Linens-N-Things is holding liquidation sales at all 371 of its stores in the United States, according to the joint venture group running the store closing sales.

For now, merchandise is being sold at up to 30 percent off.

The stores have more than $1 billion worth of merchandise to move, the joint venture group says.

Linens-N-Things will also sell store its store fixtures, furniture and equipment.

The local store is on Rosedale Highway in the Northwest Promenade.

So here's a question: What's the tipping point? How long do you hold out for a better sale? 30 percent? 50 percent? 75 percent?

But then do you risk the chance that all the good stuff you might want is gone?

(Oh, and the Web site says no returns — you've been warned!)

— Christine Peterson

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Bankrupt retailer Mervyns announced Thursday that it would immediately begin a chain-wide going-out-of-business sale.

The sale is intended to liquidate inventory valued at $900 million across the 59-year-old company’s remaining 149 stores.

Mervyns has two locations in Bakersfield: one at 4450 California Ave., and another at the East Hills Mall.

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Joe and Linda Wingo founded Angel Food Ministries in 1994 to provide food for friends and neighbors who were struggling financially. The Angel Food program now is helping provide food relief to more than 500,000 families across the country each month, and a new chapter sponsored by the Kern County Black Chamber of Commerce is just starting up in Bakersfield.

The program will serve clients of all races and religions.

The non-profit, non-denominational Angel Food ministry provides a medium-sized box of food for $30 every month. Each month's menu is different than the previous month and consists of both fresh and frozen items with an average retail value of about $60.

To get the food, you have to place an order with KCBCC by Friday Nov. 7 at the chamber, 1222 California Ave., Bakersfield, 93304. The food will be distributed Saturday Nov. 22 at 1030 4th St.

For information, call (661) 326-1529.

Reporter Jenny Shearer writes today about rising food prices.

Specifically, she found that food prices for items prepared at home were 7.6 percent higher in September than during the same period in 2007, according to the Consumer Price Index.

Jenny talked to everyone from a woman who grew up in the Great Depression and shops for bargains to a couple spending $408 and nearly filling two carts.

But it got us thinking ... all of you must have some tips for making that shopping dollar last. Coupons? Certain stores? Two-for-one deals?

What are your secrets? Share them here and help your neighbors out.

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The California Lottery is giving away free gas in Bakersfield to promote Daily 4, the Lottery's newest game in which numbers are drawn daily.

 
The Lottery plans to give away $50 in free gas to the first 200 people to purchase $10 in Daily 4 tickets 11 a.m. Tuesday Oct.  7 at the Chevron at 9700 Rosedale Highway, near Calloway, in Bakersfield. Traffic control will permit a line to form at 10:00 a.m.