North Fork News: June 2008

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Upcoming July Events

Logging Truck in Main Street Parade ~ 2007

July 4
Bass Lake Annual Fireworks Show, dusk at Bass Lake, Info: 642-3676

July 5
49th Annual Mid-Sierra Loggers Jamboree, Info: 877-2355, 877-7700

Pro-Am Contest, 11am, Recreation Center, $4 gate fee

Horseshoe Pitching Contest, 12 noon

Grand Parade down North Fork’s Main St, 5pm

BBQ at Town Hall, 6pm, $8 adults, $5 kids under 12

Woodchoppers Ball & Queen Coronation, Recreation Ctr, 8:30pm, $8 ea, $15 per couple

July 6
49th Annual Mid-Sierra Loggers Jamboree, Info: 877-2355, 877-7700

Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, NF Town Hall, 7-10:30am

Jamboree Main Logging Events, Recreation Ctr, 12 noon, Gates open 10am, tickets pre-sale $3, at the gate $6, kids under 12 Free

July 10
NF Chamber of Commerce Monthly Meeting, 7am, The Buckhorn Saloon, Main St, NF, Info:877-2410, 877-3088

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Earthquake Epicenter at "Tom's Place" near Mammoth Lakes, CA
Click on the photo to enlarge it & Click HERE to follow this map link

Did you feel the earthquake that shook North Fork this morning at about 7:45 am? It was a mild one, only magnitude 4.3 on the Richter scale, but still quite noticeable here in the Mountain Area. The epicenter was located at "Tom's Place" near Mammoth Lakes. The map above shows the regions (by zip code) that reported having felt the shaking.

I felt two distinct quick shakes and rattles in the quiet of my home here at about 3000 ft elevation. Each shake only lasted about 3 seconds. Not the long scary rolling kind of feeling that I had experienced so many times when living in Southern California or the Bay Area. Nothing fell off of my bookshelves. The lamps did not sway. The animals seemed unconcerned. Even so, I am reminded that Mother Nature is still very powerful and more than occasionally lets us know she is there.

More quake info can be found at THIS LINK.

© Copyright 2008 North Fork News

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

New Life In North Fork - Continued

The other day I heard the loudest commotion in front of my store. Two sparrows up in the redbud tree were chirping excitedly back and forth, obviously announcing something very special was happening.

Knowing how skiddish these tiny birds can be, I practically walked on my tip toes with my camera to check out what all the excitement was about.

As reported in previous postings, the returning sparrows had been building a nest just under the old shake overhang in front of my store. I have been looking daily to see if any new life was appearing, but for weeks it has been rather quiet.

But not today, Dad sparrow was obviously very proud, announcing to the world about the special new life that had just occurred.

Mom sparrow was settled in the safety of the red bud tree, she was excited to, and there was a non-stop excited dialog of chirping going on between the two parents.

As I quietly observed nature unfolding right in front of me, Dad sparrow would occasionally fly off, disappear for a few minutes, and then return with exotic bird yummies in his beak. Obviously, new sparrow babies had just hatched just hours ago, and were impatient and very hungry waiting for Dad.

And, if you look very closely in the nest under the old weather shake shingle, you can see a tiny smiling beak and two birdie eyes. I believe I saw at least three tiny brothers or sisters later.