The Garden School has participated in the Colorado Regional Future City Competition event for seven years, taking no lower than third place in this statewide competition. The event was held in Denver Jan. 19, with 26 teams competing. Under the guidance of science teacher Kaaren Peck, and engineer mentor, Jim Hancock, this year’s team placed second overall, narrowly missing an all-expense-paid trip to the National Engineer’s Week Future City competition held in Washington, D.C.

This team won several awards, including people’s choice, most innovative power, and best use of innovative construction materials and techniques.

A description of this year’s city: Shaped like an elongated cone, Sumoru Shi creates a minimal footprint and allows for outlying wilderness areas. Bamboo is located throughout each level to clean and purify air. The plants are modified to absorb carbon dioxide and pollutants as they add enriched oxygen into the air. A regenerative fire protection system is paramount to keeping the city safe.

The Coal Ridge High School Varsity Choir and Concert Choir will be presenting a “Cabaret Dinner Theater” at Coal Ridge High School starting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 9.

A ticket to the dinner theater will include a pasta dinner (pasta, bread, salad and a beverage) as well as musical theater favorites. Both choirs will be performing ensemble pieces and a number of students will be performing solos and duets.

Tickets can be purchased at the door.

Mount Sopris Conservation District is offering a $1,000 scholarship to a high school senior in the Mount Sopris District who maintains a 2.5 GPA, and is considering a career in conservation. Applications must be received by April 30. The application is available online at www.mountsoprisconservationdistrict.com, or call the office at 945-5494, ext. 105, to obtain an application and guidelines.

Sopris Elementary’s first-grade program, “A Froggy Day in Lindentown,” will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17.

The Roaring Fork Family Resource Centers will host Ron Glodoski, author, speaker and entrepreneur from 6:30-8 p.m. April 24 at Roaring Fork High School. Glodoski is a national expert on bullying, resiliency, and drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse.

Glodoski challenges students to believe in the value of their own lives, and the importance of respect. He gives new hope and direction to those who are on the brink of making life-altering decisions, and shows them how to take back their personal power and choose a better life.

This free event requires no reservation.

Child care will be offered by donation.

The RFFRC will host a teacher training led by Ron Glodoski that will be open to the education community. This free training will take place from 4-5:30 p.m. April 24 at Roaring Fork High School. Please RSVP to Betsy McMichael at 384-5694 or bmcm@rfsd.k12.co.us.

Seventh-, eighth-, ninth- and tenth-graders in the Roaring Fork School District will also hear Ron Glodoski speak during student assemblies in each community.

All New Castle families with children who will attend kindergarten next school year are asked to attend a Kindergarten Round-Up registration and information meeting at 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, at Kathryn Senor Elementary School, 101 Alder Ave.

The event is for kindergarten families for both Kathryn Senor Elementary and the new Elk Creek Elementary.

Students who will be 5 years old on or before Oct. 1 are eligible to attend kindergarten for the 2008-09 school year. Please bring the student’s birth certificate, shot records and social security card. Kindergarten students are invited to attend this event with their parents, but parents are asked to make child care arrangements for other children.

For questions, please call 625-7700.