Iraqi Artists work for saleSue Gray will sell oil paintings by Iraqi artist Amal Alwan at an open house 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, at 222 Mountain Court, Basalt. Amal is a 43-year-old Sunni Arab woman living in Baghdad with her husband and three children. She and her family left Iraq during the war to stay with relatives in Syria; when they returned, they found their house had been looted of all possessions. All proceeds from this sale will go directly to Amal.Mt. Everest climbHear Dr. Jonathan Giban tell tales about his climb up Mt. Everest at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, at the Learning Opportunities Center in the Re-2 School District Building, 839 Whiteriver Ave. in Rifle. Giban has been an emergency room physician at the Grand River Hospital District in Rifle for five years, and he climbed the worlds tallest mountain in May. Information: Kris Daler, 625-6433.Annual KDNK auctionRadio station KDNK will hold its annual on-air Labor of Love Auction Dec. 1-6. Auction catalogues can be found throughout the valley or online at www. kdnk.org. Information: 963-0139.School improvement meetingThe Roaring Fork School District Re-2, along with Carbondale Elementary School, invites parents and community members to attend an informational meeting about the Colorado Department of Educations process for schools on school improvement. Join the community meeting 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, at Carbondale Elementary School, 600 S. 3rd St. Information: Fred Wall, 384-6001.CD release partyA party celebrating the release of The Dance Continues, which features music by Walt Smith, Mark Gray, Chris Goplerud, Jeannie Walla and Chris Bank, will be held 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, at the Sopris Restaurant on Highway 82. The CD was produced in memory of Smiths grandson, Erik D. Newbury; all proceeds from the sale will benefit valleywide music programs.River Partnership MeetsThe Lower Colorado River Habitat Partnership Committee will meet at 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at the Bureau of Land Management office in Glenwood Springs. The group has been established to reduce conflicts between wildlife and livestock. Cost sharing may be available for projects designed for this purpose; projects within the Eagle, Lower Colorado and Roaring Fork River Basins are eligible. Information: 947-2937.Carbondale Clay Center SaleThe Carbondale Clay Centers 7th annual Holiday Show & Sale kicks off 5-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, with an opening reception and benefit cup auction. The show and sale, which features local clay artists work, runs Dec. 5-24, daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m, at the centers gallery, 135 Main St. Information: 963-2529.Winterfaire at the WaldorfThe Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork holds its annual Winterfaire 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Young and old can enjoy story time, boat floats and puppet plays. Refreshments will be available and the school store will sell unique toys, books and gifts. Information: 963-1960.St. Vincents BazaarSt. Vincents Church in Basalt will hold its annual Christmas Bazaar from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Highlights include Santas Secret Shop for kids-only shopping. Proceeds benefit Toms Door, an outreach program for the valleys needy. Vendors are still needed. Information: Rosie, 927-2208.FIne Arts and CraftsAn opening reception for the CCAH Fine Arts & Crafts Holiday Galleria will be held 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the CCAH Arts Annex, La Fontana Plaza, 584 Highway 133, with a wine tasting from Snowmass Wineries. Galleria hours: 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6-23. Nutcracker PerformanceThe Crystal River Ballet School will perform The Nutcracker at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, Wednesday, Dec. 10 and Thursday, Dec. 11 at the Hotel Colorado. Tickets cost $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and children ages 4-12 (children under 4 free); available at Sonlight Books in Glenwood Springs. Information: 704-0114.Salvation Army ringers needed Volunteer bell ringers are still needed for Silts first-ever Salvation Army collection kettle at Tims Tools and Gofer Foods through Dec. 24. Silt residents hope to collect $3,000. Approximately 90 percent of the funds raised at local Salvation Army kettles stay in the area.Get fit with kickboxingNew Castle Family Fitness offers a cardio kickboxing class every Monday and Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Tone your entire body and burn fat with this high-energy class consisting of martial arts moves choreographed to upbeat music. Information: 984-3200.