Around Town (01/14/16)
Driving Courses
The Merced College Noncredit Program is offering Mature Driver Improvement classes in January. Many insurance companies offer discounts to drivers 50 and older who complete this course. The first Mature Driver Improvement class will take place on Jan. 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Atwater Community Cener, 760 Bellevue Road. A Bus Driver Training and Recertification course for potential drivers and current drivers who need recertification hours will take place at Merced College, Room AG-10, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting Jan. 23. There are no registration fees for these classes. For more information, call the Continuing Education Office at 209-381-6540.
Communication in the Workplace Workshop
The Greater Merced Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Merced College Customer Service Academy, will offer a two-day workshop on “Communication in the Workplace.” The workshop will be held Jan. 21 and 28 from 8 a.m. to noon and repeated from 1 to 5 p.m. The workshop is just $23 and earns a half-unit of college credit. Topics will include verbal and non-verbal communication skills as well as superior listening skills. The importance of excellent communication with customers and co-workers will be stressed. This workshop is the first in a series of classes in the Customer Service Academy that will be offered at the Business Resource Center, 630 W. 19th St. in Merced. For more information, call the Merced College Workplace Learning Resource Center at 209-386-6733.
Digital Camera Basics
Merced College Community Services will offer Digital Camera Basics classes from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays from Jan. 23 through Feb. 6. The cost is $125 per participant. For more information, call 209-384-6224 or email communitysvc@mccd.edu.
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, snow pants. Items can be dropped off at 658 West Main St. For more information, call 209-383-4242.
Knights of Columbus Basketball Contest
The Atwater Knights of Columbus will sponsor their annual Basketball Free Throw Contest on Jan. 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Winton Middle School gym, 6300 Cypress Ave. Boys and girls ages 9 to 14 can compete for trophies. Lunch will be served to all contestants. Participants are required to produce proof of age and parental consent. For more information, call Jose or Sal Walle at 209-819-0180 or 209-349-1557.
Save Our Youth Essay Contest
Save Our Youth, a Merced-based nonprofit, is taking entries for its essay-writing contest for children 7 to 11 years old. The essays must be submitted by Feb. 24, and tutoring sessions for essay writing are set for 4 to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 20, Feb. 3 and Feb. 17 at the Save Our Youth Leadership Academy, 1903 G St. The top six essays will be awarded prizes from $20 to $75. For more information, call Dolores Slaton at 209-489-7516 or email saveouryouth.dslaton@aol.com.
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 January 13, 2016 at 3:21 PM with the headline "Around Town (01/14/16)."