This summer’s annual bocce tournament 2019 started out on a glorious Gold Hill summer day – until the rains and lightning came in just into the second semifinal. After a three-hour rain delay, play resumed with the last semifinal, followed by the exciting final match (still in the rain) between Dave and Anita Sturtz vs. Krista Malek and Dustin Geesaman. After a long seesaw match, the youngsters managed to pull ahead 12-11. But you have to win by two.

In the next giro, they had the closest ball when Dave fired his last ball down the left rail, changing everything and giving them a possible tie. But Krista had one ball left and fired her own cannon, creating so much chaos they ended up with three points to win 15-11.

Congratulations to the new champs, Krista and Dustin.

On another interesting note, 11 of the 32 contestants were previous champions, many more than once. NONE made it to the second round!

Thanks to all the participants and to those who helped out, and also provided such yummy munchies.

Bocce on!   Bear

p.s. If you want to join in future bocce fun, send your email address to Bear at: Lawrence.carlson@nullcolorado.edu and he will put you on the email list.

I wanted to remind you that the next Four Mile Farmer’s Market is this Sunday from 1-3pm at the fire station on Poorman and Four Mile Canyon Road.

Please bring your homegrown or handmade goods, or stop by to shop.

There’s no fee to participate and no need to sign up – just show up with your veggies, plants, seeds, homemade bread, eggs, or handmade things.

Vendors are welcome to get there around 12 to set up if needed.

Hope to see you all there!

You can find more information on the website: fourmilefarmersmarket.com, or feel free to email me directly with any questions. Thanks!

– Molly

mollyseeling@nullgmail.com

Resources for Managing Invasive Plants

The Colorado Weed Management Association (CWMA) website for invasive plants (weeds) in Colorado:                                                               https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/agconservation/noxious-weed-species#a

Many people like to mow before seed set. More specific suggestions tailored to each plant are at the link above. Get the cheatgrass (called Downy brome on this website) while it is still green! It turns purple and then brown and goes to seed soon!

There are often good Extension videos on Youtube that help in identification and management.                                                             Search on Youtube with the botanical (Latin) name to make sure you are getting the right plant.

Replace the invasive plants with native plants from this list: Low-Water Native Plants for Colorado Gardens: Mountains 7,500′ and above  https://conps.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Low-Water-Native-Plants-for-CO-Gardens-Mountains.pdf

And from LWOG, which is now LWC (Lefthand Watershed Center).

https://lwog.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/EWP-Technical-Memo_Weed-Mgmt-Guide_20170822.pdf

 LWOG’s announcement of their name change and new work in the uplands (=us): https://lwog.org/

Invasive Weeds

With all this recent wet weather, everything plant is growing like crazy. This is a good time to weed whack or pull up any invasive plants on your land.

What’s wrong with invasive plants? They’re just plants.

Yes, and some are edible and medicinal, too! The problem with invasive plants is they tend to create a monoculture on the land and can wreak havoc on the native ecosystem. They don’t have the insect or disease checks and balances here they had in their place of origin.

What’s wrong with them creating monocultures? Everything’s changing, plants have traveled around throughout human history, and in a changing climate nothing’s gonna stay the same.

True. Consider this: native ecosystems evolved over thousands of years, likely much longer, and have evolved intricate relationships that keep them strong, stable, resilient, and provide all the ecosystem services that humans need to live.

In other words, native ecosystems are biodiverse. Biodiversity is the opposite of monoculture. Monocultures simplify the ecosystem and make health and stability much less likely.     

The recent report from the UN Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)lists invasive species as one of the top threats on the planet to biodiversity and thus ecosystem services. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2019/05/nature-decline-unprecedented-report/   The state of Colorado and Boulder County mandate managing invasive species where we live.

Which ones are in Gold Hill?

For starters: leafy spurge, cheatgrass (which is a fire hazard when it dries out, if not managed), ox-eye daisy, Canada thistle, mullein, spotted knapweed, whitetop, and others. Click here for photos and more info on the best way to manage the ones you’ve got:  https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/agconservation/noxious-weed-species

We’ll have some examples of invasive plants at the next town meeting and examples of non-toxic ways to manage them. 

Dear Mobility for All Mountain Community Volunteer Driver Working Group Members,

We are looking for a dishwasher for our Summer Retreat (July 21-26) at Sacred Mountain Ashram.
Hours are approximately 10-2:00 (negotiable). Please call for details: 303-459-3833.
Thank you

Chetna Geller

Live Music 
Cody Sisters!June 22 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm 
See you tomorrow for the Cody Sisters! This amazing trio will perform at the Pub for two hours of harmonies with guitars, mandolin, and string bass by the old wood stove.

 

Don’t forget, 6/29 Kate Farmer

2019 Spring Clean Up

Saturday, June 29

9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Bluebird Lodge parking lot.

For all within the Town Meeting boundaries 

DIVERSION is the focus again this year.  Boulder County supports our diversion/recycling efforts, but they are no longer providing any money for trash disposal.  We will be getting one dumpster for trash and, since we will have to pay for it ($795), we will need to charge (rate sheet at the end). 

Three Dumpsters will arrive between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. – 1 for junk/trash (we will need to collect a fee for trash and donations for the diversion stuff), one for metal, one for wood – slash and general wood/lumber as in the past.  Please don’t come with stuff earlier than 9:00. 

***And, yes, please, we need volunteers to help!***

To volunteer, please contact me, Gretchen Diefenderfer, at gretchend@nullmac.com  (303-442-3847).

DIVERSION (see http://www.ecocycle.org/charm). 

Mixed rigid plastics (playground stuff, coolers, etc.) and Styrofoam 

Tires – no rims.

Electronics, small appliances

Appliances – refrigerators!

Mattresses

Household hazardous waste (HHW)

            Oil, Antifreeze

           Car batteries

            Latex paint

        METAL Container– No liquids – No fridges – No tires on rims (just rims are ok!) – No batteries –No paint cans with paint still in them.  We will take fridges and tires this year, but they have to go in the diversion trucks [there will be one for tires and appliances, one for HHW, one for mattresses, and more for electronics.   Wire fencing and barbed wire are ok

 WOOD Container– No chemically treated wood including stain or paint – No nails in the wood (although a few seem to be ok, just not an excessive amount) – No particleboard.  Slash is ok – no longer than 18” (be judicious with this – there is only one dumpster and it can’t take a forest of slash) 

        TRASH  Containers  – junk – No recyclables!  We need to pay for this and will need to charge for trash. We also request donations for the diversion items.  Please remember that it would be much more expensive to take a truckload to the dump or to Nederland (a carl load taken to Nederland is charged $25 and a small pick up is $40).

         $5 per large trash bag

            $15 – $18per car, van, or SUV (less for just a few things)

            $25 per pick-up truck or trailer full

            $30 – 40 per vehicle with trailer

 Repurposing – We encourage people to bring stuff that others might want.  Be prepared to pick these items up if no one wants them, or for them to go into the dumpsters.  We will take some stuff down to donate in Boulder, either to second hand stores or to Resource 2000.  But don’t forget we will have the town bake/rummage/craft sale in September, too.

 Any propane bottles must be vented and this means the entire top mechanism must be removed.  Just opening it does not suffice. We made this mistake once and it cost us

It’s amazing how much stuff piles up!  This is your chance to clear that stuff out!

Tony Vrba, our Chair of the Gold Hill Town Meeting, would like to encourage people prior to the 23^rdto clean up areas around the community.  Several people do this frequently, on their own, and it would be nice to get a group effort going.

Gold Hill Fire Department’s 4th of July pancake breakfast needs fun-loving volunteers to help raise money for the fire department. Shifts typically work from 7:30 to 9:30 and 9:30 to 11:30, or you can play all morning! We serve pancakes from 8:30-11:00. If you are interested please email Leslie at finn.leslie@nullgmail.com.

Hope to see you all there. 

Gold Hill Town Meeting

Monday, 7:00 p.m. June 10^th, 2019 Community Center  

Ted Plank and Jeff Maxwell to discuss road maintenance strategies

Review of Previous Minutes

Treasurer’s Report

1. GH Resilient
2. Safelink/Neighborlink/Airlink update – Community Picnic
3. Climate/Sustainability Update
4. Wildfire Partner Days for Rowena
5. Wildfire Partner Days For Gold Hill
6. Museum update – Calendars and Community Outreach
7. IMA Update
8. Weed Management -Invasive Plants
9. Forestry Report
10. CSA
11. Town Clean-up

Upcoming Meetings/Events

Town Picnic-

Town Cleanup – June 29^th

GHFPD Independent’s Day Pancake Breakfast and Parade

Gold Hill Museum Community Outreach July 12^th

Gold Hill Town Meeting – August 12^th

Other:

GH School

Historical Zoning

Forest MGT/CWPP

Fire Department

Cemetery 

Historic Gold Hill

Mining

Community Center

Tony Vrba, Chair GHTM tonyvrba@nullgmail.com

GOLD HILL MEETING NEWSLETTER

Minutes of the April 8, 2019, Town Meeting

Next Town Meeting will be Monday, June 10, 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center

The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Marielle Sidell. There were 13 people present: Dina Elder, Seth Porter (Adaptation Services Group), Member at Large Dan Maedke, Marielle, Bob Mason, Treasurer Martha Knapp, Pam Sherman, Marcus Moench, Maggie Simms, Cat Russell, Mary Ryan, Virginia Schultz, Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer.

The meeting opened with Seth Porter with Adaptation Services Group (he is also one of the initiators of Wild Fire Partners), who has been hired by Boulder County to assist our Gold Hill Sustainability Committee for four months with climate modeling using local data, and proposed strategies for climate adaptation over time.  The end result will be a paper for our committee, as well as support in performing some activities over the coming several months.  Their first meeting was Friday, April 5, and they looked at many issues including possibilities for Wild Fire Partners being enhanced for Gold Hill to include water testing, well backup strategies/devices, trees (for planting), community emergency planning event, and additional energy smart support.

            One idea is to explore the potential for a community-owned solar array with onsite storage, particularly in emergencies.

            Dina asked what a 10º rise in temperature means for us as far as health impacts and increased fire danger.  One goal is to get the whole community of Gold Hill wildfire certified.  Marcus added they also looked at fire-resistant species to help buffer us against fires, as well as what we can do with rooftop rainwater collection, as the state laws have changed.

            Bob wondered, given the certainty of increased temperatures and uncertain precipitation, if people can even live here in 50 years.  He believes one key to survivability is working to maintain soil moisture and how to best contribute our individual efforts to the large-scale efforts that will be needed.

            Dina said the plan is to engage the community and get us all on the same page.  Seth added that, yes, how to make a difference is immensely complicated in our complex world.  Climate change is here now and we have to take action.

            Maggie pointed out that none of us are made of money and wondered if the committee could work on ideas for how we can produce money to help carry out our ideas for community-wide efforts.  The Fire department has recently added large cisterns to our water storage capabilities for firefighting.

            Marcus feels like there are a lot of ways to get funding for sustainability stuff from short-term mitigation work to our visions for the future.  The County is behind us.

Minutes of the February 4 GHTM – were approved as published.

Treasurer’s Report – Martha reported at the previous regular Town Meeting in February 2019 our total cash assets were $12,646.56. Our current total cash assets are $12,310.56.

Revenue Summary: none
Expense Summary: General Fund report filing fees for Annual Report for the State of Colorado and Exempt Property Tax $236,00; SafeLink for Welcome Buckets $100. Overall total expenses $336. 
Fund transfers: none

Current fund totals:
General Fund $646.01; Cemetery $5,489.85; Safe Link (combined funds for SafeSite, AirLink, NeighborLink projects) $2,847.75; Community Planning/Fundraising $1000; Forest Management $0 (zero;) Community Relief $2,326.95.

Gold Hill Resiliency           Committee  – Virginia passed around a wildfire risk map for our area.  Caroline Ashley is working on grants for her property mitigation work. Wildfire Partners will again send out postcards to encourage people to get their assessments.  They did get 20-30 people interested last year, but she doesn’t know how many have completed the work.   The chipping program will be different this year – we’ll see what develops.

            Martha pointed out that, for those who have cisterns, emergency water is available with a bucket and rope, or a generator.

            Virginia reported that a lot of interesting ideas came out of the March 23^rdmeeting on solar options and soil water retention.  They looked at resources and watershed health, encouraging native plants, what can we actually do as far as water collection, what about sheep or goats for weed control, composting.  There is now a CSA – 8 families have bought 3 shares with Black Cat.

            Bob Mason said that it’s important to keep water where it falls for soil remediation, to keep control of the water running down roads, etc.  It will require regrading, ditching, etc., with an eye to directing it to replenish the soil.

SafeLink –  Pam brought a big medical bag donated to us by the Red Cross.  The school is the de facto SafeSite (our place to gather in an emergency) – we’re operating under an old agreement with them and working on a new one.  It was decided to put the bag inside the tuff shed behind the Firebarn for now.  The keys for the shed, which has some emergency gear for the town, are right inside the Firebarn on a wall of keys.

Community Picnic – This idea surfaced a while ago and a tentative date of June 22 is proposed.  One suggestion is to include a movie night near the bocce court.

NeighborLink – Deb brought up the welcome buckets that are given out to new community members.  They include a booklet with all kinds of town information – groups, town events and parties, the Fire Department, the Town Meeting, helpful contact information.  We thought it might be a good idea to print up more for general distribution.  They cost $3.75 each for 100.  Everyone thought this was a good idea.  Martha pointed out that there is money in the SafeLink account that can be used.

IMA (InterMountain Alliance)– Pam reported that the County may hire a professional person to work with the IMA to make sure the County knows about our mountain concerns – that our concerns all are not like those of the City of Boulder.

Museum – Marielle spoke with Deb before the meeting and she reports that the Community Outreach meeting and party will be July 12.  Ed Raines will give a talk on Tellurium – our Gold Hill Mines are one of the few places on earth where Tellurium is found. Gretchen added that we are working on the 2020 Calendar and there are still 2019 calendars available for half price.

Town Clean-Up – The County will again support our recycling/repurposing efforts and we would need to pay for a trash dumpster or two.  The consensus was that it is an important community event and a worthwhile effort that helps us all, particularly those for whom it is not easy to take stuff to Boulder or the Nederland transfer station.  We collected enough money in fees last year to pay for most of the trash dumpsters.  Addendum: The date that works for the Inn and the County turns out to be Saturday, June 29.  This would traditionally be the Bocce Tournament, but Bear agreed it would work to move the tournament to Sunday, the 30^th. 

Movie Making in Gold Hill – Periodically Main Street will be closed in front of the Gold Hill Store May 19 through the 22^nd.

Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary

P.S. If you know anyone Community member who should receive the Newsletter in the mail, please let me know

Mountain Peak Life Friends:

Last call for our Hawaii Dinner this Friday!  First 50 to arrive will receive a lei! (OK, it’s not “real” flowers, but…) 

Art at the Center Playtime and Reception is this Thursday and Five Points Jazz is this Saturday!

See notes below…

THU, 5/16, Art at the Center Playtime & Opening Reception

Art at the Center, the Nederland Community Center art show, adds a special attraction at the opening night reception for the spring show. Artists will present demonstrations and hands-on interactive art opportunities for all-age participation in making art. Join us for a fun evening of art playtime, viewing, wine and appetizers on Thursday, May 16, 4:30pm-7:00pm. A $5 requested donation at the door includes two free beverages.

FRI, 5/17  Featured Event!   Social Dinner & Hawaii

Enjoy a luau menu, Hawaiian dancers, and wear your favorite island garb as we share stories of our own travel adventures or plan new ones together over a social dinner. Rolf Dale of Rolf’s Travel Adventures, who arranges group trips and outings, presents his services. Join us Friday, May 17, to enjoy fine dining at affordable prices with friends old and new – menu at the end of this newsletter. 5:00pm doors open for social, 5:30pm meal served. Please RSVP via email, Meetup, or phone 303-258-0799.

SAT, 5/18, New Listing!  Five Points Jazz Festival

Each year we run into several of our Mountain Peak Life friends at the Five Points Jazz Festival in Denver with tons of great free dancing and live music on multiple stages. This year, we would love to run into more of you! If you plan to attend and would like to meet up with some of us there, leave a message at 303-258-0799 with your name, cell phone number, and estimated times you will be there for on-site contact. More info on the event is available at:

http://www.artsandvenuesdenver.com/events-programs/five-points-jazz-festival/five-points-jazz-festival-rules

WED, 5/22, Caregiving Symposium – not just for Caregivers!

Panel discussions, lecture presentations, workshops, and resource fair (over 80 service providers) are available at this free educational event for families and friends of older adults hosted by our Boulder County Area Agency on Aging Wednesday, May 22, at the JCC (Jewish Community Center), 6007 Oreg Ave, Boulder. Information is especially helpful for those currently caring for an older loved one or expecting to in the future. Invest just half a day at the morning session (8:30am -12:15pm) OR afternoon session (12:30pm – 4:15pm), as the workshop topics are nearly the same at both. See the full schedule and register at https://2019caregivingsymposium.eventbrite.com or 303-441-1685 by May 12.

FRI, 5/24  The Gael at Salto

For those unable to attend their Third Thursday standing gig at Very Nice Brewing Company, the popular group of Mountain Peak Life musicians The Gael performs their mix of Irish and popular fare at Salto, 112 E Second Street, Nederland, on the outdoor patio Friday, May 24, 6:00pm-8:00pm. The performance is free, but please remember that musicians tips and patron support of the local restaurateur are appreciated.

MON & WED, 6/3 & 5  Urgent Notice!  Lunch Location Change

Due to roof repairs at the Nederland Community Center, our lunches will be served off site at the Nederland Community Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall (back door of the “little brown church with the bell”) at

210 N Jefferson Street (one building west of the Mining Museum, just west of the traffic circle) on Monday and Wednesday, June 3 and 5, at Noon. Please note this nostalgic location, taking us back to our lunch home of a decade ago.

THU, 6/6  Medicare Basics Class

Turning 65 soon? Or over 65 and still mystified by Medicare? Attend the FREE Medicare Basics class offered each month in Boulder. The next class is Thursday, June 6, 2pm-4pm at the East Boulder Senior Center, 5660 Sioux Drive. Please register in advance so they will print enough materials: 303-441-4150.

Info at: www.BoulderCountyMedicareHelp.org

SAT, 6/15  Wine Tasters (and other Beverages) Potluck

This social event hosted in a private home is an appetizer potluck social, including whatever beverages guests wish to share (non-alcoholic items are welcome). We provide the host’s address to those who sign up at Meetup, by email or phone. Our next gathering is Saturday, June 15, 6:30pm, a few miles from downtown Nederland. Please let us know if you would like to host such an event.

Serene Karplus, Director

Nederland Area Seniors

NederlandAreaSeniors@nullgmail.com

www.NederlandAreaSeniors.org

303-258-0799 Office Message Line

P O Box 188

Nederland CO 80466

GOLD HILL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 AGENDA

7:00 PM May 17, 2018

CALL TO ORDER

ATTENDANCE

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT

            CALLS

            TRAINING REPORTS/RECRUITMENT

            MAINTENANCE

EQUIPMENT:

OTHER BUSINESS

            Dirt movement issue.

            Cisterns, review site options and process UPDATES

            Review and discussion of GHFPD goals and vision

                        Dry hydrants Update and Plan

                        New firefighters

                        Community Relations   

                        Strategic Planning:  Succession plan

            Adjournment