Events at Spanish Peaks Library
WALSENBURG– On Thurs. July 29 at 3 pm join a Cake Decorating Workshop with Barbara and Amanda Buckwalter. Bring your own design or use one of the many we have. Cake and frosting will be provided.
On Wed. Aug. 4 from 10 am–Noon, plan a Garden Sculpture for Spanish Peaks Library with Dianne Hanisch. 4th thru 8th grade youth will build a sculpture for the Library!
Children’s Story Hour on Fri., Aug. 6 at 10:30 am presents the History of Chocolate. Come and discover the rich, flavorful history of chocolate. From the mythical lands of the Mayans and Aztecs to the royal houses of Europe to the modern day candy bar. Enrich your minds and taste buds with this presentation by Linda Beverly.
Please sign up for workshops at the main desk in the Library. For more information please call 738-2774 or visit the website at www.spld.org .
Fridays for Fun
LA VETA- Create a unique life-sized self-portrait using paint, paper, collage materials and found objects. Dress for a mess, as we will be doing some face-painting and engaging in a range of activities chosen to highlight the essence of each child. Linda Frederick welcomes you to this class, which meets this Fri. July 30, from 1-4 pm at the La Veta School of the Arts and costs $30. Ten scholarships are available on a first-come first-served basis. Register online at www.theLVSA.org or call 719 742-3421.
4-H Fashion Revue
LA VETA- Members enrolled in Clothing and Decorate Your Duds will present their annual 4-H Fashion Revue on Fri. July 30 at 1:30 pm at the 4-H Building.
Participants will be judged on construction of exhibits in the morning and on modeling and fit in the afternoon. The public is invited to attend the modeling portion of the event.
VFC food collection
LA VETA- Judith Sims-Barlow, Bonnie Rose, and Stirling Lathrop, members of the Volunteers for Change, will inaugurate the VFC collection of nonperishable food for needy families at Charlie′s Market in La Veta on Fri. July 30 from 1-5:30 pm.
Food collected this month will be taken to St. Benedict′s Episcopal Church to go to Dorcas Circle for distribution in Walsenburg. Next month all food collected will be given to the First Baptist Church in La Veta. In September, collected food will be given to the Feed Store Church.
We plan to have a food-collection table at Charlie′s on the last Friday of each month from 1 to 5:30, at least during good weather. Please come over, say hello, and drop off a can or box of food for those in La Veta and Walsenburg who need a little extra help in these difficult economic times. Thank you!
The Last Love Song
LA VETA, CUCHARA- Andy Hackbarth’s′s new album, The Last Love Song is out! Get it at: www.AndyHackbarth.com or visit Andy′s itunes store! Andy′s music is also available at all major digital distribution sites!
Andy will be performing July 30 and 31 at the Dog Bar Saloon with Due West and Holly Furman. The show is sponsored by Cuchara Valley Physical Therapy.
Lathrop Park programs
• Geology and Seismic Activity of the Spanish Peaks
Ever wonder how these magnificent mountains were created? Or what about the local volcanoes? Did you know that we have had tiny earthquakes in the area? Brian Penn, PhD, will be here to tell you all about it on Fri. July 30 at 8:30 pm.
Brian is a geoscientist, and a general geology enthusiast, with a great knowledge of the geology of the Rocky Mountains and specifically the Spanish Peaks. Come on out to Lathrop to see what kind of hidden treasures lie beneath us!
• Musicians Andy Hackbarth and Holly Fuman
Andy Hackbarth is back in town! Lathrop is very proud to present a local boy who has recently been playing out of Nashville! Andy has been opening recently for acts like Melissa Ethridge: he just got nominated for Denver’s Songwriter of the Year Award and has recently released a new CD titled “The Last Love Song.”
Please join us in welcoming him home on Sat. July 31 at 5 pm.
• Insects with Kathy Dodge
Kids and Adults alike will love this creepy crawly presentation by one of Pueblo’s finest environmental educators. Kathy Dodge will be bringing out insect models and explaining how all bugs are insects but not all insects are bugs! We’ll see how she uses famous TV show ideas like Survivor, The Bachelorette, and Make Over Home Edition to explain different insects’ behaviors on Sat. July 31 at 7 pm.!
Clayton Staples exhibit
LA VETA- The Spanish Peaks Arts Council (SPACe) will showcase much admired artist Clayton Henri Staples July 31 & Aug. 1 at the Parkside Gallery, 127 W. Ryus in La Veta. The Clayton Staples Retrospective “Artists Never Retire” looks at his life and works done primarily after he retired from Wichita State University and settled in Cuchara, Colorado in 1950.
The event is a fundraiser for the SPACe Gallery Expansion, with tickets to the gala reception available for $20 at Charlie’s Market, the SPACe Gallery and at the door. Refreshments and music by The Empty Pockets Band will be provided from 5 – 7 pm.
Three unframed prints will be offered in a Silent Auction at the show as well as notecards. Lots of memorabilia as well as original paintings will comprise the show. The exhibit will be open 10-4 pm Sat. and Sun. with donations for the Building Fund accepted at the door.
Water Media Class
LA VETA- The La Veta School of the Arts is offering Water Media August 2 through 6 with instructor and artist Joan Hanley. Learn how to develop a painting and know when to stop, using traditional and experimental techniques. See how paint reacts to different paper surfaces (a variety of papers will be offered for sale), learn to float color, and dry brush for example. Joan has been a painter, sculptor and illustrator for many years since studying at the Art Institute of Chicago. Class will be held at The La Veta School of the Arts across from the town park in La Veta. For more information call 719.989.0339, e-mail LaVetaArtSchool@yahoo.com or check our website at www.theLVSA.org Cost is $375.
PCMS open house
PINON CANYON- Colonel John Kolasheski, Commander, 4th Infantry Division, 2nd Brigade Combat Team and Colonel Robert McLaughlin, Fort Carson Garrison Commander cordially invite you to an open house at Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site for an insight into soldier training on Thurs. Aug. 5
from 8 am-4 pm.
Events will include the following: 8:30 am briefing on military training occurring at Piñon Canyon; 9 am-observe soldier training on the training range; noon-tactical vehicle displays with presentations by 2nd Brigade Combat Team Soldiers.
We request you wear comfortable closed toed shoes or boots. Please R.S.V.P by Aug. 2, to the Fort Carson Community Relations Office by calling Ms. Billie Garner, 719-526-1246 or Ms. Lori Waters, 719-526-1256 or by emailing Billie.garner@us.army.mil or Lori.waters@us.army.mil. Please include your name and contact information.
Stock Growers Meeting
WALSENBURG- The Huerfano County Stock Growers Association will meet at La Plaza Inn Thurs. Aug. 5. at 7 pm. The meeting is to finalize plans for the ranch rodeo and get volunteers for the event.
Register Now for Sept. ACT® Test
IOWA CITY, IOWA- Registration is now open for the Sept. 11, 2010 ACT achievement test. Students who wish to take the college admission and placement exam must register before August 6.
The national ACT September exam is the earliest college admissions test date of the school year. For high school seniors, this date is an excellent opportunity to receive test results in time for early decision applications. The September test date is offered only within the 50 United States and the District of Columbia.
The ACT is a curriculum-based achievement exam. It tests what students have actually learned in school, not their aptitude for learning. The ACT also measures what students need to know to be ready for entry-level college-credit courses based on ACT College Readiness Standards™. Every student’s results can be tied directly to these consistent standards.
The ACT has four sections—English, mathematics, reading and science—and takes about three hours to complete. Students who take the ACT Plus Writing complete an optional writing test that requires an additional 30 minutes. Unlike other exams, students are not penalized for guessing or answering all the questions on each test section. In fact, it is beneficial for test takers to answer all questions within the time allowed.
During registration, students may select up to four universities to receive their score reports. ACT scores are accepted by all four-year colleges and universities across the United States. ACT reports scores only when requested to do so by the student. Additional score reports are available for a small fee.
All students complete a detailed inventory of questions during ACT registration. Each test taker receives an ACT score report that includes a wide variety of information to assist with high school course selection, college readiness, career planning, and college admissions.
The cost for the ACT test without writing is $33. When combined with the optional ACT Writing Test, the total cost is $48. Students who qualify may apply for a fee waiver through their high school counselor.
The ACT website, www.actstudent.org, has helpful information, free sample items, and options to order inexpensive test prep materials to help test takers get ready for the exam. However, the best preparation is to take rigorous core courses in school, study hard, and learn the academic skills needed in college.
Most students register online at www.actstudent.org. Students may also pick up registration forms from their high school counseling offices. Registration is available until August 20 for an extra $21 fee.
US Forest service hosts volunteer day
PUEBLO- The U.S. Forest Service – Pike and San Isabel National Forests, Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands (PSICC) – will be hosting the USDA Forest Service’s Volunteer Day on the San Isabel National Forest near the Spanish Peaks on Aug. 7. At 9:45 am, meet at the Dikes Trailhead for orientation, instructions and safety briefing. For those coming later, someone will be at the trailhead to get you started.
From 10-2:00 pm, work only as long as you care to. All volunteers will be cutting brush, removing fallen trees and clearing drainage dips.
Dikes Trailhead is located south of Cuchara off Highway 12. One block past the town of
Cuchara, look for a small stone church on your left. Turn left and follow he road to the trailhead. Please carpool if possible; parking is limited.
Bring pruning shears, loppers, pruning saws, shovels and rakes; wear work clothing; bring gloves, rain gear and boots; bring lunch, energy snacks and water.
Contact the U.S. Forest Service in La Veta at 719-742-3681 for further information.
1st Southern Colorado “LATINFEST”
PUEBLO- “LATINFEST” on Sat. Aug. 7. from 12 pm–12 am is a full-day, family oriented festival with live band musical performances highlighting the diversity of Hispanic musical genres. There will be food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, information booths, a kid zone, All Class Car Show and entertainment for the entire family!
This festival, the beginning of an annual event, will be held at the newly remodeled Southern Colorado Gaming and Event Center (formally the Pueblo Greyhound Park) at 3215 Lake Avenue.
Bands scheduled to perform are “Los Banger Broz” from San Antonio Texas; Bad Habitz from Pueblo, Colorado; (The Reunion Show) Los Jalapenos from Rocky Ford, Colorado; Dynamix Band from Walsenburg, Colorado; and Danny Junior y Los Latineerz from Denver, Colorado.
The 12 hour, full-day event will cost only $5 admission for 13 years and up; 12 years and under will be free. Tickets are available at Music Man – 600 W. Northern St., Pueblo.
For complete information and tickets call 719.671.0424.
Life Drawing Class
LA VETA- The La Veta School of the Arts is offering Life Drawing Aug. 7 & 8, 9 am to 4 pm each day. This two-day weekend class features life models for exercises designed to unleash each participant′s free expression of the human figure.
Instructor Sheigla Hartman has been a professional artist since 1967 and her work has been exhibited internationally. She has a fine arts degree from Doane College as well as MFA equivalent from her study and teaching in France. This award- winning artist will teach you how to make your drawings more exciting and expressive through a variety of techniques. No experience is necessary. Class will be held at The La Veta School of the Arts, across from the town park. For more information, call 719.989.0339, e-mail LaVetaArtSchool@yahoo.com or check our website at www.theLVSA.org. Cost is $150, plus $40 lab fee to pay for live models.
Join La Veta’s Annual Studio and Gallery Tour
by William T. Beverly, Ph.D.
LA VETA- August 7 and 8, SPACe presents La Veta’s Annual Studio and Gallery Tour 2010. This year’s line up promises to be a real treat!
Sources say some of the artists to watch for this year include Twila Starr with hand dyed and painted scarves and textile art; Jill Whitmore with fused glass multimedia abstract paintings and wall art; and Barbara Kowalik with leather shields of native American and nature images.
Other featured artists include Robin Richards with jewelry, fiber art, and dolls; Janey Waldrep with still life compositions using available light and shadows; Judith Baker Montano with watercolors, threats, ribbons, silk prints and fabrics; Kathy Hill with original oils, watercolors, and acrylics; Ann Gethen with paintings, books and cards; Susan Kummer with jewelry; Joan Hanleywith paintings, sculpture and giclee; LaClaire Skaggs with prints, etchings, paintings and collages; La Veta Fine Art Gallery showing oils, wall art, and sculpture; Sandy Dolak of North by Southwest withvaried local artists and Navajo rugs; and Nicole Copel of Pinon Hills Pottery Clay Studio and Gallery.
Maps to participating artists’ studios will be available at the Gallery in the Park. Come on out, see what’s what and how it’s all put together! For info, call 719-742-3074 or go to: www.spanishpeaksarts.org.
Cowboy Sunday rescheduled
WALSENBURG- A change in plans means Cowboy Sunday at the United Church of Walsenburg will be the second Sunday in August, Aug. 8. However the monthly potluck dinner will still go on as scheduled this Sun. Aug. 1, at 12:15 pm, following the 11 am worship service. Everyone is welcome.
“Pinocchio II” Scrt’s Children’s Theatre Workshop
TRINIDAD– Southern Colorado Repertory Theatre’s new Children’s Theatre Company (CTW) will premiere a new family musical production titled “Pinocchio II”, which was written by Michael Lance and will be directed by CTW director Melissa Graves. “Pinocchio II” is a family oriented production that takes off from the classic story.
The scene starts in a modern-day toyshop and, like the storybook character he is named after, Pinocchio wants to be a real boy. His wish is granted by a sarcastic, cigar-puffing member of the Good Fairies Local #192 and together they embark on an adventure that takes Pinocchio to an orphans home, the crazy world of TV commercials, and finally to becoming the owner of a rundown toy factory. This fast moving, fun-filled fantasy is highlighted by ten dynamite musical numbers. Audiences of all ages love this show. It’s a story of friendship, music, dance and inspiration.
The production showcases young performers from the CTW workshop program, a summer theatre training program for youth interested in theatre.
There will be two performances at the Trinidad Middle School Auditorium: Sun. Aug. 8 at 7 pm and Mon. Aug. 9 at 7 pm.
General Admission tickets are on sale now at $9.50 for adults, and $5 for ages 5 to 18. Children age 5 and under may enter at no charge, but must be ticketed in advance. Tickets can be purchased online at www.SCRTheatre.org, at the SCRT Ticketing and Administration office at 132 East Main Street in Trinidad, or by calling (719) 846-4675.
Youth Water Science Workshop
WALSENBURG- Have fun with science at Spanish Peaks Library. Learn how to distill mud from water with Deanna Oberheu, Tues. Aug. 10 from 1-2 pm.
Huerfano Democrats
WALSENBURG– We haven′t gotten together in quite a while; now it′s time. The next meeting of the Democratic Party will be held at the Housing Authority of Walsenburg meeting room at 220 Russell on Wed. Aug. 11 at 6:30 pm. The primaries will be over and we will have candidates that we can all support. If we want to continue to work towards our goal of a "more perfect Union," we all have to do our part. The Citizen′s United crowd will be hitting below the belt with 10′s of millions of dollars and every "out of context" lie they can invent. All we can do is organize and tell the truth. There will be a short telephone statement from John Hickenlooper and perhaps other Democratic candidates as well.
Please attend and, of course, bring your friends and neighbors. Bring something for a bake sale too. It′s fundraising season now as well.
Ranch Rodeo
LA VETA- Once again, the Huerfano Basin Stockgrowers will host a ranch rodeo in La Veta, on Aug.13. There will be an AG appreciation BBQ, beginning at 4:30 pm and grand entry and Calcutta at 6:30 pm, and ranch rodeo at 7 pm.
This is a chance for you to come and see a rodeo by real ranch cowboys. The events include ranch bronc riding, calf branding, team penning, team doctoring and trailer loading. Tickets can be purchased at the gate and we sure hope everyone will come out to support the Huerfano Basin Stockgrowers and the local ranch cowboys.
Volunteers for Change
COLORADO CITY- Sangre de Cristo Volunteers for Change will hold its next bimonthly meeting at the Metropolitan District office in Colorado City on Sat. Aug. 14 at 3 pm. Please join us to celebrate this year′s accomplishments and plan our projects for the rest of 2010. There will be an open board meeting after the general meeting. For further information, call Susan Kalman at 719.676-4493 or 719.250.6097.
MOF public programs
WALSENBURG– Opening on August 14 in the newest gallery space of the Museum of Friends located on the first floor at 600 Main Street is the exhibition Brendt Berger Monumental Paintings/ Linda Fleming Wood Sculptures from 1988 to 1992. Upstairs in the special exhibition gallery are the multi-media works of Peggy Zehring in a show titled In Process. This evening event celebration for these three distinctive artists will include refreshments, entertainment and the added attraction of shopping and dining in downtown Walsenburg before or after the MOF event.
The inauguration of the downstairs gallery coincides with the Bergers’ (co-founders of the Museum) interest in developing the downtown area of Walsenburg.
Poised with new signage since Duckwalls vacated last spring, the Museum of Friends announces to visitors and tourists alike that indeed Walsenburg has its own Contemporary Art Museum. Curator Maria C. Berger stated, “In the last 100 years of international art making, we have moved away from depicting the world in the style of realism, moving towards contemporary expression which is multi-dimensional. The abstract works on view featured in both new exhibits attest to the distinctive possibilities of three different artists’ interpretations of their expression.
Both Berger and Fleming used recycled materials before it was in fashion. Fleming’s wood remnants were taken from construction sites and found in neighborhoods where she has lived.
Upstairs, in the permanent galleries of MOF is Peggy Zehring’s In Process. Beginning with the entrance hall and moving throughout the space are a total of more than forty mixed media works and a complete wall recreation from her studio.
In conjunction with the new exhibitions and the Museum’s interest in developing the downtown area, the following public programs will take place on Thursday evenings at 5:30 pm in the new downstairs space.
On Aug. 19, Terri Madigan, Area Director for Friends of the Over the River, will give a presentation on the Over The River project to answer questions and inform supporters of how they can be involved. Over The River is a two-week temporary work of art created by world-renowned artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude over the Arkansas River at eight separate areas between Salida and Canon City.
On Sept. 30, Peggy Zehring, multi-media artist with an exhibition on the 2nd Floor of MOF, will discuss her work, process and teaching philosophy.
On Oct. 14, Brendt Berger, painter, printmaker with an exhibition on the 1st Floor of MOF, will discuss the formation of the Museum of Friends in relation to his Paintings on view.
On October 28, Kenny Schneider will present his film “Peggy Zehring – in process” at the Fox Theater, a documentary filmed in the artist’s studio that explores who she is as an artist.
On a date and time to be announced, Dennis Oppenheim, internationally acclaimed public artist and in the permanent collection of the Museum of Friends, will present images of his new public sculpture Light Chamber in the Denver Justice Center.
Yoga for Mind, Body, Soul: Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor Arleen Feiccabrino leads a class for adults every Tues. from noon to 1:30 pm upstairs at 600 Main St. Please bring a yoga mat or towels. Fee $5.00 per class
School Tour Programs: K-12 curriculum-based programs offered Tues. through Fri., $3 per student
$5,000 prize for Top Pie Championship rewards pie lovers
PUEBLO- Pillsbury® is calling all pie lovers to enter a pie at the 2010 Colorado State Fair Pie Baking Championship. Kitchen creativity and passion for pie could earn participants a shot at a $5,000 national grand prize from the makers of Pillsbury Pie Crusts!
To enter the 2010 contest, sign up with the Colorado State Fair and deliver any dessert pie using Pillsbury refrigerated pie crusts. Think sweet not savory! Use cream, custards, fruits or any creative ingredient combination. Entries can have one or two crusts. Entries will be judged at the fair based on taste, appearance, creativity, ease of preparation and general appeal.
The Pie Baking Championship is for pie lovers of all ages. First place wins a $200 cash prize and a commemorative gift. Each first place winner also has a chance to win the $5,000 national grand prize, selected after the 2010 fair season from the 21 first place fair winners. Second place at each fair receives $100; third place $50. All winners also receive a ribbon, an official contest apron and an award certificate.
The contest will be held on Wed. Sept. 1 at the fairgrounds; registration is now open with an entry deadline of Mon. Aug. 30. For contest details, rules, and a list of other contests, contact the Colorado State Fair at 719-404-2080 or visit www.coloradostatefair.com/index.php?page=competitive_special_contests.
The Colorado State Fair runs from Aug. 27 – Sept. 6. For more information, visit www.coloradostatefair.com.
Estate Tax Relief for farmers, ranchers for conservation easements
Washington, D.C.– U.S. Senator Mark Udall has introduced a bipartisan bill designed to offer estate tax relief and encourage farmers and ranchers and others who choose to protect the rural character of their land when they pass it on to their children. The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Michael Bennet and Mike Crapo, R-ID.
The goal of the bipartisan American Family Farm and Ranchland Protection Act is to preserve family farms and the heritage of our rural communities by helping families avoid the pressure to sell, break up or develop their property when it’s handed down from one generation to the next. While there is no estate tax this year, it is set to revert back to 2001 levels next year, increasing the pressure on families to develop their land. Senator Udall’s bill updates a 1997 provision in the tax code, enabling families to exclude up to 50 percent of the value of their land from the taxable estate if they protect its natural and historic value with a permanent conservation easement.
“This bill is about helping families preserve their history and protect our lands and waters,” Senator Udall said. “Almost 15 years after Congress created the conservation easement exemption, it’s outdated – and the development pressure is too strong to help many families who want to preserve their farms or the land and water they love. While this is just a small piece of the estate tax puzzle, it’s an important one – a simple update to our tax code will help us encourage greater conservation efforts and support family farmers and ranchers.”
A conservation easement is a voluntary agreement between a landowner and the government that permanently restricts certain development and future uses of the land. It often prevents future commercialization, while still permitting historic farming and ranching operations to continue in the family.
The tax code currently allows landowners to exclude up to 40 percent of the value of their property from their taxable estate when that land is preserved by a permanent conservation easement that protects important natural and historic values. However, that exclusion is capped at $500,000 and is further reduced if the easement lowers a property’s fair market value by less than 30 percent. At the time it was passed, the value made sense, but in the last 13 years, average farm real estate values have more than doubled – and the average farm has grown in size – meaning the old cap is simply no longer much of an incentive.
The American Family Farm and Ranchland Protection Act raises the exemption for land under a conservation easement to 50 percent, with up to a maximum exclusion of $5 million. It also encourages more robust conservation easements: less protective easements will receive a proportionally lower exemption rate.
Rep. Wes McKinley receives award
COLORADO- Colorado Farm Bureau, the state’s largest agricultural organization, announced Rep. Wes McKinley (D-SE Colorado) as a recipient of its 2010 Pinnacle Award. This is the highest award given by the Farm Bureau to recognize legislators “for their support on legislation that was vital to the agriculture community, overall commitment to Colorado Agriculture, and their willingness to advocate on behalf of the Industry.”
"It’s real nice to be given an award by Colorado Farm Bureau," said Wes. "I hold on to that Jeffersonian belief in the local family farmer and rancher and I′ll always work to develop responsible policies that protect the interests of farmers and other property holders. For example, I worked for a change in the Premise ID policy to keep the State Fair Board from promoting a federal agenda and to protect the rights of farmers from government interference."
Wes is a member of the Agriculture, Livestock, & Natural Resources Committee as well as the Local Government Committee. He is a native of Southeastern Colorado and a third-generation cowboy.
“The Pinnacle Award recognizes those legislators who go above and beyond the call of duty to protect and promote Colorado’s agricultural interests,” said Alan Foutz, Colorado Farm Bureau president. “This is evident through their sponsorship and co-sponsorship of bills, their leadership in defending and advocating on behalf of Colorado agriculture, their workability with the industry, and their voting record on Farm Bureau priority issues. Colorado Farm Bureau is proud to recognize these legislators who have done an exemplary job working and voting on issues that are important to farmers and ranchers.” Sen. Bruce Whitehead (D-SW Colorado) also received the award.
