Around Town (11-3-14)

Veterans Day program

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

Free venue rentals

The Pacheco Village and Pacheco Court apartments offer free venue rentals. The rentals include a meeting space with a capacity of up to 60 and well-equipped club rooms with kitchens. They are available for local clubs, organizations, churches and nonprofit agencies to use for meetings and activities. For more information, call (209) 826-8300 or go to the leasing office at 2241 Gilbert Gonzalez Jr. Drive.

Pet carrier donations

New Beginnings of Merced needs carriers for the 200-plus animals transported from Animal Control to no-kill rescues each month. Any carriers appropriate for animals 30 pounds and under in usable condition are acceptable as well as new carriers or money for their purchase. Receipts can be provided for tax purposes. Atwater residents call (209) 658-8553; Merced residents call (209) 769-8953.

Harmony Valley Chorus

The Harmony Valley Chorus of Sweet Adelines International invites the public to join its Women’s Holiday Chorus from now through Dec. 9. Rehearsals are Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at the Social Hall of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 1455 E. Yosemite Ave. A performance will be at the annual Open House at the Merced County Courthouse Museum.

TOPS meeting

Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. at 2300 Cascade Drive in the clubhouse at Castle Vista. For more information, call (209) 628-9720.

Inspirational entertainer

Humorist, songwriter and inspirational speaker Aaron Wilburn will appear at 7 p.m. Thursday at Calvary Temple Worship Center, 2740 N. Highway 59. A featured artist on many Gaither Homecoming videos and tours, Wilburn’s comedy routines have garnered over 15 million views on YouTube. As a songwriter, he has received multiple Dove and Grammy Award nominations. Also scheduled to appear is Bridge of Grace. Admission is free.

Youth Council

The deadline to apply for a position on the Merced Youth Council is Nov. 15. Applicants must live in Merced and be between the ages of 13 and 19. Applications are available at www.cityofmerced.org, from Youth Council members and 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 information, go to the website or call (209) 385-6298.

2015 tours slideshow

A free slideshow presentation of 2015 tours by Merced College Community Services is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at 630 W. 19th St. Refreshments will be served. RSVP at (209) 384-6224 or email at communitysvc@mccd.edu by Nov. 17.

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. Individual tickets are $50, a table of eight is $400 and Gold Sponsor is $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 and dinner at 7. For more information, call (209) 384-7092.

Successful Thinkers

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 in Modesto, 1800 Prescott Road. For more information, call Gail Wilson at (209) 712-8997.

This story was originally published November 2, 2014 at 4:36 PM with the headline "Around Town (11-3-14)."