A health-coverage guide from San Juan Basin Health Department will give hands-on instruction Saturday for people ready to sign up for insurance through the state marketplace.

The class, which starts at 9 a.m. and will run for at least two hours, isn’t an informational session, Kevin 0’Connor said. It’s for people who need help with enrollment.

Participants will learn how to shop for an insurance plan, create an account and apply for financial aid. Only basic computer skills are required.

Computers will be provided or participants can take their own. Space is limited to about a dozen people to allow O’Connor to give individual help.

Instruction will be at Pine River Library, 395 Bayfield Center Drive in Bayfield. Information is available from O’Connor at 335-2021.

Land Management to burn slash piles

The Bureau of Land Management’s Tres Rios Field Office will begin burning slash piles for three hazardous fuel reduction projects as early as today, or as conditions allow.

The purpose of all the slash pile burns is to reduce hazardous fuels in the wildland urban interface as a follow-up to previous mechanical fuel reduction activities. The Animas City Mountain project, on the west side of Animas City Mountain in Durango, includes 300 piles of ponderosa pine and oakbrush within a 29-acre area. The Anasazi Heritage Center project, 2 miles west of Dolores, includes 30 piles of pinõn-juniper and oakbrush within a 10-acre area. The Disappointment Valley project, approximately 8 miles southeast of Slick Rock, includes 200 piles of tamarisk within a 100 acre project area. The Disappointment Valley project also will reduce invasive species.

Each project is expected to be completed within one to two days of initiation. Fire crews will monitor burn piles after ignition.

For more information, call (970) 240-1070 or visit http://gacc.nifc.gov/rmcc/dispatch_centers/r2mtc, https://twitter.com/SWD_Fire or www.facebook.com/BLMMontroseFireUnit.

Free class to help new dog owners

A free class to help new dog owners develop a plan for success will take place at 5 p.m. Sunday at Durango Community Recreation Center, 2700 Main Ave.

This class is for humans only, and is hosted by Certified Professional Dog Trainer Juliet Whitfield of Durango Dogs.

For more information, call 382-2542 or visit www.durangodogs.com.

Breakfast to benefit adult care program

Adult day care at Our Place will host a benefit breakfast from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 2917 Aspen Drive.

Proceeds will go to further the program in its mission to care for individuals and families struggling with the issues of aging. Donations are appreciated.

For more information, call 385-5200.

Local coupon book available at stores

Local First announces that its 2014 Be Local Coupon book has arrived in retail stores.

Sales of the book benefit Local First, a nonprofit organization comprised of 215 locally-owned, independent businesses and organizations in La Plata County.

Local First supports and promotes local businesses with a common goal of enhancing the area’s economy, culture, individuality and resilience.

The Be Local Coupon book features 279 coupons from 170 area businesses, represents a possible $5,750 in savings, and coupons are valid for 12 months. Books retail for $18 each.

For a list of stores where the books are available or for more information, visit www.local-first.org or call 769-0512.

Museum to host Christmas bazaar

The Animas Museum, 3065 West Second Ave., will hold its annual Old Fashioned Christmas Bazaar from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Vendors will fill the museum with handcrafted quilts, pottery, jewelry, hand milled soaps, stitched items, fine art, knitted items, baked goods and more.

The La Plata County Historical Society has published a cookie book featuring historic recipes, stories and images from the Animas Museum photo archives. On Friday evening, sample cookies from the book by lamplight in the 1870s Joy Cabin.

For more information, call 259-2402.

Mt. Allison Grange to host free breakfast

The Mt. Allison Grange will host a free community breakfast and food drive from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the grange in Allison.

The breakfast will include eggs, sausage, pancakes, hash browns and juice and coffee. Each attendee is asked to bring a food item for a community food distribution. Everyone is invited.

For more information and directions, call Larry Corman at 884-4762.

Republican Women to host holiday party

Southwest Republican Women will hold their holiday party from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the DoubleTree Hotel, 501 Camino del Rio.

The cost is $18 per person, members and guests, for heavy hors d’oeuvres with no-host bar.

To RSVP by today, email [email protected] or call Susan Smith at 375-2205.

Herald Staff