December 1-Feb. 14
Main Street Central City Photo Contest
Win up to $200 cash and a chance to be featured on some amazing postcards by entering the Main Street Central City Photo Contest, which is open to all photographers. The contest is soliciting original, striking images of Central City, including, but not limited to buildings and structures, wildlife, people, events, community, work and trade, auto and more. Entries from all regions, in both rural and urban settings, are encouraged. Each photo submission must be accompanied by a brief description, as well as where the photo was taken. All entries must be submitted by Feb. 14, 2017. Voting begins on Dec. 1 and will continue throughout the duration of the contest. Up to 15 photographs may be submitted per person. Entries may be entered by uploading digital files to Main Street Central City Facebook Page or e-mailed. Complete details can be found online at the Main Street Central City Facebook page. For questions, contact Zeke Keeler at zkeeler@cityofcentral.co or 720-279-7335.

December 2-3
Holiday Used Book Sale
Find a bargain book at the Estes Valley Library Friends & Foundation Holiday Used Book Sale and help support the library at the same time. The Holiday Used Book Sale, Dec. 2-3, in the Estes Valley Library’s Hondius Room. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. both days, browse among the handpicked gently used books, CDs, and DVDs that are in excellent condition and suitable for gift giving, as well as your own enjoyment. For additional information, contact Book Committee Chair Ray Nieder at RNieder@Beyondbb.com or Sarah Walsh at the Library Development Office at 970-586-8116 ext. 835 or e-mail swalsh@estesvalleylibrary.org.

December 2-May 28
‘Illusions Of The Passed’ Theatrical Séance
From the hit NBC Series America’s Got Talent, Master Magician Aiden Sinclair presents “Illusions of the Passed” at the Stanley Hotel, 333 Wonderview Ave. in Estes Park, on select evenings from Dec 2-May 28, 2017. This evening of mystery uses antiques and artifacts from tragic moments in history to bring the past to life. The guests of the historic Stanley Hotel are taken on an unforgettable journey through the Victorian Age. From the foggy streets of London and the infamous murders of Jack the Ripper to the sinking of the RMS Titanic, Sinclair will introduce participants to the world of the Penny Dreadful in this entertaining, 90-minute theatrical séance. Authentic artifacts from these historic events will be handled by the audience in this presentation of history, haunts and illusions. For more information, call 970-577-4000 or visit www.stanleyhotel.com.

December 3
4th Anniversary & Prohibition Repeal Party
Dust off your flapper dresses and zoot suits and join Spirit Hound Distillery, 4196 Ute Hwy. in Lyons, on Dec. 3 from 8-11 p.m. following the Lyons Christmas parade to celebrate four years of Spirit Hound spirits. The G-Spot Food Truck will be serving up delicious eats all evening and The 89s will be rocking the balcony stage until 11 p.m. Visit http://www.spirithounds.com or call 303-823-5696 to learn more.

Wee Winter Fest Tiny Home Tour
Join tiny home hotel WeeCasa, 501 West Main St. in Lyons, Dec. 3, for its second annual Wee Winter Fest. This is the chance to tour up to 10 tiny homes, listen to guest speakers talk “tiny,” eat, drink and let the kids play in the play area. Doors open at 11 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. Check out the Lyons Parade of Lights afterwards and come back to view the fireworks from River Bend. Tickets are $10 per person. Children under 10 years old are free. Tickets may be purchased in advance through Eventbrite, or at the door. For more information, visit weecasa.com or call 720-460-0239.

December 8
Ski Hooky Days
Ski Hooky Days with 95.7 FM The Party and Oskar Blues Brewing returns to Loveland Ski Area, Dec. 8. Listen to 95.7 FM The Party for a chance to win free tickets to Loveland and sign up for Party VIP to take advantage of Hooky Day $25 tickets. Simply sign up for Party VIP, print your coupon and join in a “great day on the slopes.” The coupon also includes a buy one lift ticket get one free valid for two weeks after Hooky Day. Oskar Blues supports Hooky Day with beer specials all day and a special Beer Can Chicken Lunch.  Don’t forget to hang out afterwards for the Icelantic Ski Giveaway in the Rathskeller after a great day on the slopes! There are Other Hooky Days coming up. Be sure to save the date and play Hooky with Loveland on Jan. 12, Feb. 9 and March 9. Visit http://www.957theparty.com and skiloveland.com or call 303-571-5580 for more information.

December 9
Polar Express Trolley Ride
Experience the winter magic of The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg by hearing the story read aloud by Kurtis Kelly at the Estes Valley Library’s cozy fireplace area, Dec. 9 at 6:20 p.m. Then, ride the Polar Express trolley for a sing-along to familiar Christmas songs. Make an enchanted stop along the way to deliver letters to Santa’s mailbox and return to the library to decorate train cookies while enjoying a cup of hot chocolate. The cost for this whimsical winter evening special signature event is $5 for adults and children are free. Children (and adults) are invited to wear pajamas. Register in person at the library’s Service Desk. Visit estesvalleylibrary.org or call 970-586-8116 for more information.

December 10
Mosaic Mirror Workshop
Estes Outreach offers ongoing educational and recreational opportunities to the Estes community. The program works in partnership with area businesses, non-profits, and individuals to offer, host, and deliver classes. The Mosaic Mirror Workshop with Instructor Ilah Reynar at the Estes Park High School Art Room , Dec. 10 from 9 a.m.-noon, is part of the Maker’s Workshops, a series of hands-on making classes meant to provide opportunities to give hand-made gifts over the holidays. Students will be provided with a mirror to mosaic. Shards from a local potter will be available along with various pieces of glass. Nippers, grout, and all other supplies are provided. Come to have fun, and leave with a fun gift for yourself or someone on your list. Registration is $42 per person and includes all supplies. Registration deadline is Dec. 5. Reserve a spot online. For more information, visit http://www.estesoutreach.org.

Free Microchip, Low Cost Vaccination Event
An event for both dogs and cats, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Gilpin County Fairgrounds, 230 Norton Dr. features free microchips and registration during the Winter Arts Festival. If a dog or cat is already chipped, come to verify the chip is readable, and registration is current. Assistants can help update chips for free. Low cost vaccinations and heartworm tests will also be offered. DHPP and Rabies vaccinations will be available for $20 each and heartworm testing will be $25. Cash, check and Visa or Mastercard are accepted. Pre-registration is necessary, and it is recommended to register early as only the first 60 registrants will be accepted. The event is sponsored by Cherry’s Pet Care, Lisa Cass DVM, Gilpin County Animal Response Team, Gilpin County Archwood 4H and private donors. Visit http://www.cherryspetcare.com or contact Katie Albright at cherryspetcare@gmail.com or 303-956-9320, for more information.

We Are Water: Standing Rock Benefit
The Scarlet, 131 Main St. in Central City, hosts “We Are Water: Standing Rock Benefit Concert,” Dec. 10, to raise money and awareness about the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Tickets, which are $10, and a silent auction will directly benefit the people of Standing Rock. Proceeds will go directly to the Oceti Sakowin Camp, a camp dedicated to protecting the land and water against the pipeline, and will be used to buy supplies to winterize and stock the campsite. Find more infromation at The Scarlet Venue on Facebook or visit http://www.thescarletvenue.com.

December 10 & 17
Christmas at Hamill House / Noel A La Carte  
Head to Georgetown, Dec. 10 and 17 from 6-9:30 p.m., for a magical evening at two of the town’s historical museums, the Hamill House and the Hotel De Paris.  The night begins at the Hamill House, where guests can enjoy light hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree, yule log, wassail toasts, and carols.  Next, guests will go to the Hotel De Paris, where they will dine on a full course meal in the historic Hotel de Paris dining room.  The evening will end with a traditional reading of the “Night Before Christmas.”  Tickets are $150  with a guest limit of 40 per night. Visit http://www.historicgeorgetown.org and hoteldeparismuseum.org for more details.

December 13
Estes Park Public Budget Hearings
Estes Park officials encourage public participation in budget hearings, Dec. 13. The Town Board will review the proposed 2017 Town budget during a public hearing at 7 p.m. in the Town Board Room of Town Hall, 170 MacGregor Ave. The public is encouraged to attend and comment. Town of Estes Park financial information, including budgets and the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, are available at http://www.estes.org/finance.  For information, call the Finance Department at 970-577-3560 or visit http://www.estes.org.

December 21
The Mysterious Owls of the Night Sky
Meet the mysterious owls of HawkQuest, Dec. 21 from 2-3:30 p.m. at the Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center, 20 Lakeview Dr. in Nederland. Get up close and personal with the creatures who soar the night sky all winter on the darkest day of the year. A $5 donation is suggested. To learn more, visit wildbear.org or call 303-258-0495.

Forest Service releases environmental analysis

BOULDER COUNTY/GILPIN COUNTY
The U.S. Forest Service’s Roosevelt National Forest has released its environmental assessment of the proposed Forsythe II Project, a forest management project in the vicinity of Nederland and Gross Reservoir. A draft decision is expected to be released the first week of December.

Proposed forest management activities include cutting, thinning and controlled burning in lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, aspen and meadows. Most of the cut debris will be removed or piled to burn during winter months.

The release of the draft decision the first full week of December will kick off a formal 30-day objection period, which will begin the day the legal notice is published in the newspaper of record (in this case the Coloradoan). The public will also be notified by e-mail, social media and local news outlets when the draft decision is released. Objections must be received during the official objection period to be considered.

Formal objections will only be accepted from those who have previously submitted timely and specific written comments regarding the proposed project during scoping or designated opportunities for comment.

The environmental assessment, maps, photos, background, and information on how to object are located on the project website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/arp/Forsythe2.

An open house is planned from 4:30-6:30 p.m., Dec. 13, at the Boulder Ranger District office, 2140 Yarmouth Ave. in Boulder, to answer questions about the assessment and draft decision. Contact Reid Armstrong, public affairs specialist, at 303-541-2532 or krarmstrong@fs.fed.us for more information.