Danny Ledonne, Alamosa native and filmmaker, will be assisting the Southern Colorado (SoCo) Film Commission in their efforts to bring more film production to the San Luis Valley. Through SoCo, Ledonne recently served as production assistant for a PBS film entitled: "Great Scenic Ways", scheduled to air June 2012. The film will feature fourteen railways across the USA including Rio Grande Scenic Railroad.

After obtaining his MFA in film/electronic media from American University and working for the NOAA Ocean Media Center, Ledonne moved back to the San Luis Valley. He teaches media production as part of the existing Mass Communications Program within the Adams State College English, Theatre and Communications Department. He also teaches a video practicum course as well as a music video survey course, guiding students in the application of media analysis to popular mainstream and "viral" online music videos.

Ledonne continues to operate his video production company, Emberwilde Productions. He recently completed "Duck! (a duckumentary)" which is currently showing at film festivals.

SoCo Film Commission promotes film production in the San Luis Valley in order to increase tourism and assist in economic development. For more information regarding SoCo Film Commission, call ASC Community Partnerships at 719-587-8209

ASC Community Partnerships is coordinating and hosting their third annual holiday art and craft show complete with handmade gifts made right here from our very own San Luis Valley. The purpose of this exhibit is to promote buying local, handmade gifts for the holiday season. Buying gifts locally not only supports our local economy and craftspeople, it also makes the gift much more special. From stained glass to fiber arts to wood working there is something for everyone.

There will also be an opportunity for anyone to make and personalize their own holiday ornament throughout the month for a minimal fee to cover supplies.

The ASC Community Partnerships holiday art and craft show will be held from December 1 through December 23. You are invited to visit ASC Community Partnerships on the corner of Edgemont Blvd. and Main Street in Alamosa. The exhibit will be open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Join us for a holiday reception from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, showcasing the artists and craftspeople that have contributed to the exhibit.

For more information please call 719-587-7869 or email us at asc_bsc@adams.edu.

Adams State College Community Partnerships will present their annual recycle exhibit during November as part of America Recycles Month. This year's exhibit is focused on discarded plastic farm twine. This plastic twine is often dumped into landfills, burned into the atmosphere or left on the corners of fields in large amounts. Come visit ASC Community Partnerships gallery to see what can be done with this material.

Along with the "Everything Twine Recycle Exhibit", ASC Community Partnerships is conducting the fourth annual recycled fashion show. The fashion show will feature outfits made from recycled man-made material. The clothing will be modeled by community members, Adams State College students, faculty and staff. Come see the many creative ways to turn trash into fashion.

The "Everything Recycled Twine Exhibit" will run from November 1 through November 29. The gallery is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Join us from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, for the reception with the recycle fashion show starting at 5 p.m. ASC Community Partnerships is located on the corner of Edgemont Blvd. and Main Street in Alamosa, Colo. Call ASC Community Partnerships at 719-587-7869 with questions.

On Veteran's Day, across the nation, men and women who served in the United States military are recognized and honored. Adams State College President Dave Svaldi wants San Luis Valley veterans to be remembered every day of the year.

On Saturday, November 13, the ASC Community Partnerships Outreach Building was rededicated to all San Luis Valley veterans. "I want our students to recognize and remember this special part of the campus' history."

The building was originally dedicated to World War II veterans when it became the Student Union Memorial Building, in 1957. Since then it has been occupied by the Art Department and now by ASC Community Partnerships. "I hope we will remember, with gratitude, all veterans of all wars -- those who returned home, and especially those who did not," Svaldi said.

Special guests at the rededication included the Colorado State Veterans Center (CSVC) at Homelake residents. Mindy Montague, CSVC administrator, said: "Thank you for taking the time to honor our veterans, the families who support them and our heroes that are no longer with us." The CSVC veterans and ASC Community Partnerships employees and volunteers worked together over the last month to create artwork, which currently hangs in the ASC Community Partnerships Gallery through November 30.

Also included in the exhibit are artifacts and military memorabilia on loan from the CSVC museum. "Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your building dedication that is displaying the beautiful artwork and memorabilia provided by veterans and their family members," Montague added.

Contact ASC Community Partnerships at 719-587-8209 for more information.

The potluck starts at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, in the Sacred Heart Church gymnasium. An after-party, at 9 p.m., will feature dancing with songs from throughout the world and a free 15 minute salsa dancing lesson. Your ticket into the event is a potluck dish from your own cultural background or an adopted one.

The event will demonstrate the importance of cultural diversity and international relations, and will feature entertainment from student and community talents, with special guest Deollo Johnson, professional Brazilian Capoeira performer and instructor.

International Cuisine Inc. is sponsored by ASC Community Partnerships, Adams State Multicultural and Diversity Club, Student Engagement and Success, and AS&F; Calvillos, individual community members and church organizations, and the Catholic Daughters of America.

For more information, please call ASC Community Partnerships at 719-587-8209.

Adams State President David Svaldi and Mindy Montague, Colorado State Veterans Center administrator, will rededicate the ASC Community Outreach Building. The rededication will include a ribbon cutting ceremony, music, food, and veteran artwork and memorabilia. The event is free and open to the public and will continue until 1 p.m.

ASC Community Partnerships current show, The Veterans' Exhibit, is on display in the gallery from 8 a.m. to 5p.m. Monday through Friday, through November 24. ASC Community Partnerships is located on the corner of Main St. and Edgemont Blvd. in Alamosa, Colo. Contact Community Partnerships at 719-587-8209 for more information.

October is nationally recognized as Hispanic Heritage Month. The exhibit blends historical Hispanic arts and crafts from the Luther Bean Museum with modern day works from private collections of Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico artisans. Bultos, retablos, santos and Rio Grande weaving,s which originated in the 1800s, will be displayed beside current interpretations of this cultural art. Community Partnerships is hosting this exhibit to illustrate the richness and evolution of Hispanic art. The artwork demonstrates the importance of storytelling for the people who made them and the value of traditions.

The gallery is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and is free to the public. ASC Community Partnerships is located on the corner of Main Street and Edgemont Boulevard in Alamosa, Colo. This event will be one of many activities celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month on the Adams State campus.

For more information, contact ASC Community Partnerships at 719-587-7869 or 719-587-8209.

The workshop will cover developing a stronger business sense, conducting successful marketing, working with galleries and contracts, legally protecting original art under copyright law, and more. This workshop has improved many local artists' business skills over the past several years. Following the workshop, ASC Community Partnerships will host the "No More Starving Artists" art exhibit in October, giving the participants a chance to practice what they learned.

The workshop cost is $125 per person, with a discount available to those who have taken the workshop before. Every participant will receive hand-outs, to take lessons home. The "No More Starving Artists" art exhibit is scheduled from October 4 through October 29, in the ASC Community Partnerships Gallery, located on the corner of Main St. and Edgemont Blvd in Alamosa, Colo. Contact ASC Community Partnerships at 719-587-8209 with questions, or to register for the workshop.

The Third Annual Recycle Arts and Crafts exhibit and reception and the Recycled Fashion Show is scheduled from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27, in the Adams State College Community Partnerships Gallery. The events are free and open to the public.

The exhibit, demonstrates the creativity possible when working with commonly discarded materials and features the artistic and practical, all made with at least 90 percent used product. Adams State students will model clothing embellished with discarded material.

This year's show features work from throughout Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico. Refreshments will be served and many of the exhibit's artists will be in attendance.

Jeanna Puluzzi, SLV Energy coordinator, will facilitate the workshop related to the Governor's Energy Office (GEO) Main Street program. The GEO has developed the Main Street Energy initiative, to encourage business community participation in Colorado's New Energy Economy. This workshop is designed for economic development councils, chambers of commerce, business owners, builders and contractors, commercial property owners and the financial community. Please come to this training and brainstorming session prepared to talk. There will be funding available through a prescriptive grant program GEO will launch in the near future.

Sustainable Economic and Environmental Development (SEED) Park, International Representative, Roger Doane, update attendees on the progress of the SEED project. The SEED Park is designed to locate businesses together who will utilize each other's waste in order to raise each other's capacity and achieve a near zero waste business development model. The project was initially sponsored by Resource Conservation & Development and is now operating independently. After nearly three years, the SEED Park project team has achieved many accomplishments, which will be shared at this public meeting.

EarthNest and Wander Dog films will introduce plans to create a film documentary of water stories as told by San Luis Valley community members. The result will provide a human perspective to these intricate issues in a format that is accessible nationwide and globally, is entertaining to a wide audience, and is informative and educational.

Each segment of this top quality five-part HD-TV series will be told from different perspectives, with real life stories from farmers and ranchers, water management authorities and scientists, naturalists, fish and wildlife managers, landowners and residents, as well as from community leaders, legislators and politicians. The story will unfold honestly through the eyes of its characters -- no filmmaker agendas, just the words of those whose daily lives are affected by the condition of rivers, watersheds, reservoirs, and irrigation ditches.

This event is free and open to the public. In order to plan for handouts, seating and refreshments please RSVP at 719-587-8209.

In 1989, scenes for the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade were shot in the San Luis Valley. The valley and the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad were showcased and Antonito residents can still tell their children and grandchildren about the day Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford came to town.

In honor of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad 40th anniversary, the Ski Hi 6 Theatre, the Alamosa Chamber, Adams State College Community Partnerships and Southern Colorado (SoCo) Film Commission are organizing a fun-filled evening including the viewing of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

The celebration begins with a wine and cheese reception at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, at the Grove Theatre in downtown Alamosa. Dress like a character in the movie for a chance to win dinner for two at a local restaurant. Everyone who attends may win a door prize and will hear about insider production information. The movie follows the reception at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, at Ski Hi 6 Theatre in Alamosa, Colo.

Limited tickets are available. Purchase your $25 commemoratory tickets, which include movie and reception, at the Alamosa Chamber or the 1911 Hotel in Antonito. All proceeds benefit the SoCo Film Commission's efforts to bring more film production to the San Luis Valley. Call the Alamosa Chamber at 719-589-3681 for information.

A dedicated employee is always a great find and one who works for free -- priceless. Mary Jo Martin's cheery disposition and willingness to tackle any project has made her invaluable to Adams State College Community Partnerships. Her last day on campus is Monday, August 2.

Originally from Wakarusa, Ind., Martin started her volunteer service with ASC Community Partnerships in August 2008. She works through the Mennonite Volunteer Service and Americorp Programs. She had a choice of five different locations and chose the San Luis Valley because "the job was the most business focused and it was located in a rural area." Martin completed a bachelor's degree in business from Goshen College in Indiana.

Her main duties included coordinating monthly art exhibits for the ASC Community Partnerships Gallery. The job provided opportunities to meet local artists, coordinate all the details of an art gallery, including sending out call-for-artists, invitations to the exhibit, assisting in hanging of the exhibits, collecting registrations, submissions and scheduling artists' receptions. "I've learned art is an important part of life."

Mary Hoffman, executive director of ASC Community Partnerships, "Mary Jo found her niche spearheading the community art exhibits." The gallery is an opportunity for local artists, and art organizations, to gain exposure and sell their work.

After completing her obligation to the volunteer organizations, Martin decided to stay an extra year. "Being away from the familiar helped me grow." Her faith is a "core part" of who she is. She was raised attending a Mennonite Church in Wakarusa, Ind. Mennonite beliefs and doctrines can vary from church to church. "Many living in this area assume all Mennonites share same beliefs, I am often asked, 'why aren't you wearing a dress.' I laugh and answer, 'I dress just like you.'"

Martin and five other volunteers shared a house in La Jara. "It was the best part of being here." Living with her peers, running a house, carpooling, and dividing chores, the group became her second family. "It was not always easy, but it was a lot of fun."

She appreciated meeting the extended community and working on campus. "I learned it is okay to not always know what you are doing, to jump in and hope people accept you."

Hoffman said: "Mary Jo has definitely made a positive impact in the valley and on campus."

Martin is ready to return to her close knit family, a friend and her sister are getting married this fall. "It will be good to spend time on the family farm-- and get a job."

By Linda Relyea

The third annual Adams State College Community Partnerships "Recycled Arts and Crafts Exhibit" opens August 3 through August 31. The artists' reception and fashion show is 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27, in the ASC Community Partnerships Building on the Adams State campus, located on the corner of Main St. and Edgemont Blvd., in Alamosa, Colo.

The regional exhibit showcases the artists' creativity using commonly discarded materials and raises awareness for the community to recycle, reuse and conserve.

The fashion show will feature Adams State students modeling work created by themselves and community members from recycled materials. The exhibit, reception, and fashion show are free and open to the public. Spark your creativity around working with recycled and unusual materials.

For more information contact Community Partnerships at 719.587.8209.

After a brief hiaitus, LeRoy Salazar was reappointed this spring to a new term on the Adams State Board of Trustees. He served on the board for four years, beginning in 2003, when Adams State was authorized to form a board independent of the other state colleges.

Adams State President David Svaldi said: "I am thrilled to welcome LeRoy back to the Board. His passion for our students and ASC and understanding and appreciation for the SLV culture are great strengths which will make a strong board even stronger.

A native of Manassa, Colo., Salazar farms and ranches in Conejos and Costilla counties in the San Luis Valley. He is president of a new organization, Sweetgrass Co-op, formed to help ranchers of organic, grass-fed, and natural beef to market their products.

"I've cleared my plate of a few community responsibilities, and that freed up time for me to return to the Adams State board. I have a real passion for education. ASC has done a wonderful job of meeting the needs of a diverse population with lesser resources, but I think the challenges will be even bigger in the future, as state funding is cut back," Salazar said. "We need to look at creative ways of making up for those cuts - ways to bring in more resources, perhaps ways to decrease expenditures. There's not much you can cut at ASC without affecting our ability to deliver to students. I'm very optimistic, though. I know we have a good board and excellent leadership at the college, in addition to a great community that really supports the college."

Salazar's community involvement includes serving as vice president of the Hope for Children Foundation and on the board of San Luis Valley Federal Bank.

Formerly an engineer and consultant, Salazar was president and CEO of Agro Engineering, Inc., from 1982 - 2000. He has served as a member of the Colorado Agricultural Commission, as director of Citizens for Colorado Water, and on the North Conejos School District Board of Education, with several years as its president.

Salazar holds Master's and Bachelor's degrees in agricultural engineering from Colorado State University earned in 1977 and 1974, respectively.

The Recycled Jewelry workshop is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 6. The instructor, Cheryl Scherzer, will teach participants how to make old jewelry new again using recycled materials and how to make new pieces from a variety of reused materials. Registration fee is $15.

The Recycled Fabrics workshop, 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 8, is free and finished pieces may be included in the ASC Community Partnerships' Recycled Fashion Show, this fall. Instructor Joyce Pardington will demonstrate how to implement recycled materials in clothing and techniques that can be used when working with nearly all fabrics.

Both workshops will be held in the ASC Community Partnerships Building, located on the corner of Main St. and Edgemont Blvd. in Alamosa, Colo. Participants are welcome to bring items for use during the workshop(s). For more information and to register for either workshop contact Karl Jolliff at 719-587-8209.

The workshop is geared to all positions within a non-profit organization, from executives to volunteers. Through a statewide grant, this series of workshops is available at no cost, but space is limited.

Workshop presenters include Martha Vail, Ph.D., and Taylor, Roth and Company, PLLC. Vail has thirty years experience working with non-profits in various capacities, with expertise in governance, organization development, and fundraising. With offices in Denver and Durango, the firm Taylor, Roth and Company offers accounting and management services and has twenty years experience working exclusively with nonprofit organizations.

The workshop series is scheduled from 8:45 a.m. until 5 p.m. August 9 through August 12 in the Adams State College School of Business room 142. Space is limited, register online at www.regonline.com/checkin.asp?eventid=867061. For more information call ASC Community at 719-587-8209.

The rich history of San Luis Valley and Upper Rio Grande Spanish missions has inspired many an artist. The ASC Community Partnerships Gallery exhibit, featuring a private collection of paintings of missions from areas near Blanca, Fort Garland, San Luis, San Acacio, opens July 9.

Artists featured in the exhibit include Fran Dodd, Hurberto Maestas, Marge Mueller and Randy Pijoan, depicting the missions in oil, giclee, and etchings.

An artists' reception is scheduled from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 9, at the ASC Community Partnerships, located on the corner of Main Street and Edgemont Blvd in Alamosa, Colo. The reception and the exhibit are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served at the reception.

Call 719-587-8227 for more information.

There is still time to open a door for local nonprofits. The Adams State College Community Partnerships "Doors to the Future" silent auction closes Wednesday, June 30.

Bids can be made in person at ASC Community Partnerships Gallery, located on the corner of Main Street and Edgemont Blvd. on the Adams State Campus, or online at Doors to Future.

Minimum bids are $25 and proceeds support local nonprofits including the Alamosa Boys and Girls Club, ASC Community Partnerships, Blue Peaks Day Services, Colorado State Veterans Center, Ventero Open Press, New Beginnings, PALS, Hospice Del Valle, Rosary Makers, and Gate-13.

"Doors to the Future", a collaboration of eleven local organizations and artists, turned old doors into artwork. The exhibit and silent auction will close Wednesday, June 30. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 719-587-8227 for information.

Deadline for application submission is July 23. Accepted artwork must be for sale and delivered by 5 p.m. Friday, July 30, to ASC Community Partnerships, located on the corner of Main Street and Edgemont Blvd., in Alamosa, Colo. Participants are responsible for delivery and pick-up of artwork. Artists may submit up to three pieces for a $20 application fee, refundable if artwork is not accepted into the show.

The Community Partnerships Gallery receives a twenty percent commission on all artwork sold during the exhibit. For online application form, visit ASC Community Partnerships Art and Culture.

Send photos of artwork, description of materials used, and contact information to capahanson@gmail.com, or EC Hanson c/o ASC Community Partnerships, 208 Edgemont Blvd, Alamosa, Colo., 81102. Call 719-580-0557or 719-587-8227 for information.

Adams State College Community Partnerships exhibit "Doors to the Future", is a collaboration of local organizations and artists and proceeds from sales will benefit local non-profit organizations. "Doors to the Future" is artwork, recycling, and individuals' perception of the future.

"Doors to the Future", opens June 1 and continues through June 30, with a reception scheduled for 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 4. The exhibit is located in the ASC Community Partnerships Gallery, located on the corner of Main St. and Edgemont Blvd. in Alamosa, Colo.

Twelve different organizations and individuals turned an old door into artwork, including the Alamosa Boys and Girls Club, ASC Community Partnerships, Blue Peaks Day Services, Colorado State Veterans Center, Jenna Meyer, Jennifer Kinyon and Aleesha Riley, New Beginnings, PALS -- a Children’s Program of La Puente, Penny and Bev, Sandy Ortega and Legion of Mary, the Suazo Family, and Tuvasana Soma and Friends.

All the doors are for sale in a silent auction benefiting local non-profits, including ASC Community Partnerships’ gallery operations and a non-profit of the artists' choosing. The silent auction will run the duration of the exhibit.

For more information call 719-587-8227.