MARIPOSA – Mountains of minerals and more will be on display at the Mariposa Mineral & Gem Show this Saturday and Sunday, Apr. 11 – 12 at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds on Highway 49. From benitoite to topaz, nearly all the gems and minerals an expert can name are featured in the annual show which includes jewelry, exhibits, speakers, demonstrations, ...

MARIPOSA – On Apr. 25 and 26, the Mariposa Symphony Orchestra commemorates the 125th Anniversary of Yosemite National Park’s 1890 creation with special concerts in Yosemite and Mariposa. Renowned Cellist Ira Lehn returns to perform with the orchestra as soloist in Camille Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto #1 in A, Opus 33 – the very piece in which Mr. Lehn made his ...

OAKHURST – The 30th Annual Elegant Auction to benefit Oakhurst Community Park will be held on May 2, at the Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite. In honor of the 30th Anniversary, this year’s theme is surrounded with pearls – think “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” – providing a wonderful opportunity for guests to get dressed up in their elegant best.

NORTH FORK – Plan now to attend a very special Pancake Breakfast sponsored by the North Fork Lions Club to benefit the North Fork School Garden. Breakfast will be served up from 8 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, Apr. 11, in Kennedy Hall at the North Fork Elementary School. Eggs, sausage and pancakes will be generously prepared by the Lions ...

MOUNTAIN AREA – The Central California Animal Disaster Team (CCADT) is preparing for the upcoming wildland fire season and are recruiting volunteers in Eastern Madera and Mariposa Counties to assist with displaced pets in their emergency animal shelters. On Saturday, Apr. 18, the CCADT is presenting a free workshop – “The Basics Of Emergency Animal Sheltering,” at Mariposa County Elementary ...

OAKHURST – After years of record-breaking participation in the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) annual Relay for Life event in the foothills, it’s time now that our mountain area canines get in on the uplifting action.

Submitted by Anne Driscoll OAKHURST – Two local authors will be on hand at Branches Books & Gifts in Oakhurst this week, touting new works that hit home for fans of Yosemite area history, and Sierra National Forest Firefighters and firefighting. Historian and author Leroy Radanovich will be at the bookstore on Sunday, Mar. 29, from 1:30 to 3 p.m., ...

MADERA COUNTY – Looking for a little inspiration for your garden? The Madera County Master Gardeners are now selling tickets for the 9th Annual Glorious Garden Tour set for Saturday, Apr. 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., showcasing four local glorious gardens and raising funds to benefit the Three Sisters Demonstration Garden and other Madera County Master Gardener projects.

OAKHURST – Teams made up of first responders from the Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, the U.S. Forest Service, Cal Fire, Madera County Firefighters and local EMS will be participating in a “pitched battle” on the Yosemite High School diamonds during the second annual Guns & Hoses Slow Pitch Softball Tournament on Saturday, Apr. 11.

Submitted by Joy Judd OAKHURST – We had an amazing turnout for the MOPS Community Baby Shower last weekend, as we basically doubled our number from 80 families served last year to 156 families for 2015. Thanks to all who helped out!