Subscribe
to the E-Star!

Community News for March 3, 2011 edition

(Updated: Thursday, March 03, 2011, 4:50 PM)

VA clinic ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. tomorrow

Veteran's Administration Central California Health Care System will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. tomorrow for the long-awaited Oakhurst Community Based Outpatient Clinic at 40597 Westlake Drive.

Festivities will include a formal ceremony prior to the ribbon cutting, visiting dignitaries and refreshments.

The ribbon cutting is a much-anticipated event for veterans living in the Mountain Area. Elected officials and other groups have been invited to attend the ribbon cutting. Veterans and the general public are also invited.

Details: VA public affairs office, (559) 228-5308.

Baker's pre-preliminary hearing postponed

Harry Baker's pre-preliminary hearing, scheduled for March 1, was postponed to March 8.

Baker's attorney, Rick Berman, has been reviewing additional material that was previously in possession of the Fresno District Attorney's on charges facing Baker of one count of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14. Berman would not disclose what the specific material consists of.

A preliminary hearing was set for March 15 in Fresno Superior Court Department 30. Judge Houry will decide after the preliminary hearing if there is enough evidence against Baker to proceed with a trial.

Baker, 83, president of Sierra Telephone, was arrested Oct. 5, 2009, after Berman arranged for him to turn himself in to the Fresno Police. Baker claims he is not guilty of any wrongdoing.

The incident with the juvenile allegedly took place in a Fresno hotel room in May 2007.

Berman has stated his client was secretly videotaped and a series of events were staged to entrap him and the girl's family blackmailed Baker for as much as $250,000 over the video. Federal authorities say an extortion investigation of the girl's parents is ongoing.

Public hearing about school board

A public hearing regarding Bass Lake Joint Union School District's Board of Trustees' desire to reduce its board size from seven to five members will held at the district board room at Oakhurst Intermediate School at 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 9.

Drawing for cruise to Mexico Saturday

In an effort to raise funds for the maintenance and operations of the soon-to-open Ahwahnee Hills Regional Park, drawing tickets are now on sale at a number of area businesses.

Drawing prizes include a Sears barbecue, one-night stay at Tenaya Lodge for two including a spa treatment, three-day, four-night cruise to Mexico for two in an outside cabin, dinner for two at Erna's Elderberry House Restaurant, cords of oak wood, hand-turned myrtlewood bowl signed by Marvin Fry, a two-night stay at the Redwoods in Yosemite, nine individual gift baskets from Tree Fresno and a $100 gift card from restaurant.com.

The drawing will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at the park's interpretive center on Highway 49 north of Wasuma Elementary School. Refreshments will be served and winners need not be present.

Drawing tickets are available at Yosemite Bank, Central Valley Community Bank, Sierra Tel Business Center, Sierra Telephone, Western Sierra Nursery or by calling (559) 641-5151.

Pacific Fisher informational talk

Anne Lombardo, a UC Davis environmental scientist, is working on a seven-year study to gain information about the effect of forest thinnings on water, wildlife and the remaining timberland, and will make a presentation at 2 p.m. Saturday at Willow Bridge Books in the Vons shopping center.

The wildlife portion of the study was organized into two teams. One team was assigned to study the California Spotted Owl and another team was assigned to study the Pacific Fisher. Lombardo is on the second team and Oakhurst is one of the two sites chosen for her work. Lombardo's group has spent the last three years gathering valuable information about the Pacific Fisher. It is a rare nocturnal, tree-dwelling weasel that lives in the mountains. It is estimated there are only about 300 of them left in this southern population due to historical trapping and extensive logging and it is now in danger of extinction.

Hands-On-Heroes nominations sought

First 5 Madera County is currently accepting nominations for individuals who have worked to improve the lives of children up to 5 years old for a "Hands-on-Heroes" Award.

Committed to celebrating those individuals, First 5 Central Region commissions will be celebrating heroes in their respective counties in conjunction with the Week of the Young Child, April 11 to 15.

Individuals can be nominated in three categories for their work with young children and their families: child health, early care and education, and family strengthening. Nominations forms are due by Friday, March 11 and can be accessed at www.first5madera.net.

The focus at First 5 is to educate parents and caregivers about the important role they play in their children's first years.

Details: (559) 661-5155 or first5madera.net.

FFA dinner March 26

The 6th Annual Tri-Tip Dinner & Auction sponsored by the Yosemite High School Future Farmers of America will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 26 at the Oakhurst Community Center on Road 425B.

The FFA is currently collecting items from businesses and individuals for the auction.

Dinner tickets cost $15. Details: Teri Gambril, (559) 683-3083.

Native tree sale fundraiser rescheduled

Coarsegold Resource Conservation District will hold its annual native tree sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 12 in the Oakhurst Shopping Center on Crane Valley Road (426). The sale was rescheduled due to the weather.

About 1,000 saplings and trees native to the Mountain Area, donated by the Southern California Edison Company, will be sold for $2 to $10, said Nancy Beavers, district board of directors member and treasurer.

"The prices are very reasonable," Beavers said. "The sale is one of our yearly fundraisers. We are totally dependent on grants and fundraisers."

Trees include redbuds, valley and black oaks, California bay, sycamores, giant sequoias, stone and ponderosa pines and dogwoods.

Details: Nancy Beavers, (559) 877-2973.

"Ladies of Lincoln's Era" exhibit opening

The "Ladies of Lincoln's Era" exhibit opening celebration will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 12 at the Wild Wonderful King Vintage Museum, 40680 Highway 41, Oakhurst.

The public will learn about the 13 ladies who made great contributions to their era and the unprecedented challenges that these ladies faced as abolitionists, spies, humanitarians and agents of change.

The "Ladies of Lincoln's Era" exhibit was produced by Mission San Juan Capistrano and is toured by the California Resources Alliance and hosted by the museum. The opening celebration is free.

The exhibit will open Sunday, March 13 and remain open through Sunday, May 8. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Special tours for schools or groups can be arranged by calling (559) 658-6999.

Kids Day Tuesday

Mountain Area volunteers will be out in force Tuesday, March 8, selling the special Kids Day edition of The Fresno Bee for Children's Hospital Central California. The edition will feature compelling patient stories and photographs about the vital pediatric medical care Children's Hospital provides for the children of Central California.

The hospital saves the lives of thousands of children a year with the help of fundraising efforts such as Kid's Day.

Fair exhibitor's handbook available

The Chowchilla-Madera County Fair 2011 Exhibitor's Handbook is now available.

Anyone desiring to participate competitively as a fair exhibitor -- such as 4-H and FFA members, gardeners, cooks, quilters, photographers and artists -- can see a copy of the handbook at chowchillafair.org.

Details: Chowchilla-Madera County Fair, (559) 665-3728 or chowchillafair.org.

Luncheon features Congressman Jeff Denham

The Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce will host an Economic Development Committee luncheon featuring Congressman Jeff Denham at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, April 21 at Sierra Meadows Golf Course.

Tickets cost $20 per person. Seating is limited and reservations are needed. Details (559) 683-7766 or email: chamber@oakhurstchamber.com.

Wine event at Tenaya Lodge

The 10-year anniversary of the Northern California Winemasters Weekend at Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp will be celebrated this weekend.

The Friday and Saturday program features wine blending competitions, food and music pairing workshops, stargazing, wine receptions and a gala dinner.

Tenaya's Executive Chef Frederick Clabaugh will be joined by California State University, Fresno winemaster, Kenneth Fugelsang to present the "Tastes of the World" food and wine pairing workshop on Saturday.

California State University, Fresno Agricultural enterprises and representatives will be serving and cooking student-produced farm-fresh products during a light lunch on Saturday afternoon. Saturday evening will feature a five-course gourmet dinner prepared by Chef Clabaugh and his team, along with California State University, Fresno's culinary students.

Details: Tenaya Lodge, (888) 514-2167.

Chick days at Oakhurst Feed

Oakhurst Feed is offering a free seminar for chicken owners at 10 a.m. Saturday.

"The popularity of raising poultry is sweeping the nation and providing chicken owners with healthier meat and eggs, homegrown food and fun pets," said Colette Goga, owner of Oakhurst Feed. "We are excited to help families get started with their own flocks, so they too can participate in the chicken-raising trend."

Throughout the duration of Chick Days, Oakhurst Feed will have experts available to offer advice and guidance on how to raise chickens from freshly hatched chicks through laying, including details on proper nutrition to provide the best eggs. Chicken-raising experts can learn new tips and beginners will learn the basics of starting their flocks.

Oakhurst Feed is located at 40119 Enterprise Drive in Oakhurst.

Toastmasters Open House and Comedy Night March 7

Toastmasters International Mountain High Talkers, a nonprofit organization that teaches communication, public speaking and leadership skills, will host an Open House and Comedy Night at 7 p.m. Monday, March 7 at Sierra Telephone. Details: Toastmaster President Sharon Gaston, (559) 642-0019.

Father of Columbine student to present Rachel's Challenge

Darrell Scott, father of Rachel Scott, the first student fatally wounded at Columbine High School in 1999, will be in Madera March 10 to present Rachel's Challenge. The hour-long program, hosted by the Madera County Office of Education, is designed to create an atmosphere of kindness and compassion on school campuses and in the community.

The event will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Madera District Fair in the Women's World building. The multimedia presentation includes documentary-style clips about the Columbine tragedy and focuses on true stories from people impacted by Rachel's acts of kindness. The program encourages individuals to live their life with purpose, kindness and compassion by accepting Rachel's Challenge.

Details: Jennifer Pascale, (559) 662-4676, jpascale@maderacoe.k12.ca.us.

Fresno Flats docents needed for tours

Fresno Flats Historic Park and Village in Oakhurst is looking for volunteers to help with its docent program. Docents lead small groups, usually third-grade classes, between buildings at the village, with each building staffed by a volunteer student docent who offers more thorough information about each site. Any amount of time is appreciated.

A docent training will be scheduled in early March.

Details: Bea and George Walden, 641-2272.

Choir rummage sale

Yosemite High School's Concert Choir and Chamber Singers are holding a rummage sale from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 19 at YHS to help pay for a charter bus for a trip to Hollywood. The choirs will perform at Universal Studios and attend a choral clinic at a school of performing arts in Hollywood.

The buses cost about $2,000. Any additional funds will go to support students who are having a difficult time raising money for the trip. Donated items can be dropped off for the sale Friday afternoon or Saturday morning at the YHS parking lot. Large items to be donated can also be picked up.

Details: Randy Hyatt, (559) 683-4667 ext. 243.