Southwest Organization for Sustainability Earth Week event schedule

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earth-week-cover-N1602P47003HBy Pauline Benetti

Special to The PREVIEW

This is year three that the Southwest Organization for Sustainability (SOS) has promoted celebration of Earth Day by encouraging individuals, organizations and businesses in our community to sponsor an appropriate activity during the week that includes Earth Day. This year, the week stretches from Saturday, April 16, to Saturday, April 23.

Each year, the schedule of activities has grown, not hugely, but some. We are encouraged and are happy to fulfill our part of the bargain — promotion of those activities. Here are the activities that we know about as of press time. Quite possibly, others will spring up.

The best place to keep up with activities is at the Earth Week headquarters, located on Rosita Street, the frontage road across U.S. 160 from the Ruby Sisson Library. Several of the activities listed below will take place at the headquarters.

Archuleta County is providing free recycling (excluding electronics) during the week at the Transfer Station on Trujillo Road. Sisson Library is providing a display of Earth Day information and a schedule of events.

Sunday, April 17

• 10:30 a.m. — Earth Day Program: “The Moral Demands of Climate Change” by Denise Rue-Pastin, Pagosa UU Fellowship Service, Greenbriar Plaza, Park Avenue and North Pagosa Boulevard, Unit 15.

Monday, April 18 

• 9 a.m. — Trash pickup. Everyone welcome. Meet at the old Pagosa Brewing parking lot. Sponsored by Pagosa UU Fellowship.

• 1-5 p.m. — Silk Screening Extravaganza. Print the Earth Day logo, “Take Steps To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint,” on our/your T-shirts, bags, etc. This is free fun and kids are welcome. Earth Week headquarters. Sponsored by SOS.

Tuesday, April 19 

• 1-5 p.m. — Free mini lessons: learn to make rag rugs, wagon wheel and hooked styles, with Nyla. Earth Week headquarters. Sponsored by the Pagosa Springs History Museum and SOS.

Wednesday, April 20 

• 10 a.m.-noon — Mountain High Gardeners annual Plant and Garden Expo. Time to dig in. CSU Extension building.

• 1-5 p.m. — Silk Screening Extravaganza. Print the Earth Day logo, “Take Steps To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint,” on our/your T-shirts, bags, etc. This is free fun and kids are welcome. Earth Week headquarters. Sponsored by SOS.

Thursday, April 21

• 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. — Loaves and Fishes. Share a community meal, Parish Hall, Lewis Street. Meet members of the Southwest Organization for Sustainability, Geothermal Greenhouse Partnership (GGP) and Earth Community Pagosa (ECP). Information on how to recycle everything, almost. Sponsored by SOS.

• 1-5 p.m. — Free mini lessons: learn to make rag rugs, wagon wheel and hooked styles, with Nyla. Earth Week headquarters. Sponsored by the Pagosa Springs History Museum and SOS.

• 5-6:30 p.m. — Lifelong Learning at the library. “Environmental Activism in Archuleta County,” with a panel representing the SOS, GGP and ECP.

Friday, April 22: Earth Day

• 11 a.m.-3 p.m. — Pagosa Composting. All gardens begin with good soil — learn how to make it. CSU Extension building.

1-3 p.m. — GGP Sweet 100’s Giveaway. Progress report on project. GGP site, Centennial Park.

1-5 p.m. — Free mini lessons: learn to make rag rugs, wagon wheel and hooked styles, with Nyla. Earth Week headquarters. Sponsored by the Pagosa Springs History Museum and SOS.

4:30 p.m. — Meet Mother Nature’s Birds and Scavenger Hunt. Kids welcome. Meet at new playground in Town Park. Bring binoculars and bird book. Sponsored by the Weminuche Audubon Society.

Saturday, April 23 

• 8 a.m. — Recycle, Reuse Rummage Sale. Come set up for free and enjoy a free hot dog. Earth Week headquarters.

• 3:30 p.m. — “The Future of Energy.” New environmental film at the Liberty Theatre. Free. Sponsored by SOS and ECP.

• All day — PLPOA Earth Day Celebration, Vista Clubhouse. Drop off recycling, including electronics (small fee) and food drive

• 10 a.m. — Art and poetry contests for high school students based on an Earth Day prompt, with prizes

• Evening — Brooks-i band with dancing.

There’s will be something for everyone. Have fun and, remember, it’s Earth Day you are celebrating.

For more information, contact Nyla at 731-3931 or nyjeea@gmail.com, or Pauline Benetti at 264-5232 or paulineb@centurytel.net.