Tree-cutting permits selling fast
All of the South Platte Ranger District’s 7,000 Christmas tree permits have been sold, but a limited number are still available for Golden Gate Canyon State Park.
Tree-cutting permits are available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at the state park office, 92 Crawford Gulch Road, which is 15 miles west of Golden. Permits also may be purchased with a credit card by calling 303-582-3707.
A permit costs $20, which allows one tree to be cut. A $10 discount will be given to people purchasing an annual state parks pass for 2006.
Cutting in select park areas will be done Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in backcountry areas and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in areas accessible from designated parking spots along the main park road.
Astronomy center to be dedicated
The new astronomy center at the Windy Peak Outdoor Education Laboratory School is scheduled to be dedicated at 10 a.m. Dec. 10. The public dedication is at the school, 20973 Wellington Lake Road, which is 8.5 miles southeast of Bailey.
Joining in the dedication are Jefferson County Public Schools, which operates the facility, and the 13 Kiwanis Clubs of Jefferson County, which raised more than $440,000 through the “Share the Stars” project to build the astronomy center.
Retired NASA astronaut and 1972 Evergreen High School graduate Jeff Ashby will be the featured speaker.
The building has two 14-inch telescopes and several smaller portable telescopes for use in astronomy classes held for Jefferson County sixth-grade students and for various special occasions throughout the year.
Cellphones ring cash for athletes
Old cellphones can be recycled with the Wheat Ridge Police Department to earn up to $100 for Special Olympics athletes.
Police spokeswoman Lisa Stigall said the memories of the donated phones are deleted before they are redistributed. Cellphones can be dropped off at the Police Department, 7500 W. 29th Ave.
Tax-deduction receipts are available on request. For more information, call officer Jennifer Clark, 303-235-2999, ext. 361.
