NORTHERN HEMISPHERE — Here we go! Summer officially kicks off at precisely at 3:07 a.m. PDT on Thursday, June 21, with solstice, marking the point during the year when the sun takes its most northerly path across the sky. Summer solstice is the longest day of the year, with the shortest night, and at noon your shadow will also be the shortest of ...

AHWAHNEE – It’s that time of year again when ranchers start moving their cattle up to the high country and summer pasture. This weekend, Tom Bohna and the rest of the crew will be driving about 350 head of cattle through the Ahwahnee area, on through Fish Camp and up to the Long Meadow area where they’ll enjoy the summer ...

NORTH FORK – Residents in the community of Cascadel Woods and Cascadel Heights are taking fire preparedness very seriously. Having been evacuated three times in the last three years when wildfire threatened, and with only one viable route leading down from mountain homes, more than a dozen residents armed themselves with weed whackers over the weekend and removed the fuel ...

The life of Kenneth D. Carlson will be celebrated on Friday, June 22, at 11 a.m. at Mountain Christian Church. Pastor Terry Cederblom is officiating. Ken passed away on June 6, 2018, at the age of 93. Ken was born Feb. 14, 1925 to William and Hildur Carlson. Ken and his wife, Grace, retired to Oakhurst in 1988 and founded ...

COARSEGOLD – The folks at the Yosemite Lakes Volunteer Fire Department have a great idea for Father’s Day – take your dad to breakfast at the Yosemite Lakes Park Clubhouse, and support Station 10 in the bargain. They will be serving up pancakes, eggs, sausage, OJ and coffee from 8 to 11 a.m. There will also be t-shirts and stickers, ...

FRESNO – Open auditions for over 100 student roles in Fresno Ballet Theatre’s 2017 production of The Nutcracker will be held on Sunday, June 24, from noon to 5:30 p.m. in the dance studio of the music building at California State University Fresno. Roles are available for male and female dance, gymnastics, and drama and cheer students of all experience ...

OAKHURST — Continuing a tradition began in 2009, Oakhurst Lutheran Church will hold a celebration in honor of Flag Day on Thursday, June 14. As usual, the touching event will take place in the memorial garden at the church, with a ceremony at the veterans’ monument, starting with dinner at 6 p.m. This year’s inspirational speaker will be Ed Bates. Dinner ...

By Brian David (UC Master Gardener, Mariposa) In Mariposa we can access answers to gardening questions through the University of California’s Master Gardener Helpline. Belinda Gilbert and Diane Timmins, UC Master Gardener Helpline volunteers, explain the helpline process. What is the purpose of the U.C. Master Gardener’s Helpline?  We receive calls from people wanting help identifying insects or plants. Sometimes ...

OAKHURST — This is your chance to clean out that garage or shed, get rid of that broken TV, or dispose of paint and dangerous chemicals. Madera County is sponsoring a one-day hazardous waste disposal event on Saturday, June 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Yosemite High School, 50200 Road 427 in Oakhurst. None of the items listed below for ...

OAKHURST – Stop by Western Sierra Nursery on Friday, June 15 for “An Evening of Whine and Noses” to benefit the Eastern Madera County SPCA (EMC SPCA) and help outfit the shelter. The event is hosted annually by Western Sierra Nursery owners, Dianna and Jeff Conaway. The night out includes live music and special human treats from 6 – 8 ...