Filling Up Your Events Calendar

Fill your calendars with events and performances at San Juan College this month with a variety of ensemble and stage based options. The American Red Cross warns of increased fire risk around the holidays and has some tips to keep you and yours safe. And light up Farmington with the 61st Annual Christmas Lighting Contest hosted by the City of Farmington and the Farmington Noonday Civitan Club. You're watching the Local News Roundup, brought to you by M&R Plumbing and Durango Motor Company. I'm Connor Shreve. Looking for some weekend activities these next couple of weeks? San Juan College has you covered with a variety of student and community productions. The Student Short Play Festival takes place Friday, December 13th at 7:00 PM at the Connie Gotsch Theatre. Come and experience four world premieres of student written and directed plays. "The Dilemma" by Mariah Romer, "Two Faced Spies" by Tristian Dorencamp. "They Did What?" by Rachel Culpepper and "Goodbye for Now" by Madeline Clark. The Short Play Fest is free and open to the public. Also, on Friday, the San Juan College Symphonic Band will perform their concert at the Henderson Performance Hall. Enjoy music by John Williams, Rober Sheldon, Elliot del Bargo and more. And on Monday, December 16th, San Juan College Jazz Ensemble will perform at The Gotsch Theater. Come and enjoy the music of the SJC Big Band, a multi-generational group of musicians under the direction of John Patton. And on Friday, December 20th, come enjoy the sounds of traditional West African drumming with the African Drumming Ensemble At 7:00 PM at the Connie Gotsch Theater. The ensemble is comprised of SJC students, faculty, staff, and community members. Enjoy traditional music from djembes, dunun drums and iron bells. Find more information on upcoming shows and performances online. The American Red Cross warns of increased fire risk during the colder holiday months with December being one of the peak times for home fires. That's according to the American Red Cross of Western Colorado. Practice fire safety with some simple tips this winter. When using real candles, keep them out of reach of children and pets and never leave them unattended. Check your holiday lights for frayed or broken parts and keep to three or fewer strands per extension cord. Check labels to make sure outdoor decorations are for outdoor use and fasten all decorations securely to your home or your trees. If using an artificial tree, check for a fire resistant label and keep it away from fireplaces, radiators, and other heat sources. If your tree's live, make sure it's fresh and keep it watered. If hanging stockings or other decorations on a fireplace or mantelpiece, don't light a fire without clearing the space of flammable materials. Check all smoke detectors to make sure the batteries are working. Find more information and fire safety tips at the American Red Cross website. All are invited to the 61st Annual Christmas Lighting contest co-sponsored by the City of Farmington and Farmington's Noonday Civitans. Enter your holiday light display for the chance to win a cash prize. Entry forms are available for pickup at the Farmington Museum or online through December 14th. Judging will take place on the 17th at 6:00 PM with cash prizes provided by Noonday Civitans for first, second, and third place. Mayor Nate Duckett will be on the lookout for his three Mayor's Choice Awards. Learn more about these and other stories at farmingtonlocal.news. Thanks for watching this edition of the Local News Roundup. I'm Connor Shreve.