Next Fire Board meeting will be Thursday, October 17, 2013, 7:00 pm at the Community Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Oct. 9, 2013  Contact: Richard Hackett, Communications Specialist, 720-564-2605

 Nationally-renowned building scientist to discuss home wildfire mitigation

“The Science of Home Ignition: Reducing your Home’s Vulnerability to Wildfire” program on Monday, Oct. 21, 6:30 – 8 p.m.

 Boulder County, Colo. – How do homes burn during wildfires? Dr. Stephen Quarles, one of the nation’s leading scientists studying this issue, has answers for homeowners looking to protect their property.

At the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s Research Center, Dr. Quarles injects burning embers into the wind stream in a large testing chamber, effectively reproducing ember storms typically observed during wildfires. Full-scale homes and commercial structures are built and transported into the test chamber so Dr. Quarles can study how ember attack and torching vegetation ignite structures. The primary objective of this research is to reduce the likelihood of wildfire-caused building ignitions in communities located in wildfire-prone areas such as the foothills of Boulder County.

To watch a video of the ember generator, visit http://www.disastersafety.org/video/page/5/.

Dr. Quarles will be presenting groundbreaking research in his presentation “The Science of Home Ignition: Reducing your Home’s Vulnerability to Wildfire,” on Monday, Oct. 21 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at the Boulder County Regional Fire Training Center, Boulder Reservoir, 5565 N. 51st St., Boulder.

What: The Science of Home Ignition: Reducing your Home’s Vulnerability to Wildfire

When: Monday, Oct. 21 from 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Where: Boulder County Regional Fire Training Center, Boulder Reservoir, 5565 N. 51st St., Boulder

To reach the Boulder County Regional Fire Training Center, drive through the Boulder Reservoir’s main entrance, continue past the recreational facilities, and drive to the end of the road where the center is located.

This presentation is part of Wildfire Awareness Month. Boulder County declared October as Wildfire Awareness Month in 2011 based on a recommendation from residents to help educate the community and promote individual responsibility in preparing for future wildfires. Other events planned for the month, including the Wildfire Mitigation Challenge, have been cancelled due to the impacts of the September flood.

For more information, visit www.BoulderCountyWildfireAware.org, or contact Wildfire Mitigation Specialist Andrew Notbohm at 720-564-2625 or anotbohm@nullbouldercounty.org.

–BoulderCounty.org–

From Filmmaker Angie Burnham <angieburnham@nullearthlink.net>

Please join us for a memorable evening at the Gold Hill Inn on Sunday, October 13 at 8:00 p.m. for the screening of two films, Heart of Gold Hill and Lilith. Several short music videos that were shot at the Inn will also be shown. We’re very excited to screen both Heart of Gold Hill and Lilith at the Gold Hill Inn for the first time.

This will be fun!

Feel free to circulate this notice far and wide. Thanks!

HEART of GOLD HILL

A documentary on the social and architectural history of the Gold Hill Inn and the Bluebird Lodge, two of Boulder County’s most beloved buildings.

LILITH

The lines of good versus evil are blurred in this tale of a mysterious fortune teller named Charlotte and her companion Rubin.  After fleeing the battlefields of the Civil War, Charlotte and Rubin find refuge in a small town in the Rocky Mountains.  But things begin to unravel when a Confederate officer embarks on a mission to track down the pair who he believes are responsible for a spell of inexplicable disappearances. The film features stunning footage of Gold Hill and surrounding vistas.  David Brigham, local actor from Gold Hill, shows up in a cameo role as the bartender behind the beautiful Gold Hill Inn Bar.

Cancelled for this year

Questions?

Please Contact Emmit Hoyl 303-506-1928 emmithoyl@nullgmail.com or Shivaun Hoyl 303-818-3304shivaun.hoyl@nullgmail.com

JUST A QUICK REMINDER…..Max’s annual “Day before Labor Day” picnic on the ridge is happening on Sunday, September 1 from 2:00 pm on at his cabin.  He will once again provide barbecued ribs, buffalo burgers, corn, and beer.  We hope to see you and your family/friends.  As always, bring a dish to share if you can.  This is a big THANK YOU for all of your business over the years so come and enjoy the day.  Bring your instruments and if you’d like something else to drink besides beer, bring it along.  You know the routine!  See you there

The Gold Hill Fire Protection District Fire Board Meeting is Thursday, August 15, 2013, 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center.

Notice to Poets – MMM- Miscellaneous Mountain Misfits.

This Sunday, August 4, 
7:30pm at the Gold Hill Inn there will be a fundraiser for the Larry Worster Endowed Scholarship for Music at the Metropolitan State University of Denver featuring Larry Worster with No Bird Ever Flew , including Kort McCumber, mandolin, bouzouki, Jamie Polisher, guitars, Mark Stephaniw, string bass, 
Dean Hirshfield, percussion and introducing Brandy Beck, fiddle. Suggested Donation at the Door: $10

If you haven’t seen these films, here’s another chance.  They’re great!  Wed, Aug 7, 6:30, at the Boulder Public Library.

Here’s the flyer:

GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING NEWSLETTER

Minutes of the June 10, 2013, Town Meeting 

Next Town Meeting is Monday, August 12, 2013, 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center

ELECTIONS! 

The meeting was called to order by Bear Carlson, Vice-chair, in Amy’s absence.  Seven people attended: Member at Large Debra Yeager, Bobby Vrba, Michael Albes, Mishie Natalie Littlefield, Bear Carlson, and Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer.

Minutes of the last meeting were approved as published.

Treasurer’s Report – Adriana was not here, but Gretchen said the report is the same as last time.

Current Balances:

Fire Fund                        13331.03                        Cemetery Fund                        3795.21

General Fund                          3924.20                        Planning                                        82.00

Forest Mgmt                              75.22                        Weed Mgmt                                       526.70

Historic Zoning                  11.23                        Trails                                                     31.29

Safe Site                            170.22

Total  $21,947.10

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Community Planning/Trails – Gretchen reports that Garry Sanfaçon came up for a Regional Mountain Trails Master Plan kickoff meeting on May 2.  For a complete report on this initiative or to give your input go to www.RegionalMountainTrails.com .             This potential project is in the initial information gathering stage and there will be many more opportunities for us to have input.  The opinions on county trails up here in this meeting ranged from positive to negative.

Historical Zoning –Bear reports that the Dave & Anita Sturtz want to do a small, 9×16, addition to the west side of their outbuilding.  They’ve met with HZ and gone over their rough plans.  Now they just need to get actual plans together.

Forest Management – Gretchen reports that Carolyn Ashley would like to see the wood from the last mitigation project disposed of.  Per Kris Gibson, the project was carried out according to plan and Caroline would need to organize any further work like a volunteer work party who could have the wood.

Fire Department – Gretchen reported on the May 16 Fire Board Meeting (full report here https://goldhilltown.com/ghfpd-board-meeting-9/). They are working on a lot of ideas for fixing up the Firebarn, putting in a dry hydrant in Lefthand, getting gear and pagers to the new firefighters, getting new wildland gear with a Wildland Grant, making one good brush truck from 2 old, mostly dead ones, getting red cards for the firefighters who qualify (Shivaun is handling), and getting their website up to date (goldhillfire.org).  They will work on 5, 10 year plans and setting up a class with their lawyer, Dick Lyons, on board protocols and duties, now that they have a stable, full board of 5 members.

Weed Management – Susan set up a weed identification opportunity on June 6 and she thought it went well.

Historic Gold Hill – 2013 calendars are still available and we’re working on the 2014 calendar.  Deb reported that the museum will be open on weekends through Labor Day.  There are all new displays this year and they’re worth seeing.

Mining – Gretchen reports that there is no apparent activity up at the mill.

School –  Mishie Littlefield from Sunshine is the new teacher at the School.  Mishie reports that she and Chrissy have met and they’re both very excited about working together.  Five kids graduated and the Inn hosted a wonderful dinner for them.  Third, fourth, and fifth graders took a great trip to the Royal Gorge.  The first and second graders raised ducks and chicks – the ducks went back to the farm and the kids got to keep the chicks!  Chrissy has been working on getting STEM grands – one to work with the Mountain Research Station.

Safe Site – Amy submitted a written report: The local Gold Hill emergency preparedness group held a spring meeting.  We are working on filling out a template for the town emergency preparedness plan.  We are also updating the equipment in the Safe Site shed to make sure we have what we need as well as order what we want.  Dave Sturtz is the liaison to the Fire Department.  Dave will help with the Mountain Emergency Radio Network (MERN).  We tested the propane-powered generator for MERN and everything works fine.  Call Amy at 303-442-3316 if you are interested in participating in the preparedness group.

OLD BUSINESS

            The Gold Hill cemetery signs are finished, installed, and look good!

Bear reports that he will be attending a Fire Board Meeting and is working on getting some dialog going regarding the town’s community center use.

Amy will be contacting the County Road Department about the study to measure speeds and traffic counts in order to hold a meeting to explore solutions to speeding in town.

NEW BUSINESS

            Town Clean-up is Saturday, June 15.

Bears – Gretchen reports that Martha encourages people to make sure their garbage and bird feeders aren’t attracting bears.  Several bears have been seen – cinnamon, black, Mom & baby.  Deb reports that pure ammonia is a good deterrent to bears.

4^th of July is all happening and Smokey the Bear will be there!

Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary

Hello Everyone,

Boulder County Housing and Human Services will have an eligibility specialist on location at the Nederland Community Center Thursday, July 25^th from 8:30-12:30pm.  These hours coincide with the Nederland Food Pantry Hours. This staff member will be able to enroll folks in services like SNAP (food stamps), medicaid and cash assistance as well as help those with questions about their current benefits.

This is a good opportunity to talk with an eligibility specialist without having to go down the mountain.

Please find a flyer attached..

Amy Hardy | Boulder Mountain Resource Coordinator
Foothills United Way
1285 Cimarron Drive
Suite 101, Lafayette, CO 80026
Phone: 303-444-4013 | Direct: 303-895-3418
AHardy@nullunitedwayfoothills.org | unitedwayfoothills.org

Next meeting will be Thursday, July 18, 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center.

Garry Sanfacon with Boulder County and I will be holding an insurance preparedness workshop in Nederland on July 25^th, 7pm at the Community Center.   If you think there is enough interest in your own communities, we are happy to hold one in your neck of the woods.

These workshops are focused on giving Boulder County mountain residents the tools they need to make sure they are adequately insured.  We will include renters’ insurance information as well.

Let me know if you have any questions,

Amy Hardy | Boulder Mountain Resource Coordinator
Foothills United Way
1285 Cimarron Drive
Suite 101, Lafayette, CO 80026
Phone: 303-444-4013 | Direct: 303-895-3418
AHardy@nullunitedwayfoothills.org | unitedwayfoothills.org

Notice to Poets – MMM- Miscellaneous Mountain Misfits.
Our next MMM get-together is Wednesday, July 17th at Brandt Parker’s or is it Laughlin’s (? correct me Brandt if that is wrong). Brandt’s house is at the top of Sawmill on the right as you head down. For those not familiar with MMM (Miscellaneous Mountain Misfits), we have a monthly get-together (usually the first Thursday but can change by request of the host) […]

If questions or to let him know you are coming, please call Brandt at 303-459-0514 or Edie at 303-4444-0778 or Marie at 303-444-4691

Please join us this Saturday, June 29th, for a fundraiser in Ward to support our new Deputy Marshal in the reserve and volunteer fire fighter, Andy Martinek.

When: JUNE 29th from 2-6 pm

What: Food, Drink, Silent Auction

and Music by Caribou Mtn. Collective and special guests

Where: The Ward Church

As all of you know, our marshals and firefighters are 100% volunteer.  They rely on fundraisers like this for their training’s, etc. In addition to all of the firefighter training’s, Andy just spent months in the Police Academy training to become our new Deputy Marshal…a volunteer job. You can only imagine how much time and work this is. I don’t have to tell you how important it is for us to have Marshals and volunteer firefighters because we all know it… So please come this Saturday… and spread the word! Thanks!

__________________________________________________________

Next Board Meeting is Thursday, June 20, 2013, 7:00 at the Community Center

Notice to Poets – MMM- Miscellaneous Mountain Misfits

Our next MMM get-together is Thursday, June 6th
at Bill Patterson’s home at 6:30 pm. Bill’s home is the dome home up the hill above Morning Sun.

For those not familiar with MMM (Miscellaneous Mountain Misfits), we have a monthly get-together (usually the first Thursday but can change by request of the host) at the home of one of the group. The idea is two-fold: (1) is that we do some writing (for 15-20 minutes) in response to a loose stimulus provided by Gold Hill Poet Laureate, John Latham or his stand-in, followed by a non-critical read-around of what has been written. This takes about 45 minutes, followed by short break and then: (2) a read-around, led by Edie Eilender, involving all people who care to read [for about 6 minutes per person maximum] some of their already-written prose or poetry, or writing by someone else. If, instead of reading, someone offers a song or two (Thanks Chance for October’s music), that is welcomed. There is no pressure on people to actively participate. Most attendees do, but some come simply to listen. The host provides some limited drink & snackies, and if attendees care to bring along a modest contribution to the drink or food, that is welcomed, too.

If questions or to let him know you are coming, please call Bill 303-459-0108 or Edie 303-444-0778

Next Town Meeting is Monday, June 10, 2013, 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center.

• Time:  5:30 to 7 p.m.
• Date:  Tuesday May 28^th
• Place:  Barn “A” of the Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Rd, Longmont, 80501
• Misc:  Free parking and pizza!
• RSVP: zerowaste@nullbouldercounty.org

• What Zero Waste means and why Boulder County residents care
• How Zero Waste events are special – and different!
• What events are scheduled for Boulder County this year and how volunteers can sign up
• How to encourage effective visitor participation
• How to welcome out-of-town visitors to join Boulder County in moving towards Zero Waste

2013 Spring Clean Up and Firewise Saturday!

 Saturday, June 15^th, 9 a.m. at the Bluebird Lodge parking lot.

        Four Dumpsters will arrive between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. – 2 for junk/trash, one for metal, and one for wood – Do not dump before volunteers are on scene        ne       and we are    officially ‘open’ for business’  thank you  in advance.   

Over the years the Town Clean Up has been an affordable & convenient way for us to get rid of trash. In recent years, in hopes of decreasing the amount of trash, the town cleanup has encouraged responsible recycling.  This year, we are adding a Firewise Dumpster for COMPOSTABLE MATERIAL for the removal of pine needles, leaves, and dried grass.  It is the accumulated layers of pine needles, leaves and dried grasses around the home, under decks and porches and around trees, as well as debris in gutters that catch the flying embers of a wild fire that burn homes – yours as well as your neighbors.   Here’s your chance to get rid of this combustible stuff.

We will have compostable bags for sale soon to collect all these needles, etc. – These bags must be used for this Firewise Dumpster.

***And, as always, we need volunteers!***

To volunteer, please contact Kris Gibson at kgkeewee@nullnetzero.net or  Gretchen at gretchend@nullmac.com or call me at 442-3847.

        FIREWISE/PINE NEEDLE Container

        Compostable material only  (pine needles, aspen leaves, grass clippings, etc.) – must be in Compostable Bags for sale soon from Kris Gibson or Gretchen Diefenderfer

        METAL Container

No liquids – No fridges* – No tires on rims (just rims are ok!) – No batteries – No paint cans with paint still in them

Wire fencing and barbed wire are ok

        WOOD Container

No chemically treated wood including stains and paint – No nails in the wood (although a few seem to be ok, just not an excessive amount) – No particle board – No plywood

We will also accept electronics, and small appliances for a fee (since they will be charging us).  See http://www.ecocycle.org/charm for what’s acceptable.   And we will need some volunteers with trucks to take this stuff down to CHARM.

Weed identification opportunity:

We will have two weed experts on hand to identify weeds and advise best options to get rid of them.  Bring samples intact with leaves, stem, and even some root, if possible.  This is a service you normally have to pay for, but this time it will be free.

When:  Saturday, June 8 any time between 10am and 2pm

Who:  Boulder County weed coordinator Steve Sauer and Extension’s small acreage coordinator Sharon Bokan

Where:  In the town meadow above the kids’ sledding hill, south of Hugh’s and Wilder’s houses.  That area will contain some weeds which the experts can use to illustrate various types of weeds and talk about best practices for them.

If it rains, you will find us at the Gold Hill Store.  Local contact for this is Susan Fernalld, (303 447-0634).

Notes on the Gold Hill Fire Protection District Board Meeting 4/18/13. 

By Gretchen Diefenderfer

Next Meeting is Thursday, May 16, 2013, 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center.

Present were President Donal Maloney, Secretary Dave Sturtz, Board Members Rick Geesaman, Bobby Vrba, and Rich Lopez, plus community member Gretchen Diefenderfer.

Donal reported on an explosion yesterday (April 17) in West, Texas, and the death of 5 volunteer firefighters.  Approximately ¾ of the firefighters in this country are volunteers.  This is Bobby’s hometown and 2 of his second cousins have not been heard from.  This past Saturday, several of our volunteers participated in the annual refresher – safety is a big component of all our training.

The minutes were approved as sent out.

Public Time

Gretchen reported on the new reflective green metal signs in Sunshine. Volunteers put together an excel sheet to determine how many they needed – single signs, multiple signs, etc. and their CWPP group purchased the metal signs and the numbers, assembled them and have been putting them up. They cost between $3,000 and $3,500. She asked about the FD maps and Chris said they’re 10 years old.  Donal estimated that we have between 250 – 300 structures in the district.  He suggested we look at our options: the cost and the people to carry the project.  Gretchen will do some more research and report back.  Sunshine would like to see good addressing spread like a virus.  At the last Town Meeting, people were interested also.

OLD BUSINESS

Chris reported that his #1 question is the long-standing need for a legal easement for the 12,000 gal. cistern in the subdivision.  It’s now been in the works for several years and Chris thinks it’s very important to get it settled.  Rich volunteered to look into it.

Chris also pointed out that our copy of the Exemption from Audit that was signed at the last meeting needs to be filed in the office in the Budget file.

He also reported that Leslie is still signing the checks and the Board needs to fill out the paperwork to sign on the account.  Dave moved that all Board members be signers, Rich seconded and all voted aye.  Chris will take a signed copy of the motion to the Vectra Bank on 17^th & Pearl to get the process moving.

The question was raised that the current transparency notice needs to be posted on the website.  Donal has the terms from the lawyer, and it can be finished up.

Rich looked into the dry hydrant site in Lefthand.  It seems shallow and would need to be deepened, but Chris says it is the best place to pull a fire truck off.  Rich knows the owners and they are here in the summer.  All thought it would be a desirable thing for the property owners to have a fixed dry hydrant close to them and would hopefully be well received.   It was decided to proceed and talk to the owners.

NEW BUSINESS

Donal was pleased to report that the board is meeting with the full complement of 5 members for the first time and it’s important because Chris needs a functioning board.  Rich suggested that if someone is out of town, they could have phone participation if needed.

CHIEF’S TIME

Chris reports that they have received most of the new SCBAs – they came with medium masks only and some hoses are missing.  Other sized masks and the missing hoses have been ordered.   The masks will be hanging in bags with the bunker gear and 1-2 spares will be in the truck.  They will go into service as soon as possible.  First the firefighters have to watch 2 short movies, take a test (takes only 15-20 minutes) and do training – contact Chris or Donal for info.  The new 60minute bottles (vs. the old 30-min. ones) are a huge advance for the department.

Chris has applied for a VFA grant for new wildland gear.  Our share of the cost will be 50%.  There have been some changes – he used to work with Allen Owen of the CSFS and now it’s the Colo. Dept. of Public Safety.

As of right now Steffi is in the First Responders class and Steffi and Marielle are beginning the Wildland class.

4th of July is coming up and they are always looking for help.

The Red equipment bags are all in the locker room stacked in the back – Chris reminded the firefighters that the floor is for walking on.

Motion to adjourn carried.

*Magnolia Road Community Training: Free Wildfire Mitigation Program
When: Tuesday, May 21 – 6 to 8 p.m.
Where: At a community member’s home at 390 Porter Ranch Rd., Nederland
What: Outside Wildfire Mitigation Workshop and info about a Community Chipping Event
Who should attend? The program is open to everyone. However, residents living in the Magnolia Road area are especially encouraged to attend.

Program Description: At this free outdoor Wildfire Mitigation Workshop, learn how to identify mitigation actions you can take to reduce the ignitability of your home. We will tour the outside of our workshop home and critically evaluate the home’s strengths and weakness in relation to wildland fire.

The “Home Ignition Zone” is a phrase coined by nationally recognized researcher Dr. Jack Cohen, USFS, Missoula Fire Science Lab. Cohen’s research focuses on how and why homes burn during wildfires and strongly suggests landowners who take precautionary action can dramatically increase the likelihood of their homes surviving the next fire.

Learn about simple actions you can take to dramatically improve the chances of your home surviving the next wildfire. Our understanding about how homes are lost in wildfires is changing. Learn the latest science available and lessons learned from last summer’s Waldo Canyon Wildfire.

Community Chipping Program: Boulder County recently awarded PUMA (Preserve Unique Magnolia Road Area) a community chipping reimbursement grant to help the community set up a curbside chipping program. This year PUMA will host two “curbside chipping events” in mid- May and in mid-Oct. Please join us at this meeting if you are interested in taking advantage of the heavily discounted chipping program. If you have questions about the chipping event please call Robert Fray, PUMA Volunteer Chipping Coordinator, at 303-939-9044.
Program Highlights:

• Hear about our planned Community Chipping Days.
• Sign-up for the discounted curbside chipping program.
• Learn about simple spring maintenance tips to better prepare your home for wildfires.
• Understand the latest wildfire mitigation science.
• Learn how to retrofit your home to be more fire-resistant.

Program Sponsors: PUMA (Preserve Unique Magnolia Area) and Boulder County