AHWAHNEE – The new season of top-flight concerts at the Coolwater Ranch kicks off with Grammy-winning guitarist Mike Dowling on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. Dowling draws inspiration from American roots guitar. Bottleneck blues, vintage swing and ragtime are just a few of the styles in which he is fluent. With his self-deprecating wit and elegant interpretations of an ...

OAKHURST – Leaders of the charitable organization Helping One Woman (HOW) have announced the January recipient of the club’s giving dinner is a young woman who has been a dedicated, long-time caregiver to many, including her recently deceased mother. HOW organizers say the January dinner will honor Leilani Cummings on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015.

MARIPOSA – The Yosemite Area Audubon Society invites foothill residents and visitors to enjoy an evening of fun, adventure and entertainment with Matthew Matthiessen, a captivating storyteller and world-class photographer. Matthiessen will be hosting a stunning slide presentation on the birds of Peru. This program is a visual treat featuring many rare and colorful species, and will be presented at ...

The Mariposa Symphony Orchestra’s December 20th Festive Holiday Concert will feature a special musical gift to all children aged 4 to 104: Serge Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, narrated from the podium by MSO Founder/Conductor Les Marsden. The story of Peter and a bird, a duck, a cat, a fierce wolf and Peter’s grandfather is one of the most beloved ...

OAKHURST – Members behind one of the town’s local treasures are offering the chance for residents and visitors alike to slow down a little bit and celebrate the season the same way folks did in the 19th century, not that long ago. The Sierra Historic Sites Association (SHSA) will host their annual Christmas at Fresno Flats Historic Village and Park ...

NORTH FORK – Amidst poinsettias and Christmas greens, the North Fork Community Choir and the Sierra High Mountain Chorale will perform old favorites and new holiday music at the annual “Songs of the Season,” this Saturday at 7 p.m. in Kennedy Hall at North Fork School. This event has been a holiday favorite for 14 years, bringing a stirring end ...

OAKHURST – The community starts the season off this Saturday, Dec. 6, with Breakfast with Santa, from 7:30 to 11 a.m. at the Oakhurst Community Center. Guests will be greeted at the door by Father Christmas and there will be a delicious pancake breakfast. Books, provided by Sierra Tel and stuffed animals provided by The Teddy Bear Club will be ...

OAKHURST – The Oakhurst Community Christmas Tree Lighting is set for Saturday, Dec. 6, with festivities starting at 5 p.m., at Ditton’s Talking Bear Corner at the junction of Hwy 41 and Road 426. The public is invited to attend this family-friendly holiday evening. It’s a delightful way for neighbors to celebrate the holidays together as hundreds of people attend ...

OAKHURST – Picture yourself in a splendid book store on a Sunday afternoon, enjoying a delicious treat and drinking tea as you admire the penmanship of your new favorite author on the book she’s signed for you. If any of that sounds good, be sure to stop by Branches Books & Gifts on Sunday, Dec. 7, when our local bookseller ...

OAKHURST – Valley Caregiver Resource Center is offering a free workshop for family caregivers: Understanding Difficult Dementia Behavior. The workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon at Oakhurst Lutheran Church. Some assistance for respite care may be available.