The Montrose Association of Commerce and Tourism starts selling Montrose Bucks Monday, which deliver a 20 percent in “bonus bucks.” To purchase visit their offices, at 1519 E. Main St., or call 970/249-5000. The minimum purchase amount is $100, with a $1,000 maximum. The sale runs through Friday, Dec. 2, or when they have reached their $50,000 ceiling; the Bucks can be purchased with cash or check.  The Montrose ACT office is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed for the four-day Thanksgiving weekend).

On Friday, Nov. 25, at 5:30 p.m., ACE hosts its Community Tree Lighting on the steps of the Montrose County Courthouse, featuring performances by members of the MHS Belcanto Choir and Dance Around, a reading of The Night Before Christmas, and Santa Claus, at Santa’s Cabin (for information, visit  www.visitmontrose.com). 

San Miguel Power’s Low Income Weatherization Program Helping Families Save

NUCLA – San Miguel Power Association, in partnership with the Governor’s Energy Office, is offering funding for low-income weatherization improvements to qualifying member’ homes.

SMPA members who are qualified homeowners or renters can apply for free weatherization services by contacting their local weatherization agencies in Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel and Hinsdale counties by calling 970/249-4774.

GEO guidelines determining eligibility for free weatherization services include household incomes, as well as participation in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Aid to Needy and Disabled, Old Age Pension, Supplemental Security Income and Low Income Energy Assistance Program.

For those deemed eligible, an audit is scheduled and a list of weatherization improvements is identified. These improvements can include, but are not limited to, insulation, furnace replacement, refrigerator replacement, sealing air leaks, or storm windows and doors.

To date, the program has resulted in 21 total weatherization improvements throughout the service territory, most of them adding insulation in attics and walls.

“By partnering with the state and local agencies we’ve been able to connect families in need in our service territory with a program that can really make a difference,” SMPA General Manager Kevin Ritter. “It’s resulted in energy efficiency improvements that would have otherwise gone undone. It’s helping people save energy and money.

For more information about SMPA’s Low Income Weatherization program visit www.smpa.com/EE/LowIncomeWeatherization.cfm or contact the local weatherization agency listed previously.

CSU Master Gardener Applications Now Available

NORWOOD – The Colorado State University Extension Office in San Miguel and West Montrose Counties is now accepting applications for our 2012 Colorado Master Gardener program. Students will receive training in basic botany, soil and fertilizers, entomology, plant pathology, tree and lawn care, vegetables, herbaceous plants, water wise gardening, pruning and much more, with an emphasis on local gardening conditions. It will be taught by experts in the field, through in-person presentations and live interactive video, audio and graphic technology via the internet.

The CMG Course runs Jan. 26- April 5, and takes place at the Naturita Library Thursdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Applications are due Friday, Dec. 23, at 4 p.m. 

Please visit www.coopext.colostate.edu/sanmiguel/, Master Gardener, or call 327-4393, for information.