Sentinel
Lakewood 4/4/13
Lakewood
Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 89, Issue 34
April 4, 2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourlakewoodnews.com
Mayor receives education award Jeffco schools honor those who celebrate diversity By Clarke Reader
creader@ourcoloradonews.com Mayor Bob Murphy has been named the recipient of the 2013 Wayne Carle Legacy Award for outstanding contributions to diversity and equity in Jefferson County. The award comes from Jeffco Public Schools Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and is named after the former Jeffco super-
intendent. “It’s an extremely high honor, and when you look at the some of the past recipients, it’s great to be in such company,” Murphy said. Previous winners include the Mile High United Way, Jeffco Action Center and Shermita West. According to Jefferson County, the Wayne Carle Award was inspired by an event that Carle witnessed when he was a 10-year-old student in 1940. Carle and other campers were returning from the mountains, and stopped at a country club for a swim. “One of the campers Mary Ota, an Asian American, was stopped and told she could not enter. Without saying a word, her fellow
campers all turned around and got back on the bus,” according to the information. The incident inspired Carle to promote cultural understanding and respect, and his efforts created the award that goes to others who promote these same ideas. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion was formed in 2009 to ensure students were well educated about respect of culture and diversity. Irene Griego, director of the Office of Diversity, said that there are several different award categories — like for students, organizations, groups and individuals — and that the legacy award is the highest honor. “The mayor has always been a champion for diversity in the city, and has been a longtime supporter of Jeffco schools,” she
said. Murphy said the award reflects on the attitude of the city as a whole. “We have a strong commitment to diversity in Lakewood, and being honored for this means so much because of the schools’ same commitment,” Murphy said. He noted that being accepting of all people has been a key feature of Lakewood for a long time — the city signs say it is an inclusive community, and that’s an idea the city still firmly believes in. “I’m accepting this award not just on my behalf, but on behalf of the entire community,” Murphy said. The award will be presented at a school board meeting on May 2.
40 West District a people’s choice Arts District up for DRCOG award By Clarke Reader
creader@ourcoloradonews.com
Recruits from West Metro Fire Rescue Training Center worked with Leadership Jefferson County and Fletcher Miller School to build a shed for the school’s garden. Courtesy photos
Volunteers enhance garden Leadership Jefferson County and West Metro help school By Clarke Reader
creader@ourcoloradonews.com Leadership Jefferson County and West Metro Fire Rescue Training Center recruits came together to help Fletcher Miller School with its garden. A group of recruits, sponsored and coordinated by Leadership Jefferson County (LJC), gathered on March 14 and 15 to build a shed for the school’s experimental and memorial garden. “The work was part of the LJC’s 2013 class effort,” said Steve Aseltine, division director of training for West Metro. Aseltine is also a member of the LJC class. “Creating community gardens has been identified as a community need for this year’s class.” During the two days, the 25 recruits worked around 10 hours total to build the 10-foot by 12-foot shed, which is designed for garden tools and equipment. All materials were funded by LJC. The LJC is a West Chamber Foundation program that aims to develop leaders within Jeffco. Projects are developed as part of the 10-month course that help participants improve their leadership skills, build community relationships, and learn how they can facilitate changes in Jeffco. Fletcher Miller has been increasing
Recruits from West Metro Fire Rescue Training Center spent two days at Fletcher Miller School building a 10-foot by 12-foot shed to store garden tools and equipment. its focus on what gardening can teach its students, with classes being taught at the Robert R. Brown Greenhouse that was constructed last spring. Students who have sensory issues will benefit from having the plants to touch and experience, according to Julie Palmer, a physical therapist at the school. “These students often need things that are more concrete, so they get a sense of different sensations through the feelings from their fingers,” she said. “The greenhouse
offers a hands-on experience that a lot of kids won’t get from something on a piece of paper.” Aseltine said that community gardens and creating something sustainable for the long term is one of the major projects for the class, and it will be working on similar projects until the end of the session in June. “This is just an awesome project, and it’s great to have been able to help Fletcher Miller,” said Marta Murray, West Chamber Foundation executive director.
The 40 West Arts District is one of 10 finalists for the Denver Regional Council of Governments Live Work Play People’s Choice Award. The program is a biennial one from DRCOG that celebrates places, events and projects that improve and contribute to communities’ long-term success. The award gives community members a chance to support their favorite project by voting online through Wednesday, April 24. “We’re really excited about the Live Work Play finalist status for 40 West,” said executive director of the Lakewood-West Colfax Business Improvement District, Bill Marino. “It’s a great initiative through DRCOG that is all about maintaining and protecting the region’s quality of life.” Some of the other finalists include Lone Tree’s RidgeGate Community, the Colorado Wedding District and Olde Town Arvada. Steve Erickson, communications and marketing director with DRCOG said that many people don’t realize that DRCOG is heavily involved in regional planning, and helps get local governments together to work on issues facing the area. “We want to try to make life in these regions as good as can be,” he said. “It’s all part of our Metro Vision.” The Metro Vision address changes that need to be implemented to accommodate the burgeoning population that is predicted for Colorado. According to Erickson, the population for the Denver metro area is around 2.2 million, but by 2020 it is expected to grow to 3.2 million, and by 2035 it will be close to 4 million people. Some plans in the Metro Vision plan include protecting open spaces, reducing daily vehicle miles traveled and cutting greenhouse emissions. “Unless we pay attention to these issues, there will be problems for quality of life,” he said. “These awards are a thank you to the people and businesses that are already working on making their communities a better place to live.” Marino says the recognition is a result of the work the entire Colfax corridor is doing. “At 40 West we’re all about celebrating community, arts, and working together to make whole corridor a better place,” he said. “People see the progress with businesses and W Rail, and get excited.” Winners will be announced at the end of the day on April 24. To vote, visit www.liveowrkplay2013.com.
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