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Larson addresses winter commencement

Durango celebrates cycling

Submit items for On the Town to: 534 Main Ave., Durango, CO, 81301; fax: ( 970) 259-0448; e-mail: telegraph@durangotelegraph.com ; or fill out this form

A free workshop “Telescopes 101” takes place at Durango Skies Telescope and Binocular, 21738 U.S. Hwy 160 W., from 5:30-6:30 p.m. 259-5400 to register.

Singer songwriter Greg Ryder plays a free show at the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., at 5:30 p.m. 375-7150 for details.

Turtle Lake Refuge holds a benefit potluck/silent auction/Turtle Talent Show at 6 p.m. at the Rocky Mountain Retreat, 848 E. Third Ave. All proceeds will benefit the Sustainable Living Education and Open Space Fund. 247-8395 for details.

Purgatory’s Think Snow Fashion Show takes place at 6 p.m. at Scoot ‘n Blues, 900 Main Ave. The event will be followed by a Thom Rader-Larry Carver Duo performance at 8 p.m. Lee Bartley and Bob Newman perform in the Sidecar Jazz Lounge at 7 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

The Durango Photography Club meets at 7 p.m. in the Pine Room at the La Plata County Fairgrounds and offers members an opportunity to present images to attendees. Refreshments will also be served. 259-6808 for details.

The Patio Restaurant, 475 Wolverine Dr., presents Open Mic Night in Bayfield from 7-9 p.m. Sign-ups begin at 6: 30 p.m. 946-8765 for details.

The Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. Second Ave., presents College Night, including a performance by DJ DRE and mechanical bull riding, at 8 p.m. 375-2568 for details.

Durango Joe’s, 732 E. College, presents Open Mic Night from 8: 30-11 p.m. Sign-ups for music and poetry begin at 8:30 p.m. 375-2121 for details.

DJs Brian Ess and Shawn Patrick spin for Pint Night at Steamworks, 801 E. Second Ave., at 10 p.m. 259-9200 for details.

A guest DJ spins retro and funk for ’80s Night at the Lost Dog, 1150 Main Ave., after 11 p.m. 259-0430.

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Durango Mountain Resort hosts Benefit Day beginning at 9 a.m. with proceeds benefiting Trails 2000. $10 lift tickets can be purchased in advance at both City Markets, Albertson’s and Nature’s Oasis.

Bank of the San Juans’ North Branch, 1710 Main Ave., invites people to have their pets’ pictures taken with Santa from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Refreshments will be provided and all donations will benefit the La Plata County Humane Society.

247-1818 for details.

The Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College, presents the Kuntz Family Christmas Show  – “Out of the Box and Out of Control” at 2 & 6:30 p.m. The lively show spotlights classical, pop, jazz and traditional music, liberally spiced with the Kuntz’s unique brand of comedy. 385-1711 for details.

Singer-songwriter Tim Sullivan plays a free show at the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., at 5:30 p.m. 375-7150 for details.

The Durango Community Recreation Center, 2700 Main Ave., offers Parents’ Night Out from 6-9 p.m. with activities and a snack for kids ages 3-10. 375-7306 to preregister. 4

Steamworks, 801 E. Second Ave., hosts Blue Friday with mellow music from Santa Fe’s BLU 102.9 and a keg giveaway at 6 p.m. 259-9200.

The Feat of Clay Artists’ Co-op on Main in Aztec presents a group Christmas show and party from 6-8 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served. 505-334-3014 for details.

The 8^th Ave Trio plays old-school rock at the 8^th Ave. Tavern, 509 E. 8^th Ave., at 7 p.m. 259-8801 for details.

The Motor Kings play rock and blues at Scoot ‘n Blues, 900 Main Ave., at 8 p.m. Jeff Solon plays jazz in the Sidecar Jazz Lounge at 8 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

A guest DJ spins a contemporary club mix at the Lost Dog, 1150 Main Ave., at 9 p.m. 259-0430 for details.

Movin’ On plays country and rock at the Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. Second Ave., at 9 p.m. 375-2568 for details.

Last to Know, a band from Taos, N.M., plays the Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 9:30 p.m. 247-2324 for details.

Fire and Ice, a special holiday benefit for Hurricane Katrina evacuees living in Durango, takes place at 10 p.m. at Southern Soy (formerly Café Sarie). The evening features music from DJs Fat P and Nico and a prize drawing. 259-0226 for details.

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Wines of the San Juan, located in Navajo Dam, N.M., hosts a Christmas Open House from noon-6 p.m. The event includes live music, tours of the winery and tastings. 505-632-0879 for details.

Michael Barry, pro cyclist with the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team and teammate of Lance Armstrong since 2002, signs copies of his book, Inside the Postal Bus, from 1-2 p.m. at Mountain Bike Specialists, 949 Main Ave. 247-4066 for details.

Singer songwriter Greg Ryder plays a free show at the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., at 5:30 p.m. 375-7150 for details.

Sugarhouse returns to Scoot ‘n Blues, 900 Main Ave., at 8 p.m. Teresa Ross and Actual Proof play the Sidecar Jazz Lounge from 8-11:30 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

The 8^th Ave. Tavern, 509 E. 8^th Ave., hosts a karaoke party at 8 p.m. 259-8801 for details.

DJ Mowgli spins for Mountaintop Hip Hop at the Lost Dog, 1150 Main Ave., at 9 p.m. 259-0430 for details.

Movin’ On plays a second show at the Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. Second Ave., at 9 p.m. 247-7634 for details.

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Wines of the San Juan, located in Navajo Dam, N.M., hosts a Christmas Open House from noon-6 p.m. The event includes live music, tours of the winery and tastings. 505-632-0879 for details. 4

The Durango Independent Film Festival presents an encore screening of “The Battle of Algiers” at 1 p.m. at the Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College. The first screening sold out quickly and tickets are currently available at the Abbey or online at www.durangofilm.org.

Pongas hosts free pool after 6 p.m. at 121 W. 8th St. 382-8554 for details.

The Blue Moon Ramblers play free bluegrass at the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., at 7 p.m. 375-7150 for details.

Singer songwriters Nina and Jason play at the Lost Dog, 1150 Main Ave., from 6-10 p.m. 259-0430 for details.

The 8^th Ave. Tavern, 509 E. 8^th Ave., hosts a Karaoke Party at 8 p.m. 259-8801 for details.

Anders Beck of Broke Mountain Bluegrass Band fame plays a free show at the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., at 5:30 p.m. 375-7150 for details.

Pongas, 121 E. Eighth St., hosts a 9-ball pool tournament at 7 p.m. 382-8554 for details.

J.Bo’s, 1301 Florida Rd., hosts Gentlemen’s Night featuring music and dancing from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. 259-0010 for details.

Terry Rickard plays a free show of acoustic music at the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., at 5:30 p.m. 375-7150 for details.

Lacey Black plays jazz piano in the Sidecar Jazz Lounge at Scoot ‘n Blues, 900 Main Ave., at 6 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

The Summit, 600 Main Ave., presents open mic night from 7 p.m.-midnight. 247-2324 for details.

Tuesday Trivia takes place at Lady Falconburgh’s, 640 Main Ave., at 8 p.m. 382-9664.

Lions Den Unlimited Soundz, featuring DJs  Zen Ken and I-Gene, spins roots reggae at  J. Bo’s on Tap, 1301 Florida Rd., at 4:20 p.m. 259-0010 for details.

Greg Ryder performs on acoustic guitar at 5:30 p.m. at the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave. 375-7150 for details.

The local chapter of Amnesty International celebrates the fight for human rights at 6:30 p.m. at the Adult Education Center, 301 E. 12^th St. The public is encouraged to attend. 946-1255 for details

The Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. Second Ave., offers a music mix for Ladies Night beginning at 8 p.m. 375-2568 for details.

The Lost Dog, 1150 Main Ave., presents ’70s Retro Night with DJs Tim & Johnny at 9 p.m. 259-0430 for details

Collect All 5, a quintet fusing jazz, Latin, electronica, dub and world grooves plays the Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 9:30 p.m. 247-2324 for details.

Joel’s, 119 W. 8^th St., hosts “Underground Lounge” with DJ Claytanik spinning music for Ladies Night. 385-0430 for details.

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The La Plata County Humane Society presents “The Twelve Dog Days of Christmas” promotion through Dec. 23. During that time, local businesses will sponsor a Humane Society dog for the day, and the dog will appear at the business. Adoption fees during the promotion will be $40. Log onto www.lpchumanesociety.org for information on each location the dogs will be visiting or call 259-2847.

The Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College, screens “Bee Season” through Dec. 22. Based on the best-selling novel, the film follows a family of seekers as their 11-year-old daughter works toward becoming the national spelling bee champion. The family begins to disintegrate as the national competition draws near, and the daughter may be its only chance. The film stars Richard Gere and Juliette Binoche and shows most nights at 4:15, 6:30 & 8:45 p.m. 385-1711 for details.

The Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second Ave., will host the annual “Holiday Art Olé” Exhibit through Dec. 24. This boutique-style exhibit will feature original, unique gift items in ceramics, jewelry, fiber, metal, glass, wood, paper, calligraphy, photography, sculpture, printmaking, painting and drawing. 259-2606 for details.

“Emergence,” works by emerging artists in various media including drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics and jewelry, shows through Dec. 16 in the Fort Lewis College Exit Gallery. 247-7668 for details.

The Children’s Museum, 802 E. Second Ave., hosts the dinosaur exhibit, “Now You’re in Their World.” There will be many hands-on activities, fine motor and gross motor fun, “Dinosaur Ridge” and extinction dioramas. Workshops are available anytime during museum hours and include dinosaur stuffed animals, dinosaur face masks and alphabet coloring dinosaurs. 259-9234 for details.

The REACH (Resource, Enrichment, & Academic Choices) Program for independent learners in Bayfield offers enrichment classes to any K-12 students in the area. For the month of December, REACH classes include: Drumming & Rhythm, Group Guitar, Papier Mache Ornament Creations and Local History of the Pine River Valley. 884-3259 for details.

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A fund-raiser for the Jeff Strahan Band’s upcoming competition in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis takes place Dec. 30 at Scoot ‘n Blues.

DJ Brian Ess returns to the Abbey Theatre to ring in the New Year on Dec. 31

Wayword Sons, featuring Benny Galloway, play New Year’s Eve at the Diamond Circle Theatre

Kinetix plays high-energy rock, funk and soul for New Year’s at the Summit

The 2006 Southwest Business Forum takes place on Jan. 5 at Fort Lewis College. The event is the 14^th annual Focus on Our Future: Business & Economics

Music Together of La Plata County’s Winter Session (The Bells Collection) begins Jan. 9 and runs through March 16. 799-0960 for details

Break Mechanics play the Abbey

What: A return performance by the underground hip hop band

Where: The Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College

When: Fri., Dec. 9, at 10 p.m.

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Larson addresses winter commencement What: The graduation of Fort Lewis College’s 43rd baccalaureate class Where: Fort Lewis College’s Whalen Gymnasium When: Saturday, Dec. 17 at 10 a.m. Two-hundred and twenty-five Fort Lewis College students head off into the big world this Saturday. State Rep. Mark Larson, R-Cortez, will deliver the winter commencement address to the graduating seniors in Fort Lewis College’s 43rd baccalaureate class this Saturday.    “Representative Larson has served the citizens of Southwest Colorado effectively for many years,” said President Brad Bartel. “During that time, he has been of considerable assistance to Fort Lewis College. His personal story of achievement and his common-sense approach to solving problems for our state make him a true role model for our students.” Larson was instrumental in obtaining approval from the General Assembly to create the Board of Trustees for Fort Lewis College. Colorado Gov. Bill Owens signed House Bill 1419 on June 4, 2002, declaring Fort Lewis to be Colorado’s only independent public, liberal arts college while creating a stand-alone Board of Trustees for the first time in its history. College administrators cited Larson’s vision, leadership and commitment to the success of Fort Lewis as invaluable. Larson was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1998. He is currently serving his fourth term as the representative for House District 59, which includes Archuleta, La Plata and San Juan counties and part of Montezuma County. When presented with Fort Lewis’ Distinguished Service Award in 2003, Larson said he was keenly aware of the college’s significant impact on Southwest Colorado. “I love the college – the campus is beautiful and the administration always utilizes a team effort,” he said. Larson’s three most immediate family members are all Fort Lewis alumni. His wife and daughter graduated together in 1994, wife Margie graduating magna cum laude with a degree in English-education and daughter Dianna graduating with a degree in English. Son Kris graduated in 1997 with a degree in business administration. Larson’s address takes place this Saturday at 10 a.m. in Whalen Gymnasium, and the public is welcome to attend.

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Durango celebrates cycling What: A first- ever cycling celebration Where: Community Concert Hall, Fort Lewis College When: Friday, Dec. 16. Doors open at 5 p.m. Durangoans have an opportunity to experience a little two-wheeled greatness this weekend. Fort Lewis College is hosting a Cycling Celebration at the Community Concert Hall this Friday. The following day, Michael Barry, pro cyclist and author of Inside the Postal Bus, will sign copies of his book at Mountain Bike Specialists. During Friday’s event, Bob Roll, four-time Tour de France participant and most recently author and Outdoor Life Network commentator, will be the master of ceremonies. The event will include a silent auction, video presentation and honorees including Discovery Team member Tom Danielson, USPRO National Champion Chris Wherry, and many others.  A short, live auction will follow, and the athletes will be available to sign autographs. The doors of the concert hall will open at 5 p.m., and the silent auction and social hour begin at 5:30 p.m. The Cycling Celebration is a fund-raiser for the Fort Lewis College Cycling Club, the Durango Wheel Club Junior Development, and cycling advocacy in our community, and tickets are available at www.durangoconcerts.com. On Dec. 17, Michael Barry will sign copies of Inside the Postal Bus from 1-2 p.m. at Mountain Bike Specialists. Barry is a pro cyclist with the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team and has been a teammate of Lance Armstrong’s since 2002. Inside the Postal Bus takes readers into the world of the professional cyclist, shedding light on the good, the bad and the ugly sides of the sport. Of the book, Danielson commented, “Inside the Postal Bus was so descriptive I felt I knew the riders and staff on the team before I actually met them.” Barry will also participate in the Cycling Celebration on Dec. 16. More information on the fund-raiser is available at www.tomdanielson.com.

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