Briefs for July 16, 2009

Trinidad to help statewide historic preservation plan

TRINIDAD- The Colorado Historical Society will hold a public meeting on Thurs. July 16 from 5-6:30 pm at the Trinidad Community Center, 1309 Beshoar Drive.  The meeting will  give residents of Trinidad an opportunity to participate in the development of an upcoming State Historic Preservation Plan. The historical society wants input in order to develop the most effective State Historic Preservation Plan possible, and seeks to identify Trinidad’s strengths and weaknesses in terms of historic preservation. The historical society is also interested to learn how it can provide support and assistance with Trinidad’s  local historic preservation goals.  For more information, call 303/866-2825 or visit www.coloradohistory.org.

Teen Dance

WALSENBURG- La Plaza de Los Leones Youth Auxiliary will host a teen dance Fri. July 17.  DJ Cardo will provide the non-stop music from 7:30 pm to midnight at the Eagles Hall.  The teen dance is open to 7th thru 12th graders; cost is $3.00 per person. There will be door prizes, concessions, lots of fun & dancing! The dance is sport-themed; any student wearing sports apparel will receive an extra ticket for the door prizes!  Once a student leaves the dance, they will not be permitted back in.  If parents have any questions, they may call Ricardo Bobian, Youth Auxiliary Chair at 821-5938.

    La Plaza de Los Leones, Inc. is an all-volunteer, non-profit, community- based organization dedicated to promoting Hispanic cultural awareness and to assisting in the recruitment, admission, and financing of qualified and deserving Huerfano County students to institutions of higher learning.

Cuchara Hermosa Art Show

CUCHARA- The 44th annual Art Show will be held at the Recreation Center in Cuchara on July 17-19 from 10-5 pm on Fri. and Sat. and from 1-4 pm on Sun.  The show features artists from all over the USA and several foreign countries as well as from Colorado.  Many of the artists are well known.  It is free to the public.

    The Art Show is the annual fund raiser for the women’s organization, Cuchara Hermosa, and usually grosses over $50,000.  Their goal is to beautify the valley and make it family friendly with parks, recreation equipment, tennis courts, many flowers and remodeling of the Recreation Center.   It is mainly a hanging art show but does feature some jewelry, pottery and other surprise items.  This is a wonderful time to visit the cooler Cuchara Valley and enjoy the Art Show.

    La Veta artists include the following:  Ann Gethen, Kathy Hill, LaClaire Skaggs, Janey Waldrep.  Colorado artists include the following:  Nathan Solano, David Throndson, Lyle & Lenny Clift, Lynn Chapman, Thresa Vito, Crisela Vise, Ed Posa, Lynn Stenzel, Doug Candelaria.  Marnee Camp has been the Show Director for 28 years.

King Coal, The Story of Coal Mining

    Join Jon Sudar, a local history enthusiast and Walsenburg native, as he tells the story of a time when coal was king.  Come explore the history of coal mining and the Walsen Mine from 1906-1910, the inner workings and operations of a coal mine, and the lives of people who worked in the coal mines and lived in the coal mining camps.  This program will be held at the Pinon Campground Amphitheater.

Sat. July 18, 10:30 am – Kids Nature Scavenger Hunt

Come explore all the little nooks and crannies that Lathrop State Park has to offer as we hunt for different wildflowers, plants, and animals around the Cuerno Verde Trail.  This program is recommended for children ages 4-8, and will  last approximately 2 hours.  All children MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  Water, sunscreen, and closed-toe shoes are highly recommended.  This program will be meeting at the pavilion outside of the Visitor’s Center.

Sat. July 18, 7 pm – Birds of Prey

    Diana Miller of The Nature and Raptor Center of Pueblo will be here to show and tell all about raptors and birds of prey.  Diana will be sharing with us just what makes these birds the great hunters they are:  the way they fly, the tools they use, and their amazing eyesight.  Diana will also bring some raptors to show us these magnificent birds.  This is a program not to be missed and will be taking place in the Pinon Campground Amphitheater.

    All vehicles must have a valid park pass.

    In the event of poor weather, all programs will be held inside the Visitor’s Center in the Multi-Purpose Room.

Drawing from within workshop: July 17-18

LA VETA- Painter and printmaker Brendt Berger′s workshop will consist of a series of exercises which emphasize seeing, process, materials and techniques, all designed to focus on each student′s inner unique self.  The class will cover beginning drawing techniques as well as helping the more advanced students seeking personal truths, unique vision and constructive criticism.  Cost of the two- day workshop is $150.  Class will be held at the La Veta School of the Arts across from the Town Park on Ryus Avenue. For more information or to register, call (719) 989-8238, e-mail LVArtSchool @yahoo.com or check our website www.theLVSA.org. 

 Haywire′s Magic Show:  July 17 & 18

LA VETA- The show is scheduled for 7 pm on July 17 and18 at the historic Francisco Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $12 and should be pre-purchased at the La Veta True Value Hardware.

    Huerfeno′s entertainment scene will get a new twist when comic magician Haywire the Entertainer brings his remarkable antics to La Veta in his hit show ′A Haywire Revue′.  For over 25 years, the brilliant mind behind Haywire Productions has shared his fast paced comedy, magic, and general lovable offbeat bizzarity on television, cruise ships, nightclubs, and festivals throughout the world.

    "I am doing two nights in July. Both shows are perfect for all ages. Of course the kids love the show, but we get many emails from the adults!" says Haywire. "I look forward to shatter what the perception of magic is…"

    And, what does he do?  Those that have seen the show rave about his ability to read minds, predict the future, catch a bowling ball with his face, but above all, capture hearts.  By all accounts, Haywire is hilarious. The show is a non-stop fusion of comedy, magic, and feats of incredible juggling skill. The combination of originality and audience interaction promises to make the show a must-see. "People need to turn off the television, get out of the house, have fun and get their minds blown," Haywire touts.

Navajo Ranch annual picnic

LA VETA- Navajo Ranch Homeowners Association will hold their annual picnic this Sat. July 18 at 4:00 pm, LaVeta Town Park.  All Navajo Ranch residents and their guests are invited.  Fried chicken and beverages will be provided.  Everyone is asked to bring their favorite dish to share.  Join us for great food and  fun for the whole family as well as a chance to meet new neighbors and to connect with old friends.

Opening of Paint Colorado

LA VETA- The Spanish Peaks Arts Council announces the opening of Paint Colorado!  The show is on display until Aug. 8. The opening reception is July 18 from 5-7 pm.  Refreshments will be provided.

    Judge for the show was acclaimed oil painter Tim Deibler.  Two oil paintings by Deibler are also on display.  Winners include Amanda Thompson and Sheigla Hartman of Trinidad, Coni Grant of Alamosa, Ann Gethen and Kathy Hill of La Veta, Kay Bauman of Pueblo, Lynne B. Andrews of Santa Fe, and Jamie Cavalier of Goodyear, AZ and Cuchara.

    As part of its continuing support of all the arts, books by local authors relating to the theme of Colorado will be for sale at the reception, including Deibler′s book and video,  Capturing the Seasons in Oil.

    Gallery hours are Tues. through Sat. 10-3 pm and Sun. noon – 3 pm.  No admission fee.  The SPACe Gallery is located in the La Veta Town Park at 132 W. Ryus.  For additional information visit www.spanishpeaksarts.org or call 719- 742-3074.

    The Spanish Peaks Arts Council is a nonprofit volunteer 501(c)(3) organization, supporting the arts in all its forms in the Spanish Peaks region of Southern Colorado.

Huerfano Cat Coalition

HUERFANO- Huerfano Cat Coalition (“HCC”) will meet Sun. July 19, 2009 at 3 pm at the Huerfano County Community Center, 928 Russell Ave.  HCC, which meets the third Sunday of each month, is dedicated to the humane control of Huerfano County′s feral cat population through spaying and neutering of ALL cats, feral or owned.  Anyone interested is invited to attend.  For more information, call Dr. Margaret Hecht 746-2023 or Carla Dolce 989-8933.

Junior golf program:July 20-25

WALSENBURG- The Junior Golf Program at the Walsenburg Golf Course for ages 11-14 will begin on Mon. July 20 at 5 pm for a one-week session.  Registration is $10 per child which includes instruction daily, awards, use of golf clubs (if needed), use of driving range, and a hot dog celebration at the end of each session.  Scholarships are available if the registration fee is not affordable. Registration forms will be available at the golf course.  For more information, call Commissioner Art Bobian at 989-1772.

Calvary Church VBS

WALSENBURG- Children five years old through sixth grade are invited to Calvary Church VBS Mon. July 20 through Thurs. July 23 from 5:30-8:00 pm each evening.  A complimentary evening meal is included.  A ministry team from Valley Grove Church in Stevenville, Texas will be bringing the VBS program this year and the theme is "Runnin′ the Race, Press on toward the Goal!"  Calvary Church is located at 801 Pennsylvania St., 719-738-2804.

Conservative Citizens Meeting

LA VETA- The Conservative Citizens will meet Mon. July 20 at 6:30 at the La Veta Community Center

Community forum on rural health care

WALSENBURG- Kristen Wyatt, a reporter for Associated Press, will be in Walsenburg on Wed. July 22 to listen to local citizens who would like to share their perspectives on the need for improving rural health care.  An informal community forum will be held at the Housing Authority conference room (220 Russell Avenue) from 10 am to noon.

    Ms. Wyatt is working directly with Washington DC AP staff to bring the thoughts and ideas of rural health care consumers regarding health care reform to a broader audience.  This is an opportunity to express your ideas, needs, and/or frustrations regarding health care delivery, funding, access or other issues that impact your ability to receive quality, affordable health care in our local setting.  For information, contact Sandy Dolak at 719-251-1271 or sd@coruralhealth.org.

Sangre de Cristo Volunteers for Change meeting

WALSENBURG– The next meeting of the Sangre de Cristo Volunteers for change will be on Sun. July 26 at 3:30 pm at the Community Center, 920 Russell.

 Makkai will speak at Open Arms banquet 

WALSENBURG- Tickets are now on sale for the Open Arms Pregnancy Resource Center banquet-fundraiser on August 1 at 6:00 pm at the Walsenburg Community Center.  Featured speaker will be Ellen Makkai, former syndicated columnist.

    In 1946, Ellen was adopted into the family of a Harvard-educated Freudian psychiatrist and raised (unsuccessfully!) to be a Boston Debutante.   She reminisces about summers on the once-quiet Martha′s Vineyard Island, college misbehavior and her unconventional marriage to the son of Hungarian factory workers.  As an adult, Ellen explored the peculiar world of Bible readers and attempted an adoption search.  Though her present life in no way reflects her past, she shares how an ordinary, even mundane, life can hold greater wealth.

    Music will be provided by George Tomsco (of The Fireballs fame) and friends.  Dinner will be chicken cordon bleu with vegetables, homemade rolls and a variety of desserts.

    Tickets are $35 each and must be purchased in advance.  To reserve your seat at this celebration of life, call the Open Arms Center office at 719-738-9994 or send an email to TheDunes1@gmail.com.

PUEBLO- For decades thousands of employees of the Colorado Fuel & Iron Corp. entered and exited the CF&I steel mill via the Main Gate, two tunnels that run under I-25. On Sat. August 1 from 10-4 pm that experience will be available to the public. These historic tunnels will be open for one day only with a regular admission to the Steelworks Museum which also lets you tour the museum and the 1882 Mine Rescue Car #1.

    The Steelworks Museum of Industry and Culture is located at 215 Canal Street in Pueblo (Exit 97A).

WALSENBURG- Huerfano School District Re-1 has three seats opened:   District B (2-year term) currently held by Bill Downey,  District D (4 year term) currently held by Robert Duran, and District F (four-year term) currently held byJesse Jackson.  The School Board Election will be a mail ballot election.   Election Day is November 3, 2009.   

    Nomination petitions may be circulated beginning August 5, 2009.  Persons nominated must be registered voters and residents of the school district for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the election.  Candidates must be residents of the director district and must have at least 25 valid signatures on their petition.  A person is ineligible to run for a school director position if he or she has been convicted of committing a sexual offense against a child. 

    Petitions may be obtained from Dorothy Martinez, Designated Election Official, for Huerfano School District Re-1, Administration Office, 201 East Fifth Street, Walsenburg, Colorado 81089.

Overeaters Anonymous meets

WALSENBURG- Overeaters Anonymous  meets on Fridays at 9:30 am at the Calvary Baptist Church, 801 Pennsylvania in Walsenburg.