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Community Briefs for September 2, 2010 edition

(Updated: Thursday, September 02, 2010, 12:00 AM)

Raymond Knowles Bronco Bonanza

The Raymond Knowles Parent Club will host the first ever Bronco Bonanza from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11 at the Raymond Knowles Elementary School. The patriotic, western theme event will include dinner, music, a silent auction, carnival games and booths. Tickets can be purchased for all booths and food for 50 cents each at the event. Proceeds benefit Raymond Knowles Elementary School's programs, sports equipment and teacher support. The Club was formed last year to help meet the growing needs of the small rural school.

Gold Rush Art Show

The 14th Annual Gold Rush Art Show, sponsored by the Sierra Artists Gallery of Mariposa, is coming Oct. 12 to 24.

This is an open juried exhibition showcasing the artistic talents of the Sierra and Central Valley. Artists 18 and older are invited to submit original creations that have not been in previous Gold Rush shows. Awards will be given in six categories: mixed media, graphic black and white, watercolor, oil/acrylic, three dimensional and photography. An artist award reception will be held Sunday, Oct. 24 and will include a People's Choice and Best of Show awards.

Applications may be downloaded from the Sierra Artist Gallery website at sierraartistsgallery.com or picked up from the gallery on Highway 140 and 6th Street in Mariposa. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Friday. Application, fee and submitted works are to be brought to the gallery Oct. 5 to 9. Details: (209) 966-2284.

Grandparents Day Sunday Brunch

A Grandparents Day Sunday brunch will be held from 10:30 to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12 at the Oakhurst Elks Lodge No. 2724, 42482 Highway 41 at the Bass Lake turnoff. There will be eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, coffee and juice. Reservations must be made by Friday, Sept. 10. Tickets with reservations cost $7. Tickets at the door cost $9. Details: (559) 683-2717.

Playhouse auction benefits hospital

The Alegria Guild of Children's Hospital Central California is auctioning off an 8-foot by 8-foot by 10-foot playhouse. The drawing will be held Oct. 2 at the Sherman Thomas Ranch, 10795 Road 26. Tickets cost $10. Participants don't have to be present to win. All materials for the house were donated and the playhouse was built by professional contractors. The auction will be held at the Day in the Country event. There will be a variety of booths, a catered lunch and silent auction. Advance tickets cost $30.

Challenging Behaviors

Challenging Behaviors at Home and in School will be the topic at a Community Action Committee meeting at 3:15 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16 at the Gould Educational Center, 117 W. Dunham Ave., Madera.

The discussion will center around tips and strategies to help our children who have ADHD and autism. Parents, teachers, administrators and other concerned community members are encouraged to attend. Door prizes and a light snack will be provided. Details: Yvette Cisneros, (559) 662-4665.

Tenaya Lodge BeerFest

Tenaya Lodge and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company are hosting the first-ever Sierra Nevada BeerFest Friday and Saturday.

A welcome reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Tenaya Lodge featuring beer tasting, appetizers, Sierra Nevada Brewery keepsake pints and music by Nate Hinojosa Flamenco/Jazz Trio.

Beer will include Sierra Nevada's Pale Ale, Kellerweis, Stout, Porter and Tumbler. Appetizers include oysters Rockfeller, meatballs, marinated mushrooms and shrimp in beer batter. Tickets cost $20.

The Food and Beer Fest will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday. Food stations will feature salmon, beer-broiled shrimp, pork chops in teriyaki beer marinade, mussels steamed in beer and grilled chicken kabobs. Tickets for Saturday cost $30. Tickets for both events cost $40.

Prize drawings will be held both nights for wall mirrors, brewery tours, dinners, spa treatments and activities including nature hikes, archery sessions and mountain bikes.

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.

Details: (888) 514-2167, option 3.

Tea Party: The Documentary Film

About 120 Mountain Area Tea Party residents gathered at the Oakhurst Community Center recently to watch "Tea Party: The Documentary Film."

There were thousands of others watching the film that night across the country as Tea Party groups met to view the 45-minute version of the original two-hour Tea Party documentary. The event was initiated by Tea Party Patriots and a short- or full-length copy of the movie can be found at www.teapartypatriots.org.

On Sept. 12, there will be "Recycle Government" protests in Washington, D.C., St. Louis and Sacramento. The event will provide attendees the opportunity to learn more about the Tea Party Movement, Tea Party Patriots, and how ordinary Americans can engage in the political and legislative process.

Details: Mountain Area Tea Party, (866) 565-1379, mountainarea@centralvalleyteaparty.com

Fresno book signing features local author

A local history book fair will be held 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18 at the River Parkway, 11065 Old Friant Road.

There will be more than 40 local history authors to sell and sign books and 10 historical societies. Gaylen Lee of North Fork will be one of the featured writers. His book, "Walking Where We Lived," is the five-generation story of a Mono Indian family in the North Fork region.

There will be art, live music, a speaker and food. Breakfast, which costs $5, will be served from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Food vendors at noon. Details: heritagefresno.org or (559) 439-5458.

Drowning victim identified

The Madera County Sheriff's Department continues to comfort a Fresno family grieving over the disappearance of their son when he slipped and fell into the raging waters near lower Chiquito Creeks on Aug. 17.

Erik Hendrickson, 19, was fishing with his father when he slipped and lost his balance, falling into freezing rapids. Numerous attempts to recover Erik's body have been made since that day.

"It is especially hard when the elements render us helpless, only forcing Erik's family to endure further anguish," said Sheriff John Anderson.