Community briefs for March 4, 2010 edition

(Updated: Thursday, March 04, 2010, 12:00 AM)

Spring concert

The Oakhurst Community Band's Spring Concert, "Remembering Mr. Lincoln," will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, March 21 at the Yosemite High School Theater. This year's concert is a salute to the Bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln.

Jim Patterson, mayor of Fresno from 1993 to 2001, will be the guest narrator for the event. He was awarded the California Commendation Medal from the State of California for work with the California Air National Guard. He is also a 25-year broadcast executive and guest host on KMJ News/Talk 580. He is now president and CEO of Jim Patterson Consulting Services.

Music will include songs from the 1800s, marches from the Civil War and Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portraits."

Admission is free and refreshments will be served at intermission.

Details: (559) 760-3849, oakhurstband.com.

Madera County's public lifeline retires

After serving both the citizens and peace officers for 34 years, Patricia Crews is leaving her post as Supervising Communications Dispatcher for the Madera County Sheriff's Department.

Crews started her career in law enforcement in 1976 working in the 911 center for the Chowchilla Police Department.

Dispatch centers are considered the artery of law enforcement. It is their job to handle requests for service, juggle units in the field, manage response times and deal with complaints.

"It takes a special kind of person who can maintain a sense of calm during moments of crisis," said Sheriff John Anderson.

Crews found herself at the helm of the 911 call center in the height of Madera County's most horrific kidnapping on July 15, 1976.

"I was there in the thick of it, during the Chowchilla bus kidnapping," she recalls. "I took the first call."

She signed on with the Sheriff's Department in the fall of 1990 and by 1996 served as interim communications supervisor. Crews was promoted to supervisor in November that same year.

Children's Museum bake sale

Karin Livingstone is planning a bake sale March 27 outside Vons to raise money for the Children's Museum of the Sierra, 49269 Golden Oak Drive in Oakhurst.

The museum has grown to what it is now from a little traveling trunk about communication that traveled to local schools in 1995.

"I visit this type of museum in every state in which I have found them and I can state unequivocally that the children's museum in Oakhurst is just outstanding," said Merylyn S. Whited, Cultural Arts Representative. "We need to support this wonderful resource."

Bakers and volunteers are needed for the fund-raiser. Details: Karin, (559) 683-7854 or klivingstone@gmail.com.

Puppy kissing booth

A "Puppy Kissing Booth" will be set up from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 6 at True Value Home Center to raise money for Eastern Madera County SPCA programs and to introduce a bunch of puppies to perspective "parents."

The Eastern Madera County SPCA is currently overflowing with puppies that need homes. The puppies are the offspring of dogs left in an abandoned home. The property manager found them, took them home, cared for them and called the SPCA.

Since then, the puppies, along with the mother dogs, have been taken care of by foster families for the SPCA. They are now ready for adoption but the SPCA only wants to give them to good homes that plan on keeping them for their lifetime.

The SPCA will also take applications for those interested in fostering cats and dogs in the Mountain Area.

Details: emcspca.org.

Remedios named president of Madera Vintner Association

Anna Marie dos Remedios, co-owner of Idle Hour Winery in Oakhurst, was appointed 2010 president of the Madera Vintner Association. She received her winemaking certificate from University of California, Davis.

Fair exhibitor's handbook available

The Chowchilla-Madera County Fair announces the release of the 2010 Exhibitor's Handbook. The handbook is available online at chowchillafair.org.

This year's handbook features baking, sewing, photography, crafting and livestock. New divisions this year are distorted photos and the great vegetable race. There is also a new division for class projects. This new class projects division will have no entry fees and will award ribbons only. "This year's Exhibitor's Handbook features something for everyone," said Fair Manager/CEO Carrie Mitchell.

The Chowchilla-Madera County Fair encourages everyone to get their entries in early. Horse entries must be turned into the fair office no later than 5 p.m., Wednesday, March 31. All other entries must be turned into the fair office no later than 5 p.m., April 14 or post marked no later than that date. No entries will be accepted after those dates. Entry forms are available online.

Details: Chowchilla-Madera County Fair at (559) 665-3728, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or chowchillafair.org.

Madera County employees retire

Jean Brooks and Terry Barney were honored by the Madera County Board of Supervisors last week for their longtime commitment to the county. Brooks worked for the county for 58 years and most recently worked for the library. Barney, a 29-year employee, was a maintenance department supervisor.

Three authors Willow Bridge March 13

Margaret Irwin, a resident of Oakhurst, will be reading excerpts from her book, "The Journal of Anne Reading" at 2 p.m., March 13 at Willow Bridge Books. Irwin's great-great-aunt was an English nurse who worked with Florence Nightingale in the Crimea and then came to the United States during the Civil War. Anne sent letters home to her mother, writing about her experiences working as a nurse for the Union Army. These letters were passed down to Irwin who assembled them in this journal.

Tabitha Brookins will be reading her book, "Beautiful You Are" at 3 p.m. This 24-page poem embraces the beauty in each of us and helps us find the beauty in others. Differences are to be celebrated not shunned.

Cornelia Nixon will discuss and sign her book, "Jarrettsville" at 4 p.m. This novel takes place in Maryland around the time of the Confederate surrender at Appomattox. This book brings the Civil War to the reader through the emotions of the people who lived through it.

Half Dome Cables day use permits available

Yosemite National Park will implement the Half Dome Cables Day Use Permit Interim Program beginning this summer for ascending the Half Dome cables on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. No permits will be required for the Half Dome cables Monday through Thursday. Permit reservations began March 1 for the months of May and June.

It is anticipated that demand for the Half Dome Cables Day Use Permits will be high. Visitors are urged to become familiar with the process at www.recreation.gov/resource/contracts/nrso/Half_Dome_Permit_Process.pdf

Free Art Therapy Group

Exploring Arts as a healing journey for victims of domestic violence runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday March 11. It is a free, 12-week art therapy group made available by Community Action Partnership of Madera County for Victim Services. The class is paid for by a grant for Rural Areas of Madera County. No previous art experience required.

Details: Dr. Martha Moore Ph.D., 49430 Crane Valley Road (426) Suite C, Oakhurst. (559) 760-6154.

Kids Day 2010

The 23rd Annual Kids Day is coming up Tuesday, March 9. Special editions of The Fresno Bee will be sold on street corners to benefit Children's Hospital Central California. Proceeds from every edition sold will help the hospital continue to meet the growing health care needs of children. To be a volunteer or to sign up a school or business, call 1-800-73-CHILD or (559) 353-7100 or visit childrenscentralcal.org.

Showcase of Schools

The 2010 Showcase of Schools will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, March 11 at the Yosemite High School gymnasium.

There will be a presentation of Colors by Cadet Corps Color Guard and the National Anthem performed by Yosemite High School Chamber Singers.

There will also be free books and Children's Museum passes courtesy Sierra Telephone and drawings for MET Cinema movies passes.

Tri-tip sandwiches and hamburgers will be sold by YHS FFA. Admission is free.

Car show moved to March 20

Yosemite High School students Sean Dangleis and Chad Gobbell have organized a car show for their senior project. The show was scheduled for March 6 but due to weather has been changed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., March 20 at the YHS parking lot. They are anticipating about 50 vehicles in the show and food, beverages and music will be available. Proceeds from the show will go to YHS auto shop. To enter the show, Email yosemiteauto@gmail.com.

Bass Lake Building Department hours have changed

The hours for the Bass Lake Building Department have been changed. The new hours are as follows:

Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Closed noon to 1 p.m. for lunch.

Closed for two employee breaks from 10 to 10:15 a.m. and 3 to 3:15p.m.

"Furious Love"

"Furious Love" -- the sequel to Director Darren Wilson's "Finger of God" -- is a documentary film about Wilson's journey into the heart of darkness to find out if God's love can really overcome anything. It will premier at 3 p.m., Sunday, March 7 at Oasis Church of Oakhurst, corner of Road 426 and Hangtree Lane.