BEEP hosting Breakfast with Santa
Bayfield Early Education Program will host its annual Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 13.
There are two seatings for breakfast at 8 or 9:30 a.m. at the Bayfield Elementary gym. The event includes visits with Santa Claus, Christmas crafts for kids to make, entertainment, door prizes and a silent auction.
Reservations are required by calling 884-7137 or 884-8004.
CDOT shows "Bridge to Nowhere" preferred link
Colorado Department of Transportation will host an open house on Monday, Dec. 1, to show the new preferred alternative (RGM6) to connect the "Bridge to Nowhere" interchange to Highway 550 south. The open house will be 4 to 6 p.m. at the Durango Public Library. Community members will be able to see the preferred route and other alternatives that have been considered.
An alternative route submitted in 2012 by the Webb Ranch has been rejected after review by an independent consultant because of safety, maintenance, cost and other issues as well as environmental, business and residential impacts, according to CDOT Region 5.
Details are at http://www.coloradodot.info/projects/us550-at-160. A Record of Decision is expected in spring 2015.
Commissioner holding office hours
La Plata County Commissioner Julie Westendorff will hold her monthly meet-the-public session from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Dec. 4, at the Pine River Public Library conference room. All are welcome to come ask questions or make comments.
Westendorff said she appreciates feedback she has received at her previous sessions in Bayfield. They happen the first Thursday each month. For more information call 382-6219.
Ignacio arts fundraiser is Dec. 5
The annual Dancing Spirit Community Arts Center "Fill Your Bowl for Art" fundraiser will be Friday, Dec. 5, at the gallery from 5 to 8 p.m. For a $10 donation, enjoy a variety of handmade soups, breads, and desserts. Take home a handmade ceramic bowl for an additional $5.
Choke Cherry Jam will provide the music.
Proceeds will support the center's operating costs and provide art, dance, and music education to community members of all ages at little or no cost to them.
Dancing Spirit Community Arts Center is a 501-c3 non-profit organization. Their 5,000 square feet of space in the old Moon's Cycle building houses a gallery of work by local artists, plus a variety of classes in the visual and performing arts as well as community events.
For more information call 563-4600 or go to DancingSpiritCommunityArtsCenter.org.
Old-Fashioned Christmas Dec. 6
The Town of Bayfield will host its annual Old-Fashioned Christmas from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 at the old gym in downtown Bayfield.
The event includes free chili, hot chocolate, cookies and nachos; stocking giveaways; photos with Santa; face painting; and holiday crafts.
Non-perishable food items are being accepted for the Bayfield food pantry. Two cans of food can be exchanged for a raffle ticket for a total of 10 tickets. Raffle tickets also can be purchased for $2 each.
For more information, call 884-9544.
BHS surveying community
Bayfield High School administrators are surveying students, parents and community members.
"We are seeking feedback on courses that are currently offered, courses that could be offered in the future, career interest, bell schedule, course times and lunch length," Principal Leon Hanhardt wrote in the BHS newsletter. "Your input is valuable as we begin planning for next year. Please go to the following link to take the survey and answer the questions as a parent." The survey is online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PNMVDQ8
"Craft-aganza" planned at library
The Pine River Library is hosting an open-house style "Craft-aganza," with simple, fun projects for all ages and abilities. The event will run from 2 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3 in the library's community room.
The library will provide all the supplies to make cards, gift card holders, gift tags, and a tasty treat.
Advance signup is helpful. Register on the library's online calendar at www.prlibrary.org or call 884-2222.
Learn to grow your own... microgreens
Kami Larson will teach a free class on how to grow your own tasty and nutritious microgreens on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. at the Pine River Library. Microgreens such as sprouts take very little indoor space.
This will be a hands-on class, and participants will be able to take home samples.
Advance sign-up is required because of limited space and materials. Call the library at 884-2222 or the on-line calendar at www.prlibrary.org.
Bell ringers needed for Salvation Army
The Salvation Army of La Plata County is looking for volunteer bell ringers for the 2014 campaign. There are two-hour slots available at various locations around Durango and at the Grocery Store in Bayfield, from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve. To volunteer, call Kathy at 247-7764, or for Bayfield time slots, call Carol at 884-2884.
Hospice holding remembrance service
Hospice of Mercy will host the annual "Tree of Lights: A Gathering of Remembrance" events next week. The Tree of Lights service invites the community to come together during the holiday season to remember loved ones who have died. Names of loved ones will be read at the services, along with a lighting of candles and musical reflection. One service is at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3 at the Pagosa Springs Chamber of Commerce, and at noon on Thursday, Dec. 4, in the Chapel at Mercy Regional Medical Center. For more information, contact Hospice of Mercy at 382-2000.
Holiday season opens tonight in Durango
The annual Singing with Santa procession and tree lighting in downtown Durango is this evening. All are invited to participate. Caroling procession participants should gather at 5:45 p.m. at the First National Bank parking lot at 259 W. 9th St. The first 500 children will receive glow sticks from the bank.
At around 6 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive in a horse-drawn wagon to lead the foot parade to Main Avenue and then north to Buckley Park at 12th and Main for lighting of the big holiday tree that is festooned with LED lights. The lighting will happen at around 6:30.
Photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available at the park until around 7:30. Please bring your own camera.
Free hot chocolate and cookies will be available at the park, courtesy of the Lost Dog Bar and Lounge, Durango Party Rental, and McDonald's.
The tree lights are made possible by Eagle Crane, Durango Motor Company, LPEA, the Business Improvement District, and Durango Electrical Services.
The over-all event also is supported by the Durango Chamber of Commerce, Durango Diplomats, City of Durango, La Plata County Mounted Patrol, Prairie Fire Percherons, and Directory Plus.
