One of the interesting things about Oakhurst, California is the fun and unique places that you can visit and enjoy.  There is a certain flavor here that is not mimicked in most other areas in the country.

For more than 20 years. Allan King and his late wife Barbara had collected vintage clothing.  They spent years having fundraisers so that they could display their finds in a museum setting that everyone could enjoy.  Their motto is “Fostering an awareness of the history and appreciation of vintage fashion.”

In 2002 they joined forces with the Wild Wonderful Women organization and their museum dream became a reality for all to enjoy.  Their feature exhibit was a bridal collection.  Fast forward to October of 2006.  The Museum moved next to the Children’s Museum of the Sierra.  There continues to be a fun museum for all to enjoy.  Exhibits change with the season, so be sure to visit often.

Exhibits to be seen are from the flapper era, Victorian era and vintage military uniforms to name a few.  The children’s display features clothing, dolls, shoes, and some very old books.

The address is 49269 Golden Oak Drive #100 in Oakhurst.  There is a $2 entrance donation that is needed.  Call (559) 658-6999 for more information.

With central heating and other modern comforts, the necessity of quilts has diminished, but that doesn’t mean we need to complete lose the art of making them. Besides keeping people warm, quilts were (and still are) an artistic form of expression. In recent years, the art world has paid more attention to the beauty of quilts. Quilts are also a good focal point for social gatherings.

Since 1980, members and guest of the Sierra Mountain Quilters Association have been coming together to practice and promote the fine art of quilting. They meet the first and third Thursdays of each month. Meetings may include technique demonstrations, videos, a guest speaker or a “Show-n-Tell.” They also hold quilting circles at members’ homes to work on quilting projects.

This coming Thursday, June 19, the Sierra Mountain Quilters Association will be getting together at Whittenburg Hall (Community Church of Oakhurst) from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Attendees at this meeting will be treated to a trunk show by artist Susan Turner. To learn more, you can call 559-693-4586) or visit the group’s website, www.smqa.org.

It seems that our country is always in need of blood donors.  Much of today’s medical care depends on a steady supply of blood from healthy donors.   Here are some interesting blood donation facts:

More than 4.5 million patients need blood transfusions each year in the U.S. and Canada alone.  There are 43,000 pints of donated blood used in the U.S. and Canada each day.  Someone will need blood every two seconds in the United States.  One out of seven people entering a hospital will be in need of receiving blood.  Of the U.S. population, only 37 percent are eligible to donate blood, yet only 10 percent of those people contribute annually.

One pint of blood can save up to three lives.  Healthy adults who are at least 17 years old, and at least 110 pounds may donate blood.  The most common form of donation—every 56 days, or every two months. Females receive 53 percent of blood transfusions; males receive 47 percent.  Blood or plasma that comes from people, who have been paid for it, cannot be used to human transfusion.

Healthy bone marrow makes a constant supply of red cells, plasma and platelets.  One unit of blood can be separated into several components: red blood cells, plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate.  Most donated red blood cells can be stored for 42 days.  There are thirteen tests (11 for infectious diseases) performed on each unit of donated blood.

If only one more percent of all Americans would give blood, blood shortages would mostly disappear.

There will be a blood drive on June 17, 2008 at the Mountain Christian Center (40299 Hwy 49 in Oakhurst).  Donation times are from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.  All donors will receive a variety of discounts from valley businesses for dining, recreation, entertainment and services.

So everyone, get out and donate now.  It will make you feel great!

In continuation to the post on Wednesday.

The Club is hoping to reopen its doors to the many children who are still in need of their services.  Current deadlines have been set for funding.  The club must have bank account balances of at least $75,000 by November 1, 2008 in order to reopen.  They will also need to increase the cost of membership from $10 per child per year to $20 per child per month in order to stay open.  Families who cannot afford the membership fees will not be turned away. 

The club has been without a corporate sponsor since 2003 and would love for a company to sponsor them.  After being in operation for 10 years and helping so many children, it would be a shame to not be able to stay in operation.

Look for more upcoming events that will directly benefit the Harry H. Baker Boys and Girls Club.  On Saturday, June 14th, come join Mat and Shred It in the Sierra Star parking lot.  Bring up to 3 boxes or bags of paper to shred for free.  There will be an additional charge for additional boxes.  They will also be selling hot dogs, shaved ice, and there will be a car wash.  Where else can you eat, de-clutter and wash your car all in one stop?

Come on everyone.  Help Mat and the Harry H. Baker Boys and Girls Club!

We know that picking up trash and keeping our local trails clean is not the most glamorous occupation in the world. Although, keeping our natural resources clean does add a certain glamour to the area. With this in mind, this weekend you will be able to help our area sparkle and have a little fun in the process.

This Saturday, June 13 is the American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day. Participants will meet starting at 9 am to spruce up the 3 and half mile trail along with Fresno River, China Creek and Oak Creek. The event, held with the help of the Oakhurst River Parkway committee, starts at the Oakhurst Library parking lot and trash bags, water and tools will be provided. You will need to bring your own gloves, though.

To thank you for your efforts, there will be prizes given to those who attend and a prize for the most unusual item retrieved from the river. Plus, there will be an extra-special prize for people willing to do weed-eating.

You can help solo or bring a long a group. Call Sandy Brinley at 559-683-7027 to learn more.

Mat For Mayor And The Boys And Girls Club Part I Of II

Mat Sands is running for honorary Mayor of Oakhurst.  He has been working hard to reach his goal by winning the most votes…ie…money for his charity.  He is running to raise funds for the Harry H. Baker Boys and Girls Club.  In February of this year, the club had to close its doors to the public due to lack of funding.  They were hoping that this would only be a temporary closing, but so far they are still lacking the funding to continue operations.

The Mat for Mayor Campaign will run until July.  Each candidate had to pick a non-profit organization to support.   Each dollar earned counts as one vote.  The winner will serve as an ambassador for Oakhurst by attending special events and ribbon cuttings throughout the next year.  There are three candidates in the competition.

Mat Sands has had many fundraising activities to date.  There have been spaghetti dinners at the Oak Room Bar, Movie Night at the Met Cinemas, a traditional Hawaiian Luau at the Sierra Sky Ranch and the Iron Restaurant, fundraiser at Jamba Juice, and Bingo with the Kids at the Sierra Lions Club.  On Thursday, June 12, 2008, there will be a Tri-Tip Drive-Up Dinner at the Sierra Star parking lot.  Forget the cooking and enjoy Tri-tip, beans, coleslaw and roll for a measly $10 per person.  Sounds delicious!

Please check back on Friday for the conclusion to this post.

Do you feel as if you have all kinds of stories in your head just waiting to be told? Do you think you need a boost to get started? Or maybe you already write in one genre, but you want to switch to another kind of writing.

If this is you, then this summer is the time to let the author in you roam free. The Oakhurst Branch Library will be the site for an eight week creative writing workshop for adults. The sessions start on July 9 and run until August 27. On each of these Wednesday night from 5:30-7pm, you will go through lessons that will foster ideas and improve your writing skills.

You don’t need any experience and you do not have to be published to participate. This summer of writing is sponsored by Poets & Writers, Inc. (thanks to a grant from the James Irving Foundation) and the Positive Living Center. There are a limited number of spaces, so register as soon as you can. Call Mary Lee Gowland at 559-683-6876 to register and get ready to write!

In continuation to the post on Friday.

It is difficult for buyers and sellers to remove themselves from the emotional aspects of negotiation.  This is when a good real estate agent comes in handy.  They can be unemotional about the transaction.  Agents work professionally to present their clients case in the best light and are therefore able to obtain the best results for their client.

Handling the volumes of paperwork is probably the most daunting task in buying or selling a house.  Today’s purchase agreements are often times more than 10 pages long.  There are federal and state mandated disclosures as well to contend with.  Most agents  have from one to three inches of paperwork pertaining to each transaction by the time your sale is complete.  A small mistake can land you in court and cost a ton of money.  It is the job of a real estate agent to make sure that your interests are protected and handled appropriately and accurately.

Many questions can come up even after the closing is final.  Good real estate agents stand ready to lend a helping hand when any trouble arises.  It often only takes one call and the problem is resolved.

A good real estate agent knows that his continued success will depend on your happy buying or selling experience.  Repeat business and referrals are what sustains an agent year after year and they work hard to make sure your experience is what you expected.

In continuation to the post on Wednesday.

Agents act as great buffers between you and the public.  They are able to manage your property showings and visits.  They field the many phone calls that mostly lead to nowhere.  They are able to keep the focus on the serious buyers so that an offer can be written quicker.

Agents know the current market conditions, which govern your selling or buying experience.  Important information can be analyzed to find out the average and median sales prices, the average per square foot cost of similar homes, how many days a house has been on the market and ratios about how many houses are listed, versus how many houses were sold.  All of these factors help determine when the right time to buy or sell is.  The agent will help guide clients into making the right choices about the selling price of their home based on current market conditions.

Real estate agents are able to network with other professionals.  Due to liability reasons, some agents will tend to shy away from recommending a certain individual or company over another.  They do know who has a good reputation and can often give you a list of references of companies that they or their clients have worked with before.  This information can provide needed background information so that you can make an educated choice on who you want to do business with yourself.

Please check back on Monday for the conclusion to this post.

If you have young hoopsters in your house, you might want to think about enrolling them in this year’s Basketball Camp for Boys and Girls. The camp will admit students in all grades and will take place at the Yosemite High school gyms. This is not all an all day, every day camp. Instead, program hours are from 8:30 a.m.-12 noon, Monday-Thursday.

The experience staff for this camp includes the coaches and players who have graduated from the championship Yosemite Girls Basketball program. At the camp, students will have an opportunity to get coaching on basketball basics, with a focus on shooting and on having a good time while playing the game.

The cost for the camp is $60. This money may be paid on ahead of time or it can be paid on the first day. To pay ahead of time, send monies to Gary Blate, P.O. Box 2253, Oakhurst, CA 93644.

Be sure to register early! The first 72 participants will get a little prize pack: customized Badger shorts, t-shirts and sling backpacks.