La Plata Pomona Grange is hosting a community chili cook-off at the Mt. Allison Grange Hall Saturday, March 19, at 5:30 p.m. There will be a red, green, and miscellaneous division. Each entry is to provide one gallon of ready to serve chili. After chili, stick around to play some bingo. For information, call Yvonne at 799-3064. More details are at facebook.com/mtallisongrange/

Craft days starting at Pine River Library

Are you looking to meet other crafters in the area and enjoy a recurring social crafting session? Pine River Library is debuting a new crafting program called The Crafters’ Exchange that will occur twice monthly on the first and third Thursdays of the month, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Attendees are invited to bring a craft design and enough supplies for 10 people to make the craft. Then you’ll be able to make someone else’s craft! The first exchange will take place on March 17.

For more information call the library at 884-2222, ext. 510.

Volunteers needed to plant willows

The Animas Watershed Partnership is planting willows on the Florida River near the Durango -La Plata County Airport.

Volunteers of all ages are needed for two four-hour days of field work, with lunch break.

The plantings will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 19 and April 9. Volunteers aren’t required to work both days, but would be preferred.

Each volunteer will have the opportunity to:

Onsite training will be provided. Sturdy footwear is required.

Those interested in volunteering are asked to contact Rachel Hoffman, outreach coordinator, at [email protected]

AAUW lunch is March 26 at Fort Lewis

The annual Book & Author Luncheon of the local branch of American Association of University Women will take place at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, March 26 in the Vallecito Room of the FLC Student Union Building. The annual luncheon is in support of AAUW’s scholarship funds.

This year the organization is honoring member Tekla Miller who recently published a book titled Mother Rabbit, which recounts her sister’s experience as a single mother working for the Playboy Club in Chicago in the 60s. Miller previously published The Warden Wore Pink, about her time as a prison guard.

The luncheon is $45 ($22 is tax deductible). Students tickets are available for $20. Please make reservations before Wednesday, March 23, and send your check made out to AAUW/Durango to 56 Red Cliffs Rd, Durango 81301. For further information contact Judy Spolum, [email protected], or Marcy Jung, [email protected].

Bayberry Jam holding organizational meeting

The fourth annual Bayberry Jam is set for Saturday, June 11 in Eagle Park. An organizational meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the commons area at BHS. Organizers are looking for volunteers, musicians, and vendors for the event. Proceeds benefit the Bayfield Association for the Advancement of Music. For more information, contact Melissa Kaufmann at [email protected].

Matches available for Dancing Spirit donations

Dancing Spirit Community Arts Program has an opportunity through a local donating organization that will triple match any donations to Dancing Spirit before March 31.

Donations will benefit the summer arts program. Donations can be made to https://squareup.com/store/dancingspirit.

Health group presenting program on depression

A panel of experts will present Depression. Share the Secret from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15 at the Durango Recreation Center in the Sunlight and Windom Rooms. A light dinner will be provided at 5:15. This is a free event with no pre-registration required.

Topics will include: reducing the stigma and recognizing the symptoms of depression; lifestyle approaches to treat depression; and local resources to support wellness. Have your questions answered by the professionals: psychiatrist Dr. Mark Fallon-Cyr, Stephanie Allred, senior clinical director at Axis Health System; Nicola St. Mary, a naturopathic doctor; and Jenny Treanor a profile employee assistance program coordinator at Centura Health.

This presentation is sponsored by the Community Health Action Coalition, Mercy Regional Medical Center, and League of Women Voters of La Plata County.

For more information visit CHAC’s website at www.chaclaplata.org.

Free dental clinics available for students

Free dental clinics for La Plata County students of all ages will be offered this month and in April at the School-Based Health Clinics at Durango High School and Florida Mesa Elementary School. Services will include cleaning, fluoride treatment, and sealants.

Clinics will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Clinics at Florida Mesa will be March 17, April 14 and May 12. Clinics at Durango High School will be on April 12 and May 17.

For an appointment at DHS call 375-3832; for Florida Mesa call 385-1168. Free dental clinics are made possible with the support of the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation and a partnership between Axis Health System and Durango School District 9R.