The log hunt will begin across Steamboat Springs today. The Tread of Pioneers Museum and the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association sponsor the 34th annual event.

The clues will be released in the Happenings section of the Steamboat Today and on the radio for 10 successive weekdays, or until the log is found. The clues will take readers on a virtual journey from last year’s hiding spot, the Tread of Pioneers Museum. Clues often include information that refers to community history or past events.

The 3-foot-long, 25-pound log is hidden within the city limits and is distinctively marked with the words “Yule Log” in red letters. According to tradition, at least a portion of the log will be visible from its hiding place and the log will not be on private property, inside of a building or in an area that charges a fee to enter.

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When the log is found, the winner should call the Tread of Pioneers Museum at 970-879-2214 and ask for Katie Adams, museum curator. The log must be physically presented to a museum staff member.

This year, the grand prize again is a $150 Steamboat Chamber gift certificate and a framed plaque.

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Search and Rescue safely finds Buff Pass snowmobilers

Routt County Search and Rescue got a call Saturday night about a pair of snowmobilers lost in last night’s snowstorm near Buffalo Pass, and a full crew was able to find the two men safely Sunday morning.

Search and Rescue Mission Commander Jim Linville said the two riders got completely turned around while recreationally snowmobiling Saturday evening. Fast winds and heavy snow prevented the men from finding their way back and also kept Search and Rescue officials from attempting to search for the men last night.

One of the snowmobilers texted a family member to alert them of the situation, and the family member called Search and Rescue.

Linville said one of the snowmobilers was able to ride his machine back near Dry Lake campground area Sunday morning, where 11 Search and Rescue personnel and volunteers were waiting, ready to go out looking for them.

“The timing was perfect,” Linville said.

The snowmobiler and the crew then rode out to where the other man was and brought him back to safety.

“He wasn’t quite as strong of a rider,” Linville said about the man who stayed behind. “He had some cold action on his toes, but they’re (the men are) both fine.”

Hour of Code classes are offered at library this week

Bud Werner Memorial Library is offering Hour of Code classes every day during Computer Science Education week from today to Sunday in the Teen Project Room. Introduction to computer science classes will be led by Michael Drennan from 4 to 5 p.m. and are designed to demystify code.

Those who attend the free classes are asked to bring a smartphone, tablet or laptop, if they have one, and are asked to watch a five-minute video in advance at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKIu9yen5nc. No prior computer coding experience is needed, and the class is open to all ages.

Merry Mainstreet is on Saturday in downtown

The fifth annual Merry Mainstreet holiday celebration is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday in downtown Steamboat Springs. The event features open houses in the stores, caroling, visits with Santa and the Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt in addition to the gingerbread house competition and the Santa Light Parade, for which entries are being accepted.

Entries in the parade must be lit and have a festive theme. There is no cost to enter the parade, but registration is required by contacting 970-846-1800 or info@mainstreetsteamboat.com.

Those interested in participating in the gingerbread house competition are asked to contact Jenni DeFouw at mainstreetsbs@gmail.com or 970-367-3037 with the theme and approximate base size of the house. Categories are available for adults and children.

The gingerbread houses will be on display beginning today and will be highlighted during the Merry Mainstreet celebration. Businesses interested in offering space to display the gingerbread houses can contact DeFouw for more information.

During Saturday’s event, Lincoln Avenue will be closed to traffic.

Quilt exhibit tours are offered at YVRA on Tuesday

Public tours of the quilt exhibit at Yampa Valley Regional Airport will be given at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday. Register by 3 p.m. today to Ann McMenamin at 970-276-5001.

Health insurance sessions are today and Wednesday

Yampa Valley Medical Center and the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association are teaming up to help people understand the Affordable Care Act and obtain health insurance through the Connect for Health Colorado website.

Health insurance enrollment sessions on the Connect for Health Colorado website also are being offered from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. today and 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday. Certified Health Coverage Guides will assist in navigating the website and answer questions.

Attendees may learn about the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, and schedule appointments with insurance brokers and Certified Health Coverage Guides.

All sessions will be held in the conference rooms at YVMC, 1024 Central Park Drive.

Attendees who wish to enroll are asked to bring Social Security numbers for all household members, current insurance policy information, a household income estimate for 2014 and a laptop. Limited computers are available and must be reserved by calling 970-871-7647.

Those interested in insurance information but unable to attend these sessions are encouraged to call Erin Gleason, community and small business health insurance coordinator at the VNA, at 970-871-7647.