News from Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce

Greetings!

Welcome to the Eastern Madera County Area News brought to you by the
Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce. We are pleased to present news from our members and the communities of Eastern Madera County.

Chamber tracks new projects in Oakhurst

Things seem to be moving again, showing signs of improvement in our local economy. The Chamber is pleased to continue to work with our partners towards the overall health and well being of our business and residential community. These projects have been in the works for many years. Thanks to grants, and the dedication of some long time members of our community who are dedicated to meeting our needs; these projects are moving forward. Read More>>

MIXER Yosemite Lakes Owners Association

Friday June 11 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Yosemite Lakes Owners Association
30250 Yosemite Springs Parkway

Plan on staying after the mixer for the opening night concert at 7pm

Support Local Business
Hors D'voures
No Host Bar
Raffle
Be sure to bring your business cards

Chamber Offers Social Media Classes

Everyone says you should be doing it. But....

    * What is it?
    * Why should you be doing it?
    * What good is it?
    * When will you find the time?

Social Media is all the rage, and there are very important reasons to make it all part of your business strategy, marketing, and advertising plans. Okay, most of us get that and we have created our Facebook pages, opened our Twitter accounts and even created our professional profiles on Linked In. Now what?
Read More>>

Meet New People - Join the Chamber Ambassadors

Would you like to improve your business? Help yourself by learning to help others become an Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador.
Come see what being an Ambassadors all about, join us at the next Ambassadors meeting: Tuesday, May 18th, 12pm in the Chambers Meeting Room in the Epicenter Building (Grey building next to the cemetery, upstairs from Nelson Press.)

Ambassadors Ethne Austen and Rick Hlava welcome new business Produce Place with a ribbon cutting

Ambassadors Shawna Petrushkin, Rick Hlava and Ethne Austen joining business owner, Juli Amodei in a ribbon cutting of her new location

Ambassadors and Board Members help celebrate Central Valley Community Bank's new location with a ribbon cutting.

May was a very eventful month

We had two very fun and successful events this month.
May 13th - Harlem Ambassador vs Chamber POTS basketball game
Chamber POTS Team

Click here to view more pictures

May 22 & 23 - Oakhurst Home & Garden Show
Welcome Signs at the Home & Garden Show

Click here to view more pictures

RED WHITE AND BLUE BUNTING

Four foot wide vinyl bunting.
Perfect for outdoor decorations.

Only $5.00 each for Chamber Members.

An affordable way to decorate Oakhurst from Memorial Day - Veterans Day.

Call the Oakhurst Area Chamber @ 683-7766 to purchase bunting for your business.

Decorate Oakhurst and show support for our country at the same time. This will also help bring our communities together by creating a similar look and feel to Coarsegold.

NOTE: Bunting is $10.00 each for Businesses that don't yet belong to the Chamber.

Coarsegold Peddlers Fair

Memorial Day Weekend May 28 - 31
8am - 6pm
at the Coarsegold Historic Village

Antiques
Collectibles
Food
Lots of Shade
Free Admission
Parking On Site
Family Fun

25th Anniversary
Friday May 28th Locals NIght
FREE Admission
FREE Parking (After 5pm)
Live Band!

For further information call 559-683-3900

PG&E Announces Rate Cuts For Summer

Pacific Gas & Electric Company announced that it will be cutting its average electricity rates for its customers in Northern and Central California by 3% starting June 1.
The company, which provides electricity for around 15 million in California, said the drop is an effort to residential and business customers better manage their energy costs during the hot summer months when consumption usually increases due to air conditioners running more frequently. Read More>>

Tom Wheeler For Supervisor

Don't Forget

Vote for Tom on June 8th

The Winner of the Primary wins the election

For more information visit
www.electtomwheeler.com

This ad is paid for by Tom Wheeler for Supervisor campaign

Bass Lake Firework Display

It has been described by many as one of the best shows in California.
One of the oldest traditions at Bass Lake is the Fourth of July fireworks displays. The first fireworks display was staged from the dock of the Falls Resort by Fred Homan in 1937. We have the rare distinction of having the godson of the original show, J.T. Combs, still involved. Combs has been involved in the development of shows at Disneyland, Great America and both of Ronald Reagan's inaugurations but Bass Lake is still his favorite show.
The barge used to launch the fireworks was determined unusable and needs to be replaced. We need to raise $27,650.00 in addition to the ever rising cost of the show. Donaghy Sales has been very generous and covered part of the cost but we still have a long way to go.
Click here for further information

Raise the Roof at Fresno Flats Fundraiser

Sierra Historic Sites Association presents...

Drive-Thru Dinner
Tri-Tip or Chicken with beans, coleslaw and rolls.
$10 per plate

Friday, June 4th 5 to 7pm
At the Sierra Star Parking Lot

Pre-Sale tickets available at Fresno Flats Historical Park Museum, Sierra Telephone, Sierra Tel Business Center & Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce.

Consumers can take more control of health-care expenses

Are you looking for a way to trim your health¬care costs, reduce your federal income tax liability and potentially save more for your future?
You can contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA) which, when used in conjunction with a high deductible health plan (HDHP), helps individuals save for qualified medical and retiree health expenses on a tax-free basis.
Anyone may contribute to an HSA on behalf of an eligible individual - you, your employer or anyone. Your contributions and the contributions of others are tax deductible and, if your employer chooses to contribute, those contributions will be deductible by your employer and not included in your income. Read More>>

Oakhurst Afghan is back!

Dorsey's Hallmark is proud to present:

The Oakhurst Afghan

Featuring famous scenes from Oakhurst such as:

Talking Bear
"Grizzly Giant" Sequoia
Ducey's on Bass Lake
Wassama Roundhouse
Sugar Pine Railroad
Yosemite Falls

available exclusively at Hallmark
Click here for more information

More older Americans start own business
By: Laura Petrecca , USA TODAY

Photo Safari Yosemite LLC - Pat Althizer

YOSEMITE, Calif. - After toiling for three decades in finance, it wouldn't be surprising if 65-year-old Patrick Althizer kicked back and lived off his savings and Social Security.

But with a spirit not ready for sedentary retirement - as well as college costs for two daughters - he veered off to a new career path: leading shutterbugs through the stunning waterfall areas of Yosemite National Park.

Althizer has embraced his new vocation with enthusiasm. He plastered decals that promote his firm, Photo Safari Yosemite, on the windows of his white Jeep Cherokee, networked with the folks who run local tourist attractions, and at his daughters' behest, joined Facebook to promote his firm, which takes tourists to the best photo-taking spots in the national park. Read More>>

Judge orders Calif water pumping limits lifted

Written by Garance Burke, AP Writer

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 09:59

Irrigation pump

(AP) - Central California farmers won more water for their parched fields Tuesday when a federal judge temporarily loosened pumping limits meant to protect native salmon.

Attorneys for some of the nation's largest farms and Southern California cities had asked for a preliminary injunction that would lift a set of water restrictions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta through mid-June. <<more>>

Yosemite National Park Expects Busy Memorial Day Weekend