Around Town (01/14/15)
Mercedians Against Fracking
Mercedians Against Fracking will hold its next meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 27 at United Methodist Church of Merced, 899 Yosemite Parkway. Parking is at the back of the church on Cypress Way. The program will include arrangements for the March for Real Climate Leadership in Oakland on Feb. 7. Come learn more and sign up for the chartered bus. For more information, call (209) 631-3235.
Essay contest
The Native Daughters of the Golden West is holding an essay contest for children in grades four through eight. The topic is “Wonders of California.” The essay can be on any subject relating to the state’s past, present, or even a personal journey. Essays must be original works of 250 to 500 words. Poems are not accepted. Name, address, school, grade level and phone number should be written on the back of the essay. Deadline is March 1. Winners will be awarded in May. For more information, call (209) 261-0720.
Cat Kingdom volunteer orientation
Last Hope Cat Kingdom will hold a volunteer orientation and training session starting at 10 a.m. Jan. 24, 6660 Bailey Road in Atwater. Volunteers for Last Hope must attend one of these sessions once a year for most types of volunteer activities. We have a variety of volunteer opportunities including caring for the cats, helping with adoptions, lawn work and mowing, fostering kittens or puppies, cleanup/painting/handyman projects, and helping with community and fundraising events. For more information, call volunteer coordinator Elena Blanton at (209) 261-5907.
Events at Kewl Kats
Karaoke at Kewl Kats is from 9 p.m. until close Monday through Thursday. Friday nights includes DJs, and live bands perform Saturday nights. Bands this month and February include Southern Breeze on Saturday, Kowhoon on Jan. 25, Night Flight on Jan. 31 and Feb. 14, Sound Remedy on Feb. 6-7 and Pruno on Feb. 21. For more information, visit kewlkats.net.
Crab and cioppino dinner
Buhach Pentecost Inc. will have its all-you-can-eat crab cioppino dinner Feb. 7 at 2880 N. Buhach Road. $45 for adults, $20 for children. No-host cocktails at 6 p.m., dinner at 7. Dance to live music by Flashback from 8 p.m. until midnight. For more information, call (209) 752-2503 or (209) 499-9097.
Take off Pounds Sensibly
TOPS, or Take Off Pounds Sensibly, meets Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. at 2300 Cascade Drive in the clubhouse at Castle Vista. Call (209) 628-9720 for more information.
New Beginnings Merced
New Beginnings Merced is a nonprofit dedicated to saving shelter animals and finding them new homes. The group needs volunteers, especially those who can care for kittens or dogs and their puppies for a short time. Help with photographing shelter animals is needed, as are people who can take them to rescue organizations, for which no personal vehicles are needed. Call (209) 769-2122.
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, 2015 at 5:48 PM with the headline "Around Town (01/14/15)."