To help ensure holiday gifts and messages are received, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service offers these security tips to safeguard shipments:

Avoid sending cash by mail.

Don’t leave mail or parcels unattended.

Consider an alternate shipping address.

People may change their package’s delivery address while it’s in transit.

Customize a delivery. Provide the Postal Service personalized instructions.

When away, have mail held at the post office.

Control a package’s delivery date using Priority Mail Express.

If people are a victim of a crime involving mail, they may submit a complaint at www. USPS.com, and select the United States Postal Inspection Service link at the bottom of the page.

S. Ute museum announces closure

The Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum, 503 Ouray Drive, Ignacio, will be closed Thursday and Friday, for Leonard C. Burch Day. It will reopen on Saturday.

For more information, call 563-9583.

Book, bake sale at Bayfield library

The Friends of the Pine River Library District will hold its annual Winter Book and Bake Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the community room of the library, 385 Bayfield Center Drive.

Neo Delphian Club to host party Dec. 14

The Durango Neo Delphian Club will have its Christmas Party at 11 a.m. Dec. 14 at the home of Gay Kiene.

A white elephant gift exchange will be the entertainment.

For more information, call Kiene at 259-1227.

Living wage coalition to meet Dec. 14

The La Plata County Thrive! Living Wage Coalition will meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Commons Building, 701 Camino del Rio.

All are welcome.

For more information, visit ThriveLaPlata.org.

Host families sought for exchange students

ASSE International Student Exchange Programs is looking for local families to host boys and girls between the ages of 15 to 18 from a variety of countries.

The exchange students have pocket money for personal expenses and full health, accident and liability insurance. Students are selected based on academics and personality, and host families can choose their student from a wide variety of backgrounds, countries and personal interests.

For more information, call Joan Rosenberg at (973) 454-5550 or visit www.host.asse.com.

Ignacio library offers computer classes

The Ignacio Community Library, 470 Goddard Ave. in Ignacio, will offer these computer classes:

Computer Basics will take place at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 15. Participants will learn the basics of using a computer and practice with a mouse. No computer experience is required.

Computer Basics: The Internet will take pace at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 29. Participants will learn how to use a web browser to access the web, and use Google to find information on the Internet.

All classes require sign-up. To sign-up, visit https://ignaciolibrary.org or call at 563-9287.

Gardening program accepts applications

The Colorado State University Extension Office in La Plata County announces it is accepting applications for the 2016 Colorado Master Gardener program until Dec. 31.

Students will receive training in tree care, vegetables, soils, native plants, water wise gardening, pruning and more. The training utilizes on-site and distant education experts to teach a series of classes. The 12-week series will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Thursday beginning Jan. 28 at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave. The cost is $170 if people intend to volunteer, or $530 for a certificate without volunteer time. Each student is responsible for obtaining a copy of the textbook, The Science of Gardening. The training is equivalent to a four credit-hour course. Volunteers are expected to complete 50 hours of volunteer time in the first year and 24 hours in subsequent years.

To receive an application packet, visit the La Plata County Extension office. For applications and more information, visit www.laplataextension.org. Applications are due no later than Dec. 31 to the Extension Office.

Help tally birds during annual Cortez count

The annual Christmas Bird Count for the Cortez area will be on Dec. 26.

Participants should meet in front of the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market St., at 8 a.m. to receive an official checklist and route map. Preregistration is not required. Birders of all levels are welcome. If new birders wish, they can be partnered with more experienced birders. Participants should bring warm clothing, binoculars, bird identification guides, snacks, lunch, and drinks. A few of the routes require some walking, so appropriate footwear is recommended. Folks can participate for the full day or part of the day. The annual count will not be canceled if bad weather is present.

For more information, call Jason St. Pierre at (248) 245-3081, email [email protected], or call 565-1151, ext. 14.

Members sought for library board

The La Plata County Board of County Commissioners is seeking interested individuals to serve on the Pine River Public Library District Board.

The board oversees the operation and administration of the Pine River Public Library. Terms begin in February, 2016 and interviews are expected to begin in early January. Terms are five years and applicants must reside within the boundaries of the library district. This position is advisory and is not monetarily compensated. An application and board description may be found at http://co.laplata.co.us/departments_and_elected_officials/boards_commissions or from the County Administration Building, 1101 East Second Ave. Applications are due Dec. 31.

For more information, call 382-6219.

Herald Staff