DECEMBER 2011

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

CatalystCatalystTHE COMMUNITY

November issue’s cover fea-tured a cowboy leading cowson the cover. The photo wastaken in 2008, by Jeri MatticsOmernik (who writes the“Cattle List” column) as shewas coming off the Plateau onHighway 90 on a trip with herfamily. We tried to find outwho the cowboy was beforewe went to press, but wereunable to identify him beforethe printing deadline. Whilehustling to get the magazineedited and to the printer,George Huffacker, who livedwith his wife, Jeannie inParadox, passed away. On theFriday of George’s memorial,my husband and I had to go toTelluride for several reasons;one was to pick up the issuefrom our designer. We gotback to Paradox as the memo-rial was ending. I had distrib-uted some of the issuesthrough Nucla and Naturita, buthadn’t gotten them all out.Saturday night, I answered thephone, and Jeannie Huffacker,George’s wife asked if she could

speak to the Publisher of theCatalyst. She told me that it wasGeorge on the cover and thatJoEllen Turner, George’s sister,had called her to let her know.The fact that George is riding her

horse, which only happenedtwice, in their time together, wasa unique twist, but I was relievedto know that Jeannie was delight-ed that George was on the cover.Happy trails, George.

Change is inevitable. With change, often comesfear. This fear may be subtle but often powerful.It operates under the radar; convincing you thatit's there to protect you and keep you safe. Inreality, fear of change is one of the most commonreasons for resisting it, because it stops you fromtaking any action at all. It can be terrifying - theprospect of being forced to think beyond theboundaries of your known world. It can literallyparalyse the mind.

Fear cannot be seen. In fact it convinces peo-ple to strongly deny it’s there at all. As this feargrows, it convinces you that change is not goodfor you, that it can protect you from being hurt,or from hurting others. When you hear yourselfsay “I don’t want” or “I can’t” or other negative-based statements, it’s a clue that fear is speakingthrough you. Then ask yourself “Why don’t Iwant…?” or “Why can’t I?” The fear can berevealed at that moment.

Fear of change stops us from taking action. And

generally it works with anxiety, self-doubt andguilt to help it do this, especially when there'suncertainty about the future. High levels of anxi-ety are often brought about by rumors aboutchange, self doubt, uncertainty, disregard for val-ues, and this too can be crippling, and threatening.

Identifying and addressing these issues as theyaffect you or others can reduce anxiety. Notallowing this fear to control you allows you to bemore creative, to see possibilities, to find answersand solutions. It allows you to think and feel freelywithout the disabling behavior of anxiety. Itallows you to try a new approach, take a step for-ward, and trust yourself to solve a problem. Tryit, it works. You really have nothing to fear, butfear itself. And if you let it control you, you are ofno use to yourself or others.

As a region, we need to step forward togetherthis January to bring about positive change foreveryone and more importantly for each other.

Notes from the Publisher2

gg

The Cowboy on the Cover: The rest of the story….

No doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change theworld. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.

–Margaret Mead

Consider this quote a “help wanted” notice. If you are a visionary, havecompassion for your area, want to work at improving the community and arewilling to commit some time, please call 859-7207 or send an email to:Publisher@thecommunitycatalyst.com We’re waiting to hear from you.

NOVEMBER 2011

Nora Knows PG 2

Pieces of our Past PG 3

Stellar Student PG 4

Book Nook PG 5

Nonprofit Listing PG 6

Calendar of Events PG 7

CatalystCatalystTHE COMMUNITY

George Huffacker

1773: The first hospital for the mentally ill in the US opened inWilliamsburg, Virginia.

1840: There were only eight “asylums for the insane” in theUnited States

1900: The high incidence of mental disorders prompted pub-lic recognition of mental illness as a national health problem.

1930: The US Public Health Service established the NarcoticsDivision, later named the Division of Mental Hygiene, bringingtogether research and treatment programs.

1944: During World War II, severe shortages of professionalmental health personnel and the understanding of the causes,treatment, and prevention of mental illness lagged behind otherfields of medical science and public health.

1946: The National Mental Health Act was formed creating forthe first time in US history a significant amount of funding forpsychiatric education and research and leading to the creation in1949 of the National Institute of Mental Health.

1955: Congress authorized the Mental Health Study Act of1955 and called for “an objective, thorough, nationwide analysisand reevaluation of the human and economic problems of men-tal health.

1961: Action for Mental Health was transmitted to Congress. Itassessed mental health

conditions and resources throughout the United States “toarrive at a national program that would approach adequacy inmeeting the individual needs of the mentally ill people ofAmerica.”

1963: Community mental health center movement began tosubstitute comprehensive community care for custodial institu-tional care.

1965: The Community Mental Health Center Act Amendmentsof 1965 were enacted. Construction and staffing grants to cen-ters were extended and facilities that served those with alcoholand substance abuse disorders were made eligible to receivethese grants.

1978: Medical Assistance added outpatient and day treatment.1981-2: Federal Mental Health Systems Act repealed and

replaced by the Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health (ADMS)Block Grant.

1986: Mental Health Planning Act of 1986 (Federal law requir-ing state plans) passed; Case management established as a dis-tinct benefit under Medicaid.

1987: Medicare adds to outpatient mental health benefit butretains large patient copayments and cost sharing.

1988: The concept of behavioral health managed care evolvedfrom theory to practice.State grants provided for CommunityResidential Treatment Facilities.

1993: The National Council for Community Mental HealthcareCenters changed its name to the National Community MentalHealthcare Council. The change was viewed as necessary since itexcised the term “centers” and put more emphasis on the word“community” as the primary focus for providing a continuum ofcare.

Holiday Mental HealthThe holiday season can be a time full of joy, cheer, parties and

family gatherings. But for many people, it is a time of self-evalua-tion, loneliness, reflection, failures and anxiety.

What Causes Holiday Blues? Stress, fatigue, unrealistic expec-tations, over-commercialization, financial constraints, and theinability to be with one’s family and friends. The demands ofshopping, parties, family reunions and house guests also con-

tribute to feelings of tension. People may also develop otherstress responses such as headaches, excessive drinking, over-eat-ing and difficulty sleeping. Even more people experience post-holiday let down after January 1. This can result from disappoint-ments during the preceding months compounded by the excessfatigue and stress.

How to cope with Holiday Blues:Keep expectations for the holiday season manageable. Try to

set realistic goals for yourself. Pace yourself. Organize your time.Make a list and prioritize the important activities.

Be realistic about what you can and cannot do. Don’t put theentire focus on just one day. Remember that it’s a season of holi-day sentiment, and activities can be spread out to lessen stressand increase enjoyment.

Remember the holiday season does not banish reasons forfeeling sad or lonely.

Leave “yesteryear” in the past and look toward the future. Lifebrings changes. Don’t set yourself up in comparing today withthe “good ol’ days.”

Try volunteering some of your time to help others. Food banksalways need help. Visit an older person, talk to children.

Enjoy activities that are free, admiring the holiday decorations,window shopping or making a snowperson with children, take awalk.

Be aware that excessive drinking will only increase your feel-ings of depression.

Try something new. Celebrate the holidays in a new way. Spend time with supportive and caring people. Reach out and

make new friends, or contact someone you haven’t heard from ina while.

Save time for yourself! Recharge your batteries! Let othersshare in the responsibility of planning activities.

Take care, Happy Holidays!

3

Bob Dylan’s soulful tune “The times theyare a-changin’” is just as relevant today as when

it was released almost 50 years ago. The national political land-scape is in turmoil as are the global financial markets.

That cow lying quietly along the roadside chewing her cudmake be content, but the beef industry as a whole is experiencingsignificant turbulence. The markets are experiencing significantvolatility, making the charts look more like roller coaster tracksthan what we’re used to experiencing.

As always, with great challenges come great opportunities.Producers who position themselves to take advantage of the cur-rent conditions stand to make significant gains. Today’s tight beefsupplies are predicted to grow tighter because of the massiveherd liquidation this past summer in Texas and Oklahoma, andstrong demand, particularly from the export market.

Even if the drought breaks in 2012, experts predict there won’tbe any significant market effects from expansion until 2017. Allthings considered, we are likely looking at record prices for allclasses of cattle for the next several years. That’s the good news.The bad news is that the cost of feed is also at record highs and

doesn’t look to be falling into more reasonable territory any timesoon.

So, how do West End ranchers position themselves for theopportunity of a lifetime? First, take a critical look at your overalloperation and determine your strengths and weaknesses. Is ittime to hold back more heifers, or time to sell more hay?

What about your marketing program? Does it need to betweaked to take advantage of this particular window of opportu-nity in the market cycle? Is it time to take another look at directmarketing and perhaps—gulp—local processing? More andmore consumers say they’re interested in buying locally grownfood. Is this the time to launch a freezer beef business and capturethe middleman’s share of the retail dollar?

On the management side, are their places where efficienciescould be gained? Because of the cost of grain, it appears cattle willbe spending more time on forage and less time on high-energyrations. Can you alter your grazing practices to create morepounds of gain from the grass you have available?

What about your herd genetics? Are you breeding cattle thatgain well on grass and use feed efficiently, or is it time to intro-duce some different genetics with traits more in alignment with

the future feed situation? Those bull sales are coming up, so thetime is ripe for analyzing traits and studying sale catalogs.

And let’s not forget the world’s growing demand for energyand its effect on our little corner of the planet. What are the likelyimpacts of Energy Fuels’ Piñon Ridge Mill on your operation? Arethere risks that will need to be mitigated? Markets to capture?

As we step into what is likely a five-year window of opportuni-ty, it is probable we will see record cattle prices along with recordfeed prices. There will be tremendous profit opportunity, and anequal amount of market risk and volatility. It is likely many of ourcurrent practices and business paradigms will be shattered alongthe way.

Producers will need to seek out the latest information they canfind along with other producers with whom they can collaborateas the industry rolls with the waves. More than ever before, man-agers need to evaluate their operations, determine what changesare necessary for success in this rapidly changing environment.

Hang on tight. The roller coaster has left the boarding area,there are unknown surprises ahead on both the supply anddemand sides, and the beef industry is headed for a wild ride. Asthe calendar rolls from the old year to the new, how will you posi-tion yourself for success in this rapidly changing environment?

By: Elizabeth Smith

History of Mental HealthPieces of our Past:

By Jeri Mattics Omernik

Cattle List: The beef industry 2012 and beyond

✩This month we honor the dedicated EMT’s

from Paradox and Nucla/Naturita. As the holi-days approach and the weather affects ourroad conditions, these are the people thatsacrifice their family time, sleep and relax-ation time and work schedules to help andassist those that are in need. Please takeextra caution, think before you do somethingand avoid risks so that they don’t have torespond needlessly.

Do you know the requirements to becomean EMT? $1400 for training, $700 is usuallyavailable through grants, and then the Districtmay be able to pay for the other $700. Thenthere are 180 hours of training, plus clinicaltraining, then probationary hands on period.Once you get certified, you need to attendrefresher training courses, and special emer-gency sessions. It takes a special person towant to do this, who cares enough about

other people to want to help them in anextreme time of need. This type of concernand care for others is disappearing, and so it’sall the more important to thank these excep-tional citizens for their service.

TJ Jones EMR and EMS CoordinatorMike Zunich DriverEthan Archer EMRKelly Brickey EMRLloyd Church DriverJean Denham EMRTanya Denham EMT-BJan Dicken EMT-BJennifer Dunaway EMRKeith Dunaway EMRKen Jenks PACMike Lacosse EMT-BMarge Petty EMRLinda Riley EMRJack Roberts EMT-BJanet Roberts EMRVern Roberts EMRBeverly Ross EMT-BJeff Stephans EMT-ITonya Stephans EMT-BTroy Wallace EMRJean Williams EMRLinda Adkins EMT-BTony Adkins EMT-BMaree Farr EMT-BMarge Petty EMT-B

CommunitySuperstars

4

By Sarah Hidey, JVA Consulting“We are the 99 percent. We are getting kicked

out of our homes. We are forced to choosebetween groceries and rent. We are denied quali-ty medical care. We are suffering from environ-mental pollution. We are working long hours forlittle pay and no rights, if we are working at all.We are getting nothing while the other 1 percentis getting everything. We are the 99 percent.”

This is the rallying cry for the current OccupyWall Street movement. If you’ve gotten onFacebook , Twitter or even just been to CNN inthe last few weeks, you’ve likely been bombard-ed with images and media about what started asOccupy Wall Street. Now the movement has mor-phed into Occupy Denver or Occupy (insert yourcity here), and has become a global movementcalled Occupy Together. This movement, entirelymobilized through social media, has been criti-cized for lack of clarity and the hodgepodge ofcauses, centered on the inequalities experiencedby “the 99%,” it represents. But there is no doubtthat there are very valid frustrations beingvoiced.

Participants of Occupy Wall Street and OccupyDenver demonstrate the diversity of our cities:

nurses, small business owners, church volun-teers, elderly, college students, homeless, non-profit workers, clergy, public servants, and theunemployed. But it’s not just the unemployed;it’s the underemployed too—those who work40+ hours a week for less than a living wage,those with no health benefits, those who arehighly educated and were laid off, and thosewho made all the “right” life choices but who stillfeel left behind. Even people who label them-selves as the wealthiest 1% have taken up thecause. In fact, one of the most powerful exam-ples of nonprofit involvement is by ResourceGeneration, a nonprofit that organizes young,wealthy individuals (the 1%) for social change. Ina symbolic show of solidarity, ResourceGeneration created its own Tumblr site to standwith the 99 percent: We Stand With the 99Percent.

Although the Occupy Denver/Occupy WallStreet is not organized or led by any particularnonprofit organization (NPO), the frustrationsexpressed within this movement are the sameissues that hundreds or thousands of NPO work-ers have been quietly addressing behind thescenes— without media attention— for

decades: unemployment, inequality, injustice,lack of living wages, a thirst for a just societywhere hard work gets you the American Dream.Nonprofits represent the 99%. “Human needover corporate greed.” –one of the popularOccupy Together slogans is something nonprof-its like Sojourners and many grassroots commu-nity organizations have been saying for decades.

Whether you support the Occupy Denver/WallStreet movement or not, it’s hard to argue withthe fact that many people are dealing with manyof the same issues. In order to get the perspec-tive of a local elected official, I contactedCouncilman Albus Brooks. As the son of a formerBlack Panther and with a history of fighting forsocial and economic justice, Councilman Brooks(Denver District 8), says he is quite sympatheticto the Occupy movement and the frustrations ofthe protestors; many people in his district arestruggling economically because of a lack ofemployment and underemployment. However,like many people, he is concerned about the lackof cohesive talking points or proposed legisla-tive action. Having a history of fighting for socialchange, he has learned that it is not enough tosay, “We are upset. Change Things.” Instead,

Councilman Brooks says, “All successful protestsmust be focused and practical and have desiredoutcomes. The Civil Rights Movement wouldnever have succeeded if there wasn’t leadershipthat demanded for specific change.”

Although there does not seem to be onecoherent message or demand for a specific leg-islative action, it is entirely evident that there isone overarching emotion: anger, or as a recentCNN article puts it, “populist anger over an out-of-touch corporate, financial and political elite.”This is a frustration those of us working with thepoor and vulnerable have experienced for years.When it comes down to it, my colleagues and IARE the 99%. Many of us have spent our entireadult lives working for NPOs around the worldwhose purpose is to serve the poorest of thepoor—those who are in the bottom quadrant ofthe 99%. Despite the lack of consistent messag-ing by the Occupy movement, this movement ispersonal for me because it is largely about socialjustice, and creating change where it is desper-ately needed. I agree with Councilman Brooks’question for the Occupy movement, “Ok, youhave our attention. Now what?” I am eager tosee what comes of this historic movement.

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We are the 99 percent—nonprofits and the Occupy movement

5

• The Book Nook •By dallas Holmes

Book Nook – December, 2011

When I was 4 years old I would spendhours stubbornly determined to learn howto write my name. That was the requirementat the Monrovia Public Library to get yourvery own library card; you had to be able tosign the back. Some 20+ years later and Ican still clearly remember several details ofthat triumphant moment when I was confi-dently able to pencil my name on the backof my very first library card. Miss Melinda,the children’s librarian and my most veryfavorite person in the world back then,proudly took my hand and led me to selectmy books. She reverently took my card fromme as she personally checked me out andwith a flourish presented me a receipt. I alsostill remember the first book I checked out –Ramona Quimby, Age 8. My aunt had beenreading the series to me. I remember thefirst book I ever read myself, Baby Dear, andthe first picture book my elementary schoollibrarian Mrs. Blume read to my kinder-garten class, Miss Rumphius.

Everybody has a firstbook, or atleasteverybodyshould havea first book.That’s theopinion ofcolumnist AmyDickinson, who,last Christmas,began the home-grown campaign,“A Book on EveryBed”. Her idea issimple. You select abook, wrap it, andput it on a child’s bedso it’s the first thingthey see on Christmasmorning, or whicheverholiday you celebrate.They get a present themoment they wake up,and you’ll have an amazingtradition, plus a few extra minutes in bed.When you share the gift of reading with achild, you’re giving them a whole newworld, something no child should be with-out.

Ms. Dickinson wrote about this programin her syndicated column last year, and set agoal of a million books on beds that winterseason. She’s partnered with the FamilyReading Partnership, in her hometown of

Ithaca, NY to spread the message of literacy.In her column she quoted some startlingstatistics about the low rates of family litera-cy – less than half of the kids in this countryare read to regularly, and an alarming num-ber don’t have any children’s books in theirhomes.

Fortunately we live in an area thatembraces literacy and library access. In aneconomic climate where funding to librariesis being slashed nationwide and manyschools are without dedicated librarians, wehave 4 public libraries and 5 school librariesin our community. Both the Nucla PublicLibrary and the Norwood Public Libraryhave recent additions, and an overwhelm-ing 80% of voters supported the newNaturita Community Library. Every schoolhas a library and a dedicated, professionallibrarian. Last summer over 200 childrenparticipated in library program-ming.

I think

this isexactly the kind of

community to embrace ABook on Every Bed. The Naturita

Community Library would love to help.We’ve been saving some gently used chil-dren’s books. Come in during the month ofDecember and select one. We’ll even wrap itfor you, thanks to Dr. Don and theApothecary Shoppe for generously donat-ing the supplies. Take the book home andsurprise someone you love on the morningyou choose with a book on their bed.Imagine the possibilities.

Happy Holidays for you and your family. Ihope you enjoy a good book this season.

The Naturita Community Library now offersa brand new service for library patrons.Recorded Books' Universal Class is an educa-tional service providing the highest qualityonline courses for patrons interested in thelifelong pursuit of knowledge for either per-sonal or professional reasons. Lifelong learn-ing not only enhances social inclusion, activecitizenship and personal development, butalso competitiveness and employability. Todate, over 300,000 students have benefitedfrom Universal Class state-of-the-art onlinecourses!

This program offers real instructors•engaging video based lessons•

collaborative learning environment•certificates of achievement•continuing education units that meet IACET•

standardsover 500 courses•

You can access this database from your homecomputer using your library card number, orfrom your library. Please visit the NaturitaCommunity Library for more information and asample class list. Naturita Community Libraryoffers Universal Class Educational ProgramOnline.

This program is made available throughColorado Workforce center's VirtualWorkforce @ Your Library initiative

Naturita Community Library offersUniversal Class Educational Program Online

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West End PublicSchools Board

Meeting7:30pm-10:30pmNucla High School

ACE of NorwoodChristmas Bazaar6:00pm-9:00pm At the Livery

ACE of NorwoodChristmas Bazaar10:00am-4:00pm At the Livery

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

222 E. Main • Naturita

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

222 E. Main • Naturita

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

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

Norwood SchoolDistrictSTART of

Christmas break

West End SchoolDistrictSTART of

Christmas breakChristmas

New Year’s Eve

Food Bank1:00pm-3:00pm

Abundant Life Church1450 W. Grand Ave., Norwood

Food Bank1:00pm-3:00pm

Abundant Life Church1450 W. Grand Ave., Norwood

Food Bank1:00pm-3:00pm

Abundant Life Church1450 W. Grand Ave., Norwood

Food Bank1:00pm-3:00pm

Abundant Life Church1450 W. Grand Ave., Norwood

4-H Council Meeting2:00pm-4:00pm

Redvale Community Center

Elfin’ EveParade of Lights

Norwood Noel NightParade of Lights

Paradox Valley School6:00pm

Christmas Play &Cookie Funraiser

To include your calendaritem in this free listing,

email your information to:Publisher@

thecommunitycatalyst.com or call 970 859-7207.

Deadline is the 16th ofevery month.

December 2011 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:Publisher@TheCommunityCatalyst.com

or call 970 859-7207.

7

Nonprof i t Direc tory - Serv ing the West End

Master Gardener Course Comes to NaturitaWe are excited to announce that your local Colorado

State University Extension Office for San Miguel andWest Montrose Counties will be holding the ColoradoMaster GardenerSM Course for Mountains and High Desertthis winter in Naturita at the library.We are inviting you to participate! The course will consist of 11 classes held each

Thursday from 9 am till 4 pm beginning January 26 andending April 5.

Topics covered will be The Colorado Master GardenerProgram, Diagnostics, Basic Botany, Soils, Plant Diseases,Insects, Weeds, Pruning, Water-wise Landscape Design,Herbaceous Plants, Lawn Care, Tree Planting and FoodGrowing.

The Colorado Master Gardner Course is a long running,award winning, not for credit course that is equivalent to2 college courses. Class participants gain knowledge,skills and confidence to be successful gardeners in ourlocal environment. Participants meet others who love togarden and become life-long friends. People who havetaken the course often get employment in the Green

Industry. Some of the local projects Master Gardeners assist the

Extension Office with are High and Dry and PlantSelectTM Demonstration Gardens, Farmers MarketInformation Tables and Demonstrations, Food Growingwith local Community Gardens, Youth Gardening, andDiagnostics teams, etc. Exemplary Master Gardenersoften develop their own projects. It was MasterGardener Graduates who started two of our local com-munity gardens! Since we held our first course in 2007,our local Master Gardeners have given approximately$60,000 worth of volunteer service to our local communi-ties.

For a reduced cost of $200.00, qualifying class partici-pants can take the Master Gardener Volunteer optionand give back 50 hours of service educating the garden-ing public in cooperation with the local Extension Officeor participants can take the Colorado GardenerCertificate option without the volunteer commitment for$575.00.

This local Course will be held at the Naturita Library at107 West 1st Avenue in Naturita. Applications can befound on our website atwww.extension.colostate.edu/sanmiguel/ or you canreach us at 327-4393 or maryw@sanmigulecounty.org orYvette.Henson@colostate.edu. Applications are due byDecember 23.

J.E. Klett and C. Wilson • Colorado State University Cooperative Extension • www.ext.colostate.edu • Reprinted with permission • All rights reserved

2011 Fall Achievement Program Awards and Recognitions:Clubs and LeadersSMB Shooting Sports

Nila Archer- 9 yrs and Ivan Archer- 6yrsBasin Busy Beavers

Carol Koon- 11 yrsBarnyard Buddies

Patty Morgan-8 yrs, Misty Sickles- 3yrsNorwood/Redvale Livestock

Terri Lamers-5 yrsWest End Livestock

Danell Carter-11 yrsLone Cone 4-H Livestock

Kelly Sutherlin-4 years

Clover Buds: Calvin Sutherland & Lisa Sutherland – 2yrs

First Year Members:Andrea Gordon Butch StropkoColten Harris Robert StropkoHayden Harris Tyler WytulkaTalon Harris Mercedes ZunichHaylee Joseph Riley PorterRylee Richards Hailee Starks

Five Year Member:DJ Snow & Shania Snow

Ten Year MembersKate Archer Amie SnyderChelsea Belden Taylor SutherlinJacob Carter Brandon Morgan

2011 4-H Graduates:Jacob Carter, 10 yrs in 4-H. Participated in Market Swine. Taylor Sutherlin, 10 yrs in 4-H. Participated in Market Lamb.

Top 4-H Leader: Terri Lamers

San Miguel Basin Top Record Books:Aaron Morgan- Livestock & Kate Archer- General

Ultrasound Carcass Awards:Beef 1st Jace Sinks Swine1st Brent HarrisLamb 1st Robert Stropko Goat 1st Haylee Josep

Fair poster/Display Contest Winners: Individual Poster-Mercedes ZunichClub Display Award - Barnyard Buddies

Outstanding Livestock & General Project Exhibitors:The Outstanding Beef 4-H Exhibitor: Jace SinksThe Outstanding Swine 4-H Exhibitor: Brent HarrisThe Outstanding Lamb 4-H Exhibitor: Colten HarrisThe Outstanding Goat 4-H Exhibitor: Haylee JoesphThe Outstanding General Project: Kate Archer

STATE FAIR: Justis Koon Leathercraft Kate Archer Shooting Sports, ArcheryEthan Archer Shooting Sports, Muzzle Loading

Friend of 4-H: Josh Sinks

Spirit of 4-H Award: Aaron Morgan

Citizenship/Leadership Award: Kate Archer

I Dare You Award: Jackie Nelson

Most Improved 4-Her Award: Taryn Sickels