SENIOR CENTER NEWS: Tickets Now on Sale for Spanish Fiesta

Photo: Candace Vargas & Northern 505 will be performing at this year’s Spanish Fiesta.

Tickets are now on sale for the 22nd Annual Spanish Fiesta!

You are invited to the 22nd annual Spanish Fiesta on July 27, sponsored by Archuleta Seniors Inc and the Spanish Fiesta Committee. This year we celebrate “La cultura cura!” a transformative health and healing philosophy that recognizes the importance of cultural values, traditions and indigenous practices on the path to healthy development, restoration, and lifelong well-being.

Enjoy Spanish, Mexican, Native American and Anglo cultural traditions, intertwined to create the strong heritage we have today here in Southwest Colorado. Food, music, dancing, libations, vendors, color and good company provide the ingredients of a party to delight all the senses and to make memories for a lifetime.

The Spanish Fiesta Committee of Archuleta Seniors Inc is working to make this year memorable.

The headliner for the day’s activities will feature the famous New Mexican artist Darren Cordova Y Calor at the Archuleta County Fairgrounds. Activities begin at 3pm but come earlier to get your seat and enjoy authentic Hispanic cuisine of southern Colorado and northern New Mexican plus a variety of other food trucks, artisan vendors, music from Candace Vargas & Northern 505, and folklorico dance performances from local artists.

Darren Cordova Y Calor Band.

Tickets are available online or stop by the Pagosa Senior Center at 451 Hot Springs Blvd to purchase paper tickets. Interested in volunteering, being a sponsor or vendor? Please call 970.264.2167 or email Rose Chavez at rosa@psseniors.org

Bingo
The Pagosa Senior Center will be hosting bingo twice a month on Friday afternoons from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm on July 12, July 26, Aug 9 and Aug 23 The price to participate is free and all we ask is you bring yourself and a friend for an hour of joyful fellowship. We will provide prizes from local businesses for all winners and snacks will also be provided. No RSVP required, just show up. All ages welcome but we ask those 18 and younger to come with an adult chaperone. Seats are first come first serve. For more information contact us at 970.264.2167.

Tai Chi Thursdays
The Pagosa Senior Center is offering T’ai Chi Chih with accredited instructor Patti Popovich each Thursday from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm in the dining hall/park to support older adults who want to discover purpose and fulfillment in this transitional phase of life. Tai Chi Chih is not a martial art, but rather a tool for self-healing. Softness, flow and effortlessness are the guiding principles in this practice. All classes will be free for older adults (age 55 and better) and will last approximately 1 hour in the dining hall. No special special clothing or equipment is required. For more information call 970-264-2167.

Senior Conversations
Join us Mondays at 1:15 pm for a series of “Senior Conversations” with local Bill Salmansohn. He will lead the group through mindfulness exercises and discussion of various topics pertaining to aging in Archuleta County. Explore and discover for yourself answers to your questions and concerns. Hold space and show up for sacred conversation. The meeting will be held at the Pagosa Senior Center in the dining hall. Snacks will be provided.

Farmers Market Vouchers
Farmers Market vouchers for older adults (age 60+) are available! If you love to shop at the Pagosa Springs Farmers Market, are 60 or older, or if you are 200% of poverty please call Deb Herera of the San Juan Area Agency on Aging at 970-403-2164 to put your name on the list for $50 in vouchers to redeem for local foods. Then visit the Pagosa Farmers Market any Saturday during the growing season (starting July 6 – end of September) to redeem your vouchers with local food artisans and growers in southwest Colorado and northern New Mexico. The Pagosa Farmers Market in 2024 will now be located in their new location on Lewis Street at the Tennyson Sculpture Garden & Park from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.

Vendors & Volunteers Needed for 22nd Annual Spanish Fiesta
Calling all artisan craft vendors and food trucks/vendors, Archuleta Seniors Inc. is looking to feature your handcrafted items and food delicacies at the upcoming 22nd Annual Spanish Fiesta on July 27, 2024 at the Archuleta County Fairgrounds. Please visit psseniors.org to download our vendor application. Each 10×10 ft space is available for a $25.00 fee from 2pm to 10pm the Saturday of the fiesta. Food truck fee is available for $50.00. We are looking especially for Hispanic arts and crafts vendors but are open to other styles as well.

In addition we are looking to recruit volunteers to set up the event on July 26, help with activities the day of the event on July 27 and help with tear down of the event on July 28. All volunteers are required to purchase their tickets to the event in advance and once the volunteer assignment is complete you will be reimbursed after the event. Please use our Sign Up Genius Link to find a slot.

Share Lunch and Dine Monday through Friday.
Open to All. Join us at the Silver Fox’s Den aka Community Cafe in person for daily hot/cold meals Mondays through Fridays downtown at the Ross Aragon Community Center between 11am and 1pm weekly. Pickup is available all week including Fridays.

We provide hot/cold meals for anyone in the community interested in a nutritious and delicious meal. For those 60 or older we request a suggested donation of $6.00, but no one will be turned away. There is a $10.50 charge for guests under the age of 60.

Community Cafe Menu
Thursday, July 4 – Closed for 4th of July Holiday

Friday, July 5 – Closed for 4th of July Holiday

Monday, July 8 – Beef Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Peas & Pearl Onions, Garden Salad, Fruit, Cookies, Milk

Tuesday, July 9 – Shrimp Scampi, Rice Pilaf, Broccoli, Garden Salad, Fruit, Chocolate Cake,Milk.

Wednesday, July 10 – Chicken Pot Pie, Zucchini Casserole, Garden Salad, Fruit, Blueberry Crisp,Milk.

Thursday, July 11 – Pork Tenderloin w/ Apricot Glaze, Roasted Herb Potatoes, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk

Friday, July 12 – Navy Bean, Artichoke & Goat Cheese Casserole, Rainbow Chard, Garden Salad, Fruit, Cinnamon, Pear Cake, Milk.

Covid-19 Test Kits Available
Stop by the Pagosa Senior Center to pick up a pack of 6 free covid-19 tests kits for your personal use. These kits are available to anyone in the public that needs affordable access for health promotion and disease prevention.

Bridge
The longest played bridge game in Archuleta county takes place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 1:15 pm every week. Bridge is a four-player card game with partners sitting opposite each other around a table. It is a trick taking card game using a standard 52-card deck. Come alone or bring a partner.

Hand & Foot Card Game
Whether you are new to Hand & Foot or interested in learning, please join us most Tuesdays at 1:15 at the Senior Center. This card game involves 4 rounds of playing until the final round is reached – some 2 to 3 hours later. Plan to stay and meet some new friends or catch up with those you have missed over the last couple of years. No experience is necessary so come willing to learn.

Support Our Seniors
Please support our ongoing operations and programming that provide critical services to some of the most vulnerable in Archuleta County. You may mail your donation to PO BOX 3444, Pagosa Springs CO 81147 or please visit our website: http://www.psseniors.org/ (donation button). Donation checks can be written to: Archuleta Seniors, Inc. We are located at 451 Hot Springs Blvd., in downtown Pagosa Springs. For more information about ASI, please visit http://www.psseniors.org/.

ASI Board of Directors has multiple vacant positions open. Terms are 3 years with an option to renew for an additional term. Potential candidates should be at least 21 years of age or older and must have a passion for adult and aging services.

Rosa Chavez

Rose Chavez is Executive Director for Archuleta Seniors, Inc. and Public Health Consultant at Archuleta Food System/Food Equity Coalition.