Around Town, Jan. 28, 2015

Merced SPCA meeting

Merced SPCA will hold its first meeting of the year at 7 p.m. Monday at First Baptist Church, 500 Buena Vista Drive in Merced.

River Partners seeks volunteers

River Partners needs volunteers Saturday at Great Valley Grasslands State Park to help spread native grass seed. It’s an opportunity for college students looking for volunteer hours or for the general public to get outdoors. Dress in layers; waterproof boots recommended but not necessary. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Fremont Ford Boat Launch parking lot, 23858 Highway 140 in Stevinson. The event ends at 1 p.m. Bring water and snack. For more information, call Michelle Andreetta (530) 513-1089 or email mandreetta@riverpartners.org.

Sweetheart Gala

Members of the Merced, Atwater and Mariposa area chapters of Beta Sigma Phi will be holding their 66th annual Sweetheart Gala. The Gala will be on Feb. 14 at the Merced Golf and Country Club. Cocktail hour is at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. and dancing afterward. Tickets are $38. For more information, call Ruth at (209) 723-1169.

Indoor soccer

Merced’s Recreation Department and the Indoor Sports Center will offer indoor youth soccer on Saturdays in March and April for ages 3 and 10 at the Indoor Sports Center. Cost is $45 plus an additional $10 for the uniform. Registration deadline is Feb. 7. Register at 1033 W. Main St. or call (209) 385-6298 for more information.

McDaniel to hold mobile office hours

District 3 Supervisor Daron McDaniel has scheduled mobile office hours for Thursday at Atwater City Hall. The public is encouraged to use the time to voice opinions and talk with McDaniel regarding subjects of interest or emerging issues. District 3 Atwater mobile office hours are scheduled to happen from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. every fourth Thursday of the month at Atwater City Hall, 750 Bellevue Road. Contact McDaniel at (209) 385-7366 or Dist3@co.merced.ca.us.

Merced Symphony Winter Pops Concert

The Merced Symphony Winter Pops Concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Merced Theatre. Conducted by Ming Luke, the concert will feature movie themes and classics with a western flavor, according to the symphony’s website. The theater is at 301 W. Main St. Tickets are $39 general admission and $14 for students. For tickets, visit tickets.mercedtheatre.org or call (209) 381-0500.

Merced High FFA Crab Feed

The second annual Merced High School FFA Crab Feed will be held Saturday at the Merced High gym. Doors open at 5 p.m., followed by a silent auction at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. As part of the dinner portion of the event, there will also be a dessert auction and a live auction. The event is this FFA chapter’s largest fundraiser. The funds are used for out-of-area FFA trips, leadership conferences and chapter supplies. Tickets for the event are $45 each. For more information or to get tickets, call (209) 631-4769, (209) 777-2124 or (209) 777-1575.

Essay contest

The Native Daughters of the Golden West are holding an essay contest for children in fourth through eighth grades. The topic is “Wonders of California.” The essay may be any subject relating to the state, past, present or even a personal journey. Essays must be 250 to 500 words and original work. 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.

This story was originally published January 27, 2015 at 4:16 PM with the headline "Around Town, Jan. 28, 2015."