Around Town (12-06-14)

Christmas bazaar

United Methodist Women will hold its 84th annual Candy Cane Christmas Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today at 899 Yosemite Ave. There will be an 11:30 a.m. luncheon. Featured at the bazaar will be attic treasures, a silent auction, the candy room, bake shop, boutique and handmade items room, jam/jelly room, Christmas room, egg rolls and Hmong stitchery. Tickets are $10. For tickets or more information, call Joyce at (209) 617-8119.

Artisan fair

The third annual Holiday Artisan Fair and Arbor Gallery’s Christmas Open House will fill the Merced Multicultural Arts Center with locally created items from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today. Regional artisans in art and ag will be selling everything from handmade Santas and ornaments to olive oil, dried fruit and nuts to silk scarves, jewelry and holiday decor. The arts center is at 645 W. Main St.

Care packages for the troops

Members of Merced Kiwanis will be creating care packages for troops serving overseas. The event is scheduled for 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at First Christian Church, 1345 E. Olive Ave., Merced. Please bring items for care packages. Needed items include toothbrushes, toothpaste, unscented deodorant, socks, shoe laces, handkerchiefs, mini flashlights, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, cookies, treats, candies, movies, books, batteries, video games (used are OK) and word puzzles. Travel sizes are best. Visitors may also bring a dessert for a raffle. Please RSVP by calling (209) 383-5341 or email jtw465@hotmail.com.

Blood drive

BloodSource Merced is hosting its 2014 Season of Giving drive until Dec. 31. Blood donors will receive a commemorative T-shirt and other items. Last year more than 900 people gave blood, helping to save more than 2,700 lives. The group hopes to collect more than 1,000 donations this month to help 3,000 local patients in need. BloodSouce is at 382 E. Yosemite Ave., Merced and 1040 W. Monte Vista Ave., Turlock. For more information, go to www.bloodsource.org or call (866) 822-5663 to schedule a donation appointment.

Nativity festival

The public is invited to a Nativity Festival from 5 to 9 p.m. today and Sunday at the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1108 E. Yosemite Ave., Merced. The event will include more than 200 Nativity scenes from around the world and musical presentations.

Holiday open house

The public is invited to experience a community Christmas from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Merced County Courthouse Museum, 21st and N streets. The museum has decked the halls and filled the rooms of the historic building with close to 70 Christmas trees. Eggnog and treats will be served. Live entertainment at 1 p.m. The event is free.

‘Oliver!’ at Playhouse Merced

The final performances of Playhouse Merced’s production of “Oliver!” are 7:30 p.m. today and 2 p.m. Sunday. Purchase tickets online at www.facebook.com/PlayhouseMerced, call (209) 725-8587, or visit the box office at 452 W. Main St., Merced, between 1 and 5 p.m. today.

This story was originally published December 5, 2014 at 6:28 PM with the headline "Around Town (12-06-14)."