Events

“THE VITALITY PRINCIPLE IN URBAN ENVIRONMENTS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH: ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE LESSONS FROM PARKS, PLANS, RIVERS, AND COMMUNITIES”
Craig Anthony (Tony) Arnold
Boehl Chair in Property and Land Use Law and Chair of the Center for Land Use & Environmental Responsibility University of Louisville

Three relatively new movements have the potential to re-shape urban environments and landscapes that affect children, youth, and all ages.  They are: 1) the environmental justice movement, which focuses on disparities in environmental conditions by race and class; 2) the increasing use of health impact assessments in land use decision making; and 3) the children-and-nature movement, which urges attention to children’s “nature deficit disorder” and the use of biophilic design principles in urban planning.

These three movements share a common principle about good urban environments for children and youth: a principle of vitality.  Each movement appropriately starts with a different problem, because the problems of environmental injustice, unhealthy environments, and alienation from nature have aspects that do not overlap with one another.  Nonetheless, these problems, as well as the solutions being sought by communities, share common concern for the health, well-being, and sustainability of both human and other biological life.  They share common concern for the vitality of human communities, natural ecosystems, democratic political systems, local economies, and individual development.

This lecture will explore four examples of low-income and minority communities seeking to revitalize their urban environments, which have been characterized by unjust and harmful land-use conditions.  These examples are: 1) the urban parks movement in Los Angeles; 2) neighborhood-based visioning and planning by the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization in Chicago; 3) the restoration and protection of the Anacostia River watershed in Washington, DC, and Maryland; and 4) environmental justice activism and “green” projects in the South Bronx in New York.  These four case studies illustrate several characteristics of the “vitality principle” that can re-define urban landscapes so that they are fair, healthy, and ecologically vibrant environments for children, youth and all ages.

COLLEGE FACULTY & STAFF MEETING WITH CHANCELLOR & PROVOST
Friday, October 10, 2:00-4:00 – UC Denver Building, Room 470
CAP faculty and staff are invited to meet with Chancellor Roy Wilson and Provost Rod Nairn.

T. JOHN HUGHES EXHIBIT RECEPTION
Friday, October 10, 4:00-6:00pm – UC Denver Building, 3rd Floor Dean’s Suite
T. John Hughes, long-time Department of Architecture lecturer teaching Architectural Photography, is bringing his exhibit Cityscape Panorama Project to us! There will be a reception to celebrate the exhibit opening in our own Dean’s Suite. The work showcases the dramatic transformation of downtown Denver over the last 15 years, featuring 20 sets of four panoramic photographs of downtown Denver taken from the identical vantage points in 1992, 1997, 2002 and 2007.  Read Mary Voelz Chandler’s review in the Rocky Mountain News here: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/aug/14/chandler-cameras-capture-citys-shift/.

FALL LECTURE SERIES
Monday, October 13, 5:30pm – Denver Art Museum, Lewis I. Sharp Auditorium, Hamilton Building, 100 West 14th Avenue Parkway, Denver

“THE 2008 FELDBERG/ROARK LECTURE: OCCUPATION”
Brad Cloepfil
Principal, Allied Works Architecture, Portland + New York, USA
Hosts: Department of Architecture and Dean Sobel, Director, Clyfford Still Museum

Brad Cloepfil founded Allied Works Architecture in 1994 in his native Portland, Oregon, after more than a decade of work with firms in Los Angeles, Lugano and New York City. Allied Works quickly established a strong reputation among art and design professionals, beginning with the Sitings Project (conceptual designs for five distinct sites across the Pacific Northwest) and with the Wieden+Kennedy Agency World Headquarters, an adaptive re-use of an historic warehouse in Portland, completed in 2000. With the completion of their first major free-standing public building, the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (2003), Allied works began to gain attention from the wider press and public.

Allied Works has grown into a firm of 40 architects and support staff with offices in Portland and New York City. In recent years Allied Works has earned significant recognition for its designs of cultural buildings, creative workplaces and private residences. Current projects include the Seattle Art Museum, University of Michigan Museum of Art, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas and the Museum of Arts & Design in New York. Allied works was recently selected to design the new Clyfford Still Museum in Denver. The approximately 30,000 sf museum will house the legendary artist’s 2,400 works, many of which have never been publicly exhibited.  Website: www.alliedworks.com

DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH
WHITE CANE SAFETY DAY
Wednesday, October 15, 11:00am – South Classroom Building, Auraria Campus, Denver
Students who are blind or visually impaired, attend classes on the Auraria Campus and use a white cane are invited to gather at the South Classroom Building (west door entrance) at 11:00am. From there, we will walk through the campus. Our goal is to raise awareness of the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and draw attention to the important symbol of blindness and tool of independence – the white cane.

BIONEERS IN COLORADO
Friday-Sunday, October 17-19, CU Boulder Campus
Bioneers is the preeminent international gathering of leading scientific innovators and environmental visionaries who offer practical solutions to the most pressing environmental and social issues of our time. Bioneers, in its 19th year, uniquely and authentically connects the dots between environment, health, social justice and spirit.  Bioneers in Colorado is produced by University of Colorado Environmental Center in collaboration with numerous partner organizations. The 3-day event features live video simulcast of Bioneers plenaries. Registration costs $30/day. Multi-day discounts, student and senior discounts, youth scholarships, activist scholarships, and volunteer opportunities available. Free for CU-Boulder students. All participants must check in at the Eaton Humanities Building lobby. Website: http://ecenter.colorado.edu/bioneers08.

CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY DAY WEBCAST
Wednesday, October 22, 12:00-1:30pm – University Memorial Center Room 247, CU Boulder Campus
“Climate Realities, Challenges and Progress in Higher Education”
Nearly every powerful interest in the world has now accepted the reality of climate change and the impact of cumulative human activities on the climate. Politicians, sociologists, economists, business people, and military think tanks are focusing more and more on what many are calling the likelihood of "climate disruption," which is as just scary as it sounds.

Bring a sack lunch and join the Society for University and College Planning’s live interactive Webcast hosted by the CU Environmental Center. It will include Andrew Revkin, science reporter for The New York Times, Richard Moss, vice president and managing director for Climate Change for the World Wildlife Fund-US, Anthony Cortese, president of Second Nature, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making healthy, just, and sustainable action a foundation of higher education, and Jessy Tolkan, executive director of programs for the Energy Action Coalition. During the discussion, our panelists will talk about the latest scientific information on climate change, as well as the convergence of campus staff, faculty, and student activity in efforts to address climate change and sustainability on campus in 2008-2009. As a participant in the Webcast, you will also have the opportunity to submit text questions to the panelists during the live program. For more info on the presenters and the webcast, see: http://www.nytimesknownow.com/professional-development/education/campus-sustainability-day-FL08.html.   

SOLAR WEEK EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES
Monday-Saturday, October 6-11 – Various locations in Boulder
A series of evening workshops features an amazing lineup of speakers and reaches hundreds of participants with information on conserving natural resources at home. Boulder County Solar and Green Home Week is the premier event for homeowners to learn what they can do in their own home, including renewable energy, energy and water conservation, building material reuse and recycling measures. Website: http://www.conservationcenter.org/e_solarhometour.htm.  

4th ANNUAL DENVER INDIGENOUS FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL
Tuesday-Monday, October 7-13
Celebrating Identity through Art, Dance, Music & Sports: Join the International Institute for Indigenous Resource Management for more than a dozen amazing films from Native peoples around the world.  Website: http://www.iiirm.org/Events/Film%20Festivals/2008_film_festival/2008_film_festival_program/2008_film_festival_program.htm.  

PUTTING BEDS TO BED
Saturday, October 11, 8:30am-11:30am – Denver Parks
While it's usually bad form to abscond with flowers and plants from a public park, Denver parks are encouraging residents to take home perennial plants or cut flowers this Saturday. Putting the Beds to Bed seeks volunteers to dig up annual flower beds at area parks, and volunteers can either take home the plants or help load them onto trucks. Volunteers are needed at these four parks:
Alamo Placita Park: Emerson St. & E. 3rd Ave.
Civic Center Park: Colfax & Broadway
Cranmer Park: Cherry St. & E. 2nd Ave.
Washington Park: S. Downing St. & E. Louisiana Ave.
To volunteer, call the hotline at 720-913-0330 or email dprvolunteers@denvergov.org. Volunteers are encouraged to bring gardening gloves and water bottles, and volunteers under 17 must be accompanied by an adult.

FALL ORCHID SHOW & PLANT SALE
Saturday, October 11, 10:00am-5:00pm, and Sunday, October 12, 10:00am-4:00pm – Echter’s Garden Center, 9170 West 52nd Avenue, Arvada
Free show and sale of "Picture Perfect Orchids." For more information e-mail: webmaster@denverorchidsociety.org.

 
GLOXINIA GESNERIAD GROWERS SHOW
Saturday, October 11, 1:00-4:30pm, and Sunday, October 12, 10:00am-4:30pm – Denver Botanic Gardens, Mitchell Hall, 1005 York St, Denver
Contact Allison Brigham, 303-236-3465.

FREE PUBLIC ART TOURS
Saturday, October 11 – Denver
Tour #1 - 1:00pm
Denver Performing Arts Complex (DPAC) 14th and Curtis  
This tour will gather in the DPAC atrium near Infinite Energy (large abstract bronze in the open area between Boettcher Concert Hall and the Bonfils Complex) fifteen minutes prior to start time. Tour will include: Ellie Caulkins Opera House (works by Dale Chihuly, Herbert Bayer, Steven Batura, John DeAndrea) Buell Theatre (works by George Woodman, Vance Kirkland) Atrium and exterior (works by Fernando Botero, Victor M. Contreras, Jonathan Borofsky, Marcus Akinlana, John Powell)  
 
Tour #2 – 11:00am 
Colorado Convention Center 14th and California  
This tour will gather in front of I See What You Mean (a.k.a. the Big Blue Bear) fifteen minutes prior to start time. Tour will include: Interior (works by Erick C. Johnson, Jim Green, John McEnroe, Kirk Johnson & Jan Vriesen, William Matthews, Trine Bumiller) Exterior (works by Lawrence Argent, Jonathan Bonner, Barbara Jo Revelle, Bernar Venet).    
 
To sign up for a FREE tour, please e-mail Rudi Cerri at rudi.cerri@denvergov.org or call 720-865-4307. 

PUMPKIN FESTIVAL
Saturday-Sunday, October 11-12, 9:00am-5:00pm – Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, 8500 Deer Creek Canyon Rd, Littleton
Come search for the perfect jack o' lantern or pumpkin pie gourd for all your Halloween and fall festivities! Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield will be filled with exciting children's activities and vendors selling handcrafted gifts. Explore the myriad of animals at the working farm, tour the historical ranch, and enjoy the carnival rides! Admission for members and nonmembers: $5 Adult/Senior/Student with ID; $3 Child; $4 Member Adult; $2 Member Child; Children in costume admitted free (ages 3-12). Price of pumpkins determined by size. The average cost of a pumpkin is $6. Please bring your own wagon for your pumpkin purchase. Admission to the Pumpkin Festival does not include the Corn Maze. Website: http://www.botanicgardens.org/content/pumpkin-fest.  
Information about our Corn Maze: http://www.botanicgardens.org/content/corn-maze.

"MEET THE SPIRITS" AT COLUMBIA CEMETERY
Sunday, October 12, 12:00-5:00pm – Columbia Cemetery, 9th and Pleasant Streets, Boulder
The city of Boulder's Parks and Recreation Department and Historic Boulder, Inc. will present "Meet the Spirits" with Victorian mourners, funeral music, vintage hearses and a re-enactment of a solemn Masonic burial service by members of Columbia Lodge #14. Join the spirits of Tom Horn, Rocky Mountain Joe, Mary Rippon, "Lady of the Evening" Marietta Kingsley, and many other people buried at Columbia Cemetery who will tell their stories. Ghost hunters with Frontrange Paranormal Investigations (ParaFPI), an elite TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) family team that is currently investigating the cemetery, will demonstrate the equipment and techniques used in their paranormal research.
 
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children and students under 16, and are available in advance at Historic Boulder, 1123 Spruce St., or at Columbia Cemetery. The rain/snow date is Sunday, Oct. 19, from noon to 5 p.m., and the public is encouraged to call Historic Boulder, Inc. after 10 a.m. on Oct. 12 to find out if the event has been re-scheduled due to weather. For more information, call Historic Boulder, Inc. at 303-444-5192. Website: http://www.historicboulder.org/.
 

STREET AND AREA LIGHTING CONFERENCE
Sunday-Wednesday, October 12-15 – Marriott City Center, 1701 California St, Denver
Denver is the host city for the 2008 Street and Area Lighting Conference (SALC), and we couldn’t be more excited about it. Classes cover everything from emerging technologies, design software, lighting for municipalities, to information on LEDs, for every level from basic to advanced. Website: http://aiacolorado.org/events-programs/calendar/files/SALC2008.pdf.  

REDUCING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF WOOD CONSTRUCTION
Tuesday, October 14, 11:30am-1:30pm – REI Community Room, 1789 28th Street, Boulder
Boulder Green Building Guild's Residential Brown Bag Series presents Greg Shope of Alpine Lumber Company discussing alternative products including plastic lumber, engineered wood, FSC wood. Also discussed will be the pros/cons of using these products including the embodied energy compared to traditional wood construction. Website: http://www.bgbg.org/Default.aspx?pageId=135635.  

WALTER KULASH ON ENGINEERING SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
Wednesday, October 15, 7:30-10:00am – The Sage Room, Oxford Hotel, 1600 17th Street, Denver
Denver Metro Living Streets Initiative presents this lecture and discussion of the benefits and challenges of engineering Living Streets. Traditionally our roads have been engineered to maximize capacity. A new paradigm is taking hold that values roadways for their many other purposes. Cost: $35 per person, includes breakfast. Contact: Catherine Marinelli at Civic Results, (303) 477-9985. Register at: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/182684414.

FUTURE TRENDS – WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
Wednesday, October 15, 7:00-9:00am – Wells Fargo Center Hershner Room, 1700 Lincoln Street, Denver
Join NAIOP and McWhinney Enterprises for the final segment of the Green Series. Featured presenters include: Matt Wilson, Ph.D., of CH2MHill, Lauren Yarmuth of YRG, Karen Rhodes of Xcel Energy and special invited guest presenter Mayor John Hickenlooper. The October meeting will focus on economic and market trends, as well as technical and political trends. Don’t miss the final segment of our six-month sustainable development series!  Cost: Member $25, Non-member $35, Student $10. Website: http://www.naiop-colorado.org/pdfs/ev_green08.pdf.  

CDOT RAIL RELOCATION STUDY
Wednesday, October 15, 4:30-6:00pm – DRCOG, 1290 Broadway, Wolf Creek Pass Room, Denver
A chance for public input into the Colorado Rail Relocation Implementation Study, discussing a potential public/private partnership to relocate through-freight train traffic away from the communities along the Front Range. Website: http://www.dot.state.co.us/railroadstudy/involvement/default.asp.  

FINAL PUBLIC INPUT MEETING ON EAST BOULDER COMMUNITY PARK
Wednesday, October 15, 6:00-8:00pm – East Boulder Senior Center, 5660 Sioux Drive, Boulder
The city of Boulder's Parks and Recreation Department is soliciting input from the community on design concepts for Phase Two development of East Boulder Community Park in this last of three public input meetings. Current ideas include additional multi-purpose fields, a permanent dog park, restrooms and a picnic shelter. For more information, call Perry Brooks, Parks and Recreation, at 303-413-7226 or visit www.boulderparks-rec.org/.  

WILL BRUDER SPEAKING EVENT
Thursday, October 16, 2008 6:00-8:30pm – Glenn Miller Ballroom, UC Boulder Campus, 1669 Euclid Ave, Boulder
For 40 years, Will Bruder, AIA, has explored inventive and contextually exciting architectural solutions in response to site opportunities and user needs. Will is a craftsman in his concern for detail and building processes, and a sculptor in his unique blending of space, materials, and light. Self-trained as an architect, Will has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in sculpture from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Supplementing his studio art education were studies in structural engineering, philosophy, art history and urban planning, followed by a full architectural apprenticeship under Gunnar Birkerts and Paolo Soleri. Subsequent to becoming registered, Will opened his own studio in 1974. Most of Will’s 450 commissions have celebrated the craft of building in ways not typical in contemporary architecture, striving to invent form specific to function and his clients' aspirations. Through his creative use of materials and light, Will’s ability to raise the ordinary to the extraordinary is renowned.
 
AIA Colorado North is proud to host this event, open to the public. Complimentary food and beverages will be served. Cost: Free for AIA- and AIAS-Member Students (student ID required); $10 - Nonmember Students; $10 - Associate AIA Members and Guests; $15 – AIA Members and Guests; $25 – Nonmembers. RSVP required. Contact: Robin Hickey, 303.446.2266, ext. 111, robin@aiacolorado.org.  Website: http://www.willbruder.com/associatesfinalWILL.htm.  

SUSTAINABILITY GALA
Thursday, October 16, 6:00pm – Sherman Events Center, 17th Avenue and Sherman, Denver
Alliance for Sustainable Colorado's Sustainability Gala will feature the presentation of four Heroes of Sustainability Awards from nominations statewide. Event will include cocktails, dinner, and live and silent auctions. Dinner will feature local and organic foods - and many of the growers/vendors will be on hand to share their stories. Website: http://www.sustainablecolorado.org.

URBAN ECOLOGY LANDSCAPE SYMPOSIUM
Friday, October 17, 8:00am-4:00pm – Boulder Public Library, 1000 Canyon, Boulder
Conservation, Sustainable Development, Healthy Streets, Green Roofs and more. Sponsored by the Boulder Water Conservation Office. Registration fee: $60 ($70 after Oct 15), $10 with student ID. For information contact Renae Foxhoven at 303-484-0820 or renae@foxbach.com. Website: http://www.apacolorado.org/Landscape_Syposium_Registration_2008-1.pdf.  


WORKSHOP ON DENVER GROWTH
Saturday, October 18, 9:00am-12:00pm – East High School Cafeteria, 1545 Detroit Street at Colfax, Denver
(Register by Friday, October 10)
More people are moving to (and building in) Denver: Is there a remedy for growing pains? Join a free community forum and workshop presented by Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation, City and County of Denver, Community Planning & Development and Urban Land Institute — Colorado District Council (ULI Colorado).

Some citizens and neighborhood groups say Denver’s growth is healthy (or at least inevitable) but don’t want to see new development (or more traffic) in their backyards. Developers get frustrated, saying they waste time and money trying to get their projects approved and built. Public officials working to plan a great city are caught in the middle. Battles over development sometimes become nasty, but the city still needs new homes and jobs. Is this any way to grow a city? Come hear the perspectives of neighbors, the private sector, and public officials grappling to find a better process to discuss growth in Denver neighborhoods. The opening perspectives are followed by roundtable discussions and specific reporting of your views. Your input could change the way your city grows and create new ways for citizen voices to be heard on growth issues.

Invited speakers/panelists: Mayor John Hickenlooper; Karen Cuthbertson and Paul Benington, INC; Chuck Perry, Perry-Rose Co.; Charlie Woolley, St. Charles Town Co.; Anne Rosen, ZING Development; Peter Park and Tyler Gibbs, Community Planning and Development, City and County of Denver. Coffee and refreshments provided. Space is limited, so please register by October 10.  RSVP to AthmarAtLarge@ecentral.com or tina.oster@uli.org.  

FREE DAY AT DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS
Saturday, October 18, 9:00am-5:00pm – Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York Street, Denver
Free days for Colorado residents are held throughout the year at both Denver Botanic Gardens and Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield thanks to funding from the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). Free Days are for regular Gardens hours only and do not include ticketed events. Website: www.botanicgardens.org.

DRCOG ACTIVE LIFESTYLE/SENIOR-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GUIDED MOBILE TOUR
Saturday, October 18, 8:00am-3:30pm – Lakewood's Residences at Creekside, 1700 Pierce Court, Lakewood
DRCOG's Livable Communities Subcommittee and the Home Builders Association 50+ Housing Council are conducting a bus tour of active lifestyle/senior-friendly communities, intended to highlight the latest practices in residential development for the 50+ market, from affordable rental housing to active lifestyle communities. The tour is targeted to local government elected officials, planning commissioners, senior, disabilities and human service advisory commission members (and staff); local government development review team staff (planners, public works, building, and fire officials, etc.); community development specialists; design professionals (architects, engineers, etc.); home builders and developers.

The day begins with breakfast between 8:00-8:30. The tour will proceed from Lakewood’s Residences at Creekside to housing communities in Commerce City, Broomfield, Westminster, Arvada, and Golden before returning to Lakewood. Note: A map and directions will be given to all attendees before the tour. Tour fee is $55 (includes breakfast, lunch and transportation). Online registration accepted through Oct. 11. Contact Suzi Walker at swalker@drcog.org. Website: http://www.drcog.org/training/dsp_viewClasses.cfm.  

NeighborWoods PARK HILL TREE PLANTING
Monday-Saturday, October 20-25, Park Hill Neighborhood, Denver
Join Denver's Tree by Tree - The Mile High Million program and The Park People in celebrating NeighborWoods Month during October by planting 500 new trees in the greater Park Hill neighborhood. Volunteer opportunities exist for individuals and large groups (ages 9 and up) during the week and on Saturday. This tree planting event was initiated by a group of Park Hill citizens concerned with the lack of shade on their street. New trees will help future generations enjoy the benefits of energy savings from shading, increased property values and cleaner air. Contact: E-mail Tina.Romero@denvergov.org or call 720-913-0330. Website: http://www.greenprintdenver.org/trees/.  

MAYOR’S DESIGN AWARDS
Tuesday, October 21, 6:00-8:00pm – Colfax Events Center, 1477 Columbine Street, Denver
The Fourth Annual Mayor’s Design Awards celebrates design in all its forms throughout our neighborhoods.  Good design results in economic, social and aesthetic benefits for our community. The awards honor business and home owners who make design excellence a priority.  It is the combination of small-scale, unique gestures that make our city interesting, provocative and memorable.  Please RSVP at the website: http://www.denvergov.org/MayorsDesignAwards/tabid/428092/Default.aspx.  

CHRISTO & JEANNE-CLAUDE AT THE GARDENS
Wednesday, October 22, 6:30-8:30pm – Denver Botanic Gardens, Mitchell Hall, 1005 York St, Denver
Hear Christo and Jeanne-Claude talk about their temporary, large-scale environmental works of art completed in both urban and rural environments. The artists have collaborated on projects all over the world since 1961. The two will be discussing their innovative works of art which contain elements of architecture, urban planning, painting, and sculpture – a true example of “Urban Nature.” Their Colorado “Over the River” project will consist of 5.9 miles of silvery luminous fabric panels suspended horizontally high above the water along a 42 mile stretch of the Arkansas River between Canon City and Salida. The artists are presenting this lecture as a gift to Denver Botanic Gardens. Suggested donation: $5.  All proceeds benefit Denver Botanic Gardens. Register on the website: http://www.peopleware.net/index.cfm?siteCode=2736&siteID=361&event=08ADULTNC&subeventDisp=08MLL125&CFID
=20290980&CFTOKEN=409b4e2-256707ba-6bdb-4bae-a331-a758813d44e4

ULI COLORADO – GET INVOLVED!
Thursday, October 23, 3:30-5:00pm – The Curtis Hotel, Red Rover Room, 1401 Curtis Street, Denver
Come meet ULI Colorado’s leadership to learn about volunteer opportunities that can help your career and your community. ULI Colorado has 1,500 members and 200 volunteers on 15 committees. Our volunteers are leaders in real estate, planning, architecture, government and more. Come meet, learn from and network with our team.
This event is free to attend – please invite friends and colleagues! Register at the website: http://colorado.uli.org/Events/Upcoming%20Events/81110958.aspx.  

BONFILS LECTURE – THE CONNOISSEURS IN THE GARDEN: PLANT-DRIVEN DESIGN
Thursday, October 23, 7:00-9:00pm – Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York St, Denver
Scott Ogden and Lauren Springer-Ogden, horticultural consultants and garden designers whose work includes both public and private garden spaces across the country, have introduced several dozen plants to the nursery trade and are each the author of three books, including Lauren’s The Undaunted Garden, named one of the best 100 gardening books of the 20th century. The couple has co-authored a new book to be published by Timber Press in the fall of 2008.

What makes a garden transcendent, ecologically intelligent and deeply satisfying? Scott and Lauren argue that the answer is to use plants as equal elements in the conceptual design of a garden, rather than as subordinates to a design mandate-perhaps even allowing plants to be the starting point of the design. Modernistic garden styles that give architecture and artifact priority over the personality of particular plant choices have lost much of what gardens can offer: infinite complexity, ability to connect us with the natural world and, most importantly, the chance for an intimate relationship with the garden. With examples from diverse situations, Scott and Lauren show how plant-driven design meets the challenges of drought, soil, climate and site specifics, while creating enduringly beautiful and meaningful places that invite a powerful, primordial connection between person and garden. A book signing will follow the lecture. $17.00 (Member Price) / $22.00 (Non-Member Price) / $25.00 (At The Door). Website: http://www.botanicgardens.org/content/bonfils-stanton-lecture-series.  

FasTRACKS PUBLIC MEETINGS
Through Thursday, October 23
The Regional Transportation District is among the many public entities across the country facing challenges as we strive to keep our operations and projects on track during these sluggish economic times. RTD's FasTracks transit expansion program continues to be impacted by slumping sales tax revenues and escalating construction materials costs.

As RTD evaluates the options for moving forward with FasTracks, we are committed to working with you, our stakeholders, as we seek the best regional solution possible. RTD will be hosting public meetings in each of the 15 RTD Board Districts between September 25 and October 23. We invite you to attend one or more of these meetings. Click here for a list of meetings. Website: http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/main_138.  

WORLD WALK 2008: BAREFOOT IN BOULDER
Friday, October 24, 11:00am-2:00pm – 1300 Block of Pearl St., Boulder
The public is invited to come down during the lunch hour to help raise money and awareness of Samaritan’s Feet, a non-profit raising money to put shoes on children living barefoot around the world. All donations go to Samaritan’s Feet. Participants can register day of event for $20 and will receive a free t-shirt and discounts up and down Pearl St. that day. Website: www.samaritansfeet.org.