Around Town (11/5/15)

Buddy Poppy Drive

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4327 of Merced will hold its Buddy Poppy Drive on Friday and Saturday. The VFW Buddy Poppy program provides compensation to the veterans who assemble the poppies, which have become the official memorial flower for the VFW. Donations, cans and tables will be set up from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily at multiple locations throughout Merced, including Save Mart, Walgreens, Bar-B-Q Pit and Paul’s Place. Donations will help support veteran programs, including the VFW National Home for Children.

Storytime at Barnes & Noble

Barnes & Noble will host a Storytime for Kids at 11 a.m. Saturday at 1720 W. Olive Ave. Children will hear “Rosie Revere, Engineer” and “Iggy Peck, Architect,” by Andrea Beaty. The event is free. For more information, call 209-386-0571.

Food Bank fundraiser

The second annual Share the Harvest with Grateful Hearts party to benefit the Merced County Food Bank will take place Saturday. Last year the benefit raised 3,000 pounds of food and $7,000 through community sponsorship. This year the goal is to raise $30,000 for the food bank’s senior brown bag program. The fundraiser will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at Vista Ranch and Cellars. Admission is free with a bag of nonperishable groceries.

Marine Corps birthday

The American Legion will celebrate the Marines Corps’ 240th birthday at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at 1939 W. Main St. The celebration includes a flag ceremony and cake-cutting at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call Gayle Callahan at 209-722-7366.

Gustine centennial

The city of Gustine will host several events in celebration of its 100th anniversary. On Nov. 12, a dairy sign dedication will be hosted at 2 p.m. at the Gustine Museum. On Nov. 14, a community social with cocktails and guest speakers will take place at 6 p.m. at the Al Goman Center. A time capsule burial ceremony will happen Nov. 21 at 11 a.m. at Henry Miller Park. Later that night, the celebration will conclude with a family party and movie night at the Al Goman Center at 6 p.m.

Kops for Kids fundraiser in Atwater

The Atwater City Fire Department will host a tri-tip dinner fundraiser for its annual Kops for Kids Toy Drive. The drive-thru event will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 14 at 699 Broadway Ave. in Atwater. Dinner for four, priced at $45, will include a whole barrel-smoked tri-tip, firehouse beans, salad and rolls. Tickets must be purchased in advance. For tickets and more information, call the department at 209-357-6352.

Enchilada fundraiser in Le Grand

The American Legion will be making enchiladas beginning at 8 a.m. Nov. 14 at American Legion Hall, 12560 Le Grand Road, Le Grand. The event is a fundraiser for scholarships for Le Grand and Planada high school students. For more information, call 209-917-0306 or 209-389-4654.

Crane Day at Wildlife Refuge

The Merced National Wildlife Refuge is inviting the public to participate in Crane Day birdwatching tours Nov. 14. The guided tours will be on buses traveling around the refuge to view the thousands of sandhill cranes and other wildlife that make the refuge their winter home. The refuge is at 7430 W. Sandy Mush Road. Meet at the front entrance kiosk. Tours will occur from 8 and 10 a.m. Space is limited, so call 209-826-3508 to reserve a spot. This event is free and open to all ages.

Save Our Youth essay contest

Children ages 7 to 11 can win prizes by participating in the Save Our Youth essay contest. Through their writing, children from the community will demonstrate their understanding of teasing, bullying, peer pressure, gang assimilation and drug use. On Nov. 28, children will read their essays in front of an audience at the Boys and Girls Club of Merced, 615 W. 15th St. For more entry information, call 209-489-7516.

This story was originally published November 4, 2015 at 2:15 PM with the headline "Around Town (11/5/15)."