Being Responsive

06.29.21

Dear TRENDS Diary,

Recent interest in alternatives to traditional approaches to community safety has reminded me of my own experience as a young psychologist many years ago.

The memory doesn’t start out well. I was an inexperienced driver (I’m from NY) heading to a Weld County property I had just decided to rent for a short-lived experiment in country living before returning to Boulder for good. I knew I wanted to move there, but I didn’t know how to get there. After an ill-fated attempt at a left turn, I tried to rejoin traffic—only to sideswipe another car, which then landed in a ditch by the road.

Fortunately, the driver was alright, if a bit shaken up. We called the authorities and then waited…and waited. Although the other driver and I managed to chat cordially, we were eager to get on with our day.

06.22.21

Dear TRENDS Diary -

Since 2006, the Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company has presented dozens of critically acclaimed new works and re-imagined classics that have brought new audiences and new artists to Boulder County. Then came the unthinkable. During the pandemic, we adapted, presenting a full season of virtually devised works including “CO2020,” a documentary-style theatre project that gave dozens of Coloradans the opportunity to reflect on the seismic, chaotic events of 2020. When almost all other performance opportunities were muted, we managed to hire more than 100 artists over the past year.

2020 was brutal on so many levels. But it also presented us with a rare opportunity to breathe – and to re-evaluate. We recognize that it is incumbent upon us to lead, not only on stage but behind the scenes and in our community. We are emerging from the pandemic changed, with a new vision, a new commitment and a new name that reflects our commitment to serving more people and more communities. We are now the Butterfly Effect Theatre Company – A name that, we hope that you notice, maintains our BETC acronym and identity.

06.08.21

Dear TRENDS Diary -

The scene was almost too big to describe. It was just … Biblical.

As soon as I made the turn off Apple Valley Road into my drive, I knew something was terribly wrong. I could smell the gasoline. I could see frantic activity all around. It was my husband, our nephew and his friend trying to save hundreds of dying brown and rainbow trout.

A semi-tanker had overturned, and it was now leaching 1,600 gallons of gas into the St. Vrain River. Fish were leaping into the air toward land to get away from the poisoned water. My husband, John, was trying to revive one fish with our garden hose, while Finn was collecting others in trash cans filled with fresh water. I carried fish in 5-gallon jugs and put them in a nearby pond. All to no avail.

Every fish died. They just couldn’t breathe.

05.27.21
COVID-19 Response and Fires Relief funds announce awards.