Library hosting talks on South America tour
Take a tour of Brazil and Argentina, without spending a dime!
The Pine River Library is hosting a series of talks this summer, focusing on popular travel destinations around Brazil and Argentina. Former Arizona State University professor Mark Curran will share his experiences traveling onboard the National Geographic Explorer ship last October.
The series starts on Tuesday, June 23 at 7 p.m. and continues every Tuesday through August.Â
The June 23 discussion will cover life on board the "Explorer" during the Atlantic Crossing and unexpected whales found along the path of Charles Darwin on the "Beagle." Then the Explorer moves on to Salvador and an introduction to Afro-Brazilian Culture. Other talks will cover the Cape Verde Republic, Rio de Janeiro, Uruguay, and other exotic locations. Advance signup is appreciated. For a complete course description, or to register for the class, visit the library's website at www.prlibrary.org. Information can also be found at the library, or by calling 884-2222.
Wildcats holding car wash Saturday
The Ignacio Wildcats basketball team will hold a carwash from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Wells Fargo Bank in Ignacio.
Team members are raising funds to attend basketball camp in August. All carwashes will be by donation.
Early bird sign-ups due today for 5K
The La Plata Family Centers Coalition will host this year's Firecracker 5K Run and Family Walk at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 4 at Joe Stephenson Park. Registration is $20 per person or $30 for a family. Registrations are due today at Bayfield Town Hall to guarantee getting a T-shirt. Same-day registration is available, but there is not guarantee of having enough T-shirts. For more information, call Bayfield Town Hall at 884-9544 or the La Plata Family Centers at 385-4747.
Property tax help available for seniors, disabled vets
A property tax exemption will be available for the tax year 2015, affecting taxes payable in 2016 for qualifying seniors and disabled veterans, and surviving spouses of those who previously qualified.
For those who qualify, 50 percent of the first $200,000 of the actual value of their primary residence is exempt. The state pays the tax on the portion that is exempt from property tax if money is available.
Once approved, the exemption remains in effect for future years, and the applicant should not reapply. To verify if you are already signed up or if you would like to receive an application or brochure, please call the La Plata County Assessor's Office at 382-6228. The application deadline for seniors is July 15.
Disabled veterans should contact the Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs for an application. The application deadline for disabled veterans is July 1 with the Division of Veterans Affairs.
Ignacio library receives grant on Latino history
Ignacio Community Library has been selected to receive a competitive grant, "Latino Americans: 500 Years of History" from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the American Library Association (ALA).
As one of 203 grant recipients selected from across the country, the library will receive a cash grant of $3,000 to hold public programming - such as film screenings, discussion groups, oral history initiatives, local history exhibitions, multi-media projects or performances - about Latino history and culture.
The library will release more information and dates on the project as planning progresses.
Registration starts for softball tourney
Bayfield Parks and Recreation will host its annual softball tournament at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 4. Registration is $75 before July 2. Same-day registration is $100. Co-ed teams must have at least four girls. Sign up is at Bayfield Town Hall or online at www.bayfieldgov.org.
Football conditioning class starts Monday
Momentum 24-7 Fitness is offering a conditioning class for Young American Football League players ages 6 to 14. Classes will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday nights starting June 22. The cost is $40, and the class will be taught by Ben Simpson, a certified physical trainer. The class and summer membership are available for 13- and 14-year-olds for $115. To register, call Momentum at 884-6077.
Pine River Shares hosts summer family activities
The Pine River Shares Parent Connection group will have a brunch Monday at 11 a.m. at Eagle Park in Bayfield. Regular meetings are on the first and third Wednesdays at 9 a.m. Pine River Shares general meetings are on the second and fourth Wednesdays at 9 a.m. Summer meetings are at Eagle Park unless it rains.
On Thursdays through July 30, Pine River Shares at Forest Lakes is hosting a story time, craft activities and picnic, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Forest Lakes Activity Center.
Free clothing is available on Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon at 357 N. Mountain View Drive in Bayfield.
Other offerings are childbirth and breast feeding classes, and parents of newborns outreach.
The monthly community potluck in Bayfield will be Saturday, June 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Eagle Park.
Pine River Shares is a community leadership project of the Bayfield Family Center. Area residents are invited to share their knowledge, skills, and resources to help create positive change and a healthy, thriving cocmmunity.
For information call 884-4747.
Community college offers medical assistant training
Southwest Community College will host an information meeting about their medical assistant program at 11 am. on Thursday, June 25, at the west campus on Highway 160 between Mancos and Cortez. Learn how to become a medical assistant in three semesters. SWCC is a division of Pueblo Community College. Information is at (970) 564-6212 or (970) 564-6200 or at EnrollSouthwest.org.
