Boulder, Colorado – June 11, 2015  --  SkillShare, Boulder County’s TimeBank, is celebrating a great milestone! Over 70,000 hours of service, skills, and assistance have been exchanged among SkillShare members.  During the 12-1/2 years SkillShare has been in existence, 477 individual members have made 11,940 exchanges, including services (provided and received) and gifts to other members. 

No money was involved in these exchanges, because SkillShare, as a TimeBank, uses an alternative currency called TimeDollars.  One hour of service to a SkillShare member banks one TimeDollar, which can then be spent on one hour of service from anyone else in the community.

The most popular skills included transportation for medical appointments, errands, and shopping; massage; computer assistance and advice; and packing assistance, moving and hauling.  SkillShare also offers a wide range of other services.  The group's tagline is, "Do what you love, get what you need."

During June, 2015, SkillShare’s celebration includes a membership drive to welcome new members to participate.  People who join and complete a New Member Orientation (NMO) by June 29, 2015 will receive a gift of 4 TimeDollars to start their membership.  The month will end with an all member potluck on June 29 from 4 to 7 pm for new, prospective, and current members.  SkillShare welcomes all people, and we believe in removing all barriers to participating in TimeBanking that we can.

Jan DeCourtney, Co-President of Skillshare, sings the praises of the timebanking system.  “SkillShare is one of the best things that ever happened to me,” Jan said.  “Every aspect of my life has been helped, it’s saved me thousands of dollars, and I’ve made more than a few wonderful friends.” 

SkillShare is a member of the international hOurworld organization, so besides building a strong local community in Boulder County, SkillShare also has access to skills from people around the world in 274 timebanks. Through the international connection of hOurworld, for example, a person could practice Spanish with a native speaker in Latin America or have someone in the UK do research for geneology. 

SkillShare has been in existence since 2003 and does background checks on individuals offering child or elder care.  No one is turned away due to inability to pay membership dues. For more information or to start the application process to join, visit www.skillsharenetwork.org, email skshmem@gmail.com, or leave a message at 720-295-8814. See also our Facebook page for more information.

Visit also www.hourworld.org

The prairie lands remained cool from what was left of the 2015 winter on May 9th Mother's Day weekend. Such a long winter for many Colorado folks. Towns all the way from Denver to Lamar surprised & penetrated by the lingering coolness that prevailed onto the farmland & prairie countryside. I was lucky to stop at the Buzzards Roost Tap & Grill in Lamar Colorado just to warm up & relax, maybe eat something, regenerate myself exhausted from driving along the highway 50 route. Entertainment in the bar was scheduled for this Mother's Day, the year 2015. "Thank the heavens friends" The band Judi showed up to perform for the bar patrons & "yes!" I was excited when they started the event. 
I decided to stick around after hearing the band called Judi begin by playing the tune "Paint It Black" and singing like angels together, all voices so perfectly well in musical time and correspondence, "One could almost here a band of angels supporting them in choir." As the evening hours progressed so did the altering of the crowd, as it would grow in size and number with new faces and some really beautiful and lovely babes coming around. " Sorry! I meant to say. Women, girls, and ladies" The crowd it grew and grew like a new plant would change to blossom into a new light and then settle down relaxing itself towards the time of sundown in the softening sunlight that might shine from the skies above. Different faces somehow appeared inside the rocking buzzard house tap and bar establishment called The Buzzards Roost Bar & Grill as the band seemed to be so ever busy playing songs together delightfully spreading some real musical life about. Jay and his band were so busy pulling different instruments from the shelf to bring out, to gather brand new chops. Wow! I mean hit some hot chops on the little guitar like a mandolin "That I'd never heard before rip on it like that , a little guitar" and Cody bowing out some red hot fiddle licks with the newly discovered instrument the fiddle. Cody had mastered the songs he played on the fiddle & so good and he also provided quality sounding guitar compositions plus he sang vocals with much ease. Jay played guitar, mandolin and sang lead vocal quite often and with so much spectacular flare. Brandon on the drums and sometimes lead vocals a powerhouse drummer and very talented singer. Mark played keyboard & sax! "Like the big daddy sax man that he is." Able was on bass guitar featuring some very hot vocals often lead singing them as well. Good harmonies prevailed with good tunes all in key and the band like the professionals that they have become was not to loud but just about right for the setting and all folks.

I guess some more of the neighbors aren't very happy, since given notice to move and no trash service for a week. 

Last Monday, the residents on the Arapaho Clusters on Merritt Dr.and Eisenhower, were given notice the all residents of the 20 units needs to vacate by June 30.,  

The trash dumpsters were taken away, and Brady, provide trash facilities to the current residents. There is a dump truck on one end of the complex that people can put their trash by, and finally a couple receptacles, but definitely not enough for 20 units, only a few who talked to the construction crew knew about the dump truck, mostly it was closed so people had to put their trash on the side anyway.... with many raccoon in the neighborhood, this is very inviting. 

Where is the dumpster and why the hold up from the company he chose?

When I call to talk to the new owner, he started by interrupting me, trying to speak over me, and then actually hung up on me.  He is in the wrong and starts to yelled at me, and hung up! 

This was fully unprofessional, and not a way to treat human beings.

Want to cal and complain, 303-668-2222. 

A true un-intentional community, that just came together. A place where Boulder children could raise their Boulder children. That’s what the “Arapahoe Clusters”,on the corner of Merritt Drive and Eisenhower, is to about 60 people.

We have all been blessed to be able to live in a wonderful family-owned complex, built by Jack Lippoldt in the ‘70s, and later managed by his children.  Jack passed a few years ago, and his children are ready to retire themselves, they have all been wonderful support for all of the many families that have rented from them.

The Lippoldts sold the property and the deal closed on the 15^th to a man named Brady, now Merritt Townhomes, LLC. A developer who found way to turn get rid of the community and turn a larger a profit as... that is the new Boulder.

May 18^th - Notice given to ALL residents to be out June 30^th. Immediately our trash dumpsters taken on Monday, still not here Friday. What a slap in the face.  

Several residents like myself have been here for 20 years, many here for 5-10 years. Only a couple of units ever turned over. Most residents on month to months for many, many years. Yes, they may give the option of renting our units again, but more than double our current rates! Californication, San Francisco moved to the Rockies……progress?

Our lives have been turned upside-down for better or worse. We all have to move, and most can’t stay in Boulder.  If they choose to keep their jobs in Boulder they will have to commute, further contributing to the commuter congestions  - yeah, progress in Boulder. Some had plans for the rest of the year here at least… now those plans have to change. The children will most likely have to change schools, unless they are able to open enroll.

Our children born and raised in Boulder having to leave their community and their support system. I’ve lived here for 20 years, probably time for me to move on anyway, but my childhood friend, her three daughters, their partners, their children, their step-sister and her family, and their cousin, and a few of their friends…. It isn’t just a bunch of random people, (we occupy 8 units) and somewhat like that on the other end of the complex, all long-term residents.

We are the base of the Boulder Community, teachers, childcare workers, trash collectors, college students, construction workers, single parents, families, friends, webmasters, house cleaners, pychologists, and more… all a working part of the Boulder community….vanishing.

Here’s what describes our Village: Family, friends, sharing meals, many birthday parties old and young, shared holiday meals, many stoves to cook in, room for more people in the in the courtyards when the weather is good. Births, deaths, graduations. Caring for the pets, and children. People you can trust. Community gardening, help with moving things, help with childcare, help with vehicles and rides, borrow condiments, sugar, milk.  Coffee in the morning with whoever is outside. Morning chats, evening chats, bouncy castle birthday parties, BBQs in the court yard. Shovel sidewalks, pick up trash, pull weeds.. keep the place looking pretty nice.. Vanishing from this neighborhood.

Now to be fenced off, so that those who can afford it can close themselves in behind their new gates.

Longmont Theatre is trying to Illuminate the Marquee. We are so close to having raised the funds needed to get the Marquee repaired. Come check it out June 5, 6 at 7:30 pm or June 7 at 2 pm. A Broadway review of music from past LTC shows. We are excited to get the 'gem' of downtown relit. August will be the lighting of the building.

I love spring! Don’t you! I love to watch the early spring flowers pop out of the ground and see the flowering trees burst forth with their blooms. I’m in awe of the great variety of colors and flowers we see. After staring at the dark clouds and snow of winter, I usually feel they are long overdue.

In working with sexually exploited kids, you hear so many horror stories and they are so easy to focus on. We can look at all the darkness around us and get discouraged. Yet, this is when we need to look at the light that we know is just around the corner and see the happy faces of the kids that we have helped.

I have a quote I look at often and it says “The direction of your gaze determines the quality of you days.” To me, this indicates that I can determine where I place my gaze. What do I focus my attention on? What do I listen to? What do I fill my heart with? We have so many choices each day in these areas. This is the focus that moves me and Blossom Care Network onward to find the solutions we believe will make a difference, even if it is only one person. Maybe that person will be the U.S. President someday (although I don’t know if I would wish that on anyone).

We hope you direct your gaze toward these children and become committed to their restoration. You are their hope for the future. Thanks to those who have thrilled us by giving your time and money! To donate visit our website at 

To donate or volunteer please visit our website at blossomcarenetwork.org.

Rosanne Sharratt
Founder
Blossom Care Network
1600 Downing St., Suite 240
Denver CO 80218

This year has been a celebration for the Handweavers Guild of Boulder, which has been in existence for 50 years and is now an organization of several hundred members who participate in all fiber arts: handweaving, handspinning, dyeing, quilting, felting, knitting, tatting, crocheting, and many more. The public is invited to see their final event of this anniversary year: a FREE and open to the public exhibit of their work, with display by Anne and Jim Sneary,  in the Gallery of Shuttles, Spindles and Skeins, a weaving and fiber arts shop in the Table Mesa Shopping Center, 635 South Broadway #E, Boulder.  Hours open: Monday 12-6, Tuesday - Saturday 10-6; closed Sunday.  The show runs through May 22. For more information, please call 303-494-1071 or visit www.shuttlesspindlesandskeins.com or http://www.handweaversofboulder.org.

University of Colorado at Boulder’s choral department consists of some of the most talented singers and conductors dedicated to performing beautifully composed music - and that’s just what they did Tuesday, April 28th. Macky Auditorium was filled with radiant voices that evening, including one special singer, 21 year old Hikari Kumagai. As an exchange student from Tokyo, Japan, Kumagai traveled the 5,557 miles from her college in Akita all the way to Boulder, Colorado for CU’s outstanding College of Music. Kumagai, an accomplished 1st alto majoring in women’s studies, “first got into children’s choir when I was in second grade...I’ve been singing since that time.” Kumagai’s childrens choir was known for their appearances on educational TV shows in Japan. Kumagai went on to accomplish possibly one of her greatest achievements thus far, “singing in an opera in fifth grade.” As a fellow CU Boulder student, I asked Kumagai what drew her to Colorado’s mountainous region, and more importantly, the University Choir. She replied, “I actually chose to come to CU because it has a music department… my home university is pretty small, and very new, so it didn’t have any choirs. I wanted to be able to sing with a high level and big choir.”  Although CU may not have the top music school in the country, I knew our campus had something unique other universities and choirs didn’t have. I asked Kumagai what she thought made our University and our choirs better than others, and she couldn’t have said it better - “I think the environment is pretty good. Its different if I’m singing in very urban areas… But here we are surrounded by nature, and we have the beautiful mountains.” We are so fortunate to constantly be inspired by the scenery here, as well as by the beautiful people in Boulder. Unfortunately, according to Kumagai, CU’s choir, “Needs more diversity.  The music department has very few people of color.” This is a well-known matter at CU Boulder, who has an overwhelmingly caucasian student body population. Nonetheless, Kumagai mentioned she would like to continue to sing in choirs even after she leaves Colorado.

Jason St. Claire, Assistant Conductor and doctoral student of Choral Conducting, has a different perspective on what improvements need to be made in the College of Music - or lack thereof. “Honestly, I am so thrilled at all of the extraordinary opportunities offered by the College of Music. I am challenged as a student and human being. Not only have I grown academically, but personally… For me, there really is nothing else I could want at this time in my career at CU.” St. Claire, Phoenix-raised and Arizona State graduate, got his Bachelor’s of Music Education in 2007 and has a passion for choir. He first got involved in choir in elementary school, and said, “I didn’t actually sign up for choir in middle school, but the choir teacher heard my voice one day and started pulling me out of classes to sing in the choir. I was hooked on choir from then on!” Jason St. Claire was originally inspired to move to Colorado by his mentor and friend Dr. Gregory Gentry, CU’s Director of Choral Studies and Associate Professor of Choral Studies. Although I was unable to get an interview with Dr. Gentry myself, I feel privileged I got the chance to interview his respected colleague. The University of Colorado at Boulder’s choral department is made up of five main choirs, as well as jazz, barbershop, and madrigal ensembles. St. Claire feels heartfelt that CU’s choral department is special in that, “There are opportunities for students to be involved in choral music at CU, even if they are not a music major. In fact, the vast majority of students in the Collegiate Chorale, Women’s Chorus and Men’s Chorus are non-music majors. We also added a community choir this semester for alumni and other non CU folk to sing in if they are looking for a community ensemble. This really does make CU a unique place for choral music.” There is no doubt that the choral department doesn’t live up to its distinguished reputation. Despite the fact the department has student representatives recruiting in the UMC each semester, many students are still unaware of our fantastic choral program. When I asked St. Claire if there was a certain type of person the department is looking to recruit, his answer perfectly expressed the sole reason why we participate in all things music - not just choir. “The beauty of choral music is it’s about people and community. We are looking for people who want to be a part of something special that is bigger than any one of us. Anyone who wants to share in the human experience is welcome!”  

CU Boulder’s extraordinary choirs are looking for singers of all ages, and all members of the community, not just students! For thousands of years, choral music has been a highly respected art form and creative outlet, and remains so today. With the amazing faculty and alumni supporting our College of Music, our choral department will continue to thrive for many years to come!

If you are interested in having an International Experience without leaving your home and promoting the growth of international understanding and worldwide friendships, hosting a student from Japan this summer is the perfect experience for you and your family!

This summer 40 Japanese students will visit Boulder!  The students, girls ages 14 – 17 years old, are from Tokyo, Japan and all attend a private school that provides them with this amazing opportunity. This particular program has been coming to this area for over 35 years!

The dates for this years’ program are July 19, 2015 – August 4, 2015.

The purpose of their visit is to accomplish two goals:

 1) To improve their English speaking skills through time spent with the host families and through their academic program.

2) To immerse themselves into their American host family and learn about our culture.

Program Details:

Monday through Friday, between 8am-5pm the students participate in an organized academic program that consists of English lessons, afternoon activities and full day excursions. Evenings and weekends are times spent with the host families.

The Benefits of Hosting:

• It is a great way to learn about another culture and language without leaving home.
• It is also a unique opportunity to develop a new perspective of one’s own culture. In addition, you gain the satisfaction of sharing a personal view of American life and culture.
• Many families report becoming closer as they share their lives with an international student.
• Hosting broadens younger children’s perspectives on the world and gives families the chance to contribute to understanding among people.
• Most importantly, many of the students become like members of the family and form relationships that last a lifetime.
• There are two amazing scholarship opportunities for the children of host families.  Please inquire for more information.

Host Family Requirements: 


• Couples with or without children, or a single parent with at least one child living at home are invited to host. 

• English must be the primary language spoken in the home.
• The student must have a private bedroom OR share a private 
room with a family member of the same sex and similar age. 

• The student must have her own bed.


For more information on this unique experience please contact: 


Katy O’Neill

Youth Program Coordinator

www.compass-usa.net

compassusa.katy@gmail.com

619-876-3820

UnbelievaBubble! BOULDER DAY INAUGURAL EVENT
What if we all came together to blow bubbles...

Boulder, CO -  Bubbles represent a variety of moods and meaning. Bubbles are fun, light, temporary, beautiful, simple, buoyant, floating, and airy. Bubbles can represent ideas, thoughts, communication, wonder, community, balance, and the brevity of life itself. UnbelievaBubble! Boulder Day, the inaugural event, will take place on Friday, May 1, 2015, 4 p.m., Downtown Boulder at Pearl and 13th Street.

It will be as temporary as the life of a bubble with a one-hour streamline of special entertainment. The mayor of Boulder, Matthew Applebaum, will read a proclamation for the day, bubbles will burst in air, free bubbles will be given out, bubble wrap will be a poppin’, bubble tunes will be heard along with rapper Lil' Chizzle's Bubble Rap, and Dr. David Brain of CU will give a ten-minute talk about curiosity getting us to Mars. 

In addition, bubble music represented by the bubbly tones of the marimba will be provided by Kutandara Center's Shamwari Tamba! Teen Ensemble, and guest artist, Nina Rolle, will deliver her Favorite Things of Boulder presentation.

Everyone is invited to bring their own recycled bubble wrap, and their own eco-friendly bubble soap with home-made wands (a YouTube with a recipe is on the website). During the event, feel free to take photos or videos and post via social media using hashtags: #BoulderBubbleDay, #BoulderBubbles, and #UnbelievaBubbleBoulder.

This event is sponsored by The City of Boulder Office of Arts & Culture, eight days a week imaging and copy center, and the following downtown restaurants: Centro, Jax, The Med, West End Tavern, Brasserie Ten Ten. Sponsoring restaurants will host happy hour bubbly specials to follow the event.

UnbelievaBubble! Boulder Day
What: A celebration of Boulder with bubbles!
When: Friday, May 1, 2015, 4 p.m. (one-hour event)
Where: Downtown Boulder, Pearl & 13^th Street
Free Public Event! For more information: www.unbelievabubbleboulder.com

About UnbelievaBubble! Boulder Day
At a workshop in August of 2014, For the Love of Boulder, two groups came up with similar ideas about presenting a Boulder Bubble Day to create more fun and wonder in our city of Boulder. Through a vote at the workshop, the Boulder Bubble Day became the first winner of the Public Displays of Affection Grants funded by the City of Boulder Office of Arts & Culture. At the first meeting of team Boulder Bubble Day, ideas bubbled to the surface. Eventually through more time and consideration, the special day was renamed, UnbelievaBubble! Boulder Day with the thought "what if we all came together to blow bubbles..." 

Boulder Community Health (BCH) has received a 2014 Outstanding Achievement Award from the Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The award, which honors facilities that exceed nationally recognized standards for the delivery of quality cancer care, was given to a select group of 75 accredited cancer programs throughout the United States, approximately 15 percent of programs surveyed by the CoC in 2014.   

“These 75 cancer programs currently represent the best of the best—so to speak—when it comes to cancer care,” said Daniel P. McKellar, MD, FACS, Chair of the CoC, in a press release. “Each of these facilities is not just meeting nationally recognized standards for the delivery of quality cancer care, they are exceeding them.”

BCH is one of only three Colorado cancer programs to receive this honor. BCH cancer services are provided at
Foothills Hospital.

The purpose of the CoC award is to increase awareness among cancer patients and their loved ones about quality care options.  In addition, the award is intended to:

• Recognize those cancer programs that achieve excellence in providing quality care to cancer patients
• Motivate other cancer programs to work toward improving their level of care
• Facilitate dialogue between award recipients and health care professionals at other cancer facilities for the purpose of sharing best practices
• Encourage honorees to serve as quality-care resources to other cancer programs

“More and more, we’re finding that patients and their families want to know how the health care institutions in their communities compare with one another,” McKellar said.  “They want access to information in terms of who’s providing the best quality of care, and they want to know about overall patient outcomes. Through this recognition program, I’d like to think we’re playing a small, but vital role, in helping them make informed decisions on their cancer care.”

Spirit International is a non-profit community organization that entertains audiences of all ages with their youth puppet choir. This delightfully entertaining choir creates laughter, and fosters friendship, and well-being among individuals and families in our community. The show creates a joyful interactive performance with the audience by the use of the Muppet-like puppets, as well as fun filled and inspiring songs.

The next performance of the Spirit International puppet choir will be held at Rigden Farms Senior Center, 2350 Limon Dr., Fort Collins, CO (off Drake and Timberline) Saturday, April 18^th, 3:00-4:00pm.

For more information about Spirit International go to: http://www.spiritinternational.org to learn about the organization as well as puppeteer opportunities and how to support this community based 501c3 non-profit.

Have an Exciting International Experience This Summer Here in Boulder!

Students From Japan Need Volunteer Host Families

Introduction:

This summer 40 Japanese students will visit Boulder!  The students, girls aged between 14 – 17 years old, are from Tokyo, Japan and all attend a private school that provides them with this amazing opportunity. This particular program has been coming to this area for over 35 years!

The dates for this years’ program are July 19, 2015 – August 4, 2015.

The purpose of their visit is to accomplish two goals:

 1) To improve their English speaking skills through time spent with the host families and through their academic program.

2) To immerse themselves into their American host family and learn about our culture.

Program Details:

Monday through Friday, between 8am-5pm the students participate in an organized academic program that consists of English lessons, afternoon activities and full day excursions. Evenings and weekends are times spent with the host families.

The Benefits of Hosting:

• It is a great way to learn about another culture and language without leaving home.
• It is also a unique opportunity to develop a new perspective of one’s own culture. In addition, you gain the satisfaction of sharing a personal view of American life and culture.
• Many families report becoming closer as they share their lives with an international student.
• Hosting broadens younger children’s perspectives on the world and gives families the chance to contribute to understanding among people.
• Most importantly, many of the students become like members of the family and form relationships that last a lifetime.
• There are two amazing scholarship opportunities for the children of host families.  Please inquire for more information.

Host Family Requirements: 


• Married couples with or without children, or a single parent with at least one child living at home are invited to host. 

• English must be the primary language spoken in the home.
• The student must have a private bedroom OR share a private 
room with a family member of the same sex and similar age. 

• The student must have her own bed.


For more information on this unique experience please contact: 


Katy O’Neill

Youth Program Coordinator

www.compass-usa.net

compassusa.katy@gmail.com

619-876-3820

As discussed in last month’s newsletter, the “New Normal” in our real estate markets is scarce inventory and rising prices. The number of listings for sale is at an all time low. Colorado led the nation in 2014 for home price appreciation with a gain of 8.4% according to the recent year-end numbers from Core Logic.

As 2015 got underway, the market continued to show strength, but is clearly struggling with the lack of inventory. The volume of real estate sold across all Front Range markets in January increased 3.4% on a year-over-year basis. Inventory levels increased to 2.1 months. However, the increase was probably more a result of the typical January fall-off in sales than it was due to an influx of new listings. In fact, we are starting the year at an even lower supply of listings on the market than last January’s level of 2.8 months.

The Super Bowl is behind us and the spring market is in full gear. Buyers and the agents who represent them are scouring the market trying to find homes for their clients to purchase.  

As a result, many homeowners are receiving letters or solicitations stating that they have buyers interested in their home, and asking if they might consider selling. Enticed by an easy sale and a price that may be higher than expected due to three consecutive years of appreciation, some homeowners are selling without listing the home and exposing the property to all the buyers in the market.  

Other sellers who’ve listed with an agent are allowing their agent to limit the market exposure of the property to a limited number of buyers working with that agent or just within the agent’s office.

In a market this hot, both of these courses of action could be a mistake. At the risk of sounding overdramatic, not exposing a property to the entire market or taking the first offer that comes along could cost a seller thousands, ten of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In the new normal, almost any house will sell if the price is set low enough. The demand is out there. The real challenge is to get the highest price and the most favorable terms to ensure the sale closes.

There are times when it might make complete sense for a seller to take the first offer that comes along. This is a fluid, rapidly moving, and somewhat tricky market to navigate.

Which is why it’s critical to work with a real estate agent that you can trust. An agent who will help you lay out your options, assess the advantages and disadvantages of any given course of action, and allow you to make the decision that makes the most sense for you (not for the agent!). In short, a trusted advisor.

Historic building becomes pop-up art space

for March Loveland Art Studio Tour fundraiser

Loveland, Colorado – Like peanut butter and jelly, art and history just go together. And now there is a new opportunity for regional artists, history lovers and the community to bring them together again – not peanut butter and jelly, but art and community history – when the Loveland Art Studio Tour’s Open Hang at the Pulliam Building opens March 20 and 21, 2015. A VIP opening and reception will be held Friday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Open Hang Show is free and open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday.

Organized by the Loveland Art Studio Tour, the Open Hang is a way for area artists to share their work with the community and for art lovers to find pieces from local favorites or to discover new artists. “The Open Hang is a new opportunity for Loveland artists,” said Sheron Buchele Rowland, LAST Executive Director. “We are excited about being able to showcase local artists in this format as well as show off this incredible historic building.”

For a small fee, any interested artist can bring up to three pieces of artwork to display during the event. Any two-dimensional or three-dimensional media can be displayed during the event. Each artist is responsible for bringing their own “Command-style” hangers, pedestals or lights to display their pieces, as well as an artist’s statement for display.

Open Hang events are occurring throughout the world and began in 1978 when Walter Hopps created the Museum of Temporary Art in Washington, D.C. Hopps’ vision was that for 36 hours anyone could show anything in the gallery. These types of events occur on a regular basis everywhere from Berlin to Hong Kong and now in Loveland.

The event is a fundraiser for the Loveland Art Studio Tour, an annual event each October where local artists open their studios to the public. In addition to the art show, representatives of Restore Pulliam will be on hand Saturday to discuss the historic building’s future as well as its past.

Here are the important details for interested participants: Artist entry fees are $20 per item submitted, or three pieces for $50. Student artists qualify for reduced entry fees, $15 per item, or three pieces for $35. There is a limit of three works per artist participating in the show.  There will be a 65/35 percent commission split for participating artists, which can be reduced for a limited number who sign up to assist during the event. Unsold artwork must be picked up between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday.

For more information about participating in the Open Hang, attending the show, or the opening night reception, visit lovelandartstudiotour.com.

About the Loveland Art Studio Tour

Major sponsors include the Thompson Valley Art League, City of Loveland, Steven Held Design, Full Circle Marketing, Shannon Marketing Communications. Learn more at http://www.lovelandartstudiotour.com/, or www.facebook.com/lovelandartstudiotour.

24th Annual Governor’s Art Show Jury Selections Announced

2015 show features unique artists from communities throughout Colorado

Loveland, Colorado – The 24th Annual Governor’s Art Show (formerly The Annual Governor’s Invitational Art Show and Sale) is pleased to announce the participating artists in this year’s show, which will be held May 31 through June 28, 2015 at the Loveland Museum & Gallery.

Fifty-three Colorado artists will display their sculpture, photography, mixed media, oil, watercolor and acrylic paintings at the Loveland Museum/Gallery. “Our jury really had a challenging job,” said Pam Osborn, show director. “With more than 300 entries from some of the most talented artists in the state, narrowing the field was extremely difficult.”

Featured among this year’s artists is an interesting story of an artist coming full circle and returning home. 2001 Rotary art scholarship winner Mark Bailey, who graduated from Thompson Valley High School and then attended the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California, now lives and works in Windsor as a professional artist. “I come from a family that appreciates art,” said Bailey. “I grew up attending the show and seeing the works of Quang Ho, Ron Hicks and Kim English, among many others, was definitely one of my early inspirations to pursue painting.”

“We are so pleased, as we approach our silver anniversary in 2016, that the show continues to grow and evolve, attracting young and established talents who are new to the show, others who enter every year, and seeing artists return who we haven’t seen recently,” said Osborn. “The show has really become a reflection of the state of the art world in Colorado.”

For almost a quarter century, The Loveland Rotary Club and The Thompson Valley Rotary Club have combined efforts to aid Colorado artists in earning more than $2 million over the term of the show.

In addition to Bailey, some of the Colorado artists participating in the show for the first time include plein air painter Rita Cirillo, painter Amelia Caruso, wildlife painter Ezra Tucker, and steampunk sculptor John Paul Price. Kim Mackey of Pueblo returns this year, along with Loveland sculptor Gary Alsum.

“As we celebrate our 24^th year of the Governor’s Art Show, we are excited by the wide variety of art we get to share, and the growth in submissions over the last few years,” added Osborn. “The quality and variety of work will make this one of our most exciting shows in many years.”

For a complete list of artists in this year’s show as well as representations of their work or to purchase opening reception and special event tickets, please visit the GAS website, www.governorsartshow.org

2015 Show Sponsors Sought

Those interested in sponsoring the 2015 Governor’s Art Show should contact governorsartshow@gmail.com for details.

The 2014 show was made possible by Platinum-level sponsors The Nanci Garnand Team; Gold-level sponsors Good Samaritan Society, KUNC, Loveland Ready-Mix Concreate, Medical Center of the Rockies, The WBO Company, and Shannon Marketing Communications; Silver-level sponsors Columbine Gallery, Dancing Pines Distillery, Embassy Suites, Kaiser Permanente, Osborn Farms, Spring 44 and Wilbur’s Total Beverage; dozens of Bronze-level sponsors; and many others, including Bronze and promotional sponsors and Patrons.

Sponsorships are now available for the 2015 show, and a complete list of sponsors will be posted at http://2015.governorsartshow.org/sponsorships-2/.

Beneficiaries of Sale Proceeds

This event is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Loveland and Thompson Valley Clubs. Funds raised through the sale of art at the show go to each club’s respective foundations. Throughout the year, funds are given to a wide variety of causes and groups, including; shelter boxes for Haiti; medical supplies for those in need around the world; clean water projects in Nicaragua and Burma; shoes for children in Thailand; Trees, Water, People; Rotary International’s “Stamp Out Polio” project; Project Self Sufficiency; House of Neighborly Service; art scholarships for local students’ and Rotary Youth Leadership Camp scholarships.

About the Governor’s Invitational Art Show & Sale

The Governor’s Art Show & Sale is the largest fundraiser and a capstone project of the Loveland and Thompson Valley Rotary Clubs. It stands out as one of the most prestigious exhibits of original art in the Western United States. For more information about the Governor’s Invitational Art Show & Sale, visit www.governorsartshow.org, call 970-663-0919, or email governorsartshow@gmail.com. You can also learn more at the event’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GovsArtShowandSale.

Helping the Longmont Theatre raise funds for the Illuminate the Marquee campaign has been a topic amongst the volunteers this season. So we came up with a fun idea of painting toliet seats. The Lefthand Artist Guild was excited to participate as well as some of LTC's members. There are some really fun seats. From traditional landscapes to street art and science fiction. We are excited for you all to bid on the seats. What a fun thing. www.32auctions.com/LTCRaiseTheSeat.     If you would like to see the seats in person they are on display at The Great Frame Up at 430 Main St. Then they will be displayed at LTC starting on March. 13 for the run of Urinetown.

Colorado author/illustrator releases children's storybook app encouraging safe outdoor adventures:

Mountain Mountain Rangers is a children's app that was released on 1/27/15 on Apple products including all ipads and iphones. The app includes uniquely illustrated children's stories primarily aimed at children ages 3-8. It teaches children important lessons about safely enjoying the outdoors including the 10 essentials and Leave No Trace practices. The app is free and includes the first story in the series. Four additional stories are available for 99 cents each. Each story comes with 3 children's coloring and activity pages making the app an interactive mountain learning experience. Here is a link to the app page: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id934279431

and to the article in the Durango Herald:

http://durangoherald.com/article/20150202/NEWS01/150209947/App-designed-for-kids

and to the website:

www.mountainmountainrangers.com

and to a youtube video of a reading of the first story:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ABxwwbstak&feature=youtu.be