Protect American River Canyons to hold Winter River Social

Protect American River Canyons is holding its free American River Winter River Social this Friday, Feb. 28, at General Gomez Arts, 808 Lincoln Way in Auburn. Open Your Heart to the American and Bear rivers from from 7 to 9 p.m. Doors open at 6:30. Swing and django music will be provided by The Tepid Quartet. PARC President Tim Woodall will offer multimedia updates on current and upcoming American River restoration and access improvement projects in the Auburn State Recreation Area, including the proposed Auburn To Cool Trail Bridge at China Bar, Highway 49 Bridge debris removal, Yankee Jims Bridge replacement and Earth Day 2025 cleanup and river enrichment activities. Otis Wollan, representing the Bear Protection and Restoration Collaborative (BearPARC), will provide a multimedia presentation about the proposed Bear River Park. Now that Nevada Irrigation District has abandoned its plans for the Centennial Dam, there is momentum to conserve the natural river-canyon environment, increase fire protection, improve trails and provide a recreational hydro release and river access for paddling sports on the Bear. Admission is free, though donations are welcome. In addition to the Bear River and PARC updates, the evening will include Mystic Design American River poster and T-shirt art, and a silent auction. A no-host beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverage bar will also be available. For more information, call 530-537-2241 or email info@PARC-Auburn.org.