News Briefs

A Grand Wine Affair

Grand River Hospital District is hosting is “A Grand Wine Affair” on Thursday, Sept. 9, from 5-8 p.m., at the Grand River Hospital & Medical Center, 501 Airport Road, Rifle.

Tickets are $25. There will be wine and beer tasting, hors d'oeuvres, music and silent auction. You can purchase tickets in advance at Choice Liquors, Grand River Hospital Medical Center or call 625-6439.

This event is co-sponsored by Choice Liquors and Grand River Volunteer Association. Proceeds for the evening go toward renovations and improvements at E. Dene Moore Care Center in Rifle.

Roaring Fork Audubon field trip

The 4th Annual Divide Creek Hawk Watch hosted from Roaring Fork Audubon will be held Sunday, Sept.19.

The high count of 94 birds in a four-hour period was in 2007 with perfect northwesterly winds and overcast sky. This year, the group will be looking to spot the migrant Broad-winged Hawk. Hawkwatchers should bring binoculars, a lunch, drinks, lawn chair of choice,and sharp eyes. Meet at the Silt Park and Ride lot on the Southwest side of the Silt / I-70 Interchange at 9a.m. on Sunday morning for the drive to the hawkwatch site. Most years the birding slows around 2 p.m. All hawkwatchers are welcome. If you plan to come please contact Tom McConnell email: immac@rof.net or by phone 970-379-7356.

September is Suicide Prevention Month

A Suicide Prevention Education class is being held at the Silt Fire house on Sept. 16 from 6-8 p.m.

This class is for professionals as well as lay people. Those having attempted suicide, are depressed, know someone who may be suicidal are encouraged to attend. This is free to the community, donations accepted. For further information please contact Donnalyne LaGiglia at 970-948-6108, chairperson for Suicide Prevention Education Awareness in Garfield county.

Dental fluoride varnishes

Garfield County Public Health is providing dental fluoride varnishes for children ages 1-12 years old. Fluoride varnish is “painted” onto teeth as a protective coating that helps prevent cavities (and helps stop cavities that have already started). The varnish takes only minutes to apply and dries almost immediately. Fluoride varnishing clinics will begin Tuesday, Sept. 21, in Glenwood Springs from 8:30-11 a.m. Clinics will continue to be held the first Tuesday of the month in Rifle and the third Tuesday of the month in Glenwood Springs from 8:30-11 a.m. No appointment is necessary. The cost for a fluoride varnish is $5.

Constitution-signing rally

The first Constitution-signing rally in the area will be held the at the Garfield County Courthouse in Glenwood Springs from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 10.

All incumbents, candidates and nominees affecting Garfield county offices are invited to sign the Constitution, along with our Founding Fathers, friends, families and organizations, by personally attending or emailing their signed proxy.

Attorney General for Colorado, John W. Suthers, will present his stance on how current federal legislation affects the Constitution and the freedom of choice for its citizens.

Colorado singer/songwriter, Joyce Shaffer, will perform songs from her CDs and Colorado author Mike Holler whose book “The Constitution Made Easy.” has enlightened families and schools everywhere about our country's governing document, will have these affordably priced books available for purchase.

The public is welcome and veterans, students and their schools, patriotic organizations, churches, businesses etc., are encouraged to be a part of this “bringing America together” event by emailing their ideas to sistersu@rof.net.

Free HIV testing

Free HIV testing is available at Public Health for anyone 13 years and older. Results are available in 10 minutes. HIV testing is available Sept. 14 in Rifle and Sept. 28 in Glenwood Springs from 1-4 p.m. Testing will continue to be offered the second Tuesday of each month in Rifle and the fourth Tuesday of the month in Glenwood Springs from 1-4 p.m. No appointment is necessary. Parental consent is not required.

A new library in Parachute

The Garfield County Libraries are excited to announce the opening of the remodeled and expanded Parachute Branch Library! The Grand Re-Opening Celebration will be this Saturday at 10 a.m. at the library, 244 Grand Valley Way.

If you've watched the remodel process you've seen the changes to the exterior of the building. There is a new book drop driveway which freed up space for the building expansion, and now runs behind the building. There is a new roof, HVAC system, and solar array, all of which will help with energy efficiency and the cost to run the facility.

Yet inside the building is where you'll notice the most dramatic changes. There is a beautiful garden themed children's area to the right as you enter the building. Besides the wonderful array of books and materials, you will find installations by the Burgeon Group who specialize in interactive learning spaces. Among these installations are a children's play book return and an ABC whirligig where -as you sing the ABC's and crank the handle- the letters of the alphabet travel around for you to see.

Adults will notice the beautiful woodwork, and will no doubt be drawn to the fireplace. The new library features a lot of wonderful spaces to sit down, relax, and enjoy the space. The facility now boasts a 100 person meeting room with a kitchen that will be available for library events and community meetings. Executive Director Amelia Shelley said she is most excited about the addition of the community room because that is what she heard time and again from the community, that they needed a space to gather. Shelley said “it shows the community that we not only offer books, but also much, much more.” The first event to be held in the new community room is an author visit by Sandra Dallas on Thursday, September 16th at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for this event are $25 and are available by calling the Libraries' administrative office at 625-4270. The event will feature heavy hors d'oeuvres and desserts as well as a cash bar.

Benefit golf tournament

The Justin Lee Steffen Memorial Scholarship Foundation Golf Tournament will be held Saturday, Oct. 2, at the Rifle Creek Golf Course. This event benefits the Justin Lee Steffen Memorial Scholarship Foundation through the University of Northern Colorado Alumni.

The foundation was established through the University of Northern Colorado to provide scholarships to students who have an interest in journalism and are committed to making a difference in the lives of others. As the foundation grows so does the number of scholarships given each year, and that's very exciting as there are many area students who attend UNC and we have many UNC alumni in our community. Justin Lee Steffen was a Rifle High School graduate and student athlete.

The tournament is a scramble format with a shotgun start at 11 a.m. There will be a $100 entry fee per player. The fee includes a chance at the $25,000 hole-in-one prize, 18 holes of golf, cart, putting contest, games and an Oktoberfest style buffet to end the day.

Hole sponsorships are available for $100, along with several other sponsorship opportunities. For registration and sponsorship information and to learn of other ways you can support the foundation please access the website at justinleesteffen.org or call Robin Steffen at 379-6298.

The Advocate Safehouse Project needs volunteers

Survivors of domestic violence need your help. Your understanding and support can help survivors through a difficult time. Join our team of dedicated volunteers and staff at the Advocate Safehouse Project and make a difference in your community.

The free training will prepare you to respond to calls received by the Advocate Safehouse Project's 24-hour Help Line. Classes include, but are not limited to, the following topics: dynamics of domestic violence, crisis intervention, listening skills, and the legal system, Advocate Safehouse Project's Policies and Procedures and other community resources. As an advocate you will have the flexibility to choose your shifts and you will always have staff support while you are covering the helpline.

We are currently taking applications for our next training which will begin in October.

Please call Karen at 945-2632 ext.107 for more information.

Parenting expert to present workshop in Rifle

Jim Fay, founder of The Love & Logic Institute and author of the best-selling book Parenting with Love & Logic, will present a half-day workshop on Saturday, October 2, at Rifle High School from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., the workshop is for parents, teachers, and professionals working with youth and families.

Fay, who has a home in Meeker, has become one of America's most sought-after presenters in the fields of parenting, positive discipline, and classroom management. He is a best-selling author and has become the pied piper for parents and educators searching for practical behavior management techniques.

He has 31 years of experience in a variety of educational settings including public, private, and parochial schools. He has served as a consultant to parents, mental health organizations, and the U.S. military. Through his experiences as an art and music teacher, classroom teacher, principal, and administrator in both inner city and suburban schools, he saw the need to structure the classroom, the school, and the home in a way that would build positive relationships with children.

Through Fay's celebrated sense of humor and time-honored strategies, participants in the workshop will learn to: End arguing, back talk and power struggles; teach your kids to listen to you the first time; help your kids feel great about themselves; help your kids get motivated to learn and behave – inside and outside of the classroom.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from this event will benefit YouthZone. For more information and registration, call YouthZone at 970.945.9300 or visit www.YouthZone.com.