December 31, 2015
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J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
2015: YEAR OF DEVELOPMENT
Unique bond
A 10-year-old boy copes with his medical condition with help from an unlikely fourlegged friend on PAGE 11.
By Crystal Anderson canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Looking back at Jeffco in 2015
Over the past year, Arvada thrived as the city saw many major developments. From continued construction on the Gold Line, to the creation of two new schools and a little heat in the race for city council, 2015 saw them all. Here are our top 10 stories of the year in no particular order.
Jefferson County produced some forward-looking news in 2015, deciding on ways to improve the county fair and approving a tax increase to support the library. As the news continues into the New Year, here are some of the hot topics that began in 2015.
Scenes like this — classes of 35 to 36 sixth-graders fit snugly, four to a table, inside temporary buildings — have become a common site at West Woods and Meiklejohn elementary schools in Arvada where student populations officially passed the 100 percent capacity mark this year. Photo by Crystal Anderson
Arvada’s top 10 stories from the past year
Gold Line approaching the station Construction on the Gold Line Commuter Rail Stations continued in 2015. Arvada’s three sites — the Sheridan Strike Station, the Olde Town Transit Hub and the Arvada Ridge Station — all are in the middle of construction and are expected to finish in 2016. Overhead wires have been powered up and soon trains will begin to be tested up and down the line. The Olde Town Transit Hub parking garage is under construction and it, too, is scheduled to finish on time for the October opening date. Banning of e-cigarettes The Arvada City Council passed an ordinance banning the use of vaping devices and electronic smoking devices, such as e-cigarettes, in public places, with the exception of tasting in vapor stores.
By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Sari Isaak, vaper and associate at Elements of Vapor, samples one of the cereal flavors at its flavor bar while explaining the various types of vaping devices. Photo by Crystal Anderson Contention in city council election In a major election year for the city, three citizens from the group Arvada for All the People joined the races for mayor and city council. Seeking an open, transparent government that prioritizes community input, and was critical of the city’s current economic development policies, Dave Chandler, Dave Palm and Carl Campanella made a public stance against the current 2015 continues on Page 14
The losing 2015 mayoral candidate Dave Chandler ran as a reform candidate, pledging to do away with what he alleged to be entrenched cronyism. File photo
Over the past year, Arvada thrived as the city saw many major developments. From continued construction on the Gold Line, to the creation of two new schools and a little heat in the race for city council, 2015 saw them all.
Changeup with county commissioners It was an unusually busy year for Jeffco commissioners. Republican Libby Szabo of Arvada was sworn in to serve as Jefferson County commissioner for District 1 on Jan. 30. The seat was left vacant when Faye Griffin, who was elected to serve a four-year term in 2012, won the 2014 election for Jeffco clerk and recorder. Szabo was MORE INSIDE serving her Read about the imthird term as pact of the school state represenboard shakeup on tative for House Page 6. District 27 when she was chosen for the three-member board of county commissioners, and according to E.V. Leyendecker, chairman for the Jeffco GOP, the Jefferson County Commissioner Vacancy Committee voted for her unanimously. Lang Sias was selected to take the state representative seat previously held by Szabo on Jan. 31. In other county commissioner news this year, Donald Rosier publicly announced on Dec. 10 that he is running for the state Senate seat held by Democratic incumbent Michael Bennet. Rosier entered local politics in 2010 after beating incumbent Democrat Kathy Hartman as county commissioner for Jeffco’s District 3 in the election. He won re-election in 2014. Jeffco continues on Page 14
2 Arvada Press
December 31, 2015
FACES AMONG US
HELLO
... My Name Is
Escape Room: Arvada company teaches teamwork
A glimpse of the people in our community
SCOTT SPEARS
Unique business forces customers to figure way out of room
Business owner is ‘entrepreneur of fun’
By Clarke Reader creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com
About me For me, well, it’s all about having fun! I am a native Arvadan. I was born and raised here and I grew up in The Pond area off 88th and Kipling. I graduated from Pomona and left to go to University of Colorado-Boulder, where I studied communication. Throughout that time, I worked in bars and restaurants where I learned a lot about life and how to manage a business. Birth of a business Following college, I moved to Superior where I stayed for five years working in residential real estate, a trade my family does all over the country. But for me, I was doing real estate at the worst possible time, during the recession. So, while sitting at the bank in Olde Town with my mom, we decided to invest in the building at 7523 Grandview Ave. When we bought it, nine years ago, we didn’t really know what it was going to be, but after talking with the residents and merchants in Olde Town, and through a candy bin purchase on Craigslist, Scrumptious was born. Sugary success The candy store was something I never expected to do, but it is fun. I owe most of the credit to this first location to my wife and parents; they helped build it and they’re the ones who have been behind me support-
There are many different approaches to building teamwork, but there’s nothing like adding a little pressure to intensify the proceedings. Arvada’s first escape room, Conundrum Escape Room, offers a chance for colleagues, teams, couples and families to improve their communication while solving a mystery. Conundrum Escape Room The room, which WHERE: 9225 W. 58th Ave. opened just under three weeks ago at HOURS: Thursday - Friday: 9255 W. 58th Ave., was 3:30 - 9 p.m. created and is run by Saturday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Luke Taylor and Kurt Allison. Sunday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. “We wanted to COST: $25 create a place where RESERVATIONS: www. people — whether on conundrumescaperooms. a corporate teamcom building event or date night — can get immersed in a story,” Taylor said. “We currently have one scenario, but we’re working on two new ones for customers.” An escape room is exactly what it sounds like — a room full of puzzles and mysteries that people are locked into and from which they must escape. In the case of Conundrum, guests have an hour to figure their way out. The story Allison and Taylor concocted casts guests as a video documentary crew attempting to infiltrate a cult. Guests go undercover as initiates, but the videographers are captured and must escape the cult’s clutches. “We went to a couple of these rooms around town,
IF YOU GO
Scott has fun with his wife, Lisa, and their son, Jett, at the pumpkin patch this fall. Photo courtesy of Scott Spears ing me all along. It’s a lot of fun, we’ve built it to be not only a candy store, but an ice cream shop because, well, making ice cream is kind of like bartending except with sugar. We opened our second location in Longmont a little over two years ago with great success while I was looking to buy the old DiCicco’s building in Olde Town. Which, a few months later, I did. Always learning We opened Schoolhouse Kitchen and Libations, 5660 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., in February of this year, and well, we didn’t know we would be this busy. For the first six months we always had a wait, and that’s something we didn’t expect. We’ve been working on getting the kinks out and caught up. I think now we’re to that point, but
we’re always learning something. And that’s thanks in large part to my staff. They’re great and like family to me. All about fun I guess you would say I’m an entrepreneur of fun. I own three businesses in the Arvada and Longmont areas and I love it. I am always looking to do new things and keep growing. As a family, my wife Lisa and my son, Jett, and I really just have fun. They are so rad. We’re huge CU fans and go all out at home games — we even have a bronze buffalo in our front yard. I may be busy, but it’s fun, and that’s what it’s all about, having fun all the time. If you have suggestions for My Name Is..., contact Crystal Anderson at canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com.
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December 31, 2015
Escape Continued from Page 2
and some were excellent, and some were just OK,” Allison said. “And we thought we could do better. We built a prototype in a garage to work the plan out, and started building here in October.” Allison and Taylor built the room from scratch, using materi-
als easily available from places like Amazon, Hobby Lobby and Home Depot. They said their approach was creating a puzzle that was durable and long-lasting. “The key to the room is that people need to look at everything, everywhere,” Allison said. “We can provide clues if necessary, because we really want people to move through the room. The further along they get, the more fun it becomes.”
So far, the fastest group has escaped the room in 45 minutes. The minimum number of participants is two and can go as high as eight. The room is designed for ages 12 and older, and is all about interaction. “We’ve seen a lot of families come through for birthdays and holiday events,” Taylor said. “It’s a unique, fun activity that takes us out of the digital world and into the real one.”
‘We can provide clues if necessary, because we really want people to move through the room.’ Kurt Allison, Conundrum Escape Room co-creator
ARVADA NEWS IN A HURRY Christmas Eve fire leaves family without home or dog For two Arvada residents, it was a very un-merry Christmas this year, as a fire claimed the life of a pet, and rendered their house unlivable. Around 9 a.m. on Dec. 24, Arvada Fire received multiple calls of smoke billowing from a residence in the 7400 block of Teller Street. Firefighters on the scene encountered two residents, who say they fled the burning house without injury. A dog at the residence was not so lucky. Firefighters controlled the blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation still, but Arvada Fire PIO Amber Jones said the cause is believed to
LIF E IS A BOU T
be accidental. Jones said the two Arvada residents were put in contact with the Red Cross to provide immediate assistance and shelter to the couple, as the house had sustained significant smoke and water damage.
Gunpoint robbery near Olde Town Police were seeking an armed robber last week, after he held a convenience store clerk at gunpoint and demanded money. The robbery occurred Dec. 23, at the 7-11 at the corner of Wadsworth Boulevard and Ralston Road. No more information was immediately available.
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Lobbying by Realtor Associations Serves All Agents, But Also America’s Homeowners Last week we had an excellent example of to protect the interests of America’s homeowners our Realtor dues at work. There was a strong — and their own careers. possibility that the new highway funding bill in When you see or hear an advertisement Congress would have robbed a cruREAL ESTATE urging you to “make sure your agent cial housing finance fund to pay for is a Realtor,” this is what it’s about. TODAY our nation’s highways. By the way, NAR’s efforts to proIf it weren’t for the lobbying tect your interests and, consequently, efforts of the National Association of the interests of its members are not Realtors — funded by Realtor dues limited to the national level. Just as — there’s a good chance that they much money is spent lobbying our would have gotten away with it. state legislators, funded by the porThe “Fixing America’s Surface tion of Realtor dues that goes to state Transportation Act” (FAST Act) had and local associations. We are reprea provision in the Senate-passed sented by Realtor lobbyists here in version that would have used the Colorado, not only before the Genloan guarantee fees (“G-Fees”) of By JIM SMITH, eral Assembly, but also before the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as a Colorado Real Estate Commission. Realtor® funding source, but the provision Especially in an era when state was removed in conference committee, preserv- and local legislators are term-limited, our elected ing an important pillar of our nation’s housing officials need lobbyists like ours to educate them finance system, in which 90% of all home loans about important real estate issues. An example are guaranteed by the government. of this is the highly partisan battle over construcThis was only the most dramatic example of tion defects legislation. Current state law makes the power of NAR’s lobbying and its ability to it possible for any condo board — without conmobilize its members — the nation’s 1.1 million sulting its membership — to sue the builder and dues-paying Realtors — to educate lawmakers developer for construction defects. The threat of on issues that are important not only to our insuch litigation — which has cost builders and dustry but to you, America’s homeowners. their insurance companies millions — has been Another recurring threat is the elimination of a key factor in bringing condo construction to a the home mortgage tax deduction. Imagine the virtual halt (except for the higher end) in Coloraeffect if this tax deduction were eliminated. It do. That’s why all that multi-family construction would have a disastrous impact on our nation’s we’re seeing in our state is rental apartments economy, not just on homeowners. It is NAR instead of condos for purchase. which keeps the pressure on Congress not to kill The battle for construction defects reform is that deduction. highly partisan, and our legislators need help With so many dues-paying members, NAR is separating rhetoric from facts. Republicans want a powerful lobbying force in Washington, second to make it virtually impossible to sue a builder, only perhaps to the National Rifle Association. while Democrats understandably want to protect Yet there are another million licensed real estate buyers of condos from shoddy construction. My agents who have not joined their local Realtor position is that condo associations should be association and thereby the National Association able to sue, but only after a majority vote of conof Realtors. These agents shouldn’t refer to do owners who show up at a membership meetthemselves as “Realtors,” which is a trademark, ing. This year’s failed legislation said the vote commonly misused as a synonym for “agent.” had to be by a majority of all condo owners, These non-Realtors either can’t or don’t want which is an impossibly high bar, since most conto “pay their dues” — literally and figuratively — do associations struggle to get a simple quorum
at their annual membership meetings. On the state level, term limits have had the unintended consequence of making lobbyists more powerful but also more essential. By the time a legislator becomes truly knowledgeable about such complicated issues as construction defects, he or she has to leave office. That’s why well-intentioned and non-partisan lobbyists like ours play such a crucial role. And our Realtor dues make that possible. Why would a licensed real estate agent not want to be a Realtor? While there may be some agents who don’t want to join NAR for ideological reasons (which makes little sense to me), for most agents I suspect it’s a financial decision. Selling real estate is not a high-paying profession except for the 10 to 20 percent who are top producers. A statistically significant percentage of agents — I’ve heard estimates as high as 30% — go an entire year without a commission check. For those agents, paying $500 per year to support NAR and its state and local Realtor associations is simply not in the cards. Remember, agents also have to purchase errors and omissions insurance ($200-300 per year), pay for license renewal every few years, pay MLS fees (over $400 per year), and renew their contract software annually (over $200 per year), not to mention car, phone and other costs. When you’re doing zero to one transactions per year, every dollar hurts! Realtor association rules dictate that every agent in a Realtor firm must join the Realtor association, and if the agent doesn’t pay, the Realtor association bills the broker for their dues. As a result, non-Realtor brokerages have been growing in numbers — often as spin-offs of Real-
tor brokerages — and use their dues-free status to recruit financially distressed agents. NAR and CAR (the Colorado Association of Realtors) say in their advertisements that you should ask if your agent is a Realtor because only Realtors subscribe to the Realtor Code of Ethics, but I think buyers and especially sellers should ask if their agent is a Realtor for a simpler reason — you want an agent who is successful enough not to scrimp on expenses. If you list your home with an agent who can not afford to pay Realtor dues, how much do you think he or she will spend marketing your home? Quite possibly, that listing agent will do little more than put your home on the MLS with point-and-shoot photographs and wait for other agents to bring a buyer. That ends up giving the rest of us agents, including Realtors, a bad image. Statistics show that Realtors are far more successful that non-Realtors. For example, the 290 Realtor agents at HomeSmart Realty Group averaged 2.1 sold listings per agent this year (through last week). The 248 non-Realtor agents at its sister brokerage, HomeSmart Realty Group of Colorado, averaged 1.2 sold listings per agent. The 355 Realtor agents at Brokers Guild Cherry Creek Ltd. averaged 2.6 sold listings per agent while the 405 non-Realtor agents at Brokers Guild Classic averaged 1.2 sold listings per agent. The 293 Realtor agents at Your Castle Real Estate, Inc. averaged 4.2 sold listings per agent, but the 189 non-Realtor agents at Your Castle Services have averaged only 1.1 sold listings — hardly a living wage. Golden Real Estate’s nine Realtor agents averaged 5.8 sold listings in 2015, plus an equal number of closings representing buyers.
Jim Smith Broker/Owner
Golden Real Estate, Inc. DIRECT: 303-525-1851
EMAIL: Jim@GoldenRealEstate.com 17695 South Golden Road, Golden 80401 WEBSITE: www.GoldenRealEstate.com
4 Arvada Press
December 31, 2015
Snow can’t slow down donation-toting cyclists Wheat Ridge Cyclery brings more than 500 pounds of food to the needy By Andrea W. Doray Special to Colorado Community Media None of Wheat Ridge Cyclery’s employees are named Dasher, or Dancer, or Prancer, or Vixen. But 18 of them did load up “sleighs” full of warm clothes, food and toys, and took off — on bicycles — over snow-covered streets to deliver them to the Denver Rescue Mission warehouse. “Part of our mission here at Wheat Ridge Cyclery is to give back,” said Jeremy Jancovic, who coordinated the project, which ended with the biked-in donation run on Dec. 18. “We wanted to do something for the holidays, so we began collecting donations about three weeks before Thanksgiving.” Through a combination of in-store displays, customer outreach and social media posts, employees at the store amassed more than 500 pounds of food and gifts. The idea to donate goods to the Denver Rescue Mission came from Wheat Ridge Cyclery’s marketing director, Gil McCormick, Jancovic said. “This year, just our employees built and delivered the sleighs. In the future, we hope to push this event out to the larger cycling community.” The two sleighs themselves were actually bicycle trailers outfitted with festive cutouts on the sides. Each sleigh was so heavy “it’s like dragging a car tire behind you on a bicycle,” Jancovic said. Other riders wore packs filled with donations, or carried them in panniers on their bikes. Steve Acuna, in creative productions for Wheat Ridge Cyclery, said that although the weather was a balmy 48 degrees, the amount of snow on the streets presented a challenge for the two sleigh drivers and seven other riders. “It’s 11 miles from the shop to the Denver Rescue Mission warehouse on 39th Avenue, and it took us a little over an hour to get there,” he said. “The roads were really snow-packed, so we rode a mix of
Employees of Wheat Ridge Cyclery load up some of the more than 500 pounds of donations they collected into bicycle “sleighs” for delivery to the Denver Rescue Mission. Photo by Andrea Doray mountain bikes and fat bikes. Things got pretty sloppy on some streets that had not been plowed.” People the riders encountered along the way waved and cheered them on, Acuna said. “And our delivery was well received at the Mission — people were excited to see us.” Alexxa Gagner, director of public relations for the Denver Rescue Mission, said the organization appreciated the donations — and the unique way they were delivered. “When I heard they were coming on bicycles, I thought it was especially fitting,” said Gagner. “We are very grateful that Wheat Ridge Cyclery reached out to their customers and donated to the Denver Rescue Mission on their behalf.” Like Jancovic, Acuna said the event represented the company’s core values. “It’s important for us to participate with our community,” Acuna said. “Our sleigh ride was fun. It involved bicycles, and it helped others. What could be better?”
Employees of Wheat Ridge Cyclery – including two “sleigh” drivers – depart their shop on Dec. 18 to deliver more than 500 pounds of donated goods 11 miles away at the Denver Rescue Mission. Photo by Steve Acuna
Arvada Press 5
December 31, 2015
Family Tree’s next-gen leaders get involved By Clarke Reader creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com The next generation of victims’ advocates at Family Tree have been announced as part of the Next Gen Council. The 17-member council is made up of community members from the seven-county Denver-metro region, and features Arvada Wilmot residents Gillian McCarron, Jillian Hrniceck and Kami Welch, Golden resident Tiphanie Birmingham, and Lakewood residents Leah Core, Johnathan Wilms, Shauna Blackledge and Jaclyn Wilmot. “The council is for Wilms up-and-coming leaders who are passionate about Family Tree’s mission,” said Wilmot, director of volunteer services at the organization. “We want to engage and educate these leaders on how to make the biggest impact.” Core The group of young professionals is focused on driving awareness about child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, homelessness and cultivating philanthropic skills in leadership and board member Blackledge governance. Members serve a two-year term. The first meeting of the board will be in January at which council members will decide on an agenda for the year. “This will be a great opportunity to learn from each other,” Wilmot said. “The first meeting is where we’ll determine the direction and goals we want to achieve.”
MEET JACLYN WILMOT
MEET JON WILMS
Occupation: Director of Volunteer Services, Family Tree
Occupation: Banking Officer for FirstBank
Why did you want to get involved at Family Tree?
Why did you want to get involved at Family Tree?
I applied for the position because of the mission. Helping people in my community with basic needs is important to me. Six years ago, when I interviewed for this position and was starting a family myself, I was excited to be a part of team that helped families. That passion and motivation has only grown since then.
I wanted to get involved with Family Tree because the issues that Family Tree helps fight in the community were relevant in my childhood. Although I was not personally involved in homelessness, child abuse or domestic violence, I was directly affected by it due to various friends I had growing up that were impacted greatly by one or more of the issues previously stated. Therefore, when the opportunity to join up with Family Tree came about, it was something that intrigued me greatly because I could have an impact in improving the issues that I felt I was powerless against as a child.
What issues would you like to tackle while at Family Tree? My primary roles and interests are engaging talented people who want to drive Family Tree’s mission, and raising vital funds to continue providing services for people overcoming domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and homelessness. Most recently, I have learned that many people have misperceptions about these issues, and it is my goal to help change those with anyone I meet.
What issues would you like to tackle while at Family Tree? I feel the main issue that I would like to help tackle is homelessness. Aside from water and food, shelter is a basic need for human life and, for me, this is something that is the ultimate sign of instability. So I feel that being able to help provide stability to a family or individual can start to help tackle other issues.
MEET SHAUNA BLACKLEDGE MEET LEAH CORE
Occupation: Pricing Specialist / Accounting Generalist at Gunslinger Custom Paint (a Tier I vendor to Harley-Davidson)
Occupation: Business Continuity Professional
Why did you want to get involved at Family Tree?
Why did you want to get involved at Family Tree? To become more involved in local issues and resources. What issues would you like to tackle while at Family Tree? Cannot currently answer this since I’m not certain of our scope, but at a high level I would like to help support Family Tree in their mission, vision, as well as increasing awareness and education about domestic violence, homelessness and what actions Lakewood residents can do to reduce those statistics in their area and support the Family Tree.
From a very early age, my family instilled a desire to better the community around me. I have been in Denver for a few years and was looking for an organization that I could be a part of to give back to my new community. What really drew me in to Family Tree is that they pair all of their services with education. Knowledge is such a fundamental part of actually improving people’s lives and it was one of the main reasons I decided to dedicate my time to this organization. I really wanted to help kids, so I began tutoring at the House of Hope Shelter this fall. I work with kids on a weekly basis, assisting with their homework and sharing my passion for education with them. I am expanding my involvement with Family Tree through their young professionals group, Next Gen. I’m really excited to network with other young professionals who share the same values and work together to make a positive impact in our community. What issues would you like to tackle while at Family Tree? I want to empower children and their parents to pave the futures they desire and deserve. I want to be a mentor and role model to inspire people to work for a brighter tomorrow. I think getting individuals in programs that build their knowledge-base, skill set and confidence is the key to them bettering their lives and the lives of those around them. Diminishing homelessness and domestic violence are the roots of Family Tree, but it’s giving individuals the tools to solve the problem, rather than a handout.
Man with Parkinson’s pushes for right-to-die law Proposed ballot measure faces uphill battle By Ivan Moreno Associated Press Lance Wright is a meticulous planner: He has a line ready for when his hands shake during work presentations, and for his life’s final days, an audacious plan to let people with incurable illnesses choose when they die. The 63-year-old energy efficiency consultant and Parkinson’s disease patient is trying to do what many better-funded and organized activists cannot: Get language on the 2016 Colorado ballot that would give him and others the right to seek assistance from doctors to die — and then convince voters to approve it as a constitutional amendment. Wright has long supported the idea that people should have the right to end their own lives, closely following the 1994 Oregon debate that led to the nation’s initial right-to-die law. But when the first symptoms of Parkinson’s disease appeared 12 years ago, his interest became personal. “A battleship off the coast will focus your attention,” he said. Wright’s proposal goes further than what lawmakers and advocates of the “right-to-die” movement want because a patient doesn’t have to be months away from dying, and patients don’t have to administer life-ending drugs on their own. So there’s already opposition to Wright’s effort, and since he has no organization to help with the time and money needed for the expensive task of signature-gathering, he is taking a major political long shot. But he’s used to long shots. He unsuccessfully ran as a Democrat against former Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo when that suburban Denver dis-
trict was GOP country in 2002. Last year, he collected 22 votes as a write-in candidate for a Denver statehouse district. He’ll have to do that without the support of Compassion and Choices, a national group advocating for right-to-die laws. The group opposes Wright’s plan because doctors can inject patients with the fatal drugs. “We just think that it’s a little bit too dangerous, quite honestly,” said Roland Halpern, a Denver-based spokesman for the group, which wants laws requiring patients to take the drugs on their own to ensure it is what they want. State lawmakers pursuing the idea do not back Wright’s plan, either, largely because the ballot language does not include the “terminally ill.” “I don’t think (the proposal) uses the word `euthanasia,’ but it seems to provide for euthanasia, which we do not advocate,” said Democratic Rep. Lois Court of Denver, who is sponsoring end-of-life legislation specifying that a patient be certified as terminally ill, have formally requested life-ending drugs several times, and self-administer those drugs, among other conditions. Wright argues some like him may not be able to take that medication on their own. And people in similar circumstance may not qualify for what lawmakers are proposing. An Alzheimer’s patient may lose the ability to take care of himself but still not be considered terminal, for example. Halpern’s group has supported attempts to pass right-to-die bills in other states, including California, where Gov. Jerry Brown signed a measure into law in October. Other states where doctors can prescribe life-ending drugs for the terminally ill are Oregon, Washington, Vermont and Montana.
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6 Arvada Press
December 31, 2015
Reflection reveals contentious year at Jeffco schools Battles waged and change wrought in 2015
contract ahead of the June expiration. A record year for turnover In late spring, turnover numbers for the county were announced, showing 710 of the district’s 4, 830 teachers left their jobs in the 2013-2014 school year — the highest rate the district has seen in the past eight years. The 14.7 percent, although lower than the state average (16.6 percent), was caused by several factors, including life decisions related to homes and spousal careers, career advancement and a contentious district climate. However, parents and teachers who favored recalling the board viewed this figure as one of the telling signs that the district’s climate needed a change. Turnover numbers for the 2014-2015 school year have yet to be released.
By Crystal Anderson canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com To say 2015 was a tumultuous year would be an understatement. Teachers, district staff, unions, students, parents and national organizations all played a role in multiple battles this year. Topics of contention included teacher contracts, compensation, turnover, curriculum, school facilities, and more. But what the year boiled down to was control of the school board. And this year’s election saw all five seats in play, thanks to two incumbents choosing not to run again, and the other three — majority members Ken Witt, Julie Williams and John Newkirk — faced a recall election. It was a bumpy ride, but below are the top five news stories of 2015 from the Jeffco School District: Ushering in a new era In November, after two years of policy changes and contentious actions by the board majority of Ken Witt, Julie Williams and John Newkirk, an entirely new five-member board was elected when minority members Lesley Dahlkemper and Jill Fellman announced that they would not seek re-election. The new board, consisting of board president, Ron Mitchell, vice-president, Ali Lasell, second vice-president Susan Harmon, secretary Amanda Stevens and treasurer Brad Rupert, was elected by the more than 46 percent of Jefferson County’s 399,918 registered voters who turned out for the election. More than 64 percent of those who cast ballots voted to recall the Witt, Williams and Newkirk, a significant shift in voter perception from just two years earlier. Ready to recall Fed up with the direction of the
The “Clean Slate” — Ron Mitchell, Ali Lasell, Susan Harmon, Amanda Stevens and Brad Rupert — swept the Jeffco school board election, pushing the 2013 elected majority from power. File photo former board majority, parents and community members across the county gathered in record numbers to recall them from office. Led by the citizen group Jeffco United for Action, formed by parents Tina Gurdikian and Wendy McCord, the organization began seeking a recall in July with the blessing of the teachers’ union. Organizers hit the ground with petitions, hosting a kickoff party at the Jeffco Fairgrounds, knocking on doors and hosting signature collection sites up and down Wadsworth Boulevard. Within three weeks, the group had collected more than 30,000 signatures in support of the recall, a number double that required by law. Teachers’ contract negotiations Beginning in March, the district’s teachers’ union, the Jefferson County
Education Association, and a team from the district began a five-month process to negotiate a new contract. The result: a 10-month agreement that ends in June. The contract, which serves as a governing guideline for teachers, includes language about the importance of having effective educators in the classroom, retaining school-level autonomy and optimizing teacher instructional time and schedules. The 41-page document also includes terms of employment between union teachers and the district. Although the document did raise salaries for many district employees, critics said the short contract length and the relatively small size of pay increases left much to be desired. The new board of education is expected to begin discussions on how to handle the revision and renewal of the
A lack of communication Since the beginning of 2015, the district’s communication department has seen drastic change. Following the initial departure of the district’s former public information officer, Lynne Setzer, the communication team began to fall apart. Media relations specialist Melissa Reeves resigned and her colleague Marlene Desmond, the former assistant director of communications, left after being placed on administrative leave for undisclosed reasons. A new public information officer, Lisa Pinto, was hired in January, only to have her past as a conservative media pundit immediately become a target for criticism. Pinto kept the department small, relying on herself and a few individuals from the public relations firm Novitas Communications. After a few stormy months, Pinto resigned in June. In an OpEd published in The Colorado Statesman the same day as her resignation, Pinto cited the teachers’ union and “their vitriolic attacks” as the reason for her departure. Interviews have been held, but the chief communications officer position has yet to be filled.
Colorado Attorney General Cynthia H. Coffman
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December 31, 2015
Arvada Press 7
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8 Arvada Press
December 31, 2015
VOICES
N h
LOCAL
Reading is best form of escapism I love to read. I guess it’s not a big surprise that the favorite pastime of a writer would be reading what other people write. But maybe it’s a little bit of a surprise that I don’t read with a critical eye. That is to say, I like to immerse myself in a book, whether it’s a novel, or sci-fi fantasy, or a biography or history—I try to get “into” the story to feel what characters feel and really experience the story line. It’s my most active form of escapism. So, when I get to the end of a book I’ve really enjoyed—or worse, an entire series— there is always a slight feeling of sadness. Like I have to say goodbye to a good friend. My daughter, 14, is even more like that than I am. She gets fiercely protective of the characters that she likes, to the point that, if a movie adaptation gets a detail wrong, she will make it known in no uncertain terms to anybody who will listen that the movie-makers blew it. It’s pretty funny, actually. But, I know how she feels. When I get into a book, the characters become friends (or enemies), the setting becomes a homeaway-from-home, the twists of the plot become problems to solve, and the action takes on a visceral quality. That’s why it’s difficult to close the cover on a book for the last time. So, my thing is I try to get into the next book as quickly, and as thoroughly, as I can. My thinking is simply that the sooner I meet the new, the sooner I get over the old. At the
same time, I like keeping a couple books “in queu,” as a reminder that once this one is done, there are still more adventures to be had. It’s all part of a plan to keep me moving forward. Plans are great, aren’t they? A lot of people make great, big plans at this time of year—we call them resolutions. A resolution is a promise we make to ourselves to try to focus on being something better this year, as if simply rolling over the Michael Alcorn calendar is going to give us the fortitude or the HITTING discipline to make someHOME thing new happen. That’s why I’m a little leery of making New Year’s Resolutions—and why so many of them fail. But having “a plan”—that’s a little better. It doesn’t have to be sudden, it doesn’t come with the time pressure, and it is subject to constant evaluation and revision. That’s a little more life-like. In fact, sometimes plans are flexible enough to allow for multiple plans, simultaneously. When Jim McElwain was head football coach at Colorado State, he gave an inter-
view on local radio, and said that one of the processes he brought with him from Alabama was to develop overlapping 18-month “plans.” That way, there was always a “next thing,” there was constant evaluation, and there was constant movement forward. I love that idea, though I have to admit, I’m still trying to wrap my head around the whole overlapping plans. Imagine what the whiteboard looks like! But, that’s beside the point. The point is this: New’ Year’s Day is a great time to start trying to change yourself and your world. But, too often, those changes are too much like trying to reread a chapter in the last book to do it better. You won’t see the future if you’re still reading from the past. Look to the next book, the next chapter. If you want to make change, make a change! But make a plan, make two plans, exercise some foresight, have a fallback position, develop a vision for your future. Don’t put all the eggs in the basket of one narrowly tailored cosmetic goal—try to picture the characters, the setting and the events that make your next chapter worth leaping into. Happy New Year, and Godspeed! Michael Alcorn is a teacher and writer who lives in Arvada with his wife and three children. His novels are available at MichaelJAlcorn.com.
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QUESTION OF THE WEEK
What is your New Year’s resolution?
“To be a great dad to my child who will be born in March.” — Sean Ryan of Littleton
“To bike to work more often.” — Nadia Cone of Texas “To have a beautiful wedding with my lovely fiancée.” — Rob Hengel of Texas, holding Nadia’s nephew, Gavin, of Golden
“To do what I choose to do, when I choose to do it.” — Kadie Engstrom, left, of Kentucky “To reach as many children as possible, to become more connected to the workings of the earth through my artwork.” — Sue Lion of Boulder “To increase my walk with the Lord.” —Blake Gasaway of Florida, with Stella
What is Sustainable Printing? It’s the paper: Biodegradable, renewable, recycled, reusable. It’s the ink: Soy based inks are used, reused then recycled. It’s the plate: Process-free plates eliminate VOC’s and reduce water usage. It’s the press: Using cold-set presses reduces the amount of VOC’s put into the air. It’s the location: Printed locally reducing shipping and postage costs, while saving gas, emissions and time.
Arvada Press 9
December 31, 2015
No better place to call Don’t give up on home than Arvada yourself just yet The year 2015 has truly been a momentous one for the City of Arvada, and I am honored to continue as your mayor following the November elections. I am also pleased to welcome two new members to City Council — District 1 Councilmember Nancy Ford and District 4 Councilmember David Jones. Arvada remains in solid financial shape—one of only five Colorado cities with a AAA bond rating. Our conservative budget approach has allowed us to cash fund the completion of the Olde Town Transit Hub, which will open next fall in conjunction with the Gold Line commuter rail system. We were able to grant $1 million towards the 50,000-square-foot expansion of the Arvada Campus of Red Rocks Community College, recognizing the social and economic benefits of having this institution in our city. We continue to emphasize an investment in our existing infrastructure, increasing the budget for street maintenance and dedicating several new parks, which have allowed us to meet our goal of having a community park within a 10-minute walk of every Arvada neighborhood. The dream of commuter rail comes true next year, but we have been planning for the Gold Line for many years, ensuring that properties in vicinity to our three transit stations at Arvada Ridge, Olde Town and Sheridan are used effectively. For example, the current RTD Park n Ride on Wadsworth will be reborn as a mixed use development—a $60 million investment by the private sector. Two multi-family projects—Park Place in Olde Town and Solana Olde Town Station—will provide nearly 500 high-quality units within a short walking distance of the Olde Town Transit Hub.
Other exciting projects are taking shape, including Ralston Creek where a Walmart will begin construction in early 2016 on the south side of Ralston Road, and a mixed use development is planned for the north side. A 137-room Hilton Garden Inn will Marc Williams break ground shortly in the heart of Olde Town GUEST Arvada. COLUMN I am so proud of our great staff and the amazing work they do both as public servants and as volunteers in the community. The City of Arvada was the only local government among 100 employers named a 2015 Top Workplace by The Denver Post. Let’s talk about the state of the city. As you walk, bike or drive around this community, you see our parks; you dine in Olde Town, a place that a few years ago was a bit of a ghost town and which is now bustling; you attend one of our many festivals and the other wonderful things to do throughout the entire community; you see the balloons and the crowded parking lots and all the new businesses opening up. You go home to vibrant, safe, welcoming neighborhoods and see the clean streets and nicely maintained properties. I don’t need to tell you what the state of Arvada is—you experience it every day, and I know you share my belief that there is no better community to call our home. Mayor Marc Williams
Showing kids how to save Grandparent visits are great times to help children learn the importance of managing money. Young children can learn to save, donate, and spend wisely.The lifelong process of responsible personal finance can begin at a very early age.
over again. When children receive a new stash of money, supervise dropping equal amounts of money in each section. Otherwise, children quickly learn to place most of their money in the SPEND slot.
Home Bank System To make a homemade banking system, label three see-through plastic containers with SAVE, DONATE and SPEND. There is also an award winning seethrough plastic piggy bank with sections labeled SAVE, DONATE, SPEND, AND INVEST online. Search for Money Savvy piggy banks for this great gift. Grandparents can help fill the bank by bringing coins instead of treats or toys when they visit. Young children like to receive coins rather than paper money from grandparents because coins seem like more money. Unfortunately, children also like to Esther Macalady eat coins or push them inside machines to LIFELONG see what will happen LEARNING so supervise children handling money. Families can teach children to recognize and count the money. Sort pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters into piles using the proper names. Because pennies are worth “one,” they can be used to practice counting and end up with the correct value. Move each coin and count together to avoid double counting and skipping numbers. Learning to say a number each time a coin is moved or dropped in the bank is an important skill and usually takes practice. Young children can count to ten or twenty and then start
Talk About Money While the money is being counted, it’s a good time to teach young children to give to others through religious groups, charities, or the Humane Society. How do they plan to spend their money? What are they saving for? Families may want to encourage wise money use by matching the amount of money children devote to these areas. Families can make up a written piggy bank statement together and add or subtract the money in front of very young children. Take children along when you do your banking and explain what you are doing. Open an account at the bank or credit union and give them age appropriate information. They won’t like learning their money is not actually in the bank or others use their money. Let children save up for items and take the money out of their own piggy banks. They often think twice before spending their own money and watching their pile go down, a good life lesson.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Aren’t Court decisions, especially in contentious matters, both public record, and of public interest? Or are there some election related offenses that are off-limits to the general public, and if so, why? For that matter, why was Judge Spencer’s minimal fine levied only against ‘Jeffco United’ where it may never be recovered due to the group disbanding, rather than its officers/perpetrators? Russell W Haas Golden
Jeffco shell game ignored How is it that Judge Spencer’s ruling, re: the ‘Jeffco School Board Recall campaign finance shenanigans’, has not been reported by any state newspaper or TV news source? Isn’t the illegality of the the so called front-group ‘Jeffco United’s’ redirecting $90K early money to its co-conspiratorial subsidiaries to hide its origins, and Spencer’s resultant fining of it, newsworthy?
Esther Macalady is a former teacher, who lives in Golden, and participates in the Grandparents Teach Too writing group. For more quiet learning games see grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com the wnmufm. org/ podcasts and the website grandparentsteachtoo.org.
I recently moved to a new condo. I had movers transport the big stuff, and friends helped me haul items that I didn’t want jostled – lamps, artwork, my laptop and such. Among these was my Hewlett Packard printer, a workhorse that has served me well for years in my work as a writer. The box for said printer is long gone, so I set the printer into a laundry basket and placed it in the back of my vehicle for the trip. As we were unloading and carrying stuff up the outside stairs to my new place, we left the back of my SUV open. What I saw when I came back left me standing in the driveway with my mouth gaped open. The white laundry basket was out on the asphalt. So was my printer. The basket was tipped on its side, and the printer was sitting right side up, although, clearly, it had rolled … at least once. Chunks of black plastic were scattered on the ground around my open tailgate. The lid of the printer was askew and the front panel completely off. The paper tray jutted ominously at an odd angle. Aghast, I scrambled together the various pieces and carried the rest of the remains up to my office. At this point, I had two options. One, I could have gotten a new printer – they are amazingly affordable (until you have to replace the ink). But money is tight, and even with a likely tax deduction for my work, I chose instead to reassemble the thing as best I could. It worked. Literally. I reattached the front panel and straightened the paper tray, and muscled a piece of the base back into place. I first tried a photocopy and then an actual printed document from my laptop. Success. My relief must have been palpable. Although it had taken a bad tumble, my print-
er was functioning. Now, as I reflect on some of my own tumbles, I realize that I, too, can function again. Each time I have taken a proverbial fall — a less-thanideal career choice, a less-than-wise relationship choice — Andrea Doray somehow the piecALCHEMY es fit back together. Of course, most of the time, I didn’t accomplish this on my own … in fact, it was often because of the other people who didn’t give up on me when I was ready to give up on myself. In my experience, and there are 50some years of it, very few of us are without some sort of patching up. And now, as the New Year beckons with all of its potential and its promises, what’s important for me to remember is that there are options when we do tumble, when we are broken open. Because even if we feel as though we can never be whole again, we can cobble together the parts and function again. And that, often, it is the love and support of the people who believe in us that help us heal. In this season of new beginnings, it took a move, a laundry basket and a banged-upbut-beloved printer to remind me that we shouldn’t give up on ourselves just yet.
Andrea Doray is a writer who doesn’t make New Year’s resolutions, but chooses a word for the year instead. Stay tuned for 2016’s selection… Contact Andrea at a.doray@andreadoray.com.
In Loving Memory Place an Obituary for Your Loved One. Private 303-566-4100 Obituaries@ColoradoCommunityMedia.com
Funeral Homes Visit: www.memoriams.com
10 Arvada Press
LIFE
LOCAL
December 31, 2015
CULTURE FA I T H FA M I L Y FOOD HEALTH
The Mother Cabrini Shrine is home to three gardens that allow visitors a place to reflect in peace. Photo courtesy of Mother Cabrini Shrine
S
acred spaces — places for peace, reflection and spiritual communion — can be difficult to find in the highly developed Front Range. But one such place stands to the south of Lookout Mountain, north of I-70, overlooking Golden and the entire region. The Mother Cabrini Shrine has offered a respite for the weary for more than 100 years, and continues to provide spiritual clarity and solace for all visitors regardless of faith or religion. “We have thousands of visitors a year,” wrote Sister Roselle Santivasi, in an email interview. “They come mainly to pray, and we do have regulars that come often to visit us.” The shrine includes the Stone House, a 22-foot statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the convent of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as well as a grotto around the shrine’s spring, a rose quartz Sacred Heart and the 373-step stairway of prayer, which also features the Stations of the Cross. Mother Cabrini, whose given name was Francesca Cabrini, founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Italy. They were invited to the Denver area by a priest in 1902 to help serve the immigrant population and serve the community, according to information provided by Anna Dodd, the shrine’s retreat and marketing coordinator. “At the time of their arrival to Colorado, the sisters discovered that there was a need for a girls’ orphanage. They had Queen of Heaven Orphanage for girls built just outside of the then-city of Denver, where years later it would rest on Federal Boulevard,” Dodd wrote. “Mother Cabrini loved the orphans and wanted a summer home for them outside of the city, and that’s where we come in.” It took three transactions for Cabrini to acquire the 500 acres that would eventually be named in her honor. During a return visit
A place for
peace Mother Cabrini Shrine offers spiritual sanctuary By Clarke Reader | creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com in 1912, she found a natural spring on the property, commissioned the Stone House for the orphans, dedicated the hill to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and formed a rose quartz Sacred Heart of stones at the top. “Mother Cabrini wanted a summer home for the orphan girls that was away from the city and nested in the beauty of the Rocky Mountains,” Dodd wrote. “Since her death, we have developed into a place of pilgrimage and prayer in her honor and in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.” As a pilgrimage site, the shrine grew in popularity over the years, particularly during the summer through mid-fall. The orphanage was disbanded in early 1970s, which is when retreats started being offered
at the shrine, according to Shellie Marsh, gift shop manager and accountant. The shrine now offers group and hermitage retreat options. There’s a conference room for business and religious retreats and planning meetings, complete with a projector screen, podium and large conference table. The hermitage option provides retreatants with solitude and rooms with a view of the Statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. “Most of our self-led day or overnight retreats are for Catholics and Christians who are seeking time alone with God for prayer and reflection,” Dodd wrote. “We rent out the whole historic Stone House, once used
She was a teacher by profession, but a desire to enter a religious community of sisters struck her and she sought out a missionary community. In her journey, she was denied entry into religious communities because of her poor health.
On the advice of a priest, she started the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The work of her sisters brought her to the attention of Pope Leo XIII, who sent her to America through the port of New York City, to work with Italian Immigrants in 1889. Mother Cabrini’s reputation led to several invitations and requests for the sisters to come to America, including Chicago, New York and Golden.
discovered this place with my Catholic friend before I was Catholic; I went to a lot of a churches, but I felt at home here. I became a Catholic later in life, so this is like my church home.’ Parishioner Carol Thrush
for the orphans now used as our retreat house, for overnight and day groups. We provide meals for our retreatants, coffee services, meeting rooms and a chapel space available for reservations for prayer or services.” There’s still more to do at the shrine for pilgrims and visitors. They can drink the spring water, visit the museum and a smaller grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Visitors often make use of the solitude provided by the rosary, meditation and Cabrini gardens, Santivasi added. “People are surprised at the amount of sacred spaces there are here,” she wrote. “For me, this is a place where you could easily spend the whole day with your family.”
IF YOU GO:
WHO WAS MOTHER CABRINI? Francesca Cabrini grew up in northern Italy where the community had a great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She always had a desire to be a missionary, especially in China.
‘It’s a lovely community. I
She was known as a caring and determined businesswoman, who during her lifetime crossed the sea about 26 times — despite her fear of water — designed several buildings and constructed hospitals, schools and orphanages.
Mother Cabrini Shrine
She died in 1917 having established 67 international missions by the time she was 67 years old.
MASS TIMES: English Monday-Saturday:
WHERE: 20189 Cabrini Blvd., Golden SHRINE HOURS: Monday - Sunday: Gate opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m.
7:30 a.m. Sunday: 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Spanish First and last Sunday of each month: 2 p.m. INFORMATION: 303-5260758 or www.mothercabrinishrine.org
Arvada Press 11
December 31, 2015
Bindy, a trained alert dog, spends the entire day with Patrick, who was diagnosed with cyclic vomiting syndrome when he was 8 years old. “It’s been like a divine intervention,” his mother, Denise, said. Photo by Alex DeWind
10-year-old finds miracle in canine friend Arvada foundation helps pair sick children with companion dogs
By Alex DeWind adewind@colorado communitymedia.com Patrick Kaplan, 10, of Centennial, walked out of his house on a wintry, mid-December day to find a Labrador retriever in his yard. The dog, named Bindy, would help Patrick cope with his longtime illness called cyclic vomiting syndrome, or CVS. “I was so happy,” Patrick said. “I finally got my miracle.” Patrick was diagnosed with CVS when he was 8 years old. The chronic condition involves episodes of nausea and vomiting, which often occur while he is sleeping. The condition is rare and affects about 2 percent of school-age children, according to Mayo Clinic. When Patrick’s parents, Denise and Scott, discovered there was no fix for their son’s condition, they contacted the Stink Bug
FAST FACTS ABOUT CYCLIC VOMITING SYNDROME It involves intense episodes of nausea or vomiting that can last for hours or days. It affects all ages. It’s difficult to diagnose because vomiting is a part of other illnesses. Its cause is unknown. It can result in dehydration, injury to the food tube and tooth decay. Source: www.mayoclinic.org
Project through Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Foundation, at 5349 Marshall St. in Arvada, in hopes of getting their son a companion dog. The family couldn’t have asked for a better solution, Denise said. The Stink Bug Project started in 2010 with a girl named Alli-
son Winn and her dog Coco. At 6 years old, Allison, of Colorado, was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor that required surgery and chemotherapy. After many visits to the doctor’s office, Allison started calling her cancer “stink bug.” To help her cope with her stink bug, she got a puppy from the Prison-Trained K-9 Companion Program, where prisoners train dogs that are rescued from humane societies. Allison, who survived and now studies at Denver School of the Arts, saw the difference a dog could make in a sick child’s life and she wanted to help others like her. “… I began selling homemade dog biscuits and lemonade and raised enough money to pay for the adoption of a trained companion dog for a child with a brain tumor,” she wrote on Stink Bug Project’s website. The Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Foundation carried on Allison’s deed and partnered with Prison-Training K-9 Program at Colorado Correctional Industries to form the Stink Bug
Miners Alley Playhouse
Project. The process works like this: A prisoner spends 12 weeks training a dog. The pair spends every day together and shares a cell at night. The prisoner is required to keep a log of the dog’s progress and is supervised to guarantee a thorough job. “They really work very hard and they become committed to it,” said Lee Shaughnessy, program director for the Stink Bug Project. The Stink Bug Project then adopts the dog, covers medical costs and gives it to a child with a pediatric diagnosis from a children’s hospital. And it’s been successful. The Stink Bug Project has provided roughly 55 dogs for ill children across Colorado, according to Shaughnessy. “The unconditional love you get from a dog is really comforting and reassuring to a kid who is sick,” she said. When Patrick’s mother, Denise, saw the Stink Bug Project in a mailer, she immediately reached out. Patrick was paired with Bindy,
originally bred to be a guide dog for the blind. But when she failed her initial training test, she was donated to the Stink Bug Project. And she was the perfect match for Patrick, who can vomit unexpectedly in his sleep. Bindy is a companion and an alert dog. She will act up and bark or whine if Patrick is showing signs of his illness, providing a sense of security for the entire family, Denise said. “We finally have peace of mind,” she added. “We don’t constantly have to question or wonder because Bindy tells us before Patrick gets sick. It’s like she has an internal sensor.” The Stink Bug Project has helped Patrick cope with his very own stink bug and live like a normal kid. He’s now able to do activities that his illness once prohibited, like going to school, sporting events and birthday parties. With Bindy beside him, through it all. “Just knowing she is here,” Patrick said, “calms me.”
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12 Arvada Press
December 31, 2015
Step up focus on not dropping ball What happens when we make a simple error or mistake? We might own up to it and say something like, “I dropped the ball on that one.” And as we wind down the regular season of the National Football League, we have certainly seen plenty of our favorite teams and players drop plenty of passes. And I am not talking about just the difficult passes, you know, the “should have” caught if only they tried harder and stretched a little further; no, I am also referring to those passes that hit them right in their hands. And in many cases as they dropped the ball, they also watched an opportunity for victory slip right through their fingers. Now there are players who make difficult catches look seemingly easy, effortless and graceful. They snatch one-handed grabs from the middle of the air while walking a tightrope along the sideline or while performing an acrobatic maneuver typically reserved for a circus act or Cirque du Soleil show. They grasp the opportunity for victory with each attempt thrown in their direction. As we enter into the New Year and as we seek new opportunities of our
own, we can learn from all of those opportunities that may have slipped through our own fingers over the past year, those opportunities where we just maybe “dropped the ball on that one.” Michael Norton Looking back on WINNING the history of our events, actions, WORDS decisions and choice of words is one of the best ways that we can plot our course for success in the coming year. We can reflect back and think about how we can avoid the traps and pitfalls that caused us to drop the ball so that we can focus on and identify all of those things we did right, all of those times where we made the catch and grasped the opportunity to succeed. Now in the NFL, players who consistently drop passes quickly find out that NFL stands for something
other than the National Football League. They find out that NFL could also mean “not for long” as their consistently poor performance places their career in jeopardy. How consistent are we? How many passes do we drop? What do our statistics look like as we analyze how many times we have had an opportunity and we simply dropped the ball? And again, not just the stretch goals and hard-to-reach opportunities for success, I am talking about the simple balls of life that come our way and we let them slip right through our fingers. Some of the balls we can focus on catching could be opportunities to say things like, “I love you,” “Thank you,” “I am sorry,” “I am proud of you” or “I appreciate you.” I mean really, how many times have we walked away from time spent with a close friend or loved one and thought, “Wow, I really could have said something more or done something differently, I really dropped the ball on that one.” How many business opportunities, sales, lessons learned, listening moments and deeper relationships
have we missed because we dropped a pass that could have/should have been easily caught? I encourage you to think back over the past year or so, and try and think of those moments where you can learn from both the dropped passes as well as the catches you made and recognize what to avoid and what to repeat or even do better in the coming year. So how about you? Are you dropping too many easy passes and opportunities to grow and achieve success at all levels of your life, or do you have steady, consistent and reliable hands and catching everything that comes your way? Either way I would love to hear all about it at gotnorton@ gmail.com, and when we catch more balls than we drop, it really will be a better than good week.
roll at Oregon State University. Heller is a freshman majoring in biology. Rye T. Knowles, of Arvada, was named to the 3.5 or Better fall 2015 scholastic honor roll at Oregon State University. Knowles is a senior majoring in horticulture. Elissa Naas, of Arvada, graduated in De-
cember 2015 with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Sarah S. Pettis, of Arvada, was named to the fall 2015 Straight-A Average scholastic honor roll at Oregon State University. Pettis is a senior majoring in human development and family science. Madeline Smith, of Arvada, earned the dean’s scholarship to attend Cornell College. Lauren Yaffe, of Arvada, recently performed in the Christmas at Belmont concert, which was taped live and aired on PBS during the holidays. Yaffe is a music business major at Belmont University.
and Retention in Higher Education. Mustard is a second-year graduate student studying student affairs at Fort Hays State University and the graduate assistant for family and transfer engagement in the Office of Transition and Student Conduct. She received the 2015 Outstanding Graduate Student award, which recognizes a graduate student who has demonstrated service to the NODA or to the orientation, retention and transition profession. Mustard also presented the poster session “Family Engagement Beyond Orientation” and presented the educational session “First 40 Days at Fort Hays” as part of the transition session of the regional innovative program highlights. She also presented the educational session “Reaching the Transition Summit Together.” Brenna Shuttleworth, of Lakewood, is one of 31 students named as an Emporia State University Ambassador for 2016. Ambassadors promote service, spirit and success, and have leaders from a variety of campus and community organizations. Shuttleworth is a freshman majoring in earth science. Joseph Walsh, of Lakewood, performed in the Cornell College holiday concert as a member of the choir and chamber singers.
Michael Norton is a Colorado resident and the former president of the Zig Ziglar Corporation. He works as a strategic consultant and a business and personal coach.
CELEBRATIONS Arvada Stephanie Douglas, of Arvada, graduated in December with a master’s degree in library science degree from Emporia State University. Victoria M. Heller, of Arvada, was named to the 3.5 or Better fall 2015 scholastic honor
happy new year LOOKING FORWARD TO AN EXCITING
THANK YOU
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Golden Jaime Eisenbach, of Golden, was named to the spring 2015 dean’s list at Hofstra University. Emily Mott, of Golden, recently performed in the Christmas at Belmont concert, which was taped live and aired on PBS during the holidays. Mott is a songwriting major at Belmont University. Lakewood Tristan Randall Blue, of Lakewood, graduated in December 2015 with a bachelor’s degree from the University of NebraskaLincoln. Sarah Farris, of Lakewood, earned the presidential scholarship to attend Cornell College. Kelly Kerr, of Lakewood, earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Kansas. John Meyer, of Lakewood, earned the dean’s scholarship from Luther College. Alyssa Mustard, of Lakewood, was honored at the annual conference of NODA: The Association for Orientation, Transition
Wheat Ridge Alex Koentges, of Wheat Ridge, earned a bachelor’s degree in communication studies with a minor in sociology from the University of Kansas. Aiden Willink, of Wheat Ridge, was awarded a scholarship as part of the Robert Redford/Milagro Initiative Scholarship program. Willink attends Santa Fe University of Art and Design in New Mexico.
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Arvada Press 13
December 31, 2015
h
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Resident Assistant/QMAP As a Resident Assistant you will provide Medication Administration and assistance with activities of daily living to seniors in our lovely 113 Apartment Assisted Living Community. The ideal candidate will be reliable, friendly and enjoy working with seniors. We are currently hiring for full time, part time or PRN employees.
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We offer a competitive salary and benefits package in a friendly, family-like atmosphere and are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please apply in person at The Granville Assisted Living, 1325 Vance St., Lakewood, CO 80214. Questions? Call 303-274-4400.
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HOUSEKEEPER Life Care Center of Evergreen Sign-on bonus available! Full-time positions available. Housekeeping experience preferred. We offer great pay and benefits in a team-oriented environment. Eileen Gandee 303-674-4500 | 303-674-8436 Fax 2987 Bergen Peak Dr. | Evergreen, CO 80439 Eileen_Gandee@LCCA.com LifeCareCareers.com An Equal Opportunity Employer 66865
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14 Arvada Press
Jeffco Continued from Page 1
Banner year for Jeffco libraries The Golden library, first built in 1914, underwent a three-month remodel made possible by an $85,000 contribution from the City of Golden. The library hosted a well-attended re-opening celebration on June 14. In just eight days, participants of the Jeffco libraries’ Summer Reading Challenge, which took place May 29-Aug. 14, read 1,000,001 minutes, prompting library staff to up the ante to 10 million. Of nearly 28,000 participating library patrons, Shawn Tateyama of Golden logged the 10 millionth minute on July 14. In November, Jefferson County voters approved a mill levy increase to secure the success of the county’s library system. With the Nov. 3 vote, the mill levy will increase by one mill to a maximum of 4.5 mills. For Jeffco homeowners, the change equals about 67 cents more a month for every $100,000 of home value. The one-mill increase is expected to bring in $8 million of additional library revenues, beginning in 2016. The first priority is to increase library hours with a goal date of early April, and at least $2 million will be added to the books and materials budget in 2016. Library patrons will also see some facility projects — new carpeting, sealing windows, replacing furnishings — updated Internet access and state-of-the-art technology coming to all library branches.
Thank You and Happy New Year!
To our Friends of the Library, our Volunteers And our Donors
County says yes to pot testing, but nothing else THE JEFFERSON COUNTY Jeffco commissioners decided to permit marijuana LIBRARY FOUNDATION testing facilities in industrial zones come 2016, but the prohibition of marijuana cultivation/manufacturwww.jeffcolibraryfoundation.org ing facilities, distribution and retail stores in unincorporated areas will remain in effect. The decision was made following a series of meetings beginning on May 29 in which county staff informed commissioners Libby Szabo, Casey Tighe and Don Rosier about all aspects of marijuana operations. Amendment 64 of the Colorado Constitution authorizes recreational use of marijuana, including the operation of facilities for cultivation, manufacturing, testing and retail sales. However, the amendment allows counties to regulate the industry, including banning any or all of the four operations. Arvada and Golden do not permit any marijuana sales. Lakewood permits medicinal marijuana, and the cities of Wheat Ridge and Edgewater permit recreational and medicinal sales. Continuing housing concerns The lack of affordable housing remained an issue for 2015. “We’re recovering in some areas, but not everyone
December 31, 2015 is seeing it,” County Commissioner Casey Tighe said. The county’s quarterly economic report for the fourth quarter of 2015 states that Jefferson County recorded the fifth highest average sales price for houses when compared to the seven counties in metro Denver. The average selling price for a single-family detached home was $367,146 in the fourth quarter of 2014, and between the third quarters of 2014 and 2015, prices of single-family detached homes averaged $405,240. The county ranked second for the number of homes sold. Foreclosure filings increased in the fourth quarter of 2014, but decreased between the third quarters of 2014 and 2015. Jefferson County recorded the smallest over-the-year decrease in foreclosures of the seven metro Denver counties. Hard year for Heritage Square In February, property owner Martin Marietta announced its plans to close Heritage Square, a longtime Denver-area entertainment and tourist destination. Going into 2016, only two businesses at Heritage Square will remain open. The amusement park will open for the 2016 season and has lease options that continue until 2039, which includes the Garden Grill restaurant. Red Rocks Church’s lease continues until March. Some of the square’s business owners facing relocation or closure said the announcement was not a shock, but agreed the closure is a sad loss for the community. The Alpine Slide, which closed permanently on Oct. 11, was something that never went out of style, said general manager Debbie Hottinger, reminiscing about the slide’s 37 seasons in operation. In addition to closing the square, Martin Marietta is demolishing seven buildings that make up part of the Victorian village, which was originally built as part of the Magic Mountain theme park, designed and crafted in 1958 by Disney and Hollywood artisans. The wedding chapel will be relocated to an undetermined site at the owner’s expense, but the other structures are slated to be demolished as early as this spring. Area historians, the Golden Landmarks Association and the Jefferson County Historical Commission strongly support preserving the original Magic Mountain structures. “These storefronts and event center are among the finest, rarest and most artistic designs Golden will ever see. They, and the other Magic Mountain structures, hold a special place in history,” Golden historian Richard Gardner said. “The historic structures of Heritage Square are among the historical crown jewels of this region.” Gang activity still an issue A Jefferson County grand jury indicted six mem-
2015 Continued from Page 1
council and their alleged ‘cronyism.’ They boycotted the Arvada Chamber of Commerce City Council Forum and wrote several letters to the editor on the matter. None were elected to office. New blood joins city council However, two new faces were elected to the Arvada City Council, giving a fresh perspective to the sevenmember governing body. David Jones and Nancy Ford were elected over incumbents Bob Dyer and Jerry Marks, winning the District 4 (West Arvada) and District 1 (North-central Arvada) council seats, respectively. Arvada Center governance In July, the city council unanimously passed a 20year operating agreement between the city and the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, which allows the center, now a nonprofit entity, to take flight. The center, formerly a city department, is now under the operation of a board of directors and the city, and will be fully handed over to the board in July – the center’s 40th anniversary. This transition will allow the center to stabilize its budget, grow funding sources and market itself as a regional attraction. North Arvada school In September, the Jefferson County Board of Education voted to create a K-6 elementary school in the Candelas neighborhood. Located in Northwest Arvada, the school will be built on a 25-acre site, north of 82nd Avenue on Indiana Avenue, and cost approximately $18 million. It will serve approximately 800 to 1,000 students with
bers from a street gang known as the Gallant Knights Insane or GKI in March. The gang is known for running an organized crime enterprise in the Denver and Jeffco area for 11 years. Gang founders Jimmy Valanzuela, Timmy Valanzuela and Michael Valanzuela were indicted on several counts in relation to the attempted murder of rival gang member Theodore Alex Trujillo on Feb. 23 at Hart’s Corner Bar in Lakewood. Jaime Venegas, Anthony Saleh and Tanya Gutierrez were also indicted. Colorado is the founding state for the nationwide gang, with more than 800 documented members in the Denver area, and about 2,000 members statewide. According to the Metro Gang Task Force, it’s doubtful that street gangs such as GKI will go away anytime soon, but the task force was happy with the indictments. A new and improved Action Center After years of fundraising and a year of construction, the Action Center opened its new Program Services Building in April. “Everyone comes to us for different reasons, but when they’re here, they’re going to see someone about their situation,” said Mag Strittmatter, executive director of the center, at the building opening. “We have so many volunteers and case managers, and all those services are upstairs in our new building.” The two-story building, adjacent to the center’s longtime home at 8755 W. 14th Ave., is also home to the Action Center’s new grocery store, household items and clothing shops. The second floor is mostly devoted to office space. The $4.2 million project included the purchase and renovation of the Cottonwood office complex. Plans to help fair fare better To ensure the success of the Jeffco fair and rodeo, and provide a better experience for fair-goers, all three Jefferson County commissioners favored hiring a full-time fairgrounds events coordinator at a June 30 meeting. In the past, the fair was organized and managed by an outside, all-volunteer nonprofit team, which, according to fairgrounds director Scott Gales, did a good job but did not have the resources to make the event truly spectacular. Dexter Foxworth was hired for the fairgrounds coordinator position in October. He organized three community-oriented brainstorming sessions and an online survey, in which the community had an opportunity to share thoughts and provide opinions on what a county fair should entail. Feedback was accepted through Nov. 25. The revamped 2016 fair is slated for Aug. 11-14. “The fair is an opportunity to celebrate Jefferson County,” Foxworth said. It will be “something people can be proud of — and proud to attend.”
the inclusion of a second shared seventh-and-eighthgrade site. Arvada’s first hotel The City of Arvada will see the construction of a hotel in 2016, something that took city and urban renewal staff more than a decade of work to accomplish. With unanimous approval by the city council, a $22.6 million Hilton Garde Inn will be built at 5445 Olde Wadsworth Blvd. The hotel will be a five-story, 139-room facility with a 2,800-square-foot meeting and event space, indoor pool, fitness and business centers, an outdoor seating area and a restaurant, the American Grill Restaurant and Lounge. Plaza construction begins Construction on the future Arvada Plaza Walmart began in early October, with the demolition of the old shopping centers. Work is expected to continue through 2016. The contentious project was approved in July 2013 after a heated discussion at city council. An opening date is to be determined. Red Rocks college expansion groundbreaking This summer, crews broke ground on the new Red Rocks Community College Health Sciences Arvada Campus, signaling the start of new programs and a big expansion. The $22.5 million campus, located at 5420 Miller St., will be the college’s Health Sciences Campus and offer programming for nurse’s aide, RN refresher, health professional, medical assisting and office management, phlebotomy technicians and sonography. The school also will house the physician assistant program through which students can now obtain a master’s degree. The facility is scheduled to open its doors for students in the fall of 2016, just in time for the first day of class.
HAVE AN EVENT? To submit a calendar listing, send information to calendar@coloradocommunitymedia.com.
Arvada Press 15
December 31, 2015
AREA CLUBS Ongoing Activities, Ongoing/Business Groups Mondays Golden Chapter, Order of DeMolay meets at 7 p.m. every first and third Wednesday in the town of Golden. Walt Disney, Mel Blanc and Walter Cronkite are counted among its alumni. DeMolay is an organization for young men between the ages of 12 and 21 that offers character building, leadership training, and life skill development. We offer many activities, academic opportunities and scholarships. Please contact the chapter for more information. Email demolaygolden@ gmail.com or www.coloradodemolay.org and visit Golden’s page under the Chapter tab by clicking on the Golden photo. Golden Nar-Anon family group meets from 7:30-9 p.m. Mondays at Calvary Episcopal Church, 1320 Arapahoe St. We ask that people enter on the east side of the church and follow the signs to the upstairs meeting room. Call the Nar-Anon Family Groups World Service Organization at 800-477-6291 or go to Nar-Anon.org. Jefferson County Republican Men’s Club meets from 7-9 a.m. Mondays at Davies’ Chuck Wagon Diner, 10151 W. 26th Ave., Lakewood. Meeting fee is $5 (cash preferred). Order from diner menu (pay on you own). Call Fred Holden at 303-421-7619 for information. Republicans, especially students, youth and women, welcome to join. Open mic Living Water Unity Spiritual Community presents open mic night – celebrate your teen self 4:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays at 7401 W. 59th Ave., Arvada. This program gives teens the opportunity to express their performing art including voice and instrument, acting, poetry, stand-up comedy, mime, etc. Open to all students in sixth to 12th grades. Email bellbottoms809@gmail.com. Wheat Ridge Rotary Club meets from noon to 1:30 p.m. Mondays for lunch at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center, 4005 Kipling St. Come as our guest and learn about our service projects for the community. Tuesdays Applewood Kiwanis Club meets 7-8 p.m. Tuesdays at the Applewood Golf Course, 14001 W. 32nd Ave., Golden. You are invited to attend a meeting. Our goals are to serve children worldwide and in our community. We ring the bell
CATHOLIC
for Salvation Army, deliver Christmas baskets to needy families and, assist the Jeffco Action Center with school supplies for children from low-income families. For more information, contact Fred McGehan at 303-947-1565. Arvada Sunrise Rotary Club meets 7-8 a.m. Tuesdays at The Arvada Centre For The Arts and Humanities, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. for a breakfast meeting. Come join us as our guest and learn about our community service projects and what Rotary does in the world to help people. Denver Apple Pi, an Apple/Mac computer user group, meets from 7-9 p.m. the third Tuesday each month at the Applewood Community Church (downstairs), 12930 W. 32nd Ave., Golden. Program varies each month. We welcome those interested in learning more about their Apple or Mac computer. Visitors are welcome to see if you like our more mature group. More information may be found at denverapplepi.com. Golden Rotary meets from 7:15-8:30 a.m. Tuesdays at Rolling Hills Country Club, 15707 W. 26 Ave., Golden. This active organization reaches neighbors in need. We build, support, and organize. We save lives locally and globally. For additional information visit www.rotayclubofgolden. org or contact Pat Madison at 303-279-1021. Lake Arbor Optimist Club Bringing Out the Best in Kids meets at 7 a.m. Tuesdays at Indian Tree Golf Course, 7555 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada. Breakfast served. Contact Terri Kearney, president, 303-506-6692; or Debbie Espinoza, treasurer, 720-937-2550. New members welcome. Lakewood Chapter of Retired and Active Federal Employees meets at 1 p.m. the second Tuesday of most months at the Episcopal Church, 10th and Garrison. Call Greg Kann at 303-718-7307 with questions. Rocky Mountain Team Survivor, a health, education and fitness program for women of all abilities who have experienced cancer or are currently in treatment, offers weekly free, fun, supportive activities. Tuesdays, 10 a.m., Boulder Creek Walk (meet at Boulder Public Library main entrance). Tuesday, 11-11:30 a.m., Yoga, Boulder Senior Center, 909 Arapahoe Avenue. Thursdays, 6-7 p.m., Fitness Training, Boulder Center for Sports Medicine, 311 Mapleton Avenue (entrance on Maxwell Avenue.). Learn more at rockymtnteamsurvivor.org.
Church, 76th and Bradburn. Weigh-in is 6-6:45 p.m., followed by the meeting. For information, call 480-650-0537. Wednesdays Adult Roller Skating is offered from 10:30 a.m. to noon every Wednesday at Roller City at 64th and Sheridan, Arvada. Cost is $5 plus $2 to rent skates. Contact Toni at 303-868-8273. American Legion Auxiliary presents Burger Nite, 5-7:30 p.m. every Wednesday at Post 178, 1655 Simms St., Lakewood. Members, their guests and active military invited for varied food and reasonable prices. Visit www.alpost178.org. Arvada Biz Connection www.meetup.com/ Arvada-Business-Connection/ is an informal networking event that brings together local entrepreneurs. Meetings are 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at various restaurants in Olde Town Arvada. A $5 fee is collected from each attendee, which is then donated to a local charity at the end of each quarter. The 4th Quarter Charity is the Dan Peak Foundation who assists families in need. For information, call Micki Carwin at 303997-9098. Arvada Jefferson Kiwanis meets 7-8 a.m. Wednesdays at the Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., for a breakfast meeting. We invite you to join us for great fellowship, interesting programs, and the satisfaction of serving your community. This Kiwanis organization supports the Arvada Community Food Bank, the school backpack program, Santa House, Ralston House, and many other local organizations. For information or to visit a meeting, call Brad at 303-4314697. Arvada Rotary meets 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Indian Tree Golf Club, 7555 Wadsworth Blvd. The club engages in a variety of community service projects, with emphasis on assistance to and support of Arvada’s youth. Visitors are always welcome. For additional information visit www.arvadarotary.org or call Dave Paul at 303431-9657. Buffalo Toastmasters meets 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays at the Jefferson County Government Building, 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden. Toastmasters is an international organization that is a fun and sup-
portive environment to learn and practice public speaking and leadership skills. All are welcome. Look for signs pointing you to the right room. Go to www.buffalotoastmasters.org or www.meetup. com/Buffalo-Toastmasters-Golden/ for more information. Buffalo Toastmasters, where public speaking and leadership excellence is encouraged in a safe environment. Concordia Lutheran Church Choir meets at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at 13371 W. Alameda Parkway in Lakewood (the church nestled close to Green Mountain). The choir assists in Concordia’s traditional worship service three out of four Sundays per month. If you have a desire to sing and are interested in joining, please contact 303-9895260. Foothills Music Teachers Association meets 9:30 a.m. to noon the third Wednesday of each month. FMTA is a local group of independent music teachers, affiliated with Colorado State Music Teachers Association and Music Teachers National Association. Call Kathy at 303-988-9565. Golden Elks Lodge meets at 7:30 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 16795 W. 50th Ave. Contact golden2740@hotmail.com or 303-279-2740 for more information, or to learn how to join. Music Teachers Association Suburban Northwest meets 9:30 a.m. to noon the first Wednesday of the month at Community in Christ Church, 12229 W. 80th Ave., Arvada. Meetings are open to the public and include refreshments, business meeting and program featuring music teaching professionals from around the state lecturing on the latest teaching developments. Order Sons of Italy in America/Denver Lodge 2075 meets every third Wednesday of the month at 5925 W. 32nd Ave., Wheat Ridge. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. and meeting follows at 7 p.m. Lots of fun activities planned for summer meetings. Everyone welcome. Call 303-238-8055. Professional women NW Metro Business and Professional Women meets the first Wednesday of each month from September to May. Our mission is to achieve equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information. Call Marcia at 303-827-3283 to RSVP. Clubs continues on Page 16
TOPS CO 538, a weight-loss support group, meets Tuesdays at St. Martha’s Episcopal
NON-DENOMINATIONAL
ST. JOAN OF ARC C AT H O L I C C H U R C H
Proclaiming Christ to the Mountains & Plains www.SaintJoanCatholic.org 12735 W 58th Ave · 80002 · 303-420-1232 Daily Masses: 8:30am, Mon-Sat Confessions: 8am Mon; Wed – Fri 7:30am & 4:00pm Sat Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:00 PM Sunday Masses: 7:30, 9:00, 11:30 am, 5:30pm
Arvada Christian Church 8010 West 62nd Avenue 303-422-5412
Sunday Worship .............. 9:30 am Wed. Prayer/Bible Study .. 6:30 pm (Free Meals every 3rd Wed)
Nursery Available
UNITED METHODIST
PRESBYTERIAN
S ERVICES 8 &10 am Church School
Pastor: Bill Sanders
9 &10 am
Living and Sharing the Love of Christ Worship: 10:00am every Sunday Sunday School: 9:00am Sept – May (nursery provided)
5592 Independence St. 80002 Tel. 303-422-3463
6750 Carr St. Arvada, CO 80004
January 6th 4pm to 7pm
303.421.5135 • www.arvadaumc.org Nursery Available
www.Arvadapc.com
Please join us for an Open House! Community information, complimentary food and drinks plus chair & hand massage and nail painting
Now enrolling for All Precious Children Learning Center
Golden First Presbyterian Church
On the round-about at South Golden Rd. and West 16th Ave. Sunday Praise & Worship................... 9:00 am Fellowship Time ................................. 10:00 am Church School ................................... 10:30 am
Pastor: Rev. Dr. Miriam M. Dixon
Nursery provided
303-279-5591
Share the life, love, and laughter of Jesus Christ!
Please RSVP to CRD@RalstonCreek Seniors.com or Call (720) 398-7574
8:30 AM - Worship in Chapel 9:00 AM -Sunday School 10:00 AM - Worship in Sanctuary
The Event will take place at The DUNCAN FAMILY YMCA Located at 6350 Eldridge St, Arvada, CO 80004
www.applewoodvalleychurch.org
303-279-2162
2035 Ellis Street, Golden CO 80401
To advertise your place of worship Call 303-566-4100
G/W/L/A
16 Arvada Press
December 31, 2015
Clubs
Energy Lab. Call Roger at 720-289-6396 or Terry at 303-748-3748.
Continued from Page 15
Thursdays All Comforting Things of Colorado Inc. We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing comfort and encouragement to individuals by providing them items made by hand. We encourage you to bring your skills and enthusiasm to our fun group. We meet at 10 a.m. the third Thursday of each month at Phillips Methodist Church, 1450 S. Pierce, Lakewood. For information, contact Sue King at susaneking70@msn. com or 303-986-1098. Business spirituality Business Honoring Spirituality meets 7-9 a.m. every Thursday at the Community Center of Mile Hi Church, 9079 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood. Meetings include networking, a brief meditation by a licensed practitioner, guest speaker and breakfast. For additional information, visit www.bhsmilehi.org or call Patty Whitelock at 303-274-0933. CERTUS Professional Network meets for its Lakewood networking event from 9:30-11 a.m. the third Thursday of the month at Panera Bread, 650 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood. Build your network, grow your business, network less. Our events are structured to connect professionals with the resources, power partners and leaders to expand their business and the business of others. Open to all industries, includes 30 minutes of open networking and organized introductions to the group. Cost: $12 nonCERTUS members at the door. First participants pay half price. RSVP not required. More info about CERTUS™ Professional Network at www. CertusNetwork.com. Community Coffee Join Rep. Tracy Kraft-Tharp on the fourth Thursday of each month to talk about issues that are important to you. Community Coffee will be 7-8 a.m. at La Dolce Vita, Ice Cream Room, 5756 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada; and from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Panera Bread, 10450 Town Center Drive, Westminster. Golden Lions Club meets at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Thursdays at Buffalo Rose Events Center, 1119 Washington Ave., Golden. For information, contact Ed Dorsey at 303-829-5195, or go to or go to www.goldenlionsclub.org. Golden Men’s Support Group meets 7-8:45 p.m. Thursdays near the National Renewal
Investors’ meetings The Rocky Mountain Inventors Association meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. the fourth Thursday of every month (excluding November and December) at Vesta Technology, 13050 W. 43rd Drive, Suite 300, Golden. Presentations in marketing, manufacturing, engineering, finance, business and legal, followed by networking. Go online to www.rminventor.org for details. Rocky Mountain Team Survivor, a health, education and fitness program for women of all abilities who have experienced cancer or are currently in treatment, offers weekly free, fun, supportive activities. Tuesdays, 10 a.m., Boulder Creek Walk (meet at Boulder Public Library main entrance). Tuesday, 11-11:30 a.m., Yoga, Boulder Senior Center, 909 Arapahoe Avenue. Thursdays, 6-7 p.m., Fitness Training, Boulder Center for Sports Medicine, 311 Mapleton Avenue (entrance on Maxwell Avenue.). Learn more at rockymtn-teamsurvivor.org. Salty Dog Sailing Club If you love to sail or want to try, if you don’t have a boat, if you have a boat but don’t sail enough because you cannot find a crew, the Salty Dog Sailing Club is for you. The club meets the second Thursday of the month at members’ homes. Members come from all along the Front Range because this is the only such club available. Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. with the business meeting commencing at 7 p.m. Go to www.saltydog.org for meeting locations and directions. Stuck in the Middle, a social support group for spouses and caregivers of those with chronic illnesses, meets at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays. You’ve been a caregiver for years, your spouse or family member has moved to a facility and now you are faced with the isolation of living alone. Or your loved one is at home and you need time for yourself. Would you like to meet others in similar situations? SITM meets in member’s homes. Call or email Karen, 303-422-1196 or sitm@comcast.net; or Bonnie, bonnieforsitm@ earthlink.net, for information. Fridays CalmUp Journey Prefer to help yourself rather than do the coaching or psychotherapy thing? Let me share with you free information about the CalmUp Journey, a one-page self-examination worksheet for men and women. Join me for coffee or tea from 8-9 a.m. most Fridays at Whole Foods Market Belmar, 444 S. Wadsworth
4
$ 00 OFF
ANY RENTAL With this ad - not valid with any other offers. Applies to rentals of $20.00 or more. Expires 6/30/2016.
CONTRACTORS & HOMEOWNERS Rentals • Sales • Service
303-422-1212
10675 Ralston Road • (10675 w. 64th) • www.ArvadaRent-Alls.com 7 to 6 Mon-Sat • 8 to 3 Sunday
Blvd. in Lakewood. Let me know you’re planning to be there so we’re sure to connect. Contact www.DrLorieGose.com or 303-500-2340.
www.vva1071.org for more detailed information or call 303-870-2428.
Golden Gate Community Grange, 25201 Golden Gate Canyon Road, has meetings at 7 p.m. the second Friday of the month. Activities include yoga, dances, eggmania, special wildlife programs, holiday craft fair. Grange hall available for rental for weddings, parties, reunions, etc. Call Rich Phillips at 303-277-1933 or go to www.goldengategrange.com. New members welcome.
Colorado Carvers Club. Join us to develop or expand your interest in all types of wood carving. Colorado Carvers Club meets at 9 a.m. the second Sunday of each month at Maple Grove Grange Hall, 3130 Youngfield St., Wheat Ridge. Meetings include carving time and discussion. Go to www.coloradocarvers.org.
Grand Piano Show Patrice LeBlanc performs from 6-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at Grappa Mediterranean Bistro, 1027 Washington St., Golden. Go to www.grappabistro.com. Call 303273-8882 for reservations and information. HeartPULSE Learn how to take an active role in your health and well-being. HeartPULSE meets 7-9 p.m. the first Friday of every month at The Cloisters, 2103 S. Wadsworth Blvd. Contact HeartPULSE for information on cost. Each session features an educational presentation, energy exercises, and ‘healing’ meditations. Contact heartpulse@att.net. Game On meets 1-4 p.m. at Community Recreation Center, 68th and Wadsworth. The North Jeffco Senior Friday Club meets weekly to play cards and board games, including bridge, pinochle, canasta, hand & foot, mahjong, billiards and dominoes. No RSVP. All supplies provided and refreshments. Monthly pot luck/ catered meals. Golfing and bowling opportunities, too. For information call Bob Stremel, 303-905-4315. South Jeffco Rotary Club meets at 7:15 a.m. Fridays at Fox Hollow Golf Course, 13410 W. Morrison Road, Lakewood. Contact Bruce at 303-919-3741. Saturdays Colorado Citizens for Peace meets 10:3011:30 a.m. every Saturday at the intersections of West 52nd and Wadsworth Boulevard to try to bring an end to the wars. Signs will be furnished for those who do not have them. Contact Cindy Lowry at 303-431-1228 or waylonthecat.lowry@ yahoo.com. Grand Piano Show Patrice LeBlanc performs from 6-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at Grappa Mediterranean Bistro, 1027 Washington St., Golden. Go to www.grappabistro.com. Call 303273-8882 for reservations and information. LifeRing Secular Recovery is a network of support groups for people who want to live free from alcohol and other addictive drugs. Meetings are at 6 p.m. Saturdays at 6655 W. Jewell Ave. Unit 100. Appointments and membership is not required. LifeRing’s approach to sobriety focuses on empowering individuals through the strength of sober conversation. Go to www. liferingcolorado.org. Rocky Mountain Shipwrights is a wood ship modeling club that meets at 9:30 a.m. the third Saturday of each month at Rockler’s Woodworking and Hardware Store, 2553 S. Colorado Blvd. in Denver. The club also has a workshop at 9:30 a.m. the first Saturday of the month at the Arvada City Hall, 8101 Ralston Road, where we work on our models and get help from experienced modelers. Go to www.rockymountainshipwrights.org for information. Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1071 meets at 10 a.m. the third Saturday of each month at Elks Lodge #1777, 1455 Newland St., Lakewood. Beforehand, join the group from 8-10 a.m. for a low-cost breakfast at the Elks Lodge. Chapter helps all veterans with health care, benefits, employment and training, monetary assistance and other veteran’s issues. Go to
PAINT RECYCLING MADE easy Do you know where to recycle your paint?
There are now more than 130 PaintCare sites in Colorado where households and businesses can recycle unwanted paint, stain and varnish all year-round. (It’s free!) Most locations are paint stores. PaintCare is a nonprofit that operates Colorado’s paint stewardship program on behalf of paint manufacturers. Funding comes from a fee on the sale of new paint as of July 1, 2015. The fee is 35 cents for pints, 75 cents for 1 gallon cans and $1.60 for 5 gallon buckets. There is no charge for dropping off leftover paint, no matter how old it is. All PaintCare sites accept up to 5 gallons per visit (some take more). Please call ahead to confirm business hours and ask if they can accept the type and amount of paint you would like to recycle. Leaking, unlabeled and empty containers are not accepted. FIND A DROP-OFF LOCATION: www.paintcare.org • (855) 724-6809
Sundays
Free waltz/polka lessons Polka Lover Klubs, Denver Kickers, 16776 W. 50th Ave. in Golden, meets 3-7 p.m. Sundays. Live music. Beautiful dance floor. Admission $4 members, $6 nonmembers. Annual membership $15. Contact Leo at 720-232-0953 or leoincolorado@gmail.com. Ongoing /Education Discussion groups Covenant Village hosts Wednesdays at 2 p.m. This series of monthly events features expert speakers on a wide variety of educational and entertaining topics. Please plan to attend one, several or all of our programs, held at 9153 Yarrow St. in Westminster. Admission is free, but seating is limited. Call 303-403-2205 for driving directions and to reserve your place. Come early for refreshments; fellowship lectures begin at 2 p.m. To learn more about the residency options and lifestyle at Covenant Village of Colorado, call us at 303-424-4828. ESL classes — Covenant Presbyterian Church, 6100 W. 44th St. in Wheat Ridge, is sponsoring a free series of English as a Second Language classes for adults 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday nights. These classes will emphasize a conversational method of instruction. Beginner through advanced classes are offered. You may register on any Thursday night. For directions or more information, call the church at 410-442-5800 or go to our website at www.cpcwheatridge.org. Ongoing /Fine Arts and Entertainment Dance club — Blue Nova Dance Club meets 2:30-4:30 p.m. on the first and third Sundays every month at the Wheat Ridge Grange, 3850 High Court in Wheat Ridge. For more information or dance lessons, contact Dave at 303-5786588 or email BlueNova.RoundDanceClub@ gmail.com. Music performances Patrice LeBlanc performs on keyboard and vocals 6-9 p.m. every Friday and Saturday at Purple Ginger Asian Fusion Restaurant, 2610 Youngfield St. Call 303-237-1133 for more information. Singers needed The Troubadours Choir is looking for a director and new members. This is a volunteer choir, comprised mostly of seniors. The Troubadours meet at 9 a.m. every Friday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 45th and Wadsworth. For more information, call Gary at 303-477-1380.
Symphony auditions The Lakewood Symphony is holding auditions for concertmaster (includes an honorarium), principal viola (includes an honorarium) and all section strings. Also, we are auditioning for subs in other sections. Rehearsals are 7:30-10 p.m. Tuesdays, September through May, at Green Mountain United Methodist Church; concerts are at the Lakewood Cultural Center. Call 303-980-0400 for requirements, appointment and further information. Weekly music Jazz @ the Creek is every first Wednesday of the month at Living Water Unity, 59th and Vance in Olde Town Arvada. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. Come listen to an hour of great jazz. For more information, call 720-9354000 or email livingwaterunity@comcast.net. Clubs continues on Page 17
Arvada Press 17
December 31, 2015
THINGS TO DO TOP 5 Stock Show Manager to Speak Kendra McConnell, horse show manager of the National Western Stock Show, will speak about changes coming to the stock show with members and guests of the Jefferson County Horse Council at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4, at the Green Mountain Conference Room at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Denver residents overwhelmingly approved Ballot Measure 2C, ensuring that the stock show will remain in Denver and thrive for years to come. Many new buildings and changes will take place over the next few years, and that affect the horse shows and events that use the venue over the next several years. The council’s February speaker is Anna Twinney who combines horsemanship, energy work and animal communication in her work. Go to www.jeffcohorse.com. Comedy Night at West Woods Local favorite Talon Saucerman, the country boy who left South Dakota to save the family farm, returns to Arvada for one show Wednesday, Jan. 6. Fresh off his appearance at the Laughlin Laughfest, Saucerman returns due to popular demand and seats are going fast for this event. Valerie Storm plans two shows in February. Storm hails from Florida, but travels all over the world. She has twice been a part of the Boston Comedy Festival and is a regular aboard cruise ships. Shows are Wednesday, Feb. 10 and Thursday, Feb. 11, at West Woods Golf Club, 6655 Quaker St. All shows start at 7:30 p.m., and will be hosted by nationally touring headliner Bob Meddles. Tickets are available at SlapHappyEntertainment.com. ‘Brigadoon’ Performance Now Theatre Company presents “Brigadoon” from Friday, Jan. 8, to Sunday, Jan. 24, at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are available online at www.performancenow.org or by calling 303-987-7845. Western Art and Lifestyle Artist Gary Sohrweid’s Colorado landscapes in oil will be featured in the Spirits in the Wind Gallery “Western Art and Lifestyle” exhibition running from Friday, Jan. 8, to Friday, Jan. 29, at 1211 Washington Ave., Golden. Go to www.spiritsinthewindgallery.com. Call 303279-1192. Unearthing Colorado Have you ever wanted to go on a rock hunt? Learn techniques and clues to have your own successful dig around Colorado and Wyoming. Find out how to join the North Jeffco
Clubs Continued from Page 16
Ongoing/Healthcare Boot camp Get out of the gym and get results. Front Range Boot Camp provides dynamic, unique and results-driven full-body workouts exclusively for women. All ages, sizes and fitness levels will succeed. Revamp your fitness routine by getting out of your routine. Indoor location is just behind Super Target at Kipling Street and 50th Avenue. Outdoor location is Skyline Park by Stenger soccer fields. Email Robyn@FrontRangeBootCamp.com or go online to www.FrontRangeBootCamp.com. Health group A women’s health group with the motto “Your health, your life: Take charge” meets noon-1 p.m. Fridays at 9797 W. Colfax Ave, No. 3AA, in Lakewood. Learn about natural alternatives to health concerns. No charge to be part of this group. For more information, call Linda at 303-883-5473 or email lindagoesgreen@prodigy.net. Home care Always Best Care Denver West provides in-home care, skilled nursing and free senior community placement. Always Best Care provides every individual and family with well-trained personal care attendants and expert nursing support. We help families make informed decisions about senior care, and guide them through comprehensive solutions designed specifically for their unique
Gem & Mineral Club on one of their many events throughout the year. They can answer your questions about their fascinating display of rocks and minerals. Program is from 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison St., Arvada. For ages 6 to adult. Register by Jan. 7. Call 720898-7405 or go to www.arvada.org/nature MUSIC/CONCERTS International Young Artists Competition The 2016 Jefferson Symphony International Young Artists Competition is Saturday, Jan. 9 at Colorado Christian University. Competition will go on throughout the day and is free to attend. A live round of judging will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The top three winners will perform in recital at 7 p.m. in the Music Center. Tickets for the recital are available at the door or by calling the JSO office at 303-278-4237. Contact www.jeffsymphony. org/young_artists/index.html. The winner also will perform Friday, Feb. 21, with the JSO, and will have a 30-minute solo recital Saturday, Feb. 20, at the Rockley Music Center. Contact www.jeffsymphony.org. Concordia Choir Seeks Voices Concordia Lutheran Church Choir is starting its fall choir program and is looking to add new voices. The choir is a great cross section of the community and welcomes newcomers who have a desire to praise God with their voice. Concordia Lutheran is directed by Dr. Jill Schroeder-Dorn of Colorado Christian University. The choir meets at 7 p.m. Wednesdays. The choir assists in Concordia’s traditional worship service. The church is at 13371 W. Alameda Parkway in Lakewood. Contact 303-989-5260. EVENTS Following Your Dreams Explored at Lifetree Café A determination to pursue dreams even in the midst of difficult circumstances will be discussed at Lifetree Café on Tuesday, Jan. 5 at noon .and 7 p.m. The program, titled “Follow Your Dreams: Even When You Think You Can’t,” features a filmed interview with Mandy Harvey, a jazz vocalist whose sudden hearing loss nearly derailed her dream of becoming a professional singer. During the interview, Harvey explains how losing her hearing caused a downward spiral that almost kept her from pursuing any interest in music altogether. “I started not being able to understand my teachers talking anymore, so I started moving closer and closer to the front of the room,”
situations. To learn more, go online to www. AlwaysBestCare.com/DenverWest or call 303952-3060. Tai chi is now taught at Lakeview Wellness and Event Center 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 2-3:30 p.m. Fridays. Call 303-989-6300 or 303-730-0986 for cost information and reservations. Weight loss — The EZ Weight-Loss Challenge 12-week program meets 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays at Arvada Church of God, 7135 W. 68th Ave. Free coaching, metabolism test and nutrition information. Cash prizes awarded to the top three biggest achievers. For information on cost or to preregister, call Chris at 720-320-2394. Yoga for Survivors Whether you’re a longtime cancer survivor, in treatment or a caregiver to a cancer survivor, Yoga for Cancer Survivors & Caregivers is a great way to live more comfortably in your own body. Benefits include decreased stress and pain, improved sleep and energy, improved lymphatic flow, reduced nausea and a greater sense of well-being. Class led by Shari Turney, a registered yoga instructor with specialized training through Yoga for Survivors. Class offered 1:30-2:45 p.m. Sundays at Duncan Family YMCA, 6350 Eldridge St., Arvada. Contact Shari Turney at 720-319-3703 or szturney@mac.com before taking your first class to ensure a safe practice. Ongoing /Recreation, Clubs and Services AA meetings There are more than 1,000 AA meetings in the Denver metro area every
she says. “It didn’t help. I got hearing aids, but they stopped being useful probably after a month. I figured that I would never do music again.” Admission to the 60-minute event is free. Lifetree Café is located at 5675 Field Street in Arvada. Lifetree Café is a place where people gather for conversation about life and faith in a casual, comfortable setting. Questions about Lifetree may be directed to Polly Wegner at 303-424-4454 orpwegner@peacelutheran. net. Winter Weather, Snow Animal Snacks What is snow and why does it fall from the sky? Bring your tyke (ages 3-6) to learn about winter weather and watch as they create snow animal snacks. Program offered from 10:30-11:15 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison St., Arvada. Registration required; call 720898-7405 or go to www.arvada.org/nature. Rocks and Minerals Around Us Through January, the North Jeffco Gem & Mineral Club will present an exhibit featuring Lyons sandstone, Mt. Antero granite, fossilized wood, smoky quartz, garnets, pyrite and more at Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison St., Arvada. Go home with a token of your visit. Call 720-898-7405 or go to www. arvada.org/nature. HEALTH Community Blood Drives A number of community blood drives are planned. For information or to schedule an appointment, contact the Bonfils Appointment Center at 303-363-2300, unless otherwise noted. Go to www.bonfils.org. Upcoming blood drives are: Monday, Jan. 4, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Whole Foods, Belmar, 444 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood; Tuesday, Jan. 5, 10-11:40 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m., Standley Lake Library, 8485 Kipling St., Arvada; Wednesday, Jan. 6, 10-11:40 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m., Golden Library, 1019 10th St., Golden; Thursday, Jan. 7, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Synergy Home Care, 12211 W. Alameda Parkway, Suite 203, Lakewood (Susie Fogerson, 720-263-6060). Nutritional Coaching Megan Grover, master of medical science and nutritional health coach at the Natural Grocers at Vitamin Cottage, 7745 N. Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, offers free one-on-one nutrition coaching sessions for the public. Call the store at 303-423-0990 for an appointment. EDUCATION Vanderhoof Choice Enrollment Applications for first-round choice enroll-
week. If you think you may have a problem with alcohol, come see us. Call 303-322-4440 for a meeting in your area, or visit the website at www.daccaa.org. CanSurvive is a support group for those who have experienced or are receiving cancer treatment. The meeting format is simple with an opening invocation followed by brief member introductions along with a check-in to see how attendees are doing. The discussion topic centers around healing and healing modalities, and may include a guest speaker or a guidedhealing visualization. The free support group meets 10 a.m. to noon on the fourth Saturday of every month at Mile High Church, 9079 West Alameda Ave., Lakewood. For more information or support do not hesitate to contact Lawrence Connors RScP at 303-910-3473 or Lawrence-RScP@msn.com. Columbine #96 Rainbow Girls meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Thursday of each month at the Golden Lodge, 400 Tenth St. in Golden. Youth activities for girls ages 10-19. Contact Eve at etrengove@comcast.net or 303-424-0134. Dog trainer program Misha May Foundation Dog Training and Rescue is offering a “Become a Dog Trainer” program in Arvada and Denver. The licensed nonprofit organization rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes dogs at risk, regardless of breed or mix, behavior or medical issue, or amount of time needed. The dog trainer program includes puppy, basic obedience and behavior solutions. Email mishamayfoundation@gmail.com or call 303-239-0382
ment will be accepted from Wednesday, Jan. 6 to Friday, Jan. 29 for the 2016-17 school year at Vanderhoof Elementary School, 5875 Routt St., Arvada. Students are accepted on a space available basis. Round one applications are prioritized through a lottery process. Waiting lists, which are prioritized, will be created if applicants exceed space available at the school. A separate application must be completed and submitted for each child. If a student is not accepted at a school during the first-round choice enrollment, the student will remain on the prioritized waitlist and be carried over to second-round choice enrollment, which runs from Feb. 12 to Aug. 31. Kindergarten Information Nights
Jeffco Public Schools’ kindergarten registration for the 2016-17 school year is open from Jan. 19-25. Children who are 5 years old by Oct. 1, 2016, are eligible to start kindergarten. Registration is done online at Jeffco Connect, www.jeffcopublicschools.org/jeffco_connect/. Information about kindergarten at Fairmount Elementary School will be presented from 5-6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, at 15975 W. 50th Ave., Golden. Call 303-982-5422. Allendale Elementary will meet with prospective new kindergartners at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, at 5900 Oak St., Arvada. Call 303-982-1161. Prospective parents are invited to learn more about Stott Elementary and its kindergarten program Wednesday, Jan. 13. Sessions are from 8:45-9:45 a.m. (including a classroom visit) or 6-6:30 p.m. (presentation only) at 6600 Yank Way, Arvada. Learn about the school’s blended learning environment and how education is personalized with its 1:1 iPads. Call 303-982-2638. Finally, Vanderhoof Elementary plans its information night at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, at Vanderhoof, 5875 Routt St., Arvada. Continuing Education Program Metropolitan State College of Denver offers a continuing education program for adults. Most classes are 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays, for two to four weeks, and cost varies. Most take place at the Student Success Building on the Auraria Campus, with other classes taking place at the South Campus (I-25 and Orchard) and the Center For Visual Arts on Santa Fe Drive. For list of classes, go to www. msudenver.edu/learnon or call 303-5563657. Application not required. More information on Facebook www.Facebook.com/ msudenverlearnoninitiative.
Editor’s note: Calendar submissions must be received by noon Thursday for publication the following week. Send listings to calendar@ coloradocommunitymedia.com. No attachments, please. Listings are free and run on a space-available basis.
for an application or more information. Federal Employees The Lakewood Chapter of Retired and Active Federal Employees meets at 1 p.m. every second Tuesday at the Episcopal Church, 10th and Garrison. Call Ann Ornelas, 303-517-8558. Fighting fraud The District Attorney’s Office offers free Power Against Fraud seminars for groups of all sizes and people of all ages. Don’t become a victim of identity theft or other consumer fraud. Contact Cary Johnson, 303271-6980, for more information. Flatirons View Toastmasters meets at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of every month at The Depot at Five Parks, 13810 W. 85th Ave. in Arvada. Polish your speaking and presentation skills in a fun, instructional, nurturing environment. For more information visit http://9407.toastmastersclubs.org/. Food pantry God’s Table Food Pantry is open 9-11 a.m. every third Saturday of each month, and 10 a.m.-noon every fourth Thursday each month for Jefferson County residents who meet certain federal guidelines. God’s Table and Food Pantry is located at 6400 W. 26th Ave. in Edgewater, behind the Vietnamese Central Baptist Church. For more information, call Beverly at 303-525-7685. Food pantry Agape Life Church (ALC) distributes Jefferson County commodity foods from 10-11 a.m. Thursdays, at ALC, 5970 W. 60th Ave. in Arvada. ALC provides this service to all Jefferson County residents. If you have questions, call 303-431-6481.
18 Arvada Press JEFFERSON COUNTY NEWS IN A HURRY Holiday party DUI enforcement The Colorado Department of Transportation, and 91 Colorado State Patrol troopers and law enforcement agencies completed a holiday party DUI enforcement “The Heat Is On” campaign. The enforcement period went from Dec. 4 to Dec. 14, and 596 drivers were arrested for impaired driving statewide. The Heat Is On campaign continues with heightened New Year’s Eve DUI enforcement through Jan. 4. Drivers can get a DUI if results are .08 BAC or more, and can also be cited for a Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) with a BAC of .05. Coloradans can download CDOT’s R U Buzzed app to estimate a user’s BAC based on gender, weight, hours drinking and the amount of alcohol consumed. While the results aren’t accurate enough to stand as legal evidence, the app is intended to aid in making responsible decisions. To learn more about the enforcement
December 31, 2015
campaign, visit www.HeatIsOnColorado. com. The app and other safety tips to avoid drunk driving can be found at www. codot.gov. Jeffco holiday tree recycling Jefferson County residents may recycle a holiday tree for free at the Jefferson County Road and Bridge South Shop, located at 9509 West Ute Ave. in Littleton. A 24-hour drop-off is located outside the main gate of the shop. Trees will be accepted until Jan. 31. Only real trees will be accepted, and all decorations must be removed. For more information, call the Road & Bridge District II Shop at 303-271-5219 or visit www.jeffco.us/road-and-bridge. CASA looking for more volunteers Court Appointed Special Advocates of Jefferson and Gilpin Counties (CASA) is in need of more community members to become a voice for abused or neglected children in court.
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Miscellaneous
Misc. Notices Lambert Foundation 12 Week Grief Support Workshop starting in January
2 Crown Hill Grave Sites, Wheat Ridge Single or Dual Entombment $2000 each (Crown Hill's price $4595 each) Buyer pays $295 transfer fee 303-810-6469
Richard Lambert Foundation’s Family Grief & Healing Center is offering a 12 Week Grief Support Workshop from 6:00 - 7:30 pm on Thursday’s from January 14 thru March 31st. Have you been impacted by the loss of a family member or friend? The death of someone you loved is frightening, painful and lonely. Our core 12 week workshop will focus on understanding grief and allowing yourself to mourn, helping to gain strength and understanding that hope and healing are possible. Discussion is based on the materials and training by Dr. Alan Wolfelt, Ph.D.
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December 31, 2015
SPORTS
Arvada Press 19
LOCAL
Wishes for the new year
Arvada’s Levi Mair works to escape the grasp of his Sierra opponent in their 145-pound match at the Dec. 19 Sheridan Invitational Tournament. Mair won the match and finished sixth in his weight class. Photo by Tom Munds
Arvada in rebuilding mode Sophomores make up most of Bulldogs mat team; tournament generates experience By Tom Munds tmunds@coloradocommunitymedia.com Besides gaining valuable mat experience, the young Arvada wrestlers earned enough points to help the Bulldogs finish 18th at the 12th Annual Sheridan Invitational Tournament. “We are a very young team and we are fighting the battle with numbers,” Bulldogs Coach Andy Sandoval said during the Dec. 19 Sheridan tournament. “Most of our 14 wrestlers are sophomores, so a tournament like this helps our kids get mat experience and helps build their confidence. We are rebuilding, see where we want to be and working to get there.”
Arvada took part in the Dec. 19 Sheridan tournament that included teams of all classifications from Class 2A Ellicott, Class 4A Conifer and Class 5A Rampart. The tournament was held in the gymnasium of the new Sheridan Middle School and drew a large crowd with few vacant seats in the bleachers that covered one wall of the gym. There were few quiet moments as the friends, families and members of the 23 teams in the tournament cheered on their favorite wrestlers. LaJunta, a Class 3A school, won the team title with 176 points and finished well ahead of Class 4A Classic Academy with 130 points. Arvada was 19th with 10 points in the 23-team field. Other area teams in the tournament included Faith Christian, which finished ninth with 67 points; Alameda, 10th with 61 points; and Skyview 17th with 30 points.
Arvada 145-pounder Larry Mair posted the best individual finish for the Bulldogs, finishing fifth in his weight division. His teammate, Larry Vigil, finished 12th at 182 pounds. Because of the number of schools taking part in the competition, Sheridan used a 16 wrestler scramble format. The initial bracket had slots for 16 wrestlers. But instead of the traditional doubleelimination format, the scramble format divided the 16 spots into four pools of four wrestlers each. It was still a double elimination format in which the winner of each pool then advanced to the eightwrestler championship semifinals, and the losers in the championship rounds moved into the consolation bracket. Three mats were set up on the gym floor and the action was nonstop. A computer problem slowed progress, but action continued until champions were crowned in all 13 weight divisions.
Standley Lake nips Pomona Boys basketball team hoping to rise above .500 in new year By Scott Stocker When you get down to it, it has been an up and down season for both the Pomona and Standley Lake boys basketball teams. Now, they are both looking forward to the Christmas and New Year’s holiday breaks. Standley Lake, 3-5, got the better of Pomona Dec. 18 when the Gators were able to come through with a 51-45 victory over the host Panthers in their nonleague encounter. The Gators of coach Mike Puccio, led 11-8, after the first quarter and 22-20 heading into the halftime break. But, it was still going to be close going through the third quarter. Standley Lake, led by Garrett Martins 21-point effort, took advantage of his three-point basket with approximately 5 minutes to go in the third period to gain the game’s final tie, 29-29. John Voss, who would score 12 points, was credited with the go-ahead basket shortly thereafter and a 31-29 lead the Gators would not relinquish thus dropping Pomona to 3-3 on the season.
Martin would score five of the next eight Standley Lake points which help Standley Lake take an eventual, 43-33, lead into the fourth quarter. From there, the Gators would not allow Pomona to come within five-points the rest of the game. “It was tough,” Puccio said. “Overall, we need to play much harder and we’ve got to find that grit and translate it into success. We just can’t show up. We just had to many turnovers and we’ve got to get better. “Now, with the vacation, we’ll have a couple of weeks of practice and It’s going to help, I’m sure,” Puccio continued. “I think both our teams are ready to welcome the holiday break and we just wish all the kids and their families a pleasant break.” Standley Lake junior Austin Moore, who only scored eight points, did have a dynamic night on the boards when it came to rebounds. “I think it’s certainly time to step up and we just have to have key efforts from everyone around,” Moore said. “We’ve got to work hard at practice and really not yell at each other and put together a solid winning effort.” Pomona’s Danny Williams scored a
STANDLEY LAKE 51, POMONA 45 Standley Lake 11 11 21 8 — 51 Pomona
8 12 13 12 — 45
team high 19-points for the Panthers, but he was down and saddened on how the night eventually went. “We just didn’t convert the layups tonight,” Williams said. “They took advantage of the breaks and we were not making our shots. We just couldn’t seem to get it going. We’ve got to get better and have more composure.” Similar thought from Pomona teammate Elijah Leyva. “It just seemed that we didn’t want it hard enough,” said Leyva, who scored 10 points. “We got out-hustled when it counted, especially on the boards. We’ve just got to pick it up after the break and practice harder. Our league is going to be tough and we have to be ready to go.” The Pomona boys host Prairie View, Jan. 4, while Standley Lake will travel to Green Mountain, Jan. 6.
With 2016 soon to arrive, it seems time to offer just a few of many wishes for Colorado high school athletics heading into the New Year. My first wish is for the Colorado High School AcJim Benton tivities Association Legislative ComOVERTIME mittee to reconsider the proposed Class 5A waterfall football league alignments before approving the change during its January meeting. The new leagues would take away some neighborhood rivalry games, while forcing many teams to log excessive miles for road contests. Another hope would be for Valor Christian to change its football jerseys so people in the stands and press box can read the numbers without having to use binoculars. And it sure would be nice if golf, swimming and wrestling coaches could file scores and results from tournaments and meets so those results could be included in weekly roundups. My Colorado Community Media cohort Tom Munds would like to see the state gymnastics meet set up so it is easier to follow and the public address system improved so everyone knows who is competing and who is on deck for each event. Hockey teams, Munds says, also need to have numbers on their shoulders or helmets so it would be easier to identify players for photos. It is also tough to ID swimmers unless names are scribbled in ink on the competitors’ legs. Valor grad is Player of the Year Valor Christian graduate Christian McCaffrey, a sophomore at Stanford, reversed the finishing order with Alabama running back Derrick Henry between the Heisman Trophy presentation and the naming of the AP Player of the Year. McCaffrey was the runner-up to Henry in the Heisman Trophy voting, but he was named the Associated Press college football player of the year on Dec. 22 to become the first non-Heisman Trophy winner to be honored by AP in six years. After setting an NCAA record 3,496 all-purpose yards, McCaffrey received 29 of the 60 votes from an AP media panel. Henry garnered 16 votes to finish second and Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, the third Heisman finalist, collected 11 votes. Far-West All-Stars Arapahoe keeper James Conley and Heritage defender Dylan Keeney, both seniors, were named to the 18-player National Soccer Coaches Association of America Fall Boys High School All-FarWest team. Conley and Keeney were among four Colorado players picked on the all-star team. National cross-country champions Brooke Wilson and Aidyn Woodall of Castle Rock won national championships on Dec. 12 at the USA Track & Field Junior Olympic National Cross-County Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Parker Panthers teams captured three national titles, winning the boys and girls 9-10 age group titles and the 11-12 girls crown. Woodall won her third straight national crown with a time of 10:52.1 over the
Benton continues on Page 20
20 Arvada Press
National Wildlife Refuge Association manages resources 2015 marked the 40th anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge Association, the professional support entity that represents the nation’s 564 national wildlife refuges (NWR) in Congress and in the public domain. Colorado has seven NWRs. Three are in our immediate Denver metro region. They include the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge (16,000 acres adjoining Commerce City), the Rocky Flats (5,000 acres west of Westminster) and Two Ponds (72 acres in Arvada) refuges. Nationally, the NWRs vary in size from the small .57-acre Mille Locs NWR in central Minnesota to the massive 19,286,000acre Artic NWR in Alaska. The 564 refuges provide critical habitat, food source, nesting and life support for over 2,170 different and rare species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish. NWRs provide positive investments of dollars and time. For every $1 appropriated to the refuge system, an average of $4.87 is returned to local economies in nearby communities. The 564 refuges are popular destinations. They welcome 46.5 million visitors annually, create 35,000 jobs, and generate $342 million in tax revenues and $2.4 billion in economic output in numerous ways. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service NWR staff and volunteer Friends Groups provide hundreds of refuge youth, adult and family activities and educational programs. The three Denver metro-area refuges produce year-round public programs and educational opportunities. Current programs at the Arsenal and Rocky Flats NWRs can be obtained by calling 303-289-0930 and 303-289-0867 for scheduled events at Two Ponds NWR. The NWRA supports and provides testimony, research and position statements for a wide variety of wildlife issues, both policy and funding support. The Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly referred to as the Duck Stamp; the Wilderness Act; lawsuits initiated to protect refuge lands and wildlife species; annual federal government budget appropriations; listing protection or delisting of wildlife species; public education and information; Friends Groups award programs; photo programs; annual refuge manager of the year and Friends Group volunteer awards and recognition; and a wide range of cooperative partnerships with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service are typical initiatives and lead roles played by the National Wildlife Refuge Association. NWRA services are fueled by public and private funds supporting an annual $2.7 million budget. Outdoors writer Ron Hellbusch can be reached at RonHellbusch@comcast.net.
Benton Continued from Page 19
3,000-meter course in the 11-12 division this year. She won by 14.5 seconds. Wilson was the 9-10 girls champion with a time of 11:45.8 over the 3,000-meter course in a race that was run in the rain with 30-degree temperatures. Youngs stands up Lutheran senior Chris Youngs appears ready to make an impact on the Class 3A state track meet this spring. He finished sixth in the open 60-meter dash at the Air Force Open Indoor Meet on Dec. 11, and the five runners ahead of him were all collegiate runners. Spirit state champions Mountain Vista’s pom team won its third straight title, this year in the 5A jazz competition at the State Spirit Championships held Dec. 11 at the Denver Coliseum. Castle View captured the 4A/5A co-ed title, Ponderosa was crowned the 4A poms champion, and Cherry Creek won the 5A poms state championship. State rankings Highlands Ranch is once again the top-ranked Class 5A girls basketball team in the CHSAANow.com rankings that were released Dec. 21 prior to the holiday break. ThunderRidge was third, Ralston Valley fourth, Lakewood fifth and Cherry Creek seventh in the 5A girls poll. Valor Christian was third and Golden sixth in the 4A rankings. Lutheran was sixth in the 3A poll. The Grizzlies boys basketball team was second in the 5A poll with Rock Canyon ninth. Valor Christian was second and Golden sixth in the 4A boys poll, while Lutheran came in fourth and Faith Christian seventh in the 3A rankings. In the CHSAANow.com hockey poll, Ralston Valley was third, defending state champion Cherry Creek fourth and Mountain Vista eighth. Jim Benton is a sports writer for Colorado Community Media. He has been covering sports in the Denver area since 1968. He can be reached at jbenton@coloradocommunitymedia.com or at 303-566-4083.
December 31, 2015
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22 Arvada Press
December 31, 2015
Eagles place ninth in wrestling tournament
Faith Christian wrestlers gain experience at Sheridan Invitational
Faith Christian’s Sage Rodriguez has the upper position during a bracket match at the Dec. 19 Sheridan Invitational Wrestling Tournament. Rodriquez finished sixth at 106 pounds and the Eagles were ninth in the team standings. Photos by Tom Munds
By Tom Munds tmunds@coloradocommunitymedia.com Luc Herrera won the championship at 113 pounds to help Faith Christian amass the 67 points needed to finish ninth in the team standings among the 23 school at the Dec. 19 Sheridan Invitational Wrestling Tournament. “We have a pretty solid team this season,” Eagles Coach Ray Romero said during the Dec. 19 tournament. “The kids have been working hard and we have done pretty well so far this season. We don’t really have one strong area in the lineup but all our kids will wrestle hard and I feel we will be a competitive team this season.” Faith Christian took part in the Dec. 19 Sheridan Tournament that included teams of all classifications from Class 2A Ellicott, Class 4A Conifer and Class 5A Rampart. The tournament was held in the gymnasium of the new Sheridan Middle School and drew a large crowd with few vacant seats in the bleachers that covered one wall of the gym. There were few quiet moments as the friends, families and members of the 23 teams in the tournament cheered on their favorite wrestlers. LaJunta, a Class 3A school, won the team title with 176 points and finished well ahead of Class 4A Classic Academy with 130 points. Faith Christian finished ninth with 67 points. Other area teams in the tournament included Alameda, which finished 10th with 61 points; Skyview, 17th with 30 points; and Arvada, 19th, with 10 points. Wrestlers earn team points for success in the tournament competition. While most of the Eagle wrestlers got points for at least one win, Herrera scored the most team points for Faith Christian by taking the champi-
onship at 113 pounds. The other two Eagle wrestlers finished in the top six — Joshua Marquardt was third at 138 pounds and Sage Rodriquez was sixth at 106 pounds. Because of the number of schools taking part in the competition, Sheridan used a 16 wrestler scramble format. The initial bracket had slots for 16 wrestlers. But instead of the traditional double-elimination format, the scramble format divided the 16 spots into four pools of four wrestlers each. It was still a double elimination format in which the winner of each pool then advanced to the eight-wrestler championship semifinals, and the losers in the championship rounds moved into the consolation bracket. Three mats were set up on the gym floor and the action was non-stop. A computer problem slowed progress, but action continued until champions were crowned in all 13 weight divisions.
London Spivey, Faith Christian’s 170-pounder, works to score points against Ruben Portillo of Alameda in the match at the Dec. 19 Sheridan Invitational Wrestling Tournament. Spivey’s win in the match helped the Eagles finish ninth in the tournament’s 23-school team standings.
Salomess Stars Salome FOR RELEASE WEEK OF DEC. 28, 2015 ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Handle a potentially awkward situation by warming up your confidence reserves and letting it radiate freely. Also, expect an old friend to contact you. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) It’s not too early for the practical Bovine to begin planning possible changes for 2016. A recent contact can offer some interesting insights. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) A request for an unusual favor should be carefully checked out. Also check the motives behind it. Your generosity should be respected, not exploited. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Party time beckons, but for some Moon Children, so do some workplace challenges. Deal with the second first, then you’ll be free to enjoy the fun time. LEO (July 23 to August 22) A warm response to an earlier request might be a positive indicator of what’s ahead. Meanwhile, Cupid could pay a surprise visit to single Leos looking for love. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) How you respond to a proposed change in a project could affect your situation. Be prepared to show how well you would be able to deal with it. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) The revelation of a secret could cause some changes in how to deal with a workplace matter. It very likely also validates a position you have long held. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) An attempt to get too personal could upset the very private Scorpio. Make it clear that there’s a line no one crosses without your permission. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) The savvy Sagittarian might be able to keep a family disagreement from spilling over by getting everyone involved to talk things out.
Super Crossword & Sudoku Answers
CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Be careful not to push people too hard to meet your ideas of what the holiday weekend’s preparations should be. Best to make it a cooperative, not a coerced, effort. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) An unexpected request could make you rethink a position you’ve had for a long time. Meanwhile, plan a family get-together for the weekend. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Someone might find that it was a fluke to try to use your sympathetic nature to get you to accept a situation you’re not comfortable with. Good for you. BORN THIS WEEK: You like challenges that are both mental and physical, and you enjoy always beating your personal best. © 2015 King Features Synd., Inc.
Arvada Press 23
December 31, 2015
Fed’s ultra-low rates have boosted Denver Healthy fundamentals fuel Colorado’s economic growth By Josh Boak and Nicholas Riccardi Associated Press Since the Federal Reserve slashed rates to record lows seven years ago, few parts of the country have thrived as much as Denver. You can see it when customers at the restaurant Stoic & Genuine order the “Tower of Power,” a $200 tray of oysters, lobster and caviar. Stoic & Genuine opened in a redeveloped 19th century train station a year ago, the third restaurant established by chef Jen Jasinski. It’s earning far more than Jasinski and her partners expected, a sign of the bounce enjoyed by Denverarea workers, entrepreneurs and homeowners. The Fed’s near-zero rates played to Colorado’s advantages: An educated population, growing tech firms, energy reserves and a real estate market that never really succumbed to the ravages of the housing crisis. Ultra-low rates made it easier to borrow, invest and prosper. “Things are being built, people are moving here — you can see cranes all around,” Jasinski said, sitting in the back of her bustling flagship restaurant, Rioja. And though the Fed on Wednesday began raising rates for the first time in nine years, it’s hard to find anyone who fears that Colorado’s economy will suffer. For one thing, the Fed’s rate increases will likely be slight and gradual. For another, the ultra-low borrowing rates the Fed engineered strengthened a regional economy that was already blessed with healthy fundamentals.
degree have been increasingly pushed to the sidelines of the job market. But the numbers tell a different story in Colorado and its capital of Denver, where the conditions existed for exploiting the benefits of record-low rates. Colorado’s unemployment rate is now 3.8 percent, versus 5 percent nationwide. Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have risen 2.9 percent to $27.11 — with both the increase and the hourly pay eclipsing the national averages. Home prices and household incomes are higher than before the Great Recession, even as the country as whole, 6 1/2 years into the recovery, has yet to match home prices or earnings enjoyed before the recession. Young college graduates are migrating en masse to Denver. Nearly 52 percent of Denver’s 25- to 34-year-olds have graduated from college, up from 43.4 percent in 2009. Nationwide, less than a third of Americans in that age group have finished college. Around the country and the world, the prospect of a Fed rate hike had stirred varying degrees of anxiety. Some analysts still fear that a steady rise in the Fed’s benchmark rate could cause the dollar’s value to increase further. This would likely depress exports and the profits of multinational companies. Others worry that high-yield junk bonds could collapse, along with the debt of emerging economies.
Diversification fuels growth But Coloradans who were asked about modestly higher U.S. rates sounded blase. Many suggested that the first Fed hike was unlikely to change investments around Denver. Stars align for Denver-area recovery “It’s not going to affect any project on In a country where the sources of the books or any proposed ones,” said prosperity are spread unevenly, Denver Norman Franke, regional president of provides one piece of a lesson about the NOTICE Colorado-based AlpinePUBLIC Bank. possibilities and limitations of the Fed’s ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Alpine opened its first two Denver efforts to revive the U.S. economy after Sealed bids for the construction of City of Arvada Project No. 16-WA-02 enbranches two years ago after decades the 2008 financial crisis. titled Quaker Street 24” PVC Waterline of serving more rural communities will be received at the office of in the City With its high education levels and inEngineer until 10:00 am on January 5, drawn to the area by frastructure investments — and even the western Colorado, 2016 and then publicly opened and read aloud.The bank has been its robust growth. cachet of newly legalized recreational The BID DOCUMENTS, consisting of Adinvolved in $80 millionforinBids, business vertisement Informationloans for Bidmarijuana — Denver stood to capitalize ders, Special Conditions, Addendum when since then. issued, Bid Bond, Bid Proposal, and Bid on historically low borrowing rates. Schedule forms,said and the “It’s amazing,” Franke ofProject the Draw“This would’ve happened almost ings (11”x17”) may be examined at the following locations: Denver area economy, noting that anywhere in the country if these other City of Arvada Engineering Division United Airlines- 8101 recently announced that Ralston Road, ingredients were there,” said Richard Arvada, Colorado 80002 it will open a pilot Wobbekind, an economist at the UniDodgetraining Plan Room center in the – www.construction.com region. “It’s diversifi ed. It’s great to see.” versity of Colorado. “These positive ISqFt Plan Room Car and truck sales, too, surged – 1030 West Ellsworth Ave., Unitmore G, elements enabled people to benefit from Denver, Colorado 80223 in Colorado than the restData of the countremendously low interest rates.” Reedin Construction www.reedpsp.com try. That meant-Rocky thatMountain Rocky Mountain Other sections of the country prosE-Purchasing System at www.rockymountainbidsystem.com drivers benefited more from ultra-lowpered far less or not at all. The Fed’s No cost bid documents may be obtained rate auto loans,at awww.rockymountainbidsystem.com discount that’s likely to on efforts to inject cash into the economy after December 17, 2015. Bid docudiminish only or slightly as a result of the weren’t enough, for example, to spare ments may also be obtained at the office the City Engineer upon payment of PUBLIC NOTICE Fed rate hike. of Florida from a wave of foreclosures, to $30.00 per set, which is non-refundable. ESTIMATED QUANTITIES THE ADVERTISEMENT Between 2010 and 2014, autoOF registrareinvent the battered industrial Midwest FOR BIDS MAJOR ITEMS OF WORK ARE: Sealed bids for the construction of City tions for new vehicles soared 82 24” percent or even to raise most people’sofpay very 1,210 LF Furnish and Install PVC Arvada Project No. 16-WA-02 enWaterline titled Quaker Street 24” Waterline Nationally, inPVC Colorado. by contrast, the much. 40 LF Furnish and Install 12” PVC will be received at the office of the City Waterline Engineer until 10:00 am on January 5, 57.6 increase was percent, said Tim JackWhat’s more, many Americans 1 EA Furnish and Install 8” Blowoff 2016 and then publicly opened and read couldn’t qualify for the low mortgage son, president Assembly of Colorado Automobile aloud. 1 EA Furnish and Install 24” Butterfly The BID DOCUMENTS, consisting of Adrates made possible by the Fed. And for Bids, Information DealersforAssociation. Valve & Box vertisement Bid3 EA Furnish and Install 12” Gate Special Conditions, Addendum when economy workers with no more than a ders, high school Denver’s previously hasValve & Box issued, Bid Bond, Bid Proposal, and Bid
been oil-and-gas centered and been vulnerable to downturns in energy markets like the one that has sent oil prices plunging below $40 a barrel. And while energy companies have closed rigs and cut back recently, the regional economy has expanded into enough diverse areas — from health care to technology — that the blow has been cushioned, economists say. “People want to live in Colorado,” said Natalie Mullins, an economist for the state legislative council. “If they don’t find jobs in Colorado, they’re going to move here anyway and create their own jobs.” The population influx has created a housing market so intense that real estate brokers and prospective buyers call
Public Notices
Government Legals PUBLIC NOTICE
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Sealed bids for the construction of City of Arvada Project No. 16-WA-02 entitled Quaker Street 24” PVC Waterline will be received at the office of the City Engineer until 10:00 am on January 5, 2016 and then publicly opened and read aloud. The BID DOCUMENTS, consisting of Advertisement for Bids, Information for Bidders, Special Conditions, Addendum when issued, Bid Bond, Bid Proposal, and Bid Schedule forms, and the Project Drawings (11”x17”) may be examined at the following locations: City of Arvada Engineering Division - 8101 Ralston Road, Arvada, Colorado 80002 Dodge Plan Room – www.construction.com ISqFt Plan Room – 1030 West Ellsworth Ave., Unit G, Denver, Colorado 80223 Reed Construction Data - www.reedpsp.com Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System at www.rockymountainbidsystem.com No cost bid documents may be obtained at www.rockymountainbidsystem.com on or after December 17, 2015. Bid documents may also be obtained at the office of the City Engineer upon payment of $30.00 per set, which is non-refundable. ESTIMATED QUANTITIES OF THE MAJOR ITEMS OF WORK ARE:
Schedule forms, and the Project Drawings (11”x17”) may be examined at the following locations: City of Arvada Engineering Division - 8101 Ralston Road, Arvada, Colorado 80002 Dodge Plan Room – www.construction.com ISqFt Plan Room – 1030 West Ellsworth Ave., Unit G, Denver, Colorado 80223 Reed Construction Data - www.reedpsp.com Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System at www.rockymountainbidsystem.com No cost bid documents may be obtained at www.rockymountainbidsystem.com on or after December 17, 2015. Bid documents may also be obtained at the office of the City Engineer upon payment of $30.00 per set, which is non-refundable. ESTIMATED QUANTITIES OF THE MAJOR ITEMS OF WORK ARE: 1,210 LF Furnish and Install 24” PVC Waterline 40 LF Furnish and Install 12” PVC Waterline 1 EA Furnish and Install 8” Blowoff Assembly 1 EA Furnish and Install 24” Butterfly Valve & Box 3 EA Furnish and Install 12” Gate Valve & Box Miscellaneous items include connections to existing facilities, traffic control, water main fittings, and other appurtenances. Bidders, subcontractors, and suppliers must be familiar with the current City of Arvada Engineering Code of Standards and Specifications for the Design and Construction of Public Improvements, dated July 19, 2011, which will be combined with the Bid Documents to form the Contract Documents for the Project. A copy of the Standards may be obtained from the office of City Engineer upon a non-refundable payment of $30.00. The Standards are also available in the Engineering section of the City’s web site at www.arvada.org. Holders will be notified when supplemental revisions and additions are available as they are adopted. Holders are responsible for keeping current their City of Arvada Engineering Code of Standards and Specifications. Project Engineer for the work is
Government Legals
Miscellaneous items include connections to existing facilities, traffic control, water main fittings, and other appurtenances. Bidders, subcontractors, and suppliers must be familiar with the current City of Arvada Engineering Code of Standards and Specifications for the Design and Constructio n of Public Improvements, dated July 19, 2011, which will be combined with the Bid Documents to form the Contract Documents for the Project. A copy of the Standards may be obtained from the office of City Engineer upon a non-refundable payment of $30.00. The Standards are also available in the Engineering section of the City’s web site at www.arvada.org. Holders will be notified when supplemental revisions and additions are available as they are adopted. Holders are responsible for keeping current their City of Arvada Engineering Code of Standards and Specifications. Project Engineer for the work is William S. Jennings, P.E. Phone 720-898-7643 CITY OF ARVADA Timothy R. Hoos, P.E., City Engineer
Government Legals
Legal Notice No.: 43977 First Publication: December 17, 2015 Last Publication: December 31, 2015 Publisher: Golden Transcript Wheat Ridge Transcript and the Arvada Press PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that disbursements in final settlement will be issued by the Finance Director at 10:00 a.m., January 12, 2016 to Asphalt Specialties Company, Inc. for work related to Project No. 15-ST01 – 2015 Milling and Overlay and performed under that contract dated March 23, 2015 for the City of Arvada. Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company or corporation that furnished labor, material, drayage, sustenance, provisions or other supplies used or consumed by said contractor or his subcontractors in or about the performance of the work contracted to be done by said Asphalt Specialties Company, Inc. and its claim has not been paid, may at any time on or prior to the hour of the date above
it “The Hunger Games.” At brewpubs, dinner parties and on mountain slopes, people swap tales of skyrocketing prices, cash offers during open houses and housing ennui. Kristin Hall had to make five offers, all above list price, before she could snag a two-bedroom condo in central Denver this year for $379,000. “I kept getting shut out by the cash out there,” the 54-year-old design/construction consultant said. “No matter my credit rating, no matter what I put down, I couldn’t beat the cash offer.” Real estate broker Anthony Rael said he thinks a rate hike might take some edge off the Denver market but that a few increases wouldn’t be very damaging.
Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF FINAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that disbursements in final settlement will be issued by the Finance Director at 10:00 a.m., January 12, 2016 to Asphalt Specialties Company, Inc. for work related to Project No. 15-ST01 – 2015 Milling and Overlay and performed under that contract dated March 23, 2015 for the City of Arvada. Any person, co-partnership, association of persons, company or corporation that furnished labor, material, drayage, sustenance, provisions or other supplies used or consumed by said contractor or his subcontractors in or about the performance of the work contracted to be done by said Asphalt Specialties Company, Inc. and its claim has not been paid, may at any time on or prior to the hour of the date above stated, file with the Finance Director of the City of Arvada at City Hall, a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim. Dated this December 14, 2015 CITY OF ARVADA /s/ Teri Colvin, Deputy City Clerk
Government Legals
Legal Notice No.: 44016 First Publication: December 24, 2015 Last Publication: December 31, 2015 Publisher: Golden Transcript Wheat Ridge Transcript and the Arvada Press PUBLIC NOTICE RALSTON VALLEY WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT NOTICE OF DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE LATE PAYMENT FEES AND SHUT-OFF NOTICE CHARGES NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Ralston Valley Water and Sanitation District to be held February 2, 2016 at 6:30 p.m., the Board will consider late payment fees and shut-off notice charges. Regular monthly meetings are held at: Apex Center
PUBLIC NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE RALSTON VALLEY WATER AND NOTICE OF HEARING SANITATION DISTRICT UPON APPLICATION FOR A NEW NOTICE OF DISCUSSION OF TAVERN LIQUOR LICENSE OF POSSIBLE LATE PAYMENT FEES AND ToNOTICE advertise your publicLAMAR notices call 303-566-4100 STREET CENTER, LLC SHUT-OFF CHARGES D/B/A LAMAR STREET CENTER 5889 LAMAR STREET, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at the ARVADA, CO 80003 regular monthly meeting of the Board of Notice is hereby given that an application Directors of the Ralston Valley Water and has been presented to the City of Arvada Sanitation District to be held February 2, 2016 at 6:30 p.m., the Board will conLocal Liquor Licensing Authority for a Tavern Liquor License from Lamar Street sider late payment fees and shut-off noCenter, LLC, d/b/a Lamar Street Center, tice charges. 5889 Lamar Street, Arvada, Colorado, whose two 50% owners are Wayne L. Regular monthly meetings are held at: Winkler, 7987 Lone Pine Dr., Golden, ColApex Center orado; and Toni Winkler, 7987 Lone Pine 13150 W. 72nd Avenue Dr., Golden, Colorado. The license would Arvada, CO allow sales of malt, vinous and spirituous liquor by the drink for consumption on the RALSTON VALLEY WATER AND premises at 5889 Lamar Street, Arvada, SANITATION DISTRICT Colorado. Said application will be heard and conBy: /s/ Phil Wathier sidered by the City of Arvada Liquor LiDistrict Manager censing Authority at a meeting to be Dated: December 21, 2016 held in the Arvada Municipal Complex Council Chambers, 8101 Ralston Road Legal Notice No.: 44050 at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 14, First Publication: December 31, 2015 2016. The application was submitted on Last Publication: December 31, 2015 November 12, 2015. Publisher: Arvada Press For further information call Teri Colvin, Golden Transcript Deputy City Clerk, at 720-898-7544. Dated this 31st day of December, 2015. PUBLIC NOTICE /s/ Teri Colvin, Deputy City Clerk CITY OF ARVADA, COLORADO NOTICE OF HEARING UPON APPLICATION FOR A NEW Legal Notice No.: 44062 TAVERN LIQUOR LICENSE OF First Publication: December 31, 2015 LAMAR STREET CENTER, LLC Last Publication: December 31, 2015 D/B/A LAMAR STREET CENTER Publisher: Golden Transcript 5889 LAMAR STREET, Wheat Ridge Transcript ARVADA, CO 80003 and the Arvada Press Notice is hereby given that an application has been presented to the City of Arvada Local Liquor Licensing Authority for a Tavern Liquor License from Lamar Street Center, LLC, d/b/a Lamar Street Center, 5889 Lamar Street, Arvada, Colorado, whose two 50% owners are Wayne L. Winkler, 7987 Lone Pine Dr., Golden, Col-
Government Legals
Government Legals
Arvada * 1
24 Arvada Press
December 31, 2015
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Sheridan Blvd
wy Pk t s we h rt No
S 120th St
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