Relay for Life kick-off
HUERFANO- The American Cancer Society Relay for Life kick-off is in La Veta this weekend, but the celebration is for all Huerfano County residents.
There will be free food, fun and information provided at the event, to be held Sun. Mar. 1, at 2 pm at Sammie’s Dance Hall in La Veta.
The Relay for Life is an overnight, non-competitive team event to raise money for cancer research, advocacy education programs and patient services. There are opportunities for organizations, families, or businesses to sponsor teams, often done in remembrance of friends and family who have lost their fight with cancer, or to celebrate those who are cancer survivors. Call Laurie Erwin, 742-3849; Terry Warlick 746-2525; or Danelle Martinez 738-3093 for more information.
Speaks joins Honor Society
COLORADO SPRINGS- Kelsey Speaks, a 2007 graduate of La Veta High School and the daughter of Darrell and Kristi Arnold of La Veta, has been invited to join the Colorado College (Colorado Springs) chapter of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. Alpha Lambda Delta is a national organization that has been in operationsince 1924 and has 245 chapters. The organization recognizes academic achievement and encourages a high standard of learning. To be eligible for membership, students must be in the top 20 percent of their class and have a minimum grade point average of 3.5.
Former Huerfano selected for IRS panel
LAKEWOOD- Former Walsenburg resident Dean Conder has been selected by the Treasury Dept. to serve on the national Taxpayer Advocacy Panel. Conder will represent local taxpayers as well as work on national issues.
Health Fair blood draw
HUERFANO- The Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center is gearing up for its annual Health Fair, happening Apr. 19 at the Huerfano County Community Center. Persons interested in having blood work checked must have draws done beforehand, so the results are completed in time for the Fair. For more information, call 738-2718.
Army seeks access
COLORADO- The US Army Corps of Engineers are seeking permission to examine private property in and around the proposed expansion area for the Pinon Canon Maneuver Site for unexploded ordinance left over from World War Two- era bombing practice.
Three bombing ranges were used during the 1940’s, and the Army is concerned there might be unexploded ordinance still there. Area ranchers question the timing, and believe this is attempt by the Army to try and condemn their property as contaminated.
Huerfano County’s Voting Machines Still in Limbo
Election officials across Colorado were stunned in December when Colorado Secretary of State Mike Coffman decertified most of the state’s electronic voting machines due to security and accuracy concerns.
On Monday Coffman recertified electronic voting machines made by Sequoia Voting Systems, and those made by Election Systems and Software, hopefully solving the election day woes of Arapahoe, Denver, Elbert Jefferson, Mesa and Pueblo counties.
The Hart InterCivic optical scanner, used by Douglas, Boulder and 45 smaller counties including Huerfano County, remains decertified pending further review. Coffman met with county clerks in Douglas County Tuesday to discuss whether to recertify the Hart system. The issue is whether the scanners will read stray marks, food stains or staples as votes in races where a voter has not made a selection. If the machines are not recertified, Huerfano County will need go back to paper balloting or get the systems replaced.
Reminder! Two Peaks One Book
LA VETA- The Two Peaks One Book committee has scheduled events over a three-week period which celebrate the book Bless Me Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya. All events are free, open to the public and held at the La Veta Public Library. We invite you to enrich your reading by joining others.
• Thurs. Feb. 28
7-8:30 pm – Introduction and background: Rick Manzanares, Ruben Archuleta and Juan Espinosa
8:30-9 pm – Tour: Hispanic Room at Francisco Fort Museum. Tour Guide: Ruben Archuleta
• Sun. March 2 2-3:30 pm – Let’s talk about the book: Susan Simons, moderator
3:30-4:30 pm – Tour: Hispanic Room at Francisco Fort Museum. Tour Guide: Eileen Bankson
• Thurs. March 6 7-8:30 pm – Growing up in the valley: a panel of local residents with Art Bobian Rosa Gandara & others
• Sun. March 9 2:00-3:30 pm – Musical Event: Oress DeHerrera and others
• Thurs. March 13 7-8:30 pm – Let’s talk about the book: Betty Brown, moderator
Tourism Meeting
HUERFANO- The Huerfano County Tourism Council will be meeting at 10 am, Thurs. Mar. 6 at the Lathrop State Park Visitor’s Center. The 2008 calendar is being finalized for the country’s tourism website, www.SpanishPeaksCountry.com. Be sure to bring your events or email them to debram@fone.net, by the end of the week.
Ninth annual Stations of the Cross pilgrimage
SAN LUIS- Once again this year, our Parish Communities will be making our annual pilgrimage to The Stations Of The Cross Shrine in San Luis, on Palm Sunday, Mar. 16. We the members of The Four Parishes of The Spanish Peaks Catholic Community, would like to extend an invitation to peoples of all faiths, to join us, in unity and fellowship. Groups and car-pools will form in The Saint Mary Church parking lot in Walsenburg, immediately following the 10:00 a.m. Mass. Final departure time will be 12:00 noon. We will meet at in San Luis, at the foot of The Stations Hill at 1:00 p.m., in preparation of our ascent as a group. Wear comfortable walking shoes, and dress appropriately, keeping in mind that it is winter, no matter how nice the day here may seem. You may wish to bring a sack lunch, or snacks for the trip. If you do not feel you can walk, there is also a roadway to The Shrine at the top of the hill easily accessible by automobile. Join us for this extraordinary Lenten experience as a special way to begin Holy Week in a solemn and spiritual way!
SCCOG Gets $28,350
DENVER– Energy Outreach Colorado is awarding $28,350 to South Central Council of Governments (SCCOG) to support home energy efficiency improvements for limited income households in Huerfano and Las Animas counties.
Homes selected for SCCOG’s Housing Rehab Program receive improvements such as added insulation, compact fluorescent lighting and new energy-efficient furnaces, refrigerators, water heaters and windows.
