‘Mercado’ on Main fills downtown with Mercedians, visitors
Main Street in downtown Merced was bursting with life for the first “Mercado” event of the season last Wednesday, May 5th.
The farmers market-style celebration — held on the Cinco de Mayo holiday — featured vendors, dancers, artists and other entertainment. Canal Street and Main Street were blocked off to oncoming traffic as…
Mercedian shocked by rite of passage that ends with death
I'm working on my 18th trip to Kenya in December. On my second trip to Kenya, I saw a Maasai elder with a deep scar across his chest. I asked my friend,…
South Merced community celebrates new public art
A new mural celebrating Dr. Martin King, Jr. was unveiled on Sunday, Feb. 21, at the Merced Food Center.
The portrait of King, which is part of…
Up-and-coming Valley muralist shares about path to MLK work
Residents in south Merced are celebrating the completion of a beautiful community mural of Martin Luther King Jr. painted by Joel Aguilar on a wall of the Merced Food Center at MLK Jr. Way and 12th Street.
Joel Aguilar is a local artist in the Central Valley. He was born and raised in Livingston and attended Livingston High School, where he…
Black History Month Concert Features Winton’s Willie Rankins
Levitt AMP Merced will present a Black History Month Concert (Virtual) on Saturday, Feb. 27, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
This special event featuring the Willie…
Black History Month reminds us to care for each other
When I am fortunate enough to travel to Washington, D.C., I always try to find time visit the many monuments and memorials in and around the capitol. It’s…
New virtual event: ‘Passion for Shakespeare’
In this new year of 2021 the local Shakespeare Festival will be celebrating its 20th season.
This season will look different, but local thespians have learned a lot over the past year by filming the “Ricardo/Richard” episodes and recording The Tempest as a radio play.
The first virtual event of 2021 will be “Passion for Shakespeare” — a…
MLK Jr. image takes shape on new mural
A mural honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Cesar Chavez, and the powerful message of peaceful protest they shared is currently in the works on…
Reflection: Two And A Half Years Of Living In Merced
By NILS SKUDRA
Special To The Times
More than 10 years ago, after graduating from high school in the Bay Area, I moved to Merced to begin my…
Merced’s MLK Celebration this year will go ‘virtual’
Every year, Merced is known for hosting one of the largest Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations, complete with a march downtown, cultural performances and speeches. Hundreds of residents always attend.
This year, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic and public health restrictions will not allow for such an event.
“It is with regret…