Around Town

Exploring the county through camera's lens The Merced County Historical Society will present "Exploring Merced County: Through the Lens of Merced Camera Club" on Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. at the historic Merced Theatre. For more information, call the Courthouse Museum at (209) 723-2401 or go to www.mercedtheatre.org. Tickets are $5.

Scholarship dinner EL NIDO -- The 34th annual Clarence Borba Memorial Scholarship Dinner will take place Sept. 9 from 4 to 6 pm. at the El Nido Fire Station. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children. Linquiça, tri-tip, pork, lamb, turkey and beans will be served. A raffle will follow dinner.

Carwash benefit Tickets for a carwash at Prime Shine are being sold to benefit the Leukemia/ Lymphoma Society. Tickets are $6, and you can have your car washed at Bellevue and Shaffer in Atwater or at West Olive and Loughborough in Merced. To buy tickets, call (209) 712-8997.

Helping cat helpers Last Hope Cat Kingdom has rescued 60 cats from a home where the owner suddenly passed away, and donations are being sought to help spay and neuter these cats so they can be adopted into homes. Santa Fe Pet Hospital is helping with a special price of $25 for males and $45 for females, and you can help by sponsoring one or more of these cats for the surgery. Donations can be sent to Last Hope Cat Kingdom or directly to Santa Fe Pet Hospital, 3113 N. Beachwood Drive. For more information, call (209) 605-8460, (209) 947-2247 or (209) 383-5050. Anything will be greatly appreciated.

Shelter and support JMJ Maternity Homes, a faith-based 501(c)3, provides homeless pregnant women with shelter, resources and support services in a nurturing, Christian environment that reaffirms their inherent dignity and promotes self-sufficiency. The maternity program and resident program provide shelter and support services to facilitate prenatal and post-partum health, counseling, case management, food, clothing and more. Call (209) 769-7092.

Planning Commission The next meeting of the Merced City Planning Commission will be at 7 p.m. on Oct. 23 at 678 W. 18th St. For more information, call (209) 385-6858.

If you would like to have your event announced in the Around Town Column, send your information to Connie Hodges at least 10 days prior to the event, at chodges@mercedsunstar.com. Items run according to space available.