Car wash scheduled

The Gustine High School cheerleaders will host a car wash Saturday, Aug. 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Highway 33 in Gustine.

Chamber mixer set

The Newman Chamber of Commerce and city of Newman will host a merchant mixer Thursday, Aug. 14, beginning at 6 p.m. in the City Council chambers.

The mixer will give local business leaders and city officials the opportunity to share concerns and ideas, according to organizers.

There is no charge to attend.

Fishing derby

Gustine will host a free fishing derby open to all ages on Saturday, Aug. 9, at the Schmidt Park pond. Registration begins at 8 a.m.

Participants are asked to bring their own poles and equipment.

Donations of prizes are being accepted.

Call Recreation Director Lori Amarante, 678-5824, for additional information.

Rib dinner

The Gustine Lions Club will host its annual all-you-can-eat rib dinner Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Al Goman Community Center.

The evening includes the rib dinner, hosted bar, drawings for prizes and auctions.

The rib feed is the largest annual fund-raiser for Gustine Lions, and helps fund many community service projects and activities throughout the year.

Those events and projects include providing free eyeglasses to needy students, the annual Christmas food drive and basket project, the Easter egg hunt and more.

The Lions also support the annual children’s fishing derby and GUSTO, was instrumental in completing the city’s new animal shelter and plans improvements around the memorial in Henry Miller Park which honors Gustine residents who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Tickets are $35, and may be purchased from Lions Club members or by calling Tom Homen, 606-7257.

Hay judging contest

West Siders captured several honors in the Merced County Fair’s hay judging contest.

Gustine FFA member Ashley Oliveira placed first in the alfalfa hay category.

Patrick Borrelli placed first in winter forage judging and third in alfalfa hay judging.

Fall Festival meeting

The Newman Fall Festival Committee will meet Wednesday, Aug. 6, at 6 p.m. at the home of Chairman John Fantazia, 1339 Stephens.

All interested community members are invited to attend.

Organizers are seeking additional volunteers to help with the annual community celebration, which will be held on Labor Day weekend.

Basic training

Navy Seaman Sean Partington, the son of Kenneth Partington of Newman, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

During the eight-week program, recruits complete a variety of training excercises which include classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis is also placed on physical fitness.

The capstone event of boot camp, “Battle Stations,” emphasizes the attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance while giving recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet.

Backpack project

The Women’s Missionary Union at First Baptist Church of Newman is sponsoring a community service project aimed at providing backpacks and school supplies for needy elementary students in the community.

“Ready, Set, Learn” is the title of the project.

Backpacks and school supplies may be dropped off at the church weekday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon through Aug. 3. The church is located on R Street across from Hunt School.

“We are particularly looking for backpacks,” said Cris McDonald, chairperson of the Women’s Missionary Union.

Donations of backpacks and supplies are welcome.

Appropriate school supplies include glue or glue stick, blunt scissors, crayons, pencils and colored pencils for primary grade students and composition booklets, mechanical pencils, ruler/straight edge and color pencils for intermediate grade students.

Distribution will take place prior to the start of the new school year. Details will be announced.

Call 862-2393 for additional information.

Little Mr., Miss Newman

Applications for the 2008 Little Mr. Newman Contest are now being accepted.

The Little Miss Newman Contest has already registered its maximum number of contestants.

The Little Mr. Newman Contest is open to boys ages 5-7 as of the contest date (Aug. 30) who reside in the Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District.

To enter, send a 3x5 postcard with the name, age of the child, parents’ names and address with two contact numbers and a money order for $25 made payable to the Newman Fall Festival to: Post Office Box 137, Newman 95360.

Positions will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis as determined by postmark.

No applications will be taken over the phone.

Call 862-1371 for additional information.

West Side Theatre

Claudia Russell and the Folk Unlimited Orchestra will perform in concert Saturday, Aug. 2, at Newman’s historic West Side Theatre.

The versatile Russell delivers a unique style which weaves blues, western swing, country, pop and rock influences into a memorable evening for her audiences.

The talented vocalist has shared the stage with music notables such as Kris Kristoffersen, Willie Nelson and many others.

Tickets are $17 for reserved seats and $14 for general admission.

Fishtank Ensemble

The Fishtank Ensemble, a band whose musical influences span the smoke-filled cafes of Bucharest to the gypsy caravans of days gone by, performs Saturday, Aug. 9.

Tickets are $17 for reserved seats and $14 for general admission.

Each show begins at 8 p.m.

Fall Festival parade

Applications are now available for the 2008 Newman Fall Festival parade, which will be held Sunday, Aug. 31.

Applications are available at Mattos Newspapers, or by calling 862-1177.

Entries close Aug. 18.

OHS classes to reunite

Orestimba High School classes of 1977-80 will reunite Saturday, Sept. 6, at Minnie’s Chinese Restaurant in Modesto.

The reunion begins at 6 p.m.

Cost is $30 per person.

Registration deadline is Aug. 29. Payment may be mailed to: 3504 Cassie Lane, Ceres 95307.

Call Jeanette (Fantazia) Sawyer, 537-8656 or 604-3764, or Robert Fantazia, 585-5982, for additional information

OHS reunion

The Orestimba High School Class of 1998 will host a 10-year reunion Aug. 30 at El Campestre Dos in downtown Newman.

Class members seeking additional information may contact Yinh Hinh at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling 646-331-6121.

Gustine High reunion

The Gustine High School Classes of 1979-84 will reunite Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Doubletree Hotel in Modesto.

Classmates are asked to provide their address, as well as the addresses of any classmates they know.

Information may be emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or may be mailed to: Gustine Reunion, 2424 Millcreek Ct., Modesto 95351.

Callers may also leave a message at 667-8373.

Art booths

The West Side Art Association is accepting applications for the 2008 Newman Fall Festival arts and crafts fair.

Interested persons may contact Margaret Law, 862-1906 to obtain an application.

The West Side Art Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the appreciation of arts and crafts and in the community. The organization funds several art scholarships for West Side students who will be studying the arts in college.

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