Around Town (07/30/16)

Backpack giveaway

Children ages 5 to 12 can receive free backpacks being given away Saturday at the Merced Mall Verizon Wireless store from noon to 3 p.m. About 125 backpacks will be offered, complete with school supplies. No purchase is necessary. For more information, call 209-723-3981.

Public pool

The McNamara Pool is open for recreational swimming from 3-6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. The cost is $1 for youths and $2 for adults. Fridays are “Free Swim Fridays,” courtesy of the Satellite Rotary Club, for anyone under 18. For more, call 209-385-6235.

Free oil filter

The Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority is offering a free oil filter exchange event throughout Merced County in which residents can take used oil filters to any AutoZone or O’Reilly Auto Parts store within Merced County and receive new filters for free on any Saturday or Sunday in July. For more, visit www.mercedrecycles.com/usedoilfilters.html or call 209-723-4481 ext. 24.

Public health

The Merced County Department of Public Health has set several community health planning meetings in July and August. The final three will be held 6-8 p.m. in Dos Palos on Monday at Del Hale Hall, 931 Center Ave.; on Wednesday at the Miller and Lux building at 830 Sixth St. in Los Banos; and Gustine on Aug. 8 at the Al Goman Community Center, 745 Linden Ave. For more, email Sureyma Gonzalez at sgonzalez@resourcedevelopment.net.

Habitat volunteers

Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers at the next volunteer orientation from 7-8 p.m. Aug. 3 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church library, 2916 N. McKee Road, Merced. The meeting is meant to teach volunteers about Habitat locally and globally. To answer questions or for reservations, call 209-726-0850.

Extreme reg

Students looking for one-stop shopping for college classes can go to Extreme Registration events at 9 a.m. Aug. 6 at the Merced College main campus, 3600 M St., or at the Los Banos campus, 22240 Highway 152. Prospective students will be able to meet with counselors, attend academic planning workshops, go through assessment, select classes, and purchase textbooks and parking passes. Merced College will provide lunch and beverages for all participants. For more, call 209-384-6000.

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 will be full of music, dance, culture and more. For more, call the museum at 559-877-2115 or email staffmonomuseum@gmail.com.

Guest preacher

Former Dos Palos Mayor Johnny Mays, an evangelist and author of “The Achilles Heal of God,” will be a guest speaker at three services at 9 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. Aug. 7. at Merced First Assembly of God, 1350 Yosemite Parkway, Merced. More information about his ministry is at www.nationalight.net. For more, call 209-383-6130.

AHS reunion

Atwater High School’s Classes of 1960-65 are planning a reunion Sept. 24 at the APC Hall, 1420 Third St., Atwater. For more, email Kay Riley McAtee at georgemcatee@sbcglobal.net, Geri Perry Freitas at gerrian@sbcglobal.net or call Jo-Ann Neves Green at 209-358-7482.

Youth Center

The McNamara Youth Center in the park is open for drop-in activities from 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1040 Canal St. For more, call 209-385-6235.

This story was originally published July 29, 2016 at 6:10 PM with the headline "Around Town (07/30/16)."