Transcript Golden
December 6, 2012
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A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourgoldennews.com
Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 147, Issue 1
Santa and Mrs. Claus with members of the Golden Chamber of Commerce and 24th Street Carolers lead the way north on Washington Avenue during the candlelight walk in Golden Friday. Photos by Andy Carpenean
Candlelight walk kicks holiday season
By Glenn Wallace
gwallace@ourcoloradonews.com
The weather outside wasn’t frightful, but the Christmastime lights along the Clear Creek were still delightful. The Golden Candlelight Walk took place Nov. 30, and quite a crowd gathered in the pleasantly warm, dry night air to participate in the annual kick-off of the monthlong Olde Golden Christmas celebration. “I’m thinking 7,500 people. It was the largest crowd ever,” Greater Golden Chamber of Commerce CEO Gary Wink said. Washington Avenue was packed, even before the traditional group of candle-bearing carolers made its way down the hill from the 15th Street intersection. Event organizer Carol Ann Bowles, armed with a bullhorn to keep the gigantic crowd organized, led the candlelight procession alongside Santa Claus. As the mass of candle bearers made
its way down the hill, the group sang Christmas and holiday songs, often several at the same time. The mood was definitely festive and fun. Golden resident Susan Applegate joined the candlelight procession with her three children, ages 5, 8 and 10. “They’ve been coming since they were born,” Applegate said. “It really gets us in the mood for the season.” Her youngest, Brad, definitely looked festive. He was dressed up like a Christmas tree, complete with working lights. He seemed a little confused, but happy to help, as several other asked to get their pictures taken with him. “It’s just kind of a magical night,” Applegate said. Several Samaritans and downtown businesses set up candle and hot-beverage stands for the procession. Table Mountain Inn employee Matt Lech helped served hot cocoa and cider.
“It’s fun and nice to see everybody come out and celebrate the event,” Lech said. Dave Wann, of Golden, said he did the walk up and down the hill last year, but was content to watch from a street-side bench this year. “I think it’s nice that Golden is getting to be known for all these festivals, and this is certainly one of the best,” Wann said between sips of hot cocoa. The procession ended at the city’s Visitor’s Center, where the crowd counted down to zero and the flick of the switch that turned on the multitude of Christmas lights that light up Clear Creek, the Washington Avenue Bridge, Visitors Center and Parfet Park. Wink said he was very pleased with the popularity of the Olde Golden Christmas program. “It’s what it’s all about, bringing people to Golden.”
A young boy gets a view above the crowd from atop a pair of shoulders at the start of the candlelight walk in Golden Friday.
Outdoor Lab continues through 3A, 3B Outdoor Lab Foundation to receive expected $325,000 for sixth-grade program By Sara Van Cleve
svancleve@ourcoloradonews. com For 54 years the Outdoor Education Laboratory Program has taken students out of the classroom to teach them lessons in nature. With voters’ approval of ballot issues 3A and 3B in Novem-
ber, Outdoor Lab will continue to receive support from Jefferson County Public Schools and keep the lessons going. In March 2011, program leaders faced the possibility of shutting down the program as part of Jeffco Public Schools’ budget-reduction program. Through a community fundraising effort, which was matched by district funds to
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generate about $625,000, the program was kept going for the 201112 school year. Outdoor Lab is a one-week program offered to all sixth-graders in the district . During the overnight camp-like experience, children learn science lessons and their real-world applications in a natural setting. The program has a sustainability agreement with the district to provide $350,000 in funding in 2012 and $325,000 for 2013, said Shannon Hancock, executive director of the Outdoor Lab Foundation. “What 3A did was solidify that money and solidify that the lab schools will get the $325,000 next year,” Hancock said. “If it had not passed, that money would be gone, and the foundation would have to make up the difference.” Outdoor Lab is not receiving any additional funds through the approval of the $39 million mill levy override known as 3A. Fund-
ing from 3A will be used for the school district’s day-to-day operations, educational programs, maintenance, salaries and supplies. The $99 million bond package, known as 3B, will help fund maintenance for the district, including work at the two outdoor lab locations, Mt. Evans Outdoor Laboratory School at 201 Evans Ranch Rd. in Evergreen and Windy Peak Outdoor Laboratory School in Bailey. “Outdoor Lab has $2.3 million in deficiencies, which is maintenance and repairs at both sites,” Hancock said. “Our agreement with the district was, because the amount is so high, they would perform the repairs on an as-needed basis and we’d pay it back over 10 years. With 3B, they are paying for repairs upfront. It gave us breathing room.” Although Jeffco Schools will still support Outdoor Lab because of 3A and 3B, the program is still
facing deep cuts next year. The program is funded in part by Jeffco Schools, tuition, city contributions and the Outdoor Lab Foundation. In 2012, Outdoor Labs had to cut its $2 million budget by 15 percent, or $329,000; in 2013, the budget will be cut by 5 percent, or $105,000. “The goal of 3A and 3B was to put a stop to the very deep, deep cuts,” Hancock said of the ballot measures’ effects on the school district as a whole. “It’s kept things where they were. The U.S. is looking at a fiscal cliff, and the district is looking at an equivalent. It’s so awesome that voters saw education as a priority. It helps everybody.”
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