Food bank. Rob check out our super cool uniforms.




Note: green shirts indicate a team leader or "TL"

Now for the good news or the "other" news?
GOOD-I've been accepted into the Earth Unit in the wildfire team. Being a part of wildfire will change my experience. Instead of traveling to spike projects I will be traveling to fires. The teams are two crews of 10. Since we are a special exception the powers that be told us our first project. It involves doing taxes for low income family's in Chicago while we train for the fire season. I guess since I'm low income I can do my taxes at work.

OTHER-The Bush administration has chosen to cancel funding for the Americorps NCCC program starting 2007. I'll be posting more information as the Denver corps members take action. Since I'm a government employee I can't express my opinions or those of Americorps NCCC. However, you can. I'll be posting more information as it comes my way. Keep in mind congress has a chance to over ride the Bush changes.

Loveland. Today was reserved for snow. The ski resort Loveland peaks at approx. 13,000. The trails run high atop the Continental Divide. Its only an hour away from campus and on this day had six inches of fresh powder. Reminiscent of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Forgot my camera but trust me it was unreal. Superbowl cleared the slopes around noon. Go Pittsburgh!

FIRE! Wildfire team tryouts today rain or shine. The try outs involve a mile run, 2 minutes of push-ups and 2 minutes of sit-ups. I would say about 50 corps members turned out to cheer. I'd post some pictures however I was busy running. Results will be posted on the 7th.

I'm all caught up with posts now! That's all I have to say. Wish me luck in the fire tryouts.

PT baseline. That means a 1.5 mile run, 1 min push-ups and 1 min sit-ups. Lets just say that smokers were passing me. Not looking good for the fire tryouts.
14 min run, 35 push-ups and 52 sit-ups.

Cup half full? Leaves room for plenty of improvement.

Welcome! As some of you may know I arrived in Denver on January 24th to begin working with Americorps NCCC. In brief, Americorps is a community service and disaster relief program. NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) is an entity of the public trust. That means you are paying for me to be here in Denver with your tax dollars. Our motto is "getting things done" or as we say in passing "Get-R-Done!". Please feel free too bookmark this page and check up once in a while to see what I'm up to and where your tax dollars are going.

More info on Americorps NCCC is available at http://www.americorps.org/about/programs/nccc.asp

PS This site is a work in progress so be patient as pictures and posts will get added irregularly.

Fire team. To fight fire or not to fight fire? In NCCC we are given a rare chance to be certified as a Type 2 Hand Crew. What’s a Type 2 Hand Crew? Oh, well the USFS (United States Forest Service) will train 18 of us as wild land firefighters to assist with wild land fire emergencies. Basically they train you to run 6 miles at 8,000 feet (headed up hill) then hike 6 miles with 45-80 pounds on your back. In addition, most likely carrying a chain saw. Sweet! CO is expected to have its driest season in years. Which correlates to plenty of action. Tryouts are Saturday and I'll post the results ASAP.