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Community Briefs for April 28, 2011 edition

(Updated: Thursday, April 28, 2011, 2:32 PM)

Free document shredding

A free mobile paper shredding service will be provided from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, April 28 at Oakhurst's Central Valley Community Bank, 40004 Highway 41, Suite 101. You can watch your papers be shredded on site, courtesy of American Mobile Shredding.

Details: Debbie Nalchajian-Cohen, (559) 222-1322.

National Day of Prayer celebration

Oakhurst Evangelical Free Church, 50443 School Road (427), will host a National Day of Prayer celebration Thursday, May 5. The program will begin with the presentation of the flag by Col. Bruce Derry and the Yosemite High School California Cadet Corps.

Music will be provided by Tyrell McKenzie of Oakhurst, at the piano, and Timothy, Michael and Christopher Cecil from the Yosemite High School String Academy.

Pastor Marc Unger, from Exeter Baptist Church, is the featured guest speaker.

This is the 60th annual National Day of Prayer.

A buffet breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. Reservations and a $6 donation are requested. The program will begin at 8 a.m. Reservations: (559) 683-2254, ext. 200. The reservation deadline is Monday, May 2. Last-minute tickets may be purchased at the door.

Tony Krizan debuts hiking book

Tony Krizan, Sierra hiker and Sierra Star columnist, will debut his book, "The Wilderness of My Years" at 2 p.m. Saturday at Willow Bridge Books in Oakhurst.

In his book, Krizan has chronicled some of his hiking adventures over the past 20 years. Each chapter details one of the many treks Krizan has made to some of the Sierra Nevada's historical features including Mount Whitney, Cold Creek, Devil's Table, Mary's Mountain and Florence, Dutch, Corbett, Margaret, Graveyard and Lost lakes.

The biggest influence in Krizan's passion for hiking was Tom "Silver Fox" Addison who had more than 40 years of hiking experiences. The two met through mutual friends at Mono Hot Springs.

"He was my hiking mentor," Krizan says. "He taught me how to survive in the wilderness."

The idea of writing a book came from his early days at Mono Hot Springs where Krizan had a photo studio and provided hiking outings to vacationers. "People would ask me when I was going to write a book about the Ansel Adams Wilderness, where I did most of my hiking. I finally did it."

Fire lookout volunteers needed

With the wildfire season soon approaching, the Miami Mountain Lookout Program is seeking volunteers to staff the lookout for the 2011 season.

If interested in volunteering one or more days to help staff the tower, sign up at the annual orientation meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 30, at the North Fork Ranger Station, 57003 Road 225.

Details: Francisca Adams, Bass Lake Ranger District, (559) 977-4340 or fadams@fs.fed.us

Gala for the Arts

"Country USA" -- Madera County Arts Council's Annual Gala to benefit the arts -- includes dinner, entertainment, a live auction featuring art by Circle Gallery artists, a silent auction and a raffle. Arts recognition awards will be given to members of the community who have significantly contributed to the arts in Madera County.

Dress in casual country western wear. Tickets cost $65 per person, reserved tables of 10 cost $500; reservations are required. To make reservations, be a sponsor or for more information, call Circle Gallery, (559) 661-7005 or visit maderaarts.org.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 14 at the Hallowell Ranch, 19623 Road 211 in Friant. During the cocktail hour, guests will have the opportunity to view the Hallowells' personal art collection.

The Madera County Arts Council is a nonprofit art agency supporting regional artists and arts in education programs.

Chawanakee to hold public hearing

The board of trustees of the Chawanakee Unified School District will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. May 3 at Minarets High School to review the provisions of the proposed Minarets Charter High School.

As part of the review process, the board shall consider the level of support for the charter school petition by teachers employed by the district and parents.

Copies of the proposed Minarets High School charter petition will be available at the Chawanakee Unified School District office beginning at 8 a.m. May 2.

Antique Boat Show

The 21st Annual Antique & Classic Boat Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 14, on the docks in front of Ducey's on the Lake at Bass Lake.

Sponsored by the Bass Lake Lions Club, the show will feature more than 50 of the finest preserved and restored watercraft to be found on the west coast. The show is the annual rendezvous of the Southern and Northern California Chapters of the Antique and Classic Boat Society of America.

Tickets cost $3 per person. Proceeds benefit sight preservation and other local community projects supported by the Bass Lake Lions Club, including a camp for hearing- and sight-impaired children.

Bring your old eyeglasses, cell phones and hearing aids for recycling and get two free raffle tickets for the raffle drawing.

Details: Jim (559) 642-3420 or Ed (559) 683-8220.

Bring Target to Madera County

The Madera County Economic Development Commission is promoting its "Bring Target to Madera County" Facebook page hoping to rally local support for attracting a new Target store to the county.

MCEDC plans to promote the page and then put together a competitive development package to present to Target in hopes of attracting it to Madera. The Facebook page will be a highlight of the package along with available sites and possible incentives. Madera County has more than 150,000 residents and is only served by one major general merchandise store.

Mariposa Grove Road open in Yosemite

The Mariposa Grove Road in Yosemite National Park has opened for the season. The road provides visitor access to the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees, the largest grove of Giant Sequoia in Yosemite National Park. The road is located near the park's South Entrance, on Highway 41.

Some commercial services within the Mariposa Grove have also opened for the season. Additionally, tram tours are slated to begin operating soon.

Nutrition presentation

A free nutrition presentation will be held at 5:30 p.m., Monday, May 9, at Willow Bridge Books. Registered nurse Cindy Talley will provide tips that may improve personal health, immunity and symptoms related to arthritis, obesity and premature aging while also lessening the risk of cancer and heart disease.

More than 30 research studies linked to major universities showing the positive impact of whole food consumption is available to the public.

Details: Ramona Frances, (559) 363-5186.

John Muir's book reprinted for 100th anniversary

Photographer Scot Miller, who brought Thoreau's Walden and Cape Cod to life, combines the seminal work of John Muir's "My First Summer in the Sierra" with stunning new photography in the 100th anniversary illustrated edition of this American classic. Published in collaboration with Yosemite Conservancy, a portion of the book's sales will support the nonprofit's work to preserve and protect Yosemite National Park and enhance the visitor experience.

"This edition is part of an important tradition of capturing and sharing the visual beauty of Yosemite with the world," said Mike Tollefson, president, Yosemite Conservancy.

"My First Summer in the Sierra" details Muir's first extended trip to the Sierra Nevada in what is now Yosemite National Park, a landscape that entranced him immediately and had a profound effect on his life. The founder of the Sierra Club and considered the father of the national parks, Muir wrote of the Sierra, "No words will ever describe the exquisite beauty and charm of this mountain park -- Nature's landscape garden at once tenderly beautiful and sublime."

The new edition, with 72 of Miller's breathtaking photographs, showcases the dramatic Yosemite landscape that stirred Muir's passions.

Muir's illustrations from the original edition and several previously unpublished illustrations from his 1911 manuscript are featured in the new book. The book can be purchased for $30 at Yosemite Conservancy bookstores in the park in Yosemite Valley and Wawona, and from www.yosemite conservancy.org.

Bass Lake arts and crafts fair

The Bass Lake Spring Arts and Crafts Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 29, 30 and May 1 in the Pines Village.

Among the different arts and crafts will be candles, woodworking, redwood sign carving, crochet and sewing, silverwork, jewelry, clothing and fine art.

Live music will be performed by the Smiley Mountain Band, Jean Butterfield, and by singer-songwriter Mike Knapp.

Food will include tri-tip sandwiches, ice cream and kettle korn.

Admission and parking to the craft fair is free.

Details: (559) 288-6614, thecraftfair.org, basslakechamber.com.

Fundraising for mission trip

Students and adults from Mountain Christian Center are raising funds for a week-long mission trip to Honduras on June 30. Church team members will build Bible school classrooms, finish the floor of the chapel and go to the public schools and churches presenting the gospel.

The team is holding fundraising events to help pay for the trip including a yard sale that starts at 7 a.m. and a car wash at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 7 at Mountain Christian Center. All proceeds will go to the Honduras Mission Trip.

Anyone desiring to give a tax deductible donation to the Honduras Mission Trip can make their check payable to Mountain Christian Center and send to P.O. Box 2369, Oakhurst, CA 93644.

Details: Claudia VanderBie, (559) 683-7332.

Scholarship & Wine Tasting Event

The 12th Annual Scholarship & Wine Tasting Event, benefiting the Madera County Farm Bureau Scholarship Fund, will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 1 at Isla Vista Farms, 17632 Island Drive, Madera.

The event includes wine from 13 wineries, music by Espacio featuring Dalisay Johnson, and catering by Madera Community Hospital Custom Catering. Beer will also be available.

Advance tickets cost $50, or $55 at the door.

Details: For reserve tickets, go to maderafb.com/store or call (559) 674-8871.

Tom Wheeler to address Census compact

With recently released 2010 Census figures indicating a Madera County population increase of a full 22.5% since 2000, Oakhurst actually declined 1.4%, along with similar reductions experienced in other Sierra foothill communities. District 5 Supervisor Tom Wheeler will speak at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 7 at the Old Kettle Restaurant on Highway 41 at the Oakhurst Democratic Club's May meeting.

Since assuming office in January 2007, he has worked diligently on many growth-related issues faced in District 5, including water, traffic, jobs and housing. Wheeler's topic will be "Working Together on Oakhurst Challenges 2011" with an extended question-and-answer period.Everyone is invited to attend regardless of party affiliation.

Historic sites waterpainting raffle

During the next eight months, a painting titled "A Day At Fresno Flats" will journey to participating businness and community sites in Oakhurst. This watercolor painting was donated by artist Diane Astier as a fundraiser for roof repairs in the Historic Village and Park at Fresno Flats.

Raffle tickets cost $1 each and are available from Historic Sites board members or businesses where the painting is shown. The drawing will be held in December at Fresno Flats.

The painting is currently on display at Sierra Telephone business office and will be at Yosemite Bank in Oakhurst through May and will continue to move to community sites throughout the coming months.

Children sought for Freedom Fest

Children are invited to learn stage presence, vocal skills, choreography and confidence with professional voice and dance teacher Jen Janine for a high-energy singing, dancing and percussion performance at the July 4 Family Freedom Fest Celebration at Coarsegold Village.

Rehearsals will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays at the Golden Chain Theatre beginning April 30.

Details: Jennifer Janine, (661) 699-3792 or blackbirdbotanicals@yahoo.com

North Fork Fire Department barbecue

The North Fork Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary will host its annual Firehouse Barbecue from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at North Fork School's Kennedy Hall. The event will feature the naming of the Fireman of the Year.

Funds from the barbecue will be used for the interior of the new fire station as well as equipment and training for Co. 11.

The new station will be located on the grounds of the old saw mill, and is a joint project of the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians using permitted HUD funding, Madera County, and the North Fork CDC, which donated the land.

The silent auction, including a holiday in Breckenridge, Colo., will begin at 2 p.m. Fire Department clothing will be on sale as will the green reflective house signs favored by mountain emergency personnel.

Details: Tickets cost $8 for adults, $5 for children under 10 and $7 for seniors. Details: (559) 877-2120.

Road improvements

With just one permit left to obtain from the Army Corps of Engineers, the Madera County Road Department anticipates construction will begin by mid-May on Phase IIA of the Road 200 improvement project.

Cumbersome environmental requirements have resulted in delays on the project, according to Jared Carter of the Madera County Road Department.

"The county has spent more than $970,000 on environmental work and we have not turned a shovel of dirt on the project," said District 5 Supervisor Tom Wheeler.

Carter said the mitigations for the project that will widen and repave 21/2 miles of Road 200 from Ladd Creek to Finegold Creek, are detailed and very specific.

"For every oak tree we have to take down, we must put back up to five," Carter said. "For every elderberry bush we remove, we must pay $14,000 per plant, plus replacement."

Phase I of the project included 3.4 miles of the road from Spring Valley School to Leprechaun Lane and was completed in the fall of 2008 at a cost of $5.5 million. It was one of the largest road projects in the county in the past 18 years, according to Johannes Hoevertsz, county road commissioner.

During the project, the county was fined $500,000 by the Central Valley Water Board for causing erosion gullies and discharging sediment material to waterways. The county contracted with Teichert Construction for the project.

The county hired a new contractor who corrected the situation by stabilizing all disturbed areas and removing discharged sediment from surface waters. The county negotiated a final payment of $126,387. <

Phase IIA should start by mid-May, with completion planned by the end of summer.