Visitor Center looking for volunteers

Summer has passed, and activity at the Visitor Center is slowing down.

It's a good time to consider what to do with some free time, get to know what's happening in the Mancos Valley firsthand, and get some education and training before the first influx of tourists begins again in spring.

The Mancos Valley Ambassadors are the Visitor Center volunteers who direct people to the things they are interested in doing. They work to have people spend a little time and maybe a few dollars in Mancos before venturing off to explore Mesa Verde or to seek a fishing hole or hiking and biking trails.

No special knowledge is required other than an interest in meeting people and helping them with their travel plans. Although, if you are someone who likes to work with computers, there are projects to work on that include the Chamber website, database information and Facebook page.

If you're looking for something fun to do, the Visitor Center Ambassadors position might be a good fit. The Ambassador Program can also work with your schedule and is an excellent opportunity to fulfill some community service hours. The VC is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and is at 101 E. Bauer, next to Boyle Park.

Call 533-7434 to set up an appointment to learn more about becoming a Mancos Valley Ambassador.

Library screening 'Evolution of Criminal'

The Mancos Public Library is offering an advance screening of "Evolution of a Criminal," Thursday, Nov. 20, at 6 p.m.

This film poses the question, "How does a 16-year-old evolve into a bank robber?" Filmmaker Darius Clark Monroe searches for the answers - about himself. Years after his release from prison, Monroe returns to his old neighborhood to speak with family and friends, along with classmates, teachers, law enforcement officials, and the innocent victims in the bank on the fateful day of the robbery. An honest journey of reflection and a personal search for redemption and forgiveness, "Evolution of a Criminal," executive produced by Spike Lee. Along with the film screening there will be a sampling of foods from Bubba's Real Texas BBQ, and a community discussion will follow the film.

A native of Houston, Monroe had a happy childhood with his mother, stepfather, and close-knit extended family. However, as he grew older and saw his parents struggling to make ends meet, Monroe's vision of the world changed: "I went from being a carefree and joyous child to becoming acutely aware of the fact that the world was not as I saw it. And the burden that my parents had was slowly trickling down to me." Placing his own culpability at the heart of the story, Monroe pulls no punches, using dramatized scenes of the bank robbery to capture the tragically bad decisions he and his friends made, and to bring home the terror of those they held at gunpoint. More than just a tale of a good kid gone wrong, "Evolution of a Criminal" is filled with compassion for human frailty and the knowledge that a person is not forever defined by their mistakes.

Lambert to discuss oldest cemetery

On Wednesday, Nov. 19, Dr. Ruth Lambert, of the San Juan Mountains Association, will give a presentation at 6:30 p.m. at the Mancos Library on her research on the oldest cemetery in the Mancos Valley.

The old Mormon cemetery, which is in Webber Canyon near Deer Hill, is one of four historic cemeteries Lambert researched under a grant from the Colorado State Historical Fund. All are welcome. There is no charge, and refreshments will be served. The meeting is hosted by the Mancos Valley Historical Society.

Lambert is the Cultural Program Director at the San Juan Mountains Association. She holds a doctorate in anthropology from the University of New Mexico and has researched in the Southwest for many years. She recently authored the book "The Wooden Canvas" which documents Hispanic life in Southwest Colorado, highlighting sheepherders' aspen tree art along the Pine-Piedra stock driveway.

Manocs library to celebrate Games Day

The Mancos Public Library will join hundreds of libraries throughout the country on Nov. 16, for the seventh annual celebration of gaming in libraries - International Games Day at your library. Like so many other libraries across the country and around the world, Mancos Public Library will offer special gaming programs and events suitable for the whole family.

At the Mancos Public Library participants of all ages will be able to participate in game play of many forms, from video games to card, board, and even sidewalk games (weather permitting of course). The library will be open on Sunday the 16th of November from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m .for fun and games. Families of young children are encouraged to come by from 10 to 12:30 for video gaming featuring games for everyone. From 12:30 to 3 p.m. teen and mature games will be featured for teenagers and adults. Throughout the entire time other games will be offered that are appropriate for all ages, in indoor and outside spaces. Everyone is invited to come learn and play while you get your game on.

International Games Day @ your library is an international initiative supported by the American Library Association, the Australian Library and Information Association, and Nordic Game Day. For more information on International Games Day please visit http://ilovelibraries.org/gaming.

Town of Mancos announces openings

The Town of Mancos is looking for two Planning Commission members, one member for the Design Review Board, and two members for Mancos Tree Board

To serve on the town's commissions and boards, one must be a resident of the town of Mancos. These are unpaid volunteer positions. Meetings are usually once per month in the evening.

For more information, contact Town Hall. Letters of interest can be mailed to Mancos Town Hall, 117 N. Main St., Mancos, CO 81328 or dropped off Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Meeting on water plans scheduled

The Southwest Basin Roundtable has scheduled an informational meeting about Colorado's Water and the Southwest Basin Implementation Plan on Dec. 1 at the Mancos Community Center, 117 N. Main St.

Learn about these draft documents and share your water-related input with local Roundtable representatives. Review and comment on both drafts at http://coloradowaterplan.com.

The meetings will be from 6-8 p.m. held in the Southwest Basin at four different locations. For information call or email Ann Oliver at 970-903-9361; [email protected] or Carrie Lile at 970-259-5322; [email protected].

The Mancos Times