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Try Your Luck Starting Aug. 1

JCPL's new Lucky Day collection hit the shelves Aug. 1. This is your chance to skip the holds queue and get the latest bestsellers right away. These books cannot be placed on hold and will be available on a first come, first served basis. The check-out times will be the same as all other materials.

Try your luck by stopping in your local library to see what's available!

Back-to-School at JCPL

August is upon us and that means it's time to head back to school. Start the year off right by familiarizing yourself with the many resources offered at JCPL. You know the library has access to all the books and magazines you'll need, but did you know that it also has several online homework help resources? There are special sections just for kids and teens. You don't even have to leave your house! There are even tutors available at the Golden and Arvada Libraries to give you that extra one-on-one help you might need. JCPL is your one stop shop for all your school project needs.

Volunteers Needed

Start with a Story is a storytime outreach program that allows JCPL to provide early literacy experiences to children in the community who may not otherwise be able to visit the library. Volunteers will provide storytimes at area daycare centers and preschools, sharing stories, games, and literacy activities with children and teachers; training will be provided. JCPL is seeking volunteers to help launch the pilot program in September. To learn more contact Jennifer Hand.

Land of the Bristlecone - Chief Mountain

Thursday, Aug. 9 

Spend part of a day exploring the subalpine spruce-fir forest while discovering a grove of bristlecone and limber pine trees and unusual wildflowers such as pyrola, twinflower and wood nymph.  

Native Plant Master Course - Level 2 - Plains Conservation Center

Fridays, Sept. 7, 14, 21  

Take a Native Plant Master® course at this natural area on the High Plains south of Denver and discover fall bloomers with an emphasis on the grass and sunflower families. Pre-requisite: passed one NPM course or background in botany. 

Introduction to Ecological Restoration 

Thursday, Sept. 20

Spend part of a morning with a CSU faculty member learning about the art and science of ecological restoration in which native ecosystems are restored on disturbed sites.  

August is National Child Support Month

by Mallory Hyatt, Jeffco Human Services

Adventurous August Public Health Monthly Updates

by Nancy Braden, Jeffco Public Health

August is National Immunization Awareness month. To get your child/children up-to-date on immunizations, make an appointment with your healthcare provider or Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH). All JCPH Immunization clinics are by appointment only. Call 303-232-6301 to schedule an appointment in Arvada or Lakewood.

Smoke Free Environments Are Catching On

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Smoke-free environments protect everyone.

For more information or to get involved in tobacco prevention efforts in supporting smoke free environments, visit Smokefreejeffco.com or contact Donna Viverette at 303-275-7555.

Protect against Pertussis or "whooping" cough

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, a contagious bacterial infection spread by coughing/sneezing, continues to circulate around the country. It is most notable for the persistent, often severe, and long-lasting cough in those infected and can be life threatening in infants and young children.

JCPH urges everyone to be sure they are up-to-date on vaccinations. The childhood vaccine, DTaP protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. However, a booster vaccine, called Tdap is required when a child enters 6th grade. Children 7-10 years of age who are not up-to-date should also receive the Tdap vaccine. Due to an ongoing increase in reported pertussis cases throughout Colorado, Tdap is also recommended for all adults. This is especially important for adults who live with an infant and for childcare providers. To make an appointment, call 303-232-6301.

Got Milk? Be Sure It's Pasteurized

Raw milk - milk that comes straight from the cow, goat or sheep without being pasteurized can carry harmful bacteria and other germs that can cause severe illness, even death. The same goes for milk products such as certain cheeses, ice cream and yogurt produced from raw milk.

Pasteurization is the process of heating milk to a high enough temperature for a long enough time to kill disease-causing bacteria contained in the milk. Pasteurization became widespread in the United States by 1950. While the retail sale of raw milk is banned in many states, including Colorado, it is still made available in this state and others through the purchase of a cow or goat share operation. In this case, the consumer purchases a share of the actual animal and receives a quantity of the milk produced. Milk and milk products in Colorado are monitored by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's (CDPHE) Division of Environmental Health and Sustainability. Inspections are regularly performed and products are regularly sampled at all dairy farms, dairy plants and milk plants around Colorado.

The Centers for Disease Control has a raw milk website that contains useful information and materials, including a list of relevant publications and other scientific resources on illnesses associated with raw milk consumption.

A Simple Fix

by Jennifer Strickland, Foothills Animal Shelter