Briefs for June 11, 2009

Mr. Magic at library tomorrow

WALSENBURG- Mr. Magic, a fun specialist will be opening our summer reading Theme "Be Creative@ Your library with Magical entertainment at the Spanish Peaks Library this Fri. June 12 at 10:30.  The community is invited.  All children in attendance will take home a balloon sculpture.  Come join the fun.  See you at the Library!

Mystery Dinner and Silent Auction

LA VETA- On Fri. June 12, the Eddie Ray family and friends will be hosting a Mystery Dinner and Silent Auction.  Tickets may be purchased at the Elk Valley RV Park and Fly Shop or by calling 738-1325 after 5 pm.  Caution, sense of humor is required.

La Plaza fundraiser

WALSENBURG- La Plaza de Los Leones and the La Plaza de Los Leones Youth Auxiliary will hold a large fundraiser and car wash  on Sat. June 13 at the Crown Lanes Bowling Alley parking lot.  The fundraiser will be from 7 am to 3 pm.  All funds raised will benefit La Plaza de Los Leones, an all volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Hispanic cultural awareness and to assisting in the admission and finances of deserving Huerfano county students to institutions of higher learning.  Please stop by and help support La Plaza de Los Leones.

Walk for Life

WALSENBURG- Huerfano residents are invited to join in the second annual Walk for Life, Saturday, June 13th.  The 5k trek launches at 9 am from Open Arms Pregnancy Resource Center, 116 East 6th in Walsenburg. 

    Beyond promoting an appreciation for the sacredness of each human–those of us born already and those not yet born- Open Arms seeks to emphasize the importance of the Creator′s context and timing for pregnancy, birth, and parenting.  Open Arms′ goods and services are offered at no charge, intended to be a conduit for God′s blessing to the community.

    Funds raised by the annual 5k Walk for Life help cover the costs of free pregnancy tests, post-abortion help, health and parenting classes, plus cribs, car seats and other material goods available through Open Arms and its "Earn While You Learn" program.  All those interested in joining the walk or sponsoring a walker can drop by Open Arms′ office Monday, Wednesday or Friday between 1 and 4 pm, or just call 738-9994.

Noxious Weeds workshop

WALSENBURG- The Rural Property Owners Alliance and CSU Extension Service are presenting a workshop on noxious weeds on Sat. June 13 from 10 to 2 pm at the Huerfano County Community Center meeting room, 928 Russell Avenue in Walsenburg.  The speaker will be Dr. George Beck, Weed Specialist, Colorado State University Extension. Information presented will cover local weed management programs and grants.

WALSENBURG- The youth of the Catholic churches of Walsenburg and La Veta will be serving up breakfast at Mazzone Hall, across from St. Mary Church, this Sun. June 14 from 9 to noon.  Pancakes will be on the menu, along with sausage and fresh fruit and all the trimmings.  Meals are $6.50, and $4. for the little ones.  The teens are raising money to attend the Steubenville of the Rockies youth rally in Denver in July.  Take Mom out to breakfast and help these great kids reach their goal.  The whole community is invited.  

SPACe entries due for Photography and Paint Colorado shows

LA VETA- The Spanish Peaks Arts Council invites area photographers to enter the 2009 Photography Show.  Framed and matted photography will be accepted at the SPACe Gallery Sun. June 14 between noon and 2 pm. The entry fees are $10 for the first entry and $5 for each additional entry, with a limit of 4 per person.  Maximum frame size is 16" x 20", with exceptions allowed upon approval by the gallery staff.  The show will be judged by Ricky Tims and cash awards will be given in 3 separate categories, Black and White traditional photography, Color Traditional Photography, and Altered/Enhanced photography. Entry forms at available at the SPACe Gallery, 132 W. Ryus, La Veta, and may be printed from the SPACe website at www.SpanishPeaksArts.org/2009_shows_events/photo_show_09.htm.  Show dates are June 16 – July 11.

    Artists working in two dimensional media, other than photography or computer generated art, are invited to enter the Paint Colorado! show. Entry forms, fees, and images of the entered art are due at SPACe on or before June 19. The judge for the show is Tim Deibler. Entry fees are $10 each for SPACe members and $15 for nonmembers with a limit of 4 entries per artist. Cash awards will be given in 2 categories–Wet Media and Dry Media. Entry forms are available at the SPACe Gallery or online at www.SpanishPeaksArts.org/2009_shows_events/paint_colorado_09.htm Artwork must be hand delivered on July 12, between noon and 2 pm.  Notices of accepted artwork will be sent June 26. Show dates are July 14 – Aug. 8.

    Call 719 742-3074 between 10 am and 3 pm for information.

WALSENBURG- The Spanish Peaks Library is in need of volunteers to help box and load books onto a trailer for the move up the new facility.   Boxes are needed as well, so even if you can’t load books, drop off any spare sturdy boxes you may have.  It will begin on Mon. June 15 and go throughout the week.

Grassland Funds Available

WALSENBURG– The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA), has announced the availability of funds for the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) in Colorado for fiscal year 2009. 

    The GRP is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance grasslands on their property. Applications will be accepted through Monday, June 15, 2009.  

    “The GRP program was reauthorized by the 2008 Farm Bill and emphasizes support for working grazing operations, enhancement of plant and animal biodiversity, and protection of grasslands under threat of conversion to cropping, urban development, and other activities,” said, Tony Arnhold, District Conservationist. “A priority will include eligible Conservation Reserve Program contracts expiring this year.”

    The program has two enrollment options: (1) permanent easements and (2) rental contracts.  Rental contracts can be for 10, 15, or 20-year terms.  Enrollment of eligible expiring CRP lands into GRP will be limited to perpetual easements or 20-year rental contracts.

    The GRP is jointly administered by FSA and NRCS.  To apply for this program and for additional information regarding it, landowners are encouraged to contact their local NRCS or FSA office that services their county (NRCS, 711 Walsen Ave, Walsenburg, Colorado).  These are located in USDA Service Centers across the State and can be found online at  www.co.nrcs.usda.gov by clicking on ‘Find a Service Center’ in the left column.

Upper Huerfano Conservation District Board

WALSENBURG- The Board of Supervisors of the Upper Huerfano Conservation District will meet at 5:30 pm on Thurs. June 18 at 711 Walsen Avenue, Suite A, Walsenburg.  The meeting is open to the public.

Black Diamond Coal Cart races

WALSENBURG- The Huerfano County Chamber of Commerce announces the 13th Annual Black Diamond Jubilee will be from June 19 through the 21st. 

    But, it is time now to get ready for the coal cart races.  Dress up your old red wagon, hospital bed or tricycle to look like a coal cart, and enter it in the Black Diamond Grand Prix.  It is open to anyone, rules, entry forms and course maps are available at Mikes Coffee Barn (738-3318) or San Isabel Applicance Store (738-1808).

    The ever popular Black Diamond Jail will also be back.  $5 will get your favorite person placed in jail.  All in good fun.  Call Patty at 738-1808 for details.

Watercolor classes

LA VETA- La Veta School of the Arts is offering a class in Traditional Watercolor.  Celebrated local artist Kathy Hill will guide participants through basic techniques while working with watercolor′s natural spontaneity to create strong compositions, values and color temperatures.  Learn to loosen up while preserving your love of detail.

    The three day class will be June 19-21, Fri 6-9 pm, Sat and Sun 9-4.  Cost is $185.  Visit Kathy Hill′s website at www.KathyHill.com.

    For more information call 719-742-3421 or e-mail LVArtSchool@yahoo.com, or go to www.theLVSA.org.

Friends of the Library book sale

WALSENBURG- The Friends of the Library are having their annual Book Sale on Sat. June 20 from 8 to 4 pm.  The sale will be held at the library and if you buy one book for $2 you can get the next two free; if you buy one paperback for $1, you can get the next two free.  There will be a Kidz Klub bake sale available to have goodies while you shop.  Come support your library.

LV Fire District hosting public education

Huerfano- La Veta Fire Protection District will be hosting a public education program on Saturday, June 27 to inform residents and visitors about fire and emergency safety issues. Fire Wise Emergency Fair will be held at the Cuchara Fire Station on the Cuchara Mountain Resort road from 9 AM to 4 PM. The day’s events will include brief educational classes, informational booths, blood pressure checks, activities of children and a free lunch for participants.

    Fire Wise classes will be held periodically starting from 9:30 AM until 2:30 PM to provide information on how to actively work to mitigate fire danger in and around your homes. This introductory course will present resources on the issues that should be addressed to be better prepared for wildland and other fire events.

    EMS classes will be offered to inform the public about the services the District provides and explain how the services connect the patient to the health systems in Huerfano County and the larger health facilities in the state.

    Informational booths will allow residents and visitors to gather information and become better informed.

    Children’s activities will connect to the overall themes of safety and awareness.

    Lunch will be provided by the La Veta Fire Protection District and served up by the La Veta Rotary.

    La Veta Fire Protection District provides fire, EMS and other emergency services to the area encompassing La Veta and Cuchara. The Cuchara Fire Station is located on Panadero Avenue, west of Colorado Highway 12, just south of mile marker 18.

    Watch for more information regarding this exciting and informative event. Circle the date on your calendar now.

SLV & CRESTED BUTTE- The Bessemer Historical Society will again hit the road on our newest “Coal Camp Excursion.” Actually, there will be two excursions this year.  First, we will visit the Orient Mine in the San Luis Valley. Then, in the fall, we’ll do an overnight trip to Crested Butte.  There will be more about Crested Butte this coming summer.

    The first trip will be a “drive yourself” excursion to the CF&I Orient iron ore mine located in the northern part of the San Luis Valley.  This mine supplied the steelworks with ore up until the 1930’s.  We’ll meet at the Steelworks Museum at 8 am on Sat. June 27, then caravan to the top of Poncha Pass where we’ll stop for lunch, then proceed to the site of the mine.  The mine is located above 8,000 feet, and participants should prepare for a mile hike to get there.  The grade is fairly easy.

    Having this as a “drive yourself” trip allows you the freedom to leave after the tour is done, or stay into the evening, or lodge in the valley or Salida. 

    Cost for the tour and boxed lunch is only $20 for members, and $25 for non-members.  Total number on the tour is limited, so get your reservations in asap at 719-564-9086.

Radici and POW camp programs

Trinidad- The Trinidad History Museum is presenting “Radici: Trinidad’s Italian Roots,” from June through August.  Geared toward families, it will be a summer packed full of fun and learning about Italian art and culture, Italian Americans in Trinidad and Las Animas County, and an Italian ethnic heritage garden.

    The Trinidad History Museum also offers several programs for adults and families this summer, beginning on June 27 with a free guided tour of the site of Camp Trinidad.  ThisWorld War II prisoner of war camp for German officers is located at the outer limits of the Cougar Canyon Golf Resort.  Michael Butcher, the marketing director, will lead the tour.  For more information and to register, stop in at the Trinidad History Museum Bookstore, 312 E. Main Street, or call 719-846-7217. 

    The Trinidad History Museum complex consists of the Baca House, Bloom Mansion, Santa Fe Trail Museum, Bookstore, and the State Byways Center.  The Baca-Bloom Heritage Gardens surround the historic buildings and provide a relaxing downtown oasis.  The Ethnic Heritage Garden is behind the mansion on E. First Street.  Each year the garden is dedicated to a different ethnic group with ties to Trinidad and Colorado.

Walsenburg,– The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA), recently announced the availability of funds for the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) in Colorado for fiscal year 2009. 

    The GRP is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance grasslands on their property. Applications will be accepted through Monday, June 15, 2009.  

    “The GRP program was reauthorized by the 2008 Farm Bill and emphasizes support for working grazing operations, enhancement of plant and animal biodiversity, and protection of grasslands under threat of conversion to cropping, urban development, and other activities,” said, Tony Arnhold, District Conservationist with the NRCS. “A priority will include eligible Conservation Reserve Program contracts expiring this year.”

    The program has two enrollment options: (1) permanent easements and (2) rental contracts.  Rental contracts can be for 10-year, 15-year, or 20-year terms.  Enrollment of eligible expiring CRP lands into GRP will be limited to perpetual easements or 20-year rental contracts.

    The GRP is jointly administered by FSA and NRCS.  To apply or for additional information regarding it, landowners are encouraged to contact their local NRCS or FSA office that services their county (NRCS, 711 Walsen Ave, Walsenburg, Colorado). These are located in USDA Service Centers across the State and can be found online at  www.co.nrcs.usda.gov by clicking on ‘Find a Service Center’ in the left column.