Debbie Croft: Looking ahead at events in the foothills

The hills are turning green, and the mountain peaks are covered in white stuff.

Whether you prefer spending free time adventuring outdoors, staying warm and dry while enjoying the arts, socializing with the neighbors or keeping close to home with DIY projects and gardening, one of the following activities should be of interest:

Rainy, snowy weather makes for fun winter sports. Ski season is here (and snowboarding season, too). Press releases are coming my way from ski resorts in the Central California Sierra range.

Check websites for current details on the resorts nearest you: Yosemite’s Badger Pass, Dodge Ridge in Tuolumne County, June Mountain, China Peak, Mammoth in the eastern Sierra and Bear Valley.

Information on snow depths, powder conditions and other useful info will help in planning your next trip for gliding down the slopes.

Or you can visit www.totalescape.com for information about cross-country skiing and nearby trails.

The La Grange Odd Fellows hosts a breakfast every second Sunday of the month. This Sunday, Jan. 10, from 7 to 11 a.m., the mouth-watering menu features biscuits and gravy, sausage, ham and cheese omelets and French toast. Complimentary coffee and orange juice are included; the price is only $6.

Tables will be set in the IOOF Hall, where many community events take place in the historic town. The hall is located at 30018 Yosemite Blvd. (Highway 132) just east of the intersection at Highway J-59.

For more information call 209-853-2128 or email: renwah@sonnet.com.

Two succession planning and peer advisory meetings are scheduled this month for area ranchers.

Fadzayi Mashiri will give the presentations. She is the University of California Cooperative Extension county director for Mariposa, as well as the livestock and natural resources farm adviser for Madera, Mariposa and Merced counties.

The first meeting will be held at the Madera County Government Building on Wednesday, Jan. 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The second meeting will be held at McCay Hall in Catheys Valley on Thursday, Jan. 14, during the same time frame.

According to Debbie Wass, “The purpose of the presentation is to provide ranchers with the knowledge and tools to communicate and make sound decisions for transferring stewardship of their properties to the next generation, in ways that avoid conflict.”

During the afternoon time will be spent in open discussion, giving ranchers an opportunity to share management practices and voice issues of concern. Many communities have benefited from this type of dialogue, and the UC Cooperative Extension program is glad to provide this type of forum.

Registration is required. The cost is $15 per person and includes lunch. More information is available online at http://cemariposa.ucanr.edu. Registration can be made by phone with payment at the door by calling 209-966-2417. Or email for details at dswass@ucanr.edu.

“AnimalScapes of the Sierra Nevada Foothills” brings together artists from three counties with over 50 original works of art. The paintings, photographs, ceramics and poetry all celebrate the animals residing in and native to California’s Gold Country.

This exhibit is sponsored by the Calaveras Arts Council, and debuts on Saturday, Jan. 16, at Ironstone Winery in Murphys. Artwork will be on display daily through Feb. 15.

The public is invited to the artist reception 3 p.m. Jan. 16, where awards will be revealed. A living wildlife exhibit will be included at the gathering.

Along with providing an opportunity for regional artists to showcase their work, CAC desires to raise awareness of local groups advocating for, protecting and nurturing the diverse animal communities of the Sierra foothills.

Details with a list of artists can be viewed at www.calaverasarts.org. Or contact project coordinator Sandra Peterson at animalscapes@gmail.com for more information.

Home gardeners raising fruit trees need to know how to prune for the best shape, and for producing the sweetest, juiciest fruit possible. And Mariposa’s master gardeners are willing to show you how.

Their next event is a free pruning workshop, to be held next weekend, Saturday, Jan. 16 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Former farm adviser Maxwell Norton specialized in growing fruit trees. He will demonstrate the best techniques and share tips at the meeting, at 9556 Banderilla in La Grange.

Please call 209-966-2017 or 209-66-6476 to register, or see http://cemariposa.ucanr.edu for complete info. This workshop will be held outdoors; please dress appropriately for the weather.

This story was originally published January 8, 2016 at 10:20 AM with the headline "Debbie Croft: Looking ahead at events in the foothills."