Around Town: Weight loss support

The Merced Bariatric Weight Loss Support Group meets on the 15th of each month at 7 p.m., 315 Mercy Ave., third floor, Classroom A. If that date falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the club will meet the Friday before the 15th. Call (209) 261-6333 for details.

Garden Club to meet

ATWATER -- The Atwater Garden Club will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Atwater Community Center. Call (209) 357-9422 or (209) 777-7830 for more information.

Donate blood, get meal

LIVINGSTON -- There will be a community blood drive from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Livingston Veterans Memorial Hall, 1605 Seventh St. Donate a pint of blood and receive a meal coupon. Donors can earn points from Blood Source that can be redeemed for rewards. For more information, call (209) 394-2059 or go to http://vfwlivingston.com. Walk-ins are welcome.

Applying to college?

The UC Merced Writing Project will hold a workshop for high school students to learn to write an effective college application and personal statement from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, and Oct. 20 and Nov. 3 at UC Merced. The fee is $110. Call (209) 381-6559 or contact xthao2@ucmerced.edu for details.

Rigatoni dinner planned

The Merced Breakfast Lions Club will hold its eighth annual rigatoni take-out dinner from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Italo-American Hall, 18th and U streets. Tickets are $7. The meal includes rigatoni, salad and a roll. Call (209) 722-8949. All proceeds will benefit local youth activities.

Advocacy group to meet

ATWATER -- The National Association for Uniformed Services, H. Wayne Hein Chapter 18, will meet at 10:30 a.m., Oct. 20 at 1390 Broadway Ave. The speaker is Anthony Presto. Call (209) 358-4834 for more information.

Kids to have jog-a-thon

ATWATER -- Mitchell Elementary School will hold a jog-a-thon on Oct. 23 at the school, 1761 Grove Ave. Primary grades will start at 8:30 a.m. and intermediate grades at 9:30. Proceeds will go to incentives, rewards, field trips and other activities. Call (209) 357-6112, ext. 14816, for details.

Barbecue fund-raiser

The Rescue Mission will hold a drive-through barbecue chicken dinner fund-raiser from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at the mission, 1921 Canal St. Tickets are $10 per person. The meal is a complete chicken dinner and dessert for one person. Call (209) 722-9269 or (209) 723-2900 for more information.

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.