I hung the hummingbird feeder on a double shepherd’s hook last weekend — the feeder on one hook, a colorful spring decor piece with a cute little bell, on the other.
The bell jingles in a gentle breeze, making a pleasant ringing sound. I wonder though ... if a bird accidentally jingles the bell, on its way to the feeder, is it a humdinger?
I’ll let myself out.
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The Plug It In EV Roadshow will kick off its four-stop spring tour today at Lincoln Park with a series of free family-friendly events where visitors can learn about electric vehicles in a hands-on setting.
An “EV 101” presentation at noon in the Lincoln Park Barn will introduce EV features, charging, sales trends, cost of ownership, tax credits, environmental implications and more, a news release said.
The “action shifts to an informal ‘ride and drive’ in the adjacent parking lot,” from 1–5 p.m. where EV curious can test-drive new and used vehicles and e-bikes, chat with EV owners and dealer reps, and get advice from clean-energy nonprofits on taking advantage of tax credits and other incentives. There will be live music and food trucks.
Go to cleanenergyeconomy.net/plug-it-in for information.
The public is invited to participate in a free group bicycle ride on Saturday recognizing Celebrate Trails Day.
Hosted by Mesa County Regional Transportation Planning Office, the city of Grand Junction and One Riverfront, the ride starts at 10 a.m., at 13th Street and Gunnison Avenue, in Lincoln Park, following local bicycle routes and the Colorado Riverfront Trail. Participants can enjoy the tastes and sounds of Southwest Arbor Fest, post ride, at the park, including music, food trucks and craft beer tasting from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. ($20 in advance, $25 day of).
Not just a local event, Celebrate Trails Day is a nationwide celebration, created by Rails to Trails Conservancy, showcasing the community, economic, health and climate impact of trails, a news release said. The advocacy organization is “calling on people across the country to get outside this spring to celebrate the many ways that trails and connected trail networks bring joy and impact to people’s lives.”
Junior Service League of Grand Junction will host its annual Viva el Vino event from 6–9 p.m. Saturday, at the Wine Country Inn, 777 Grande River Drive in Palisade.
Information at jslgj.com details how funds raised through the Viva el Vino event and silent auction donations provide grants to various nonprofit organizations in Mesa County that serve women, children and families in need.
Along with the silent auction, there will be wine, beer and food, music by Stray Grass and live carvings by Willy Tuz of Colorado Fruit Designs. Tickets cost $100 at the website.
Award-winning author and Professor Emeritus at Utah State University, Steve Simms, will present on prehistoric and fossilized human footprints found recently in the Utah desert, at the meeting of the Colorado Archaeological Society-Grand Junction, happening Wednesday.
“Indigenous culture was shaped by landscape, mingling of peoples and 700 generations of persistence. Steve will discuss the history of Native Americans, their cultural resilience, and their adaptations to a changing sense of place.”
A meet and greet starts at 6:30 p.m. and the presentation is at 7 p.m., at Redlands United Methodist Church, 527 Village Way.
The Palisade Historical Society’s monthly history talk will feature local history author Bob Silbernagel, at 6 p.m. Thursday at The Ordinary Fellow Winery, 202 Peach Ave., in Palisade.
“Bob has always been intrigued about why people’s actions significantly affected the outcomes of major and minor historical events,” a news release said.
“He will talk about how some folks were able to accomplish things that seem baffling in hindsight. Many of these have caught Bob’s attention over the years, and he will highlight some of those he delved into in his most recent book ‘First Draft.’ ”
A retired journalist, Palisade resident and avid horseman, Silbernagel also enjoys outdoor activities in the West, as well as reading and writing about history. “First Draft” is the fifth book he has published.
Go to historicpalisade.org or call 970-464-2177 for information.
Registration is open for a Restore the Balance program, featuring author and one-time member of the White House staff, Cassidy Hutchinson.
“An Evening with Cassidy Hutchinson, Insights from the White House” is at 6:30 p.m. May 7, in the Colorado Mesa University Meyer Ballroom. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Registration is required at restorethebalance.org.
“Hutchinson is an author, former congressional witness and one-time member of the White House staff under former President Donald Trump. She served as assistant to former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows,” a news release said.
“In June 2022, she testified before the House Select Committee on the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. She has since written a book titled ‘Enough,’ regarding her experiences.”
Copies of “Enough” will be for sale at the May 7 event. Hutchinson will sign books and visit with attendees during a reception following her talk. Go to restorethebalance.org for tickets and information.
Girls on the Run of Western Colorado will host its Fruita Spring 5K on May 4, at Shelledy Elementary, 353 N. Mesa St. in Fruita.
The physical activity-based, positive youth development program uses fun running games and dynamic discussions to teach life skills to girls in third through eighth grade. Girls participate in lessons that foster confidence, build peer connections and encourage community service while they prepare for an end-of-season celebratory 5K event.
“We are looking forward to 1,500 participants converging for an incredible event. The positive energy at the 5K event is not only tangible, but contagious.”
Participation in the 5K event is open to the public and proceeds from the event will benefit Girls on the Run of Western Colorado. Cost is $25 by May 1 or $35 for day-of registration. The first 500 registered participants will receive a clear tote and cooling wrap.
To register or for information, go to gotrwesterncolorado.org/5K.
Submit community news and humdingers to communitynews@gjsentinel.com or 734 S. Seventh St., Grand Junction, CO, 81501. Online calendar items can be uploaded at GJSentinel.com/local-events.
