Elbert County News 030713 by Colorado Community Media

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ELBERT 3.7.13

Elbert County

March 7, 2013

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Elbert County, Colorado • Volume 118, Issue 6

Chief: Arson suspect often first on scene Volunteer reported earlier blaze in same area By Deborah Grigsby

dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com Court documents show that a volunteer firefighter, accused of starting a blaze that scorched more than 600 acres in Elbert County last summer, had reported a fire at the same location three months earlier. According to a statement given to the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office by Elbert Fire Protection District Chief John Gresham, 19-year-old Alex J. Averett reported a fire

on the north side of County Road 102, “across the street” from the June 24 fire that Averett is accused of setting. Gresham told Elbert County investigator Joel Heap that Averett called in a fire on March 17, 2012, Averett the same morning his fire department conducted training. Averett was present for training that morning. On June 24, ECSO deputies and Elbert Fire were dispatched to a grass fire on the south side of County Road 102, about a mile west of Elbert Road. The fire spread quickly due to high winds and extremely dry conditions.

Gresham and Averett were the first to respond to what became known as the CR102 Fire. Averett was pulled off the fire three hours later and treated at the scene for heat-related injuries. Gresham also told authorities Averett has a history of being the first to arrive and had reported “three other fires of similar circumstance in the last six months.” Averett was interviewed twice by ECSO, on Aug. 24 and Jan. 31. Statements given during the Jan. 31 interview indicate that Averett, who had only been with the Elbert Fire Department for six months, admitted to setting the June 24 fire. While he had hoped the fire would stay smaller, he realized he “messed up and tried to hide it,” according to authorities.

More than 100 fire and law enforcement personnel from multiple agencies responded to the fire at a time when state firefighting resources were strained due to the Waldo Canyon and Hyde Park fires. Ground crews required assistance from county road and bridge teams, law enforcement personnel, and two single-engine aircraft tankers to contain the fire. Elbert County Sheriff Shayne Heap said he will seek restitution on behalf of the ECSO for expenses incurred in connection with the fire. The Elbert Fire Protection District covers more than 18o square miles and serves 1,500 people. Averett, a 2011 graduate of Elbert High School, faces felony arson charges and remains in custody. He will be back in court March 8.

Immigrant tuition bill advances

Handful of Republican votes help measure get through Senate By Vic Vela

vvela@ourcoloradonews.com

Texas native Kevin Weatherby is the founder of Kiowa-based Save the Cowboy, a non-denominational Christian church that emphasizes simplicity. Photos by Deborah Grigsby

Old-time religion, new brand Cowboy church hopes to rustle up variety of strays By Deborah Grigsby

dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com

Decorative spurs adorn the conference table in Kevin Weatherby’s office. The Texas native is the founder of Kiowa-based Save the Cowboy, a non-demoninational Christian church that removes many of the barriers that keep people at home on Sunday mornings. He says his church embraces a simplistic approach to religion with a Western flair.

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What if religion could be as comfortable as a well-worn pair of boots? Pastor Kevin Weatherby says it already is, and one can find it every Sunday morning at 10 a.m. at the Elbert County Fairgrounds where he holds cowboy church. “Cowboy church is really just church without all the fuss,” said Weatherby in his native Texas drawl. “We just do everything in a cowboy fashion.” That cowboy fashion, according to the former oil company inventory man, is one of simplicity and practicality, right down to baptism by immersion in a horse trough. “Oh that trough’s not a prop,” said Weatherby. “That’s the same horse trough I water my own horses in, except I drain it and rinse it before service.” Prior to the 1980s, cowboy churches were few and far between. While it is unclear where the movement began, it is thought to have its roots in outCowboy continues on Page 9

Undocumented immigrant children are part of the “melting pot” of our society, and they should have “the same opportunities as other kids do.” And that’s just Republicans talking. A bill that would allow undocumented students in Colorado to pay in-state tuition rates at colleges and universities passed the Senate on Feb. 25, with three Republicans joining all 20 Democrats in voting yes on Senate Bill 33. The bill, which has been dubbed ASSET — Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomor- Report row — would apply to all students, so long as they have graduated from high school and have attended a Colorado school for at least three years. “There are some pretty great kids out there who could benefit if we pass this,” said Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, during a Senate floor debate in the days leading up to the final vote. Joining Brophy in voting for the bill were fellow Republican Senators Owen Hill of Colorado Springs and Larry Crowder of Alamosa. Any issue involving illegal immigration has been a dicey one for Republicans in recent years. On one hand, the number of Hispanic voters only continues to grow — and they overwhelmingly support Democrats. At the same time, Republican lawmakers face pressure from the right wing of their party to oppose any efforts that it sees as being akin to softening on issues surrounding illegal immigration. “(Republicans) who vote for this bill are risking everything, politically,” Brophy said. “It takes a lot of courage to vote for this bill.” Crowder said that it’s wrong to expect undocumented immigrant students to forgo life goals and “flip burgers.” “We just look at it differently down there,” he said of his Senate District 35. “I’m of the opinion that this is a very conservative idea.” Crowder also reminded his Senate colleagues that the country needs more workers to pay into Social Security, and that can be helped by creating an environment

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2 Elbert County News

March 7, 2013

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March 7, 2013

Elbert County News 3

Felony DUI law gets committee backing State House panel passes measure 11-0 By Vic Vela

vvela@ourcoloradonews.com A bill that would create a felony DUI in Colorado passed a state House of Representatives committee on Feb. 21, with unanimous support. House Bill 1214 would make any new drunken driving violation a felony offense, if the person has had two prior DUI convictions in the last seven years. A DUI offense also would become a felony if the person has three prior convictions, regardless of when they occurred. The felony would apply to all intoxication-related driving offenses. Right now, Colorado is one of four states without a felony DUI law. “If they have done it three times, I think it’s time to have a felony on your record,” said House Minority Leader Mark Waller, R-Colorado Springs, the bill’s sponsor. “You haven’t learned your lesson. You need to stop driving (drunk).” If enacted, the law wouldn’t necessarily translate to more time behind bars for those who receive a felony DUI. However, the bill states that if a person receives probation as part of a felony drunken driving conviction, he or she would not be eligible for early release from probation until at least two years of the term has been completed. The bill also would require those who are convicted of felony DUI to go through a substance abuse driving safety program, and receive alcohol monitoring. It also requires offenders to install ignition interlock

Geoffrey Grenzke of Longmont testifies before a House Judiciary Committee on a bill that would create a felony DUI law in Colorado, as his mother, Deb, listens. Photo by Vic Vela devices in their vehicles for at least two years, which would not allow a person to drive without performing an alcohol breath test. The bill passed the House Judiciary Committee on an 11-0 vote, with seven Democrats and four Republicans all voicing their support. “It says to members of the public … don’t even think about drinking three times and driving, or you’ll be a felon for the rest of your life,” said Rep. Daniel Kagan, D-Cherry

Hills Village. Rep. Bob Gardner, a lawyer who has defended drunken driving clients in the past, said that most of the time, DUI offenders are “people who have made a mistake.” But the Colorado Springs Republican said there needs to be a felony DUI law on the books “for the protection of the public.” “The fact of the matter is, whatever we do … those people that have an intractable alcohol problem are going to get behind the wheel and drive and eventually injure

themselves, or worse, others,” Gardner said. Members of the committee, including Gardner, expressed some concern with the bill’s fiscal impact on the state. For example, state courts would have to add more staff to keep up with caseloads, and the Department of Corrections operating costs also could be affected. However, Waller said afterward, the anticipated fiscal impact on the state has been significantly reduced to $16 million, down from the $57 million that initially was estimated. Waller also notes that city and county governments would see a decrease in their costs, because felonies would be dealt with at the district court level. Issues concerning the price tag will be dealt with by the House Appropriations Committee. But count Deb Grenzke of Longmont, and her son Geoffrey, as two people who don’t care about the cost of the bill. They just want something done about repeat DUI offenders. Geoffrey Grenzke, 17, testified about how an accident caused by a drunken driver in November affected his life. The teenager suffered a broken leg in the crash, and has suffered from emotional trauma. “I’m very afraid to drive at night — deathly afraid,” he testified before the committee. His mother testified that the driver who caused the crash ended up being convicted of his sixth DUI. “His decision that night to drink and drive has put my family on an emotional roller coaster,” Deb Grenzke said. “Something has got to be done so that his seventh DUI doesn’t take my son away from me.”

Tanning bill would impose age limits Repeal of adultery ban passes House

Business owners decry proposal for regulations

Questions raised about second provision of bill

By Vic Vela

vvela@ourcoloradonews.com Jodi Duke of Lakewood was 15 when she first started using tanning beds, and she just couldn’t get enough of them. “I felt so good, a sense of happiness,” Duke said before a state House of Representatives committee on Feb. 26. “And I needed to go more and more, to get that high.” Four years later, Duke was diagnosed with melanoma. Now, a state legislator is trying once again to put in place restrictions on how minors use artificial tanning devices, which she hopes will protect others like Duke from future cancer diagnoses. But members of the tanning salon industry say they already have safeguards in place to protect children, and that further intervention from the state would be burdensome. House Bill 1215 would prohibit children 14 and younger from using artificial tanning devices, unless they have permission from a doctor. The bill also would require teenagers who are younger than 18 to get written consent from their parents before they can use tanning beds. The bill does not put in place any restrictions on those who are 18 and older. Rep. Cherylin Peniston, DWestminster, is sponsoring the bill, which was heard by the House Business, Labor, Economic and Workforce Development Committee on Feb. 26. “It is a very large concern for the children in the state of Colorado,” Peniston told committee members. The committee ended up referring the bill to the House Health, Insurance and Environment

By Vic Vela

vvela@ourcoloradonews.com

Jodi Duke of Lakewood testifies before the House Business, Labor, Economic & Workforce Development Committee, as Rep. Cherilyn Peniston listens. Photo by Vic Vela

‘Allowing businesses to irradiate children implies it is safe. It is not.’ Dr. Hunter H. Sams Committee, which will determine whether it goes forward in the House. Cancer survivors like Duke, along with doctors, informed legislators about the risks involved with artificial tanning devices, and the need for the state to protect children from the dangers of ultraviolet rays. Dr. Hunter H. Sams of the Denver Skin Clinic called tanning beds “a cancer-causing device.” “Allowing businesses to irradiate children implies it is safe,” he said. “It is not.” But those who work in the tanning industry say they don’t need the government telling them how to keep children safe because they’re already doing that.

Dwayne Jones, the chief operating officer for At The Beach Inc., which operates 31 tanning salons in Colorado, said kids younger than 14 are not allowed to tan at his stores, and that parents must provide consent for older teenagers to use the beds. Jones said his businesses would be burdened by the new law. “It creates a whole new course of action, more paperwork,” he said. “It’s just an enforcement nightmare.” Rep. Chris Holbert, R-Parker, sided with Jones, saying “the remedy (as a result of the law) is punishing business.” But, after hearing Jones’ testimony, Rep. Tracy Kraft-Tharp, D-Arvada, said that since Jones’ business is already doing what the law would require, “I’m not hearing that there really are any impacts to business.” Not everyone who testified about the dangers of skin cancer was fully supportive of the bill. Dr. Robert P. Dellavalle, of the University of Colorado-Denver School of Medicine, said the bill “doesn’t go far enough,” and said he would like to see a tanning age restriction of 18.

It was quite a way to start off a bill debate in the state House of Representatives. “Members, who did you sleep with last night?” Rep. Daniel Kagan said on Feb. 26, to laughter from lawmakers. The Cherry Hills Village Democrat was making a point that it’s no one’s business who a person sleeps with, as he was arguing in favor of a bill that repeals a state law against adultery, and one that makes it a crime to promote “sexual immorality.” House Bill 1166, which is being co-sponsored by Kagan, ended up passing the House the next day, in spite of Republican lawmakers raising concern that part of the bill could end up adversely affecting law enforcement’s abilities to deal with crimes such as prostitution. The adultery law has been on the books since the 1900s, but there is no penalty associated with cheating on one’s spouse. But the other longstanding Colorado law that Kagan’s bill seeks to repeal carries with it a misdemeanor penalty. An example of “promoting sexual immorality,” would be when a hotel worker or a landlord rents accommodations to an unmarried couple, knowing that they’re going to have sex there. Kagan said during a Feb. 21 hearing before the House Judiciary Committee that the sexual immorality law has been prosecuted 11 times in the last five years. All seven Democrats on the committee voted for the bill. Only one Republican, Rep. Carole Mur-

ray of Castle Rock, voted it out of committee. However, Murray ultimately ended up voting against the bill. During the hearing, Republican Rep. Bob Gardner of Colorado Springs blasted Kagan for using the committee’s time to hear a bill that he said doesn’t do a whole lot. “Why are we spending time on this?” Gardner said during the hearing. “It has more interest (from the press) than some things today that are far more important to the people of Colorado. Why bother?” Gardner also used the Feb. 26 House debate to argue against the bill, saying that he doesn’t believe police are going door-todoor, asking about who a person is sleeping with. Gardner was among a handful of Republicans who also raised concern during the bill’s final passage on Feb. 27 that, by removing the sexual immorality law from the books, police and prosecutors would have one less tool to use in fighting human trafficking cases, such as prostitution. Gardner read aloud several cases where the law had been used in conjunction with human trafficking cases, telling lawmakers, “The fact that it’s been used at all tells me that it’s not a trivial law.” Republicans also reminded fellow House members that the House recently passed a resolution creating Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Kagan said removing the sexual immorality law from statute does not affect other crimes that are more directly targeted at human trafficking cases, such as pimping and pandering. Kagan also said that district attorneys in the state have been silent on this issue. The bill passed the House on a 37-26 votee and now heads to the Senate.

4 Elbert County News

March 7, 2013

Young reader’s love lives on On book selection day, one of the most special days at Iowa Elementary in Aurora, almost 2,000 new stories crowd the school library. There’s “Diary of a Wimpy Kid.” And “Misty of Chincoteague.” And “The Good Dog.” And so many more. But the best story isn’t in a book. It’s the one being written every time Carole and Joe Hemmelgarn walk through the doors, hauling their load of books to lovingly place into the hands of every child there. It’s the one being written every time students ask about Alyssa, their 9-year-old daughter. “Do you miss her?” “Are you sad?” It’s the one being written with every hug Carole and Joe, and the children, give to each other. “It’s a gift,” Principal LuAnn Tallman says. “It’s a relationship. Someone else cares about them.” And someone else cares about Alyssa, who died suddenly six years ago, breaking her family’s hearts. “They talk of her as a personal friend,” Tallman says of her students. “We really consider Alyssa a part of our school.” That means everything to Joe and Carole. “As the years go by, people don’t ask anymore,” Carole says. “Kids are amazing. They’re not afraid to ask ….” If you asked, you’d hear a story about loss and sorrow, but also about hope. And love. And books. It begins, of course, with Alyssa. Doctors diagnosed the leukemia on Feb. 26, 2007. She was two months shy of her 10th birthday when she died 10 days later of complications from the treatment. “The heartbreak, the heartache ….” Joe’s voice trails off. Her bedroom, still as it was when she last slept in it, reflects the boundless enthusiasm and diverse interests that

endeared her to so many. Under the bed is the board with the intricate city she spent a whole day folding out of scrap paper. In a large shadow box on the wall are the colorful googly-eyed puff ball creatures she made for each holiday, a picture of her favorite go-with-her-everywhere white teddy bear with the red heart called Valentine, clothespin dolls she created, poems she wrote for her classes at Fox Creek Elementary in Highlands Ranch. She titled one “Upside Down.” Yesterday my brain flipped upside down And my train of thought crashed And thirty of my brain cells died … So please excuse my attention span in Math. “She was a goofy kid,” Joe says. At the beginning of fourth grade, she started waking up at 4:30 every morning. “She made her breakfast, fed her lizard, played the guitar. It was almost as if she felt ‘I’m running out of time here.’” Her best friend was her younger brother, Griffin, now 12. Smiley and funloving, Alyssa grew her hair to cut it off for wigs for cancer patients. She loved to ski, play soccer — and read. A book she was reading when she died, “The Fairy’s Return and Other Princess Tales,” still rests on her dresser. That last Christmas, she had written her parents a note. Dear Mom and Dad, Thank you for caring for me. And loving me. Stay warm and help old and poor. Thank you. Love, Alyssa. Merry Christmas. For Carole and Joe, the words took on new meaning after her death.

“When parents lose a child,” Carole says, “there’s this need to give back or do something.” They combined Alyssa’s love for reading with her compassion for the less fortunate and, a year later, in 2008, the Alyssa Cares Foundation was born. They decided to take books to schools where most of the students qualified for free and reduced lunch, a marker of poverty, and where reading scores were low. Iowa Elementary was the first school. Today, four more elementaries participate — Harrington, Doull and Swansea in Denver, and Paris, also in Aurora. Carole and Joe, with Griffin and their volunteers, visit each school three times a year and bring enough books to give every child — from kindergarten to fifth grade — one to take home, each time. So far, they have distributed more than 30,000 books, all bought with donations from individuals and corporations. “We tell Alyssa’s story, about her love for reading,” Joe says. “The book is our way of having the introduction. We talk a lot about what it can do for you in your life. … The gateway to learning is reading, and everything becomes a little easier if you can read.” But something else, a little bit magical, blossomed along the way. “We did not see how they would connect with Alyssa,” Carole says. “She’s like this mentor. They want to read for her. They say, ‘We want to be like you, Alyssa.’” And they want to share their stories, many of which, like Carole’s and Joe’s, are of struggles and loss. “Storytelling,” Carole says, “is so powerful.” LuAnn Tallman, the principal: “The books are important, but it’s Carole’s and Joe’s relationship with the children that has made the biggest difference in their reading.” Carole and Joe don’t forget. “They will recognize the kids and say, ‘We remembered this book for you,’” Tallman says.

ELBERT COUNTY NEWS IN A HURRY Big-game applications accepted

Colorado Parks and Wildlife 2013 big-game brochures are available and limited license applications are being accepted for big-game hunts. License applications for deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, sheep, goat and bear are due April 2. The division encourages hunters to apply for licenses online. The 2013 Colorado Big Game brochure is now available at license agents and parks and wildlife offices. Colorado Parks and Wildlife hunt planners are available to help hunters who have application questions or are looking for areas to hunt. Hunt planners can be reached from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 303-291-7526. The 2013 Colorado Big Game brochure is available online at www.bit.ly/coloradobiggame.

ECCO Easter egg hunt slated

The Elbert County Coalition for Outreach will hold its annual Easter egg hunt March 23 at the Elbert County Fairgrounds in Kiowa. Egg hunts are grouped by age and begin at 10 a.m. The event is free and open to the public. ECCO is also looking for donations of empty plastic Easter eggs and small toys or nonchocolate candy. For more information or to donate, call 303-621-2599.

I-25 travel app available

The Colorado Department of Transportation launched information about the Interstate 25 corridor on CDOT Mobile, a free Smartphone mobile application. CDOT Mobile provides real-time information about highway conditions and traffic.

“They’re willing to give freely of themselves to make these kids feel good about reading and feel good about life.” The connection is evident in the plastic bin under Alyssa’s bed, packed tightly with more than 2,000 letters from children at the schools. A colorful wire sculpture that depicts Alyssa reading, from Harrington Elementary, sits on her dresser. Iowa Elementary’s library is now named after her. The foundation, Joe says simply, “keeps her memory alive. It’s creating some type of legacy, and I guess we just didn’t want her story to end.” Every Christmas, Carole places under the tree a stack of gift-wrapped books for Alyssa. One by one, she’ll read them throughout the year, in the quiet of Alyssa’s bedroom or the loft at the cabin or her gravesite. “I do read out loud and I talk to her,” Carole says. “I ask her what she thinks about the book. … It’s a connection — the book — and I don’t know why.” Perhaps it just keeps the door open. Joe likes to tell the kids at the schools “every book you open, the more doors you open, and the more doors open for you.” One day, a young boy came up to him, book in hand. He turned a page. “Mr. Joe,” he said, “I’m opening a door here.” The boy smiled. Joe smiled at the memory. A connection made. One more line in a story being written one book at a time, one child at a time, by a little girl and the family who misses her. That’s a story of hope. And of love. And that’s the best story of all. To learn more about the Alyssa Cares Foundation, go to www.AlyssaCares.org. Ann Macari Healey’s column about people, places and issues of everyday life appears every other week. She can be reached at ahealey@ourcoloradonews.com or 303566-4110.

MILESTONES

The application provides speeds, road conditions, road closures, construction activities and feeds from CDOT’s closed-circuit television cameras for the I-25 corridor between Colorado Springs to the south and E-470 to the north. It also allows travelers to select and save their “favorites,” providing ready access to travel times for their regular commuting route. Information that is available on COtrip.org such as speeds, cameras and road conditions for the entire state is accessible in the CDOT Mobile map. To download CDOT Mobile, text “CDOT” to 25827, go to www.cotrip.mobi or search CDOT Mobile in your App Store. To access the I-25 interface scroll down and click on the “Check Out I-25” bar.

Education

Alexandria Winters, of Elizabeth, was named to the fall 2012 dean’s list at Doane College. Winters is a sophomore and she attended Lutheran High School in Parker. Kalista Heiden and Angela M. Shimoda, of Parker, were named to the fall 2012 dean’s list at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Heiden is studying in the College of Continuing Education. Shimoda is a junior in the College of Biological Sciences. Katherine Elizabeth McGowan, Kathryn Mary Nicola and Marie C. Oldenburg, of Parker, earned bachelor’s degrees during the fall 2012 semester from the University of

Wyoming.

Business

Cynthia Beth Dash, of Parker, was reappointed by Gov. John Hickenlooper to serve on the Colorado Banking Board as an executive officer of a trust company. The Colorado Banking Board makes policies and rules for the division of banking and has the authority to make all final decisions with respect to the taking of possession, liquidation or reorganization of banks. The appointments must be confirmed by the Colorado Senate. The appointment is effective July 1, 2013, through July 1, 2017.

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Drilling around cities gives rise to backlash Extraction near homes, schools prompts action By Nicholas Riccardi Associated Press

Colorado regulators grappling with a historic energy boom that’s pushing gas and oil rigs to the very doorsteps of suburban schools and homes were among the first in the nation to require companies to disclose the chemicals they use in their new drilling techniques. Now, the regulators have issued what they tout as the country’s toughest energy drilling regulations, requiring rigs to be at least 500 feet away from occupied buildings and take other steps to limit pollution. But few are pleased, underscoring the difficulties that governments across the country are facing as they try to regulate an industry that is moving ever closer to people’s neighborhoods but also contributing jobs and millions of dollars to local economies. “Colorado has been on the leading edge of” regulating the energy boom, said Bruce Baizel, who tracks regulations nationwide for the environmental group Earthworks. “It’s trying to muddle through and not satisfying anybody.” Environmentalists complain the new regulations have too many loopholes, while the energy industry frets they will create more hoops to jump through before it can hire people to extract the oil or gas from the ground. “There is so much enerwas gy in the ground that we can access, that it’s coming into ficer more people’s backyards than ever before,” said Julia Bell, a spokeswoman for the Independent Petroleum Association of America. “The

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March 7, 2013

tension is popping up everywhere.” The same boom has brought drilling rigs, and the fears of air and water pollution that accompany them, into urban areas. Techniques like hydraulic fracturing, known as “fracking,” have made it easier to extract oil and especially natural gas from energy-rich geological formations such as the Niobrara shale, which stretches from Wyoming to beneath the densely populated Front Range of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Last year, more than 150 bills were introduced in 25 states to regulate energy drilling, said Jacquelyn Pless, an analyst at the National Conference of State Legislatures. Only 14 became law, many to define whether state or local governments could regulate the procedure. In Longmont, residents passed a ballot initiative in November banning fracking. An industry group has filed a lawsuit to overturn the ban, arguing only the state can regulate energy exploration. There is a similar challenge over Longmont’s own drilling regulations, which are more stringent than even the state’s new ones. Other cities have already embarked on similar paths. Fort Collins gave preliminary approval to its own fracking ban. Pittsburgh, the cradle of the American energy industry in the 19th century, banned new drilling projects within city limits in 2010, but the state is challenging the authority of cities to issue such bans. California, where cities like Los Angeles are pockmarked with old oil wells, is drawing up new fracking regulations, while New York state has a moratorium on fracking while the government revises its regulations.

School custodian accused of sex crime Man allegedly tried to lure girls with alcohol, lingerie By Deborah Grigsby

dgrigsby@ourcolorado news.com An Elizabeth Middle School custodian has been arrested on felony charges of Internet luring of a child. Michael A. Petramala, 53, was arrested Feb. 22 at his Elizabeth home and is being held in the Elbert County jail on a $100,000 bond. Elbert County Sheriff Shayne Heap said Petramala admitted he was using the Internet and other social media as a means to meet two young girls for sex. “Petramala had detailed explicit sexual activities that he was planning with the juveniles and had agreed to bring alcohol and lingerie,” said Heap. At a bond hearing Feb. 25, Petramala was ordered to have no contact with

anyone under the age of 18 and no Internet access. Elizabeth School district is cooperating with the ongoing investigation and, to date, doesn’t believe any of its students were involved, according to a statement released Feb. 25. Heap said he’s pleased with the investigation as well as the unified effort and spirit of cooperation in the community. “There is a group of public safety, law enforcement and fire professionals, as well as educators, that have made our kids safety a priority in Elbert County,” said Heap. “This is a perfect example.” Although Petramala worked at the school, district officials said he did not work directly with students. Petramala is on administrative leave pending further investigation and is prohibited access to all district property. He remains in custody and makes his next court appearance Feb 28.

In Texas, the Fort Worth suburb of Southlake banned fracking during the hot summer months because it drains the town’s water supply. In Dallas, the city council has been battling over whether to approve drilling in city parks. “We understand the necessity of drilling for oil and gas,” said Marc McCord, an activist who has fought against energy extraction in Dallas. “But drilling in a densely populated urban area is about as insane as anything on the face of the earth.” In Colorado, drilling traditionally focused on the western side of the Rockies or on the Eastern Plains. But wells have inched into

Front Range communities, where 90 percent of the state’s population resides. “People are saying `we thought we bought our house in suburbia, or at least exurbia, and now someone is drilling an oil well here,’” said Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Director Matt Lepore. The commission had required drilling operators to disclose to the state what chemicals they are injecting into the ground during fracking. In a nod to the reality of rigs inching closer to homes, the commission last month passed new rules that apply somewhat different standards to urban and

rural areas. In both settings they require 500 feet between occupied buildings and energy wells, 1,000 feet for schools and hospitals — though the distance requirement can be waived by property owners where wells are to be drilled. The difference between urban and rural settings comes in how easily the rules can be waived. In urban areas, adjacent landowners have to agree to the waiver, while in rural ones it can be done unilaterally. In either zone, the drilling company can also ask the government for a waiver. The rules replace earlier limits of 150 feet in rural areas and 350 feet in urban

ones. Energy operators also must meet with homeowners and others who live within 1,000 feet of their proposed projects to listen to their concerns, not use open pits to store drilling waste and ensure their venting system is closed to prevent sending methane into the air. The energy industry sees the regulations as too inflexible. “This rule goes too far by ultimately impacting the farmer, the rancher, mineral rights owner, business owner and home developers,” Tisha Schuller, president of the Colorado Oil and Gas Association, an industry group, said in a prepared statement.

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6-OPINION

6 Elbert County News

March 7, 2013

OPINIONS / YOURS AND OURS

Olympic wrestling decision falls flat The recent state high school wrestling tournament brought together some of the most dedicated young men and women in Colorado to showcase a sport that is off the mainstream radar. The hundreds of teenagers who competed in Denver spent months, maybe years, working on moves and strategy, running, lifting weights and sweating. During the season, many monitored their weight down to the ounce. What’s more, they carved out a certain toughness they might not otherwise have known was there. For most of them, their moments on the mats at the Pepsi Center would be the ultimate stage. But some of the young grapplers, no doubt, have aspirations to extend their wrestling careers. First, college. Then, if they can beat the odds, the Olympics. But have the odds already beaten them? As you may have heard, the International Olympic Committee voted on Feb. 12 to drop wrestling from the Summer Games following 2016. The sport doesn’t grab the headlines, the TV ratings or the ticket sales of many other athletic endeavors. True, the only wrestling champion many people can name is Hulk Hogan, who performed in a professional, scripted version made for TV. But the amateur sport, real wrestling, has history on its side, dating to the first modern Olympiad in 1896. Going back even further, more than 2,000 years ago, Greeks saw fit to grapple. Wrestling ultimately took hold in many nations and continues as a true test of not

OUR VIEW only athletic aptitude but of one’s self. Last summer, Forbes.com ran an article with the headline “Why wrestlers make the best employees.” The story began with a quote from Olympic gold medalist Dan Gable. “More enduringly than any other sport, wrestling teaches self-control and pride. Some have wrestled without great skill — none have wrestled without pride.” Who wouldn’t like to see more people in the workplace — and in the community — with greater self-control and more pride in what they do? If the Olympics serve as a source of motivation for young athletes to continue honing these traits, why take that carrot away? There is still a fighting chance for the sport to appear in the 2020 games. In May, the Olympic committee will consider adding one more sport. Already, efforts are under way in the wrestling community to make sure their sport is the one. There’s even talk of the United States and Iran working together for the cause, a true display of how sports can unite. We won’t use this space to trash other sports, ones that could be kept out so that wrestling might stay. All sports, in their own way, teach pride and self-control

Pomona’s Austin Marvel, left, wrestles against Pine Creek’s Geordan Martinez Feb. 23 during the Colorado Wrestling State Championships at the Pepsi Center in Denver. Wrestlers from across the state competed in the annual tournament. Photo by Courtney Kuhlen when done right. But consider this: LeBron James has the NBA Finals. Regardless of what wellintentioned players might say, high-profile professional sports reach their pinnacle within the confines of their league’s playoff tournament. Or in a global, sport-specific championship, such as soccer’s World Cup.

Amateur wrestling has major events that unite the world’s finest besides the Olympics. Did you know that? No? That’s the point. Wrestling needs the Olympics’ stage. And the Olympics need wrestling to help it remain something the world takes genuine pride in, not just watches like so much reality TV.

Coffee preference is black-and-white issue I am surrounded by coffee babies, featherweights, and fraidy-cats. How many times has this happened to me? Hundreds. “Coffee, black,” I say to the waiter. “Cream and sugar?” “Black.” “Room for creamy, foamy stuff, flavorings?” “Black.” “Skinny caramel latte-latte with a sprig?” “Black.” I drink coffee as black as asphalt, the way it should be. Cowboy coffee, detective coffee, no fooling around coffee, no standing in line for five minutes while it’s tricked and teased and fluffed. I am surrounded by coffee babies. Juan Valdez didn’t go all over Columbia looking for the finest beans so you could turn your coffee into a damned float. My girlfriend is a coffee baby. It’s appalling. We’re still in Phase One, when indiscretions are generally overlooked because, well, you figure it out. When we move into Phases Two and Three, watch out. She uses sugar, which is bad enough. Coffee needs to be semi-bitter, it’s not a soft drink. If you want a soft drink, drink a soft drink. She uses half and half, which completely ruins the color. Ruins it. Blands down the pitch. These mutilations cut the flavor, the color, and the poetry of a cup of coffee. Coffee should be harsh, not a damned daisy. Flavored coffees, I can’t even write the words without shaking my head, are wrong. I insist on coffee, black, hot, meaningful, complex, erotic, and not some liquid Hallmark card. That’s what you’re drinking. A liquid Hallmark card. Let me make an artist’s comparison. Acrylic paints are for babies. Oil paints are for real artists. Don’t even ask about watercolors. These commercials where some homemaker is getting high on the aroma in her kitchen, it’s all a lie. What does hot tan sugar water smell like? I guess maybe steaming Dr Pepper. That’s exactly what you’re drinking. Steaming Dr Pepper. Go get in line at one of those Starbuckies and ask for a Steaming Dr Pepper. They will know exactly what you mean. You’ve heard that song, “Let’s have an-

other cup of coffee and let’s have another piece of pie!” Irving Berlin. Great song. But let’s get something straight, Irving didn’t sit there and compose some junk like this: “Let’s have another frappuccino and let’s have another petite vanilla bean scone.” Come on. I was in a hurry and thought I was in good shape. A little coffee shop in an old house in Littleton. I was second in line. I’d make it to class on time. The cute girl behind the counter said to the man in front of me, “How’s your day so far? What about this rain? Huh? We need the moisture. We need the moisture. We need the moisture.” Man, am I tired of hearing that. If we need the moisture, we need the moisture. The same person who says, “We need the moisture,” will say, “This cake is moist.” Geez. What’s with all of the moisture? What else? “These mashed potatoes are moist. These beagles are moist.” I’m second in line and they’ve had a chance to talk about the weather, and I’m thinking there’s still hope. I was wrong. The dude’s order took about three minutes, and I never heard the word “coffee” once. What’s the point? They should have a line for coffee babies, and a line for the rest of us, who know what we’re doing. I ordered coffee once and the kid said, “Room for cream?” And I said, “Room for vodka.” I got out of line and went to a vending machine in the school cafeteria. I punched the black coffee and got something that was very hot, very brown, and tasted like paint thinner. But I drank it. I’m not going to stand in line behind a coffee baby. Coffee is supposed to be black. If it isn’t black it isn’t coffee. Babies. Craig Marshall Smith is an artist, educator and Highlands Ranch resident. He can be reached at craigmarshallsmith@ comcast.net

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Columnists and guest commentaries The Elbert County News features a limited number of regular columnists, found on these pages and elsewhere in the paper, depending on the typical subject the columnist covers. Their opinions are not necessarily those of the Elbert County News. Want your own chance to bring an issue to our readers’ attention, to highlight something great in our community, or just to make people laugh? Why not write a letter of 300 words or fewer. Include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.

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March 7, 2013

Elbert County News 7

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Report notes concerns with fire alert system Agency looks at services in wake of Waldo Canyon blaze

e. lp it uine Associated Press

A report released Feb. 27 notes concerns with two mass calling systems that were used to send evacuation alerts to the phones of thousands of residents during the Waldo Canyon Fire, the most destructive in Colorado history. Former Colorado Public Utilities Commission chief engineer Gary Klug wrote the report for the El Paso-Teller Counties E911 Authority. He said the Waldo Canyon Fire broke out in June before one system, MassCall, could be fully tested and fine-tuned.

“The Authority was not made aware by the vendor that it needed to review and modify default settings in the MassCall system based on the calling capacities of the central office switches in its area,” the report said. The other system, known as the Communicator! NXT Server system, seems to provide a useful tool for emergency notifications and providing updates, but it is constrained by the number of circuits connecting it to the telephone network, Klug wrote. Klug noted several other concerns. He found that a couple who died in the fire was served by a telecommunications provider other than CenturyLink or Comcast that hadn’t provided the couple’s number or location information for a 911 database or emergency notifications. He wrote that it’s unknown whether the couple would

have survived if the El Paso-Teller Counties E911 Authority had their information. Emergency notifications also were hampered by circumstances out of the control of the E911 authority. For instance, when Colorado Springs Utilities was forced to disable electricity in the Mountain Shadows area to protect against downed power lines and additional fires, cordless phones that rely on electricity were disabled. Cell-phone towers and telecommunication networks also can be threatened by fire and wind. Sheriff’s officials around Colorado have said residents shouldn’t rely on only one source for emergency notifications. The Waldo Canyon Fire destroyed 346 homes and caused major damage to 13 more.

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COLORADO NEWS IN A HURRY Governor plans lawsuit over drilling ban

Environments are concerned after Gov. John Hickenlooper said Colorado has an obligation to sue Fort Collins over banning oil and gas development within its city limits. Hickenlooper says an oil and gas drilling ban takes away mineral rights of companies that own them. Environment Colorado says Hickenlooper is bowing to oil and gas companies, potentially exposing people to air pollution and toxic spills.

March is make-or-break for drought

March is a make-or-break month for relieving drought conditions in Colorado. State climatologist Nolan Doesken

says a series of snowstorms or one monster blizzard, like the one in 2003, would go a long way to improve conditions along the Front Range and Eastern Plains. The month is traditionally a wet one. But last year the state dried out during an extremely dry and warm March, which also marked the start of a deadly wildfire season. April and May often bring rain and snow too. Doesken says March precipitation is key because the normally cooler weather helps moisture penetrate the ground and slows evaporation. Doesken said this week’s series of storms benefited any areas that got at least 7 inches of snow, the equivalent of about a half-inch of water.

Wildfire safeguards approved by Senate

New safeguards to prevent stateset fires from going out of control have won unanimous approval in the state Senate. The Senate voted 34-0 without debate Feb. 27 in favor of new safety curbs on prescribed burns on state forest land. The safeguards include a new requirement that people attend the fire as long as it continues to burn, along with a requirement that nearby residents must be alerted to planned burns. The bill now heads to the House. Another bill advancing in the Senate would raise limits for recovering damages incurred on account of government wrongdoing.

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March 7, 2013

Seniors help feed homeless Parker Assisted Living packs lunches, supplies By Chris Michlewicz

cmichlewicz@ourcoloradonews.com Sometimes a little teamwork goes a long way. The adage is proven true on a regular basis at Parker Assisted Living by Morningstar, a retirement community that opened in September on the southeast corner of Mainstreet and Dransfeldt Road. Once a month, 10 to 12 seniors gather in the dining area to assemble bagged lunches for those living on the streets of Denver. Janel Berilgen, executive chef for Parker Assisted Living and creator of the program, is among the staff members who break out the goodies needed to get the project done. She starts each table with bowls of jelly, jars of peanut butter and plenty of bread. Pretty soon, stacks of PBJs begin to form, as the residents and visitors busily chatter away. Among them is Chuck Reid, a spry 80-year-old who keeps things entertaining through witticisms and jokes. He sits across from Lois Verkler, 87, who has done her fair share of volunteer work throughout her life

Parker Assisted Living by Morningstar residents Norma Telotta, left, and Harriet Faestel put together peanut butter and jelly sandwiches Feb. 25. A dozen seniors assembled lunch sacks filled with food and toiletries that will be delivered to the homeless. Photo by Chris Michlewicz and shows no signs of stopping. Her daughter frequently brings her to Parker Assisted Living to join in the many activities.

It was Berilgen’s mother who got the ball rolling on the homeless project five years ago. Instead of exchanging gifts for Christ-

mas, they decided to hand out homemade burritos to homeless citizens on Colfax Avenue and in the area of the Capitol building. Berilgen then brought the idea to a retirement home near Boulder, where she was an employee. “It gives them a sense of purpose, and them helping the community back, and is one of their favorite things to do,” she said. Food is not the only necessity included in the bags. The volunteers also pack in toothpaste, toothbrushes, bottled water, and sometimes, hats, gloves, headbands, crocheted blankets and coats. Many of the items are donated; Parker Assisted Living partnered with Pepsi and Kraft to help bolster the food supplies. Berilgen forgoes the traditional route of partnering with a homeless shelter in favor of a more personal approach. “We do it on our own,” she says. “We go out to the streets and pass them out.” The philanthropists have gained a grateful following in downtown Denver. They hit areas with large homeless populations, including three shelters near Park Avenue West, and the recipients have become familiar with the group and its regular stops. It all starts with a few caring hearts and some hard work on the seniors’ assembly line. “They really enjoy doing it,” Berilgen said.

Appeals court approves school voucher program Opponents vow to continue their effort By Jane Reuter

jreuter@ourcoloradonews.com The Colorado Court of Appeals has upheld Douglas County’s pilot school voucher program, overturning a 2011 Denver District Court ruling. The plaintiffs who set out to stop the voucher program say they’ll appeal the case to the Colorado Supreme Court. “I think it’s safe to say the final decision will be made by the Colorado Supreme Court,” said school board President John Carson, who said the program would not start until “we’ve got clearance from the legal system. It’s not clear exactly when that will be yet.” Two members of the three-judge appeals-court panel agreed in the Feb. 28 decision to uphold the voucher plan, with a third judge dissenting. “We conclude that plaintiffs do not have standing to seek redress for a claimed violation of (Colorado’s school finance law), and that the (Choice Scholarship Program) does not violate any of the constitutional provisions on which plaintiffs rely,” the ruling said. “Therefore, we reverse the district court’s judgment and remand the case for entry of judgment in defendants’ favor.” Carson said he’s cautiously optimistic. “We’re just excited we’ve gotten a real clear statement from some esteemed judges in the state that the program is in fact constitutional,” he said. “That’s a huge stamp of approval. We feel this decision puts us in a real good state going forward.” Plaintiff Jamie LaRue, director of Douglas County Libraries, sees it differently. “Now the score card stands that two judges think it’s constitutional and two judges think it’s unconstitutional,” he said. “Either way, it was going to the Supreme Court.” The 2011 pilot program, which the school

district named the Choice Scholarship Program, granted a limited number of Douglas County students state school funding to use at private schools, most of them religious. Proponents say the program broadens educational options, but opponents say it blurs the line that separates church and state and pulls funding from traditional schools. Denver District Court Judge Michael Martinez agreed with the plaintiffs in August 2011, stopping the program days after some voucher recipients started class at their chosen schools. Becky Barnes’ autistic son was among those granted a voucher in 2011. The window of time during which the Castle Rock mother said he needed help from a teacher skilled in sensory issues has closed, and he now attends the district’s online school. She welcomed the ruling regardless. “I’m feeling so happy for the families that will be able to use this when the program continues,” she said. “For me (and others) that weren’t able to use the program, it’s kind of a mixed emotion. But I completely believe in the program and will continue to support it.” Carson says the program is intended for children like Barnes’ son. “All kids learn differently,” he said. “Some are well suited to traditional neighborhood schools. Some work better in private settings. We just think if we really care about kids and their priorities, we should embrace those other types of options.” The plaintiffs’ concern with the program, however, isn’t solely about school choice, but its legality. “I don’t understand how a judge could conclude it was constitutional,” LaRue said. “Where (the Colorado Constitution) said public monies could not be redirected to either private or religious schools … I don’t know how else to describe what the voucher program was doing, if not that.” Judge Steve Bernard, who disagreed with Judges Dennis Graham and Jerry N. Jones, wrote a dissent that spans 56 pages of the 119-page ruling. The ruling is available online at http:// bit.ly/WjOq3S.

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Elbert County News 9

Marijuana task force wraps up work Cowboy: Church changed man’s life Group’s recommendations will be sent to Legislature

made x Av-By Tom Munds ding.tmunds@ourcoloradonews.com etireas an The Amendment 64 Implementation Task Force’s final meeting foandcused on taxation to develop recomnd ismended tax levels for commercial said. marijuana sales. uded The recommendations made ck inon Feb. 28 suggest a 15 percent exwater,cise tax that stores would pay at the ands,wholesale level. f the It was also recommended that ivinga special sales tax be implemented bol-for recreational marijuana, with an example of a 25 percent sales tax te ofcustomers would pay when making favorpurchases. Any special voter-approved taxes We gowould be in addition to the state’s 2.9 percent sales tax as well as any rate-local sales taxes. They The task force discussed the isions,sue and generally agreed that, if the enuestate-imposed taxes were too high, e fa-users would turn to the black market ops. for marijuana. and One member suggested that mblykeeping the total cost, including taxes, of legal recreational marijuana ilgenless than the black market cost could bring an end to illegal pot sales. However, members repeatedly noted that because of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, no tax could be imposed without voter approval.

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As they wrapped up their discussions, it was noted that recommendations will be assembled into a report that, in the next two weeks, will be forwarded to the General Assembly to use in establishing rules and regulations for the new recreational marijuana industry. Colorado voters created a whole new industry in November by approving Amendment 64, which legalizes recreational use of marijuana by those 21 and older. When Gov. John Hickenlooper signed the voter-approved amendment into law, he created the 24-member task force to establish recommendations for regulating the new industry as guidelines for state legislative action. The governor spoke at the Feb. 28 task force meeting. He thanked the members for the thousands of hours they put into developing their recommendations. “We are entering a new and different world,” Hickenlooper said. “No matter how thoughtful we are, not every area will be adequately addressed. I think there will be unanticipated negative consequences.” He stressed the need for education and safeguards to keep marijuana out of the hands of those under 21. “We need to let our children and young people know that, just because it is now legal doesn’t mean it is safe,” the governor said.

Cowboy continues from Page 1

reach ministries serving the professional rodeo circuit. But its no-frills approach appeals to more than just cowboys. Weatherby said the “no barrier” model removes much of the organizational bureaucracy that tends to keep people away from church, including himself. Warm, open and gentlemanly, Weatherby admits if someone would have told him he’d one day be preaching the gospel, he said he would have laughed out loud. “When I met my wife 10 years ago, I had a beer in my hand, a beer in my pocket and Copenhagen tobacco in my cheek,” he said. But it was a small cowboy church in Fort Stockton, Texas,

that changed his life. “I remember walking through the doors that Sunday and the first thing I saw was two kids chasing a border collie trying to rope it,” he recalled. “And I remember saying to myself, `Well, if we don’t get struck by lightning in here today, I think I’m gonna like this.’” Weatherby eventually assumed the pastor’s position at the church, but through a series of serendipitous events — as well as his wife’s prayers — the couple made their way to Elbert County. And while he’s quick to point out he’s not a theologian, he does take a shine to being known as a storyteller. “I don’t use a lot of big words,” he said. “My gift is storytelling and I

use that to spread the gospel.” Based in Kiowa, Weatherby’s Save the Cowboy organization is an international ministry with followers as far away as Canada, Australia and Brazil. His Elbert County flock averages more than 200 parishioners each Sunday. The organization is currently looking for assistance in building a “ranch-like” headquarters operation where it can serve veterans and their families with specialized job training and therapy. “We’re filling up the pasture,” he said. “Come as you are, we don’t care if you’re a goat, a sheep, an alpaca or a hog — we’ve got room.” For more information, visit www.savethecowboy.com.

Bill: ASSET now heading to House Bill continues from Page 1

where more people have opportunities to gain an education and earn better salaries to pay into the system. Sen. Linda Newell, D-Littleton — who voted against a similar bill in 2009 — agreed with Crowder, as she voiced her support of the legislation this time around. “We are going to have

a huge shortage of workforce for our businesses,” she said. This is an emotional issue for many Democrats, and that was on display during the floor debate leading up to the final vote. Sen. Angela Giron, R-Pueblo, a bill co-sponsor, spoke through tears as she said how “this legislation changed my life,” and how she decided to run for office because of it.

Sen. Evie Hudak, D-Westminster, who is a former teacher, recalled how “emotionally crushing” it was to see some of her students lose hope of ever being able to attend college. “They get this subtle message that they are not valued,” she said. The bill ended up passing the Senate on a 23-12 vote. ASSET now heads to the House of Representatives.

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10 Elbert County News March 7, 2013

South MetroLIFE 10-COLOR-LIFE

‘Shakespeare and Me’ comes to Byers-Evans

Best of Show in the “Romancing the Arts 2013” exhibit is “After the Storm,” photo/composite by Karen Kirkpatrick. Courtesy image

Love really in the air ‘Romancing the Arts’ award-winners chosen By Sonya Ellingboe

sellingboe@ourcoloradonews.com The Greater Castle Rock Arts Guild, GCRAG, handed out awards on Feb. 15 to artists selected by judges Dix Baines, a wellknown painter, and Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Jay Dickman for its “Romancing the Arts” exhibit at the Philip S. Miller Library, 100 Wilcox St. in Castle Rock. The exhibit runs through March 17 during library hours. Award winners are: • Best of Show: Karen Kirkpatrick for her photograph/composite, “After the Storm,” depicting a small flock of ducks in the water under a still-stormy-looking, intensely colored sky. (Kirkpatrick was also winner of the 2012 Eye of the Camera Exhibit in Littleton,

and her reward is a show at the Littleton Museum, with co-winner Fee Chin, which opens on April 18.) “My work attempts to document the quiet beauty found in my surroundings. Light and shadow hold a strong attraction for me, as each adds drama and emotion to a scene, giving it an impact that transforms the ordinary into something worthy of being viewed,” she said. • First Place: “Canyon Queue,” oil by Rick Young. • Second Place: “Tres Chic,” bronze by Dave Finster. • Third Place: “Foggy Lens,” photograph by Ellie Ludvigsen. • Honorable Mentions: “Contemplation,” photograph by Karen Kirkpatrick; “Ikiru (Life):Coexistence,” mixed media by Tadashi Hayakawa; “Many Seasons,” pastel by Chris Holroyd; “Painted Snow,” photograph by Jeff Struthers. Also: “Retired Utility Pole,” photograph by Jeff Struthers; “Two Windmills on the Plains,” photograph by

Jeff Struthers; “Rocks and Water,” pottery by Mia Cassar; “Silver,” photograph by Sherry Harder; “Soft and Chilly Stroll,” photograph by Ellie Ludvigsen; “Village Church,” oil by Rick Young. There was also People’s Choice voting in three categories: Two Dimensional — “Aspen Trilogy,” by Jeanne Trueax; Photography — “Old Stone Stairs” by Sharon Feder; and Three Dimensional — “Clock,” stained glass by Cliff Wallace. GCRAG members are working hard on a new space at 341 Wilcox St., to be called “Art on the Edge.” It will be a gallery, teaching and special events spot for the community and the organization is also focusing on raising additional funds. It will open in April with two shows: “Dimensions of Colorado” and “Good Things Come in Small Packages” (miniatures). Ellie Ludvigsen is president and is listed on the Guild’s website as the person to call for information: 303-660-0856.

Hudson Gardens gets one big nest 22-foot-tall sculpture near songbird area By Sonya Ellingboe

sellingboe@ourcoloradonews.com Joshua Wiener’s new sculpture, “Collective Nest,” arrived in two pieces and was bolted together on-site at Hudson Gardens earlier in February. The location for the 22-foottall piece is just west of the amphitheater, near the new Songbird Garden, where planting will be completed this spring with perennials that provide food for birds. (Specially chosen bird-attractive trees and shrubs were planted in fall 2012, and feeders were installed.) Wiener comes by his sculpture career naturally — his mother, Madeline Wiener, established the Marble Institute in Marble, Colo., and has public works throughout Denver, including a figure in front of Goodson Recreation Center and the relief figures on the Lamont School of Music at DU.

Joshua Wiener, a Boulder resident with a studio in Denver, has commissioned works across Colorado and elsewhere in the U.S., including gates at Carson Nature Center in South Platte Park, Littleton; a team of cyclists in Durango; and a piece in Castle Rock. He teaches at the Denver Art Students League and has created works in bronze, stone, steel, water, earth, plants, concrete, sand and asphalt, according to his website. “Collective Nest” is made of stainless and mild steel. The animals are stainless and the remainder of the work will rust naturally, forming a protective surface that does not require maintenance. The South Suburban Public Art Committee agreed that this was the right location for this piece, where it will be enjoyed by 120,000 garden guests annually. Members of the committee are: Joyce Volp, chair; Katherine McMurray, vice chair; Jim Dickson; Nora Pearson; Rhonda Poelma; Charles Whitley; Phyllis Torres; and Julie Trimarchi. In June, F.A. “Al” Clerihue will begin a term.

Veteran actor Joey Wishnia has appeared in 19 of Shakespeare’s plays and directed five of them — on three continents. Wishnia, who was recognized by the Colorado Theatre Guild with the 20102011 Lifetime Achievement in Theatre Award, wrote “Shakespeare and Me” and performed it in the past season to critical acclaim. The one-man show, which traces his journey from a first-grade school performance, is repeated through March 16 at the Byers-Evans House Theatre, 1310 Bannock St., Denver. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays. Tickets cost $18, 303-620-4933.

Watercolor exhibition

The Colorado Watercolor Society’s annual state exhibition runs through March 24 at the Foothills Art Center, 809 15th St., Golden. Many south area artists are members of the society. Call 303-279-3922 for information on hours, admission.

Garden grants

The Littleton Garden Club, which serves Arapahoe, Douglas and Jefferson counties, again offers $50 to $500 grants to service or educational horticultural organizations in the Littleton area for projects that promote public gardening. All ages and types of groups are welcome to submit requests by the deadline, April 26. To receive an application form, call Jan Richardson at 303979-9000 or email her at janr40@msn.com. Grants will be awarded at the May 1 club meeting.

Concert band

“Easter Morning on the White House Lawn” is the Highlands Ranch Concert Band’s title for a 2 p.m. March 10 concert with a spring lilt, performed at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 9203 S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch. The title refers to a John Philip Sousa number. The program will also include selections from Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story,” Henry Mancini selections from “The Great Race” and works by Shostakovich and Percy Grainger. Admission is free.

Camera club

The next meeting of the Englewood Camera Club will be at 6:30 p.m. March 12 at the Greenwood Village Town Center, 6060 S. Quebec St., Greenwood Village. (Park at rear.) George Jardine, the speaker, teaches Lightroom and digital photography and has been Digital Video Evangelist for Adobe. An in-house contest is held for members each month. Visitors and new members are welcome. Englewoodcameraclub.net.

Columbine Genealogical Society

Sculptor Joshua Wiener perches in his new sculpture, “Collective Nest,” recently installed at Hudson Gardens. Courtesy photo

Author Debra Faulkner, historian for the Brown Palace Hotel, will note Women’s History Month with a talk about “The Ladies of the Brown: a Women’s History of Denver’s Most Elegant Hotel” at the 1 p.m. March 12 meeting of the Columbine Genealogical and Historical Society. Her book of the same name will be available. On March 19, members will meet for a 1 p.m. presentation: ” Tools for German Genealogy Research” by Bert Paredes, Arapahoe Community College instructor, who will offer a survey of resources for seeking German ancestors. The group meets at Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, 6400 S. University Blvd., Centennial. Visitors are welcome. For information: cjpiglet2@msn. com.

March 7, 2013

Photo show follows group’s progress Denver Salon was formed 20 years ago

ROSTER OF EVENTS

By Sonya Ellingboe

sellingboe@ourcoloradonews.com The Byers-Evans House Gallery celebrates the Month of Photography with an exhibit called “The Denver Salon: Then and Now,” which runs though May 31. Twenty years ago, photographer Mark Sink formed the Denver Salon, a group of fine art photographers that he admired. The Salon prided itself with presenting bold experiments, risky and revealing subject matter and ambitious photo installations. Members were committed to taking the art of photography to new places. This exhibition will trace changes from the earliest work to that of today’s members. Included in the show: Mark Sink, Eric Havelock-Bailie, Ann Arden McDonald, Bryan Boettiger, Joel Dallenbach, Michael Ensminger, Susan Evans, Shaun Gothwaite, John Hallin, Jeffrey Hersch, Christopher James, Kate James, Wes Kennedy, Kevin O’Connell, Tamiki Obuchi, Christopher R. Perez, Paul Schroeder, Reed Weimer, Inna Valin and David Zimmer.

Castle Rock

A visit to the Month of Photography Denver website, mopdenver.com, lists more than 200 collaborative events during March — in schools, museums and galleries. Among them: “The Eye of the Camera” exhibit at the Littleton Museum; “Reality of Fiction” at RedLine Gallery (curated by Mark Sink); “Laura Letinsky” at the Denver Art Museum; Sebastiaan Bremer at the Dikeou Collection; Daniel Murtagh at the Ironton Gallery; and Lucas Foglia at Museum of Contemporary Art Denver. Lecture events are listed, including three at RedLine Gallery: Rebecca Martinez at 2 p.m. March 9; Action Figures — “Musical Chairs” by Katie Taft and Don Frank at 6 p.m. March 24; and a presentation on copywright and licensing your work by Jackie Shumaker, Art Photographers of America, at 7 p.m. on April 25. Portfolio reviews by gallery and museum directors will be offered at RedLine from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 23-24. Preregister. Fee. RedLine Gallery is at 2350 Arapahoe St., Denver. 303-296-4448, redlineart.org The Byers-Evans House Gallery, 1310 Bannock St., Denver, is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. A First Friday Art Walk reception will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. on April 5 and May 3. 303-620-4933, byersevanshousemuseum. org.

Lone Tree

First United Methodist Church

2121 E. Dad Clark Drive Highlands Ranch, 80126 www.horizoncommunity.org

Little Blessings Day Care www.littleblessingspdo.com

303-791-2143 Highlands Ranch

Sunday Services 10 a.m.

Castle Rock Recreation Center 2301 Woodlands Blvd, Castle Rock

(Next to RTD lot @470 & University)

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

Open and Welcoming

Sunday Worship 10:30 4825 North Crowfoot Valley Rd. Castle Rock • canyonscc.org 303-663-5751

6:30 Good Friday service March 29th 10:30 a.m. Easter Sunday

Sunday Worship 8:00 am Chapel Service 9:00 & 10:30 am

“The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.”



 Franktown

  

Trinity Lutheran Church & School

Sunday Worship 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Trinity Lutheran School & ELC (Ages 3-5, Grades K-8)

 303-841-4660 www.tlcas.org 

Worship Services Sundays at 9:00am

303-791-3315

pastor@awlc.org www.awlc.org

Parker

First Presbyterian Church of Littleton

www.st-andrew-umc.com 303-794-2683 Preschool: 303-794-0510 9203 S. University Blvd. Highlands Ranch, 80126

Littleton

Parker

Joy LUTHERAN CHURCH, ELCA

SERVICES:

SATURDAY 5:30pm

Sunday

8:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m.

1609 W. Littleton Blvd. (303) 798-1389 • www.fpcl.org

SUNDAY 8:00 & 10:3Oam

EDUCATION Sunday 9:15am

Joyful Mission Preschool 303-841-3770 7051 East Parker Hills Ct. • Parker, CO 303-841-3739 www.joylutheran-parker.org

Parker evangelical Presbyterian church Connect – Grow – Serve – Love

New Sunday Worship Services

8:45 am & 10:30 am 9030 MILLER ROAD PARKER, CO 80138 3038412125 www.pepc.org

Parker

Where people are excited about God’s Word.

Sunday Worship: 10:45AM & 6PM Bible Study: 9:30AM Children, Young People & Adults 4391 E Mainstreet, Parker, Colorado 80134 Church Office – (303) 841-3836

www.parkerbiblechurch.org

Sunday School 9:00 & 10:30 am

  The Bahá’í Faith

Weekly children’s classes, devotions and study ColoradoBahais.org • 303 947 7540 

Abiding Word Lutheran Church 8391 S. Burnley Ct., Highlands Ranch

www.OurCenterforSpiritualLiving.org 720-851-0265

An Evangelical Presbyterian Church

Littleton

Sunday Worship 10am

Saturday 5pm Sunday 8am, 9:15am, 10:30am Sunday School 9:15am

Affiliated with United Church of Religious Science

“Stacked House” by Bryan Boettiger, 2005, is included in “The Denver Salon: Then and Now” at the Byers-Evans House Museum. Courtesy photo by Bryan Boettiger

A Christian Reformed Ministry

Services:

CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING

Highlands Ranch

Horizon Community Church

1200 South Street Castle Rock, CO 80104 303.688.3047 www.fumccr.org





Elbert County News 11

Parker

Community Church of Religious Science

Hilltop United Church Of Christ 10926 E. Democrat Rd. Parker, CO 10am Worship Service www.hilltopucc.org 303-841-2808

Pastor David Fisher Fellowship & Worship: 9:00 am Sunday School: 10:45 am 5755 Valley Hi Drive Parker, CO 303-941-0668

www.SpiritofHopeLCMC.org www

Sunday services held in the historic Ruth Memorial Chapel at the Parker Mainstreet Center

...19650 E. Mainstreet, Parker 80138

New Thought...Ancient Wisdom Sunday Service

Visit our website for details of classes & upcoming events.

& Children’s Church 10:00 a.m.

303.805.9890

GRACE PRESBYTERIAN

Alongside One Another On Life’s Journey

www.P a r k er C C R S.org P.O. Box 2945—Parker CO 80134-2945

www.gracecolorado.com

You are invited to worship with us:

Sundays at 9:00 & 10:45 am Grace is on the NE Corner of Santa Fe Dr. & Highlands Ranch Pkwy. (Across from Murdochs)

303-798-8485

Looking For a N ew Beginning ?

Join Us A Friendly Place to Worship

New Beginning Community Church

10550 S. Progress Way & Longs Way Parker, CO 80134

Sunday School for All Ages Coffee and Fellowship Praise and Worship Service Wed Evening Youth Fellowship

9:00AM 10:00AM 10:30AM 7:00PM

Affordable Advertising Options Call Today 303-566-4091

12 Elbert County News

THINGS TO DO

MARCH 12 MEET AND greet. The Elizabeth Board of Education invites community members to at meet at greet from 5-7 p.m. March 12 at Grumpy’s Coffee. Join members of the board and the superintendent for informal discussions on topics of your choice. For information, contact Deb Spenceley, dspenceley@ esdk12.org. MARCH 12, MARCH 14, MARCH 19 MUSIC CONCERTS. The Elizabeth High School jazz orchestra

is from 5-7 p.m. March 16. Cost is $5 per person or $15 for a family of four. For information, contact director Jody Urbas at jurbas@esdk12.org.

MARCH 16 INDUCTION EVENT. The Elizabeth High School National Honor Society induction event is at 4 p.m. March 16 at the school. The event will honor the 26 members of the National Honor Society for their community service. Contact Saundra Dennis, sdennis@esdk12.org.

spring concert is at 7 p.m. March 12 in the cafetorium; the spring choir concert is at 7 p.m. March 14 in the cafetorium; and the band mass concert is at 7 p.m. March 19 in the gymnasium. For information, contact band director Christian Noon at cnoon@esdk12.org.

SPELLING BEE. Abby Mohlis, from Elizabeth Middle School, will represent the Elizabeth School District at the Colorado State Spelling Bee competition March 16 in the Mile High Ballroom at the Colorado Convention Center, Denver. For information, contact Teri Lindsey, vern@myedl.com.

MARCH 14

CRAFT FAIR. Running Creek Elementary PTCO will have its second annual craft fair with more than 60 vendors selling food, jewelry, crafts and more. The craft fair will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 16 at Running Creek Elementary. Contact Heather Booth, hpbooth@me.com.

BUSINESS EVENT. Business after hours, an event of the

Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, is from 5-7 p.m. March 14 at Salon DiLisa in Elizabeth.

DODGE BALL. Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America is hosting an official Dodge Ball tournament to raise money to help halt hunger in Colorado. Donations accepted and all given to the No Kid Hungry Organization. The tournament is at 6 p.m. March 14 at Elizabeth High School. Contact Natasha Breakall, nbreakall@gmail.com. MARCH 14-16 CARDINAL PLAYERS events. The Elizabeth Middle School Cardinal Players presents Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” at 7 p.m. March 14-16 at the school. Tickets are $5. A children’s matinee is at 3 p.m. March 16 (cost is $3). All seats, general admission, center section reserved for children age 10 and under. The Elizabeth Middle School dinner theater fundraiser

MARCH 21 TO APRIL 2 SILENT AUCTION. The third annual Elbert spring silent auction “Bidding and Bingo for the Bulldogs” will raise money for Elbert School students and faculty. The online auction is open from March 21 to April 3 at www.biddingforgood.com/elbertboosterauction. The live auction and bingo night is from 6-9 p.m. April 5 at the Elbert School gym, 24489 Main St., Elbert. Admission is free. Among the items up for bid include 10 pair of tickets to the 2013 National Finals Rodeo and a four-night Cancun vacation. For information, contact the Elbert Booster Club at 303-648-3030 or email elbertboosters@hotmail.com. Calendar continues on Page 15

March 7, 2013

CURTAIN TIME

Who can create art?

“The Pitmen Painters” by Lee Hall (Billy Elliott) was inspired by the book by William Feaver. Rick Bernstein directs the 1930s story of a group of miners who hired a painting teacher and began to produce art. The regional premiere plays at Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Ave., Golden, through April 7. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays; 6 p.m. Sundays (2 p.m. only on April 7). Tickets: $19-$29.50, 303935-3044, minersalley.com.

`My friend Harvey’

“Harvey” by Denver’s Mary Chase will play March 1 through 17 at Hampden Hall, in Englewood Civic Center, 1000 Englewood Parkway. Directed by Scott Bellot, it’s the classic tale of mild-mannered Elwood P. Dowd and his good friend Harvey, a white rabbit over 6 feet tall. It won the 1945 Pulitzer Prize. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $20, with discounts for seniors, students, military, 303-968-4175, goodnessgracious.org.

Extra! Extra!

“The Front Page” by Ben Hecht and Charles Mac Arthur, presented by Spotlight Theatre, plays through March 30 at the John Hand Theater, 7653 E. First Place, Denver. (Denver Free University.) Carol Petitmaire directs this American classic about newspaper reporters. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $20/$18, 720-880-8727, thisisspotlight.org.

Plenty of Riches to be Found on Chamber Silent Auction Site There is still plenty of time to bid and donate to the 2013 South Metro Denver Chamber Casino Night and Silent Auction. This year promises to be a bang-up affair as we step back to a less-genteel time to the Gold Rush days of Deadwood. The annual Casino Night, themed "Welcome to Deadwood", being held March 26th at a secret location to be announced, partners with the Silent Auction which will feature donations from companies across the metro area, and anyone can go on the chamber’s website at www.bestchamber.com in the weeks leading up to the live auction and casino night to place a bid. Gold is out there to be had and the good-times will be flowing with drinks and gamin' presented "old-west" style by Bartenders & More, vittles by Ivy at the Glen, and good times presented by CAP Logistics. The Deadwood theme means men - present your western best - no cow-pied boots or hangman nooses allowed. String ties and shiny belt buckles are the dress of the evening. Women - show us your Victorian side with hoop skirts, big hats and garter belts sure to make a cowboy blush. “I remember the "Days of 76" spring break in Deadwood, S.D., in my college days,” said Ann Bartels of EmbroidMe Denver South, a longtime chamber investor. “It was a blast! I'm sure this Casino Night will be too.” For business leaders, this is a great opportunity to put your company’s brand out in the community, while making a contribution to the silent auction. If you have a product or service that you would like to donate, tickets that your company has or would like to donate a gift card, etc., from another chamber investor, please contact Taren Shuck at tshuck@bestchamber.com or call 303-795-0142. The chamber will promote all items, donors and bidders through the event’s website at www.bestchamber. com/auctionbids. The Casino Night event is open to chamber investors and their spouses only. To learn more about the chamber as well as the event go to www. bestchamber.com. Current Silent Auction items include (with donors): 2 Southwest airline tickets - (CAP Logistics) $100 of custom framing at Frame de Art II(Frame de Art II) Wine tasting basket - (WhippleWood CPA's) Massage & facial package - (Hand & Stone Massage) 3 hours with a fantastic, fun photo booth (Just ShutterUp) Round of golf for 4 at Lone Tree w/carts (South Suburban Park & Rec) Round of golf for 4 at Littleton w/carts (South Suburban Park & Rec) Round of golf for 4 at South Suburban w/carts (South Suburban Park & Rec) 2 tickets to Nuggets vs. Brooklyn Nets on 3/29 (Frame de Art II) O2 Hurricane Canless Air System (Conversation Starters) Exploring Colorado Wineries guidebook & journal (Mitchell Architecture)

1 hr consultation for residential remodel - (Mitchell Architecture) 10 Gold Package Car Washes (Kwik Car Wash) Frisbee Golf Experience (Colorado Heights University) 60 sec. radio ad ran 100x /month & more - (MileHiRadio.com) Disc golf experience (Colorado Heights University) One month of kickboxing (ATA Family Martial Arts) Kick'n Karate birthday party (ATA Family Martial Arts) Admission for four people to Denver Botanic Gardens - (Denver Botanic Gardens) One Year individual membership & personal training- (BluCore Shooting) Google 360 degree Business tour photos (eBusinessphotos.com) Three course dinner experience - (Chinook Tavern) Weekend night stay w/breakfast at Sonomaz's (Denver Marriott South) One Round of Golf with carts - (Valley Country Club) 20 burritos catered - (Monkey Business Burritos) Ogio Voyager Messenger Bag with logo (PROformance Apparel) 3 months of mobile and social media marketing (Media Legacy) $100 gift card for dry cleaning (Lapels Dry Cleaning) Painting class for 2 people (Sipping N' Painting Hampden) One weekend night stay with breakfast (Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham DTC) 1 year subscriptions to The Villager (The Villager Newspaper) Personal finances consultation with written plan (Red Meadow Advisors) Dinner & movie for two with Mayor Debbie Brinkman & gift basket - (City of Littleton) $100 Gift Certificate towards a Financial Plan (Waddel & Reed) One night stay in deluxe two-room suite (Drury Inn & Suites) $50 Gift Cards for delicious Mediterranean cuisine (Saj Mediterranean) Sterling Silver filigreed cuff bracelet (Sipada Designs) Federal & State tax return preparation (Liberty Tax Service) Business efficiency audit - (Beyond Strategy) Complete chiropractic work-up (303 Denver Chiropractic) 3 month family membership at the Y (Littleton YMCA) Fire & Ice facial and Clinical Youth Eye Complex (The Face Place)

Picture this

“What’s Wrong With This Picture” by Donald Margulies plays March 8 to 30 at Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora. Seth Rossman directs a family comedy. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $25 ($20 in advance), 303-856-7830, vintagetheatre.com.

Chewing the fat

“A Walk in the Woods” by Lee Blessing plays at 7:30 p.m. Fridays in March at the Mercury Café, 2199 California St., Denver. Two arms negotiators walk and talk after work hours. Tickets: $10-$20. 303-294-9258, mercurycafe.com.

Mom gets more time

“Motherhood Out Loud” at Avenue Theater, 417 E. 17th Ave., Denver, has extended its run to March 1, 2, 9 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Mother’s Day, May 12, at 2 p.m. If March tickets sell as well as the show has been doing, the management will extend it until May. 303-321-5925, avenuetheater.com.

Broadway revue

“An Evening on Broadway,” presented by Inspire Creative, plays March 8-10 at Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree. Performances: 7 p.m. March 8 (Silent Auction Gala at 5 p.m.); 2 and 7 p.m. March 9 and 2 p.m. March 10. Tickets: $20-$30 adults/$15 students and seniors. 303-790-0875, InspireCreative. org.

Calendar of Events

For a complete calendar of South Metro Denver Chamber events or more information, visit our web site at www.bestchamber.com or call 303-795-0142. Thursday, March 7th: 7:30 am: Healthcare Policy Taskforce Meeting The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial 2:00 pm: Colorado Blueprint 2013 Regional Road Tour The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial 4:00 pm: FastTracks New Investor Orientation The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial Friday, March 8th: 7:00 am: Economic Development Group Breakfast The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial 3:00 pm: Greater Littleton Youth Initiative The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial Tuesday, March 12th: 8:30 am: Turning Web site Visitors Into Customers The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial 5:00 pm: Dodge ball Business After Hours at Littleton Family YMCA 11 West Dry Creek Ct., Littleton Wednesday, March 13th: 8:00 am: The Fundamentals of Human Resources The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial Thursday, March 14th: 7:30 am: Technology Advocates Group Discussion The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial 3:30 pm: Women in Leadership with Sarah Brown, Synergy Homecare The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial Friday, March 15th: 7:30 am: Chapter 3 - Legal & Copyright Considerations for Social Media... The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial 11:30 am: Energy & Sustainable Infrastructure Council: New Battery Technologies & Solar Without Subsidies The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial

March 7, 2013

Elbert County News 13

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19th-century dentsphilosophy ative. is receiving high marks By Deborah Grigsby

dgrigsby@ourcolorado news.com It may be hard to believe, but the teachings of a 19th-century, homeschooled British schoolmarm are alive, well and gaining ground among parents seeking a different approach to K-8 education. Based on the philosophy Charlotte Mason, the Ambleside School of Colorado offers what co-founder Kimberley Lorden calls a “living education,” where students author their own

lives, steeped in service to the church and to others, ideas, exacting work habits and creativity. Located in Centennial, the tuition-based Christian school strives to actively engage students in the learning process — even leading their own classroom discussions on such complex topics as classical music and the founding of the Catholic Church. “It’s a different approach, indeed,” said Lorden, who started the school with her husband, Greg, to fill the needs of their own children. “In many schools, students are told to sit quietly, listen to lectures and then try to reinforce what they’ve learned through homework, and that’s not always a good model for every child.” Lorden said the school, now in its third year, alternates creative subjects such

A lush blend of music, art and classic literature, used to frame many disciplinary studies such as science and math, is designed to provides Ambleside students with a well-rounded approach to learning. Photos by Deborah Grigsby

AMBLESIDE SCHOOL OF COLORADO • 1510 E. Phillips Ave., Centennial • Approximately 60 students, K-8 • Faith-based, but non-denominational • Accepting applications for 2013-14 • Tuition grades 1-8, $8,500 annually Kindergarten, morning only, $4,500 annually For more information, call 303-6561648 or visit www.amblesidecolorado.com

as art and music with more disciplinary subjects such as science and math, using one to frame the other for a more “balanced education that nourishes the whole person.” Minimizing the use of traditional textbooks and heavy reliance on technology, the school encourages

Ambleside students repot a struggling plant during a Feb. 20 science class. Based on the philosophy of early 20thcentury British educator Charlotte Mason, students at the private Christian school are taught to cultivate a love of lifelong learning. Deborah Grigsby

students to foster self-expression and the ability to evaluate new ideas on their own. Students learn Spencerian script, a type of elegant cursive handwriting that flourished at the turn of the 20th century, and was selected as the script for the logos of Ford Motor Company and Coca-Cola. Foreign-language classes are conducted in the same fashion one learns to speak a native tongue, learning meaningful words and phrases long before written grammar is introduced. Ambleside’s signature picture-study classes pull together cognitive and language skills with gradeappropriate rhetorical criticism. “Essentially, we offer the student a bountiful feast of ideas,” explained Lorden. “We have this giant plate of ideas and students are free to choose from the selection.” However, Lorden is quick to point out that Ambleside is not an “everybody-gets-agold-star kind of school.” She said the rich curriculum is challenging and helps develop good academic habits that benefit students in other parts of life. Centennial resident Sandy Tate, whose three children attend the 60-student school, one of only six in the United States, said Ambleside gives her the best of both worlds. “We had home-schooled our children until we discovered Ambleside,” said Tate. “The curriculum is very similar to what we would want taught at home, but gives the advantage of

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a more structured environment. And the kids love it so much they jump out of bed and are actually excited to go to school.” Ultimately, Lorden said, the school’s philosophy centers on building the students’ internal controls, encouraging accountability for actions based on vales and not on fear or manipulation with treats or special privileges.

“We don’t believe students are simply blank plates to be sent through the industrial educational machine, only to come out the other end as a carbon copy of someone else’s plan,” Lorden said. “Our goal is to nurture individual curiosity, growth and maturity, with the child being compared only to him or herself, not those around them.”

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14 Elbert County News March 7, 2013

ElbertSPORTS 14-SPORTS - B&W

Evergreen ends Cardinals’ dream High hopes don’t pan out in boys hoops By Scott Stocker

sports@ourcoloradonews.com The basketball season came to a grinding halt for the Elizabeth boys March 1 when the Cardinals were beaten by Evergreen, 74-67, in the second round of the Class 4A state tournament. Hopes had been high for Elizabeth, which finished the season 17-8 under coach Mike Boss and had come away with the Colorado Seven League title. The Cardinals won their first-round game at home against Mountain View, 95-70. It was the kind of effort that appeared could send them on a fine run in the tournament. But it wasn’t to be, as the loss, played at Lewis-Palmer High School in Colorado Springs, brought down the curtain. Trevor Boss scored 15 points to pace Elizabeth against Evergreen while James Christiansen added 11 and Jake Gavitt, 10. That 10-point night for Gavitt, the leading scorer for the Cardinals this season, was certainly a drawback. Elizabeth had defeated Evergreen, 5448, back on Dec. 11. Evergreen failed to advance on March 2 as the Cougars were eliminated by Lewis-Palmer, 52-37. “We were down 14 points in the third quarter, but closed to two,” Boss said. “We just couldn’t get over the hump. Every time we play them it’s a low-scoring game. We were not overconfident, we knew it was going to be close.” “We got off to a rough start, but we were able to rebound right away,” said Gavitt, who led the way for the Cardinals with 23 points. “We hit the threes and we were able to get inside. I think we were due for a game like this. “We have focused and we have been working hard,” Gavitt said. “I tried to look more and pass and it helped get some easy layups. I think we can make a run and get further than we did last year.”

Yet, as noted, it was not to be. Even though Elizabeth scored the 95 points, the Cardinals actually got off to kind of a slow start against Mountain View. They didn’t score for the first minute and 39 seconds of the game. Trevyn Ross then broke the early skid, getting the Cardinals started on a 27-point first quarter. Boss would add three, three-point baskets in the quarter and would eventually finish the game with 16 points. “We did start slow in the first quarter, but we stepped up defensively and went on to get the job done,” Boss said. “I was nervous to play them knowing they just had nothing to lose. I wasn’t overconfident, but we didn’t want to come out and lay an egg. I think we have the talent to make a good run. We can go inside and we can shoot the threes.” Cody Steinke knew that Mountain View had only won four games, but when it comes to the state playoffs any team can catch fire and pull the upset. “We didn’t want to come out overconfident because even a team with a poor record can come hard and sometimes win,” said Steinke, who scored 16 points. “I came out rusty. But as a team we put things together and were able to play our game. We feel that we can do well in state and go far.” Boss could only have hoped the Cardinals had enough energy left over for the game against Evergreen. After all, they had expelled a load of energy against Mountain View. “It was a scary beginning to the game, but we knew that we could get going,” Boss said after the win against Mountain View. “We had to move the ball in and out and the boys worked hard and we were glad to make things work. We have some good depth, 12 deep, and we could go far. The threes carried us a lot and the kids just played outand-out hard basketball.” Elizabeth was on the youthful side this season as the Cardinals only graduate three seniors — Ross, Steinke and Shane Wilson. “Our three seniors will be hard to replace,” Boss said. “But we do have some young talent coming next year and I think we should have a fine season.”

Hugo, 47-36, and Deer Trail, 44-23. Elbert heads into the Region with a 17-4 record and will play Norwood (13-7) Saturday in an 11:30 a.m. game at Glenwood Springs High School. Elber’s scoring was spread out over the week. Chance Hendrix led against GenoaHugo with 12 points with Justin Hood adding 11, Blake Nicholas, nine. Roger Carlson and Bryce Hutchens scored 10 each in the win against Deer Trail as Hendrix and Hood were each held to only two points. Norwood brings a 13-7 record into the game against Elbert.

ELIZABETH 95, MOUNTAIN VIEW 70

Mountain View 17 14 18 21 — 70 Elizabeth 27 18 29 21 — 95 MV: Jonah Kunisch 5 4-4 15, Tyler Kress 1 0-0 2, Bradyn Svendsen 0 0-0 0, Hunter Porterfield 5 4-4 15, Noah fisher 0 0-0 0, Matt Jason 0 0-0 0, Zack Jobman 0 0-0 0, Dakota Patton 7 0-0 15, Jerrod Klug 3 1-3 7, Josh Sandin 4 1-3 10, Marshall McKinley 0 0-0 0, Jose Orrantia 2 1-2 6. Totals: 27 11-16 70. Three-point baskets: Kunish, Porterfield, Patton, Sandin, Orrantia. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None. E: Trevor Boss 5 3-4 16, Augustus Terry 0 0-0 0, Jake Thompson 0 2-2 2, Tyler Imel 1 2-2 4, Trevyn Ross 3 2-2 8, Brandon Severinsen 0 2-2 2, Shane Wilson 2 0-0 4, James Christiansen 3 0-0 8, Cody Steinke 5 4-4 16, Aaron Stone 4 2-3 10, Jacob Gavitt 9 4-5 23, Logan Weber 1 0-0 2. Totals: 33 21-24 95. Three-point baskets: Boss (3), Christiansen (2), Steinke (2), Gavitt. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.

EVERGREEN 74, ELIZABETH 67

Scoring for Elizabeth: Trevor Boss 15, Trevyn Ross 6, Brandon Severinsen 2, James Christiansen 11, Cody Steinke 13, Aaron Stone 6, Jacob Gavitt 10, Logan Weber 4.

Elbert

Elbert, coached by Mac McGuire, is barking loudly as the Bulldogs head into this week’s Region tournament in Class A. They advanced with a pair of victories in the District 7 tournament beating Genoa-

Kiowa/Simla

Kiowa and Simla had to square off against each other in the semifinals of the District 8 tournament. Simla prevailed, 5249, to advance to the championship game against Peyton. But here, the Cubs were drubbed by Peyton, 61-36. Still, both teams advanced to the Region tournaments. Cody Norris led Simla with 18 points and nine rebounds against Kiowa while Jason George added 10 and Aaron Thieman, eight. Leading Kiowa against the Cubs was Conner Pierson, who scored 19 points while pulling down nine rebounds. Jake Sewald scored 13 points and Isaac James chipped in with nine. Simla had advanced to the semifinal with a 57-42 victory against Evangelical Christian Academy. Thieman was the leading scorer with 23 points against the Eagles while Norris scored 13 and Kyle Hamacher, 10. Simla (15-8) will play Rocky Ford (18-4) in the Region tournament with the winner advancing to play either Sanford (19-3) or Telluride (16-4). Kiowa came back to beat Vanguard Charter, 54-44, for third in the District tournament to advance to the Regional. The Indians will play Resurrection Christian (17-4) with the winner playing either Akron (17-5) or Liberty Common (11-11). Kiowa had also defeated Pikes Peak Christian in its first round District game, 57-40. Caleb Smith and Jordan Gabehart led the way with 11 points each and Sewald, 10.

Fouls hurt Elizabeth girls in basketball playoff game Pueblo County wins 54-47 upset in 4A By Scott Stocker

sports@ourcoloradonews.com It certainly was a “foul” night for the Elizabeth girls basketball team when they faced Pueblo County on March 1 in their Class 4A state second-round game at Centaurus High School. Elizabeth was called for 25 fouls as Pueblo County came away with a 54-47 upset victory against the Cardinals, coached by Jaime Schmalz. They dropped to 17-7 with the loss while the Hornets improved to 169. However, the celebration also ended for the Hornets on Saturday as their season also ended with a 53-39 loss to Centaurus. Elizabeth, led by junior Tatum Neubert with 20 points in the game, got off to a quick 4-0 start. But the momentum quickly turned as Pueblo County, with 19 points from junior Jayloene Ayala and 15 from junior Lindsey Sandoval in the game, started to find their ranges. Elizabeth still managed to lead 12-11 after the first quarter, but trailed 18-16 and

35-29 after three quarters in the low-scoring encounter. The Cardinals only trailed 35-31 early in the fourth when the fouls really began to hurt. They committed 10 fouls in the eight minutes, allowing the Hornets of coach Mark Villegas to convert on 14 attempts and eventually finish the game 19for-29 at the line. In that fourth quarter, three Elizabeth players, Sabra Ross, Kaylyn Radtke and Ashley Stone, fouled out. “I felt that they brought it to us,” Neubert said. “We had some shaky nerves, we couldn’t hit our free throws, they hit theirs and three of us fouled out. I think we’ve had a fine team this season and will again next year. We played our hardest this year; it just didn’t work out for us in the end.” Elizabeth converted on 7-of-18 free throws, but they wished they could have had a few more attempts at the line. This was a game played by full court pressure from end line to end line by both teams. Clare Nicholas is one of four seniors who played their final game for the Cardinals. She was the second-leading scorer in the game with 10 points. “Their fast break caught us and it seemed that we couldn’t recover,” Nicholas

said. “They had a lot more adrenaline and were a lot more aggressive with a lot more speed that we seemed to have. Our free throw shooting cost us the game. It was a good season, but this is a heartbreaker.” Elizabeth was still in the hunt with 5:27 left in the game, trailing 38-36. However, the Cardinals were outscored 9-2 over the next two minutes. Ross departed with 2:14 remaining the game having scored six points. Radtke, scoreless, followed with 54 seconds remaining, Stone with only 14 seconds left on the clock. “We didn’t play our basketball and that’s what hurt so bad,” Schmalz said. “We just didn’t play well. I think we were excited and had too much adrenaline to begin with. We just couldn’t dig ourselves out of our hole. We missed a lot of free throws and got ourselves into foul trouble. It has been a good season, but such a hard loss tonight.” Villegas was more than pleased with the way his team responded to the early pressure supplied by Elizabeth with their own pressure on the Cardinals. “We were able to rebound, hitting the boards hard, and the girls had an excellent day,” Villegas said. “We were actually patient on offense and I think we were able to

out athletic them. They have some talent, but tonight, the game belonged to us.” Ayala scored eight of her 19 points in the fourth quarter, all on free throws. “We played hard and we ran hard,” Ayala said. “It was just teamwork that won for us and our free throws. We hit them when we had to. They played very aggressive against us and in a way, that aggression went against them tonight.”

PUEBLO COUNTY 54, ELIZABETH 47

Pueblo County 11 7 17 19 — 54 Elizabeth 12 4 13 18 — 47 PC: Kayli Chambers 3 1-2 7, Caeleigh Bowman 2 2-2 6, Jaylene Ayala 3 13-15 19, Brittany Musso 1 1-2 3, Lindsey Sandoval 7 1-3 15, Taylor Gierhart 0 2-5 2, Angelica Wall 1 0-0 2. Totals: 17 19-29 54. Three point baskets: Ayala. Fouls, 17. Fouled out: None. E: Cheyenne Wendler 0 0-0 0, Sara Ernst 1 0-0 2, Clare Nicolas 4 2-7 10, Sabra Ross 3 0-0 6, Kaylyn Radtke 0 0-0 0, Ashley Stone 1 0-0 3, Emily Whitworth 2 0-2 4, Tatum Neubert 8 3-5 20, Annika Tolley 0 2-4 2. Totals: 19 7-18 47. Three-point baskets: Stone, Neubert. Fouls: 25. Fouled out: Ross, Radtke, Stone. Playoffs continues on Page 15

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March 7, 2013

Calendar continues from Page 12

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FEB. 28: Simla and Matheson to Limon

17-4APRIL 6 SatwoodSTARS AWARDS. The Elizabeth Education Foundation STARS award banquet r theis April 6 in the cafetorium at Elizabeth noa-High School. Teachers can nominate add-students in grades 5-12 for the STARS rlson(Students Taking Accountability and n theResponsibility Seriously) awards. For Hoodinformation, contact Mary Smith, info@ elizabethef.org.

o theTHROUGH MAY 14

STAMPEDE TICKETS. Discounted tickets are available now through May 14 for the Elizabeth Stampede, named e off the No. 1 small rodeo in the country by f the the PRCA in 2011 and 2012. Buy tickets d, 52online at www.elizabethstampede.com game or call 303-646-0308. The 2013 rodeo is were June 7-9. eams THE OUTBACK Express is a public ointstransit service provided through the East le Ja-Central Council of Local Governments man,is open and available to all residents of s wasCheyenne, Elbert, Kit Carson and Lincoln whilecounties and provides an economical waldand efficient means of travel for the ppedfour-county region. Call Kay Campbell, Kiowa, at 719- 541-4275. You may also finalcall the ECCOG office at 1-800-825-0208 elicalto make reservations for any of the trips. eadagles cher,

DIVORCE AND Post-Decree Clinic. Elbert and Lincoln County Pro Se Divorce Clinic is offered from 9 a.m. to noon the third Friday of each month at the Elbert County Justice Center, 751 Ute St., in Kiowa. For information, call 303-5206088 or email morgan@hayday.org. The clinic is free for parties who have no attorney and who are going through dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or post-decree cases. All walk-ins are welcome, and will be assisted on a firstcome, first-served basis. THE ELBERT County Sheriffs Posse

is a nonprofit volunteer organization that is part of the Elbert County Sheriffs Office. As volunteers we support the Elbert County Sheriffs Office, all law enforcement in our county, and the community at large. Membership is open to anyone without a criminal record. It meets the last Monday of the month at the Elbert County Sheriffs Office at 7 p.m. For more information or a membership application, go to http://www.elbertcountysheriff.com/posse.html, or contact Dave Peontek at 303-646-5456.

Playoffs continues from Page 14 to open their portion of the

Simla

The Simla girls had a rough go in the District 8 tournament, but the Cubs are still headed to the Region tournament with an 18-4 record. Simla defeated the Colorado Springs School, 58-23

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leigh 5 19, val 7 Wall base. Ernst oss 3 tone Name Changes atum -4 2. kets:PUBLIC NOTICE Ross,Public Notice of Petition for Change of Name

Public notice is given on February 21, 2013 that a Petition for a Change of Name of a minor child has been filed with the Elbert County Court. The Petition requests that the name of Charlie Johanna Gallagher be changed to Charley Johanna Gallagher. Case No.: 2013 C 6 Cheryl A. Layne Clerk of Court By: Jafeen Jenkins Deputy Clerk Legal Notice No: 927906 First Publication: March 7, 2013 Last Publication: March 21, 2013 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

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Notice of Sale Contents unknown and boxes of personal items, belonging to Kenneth Kurtz, whose last known address is: P.O. Box 0662 Elizabeth, CO 80107, and stored in the unit #67 STORAGE ONE/Elizabeth, 5229 HWY 86 Elizabeth, CO. 80107, will be sold at auction or otherwise disposed of at this location After 03/15/2013. Legal Notice No.: 927900 First Publication: February 28, 2013 Last Publication: March 7, 2013 Publisher: The Elbert County News Public Notice To: James W. Kopke: You are notified that you have 10 days after publication for this notice of levy to file your claim of exemption with the County Court of ELBERT County, PO Box 232/751 Ute Street, Kiowa, CO 80117 in Case 12CV 23 entitled: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., d/b/a Wells Fargo Card Services vs. James W. Kopke, a/k/a James Kopke, a/k/a Jim Kopke, a/k/a Jim W. Kopke, a/k/a Jim Capke $1,642.68 garnished at Community Bank of Colorado, Elizabeth, CO 80107. Legal Notice No.: 927884

Elbert

The Elbert girls saw their season come to an end in the opening round of the District 7 tournament as the Bulldogs fell 49-35 to Stratton. The year ended 7-12 for the Bulldogs.

To: James W. Kopke: You are notified that you have 10 days after publication for this notice of levy to file your claim of exemption with the County Court of ELBERT County, PO Box 232/751 Ute Street, Kiowa, CO 80117 in Case 12CV 23 entitled: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., d/b/a Wells Fargo Card Services vs. James W. Kopke, a/k/a James Kopke, a/k/a Jim Kopke, a/k/a Jim W. Kopke, a/k/a Jim Capke $1,642.68 garnished at Community Bank of Colorado, Elizabeth, CO 80107.

Misc. Private Legals

Legal Notice No.: 927884 First Publication: February 14, 2013 Last Publication: March 14, 2013 Publisher: The Elbert County News

Government Legals Public Notice INVITATION TO BID C.R.S. § 24-70-101 et seq. requires published legal notices to be published in a legal newspaper, as defined by C.R.S. § 24-70-103. The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), County of Elbert, State of Colorado, is accepting sealed bids for newspaper publication services to serve as the designed Elbert County Newspaper of Public Record for 2013. This includes the publication of Notices of Public Hearings, Public Notices, Monthly Expenditure Reports, Semi-Annual Employee Salary Reports, and Quarterly Treasurer's Reports. Bids shall address and provide written documentation for the following areas of interest:

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against either Meeker (20-2) or Dolores (15-6).

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Misc. Private Legals

But from there, Simla fell on harsh times losing to Evangelical Christian 52-47 and then to Peyton, 63-45. Now, they need to overcome their shortcomings as the Cubs open Region play at Grand Junction Central High School against Sargent (13-9). Should they win, they will be matched

CLASSIFIEDS

THE ELIZABETH Food Bank, 381 S. Banner in Elizabeth (next door to Elizabeth Presbyterian Church) needs to let the public know that we are available to help anyone who needs food. The hours are Friday 12:30-3 p.m. and Saturdays from 9-11:30 a.m. Other times by appointment.

lent,

District tourney. Marilyn Alexander led the way in the opener with 13 points while Sam Kaatz added 10. Kenzi Mitchell came through with eight steals in the win while adding nine points. Mikki Korinek also scored nine points to help the winning effort.

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School Band will perform April 4-6 in the all-state competition. For information, contact EHS band director Christian Noon, cnoon@esdk12.org.

Playoffs: Elbert girls fall to Stratton, 49-35

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Elbert County News 15

C.R.S. § 24-70-101 et seq. requires published legal notices to be published in a legal newspaper, as defined by C.R.S. § 24-70-103. The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), County of Elbert, State of Colorado, is accepting sealed bids for newspaper publication services to serve as the designed Elbert County Newspaper of Public Record for 2013. This includes the publication of Notices of Public Hearings, Public Notices, Monthly Expenditure Reports, Semi-Annual Employee Salary Reports, and Quarterly Treasurer's Reports.

Government Legals

Bids shall address and provide written documentation for the following areas of interest: • Written Statement of Circulation • Proof of Publication Print Order • Rates of Publication • Geographic Distribution Area • Frequency of Publication • Retail Outlets Where the Publication is Available to the General Public • Availability of Internet / On-Line Access Bids will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. Thursday, March 21, 2013. Three (3) copies of said bid shall be submitted. Bids will not be considered which are received after the time stated and any bids received after the deadline will be returned unopened. Faxed bids will not be accepted. Bids received will be opened at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 or as soon as possible thereafter in the Commissioner Meeting Room, Elbert County Courthouse, 215 Comanche Street, Kiowa, Colorado 80117. Please mark on the outside of the envelope “Bid for Newspaper of Public Record” Please mail bids to: Elbert County Board of County Commissioners P.O. Box 7, Kiowa, CO 80117 or deliver to:

OurColoradoNews.com 303-566-4100

Bids will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. Thursday, March 21, 2013. Three (3) copies of said bid shall be submitted. Bids will not be considered which are received after the time stated and any bids received after the deadline will be returned unopened. Faxed bids will not be accepted. Bids received will be opened at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 or as soon as possible thereafter in the Commissioner Meeting Room, Elbert County Courthouse, 215 Comanche Street, Kiowa, Colorado 80117. Please mark on the outside of the envelope “Bid for Newspaper of Public Record”

Government Legals

Please mail bids to: Elbert County Board of County Commissioners P.O. Box 7, Kiowa, CO 80117 or deliver to:

Elbert County Board of County Commissioners 215 Comanche Street, Kiowa, CO 80117

PUBLIC NOTICE

Government Legals

DEER CREEK WATER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given pursuant to Subsection 32-1-207(3)(b), C.R.S., that the Board of Directors of the Deer Creek Water District intends to provide park maintenance and related services on open space properties it owns or acquires located within or near the District boundaries, Elbert County, Colorado. The District currently provides such services on properties used by its water system.

Elbert County Government reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive formalities and informalities contained insaid bid and furthermore to award a contract for items herein, either in whole or in part, if it is deemed to be in the best interest of Elbert County to do so. Additionally, Elbert County reserves the right to negotiate optional items and or services with the successful bidder.

Any action to enjoin such activity as a material departure from the District's Service Plan must be brought within forty-five (45) days from publication of this Notice.

Legal Notice No.: 927901 First Publication: February 28, 2013 Last Publication: March 14, 2013 Publisher: The Elbert County News

By /s/ Bruce McQuaid, President cc: Elbert County District Court Board of County Commissioners, Elbert County Colorado Division of Local Government

PUBLIC NOTICE DEER CREEK WATER DISTRICT Notice is hereby given pursuant to Subsection 32-1-207(3)(b), C.R.S., that the Board of Directors of the Deer Creek Water District intends to provide park maintenance and related services on open

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE DEER CREEK WATER DISTRICT. DEER CREEK WATER DISTRICT

Legal Notice No.: 927905 First Publication: March 7, 2013 Last Publication: March 7, 2013 Publisher: The Elbert County News

16 Elbert County News

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March 7, 2013