CERCA CALENDAR
December 30, 2007 - 10:00 pm
When January brings real winter to the West, Cerca Country people don't necessarily den up. Some head south to explore Arizona and California, and some go ice fishing. See if one of these events appeals to you:
Through Jan. 6, Flagstaff, Ariz.: "Trappings of the American West" exhibit at the Museum of Northern Arizona celebrates the work of 78 artists from 14 Western states, Hawaii, and Canada. (928) 774-5213, www.musnaz.org.
Wednesday-Jan. 6, Laughlin: 6th Annual Winter Break. Modeled after the traditional spring break of college students, but targets people 50 or older. Participants enjoy dancing, fitness, arts and crafts, educational seminars and live entertainment along the banks of the Colorado River. (888) 278-9844, www.laughlinchamber.com.
Thursday-Jan. 14, Palm Springs, Calif.: Palm Springs Film Festival. Now in its 18th year, this is one of the largest film festivals in the country, with more than 230 films from 65 countries. Seminars, events and gala receptions. (800) 898-7256, www.psfilmfest.org.
Saturday, Springdale, Utah: Carving the Grand Canyon. Geologist and author Wayne Ranney speaks as part of the Fern and J.L. Crawford Lecture Series. Canyon Community Center. (435) 772-3264, www.zionpark.org.
Saturday, Flagstaff: "History of the Hashknife Colt." Breeder Billy Cordasco tells the story of developing this renowned modern variety of quarter horse. 1-2:30 p.m., the Museum of Northern Arizona. (928) 774-5213, www.musnaz.org.
Jan. 13, St. George, Utah: Painter's Half Marathon & 5K Run. Half marathon begins at the Main Street trailhead by the Dixie Convention Center and runs 13.1 miles. The 5K course runs in the opposite direction of the half marathon. (435) 634-5860, www.utahstgeorge.com.
Jan. 12-13, Yuma, Ariz.: Gathering of the Gunfighters. Thirteen Old West re-enactment groups from four Southwestern states perform. Vittles and libations will be offered. Yuma Territorial Prison State Park. (520) 783-4771, www.pr.state.az.us.
Jan. 14-19, Parowan, Utah: Parowan Film Festival. This event features a week of movies that were filmed in Utah. Aladdin Theater. (435) 559-4504, www.scenicsouthernutah.com.
Jan. 19-20, Ely: White Pine Fire and Ice Show. Snow and ice sculptures are created by locals and visitors alike at Cave Lake Sate Park. Fireworks show Jan. 20. Cash prizes. (775) 289-8877, www.parks.nv.gov.
Jan. 20, Flagstaff: MLK Star Fest. Guest speaker Nadine Barlow from Northern Arizona University will give an indoor presentation, "Searching for Water on Mars." You also will have the opportunity to see Mars through the same telescope used by Percival Lowell when he studied this fascinating planet. Lowell Observatory. (928) 774-3358, www.lowell.edu.
Jan. 21, Flagstaff: School's Out & Kids are free. Observatory will be open for kids' activities throughout the day. Activities include science demonstrations; telescope viewing of the sun; Space Theatre programs; tours, including stops at the Pluto Telescope dome. There will be a self-guided scavenger hunt of the exhibit hall and outdoor exhibits. (928) 774-3358, www.lowell.edu.
Jan. 23-27, Quartzsite, Ariz.: Pow Wow Gem and Mineral Show. This is the largest operating display of lapidary equipment and supplies in the country with over 300 dealers displaying, buying and selling. Pow Wow Building. (928) 927-6325, www.Quartzsitechamber.com.
Jan. 24-27, Laughlin: Laughlin Desert Challenge. More than 200 of the world's top off-road drivers compete in the annual race. An estimated 30,000 fans attend this event, the first race in the SCORE Series throughout the Southwest, which ends with the BAJA 1000. (800) 308-2253, www.score-international.com.
Jan. 25-27, Yuma: Lettuce Days. This event takes place in the "Winter Lettuce Capital of the World", where you can see farm equipment and agricultural displays, a lettuce-box car derby and enjoy arts and crafts, food and entertainment. (928) 782-5712, www.yumalettucedays.com.
Jan. 26- Feb. 2, Elko: National Cowboy Gathering. A weeklong celebration of Western life featuring traditional and contemporary arts. Poetry, music, film, photography. Exhibits, workshops, film screenings. Western Folklife Center. (888) 880-5885, www.westernfolklife.org.
Jan. 25-27, St. George: Winter Bird Festival. Take part in field trips, workshops, live displays and presentations while enjoying Southwest Utah's hot spots. Red Cliffs Chapter of the National Audubon Society. Tonaquint Park and Nature Center. (435) 879-2270, www.utahstgeorge.com.
To offer items for Cerca Calendar listings, contact Deborah Wall at Deborabus@aol.com.