Micro grant pilot project for better air quality

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A community micro-grant pilot program for projects by local organizations that improve air quality and raise awareness about air pollution is available again by the City of Fort Collins’ Environmental Services Department. COMMUNITY AIR (CAIR) grants are open to nonprofits in Fort Collins, including Home Owner Associations, schools, faith-based communities, and other nonprofits. Grant allotments range from $500 to $2,000 per organization, and they must be completed in 2012. Applications are due by Mar. 29. Activities that involve political campaigning, lobbying, or alcohol purchases are ineligible.

Projects will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Air pollution reduction potential and/or ability to raise awareness about air-quality issues and actions that improve air quality
  • Ability and commitment to track quantifiable benefits
  • Other environmental, social, and/or economic benefits
  • Matching donations and volunteer hours contributed to project
  • Likelihood of completion
  • Innovation

Examples of what might qualify as an eligible project for a CAIR grant include:

  • Lead a neighborhood radon test campaign
  • Implement a “Thank you for not Idling” campaign or adopt the City’s “Breathe Easy” anti-idling campaign and promote the materials in a neighborhood, schools, kids’ sports group, or church
  • Develop and stage a school/neighborhood play or video on the need for air and/or climate protection
  • Engage Spanish-speaking citizens to translate air-quality materials into Spanish and distribute to Latino neighborhoods
  • Conduct tree planting in neighborhoods, schools, churches
  • Distribute household spruce-up kits (CFLs, clotheslines, etc.)
  • Develop and distribute a low-carbon/local-food cookbook
  • Initiate a bus- or bike-rider mentor program (escort students/new riders on bus or bike rides)

For more details and the application package, visit http://fcgov.com/CAIR. If you have questions after reviewing the information, please contact Lucinda Smith at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Plug in to Nature study results
Come and hear the outcomes of Plug in to Nature, Larimer County’s study of Youth, Families and the Outdoors on behalf of Great Outdoors Colorado. Plug in to Nature is culminating in exciting recommendations for improving the access families have to the outdoors, increasing the coordination and efficiency of nature program providers and so much more. In addition to providing information about the study and discussing how the movement will continue there will be ample time for you to comment on the future of the initiative, and ask questions. Wednesday, Mar. 7, 5:30-7pm., first floor hearing room, Larimer County Courthouse, 200 W. Oak St., FC.

A presentation of results will be followed by discussion and a reception where light appetizers will be served.

Additional information about the project and project documents can be found at www.larimer.org/plugintonature.

For questions regarding this project, contact Rob Novak at 970-679-4561, or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .'; document.write(''); document.write(addy_text46665); document.write('<\/a>'); //-->\n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PVHS CEO and president blogs
Rulon Stacey, president and CEO of Poudre Valley Health System, writes about healthcare issues facing our region, the nation and the world in his blog. You can subscribe in the right column of his blog.

One of Stacey's blogs focuses on how two Medical Center of the Rockies clinicians have taken some temporary time away from their positions at the regional hospital in Loveland to volunteer on a medical mission to perform open-heart surgery on severely ill patients in Rwanda, one of the poorest countries in the world.

To read his blog, go to visionary.pvhs.org.


PVH receives award for lactation program
Poudre Valley Hospital announced today that it has received an international award for excellence in the way the hospital's lactation program encourages and helps new mothers with breastfeeding their infants.

The International Board of Lactation Consult Examiners and International Lactation Consulting Association presented the Fort Collins hospital with the Care Award.

The award recognizes the way the hospital maintains a well-trained staff that promotes and encourages breastfeeding to mothers. The hospital also received the honor for offering a lactation program, WeeSteps, which is instrumental in helping new mothers start and maintain breastfeeding.

Karen More, PVH clinical nurse specialist, said the award demonstrates the commitment of the hospital's lactation team to help new mothers learn and use breastfeeding techniques.

Moore said PVH's lactation specialists passed a rigorous examination that demonstrates their ability to provide competent, comprehensive lactation and breastfeeding care. They are required to keep their skills current, and must recertify every five years through continuing education and re-examination.

Exclusive breastfeeding is a highly effective public health intervention to prevent ear, gastrointestinal and respiratory infections, obesity, diabetes and cancer. It's also environmentally friendly, eliminating the need to purchase pre-packaged containers of formula.

Great Plates supports the Food Bank of Larimer County
The Downtown Business Association and member businesses have worked together to bring a new dining tradition to our community for its sixth year. March 1-14, Dining enthusiasts will be encouraged to celebrate the authenticity, quality and diversity found only in Downtown Fort Collins, at Great Plates of Downtown 2012. During Great Plates, thirty downtown restaurants will offer dinner specials at a price of $25.

The Downtown Business Association is partnering with the Food Bank for Larimer County for the fifth year. Patrons can make contributions to support the Food Bank for Larimer County. The Food Bank for Larimer County can provide a meal for a member of our community for as little as $0.25. So after diners enjoy their meal, they can help give a meal. For more information on the Food Bank for Larimer County visit www.foodbanklarimer.org.

Also as a part of Great Plates 2012, breakfast and lunch specials will be available at participating restaurants for $2.50.

Participating Restaurants Include: Austin’s American Grill Downtown, Beach House Grill, Beau Jo’s Pizza, Big Al’s Burger and Dogs, Bisetti’s Ristorante, Canyon Chop House, CooperSmith’s Pubside & Poolside, The Crown Pub, Enzio’s Italian Kitchen, Fish, Ingredient, Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar, Jay’s American Bistro, Lucky Joe’s Sidewalk Saloon, LuLu Asian Bistro, The Melting Pot, Moe’s Original Bar B Que, Mugs Coffee Lounge, Old Chicago, Pueblo Viejo, The Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant, Rodizio Grill, The Silver Grill Café, Snooze, Sonny Lubick Steakhouse, Spoons, Taj Mahal, Tasty Harmony, and Washington’s Sport Bar & Grill.