At a glance: Events of great magnitude

Venus leaves the morning scene and Mars checks out of the nightscape with the start of the new year but Jupiter picks up the action with a spectacular showing at a brilliant -2.7 magnitude in the eastern sky.

 

Dinner show

The brilliant Jonny Mojo and Steve Johnson are performing at the Wine Smith, 346 Main St. in Placerville, on Saturday, Jan. 5. This is a dinner show and it starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 and it would be wise to get them now. For tickets and more information call 530-622-0516.

 

Good food and music

Great entertainment and music go together at The Cellar in the Smith Flat House, 2021 Smith Flat Road in Placerville, on Tuesday nights with Celtic Harp music by Anne Roos pairing with the fabulous seasonal cuisine at The Cellar. For more details call 530-621-1003.

 

Poetry nights

Poetry-Off-the-Shelves at the El Dorado County Library, 345 Fair Lane in Placerville, continues on the second Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m. This is a great time for poetry lovers — writers, readers and reciters — to get together and share poems. Drop by the library for an entertaining evening. For more information on this free public event, visit the Library Programs and Events calendar on the library’s Website eldoradolibrary.org or contact the Library at 530-621-5540.

 

Thank you breakfast

The Boozefighters M.C. is having a Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, Jan. 12 at PJ’s Roadhouse, 5641 Mother Lode Drive between El Dorado and Shingle Springs. The Boozefighters Motorcycle Club, founded in 1946, is inviting all local bikers to drop their kickstands at P.J.’s between 9 a.m. and noon for free pancakes and sausage breakfast. The breakfast is free — while the supply lasts — courtesy of the local Boozefighters M.C. “Hangtown” Chapter in appreciation of the local biker community’s support of the chapter throughout 2012. To learn more about the breakfast call R.J. “Cowboy” Carter at 530-306-4165.

 

Discover the flute

On Saturday, Jan. 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. discover the music of Greg Kiefer and Mike Ely of the Loping Wolf Flute Clan. They will teach you how to play the flute, read simple music and experiment with several instruments. They will also discuss the Native American history of the flute. For those who own a Native American flute, drum, or rain stick, bring them along and jam with the clan. To sign up for the session and to get the meeting location in the Coloma area contact julie@arconservancy.org or call 530-621-1224. There is a suggested donation of $5 for members and $10 for non-members.

 

Nice to help out

As the year gets underway it is nice to think about supporting some of the wonderful organizations that do good things in El Dorado County.

There is CASA El Dorado that provides Court Appointed Special Advocates to children in the court system. CASA El Dorado serves an average of 350-400 abused and neglected children in the county each year. Think about a donation or becoming a CASA and call John Adams at 530-622-9882 or check out casaeldorado.org.

The Food Bank of El Dorado County is another important resource for many families here. To learn more about what it takes to feed the hungry go to foodbankedc.org or call 530-672-2526.

Another organization needing a few good men and women is the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. The one-on-one attention, mentoring and guidance by mentors offers so much for a child. To help make a difference visit mentors4youth.org or call 530-626-1222.

There are many other super organizations that need donations or volunteers. Think about  helping out — you really do get back so much.