Auditions for ‘USO’

An open casting call for the upcoming “A Holiday Tribute to the USO” has parts for anyone who is at least 16 years old.

Directors are looking for an assortment of talent, including people who can do impersonations of celebrities past and present, and any unique act. Individuals and groups are welcome.

Auditions will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today and from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the American Legion Hall, 1960 N. Tracy Blvd.

Performances will be in November.

For information: 833-1201.

Gambling bus

Bea Hemmingsen will sponsor a trip today to the Black Oak Casino in the foothill town of Tuolumne.

Cost is $16 with a return of $10 cash (or $15 for those with coupons), and a discount on food.

The bus leaves at 8 a.m. from the parking lot next to the gun shop at 22 E. 11th St.

For information: Bea Hemmingsen, 835-1194.

Genealogy meeting

The Tracy Area Genealogical Society will have its monthly meeting at 7 tonight at the Lolly Hansen Senior Center, 375 E. Ninth St.

The program for the evening will be “getting the word out, and queries,” led by speaker Jan James.

For information: Jan James, 835-6662.

Tri-tip fundraiser

A tri-tip dinner to raise money for the legal defense of U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Tyler Jackson of Tracy, who faces a trial for the death of an Iraqi civilian, will begin at 6 p.m. Sept. 9 at American Legion Hall, 1960 N. Tracy Blvd.

There will be a raffle and door prizes. Tickets are $25.

Friends and family also plan to have a garage sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday to raise money for Jackson’s legal defense. The garage sale will be at 470 W. Whittier Ave.

For information on either event: 966-7214.

Bicycle ride

The Central Valley Wheelers Bicycle Club will have a 25-mile ride west of town Saturday, and a leisurely 9-mile family ride Sunday.

Saturday’s ride leaves at 8 a.m. from Java Makers at Schulte Road and Tracy Boulevard. All skill levels are welcome. On Sunday, riders leave from Tracy Cyclery at 11th and A streets.

For information: 833-1879.

Biolab meeting

A meeting about the proposed biodefense laboratory at the bomb test site in the hills above Tracy will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 12 at Sarvey Shoe Store, 501 W. Grant Line Road.

Tri-Valley CAREs, which is among the critics of the proposed lab, is organizing the meeting. Speakers at the meeting include a molecular biologist at University of California, San Francisco’s medical school, an attorney and a man who researches bioweapons laboratories.

For information: 925-443-7148.

Coastal cleanup

The 22nd annual California Coastal Cleanup Day will be from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 16.

The event aims to remove garbage from 700 coastal and inland shorelines throughout the state, and is expected to draw thousands of volunteers.

For information: 800-262-7848, or www.coast4u.org.

Volunteers wanted

Tracy is looking for a few good volunteers to help at the Lolly Hansen Senior Center, 375 E. Ninth St.

The center serves about 400 people a week with a variety of programs and activities. At the moment, the center needs a receptionist who can answer phones and has clerical skills, and someone who can teach basic computer skills to seniors.

For information: 831-4230.

• Submit items for the “Briefs” column to the Tracy Press — via mail (145 W. 10th St.), e-mail (tpnews@tracypress.com) or fax (830-0655) — at least five days before desired publication. For information, call 830-4280.