The Merced County Food Bank's Brown Bag program provides food to seniors who have a monthly income range of $300 to $800. You can adopt a senior for this program for $30 a year and he or she will receive two bags of groceries per month. Money for this program has been cut by the state government and donations are needed to keep it going. For information, go to mercedcountyfoodbank.org.
MERCED
County chamber events
The Merced County Chamber of Commerce will host the following events:
Dec. 5: Christmas Parade at 3 p.m. at Bob Hart Square.
Dec. 8: Christmas Social/Cops For Kids Drive at 5:30 p.m. at Fernando's Bistro.
Also, now is the time to apply to be on the Citizens Redistricting Committee for California. For information, go to WeDrawTheLines.ca.gov.
SONORA
Christmas festival
Sonora will host its 35th annual Christmas Festival 2009 Friday through Sunday starting at 10 a.m. Come for shopping, live entertainment, great food, kids' climbing wall and play area and too much more to mention everything. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, kids 12 and younger get in for free. Receive a $2 discount with a canned food donation. For information, call (209) 743-3518 during showtimes or prior to event (209) 533-3473.
MERCED
Christmas open house
The Arbor Gallery will present "The Really Little Show" featuring small painting with an Open House on Dec. 4 and 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Artists will be on hand to greet and visit and refreshments will be served. For information, call (209) 384-8338.
Fabric art will be featured now through Dec. 30 at 645 W. Main.
Also, "Really Big Show" runs now through Jan. 15. For information, call (209) 388-1090.
MERCED
'Heinrich's Mountain'
"Heinrich's Mountain," a new play by Fred Friedland, will be performed at the Merced College Theater on Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 for general admission and $6 for students and seniors. This play is for mature audiences and tickets are available at the box office one hour prior to the performance. For information, call (209) 384-6224.
MERCED
Toy drive applications
Applications are available for the Kops and Firefighters Toy Drive for needy families in Merced. Fifty families will be selected by lottery for the program and applications are available at the main fire station, 99 E. 16th St. and the central police station at 611 W. 22nd St. Applicants must show proof that you are a resident of the city and provide a phone number. Selected families will be notified between Dec. 7 and 13. For information, call (209) 385-6232.
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.