Spring is a great time for renewal, trying new things, and recycling. El Dorado residents are invited to recycle old tires at “Tire Amnesty Days.” Every third Saturday of the month at the Materials Recovery Facility anyone with a few old tires is encouraged to bring them by. Rims or large equipment tires will not be accepted. Also note that it is illegal to transport more than nine tires in the state of California. For more information call 530-621-5300.

As for trying new things, how about sipping new wines and old some favorites? Save the date for the 19th Annual El Dorado Winery Association Passport Weekend! On April 10-11 and 17-18, 26 wineries will participate in the festivities. Each winery will offer spectacular wines and hors d’oeuvres and some warm El Dorado County hospitality to boot. There’s special ticket pricing for designated drivers. Visit eldoradowines.org to plan your weekend.

On Saturday, March 27, Georgetown Divide Recreation District will host a children’s event, “Easter in the Park” at The Garden Valley Park in El Dorado. The Easter egg hunt will start at 12:30 p.m. Bring a basket and enjoy candy, music and games.

The El Dorado County Republican Women Federated meets the first Monday of every month, except in September. Join them at Denny’s in Placerville at 10:30 a.m. for interesting discussions and informative speakers. Cost is $11 for lunch and $30 for a year’s membership. Call 530-644-6490 or visit cfrw.org for more information.

Cap a weekend night off with gazing at the stars. The Cameron Park Rotary Club Community Observatory invites the public to learn about the universe at the Observatory with the help of trained docents. Two 14-inch telescopes are open to the public on weekend evenings, 7:30-9:30 p.m. call 530-642-5621, extension 9, for more information or visit communityobservatory.com.

Need a family activity for a quiet weekend? March 14-15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Pleasant Valley Road in El Dorado, view quilts of all kinds on display throughout the shops. There will also be quilt demonstrations.

Bring the kids to the El Dorado Hills Branch Library, March 1-20, for the Winter Reading Program for Children. All children are invited to join in the fun, even appropriate for pre-reading children who have an adult to read to them. For more information, go to eldoradolibrary.org or call the library at 530-621-5540.

Celebrate spring in Placerville at the “Rhythm and Blues Spring Fling Party,” March 20 from 7-11 p.m., on historic Main Street and support a grassroots fundraiser for the beautification of the city. The event will feature music, food, a no-host bar, celebrity bartenders, prizes and more. Contact the Placerville Downtown Association for more information at 530-626-3554 or visit placerville-downown.org.

Come out and see the Art Exhibit at Mira Flores Winery on March 6, where artists Laura Butler, Tito Abrahms, Mary Mendlein, Valerie Neirgarth, and Pamela Finleton will feature their latest works, with a wine and cheese reception at 2 p.m. For more information, visit mirafloreswinery.com.

That’s all for now, but check back next month to see What’s Up in our annual Get Outside feature issue!

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