Calendar for December 10, 2009 edition

(Updated: Thursday, December 10, 2009, 8:54 PM)

Thursday, December 10

* Manzanita Garden Club Christmas Luncheon, 11 a.m.; The event will be held at the home of Joni Tucker. There will be a luncheon and a gift exchange. Details: Carol (559) 683-8283.

* Yosemite Area Audubon Society Program, 7 p.m.; Yosemite National Park wildlife biologist Sarah Stock will present a slide program, "Birding through Time in Yosemite." Refreshments will be served.

Mariposa Methodist Church parish hall, 6th Street, Mariposa. Free. Details: (209) 742-5579.

Saturday, December 12

* Seniors Got Talent Finale - The performers have prepared and the judges are ready -- no one will want to miss this monumental evening full of musical talent. Mountain Community residents have been competing to be a part of this night since September and only one winner will remain standing. The finale will take place at 6 p.m. at the Oakhurst Community Center. The event will benefit the Oakhurst Senior Center. Tickets: $10.

* Christmas Tree Lighting - Another Christmas spirit evening awaits -- the second annual Christmas Tree lighting at 5 p.m. at J. Carol Realty, 35463 Highway 41 in Coarsegold. There will be food, drinks, Santa and Mrs. Clause and their elf, a children's choir and, of course, the tree lighting.

Monday, December 14

* Christmas Home Tour and MCW Luncheon, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; The Mountain Community Women will present a benefit for the Oakhurst Community Center which will include a tour of six homes decorated for the holidays and a luncheon. The luncheon will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oakhurst Community Center, Oakhurst. Suggested donation $17, adults. Details: ticket sales information (559) 658-2342 .

Tuesday, Dec. 15

* Visit with Santa - Santa is coming to town and will be present from noon to 4 p.m. at Sierra Telephone, 49150 Road 426 for pictures. Santa and Mrs. Clause will also be taking phone calls from their home at the North Pole on Dec. 15 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Details: (559) 683-HOHO (4646) or (559) 742-HOHO (4646).

Thursday, December 17

* Christmas Movie - The Calvary Baptist Church is presenting a holiday movie night complete with fun, food and celebration. They will show the Christmas movie "The Perfect Gift" at 5 p.m. at the Sierra Lodge, Highway 49 at Redbud. Details: (559) 641-7984.

* Sierra Telephone Blood Drive - The employees of Sierra Telephone are inviting the community to join them in saving lives by donating blood. The blood drive will be held 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sierra Telephone, 49150 Road 426. Donors will receive rewards for their donation.

Sierra Lodge, Highway 49 at Redbud Lane, Oakhurst. Details: (559-) 641-7984.

Friday, December 18

* Candlelight Peace Vigil for peace in Afghanistan, Iraq and an end to the wars, 5 p.m.; bring troops home. Candles and signs provided. Junction of Highways 41 and 49, Oakhurst. Details: Lynn Jacobsson (559) 658-5227.

Sunday, December 20

* Yosemite Christmas Bird Count, The Yosemite Christmas Bird Count is part of the National Audubon Society's international event. Reservations required. Dress warmly, bring binoculars, field guides, wet weather gear, lunch and beverages. Hot soup and beverages will be provided at the end of the day. $5. Details: Sarah Stock (209) 379-1435.

Thursday, December 24

* Christmas Eve Feast - a free dinner to anyone who is homeless, struggling or has no one to spend Christmas with 5 - 8 p.m.; Come volunteer, bring a toy wrapped with gender marked, one dish to feed 10 - 12 people. We need socks, coats, hats gloves, blankets. Community Center, Oakhurst. Details: Jami (559) 760-0432.

Friday, December 25

* Seniors Citizens Christmas Dinner, noon; All seniors are invited who will be alone on Christmas Day. Appetizers will be served at noon. Lunch will follow at 1 p.m. Oakhurst Senior Center, Oakhurst. Free. Details: Carol Breit (559) 683-4045.

Monday-Friday

* Senior Nutrition Program - North Fork , closed holidays; Community Center, North Fork. Details: Betty Lyons (559) 877-2653.

* Senior Nutrition Program - Oakhurst, closed holidays; Sierra Senior Center, Oakhurst. Details: JoAnn Foster (559) 683-3811.

* Senior Nutrition Program - Coarsegold, meals are served 11:30 a.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; closed holidays. Community Center, Coarsegold. Details: Sidney Wheeler (559) 683-7953.

Mondays

* Bingo - Coarsegold Community Center, doors open at 5 p.m.; Bingo 6:30 p.m., food and drink. 35610 Highway 41. Details: Agnes (559) 683-5646.

* Canteen Coffee Time, 6 to 10 a.m. ; free coffee offered to veterans and their spouses. Happy Burger, Mariposa. Details: Greg Fritz (209) 742-5351.

* Alanon, 7 to 8:30 p.m.; Yosemite Lakes Park Community Church, 43840 Patrick Avenue, Coarsegold. Details: (559) 683-1166.

First Monday

* Mountain Community Women, 9:30 a.m.; September through June, guest welcome. Community Center on Road 425B, Oakhurst. Details: (559) 692-2947 or (559) 642-4711.

* Wild Wonderful Women & Friends, 4 p.m.; monthly meeting King Vintage Museum, 40680 Highway 41 next to Days Inn, Oakhurst. Details: (559) 658-7508.

Second Monday

* Madera Oversight Coalition, 6 p.m.; all welcome Branch Library, Oakhurst. Details: Helen Brohm, (559) 641-2599 or www.moci.org.

* "Look Good - Feel Better" program, 3 - 5 p.m.; Cancer can rob a woman of her energy, appetite and strength. Call and get scheduled for the next class. American Cancer Society Oakhurst. Details: (800) ACS-2345.

Tuesdays

* Bingo - Oakhurst Senior Center, 12:15 p.m.; 11:30 lunch available with order placed 24 hours in advance at (559) 683-3811. Road 425B. 50 cents per card.

* Alanon, 6 to 7:30 p.m.; 49233 Crane Valley Road (426) New Community United Methodist Church, Oakhurst. Details: (559) 683-1166.

First and Third Tuesdays

* MOPS - Mothers of preschooler's, 9 a.m.; meet new friends, enjoy breakfast, speakers and crafts. Evangelical Free Church, 50443 School Road (427), Oakhurst. Details: (559) 683-2254.

Second Tuesday

* Parkinson's Disease Support Group for the Mountain Area, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.; Yosemite Bank on Highway 49 near Raley's, Oakhurst. Details: Alan (559) 658-8696, Ext .412.

Second and Fourth Tuesdays

* Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group, 10 to 11:30 a.m.; support group for individuals caring for persons with Alzheimer's or dementia. Valley Caregivers. Lutheran Church on Crane Valley Road (426) at Black Road, Oakhurst. Details: (800) 541-8614 or Carol (559) 683-4045 .

Second Tuesday

* Bingo - Oakhurst Senior Center, 12:15 p.m.; 11:30 lunch available with order placed 24 hours in advance at (559) 683-3811. Road 425B. 50 cents per card.

* Eastern Madera SPCA , 7 p.m.; attend if interested in volunteering. The Cat's Meow, 40315 Junction Drive. Suite C, Oakhurst. Details: (559) 642-6611.

Third Tuesday

* Women's Connection Luncheon, noon to 1:30 p.m.; Judy Scharfenburg speaker is former librarian "Heart of Christmas." Sweetwater Steak House, Highway 41, Oakhurst. $12 inclusive, reservations necessary. Details: Kathleen (559) 658-8705 or Janet (559) 642-2007.

Fourth Tuesday

* Jamba Juice in Oakhurst, 4 - 8 p.m.; 20% of all sales between the hours of 4 - 8 p.m. are donated to our local Boys & Girls Club. Highway 41, Oakhurst. Details: www.supportbgclub.com.

Wednesdays

* Overeaters Anonymous, 5 - 6 p.m.; Positive Living Center on the Golden Oak Loop, Oakhurst. Details: Betty (559) 683-7016.

* Gold Dust Dancers Square Dancing and Line Dancing, 5:45 and 6:45 p.m.; Beginner through plus level line dancing $2, square dancing $5. No dancing on Dec. 23. Community Center, Road 425B , Oakhurst. $2 to $5 donation. Details: (559) 641-7765 or (559) 868-3319.

* Toastmasters- Mountain High Talkers, 7 p.m.; develop public speaking with Toastmasters. Sierra Telephone Conference Room 49150 Crane Valley Road (426), Oakhurst. Details: Sharon Gaston (559) 642-0019.

First Wednesday

* North Fork Women's Club, 10 a.m. ; Scout building, North Fork. Details: (559) 877-8606 or 877-4806 or 877-2282.

First and Third Wednesdays

* Sierra Lions Club, 5:30 p.m.; regular membership meeting, visitors welcome. Ol' Kettle Restaurant Highway 41, Oakhurst. Details: www.sierralionsclub.org.

First Wednesday

* Cancer Connection Group, offers support to cancer patients, family and friends, 6 p.m.; A speaker on Nutrition and Cancer will be providing some very valuable information for cancer patients. Oakhurst Medical Group. Details: Stella Delgado (559) 451-0722.

Second Wednesday

* Women's Guild - Our Lady of the Sierra, Saint Dominic Savio and Saint Joseph the Worker, 9:15 a.m.; begin with 8 a.m. Mass and Rosary followed by breakfast and meeting. Our Lady of the Sierra, Oakhurst.

Thursdays

* Duplicate Bridge, 10 a.m.; Whittenburg Hall, Crane Valley Road (426), Oakhurst. Details: Paul (559) 658-8952.

* Bingo - Oakhurst Senior Center, 12:15 p.m. ; 11:30 lunch available with order placed 24 hours in advance at (559) 683-3811. Road 425B. 50 cents per card.

Second Thursday

* Mountain Area Literacy Council (MALCO), 2 p.m.; An all-volunteer group, MALCO promotes literacy within eastern Madera County. Meeting begins with "tutor sharing" followed by the board meeting. New members welcome. Oakhurst Branch Library, Oakhurst. Details: (559) 683-1456.

* Manzanita Garden Club, 11 a.m.; Oakhurst. Details: Carol (559) 683-8283.

Fridays

* Alanon, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m.; 49233 Crane Valley Road (426) New Community United Methodist Church, Oakhurst. Details: (559) 683-1166.

* Creative Writing class (memoirs), 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.; Merced College holds a no credit, no fee, memoir writing life story class. Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church, 39696 Highway 41, Oakhurst. Details: Joyce Stuhr, instructor (559) 683-5494.

First Friday

* Pasta Dinner- Our Lady of the Sierra, 5 - 6:30 p.m.; meatballs, beverage, salad, roll, cake. Beer and wine extra. 40180 Indian Springs Road, Oakhurst. adults $7, preteens $3.50. Details: Jerry Roche (559) 658-6325.

Second Friday

* Senior Singles Dining Club (55 and older), dinner in restaurants or members' homes; Details: Mort (559) 642-3632 or Stephanie (559) 658-8981.

Saturdays

* Alanon - Women Only, 9:30 to 11 a.m.; 49233 Crane Valley Road (426) New Community United Methodist Church, Oakhurst. Details: (559) 683-1166.

First and Second Saturdays

* Bingo - Oakhurst Senior Center, Noon; food available and door prizes. Must be 18 or older to play. Road 425B, Oakhurst. Buy-in $10, option second and third pack $5 each, specials $1 each. .

* Bingo - Sierra Lions Club, doors open at 10 a.m. games begin 12 - 4 p.m.; Bowling Center, Oakhurst.

Second Saturday

* Mountain Road Rattlers, 8:15 a.m.; a vintage car club, chapter of MAFCA. Ol' Kettle Restaurant, Oakhurst . Details: President Dick Barnett (559) 658-8117 or Dave Nickel (559) 642-2520.

* Marine Corps League, Griswold Mountain Detachment 1121, 9:30 a.m.; Positive Living Center, 49269 Golden Oak Drive, Suite 103, Oakhurst. Details: Bill Volner (559) 658-2684.

* "Walking with God" hike group, 10 a.m.; Meet at Mountain Christian Center, 40299 Highway 49, Oakhurst. Details: Claudia (559) 683-7332 or (209) 628-0973.

Third Saturday

* Bingo - Coarsegold Community Center, 12:30 p.m. ; doors open at 10 a. m. Food and drink available. 35610 Highway 41 . Details: Agnes (559) 683-5646.

Last Saturday

* Better Breathers Support Group, 12:30 p.m.; elevator available. Anyone with COPD is invited to attend. Community Medical Center at 48677 Victoria Lane, Second Floor, Oakhurst. Details: Jackie Wilson (559) 683-4250.

Sundays

* Mountain Area Christian Singles, 9 a.m. Sunday School and 12:15 p.m. for lunch at various locations; Mountain Christian Center on Highway 49, Oakhurst. Details: macs@sti.net for weekly email news or call (559) 683-7332.

If listings change please send information 10 days prior to publication date to: editorial@sierrastar.com.