AROUND TOWN

State small business and certification workshop

Caltrans, the California High-Speed Rail Authority and the 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 for 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. today 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-, woman-, and minority-owned. The workshop is open to the public. Seating is limited; please register early. For more information and advance registration, visit www.smallbusiness-oct2014.eventbrite.com.

Clothing drive

The Students in Need Outreach Committee is hosting a clothing drive at the Bloss Bowl football game on Nov. 7 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 pm. Those willing to donate items can drop off any gently used clothes in youth to adult sizes at the gate of the Atwater High School stadium, 2201 Fruitland Ave. For more information, call Colleen Dougherty at (209) 357-6052 or visit freddyscloset.weebly.com

Marine Corps anniversary

A celebration in recognition of the Marine Corps’ 239th anniversary will happen Nov. 8 at the Veterans Memorial Building, 1390 Broadway Ave., in Atwater. Registration is 3 p.m, social hour at 4 p.m., photos at 5 p.m. All Marines, Corpsmen, spouses and military vets are welcome. For more information, call (209) 658-4878 or email aflores29@live.com.

Haunting at Atwater High

Atwater High Performing Arts will present a Haunted House and Fun House, 2201 Fruitland Ave., in Atwater. The haunted house is open 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Adults $5, kids $3.

Holiday bazaar

United Methodist Women are holding their 60th annual bazaar on Saturday, beginning at 8 a.m., at Atwater United Methodist Church, 2550 Linden Street. Lots of handmade items will be available as well as baked foods, floral items, framed art, Christmas and fall wreaths, and scarfs. Come and enjoy a cup of delicious beef and vegetable soup, sandwich and pie. Proceeds will be used for mission work.

Social group trip

The Happy Trails Social Group from Atwater Baptist Church will be visiting the Buchanan Hollow Candy and Nut Shop in Le Grande on Friday, Nov. 7. Cars will leave the church, 2124 First Street, at 9:30 a.m. They will gather for lunch following the tour at Pau’s Place restaurant in Merced. The community is invited.

Holiday craft fair

A Holiday Craft and Vendor Fair is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 15 at First Baptist Church, 500 Buena Vista Drive, in Merced. The event will include vendors, food booths, prizes and more.

Chamber dinner and auction

The Greater Merced Chamber of Commerce will hold its 27th Annual Cioppino Dinner and Auction on Nov. 14 at St. Patrick’s Hall, 671 E. Yosemite Ave., in Merced. Individual tickets are $50, table of eight $400, and Gold Sponsor $600. A Gold Sponsor includes a table of eight with complimentary drink tickets and advertising in the dinner program. Doors open at 5 p.m., silent auction at 6 p.m., and dinner at 7 p.m. For more information, call (209) 384-7092.

This story was originally published October 29, 2014 at 11:01 PM with the headline "AROUND TOWN."