TODAY
A dog’s extreme games
RUFF No-Frills Flyball Tournament
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., The Ranch-Way Feeds Indoor Arena, West Pavilion, at The Ranch, Interstate 25 north of U.S. 34. Free for spectators. Info: coloradoflyball.com
Think of it as a Punt, Pass, Throw competition for dogs. Pooches inclined to race, chase, catch and leap compete in a four-dog relay. They speed over four hurdles to a tennis-ball loaded box, hit a trigger to release a ball, catch it and race back over the hurdles to tag the next hound. World-class teams of high-energy dogs finish the course in under 16 seconds, but even the lopers seem to have a good time in the arena. Flyball’s been around since the 1970s. The game officially came to Colorado in 2000 and now there are two clubs, RUFF Flyball based in Denver and the Superfly Allstars based in Fort Collins. You can get a taste of the play today at the Larimer County Fairgrounds. If you think your pooch has what it takes, you can find lessons at flyballdogs.com.
MORE FOR TODAY
3 p.m. – Kids’ book signing | Denver teacher and author Mary Bartek will discuss and sign her book for middle readers, “Funerals and Fly Fishing.” | The Denver Book Mall, 32 Broadway, Denver. Free. | 303-733-3808
FREE DAY! – Denver Zoo | Admission waived for Colorado residents | 2300 Steele St., Denver | denverzoo.org
5-7 p.m. – “The Italian Show” debuts | All-things Italian explored by Italian talk show host Mike Zinna. Call in and talk Italian about Italians. | AM 630 KHOW | theitalianshow.com
COMING THIS WEEK
Through Nov. 29 – Local Color ’05 | Three-woman show featuring painters Pam Archer, Hendrika Cegielski and Kathy Steckel | Blue Sage Gallery, 226 Grand Ave., Paonia | 970-527-7243, bluesagecenter.org
WEDNESDAY – Polar Bear Birthday | Denver Zoo cubs Koda and Nuka turn 1 and celebrate with frozen cakes of fish, peanut butter and fruit at noon at the Northern Shores exhibit. | 2300 Steele St., Denver | denverzoo.org
NEXT WEEKEND
FRIDAY, SATURDAY and SUNDAY – St. Nick’s on the Bricks | Santa visits the Pearl Street mall noon to 4 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 18. | Boulder County Courthouse lawn, 14th and Pearl streets, Boulder | boulderdowntown.com
FRIDAY – Shop ‘Til You Drop Challenge | You’ve been practicing all year, see how you stack up in an agility test. Swipe a “credit card” through a machine, sign the receipt, rifle through a purse for a set of keys and push a stroller through a series of cones, all while carrying a load of shopping bags and boxes. The winner gets a $200 mall shopping spree. | 11 a.m. | FlatIron Crossing mall, Broomfield | flatironcrossing.com
FRIDAY – Hotel Colorado Pageantry of Lights | Warm your spirits with a Christmas carol and a cup of cocoa in the hotel courtyard, transformed into a winter wonderland. Inside, check out the animated displays and 12-foot tall trees. Free. | 7 p.m. | 526 Pine St., Glenwood Springs | hotelcolorado.com
SATURDAY – Headframe Lighting | Hulking timbers at the entrance to historical gold mines around Victor and Cripple Creek, are lit with huge decorations, through Jan. 1. At least 12 frames will glimmer in the night sky. The best views are from Highway 67 and Teller County roads 81 and 83. Pick up a driving-tour map the Victor Hotel. | victorcolorado.com
