FRESNO – The Valley Performing Arts Council, in partnership with Fresno Grand Opera, will bring to life a magical holiday tradition with its presentation of “The Nutcracker” at two performances on Thanksgiving weekend. The ballet will be performed Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, at 1 p.m. at William Saroyan Theatre in Fresno, and will feature 37 professional ...

COARSEGOLD – The Coarsegold Community Center will be bustling with the sights and sounds of this holiday season, as the Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place on Saturday, Nov. 30, from 5 – 8 p.m. Children’s gift-making time will take place from 5 – 6 p.m. followed by lighting the tree at 6 p.m. That’s not all, though. Provided the weather ...

BASS LAKE – It’s beginning to look a lot like you-know-what, as the 22nd annual Bass Lake Tree Lighting Ceremony and Parade of Lights is set for Saturday, Nov. 30 at 5:30 p.m. The excitement takes place at the Bass Lake Event Center, complete with photo-op Santa visit for kids.

OAKHURST – One small church can make a very big difference. Just ask anyone affiliated with Christ Church Women, who are “delighted to announce” their 12th Annual Christmas Boutique. The festive event is set for Saturday, Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Evergreen Conference Center Oakhurst (ECCO). Lunch will be offered by ECCO between 11:30 a.m. and ...

NORTH FORK – It’s time for some festive merry-making in the village of North Fork, as the residents of the exact center of California kick off the holiday season. On Tuesday, Dec. 3, the annual Christmas Tree lighting ritual be will celebrated at 5:30 p.m. at the Crazy Y, brought to you by the North Fork Chamber of Commerce and ...

OAKHURST – Evergreen Conference Center Oakhurst (ECCO) invites locals and visitors alike to their annual Thanksgiving Banquet on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, with appetizers starting at 12:15 p.m. and dinner scheduled for 1 p.m. on what will likely be a beautiful fall afternoon. To extend the pleasure, excellent overnight options are available, as well.

Submitted by Monika Moulin OAKHURST – For the fourth consecutive year, more than 50 singers from local area church choirs will come together for a beautiful Christmas program, complete with accompaniment from a live orchestra. Singers from New Community United Methodist Church, Oakhurst Lutheran Church, Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church, Christ Church/Anglican and others join together to present a Christmas cantata.

OAKHURST — ‘Tis the season to shop online, and all for a great cause, as the Boys & Girls Club (BGC) of Oakhurst is running their hotly-anticipated online auction fundraiser from Tuesday, Nov. 18 through Saturday Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. It’s also time to save the date, Sunday Dec. 8, for the famous BGC Christmas Tree Auction at the ...

YOSEMITE – The Ansel Adams Gallery In Yosemite National Park was packed with students, parents and teachers on Saturday, Nov. 16, as awards were presented to the winners of the 3rd annual Gateway Expressions Art and Poetry Contest. Two walls in the gallery were lined with the artwork, poetry and photography of students from the gateway communities of Yosemite, and ...

OAKHURST – Do you know of a man, woman or business that deserves recognition for service to the community? The Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the 2013 Woman of the Year, Man of the Year, and Business of the Year Awards. The 2013 awards will be presented at the annual Chamber Installation Dinner & Awards ...