AROUND TOWN

Church bazaar

Apostolic Tabernacle Ladies Auxiliary Annual Holiday Bazaar will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 22 at 2745 E. Highway 140. There will be gifts, crafts and more. Come join the fun and celebrate the holidays. For more information, call (209) 723-0545.

Republican women

The Merced County Republican Women’s monthly meeting will be at the Branding Iron on Nov. 17. The speaker will be veteran Casey McFarland. Social time will be at 11:30 a.m., lunch and meeting at noon. Reservations must be in by Nov. 13. To make reservations, call (209) 812-4398 or (209) 378-2202. At the next two meetings, food items will be collected for donation to the Merced Rescue Mission, and items for boxes will be sent to military men and women overseas. For more information, call Veronika Beck at (209) 349-3971.

United Way coat drive

The United Way is sponsoring a coat drive to benefit those in need in the community. Please donate new or slightly used coats to United Way of Merced County at 658 W. Main St. They can be dropped off starting Monday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Menudo every Sunday

The nonprofit Club Mercedes serves menudo every Sunday at 569 W. Ninth St. Serving time is 8 a.m. until noon, or until sold out. Prices are $7 for a small bowl or $8 for a large bowl. Hot tortillas, sweet bread and coffee are included, $5 Bloody Mary specials and other beverages are available. For more information, call the club after 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at (209) 383-9906.

Hunting-fishing show

LOS BANOS The Hunting and Fishing Collectible Show is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 15, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 16 at The Sportsmen’s Club, 13989 Mercey Springs Road. The event will include wildlife/sporting art, antique duck decoys, rod, reels, tackle, lures, vintage hunting, fishing and all related items. Admission is $5; kids age 12 and under are free; and there will be free parking. Bring old decoys, and vintage hunting and fishing items for free appraisals. For more information, call (559) 259-5755.

Gardening seminar

Merced Gardens and Nursery will hold its final seminar of the year at 10 a.m. Saturday. Titled “Why Plant in the Fall? It’s Waterwise,” the seminar is presented by UCCE Master Gardeners, and will focus on fall planting and why it’s the best time of year to plant, particularly during drought conditions. Also included will be a brief segment on garden tool maintenance. A question-and-answer session will follow. Refreshments will be served. The seminar is free, but reservations are recommended at (209) 384-0513.

Free meals for veterans

Castle Air Museum is partnering with Home Town Buffet in Merced to offer veterans a free meal on Veterans Day. Veterans are also encouraged to come out to the Castle Air Museum that day for free admission, in honor of their service. The offer does not apply to family members or friends of veterans. For more information call (209) 723.2178.

Retired Women luncheon

The Merced College Retired Women’s monthly luncheon will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at La Hacienda 2, 3355 G St. Plans will be made for the group’s Christmas luncheon during the meeting. Come with ideas and available dates. Share the information with women who have retired, as the retiree list hasn’t been updated.

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity of Merced County will hold a volunteer orientation for all new volunteers 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at St. Paul Lutheran Church Outreach Ministry Center, 2916 N. McKee Road. For more information, call (209) 726-0850. Reserve a spot to ensure there are enough materials.

SPCA Luncheon

The Merced SPCA will have an enchilada/tostada luncheon from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 15 at Los Panchos, 2971 G St.. Tickets are $15, and gifts will be available for raffle. Raffle tickets are $1.

This story was originally published November 6, 2014 at 4:48 PM with the headline "AROUND TOWN."