The City of Manteca has delivered on the first of what will hopefully be many demolitions of fire damaged structures and vacant buildings left in disrepair that are creating major quality of life problems.
The old used car lot office that was built to look like a house at East Yosemite Avenue and Lincoln Avenue is finally  gone. The structure was razed this week.
The building had been a haven for homeless who trespassed into the boarded structure numeorus times over the past three years. Whether trying to keep warm or to cook, the homeless are believed to have started three fires at the structure.
After the last fire, as shown in the photo at the top of the column, the homeless moved back in with a mattress to boot.
It removes one of two burned structures that have sat vacant for years and have served as a magnet for the homeless and vagrants that are within two blocks of Manteca’s heart at Yosemite Avenue and Main Street in downtown Manteca.
The other is the two-story 108 Sycamore Avenue boarding house at Sycamore and Yosemite that vagrants and homeless trashed before eventually starting a fire.
Perhaps by the time Manteca celebrates its centennial in May, it’ll be history as well.

Sip & Spell team
entries underway
Registration is now open for the 3rd  annual Great Valley Book Fair Sip and Spell taking place at Delicato Vineyards on Thursday, Oct. 12, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
In addition to the competition the team event includes wine, appetizers, and a T-shirt. teams of one to three spellers must registered by Sept. 30. The registration fee is $25 per adult and is open to those 21 years of age or older.
Guest registration — family members or fans — is $20. Tickets are sold in advance only. All proceeds benefit the Sierra High Class of 2018.
You can find more information at http://greatvalleybookfest.org/sip-and-spell/ 
The sixth annual Great Valley Bookfest is set  for Saturday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parking lot near Bass Pro Shop at The Promenade Shops at Orchard Valley.

Four teen volunteers
sought by city for
youth advisory board
Applications are being accepted through Friday, Sept. 22, at 5 p.m. for four vacancies on the Manteca Youth Advisory Commission.
The board is open to high school students in the 9th through 12th grades currently attending high school with a current Manteca address. Commission meetings are the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. The length of the appointment is for one or two years depending on grade level.
Applications can be accessed on line at the city’s website or at the City Clerk’s office at 1001 W. Center St. For more information contact City Clerk Lisa Blackmon at Lblackmon@ci.mantca.ca.us or call 209.456.8017.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com