Arvada Press 0421

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April 21, 2016 VO LUM E 1 1 | IS S UE 47

ArvadaPress.com J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O

A publication of

Pink Hat Tea adds hope From Zumba to dragon boat rowing, cancer survivors look to active lifestyles to keep moving By Amy Thomson Special to Colorado Community Media

B HELPFUL HOUNDS Therapy dogs help hospital patients feel more at home on PAGE 12.

Mayor: Arvada has ‘it’ factor Williams uses train analogy to portray community on move By Crystal Anderson canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com The 2016 State of the City address encouraged residents to hop aboard the Arvada train and see all the great things the city has to offer. “There’s a train a-comin’ and not just the Gold Line, but one with a buzz for a special city that has the ‘it’ factor,” said Mayor Marc Williams as he opened the April 15 address to community members and business leaders at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities. Finances The city held on to its triple AAA bond rating, an achievement it shares share with four other cities across the state. City continues on Page 6

reast cancer awareness events may not seem like the place that would conjure feelings of inspiration and strength, but that’s exactly what the Pink Hat Tea celebration does. The annual event is sponsored by the Lutheran Medical Center, Cancer Centers of Colorado, and this year was held April 16 at the Arvada Center. Keynote speaker, breast cancer survivor and ESPN correspondent Shelley Smith told her story of beating cancer and motivated the group to keep moving—both mentally and physically. “I thought about those first few months and what got me through,” she said. “It was having a plan — that’s what kept me moving forward.” She also stressed the importance working out to stay healthy. As a part of this year’s theme to keep active, the event started off with a Zumba demonstration to show attendees a non-conventional way to exercise. Everyone in the room stood to participate in a fierce Zumba dance. The hundreds of women participants moving together seemed like a group of old friends. “I feel so at home, even though I don’t know anyone here,” Paige Bartels said. Recently marking two years as a survivor, she is grateful to have friends who have been through the same stresses and pain that she has. “With survivors, you don’t have to explain,” she said. “You just talk.” Upon being diagnosed with breast cancer, Pink continues on Page 9

Carisa Spiller, left, and Reda Dillingham stand and listen to a part of the Pink Hat Tea presentation. Photo by Amy Thomson

At this breakfast, it’s all good Hundreds get together to honor Jeffco residents who do the right thing

Nine individuals or organizations were awarded with an honoree plaque at the 26th annual Good News Breakfast, which took place April 12 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Photo by Christy Steadman

By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com About 400 people gathered at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds on April 12 to hear word of the county’s good news. The theme for the 26th annual Honor continues on Page 7

WHAT GOOD NEWS WAS HEARD THIS YEAR? 2016 Good News Breakfast honorees: Rabbi Benjamin “Jamie” Arnold — instrumental in establishing a severe weather emergency shelter to serve Evergreen’s homeless individuals.

ON AUTOPILOT? Distracted driving is a rising problem, according to CDOT. Read more on PAGE 5.

runner for charity.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) — independent advocates for Jefferson County children in the court system who are victims of abuse and neglect.

Lakewood Police Department’s Victim Advocate Lindsey Bravdica, Sgt. David Hoover and Agents James Butler and Toby Maez — helped stabilize a father and his 10-year-old son by helping to find affordable housing, taking the child to school, arranging free repair of the vehicle the family was living in and initiated fundraising efforts.

Detective Jesus “Moose” Chavez — a school resource officer known to have mentored hundreds of children, organizer of a Christmas program to benefit Arvada High School families and a marathon

Jefferson Center for Mental Health and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office: Crisis Intervention Team Managers Program — collaboration that began in October 2014 by Emily Richardson and

Capt. Al Simmons to provide education and training for deputies to increase safety for law enforcement officers and individuals involved in a mental crisis situation. Margaret Paget — City of Wheat Ridge’s forestry and open space supervisor known to have gone above and beyond her job duties to support residents’ projects and who has worked to protect and preserve the city’s open space areas for 25 years. Pete Roybal — began the monthly food basket program at Phillips United Methodist Church; as a veteran, he works to improve the lives of all those who have served the

country; and as a Lakewood city councilor, he worked to decrease the graffiti problem citywide. Kevin Shive — found the Rocky Mountain Police Chaplains program in 2014, and since, the program has served 29 cities and agencies at the local, state and federal level. West Metro Fire Protect District — personnel volunteers time with The Action Center and its clients, provides community education to children and makes regular school visits, puts on car seat and bicycle helmet checks for the community, and the organization’s seal of approval program rates senior living facilities.


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