If you want to get serious about green building and green building networking, then become a member…read moreof the United States Green Building Council's (USGBC) Colorado Chapter and start getting involved in the monthly programs and chapter committees. A chapter membership is as low as $50/year for individuals and students and will honestly provide you with the opportunity to meet and get involved in some of Colorado's meanest and greenest projects. (Although you don't have to be a chapter member to attend the monthly programs.... It gives you a discount.) In turn you can have the opportunity to meet with some of the biggest decision makers in the business... As well as marketers, entrepreneurs, assistants, sales teams, inventors, architects, builders, and more.... There hasn't been one person that I met through the USGBC that I didn't learn something from. Come to the monthly chapter programs usually at the REI Flagship Denver store, where you can network and eat and then be involved in green focused presentations. Use these presentations as an opportunity to learn about different green and sustainable businesses, organizations and activities. You never know what you will be interested in learning more about or what contacts you can make from the presentations. The monthly meetings pull in a large crowd of established individuals within various fields in the green building industry. This is definitely a great way to rub elbows, tell memorized jokes, and network and mingle like crazy. But I suggest you don't wear your "I Voted for Bush" pin... That might make it harder to network. Interesting Note: The USGBC incorporated the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system as a national standard to help assess buildings efficiency and sustainability performance. Some say that the USGBC has set the benchmark for green building and design in the United States and has especially helped to push the green revolution into motion these past couple of years. * Bright green star number one is for being an organization that supports green building ** Recycled glass star number two is for offering monthly programs and networking opportunities where green minds think alike *** Organic star three is for offering job opportunities on the USGBC Colorado Chapter website and newsletter **** All-Natural star four is for a slammin' networking and presentation location in the REI Flagship store... Free parking, easy parking, and easy-to-find Our final star was put in the recycled bin due to the somewhat high price to become even an individual member... It is obvious that the organization is trying to attract a particular demographic... but don't let that stop you... These are the people that can help you get that dream green job!

We went to visit the CSU Spur complex at the National Western Center on a quiet, non-Stock Show…read moreafternoon. I, of course, had read about the construction of these facilities, but the reality blew me away. We mostly wandered around awestruck at the scope and quality of what CSU has created for their branch in Denver. There are three buildings, each with a different focus. Hydro deals with water, Terra with food, and Vida with animal health, including the Temple Grandin Equine Center and a partnership with Humane Colorado. These are research/education centers with a strong connection to the public via labs, workshops, and interactive exhibits. CSU experts in agriculture, water quality, and veterinary science provide K-12 programs, summer camps, and higher education as a hub for innovation and community engagement. Major components of Hydro include the Denver Water Quality Laboratory, the CSU offices, multiple conference rooms and classrooms, multiple exhibits about water, the Confluence Theater, the Hydro Teaching Lab, the Sensory Room, a nicely landscaped outdoor patio, and the Little Finch coffee shop/café. Terra offers a teaching kitchen; labs for sensory testing, dairy, produce, and meat; the community food/sensory garden; conference rooms; the Controlled Environment Horticulture Lab; multiple exhibits; classrooms; the Learning Lab; labs for microbiology, molecular biology, water, instruments, and soil/plants; and the hydroponic greenhouse. The key features of Vida are the Humane Colorado Veterinary Hospital, the Temple Grandin Equine Center, and the Equine Sports Medicine Rehabilitation and Conditioning Center. Other highlights are extensive art exhibits, the virtual reality anatomy classroom, the observation areas for the on-view surgical suite and spay/neuter clinic; and observation of the horse arena and the Sports Medicine rehabilitation facilities plus numerous exhibits throughout the building explaining all of these functions. Thank goodness for the coffee shop as we were overwhelmed just by the experience of walking through the buildings and needed a break to regroup. These facilities are amazing and many functions are available to the public for help, inquiry, and learning.

CSU Spur Centers Second Saturday event is free and an awesome spot to go with kiddos of all ages…read moreand interest! My little one loved exploring the Vet building and seeing the equine therapy in action. She also loved the agriculture building to try a food sample in their test kitchen as well as checking out the rooftop garden.

Denver Indian Family Resource Center does so many different things for Native People, and also…read morewonderful open houses and art projects. If you feel lonely for some native home culture, then stop in and get a warm welcome from the People at the Denver Indian Center.

They post special events on Facebook. I was lucky enough to attend a lanyard beading project with…read morea friend. Super patient teacher, and lots of happy students.

Incredible agency! Huge operation within Boulder county. They provide food and services to…read morethousands each month. Truly a gift to have them and everyone is always very nice!

Community Food Share is one of Boulder's oldest food support non profits still in existence, dating…read moreback to 1981 or so. I have donated, I have had a neighbor who drove the collection truck to groceries and eateries and shops such as Starbucks back in the 90s for excess food to take to their ever growing food bank serving Boulder County. My son did volunteer work there in the late 90s, sorting produce from local groceries so that the best was offered to needy families. The staff he worked with were phenomenal and generous with their time training volunteers. I have contributed to their regular collection drives. This is the time of year that they run their Let's Bag Hunger campaign. You can donate bags of groceries at many grocery stores and they can always use direct money donations too. With Yelp being so food centric, I'd like to see us consider this option. I know I will and hope you do too. Please check their website for specific options.

My mother and I signed up to take this course with hopes it would provide a safe and supportive…read morelearning environment; however, we were very disappointed by the conduct of the instructor, Chris C., assigned to our group. He arrived 20 minutes after having to call one of the students in the course to come get him. Before beginning the course, Chris was adamant that after 3 drops of the motorcycle, we are forced to reschedule which was odd considering the price we paid coupled with the fact that we heard from two different people who have taken the course previously that this had not been a rule during their previous course. Drops understandably happen during early training. Unfortunately, my mom and I ended up dropping twice during the first day and were both told we had to reschedule. Chris showed zero concern for how we were doing physically or emotionally after each drop. Rather than offering any advice to correct our errors, his focus was entirely on the paperwork related to the incident. When attempting to seek clarity or assistance, he made it clear that he did not have time to help individuals due to the size (8). His tone was dismissive and belittling, it felt as if completing the class well ahead of schedule was more important to Chris than ensuring all students were learning safely or feeling supported. As beginners, we signed up for this course expecting patient guidance. We did not anticipate being brushed off or made to feel like a burden. I truly believe in the value of the MSF program and the mission of promoting safe motorcycling. But this experience left us both shaken and discouraged. Our hope is that the instructor, Chris' conduct be reviewed and consider reinforcing with all instructors the importance of empathy, communication, and individual support-especially for new riders.

ABATE was awesome! The 2 instructors were extremely patient and took extra care when needed!…read moreEveryone in my class passed. I recommend them to anyone wanting to get their endorsement!

I'll be there bundled up this year again, if you are feeling a lil beat up and plenty filthy from…read morewho is about to take the highest office of the land come on out this Wednesday evening and help assemble what is estimated to be 35000 individual meals worth of food out of 5000 complete turkey dinners. It can't happen without living breathing giving and generous people and corporations/businesses making it happen. We are feeding the greater Denver's poor and THAT is something to feel good about ... show up, get to work, enjoy the hard work while knowing you are doing a ton of good. Stay as long as you can then go home feeling satisfied and spent. Thanksgiving is always better when one has plenty of be thankful for in one's own life while spreading some joy to others that live here locally. Big Daddy's love continues to thrive with your own individual effort in a group setting. :)

I got to experience Fox Street Compound and it's safe to say I am def a fan! Why? Well, let's break…read moreit down: LOCATION: Being located near the I-70 and I-25 interchange; it's easily accessible to all! With a large unpaved parking lot adjacent to the space - there's ample parking for all event goers. MISSION: Fox Street Compound aims to provide artists, musicians, and organizations (mostly non-profits) with opportunities that include skill building, discounted services (grant writing, web services, marketing, etc...), networking, and office/event space. Whoa! Talk about having a purpose! SPACE: It's mostly open-air with a few covered areas flanking either side of the space. Def recommend having hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen during summer events. There's a stage tucked off toward one end of the space and I'm sure there's always the ability to bring in a larger one depending on the event. Fun murals adorn the walls throughout the space - including our events community mural addition! Fun! Fox Street Compound was def a great event space! I look forward to checking out more events here in the future!

Great Venue for Great Causes…read more The Fox Street Compound is a really cool spot. I came here for Yelp Rocks Out For Youth on Record. It was an event to raise money for girls and women in music. This is the kind of thing Fox Street does. The nonprofit Center works to give musicians and artists an opportunity to create, and to become financially self-sufficient.

Slow Food Denver held their annual farm dinner at the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farm…read more Carolyn Glover, the James Beard award winning chef at Annette and Amy Cohen of Stowaway were the Denver area starships chefs showcasing, fresh sustainable, organic, beautifully presented food from several local gardens and farms. The venue was spectacular with fresh flower arrangements and three long tables situated under a covered pavilion. The night was glorious and the weather perfect for an outdoor farm dinner. The che'f's first course was heirloom tomatoes, with ricotta and fresh herbs. The second course was a deconstructed Greek salad with heirloom tomatoes, and then some chicken breast, served with kale and eggplant with Shiso. There was also grilled chicken thighs and fresh corn creamy polenta. Dessert was macerated Stone fruit and Pavlova. Of course everything was heavenly delicious. Volunteer servers were exceptional. Slow Food Denver is a 501C nonprofit organization that believes that our everyday choices, starting with what we eat and feed others, can contribute to a better future for the generations to come. They teach classes to school children at approximately 50 schools throughout the Denver area. The goal is to instill the values of fresh food with a better understanding of how our vegetables, fruit and meats are grown and raised. They also teach what it takes to prepare fresh food and how one can eat nutritiously and deliciously. Last night's farm dinner was a special fundraiser, with some spectacular offerings Given the uncertainty of grants and government funding sources these days, It was a most worthwhile event and they were able to raise enough money to ensure continued funding for some of the educational school aged programs. I'm so glad we were able to attend. I wish we all could only eat slow food. It's the best!