Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What D51’s new $14.5M upgrades mean for your child’s school
Coming up: Grand Valley Regional Transportation Committee (GVRTC) Monthly Meeting on the Grand Junction Patch calendar
Morning Grand Junction! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- What D51’s new $14.5M upgrades mean for your child’s school
- How one longtime Santa is lifting spirits inside St. Mary’s NICU
- How to experience Moon Farm’s free holiday lights from your car
Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Grand Junctionfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Saturday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 56 and low of 33 degrees.
- Sunday: Turning cloudy, temps: high: 60, low: 36.
- Monday: Times of sun and clouds, with a high of 63 and low of 38 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. D51 approves contract for state-funded lighting and HVAC improvements; expulsions down (gjsentinel.com) — Grand Junction-area families in District 51 can expect upgraded school lighting and HVAC systems starting in early 2026, after the board approved a $14.5 million, state-funded performance contract designed to be budget-neutral. The district also reports expulsions are down to their lowest recent year-to-date level, with expelled students continuing academics through the D51 Expulsion Program. 
Find out what's happening in Grand Junctionfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2. Santa brings cheer to NICU infants spending holidays in the hospital (westernslopenow.com) — Families with babies in St. Mary’s NICU in Grand Junction got a big emotional lift Friday when Santa made his annual visit to cuddle infants and pose for photos. The longtime Santa, himself a former NICU dad and grandparent, says the visit is about bringing light to a tough situation and reminding parents that the hospital’s team is working miracles so their little ones can go home.
3. Moon Farm lights up winter nights with free drive-through display (kjct8.com) — Families in and around Grand Junction can enjoy a free drive-through holiday light display at Moon Farm, now running nightly through Christmas with some designated walkthrough evenings. The historic farm’s buildings and fields are covered in festive lights, funded by local sponsors and visitor donations that support the nonprofit operating the farm. Organizers hope to keep growing this new valley tradition in future years.
4. Weekly food truck gathering becomes seasonal downtown event (kjct8.com) — Food Truck Fridays in downtown Grand Junction are adding extra holiday sparkle, with lights, Santa visits, and family activities turning the weekly gathering into a seasonal celebration. Local food trucks like The Little Pink Truck say the festive twist is drawing more families downtown while still spotlighting small, family-owned businesses and giving residents an easy way to sample a variety of cuisines in one stop.
5. Mrs. Claus for a Cause returns to spread holiday cheer for seventh year in a row (westernslopenow.com) — Kids from around the Grand Junction area can enjoy a completely free three-day “Mrs. Claus for a Cause” celebration, designed so every child feels equal regardless of family income. Now big enough to fill Friendship Hall in Montrose, the event offers everything from haircuts to a gift room, plus plenty of whimsical holiday surprises.
📸 Around Grand Junction
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Grand Junction
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Grand Valley Regional Transportation Committee (GVRTC) Monthly Meeting
Grand Junction, CO Calendar , City Hall Auditorium 250 North , Grand Junction
3:00 pm - Gentle Yoga
Grand Junction, CO Calendar Grand Junction, CO 81501 - Holiday - Christmas Day - City Offices Closed
Grand Junction, CO Calendar Grand Junction, CO 81501 - Downtown Development Authority/Downtown Grand Junction Business Improvement District
Grand Junction, CO Calendar Grand Junction, CO 81501
7:30 am
Monday December 22
Tuesday December 23
Thursday December 25
📣 Grand Junction Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Ugly Sweater run w/Copper Club Brewing
COPPER CLUB BREWING COMPANY , 145 N Mesa St , Fruita
10:30 am - COPPER CLUB BREWING COMPANY
Copper Club Brewing Company , 153 N Mulberry St , Fruita
10:30 am - Cookies & Claus
Fruita Community Center , 324 N Coulson St , Fruita
6:00 pm - Cavalcade's Monthly Variety Show
Cavalcade , 201 E Aspen Ave , Fruita
7:30 pm - Bilingual Storytime (Hora de Cuentos Bilingüe) - Clifton Branch Library. In-Person
Clifton Branch Children's Center , Clifton Branch
10:00 am - Cirque Musica
The Avalon Theatre , 645 Main St , Grand Junction
7:00 pm - Creative Fiber Arts Club (Clifton Branch)
Clifton Branch Library Clifton Branch
10:00 am - Crafting for Adults (Orchard Mesa Branch) In-Person
Orchard Mesa Branch Library , Room 1 , Orchard Mesa
10:30 am
Saturday December 20
Monday December 22
Tuesday December 23
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- please let me know if anyone has seen my sisters cat, near H road and 23 1/2 road!
she is very worried and he does have a slight limp right now due to recovering from an injury (Nextdoor Appleton) - Does anyone claim this big beautiful boy (girl)?
It has been hunkering down under my shed the last week? (Nextdoor Sunset Hills O.M)
- Outback Steakhouse - Out West Restaurant Group, Inc. posted a job opening for Kitchen Manager in Grand Junction. Apply here.
- MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Material Handler Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $18-$36/Hr in Grand Junction. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Grand Junction here.
Ok Grand Junction! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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