OAKHURST — A growing group of locals from towns around the foothills are meeting monthly for a vegan potluck dinner, and all those who wish to participate are welcome. “Anyone who is curious at all about healthier eating or ‘what does a vegan eat,’ or anyone who is slightly open to being exposed to something different than the status quo ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — If you have a taste for the sweet or the savory, or the hoppy, you’ll be happy to know that Visit Yosemite Madera County has deemed January to be Restaurant Month, and a host of local eateries are celebrating. For instance, Ducey’s on the Lake in Bass Lake is offering a prix fixe menu with great value, in ...

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE — Excitement in the sky coming your way soon, as Earth will experience the bright light of two supermoons in January. The first is on the first of the month, and the second is also a Blue Moon with a side order of total eclipse. Supermoon According to NASA, when the moon reaches its full phase at the closest ...

SACRAMENTO – With the new year just around the corner, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) wants to inform the public of several new laws or changes to existing law that, unless otherwise noted, take effect January 1, 2018. Cannabis Use in Vehicles (SB 65, Hill): This law prohibits smoking or ingesting marijuana or marijuana products while driving or riding ...

The Animal Compassion Team (ACT) foster and adoption Dog of the Week for SNO is the smart and charming pup named Pip. Pip is an adorable Cattle Dog mix. She is ten-months old and weighs about 35 to 45 pounds. She is a very mellow and friendly girl who knows commands including “sit,” “down,” and “stay.” She also is pretty ...

YOSEMITE — What’s the latest from Yosemite National Park? For one thing, Tuolumne Winter Rangers Laura and Rob Pilewski are celebrating their seventh season in the park. Here’s their first blog post of the season. New snow: 3 inches Total settled snow depth: 6 inches (at 8,600 feet) High temperature: 58°F (December 14) Low temperature: 17°F (December 19) Ski Conditions ...

We hadn’t received much rain or snow but I was still curious what the water flow was like over Chilnualna Falls and if ice would be creating artistic patterns along the creek. The only way to find out for sure was to head up there and check it out myself. Where: Yosemite National Park Distance: 9.44 Miles Difficulty: Moderate Elevation ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Do your kids want to keep an eye on the big guy in the red suit this holiday season? Here’s how: The North American Aerospace Defense Command is celebrating the 62nd Anniversary of tracking Santa’s yuletide journey!  The NORAD Tracks Santa website, www.noradsanta.org, launched Dec. 1, features Santa’s North Pole Village, which includes a holiday countdown, games, activities, ...

The 4 Mile Trail led me from the Yosemite Valley floor where the old Leidig Hotel stood in 1870 up to Glacier Point and Sentinel Dome, full of wonderful views of Yosemite Falls and the snowy high country. Where: Yosemite National Park Distance: 12.8 Miles Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous Elevation Range: 3,979′ – 8,107′ Date: November 29, 2017 Maps: El ...

If I could sneak one more day of hiking in before Tioga Road closed, where would it be? A hike to North Dome with a side trip to Indian Arch sounded like the perfect plan. Where: Yosemite National Park Distance: 9.76 Miles Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous Elevation Range: 7,397′ – 8,366′ Date: November 14, 2017 Maps: Hetch Hetchy Reservoir Topographic ...