Around Town (10/29/14)

Holiday boutique to benefit rescue mission

A holiday boutique with fall and Christmas decorations, artwork by local artists and homemade bath products is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 1620 Patricia Lane in Merced. For a preview of some of the items go to www.facebook.com/thingsmostbeautiful. Credit cards will be accepted. Four raffles will be held each day and the proceeds, along with a portion of all sales, will benefit the Merced Rescue Mission. Tickets are $1 each; must be present to win. Call Bonnie Medearis at (209) 500-8888.

State small business and certification workshop

The state Department of Transportation, the California High-Speed Rail Authority and California Department of General Services will hold a workshop focused on certifying local small businesses to contract goods and services on upcoming government contracts. The event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday at the Merced County Office of Education’s Wolfe Education Center, Room W-10, 731 W. 13th St. The event targets general contractors and the following types of businesses: local, small, veteran-, women- and minority-owned. The workshop is open to the public. Seating is limited, register early. For more information and advanced registration, visit www.smallbusiness-oct2014.eventbrite.com.

Veterans Day program at Winton school

Winfield Elementary School in Winton will be presenting its annual Veterans Day program, “Our Heroes,” at 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Nov. 6. Students will look back at America’s heroes throughout the years. Veterans and the public are welcome. Call (209) 357-6891 for more information. The school is at 6981 Chestnut Lane.

Merced Youth Council applications due

The deadline to apply for a position on the Merced Youth Council is Nov. 15. Applicants must live Merced and be between the ages of 13 and 19. Applications are available at www.cityofmerced.org, from Youth Council members and from local high schools. Completed applications can be turned in to Youth Council members, or the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. 678 W. 18th St. For more, visit the website or call (209) 385-6298.

Christmas tree displays at Courthouse Museum

It’s time to plan your Christmas tree display at the Courthouse Museum. Help the museum decorate its historic building while you publicize your organization, school, classroom, or business. Registration forms are available at the museum. This year's Christmas Open House will be from 1-4 p.m. Dec. 7. For specifics and a registration form, stop by the museum Wednesday through Sunday from 1-4 p.m. or call the museum office at (209) 723-2401. The return deadline for the forms is Nov. 10.

Speaker and songwriter to appear

Humorist, songwriter and inspirational speaker Aaron Wilburn is coming to Merced. A featured artist on many Gaither Homecoming videos and tours, Wilburn’s comedy routines have garnered more than 15 million views on YouTube. As a songwriter, he has received multiple Dove and Grammy Award nominations over the years. He is scheduled to appear at 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at Calvary Temple Worship Center, 2740 N. Highway 59 in Merced. Free admission. Also scheduled to appear is Bridge Of Grace.

Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Kickoff

The Salvation Army Board of Merced will hold its Christmas Kettle Kickoff from noon to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at Central Presbyterian Church’s Hoffmeister Center, 1920 Canal St. in Merced. The event is a launch for the organization’s fundraising season. Music will be provided by The Salvation Army Brass Quartet of San Francisco, and guest speakers will be Lt. Kimberly Boyd and Lt. Joel Boyd. Tickets are $25 per person or $200 to sponsor a table of eight. For tickets, contact Jan Conas at (209) 761-4043 or janconas@sbcglobal.net.

Dentist holds post-Halloween ‘Sweet Swap’

The office of dentist Von Goodin will hold a Halloween candy “Sweet Swap” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 1 at 830 W. Olive Ave. Children can donate their leftover Halloween candy to be distributed in care packages to military personnel through Operation Gratitude. Children attending will earn raffle tickets to earn prizes. The first 100 children will receive a complimentary goody bag filled with surprises. For more information and to RVSP, call (209) 384-3434 or visit www.facebook.com/Vongoodindds.

This story was originally published October 28, 2014 at 9:52 PM with the headline "Around Town (10/29/14)."