Around Town (9/15/2015)

South Pacific dance classes in Merced

South Pacific Dance Company is offering traditional dance, music and culture of Hawaii and Tahiti classes for its fall semester. Classes are for all ages, beginning at 4 years old for beginners and more advanced students. Classes are held at various times Monday through Friday at Creation Station, 2400 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. For more information, call 209-383-1435 or 209-777-3534.

Clogging classes in Merced

Carousel Cloggers hosts clogging classes at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday at 851 23rd St. in Merced. The cost is $6 per person. Call 209-384-2469 for more information or email altheaclogger@gmail.com.

Storytime at Barnes & Noble Merced

Barnes & Noble will host a storytime for kids at 11 a.m. Saturday at its Merced location, 1720 W. Olive Ave. Children can hear the story “Bug in a Vacuum” by Melanie Watt. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 209-386-0571.

‘Light Up the Lantern’ for at-risk youths in Merced

The UC Merced Police Department is set to host its annual “Light Up the Lantern” event Saturday to support the campus Police Mentor Program. The program benefits 200 Merced fourth-grade students and operates solely on grant and private funding. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. in the solar breezeway of the Science and Engineering Building 2 with a reception and silent auction. A dinner and live auction begin at 6:30 p.m. The price is $40 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Reserve online at giving.ucmerced.edu/LUTL-2015. For more information, contact specialevents@ucmerced.edu.

Genealogical Society meeting in Merced

Janice Sellers, editor of three genealogy journals, will address the Merced County Genealogical Society at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Gracey Room of the Merced County Library, 2100 O St. in Merced. The meeting is open to all.

Sheriff to speak to Republican women’s group

Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke will address the Merced County Republican Women’s group at a lunch meeting beginning at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 21 at the Branding Iron, 640 W. 16th St. in Merced. Reservations must be made by Sept. 17 and can be made by calling 209-812-4398 or 209-761-0550.

Become an adult literacy tutor

You can make a difference in their lives by volunteering as a literacy tutor in the Merced Library’s Read And Succeed-Merced adult literacy program. An informational orientation will be held 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22 at the Merced Library, 2100 O St. A tutor training session follows from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sept. 26. Orientation is a prerequisite to training. Sessions are free. Participants must be 18 or older. Reservation required. Call the Literacy Room at 209-385-7391.

Hip and knee pain seminar

Emanuel Medical Center will host a free hip and knee pain seminar. The event will feature presentation by six local orthopedic surgeons, followed by a question-and-answer session. The seminar will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 22 in Conference Room C at Emanuel Medical Center, 825 Delbon Ave. in Turlock. The program is free, but preregistration is required. To register or for more information, call 209-250-5355.

AARP Merced’s monthly meeting and annual barbecue

The AARP Merced monthly meeting will be 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 23 at Merced Senior Community Center, 755 West 15th St. After the business meeting, the annual barbecue will be held. Entrees include a choice of hot dogs, chicken breasts or pulled pork sandwiches. Also included are beans, potato salad, coleslaw, a roll and ice cream. Prices range from $5 to $10, depending on choice of entree. A two-entree combo plate is $10. Takeout meal available. Tickets may be purchased in advance from AARP members or purchased at the door for $10. For more information, visit the group’s website at www.aarpmerced.org.

Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge

All boys and girls ages 9 to14 are invited to participate in the local-level competition for the Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge. The free local competition will be at 2 p.m. Sept. 26 at Livingston’s Max Foster Sports Complex. Participants have an opportunity to win trophies and soccer balls. Entry forms are available at Livingston City Hall, 1416 C St., or you may print from the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kofc9363. For additional information, call Alex French at 209-628-8743.

This story was originally published September 14, 2015 at 1:45 PM with the headline "Around Town (9/15/2015)."