EVENTS

TUESDAY, DEC. 12

Women's Resource Center Monthly Networking Event – Locally owned and operated Pine River Valley Bank in Durango hosts, 5:30-7 p.m., 1701 Main Ave. The meeting is open to any woman interested in meeting other women in the business community. Admission is free for WRC members, $5 for non-members. For more info call 247-1242 or go to www.wrcdurango.org.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy's Wild and Swingin' Holiday Party at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, Durango, 7 p.m. Riding a perpetual wave of popularity and hipness, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy has toured nearly non-stop since coming together in the mid-1990s. For tickets and info visit www.durangoconcerts.com or call 970/247-7657.

TUESDAY, DEC. 12 AND WEDNESDAY, DEC. 13

American Red Cross Babysitting Training – 4:30-8 p.m., Montrose Rec District, 249-7705.

THURSDAY, DEC. 14

Golden Dragon Acrobats – Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, Durango. Tickets $25 for balcony and orchestra; $30 for plaza; available at www.durangoconcerts.com or by calling 970/247-7657. Showtime is 7 p.m., with doors to the Concert Hall and concessions, serving beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages and snacks, opening at 6 p.m.

FRIDAY, DEC. 15

Grand Junction Youth Jazz Ensemble – Comprised of high-school students from around the area, directed by Dr. Darin Kamstra, Director of Jazz Studies and Percussion at Mesa State College. The 8th Grade Jazz Band from Redlands Middle School will open the concert; Robinson Theatre in Moss Performing Arts Center, Grand Junction, 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more info call 248-1604.

The Legend of the I'm OK, You're OK Corral – Dinner and theater at Paradox Valley School, in Paradox. This is a fundraiser for the Paradox Valley School's Children's Bluegrass Band's trip to Washington, D.C. on March 27 to play on the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center for the Arts. The dinner starts at 6 p.m. and includes homemade lasagna, salad, bread, dessert and beverage; tickets for adults are $9, children are $5. There will also be a raffle for a home-sewn quilt. Call for reservations, 970/859-7236 or 970/859-7273; only 75 reservations available. All proceeds go toward the D.C. trip.

Osprey Packs and Friends Holiday Party Release – Celebrate the season and benefit the Bridge House Shelter in Cortez with a party at the Dolores River Brewery and dance to the sounds of the Beautiful Losers; 8:30 p.m., open to all, $5 donation is suggested. For more info call 970/564-5900.

SATURDAY, DEC. 16

Bar D Wranglers Christmas Jubilee at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, 7 p.m. Durango's much-beloved cowboy crooners come off the Bar D and step on to the stage for a special cowboy Christmas show. A warm-hearted and fun-filled show for the entire family, the Bar D Wranglers are sure to inspire audiences to remember the true meaning of the holidays. For tickets and info visit www.durangoconcerts.com or call 970/247-7657.

Kids Story Time – Heirlooms for Hospice, Montrose, 2-3 p.m.

Santa at Heirlooms for Hospice in Montrose – 12-2 p.m., 3-5 p.m.

SATURDAY, DEC. 16 AND SUNDAY, DEC. 17

Babes in Toyland – A children's theatrical production presented by Circle of Joy at the Sherbino Theater in Ridgway, Sat. at 6:30 p.m., Sun. at 1:30 p.m. Call 626-4414 for more info.

MONDAY, DEC. 18

Candlemaking – 7-9 p.m., Montrose Rec District, 249-7705.

TUESDAY, DEC. 19

Spring Creek/Dave Wood Planning Area Meeting – Montrose Pavilion, 6:30 p.m., 252-4550.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 20

Dr. Holmes Lecture on Arthritis – 10:30 a.m., Montrose Pavilion Senior Center, 252-4884.

THURSDAY, DEC. 21

String Cheese Incident Annual Holiday Benefit – Boulder Theater, doors 6:30 p.m., show 8 p.m. Ages 21 and over welcome; tickets $35, available only in advance through SCI Ticketing (http://sci.baselineticketing.com) and in person at the Boulder Theater Box Office. For more info contact 303/786-7030.

FRIDAY, DEC. 29

Scotty's Aspen Tree Read by Carol McDermott –The Climbing Tree Children's Museum, Montrose, 10 a.m.-noon, 240-8733.

THURSDAY, JAN. 11

Junior Brown – Singer and demon guitarist Junior Brown's raucous blend of country and rock 'n' roll has earned him fans from a variety of musical genres. Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, Durango, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, JAN. 12

Business Expo – Montrose Pavilion, 249-5000, Montrose Chamber of Commerce.

THURSDAY, JAN. 18

Durango Chamber of Commerce Awards Event – This year's annual awards ceremony, "One Shining Moment," will recognize those businesses and individuals who have risen to the top and are extraordinary in their field. Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, Durango, 5-7 p.m. cocktail reception with hors d'oeuvres, 7 p.m. Awards.

FRIDAY, JAN. 19

Formula 151: Yesterday's Tomorrow – Drawing from a long heritage of singer/songwriters and acoustic music, Formula 151 takes listeners on a melodic and lyrical journey. Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, Durango, 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, JAN. 20

Women's Expo – Montrose Pavilion, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 240-3636.

MONDAY, JAN. 22 AND MONDAY, JAN. 29

Financial Workshop – Mesa State College Montrose Campus, 6-8 p.m., 249-7009.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Toys for Tots at Big O – Big O Tires has joined forces with the United States Marine Corp in sponsoring the 2006 Toys for Tots Program. Bring in a new, unwrapped toy or a check made out to "Toys for Tots" to the Big O Tires nearest you by Dec. 23. Brighten the holiday for a child in your community. Big O Tires in Montrose is located at 1900 South Townsend, 970/240-6963.

The Women's Resource Center in Durango will be closed Dec. 25-Jan. 5, reopening on Jan. 8.

Christmas Tree Permits on Sale – Available at National Forest/BLM offices and selected retail outlets in southwestern Colorado. An $8 permit (expiring Dec. 31) allows you to cut one tree up to 20 feet tall for personal use. Maps and free advice on the best areas for tree harvesting available. Permits on sale at: Cortez City Market, 508 E. Main; Dolores Public Lands Office, 29211 Highway 184; Durango San Juan Public Lands Center, 15 Burnett Court and Kroeger's Ace Hardware, #8 Town Plaza; Mancos Cox Conoco, 201 E. Railroad Ave. (permits will be sold for $10 at this location). Call the San Juan Public Lands Center at 970/247-4874 for up-to-date info on road conditions or go to www.fs.fed.us/r2/sanjuan/conditions.

Tango Dance Party and Instruction – Fridays, 6:30 p.m., Sherbino Theater in Ridgway. Bring potluck munchies. Call 626-4414 for more info.

Costumes, Costumes, Costumes! The Sherbino Theater is thinning out its costume rooms; its corner store has costumes for sale, rent or trade. Recycle your old costumes here as well.

Beginning Belly Dance with Phyllis and Shannon, Tuesdays, 7 p.m., Sherbino Theatre, Ridgway, 626-4414.

Veteran's Business Classes – The Small Business Development Center is offering a new class designed for veterans, taught by veterans. The SBDC has received a grant for this program for veterans on the Western Slope. Call 240-1109 for more info; if there is enough interest classes will be scheduled in your area.

Anasazi Heritage Center – Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. through February.

Rent the Sherbino Theatre in Ridgway – Available for private parties, wedding receptions, etc. Call 626-4414 for more info.

G.O.A.L. Winter Workshops – Registration is now being accepted for the Durango Arts Center's arts and leadership program for middle school girls. The program will be in session for eight Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Jan. 13-March 10. The theme for the upcoming session is Sending Messages, focusing on how we interact with others. Cost of the program is $150; call Caitlin at 259-2606 or email Caitlin@durangoarts.org for more info.

ONGOING

Family Fun Night – Fridays, Montrose Aquatic Center, 6:30-8:45 p.m., 249-7705.

Chi Gung & T'ai Chi with Elisabeth Roscoe in Montrose, Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m., 249-0397.

Women's Resource Center located at 723 E. Second Ave. in Durango: Mon.-Thurs., 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and by appt. WRC is often the first stop or call people make when they are new in town, in a crisis, facing a new challenge, needing information or wishing to get involved and volunteer in the community.

Chick Flick Night at the Abbey Theatre, the third Monday of every month. For more info, call 970/247-1242, or visit www.wrcdurango.org.

Second Chance Humane Society Volunteers needed in Ridgway, working directly with animals or the public, at both the animal shelter and the thrift shop. Hours are flexible and volunteers earn Thriftbucks. Volunteering as a Foster Care Provider is also available. Call Kelly at 626-2273 mailbox 4 for more info.

Montrose Community Band Rehearsals – Anyone is welcome to join the band, rehearsals are Monday evenings in the Montrose High School band room. It's never too late to pick up a horn or a drumstick that you may have laid down long ago. For more info call Carl Bivins at 240-1191.

Montrose Recreation District – For a full calendar of events, activities and classes call 252-4884 or email 50plus@Montrose.net.

Ridgway Railroad Museum – Saturdays, 12:30-4:30 p.m., located at the north end of the Ouray County Fairgrounds in the Ridgway Chamber Bldg. Call 626-4373 for more info, or visit www.ridgwayrailroadmuseum.org.

Healing Circle – Tues., 5:30-6:30 p.m., 609 Clinton, Ridgway. Call 626-4130 for more info.

Zen Meditation – Wednesdays, Chipeta Sun Lodge & Kiva, 304 S. Lena, Ridgway, 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Call 626-9711 for more info.

Montrose Ute Indian Museum Classes – Programs for children (ages 6 and up) and adults. $8 per class. Reservations required. Museum hours are 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Call 249-3098 for a complete schedule.

Exceptional Teen and Student Support Group – Young people looking for answers. Fourth Wed. of every month, 7-8 p.m. 137 North Mesa Ave (corner of N. 2nd and Mesa), Montrose. Laurel Ann Browne, Visionary Counseling, laurelann@bresnan.net; Rev. Arlyn Macdonald, Community for Spiritual Awareness, huna@bresnan.net.

Heirlooms for Hospice Is Seeking Volunteers who enjoy working in a fun environment. Volunteers are needed for cashiering, merchandise sorting, cleaning and display, and special events at the stores. Heirlooms staff will be visiting with those interested in volunteering from 2-3 p.m. on Nov. 14 and Dec. 12. All proceeds from Heirlooms for Hospice Stores, in Montrose and Grand Junction, go to support the programs of Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado.

Tai Chi with John Schofield – Tuesday and Thursday, 5-6:30 p.m., $8 per class. Pomona Elementary School, Montrose; call 729-1115 for info.

Children Support Group – Alternative solutions to challenges for both children and adults through an empowerment program offering guidance and recognition. Every second Wednesday, 7-8 p.m., 137 North Mesa Ave (corner of North 2nd and Mesa), Montrose. For more info contact Laurel Ann Browne, Visionary Counseling, laurelann@bresnan.net or 970/249-1345; or Rev. Arlyn Macdonald, Community for Spiritual Awareness, huna@bresnan.net or 970/252-0908.

Eating Disorder Group – Mondays, 7-8:30 p.m., 715 S. First St., Montrose. Get support to improve your self-esteem and maintain a healthy weight, led by Sharon Sward. Call 970/626-5187 for info.

St. Mary's Blood Center Open Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon, in addition to regular weekday hours, Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. No appointment necessary, all blood types needed. For more info or to learn how to become a donor or organize a blood drive, call 244-2555. The Blood Center is located in The Pavilion at 750 Wellington Ave in Grand Junction.

Mesa Verde National Park Artists-in-Residence Program – For fans and collectors of American Indian arts and crafts. For exhibits by other artists, times and dates, call 800/449-2288 or visit www.visitmesaverde.com.

Aztec Ruins National Monument – (Aztec, N.M.) Winter schedule: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily except holidays. Closed Christmas and New Year's days. Entrance fee is $5 per adult 16 years and over. Children 15 and under are free. National Park Pass, Golden Age, Golden Eagle and Golden Access Passports as well as the newly created Aztec Ruins Passport are honored. For info call 505/334-6174 ext 30.

Free Professional Clothing – Women's Resource Center, 723 E. 2nd Ave, Durango, Mon.-Thurs., 1-4 p.m., for women who need clothing for employment but cannot afford to purchase new stuff. There is no fee, but an appointment is necessary; various sizes and styles are available. Donations of professional clothing are also being accepted. Call 970/247-1242 for more info.

Durango Nature Center – Customized group programs, 2-3 hours, for 10-75 children or adults, for naturalist led, interactive nature walks. DNC is located on the corner of US Hwy 550 and CR 310/318, 17 miles south of Durango. Call 970/382-9244 or visit www.durangonativestudies.org for more info.

Ready-Set-Go! Informational Meeting – Second Tuesday of every month, this program helps women in their pursuit of economic self-sufficiency, at the Women's Resource Center, 723 E 2nd Ave, Durango, noon-1 p.m. There is no fee for this meeting. Call 970/247-1242 for more info.

TO HAVE YOUR EVENT LISTED…If you would like your event included in our Regional calendar, please fax your information to 728-9066 or email to calendar@telluridewatch.com no later than 5 p.m. Thursday the week before publication. You may also send your information to P.O. Box 2042, Telluride, CO, 81435. No phone calls, please.