For the ninth year in a row, the La Sierra Guild of Children’s Hospital of Central California will have a luncheon to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and benefit Children’s Hospital.   There are 13 guilds that currently support Children’s Hospital.  They hope to fund the construction of a helicopter facility at the hospital over the next five years.  

All proceeds from the lunch will go directly to the hospital.

The festival will be held at Oakhurst Lutheran Church on Monday, May 5th from 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.  There will be a cost of $12 per person.   The menu is jam packed with yummy Mexican food for all to enjoy.  El Cid is donating chips and salsa, rice, beans, enchiladas and chile rellenos…..simply divine!
 
Participants will have opportunities to win gift baskets that will be filled with items that are donated by local businesses.  Tickets for the baskets cost $1 each.  You can buy a package deal for $20, which will give you 35 chances to win.  If you are not able to attend, but want to participate in the drawings, no need to worry because you do not have to be present to win.

If you would like more information, please call Patty Privett at (559) 641-2428 for tickets or reservations.  You are sure to have a fantastic time, and benefit a great hospital, and eat some wonderful food as well.

The first California Wood Carvers Rendezvous has hit the Madera County area this week.  Instructors from all over the nation have come to the area to teach others their amazing wood carving skills.   Classes began last Sunday, but the good news is, that you can still sign up and learn new fantastic skills or refine the ones you currently have.   Many skill levels will be taught in various classes.  Classes will be available through May 4, 2008 from 9 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Classes are being offered for a $100 registration fee.   You may attend as many classes as you like during the week or attend the same class as many times as you like, which ever your prefer.   There are classes available for all skill levels.   Classes will be taught in cypress knee carving, bird carving, dolphin carving, saddle carving, bark carving, chip carving, relief carving, golf ball caricature carving and beginning carving.   Tool sharpening, air brush painting and pyrography (wood burning) classes will also be available. 

For the spouses who are not interested in learning carving skills, there will be ladies teaching other fun crafting skills like pine needle basket making, tatting, embroidery and geo-caching.  It sound like fun can be had for everyone!

Participants need to bring their own knives, tools and equipment that they will use and purchase wood blanks to participate in the classes.

If you would like more information, contact the Chamber of Commerce at (559) 683-7766 or Larry Smith at (559) 658-2405

The Travel Channel is a cable television network that features documentaries and various other travel shows all related to traveling around the globe.  It was first launched in 1987 by Trans World Airlines as a way to boost airline travel.  It has since been sold several times over, and is a multi-billion dollar entity of Cox Communications.

Faithful viewers of the Travel Channel have experienced travel on African animal safaris, traveled to “haunted” destinations, toured grand hotels, and traveled to interesting spots around the United States.  One of the Network’s current most popular shows is “Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern”.  Zimmern will take you to various countries and sample food that just watching, will make your stomach tie into knots.

It is no wonder that one of the most spectacular destinations in the United States will be featured on the Network.  “Yosemite—America’s Treasure” will debut on the Travel Channel this Sunday, April 20th at 7:00 p.m.

The production of the show was shot in the summer and fall of 2007.  It is a one hour program where the cultural and natural history of the area, and the beautiful landmark features of Yosemite National Park will be front and center for all to enjoy.  The last show that the Travel Channel produced on Yosemite was 10 years ago.

The Travel Show as a viewer-ship of over 90 million people.  The showings of “Yosemite—America’s Treasure” is sure to enlighten people worldwide about the beauty of Yosemite and the surrounding area.   Watch out, there might even be more summer travelers wanting to see this great destination!

Did you ever wonder why anyone acknowledges April 1st as anything special?  Although it is not an “official holiday”; people seem to enjoy celebrating it by playing tricks on friends and family members alike.

The origin of April Fools Day (otherwise known as All Fools Day) is a bit uncertain though.  Some believe that is was a celebration of a new calendar year while others believe that it was a celebration of the turn of a season.  Most people believe that it was the first scenario though.

In ancient times, the beginning of the New Year was on or around April 1st.   Like any other “New Year” celebration, there was drinking and other fun to be had by all.  People were knows as “fools” for their hyjinx and crazy behavior at the town celebrations.

The calendar was changed in 1582 and then January 1st became the official New Year.  The interesting fact is that initially people did not like the new calendar.  They decided to keep on celebrating their old New Year on April 1st.

Today, all western cultures celebrate April Fools Day.  People try to play pranks on others and try to make them believe silly stories.  I have vowed that next year, I too am going to join in the fun.  My mind is already racing with the tricks I can play!

The Golden Chain Theater has begun to prepare for another fine performance in the upcoming months.  The new play will be “La Rue’s Return”.  With twenty years of experience, the play will be directed by Mary Lou Finley.  The play is set in New Orleans in 1875.  “New Orleans is a bustling center for Southern commerce. Prosperity abounds, except in one tiny bistro on the one tiny street in the French Quarter.”  The play is sure to be another great melodrama with many complications for your viewing enjoyment.

The character parts that they are looking to fill are for:  the smooth and evil Jacques La Rue, Polly Montclair who experiences doom and despair, the squeaky clean Lt. Alan Wextad, charming Ike the bartender, the sultry French chambermaid Mimi, the temblor-inducing sorceress Swamp Crone and Lazio the drunk.

If acting is not your kind of gig, but you still want to participate, there are many other positions that are available for you.  They need costume coordinators, dancers, singers, set decorators, and sound and lighting operators.

Auditions will be held at the Golden Chain Theatre in Oakhurst.  The address is 42130 Highway 41.  Auditions will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on April 2nd and 3rd.  Performances will run from June 7th until July 20th on Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons.

The Golden Chain Theatre is a volunteer non-profit theater.  They do special holiday shows, special events and mini shows that sometimes hit the road for others to enjoy.  If you would like more information, visit www.goldenchaintheatre.org or call (559) 683-3789 or (559) 683-7112 for more information on volunteering or performances.

In continuation from the post on Wednesday.

The winter hours for the museum are from 10 am through 4 pm, Tuesday through Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. until 4 pm.  The summer hours are from 10 am until 5 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.  The museum is closed on Sunday’s in the summer months.  Admission is $3 per person.  Children under 2 are free as well as those that are members.  They offer prearranged educational group tours for groups of 10 or more for only $1 per person.

Museum membership is always appreciated.  A family can become members for $45 per year and an individual membership is only $15 per year.  Your membership will include a Bi-annual newsletter about what is happening at the museum.  Other membership levels are “Contributor” for $50 and Patron for $100-$199.  Each type of member will enjoy membership benefits plus additional free passes.  Groups can also obtain a membership for only $75 per year.  Some contributions are even tax deductible.

If you are interested in more information or would like to become a financial contributor of this worthwhile museum, contact Jean Hand at (559) 658-5656 at any time.  The museum is located at 49269 Golden Oak Drive, Suite 104 in Oakhurst, California.

In continuation from the post on Monday.

The exhibits teach scientific principles and allow the attendees to learn about the world around them through hands-on fun.  The museum is not the traditional type of collecting museum that is seen in other areas.  There are various rooms for children to explore and learn from.  Children will learn from artistic expression as well as dramatic play.

Visit the Science Room with bones and animals to explore, the Imagination Room, with a stage to perform your act, and the Castle Room.  Experience the thrill of driving an ambulance or fire truck and sliding down a fire pole in the “Emergency Room”.  Kids can pretend they are a doctor, wear a doctor’s coat, see a real skeleton and look through a microscope.  Kids can visit the “ship room” and use their imagination as they sail through the open sea on the huge boat.

Are you looking for a fun and economical place to host your birthday party?  If so, the museum is for you.  For a mere $25 party room rental (for 2 ½ hours) plus $1 per person, you can enjoy the museum and have a birthday party too.  Be sure to bring your own decorations, cake and party favors.  The party room accommodates 30 people.  Members of the museum and children under 2 are admitted free.

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

Calling all Mom’s, Dad’s, Grandparents, daycare centers, church groups, scout troops and teachers to visit a super fun and educational place right here in our own backyard!  The Children’s Museum of the Sierra is calling out to you all!

The Children’s Museum is for young children between the ages of 2 and 12 years old.  They provide hands-on exhibits and programs that will encourage the children to learn by doing, creating, imagining and making choices.  The museum operates under the guidance of the Educational Enhancement foundation, which is a private non-profit organization.

Open year round, there are roughly 1,000 local and tourist visitors each month who enjoy the surroundings and challenges that are offered by the children’s museum.

The museum was founded in 1995, by parents and individuals who were interested in bringing specialized programs to the youth of the region.   The funding is generated by admission fees, private contributions, membership drives, grants, special events and gift shop sales.  There are many volunteers that will help make your museum experience the best you and your young one can imagine.  There is currently about 4,000 square feet of exhibit space for the children to explore.

Please check back on Wednesday for Part II of this post.

The annual Easter egg hunt at the Oakhurst Community Park is usually organized months in advance by high school seniors at the Yosemite High School Interact Club.  They have been sponsoring the annual event for the past 17 years.  With everyone feeling the financial hit this year, nobody was able to step up and organize the event. 

Step in, “Have A Ball” business owner, Donna Davis.  With only five days remaining until Easter, she learned that there would be no hunt this year.  With lightning fast speed, she went into full Easter Bunny mode and now the event is back on.  It is sure to be a wonderful success.

With the support of family, the 18th annual Oakhurst Easter Egg Hunt at Oakhurst Community Park will be on Easter Sunday at 1:00 p.m.  There will be hundreds of eggs to be had by the little ones.  There are prizes too.  The park will be separated into two sections.  Kiddos from toddler to four years old will be in one area and kiddos from five to ten years old will be in another area.  Both groups will hunt at the same time.

This kind of community activism is what makes Oakhurst such a special community.  Kuddos to you Donna Davis!  So grab a blanket and a picnic basket and head out for a fun afternoon in the park!

Time is running out!  Cast your vote by Wednesday, March 19th!  It’s for a good cause!  No, not THAT vote.  Come on down and help support Fresno Flats and the John Wayne Film Festival.

The MET Cinemas will be hosting a fundraising film festival featuring your favorite John Wayne films.  The public is asked to cast their votes from some of his most famous movies of all time.  Ten movies have been selected by Star sports writer Mike Hackworth and reporter Elizabeth Gabriel who are both huge fans of the movie legend.

Fans are asked to pick their top three favorite movies, out of the ten picked, in order of appearance.  The three movies that receive the top votes will be given the prime viewing times at the MET.  Ballots can be dropped off at the Sierra Telephone on Crane Valley Road, the Fresno Flats museum mail slot or at the MET.  They must be dropped off by the close of business on March 19th.

There will only be 200 tickets sold for the April 6th viewing of these movies.  For the $20 ticket price, you will see three movies, chances at prizes for answering trivia questions, raffles, entertainment, and a look-a-like contest.  The Fresno Flats volunteers will serve their famous chili and cornbread and there will be cobbler and ice cream served.

All cowboy film fans are invited to join in the fun.  So come on down for a rootin-tootin good time!  For more information on this fun and worthwhile event, call (559) 658-6001 or (559) 642-2347.