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Upcoming Events for May 5, 2022

Throughout Our World

The Chief Bicycle & Comedy Festival

OUR WORLD — Presented by Bigtop Studios, the Chief Bicycle & Comedy Festival returns for its third year, and in 2022 we’re taking this festival across the border with shows in Trinidad, Colorado and Raton, New Mexico. Performances will take place in Trinidad from 4 p.m. to midnight on Friday, May 6th and Saturday, May 7th, and in Raton during the day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 7th. This year’s festival will feature headliners: Emma Arnold on Friday, May 6th, Eddie Pepitone on Saturday, May 7th, hosted by Sam Tallent and Nathan Lund.
For a list of all additional performances and more information please visit: thechieffestival.com.

Relay for Life luminaria bag decorating

OUR WORLD—Join us at one of our decorating nights to decorate a luminaria bag(s). Enjoy pizza, pop and water on us. You can bring your own things or pictures to decorate them or some things will be provided for you. Our big event is Saturday, August 6th and we want to line the walking track with lots of luminaria bags honoring loved ones. Each bag is $5. If you can’t come to one of our decorating nights and would still like a bag you can stop by Corradino’s in Trinidad or Farm Bureau in Walsenburg to decorate them at your leisure. Decorating nights in Trinidad are Thursday, May 12 and June from 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. at  Corradino Auto Body, 124 N. Maple St. Walsenburg’s decorating night will be Monday,  May 16, 5:30 p.m. at Farm Bureau, 713 Walsen Ave. Please contact Kendra Doherty at 719-680-0693 or 719-946-5510.

Pueblo Levee Artist Panel Discussion

OUR WORLD—Meet with Cynthia Ramu and a distinguished group of Pueblo Levee Mural artists, including Kara Wiley, Shannon Palmer, Tia Monson and Huerfano County’s own Valrie Eisemann on Thursday, May 12, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Rawlings Library (main branch).

HUERFANO

Summer hours for Walsenburg Mining Museum at the Old Jail House

WALSENBURG—If the dog-days of summer begin to weigh you down and the kids are more than you care to handle, you might consider taking them to jail. We’re recommending the old county jail, home of the Walsenburg Mining Museum of course.  The museum located behind the courthouse at 112 W. 5th Street A is opening for summer hours starting May 2nd.
Summer hours are Mon-Tues-Fri 10:00-4:00 and Saturday 10:00-2:00.  When you arrive don’t forget to greet our Mr. Miner statue and pay your respects to our miners list engraved on the base.

Do you enjoy crocheting?

LA VETA—Help La Veta Public Library create a crochet coral reef display to decorate the library for our
“Oceans of Possibilities” Summer Reading Program. Pick up a ‘take and make’ kit at the La Veta Public Library, or use the patterns available on our website, or create your own design. Bring your creations into the La Veta Public Library anytime between now and Friday, May 20 and we will arrange them into a coral reef display. For more information call 719-742-3572 or email stephanie@lvpl.org.

Spanish Peaks Chamber meeting

HUERFANO—The Spanish Peaks Chamber of Commerce will meet on Thursday, May 5, at 6 p.m. in the La Veta Fire Protection District Main Conference Room, 100 Birch Street, La Veta or online via Zoom.
More details can be found at https://spanishpeakschamber.com/events/.
In addition, this month the Chamber is excited to host its first mixer of 2022 on May 18th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Alys’ Restaurant, 604 S. Oak St. in La Veta. Appetizers and cash bar will be available along with guest speakers Lola Spradley with Huerfano County Economic Development and Lauren Roberts with Watercourse Foods and the new owner of the former La Veta school buildings. We hope to see you there.

Acrylic Paint Night

WALSENBURG— Join us at John Mall High School for another Acrylic Paint Night on Thursday, May 5 at 5 p.m. We will be painting “boho owls” this time and it is $5 per person, supplies and snacks are included. You must be over 10+ years old to participate for this beginner level class. Seats are limited, please RSVP to kwitt@huerfano.k12.co.us

King Solomon’s Mines?

LA VETA—The LaVeta Library is delighted to welcome David Steffan on Thursday, May 5, at 2 p.m. as he presents a fascinating recount of his experiences on the 2020 Tel Aviv University archeological dig at Timma Valley in  Jerusalem. Exciting information about evidence of  copper mines dating back to the time of King David and King Solomon (10th century BC)  prompted the Smithsonian to feature this on the cover of their magazine and chose it as #1 on their list of top 10 science articles in 2021. Free, as always, with tasty refreshments!

Spanish Peaks Library Storytime

WALSENBURG—On Friday, May 6 we will be celebrating Mother’s Day.  Come join us for some stories about moms  and related activities.  We will be making a very cute dinosaur card.  Storytime is every Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at 415 Walsen Ave. in Walsenburg.  If you have any questions you may contact Ms. Sherry at 719-695-1105 or sherry@spld.org.  We have again revised our hours at the library.   We are now open M – W from 10:00 am to 6 p.m., Th – F from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.  We hope to see you soon.

Friday Art Lab

WALSENBURG—STEAM class will be held at Museum of Friends on Friday, May 6, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Join us every Friday starting this friday at MoF and continueing all summer. STEAM is the focus   Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math   Projects explore how science, art and math intersect with technology.  Students are encouraged to bring their lap tops or I Pads as we create 2 and 3 dimensional art projects while we look at the art of Leonardo da Vinci up to present day artists who were both scientists and artists.  Projects include: “birds make flight;” “murals and math”; “the art of seeing – learning perspective and how the use of perspective changed paintings forever.”  Call for details: 719-738-2858

Fox Theatre weekend movie

WALSENBURG— Join us at the historic Fox Theatre in Walsenburg for our weekend movie “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” When an interdimensional rupture unravels reality, an unlikely hero must channel her newfound powers to fight bizarre and bewildering dangers from the multiverse as the fate of the world hangs in the balance. Rated R with a run time of 2 hours and 19 minutes. Movie showtimes are Friday 7:30 p.m., *Saturday 12 p.m., and Sunday 3 p.m.

Beginning T’ai Chi classes

LA VETA—Often referred to as “the gentle art of yielding”, the ancient, slow moving Chinese practice of T’ai Chi Chuan is also healing in many ways.  New, beginning classes will be held beginning Saturday, May 7,  at 9 a.m. at The La Veta School of the Arts – 105 W Ryus, across from the town park.  Beginning classes will continue every Saturday morning from 9-10am during the month of May.  The cost is a donation of $5 per class or $20 for a month of classes.  For more information, call Peggy Zehring 719-742-5193, or e-mail  <PeggyZehring@msn.com> or <LVArtSchool@yahoo.com>

Quisgard’s Patterns and Spaces

WALSENBURG— Join Maria Cocchiarelli on Saturday, May 7 at 2 p.m. at Museum of Friends to gain an insight into the work of artist Liz Whitney Quisgard. Quisgard’s exhibit, Patterns and Spaces, will be on view through July 30th. Light refreshments will be served. Please call 719-738-2858 for more info. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Eliza Gilkyson with the Rifters

LA VETA — Twice Grammy nominated folk singer-songwriter Eliza Gilkyson will be joined by special guests, The Rifters, for a celebration of Eliza’s new album From the River Wind. Join us at the La Veta Mercantile on Saturday, May 7 at 7 p.m. Eliza calls this her love letter to the Old West. It is composed of snapshots of the people and places, lives and loves lost or found over the years of wandering the west as a musical minstrel, searching for her hearts home.

School Nature Trail Work Session

LA VETA—Our work session on Friday, April 29th got blown away by gusty winds. This message lets you know that we rescheduled the work at the School Nature Trail for Monday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to noon.
The wooden sign frames, kiosks, and bridge need to be sanded and a new coat of stain applied.
All volunteers should pack a water bottle,  wear old sturdy clothes, and note long pants, and work boots, are required. Eye protection is recommended, as are sunscreen, and work gloves.
The minimum age requirement for this workday is age 16. Younger children must be accompanied by a parent.
If we have to cancel for hazardous weather or any other reason, we will email you or call no later than 9 a.m. on the morning of the workday.
We will also post the cancellation on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/lavetatrails.org.
For more info contact Marilyn Russell at 719-890-4071 or by email at russellm9999@gmail.com.

Conversation about tourism

LA VETA—The Tourism Board invites you to an informative community conversation about tourism in our county on Monday, May 9 at 6 p.m. We will be hosting a series of community meetings to provide an overview of the work the tourism board is engaged in to bring visitors and tourism dollars to the county. We will discuss the ways we work to promote all the activities, attractions, and events that Spanish Peaks Country offers visitors. A light dinner will be provided. Huerfano County Tourism Board conversation will be held at the community center in La Veta. A zoom link will be available for this meeting.

Great Coral Reef crochet project

LA VETA— Have you heard about the great coral reef that is growing in La Veta? Stephine Masinton, the Children’s Librarian at the La Veta Public Library has this great summer program that will also be an art installation of a coral reef created by local crocheters. Sandy Dolak offered to help with this project by facilitating a group on Tuesday, May 10 at 1 p.m. at the library dubbed (NOT) Crocheting like a Granny. We will work together on the basic crochet skills to contribute to the reef (or to make hats and afghans for all the world). A kit will be provided with yarn and a crochet hook, and we will work together on creating pieces for the reef. If you are already working on pieces, please consider joining us and share what you have done.

Life & Death Round Table Discussions

WALSENBURG—Boies Ortega Funeral Home is sponsoring a free monthly educational series for 2022 on various topics including grief, end of life decisions, pre planned funerals and later in the year topics such as Medicare vs. Medicaid and Life or Death Insurance.
The next workshop is May 11, 11:00 a.m. on “End of Life Decisions and Hospice” Sangre de Cristo Hospice joins Elisa in reviewing the options of what to plan for regarding end-of-life decisions. You don’t have to be in hospice care to plan what to do or how someone will honor your decisions when you can’t make them for yourself any longer. You will walk away with hand outs and tools to prepare you for difficult decisions to come in the future.
All workshops are held in the community room at Spanish Peaks Library on Walsen Avenue.
Light refreshments will be served.
Call Elisa at 719-738-2152 if you have questions.

Bless Me, Ultima in La Veta

LA VETA—Once again, from new perspectives, Bless Me, Ultima by Rodolfo Anaya will be explored at the La Veta Library. A second offering in the series will be Wednesday,  May 11 at 2 p.m. with the showing of the movie hosted by Bob Hettenhausen. He will lead an interesting discussion comparing the book to the movie. There are a limited number of free books available at the library for those interested in attending the programs. The program and books are made available by Huajatolla Heritage Foundation F.

Veteran counseling services
 
WALSENBURG—Veteran counseling services is coming to Huerfano County on May 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 pm. at the Spanish Peaks Veteran Community Living Center east parking lot.
Mobile Vet Center is a large mobile vehicle with space for confidential counseling and are used to provide outreach to eligible military veteran individuals in communities that are distant from existing services. Readjustment counseling is a wide range of psycho social services offered to eligible Veterans and their families. They include:
•      Individual and group counseling for Veterans, Service members, and their families
•      Family counseling for military related issues
•      Bereavement counseling for families who experience an active duty death
•      Military sexual trauma counseling and referral
•      Substance abuse assessment and referral
•      VBA benefits explanation and referral
•      Screening & referral for medical issues including TBI, depression, etc.
If you, or a family member, served in any combat zone and received a military campaign ribbon (Korea, Vietnam, Southwest Asia, OEF, OIF, etc.) then both you and your family are eligible for Vet Center services.
If you or your family qualifies for this service, this is FREE to the attendees! Vet Centers are a subsidiary of the VA and keep separate records from the main VA database for your security and will not be shared unless given permission under HIPAA regulations.
No appointment necessary. For an Intake Packet ahead of visit, please contact the County Veteran Service Officer at ddewolf@Huerfano.us

End of life decisions and Hospice
 
WALSENBURG—Sangre de Cristo Hospice joins Elisa in reviewing the options of what to plan for regarding end-of-life decisions. You don’t have to be in hospice care to plan what to do or how someone will honor your decisions when you can’t make them for yourself any longer. You will walk away with hand outs and tools to prepare you for difficult decisions to come. End of Life, Hospice and Palliative Care on Thursday, May 12th, 11 a.m. at the Spanish Peaks Library in Walsenburg and is free to attend. Hospice staff will be there to educate people on what to prepare for and do before end of life occurs.

Notre Dame three years later

LA VETA—Tony Masinton will talk about what has happened so far to restore the cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris three years after the devastating fire. Find out how bad the damage was and the steps an army of craftspeople and scientists are taking now to return the world heritage site to its former glory. Tony holds a PhD in medieval church architecture and spent over a decade working on ancient churches and cathedrals in Europe. This discussion will be held at La Veta Public Library on Thursday, May 12, 2-4 p.m.

Clean up day at Fort Francisco Museum

LA VETA—Saturday, May 14 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. we will be putting up the Tipi, doing yardwork, having a chinking party, and uncovering the exhibits in anticipation of opening day, May 27th. All are welcome. Lunch and snacks will be provided. For more info, go to our website franciscofort.org/events-calendar

Two Peaks Fitness 10 Year anniversary

LA VETA – Help us celebrate our 10-year anniversary. Stop in Saturday May 14, 9 a.m. -12 p.m. for free refreshments and membership specials! Two Peaks Fitness is located at 216 S Main St in La Veta, 719-742-3555. A non-profit organization serving Huerfano County. 719-742-3555.

Chimayo Presentation-UPDATED

WALSENBURG—The Chimayo Presentation at the Walsenburg Library that was cancelled by the weather last month has been rescheduled for Monday, May 16 at the Walsenburg Library. During Holy Week, tens of thousands of pilgrims make the annual journey to Chimayo, New Mexico, and to its famous sacred site, the Santuario de Chimayo. Chimayo is one of the spiritual centers of the region and the destination of the most popular pilgrimage in North America. The roads to Chimayo course through mountain villages where Hispanic Catholicism has been cradled for more than two centuries, but Chimayo, as well, is a special place for all who quest to find divinity and to encounter the sacred within themselves. Come learn more about this special place.

LAS ANIMAS  

Youth outdoors job opportunity

TRINIDAD — Applications are open for Mile High Youth Corps’ (MHYC) Land Conservation Summer of Service program. MHYC is searching for positive, hardworking individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 to spend 12-14 weeks this summer working on environmental stewardship projects near Trinidad.
Corpsmembers earn a bi-weekly stipend, and are enrolled in AmeriCorps, earning a scholarship to be used towards advancing their learning after the program. They also receive up to four free mental health counseling sessions.
Corpsmembers will also receive training in one or more stewardship skillsets, including chainsaw operation, trail building and maintenance and pesticide application. No experience is necessary.
Corpsmembers receive industry-recognized certifications that lead to effective service and highly-desirable qualifications and experience that support opportunities for future employment in natural resource management.
Applications now being accepted online at www.milehighyouthcorps.org/apply-now

East Street School Open House

TRINIDAD—Urban Neighborhoods Inc. and RedLine Art Center of Denver, announce their open house event at East Street School at 210 East Street Trinidad, on Saturday, May 7, 1 p.m.-3 p.m. The rehabilitation of East Street School will offer a live/work community of simple living spaces where shared resources and experiences create a supportive environment for artists of all disciplines. The re-imagined East Street School is designed to foster a network of creative excellence where artists can continue to grow personally and professionally.

Job Fair at Trinidad State College

TRINIDAD—There will be a job fair on Friday, May 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Pioneer Room at Trinidad State College, 600 Prospect Street.  To register call 719-846-9285 or 719-846-9221.  Sponsored by the Trinidad Workforce & TLAC Chamber of Commerce.

Senior Day at Books & More

TRINIDAD — Sept. Senior Day at Books & More bookstore, 132 N. Commercial Street,  Friday, May 6 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday May 7 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.  Most items 50% off. For more information please call 719- 846-8522.

Market in May

TRINIDAD—Mt. Caramel Wellness Community Center is hosting a market on Saturday, May 7 from 2  p.m. to 6 p.m. at Sister Blandina Wellness Gardens, 127 N. Commercial Street, Trinidad. Join the fun while shopping for arts & crafts from local vendors. Vendors are still able to apply for this event until May 2. Call 719-845-4875 for more information or to rent a space.

Cinco de Mayo

LAS ANIMAS—Las Animas County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce presents Cinco de Mayo celebration on Saturday, May 7 from 2 p.m.-10 p.m. at the Southern Colorado Miner’s Memorial 219 W. Main St. next to the Southern Colorado Miner’s Museum. We are celebrating our culture with dance, food, music (we will have a DJ & Band), plus we are having a car show! Entry for the car show is $25 for your first car and take $5 off the next entry. Lowrider bike entries are $10. Call Yolanda or Desiree with any questions 719-846-8234 or 719-845-7839.

Hoehne FFA May Fair

HOEHNE— Join Hoehne High School’s FFA annual May fair on Sunday, May 8. The livestock show will start at 8 a.m.   Brisket lunch will be start at approximately 11:30 a.m. and the auction will begin at 12:30 p.m. For more information please visit www.hoehnesd.org or call 719-846-4457.

Hike to the Dinosaur tracks

TRINIDAD — Join the Fishers Peak Outfitters on Saturday, May 14 at 7:30 a.m. for this free guided hike to the dinosaur tracks. This will be an 11 mile hike, 5.5 miles to the tracks then back out of the canyon. We ask that you please leave your pets at home as it is rattle snake season. We will meet at Fishers Peak Outfitters in Trinidad then carpool to the trail head approx 1.5 hours away. Please bring plenty of water and appropriate attire. Expect to see amazing scenery, wildlife, First nations people’s petroglyphs, hispanic settler’s church site and of course the largest deposit of dinosaur tracks in North America. Please sign up at Fishers Peaks Outfitters or email fisherspeakoutfitters@gmail.com

Second Saturdays –  Open Mic for all Literary Souls

TRINIDAD—The Corazón de Trinidad Creative District is pleased to announce its fourth event for 2022; the Second Saturday Series will continue on Saturday, May 14 at 7 p.m.  An Open Mic for poets and all literary souls, the Series is hosted by the Creative District on the Second Saturday of the month at 210 West Main St. The evening begins at 7 pm with a featured writer; the microphone then opens to all who would like to share their creative literary efforts. This event is free and open to the public. Our featured poet is David A. Martin a resident of Beulah, Colorado

LifeLine open house

TRINIDAD — Join LifeLine and UChealth on Tuesday, May 17 from 5 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. at the Perry Stokes Airport to check out their newest aircraft and helicopter. Please RSVP to Kim Lucero, Director of Development and Ancillary Operations at 719-846-8053 or via email at klucero@msrhc.org by May 13th.

COLFAX

NM Rural Summit

SANTA FE — Join rural, frontier and tribal leaders, community champions, and federal and state partners for two days of in-depth discussions on infrastructure, education, transportation, economic development, healthcare, public safety, agriculture/acequia, and natural resources. The New Mexico Rural Summit Round House will be held on Wednesday, May 11 and Thursday, May 12 at the NM State Capitol. For more information on this event or to register please call 505-927-0108 or 505-803-1071 or Email Roger.Montoya@nmlegis.gov

Folsom Museum’s Dry Cimarron Tour

FOLSOM — Join us for this year’s tour on Saturday, May 7, 8 a.m.   The tour will begin at the Folsom Museum with a tour of the town and its history. It will proceed from there down the Dry Cimarron with stops at local ranches and other historical places of interest. Lunch will be at the Burchard ranch where Mr. Burchard will give a presentation of artifacts and geological, and paleontological history. Participants can bring a lunch or order a sack lunch through the museum at the time of registration. Fruit, snacks, and water will be provided by the museum. (Donations greatly appreciated.) After lunch the tour will return by way of Toll Gate Canyon with stops for ecological and botanical presentations. For more information or to register call the museum at 575-278-2122.

World Migratory Bird Day  

COLFAX— Sugarite Canyon State Park is hosting a full day of events on Saturday May 14, celebrating World Migratory Bird Day.
• 6:55 a.m.  Early Bird Special! Visitor Center. Coffee, treats & birds at the feeders!
• 7:30-8:30 a.m. Beaver Wetland Guided Bird Walk. Lake Alice Campground.  We’ll look for Dusky Flycatchers, Vireos, Warblers, and Western Tanagers.
• 9 a.m. Coffee with a Ranger. Lake Alice Campground. Coffee, doughnuts & camp chair birding! Find out why we should dim our lights for birds who “fly by night”!
• 2 p.m. The Big Guys! Soda Pocket Campground. Come meet live birds of prey,  including some who migrate to our area.
• 4 p.m. The Big Guys! (Repeated) Lake Alice Campground.
• 5-7 p.m. Lake Maloya Guided Bird Walk. Lake Maloya Trailhead. We’ll look  xfor ducks, geese, woodpeckers, Western Wood-Pewees, and Violet-green Swallows.
• 8-10 p.m. Full Moon Walk. Lake Maloya Trailhead. Take a walk in the park after  dark! Learn about Sugarite’s nighttime environment and how birds migrate at night.

Moonlight Hike

Colfax— Take a ranger guided hike at Capulin Volcano under the full or nearly full moon on Saturday, May 14 at 8 p.m. Subjects include night time biology, lunar geography, astronomy, and the park after dark. Come and experience the top of Capulin Volcano in a new light! Wear warm clothing and layers as the weather may be chilly. Meet at the visitor center before heading up the volcano. Reservations are required; call 575-278-2201 with the number of people attending to reserve a spot!

Cement plant concerns

Building inspector suggests a negotiated move out of Northlands to site near prison WALSENBURG — The Walsenburg City Council convened a special meeting Friday, March

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