News
ELBERT 1/31/13
Elbert County
January 31, 2013
75 cents
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourelbertcountynews.com
Elbert County, Colorado • Volume 118, Issue 1
Clerk to offer online services Move by DMV may ease crunch By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com
A contender at the National Western Stock Show Stick Horse Rodeo gets some royal encouragement from Elizabeth Stampede Queen Caroline Ginn. The annual children’s event attracted more than 60 kids and their stick horse companions.
KIDS AND CRITTERS PHOTOS BY DEBORAH GRIGSBY
A pair of goats, apparently not happy with their score from the last round, eat their score card right off the side of their cage. The goats were part of many livestock on display at the National Western Stock Show on Jan. 26.
The National Western Stock Show on Jan. 27 concluded its 107th year. It is always one of the biggest events for ranchers from across the country. Kids and critters make the show in Denver fun and always unpredictable. A quick look around found a variety of barnyard favorites as well as a few new exotic breeds making their way into the mainstream. Kids worked, played and gave it their best shot in the annual stick rodeo.
County unveils oil-gas documents Workshop in Kiowa examines how issues may be handled By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews. com Elbert County residents got another look at how the county hopes to handle oil and gas development. Planning officials and residents gathered Jan. 24 in Kiowa for a workshop that put a close eye to two key documents — the Elbert County oil and gas
regulations and a template for a memorandum of understanding. In the works since April 2012, the documents, once finalized, will become the foundation for governing future oil and gas exploration. “Specifically, the Elbert County oil and gas regulations will apply to any well in the county,” said Carolyn Parkinson, county planner. “Every well in the county must secure an oil and gas special use permit. There will never be a time when we don’t do a permit on a well.”
POSTAL ADDRESS
While the county’s regulations cannot exceed those established by state law, counties can negotiate specific terms with applicants through a memorandum of understanding or MOU. “The MOU is a contract between the operator and the county,” Parkinson explained. “It is negotiable within certain criteria.” For Elbert County, the proposed 10-point MOU establishes a set of best management practices outlining setbacks, water quality testing, traffic management, dust mitigation and reclamation efforts. While the Elbert County MOU proposes a minimum setback of 1,320 feet between the wellhead and any residential structure or domestic well, the Colorado Oil and Gas Commission delayed a vote to hear updates that favor a statewide buffer of 500 feet. According to Parkinson, the only thing the proposed MOU exempts the applicant from is
public hearings and community meetings, which are the most “time-consuming for the applicant.” “It’s a carrot,” she told the crowd of about 60. “It essentially says, `if you help us ensure the safety of our citizens well make it go quickly for you.’” Every well within the county will have application and permit, but not every well will have a MOU. The planning commission will accept additional comments from residents through Feb 7. Copies of the proposed documents may be viewed online at www.elbertcounty-co.gov. Select “meetings” from the side menu and then click on “planning commission meeting.” The Elbert County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a well permit on Nov. 28 for Houston-based Southwestern Energy to begin exploratory oil and gas drilling near Agate, the county’s first in more than 12 years.
After more than two years of waiting and prodding the state, Elbert County Clerk and Recorder Diana Hartsough says the Department of Motor Vehicles will be available to offer some online services as early as March. “We’ve been pushing the state Department of Motor Vehicles to help, and we were notified in late December that they would be building out a system for Elbert County,” said Hartsough. “The system, once complete, will enable county residents to handle limited transactions, such as renewals, online and pay for them with a credit card.” The news couldn’t come at a better time, says Norm Happel. “On Wednesday, the line at motor vehicles was wrapped around the hall and out the door,” he said. “There were 22 people in line.” Hartsough, who butted heads last October with the Board of County Commissioners over filling a vacancy created by an employee transfer, said while the forthcoming electronic services will not solve all the problems her office has, it will help. “As staffed, we’re still not able to handle the volume of work that is coming though the doors and through the mail,” she said. “However, I see hope.” After the former BOCC refused to authorize funding for an additional employee, Hartsough and her staff of two still struggle to keep up with growing volumes of work. “We can barely keep up with services for walk-in customers, much less the bags of mail in registrations we’ve had,” she said. Hartsough estimates that at one time, there may have been as much as $100,000 in unprocessed registrations locked in the county vault. Late last year, Hartsough made the decision to close the department’s doors to walk-in customers two days a week in an effort to catch up on unprocessed work. Efforts to cross-train employees from other departments within the Clerk and Recorder’s Office create additional shortages, particularly in the event of illness. “Closing the doors has helped, but again, we’re nowhere close to the staffing we need to handle the amount of work we have,” she explained. Angered by the situation, Happel scolded the current BOCC at a Jan. 23 meeting. “We must act quickly,” he said. “Our citizens have suffered enough.” Hartsough said she feels the new commissioners are listening and working with her to remedy the department’s woes. Happel said he’s hopeful, too. “However, if the BOCC doesn’t act quick, I’ll personally be reporting the matter directly to the state,” he said.
Printed on recycled newsprint. Please recycle this copy.
2-COLOR
2 Elbert County News
January 31, 2013
Elbert Public Library fills a need The Elbert Public Library may seem hidden. Maybe you’ve never heard there is a public library in Elbert — but it’s there! And it is there to serve the Elbert community. The Elbert Public Branch of the Elbert County Library District is located in the Elbert School library. The school and the district share the space. The school and the district share resources. The school and the district are there because there is a need, a need to bring information, entertainment and resources to the community. The public library is open on Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Tuesday through Thursday from 4:30 to 7 p.m. These hours work around the school hours. These hours give students and community members a chance to use the library after school hours. These hours give the Elbert community a library of their own. The public library has almost everything that the larger libraries in the district have. It has books — non-fiction, fiction, biographies, junior fiction, junior non-
fiction, young adult, books on CD. It has more! It has a collection of DVDs that rivals Netflix. It offers computers and wi-fi. The Elbert Library is an active gathering place for the community. The gardening group and book club programs are led by volunteers. The gardening group meets once a month on the fourth Monday at noon. The book club, also led by a volunteer, meets when they want. Actually, they decide at each meeting when the next one will be. Call for information. Come check these out! You won’t be disappointed!
The Elbert Branch participates in the district’s Summer Reading Program. Children, teens and adults can sign up at the library, track their reading and activities on a log, and redeem their log for prizes. Special performances related to the Summer Reading theme, “Dig into Reading,” are easily accessible at the Kiowa Branch Library on Thursdays at noon or the Elizabeth Library on Thursdays at 10:00. The Elbert Branch is supported by the Friends of the Elbert Library. They meet the first Monday of the each month at 10:30. This group works diligently to promote the
library to the public. They always welcome new members to help them plan fundraisers and ways to support the library. Now for the exciting news about the Elbert Branch — yes, it’s there and yes, we are there in collaboration with the school, but the school is changing! The Elbert School will be breaking ground this spring on a new $20 million school, made possible through the state’s BEST grant. The new school library is being designed for the convenience of both the school and the public. The school will be open for the 2014-15 school year. Call during library hours if you need more information or still can’t find the Elbert Branch Public Library, at 303-6483533. Sue Dischner is the branch manager for the Kiowa and Elbert libraries of the Elbert County Library District. She lives in Elizabeth.
SO MUCH INSIDE THE NEWS THIS WEEK Taking stock. A Parker man in his eighth decade of training show horses again returned to the National Western Stock Show. Page 7
Around the court. Check out the latest highlights and scores for Elbert County’s high school basketball teams. Page 9
Help on wheels. An ailing service dog is able to keep up with its duties thanks to a special contraption. Page 10
The debt debate. Outspoken former Sen. Alan Simpson tells a Colorado audience to get involved in cutting the national debt. Page 6
See
Trip of a lifetime. Some Parker residents traveled to Moldova to bring footwear to orphans. Page 12
Learn
Do
The Extreme Screen
GPS Adventures
Classes and events
See how GPS technology is used during famous Alaskan dogsled race, Iditarod. Event March 2nd
Learn about the world of navigation and geocaching. GPS technology is changing our world in surprising ways.
Find your way out of a maze, navigate the back country on snowshoes or locate the perfect fishing hole all thanks to GPS.
facebook.com/TheWildlifeExperience
3
January 31, 2013
Elbert County News 3
d Civil-unions bill moves ahead
s s to
we ool,
Measure would not allow adoption agencies to opt out
ring By Vic Vela vvela@ourcoloradonews.com he r Jeremy Simon is only 5 years old, but his d the knowledge of what was happening inside a Colorado Capitol committee hearing room 4-15 Jan. 23 might already make him qualified to teach a civics class. d “They’re trying to change the law,” he said, when asked what was happening that 8- day. And what makes the law important? “So my moms can be together,” Jeremy er said. he Young Jerves emy was one of many people who packed the Old Supreme Court ChamReport bers inside the Capitol to hear, and to provide testimony on, what has long been a contentious issue: civil unions for gay couples. As expected, the bill — which would allow gay couples to enter into commitments that are similar to marriage — passed the five-member Senate Judiciary Committee along party lines, following a hearing that lasted more than four hours. The bill will now head to another committee in the Senate and is expected to ulti-
Capitol
mately become law, because of the Democratic-controlled Legislature. The bill’s sponsor, openly gay Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver, whose district includes part of Arapahoe County, said the legislation would recognize “the love between committed couples.” “When two people are lucky enough to have found someone they want to spend the rest of their lives with, why should the state of Colorado stand in the way?” Steadman said during his testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill could allow gay couples to begin the steps of entering into civil unions on May 1. They would be afforded many legal, medical and property rights, as well as the ability to adopt children. However, the bill does not allow gay couples in civil unions to file joint tax returns, at least until “statutory change is enacted,” according to the bill. Last year’s version of the bill died in a separate, Republican-controlled committee. “Today, you have the opportunity to finish what should have been started nine months ago,” said Brad Clark of Colorado One, a gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy group. Clark was one of many people who testified in support of the bill, several of whom offered emotional stories of having first met their partners several years ago — 17 years for Brian Bowles of Denver. “This is a human issue,” Bowles testified. “The greatest thing we have is love.” Jean Fredland of Adams County testified that, to her knowledge, none of her children
Brad Clark, executive director with ONE Colorado, is the first to testify on behalf of Senate Bill 11 during civil union legislation Jan. 23 at the state Capitol. Photo by Andy Carpenean or grandchildren is gay. But she equated the battle over civil unions as “a civil rights issue,” and said the opposition to the bill is offering “the same arguments I heard against civil rights in the ‘60s and ‘70s.” Meanwhile, there were plenty of critics who spoke out against the bill. And they were particularly upset that — unlike last year’s version — the bill does not exempt adoption agencies with religious convictions against same-sex unions from placing children with those couples. Kellie Fiedorek of the conservative, Arizona-based Alliance Defending Free-
dom, said judges and business owners who object to civil unions would be forced “to violate their deeply held religious convictions,” if the bill passed. Others who are against the bill were blunter in their opposition. Lisa Speer of Arapahoe County called the legislation “a canard.” “This legislation is all heart and no head,” she said. Republican committee member Steve King of Grand Junction — who, along with Republican Sen. Kevin Lundberg of Berthoud voted against moving the bill forward — asked Steadman, “Wouldn’t it be better to amend the bill to accommodate the religious beliefs of these people?” Steadman replied that he wouldn’t want to “enable businesses to put up signs outside their windows saying certain types of people aren’t welcome.” Steadman also brought up the point to some who testified that it wouldn’t matter if he amended the bill because they wouldn’t support it anyway. In spite of vocal opposition, the legislation is expected to pass easily this session, something that Democratic Sen. Jessie Ulibarri of Commerce City — who chaired Wednesday’s committee — says he will take pride in. Ulibarri lives with his partner and two children, and has testified every time the bill has come up, only to walk away disappointed. The day before the hearing, Ulibarri was asked what’s it’s like to go from testifying, to holding the gavel that chairs the same committee. He replied: “Overwhelming … in the best possible sense.”
Panel approves immigrant-tuition measure Legislation would ease the path for undocumented students By Vic Vela
vvela@ourcoloradonews.com Yesenya Saucedo fought back tears Thursday as she recalled being laughed at in kindergarten, and feeling “clueless and dumb” because of her struggles to speak English. Now, several years after her family brought Saucedo to the U.S. illegally, she is well on her way to graduating from Denver’s Bruce Randolph School this spring — with 23 college credits under her belt, to boot. “What I have done is what I’ve been asked, and even a little bit more,” she said during her testimony before a Colorado
General Assembly committee hearing on a bill to which she is tying her college and career hopes. Saucedo wants to go to college, but because she is an undocumented student, she cannot afford to pay the hefty, out-of-state tuition rate to attend a Colorado school. But there remains hope for Saucedo, because the Senate bill that’s been Report dubbed ASSET — Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow — has cleared its first legislative hurdle. The bill — which would allow illegal immigrants to pay the same tuition at state colleges and universities as other students who are residents — passed the nine-mem-
Capitol
ber Senate Education Committee Jan. 24. Sen. Evie Hudak, D-Westminster, who chairs the Education Committee, was one of five Democrats who voted to move the bill forward. “We’re never better off with fewer educated students,” Hudak said. “When people do not have hope, then it is very difficult to make it from day-to-day — especially children.” Sen. Mike Johnston, D-Denver, who is one of the bill’s sponsors, said that if the bill becomes law, it would bring in about $2 million in net revenue to the state. Johnson said Colorado is forcing too many young people leave the state to attend colleges at neighboring states that already have laws similar to the one proposed in the ASSET bill. Once they graduate, they remain in those states and contribute to the economies there.
“If we don’t stop to help these young people, what will happen to us as a state?” Johnston told the committee. One Republican committee member, Sen. Owen Hill of Colorado Springs, joined all five Democrats in voting to move the legislation forward. Three Republicans voted no. Only one person testified in opposition to the legislation. John Buck of the Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform called the bill “illegal,” and said Colorado citizens “want illegal aliens to self-deport.” “This illegal education bill provides one more incentive for illegal alien families to cross our borders and diminish our resources,” he said. The bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee, before going to the full Senate for a vote. It is likely that the bill will pass the Democratic-controlled General Assembly.
ELBERT COUNTY NEWS
(USPS 171-100) OFFICE: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Elizabeth, Colorado, the Elbert County News is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ELIZABETH, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES:
Scan here to like Colorado Community Media on Facebook
Douglas County’s First Pediatric Practice Established 1982
- Evening, Early Morning and Saturday Hours - Dietician, Lacation Support and Psychologist on Staff - Free Prenatal Visit - Easy Access
OF THE ROCKIES
$60 For two songs personally delivered by a barbershop quartet Also includes the delivery of a rose, a box of chocolates and card
Our Professionals:
Available Thursday Fec. 14th, 2013, anywhere in the Denver-Metro
Display advertising: Thurs. 11 a.m. Legal advertising: Thurs. 11 a.m. Classified advertising: Mon. 12 p.m.
FEBRUARY APRIL SPECIAL SPECIAL
Jay S. Rabinowitz, M.D., F.A.A.P. Brian B. Stanga, M.D., F.A.A.P. Wanda J. Venters, M.D., F.A.A.P. E. Jann Quaife, M.D., F.A.A.P. Amy Gensler, M.D., F.A.A.P. Lauren Finney, M.D., F.A.A.P. Julie C. Durr, C.P.N.P. Richard O. Hayes, PA-C Erin Jacob, PA-C Michelle Whitner, PA-C Tracy Stam, R.D., C.L.E. Lindsey Einhorn, PH.D. Susie DeVere, Administrator
303.841.2905 10371 Parkglenn Way, Suite 100 Parker, CO 80138
OurColoradoNews.com
Learn more about us at www.parkerpediatrics.com
4-OPINION
4 Elbert County News
January 31, 2013
OPINIONS / YOURS AND OURS
Helping the nation starts at home Former U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson pulls no punches. He is crusty, direct, sometimes profane and he isn’t all that concerned with what people think of him. But he certainly cares about the future of this country. The outspoken Republican from Wyoming was in the Denver area on Jan. 21 to share his views on the topic he has grown synonymous with in recent years, the national debt. He has some complex, controversial and detailed ideas on reducing that $16 trillion mountain. But when Simpson took some time to speak with us before addressing an audience at the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce, what stood out most was his call to action for everyday people. “If you love your country, get involved,” he told us. We strongly endorse that message. And Simpson sets a great example as someone who has spent many of his 81 years being
OUR VIEW involved. He served briefly in the Army in the 1950s, was elected to the Wyoming House of Representatives in the 1960s, and served in the U.S. Senate from 1979-1997. In 2010, as the co-chair of a commission tasked with tackling the nation’s fiscal challenges, Simpson and Erskine Bowles, chief of staff for President Clinton, authored a plan that gained some popular support but not approval of Congress or the president. Simpson did not give up and is still taking on the debt, now as a co-founder, along with Bowles, of the nonpartisan Campaign to Fix the Debt.
South Metro Chamber President John Brackney, it should be noted, is a member of the steering committee for the campaign’s Colorado chapter. Brackney and the chamber, like Simpson, should be applauded for working to bring attention to the debt. So what can you do to get involved? Go to town halls. Ask questions. Write letters to the editor. Challenge your government officials when appropriate. Praise them when appropriate. These are basic, but effective, ways to make a difference as a citizen — whether your mission is debt reduction or saving a playground from being turned into a parking lot. And for young people thinking of going into politics, Simpson suggests they focus on the work itself and enjoy it, rather than worrying about climbing the political ranks. Don’t be afraid to start small, be it the local school board or the city council.
Be prepared to challenge and to be challenged. Above all, be prepared to compromise because politics is like a good marriage in this regard: If one side insists on getting his or her way 100 percent of the time, not much constructive is going to happen. But through give and take, things can progress, as Simpson knows, having been married nearly 60 years. “If you think compromise is a dirty word, don’t get into politics,” Simpson says. He knows compromise, having taken his share of heat from both the left and his own party. His politics could be viewed as too liberal for the GOP and too conservative for Democrats, and that’s just fine with him. Whether you like his politics or not, like what he says or not, Simpson has a passion First Fi for service. And for sharing that, we owe The D him a great debt. even En Main will b as a v purc
Life means having to say you’re sorry
Optimism works — I’m positive Writing this column for the past few years has been rewarding and it is something I really love and enjoy doing. The email feedback each week is always tremendous and I appreciate you all so much. A few weeks ago the column I submitted about being careful because our attitudes are transparent, generated the most feedback of any prior column, and it was all 100 percent positive. Imagine that. The comments and thoughts were so interesting to me that I went back and reviewed comments and feedback from prior columns where I specifically addressed the topic of our attitudes. A very clear pattern emerged, as the community has been very consistent over the years, responding most often to anything that I wrote that had to do with a positive attitude. So I thought I would share several of my favorite quotes that you may be able to use, cut out, copy, share, and in some way keep them in a visible location as a reminder about the importance of staying positive and optimistic: “I am so optimistic I would go after Moby Dick in a rowboat and take the tartar sauce with me.” — Zig Ziglar “Positive self-expectancy is the winners edge. We must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.” — Denis Waitley “Eighty-five percent of the reason we get a job, keep that job, and get ahead in that job is because of our attitude.” — Cavett Robert “A positive mental attitude will not allow you to do anything, but it will allow you to do everything 100 percent better than a negative attitude will.” — Zig Ziglar “You can’t be a smart cookie if you have a crummy attitude.” — John Maxwell “We have a right to choose our attitude.” — Viktor Frankl “The only difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is an attitude of extraordinary determination.” — Mary Kay Ash “A person can succeed at almost anything for which they have unlimited enthusiasm.” — Charles Schwab
“The message is clear: Plan with attitude; prepare with aptitude; participate with servitude; receive with gratitude; and this will be enough to separate you from the multitudes.” — Krish Dhanam “It’s our attitude, not our aptitude, that determines our altitude.” — Zig Ziglar These quotes have inspired me over the years, but seeing people with a positive attitude inspires me 100 times more than any quote I have ever read. They are a walking billboard of energy and enthusiasm, they bring light to the world, and by their example they motivate me to want to be better in all areas of my life. Investing in a positive attitude is like depositing money in the bank, the interest that we earn multiplies with each optimistic and positive outlook we deposit into our minds. Again, it was your response to previous columns about the importance of a healthy and positive attitude that created this column. My hope is that you will find one or more of the quotes above to be an inspiration for you and that you too will become a walking advertisement of a powerfully enthusiastic energetic passionate and positive attitude. Do you have a favorite quote about positive attitudes? I would love for you to share it with me at gotonorton@gmail.com and I am absolutely certain that this will be a better than good week. Michael Norton, a resident of Highlands Ranch, is the former president of the Zig Ziglar organization and CEO and founder of www.candogo.com
I just bought my apologies at the Apology Store. I know I’ll need some this year. We all will. This is the Apology Generation. I am going to try to keep it down to 10 apologies this year. Not a day goes by that someone isn’t apologizing for something. Cheating husbands, cheating wives, celebrities, athletes and their schools, doctors (“Oops, wrong kidney!”), Illinois politicians, waiters who bring you a steak that looks like my friend Flicka. My grocery store apologized for selling yams that were marked as sweet potatoes. There’s an apology for the dust in the building where I go to see my therapist. “We’re making this a better place for YOU. Our apologies during construction!” I haven’t noticed any dust or any differences. The elevators smell different, that’s about all. I blunder all of the time, and later regret it. So does just about everyone else, eventually. It took Lance Armstrong years and years to confess. In the meantime, he hurt and offended and admittedly “bullied” a lot of people, and he single-handedly ruined a sport, that may not be a participant in the next Olympics partly because of his actions. How can you sufficiently apologize for that? Or for Penn State? Or for backing over a roadie and killing him, which is what drunk Who drummer Keith Moon did? Practically every day we read something like this, “I would like to apologize to my wife and my girlfriend, and the entire (name a team) organization, and all of our fans, for my behavior at the Cleavage Night Club & Bakery the other day. It will be a life lesson I promise never to repeat.” Or, “Maybe I didn’t really go on a meditative hike on the Appalachian Trail after all. I want to apologize to all of the voters in this state, as well as to my wife.”
Elbert County News 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
GERARD HEALEY CHRIS ROTAR SCOTT GILBERT JOHN ROSA ERIN ADDENBROOKE AUDREY BROOKS SCOTT ANDREWS DEAN LINK RON ‘MITCH’ MITCHELL BOB BURDICK
President and Publisher Editor Assistant Editor Sports Editor Classifieds Mgr., National Sales Mgr. Business Manager Creative Services Manager Circulation Director Sales Executive Newsroom Adviser
We welcome event listings and other submissions. General news and notes pressreleases@ourcoloradonews.com Business news and notes biznotes@ourcoloradonews.com Calendar calendar@ourcoloradonews.com Military Notes militarynotes@ourcoloradonews.com Letters to the editor letters@ourcoloradonews.com School accomplishments, honor roll and dean’s list schoolnotes@ourcoloradonews.com Sports sports@ourcoloradonews.com Obituaries obituaries@ourcoloradonews.com To Subscribe call 720-409-4775
STAR
ST bility High Th acros their Pr I guess the voters accepted the apology. are s infor The wife didn’t. I accept each and every apology. I know www how hard it is to apologize and mean it. I accept the apologies but I may not forgive. Volun It depends upon the offense. Th I have Autofill. It tries to read my mind volun sometimes. If I want to send an email to mitte Ethel it will fill in the last name for me. Q Now and then it designates the wrong revie recipient and I am in too big a hurry to deve notice. Ay, caramba! Sometimes this costs Ap me more than one of my apologies. to as I am very opinionated, and sometimes sione I express myself too assertively for the Ad circumstances. A kid, soliciting, was on cepte my porch one day, knocking, and looking co.go directly at three “No Solicitors” signs and standing on an “Unwelcome” mat. He might have been British. In England, solicitation has a different meaning than it does here, and it’s not selling magazine subscriptions. He might have thought he was OK to knock, since he wasn’t wearing fishnet hose. I should have thought of that at the time. Instead I suggested he sit down with a good book, the dictionary, as soon as possible. I’m sorry. I don’t know what for, but I am sure I can come up with something. Craig Marshall Smith is an artist, educator and Highlands Ranch resident. He can be reached at craigmarshallsmith@ comcast.net
Colorado Community Media Phone 303-566-4100 • Fax 303-566-4098
Columnists and guest commentaries The Elbert County News features a limited number of regular columnists, found on these pages and elsewhere in the paper, depending on the typical subject the columnist covers. Their opinions are not necessarily those of the Elbert County News. Want your own chance to bring an issue to our readers’ attention, to highlight something great in our community, or just to make people laugh? Why not write a letter of 300 words or fewer. After all, the News is your paper.
WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER Our team of professional reporters, photographers and editors are out in the community to bring you the news each week, but we can’t do it alone. Send your news tips, your own photographs, event information, letters, commentaries... If it happens, it’s news to us. Please share by contacting us at news@ourcoloradonews.com, and we will take it from there.
5-COLOR
January 31, 2013
Elbert County News 5
Elbert man’s texts tell of Algeria crisis By Dan Elliott
Associated Press An Elbert woman says she first learned her husband was trapped in Algeria during a terrorist attack when he sent her two ominous text messages. Steven Wysocki, a production supervisor at a natural gas plant seized by terrorists, hid for two and a half days before escaping the plant Jan. 18, a spokeswoman for the family said. Wysocki’s wife, Kristi Wysocki, told a special interest website her husband’s first text said, “I love you. Bad problems. I hope I can
talk again.” The second said, “It’s a terror attack. I’m OK now. Will try to call you later.” The texts were reported in DressageNews.com, a website devoted to the competitive horse-training sport of dressage. Kristi Wysocki is a dressage rider and judge. She was at the couple’s home outside Elbert when the text messages arrived. She said she and her husband had been speaking on the phone but the call was dropped, which she said wasn’t unusual. “He called me back immediately,” she said. “He sounded fine. He said the power just went and he had to go outside. There were a
First Friday Night gets sweet
STARS Banquet set for April
STARS (Students Taking Accountability and Responsibility Seriously) Banquet will be on April 6 at the Elizabeth High School Cafetorium. The annual special event recognizes 50 students from across the school district who have a positive impact in their schools, as well as the community. Program planners are currently finalizing details and are seeking volunteers, donations and sponsors. For more information on the foundation or the STARS event, visit www.elizabethef.org.
Volunteers needed for panel
The Elbert Board of County Commissioners needs volunteers to serve on an oil, gas and water advisory committee. Qualified individuals accepted to the board will help review many of the issues surrounding water, oil and gas development in Elbert County. Applicants should send a resume and letter of interest to as soon as possible to: Elbert County Board of Commissioners, P.O. Box 7, Kiowa, CO 80117. Additionally, scanned packets or facsimiles will be accepted and may be sent to: candace.meece@elbertcountyco.gov or 303-621-2343.
HAVE A NEWS TIP? Our team of professional reporters, photographers and editors are out in the community to bring you the news each week, but we can't do it alone. Send your news tips, your own photographs, event information, letters, commentaries ... Please share by contacting us at news@ourcoloradonews. com and we will take it from there.
fired. ... Everybody’s in trouble.” Kristi Wysocki said her husband left Algiers aboard a U.S. military plane and was flown to a military base in Germany. The Wysockis live at Somewhere Farms about four miles outside Elbert on rolling plains dotted with pine trees. The flag at the farm’s entrance was flying at half-staff on Jan. 22. Kristi Wysocki is listed in public records as the farm’s registered agent. The farm is home to Eagle’s Wing Equine Therapy and Rehab Center, whose website says it offers surgical recovery, therapy, rehabilitation and other services for horses.
THINGS TO DO
ELBERT COUNTY NEWS IN A HURRY First Friday Night Live is back — and it has chocolate. The Downtown Advisory Committee will host its monthly evening of extended shopping Friday, Feb. 1. Enjoy extended shopping with local merchants on Main Street in downtown Elizabeth from 5 to 8 p.m. There will be chocolate-themed treats all evening long, as well as a variety of discounts, special pricing and prizes. No purchase necessary.
lot of sirens going. ... They all thought they had had an accident.” The texts came after that. Steven Wysocki remained in hiding until Jan. 18, “when he got out with some other guys he was with,” she said. Kristi Wysocki said she had worked as a petroleum engineer in Alaska and knew the danger of her husband’s situation. Both Wysockis graduated from the Colorado School of Mines. “Having worked in the oil fields, I understand the location and environment he was in,” she said, “and the danger of 3,000 pounds under pressure with bullets being
FEB. 14
Elbert to Parker or Colorado Springs
BUSINESS AFTER hours. The Elizabeth Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to a business after hours from 5-7 p.m. Feb. 14 at the new Elizabeth Town Hall, 151 S. Banner St. Come see the wonderful new offices of the town and meet the staff. Enjoy visiting a local business and meeting other area business people. Great networking tool. Refreshments provided by the local business.
FEB. 12: Elizabeth to Colorado Springs
FRONTIER FUNDRAISING. Frontier High School plan a spaghetti dinner, sponsored by students and staff, on Feb. 14. Call the school at 303-646-1798 or email its director, Rob McMullen, at rmcmullen@esdk12.org. Frontier High School is at 589 S. Banner St., Elizabeth. FEB. 20 BLOOD DRIVE. Walmart community
blood drive is from 2-6 p.m. Feb. 20 inside Bonfils’ mobile bus located at 2100 Legacy Circle, Elizabeth. For information or to schedule an appointment, contact Bonfils Appointment Center at 303-3632300 or visit www.bonfils.org.
THE OUTBACK Express is a public transit service provided through the East Central Council of Local Governments is open and available to all residents of Cheyenne, Elbert, Kit Carson and Lincoln counties and provides an economical and efficient means of travel for the four-county region. Call Kay Campbell, Kiowa, at 719- 541-4275. You may also call the ECCOG office at 1-800-825-0208 to make reservations for any of the trips. You may also visit http://outbackexpress. tripod.com. FEBRUARY TRIP DATES: FEB. 4, Feb. 18: Simla and Matheson to Colorado Springs FEB. 28: Simla and Matheson to Limon FEB. 5, Feb. 19: Kiowa, Elizabeth and
or Parker
FEB. 14: Good Samaritan Nursing Home
residents
DIVORCE AND Post-Decree Clinic. Elbert and Lincoln County Pro Se Divorce Clinic is offered from 9 a.m. to noon the third Friday of each month at the Elbert County Justice Center, 751 Ute St., in Kiowa. For information, call 303-5206088 or email morgan@hayday.org. The clinic is free for parties who have no attorney and who are going through dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or post-decree cases. All walk-ins are welcome, and will be assisted on a firstcome, first-served basis. THE ELBERT County Sheriffs Posse is a nonprofit volunteer organization that is part of the Elbert County Sheriffs Office. As volunteers we support the Elbert County Sheriffs Office, all law enforcement in our county, and the community at large. Membership is open to anyone without a criminal record. It meets the last Monday of the month at the Elbert County Sheriffs Office at 7 p.m. For more information or a membership application, go to http://www.elbertcountysheriff.com/posse.html, or contact Dave Peontek at 303-646-5456. THE ELIZABETH Food Bank, 381 S. Banner in Elizabeth (next door to Elizabeth Presbyterian Church) needs to let the public know that we are available to help anyone who needs food. The hours are Friday 12:30-3 p.m. and Saturdays from 9-11:30 a.m. Other times by appointment. ELIZABETH GUITAR Group. Elizabeth
guitar circle will meet on the first and second Wednesday of each month at the Elizabeth Library. Traditional protocol/ courtesy. Country, pop, bluegrass, cowboy, Beatles, 50s, 60s, 70s, blues,
jazz and more. We who play for pleasure would love to meet more of same. Acoustic or power down. Come prepared to share a few songs, perform, play along, sing along with others. Enjoy new guitar friends to jam with. Gerry Vinson hosts on the first Wednesday from 6:30-9 p.m., and Laurie Smith hosts on the second Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. Uncertain? Drop by and observe. Banjo, ukelele, mandolin welcome. Call Laurie at 720-363-3531.
LAWYERS AT the Library, a free legal
clinic for parties who have no attorney, will be offered from 6-9 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month at the Elizabeth Library, 651 W. Beverly St. Volunteer attorneys will answer questions, help fill out forms and explain the process and procedure for the areas of family law, civil litigation, criminal defense, property law, probate law, collections, appeals, landlord-tenant law and civil protection orders. Walk-ins are welcome. Everyone will be helped on a first-come, first-served basis.
OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS meets from 10-11 a.m. and from 7-8 p.m.
Wednesdays in the Sedalia Room at New Hope Presbyterian Church, 2100 Meadows Parkway, Castle Rock.
SATURDAY GENEALOGY Fun meets at the Elbert Public Library at 1 p.m. on the seocnd Saturday of each month. Beginning to advanced genealogy enthusiasts are invited to attend. The Elbert Public Library is in the Elbert School library at 24489 Main Street in Elbert. Call 303648-3533 for more information. SENIORS MEET in Elizabeth every Monday at 11 a.m. for food, fun and fellowship at Elizabeth Senior Center, 823 S. Banner St. Bring a dish for potluck on the first Monday of each month. Other Mondays, bring a sack lunch. Bingo, games and socializing. New leadership. Call Agnes at 303-883-7881 or Carol at 303-646-3425 for information EDITOR’S NOTE: Calendar submissions must be received by noon Wednesday for publication the following week. Send information to calendar@ourcoloradonews.com, attn: Elbert County News. No attachments. Listings are free and run on a space-available basis.
Lender’s Panel The South Metro Denver SBDC and SCORE are hosting a panel of experts to discuss various lending options available for small businesses
Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012 6:00 pm– 8:30 pm $10 per person
2154 E. Commons Avenue, Suite 342 Centennial, CO 80122 Don’t miss out on this chance to get all the information you need about funding your business!
800-481-8612
To register: go to www.SmallBusinessDenver.com and click on “Workshops.”
DO YOU HAVE PSORIASIS? Volunteers Needed
You may qualify to participate in a psoriasis research study if you: • Are 18-75 years of age • Have a diagnosis of plague-type psoriasis for at least 6 months • Are not pregnant or breastfeeding Other criteria will be assessed by the study doctor if you are interested in participating. Participation includes: Study related medical exam and reimbursement for time and travel To find out more about the study, please contact:
CHERRY CREEK RESEARCH, INC.
303-388-5629 Ext. 715
www.SmallBusinessDenver.com South Metro Denver SBDC 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342 Centennial, CO 80122
Scan to like CCM on Facebook
(303) 795-0142
Office: 303-795-0142 Fax: 303-795-7520 info@SmallBusinessDenver.com
The South Metro Denver Small Business Development Center is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Support given by the U.S. Small Business Administration through such funding does not constitute an express or implied endorsement of any of the co-sponsors' or participants' opinions products or services. The Colorado SBDC is a partnership between the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the U.S. Small Business Administration, Colorado's institutions of higher education, and local development organizations.
6-COLOR
6 Elbert County News
January 31, 2013
Alan Simpson targets debt in local stop Former senator sees entitlements, defense spending as unsustainable By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews. com Pushing a plan to reduce the nation’s debt, former U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson of Wyoming made an exclusive stop in Centennial, mobilizing business and grassroots support for his Fix the Debt campaign. Simpson spoke at the invitation of John Brackney, South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce president and co-chair of Fix the Debt’s Colorado chapter. More than 150 people turned out for a Jan. 21 reception at the chamber to hear the 81-year-old, 6-foot-7 curmudgeon discuss what his nonpartisan project can do to improve the country’s fiscal health. “It’s not an issue of how we got here, it’s what do we do about it now,” said Simpson, a Republican. “You sent guys like me to Washington to bring home the bacon,
Former Wyoming Sen. Al Simpson offers a warning to those who hesitate to engage their elected representatives, suggesting the nation’s continued “addicition to debt” and polarized position on entitlement spending put the nation’s future at risk. Simpson spoke on Jan. 21 at the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce encouraging individuals and businesses, alike, to actively engage the government in fiscal responsibility. Photo by Deborah Grigsby and if we didn’t, we didn’t get reelected ... and we all made promises we couldn’t keep, and that’s pretty much where we are today.” Simpson, along with former Clinton Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles, chaired the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, commissioned by President Obama in 2010. The Simpson-Bowles plan — which
HAVE AN EVENT? To submit a calendar listing, send information to calendar@ourcoloradonews.com or by fax to 303-5664098.
A leaky roof is a homeowner’s nightmare:
Call A-1 Roofing today!
303-586-3396 Serving Denver Metro and Front Range
FREE Estimages & Inspections
garnered a number of high-profile supporters but didn’t gain congressional approval — pledged to reduce the federal deficit by $4 trillion, stabilize public debt by 2014, reduce debt 60 percent by 2023 and eventually eliminate it by 2035. Today, the national debt exceeds $16 trillion. Speaking without reserve, a
salty Simpson insisted that when it comes to Social Security entitlements and their effect on the budget, the numbers speak for themselves, saying the program has a $900 billion negative cash flow. “When I was a freshman at the (University of Wyoming), had hair, weighed 260 pounds and thought beer was food, there were 15 people paying into Social Security and one person taking out,” he said. “Today there are three people paying in and one person taking out; in three years, there will be two people paying in and one person taking out.” Simpson added that on any given day, more than 10,000 Americans are turning 65 and the nation’s life expectancy in three years will close to 80, rendering the entire system, as it stands, unsustainable. By 2031, Social Security checks will be 25 percent less, and in two and a half years, Social Security disability insurance will be gone due to overuse. Defense spending was also on Simpson’s list of targets. “Our defense budget is $740 billion,” he said. “The defense budget of the top 17 countries on earth, including Russia and China, combined is
S
only $540 billion.” Department of Defense school systems, Medicare, hospitals, the home mortgage deduction, taxes and tort reform — Simpson left no stone unturned. Businessman Jim Lambatos, who owns Ivy, an upscale restaurant in Centennial, said Simpson’s ideas are refreshing. “I really got a lot of insight into why most American’s don’t understand the situation this country is in, and it’s sad,” said Lambatos. “From today’s event I’m really taking away a philosophy of working smarter, more efficiently and focusing on sustainability.” “We have many of the same challenges in local and state politics as there are at the federal level,” said Phil Cernanec, Littleton city councilmember. Simpson closed with a warning. “Hang on, because when March comes, we’re just gonna kick the can down the road,” he said of the upcoming vote by Congress to raise the debt ceiling. “And if any 30-year-old can’t figure out what’s gonna happen to them when they turn 65, they don’t need any help from me. They are gonna get creamed.”
Pair aim to shake up politics Brackney, Vogt plan ‘Common Sense Party’ By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@ourcoloradonews. com Together, they’ve helped create things as simple as the Haunts of Littleton ghost tour, as worthy as the Greater Littleton Youth Initiative and as complex as the entire city of Centennial. Now John Brackney and Brian Vogt are taking it national, aspiring to create a new brand of politics they’ve dubbed the “Common Sense Party.” Longtime friends and
conspirators, Brackney succeeded Vogt as the president of the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce, where he remains today. Vogt went on to head up Denver Botanic Gardens. “This is not a chamber event,” Brackney told the 40 or so people who showed up at Romancing the Bean coffee shop for an inaugural meeting Jan. 19. “This is a John and Brian crazy-idea event.” As crazy as it sounds, the two are approaching it quite seriously, saying they don’t want to be just a group of people sitting around complaining. “I’m a rationalist,” said Vogt. “I look at things and think you can always solve a
COLORADO GARDEN & HOME SHOW
February 9 – 17 • Colorado Convention Center
problem. … I like to get stuff done.” Joining the two as group organizers are Andrew Graham, John Vachalek and Patrick Pratt. The plan was born of their frustration with the debilitating effects of today’s extreme polarization in politics, they say. “Prudent management of government should not be the great cause of our time. It should be a given,” they write on their Meetup page. “Competence is not a transcendent mission, a rallying cry for a nation. Yet, we cannot move on to bigger and better visions until we get our house in order. No dessert until we finish the vegetables.” Vogt offered a theory about how things have gone so awry: The Greatest Generation sacrificed everything for its children, but ended up raising them to never be stressed, never want for anything. “We’re the most spoiled generation that American’s ever seen,” he said. At-
tendees spanned personal, professional and political spectrums: young, old and in between; Democrats, Republicans and unaffiliateds; attorneys, students, entrepreneurs and politicians. Common bonds included dissatisfaction with a broken system, a desire to bridge gaps, concern about the economy and valuing a grassroots, local approach. “If we think that what’s going on around us is irrational, then we need to work toward rationality,” said Vogt. Many expressed the notion that in reality, more things unite than divide them. Vogt stressed an initial focus on finding those things and acting on them, then moving on to more contentious matters. He asked the members to form four working groups to get started immediately: one to establish core values, one to identify tangible opportunities, one to study the lessons of history, and one to come up with workable tactics.
www.GardeningColorado.com SHOW FEATURES: • Experience the “Flowers and Flight” Entry Garden presented by Bellco
TICKETS: $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, kids 12 and under are free
• Discover more than 700 companies at Colorado’s largest home & garden marketplace to research, compare and buy thousands of products and services
Get discount adult tickets at
• Take advantage of hundreds of show-only specials and save big!
HOURS: Saturdays Sundays Mon. – Fri.
• Stroll through 14 beautifully landscaped gardens bursting with 10,000 blooming flowers • 100% of every ticket sold is awarded in horticulture grants & scholarships across Colorado • Register to win a Kid’s Playhouse valued at more than $5,000 GETTING THERE: Take light rail to the Convention Center or park at Coors Field for just $5 (Park Avenue exit at I-25 follow to Wazee) and ride the free shuttle to the Convention Center
AUTISM SOCIETY OF COLORADO WON $1000 YOU COULD TOO! “Improving the lives of all affected by Autism.”
10 a.m. – 8 p.m. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Noon – 8 p.m.
SAVE $2 Bring this ad to the Convention Center Show Ticket Window to save $2 on each ticket purchased. Limit two. Not valid with any other discounts. CCM
Produced by Colorado Garden Show, Inc., a non-profit organization providing horticulture grants and scholarships statewide.
Learn more online at:
www.AutismColorado.org At Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric, we give $1,000 every month to a local charity or nonprofit nominated by YOU! We’ve contributed more than $70,000 over the past 7 years with our monthly giveaway, and we’re still at it... making a difference where it matters most, close to home. Nominate your favorite local charity or nonprofit to win at www.ApplewoodFixIt.com.
p
South MetroLIFE 7-LIFE-COLOR
Elbert County News 7 January 31, 2013
hool , the taxes ft no
atos, stauson’s
into ndertry is atos. takrking d fo-
Historical actor coming to area
same polil leveton
Noted Kentucky scholar, lawyer and historical actor Hasan Davis will portray ex-slave and soldier A.A. Burleigh at 7 p.m. Feb. 5 at Bemis Library, 6014 S. Datura St., Littleton. The program is sponsored by Colorado Humanities to celebrate Black History Month and the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. After his Civil War experiences, Burleigh went on to become an acclaimed black educator and minister. Free. 303-795-3961.
warn-
when onna ,” he e by iling. gure hem need onna
s
Chorale to perform
Parker horse show legend and trainer Martin Cockriel, 86, looks at photos of his past champion horses. He brought six horses during his first trip to the National Western Stock Show in 1951. Photos by Chris Michlewicz
Stock show legend still at it
onal, itical and crats, affilients, olitis inwith re to bout ing a ach. By Chris Michlewicz hat’scmichlewicz@ourcoloradonews.com s ird to Even though it was 62 years ago, Martin lity,”Cockriel remembers his first foray at the National Western Stock Show like it was e no-yesterday. more At 86, his memory is still as sharp as the ividespurs on his boots, and at no point is that n ini-more apparent than when Cockriel recalls hosethe day of his first stock show in 1951. hem, “They had the stables outdoors and it morewas so cold, the water buckets froze in the Hestalls,” he says, punctuating his sentences formwith a signature belly laugh. “We started o geta fire in a 50-gallon drum in the middle of ne tothe hall to keep warm. The fire department ne towould be there in two minutes now!” tuni- Reminiscing about the old days is made sonsa bit easier by his comprehensive scrapome cs.
Cockriel has run Parker training stable since 1955
book collection and the dozens of photos and honors that line the walls of his office in a 13-stall stable southeast of South Parker Road and Hess Road. The office is filled with familiar sounds: the exuberant whinnying of a prized horse, the soft meows of a barn cat and the jangling of straps and buckles. His trade is timeless, and it’s one that remains treasured in less populated areas of Douglas and Elbert counties. Cockriel is in his eighth decade of training show horses and has passed his knowledge to countless trainers who now operate throughout Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West. Over the years, everything except the western ridgeline has changed around the property where Cockriel built his “dream come true” red barn in 1954 on the side of Colorado 83. He shrugs off the development as “progress.” After selling the portion of the property in 1997 that houses the original stable — it was turned into Jackalope and is now Parker Country Market — Cockriel built the white stable with the red roof that stands today just up the hill. Cockriel Stables has downsized to five acres, and that suits the family
patriarch just fine. He no longer rides every day and has plans to retire in about a year. But make no mistake about his continued tradition of and passion for winning; it’s alive and well. He participated in eight shows over the summer, taking home various awards astride horses with names like High on Champagne, I’m Sir James and Catalytic. “He still gets a lot of anxiety,” says his grandson, Mickey Bacon, who works for Cockriel Stables and has won his share of horse shows. At this year’s stock show, Cockriel is showing only one horse. There were times when he would bring up to 25 horses to the event. In Cockriel’s mind, there is nothing that he has not accomplished in the industry. He has won convincingly across many classes with numerous breeds, most notably five-gaited American Saddlebreds. Longtime Parker resident Jean Bulger, who has known Cockriel and his wife, Barbara, for 30 years, says she is glad to see the stable still up and running. “And the fact that he loves what he’s doing,” she says. “He’s living the life.”
Motherhood, as seen through 14 lenses Playwrights, novelists offer celebration of women
IF YOU GO “Motherhood Out Loud” plays through Feb. 23 at Avenue Theater, 417 E. 17th Ave., Denver. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; same time Thursdays Feb. 7, 14 and 21; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10. Tickets: $18-$26. 303-321-5925, avenuetheater.com
By Sonya Ellingboe
sellingboe@ourcoloradonews.com It’s a collection of scenes, written by 14 top playwrights and novelists, lovingly assembled by Tony Award winner Joan Stein and Susan Rose into 90 minutes of humor, nostalgia, emotion and insights into women’s experience. “Motherhood Out Loud” is in its fourth production and is a perfect fit for Avenue Theater’s sixth annual January devoted to women. Among the writers: Pulitzer Prize winner Beth Henley, Michele Lowe are Theresa Rebeck are listed with those involved as designers, writers, producers and those who came up with concepts, and despite the great number of creative minds included, the piece flows
Cindy Laudadio Hill and Megan Heffernan talk in “Motherhood Out Loud” at Avenue Theater. Courtesy photo smoothly as one work. Local actors Lu Ann Buckstein, Mehry Eslaminia, Megan Heffernan, Jeff Kosloski, Cindy Laudadio-Hill and Jane Shirley expertly slide in and out of numerous characters, starting logically with a funny bit about
delivering that little person in the first place. With minimal set pieces and mostly black attire, these six carry the audience from park playground to school to concerns about a son who wants to be a girl, to adoption. There’s a
nice piece about a gay dad’s experience with a surrogate mom and another about how to explain adoption. A Muslim mom, teens, pending weddings, in-laws, children away at war, family Thanksgivings, divorce and the perspective of a great-grandmother all follow on stage. The ending circles back to birth: “Oh my God, you are a person! We both cry. A new life had begun and I got to be there!” Directed to women and men, this is just a beautifully crafted bit of theater, skillfully directed by Bob Wells.
The Cherry Creek Chorale, which draws its members from across the metro area, will perform in the Highlands Ranch Cultural Series at 7-8:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at Cherry Hills Community Church. Tickets: $7/$10 day of performance. Purchase online: hrcaonline.org or 303-471-2500 or at any Highlands Ranch recreation center. Available at the door if not sold out. Next program: Central City Opera on Feb. 14.
Call for photographers
The annual Lone Tree Photographic Art Show and Sale has announced a call for entry. The show dates are April 20 through June 9 at Lone Tree Arts Center. Entry deadline is March 3. The juror will be Weldon Lee, who will present a half-day seminar about photographing wildlife on May 18. Total cash awards: up to $4,000. Entries: up to three images. Categories: people, travel, wild animals, nature and landscape, digital art. Submit through callforentry.org.
Guitarist slated for Englewood
Singer/songwriter and classical guitarist Andy Hackbarth will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at Hampden Hall in the Englewood Civic Center, 1000 Englewood Parkway. This is part of Englewood Arts’ new Friday concerts featuring rock, pop and jazz, Tickets at the door.303-860-8196. For information: englewoodarts.org.
Series eyes Four Corners
“Exploring the Four Corners” is the first installment of a Douglas County Libraries Colorado travel series. It will be at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at Highlands Ranch Library, 9292 Ridgeline Blvd., with photographer Bob Dean. Register at 303-791-7323, DouglasCountyLibraries.org.
Birdie’ set for PACE
“Bye-Bye Birdie,” the musical tale of a rock ‘n’ roll singer’s brief impact on a small town, will be presented by Christian Youth Theater from Jan. 31 to Feb. 3 at PACE, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave. Parker. CYT actors are ages 8-18 and participate in an active after-school training program. Performances: 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Jan. 31; 7 p.m. Feb. 1 and 2; 2 p.m. Feb. 2 and 3. Tickets: pacetickets@parkeronline.org.
Actor’s Playground returns
Town Hall Arts Center’s Spring 2013 Actor’s Playground program, which offers acting for kids, begins Feb. 2, 4, 5 and 6 with experienced director Shelly Bordas teaching different age groups. See: townhallartscenter.com. 303-797-2787.
Arts news
• Philip Sneed, producing artistic director of the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, has been named the new executive director of the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities. • Colorado Ballet has purchased a building at 1075 Santa Fe Drive, in the Arts District, and will move sometime in 2014 when its present lease expires.
8-COLOR
8 Elbert County News
Spring arrives early in Convention Center Garden, Home Show set for 9-day run
IF YOU GO The Colorado Convention Center is at 700 14th St., Denver. Light rail stops there (Convention Center/Performing Arts stop). Or you can drive to Coors Field, park for $5 and ride the shuttle to the show. Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays; noon-8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission: $12/$10, free 12 and younger. Discount tickets are available at Tickets West outlets in area King Soopers.
By Sonya Ellingboe
sellingboe@ourcoloradonews.com For nine days in February — Feb. 9-17 — one can walk into the Colorado Convention Center, inhale and pretend that spring has arrived. It’s time for the 2013 Garden and Home Show. A glance at the numbers involved is mind-boggling, but it all comes together after five days of labor to present more than an acre — 45,000 square feet — of assorted gardens, amid exhibits from more than 600 companies from 25 states and Canada. Fourteen separate gardens are designed by local landscapers and schools (Colorado State University and Pickens), including the “Flowers and Flight” entry garden with featured aircraft by Town and Country Landscaping. A special favorite is the “Trains to Tranquility Garden,” installed by Timberline Gardens, featuring G-scale garden railroad trains among boulders, trees and flowers. We received facts such as: 15,000 blooming flowers, 2,000 cubic yards of mulch, 400 tons of rocks and boulders — and that’s just
Castle Rock
for the gardens. Families can shop for new varieties of roses, water features for an existing garden, landscape plans for a new garden and numerous items for home remodel and repair. Wear your walking shoes to traverse this 400,000-square-foot show.
Lone Tree
Highlands Ranch
A standard flower show is a regular component and this year’s theme is “Out of this World.” Look for unique arrangements from about 60 garden club members. Also, look for “Experience Ikebana” in the upper lobby to the left of the show entrance during the second weekend.
Littleton
Parker
First Presbyterian Church of Littleton
www.horizoncommunity.org
Little Blessings Day Care www.littleblessingspdo.com
Affiliated with United Church of Religious Science
303-791-2143 Highlands Ranch
Sunday Services 10 a.m.
Castle Rock Recreation Center 2301 Woodlands Blvd, Castle Rock
8391 S. Burnley Ct., Highlands Ranch
www.OurCenterforSpiritualLiving.org 720-851-0265
(Next to RTD lot @470 & University)
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
Open and Welcoming An Evangelical Presbyterian Church Sunday Worship 10:30 4825 North Crowfoot Valley Rd. Castle Rock • canyonscc.org 303-663-5751 “Loving God - Making A Difference”
A place for you
Sunday Worship 8:00 am Chapel Service 9:00 & 10:30 am
“The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.”
Franktown
Trinity Lutheran Church & School
Sunday Worship 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Trinity Lutheran School & ELC (Ages 3-5, Grades K-8)
303-841-4660 www.tlcas.org
Worship Services Sundays at 9:00am
303-791-3315
pastor@awlc.org www.awlc.org
SERVICES:
www.st-andrew-umc.com 303-794-2683 Preschool: 303-794-0510 9203 S. University Blvd. Highlands Ranch, 80126
Sunday
8:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
1609 W. Littleton Blvd. (303) 798-1389 • www.fpcl.org
Littleton
SUNDAY 8:00 & 10:3Oam
EDUCATION Sunday 9:15am
Joyful Mission Preschool 303-841-3770 7051 East Parker Hills Ct. • Parker, CO 303-841-3739 www.joylutheran-parker.org
Parker evangelical Presbyterian church Connect – Grow – Serve – Love
New Sunday Worship Services
8:45 am & 10:30 am 9030 MILLER ROAD PARKER, CO 80138 3038412125 www.pepc.org
Parker
Where people are excited about God’s Word.
Sunday Worship: 10:45AM & 6PM Bible Study: 9:30AM Children, Young People & Adults 4391 E Mainstreet, Parker, Colorado 80134 Church Office – (303) 841-3836
www.parkerbiblechurch.org
Sunday School 9:00 & 10:30 am
The Bahá’í Faith
Weekly children’s classes, devotions and study ColoradoBahais.org • 303 947 7540
Abiding Word Lutheran Church
Joy
SATURDAY 5:30pm
Sunday Worship 10am 2121 E. Dad Clark Drive Highlands Ranch, 80126
Parker
LUTHERAN CHURCH, ELCA
A Christian Reformed Ministry
CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING
An ongoing schedule of seminars is listed on the show’s website, gardeningcolorado.com, and it includes participation from Arapahoe Community College; Dr. Jim Klett of CSU, who will introduce the new Plant Select varieties; “how-to” on remodeling home landscape sessions by Alpine Gardens of Fort Collins and Greeley; programs by local members of ASID, Association of Interior Designers and more. See “Theater” on the website for a schedule. Each year, the Garden and Home Show organization awards scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students in plant sciences, as well as grants to community-related garden projects. In the past, Littleton’s Colorado Center for the Blind and Hudson Gardens, as well as Englewood’s Swedish Medical Center rehabilitation garden have received grants.
Home and Garden Show visitors admire a new flower variety. Courtesy photo
Horizon Community Church
January 31, 2013
Pastor David Fisher Fellowship & Worship: 9:00 am Sunday School: 10:45 am 5755 Valley Hi Drive Parker, CO 303-941-0668
www.SpiritofHopeLCMC.org
Parker
Community Church of Religious Science Sunday services held in the historic Ruth Memorial Chapel at the Parker Mainstreet Center
...19650 E. Mainstreet, Parker 80138
New Thought...Ancient Wisdom Sunday Service
Visit our website for details of classes & upcoming events.
& Children’s Church 10:00 a.m.
303.805.9890
GRACE PRESBYTERIAN
Alongside One Another On Life’s Journey
www.P a r k er C C R S.org P.O. Box 2945—Parker CO 80134-2945
www.gracecolorado.com
You are invited to worship with us:
Sundays at 9:00 & 10:45 am Grace is on the NE Corner of Santa Fe Dr. & Highlands Ranch Pkwy. (Across from Murdochs)
303-798-8485
Looking For a N ew Beginning ?
Join Us A Friendly Place to Worship
New Beginning Community Church
10550 S. Progress Way & Longs Way Parker, CO 80134
Sunday School for All Ages Coffee and Fellowship Praise and Worship Service Wed Evening Youth Fellowship
9:00AM 10:00AM 10:30AM 7:00PM
Affordable Advertising Options Call Today 303-566-4091
9-SPORTS
Elbert County SPORTS
Elbert County News 9 January 31, 2013
Kiowa crowns two champs at Invitational Osborn, Evans win titles for Indians By Scott Stocker
sports@ourcoloradonews.com
Jesse Evans and Aidan Osborn knew that the homelist-standing Indians were not going to win their schools Kiowa lora-Invitational Wrestling Tournament team championship fromlast Saturday. But that was not going to keep them from Klettwinning their individual weight classes. Plant As expected, Evans came through to win the championelingship at 160-pounds, Osborn at 170. And helping to make Gar-it a good day for Kiowa and coach Ryan Witzel, was a silramsver medal for Connor Wills at 145 and a bronze for Andrew on ofBan at 138. The Indians fifth wrestler, A.J. Smith, reached ater”the consolation semifinals at 106, but was eliminated at that point. It was a second consecutive week of fine accomShowplishments as Kiowa had five place winners in last week’s un-tournament at Wiggins. plant Holly crowned five tournament champions and had one y-re-runner-up to come through with the team title with 156 ton’spoints. Discovery Canyon, with three champions and a pair dsonof second and third place finishers, was second with 149 edishpoints. Holyoke, with five third-place finishers, was third havewith 117.5 points. Kiowa finished fifth among the 18 teams with 100.5 points, but the home-standing crowd was more than pleased with the effort of its wrestlers. Evans pulled out a second-period pin against Calhan’s Jourdan Ellis to improve his season record to 18-3. Yet he had pinned his way into the finals with pins against Discovery Canyon’s Schyler James and Peyton’s Mike Dillonaire. “I think we certainly did well today,” said Evans, who carries the No. 6, Class 2A individual ranking by On The Mat wrestling. “We’ve been able to fight hard. We may have struggled at the beginning of the season, but were getting things put together. I think we can get five to state and if so, I think we can do well. Small teams with low numbers have been known to place high at state. We’re not about to give up and I don’t think anyone has..” Osborn followed Evans to the top of the winner’s plat-
form, defeating Sand Creek’s Edgar Urquijo, 9-5 for his title. He began is tournament with a technical fall victory against Clear Creek’s Cody Evans, then pinned Holyoke’s Spencer Kotch in his semifinal. He is also ranked No. 3 by On The Mat. “I’m happy with the day and we had a good turnout among the fans,” said Osborn, now 18-1. “I just hope to keep on winning, stay sharp and work to accomplishing my goals. I think I’ll be ready for region and I think the others will, too. All of us are determined to do well and we’ve all got each others backs.” And those are good thoughts to accompany Witzel. “We’ve only got three meets left,” Witzel said. “I think we can qualify at least four from the regional, perhaps five can make it and that would be great. We started the season with 10 kids and we’re down to the six. Last week at Wiggins, we had five of the kids medal. At this point in the season, they are wrestling well. “Aidan and Jesse have been coming through for us,” Witzel said. “They have high desires to medal at state. Connor is a junior with high goals on going to state, too. He has a good record (17-8), was a runner-up today. He is hungry and dedicated. “Andrew is a key as a sophomore,” Witzel said. “He is finding his style and would like to see even more mat time. A.J. a freshman, started in our first tournament this season and didn’t win a match. He’s 9-14 and has shown a lot of improvement. We’re also going to get Tyler Daughenbaugh (152) back in the lineup. He is still recovering from his injury, a dislocated elbow, and we want to make sure he is healthy for the regional.” Wills and Ban were also pleased with their performances for Kiowa. “I wrestled a lot of talented guys today and winning second has given me a lot of confidence,” Wills said. “I want to get to state so I just have to keep winning. This has been my best high school season so far. Our team is small in numbers, but it’s the best the school has had in a long time. After Wiggins and this week, we have an even more positive outlook. My opponents today were all new and it was nice to have the variety.”
Added Ban, “It was a tough tournament with a lot of good competition. We have come so far and we’re getting much better each time out. The practice room has certainly helped us to win this season. No, we don’t have large numbers, but we’ve made a lot of progress and I think it’s all going to pay off.” It was not a good day for Simla as the Cubs of coach Darren Teller only had two of the teams three wrestlers in the tournament. Neither Alberto DeOliveria (138) nor Aaron VanZoren (160) reached the finals. And being without Damian Bell on the mats, that didn’t help, either. “We started the year with seven, but we down to three and for the past two years, that seems to be our number,” Teller said. “The boys are determined to do well and I couldn’t be happier with their efforts. Aaron just seems to get better each time out and I think has a good chance to place in the region and make state. “Alberto is our exchange student from Brazil and this is his first year of wrestling,” Teller said. “He’s putting things together and really likes the sport. Damian is overcoming an injury and we just want to make sure he is ready four the final weeks coming up.” Indeed, it’s been an interesting year for DeOliveria, who hails from Belo Horizonte, Brazil. “I enjoy wrestling because you can be yourself,” said DeOliveria, who pinned two of his tournament foes, but also suffered two pins. “I want to win, but the important part is just to learn and do my best. This is something certainly new for me. I just what to be able to prove to myself that I can do this.” Added VanZoren, “I think it has been a pretty good season and it can only get better. Coach has really been behind us and my teammates have helped a lot. Today was a good tournament, but we didn’t get as far as we had hoped.” Bell also feels it has been a good season, despite the lack of team numbers. “This season has gone well and I think we three have a good chance to go to state,” Bell said. “It’s gut check time in the room. I have a lot of one-on-one with coach. There was a lot of good competition at this tournament and schools we should see again.”
Hoops roundup: Cardinals edged in thriller By Scott Stocker
sports@ourcoloradonews.com From one whirlwind situation to another was probably how the Elizabeth boys felt after their devastating, 67-66, Colorado Seven League loss last Friday to host Fort Lupton. Elizabeth had a 30-24 lead with 2:00 left in the second quarter. But a flurry of 12 points over the remaining 1:40 in the period gave the Cardinals with a 42-25 halftime advantage. With a minute gone in the third quarter, they led 44-25. But from there, the roof began to cave in. Fort Lupton’s Zach Boyd, who finished the game with 22 points, would help begin the second half barrage with the Blue Devils first basket of the third quarter. Over the next 3:50, they would outscore Elizabeth 14-2, helping the Blue Devils to trail 57-46 heading into the fourth quarter. “In the fourth quarter we didn’t close out like we should have and we just let this one slip away,” said Elizabeth’s Jacob Gavitt, who scored 23 points. “We can’t take anything away from them. We just didn’t defend. They made the shots and we didn’t. But I’ll give them credit, they never gave up.” With 1:01 left in the game a basket by Fort Lupton’s Jalen Vasquez tied the score at 63-63. A free throw by Elizabeth’s Cal Ross with 42 seconds left gave the Cardinals the lead. The Blue Devils would then gain their first lead at 65-64 on a Boyd basket with :30 remaining. Trevor Boss would score the final Elizabeth points with 17 ticks left for a 66-65 lead. But with :09 left Cody Steinke fouled out trying to stop a shot by the Blue Devils Brodie Nelson. The ball went through
the hoop giving the Blue Devils their final 67 points. Nelson, 14 points in the game, missed his free throw attempt giving the Cardinals one last attempt for the winner. However, they could not come through. “We just kept going and there was a never give up attitude all the way tonight,” Boyd said. “We made the right decisions at the right time out there and we answered to our defensive needs. We’ve put in a lot of good practice and it’s paying off. “This gives us a five game winning streak and I think with our confidence, we can keep it going,” continued Boyd. “They played us tough, especially at the beginning. But our guys found the answers tonight and it’s certainly a very good win.” The loss left Elizabeth coach Mike Boss shaking his head.. “They played more physical that we did and they made the shorts when it counted,” Boss said. “They just didn’t let up and we can’t take anything away from them We got our early three’s, but we needed more and in the end, they didn’t come for us. In the end, they just outplayed us.” Added Steinke, “I felt like we gave up a lot and we felt that a lot of calls were not going our way. We just let this one slip away. Up by 10-11 points that’s when they started to really pickup their game. We played to stay ahead and played not to lose.” Elizabeth bounced back Saturday to defeat Pueblo South, 72-56. Gavitt led the way with 22 points while Steinke and James Christiansen each added 20. The Cardinals head into this week’s competition, 9-7 overall, 4-1 in the Colorado Seven League. It was a split week for the Elizabeth girls, coached by Jamie Schmalz, and things didn’t go the way it was planned overall. .
Elizabeth, although putting up with a youthful Fort Lupton full court press throughout the game last Friday, prevailed, 70-16. However, the situation turned around on Saturday as they lost to Roosevelt, 59-58, in overtime. After last weekend’s action, the Cardinals are 10-5 overall, 5-0 in the Colorado Seven League. Elizabeth had a balanced scoring night against Fort Lupton, led by Emily Whitworth and Tatum Neubert with 13 and 12 points, respectively. However, Neubert was injured in the third minute of the Cardinals game against Roosevelt. Still, the girls still put up an excellent battle according to Schmalz. “We were down 10 points on two occasions and were able to come back in regulation,” Schmalz said. “Tatum had five points when she went out and Sabra Ross had to sit late with four fouls. Clare Nicolas and Ashley Stone led us the rest of the way with Clare scoring 20 points, Ashley 17.” And how Elizabeth lost is heart breaking as Roosevelt scored the winning basket with just 01.1 seconds remaining in the overtime. ELBERT The Elbert boys, coached by Mac McGuire, improved to 8-4 on the season as the Bulldogs came away with a pair of wins against Flagler, 52-8, and Evangelical Christian, 53-27. Adam Averett had the top games against the Elbert foes over the weekend scoring 16 points against EC then coming through with 12 against Flagler. The Bulldogs improve to 8-4 overall with the victories. Flagler is on the young side as is Evangelical Christian. The Bulldogs shutout Flagler in the third quarter and only allowed
one point in the first, two in the fourth and five in the second. The defense was just as tough against EC only allowing double-figures against it in the fourth quarter, 10. The Elbert girls, now have a new head coach in Penny Hish, who takes over for fired Rebecca Tomlin. The Bulldogs were defeated by Evangelical Christian 56-28 on Jan. 25. They played a much closer game against Flagler, but fell to the Panthers, 5552 on the 26th. Lauren Pearson was the leading scorer against EC with 15 points while Logan Franek led the way against Flagler with 24. Pearson chipped in with nine against Flagler. KIOWA The Kiowa boys, under coach Walter Sutton, only played one game last week and it was a tough loss against Vanguard, 53-49. With the loss, the Indians dropped to 5-4. And, it also was a tough weekend for the girls as they were beaten by Vanguard, 8024, and by Deer Trail, 31-24. With the defeats, the Indians, under coach Mark Clemmons, fell to 2-7 on the season. SIMLA The Simla girls are certainly on a roll this season as the Cubs of coach Al Snyder improved to 9-0. The Cubs defeated CIVA Charter, 62-13, last Thursday then came away with a 66-59 victory against Peyton. The ladies outscored CIVA 20-0 in the first quarter and led 28-4 at the intermission to win going away. It was a tougher go against Peyton as they only led 31-30 at the half. The boys only had one game against Peyton and the results were certainly different. Peyton, now 10-2 on the season, won 56-33. Simla fell to 7-3 with the loss.
THE IRV & JOE SHOW M–F 1p–3p
LISTEN ONLINE www.milehighsports.com
Irv Brown and Joe Williams are the longest-running sports talk tandem in the history of Denver radio. For more than 28 years, Irv Brown and Joe Williams have teamed to bring sports talk to fans in Denver. That tradition continues on Mile High Sports Radio.
10
10 Elbert County News
January 31, 2013
Service dog receives wheels Equipment aids dog with spinal cord degeneration By Tom Munds
tmunds@ourcoloradonews.com It was a red-letter day Jan. 24 when Shenandoah, a 90-pound Great Pyrenees, was fitted with wheeled support so she can continue her duties as a service dog for Thornton resident Constance Hein. The cart was fitted by the staff of Rocky Mountain Veterinary Neurology, located in the Veterinary Referral Center of Colorado in Englewood. “The dog has progressive spinal cord degeneration so, while she can do some functions, she doesn’t do well traveling long distances,” said Dr. Stephen Lane, the veterinary neurologist specialist. “This dog cart has four wheels to provide support to the dog’s body, which will help the dog rebuild leg strength and stamina.” The doctor said it is sad to watch the 3-year-old dog struggle with the degenerative spinal disease. However, he wanted to say a special thank you to Doggon’ Wheels, the manufacturer, for donating the cart. He said the cart will ease the pressure on the spine and limbs, and will help Shenandoah by improving the quality of life for the dog
Constance Hein and her dog Shenandoah who suffers from progressive spinal cord degeneration. The trip was so the dog could be fitted for a four-wheel cart to help her. Photo by Tom Munds and help her continue to be a service dog for her owner. Hein said she is pleased Lane was able to provide the cart to help Shenandoah. “I am in a wheelchair most of the time and depend on Shenandoah’s natural skills as a guard dog and the skills she has learned as a service dog,” Hein said.
“She is able to still do many things like pick up things for me. But, if we go on a long trip like going to the zoo, she really struggles.” Hein got Shenandoah when she was 3 months old. “Great Pyrenees are guard dogs by nature and Shenandoah is always right there
beside me so I know I am safe anywhere I go,” she said. “I also trained her to do things to help me. She learned to pick up things I might drop and, when I was out of the wheelchair, she was beside me to help me maintain my balance.” Hein said the dog did anything she would ask but, if they walked a lot on an outing, Shenandoah was in a lot of pain the next day because her muscles were not as strong as they should be. “When Dr. Lane explained the benefits of the cart to me, I felt like it was a new lease on life for both Shenandoah and I,” she said. “The cart will make it easier for her to go with me if we want to go somewhere on a trip or for a long walk. It also means she won’t be in pain the next day and I won’t feel guilty about taking her with me.” Doggon’ Wheels makes a wide variety of carts and products for animals of all sizes. The company donated the cart that was customized for Shenandoah. “We have been putting the carts to a number of uses for a while now,” Lori Fuehrer, one of Dr. Lane’s veterinary technicians, said as she made adjustments to customize the cart for Shenandoah. “We use them to help dogs going through rehabilitation and for animals missing limbs.” She said the cart is designed so adjustments can be made if there are changes in the type of support the animal needs.
Effort reaches out to aid impoverished women Sedalia chapter aims for local growth, impact By Rhonda Moore
rmoore@ourcoloradonews.com The national nonprofit Dining for Women began with a goal to reach women in impoverished nations, one potluck at a time. The effort since 2002 has reached hundreds of women worldwide, with a
collective giving model that has raised more than $2.1 million. Two Sedalia women hope to be part of that model, with a local chapter aimed for expansion. Betty Purkey-Huck and Sharon Padilla were neighbors and walking buddies who heard about Dining for Women and decided to join the effort. The two, who have lived in Sedalia for 28 and 38 years respectively, found a venue at their neighborhood clubhouse for monthly dinners that
ourcolorado
CLASSIFIEDS
.com
Service Directory
Rentals
TO ADVERTISE, CALL 303-566-4100
Apartments 2 bedroom, $775 a month + $775 deposit. Washer/Dryer, Refrigerator, Full bath, private patio with small fenced yard. Utilities and Trash paid. Beautiful location. Connie 303-646-0128
Concrete/Paving
Duplexes, Multiplexes Elizabeth Duplex 3 bed, 2 bath Fenced yard pets okay $1100/month $1400 sec deposit Please Recycle this Publication Carmen when Finished 303.646.9827
Handyman Home & Ranch Remodel & Repairs
Electric, Plumbing, Sprinklers, Sewer, Septic, Snake, Tile, Automatic Horse Waterers, Fence, Trenching, Drywall, Texture, Handyman, Small Jobs Welcome
(303)919-0923
Tile
For Local News Anytime of the Day Visit OurColoradoNews.com
double as evening fundraisers. The Dining for Women concept is akin to a girls’ night out, with a mission. Members are encouraged to bring a dish for “dining in” and invited to contribute their “dining out” dollars — the money they would have otherwise spent on a lunch or a night out — to the campaign. The money raised is pooled with that of more than 400 chapters nationwide to fund qualified programs that foster health, education, and economic self sufficiency among women living in extreme poverty. With 9,800 members, the
effort was ranked in 2012 by greatnonprofits.org as a top-rated nonprofit. The organization aims for charities that provide aid in impoverished nations and has reached cancer patients in El Salvador, victims of war in Afghanistan and girls victimized by sex trafficking in Southeast Asia. “It’s like a learning experience because every month we reach two charities,” said Purkey-Huck. “Now that it’s grown so big our money doesn’t get lost in the shuffle. You always know there’s poverty in the world, but by helping all over the world you see changes being made.”
The Sedalia chapter is aiming for local growth and is gauging interest among its neighbors in Castle Rock. The chapter has contributed about $1,500 since its inception. The number might seem modest but, once pooled, makes a difference, Purkey-Huck said. “It is so exhilarating to me, it is so exciting,” she said. “Every month you feel like you’re making a difference. It’s so life-changing for these young women.” The Dining for Women Sedalia chapter meets the third Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Indian Creek Clubhouse, 7149 W. Cherokee Drive, in the
Indian Creek Subdivision in Sedalia. Each meeting includes a presentation about the charities reached that month, with a report provided by the national headquarters. The chapter is hosting an informational meeting from 7-8:30 p.m., Feb. 13, in the Wells Fargo room of the Philip S. Miller Library in Castle Rock. Refreshments will be provided. To RSVP or for more information about the local chapter, email PurkeyHuck at bphck2@gmail. com or call 303-688-4983 or 303-688-9031. For more information, visit www.diningforwomen.org.
Boys credited for saving man with dementia Man had been wandering streets at night in cold temperatures By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz@ourcoloradonews.com Two quick-thinking Parker boys are being credited with possibly saving the life of a man with dementia. The temperature was hovering around zero at 2:30 a.m. Jan. 14 when Hunter Hicken, 13, heard the sound of a suitcase being dragged on the ground. When he looked out his window, he saw a man walking down the middle of his street in the Timbers subdivision. Hunter awoke his twin brother, Mason, and they watched quietly, unsure if the man was simply taking out the trash late at night. But they soon realized something was wrong when the man stopped and stood motionless at the end of a driveway.
Hunter and Mason Hicken, 13-year-old twin brothers and Boy Scouts from Parker, helped save a dementia patient who was wandering in single-digit temperatures Jan. 14. Courtesy photo The two Boy Scouts’ training kicked in and Mason ran to alert his sleeping father while Hunter kept an eye on the man. “They taught us in Boy Scouts to always be aware and be prepared” and to notify an adult when seeing
something out of the ordinary, Mason said. The boys’ dad, Phil, went outside and found a 79-year-old man who was not wearing a hat or gloves. They later discovered that the man suffers from dementia, a brain disorder
characterized by memory loss. He was out from California visiting his son, who lives one block from the Hickens. “He had been walking around for some time and was lost in the neighborhood,” said Lisa Hicken, the boys’ mother. A Douglas County Sheriff’s Office spokesman said the man was able to remember his name and was later reunited with his son. Because of the frigid temperatures, a deputy who responded to the scene said the story might have had a tragic ending if the boys had not intervened, Hicken said. When asked what it’s like playing a part in saving a person’s life, the Sagewood Middle School students say they feel pretty good. Luckily, Hunter was lying wide awake in bed, unable to sleep, when he heard the strange noise from outside. “It’s kind of amazing that it worked out the way it did,” he said. “It could have been different.”
11-COLOR
January 31, 2013
s
ere I hings hings f the p me
Name Changes
PUBLIC NOTICE
shePublic Notice of Petition n anfor Change of Name n thePublic notice is given on January 3, 2013 that a Petition for a Change of Name of an ot asadult has been filed with the Elbert County Combined Courts.
nefitsThe petition requests that the name of Dianne Marie Bowman be changed to leaseDianne Marie Van Vliet. sheCase No.: 2013 C 1
PUBLIC NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public Notice of Petition for Change of Name
NOTICE TO CREDITORS In the Matter of the Estate of
NOTICE TO CREDITORS In the Matter of the Estate of
Public notice is given on January 3, 2013 that a Petition for a Change of Name of an adult has been filed with the Elbert County Combined Courts.
VIRGINIA ANN SANCHEZ aka VIRGINIA A. SANCHEZ, Deceased Case Number: 2012 PR 44
Thomas E. Cirbo, aka Thomas Eugene Cirbo, aka Tom Cirbo, Deceased Case Number: 2012 PR 47
Name Changes
The petition requests that the name of Dianne Marie Bowman be changed to Dianne Marie Van Vliet. Case No.: 2013 C 1 Dated: January 17, 2013
to a uehians, mize
ough ssing
justes in
TOTALS VENdOR NAME 18TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT A & e TIRe InC ADVAnCeD QUALITY AUTO AgATe MUTUAL TeLepHOne AIRgAS InTeRMOUnTAIn AL ROgeRS ALeTHeA SAMSeL ALL-pRO AnDReW WYeR AnTHOnY CORRADO ARApAHOe HeATIng ARROWHeAD fenCIng AT&T AT@T MOBILITY ATTp AUTO gLASS gUYS B&M TRAnS. COnfIDenTIAL BARBARA MILLeR BARBARA S. SJAASTAD BARBARA SCHROeDeR BARRY MITCHeLL BASS VIVA I. BeVeRLY A. RAMpeY BILL HenDRIx BLACK HILLS eneRgY BLAKe HepBURn BORAL AggRegATeS BROOKS IMpeRIAL CAROLYn BURgeneR CAROLYn SHeRIDAn CASeY CRAVen CATeRpILLAR fIn. CATHeRIne LAMBeRT CATHeRIne MARIe BeRSAnI CCOM/CHC, LLC CDW gOVeRnMenT CenT. MenTAL HLTH CenTURYLInK CeRTIfIeD LAB CHARLeS WALKeR CHRISTIne WARe CLIff MCKnIgHT CBI CO DepT Of HeALTH COLORADO MACHIneRY CO STATe eMpLYee CU CSU exTenSIOn COMCAST COM. MeDIA CO
PUBLIC NOTICE
VIRGINIA ANN SANCHEZ aka VIRGINIA A. SANCHEZ, Deceased Case Number: 2012 PR 44
Legal Notice No: 927876 First Publication: January 31, 2013 Last Publication: February 14, 2013 Publisher: Elbert County News
All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Elbert County, Colorado on or before May 20, 2013 or the claims may be forever barred.
Notice To Creditors
All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Elbert County, Colorado on or before May 20, 2013 or the claims may be forever barred. Lorinda Rae Davis aka Lorinda Davis, Personal Representative 17848 150th Street Verndale, MN 56481 Legal Notice No: 927870 First Publication: January 17, 2013 Last Publication: January 31, 2013 Publisher: Elbert County News
public Notice
First Publication: January 31, 2013 puBLIc TRuSTEE Last Publication: February 14, 2013 LEAF FuNd Publisher: Elbert County HuMAN SERVIcES FuNdNews ty of RETIREMENT FuNd sizes. IMpAcT FuNd cONSRVATIONTRST FuNd
was
Notice To Creditors NOTICE TO CREDITORS In the Matter of the Estate of
Cheryl A. Layne Clerk of the Court By: Jafeen Jenkins Deputy Clerk
Dated: January 17, 2013
er toCheryl A. Layne of the Court re onClerk By:GENERAL Jafeen Jenkins FuNd Deputy Clerk HEALTH FuNd s she ROAd & BRIdGE FuNd t feelLegal Notice No:TAX 927876 SALES & uSE FuNd
Elbert County News 11
$283,182.79 $7,679.19 $204,004.68 $112,317.45 $301.56 $7,653.15 $41,784.21 $17,082.60 $19,590.00 $34,845.00 $728,440.63
TRANSAcTION AMOuNT OpeRATIng expenSe $127,454.00 VeHICLe MAInT $8,693.12 VeHICLe MAInT $3,307.65 MOnTHLY COnTRACT $22.67 WeLDIng SUppLIeS $393.22 OpeRATIng expenSe $100.00 eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $160.00 OffICe SUppLIeS $1,367.65 eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $170.00 eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $1,440.00 OpeRATIng expenSe $79.16 OpeRATIng expenSe $7,128.00 CeLL pHOne $179.11 CeLL pHOne $37.23 AIR SpRIng-CAB $69.91 VeHICLe MAInT $320.00 VeHICLe MAInT $1,750.00 expeRT WITneSS TeST $333.00 eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $160.00 eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $150.00 eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $150.00 OffICe SUppLIeS $4,232.12 MILeAge ReIMB $303.00 eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $130.00 eLeCTRIC fOR gRADeR $100.00 MOnTHLY SeRVICe $2,409.90 ReIMBURSeMenT $35.55 R&B OpeRATIng expenSe$23,193.58 eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $130.00 MOnTHLY SeRVICe $200.00 ReMIBURSeMenT $257.40 eLeCTRIC fOR gRADeR $100.00 OpeRATIng expenSe $13,746.26 OpeRATIng expenSe $122.42 eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $130.00 OpeRATIng expenSe $182.00 OffICe SUppLIeS $372.39 OpeRATIng expenSe $105.00 pHOneS $2,433.21 pUReWASH SYSTeMS $124.90 eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $1,128.75 eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $190.00 eLeCTRIC fOR gRADeR $100.00 fIngeRpRInTS $79.00 fee $1,748.00 OpeRATIng expenSe $115.74 eMpLOYee SAVIngS $410.00 QUARTeRLY COUnTY $3,075.00 InTeRneT $238.84 pAYMenTS fOR pUBLICATIOn$94.00
Notice To Creditors PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO CREDITORS In the Matter of the Estate of Thomas E. Cirbo, aka Thomas Eugene Cirbo, aka Tom Cirbo, Deceased Case Number: 2012 PR 47 All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Elbert County, Colorado on or before May 30, 2013 or the claims may be forever barred.
Notice To Creditors
All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Elbert County, Colorado on or before May 30, 2013 or the claims may be forever barred. Lawrence T. Cirbo Personal Representative 14206 N. 95th Street Longmont, Colorado 80504 Legal Notice No: 927871 First Publication: January 17, 2013 Last Publication: January 31, 2013 Publisher: The Elbert County News
Lorinda Rae Davis Lawrence T. Cirbo aka Lorinda Davis,ELBERT cOuNTY VENdOR pMT LIST 2012 Personal Representative Personal Representative 95th Street RAnCHLAnD neWS 17848eLeCTIOn 150th Street LegAL JeRRY W. MARAnVILLe eLeCTIOn JUDgeS 14206 N. $150.00 COnnIe MILLS JUDgeS $845.00 Longmont, Colorado 80504 Verndale, MN 56481 RAnDeLL RUSCH eLeCTIOn JUDgeS JeSSICA fAnn MILeAge ReIMB $81.76 COnnOR WILLS eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $130.00 ReCALL SeCURe pROf SeRVICeS JeSSICA gRIgLIO ReIMBURSeMenT $38.36 COUnTY WIDe DIeSeL Rep VeHICLe MAInT $985.00 Legal Notice No: 927871 Legal Notice No: 927870 RHOnDA L. BRAUn eLeCTIOn JUDge pAY JIMMIe peTTIT eLeCTRIC fOR gRADeR $100.00 CU Of COLORADO CReDIT CARD $6,976.79 17, 2013 First Publication: January 17, 2013 RICHARD BARCLAY eLeCTIOn JUDgeS JOAn M. WHITe eLeCTIOn JUDgeS First Publication: $767.50 January CURTIS STAnKO eLeCTRIC fOR gRADeR $100.00 31, 2013 Last Publication: RICHARD BROWn eLeCTIOn JUDgeS JODIe SHeRRIeR ReIMBURSeMenT Last Publication: $59.15 January CYnTHIA HIgDOn ReIMBURSe January 31, 2013 $232.00 The Elbert County News Publisher: RICHARD COVeLL eLeCTIOn JUDgeS JOeL TRenKLe eLeCTIOn JUDgeS Publisher: $150.00 D-J peTROLeUM fUeLElbert County News$58,783.57 RICK MCKnIgHT eLeCTRIC fOR gRADeR JOHn BUTLeR eLeCTRIC fOR gRADeR $100.00 DAnA MASOn eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $20.00 ROBeRT L fAgeR MOnTHLY SeRVICe JOHn DeeRe fInAnCIAL OpeRATIng expenSe $231.09 DAWn C. KeY eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $130.00 ROBeRT THURSTOn gRAVeL KARen SUCHAn eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $130.00 DeBBIe SCOggIn ReIMBURSeMenT $9.17 ROCK pARTS COMpAnY BATTeRIeS KATHLeen DRYeR eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $150.00 Deep ROCK WATeR COOLeR LeASe $8.45 RODneY pfAnnenSTIeL eLeCTIOn JUDgeS KATHY KRUSe SYLVeSTeR TRAVeL expenSe $28.00 DeLL MARKeTIng OpeRATIng expenSe $769.59 ROnALD YOUng eLeCTIOn JUDgeS KeITH ABBeY eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $160.00 DenVeR InDUSTRIAL SALeS UpM WInTeR MIx $636.16 RT SeRVICeS CORp LLC MOnTHLY SeRVICe KeLLeY gIBLeR ReIMBURSe $100.52 DeReK p. HOLDen eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $850.00 RYAn COOnTZ CDL pHYSICAL KIM BRUgH eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $190.00 DIAMOnD BOLeJACK eLeCTRIC fOR gRADeR $100.00 RYAn WAYne WILLS eLeCTIOn JUDgeS KIMBALL MIDWeST CUTTeRS $129.00 DOMInIOn VOTIng SYSTeMS OpeRATIng expenSe $108.80 SAfeTY-KLeen CORp. WASHeR SOLVenT KIMBeRLY MeIS ReIMBURSeMenT $9.00 DOnI TRenKLe eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $685.00 SAM’S CLUB geCf OpeRATIng expenSe KCCC TAnf COnTRACT $2,348.89 DOnnA gIBSOn eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $130.00 SARAH ARneSOn MILeAge ReIMB LAB CORp TeSTIng $152.00 DOnnA ReeSe eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $130.00 DOROTHY JUne JURCZeWSKY eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $150.00 SCHMIDT COnSTRUCTIOn OpeRATIng expenSe LAYTOn TRUCK eQUIp VeHICLe MAInT $600.00 DOUg BAnKeRT eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $150.00 SeRenITY YVOnne SAMSeL eLeCTIOn JUDgeS LeAH TegLOVIC MILeAge ReIMB $65.52 DRIVe TRAIn InDUSTRIeS AUTOMATIC SLACKS $1,941.83 SHeLIA J. gASTOn eLeCTIOn JUDgeS LegACY pLOW & TRAILeR OpeRATIng expenSe $19,590.00 DYnAMICS ReSeARCH CORp OpeRATIng expenSe $454.00 SHeRYL gUeRRA ReIMBURSe LORRAIne R. gUARDADO eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $130.00 e470 TRAVeL expenSe $87.00 SOnJIA e. enCK eLeCTIOn JUDgeS LYLe SIgn InC nM 7165 MISC. SIgnS $1,163.04 eC COALITIOn OUTReACH MOnTHLY COnTRACT $5,354.30 SpRInT CeLL SeRVICe LYnDA WYeR eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $1,130.00 eIDe BAILLY pROf SeRVICeS THRU $10,000.00 STApLeS ADVAnTAge fILe fOLDeR, pApeR MAnDY TAYLOR ReIMBURSeMenT $20.00 eCeA MOU $7,011.39 STATe WIRe & TeRM OpeRATIng expenSe MARJORIe f. WHITe eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $635.00 eLBeRT COUnTY nURSIng OpeRATIng expenSe $75.00 STeeL CORneR LOCK fUeL TAnKS MARJORY BeLVeAL eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $190.00 eLBeRT COUnTY R&B Deep ROCK WATeR $212.38 STOCKYARDS RAnCH SpLY OpeRATIng expenSe MARK HenDRICKS eLeCTRIC fOR gRADeR $100.00 eLBeRT COUnTY TRSR MOnTH enD $129,520.55 STOne OIL CO InC pROpAne MARY LOUISe JACOBSOn BUCKLeS fOR ROYALTY $151.50 eneRTIA COnSULTIng CR 194 COnSTRUCTIOn $2,200.00 MARYROBIn B. WILLS eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $130.00 STRATegIC pRODUCTS & SVCS ReMOTe TeCH SVC eVA SpenCe eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $130.00 MAZZA DeSIgnS RepAIR gATe $300.00 SWeep STAKeS UnLIMITeD ApA pACKeT eVeReTT TATMAn MOnTHLY COnTRACT $1,584.00 MCCAnDLeS InTnL BRACKeT, RH BR $255.84 TALx UneMpLOYMenT SVCS UneMpLOYMenT CLAIM fAIR pOInT COMM. pHOneS $380.13 MeDVeD fORD pARTS RepAIR DODge TRUCK $119.00 TeD DOLe eLeCTRIC fOR gRADeR fASTenAL COMpAnY BOLTS $211.17 MeLAnIe KAY IMpeRIAL eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $150.00 TeRRY TWeeDY eLeCTRIC fOR gRADeR fLAgS USA US fLAg $66.00 MeTROLIST InC ReALTOR MAInT $38.00 THe LIgHTHOUSe 7 WAY pLUgS fLATIROnS InC SURVeYIng $7,615.00 MHC KenWORTH COIL HOSe fIfTH WHeeL $1,807.12 TInA ARnOLD ReIMBURSe fROnTIeR BUS. pRODUCT SHIppIng $5.50 MIAMI YODeR SCHOOL ffA 4.5 x 2 CIRCLe $50.00 TODD peDeRSOn DepUTY COMp fROnTIeR COMM. CORp COpIeR RenTAL $995.96 MICHAeL RODMAn eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $160.00 TOM MCAnDReWS eLeCTIOn JUDgeS g&K SeRVICeS UnIfORM SHIRTS $248.07 MIKe COWAn eLeCTRIC fOR gRADeR $100.00 TOWn Of KIOWA Ag BUILDIng gALL’S InC fLAg COMMenDATIOn BAR $86.94 MIKe peAVLeR eLeCTRIC fOR gRADeR $100.00 TOWn Of SIMLA MOnTHLY SeRVICe gARY CORneRS eLeCTRIC fOR gRADeR $100.00 MOUnTAIn MAn gIfT BASKeT $60.00 TRACKeR SOfTWARe OpeRATIng expenSe gLASeR gAS CO. pROpAne $290.02 MOUnTAIn VIeW eLeCTRIC MOnTHLY SeRVICe $392.27 TRUCKHUggeR TARp SYST OpeRATIng expenSe gLenn A. OHRnS COnTRACT WAgeS/ReIMB.$1,810.00 nACCHO MeMBeRSHIp DUeS $60.00 TRUe 2 KeY STORAge LOCKS gLORIA JeAn OHRnS eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $190.00 nAnCY ATWATeR eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $150.00 UnITeD RepROgRApHIC SpLY pLOTTeR pApeR gRAIngeR fLUOReSCenT LAMpS $314.72 nAnCY e. HARRIS eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $160.00 USA MOBILIT SO pAgeRS gReAT WeST LIfe COUnTY ReTIRMenT $39,568.66 neVe’S UnIfORMS InC 11 MeDALS $1,358.50 VeRIZOn pHOneS gROUnD engIneeRIng OpeRATIng expenSe $450.00 neVe’S UnIfORMS InC Ln269936 $391.80 VeRnS TV TOOLS HARBOR fReIgHT TOOLS CHAInS #72 & #74 $129.89 nexTeL COMMUnICATIOnS pHOneS $2,545.18 VeROnICA HOLT eLeCTIOn JUDgeS HeADS Up CO YOUTH TAnf OCT/nOV $1,200.00 nORMAn HenRY HAppeL eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $150.00 VIAeRO WIReLeSS pHOneS HeADSeTS.COM OpeRATIng expenSe $337.90 pARKeR pORT-A-pOTTY InC. pORT A pOTTY $68.00 WAgneR eQUIpMenT HOSe ASSeMBLY HenRY SCHeIn fLU VACCIne $227.73 pAT MeYeRS eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $160.00 WASTe MAnAgeMenT WASTe COnTAIneR HOMe DepOT pVC fLAg pOLe $46.24 ARnOLD AnD ASSOCIATeS MOnTHLY COnTRACT $6,750.00 WILLARD OLAf SIVeRTSOn eLeCTIOn JUDgeS HOnnen eQUIpMenT CO VeHICLe MAInT $11,586.90 pAYCHex InC pAYROLL pROCeSSIng $2,268.04 WILLIAM BeLL eLeCTIOn JUDgeS IReA MOnTHLY SeRVICe $9,064.17 pHILLIp SpenCe eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $150.00 WITT BOYS 15W40 BULK OIL InTeRSTATe ALL LApTOp BATTeRY $430.90 pOSTMASTeR geneRAL AnnUAL BOx CHARge $56.00 xeROx CORp ASSeSSOR fLB InTeRSTATe BATTeRY BATTeRIeS $1,819.30 pOTeSTIO BROS eQUIpMenT OpeRATIng expenSe $831.49 InTeRSTATe BILLIng SVC fReIgHT $2,750.73 pROfORCe 6 TASeR CART $159.35 InVenTORY TRADIng CO OpeRATIng expenSe $310.26 pROngHORn COUnTRY ACe BOLT eYe WITH nUTS $8.94 Legal notice no.: 927877 J&A TRAffIC pRODUCTS OpeRATIng expenSe $1,206.00 pSI SYSTeMS fURnACe fUeL fILTeR $475.00 first publication: January 31, 2013 pUReWATeR DYnAMICS LeASe eQUIpMenT $50.00 JACK WeSLeY MCASKILL eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $180.00 Last publication: January 31, 2013 QUILL CORp OffICe SUppLIeS $333.63 JAMeS V. WHISTLeR eLeCTIOn JUDgeS $150.00 publisher:The elbert County news QWeST MOnTHLY SeRVICe $1,644.30 JAMI TORReS TRAVeL expenSe $17.92 RALpH BURnS eLeCTRIC fOR gRADeR $100.00 JeRRI SpeAR ReIMBURSeM $346.59
$38.04 $150.00 $77.88 $1,285.00 $160.00 $160.00 $150.00 $100.00 $340.00 $1,986.50 $1,326.86 $805.00 $130.00 $532.93 $100.00 $130.00 $211.00 $39.99 $50.68 $83,305.74 $160.00 $190.00 $17.92 $160.00 $517.00 $295.04 $461.38 $107.28 $27,666.80 $8,836.89 $62.50 $80.00 $31.86 $100.00 $100.00 $1,092.99 $42.58 $1,100.00 $160.00 $6,718.09 $109.77 $3,500.00 $244.00 $260.81 $178.05 $890.56 $703.90 $19.68 $130.00 $132.59 $7,488.77 $619.91 $190.00 $130.00 $2,135.39 $756.00
Public Notice
Legal Notice No.: 927878 * First Publication: January 31, 2013 * Last Publication: January 31, 2013 * Publisher: The Elbert County News
12 Elbert County News
12-COLOR
January 31, 2013
Moldovan orphans get shoes, hugs Church members take eye-opening trip By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz@ourcoloradonews.com
Check out our website for Great Offers FREE Estimages & Inspections
SEND US YOUR NEWS Colorado Community Media welcomes event listings and other submissions. Please note our new submissions emails. Events and club listings calendar@ourcoloradonews.com School notes, such as honor roll and dean’s list schoolnotes@ourcoloradonews.com Military briefs
PUBLISH Jan. 31 & Feb. 7 DEADLINE Jan. 25 & Feb. 1
militarynotes@ourcoloradonews.com General press releases pressreleases@ourcoloradonews.com Letters to the editor letters@ourcoloradonews.com News tips news@ourcoloradonews.com Fax information to 303-566-4098 Mail to 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Ste. 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
PAGE S
Advertise both weeks and get 10% OFF the cost of both!
Spot RED included FREE!!
OV
,000 HOMES WI 7 8 T ER ER P U S TH SOU O B COM
H
REAC H
Gabby Moseley, left, and Abby Loy pose for a photo before fitting an orphan toddler with new boots and socks. The two were part of a group from Southeast Christian Church that traveled to Moldova in December to provide boots and socks to the kids. Courtesy photo
The trip of a lifetime is often a fanciful excursion to a tropical destination. For a group of Parkerites, it was a mission to Moldova. The economically depressed nation in Eastern Europe, a former part of the Soviet Union, is not ideal for those looking for a relaxing vacation. But then, that wasn’t what a group from Southeast Christian Church had in mind anyway. The nine-day visit to Moldova was life-changing on many levels. Five teens and six adults from the Parker church got a stark reality check when they delivered shoes, boots and socks to orphans. It was part of a five-team “Kids n’ Boots” mission organized by Texas-based Children’s Emergency Relief International, or CERI, which first got philanthropically involved in Moldova when Russian officials decided to no longer pay for coal to heat the republic’s many orphanages. Each year, in an attempt to stimulate the local economy, CERI purchases more than $120,000 worth of shoes, boots and socks from a Moldovan manufacturer. Church groups are then charged with loading the trucks and handing them out to the estimated 12,000 children living in orphanages. The work is not without its challenges, especially in the middle of winter, when roads leading to rural villages become impassable because of snow. Rick Lewis, a member at Southeast Christian and leader of the 2012 Moldova trip, said the conditions at some of the orphanages were deplorable. It wasn’t uncommon to encounter poor plumbing, unreliable electrical systems and failing
structures. The most jarring element, however, was the human one. “They’re walking around with cold feet in 10-degree weather,” Lewis said. “The kids didn’t have basic shoes and socks and some get frostbite on their feet and hands.” For the teens on the mission who had never been abroad or experienced another culture, the sights were a wake-up call. Lewis said the five seventh-graders who made the trip bonded with the orphans, whom they realized are not that different from them. “When you go on a trip like that, there’s a change involved in how you view the world and what you value,” he said. Thousands of orphans are institutionalized from age 5 to 16, often because their parents cannot afford to feed and clothe them. Therefore, the other orphans “become their family,” Lewis said. The kids become attached to the visitors and it’s difficult for them to leave. Lewis is among those who wish they could stay longer and develop a longer-term relationship with the abandoned children. “You’re just there for a moment in time and you hope that something you do or say will have a lasting impact on them,” he said. “Or maybe just a hug. These kids hold onto you, they’re so longing for a sense of belonging and acceptance.” Having been on medical missions to Moldova, the headmaster of Southeast Christian’s private school, Vern Walters, M.D., connected the church with CERI. The partnership is likely to continue and the church plans to gather more congregants to visit the impoverished country. Walters’ ultimate goal is to implement a student leadership service program and integrate information about the volunteer work and cultural experiences into the school’s curriculum.
Ask about opportunities in our North & West papers!!
Advertise your business in these special pages! Contact your CCM Sales Rep TODAY!! Castle Rock • Douglas County Jennie Herbert • 303-566-4092 jherbert@ourcoloradonews.com Centennial • Englewood • Littleton Michele Apodaca • 303-566-4073 mapodaca@ourcoloradonews.com Highlands Ranch • Lone Tree Jim Boucher • 303-566-4078 jboucher@ourcoloradonews.com Parker • Douglas County • Elbert County Ron (Mitch) Mitchell • 303-566-4075 rmitchell@ourcoloradonews.com
Published on Jan 31, 2013
Elbert County News published by Colorado Community Media
Published on Jan 31, 2013
Elbert County News published by Colorado Community Media