Posts tagged Boulder
Flooded homes to get rapid evaluations
Sep 22nd
On Monday, Sept. 23, City of Boulder building inspection staff, along with certified inspectors from the Colorado Chapter of the International Code Council, will begin rapid evaluations of flood-damaged properties. The rapid evaluations will begin in the areas that were most impacted by recent flooding and will be focused in the 100-year flood, high-hazard, and conveyance zones. If your property was affected by the September 2013 flood but is not located in one of these designated floodplain zones, you may call 303-441-1880 to request an assessment.
Inspectors will use specific criteria to check for potential safety threats that are visible from the exterior of flood-damaged properties. After the inspectors have completed an evaluation, they will place one of three colored placards on the property, near the main entrance.
- Green “INSPECTED” placards confirm that a property has been inspected and is safe to occupy.
- Yellow “RESTRICTED USE” placards inform occupants of concerns related to the structure, electrical (power), or mechanical (gas). These placards will include a description of how and why the use is limited. Properties that are restricted to limited uses will require a more detailed evaluation before occupants are allowed to use the entire building.
- Red “UNSAFE” placards inform occupants that a property is unsafe to enter and that substantial measures may be necessary to make the building safe to occupy. A red placard is not a demolition order.
Please allow these placards to remain on the property for at least one week, or until you have been notified otherwise by a City of Boulder representative. If you have any questions about the rapid evaluation process, please contact Planning and Development Services at 303-441-1880.
— CITY —
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Mountain Parks open slowly, starting Sat.
Sep 21st
After historic rain and flooding that caused extensive damage to trails, trailheads and natural resources, the Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) is announcing that it will open a limited number of trails in Chautauqua on Saturday, Sept. 21.
OSMP anticipates opening up more trails within the week. However, many trails in the system will require substantial rebuilding, and OSMP asks for the public’s patience as the department rebuilds and restores those trails.
Chautauqua trails that will be opened on Saturday are:
· A portion of Chautauqua trail.
· Bluebell Road to the shelter.
· Bluebell Spur
· Bluebell Mesa.
· A portion of the Ski Jump trail.
Trails will be opened from dawn to dusk on-trail only because of existing safety risks. Trails will be closed at night because of hazards not visible in the dark. All other OSMP trails remained closed under an emergency order.
“We have worked as hard as possible in the days after the storm to assess damage and safety dangers,” said Mike Patton, director of the City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks department. “We hope to re-open more trails in the next week.”
There are some potential safety risks on trails slated to be re-opened. Current risks on the trails may include rocky and gullied terrain, as well as other potential hazards associated with a major flood event. OSMP stresses that re-opened trails will not be of the same quality residents have seen in the past.
“We understand that the public is anxious to get out on the trails,” Patton said. “We know that OSMP is a place where visitors go to reduce stress. We want to express our deep appreciation for our visitors’ patience at this time.”
Patton also wanted to express his gratitude for the outpouring of offers to help rebuild trails, and restore natural areas. OSMP staff is prioritizing volunteer projects. Volunteer opportunities will be posted at osmp.org as soon as projects are identified.
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–CITY–
Review: The Treason of Mary Louvestre published by Koehler Book Author Dr. My Haley
Sep 17th
Book Review by Donna Marek
The Treason of Mary Louvestre published by Koehler Book Author Dr. My Haley
The Treason of Mary Louvestre published by Koehler Book Author Dr. My Haley
On Saturday, September 7, I happened to be at Barnes & Noble
Bookstore in Boulder and met author Dr. My Haley, widow of famed
author Alex Haley (“Roots”). She collaborated with her husband
on that book, worked in tandem with him and they married in 1977.
She was at B & N for her book signing
of The Treason of Mary Louvestre published by Koehler Books.
Dr. Haley is a lovely woman, with a PhD in Communications who teaches at a University.
My Haley
When I walked into the area, she was alone with her publicist which
was a good opportunity to have a candid talk about her writing. We did. I chose not to talk about her husband because I thought it was her special day.
Haley’s book is a historical drama based on real events involving the civil war and espionage against the confederacy.
She told me she is excited to have written the book
about the brave heroine, Mary Louvestre, who was a seamstress in her mid 50’s in 1861.
Louvestre stole plans to the USS Virginia and thereby committed
treason. Instead of facing death for her acts as a spy, she traveled
through a storm to meet with the Secretary of Navy. Later she received awards for her work.
This is the first of 6 books in a series in the works for Dr. Haley.
Upon leaving, I wished her continued success and told her I was
going to walk through the store and send people her way.
Evidently it worked. The next day the store’s manager told
me that numerous people did attend her signing.
Lovely afternoon for the “per-chance” meeting.
