November 5
Mayor’s Chat  
Estes Park Mayor Todd Jirsa invites community members to join him for a Mayor’s Chat, Nov. 5 at 9 a.m. in the Board Room at Upper Thompson Sanitation District, 2186 Mall Road. Residents are encouraged to join him for an informal discussion of local issues. Mayor Jirsa holds regular Mayor’s Chats, generally during the first week of each month, with varied dates, times and locations throughout Estes Park. Visit http://www.estes.org or call 970-586-5331 for more information.

Wildlife & Winter Hike
Join volunteer naturalists, Nov. 5 from 10 a.m.-noon, for a free, easy one-mile hike at Mud Lake Open Space to learn how animals prepare for winter in the high country. Participants will talk about  wintering strategies including migration, hibernation, and other adaptations as well as look for tracks, scat, and browse marks on trees and shrubs. Contact Larry Colbenson at 303-678-6214 and lcolbenson@bouldercounty.org or visit http://www.bouldercounty.org for more information.

8th Annual Pumpkin SMASH Festival
Scraps-to-Soil holds the Pumpkin SMASH each year after Halloween to explore composting and ways to contribute less to the waste stream. In addition to a variety of methods to smash pumpkins, this year’s event, Nov. 5 from noon-4 p.m. incudes food and drinks, contests and games as well as opportunities to learn about composting and other ways to live more sustainably. The event is free to attend and all are welcome. Bring your own Jack-O-Lanterns or purchase a leftover pumpkin. To learn more, visit scraps-to-soil.org, e-mail info@scraps-to-soil.org or find Scraps-to-Soil, Neighborhood Compost Club on Facebook.

November 10, 12-13
Peace Leadership with Capt. Paul K. Chappell
Author-educator-soldier of peace Paul Chappell gives a pair of lectures in the area in November. The first, “Peace Leadership in Difficult Times,” Nov. 10 from 5:30-8:15 p.m., is free and open to everyone at the Nederland Community Center. The event includes a simple meal from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The “Peace Leadership Workshop,” Nov. 12-13 from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., takes place at the Solstice Center in Boulder. Through first-hand experience, and research, Chappell has transformed a traumatic childhood and military training into a resource for teaching peace skills. He has published 5 books, spoken at dozens of Universities, and high schools, as well as lectured internationally. His most recent focus is on peace literacy, the idea that just as we are taught to read, we must be taught to understand the language of peace. The workshop is $65 and ticket purchase is required in advance. Visit http://www.mountainforumforpeace.org to learn more.

November 11-13, 18-20
“A Bench In The Sun” play
See the play “A Bench in the Sun,” Nov. 11, 12, 18, 19 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 13 and 20 at 2 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge of Estes Park, 1820 S. St. Vrain Ave. The play is like “Grumpy Old Men” set in a retirement home. Two old retired friends bicker, complaign, fall in love with the same woman, and somehow survive. Lots of laughs with a few touching moments. Call 970-586-4093 for more information.

November 12
An Intimate Evening with David Gans
The Ax & Oar, 160 E. Main St. in Lyons, hosts an intimate, sit down evening with legendary musician David Gans, Nov. 12 at 8:30. A $10 cover includes one drink. The guitarist’s solo electric performances include country-blues-style fingerpicking; loop-based improvisations created live in the moment; ballads, both original and borrowed; Grateful Dead songs reinterpreted to suit his voice and guitar; wry observations of the music-festival subculture and the larger world; soulful and passionate political commentary; and favorites from the folk-rock canon of the last 50 years. It’s never the same show twice, but it’s always worth a listen. Call 303-747-3795 or visit http://www.axandoarlyons.com and http://www.dgans.com to learn more.

November 16
Fall Fiesta raises funds for school
The Gold Hill School holds its annual Fall Fiesta fundraiser, Nov. 16, at the Gold Hill Inn, 401 Main St. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the fiesta goes until 8:30 p.m. The event includes a raffle, silent auction, music and a taco bar dinner served by student waiters. Many exciting raffle prizes can be won and some terrific silent auction items—including stays at luxury accommodations in Snowmass and Tuscany, pottery, and local metal work—will be up for bid.  A donation of $15 for adults and $5 for kids is requested. The school is also seeking items to be added to the silent auction.  For more information, tickets, or to donate an item please email goldhillschoolpto@gmail.com. Visit goldhillinn.com and ghe.bvsd.org or call 303-443-6475 for more information.

November 19-January 3
Santa’s North Pole Adventure
Santa returns to the Georgetown Loop Railroad in mid-November to pass out more presents and treats. Join Santa and his helpers aboard decorated, enclosed, heated coaches on weekends starting Nov. 19 through Jan. 3, and daily through Dec. 24. After the holiday, from Dec. 26 though Jan. 3, except Jan. 1, Santa returns to pass out goodies to the little ones. For reservations and information, call 888-456-6777, e-mail info@historicrailadventures.com or visit georgetownlooprr.com.

Santa’s Lighted Forest Train
Offered evenings in late November and through Jan. 3, this Georgetown Loop Railroad ride allows passengers to relax and enjoy a beautiful synchronized holiday music and light show in the forest above Georgetown. Join Santa and his helpers while winding through the beautiful Colorado mountains in enclosed heated coaches. It is a unique wintertime experience. For reservations and information, call 888-456-6777, e-mail info@historicrailadventures.com or visit georgetownlooprr.com.

November 24
9th Annual Turkey Trot 5k Fun Run/Walk
Join the YMCA of the Rockies, 2515 Tunnel Road on Nov. 24 at 8 a.m. for the annual Turkey Trot 5K Fun Run and Walk. Registration opens at 7 a.m. at the Hempel Program building. The race begins at 8 a.m. A free-will donation will be accepted to support the YMCA’s summer day-camp scholarship program. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash at all times. Visit ymcarockies.org for more information.

November 25
Booksigning with author Kevin Wolf
Kevin Wolf, author of “The Homeplace” will be at Macdonald Bookshop, 152 E. Elkhorn Ave. in Estes Park, Nov. 25 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Wolf is the winner of the Tony Hillerman Prize for best debut mystery and is a member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and Crested Butte Writers. Visit http://www.macdonaldbookshop.com or call 970-586-3450 to learn more.

Georgetown Christmas Tree Lighting
Kick off the Holiday Season at the annual tree lighting event in Georgetown. Bring the entire family for a fun-filled day in Georgetown, Nov. 26, from 4:45-7 p.m. including the lighting of the Christmas Tree in the early evening at Library Park, at the intersection of Rose and 6th streets, with hot chocolate and apple cider. The event includes live music by Kristi Morrell and the Georgetown Community School Carolers. Participate in the annual tradition of Letter Day, from the movie “The Christmas Gift” filmed in Georgetown in 1986. Children of all ages are welcome to deliver their hand-written letters to St. Nick while in Georgetown.

Tree Lighting & Dinner with Santa
Children 12 and under are invited to join Santa & Mrs. Claus, Nov. 27 from 5-7:30 p.m. at the “North Pole” upstairs in the Elks Lodge for dinner. Advanced tickets are $5 and available at the new Sampler Mill Recreation Center. Seating is limited to the first 65 children. At 6 p.m. everyone is welcome to sing Christmas carols with Santa and Mrs. Claus while walking from the Elks Lodge to Citizen Park in Downtown Idaho Springs. After arriving, Santa will turn on the magical Christmas tree lights. There will also be visits and photos with Santa back at the Elks Lodge after the tree lighting at approximately 6:30 p.m. After dinner, all events are free. For more information please call 303-567-4822

Catch the Glow Parade & Celebration
As dusk falls the day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 25, the magic begins to unfold in Estes Park. The annual “Catch the Glow” parade caps a day full of activity. With holiday music broadcast outdoors throughout the town helping set the scene, visitors can interact with strolling animal characters, enjoy family hay rides and visit with Santa Claus in Bond Park from noon to 4 p.m.  The lighted Christmas parade begins at 5:30 p.m. and runs the length of Elkhorn Ave. All activities are free. Visit http://www.estes.org or call 970-586-5331 to learn more.

November 26
Holiday House Christmas Bazaar
Join the Elizabeth Guild Thrift Shop & Lizzie’s Boutique for the 44th Annual Holiday House Christmas Bazaar, Nov. 26 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Estes Park Conference Center, 101 S. St. Vrain Ave. Tickets are $1. Find antiques & collectibles, arts & crafts, baked goods, Christmas decorations, candy, jewelry, toys and musical entertainment. Browse a huge variety of unique donated items. Stop in the raffle room and purchase tickets for $1 each for a large assortment of items which make great holiday or personal gifts. Raffle is held at 1:15 p.m., must be present to win. The Elizabeth Guild Thrift Shop and Lizzie’s Boutique are dedicated to supporting the needs of the Estes Park Medical Center. All proceeds from our sales help to purchase important clinical equipment and other essential items for our community medical center. Call 970-586-7205 for more information

Originally published in the November 2016 issue of the MMAC Monthly