Roamin' the Range: What's it Worth?, LaPorte novelist

Find out What’s it Worth? at Symphony fundraiser
If you’ve got an heirloom or collectible that you think might be valuable, bring it to the Foothills Mall on Oct. 1, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., where 10 experts will be standing by to evaluate your treasures, thanks to the Fort Collins Symphony Guild.
The $15 charge for the first item, $10 for each additional item, will benefit the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra. You can schedule an evaluation by calling 970-221-7111, or just bring your china, silver, porcelain, pottery, glassware, furniture, jewelry, clocks, watches, coins, toys, books or whatever to the mall on Saturday.
Sponsors of the event include UBS Financial Services/The Hartman Group; Bank of Colorado; Heather Myers, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones; Northern Colorado Allergy and Asthma Clinic; The Light Center of Fort Collins; and Highlands Riding Center, Foothills Mall.

New novel from Laporte resident
“Off the Mat,” a new novel by Rocky Mountain High School teacher Jeff Bibbey of LaPorte, will be released Oct. 8 at Everyday Joe’s Coffeehouse, 144 S. Mason St. in Fort Collins. The event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. and will feature live music and a exhibit of works by the book’s cover artist, Ryan Guillaume, as well as a book signing by the author.
“Off the Mat” tells the harrowing story of a wrestling coach who works with young people involved with methamphetamines. The book is intended for adult audiences, and the Colorado Meth Project will also be on hand at Everyday Joe’s with educational materials. A dollar from each book sold will donated to CMP.
For more information, contact Bibbey at [email protected]; to purchase a copy of “Off the Mat,” go to booklocker.com.

Breast Cancer Walk Oct. 9
The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk takes place on Oct. 9 at Spring Canyon Community Park in Fort Collins. Registration starts at 9 a.m.
The funds raised will support efforts to help people stay well and get well, by finding cures and fighting back against breast cancer. This year’s event includes a three-mile walk, a 5K fun run, entertainment, activities and lunch.
Registration for the Walk is free; the fun run is $25. For more information or to make a donation, go to makingstrides.acsevents.org/ftcollins, or call Mikaela Sandridg at 970-356-9728.

Gleaning for the Food Bank
Grant Family Farms and the Food Bank of Larimer County are seeking volunteers for their annual Gleaning Days fall harvest for the hungry, to be held at Grant Family Farms in Wellington on Oct. 1 and Oct. 9, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.
Gleaning is the process of going through fields that have already been harvested and finding leftover produce that may not have met the standards of the retail produce market. The 2010 Gleaning Days harvest yielded over 12,000 pounds of food for the FBLC.
Those who wish to volunteer should contact Cassie Rosch, volunteer manager for the FBLC, at 970-530-3113 or by email at [email protected].

Hughes Stadium hosts state marching band championships
Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium will be the site of this year’s 5A/4A state high school marching band championships on Oct. 21 and 22. Some of the best bands in Colorado will compete from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day. Tickets and parking passes will be available at the gate.

Spooky season starts early
From a pumpkin patch to an enchanted garden, there are plenty of activities to get youngsters in the spirit of the season.
Pumpkins will sold by the pound at The Farm, 600 N. Sherwood St., Fort Collins, during regular open hours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sundays, beginning Oct. 1 and continuing through Oct. 27.
High school students can enjoy a night of the living dead on Oct. 22 at the Zombie Ball. The evening starts with Turning Point’s Old Town Zombie Crawl at 8 p.m, followed by a party with a live DJ and local bands at a location to be announced. Admission $10 per person, high school ID required. For more information, go to oldtownzombie.com.
The Farm turns into Treatsylvania for kids 10 and under Oct. 28-30, with a $5 admission per child, and then it goes to the dogs from noon to 1 p.m. on Oct. 29, with Bow Wowvania, trick-or-treating for costumed canines. $5 per dog. For more information on any events at The Farm, call 970-221-6665.
If your dog won’t dress up, leave him at home on Oct. 29 and visit the Halloween Enchanted Garden at The Gardens on Spring Creek, Fort Collins, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 970-416-2486 for information on the Pond Fairies, pumpkin bowling and more family-friendly activities.
Then on Halloween, Oct. 31, Trick or Treat Down Main Street and Beyond in Wellington, from 3 to 5 p.m. Go to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce website at www.wellingtoncoloradochamber.net for a map of participating businesses.