ARVADA 2.14.13
February 21, 2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourarvadanews.com
Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 8, Issue 39
Hick backs gun control
IT’S A CHOCOLATE AFFAIR
Governor supports limiting high-capacity magazines By Vic Vela
vvela@ourcoloradonews.com Gov. John Hickenlooper on Feb. 14 said he supports at least a few of the major firearms-related bills that are being sponsored by Democratic state lawmakers, the first time he has done so since the recent unveiling of a controversial gun-control package that is being sponsored by members of his own party. But Hickenlooper isn’t prepared at this time to give his approval to all eight of the bills that Democrats are proposing this legislative session, including ones that would hold gunmakers and owners liable for crimes that involved assault weapons, and one that would Report ban concealed guns on college campuses. Hickenlooper’s comments on those controversial guns issues came during an expansive interview with members of the Capitol press corps, one where the governor also talked about other hot-button issues, such as oil and gas drilling, marijuana regulations, and the possibility of a repeal of the state’s death penalty. The interview took place inside Hickenlooper’s office, on the eve of votes in the House of Representatives on four pieces of gun-control legislation that passed. The governor said he supports three of those four gun measures, including one that would limit the number of rounds that high-capacity ammunition magazines can carry. The current bill would ban magazines that carry more than 15 rounds, but Hickenlooper said that lawmakers “might end up having to compromise.” “Certainly, there might be a number in there that makes sense,” he said. Hickenlooper also said he supports a separate bill that would impose a fee on gun buyers’ own background checks, which right now is somewhere in the neighborhood of $10. Hickenlooper acknowledged that his support for the fee is “controversial” and something that he is going to “catch a lot of heat” for, but that it’s the right thing to do. “The folks that are needing … or making use of this regulatory environment, it’s not unreasonable for them to pay the cost of that,” the governor said. Hickenlooper also reiterated his support for background checks for private gun sales and transfers, something he already said he favored during his State of the State speech last month.
Capitol
Greg Noonan of Wheat Ridge stirs a batch of freshly popped kettle corn during Chocolate Affair Saturday, Feb. 9, in Arvada. Photo by Andy Carpenean
Art that is Young at Heart Gallery at recreation center brings together generations in name of arts By Sara Van Cleve
svancleve@ourcoloradonews.com
A
rtists young and young at heart have put their finest work on display. The 27th annual “Art for the Young at Heart” art show is on display through March 20 at the Community Recreation Center, 6842 Wadsworth Blvd. The art of 15 adults and 119 north Jeffco schoolchildren from 13 area schools is being showcased. “The part that is lovely is showcasing the work of the students,” said Allendale and Fitzmorris Elementary Schools art teacher Laurelee Martens. “The difficult part is deciding who’s in.” Martens selected 20 first- through sixthgrade students from her two schools to be in the art show based off criteria such as using design elements they have learned and creativity. “It’s a great opportunity for the students to experience an art show as well as receive
An oil painting by Betty Needham titled “Spring” is on display during the Art for the Young at Heart Art art show at the Community Recreation Center in Arvada. Photo by Andy Carpenean positive affirmation,” Martens said. Jeanne Downes, grandmother of Weber Elementary third-grader Avery Beach, said she thinks the intergenerational art show is
a great idea and her granddaughter is very excited to be in it. “I think it’s wonderful,” Downes said. “(Avery) is very artistic and creative. (The art show) gives them such a good feeling of self-esteem I think.” Some of the adult artists said they think combining generations through an art show is wonderful too — like Maryann Cooper, who has been taking watercolor classes at the CRC for years, just like several of her fellow artists in the show. “I think it’s great,” Cooper said. “Having the children here makes it a lot more fun.” Cooper won second place for her watercolor painting of a bluebird. “I’m shocked,” Cooper said. “I think there are a lot of very nice paintings. I’m really amazed at the different styles and how great a lot of the work is.” “Art for the Young at Heart” is sponsored by the Apex Park and Recreation District, north area Jefferson County Elementary Schools and the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District. Participating north Jeffco elementary schools include Allendale, Campbell, Fitzmorris, Hackberry Hill, Lukas, Pleasant View, Semper, Sheridan Green, Sierra, Swanson, Thomson, Weber and Witt.
Gun-control continues on Page 20
Printed on recycled newsprint. Please recycle this copy.