More than 40 business windows were judged on Dec. 9 by secret window judges with art backgrounds. The event was sponsored by the Downtown Business Association.Winners: first place Confetti; second place Sharpedge Hockey; third place Pinque. Honorable Mention: Flower Mart, Roaring Fork Music, Mountain Valley and Cook ala Carte.The first-place winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to Atmosphere restaurant; second place will receive a $75 gift certificate to Italian Underground, and third place will receive a $50 gift certificate to Juicy Lucys.

The 2008 Colorado Weed Calendars are now available, and can be picked up, free of charge, at any of the Garfield County Public Libraries in Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, New Castle, Parachute, Rifle and Silt. This years calendar theme is Weeds in Our Community. The calendar is produced by the Glenwood Springs-based nonprofit Colorado Big Country Resource Conservation and Development. For further information, contact Steve Anthony at 625-8601.

Renick Stevensons Circle of Friendship: Poetry and Music will be presented free of charge from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at the Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts.Bring your poetry (original or favorite classics), music making stuff, and an inspired mind.For more information call 945-2414.

Carbondales Business After Hours will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19, at The Pour House, 351 Main St. Entertainment by Doc Eason Magic; and music provided by KUUR. Call 963-1890 for more information.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife has closed or will soon close gates at several area properties to protect wintering wildlife. These annual closures are designed to reduce stress on animals by keeping people and vehicles out of State Wildlife Areas (SWA) when animals are most vulnerable.Residents and visitors should be aware of and honor the following winter closures:Garfield Creek SWA: closed Dec. 1 to July 15Plateau Creek SWA : closed to all vehicles – Dec. 1 to Aug. 1Basalt State Wildlife Area*: closed Dec. 1 to July 15* This closure applies to the Basalt Unit, Christine Unit, Toner Unit, Peachblow Unit, Seven Castles Unit and Schuck Unit. The closure does NOT apply to Christine Lake or the rifle range at Basalt State Wildlife Area.Oak Ridge State Wildlife Area: closed Dec. 1 to July 15Jensen SWA: closed Jan. 1 to July 15Bitter Brush SWA: closed Jan. 15 to April 30For more information about state wildlife areas, contact the Northwest Region DOW office at (970) 255-6100.

This tour offers area residents the opportunity to travel to Denver at the holidays without driving over the passes. A luxury bus will pick up at the Glenwood Springs Community Center at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, returning clients to the same location the evening of Sunday, Dec. 16. Ancient Excursions will provide everything from a gourmet breakfast and movie en route to a matinee performance of White Christmas at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, a plated dinner and accommodations at the Curtis Hotel, a tour of the holiday lights at the Denver Botanic Gardens, and the choice on Sunday to get your holiday shopping done at the Cherry Creek Mall or to visit the Titanic Exhibition.Call (888) 906-TOUR now for tickets, there are only a few seats left, and Ancient Excursions has recently reduced the cost of the trip.