Around Town (11-11-14)

Free meals for veterans

Castle Air Museum is partnering with Home Town Buffet in Merced to offer veterans a free meal on Veterans Day. Veterans are also encouraged to come out to the Castle Air Museum on that day and receive free admission in honor of their service. The offer does not apply to family members or friends of the veterans. For more information, call (209) 723-2178.

Drivers for veterans

Disabled American Veterans is looking for men and women to be volunteer drivers for veterans. Volunteering to drive a veteran ensures that even those living remotely from Veterans Affairs hospitals can make medical appointments. DAV provides vehicles and fuel. For more information, call (559) 225-6100, ext. 6907.

Retired Women luncheon

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

Chamber dinner, auction

The Greater Merced Chamber of Commerce will hold its 27th annual Cioppino Dinner and Auction on Friday at St. Patrick’s Hall, 671 E. Yosemite Ave. Individual tickets are $50, a table of eight is $400, and Gold Sponsor, $600. A Gold Sponsor includes a table of eight with complimentary drink tickets and advertising in the dinner program. Doors open at 5 p.m., a silent auction at 6 and dinner at 7. For more information, call (209) 384-7092.

Holiday craft fair

A Holiday Craft and Vendor Fair is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church, 500 Buena Vista Drive. The event will include vendors, food booths and prizes.

Republican women

The Merced County Republican Women’s monthly meeting will be at the Branding Iron on Nov. 17. The speaker will be veteran Casey McFarland. Social time will be at 11:30 a.m., lunch and meeting at noon. Make reservations by Thursday. Call (209) 812-4398 or (209) 378-2202. At the next two meetings, food items will be collected for donation to the Merced Rescue Mission, and items for boxes will be sent to military men and women overseas. For more information, call Veronika Beck at (209) 349-3971.

Hunting-fishing 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, Los Banos. The event will include wildlife/sporting art, antique duck decoys, rods, reels, tackle, lures, as well as vintage hunting, fishing and all related items. Admission is $5; kids age 12 and under are free. Free parking. Bring old decoys, vintage hunting and fishing items for free appraisals. For more information, call (559) 259-5755.

This story was originally published November 10, 2014 at 6:49 PM with the headline "Around Town (11-11-14)."