Annual Christmas bird counts last month in Mariposa, Oakhurst and Yosemite yielded fewer birds than last year, yet organizers of the three local events nonetheless judged them successful–and, as always, fun! The counts were part of the National Audubon Society’s 113th Christmas Bird Count, an annual avian census held between Dec. 14, 2012 and Jan. 5, 2013. Begun on Christmas ...

MARIPOSA – The John C. Fremont (JCF) Health Care District has a message for residents of Oakhurst and other nearby mountain towns: the next time you or someone you know needs medical attention, the JCF hospital staff and physicians are ready, willing and able to serve you with healthcare technology and services that exceed expectations. Located at 5189 Hospital Road, ...

MARIPOSA – After robbers made off with some $2 million worth of precious gems and minerals on Sept. 28, the California State Mining and Mineral Museum in Mariposa was closed. California State Parks announced in a news release last week that the museum has opened its doors to the public again as of Friday, Nov. 9.

How to Attract Beneficials and Create Wildlife Habitat MARIPOSA — Humans are not the only creatures who love the mountains. We share the county with a plethora of critters, from beautiful butterflies to less-beautiful toads. Mariposa County Master Gardeners will present a hands-on workshop Saturday, Oct. 27, all about the good guys in your garden and how to make them ...

Soft, dreamy landscapes, still lifes and buildings – whether real or fantasy-based – are watercolorist Vicki Thomas’ forte. When the mood strikes, however, she applies her liquid style of painting and drawing to people, flowers and seascapes, as well. The flowing movement of her style of creating watercolors may have been born during her former career as a fashion illustrator. ...

MARIPOSA – Vines rise from big buckets lining two greenhouses at Mariposa Loofa, where about 300 loofa sponges begin as gourds and are grown to lengths of 2 and 3 feet each. Linda and Chris Dahl own and operate the Mariposa Loofa farm, about seven miles south of Mariposa off Highway 41. This weekend, Sept. 29-30, the enterprise is open ...

Local residents experiencing problems receiving phone calls from out-of-town callers MARIPOSA — Many people living in our community and surrounding areas are experiencing intermittent problems receiving long-distance phone calls. This is a national issue related to how a long distance carrier routes calls to you. Your local phone companies are trying to resolve this problem, and need your help.

AHWAHNEE – Sierra Meadows Country Club will be the site of an 18-Hole Four-Person Scramble on Saturday, Sept. 15, to raise money for the Mollie Suh Yaley Memorial Scholarship Fund.