The Community Catalyst Feb 2012

February 2012Pieces of our Past PG 3Community Superstar PG 4Book Nook PG 5Calendar of Events PG 6Nonprofit Listing PG 7

CatalystCatalystTHE COMMUNITY

Serving the towns of Nucla,Naturita, Redvale, Paradox,Bedrock and Norwood

Photo by Mike Mortensen

Making Your MarkPart of being human is striving to under-

stand your life's purpose -- that single mostsignificant reason for which you were born.Most people do not wish to pass throughthis life quietly, unnoticed and unremem-bered once they're gone. Most want to leavebehind meaningful legacies as proof that theywere here and that they mattered enough tosomehow impact the world they lived in.Disregard all sense of "supposed to." The

operative word in the phrase, "make yourmark on the world," is "your." Shed otherpeople’s expectations --- clear your mindand truly assess what will make the mostsense for you and your legacy.Decide what's meaningful to you.

Consider what activities you partake in,ideas you have, ambitions you have, causesyou're committed to, or current events youstumble across that send the strongest tin-gles down your spine. Pay attention to thesignals your body gives you from day to dayto help pinpoint the themes behind what itis that most drives and fulfills you.Assess your natural talents and acquired

skill sets. What are you good at that canallow you to contribute most positively andsignificantly to those people, ideas, causes oractivities you've determined as most mean-ingful? Do you have the gift of gab and theability to raise awareness about upcomingfundraising events? Are you a musical prodi-

gy whose compositions can lift the spirits ofpeople in despair? Are you a writer able togive voice to individuals whose storiesdemand to be told? Whatever it is thatyou're best at should inform your missionand role in contributing to your area offocus.Decide how you would like to be known

and remembered -- or what effects you'dlike your accomplishments to leave behind.This will define "your" mark, which does notnecessarily have to render you yourself asmomentous. For instance, someday it may bebecause of you that for years to come peo-ple may be entirely unaware that you're theperson to thank for the things that theyenjoy. Yet your mark will have been made,and will have been significant, nonetheless.Seize the day -- every day. It is easy to

become so caught up in the distractions anddemands of everyday life and survival thatthe missions and ambitions you've deter-mined as personally important fall by thewayside. However, in efforts to leave yourmark on the world, you cannot afford totake a single day for granted because youdon't know which will be your last. Take atleast one step forward in the direction ofyour goals each day.Maintain conviction, and view challenges

not as setbacks, but as obstacles in place tostrengthen you, test your resolve and bolsteryour commitment.

By: Allie SutherlandWhen the West End Community food

bank started it was a joint effort of severalcommunity churches. Today, it has evolvedinto a collaboration of several organizationsand a few dedicated volunteers that residein our area. Records of the food bank dateback to 2001, but the current director,Peggy Case has been involved since Marchof 2006. Since 2006, Mrs. Case stated that there

has been a rise in the need for the food bankhere in the West End, especially with thedecline in our economy. During the summermonths an average of 30 food boxes arehanded out monthly. During the winter thatnumber can jump as high as 75 food boxesper month. Mrs. Case stated, “Each monthwe see a half a dozen new people signing upto receive boxes”.

Currently the food bank receivesprivate donations from community mem-bers, Angel Baskets of Telluride and fooddonations from the food bank in Norwood.All other food is obtained by small commu-nity contributions or purchased from TheFood Bank of the Rockies in Grand Junction.West End Express is kind enough to freightthe food from Grand Junction at no cost.The West End Community Food bank alsoreceives an annual grant from the MontroseCounty Commissioners, this money hasdeclined slightly with budget cuts, but the

need for food continues to grow. Mrs. Casestated that there are plenty of others whohelp keep the food bank going during thesetough economic times. Tri-State employeesand Trinity Baptist Church are just a few oth-ers who contribute regularly. Each food boxcosts approximately $20 to fill.

With the continuing rise in need, itis no wonder that the food bank is alwayswelcoming new volunteers. Presently Mrs.Case has the help of board members and afew dedicated people who are alwaysdependable. Unfortunately it takes 6-10people to hand out the amount of boxesmonthly and even more people to fill theboxes before distribution. If you would liketo help out, you can simply show up. Thefood is handed out on the third Friday ofeach month and boxes are filled the dayprior to that. If you, or someone you know, are in need

of a food box they are handed out at theWest End Community Church in Naturita.There is very little paper work. You don’tneed to bring a check stub or proof ofincome. Mrs. Case reminds us that “sincethe food bank is faith based, it runs on thehonor system”. The food bank also handsout emergency boxes to those who wereunable to attend the monthly distribution.An appointment is needed to get an emer-gency box. You can call Peggy Case at (970)-864-7680 to schedule a pick up.

Notes from the Publisher2

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Montrose, CO—Montrose County resi-dents have a unique opportunity to learnabout their county government straightfrom the officials who run it. MontroseCounty is offering a class called, “InsideMontrose County” beginning Tuesday,February 7, 2012 and running throughTuesday, April 10, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:00p.m. This is a FREE 10-week course to informresidents about how their local governmentfunctions, and the many ways MontroseCounty touches their lives. The course willinclude presentations from Elected officialsand Division Heads, as well as tours of sever-al county facilities.

“We’re offering this course so that citizenshave the opportunity to learn more aboutthe operations of their county government,”said Jesse Smith, Montrose County Manager.“This is a chance to come learn about yourlocal government, who we are, what we doand why we do it in a way few people have

before.”In particular, residents will learn about

how their county government functions andbe given tours of various county facilitiesincluding the Montrose County Jail andJustice Center.

The tours will be optional and take placeduring normal daytime operating hours.Residents are encouraged to come learnabout us. Applications are due by Friday,February 3, 2012.

Applications are available:On the Montrose County website:

www.montrosecounty.net (on the left handside).

At the County Administration Office locat-ed at 161 S. Townsend Avenue. BeginningJanuary 3rd, access to Admin will be throughthe Planning and Development Office locat-ed at 317 S. 2nd Street.

Or by calling County Administration at:(970) 249-7755.

Montrose County offers class to takeresidents “Inside Montrose County”

West End Community Food Bank

San Miguel Power Partners, an energy effi-ciency program established by SMPA andmanaged by a Colorado-based non-profitiCAST, is officially open and available to allSMPA members who wish to improve theenergy efficiency of their homes and build-ings. Source Gas, Telluride Foundation andAlpine Bank are supporting this program. Formore information on the program please visitwww.smpa.com//EESanMiguelPowerPartners.cfm or contact [email protected] or call 1-866-590-4377.

Participating is as easy as a click of amouse. Simply sign up online and then let

iCAST walk you through the process of mak-ing improvements. They manage everythingfor you, including scheduling an energyassessment and suggesting improvements.They explain costs, savings, and payback peri-ods, coordinate local sub-contractors, andoversee all work, plus conduct quality checksduring and after all work has been complet-ed. The program also provides rebates,incentives and low-interest financing fromAlpine Bank to help members save moneyfrom day one.

Leaking energy is like letting money blowin the wind.

San Miguel PowerPartners open to Public

Find out how to reduce your power bill with an energy assessment and save money

As you drive into Nucla from the south, one of the firstthings you see is a sign that reads “Welcome to Nucla.Home of 1,000 friendly people and one grouch”. Uponarriving here a few years ago, my impression was that itwas a cute and entertaining way to welcome people toour town. It wasn’t until fully submerging myself in theWest End, that I learned, we really do have a town grouch!

When taking on the assignment of writing this article, Ihave to admit I was apprehensive to interview anyonewith the running title of “Town Grouch”. But I was quicklyreassured by several people that our grouch is “the nicest”ever. Now there is a thought, the nicest ever towngrouch resides in Nucla, Colorado. And there is truth tothe claim.

I recently had the privilege of sitting down with ourappointed “Town Grouch” Mr. Victor Brown and his wifeToni. With the two of them still in their Sunday best, I waswelcomed into their home, with my five year old in tow.

Instantly we began talking and the history of Nucla asthey remember it began to flow out.

The Brown’s have lived in Nucla for 53 years. During thistime Mr. Brown has held several jobs in Nucla. One ofthose jobs included being Mayor for three terms. As themayor, Mr. Brown and the Town of Nucla did whateverthey could to save money for the town. Victor recalledtimes when the streets weren’t paved. He would donatehis time running the grader each time it rained. If therewas a Town Marshal relieved of his duties for any givenreason, Mr. Brown would temporarily hold the positionuntil a new one could be hired. This would sometimes lastup to six months according to the couple. They laughedthat it would always last until one of them actually didbecome “grouchy” with the position because it includedlate nights and so much time away from the family.

Mr. and Mrs. Brown recall the time being the early 60’s.According to the couple, the Nucla/Naturita area was juststarting a chamber of commerce and our beloved townsign was a collaborative effort between the Chamber andthe Town of Nucla. As he remembers it, the sign original-

ly was to state “Welcome to Nucla, home of 1,000 friendlypeople” but he had remarked it was uncommon to findthat many friendly people in one area. The other six peo-ple in the room unanimously decided that he was in factright, and they would appoint him the one and onlygrouch in our town. Mr. Brown says “I think it was a jokebut it really stuck”.

Together Mr. and Mrs. Brown told me stories of ourtown’s history, how they have seen it grow and how theyhave seen it become smaller again. They rememberedtimes where Victor was not so popular among the com-munity members and we all had a good laugh aboutsomeone calling him a “smart faced man with a neck tiethat thinks he has to come in and change everything”. Wehave come a long way since the days of no curb and gut-ter and no paved streets but one thing remains and that isour faithful, friendly “Town Grouch” who is still committedto making Nucla a beautiful place to live.

If you have not had the pleasure of spending time withThe Browns, I would strongly advise it. I could not think ofa friendlier “grouch” to spend a Sunday afternoon with!

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Many of us who live and work inthe agriculture industry have, at one time

or another, enjoyed an outright belly laugh at theignorance of people who don’t share the privilege ofproducing food and fiber for others. Rather thanchuckling, I believe we are overdue to more diligent-ly share knowledge and help our fellow citizens sep-arate fact from the voluminous fiction that is beingespoused by many well-intended, but poorlyinformed “do gooders.”

One of my most memorable “eye-rollers” in thiscategory occurred when I was working at theNational Western Stock Show Children’s Ranchland inthe early 1980s. The mare we had on display hadthrown a shoe; we called a farrier and he quickly pro-ceeded to replace the lost shoe.

I was in the pen holding the mare’s lead rope whenI overheard the following exchange between a moth-er and her young daughter. “Look! They’re building ahorse! It looks like they’re about finished nailing onthe foot.” Now, here’s the kicker: the speaker wasn’tthe little girl, it was her mother. And she was deadserious.

Skip forward thirty years to present day and thatlittle girl is probably a mother herself and may wellhave taken her children to the stock show last month,fondly sharing with her brood the memory of watch-ing some people “build a horse and nail on the foot.”

The sad fact is that the vast majority of Americansare at least three generations removed from any kindof farm or ranch experience. This disconnect general-ly translates into little if any working knowledgeabout how food is actually produced. It also meansmost of the population will believe almost anything.

More recently, I facilitated a strategic planningmeeting on the topic of agricultural education.Following good practice, the planners had invited abroad array of stakeholders to the meeting, includ-ing those who might generally be considered anti-agriculture. One of the participants was a very out-spoken woman who advocated for animals andthought everyone should be a vegetarian.

Imagine my surprise when she ordered chickenwings for lunch. I couldn’t help myself. I had to askabout her menu selection. Her response? It is okayfor vegetarians to eat chicken wings because… waitfor it… they grow back! Now, before you start think-ing she was kidding or insincere or uneducated, con-sider that she was A) absolutely serious, B) very pas-sionate and sincere and C) held a master’s degreealong with a very significant position in govern-ment.

This general lack of agriculture and food literacyhas evolved into a serious problem. In fact,McDonald’s is now running ads that feature farmersand ranchers from whom they purchase potatoes,

lettuce and beef in an effort to help their customersreconnect with their food supply.

The agriculture industry has also come togetherto form the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance, anorganization dedicated to help farmers and ranch-ers share their stories with consumers. USFRA hasorganized a number of town-hall style meetingswhere consumers can ask their questions directly tofarmers and ranchers. This concept is also imple-mented online at www.fooddialogues.com.

Want to reach out and share what you’d likeAmericans to know about how you produce food,how you care for your animals and the environment?You can share your story by visiting http://usfraon-line.org/.

Better yet, reach out to your local schools. Thinkthat just because you happen to live in a rural areathe children here are well versed in where foodcomes from and how it is produced? Most are not.Go ahead. Call a school and ask if there are anyteachers who would like to connect their class to afarmer or rancher. Want to really make a difference?Call the schools in Telluride and Rico!

Need some resources? Visit the ColoradoFoundation for Agriculture’s website at www.grow-ingyourfuture.com. You’ll find resources on every-thing from beef and eggs to water and wildlife.Good luck as you go forth and make a difference!

By: Allie Sutherland

Welcome to Nucla, Colorado!Pieces of our Past:

By Jeri Mattics Omernik

The Cattle List: Food and Ag LiteracyHelping others understand where their food comes from and how it is produced

✩by dallas holmes

Betty Stephens started working at theNaturita Community Library 6 years ago.Back then there were a lot less books, a lotfewer shelves, and not nearly as manypatrons. A lot has changed in those sixyears. Now the library is housed in a beau-tiful new building on Main St. Donationsand grants have overfilled the increasedshelving. And it's a rare moment to findyourself alone in the library now.

Throughout it all, Betty has diligentlymaintained the circulation department.Most of the work she does goes unseen bythe majority of library patrons, unless youhave an overdue book. Betty makes thingsrun smoothly. She makes it possible foryou to find the book you're looking for,she researches the hard to find items wedon't carry, and she maintains readinglists for our more active readers.

Betty also makes sure that every personwho walks into the library is made to feelwelcome with a smile and kind word.Betty ensures that nobody is over-whelmed or finds the library inaccessible.

She is a wealth of knowledge, easilyhandling questions about computers orgenealogy, or passing out a deliciousrecipe. Betty was a major part of why thelibrary was named the Best Small Libraryof 2011, and it is with heavy hearts thatwe say goodbye to her at the library thismonth.

Luckily she's not going far away, andwe're looking forward to seeing whatadventure life takes her on next. We knowit will include lots more quality time withgranddaughter, Brinley Long. One thingwe know for sure is that she will stay busy.

Thank you, Miss Betty, for everythingyou do for our community. Your strength,passion, calm attitude, and dedication area huge part of the reason you're a truesuperstar.

CommunitySuperstar

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Betty Stephens

For the 2011 School Year Elementary Schools

SCHOOL PARADOX VALLEY

CHARTER SCHOOL

NATURITA ELEMENTARY &

MIDDLE SCHOOL NORWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Grade Preschool through 8th

Grade Preschool through 6th Grade Preschool through 5th Grade

District WEST END RE-2 WEST END RE-2 NORWOOD R-2J

School Type Elementary Elementary Elementary

Overall Grade B C D

Ranking 238 of 1467 1001 of 1467 1279 of 1467

Academic

Proficiency B B B

ColoradoSchoolGrades.com PUTTING OUR KIDS FIRST. WHERE THEY BELONG.

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Food Bank Locations

NorwoodAbundant Life Church

Every Thursday1:30 – 3:00

1450 Grand Avenue

NaturitaWest End Community ChurchThird Friday of Every Month

4:00 – 5:00440 West Main

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The University Centers of the San Miguel is pleased to announce two new classes offered inNaturita this year. The first class is Introduction to Word, and will begin Thursday, January 12th.The second class is Introduction to Excel and it will be held Thursdays beginning February 16th.Both classes are an introduction to the Microsoft 2010 programs, and are geared to profession-als and those looking to improve their job skills. Practical applications and troubleshooting willbe discussed. They will be held in the evenings from 7-9pm.

Each class is being offered for $65. Scholarships are available, for more information contactthe Naturita Library or UCSM at 970 369-5255.

University Centers of the San Migueloffering computer courses in Naturita

The Dust Bowl was caused by several dif-ferent factors that all seemed to cometogether at the same time. The reasons forthis disaster didn’t just happen overnight,they had been building up for at least adecade. Over planting of crops during WorldWar I, the government said to plant more andthe farmers did. After World War I things weregreat, the prices for crops were good and therains came. In order to plant more farmerswere buying new land and equipment oncredit. New technologies were developedthat farmers used to tear up land even faster.The farmers didn’t rotate crops nor did theyleave areas of native grasses, they just dugup everything and planted crops. Some peo-ple started saying this is all wrong. Theground is now upside down. And it was. Thenative grasses were now underneath and thedirt on top. These grasses had been there forthousands of years, keeping the soil healthyand in place.

By the early 1930s the Great Depressionhad hit the country. And at this time a severedrought had started in the Great Plains. Therains didn’t come anymore as expected. In thehigh plains, the 1930s were known as theDirty 30s. There were 14 severe dust stormsin 1932 and in 1933 there were 38 of themreported. In 1937 there were 134 dust storms.These dust storms were called black blizzards.

By 1934, The Yearbook of Agricultureannounces that 100 million acres have lost allor most of their topsoil, another 125 millionacres are about to and 35 million acres cannotgrow crops of any kind. A major dust stormstarted over the northern plains of Montanaand the Dakotas and by night it had reachedChicago dumping an estimated 6,000 tons ofdust. By the next morning the dust hadreached Boston and New York where thestreetlights came on at midday and cars hadto use headlights. The dust cloud was 1,800miles wide.

The Soil Conservation Act of 1935 wassigned into law by President Franklin D.Roosevelt on April 27, 1935 to prevent thistype of devastation from happening everagain. This law gave farmers money to plantnative grasses, trees and certain vegetables toprotect the soil from soil erosion and keep itfrom blowing away.

This was the beginning of each state hav-ing conservation districts. Ours is called theSan Miguel Basin Conservation District and itwas established on January 9, 1978. TheDistrict is located in San Miguel and MontroseCounties. The total acreage is 1,187, 838. Theland ownership in the District is:Private Land 388,251 acresUSDA Forest Service 290,975 acresState of Colorado 26,465 acresBureau of Land Management 482,147 acres

Districts generate funding through local,state, and federal sources. Local citizens electthe District board to identify and addresslocal natural resource issues. The boardinvolves locals and experts to help developstrategic plans. The district holds open bi-monthly meetings, publications, events, pre-sentations to communicate with district part-ners and residents about district services,good conservation practices andfinancial/technical services. It also sponsors a$500 grant to send a high school student toCamp Rocky annually and assists withEnvironment Appreciation Day held in Aprilfor students in the 4th and 5th grades.

This conservation district serves itslandowners. The annual meeting will takeplace on February 8th, 2012 starting at 7:00pm at the Naturita Community Library.Conservation is an essential part of maintain-ing the quality of the waters, lands and soilsthat we use. Maintaining these resources issomething we should all be concerned with.My grandmother used to say “If you waste itnow, you’ll want it later.”

Conservation districts:How they began and how they continue

to protect the lands and waters

What Is Child Find?Child Find is a continuous process of public awareness activities, screening and evaluation

designed to locate, identify, and refer as early as possible all young children with disabilitiesand their families who are in need of Early Intervention Program (Part C) or Preschool SpecialEducation (Part B/619) services of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

To receive Early Intervention Program or Special Education, children must meet eligibilityguidelines according to the IDEA. States have different eligibility guidelines for their EarlyIntervention Program and Special Education services. In addition to children with disabilities,some states have elected to provide early intervention services for infants and toddlers whoare at risk of developmental delay and their families.

Announcement of Child Find Dates for:**West End in Naturita at the Elementary School, on Friday, March 2, 2012, 9am-3pm *Norwood at Wright Center on Friday, March 9, 2012, 11am-6 pm.

Child Find is open to all families with children ages birth-5.

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Stitch and Read5:00pm - 7:00pm

Naturita Community Library

Women’s Book Club2:00pm – 3:00pmNaturita Library

discussing Unaccustomed Earth

Free Friday Movie7:00pm – 9:00pm

The Livery in Norwood



Teen Night WinterCarnival

6:30pm – 9:00pmNaturita Community Library



UCSM Intro to Word10:00am – 2:00pm


UCSM Intro to Word10:00am – 2:00pm


Stage Play3:00pm – 5:00pm


Rimrocker HistoricalSociety meeting10:00am – 3:00pm

Museum in Naturita

Creative spACEwith Maure Bausch

3:30pm – 4:30pmAges 7-9


Creative spACEwith Maure Bausch

3:30pm – 4:30pmAges 10-13


Creative spACE3:30pm – 4:30pm

Ages 7-9The Livery in Norwood





WEPS Board Meeting7:30pm – 10:30pmNucla High School

Idea Cafe6:30pm




My spACE7:00pm – 10:00pm


Town of NaturitaBoard Meeting7:00pm – 9:00pm

222 E. Main • Naturita

No Child Left Indoors3:30pm – 4:30pm


Crafty Teens4:00pm – 6:00pmNaturita Library

P & Z CommissionMeeting

7:00pm1670 Naturita St • Norwood

Town of NuclaBoard Meeting7:00pm – 9:00pm320 Main • Nucla

Town of NorwoodBoard Meeting7:00pm – 9:00pm

Norwood Community Center

Norwood WaterCommission

7:00pm – 9:00pmNorwood Community Center

Naturita LibraryClosed

for Presidents Day

LDS Relief Society7:00pm

Paradox LDS ChurchContact Liz Steele 859-7233





WEPS - No School/PLCMeeting

Nucla/Naturita AreaChamber of Commerce

7:00pm – 9:000pm425 Main • Naturita







Food Bank HandoutWest End Community Church



Card Class with Ginger1:00pm – 3:00pm


Hoof & Paw ChiliDinner & Auction

5:00pmNaturita Community Center


The Livery in Norwoodcall 970-327-4016 for details

Gourd Circle7:00pm – 10:00pm


Writing Workshop6:30pm - 8:00pm


Stage Play3:00 -5:00pm


Town of NuclaBoard Meeting7:00pm – 9:00pm520 Main • Nucla

Will James BookReception

4:00pm - 5:00pmNaturita Community Library

Story time11:30am - noon







Naturita Community Library To include your calendar item in this freelisting, email your information to:

[email protected] or call 970 859-7207.

Deadline is the 16th of every month.

February 2012 Calendar of Events

Ace of NorwoodLocated in the Livery PlayhouseNorwood, CO970-327-4016http://www.aceofnorwood.orgFurthering opportunity for the arts and education tothe communities of the west ends of San Miguel andMontrose counties.

All Points Transit100 Tessitore Court, Suite DMontrose, CO 81401970-249-6204

Alpine Hospice 924 Spring Creek Rd. Ste C. Montrose CO 81403 249-2500

Area Agency on Aging300 N. Cascade Avenue, Suite 1Montrose, CO 81401970-249-2436Providing valuable services and information for seniorpopulations.

Basin Clinic421 Adams StreetNaturita, CO 81424970-865-2665Division of Montrose Memorial Hospital. Offers gener-al practice medical treatment.

Center for Independence1-800-613-2271www.cfigj.orgHelping people with disabilities.

Center for Mental Health1350 Aspen Street #BNorwood, CO 81423970-327-4449Offering comprehensive mental health services 8 am to 5 pm Monday - Friday.

Dolphin House - 7th Judicial ChildAdvocacy Center735 South 1st Street

Montrose, CO 81401970-240-8655Provides a safe non-threatening child friendly environ-ment for interviewing child victims, assessments andreferrals.

Family Link CenterPO Box 602165 W. 10th AveNucla, CO 81424970-864-2245Our mission is to give the people of our community ahelping hand by providing resources, tools and strate-gies to strengthen families and individuals.

Montrose County HHS851 Main StreetNucla, CO 81424970-864-7319Child Care Assistance, Medicaid, food stamps, generalassistance, Child Protective Services, and many otherpublic services.

Montrose County Housing Authority222 Hap CourtOlathe, CO 81425970-323-5445Assisting with housing for eligible individuals, familiesand seniors meeting income guidelines.

Montrose County Veterans Services1845 South Townsend AvenueMontrose, CO 81401970-249-2115Health Care, Compensation or Pension, Education orTraining. Home Loan Guaranty, Life Insurance, Burialand Memorial Benefits, Service Connected Disability,Copies of DD214

Montrose West Recreation, IncPO Box 281Nucla, CO 81424970-428-7880

Naturita Community Library107 West 1st AvenueNaturita, CO 81422970-865-2848www.facebook.com/NaturitaLibrary2011 Best Small Library in AmericaThousands of pieces of reference materials, publiccomputers and community programming.

Norwood Chamber of CommercePO Box 116Norwood, CO 81423800-282-5988Education and assistance for businesses and organizations.

Norwood Public Library1110 Lucerne StreetNorwood, CO 81423970-327-4833Open 11 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday.

Nucla Naturita Area Chamber ofCommerce230 West Main StreetNaturita, CO 81422970-865-2350Serving the Bedrock, Naturita, Nucla, Paradox andRedvale communities.

Nucla Naturita Food BankPO Box 163Nucla, CO 81424970-864-7680Providing Food Box hand outs every 3rd Friday ofevery month from 4-5pm at the TLC Bldg 440 W. MainSt. Naturita

Nucla Public Library544 Main StreetNucla, CO 81422970-864-2166Thousands of pieces of reference materials, publiccomputers and community programming.

One-to-One Mentoring(970)-327-4410Matching youth with mentors in the Norwood area.Accepting new mentors. Call the above number formore details.

PASCO/SW, Inc.45 S. WashingtonCortez, CO 81321970-565-6833

Rimrocker Historical SocietyPO Box 913Nucla, CO 81424Charged with collecting and preserving artifacts con-cerning the cultural and natural history of the WestEnd of Montrose County. Dedicated to promotingawareness, understanding appreciation of the pastand present.

San Miguel County HHS1120 Summit StreetNorwood, CO 81423(970) 327-4885Family Planning, Immunizations, Food Benefits,Medicaid, Child Care Assistance, County WellnessProgram, Heat bill payment assistance (LEAP). All serv-ices are confidential and provided on a sliding scalebase.

San Miguel Resource CenterFree and ConfidentialDomestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Safe HousingCrisis Center - 24 hour Hotlines: 970-864-2275 - 970-327-0566 - 970-728-5660

Small Business Development CenterWestern State College of Colorado600 North Adams Street Taylor Hall 112970-943-3159Providing free, confidential business consultingservices including legal formation, loan applica-tions, marketing, business planning and access tocapital.

Spruce and Columbine Garden ClubPO Box 912Nucla, Colorado 81424970-864-7422Promoting and organizing beautifications projectsin our area as well as other community projects inthe West End.

Uncompahgre Medical Center1350 Aspen StreetNorwood, CO 81423970-327-4233Committed to providing quality, cost effective,accessible healthcare. Services include generalhealthcare, dental care and special programs with afocus on prevention.

West Montrose Economic &Community DevelopmentOrganizationPublisher@TheCommunityCatalyst.comEncouraging community collaboration for the bet-terment of our region.

Volunteers of America - SeniorCommUnity Meals11407 Highway 65Eckert, CO 81418970-874-7662

Wright Stuff Community Foundation1215 Summit StreetNorwood, CO 81423970-327-0555Providing early and continuing educational oppor-tunities to rural youth and families in southwestColorado.

To include your nonprofit or organization in this free listing, email your

information to:[email protected]

or call 970 859-7207. Deadline is the 16th of every month.

7

Nonprof i t Direc tory - Serv ing the West End

The effects of the dark days of winter in natureThis winter, we at the San Miguel Basin

Extension Office have been working on our upcom-ing Colorado Master Gardener Program that startson January 26 in Naturita.

We have also been putting together a programfor Multi Generational Ranching/Farming Familiesto be held on January 21 in . And just as important,each of us in the office have had a little down timefor the holidays to rest, spend time with familiesand plan for the New Year!

We hope you have that opportunity this winter.But what else is going on around us during this‘dark time’ of winter and how does it affect us? I’vebeen interested in learning more about this topicthis winter. I figure if the natural world’s biologicalprocesses are influenced by the shorter day lengthand cooler temperatures in winter, so are we…buthow?

I’ve learned jut by doing a little reading thatwe humans do have life processes that are ini-tiated by decreasing day length- just as Isuspected. In fact, in winter, if we lightour homes at night with bright artifi-cial light, our bodies will not pro-duce sufficient melatonin andthat can inhibit our ability torest properly.

There may even be a con-nection between this to SAD(Seasonal Affective Disorder)which causes depressionduring the winter for someof us.

Plants don’t have to con-tinue on with their normalbusy lives in the winter likewe do (unless we force themto by exposing them to peri-ods of light or dark or tem-peratures outside of the nor-mal seasonal range). Duringwinter, most perennial plantsare in some state of dormancyuntil days start to lengthen inthe spring and temperatures rise.Changes in day length and temper-ature trigger growth, reproductionand dormancy and manyother remarkable

reactions in plants and each plant species is uniquein how it responds. Let’s consider pasture grass.Smooth brome is one of the first grasses to resumegrowth in the spring because it is a plant thatgrows in response to the shorter days and coolertemperatures of late winter and early spring. Infact, the shortening days and decreasing tempera-tures of fall are what actually cause the buds thatresume growth in the spring to form. A warm sea-son grass like blue grama grows in response tolonger day lengths and higher temperatures insummer.

What about the animals in our winter pastures?Well, in talking to Brett Kayson,CSU 4H Livestock Specialist, Ilearned thatd i f -

ferent sheep species get ready to breed either infall or spring depending on their own geneticallydetermined day length triggers. Ewes will usuallystart to cycle when day length is decreasing, mak-ing the majority of species ready to breed in fall.Horses go into a type of reproductive dormancy inwinter.

They cycle in response to increasing day lengthin spring and therefore typically breed in spring.Stallions produce less sperm and have lower libidoin winter. Horses nutritional needs decrease inresponse to cold weather in winter. Lengtheningday lengths stimulate milk production in cows.

I spoke with Craig Grother, retired USDA ForestService wildlife biologist about wildlife in winter.He gave me some interesting examples about localbird species. Most of us are aware that some birdspecies migrate so they can find food and nesting

sites. Migration, like our other examples can betriggered by changes in day length, lower tem-

peratures, changes in food supplies, andgenetics. Flammulated owls make nests in

cavities vacated by woodpeckers. They feed on moths and breed and

raise young in summer. In winterthey will go clear to central andfor food and nesting sites!Some species of birds migrateshort distances. For example,

saw-whet owls feed on miceat higher elevations like theLone Cone or UncompaghrePlateau in the summer and

come down to Pinon- Juniperhabitat in winter. Blue

grouse (dusky grouse) migratein reverse.

They summer in low eleva-tions and winter in higher habi-tats of spruce and fir and feed

on conifer needles. How life is wired to change

with seasonal changes is a fasci-nating subject! If you are interest-

ed in knowing more or in knowingwhere I got my inspiration, feel free to

contact me at 970-327-4393 [email protected].

Yvette Henson • Colorado State University Cooperative Extension • www.ext.colostate.edu • Reprinted with permission • All rights reserved

The Community Catalyst Feb 2012

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Transcript of The Community Catalyst Feb 2012