In the lovely open courtyard at New Bethany tables were set for a charming evening for the Ninth Annual New Bethany Guild Dinner/Auction. There was a tempting silent auction of handmade goods, and homemade goodies as well as a very lively oral auction. The master of ceremonies once more was Stephen Patricio assisted by auctioneer extraordinaire Johnny Andrews. A wonderful catered dinner was served by España's, which was topped off by delicious orange cream cheesecake accented with fresh red raspberries. The live auction offered vacations, jewels, handmade linens, garden statuary and an array of other treasures. Among the items offered was a handmade rosary by Julia Mevi won by Barbara Pereira, a Central Coast get away donated by Stephen and Nikki Patricio that went to high bidder Bob Rose, and a set of beautiful table linens created by Pauline Borba was purchased by Janice Arias. I was happy that the silver and pearl necklace I donated went for $500, thank you to Gene Forte for his winning bid.

On Oct. 5, Mercey Springs Church of the Nazarene in Los Baños will join with 18,000 other Nazarene churches in 151 world areas to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the church.

From oil paintings and pencil drawings to pottery and small sculptures, last weekend's show at the Ted Falasco Arts Center displayed the artistic side of western Merced County.

It's almost time for Los Baños Chamber of Commerce's Henry Miller Wild West Weekend Oct. 10-12 at the Merced County Spring Fairgrounds in Los Baños.

Winnie Ciuffo has many claims to fame--a Brit who married an American, a war bride who came to America on the Queen Mary, a woman who won over an Italian family with her congeniality, humor and determination.

The Fourth Annual Critter and Saints Yard Sale for the American Heart Association will be this Saturday, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall of St. John's Lutheran Church, 250 W. Adams Ave.

Plans to have a movie night at Henry Miller Plaza this year need an infusion of cash, quickly. As of Monday fundraising efforts to put on the event had produced $2,400, exactly $5,000 short of the amount needed.

Maybe the best way to watch "Burn After Reading," which opened last Friday, is to forget that the Coen brothers had anything to do with it. With "No Country for Old Men" fresh in my head I anticipated something taut and complicated. I guess I was anticipating the wrong kind of Coen movie. What I found was a movie more similar to "The Big Lebowski" or "Fargo," a satirical comedy bordering on screwball. Its characters are insane, perfect for each actor in the film, and the plot zig-zags between comedy and drama sometimes asking more than their average comedy.

When Judy West retired nine years ago she picked up quilting as a hobby, little did she know it would become a passion of hers and now a work of art.

The fund raiser to make an Outdoor Movie Night an annual tradition on the Henry Miller Plaza is coming along! To date, we have received at least $2,200.00!! Generous donations have been received from Ann McCauley, K-Mart, Tacos El Grullense, Coldwell Banker Kaljian & Associates, Kagome Inc., Rick's Auto Body, Steve and Janet Rath, O. Ray Sheets, Dwayne K. Chisam, Los Banos Little League, and as of early this week, Food-4-Less. Food-4-Less gave well in excess of $500.00 and please note we also have our first non-profit organization on the donor list!! Some citizens have indicated their plans to contribute. We need your check or money order to reach the goal! YOU can be the next one publicly thanked!!

"Welcome to Tucson Arizona, where dreams come to shrivel up and die" tells the film's narrator Dana Marschz. Dana (Steve Coogan) used to dream of being an actor. He never achieved much more than starring in a commercial for Herpes medication.

As Father Dan Avila of St. Joseph's Catholic Church so aptly put it, Los Baños has another saint in heaven with the passing of Arnold Mello. Arnold was a rare human being who had to face so many challenges in his life journey. His family has endured so much, poor Irene who so recently lost her beloved Joe, now has to face the loss of another child. I knew Arnold and felt he was placed here as a lesson in patience and acceptance for all of us. As Christ spoke of how the little children will lead us, how the meek will inherit the earth; we need to be reminded that each of us has a special mission on earth, a special gift to share. We need not all be movers and shakers to make a difference. Some teach others by how they accept the challenges with in their own path. I know Arnold is at peace, but I will miss him. Sleep well sweet prince.

A popular coffee mail-order club recently sent out a mailing touting the great health benefits of coffee with regard to diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Cirrhosis disease and Alzheimer's disease. This form of educational promotion marketing could be pretty shady and deceptive except for the fact that numerous studies have come out recently supporting their claim.

Army Pvt. Steven A. Bawdon has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

The Los Baños Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Merced College Customer Service Academy will host a workshop on Decision Making and Problem Solving. The two-day workshop will cover steps in the decision making process, blocks to problem solving and creativity in the workplace.