Are you looking to do something new for a change?  The Golden Chain Theatre is a great way to spend an evening full of fun and entertainment.  Now through September 14^th, they are currently presenting Love, Sick, and Montezuma’s Gold.  Opening night, August 2, is already SOLD OUT!!  The Golden Chain Theatre has a long history in Madera County’s Oakhurst area.  It is a 19^th century historic and melodramatic theatre.  This theatre located on Highway 41 just north of town in Oakhurst has been around 1965 when community members thought that Oakhurst needed something to offer its tourists on their way to Yosemite National Park.  For more information and tickets log onto http://www.goldenchaintheatre.org/ 

COLLIN RAYE is COMING to TOWNChukchansi Gold Casino in Coarsegold, California is hosting Collin Raye August 1^st.  Collin Raye has earned five Platinum Albums, he has had fifteen #1 hits and twenty-four top 10’s.  He has an amazing voice that captivates audiences of all ages.  It is not everyday a talented musician comes to Madera County.  I would encourage all those living in the mountain areas of Coarsegold, Oakhurst, Ahwahnee, Bass Lake, Raymond, North Fork and those in Fresno, Clovis and neighboring cities to take a night to enjoy the music performed by Collin Raye.  Ticket prices range from 20 to 30 dollars and can be purchased at the Gallery Boutique or at ticketmaster.com.  You will receive a $5 discount when showing your Rewards Card at the Gallery Boutique.  To find out more about Collin Raye log on to http://www.collinraye.com/ .  In addition to attending an amazing show, you will have a chance to win $500 for more information on how to win “Post Show Dough” log onto http://www.chukchansigold.com/entertainment/index.html .  

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.

The Tollhouse Community Theatre will present everyone’s favorite red-headed orphan on stage. Yes, you can see Annie, Daddy Warbucks, Miss Farrell, Sandy and even Miss Hannigan on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

The musical “Annie” is based on the Depression-era comic strip “Little Orphan Annie,” in which an orphaned child manages to remain cheerful despite rather bleak circumstances. Since the strip lasted over so many years, the characters went through all sorts of adventures (although Annie hardly changed in appearance). In the early days, Daddy Warbucks was married, but his wife later disappeared from the strip. The comic strip’s first readers were children, but as more and more adults read it, the storylines become more political.

The musical debuted in 1976 and Annie has been played by many people, including Sara Jessica Parker of “Sex and the City” fame. And Molly Ringwald once played on of the orphans.

Catch all the fun at the Sierra High School Presentation Center, 33326 Lodge Road, Tollhouse. It costs $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. You can buy tickets at Subway in Prather and Friant or call 559-855-8856.

Hurry and get your tickets. Thursday…is really only a day away.

It is once again time for “Christmas in the Mountains.” The Vision Academy of the Arts sponsors this annual event and a good time is had by all. Oakhurst, Coarsegold, and North Fork are filled with holiday joy for the first two weekends on December, and you don’t want to miss it.

Activities include: a tree lighting ceremony, breakfast and photo ops with Santa, storytelling, theatrical performances, traveling musicians, and local artisans will have their creations on display so you can start your Christmas shopping early. There’ll even be a window display contest, so if you come early you can pick your favorite and see if that store wins.

All of this fun is set in the breathtaking Sierra Nevada mountains. You can enjoy the best of nature and the best of neighborly hospitality at the same time. Stop by any store with a pine cone decal in the window to purchase your holiday bracelet ($5). This bracelet gives you access to special treats and services at local businesses.
You may have already seen this year’s guide in participating restaurants, hotels, and shops. “Christmas in the Mountains” begins on November 30. If you haven’t been able to pick up a guide you can visit the Vision Academy website to see the complete schedule.

The Squirrel Cage Theatre Company will be presenting their second consecutive weekend performance of their annual fall dinner show on Friday, November 16th and Saturday November 17th.  The play presentation is called “Shakeup at Sugar Pine.”  Audience participation is encouraged by hissing and yelling at the characters.  The first weekend’s showing was a great success.

The doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the show begins at 7:00 pm. Tickets for this event will be $25 for a family (immediate family only) $10 for adults, $5 for children under 12.  Reservations may be made in advance for tables only.  Individual tickets are available on site the evening of the performances.

The main food dish served on Friday will be lasagna.  The main food dish on Saturday will be stew.  Dinner is included in the ticket price.  Desserts will be an additional cost to guests. 

There will be a sealed bid auction at intermission each night.  Interested parties will bid for a portrait of the Smiley Mountain Band, which is the featured group at this year’s Frank Logar Memorial Gathering of Musicians.  The portrait was completed by North Fork artist, Joan Constable and is completed on torn paper.  The auction will benefit the 2008 music scholarship.  Sealed bids will be accepted at all showings of the play.  The winner will be announced on November 17, 2007.  Winners need not be in attendance to receive their prize.

Joan LeGro Bushnell is the author of the play. She has lived for more than 40 years in Eastern Madera County. She has resided in Teaford, Bass Lake and North Fork.

If you are interested in more information on this enjoyable show, contact:  (559) 877-2129.
 

You know the old saying: one person’s trash is someone else’s treasure. This saying has never been truer because the Harry H. Baker Boys & Girls Club would love to take your old jalopy off of your hands. By selling it at auction, the organization can convert an eyesore into opportunity. Even if your car is not fit to be auctioned, it can still be sold for scrap. The proceeds, minus the cost of towing and other fees, will benefit the club.
Don’t worry about whether or not your old car will make a lot at auction because it all adds up. Every donation helps and many small donations add up.

And cars aren’t the only thing they are willing to haul away: they’ll rid you of an unwanted boat, truck, trailer, or RV too.
Make the call to (800) 246-0493 and arrange for a pickup. When you call, be sure to tell them that you want Oakhurst’s Harry B. Baker Boys & Girls Club to benefit from your donation. Then someone will come haul your vehicle away, leaving you with more breathing room in your yard and a tax-deductible receipt.

Just think: your phone call means that a local child will be able to get help with homework, be mentored and encouraged, and gain valuable experience and exercise playing sports in a supervised environment.

If only it were always this easy.

The Madera Rotary’s 5th Annual Halloween Ball will be held on October 27th. For more information, visit: www.maderarotary.org Be there, or be square!

Here are some safety tips for your kids on Halloween trick or treating:

1. Check all costumes to be sure that there are no sharp or dangerous objects, and that there are no loose ends or excess material that could get caught or cause trips or falls.

2. Go with a group of kids, accompanied by a parent.

3. Carry a flash light if there are no streetlights.

4. Always bring a cell phone that is well charged.

5.Only go to homes or neighborhoods that you know are ‘safe’.

6. If your kids are old enough to go out alone, be sure they have flash light and cell phone with GPS signal on.

7. Have your kids ask permission before consuming candy, and limit amount.

8. Inspect all candy and treats before allowing your kids to eat it or handle it. Beware of sharp objects or appearance of tampering.

9. Check ingredients for food allergies, especially if these items are unfamiliar.

10. If the item is unknown or of unknown or suspicious origin, throw it out.

11. Limit the amount of sweets your child consumes each day.

12. Be alert to any allergic reactions or drowsiness or skin irritation that may appear.

13. Remove the candy bags from your kids rooms, and lock them away if necessary.

14. Be a trend-setter in your neighborhood. Offer wholesome fruits or snacks.

15. Offer non-edible trinkets, like pads, pens, markers instead of candy.

16. Set boundaries for older kids too, and even teenagers who may be attending parties.

17. Teach your kids and their siblings and friends to recognize symptoms of food allergies, and if age appropriate, drug and alcohol interactions.

The Sherriff’s department has many helpful tips for parents on their website.

You only have two more weekends to get to the Golden Chain Theater to see their hilarious fall comedy/mystery “The Crazy Quilt Club.” The show is running each weekend until October 21. Saturday performances are at 8pm and Sunday performances start at 2pm.

In the tradition of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple and many a classic sweet literary old lady, Veronica Blather seems to find herself solving murders wherever she goes. Since her reputation precedes her, Veronica has a hard time finding a place to live.

Then her niece comes up with an offer she can’t refuse: the opportunity to stay in a retirement home for knitters. What could be more perfect than that? Well…whenever Veronica goes, murder follows, and soon she is faced with another crime to solve.

The cast of characters are sure to delight you: Matilda, the Crazy Quilt Club President; Sarafina, who is ready for anything; Lydia, a woman who thinks Tuesday is a good day to die; and Clara who has a distant relationship with the truth.

Are you good a picking up on clues? Do you think you can solve the mystery before Veronica? This lady is as sharp as her knitting needles, so make sure you pay attention. Get your tickets today and test out your sleuthing skills.

Visit the theater’s website or call 559-683-7112 to learn more.