Skiers enjoy the powder at Powderhorn Resort.

With tears streaming down her cheeks, Jacinda Koehler hugs Grand Junction Lions Club member Jordan Statler as Jordon’s son Maxwell Statler looks on after the two gave the woman $100 as part of the service club’s Random Acts of Kindness on Friday. Koehler, a single mother of two, lost everything except her children and the clothes on their backs when their rented trailer was destoyed in a fire Dec. 8.  Although her sister and nephew escaped the fire, Koehler’s dog Ladybug died in the blaze.

A setting sun turns low clouds on fire over the Colorado National Monument.

Photo by Gretel Daugherty—A Yellow Labrador retriever named Lomis scoots past his rescuer, Grand Junction firefighter Brandi Manuppella, still dressed in an ice-rescue suit, after she broke the ice at West Lake Park so that the dog would have a clear path to swim through.

With a gentle push from her father Eric, left, 2-year-old River Pearson of Grand Junction is all smiles as she takes a solo sled ride down a short hill at the Old Powderhorn tubing area to her mom waiting below Saturday.

Gjemar Gibbs of Aurora and Denesha Sinclair of Grand Junction, left, are part of the huge crowds at the Mesa Mall the day after Christmas. Shoppers are looking for end of year bargains, using gift cards, returning gifts or after days of shopping before Christmas, shopping for just the sake of it.

Tim Gangle from Grand Junction with his two dogs Yogi and Berra makes a par on the 9th hole on the West Lake Park Disc Golf course Christmas afternoon.

Toys for Tots giveaway

Shoppers pass by sale signs in the Mesa Mall as they look for items during the last few days before Christmas.

With a smile on her face, little Angel Richey, 2, of Grand Junction clutches the present she has just picked out from the pile to her chest as she heads back to her family for refreshments during Operation Good Cheer, a Christmas party put on for more than 500 Head Start children held at the Lincoln Park Barn Sunday.

Dustin Braslin, in black from Paonia puts Tyler Harrington from Central on his back. Braslin won with a pin.

Kody Marx, 16, from DeBeque hits the powder on the opening day at Powderhorn Mountain Resort on the Grand Mesa on Thursday afternoon.

Lillian Mecham, 1, left, and Makala Garrison, 5, pose in a picture board at the Palisade Olde Fashioned Christmas.

2 1/2-year-old Rye Gingerich and his mom Annie make a message board at the Palisade Olde Fashioned Christmas children’s craft shop.

Ron Williams clears the last of this morning’s snow from his driveway.

Formerly homeless veteran Roger Holmes speaks at the dedication of St. Martin’s Place.

With a stuffed moose up front and a bag of toys over his rear tire, Santa waves at bystanders watching as he leads hundreds of motorcycle riders participating in the Harley Owners Group Toy Run east on Patterson Road Saturday.

A pair of women taking the Grand Junction Symphony’s Cup of Cheer tour on Sunday admire the Christmas decor in the kitchen of Ralph and Karen Mika’s home.

Susan Sadler gives a happy thumbs up to the audience as she walks off the stage after receiving her diploma during Colorado Mesa University’s first graduation Friday at Brownson Arena. Sadler graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science in nursing degree. CMU bestowed degrees or technical certificates on 146 students during the ceremony.

CMU student Kalinda Theobold, 21,  wraps Christmas presents she purchased for an adopted family.

Rusty Caldwell salutes as the Grand Junction Police Chief’s honor guard posts the American flag during Wednesday’s Western Slope Honor Flight reunion at Two Rivers Convention Center. Guardians, volunteers, and veterans of World War II who participated in the five Honor Flights during the past several years were treated to lunch and the opportunity to reconnect with others from the flights.

Karen Mika admires her favorite Christmas decoration, the Gift Giver, in the bedroom of her Redlands home on Sunday.

Raw Canvas owners Justin Nordine and Melissa Pruitt.

Hockey players enjoy some ice time Friday afternoon during the Adult Pick-up practice time on the outdoor rink at the Grand Valley Skating Center.

Emergency landing in Grand Junction.

Mickey Nuttall of Grand Junction adjusts a model Amtrak train running the California Zephyr route through a newly-built miniature Glenwood Canyon as the Grand Valley Model Railroad club sets up for this year’s Christmas Train Show at Cross Orchards Living History Farm, 3073 F Road, on Tuesday. The show will run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through January 1, 2012, with the exception of Christmas weekend.

1320 Main Street

Cowgirls perform a dance on the Dance Works float during the Parade of Lights on Main Street Saturday.

Eight-year-old Bryce Black, second from right, gazes up a U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Brian Scoggins in anticipation as he and 35 other students at Pear Park Elementary School enter the library to the sight of a large table stacked with presents Wednesday.

Six-year-old Vanessa Rogers licks pink frosting off of a knife as 9-year-old Leslie Jones, center, helps Elizabeth Bennett, 5, with decorating her cookies during the fifth annual Book in Hand event at the Catholic Outreach soup kitchen, 245 S. First St., on Thursday. The two younger Daisy Scouts, Vanessa and Elizabeth, and junior scout Leslie were volunteering at the children’s Christmas cookie and craft party for families with children 10 and younger who have received services from residence programs and Catholic Outreach. The Girl Scouts were earning merit badges while helping the other children, and toward the end of the event were given the chance to participate.

Minister Dave Sloan, center, pronounces Diedre Zacarelli and Ken Kuechler husband and wife after marrying the two in front of the city Christmas tree at Fourth and Main Street Wednesday on the seven month anniversary of the couple’s relationship. The bride and groom plan to take a honeymonn to Disneyland at a later date. “We’re kids at heart,” Ken said about himself and his new wife Deidre; the two said that they have an extensive collection of Disney memorabilia. About two dozen friends and family attended the brief ceremony.

Canada Geese land like pontoon planes at a lake in the Confluence Park in Delta. Found in every Canadian province and U.S. state at some time of the year, according the the National Geographic, some do migrate. Others have made permanent homes in parks and golf courses and are often considered a nuisance.

Rose Bonine, right, gives Mrs. Claus directions for delivery of food and gifts.