Around Town (1/16/13)

County Rescue Mission offers a warm place The Merced County Rescue Mission is opening a warming center at the mission, 1931 Canal St. Check-in time will be from 8 to 9 p.m., and the center will be open until March 31. The center offers a secure, warm space for people who cannot find shelter from the cold and an area for their animals.

Golden Valley High to hold blood drive Golden Valley High School will hold a blood drive from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday in the multipurpose room. For more information or to sign up, call (209) 385-8060.

Yosemite Church to host women's bible study Yosemite Church will host Coffee Break, an inter-denominational women's bible study, at 10 a.m. starting Jan. 22 at 2230 E. Yosemite Ave. Free child care is provided, and women from all churches are encouraged to attend. Call (209) 383-5038 for more information.

Christian organization Valentine's event The Wesley Foundation of Merced, a Christian organization focusing on the needs of college students, will sponsor a Valentine's event from 3 to 5 p.m. Feb. 10 in the Wesley Hall at United Methodist Church, 899 Yosemite Park Way. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. There will be tasty bites of dessert, fresh fruit and cheeses, and a silent auction. Call (209) 722-6327 for more information.

Giants championship trophy stops in Merced The Giants World Championship Trophy Tour will visit Merced at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Merced County Fairgrounds Pavilion Building. Lines for those wishing to view the trophy will be managed on first-come, first-served basis. Call (209) 385-7426 or email bbehn@co.merced.ca.us for more information.

Italian Catholic group sponsors casino trip The Italian Catholic Federation will sponsor a day at Black Oak Casino, leaving the parking lot at 23rd and M streets at 9 a.m. Feb. 11. Cost is $31 per person, with participants receiving $10 in E cash, $5 table play and $5 toward lunch. Reservations must be made by Feb. 5. Call (209) 383-4819 or mail a check to ICF, 2829 Bedford Drive, Merced 95340.

Cycling event kicks off with champions dinner The 20th edition of the Merced Cycling Classic sponsored by Mercy Medical Center, the MID, the Italo-American Lodge and Merced Boosters Club will take place from Feb. 28 to March 3. There will be a champions dinner at 6 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Merced County Fairgrounds Pavilion, 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. The speaker will be Davis Phinney. Tickets are $25. Call (209) 777-2765 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.