CURRENT WEATHER
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REPORTERS & COLUMNISTS
BINGO
Oakhurst Elks Lodge -- 12 p.m. Fourth Saturday; no alcohol, or minors. 42484 Hwy. 41 across from Bass Lake Road (222) turnoff, Oakhurst. Details: George (559) 683-2717.
BLOOD DRIVE
Jamba Juice -- 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, February 4; all donors receive a smoothie from Jamba Juice . 40208 Hwy. 41, Oakhurst. Details: Amy Ornelas(559) 658-8555.
Sierra Telephone -- 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Monday, February 6; all donors receive area discount coupons. 49150 Crane Valley Road (426), Oakhurst. Details: Kathy Kramer (559) 642-0109 .
Von's - Oakhurst Community -- 1 to 5 p.m. Monday, February 6; all donors receive variety of discount coupons Von's 40044 Hwy. 49, Oakhurst. Details: Terry Anderson (559) 642-4444.
Minarets High School -- 2 - 7 p.m. Monday, February 13; all donors receive a free T-shirt, hamburgers and hot dogs. 45077 Road 200 in the MHS gym, O'Neals. Details: (559) 868-8689.
Yosemite Lakes Park -- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, February 18; 30250 Yosemite Springs Pkwy., Yosemite Lakes Park - Coarsegold . Details: Carol Besselievre (559) 683-0214.
CAR CLUBS
Mountain Road Rattlers -- 8:15 a.m. Second Saturday; vintage car club a chapter of MAFCA. Ol' Kettle Restaurant, Oakhurst. Details: Pres. Dave Detmer (559) 683-8461 or V.P. Tim Nelson (559) 658-8320.
High Sierra Corvettes -- 6 p.m. social hour, meeting starts at 7 p.m. First Wednesday; Round Table Pizza, Von's Center, Oakhurst. Details: Gary (559) 877-7766 or Tom (559) 676-1339.
CLASSES
Helping Hands presents "Earn while you learn" Parenting classes -- 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday; receive baby bucks while attending classes. Call for schedule and class times. Child care not provided. Pregnancy and Parenting Center, 40356 Oak Park Way, Suite A, Oakhurst. Details: Kenya Deto (559) 642-2229.
Creative Writing class (memoirs) -- 9:30 a.m. Fridays; Merced College presents no credit, no fee, memoir writing life story class. Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church, 39696 Hwy. 41, Oakhurst. Details: Joyce Stuhr (559) 683-5494.
CLUBS
La Sierra Guild of Children's Hospital Central California -- 1 p.m. Second Wednesday; Lutheran Church, Crane Valley Road (426), Oakhurst. Details: Linda Fisher (559) 692-2063.
Grandmothers Club - 24 -- 10:30 a.m. First Wednesday; The Village Clubhouse, 46777 Oonay Nation Road, Coarsegold.
Mountain Bear Fan Club -- 11:30 a.m. Third Thursday; comforting children in crisis through Teddy Bear hugs. Lunch and general meeting. Call for location, Oakhurst. Details: Beverly (559) 683-7929.
Republican Party of Madera County (RPMC) -- 11:30 a.m., call for location of lunch meeting. First Monday; www.MaderaGOP.org. County wide meeting, Madera. Details: Bobbie (559) 683-0719.
Our Lady of the Sierra Women's Guild -- 8 a.m. Second Wednesday; Saint Dominic Savio and Saint Joseph the Worker Guild. Mass, Rosary followed by breakfast and meeting. Our Lady of the Sierra, Indian Spring Road, Oakhurst.
Bass Lake Lions -- 8 a.m. Second and Fourth Wednesdays; Dru Bratty, President. Ducey's Restaurant, Bass Lake. Details: www.basslakelions.org /index.php.
Toastmaster - Mountain High Talkers -- 7 p.m. Mondays; helping people become better speakers. Sierra Telephone, 49150 Crane Valley Road (426), Oakhurst. Details: Sharon Gaston (559) 642-0019 New Lions Club - Forming -- 6 p.m. First and Third Wednesdays; Yosemite Gateway Inn Restaurant, 40530 Hwy. 41, Oakhurst. Details: Colette Goga (559) 642-4569.
Spring Valley 4-H -- 6:30 p.m. First Monday; general club business and group activities. Minarets High School multipurpose room, O'Neals. Details: Sandra McDougald (559) 822-2289 or Barbara Bigelow (559) 868-3433.
Sierra Mountain Quilters Association -- 6:30 p.m. Thursday, February 2; business meeting, name tags and quilt blocks projects, Show and Tell, sierramountainquilters.org Whittenburg Hall, Methodist Church, 49223 Crane Valley Road (426), Oakhurst. Details: Patty (559) 683-4452.
Democratic Club - Oakhurst -- 9 a.m. Saturday, February 4; speaker Judy Hess, Central Valley Sierra Democrats, Progressive Democrats of America and Single Payer Health Care. Ol' Kettle Restaurant, 40530 Highway 41, Oakhurst. Details: (559) 658-2342.
Oakhurst Democratic Club -- 9 a.m. Saturday, March 3; "Meet District 4
Congressional Candidate - Jack Uppal." Ol' Kettle Restaurant, 40530
Hwy. 41, Oakhurst. Details: (559) 658-2342.
DANCING
Gold Dust Dancers - Square Dancing and Line Dancing -- 6 - 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 7 p.m. Line dancing first hour followed by square dancing. Community Center, Road 425B, Oakhurst. Details: (559) 641-7765 or (559) 868-3319.
ETC.
Tail Waggin' Tutors -- 2:30 p.m. Second and Fourth Wednesdays; fun way to help children of reading age build confidence in their skills by reading to dogs. Library on Civic Circle Dr., Oakhurst. Details: (559) 683-4838.
FUN & GAMES
Duplicate Bridge -- 10 a.m. Every Monday and Thursday; Whittenburg Hall, 49223 Crane Valley Road (426), Oakhurst. Details: Paul (559) 658-8952.
Woodcarving Workshop - Central Sierra Woodcarvers -- 12:30 p.m. Every Thursday, beginners to advanced. Share patterns & ideas. Senior Center, 49111 Cinder Lane, Oakhurst. Free. Details: (559) 658-2405 email woodtat@sti.net.
Madera Wine Trail's "Wine & Chocolate" Weekend -- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, February 11 to February 12; guest may purchase a Passport Glass can be purchased at any participating winery both days of the event. Madera County Wine Trail. $25. Details: Wendy Eachus (800) 613-0709 or www.maderawinetrail.com.
FUNDRAISERS
$3 a Bag Book Sale by FOBL - Friends of the Oakhurst Branch Library -- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, February 4; dealers after 12 noon please. Civic Circle behind Library - old fire station, Oakhurst. Details: (559) 642-4333, www.oakhurstfobl.com.
Marine Chance Gaal - Oakhurst Elks Lodge - Spaghetti Dinner -- 12 - 4 p.m. Saturday, February 4; local YHS grad injured in Afghanistan. Marine Corp, Oakhurst and Madera Elks supporting this event for Semper Fi Delis fund in the name of our local Marine Chance Gaal. Elks Lodge, 42484 Hwy. 41& Road 222, Oakhurst . $10. Details: (559) 683-2717.
Rotary Crab Feed -- 6 p.m. Saturday, February 4; crab, pasta and bread is all you can eat. Raffle with prizes retailing over $15,000. Proceeds help fund community services Community Center, Road 425B, Oakhurst. $40. Details: Doug Dearing, Yosemite Bank (559) 683-6442.
Lincoln Day Dinner sponsored by Republican Party of Madera County (RPMC) -- 6 p.m. Friday, February 17; guest speaker Ray Appleton, KMJ Radio's conservative talk show host. Silent and Live auction will be held. This organization is an official part of the CRP (Calif. Republican Party.) Muni Golf Course Restaurant, Ave. 17 and Road 24, Madera. donation $50 per person. Details: Bobbie Atkisson, RPMC Secretary (559) 683-1719.
Mardi Gras Celebration to Benefit Boys and Girls Club -- 7 p.m. Saturday, February 18; New Orleans style appetizer bar, live Jazz music, raffle, wine tasting. River Creek Golf Course, 41709 Road 600, Ahwahnee. $20. Details: RimaR@stcg.net.
GALLERIES
Artist Reception - Burning Brush Art Gallery -- 3 - 5 p.m. Sunday, February 12; 19 artist exhibiting, drawings, paintings, photography, glass, gourds, jewelry, plates. Portion of proceeds to Golden Chain Theatre. 40571 Hwy. 41, Oakhurst. Details: (559) 641-2225.
GARDENING
Mountain Laurel Garden Club -- 10 a.m. First Friday; new members welcome. Meet at members homes, mountain community. Details: Cheryl (559) 683-4079.
Madera County Master Gardeners "Roses" - pruning, pest control and fertilizing -- 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, February 4; hosted by Master Gardeners Peg Coffin and Carole Chavin. Lot C is free in parking. groups.ucanr.org /maderamg/. Reservations requested. Rain location Room R3A. Three Sisters Demonstration Garden at Madera Community College Center, 30277 Ave. 12 , Madera. Free. Details: mgmadera@ucdavis.edu (559) 675-7879 ext. 210.
Manzanita Garden Club -- 9:30 a.m. Thursday, February 9; Hostess Ingrid Carhart. Master Gardener Carol Zumwalt discussing challenges country gardeners encounter selecting plants for our area. meet at the Sierra Star, Oakhurst. Details: Mary Kay (559) 683-7991.
MEETINGS
Sierra Masonic Lodge - 788 -- 9 a.m. First Saturday; monthly stated meeting. 40216 Hwy. 49, Oakhurst. Details: Bill (559) 683-4359.
Mom's in Prayer -- 10 a.m. Mondays; praying for children and schools in the Mountain Area. Epicenter Prayer Room, 40176 Hwy. 41, Oakhurst. Details: Diane (559) 760-6848.
Noxious Weeds Public Meeting - Coarsegold Resource Conservation District -- 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 8; find out what you can do to stop and eradicate them. Experts discussion. Spring Valley School, 46655 Road 200, O'Neals. free. Details: Douglas Bowman (559) 999-2346.
Mountain Area Literacy Council (MALCo) -- 1:30 p.m. Thursday, February 9; All interested in advancing adult literacy are invited. Community College, room 8, Civic Circle and Crane Valley Road (426), Oakhurst. Details: (559) 641-7691 or malcotutor @gmail.com.
MUSIC
Fresno Flats Ragtime and Vintage Music Festival -- Friday, February 10 to February 12; Friday dinner and concert 5:30 p.m. $10. Sat. Concert 2 p.m. $5. Dinner 5:30 p.m. and open piano. $5. Sunday 2 p.m. Final Concert, Oakhurst Lutheran Church, Crane Valley Road (426) Donations accepted. Old School House, Fresno Flats Historical Park, School Road (427), Oakhurst. Details: Bea Walden (559) 641-2272 or bkwalden@sti.net.
NETWORKING
Oakhurst Women's Connection "Be My Valentine" -- 11:50 a.m. Tuesday, February 14; Special feature: Tim Madden - Above the Fog. Keynote speaker: Lori Hartin - A Basket, A Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood: is there a happy ending? Sweetwater Steak House, Hwy. 41, Oakhurst. $12 inclusive, reservations necessary. Details: Janet (559) 642-2007.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
River Creek Women's Golf Club -- 8:45 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday; 41709 Road 600, Ahwahnee. Details: Maggie (209) 742-2133.
Yosemite Area Audubon Society birding trip -- 8 a.m. Saturday, February 4; trip to the Merced National Wildlife Refuge. Suitable for beginners. Bring binoculars, field guides, snacks and beverages and wet weather gear. Mariposa Rest Area adjacent to the history center off Hwy. 140, Mariposa. Free. Details: (209) 742-5579.
PUBLIC FORUMS
Dr. William C. Tweed - Future of National Parks -- 7 p.m. Thursday, February 9; discussion by Dr. Tweed on his thoughts based on his book "Uncertain Path: A Search for the Future of National Parks. Methodist Church, 49233 Crane Valley Road (426), Oakhurst. free. Details: Len McKenzie (209) 742-5579.
Town Hall Meeting with Supervisor Tom Wheeler -- 6 - 8 p.m. Thursday, February 16; Contact Supervisor Wheeler with any questions or visit www.madera-county.com/supervisors/wheeler.html. Raymond-Knowles Elementary School, 31828 Road 600, Raymond. Details: (559) 662-6050.
SCOUTS
Boy Scout Troop - 357 -- 7 p.m. Mondays; boys ages 11(or in 6th grade) to 17. Scout Building, North Fork. Details: Dave Smith (559) 877-2186.
Boy Scout Troop - 341 -- 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays; boys ages 11(or 6th grade) to 17. Sierra Ambulance Conference Room, Oakhurst. Details: Tony McLean (559) 683-0974.
SELF-HELP GROUPS
Alanon -- 6 p.m. Tuesdays; New Community United Methodist Church, 49223 Crane Valley Road (426), Oakhurst. Details: (559) 683-1166.
Alanon "Women Only" -- 9:30 a.m. Saturdays; Methodist Church, 49223 Crane Valley Road (426), Oakhurst. Details: (559) 683-1166.
Alanon -- 7 p.m. Mondays; Yosemite Lakes Park Community Church, 43840 Patrick Avenue, Coarsegold. Details: (559) 683-1166.
Alcoholics Anonymous -- Daily; meetings scheduled daily, morning, noon, and evening. Call for times. Oakhurst Fellowship on Hartwell Road (downstairs) behind Todd's Cookhouse Bar-B-Que on Hwy. 41, Oakhurst. Details: (559) 683-1662.
Overeaters Anonymous -- 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 40707 Hodges Hill Dr., Oakhurst. Details: Betty (559) 683-7016.
SENIOR PROGRAMS
Senior Nutrition Program - Coarsegold -- 11:30 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday ; to order lunch, call by noon the previous week day. Suggested donation $1.75., seniors 60 plus. Community Center, Coarsegold. Details: Debbie Sprinkel (559) 696-3400.
Senior Nutrition Program - North Fork -- 11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday; to order lunch, call by noon the previous week day. Suggested donation $1.75, seniors 60 plus. Community Center, North Fork. Details: Betty Lyons (559) 877-2653.
Valley Caregiver Resource Center - Caregiver Respite Group -- 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays; the Respite Group will provide a much needed break for the family caregiver and an opportunity for their loved one to enjoy a relaxing day of activities and socialization with personal care assistance. Includes meal and snack. Sierra Senior Center, 49111 Cinder Lane, Oakhurst. Details: (800) 541-8614.
Senior Nutrition Program - Oakhurst -- 11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday; to order lunch, call by noon the previous week day. Suggested donation $1.75, seniors 60 plus. Sierra Senior Center, Oakhurst. Details: JoAnn Foster (559) 683-3811.
SERVICE CLUBS
Soroptimist International of The Sierras -- Noon, First and Third Thursdays; Ol' Kettle Restaurant, Oakhurst. Details: Sue Graham (559) 683-7845.
Oakhurst Sierra Sunrise Rotary Club -- 7 a.m. Tuesdays; Ol' Kettle Restaurant, Hwy. 41, Oakhurst. Details: President Rich Regert (559) 683-4260.
Oakhurst Sierra Rotary -- Noon, Wednesdays; Yosemite Gateway Restaurant at Best Western, Hwy. 41, Oakhurst. Details: President Randy Papike (559) 683-0478.
Sierra Lions Club -- 6 p.m. First and Third Wednesdays; Best Western Yosemite Gateway Restaurant, Hwy. 41, Oakhurst. Details: www.sierralionsclub.org.
Mountain Community Women -- 9:30 a.m. First Monday; "MCW serves the community by raising funds to support the Oakhurst Community Center. Speaker Janet Stanovich on Emergency Preparedness. Community Center on Road 425B, Oakhurst. Details: (559) 641-7867.
Oakhurst Elks Lodge - 2724 -- 7 p.m. Second and Fourth Tuesdays; Elks Lodge, 42484 Hwy. 41, Oakhurst. Details: (559) 683-2717.
Sierra Oakhurst Kiwanis -- Noon Tuesdays; Ol' Kettle on Hwy. 41, Oakhurst. Details: Vicki Burkhalter (559) 683-5854.
SINGLES
Senior Singles Dining Club -- Second Friday; 55 years and older. Dinner in restaurants, or members' homes. Details: Mort (559) 642-3632 or Stephanie (559) 658-8981.
SUPPORT GROUPS
Parkinson's Disease support group -- 10 a.m. Second Tuesday; Yosemite Bank conference room, Hwy. 49, Oakhurst. Details: Sharon Swanson (559) 658-7798.
"Look Good - Feel Better" program - American Cancer Society -- 3 p.m. Second Monday; cancer can rob a woman of her energy, appetite and strength. Call for location and schedule, Oakhurst. Details: (800) 227-2345.
Jesus Christ Healing & Deliverance Service -- 7 p.m. Fourth Friday; Pastor Jack Rase from "Heaven Sent Ministries" in partnership with Mike and Karen Snyder. Best Western Restaurant banquet room, Oakhurst. Free. Details: (559) 642-6410.
Better Breathers -- 12:30 p.m. Last Saturday; use elevator outside main entrance. Anyone with COPD or breathing problems (and spouse) is welcome. CMC (Urgent Care building) 48677 Victoria Lane, second floor, Oakhurst. Details: Jackie Wilson (559) 683-4250.
Cancer Connection -- 6 p.m. First Wednesday; support for cancer patients, family and friends. Oakhurst Medical Group, Hwy. 49 at Junction Dr., Oakhurst. Details: Becky Morris (559) 658-6420.
Alzheimer's Caregiver -- 10 a.m. Second and Fourth Tuesdays; support group for individuals caring for persons with Alzheimer's or dementia. Valley Caregivers. Lutheran Church, Crane Valley Road (426), Oakhurst. Details: (800) 541-8614 or Carol (559) 683-4045.
Blue Star Moms -- 7 p.m. Last Monday; we support Blue Star members, their sons and daughters, who are serving or have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Yosemite Lakes Community Church, 43840 Patrick Ave. Classroom 3, Coarsegold. Details: Suzi (559) 676-7894 or Linda (559) 760-0881.
"Celebrate Recovery" -- 5 p.m. Wednesdays; find freedom from hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Sierra Pines Church, 40855 Covey Court , Oakhurst. Details: (559) 683-2882.
Renew -- 6:30 p.m. Monday, January 16 to April 2; a 12 week recovery - sexual abuse recovery group for women (18+) who have been sexually violated as a child or adult and wish to recover, deal and restoration from pain and emotional trauma. Confidentially and not be judged. Evangelical Free Church, 50443 School Road, Oakhurst. free. Details: Trish (559) 683-2254 or trish@oakhurstevfree.org.
THEATER
Yosemite High School Theater Arts 2 Class presents "Drama Intervention" -- 7 - 9 p.m. Thursday, February 2 to February 3; a comedy dealing with potential problems with being in a play. Led by YHS senior Moira Chase and sophomores Michael Neff and Zoe Powell. YHS Theater, Oakhurst. $5. Details: (559) 683-4667 ext. 256.
VETERANS ACTIVITIES
American Legion - Post 110 -- 6 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. regular meeting. Third Thursday; Auxiliary meets same time. Community Center, Hwy. 41, Coarsegold. Details: Commander John Johnson (559) 683-6309.
Marine Corps League, Griswold Mountain Detachment - 1121 -- 9:30 a.m. Second Saturday; Positive Living Center, 49269 Golden Oak Dr., Suite 103, Oakhurst. Details: Bill Volner (559) 658-2684.
VOLUNTEER GROUPS
Mountain Area Literacy Council (MALCo) -- 1:30 p.m. Second Thursday; volunteer tutors dedicated to promoting adult literacy. Community College, Room 8, Civic Circle and Crane Valley Road (426), Oakhurst. Details: malcotutor@gmail.com or (559) 641-7691.
