Around Town (6/15/15)

Merced Sun-Star business awards

The Merced Sun-Star on Wednesday launched a new program aimed to recognize the community’s best businesses and their owners. The Excellence in Business program will grant eight awards to area businesses, and one person in the community will receive the Hall of Fame award. Winners will be announced July 29 in the Sun-Star. To nominate a business or to nominate a person for the Hall of Fame award, click here. The deadline to submit nominations is July 16.

Town Hall meetings

Community members are invited to attend upcoming Town Hall events in Merced, Livingston and Los Banos. The meetings will provide information on changes to Community Access to Recovery Services, or CARS, regarding the way community members will seek access to treatment services beginning July 1. The Livingston meeting is scheduled from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Prusso Community Center, 848 Prusso St. The meeting in Los Banos runs from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday at 40 G St. The Merced meetings are set for 1 to 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at 1137 B St.

Tea party meeting

The Merced-Atwater Tea Party’s regular monthly meeting will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, at the Atwater Memorial Building, Fifth Street and Broadway Avenue. Eric Eisenhammer, founder of the Coalition of Energy Users, will talk about the California Air Resources Board, fracking, gas taxes and job creation. This event is open to the public.

Day of Mindfulness

Day of Mindfulness for Merced will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Jule Biesiada-Lama’s home. The Day of Mindfulness is a time of philosophical discussion and not about a particular religion, and all people are welcome. Bhante Wapola Piyananda, who has taught in the United States for about 30 years, will be the keynote speaker. For the address, call (209) 384-2835 or (209) 631-9631. For more information, email windsongsangha@gmail.com.

Assisted living

Pacific Senior Living in Merced will host an open house from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. June 25 at 3420 R St. “Western-style” appetizers and refreshments will be served, and there will be live country music. For more information, call (209) 384-9700.

Chamber mixer

Los Banos Chamber of Commerce members are invited to a mixer from 5:30 to 7 p.m. June 25 at Toscano RV Center, 2531 E. Pacheco Blvd. Bring a business card to enter a raffle.

Advocates for children

Court Appointed Special Advocates of Merced County will begin a new volunteer advocate training class June 29. The nonprofit CASA trains volunteers to provide support and advocacy for abused and neglected children in the Merced County foster care system. For more information, call CASA at (209) 722-2272.

High school reunion

Atwater High Class of 1980 will have its 35-year reunion Sept. 5 at Isabella’s Bar & Grill in Atwater. The dinner-dance party begins at 6 p.m. with no-host cocktails. Dinner is at 7 p.m. The cost is $25 per person. Make reservations by sending a check or money order to the private mailbox at AHS 1980 Class Reunion, 257 E. Bellevue Road., PMB 180, Atwater, CA 95301, and search for “AhsFalcons 1980” on Facebook.

This story was originally published June 14, 2015 at 2:14 PM with the headline "Around Town (6/15/15)."