Windy Point Trail Hike with Bob Griffis - Wed, Mar 2010
Join Bob Griffis on this short trail that traverses several wildflower-loaded slopes. You can expect to see at least 50 varieties. This is a moderate hike of about 3 miles. Bob describes this as "one of the best wildflower viewing areas on the North Fork American River". Located off Iowa Hill Rd About 1/2 mile from Mineral Bar Campground. All ages welcome. Suggested donation $5/members, $10/non-members. Rain cancels. Please call Julie Andert 530-621-1224 to sign up and for meeting location (Colfax area). Date: TBD by flowers. Time: 9am to 2 pm. [email] [website]

South Fork American River Trail Preview Hike - Sat, Mar 13, 2010
Join American River Conservancy on this newly-constructed scenic trail not yet open to the public. This hike is a fundraiser to assist ARC in completing the trail’s final segments. Hiking distance is approximately 8 miles with easy to moderate hiking. A shuttle bus will provide transportation back to the Cronan Ranch trailhead. Fit ten year olds and up welcome. Rain or shine. Please call Julie Andert (530) 621-1224 to sign up and for meeting location. Donations encouraged for these special preview hikes. Time: 9AM to 2PM [email] [website]

Kids Discovery Day - Never Cry Wolf - Sat, Mar 20, 2010
In partnership with El Dorado County Library’s “BIG READ” the American River Conservancy presents Sam Blake. Sam is the owner & manager of Never Cry Wolf Rescue & Adoptions (NCWRA). Join ARC and Sam for an informative live wolf presentation at the El Dorado Hills Library (7455 Silva Valley Parkway). This is a free event but we strongly encourage donations to NCWRA. Please call or email Julie Andert (530) 621-1224. Time: 1PM to 2:30PM [email] [website]

Wells on Wine WOW! - Wine 10: Basics in Flavor Pairing - Sat, Mar 20, 2010
David Girard Vineyards Winemaker Mari Wells Coyle will be teaching a series of classes starting January 2010. You will learn about wine making, the Rhone region and much more! The fee for the four classes is $90.00 for David Girard wine club members $120.00 for non-club members. Class schedule: Jan. 23 Wine 101 and intro to the Rhone, Feb 20 Rhone Varietals and Blending Class, Mar 20 Basics in Flavor Pairing, Apr 24 Wine and Food Pairing: Winemaker luncheon. Select your class time. 10AM or 1PM. Call to reserve your seat. Class will be held at David Girard Vineyards, 741 Cold Springs Road, Placerville, CA 95667. Call 530-295-1833 for more information. [email] [website]

Community Blood Drive - Sun, Mar 21, 2010
It’s time for the community to come together again and donate blood. American River Conservancy must have a minimum of 35 people signed up for Blood Source to bring their mobile unit out to the Nature Center in Coloma. Please make your appointment by March 15th to make this event a success. Minimum age 16 (with parental consent). Receive a free t-shirt. Call or email Julie Andert (530) 621-1224 to sign up. Time: 11AM to 3PM. [email] [website]

Grey Water is my Friend - Presentation on New Grey Water Standards - Mar 26, 2010
Using grey water can be a very effective way to reduce water use. Recent changes to grey water standards in California have made this a viable option for many homes. "Laundry to Landscape", a short DVD on how to use your grey water for landscaping, will be shown. Handouts of recent grey water changes will be available. Suggested donations: $5/members, $10/non-members. Please call or email Julie Andert (530) 621-1224 to sign up and for meeting location in the Coloma area. Time: 6PM to 7:30PM [email] [website]

Focus on Ferns - Sat, Mar 27, 2010
Join naturalist Robert Mackler on this beautiful hike into the American Creek Canyon in Cool. You will witness an amazing habitat for a variety of ferns. Learn the life cycle of ferns and see how many species you can find. This is an easy hike. Responsible teens and older welcome. Rain cancels. Suggested donations: $5/members, $10/non-members. Please call Julie Andert (530) 621-1224 to sign up and for meeting location. Time: 10AM to 1PM. [email] [website]

Drum Making Class - Sun, Mar 28, 2010
Jason Williams with White Water Drums will teach this Native American drum making workshop. Jason is a Huichol drum maker and storyteller. He will combine traditional storytelling and singing to teach the origin and meaning of the Native American drum. The day will begin with an opening ceremony in a traditional manner and continue on with a day of crafting and fun. The class will cover laying out the hide, hole patterns, and the technique of stringing a traditional hand drum. Maple hoop & elk hide provided. Ages 12 and up welcome with adult. Sign-ups and non-refundable deposit due by March 12th. $85/members, $95/non-members. Time: 10AM to 6PM. Please call or email Julie Andert (530) 621-1224 to sign up and for meeting location. [email] [website]

11th Annual Easter Egg Hunt & Family Picnic - Sat, Apr 3, 2010
Bring the whole family to the Coloma-Lotus Community Easter Egg Hunt and Family Picnic. Bring your own baskets and a picnic lunch to the meadow behind Back Street in Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. The Easter Egg Hunt is open to local children up to 10 years of age and starts promptly at noon. The hunt is sponsored by the Coloma-Lotus Chamber of Commerce. Free parking courtesy of the Park. [email]

South Fork American River Trail Preview Hike - Sat, Apr 10, 2010
Join American River Conservancy on this newly-constructed scenic trail not yet open to the public. This hike is a fundraiser to assist ARC in completing the trail’s final segments. Hiking distance is approximately 8 miles with easy to moderate hiking. A shuttle bus will provide transportation back to the Cronan Ranch trailhead. Fit ten year olds and up welcome. Rain or shine. Please call Julie Andert (530) 621-1224 to sign up and for meeting location. Donations encouraged for these special preview hikes. Time: 9AM to 2PM. [email] [website]

Kids Discovery Day - Wolf Stories - Sun, Apr 11, 2010
Stories about wolves are plentiful. Some are scary, some are funny, some teach us a lesson! Come out and hear a sampling of such stories from members of the El Dorado Storytellers Guild. Make a wolf craft while you're with us. Ages 4 years and up welcome. Free but donations accepted. Please call or email Julie Andert (530) 621-1224 to sign up and for meeting location. Time:1PM to 2:30PM [email] [website]

Coloma-Lotus Chamber of Commerce Monthly Meeting - Tue, Apr 13, 2010
All members and interested local business owners are invited to attend. Meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at David Girard Vineyards. [website]

Middle Fork American River Canyon Hike - Sat, Apr 17, 2010
Join ARC volunteer Howard Williams, hiker, backpacker and nature buff for this approximately 4 mile hike. You will follow trails on the south slope of the Middle Fork American River Canyon in Cool. This beautiful area is much different than anything on the South Fork at the same elevation. It is heavily forested with the feel of being several thousand feet higher in elevation. We should encounter wildlife and perhaps find some wild mushrooms. The hike will be at a leisurely pace but does include a 600 ft. elevation gain. Responsible teens and older welcome. Rain cancels. Free of charge. Time: 9AM to Noon. Please call or email Julie Andert (530) 621-1224 to sign up and for meeting location (Cool area). [email] [website]

Innovative Home Tour #5 - Sun, Apr 18, 2010
Alice Cantelow, an environmental educator with American River Conservancy and her husband Lester Lubetkin have been remodeling their home with an eye toward sustainability for over a
year and are ready to share all they have learned. Learn how even a 30-year-old home can be greatly improved for energy and water efficiency. See how to tap into passive solar heat, the tremendous benefits of solar hot water, why low-E windows may actually be a poor choice for south-facing windows, the benefits of a metlund water recirculating system, how rainwater harvesting can make more sense for toilets than for irrigation, why an infrared gun can be your best friend, which recessed lighting should be replaced, lighting by solatube, and much more. Information can be applied to new as well as retrofit construction. Suggested donation $5. Time:1PM to 3PM. Please call or email Julie Andert (530) 621-1224 to sign up and for meeting location in the Diamond Springs area. [email] [website]

Tai Chi and Chi Kung in Nature - Sat, Apr 24, 2010
Chi Kung is the ancient Chinese practice of body and mind exercises for health and well-being whose roots go back thousands of years. Tai Chi emerged from this discipline about 800 years ago. We will do simple exercises that facilitate flexibility, energy flow, stress relief, and balance after flexibility. We will also do short sitting and standing meditations. Meet at American River Conservancy's property in Shingle Springs located alongside a stream and waterfall. Instructor Tara Stiles has been teaching Yoga, Tai Chi, Chi Kung and meditation in Sacramento for over 30 years. Responsible teens and up welcome. No prior experience in Tai Chi or Chi Kung required. Rain cancels. $5/members, $10/nonmembers. Time:10AM to Noon. Please call or email Julie Andert (530) 621-1224 to sign up and for meeting location. [email] [website]

Wildflower Hike - Sat, Apr 24, 2010
Join Robert Mackler, ARC volunteer and naturalist, for this beautiful hike on the Monroe Ridge trail where you will see a bounty of wildflowers. This is an easy-moderate hike of 3.5 miles. Rain cancels. $5/members, $10/non-members. Time:10AM to Noon. Please call or email Julie Andert (530) 621-1224 to sign up and for meeting location in the Coloma area. [email] [website]

Kanaka Valley Celebration Picnic - Sun, Apr 25, 2010
The American River Conservancy recently completed a 12 year effort to acquire and protect the 1,425 acre Kanaka Valley property. This picnic event will introduce ARC supporters to this newly protected area with short hikes (about 2 miles across fairly level land) followed by an old-fashioned “bring a blanket and picnic basket” picnic. Ages 10 and up welcome. Rain cancels. Free of charge and donations accepted. Please call or email Julie Andert (530) 621-1224 to sign up and for meeting location in the Rescue area. Time:10:30AM to 1:30PM. [email] [website]

Morning Bird Walk at Serrano Wetlands - Sat, May 1, 2010
Join Tim and Angela Jackson on this 1.5 mile level, easy wetlands walk. Otters, woodpeckers, raptors, songbirds, and waterfowl are frequently spotted. The walk may continue to the New York Creek site for more birding. Tim Jackson maintains a website on local birds at www.ElDoradoBirds.com. Angela Jackson is a writer and photographer of the natural world. Suggested donation: $5/members, $10/non-members. Bird walks usually require some quiet viewing. Mature children 8 and up welcome. Please call or email Julie Andert (530) 621-1224 to sign up and for meeting location. Time:8AM to Noon. [email] [website]

Kids Discovery Day - Georgetown Nature Area - Sun, May 2, 2010
Children and families of all ages are invited to join us for a tour of the Georgetown Nature Area. Most people don’t even know this wonderful little nature area exists. Volunteers, Ray Griffiths and Dana Walsh with Friends of the Nature Area (FONA) will lead the tour. You will learn about this area's rich history, stories of the Nisenan, and environmental education. Free of charge. Donations accepted. Please call or email Julie Andert (530) 621-1224 to sign up and for meeting location. Time:1PM to 3PM. [email] [website]

Greenhorn "Dude Ranch" Weekend - Fri, May 7, 2010 - Sun, May 9, 2010
If you’re looking for a comfortable, relaxing, outdoor-oriented vacation with horseback riding, western adventure, and people who treat you like family, this is the trip for you. We’ll enjoy trail riding in Plumas National Forest’s most scenic region and take pleasure in home-made meals, guitars by the campfire, line dancing, fishing, swimming, and horseshoe tournaments. This ranch, located near Quincy, is offering ARC a group discount rate of $350/member, $375/non-members Ages 18 and up welome. Minimum of 10 people required for group rate. Non-refundable deposit due by March 22nd. Please call or email Julie Andert (530) 621-1224 to sign up or for more information. [email] [website]

South Fork American River Trail Preview Hike - Sat, May 8, 2010
Join American River Conservancy on this newly-constructed scenic trail not yet open to the public. This hike is a fundraiser to assist ARC in completing the trail’s final segments. Hiking distance is approximately 8 miles with easy to moderate hiking. A shuttle bus will provide transportation back to the Cronan Ranch trailhead. Fit ten year olds and up welcome. Rain or shine. Please call Julie Andert (530) 621-1224 to sign up and for meeting location. Donations encouraged for these special preview hikes. Time: 9AM to 2PM. [email] [website]

Coloma-Lotus Chamber of Commerce Monthly Meeting - Tue, May 11, 2010
All members and interested local business owners are invited to attend. Meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at a location TBA. [website]

Wine Tasting under the Stars - Fri, May 14, 2010
ARC has joined forces with David Girard Vineyards and Starforge astronomy group for a wonderful night of wine tasting and star gazing. This is a unique opportunity to view the sky during “Galaxy Season". Several major groups of galaxies will all be visible at once. Venus, Mars, Saturn, several star clusters and seven constellations will also be visible. Enjoy the show while sampling award-winning wines at this beautiful vineyard in Placerville. Ages 21 and up welcome. Suggested donation: $5/members, $10/nonmembers. Time: 8PM to 10PM. Please call or email Julie Andert (530) 621-1224 to sign up or for more information. Rain or heavy clouds cancels. Rain Date: June 11th. [email] [website]

Wild Edibles - Sat, May 22, 2010
What plants do we have here in the foothills that can be eaten and made into medicine? Come join Candis Cantin on an herb and food ID walk. Candis has lived in the county for 25 years and owns EverGreen School of Integrative Herbology where she teaches herbal medicine and health. In this class Candis will be teaching the participants about the health value of local plants. Responsible teens and older welcome. $5/members, $7/non-members Time:11AM to 12:30PM. Please call or email Julie Andert (530) 621-1224 to sign up and for meeting location in the Coloma area. Rain cancels. [email] [website]

Lotus Bonsai Nursery Annual Spring Sale - Fri, May 28, 2010 - Sun, May 30, 2010
Discounts on all Bonsai, stock plants, and pots for three days. 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Lotus Bonsai Nursery & Gardens, 1435 Lower Lake Drive, Placerville (530) 622-9681 [email] [website]

7th Annual Trailfest - Jun 7, 2010
Enjoy yourself and help generate funds for the completion of the South Fork American River Trail at this benefit for the American River Conservancy. Trailfest features live performances, great food, local wines & beers as well as activities for kids. Local businesses and community members donate dozens of items for the silent and live auctions. Donations have included whitewater kayaks, mountain bikes, sports club & gym memberships, massages, ski passes, river rafting equipment, equestrian supplies, dinners at local restaurants, local crafts and artwork, Bed & Breakfast accommodations and local wines. Where: EarthTrek's Camp in River Park Village located on Hwy 49 in Lotus at the bridge over the South Fork of the American River. Time: 5:30pm to 10pm For more information call (530) 621-1224. [email] [website]

Coloma-Lotus Chamber of Commerce Monthly Meeting - Tue, Jun 8, 2010
All members and interested local business owners are invited to attend. Meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at a Sierra Rizing Bakery. Please note the Chamber does not meet in July or August. [website]

29th Annual American River Festival - Fri, Sep 10, 2010 - Sun, Sep 12, 2010
Come watch and participate in this fun weekend on water and land! Centered in Henningsen Lotus Park, land activities include games, food, music, nonprofit and exhibitor booths, and great spectator seats. River games and activities include races for those of all abilities, fun fests for kids, and educational clinics. The ARF benefits several river-focused nonprofits. For more information and sponsorship opportunities, call The River Store at 530-626-3435, email, or visit the website. [email] [website]

American River Music Festival - Fri, Sep 17, 2010 - Sun, Sep 19, 2010
The 4th Annual American River Music Festival is a celebration of music and moving water. It features Americana, Folk and Blues music performances and workshops on a riverfront main stage, in three riverfront campgrounds, on our famous "gorge" whitewater river trip, and on our spectacular guided riverfront hike. This three-day mostly acoustic American and Canadian Roots music festival takes place at Henningsen-Lotus Park in Lotus, and at several Coloma Valley campgrounds. Prices vary depending on music and camping options - see the website to buy tickets. For more information call (530) 622-6044. [email] [website]