The city of Durango Parking Division will remove the device for reading old cash keys from the Durango Transit Center at the end of December.

The program to exchange the cash key will remain, but the center will no longer be able to refund any balance remaining on an old key. The old cash key will continue to have value after the first of the year. The program to exchange a cash key for a new cash card for free will continue (a $10 value), and the Transit Center will put $25 on the new card. Cash refunds will no longer be available as they require reading the key. The Transit Center cashier’s office will be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. During those closures, parking-ticket payments can be made using a license plate and state at http://durangogov.org.

For more information, visit the Transit Center at 250 W. Eighth St. or call 375-4960.

Mountain Middle students to present

Mountain Middle School students will participate in their required Presentations of Learnings from 8 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. Thursday at 108 W. 31st St.

The public is invited to this demonstration of learning, which makes assessment of the students’ learning formal and meaningful. Mountain Middle School students, teachers, parents and community members have an opportunity to share in the learning process and reflect on students’ growth. The students will be asked to speak to the content and skills they have learned in the projects from this semester in a format that models the professional world.

For more information, visit www.mountainmiddleschool.org.

Marvel Grange to host Waffle Night

Marvel Grange will host a Waffle Night at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Marvel Grange Hall, 217 County Road 133A.

The grange will provide the waffles and beverages. Participants are encouraged to bring a topping or side dish. After the supper, there will be a white-elephant gift exchange. People should bring a wrapped white-elephant gift in order to participate.

Yule Celebration, potluck to be held

A Yule Celebration and potluck will take place 5 p.m. Saturday at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango, 419 San Juan Drive.

The event will be sponsored by the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans group. Celebration will be in the sanctuary and outside. Participants should dress for the weather, bring a dish to share and a beverage. After the potluck, attendees will play games.

For more information, email [email protected].

Home-buyer education class available

The Regional Housing Alliance of La Plata County offers a free monthly Homebuyer Education Class.

The class is an eight-hour program designed to help participants purchase and own a home. Topics will include: Buyer readiness, budget/financial management, credit reports and scoring, mortgage lending, working with a real-estate agent, homeowners insurance, home inspections, the closing process, home maintenance and foreclosure prevention. The class is facilitated by the alliance with contributions from local professionals such as loan officers, real-estate agents and insurance agents who teach participants about their specific field.

The January class will be held in three sessions from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 8, 15 and 22. Registration is required. To register, call 259-1418. Visit www.rhalpc.org for more information.

Energy-assistance programs available

These energy-assistance programs are available for people who need help paying their energy bills:

People who qualify, such as senior citizens, veterans, disabled or families experiencing financial hardships, can apply online for LEAP, Colorado’s Low-Income Energy Assistance Program. For more information, visit https://sites.google.com/a/state.co.us/cdhs-leap or call (866) 432-8435.

Atmos Energy offers a Percentage Income Payment Program to customers who already have qualified for Low-Income Energy Assistance and still need additional financial assistance. If a customer qualifies for LEAP, they will receive a letter from Atmos Energy with information about applying.

Atmos Energy also encourages customers to contribute to Sharing The Warmth. To donate, check the box on the back of an Atmos Energy bill, call (888) 286-6700 or sign in to the online Account Center. For more information, visit www.atmosenergy.com/share.

Atmos Energy offers “Excess is Out.” This program offers rebates on qualifying home-heating, water-heating and commercial equipment. Information and applications can be found at www. ExcessIsOut.co or call (888) 286-6700.

Herald Staff