Written by Wendy Fisher — As a lifelong wilderness enthusiast at heart, I have been exploring the Sierra on foot for well over 20 years. When I am not out exploring, gardening, or parenting my lovely twin girls, I am proud of my day job working as a plant/wetland ecologist with Live Oak Associates. Live Oak is an Oakhurst based ecological ...

BASS LAKE — Stand up paddle boarding is a fast growing sporting activity that provides a host of health benefits, including strength building and reducing stress. Summer isn’t over, so consider starting your morning off with paddle board yoga in the marina at Miller’s Landing at Bass Lake. The fun and relaxing practice takes place on Tuesday mornings at 7 a.m., and continues all ...

OAKHURST — Are you an author or do you want to be an author? Do you love to read? The Oakhurst Library will be hosting their 3rd annual Authors’ Faire on Saturday, Sept. 24. The event has become so popular with our mountain communities, say organizers, the library decided to move it to a bigger venue after more than 200 people attended in 2015. This ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park has expanded the American Sign Language (ASL) Program offered to Deaf and hearing impaired visitors. The park’s Deaf services program offers trip planning, park orientation at the visitor center, and interpretive services for Deaf and hearing impaired visitors. The program also focuses on employee training in Deaf/disability awareness and outreach to the Deaf community. Yosemite ...

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE – There’s almost always reason to celebrate, and here’s yours for the next two nights: a light will shine brightly over the foothills as the full “Sturgeon Moon” rises above. The full moon in the wee hours of Thursday, Aug. 18 is known as a sturgeon moon, so named by some Native American tribes in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain, since the ancient ...

Submitted by Kris Randal —  MARIPOSA — After over four years of drought, perhaps you are wondering if you can still have a garden or maintain colorful and thriving landscapes.  If so, think about utilizing drought-tolerant California native plants! Join the Mariposa County UCCE Master Gardeners at the Board of Supervisors Chambers on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to ...

Sharleena’s story: “the strength behind the boots.” My husband is Nick Robison, 34, and he is a Squad Leader on the Sierra Hotshots based out of Batterson in Oakhurst. I am Sharleena Robison, 31, and have been married to Nick for five years, but have been together for six years. We have a son named Kaden, age 4 ½ and a ...

Written by Ronnie Sweeting —  MARIPOSA — It’s the last weekend of the 2016 season of Music on the Green, the free summer concert series brought to you by The Mariposa County Arts Council and its many fine sponsors. This weekend at The Art Park in historic downtown Mariposa the series will feature two of the best we’ve ever presented: the Little Fuller ...

YOSEMITE — One of the preeminent Native American basket makers and tribal elders in California will lead two workshops this fall on the subjects of basket weaving and native food preparation. Julia Parker will take the helm for a pair of Yosemite Conservancy Experience Packages using the knowledge she’s gained as a respected elder and long-time cultural demonstrator in the park. ...

YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park will celebrate the Centennial, 100 years of the National Park Service, on Aug. 25. In honor of this historic milestone, park entrance fees will be waived Thursday, Aug. 25, through Sunday, Aug. 28. Camping fees and all other fees will still be applicable. The park will host many special Centennial programs throughout the park during ...