• Feb. 23-27: Western Regional 4-H Leaders' Forum, Sacramento, CA
• March 8: 4-H Youth Fund Board meeting
• March 15: CWF applications due
• March 18: Urban Expansion proposals due
• April 1-6: National 4-H Conference, Washington, D.C.

• Save the Date - 4-H Golf Tournament

Tax-Exempt Status of 4-H Organizations Authorized to Use the 4-H Name and Emblem

For those counties that have questions about a 4-H club's tax exempt status, listed below is the link to the official web site explaining everything you need to know about the "Tax-Exempt Status of 4-H Organizations Authorized to Use the 4-H Name and Emblem." www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/library/4h_tax.pdf - Ellen Butler

Garden Teaching Grants

In 2005, the National Gardening Association will award 100 Youth Garden Grants to schools, organizations, community centers, clubs, and intergenerational programs throughout the U.S. Each grant consists of a $500 gift card from The Home Depot toward the purchase of supplies, tools, and plants, as well as educational publications from NGA. Deadline to register is March 1. Click below to learn more: www.kidsgardening.com/teachers2.asp - Jan Carroll

SAVE the DATE, 4-H Youth Fund Golf Tournament

Listed below are two PDF files announcing the 11th Annual Paul Hoshiko, Jr. Memorial 4-H Golf Tournament. Please share this information with those that might be interested in participating in this event.

4hweb.ext.colostate.edu/update/050225_golfpg.pdf
4hweb.ext.colostate.edu/update/050225_golfpg2.pdf

Save the Date - Friday, June 3, at the beautiful Pelican Lakes Golf and Country Club in Windsor is the date and location for the 11th Annual Paul Hoshiko, Jr. Memorial 4-H Golf Tournament. There will be two tournaments, so if you can't make the 7:30 a.m. shotgun, perhaps you can play in the 1:00 p.m. shotgun. Registration fee is $100 and includes green fees, cart, range balls, lunch, drawing prizes and a guaranteed great time! Think about getting your foursome together now, because these tournaments fill up fast. So, Save the Date, we'll be looking for you! - Ellen Butler

Audio Conferences

The National League of Cities' (NLC) Institute for Youth, Education, and Families (YEF) has scheduled four more audio conferences, and registration is now available. When you register, please note which audio conference you are signing up for.

• March 24: Preventing Youth Obesity - (10:30 a.m. MST)
• April 2: What to do When Youth Say "There's Nothing to Do" - (2:00 p.m. MST)
• May 19: Connecting School and Afterschool - (10:30 a.m. MST)
• June 16: Strategies for Financing Local Initiatives - (12:30 p.m. MST)

To register for a call, send complete contact information (name, address, city, state, phone, fax, and email) to Melissa Rogers by close of business the Tuesday before the call, via email to rogers@nlc.org or fax to 202.626.3043. - Jan Carroll

Office of Suicide Prevention - Getting Help

As a member of the Colorado Prevention Leadership Council, I was invited to speak to state-level program managers. In a follow up meeting with Karen Mason and Julie Reichenberger I learned some things important to share with 4-H professionals and volunteers. This is the first of five notes from Karen:

Suicide statistics are alarming. Suicide is the #2 killer of Coloradans ages 10-34. The highest numbers are among middle-aged men but women attempt more. The rates tend to be higher in rural counties.

Fortunately suicide is preventable. Most people who take their life have a mental illness like depression or bipolar illness. These illnesses are treatable but, like a broken leg or diabetes, getting help is key. Here are some places you can refer someone for help:

1. Call 1.800.SUICIDE
2. Go to a hospital emergency room
3. See a primary care doctor
4. See a counselor at your community mental health center
5. See a pastor or priest

If you have more questions you can contact the Office of Suicide Prevention at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment at www.cdphe.state.co.us/pp/Suicide/suicidehom.asp. You can also contact Karen Mason, Ph.D. at 303.692.2539 or karen.e.mason@state.co.us or Julie Reichenberger at 303.692.2560 or julie.reichenberger@state.co.us. - Jan Carroll