Great Valley panel to look at high-speed rail

Why support commuter and high-speed rail when it might take decades to come through Modesto?

Stacey Mortensen, executive director of the San Joaquin Rail Commission, will address the topic "Passenger Rail: Beyond the Pipe Dream" at a public roundtable discussion Thursday.

This month's Valley Futures Forum will begin at 5 p.m. at the Great Valley Center, 201 Needham St., Modesto. Entrance is $10.

Sponsors include the American Planning Association, the Building Industry Association of Central California, the Congress for the New Urbanism and the Local Government Commission.