Good morning, Grand Junction.

Elevate Jiu Jitsu Academy opened on November 15, welcoming families, friends, and first responders to try the mats and learn new self-defense skills—its founders, with military and first responder backgrounds, built the space to offer a supportive setting for all skill levels.

Local golfer Jeff Hanson led a group of pros at Tiara Rado Golf Course on Nov.

3 to raise more than $20,000 for HopeWest Kids after bad weather forced the cancellation of their own fundraiser. The group will deliver the check soon and plans to host more charity rounds under Hanson’s new nonprofit Birdies 4 Kids.

Friends of Youth and Nature helps kids learn outdoor skills and build confidence through field trips and nature programs across Western Colorado.

The nonprofit partners with local groups to remove barriers to nature access and seeks donations during Colorado Gives Day, which runs November 1 through December 9 — every contribution supports youth connection with the outdoors.

Palisade is launching an 18‐month planning process to explore renovations for Peach Bowl Park, including updates to its aging outdoor pool, pickleball courts, playground, soccer field/rugby pitch, and softball field—community input is being gathered via surveys and workshops to shape the park’s future including support for agricultural heritage and sustainable practices. Public engagement will include local residents and users from Mesa County with additional input scheduled from the town’s migrant worker population in the spring.

Deputies from Mesa County Sheriff’s Office and Palisade Police found a lost child safe after the child drove a golf cart through Palisade on Sunday morning.

One deputy jumped into the slow-moving vehicle on 29 Road at 9:15 a.m. — stopping the cart and returning it to its owners after handing the child over to guardians without harm.

Approximately 10,000 members of Grand Valley Power remain without electricity after transmission issues were reported around 4:45 p.m.—crews are working to restore service in the affected area.

Members of First United Methodist Church in Grand Junction collected food donations for local banks as part of an annual Thanksgiving drive—two coolers of ham and turkey and boxes of nonperishable items were donated to help Mesa County families still recovering from a recent lapse in SNAP benefits.

Holiday craft fairs across the Grand Valley offered unique gifts and local treats on November 15 and will feature handmade crafts, art, food and family activities on November 22, December 5, December 6 and December 13 — a recurring market will run until December 21.

On November 15, hundreds of students from School District 51 and nearby areas competed in the FIRST LEGO League tournament at Fruita Monument High School, where teams from 4th to 8th grade showed their research projects and worked with their robots.

The event, which featured about 45 teams (nearly 450 children participating), was supported by the D51 Foundation and Chevron and saw the top nine teams move on to state competition.

On November 15, students from School District 51 and nearby areas competed in the FIRST LEGO League tournament at Fruita Monument High School where 4th-8th grade teams presented research projects and tested robots in practice and score matches (the event, supported by the D51 Foundation and Chevron, featured nearly 450 children across 45 teams with the top nine advancing to state).

GJ Turkey Trot Charity Run

9-10:30 a.m. — Ralph Stocker Stadium — $25 entry — Participate in a spirited 5K and Kids Run to support the Grand Junction Fire Fighters Foundation this Thanksgiving.

Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet

7-8:30 p.m. — The Avalon Theatre — Cost Info — Experience the enchanting holiday classic that brings joy to the festive season.

CMU Choirs and Orchestra Holiday Concert

7:30-9 p.m. — The Avalon Theatre — Cost not specified — Celebrate the season with joyous performances of holiday favorites.

Warren Miller's SNO-CIETY

7:30-9:00 p.m. — The Avalon Theatre — Tickets available — Experience the joy of winter sports with thrilling skiing scenes and legendary athletes on the big screen.

KT Tunstall Live Performance

7:30-9:00 p.m. — The Avalon Theatre — Get tickets now — Experience the iconic KT Tunstall in a captivating live show blending folk, rock, and pop.

Home Free Holiday Concert

7:30-9:00 p.m. — The Avalon Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the holiday magic with all-vocal country sensations Home Free as they perform cherished classics and original tunes.

Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl

4:30-9 p.m. — The Feisty Pint — 25% off tickets with code UGLY25 until Nov 22nd — Get ready for a festive crawl in your best ugly sweater.