Mountain of Fun Report.

The 27th Annual Chocolate Lover's Fantasy is Saturday Febr. 11th from 5:30 to 8pm at High Country Bank in Buena Vista. Enjoy unlimited Chocolate Sampling, appetizers, wine tasting, live entertainment and a competitive silent auction. Tickets are available for advance purchase at the Salida and BV Chambers. All proceeds go to the Alliance Against Domestic Abuse, a non profit agency serving victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Chaffee County. For more info. call 539-7347 or visit their website at www.salidaalliance.org

The Tenderfoot Cancer Climb is set for Saturday April 28th beginning at 9am. Registration will be begin at 8am at Riverside Park with the climb up tenderfoot beginning at 9. Sign up online today at www.tenderfootcancerclimb.org Contact Chelsea at 719-630-4967 with questions or if you're interested in volunteering.

The Lighthouse in Salida is a non profit organization that serves free meals Tuesday Thru Saturday noon to 4 at 346 G Street.  The Lighthouse is now in need of food donations.  If you would like to help those in our community that are less fortunate….please drop off any food items or cash donations at 346 G Street in Salida.  The Lighthouse thanks you for your support.  For more information call 539-4849.

Would you like to volunteer your time for a VERY worthwhile cause? Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity and their ReStores are growing and they are looking for reliable Volunteers to help out with Daily Operations in Buena Vista and Salida. Retired and looking for something to do Part-Time, get in touch with them. You can visit their website at www.chaffeehabitat.org or call 395-0482 to find out more.

A recently divorced Mom stated that her son was getting all F’s. She remembered that Boys & Girls Clubs offers homework help but she didn’t have the $25 dollar membership fee. Her son got a CLUB scholarship and shows up every day heading right to the learning center. His grades are now B’s and C’s and she thanked the staff for “Saving Her Son” Join the “Caring for Kids” campaign to support programs like this. To donate online, go to www.bgcchaffee.org or send checks to Boys and Girls Club Box 1430R, Salida, Co. 81201. Or call Karen at 395-8949.

Just a reminder that the Free Community Dinner, for any interested or Hungry People will continue on the 4th Friday of each month, at Rose’s Kitchen in Buena Vista on the SW Corner of Gunnison and West Main. Follow the signs to the Free dinner, no charge and no strings attached.

If you are interested in the events put on by Arkansas Valley Music and Dance each month be sure to join and receive discounts for all 2011 events. You can visit their website for more information at www.avmad.org They have numerous events each month throughout the Salida/Buena Vista Area, so check out their Calender of Events today.

The members of First Lutheran Church started “Operation Sprit from the Heart of the Rockies” in February of 2007, and have mailed 589 boxes to date, for the military. They continue to ask the community to submit names and addresses of service personnel currently stationed overseas. Information may be given to Pam by calling 539-4311 between 9am and 12 noon Tuesday thru Friday. You are also welcome to help pack boxes on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 9am. APO addresses can also be given to Barbara at 539-3241 or Linda 539-6105.

The greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce is recruiting for the 2011 Leadership Pueblo Class. The program is designed for individuals interested in developing their leadership skills. The 2011 program begins in January with an overnight retreat and is followed by seven additional sessions scheduled once every 3 weeks. Information can be found online at www.pueblochamber.org or the Leadership Pueblo Program at 719-542-1704.

Books for Soldiers helps our sons and daughters. A soldier’s personal time can be difficult. Something as simple as a book can help them escape what surrounds them. Your help helps our soldiers. Please help…please give. Visit www.booksforsoldiers.com to learn how you can help. Even the smallest donation matters. Please give today – visit books for soldiers.com.

Sangre De Cristo Electric is now collecting spent residential compact fluorescent light bulbs at their headquarters located at 29780 N. US Highway 24 in Buena Vista. Through a program offered by their power supplier, Tri-State Generation & Transmission, they will ship the unbroken bulbs for recycling. The mercury, glass, and metals in the ballast are all recycled. Bring your bulbs to our headquarters and they’ll do the rest.

The Ballroom Dance group gets together the 3rd Friday night of every month 7:30 - 10:00 at Hi Steppin Dance Studio at 547 Jones Street. But it's not just Ballroom Dancing...they do it all...including Country Dancing! Cost is $5.00 per person. Refreshments provided. Bring your own music, if you'd like! For more info: 221-2181

Remember there’s now round-trip bus service EVERYDAY to Denver, DIA, Buena Vista, Alamosa, Canon City, Pueblo and Gunnison, leaving The Chaffee Transit Center at 54 Jones Avenue, behind Wallbangers. For ticket information, go to blackshillsstagelines.com or call The Chaffee Shuttle at 530-8980. Grab your bike and hop on the bus to Buena Vista- it’s downhill all the way back to Salida!

Open your heart and your home to an international student. Pacific Intercultural Exchange needs host families right now in our communities for semester and academic year home stay programs. If you are interested, please call 800-828-9001 or visit them on the web at pieusa.org

Local Families Needed for Cultural Exchange Students. World Heritage Student Exchange programs is seeking local families to host Boys and Girls between the ages of 15 and 18 from a variety of countries around the world. Families may select the student of their choice from student applications, family photos and biographical essays. To become a host family contact the WH Head Office at Info@world-heritage.org or call 800-888-9040.

NWS Peace Program, a non-profit and CSIET approved program, is seeking caring families to host high school students from various countries for the 2010/2011 school year. The students are pre-screened: speak English and are looking forward to learn about our culture while teaching you about their culture and country. Call 866-846-3977 or visit our website nw-services.com