COMMUNITY News and ANNOUNCEMENTS

Amateur poetry contest

A $1,000 grand prize is being offered in a new free poetry contest sponsored by Friendly Poets, free to everyone. There are 50 prizes in all for amateur poets who write and win.

Even if you have never entered a competition before, or if you have written only one poem you are proud of it deserves to be read and appreciated by others. Beginners are especially welcome.

To enter send one poem 21 lines or less: Friendly Poets, PO Box 21, Talent, OR 97540. Or enter online at www.friendlypoets.com.

Be sure your name and address is on the page with your poem. The deadline for entering is Dec. 31, 2011. You may include a stamped addressed envelope for a winners list or view online where winners will be posted at contest end.

Deadline approaching for noxious weed program

The Garfield County noxious weed program is coming to an end. If you haven't got you application in you still have until Nov. 30.

Water Law in a Nutshell Workshop

Do you have a conflict with neighbors about their irrigation ditch? Ditch etiquette – what is it? How do you form a ditch company? Once you have a ditch company, how do you take care of it? This workshop is for ditch users and ditch managers.

The workshop is presented by Aaron Clay, Water Attorney and will be held on Dec. 6, from 6-8 p.m. at the Glenwood Springs Community Center.

Space is limited. No registration fee but RSVP is required. We will be providing a light dinner.

Call the District office at 945-5494 ext. 105 by Dec. 2.

LIFT-UP provides help for families in need during the holidays

Families interested in receiving holiday meal assistance from LIFT-UP may register for both Thanksgiving and Christmas food boxes through Friday, November 11 at the following locations and times:

Rifle

LIFT-UP Food Pantry, 800 Railroad Ave.

Monday through Friday, 9a.m.-4p.m.

Parachute

LIFT-UP Food Pantry, 112 N. Fisher Ave.

Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m.-2p.m.

LIFT-UP Thrift Store, 201 E. First Street

Saturdays, 10a.m.-5p.m.

Glenwood Springs

Glenwood Mennonite Church, 2306 Blake Ave.

Monday through Friday, 11a.m.-2p.m.

New Castle

LIFT-UP Office • 126 N. 4th St.

Wednesdays and Fridays, 9a.m.-1p.m.

Operation Christmas Child

Rifle Superwash is serving as a drop-off location in Rifle for Operation Christmas Child—the World's Largest Christmas Project of its kind. Right now, local volunteers are busy preparing collection sites around the city to receive some 500 gift-filled shoe boxes, packed by caring Rifle residents with toys, school supplies and necessity items for hurting kids in 100 countries.

People can drop off their shoe box gifts during National Collection Week—Nov. 14-21 at the Rifle Superwash located at 181 East 26th St. in Rifle between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 8-10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Contact Jeff Maynard for questions or additional information at (970) 309-0418.

Veteran's Day Program

Glenwood Springs Elks Lodge 2286 will honor veterans of all branches of the armed services on Friday, Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. Please join us for hors d'oeuvres, beverages, speakers with a special recognition for the Army, and entertainment from the Glenwood Springs High School Percussion Ensemble.

Also highlighted during the evening will be video from 2011 Veteran's Winter Sports Clinic held annually at Snowmass and sponsored by the Elks Lodges from Glenwood Springs, Rifle and Aspen.

The Elks Lodge, located on Hwy 6&24 next to Glenwood Gardens, encourages veterans of all branches of the armed services to join us for this day of remembrance and recognition to those who have served our country.

Coat Donations Help the Needy

Please donate your gently used, or new, coats for men, women and children to keep everyone warm during the frigid Colorado winter.

Collection is now through Nov. 4. Distribution will be Saturday, Nov. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Riverside Middle School Cafeteria in New Castle.

The Salvation Army is partnering this year with the River Center and Canyon Cleaners. The drive and distribution will include: coats, hoodies, hats, gloves and mittens, snow boots, and any other donated outer winter wear.

Collection locations include Elk Creek Elementary, Kathryn Senor Elementary, Riverside Middle School, Coal Ridge High School, Cactus Valley Elementary, and the Garden School. Businesses include American National Bank in Glenwood Springs and Carbondale, Alpine Bank in Rifle, City Market in New Castle, New Castle Diner, Patti's Main Street Coffee House, Elk Creek Mining, Mr. T's, River Center, Canyon Cleaners, Silt Town Hall, Cheryl & Co. in Rifle.

Volunteers are still needed to pick up the donations and help at the Distribution Center. To volunteer or for more information, please call Deb Bonkiewicz of the River Center (970) 302-7385.