Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp. is looking for children ages 12 and younger who would like to help report the snow conditions this winter.

To enter the contest, create a 30-second video in which your child delivers a mock snow report for Steamboat Ski Area and enter it on the contest website, http://www.steamboat.com/contests.

If the judging panel selects your entry, your child will create a video snow report with our staff videographer and receive a Steamboat prize pack.

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Entries are due Wednesday. A total of four winners will be selected. For details, go to http://www.steamboat.com/contests.

Annual LIFT-UP of Routt County meeting is Wednesday

The LIFT-UP of Routt County board of directors will hold its annual meeting at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17 in the conference room at the Lufkin LIFT-UP Center, 2125 Curve Court. The public is welcome to attend. Call 970-870-0727 for more information.

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Sailing club officially is started in Steamboat

The Steamboat Springs Yacht Club has been started after there was growing interest in developing an active boating and sailing club in the Yampa Valley. Rick and Suz Bear spearheaded the formation of the club, intended for local and second-home owners who are boaters and aspiring boating enthusiasts.

There have been three meetings held so far, with more than 50 people attending. The intent of the club is to promote the sport of sailing and to encourage participation by local members through social, racing and educational events and activities.

The club currently owns a Laser sailboat donated by Steamboat ski legend and fellow sailing enthusiast Billy Kidd. The club hopes to use the boat as a valuable teaching tool for beginning and novice sailors on local lakes each summer.

Discussions are also underway to include sailing/racing events with other clubs from the region on our local reservoirs and lakes each summer. Eventually, it is hoped that a big annual regatta could be organized each summer for regional sailors.

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Steamboat Springs Yacht Club is encouraged to attend a monthly meeting, held every first Tuesday of each month. Notices of location will be published in the Steamboat Today’s Happenings section prior to each meeting.  

For more information, contact Jo Lockhart at steamboatspringsyachtclub@gmail.com or call or text 970-846-9026.

Aging Well programs take a break through holidays

All Aging Well fitness classes, Senior Wellness and Foot Care clinics will take a break for the holidays from Monday through Jan 2. All programs will resume Jan. 5.

To view a full schedule of programs in 2015, go to http://www.nwcovna.org. For more information, call 970-871-7676.

Written driver tests now electronic with new system

The statewide deployment of the Colorado Automated Testing System, which allows Colorado Division of Motor Vehicle customers to take written driver tests electronically, was completed Dec. 8.

“Electronic testing will help us continue our work to reduce wait times and improve our customer experience,” DMV Senior Director Mike Dixon said in a news release. “The automated tests offer visual cues and have sound capabilities that improve the testing process.”

When taking a written test for a basic driver, motorcycle or commercial driver license, customers will use a touch screen computer station. The customer has the option of reading the test on screen or listening to the test through headphones.

Throughout the test, the customer will be updated on their progress, including the number of questions answered incorrectly, and will be informed immediately upon completion if they have passed or failed. Previously, all tests were taken with pencil and paper, and customers had to wait for them to be manually scored by a driver license technician.

For more information regarding automated testing office locations or to make an appointment, visit http://www.colorado.gov/dmv.

Rebate offered to disabled and low-income seniors

Colorado offers a public benefit to low-income seniors and disabled persons (regardless of age) of as much as $700 for rent or property tax paid and up to $192 of heating expenses they have paid during 2014, for a maximum rebate of $892, according to a Colorado Department of Revenue news release.

The benefit is known as the Property Tax/Rent/Heat Credit or “PTC Rebate.” The Department of Revenue is responsible for creating and processing the applications and for issuing the rebate payments to recipients. The Colorado Department of Human Services conducts public outreach through its Low-Income Energy Assistance Program and through county human services offices to eligible populations.

The actual rebate total amount is based on the applicant’s income and expenses. The minimum rebate for 2014 is $300 ($227 rent, $73 heat), and the total rebate amount is paid to the recipient in quarterly installments.

Eligible applicants may start applying for the 2014 year PTC Rebate on Jan. 1.

The 2014 PTC application booklet will be available Dec. 31 on the Department of Revenue’s Taxation Web site at http://www.taxcolorado.com. Click the File button, then select PTC Rebate.

First-time PTC applicants must submit a paper return with copies of required paper documentation as outlined in the PTC application booklet. Depending on when an application is approved, installment payments are issued in April, July, October and January.

Stars at Night raises funds for the Winter Sports Club

The Stars at Night fundraiser will be held at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 29 at The Steamboat Grand Ballroom. The fundraising event is for the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. It is black tie optional, and the event features dining, dancing and a live auction.

Individual reservations are $175 and are available online at http://www.sswscfoundation.org/tickets or at 970-879-0695, ext. 115. Reservations must be purchased by Tuesday.

Mrs. Colorado pageant now accepting applications

The Mrs. Colorado Pageant is now accepting applications from married women to represent Steamboat Springs as a state finalist in the 2015 pageant to be held April 15 to 18 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in the Denver Center for Performing Arts Complex. Applicants must be 18 years or older, a resident of Colorado, a U.S. citizen and married at the time of the pageant.

“We are looking for articulate, well-rounded, beautiful married women with an interest in competing,” Mrs. Colorado Pageant Director Emily Stark said in a news release. “There is no age limit, no height requirements, and performing a talent is not required.”

The Mrs. Colorado Pageant is entering its 39th year of competition, and the winner will represent Colorado at the Mrs. America Pageant. Visit http://www.mrscolorado.com or call 303-593-1199 for details or to apply.