Around Town (11/20/14)

Free turkeys

Free turkeys will be distributed to less fortunate families at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Merced County Fairgrounds, 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Merced, and 2 p.m. Monday at the Los Banos Fairgrounds, 403 F St., Los Banos. Hostetler Ranches will distribute 500 turkeys and 500 bags of almonds at both sites, limit one per household. For more information, email HostetlerTurkeys@gmail.com.

Book signing

A book signing with Louis Agnello Jr., otherwise known as “Cousin Vinny,” is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at Second Time Around Books, 524 W. Main St. Agnello wrote “The Devil’s Glove,” which is about baseball, choices and lessons learned the hard way. Agnello believes there is a spiritual message that young people can benefit from.

Mobile office hours

State Sen. Anthony Cannella’s staff, along with Assemblyman Adam Gray, will hold mobile office hours in Los Banos and Dos Palos today. Hours will be 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 520 J St., Los Banos, and 2:30 to 4 p.m. at 2174 Blossom St., Dos Palos. Staff can help constituents with DMV, Employment Development Department or matters involving other state agencies or state legislation. Call Cannella’s Merced office at (209) 726-5495 or Gray’s office at (209) 726-5465 to make an appointment.

Mental health meeting

The monthly meeting of the Merced County Mental Health Board will be from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Dec. 2 at 1137 B St. Cara Rupp and Jon Masuda will give a presentation on current services at the Wellness Center.

Holiday open house

The public is invited to experience a Community Christmas at the Merced County Courthouse Museum from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 7. The museum has decked the halls and filled the rooms of its historic building with close to 70 Christmas trees. Treats and traditional eggnog will be served. Live entertainment at 1 p.m. The event is free to the public. The Courthouse Museum is at 21st and N streets.

Lighted tree forest

The city of Livingston will host its first annual Court of Trees “A Lighted Christmas Tree Forest” on the Old Court Theater property in downtown Livingston. The city has invited schools, nonprofits, families, clubs, churches, businesses and neighbors to get a tree and decorate it to represent them. The Lighted Christmas Tree Forest will be unveiled at 6 p.m. Dec. 5 before the annual lighted Christmas Parade. It will then be open with lights daily from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6-24. For more information, call Livingston’s recreation department at (209) 394-8830.

Thanksgiving meal

The Merced County Rescue Mission will hold its annual Thanksgiving meal for the less fortunate from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 27 at the American Legion, 939 W. Main St.

Thanksgiving dinner

Livingston United Methodist Church will have its annual Thanksgiving dinner at noon Sunday inside Pioneer Hall, 11695 Olive Ave., Livingston. Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy will be supplied. All are welcome. Come and bring your favorite Thanksgiving side dish to share. The gathering is free, but donations will be accepted to help offset the cost. For more information, call (209) 394-2264.

Christmas Parade

The Atwater Chamber of Commerce will holds its annual Christmas Parade at 7 p.m. Dec. 5. The theme this year is “Winter Wonderland.” The entry fee is $35 and entry deadline is Nov. 24. Applications may be picked up at the chamber office, 1181 Third St., Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to noon; or go to www.atwaterchamberofcommerce.com.

This story was originally published November 19, 2014 at 6:38 PM with the headline "Around Town (11/20/14)."