OAKHURST – It’s the craziest book signing ever – MUDORAMA Style! Come splash through the goo, roll in the mud, and swing over puddles Monday, Dec. 23 from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Wear your camo, bring your foam weapons and shields, and get ready to go home wet, muddy and happy.

FRESNO – The Central California Animal Disaster Team will be hosting a free workshop on Saturday, Jan. 18, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members and other emergency responders. The purpose of this workshop is to teach CERT members and other emergency responders how to safely and appropriately respond in emergency events involving animals.

MADERA COUNTY – To save a life would you hike into forbidden wilderness, ascend a mountain peak, crawl into an abandoned mineshaft, trudge through hot sand or plunge into racing white water rapids? Volunteers with the Madera County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue team do all that and more in their struggle to provide life-saving services to those in need.

Editor’s note: the Toys for Tots big toy roundup previously scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 7, has been postponed one week to Dec. 14, due to weather. Read on for more information. OAKHURST – It may be cold outside, but the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation has thousands of ways to warm the hearts of local children of all ages.

Submitted by the North Fork Chamber of Commerce Dear Eastern Madera County Residents and Business Owners, Mountain Area Chambers of Commerce organizations are comprised of volunteers who dedicate their time and expertise to revitalize our economy. We believe the quality of life we enjoy as residents parallels that warm, nurturing feeling families get when they visit Eastern Madera County.

Submitted by the North Fork Chamber of Commerce EASTERN MADERA COUNTY – On Monday, Dec. 2, the North Fork Chamber of Commerce released a letter encouraging residents to ‘Think Local First’ this holiday season and support local business. The letter, which cites data from a recent consumer study, describes how money spent locally helps build sustainable communities, and explains how ...

MARIPOSA – Brazil conjures up many images among Americans — Rio de Janeiro, the Amazon, tropical rainforests and abundant, exotic animals, especially its stunningly colorful birds. The largest country in South America, Brazil is home to a hugely rich diversity of avifauna — more than 1,800 species of birds, more than 200 of them endemic (found only there). Sixty percent ...

O’NEALS – For the third time in as many years the Sophomore Honors History Class at Minarets High School honored local veterans with a dinner and a day of personal interviews, learning from the life experience of those who serve. The special Veterans Day Dinner Project, held this year on Nov. 12, was the brainchild of then World and U.S. ...

NORTH FORK – The Lyn Mar Pond Guest Ranch will play host to a comedy show and dinner on Saturday, Nov. 16 starting at 5 p.m. The North Fork Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center will be throwing this party, featuring everything from local spirits to comedians and fire dancers. “This is not your grandma’s Chamber event!” say organizers.

CLOVIS – The Sierra National Forest is requesting public input for the 2014 State Off-Highway Motor Vehicle (OHV) funding/proposal submission cycle by hosting an Open House Dec. 5 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Forest Headquarters, 1600 Tollhouse Rd in Clovis. This year the State has funds available for education, operation and maintenance, law enforcement and restoration projects, and the ...