Around Town (11/5/14)

Free dental clinic

A free dental clinic for adults is planned from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Merced Senior Community Center, 755 W. 15th St. Cleanings, fillings, extraction, X-rays and prescriptions are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Tzu Chi Foundation is sponsoring the event. For more information, call Salvador Vazquez at (209) 381-6705.

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 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 information, go to the website or call (209) 385-6298.

Drivers for veterans

Disabled American Veterans is looking for men and women to be volunteer drivers for veterans. Volunteering to drive a veteran ensures that even those living remotely from Veterans Affairs hospitals can make medical appointments. DAV provides vehicles and fuel. For more information, call (559) 225-6100, ext. 6907.

Salvation Army kickoff

The Salvation Army Board of Merced will hold its Christmas Kettle Kickoff from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Central Presbyterian Church’s Hoffmeister Center, 1920 Canal St. The event is a launch for the organization’s kettle 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.

Grief share group

Central Presbyterian Church is hosting a 13-week grief share group every Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Hoffmeister Center, 1920 Canal Street, Merced. For more information and/or to RSVP, please contact the church office at (209) 723-0491.

TOPS meetings

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

New Beginnings Merced

New Beginnings Merced is a nonprofit dedicated to saving shelter animals and finding them new homes. The group needs volunteers, especially those who can care for kittens or dogs and their puppies for a short time. Help with photographing shelter animals is needed, as are people who can transport them to rescue organizations, for which no personal vehicles are needed. For more information, call (209) 769-2122.

Sunrise Toastmasters

The Sunrise Toastmasters Club meets at 6:30 a.m. Fridays at Carrows Restaurant, 720 Motel Drive. New members are always welcome. For more information, call (209) 384-7128 or (209) 756-3001.

Veterans Program

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

Farmers market

The Original Merced County Certified Farmers Market is 7:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays at the shopping center off Yosemite Avenue and Paulson Road, and 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays at 18th and N streets. For more information, go to www.mercedcfm.com.

This story was originally published November 4, 2014 at 6:58 PM with the headline "Around Town (11/5/14)."