This Holiday season Weaver 4-H partnered with the Merced Police department in the Toys for Tots Drive.  The club collected 261 toys in which 211 went to Sargent Chapmen at the Merced Police Department.  40 toys went to help families at Pioneer School and Weaver Pre-School. Ten toys went to 2 families that were adopted by Weaver 4-H for the Christmas Holidays.  They will be working with Sargent Chapman again next year and hope to collect 400 toys.

Mechanical Skills Day

Please join us for Mechanical Skills Day on April 25th, 2015

at Merced County Agricultural Center, U.C. Cooperative Extension

2145 Wardrobe Avenue, Merced

Registration Starts at 8:30. The event is from 9:00-2:00.

Open to ALL 4-H members, Mini Members and Non 4-H friends

Various Sessions to attend with topics in Robotics, Solar Power, Wood Working, Quad Copters, Rocketry, Tractor GPS/GIS, Welding

Mechanical Skill Team Olympics

Lunch is Provided for all attendees

Truck Tours - see what is in those trucks! Up close and personal with a Tool Truck, a  HAZMAT/ EMT vehicle, a Tow Truck, a tractor service Truck, a Cement Mixer Truck, a car that runs on "french fry" oil, and others.  Visit them all... 

Morning Session 1-3 -select something to learn in one of the hands on workshops on woodworking, Rocketry, Robotics, Welding, GPS, or others.   Sessions are repeated - indicate your first choice in each option, availability of workshops may vary - some are participant limited for safety.

Mechanical Olympics / Challenges – Everyone will be placed into teams to compete in fun activities.  Each team will have representatives in each contest.  Share your interest in the following areas, then be part of your teams efforts in the overall Olympics! 

To Register go to http://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=15028

24 Hours of Community Service

All Star Candidate James Petanan is organizing a weekend of community service for this all star project. The event will take place on May 16-17. He would like clubs around the county to organize a community service activity for that weekend. He will advertise where the projects are and 4-H members can choose to attend any one they would like. We would like to get at least 5-6 clubs doing a project. The projects can be organized as an emerald star project. Please let myself or James know if your club would like to host a community service project that weekend. Call the office or James at 209-777-7807.

Fair Live Stock Entry Forms

Please make sure your members are getting their fair forms turned in. It would help the fair office if they could get them in as soon as possible and not wait until the last minute.

The Livestock Office Staff will be available in the Administration Building on the following days to assist with the completing of entries:

Tuesday April 28^th 2-6 pm

Thursday April 30^th 2-6 pm

Monday May 4^th 2-6 pm

Wednesday May 6^th 2-6 pm

Questions may also be emailed to gpedretti@co.merced.ca.us

COVE “Paws for a Cause”

Dog Walk & Run

Saturday,April 18, 2015

Applegate Park, Merced

2 mile/5 mile Walk & Run

with or without a dog

Event to Support the Programs & Services of COVE,

A Resource Center for People in Our Area Living with Blindness

or Low Vision Striving to Attain Independence.

Race Day Registration 7:30 AM -  Walk & Run Starts at 9:00  AM

Award Ceremony (Medals & Trophies) following end of Race

Contact COVE at 722-8118 or info@covemerced.org

See attached registration form.

4-H State Leadership Conference

July 23-26, 2015

University of California, Irvine 

Ages 13-19 

The 4-H State Leadership Conference brings together high school youth from across California in a four-dayleadership training, networking, and learning experience. The conference provides advanced leadership training and is an opportunity for 4-H members to network and share ideas with other 4-Hers from across the state. The conference focuses on providing high school youth with experiential education onleadership development, civic engagement, college admissions and other 4-H project areas.

Youth delegates gain exposure to the campus by living in the residence halls, eating in the dining commons, and participating in educational sessions, many of which are taught by UC faculty and staff.

The conference is planned by a team of high school 4-H members, key leaders and adult advisors. Working in strong youth-adult partnership, the team designs the educational, recreational and logistical components of the conference. 

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Deadline is April 30,2015

Legends and Lore: Thursday July 23-26, 2015 $499

Tour Descriptions

Fairytales & Fables:July 24-26, 2015 $419

Youth Registration

Adult Registration

Leadership Development.

Project Overview:

The Merced County 4-H Leadership Development Project consists of learning the concepts of iThrive 2 and leadership development for club officers and jr/ teen leaders.

Expectations and Goals:

Members will be expected to do the following to complete their project:

1. Attend a minimum of 80% of all project meetings.
2. Complete a 4-H Annual Project Report at the end of the project year.
3. Have necessary means of transportation to and from meetings.
4. Lead one session with a team.
5. Plan and complete a Community Service Project as a group.

Meetings: Dates may change due to scheduling and availability.

Meetings will be held in various locations throughout Merced County on the fourth Monday of each month.

Hosting Clubs: Provide location for meetings. Some activities will require movement and internet access. If internet is not available, please let me know and I will work around it. Water and snacks are not required but very welcomed.

Westside 4-H members have been busy both in the community and within their own specific projects.  

The months of November and December were filled with both community service projects and holiday activities.  Club members donated items to both our Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets and shopped for and delivered the baskets to families in need.  Members also helped serve at Breakfast with Santa, hosted a petting zoo, worked the club bake sale and decorated and rode on the 4-H float during Gustine's Downtown Christmas festivities.  Members volunteered to ring the Salvation Army bell one afternoon and then Christmas caroled at the convalescent hospital in Newman.  The residents were happy to listen to and participate in the caroling and were thrilled to receive the socks that the club members donated to them.  Members also participated in the Westside 4-H Club's Christmas party and a Record Book Workshop.

Moving forward, the club members are now focusing on their individual projects. We are looking forward to participating in fairs and other county events.  We are preparing for Club and County Communications Day, where members will present and demonstrate and be judged on their knowledge, content, and presentation. Members are also looking forward to competing at the Gustine Stock Show, May Day Fair, Chowchilla Fair, and Merced Fair.  Our next few months should be busy and successful.  

The next Westside 4-H Club meeting will be Thursday, February 6, 2014 at 7 pm in the Gustine Middle School cafeteria. Please contact a leader if you have any questions.

Respectfully Submitted,

Aubrie Hazan

Westside 4-H Reporter