Around Town (8/18/2015)

Merced Elks golf tournament

The Merced Elks Lodge will hold a charity golf tournament Oct. 17 at Rancho Del Rey Golf Course, 5250 Green Sands Ave., Atwater. Check-in time is at 8 a.m. with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Lunch will be available at the end of the tournament. There will be raffle prizes, team prizes and closest-to-the-hole prizes. Cost is $75 and includes green fees, cart and lunch. Proceeds will benefit the Children’s Tumor Foundation. Call 209-704-2049 or 209-742-7346 for more information.

Gospel concert in Merced

Julie Eichelberger presents another Julie-N-Friends gospel music concert at 6 p.m. Aug. 30. This free event takes place at the Christian Life Center, 650 E. Olive Ave., Merced. The guests for this fifth Sunday evening gospel sing include the Evidence Quartet of Yorba Linda, the Merced-based host group Bridge of Grace, and, coming out of retirement for a special appearance in Merced, the Johnson Family Singers. For more information call 559-304-1102.

Livingston Sweet Potato Festival

Livingston will host its annual Sweet Potato Festival from Oct. 2-4, celebrating the sweet potato harvest, at the Max Foster Sports Complex, 2600 Walnut Ave. in Livingston. . The Recreation Department is looking for vendors and volunteers to help with this year’s event. Discount carnival tickets are on sale at City Hall beginning Sept. 1. Contact the Recreation Department at 209-394-8830 for more information. Check out the Sweet Potato Festival at www.livingstoncity.com for the schedule of events.

Sunrise Toastmasters

Sunrise Toastmasters, Chapter 4333, has moved its meetings to Paul’s Place Restaurant and Bakery at 2991 G St. in Merced. Meetings are from 6:30-7:30 a.m. Mondays. For details, call 209-384-7128 or 209-722-3975.

Overeaters Anonymous

Overeaters Anonymous meets at 6 p.m. Tuesdays at First Baptist Church, 500 Buena Vista Drive, Merced. Call 209-383-4161 or go to oa.org.

Merced Flea and Farmers Market

The Merced Flea and Farmers Market runs from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays behind the fairgrounds, 900 G St. EBT is accepted.

Merced Camera Club meets

The Merced Camera Club invites all who are interested in photography to their meetings on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Merced County Farm Bureau, 646 S. Highway 59. Call 209-382-0222 or 209-761-0260.

New Beginnings Merced

New Beginnings Merced is a nonprofit dedicated to saving shelter animals and finding them new homes. The group needs volunteers, especially those who can care for kittens or dogs and their puppies for a short time. Help with photographing shelter animals is needed, as are people who can transport them to rescue organizations, for which no personal vehicles are needed. Call 209-769-2122.

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Successful Thinkers Network meeting

The Successful Thinkers Network, which includes residents from Merced and Stanislaus counties, meets from noon to 2 p.m. every Tuesday at the Four Seasons Chinese Buffet, 1800 Prescott Road, Modesto. For more information, call Gail Wilson at 209-712-8997.

Livingston Lions Club collecting glasses

Livingston Lions Club has five new collection points for used eyeglasses in Livingston. Eyeglasses are being collected at the Livingston Rite Aid, Livingston Medical Center, True Value, Livingston Fitness and Liberty Market. Take any used eyeglasses to those boxes, and they will be recycled to people in need around the world. Call Jill at 209-489-7533 for more information.

Drivers sought to help veterans

Disabled American Veterans is looking for men and women to be volunteer drivers for veterans. Volunteering ensures that even those veterans living far from Veterans Affairs hospitals can make their appointments and not go without the treatment they need. DAV provides van and fuel. Call 559-225-6100, ext. 6907.

This story was originally published August 17, 2015 at 1:11 PM with the headline "Around Town (8/18/2015)."