Artists and entrepreneurs have the opportunity to pitch a creative idea that contributes to the Albuquerque community, at ABQ Sprout's recurring public dinner on January 28, 2012.

ABQ Sprout will randomly select 10 project proposals to be presented at the dinner located at the South Valley Multipurpose Center at 2008 Larrazolo Rd. SW.

Winners will receive a micro-grant generated by ticket sales from the dinner.

The application deadline to participate in the ABQ Sprout competition has been extended for one week after January 15, 2012.

For more information visit: http://www.abqsprout.org/

As a part of the nation's move towards cleaner energy, 2012 will be a multi-year phase-out of incandescent bulbs.

In January, beginning at 10am every Saturday, all Home Depot stores will host a series of Energy Efficient Lighting How-To Workshops.

The Home Depot is the highest supplier of light bulbs in the United States. They have more than 100 different types of bulbs that use 70% less energy than their incandescent equivalents.

Due to the winter holiday season, city offices and facilities will be closed early.

On Dec. 26, city offices, municipal court, libraries and recreation centers will be closed. The trash and recycling will be picked up and the Santa Fe Trails and the Santa Fe Ride will run on the Saturday schedule.

Also due to the holiday season, city facilities will be closed on Dec. 25. The Salvador Perez Pool, Fort Marcy Complex, Genoveva Chavez Community Center, the Buckman Road Recycling & Transfer Station and the Caja del Rio Landfill will be closed.

There will be no Santa Fe Trails or Santa Fe Ride service.