Symphony Swing tickets now on sale

Tickets are now on sale for Symphony Swing, the Symphony in the Valley gala to benefit the community orchestra for Garfield, Eagle and Pitkin counties.

The gala events feature the Symphony in the Valley Jazz Orchestra playing the top tunes from the Big Band era, with a variety of guest vocalists, including Jeannie Walla, Lorraine Curry and Kelly Thompson.

Symphony Swing will be presented at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, at the Grand River Hospital Ballroom in Rifle, and at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs.

The Glenwood Springs event is a swanky dinner dance and short live auction to benefit Symphony in the Valley. The Rifle event features hors d'oeuvres, dancing and live auction.

Tickets are now on sale. Rifle event, $35. Glenwood Springs event, $75. Advance reservations only. Visit www.sitv.org for reservations.

‘Dangerous Liaisons' at Spring Valley

CMC Theatre presents “Dangerous Liaisons,” opening Feb. 10 at the college's theater in Spring Valley. An exploration of social and moral decay in a society of decadent excess, “Dangerous Liaisons” will be performed Feb. 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18 at 7 p.m. in the New Space Theatre at Colorado Mountain College in Spring Valley, 3000 County Road 114. On Feb. 12 and 19, a 2 p.m. matinee will be performed. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students, seniors, staff and faculty. Call 947-8177 or email svticketsales@coloradomtn.edu.

Red Cross seeks volunteers

The Red Cross is looking for volunteers in Glenwood Springs area. If you are interested or would like to know more call Charlotte Ralff 970-987-1362

GSHS Kleenex drive

Boxes of Kleenex are being collected at Glenwood Springs High School until Jan. 31. Bring full boxes to the school's main office as donations that will be used in classrooms in the upcoming year.

Kathryn Senor “Las Vegas” Night fundraiser

The PTAC at Kathryn Senor Elementary will be holding its annual Parent's Night fundraiser from 6-9 p.m. Friday, March 2. This year it will be the “Las Vegas” theme again with casino style games, silent auction and dinner. Child care is provided for an additional cost, which includes dinner.

Funds raised go towards classroom and school technology, playground equipment, etc.

There are four levels of business sponsorship ranging from $25 to $100 donations. For more information on sponsorships, contact Heather Paulson at 970-984-2453.

Tickets to the event are $15/adult and $5/child if purchased in advanced or $20/adult and $10/child if purchased at the door. An adult ticket must be purchased with child tickets. To purchase tickets, contact Paulson.

Sounds of Praise! Community Choir

Sounds of Praise! community choir, directed by Laura Porterfield, is beginning rehearsals for its 2012 season and for its Easter cantata, “Then Came the Morning,” to be performed April 6. Rehearsals are every Wednesday except Feb. 1 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Glenwood Springs on Ninth and Cooper. Singers of all ages and abilities welcome.

LIFT-UP first Community Footsteps beneficiary

Community Footsteps launched a new website this month with the idea of “supporting your community from within the community.” As a locally owned and operated business, Community Footsteps' goal is to connect the community through a new online marketplace that allows shoppers to purchase products and services at bargain prices. Some of the local businesses one can expect to see deals from include Bonfire Coffee, Phoenix Fitness, Independence Run and Hike, Crossfit Bonedale, Ace Hardware and Habitat for Humanity.

People are invited to register at www.communityfootsteps.com, where they can find current special offers from participating local businesses. Eight percent of all sales will go to support a local nonprofit organization, with LIFT-UP being the beneficiary for the first month. It's a win-win-win proposition that encourages shopping local, with tremendous offers of 50 percent savings or more, and a generous portion of the sales will benefit local nonprofits.

‘Energy Efficiency Programs for 2012 in the Region'

Garfield Clean Energy and Energy Smart will present “Energy Efficiency Programs for 2012 in the Region,” from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the Third Street Center, 520 S. Third St., Carbondale.

Join representatives from all the local utilities and local programs to learn about opportunities and incentives to help build business and provide efficiency options for customers. Hosted in partnership with Xcel Energy, SourceGas, Holy Cross Energy, Aspen Electric, Franklin Energy and Glenwood Springs Electric, this event should be of interest to electricians, contractors, insulation contractors, HVAC companies, lighting specialists, and other efficiency contractors, building analysts, and anyone interested in learning more about local utility and community programs to promote efficiency.

Free coffee and snacks will be provided. Please register in advance at http://www.garfieldcleanenergy.org/register.php.

‘Amtrak versus Russian railway passenger service'

“Amtrak versus Russian railway passenger service” will be the duel of the rails presented by the Western Colorado Chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society at its meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the Glenwood Railroad Museum, located in the Amtrak station, 413 Seventh St.

Robert Rynerson, a rail advocate from Denver, took up the age-old debate in summer 2010 when he made similar trips on both countries' long-distance passenger trains. Using a slide presentation, Rynerson discusses his discovery that the two systems share some common history and characteristics, but the Russians have taken American ideas and progressed with them.

For more information, call the museum, 945-7044, or email Jan at janandpat@ sopris.net.

Daddy Daughter Dance

Show your daughter(s) how a gentleman treats a lady. The Glenwood Springs Recreation Department invites every father (grandfather, uncle) to take their little girls (12 years and younger) out on a date. It will be a magical evening of dining and dancing that will create memories to last a lifetime from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, at Glenwood Springs Community Center. Fee ($35 members/$45 nonmembers and $10 for each additional daughter) includes corsages for the young ladies and a delicious pasta buffet catered by Rob Fishman of Chomps Deli.

Registration deadline is Friday, Feb. 3. To register call 384-6301 or simply stop by the Glenwood Springs Community Center.

Children's Mini College to host Chocolate Extravaganza

CMC Children's Mini College in Glenwood Spring is hosting its ninth annual Chocolate Extravaganza from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3 at the CMC Glenwood Center Campus at 1402 Blake Ave.

The annual event features free chocolate desserts, a drawing for $500, and a huge silent auction featuring more than 100 items. Businesses throughout the Roaring Fork Valley have donated an array of fabulous items for this year's auction. The auction items include golf packages, ski packages, automotive work and detailing, original artwork, clothing, games, numerous gift certificates and much more. Babysitting for the event is available on a limited basis, call to make your arrangements today.

Funds raised at this event will help Children's Mini College continue to provide local children with enriching, affordable preschool programs.