Around Town: Take time off

The offices of the city of Merced will be closed for the Thanksgiving holidays Thursday and Friday.

There will be no refuse collection on Thanksgiving Day so that those employees may have the time off. The regular Thursday collection will take place Friday and the Friday collection will be on Saturday.

PATTERSON

Ministry convenes

Women of Love Outreach Ministry will have its annual Women's Conference in Patterson this year. The conference is Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 6 at 9:30 p.m. in Best Western Villa Del Lago Inn, 2959 Speno Drive. Speakers are founder Ann Hill of Holy Ground Ministry of Turlock, Linda Rowland, facilitator, and Pastor Linda Thurman of Shepherd's Grace Church in Manteca.

For conference information and registration, call (209) 409-6333 or (209) 230-2799.

MERCED

Hypertension eyed

Mercy Medical Center Merced's Pharmacist Anthony Farrar will discuss current medications prescribed to people diagnosed with hypertension. He is scheduled to speak at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Mercy Health Education Center, 563 W. 26th St.

High blood pressure, otherwise known as hypertension, affects an estimated one out of every three American adults. Of those Americans affected, one-third of them don't know they have hypertension.

Covering benefits, side-effects, and other drug administration information, he will relate various medications to diabetes. Blood pressure monitors will be readily available.

For details on the free program, call (209) 384-6533.

MERCED

Faculty spotlighted

Merced College Art Gallery will present the work of Merced College Art Instructors for the closing exhibit of the fall semester. The exhibition will include painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, and digital images. The exhibit is scheduled to open Monday and continue to Dec. 17. The public is invited to meet the artists at a gallery reception, Dec. 3 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

The Art Gallery, located in the theater building at Merced College is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and in conjunction with theater events. Visits may be arranged any other times by calling Susanne French, Art Gallery coordinator at (209) 384-6064.

MERCED

AIDS steals life

A brief commemorative ceremony for those lost to AIDS is on the program for Merced's World AIDS Day ceremony. The program begins at noon Monday at Bob Hart Square, Canal and Main streets.

Pastor Jay will give the invocation at the 20th annual World AIDS Day commemoration. Songs will be sung, proclamations will be delivered by city and county of Merced officials, and there will be speeches by a UC Merced representative and a person infected with AIDS.

The public is welcome to join the 30-45 minute ceremony.

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