The Colorado Department of Transportation has a single lane closed on U.S. Highway 550 on Bondad Hill that will continue into this week.

CDOT contractor Yenter Companies has been drilling rocks in preparation for blasting to remove a large outcrop. The lane closure has been in effect since Oct. 26, when a large rock came down onto the inside shoulder. It is anticipated that a single blasting operation will take place Wednesday or Thursday.

The single inside lane will be closed today, leaving one lane open in each direction and minimal traffic delays. There will be intermittent traffic stops between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Traffic will be fully stopped in both directions for more than 30 minutes while blasting takes place and debris is cleared Wednesday or Thursday. Traffic delays are likely as debris is hauled away until 3 p.m.

For more information, visit www.cotrip.org.

Nonprofit center to host potluck

The Southwest Center for Independence, a local nonprofit that supports people with disabilities who are living independently in the community, will host a thankful potluck from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the center, 835 East Second Ave., Suite 200.

The center will provide utensils and paper products.

To RSVP and for dish ideas, call 403-1463.

Kiwanis Club to meet Thursday

The Kiwanis Club of Durango will meet at noon Thursday at Durango Community Recreation Center, 2700 Main Ave.

Ann Marie from Adaptive Sports will be the guest speaker. Visitors are welcome.

For more information, call 247-5011.

Whitewater Park visioning meeting held

City of Durango Parks and Recreation will offer a community visioning meeting for Whitewater Park on Thursday at the Durango Community Recreation Center, 2700 Main Ave.

The open house will begin at 5 p.m., followed by a presentation at 5:30 p.m. While construction is underway for the in-stream improvements at the park near Smelter Rapids, the city is working with a design team to develop the shoreline amenities to complete the project at Whitewater Park. Public comments are encouraged and may be submitted by email to [email protected].

For more information, call 375-7321.

ROOTS Project fundraiser to be held

A fundraiser for The ROOTS Project will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Lost Dog Bar & Grill, 1150 Main Ave.

The jewelry sale will benefit the women of South Sudan and promote their art and culture versus war and poverty. The ROOTS Project is a nonprofit organization committed to the economic empowerment of Sudanese women through the preservation of arts and crafts. The project provides all materials for the crafts and markets the finished products locally and abroad. It also provides literacy and math classes, childcare, healthy workday meals for the women and their children, transport, legal support and health care when needed.

For more information, visit www.rootsofsouthsudan.org or www.facebook.com/therootsproject.ss.

FLC Visiting Elder program continues

The Fort Lewis College Native American Center will host Joseph Bruchac as part of the center’s Visiting Elder program with a presentation at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Student Union Ballroom.

The presentation by Bruchac will be titled “The Continuing Circle: The Importance of Storytelling in our Native Cultures.”

The presentation will include Bruchac’s own storytelling and flute music.

A book signing will follow the presentation and both are free and open to the public.

Bruchac is a writer, musician and traditional Native American storyteller whose work often reflects his American Indian (Abenaki) ancestry and the Adirondack region of northern New York where he lives.

For more information, call 247-7222.

Mancos library to screen documentary

Community Cinema, presented by Mancos Public Library and the Independent Television Service will present an advance screening of “The State of Arizona” at 6 p.m. Thursday in the library community meeting room, 211 West First St. in Mancos.

The film captures the emotions and realities behind Arizona’s struggle with immigration issues. Following Arizona’s Senate Bill 1070 the film tells the stories of Arizonans on all sides of this issue. A community discussion will follow on immigration reform.

For more information, call 533-7600 or visit www.mancoslibrary.org.

Historical camp available to youth

The San Juan Mountains Association in partnership with the La Plata County Historical Society will offer a youth day camp for ages 10 to 12 on Nov. 25 during the Thanksgiving school break.

Participants will learn about “Life in a Log Cabin.” Campers will learn about historic chores and cook on an open fire to prepare their lunch. They will explore Animas City’s historic neighborhoods and examine the changes that have taken place. Preregistration is required as space is limited.

The registration deadline is Thursday. The camp is $25 per person.

For more information or to register, call Ruth Lambert at the San Juan Mountains Association at 385-1267.

Khan Academy presentation to be held

The Sunnyside Branch of Durango Public Library will host a presentation about Khan Academy from 3 to 4 p.m. Thursday at the branch inside Sunnyside Elementary School.

Dan Frideger will review this free, nonprofit online learning experience for people of all ages.

For more information, call 259-5249, ext. 3702

Museum to host Saloon Stroll Thursday

The Animas Museum will offer a historic Saloon Stroll on Thursday.

Presentations will start at 6 p.m. at El Moro Spirits and Tavern, 945 Main Ave., and the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave. At El Moro meet “Curly,” a bartender from the turn of the last century and “Metta” the faro dealer. At the Diamond Belle meet “Bessie Rivers,” Durango madam and Victorian businesswoman.

There will be artifacts from private collections on display at both locations.

Participants may begin at either establishment, and at 7 p.m. participants will visit the other location. A percentage of bar sales will benefit the museum.

Herald Staff