The 700 block of Main Avenue will closed to through-traffic from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday to allow for utility construction at Eighth Street.

Northbound traffic on Main Avenue will detour at Eighth Street to East Second Avenue, and southbound traffic on Main Avenue will detour at Seventh Street to East Second Avenue. Eighth Street will be open to accommodate through-traffic across Main Avenue. Local traffic will be permitted into the 700 block from southbound Main Avenue and drivers will be allowed to make a U-turn to leave at Seventh Street. Sidewalk and pedestrian traffic will not be affected.

For more information, call 375-4850.

Construction on Junction Creek bridge

Colorado Department of Transportation bridge crews will replace a concrete panel on the U.S. Highway 550 bridge deck over Junction Creek next week.

The routine maintenance project is on the northbound side of the bridge at mile post 22.4, just south of Durango High School. On Monday and Tuesday, northbound traffic will be reduced to a single lane from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Then, to allow the concrete to cure, the outside northbound lane will be kept fully closed from Wednesday at 9 a.m. through Thursday at 2 p.m.

For more information, visit www.coloradodot.info.

Zero Waste entertaining to be discussed

The Durango Public Library, 1900 East Third Ave., will host “Zero Waste Holiday Entertaining” from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Leslie Blood will speak about how to create less waste while having more fun over the holidays. Ideas for menu tips and tricks, gifts, and holiday decor will be discussed. Blood, a zero waste enthusiast, is a professor of media studies at Fort Lewis College. She has worked to create less waste in her own home and her blog, “The Brat Diaries,” discusses the challenges and successes of her zero waste journey.

For more information, call 375-3380 or visit www.durangopubliclibrary.org.

Contact LPEA prior to solar installation

Members/customers of La Plata Electric Association who plan to install solar PV panels on their homes or office buildings, and who intend to be interconnected to LPEA’s system and participate in the net metering program, are asked to contact the electric cooperative beforebeginning the process.

The cooperative’s net metering program allows owners of on-site renewable generation systems to connect with LPEA’s system and reduce their power bills. LPEA also will establish a baseline of energy consumption to give members an idea of how to size a system.

Arrays that are not installed in harmony with LPEA’s system may not record electricity generation correctly, and customers will not be credited for their generation. Also, systems installed without proper coordination could result in overloaded electrical equipment or unacceptable voltage levels

For more information, call 382-3504 or email [email protected].

Children’s Hospital seeking donations

Ashley Beach of Durango is seeking donations for her program “HOPE Deliveries” through Sunday.

Beach will return to the hospital for her 12th operation, and will spend the day with patients on the sixth floor Rehab and Neurological Wing at Children’s Hospital of Colorado in Denver. Donations of these new items are sought for children: coloring books, activity books, crayons, pencils, Hot Wheels, small craft kits, jewelry kits and books. These items also are sought for caregivers: Water bottles, mints, gum, hand lotion, chapstick, small notepads and pens. When Beech was 6 months old a stroke took a large portion of the right side of her brain. The prognosis was not always good, but she has beat the odds and proved that cerebral palsy will not hold her back.

For more information, email [email protected].

Propane users reminded to be safe

People whose home or business uses propane to generate heat or run appliances, should follow these steps from the Colorado Propane Gas Association:

Keep snow and ice clear from the piping and regulators next to the home. Use a broom rather than a shovel. Be mindful of possible falling snow and ice from the roof that may damage the piping or regulator.

Never use a stove for space heating and never use outdoor propane appliances indoors or in enclosed areas. Only use appliances indoors that are designed and approved for indoor use. Never store, place or use a propane cylinder indoors or in enclosed areas.

Take immediate action if people smell gas inside or outside of a home or business. Follow these instructions: No flames or sparks; leave the area immediately; shut off the gas; report the leak; do not return to the building or area until a propane retailer, emergency responder, or qualified service technician determines that it is safe to do so; and get the system checked

For more information, visit propane.com.

Bird walk to be held Wednesday

A bird walk will be hosted by Weminuche Audubon Society at 9 a.m. Wednesday at For the Birds, 1560 East Second Ave.

The walks last about one hour and 15 minutes. Bring binoculars. The walks are free, but donations to the hosting group are welcome.

For more information, call 382-9396.

Herald Staff