Briefs for October 21, 2010

Dan Maes in Walsenburg today

WALSENBURG- Gubernatorial candidate Dan Maes will be at Mike’s Coffee Barn 302 W. 7th.  Thurs.  Oct. 21 from 9 – 10:30 am.  Come hear Dan’s plans for Colorado and be ready to ask him any questions that you might have.  For more information, please contact Dick Chenault  719-252-1752.

LA VETA– Tonight (Oct. 21) at 7 pm, the La Veta Public Library’s “Travel-Log” series features Deb Lathrop showing slides of Vietnam and discussing her visit there.  Lathrop traveled around the world in 1994-95 and spent four weeks in Vietnam.  Just twenty years after the end of the Vietnam War, she was among the first tourists allowed to visit the country.  She flew in to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), and traveled north by train, motorcycle, boat, and bus, finally departing from Hanoi some four weeks later.  In all her time there, Deb says that she saw only one other American.  Her travels took her in to Viet Cong tunnels, the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), and the ancient city of Hue.  Come to the La Veta Library tonight to hear about Lathrop’s adventures in Vietnam and see photos of the cities and countryside.  Admission is free and refreshments will be served.

Tourism Board to meet

WALSENBURG- The Tourism Board of Huerfano County will meet at noon, Fri. Oct. 22, in the commissioner meeting room in the courthouse.  On the agenda is signage, a report on the Governor′s Conference on Tourism, and such other matters as may come before the board.

WALSENBURG- Book Discussion Club  for Young Adults will take place at Spanish Peaks Library, Fri. Oct. 22.at 1pm.

    You are invited to enjoy reading a book you have selected this month and come talk about it or read the same book as a friend and come share your thoughts and reactions with each other.

    Kids Klub of Spanish Peaks Library will meet Fri. Oct. 22 at 3 pm  to finalize plans for the game tournament and design the parade of lights float.

    Introduction to Video Production is an 8 week class taught by local videographer Kenny Schneider, Fridays 2 – 4 pm.  This course introduces the fundamentals of video production from pre-production, to post- production.

    If you have questions please call 738-2774.

You don’t want to miss this one.

LA VETA- Winner of the 2006 Arts and Letters Prize in Drama, Memory Garden by Mark Scharf will be performed by Shane and Sher Clouse at the Francisco Center for the Performing Arts in La Veta on Fri. Oct. 22 and Sat. Oct. 23.  Tickets for this award-winning play are $10 and are available at La Veta True Value and Charlie’s Market.  Doors open at 6:30 pm. Show time is 7 pm.

Salazar, Udall and Stultz in town

WALSENBURG- The Huerfano County Democratic Party is pleased and proud to announce that at 12 noon this coming Sat. Oct. 23, Congressman John Salazar and United States Senator Mark Udall will hold a Get-Out-the-Vote Rally at the Huerfano County Community Center at 928 Russell Street. 

    Also attending will be State Senator candidate Gloria Stultz (D).  She will be in town Friday as well, touring the hospital and meeting with the local tourism board.  She is running against Kevin Grantham (R) to fill the seat being vacated by term limited Ken Kester.

    Let’s show our representatives that we appreciate their efforts to bring a brighter tomorrow to all Americans.  Congressman Salazar and Senator Udall have helped make this 111th Congress the most productive and far reaching since 1964  when the 88th Congress enacted the landmark Civil Rights Act  Their work isn’t over and neither is ours.  They need our support to continue their efforts on health care reform, financial regulation and our nation’s economy.   Let’s turn out and support the people who support us.

Board meets Monday

WALSENBURG- The Board of the Huerfano County Water Conservancy District will meet at 6:00 pm on Monday, October 25, 2010 at City Hall, 525 S Albert Avenue, Walsenburg. The meeting is open to the public. 

Enterprise meets Monday

WALSENBURG- The Water Activity Enterprise of the Huerfano County Water Conservancy District will meet immediately after the HCWCD regular meeting, approximately 6:45 pm on Monday, October 25, 2010 at City Hall, 525 S Albert Avenue, Walsenburg. The meeting is open to the public.

LA VETA National Honor Society and the Spanish Peaks Outreach Clinic are sponsoring free cardiac assessments at the La Veta High School Old Gym on Tuesday, October 26th from 7:20-10:00 a.m.  Prevention Screening Asessments include lipid profile (cholesterol), Blood Glucose, Blood Pressure, Pulse/Oxygen, Weight/Body Mass Index, and Cardiac Risk Assessments.  It is available for adults, and kids preschool throught 12th grade.  Children under 18 need permission slips signed by parents, and small children should be accompanied by adults.  Everything is free!  Please fast from midnight.  Snacks will be provided after the testing.  Call 738-2718 for Roberta or Cindy with questions.

LA VETA- The La Veta Library is hosting its second annual Scary Story Contest.  Each story is limited to 500 words and must be typed.  The librarians will judge the stories with an emphasis on plot, setting and character development. 

    Copies may be turned in to the La Veta Library on or before Oct. 26.   Story writers please keep the original and turn in a legible copy.  First and Second place winners for both high school and middle school will be announced on Nov. 1.   First place winners will be added to the Scary Story Contest Winner plaque in the teen room of the La Veta Library.  The judges have two tips for the young story writers: Use spell check. Use paragraphs. Good luck!

Citizens unite Become part of the solution

LA VETA- Please attend an important meeting, coordinated by Deb Lathrop, on Tues. Oct. 26 at 6:30 pm at the La Veta Community Center on Ryus Ave.  A new coalition, "TLC" (Transmission Line Coalition), has formed to unite concerned citizens from southern Colorado who strongly support alternative renewable energy….but who do not support the proposed Tri-State/Xcel San Luis Valley-Calumet-Comanche transmission line project. 

    This meeting is critical.  Huerfano county citizens will hear from knowledgeable speakers about the true costs of proposed utility projects in terms of our property values, energy rates, changes to our way of life.  Speakers will also dicuss transmission alternatives that will have direct cost benefits to citizens.  The invited guest speakers encourage local citizens to come with their questions.

Free energy workshop

TRINIDAD- The Governor’s Energy Office is announcing a workshop to promote building energy efficiency and conservation improvement programs in Colorado. A live workshop is being presented in Trinidad Colorado this October.

    The Governor’s Energy Office Commercial Buildings Program provides free technical assistance to public entities engaged in comprehensive energy retrofits through performance contracting, disseminates tools and best practices, and provides training and educational opportunities related to energy efficient facility upgrades.

    These workshops will cover the following:  Energy Performance Contracting 101; engaging and self-implementing energy efficiency in small organizations/communities; building re-commissioning; occupant behavior and its energy impact; case studies demonstrating successful projects across the state

    This workshop targets large and small agencies interested in expanding or initiating energy programs. Public officials and facilities personnel from cities, counties, school districts, state agencies and higher education are strongly encouraged to attend. A maximum of 3 representatives may attend from a given agency.

    The live workshop is scheduled Thurs. Oct. 28 at Trinidad State Junior College from 10 am – 3 pm.  The workshop is free, and a free lunch will be provided

    For registration information, please contact Brian Carlin, Consultant to the GEO at bcarlin@nexant.com

    In the body of your email please include your name, title/position, organization, and contact information (both email and phone).

WALSENBURG- Kenny Schneider will present his film “Peggy Zehring – in process”  at the Fox Theater on Thurs. Oct. 28 at 5:30 pm.  The film is a documentary filmed in Zehring’s studio that explores who she is as an artist and as a teacher of art.  In the film, Maria Cocchiarelli interviews the artist.  The film also covers La Veta/Walsenburg as an up-and-coming art center in southern Colorado.

Citizens for a Skate Park to meet and plan

WALSENBURG- Last week work began on the new Walsenburg Skate Park.  Just under 5,000 sq. ft. of asphalt was removed from the old tennis courts to make way for phase 1.  Construction will be ongoing with the arrival of the pre-cast concrete half-pipe in early December.  The Citizens for a Skate Park would like to thank Tracy Atkinson, Dave Valdez, Chuck Martinez, and Rich Tenorio from the City of Walsenburg for the TREMENDOUS amount of help last week removing the asphalt and transporting equipment,  and Councilman Rick Jennings for spending all day in a machine preparing and planning for the area. There will be a meeting on Saturday, October 30th at 1pm at the future Walsenburg Skate Park  (next to the water park).  We invite all those interested to come view the area and offer ideas for the future of the complete project.  For more info call 738-2696.  

WALSENBURG- The Latino American Social Club’s monthly meeting will be on Sunday, October 31, 1:30 pm at the Walsenburg Community Center. 

Photography Show

PUEBLO- The Southern Colorado Photography Society and the Pueblo Art Guild announce their 2010 Annual Photography Show which will be held at 1500 N. Santa Fe in Mineral Palace Park, Pueblo.

    The entry fees are $2 students, $5 SCPS/PAG members, and $8 nonmembers.  The entry dates are  Sat. Oct. 30 and Sun. Oct 31 from 12 to 4 pm. The categories are  Color, B & W and Portrait for Pros and non-Pros; Color and B & W for students (under 19). 

    All photographs must be framed and under glass ready for hanging with wire on the back.  Maximum outside frame size is 22”x28”.  All photographs must be for sale and are subject to a 25% Gallery commission and must conform to gallery rules.  There is a limit of four photographs per person.  This is a judged show and awards will go to all winners. 

The Gallery is open Wed. through Sun. from 12- 4 pm.  An open reception is Fri. Nov. 5 from 6-8 pm at the Pueblo Art Guild Gallery.  For more information call the Art Guild at 719-543-2455 or Joe Klune at 719-547-9485.

4-H Open House

LA VETA- There will be a 4-H Open House at the 4-H barn on Nov. 1 at 6 pm.  Ages 8-18 welcome.

Entries being accepted Artists invited to enter Gift of Art Show

LA VETA- The Spanish Peaks Arts Council extends an invitation to all artists, working in any media, to enter the upcoming Gift of Art show at its gallery in La Veta. Artwork must be brought to the SPACe Gallery, 132 W. Ryus, Sat. Nov. 13, 10 am – 3 pm or Sun. Nov. 14, noon – 2 pm. 

    Artists may enter up to 4 pieces of art, for a $5 entry fee per piece.  Entry fees help to defray operating expenses.  Artwork that hangs must be appropriately presented and equipped with a wire for hanging.  Three dimensional art must be sturdy and easily moved.  Artists are encouraged to enter works that are priced for gift-giving.  Entry forms are available at the SPACe Gallery and can be downloaded from the SPACe website: SpanishPeaksArts.org. For  information call 719- 742-3074 or email gallery@spanishpeaksarts.org. The SPACe Gallery will be closed Oct. 24 through Nov. 8.

 PUEBLO- Sunny isn’t just the weather forecast on Sesame Street — it’s also the name of Elmo’s sunflower friend!  Join all your favorite friends on an amazing musical adventure as they help Elmo find a new home for Sunny when Sesame Street Live  performs “Elmo’s Green Thumb”at Colorado State Fair Event Center, 1001 Beulah Avenue on Sat. Dec. 18 and Sun. Dec. 19. Tickets for all four performances go on sale Fri. Nov. 5 at 10 am.

     Elmo has raised his sunflower, Sunny, from a seed, but his floral friend has outgrown the flower pot.  Elmo and friends find Big Bird’s garden the ideal place for Sunny to flourish and grow but they are too excited to wait.  Rather than let Sunny follow nature’s course, Abby Cadabby, Sesame Street’s fairy-in-training, casts a spell to make Sunny grow.  The spell does just the opposite and, instead of growing, Elmo and all of his friends shrink! 

    While Abby searches for just the right words to reverse the spell, Elmo, Zoe, Telly and friends explore Big Bird’s garden from a smaller perspective and learn some big lessons about patience, overcoming their fears and appreciating the role that each creature plays in our ecosystem – from dancing ladybugs and beautiful butterflies to grouchy beetles that scavenge the garden floor.  Will being small help Sunny grow tall?  It’s a fresh, original Sesame Street Live on a whole new scale!

    Like television’s Sesame Street, each Sesame Street Live production features timeless lessons for all ages.  The universal appeal of each Broadway-quality musical production continues long after preschool.  Adults will appreciate the high-tech stagecraft, cleverly written script, and music they’ll recognize and enjoy sharing with children, such as “Ladybug Picnic,” “Inch by Inch” and “I Love Trash.” 

    Tickets are $12, $15 and $19.  A limited number of $23 Gold Circle seats and $45 Sunny Seats** are also available.  A facility fee of $3.00 is included in all ticket prices. Additional fees and discounts may apply.

    **Special $45 Sunny Seat packages are available at all shows. Sunny Seats feature premium seat locations and a pre-show Meet & Greet with two Sesame Street Live friends.

    For more information, call the Event Center Box Office at 800-876-4567 or 719-404-2071.  To charge tickets by phone, please call Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000.  Tickets may also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com. For information online, please visit www.sesamestreetlive.com. Become a fan of Sesame Street Live on Facebook.

WALSENBURG- The Veterans & Associates are starting their 2010 Christmas Drive.  They have cash donation jars out at various businesses.  Unwrapped toys or canned food items can be taken to the the Silver Dollar at 112 West 7th St.  As before their goal is to bring children and senior citizens a Merry Christmas.  For more information you can call Karl Tomsic at 251-7644.

ARVADA- The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced $30,000 in funding for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association to enhance its Young Producer Programs, which train beginning ranchers to help them  succeed in today’s highly diverse agricultural industry.

     “Beginning farmers and ranchers are an important part of American agriculture, as they play a big role in feeding people in their local communities and throughout the world,” said Roger Beachy, director of USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). “However, they face unique challenges, and this grant will provide the training needed to ensure these producers become profitable and sustainable.”

     The award will help form the partnerships  needed to create the stewardship, conservation and leadership curriculum of CCA’s Young Producer Programs.  “CCA recognizes the important role that young producers and collegiate members play in our association, so we are excited to receive funding from the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program,” said Robbie LeValley, president of CCA. “This funding will allow CCA to expand our current young producer leadership programs through enhancement of our outreach and educational efforts.”

     One of the programs, the Cattlemen’s Leadership College, focuses on providing information to individuals who are seeking to become active leaders in Colorado’s beef industry.  The Cattlemen’s Leadership College broadens participants’ understanding of the beef industry and helps them become further engaged at the local, state, and national levels. The purpose of the Cattlemen’s Leadership College has always been to provide leadership and spokesperson training as well as an educational overview of Colorado’s beef industry and its proponents.  These are very important components because participants become advocates for Colorado’s beef industry in their communities, and become increasingly active in the grassroots leadership of CCA.

     Another program, the Colorado Ranching Legacy Program, is designed to equip young and beginning ranchers to be innovative leaders in land management and conservation. CCA has partnered with The Nature Conservancy and the Western Center for Integrated Resource Management at Colorado State University to assist in the development of the next generation of stewards.

     “Supporting the next generation of ranchers is essential when protecting healthy, intact landscapes,” said Frogard Ryan, Eastern Colorado Program Director for The Nature Conservancy. “Partnering with the CCA and the Western Center for Integrated Resource Management at Colorado State University provides a practical three-tiered partnership between industry, education and conservation.”

     “The Western Center for Integrated Resource Management at Colorado State University has been privileged to partner with Colorado Cattlemen’s Association and The Nature Conservancy on the Ranching Legacy Fellowship Program,” said Kraig Peel, professor for Colorado State University. “The inaugural class for this program featured four talented individuals who have given as much as they have taken with the program. These students have participated in class and brought a fresh perspective from the real world into the academic environment. The program has enriched the IRM curriculum, and we are hopeful that it continues well into the future.”

     CCA is also active with the Colorado Collegiate Cattlemen’s Association.  CCA works closely with academic institutions such as Colorado State University to develop opportunities for young producers looking to stay involved in the agriculture and beef industries.  The Colorado Cattlemen′s Association firmly believes that these bright students are the future of our industry.  The Association continues to build this relationship by encouraging collegiate participation at CCA events throughout the year, as well as providing them with access to information via our membership and various industry contacts.

     USDA′s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded the grant through its Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP).  BFRDP is an education, training, technical assistance and outreach program designed to help U.S. farmers and ranchers, specifically those who have been farming or ranching for 10 years or fewer.  Under the program, which was established through the 2008 Farm Bill, NIFA will make grants to organizations that will implement programs to help beginning farmers and ranchers.  For more information on this project, contact the CCA office at (303) 431-6422, info@coloradocattle.org, or visit www.coloradocattle.org.