Sports

Group exercise trainers Christie Brawley and Jennifer Ludvigson get down with the music while getting in shape with Zumba at Feather River Fitness on Jan. 2. Zumba blends dancing and aerobics to form a new, fun way to exercise. Photos by James Wilson

  People across Plumas County are joining in a new exercise craze: Zumba.

  Zumba utilizes the movements of dance to create a unique exercise program that truly works out the body.

  The core idea behind Zumba is that exercise does not need to be boring. To illustrate, Zumba calls its classes “fitness parties.” The instructors guide participants in dances to a blend of Latin and world music.

  The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (formerly Department of Fish and Game) recently released its calendar of events for January. More outdoors and nature-oriented events that are not sponsored by DFW are on the online calendar at wildlife.ca.gov/events.

  Sandhill Crane Wetland Tours are held the first three weekends of each fall/winter month through February at Woodbridge Ecological Reserve near Lodi. The docent-led tours start approximately 90 minutes before sundown and run to about 30 minutes after sunset. Pre-tour registration is required online at wildlife.ca.gov/delta/cranetour and may be made up to six weeks in advance. Suggested donation is $10 per adult. The South Unit of Woodbridge ER is accessible to the public at any time. It features informative interpretive panels, and viewing of sandhill crane “fly-overs” at sundown is common. The Woodbridge North Unit (accessible only by tour) includes a bird-viewing blind and typically receives the “fly-in,” where the cranes come to roost for the night. For more information, visit the website or call 209-948-7708.

Abalone poaching

  Question: As an avid abalone diver, it is disturbing to see all of the poaching going on. It is also disturbing that when the poachers are caught, they have such large numbers of abalone. Why do the wardens observe individuals poaching tens to hundreds of abalone over limit before making an arrest?

  We have read so many stories about time periods passing with observation before action is taken. Is it something about the law that requires such blatant damage before an arrest is justified? Is there a promotion incentive for taking down an especially large poaching ring?

Brett Marty cross-country skis close to Robinson’s Slide, the area named after the tragic avalanche that took the life of George Robinson in 1881. Photos by Mason Warner

  Barry Jewett loves to cross-country ski around the Bucks Lake Wilderness. Jewett has traveled up to Spanish Peak more times than he can count.

  One area Jewett often skied past was a gulch named Robinson’s Slide. Jewett was familiar with the area, but never really thought much about the name of this spot until one day he realized he wasn’t able to find it on any map.