EVHS senior activism night

The EVHS Class of 2011 invites the community to the Third Annual Senior Activist Reading Night at the school auditorium tonight, Dec. 15, at 6:30 p.m.

Senior students will present special projects that explore significant social issues, raise awareness about how these issues impact our community and encourage us to take action to improve our world.

In addition, the Class of 2011 is raising money to sponsor and support an orphan child through the World Vision organization. The EVHS Prostart team will provide desserts and coffee. The event is free but donations to World Vision are greatly appreciated.

Eagle Valley Christmas Bird Count

The second Eagle Valley Christmas Bird Count will be conducted on Saturday, Dec. 17.

Eagle Valley residents are among thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas who take part in this event. People armed with binoculars, bird guides and checklists roam fields, forests, backyards and byways as defined by a 15 mile-diameter circle drawn on a map of Eagle County, called a “count circle.”

The local count is headed by Lara Duran, wildlife biologist for the U.S. Forest Service, Holy Cross Ranger District. The data collected will be turned in to National Audubon, which is one of many organizations that will use the data collected in this 112th CBC census assessing the health of bird populations, which, in turn, guides conservation decisions.

The Eagle Valley group will meet at 8 a.m. at the Eagle Visitors' Center near the Eagle Interstate 70 exit and divide into teams. Plans are to bird until about 2 p.m., when the group will adjourn to the home of Jerry and Jan Fedrizzi in Eagle for a potluck lunch and to compile the data. Bring snacks, water, warm clothing, binoculars and field guides, as well as a $5 donation, which is sent to National Audubon to help defray the expenses of data publishing.

Any level of birder is welcome. Participants in CBCs do the survey for the love of birds and nature, the excitement of seeing new birds, and the knowledge that their efforts are vital in making a difference for bird conservations.

Please contact Lara Duran at 970-328-5899 or lduran@fs.fed.us or Jerry Fedrizzi at 970-328-6961 or fedrizzi64@centurytel.net to sign up and for further information on the day's activities.

New Year's Eve babysitting for a cause

Lutheran and Methodist adults and youth of Eagle and Gypsum will unite on New Year's Eve to provide a babysitting service at the Edwards Interfaith Community Center.

The event, the first of several fund-raisers, will support an intergenerational mission trip next summer to help at-risk teens and impoverished women with Corazon de Esperanza in Trujillo, Peru.

The First Lutheran Church of Gypsum and the Community United Methodist Church of Eagle will offer babysitting from 6 p.m. until 1 a.m. on New Year's Eve. At a cost of $40 per child, the evening will include pizza, beverages, popcorn, games and movies for ages 3-12. A special rate for two or more siblings will be offered. The event has been made possible through the support of the Edwards Interfaith Chapel and Community Center. Reservations are requested by Wednesday, Dec. 28. To make a reservation or get more information, call 376-0017.

Corazon de Esperanza is a local non-profit established by Robyn Hanson of Gypsum and supports impoverished children and women in Trujillo, Peru. The Vail Valley embraced Hanson and her husband, Joel, in their adoption of five siblings from a Peruvian orphanage two years ago. Now she has started a youth transitional home for those who have aged out of orphan care and who have not been adopted. The non-profit organization also assists women in poverty to find life sustaining jobs and skills to support their families. More information is available at www.corazondeeesperanza.org.

@ the Library in January

Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to Eagle Public Library for an after-school read-aloud from 4 to 5 p.m. every Wednesday in January.

Children's librarian Robyn Bryant will begin reading the book “Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” on Jan. 4, and will continue throughout the month, concluding the story on Jan. 25.

The read-aloud will meet at the library meeting room, and snacks will be provided. The novel by Kate DiCamillo is about Edward, a pet stuffed rabbit who learns life lessons and experiences several adventures through various owners.

Additionally, elementary-age kids are invited to Eagle Public Library each week for an after-school movie or for art in the afternoon.

Movies and art sessions alternate Thursday afternoons and meet in the library's meeting room. These programs are geared for elementary ages and any preschooler in attendance must be accompanied by an adult.

Art in the afternoon runs from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. After-school movies begin at approximately 3:15, to allow kids time to get to library from school, and are finished no later than 5 p.m. Snacks are provided during movies. Please note the following dates and mark your calendar. For more information, please call 328-8800.

• Jan. 5 — “Yellow Submarine” (G)

• Jan. 12 — Art

• Jan. 19 — “Despicable Me” (PG)

• Jan. 26 — Art

Spring registration under way at CMC

Registration for Colorado Mountain College's spring semester is under way. Many classes, including those taught online, start the week of Jan. 16. Other classes start throughout the semester.

Students new to the college can apply online or where they wish to attend. New students are encouraged to come or call their local campus before registering. If you have transcripts from another college, please bring them to the campus. Returning students who have not taken classes within the past 12 months need to reapply before they register for a class.

Once your application has been received, you can register for specific classes in person or online. Registration forms can be either faxed or mailed. Current students who have taken classes within the past 12 months can register by mail, phone or fax, or online.

This semester only, the college is offering a $25 discount on lower-division credit classes to in-district residents who have never taken a credit class from Colorado Mountain College. To take advantage of this great recession-buster, you must register in person at a campus.

Holiday gift certificates can also be purchased and applied to tuition or class fees. Please note that Colorado Mountain College will be closed for winter break Dec. 23 through Jan. 2.

To register, browse for classes or get information on associate or bachelor's degrees, go online to coloradomtn.edu. Or visit Colorado Mountain College in Edwards, 150 Miller Ranch Road.

To find out more, call 569-2900 or 1-800-621-8559.