ASPEN The Aspen Valley Medical Foundation is accepting applications for the 2008 community grants program. AVMF provides financial resources and philanthropic leadership to meet health care and human service needs in the Roaring Fork Valley, in part, through its grants to qualified not-for-profit organizations. The grants are distributed for three years to partner organizations, and on a year-to-year basis for affiliates. The deadline to apply is 3 p.m., June 6. More information and an application is available on the Web at http://www.avmfaspen.org/grantsGuiding.html. In 2007, the AVMF community grants program awarded $436,500 to 32 nonprofit organizations from Aspen to Glenwood Springs. Grantmaking funds are raised through AVMF’s Neighbor to Neighbor campaign, which collects from individual donors through direct-mail appeals, payroll deductions and employer matching. For more information on the 2008 community grant cycle, Neighbor to Neighbor campaign, or Aspen Valley Medical Foundation, visit http://www.avmfaspen.org or call 544-7371.

Aspen offers rock climbing for kidsASPEN The city of Aspen, in cooperation with Aspen Expeditions, is taking kids ages 8-18 climbing during the summer months in the Independence Pass area. This is the first year classes have been offered in the 14-18 age group. The Aspen Recreation Outdoor Climbing Klub (AROCK) takes kids out on real rocks for a fun-filled day of climbing in the mountains of Aspen, said Jeremy Graham, head climbing instructor for the Aspen Recreation Department. No experience or technical climbing equipment is needed to participate. Participants learn the basics of climbing safety, rope work and the leave no trace principles of outdoor recreation during the all-day session. All trips leave from the Red Brick facility at 9 a.m. and return around 4 p.m. Participants are only required to bring personal equipment, water and food. Registration is $95; call the Aspen Recreation Center at 920-5140 for information.Scheduled tripsJune 17, ages 8-13 June 24, ages 14-18 July 8, ages 8-13 July 15, ages 14-18 July 22, ages 8-13 Aug. 5, ages 8-13 Aug. 12, ages 14-18