Arvada press 0703

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JULY 3, 2014 VOLU M E 1 0 | I SS UE 5

ArvadaPress.com A publication of

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

HAPPY AS A PIG IN SAND

Observing the nation’s birthday Arvada gets festive for Fourth of July By Crystal Anderson

canderson@colorado communitymedia.com Arvada will celebrate America’s independence in a festive, red, white and blue patriotic event on July 4. The city will host its 37th annual Fourth of July celebration from 4-8 p.m. at the Stenger-Lutz What: Fourth of July Sports Complex, Celebration 10664 W. 58th When: Friday, July 4 Ave. Where: Stenger-Lutz The free, famSports ily-friendly event Complex, 10664 W. 58th will incorporate Ave. a variety of artiTime: 4-8 p.m., with firesan, retail, merworks at 9 p.m. or dusk. chandise and Cost: Free resource vendors and activities for the community. Several new bands will be performing music throughout the celebration, which will feature activities such as human hamster balls, bouncy castles and a DJ for the community to enjoy. Food and drinks will be provided by the City of Arvada’s hospitality team. “It’s a family-friendly atmosphere with wide-open fields, and it makes it really nice,” said Arvada Festivals Commission member Alvin Maes. New to the festival this year will be a special section, entitled “It’s All About Me,” devoted to serving Arvada’s special needs population. The area will incorporate booths, activities, games and areas for individuals who have disabilities, such as autism, epilepsy, Type 1 diabetes and others, to enjoy. A designated quiet zone will also be available in this section for individuals to relax. “We want all families with all disabilities to come out and enjoy the afternoon,” said Brenda Berg, the special events coordinator with the City of Arvada. The celebration’s event leads up to the evening’s big gig — the fireworks. Held at approximately 9 p.m., the community will see the sky light up in bursts of colors for 35 minutes. The fireworks will be visible throughout the city, as well as simulcast with Kool 105.1 radio station. “People should expect to see something that will take their breath away,” Maes said. The event is free and open to the public. Parking is free and available at the event. No alcohol, dogs or fireworks will be allowed on the day of the event.

IF YOU GO

Gearing up for the summertime Blues with a big sandy pig, in this scene from the Blues and BBQ gang. Photo by Crystal Anderson

Woods moves ahead Conservative candidate takes primary election By Crystal Anderson canderson@colorado communitymedia.com Conservative candidate Laura Woods rose above her opponent, Lang Sias, to win the June 24 Republican primary election, moving forward in the race for the state Senate District 19 seat. Early on it was clear that Woods was the winner. Out of 12,113 votes cast, Woods took 6,700 (55 percent), beating her opponent by about 11 percentage points. “I am honored by the results of the election. I am grateful to have the votes of the people from Senate District 19,” Woods said in a statement June 25. “I am energized to fight all the way to November and

see the same victory in the general.” Sias, a FedEx pilot and lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard, was running for the Senate seat a second time, focusing on small government, Second Amendment rights, and local control in education. Sias could not be reached for comment at the time of publication. Woods, a former court reporter and retail liaison for the Recall Hudak campaign, is looking to focus Woods on smaller government, broad educational choice, Second Amendment rights and family values. While she declined to be interviewed for this piece, Woods said in a statement June 25 that she is looking forward to continuing her campaign, and changing the district’s party affiliation at the state Capitol.

“We have the opportunity in front of us to retake the Republican majority with just one more vote,” she said. “I am committed to doing everything I can to see the state Senate turn red and am eager to continue working alongside you all in the days and weeks to come.” Moving forward, Woods will campaign against incumbent Democrat Rachel Zenzinger, who took the seat in January after being appointed to the vacancy left by former Sen. Evie Hudak. “I want to congratulate Laura Woods on earning the opportunity to campaign for the Colorado Senate District 19 seat,” Zenzinger said in a statement. “I look forward to a vigorous and respectful campaign, in which we demonstrate to the voters of Arvada and Westminster where we stand on the issues that matter most.” This is the first eliminating point in the race for Senate District 19. The next stop will be the general election, Nov. 4.

“It is a massive undertaking,” said Carrie Nolan, president of the Colorado-Wyoming Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. “It is the best-supported bike ride in Colorado, according to our cyclists.” For the 2014 fiscal year, Nolan reported the society will invest $50 million in MS research. Chapters throughout the country, including the Colorado-Wyoming Chapter, contribute to this investment. In 2013, the Colorado-Wyoming Chapter was responsible for $1.5 million. Funding research has been critical in furthering treatments for MS and maybe, one day, a cure “Today, we have 10 FDA-approved drugs to slow the progression of MS,” No-

lan said. Three more drugs have hit the market in the last three years. For nationwide cycling events like the Newmont Bike Ride, local chapters rely heavily on volunteers and without them, these events wouldn’t be possible, Nolan said. Richard and Suzanne Pershall of Golden are active volunteers in the chapter, with Richard leading the Gold Wings motorcycle crew that follows the route during the Newmont Bike ride, in order to provide roadside assistance to cyclists who may need it. The Pershalls have been active in the bike ride since Suzanne was diagnosed with MS in 1996 at the age of 38. “Suzanne and Richard are some of

Riding for hope, and a cure Newmont Bike Ride MS raises millions By Amy Woodward

awoodward@colorado communitymedia.com Around 3,000 cyclists took to the road for a two-day bike ride in support of finding a cure for multiple sclerosis last weekend. Organized by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Newmont Bike MS, which started and ended in Westminster, is the organization’s third-largest annual fundraising ride in the nation, with riders raising close to $4 million.

our top volunteers,” Nolan said. “They’re amazing.” In the last few months, Richard has raised $50,220 for the society, and fundraising will continue beyond the bike ride until September. He has been the most positive influence for Suzanne since her diagnosis, and due to treatments, the prospect of a wheelchair is unlikely. “I had no chance for feeling sorry for myself,” Suzanne said regarding the tremendous support received from her family. Although she reports the first four years after her diagnosis were the most difficult, Riding continues on Page 16


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