How sweet it is to do great things for great organizations with Roadrunner Pride!

Project 2 was a great project for both teams involved. I feel that both teams were victorious in the amount of work they all put into their organizations. Working with the Disability Center for Independent Living (DCIL) was such a great experience for my teammates and I and truly touched our hearts.

The A-Team worked with El Centro Humanitario para Los Trabajadores (The Humanitarian Center for the Workers) and contributed so much to that organization. I must admit that I was worried about winning this round because I know how determined the A-Team was with their hard work. The assiduous A-Team definitely put some effort into their collaboration with El Centro Humanitario. They pulled off a very successful campaign. GREAT WORK A-TEAM!

Both non-profits benefited tremendously from great efforts that each Apprentice team put forth. These projects helped in getting tools for El Centro workers, food & personal care items for DCIL's clients (THANK YOU MSCD Student LARRY SCHMEIDING JR. and Family for your donations of over 35 cases of non-perishable food items and AAA of Colorado!), a website for DCIL (THANKS STEVE BARRY OF BARRY WEB DESIGNS), and the many other accomplishments by both teams.

This 2nd project really showed off the abilities that Metro State's students have and what we students can do when we are put to the task of helping the Denver community. I am truly honored to be able to showoff the many talents and skills I have acquired while attending Metro State, but also by having the chance to use them for such a great organization, DCIL.

Working with the non-profit organizations, DCIL & El Centro, within our communities has opened our eyes and hearts to the many people that need our skills and assistance. I strongly urge you (the reader) to take action and locate a local organization that you can donate to with your time, skills, money, food, or other items because it will truly show who you are and what you are made of. If you contribute just once, or on a continual-recurring basis. People need people. Please get involved within your community and help out.

___________________SIDE NOTE________________________

This project was not only tedious, but dangerous as well (personally for me at least). A-Team members (and colossal participants in the Apprentice Challenge), Kaleigh Braun and her comrade Cyndi Cervantes, threatened to "shank" me on multiple occasions. Yeah, that's right - "SHANK"

(Shank (weapon), a slang for a makeshift knife usually crafted from scrap metal, or (as a verb) the use of such a weapon.) Watch the video with the link provided to gain further insight into the matter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYL3xTXHgdE

I must admit that being a 6ft. 3in tall, man of stature and having these constant "shank" threats thrown at me every time I crossed paths with these vicious little ladies, struck me with a heart pumping fear that only a squirrel would know of while being chased by a pack of hungry dogs, or by the AHEC facility maintenance crews on campus. At times, due to the amount of duress I would encounter, I would confine myself to the security of the men's restroom stalls of West Classroom and stand on the toilet seat to conceal myself when they were searching for me.

It was scary people. Scary like Brittany Spears' parenting abilities( I know, not the best analogy) or Scary like vivious man-killing spidermonkeys hyped up on Mountain Dew. Be wary of these two when they are hyped up on Mountain Dew, Monster Energy drink, or Starbucks (basically anything consumable with a caffeine content of 10 milligrams or higher):

The wanna-be "shankers" - Kaleigh Braun & Cindy Cervantes of the "A-TEAM"

_____________End Side Note______________

SPECIAL THANKS TO: Steve Barry of:

, Larry Schmeiding Jr. & family, Kelly Felice (Human Services Professor), Tara Tull (Womens Studies), Derek Anguilm (CFA & Metro Alumn) and of course everyone @ DCIL!

5280 CLOSERS and DCIL NEED YOUR HELP!

Everyone that reads this post between Mon. Feb 25th and Thurs Feb 28th, please contribute to my team's Canned Food Drive for the Disability Center for Independent Living. See info below Please:


Attention Students, Faculty, and Staff of the Auraria Campus:

Lets all UNITE for the “People Need People” Food and Personal Care Items Drive for the Disability Center for Independent Living (DCIL) and bring a canned donation or personal care item.

Please bring any and all canned or non-perishable food and personal care items between this Monday Feb 25th and Thursday Feb 28th to the following drop-off locations:

• Tivoli SE & SW entrances
• The Alumni House (by Einsteins in 9th St. Park area)

**Please place items in the marked boxes**

The food and personal care item drive is being sponsored by TEAM 5280CLOSERS of Metro State’s Apprentice Challenge for their support of DCIL.

DCIL’s mission is to fully integrate people with all types of disabilities, both physical and mental/cognitive, into all aspects of community life. They provide programs, services and support that allow people with disabilities to make choices for their lives and to enable them to be self-sustaining.

If you cannot donate any goods or items, please donate your time and services by volunteering at DCIL. Contact Carol Reynolds (Executive Director) at the following:

4821 E. 38th Avenue
Denver, CO 80207
303.320.1345
TTY: 303.322.2330
Fax: 303.320.1355

The 5280CLOSERS and DCIL THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP AND DONATIONS!

Project #2 hitting home with me.

We have officially started our second project with the Apprentice Challenge.

The 5280 CLOSERS are working closely with the nonprofit/grassroots organization Disabilities Center for Independent Living (DCIL). This organization helps people with mental disabilities ranging from alcoholism to Schizophrenia and physical disabilities (paralysis, etc. ). Our fearless Lithuanian Leader, Giedre, has given us good direction on guiding the team to another "W".

Do not worry our dedicated fans and followers, 5280 CLOSERS are hard at work chiseling out our master plan to help out this wonderful organization with an excellent needs assessment plan that will help them out in ensuring their continued help in our local and statewide community.

I was extremely glad to be assigned to the DCIL organization because I had a step-father with Bipolar Disorder along with being Manic Depressive. I know what issues he faced in dealing with his disease and day-to-day life because I was there during the good times and the bad times. I say "had" due to my step-father passing away 2 years ago from a terminal brain tumor that grew at an exponential rate. His name was Ed Uhl and he had an Accounting degree from Metro after which he acquired his CFP (Cerified Financial Planner) and CPA (Certified Public Accountant). He is part of the reason for my attending Metro. So this project is somewhat personal because I know how important it was to him to donate and help out similar organizations like DCIL, such as Bayaud Industries, to help in showing the world that people can be very successful even when challenged with a mental, cognitive, or physical disability. With that said, prior to starting this competition I dedicated all my efforts and successes I have in this program to him and his memory, as well as the rest of my family because without them, I would not be where I stand today. I have seen what my step-father has done with his degree from Metro and I plan on being as successful as him with my degree.

On a lighter note...

To my team, The splendiforous (copyrighted -Noah, All rights reserved), the great, the magnificent, the glorious, the fantastic, the glowing, THE 5280 CLOSERS!- Lets get crack-a-lackin and show this heavily CGI-trained-espresso making-break dancing-Spanish-speaking-Rock climbing A-team what we can do...AGAIN! Lets go for a repeat on success and bring the hammer down on them! I am breaking out the big guns for this project and calling in MacGyver for some fancy creativity utilizing only a Tube sock, paper clip, slice of moldy bologne, a watch battery, and a 3-inch threading of dental floss to design our team a website that will be ridiculously good looking with explosions and car chases along with techno beats to shake-it-like-a-salt shaker too! We will see how fancy-schmancy A-Team's website will be when ours is done. Coo-coo-ka-choo!

Skiddly DOO!..I'm outta here!

- Noah

(**CAUTION** I think Kaleigh (member of A-team) may be supplementing the A-team with unusually high doses of caffeine in the form of espresso shots - this may be an illegal infraction on the terms and rules we all adhered to- but really it could be a safety hazard for the campus and the CLOSERS due to their over-excitement and caffeinated "jitters". I have personally already received threats from Kaleigh about being attacked by spider monkeys hyped up on Mountain Dew and I am seriously beginning to think that they may have acquired spider monkeys. Aren't they indigenous to South America? and the majority of the team is bilingual in Spanish...hmmm... )

I want a team website...

I just saw that Chris from the A-Team had created a website. This makes me sad:( Why does this make me sad you ask? Because I do not have the technical knowhow to make one and that my friend is the reason. I guess I can maybe bribe Chris to make us one, but he probably will make my team and I look like spider-monkeys or something exotic (within the animal kingdom you dirty minded people!).

Hmmm....time to collaborate my resources and get the Closers a fancy website with explosions, car chases, and techno music up for us. It is all about the flash animation. I like to try and give the viewer a Wham-bam, thank ya mam! experiance.

(The A-Team's New Eco-Van)

Dang that Chris Wilcox! Dang him to darnation! He is a tricky one that lil rascally rabbit. Sorry Chris, but I must bite your style sir and up the ante to keep you on your toes. I may not have the computer hacking skills you do sir, but I will personally hand pick my nerd herd to design the biggest, the bestest and most excellent team website EVER!

- Noah

Oh my GOODNESS GRACIOUS!

It is yet another early morn, or late eve, that I began my 2nd blog. I got quite the kick out of reading some of the comments from the 1st blog I wrote. Touché Benjamin and touché Kaleigh. You two must be cackling at your comments you left me, but this is only the beginning of your end(s). Of course I am just kidding, but if we were in the medieval ages then there would be jousting and sword fighting, maybe even some archery action. I would surely get you both with the battle axe. I honestly do not know where I am going with this, so let’s move on before things get too vivid.

So about my experiences with the 1st project, the Smart Meal Challenge...

The 1st project was laborious in time and footwork. I sent many emails to many restaurants on our list (which I have so generously listed below) that was handpicked by COPAN (Google it...but in case you must know right now it stands for the Colorado Office of Physical Activity and Nutrition AKA COPAN) to try and set up meetings for us to present the program to them. After very little success with that, my good ole buddy and pal Mr. David Foos (I like to call him "Davey" for short) were running loose all over downtown Denver trying to make contacts with the restaurant owners or GM's. David was our team leader for the project, so I was chosen to be his executive taxi...kidding. After spending close to $50 in parking fees downtown we made some headway (I apparently decided against reading any parking lot signage that stated the hourly rates of over $4.00 an hour, ridiculous just like the parking at school).

The presentations to these restaurants took only about 15-20 minutes at the max. La Loma's took a little longer, but that is just because we had a very hospitable host that insisted we try a round of organic margaritas, which were delicious (yes we are both over 21). We tried to refuse (maybe....), but the GM, Jorge, insisted we try them. An organic margarita? Yeah, everything is organic- the limes, sugar, salt, ice, and apparently the tequila. I have a hard time thinking that tequila is organic though, but either way. it was a delicious tasting of what La Loma has to offer. Then Jorge talked with us about where tequila comes from and how it differs from region to region. This dude knows his tequila and probably should be on the TV show "Three Sheets" on the MOJO HD channel. On a side note, La Loma has great food, so try it. To begin to sum things up and to not drag this blog on any longer, my team closed the deal with 3 AWESOME restaurants (I included some shout outs):

1. Queen of Sheba (Ethiopian food - awesome owner Zewditu!)


2. Imperial Chinese (Chinese food - Thanks Johnny Hsu!)
   
3. Qdoba (Mexican food - Giedre thanks for going above and beyond the pre-approved list by COPAN and thanks to Doug Thielan!)

We also had many other potential participants and 2 other restaurants in the works to join up with the Smart Meal Program:

1. Illegal Pete's (Pete Turner (owner) is getting the whole menu evaluated for nutritional content)


2. Jack-N-Grill (Jack Martinez (owner) is revamping his menu to include nutritional options and the food is all locally sourced, so he is being lean and green in his operations!

I honestly would try to dine at all the restaurants listed below because David and I tried to. After gaining an additional 10 lbs from dining everywhere we attempted to contact or presented to, we learned that we were not promoting the Smart Meal program in the appropriate light with the gorging of our bodies with trying all the food. Now, luckily for us, we know which places have nutritional options for us to select and nosh on without any worries because TEAM 5280 CLOSERS have been able to gain more participants in the wonderful Smart Meal Challenge.

Since the gorging of food sampling and tasting, David and I have both dropped the weight. My motivation was the USA Olympic Training facility tour we had as our reward for winning the challenge. There were these little guys that were ripped like mini-Conan the Barbarians and they were flipping, swinging, back-axle-toe grabbing-iron-cross holding monsters. Being 6'3 and an unmentionable manly weight, I felt that these guys could hold their own if I were to charge at them. America - we are looking pretty solid at gaining some Gold in the gymnastics area of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Oh, and our Olympic Pentathlon host and tour guide, Mr. Eli Bremer, is ready to shock the world with his skills in shooting, fencing, horseback riding, swimming, running, and overall badass-ness (is that a word?, it should be..). I got his limited edition Olympic trading card, signed...oh yeah! Its going on Ebay to help pay for my overly priced books this semester...kidding, it is not, unless I see someone trying to bid on one for over $1000 (hey, remember I am still a business man).

Anyways, it is getting late. Ben and Kaleigh, I will send some future shout outs your way soon in my future blogs. Everyone else, dine at the list below and enjoy the pictures. HUGE thanks goes out to Kaiser Permanente, COPAN, LiveWell, Metro Alumni Association, Mr. Derek Anguilm, Mr. Jeffrey Howard, Eli Bremer, and my TEAM, the 5280 CLOSERS! **please que music from Queen, "We are the Champions"

Skiddly-DOO!

· Imperial Chinese
431 S Broadway
Phone: (303) 698-2800

· La Loma
2527 W 26th
Denver, CO 80211
Phone: (303) 433-8300

· Queen of Sheba
7225 E Colfax AveDenver, CO 80220(303) 399-9442

· Las Delicias
439 E 19th Ave
Phone: (303) 839-5675

· Zengo
1610 Little Raven StDenver, CO 80202Phone: (720) 904-0965

· Illegal Pete’s
1530 16th St. # 101
Denver, CO
Phone: (303) 623-2169

· Jack & Grill
2524 Federal Blvd
Denver, CO
Phone: (303) 964-9544

· Paramount Café
501 16th StDenver, CO 80202Phone: (303) 893-2000

Why hello there....are you ready for some supercallifragileixpiallidocious blogging abilities!

Hmmm...blogging...interesting concept. Never have I ever done this before. This will be an experiance for both the reader(s) and myself.



These are my expectations for my audience...be prepared for some wicked blogging action.

My expectations for myself in bloggin' are the following:

• Late night/early morning blog sessions (possible overly caffienated sessions)


• New words that have not even been heard of before (I plan on copywriting them to hopefully gain some extra coin in my pockets, after all I am a business major)


• To provide my audience an adventure of words that stimulate not only the mind, but also stir the soul.


• Guranteeing mispelled words and grammatical errors (Especially during my late night blogging pow-wows). We will test the spell checker on this blog program to see if it works correctly.


• Try to be entertaining, maybe some games, or some jokes, but I am sure to gain insight from my audience.


• and more to come as I see fit.

Now that these standards have been set we can move forward into the 1st entry.

SO, for the some insight into the 1st Project...the SMART MEAL CHALLENGE...

TEAM 5280 CLOSERS WON

That pretty much sums it all up...bu tof course, I am kidding.

Our formiddable foe, AKA the competition, AKA the A-TEAM, posed some threats, but we overcame them like the Spartans defeating the Persians at Thermopylae (that is a possible spelling error, IT HAS BEGUN!). We did however manage to keep our shirts on and not throw spears at the A-Team in our victory. We used our super-human brain power instead and our ridiculously good looking looks to win.

This challenge was very time consuming. I think my teammates and I logged about 140 hours of work into the project over the 3 weeks. Yeah, it was a fulltime job, but the experiances we gained were great, plus we were promoting an awesome program.

The Smart Meal Program is an awesome health intiative that helps consumers in selecting helathy meals while dining out. This is a Colorado based program that is aimed at reducing obesity and the overweight. I personally have many experiances from this 1st challenge, but I will tell you all about that in a later blog when I am not so sleepy and having to go to class in 5 hours. I need my beauty sleep people.

Till then, Cheers!