Briefs | Nov. 27 is Small Business Saturday

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Nov. 27 is Small Business Saturday

The City of Boulder is joining other municipalities and business organizations across the country in supporting the first-ever “Small Business Saturday” — a Nov. 27 event designed to recognize the value and unique contributions of locally owned, independent businesses that play a vital role in our community.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there were nearly 28 million small businesses in the United States last year, and small businesses created 65 percent of net new jobs during the past two decades. Civic Economics estimates that for every $100 spent in locally owned, independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures.

“Here in Boulder, we know how valuable small businesses are to our community,” said Mayor Susan Osborne. “I strongly encourage our residents to show their support for the many small businesses that form the backbone of our local economy by shopping and using their services on Nov. 27 and throughout the year.”

For more information visit www.smallbusinesssaturday.com.

Local store donates books

Boulder Book Store is donating $200,000 in books to Boulder schools and libraries from 2:30 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 3 and from 8 to 11 a.m. on Dec. 4.

The event, held at the Boulder Valley School District Shipping & Receiving Warehouse at 6500 Arapahoe Rd., is open to all Boulder educators and librarians. The giveaway is intended to provide books and other materials to all BVSD schools, and educators are invited to bring boxes and bags to stock up while supplies last.

For more information, call Stephanie Schindhelm at 303-447- 2074, ext. 134, or send e-mail to schools@boulderbookstore.com.

Official election results available

The Boulder County canvass board certified the results of the general election on Nov. 19. Official election results are available at www.Vote Boulder.org.

The canvass board, which comprises representatives appointed by the major political parties and Boulder County Clerk Hillary Hall, reviewed the results of an election audit and verified that the number of ballots counted did not exceed the number of ballots cast or the number of registered voters in each precinct of Boulder County.

The audit included manually counting 40,979 randomly selected ballot contests. The manual count was compared with the election-night machine count of the same ballots. The audit was completed on Nov. 12.

The Colorado Secretary of State’s Office will compile and total the returns from all counties and order any recounts, if needed, by Friday, Nov. 26.

A total of 127,356 ballots were counted in Boulder County for the 2010 general election.

EXPAND program honored by feds

The City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Department’s EXPAND (EXciting Programs Adventures and New Dimensions) program was recently honored by the U.S. Army and Department of Defense for providing exemplary community-based recreation programs for newly returned service members and veterans. Boulder was one of 11 public parks and recreation agencies from around the country recognized for their efforts over the past year.

The awards were presented at the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) 2010 Congress & Exposition on Oct. 28 in Minneapolis. Director Kirk Kincannon and Access and Inclusion Recreation Administrator Colleen Fitzgerald attended the event to receive the award on behalf of the department.

Jennifer Heilveil coordinates the program for newly injured service members. Program offerings include track, swimming, handcycling, rugby and triathlon training.

Mountain transit study available

Boulder County’s Transportation Department has just released a draft report (http://bit.ly/dcWX2Y) of its Mountain Town Transit Feasibility Study.

Residents, commuters and recreational users of Boulder County’s mountain towns are invited to share their thoughts on potential mountain transit service and other recommendations outlined in the report.

The
report, a culmination of work completed this summer by a resident
stakeholder group and Boulder County, examines the demand for transit
service to and from the mountain communities of Boulder County. It
includes the amount, type and configuration of viable service and the
cost/benefit implications of such service.

The
goal of the study group is to assess the viability of new and expanded
transit service to Boulder County’s mountain communities with
connections to Boulder, Longmont, Gilpin County (Blackhawk/Central City)
and Larimer County (Estes Park). The study area includes the
communities of Eldora, Ward, Jamestown, Allenspark, Lyons, Gold Hill,
Nederland and the Brainard Lake Recreation Area.

To read the report or to submit comments online, visit: www.bouldercounty.org/transportation/ MtnTransitStudy.htm.

For a printed copy of the report, contact Jared Hall at 303-441-4958 or jhall@bouldercounty.org.

Public comments are due by Sunday, Dec. 5.

HospiceCare/Share Thrift Shop moving

The
HospiceCare & Share Thrift Shop is moving to a new location, just
two blocks east of the current store, and will have a moving sale Nov.
26-28.

It will open at 5565 Arapahoe Ave.

in Boulder on Dec. 4 with a Grand Re-Opening Celebration.

According
to store manager Lynn McCullough, “If you liked our old store, you’re
going to love our new location. It has lots of light, plenty of parking,
and will have space for even more great bargains.”

Revenue
from the Thrift Shop, which opened in 2005, supports HospiceCare’s
programs and services. More than 80 dedicated volunteers put in hundreds
of hours sorting, pricing, cashiering and helping customers find great
gently used bargains.

Founded
in 1976 as one of the first hospices in the country, HospiceCare of
Boulder and Broomfield Counties is a private, nonprofit organization
that provides care for terminally ill patients and support for their
families, as well as bereavement services for anyone in the community who has suffered a loss.

Yoga with Michael Franti

Colorado-based
CorePower Yoga is hosting a special yoga workshop with a live acoustic
performance by musician Michael Franti on Nov. 27 at the 1stBank Center
in Broomfield.

A percentage of the proceeds from all ticket sales will be donated to The Gathering Place.

The
yoga workshop kicks off the 7th Annual Harvest Ball and will be held
from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Michael Franti and Spearhead play the 1stBank
Center that night at 8 p.m.

Tickets
are $75 and include the yoga workshop and a general-admission ticket to
the concert. Platinum tickets, which cost $250 and are available on a
first-come, first-served basis, include a guaranteed spot in first five
rows of the yoga workshop, general admission to the concert and a
backstage pass for a “meet-and-greet” with Michael Franti and Spearhead.

Tickets can be purchased at any Colorado CorePower Yoga studio or online at http://corepoweryoga.com/ MichaelFrantiHarvestBall.aspx.

Holiday indie-craft fair coming

Firefly Handmade will host its first annual Holiday Market Dec. 10-12 at 1904 Pearl St., in the former Boulder Food Co-op space.

It
is being touted as the first in a series of seasonal indie-craft fairs
for the Boulder market, featuring makers from all over Colorado. More
than 60 crafters have been selected from more than 100 applicants based
on their variety and the quality of their products.

The
market will also feature a kids’ craft table (sponsored by Clementine
Studios of Boulder), food (by Dish Gourmet of Boulder), a community
table, eco-gift-wrapping and more.

Kristin
FitzGerrell of Studio 22, along with Allison Bozeman of BirdDog Press
and Denise Chaudhari of Dandy Social Club (handcrafted children s
clothes), founded Firefly Handmade earlier this year.

The
market will be open from 5-9 p.m. on Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on
Dec. 11, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 12. More seasonal markets
are being planned and will be announced in early 2011.

For more information, see www.fireflyhandmade.com.