One In Five Americans Can’t Afford To Put Food On The Table
Sep 4th
Business Journal.com
As a nationwide drought threatens to drive up prices for food staples this fall, it could pose an even greater challenge for the one in five Americans who weren’t able to afford food so far this year.
For the first six months of 2012, Gallup surveyed 1,000 Americans each day to see whether they’d been able to afford basic food. From the report:
“In 15 states, at least one in five Americans say they struggled to afford the food they needed at least once during the past 12 months. Nationwide, 18.2% of Americans so far in 2012 say there have been times when they could not afford the food they needed, on par with the 18.6% who had trouble affording food in 2011.”
When broken down by states and regions, there were huge discrepancies in responses. From coast to coast, the Southern half of the nation struggled the most by far. Twenty-five percent of Mississippians reported struggling to afford food, the highest total in the country, while just 9.6 percent of North Dakota residents said the same.
And rough waters are still to come.
Within two months, prices for beef, pork, poultry, and dairy will begin to rise and the processed and packaged foods so many low-income families rely on for cheap meals will see prices soar within a year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Reopening of pools and locker rooms at East Boulder Community Center postponed to Sept. 12
Aug 31st
Renovation of the locker rooms at the East Boulder Community Center (EBCC) has experienced some construction delays, postponing the reopening of the pools and the men’s and women’s locker rooms until Wednesday, Sept. 12.
The locker rooms at EBCC, 5660 Sioux Drive, are being completely remodeled, with replacement of all tiles in both the men’s and women’s locker rooms; replacement of all stalls; replacement of fixtures; replacement of countertops and sinks; re-plastering of the leisure pool; repainting and finishing of the dinosaur slide; and repairs and replacement of all tiles in the steam room. 
Construction was expected to be completed by Monday, Sept. 3, allowing for a reopening of the pools, steam room, hot tub and locker rooms on Sept. 4. A delay in receiving some construction materials will postpone the reopening of the pools, hot tub, steam room and men’s and women’s locker rooms until Wednesday, Sept. 12. The three remodeled family locker rooms will reopen later in September.
“We want to thank all of our East Center patrons for their patience during our locker room and pool renovations,” said Interim Recreation Center Manager Dean Rummel. “We are sorry to have to delay the reopening, but we know that our patrons will really appreciate the wonderful new locker rooms, steam room and pool improvements that are being made.”
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Boulder Solar Grant Program deadline extended to Oct. 31
Aug 31st
The application deadline for the city’s Solar Grant Program has been extended to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31. The deadline extension provides more time for Boulder-based nonprofits and affordable housing owners to complete applications. For applications and program information, visit the city’s Solar Rebate and Solar Grant Programs website at www.bouldercolorado.gov/lead/solargrant.
More than $80,000 is currently available for the second grant funding cycle of 2012.
The Solar Grant Program is dedicated to providing financial assistance through grants for the installation of solar electric or solar thermal systems on housing for low- to moderate-income residents and on the facilities of nonprofit organizations operating in Boulder. The grants are funded by revenue generated through sales and use taxes from the purchase and installation of solar technologies in Boulder. A portion of the revenue is also used to provide tax rebates for solar installations within the community.
Since the Solar Grant Program began in 2008, it has contributed to the installation of approximately 700 kilowatts of solar power systems, which collectively save grant recipients $90,000 annually in energy costs.* Subject to funding availability, there will be another opportunity to apply for grants in 2013.
The Boulder Climate Action Plan promotes energy efficiency, renewable energy, and transportation options for Boulder residents and businesses. For more information, contact Residential Sustainability Specialist Megan Cuzzolino at 303-441-3452.
*Sou
