Around Town (8/8/2015)
Pre-kindergarten registration underway
Registration for pre-kindergarten and transitional kindergarten at Bear Country Preschool began this week and continues until the end of the month. Parents will have the chance to meet teachers and review the curriculum at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Bear Country Preschool on 2115 Wardrobe Ave. Classes being Aug. 17. For more information, call 209-722-2327.
Merced pianist Doug Rowan in concert
Merced native Douglas Rowan will host a free solo piano recital at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Lakireddy Auditorium at UC Merced. Rowan, a 2014 Golden Valley High School graduate, attends Brigham Young University-Idaho as a piano performance major. Douglas also is attending the Chautauqua Institution in New York. The recital will be free. Donations will be accepted and will benefit the Golden Valley Cardinal Regime and jazz bands.
Salvation Army’s Back to School Night
The Salvation Army, Golden State Division, will host a Back to School Night from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at 1440 W. 12th St. Pre-registration for the LINKED after-school program will be available, along with free haircuts for kids, a bounce castle, a bounce house-type water slide, live music, free food and more.
Merced High Class of ’65 reunion
Merced High School’s Class of 1965 will hold its 50th reunion 5:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Branding Iron Restaurant, 640. W. 16th St. There will be a no-host bar. Dinner costs $35. For more information, contact Linda Boyer Roland at croland@prodigy.net or 209-383-3312.
Theater auditions for ‘The Rivals’
The Merced College Theatre Department has announced auditions for its production of Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s classic comedy of manners “The Rivals.” Auditions will be held in the college theater Aug. 17 from 5 to 10 p.m. For more information, call the department at 209-386-6644.
Shoe drive by CASA of Merced County
Court Appointed Special Advocates of Merced County has launched a fundraiser seeking donations of old shoes, slippers, flip-flops, cleats and roller skates. The shoes support the program as well as individuals in developing nations such as Ghana. Shoes can be dropped off at the CASA office, 2824 Park Ave., Suite A. For more information, call 209-722-2272.
Pet carrier drive for New Beginnings
New Beginnings of Merced needs carriers for the 200-plus animals it transports from Animal Control to no-kill rescues each month. Any carriers appropriate for animals 30 pounds and under in usable condition are acceptable as well as new carriers or funds for their purchase. Receipts can be provided for tax purposes. Atwater residents can call 209-658-8553; Merced residents, 209-769-8953.
Talk Show Toastmasters
Talk Show Toastmasters Chapter 7302 meets Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at the International House of Pancakes, 455 W. Olive Ave. For more information, call 209-358-1678 or 209-628-1928.
Free venue rentals in Los Banos
Pacheco Village and Pacheco Court Apartments in Los Banos offers free venue rentals. The rental includes a meeting space with a capacity of up to 60 and well-equipped club rooms with kitchens. They are available for local clubs, organizations, churches and nonprofit agencies to use for meetings and activities. For details, call 209-826-8300 or visit the leasing office at 2241 Gilbert Gonzalez Jr. Drive.
Stroke Support Group
The local Stroke Support Group is open to anyone who has survived a stroke. Family, friends and caregivers are welcome. Meetings are from 4 to 5:30 p.m. the second Thursday of every month at the Mercy Medical Pavilion, third floor, classroom A, 315 Mercy Ave. There is no cost or registration required to attend. For more information, call 209-564-4310.
If you would like to have an event announced in Around Town, send information to aroundtown@mercedsunstar.com at least 10 days before the event. Items run according to space available.
This story was originally published August 7, 2015 at 2:41 PM with the headline "Around Town (8/8/2015)."