🌱 Ebike Ownership + Public Health Board Update + Worst Parking Lot

Hello there, Grand Junction! Today’s Towel Day, which coincides with Geek Pride Day; did you know that fans of late author Douglas Adams created Towel Day in 2001 as a tribute, while Geek Pride Day memorialized the “Star Wars” premiere in 1977? I'm here to get you caught up on what's going on around town. Today you'll learn about these stories and more...

• 🛹 A skatepark overhaul.
• 😠 Gift card scams.
• 🚘 The worst parking lot.

💗 Please help us grow! Send a friend or neighbor this link, so they can be in the know, like you!

🌤️ But first, today's weather: Partly sunny. High: 86 Low: 57.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Around Grand Junction

• Sam’s Club at 1040 Independent Ave., $3.04
• City Market at 2770 US-50, $3.13
• Exxon at 722 Horizon Drive, $3.14

🦸 Superpower Poll!
A 2018 survey found that Americans would love to have the superpower of healing others. If we take this one off the table, which superpower would you love to have? So far, 33.3 percent chose the ability to time travel, while 11.1 percent each picked the ability to become invisible, fly, teleport, select lotteries and give money away, read minds, or have superhuman strength.

📰 Here are the top stories today in Grand Junction:

1. Would you participate in an “Ebike to Work Ownership Program?” The city is thinking you will and wants to put a $134,000 grant from the Colorado Energy Office to work. Of course, there’s a catch. The program only supports 40 neighbors. And officials will only honor applications from employees or residents in the “Horizon Drive Business Improvement District or the Downtown Development Authority Boundary.” If this is you, apply now! (Western Slope Now)
2. Public Health Board update: The board has three new members. However, these “appointments are only temporary.” So, for right now, you have Dr. Michael White, Mona Highline, and Victor Yahn. They will fill the positions until the Mesa County commissioners can go through a proper application process. (Grand Junction Sentinel/paywall)
3. The Long Family Memorial Park Skatepark is getting a complete do-over. Initially built in 2008, the county intends to spend $249,900 to completely rebuild the venue. Look for dismantling of current ramps in the late summer. Then come “contemporary standards and design, providing an engaging and safe environment for skateboard enthusiasts.” A reopening date should be in the late fall. (Mesa County)
4. The Grand Junction Police Department warns neighbors to beware of gift card scams. Those are the ones that have fraudsters call you claiming to be from the IRS, the police, or the utilities. They claim you owe money and the only way to pay is with gift cards. This is a scam! “Do not use a gift card to pay: the IRS or Social Security, tech support, a family member in trouble, to avoid arrest, a member of the military, or to keep your utilities on.” (Grand Junction Police Department)
5. Are Grand Junction’s parking lots in as bad a shape as Los Angeles streets? Apparently so. Neighbors voted for the worst parking lots, and the results are in. Reportedly, “the Home Depot, Walmart, Chick-fil-A, and Lowes parking lot is the ninth circle of hell.” (Kool 107.9 FM)

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📆 Today in Grand Junction:

• On The Hook Fish and Chips sets up at Tractor Supply (11 AM)
• Talk to a Mesa County Employment Specialist at the Community Food Bank (12:30 PM)
• The ILL NIÑO 20th anniversary tour plays at the Mesa Theater (6 PM)
• Ladies 35+ Boozy Bookclub meets at Highlands Distillery (6 PM)
• Drew Parker plays at the Warehouse2565 (7 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "The GJPD strives to build positive community relations. Here's Officer H. Wilson stepping out of her patrol vehicle to visit with a future GJPD Officer! Thank you for taking care of us, Grand Junction, and thank you for giving us the opportunity to take care of you." (Grand Junction PD)
• "Our Chief Academic Officer & I got to hang out at Monument Ridge Elementary today for their end of school year celebration, complete with dancing and bubbles! Thanks to Principal Larsen & the MRES students & staff for a fun way to end the school year in District 51!" (Dr. Brian Hill)
• "Many Mesa County offices will be closed Monday, May 29, in observance of Memorial Day." (Mesa County Colorado)
• "The St. Mary's GJ's team visited the CMU St. Mary's Medical Education Center today, unveiling the latest Virtual Reality tech & its impact on healthcare education. Thanks for stopping by!" (Colorado Mesa University)
• "All library locations will be closed May 27, 28, 29 for Memorial Day Weekend." (Mesa County Libraries)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday! See you Saturday for your next update.

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Christ follower. Wife. Book dragon. Proud supporter of the Oxford comma.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Grand Junction Patch newsletter? Contact me at grandjunction-co@patch.com