February 20, 2014 Jefferson County, Colorado | Volume 9, Issue 38 A publication of
arvadapress.com
From pastel paintings to photography, works by area first through sixth-graders hang throughout the Community Recreation Center, 6842 Wadsworth Blvd., with works from community artists, age 50 and older. Photo by Crystal Anderson
Creativity never ages
SWEET
AFFAIR
Artists of all ages throughout the community feature works in distinctive show
Above, handmade, decorated hearts were hung throughout OldeTown, showing support and love from individuals, organizations and businesses from Arvada during the 13th Annual Chocolate Affair, Feb. 8. At right, Wendy Prinz, selects a sampling of chocolate toffees for her family. Below, inside the library, organizers held prizes for those who entered the chocolate treasure hunt and who won the cookie or brownie baking contest.
By Crystal Anderson
canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Photos by Crystal anderson
Soccer manager takes the Edge Edge Soccer Club manager enters state Hall of Fame By Crystal Anderson canderson@ coloradocommunity media.com
When he was four years old, Todd Gette began playing soccer, but he never thought it would play a large part in his life. But after a fulfilling career with the sport, Gette, now the general manager of Arvada’s EDGE Soccer Club, was inducted to the Colorado Soccer Association’s Hall of Fame for outstanding achievement and long-term dedication to the sector, Feb. 2. “I was surprised and very honored,” Gette said. “It made me take a step back and realize what all I was involved with, it seems like you’re going through the same things (each season), and we really have done a lot of
great things.” Nominated by colleagues from CO soccer organizations, Gette was one of six individuals inducted to the Hall of Fame for their devotion and work with the sport and in the community. Throughout his life, Gette was a part of the soccer community in Arvada, including being a part of the EDGE Soccer Club as a player, a volunteer, board member and through coaching. But for Gette, the game was always more of a side project, and something he never expected to become a major aspect of his life. “For a while, it was a fun side activity,” Gette said about his volunteerism and work with the EDGE’s board of directors. “This was just a little community, and as it got big and it began to change, I kind of melded with their thinking and made it (the club) into the organization it is today.” Since joining the organiza-
EDGE Soccer Club general manager, Todd Gette, proudly stands with John DeStefano, president of the Colorado Soccer Association, at Gette’s induction to the CSA’s Hall of Fame, Feb. 2. Courtesy photo tion in 2000, Gette has helped transform the club from a recreational and competitive club, to a progressive organization with programs for children throughout the Arvada community.
“We’re proud of him, he’s done a lot with the transformation of youth soccer, kids with special needs, kids who are interested in playing at the next Soccer continues on Page 2
For 80 elementary school students and 16 adult artists, art is an expression, a way of showing emotion, personality, and style. The 28th annual, Art for the Young at Heart art show brought together both the young and old at the APEX Community Recreation Center, 6842 Wadsworth Blvd. “This really shows how art can expand across the ages and be a lifelong venture,” said Laura Schwenker, the recreation coordinator for the Community Recreation Center. Started nearly 30 years ago, the exhibition combines works of art from around 100 people from first-graders to senior citizens and those in between as a way to showcase local art and acknowledge the children’s work. “It’s humbling because these kids are so talented,” Donna Frazzini, one of the adult artists in the show said. “To be displayed next to some of the work they do and have them be able to do it is huge for our youth.” Each school was allowed to submit 10 works of art to the show. Submitted artworks ranged from small pastel and crayon paintings of animals, objects and an image Olde Town Arvada to clay plates and large paper mache “cat-rat” sculptures. “I wanted to show off my work, and how I express myself is my work,” Blake Steinmetz, a fifth-grader at Hackberry Hill said. Every year, students from elementary schools in Arvada and Westminster participate in this show, to showcase their craftsmanship, creativity, and be recognized by the community. “It’s exciting for them for other people to see their artwork outside of the school,” Cindy Applehans, the art teacher at Hackberry Hill said. “It’s so fun for them to have other people, the public, see their work.” For the students, the exhibition is a fun way to express their talents as artists and a chance to show their work in an environment where they may not otherwise be able to. Creativity continues on Page 5
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