Denver News

Just received from Denver Public Schools:

Dear DPS Community:

Due to severe winter weather and unsafe road conditions forecasted to last throughout the day tomorrow, all Denver Public Schools will be closed on Friday, Feb. 3. This includes all before- and after-school programming, athletics and after-school activities. All DPS district offices will also be closed for Friday, Feb. 3.

Be safe and have a good weekend.

DPS Office of Communications

Availability is limited - apply no later than February 12, 2012

DENVER, CO – This spring only, all Denver residents are eligible for free trees regardless of where they live within the city. This rare opportunity is made possible by two tree distribtuion programs: The Park People’s annual Denver Digs Trees street tree program and the City’s Mile High Million tree planting initiative.

“We’re thrilled to be part of this exciting partnership that is sure to add thousands of trees Denver neighborhoods across the city,” says The Park People’s Paige Heydon. “The trees are being offered at no cost. It’s a win for the city’s urban forest and a win for Denver residents.”

Any resident of the City and County of Denver can apply for free trees to plant along the street in the public right-of-way. Additionally, those who have space for trees on the west side of their homes – whether in front, back, or side yards or along the street – are eligibile to have trees delivered and planted for them.

“Trees planted on the west side of houses not only offer wonderful shade, they also reduce energy consumption,” says Sara Davis, the Program Manager for Denver Parks and Recreation’s Mile High Million Program. “With that in mind, we are happy to offer the trees and the planting free of charge.”

Availability will be limited, so apply no later than February 15, 2012. Visit www.theparkpeople.org or call 303-722-6262 for application information.

“Trees beautify neighborhoods, improve property values, provide environmental services, and support good health by encouraging people to spend time outdoors,” says Denver’s City Forester Rob Davis. “This is a great opportunity for Denver residents to enhance their neighborhoods.”

The Denver Digs Trees program is able to offer free street trees to all Denver residents this spring thanks to a partnership with Denver Parks and Recreation Forestry Division and the sponsorship of Xcel Energy Foundation and the City of Denver’s Office of Economic Development. The Mile High Million’s Trees for Energy Savings program is made possible with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The Park People

The Park People is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, enhancing and advocating for Denver’s parks, recreation resources, open space and urban forest. Through its Denver Digs Trees program, The Park People is responsible for adding more than 43,000 trees to Denver’s neighborhoods, with hundreds more sold each fall and spring to help raise funds for the organization’s public tree efforts. Visit www.theparkpeople.org for more information.

Mile High Million

In 2006, Mayor John Hickenlooper (now Governor) announced an ambitious tree planting program with a goal of adding one million new trees in metropolitan Denver by the year 2025. The initiative aims to engage and motivate individuals to become life-long stewards of our natural environment through planting and caring for trees. The end result will be a healthier and more extensive urban forest, creating more inviting places to live, work and play. Visit milehighmillion.org for more information.

Denver Forestry

The Denver Parks and Recreation Forestry Office is the city agency responsible for trees and shrubs in public parks, parkways and around government buildings. They also are involved in programs that add trees to Denver neighborhoods. Trees are an extremely valuable resource that not only provide attractive landscapes, but also replenish oxygen in the atmosphere, cool us with shade in the summer and help clean the air. Denver is a fortunate city with a broad tree canopy and public policies that recognize the value of trees through promotion programs and regulation. Visit www.denvergov.org/forestry for more information.

Apparently 8-10 inches of snow is enough to create havoc at United Parcel Service in Denver.

A Christmas Week snowstorm which delivered 8-10 inches of snow in Denver (more in some areas, less in others) on December 22 has delayed delivery of 50,000 packages until after Christmas. Packages which were scheduled for delivery on Thursday and Friday were instead re-routed to the UPS center in Commerce City. Customers who called UPS were told to go to the center to pick up their packages, as UPS would not attempt redelivery until Tuesday December 27.

I write from personal experience - I was one of the customers who was supposed to receive a package on Friday, only to have my delivery status updated to read, 'Emergency conditions beyond UPS' control.' I called Friday night, and after 30 minutes on hold was told to go to the center to pick up my package on Saturday. When I arrived there at 10:30 Saturday morning, the line of customers (over 300 by some news reports) already snaked around the building and waits were reported at over 2 hours.

As the day went on, UPS's problems only grew. The lines got longer, and the wait was said to exceed 3 hours. Perhaps one problem is the crazy layout of the UPS facility on Commerce City, where the huge warehouse sits across the street from the customer service office. This creates a need for employees to run back and forth from the customer service office to the warehouse to look for packages. According to Denver's Channel 7 News, police were called to the scene mid-afternoon after employees were harassed by customers.

Calling UPS at their 800-PICK-UPS number didn't help. I was personally told that I, 'need to understand that there was an emergency situation in Denver which caused the delay.' When I asked the agent for an explanation of the emergency, I was told that they didn't have that information. Later I was told that it was 'a blizzard on Friday' - the snow actually tapered off early Thursday, and both FedEx and USPS were able to make deliveries to my house.

I really do feel sorry for the font-line UPS employees who bore the brunt of customer frustrations today, but I have no sympathy for the company which had no idea of how to deal with the situation. It tends to snow in Denver in December. Packages get delayed. A company like UPS, which undoubtedly receives a large percentage of their annual revenue from December deliveries, needs to be better prepared - and better able to communicate to their customers.

Related News Reports:

• Denver Post: Hundreds wait for backlogged packages at UPS center in Commerce City
• Channel 7 (ABC) News:  Irate Customers Demand UPS Packages
• 9 News (NBC):  UPS says 50,000 packages delayed by Denver weather

On Sunday, the Denver Post reported that under a new state House district map, endorsed by former Mayor Wellington Webb, Stapleton would be split and fall into two different districts. Webb is the Vice-Chairman of the Colorado Reapportionment Commission

Under the proposed map, Stapleton homes south of E 28th Ave and east of Central Park Boulevard (roughly the 'Southend' neighborhood plus additional houses to the north) would shift into House District 8, currently represented by Rep. Beth McCann. The balance of Stapleton residences would remain in House District 7, represented by Rep. Angela Williams. According to the article, Webb reportedly said that, '...the move was sone in order to protect 'African American influence' in House District 7.'

Interestingly, both of Rep. Williams challengers (both withe males) in the last primary election live in the area to be moved out of her district. It could be worse: under a Republican sponsored map, Stapleton would have been divided among three different districts.

So, is this a big deal? With a proposed build-out of 12,000 homes and over 30,000 residents it is unlikely that a completed Stapleton would have remained within a single district.

In a reversal of one of the strangest decisions of his predecessor's administration, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock today announced that Denver was withdrawing its support for a Regional Tourism Act grant which would have helped the National Western Stock Show move from Denver to Aurora, CO.

“Over the last several months, as we have worked with our partners at the Stock Show and listened to all interested stakeholders, it has become clear it is not in Denver’s best interest to remain a co-applicant,” Mayor Hancock said. “Especially in these tough times, we need to be thoughtful about what we ask from our taxpayers. That is why we are working closely with the Stock Show and all stakeholders to find a solution that benefits the Stock Show, the people, neighborhoods, and businesses of Denver.”

In late June, shortly before Hancock replaced Mayor Bill Vidal in office, representatives of the National Western Stock Show announced their intention to leave Denver and relocate to Aurora, near a proposed hotel development to be built by Gaylord Entertainment. Representatives of Mayor Vidal's office appeared at the presentation in support of the NWSS move.  Controversy has swirled since the June 28 announcement, and subsequent grant request which was endorsed by the then Mayors of both Denver and Aurora. At the time, Jack Finlaw, Denver Mayor Bill Vidal's Chief of Staff, was quoted as saying, 'While technically the stock show would be in Aurora, it still could be a Denver institution.'

Public opinion in Denver quickly formed against the proposal, as it required that the Stock Show break their lease with Denver, and would require a reported $150 million bond issue to be approved by Denver voters to facilitate the move.

Not sure how this one got through in the first place:  NWSS breaks its lease with Denver and moves the Stock show (including jobs and revenue) from Denver to Aurora, while Denver government supports a grant to make it happen and Denver voters pay $150 million. The Mayor's decision tooday to withdraw Denver's support for the RTA grant is a good step in seeking a better solution for the Stock Show.

On their Facebook page this morning, Denver's channel 9 (KUSA - NBC) posed this question:

Energy conservation versus personal freedom -- those issues are colliding in Congress, where a fight is underway to overturn parts of a national energy act requiring more energy-efficient light bulbs. What do you think? Should legislation requiring energy-efficient bulbs remain, or should it be overturned so we can buy any light bulb we want?

Responses came quickly, and many focused on whether this is an appropriate topic for Federal legislation (a very good question in my opinion). I'm not going there, but thought I would address some of the other issues that were raised by 9News viewers on Facebook at Twitter. By the way, CFL's are not bulbs (technically they are lamps) but since people call them CFL bulbs I may do the same!

CFLs cost too much

CFLs pay for themselves over time in energy savings. At 12 cent per kWh for electricity, a 60 watt incandescent bulb costs 0.72 cents per hour to operate. An equivalent 14 watt CFL costs 0.168 cents per hour. At a cost of $1 for the CFL (Home Depot sells them in 4 packs for $3.97), the CFL pays for itself in 180 hours of use.  During a CFL's lifespan of 6,000 to 15,000 hours, it would save $33 to $83 in energy costs.

CFLs contain mercury and, '.. if you break one you need a hazmat crew for clean up.'

A CFL contains about 5mg of mercury (1/6000th of an ounce). By comparison, a mercury based fever thermometer contains 100 to 600 tims as much mercury. According to the website www.CFLFacts.com, 'Because CFLs contain mercury they should be recycled instead of thrown in the normal trash. However, even if a relatively large number of CFLs are disposed of in landfills instead of being recycled, they will not significantly increase the amount of mercury in the waste stream. A report titled Mercury Programme, published by the United Nations Environmental Programme, estimated that in 2000 there were 145 metric tons of mercury added to the solid waste stream in the United States. If 200 million CFLs, each containing 5 mg of mercury were placed in the solid waste stream in one year, they would add only 1 metric ton, or less than 0.7% of the total annual mercury load in the waste stream.'

By the way, many retailers (including Home Depot) accept CFLs for recycling. Visit the EPA Website for more info.

CFLs '...are all made in China, so they are not good for our economy'

True, most CFLs are made in China and India. Of course the last major U.S. plant to make incandescent bulbs (in Winchester VA) closed in September 2010. And where do you think all of that oil we use (and could reduce) comes from?

CFLs 'take a long time to warmup and don't give off good light'

According to GE, 'The first compact fluorescent bulbs flickered when they were turned on because it took a few seconds for the ballast to produce enough electricity to excite the gas inside the bulb. Thanks to the refined technology in our new GE compact fluorescent bulbs, there is now no significant flicker (less than 1 second). However, these bulbs do require a short warm-up period before they reach full brightness, which is why they may appear dim when first turned on. Compact fluorescent bulbs are best used in fixtures that are left on for longer periods of time, rather than in fixtures that are turned off and on frequently.'

So, I received an email this week from the 'Union Station Neighborhood Company' touting a video update for their vision for the redevelopment of Denver's Union Station and the surrounding area. The video, and the website in general, show an amazing transformation of Denver's iconic Union Station into a transportation, pedestrian, and retail hub for the City. It iwll also be the downtown arrival point for the commuter rail line that will begin at Denver International Airport and move through Stapleton.

I was so awestruck by the video that I wantched it a few times... and that is when I noticed a familiar retail logo. You see, the 'vision video' flies through the interior and exterior of the station, and then outside to the pedestrian and retail areas. While there aren't ANY other recognizable retail logos in the video, there is clearly an Apple logo and an Apple Store display window in the retail area! Look to the left of the video between 35 and 42 seconds.

Does this mean that the Union Station redevelopment has an agreement in place for an Apple Store in downtown Denver?

Here's a link to the full Union Station Neighborhood website, and a link directly to the video.

Don't forget that today is Election Day in Denver.

Since this is a mail election, if you haven't already sent in your ballot you will need to drop it off at one of the 13 Voter Service Centers no later than 7:00pm tonight in order to have your vote count. Even if you lost your ballot or didn’t get one in the mail, you can still go to one of the 13 Centers and vote – just be sure to take your ID. 

All 13 Centers will be open until the polls officially close at 7pm.  Here is a list of locations:

• District 1: Scheitler Recreation Center, 5031 W. 46th Ave. 
• District 2: Harvey Park Recreation Center, 2120 S. Tennyson Way 
• District 3: Barnum Recreation Center, 360 Hooker St. 
• District 4: Christ Community Church, 8085 E. Hampden Ave. 
• District 5: Montclair Recreation Center, 729 Ulster Way 
• District 6: Washington Park Recreation Center, 701 S. Franklin St. 
• District 7: Harvard Gulch Recreation Center, 550 E. Iliff Ave. 
• District 8: Blair-Caldwell Library, 2401 Welton St. 
• District 9: Tivoli Student Union at Auraria, 900 Auraria Pkwy., Rm. 261 
• District 10: Christ Church United Methodist, 690 Colorado Blvd. 
• District 10: Denver Elections Division, 200 W. 14th Ave. 
• District 11: Hiawatha Davis Jr. Recreation Center, 3334 Holly St. 
• District 11: Montbello Recreation Center, 15555 E. 53rd Ave.

The Denver Mayoral election between Chris Romer and Michael Hancock tops the ballot, and it promises to be a close race. Please make sure to vote and to have your opinion count!

Denver City Council's Land Use, Transportation & Infrastructure Committee will meet on Tuesday June 7 to discuss proposed changes that affect the City's recreation centers.

The changes, as proposed by Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR), would create a tiered facitlity and membership structure for the City's rec centers. Rec centers would be classified as Regional, Local, or Neighborhood based on thier size, location, amenities, hours, and pricing.  The recently opened Central Park Rec Center in Stapleton would be one of seven 'regional' centers.  According to DPR, 'the Regional Centers were selected because they are larger centers which house more amenities such as competitive size basketball courts or indoor pools. The will be operational 7 days a week, have been equitably distributed to ensure 7 day a week coverage across the City, and will have a higher pricing structure.'

The DPR documents submitted to City Council propose increases to the individual Adult membership fee from the current $190 per year to a range of $180 to $360, depending on rec center tier. Youth memberships, currently $35 per year, would range from $30 to $95. Two additional changes would be the addition of a Young Adult membership category for those ages 18 to 24 (currently classified as 'adult') and the creation of a Family membership package which would provide 50% discounts to additional members after the head of household.

According to DPR's bill request to Council, 'This new pricing structure will increase DPR's cost recovery model targets by potentially increasing revenue by $900,000 and will bring Recreation fee [sic] more in line with metropolitan Denver municipal proce structures.'

Copies of the bill request, executive summary, proposed tier alignment and fees (obtained from the City's website) can be viewed here.

The Council committee's public meeting will be held Tuesday June 7, 2001 at 10:30am, in room 391 of the City and County Building, 1435 Bannock Street.

Sorry, this morning's posting is about Denver politics instead of real estate, but I can't help myself. And in the interest of full disclosure, I've known Councilman and Mayoral Candidate for several years and support his candidacy because I know the kind of person and leader he is.

Chris Romer, Denver Mayoral candidate and son of former Colorado Governor Roy Romer, has spent his campaign portraying himself as an outsider who can come into Denver government and shake things up. He has touted his career as an Investment Banker - when was the last time anyone viewed investment banking positively? - and his four years as a State Senator.

This morning I saw a new Romer commercial where he attacks his political opponent Michael Hancock as practicing 'politics as usual.' Romer's charge is based on Hancock's politically unpopular decision as a Denver Councilman to vote in favor of future pay increases for Denver's Council, Mayor, and a handful of other positions (although he said he would not accept the increase if elected Mayor). Somehow it is hard to say that making an unpopular decision because you believe it to be the right one qualifies as 'politics as usual.'

To this Denver voter, here are better examples of 'politics as usual:'

• Going negative as early in the campaign as possible. While Hancock runs inspiring ads about his background and releases plans for his first 100 days in office, Romer uses his fundraising advantage to launch negative ads about his opponent instead of talking about his own plans for the City.
• Ripping a campaign opponent during the election and then cozying up to him when it becomes politically favorable. During the first round of voting for Denver Mayor Romer was on the offensive, attacking opponent James Mejia. During one event Romer accused Mejia of waffling on issues, at one point stating, 'I’d also like to point out one of my colleagues up here has had three answers on this question: Yes, no and maybe.” Of course when it was time to seek former-candidate Mejia's endorsement, Romer decided to make Mejia Chairman of Romer's campaign and offer him a position in Romer's administration if elected. Afterwards (remember, politics as usual), Mejia accepted the offer and endorsed Romer.
• Waffling positions on issues while accusing others of doing the same. Remember Romer's comment about 'yes, not and maybe?' Funny how Romer's public stance on eliminating the position of Manager of Public Safety changed quickly when he wanted endorsements from Mejia and another former candidate Theresa Spahn - both of whom disagreed with Romer's position. This after Romer's comments on election night as reported by the Colorado Statesman: 'You’ll always know where I stand,” he said. “We may not always agree, but I will have the tough decisions and I will know how to say ‘no’ in city hall.'
• Jumping on the bandwagon of hot-button issues like medical marijuana as Chris Romer did while in the State Senate. Romer burst onto the medical marijuana scene in late 2009 - and announced his Mayoral candidacy in 2010. I'd love to say something here about Romer's stance on cupcake trucks (highlighted in an early campaign ad), but I have trouble putting 'hot-button issue' and 'cupcake truck' in the same thought.

C'mon Chris, get real. The race to the June 7 election is a sprint and we need to hear what you really believe in. Denver voters deserve better than mud-slinging ads and, in your own words, 'politics as usual.'

After a long courtship, H&M announced this morning that it will be opening its first Colorado location in Denver, at the site of the current Niketown store at the Denver Pavilions on the 16th Street Mall.  An opening date has not been announced, but press reports say it should be sometime this fall.

Gart Proeprties purchased the Pavilions in 2008 and mentioned H&M as a retailer they hoped to lure to Denver. Earlier this month Nike announced that they would be closing their 12 year old Niketown store in the Denver Pavilions sometime in mid-May.  Niketown was one of the Pavilions original tenants.

“Denver is one of the most exciting markets we’re announcing this year,” said Nicole Christie, H&M spokeswoman. H&M currently has 2,200 stores worldwide, 210 in the United States.  

In a Denver Business Journal survey in April 2010, about the same time that IKEA began construction on their Denver-area store, Trader Joe's, In-n-Out Burger, and H&M were ranked as the top three stores that  readers wanted to have open in Colorado.

Okay, so it is just wishful thinking on my part.

I read this morning that Colorado-based Sunflower Farmers Market is expanding into California next month when they open their first store in Roseville Square, near Sacramento. It only seems like a fair trade to me that we get Trader Joe's to open in Colorado in exchange...

...and how about we also get a few In-n-Out Burger restaurants in Denver for good measure?

The Denver Post reported this morning that Ford Motor Company yesterday named Denver as one of the 25 most 'electric vehicle-ready cities' in the United States. In an amazing coincidence, a few months ago Ford had named Denver as one of the 19 launch cities for the late-2011 launch of the 2012 Ford Focus Electric.

The Nissa LEAF, another anticipated electric car, launched in Texas and Hawaii in January 2011 - apparently they didn't share Ford's love for Denver!

A few weeks after announcing plans to virtually eliminate rebates offered to consumers who install solar power systems, Xcel Energy has apparently reached a 'compromise' with the Colorado solar power industry. 

The agreement sets the total cost of Xcel's rebate program at $97.3 million for 2011, and took the combined efforts of Xcel, the Colorado Governeor's Energy Office, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, the Colorado Renewable Energy Society and the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association, among others.

Citing recent reductions in the cost of solar panels and installations, Xcel had proposed to drastically reduce the rebate program or eliminate it altogether. Under the agreement, most upfront rebates will be eiiminated. Instead, customers would recieve 20-year-rebates in the form of Renewable Energy Credits (REC) valued between 16 cents and 11 cents per watt depending on the program.

For solar installations at individual homes, Xcel would provide a reduced rebate of $1.75 per watt and a 4 cent REC to be paid out over 10 years for the first 4 megawatts of of production, with the rebate dropping and the REC increasing for larger producers.

“All parties reached an agreement that continues the success of Solar*Rewards,” TJ Deora, director of the Colorado Governor’s Energy Office, said in a statement. “The agreement maintains the economic benefits of this aspect of the renewable-energy standard, while protecting the environment and consumers.”

Information from COSEIA the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association:

On February 16, Xcel Energy announced its plans to slash solar incentives. They filed with the PUC to reduce their solar rebate from $2.00/watt to $0.25/watt.

This 88% decrease erodes market stability and reduces options for consumers.

While Xcel has offered to increase its REC price to $1/watt, they could lower this at any point, putting the solar industry at risk. This is obviously very concerning.

All of us have worked hard to make Colorado a national leader in clean energy. Creating a stable marketplace is key to economic growth and job creation.

We need to work together to address this challenge head on. Here's how you can help:

Urge the PUC to deny Xcel Energy's request to lower the solar rebate by 88% (to $0.25/watt). Submit your comments online: http://www.dora.state.co.us/puc/consumer/ConsumerComment.htm

Key messages to highlight:

• The PUC needs to promote a stable marketplace - reducing the solar rebate by 88% from $2/watt to $0.25 is unreasonable, excessive and destabilizes the marketplace
• Xcel's proposal has potential to cause significant harm and requires due process with a full vetting of the facts, not an expedited hearing
• The PUC should reject Xcel's request for such a dramatic change to the rebate program in favor of a more reasonable, predictable and transparent approach which should be developed in collaboration with stakeholders

Construction Volunteers Desperately Needed 1st Week in February

Habitat has a huge need for volunteers on February 3rd and February 4th. Volunteers are needed to help frame (build walls) on the Walsh St. duplex in Denver, the E. 69th duplex in Commerce City and the Ivanhoe single family homes in Commerce City. Without enough volunteers these projects will fall behind schedule and delay family move in dates. Please help us stay on schedule! Individual construction volunteers can sign up online by CLICKING HERE. Volunteer groups may contact leanna@habitatmetrodenver.org or 720-496-2717 to organize a group volunteer workday.

Habitat Office Looking for Volunteers to Staff the Front Desk

The Administration office of Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver, located at 3245 Eliot St, Denver, 80211 is in need of long term volunteers to work at the Front Desk for one day each week, on either Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Fridays, 3 hours each day from either 10:00am to 1:00 pm or 11:00 am to-2:00 pm. Duties include answering a 4 line switchboard and assisting visitors. If you would like to help, please email ginny@habitatmetrodenver.org.

Metals Recycling Volunteer Needed at the Denver Outlet

The Habitat Outlet Stores recycle tons of metal every year. We need a volunteer who can work 4 – 5 hours a week at the Denver Outlet and help organize and separate our metals for recycling. This volunteer will work with our metal recycling guru at the Wheat Ridge Outlet, Roger Jakoubek to learn this valuable volunteer position. Contact Alice Goble with questions or to speak more about this opportunity. alice@habitatmetrodenver.org 303-996-5468.

Cash Register Volunteers Needed at the Wheat Ridge Outlet

Do you have 4 – 5 hours a week or every other week to volunteer? Call or phone Alice Goble if you are interested. This volunteer will receive training from staff. alice@habitatmetrodenver.org 303-996-5468

Help Family Services Welcome our Future Homeowners

Habitat for Humanity welcomes future homeowners into our program every month and we are looking for volunteers to help us. Shortly after each partner family is selected we have a one on one meeting (called the Initial Meeting) with the family to share what Habitat expects of our families and what each family can expect of Habitat. We are in need of volunteers who can commit to conducting 2-5 Initial Meetings per month. Each meeting is approximately 2 hours long and can be scheduled at a mutually agreeable time for the volunteer and the partner family. Training will be provided on Saturday March 5, 10:00am-noon, at the Habitat office. If you are interested in becoming an Initial Meeting volunteer please email Richelle@habitatmetrodenver.org.

Do You Like to Cook and Help Habitat

The Habitat Outlets will be working with ongoing AmeriCorps NCCC Teams in 2011. These young adults serve in volunteer positions all over the United States much as Peace Corp volunteers serve overseas. The Outlets are looking for volunteers who can make and bring lunches for 12 AmeriCorps volunteers who will be working at both the Denver and Wheat Ridge Habitat Outlets. Volunteers can bring lunches as an ongoing volunteer opportunity or we would welcome volunteers who bring lunch only once. Questions? Interested? Call or email Alice Goble at alice@habitatmetrodenver.org 303-996-5468.

For more information about volunteering on site, in the office, on a committee or at the Outlet stores, please click here.