Fountain Valley News - Your Hometown Community Newspaper

Good day, I hope all are well and enjoying the cooler weather this week. I'm also praying that this current front brings critically needed moisture to our region. I want to lead off today's column by thanking all our partners, starting off with the Peyton Fire Department, on their success in containing the Birdseye Fire this past weekend. Also, there are a couple of events of interest for the public, including an opportunity to improve your personal cyber security as well as learn more about the region's vision for arts over the next decade.

First and most importantly, thanks to all our fire departments and first responders for their outstanding efforts in containing the Birdseye Fire north of Peyton this past weekend. The El Paso County Sheriff's Department and its wildland Fire Division, the Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management, multiple Counties and the State Patrol, the Humane Society, and so many others were instrumental in combating the fire and taking care of our community. Awesome job, and you are greatly appreciated!

Also, on Tuesday, October 19, the National Cybersecurity Center (NCC) and Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center will join forces with the Cybersecurity Leaders Roundtable to bring the community Cybersecurity Day. Cyberattacks have been ranked the fifth top rated risk in 2020 and become the new normal across public and private sectors. The World Economic Forum's 2020 Global Risk Report states that the rate of detection is as low as .05% in the US. Cybercrime, which includes everything from theft and/or embezzlement to data hacking, is up 600% as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both private and public sectors have had to embrace thoughtful cybersecurity solutions as a result of data hacking, and that includes promoting better cyber awareness in our homes according to Forrest Senti, VP of Programs and Operations, NCC. So, on the 19th, from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. residents are encouraged to register and stop by the NCC located at 3650 N. Nevada Ave, to have one of their personal devices checked for security breaches. The public can sign up for a twenty-minute time slot in the link below and education/support will be provided. Light refreshments and educational items will also be available. You can register for the event at: https://bit.ly/cscyberday.

Finally, the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region and the Bee Vradenburg Foundation are proud to announce Arts Vision 2030, their new 10-year cultural plan for the Pikes Peak region. Arts Vision 2030 is being released as one of the finale events of Arts Month 2021. Join them for this celebratory moment for the creative community and its diverse partners and be one of the first to experience the new vision for our region's exciting decade ahead! More information about the Arts Vision 2030 project can be found at http://www.ArtsVision2030.com, including a full listing of the people, partners, and sponsors who made it possible. Enjoy a great week, everyone.