The Beet Street Blog

Recently on routine trips to Target to buy groceries or laundry detergent, I have been easily distracted by the giant signs and bright displays in the store’s back corner. I know that there is something over there way more exciting than my basic home necessities. As I wander further towards the back, I finally get a glimpse of what I knew was coming up ahead. School supplies! Yes, it is back to school time. As I perused the section, I noticed a young girl running down the aisle with the biggest smile on her face, arms clutched around her new prize- a neon pink Hannah Montana backpack. I am sure I once exhibited the same elated behavior: for me it was a plastic Wonder Woman lunch box. In fact, it seems like children now are just as excited as past generations about the first day of school. Last Sunday I was up half the night on a visit to my parents’ house, watching my little niece strategically plan out which new outfit to wear each day for the whole first week of classes, and trying to calm her down as she claimed, “I just can’t sleep, I’m too excited!” I wonder how many late hours have been spent over the years as kids lay awake, thinking about that first day of school.

photo credit: C.A. Muller

I have to admit, though, that Hannah Montana backpack was way cooler (and likely way more pricey) than my Wonder Woman lunch box. It had near twenty pockets in it, with special compartments for water bottles and cell phones. It was difficult to think of what I had when I was a kid that was so complex. Just seeing freshly sharpened pencils was pretty thrilling, much less an entire box to store them in. I would have probably gone completely wild if someone told me I could buy markers that smelled like fruit, or better yet a calculator that could do most of my math problems for me!

As exhilarating as these things are, it would be unfair to say that these gadgets and tools are the most essential part of the school season. After all, their trendiness does not seem to detract students from being completely energetic and engaged in the experience of education both in and out of class. As if there was not enough to do (with new homework assignments now piling up), there are sports or dance practices, and endless clubs to sign up for.

If anyone is looking for a break from hanging out on campus, Fort Collins is full of fun and interesting events that provide continual learning long after the last bell rings. The Poudre River Public Library District hosts International Night, where each month you can learn the ins and outs of countries around the world. There is also a series on health and nutrition that may help your family stay healthy through the busy and sometimes stressful school season. I love that these opportunities are not limited to children or adults; instead there is something for everyone to learn. And in case your little ones aren’t quite ready for that Hannah Montana backpack, young children’s activities, like story time, pick back up in September. The Poudre River Public Library District has a great Calendar, so check it out if you want more details on their events.

Looking for more ways to entertain your brain? Here are other activities that will get you going:

Dialogue Cafe at Avogadro’s Number
Bee Family Centennial Farm Museum
Sweat for Humanity Fundraiser
Fort Collins Museum and Discovery Science Center

With so many educational opportunities for all ages, it is no surprise that back to school excitement goes beyond just new backpacks. Sure we all love the latest stuff, but there is so much more to the school season. Though we may be pretty busy right now, we always seem to find time to continually grow in our education and in our communities. With so many new things in Fort Collins to experience, there is no end to how much you can learn.

Shauna Hobson, Beet Street staff

It’s easy to watch the storms, feel the temperatures cool and think that summer fun is almost done here in Fort Collins. But not so fast! Coming up in August, there are still plenty of cultural events to enjoy around the community as well as around Colorado.

Thursday Night Music and More continues through August 13 in the Civic Center Park providing the community with live music, good food and free fun from 6-8pm. August 6 will see Euforquestra, and Interstate Cowboy will be entertaining everyone August 13. The First Friday Art Walk for August will be held on August 7 as usual, and on Saturday August 8, there is An Herb-a-fair, celebrating all things herbal at the Gardens on Spring Creek from 10am to 3pm. There will be classes, demonstrations, a Garden of Eatin’ and you can buy herbs grown in the Gardens Greenhouse. August 8 also sees the return of the French Nest Market, the vintage, handmade, local, unique craft market, held in the Civic Center Park from 9am to 3 pm. Should be a lot of fun for everyone!

August’s Science Cafe will be held on Wednesday August 12 at Stonehouse Grille and will feature Dr. Simon Turner, Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at CSU. Dr. Turner will be sharing his research and experiences in the ways sheep contribute to the treatment of a variety of human conditions, including osteoporosis, knee injuries and replacing cancerous bone. As always, the Cafe starts at 5:30 for refreshments with the lecture beginning at 6 followed by a discussion period and winds up around 7pm. As always, it is free and we hope to see you there!

That weekend, from August 14 through August 16, the community plays host to Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest 2009 to celebrate Fort Collins’ birthday over 130 years ago. Bohemian Nights kicks off on Friday the 14th in Old Town Square and features Melissa Etheridge and Ozomatli as well as close to 50 other Colorado bands. One particular highlight is the Kids Music Adventure, free and open from 11-5pm on Saturday and Sunday providing an interactive and inspiring experience for young ones. Check out http://www.bohemiannights.org/ for more information.

The following weekend on August 22, is the annual Annie Walk and Pet Fest, a 1.5 mile loop walk starting at Library Park and going through Old Town. Dogs and their people friends get to celebrate the incredible life of Annie, a stray collie mix adopted by railroad workers in the 1930s who would greet passengers as they disembarked the train in Fort Collins. It is Annie who is immortalized in bronze waiting at the doors of the main Public Library on Peterson Street. There’s all kinds of fun planned for the Annie Walk but you need to register at one of the public libraries. Proceeds go towards materials for the Children’s collections at the libraries! Also that day in Old Town Square, the Northern Colorado Greek Festival takes place starting at 11am, featuring authentic Greek food, pastries, music and dancing. I went to this festival last year and it was great fun!

Finally, if you have an urge to get out of town a little, the Archival Art and the Art of Mining exhibition began last week in Georgetown, celebrating 150 years of mining in Clear Creek County and supporting historic preservation and open lands in the Georgetown-Silver Plume National Historic Landmark District. The exhibition is being held in the Hamill House Museum Stables and is on display through August, finishing with a reception on September 5, 2009. You can find out more details here.

So, just because school is just around the corner, don’t think that the summer fun is done! Take a trip down to Georgetown to see the art of mining, hang out at Bohemian Nights, buy some herbs, enjoy art, walk the dog and check out Greek culture in August!

With thanks to teepole and mungobah for their wonderful images!

The Beet goes on!

Kirsten Broadfoot