YOSEMITE – Sixty-five people will become naturalized United States citizens at Yosemite’s famous overlook on Thursday, June 27, at 11 a.m. This special ceremony commemorates Independence Day and being a U.S. Citizen. The ceremony will feature Yosemite Superintendent Don Neubacher and representatives from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services providing remarks and administering the Oath of Allegiance to the new ...

OAKHURST — It’s a little bit punny, and it’s for the animals, so stop by Western Sierra Nursery on Friday, June 28, for “An Evening of Whine and Noses,” from 6 – 8 p.m. The fundraiser is sponsored by the Eastern Madera County SPCA (EMC SPCA) to support Brian Gearhart, their candidate for Honorary Mayor of Oakhurst. A donation is ...

MADERA COUNTY – The Sierra Vista Scenic Byway Association is leading another beautiful and informative tour of one of the many scenic wonders in our own back yard. Explore the Secrets Of Nelder Grove on Saturday, Aug. 10, as 2013 National Forest Service Volunteer of the Year, Brenda Negley shares well known and secret places in Nelder Grove.

MADERA COUNTY – Take advantage of this opportunity to not only spend time on the beautiful Sierra Vista National Scenic Byway, but to learn from the pros about the best way to photograph to amazing vistas, flora and wildlife. Join local photographers Roger Robinette and Gay Abarbanell, with a little help from Joanne Freemire, as they conduct a free photographic ...

OAKHURST – Prepare yourselves for a fun family night out that benefits the Boys and Girls Club along with the Children’s Museum of the Sierra, and both in a big way. The Met Cinema is hosting a special fundraising event to benefit the two organizations, with a screening of the well-loved Disney animated feature “Wreck-It Ralph” on Thursday, June 27.

OAKHURST — The Children’s Museum of the Sierra is hosting a pair of fundraisers this week that they hope will generate the necessary funds to help keep the museum operating. The first takes place in Yosemite Lakes Park (YLP) – a free concert outside the clubhouse in front of Blue Heron Lake on Friday, June 21.

PRATHER – There will a town hall meeting tonight in Prather to discuss the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposal to designate some 2 million acres of the Sierra Nevada as critical habitat for the yellow-legged frog and Yosemite toad. Opponents of the move cite the possible closure of vast areas in 14 counties and 9 National Forests to such ...

OAKHURST – In response to the recent onslaught of fires, Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church is hosting a blood drive on Thursday, June 20, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. “While we are hoping and praying that there will not be injuries, we feel that this is one way we can help by making sure we are prepared,” says Lori Prentice, ...

MARIPOSA – “Oak trees are one of the iconic symbols of California open space. Dark-green oaks scattered across spring-green or summer-golden hillsides give Sierra foothill residents our sense of place,” says Becky Miller-Cripps, a representative of UC’s Natural Resources Program who works out of Tuolumne County. She will present a free public workshop on oaks July 20, from 10 a.m. ...

Submitted by Sue Kern CLOVIS – Organic farmers have a dream that children will prefer nature’s candy, “stone fruit,” to junk food. Fresno, the leading grower of agricultural exports, leads the nation in residents that are obese and diabetic. A group of a dozen organic farmers believe the time is plum ripe to stem that trend by allowing consumers to ...