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Surviving the Heat Wave
With record breaking temperatures, what can we do to keep cool? We are so lucky to live in the mountain community; there are many places to go and activities to do to avoid the heat. Cooling centers are opened to the public at the
The Fresno Chaffee Zoo
When was the last time you went to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo? We are so fortunate to live nearby such a wonderful zoo and should take advantage of all it has to offer. The zoo has many species of animals to see and is affordable for an entire family to visit. The Chaffee zoo is centrally located and is a short drive from anywhere in the central valley. It was not until just this year that we came to realize what a wonderful zoo we have in our backyard. We have become members and have even adopted an animal. Membership has many benefits. As a member you get discounts on tickets to Breakfast with the Animals, Ice Cream Zoofari and ZooBoo, a discount at Playland and Storyland, you receive the quarterly members’ ZooNews magazine, free or discounted admission to over 120 zoos nationwide, and many other benefits. Checkout their website at http://www.fresnochaffeezoo.com/index.html and take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.
This is from Sophia’s 17-soon-to-be-almost-18 year old son, Trent, who will be going to CSU Fresno in the Fall.
Wow! These past four years have been a wild ride. From Freshman year to Senior year felt like a blink of an eye. But now, off to another adventure. College. Moving on from having everything given to me to having to work very hard to it. High school was tough, but there were teachers willing to help when needed. I now reaalize that some of my upcoming professors won’t be that way. I will have to do extra studying. Also, I will not be living at my home. I will be moving to an apartment near the school. It will be nice, but very different. It is a chance to really get to know myself. And I feel excited about that. It will be an experience of a lifetime. And I pray that everything will work out for the good, whether is be easy or just frustrating.
It is hard to believe that it is almost time again for the Madera County Fair. I can almost smell the funnel cakes, corn dogs and cotton candy already. It is a county tradition that both the young and old enjoy.
The 2008 Madera County Fair Exhibitor Handbooks are now available for pick up at various locations around the county. The book provides information on what competitions are available this year, all deadlines and information on how to submit your items into the various competitions.
Groups or individuals are encouraged to submit their entries for the fun filled weekend. Teachers are encouraged to make the fair part of their curriculum and submit their entries as well. There will be the usual competitions as well as several more that were added to the arts and crafts, photography, agriculture, livestock and floriculture categories. Winning entries can win; ribbons, awards and even cash!
Fair handbooks can be picked up in Madera at the Madera District Fair Office, 4-H/Coop Extension, Evans Feed and Livestock Supply, Valley Feed and Fuel, Madera Chamber of Commerce, Madera County Library, Madera Ranchos Library and the 22 Mile House. They can also be picked up in Oakhurst at the Sierra Star or at Oakhurst Feed.
The theme this year is called “Grape Balls of Fire”. The fair will run from September 4th thru September 7th this year. For more information on participating in the Madera County Fair, call (559) 674-8511. If you are unable to pick up your handbook, you can download it from www.maderafair.com.
Strike Up The Band
Written by George and Ira Gershwin
Let the drums roll out
Let the trumpet call
While the people shout “Strike up the band”
Hear the cymbals ring
Callin’ one and all
To the martial swing, strike up the band
There is work to be done, to be done
Let’s have fun, fun, fun
You son of a gun of a gun, take your stand
Form a line, oh, oh
Come on, let’s go
Hey, leader, strike up the band!
Come one; come all to the Celebrate America 2008 annual concert. On Sunday, June 29th at 6:30 p.m. you are all invited to come and listen to the wonderful music that will be performed by the Oakhurst Community Band.
Deciding to not have the audience and band members baking in the heat, festivities will instead be held this year at the Yosemite High School Gym. Come and enjoy wonderful patriotic music such as America the Beautiful and God Bless the USA (one of my most favorite songs). There will be marches, the national anthem sung, and other patriotic tunes as a salute to the amazing armed forces. The Oakhurst Community Choir will also take center stage and is sure to wow the audience.
This is a family event and it is FREE. People are encouraged to bring a picnic and stay for this great Americana show. Seating will be in the bleachers and the floor for those who have difficulty with the bleachers. For more information, call (559) 683-4667, extension 371. There is also a special surprise that is very hush hush. What could it be?
I have previously written about the ongoing campaign of Mat Sands who is running for the position of honorary Mayor of Oakhurst. He has come up with some very cleaver and fun fundraisers to help earn money/votes for his charity, the Harry H. Baker Boys and Girls Club.
The Harry H. Boys and Girls club is still in need of your help. They do not want to close their doors permanently. They need funding now and they are very grateful for Mat Sand for all the help he has given.
On June 20th, there will be a fundraising event at Sierra Lanes. The cost is $20 for 2 hours of bowling. There will be music, disco lights and prizes. Contact Sierra Lanes at 683-2695 to reserve your lane.
On June 21st everyone is invited to a one day opening of the Boys and Girls Club Skate Park. Come to the KickFlip Challenge. The event will begin at 12:00 noon and will cost $5 per person. Enjoy watching pro-skaters, live music and more. Contact Westside Boardshop at 683-3383 for more info.
United First Financial has now joined the campaign. They are dedicated to their customers who want to debt free. They are offering a $25 donation to every qualified presentation and $100 to the “Mat for Mayor” campaign, with every program activation. For more information call, Rick or Jane Cavin at 559-683-2693. Come on everyone. Help Mat get elected and the Harry H. Baker Boys and Girls Club re-open to the children who need it most!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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