By Bob Labozetta —  What can home gardeners do to help their plants — veggies, landscape plants, shrubs and trees — survive the intense summer heat? Here are some do’s and don’ts of hot weather gardening: Don’t fertilize plants or trees during the hot summer months. The purpose of fertilizers — especially those high in nitrogen — is to help ...

YOSEMITE VALLEY — One of the area’s most spectacular waterways is among the stars of a new series of “forever” stamps issued by the U.S. Postal Service. The Merced River is one of 12 U.S. rivers featured in the new “National Wild and Scenic River System” stamp series, which was unveiled and went on sale earlier this summer. The colorful ...

SACRAMENTO – Fourth of July is synonymous with sun, fun, barbeque and fireworks. Cal Fire reminds everyone to do their part to have a safe holiday and help prevent wildfires and injuries caused by fireworks. Two out of five fires on the 4th of July are caused by fireworks, more than any other cause of fires. Most of these incidents ...

MARIPOSA — Starting July 1, Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) will begin the second year of the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) for Mariposa County. This program will provide up to four (4) free YARTS round-trip tickets to Mariposa county residents who apply until all tickets have been issued or June 30, 2020, whichever comes first. In order ...

Wild azaleas were showing off their white flowers and we caught a whiff of their scent before we saw them. This was the perfect time to see them blooming between Fish Camp and the Mariposa Grove plus got a nice workout as we wandered through Mariposa Grove to Wawona Point. Where: Sierra National Forest, Yosemite National Park, Mariposa Grove of ...

YOSEMITE — An all-American concert featuring a full symphony orchestra is a special way to celebrate America’s birthday. But to experience such a concert in Yosemite National Park in a historic location is a rare, extra-special opportunity. The Mariposa Symphony Orchestra regularly performs in Yosemite Valley, but its first-ever outdoor Wawona concert will allow attendees to revel in a simpler ...

YOSEMITE — Officials in Yosemite National Park have announced that the Tioga Road will open to unrestricted vehicular traffic on Monday, July 1, at 8 a.m. From now until the full opening Monday morning, vehicular access will continue to be available from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. There will continue to be no stopping ...

MARIPOSA — The Yosemite Songwriting Retreat showcase is slated for Music on the Green on Friday June 28, and on June 29 there will be no music in the Art Park as the Mariposa Symphony Orchestra performs in Wawona that night. The Yosemite Songwriting showcase will feature performances by retreat founders Gail Dreifus (Meltwater Bridge Band), Adam Burns (Burnsy, Bootstrap ...

Yoko Savage, a long-time resident of Coarsegold and former proprietor of Oakhurst’s Kyoto Kafe — a Japanese “home-cooking” restaurant open from 2000 to 2007 — passed away on Thursday, June 20, 2019. She was a lovely, generous spirit who enjoyed sharing her delicious meals along with a hefty helping of Japanese hospitality and culture to her beloved customers. Yoko was ...

Our destination was icy Ostrander Lake, full of beautiful reflections and bordered by a snowy, rocky ledge. But we had to work for it, hiking through burned areas and up the trail through open granite in the heat. It was so worth it! Where: Yosemite National Park Distance: 12.83 Miles Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous Elevation Range: 6,998′ – 8,612′ Date: ...