Boulder, MT

On April 10, 16 pre-registered participants attended the initial training at Jefferson High School for community citizens to look at problems affecting the community. The trainings continued over several weeks and included a diverse group of participants. Skills that were developed and enhanced included looking at problems affecting the community, seeing them from different perspectives, sharing opinions as well as solutions and projects that would greatly impact the community.
One of the participants that completed this training, Jason Craft, son of Boulder Chamber of Commerce Members Gerald & Carmen Craft, went on to develop the idea for a Skateboard Park in Boulder. Jason and supporters created a plan of action that included the following success; surveying youth in the community; acquiring approval of the Jefferson County Commissioners and Boulder City Council for donation of land to build the park on; skateboard park members attended a Horizons sponsored Grant Writing workshop and received 2 grant awards after this; rallied ongoing volunteers and supporters to form partnerships to achieve the skateboard park dream.

The recent Pancake Breakfast fund raiser for the Skateboard Park in Veterans Park was a complete success. Many of the participants were happy to be nourished, prior to partaking in the Chamber of Commerce City Wide Garage Sale. Matching funds for the grants are continuing to grow as is community excitement in completion of this project.

“The committee dealing with resources and services for the Boulder community have been very active in researching and talking to the appropriate people to get much needed services back into the community. Boulder seems to have been forgotten by the state and this dedicated group of individuals have decided that the people in the Boulder community are not going to be forgotten! “

BCDO has stepped forward to reach out to the community. First a Community Resource Guide was developed and published by Jan Anderson of the Boulder Monitor. It listed 23 active Boulder Area committees partnering for change within the community. The resource guide includes the original Horizons vision focus strategies, actions, solutions, time lines, and supporting resources. It is available at the Boulder Monitor and is called Connection the Community, a Human Resource Guide for Boulder Residents complete with community county state and national listings. A tri-county area directory is included. The Horizon’s Partnership list is included to link leaders, groups and organizations to residents that may require services.

On June 18th, a workshop was held taking action to increase awareness and bring Helena resources closer to the town of Boulder. It encouraged community leaders to assist needy residents to complete complicated government forms and remove the stigma of asking for help.
Leaders were updated on resources and contacts available from Lewis and Clark Co. This will be one of many actions to effectively close the gap identified between services not perceived as available and their impact on the poverty levels within the community.

Randy McGinnis the new Jefferson County Prevention Officer is supported by a 2-year grant to identify and reduce underage and binge drinking in Jefferson County. A recent meeting held June 23 presented workbook data reflecting Jefferson High School, county, state statistics relating to alcohol consumption. This data will provide direction on a plan of action for the community to affect change. A large group of volunteers has committed to embrace this plan of action by creating a new awareness in the community. For more information call Randy McGinnis at 461-4403 or rmcginnis@jeffco.mt.gov.

This parenting support seminar was led by Eric Wahler, a licensed therapist who has worked with teens and their families for 17 years. He presented and shared information to help parents and others build confidence and self-discipline in their teens.
It was held Tuesday, May 13, 2008 from 7-9PM at the Boulder Elementary School library. The seminar was free to the public and assistance with childcare and transportation was available.
The seminar was well attended by representatives from AYA, RMDC, BCDO, 21st CCLC, and Boulder Elementary staff. The diversity of the people they interact with will be an additional resource to create structural change within their work places that supports this community. They received useful new procedures to assist teens and parents in behavior modification and confidence building. The professionals received certification credits and the parents left with new coping and communication skills.

Make appointments as soon as possible! Go to St. Catherine’s Parish Hall on Thursday Aug 14.

There has been some intense discussion about insurance coverage for community activities held at the Veteran’s Park. An easy solution has not been obtained. But the Boulder Community is moving forward with Celebrations at the Jefferson Co Fairgrounds. This goes hand in hand with the Carousel which will be available for rides. The time for Fun Games and Food will be 12 to 4pm.
The fireworks display is still scheduled for 9 pm from the top of Cap Hill! We can all gather at the Veteran’s Park for Patriotic Music, Free Popcorn,and a slide show.

FUN DAY AT THE FAIRGROUNDS * BOULDER RIVER CAROUSEL* 11 A.M. - 4 P.M. *

NOON - 4 P. M. *FOOD*GAMES* CONTESTS *MUSIC * POPCORN*ICE CREAM *FUN * FUN *

*JOIN TOGETHER AGAIN AT 9 P.M. AT BOULDER VETERANS CITY PARK*MAIN St.*

TO ENJOY THE AWESOME FIREWORKS! Patriotic Music, Patriotic Slide Show, FREE popcorn. 50/50 raffle drawing at 10 pm. Tickets may be purchased all day on the 4th up to the time of the drawing BUT you must show ticket at 10pm in order to win. Bring your family, neighbors, lawn chairs, blankets, mosquito spray, flash lights & enjoy!

At the Boulder Methodist Fellowship Hall.
A successful evening of discussion and fun. Take a good look at the new Highway Map of Montana and you will learn more facts and interesting information than you have had since 6th grade when you had to memorize the county seats and counties of Montana as well as other important historic information. Prizes for all with answers and ideas. It was great to see how individuals in different work settings have similar situations that need tactful responses. It appears that the friendliness of small town Montana with all its honesty and open mindedness are very important to our out of town visitors. We will all have an opportunity to practice when the National Folk Festival Guests arrive in Butte July 11-13, 2008.

About 100 people enjoyed dancing to the tunes of the A M String Band Friday night at the Boulder Elementary School Gym. Following a satisfying array of Pot Luck dishes, and Home Grown Music, the community showed its strong support for the 21st Century Program by signing in with the silent auction. Many Thanks to all the organizers: Rochelle Hesford, Colleen, Donna and Mary Ellen Earnheart. The Home Grown Music was provided by Dusty & Lynn, Gary Craft, John Powell and Ron Smartnik

The 21st CCLC program is considered an “open site” where any child within the community can receive a free breakfast or lunch, not just children enrolled in school. The community knows the additional funds raised at the dance will go towards the 21st CCLC’s actions in reducing poverty affecting the community.

Wobbly Boy Productions was invited to bring music to the Tizer Garden Fairy and Wizard Festival on Sat June 28. And indeed they did. Lynn Price and Dusty Farnum provided music for all ages and dancing was encouraged with a little help from Western Fairy God Mother Connie Grenz.
Students from the Boulder 21st Century Community Learning Center led and participated in craft activities, a dance presentation, and sold goods they had made including jams, breads, cookies, salsa, and crafts. the summer program classes have given them opportunities to learn the above skills as well as gardening, marketing, business, and finances. These additional skills will help them take action withing their community and reduce poverty long range. The proceeds from this festival were donated to the Boulder 21st Century Community Learning Center to sustain this program after the grant has expired. Tizer Gardens, and other Boulder Chamber of Commerce members partnered with the BDCO Education Committee and 21st CCLC for a successful event

How could your Boulder Community Group use this blog? Let me count the ways…

1. Create a web page (free) and post your meeting minutes (Look to the right ==>)

2. Start a discussion here that you think will dominate an entire meeting and have the discussion online, on the blog, instead, then recap the discussion at the face-to-face meeting.

3. Publicize the wonderful work your group is doing by making your group’s affairs public.

4. Post pictures of your group having so much fun that others are compelled to join you.

5. You can use the blog in any way that benefits your community group. Your imagination is all that is limiting you.

How do you learn to blog? Contact the Connie or Daryl Grenz 225-3288.