11. Auditions for the Melodrama was held July 2 and 3. All ages are requested for this variety show. They are looking for singers, dancers, magicians, comedians, ventriloquists, or anything that would be considered unique in a variety show. They are having to limit the number of acts to 10 to 12 because of timing. Organizers ask that you make sure your act is polished and planned out, and to have any props and background music (in the form of a CD) available. Because there will only be three weeks of rehearsals between auditions and the show, no changes will be allowed from the audition act. For any questions about the Follies and Melodrama, contact Lavonne at 3593116 or Mel Gosage 7199377. The Barn Theater is located at 42 S. Plano St., Porterville, corner of Olive and Plano.
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.
JULY 10-14
The Porterville Police Department will hold a Junior Police Academy from July 10-14 at the Porterville Police Department, 350 N. D St. Porterville PD Administrative Sgt. Rick Carrillo said the academy will start promptly at 8 a.m. each day and conclude at 5 p.m. He said the final day will be at the police range. He said transportation will be provided. The academy is reserved for kids ages 13-17 with a desire to learn about law enforcement. Carrillo said those interested can pick up an application at the front counter of the Porterville Police Department. He said applications must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, June 16. He said a parent or guardian is required to attend the Academy Orientation at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 22. For more information, contact Steve Walker, the department’s community service officer, at 782-7567, or Carrillo at 782-7563.
MONDAY
Enrollment for Tiny Tots also begins on July 10. Tiny Tots is a specialized program for children ages 3-5 years old. This pre-school program takes place at the Heritage Center weekdays 9 a.m. to noon throughout the school year and features academic instruction called “Classroom Magic.” All learning is taught through arts and crafts, music, sharing and playing.
Registration for the city’s Recreation Afterschool Program (RAP) begins on July 10. RAP is an after-school program offered in the Burton School District for children in grades K-6. It offers a place where kids can get help with homework, do arts and crafts, and play indoor and outdoor games. Most importantly, it provides a fun and safe place for your child to be after school while they wait for you to get off work. RAP operates Monday thru Friday, concurrent with school calendar days.
TUESDAY
State Sen. Andy Vidak (R-hanford) announced members of his staff will be holding Mobile District Office Hours in Porterville on July 11. A staff person will be at the Porterville Farmers Market Chamber of Commerce booth from 8-11 a.m. on Main Street in front of City Hall. Mobile District Office hours are an opportunity for Senate District 14 residents to meet locally with a Team Vidak representative to hear more about the senator’s work in Sacramento and the Central Valley, have their questions answered, or get help with specific state-related issues. For more information, contact Claudia Salinas at 2643070 or email claudia. salinas@sen.ca.gov.
The Farmers Market at the Sierra View Medical Center has moved to downtown Portervile. The popular market will be open Tuesdays from 8 to 11:30 a.m. through August along Main Street. Shoppers can expect 2430 booths selling fresh produce and other commodities, plus information booths set up by area agencies and organizations. Admission is free. Interested farmers can apply at www.visalifarmersmarket.com.