What's happening

The 11th annual Winter Trails Day will give the public the chance to try snowshoeing and cross country skiing free of charge at more than 100 parks and recreation centers across North America.

Geared toward children, families and first-timers, Winter Trails events provide the opportunity to discover the fitness benefits and fun to be had by participating in these easy-to-learn winter sports. Equipment will be provided at most locations.

Winter Trails Day will take place Saturday at Hope Valley Outdoor Center. Call (530) 694-2266 or go to www.wintertrails.org.



Vets to return to Iwo Jima

Marines and their brother and sister veterans of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines, and family members and friends, from March 2 to 10 will return to the battlefield site of Iwo Jima.

The return will include military veteran spokesmen from each nation. Veterans, families and descendants will walk and motor the battlefield, and talk to each other from either side.

Retired U.S. Marine Corp. Brig. Gen. Edwin H. Simmons, director emeritus Marine Corps Historical Center, said that to grasp the quintessence of war and the extent to which man will go for his cause, it is incumbent for everybody to visit Iwo Jima.

For U.S. veterans this is a return to where they stood in the most costly battle since the America Civil War. Their return is sponsored by the Combat Veterans of Iwo Jima Inc.

Interested veterans, families and friends can call Combat Veterans of Iwo Jima at (703) 212-0695; fax (703) 212-8567; e-mail CombatVetIwo@ miltours.com; or visit the Web site at www.miltours.com. The return is being coordinated by Military Historical Tours, 4600 Duke Street, Alexandra, VA 22304-2517.