Full slate of events in line-up

The following events provide for a variety of interests and something for everyone, including a St. Patrick’s Day party, the opening of “The Sound of Music” and the Porterville Pregnancy Resource Center’s annual Walk for Life fundraiser. Here is what’s happening:

Porterville College CHAP events

Porterville College’s Cultural and Historic Awareness Program (CHAP) continues with programs concerning the Sixties which are open to the public. All of this week’s events will be at noon, are approximately 40 minutes long, and will be held in the PC Theatre. Events are as follows:

- Monday, March 15, “The Cuban Missile Crisis: The United States on the Brink of Thermonuclear War,” presented by Adjunct Professor of Political Science, Nick Hernandez.
- Tuesday, March 16, “Leakey’s Angels: The Story of Three Remarkable Women,” presented by Professor Richard Osborne.
- Wednesday, March 17, “Remembering ‘68: The Chicano Student Walkouts,” presented by Professor Jay Hargis.
- Thursday, March 18, “Vietnam Era Panel.”

Lindsay’s St. Patrick’s Day party

The Lindsay Historical Museum’s second annual St. Patrick’s Day party fundraiser will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 17 at the Old Lindsay Library, 165 N. Gale Hill Ave.

A corned beef and cabbage dinner will be available as well as no-host bar with Green Beer and Irish Coffee for $15 per person. Take-out orders will be available and a 50/50 raffle will take place as well.
For more information, call Pam Kimball, 562-1027.

‘The Sound of Music’ opens in Lindsay

Tickets are now on sale for “The Sound of Music,” Lindsay Community Theater’s spring musical.

Opening night is Thursday, March 18, and the show continues Friday,  March, 19, Saturday, March 20,  Friday, 26,  and Saturday, March 27 and at 2 Show times are 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. show on Sunday, March 21.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.

Seats can be reserved by calling 562-1659 or leaving your name and phone number at pmrtnz09@yahoo.com. Put “Sound of Music” in the subject line.

Chamber’s networking mixer open to all

The Porterville Chamber of Commerce’s networking mixer will take place at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 18 at the Porterville Church of the Nazarene, 2005 W. Olive Ave. While networking, attendees will also be invited to tour this facility which features a pre-school, coffee café and meeting and special event rental space in addition to the worship center. Attendees are encouraged to bring a plentiful supply of business cards for networking.

“We are excited to have our membership gather at Porterville Church of the Nazarene this month to mix and mingle. The Chamber is fortunate to have a number of local churches and religious entities as members, which gives us the opportunity to promote them to residents and newcomers,” said Chamber Board Chair Kay McGuire, who added “I encourage existing and potential members to join us for a relaxed evening of strengthening and building business relationships.”

Refreshment will be provided along with the opportunity to win a variety of door prizes.

For more information, call the Porterville Chamber office, 784-7502.

‘The Drunkard’ continues at the barn

“The Drunkard,” a melodrama continues at The Barn Theater on Friday, March 19.

Probably the most famous melodrama ever staged, “The Drunkard,” directed by Caroline Harris, gives its audience a chance to “boo” and “hiss” the villain and to cheer the underdog. Written by W.H. Smith, a recovered alcoholic, the play was first performed in 1844. The hero is drunkard Edward Middleton, played by Nick Dibartolomeo. His nemeses, “Squire Cribbs” brings back to the Barn in veteran stage performer Marty Ferguson.

Audiences will be intrigued by this classic tale as love battles liquor for the life and soul of the hero. On the side of love are innocent Mary and her mother Mrs. Wilson. In the end, will the hero win out over demon rum, and will true love triumph? Don’t miss this funny presentation offered two more weekends. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings, March 19, 20, 26, with 27 and Sunday matinees at 2:15 p.m. on March 21 and 28. On March 21 there will also be a Sunday brunch offered (reservations are needed by March 17 for the brunch). The Barn Theater is located 42 S. Plano St., Porterville. General admission is $10. The brunch is $12 additional.

Friday Night Market and Street Faire

Lindsay’s Friday Night Market and Street Faire continues every Friday night and will have something for everyone, including entertainment  and a selection of the “best produce from the best growers in the valley.”

There are also music and art projects, courtesy of the Lindsay public schools. It also sports a flea market where you can find sunglasses, purses, shoes, jewelry, and more.

The event provides free entertainment such as Brazilian dancers, Mariachi and Country music. Approximately 200 stalls are occupied by food, arts and crafts, consumer goods and produce vendors. Bounce houses and face painting for the kids.

The event is held every Friday night from 5:30 to10 p.m., at Sweet Brier Plaza, Lindsay. For more information, call Virginia Loya, 333-1994.

Three Rivers Artists’ Biennial Studio Tour 9 open to visitors

The Three Rivers Artists’ Biennial Studio Tour 9 will take place Friday to Sunday, March 19 - 21.

Twenty-one artists open their private home studios to the public in Three Rivers, near the main entrance to Sequoia National Park.

The self-guided tour takes visitors through the small Sierra Nevada foothill village during the Spring wildflower bloom.

For more information, visit threeriversstudiotour.com/press.html.

Book signing at Porterville Museum

Sylvia Ross, author of the newly released book, Blue Jay Girl, will be signing her book at the Porterville Historical Museum on Saturday, March 20, from noon until 3 p.m.

Blue Jay Girl, a Yaudanchi child of long ago, is an empowering and heartwarming tale that can be appreciated by children and adults alike.  The charming illustrations are also Sylvia’s work.

Books will be for sale at the museum and people may also bring in books already purchased for signing.  A few copies of Lion Singer, Mrs. Ross’s previously published book are still available. It can also be ordered through the museum.

The museum is located at 257 N. D Street in Porterville.  For more information call 784-2053.

Walk for Life event happens Saturday

The Porterville Pregnancy Resource Center will have its annual Walk for Life fundraiser at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, March 20 at Veterans Park in Porterville.

The fundraiser constitutes a two-mile walk around the park, designed for the communities of southern Tulare County to come together and celebrate the gift of life. Through this event, the PPRC hopes to raise funds, and create awareness on the needs of pregnant women, the myth of safe sex, STD’s and abortion. The fundraiser will also serve as a gateway for the pregnancy center to extend a helping hand to women who may be struggling both emotionally and economically during their pregnancy.

The walkers who gather the most support from sponsors will receive special prices at the end of the event. All funds raised will go toward educational programs at the center, and to helping pregnant women in crisis.
PPRC is a non-profit Christian crisis pregnancy center and serves the communities of southern Tulare County. The center provides pregnancy tests, baby and maternity clothing and baby items. There is counseling available for post abortion/miscarriage. There are classes for abstinence, marriage, parenting, child birth, STD’s and birth control. All services are free of charge.

For more information or to request a walkers packet, call 782-1225 or e-mail portervillepregnancycenter.com.

Brewfest in Porterville March 20

The Porterville Breakfast Lions Club will hold its St. Patrick’s Day Brewfest on Saturday, March 20, on the grounds of the Porterville Veterans Memorial Building, 1900 W. Olive Ave. The event runs from 1 to 5 p.m. with entertainment, food, a cigar booth and motorcycle show in addition to a variety of beers. Attendees must be 21 or older. Advance tickets are $20; at the door admission is $25 per person. Tickets are available at The Brickhouse, Pizza Factory, Charlie’s, Don Vino’s Bar and Gril, the Mecca or from any Porterville Breakfast Lions Club member.

Springville Chamber Awards Dinner

Springville’s Annual Awards Banquet to recognize outstanding community contributors in 2009 is scheduled for Saturday, March 20, at River Island Country Club. All community members are invited to attend the event. Tickets are available at the Springville Armory, Kirby Farms, Visitor Center, The Hamburger Stand and from any Board Member at just $25/person. And, have some fun at the Silent and Live Auctions with art work from notable Springville artists, vacation get-a-aways and more! The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a no-host bar followed by the dinner at 6:30 and live auction at 8 p.m.

Send event information to: recorder@portervillerecorder.com to be included in this and other listings.