Steamboat Pilot & Today

First Impressions of Routt County presents a five-week parenting series with Kristen Race, Ph.D. The course is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through April 11 at Strawberry Park Elementary School. The class will cover topics including strengthening your child’s self-esteem, how stress is affecting your children, developing effective discipline strategies and increasing family engagement. The cost is $50 and includes dinner and child care. Scholarships are available. Register by calling 970-870-5270 or emailing smartin@co.routt.co.us.

Tobacco-free poster contest submissions are due Wednesday

The Non-Cigarette Retailer Licensing Coalition is sponsoring a poster contest for students. The theme is “What I can do to make the world tobacco-free.” Students can get their poster template in the Steamboat Springs elementary, middle or high school offices. Completed posters should be turned in to the Kick Butts Day box in each school’s office by Wednesday. Prizes will be awarded in each school March 21, and winning posters will be published. Kick Butts Day is a national day for youths across the U.S. to speak out against tobacco. Call Vicki Barron at 970-875-1883 with questions. Learn more about Kick Butts Day at www.facebook.com/supportnctrl.

40th annual Dance Theatre concert tickets are on sale

Steamboat Dance Theatre presents its 40th annual dance concert at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 12:30 p.m. Saturday in the Steamboat Springs High School auditorium. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students and senior citizens and $20 for reserved seating and are available at All That Jazz.

Registration for Steamboat swim team starts Thursday

Registration for Steamboat Springs Swim Team begins Thursday. Tryouts for new members will be held March 30 and April 3 and 6. Visit www.steamboatswimteam.com for more information and to sign up. An informational meeting for parents is at 6 p.m. March 28.

Suicide prevention group receives nonprofit status

Steamboat Springs-based Reaching Everyone Preventing Suicide recently announced its new nonprofit status as an independent 501(c)3 entity.

The organization, which previously operated under the umbrella of Colorado West Regional Mental Health Inc., is governed by a nine-member board of directors.

The group’s board of directors includes Chairman Steve Aigner, Vice Chairwoman Leslie Christiansen, Treasurer Dan Bonner, Secretary Lisa Wilkinson, Dennis Freeman, Tom Gangel, Pastor Dave McKnight, Diane Moore and Christina A. Rosch.

REPS meets at noon on the last Friday of the month at Concordia Lutheran Church. Anyone is welcome to attend the meetings. For more information, call Autrey at 970-846-8182.

Retirement reception for YVMC chief is March 29

A retirement reception for Karl Gills is from 4:30 to 7 p.m. March 29 in The Steamboat Grand ballroom. After more than 11 years as CEO of Yampa Valley Medical Center, Gills will retire at the end of March. Frank May, the current chief operating officer, will become CEO.

Kindergarten registration open Monday to March 23

Kindergarten registration for the 2012-13 school year is from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through March 23 at Soda Creek and Strawberry Park elementary schools. Bring your child’s birth certificate or passport; immunization records; proof of residence in the form of a utility bill, property tax receipt or lease agreement; and a current photo of your child. A deposit of $200 is required for the full-day kindergarten program.

Steamboat’s Jaime Lynn Winter on CSU dean’s list

Jaime Lynn Winter, a 2010 graduate of Steamboat Springs High School, was named to the dean’s list at Colorado State University for the fall semester. Winter is a health and exercise science major with a concentration in sports medicine. The dean’s list for the College of Applied Human Sciences requires a GPA of 3.9 or above. 

Paula Angelina Ninger named to fall dean’s list

Paula Angelina Ninger, a 2010 graduate of Steamboat Springs High School, was named to the dean’s list at the University of Rochester for the fall semester. Ninger is a film and media studies major. She is the daughter of Mary Ann and Perry Ninger, of Steamboat Springs.

Guided tours to view sage grouse held April 5 to 8

Guided tours to view sage grouse mating displays are from 4:30 a.m. to about noon April 5 to 8.

“Our agency will provide a viewing trailer so that people can sit inside and not disturb the grouse on the lek,” Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife watchable wildlife coordinator Trina Romero said in a news release. “An organized tour like this is a great way to observe lekking behavior, and I highly recommend it.”

The cost is $50. Reservations are required and can be made at www.ourcolorado.org.

Cody’s Challenge fundraiser is at 8:30 a.m. Saturday

Cody’s Challenge, a Randonee ski race and fundraiser, is at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Steamboat Ski Area. Participants should load the gondola from 7:45 to 8 a.m. The cost is $60 for race or $100 for the race and a lift ticket. Register at http://codyschallenge.tcsjf.org, from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday in the Steamboat Ski Patrol locker room or from 7 to 7:45 a.m. on race day at Bear River Bar & Grill. Proceeds go toward scholarships to assist ski patrollers with furthering their medical educations. 

Girls to Women in need of donations and volunteers

Girls to Women, an annual one-day conference for eighth-grade girls in Northwest Colorado, is seeking donations and volunteers for the 2012 conference May 8 at The Steamboat Grand. Donations payable to Yampa Valley Community Foundation marked for Girls to Women can be sent to YVCF at P.O. Box 770754, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477. Those interested in volunteering can contact volunteer coordinator Pegge Warwick at edpegge@aol.com or 970-819-6476.

Northwest Colorado VNA offers shingles vaccines

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association is offering the Zostavax vaccine for shingles. Adults ages 60 and older who are low income and uninsured (no Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance) may qualify to receive the vaccine for a $14 fee through the Merck Patient Vaccine Assistance Program. Patients may apply for this program by making an appointment at the Steamboat office by calling 970-879-1632 or at the Craig office by calling 970-824-8233.