The Colorado State Patrol will increase its DUI education and enforcement through The Heat Is On campaign through Sept. 2.

The Colorado Department of Transportation also is at the peak of its roadway construction season. To keep CDOT crews safe, law enforcement also will be heightening enforcement in areas leading up to work zones.

For more information, visit www.coloradodot.info/programs/alcohol-and-impaired-driving.

AARP Driver Safety Program class available

A Smart Driver Safety class – a defensive driving class sponsored by the AARP Driver Safety Program – will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday in the Pine Room at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave.

The class is a nationwide Department of Motor Vehicles accredited, defensive-driving program that highlights recognizing and compensating for naturally occurring age related changes. The certificate is good for three years. Auto insurance discounts apply for drivers age 55 and older for the three years. The cost for AARP members is $15, $20 for nonmembers and includes all class materials and light refreshments.

For more information and to register, call Lois O’Dell at 759-8232.

Wine, food, art festival to be held in Cortez

The Cortez Civitan Club will sponsor the Southwestern Colorado Wine, Food and Art Festival from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Parque de Vida in Cortez.

There will be music, wine tasting, food venders and local artists selling their work. The presold tickets are $20 or $25 at the gate, which includes the wine tasting and a souvenir wine glass. Part of the proceeds from each ticket will be donated to the Civitan International Research Center in Birmingham, Alabama.

For more information, call 882-4585.

Tour de Farms to take place Saturday

The eighth annual Tour de Farms Durango Bike and Farm Tour will take place Saturday.

The long ride, 20 miles in the Junction Creek and Turtle Lake area, will met at 7:50 a.m. and the short ride, 5 miles in-town, will meet at 8 a.m. Both rides will meet at Fassbinder Park, 140 W. Park Ave. This ride is an educational bike tour that highlights local efforts to promote what is unique, healthy and homegrown about the Durango community. The tour will feature presentations from farmers and garden directors, share ways people can support area efforts to strengthen the local food system and provide inspiration to starting a garden. The tours will culminate at Ska Brewing Co. with a lunch made by Zia Taqueria and beverages from Ska. All riders must be registered. Come prepared with a bike, rain jacket, helmet and water. First aid and support cyclists will be on hand. Registration is $20. Advance reservation is required.

For more information, email Celeste Greene at [email protected], Darrin Parmenter at [email protected] or call 382-6464. To registration online, visit www.growingpartners.org or get brochures at the Colorado Master Gardener’s Booth at the Durango Farmers Market or the Colorado State University Extension Office of La Plata County at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave.

Bayfield library to host classes

The Pine River Library, 395 Bayfield Center Drive, will host these classes:

A “Canning Class” will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. Sept. 3. Participants will learn the basics of canning. Registered Dietitian Wendy Rice, from the Colorado State University Extension Office, will teach this class. Advance sign-up is required.

“Freezing and Dehydrating” will take place at 6 p.m. Sept. 4. Participants will learn about the basics of freezing and dehydrating food. Advance registration required.

Both classes will be held in the library’s Community Room. To register, visit www.prlibrary.org or call 884-2222.

Creature Comforts to host free event

Creature Comforts will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a free event and sale from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday at 305 South Camino del Rio.

Four Corners Broadcasting will have a live radio remote with drawings, door prizes, food and more. The La Plata County Humane Society, Annie’s Orphans, D-SNiP Spay & Neuter and Cat & Kitten Rescue & Adoption will have booths with dogs and cats available for adoption. Creature Comforts is partnering with Sunnyside Farms and Zuberfizz to raise money for the animal rescues by selling burgers, brats and bottles of Zuberfizz at the event. Free ice cream cones will be available in the afternoon. Customers also will be able to donate their change by rounding up at the register. Twenty-nine pet food vendors and pet experts will be available to answer questions and give samples.

For more information, call 247-2748.

Herald Staff