BLYTHE - Bluegrass Festival Jan. 14 - 16, 2011

One of the biggest Bluegrass events in the U.S. includes two stages packed with musicians all day long for 3 full days, plus contests, quilt show, food, merchandise booths and more, make this the event not to miss for bluegrass lovers. Artist Lineup Ralph Stanley II Chris Jones & The Night Drivers Dave Peterson & 1946 IIIrd Generation Bluegrass The Blue Canyon Boys Wayne Taylor and Appaloosa Silverado Thomas Porter & Copper River Band Monroe Crossing Virtual Strangers Plow The Kid Fiddlers Grasslands . Time: Daily. -55. Location: Colorado River Fairgrounds, 11995 Olive Lake Blvd., Blythe, CA 92225. 922-8166. blythebluegrass

COSTA MESA - Popcorn Celebration

Kaptain Kernel, the King of Korn, greets visitors to the Orange County Market Place swap meet on the weekend of Jan. 15 & 16, 2011 in honor of National Popcorn Day event Jan. 19. Between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. you can eat free popcorn both days – Saturday and Sunday. Orange County Market Place, 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa, CA, is held every Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., except during the annual Orange County fair. Admission is for ages 13 years and over, and free for children 12 and under. Free parking is also available. 723-6660 or ocmarketplace

LOS ANGELES - Bride World Expo Jan. 15 - 16, 2011

Bridal ideas and vendors, save time. Shop and compare 150 wedding products and services.. Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. . Location: L.A. Convention Center 1201 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90015 (213) 741-1151. brideworld

LOS ANGELES - Downtown on Ice through Jan. 17, 2011

Holiday ice rink is an annual event with free concerts and paid ice skating at temporary rink constructed at Pershing Square near the Civic Center. Rink is open daily. Time: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and open until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. / adult, child 4 to 12, free age 3 & under. Location: Pershing Square 532 South Olive Drive Los Angeles, CA. (213) 847-4968. laparks

MORRO BAY - Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival Jan. 14 - 16, 2011

14th Annual Bird Festival held in one of the top birding destinations in the nation (a Globally Important Bird Area, State and National Estuary, and Pacific Flyway) showcases the birds with birding hikes, tours, field trips on the ocean and bay, plus workshops, guest speakers and exhibits. Scheduled field trips include open sea, kayak, shorebird, and Sandhill Cranes and Bald Eagles viewing. 5 - 70. Time: 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location: 2875 Ironwood Ave., Morro Bay, CA. 634-1414. morrobaybirdfestival .

PALM SPRINGS - Palm Springs International Film Festival Jan. 6 - 17, 2011

PALM SPRINGS - Fest Film Festival. 11 days of world-class films (short films) in sunny Palm Springs Camelot Theatres in downtown area. Location: 2300 E Baristo Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262.. the festival box office at 898-PALM. psfilmfest

SAN FRANCISCO - Dine About Town Jan. 15 - 31, 2011 dineabouttown

Participating restaurants include Bisou Bistro, Comstock Saloon, E'Tutto Qua, First Crush, Fish & Farm, Forbes Island, Garcon, Hyde Street Bistro, Luce, Ponsu, Roy's, Ruth's Chris, SILKS, Sociale, Swell, Tommy Toy's, Urban Tavern, Velvet Room and Waterbar.

Participating wineries and beverage stations include Chateau Montelena Winery, Domaine Chandon, Stolichnaya Vodka, Thirsty Bear Brewing Company, Treasure Island Wines, The Winery, San Francisco and Wente Vineyards.

SANTA CRUZ - Monarch Butterfly Tour. Visitors can take Monarch Butterfly Tours at Natural Bridges State Beach. These walks take place during the winter months, when migrating monarchs come to Santa Cruz. The monarchs are migrating from their over-wintering sites along this portion of the coast and heading north, south and east. Public tours are offered on weekends in January and no reservations are necessary. Meet at the Visitor Center for the hour-long program. Monarch migration is variable, you may wish to before you visit to check the current population 423-4609. Time: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Location: West Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz, CA.

SANTA ROSA -Gem Faire Jan. 14 - 16, 2011

Over 70 exhibitors at this annual gem faire event. Location: Sonoma County Fairgrounds/Grace Pavilion 1350 Bennett Valley Rd, Santa Rosa, CA

Dealers include: AmeriTool, Inc., Amulete Unlimited, Ands Silver, Anil Kumar, Inc., Aquamarine Enterprises, BeadsLand, Beauty & the Beads, C Y Lin Company, Chau's Pearl, Close-Out Depot/Elite Investment Group, E Z Trading, East West Best Trading Co, Elegant Gems (Frmly Craft Palace), EXIM BEADS, Eye of Buddha (Frmly NAVA Trdg), Fu Cheung Natural Stone Fine Art, Gemini Gems, Gemstones of Africa, Gemstones Inc, Getting Rich Company, Global MarketPlace, Global Sourcing, Goddess, Grand Imports, Himalaya's Legend, Himalayan Essentials, Import World, J M Beads, J M Imports, Jewellrism, La Maya Imports, Liza Wataghani, Mermaid Trading Company, Ming's Trading Co, Molly Jewelry, P R Jewelry, Rocks & Relics, Saad's (SIW) Jewelry, Smooth Gem, Inc, StarWest Enterprises, Inc, STYLE GEMS & Jewlery, Sweet Creek Creations, Takashima/Evergreen Gems, Tibetan Arts & Handicrafts, Twan Kee Co., Inc., White Rhino Silver

WALNUT CREEK - Downtown Walnut Creek on Ice - through Jan. 17, 2011

This seasonal ice skating rink offers holiday exercise and fun in a beautiful outdoor setting. Runs through Jan. 17. Time: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. 1 - 15. Location: Civic Park, Clay Arts Parking Lot, Walnut Creek, CA. 935-7669. iceskatewalnutcreek

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