Plant biologist, author and blogger Susan Tweit will deliver a lecture titled “Plant Talk: It’s All About Relationships” at 6:30 p.m. May 15 at the Durango Community Recreation Center, 2700 Main Ave.

Sponsored by the Durango Botanical Society, the presentation will be followed by a book signing and dessert reception. Tweit’s knowledge of using native plant species has made her a spokesperson for the “Be A Habitat Hero” program of Audubon Colorado. She will conduct a workshop for writers, bloggers and journal keepers of all skill levels titled “Field Notes: Creative Writing from Nature” from 9 a.m. to noon May 16 at the rec center.

For more information or to register, visit http://durangobotanicalsociety.com or call 749-5642.

Architectural class to be offered

As part of the Four Corners Lecture Series, the Hisatsinom Chapter of the Colorado Archaeology Society will present Susan Ryan at 7 p.m. May 6 at the Methodist Church, 515 Park St., Cortez, to discuss “New Approaches to Architectural Analyses: Ancestral Pueblo Kiva Production in the Northern Southwest.”

Ryan summarizes analyses of PII and PIII ancestral Pueblo kivas in the San Juan region to shed light on production practices. Her research examines kivas to address how architecture emphasized the ways in which features were actively mediated to create and maintain social structure, social identity, and community integration.

For more information, call Kari Schleher (505) 269-4475.

Smart Driver Safety classes available

These Smart Driver Safety classes, defensive-driving classes sponsored by the AARP Driver Safety Program, will take place:

From 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 8 at the Pagosa Springs Senior Services.

From 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 22 at the Cortez Senior Services.

From 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on May 28 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 and $20 for nonmembers and includes all class materials and light refreshments.

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

The Regional Housing Alliance of La Plata County will offer a free Homebuyer Education Class from May 8 to 10.

Homebuyer-education class available

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 Realtor, 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, Realtors and insurance agents who teach participants about their specific field of expertise. Registration is required.

To register, call 259-1418 or visit www.rhalpc.org.

Asphalt project on East Animas Road

La Plata County Road and Bridge Department will conduct an asphalt overlay project on Tuesday and Wednesday on East Animas Road (County Road 250) from the improvements made at the intersection of East Animas Road and Florida Road (County Roads 250 and 240) at the light, north to the new pavement on East Animas Road (County Road 250).

In addition, 32nd Street will be overlaid approximately 350 feet west of the intersection with East Animas Road (County Road 250). This project will impact traffic on East Animas Road (County Road 250) between Florida Road (County Road 240) and 500 feet north of the County Road 251 intersection. Traffic on County Road 251 also will be impacted north of Holly Avenue. Project hours will be from 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Local business access will be open; however, access may be limited for short periods of time.

For more information, call Doyle Villers at 382-6414, or email [email protected].

Herald Staff