Deadline for voter registration Oct. 22

In order to be eligible to vote in the Nov. 6 Consolidated General Election, residents must register to vote by Monday, Oct. 22.

In order to be eligible to register to vote, a person must be a United States Citizen, live in Madera County and be 18 years old on or before election day. Registered voters who have moved, changed their name, or wish to change their political party must re-register by Oct. 22.

Voter registration cards are available at post offices, libraries or the county clerk's office. You can also register to vote online at madera-county.com.

Details: Madera County Elections Division, (800) 435-0509.

Academy Award winning Michael Moore to talk after free film in Oakhurst

Academy Award-winning film director Michael Moore will address residents via a live link-up from his home in Northern Michigan -- talking and taking questions after a free 55-minute documentary titled "Koch Brothers Exposed" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Oakhurst Met Cinemas. Along with taking questions, Moore will address the pending election nationally and locally, including voicing his support for Fourth California District Congressional candidate, Jack Uppal.

The free movie and live feed with Michael Moore Oct. 27 is being sponsored by the Democratic Club of Oakhurst.

"With an unflinching investigative look at the Koch brothers' money and power, Brave New Films has once again created a film full of rollicking and rigorous facts that informs and challenges corporate media with the truth,'" said Kristina vanden Heuvel, editor and publisher of The Nation magazine. "'Koch Brothers Exposed' should be a wake-up call for people across the political spectrum to take action to halt the selling off of our democracy."

Interactive dialogue with Moore with those in attendance will be encouraged by the event's moderator, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame DJ and Sierra Star columnist, Peter Cavanaugh, who introduced Mr. Moore to the public over Flint, Michigan's WTAC-AM/WWCK-FM in the early 80s.

Details: Joann Evans, (559) 675-7770 or log onto: madera-county.com/index.phpcommunity-outreach

Citizens On Patrol recruiting volunteers

Madera County Citizens On Patrol (COPs) is looking for volunteers to join the county's team of citizens in law enforcement.

The sheriff's office plans to hold two public informational meetings for residents interested in learning more about the program.

6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, at the Oakhurst substation, 48267 Liberty Drive.

6-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, at the Madera Sheriff's Main Office, 14143 Road 28.

Citizens 18 years and older who want to know how they can volunteer their time are encouraged to attend one of the two scheduled meetings.

Mariposa Yosemite car show Saturday

Almost 100 cars will be on display this weekend at the Mariposa Yosemite Hot Rod and Custom Car Show. The free event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20 at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds.

From several 1931 Model A's to a 2004 Dodge Viper with custom paint and air brushed art, every decade and every make and model of car will be on display including a tribute to James Garner, a 1969 Lola T70.

Awards will be given in the afternoon for over 30 categories of cars including awards for Best Paint, Best Engine, Best Interior, Most Unusual, and Best of Show. Attendees get to participate and vote for a People's Choice Award, which will be handed out at the end of the day.

At 2 p.m. there will be a live auction of a 33-piece Chevron Advertising Cars collection. There will also be a silent auction inside Building B from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Food and wine from area wineries will be sold.

Details: Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce, (209) 966-2456, or events@mariposachamber.org.

Vote by mail drop-off locations

Rebecca Martinez, county clerk-recorder and registrar of voters, announced that the county clerk's office will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, for the issuance and acceptance of vote by mail ballots.

The county clerk's office is located in the County Government Center, First Floor, 200 W. 4th Street, Madera.

Mountain Area residents can also drop off vote by mail ballots from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3 at the Sheriff's Substation in Oakhurst, 48267 Liberty Drive.

Details: Elections Division, (559) 675-7720 or toll free at 800-435-0509.

Forum Thursday on election propositions

A forum on the 2012 State Election Propositions will be presented by the League of Women Voters at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25 at the North Fork Branch Library, 32908 Road 222.

Details: (559) 877-2387 or maderacountylibrary.org

Rivergold school veteran's dinner

Rivergold Elementary School will honor veterans with a Veterans Day celebration on Thursday, Nov. 8.

The school's kindergarten and second grade classes will perform at 9 a.m. and all Mountain Area veterans are encouraged to attend.

Coarsegold Veteran's Day assembly

Coarsegold Elementary School will hold two assemblies on Nov. 9 to honor Mountain Area veterans.

The first will be at 9:30 a.m. and the second will be at 6:30 p.m. in the Coarsegold school's multipurpose room.

All veterans are invited to attend the evening assembly and veterans have been asked to provide military photos to be included in a slide show. Photos can be sent to mgresham@yosemiteusd.com.

The focus of the assemblies will be on the flag, the Pledge of Allegiance, music and poems to honor veterans.

National novel writing month events

The North Fork Branch Library is hosting a kick-off orientation party for the national novel writing month, which is November. The event will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30.

Write-ins will be held throughout the month of November and a 50,000 word novel will also be written during the month.

Details: nanowrimo.org or (559) 877-2387 or maderacountylibrary.org

Heifer Project Pancake Breakfast

The Heifer Project Pancake Breakfast will be held from 8-10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 21 at Grace Community Church, 56442 Road 200.

The Heifer Project is an organization the provides families across the world with a heifer, or other animal of choice, to help feed the family.

The breakfast is no cost, but the church is asking for free-will donations for the Heifer Project.

Teen drivers have greater collision risk

Traffic collisions are the leading cause of death of teenagers throughout the nation.

According to the California High Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System for 2010, the most recent year that finalize date is available, there were more than 57,000 drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 involved in collisions in California. A teen driver was determined to be at fault in 67% of those collisions.

"Safe driving habits begin at home," said CHP Commander Oakhurst area Lt. Sandra L. Adams. "Parents can help by communicating the rules of the road to their teen driver and serving as a good role model behind the wheel."

Coarsegold musician releases first CD

A new CD entitled "Music of the Senses" has been produced by Coarsegold composer Barbara Ulman, who was featured in a Feb. 24, 2011 Sierra Star article. The music, composed by Ulman during the past 50 years, is contemporary classical in style.

The CD contains five choral works, six vocal solos with piano and a duet for clarinet and piano.

Some of Ulman's music has been described by Brad Hufft -- California State University, Fresno music professor, compose and executive director of the Orpheus Chamber Music Ensemble -- as contemporary in nature, yet accessible and witty.

The CD is available for sale at Artifacts and Williams Gallery West in Oakhurst.

North Fork Squirrel Cage "Fall Follies"

North Fork's Squirrel Cage Theatre is gearing up for the North Fork Fall Follies, which will begin with dinner at 6 p.m. followed by the show at 7 p.m. Oct. 26, 27 and Nov. 2 and 3 at North Fork Town Hall.

This year's play is "Monster Soup" -- a comedy written by Tim Kelly about a family of ghouls who are being harassed by lawyer Fleasom, the meanest man in Graveyard Corners.

Tickets cost $12 for adults, $6 for children 12 years old and younger, or $30 for a family.

All proceeds benefit scholarships for high school graduates going into theatre arts and for the upkeep and improvements of Town Hall.

Details: Robyn Flory, (559) 877-2431 or Sue Novell, (559) 877-2129.

Minarets volleyball cancer fundraiser

All proceeds from the Minarets High School Volleyball game vs. Fowler at 6 p.m. Oct. 18 will go to breast cancer research.

The fundraiser "pink" volleyball game, to be held in the Minarets Gym, is being sponsored by Minarets seniors Jordan Smith and Bre Cairns for their Senior Legacy Experience. Along with all the players dressing in pink, there will be games for the public to participate in and a prize for the male who wears the most pink to the event.

North Fork School Fall Festival Oct. 26

North Fork Elementary School will hold a Fall Festival from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26 in the school's Kennedy Hall.

Admission is free and tickets for attractions and concessions will be sold at the door.

The event includes games, food, prizes, a haunted house, an obstacle course, pumpkin patch with pumpkins from $1 to $5, face painting, drinks, silent auction, cake walk and fall family photos.

Roadwork near Fish Camp continues

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced that Teichert Construction Company will continue to implement pavement rehabilitation operation along both directions of Highway 41 north of Oakhurst near Fish Camp from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The project is anticipated to be completion by the end of October, but the schedule is subject to change due to weather or unforeseen contractor operations.

In order to safely continue, one-way traffic control with flaggers and pilot car(s) will be utilized in both directions.

Motorists are advised to reduce speed and adhere to all construction signage. The safety of maintenance and construction crews is very important, so "Slow for the Cone Zone" at all times.

Motorists may experience up to a 15-minute traffic delay within the construction areas along Highway 41.

Heavy traffic expected at casino

Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino is alerting motorists that Highway 41 and Lucky Lane may experience periodic traffic congestion between 6 and 8 p.m. Friday and 8 and 10 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, due to the "$1 Million Treasure" promotional drawings.