Coffee and a Newspaper is set for 7:30 a.m. June 3

The Steamboat Pilot & Today will host its monthly Coffee and a Newspaper from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Wednesday at the newspaper office, 1901 Curve Plaza. Members of the newspaper staff — including Publisher Suzanne Schlicht, Editor Lisa Schlichtman and Assistant Editor Jim Patterson— also will be on hand to answer questions. Coffee and pastries from Mountain Brew will be provided.

9,400 visitors expected in Steamboat this Saturday
About 9,400 visitors are expected to be in town Saturday, according to the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association’s lodging barometer released Wednesday.

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The figure represents 60 percent capacity at area lodging properties, with downtown occupancy at 98 percent. On the mountain, hotels are forecast at 91 percent capacity, and condos are expected to be 36 percent full.

Lodging is expected to dip to 3,700 visitors by Wednesday.

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The chamber’s lodging barometer is based on survey data from local lodging properties. Its primary function is to help businesses determine staffing levels during the winter and summer tourism seasons. Actual lodging occupancy levels tend to increase from the forecast levels as a result of last-minute bookings.

Yampa River Core Trail closes parts due to flooding

The city of Steamboat Springs Parks and Community Services Department will continue to close sections of the Yampa River Core Trail and other local trails as high water rises this spring.

Due to the spring runoff and excessive rainfall, rivers and creeks continue to run high, and various sections of the trail are closed as water exceeds the banks and floods the trails.

To date, the following sections of trail are closed.

■ Highway 40 underpass at Walton Creek.

■ Railroad underpass between Fetcher Park and Rotary Park.

■ 13th Street underpass at Bud Werner Memorial Library

These sections and others may open and close as peak flows are reached. Trail users are asked to obey all closures and not try to cross trails with water on them.

Middle school fundraiser set to run through Sunday

The Spring into Summer Carnival fundraiser for the Steamboat Springs Middle School will roll into the Meadows Parking Lot with a colorful collection of rides, games and festive food today and remain there until Sunday. Advance unlimited rides tickets are currently on sale for $20 at Soda Creek and Strawberry Park elementary schools, Steamboat Springs Middle School, All That and Off the Beaten Path bookstore. Unlimited rides tickets at the gate are $30. Carnival hours are 5 to 11 p.m. today and Friday and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Business survey deadline is now extended to June 3

Businesses that received business climate surveys from Routt County now have until June 3 to return them.

Routt County distributed more than 500 surveys to businesses throughout the county to gather input on the county’s business climate and issues that should be addressed in economic and community development efforts by economic development organizations and cities and towns within the county. The survey and follow-up analysis and recommendations are funded through technical and grant assistance administered by the State Department of Local Affairs, in partnership with the Steamboat Springs Economic Development Council. Results will be presented later this summer. Email economic development director Jane Blackstone at jane@steamboatchamber.com for more information.

Christian Heritage grad is named to dean’s list

Kirsten Williams, the daughter of Michael and Sally Williams of Phippsburg, was named to Susquehanna University’s dean’s list for the spring 2015 semester. She is a music performance and religious studies major at Susquehanna and a 2011 graduate of Christian Heritage School. The dean’s list recognizes students who achieve a GPA of 3.4 or higher.

Group seeks volunteers for marathon June 5 to 7

The Steamboat Chamber Resort Association is seeking volunteers for the Steamboat Marathon June 5 to 7. People are needed to assist with packet pick-up on Friday and Saturday of race weekend and to help congratulate runners as they finish the marathon, half-marathon and 10K. All volunteers receive a free volunteer T-shirt and lunch. Visit steamboatchamber.com/volunteer to sign up.

Local students make dean’s list at Fort Lewis College

Tyler Scott and Mariah Starbuck, of Steamboat Springs, were named to the spring 2015 dean’s list at Fort Lewis College in Durango. Scott’s major is undeclared, and Starbuck is majoring in exercise science and physiology. These students took at least 15 credits and achieved a 3.6 GPA or higher to earn a spot on the list.

Individuals needed to become victim advocates

Advocates Building Peaceful Communities is recruiting volunteers to become victim advocates to provide on-call services for the 24-hour crisis line.

Twenty-five hours of training is provided and will take place in early October according to participant schedules.

Advocates is a nonprofit agency providing free and confidential services to victims of domestic and sexual violence in Routt County.

Those who are interested should call Kasey or Diane at 970-879-2034 for more information.

Hike & Bike to School each Friday through school year

Safe Routes to Schools is sponsoring Steamboat Hike & Bike to School on Fridays through the end of the school year. The city would like to remind drivers to be extra cautious and aware of kids on bikes on these days.

Students who ride the bus can also participate in Hike & Bike to School Days. They can be dropped off by the bus at the high school where community service officers and volunteers will be present to safely manage street crossings.

For those who don’t live within walking or cycling distance and are driven to school, parents can consider dropping their students off a mile from school and letting them bike or walk the rest of the way. Stehley Park at the bottom of Butcher Knife trail is a great place to start. The transit center on the west side of town is another option.

To find the safest route to school, use the Safe Routes to School map at saferoutessteam

boat.org or pick up a printed copy at the school office.

Parents can also walk or ride with their children for the first few times, especially if unfamiliar with the area. It’s also important for kids to ride or walk with a buddy. Younger children should be accompanied by older children if possible.

VNA advises awareness during tick season

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association advises residents to be aware of ticks and tick-borne diseases during spring and summer months when ticks are most active. Tick bites in Colorado can result in Colorado tick fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tick-borne relapsing fever.

Ticks should be removed from skin as soon as possible. People who remove ticks from a person or a pet need to wash their hands immediately. If you become ill after a tick bite or exposure to ticks, seek prompt medical attention.

Ticks are commonly found in wooded or brushy areas with tall grass. They may also inhabit rustic mountain cabins where chipmunks and other rodents may have visited. Wear protective clothing — long-sleeved shirts and long pants — and do thorough tick checks after being in areas where ticks may be present. For information on how to safely remove a tick that has settled into the skin, visit cdc.gov/ticks.

Integrated Community is seeking volunteers to tutor

Integrated Community/Comunidad Integrada is seeking volunteers for its adult and youth English tutoring programs.

Volunteers are trained and matched with either an immigrant student in need of academic support or a limited-English speaking community member, depending on preference.

Pairs are asked to meet for one hour per week. No foreign language experience is necessary. Email Laura at laura@ciiccolorado.org or 970-819-3720.

English classes, childcare available weekly at library

Community members have the opportunity to learn English while bringing their preschool children to a special children’s program through Integrated Community, which is held from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays at Bud Werner Memorial Library. Participants are asked to bring a healthy snack, and there is a $30 fee to register for this Colorado Mountain College class. Call Jen at 970 846 2076 for more information.

New spot for rechargeable battery collection available

Steamboat Springs City Hall is no longer accepting rechargeable, lithium and button cell batteries for recycling. These items can be dropped off at Mogil’s on the Mountain in Dream Island Plaza during their business hours, which are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. For a complete list of recycling locations, visit yvsc.org.

BookTrails offers college essay editing help students

BookTrails, in collaboration with Colorado Student Care, offers help to local college applicants with their college essay process. As a reminder, many early decision deadlines are quickly approaching, and applicants should give themselves ample time for the essay-editing process. Visit mybooktrails.org for more information about essay help, and call Colorado Student Care at 970-870-1733 for general information and help on the college application process.