Around Town (05/03/16)
Fair competition
The deadline to submit competitive entries for the 2016 Merced County Fair is 5 p.m. Thursday online or at the fairgrounds, 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. For the majority of entries, there is no fee. The handbook is at www.mercedcountyfair.com/#!exhibitor-handbook/y80sz and at the fairgrounds. Livestock competitive entries must be submitted online. For more information, call the fair office at 209-722-1506.
MCAG presentation
The Merced County Association of Governments is planning an hourlong presentation on the proposed half-cent sales tax to benefit transportation. It will be at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Los Banos Community Center, 645 Seventh St. For more information, call 209-723-3153, ext. 308, or email stacie.dabbs@mcagov.org.
Baby animal shower
The Stanislaus Wildlife Care Center will celebrate spring with its annual Baby Animal Shower from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. May 14 at the Wildlife Center at the Fox Grove Fishing Access, 1220 Geer Road in Hughson. They will be games, cookies and punch, face painting, T-shirts for sale, and kids’ crafts. There is no admission fee, but the center does accept gifts of supplies. The list of needs is at http://stanislauswildlife.org./2016BAS.html. For more information, call the center at 209-883-9414 or email SWCCenter@StanislausWildlife.org.
Tea party
Merced Gardens is planning its Mother’s Day Celebration, called “Succulent Tea Cup Party,” at 11 a.m. Saturday at 1007 Tahoe St. in Merced. Learn how to plant succulents in vintage tea cups. Take part in refreshments while shopping at the succulent sale and looking for special gifts for mom. There will be a free raffle. Register by calling 209-384-0513. For more information, go to mercedgardens.com/events-2.
Jazz guitar
Jazz guitarist Mikel Soria will bring his swing to kids’ songs at this month’s Second Saturdays performance from 10:30-11:15 a.m. May 14 at the Merced Multicultural Arts Center, 645 W. Main St. in Merced. Children can get in for $3 and adults attend free. This is the last Second Saturdays performance until October. The series is sponsored by the Merced County Office of Education and the Merced County Arts Council.
Arts & Spirits
The Merced County Arts Council and Arbor Gallery are planning to hold Art & Spirits on the third Friday of each month. The next evening of wine and painting is 5:30-8:30 p.m. May 20. An experienced Arbor Gallery artist will show participants everything they need to know and all refreshments and supplies are included in the $35 charge. The artist for May is Rose Tripp. Space is limited. Call the Multicultural Arts Center at 209-388-1090 or email director@artsmerced.org.
Butterfly Day
Learn about butterflies from 1-3 p.m. Saturday at the Rossotti Ed-Zoo-Cation Center at Applegate Park Zoo, 1045 W. 25th St. in Merced. Learn about the creatures, then participate in a release of live monarch and painted lady butterflies inside the zoo. Free with paid zoo admission. For more information, call 209-385-6840.
Country breakfast
The Country Breakfast & Village Store will be held at 7:30 a.m.-noon May 15 at Livingston United Methodist Church, 11695 Olive Ave. in Livingston. Ham and eggs, fruit, and a choice of pancakes or biscuits and gravy are available for $10 for adults and $5 for children 10 or younger. For more information, call 209-394-2264. Advance tickets available.
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 May 2, 2016 at 4:28 PM with the headline "Around Town (05/03/16)."