FRESNO -- A workshop to discuss efforts to address local food shortages will be held in conjunction with this year's Common Threads Program, which honors women in agriculture, Friday at the California State University, Fresno. Following the workshop, the Common Threads Program will honor this year's award recipients including Loretta Cardoza Toledo of Hanford. The luncheon begins at 11:15 a.m. at the University Courtyard Dining Hall. Tickets for the luncheon are $50. Space is limited.

Information: contact Nicole Bell at 916-928-2249 or Christy Melvold at 278-4266.

Hanford High Band Boosters fundraiser

The Hanford High Band Boosters club is having a fundraiser at Adventure Park on Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m. The group is selling a ticket for a wristband that entitles the wearer to five hours of attractions (mini golf, bumper boats, race cars and batting cages),10 tokens to the arcade games inside, pizza and a drink. The tickets are $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the event.

Funds raised will be used to purchase new equipment and for equipment repair, as well as for travel expenses for competitions throughout the state. Contact any band or guard member, band booster or call 583-5902 for tickets or information.

Blood drives

l RIVERDALE -- The Riverdale Lions Club invites the community to help save lives from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 7 at Veterans Memorial Hall, 3085 W. Mt. Whitney, Riverdale.

l HANFORD -- The management and staff of Save Mart Supermarket invite the public to give blood from 3 to 6 p.m. April 17 at 715 W. Grangeville Blvd., Hanford.

l HANFORD -- The public is invited to give blood when the Central California Blood Center bloodmobile visits from 5 to 8 p.m. April 18 at the Hanford Mall, 1675 W. Lacey Blvd.

l HANFORD -- The community is invited to donate blood at Western Christian School's Spring Family Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 18 at 1596 W. Grangeville Blvd. All donors will receive a free coffee mug.

l HANFORD -- The management and staff of Walgreen's Drug Store are encouraging the community to give the "gift of life" from 4 to 7 p.m. April 20 at 710 W. Grangeville Blvd., Hanford.

l HANFORD -- The residents of Hanford are gathering to help save lives at a blood drive from 4 to 8 p.m. April 30 at the First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 340 N. Irwin St.

All donors will receive a variety of discounts from Valley businesses for dining, recreation, entertainment and services.

Wine Auction

FRESNO -- The Fresno Philharmonic announces plans for a live and silent auction of premium wines, luxury dining experiences and other exclusive auction lots, including an opportunity to "guest conduct" the Fresno Philharmonic. The auction will be from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. April 25 at the estate home and gardens of Bill and Lise Van Beurden in Clovis. Admission is limited to 300 guests. Tickets are $225 per person, of which $112.50 is a tax-deductible donation to the Philharmonic.

Information: call 261-0600 or visit the Web site at www.fresnophil.org.

Kings SPCA 'Doggie' bag lunches

The Kings SPCA will have its fifth annual Doggie Bag Lunch Day on April 22. The complete lunch is just $8 and includes a roast beef, turkey or veggie sandwich in addition to chips, a cookie and special homemade dog treats. Orders will be available for pick up at the Irwin Street Inn and orders of 12 or more can be delivered to your office or home.

All proceeds will benefit the no-kill animal shelter and help provide food, shelter and medical care for homeless animals in Kings County.

Tickets are on sale now through April 15 at the Kings SPCA or by calling 584-8766 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Kings SPCA is located at 8084 Lacey Blvd. in Hanford.

Hanford native wins Miss San Joaquin County

Miss Kings County 2007 Michelle Spoelstra competed and won the Miss San Joaquin County pageant on March 21. She was awarded a $1,500 scholarship and will go on to compete in the Miss California pageant in June with the current Miss Kings County, Amanda Tobin.

Spoelstra was able to compete in the competition because she is living in Stockton and attending University of the Pacific. She is enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy program.

Kettleman City school reunion

A Kettleman City School Reunion for all classes and everyone that have anything to do with the town will be held Sept. 15 at Shamel County Park in Cambria.

For more information contract: Virginia Fearon 510-793-8622 or Beverly Dahl 661-871-7413.

Veteran's Memorial Project

LATON -- The Veteran's Memorial Project at Oak Grove Cemetery in Laton is collecting names of local veterans to begin the process of engraving names on the memorial stones. Thanks to the support of the Riverdale/Burrel/Laton communities, the stones may be placed in time for the annual Memorial Day services on May 25.

Any veteran of any American military service with connections to the Oak Grove Cemetery District (Riverdale/Burrel/Laton) can be honored on the wall. The service member can be living or deceased. If deceased, the veteran does not need to be interred at Oak Grove Cemetery.

A donation of $50 per name is suggested to help defray the cost of the stone and engraving.

The Veteran's Memorial Project at Oak Grove Cemetery is a being coordinated by a group of local volunteers, community members, veterans and cemetery officials. This is a nonprofit organization.

Any donations to support the completion of the project are welcome.

Memorial Day services will feature Rep. Jim Costa as a keynote speaker.

Information: contact the Oak Grove Cemetery District office at 923-4544.

California Retired Teachers Association meeting

The Kings County chapter of the California Retired Teachers Association will meet April 13 at 11 a.m. at the Fraternal Hall in Hanford. Members will have the opportunity to hear Ellen Weaver from the FAST Credit Union. Weaver will present a program regarding scams. A catered lunch will be served. All interested retired teachers are encouraged to attend.

For information, or to RSVP for the lunch, call 583-6662. The CRTA will again this year be offering a scholarship to a deserving high school graduate.

Sons of Norway meeting

Stordalen Lodge 6-115 will have its monthly meeting April 3 at First Lutheran Church, 525 E. Kern Avenue, Tulare. Potluck supper is at 6:30 pm and the meeting is at 7:30 p.m. This month's cultural program is a demonstration on decorating candles in the traditional Norwegian Rosmaling style. Visitors are welcome.

For more information call Tom Rosedahl at 924-1622.

Administrative Professionals' Fashion Show and Luncheon

HANFORD - Fashion takes the stage at the Hanford Civic Auditorium on April 22 as the Kiwanis Club of Hanford celebrates Administrative Professionals Day with its fifth annual Pink Diamonds Fashion Show and Luncheon.

The event, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., will feature a catered lunch, a fashion show and opportunity drawings for prizes. Proceeds from the event support Kings County youth programs and scholarships.

Tickets are $30 and sponsorships are available. For more information, call 559-362-6431.

Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show

LEMOORE -- The first Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show in Lemoore is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Today at Trinity Hall, 470 Champion St. One of a kind jewelry and stone carvings will be offered for sale by jewelry artists from throughout the state. A special drawing for a pendant valued at $1,000 will be part of the fun. Admission is free and parking is free.

Spaghetti and Meatball Dinner

The Hanford Sons of Italy Lodge No. 1543 will host their annual spring Spaghetti and Meatball Dinner and Sauce Sale on today at the Hanford Fraternal Hall. Tickets for the event will be $10 for adults and $5 for children 5 to 10 years of age and are available from members or Janis Hansen at 582-4731. Sauce tickets at $5 per quart are available from Joan Little at 584-4477. Lunch will be served from noon until 4 p.m. Sauce may be picked up during those hours. Take outs are available.

Sequoia Genealogical Society

TULARE -- The Sequoia Genealogical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Centennial Room of the Tulare City Public Library, 113 N. F St. The public is welcome to attend the meeting.

Information: call Jeanette at 688-2264.

Parkinson's Support Group

Central Valley Parkinson's Support Group meets first Friday each month at 10:30 a.m. at Visalia United Methodist Church, Caldwell Avenue and Akers Street. Informational programs, share experiences, enjoy lunch. Further details 685-9029 or 622-9044 or visit Web site at CVPSG.org

GriefShare Support Group

The First Presbyterian Church of Hanford is hosting a special seminar/support group for those grieving the loss of a loved one. Meetings will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday afternoons in the church office at 415 N. Redington St., directly across the street from Kentucky Fried Chicken. The current series will end on May 3.

'Hanford's Biggest Loser' challenge

If you or someone you know needs to lose a few pounds, this may be just what you need. A 12-week-class that will motivate you to lose your extra weight with group support and the prospect of winning some extra cash.

Registration has begun for two classes; one will meet evenings in Lemoore on Mondays and another will meet in Hanford on Tuesdays.

The enrollment fee is $29 and includes a personal coach and free body analysis. All of the money is paid directly back to the top three losers; the biggest loser gets 50 percent of the enrollment fees, second biggest gets 30 percent and third biggest gets 20 percent.

For more information or to enroll, contact Liege Garcia at 816-4838.

Food drive

Throughout the month of March, Curves of Hanford will participate in the 11th annual Curves Food Drive to benefit local food banks. Over the last four years, nearly 10,000 pounds of food were distributed to local food banks, the Hanford Soup Kitchen, Barbara Seville Women's Shelter, St. Vincent DePaul and Hannah's House.

Non-perishable food items may be dropped off Monday through Friday during business hours at 1758 N. 10th Ave. in Hanford.

For more information, call Curves at 583-8400.

Stitches from the Heart

Stitches from the Heart needs volunteers to knit, crochet or quilt blankets, little sweaters and hats for babies in need. These items are donated to hospitals all over the country. Patterns available. Donated yarn appreciated for our seniors.

Information: call toll free 877-985-9212 or e-mail at StitchFromHeart@aol.com, Web site: www.StitchesFromTheHeart.org.

Carnegie home tour

Carnegie Heritage League presents "Tour the French Countryside Home Tour and Luncheon" from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 25. Home tour tickets are $20, luncheon tickets are $15, or home tour and luncheon for $30. Proceeds benefit Hanford Carnegie Museum and local scholarships.

Information: contact Gerra at 816-1185.

Reel Video contest

FRESNO -- The Valley Air District is accepting entries for the second annual For Reel video contest. The contest is open until May 15. To be eligible for entry, the video must be 30 seconds long, at most; emphasize the district's Healthy Air Living program and illustrate that theme creatively; and be produced by amateurs (meaning individuals who do not produce videos for a living). Example: a high school video-production class would be eligible but a wedding videographer would not.

Information: visit www.healthyairliving.com or contact Fresno District office at 230-600.

Irish display

The Kings Celtic Heritage Society has an Irish display at the Hanford Library throughout this month. March is decreed Irish American Heritage Month by proclamation of the president of the United States.

For information call: Jim Irwin at 904-1451

National Day of Prayer essay contest

The local committee for National Day of Prayer, The Kings Prayer Force, is sponsoring an essay contest open to all Kings County students from grades fourth to 12th. The essays are due April 2 and award winners will be recognized on May 7 during the National Day of Prayer event.

Winners will be awarded $50 for first place, $25 for second and $15 for third place.

The essays must be no more than 200 words and be written on the topic, "What does prayer -- America's hope" mean to me?" It must be typed or neatly written, double-spaced with one-inch margins on each side. On the back of the final page, contestants should print their name, grade, age, school and teacher's name.

Essays will be judged on originality, interpretation of and adherence to the theme, use of supporting details and compliance with instructions.

Mail essays to NDP, 9231 13th Ave., Hanford, CA 93230.

For more information, call Janis at 584-3860 or Myrna at 582-3700. For e-mail assistance write to kingsprayerforce@hotmail.com.

Duck Derby cards

HANFORD -- Kings-Hanford Sunrise Kiwanis Duck Derby discount cards are now on sale for the Duck Derby Race at 8 a.m. on June 20. The discount card includes restaurants/businesses in Hanford. It entitles buyers to adopt one race duck and a free breakfast. Proceeds benefit community projects and scholarships. Cards are $10. Purchase cards from Kiwanis members.

Information: call Santiago Banuelos at 836-0500.

Mexican-American Women scholarship dinner dance

HANFORD -- The Kings County Council of Mexican-American Women presents Primavera ("springtime"). The 41st annual scholarship dinner-dance will be from 5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. April 25 at the Hanford Civic Auditorium. There will be a no-host bar, silent auction, door prizes, Mariachi Nuestra Musica and dance to "August." Tickets are $45 and will not be sold at the door. Reserved table of eight only with full payment.

For tickets contact any member or call Linda Yanes at 584-7932; or request by mail at KCCMAW P.O. Box 895, Hanford, CA 93232.

Fish fry

LEMOORE -- St. Peter's Council Knights of Columbus is hosting a Fish Fry on April 3 at O'Doherty Hall located at 884 N. Lemoore Ave. Take out orders will be available from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Tickets for adults are $10 and children from the age of 6 to 12 are $5. Tickets may be purchased St. Peter's Church Office or MIQ School Office.

For more information, call 584-2080.

Award luncheon

The Society for Human Resource Management of Tulare/Kings County will recognize the best HR Innovative Ideas for 2008 at an award-recognition luncheon on April 14. The innovative categories selected are: talent management, training and development, benefits, health and safety and employee relations.

For more information: e-mail slittle@psullc.com or call 734-0570.

March 29, 2009