Have you been thinking about going back to school or just taking a few courses to update your skills? Or do you know someone who has been mentioning that they’d like to go back to school? Whether it is you or someone you know, tomorrow there is a great opportunity to get more information to finally make that decision to take the plunge.

May 7 is Spring Awareness Day at the Oakhurst College Center from 11 am to 2 pm. As the name suggests, the staff at Oakhurst College Center wants you to be aware of great educational options right in your own backyard. They will be there to talk to you about financial, scholarships and other programs that the Oakhurst College Center offers.

This will be a great time to ask lots of questions and meet people who work at the Oakhurst College Center. Sometimes it helps to get a litte familiar with the staff of a school, that way you feel more comfortable when you apply.

The Oakhurst College Center is located off of Crane VAlley Road (426). Please call 559-683-3940 or visit their website to get additional details.

The Mountain Area Literacy Council (MALCO) meets on second Thursdays at 2 pm at the Oakhurst Branch Library, located at 49044 Civic Circle. So they will not meet today, but they will gather in one week and if you are interested in literacy, consider joining them.

What do you think of when you think of literacy? Often, thoughts of literacy are tied to illiteracy, but do we know what illiteracy really is? By definition, to be illiterate is to be unable to read or write. Another problem, one that may be more common in a country like the U.S., is functional illiteracy. What we don’t realize is that there are many more people out there who are functionally illiterate that we imagine.

If someone is functionally illiterate, that means that cannot make efficient use of their reading, writing and computational skills. People who are functionally illiterate do have some grasp of literacy, but their skill level is so low that it becomes a stumbling block. Tasks that are necessary for survival such as reading a bus schedule, reading and completing a job application or understanding traffic signs are too difficult for people who are functionally illiterate.

For more information on MALCO call 559-683-1456.

The Mariposa Master Gardeners’ walk-in hotline is slated to open in May.

What is a walk-in hotline, you ask? Aren’t hotlines connected to telephones?

Well, yes, normally, a person wouldn’t visit a hotline because they would be taking to a hotline volunteer or employee on the telephone. However, the Mariposa Master Gardeners’ walk-in hotline is special. Because it is difficult to diagnose and solve questions about plant life over the phone, the University of California Cooperative Extension started a “walk-in” hotline. That way, gardeners can show volunteers the plant samples or bring pictures in and get help with their gardening questions.

Since it is never too early to plan for next year, experienced gardeners who want to help will be able to take a class from January-April 2009 so that they can be ready to assist with next year’s walk-in hotline.

Starting next month, a master gardener hotline operator will (literally) be standing by the take your “call” every Saturday from 1-3pm in the back of the Village Realty Office at 6340 Greeley Hill Road.

You can also call (209) 966-2417 or (209) 966-7078 to learn more.

If you are the parent of a child who is headed to college or if you are that child heading to college, you know the importance of scholarship money. You need to search far and wide, high and low and everywhere in between to find organizations that are willing to give money. You also have to find the right scholarships because if you don’t meet the requirements, then the organization’s willingness won’t matter.

The deadlines for two scholarships for artistic local students are fast approaching, but it ain’t over until it’s over, so you still have time.

The Madera County Arts Council will award five $1000 scholarships to high school seniors who live in Madera County, have at least a 3.0 GPA and want to major in the arts. The applications, which can be picked up from school counselors, are due by April 1, 2008.

The North Fork Arts Council wants to give two $500 scholarships (one is music and one in fine art) to high school seniors who live in Eastern Madera County and go to a school in the Chawanakee Unified School District. The applications are due on April 15 and you can call 877-2487 or 877-2769 for more information.

If you have a child or relative that attends school in our area, or even if you don’t, please take some time out to attend tonight’s Showcase of Schools from 4pm-7 pm. As it has been for many years in the past, the event is being sponsored by Sierra Telephone and Yosemite High School.

Remember what it was like when you were a kid, wanting your parents, grandparents, and friends of the family to be proud of you? Well this is a great opportunity for you to show community spirit by going to see some of the great work done by area kids. It is important that these kids see a good amount of foot traffic at events like this so they feel supported.

There will be art work as well as academic work on display, plus musical and dance performances as well. You don’t have to worry about going hungry because the Yosemite High School FFA Club will be on hand with scrumptious things to eat.

Call Rima Runtzel at 559-642-0313 with questions.
Yosemite High School
50200 Road 427
Oakhurst, CA 93644

Do you sit at home watching cooking shows and salivating over the food you see being prepared? Do you know even know how to boil water?  Or are you cooking skills just average, so that you are ready to kick it up a notch?

No matter what your skill level, you can learn how to cook like a pro at the three day Spring cook classes being held at Erna’s Elderberry House Restaurant. These classes don’t require advanced knowledge, or even basic knowledge. All they ask is that you wear shoes you’ll want to stand in for a while and that you come ready to have a good time.

There is a session this week (March 5-7) and another next week (March 12-14). Class is in session from 8:30am-4:00pm each day.

Participants will get a recipe book, hands-on training, learn about how to combine food and wine, plus a lunch and a six course dinner each day.

To learn more contact Christina Overbraugh at 559-683-6800.

Erna’s Elderberry House Restaurant in the kitchen
48688 Victoria Lane
Oakhurst, CA 93644

Continued from Wednesday’s post….

All sorts of comprehensive resources are available to you.   There are many book selections, from exam study guides to children’s pictures books.   High Speed Internet stations are equipped with popular computer programs like; Publisher, Power Point, Microsoft Word, Excel and Access.  Visitors can also borrow Books on Local History, Magazines, CD’s, Videos, and DVD’s.

Another fun program that they offer is the paperback exchange.  It is offered to both cardholders and non-cardholders alike.  Everyone is allowed to borrow paperback books for free.  Just tell the Librarian how many books you are taking and simply return them when you are done.  There is also a magazine exchange.  The community at large can drop off unwanted magazines and pick up others that are donated.  Be sure to check the circulation desk for allowable magazines. What a great way to recycle!

The Oakhurst Branch Library on Civic Circle will be having a Collectible Book Sale on Saturday, January 19, 2008 from 10 a.m. until 2:00 p.m…  The books up for sale are in great condition and ready for their new home.  You will find some almost new or one-of-a kind books for your purchasing pleasure.  There will be a fantastic range of books to pick from; classics, Christmas, arts, coffee table books, crafts, animal, self help, inspirational and hard to find books.  If you would like more information, call the FOBL at (559) 683-3562 or (559) 658-5639.

If you don’t already have a library card, by all means, go out and get one.  If you already have one, use it, you won’t be disappointed and they are free!  For additional information on the Friends of the Oakhurst Branch Library, visit www.oakhurstfobl.com.

The mission is clear, to get people reading and enjoying their library time!  The Friends of the Oakhurst Branch Library (FOBL) go above and beyond in providing a wonderful place to do research, pick up a good book, relax in the peace and quiet, or promoting young and older reader’s interest in the use of library resources.

The Library resources are incredible.  Being a member of the San Joaquin Valley Library System (SJVLS) as afforded Oakhurst residents with many library resources.  Nine different counties participate in the SJVLS.  That means that there are 99 libraries at your disposal.  Libraries range from Kern County to Mariposa County.  Any card holder can check out a book at any of these 99 locations and return it to any other location within the SJVLS.  Can’t find a book that you are looking for?  Well, just ask and you will receive….books can be sent from any other library,

within the network, to the library of your choice.  Now that’s great service!

If you are looking to put a book on hold, request a new book, or check on upcoming events at any of the libraries, you can visit the SJVLS website at www.sjls.org/madera.  You are also able to extend your loan period online if you don’t have a chance to stop by the library in person.  All of these services are amazing and helpful to the public.

Check back Friday for part II of this post.

Forming and leading a championship power agent team can be quite a challenge, but it is well within the realm of most ambitious and talented agents. With the right information and some hard work and determination, you can build a team that will more than pay for itself by generating substantial revenue and freeing you up to pursue other opportunities—both personal and professional.

In this session, John Featherston, President & CEO of RISMedia, teams up with Agent Team Coach Ralph R. Roberts and a panel of the top Power Team Leaders from across
North America to reveal what it takes to build and manage a highly successful power agent team.Topics they will address include the following:

• - Structuring your team, from simple agent-assistant teams to more robust teams consisting of listing agents, buyer’s agents, closing coordinators, and more
• - Identifying your needs
• - Recruiting the right talent
• - Transitioning from independent agent to Power Agent Team Leader
• - Mastering the art of delegating
• - Supplying your team with the tools and technologies to succeed
• - Training new team members
• - Keeping the team on track with weekly meetings
• - Compensating your team to ensure maximum productivity
• - Avoiding and resolving conflicts among team members
• - Marketing your team to build a strong brand presence
• - Identifying new opportunities and adding new teams
• - Overcoming the top challenges to operating a successful agent team

This session will also touch on advanced topics of how to promote and expand your agent team:

• - Generating ever-increasing leads through R-Commerce
• - Streamlining operations with the latest technology
• - Building trust through communities with social media and blogging
• - Expanding your talent pool and scaling your business with virtual assistants
  
  

Moderator & Panelists:

Moderator: John Featherston, President and CEO, RISMedia
Agent Team Coach: Ralph R. Roberts

Panelists:

Brandon Fairbanks, Broker/Owner, Montecino & Associates Real Estate
Domenic Manchisi, Team Leader, Prudential Towne Centre Realty
Chip Neumann, Partner, Neumann Real Estate
Wayne Turner, Broker/Owner, Wayne Turner Real Estate Company
Michelle Turner, Second in Command, Wayne Turner Real Estate Company

Recycling computer cartridges and cell is a worthwhile thing to do. But how do you do it and where do you do it so it is quick and easy, and not another chore. It just got easier!

Madera Chamber of Commerce is working with America’s Schools Program to help preserve the environment and fund educational programs. They split the proceeds to support programs and membership, and ASP’s local K-12 schools. It is a win-win for businesses, schools, kids and the environment. Parents will like it too. It teaches your kids a valuable life lesson, too.

All you have to do to get started is register online, and a starter kit will be sent to you in the mail. This is a no cost program and it couldn’t be easier. You will receive free, postage-paid recycling boxes that can be sent by return mail. So put your old cell phones to good use helping other people, and turn your recyclables into cash for local schools.

To get started today, register at http://www.americas-schools.org/cc/madera/. Your local contact at the Madera Chamber of Commerce (www.maderachamber.com) is Cindy Mindt who can be reached at (559) 673-3563.The program is run in cooperation with State School Boards Associations throughout the country, so your friends and relatives can start their own initiative.