Trails 2000 seeking grant
The voting for Chapman Hill Bike Park Project began April 21 for the 2014 Bell Built Grant, and Trails 2000 is seeking backing of the local and statewide community in the vote.
The grant awards $100,000 to three trail-building projects across the United States, and regional grant winners are selected by public vote, which takes place through May 4. The grant program supports trail-building projects that create places to ride for a broad spectrum of mountain bikers and include any combination of flow trail, downhill/gravity trail and bike park/pump track.
The bike park at Chapman will include flow trails and improve the existing multi-use trails. The pump track aims to accommodate all ages and skill levels. The winner is based solely on the number of votes, and the contest does not take into account population. The central region winner will be announced May 5.
To vote, visit www.bellhelmets.com/bellbuilt/chapman-bike-park-project or www.bellhelmets.com/bellbuilt.
Duane Smith to give final speech at FLC
This year, Duane Smith will retire from teaching at Fort Lewis College. He will give a final lecture at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Community Concert Hall at FLC.
Tickets are free. For ticket information, visit www.durangoconcerts.com. The evening will be streamed at www.fortlewis.edu/live-stream. Smith’s last lecture will feature stories and insights from nearly 50 years of teaching at FLC, as well as experiences in the Durango community. He will share some history, along with life lessons, musings and advice. Smith first came to the college in 1964 as an assistant professor in the History Department.
For more information, call 247-7427.
Cattlemen to host annual banquet
The Wild Country Dance Band will perform at the La Plata-Archuleta Cattlemen’s annual banquet and ball on Saturday at the Sky Ute Casino Resort in Ignacio.
The social hour will begin at 6 p.m., a prime-rib buffet will be served at 7 p.m., which will be followed by a short program and dancing. Tickets will be available through today at Basin Co-op in Durango, Pine River Valley Bank in Bayfield, Valley Feeds in Gem Village, Wells Fargo Bank in Ignacio and Boot Hill in Pagosa Springs.
For more information, call 247-2816.
Risks from artificial life to be discussed
“Risks from Artificial Life/Artificial Intelligence” will be discussed at noon Sunday in Bowman Hall at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango, 419 San Juan Drive.
People are asked to bring a sack lunch. The artificial life could be modifying existing life or creating wholly new forms of life. Either one could out-compete existing life. Though some say artificial intelligence is no match for human stupidity, it probably won’t work out that way. Many people believe these are the gravest threats we face. The group will discuss what they can do to reduce these risks.
For more information, call (970) 317-4207 or email david.denkenberger@gmail.com.
Jumping mouse to be addressed
In conjunction with the La Plata-Archuleta Cattlemen’s meeting, Michael Thabault, assistant regional director for Ecological Services and his New Mexico counterpart, will address the issues of the New Mexico meadows’ jumping mouse and its listing and habitat as an endangered species at 7 p.m. Monday at the Extension Building of the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave.
The comment period about the economic analysis will continue through May 8. To access the federal register, visit https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2014-07629.pdf.
For more information, call 247-2816.
Herald Staff
