FRESNO — Ruth Asawa’s first tied-wire sculpture was inspired by the skeleton of a desert plant with a hexagonal form that was given to Asawa by Paul and Virginia Hassel in 1962. She first tried to draw the plant but was unable to do so to her satisfaction. Instead, she constructed it first with wire which then enabled her to ...

YOSEMITE — As distance learning and home schooling resume, online activities for students can include exploration of spectacular natural environments such as Yosemite National Park. The Virtual Yosemite in-depth online tour can help facilitate this. For the interactive 360° VR experience, go to: https://www.virtualyosemite.org/virtual-tour/#node258 When the normal summer crowds congregate in Yosemite Valley, an escape to the peace of less ...

By Sal Maccarone Optical art, fractal art, abstract art, and many other forms of art rely heavily upon the placement of geometric shapes within a given space. Geometry is a language! The math that is used to create shapes — comprised of points, lines and curves — is thought to be universal. Geometric art forms can run anywhere from a ...

FRESNO — Wyatt Amend is a master ceramicist who is completing a family dynasty. Among his mother’s studio glass and his father’s over-sized drawings are Wyatt Amend’s vessels and propulsion drones. During a recent opening reception at an artists’ talk, Wyatt expressed his love for working with clay from a young age and also his admiration for his parents and ...

YOSEMITE — As distance learning and home schooling resume, online activities for students can include exploration of spectacular natural environments such as Yosemite National Park. The Virtual Yosemite in-depth online tour can help facilitate this. For the interactive 360° VR experience, go to: https://www.virtualyosemite.org/virtual-tour/#node257. In the high country just a couple of miles off the Tioga Road is one of ...

YOSEMITE — The comet C2020 F3 (NEOWISE) was discovered on March 27, 2020, and became the first readily visible comet to appear in the night sky of the northern hemisphere for many years. It reached its brightest near the end of July, and has been visible to the naked eye on clear nights. It’s not expected to return to pass ...

The Animal Compassion Team (ACT) foster and adoption program has a two-fer again this week. Meet the adorable Chihuahua twins Chamomile and Earl Grey. These two fun loving, eight-to-nine week old pups will steal your heart the second you meet them. They do not have to get placed in the same home, but can if someone wants both of them, ...

OAKHURST — After a very active 24 hours on the Railroad Fire on Sunday, things were quite a bit calmer today. With cooperation from the weather in the form of lower temperatures, higher humidities and calm winds, firefighters made some good progress. The fire is still being estimated at 9,790 acres with 23 percent containment. There has been an update ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — We noticed that National Dog Day was looming on the calendar, and decided to act on an impulse. Designated as Aug. 26, National Dog Day is one that needs no explanation for many, as canines are our constant companions, true sometimes most especially here in the foothills. We put the word out on SNO social media suggesting that people may ...

Laces were tied, backpacks were zipped, lunches were packed and perhaps even some tears were shed as mountain area residents got kids ready to return to school today, Monday, Aug. 17. Many noted on social media that it was a cruel coincidence Starbucks in Oakhurst is closed this week for a remodel. Undaunted, the community united and carried on despite ...