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 word canteen can be traced to French, Italian, and ultimately, Latin and Greek. It may have started as the Greek word kanthos, meaning corner of the eye. Somehow this word is thought to be related to the Latin canthus/cantus, which means iron tire. This lead to canto (corner) and cantina (wine cellar) in Italian. That getting closer to the canteen we know. In the French, cantine can refer to a bottle case.

Where could the iron tire have come from? Maybe for the iron rings that adorn wine barrels.

Flash forward to 18th century English where a canteen could have been a chest for carrying bottles or cooking utensils, a flask for carrying something to drink, a mess kit, and finally a bar or general store at a military post. These are the sort of canteens we are used to hearing about.

The Happy Burger in Mariposa sponsors a canteen that kind of combines several of these definitions. Canteen Coffee Time takes place Mondays from 6:00 am to 10:00 am. This free gathering is for veterans and their spouses. So there are beverages and it is a place for military people to gather, kind of like they would have at a bar or general store on a military base.

The Sierra Oakhurst Kiwanis Club will have a Pancake Breakfast, tomorrow, January 11. Although pancakes are the star of the show, they will joined by a supporting cast of eggs, ham and sausage. The fun starts at 7:30 am and ends at 10:30 am at the Oakhurst Community Center. Adults pay $5, while it costs $2 children who are 12 and under (you can’t beat that). OK, well you can beat that: children under the age of 5 eat for free.

If you’re like me, you support civic organizations because you know people in these groups and you’ve seen the good work they do. You don’t mind giving a few dollars to get some pancakes, talk to neighbors, and have a good time. But you should know that clubs like the Sierra Oakhurst Kiwanis Club are really about the business of improving life in our area. In fact, the groups started as a gathering of businessmen, called the Benevolent Order of Brothers. At the start, some wanted to increase business opportunities for members, while others really wanted to reach out toe community. Truth is, groups like the Kiwanis really do both of these things, and sometimes they manage to do them at the same time.

Oakhurst has a tea room once again.  Time for Tea has just opened and area residents could not be happier.  Owner Laurie Flanagan has put her brilliant skills to work again and has returned to the tea room trade, much to the delight of her fans in the area.

This tea room has a special flare.    It is a cute (but not to cute), girlie kind of establishment that will make you want to come back again and again.  Patrons will enjoy beautiful dishes with the characters from Alice in Wonderland.  Your taste buds will be satisfied with the delectable and savory treats that are served.

There are several rooms available to make your time special.  There is a Victorian Room with tables by the fireside.  The “Fairy” room and the “Alice” room are sure to delight your own little princess.

You will find the Time for Tea at Crain Valley Road (426) and Highway 41.  Look for the teapot silhouette over the door.  The tea room is open on Monday’s from noon until 3:00 p.m. and Tuesday – Saturday from 11:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. Reservations are encouraged by calling (559) 683-4535.

Whether you are looking for a quaint place to stop and relax or a fun adventure to experience with your little girl, you are sure to enjoy this wonderful establishment!

If you are looking for a wonderful place to celebrate the New Year, consider dining at Three Sisters Café.  They are currently accepting reservations for the 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. seating times.  Dinners are $65 per person and will include your choice of delicious meal selections.   The menu choices are:

Veal Chop with Brandied Morel Cream

Roasted Stuffed Breast of Chicken

Broiled Filet with Wild Mushroom Sauce

Grilled Halibut with Papaya Chutney

Your New Year’s dinner will also include a glass of champagne and the chef’s special dessert.

This wonderful restaurant boasts Chef Richard Beyerl, who was named one of “America’s Outstanding Chefs” by the National Registry, Chefs in America.  He was also selected by “Sterling’s Who’s Who“, for his high standards.

If you are unable to enjoy their special New Year’s dinner, you will surely enjoy the breakfast menu which includes Crepes, German specialties, as well as traditional breakfasts.  Diners can also feast on their delicious lunch menu featuring Crepes, salads, sandwiches, Panini’s and various seafood choices.

The Three Sisters Café considers itself “a charming San Francisco Cafe serving professionally crafted sauces and creative entrees”.  They are located minutes from Yosemite National Park.  Their display of beef, pork, lamb, fish, and pasta; as well as vegan and vegetarian dishes are sure to delight all types of taste buds.

The Three Sisters Café is located at 40291 Junction Drive, Oakhurst, 93644.  To make your reservations, call (559) 642-2253.

Who among us has not over-indulged in the holiday goodies?  Heck, they are everywhere we look, just calling out to us!  From grocery stores, to desk tops to platters given by friends, you just cannot escape all the calories.  Sweet potatoes, cookies, pies and even grandma’s green bean casserole (healthy… nope), they are all torture to pass up during the holidays.

Tempting little holiday goodies and yummy holiday meals can add up to serious problems for your waste-line.  It takes consuming 3500 extra calories to add up to a weight gain of 1 pound.  The average person gains 2 pounds from Thanksgiving thru New Year’s.  Most people do not lose the weight that they put on during the holidays.  This weight gain will translate into 20 pounds over a 10 year period.  This additional poundage can cause serious long term health problems.

Here are some tips to help keep those calories away when you are going to a party:

Position yourself away from the buffet table so that you are not tempted to nibble while you mingle.

Have a healthy snack before you arrive at the party.

Minimize the amount of alcohol that you consume.  Not only does it have useless calories, it will dehydrate you and you will drink even more.

Use a small plate or a cocktail napkin to hold your food. 

Don’t forget the fruits and vegetables.  They are filling and have the least amount of calories.

With a little planning, you too can avoid gaining those unwanted calories!

If you missed your opportunity last weekend, you have yet another chance to enjoy some great fun in Madera County.  Come celebrate Christmas in the Mountains on its final weekend!

Local crafters, shop keepers and artisans welcome you to join their Christmas celebrations.  The festivities began last weekend and will continue December 7th through December 9th.

Patrons will enjoy experiencing the simplicity of Christmas past in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  There is something planned for everyone in the family in the communities of North Fork, Oakhurst and Coarsegold.

Come and enjoy the fresh mountain air with local artisans, candy makers, storytellers, and music makers.  You will also encounter roving carolers throughout your travels.  Whether you visit for one day or the entire weekend, your family is sure to have a wonderful time!

Motorists will be greeted by paintings of woodland critters. Your children will be able to enjoy Breakfast with Santa, photos with Father Christmas and Santa, and storytelling hours.  There will be a shuttle service available to Yosemite National Park as well. 

Visitors will be able to purchase their “passport” (a holiday bracelet) for $5.00 which will open the doors to special gifts from restaurants, shops and hotels during their visit.  These bracelets will be available at stores displaying a pine cone decal in their window.

The Vision Academy of the Arts is sponsoring this event.  They are a non-profit organization.  Their main purpose is to promote art in the mountain area.

If you are interested in attending any or all of the fun events scheduled, visit (http://www.visionacademy.org/CITMschedule.htm) for more information.

Clearly one of the biggest events of the year in Oakhurst is the Installation Dinner and Dance.  The Chamber of Commerce invites you to join them on Friday, December 7, 2007 at 5:30 p.m..  The festivities will be held at the Pines Resort, Lakeview Room.  Attendees will help welcome into office the new Board of Directors.

The evening will include appetizers, served during the reception with a No Host Bar.  Dinner choices are Prime Rib or Salmon, and will include a salad, wine, and dessert with coffee or tea.

Honoree for the Life Time Achievement Award will be Tommie Underwood.  Winners will also be announced for the “Volunteer of the Year”, “Woman of the Year”, “Man of the Year”, and “Business of the Year”.

After the Installation of Officers, participants will enjoy a night of dancing with Sierra DJ.

Reservations are currently being taken for this event.  The cost is $45 per person, or you may reserve a table for 8 for $360.  You may also sponsor the Installation Dinner for $500.  This price will include a table for 8, an announcement recognizing your contribution with special recognition in the program that is provided to participants.   For an extra $50, you may want to enter the table top decoration contest.  If you are entering the contest, plan on arriving between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to decorate your table.  The winner will be announced at the dinner and will receive $100. 

Sponsoring an award recipient’s table is available for an additional $500 donation.  Be sure to notate which recipient you would like to sponsor.  Donations are also being accepted from those who are not able to attend this event.

If you would like to make a reservation or receive more information, call the Oakhurst Chamber of Commerce at (559-683-7766) or visit their website.

Tryptophan….Are You Feeling Tired Yet?

Have you ever eaten a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with turkey and all the fixings? Are you tired afterwards? Tiredness can be related to preparing for the holiday festivities, eating a big meal or most commonly believed, Tryptophan.

Although high levels of Tryptophan are naturally found in Turkey, it is comparable to other meats as well. One widely-held urban myth is that a heavy consumption of turkey will result in drowsiness. Tryptophan can also be found in other foods that we eat daily such as; cheddar cheese, rice, potatoes, chicken, beef, milk, chocolate, and yogurt to name a few.

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid. The human body cannot manufacture essential amino acids. Our bodies can only receive Tryptophan from food. Tryptophan helps our body produce Niacin. Niacin in turn helps our body produce Serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical that acts as a calming agent in our brain. Serotonin helps us to sleep better, feel calm and at peace. One can deduce that by eating turkey, you would sleep easier and feel calmer because of the Serotonin produced in the brain. That may or may not be altogether true.

Your Thanksgiving sedation may have more to do with what is consumed along with the turkey, and in particular carbohydrates, rather than the turkey itself. Carbohydrates trigger insulin and insulin triggers amino acids, but not Tryptophan, into our bloodstream. These amino acids also produce the feast-induced drowsiness that we all have experienced so many times before.

So while you are enjoying your Thanksgiving dinner this year, prepare for, and enjoy a nice long nap afterwards!

What do crab cakes and dessert cakes have in common? Not much, except that they both are cakes, of sorts.

Unless, of course we are talking about Madera’s own The Crab Cake Restaurant and Sweet Dreams. This family friendly restaurant  is in a class by itself. Check it out at http://www.crabcakes-sweetdreams.com/

This is not a typical restaurant. Far from it.

First it’s a great seafood restaurant with great food. The restaurant is so good that it has even won honorable mention for its famed Kids’ menu.  This may be just the tickets that moms need to get their kids to like fish. The full menu features all types of fish, poultry, meats and pastas and salads at a very family-friendly price tag. You can also order delectable desserts to eat in or take out.

Either way you slice it Crab Cake and Sweet Dreams is 10,000 leagues above the rest.

Laura Zabicki’s “Sweet Dreams” cakery has been providing hundreds of custom wedding cakes of exceptional quality in Yosemite valley area since 1993. These cakes are truly works of art on any table. They can also make a keepsake cake for the bride and groom.

The restaurant is centrally located in Oakhurst at 40278 Stagecoach Road. Their phone is 559-641-7667. Baby, don’t lose that number…