Ok, the Food Bank will be tomorrow, Tuesday, between 12:00 noon and  2:00, because the weather forecast was for snow on Wednesday and it’s supposed to be sunny on Tuesday.  Please help spread the word to anyone without email for me.

Always remember, if you’re looking for a post, you can go to the town website  goldhilltown.com  and see them. I encourage you to poke around there – lots of interesting info.  And in the email, click on the greenish title, which will take you to the entire post.

Come on over to the back patio at the Store on Tuesday.  We’re all careful.

And here’s a letter from F.Scott Fitzgerald from 100 years ago during the Spanish Flu epidemic

Subject: Fwd:  FYI: LETTER FROM F. SCOTT FITZGERALD, QUARANTINED IN 1920 IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE DURING THE SPANISH INFLUENZA OUTBREAK.

 

Our first Food Bank last Wednesday went very well, with only a few glitches that we worked out.  We distributed quite a lot of good food – canned foods, assorted dried beans, milk, and some produce, peanut butter, bread.  This is free for all in our community – we need a few more people to come and get it!  They bring what they have, so we won’t know until it gets here.  There is still a small assortment left, which Jay has in the Store and can still be picked up – call the Gold Hill General Store to arrange a time (303) 443-7724.  And whenever you can, buy something, too, as they are providing a wonderful service for us up here.  Thanks so much to Jay and Whitney for all they’re doing!

The Food Bank was scheduled for Wednesday, around Noon behind the Store, but looking at the weather next week, I’m thinking Tuesday, which is predicted to be sunny vs. snow predicted for Wednesday.

I will send out an email with an update when I know more about exactly which day and what time.

Also, I spoke with Chris at the Nederland Food Pantry, who is doing this for us, and if anyone would like to contribute to this great organization, please go to their website   nederlandfoodpantry.org  

Hang in there, you all.  We’ll get through this together in our  wonderful community. 

The School Musical Play which was scheduled for Wednesday, March 18 has been postponed indefinitely until the school reopens.

It is with regret that I must announce that the annual St Patrick’s Party at my place in Gold Hill will not be held this year. My apologies, as I know people look forward to it, and with the winter we have had this year, could really use the cabin fever relief aspects of it as well.

Donal   donalmalo@nullgmail.com

Our next meeting is Monday, March 16, 10 am at Marilyn Soby’s.  We’d love any suggestions, pictures, poems, or artwork and would welcome anyone who would like to participate in our committee.  Please contact Marilyn, Marie Brookhart or me if you have questions or contributions.

My name is Sarah Davis and I am the consultant leading the community engagement for the Resilient Gold Hill Renewable Energy Design Project.  We are starting to get the word out about our next community event at the Gold Hill Store from 9:30-11:30 am on Thursday, March 26^th. See the attached event flyer.  Any help in spreading the word is greatly appreciated

Take care,

Sarah

Sarah R. Davis, AICP

Founder + CEO | S.R.D. Consulting, LLC

p: 720.772.8752 | e: sdavis@nullsrdconsult.com

Sustainable. Renewable. Driven.

www.srdconsult.com

2020 Gold Hi School Musical Play: TROUBLE COMES TO THE HUNDRED ACRE WOOD, written by former GHS teacher, Pat McQuown.  Starring the children of the Gold Hill School

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 11:00 am and 6:30 pm

To the Community of Gold Hill- It is with a heavy heart that I share with you memories of Ricky Gallant, a jovial fellow and a staple in this community. Ricky lived to play guitar. He loved to walk the roads and work out a tune in his mind while, simultaneously, pondering physics debacles. He always returned to the Inn for social time. 

 I had the pleasure to enjoy time with his brother, Rex, and his sister, Randi, shortly after Ricky’s passing. His family knows that he was loved by this town. We shared many stories, laughs, and tears. Please see the link below for the memorial and tribute page that his family created. They would love for you to leave comments or tell your stories. 

https://www.bluemountainmortuary.com/tributes/Richard-Gallant

There will be a party for Ricky on Sunday, April 19th,  3 pm at the Inn. The Cody Sisters, one of Ricky’s favorite bands, will be playing in his memory. This will be a potluck celebration so please bring a dish to share. 

 Lauren Brown

laurenebrown5115@nullgmail.com 

During the week of March 7-14, Forest Service crews will continue to burn wood piles on the Roosevelt National Forest’s Boulder Ranger District, focusing on areas near Rollinsville and Wondervu if conditions allow.

Pile burning may be conducted in the following locations over the next week:

• Lump Gulch 18 (2,000 hand piles) – 0.5 mile north of Rollinsville, west of Highway 119.
•  Forsythe II, Unit 74 (1,500 number of hand piles) – one mile north of Wondervu,  Westside of Gross Reservoir

Wind helps disperse smoke created during pile burning operations and snow helps keep the piles contained. Seeing flames and smoke, even after dark, is part of normal operations. This reduces fuels on the landscape under the safest conditions.

Conditions are evaluated each day to determine if ignition will take place. Ignitions are generally expected to begin after 10 a.m. and will cease several hours before sunset. Smoke may be visible. Precipitation, wind, temperature, fuel moisture, and staffing all play a part in when and whether ignition occurs. Firefighters monitor the area after burning is complete. Public and firefighter safety is always the number-one priority in burning operations.

If you know someone who would like to receive updates on pile burning activities on the Boulder Ranger District, have them send an e-mail to Katherine.armstrong@nullusda.gov and ask to be added to the Boulder Ranger District Prescribed Fire list. To unsubscribe, please reply with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

For a complete list of locations where pile burning will occur this season, as well as updated accomplishments and photos, visit our InciWeb page at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4648.

The Climate Crisis: An Opportunity to Work Together!

Sponsored by Gold Hill Mountain Stewards: If you missed the first talk by Dr. Cat Russell last fall, here is another opportunity! Do you have lingering questions about why climate scientists are convinced that human carbon emissions are driving the climate change we are seeing? Are you curious about what assumptions the future predictions in the news are based on? Do you wonder what local changes are predicted to come about in the next few decades? Are you looking for hopeful ideas of projects we can do together to strengthen our resilience as a community in the face of climate change and reduce our contribution to the problem at the same time? Are you concerned about the affordability of climate actions you’re considering? Cat will bring an engaging presentation tailored to Gold Hill; please feel free to send questions in advance (wildcat.russell@nullgmail.com) and come participate in the conversation about the science of the climate crisis and possible local technological and cultural responses. Gold Hill resident Dr. Cat Russell has been teaching Climatology at the High School level for 17 years, currently at the Shining Mountain Waldorf high school in Boulder. Cat traveled to Minneapolis last summer to be trained by Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project and got a bunch of fantastic slides to share. Now Cat regularly gives presentations on the climate crisis and volunteers to help families, individuals, and organizations map their climate actions. Check out Cat’s website at www.climateactionmaps.org.

Dina Elder,   dina.elder@nullgmail.com

The Presidential Primary ballots have to be in by 7:00 pm tomorrow, Tuesday the 3rd.  If you need someone to deliver your ballot for you (no matter who you voted for!), I’m going down tomorrow and will take it in for you.

xo, Gretchen

P.S. TheDemocratic Caucus based on Senatorial candidates on down the ballot is Saturday, March 7 from 2 – 5;00 at the Gold Hill School and you can pre-register at bocodems.org

I’m not a registered Republican and can’t find out where the Republican Caucus is held, but if you are, you can go to www.cologop.org and find out. 

Forest Service crews will continue to burn piles of fuelwood on the Roosevelt National Forest’s Boulder Ranger District, focusing on areas near Jamestown, Cal-Wood Ranch, Bar K Ranch and the Lazy Z Subdivision, and Wondervu starting  as early as Monday, March 2 if conditions allow.

Pile burning may be conducted in the following locations over the next week:

•  James Creek RFB Unit 1 (800 hand piles) – 1.5 miles northwest of Jamestown.
•  James Creek RFB Unit 6 ,8 (7,500 hand piles) – Between Jamestown and Bar K Ranch.
•  James Creek RFB Unit 17 (1,425 hand piles) – Adjacent to Cal-Wood Ranch.
•  Forsythe II, Unit 74 (1,500 number of hand piles) – one mile north of Wondervu,  Westside of Gross Reservoir

Smoke may be visible from Jamestown, Lefthand Canyon, Wondervu and Cal-Wood Ranch.                                                                                                           

Wind helps disperse smoke created during pile burning operations and snow helps keep the piles contained. Seeing flames and smoke, even after dark, is part of normal operations. This reduces fuels on the landscape under the safest conditions.

Conditions are evaluated each day to determine if ignition will take place. Ignitions are generally expected to begin after 10 a.m. and will cease several hours before sunset. Smoke may be visible. Precipitation, wind, temperature, fuel moisture, and staffing all play a part in when and whether ignition occurs. Firefighters monitor the area after burning is complete. Public and firefighter safety is always the number-one priority in burning operations.

If you know someone who would like to receive updates on pile burning activities on the Boulder Ranger District, have them send an e-mail to Katherine.armstrong@nullusda.gov and ask to be added to the Boulder Ranger District Prescribed Fire list. To unsubscribe, please reply with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

For a complete list of locations where pile burning will occur this season, as well as updated accomplishments and photos, visit our InciWeb page at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4648.

This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.

Gold Hill Store and Pub, 4-5 pm this Sunday (3/1) – This is kinda short notice, but my friend, Casey McFarland, who was a mountain lion researcher will be coming down from Fort Collins this Sunday afternoon. He’s willing to do a short talk at the store.  This will be a quick and informal opportunity to hear a bit about mountain lion behavior and ask some questions about how to safely co-exist with them. It’ll be at the Gold Hill Store and Pub from 4 – 5 pm this Sunday (3/1). This is pretty short notice, so I will try to capture the main information and make it available for people who can’t make it.

Here is a short bio of Casey McFarland. He doesn’t bill himself as an expert in human/cougar interactions, but he has done extensive field research on cougars and will be able to give us insight on how their behaviors and ours interact.

1. Casey McFarland is the co-author of Bird Feathers: A Guide to North American Species (Stackpole 2010). He currently contributes to various wildlife projects, including wildlife connectivity and carnivore studies, and has worked extensively in mountain lion research. He trains and certifies biologists, research teams and the general public across the US and Europe through the CyberTracker Conservation evaluation system, an international standard for gauging and enhancing one’s in-field knowledge of track, sign, and behavior of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Casey also has been involved in general environmental education for over a decade, instructing and presenting on various topics in venues ranging from Audubon Chapters and state agencies to the Sierra Club.

Mark Jordahl

mark@nullconservationconcepts.net

HOUSEWARMING FOR THE NEWEST OLD HOUSE IN GOLD HILL!

On Sunday, March 8^th from 3:00 to 6:00 please join us in celebrating the nearly completed construction at 601 Gold Run Street, the old Weaver house that is now in its newest incarnation as the rock-solid house of Marcus and Elisabeth.

We’ll have some good nibbling food, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks. If you want to add something in, we’d be delighted, but mostly we just want you to come along and enjoy.

As you may know, the ways up to the house are steep and may be slippery. And there is virtually no parking. So please plan accordingly. If you need a ride up the driveway, don’t let that stop you from coming. Just let us know and we can get you there!

No dogs, please.

Thank you all for your graciousness, patience and all kinds of support in this lengthy process. We’re here because of all of you!

Bring your thoughts in celebration        Bless the house in its new incarnation

Elisabeth Caspari elisabeth.caspari@nullgmail.com

Marcus Moench marcus.moench@nullgmail.com

Landline in Gold Hill: 303 449 0518 Please leave a message

.

GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING NEWSLETTER

Minutes of the February 10, 2020, Town Meeting

Next Town Meeting will be Monday, April 13, 2020, 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center

The meeting was called to order by Chair Marielle Sidell.  Attendees: Mari Sidell, Vice Chair Emma Salmon, Marcus Moench, Treasurer Martha Knapp, Member-at-Large Dan Maedke, Cat Russel, Virginia Shultz

Minutes: There were no additions or corrections to the minutes from the December 9^th meeting.

Treasurer’s Report – Martha reports – At the previous regular Town Meeting in December 2019 our bank balance was $13,512.13.  Our current total cash assets are $12,925.60.

Revenue Summary:  None

Expense Summary: Insurance $297; website work $166.25; postage $55.00; property taxes $68.28.

Fund transfers: none

Current fund totals:                                                                                                  

General Fund $1792.01; Cemetery $6,339.85; Safe Link (combined funds for SafeSite, Airink, NeighborLink projects) $2,466.79; Community Planning/Fundraising $0 (zero;) Forest Management $0 (zero;) Community Relief $2,326.95.

Anticipated operational expenses for 2020: General Fund $410.00 for filing fees, bank fees, porta-potty maintenance and $800 town cleanup dumpsters.

Conversation around the Community Relief Fund – Consensus to remind community members that it is there if needed. See attached relief fund at end of minutes

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mountain Stewards – Climate/Sustainability Update: Marcus and Virginia gave an update on the kickoff at the Gold Hill School where there were roughly 35 attendees. They mentioned that the County Commissioner, Matt Jones, was in attendance. It was reported that it would take roughly 6 months to a year of planning to come up with the potential plan for a solar microgrid battery and what types of other things would be helpful to have. The grant they are applying for is a design grant to tee up for potential resources for next year. The project will potentially help to increase low carbon energy and secure power for communication, water pumping, and more. It will help in times of critical need when the power is out due to fire, flood, high winds, etc. The area of study is the Gold Hill Fire Protection District. Note: Mountain Stewards meet every 3^rd Monday of the month and this is discussed further there – public  welcome. There is also a series of informal meetings. The next meeting is Monday, Feb. 24 at 6 pm. at 601 Gold Run Road, Gold Hill – behind the GH Store – Marcus and Elisabeth’s.

There is a website to read and post conversation (Image attached). The public can create a login and password and begin posting. Virginia mentioned that there will be a design charette in May to discuss logistics. More info: www.resilient goldhill.com

Declaring a Climate Emergency: Cat discussed the idea to declare a climate emergency. She did one talk already and will be speaking again on March 1^st at Wild Bear in Nederland for people who want a second chance to converse. The event will be from 1-4, with the first half being a presentation of slides and information about the current impactions and future predictions. The second half will give people the chance to create climate action maps (one page graphics to organize steps to take toward reducing carbon footprint and increasing resilience). The idea is to take steps to lower the carbon imprint and show that our community is aware of the issue and express the desire to take responsibility. Martha asked for examples of other declarations to review as part of the agenda for the net town meeting for us to vote or modify to our town. Marcus mentioned that on April 26 he, Megan Melamed, and Pam Sherman are leading another session – more info to follow.

CSA: We will be using Black Cat Farm again. Interested parties should talk to Debra Yeager for ¼, ½, or full share. Money is due by the 27^th for early pricing. There is lots of variety – sometimes lots of one thing, but we have some choices each week.

Community Resilience/Association for Aging/County Resources: Martha wants to remind the community that it is not just for aging, but people in need and the organization visits the store each month. It would be great to post on Nextdoor and in the Newsletter. This brought up the topic of Town Meeting signs. Dan has them and will start putting them up again.

Forestry: Virginia reported that the grant that Maya worked on with the State Forest Service has had some changes made – additions and corrections, but it won’t be out until June.

Gold Hill School: Dan reported that the students are in their second week of the ski program, changed to Mondays. The annual school play will be in March (Dan will report back with date).

Museum: No messages from museum, but Martha reported on the progress of the shed and said it is almost complete. There was another donation for a display case from the store and Marcus mentioned that he is donating his 1923 truck. This will likely happen in the spring.

Community Planning and Fundraising: Dan didn’t have anything for Gold Hill specifically, but wanted to revisit the Gold Rush Bike Rally coming to Gold Hill in September. Josh Kravitz wanted assistance in applying for a land permit to run the race through, but the deadline is too close, so we won’t be able to help. There are other permits he still would like assistance with, including the liquor license. There was discussion around liability of being responsible for the liquor license and the philosophical view of a non-profit assisting with a for-profit organization. The consensus is for Josh to write a formal proposal outlining the agreement with the town, what his role is, what our role is, and how we each benefit from this arrangement. A special meeting will be called before the April town meeting to dedicate a full meeting to this cause and to make sure we can provide an answer in a timely manner. It was noted that Josh puts on many events including Old Man Winter and his goal is to get the community involved with his events for their benefit wherever possible. The special meeting will be advertised on the town meeting email list and on the website (goldhilltown.com) along with Josh’s proposal so that the public can give their input.

Cemetery: No updates.                          Safelink/Neighborlink/Airlink: No updates.

IMA: No updates.                                  Weeds:  No updates.

Historical Zoning: Marcus reported that 1101 Pine Street has a revised proposal for plans. This will be addressed when Bear is back in town, likely after the 29^th. The new proposal is a significant enlargement of the prior plan. There were questions about how this information is communicated to the town (Nextdoor, flyers, posted in the store, etc).

 Community Center: Mari proposed that we find a building that needs repair and go through the historical review process. The community center would be useful as a remote work center, solar power production area, etc. Cat mentioned the idea of using the greenhouse for sale on Dixon Rd as a community center. Martha made a motion to start the committee and moved that we form a community center committee to review the possibility of using existing structures in the Gold Hill area for renovation as a community center. Mari seconded the motion and all were in favor. Virginia offered to pass along the wish list from prior meetings. Marcus, Cat, and Mari all volunteered to be on the committee, so they can be contacted for more information or if others want to help out and be involved.

Mining: Mari reported that a permit was approved for the mill at top of Horsfall. The permit was approved, but had a contingency that no one quite knew, but might be about pumping water from Lefthand creek.   Addendum: For information from the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety on the status of permits for the Colorado Milling Company LLC, go to  https://dnrweblink.state.co.us/drms/search.aspx?cr=1   put in M1994117 under permit number, and select the dates you want to know about.  It definitely requires some detective work.  There are years of filings there.

Fire Department: Marcus said that the election for fire board members is coming up. Addendum: Gretchen reports that she has been appointed the Designated Election Official (DEO) for the election, which is scheduled for May 5 when three members of the board are up for re-election for three-year terms: Bobby Vrba, Jessica Brookhart, and Boyd Brown.  Self-Nomination forms are due by Feb.28, and anyone wanting to submit a write-in candidate form must get it to me by March 2.  If there are no more candidates than positions open, the election can be canceled on March 3, provided there are no further issues on the ballot.

The Fire Board Meetings are the third Thursday of each month, 7 pm at the Community Center

Notes by Emma Salmon, acting Secretary, addendums from Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary

Ok, here’s the brief election scoop.  You should have your ballot for the Presidential Primary (president only).  It’s due by 7 pm on March 3!  Don’t forget.

Next is the caucus on March 7, at which we vote for Precinct Leaders and delegates to the County Assembly and Convention based on our preferences for Senator!  We won’t be voting on or discussing our presidential opinions as part of this caucus.

Our Precinct is 2 18 13 07 909.  That means we are in U.S. House District 2, State Senate District 18, State House District 13, County 07 (Boulder County) and Unique Precinct 909.

To make sure you are registered to vote or to update your registration, go to  https://www.sos.state.co.us

 The 909 Democratic Precinct Caucus will be at the Gold Hill Elementary School Saturday, March 7 from 1:30 pm to 5 pm.  To pre-register for the Caucus, go to    creg.bocodems.org 

 For information on The Republican Precinct Caucus, go to www.cologop.org  or ask a Republican.  I can’t tell you where it will be held because I’m not a registered Republican and the website won’t tell me.

Gold Hill Town Meeting

Monday, 7:00 p.m. February 10th, 2020

Gold Hill Community Center

Review of Previous Minutes

Treasurer’s Report

Committee Reports

• Mountain Stewards

Declaration of Climate Emergency

• Forestry and Forest Management
• Gold Hill School
• Museum
• Community Planning and Fundraising
• Cemetery
• SafeLink/NeighborLink/AirLink

Upcoming Meetings/Events

Next Gold Hill Town Meeting – April 13th, 7:00 pm

Other Town News:

IMA

CSA

Weed Management

Historical Zoning

Fire Department

Mining

Community Center

Canceling our Valentine’s Day Dinner

We are canceling our Pot luck Valentine’s adult pot luck dinner at the Vaneks!! We saw that the Gold Hill store is having a party and we did not want to keep people from enjoying that gathering & we only got a few RSVPs. So we want to encourage everyone to go to the Gold Hill Store with your neighbors!! We will figure out another date & let everybody know!! Sorry for the inconvenience that this might cause but let’s support our local business! Thanks, everyone for ur understanding

Liz and Steven

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Fourmile Canyon Drive reconstruction will continue this week

We were unable to complete the remaining items that can be done in the winter, so construction will continue this week. Lawrence hopes to have the work wrapped up by Friday. Cycling restrictions will continue to be enforced until construction is suspended. We want to get as much done as possible now so we have a minimal amount to do when warmer temperatures return.

Work will be completed using flaggers during daytime, weekday operations, so expect travel delays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

I apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for your time and patience. 

Andrew Barth
Communications
Boulder County Public Works
303-441-1032
abarth@nullbouldercounty.org 

 

@ 2020 All rights Reserved – Boulder County     Manage Email Preferences  |  Unsubscribe From All Boulder County Lists  |  Help (Use Manage Email Preferences to subscribe to/unsubscribe from individual Boulder County lists.)

This year in Colorado we have both a Presidential Primary and Caucuses.  Beginning in 2020 Colorado voters will vote in a presidential primary election. Voters will receive a ballot in the mail. While each political party will still conduct caucus meetings, these meetings will not select presidential candidates.  The Colorado Presidential Primary will be on March 3 – Super Tuesday!  County Clerk’s will mail ballots to all registered voters 22 days before the election—meaning ballots will be in the mail the week of February 10

There will also be a Non-presidential Primary for everyone else down the ballot – that primary, along with other state and local elections, will be on June 30. The eventual nominees will be on the November 3 general election ballot.  Again, this will be a mail-in ballot.

The Democratic Caucus will be held on Saturday March 7, from 2 pm to 5 pm.  The Republican Caucus is listed on Saturday, March 7 from 8 am to 5 pm.  They will run along the same lines as previously, electing Precinct Leaders, and selecting delegates to the County Convention and Assembly.  The Democratic Convention will be on March 28 and The Republican Convention will be Saturday, April 18.

General Election on November 3.  As always, this is a mail-in election

For more information:

Boulder County Democratic Party
5735 A Arapahoe Avenue                              Mailing Address
Boulder, CO 80303-1340                                   P.O. Box 18793

Call: (720) 526-2104                                           Boulder, CO 80308

Home

Boulder County Republicans

(303) 443-6606

Mailing Address:
Boulder County Republican Party
619 Ken Pratt Blvd. 
Longmont, CO  80501

Home

To Register to Vote    https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/vote/VoterHomeMobile.htm