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Community Briefs for August 26, 2010 edition

(Updated: Friday, August 27, 2010, 12:59 PM)

County crop values drop

Madera County's agricultural production value dropped 26.5% last year, according to Robert Rolan, county ag commissioner.

The value of county crops and products dropped from $1.31 billion to $963.4 million, the first time the value was below $1 billion since 2004. Rolan reported the numbers to the Madera County Board of Supervisors Aug. 10.

Although grapes remained steady, dairy and almonds were dramatically down for 2009.

Roland pointed to low milk prices, decreased demand and high feed costs due to drought conditions that resulted in the value of milk and milk products being cut by more than 40% from 2008.

Rolan said that even with the large drop, ag remains the No. 1 source of income for the county economy, followed by tourism.

Author at Willow Bridge Books

Marilyn Meredith, a well-known author from Fresno, will speak at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28 at Willow Bridge Books next to Vons. Meredith has written and published 29 novels and is coming to the bookstore to mentor local writers in the community.

Her topic is "How to find and work with a small press." She has many publishing insights to share with beginning and intermediate authors. She's especially knowledgeable about the pitfalls of self-publishing and how to avoid them. She also can advise writers on how to gain a presence on the Internet and the role of a small press in helping a writer with this valuable media. Meredith encourages all writers to research all avenues for publishing their work.

Details: (559) 692-2665.

Yosemite Flute and Art Festival

The Third Annual Yosemite Flute and Art Festival will be held Sept. 24 to 26 at the Oakhurst Community Park. There will be live world music on stage all three days of the festival, a special drum circle at noon Saturday, Sept. 25, and special concerts both Friday and Saturday evenings at the Yosemite High School Performing Arts Building.

The evening concert performers include Albert Tenaya, Joe Young Band, Tony Redhouse, Tim Blueflint, Rona Yellowrobe and Mark Holland with N. Scott Robinson.

Tickets are $20 per concert or $30 for both. Tickets are available at The Mind Shop Bookstore, Artifacts and Highway 41 Trading Post. There will be music, vendors, workshops and food.

The event is sponsored by The Positive Living Centers of Central California, Emerson Institute, Oakhurst Lodge and The Flute Portal.

Details: yosemiteflutefest.com

"Strutt Your Mutt" in Madera

Friends of the Madera Animal Shelter will hold its eighth annual "Strut your Mutt" event, 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 2 at Lion's Town and Country Park.

"Strut your Mutt" starts with a dog-walk around the park, followed by demonstrations, vendor booths, raffle, silent auction and music. Contests will include best costume, best trick and longest sit-stay. Proceeds from "Strut your Mutt" support the Madera County Spay/Neuter Programs for low-income Madera County residents.

Details: gofmas.com.

Digital Quilting: From Camera to Quilt

Lura and Kerby Smith will demonstrate techniques described in their new book, "Digital Quilting: From Camera to Quilt," 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3 at Willow Bridge Books.

Lura is a local quilter who has won regional, national and international awards for her art quilts. Kerby has 30 years in journalism and 10 years in marketing.

Lura and Kerby collaborated on their book, which teaches quilters how to use modern technology, including a digital camera and inkjet printer, and traditional media, including paints, inks, and dye sticks.

Rev. James Fox at Willow Bridge

Reverend James Fox from Madera will discuss his book, "And So It Is," published by PM Libraries of Madera, 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4 at Willow Bridge Books.

This is a collection of essays on the spiritual life written as a weekly column over a four-year period and published in the Madera Tribune.

Fox was drafted into the military during the Korean Conflict, then worked as a mechanic for 25 years. He and his wife, Joanna, found the Science of Mind and became ministers.

In 1994, they founded the Spiritual Awareness Center located in Madera, and celebrated 15 years as a church in September 2009. Fox is now Reverend Emeritus at the Spiritual Awareness Center.

Bass Lake Home Tour

The Fifth Annual Bass Lake Home Tour will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11. The event is presented by the Bass Lake Lions Club and Bass Lake Realty. Tickets cost $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event and include lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pines Village.

Tickets are available at Bass Lake Realty offices or from Bass Lake Lions Club Members or by calling (559) 642-3600. The self-guided tour begins in the Pines Village outside the Bass Lake Realty office. Proceeds benefit the Yosemite High School Music Department.

Details: BassLakeHomeTour.com.

BeerFest coming to Tenaya Lodge

Tenaya Lodge and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company are hosting the first-ever Sierra Nevada BeerFest. A welcome reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3 at Tenaya Lodge. There will be a live jazz band, appetizers, beer tasting, and Sierra Nevada Brewery Keepsake Pints. Tickets cost $20.

The Food and BeerFest will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4 at Tenaya Lodge. There will be food and beer pairing, chef's action stations, hops crush and educational experiences and music, and Tenaya Lodge and Sierra Nevada raffle prizes. Tickets cost $30. Tickets for both events are $40.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is one of America's first microbreweries, being founded in 1980 in Chico. The company has won numerous awards for its world-class ales and lagers including Pale Ale, Porter, Torpedo and Stout. The company also produces seasonal beers including Early Spring and Summerfest.

Details: 888-514-2167, option 3.

School photos benefit muscular dystrophy

Vons and Roxy Kobashi Photography are offering back-to-school portraits to anyone who donates to the Muscular Dystrophy Association Aug. 25 to 31. The six-day photo sessions are being called "Miles of Smiles for Muscles."

For a $10 donation per child, MDA supporters will receive a voucher for free professional photos that will be taken at a special booth in the Oakhurst Vons store. All the funds go to MDA.

After the photos are taken they may be picked up on a CD after shopping or they can be e-mailed.

Several local businesses including Clips Family Hair Care, Western Sierra Nursery, True Value Hardware and Sierra Tel Business Center have donated funds to make this offer possible.

"This partnership with Vons is an awesome chance to support Jerry's kids and get school photos taken and e-mailed directly to you," Kobashi said. "The photos can be of anyone, not just students."

Photo times and days are:

4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 26

2 to 6 p.m. Aug. 27

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 28

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 29

9 a.m. to noon, Aug. 30

3 to 5 p.m. Aug. 31

Details: Roxy Kobashi, (559) 760-2857.

MCW Membership Drive features speaker

Dan Cunning of the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau will speak at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 13 at the Oakhurst Community Center, 39800 Road 425B. Cunning will speak on "Eastern Madera County as a Destination."

The event is part of Mountain Community Women's membership drive. The club serves the community by raising funds to support the Oakhurst Community Center. Details: (559) 642-3615.