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Greetings!
Happy April! Spring has sprung throughout California's Gateway to Yosemite. The leaves are coming back and wildflowers are blooming. Read on to see what else is going on throughout the region. Art exhibits, free entrance in to Yosemite and more are all in store for you. Sincerely, Jarrod Lyman
Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau |
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Free entrance in to Yosemite
Yosemite celebrates National Park Week
 While any time is a great time to visit Yosemite, Spring is magical, especially after the wet winter the region has had this year.
The waterfalls will be thunderous, charged with massive amounts of snowmelt that will have them running at historic levels. The meadows will be lush and green, filled with life. The best part-- you can see it all for free.
The National Park Service is celebrating National Park Week. To give people an incentive to get out and explore their parks, they are offering free entry to all of their locations throughout the US. That means you can explore Yosemite in all of its spring grandeur for free.
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Good eats and sweet treats
Taste the fruits of our labor at Valley Pistachio
 Oftentimes this segment focuses on a restaurant, but not all good eats come from restaurants. Valley Pistachio Country Store in Madera is proof of that.
Valley Pistachio offers a wide variety of products all grown in the fertile soils of western Madera County and the surrounding region. Pistachios, almonds, walnuts as well as figs, apricots, grapes and dried fruits are all found in abundance.
The Valley Pistachio Country Store is a popular stop for people looking to enjoy the goodness provided by the land for themselves, and for those looking for the perfect gift for friends and family back home. Visit their website, and plan a stop the next time you take a trip to California's Gateway to Yosemite. |
| Season begins at Bass Lake
Popular resorts open for business
A pair of popular Bass Lake resorts have opened for the season, and both are celebrating big milestones. | | Forks owners Ron and Leslie Cox in front of the new full service outdoor dining area at the popular Forks Resort on Bass Lake |
The Forks Resort opened up last week, celebrating their 70th anniversary. The biggest news, however, is the addition of their outdoor dining facility. Nearly doubling their seating capacity with the full service outdoor dining patio, guests can now sit outside and enjoy the beautiful weather and take in the gorgeous views of Bass Lake while eating the famous Forks Burger.
 | | Guests enjoy opening day at Miller's Landing, celebrating it's 30th year this season. |
A little down the road is Miller's Landing, another popular spot on Bass Lake. Miller's celebrates their 30th anniversary this year, and people were vying for the honor of having the first Miller Burger of the season.
Both Miller's Landing and The Forks Resort offer boat rentals, cabin rentals and delicious food, perfect for getting your day going, or reloading after a long day on the lake.
To see more of what's going on in Bass Lake, like the annual Bass Lake Fishing Derby May 1 or the Bass Lake Classic Triathlon June 4, visit our Calendar of Events. |
| The Vineyard server wins award
Joel Platt recognized for excellent customer service
 | | Joel Platt, middle, receives the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau excellence in customer service award from Rhonda Salisbury, right. With him is Vineyard owner Chris Mariscotti |
A server at the popular Madera restaurant The Vineyard has been recognized for his excellent customer service.
Joel Platt, who has been with the restaurant for 12 years, received multiple nominations from people citing his exemplary service.
The Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau recognizes Excellence in Customer Service to promote those who strive to go the extra mile for visitors and locals alike. If you have experienced excellent customer service, tell us so we can recognze their dedication. |
Timberline art gallery to host prehistoric event
Art from Fossil Discovery Center to be on display  | | One of the images created by David Douglas that will be on display at the Timberline Art Gallery. |
A special art show taking place at the Timberline Art Gallery in Oakhurst this month features scenes depicting the region eons ago.
Timberline Gallery and the Fossil Discovery Center Present David Douglas: Imaginative Art of an Ancient Age, which opens April 7. The show features works from David March Douglas illustrating life in the valley 780,000 years ago, when sabre-toothed cats, Colombian Mammoths and other Pleistocene era animals lived in the Chowchilla area in amazing numbers.
Timberline Gallery and the Fossil Discovery Center - Present David Douglas: Imaginative Art of an Ancient Age - 700,00 years ago in Chowchilla opens April 7 - 18, with receptions April 9 and 10 from 10 am to 4 pm and April 16 and 17 from 10 am to 4 pm.
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Discounts, deals and promotions
Stay and play for less in California's Gateway to Yosemite Check out these great incentives sent to us by our partners! Celebrate spring with a FREE glass of California Champagne during the month of April at Appellation California (ApCal)! Just mention the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau and we'll pour you a delicious glass of the Bubbly! ApCal is open daily from 11am-6pm and conveniently located on Hwy 99 at the Aveune 7 exit. Visit our website, www.ApCalwine.com for more details or find us on Facebook. See ya at ApCal. In honor of National Park Week on April 16-24, all Chimani National Park iPhone/iPad apps are free (Android versions are only .99 cents!). The apps are normally $9.99 each. This of course includes our app for Yosemite National Park. Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino has plenty of big things in store this month. The "Chukchansi Grizzly 100K Giveaway runs all month. This promotion will consist of a drawing at 10pm. A total of $25,000 will be given away every Saturday between April 9-April 30, 2011. Please contact Chukchansi Players Club for more details. 1.866.7.WIN.WIN (946.946) Ext. 5240. http://www.chukchansigold.com/PromotionEvents/GrizzlyGiveaway/ There are Senior Slot Tournaments ever Wednesday throughout the month. April entertainment includes George Thorogood and the Destroyers April 8, and Journey Unauthorized (A Tribute to Journey) April 22. Go to Ticketmaster to purchase your tickets. The Coarsegold Historic Museum, located at 31899 Hwy 41, just south of Lucky Lane, hosts their annual 6-hour "Stage Route" Bus Tour on April 23rd (waiting list only) includes lunch and special dessert. The guides explore the history of the Coarsegold, Raymond, Ahwahnee & Oakhurst area at the turn of the century. The tour is led by two lifetime residents of the area. They are now also taking reservations for the October 15th, 2011, tour. 559-642-4448. To reserve for October, send $10 per person with your name, address and phone number to CHS, PO Box 117, Coarsegold, CA 93614. If you can't make the April tour, save the date as they will be doing it again Saturday, October 15.
Ducey's on the Lake at The Pines Resort on Bass Lake is offering an Easter special. Enjoy a Champagne Brunch from 7am to 3 pm on Sunday, April 24 featuring a carving station with apple-smoked bone-in ham or prime rib of beef. Buffet will include a bountiful array of salads, entrees, sides and desserts for $28,95 for adults, $22.95 for seniors and $14.95 for kids. Call 559.642.3131 for reservations.
Fresno Flats Historic Village and Park presents Karen Morris speaking on "My Native American Heritage". Admission will be $5 with a light supper available before the program at 5:30. This will be an intimate account of early days in the Oakhurst area. Come to this interesting evening and enjoy this Fresno Flats Town Hall.
The Golden Chain Theatre presents Wild West Women, an historic drama by Richard D. Parks and Diane C. Aubry April 2 through 17, Saturdays at 7 pm and Sundays at 2 pm. See the story of the settlement of the west through the eyes of more than 50 female characters, famous, notorious, victims and adventurers and leaders. They include Annie Oakley, Calamity Jane, Belle Starr, Susan B. Anthony, Cattle Kate, Pearl Hart, Lola Montez, Mattie Silks, and the stagecoach driver, Charley Parkhurst, whose identity as a woman was only revealed when she died. Adults: $12 Seniors: $10 Students (13-18) & Active Military $8.00 Children (4-12): $6.00 559 683-7112
The Chowchilla and Madera Speedways celebrate Hampton Inn & Suites night and the hotel in Madera. April 14 through 16 mention either raceway and get a standard room for only $65, $75 for a studio room. If you're really looking to relax in a jacuzzi suite, you can enjoy that for only $89.
Take a day trip out to Hilmar andjoin the fun April 16 from 10 am to 3 pm for Hilmar Cheese Company's Annual Taste of Spring! Get free samples of gourmet foods, cheese and McConnell's premium ice cream, the best ice cream in the U.S., according to Time magazine. Learn new cooking tips and techniques with Mohini Indian Fusion at 11 am and 1 pm. Bring the family and join the fun as "Daisy the spokes cow" hosts the tour and ice cream activity at noon. Shake, rattle and roll to make (and eat!) your own personal ice cream sample for only $3 per person. The Café features the famous "Friday BBQ" served up on Saturday with barrel-smoked tri-tip sandwich with all the fixings, sides and our famous beans and a drink for only $8. If you are 21 or older, complimentary tastings from 11 am to 2:30 pm featuring Gallo's William Hill Wines, Bonterra Muscat, Joel Gott Chardonnay, local Jessie's Grove Winery along with Turlock's own Dust Bowl Brewery. For more information call 209-656-1196.
The King Vintage Museum presents Ladies of Lincoln's Era March 13 through May 8 at the King Vintage Museum, 40680 Highway 41 in Oakhurst. Thirteen women are featured such as Elizabeth Keckley (1818-1907), Sarah Emma Edmonds (1799-1898) and Sojourner Truth (1797-1883). Each woman, famous or infamous, has a story to tell of courage, independence and enterprise.
The Madera Wine Trail is gearing up for the Meet the Winemaker Weekend May 14 and 15. Sample a wide variety of local award-winning wines, from aperitif to dessert, old-world styles to the latest in wine- making technology, all from the winemakers themselves. On "Meet the Winemaker Weekend", our talented winemakers can be found around the Trail discussing their hand-crafted wine techniques, hosting barrel tastings, winery tours and more. Plus, you will find indulgent food pairings, local art and live music. You do not want to miss this engaging opportunity to meet our Winemakers while tasting the excellent wines of Madera County!
Escape with the Wine and Dine Package at Springhill Suites in Madera. Stay in a beautiful hotel room, have dinner for two at the Black Bear Diner and sample wines at a wine-tasting for two at Appellation California for only $134.
Stay at the Motel 6 in Madera for only $49.99 and get 10% off your entire bill at Denny's, located conveniently next door.
Go on Photo Safari Yosemite for Snow and Sun. That is the focus for April and May. With the the recent heavy snowfall there will be watershed from the snowmelt, resulting in waterfalls with rainbows from the mist at the base. Dogwoods will be in blossom and the Merced River will be flowing full-tilt. For a full day of "fun in the sun," contact us for your Springtime photo safari excursion into Yosemite.
Stay at The Redwoods in Yosemite in April, 2011, and receive a $50 gas card when you check in! Offer valid on reservations made after March 25, 2011. Must present coupon at check in.
Sierra Mountain Lodge offers a 20% discount on two-night stays or longer the entire month of April. We also still have four suites available on April 8-9th and are taking one-night stays for the educational function this weekend.
Treat your mother to a special Mother's Day at The Vineyard in Madera this May. A very special menu honoring the special lady in all our lives is being created that will allow us to show just how much we value everything mother has done. Visit their website to see just what she will have in store for her.
If you're looking for a nice rental cabin, you can receive a 25% discount off rates posted on www.VRBO.com, #179989. 3-day minimum, April 23rd through May 14th.3 nights @$562; 4 @ $749; 5 @ $937; 6 and 7 @ $1,000. House sleeps 10, pets welcome. Located in historic Cascadel Woods near Bass Lake, Yosemite, Mammoth Pools, Call Suzann @ 559-977-0147. Let me be your host and guide, remotely of course.
Hit the rapids with Zephyr Whitewater Expeditions, as the season kicks off on the Merced river Tuesday, April 12. Zephyr will be offering both full-day and half-day trips every day. Discounts for all April trips.
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