By Ron Allen, UC Master Gardener, Mariposa County Although autumn is generally the best time to add native plants to your landscape, spring is the next best time. Choosing a planting site is important. Fire-prone plants such as manzanitas, pines and plants with resinous leaves and stems should be located well away from structures. Toyon and Redbud are fire-resistant, look ...

Hello, I’m Charlie. I could give you a glowing report about what a perfect little guy I am, but since I am also humble I will let my foster Mom sing my praises when you call about me. I am a 10-year-old Cocker mix and just the perfect size for a lap. I like everyone…big people, little people, dogs and even cats are OK. My foster Mom takes me for a long ...

By Sal Maccarone The word utilitarian refers to something that is useful, or serves a function. Utilitarian art is something that has function as its main priority, but is at the same time aesthetically pleasing. Like many other artists, I like to think of my own work as utilitarian art. The fact is, many important architectural wonders can be considered ...

Hi there, I’m Hashbrown! Remember my sister, Pancake? You may have met her last week. We are brother and sister, six months old, spayed and neutered, and hoping to meet our furrever family! I want you to know I posed for this photo just for you! If you want to meet me or Pancake, please call 559-683-1266.

MARIPOSA – Fire is a natural part of California’s ecosystem. If used properly, fire can improve the health and resiliency of both forests and rangelands, control weeds, increase species diversity, promote native species, and reduce extreme smoke and damage of catastrophic wildfires. Prescribed fire is increasingly accepted as one of the tools to meet these land management goals. However, the ...

Submitted by Connie Popelish, North Fork History Group  The people of North Fork have always been big on community spirit! In this 1969 image of participants in the Loggers Jamboree Parade, the Volunteer Fire Station is in the background. The location of the Fire House was Main Street, North Fork, where the library is today. The North Fork History Group ...

Every February, for about ten days, an ephemeral waterfall on the east end of El Capitan is uniquely lighted by the setting sun, making it it appear – from certain angles – as though it is a falling river of fire. This natural “Firefall” (not to be confused with the man-made ones off of Glacier Point from 1872 through 1968) ...

By Bob Labozetta (UC Master Gardener, Mariposa) Starting plants from seeds can save you money, give you the option of trying interesting varieties, and bring you closer to Mother Nature’s methods of propagation. Different seeds have different germination rates, so refer to seed catalog or seed packet directions to determine when and how to start your seeds. Visit http://cemariposa.ucanr.edu/Master_Gardener for ...

Hi there, I’m Pancake! You might say I am part of the ‘breakfast’ litter. You will meet my brother, Hash Brown, next week. I am 6 months old, spayed, and I was raised in a foster home with dogs and kids, so I am used to just about any family situation you may have. If you think a young girl ...

Fostering kittens and cats has risen in popularity during these unprecedented times, and many pet lovers are becoming fosters to help overcrowded animal shelters. Fostering a kitten can be a fun and exciting time, but it may also come with a learning curve. Among the 43% of respondents to a Royal Canin survey who have fostered a pet, 6 in ...