June 30, 2016 VO LUM E 1 2 | IS S U E 5
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Sand festival takes shape
SPIRITUAL For the terminally ill, their families and their caregivers, faith can help in difficult times. PAGE 10
Arvada-based nonprofit Epic Experience joins Sand in the City By Crystal Anderson Canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com Playing in the sand — it’s just fun. And for the team at Epic Experience, joining the Sand in the City festival was about fun, and awareness. “Sand seemed like a great way to bring everybody together and have a good time,” said Nancy Ferro, founder of the nonprofit organization that provides outdoor excursion camps for adults with cancer and survivors. “And we wanted to spread awareness on what we do in our community.” With a little bit of skill, and a lot of creativity, the Epic Experience team joined eight others in a giant sand sculpting build day, June 24, to Sand in the City create a variety More information of sandy scenes. about the annual Each team — event is available at made up of 20 https://sandinthecor more people ityarvada.org/ from a particular Epic Experience business or group Visit www.epicex— started designperience.org or call ing scenes in 855-650-9907. April, and over the past few months watched as the process unfolded from design and fabrication to practice days and finally, completion. “It’s hard work,” said Kami Welch, Arvada Chamber of Commerce president and organizer of the two-day community festival and beach party event. “They pack it (the sand) in until noon, and you feel a little nervous … but then they start to carve and it’s amazing what they come up with.” With over 120 tons of sand, the teams had a lot of work to do. Spread evenly among the groups, the sand first had to be shoveled into the teams’ various molds. Next the forms are sprayed with water and packed in tightly so that when the molds come off; the sand is structured and primed for carving.
One dies after three-car collision on Wadsworth Staff report
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Sand continues on Page 4
“Cancer can be such an isolating disease,” said Chad Latta, an Epic Experience camper and a colorectal cancer survivor. “Your world becomes all about treatment, doctors appointments, surgeries - and it’s not all like that - you can still live it and have fun.” Latta is part of a 26-member team from Epic Experience, an Arvada nonprofit. The team was building a kayaking scene with cartoon movie character’s the Minions floating alongside and in the kayaks. More photos on PAGE 5. Photo by Crystal Anderson
Arvada art center’s new era Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities officially becomes nonprofit organization By Crystal Anderson canderson@coloradocommunity media.com At 40, people often celebrate being “over the hill,” but for the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities this birthday is the beginning. “It’s going to be great,” said Arvada Mayor Marc Williams of the Arvada Center’s official transition to a nonprofit arts education entity from a city department. “It’s going to give the ability for the center to grow philanthropically at a level higher than it could as a city department.” This transition — taking place on July 1 and the center’s 40th anniversary — is a major
change for the entity as a business, but not as a venue. The center will now be run as a private nonprofit organization, allowing for the entity to expand philanthropic giving, programming and its supporter base. The move allows “the Arvada Center to remain viable in the long-term,” said Ken Fellman, a founding board member of the nonprofit. “A nonprofit form will expose us to new audiences, supporters and ultimately help us continue to provide value.” Since its inception in 1976, the Arvada Center has been a department of the City of Arvada. Over the past 40 years, the city’s financial contribution — both in-kind and financial donations — to the center has grown to about $4 million a year. In the early 1990s, Fellman said, that contribution reached a high point, one Art center continues on Page 6
IF YOU GO WHAT: Arvada Center 40th anniversary celebration WHERE: Arvada Center 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada
While driving in the intersection of 80th Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard, Kathryn Mastropaolo, 58, was hit by 82-year-old Wesley Grebe as he was driving his Toyota Corolla in the northbound lane on the boulevard, the afternoon of June 21. Mastropaolo’s vehicle, a Ford Focus ZX3, was pushed into the southbound lane of Wadsworth where it collided with another vehicle, a Dodge Challenger, driven by 64-year-old Jeff Holt. Mastropaolo, who was a long-time employee of the McDonald’s Restaurant at the intersection, died from her injuries. Roberta Arnold, a passenger in the Toyota Corolla, was injured. Holt and Grebe were uninjured. According to Arvada Police, Mastropaolo had to be extracted from her vehicle and was then transported to the Denver Health Medical Center where she died from her injuries. No updates on Arnold’s condition were available as of press time. She’s 82. Mastropaolo’s daughter, Tanya Ponicsan, posted in a Facebook group that she was a “bubbly woman who always brought positivity to those around her, even very early in the morning. She was like that all times of the day and to everyone. She was free-spirited and the most loving and genuine person.” She also mentioned how she was her rock, and that she had a family of five children, their spouses, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. “She was all our worlds and our biggest supporter,” she added. An informal gathering will be held at 1 p.m., July 2, at Oakhurst Park in Westminster, 9311 Lark Bunting Drive. The family is asking that instead of flowers, attendees bring donations for a soon-to-be-determined charity.
CARING FOR PETS
WHEN: Saturday, July 9 Doors - 6:30 p.m. Concert - 7:30 p.m. COST: Covered, $35 - $45 General admission lawn, $20 INFORMATION: 720-8987200 or www.arvadacenter. org/on-stage/colorado-symphony-arvada-center-40thanniversary-concert
Foothills Animal Shelter relies on volunteers and new equipment to provide services for cats and dogs. PAGE 11