--Crab Feed

Enjoy an evening of swashbuckling fun with the Pirates of the Carribbean at the Hanford Rotary Club's Annual Crab Feed Fundraiser today and all you can eat and drink while you dance the night away with Run 4 Cover. There will also be a silent auction.

Proceeds from the ticket sales and silent auction will sponsor local youth programs, the Rotary student exchange program, community assistance, as well as providing needed education, medicines and life improvements for many internationally. The Hanford Rotary Club welcomes silent auction donations.

To donate, contact Lisa Loewen at 585-3933 or lisalo@cos.edu. Tickets are being sold for $60.Information: contact Chris Stevens at 584-5518 or 707-0049 or Joe Casey at 585-0636 for tickets.

--Women with Visions

Women with Visions is having an indoor yard sale today at 108 N. Eighth St. in Hanford.

  For more information contact Carolyn Hudgins at 583-6139.

--Taoist Temple Museum

The Taoist Temple Museum and Gift shop will be open today from noon to 6 p.m. Tours of the Temple will be available. Located at No. 12 China Alley, 1/2 block north of East Seventh Street between Green and White streets.

Information: call 582-4508.

--Retired Teachers

The Retired Teachers' next meeting will be Monday at 11 a.m. at the Hanford Fraternal Hall. Remember to bring your volunteer hour sheets and goodies for the boutique. Call 582-6860 with lunch request before Thursday.

--CVCWC Luncheon

The Central Valley Christian Women's Connection is having a luncheon "Hearts of Love" on Monday at the Lamp Liter Banquet Room, 3300 W. Mineral King Ave., Visalia. The speaker, Diane Maxey, will give a message of triumph over depression, divorce, wayward teens, and job discrimination when life "throws you a curve."

The buffet will be from 11:30 a.m. to noon and meeting from noon to 1:30 p.m. Luncheon reservations appreciated. Price is $13.50, inclusive. Childcare available upon request (no charge; bring a sack lunch for your child). Walk-ins are welcome; bring a friend.

Information: call Nancy at 592-5531 or Wilma W. 734-1738.

--Sigma Delta Chi award

The Society of Professional Journalists is proud to honor excellence in professional journalism with the annual Sigma Delta Chi Awards. The deadline to submit an entry for a chance to be nationally recognized is Friday.

The awards recognize outstanding work published by journalists in all markets. New this year is a category specifically for small-circulation dailies. The award categories are posted at www.spj.org. Application may be submitted online at http://awards.spj.org/ for a chance to be nationally recognized. Winners will be honored at the SPJ National Convention Oct. 3-6 in Las Vegas.

Each year, the society presents the Helen Thomas Award to an individual or individuals for a lifetime of contribution to the journalism profession. Nominations are open and must be accompanied by letter(s) of recommendation that address(es) why the nominee is deserving of recognition. For more information and how to nominate candidate(s) , go to www.spj.org/committees.asp.

More information: contact awards coordinator Lauren Rochester at (317) 927-8000 ext. 210.

--Sons of Norway

Sons of Norway Stordalen Lodge 6-115 will have its monthly meeting on Friday at First Lutheran Church, 525 E. Kern Avenue. A potluck supper will start at 6:30 p.m. A cultural program will start at 7:30 p.m. Visitors are welcome for both the potluck supper and cultural program.

Information: contact Tom Rosedahl, 924-1622.

--Benefit concert

A concert to benefit the people of Haiti will be at 7 p.m. Friday in Butler Church, at the corner of Butler and Winery avenues in Fresno.

Among the performers will be Jon Shabaglian; Crosswind, an Fresno Pacific University vocal-instrumental ensemble; and a community gospel choir made up of members of the FPU and New Beginnings Church gospel choirs.

West Coast Mennonite Central Committee and the Office of Spiritual Formation at FPU are sponsoring the event. Contributions of money will be accepted, along with supplies for relief kits, including towels, toothpaste, toothbrushes, fingernail clippers and large bars of soap.

--Association of Fundraising

Professionals

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) will hold its Feb. 16 workshop from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Pardini's, 2257 W. Shaw Ave., Fresno. AFP workshops are open to non-profit board members, volunteers and staff who are involved in fundraising. RSVP by Friday at www.afp-cv.org. Cost is $15 for members, $25 for non-members.

Information: contact Valerie Castles, CFRE 584-2148.

--Singing valentines

Bob Peden and his barbershop quartet are available Friday and Feb. 13 to serenade your sweetheart.

For $40, Peden and his group will sing two songs, "I Love You Truly" and "Let Me Call You Sweetheart," a long stem rose and a photograph with your valentine.

This is the seventh year the quartet will get all dressed up in red ties and vests to sing valentines and Peden said he looks forward to it every year.

Information: call Bob Peden at 584-4976.

--Hanford Post No. 3

The American Legion is holding a Lovers Breakfast from 8 to 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 13 at 401 N. Irwin St., the second floor of the Veterans Building. For tickets call Jim Lint at 583-1169 or come to the Veterans Building American Legion Office from 8 to 11 a.m. Monday thru Friday or you can pay at the door.

--Latina Women's Association

The Professional Latina Women's Association will be hosting the 5th Annua Noche de Cultura on Feb. 13. Seven Latino Leaders, will be recognized for their accomplishment and impact to the community. There will be a dinner, a cultural fashion show, with a line up of local celebrities and completing the evening with music and dance by the band "August." Tickets to the event can be purchased at the New York Life office, 229 N. Douty St., Hanford.

Information: call 589-9056 or 582-7515.

--Pancake breakfast

The Knights Of Columbus is hosting its annual pancake breakfast on Feb. 14 at MIQ School, 884 N. Lemoore Ave., Lemoore, in the O'Doherty Hall. Tickets can be purchased at St. Peter's Church in Lemoore. Tickets cost $7 for adults and $5 for children.

Information: contact Richard Lee 584-8147.

--Soup bar luncheon

The Hanford Garden Club will meet Feb. 15 at the Veteran's Memorial Building, 411 W. D St. in Lemoore for its annual soup bar luncheon and meeting. The social will start at 11:30 a.m., with the luncheon at noon. Peyton Ellis will present the program, "Designing Green, Gardening Central Valley Style."

If interested in membership, contact a garden club member to come as their guest.

Information: contact Brenda at 924-8057 or Kathy at 582-6768.

--Shrove Tuesday

 The women of Christ Church, Lemoore, are sponsoring their 53rd Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Feb. 16. The Pancake Supper will be held at the Masonic Temple, 647 W. Bush St. in Lemoore from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children (ages 5 to 11). For tickets contact 924-2542.

Information: call 924-3089 or 676-5568.

--Lecture

The San Joaquin Valley Town Hall Lectures will be at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 17 at the Saroyan Theatre, 700 M Street. Tickets are $20.

Information: call 444-2180.

--Town Hall Lectures

San Joaquin Valley Town Hall Lectures will present Robert Fitzpatrick, former president of CalArts and EuroDisney and dean of the Columbia University School of Arts Feb. 17 at 10:30 a.m., at Fresno's Saroyan Theatre, 700 M St. Tickets are $20.

Information: contact 444-2180, www.valleytownhall.com or the box office, on the day of the event.

--Go Red for Women

Go Red for Women Luncheon and Fashion Show will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Fresno Convention Center. Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 3 killers in America. These and other cardiovascular diseases kill approximately 450,000 women each year -- nearly one woman every minute. Funds raised at the Go Red for Women Luncheon will help fund research.

Information: Valerie Cain at 435-5346.

--Dugout club

Hanford High Dugout Club will be hosting an alumni game Feb. 27 with games at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. There will also be a Silent Auction from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you were a Hanford High baseball player and are interested in playing, call Kareen Patton, 859-3561.

-- Spaghetti dinner

The Riverdale Chamber of Commerce will be holding its annual crab, shrimp and spaghetti dinner Feb. 27 in the Riverdale Memorial Hall. Tickets are priced at $35 per person. Takeouts will be from 6 to 6:30 p.m. with dine-in from 7 to 8 p.m. An auction will follow dinner. Tickets are being sold on pre-sales only.

No tickets will be available at the door. There are items needed for the live auction. Contact one of the chamber members if you wish to donate an item or cash. Proceeds go toward community projects and scholarships.

Information: Jim Petty at 707-3285, Barbara Evangelo at Bank of the West at 867-3524 or Liz Motta at 8674118.

--Selma Swap Collector Car Parts and Used Big Boy Toy Sale

March 6 is the fourth annual Selma Swap Collector Car Parts and Used Big Boy Toy Sale.

The event will be open to the public from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 6, while vendors will get the chance to check in and set up from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 5. Tickets are $5 for admission, parking is free and concessions will be available throughout the event.

The event is hosted by the Reedley Blossom Trail A's, and the sale is expected to again bring hundreds of people to the Selma Flea Market at Mountain View and Highway 99.

Spaces are available for vendors. A space costs $20 to sell a car or a boat, or $15 to sell parts. Information: Contact Alan Borba at 896-3243 or visit www.selmaswap.com.

--Cabrillo Club

The Cabrillo Civic Clubs of California are offering scholarships to outstanding senior students who qualify.

To qualify, a student must maintain a 3.5 to 4.0 grade point average all four years of high school and must be of Portuguese descent. Scholarships are $500 per recipient and funds are payable to student upon receiving enrollment from colleges. In 2009, 151 scholarships were awarded throughout California.

Mail application to State Scholarship Chairperson Alda Lawrence 12823 Kent Ave., Hanford, CA 93230. Deadline to submit an application is March 15. The scholarship committee will screen applications and recipients will be notified after the state clubs board meeting in April.

For information or to obtain a scholarship application, call Pat Scialo at 584-5724.

--Walk for life

Tulare-Kings Right to Life is hosting their 15th Annual Walk for Life at 9 a.m. March 20 at the Plaza Park in Visalia. There will be live music, food, games and special prizes. Anyone who raises $150 or more will receive a free T-shirt. The grand prize is a 7-day Mexican Riviera cruise for two.

Information: call 732-5000.

--Ballet Folklorico de Mexico

Ballet Folklorico de Mexico of Amalia Hernandez celebrates Mexico's Anniversary Year March 25 at 7 p.m. at the Roosevelt High School of the Arts Auditorium, 4250 E. Tulare St. (entrance Cedar Avenue) in Fresno. Tickets are $30, $35 and $40 and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Seat purchases by cash, check or credit card can also be made by phone or in person through Arte Americas (266-2633), at 1630 Van Ness Ave.  in downtown Fresno. Hours of operation are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

--Informational seminars

The Swedish Garden Center in Kingsburg is offering informational seminars on gardening. Have you ever visited a nursery center, purchased a few plants, some soil and a container with the thought of going home to create a breathtaking show piece? You complete your planting, step back to admire your creation and find the texture and colors are just not what you envisioned. The Swedish Garden Center is at 12099 E. Stroud Ave., Kingsburg.

To reserve a seat call 897-7688.

--Scholarships

-Applications for the Brock Jarrett Toledo Memorial Scholarships are now available at the Kings County Cooperative Extension Office, at all Kings County High School Agricultural Departments and through the California Holstein Association. Applications may also be obtained by writing to Mr. and Mrs. Ron Toledo, 242 Star Drive, Hanford, CA 93230.

Applicants must be graduating seniors from Kings County or graduating seniors and members in good standing in the California Jr. Holstein Association planning to attend a college or university with a major in Agriculture. Applicants must also be a member or former member of 4-H for a minimum of four years, enrolled in dairy or livestock projects.

Applications must be postmarked no later than March 31.

- Ruiz 4 Kids is now accepting applications for scholarships based on recently updated criteria and guidelines. The scholarships are available only to high school seniors in the areas where Ruiz Foods has a presence.

Recipients will be required to show proof of college enrollment and successful participation prior to receiving their scholarship award. Amounts will now range from $1,000 to $2,500 and as in the past, ethnicity and/or citizenship is not a consideration. The deadline for submitting all applications is March 5. College students majoring in Food Science are encouraged to apply. Applicants are encouraged to go online to www.ruiz4kids.org for more information or to complete their application.

- The Tulare-Kings Chapter of California Women for Agriculture has announced that they will award up to $10,000 in scholarships this year.

Scholarships will be awarded in three categories: junior college, four year university and continuing education four year university. Eligibility requirements include graduation from a Tulare or Kings County high school, maintained a minimum 3.4 GPA in high school or junior college or 3.0 GPA at a four year university, and currently majoring or planning to major in an agricultural-related field. Past recipients are eligible to apply. Scholarship applications are now available and are due April 1. The overall top applicant will be awarded a $2,500 scholarship.

Information: To obtain a scholarship application contact Denise Cahill at 622-3016 or Denise.Cahill@yahoo.com.

- Proteus, Inc. of Visalia is offering scholarships for the 2010-2011 academic year to full-time college students who are of low-income status, a farmworker or their dependent, or who have been served by a Proteus program in the past two years. All recipients must live in Kern, Kings, Fresno or Tulare counties. The scholarship program targets new or continuing students enrolled in at least 12 semester units in a degree program (not a vocational certificate program) at a two- or four-year college or university such as a local community college, California State University, University of California or a private institution (not a private vocational school).

The Proteus Standard Application can be obtained at any Proteus, Inc. office or can be downloaded online at www.proteusinc.org. Deadline to apply is March 31. Information: call Priscilla Gonzales-Cross at 627-0100 or call toll-free at 1-888-776-9998.

Dean's list

- Marcia C. Carter of Hanford -- Columbia College Adult Higher Education via MissouriLink (Columbia College)

- Leanna Kelly of Hanford -- Fairleigh Dickinson University College

- Marcela Perez-Ochoa of Lemoore -- Kaplan University

- Katherine Semas of Hanford -- University of Portland.

(Feb. 6, 2010)