Civic Engagement

Most people don't tie their behaviors as consumers to what's happening in the economy. Yet we absorb thousands of messages and make hundreds of decisions each week. As part of our Social Science Series, author and economist Jack Buffington breaks down how we as consumers have transformed and can change the future of our economy.

Jack's current research is focused on manufacturing and the U.S. economy, the state of the U.S. economy and what's next, and consumer behavior and its impact on the U.S. economy.

Google is conducting a nationwide search for a test community for an ultra-high speed broadband network. This network would provide Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what Americans have access to today.

Highlands Ranch Residents, agencies, schools, organizations and businesses are needed to nominate our community! Let's work together to make the Google Fiber Initiative possible for Highlands Ranch, and become the nation's technology hot spot.

Visit www.hrcaonline.org/googlicious to learn more.

Douglas County Libraries has formed a “partnership for life” with Bonfils Blood Center and will be holding blood drives throughout 2010. Bonfils needs 4,200 blood donations weekly to meet the needs of the community and to be prepared for unexpected events.

Blood Donation is one of the easiest ways to help your community, with each whole blood donation taking less than an hour and having the potential to help several people.

Reservations are handled through Bonfils. Call 303-363-2300 to book your spot, or visit www.bonfils.org.

H1N1 Influenza Sites & News Coverage

CITY / COUNTY

• Douglas County Sheriff Emergency Management Swine Flu Preparedness
• Tri County Health
  http://www.tchd.org/flu.htm

Map

Tuesday, March 2, 7 p.m. Mainstreet Center, Room 101, in historic downtown Parker.

Stop by and join a discussion about the United States judicial system, featuring Judge Angela Arkin of the 18th Judicial District. Judge Arkin will speak on “Our United States Courts” and on behalf of “Our Courts Colorado,” a joint activity of the Colorado Judicial Institute and the Colorado Bar Association. Our Courts Colorado provides nonpartisan, informational programs to adult audiences around the state to further public knowledge and understanding of state and federal courts in Colorado.

Douglas County Libraries just got a little brighter, and a little greener! Through a donation from the Sunflower Corporation, they installed a Sundolier™ daylight system for no cost at the Philip S. Miller Library. Using solar power and a battery, the Sundolier™ will actually follow the sun, tracking its brightest angle, and disburse the natural light through the main room of the library. This should help reduce electric light and cooling demands, and related emissions.

In coordination with the American Association of Libraries (ALA), Douglas County Libraries is reaching out to local veterans and their families to help them understand new educational benefits available under the post-9/11 GI Bill which takes effect August 1, 2009.

The ALA in conjunction with the American Legion, the National Military Family Association, the American Council on Education and the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools, has created a Helpful Webpage to help Vets locate current information; the information located here by no means is the only applicable information available.

Every Saturday, except holiday weekends, Douglas County Libraries hosts casual drop-in sessions for anyone age 17 and older to practice English. All levels and abilities are welcome. Come practice conversational skills with other English learners. Volunteer facilitators, who are fluent in English, lead the conversation and answer any questions.