Around Town (9/24/2015)

VFW karaoke night in Atwater

The Atwater chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will host a karaoke night from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday at 1390 Broadway Ave. in Atwater.

Stephan Gray Memorial Golf Tournament in Atwater

The 10th annual Stephan Gray Memorial Fund/Merced Police Officers Association Golf Tournament tees off at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Rancho Del Rey Golf Club, 5250 Green Sands Ave. in Atwater. The cost is $100 per person. Sponsorships are available for $100 and $250. For more information, call 209-756-2422.

Story time at Barnes & Noble

Barnes & Noble will host a Storytime for Kids event at 11 a.m. Saturday at 1720 W. Olive Ave. Children can hear the story “Max the Brave,” by Ed Vere. The event is free. For more information, call 209-386-0571.

Merced Gardens and Nursery class

Merced Gardens and Nursery will host a holiday herb bowl “make and take” class Saturday. Supplies and instruction provided. Materials cost $12. Seating is limited. For reservations, call 209-384-0513. For more information, go to www.mercedgardens.com.

Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge in Livingston

All boys and girls ages 9 to14 are invited to participate in the local-level competition for the 2015 Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge. The free local competition will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Livingston’s Max Foster Sports Complex, 2600 Walnut Ave. Participants can win trophies and soccer balls. Entry forms are available at Livingston City Hall, 1416 C St., or at www.facebook.com/kofc9363. For more information, call Alex French at 209-628-8743.

El Nido school’s 100th celebration

A centennial celebration will be held 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at El Nido Elementary School, 161 E. El Nido Road, El Nido. All are invited to attend. There will be a catered tri-tip and chicken lunch. The cost is $18 for adults, $8 for children ages 5 to 7. Children under 5 receive free admission. For more information, call 209-761-3189 or 209-205-0904.

Annual Women’s Day program in Chowchilla

Dr. R.L. Walker and the Galilee Missionary Baptist Church are celebrating their annual Women’s Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at 22491 Fairmead Blvd. in Chowchilla. Velda Dobson-Davis, pastor, will be the morning speaker. Pastor Charles Bostic will be the afternoon speaker. Lunch will be served from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m.

Excellence in Education awards

The Merced County Office of Education and the Educational Employees Credit Union will host the annual Excellence in Education awards ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Merced Theatre, 301 W. Main St. The program, formerly “Teacher of the Year,” now has two categories: one for teachers and one for other school employees. The awards ceremony is free. To RSVP or for more information, call Stacie Arancibia at 209-381-5910 or email events@mcoe.org.

Bus driver training/recertification class

The Merced College noncredit program is offering a 36-hour course in bus driver training/recertification. This class is designed to improve the bus driver’s public relations ability and to provide basic and refresher course information on vehicle checkout procedures, first aid and emergency procedures. The class is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays at Merced College’s agriculture building, 3600 M St., Room AG-10, from Oct. 3 to Nov 7. There are no registration fees. To register, call 209-381-6540.

New Beginnings fundraiser

New Beginnings for Merced County Animals is hosting “Whine and Whiskers,” a wine and hors d’oeuvres fundraiser from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 9 at Pageo Lavender Farms, 11573 Golf Link Road in Turlock. Tickets are $30 each or $300 for a table sponsorship and may be obtained at Christina’s Fine Clothing in the Bear Creek Plaza, Maciel & Co. in the Merced Mall or Valley Animal Hospital. For more information, call 209-723-8953. All proceeds provide for medical expenses for injured or abused animals and for the costs of transporting animals to no-kill rescues.

This story was originally published September 23, 2015 at 3:08 PM with the headline "Around Town (9/24/2015)."