Around Town (08/31/16)

Behavioral health

The next Merced County Behavioral Health Board meeting is 3 to 5 p.m. Sept. 6 at the county building, 1137 B St., which is open to the public. For more, call 209-381-6805.

CASA volunteers

The Court Appointed Special Advocates program is looking for volunteers for children in foster care. Children removed from their parents’ home and placed in the home of a stranger are confused, frightened and uncertain as to what the future holds. CASA provides the child with a sense of security, as well as serving in the critical role for the court system. The next orientation meeting is 11 a.m. Sept. 7 at the CASA office, 2824 Park Ave., Suite A. Call the office at 209-722-2272 to reserve a seat.

Cotton festival

The 47th annual Dos Palos Cotton Festival is Sept. 8 to 11 at O’Banion Park, 931 Center Ave., Dos Palos. The festival will include carnival rides and games, live music, a softball tournament, a rib dinner and dozens of other food options. A pageant and parade are also planned. For more, call Donald Vincent at 209-761-5422.

Shrimp feed

The Merced Elks Lodge will host the annual Shrimp Feed Fundraiser at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at the lodge, 1910 M St. Doors open and a no-host bar is available at 5 p.m. A raffle will follow the dinner. Tickets are $40 and include all-you-can-eat shrimp, pasta, coleslaw and bread. Proceeds to benefit local lodge charities. For tickets or more, call 209-723-1240 or stop by the lodge between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Golf tourney

Merced High School Baseball Dugout Club will host the seventh annual Grant Kuhr Memorial Golf Tournament Sept. 10 at Merced Golf and Country Club, 6333 Golf Road, Merced. Proceeds go to the Merced High School Baseball Program. Player registration is $125 and due by Aug. 31. Registration and a putting contest begin at noon. Tee time is at 1 p.m. Other contests included. There will be a raffle as well. For more, call Kara Parle at 209-769-5272.

Blues Avenue

Club Mercedes presents Blues Avenue, an old school, funk, Latin and R&B musical act, from 8 to 11 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Hall, 569 West Ninth St., Merced. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. No-host snack bar available. Entry is $10 per person (must be 21 years and older). For tickets or for more, call the club after 4 p.m. at 209-383-9906. Proceeds to benefit the club’s youth scholarships and other programs.

Columbia Park event

Back to School Night 1861 at Columbia Historic State Park, sponsored by Friends of Columbia State Historic Park, will be 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 17 at the historic school on the hill, 11255 Jackson St., Columbia. Festivities begin with music, costume dress-up, hand-cranked ice cream, 1861 school lessons in the downstairs and tours of the upstairs led by costumed docents. For more, call the park office at 209-588-9128 or visit www.parks.ca.gov/columbia.

World dance

Learn easy folk dances from around the world during a Merced College class 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays between Sept. 28 and Nov. 2 at Merced College GYM-4. Cost is $40. For more, call the office at 209-384-6224 or register at www.mercedcommunityservices.com.

This story was originally published August 30, 2016 at 2:35 PM with the headline "Around Town (08/31/16)."