Blogs

Ecotech Institute, the first and only college focused entirely on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainable design, is hosting a free green jobs breakfast on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 9:00 a.m.  The breakfast will be at Ecotech’s campus, located at 1400 South Abilene in Aurora, and the event is open to the public. The prestigious, nationally based Ecotech Institute board of advisors, who collaborated on its one-of-a-kind, hands-on curriculum, will make up the panel.  To attend the event, please RSVP at www.ecotechinstitute.com.

The breakfast will focus on jobs in the cleantech sector and the need for a well-trained pool of employees.  Ecotech Institute’s esteemed board of advisors will talk with current and potential students, as well as those interested in the industry, about the wide breadth of careers available in current and emerging cleantech fields.   The panel members will address skill sets, education, the green landscape in 2011 and where our country is headed in the cleantech space. 

The event is open to the public and members of the media are welcome to attend.

WHAT:                                    Ecotech Green Jobs Breakfast  

WHEN:                                    Thursday, April 28, 2011

TIME:                                       9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

LOCATION:                              1400 South Abilene, Aurora, CO

MODERATOR:                         Dr. Abbas Ghassemi, Professor, Chemical Engineering, Executive Director, Institute for Energy & Environment and Executive Director, WERC: A Consortium for Environmental Education and Technology Development

PANEL:                                    Alden Zeitz, Director of North American Operations, DeWind Co.

Colin M. Coyne, Managing Principal, Coyne Group, LEED 2.0 Accredited Professional, Lecturer of Sustainable Enterprise at Kellogg: SEEK 920-A: “Sustainable Strategy”

Craig Mataczynski, Former Chief Executive, Renewable Energy Systems Americas and Chairman, Ecologic Analytics

Declan Flanagan, President & CEO, Lincoln Renewable Energy LLC

Ghazi Darkazalli, Ph D, PE, President & CEO, Marian Court College

Janelle Kellman, Attorney, Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Timothy Callahan, Partner, Paul Hastings

The Case for Green Jobs

• The NY Times reports that the federal government is pouring $500 million into training for green jobs, and the sector devoted to energy efficiency is estimated to grow as much as fourfold in the next decade, to some 1.3 million people, according to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
  
  
• According to Clean Tech Job Trends 2010, money invested in clean energy creates two to four jobs for every one job created if the money were spent on fossil fuel industries. Three clean tech categories in particular held their ground as the dominant innovative leaders throughout 2009, based upon number of patents granted: solar energy technology (at approximately 31 percent), wind power (at approximately 19 percent) and hybrid vehicles (at approximately 15 percent).
  
  

The Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation recently released a report illustrating Colorado’s job growth in the cleantech industry.  Some statistics include:

• Cleantech jobs increased nationally by about 10 percent in the last five years, and that number soared to more than 30 percent in Colorado. Much of that growth was in wind and solar energy companies.
  
  
• The cleantech subcluster directly employed about 19,420 people in Colorado in 2010.

• About 1,600 cleantech companies operated in Colorado in 2010.  The number of Colorado cleantech companies increased 9.6 percent between 2005 and 2010, compared with 4.2 percent growth nationally.    

To learn more about Ecotech Institute, visit www.ecotechinstitute.com.  Applications are being accepted now. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.

Random act of Kindness witnessed on RTD bus

This morning while riding an RTD bus to town, I witnessed
a school boy who boarded without his bus pass. The driver
denied him a ride.
His Mom told him to just go home.
Another passenger stood up and paid the $1.00 fare.
After the Mom returned with her son to the Bus, his fare was
paid and he went to school after all.
Boulder people can be kind and considerate.
This is one of the reasons my family and I still live here after 16 years.

Brother Sage Boulder

Boulder High Presents an Evening of Art and Music May 5th

Additional Music Preformances on May 3, 10 & 12

Visual Arts

The Boulder High School 2011 Spring Art Show will be on display at the school Thursday, May 5, from 4:30 p.m.  – 7:00.  The public is invited to this display of drawing, painting, photography and pottery.  Boulder High School is located at 1604 Arapahoe Avenue in Boulder, just east of Broadway.  Admission is free.

Boulder High School’s Visual Arts Department has been recognized both locally and nationally as training students to produce a wide variety of both skillful and innovative art.  Boulder High School students won fourteen awards encompassing 42 pieces of art in the 2010 Regional Scholastic Art Awards, a state and national art competition that was established in 1923 to foster the creative development of teens across the country.  Recent shows of the students’ art have been in the Denver Art Museum (sponsored by the Rotary Club of Denver), the Boulder Public Library Teen Art Space and A Collaborative Exhibition by BVSD Art Teachers and High School Students at the Dairy.

At the BHS Art Show, there will be student artists demonstrating their art--throwing pots, drawing caricatures, and doing serious drawing as well.  They will share their enthusiasm and passion for art with budding elementary and middle-school aged artists. 

Teachers in the Visual Arts Department are Virginia Schick (Painting and Drawing), Kate Villarreal (Pottery) and David Blessing (Photography).  They can be reached at 720-561- 2216, 2316 or 2217, respectively.

Music

In addition to Visual Arts, the Boulder High School Music Department will present a concert featuring its Bands and Wind Ensembles beginning at 7 pm on May 5th in the Auditorium.  This is a great opportunity for the community to see art and hear amazing music performed by very talented students.  All are welcome to attend the concert.  Admission is free. 

As a means of encouraging 5^th Grade Instrumental Music students to continue playing, BHS will also be hosting the Elementary Orchestra and Band Festivals on May 3 & 5.  “By getting students to experience the musical culture at Boulder High we hope they are inspired to continue playing through high school and beyond” noted Dr. Katharine Mason, BHS Orchestra Director.  “This is a great opportunity for Art and Music to come together and inspire both young and older community members”, noted Tom Horst. BHS  Band Director. 

Boulder High School Music Department will feature performances by the following groups on the following dates in the BHS Auditorium.  All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Admission is free but donations for the BHS Music Education Scholarship fund are graciously accepted.

May 3              Elementary Orchestra Festival Concert             6:00pm            Auditorium

                       BHS Orchestra Concert                                   7:00pm            Auditorium

May 5              Student Art Show                                            4:30-7pm         BHS Library

                       Elementary Band Festival Concert                    6:00 pm           Auditorium    

                       Band Concert                                                  7:00pm            Auditorium

May 10            Jazz Band Concert                                          7:00pm            Court Yard

May 12            Choir Concert                                                  7:00pm            Court Yard

Teachers in the Boulder High Music Program are Tom Horst (Jazz), Beau Bryson (Band) Dr. Katherine Mason (Orchestra) and Su

Tom Horst (Jazz) 720-561-2227 tom.horst@bvsd.org, Beau Bryson (Band)720-561-2299 beau.bryson@bvsd.org  Dr. Katharine Mason (Orchestra) 720-561-2212 kipmason89@aol.com,  Susan Kullman (Choir) 720-561-2230 susan.kullman@bvsd.org  

Submitted by

Cathy Faughnan  cathyfaughnan@gmail.com  music

Tamah Matejka  tamah.matejka@qwest.com art

Please call for questions.  See attached photos

Story by Girl Scouts of Colorado

This spring, a teen from Superior is receiving the Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouts. Grace Lounsbury has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the Girl Scout Law’s commitment to “making the world a better place” through her community service.

“Girl Scouts of Colorado serves 29,500 girls, and it’s quite an accomplishment to be one of only 64 in the state this year to earn this distinguished award,” said Megan Ferland, president and CEO of Girl Scouts of Colorado. “These girls have pursued a personal passion and are leaving a Girl Scout legacy that meets a need within their community. They have also gained valuable leadership skills that will last them a lifetime.”

Grace Lounsbury

Monarch High School

“An Introduction to Music”

For her Gold Award project Grace Lounsbury organized an “Introduction to Music” day for the six elementary schools that feed into Monarch High School.

The event at Monarch High School allowed third and fourth graders and their siblings to try out as many band instruments as they wanted. As the children played instruments, their parents browsed handouts which provided information on how to get started in music, private lessons and where to acquire instruments. Grace recruited volunteers for the event from the bands at Monarch. She collaborated with Rocky Mountain Center for Musical Arts and Lafayette Music to print all the fliers. Flesher-Hinton Music Company provided all the instruments for the event and Chipotle donated lunch for the volunteers. This project will be continued annually by the Monarch High School band.

“I pursued this project because I have a passion for music. I wanted to give students the opportunity at an earlier age to discover their own passion for music, in hopes that they might stick with it longer and make music a stronger connection in their life.”

Grace plans to minor in music in college and play in as many music ensembles as possible.

As the highest award a teen Girl Scout can earn, the prestigious Gold Award is the single most demanding award that a Girl Scout strives toward, and it’s not unusual for a girl to put in more than 200 hours to fulfill the requirements. Leadership, determination, perseverance and creativity – skills developed through the progressing levels of the Girl Scout program – are necessary to successfully complete the project. The essence of the Gold Award is a personal challenge for a girl to stretch her skills and abilities and step forward as a leader to meet a community need for which she has a passion and a will to create a sustainable change.

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. Girl Scouts of Colorado makes it easy, meaningful and fun for girls and volunteers to grow as leaders. We provide a safe place for girls to explore their world – from science, technology and the environment to healthy living, anti-bullying and financial literacy. For nearly 100 years, Girl Scouting has been helping each girl develop her personal leadership skills and make friends that last a lifetime. Girl Scouts is also a great place to enhance job skills and give back to your community as an adult volunteer. In fact, we serve 29,500 girl members and 9,500 adult volunteers across Colorado! For more information on how you can get involved in Girl Scouts of Colorado, visit girlscoutsofcolorado.org, call 1-877-404-5708 or email inquiry@gscolorado.org.

Story by Girl Scouts of Colorado

Story by Girl Scouts of Colorado

This spring, a teen from Louisville is receiving the Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouts. Glynnis Page has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the Girl Scout Law’s commitment to “making the world a better place” through her community service.

“Girl Scouts of Colorado serves 29,500 girls, and it’s quite an accomplishment to be one of only 64 in the state this year to earn this distinguished award,” said Megan Ferland, president and CEO of Girl Scouts of Colorado. “These girls have pursued a personal passion and are leaving a Girl Scout legacy that meets a need within their community. They have also gained valuable leadership skills that will last them a lifetime.”

Glynnis Page

Monarch High School

“The Mohi Garden”

Glynnis Page constructed a garden for Monarch High School for her Gold Award project. She felt her school’s campus was pretty bare, and she wanted to do something to make campus more enjoyable for staff and students.

Putting together this garden was no easy task for Glynnis. After gaining approval from several district officials, she created a design for the garden and gathered donations and volunteers to plant the garden. She had some difficulties in finding volunteers for her project as many people were out of town over the summer. However, family, friends and members of the school’s National Honor Society stepped forward to help. Glynnis’ garden is fairly large and includes a statue of the school’s mascot, a coyote. High school staff, students and the families -- about 1,600 people total -- enjoy the garden each day. The National Honor Society at Monarch High School will care for the garden in the future.

“This process has really taught me how to get motivated,” said Glynnis. “For so long I would talk about doing several activities, but there comes a time when you have to stop saying and start doing.”

She attends Colorado State University.

As the highest award a teen Girl Scout can earn, the prestigious Gold Award is the single most demanding award that a Girl Scout strives toward, and it’s not unusual for a girl to put in more than 200 hours to fulfill the requirements. Leadership, determination, perseverance and creativity – skills developed through the progressing levels of the Girl Scout program – are necessary to successfully complete the project. The essence of the Gold Award is a personal challenge for a girl to stretch her skills and abilities and step forward as a leader to meet a community need for which she has a passion and a will to create a sustainable change.

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. Girl Scouts of Colorado makes it easy, meaningful and fun for girls and volunteers to grow as leaders. We provide a safe place for girls to explore their world – from science, technology and the environment to healthy living, anti-bullying and financial literacy. For nearly 100 years, Girl Scouting has been helping each girl develop her personal leadership skills and make friends that last a lifetime. Girl Scouts is also a great place to enhance job skills and give back to your community as an adult volunteer. In fact, we serve 29,500 girl members and 9,500 adult volunteers across Colorado! For more information on how you can get involved in Girl Scouts of Colorado, visit girlscoutsofcolorado.org, call 1-877-404-5708 or email inquiry@gscolorado.org.

Story by Girl Scouts of Colorado

This year 60 Latin students and 6 chaperones attended the State Latin Convention sponsored by the Colorado Junior Classical League. Nearly 500 students competed in a wide variety of contests. Results from this State Competition as well as National Latin Exam Results and Latin Honor Society New Members are posted on the Latin board in the 600 wing. Congratulations to all the students for a wonderful convention.

Fairview’s team of 60 students won many first through fifth place prizes-- the sweetest of which was winning first place in the State in the Upper AND Lower Level Latin Quiz Bowl competitions. Thanks to Eric Eisenberg for training both teams throughout the year and special praise to “C3” aka Sarah Wilson who won it all for the Lower Level team with her answer Mare Nostrum. Out of the ten top trophies awarded at convention, Fairview High School was awarded 5, including the first place trophy won by senior Mary Rhodes. Mary’s points, accumulated in various competitions, led the pack with 154 possible points. Mary Rhodes won 13 first place blue ribbons. Second place went to a student who earned 83 points. In addition to this great triumph, Fairview’s very own Katt Bragg was elected to the Colorado Junior Classical League State Office of Historian. This position is currently held by Hannah Longstaff. Another state officer leaving her post this year is Sarah Russo-Pearl.

Finally, the two scholarships awarded at convention were won by Fairview Students. Mary Rhodes won a $300.00 scholarship to attend Nationals in Kentucky this summer and Chrisopher Neil won the $500.00 college scholarship to take with him to Boston University next year.

This summer, Latin teacher Lynn Gibert of Fairview and Jesse Vader of Cherokee Trail will lead the Colorado delegation to compete at Nationals in Kentucky.

Five of the top ten Latin students in the state are from Fairview High School:  1^st Mary Rhodes, 3^rd Sarah Wilson,6^th Janet Chen, 7^th Katt Bragg, 8^th Arnica Kalk

MMXI  STATE LATIN CONVENTION RESULTS

PRE-CONVENTION Scrapbook1^st Place FAIRVIEW ab omnibus.  T-Shirt Design3^rd Place-Mary Rhodes.   Board Game1^st Place- Mary Rhodes, Arnica Kalk, Emily Paliszewski, Daelin Bessett, Alex Curtiss.  Essay1^st Place Tie-Janet Chen of FHS and Erika Davidoff of Heritage.  Poetry-2^nd Place-Brian Leeburg.  DRAMATIC ARTS--LATIN ORATORY-Level I-1^st Place Matt Eckl of FHS (and Jen Bodeau of Regis).   Level II-1^st Place Teague Morris.  Level III-1^st Place-Mary Rhodes.  PERFORMING ARTS-Dramatic Interpretation-Level 1 Boys-2^nd Place-Alex Petroy.  Level 1 Girls-1^st Place-Shannon Rosenblum.  Level 2 Boys-1^st Place-Zach Litner.  Level 2 Girls-2^nd Place -Maiji Castro.  Advanced Poetry Boys-1^st Place-Ethan Fellows.  Advanced Poetry Girls-1^st Place-Janet Chen.   Advanced Prose Girls-1^stPlace-Gia Nyhuis.  Advanced Prose Boys-1^st Place-Sam Urdang.   Costume Contest-Couple Maiji Castro and Meridith Richter.  Girl’s Individual Costume-Viktor Brown.  Boy’s Individual Costume-Kai Thomason Larsen.  ENGLISH ORATORY Level 2 Janet Chen.  Advanced Katt Bragg.  ACADEMICS-ANCIENT GEOGRAPHY-Level I -2^nd Place Kae Larsen.  Level II-Sarah Wilson.  Level III, Level IV.  GREEK HISTORY Level I -2^nd Place Nika Shafranov.  Level II 1^st  Place Sarah Wilson.  Level III 2^nd Place Grey O’Neil.  Greek History Overall 1^st Place Sarah Wilson, 5^th Place Nika Shafranov.  ROMAN HISTORY Level I 4^th Place Keenan Marrinan 5^th Place Alex Petroy.  Level II 1^st Sarah Wilson.  Level III 2^nd Place Meena Wainwright.  Roman History Overall 1^st Sarah Wilson.  MOTTOES AND PROVERBS Level I -4^th  Place, Matt Eckl.  Level II -2^nd Place, Conor Futro, 5^th Place Gia Nyhuis.  Level III- 1^st Place Mary Rhodes, 2^nd Place Caroline Farmer.  Mottoes and Proverbs Overall 1^st Place,Mary Rhodes, 5^th place Conor Futro.  MYTHOLOGY Level III-1^st Place Mary Rhodes,4^th Place Sarah Russo-Pearl.  Level IV-2^nd Place Viktor Brown,3^rd Place Arnica Kalk. Mythology Overall-1^st   Place Mary Rhodes,5^th Place Viktor Brown.  ROMAN DAILY LIFE-Level I-5^th Place Alex Petroy.  Level III-1^st Place Meena Wainwright, 4^th Place Hannah Longstaff.  Level IV-2^nd Place Jirka Hladis.  Roman Daily Life Overall-2^nd Place Meena Wainwright,3^rd Place Jirka Hladis.  LATIN LITERATURE-Level I-1^st Place Nika Shafranov,2^nd Place Susan Broadfoot,3^rd Place Shannon Rosenblum.  Level II-2^nd Place Janet Chen.  Level III-1^st Place Mary Rhodes,3^rd  Place Himal Gurung.  Level IV-1^st Place,Emily Paliszewski4^th Place, Nate Chomyn.  Latin Literature Overall-1^st Place Mary Rhodes2^nd Place Emily Paliszewski, 4^th Place Janet Chen.  DERIVATIVESLevel I-5^th Place Matt Eckl.  Level III-3^rd Place Brian Leeburg,5^th Place Himal Gurung.  Derivatives Level IV-1^st Place Christopher Neil, 5^th Place Emily Paliszewski.  Derivatives Overall-1^st Place Christopher Neil.  LATIN GRAMMAR-Level I-1^st Place Matt Eckl,3^rd Place Karlyn Long,5^th Place Shannon Rosenblum.  Level III-5^th Place Ryan Bouricius.  Level IV-1^st Place Christopher Neil.  Grammar Overall-1^st Place Christopher Neil.  READING COMPREHENSION-Level I-3^rd Place Conor Hall,5^th Place Jake Hansen.  Level II-1^st Place Teague Morris,4^th Place Zach Litner.  Level III-5^th Place Himal Gurung.  VOCABULARY Level I-2^nd Place Nika Shafranov, 4^th Place Jake Hansen.  Level II-1^st  Place Zach Litner,4^th Place Meridith Richter,5^th Place Ethan Fellows.  Level III-1^st Place Katt Bragg,2^nd Place Meena Wainwright, 3^rd Place Ryan Bouricius.  Level IV-1^st Place Jirka Hladis, 3^rd Place Arnica Kalk.  Vocabulary Overall-1^st Place Jirka Hladis, 3^rd Place Meena Wainwright,4^th Place Arnica Kalk.  Decalthlon Level II-1^st Place Teague Morris.  Level IV-2^nd Place Christopher Neil.  Decathlon Overall -1^st Place Teague Morris,2^nd  Place Christopher Neil.  GRAPHIC ARTS Promotional  Poster-1^st Place Peter Lee and Katt Bragg,2^nd Place Mattie Clos.  Sculpture-1^st Place Arnica Kalk,  3^rd Place Mattie Clos.   Small Models-2^nd Place Arnica Kalk.  Cartoons 1^st Place Mary Rhodes.  Greeting Cards 2^nd Place Janet Chen.  Colored Ink 1^st Place Mary Rhodes,5^th Place Katt Bragg.  Decorative Stitching-1^st Place Caroline Farmer.  Dolls 2^nd Place Katt Bragg.  Ink 1^st Place Mary Rhodes.  Maps- 2^nd Place Hannah Longstaff.  Mosaic  3^rd Place Caroline Farmer.  Pencil  3^rd Place Peter Lee.  Other Textiles Meridith Richter.  OLYMPIKA Swimming --1^st Place in Three Races!  Sebastian Harvey, Lacey Smith, Rei Isobe, Nika Shafranov.  Psyche’s Task-3^rd Place Mattie Clos and Arnika Kalk.  Deucalion’s Throw Boys-5^th Place-Ian McDonald.  Javelin 5^th Place Ian McDonald.  LOWER LEVEL LATIN QUIZ BOWL--FIRST IN THE STATE! Team of Sarah Wilson(C3), Conor Futro, Janet Chen, Alex Curtiss, Teague Morris.  UPPER LEVEL LATIN QUIZ BOWL FIRST IN THE STATE!  Team of Christopher Nei,l Mary Rhodes, Arnica Kalk, Katt Bragg,  Viktor Brown.  Heartfelt thanks to our amazing chaperones: Cheryl Olivo-Neil, Mary Smith, Jeff Navarre, Kerry McDonald, Peter Curtiss.

What’s new for you on Darcie Mae’s website, Darcie Mae's Children's Books & Such

First off, please remember The Peably stories and coloring pictures are free for you to use on my website:

The Peablys have gone through June with the last story in June up now, 4/17/11. It is story 39 and about a special day for Pa. The Peablys will be in the months of July and August for the next few stories.

Story 40, A funny Peably story about learning to jump rope----------4/24.

Story 41, The Peablys celebrate Independence Day--------------------5/1

Story 42, You get to meet a pesky black bear named George---------5/8

Story 43, Go with Bub & Sis to see the ocean--------------------------5/15

For the coloring pictures, On 4/17 there are Easter pictures for you to print and use. On 4/24 & 5/1 there will be Mother’s Day coloring pictures. On 5/8 and 5/15 will be coloring pictures that go with the new book, Sammy & Robert Go Home For The Holidays.

Don’t forget the special pictures offered for Sammy & Robert fans to start groups and learn how to use postal mail, and the 2 book sets offered which include books, tote bags, posters, and coloring pictures.

Happy reading,

Darcie Mae

Darcie Mae with;

All 4 Mother Mouse Books, &

The 1st 4 Sammy & Robert Books

The Peapod Foundation, created by the Black Eyed Peas, collaborated with Adobe Youth Voices, a non-profit spearheaded by The Adobe Foundation, to create a new public service announcement (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efSYEZZNrEQ). The PSA demonstrates the power of the arts and technology to engage youth from underserved communities. 

Through their collaboration, the Peapod Foundation and Adobe Foundation have launched two Peapod Adobe Youth Voices Academies that will give kids access to use video, dance, music, and art to spark social change in their communities.

"As a group, we've made a commitment to help give teens the artistic tools and opportunities to help them realize their fullest potential," says Will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas, who grew up in the projects in the Boyle Heights district of Los Angeles, California. "Thanks to the incredible generosity of Adobe Youth Voices, we are able to expand our vision and give even more kids a chance to be productive, enterprising adults."

The academies will incorporate a high-tech curriculum developed by Adobe Youth Voices with the latest professional-grade multi-media production software – including Adobe® Creative Suite® 4 Master Collection Suite, donated by Adobe Systems Incorporated, and professional music studio tools for a state-of-the-art recording facility donated by the Peapod Foundation.  In addition to mentoring in the performing arts, youth participants will receive structured multi-media training in video, audio, photography, design and art, enabling them to creatively express their points of view on vital issues and contribute to social change in their communities.

The aim of the campaign is to nurture self-expression, creativity, community involvement, and digital literacy among young people — the kind of education these organizations feel is critical for today's youth.

Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efSYEZZNrEQ to view the Peapod Foundation and Adobe Youth Voices’ new public service announcement. 

Visit http://plantandinspire.org/ to learn more about Adobe Youth Voices. 

We have added classes to our popular Junior Tae Kwon Do Program for ages 6 - 11!

For those who can't attend our weekday 4:15 class, we now have evening classes to accommodate your family's schedule.  And as always, Saeng Myong is a NO CONTRACT school!  Membership is monthly, and you can attend as many classes that are available for your rank/age as possible!

Visit Saeng Myong's website for more details and to read student testimonials.  We look forward to working with you!



More than 400 K-5th grade students kicked off training for the Bolder Boulder with "Fit Club" at Superior Elementary on Friday, April 15. As part of the program, students run a 1.5 mile loop once or twice (depending on time and speed). Fit Club meets twice a week through mid-May.

Since the school opened in 1996, more than 6,000 students have run more than 24,000 miles as part of Fit Club. In addition, students in Fit Club will run together in a wave at Bolder Boulder at the end of May.

Students turn in weekly fitness logs with the goal of completing at least one hour of aerobic exercise everyday. Prizes are awarded for the most Fit Club minutes. The popular program, in which 65% of the school's population participate, encourages healthy, active lifestyles and fights childhood obesity.



Patients are often overwhelmed with medical information once they have been diagnosed with cancer. Many do not fully understand the risk of infection during chemotherapy and the potential impact it has on one’s overall treatment success. 

To encourage cancer patients and their caregivers to actively work with their physicians to learn what can be done to lower the risk of infection before starting chemotherapy, Stand Up To Cancer released a Public Service Announcement (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlRmivo3DRo) featuring celebrities and award-winning actresses Edie Falco, from The Sopranos, and Sex and the City’s Cynthia Nixon.  The purpose of this public service campaign is to educate cancer patients and their loved ones about the increased risk of infection during cancer treatment and the importance of learning how to manage one’s risk. 

“Learning you have cancer comes as a complete shock and, at first, makes you feel powerless,” says Edie Falco, SU2C ambassador and cancer survivor. “You really need to take control early.  It is important to work with your team of physicians at the outset to understand how to minimize your risk of infection and stay strong throughout your treatment plan.”  

Cancer patients are at higher risk for infection due to a compromised immune system caused by both the cancer itself and, often, by chemotherapy treatment. Neutropenia, a low white blood cell count, is a common and potentially dangerous side effect of chemotherapy. It can lead to a heightened risk of infection that can require hospitalization and be life-threatening. Each year, 60,000 cancer patients are hospitalized for chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Neutropenia also can disrupt chemotherapy treatment, including both dose delays and dose reductions, which -- for certain types of cancer -- may impede a patient’s ability to achieve the best long-term results.

“Being told that you have cancer is devastating,” adds Cynthia Nixon, SU2C ambassador and cancer survivor.  “But you need to stay empowered.  Through this Stand Up To Cancer campaign, we hope to encourage cancer patients and their loved ones to get all the facts, including how you can minimize the risk of infection during treatment.”

The public service campaign, “Stand Up to Cancer,” can be viewed by visiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlRmivo3DRo.

In Paris, France on April 10th the top bike racers in the world will gather for the Paris-Roubaix race.  Known as the "Hell of the North" the Paris Roubaix is a grueling road race that challenges the handling skills of the racers as they finish up on the cobbled roads of Roubaix.   In Mead, Colorado on April 10th, the same day as the Paris-Roubaix, over 700 racers will gather to start the Mead Roubaix, part of the Colorado Roubaix Series.  This race is as close as many will come to terrain of the Paris-Roubaix.  But for some racers it is the Mead Roubaix that will help prepare them for a future as professional cyclist. 

Alexi Grewal is an Olympic gold medalist and former professional road racing cyclist. At the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Grewal became the first American man to win an Olympic gold medal in road cycling. His winning bicycle is now at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History.  At age 50, Alexi, a Loveland Colorado resident, has decided to make a comeback to the world of professional cycling.   He has chosen to race the Mead Roubaix in preparation for future multi-day stage races.   

Robin Eckmann, a recent Boulder High School graduate, now races on Lance Armstrong's  U23 Trek/Livestrong Development team.   Robin first rode the Colorado Roubaix Series in 2006 as a Junior cyclist.  Robin is very excited about racing the Mead Roubaix as it will help prepare him for the Espoire Paris Roubaix this May. 

"Mead Roubaix will help me to accomplish some of my goals in preparing for European road races. For example the dirt, although not true cobble stones, will provide some of the challenges of the Paris-Roubaix"   explains Robin, as he talks about the course " I think the Mead Roubaix is a very challenging course and it should be an interesting race.  I have a feeling that if we get a crosswind on the course it will be extremely hard and the race will split up like an European race"! 

Tom Zirbel, an well known professional cyclist and national champion, was sidelined in 2008 with a USADA suspension.   His suspension was recently lifted and he, like Alexi, is working to rejoin the professional peloton.   When discussing the Mead Roubaix Tom commented, " I just spent a week on a beach in Mexico so I feel like I'll be specially prepared for the 4" deep sand/gravel sections that the Mead Roubaix course has to offer." 

As evidenced, veteran cyclists revere the Mead Roubaix. Not only does a win in the event help make and define a rider's career but it provides the type of training that is rarely found in the US.   

The 2011 course has almost 1,000 feet of elevation gain per lap during the 19.4 mile circuit.  Top riders will complete 4 laps for a total of 77.6 miles with winners clocking times around three hours.  First-time competitors and the youngest juniors will do a single lap.  

'I'm proud to do this course," says Grealish.  "We include the unpaved sections in honor of the race in France, which is regarded as the hardest one-day event in the world.  We recreate a bit of that here with the dirt. This race is not for everybody, but for the ones that do participate it becomes the best race of the year!"

The Town of Mead and the Mead Chamber of Commerce have worked closely with DBC Events, building the Mead Roubaix Festival around the bike race.  The Festival will provide a Kidz Adventure Zone, a Doggie Dash, a 5K Run/Walk, the Boulder Beer Garden and many expo vendors.  

Sponsors for the Mead Roubaix Road Race  include Boulder Beer, Clif Bar, Eldorado Natural Spring Water, Mead Chamber of Commerce, Podium, Primus Mootry, Singletrack Maps and Victory Circle Graphix.

For more details on the race - www.dbcevents.com

April is Cancer Control Month, an opportunity Rocky Mountain CyberKnife and Boulder Cancer Care are using to encourage healthy lifestyles, remind people to visit their primary care physician regularly and stress the importance of screenings and early detection of cancer.

And cancer control is an issue worth addressing, especially in Boulder County where the cancer rate is higher than the statewide average with about 441 of every 100,000 residents affected, compared to 433 of every 100,000 residents statewide.

The latest facts and figures from the American Cancer Society estimate that more than 1.4 million people were diagnosed with cancer in 2010, and of those diagnoses, about 500,000 resulted in death. Additional research findings indicate as many as two-thirds of those 500,000 cancer-related deaths could be avoided — one-third by cutting out tobacco use and another third with proper diet and exercise.

Cancer prevention tips from the American Cancer Society include:

• Quitting cigarette smoking
• Avoiding intense sunlight for extended periods of time
• Eating a healthy diet, which includes eating a minimum of five servings of vegetables and fruits each day, choosing whole grains and limiting intake of processed and red meats
• Staying at a healthy weight throughout life or reaching and staying at a healthy weight if currently obese
• Engaging in a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity five or more days per week
• Indulging in no more than two alcoholic drinks per day for men and one alcoholic drink per day for women

“Take the month of April to renew your commitment to health,” recommends Dr. Tyler Kemmis, radiation oncologist at Rocky Mountain CyberKnife. “Work to establish healthy eating habits for you and your family and commit to getting 30 minutes of exercise five times each week. Doing so will go a long way toward cancer prevention and improving your overall quality of life.”

In addition to establishing healthy habits, regular check-ups and cancer screenings can aid in the early detection of cancer.

“Cancer Control Month is also a good time to talk with someone who may have received a recent cancer diagnosis about their treatment options,” Kemmis said. “While CyberKnife may not be appropriate for all cancer patients, the nonsurgical form of cancer treatment offers several benefits for patients who are appropriate candidates.”

CyberKnife treats cancerous and benign tumors in the brain, spine, lung, liver, pancreas, prostate and kidney through a process called stereotactic radiosurgery, a noninvasive method of treating tumors with high-dose radiation precisely aimed from different angles. The result is greatly increased accuracy that spares healthy tissue. Treatment is complete in one to five treatment sessions, and patients are allowed to go home immediately after each procedure to resume normal activities.

Rocky Mountain CyberKnife is located within the same facility as Boulder Cancer Care, which provides conventional radiation therapy options for patients who are not CyberKnife candidates. The joint operation offers comprehensive radiation treatment in one location. Boulder Cancer Care has been treating patients since opening in October 2009.

Contact Rocky Mountain CyberKnife at (303) 448-4620 or at www.rockymountainck.com to determine if you or a loved one may be a CyberKnife candidate. Most insurance plans and Medicare are accepted. For more information about Boulder Cancer Care, visit www.bouldercancercare.com or call (303) 462-0200.

In partnership with Boulder Community Hospital, Rocky Mountain CyberKnife is a US Radiosurgery facility and is a service of the hospital. Rocky Mountain CyberKnife and Boulder Cancer Care are located at 905 Alpine Ave. in Boulder, Colo.