AROUND THE CONE

NORWOOD – The Norwood Farm and Craft Market is seeking vendors for the 2009 season. This year’s market will run from mid-June through the end of September.

Markets will be held every Saturday (excluding San Miguel Basin Fair week) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the San Miguel County Fairgrounds in Norwood. Vendors who commit to the whole season will receive a discounted membership. A pay-by-the-week option is also available.

NFCM is also sponsoring a logo contest this year. Submit logo ideas on an 8.5x11-inch sheet of paper, no later than May 1. The winning logo will be embroidered onto cloth shopping bags to be sold at the market, and the artist will receive a $50 NFCM gift certificate.

To submit a logo design or for more information on the Norwood Farm and Craft Market, contact Jennifer Dabal, market manager, at 708-0610 or jendabal@yahoo.com.

Norwood Chamber Briefs

At the Feb. 17 meeting of the Norwood Chamber of Commerce, Norwood Town Clerk Gretchen Wells announced that the town has passed a resolution to apply for a GOCO grant in the amount of $33,000 to pay for a skateboard park and BMX trail. The project would be incorporated into the existing town park and is estimated to cost $55,000. The remaining money would come from cash match and in-kind contributions. The Just For Kids Foundation and San Miguel County have already committed cash donations to the project, she said.

Chamber President Terry Esch announced that the Wright’s Mesa Recreation District is also applying for a GOCO grant, which would pay for the creation of a master plan. One of the first projects being eyed by the WMRD board is a regulation-size baseball field that will help bring in summer baseball and softball tournaments. The existing baseball field at the County Fairgrounds is not regulation size, which prevents Norwood from hosting large tournaments for kids older than 16. Norwood is planning a Youth Baseball Tournament for ages 10-16 this summer, July 2-5, said Esch. With an average of 20 people per team, the tournament could bring large numbers of people to town looking for lodging, food and activities. “We need to address this,” Esch said.

Tamara K. talked about the San Miguel County Horse Races coming, June 6-7. She announced they are trying to raise money to provide another youth scholarship this year. “We’re starting this energy earlier to help make it the best Race Week we’ve ever had,” she said.

Esch said the Telluride Regional Airport would be releasing its runway construction award once their FAA grant is signed. The airport is scheduled to be closed from April to November for runway improvements, which will potentially bring a lot of workers to Norwood. “Already the contractors are asking for places to stay,” said Shera Nutall, who is married to Telluride Aiport Mananger Rich Nutall.

Nigel Strafford spoke about the Regional Sustainability Visioning Process, tasked with creating a vision of a sustainable future for San Miguel County. Strafford explained how the process will work and encouraged Norwood community members to participate in the sustainability conversation as it pertains to the current credit crunch, energy volatility, climate change, changing demographics, etc. He asked for volunteers to be interviewed and have their opinions incorporated into the study. The six-question interview can be set up by emailing Strafford at facilitator.rsvp@gmail.com.

Finally, Esch announced that the Norwood Chamber website received 3,500 hits last month. “That’s over 100 hits per day on tiny little norwoodcolorado.com. If you haven’t signed up for the Chamber, I strongly suggest that you do. It’s a great marketing tool and relatively inexpensive.”

The next chamber meeting will be March 19, noon at the Norwood Christian Church Hall.

Health Watchers Group Meets Wednesdays

A weight management support group has started in Norwood. Spearheaded by Jennifer Dinsmore, Health Watchers meets every Wednesday, 6 p.m. at the Prime Time upstairs meeting room, 1215 W. Summit St.

During the meetings, participants weigh in, exchange information and recipes, and provide support to each other. “Eating right and exercise are the keys to a healthy lifestyle and weight management. This group is about community members and friends getting together to support one another in their weight management goals,” says Dinsmore.

A website is also available, providing meeting archives, community information, online tools, and recipes. It also suggests tips to stay motivated, such as rewarding yourself, tracking your progress and portions, mastering emotional eating, preparing for those who push eating, and keeping in mind that losing weight is about health, not just appearance.

For more information, Dinsmore can be reached at 970/327-4021 or jenndinsmore@gmail.com. The Norwood Health Watchers website is http//healthwatchers.synthasite.com/.

Spring Continuing Education Classes Through UCSM

The University Centers of the San Miguel is offering several continuing education classes in Telluride this spring. The classes offer affordable computer program training in Excel and Quickbooks.

Mastering Microsoft Excel with Kathy Schroers, MBA, MLS, takes place Wednesdays, March 11-April 1 at the Wilkinson Public Library in Telluride. Tuition is $100.

Two QuickBooks consulting sessions are being offered March 3, 6-8 p.m. and March 11, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The two-hour sessions briefly cover the basics of QuickBooks using a mock company, leaving time to answer specific audience questions at the end. Bringing your own brown bag meal is suggested.

For more information or to register for a class, contact UCSM at registrar@ucsanmiguel.org, 369-5255, or visit their website at www.ucsanmiguel.org. The UCSM office is located at 220 E. Colorado Ave., #203, Telluride.

Submissions or suggestions for this column may be emailed to jessica@watchnewspapers.com.