The Steamboat Pilot & Today will be hosting its monthly Coffee and a Newspaper from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Members of the newspaper staff — including Publisher Suzanne Schlicht, Editor Lisa Schlichtman and Assistant Editor Laura Trabka — will be discussing the top stories of 2014 and looking ahead to top stories to watch in 2015.

The event is held at the newspaper office, 1901 Curve Plaza, and coffee and pastries will be provided. You also are welcome to tour the building.

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Flock your Friends for Partners to begin Monday

In honor of National Mentoring Month, Partners of Routt County is hosting a fundraiser that combines pink flamingoes and snow. Individuals, businesses or organizations can “Flock your Friends for Partners” from Monday through Jan. 25. Each flock of 20 birds is $20.  Flocks roost for about 24 hours before migrating to another location. Afraid you might get flocked? Purchase anti-flocking insurance to protect your yard. Funds raised help to support Partners’ mentoring programs. Visit http://www.partnersrouttcounty.org/national-mentoring-month or call 970-879-6141, ext 301, for more information or to order your flock of pink flamingoes.

Volleyball Club introduces 12-and-under program

Whiteout Volleyball Club is introducing a 12-and-under volleyball program with the first session starting Wednesday. This program is designed for fourth- through sixth-grade girls who want to learn the fundamentals of volleyball in a fun, noncompetitive environment. Each four-week session will cover the basics of receiving, setting and hitting the ball. Practice will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. each Wednesday at Heritage Christian School. Session 2 starts Feb. 4 and Session 3 will begin March 4. Cost is $70 for the first session and $60 for each additional session. Contact whiteoutvolleyball@gmail.com or Linda Starks at 970-217-9092 for more information.

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Weight Loss Challenge runs Wednesday through March 25

Central Baptist in Hayden will be beginning a New Year Weight Loss Challenge starting Wednesday and continuing through March 25. Anyone from Steamboat Springs, Hayden or Craig areas is encouraged to participate. Weekly meetings will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the church, 185 N. Second St.

Responsible Alcohol Service Training offered Wednesday

Grand Futures is hosting its Responsible Alcohol Service Training from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Steamboat Springs Community Center, 1605 Lincoln Ave. This class is an accepted certification for alcohol responsibility training for servers, distributors and sellers of alcoholic beverages in Colorado. Grand Futures is a nonprofit organization, and fees collected from the class support programs and activities aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles for youth. The cost of the class is $35. To register, call Kate at 970-879-6188.

YVRA Runway to close from April 14 to 7 a.m. June 15

Routt County Manager Tom Sullivan confirmed Tuesday the dates when the runway at Yampa Valley Regional Airport will be closed for major rehabilitation and expansion. The project will begin at 10 p.m. April 14 and continue until 7 a.m. June 15, when the airport will be open for flights again.

The 60-day closure long has been anticipated, in fact it originally was planned for in autumn 2014. However, delays in federal funding pushed the project into 2015. The timing of the runway re-paving is intended to coincide with the end of ski season and one of the least busy periods at the commercial airport in Hayden, which serves Steamboat Springs and the rest of Northwest Colorado.

“The closure is required for the period of the runway improvements that include asphalt pavement rehabilitation, expansion of the runway shoulders by 24 feet and moving the runway lights,” Sullivan wrote in a letter. “The entire project will extend into September 2015 but the airport will be open with airline and general aviation operations through this second period of construction. The additional period will be used to relocate taxiway connectors and other improvements.”

Sullivan invited anyone with questions about the closure necessitated by the construction work to call the YVRA management office at 970-276-5000.

Alive @ 25 driver safety class offered at high school

The Steamboat Springs High School is hosting an Alive @ 25 class from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Interested participants can register and pay for the class at http://www.coloradosafedriver.com. For more information, call Officer Bantle at 970-871-3643.

Groups to host electronic recycle event this weekend

Yampa Valley Sustainability Council, in cooperation with G&S Mountain Recyclers, is hosting an electronic recycle event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday in the Alpine Bank parking lot. Visit http://www.yvsc.org for a complete list of items accepted and charges associated. Call Emilie Rogers at 970-871-9299, ext. 103, for more information.

30th Steamboat Stampede scheduled for Jan. 31

The 30th annual Steamboat Stampede will take place Jan. 31. The event offers classic and skate race options with a 23K race featuring two loops over easy rolling terrain with one aid station or a 42K race with four loops and three aid stations.

The entry fee is $45 until noon on Saturday and $60 on the day of the race. Lunch included with entry fee.

Watercolor painting classes occur Tuesdays, Wednesdays

Watercolor painting classes are being offered this winter in the Eleanor Bliss Center for the Arts at the Depot. A beginners class will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Due to high demand, there will be two separate sessions offered for intermediate and advanced students, beginning Jan. 14. The morning class will be offered from 9 a.m. to noon, and the afternoon class will be held from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. The cost for each session is $250. Supplies are not included. For information and registration, contact Mary Levingston at 970-879-5388 or blendingarts@yahoo.com.