February 18, 2016
Voluntary Contribution
VO LUM E 1 1 | IS S UE 38
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WRESTLING Local wrestlers qualify for state tournament. Find out more on PAGE 19.
Big screen fest tackles big problems 10th annual environmental film fest comes to Golden Feb. 18-20 On their trip to California in 2015, Arvada’s Girl Scout Troop 3301 toured various sites, including San Francisco. Here, they pause for a photo along the city’s crookedest street. Courtesy photo
Scouting for adventure Arvada girls use money from cookie sales for travel By Crystal Anderson canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com Thanks to more than $20,000 in cookie sales, members of Arvada’s Girl Scouts Troop 3301 planned and carried out a trip to California in 2015. Their sights are set higher for 2017 — a trip to Europe. “Girl Scouts isn’t just about doing the little things,” troop member Charlotte Blish, 14, said about their travel plans. “It’s about the bigger picture, like traveling outside the country.” Girl Scouts cookies sales, which take place every February, help girls learn
how to manage sales and money, plan a budget and work with their communities. This cookie season, each troop member has set a minimum goal of selling 1,500 boxes to help raise money for a trip to a European country in 2017. The Scouts are researching a list of countries, vetting those that, as a group, they don’t want to visit based on a list of attributes, facts and overall affordability. They will determine a country later this summer. If the Scouts meet their goal of selling 15,000 boxes, they would raise $60,000. “Most girls our age have never had to plan out a budget,” Blish said of the tripplanning process. “This teaches you how and creates a greater bond between us.” For Blish and the other Scouts, this adventure is just one of many they
hope to share. Since 2008, the girls have worked together on several local projects, traveled to camps and shared in several trips, including one to Yellowstone National Park. Last year, the girls decided to use the money raised from cookie sales to visit California. This trip — planned entirely by them — took the girls to various attractions and nature sites, an experience they said taught them responsibility and deepened their bond. “I’d say we’re sisters — we’re a good group of friends,” Madi Walker, 15, said. Besides an exciting vacation, the girls said the experience prepares them for life. “This is teaching us responsibility,” Walker said, “and prepares us for when we’re older.”
By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Even in Bert Raynes’ ninth decade of life, he’s inspiring people to pay attention to their surroundings. Filmmaker Jennifer Tennican brings that story of Raynes — a Wyoming man whose great loves are his wife and nature — to the screen in a documentary called “Far Afield: A Conservation Love Story,” one of 50 films at the 10th annual Colorado Environmental Film Festival, Feb. 18-20, at the American Mountaineering Center in Golden. “Even though it’s a local setting, it’s got broad appeal,” she said of the film and Raynes. “He was responsible for getting more people outdoors.” The festival does have a couple local filmmakers in the mix, but features 10 countries worldwide, said Dave Steinke, a filmmaker on the festival’s board. “It really is a global festival,” he said, and “there is no shortage of environmental topics.” The purpose is not to have people leave Film continues on Page 23
Temporary housing for migrant children at Federal Center canceled Perlmutter, Paul release statements By Clarke Reader creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com
HOT ON THE TRAIL Trail running breeds balance and strength, while providing peace of mind and smiles for miles. Find out more on PAGE 12.
A plan to temporarily house immigrant children from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador at the Federal Center in Lakewood this spring was canceled Feb. 12 because the facility could not be renovated in time. “It’s a relief to learn of the federal government’s decision to end its effort to open the shelter at the Federal Center,” said Lakewood Mayor Adam Paul in a statement. “Because of the short time frame for opening
the center, the lack of information regarding the community impacts and concern regarding the conditions for these kids, I was concerned about it from the moment it was announced.” The plan to house about 1,000 children at the center in April was announced in late December, which took many elected officials and community leaders by surprise. “Since learning of the initial proposed selection of the temporary migrant shelter at the Federal Center, my office has worked to reassure the community and collaborate closely with our federal, state and local partners,” said Congressman Ed Perlmutter (D-7th District) in Housing continues on Page 23
The film “The Anthropologist” will have a special screening on Feb. 18 for World Anthropology Day, but will also be shown on Feb. 20. It is one of 50 films that will be available at the 10th annual Colorado Environmental Film Festival, which takes place Feb. 18-20 at the American Mountaineering Center in Golden. Courtesy of Ironbound Films