Go Platinum Lending is celebrating its  1 year anniversary. Go Platinum Lending is a local mortgage company that services Coarsegold, Oakhurst, Bass Lake  and other mountain communities as well as the entire state of California. In these turbulent time we at Go Platinum Lending feel very strongly about providing a high level of personal service along with solid financial solutions. By being a mortgage broker we can find the deal that best fits each individuals needs.Go Platinum Lending is closely connected to a local real estate office – Montecino & Assoc. This allow us to give buyers a “one-stop-shop”  and eliminates a lot of the stress a home buyer sometime experiences.Since Halloween is coming up we at Go Platinum Lending have decided to hand out free pumpkins to anyone that stops by our office beginning Oct 18 – as long as supplies last.We like to support our local community as much as possible and for this event we are able to help a local pumpkin patch increase their sales.So stop by and come and see us and help us celebrateJ

Have you forgotten about our local Oakhurst Library?  Our library, tucked behind the fire station on Civic Circle Dr., is often forgotten about and overlooked.  However, you may want to stop by and visit Madera’s Oakhurst Branch Library and see what summer fun they are offering for everyone.  Every Thursday at 10:30 kids can enjoy preschool story time.  In addition to story time, there have been magicians, music, storytelling, and other organized activities.  The library is offering summer reading programs and craft classes for children grades K-8.  The library is not only for the children; adults can enjoy poetry presentations, lectures, art exhibits, concerts, and the relaxing sounds of their grand piano.  The library is a place for all to enjoy.  Stop in and check it out.

If you haven’t decided what to do for Memorial Day, come on down and visit the Coarsegold Historic Village.  They are celebrating Memorial Day by having a Peddlers Market and Antique Show.  There will be food and entertainment as well as antiques, collectibles and treasures to enjoy.

They also hold weekly Flea Markets on the weekends.  There is a leather shop, a blacksmith and a builder of primitive instruments to be seen. 

The festivities have been going on both Saturday and Sunday, but if you missed out, plan on visiting on Monday, May 26th as well.   Call (559) 683-3900 for more information.

And…..

The Oakhurst Chamber of Commerce would like you to also visit the Mountain Area Peddlers Home and Garden Show.  This event has also been going on all weekend, but fun can still be had at their Peddlers Fair on Memorial Day Monday. 

Activities can be found at Road 426 and Sierra Way in Oakhurst from 9 am until 2:00 p.m.   The admission is free to all.  There will be demonstrations and classes from True Value Hardware.  Air Time Inflatables will be available for the kids.  Come experience arts and crafts and learn about various upgrades that are available to your home.  Call (559) 683-7766 for more information.

In my previous post I was telling you all about Oakhurst’s new online site.  Not only will this site be great for tourists, local residents will find it very informative and enjoyable as well.

On the new site you will find information on places to go in the area.  There is a calendar of events as well as an area map with clickable dots to further highlight the events and attractions available in the Oakhurst area as well as other areas.  There is also travel tips listed as well as a section on FAQ (frequently asked questions).

Find information on all sorts of restaurants like, American, Asian, Bar and Lounge, Breakfast, Café and Bistro, Fine Dining, Lunch, Mexican, Picnics and Take Out, Pizzerias, Seafood, Sunday Brunch and restaurant coupons.

There are places listed for wedding planning, meeting planning, and event planning.  You will find it easy to find information on facilities that rent for a variety of reasons.  Local wineries are listed with information on private tours, sightseeing tours and ultra premium wineries to name a few.  Thinking of planning a wedding?  No need to look any further.  This site has everything listed from wedding planners, to party sites to romantic lodging, to transportation.  There is also information listed on art galleries, attractions, spas, car rentals, casinos, golf courses, museums, RV rentals, shopping etc.  You name it, it is there.

Visit www.Oakhurstchamber.dpway.com and check out all the fun information that is now available about our great area!  What a brilliant marketing tool that is now available to everyone!

Oakhurst has recently made a wise decision in partnering up with Destination Partners.  Destination Partners is an internet marketing company that has products and services that are geared towards serving businesses, leisure travel and hospitality industries online.
Their new alliance as brought Oakhurst further onto the information highway, via the internet.  Tourism is sure to get a boost with all the information that is now available to travelers online.  People will now be able to see more information on the general area with just a few key strokes.

Special coupons, discounts, incentives and promotions, are now available online.  There are instant savings on luxurious hotel accommodations, restaurants, tours, shops, and transportation in Oakhurst and the surrounding areas, as well as information about attractions to enjoy.

The new portal provides everyone with up-to-date information on everything you could imagine.  When you go to the website, you simply click on “Oakhurst” and hit “go”.  There you have it….information is at your finger tips.  You will be able to obtain addresses, phone numbers, directions and other important details to make your travel or special event planning much easier.

The site is extremely user friendly with drop down menus and simple click and go features.

Are you in need of an area hotel?  Look no further; this site has many choices available from Bed and Breakfast Inns, to budget hotels, to luxury hotels.

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

The Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its Spring Mixer and Business Expo from 5-7 pm, this Thursday (April 3). This is a great opportunity to meet and greet local business owners and chat with your neighbors. If you feel like you should network more, but cannot find the time, this is the event for you. This is your chance to make connections with a host of your neighbors, all at once. It will be time worth spent.

Although it is a good time to network, you don’t have to be a business owner to attend. It is always good to know who you might do business with, whose shop you might want to frequent or who has products that might improve your life.

Businesses will have booths for you to visit as well as freebies to introduce you to their goods and services. There will also be raffles too and you have to be there to win. Drawings start at 6:45pm.

For more information, contact the Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce at 683-7766. You can also send an e-mail to chamber@oakhurstchamber.com.

Who said that politics have gone to the dogs?  Well in the case, it actually has!  Cute little fuzzy poodle Emma and her owner J. Carol Graham have served Oakhurst as honorary co-mayors for almost a year now.  Their time in administration is now drawing to a close and a replacement needs to be found.

Would you like to be the next honorary mayor?  If so, the Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce is the place for you!  They are looking for a few good fundraising people who also want to have some fun.  Each candidate will need to pick a charity that they will be representing.  The reigning honorary Mayor’s represented the SPCA last year.  Each dollar that is raised is considered to be one vote for that person.  The winner is determined by how many dollars they raise for their charity.  The Chamber must approve the candidate’s charity before fundraising begins.

Candidates will hit the campaign trail after the kick-off bash in April.  The winner will be announced at another bash in July.  The winner will have fun making various personal appearances around the area.

If you are interested in putting your bid in for honorary mayor, contact (559) 683-7766 or email chamber@oakhurstchamber.com.  Applications can be picked up at the Chamber office at 49074 Civic Circle, right next to the library.  All applications need to be submitted by April 5th in order to be considered.  Please be sure to follow all of the guidelines set forth by the Chamber.

Interest in our history, either as a country or locally is important for us all.  The Oakhurst area is rich in history that all area residents should revel in.

The first Saturday of each month, the Willow Bridge Books will now feature their “Did You Know” series to educate children in the public on area information from the past.  Come and find out more information about your community at large.

Find out interesting information about when Oakhurst was called Fresno Flats and why the name was changed. 

Lectures will cover information on area history, local authors, historical events and other interesting topics.  These “history lessons” will begin at 2:00 p.m.  This program sounds like a great way for some scouts to earn a badge!

Willow Bridge Books stocks new books, cards, art and educational toys.  Their mission is to provide community service and a unique shopping experience to area residents and visitors alike.
If you would like to attend these fun and informative sessions call (559) 692-book (2665) for more information. 

Reservations are not required.  The store hours of operation are 10 am until 6 pm, Sunday thru Thursday, and on Friday and Saturday from 10 am until 9 pm.

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.

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!