Flash News 12/3/20

Edition #13, December 3, 2020
This Week’s Flash Bits of News! & Events, Including the date it’s happening.
~~~September 3 – The newest version of the Lyons Recorder begins publication! ~~~ October 8 – New Format of Newspaper
======Month-Long Events======
HEALTH CARE ENROLLMENTS:
October 15 – December 3: Medicare Open Enrollment (to become a new member, or to change your plan)
November 1 – December 15 – Connect for Colorado health plan = Open Enrollment Period begins Nov 1, 2020 for coverage that starts Jan 1, 2021.
November 23 — January 6: Get Your Own Christmas Tree: Arapaho National Forest to offer Christmas tree cutting permits. Starting Nov. 23 through Jan. 6. See above link to last week’s article.
November 30 to December 10: Lyons Elementary School FOOD DRIVE for LEAF. Drop off in wagon from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays.
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- Christmas, December 25: People celebrate this Christian holiday by going to church, giving gifts, and sharing the day with their families. For some countries it is a more religious-oriented holiday.
- Christopher Day, December 6: A popular holiday in many European countries, it celebrates St. Nicholas of Myra, whose life inspired the tradition of Santa Claus and Father Christmas. He gave all of his money to the needy and was known for his compassion for children and all those in need.
- Hanukkah, December 10-18: It is a Jewish holiday that’s celebrated for eight days and nights, beginning on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Jews light candles in a special candle holder; a Hanukkiah holds 8 candles, a Menorah holds 7.
- Las Posadas, December 16-24: Mainly in Mexico, and some Hispanics; Mary & Joseph’s journey.
- Kwanzaa, December 26 to January 1: It is based on ancient African harvest festivals and celebrates ideals such as family life and unity. African Americans dress in special clothes, decorate their homes with fruits and vegetables, and light a candle holder called a kinara.
- Winter Solstice, December 21: It is the shortest day of the year. People all over the world participate in festivals and celebrations.
- New Year’s Day, January 1st: People celebrate the start of a new year beginning at midnight December 31st.
- Three Kings Day, January 6: At the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas comes a day called the Epiphany, or Three Kings Day. In other countries of the world, it is the day that children receive gifts.
- Chinese New Year, February 12: or Spring Festival (year of the Ox)
December 8 – Colorado Gives Day. Last year Coloradans gave $39 million! This year non-profits and charities need it more than ever, with many businesses and museums and more being closed or hours cut back, and a lack of donations. == You can give at any time; you do not need to wait till December 8th. == Every dollar counts; can you afford to give $5 to multiple organizations? ==Community First Foundation and FirstBank each contributed $500,000 to create a $1 Million Incentive Fund, one of the largest gives-day incentive funds in the country. Every nonprofit receiving a donation on Colorado Gives Day receives a portion of the fund, which increases the value of every dollar donated.
*******************CURRENT WEEK: *******************
December – Get your Christmas & Holiday ads in now! Special deep discounts to local businesses. LyonsRecorder.editor@gmail.com
December 1 – 15: St. Vrain offers an Open Enrollment window = Middle/High School: This is an opportunity to request that your student attend a school of choice, which is outside of their attendance area. This includes Kindergarten and Pre-School Registration at the Elementary School.
December 2, Wednesday, No Boulder County Aging Senior lunch.
December 5, 6-8:30 p.m. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN LYONS: The Town of Lyons is supporting residents and businesses in putting up decorations on High Street for a “Frozen Parade of Lights” — which means the floats will be “frozen in their parking spot.” You can be part of a “drive by parade.” — Before the parade, Santa will drive around the neighborhood, with a live band, and wave to the kids. See the Town’s web page for more details: https://lyonscolorado.com/experience/festivals-and-events/december/holiday-parade-of-lights?
December 5, Wednesday – LYONS CHRISTMAS TREE, LaVern M Johnson Park: Celebrate togetherness in a safe, social distanced way = bring an ornament to share with the town and some string or ribbon to put it on the tree. Make this a piece of art! December 5 to 31; sponsored by the Town of Lyons.
December 7, Monday, 7 p.m. — Town Board of Trustees Meeting. View it on Zoom.
December 7 – Last day to enroll in Medicare Plan, or change your drug plan.
December 7 – Deadline to apply for the Small Business Emergency COVID Relief Grant available through the Town of Lyons. This grant (up to $10,000) can be used for revenue loss, COVID expenses, or rent/mortgage/utility payments. The business must operate or primarily conduct business in the town limits of Lyons, Colorado. The business must have been in operation as of March 10, 2020 (the date of the Colorado emergency declaration). The “small” reference means that you must have 50 or fewer employees.
December 8 – Colorado Gives Day. See above description of fundraiser for Colorado non-profits and charities.
December 8 – order deadline – Lyons High School CHOIR Fundraiser: Order pies from St. Vrain Market (incl. a gluten free crust option). Order by December 8 at tinyurl.com/lyonspiefundraiser. All pies are $25. Pick up at St. Vrain Market between December 16 and 19. Includes chicken-pot-pie, pumpkin, apple, blueberry, and cherry. All freshly made in town! Freeze them for the holidays.
December 9, Wednesday, 7 p.m. – Changing the Legacy of Race & Ethnicity: Conversations for One America – Dr. Rosemarie Allen will moderate an online panel presentation titled ‘Talking to Children about Race.’ Dr. Rosemarie Allen is President and CEO of the Institute for Racial Equity & Excellence and a Metropolitan State University of Denver Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education. This session aims to provide parents and caregivers with skills to have these discussions at a pivotal time in our shared history. To learn more or register for this event, visit https://coloradohumanities.org/programs/changing-the-legacy-of-race-ethnicity/
December 10 – last day to drop off food for the LEAF Holiday Food Drive. Put in wagon in front of Elementary School, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays.
December 10, Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 200 2nd Ave.(Church of Latter Day Sts) = Blood Drive in LYONS! It’s best to schedule your appointment, but walk-in’s are welcome. Sign up: www.donors.vitalant.org or call (303) 363-2300. There has been a big drop in donations due to coronavirus scares. Go to their page to be reassured of the safety of it, and see their guidelines! “Now antibody testing all successful blood donations.”
*******************FUTURE EVENTS:*******************
December 15 – last day to mail your packages at the post office and be sure to have it delivered by Christmas day. (December 14-21 are the busiest days)
December 16-19 – order deadline – Lyons High School CHOIR Fundraiser: Pick up your pre-ordered pie at St. Vrain Market. (see above for details)
December 16 – deadline — Holiday Giving Tree. If you can provide a holiday gift for someone who is struggling this year, please visit LEAF website at leaflyons.org or visit in downtown Lyons a Giving Tree at Barking Dog, Stone Cup, or Uniquely Lyons. Pick an anonymous ornament. Shop for and purchase the gift ($40 maximum) that is listed on the ornament you chose. Wrap and deliver the gift you purchased–with the ornament attached–to Pizza Bar 66 at 430 Main Street during their normal business hours by December 16.
December 18 — Super Duper Holiday Food Pantry 3 to 5 p.m. at Lyons Community Church, 350 Main Street. (Pull up curbside, stay in your car, and wear a mask please). We’ll have hams, produce, bread, household and personal care items, and more. Come prepared to meet our Very Special Guests, too
December 21 to January 6 – No School, Winter Break, Lyons SVVSD
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