The Cañon City Public Library is now accepting donations of books, DVDs, audiobooks and magazines in good condition, benefiting the Cañon City Public Library Foundation. They are not accepting textbooks, encyclopedias or VHS. For more information, call 719-269-9020 or stop by 516 Macon Ave. during business hours.

Shoppers can help fight hunger locally with reusable bag purchase

Mercy Today Ministries has been selected as a beneficiary of the City Market Fight Hunger bag program. The program makes it easy for shoppers to impact local hunger relief efforts simply by purchasing a reusable bag. Mercy Today Ministries will receive a $1 donation for every $2.50 reusable Fight Hunger bag throughout August and September at 1703 Fremont Dr.

Register Now for the 16th Annual Alla Prima Westcliffe Paint-Out

Visit Westcliffe for the Sangres Art Guild’s 16th Annual Alla Prima Westcliffe Plein Air Paint-Out from Sept. 7-12. Registration is $60; the deadline for entry is Sept. 10. Optional exclusive painting sites will be offered to artists along with a vast array of natural vistas. More than $5,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded in categories such as Nocturne (Dark Skies), Mini’s and Novice Plein Air painter. Planned highlights of the week include an optional one-day Plein Air Workshop on Sept. 6, taught by award-winning artist Lorie Merfeld-Batson. Space is limited; cost of the workshop is $125.  A “Quick Draw” will be held for Alla Prima Westcliffe participants on Sept. 12, from 9 a.m. to noon. Finished pieces will be hung in Lange Hall for the art sale and gala, which also takes place on Friday, from noon to 7 p.m. Awards will be announced during the Gala reception from 5-7 p.m. Following the gala, Alla Prima Westcliffe Plein Air artists are invited to transfer unsold art to the 3rd Street Gallery for the Fresh Paint show, which runs Sept. 13-28. Visitors to Westcliffe can also enjoy the festivities with family and friends by watching artists paint, viewing the final framed pieces or purchasing a piece of art at the gala reception or from the 3rd Street Gallery following the gala. For more details, visit https://sangresartguild.org/Alla-Prima-Westcliffe.