By John Rieping
The Madera Tribune

“You’re not running now,” called out the teenage boy seated on the sidewalk beside a buddy as I walked out of Madera Cinema 6 late Sunday. I had passed them on my way in less than two hours earlier.

“I was late before but the movie’s over now,” I said.

“Which movie did you see?,” he asked.

“Bella,” I said. “It was really good. It takes place all in New York over 24 hours and it really captures the New York vibe. It doesn’t feel like a Hollywood cookie cutter movie at all. It just … sort of unfolds around you. I don’t want to say more because that would spoil it.”

“Is it like a soap opera?,” he asked.

“Yeah, kind of. It’s a drama about two people and its romantic, but they don’t get … ‘romantic’ with each other during it,” I said. ” It would be a good movie to take a chick to though.” Inside I grimaced wondering if anyone even calls women “chicks” anymore, which isn’t a word I normally use either.

“Would it be a good movie to make out with a girl?,” he asked.

For an actual movie review of “Bella,” see The Madera Tribune on Wednesday (Dec. 12).

Anything missing from this calendar of events (July 25-31) for the San Joaquin Valley? Comments on any of the events? Let everyone know.

Please note that all comments will be reviewed before appearing on the Web site. Comments may also be published in The Madera Tribune or El Sol de Madera.

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Thursday, July 25-26
Lil Stallions’ Football Camp — 6-8 p.m., Madera South High football field, 705 West Pecan. Learn the fundamentals of football such as kicking, passing, punting, receiving, blocking and tackling. The cost is $30 per camper (scholarships are available.) For information, call Scott Donegan, 650-743-2531 or 675-4644, ext. 1901.

Thursday, July 26
Senior Farmer Dinner — 6 p.m., Madera Municipal Golf Course, 23200 Ave. 17. Honoring Vernon Martinazzi tickets are $35 each with tables of 10 available. Tickets must be purchased in advance. No tickets at the door. Potential sponsors or friends and family who would like to participate in the Senior Farmer presentation can call Debi Bray at the chamber, 673-3563, in advance.

Friday, July 27
Shades of Grey — 7 to 10 p.m. playing the big band sound at the Frank Bergon Senior Center, 238 North D. St. All ages are welcome and donations are accepted. For information, call 673-4293.

Poetry reading — 6 to 8 p.m., Cole’s Books and Bagels, 1516 Howard Road. Brandon Cesmat, author of Driven into the Shade and a 2003 San Diego Book Award winner for poetry, will read poetry and perform music. The event is sponsored by Poets & Writers, Inc., through a grant from the James Irvine Foundation. Driven into the Shade was published by Poetic Matrix Press of Madera.

Friday and Saturday, July 27 and 28
Madera Youth Soccer Camp — 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 27, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 28, Millview Soccer Complex. Fee is $10 per player. Open to boys and girls ages 5 to 12. For information, call Denise Romero, 975-7635, or Angel Garza, 706-2577.

Saturday, July 28
Youth Football and Cheer — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lions Town and Country Park. Open to youth, kindergarten through sixth grade. Copy of birth certificate and a sports physical is required before the first day of season. For information and fees for football, call Dan Englehaupt, 661-7571 or for cheer, Yolanda Galindo, 232-8375.

Monday-Friday, July 30-Aug 3
Five-day Club for Kids — 6:30 to 8:30 pm., Madera Family Church of the Nazarene, 1021 Austin St. Beginning of five days of Bible stories, crafts, games and snacks. For information, call 674-0911.

Tuesday, July 31
Autism Epidemic Meeting — 6 to 9 p.m. at California State University, Fresno, Peters Auditorium, 5245 North Backer Ave. Town hall meeting on autism epidemic. Blue Ribber legislative staff will discuss status of autism commission. For information, contact Chuck at 232-9094

Anything missing from this calendar of events (July 18-24) for the San Joaquin Valley? Comments on any of the events? Let everyone know.

Please note that all comments will be reviewed before appearing on the Web site. Comments may also be published in The Madera Tribune or El Sol de Madera.

Wednesday-Friday, July 18-20
Vacation Bible School — 6:15 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, July 18-20, Madera Avenue Bible Church, 124 Walnut St. at Highway 145. The theme is “Son Force Kids.” Open to all children ages 3 years through eighth grade. For information, call Tammie Dodson, 673-0611.

Wednesday, July 18
Surplus Commodities — 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Madera County Community Action Partnership, 311 S. Pine St. #2. Last names R through Z pick up commodities. Bring medium size boxes to carry food away. For information and eligibility requirements, call 673-9173.

Madera Youth Soccer — 6:30 p.m. Alpha School Cafeteria, 900 Stadium Rd. Mandatory coaches meeting for the upcoming season. Coaches packets and player cards on July 18. For information, call Angel Garza, 706-2577 or 673-9143, or Denise Romero, 975-5911.

Friday, July 20
Harry Potter Book VII — 9 p.m. Friday, July 20 in the library at Thomas Jefferson. Open to all Madera Unified students grades four and higher. Readers of the first six books may check out “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” at midnight. No books will be sold. For information, call Sharon Stockdale, 664-9098.

Madera Christian Singles — Video and snack night at 7 p.m. at Madera Christian School, 17326 Ave. 26 in Madera. Bring a snack to share. Open to all singles. For information, call Howard at 673-6743 or Carmen at 645-4312.

Energy Efficiency Workshop — 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, July 20, Madera Center, Room AM120, 30277 Ave. 12. Hosted by California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance and PG&E, this workshop is open to anyone responsible for energy management in wineries and vineyards. Includes lunch. For information, contact Lisa Francioni, 415-356-7545 or lisa (at) wineinstitute.org.

Senior Dance (50+) — 7 to 10:30 p.m., July 20 (the third Friday of each month), Tex-Mex-style music by Tradicion del Valle sj at the Frank Bergon Center, 238 S. D St. Donations accepted. For information, call Toni Guillen, 661-8410.

Saturday, July 21
Camp Chawanakee Reunion — 1 to 5 p.m. Celebrating 60 years of what has been called the best camp in the Western Region for the Boy Scout of America. All former camp staff are invited to gather for the reunion. For information or to RSVP, contact Mike Gerardi at 320-2100 or e-mail mgerardi (at) sbcglobal.net.

Car Show — 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Chubby’s Diner, 2263 W. Cleveland Ave., suites E and F. Enjoy cars, raffle prizes and 50s music at the family-friendly Chubby’s Car Show. For information, call 661-7503.

Sunday, July 22
Concert in the Park — 7 p.m. Sunday, July 22, Lions Town & Country Park amphitheater. Snack bar available. Christian musician Jon Gibson will play as part of the free summer-long series sponsored by the Madera County Arts Council.

Tuesday, July 24
Internet Travel Agent — 6 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, July 24 at Madera Adult School. Class fee is $49. Learn how to get the best deals. Become a referring travel agent and get certified. After the class, students will receive a three-day/two-night mini vacation with several locations to choose from. For information, call 675-4425.