Around Town: Coupons to expire

Coupon Booklets for low-income senior citizens are available for use at two Farmers Markets. The markets are open every Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon at 19th and N streets and each Wednesday from 7 a.m. to noon in the Promenade Shopping Center at Yosemite Avenue and Paulson Street.

The coupons must be used in November for fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, eggs and other produce available at the market.

For more information on distribution sites and eligibility criteria, call (209) 385-7550.

MERCED/ATWATER

Shop at market

The Central Valley Farmers Market is open year-round, rain or shine, every Saturday at the Merced Flea Market at G Street and Childs Avenue, and on Thursdays and Sundays at the Atwater Flea Market, 2877 Atwater Blvd.

Both markets are open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and they now accept food stamps.

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Book drive

A holiday book drive is being held at Barnes and Noble, 1720 W. Olive Ave. in Merced.

The drive will help the Valley Crisis Center and United Way of Merced County. Books purchased will be delivered to children.

For more information, call (209) 386-0571.

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Journey with Magi

Christian Life Center will host the production of "One True King" from Dec. 5 through Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. at the church, 650 E. Olive Ave., in Merced.

The story of the Magi will be the focus of the production, with live animals and music helping set the stage for the recreation of the birth of the Christ child.

The event is free, and the community is welcome. For more information, call the church at (209) 383-2273.

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Pastor Haro speaks

Pastor Vicki Haro of Triumphant Believers Center in Merced will speak at the Dec. 6 meeting of Aglow International. The meeting begins at 10 a.m. at Christian Life Center, 650 E. Olive Ave.

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John Muir -- in person

On Dec. 6, Don Baldwin, of Nevada City, will portray John Muir at the Merced Sierra Club's annual banquet. In an entertaining and compelling encounter you will learn about Mui's life, his passion for the earth, his triumphs and his near tragedies.

The finale is a multi-media production entitled "The Range of Light." Baldwin uses six projectors on a 24-foot wide screen to share panoramic images of Muir's beloved Sierras.

The event will be at UC Merced, 5200 N. Lake Road, in the main dining room, with dinner served at 6:30. Call (209) 723-4747 for tickets ($20 gen- eral, $10 student). The final date to purchase tickets is Dec. 1.

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Find season's magic

The United Methodist Women will have the 78th annual Christmas bazaar from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 6 at the United Methodist Church, 899 Yosemite Park Way in Merced.

The Magic of Christmas is this year's theme, and there will be rooms with candy, baked goods, jams and jellies, linens and lace, attic treasures, Hmong crafts and eggrolls and Christmas decor.

A tea room will be available for shoppers.

A lunch will be served at noon in Wesley Hall. Tickets are $10 and may be reserved by calling (209) 617-8119.

Items for Around Town must be delivered to the Merced Sun-Star office, 3033 G St., or e-mailed to bhale@mercedsun-star.com at least one week in advance of the event.