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peak oil - Colorado State House Passes "Renewables for Schools" Bill
Written by Gavin Clark   
Thursday, 02 April 2009

House Bill 1312 creates an innovative “Renewables for Schools” program to provide schools access to affordable clean-energy with low-interest loans. By producing energy on-site with wind and solar, schools can reduce their utility bills, create a buffer against future energy price spikes, and put more money toward educating our kids.

The following is a statement by Pam Kiely, legislative director of Environment Colorado, upon passage of the second reading HB 1312 by voice vote. A procedural third reading vote is expected to pass tomorrow. .

“Colorado is on a path to rebuild and repower our economy on a clean, green foundation and House Bill 1312 is another strong step in that direction. This bill gives school districts the opportunity to get on the bus and participate in building the new energy economy.”

“Colorado has proven that we can do it all- save money, grow good jobs, and protect our environment with investments in clean energy, and this bill ensures that Colorado's schools can help us continue down this path.”

“Job growth in the renewable energy industry has been the sunny spot in Colorado's economy. Solar industry jobs have tripled in the past three years because of the 'open for business' sign Colorado lawmakers have put up through smart, innovative policies. And just last week Gov. Ritter announced 1,650 new jobs coming to Colorado, at a time when other industries are lagging.”

“This session legislative leadership and the governor have made a bold commitment to repowering our economy through smart clean energy investments- a commitment that has been reinforced at the federal level as clean energy investments form the core of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed last month in Denver.”

“HB 1312 provides a critical pot of money so schools can get in on the action, and it's a win-win-win. Saving money for districts helps direct more dollars right back into the classroom where they belong, while building this new energy economy and cleaning up our air and water at the same time.”

Stapleton's Tower Ledger
 
GOV. RITTER ISSUES TRANSPARENCY IN STATE GOVERMENT EXECUTIVE ORDER
Written by Castle, Megan   
Thursday, 02 April 2009

Gov. Bill Ritter today launched Colorado state government’s Transparency Online Project through an executive order that will open up access to the state’s spending and revenue records.

State Treasurer Cary Kennedy, Representative Don Marostica, Attorney General John Suthers, Secretary of State Bernie Buescher, House Speaker Terrance Carroll and Senate President Peter Groff joined the Governor by signing agreements to participate in the Transparency Online Project (TOP).

“This executive order expands our strong commitment to a transparent, accountable and open government for Colorado citizens,” Gov. Ritter said. “The TOP system will ensure that citizens have timely, free and meaningful access to the state’s financial information.”

Gov. Ritter’s order directs the Office of Information & Technology and the Office of the State Controller to establish the TOP system. TOP is a free, searchable, web-based system providing easy access to information about the state’s revenues and expenditures. While providing adequate protection for privacy, safety, and security concerns, the new system will allow taxpayers to see where their money is going and how it’s being spent.

“Since I came into office, my focus has been making the state’s finances open and accessible,” Treasurer Kennedy said. “The use of public money should always be public – it belongs to the taxpayers and they should be able to see where it goes and how it is used.”

"Transparency will allow all the citizens of Colorado to see how the government spends their tax dollars, including government contracts and day-to-day expenditures," Rep. Marostica said.

"Transparency is more than a good idea -- it’s good government," Attorney General Suthers said. "Public scrutiny is the best check on government."

“I fully support the efforts of this order to improve the transparency of Colorado’s state finances,” Secretary of State Buescher said. “Every citizen will now have the ability to see all expenditures in the Office of the Secretary of State. I have instructed my department to provide this additional level of reporting, which will promote efficiency throughout the agency.”

The executive order requires that the TOP expenditure information be available by Sept. 1 and revenue information by Jan.1, 2010.

# # #

COLORADO TRANSPARENCY ONLINE PROJECT (TOP) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What will TOP cost the state?

Approximately $70,000 in start-up costs, primarily for computer hardware, servers and software, and about $25,000 in ongoing costs.

2. What information will be searchable and available?

The system will provide access to information about state revenues and expenditures. Expenditures will be searchable by vendor, department and type of purchase. In some instances, such as victim's assistance or witness protection payments, vendor names will be protected or information will be provided in aggregate.

The TOP system will provide three different ways for citizens to view Colorado state government expenditures:

· Departmental Search: Will provide totals by department, including totals by agencies and type of spending.

· Type of Spending Search: Will provide statewide totals by type of spending (i.e., object codes including salaries and wages, benefits, operating expenses, travel, distributions to other governments, etc.) by department, agency, fund, and vendor, when applicable.

· Vendor Search: Will provide statewide totals by vendor name and information regarding which department and agency paid the vendor. Additionally, will provide the type of spending classification for goods or services provide by the vendor.

In each instance, the information will reflect what is available in the state's book of record. This varies by department and agency because higher education institutions and some departments/agencies operate on standalone accounting systems and feed only aggregated information to the state's financial accounting system.

3. When will TOP be available?

The Executive Order requires expenditure information to be available on the system by Sept. 1, 2009, and revenues by Jan. 1, 2010.

4. What agencies will be directed to participate by the Executive Order?

All agencies within the Governor's authority are directed to participate, and the executive order allows data from the legislative and judicial branches, and the offices of the Attorney General, the State Treasurer and the Secretary of State to be included. All of these offices have agreed to participate.

5. Will this replace the Colorado Open Records Act?

The TOP system is not designed nor intended to replace the Open Records Act. TOP will provide a complementary mechanism for accessing state spending data. TOP is intended to make meaningful state financial information readily available and easily accessible. TOP will not limit citizen access to state government records.

Additionally, the executive order requires the Office of Information and Technology and the Office of the State Controller to establish a continuous improvement process, so that TOP will become a more useful tool over time.

D 007 09 EXECUTIVE ORDER Establishing the Colorado Transparency Online Project

Pursuant to the authority vested in the Office of the Governor of the State of Colorado and, in particular, pursuant to Article IV, section 2, of the Colorado Constitution, I, Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor of the State of Colorado, hereby issue this Executive Order directing the Governor’s Office of Information Technology (“OIT”), in consultation with the Department of Personnel & Administration (“DPA”), to create and maintain the Colorado Transparency Online Project (“TOP”) system, a statewide searchable database system of the state’s revenues and disbursements.

I. Background and Need

Transparency and accountability to state citizens is a hallmark of good government. The Open Meetings Act and the Colorado Open Records Act provide Colorado’s citizens with a strong expectation of accountability by providing open access to the state’s public records and meetings. The advent of the internet provides new opportunities for state government to foster transparency and accountability.

This Executive Order continues and expands the State of Colorado’s strong commitment to an open and transparent relationship between Colorado’s citizens and their government by providing citizens with easier access to information regarding state spending. This order directs OIT, in collaboration with the Office of the State Controller (“OSC”) within DPA, to establish the TOP system, a free, searchable, web-based system providing access to descriptions of the state’s revenues and expenditures. This interface, while providing adequate protection for privacy, safety, and security concerns, will enable citizens to review the state’s revenues and expenditures and foster accountability and transparency.

II. Directives

A. The Governor’s Office of Information Technology (“OIT”), working with the OSC within DPA, is hereby directed to develop and maintain the TOP system, a searchable web-based system providing access to descriptions of revenues and expenditures recorded in the state’s official book of record. To ensure integrity of state records, TOP shall provide access only to a copy of relevant data and shall be maintained separately from the state accounting system. The system should be accessible without charge.

B. DPA, via the OSC, shall develop policies and procedures to ensure that the system meets, at a minimum, the following criteria:

1. Data shall be made available in compliance with state and federal law.

2. The TOP system shall provide information about state revenues and expenditures at a level of detail that enables accountability and transparency. Where access to each individual transaction is likely to hinder, rather than foster, this goal, the system may provide access to aggregated information.

3. The privacy, safety, and security of state citizens and vendors shall be adequately protected. The TOP system policies shall, at a minimum, ensure that data associated with sensitive programs are excluded or otherwise protected from inappropriate exposure.

4. To ensure that decisions regarding privacy, safety, security, and compliance with state and federal law are made by those most familiar with the relevant data and programs, OSC’s policies shall require each department, agency or institution of higher education to determine what information shall be excluded from the TOP system or presented only in aggregate form. To the extent that the state accounting system includes data from the judicial and legislative branches, OSC policies shall provide a mechanism for coordinating with the executive administrator of each branch to determine the appropriate mechanism for including such data in TOP. The State Controller shall coordinate review of such decisions in coordination with the Director of OIT and the Director of the Office of State Planning and Budgeting, or their delegates. The State Treasurer shall be invited to participate in these review decisions.

C. OIT shall be responsible for the technical development of the web-based system and shall put in place policies and mechanisms to ensure the security of the system.

D. The TOP system shall be operable and generally available by January 1, 2010. Expenditure records shall be generally available by September 1, 2009.

E. The system shall be developed in a manner that protects and respects citizen and vendor privacy, safety, and security.

F. OIT and DPA, via the OSC, shall establish a continuous improvement process to improve the accessibility and usability of the TOP system.

III. Duration

This Executive Order shall continue in existence until either terminated or extended by Executive Order of the Governor. GIVEN under my hand and the Executive Seal of the State of Colorado, this 2nd day of April, 2009.

Bill Ritter, Jr. Governor

Stapleton's Tower Ledger
 
MotoGP - Perfect opening day for Fiat Yamaha in Jerez
Written by YRC_news@yamaha-network.com   
Saturday, 28 March 2009

Nakajima - Rossi

The traditional season curtain-raiser in Jerez looked in danger of being declared a washout this morning, but the sun eventually came out and allowed Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi to put in a brilliant afternoon’s work, finishing first and second respectively. The day’s results bode well for tomorrow’s ‘qualifying’ shoot-out, which will see the fastest rider take home a new car. With all riders now on Bridgestone tyres and qualifying tyres resigned to history, the session will have a slightly different feel to previous years and promises to be an entertaining show.

Lorenzo began work quite early, braving a damp track to get some laps in before lunch. Once the track came dry this afternoon he immediately found his rhythm and went on to clock consistently fast laps throughout, finishing well under lap record with a time of 1’39.791.

2008 World Champion Rossi took it easy this morning, preferring to wait until the track had dried out before getting started. He finished the day just 0.070 behind his team-mate and a tenth of a second ahead of Stoner in third, and is confident of putting up a good fight in tomorrow’s qualifying competition with a few small refinements planned for tomorrow morning.

Jorge Lorenzo - Position: 1st Time: 1'39.791 Laps: 99 “I am very satisfied because I have improved through every hour of the day today. In the beginning it was quite difficult because there was rain this morning and the track was wet, but after lunch I was able to improve and was fastest for most of the afternoon and able to put in a great performance. I rode many laps – the same amount as my new number in fact – and I was able to confirm the good feeling that I had on the last day in Qatar, when I was second. We still need to keep working, this is just the beginning, but I think we’re going in the right way. Tomorrow I want to make one more step, but I am not thinking about winning the car. With regards to the Bridgestone tyres, I think the front is very different and you are able to go faster into the corners. I hope the sun shines again tomorrow!”

Valentino Rossi - Position: 2nd Time: 1'39.861 Laps: 65 “It’s been a good day. Unfortunately this morning it rained but in the end it didn’t matter so much because the grip was good this afternoon with the new asphalt and we were able to do some important work. I had a good feeling with my M1 in November and it was the same today and I was able to do a lot of laps in a good rhythm. In the end we used the softer of the two Bridgestone tyres to try to improve the time and I was able to do a 39, but I was fast with the harder tyre as well. We tried a lot of different things on the bike and I am feeling confident and happy; already today we’ve got through half our workload so hopefully tomorrow morning the weather can be good so we can get through the other half and then be free to focus on winning the car in the afternoon. There are one or two places on the track where I’m not at 100%, but we will try to fix that in the morning.”

Daniele Romagnoli - Team Manager “We had a good test here in November and also Malaysia and Qatar were good, so today it seemed that the trend is continuing. We are now at a very important stage because this is the last test of the season, because of the new rules, so tomorrow is going to be crucial! Today the team did a great job to refine the set-up and give Jorge the confidence he needed to be fast. Tomorrow will be an exciting day because it is almost like a qualifying session, with a prize, and we hope to finish in the same way as today! Of course at the same time we will continue to work on our bike to ensure that we’re completely ready for the first race.”

Davide Brivio - Team manager “A good day, especially since it rained this morning. Luckily the circuit came dry and we were able to get through all the jobs we had scheduled. All the Yamahas seems to be going very well and this is a sign that our engineers have done a very good job; it is very encouraging. Tomorrow we have some small adjustments and tests to do, and then we will try for the award. I think it will be quite a special session because it’s the first time without qualifying tyres and therefore it will be a real rehearsal for the season. We’re looking forward to it!”

Colin Edwards

Monster Yamaha Tech 3 make positive start in Jerez

Colin Edwards and James Toseland ended the first day of the penultimate MotoGP winter test session in Jerez with the fifth and 11th fastest times respectively.

After a delay caused by heavy early morning rain, Edwards and Toseland were able to complete 140 crucial development laps together on their Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YZR-M1 machines under sunny skies this afternoon.

Texan Edwards continued his impressive winter testing form by setting the fifth quickest time as three Yamahas finished in the top five. His best time of 1.40.579 was just 0.007s off fourth position as he gained vital data on Bridgestone tyres on the new Jerez track surface.

British rider Toseland had a positive day too, ending 11th on the timesheets. He set a best time of 1.41.122 to finish just 0.073s outside of the top ten, though on his best day yet on the new 2009 YZR- M1, he was consistently running inside the top ten until the closing stages.

Today’s session also gave MotoGP fans the first chance to see Toseland and Edwards riding in the new eye-catching Monster Yamaha Tech 3 livery, which was unveiled on the eve of the Jerez test.

Colin Edwards 5th – 1.40.579 “Today was a good day once the track dried out and I’m happy with my times. I’m not taking any risks so close to the first race, so to be challenging up in the top six is a bonus and I was feeling good out there. I’ve got to say that Yamaha has done a great job with the new chassis. You can enter the corner so hard and so fast and I don’t think I’ve found the full potential of the Bridgestone front tyre yet. I’m a front-end guy so the combination of the new chassis and the Bridgestone front tyre is really helping me and I’m really confident with the package. It also felt good to be out there today in the new Monster Yamaha Tech 3 livery. I like it and I’m sure the fans will do as well.”

James Toseland 11th – 1.41.122 “I felt much better today and the old confidence was coming back. I was back in the top ten for most of the day and I’m back within a second of the guys running at the front. That’s encouraging because I’ve been much further back than that in the previous tests after the big crash I had in Sepang. It is nice to know that the competitive times are coming back again. I did over 80 laps today as well and that was the time on the bike I needed. The development rear tyre Bridgestone is really good and there’s a lot more I can get out of that, so that’s another positive from today. It was also good to be out riding the new Monster Yamaha Tech 3 colours. I’m sure we are going to have a good season together and the bike looks unbelievable.”

Test Times 1. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Fiat Yamaha Team 1'39.791 2. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team 1'39.861 3. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team 1'39.906 4. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1'40.572 5. Colin Edwards (USA) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1'40.579 6. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1'40.650 7. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Repsol Honda 1'40.821 8. Alex De Angelis (RSM) San Carlo Honda Gresini 1'40.900 9. Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati Marlboro Team 1'40.987 10. Toni Elias (SPA) San Carlo Honda Gresini 1'41.049 11. James Toseland (GBR) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1'41.122 12. Marco Melandri (ITA) Hayate Racing Team 1'41.160 13. Randy De Puniet (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP 1'41.168 14. Mika Kallio (FIN) Pramac Racing 1'41.226 15. Yuki Takahashi (JPN) Scot Racing Team 1'41.362 16. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Grupo Francisco Hernando 1'41.737 17. Niccolo Canepa (ITA) Pramac Racing 1'41.851

Jerez: Record Lap D. Pedrosa (Honda) 2008, 1'40.116

Jerez: Best Lap J. Lorenzo (Yamaha) 2008, 1'38.189

Stapleton's Tower Ledger
 
S&P: U.S. State Ratings And Outlooks
Written by Standard & Poor`s   
Wednesday, 18 March 2009

Standard & Poor's updates it credit ratings of the states:

NEW YORK March 18, 2009--Following is a list of the current Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ratings and outlooks on the U.S. states.

STATE RATING/OUTLOOK

Alabama AA/Stable

Alaska AA+/Stable

Arizona (ICR) AA/Stable

Arkansas AA/Stable

California A/Stable

Colorado (ICR) AA/Stable

Connecticut AA/Stable

Delaware AAA/Stable

Florida AAA/Negative

Georgia AAA/Stable

Hawaii AA/Stable

Idaho (ICR) AA/Positive

Illinois AA-/Stable

Indiana (ICR) AAA/Stable

Iowa (ICR) AAA/Stable

Kansas (ICR) AA+/Stable

Kentucky (ICR) AA-/Positive

Louisiana A+/Stable

Maine AA/Stable

Maryland AAA/Stable

Massachusetts AA/Stable

Michigan AA-/Stable

Minnesota AAA/Stable

Mississippi AA/Stable

Missouri AAA/Stable

Montana AA/Stable

Nebraska (ICR) AA+/Stable

Nevada AA+/Stable

New Hampshire AA/Stable

New Jersey AA/Stable

New Mexico AA+/Stable

New York AA/Stable

North Carolina AAA/Stable

North Dakota (ICR) AA+/Stable

Ohio AA+/Stable

Oklahoma AA+/Stable

Oregon AA/Stable

Pennsylvania AA/Stable

Rhode Island AA/Negative

South Carolina AA+/Stable

South Dakota (ICR) AA/Stable

Tennessee AA+/Stable

Texas AA/Stable

Utah AAA/Stable

Vermont AA+/Stable

Virginia AAA/Stable

Washington AA+/Stable

West Virginia AA-/Stable

Wisconsin AA/Stable

Wyoming (ICR) AA+/Stable

RECENT ACTIONS

STATE TO FROM DATE

North Dakota (ICR) AA+/Stable AA/Stable March 17, 2009

Illinois AA-/Stable AA/Watch Neg March 10, 2009

Rhode Island AA/Negative AA/Stable March 9, 2009

California A/Stable A+/Watch Neg Feb. 2, 2009

Florida AAA/Negative AAA/Stable Jan. 14, 2009

Illinois AA/Watch Neg AA/Stable Dec. 10, 2008

California A+/Watch Neg A+/Stable Dec. 10, 2008

Stapleton's Tower Ledger
 
REED STILL TOP AFTER NEW ORLEANS SUPERCROSS - Results
Written by Team Suzuki News Service   
Monday, 16 March 2009

Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Chad Reed retains an eight-point lead in the AMA/ FIM Supercross Championship after racing to second place at Saturday's 11th round in New Orleans.

Reed started the night by taking the win in his heat race and finished the night with an epic battle in the Main, where he finished a strong second. This season, Reed has finished every race on the podium.

Rockstar Makita Suzuki team mate Mike Alessi also had a good night, finishing fourth in his heat race and then battling with the front- runners for most of the main before finishing sixth. Currently, Alessi is seventh in the overall championship points.

Unfortunately, Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Michael Byrne was injured at last weekend's event and did not race. He hopes to be back racing again soon.

In the Supercross Lites class, Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Nico Izzi experienced a rough night. The young rider rode well in practice and set impressive lap times on his Rockstar Makita Suzuki RM-Z250. While making a pass for the lead on lap one of his heat race, however, Izzi went down and had to go to the Last Chance Qualifier. While making his way to the front in the LCQ, he went down again, ended up finishing third and did not race the Main.

Chad Reed:

"I'm a little frustrated because I felt like I was riding really well on my Rockstar Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 at the beginning of the race, but I wasn't really able to take advantage of having better lines and riding faster than the leader. I started getting frustrated and unfortunately that's when James Stewart started finding his lines and he just rode really, really solid and made great passes on the lappers. I kind of struggled in that area. It is what it is, and I was really happy to be back on the podium. You know, it's second but it could always be worse."

Mike Alessi:

"I got the holeshot and was leading, then James Stewart kind of hit me and he and my team mate Chad got by and I was third. I made a little mistake on the first lap and got into fourth. I was running a good pace on my Rockstar Makita Suzuki, but I got into some lappers and my handlebars got tangled up with another rider and we collided and I went down. I got up real quick and charged hard to get back to sixth. I tried my hardest, but unfortunately, I just fell. I'm riding, good, the bike's working great and everybody at Rockstar Makita Suzuki is doing a great job."

Nico Izzi:

"Not making the main was a real bummer, because I'd been riding good all day and my Rockstar Makita Suzuki RM-Z250 was working well. I'm pretty disappointed because I trained hard for this race this week, but I know I gave it all I had. Now, I just need to regroup and get ready for next weekend's race."

Supercross results: 1 James Stewart (Yamaha), 2 Chad Reed (Rockstar Makita Suzuki), 3 Broc Hepler (Yamaha), 4 Kevin Windham (Honda), 5 Andrew Short (Honda), 6 Mike Alessi (Rockstar Makita Suzuki), 7 Josh Grant (Yamaha), 8 Justin Brayton (KTM), 9 Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki), 10 Matt Boni (Honda).

Supercross points: 1 Reed 246, 2 Stewart 238, 3 Short 179, 4 Villopoto 165, 5 Grant 152, 6 Tedesco 148, 7 Windham 146, 8 Alessi 146, 9 Millsaps 139, 10 Hill 102.

East Coast Lites results: 1 Austin Stroupe (Kawasaki), 2 Brandon Jesseman (Kawasaki), 3 Blake Wharton (Honda), 4 Christophe Pourcel (Kawasaki), 5 Wil Hahn (KTM), 6 Darryn Durham (Yamaha), 7 Daniel Blair (Honda), 8 Broc Tickle (Yamaha), 9 Matt Goerke (Suzuki), 10 Steven Clarke (Suzuki).

Lites points: 1 Pourcel 115, 2 Stroupe 84, 3 Izzi 82, 4 Jesseman 73, 5 Hahn 68, 6 Wharton 66, 7 Davalos 57, 8 Lemoine 51, 9 Clarke 51, 10 Goerke 50.

Stapleton's Tower Ledger
 
Free raw sapphire earrings
Written by Stauer   
Tuesday, 03 March 2009

Why is this so special? Don't just take our word for it, pluck any of the high fashion magazines off the rack and you'll see that "polished and uncut" gemstones are popping up on runways from New York to Milan. Most importantly, this Raw Sapphire Necklace gives you a staggering carat weight without the staggering price.

Learn more about the Raw Sapphire Complete Set With FREE Earrings

The golden age of black and white Save $200.00! - In 1927, the crown jewel of movie palaces opened in New York City. Dubbed "The Cathedral of the Motion Picture," the majestic Roxy boasted more than 5,800 seats, a staff of 300 and a price tag of $12,000,000. The theatre housed a hospital with operating room, a radio broadcasting studio and a 550-ton ice cooling plant. But it was the opulent, cavernous interior that left patrons speechless.

Learn more about the Rose Cut Black Diamond Ring

A fabulous 52-diamond watch that can change colors to match your mood...or your outfit! - Save $100.00! -

At the start of the 20th century, even wristwatches had a glass ceiling. Timepiece traditionalists believed that watches belonged in your pocket, not on your arm.

Learn more about the Stauer Ladies 52 Diamond Watch

A masterpiece in miniature Save $50.00! - The world's largest diamonds may be visually stunning, but they aren't what one would call 'practical.' The 530-carat, pear-cut Star of Africa (a 1/4 lb of precious stone!) is estimated to be worth about $400,000,000. You don't break out that kind of bling for just any occasion. Even Queen Elizabeth peeks at it through 2-inch shatterproof glass in the Tower of London. And she owns it! But thanks to our skilled designers, you can enjoy the look and sparkle of that spectacular stone whenever you desire.

Learn more about the DiamondAura French Pear Drop Earrings

Stapleton's Tower Ledger
 
Weight-Loss Organization Reaches Out to Members of LA Weight Loss
Written by Kimberly Greene   
Thursday, 08 January 2009

MILWAUKEE, WI – With the balance of LA Weight Loss centers closing across the country, TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the nation’s oldest weight-loss education and support organization, is inviting former LA Weight Loss members to attend a TOPS meeting free of charge.

TOPS recently celebrated 60 years of weight-loss support and success. Members of TOPS embrace its philosophy of healthy eating, regular exercise, wellness education, and support from others at weekly chapter meetings. The fee for an annual membership is $26. On joining TOPS, members receive a complimentary copy of “My Day One,” a booklet which features a six-week plan to kick-off the weight loss journey.

“We feel for the people who have lost their investment to LA Weight Loss,” said Barb Cady, TOPS Club President. “At TOPS, we offer continual support and motivation to our members as they adopt healthier lifestyles. We want to welcome and encourage those who have been affected by the closings. They are not alone and can continue to successfully manage their weight with our program.”

Through January 31, TOPS extends a $3 discount on the purchase of “The Choice is Mine” and “The Choice is Mine Workbook,” our “ready-set-go” guide to better food choices and menu planning, fitness tips, and more to the former LA Weight Loss members and anyone else who may join. In addition to our weekly meetings, membership also includes a one-year subscription to “TOPS News,” a magazine that is published nine times per year and shares inspirational stories, healthy tips, and helpful advice.

To find a local chapter, visit www.tops.org or call (800) 932-8679 for more information.

TOPS has nearly 180,000 members in almost 10,000 chapters throughout the United States and Canada, and several chapters in Europe.

Stapleton's Tower Ledger
 
The November-December Tower Ledger
Written by Staff   
Wednesday, 10 December 2008

The current month issue of the Stapleton Tower Ledger!

Look for the next issue the last week of December.

Tower Ledger Nov-Dec

Read more...
 
Marilyn Musgrave and Betsy Markey in 4th Congressional District Debate Held at Colorado State Univer
Written by the Tower Ledger   
Monday, 06 October 2008

FORT COLLINS - WHAT: Colorado State University, 9News and the Fort Collins Coloradoan present the first of three 4th congressional district debates between Marilyn Musgrave and Betsy Markey.

WHEN: 8-9 p.m. Oct. 9, 2008.

WHERE: The Organ Recital Hall in CSU's University Center for the Arts, 1400 Remington St., Fort Collins, Colo., 80523.

DETAILS: Adam Schrager, 9News political reporter and host of "Your Show," will be the moderator. The debate will be broadcast live on My20 and C-SPAN. It will also be streamed live online at www.9News.com and www.Coloradoan.com. KUNC 91.5 FM will broadcast the debate live for radio listeners.

Residents of the 4th Congressional District can send suggested debate questions to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Stapleton's Tower Ledger
 
Tower Ledger Aug-Sept issue
Written by Staff   
Thursday, 02 October 2008
 
DPS Billion dollar bond - wrong time, wrong package
Written by The Tower Ledger   
Thursday, 02 October 2008
The Denver Public Schools will ask voters for nearly $1 billion dollars in November in the state’s largest-ever school bond issue. (Despite the frequently reported $454 million figure, the ballot language tells the whole story— $990 million) It’s the wrong package at the wrong time.

The economy is a wreck, even if you can follow John McCain’s reasoning. Alan Greenspan says this is the worst economy of his lifetime, and he’s right. Unemployment is spiking, along with the basic costs of food and energy. Property taxes for many Denver residents have doubled in just three years, a combination of rising valuations and new taxes. And the fact that property taxes fall most heavily on businesses in Colorado means that this is the wrong time to go to the tax well.

Read more...
 
CU Exercises Option
Written by David Plati   
Friday, 29 August 2008

BOULDER — University of Colorado Athletic Director Mike Bohn announced Friday that CU would exercise the option, specified in the contract signed by the University of Colorado and Colorado State University in 2006, of hosting the 2009 CU-CSU football game at Folsom Field in Boulder.

“Today I notified CSU Athletic Director Paul Kowalczyk that we would exercise this option,” said Bohn. “We will continue a dialogue with our colleagues at CSU on the future of this great series beyond 2010, but it is very important that we host a sixth home game next year to live up to our commitment to our fans, and to remain consistent with the standards of our Big 12 Conference.”

Were CU to play in Denver next year, it would mean the program would have only five home games in Folsom Field, plus the game versus CSU. The national standard for Bowl Championship Series (BCS) programs is becoming seven home games, Bohn said.

“Forty-four of the 66 BCS schools are playing at least a seven-game home schedule this season,” Bohn said. “And four of those teams are playing eight home games, including Nebraska from our own conference.”

Every team in the Big 12 Conference will play a minimum of six home games in 2008. Seven conference schools — Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech — will play seven home games; while CU, Iowa State, Missouri and Oklahoma all have six.

Missouri also has two neutral site games, while Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas have one apiece.

CU has been in negotiations with CSU over the past several weeks to extend the CU-CSU series in a way that would meet CU's minimum home game commitment while continuing a strong presence for the game in Denver beyond 2010. He said his intention is to complete that process by Oct. 1.

Colorado State has the option to host the game in either Denver or Fort Collins in 2010. The contract stipulated that CU notify CSU of its desired location for the 2009 game prior to the playing of this year’s contest at Invesco Field.

With the Colorado State game now set for Boulder as the 2009 opener on Sept. 5, CU’s home schedule is complete with Wyoming (Sept. 19), Kansas (Oct. 17), Missouri (Oct. 31), Texas A & M (Nov. 7) and Nebraska (Nov. 27) also visiting Folsom Field. If the CSU game remained in Denver, the Buffaloes would have had just the one true home contest -- against Wyoming – the first six weeks of the season.

Stapleton's Tower Ledger
 
April 2008 Tower Ledger
Written by Staff   
Thursday, 24 April 2008
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Three Buffs Prep For Indoor Nationals - track and field
Written by Linda M Poncin   
Wednesday, 12 March 2008

BOULDER — The University of Colorado is sending three athletes to the 2008 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships hosted by the University of Arkansas this Friday and Saturday, March 14-15 in Fayetteville, Ark. Junior Sara Vaughn will represent the women’s team in the mile while freshman Matt Tebo and junior Bradley Harkrader will race in the 5,000-meter run for the Buffs.

All three are making their first trip to the indoor NCAA track meet. Vaughn advanced to the outdoor championship last year for the first time in the 1,500-meter run.

Vaughn kicks off the competition for the Buffs on Friday with the preliminaries of the mile at 7:05 p.m. (CST). The finals are set for 6:25 p.m. on Saturday. Vaughn ranks 10th out of 16 competitors in the race. She set the school record of 4:40.02 last Saturday, March 8, at the Alex Wilson Invite. Vaughn broke a six-year old record of 4:40.35, which had been set by former Buff great Sara (Gorton) Slattery.

Vaughn’s mark not only passed Slattery’s, but was just the second mark to better Mary Decker’s time of 4:41.21, which was set over 30 years ago on Feb. 19, 1978 in Lincoln, Neb.

Tebo and Harkrader will be competing at 7:50 p.m. on Friday night. Tebo ran a time of 13:53.60 in his debut of the 5,000-meter run on March 8. It was the fastest debut in CU history and his time ranks third on the all-time freshman 5k list; he is second only to Dathan Ritzenhein. Tebo is the first true freshman since Ritzenhein to compete at indoor nationals for the Buffs in 2002.

Harkrader was just behind Tebo last Saturday; finishing in a time of 13:54.53. Tebo ranks ninth and Harkrader is 10th on the entry list.

All three Buffs are in the middle of the pack in their respective events.

“I would definitely like to come away from the meet feeling that they competed well and I don’t necessarily think the stop watch is the best determinate of that,” head coach Mark Wetmore said. “This track that we are going to is a slightly different format than the track they ran on to get here and so I think a finish position, who they beat, is a better determinate of how they perform.

“I think they would all like to be All-American, score points for the team and get as high on the podium as they can. I have the same aspirations for everybody.”

2008 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championship Randal Tyson Track Center, Fayetteville, Ark. Schedule Friday, March 14 7:05 p.m. (CST): Women’s Mile run prelims 7:50 p.m. (CST): Men’s 5,000-meter run finals Saturday, March 15 6:25 p.m. (CST): Women’s Mile run finals

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