COMMUNITY NEWS

Ways to earn and save money

Cooking classes, summer jobs, scavenger hunts, free screenings

THERESA BAER

SUMMER EMPLOYMENT NIGHTS FOR AGES 14–18

The Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development’s CareerRise Team is connecting teens ages 14–18 to business information and summer opportunities with virtual Summer Employment Nights. During these free virtual events, teens and their families will hear from a local employer panel about job search best practices and their unique summer opportunities, paid internships, and the Larimer County Conservation Corps. Hear from Loveland businesses on Wednesday, March 3 from 5:30pm to 7pm, including panelists from City of Loveland, Culver’s, JAX, and The Summit. Fort Collins businesses will be featured on Wednesday, March 10 from 5:30pm to 7pm, including panelists from City of Fort Collins, Urban Air, Walrus Ice Cream and more. Visit www.larimer. org/ewd/summer2021 to register or call 970-498-6608 with questions.

COOKING MATTERS CLASSES FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES

Cooking Matters knows kids need good food to grow up healthy. By offering cooking classes, Cooking Matters provides parents and caregivers with the skills to shop for and cook healthy, affordable meals for their families. Join their virtual classes from the comfort of your own home to learn how to use your SNAP dollars wisely. Larimer County residents can email cookingmatters@foodbanklarimer.org to learn more or sign up. Weld County residents can email or call ogonzalez@ weldgov.com or 970-400-2382. Classes are offered both in English and Spanish. Adults who participate will receive a $10 grocery gift card.

FREE DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS

Estes Valley Investment in Childhood Success (EVICS) Family Resource Center is offering free developmental screenings, known as the Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3 and ASQ:S-E 2), for children ages 1 month to 6 years of families in Estes Park, Allenspark, Drake, Glen Haven, Pinewood Springs and surrounding areas. The ASQ are offered in English and Spanish and generally take 10–15 minutes to complete online or on paper. Following completion, parents will receive a summary report, as well as resources and information to help promote their child’s development. View a 10-minute informational video at www.facebook. com/evicsEP, read the Parents’ QuickGuide to ASQ Screening at www. agesandstages.com/about-asq/forparents, or call EVICS at 970-586-3055 to learn more.

HOME & GARDEN SHOW MOVES ONLINE

The annual Northern Colorado Home & Garden Show hosted by the Greeley Tribune will occur virtually this year for seven weeks from March 12 through April 30, providing a robust, safe and convenient shopping experience. The event will continue to feature top names in flooring, windows, landscaping, kitchens and more, even expanding the reach to include more of Northern Colorado and the Front Range. In addition to virtual booths, attendees will have access to home and improvement tips and articles, exhibitor discounts and giveaways, and can register for a show sweepstakes. Check it out at www. NoCoHomeAndGardenShow.com.

SAFE ROUTES SCAVENGER HUNTS

Families can get moving outdoors with scavenger hunts around Fort Collins. Safe Routes to School has developed walking and biking Scavenger Hunts featuring the city’s multi-use trails, parks and natural areas. Find the hunts online at www. fcgov.com/saferoutes/scavengerhunts and answer the questions as you follow the trails, looking for signs, maps and more along the way. Email your completed scavenger hunt to scavengerhunt@fcgov.com to be entered into drawings for great prizes!

GARDEN CONCERT SERIES

Off the Hook Arts presents this year’s Garden Concert Series, a sociallydistanced outdoor experience, this March through October. An opening fundraiser concert features a grammynominated band with Colorado roots, Devotchka, and takes place Saturday, March 20 from 1:30pm to 5:30pm at WaterWise Landscaping, 1930 N. Whitcomb Street in Fort Collins. Donations received during this performance will be shared with Devotchka and OtHA free and low-cost music education for young people in

Northern Colorado. Seating is limited to 100 people and tickets are $50/person or $90/duo. Learn more and purchase tickets at www.offthehookarts.org/ gardenseries.

THRIVE BY FIVE SUPPORTS QUALITY CHILDCARE & EARLY EDUCATION

The Early Childhood Council of Larimer County (ECCLC) has launched a new campaign, called Larimer Thrive by Five, to help raise awareness about the issues faced as a community surrounding childcare and early childhood education in Larimer County. Everyone depends on someone who depends on childcare and early education. Kids are the next generation of community members, workers and leaders. Help support their development and these crucial issues by learning more at www.larimerthrivebyfive.org.

AIMS FOOD PANTRY SUPPORTS STUDENTS IN NEED

Aims Community College recently received a $6,000 grant from the United Way of Weld County to help fund Arty’s Pantry, a food pantry resource for students. The funds are being used to stock the pantry’s nonperishable food, school supplies and personal hygiene items, which are distributed weekly to those who submit the online order form. For more information, email communications@aims.edu.

DRIVE SMART TEACHES TEENS SAFE DRIVING

DRIVE SMART Weld County (DSWC), a program created to reduce vehicle injuries and deaths among teens, recently announced it has received a $10,000 grant from State Farm. The grant will be used on student-led safety programs where the students create safe-driving activities and programs throughout the school year. The award also will fund Parent of Teen Drivers classes, which teach parents and teens about driver’s license laws, insurance requirements, and discounts. Visit www. drivesmartweldcounty.org to learn more about available classes.

NEW LOVELAND LAPTOP LAB

The Laptop Lab is an extra computer lab full of new, fast laptops inside the Loveland Library that all patrons can use, especially when the main computer lab is full. Located at 500 E. Third Street in Loveland, look for the Erion Room on the second floor weekdays from 11am3pm. There, users can work together in small groups; can get homework help; print 10 black and white items free; access specialty software like Quickbooks, Adobe Creative Cloud and Zoom; receive assistance from Library staff; or have a quiet place to work with fast Wifi using your own device.

LOVELAND/BERTHOUD PHILO SCHOLARSHIP

The Loveland Philo Club is accepting applications for scholarships for residents of Loveland or Berthoud who demonstrate a financial need and have been accepted into a two-year or less technical, vocational or certified accredited program for the 2020-2021 academic year. Award amounts vary from $500 to $3,000. Officials with the club indicate declining application numbers and hope to see that change this year. Last year, seven scholarships were awarded following six the year before compared to 16 in 2016 and 17 in 2015. Since, 2005, 159 total scholarships have been given totaling $185,425. Applications are due by Monday, March 22 and are available at www.philoloveland.org/scholarships.