Around Town (07/22/16)
Civil grand jury
Merced Superior Court Judge Paul Lo announced a new panel of government watchdogs to serve on the 2016-2017 Merced County civil grand jury. The civil grand jury investigates complaints regarding government agencies, including county and city government, special districts and school districts. It is responsible for issuing reports on its findings. Recommendations are not binding, but government agencies must respond in writing. The new jurors are from Merced, Gustine, Santa Nella, Winton, Atwater, Los Banos, Cressey, Livingston and Ballico. For more information, call 209-725-4127.
Free smog vouchers
The Valley Air District and a nonprofit group plan “Tune In & Tune Up,” a program that hands out $500 vouchers for cars that need smog repair, from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Chowchilla Fairgrounds, 1000 S. Third St., Chowchilla. First-come, first-served. For more information, go to www.valleycan.org or call 800-806-2004.
Workforce meeting
Merced College and the Greater Merced Chamber of Commerce are hosting a free informational meeting and breakfast for community members and local businesses interested in learning more about the workforce development programs offered by the college from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Bridal Veil Room of Gateway Gardens, 560 W. 18th St., Merced. Reservations are requested by Monday. For more information, call 209-384-7092 or email sandra@mercedchamber.com.
Online counseling
Merced College’s Counseling Department is offering online counseling for students at www.mccd.edu/resources/counseling/online-counseling.html. For more information, email Michael McCandless at mccandless.m@mccd.edu or Tomasia Drummond at tomasia.drummond@mccd.edu. The 2016 fall semester begins Aug. 15. For more information, call 209-384-6000.
Livingston Night Out
Livingston’s National Night out is from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Aug. 2 at Livingston Police Department, 1446 C St., Livingston. It is free. The department will showcase equipment used during critical incidents, police horses, police dogs and vehicles. McGruff the Crime Dog will be on hand as will animal control. The Livingston Gang Unit will provide information to parents about gangs and gang-related clothes. For more information, call the station at 209-394-7916.
Merced Night Out
Merced’s main National Night Out event is from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 2 at Applegate Park, 1040 W. 25th St. The event is free. The National Night Out celebration will include more than 40 vendors featuring free food, free Kiddieland rides, music, raffle prizes, free zoo entry, and public safety displays and information. For more information, call Eugene Drummond, Merced Police Department community liaison, at 209-385-6297.
Mono powwow
The Sierra Mono Museum invites the public to the 45th annual Indian Fair Days and Pow-Wow from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 6-7 at Minarets High School, 45077 North Fork Road, O’Neals. The event is full of music, dance, culture and more. For more information, call the museum at 559-877-2115 or email staffmonomuseum@gmail.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 July 21, 2016 at 4:55 PM with the headline "Around Town (07/22/16)."