The Humane Society of Tuolumne County (HSOTC) and several local businesses have teamed up for its winter Spectacular Ski Get-A-Way fundraising raffle.  Through Feb. 3, a $5 raffle ticket enters you into a drawing for two “Learn To” packages from Dodge Ridge, mid-week lodging at McCaffrey House Bed & Breakfast Inn, dinner for two at the Steam Donkey Restaurant and a rental gift certificate from Sierra Nevada Adventure Company.  All proceeds benefit HSOTC.   Tickets are on sale at the HSOTC, 10040 Victoria Way in Jamestown; Purrrfect Bargains Thrift Boutique, 14317 Mono way, Suites D-F in East Sonora and Twain Harte Market, 18711 Tiffeni Drive in Twain Harte. 984-5489, hsotc.org.

February 

 Take a Chance at Love Valentine’s Day Raffle, drawing to take place Tue., Feb. 14 at the Hospice Thrift Store, Angels Camp. Fundraiser for Hospice of Amador & Calaveras, helping those who are terminally ill and their families with services including end-of-life care, grief support and more. Tickets $10 each or 10 tickets for $100, plus 10 free. Prizes include $10,000 trip for four to Cabo San Lucas: click on poster at left for more prize details and ticket sales locations, or visit online at hospiceofamador.org.

Parents and Grandparents: Tuolumne County Library’s once a month Science Time program for children of all ages.  Beginning Wed., Feb. 1 after school, 3:30pm-4:30pm, Sonora Main Library’s Community Room, 480 Greenley Rd. This month children will learn about penguins through stories, experiments, and crafts. Contact 533-5507, tuolcolib.org.

Fri.-Sat., Feb 3-4

Columbia College Big Band Jazz Festival with trumpeter and trombonist Mic Gillette, at college’s Dogwood Theater. Sax man Paul Contos, pianist Bob Secor, trumpeter Marvin McFadden, other guests. $15, call for times, 588-5126; info, 588-5211.

Parents and Grandparents: Tuolumne County Library e-reading program. County library patrons now have free access to an online reading program, from home or in their local branch. BookFlix provides interactive experience for new readers grades pre-K-3. Contact 694-2717, tuolcolib.org.

Sat., Feb. 4

Master Gardeners’ Open Garden Day, 10am-1pm, Cassina Demonstration Garden, 251 S. Barretta St., Sonora. 533-5696.

Mother Lode Shrine Club Crab Feed, 5pm happy hour, 6pm dinner, Tuolumne County Senior Center, 540 Greenley Rd., Sonora. $30, pay at door, 533-2426 by Feb. 1 to reserve. Benefits Shriners Hospital for Children.

Columbia Big Band Jazz Festival Evening Concerts, 8pm. Tickets $20, available at Mountain Bookshop at the Junction Shoping center, the Columbia College Manzanita Bookstore, or call 588-5126.

Railtown 1897 Seeks Volunteers. Seeking volunteers 18+ interested in history and railroads to assist as Car Hosts, Ticket Agents, Tour Guides, Public Greeters, and Fire Patrol Operators. Sat., Feb. 4 volunteer open house 9am, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, Jamestown. Mon., Feb. 6 applications due. Sat., Feb. 11 volunteer training begins. Download applications at railtown1897.org or call 984-4408 for information.

Sun., Feb. 5

Frank Salel Super Bowl Breakfast, 7-11:30am, Mother Lode Fairgrounds’ John Muir Building, Sonora. Sonora 49er Rotary Club serves made-to-order omelettes, benefits scholarship fund. Advance tickets, $7 adults, $5 children 12 and under; at door, $8 adults, $6 children 12 and under. 536-1218, 533-2094.

Behind-the-Scenes Shop Tours, Railtown 1897. Fridays Feb. 10 and March 9, 10am-12pm, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, Jamestown. Up-close look at current restoration projects of historic shops. Included with park admission, $5 for adults, $3 for youths ages 6-17, free children 5 and under. Information 984-3953, railtown1897.org.

Sat., Feb. 7

Register for Catholic Charities’ Home Share Mixer, Wed., Feb. 29. Matches home “providers” with home “seekers,”TuolumneCountySeniorCenter, Greenley Rd. Call 532-7632.

Drop-in Computer Clinic for Tuolumne county residents, Thrusdays 10am to 12pm atSonoramain library community meeting room,480 Greenley Rd.,Sonora. Free, public welcome to come and bring their computers. No pre-registration needed, info: 533-5507, tuolcolib.org.

Turs., Feb. 9

Tuolumne County Senior Network meeting, 8:30am, Area 12 Conference Room,19074 Standard Rd., Standard.

Wines of the world. Calaveras Winegrape Association’s pre-Valentines day port and desert wines, cheese, and chocolate tasting. 5:30 – 7:00 p.m., Murphys Historic Hotel, 457 Main Street, Murphys. $20 for CWA members and $25 for non-members. Info 728-9467,  calaveraswines.org.

Beginning and Intermediate Computer Classes for Adults. Classes are Tues. and Thurs., 8am-10am, Sonora Main Library,480 Greenley Rd.,Sonora. Free, register in advance: 533- 5507, tuolcolib.org. Basic Computer Operations, Tue. lecture overview, Thurs. hands on exercises. Feb. 7&9, March 6&8, Apr. 3&5, may 1&3. Intro to Microsoft word, learn basic document creation. Tue. lecture overview, Thurs. hands on exercises. Feb. 14&16, March 13&15, Apr 10&12, May 8&10. Intro to Internet and email. Tues. lecture overview, Thurs hands on lab. Feb 21&23 March 20&22, Apr. 17&19, May 15&17. Digital Image Processing, learn to use Picasa by google, basic importing and editing of digital images. Tues. lecture overview, Thurs. hands on lab. Feb. 28 & March 1, March 27&29, April 24&26, May 22&24.

Fri.-Sat., Feb. 10-11

Omega Nu Rummage Sale, 8:30am-1pm Sat., Mother Lode Fairgrounds, Sonora. Free entry. Preview sale, silent auction, wine, hors d’oeuvres, 5:30-8 pm Fri., $12. Fundraiser for scholarships, charities. 566-5216.

Monthly Raffle by San Andreas Friends of the Library. Tickets $1, or $5 for 6 tickets. Feb’s prize, a panda and penguin gift basket, books, toys, crayons, markers, treats and activities. Proceeds benefit Calaveras county adult literacy program. Info and tickets 754-6006, calaverasreads.com.

Sat., Feb. 11

Gold Rush Days, 1-4pm, Columbia State Historic Park. Docents in 1850s attire lead tours of buildings usually closed to the public. Free. 588-9128.

Mokelumne Hill Fireman’s Ball,  6:30pm silent auction, full bar, great food. Live music, The Full Circle Band, 8-12pm. Mokelumne Hill Town Hall, Mokelumne. Benefits Mokelumne Hill’s Volunteer Firefighters. $10 per person, $15 per couple at the door. (916) 208-2876, MokeHillFire.org.

Sun., Feb. 12

Ovations Concert Series, Golden Bough and McGrath Irish Dancers, 3pm, Bret Harte High School Theater, 323 Highway 49, Angels Camp. $25 adult, $10 youth. 754-1774, calaverasarts.org.

Mon., Feb. 13

Tuolumne County Commission on Aging meeting. 1:30pm Area 12 conference room,19074 Standard Rd.

Thurs., Feb. 16

Calaveras County Senior Network meeting, 9am, CalWorks building,509 E. St. Charles St., San Andreas.

Sat., Feb. 18

Tuolumne County Library, panel discussion on what’s available to area seniors, 10am-noon. Sponsored by Unitarian Fellowship.

Fireman’s Ball, 6pm-midnight, Opera Hall, 250 S. Washington St., Sonora. No-host bar, appetizers, dancing, benefits Sonora Volunteer FireMuseum. $8. 984-5887.

Sat.-Sun., Feb. 18-19

Presidents’ Wine Weekend, 11am-5pm, at all Calaveras Winegrape Alliance member wineries. Wine tasting, food and live music. $10 per person for both days, contact 728-9467, 806-9463, calaveraswines.org.

Thurs., Feb. 23

Arts Networking Open House, 6pm-8pm, Andis Wines, 11000 Shenandoah Rd., Plymouth. Art show, live music, appetizers and no-host wine bar. Free for AmadorArts members, $5 per person for non members. Contact 223-9038, amadorarts.org.

Fri., Feb. 24

Calaveras GROWN Local Food Dinner, celebrating local agriculture. Mokelumne Hill Town Hall, Main Street. Local wine and beer 6pm, dinner 7pm, speakers follow. Ticket info, reservations, 772-1604, or click here.

Sat., Feb. 25

Two Writing Workshops by Authors Antoinette May and Linda Abbott Trapp, 9am-4:30pm. For column writers, fiction writers, and journalists, all writing levels accepted. For info or to reserve a space, 754-0577 or 736-0222.

Sun., Feb. 26

Ovations Concert Series, Mimi Blais, ragtime pianist and comedian, 3pm, Bret Harte High School Theatre, 323 Highway 49, Angels Camp. $25 adult, $10 youth. 754-1774, calaverasarts.org.

Wed., Feb. 29

Home Share Mixer for people seeking compatible housemates, 1-3pm, Tuolumne County Senior Center, 540 Greenley Rd., Sonora. Housing seekers or providers invited, free service of Catholic Charities. Call 532-7632 by Feb. 15 to participate.

March

Fri., March 2

Big Band Night in Murphys, featuring Tradewinds Dance Band No host bar and hors d’oeuvres, 6pm-9:30pm Native Sons Hall, 389 Main St., Murphys. Benefit Murphys Senior Center. For tickets and info, 728-1672 or email murphyscenter@gmail.org.

Big Band Night, 6pm-9:30pm at the Native Sons Hall, Main St., Murphys. Appetizers, live music by Tradewinds band, free portraits, and dancing. Info, tickets, or to volunteer, 728-1672.

Fri.-Sat., March 2-3

Musical Extravaganza features Barbara Morrison, Don Shelton, Kevin Toney, Angie Doctor and more, Columbia College’s Dogwood Theater. Call for times, tickets $20, 588-5126; info, 588-5211.

Friends of Library Spring BookSale, Tuolumne County Library, 480 Greenley Road, Sonora. 1-3pm Fri., members-only preview sale (join at door, $25 family, $15 adult, $10 seniors); public sale 10am-2pm Sat., free. 533-5507.

Fri.-Sun., March 2-4

Wing Ding Square Dance Festival, Mother Lode Fairgrounds, Sonora. Workshops, fashion show, dancing. 7-10pm Fri., 9am-10:30pm Sat., 9am-noon Sun. Ticket info, 581-3883.

Sat., March 3

Master Gardeners’ Open Garden Day, 10am-1pm, Cassina Demonstration Garden, 251 S. Barretta St., Sonora. 533-5696. Sierra Repertory Theatre Annual Gala, 5pm dinner, silent auction, Sonora Elks Lodge, 100 Elk Drive; live auction, opening night of “Gypsy” at SRT,13891 Mono Way, EastSonora. Ticket info, 532-3120.

Calaveras County’s Spring Library Book Sale. Donate gently used books, DVDs, CDs, puzzles, games, artwork and collectables to San Andreas main library. Supports Adult Literacy Program. Info, or to help at the book sale, 754-6701 or 754-6006, calaverasreads.com.

Sat.-Sun., March 3-4

Spring Obsession Art Show, Ironstone Vineyards, 1894 Six Mile Road, Murphys. Food, wine, art. Free, $25 for 4pm artist reception Sat. 728-1251, ext. 11.

Sun., March 4

St. James Concert Series, Sierra Ensemble chamber group, 3 pm, Red Church,Washington and Snell streets, Sonora. Adults $12, under 18 $5. 984-0704.

Thurs.-Sun., March 8-11

All Mountain Challenge and Fire Festival, Dodge Ridge Wintersports Area, Pinecrest. Nordic, snowshoe, slalom races; benefits Habitat for Humanity. Call for times, prices, 965-3474.

Fri.-Sun., March 9-11 Sonora Celtic Faire, 9:30am-3pm Fri. (Family Day), 7pm concert, 10am-10pm Sat., 10am-6pm Sun., Mother Lode Fairgrounds. Prices, sonoracelticfaire.com.

Sat., March 10

Pack for Troops, 10am-1pm, Sonora Veterans Memorial Hall, 9 S. Washington St., Sonora. Contact (510) 329-9397 day, (209) 532-8051 evening.

Gold Rush Days, 1-4pm, Columbia State Historic Park. Docents in 1850s attire lead tours of buildings usually closed to the public. Free. 588-9128.

ArtSpiritAnnualHigh SchoolArt Exhibition. Public reception Sat. March 10, 1pm-3pm,  CalaverasCountyhigh school artists featured in annual show by Calaveras County Arts Council., Gallery Calaveras, 22 Main, San Andreas. Gallery is open March 10-April 26, weekdays 9am-4pm, Sat. 11am-3pm. Info: 754-1774, calaverasarts.org.

Sun., March 11

Ovations Concert Series, Ives Quartet with pianist Yoshikazu Nagai, 3pm, Bret Harte High School Theater, 323 Highway 49, Angels Camp. $25 adult, $10 youth. 754-1774, calaverasarts.org.

Nominations due March 15. Nominate outstanding volunteers for services to the community, recognition and monetary awards at Sierra Nonprofit’s Annual Volunteer Awards Luncheon, 12pm-1:30pm, Fri., April 20th, Sonora Elks Lodge, 100 Elk Drive, Sonora. Nomination forms at Sonora Library, Sheriff’s CSU offices, or online: sierranonprofit.org, or mymotherlode.com.  Kitchen help needed for event, pre-meeting week of Apr. 13, contact 533-1093.

Wed., March 14

Free senior luncheon, presentation on preventing elder financial abuse, 11:30am-1:30pm, Sonora, Jamestown, Sugar Pine, Groveland. For locations, reservations, call Catholic Charities, 532-7632.

Joint Replacement Educational Seminars. Learn about replacement surgery and talk to surgeons and staff about treating joint pain. Thurs., Mar. 15, Delta Blood Bank conference room, 850 Sanguinetti Rd., Sonora; Thurs., April 19, location TBA; Thurs. May 17, Greenhorn Creek,  Angels Camp. Info 536-5020.

Sat., March 17

Murphys Irish Day, call for vendors. Located along historicMain Street, Murphys merchants and 100 vendors booths will sell handcrafted and Irish themed products, foods and beverages. Presented by the Murphys Business Association, proceeds to benefit MBA and the Murphys Volunteer Fire Department. Applications, 728-3864 or www.murphysirishdays.org.

Emblem Club’s Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner, opens 5pm, dinner 6:30pm, Sonora Elks Lodge,100 Elk Drive. $10, $5 under 12. 533-0156.

Sun., March 18   

St. James Concert Series, pianist Rudolf Budginas, 3 pm, Country Cowboy Church, 14888 Peaceful Valley Road, Sonora. Adults $20, $5 under 18. 984-0704.

Wed., March 21

Free senior luncheon, presentation on preventing elder financial abuse, 11:30am-1:30pm, San Andreas, Murphys, Arnold. For locations, reservations, 532-7632.

Sat., March 24

All Things Golden Trivia Night by Friends of the Calaveras County Library. No host bar, social hour 5:30pm, dinner 6:30pm, Trivia bee, 7:30 pm at the San Andreas Town Hall. Tickets $25 per person at all Calaveras County Libraries, or 754-6510.

Jazz saxophonist Ernie Watts, 7pm, Columbia College Dogwood Theater. $15, reserve at 588-5126; info, 588-5211.

Entertainment & Day Trips

For Tuolumne County information, visit the Visitors Bureau website, thegreatunfenced.com.

For a full listing of Calaveras County events, visit gocalaveras.com.

Columbia State Historic Park:  to visit the park online,  click here.

For Amador County, visit amadorcountychamber.com.

Movies

Sonora, http://www.fandango.com/95370_movietheatershowtimes

Angels Camp, http://www.cinemawest.com/agl.html

Riverbank, http://www.galaxytheatres.com/loc_riverbank.asp

Local Theater

Sierra Repertory Theater, East Sonora and Columbia, http://www.sierrarep.org/content.html?season-2010.cgi

Stage 3 Theater, Sonora, http://www.stage3.org/season.aspx

Day Trips

Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, http://www.railtown1897.com

Columbia State Historic Park, http://www.columbiacalifornia.com/

Big Trees State Park, http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=551

Dodge Ridge Wintersports Area, Highway 108 east of Sonora, 536-5307, www.dodgeridge.com

Outdoor Adventures

Yosemite National Park’s best experts offer outdoor programs aimed at connecting people more deeply to the Sierra.  Learn more at www.yosemite.org, or from the park’s newsletter, Yosemite Guide, available online at www.nps.gov/yose.

Is hiking your passion? For a detailed list of hiking trails in Yosemite and the surrounding area, check out this website: yosemitehikes.com.

Or, you can join the Sierra Club’s Tuolumne Group on foothills hikes.

Special Notices

Signs for Safety

Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Department, through its Community Service Unit, offers low-cost home address signs with high visibility, which can help medical, law enforcement and firefighters get to your home quickly in case of emergency. Cost is $12 for a one-sided sign, $16 for two-sided. 533-5815.

In Search of Volunteers:

Looking for volunteer opportunities? Read the latest issue of Friends and Neighbors for a “Volunteers Needed” listing updated quarterly. Or,  this online directory can link you with local organizations that will welcome your skills and enthusiasm: 1-800-volunteer.org.

You can also call Sierra NonProfit Services in Sonora (533-1093, www.sierranonprofit.org) to chat one-on-one about available volunteer jobs.

In Calaveras County, find local volunteer opportunities by calling (209) 754-1699, calaverasvolunteer.com.

Connect with SIRS:

Local chapters of SIR (Sons in Retirement) in Sonora, Twain Harte, Murphys and Arnold offer a chance for retired men to share companionship and activities. The nonprofit organization has some 20,000 members with 150 branches statewide. For information, visit the group’s main website, www.sirinc.org.

Newcomers Welcome:

Two friendly groups invite area newcomers to join them. The Tuolumne County Newcomers Club meets monthly at different locations; dues are $20 per year, plus cost of any event; contact Gina Wein, 532-4864, www.tcnc.org. Gold Country Social Club meets for lunch the second Tuesday of each month at the Pine Tree Restaurant, 19601 Hess Ave., East Sonora; dues are $12 a year, luncheons $10; call Marion Friary, 532-4144.

Federal Employees:

National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, Chapter 1285, meets first Wednesday of each month, 11:30am, Pine Tree Restaurant adjoining the Best Western, Highway 108 and Hess Ave., East Sonora. President Bob Graves, 532-6936; Carolyn McCrea, 532-5114.  New members welcome; no meetings are held in June, July and August.

Commissions Serve as Voice for Seniors:

The Commission on Aging (COA) in both Tuolumne and Calaveras counties are seeking new members. The panels serve as a voice for seniors and advise county supervisors on related issues.

• Tuolumne County COA meets at 1:30pm the second Monday of month at Area 12 Agency on Aging, 19074 Standard Rd., Sonora. Ira Uslander, 770-4508.
• Calaveras County COA meets 10am the first Friday of month at Calaveras Senior Center, 956 Mountain Ranch Rd., San Andreas.  For info, Sandy Miller, 754-1495. To apply, call Diane Severud, 754-6059, or go online to calaverascountycoa.org.

Best Friends Available:

Find a loving companion at Tuolumne County Animal Control (694-2730) or the Humane Society of Tuolumne County (984-5489), 10040 Victoria Way, Jamestown. Dogs and cats eagerly await your call. Visit the Humane Society online at hsotc.org.