Columbia City Hall has earned LEED Gold certification, the highest award for buildings using “green” materials. “The architects, engineers and entire Public Works staff, from the director to the custodial staff, should be acknowledged for their dedication to achieving LEED Gold,” Barbara Buffaloe, the city’s sustainability manager, stated in a news release. Chiodini Associates was the architect for City Hall, and William Tao & Associates provided engineering. The building uses 27 percent less energy and 43 percent less water than a typical commercial building.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced awards of $30 million to public housing authorities in Missouri. Columbia receives $907,122; with Jefferson City getting $441, 297; Fayette, $56,375; Fulton, $225,584; Mexico, $278,749; and Moberly, $343,179. The funds will allow communities to make major, large-scale improvements to their public housing units. Funds can be used to make improvements such as new roofs and to make energy-efficient upgrades to replace old plumbing and electrical systems.
The National Churchill Museum on the campus of Westminster College in Fulton will host its first “Night at the Museum” on Aug. 5 and give children ages 6 to 12 an opportunity to spend a sleepover in the museum from 7 p.m. Friday until 9 a.m. Saturday. The evening includes hands-on programs, a ghost hunt in the Church of St. Mary and a movie in the World War II theater room. Cost is $25. For more information, contact Mandy Plybon at (573) 592-6242 or email her at mandy.plybon@churchillmemorial.org.
Thoughts of snow might be distant during the summer heat, but Santa Claus will make his 20th annual appearance at the Voluntary Action Center’s Christmas in July picnic July 28. The festivities will be 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Missouri United Methodist Church, 204 S. Ninth St. Boone County National Bank sponsors the event, which offers 350 to 400 low-income people a summer meal and a visit from Santa, who distributes toys to the children in attendance. A supporting ticket donation is $10, or $75 for 10 tickets. For each tax-deductible ticket purchased, the donor’s name will be entered in a drawing for prizes and will provide a place at the Christmas in July picnic for a child or adult in need. This year’s grand prize is a 2011-2012 season Columbia Entertainment Company pass for two. VAC’s goal is to raise $15,000.