Around Town: Wade entertains

The Ophir Rebekah Lodge No. 255 will hold a social gathering at 2 p.m. Thursday, at the Stratford Evans Social Hall, 1790 B St. Local musician Sharon Wade will provide musical selections and all are welcome. For more information, call (209) 358-9764.

MERCED

'Forrest Gump' screened

Connie Hodges -

The Merced Theatre will show the award-winning "Forrest Gump" at 8 p.m. on Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $5 each and are available at the box office, which opens 30 minutes prior to show time. For more information, call (209) 722-3266.

ATWATER

Garden Club in session

The Atwater Garden Club will launch its 2008-2009 season with a club meeting at 6 p.m. Sept. 9 at Ralston Park. A potluck supper follows at 6:30 p.m. at the Atwater Public Library. Membership is $20 per year. Novice and experienced gardeners alike are welcome. For more information, call (209) 357-8137.

ATWATER

Fall Festival approaches

Atwater Chamber of Commerce will host its 32nd annual Fall Festival from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 13 at Ralston Park. Admission is free and there will be food booths, handcrafted items, local businesses and merchant displays, children's activities, entertainment, car and motorcycle show and a health fair. For more information, call (209) 358-4251 or go to atwaterchamberofcommerce.org.

MERCED

Get involved at UC

UC Merced Office of Student Life invites Merced-area organizations to participate in the 2008-2009 Community Involvement Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 17 at 5200 N. Lake Road. For information, call (209) 205-0873.

MERCED

Pest management updated

The Merced Community College Workplace Learning Resource Center is offering a 21-hour Pest Management Update Course on Sept. 23 and 30, Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28 and Nov. 4 and 11. These classes fulfill the accreditation requirements for state-approved continuing education units. Students may register at 7 a.m. on the morning of the first class they attend. For more information call, (209) 761-0081, (209) 386-6734 or go to mccd.edu/wplrc.

MERCED

Firemen flip pancakes

Merced County Fire Station 61 will host a pancake breakfast from 6:30 a.m to 1 p.m. on Sept. 28 at the fire station on Highway 140 and Gurr Road. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children and can be purchased in advance. Proceeds will go to purchase needed equipment for new volunteers at the station. For more information, call (209) 357-7203.

MERCED

Protect personal health

The Binational Festival of Health and Life will take place on Oct. 11 at the Merced flea and farmers market at G Street and Childs Avenue from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be free glucose testing, blood pressure, vision screening and more, plus entertainment, music, health workshops and prizes.

If you would like to have your event announced in the Around Town column, send your information to Connie Hodges at least one week prior to the event, at chodges@mercedsunstar.com. Items run according to space available.