cerca calendar

March comes in like a lyin' buckaroo, promising big fun all month in Cerca Country. But he might be telling the truth. Pick an event and see if it lives up to the promise.

Through June 1, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Gunnar Widforss: Painter of the National Parks. Exhibit of 50 watercolors and drawings by Swedish-born Widforss. Starting in 1921, he spent 13 years focusing his art on U.S. national parks including Yosemite and the Grand Canyon. Museum of Northern Arizona, (928) 774-5213, www.musnaz.org.

Friday-March 14, North Lake Tahoe, Calif.: Snowfest. North Lake Tahoe celebrates winter with events on and off the mountain, throughout North Tahoe area. In its 29th year, the festival includes parades, live music, contests, comedy shows, ski races and a polar bear swim. (530) 583-7167.

Friday and March 19, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Winter Falconry Workshop. Licensed falconers offer a close look at live birds of prey and opportunities to handle birds under close supervision. The Arboretum at Flagstaff. (928) 774-1442, www.thearb.org.

Saturday, Ivins, Utah: Climb to Conquer Cancer. Noncompetitive event features easy six-mile round-trip hike for all ages. Food, entertainment and silent auction. Pet friendly. Snow Canyon State Park and Red Mountain Resort and Spa. (702) 891-9007. www.Utahclimb.com.

Saturday, Cedar Breaks, Utah: Cedar Breaks National Monument Yurt Open House. Ski, snowshoe or hike two miles round-trip to the yurt that serves as winter ranger station. Check afternoon before at (435) 586-9451, ext. 0, for confirmation of weather-dependent event. Dress warm, bring lunch, water, sunscreen. Meet 9 a.m. at Main Street Park Pavilion in Cedar City.

Saturday, Death Valley, Calif.: Death Valley Century and Double Century. Intense bike race from Furnace Creek through the Badwater area, over the mountain passes to Shoshone and back. Two versions, 100-mile and 200-mile. www.adventurecorps.com.

Saturday, Lone Pine, Calif.: Early Opener Trout Derby. Sign-up starts at 6:30 a.m. Fishing continues until 3:30 p.m. weigh-in. Prizes, some cash. Diaz Lake. (760) 876-4444. www.lonepinechamber.org.

March 7, Tahoe City, Calif.: The Great Ski Race. Close to 1,000 Nordic ski racers compete on a 30K course from Lake Tahoe to Truckee. Fundraiser for the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team. www.thegreatskirace.com.

March 11-15, Laughlin: Wings and Wildlife Festival of Southern Nevada. Tours to various habitats to view birds and other area wildlife. Educational seminars include bat netting and falconry, hiking and kayaking excursions, and tradeshow. www.wingsandwildlifefestival.org.

March 12, Zion National Park, Utah: Poetry in the Park. This poetry reading workshop will be presented by acclaimed poet, editor and author N. Colwell Snell. The day includes a morning walk with a Zion Canyon Field Institute Biologist. (800) 635-3959, www.zionpark.org.

March 13, Virginia City: St. Patrick's Day Parade and Oyster Fry. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a parade that travels down streets painted with shamrocks, then feast on the food of lovers. (775) 847-4386. www.virginiacity-nv.org.

March 20, Parowan, Utah: Spring Equinox Observation. A presentation of the ancient Native American solar calendar and observation of the equinox sunset. Parowan Gap Petroglyphs National Historic Site. (435) 477-3734. www.scenicsouthernutah.com.

March 24, Zion National Park, Utah: Wednesday Naturalist Walk. Learn about the physical and biological worlds of Zion with zoologist/ecologist Allen Brown. Reservations needed. Zion Canyon Field Institute, (800) 635-3959, www.zionpark.org.

March 25, Zion National Park, Utah: Thursday Trek. Join a naturalist and learn about the geology, flora, fauna and cultural history of Zion. Reservations needed. Zion Canyon Field Institute, (800) 635-3959, www.zionpark.org.

March 25-28, Laughlin: Laughlin River Stampede PRCA Rodeo. As many as 700 participants compete in eight traditional rodeo events, including bareback bronc riding, team roping and bull riding. (800) 227-5245. www.visitlaughlin.com.

March 28, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Spring Break Star Fest at Lowell Observatory. Evening event features indoor programs as well as opportunities to view Mars and Saturn through telescopes set up throughout campus. (928) 774-3358, www.lowell.edu.