Around Town: Celebrate Recovery

Celebrate Recovery will meet at 6 tonight at 2230 E. Yosemite Ave. The group meets each Friday at 6. For information, call (209) 383-5038.

MERCED

Backpacks top list

On Saturday, the Merced 20-30 Club will host its third annual Children's Shopping Spree in partnership with the Merced City School District. Children in need will partner with a club member and be allotted a backpack, school supplies and $100 to purchase clothing.

This year's goal is to increase the number of students from 30 to 40.

Individuals and businesses interested in donating funds, a backpack or school supplies, is asked to send donations to Merced 20-30, Inc., Tax ID No. 20-49422727, 3144 N. G St., Suite 125-327, Merced, CA 95340. All proceeds go directly to the project and all donations are tax-deductible. For information, e-mail merced2030@yahoo.com.

MERCED

Dance with Danzantes

Danzantes de Merced, a traditional Mexican dance company, will take registration at 6:30 p.m. today at Denisa's School of Dance, 2816 G St. This group performs throughout Merced and the Central Valley and is for levels beginning through advanced.

Classes will start on Tuesday. For information, call (209) 658-5897.

MERCED

Witness against war

Co-founder of Voices in the Wilderness and co-coordinator of Voices for Creative Nonviolence, Kathy Kelly will speak in Merced College's Lesher Auditorium, Room 111, 3600 M St., at 7 p.m. Sept. 29. She will be joined by colleague, David Smith-Ferri, author of "Battlefield Without Borders." For information, call (209) 388-1608.

MARIPOSA

Mariposa alumni assemble

The annual meeting of the Mariposa High School Alumni Association is set for 10 a.m. Sunday at the MCHS Snack Shack outside of the gymnasium. A continental breakfast of doughnuts, coffee and juice is offered to all before a short meeting, followed by a class student count. Students from each class ending in an "8" will be honored.

There will also be a raffle. For information, call (209) 966-5737 or (209) 966-2250.

MERCED

Improve driving skills

The Merced College Continuing Education Noncredit Office will offer two mature driver improvement noncredit classes for residents 55 and older from 5 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Merced College Tri-College Center. In Atwater classes will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 17 at the Atwater Community Center, 760 Bellevue Road.

A $2 state certificate fee is required and is to be paid to the instructor. For information, call (209) 381-6540. Space is limited.

If you would like to have your event announced in the Around Town Column, send your information to Connie Hodges at least one week prior to the event, at chodges@mercedsunstar.com. Items run according to space available.