SATURDAY
"The Bible: The Complete Word of God (Abridged)" in on stage at Playhouse Merced's Black Box Theater, 452 W. Main St., Merced through Nov. 29. From the creators of "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)," comes this affectionate yet irreverent look at the Bible. The show examines everything from fig leaves to Final Judgment, posing such theological questions as: Did Adam and Eve have navels? Did Moses really look like Charlton Heston? What would the Ten Commandments look like today? And Does God have a sense of humor? Playhouse Merced's production features actor / comedians Michael Winder, Dustin Brown, and Rob Hypes. Tickets are on sale now for Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 and Sunday matinees at 2. Tickets prices: Children: $8; students: $10; seniors: $17; adults: $20. Purchase tickets by calling (209) 725-8587, or stopping in the box office at 452 W. Main St.Merced Shakespearefest holds auditions for "King Lear" at 10 a.m. at Playhouse Merced, 452 W. Main St. All roles are open except Lear; performances are Feb. 19-21 in Merced. For more information, call Heike Hambley at (209) 723-3265 or go to mercedshakespearefest.org.LE GRAND -- The Le Grand United Methodist Church will host its 22nd annual Country Bazaar and Luncheon today starting at 11:30 a.m. in Baxter Hall at the church. Come for lunch, books, garden shop, craft shop, dollar shop and bakery. For information, call (209) 389-4651, (209) 389-4541 or (209) 389-4753.
ATWATER NAUS meetsMy old office had a nice desk and a comfy sofa. My books lined three walls. An assistant provided helpful support and freed me from menial tasks. My office was the perfect place, I thought, to allow ideas to percolate as I prepared sermons for the 200 worshipers who gathered each week in my previous church.
That was until I moved to Merced a few years ago to "plant" a new church.Now Starbucks is my office. My desk is a small round table, and there's no library. Baristas are my staff. In the background, an irritating reggae song is playing while the guy next to me virtually shouts into his phone.
"I cook with wine -- sometimes I even add it to the food" is my editor's favorite line. She is a true gourmet, and I never question her decision on food, nor does she on my wine selections.
"Go forth and write, write!" teacher and project director Ocean Jones called after a departing student at the Valley Voices Writers Club meeting on a recent Wednesday afternoon.
New York police shut down a mall appearance by teen pop singer Justin Bieber (BEE'-ber) after thousands of young girls showed up and got a little too wild.
Dear Old Trainer: My 2-year old border collie, Tater, is very well behaved, but when he gets excited there is no telling what he will do. The other day he treed a squirrel, and when my neighbor came out to see why he was barking, Tater nipped him right in the seat of the pants. Why did he do that, and what can I do to train him better?
