Thursday, October 30, 2008

Trick or Treat Street in Castle Rock

Hey, tomorrow is Halloween! Looking for safe fun for kids? Castle Rock is hosting Trick or Treat Street.

There will be a costume contest (preregistration is recommended), pumpkin decorating and live music. Kids can trick or treat at downtown merchants from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Participating merchants will be identified with orange and black balloons outside. A complete list of businesses can be obtained at http://www.downtowncastlerock.com/.

You can get a free mini photo of your child in costume at Forever Yours Photography and Pawsch Puppy is hosting Yappie Hour. For details on these events, how to preregister and other information, go to the original story at http://denver.yourhub.com/CastleRock/Stories/Goings-on/Story~536491.aspx.

Happy Halloween from the 4-H staff!

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Cake show coming up in February 2009

Passing on some info for our cake decorating kids...

"Sweet Times In The Rockies" is having their third annual cake show in conjunction with the Colorado Garden and Home Show February 7 and 8, 2009, at the Denver Convention Center.

Complete rules, regulations, entry forms, contacts and other information is available on this web site: http://www.geocities.com/denvercakeshow/info.html

Congratulations DC 4-H Meat Judging Team!

The Douglas County 4-H Meat Judging team won the National Champion title at the 2008 American Royal Stock Show National 4-H Meat Evaluation and Identification Contest. Held on October 28, 2008 at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Colorado competed with 11 state teams in categories like beef and pork judging, retail id, retail cuts, and reasons.

Receiving a $500 award, champion team members Jordan McHenry of Castle Rock, Natalie Roberts of Castle Rock, Logan Lenz of Castle Rock, and Maggie Weinroth of Sedalia were coached by Paul Clayton, Terra Thorpe, and Kevin Smith. “We are very proud of these 4-H’ers,” said Terra Thorpe. “Their hard work and dedication has made them true champions. We hope this opportunity will provide a very bright future for them.” Jordan McHenry also received a $750 scholarship for her second high individual placing.

The 4-H team would like to thank their parents, the coaches, National Western Stock Show Jr. Livestock Sale Committee, Colorado State University Meat Judging Team, Colorado State University Animal Science Department, Colorado State 4-H Foundation, and the Douglas County 4-H Council for their help and sponsorship of this program.

Congratulations from the 4-H staff!

4-H'ers, you can enter the 2009 Team America Rocketry Challenge

Take a look at this opportunity to compete in a rocketry contest. If you win, you could go earn a scholarship or go to Paris!

"Registration is now open for the 2009 Team America Rocketry Challenge, the world's largest rocket contest challenging participants to compete for $60,000 in prizes and scholarships and a trip to next year's international air show in Paris. Contest rules and registration are at www.rocketcontest.org. Participation is limited to the first 750 teams who register by Monday, December 1.

The Challenge: Teams must design and build a rocket containing a raw egg that will climb to 750 feet and stay aloft for 45 seconds. This year's new task is transporting the one-egg payload lying on its side rather than positioned vertically, mimicking the position of an astronaut.

Students in grades 7-12 in any U.S. school or non-profit youth organization are eligible to compete. About 7,000 students from across the country took part in the contest in 2008, and since TARC's first contest in 2003, almost 50,000 students have taken the challenge. A 4-H team from Washington County, WI http://www.4hrocketry.org/ placed 15th in TARC nationally in 2007.

Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) sponsors the contest with the National Association of Rocketry (NAR), NASA, the Defense Department, and AIA member companies. NAR www.nar.org is a partner with 4-H and specifically invites 4-H groups to try TARC.

The rocket contest gives future engineers the opportunity to demonstrate their math and physics skills. Working together in a team environment, they will design a real aerospace product, which will be put through the rigors of testing and evaluation. For more details download the Handbook and Rules documents and get started with your 4-H Rocketry Team right away!"

If you have questions, contact the person below.

Ron Drum
National Coordinator, 4-H Science,
Engineering & Technology (SET)
National 4-H Council
7100 Connecticut Avenue
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Telephone: 301-961-2814
Fax: 301-961-2894
rdrum@fourhcouncil.edu

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Help families in need: donate coats at Douglas County Libraries

Winter is a comin'! There are people in our communities in need of extra help this year. Some of you may have coats in good condition that your kids have simply grown out of or that you no longer use.

During the month of November, Douglas County Libraries is uniting with Coats for Colorado to gather gently used and new coats for those who need them this winter. Please bring coats to any library branch:

Parker Library (10851 South Crossroads Drive)
Highlands Ranch Library (9292 Ridgeline Boulevard)
Philip S. Miller Library (100 S. Wilcox St., Castle Rock)
The Neighborhood Library at Lone Tree (8827 Lone Tree Parkway)
The Neighborhood Library at Roxborough (8357 N. Rampart Range Road)
Louviers Library (7865 Louviers Boulevard)

Last year, Douglas County Libraries collected more than 1,500 coats for individuals and families. For more information, stop by your library, call 303-791-READ, or visit the website at http://www.douglascountylibraries.org/.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Volunteers needed to help home for senior animals at Dreampower Ranch

The 4-H community is a generous one, so I thought of you all when I saw a story on yourhub.com about a sanctuary for older and unwanted animals that may be forced to close down.

The PAALS Program (People and Animals Living Synergistically) resides at the 160-acre Dreampower Ranch and consists of 200 animals and several senior volunteers that live on site to help care for them. This progam was started ten years ago by Diane Benedict with a vision of providing lifelong care for these animals.

According to the article, animals at the Dreampower Ranch include not only dogs and cats but horses, donkeys, chickens, goats, potbelly pigs, mules and a long-horned steer named Chico. Funding is provided through individuals, groups, organizations and companies.

The ranch is need of carpenters, people to help raise barns, and monetary donations to keep the ranch running. For more information, log on to http://www.paalsforlife.com/ or call 303-688-9537.

The Dreampower Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit corporation that supports the PAALS Program. Monetary donations can be sent to PAALS, P.O. Box 926, Castle Rock, CO 80104.

Original article: http://denver.yourhub.com/CastleRock/Stories/Pets-and-Animals/Story~539287.aspx

Douglas County DARE Officers to Present Drug Education and Prevention Class for Parents

Passing on information and an opportunity to 4-H parents...

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office D.A.R.E. Officers will be presenting a class for parents on Over the Counter and Prescription Drugs. This is designed to inform parents of the dangers that are facing the youth of our community today and what how parents can be prepared to deal with this problem with their own kids. There are two dates the classes will be presented, Thursday November 6th at Chaparrel High School in Parker and Tuesday November 11th at Rock Canyon High School in Highlands Ranch. Both classes will be held from 6:30-8:00 pm in the school auditorium. Please RSVP at DARE@dcsheriff.net by November 3rd.

Prescription drugs and Over the Counter Medications are currently among the substances most commonly abused by young people in the United States. Both are readily available and can easily be obtained by teenagers who abuse these drugs to experience a variety of desired effects. Often these young people are unaware of the serious health risks involved in abusing these medications. Increasingly younger adolescents obtain prescription drugs from classmates, friends, and family members, or they steal the drugs from school medicine dispensaries and from people for whom the drug had been legitimately prescribed.

D.A.R.E. Officers are concerned about this alarming trend and want to make parents and caregivers of teens aware of the facts and prepared to deal with these issues.

We encourage you to sign up for this informative class.

4-H and the movie "The Secret Life of Bees"

It's always fun to find out who has connections to 4-H.

A recently released fantastic little movie called "The Secret Life of Bees" has a 4-H connection. The original author is Sue Monk Kidd who credits her 4-H experience in entomology and reading as "a positive force in her life and career".

The National 4-H Council has teamed with the makers of this film to support efforts regarding Science, Engineering and Technology in 4-H. This is the big national focus right now in 4-H.

Visit http://www.4-h.org/ to read her full story, find out more about the movie, and go on a "backstage tour".

Friday, October 24, 2008

Haunted Halloween Hay Ride

Don't forget about the Halloween Hay Ride! It's happening this weekend.

Oct 24-26, 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Stockton Plum Creek Stables

The Cowboys 4-H Club is holding their annual Halloween fundraiser. Families can enjoy an old-fashioned hay ride with a scary Halloween twist. Come and join the fun! Adults are $11; kids 12 and under are $8; under 2 are free. Call Stockton Plum Creek Stables at 303-791-1966 to make reservations and get directions.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

National Extension Conference on Volunteerism April 2009

This could be an interesting conference to attend. After all, there is no 4-H without volunteers!

The National Extension Conference on Volunteerism will be held April 27-30, 2009 at General Butler State Resort Park in Carrollton, Kentucky (www.ca.uky.edu/agcollege/4h/necv/).

Specific questions about the 2009 National Extension Conference on Volunteerism may be directed to Sheri Seibold (sseibold@illinois.edu) or Sue Pleskac (sue.pleskac@ces.uwex.edu).

Program for working adults to earn an Agricultural Business Degree online

Here is information on an online degree program through CSU specifically designed for working adults.

Working adults can now complete an undergraduate degree in agricultural business with an online program. The program uses economic theory to provide a framework for understanding agricultural issues, predicting the likely effects of government policies and regulations, and devising solutions to economic and environmental problems. The program is part of the AgIDEA Educational consortium.

For more information, contact Frances Betts at fbetts@clearn.colostate.edu or visit http://www.learn.colostate.edu/. The application deadline for the spring semester is December 1.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

DC Achievement Night

It's been a week since Achievement Night festivities - can you believe it? Please take a look at the newsletter for award recipients or come into the office to pick up an Achievement Night program located in the paper holders in the office.

Some pictures of the night have been posted in the right column for your viewing pleasure. If anyone has more, feel free to send them on to Melody.

A big thank you goes to the volunteers who came in to help us get ready for the night as well as those who offered, Mary Baldwin for soldiering forward as the sole 4-H Agent, Kathe Jackson for the innumerable tasks she has to complete to make this happen (you don't even know what it takes - wow!), other Extension staff who chipped in, the interim director JoAnn Powell who drove down from Ft. Collins just for this event, members and leaders who volunteered to speak and present awards, the Events Center crew who set up the room for us and then very patiently made changes on the fly, the crew that helped decorate for the evening and then helped clean up, the commissioners for taking time to attend and then donating to 4-H through our little scarecrow auction, and the husbands at home who had to weather the 4-H staff's late nights, wild-eyed hysteria, and lack of time to go grocery shopping.

Thank you everybody!

Time to write holiday cards to troops, 4-H

Again this year Douglas County 4-H will be sending holiday cards to those serving our country through the military. All clubs are welcome to participate. Buy a card, make a card, or write a letter – all are appreciated.

Clubs need to drop off cards to the 4-H office no later than November 14th.

Thanks Douglas County 4-H!


Monday, October 6, 2008

New award for high school students interested in science and technology

The national push in 4-H is to focus more on science and technology. For those interested in these subjects, a new award has become available.

The Pete Conrad Spirit of Innovation Awards combine education, innovation and entrepreneurship by challenging high school students to design products using science and technology. The competition includes platforms in personal spaceflight, lunar exploration and renewable energy.

To compete, teams develop their concept, submit a business plan, and become public Ambassadors for their ideas. Students will compete for over $120,000 of prize money as well as the opportunities to connect with leading scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs. The awards create a long term community for students and teachers that provides the resources and opportunities needed to develop and incubate commercial products. The competition is just the beginning of this journey.

For more information on the Pete Conrad Spirit of Innovation Awards go to: http://www.conradaward.com/

Flu shots, get your flu shots

It's that time of year - flu season. Just passing on flu shot information to the Douglas County 4-H Community.

Douglas County Libraries are hosting a series of flu shots in October and November at Parker, Lone Tree, Castle Rock, and Highlands Ranch.

$25 Flu Shot
$42 Pneumococcal Shot

Highlands Ranch Library, 9292 Ridgeline Boulevard Tuesday, November 11, 9:30 a.m. - Noon

Neighborhood Library at Lone Tree, 8827 Lone Tree Parkway Saturday, October 18, 9 a.m. - Noon

Parker Library, 10851 South Crossroads Drive Saturday, October 11, 10 a.m. - Noon Wednesday, October 15, 9:30 a.m. - Noon

Philip S. Miller Library, 100 South Wilcox Street, Castle Rock Tuesday, October 21, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 29, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Certain policies do apply. Please read the full story here: http://denver.yourhub.com/HighlandsRanch/Stories/News/About-Town/Story~529167.aspx

No registration is required. For more information, stop by your library, call 303-791-READ, or visit the Programs & Events calendar at www.DouglasCountyLibraries.org.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Here is an opportunity to attend a 4-H club-sponsored Horse Fun Show...

Boots and Saddles Fun Show

fyi - Boots and Saddles is the name of a 4-H Club as well as a therapeutic riding center in Douglas County. For more information (like location), call the person and number at the bottom of this posting.

October 18, 2008
Entries open at 8:00am Show starts 9:00am

Entry Fees $3.00 per class

Classes
1. Dress up race 6. Phone book Race
2. Egg and spoon 7. Boot race
3. Dollar bareback 8. Flags
4. Clothes pin race 9. Drink race
5. Mrs. Tina says 10. Musical lead line
Helmets are strongly suggested.

Drinks and Hot dogs available. Tack Swap/Sale will be happening during the show.

Contact: Tina Ecker @ 303-688-1388

Thursday, October 2, 2008

2008-2009 4-H enrollment forms now available on the website

Come one, come all. Enrollment forms for leaders and members, as well as this year's project list, are now available on the Douglas County Extension website under the tab "4-H Forms". Our new year began October 1st and re-enrollments need to be completed by November 17th, 2008.

Here is the link: http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/douglas/4h_files/4hforms.htm