Around Town (12/21/2015)
Republican Women Christmas meeting
The Merced County Republican Women’s meeting Monday will be special. The Classic Christmas Carolers will perform for the group wearing old-fashioned caroler costumes and strolling around the tables. The meeting is set for 11:30 a.m. and lunch is served at noon at the Branding Iron. Items for Toys for Tots will be collected.
Merced library volunteers
Friends of the Merced County Library invites you to check out its bookstore just inside the main branch at 2100 O St. The library offers hardbacks, paperbacks, CDs, DVDs, VCR tapes, children’s books, audiobooks and lots of other things for sale, including Christmas cards at 10 cents each. All are donated. Prices range from 25 cents to $2. All proceeds go to the library to buy new materials. Volunteers are needed. Anyone who has time each month to man the bookstore is asked to please drop by and fill out an application. Donations of newer paperbacks are needed, also.
United Way Winter Coat Drive
United Way Of Merced County’s Winter Coat Drive runs until Jan. 30. The following items can be donated: coats, hats, gloves, boots, shoes, scarves and snow pants. Items can be dropped off at 658 W Main St. For more information, call 209-383-4242.
CASA volunteer training class
Court Appointed Special Advocates of Merced County will begin a new volunteer advocate training class Jan. 20. An orientation is scheduled for 10 a.m. Dec. 29. CASA is a nonprofit organization that trains volunteers to provide support and advocacy for abused and neglected children in the Merced County foster care system. For more information, call 209-722-227.
Annual Mochi Tsuki
Livingston United Methodist Church will host its annual Mochi Tsuki (rice pounding) on Dec. 28. Sales will be by advance order only. The price will be $5 per pound for plain mochi and $2 a piece for ahn mochi. You can place your order by calling the church office at 209-394-2264 from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, or leave your order on the message machine (please clearly state how much you are ordering, and your name, address and phone number). All orders should be made by Dec. 23. Your orders will be ready for pickup from 1 to 4 p.m. only on Monday in Pioneer Hall. If you cannot pick up your order by 4 p.m., please let us know who can pick it up for you. Mochi Tsuki is an interesting tradition. Anyone who would like to help or observe will be welcome; the best time to come by is 10 a.m. so you can see all aspects of the process in motion.
Behavioral Health Board meeting
The next meeting for the Merced County Behavioral Health Board will take place Jan. 5 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Mental Health Department, 1137 B Street. The meeting is open to the public.
Aikido classes
Merced College Community Services will be offering aikido classes Jan. 5 through Feb. 25 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The cost is $65 per participant. For more information, call 209-384-6224 or email communitysvc@mccd.edu.
Crab Feed for American Legion Baseball
The second annual Crab Feed supporting the young players in the American Legion baseball program will be held Jan. 9 at the Legion Hall, 939 W. Main St., Merced. All the crab and pasta you can eat, with salad, rolls, butter and dessert, will be served from 6 to 9 p.m. Adult beverages and wine will be available for purchase. Bring your own hot butter bowl. Numerous and valuable raffle prizes will be available and several former big league players are expected to be in attendance. Tickets are $50 each and are available from players or coaches at McNamara’s Sporting Goods, the Post 83 bar and BrownPaperTickets.com. For information or to reserve tickets, call Bob Montano at 209-777-0502, Rollo Adams at 209-605-3113 or Post 83 at 209-722-0904.
Belly dance fitness levels I and II
Merced College Community Services will be offering belly dance fitness levels I and II on Jan. 19 through Feb. 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The cost is $60 per participant. For more information, call 209-384-6224 or email communitysvc@mccd.edu.
If you would like to have an event announced in Around Town, send information to aroundtown@mercedsunstar.com at least 10 days before the event. Items run according to space available.
This story was originally published December 20, 2015 at 2:46 PM with the headline "Around Town (12/21/2015)."