Around Town (8/27/2015)

Art reception from Merced County Fair

A free reception for the exhibit selections from the Merced County Fair will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Merced County Arts Center, 645 W. Main St. in Merced. The exhibit showcases special selections from the fair. Refreshments and snacks will be served. The exhibit runs until Sept. 22.

Free business workshop in Los Banos

Employers and small-business owners are invited to an interactive workshop Friday. Lisa Jordan, business owner and recognized expert in the field of disability and workforce development, will show how to expand a customer base and increase profitability. The workshop begin with a free catered lunch from 11:30 a.m. to noon. The workshop runs from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Los Banos campus of Merced Community College, 22240 Highway 152. Space is limited. Reserve your seat at jacosta@co.merced.ca.us or call 209-724-2010.

Last Hope Cat Kingdom volunteer orientation

Last Hope Cat Kingdom will host a volunteer orientation and training session at 10 a.m. Saturday at 6660 Bailey Road in Atwater. Volunteers for Last Hope must attend one of these sessions once a year for most types of volunteer activities. For more information, call 209-261-5907 or email eb29of41@yahoo.com.

Junior Blue Devil splashball and beginning water polo classes

Merced College Community Services will be offering Junior Blue Devil splashball (ages 5-9) and water polo (ages 10-14) at 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from Sept. 1 to Oct. 22. The cost is $80 per participant. For more information, call 209-384-6224 or email communitysvc@mccd.edu.

Lap swim at Merced College

Merced College Community Services will offer lap swimming at 5:30 to 6:30 a.m., noon to 1 p.m., and 5 to 6 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from Sept. 2 to Oct. 30. The cost is $40 per participant. For more information, call 209-384-6224 or email communitysvc@mccd.edu.

Mental illness education in Merced

NAMI Merced County is offering Family-to-Family, a 12-week class for people who care for or about someone with a serious mental illness. Participants will learn about mental illness, getting care for a loved one and support for themselves, medications and many other aspects that will help them get through this traumatic situation. One class is offered in English and the other in Spanish. Classes begin at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 3 at 480 E. 13th St. in Merced. Space is limited, and preregistration is required. For more information call 209-381-6844 or email namimerced@aol.com.

Storytime at Barnes & Noble in Merced

Barnes & Noble will host a Storytime for Kids event at 11 a.m. Sept. 5 at its Merced location, 1720 W. Olive Ave. Children can hear “The Full Moon at the Napping House” by Audrey and Don Wood. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 209-386-0571.

UC Merced 5K Run to support scholarships

The UC Merced Alumni Association and Athletics and Recreation will host the inaugural UC Merced Journey 5K Fund Run on Sept. 5 to celebrate the campus’s 10th anniversary. The event begins at 9 a.m. and parking is free. Students, staff and faculty, alumni and community members are invited to participate. All proceeds will support student scholarships. The goal is to raise $2,500, which will be matched 3-to-1. Registration for the 5K is $10; children age 10 and under are free. Register online at giving.ucmerced.edu/5k. For more information, contact Chris Abrescy at 209-228-2586 or email alumni@ucmerced.edu.

An evening with the artist at Merced College

Merced College Community Services will be offering “An Evening with van Gogh” on Wednesdays at 6 to 7:30 p.m. from Sept. 23 to Oct. 7. During this class, students will explore the life and work of Vincent van Gogh and will re-create one of his master works using pastels. The cost is $45 per participant plus $15 materials fee. For more information, call 209-384-6224 or email communitysvc@mccd.edu.

First Tee Junior Golf in Merced

Registration is underway for fall First Tee Junior Golf in Merced. The program is open to children ages 5 to 17. Practices are held Wednesdays at 5:45 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. at the Merced Golf and Country Club, 6333 Golf Road in Merced. The nine-week program runs Sept. 2 through Oct. 28. The cost is $90 for the first child and $45 for each additional child. Registration packets and program information can be found at thefirstteecentralvalley.org. For more information, email golph2day@gmail.com or call 209-604-4120.

This story was originally published August 26, 2015 at 2:49 PM with the headline "Around Town (8/27/2015)."