Roamin' the Range – Things to do for Oct., 2012

March to Dublin concert
There will be some wearing o’ the green (and gold) when the Colorado State University Marching Band appears in the 2013 St. Patrick’s Day Parade — in Dublin, Ireland. You can help the band cross the pond by attending a special one-night-only fundraising concert at the Fort Collins Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., on Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m. The concert features the CSU Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble performing old Irish favorites, as well as the marching band with its dynamic percussion section and the soon-to-be-world-famous trombone suicides.

Tickets are $10 for CSU students, $25 for adults, available at the Lincoln Center Ticket Office, by phone at 970-221-6730, or online at www.tickets.lctix.com.

‘Over 90 and Loving It’
Does the autumn air leave you feeling a little melancholy over your own mortality? Get over it, Bunky, with a viewing of “Over 90 and Loving It,” a new film by Boulder filmmaker Susan Polis Shutz, founder of Blue Mountain Arts. The documentary portrays ordinary Americans leading extraordinary lives well into their ninth decade, fearlessly extending themselves in new adventures and challenges.

Polis Schutz will be on hand at Bas Bleu Theatre, 401 Pine St. in Fort Collins, on Sept. 30 for a 7:30 p.m. screening followed by a discussion in which she will reveal the 10 characteristics the soon-to-be-centenarian stars of her movie all have in common.

Tickets are $25 and include a reception, with all proceeds benefiting Bas Bleu. Tickets and info: 970-498-8949, www.basbleu.org.

Bridges Out of Poverty community training
F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote that the very rich are different than you and me, but he never mentioned the unwritten rules that divide those in poverty from the middle class. Understanding these differences is the first step to overcoming chronic unemployment and generational poverty, and will be a major topic of two free training sessions in the Bridges Out of Poverty initiative.

Sponsored by the Bohemian Foundation, the session on Oct. 18 is geared for employers and business leaders; the Oct. 19 session is for the community, including those working with nonprofit and faith-based organizations. Participants will collaborate to explore models and methods for addressing poverty in Larimer County, examining the barriers to change and strategies for creating sustainable communities. Businesses may also register for a free workplace training that can help create a more stable workforce, which decreases hiring and retention costs and enhances productivity.

Both trainings will be held at the Fort Collins Lincoln Center, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., registration at 7:30 a.m., breakfast and lunch provided at no cost. Deadline to register is Oct. 11. Registration and info: www.bridgesnoco.org.

Halloween happenings
The month wraps up as it always does with ghoulies and ghosties and things that go bump in the night.

You can swap stories about local ghosts with author and columnist Nancy Hansford at the Wellington Public Library, 3800 Wilson Ave., on Oct. 24, 7 p.m. The author of “Northern Colorado Ghost Stories” has heard too many accountings over the years from honest, reliable and publicity-shy people for her not to believe that spirits do exist. She will share stories from her book, and some that didn’t make it between the covers, such as:
• The murder victim and her residence at a local camping site.
• The lady who appears in a local cemetery.
• The jilted groom who built a monument to his runaway bride.
• Those ghostly orbs that often appear in photos.
• The most beloved ghost in Northern Colorado.
She will also have something for children who show up in costume. Hansford’s appearance is sponsored by the Wellington Library Friends as part of the Local Authors at the Library program. Info: 970-568-3040.

Kids from kindergarten to eighth grade can get their wizard on at Hogwarts Halloween at the Northside Aztlan Center, 112 E. Willow St., on Oct. 27, 5-9 p.m. City of Fort Collins Recreation is brewing up some Harry Potter-themed fun, featuring haunted hallways, potions, charms, Quidditch, a rockin’ witch band and mugs of delicious Butter Beer. Don’t forget to wear your robes! $15 per child, $5 per adult; children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Preregistration required. Info: 970-221-6256, recreation@fcgov.com

And the very littlest of trick-or-treaters have their very own daylight begging time. Tiny Tot Halloween in Downtown Fort Collins is a special event for pre-schoolers and their parents, sponsored by the Downtown Business Association. Meet in Old Town Square at 10 a.m. on Oct. 31 and receive special goody bags to trick-or-treat local businesses on alert for the annual overload of adorable. Info: www.downtownfortcollins.com.

Wellington’s ready for the invasion of the candy-snatchers on Halloween. Trick-or-Treat Down Main Street and Beyond, for children up to sixth grade, starts at 3 p.m., followed by a costume contest for all ages (and well-behaved pets) at 5 p.m. in Centennial Park downtown (inside at the Leeper Center if the weather is bad). Prizes will be awarded in different age categories for cutest, scariest and most unique costumes, sponsored by the Wellington Chamber of Commerce.