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Briefs for September 17, 2009

Henderson honored

WALSENBURG- On Wed. Sept. 16 at 10 am during the weekly Commissioners’ Meeting at the Huerfano County Courthouse, Ms. Martie Henderson was recognized with a certificate of accomplishment from Senator Mark Udall.  Gloria Gutierrez, Senator Udall’s Pueblo representative will present the certificate.

    Since 1996, Henderson has helped to change the face of downtown Walsenburg through her refurbishment of dilapidated buildings.  Henderson’s retail enterprises “Southwest Imports” and “The Cowboy Connection” have created viable shops that allow the visitor to Walsenburg a venue that adds to the economy by presenting a delightful and varied array of merchandise.  Her elegantly restored “La Plaza Inn” Bed and Breakfast transformed the old Kirkpatrick hotel into a working reprieve for the tired traveler looking for a bit more than the usual fare.  Recently, the “Gallery” at the La Plaza Inn has added to the ambiance of staying there.  The Gallery at the La Plaza Inn is a commercial art gallery that features the works of contemporary local artists.  Henderson and Tom Hart, a Nebraska native, developed the Art Gallery as a response to the new contemporary Art Museum one block away – the Museum of Friends.

    Henderson has restored four commercial and four residential buildings since arriving in Walsenburg 13 years ago.  With other merchants in the downtown area, she is promoting a cohesive re-development plan that includes the arts, restaurants, entertainment and a variety of retail stores, thereby creating jobs and resources.

    Previous to coming to Walsenburg, Henderson published a travel magazine  "Rocky Mountain Clubs and Resorts" and a 500-page travel guide called "Discover the Rockies.”

Barbed Wire convention

WALSENBURG- The Colorado Barbed Wire Association will be having their annual convention at the Huerfano County Community Center this Fri. Sept. 18 from 9 to 5 and Sat. from 8 to 4.  There will be 53 tables of displays, and the event is free to the public.  Wire samples from CO, NC, NE, CA, MI, ID, UT, NM, TX and KS will be on display, and will showcase barbed wire tools and collectibles.  For more information, call 738-1365.

Deer Heart Wolf

WALSENBURG- The Spanish Peaks Library Story Hour presenter for Sept. 18 at 10:30, will be Dear Heart Wolf (Celene M. Bensink) an Indian woman living in two worlds.  She is an artist, a new writer, a craftswoman, and a woodsman as well as  a certified hunter and trapper.  She will be speaking about “The Great Peacemaker,” and the “Constitution of the League of the Iroquois,” and the symbol, “The Tree of Peace.”  A craft will follow with the children.  For more information please call Spanish Peaks Library at 738-2774.

Youth Rally

WALSENBURG-  There will be a youth rally at the Landmark Baptist Church, 425 Maple in Walsenburg this Fri. Sept, 18 beginning at 7 pm.  Speaker Park Sutton aims to encourage, inspire and challenge the participants.  738-1266.

Free groceries from Convoy of Hope

PUEBLO- Area businesses, churches and community organizations are partnering to deliver free groceries on a first-come, first-served basis to anyone in need.   The event will be at the Midtown Shopping Center in Pueblo on Sat. Sept. 19, beginning at 10 am.  There will be a kids’ zone, free haircuts, free health services, job fair and more.  For more information or directions on how to get there, call Frank Titoni at 647-2052 or go to www.PuebloConvoyofHope.com.

New show at SPACe Gallery

LA VETA- The Spanish Peaks Arts Council (SPACe) announces the opening reception for the new show “Transitions” Sat. Sept. 19 from 5-7 pm. Photography, watercolors, oil paintings, colored pencil, etchings, collage, and acrylic are media represented in this show. Refreshments will be provided and there is no admission fee. The show is on display until Oct. 10.

    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.  Gallery hours are Tues. through Sat. 10-3 pm and Sun. 12-4 pm. 

Cat Coalition meets

WALSENBURG- Huerfano Cat Coalition (“HCC”) meets Sun. Sept. 20, 3:00 pm at the Huerfano County Community Center, 928 Russell Ave.  Dr. Hecht will demonstrate how to vaccinate cats/kittens.  Bring your kitten (in a carrier) and vaccinate it yourself as part of this demonstration!   Cost of vaccine is less than $5.00.  Limited vaccine available at the demonstration or can be purchased from Sporleder Feeds.  Anyone interested in the humane control of cat populations in Huerfano County is invited to attend.  For more information, call Dr. Margaret Hecht 746-2023 or Carla Dolce 989-8933.

Century Family workshop

TRINIDAD- What is a Century Family? Has someone in Las Animas County been in an unbroken chain of residency for 100 years? A free workshop about the Century Family program will be held at the Trinidad History Museum, 312 E. Main Street, on Thurs. Sept. 24, at 7:00 p.m.

    The Trinidad Historical Society presents the Century Family certificate and recognizes each family at events in November and July. Diane Mason, who headed the program for fifteen years, will explain the application process, acceptable documentation, and answer questions at the workshop.

    The workshop will be held in the Museum Education Center above the Gift Shop and Bookstore.  If you require handicap access, please call 719-846-7217.

Celtic jewelry class

LA VETA- In collaboration with the well-known, local Celtic Festival, La Veta School of the Arts is offering this Celtic photo etching on bronze workshop taught by Linda Hickman Sept 24 and 25.  Piercing techniques, patinas, sanding, polishing and chain making will be taught.  A supply list will be sent when you register. The cost is $150 plus a lab fee of $30.

    Class will be held at the La Veta School of the Arts, across from the town park on Ryus Ave.  For more information or to register, call 719-989-8238 or 719- 742-3421, e-mail LVArtSchool@yahoo.com or check our website www.the LVSA.org.

Alzheimer′s Assoc. Memory Walk

WALSENBURG-  The 20th annual Alzheimers Memory Walk will take place Sat. Sept. 26 at Lathrop State Park in Walsenburg.  The effort raises money for the Alzheimers Association which provides Colorado families with the care and support they need to live every day with this disease.  Events include a kids′ activities area, food, music and prizes. Event check-in is at 9 am, and the walk will begin at 10.   For information on how to participate, contact Betty Nufer at 544-5720.  

Democrats Meet

WALSENBURG-  The Huerfano County Democratic Party will hold its 2010 Election Cycle Kickoff Meeting on Sat. Sept. 26 at 3:30 pm at the Huerfano County Community Center, 928 Russell Avenue.  All interested registered Democrats are encouraged to attend.  Local, state and national topics will be discussed.

    We welcome comments and suggestions from all Democrats, no matter what side of the political spectrum you favor.  This will be a great forum to share your ideas and develop a local platform we can all support. Refreshments will be served. 

Spanish Peaks Celtic Music Fest

HUERFANO- Save September 25-27 for the fifth annual Spanish Peaks International Celtic Music Festival in Walsenburg and La Veta.  Enjoy harps, fiddles, pipes and whistles, dancing and storytelling, all against the fall colors of the beautiful Spanish Peaks.

    The Festival offers five different concerts, a ten-hour Celtic Harp Retreat, and a Sunday noontime “Burns Supper” in honor of Robert Burns’ 250th anniversary. The weekend also provides a variety of workshops including singing, storytelling, Scottish and Irish ceilidh dancing, Irish step dancing, and numerous instrumental classes.  There are also free workshops for beginners in harp, bodhran and whistle.  And this year we can promise you session playing not only throughout the day, but also late night at the Parkside Gallery in La Veta.  Finally, there will be free ceilidh dancing Saturday and Sunday afternoons in La Veta Park.

    For more information see the Festival website:  www.celticmusicfest.com.

 

Celtic Eucharist

LA VETA- The Reverend Don Henderson will speak about Celtic spirituality on Sun. Sept. 27 at 8:00 am and celebrate the life of St. Hilda at a Celtic Eucharist at 9:30 am.  Both events are free at St. Benedict Church, 113 W. Field St.  Coffee and tea as well as Scottish and Irish pastries will be available for sale.

    St. Hilda was born in 614 and died in 680;  she founded the Abbey at Whitby where she inspired many in the traditions of Celtic Christianity and the  gospel of peace. 

Huerfano Hometown Heroes:Local people supporting local soldiers

HUERFANO- As Christmas approaches, we want to let our deployed hometown men & women know they are kept in our hearts and minds while they are far away from home.  You can help us to send our troops gift boxes this Christmas to remind them how grateful we are for what they do.  If you have a loved one who will be deployed at Christmas, please contact us with their information along with items they might want or need.  Email us at HuerfanoHometownHeroes@yahoo.com or call Char 738-2801 or Juanita 742-3235.

    Drop a line of support & appreciation to our current Huerfano Hometown Hero in Walsenburg at  Adventure Trails Gift Shop, Huerfano Community Bible Church, or Spanish Peaks Library District  or in La Veta at Grandpa & Grandma′s or Community Banks of Colorado.

    Huerfano Hometown Heroes meets the third Tuesday of each month at 6 pm, at Adventure Trails Gift Shop, 1018 E 7th Street in Walsenburg.  See our webpage at www.HuerfanoHometownHeroes.org    Please join us… together we can make a difference for the men and women serving from our communities  serving our country.

Recycle electronics

TRINIDAD- Electronics are hazardous waste. Responsibly recycle old TVs, computers, and other electronics in Trinidad at the Rehabilitation Center on Freedom Road, one turnoff past UPS at 1205 Congress Drive. M-W-F 9-3 pm. Over 95% of all materials will be fully recycled. No recycled materials are incinerated, land-filled, or shipped abroad to be dumped. Businesses, industry, schools, and government agencies are required by law to recycle this toxic waste. Fees apply. Examples: desktop printers and computer CPU towers, $5; computers with monitor, $15; microwave ovens, $10; 22"-30" TVs, $20; key-boards and mice, no charge. For information: Las Animas County Rehabilitation Center, 719-846-3388 or 3389; ReGroup of Trinidad, 719-845-8218.

Open Door Poetry Society

WALSENBURG- Another thump for open door out loud poetry, songs, and stories featured by the Huerfano′s most indigenous and finally tolerated, open door poetry society;  no dues, nice manners, just the truth (as u see it).

Put your poem

where yur mouth is;

Add music

or take it straight (neat)

Make it quiet or make it loud

Add harsh or sprinkle on nice.

No matter how U flavor it, have something to say

And say it in your own

inibital (sp) manner.

USDA Livestock Disaster Assistance Programs

LAKEWOOD– Trudy Kareus, Executive Director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Colorado today announced that producers may now begin applying for benefits under the provisions of the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) and the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP).

    "USDA is committed to meeting the needs of producers after suffering devastating losses due to a natural disaster," said Kareus. "These programs ensure that producers who have suffered agriculture losses receive the critical disaster assistance needed to remain financially solvent and help them continue on in their operations."

    LFP provides payments to eligible livestock producers that have suffered livestock grazing losses due to qualifying drought or fire.  Eligible livestock under LFP include beef cattle, alpacas, buffalo, beefalo, dairy cattle, deer, elk, emus, equine, goats, llamas, poultry, reindeer, sheep and swine.  For losses due to drought, qualifying drought ratings are determined using the U.S. Drought Monitor located at www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html.

 

USDA Advisory Committee for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

WASHINGTON- Sept. 9 – USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Jonathan Coppess today announced that nominations for individuals to serve on the Advisory Committee for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers are being accepted through Oct. 5.

    "As we look to build a new generation of farmers and ranchers throughout the country, this committee will work to update or develop policies and programs that will hopefully make it easier for beginning producers to enter the agricultural industry," said Coppess. "This committee will help strengthen our nation′s food supply for the coming decades, and I urge qualified individuals to apply."

    The 20-member Committee advises the Secretary on ways to support federal and state programs that administer joint financing to beginning farmers and ranchers and maximize new opportunities created through those programs.

    Members serve a two-year term and are not paid; however, they are reimbursed for travel expenses related to attending meetings, which are generally held annually.

    For a copy of the nomination form or more information, please contact Mark Falcone, Designated Federal Official for the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, at (202) 720-1632 or e-mail at mark.falcone@usda.gov. Mr. Falcone′s address is: USDA-FSA, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Stop 0522, Washington, DC, 20250-0522;  Fax: (202) 690-1117.

Cement plant concerns

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