Here are are events that we would like to high light:

11/27/2009 - 12/24/2009, Columbia: "Candy Cane Making"

Watch thru the window - see how they do it. Weekends: Columbia Candy Kitchen, Columbia

Dec 4th & 5th, Columbia: Lamp Light Tours

Dec 5th, Saturday, Natural Bridges Hike, "Identifying the Flora of Natural Bridges"

10 a.m., Hike along with Ranger Hilary to discover the diverse  plant communities along the Natural Bridges Trail. Learn how  to identify the floral communities of Natural Bridges.

DIFFICULTY: This is a moderate-to-strenuous downhill hike, 1.5 miles roundtrip. Participants may return uphill on their own.

INSTRUCTIONS: Meet at the Natural Bridges trailhead on Parrott's Ferry Road. The ranger will post a temporary sign upon arrival. No dogs are allowed on the trail to Natural Bridges.

December 11 & 12, 2009 - MERRY MERCHANTS,

Columbia Free carriage rides on Friday night.

Dec 12 - 20th, Columbia: A Miner's Christmas

Dec 13th, 2009, Equestrian Parade & Los Posadas Nativity

Through Dec 13th, "Little Women", SRT, East Sonora

Nov 13 - Dec 20, 2009, "Christmas My Way: A Sinatra Holiday Bash"

Dec 20th, Natural Bridges Hike, "The History of Natural Bridges". 10 a.m., Discover the natural wonders along the trail of Natural Bridges as you explore with Ranger Phil. Hear the stories of "Old Bach" and the early inhabitants of this unique location.

DIFFICULTY: This is a moderate-to-strenuous downhill hike, 1.5 miles roundtrip. Participants may return uphill on their own.

INSTRUCTIONS: Meet at the Natural Bridges trailhead on Parrott's Ferry Road. No dogs are allowed on the trail to Natural Bridges.

Dec 20th, Guns of the Choosen Few - Reenactment of Old West

Ongoing: Entertainment at the Black Oak Casino, Tuolumne

Any time after Thanksgiving thru December:  Cut a Christmas Tree, Buy Apples, Bakery Goodies, etc.

As soon as the snow flys:

Dodge Ridge Resort: www.dodgeridge.com/site

Leland Meadow Snow Play: www.snowplay.com

A 50 minute drive from Columbia. Stay here and drive up for the day. Return to hot showers and local restaurants.

Any time: See Yosemite Valley in the Winter, 2 hour drive

Ongoing: Things to See and Do in the area:

Recommended local restaurants:

(Check the book of menus in our lounge)

Pete's, on Parrotts Ferry Road, next to gas station

Devon's Delectibles - a deli, downtown Columbia

Kate's Tea House, downtown Columbia

Gold Street Bakery and Cafe, 2 blks W of Columbia

Brown's Coffee House, Main St, Columbia

St Charles Saloon, Main St, Columbia

Jack Douglass Saloon, Main St, Columbia

El Jardines Mexican, Parrotts Ferry Rd, in Columbia

The Frosty, Parrotts Ferry Rd, entering Columbia

Billy Whiskers Breakfast, Parrotts Ferry Rd, Columbia

Come see us:

The Friendly Staff at the Marble Quarry

Esther Osborne (Gen Manager), Myke Little (Park Manager), Joan Soma, Connie Little, Joe Story, Roy Dohring, Ralph Squire (owner/editor)

(Joan has had successful hip replacement surgery, and should be back soon. John Dahlen has retired.)