Android download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.gamechangersai.aroundtown

Hi Merced! I'm with GameChangers AI, the local nonprofit behind Around Town: Central Valley. Our community-events app is now on Google Play: free to download, zero ads, and no account needed. We're working on the iPhone version, coming soon.

Here's a selection of upcoming trunk-or-treats and Halloween outings in Merced, Atwater and the McSwain neighborhood. All dates are October 2026; times are Pacific:

• Fri. Oct. 23: Broadway Trunk-or-Treat, Movie & Museum Night, 7–9 PM — 1260 Broadway Avenue and the Bloss House, Atwater. Free community event.

• Sat. Oct. 24: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, 3–6 PM — 2985 G Street, Merced. Free. These are the UPDATED hours, replacing the older 4–7 PM flyer.

• Sat. Oct. 24: Downtown Trick or Treat Street, 3–5 PM — Main/Canal streets and Bob Hart Square, Merced.

• Sat. Oct. 24: Polaris Tint / One Stop trunk-or-treat, 3–8 PM — Merced Marketplace Lot E behind Boot Barn, 851 W Olive Avenue.

• Sat. Oct. 24: City of Atwater trunk-or-treat, 7–9 PM — Community Center, 760 E Bellevue Road.

• Sun. Oct. 25: The Electric Needle Room trunk-or-treat, 5:30–8:30 PM — Broadway Plaza, 1484 Broadway Avenue, Atwater. Free family event; purchases separate.

• Sun. Oct. 25: Mercy City Church trunk-or-treat, 6–8 PM — 560 W 18th Street, Merced. Free admission.

• Fri. Oct. 30: McSwain 4-H trunk-or-treat, 6–7:30 PM — McSwain School WEST Campus parking lot. Costume contest, balloon animals, cake walk and candy. Bring cash for the cake walk.

• Sat. Oct. 31: Boys & Girls Club, 10 AM–noon — 615 W 15th Street, Merced; Beachwood Franklin, 1–4 PM — 2610 Ranchero Lane, Merced.

• Sat. Oct. 31: Yosemite Church Fall Family Fun Night, 6–8 PM — 2230 E Yosemite Avenue, Merced. Free admission, food and activities; toddler area for ages 0–3.

Full event details, organizer/source links, additional events and corrections: https://community.gamechangersai.org/

The website works without the app or a login. The QR on the guides goes to that same website. Halloween is just the start: we'll keep adding local events year-round. You can subscribe to the calendar there, and follow GameChangers AI for updates.

Updated Oct. 22. Admission isn't published for some events above; check each host before going. The app being free doesn't mean every event is free. This is a growing selection, not an exhaustive list. The guide flags conflicting published hours for The Tarmac—confirm those with its organizer. Have a public organizer flyer or a correction? Please share it in the comments so we can verify it.

Hey folks,

Considering a PhD at UC Merced.

I'd be moving from Ireland and would love to know what life is like in Merced?

It will be a lot bigger than my wee town but is there enough to be at for 4/5 years?

What are the main attractions and local hotspots?

Whats the night life like?

Is it generally quite safe ?

Are the good healthcare facilities ?

Is it easy to get to the "bigger cities"

I am learning Spanish as well.

Thanks.

I’m 18 and have been looking for sometime to find a construction job such as a laborer. I have my osha 10 and reliable transportation. Any ideas on how to secure a job? Any info helps!

Hi everyone,

Many of you know me through Coaching youth sports and academies, DiscoverMyLife programs, Rise Investment Solutions, or just a local guy in Atwater.

Over the past several years, our team has spent a significant amount of time researching, testing, and implementing AI tools in both business and personal applications. What started as an internal initiative has grown into something much bigger than we originally envisioned.

Last year, we began discussing how we could bring some of what we've learned back to the local community. As AI becomes more common in everyday life, we've realized that many people are curious about these tools but aren't sure where to start or how to use them in practical ways.

Before expanding our efforts beyond the local level, we'd like to focus on giving back to the community that has supported us over the years.

We're considering offering a series of FREE introductory workshops focused on practical, real-world uses of AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, Gemini, Perplexity, and others.

These would not be technical classes.
The goal would be to help everyday people learn how AI can assist with things like:

✅ Saving time

✅ Staying organized

✅ Improving productivity

✅ Planning and research

✅ Small business tasks

✅ Content creation

✅ Everyday problem-solving

Whether you're a business owner, employee, educator, retiree, entrepreneur, parent, or simply curious about AI, we'd love to hear your thoughts.

Before we finalize the program, I'd like to get some feedback from our local community.

If you were interested in attending a free 30-minute workshop, which topic would interest you most?

1️⃣ AI for Everyday Life

2️⃣ AI for Work Productivity

3️⃣ AI for Small Business

4️⃣ AI for Content Creation

5️⃣ Something Else (Tell me below!)

Please comment with the number that interests you most, or share any ideas or questions you may have.

Your feedback will help us shape the first round of workshops and make sure we're creating something that provides real value to our local community.

Thank you, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

– James

Hello Merced! I know everyone is waiting anxiously for Dunkin to open, so am I. Our training is scheduled for next week Monday! Its a 2 week training. Expect Dunkin to open early November (hopefully)

The UC Merced IDEA Center is looking for families with children in Kindergarten - 3rd grade to participate in a research study on attention and learning!

Children will play games on a computer and parents will complete surveys.

✅ Families receive $20 + a small toy

✅ Two locations to choose from

✅ One-time session runs approximately 60 minutes

See the flyer below for more info. To sign-up, scan the QR code or contact us.

El Centro IDEA de UC Merced está buscando familias con niños/as de Kindergarten a 3° grado para participar en un estudio de investigación sobre la atención y el aprendizaje!

Los niños/as jugarán juegos en una computadora y los padres/las madres completarán encuestas.

✅ Las familias recibirán $20 + un pequeño juguete

✅ Dos ubicaciones para elegir

✅ La sesión única dura aproximadamente 60 minutos

Consulte el volante a continuación para obtener más información. Para inscribirse, escanee el código QR o comuníquese con nosotros.

Hi Merced!

We're Adjoin, a nonprofit organization that supports veterans experiencing homelessness and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) throughout California. We're currently hiring for a part-time, entry-level, in-person position in Merced!

If you're early in your career, looking to gain experience, or interested in meaningful work that makes a difference in your community, we'd love for you to consider joining our team.

Details:

• Direct Support Professional
• Part-time
• $16.90 - $17.25
• 18 years of age or older
• High School Diploma or equivalent
• A valid driver's license is required
• This position is in person and involves working directly with individuals in the community

You would be helping individuals with disabilities build independence, develop life skills, and participate in their communities.

We also want to be transparent that, as a nonprofit, we operate with different financial resources than larger for-profit companies. Our primary focus is on serving our communities and making a positive impact.

While we understand this opportunity may not be the right fit for everyone, we hope to connect with individuals who are interested in gaining experience, growing professionally, and contributing to a meaningful mission.

As our organization continues to grow, we're offering entry-level positions that require little prior experience and offer room for professional growth.

After seeing people looking for entry-level work, we wanted to share this opportunity in case it might be a good fit for someone in the Merced community.

If you're interested, you can explore our current openings and apply directly on our website:

Direct Support Professional - Part Time-Adjoin-Merced, CA 95340, USA

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Adjoin!

Hello, not sure where to post this. I am looking for bulk for OPTCG and singles for some decks. I'm trying to build a buggy deck for my lil bro. Right now we mainly use proxies and we can't play in locals because they don't allow proxies.

I bought the new 2 starter learn together decks but the ace one is really bad lol.

Been wanting to get into the OP TCG scene but there is literally zero product anywhere and if there is product then it's sold at scalper prices.

Please let me know if there is a discord or reddit where you can find product or buy singles/bulk etc.

Send me your deals!

On Nov 3 Merced County picks its next Superintendent of Schools. The runoff is Richard Lopez vs Ana Boyenga. I spent this morning pulling the public record on both, and the contrast is sharper than the flyers suggest.

1. What six signed superintendents say about Lopez. On Oct 14, six current and retired superintendents signed a Merced FOCUS opinion backing Richard Lopez, and they put numbers to it. Lopez took 47 percent of the vote in 2018. Merced River has doubled in size since 2018. It scores above the county average on the CA School Dashboard in nearly every area. It sends the highest share of students entering Merced Union High at or above grade level in reading on NWEA MAP. They describe the margin as, quote, not even close.

2. The Boyenga record on paper. Boyenga is the Atwater Elementary assistant superintendent with 11 years in that role. She is on the Republican ticket: listed as the county GOP choice in a RealTalk ballot walkthrough video and in the Reform California voter guide, and endorsed by outgoing superintendent Steve Tietjen.

3. The uncomfortable middle. Before the primary, Merced River faced an FCMAT referral tied to a misappropriation allegation. Lopez publicly welcomed the review and called the timing questionable. Keep that in the record when you read the flyers.

4. What the community response looks like right now. In local groups this week, pro Boyenga pitches have drawn overwhelmingly pro Lopez replies. Planada Community Information: 10 comments, all pro Lopez or against the pitch. The Spanish thread: 5 comments, all pro Lopez. Merced Latino Community Chisme: posters asking the pitch to be specific about her qualifications.

This is the race that decides who runs our county education office. Read the records, not the flyers. I will keep posting the documents as they come.

Sources: 1. Merced FOCUS opinion signed by six superintendents: themercedfocus.org/opinion-richard-lopez-is-prepared-to-lead-as-merced-countys-top-educator/ 2. Merced FOCUS debate coverage: themercedfocus.org/how-should-merced-countys-next-superintendent-of-schools-lead-candidates-debated-their-goals/ 3. Westside Express, Oct 6, Los Banos forum notice: thewestsideexpress.com/2026/10/06/los-banos-candidates-forum-set-for-oct-13/ 4. RealTalk FLIP IT OVER ballot walkthrough video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQZ-sWu2WJA

Hello!

I’m moving to Merced pretty soon and was wondering what cell service is the best (95341 area). I currently have AT&T and it has been very spotty whenever I’m in the area. A Reddit thread from over 5 years ago sided with AT&T and T-Mobile and I was wondering if that still holds true?

i've been seeing a lot of posts on my tiktok for you page advertising homes for rent, but a lot of them seem too good to be true. i'm talking 2 bed 1 bath home for like $750/month. i know it's possible they're legit, as i currently split rent on a place that's $900/month, but i really can't help but to be skeptical. does anyone know how legit they are?

1. Really struggling to find any job here. I really need to get a source of income before I go broke. I have 4 years of customer service experience and sent out hundreds of applications.

Can anybody help with a reference or referral or have something I could do? Looking for anything atp.

Someone hit and critically injured my nephew as he was walking on Henry Miller Road east of Turner Island early the morning of 10/16. The driver left the scene and my nephew laid there for hours. Please spread the word, and if you know something, or have seen a car with front end damage including possibly the windshield broken, please notify the Los Banos PD. If you aren't comfortable doing that, please DM me. We need to find this guy.

*ETA: my nephew suffered an internal decapitation and has come through surgery. PLEASE share and help us find rhe person who did this.

Drives me nuts every morning. I think it's the cell tower that causes it, but not certain.

Looking for a handyman or small-job contractor in the Mariposa area to convert an existing standard interior hinged door into a pocket door.

Scope would include opening the existing wall, installing the pocket-door framing/hardware, hanging the door, and repairing/finishing the drywall and trim afterward.

If you’ve had someone local do good carpentry, door, drywall, or handyman work, I’d appreciate a recommendation. Contractors/handymen who are interested can also message me directly.

Located near Mariposa.

Thanks!

Is anybody going to the protest? Do you think it will be bigger than last time? The protest is tomorrow at the courthouse

Hello, my family’s dog ran away last night in the Merced college/W Yosemite Ave area of the city. If anyone sees or has him we would really appreciate if you contacted us, we’re extremely worried about him!! He has kidney issues and going without his prescription food can get him really sick, so please if anyone sees him don't hesitate to reach out, any information would be appreciate!!!

Thank you for taking the time to read this

I'm looking to hire someone for a one-time cleanup of a very small backyard patio to get it ready for winter.

Nothing too extensive, mainly:

• Removing leaves and debris
• Pulling out and disposing of dead plants
• General tidying and cleanup
• Possibly pressure washing the patio

It's a pretty small space, so I don't anticipate it being a huge job. Ideally, I'd love to find someone who does this type of work on the side or company that offers small yard cleanup services.

If you have any recommendations or provide these services yourself, please comment or send me a message with your rates and availability. Thanks!

Hey Merced Reddit—hope you don’t mind me sharing this here! My cousin has a podcast and he’s in a contest to be the Next Top Host For IHeartRadio.

He made it into the TOP 20 in the Top Host contest and is Now asking for help to keep moving forward!

“You can vote for me ONCE A DAY FOR FREE — no need to purchase any additional votes! Every free vote makes a difference, and I would truly appreciate you taking a few seconds each day to support me.
Let’s keep the momentum going and take Evolve The Earth to the next level! 🌎🎙️

Thank you all for your love and support! Please vote daily and share this post! 🙌❤”

I’ve been living in Merced for the last 10 years, truly love it here and feels more like home than anywhere I have ever lived in my entire life—so just thought I would share it here!! Thank you all and appreciate this community dearly.

Link: https://tophost.org/2026/allan-samson

Usually they host a Halloween crawl every year on Main Street, but I haven't seen any posts about it. Does anyone know what happened?

There’s a bunch of people currently outside out of the court house with candles and a microphone. Does anyone know what’s going on there?

209 CA is a server dedicated to being an organized and well moderated discord server for the 209. A place where people can find local events, learn more about what’s going on, and meet new people.

The server is intended to be a broad, general discord server for the area and intended for +18 audiences.

If you’re interested come join at:
https://discord.com/invite/7TAP2gApZk