The location for the fire aviation operations presentation has been moved. It now will be held at the Boulder County Courthouse.

What: Fire Aviation Operations Presentation

When: Wednesday, Oct. 12, 7-8:30 p.m.

Where: Boulder County Courthouse, 1325 Pearl St., Commissioners’ Hearing Room, 3rd Floor

The presentation will teach about the types of aircraft used for fire aviation, their capabilities and limitations, Colorado’s current aviation program, where these aircraft come from, who flies them, and what it takes to become a firefighting pilot. A question and answer session will follow the presentation.

For more information, contact Dave Zader at 303-441-4353 or zaderd@nullbouldercolorado.gov. Zader is the Fire Management Officer for the Wildland Division of the City of Boulder Fire Department.

As part of Wildfire Awareness Month this October, Boulder County is presenting a series of events to help people prepare for a wildfire, take action to protect their homes, and work with neighbors to reduce their risk. See the schedule of events.

Gold Hill Town Meeting

Monday, October 10, 7:30 p.m. Community Center

Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Approval of Minutes of last meeting

3. Treasurer’s Report

-John to read the report sent by Adriana

4. Committee Reports

a. Community Planning/Trails

b. Historical Zoning

c. Forest Mgmt/CWPP

d. Fire Department

-Gretchen to give a report from the last fireboard        meeting

e. Weed Mgmt

f. Historic Gold Hill

g. Mining

h. Gold Hill School

5. Old Business

6. New Business/Announcements

-Rummage Sale Report- Deb Yeager

–  Please vote November 1, 2011. Even in an off year there are important issues on the ballot.

The ‘mountain forest improvement district’ is a Boulder County ballot initiative that proposes to create a Mountain Forest Improvement District as a recommendation of the Citizen Advisory Team concerning the Community Wildfire Protection Plan. This would be the entity that would “plan and implement forest improvement projects in wild land-urban interface areas, including projects to reduce hazardous fuels and protect communities.”  For more information you can look up 2011 ballot initiatives at www.bouldercounty.org.

–  Allen Bishop from Boulder County Amateur Radio Emergency Services (BCARES) came to speak at our mountain mayors meeting

-Message from Amy Hardy:  I have continued to attend the Mountain Mayor’s meetings.  We had a meeting two weeks ago and Allen Bishop from Boulder County Amateur Radio Emergency Services (BCARES) came to the meeting to talk about using HAM radios as a method of communication in the case of an emergency in the mountains.  Allen and BCARES played a very valuable role during the Fourmile Canyon Fire and he has been working with the Sheriff’s Dept. as well as local fire chiefs.  There are plans to install an antenna on the Gold Hill fire barn as well as in Ward.  There is already one in Nederland and they are looking at installing one in Jamestown as well.  The intention is to create a Mountain Emergency Radio Network that will enable the small mountain towns west of Boulder to continue to communicate with authorities as well as one another in the case that mainstream communications fail. The goal of MERN is to provide clear information during an emergency and eliminate the rumor mill.  BCARES is workings in conjunction with local fire departments and Foothills United Way to provide the radios and training for any local that wishes to learn the HAM radio system.  This training will provide the individual with a federal certification in HAM radio operation.  These trainings are from 9am to 3pm on October 22^nd at the Nederland Community Center and October 29^th from 9am to 3pm at the Gold Hill fire barn.  Following these training dates will be test dates for the federal exam.  Please contact Amy Hardy at ahardy105@nullyahoo.com if you have any questions.

As part of October Wildfire Awareness Month, chipping services will be provided at no charge by the Sheriff’s Office Fire Crew.  This is your chance to get rid of your slash piles and create defensible space on your property.

Date: Saturday, October 8^th, 2011

Time: 10:00 am-3:00 pm

Location: Soby Residence, 9998 Gold Hill Rd. 100 yds west of the Gold Hill fire barn
What do you have to do?  Get your slash to the Sobys.  If you do not have a truck to haul your slash, call Pete Soby (303 444-9249).
Drop-off Guidelines:

·         Site is open for material drop-off between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.  (No material accepted before then.)

·         Onsite registration/check-in is required.

·         Maximum diameter of slash: 6” (minimum diameter of slash: ¾”)

·         At drop-off site, stack slash neatly with the cut ends out.

·         Longer branches are acceptable, no need to cut them short.

·         Only forest slash will be accepted. No leaf litter, trash, construction waste, dirt, metal or rocks.  It is very important that slash does not contain any metal (including old nails and fencing). That material will damage donated chippers.

For more info, call Ashley Garrison, BCSO Volunteer Fire Fighter Coordinator (720 564-2673) or Susan Fernalld (303 447-0634)

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

2:00 P.M.

PRESENTER: Land Use Department Public Hearing: Docket BVCP-10-0001 Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan 2010 Major Five Year Update; Staff presentation on the policy, text and map changes to the BVCP as approved by the City of Boulder Planning Board, City Council and revised by action of the county Planning Commission on August 24, 2011. ACTION REQUESTED: Adoption

Boulder County, Colo. – Residents who plan to cast a ballot in the 2011 coordinated election have less than one month to register to vote.

The deadline to register for the 2011 coordinated election, which will be conducted by mail ballot, is Oct. 3.

Boulder County voters can visit BoulderCountyVotes.org to register to vote, request a mail ballot, or check and update their voter registration. They can also call 303-413-7740 for more information or visit one of three Boulder County Clerk & Recorder’s Office branches: 1750 33rd St. in Boulder; 529 Coffman St. in Longmont; or 722 Main St. in Louisville.

Voters who have moved since the previous election will need to update their registration if they plan to vote in the upcoming election.

Election Day is Nov. 1, but voters will begin receiving ballots in mid-October.

Key Dates for the 2011 Coordinated Election:

• · Monday, Oct. 3: Last day to register to vote for the election.
• · Tuesday, Oct. 25: Last day to apply for a ballot if you’d like to receive it by mail. (Active voters can apply for and receive a ballot in person through Election Day.)
• · Nov. 1: Election Day. Ballots must be in hands of Boulder County Clerk & Recorder’s Office no later than 7 p.m.

– BoulderCountyVotes.org –

Fall kick-off at museum. Two new exciting exhibits and a reception.

University of Colorado Museum of Natural History
Two exciting and new exhibitions and an opening reception kick-off fall semester

Burning Issues: The Fourmile Canyon Fire
Sept. 6, 2011 – Jan. 26, 2012.

One year ago an errant spark ignited the most destructive and expensive fire in
Colorado history. Visit this exhibition to learn what happened, the ecological
importance of fires and how environmental and human factors affect fire
activity. Photography, scarred trees and video interviews tell the story and
illustrate how scientists reconstruct fire history.

Thurs., September 15, 2011
6:00 p.m. Opening Reception for Burning Issues: the Fourmile Canyon Fire
7:00 p.m. Presentation: Fire in the Mountains: Understanding Fire History
and
Fire Dynamics in Colorado, by Geography Professor Dr. Tom Veblen

For more information: http://cumuseum.colorado.edu and 303-492-6892

Bird Shift: The Anthropogenic Ornithology of North America
Aug. 22 – Dec. 31, 2011

Through a collaboration with nationally recognized artist Brian D. Collier and
local scientists, transportation professionals and birders, EcoArts Connection
and the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History are co-presenting an
exhibition exploring how human activity affects local bird behavior. Included
are colorful photos, objects and video presentations. A series of animated
talks, panel discussions, bird walks, a poetry reading, family activities and a
website are included along with Bus Birding activities on the Long JUMP bus
route, and at selected Long JUMP stops.

For more information:
http://cumuseum.colorado.edu and
http://www.BusBirding.SocietyRNE.net
303-492-6892

The University of Colorado Museum of Natural History is located on campus in
the Henderson Building next to and just west of the UMC at 15th and Broadway.

“The smoke was so thick in here at that point, nobody could tell what was burning and what wasn’t.”

—Bob Mason, Gold Hill resident

PACKED is a film about the Fourmile Canyon evacuees and what they chose to take with them, not knowing if everything left behind would be destroyed. Their choices might be surprising, but each response has something to teach us about  the things we surround ourselves with and what is truly irreplaceable.

“The luxury of time creates the problem of decision-making…you’ve got to think: What do I want? What do I need?

What do I love?”

—Joanne Cole, evacuee

Please join us on September 20, at 7:00 p.m., at the Main Library auditorium

of the Boulder Public Library for this FREE Fourmile Fire anniversary program.

Max’s Annual “Sunday Before Labor Day” picnic at the ridge

It’s happening this coming Sunday beginning at 2 pm.  Bring your dish to share, your favorite beverage, musical instruments – Mary Russell is playing – and plan on having a great time.  Max provides corn on the cob, barbecued ribs, hamburgers, and beer.  He’s lost count of how many years this has been happening so if you know, let us know.  We’ll see you there!  Remember, this party happens as long as you’re there.

See you on Sunday.

Debra Yeager <deb@nullmountainvisions.net>

Wednesday morning helicopter flight will bring noise to Fourmile burn area

Boulder County, Colo. – Residents are advised that a low-level helicopter flight will create noise above the Fourmile Canyon Fire burn area this Wednesday, Aug. 31 between 8-10 a.m.

Boulder County has contracted with Wright Water Engineers to identify potential problems associated with flooding and resultant debris flows in the burn area. The helicopter flight will expedite Wright Water’s reconnaissance of the area.

“The goal of this effort is to evaluate the cost and feasibility of mitigating and preventing ongoing flooding and debris flows in the burn area versus the cost and feasibility of continuing to take a reactive approach to flooding and debris flows,” Boulder County Transportation Director George Gerstle said.

“This will give a much better idea of what we can do to keep typical rainstorms from becoming emergencies for the next 5-10 years.”

Questions about the Wednesday morning helicopter flight may be directed to Boulder County’s Transportation Department at 303-441-3900.

-BoulderCounty.org-

The Gold Hill School is hosting it’s bi annual Living History Day. It is on Friday, September 9th. We are hoping to have anyone who is interested dress in costume, early,1900’s. and be available from 12-2 ish! I am hoping to gather a group of women who will sing at the Blue bird Lodge and perhaps tell a ghost story.
Maggie Simms has generously offered the use of her costumes providing the costume is cleaned and returned in a timely manner!
Anyone who is interested please email Debbie Steinmann debinlyons@nullhotmail.com
We publicize the event and  hope to have a news crew.
Thanks,
Debbie

deborah steinmann <debinlyons@nullhotmail.com>

“As a mark of our gratitude to the many people who send good wishes and supported us after the fire, my son Emanuel and his girlfriend Allegra are performing a free cello and piano recital on Wednesday 24th August at the 1st Congregational Church, Pine and Broadway. Emanuel and Allegra are graduate students at New England Conservatory and Juilliard respectively, and will play Beethoven, Janacek and other pieces.

The recital is free and open to everyone (please tell your friends).  We will be accepting donations for the Four Mile Fire Department to help pay for a new fire truck. We would love to see everyone.”
Roland Evans

From John Latham  latham@nullucar.edu.

From Pam Sherman   pamsher123@nullgmail.com
This is a reminder of the free cello and piano recital commemorating the Four Mile Fire

Who:            Emanuel Evans, cello and Allegra Chapman, piano.
What:           Pieces by Janacek, Beethoven and Shostakovitch
Where:          1st Congregational Church, at Pine and Broadway.
When:           7.00 pm on this Wednesday, 24th August.
In aid of:              Four Mile Fire Department to buy a new fire truck

Please come – we’d love to see you there.

Roland Evans
303-998-1090
escape@nullearthnet.net

Land Use Department begins update on Boulder County Comprehensive Plan

Community invited to provide input into future direction of county planning at a series of meetings held around the county from Aug. 30 through the beginning of October

Boulder County, Colo. – Over the course of the next 12-18 months, Boulder County staff will be leading a major effort to review and, where necessary, update the county’s Comprehensive Plan (BCCP) originally adopted in 1978. It is anticipated that any revisions to the plan will incorporate an emphasis on sustainable planning and living.

The first step in the process will be to introduce the existing comp plan to county residents, explore how the plan has shaped the county as it exists today, and provide reasons for initiating a complete review and modernization of the plan.

Gaining public input into the BCCP update effort is critical to planning for the future of Boulder County, and opportunities for residents to get involved in the process will begin with a series of meetings scheduled as follows:

• · Aug. 30     Allenspark Fire Station                    7-9 p.m.

14861 State Highway 7, Allenspark

• · Aug. 31     Nederland Community Center        7-9 p.m.

750 State Highway 72, Nederland

• · Sept. 14     Boulder County Recycling Center  7-9 p.m.

1901 63rd St., Boulder

• · Sept. 21     Lafayette Public Library                  6:30-8:30 p.m.

775 W. Baseline Road, Lafayette

• · Sept. 26     Longmont – Boulder County            7-9 p.m.
  Parks & Open Space Building

5201 Saint Vrain Road, Longmont

• · Oct. 5        Niwot – Left Hand Grange              7-9 p.m.

195 Second Ave., Niwot

• · TBD          Open House

Date and location to be determined

Each meeting, led by the Boulder County Land Use Department, is expected to last two hours and follow a similar format, including:

• · A viewing of two videos, one on the BCCP and one on growth and planning in Boulder County since 1950;
• · An introduction of a new set of draft Guiding Principles that aim to incorporate established goals and objectives currently found in the plan, including land use and sustainability.
• · The solicitation of participants’ reactions, response and feedback on the draft Guiding Principles as well as a question and response session with county staff;
• · A discussion on next steps and information on how to stay informed and involved.

The goal of the meetings is to help attendees leave with a better understanding of the BCCP (what it is for and how it is used), contribute to the scope and content of the draft Guiding Principles, and become engaged in the broader comp plan update effort.

All residents of Boulder County are encouraged to attend, and it is hoped that diverse perspectives from around the county (including rural, mountain and urban communities) are well-represented at the meetings and throughout the formal public process for adopting a revised plan.

For more information, visit the county’s website at: Boulder County Comprehensive Plan Update or contact: Peter Fogg or Bill Davidson, Long Range Policy Team, at the Boulder County Land Use Department, 303-441-3930.

-BoulderCounty.org-

Background on the BCCP:

Originally adopted in 1978, the BCCP helps shape Boulder County land use regulations and provides direction to programs and plans administered by the county’s Parks and Open Space and Transportation departments, among others. It further helps promote strong relations among the county, its municipalities, all residents, and other jurisdictions.

The established goals in the BCCP help direct urban development into urban areas and maintain the agricultural, environmental resources, and rural character of the unincorporated areas of the county. Sections of the BCCP have been amended incrementally since 1978, but the plan has not had a full review, major revision or update since it was initially adopted.



Please join us for an evening to commemorate the first anniversary of the Four Mile Canyon Fire by gathering with our neighbors and friends.  The evening will include a beautiful dinner along Boulder Creek followed by music provided by the Blue Canyon Boys!  We’d like to invite all those affected by the Four Mile Canyon Fire, both those families that lost their homes and those who are  living in the burn area.  Please plan on arriving at 5:30 with dinner served at 6pm and music will follow. Please let us know if you are a vegetarian. This event is sponsored by Foothills United Way, RSVP required.

Please contact Amy Hardy if you have any questions atahardy@nullunitedwayfoothills.org.

Foothills United Way

RUMMAGE ITEMS

It’s that time to start thinking about the “Main Money Maker of the Year for our Town”, and we need your help.  We are having our annual bake/rummage/arts & crafts sale on Sunday, September 18^th from 10 to 3 in the Inn’s parking lot. As usual, we need your rummage items, but we’re asking you to give some careful thought to what you donate this year.  In the past we’ve had a lot of things left over and we’d like to avoid as much of that as possible.

This year we need you to bring your items to the Inn’s parking lot between 8 and 9 am on Sunday morning, September 18^th.  We will NOT be collecting things in advance this year.  If your item isn’t there by 9:45 am, please don’t bring it.

Additionally, we have a team that will be responsible for taking any leftover rummage items after the event to Boulder on Monday, September 19^th to donate them to a thrift shop, BUT we really need you to be diligent about giving us only sellable items.  Please don’t bring us things that aren’t in good shape.   We do request that you to take back any large items that don’t sell, and, please, no electronics.

BAKED GOODS

Your wonderful baked goods have always been the foundation of our sale.  We will be selling baked goods (as well as ice cream and pasties) on the porch of the Hotel.  Please bring them between 9 and 10, so we can get everything set up.

PASTIES PRESELL

If you are looking for a great lunch or dinner treat, consider preordering your pasties.  We will be taking orders for pasties that you can pick up on Sunday, September 18^th.  The cost is $3.00 a piece and we will have both meat and vegetarian pasties.  Contact Debra to place your order.  All orders must be receive by September 1, 2011.

MUSICIANS

We will be having live music this year generously provided by Crystal and Bill Atkinson, et al.  We are also looking for “local buskers.”  You may keep any money you raise, but we request that you donate a share of any proceeds to the town effort..  We want to locate you on Main Street around the rummage sale area and in front of the Inn.  If you play an instrument and would like to try your hand at buskering, please let me know.  ALL AGES are invited to participate.  Definition:  Busker – a person who entertains in a public place for donations (according to Daniel Webster and his dictionary!)

VOLUNTEERS

If you would like to assist the various crews that are currently working on making this a success, please let us know as soon as possible.  We are looking for people to help carry items, set up, tear down, drivers, and many other things.  We would love to have your help to make this the best bake and rummage sale ever.  Remember, more monies for our town means more monies for mitigation, grant opportunities and helping our neighbors.  Your help is always appreciated.

Contacts –  Buskers and our Overall Leader: Debra Yeager,  303 449 0454 or 303 881 7665 or                                                                         deb@nullmountainvisions.net

Rummage Sale: Lisa McConnell, 444-3732, McConnEnt@nullaol.com and/or John Sand, 443-                                                      2543 or                   jocher_sand@nullhotmail.com

Pasties: Maggie Simms, 473-0811 or  death_party@nullhotmail.com

Ice Cream Social: Joan Few, 442-3373 or  Joan@nullrewrpa.com

Raffle & Silent Auction: Joanne Cole, 443-7459 or  jocole420@nullgmail.com

Arts & Crafts Fair: Gretchen Diefenderfer, 442-3847 or  gretchend@nullmac.com

Beer Sales: Val Crist, 440-9926 or  vjcrist@nullhotmail.com

Thanks for your help! Debra Yeager,  303 449 0454 or 303 881 7665 or deb@nullmountainvisions.net

Do you create paintings, pottery, photographs, jewelry, note cards, bird houses, furniture, musical instruments, soap, candles, and/or other items or curiosities?

Gold Hill is inviting artists and craftspeople who live in the mountain communities of Gold Hill and surrounding areas (Ward, Jamestown, Nederland, Rowena, Sunshine, Wall Street, etc.) to sell their wares on Sunday, September 18, from 10am to 3pm in Gold Hill in the Gold Hill Inn area, in conjunction with our very popular Annual Fall Bake & Rummage Sale.  The Arts and Crafts have been wonderful and a welcome addition to our efforts.

Cost is $20 per artist/craftsperson.  We also ask that you donate an item to be bid on in a silent auction, which will benefit those affected by the Fourmile Fire. We ask that you sell only items that are created in the mountain communities – nothing imported from elsewhere.  You provide the table and/or tent and someone to mind your store.  You keep all profits.  Advertisements and notices will be placed in Boulder, Nederland, Ward, and other locations.  The $20 goes to the Gold Hill Town Meeting, sponsor of the event.  Other proceeds from the bake and rummage sale, etc. will be used to help fund various community projects.

To reserve your spot, we ask that you please remit your application and $20 by September 2^nd.  You may drop it off at the Town Meeting mailbox in front of the Gold Hill General Store or mail it to the Gold Hill Town Meeting, Attn: Arts/Crafts Fair, 1011 Main Street, Gold Hill, CO  80302.  Please include your name, your mountain location, contact information, type of wares, and if you will have a tent.  Anyone with an extra tent that they could lend to another artist/crafts person or Questions? Contact Gretchen, 303-442-3847 or gretchend@nullmac.com.

We are also looking for street musicians (acoustic only) to take turns playing during the fair.  We cannot pay you, and you may keep any money you raise through donations or sale of CDs., but we would ask that you donate some portion of any proceeds to the town effort.   Please contact Deb at 449-0454 by Sept 15^th for scheduling.

Name:  ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Town/Community:  ____________________________________________________________________________________

Contact info: (Phone, Email, or mailing address) ____________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Type of wares you will be selling:  ____________________________________________________________________

Here are a couple of items that might interest you on the BOCC agenda for Tuesday,Aug 16

9:00 a.m. PRESENTER: Parks and Open Space Department

Public Hearing: Nederland CommunityForestry Sort Yard One-Year Review: Review of operations at the sort yard located at 286 Ridge Road in Nederland. The sort yard was approved on August 4, 2009, under Land Use Docket LU=09-0010.

ACTION REQUESTED: Information/Direction

11:00 a.m. PRESENTER: Land Use Department

Public Hearing: docket HP-11-0004 Brown Houses: Request for Approval of a Boulder County Historic Landmark Designation and approval for multiple principal uses.  The proposed project is located in the Historic Aoning District at 540 Colete Street (including 859 Pine), Gold Hill, in Sec. 15, T1N, R72W.

ACTION REQUESTED: DECISION