Benefit dinner for Dylan

Members of the First Baptist Church in Newman are hosting a benefit dinner Saturday, Feb. 13, to raise funds for Dylan Spinelli and his family. Organizers are planning an evening which includes a sit-down dinner and activities to follow. Child care will be provided for a donation. The “Valentine’s Date Night” dinner features a stuffed chicken breast and will be served at 6 p.m. Suggested donation is $25 per person. Reservations need to be made by Feb. 9. Call Kat at 620-0006 for further information.

Citizen police academy

Community members will have the opportunity to take an inside look at law enforcement through a citizen’s academy being sponsored by the Newman Police Department.

The academy meets Wednesday evenings from April 14 through May 26. Sessions are held from 6-9 p.m. at the McConnell Adult Education Center, 1348 Patchett Dr. (on the grounds of Von Renner Elementary School).

Topics will include spirit and letter of the law, laws of arrest, gang awareness, child/elder abuse, drug awareness, traffic enforcement, crime scene investigation, volunteer/explorer programs, search and seizure laws and more.

Participants must be 14 or older. Those under the age of 18 must have parental permission. The academy is offered free of charge.

Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.

Applications will be accepted weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Newman Police Department. Registration closes March 26.

Call 862-2902 for additional information.

Gustine filhos sale

Gustine Pentecost Society will be hosting a Fat Tuesday filhos sale on Feb. 16.

Filhos will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the GPS Hall. No pre-orders.

Prices are $12 per dozen or $6 for a half-dozen.

Brush drop-off in Gustine

The city of Gustine is making brush and limb drop-off available to its residents Fridays, Feb. 12, Feb. 19, Feb. 26 and March 5, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the recycling center at 26900 Carnation Rd.

Green waste only will be accepted.

No grass, leaves, oleanders or palm will be accepted.

Other prohibited items include pressure-treated wood, construction materials, glass, plastic, concrete metal, toxic materials or trash.

No curbside brush collection is offered by the city.

Call City Hall, 854-6471, for additional information.

Scrapbook night

A women’s scrapbook night will be held Friday, Feb. 19, beginning at 7:15 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Newman.

Call 485-5711 for additional information.

TOSCA applications available

TOSCA scholarship applications for the 2010 awarding year are now available.

Any graduate from a high school in the Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District in 2000 or later who plans to enroll as a full-time student in the fall of 2010 may apply.

Full-time enrollment is considered to be 12 units or more for an undergraduate student. Graduate school students must be considered a full-time student in accordance with the requirements of their school if enrolled with fewer than 12 units.

Students must be accepted or admitted to an accredited school in the United States.

Grade point average requirements are noted on the application form.

Complete scholarship packets, including all supporting documents and transcripts, must be postmarked no later than March 31.

Application packets are available on line at www.toscascholarships.org or may be picked up from the Orestimba career office or Mattos Newspapers.

Applicants may also call 243-8118 to request a packet be mailed to them or for additional information.

Workplace safety roundtable

The Healthier Choices for Our West Side campaign will host a business roundtable Thursday, Feb. 18, from 7:30-9 a.m. at the Villa Del Lago, 2959 Speno Dr., Patterson.

“Safety Smarts for an Improved Bottom Line” is the theme.

Diane Bush, a coordinator for the Small Business Safety Training Program at UC Berkeley’s Labor Occupational Health Program, will be the keynote speaker.

Continental breakfast is provided.

Seating is limited. Call 525-4394 to reserve space.

Bible study offered

First Baptist Church of Newman will start a new Bible study for moms tonight (Thursday) from 6:30-8 p.m.

The theme is “Raising Responsive Children.”

The Bible study is open to the public.

Academic honor

Orestimba High School graduate Holli Tidwell was named to the Dean’s List at the University of Hawaii, Hilo.

Tidwell will graduate in May.

She is the daughter of Dale and Juli Tidwell.

Super Sunday filhos

The Newman FDES will be hosting a filhos sale on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 7) from 6:30 a.m.-1 p.m.  Filhos may be picked up at Newman FDES hall. Drive-through pickup available.

Senior award nominations

The Area Agency on Aging is currently accepting applications for Stanislaus County’s 2010 Senior Awards.

Stanislaus County citizens 60 or older may be nominated for their volunteer work in the area of community service, humanitarianism, leadership, political advocacy or being a good neighbor.

One resident from each supervisorial district will be recognized.

Nomination forms are available by calling 558-7825.

March 3 is the nomination deadline.

West Side Theatre

The West Side Theatre will host the Fred Eaglesmith Band in concert Friday, Feb. 12.

Tickets are $22 for reserved seats and $19 for general admission.

Red Molly, a trio which engages its audiences with stunning harmonies and a warm stage presence, performs in concert Saturday, Feb. 13.

Tickets are $18 for reserved seats and $15 for general admission.

Rolling Stones fans are in for a special treat Saturday, March 6, when The Unauthorized Rolling Stones bring their tribute to the legendary band to the West Side stage.

Tickets are $22 for reserved seats and $19 for general admission.

Each concert begins at 8 p.m.

Merced County GOP dinner

The Merced County Republican Party will hold its annual dinner Saturday, Feb. 6, at Hilmar Cheese.

Ray Appleton is the featured speaker.

Tickets are $60 for the dinner, which begins at 6 p.m.

A VIP reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $150 for the reception and dinner.

Call 617-0307 for additional information.