IWC Worker Bees will host next week’s meeting of the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce.

The meeting is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12. Topics of discussion include the recent Alliance Expo, upcoming chamber elections and projects for 2016.

The chamber meets the second Thursday of the month at different member businesses in Bayfield.

IWC Worker Bees is located at 357 N. Mountain View #106, behind Brenda’s Old West Cafe.

Also, the chamber Tacky Bayfield Christmas Party is on Thursday, Dec. 10 at the Billy Goat Saloon and Roadhouse Pizza! There will be an ugly sweater contest, unwanted crummy gift exchange, and more!

More information about the chamber is at www.bayfieldchamber.org or call 884-2331.

Learn healthy holiday cooking at library

Local cookbook author, vegan chef, and wellness coach Tess Challis will lead a cooking program at the Pine River Library on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 6 p.m. It’s the second program in the library’s Amazing Author series. Challis will be making a cranberry orange zest kale salad, whole grain “holiday waffles,” and “Tess’s Ultimate Chocolate Fix.” Her books include Radiant Health, Inner Wealth and Get Waisted: 100 Addictively Delicious Plant-Based Entrees.

Her website is http://www.radianthealth-innerwealth.com. For more information about the “Amazing Author” series and Tess Challis, contact Judy at 884-2222, ext.513.

Library hosts book launch party on Nov. 13

A book launch party for “Death Becomes Us” by award-winning author Pamela Skjolsvik will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13 at the Pine River Public Library in Bayfield. There will be a reading by the author, snacks, question and answer session, and door prizes.

Skjolsvik feared both living and dying. But after an accidental call to a funeral home during her mid-life crisis trip to grad school, she reluctantly embarked on a journey to explore professions that dealt with death in order to come to terms with her own mortality. The result is “Death Becomes Us,” a humorous memoir about what happens when a middle-aged, anxiety-filled, life-avoider attempts to investigate the last taboo of American culture. During her two years of research, she encountered an embalmer afraid of dying, a grieving EMT, an upbeat hospice counselor, and a hopeful death row inmate.

Military officers group seeks kindred folk

The local Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) is planning a Christmas party and is reaching out to all retired and active duty military officers in the Four Corners region to attend this function.

For further information about the Christmas party and information on the Four Corners Military Officers Association of America, please call Mike McGuire at (970) 779-0757.

Library to hold budget hearing on Nov. 12

The Pine River Library board of directors will hold its budget hearing on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 5:30 p.m. in the community room. Patrons are invited to view and comment on the budget.

“The 2016 budget will be close to 9 percent higher than this year,” says library director Shelley Walchak. “The library’s board of trustees has been incredibly savvy and responsible in managing the funds that the district collects from our taxpayers. They have achieved a balance between providing excellent services and programs for the public at the same time safeguarding our funds for unexpected circumstances so that the residents of Bayfield can expect a highly functional library for the unforeseen future.”

Walchak says the budget growth for 2016 will allow the board to increase funding for programming, books and materials, and also allows for a two-percent cost-of-living raise for the library’s 12 employees.

Copies of the proposed budget are available at the library or on the library’s website, www.prlibrary.org.

For more information about the meeting, contact the library at 884-2222.

State parks commemorates Veterans Day

Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers all military men and women free admission to Colorado’s state parks on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11.

“CPW is proud to honor our veterans and military members this Veterans Day,” said CPW Spokesman, Matt Robbins. “Free access to Colorado’s State Parks is our way to say ‘thank you’, and provide a special place for those who serve this great country to relax, renew and reflect.”

To obtain free admission to a state park, veterans, active duty military personnel (including active duty, Reserve and National Guard members) and their families must show: a valid active, reserve or retired military identification card, an identification card from the Veterans’ Administration, Veterans of Foreign Wars or the American Legion, discharge papers or a DD214, or other proof of service.

Cemetery district releases proposed budget

A proposed budget for 2016 has been submitted to the board of directors of the Pine River Cemetery District. A copy of the proposed budget has been filed at the Pine River Public Library, 395 Bayfield Center Drive in Bayfield. The board will consider the budget at its meeting at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at the library. Public comments and objections are being accepted, as well.

Fundraiser to benefit Katt Hawkins

Ute Eckstein, a local representative for Thirty One, is hosting a fundraiser for Katt Hawkins, also known as Denise Hess, a local colon cancer patient.

Thirty One features purses, totes, bags, thermals and jewelry. Many items can be monogrammed. Twenty percent of all proceeds will be donated to Hawkins.

Purchases are available at mythirtyone.com/uteeckstein and select Katt’s party until Nov. 15.

Mercy to host meeting on Tanzania mission

Mercy Regional Medical Center invites the public to a community meeting and discussion on mission work in Tanzania. The meeting will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9 at the Durango Public Library, room 1. Mercy’s mission partners from Mbulu, Tanzania will share information about their program, while attendees have the unique opportunity to connect and collaborate with others in our community who are involved in work in Tanzania.  All community members with an interest or experience in charitable work in Tanzania are welcome.

Hors d’oeuvres will be served. Seating is limited. R.S.V.P. by calling 970-764-3903.