OAKHURST – Sierra Tel invites area residents to Yosemite High School’s football stadium this year to commemorate Patriot Day 2016, with Keynote Speaker Michael A. Vane, Lieutenant General, US Army Retired. LTG Vane was most recently the Deputy Commanding General at the US Army Draining and Doctrine (TRADOC) Futures Center. The 2-star general lives at Shaver Lake. The ceremonies begins at 9 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 12. YHS Principal Randy ...

We like to hike with our dogs, so where are those great dog hikes in our area? You have seen my dog Sally tagging along with me on some of our hikes. Now is your turn to share your favorite dog hikes for inclusion in dog hikes in our area. I envision a living document that we can add more ...

OAKHURST — Thanks to a retired archaeologist who loves to sing and strum and is always willing to dig up the right kind of talent, there’s a couple of places every week where singers, songwriters, poets and others can express themselves. Stephan Baldwin has lived in Oakhurst for eight years, but he’s been playing guitar and singing folk songs for over 50 years, ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park encourages all fourth graders to visit the park for free this year as part of the Every Kid in a Park (EKIP) program. The program gives fourth grade students, and those accompanying them, free access to more than 2,000 federally managed lands and waters. Visit www.EveryKidinaPark.gov to download the pass and obtain more information. “We ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park will close a day use parking area in Yosemite Valley on the evening of Monday Sept. 5, for a project aimed at improving parking and traffic circulation. The parking area, also known as the Village Day-Use Parking Area (south) or Camp 6, will reopen this winter. Visitor parking will be available at the Yosemite Falls ...

OAKHURST — Branches Books & Gifts has relocated to a newly renovated 1,500-square-foot storefront in the Old Mill Village Shopping Center. The store was previously located in the Junction Plaza Center. The new larger space allows the shop to expand its inventory and offer more books, educational toys and, as owner Anne Driscoll likes to say, other awesomeness. The bookshop opened ...

OAKHURST — Bob Kaspar has always been ahead of the curve. He built his first telescope at the cusp of his teenage years. When he was 14, the Massachusetts native rode a bicycle alone from southern California to Yosemite. At 15, he spent six weeks solo off-trail hiking and climbing through the High Sierra. Turning 16, Kaspar rebuilt his first car, ...

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 ...

BASS LAKE — Special event doesn’t even begin to describe the excitement as the Tamed Fire Dancers bring their astounding pyrotechnic abilities to the Bass Lake Water Sports Marina for Labor Day weekend. The creative fire dancers will perform at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 4 for one show only. “Tamed Fire is just like a Hawaiian luau, only hotter,” says Tom Tuso ...

COARSEGOLD — Academy Award and Grammy winning artist Melissa Etheridge will take the stage to perform songs from her album, This is M.E. along with some of her greatest hits, including “Come to My Window,” “I’m The Only One” and “I Want To Come Over.” Known for her distinctive vocals, profound lyrics and riveting stage presence, Melissa will share personal stories about her ...