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January 9, 2014 Jefferson County, Colorado | Volume 9, Issue 33 A publication of

arvadapress.com

Sergeant dies while off duty Stonecipher served 38 years on police force By Crystal Anderson

canderson@ourcoloradonews.com

Randy Olson and his service dog, London, work out during a regular business day. Olson said he comes to the YMCA for its affordability and special program offerings. Photo by Crystal Anderson

Open house pumps programs Annual effort offers potential customers a glimpse into the YMCA By Crystal Anderson

canderson@ourcoloradonews.com The Susan M. Duncan Family YMCA, 6350 Eldridge St., will offer annual open house 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16 Held every January, the open house serves as introduction and promotional tool for the YMCA, educating residents and YMCA members about the different programing and options available. “We want to get a lot of people to come in and learn about the Y, that’s the goal,” YMCA Membership Director Jen Spettel said. The open house will have representatives and information from the different programs available to answer questions and will offer free tours of the facility, informative meet-n-greets with trainers, complimentary blood pressure screen-

ings, body composition analyses, free recipes and healthy snacks for children. “This is a great opportunity for us to show off what we do,” Bryan Tucker, executive director at the YMCA said. “It’s the one-stop to gather information on everything, and get questions answered.” Started more than 10 years ago, organizers expect to see a couple hundred people throughout the event, which will be held on two dates, Jan. 15 and Jan. 25. “This is important for us because we want the community to be healthy,” Tucker said. For residents like Randy Olson, being healthy is the reason he switched his membership to the YMCA nine years ago. “I like everything, with the Y, I got a one-time monthly fee and got everything, never have to pay extra for things, like the MS class,” Olson said. Open to all Arvada residents interested

IF YOU GO What: Susan M. Duncan Family YMCA Annual Open House Where: 6350 Eldridge St., Arvada When: Wednesday, Jan. 15 and Saturday, Jan. 25. Times: Jan. 15 :11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; 5-7 p.m. Jan. 25: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Cost: Free

in the YMCA, the open house serves as part of a larger goal for the YMCA. “We want people to be a part of something bigger, the more people we can touch the better our community will be,” Tucker said. “Whether you’re an infant, a family, a single parent, a senior, have special needs, fit or want to be fit, the Y is here for everybody.”

“Good mornin’ ‘Mericans,” is how Sergeant Charles Stonecipher would begin his morning briefings every day. Charles ‘Stony’ Stonecipher, a sergeant with the Arvada Police Department died from a suspected heart attack at his home, Dec. 29, he was 64. Stonecipher, an avid, active, 38-year veteran member of the police department, was a man devoted to law enforcement, healing and the Arvada community. “He was a blend between his love for his law enforcement career and his love for his healing career,” Beth Kimzey, Stonecipher’s wife said. “He would always ask his folks, Stonecipher what they need to do to contribute and protect the City of Arvada, he loved Arvada.” Holding nearly every position offered within the police department, Stonecipher actively fought crime throughout the community. One of his more notable feats was a comprehensive crime project, launched in 1989, which incarcerated 35 criminals, helping to clear Arvada from heavy narcotic, theft, break-in crime. Throughout his time at the police department he was known as someone who was supportive, embraced change, and who cared about the community. “He was more than a police officer performing law enforcement functions,” said Arvada Police Chief, Don Wick. “He was a person who truly cared about the City of Arvada, and through his chosen profession he could serve and protect those people.” Outside of his law enforcement career, Stonecipher enjoyed spending time outdoors gardening, playing golf or adventuring in the mountains with his wife, Beth, and their two dogs, Smidgeon and Tapper. “He seemed to take the road less traveled,” Kimzey said. “He loved to get in the truck and drive into the mountains and find wildflowers, and just go on an adventure.” According to those who knew him, Stonecipher was a man who was intuitive, passionate and patriotic, someone who wanted to make a difference in the lives of those around him. “He was a very selfless person who worried about everyone else, and what he could do for them,” said Ken Petersen, Stonecipher’s good friend. “He really liked to be a teacher, a coach, and a mentor to young police officers.” According to his family, throughout his life, Stonecipher was an animal lover, and looked to the eagle as sort of his animal spirit. “The eagle is an animal that really represents freedom, courage and strength, and he really looked to that because those things really represented him,” Kimzey said. Stonecipher will be honored at a memorial, 10 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 8, at the Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd.

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