LYONS – During my three terms in office, I saw many significant legislative matters decided with outcomes that I believe benefited Lyons. While I advocated for enhancements to bicycle and pedestrian safety, a reasonable revision to the criminal code, restrictions on smoking in public venues, and against a sales tax increase, what I think defined my terms in office was my efforts to increase access to Boulder County Open Space and the creation of trails. Among these efforts, the most difficult related to Town of Lyons access to Boulder County’s Heil Ranch Open Space.

LONGMONT – It’s only once in a great while that Greenwood is honored enough to host a bird whose reputation as a fish eater keeps us on our toes.

BOULDER – It has been a busy two weeks in the gardens. Bulbs have finished up and the spent foliage is starting to fade. Try to resist the urge to chop down the yellowing or ratty foliage as it is still supplying nutrients to the bulb for next season’s display. As a compromise you can cut daffodil foliage in half by the handful and take the tulip stalk down to above the next leaf segment.

BOULDER – If you are thinking of getting your pet clipped for relief from the summer heat, save the fur. You can be part of a gigantic plan headed up by the Camp Bow Wow outlets across the country, which are collecting all types of fur and even human hair to stuff into nylon stockings and be fastened together to form something called a boom. These booms will be floated out into the Gulf of Mexico to help mop up the oil spill.

LONGMONT – There are some things you can always expect practicing wildlife rehab in Colorado. The baby squirrels always arrive in early spring, followed by the barrage of baby birds and baby raccoons that hurry in after. But wildlife rehabilitation isn’t all about the cute and fuzzy; it’s also about being prepared for the unexpected.

BOULDER – Spring may finally be arriving on the Front Range. This has been a great winter for gardens with an almost constant covering of snow and little wind helping the plants and trees maintain dormancy and protection for the majority of the winter. Things are starting to peek through the ground in southern and western sections of my garden.