AARP Grant Enables Pocket Garden Construction

Finishing touches on the pocket garden behind Hart Gallery are now in sight thanks to a $15,000 grant from the American Association of Retired Persons New Mexico Community Challenge Grant Program. Cars and Canvasses return for its annual downtown event, and mark your calendars for the San Juan County Fair August 4th through August 13th. Paving on the Colorado Highway 172 project by the Durango La Plata Airport has begun, so be aware of possible added travel times. You’re watching the local news roundup brought to you by C-M-I-T Solutions and Distill Beer, Wine, and Spirits. I’m Hayley Opsal. AARP New Mexico presented a community challenge grant to the Northwest New Mexico Art Council for the construction of a pocket park and the alley behind the Hart Gallery. The Community Challenge Grants are designed to better facilitate quick action projects to make communities more livable, with an emphasis on adults 50 and older. The Pocket Park received a grant in 2019 that enabled the construction of a large wooden deck, and overhead lighting. The new grant will add to Covered Pergolas, a children’s art section with an outdoor sink, a commission, Navajo code talker, mural, and the installation of pavers to enhance the multi-use space. The annual Tracy Rios, Habitat for Humanity fundraiser cards, and canvases returns to the streets August 19th. Come enjoy. Classic cars and motorcycles. Arts and crafts, music, and art by local artists from 3 to 8 p.m. Do you have a car or two you’d like to show? Entry fees start at $20 for one car and $35 for two. All proceeds benefit trace rails, Habitat for Humanity. Phase one of paving on the Colorado 172 project began July 24th. Paving will begin on the segment just east of the Durango, La Plata County Airport, just east of the US, 160 junction at Elmer’s Corner. Paving work is expected to go through the end of August. Moving east of the airport towards Ignacio. Once the first segment is finished, the road will become single lane, alternating traffic Monday through Friday with some Saturday work possible. Speed limits through the construction area will be lowered to 40 miles per hour and drivers are advised to expect delays of up to 30 minutes depending on traffic. Make sure to plan additional time accordingly. If you’re planning on traveling along Colorado 172. Find updates on the project at the Colorado Department of Transportation. The San Juan County Fair returns to McGee Park August 4th through the 13th. Enjoy a variety of activities from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., from animal events to local vendor booths and a carnival hosted by Frazier shows. Kick off the fair with a parade Friday, August 4th at 6 p.m. Find information about vendor booths entry forms and a list of performances, and events at the San Juan County Fair website. Learn more about these and other stories online at Farmington Local News. Thank you for watching this edition of the local news roundup. I’m Hayley Opsal.