Around Town (11-12-14)

Topic is identity theft

Edward J. Lund, certified risk management consultant with Harvard Risk Management Corp., will be the speaker at the monthly Keen-Agers Luncheon at Atwater Baptist Church, 2124 First Str., at noon Nov. 19. Lund will discuss identity theft issues and answer questions.

Income tax assistance training

Training for volunteer income tax assistance will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 21-22. Attendees will learn to prepare tax returns and volunteer at least four hours per week during tax season. Call United Way at (209) 383-4242 to register. Limited seating.

Financial aid for education

Women who serve as the primary wage earners for their families and seek financial assistance to continue their higher education or receive training can apply for the Soroptimist Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women. Contact Geri Brown at (209) 723-2990 or justnow@comcast.net for applications. Deadline is Saturday. The Merced club has up to $3,000 to grant recipients, who will then advance to the Soroptimist Sierra Pacific Region level, where the award is up to $5,000. The program culminates with three finalists and awards up to $10,000.

Fall Bazaar

A Fall Bazaar will be held at Ava Fitness from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, 1505 E. Robertson Ave., Chowchilla. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

Turkey Trot Fun Run

The Merced Running Club’s Turkey Trot Fun Run is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. Nov. 22 in Merced’s Applegate Park. For information or to register, contact Terry Richardson at (209) 769-2855 or TLRRUN@hotmail.com.

Retired Women luncheon

The Merced College Retired Women will meet for their monthly luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at La Hacienda 2, 3355 G St. Plans will be made for our Christmas luncheon. Come with ideas and available dates. Share the information with women who have retired, as our retiree list hasn’t been updated in several years.

Merced County Republican Women

The Merced County Republican Women’s monthly meeting will be at the Branding Iron on Monday with veteran Casey McFarland as speaker. Social time is at 11:30 a.m. Lunch and meeting starts at noon. Make reservations by Thursday. Call (209) 812-4398 or (209) 378-2202. At the next two meetings, bring food items to donate to the Merced Rescue Mission and items for boxes that will be sent to military men and women overseas. We also sponsor two $500 scholarships in our community. For details, call Veronika Beck, (209) 349-3971.

Coat drive

The United Way is sponsoring a coat drive to benefit those in need in the community. Please drop off new or slightly used coats to United Way of Merced County at 658 W. Main St., Merced between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Hunting and Fishing Collectible Show

The Hunting and Fishing Collectible Show will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at The Sportsmen’s Club, 13989 Mercey Springs Road in Los Banos. The event will include wildlife/sporting art, antique duck decoys, rods, reels, tackle, lures, and vintage hunting, fishing and related items. Admission is $5, kids age 12 and under are free. Free parking and free appraisals . For information, call (559) 259-5755.

This story was originally published November 11, 2014 at 6:16 PM with the headline "Around Town (11-12-14)."