October 1-31
Fifth Annual ‘Western Light’ Fine Art Show
Earthwood Collections in Estes Park hosts the 5th Annual “Western Light” Fine Art Show through October. The 2014 show includes the best and newest work from a select group of 15 “Western Light Painters.” There are over 75 newly unveiled paintings that are a mix of studio and plein air work. The subject matter are the people, landscapes, wildlife, and architecture all set in the wonderful light that bathes the beautiful western U.S. Earthwood Collections, 141 E. Elkhorn Ave., is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Visit http://www.earthwoodgalleries.com or call 970-577-8100 to learn more.

October 2-4, 9-11, 16-18
Elk Expeditions
The fall rut is a spectacular display of elk mating behavior featuring bugling, posturing and herding displays. On Oct. 2-4, 9-11 and 16-18. This extraordinary event will be available for viewing from the comfort of a 14-passenger bus, or 12-passenger van, staffed by a professional educational guide who will discuss elk ecology interpret activity and answer questions about elk. Elk artifacts such as antlers, skulls and fur will be available for participants to see and touch. Entrance fee into the national park is included in this tour. Adults are $40 and children ages 12 and under are $20. Visit http://www.rmconservancy.org for more information.

October 4
Quaking Aspen Hike
Join volunteer Boulder County Parks and Open Space naturalists, OCt. 4, from 10 a.m. to noon, on an easy 1.5 mile hike at Mud Lake Open Space to observe and learn about aspen – the most widely distributed tree in North America. Along the way, participants will discuss the natural history of aspen, including its importance to wildlife, varied uses, response to fire, and threats to its health. Visit http://www.bouldercounty.org for more information and to learn about other October hikes.
Fall Festival
Fall is here, leaves are changing, and the weather is getting colder. Before Mother Nature buries us in her blanket of snow, come join Clear Creek Metropolitan Recreation District in celebrating its Annual Fall Fest, Oct. 4, from noon-4 p.m. There will be live music, beer and food, and great fun for the kids including a great pumpkin fun run, a magic show, and pumpkin patch. For more information, visit http://www.clearcreekrecreation.com.

October 5
CAN’d Aid Foundation OSKtoberfest
Join the The Oskar Blues CAN’d Aid Foundation for the 1st Annual CAN’d Aid Foundation OSKtoberfest, Oct. 5, from 2-7 p.m., at River Bend, 501 W. Main St., in Lyons. The event features traditional German-style games, Oktoberfest beers from Oskar Blues Brewery and City Star, spirits from Spirit Hound Distillery, food and music from four bands. Entrance is $20 and includes 20 tickets (valued at $1) to be used toward food, beer and games. Additional tickets can be purchased and kids 12 and under are free. All proceeds benefit the CAN’d AId Foundation. To learn more, visit http://www.foundation.oskarblues.com.
October 7
Garden Photography with iPhone Cameras
This three-hour course will teach participants the basics of shooting and composing photographs using any phone camera. The class, Oct. 7, from 5-8 p.m., takes place at Lyons Farmette. Taught by Kenneth Wajda, professional photographer and Director of Lyons Cinema and Photography Art Center, the class includes a period for shooting at the Farmette gardens, flowers and your choice of a farm still life. The class concludes with screening of images from the shoot and using in-phone apps to tone and finish the photographs. The class is $75 per person and reservations are required. Visit http://www.lyonsfarmette.com or call 303-746-6266 for more information and to sign up.

October 10
Centennial Speaker Series: Robert Stanton
As art of its Centennial Speaker Series, Rocky Mountain National Park welcomes Robert Stanton, Oct. 10, to a free talk at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center Auditorium. Stanton served as Director of the National Park Service from 1997-2001 and has served as a Senior Advisor to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior. His bipartisan and inclusive approach to problem solving and cooperative resource stewardship earned him tremendous respect and admiration, enabling him to build effective relations with the U.S. Congress, Federal, tribal, state, and local agencies, diverse organizations, leaders, and citizens. Stanton brings his experience and his unique perspective on the National Park Service to this discussion about the 100 year anniversary of Rocky Mountain National Park. Call 970-586-1206 or visit http://www.nps.gov/romo for more information.

Rare Historic Slide Show
The Friends of the John Tomay Memorial Library in Georgetown sponsor a Rare Historic Slide Show, Oct. 10. at 7 p.m. at the Georgetown Community Center. Slide into the past with Idaho Springs Historic Society board member Don Allen as he presents slides from the Collection of Lafayette Hanchett. A prosperous resident of Idaho Springs in the early 1900, Hanchett documented his 1910 world travels through photos. These rare slides are not generally available for viewing and will be presented along with modern photos of the same areas. This event is free but donations are always accepted. Contact the Georgetown Community Center at 303-569-2888 or gtownvisitor@earthlink.net for more information.

October 12
Bee Keeping Class
Head down to the Lyons Farmette, Oct. 12, from 10 a.m to noon, for a short-course presentation on backyard beekeeping. Instructor Ben Rodman, a Lyons resident, has been a beekeeper since 2004 and has performed feral colony rescue and removal for several years. He is also a moderator of the online beekeeping forum Beesource.com and is an award-winning meadmaker and home brewer. The class discusses where to keep bees, equipment options, “natural” beekeeping, how to inspect colonies, as well as honey and other colony products. New this year, the class visits the Farmette’s new observation colony. Equipment, books and protective gear to examine, and information for participants wishing to order equipment and bees for new colonies in spring are provided. The class costs $20 per person and reservations are required. Visit http://www.lyonsfarmette.com or call 303-746-6266 for more information and to sign up.

Bears in Our Backyard Hike
With fall upon us, Boulder County’s black bears are busy gorging on berries and other food in preparation for their long winter sleep. Join volunteer Boulder County Parks and Open Space naturalists, Oct. 12, from 10 a.m.-noon, at Mud Lake Open Space for a moderate one-mile hike to learn about the natural history of our local bruin and how people and bears can share our wild places. Visit http://www.bouldercounty.org for more information and to learn about other October hikes.

3rd Annual Estes Trail Ascent Run
Kicking off the Estes Park Marathon’s developing trail race series, the Estes Trail Ascent run, Oct. 12, is sure to grow in popularity since the course offers sweeping views of Rocky Mountain National Park and the Continental Divide. Runners run along a ridge line, which captures amazing views .The race, designed to challenge participants, starts at 8,500 feet and reaches a high point of 9,085 feet, and has 1,877 feet of elevation gain on the way. It combines sharp climbs with some rolling descents and a final blast down a dirt road. Race distance is around 5.9 miles. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the race is at 10 a.m. All abilities and ages are welcome. Visit http://www.epmarathon.org/race-information/estes-trail-ascent/ to learn more and view a route map.

October 18
Hike: Healthy Forest Ecology and Wildfire Mitigation Tips
Join Boulder County representatives at the Nederland Community Forestry Sort Yard, Oct. 18, from 4-6 p.m., for a fun and informative “hike” exploring the forest at the sort yard. Participants will focus on how to properly manage the forest so it is healthier in the long-term. When cutting, it is easy to make simple mistakes that could cause long-term forest health issues on your land. Blending the “art and science” of good forest management is key to your success. The “hike” will also talk about fall time wildfire awareness tips. As the leaves drop and the grasses turn brown it is an important time to not let your guard down. Nederland Community Forestry Sort Yard is located at 291 Ridge Road.

October 20-25
First Response Resiliency Workshop Series
A First Response Resiliency Drop-In Workshop Series hosted by Boulder County 1st Responder Resilience Trainers and Colorado Spirit Flood Recovery Team, Oct. 20-25, is targeted to emergency service workers of all levels. Drawing from the last few decades of research on resilient individuals, the First Response Resiliency Workshops teaches participants practical tools to combat work stress. This training is adapted for first responders and packages an effective stress management and resiliency skill set into a dynamic workshop focused on gaining new knowledge and skill building. Locations for the various workshops are to be determined. For more information and schedule of events, contact Victoria Hutchinson at VictoriaLMT@gmail.com, call 207-406-0300 or visit Colorado Mountain Spirit on Facebook.

October 30
Hike for Seniors at Heil Valley Ranch
The last Thursday of every month, Boulder County Parks and Open Space hosts a nature hike for seniors at a county park. The Oct. 30 hike takes place at the Heil Valley Ranch from 10 a.m. to noon. Programs include information about an area’s history, wildlife, and current resource management projects. No registration is necessary. To join the group, meet at the shelter near the south trailhead. For more information call 303-678-6214 or visit http://www.bouldercounty.org.