OAKHURST — Fall is here, which means fall fun is about to start, as the fine folks at Branches Books & Gifts invite you to participate in the month-long, annual Oakhurst Scarecrow Contest running from Sunday, Oct. 1 through Tuesday, Oct. 31. The friendly competition is open to all businesses, schools, establishments and anyone who wants to be a little extra ...

OAKHURST —  Here’s some exciting news: Visit Yosemite Madera County is partnering with the arts community in Oakhurst to present ARTober, an entire month dedicated to celebrating arts and culture throughout town. ARTober encourages collaboration and participation from artists, musicians, writers, venues, foodies, and other creatives to showcase all things arts and culture in Oakhurst. The events are designed to ...

MARIPOSA — With a musical lineup including performances by Cottonwood Creek, Bootstrap Circus, Arroyo, and Mike Hammar and The Nails, the community is invited to converge this weekend to raise funds for Detwiler fire victims. The benefit, Beauty from Ashes: Mariposa Strong, takes place on Sunday, Oct. 1 from 4 to 10 p.m. at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds. Food and beverages will be ...

MARIPOSA — Take your children by the hands, look both ways before crossing the street, and come to the 28th annual Children’s Fair on Saturday, Sept. 30th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Mariposa County Park. The event is sponsored by Infant/Child Enrichment Services along with other agencies, organizations, child care centers, and licensed family child care providers. ...

COARSEGOLD — Here’s your opportunity to get to know our local law enforcement in a comfortable atmosphere, with no agenda except to visit and have a taste of something yummy perhaps with a side of caffeine. All you have to do is make a stop at the Wild Fig Kitchen. Sponsored by the Madera County Sheriff’s Office, the community is ...

NORTH FORK — The local Boosters Club is raising money for a very good reason: the plan is to pay for a new gas range and possibly other upgrades to the North Fork Town Hall. This weekend, they’re staging an elaborately entertaining event to help the cause, as the Granite Gambler Motorcycle Poker Run will wind through the foothills on ...

AHWAHNEE — Another season of amazing mountain music launches with Hill Country blues duo extraordinaire David Jacobs-Strain and Bob Beach, who take the house stage together at Coolwater Ranch on Saturday, Sept. 30. David plays extraordinary slide guitar combined with a voice soulful beyond his years, says Coolwater’s Robin Ralston. “He is now joined by Bob Beach, harmonica, flute and ...

OAKHURST — What do Tough Mudders and small businesses have in common? They thrive on teamwork, according to the company running the popular 10-12 mile mud and obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to drag participants out of their comfort zone. It’s an endurance event series that tests mental as well as physical strength — that’s a lot like small ...

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE — Autumn arrives and, as if on cue, rain clears the air around us. Buckeye withers and leaves drop to the ground, temperatures cool and skies darken earlier. Sweater weather approaches, and we rejoice. Happy fall, y’all! The autumnal equinox, when days and nights are approximately equal in length, arrives this year on Friday, Sept. 22 at precisely ...

By Michelle Townsend —  The Constitution is the most important document in the United States. It establishes the American government and our position as a democracy. The Constitution also lays out our freedoms as Americans; this is celebrated every September 17th in remembrance of the day the delegates signed the document at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia on September 17, ...