Around Town: Blessing of Animals

LIVINGSTON -- On the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi Father Harvey will Bless the Animals at noon on Saturday, with a first class relic of St. Francis, invoking his intercession for the good health and protection of our pets and livestock. The animals will then be blessed with holy water. Saint Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 330 Franci St. For more information, call (209) 394-7512.

MERCED

Merced Women's Club

The Merced Women's Club will meet on Tuesday. The speaker will be Robert McLaughlin. To make a reservation to attend, call (209) 383-4391.

MARIPOSA

Airport fly-in

Mariposa Airport will host an open house fly-In from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 11. There will be a raffle with prizes, tri-tip, hot dogs and a pancake breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. Free shuttle bus service between the County Bank parking lot and the airport for those who need it. Admission is free.

ATWATER

AHS turns 50

Atwater High School is turning 50 years old this year. All current and former students, teachers, administrators, and employees and their family members are invited to attend the activities planned for Oct. 17 and 18.

The event will start with the homecoming parade and football game on Oct. 17. On Oct. 18 there will be an open house from 10 am to 3 pm at the high school with program, food, entertainment, tours, old movies, community booths, and souvenirs. In the evening, combined class reunions will held at various local venues.

For more information, go to ahs.muhsd.k12.ca.us, e-mail golzack@elite.net or atwaterhigh50celebration.com, or call (209) 769-7799.

MERCED

ACT Test

The next ACT Test will be administered on Oct. 25. Students who wish to take the college admission and placement exam must register by Sept. 19. The cost is $31 for the traditional ACT and $46 for the ACT Plu Writing. For more information, call (319) 337-1028 or go to act.org/news.

MERCED

Emergency program

The local board of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program is looking for volunteers to be on a funding committee that will allocate federal dollars to program to be used in 2009 in Merced County. Volunteers will meet on Oct. 31 at the United Way of Merced County offices, 1744 G St.,Suite H, to listen to the requests of the applying organizations and question them about the services they provide.

Anyone interested can call (209) 383-4242 or go to fred@unitedwaymerced.org to sign up or get more information.

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.