Yosemite Express

28/06/2024

It's the weekend and IT IS GOING TO BE EXTREMELY HOT FOR THE NEXT 5 DAYS! And, with the July 4th holiday next Thursday, there are lots of happenings from tomorrow until then. BE 'FIRE SAFE' and REMEMBER FIREWORKS ARE ILLEGAL IN MARIPOSA AND TUOLUMNE COUNTY.

Speaking of fire safety. There is a Fire Preparedness in Greeley Hill on Saturday, June 29th from 10 am to 1 pm. (see flyer below)

That said, here are some great ways to celebrate the holiday... here is this weekend's lineup...Have a great time!

Fireworks show on Lake McClure Saturday, June 29th (see flyer below)

Mariposa County Friends of the Fairgrounds will be hosting a Hoedown (read below)

For the second year, the Mariposa County Friends of the Fairgrounds will be hosting a family style pre-fair party. The Small Town Hoedown will take place at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds on June 29th, 2024. Doors open at 4PM and the party goes until 9PM. Tickets are $30 for adults, kids 12 and under enter and eat a kid’s meal for free. For those over 12, the $30 ticket includes a barbecue dinner of chicken or tri-tip with all the fixings.

There will be a kids’ play area with games and activities, live music, dancing, raffles, a desert auction and gun raffles. For those 21 and over, there will be Margaritas, vodka or tequila cocktails, and Coors Light beer. Drink tickets are only $5. There will be water for sale, and iced tea and lemonade available for the kids at no charge. Live country and blue grass music at the event will be provided by three bands; Crooked Drone, The Williams and Dustin Heer. Tickets are on sale now at the Fairgrounds, or on line at www.mariposafof.com. All proceeds go to support the Mariposa County Fairgrounds.

The Friends of the Fairgrounds’ mission is to preserve Western heritage and promote agricultural education through support of the Mariposa County Fairgrounds, and to preserve the integrity, value and utility of our fairgrounds by providing for necessary maintenance, expansion and modernization. To date, the organization has contributed over $300,000 in support to the fairgrounds, and continues to provide for fairgrounds needs and goals.This local non-profit has three major fund raisers each year; the Small Town Hoedown in June, the beer booth at fair, and the Sausage and Suds event in October.

In addition, Friends of the Fairgrounds sponsors Mariposa County’s Rodeo Royalty organization and the annual Royalty Diner. A large part of the money used to keep the fairgrounds in great condition is provided by membership revenue.To learn more about the Small Town Hoedown, Friends of the Fairgrounds, or to see about a membership visit them on their web site: www.mariposafof.com.

27/06/2024

Happening this weekend! Many of us know Les. He asked me to share...

The Mariposa Yosemite Symphony Orchestra’s annual “Independence Day Spectacular!” Concert returns to the Wawona Hotel Great Lawn in Yosemite National Park.

The free concert will be held at 7:00 on Saturday, June 29 and will feature a salute to classic Country & Cowboy Music in its second half.Special Guest Artists Tim Johnson and The Sierra Riders will perform old favorites ranging from “Rawhide” to “Back in the Saddle Again” as well as more contemporary hits including “The Devil Went Down to - “ a special place just for this concert, all backed by the MYSO under the direction of the orchestra’s Founder/Conductor Les Marsden.The concert’s first half will include the world premiere of MYSO Principal Horn Ken Mackie’s “Pastorale - All Is Well” for Alphorn and Orchestra.

Mr. Mackie will perform the solo part on his own 14-foot long wooden Alphorn. Other pieces will be Marsden’s “Foster Child - a Fantasia on the Music of Stephen Foster,” as well as traditional patriotic and American classics.The concert requires no tickets, but is first-come-first seated. The Wawona Hotel’s famous BBQ will be offered from 5:00 to 7:00 on Concert Saturday night, featuring a grilled barbecue entrée with unlimited side dishes and dessert; for more meal information visit https://www.travelyosemite.com/dining/wawona-hotel-dining-room

Yosemite National Park’s reservation system will be in effect from 5:00 AM to 4:00 PM, so concert attendees arriving after 4:00 PM will not require a reservation, but will still need to pay the park entrance fee or gain entry with a pass. The MYSO appreciates its partnership with its major sponsor Yosemite Hospitality, LLC, a subsidiary of Aramark and Nick Sponaugle, Vice President of Operations.

The orchestra has proudly partnered with Yosemite National Park since 2007.Despite the name, the orchestra’s “Independence Day Spectacular!” Concert is never actually held on July 4th in order that musicians can enjoy the holiday with friends and family; its “Indy” concert has been held on the Wawona Great Lawn since 2019. Full concert details as well as extensive program notes will be available on the orchestra’s website: http://MYSO.live

MYSO is operating as a nonprofit under the fiscal sponsorship of the Collaborative Arts & Culture Foundation. For those wishing to donate to the Mariposa Yosemite Symphony Orchestra by check, please make your check out to "CACF" and be sure to write "MYSO" on your check's memo line. Please send to:....

24/06/2024

It's Monday and the beginning of a new week! The July issue has tugged at my heart with our community losses and with all the good that people are doing. Know that this moment is all we truly have so be grateful for it, cherish it and appreciate life. Have a beautiful week! Debbie

23/06/2024

Another hot day! Stay in and stay cool!

I will be working on final edit of the July YE. Foothill Sierra Pest Control emailed me to change their ad this month from the w**d spraying ad to the ant ad.

I responded and asked him..."WHAT IS GOING ON WITH ALL THE GRASSHOPPERS?" He replied that he wasn't sure, that they could spray, but that in no way was going to get rid of them. BUT, he did share that the MiWok Indian Tribe liked to eat them! As far as I am concerned, EWE, but here is some information about that. He also shared a couple YouTube video recipes about how to cook them. If you want, Google that one!

https://www.yosemite.ca.us/library/miwok_material_culture/insects.html

Miwok Material Culture: Indian Life of the Yosemite Region (1933) by S. A. Barrett and E. W. Gifford

INSECT FOODS AND MEDICINES

Grasshoppers, ko'djo (P, N), añuto (C), ko'tco (C, S), were much esteemed as food and were taken in systematic drives, usually in June. An entire village, or several villages, assembled in an open grassy area, where the insects were abundant. A grassy area, surrounded by a strip of bare ground, was preferred. Each family dug one or more holes, a foot in diameter and three feet deep. These were the focal point of the drive. Quantities of dry grass were piled on the ground among these holes, to be used as a smudge. If available, pine branches were set up for the insects to alight on.

The people then formed a large circle, the diameter depending on the number participating, and drove the grasshoppers toward these pits. Men, women, and children swung bunches of grass back and forth like brooms. The narrowness of the pits contributed greatly to the capture of the insects, making it difficult for them to jump out. When the insects had been corralled in the pits and in the area immediately surrounding them, the dry grass was lighted. This singed the wings of those that tried to fly and smothered most of the remainder. The grasshoppers were in part immediately eaten and in part dried for winter use. In either case they were cooked further. When all was ready the chief of the group would say: “Let us eat and have a good time.”

There were two methods of cooking grasshoppers, parching in an openwork basket, and cooking in the earth oven. This oven was circular, twelve to eighteen inches deep, six feet in diameter. A layer of hot stones was put in it. These were covered with green tule (puya, N), then grasshoppers. The grasshoppers were in turn covered with green tule. Hot stones were put on the pile above the tule covering. The cooking took less than half a day. Several families cooked in the same oven. The grasshoppers belonging to each were segregated by layers or partitions of tule. Women made and tended the oven, although sometimes old men dug the pit.

A Northern Miwok informant participated in an unusual drive at Jackson, Amador county. A vineyardist invited the Indians to rid his vines of grasshoppers, paying them in flour, sugar, and other commodities. In the very early morning the old women (grandmothers) beat the vines, so that the grasshoppers fell into burden baskets (dülma, N) held below. Seed-beaters (tcama, N), of second-growth chaparral, were used to knock the insects off. With dew on the leaves the grasshoppers did not fly. The grasshoppers were transferred to acorn-soup baskets (wilûka, N), covered with basket plaques (ulita, N). After scalding, the grasshoppers were spread on basket plaques to dry.

———
63Cf. Gifford, 1932, 23.
64We are indebted to Dr. E. C. Van D**e for this information.

22/06/2024

It's going to be a warm one today. Stay hydrated and stay cool. If you are looking for something fun to do, head to Groveland at noon...

21/06/2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBjNlRzb_8o

Trying to educate myself on EPSS. Debbie

Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) are designed to cut power on circuits in high fire-risk areas in less than a tenth of second when a fault is detect...

20/06/2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqWc-qreZ3A

EPPS. Just thought you might want to take a look at this. Tis the season.

To help keep our customers safe and prevent wildfires in high fire-threat areas, our powerlines have enhanced safety settings that automatically turn off pow...

20/06/2024

Looks like temperatures are about to rise beginning tomorrow....

18/06/2024

:

The Aero Fire that ignited near Aero Road and Hunt Road in Copperopolis is 5,425 acres with 20% containment.

16/06/2024

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! A dinner is happening in Coulterville if you want to treat dad to a meal.

27/05/2024

Take a minute to reflect and be grateful!

18/05/2024

Tomorrow in Sonora! Our favorite band, The Lack Family plays in Sonora...

14/05/2024

THIS WEEKEND! Remember, if you don't have a copy of the Yosemite Express, you can read it online for FREE at https://www.yosemiteexpress.news/eedition/ Or you can have a copy mailed to you for the $20 a year postage fee. Send payment to Yosemite Express, 3500 State Highway 132, Coulterville, CA 95311. Thanks, Debbie

May 18th - Free Shuttle to Sonora Farmer’s Market Begins - Pg. 17
May 18th - Gold Country Singers Concert - Pg. 19
May 18th - Mariposa Garden Tour - Pg. 23
May 19th - Mtn. Lutheran Church Pentecost - Pg. 12

Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph..

12/05/2024

Know you are loved and appreciated! Have a beautiful day!

09/05/2024

WEEKEND HAPPENINGS!

May 10th - 12th - Pine Cone Singers Spring Concert - Pg. 19
May 11th - Pine Mountain Lake Garden Club Plant Sale - Pg. 23
May 12th - Banjo/ Folk Lessons At History Center - Pg. 21

DON'T FORGET MOM THIS SUNDAY!

07/05/2024

May 7th - JCF Meeting in Coulterville for North County Svcs. - Pg. 16 TODAY!!!

Members of the John C Fremont Hospital District met with James & Nina Rhodes (Together with Veterans-Coulterville & the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9454) regarding the 24 April community meeting at the VFW Post Home on Main Street downtown Coulterville

The 24 April meeting will jump start collective efforts, that will include NORTH County residents, regarding North County’s medical and mental health treatment options, a proposed pharmacy, and community mental health and su***de prevention training. Contrary to what the new administration of JCF Hospital District have been told, there seems to be a vast difference between services on paper and reality.

Therefore, their personal attendance at this meeting where it will be announced that on 7 May at 10:00 am at the VFW Post home on Main Street Coulterville, the VFW Post 9454 with Together with Veterans-Coulterville will host a Town Hall meeting with ranking administrators of the JCF Hospital District that will include, but not be limited to Cindy, Lagorin (Director of Business Development); Thomas Wilkinson, CNO; Mike Zimmerman CEO; Colleen Choi, Chief Operating Officer.

This 7 May meeting will allow community input whereas JCF may plan what services they will offer to NORTH County. This is a serious and honest outreach to NORTH County, come and speak your mind 7 May and let us be active partners with the new administration of the JCF Hospital District.Come find out about Medical, Mental Health Treatment Options, a Proposed Pharmacy and Su***de Prevention Training!

May 7th - Erickson Cows Annual Trip - Pg. 23 THE COWS ARE MOVING TODAY!!!!

May 7, 14, 21 - Cyberskills Classes - Groveland Little House - Pg. 20

03/05/2024

WELCOME TO THE WEEKEND! Many things going on this weekend! Check it out! Have FUN!

May 3rd - Movie Night in Coulterville - Pg. 20
May 4th - Youth Summit: To***co Use - Pg. 14
May 4th - SCC Golf Tournament - Pine Mountain Lake - Pg 20
May 4th - Pine Needlers Quilt Guild 20th Anniversary - Pg. 18
May 4th - Coulterville Heritage Rose Tour - Pg. 19
May 4th - Coulterville Community Club Cinco De Mayo - Pg. 18, 21
May 4th - Area 12 Agency on Aging Shredding event - Pg. 13
May 5th - First Responder Appreciation BBQ Groveland - Pg. 12
May 7th - JCF Meeting in Coulterville for North County Svcs. - Pg. 16
May 7th - Erickson Cows Annual Trip - Pg. 23
May 7, 14, 21 - Cyberskills Classes - Groveland Little House - Pg. 20

23/04/2024

MEETING REMINDER FOR APRIL 24TH IN COULTERVILLE...FROM JAMES RHODES

This is going to be a BIG month as on Wednesday 24 April Together with Veterans (5016 Main Street-across the street) will be hosting a variety of people who have the ability to improve the lives of our local veterans and their families. TWV-Coulterville is part of a national V.A. rural health initiative targeting mental health treatment and community su***de prevention training.

As you know, for the past two years TWV has been attempting to partner with HHS and JCF Hospital District to comply with our mandate and until now nothing really has happened. Not saying the two are related but on 24 April Congressman McClintock is sending a delegation here to speak with us as is our state senator (Alvarado-Gil) regarding this, and other veteran/community related issues. (Thanks to Bob Johns for the assist in setting this up).

Now that these appearances have been confirmed: the brand new administration of JCF Hospital District is actively working with us and we see great hope with that relationship. HHS, I am told by multiple sources, has the resources to conduct these types of trainings in North County but they, as of today, want to by pass TWV, the VFW and Coulterville and have this training at the library in Greeley Hill. All other previously similar HHS programs in Greeley Hill have not been advertised and were, perhaps by design, dismal failures. We can't let this happen again.

Nina and I have informed HHS staff that all such training should be either at the VFW or TWV building and that we would assist in getting the word out. TWV has funded similar community training and was actually shocked to learn HHS has always had funding to do this. Why we weren't adopted as willing partners is a mystery but today is a new day and we welcome the opportunity to work with them to achieve our mandate of elevating community awareness and training regarding the areas of mental health and the national problem of veteran su***de. Our official program will begin about 11:00-lunch will be served! BRING YOUR FRIENDS!

Related, we will discuss with the Congressman's staff and our state senator (Alvarado-Gil) member Jesse Salcedo's Banditeras Veteran's Memorial Park proposal which will include a job and vocational training center. The perfect place for that would be the abandoned school house adjacent to Jesse's project. Remember the abandoned school house in Hornitos? Appropriately, that property was donated to a local historical non-profit.

Jesse, too, has a non-profit and a great plan to put into play almost immediate use for our abandoned school property, but unlike Hornitos (the "Coulterville-North County- Curse" again) it appears that particular property will remain vacant and unused. Just thinking out loud, in relationship to each other the Hornitos donation will benefit some and that was, we feel, the right thing to do; however, the Vocational Job Training Center will provide instant and constant county and state benefit but that option is not being considered-makes one wonder why, does it not?

EVENTS HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND!

Apr. 27th - 28th - Love Tuolumne County - Pg. 22
Apr. 28th - 4-H MS Run Walk, Bike Fundraiser - Pg. 19

TOMORROW IS ALSO DENIM DAY!!!! SEE FLIER

20/04/2024

It's a beautiful weekend, even for us allergy sufferers. I am working on the May issue of the Yosemite Express but wanted to remind you about EARTH DAY. It is actually April 22nd, but Coulterville is celebrating tomorrow, Sunday, April 21st. I hear there will be activities in the park. Pack a lunch and head downtown to share, learn and play some games!

Peace, Debbie

15/04/2024

https://www.pge.com/en/account/billing-and-assistance/financial-assistance/family-electric-rate-assistance-program-fera.html?cid=em_resi_sfmc_cvs_careferaacq-fera-t1-en-c4815-headerimage_20240413

Learn and apply for FERA to get a monthly discount of 18% on electricity only. Must be a household with three or more people. Participants qualify through income guidelines.

09/04/2024

Traveling this week but wanted you to know what's happening:

April 12th - Sonora Motherlode Art Show - Pg. 24
April 13th - Technology workshop in Greeley Hill - Pg. 22
April 13th - 14th - Mariposa Gem Show - Pg. 23
April 14th - Groveland Trailhead Clean up - Pg. 21
April 14th - Motherlode Folk School at Coulterville History Center -
Pg. 21

Keep up to date on what's happening by reading the Yosemite Express online @ www.yosemiteexpress.news

Have a great week!
Debbie

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07/04/2024

Big Oak Flat Road (Hwy 120 from the west) will reopen at noon today. Chains or 4WD snow tires required. Please drive carefully.

01/04/2024

Heading into the week we start with April Fools Day! This was a favorite for many of us as kids trying to fool our friends and family.

Take a look at your copy of the YE to read more about these events! Don't have a copy? You can read the Yosemite Express online as well at https://www.yosemiteexpress.news/eedition/

Have a great week!

April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 - Cyberskills Classes at Little House - Pg. 22
April 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th, Opioid Classes Adventist Health - Pg. 15
April 5th - Movie Night in Coulterville - Pg 20
April 5th - Master Gardener Hay Bale Garden Workshop - Pg. 23
April 7th - La Grange Rodeo - Pg. 17

29/03/2024

Have a wonderful weekend!

Mar. 30th - Rotary Easter Egg Hunt - Groveland - Pg. 17
Mar. 30th - Coulterville Community Club Easter Egg Hunt - Pg. 21

27/03/2024

Groveland Supervisor Haff wants you to know!

23/03/2024

Working on the April issue of the Yosemite Express. This is something I think might be helpful! Have a great weekend!

23/03/2024

Read on for more information!

Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara released his catastrophe modeling regulation today that will help restore options for all Californians, the latest phase of his Sustainable Insurance Strategy to safeguard the integrity of the state’s insurance market.

Commissioner Lara’s proposed regulation will have major benefits for Californians in the form of:
· More reliable rates
· Greater availability of insurance
· Stronger oversight
· Safer communities

Learn more: https://www.insurance.ca.gov/0400-news/0100-press-releases/2024/release011-2024.cfm

The Department of Insurance will hold a public workshop on April 23 to take input before starting the process of submitting the regulation for approval by the Office of Administrative Law.