CWA now online
The University of Colorado at Boulder’s Conference on World Affairs (CWA) and the Archives at the University Libraries have launched a new website dedicated to the preservation and accessibility of the CWA’s historic archives.
Since 1959, many of the Conference’s notable speakers and sessions have been recorded, and some of those are now available to scholars and the public through online streaming at www.colorado.edu/cwa/archives.
The 80 hours of recordings featured on the new site present some of the memorable speakers from the early years of the Conference on World Affairs, including R. Buckminster Fuller, Henry Kissinger, Yitzhak Rabin, Marya Mannes, Huey P. Newton, Margot Adler, Ralph Nader and I. F. Stone.
Accompanying the recordings are digitized annual CWA programs, participant biographies (prosopographies), photographs, and other archival documents.
Funding for the first phase of the project was provided by a bequest from Bernice (“B”) Shawl (1905-2005) in honor of CWA Co-chair Jane Butcher.
The recordings currently featured on the site represent only a fraction of the 8,000 hours of audio and video recordings that comprise the entire CWA archives collection. More of the recordings will be made available online as funds are raised. To support the project’s continuation, contributions may be made to the CU Foundation, referencing CWA Archives account number 0123451. Donations may be also made online at http://cwa.colorado.edu/archive_donate.html.
The Conference on World Affairs will host the 62nd Annual CWA on the campus in Boulder during the week of April 5–9. For more information, visit www.colorado.edu/cwa.
Fill out Census form
As Boulder County residents began to receive their U.S. Census forms this week, Boulder Mayor Susan Osborne and other elected officials are urging people to complete and return the forms, since Census numbers drive funding amounts received by local governments, in addition to elected representation.
Osborne challenged Boulder residents to eclipse the area’s 2000 Census mail-back participation rates. In 2000, Boulder’s participation rate for the mailed U.S. Census form was 75 percent, just above the national participation rate of 72 percent.
“A complete and accurate count of the people in Boulder will help ensure that we receive our fair share of federal dollars and representation in government,” Osborne said.
One of the shortest Census forms in U.S. Census history, the 2010 Census form asks 10 questions and should take only about 10 minutes to complete. All responses are confidential and will not be shared with anyone. Census data is only reported in aggregate.
Mailing back a form ensures an accurate count and lowers the cost of the 2010 Census by reducing the number of workers who must go door-to-door to collect Census data.
Questionnaire Assistance Centers (QAC) are available to assist people who are unable to read or understand the Census form. A list of QAC locations can be found online at www.bouldercolorado.gov. From March 22 through May 3, daily mail-in participation rate maps and data tables will be available at 2010Census.gov.
For more information, visit www.2010Census.gov, or contact Chris Meschuk at 303-441-4293
Erie OKs solar for service center
On March 9, the Erie Board of Trustees approved a construction agreement with Namaste Solar for the construction of a 96.1 kW photovoltaic solar system for the new Leon A. Wurl Service Center. The board approved up to $480,684 for the project, but the town has been pre-qualified for an Xcel Energy Solar Rebate of $192,150, bringing the actual cost down to $288,534. The town will also receive Solar Renewable Energy Credits in the amount of $0.10 per kilowatt hour (kWh) produced.
The system is expected to generate 20 percent to 30 percent of the town’s daily electrical demand, and 126,000 kWh of electricity a year.
The solar system includes a fully integrated Web-based monitoring system that will be incorporated into the Town’s website.
ClimateSmart loans available
The ClimateSmart Loan Program is in its third round of funding, and has approximately $12 million available to Boulder County homeowners for energy-related upgrades.
The program provides full financing for more than 40 different residential energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements. To take advantage of the financing, residents must attend one free homeowner workshop.
Workshops, which are held from 6 to 8 p.m. in Boulder, Lafayette, Longmont and Superior, started March 15 and run through April 28. For a workshop schedule or to register, visit www.ClimateSmartLoanProgram.org or call 303-999-3820, ext. 226.
The workshops will cover program requirements, eligible upgrade projects, the loan application process, project timelines and deadlines, and other key information. There will also be time for a question and answer session.
Once enrolled in a workshop, homeowners may apply for a ClimateSmart loan. Applications will be available in mid-April.
The ClimateSmart Loan Program, made possible by the 2008 passage of ballot issue 1A, authorizes $40 million in affordable financing to Boulder County residents and business owners that wish to implement energy improvements to their properties. Financing obtained through the ClimateSmart Loan Program is repaid by the property owner over a 15-year period. Payments are made via a special assessment that is included with the annual property tax bill, tying the loans to the actual energy improvements and not to individual owners.
Autism Awareness Month
In April, as part of Austin Awareness Month, the Autism Society of Boulder County will host an art show featuring Autism Spectrum Disorder artists as well as its sixth annual “Wines from Around the World” wine tasting and silent auction fundraiser.
The “Through My Eyes” Art Show tours throughout Boulder and Broomfield counties to highlight the talents and abilities of individuals affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and to raise awareness about the affected community.
The wine tasting and silent auction, which will be held on Friday, April 17, at the St. Julien Hotel, will feature 97.3 KBCO’s morning personality Bret Saunders as emcee. The wine and cheese tasting begins at 6 p.m., and the silent auction starts at 6:30 p.m., featuring many local merchant donations of products and services, as well as the “Through My Eyes” art show.
Tickets are $20 and are available at Centennial Wine & Spirits in Louisville and at www.autismboulder.org. Autism Society of Boulder County %u2028720-272-8231 %u2028www.autismboulder.org
ASD, a complex developmental disability that affects an individual’s ability to reason, communicate and form relationships. is more common than childhood cancer, cystic fibrosis and multiple sclerosis combined and affects 1 in 150 individuals today. It is now the country’s fastest-growing developmental disability.
Victim advocates needed
The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) and Boulder Police Department are looking for volunteers who are willing to serve as victim advocates.
The free 40-hour training program will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturdays during the day, from April 6-24. The BCSO program is especially in need of male and bilingual applicants. The deadline to apply for the BCSP program is Friday, March 19, while applicants have until March 29 to sign up for the Boulder Police program.
Volunteers typically cover one shift a month and are required to make a one-year commitment to serve as advocates.
For more details on the BCSO program, visit www.bouldersheriff.org and click on the “volunteer opportunities” link, or contact Donna Foster at dfoster@bouldercounty.org or 303-441-3656.
For additional information about the Boulder Police program, contact victim services Coordinator Susan Townley at 303-441-4048 or e-mail her at TownleyS@bouldercolorado.gov. You may also view a YouTube video about the program at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEAED3VA-g0
OSMP closes raptor grasslands
The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Department temporarily closed areas this week to protect nesting and roosting burrowing owls and osprey. The properties closed for the protection of burrowing owls will be closed through Oct. 31, and areas closed to protect nesting osprey will be closed through Sept. 10.
Portions of Axelson (northwest of Boulder Reservoir) are closed for the protection of osprey, and the following properties are closed for the protection of burrowing owls:
Aweida II/Merle-Smith (south of Arapahoe, between Westview Drive and 75th Street),
Damyanovich/Yunker (north of Marshall Drive, between Cherryvale Road and U.S. 36),
Jafay/Lynch (north of Lookout Road and east of 75th Street), and Kelsall (north of High Plains Trail and east of Coal Creek).
Trespass violations can result in a summons with penalties up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. For more detailed information and maps, visit www.osmp.org or call 303-441-3440.
New Erie park opens
Erie officials will host a grand opening ceremony for Erie Community Park on April 3. Activities will include a time capsule ceremony, softball games, kids activities, soccer games, family games, refreshments, music and more.
The 41-acre, $6.2 million Erie Community Park is next to the Erie Community Center on the northeast corner of Erie Parkway and County Line Road.
Phase I construction included four lighted ballfields, a multi-purpose field, four lighted tennis courts, a concession stand, three playgrounds and a picnic shelter.
The construction was funded through the Town of Erie Park Impact Fund, the Tree Impact Fund, a $200,000 Great Outdoors Colorado grant and a $175,000 grant from EnCana Oil & Gas USA, Inc.
Contact Katie Rummel at 303-926-2793 or krummel@erieco.gov for more information.
Caregiver training begins in April
Boulder County Aging Services is offering the National Caregiver Training Program for family caregivers of older adults on Tuesdays April 6 to May 18, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the East Boulder Senior Center.
The course is open to county residents caring for a relative, partner or friend who is 60 or older (50 and older if the care recipient has dementia).
Preregistration is required and class size is limited. Registration is free, but donations are welcome. Financial assistance for respite care (substitute elder care) during class periods is available.
The 21-hour course, taught by a registered nurse, helps family caregivers acquire the skills needed to provide safe, confident home care for older loved ones. Classes include DVDs, detailed instruction, demonstration and hands-on practice. For more information and to register, please contact Emily Cooper at 303-678-6116 or ecooper@bouldercounty.org.
