Around Town, Dec. 17, 2014

Homeless memorial

The third annual Homeless Memorial is scheduled for 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Applegate Park amphitheater. The event is to recognize homeless people in the community who’ve died. Hot chocolate and pastries will be available, and coats will be given out to those in need. The Merced County Human Services Agency’s choir is scheduled to sing. For information, call Juan Villa at (209) 761-8775.

Free turkeys, almonds and cheese

Free turkeys and bags of almonds will be distributed by Hostetler Ranches to less fortunate families at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Merced County Fairgrounds, 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Merced. At the same time, Joseph Gallo Farms plans to giveaway 1,000 pounds of cheese. For more information, email HostetlerTurkeys@gmail.com.

Christmas Eve service

Central Presbyterian Church will have two Christmas Eve services – a family service at 4 p.m. and a candlelight service at 6 p.m. Dec. 24. Both services are in the church sanctuary, 1920 Canal St. in Merced. Child care is available. For more information, call (209) 723-0491.

New Year’s Eve Party

Club Mercedes is scheduled to present a New Year’s Eve Party featuring Donnie and the Wayrads. Tickets are $15 per person and you must be 21 and over to attend. The club is at 569 West 9th St. in Merced. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the music is from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. A full beverage bar is available at extra cost. There will be finger foods at 10 p.m. and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets can be purchased by calling (209) 777-6750 or the club after 4 p.m., (209) 383-9906.

McNamara ribbon-cutting

The staff of the McNamara Youth Center plans a ribbon-cutting ceremony from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 30 at the building in McNamara Park, 1040 Canal St., to celebrate the reopening of the center. A team of five nonprofits will run the building after it opens at no cost to the city of Merced for staff time. For more on the event, call Kelly Turner at (682) 553-2366.

Winter dance social

A dance social is planned from 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 28 at the Merced Senior Community Center, 755 W. 15th St. A variety of swing, fox trot, Latin and polka tunes will be played by Gloria Coronas and George Rego. Cost is $8 per person, doors open at 1:30 and refreshments are available. For more, call (209) 723-0839.

Christmas Eve meal

The Merced Rescue Mission plans its annual free Christmas Eve meal for the needy from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 24 at the American Legion Hall, 939 W. Main St. For more on the meal, call Phil Schmauss at (209) 658-9558.

Spirit of Christmas luncheon

The 23rd annual Spirit of Christmas luncheon will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Boys & Girls Club, 615 W. 15th St. in Merced. The dinner is free and open to all. Participants will be treated to a luncheon and free groceries. To donate or for information, contact Joe at (209) 726-5251.

This story was originally published December 16, 2014 at 5:25 PM with the headline "Around Town, Dec. 17, 2014."