Around Town (08/10/16)

Pool party

Challenged Family Resource Center invites families of people with special needs to a pool party 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday at McNamara Park, 1040 Canal St., Merced. Pizza and drinks will be provided. To reserve a spot, call 209-384-0119.

BBQ Cook Off

Club Mercedes’ third annual BBQ Cook Off is open to the public at noon Saturday at the club, 569 W. Ninth St., Merced. There’s a $5 cover charge for adults, and $3 for children 5 at 12. Teams of up to four people can now submit entry forms and the entry fee of $50 to compete. Rules can be picked up at the club after 4 p.m. or by calling Danny Tapetillo at 209-769-7252. There will be a meeting for all cooks at 6 p.m. the day before the cook off in the club’s lounge. For more information, call the club at 209-383-9906.

Welcome Week

Merced College’s fall semester begins with Welcome Week on Monday and Tuesday. Six tables will have information for students, including class schedules, classroom locations, add/drop forms, and other basic information. For more on enrolling in classes, call 209-384-6000 or visit www.mccd.edu.

Sewing for seniors

Merced College offers a free needle crafts and sewing class for older adults 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays from Aug. 16 to Dec. 13 at Wilson Middle School Library, 1209 Robertson Blvd., Chowchilla. For more, call 209-381-6540.

Refs needed

The city of Livingston will begin the annual Youth Soccer Season and is looking for referees. Refs must be 15 or older, have knowledge of soccer’s rules and have played at least two years. Those interested can pick up an application at City Hall, 1416 C St., Livingston, or go to www.livingstoncity.com. The Recreation Department will provide training. For more, call the Livingston Recreation Department at 209-394-8830.

Interpreter class

Merced College offers a Spanish-language court interpreter class for nine weeks from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 20 to Oct. 15 at Merced College Education Center, Building 5. The class prepares students to take the state or federal exams for Spanish language interpreters. For more, call 209-381-6540.

NAMI classes

Merced County’s affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness offers a free Family-to-Family Education weekly classes from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 1 at Merced County’s Mental Health Department building, 480 E. 13th St. It’s a 12-week course. Classes are pending sufficient enrollment. For more or to enroll, call 209-381-6844 or email namimerced@aol.com.

Bloss BBQ

The Atwater Historical Society plans the third annual Mr. Bloss’ barbecue and installation of officers dinner at 7 p.m. Sept. 10 at the grounds of the Bloss home, 1020 Cedar Ave., Atwater. The social hour is at 6 p.m. All proceeds go to the Bloss Home Restoration Fund. Tickets are limited. Call for tickets by Aug. 29. Kathy, 209-658-4766, or Greg, 209-358-2260.

Gun raffle

Wetlands South, a nonprofit that looks to preserve wetlands in the Central Valley, and the Cook family plan a drawing for a Weatherby .270 Magnum in memory of “Grandpa Sam” and “Brother Sam Cook.” Limited tickets are available at $100. For tickets email Bob Cook at wetlandsouth@comcast.net or go to wetlandsouth.weebly.com.

This story was originally published August 9, 2016 at 3:01 PM with the headline "Around Town (08/10/16)."