Friday, Feb. 19, 2010

Community Briefs: Book fair under way; Loan alteration seminar; Grower fair features 2010 forecast for valley crops; Wildflower Day back at Pacheco Park

Book fair under way

Los Baños Junior High School book fair is being held at the school through March 4 during school hours and Monday through Thursdays until 4:30 p.m. for parents to stop in.

Loan alteration seminar

MRS Loan Audits will conduct a free weekend seminar Feb. 20 at Vagabond Inn, 20 W. Pacheco Blvd. The seminar will be from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Residential/commercial loan modification, forensic loan audits reports, foreclosure, bankruptcy, and short sale will be covered. Availabilty is limited, call to reserve a free no-obligation consultation with a representative. Contact Tito E. Martin at (209) 675-2351.

Grower fair features 2010 forecast for valley crops

California agricultural experts will reveal their 2010 outlook for almonds, cotton and alfalfa in the San Joaquin Valley and discuss the latest trends in pest management during a Grower Resource and Information Fair in Dos Palos on March 2.

The 9 a.m. to noon event will offer growers a free color GIS crop map of their farm and information booths with the latest resource materials. University of California Integrated Pest Management and Cooperative Extension advisors also will be available to answer questions at the fair inside the Scout Hut, 1902 Marguerite St. at Center Avenue in Dos Palos. There is no charge to attend the fair.

For more information, contact San Joaquin Sustainable Farming Project Director Marcia Gibbs at (530) 370-5325 or at marcia@sustainablecotton.org. The farming project is a program under the direction of the Sustainable Cotton Project.

Wildflower Day back at Pacheco Park

Pacheco State Park is hosting its seventh annual Wildflower Day from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 27, 38787 Dinosaur Point Road.

Representatives from state parks, fish and game and the California Native Plant Society will be on hand to answer questions. There will be free Wildflower Day crafts for children, as well.

A birding walk will begin at 9:30 a.m., and a wildflower hike will leave at 10 a.m. Tours are for a limited number of people, and signups are first-come, first-served.

Visitors can take a free self-guided hike on their own. Lunch and beverages will be available for sale from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. All Wildflower Day visitors will receive a free Pacheco State Park button.

The only fee for this event is the $5 state park day fee. Facilities at the park are limited, and visitors should bring their own drinking water.

For more information, call (209) 826-1197 or (209) 826-8283.