Taste of Merced County: Breakfast with Cardoza

The Greater Merced Chamber of Commerce presents a breakfast with Congressman Dennis Cardoza from 8 to 9 a.m. on Sept. 4 at the Branding Iron, 640 W. 16th St.

Cost is $15 for a buffet breakfast. For more information or to reserve a seat, call (209) 384-7092.

MERCED

Church festival

Sacred Heart Church will host a festival with music, food, games, raffle and drinks from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sept. 7 at the church, 519 W. 12th St.

Tickets are $1. For more information, call (209) 383-6604.

MERCED

Enjoy floats and burgers

St. Paul Lutheran Church and School will host a '50s Night from 6 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 5 at the church, 2916 N. McKee Road.

Classic car show, carhops serving root beer floats, hamburgers and lots more fun. If you want to show your car or want more information call (209) 383-3302.

ATWATER

Tacos on the menu

A taco fiesta luncheon will be Sept. 6 at the Casablanca Restaurant, 2811 Shaffer Road. Come for a social hour at 11 a.m. and lunch is at noon and includes build your own tacos.

Cost is $16 of which $5 will go to the missions. For more information or to make reservations, call (209) 723-9858.

ATWATER

Garden lovers potluck

The Atwater Garden Club will launch their first club meeting for the 2008-2009 season at 6 p.m. on Sept. 9 at Ralston Park with a potluck supper to follow at 6:30 p.m. at the Atwater Public Library.

Membership is $20 per year. Novice and experienced gardeners alike are welcome. For more information, call (209) 357-8137.

MERCED

Barbecue and auction

The Merced County Historical Society's 18th annual Western BBQ and Auction will be held at 5 p.m. on Sept. 9 at Lake Yosemite. Start with appetizers then slow-roasted seasoned pork and barbecued beef with bread, a salad of marinated tomatoes and Bill Kirby's famous chuckwagon beans, followed by dessert and coffee.

Bigler Sound and Performance will sponsor the music and there will be a silent auction during the cocktail hour. Tickets are $40 each and as always drinks are on the house. For more information, call (209) 723-2401.

MARIPOSA

Barbecue competition

John C. Fremont Hospital Foundation in Mariposa will host its second annual Blazin' Hog BBQ Competition and Zydeco Music Festival on Sept. 20 at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds.

Barbecue contestants will compete for $500 cash prizes, and there will be arts and crafts vendors and children's activities planned. Cost is $10, $7.50 for senior groups, $5 for students (12-17) and under 12 free.

For more information, go to blazinhog.com.

MERCED

Pancakes with firefighters

The Merced County Firestation 61 will host a pancake breakfast from 6:30 a.m to 1 p.m. on Sept. 28 at the fire station at the corner of Hwy. 140 and Gurr Road.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children and may be purchased in advance. Proceeds will go to purchase needed equipment for new volunteers at the station. For more information, call (209) 357-7203.