May 2007

BUGS

(Article taken from Douglas Land Conservancy newsletter, Fall, 2006 and re-edited by Julie Riber)

   Recently the Colorado Department of Agriculture called our fair county the “knapweed capital of Colorado.”  As we’re all familiar with this highly invasive, non-native plant that takes over everywhere, Douglas County has found a new weapon for controlling it, and it isn’t an herbicide.  It’s a bug, and it’s called Larinus minutus.

   This small, blackish-grayish-greenish bug lays its eggs in knapweed seedheads.  The larvae feed on the seedheads from within.  Eventually when the Larinus population is sufficiently dense they will actively feed on stems and foliage, further weakening the plant.  The Colorado Department of Agriculture has been raising them at the insectory in Palisade, and in the last three years Douglas County has been the recipient of many of these new hatchlings and has released them throughout the County.

   The bug has been spreading without human assistance and has been found virtually everywhere.  The really good news is that the highest densities have been noted around Louviers, Sedalia and Roxborough.  As a result, the County Open Space Division has had to do very little spraying for knapweed on several properties including DuPont Open Space because of the high densities of Larinus.

   Early research by CU suggests that knapweed seed production can drop by as much as 99% within five years of the release.

For more information call Toby Sprunk (303-660-7334) of Douglas Land Conservancy or Jonathan Rife (303-660-7476), Douglas County Weed Inspector.

AVON Look and smell good by calling Minnie Robbins (303-791-7720), an Avon representative

FAITH EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH

  7595 Louviers Blvd  (P.O. Box 211)

  Pastor Barry Brannberg 720-836-3767 

  Sunday School              9:30am

  Sunday Worship          10:30am

Ice Cream Social and Bluegrass Festival

  Suzie Solomon will be here performing on Aug 12th at a Gospel Bluegrass Festival in Triangle Park. The church will combine this with their Annual Ice Cream Social. Bring your lawn chairs and come enjoy the festivities in the park.

Ladies Community Bible Study meets at Verna Mae Homrighausen’s on Mondays at 1pm. 720-344-2598 for information.

IN SYMPATHY

   Brad Miller’s grandmother passed away. We extend our sympathy for your loss.

   Martin E. Bowen (Marty) died April 9, 2007 in an airplane accident northeast of Scottsbluff, NE.  He was formerly from the Flying B Ranch on County Line Rd where he was born and raised.  Mr. Bowen taught school at Douglas County High School for many, many years where he was a favorite teacher of many.  He also coached the wrestling team. He leaves his wife, Judy; son, Trace of Waco, TX; daughter Carrie of Helena, MT; and his brother John of Parker.  Go to www.starherald.com for more information.

FLOWER POTS      It’s time for spring planting again. Sharon Leask 303-791-7391 is seeking adult volunteers to help water the plants. Donations toward the flower pots can be made to the Village Club at P.O. Box 101.

LOUVIERS LIBRARY

Reading program alert:

    The Douglas County Library summer reading program has something for everyone, adults and teens as well as children.  It begins in June, so keep checking our local Louviers library for information on prizes and dates.

Louviers Book Club.

    The Book Club is reading “Maisie Dobbs” by Jacqueline Winspear.  The heroine is quite British and the backdrop involves World War I (or the Great War) and the fate of those who survived but at great cost. 

     Books are available at Louviers Library and everyone is welcome to attend the discussion on Thursday May 24^th in the library beginning at 6:30pm.  Light refreshments will be served preceding the discussion.

PET CLINIC

   The annual Pet Clinic with Veterinary Dr Melanie Wullschleger will be held just south of the Fire Station (the Village Club is reserved for a wedding, and we wouldn’t want them stepping over anything…) this Saturday, May 5th 1-3pm. Dr Melanie will be available to give annual shots to your pets.

     Questions? Call Cherished Companions in Castle Rock at 303-688-3757

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

    Come meet your neighbors at a Neighborhood Watch meeting being held June 26^th at 6:30 p.m. at the Louviers Village Club.  Ron Hanavan from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will be here to give us an update on the latest scams, summertime tips for crime and the latest on calls from our neighborhood.   Let’s stay involved in our community and keep Louviers safe. 

    Refreshments will be served.  Hope to see you there!  For more information, please call Deanna at 303-913-7145.

ANNUAL PICNIC

   The annual Louviers picnic will be held this year on Saturday September 8^th at 3pm. This annual event is sponsored by the Louviers Village Club. It is always a fun time to catch up with old neighbors and meet new ones. Look for further details in the August Newsletter.

HOUSECLEANING SERVICES

  Allow me to help you with your spring cleaning chore list, so you can have time to enjoy spring and I’ll get your house cleaned!  I can bring out the magnificence of your home by clearing out dust, dirt, grime, and clutter; and you can take time for yourself.

   For more information about rates and services, call Shannon Smith 303-305-8341.

UPCOMING EVENTS  

          Mark your calendars!

Annual Pet Clinic May 5^th 1-3pm

Neighborhood Watch  June 26^th at 6:30pm

Village Club Board Mtg  July 16^th 7pm

Ice Cream Social/Bluegrass Fest. Aug 12^th

Louviers Annual Picnic Sept 8^th at 3pm

Turkey Bingo Nov 17^th at 7pm

The next newsletter will be issued in August.  Please submit articles and/or comments by July 25th to PO Box 101 or LouviersVCB@hotmail.com