Around Town (2/26/15)

MS educational program

A program titled “Mood and Cognition in Multiple Sclerosis: What You Can Do” is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church, 500 Buena Vista Drive in Merced. The program explores why and how people with multiple sclerosis experience changes in mood and cognitive functioning, and provides the latest information on how these symptoms can be addressed. To register, call (800) 344-4867.

MC gallery seeks exhibitions

The Merced College Art Gallery is considering solo and group exhibit proposals for the upcoming fall and spring semesters. The gallery coordinator and art faculty schedule six exhibits for the academic year. Artists are encouraged to submit a portfolio for this year’s selection process. Portfolios need to be mailed or delivered to the gallery for review. Please include 20 digital images of artwork, artist bio and an artist statement. A self-addressed, stamped envelope should be included if materials need to be returned. Deadline for entries is March 30. For more information, contact Susanne French, art gallery coordinator, at (209) 384-6064 or french.s@mccd.edu.

Volunteer literacy tutors sought

Volunteer literacy tutors are being sought to help adults at Merced County libraries. Call the Read and Succeed Merced Adult Literacy Program at (209) 385-7391 to reserve your space at an informational orientation 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Merced County Library, 2100 O St. in Merced, or 6 to 7:30 p.m. March 18 at the Los Banos Library, 1312 Seventh St. in Los Banos. Participants must be 18 or older and have a high school diploma or GED. Reservation required.

Merced College trip plans

The Merced College Community Services office plans a trip that will feature a bus headed to Columbia State Historic Park in California’s Gold Country, where the town is as it was 150 years ago. The trip is planned from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 7, and it will include a viewing of musical “Mary Poppins.” The cost is $79 per person, which includes transportation, refreshments and play admission. For more, contact the office at (209) 384-6224 or visit www.mercedcommunityservices.com.

CHP offers driver’s safety class for seniors

The California Highway Patrol has invited residents over the age of 55 to attend a driver’s safety education class in March. The class is scheduled 12:30 p.m. March 16 at the Merced area CHP office, 1500 Bell Drive in Atwater. The class is free, but space is limited. To reserve a spot, contact Officer Moises Onsurez at (209) 356-2958.

Story time in Merced, Livingston

Come join the fun at 10 a.m. Wednesdays for Baby Story Time and at 10:30 and 11:15 a.m. Fridays for Preschool Story Times at the Merced County Library, 2100 O St. Preschool Story Time is 10:30 a.m. Thursdays at the Livingston branch of the library, 1212 Main St. Story time helps increase children’s print awareness and vocabulary and instills a love of books. Call the Merced library at (209) 385-7484 or the Livingston library at (209) 394-7330.

Classes for kids

Merced College Community Services is offering several great classes for kids beginning in March. Classes include junior blue devil beginning water polo and junior blue devil splashball. Classes will begin March 17. For more information, call (209) 384-6224.

This story was originally published February 25, 2015 at 7:22 PM with the headline "Around Town (2/26/15)."