Updated September 10, 2007

The Valley Community Chorus will begin rehearsals this year on Tuesday, September 11th. The chorus will join forces with the Adams State College Chamber Orchestra to present Vivaldi's Gloria in December. Rehearsals are 7 to 9pm on Tuesdays in room 117 of the music building on the ASC campus. The first rehearsal and pre-registration is strongly suggested. For more information, contact Dr. Christopher Jackson, director, at 587-7300.

The comment period on the San Luis Resource Area Travel Management Plan has been extended to 4:30pm on Monday, October 1st. Planning documents may be reviewed at any SLV field office or on-line. Call Jamie at 852-5941 for more information.

Adams State College will hold a peace vigil at 6pm on Tuesday, September 11th, at the Japanese American Memorial Garden, located west of the E.S. building. The event is free and open to the public. The half-hour ceremony will include music, poetry and an opportunity for participants to light a candle in memory of a loved one. Call 587-7827 for more information.

Sierra Grande School District parents and community members are invited to "Coffee With Chris" on Tuesday, September 18th, at 7pm at Lou's Main Street Cafe in Blanca. Come and meet the district's new superintendent, Mr. Chris Whetzel. For more information, call the administration office at 379-3259.

The Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce will hold their 1st Annual Potato Cook-Off contest at Potato Fest 2007, on Saturday, October 13th, from 11am until 12:30pm at Chapman Park in Monte Vista. Cost to participate in the cook-off is $30 if you register by October 1st, or $40 after the first. Competitors can compete in one of three categories: side dish, main dish and dessert. For more information, contact Scott Powell at 480-0051.

Boies Ortega Funeral Home in Walsenburg would like to invite everyone to attend a 9-11 memorial service that will be held at 9am on Tuesday, September 11th, on the courthouse steps in Walsenburg. Everyone is welcome to attend. For more information, call Boies Ortega Funeral Home at 738-2152.

The Walsenburg Booster Club, with the assistance of John Mall High School Band Instructor Cleveland Clinton, would like to gather interested individuals to perform the Panther school song for the Homecoming football game on October 5th. If you're a student, alumni, or a community member and play an instrument and would like more information, call 738-1226.

Volunteer for an environmental project at Lathrop State Park west of Walsenburg and help eliminate Tamarisk from the park! Tamarisk is an invasive plant that uses huge amounts of water and provides no habitat or food for wildlife. The workday will take place at the visitor center on Saturday, September 15th, from 8am to 1pm. Lunch will be provided. For more information, call Stacey Lewis at 738-2376.

The High Valley Swingers Square Dance Club will hold a square dance on Saturday, September 15th, at 7:30pm, at the Sargent School cafeteria, north of Monte Vista. Refreshments will be furnished by last names A through M. All square dancers are invited to join in for an evening of fun and good dancing. For more information, call Gail at 852-2459.

The Monte Vista Parks & Recreation will hold a "Fallout" softball tournament on Saturday and Sunday, September 15th and 16th. There are two divisions: men's and co-ed. Entry fee is $200. The tournament will take place at the Sky-High softball fields in Monte Vista. Registration deadline is September 12th. For more information, or to sign up, call Amber Garcia at 849-1483

The Friends of the San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuges will hold their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 12th, at 7pm in the downstairs community room of the Monte Vista Public Library. All members and the public are invited to attend. For more information, please contact Tim Armstrong at 852-2452.

The Huerfano and Las Animas Counties District Health Department is pleased to offer a variety of services to the people of southern Colorado. Vaccines for children and adults are available, as well as prenatal vitamins. The health department also offers a variety of assistance programs and smoking cessation help. Stop by one of the offices in Trinidad or Walsenburg today, or call 738-2650 for more information.

Oktoberfest is scheduled in Monte Vista for Saturday, September 29th. Volunteers to help put on this year's Oktoberfest are currently being sought. Anyone interested in volunteering or helping to organize the Oktoberfest is asked to call Anna Libby for more information at 850-2220.

Are you coping with diabetes and pursuing every means to protect and maintain your health? Valley-Wide Health Services will provide retinal eye exams to people with diabetes this month at the Alamosa Family Medical Center. Exams are available in Alamosa on various dates throughout the month. Cost is $12.50, payable at the time of service. For more information, or to make an appointment, call 589-3658.

The Trinidad City Council is accepting letters of interest from citizens within the city to fill one vacancy on the board of directors of the Carnegie Public Library in Trinidad. In order to be considered eligible to serve, individuals must be a resident of the city and have resided within the city for not less than one year immediately preceding appointment. Interested persons must also be registered to vote. Letters of interest in serving on the board will be accepted at the city clerk's office at city hall. For more information, call 846-9843.

Are you coping with diabetes and pursuing every means to protect and maintain your health? Valley-Wide Health Services will provide retinal eye exams to people with diabetes this month at the Alamosa Family Medical Center. Exams are available in Alamosa on various dates throughout the month. Cost is $12.50, payable at the time of service. For more information, or to make an appointment, call 589-3658.

The Huerfano and Las Animas Counties District Health Department now has free prenatal vitamins. Women who are pregnant or who are nursing are encouraged to stop by. Tetanus shots are also now available. Don't forget to come in and get your tetanus shot updated. Cost is only $10.

The valley farmers' market season has now begun and will continue each Saturday through October, from 7am to 2pm, at the parking lots at State and Main in downtown Alamosa. Local growers and gardeners are encouraged to bring their produce to market. Cooking demos with samples, live music and cultural events will also be featured, and food stamp benefits can now be accepted electronically at the market. Call 587-3626 for more information.

Are you looking for a job that allows you to work from home and help others? Southern Colorado Developmental Disabilities is looking for individuals that are willing to have developmentally disabled adults live in and share their home. If you are interested, please call Frank at S.C.D.D.S. at 738-3151 for details. This is an excellent opportunity for the right individual and environment.

If your sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and you have not been, the "Sister Study" is looking for your help. The Sister Study needs you to help learn what causes breast cancer. Women ages 35 to 74 can enroll by calling 1-877-4-SISTER. That's 1-877-474-7837. Or, go to www.sisterstudy.org. The sister study is being conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

Fortay International is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting cross-cultural understanding to make the world a more beautiful place. Fortay is committed to placing exchange students in loving homes across the U.S. to experience our culture firsthand. Host families in our area are currently being sought. Local representatives and area managers are also needed. Call 1-888-866-6869 for more information.

Have you dreamed about owning your own home and so far have been unable to get a traditional mortgage? Habitat For Humanity works with volunteers and low-income families to build affordable homes. Habitat For Humanity is accepting applications for the next home to be built in Alamosa. Call habitat at 589-8678 for an application and for more information.

Learn firsthand about another culture without leaving the United States and establish a friendship that will last a lifetime! Pacific Intercultural Exchange has international students from more than 40 countries arriving in our area for homestay programs and they urgently need your help. Caring host families are being sought to share the American way of life. If you might be interested in hosting a foreign teen, or would like more information, please call 1-800-828-9001.

The San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center is seeking volunteers to serve in their “Ambassador Program.” This is a team of volunteers dedicated to the customer service needs of visitors and patients to the hospital and clinic. Volunteers are asked to give 4 hours of time per week. For more information, call Kathy Rogers at 587-1209.

Did you know you don't have to knock yourself out to prevent diabetes? You can delay or prevent Type 2 diabetes by losing a modest amount of weight by eating healthier and being active most days. If you are over 45 and overweight, talk to your health care provider about your risk. For more information, call Cathy Tamas at the Outreach Clinic in Walsenburg at 738-2718.

La Plaza de Los Leones is now selling bottled water, produced locally by Ojo Springs Water Company. The water is the finest tasting mountain spring water bottled in La Veta. Cost is $20 per case or $1 per bottle. All proceeds will go toward scholarship funds for Huerfano County students. For more information, call Tom Martinez at 738-3643.