Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at 1630 Grand Ave. in Glenwood Springs is holding two Ash Wednesday services today, at noon and 7 p.m.

From Thursday, Feb. 23, through Wednesday, Feb. 29, children from Parachute to Basalt will celebrate Read With Me Week by tracking their family read-aloud sessions. Created by a collaborative network of community organizations, Read With Me Week promotes early childhood literacy through family activities for children ages 1 – 5 years. Additionally, Read With Me Week partners hope to connect families to literacy resources already present in our valley. Events will include story hours at seven local library branches and special story times with local children’s book authors. Participating families will be entered in a drawing for prizes including books and gift certificates to local retailers and area attractions. As part of his statewide early literacy initiative, Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia will be on hand at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the Center for Family Learning in Parachute for a story book activity with the classrooms followed by a brief discussion about the state’s literacy efforts and the Read with Me Week collaborative effort.

For a full schedule of events or more information stop by your local library, call Raising A Reader (970-230-9117) or visit Reach Out and Read’s website: http://www.reachoutandreadco.org.

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In March, Grand River Meals on Wheels serving western Garfield County will begin its annual fundraising campaign, March for Meals, as part of the national “We are Meals on Wheels” campaign. The purpose of the local campaign is to raise funds, increase awareness, and thank the volunteers that help the program serve meals to homebound seniors, disabled and recovering citizens of New Castle, Silt, Rifle, Parachute and Battlement Mesa. In 2011, the program delivered more than 9,400 meals.

Grand River Meals on Wheels will be celebrating in several ways, including a community awareness campaign, Mayors for Meals, where mayors from New Castle, Silt, Rifle, and Parachute will be delivering meals to local citizens in their areas on March 7, in an effort to show their ongoing support for Grand River Meals on Wheels.

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Another way to donate to Grand River Meals on Wheels this year is to take part in the Meal on Wheels Car Donation program. The program accepts all cars, trucks, motorcycles and RVs regardless of the condition. Towing is free to the donor. Eighty percent of the auction proceeds go your local Meals on Wheels program.

In addition, mark your calendars for the Grand River Gallop, an annual run/walk, will be held on Saturday, April 7. Proceeds from this event will go towards Grand River Meals on Wheels.

For more information about the program, including volunteer opportunities and signing up for meals, please call Grand River’s Volunteer Services at (970) 625-6423.

If you would like to make a donation you can do so by mailing a check (made out to Meals on Wheels) to Meals on Wheels, PO Box 912, Rifle, CO 81650. You can also call 625-6423 or donate online at http://www.grhd.org.

The Valley View Hospital Holistic Harmony music program is in its seventh year of providing music to patients, family and staff. Not only does this program provide entertainment and diversion for those at a very vulnerable time in their life, but it is also very rewarding for the musicians as well, which is what keeps them coming back. If you are a musician looking for a way to volunteer your time for a worthwhile program, contact Lesa Russo, program director, at 309-1701. We are specifically looking for cello, violin, and autoharp, but will interview anyone appropriate.

Food vendor and exhibitor applications available for 115th annual Strawberry Days

The Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association invites interested food vendors and exhibitors to apply for the 115th annual Strawberry Days to be held June 15, 16 and 17. Applications are available at strawberrydaysfestival.com or by calling the chamber at (970) 945-6589. The deadline to apply is April 15.

The theme for the 2012 event is Glenwood Springs – “America’s Most Fun Town.” This year’s festival features a FamilyFest area with interactive, entertaining and creative experiences for the kids; an arts and crafts fair and food court, an old-fashioned carnival; a parade down Grand Avenue and a full entertainment lineup.

For more information, call the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association at (970) 945-6589 or visit strawberrydaysfestival.com.

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.