OAKHURST — Thanks to a retired archaeologist who loves to sing and strum and is always willing to dig up the right kind of talent, there’s a couple of places every week where singers, songwriters, poets and others can express themselves. Stephan Baldwin has lived in Oakhurst for eight years, but he’s been playing guitar and singing folk songs for over 50 years, ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park encourages all fourth graders to visit the park for free this year as part of the Every Kid in a Park (EKIP) program. The program gives fourth grade students, and those accompanying them, free access to more than 2,000 federally managed lands and waters. Visit www.EveryKidinaPark.gov to download the pass and obtain more information. “We ...

O’NEALS — What’s the best way to show the progress of an effective education? That’s a loaded question. Some people believe it’s through test scores, while others are convinced that proof of learning is in the action or activity that results from the students’ work. Chawanakee School District’s Minarets High and Minarets Charter are finding a way to answer the ...

Submitted by Kris Randal, Master Gardener Coordinator — CENTRAL SIERRA — The Mariposa County UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners’ Helpline Desk has been busy fielding inquiries about dead and dying oaks. Many concerned landowners have asked about, or have been told that their trees have been infected with Sudden Oak Death (SOD). Phytophthora ramorum, or SOD, is a pathogen that ...

MADERA COUNTY — Oakhurst’s Robert Brosi, D.D.S. received a Crystal Tower Award Tuesday, Aug. 30 at the 13th Annual Business and Education Shareholders’ Luncheon hosted by the Madera County Compact. Both Dr. Brosi and Madera Agricultural Services were recognized for their partnership with Madera County schools in front of more than 175 business and community leaders. Each exemplifies the Madera County Compact’s mission, ...

COARSEGOLD —  An energetic Girl Scout of more than 55 years has trained many leaders in the Girl Scouts of Central California South Council. Fortunately for the kindergarten through third grade youth of Raymond and Coarsegold Elementary Schools, this year she’s volunteering to lead a new troop. On Thursday, Sept. 8, parents and youth are invited to the recruitment and ...

AHWAHNEE — Hot Wasuma Nights annual car show went off smoothly over the weekend for Wasuma Elementary, with an excellent turn-out of vehicles registered, and plenty people coming out to see the action and support the school. The Wasuma School PTA organizers want to give a “big Wildcat thank you” to Sierra Tel, The Redwoods in Yosemite, Bass Lake Water Sports, ...

OAKHURST — Branches Books & Gifts has relocated to a newly renovated 1,500-square-foot storefront in the Old Mill Village Shopping Center. The store was previously located in the Junction Plaza Center. The new larger space allows the shop to expand its inventory and offer more books, educational toys and, as owner Anne Driscoll likes to say, other awesomeness. The bookshop opened ...

COULTERVILLE — Cooler fall weather heralds the perfect time for enhancing the landscape and planting a winter garden. Put Saturday, Oct. 1, on your calendar now so you don’t miss the Master Gardeners annual fall plant sale. The sale will be held at the Old Firehouse in Coulterville, on the corner of Highways 49 and 132, from 9 a.m. to ...

OAKHURST — Valley Caregiver Resource Center invites community members to a free family caregiver workshop on Understanding Difficult Behaviors of Dementia. Participants in the workshop who are unpaid caregivers will learn how to better understand what dementia is and what it is not, according to organizers. Practical tips will be offered to help family members or friends with dementia cope ...