New acting studio offers classes

The Farmington Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation will be host to the second annual National Civics Bee in an effort to encourage more students to take an active interest in local government. Open to all middle-school students in Farmington, Bloomfield, Aztec, and Kirtland, the first round is an essay, due February 24th. The Farmington Chamber of Commerce is hoping for at least 100 essay submissions to better introduce the world of local business and government to area schools. The prompt and information about the contest is available online for anyone interested in applying. By Hannah Robertson This story is sponsored by Three Rivers Brewery and Boon's Family Thai BBQ

Blood supply is at its lowest level in about nine hundred hospitals across the nation. Vitalant, a nonprofit national blood bank with locations in Farmington, declared a blood supply emergency in January. Your blood is vital: It saves lives. Donations are essential for trauma patients, those undergoing surgeries and transplants, and those with chronic illnesses and blood disorders. By Donna K. Hewett This story is sponsored by Pop’s Truck & RV Center and Boon’s Family Thai BBQ

Country music singer Brent Payne was inducted into the California Music Hall of Fame - his roots in the Farmington community kept alive by family living in the area. The Bloomfield Library renovation has created new spaces and lent an overall feeling of a fresh new space to the building, and the way to request public records from the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office is now easier with the implementation of a new program. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Traegers Bar and The Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College

After a family trip, Rosalyn Fry was inspired by public pianos out in the open for anyone to play. A donated piano and an artist friend later, and the first of what would become nine painted pianos was displayed in Aztec. Artists volunteer their time to paint a piano donated to Fry - upright pianos are surprisingly easy to come by - and the City of Aztec puts on events to highlight the pianos and local musicians. By Hannah Robertson This story is sponsored by Three Rivers Brewery and Northern Edge Casino

For nearly two decades, the Colavita Foods brand was synonymous with amateur bike racing. Recently the core group of members that make up the team, decided to get back into the local community for race team support. Now, with the help of Easy Coffee Roaster and a handful of Four Corners businesses, the team will target a slate of races throughout the region in 2023. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings and Kroeger’s Ace Hardware

Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Juan County is always on the lookout for new ways to engage their “littles’ - the youths who sign up for the program - with their “bigs” - the adult volunteers with the program. With no lack of activities in and around Farmington, the idea for a program designed to embrace outdoor activities was born. Over the last year, the program has helped bring in more male Bigs and provided a new way for Littles and Bigs to interact with each other outside. By Hannah Robertson This story is sponsored by Ace Hardware of Farmington and Boon's Family Thai BBQ

San Juan Regional Medical Center opened its new and improved pediatric center on Wednesday, January 11th. The space, which includes elements meant to help lessen the stress of caring for sick children, boasts brightly painted walls, fun paintings, and a playroom for visiting children. The new unit plans to offer quality care for families and sick children for years to come, continuing its work as the only designated pediatric unit in the Four Corners area. By Hannah Robertson This story is sponsored by Pop's Truck & RV Center and Three Rivers Brewery

The Aztec Chamber of Commerce is looking for volunteers to continue the Painted Pianos Project started three years ago. The holiday storms have boosted Farmington’s total precipitation above the 30-year average with snowpack levels in Southwest Colorado over 100%, and the City of Farmington received a grant to start work on the Juniper Basin Recreation Area. By Hannah Robertson This story is sponsored by Distill Beer, Wine, Spirits and Sunray Park and Casino

Initially a local geologist’s dream office located seventy feet below sandstone ground, Kokopelli Cave became a five-star bed and breakfast in Farmington. It’s located on a three-hundred-foot desert cliff overlooking the lovely La Plata River Valley. Seventeen hundred square feet of carpeted cave offers a full kitchen, and jet tub water flow. Open March first through December first, it accommodates up to eight people for a one-of-a-kind experience. By Donna K. Hewett This story is sponsored by The Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College and CMIT Solutions

San Juan Regional Childbirth Center has announced four new childbirth classes for it’s January schedule - including a class specifically for new fathers. The classes will be offered in conjunction with previously offered classes through the Childbirth Center. And the Aztec Museum has received a grant to assist in repairing its “Pecos West” cyclorama, constructed in the 1960s and donated to the museum in 2015. By Hannah Robertson This story is sponsored by Northern Edge Casino and ServiceMaster Restore

The official beer of Snowdown ’23 is an horchata-spiced ale with vanilla, cinnamon and citrus notes coming in at six percent ABV created Ska Brewing. Hornblower Horchata is available in 12 oz. 4-packs now through the end of Snowdown Sunday February 5th. By Connor Shreve This story is sponsored by StoneAge Tools and the Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado

More than a dozen high school football players from Aztec, Farmington, Bloomfield, Shiprock, and Kirtland were named to first and second all-state rosters. The city of Farmington has announced it will no longer acquire the San Juan generating station, and the Four Corners Home for Children once again celebrated the holiday season with its annual drive-through live Navajo Nativity scene. By Hannah Robertson This story is sponsored by Northern Edge Casino and Pop’s Truck and RV Center

The Nutcracker was performed in two acts at the Henderson Fine Arts building at San Juan College. For sisters Judy and Becky Mann, owners of the Mann Dance Academy in Farmington, it was their 14th annual assembly of the classic ballet. The Nutcracker is often the first exposure to both ballet and classical music for children from 3 to 18. This year, the Mann sisters cast 60 children in the performance. By Donna K. Hewett This story is sponsored by Distill Beer, Wine, Spirits and Ace Hardware of Farmington

Farmington Police Department is the recipient of a $250,000 grant, which it plans to use as retention bonuses for current officers. San Juan Regional Medical Center is now offering a telehealth partnership with Presbyterian Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to better serve infants and their families, and if you need something to do over the holidays, events abound in Farmington. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College and CMIT Solutions

As the holiday season ramps up this year, news about the flu, RSV, and COVID is doing the same. San Juan Region Medical Center and other local healthcare providers are asking residents to stay safe this year and observe precautions as you head to family and work gatherings this holiday season. maybe add more here? By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Northern Edge Casino and Pop’s Truck and RV Center

San Juan County Fire and Rescue wants you to have a safe and fire-free holiday season and has some tips for just that. Farmington Municipal Schools’ Coordinator of Fine Arts is recognized by the New Mexico Art Education Association, and Gold King Mine Settlement Proposals are in. By Hannah Robertson. Sponsored by Three Rivers Brewing and Boon’s Family Thai BBQ

Tailwind Nutrition initially began when co-founder Jeff Vierling wanted to find endurance fuel that worked for him, after running several ultra-marathons with less-than-preferable side effects from other formats. Today, Tailwind Nutrition sells its products across the United States and the world, mixed, packaged, and shipped from their new facility right next to the Durango La Plata Airport. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by The Payroll Department and The Man Cave Barber

Some extra-large eggs—a nest of six dinosaurs eggs were revealed to crowds of locals and their children at the Sherman Dugan Museum of Geology at San Juan College. Unbroken, and perfectly preserved, they were purchased and donated by Sean Dugan, son of Sherman, and grandson of Tom Dugan, an oil and gas family known for their generosity to San Juan County. By Donna K. Hewett This story is sponsored by Distill Beer, Wine, Spirits and CMIT Solutions

Two current and one former San Juan County officers are taking to the Atlantic to row as part of the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge, aiming to raise awareness and funds for first responder mental health along the way. San Juan Regional Medical Center has received Gold Plus recognition from the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline for the fourth year in a row, and the City of Farmington wants you to take the outdoor recreation pledge. By Hannah Robertson This story is sponsored by Traegers Bar and SunRay Park and Casino

Ceramics professor at San Juan College, Don Ellis, and his students made hundreds of bowls for the Annual Charity Bowl Sale for $10 each—which included a fill-up of soup from Mary’s Kitchen on campus. A student art show also took place where master potters sold their wares and shared their many varied techniques. $10,000 dollars was raised for Tres Rios Habitat for Humanity, which builds affordable homes for low-income families in San Juan County. By Donna K. Hewett This story is sponsored by Northern Edge Casino and Service Master Restore