My dog Sally is now a BARK Ranger and we want to share what we learned when we headed to Yosemite Valley to do some camping, checking out the dogwood blooms and exploring the trails where dogs are allowed. Where: Yosemite National Park Difficulty: Easy Elevation Range: 3,888 to 4,129′ Date: May 13 – 15, 2019 Maps: El Capitan Dog ...

Written by David Novell – Orangie was really excited to get to go over to Bobby G.’s house after school. He’d gotten to go once before, and Orangie and Bobby always had fun playing, plus Bobby’s father was a doctor and they had an amazing house, with wall-to-wall carpeting, fancy draperies on the windows, a living room that no one ...

By Bob Labozetta —  This final part of a three-part series on growing tomatoes in our hot, dry climate details proper cultivation techniques. In areas with no natural shade use shade cloth to cool tomatoes during the hours of most intense sunlight — usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Orient the shade structure so it is open to the ...

I had never gone birding. I don’t know why. I just never did it. I had never been to Clark’s Valley, not far from Jerseydale, but I had seen it on a map. The Sierra Foothill Conservancy was offering a class with both of these new adventures and I headed out on their Docent-led hike to learn something new. I ...

By Sal Maccarone — Within the realms of art and architecture the word style can refer either to the values followed while considering what will be created, or to the physical techniques employed during the actual process. In order to begin a study of the Mission style, one needs to go all the way back to 18th century Spain. At ...

Written by David Novell – All the 3rd grade kids knew that Alice smelled bad. Everyone would always jockey for position in line to avoid having to stand near her. Until one day Bobby G. stood up for her – right to Orangie’s face – and said (so that Alice and the other kids nearby could hear), “I’m not afraid ...

O’NEALS – A 17-year-old student from Minarets High School is in stable condition at Valley Children’s Hospital after quick action by students and staff likely saved his life. Chawanakee Unified School District Superintendent Darren Sylvia says the lunch hour was just winding down yesterday at the Minarets campus, and food service personnel had begun clearing the cafeteria as some students ...

Written by Karen Bauer – MADERA – Jennifer Snyder of Oakhurst picks up three tiny little kittens who are mewing for their mamma and some food. There’s no mamma – but the food comes via a bottle every five hours. With all three in her arms, Jennifer passes the bottle between each one, making sure they have had enough. Your ...

This is one of those hikes that is not open to the public and you can only go on the property with the Sierra Foothills Conservancy. Since they don’t offer hikes here very often, I jumped at the chance to see some new country to me, learn more about native grasses, wildflowers and the drought tolerant blue oak. The Catheys ...

Written by David Novell – By far the most beautiful girl at Orangie’s school – Polk Elementary – was Diane Harrrison, whose soft brown shiny hair, dimpled smile, and big blue eyes made Orangie go sort of crazy whenever he was around her. In fact, she was so beautiful that Orangie had never yet been able to speak one single ...