LITTLETON 3.14.13
March 14, 2013
Arapahoe County, Colorado • Volume 124, Issue 8
75 cents
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourlittletonnews.com
Council awaits smoke signals Pot clubs, sales on hold until state finishes regulations By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@ourcoloradonews.com
record at the Olympics, making the infamous “Call Me Maybe” video, balancing her studies and practice — and yes, meeting Justin Bieber. She also shared stories of enduring with the kids that she hoped would leave a lasting impression. Telling them about missing out on the medal podium by a hundredth of a second in the 200 freestyle, she talked about coming back strong. “That was a really good lesson for me,” she said. “As much as I wanted to be on that stand and as much as that one-hundredth
While Littleton City Council won’t say it never will allow retail marijuana stores, it has put them on hold until Oct. 1. “In the end, we’ll do what’s best for the community,” said Councilor Bruce Beckman. He stressed that the delay allows city staff time to deal with whatever regulations the state ultimately enacts. Nobody from the public was in the room to speak either for or against the moratorium. Councilor Jerry Valdes was the only no vote, noting there was only brief discussion earlier in the evening about whether to allow Breckenridge Brewery to set up shop in city limits (it passed unanimously on first reading and is set for final reading on March 19). “I think we’re treating it as far more strict than alcohol,” he said. Colorado’s Amendment 64, which gave adults the right to possess small amounts of pot for recreational use, was known as the “Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol” measure. A state task force charged with working out the details on how to do that held its final meeting on Feb. 28. The task force’s final recommendation report is expected to
Franklin continues on Page 9
Council continues on Page 9
Missy Franklin poses with Jared Johnston, 26, on March 7 at Children’s Hospital in Littleton, while Johnston tries on one of her gold medals. Photo by Ryan Boldrey
Olympian makes splash with kids Franklin inspires, gets inspired by patients at Children’s Hospital By Ryan Boldrey
rboldrey@ourcoloradonews.com Last summer, Missy Franklin put smiles on the faces of millions of Americans as she swam to five medals at the London Olympic Games. Last week, the 17-year-old high
school senior was only concerned with doing so for about a dozen kids. The kids, all patients at Children’s Hospital of Littleton, received a special visit from the four-time gold medal winner March 7. Franklin took time with each of them individually, posing for pictures, sharing stories and telling and listening to jokes. She also let each of them try on one of her gold medals. Prior to spending one-on-one time with them, America’s fastest young swimmer told them as a group what it was like chasing after her goals, achieving her first world
Students ‘go fish’ for business sense Junior Achievement program makes learning fun By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@ourcoloradonews.com Students in Amber Hall’s business-communications class at Littleton High School were all about fun and games March 5, and Hall approved. She described the game as a hybrid of bingo and go fish, but the cards weren’t just numbers and colors. Rather, they said things like “need associate’s degree” and “must be able to climb hills carrying equipment.” The idea was to familiarize the kids with careers like glazier, information-systems analyst and surveyor — “Different types of careers they might not have thought of,” said Hall. The game is part of a larger picture, a POSTAL ADDRESS
public/private partnership that brings resources into the classroom that might otherwise not be available The work-readiness program created by Junior Achievement is being piloted at 15 locations nationwide. Underwritten by a $1.1 million grant from business-consulting firm Accenture, it’s designed to teach students skills to get and keep a long-term career. “It helps students connect different career opportunities and soft skills, like communication and emotional intelligence, with what we learn in the class,” said Hall. Julie McLean, director of financial education at Arapahoe Credit Union, puts the “business” into business communications. She’s been volunteering in Hall’s class for six years. “We support the schools a lot,” she said, teaching the kids about things like financial literacy and avoiding identity theft. The kids say they like the materials beLHS continues on Page 9
Students in Littleton High School’s business-communications class enjoy the benefits of a public/private partnership that brings fun materials and volunteers into the classroom. Photo by Jennifer Smith
LITTLETON INDEPENDENT (ISSN 1058-7837) (USPS 315-780) OFFICE: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Englewood, Colorado, the Littleton Independent is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display advertising: Thurs. 11 a.m. Legal advertising: Thurs. 11 a.m. Classified advertising: Mon. 12 p.m.
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