Good things really do come in small packages.

The North Fork Women’s club will have their yearly Valentine mini sale on February 14 from 10 am to 2 pm. The sale will be right in front of the North Fork Post Office. This year the emphasis will be on a certain color. Can you guess what it is? That’s right, it’s red. Although they are known as the ladies in purple, they are going to be offering up all sorts of good things in the color of amour.

The ladies will be on hand to offer a variety of red edibles and collectibles. On the edible side there will be cookies, cakes, pies, fudge and breads (all miniature of course). Turning the collectible side of things there will be pot holders, doilies, scarves and other handmade crafts, along with plants.

Does your sweetheart like to read? They will also be selling bags of books—for the low, low price of $1 each.  You can’t beat that.

While you’re there shopping for your family and friends, you can enter a raffle for a $100 bill. Nothing says love like a crisp, green bill in your pocket. Of course, no one can tell you who or what to spend it on…maybe a fancy dinner with your sweetheart…or maybe you can get something fancy for yourself.

Do you enjoy swinging to the beautiful music that can only be found with ballroom dancing?  If so, you will be happy to hear that a monthly ballroom dance extravaganza is due to begin in Oakhurst after Valentine’s Day!  The extravaganza is a family affair and no alcohol will be served.  Everyone in the community is invited to attend.

Ballroom dancing originated in the Western World.  In past times, ballroom dancing was considered “social dancing” only for the privileged.  It is nice to see that this dancing style is alive and well and available for all to enjoy.

There will be a special dance workshop so that you can “brush up” on your ballroom skills.  It will be held at the Masonic Hall on Highway 49.  Swing dancer Lori Landrin and Arthur Murray style dancer Ed Bailey will help you hone your skills one week before the first ballroom dance.  Come and work with them both on Sunday, February 17th from 2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m..

The monthly ballroom dance party will begin on February 24th from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. at the Oakhurst Community Center on Road 425B in Oakhurst.  It will be hosted by Ed Bailey and the Vision Academy of the Arts.  The cost is $10 per person which will also include a 30 minute dance lesson from the instructors.  This special ballroom dancing will continue to meet on the 4th Sunday of each month.

For more information on this special event, contact Ed Bailey via email at edbailey@sti.net or Lori Landrin at (559) 658-8541.

Today is the first day of the Chinese New Year. Unlike our New Year celebrations, which are concentrated on one day, Chinese New Year is celebrated for a month.

The date for Chinese New Year changes each year because the Chinese calendar combines aspects of solar and lunar calendars. The calculations are complex, so I’ll just say that Chinese New Year occurs on the second new moon after the winter solstice. Two years ago, in 2006, there was a Leap Year in the Chinese calendar, but instead of just an extra day, they got a whole extra month!

The year we refer to as 2008 is the year 4706 on the Chinese calendar. It is the Year of the Rat.

According to legend the Chinese New Year began to celebrate how an old man got rid of a beast that was torturing people. Others say that is a spring celebration, the kind that people all over the world used to have to welcome in a new season.

For many Chinese in China and all over the world, it is a time to get together with family and friends to express gratitude and celebrate life.

The Madera/I-Lan Sister City Corporation works to continue Madera’s ties with I-Lan, its Sister City in China and they host a Chinese New Year Dinner every year.

In continuation from the post on Monday.

Chateau Lasgoity will feature playing harps for the most serene environment.  They will be pairing their red wines with delicious chocolate cheesecake squares.  White wines will be paired with chocolate chip raspberry brownies.  All of these scrumptious chocolate creations are handmade by the Lasgoity family.  Lunch will also be available for purchase.

Visit the Quady Winery and experience a beautiful art show with local exhibitors.  Artists will be on site to answer any questions you might have.  Visitors will enjoy looking through wine tank port holes and viewing a one of a kind piece of art.  Chocolates, truffles and cheese will be among the tasty treats of the weekend, while being serenaded by a lovely acoustic guitar.

The Ficklin Vineyards will be featuring many exhibitors and vendors such as Cold Stone Creamery, Chocolate Occasions, Boy Scout Troop 130 and Fresno Wildlife Rescue.  There will be a special, by reservation only, Vintage Port Library tasting at 4:00 p.m. each day.  Space is limited to 24 patrons.  Look for gift baskets and special pricing on wines at this location.

Come and enjoy the wonderful 2006 Yosemite View Viognier and the new Madera Muscat at the Mariposa Wine Company.  Barbeque ribs, tips and chicken will be available for purchase.  Reimer’s Candies of Three Rivers will be serving up their quality gourmet chocolates for all to enjoy.

The best of the best will be shown at these California vineyards.  Further information on participating wineries can be found at www.maderavintners.com or by calling (800) 613-0709.

If you have ever been to a choir audition, you know what a nerve-wrecking experience that can be. You’re in a room with a bunch of people. Everyone wants to make it in. Everyone is sizing up the competition.

Well, if you sing tenor, there is one choir that may take you, no questions asked. (This is not a guarantee, of course, but considering the need, this may very well be the case.)

The North Fork Choir needs tenors, so if you sing in that range they would gladly welcome you to join the ranks.

They have put out an APB all across the area trying to reach tenors far and wide. Some of you are hiding, but don’t be shy. Singing in a choir can be a lot of fun. It is a great way to meet new people. If you haven’t sung in a while, that is okay, you’ll soon get the hang of it.

Practice is held every Wednesday from 6-8 pm at North Fork School (Kennedy Hall). There are not dues to join, although you will have to pay for sheet music. The choir will sing at the Squirrel Theatre Company’s spring show, which will be held in Saturday, April 26, 2008.

For more information call 559-877-3030.

Delicious wine and chocolate, who could ask for anything more?  On Saturday, February 9th and Sunday, February 10th, come and enjoy all that the Madera Vintners Association has to offer.  Family wineries of the Madera Wine Trail will be hosting a wonderful weekend for you to enjoy!

Winery visitors may purchase a $20 Passport Wine Glass at any of the participating wineries either Saturday or Sunday.    Come and enjoy both art and music as you travel along through your wine tasting adventures.  Current and new vintages will be available for tasting and purchasing and will be paired with delicious chocolate creations that are sure to delight even the most finicky of taste buds.

The wineries will offer a vast selection of fun for you to enjoy while visiting.  The Birdstone Winery will host jazz musicians.  They will have lunch available and olive, chocolate and cheese tasting.  The Westbrook Wine Farm is taking reservations by appointment only (very limited).  They will unveil their new secret wine “Gambono”.

The Prospero family welcomes you to come and try their award winning wines, made from the finest California grapes at the Oak Hallow Winery.  Come and try the old world wine blends from the Nonini family at the Pacific Crest Winery.

Please check back on Wednesday for the conclusion to this delicious post!

Are you interested in knowing more about Scotland?   Are you Scottish or would you like to be?

The Scottish Society of Central California formed in 1982 when people from the Celtic Cultural Society of Central California formed their own organization.  The Society’s mission is to education society about Scottish heritage.  They strive to provide entertaining events that will share the Scottish culture and promote goodwill and understanding.  They also perform charitable acts.

One of the primary activities of the Scottish Society of Central California is the presentation of the Annual Fresno Scottish Highland Gathering and Games.   The games are considered one of the finest one-day Scottish events on the West Coast.

The upcoming Robert Burns Supper is also an event that you will not want to miss.  It will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2008 at the Love and Garlic, 5351 North Diana, in Fresno.    Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. and will cost $45 per person.  A table for 8 can be reserved for $320.  Headline entertainment is provided by “The Brown Sisters” and “George Cavanaugh”.  Attendees will also enjoy hearing “Harps at Play”, “Fresno Stag”, Thistle Pipe Band with Highland Dancers”.

Come one, come all and toast the Haggis, Laddies and Lasses!  For more information, contact Ken Bain at (559) 439-5553.  Cheers everyone!

The Harry H. Baker Boys and Girls Club had their 6th Annual Christmas Tree Auction on December 2, 2007.  They are reporting that it was a huge success.  Information will follow soon on their website, as to how much money they raised for their various charities.

If you missed the live auction, you still have a chance to bid on some fantastic items online.  The final day of bidding will be this Friday, December 14th.  Like before, the proceeds will go the The Harry H. Baker Boys and Girls Club.

Bidders are welcome to wage war and try to win a one-of-a-kind original painting that was painted especially for this occasion by artist Joan Brumley.  There are  other items still available for online bidding. Many holiday decorations, a family portrait session, glassware, jewelry, various collectible items, and the book, “Rhett Butler’s People”.

Not only will you find some fun items to put under the Christmas tree, you will be helping this worthwhile organization whose mission is to enhance and promote and the development of boys and girls in the Madera County area.

If you would like to see what see what all the fun is about, visit http://www.supportbgclub.cmarket.com for more information.  Let the bidding continue!

If you’re in business (and even if you’re not) you know that China is fast becoming a leader on the world economic stage. In March 2007 the Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored a trip to China and the chamber is planning to return to China in October 2008. If you want to go, you should make arrangements now so that you can be prepared and have everything in place, as space is limited.

The price of the trip is $1,499 per person. This price takes into account double-occupancy and includes round trip airfare, the costs of staying at a 4 or 5-star hotel, tour bus, tour guides, 3 meals per day, entrance fees for attractions and taxes. You will truly get your money’s worth and then some on this trip. You can get a single room for $450 more. If you want to take a business class flight (round trip) add $4,500 to the original price.

Participants are responsible for making sure their passports are up to date. You must register for the trip by 8/1/08 and a registration fee of $200 is due at the time of registration.

To get an information packet about this exciting trip, call the Chamber at 559-683-7766.

The Golden Chain Theater would like to invite you to attend their Chistmas Variety Show, “Babes in Toyland”.  Shows will begin on Friday, December 7th at 7:00 p.m..  Additional shows are on Saturday, December 8th at 7:00 p.m. and a Sunday matinee performance beginning at 2:00 p.m..

Everyone is sure to enjoy watching this fun Holiday show with a special visit from Santa!

The cost will be $12 for adults, $10 for seniors 55 and up, $6 for children ages 4 through 12 and children under will receive free admission.  Parties of 24 of more will receive special group rate pricing and VIP status.

The Golden Chain Theater is a non-profit community theater.  They have celebrated 40 consecutive seasons of performances in 2007.  They strive to preserve the 19th century melodramatic and historic productions.  Visitors are greeted by costumed characters when they enter the lobby.  The theater boasts a 17,965 square foot facility with cabaret style seating for 265 patrons.  There is a family friendly saloon as well.

So come have some fun, take a step back in time and enjoy a performance at the Golden Chain Theater.  If you would like ticket information call (559) 683-7112 or visit (gctboxoffice@gmail.com).