Issuu

75 CENTS

DECEMBER 29, 2016

ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO

A publication of

USER’S GUIDE:

Tips for assembling your New Year’s plans. P10

GAINING MOMENTUM: Elizabeth girls basketball team downs Kennedy as 2016 comes to a close P13

ADDING IT UP: Elizabeth superintendent of schools aims to raise teacher pay P2

GREAT ESCAPE: New family-friendly business specializes in codes, clues and riddles P4

SONYA’S SAMPLER A look at events in the arts community P11

THE BOTTOM LINE PERIODICAL

‘I trust that I will be worthy of the trust of others – people I love and people who love me, people I admire, people of integrity and decency.’ Andrea Doray, columnist | Page 8 INSIDE

CALENDAR: PAGE 7 | VOICES: PAGE 8 | LIFE: PAGE 10 | SPORTS: PAGE 13

ElbertCountyNews.net

VOLUME 121 | ISSUE 47

2 Elbert County News

December 29, 2016D

Superintendent seeks to boost pay for rural teachers Bissonette wants lawmakers to deal with lack of equality in pay BY JODI HORNER SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Elizabeth School District Superintendent Douglas Bissonette is on a mission to gain equality in teacher pay throughout Colorado. “Every school district has its challenges,” Bissonette said. “We have lost 30 percent of our teachers in the past four years.” The high attrition Bissonette rate in Elizabeth led the district to commission a study by Mountain States Employers Council over a two-year period. Exit surveys were done with all departing employees to find the main reasons they were leaving. At the top of the list: the relatively low salaries for teachers in Elizabeth compared to other area districts. “They liked working here…The problem is that many can’t afford to work here as a teacher,” Bis-

sonette said. “We looked at where they went after they worked here, and most went to the districts in the area, Cherry Creek, Douglas County and Aurora. “After looking at dozens and dozens of departures, we found an average of a 26 percent pay increase for them when they took employment in other districts.” For the 2015-16 school year, the average salary for a teacher in Elizabeth was $38,419, according to the Colorado Department of Education. In neighboring Douglas County, the average was $51,274. Bissonette has found that his district is not alone in its struggle. He’s discovered a large disparity between salaries in the rural schools and compensation for the cost of living, with 74 percent of rural district and small school salaries averaging in the bottom 10 percent of the state. “That means 80,000 students are being taught by the bottom 10 percent,” he said. “That amounts to the number of students in the third-largest district in the state.” He notes that living in rural areas is not necessarily cheaper than living in urban areas. Except for housing, he says, food, transportation, and health care are more expensive in rural areas.

From our family to yours...

“I’d like to see teachers paid more equitably around the state — for the benefit of the state and for the benefit of the teachers,”

Douglas Bissonette,

Elizabeth School District Superintendent

“I’d like to see teachers paid more equitably around the state — for the benefit of the state and for the benefit of the teachers,” he said. Although he agrees that teachers should be paid for experience and education, he points out that smaller districts receive less state funding due to the structure of financing for districts in Colorado. “The state and national rhetoric is the same, ‘every kid deserves a great education.’ Most people would agree that has to happen through quality teachers. If we’re not paying them equally across the state then how can we accomplish that?” Bissonette said. He compiled extensive documentation on the issue with the goal of sharing his findings. On Dec. 9, he presented a PowerPoint presen-

tation titled, “Teacher Salaries: A Look at Equity in an Era of Accountability,” at the Colorado Association of School Boards Convention. He also presented at the School Executives Annual Conference in Fort Collins and, since January, at numerous other places throughout the state. “The reaction they have is surprise. They have viewed it as an individual problem. Now, they see some 110 districts just like them,” Bissonette said. His mission has caught the attention of the state Legislature, and while he didn’t reveal specifics, one legislator has taken a particular interest in the project. Bissonette hopes the attention brought to the issue will result in solutions to adjust the salaries of rural and small-school teachers.

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4 Elbert County News

December 29, 2016D

New Year’s Day Douglas County offices will be closed on January 2, 2017 for the New Year’s holiday. Many county services are available online at www.douglas.co.us

Christmas tree recycling For drop-off locations, times and dates, as well as instructions on how to prepare a tree for recycling, visit www.douglas.co.us and search for Christmas tree recycling.

Basic building permits available online Online building permits for roofing, mechanical, construction meter and window/door replacement for residential property. Visit www.douglas.co.us and search for building permits.

Take advantage of SCFD Free Days Want to learn more about history, spend time appreciating abstract or contemporary art or get in touch with nature? SCFD organizations have your entrance fee and cultural passions covered. For more information about SCFD and free days - including specific dates and locations - visit www.scfd.org

Philip S. Miller Grant applications due Jan. 31 Applications are accepted through Jan. 31, 2017 for the 2017 Philip S. Miller funds. For applicant requirements and details visit www.douglas.co.us and search for Miller Grants or contact Dru Campbell at 303-660-7401.

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Shelly Sepetauc, left, and her children Saige, 7, and Parker, 6, look for clues in “The Land of Toys,” a family-oriented escape room at Try’n Escape in Parker on Dec. 8. Sepetauc says she has gone to many escape rooms with her adult family members and was glad to have a family-friendly activity for her children in Parker. TOM SKELLEY

‘Everybody likes a good brain workout’ Codes, clues and combinations come together in escape rooms BY TOM SKELLEY TSKELLEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The rooms within Try’n Escape are full of portals and locks, but the only door with a sign is the entrance, and the only keys are for the lockers where guests keep their purses and coats. Everything else, clients have to decipher on their own. “It’s like a treasure hunt,” said Ingrid Tryon, Try’n Escape’s owner, who watches over each of the rooms via security camera. “It’s fun to watch people and see how they think.” Tryon’s always had a head for riddles, puzzles and brainteasers. By day, she uses her analytic skills to engineer software, but in her free time she devised the clues and combinations that keep people trapped in her domain, for 60 minutes at a time, at 19515 E. Parker Square Drive. “It’s all in my head,” Tryon said. “My brain just thinks that way.” Tryon’s new venture is one of many escape rooms in the region, joining businesses in Englewood, Centennial, Littleton and Aurora. The trend began in Europe about 10 years ago, making its way to the eastern United States soon after. Escape rooms offer amateur sleuths and thrill seekers the chance to pit their brains against an invisible, unstoppable foe: time. Amateur detectives solve riddles only to find more clues hidden in the answers, as period décor and theme music add to the excitement of trying to beat the clock. Tryon’s rooms have a 60-minute limit. Occupants have to figure out how to get out of a room before it fills with “poison” gas, or crack a safe before the sheriff locks them up. An all-ages room, “The Land of Toys,” offers families a chance to team up

for a more lighthearted experience. Clients range from corporations looking for team-building exercises to families seeking an offbeat activity that engages all ages, Tryon said. “This is just nothing they’ve ever done before,” said Shelly Sepetauc, a Parker resident and returning customer. Sepetauc tried escape rooms on the east coast and in the metro area over the last two years, and was glad to see one open in Parker. After trying the more challenging rooms with her husband and adult family members over Thanksgiving weekend, she brought her 6- and 7-yearold children to the all-ages room. “They were super-excited — this is just nothing they’ve ever done before,” Sepetauc said. “There are few of these types of activities where everybody can enjoy it.” Todd Mata and his wife found out about escape rooms while visiting Valencia, Spain, eight years ago, when escape rooms were the toprated activity in the city. Finding nothing like it upon their return to the Denver area, Mata and his family opened The Clue Room in Centennial. “It was 60 minutes that really changed our lives,” Mata said. Business has been going so well, he added, that The Clue Room, in its third year, added a second location. Since opening her doors in October, Tryon said her business has also been growing steadily. She plans to add another room, “The Sinking Ship,” as well as rotating the themes on her existing rooms to keep clients guessing and returning. “It’s a trend. Who knows how long it will be around?” Tryon said, adding that it’s “a dream come true” for her to own a business where she matches wits with her customers. Escape rooms are hip right now, but Mata doesn’t see why that would change. “Everybody likes a good brain workout,” he said. “That’s what will keep this industry alive and vibrant.”

Elbert County News 5

December 29, 2016

Strict rest may not be best idea for kids’ concussions Canadian study raises questions about common approach to care BY LINDSEY TANNER ASSOCIATED PRESS

Strict rest may not be the best medicine for kids with concussions, a Canadian study found, challenging the idea that physical activity should be avoided until symptoms disappear. A month after their concussions, ongoing or worse symptoms were more common in children and teens who were inactive during the week following injury, compared with those who engaged in physical activity during that first week. Activity was mostly light exercise including walking and swimming. The results were similar even among those who early on had three or more concussion symptoms, which can include nausea, headaches and confusion. Physical activity still seemed to reduce chances for lingering symptoms a month after the concussion. “It’s still important to have caution in the immediate post-injury period,” said lead author Dr. Roger Zemek, an emergency medicine specialist at Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. After a sports-related concussion, kids “should always be removed from play and not return that day.” To avoid re-injury, kids should generally be sidelined from the sport or activity that led to the concussion until a doctor clears them to return, he said. But the study results suggest they can resume sports or other physical activities sooner than previously thought, he said. The researchers surveyed about 2,400 kids aged 5 to 18 treated for concussions in nine emergency departments in Canada. Most were sports-

related injuries and most kids had at least one concussion symptom in the first week. Results from the 2013-2015 study were published Dec. 20 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Current guidelines recommend rest until symptoms disappear to avoid additional concussions, which can increase chances for permanent brain damage. But an editorial published with the study says that advice “has resulted in some athletes resting for weeks or months, at which point rest may be less helpful and perhaps even harmful.” The study authors say resuming physical activity may increase blood flow to the brain, while inactivity may deprive patients of not only that benefit but also the psychological benefits of activities they enjoy. Patients in the study and their parents were asked about symptoms and physical activity at seven and 28 days after the concussion In the early-activity group, 29 percent reported ongoing or worsening symptoms 28 days after concussions versus 40 percent of the group reporting no extra physical activity beyond daily living activities. Among kids who reported having three or more symptoms in that first week, those who engaged in early physical activity regardless of intensity were 25 percent less likely to have ongoing or worse symptoms at 28 days than the no-activity group. Zemek said more research is needed to determine the ideal timing and intensity of physical activity to recommend after a concussion “to provide the best balance between symptom resolution and safety.” Until there are clear answers, the editorial says doctors and parents “should use common sense about allowing limited physical activity as tolerated and be cautious about resting a previously active athlete for prolonged periods.”

Online purchases get closer to tax collection in Colorado High court declines to take up case that challenged Colorado law BY KRISTEN WYATT ASSOCIATED PRESS

Buying things online could get pricier following the U.S. Supreme Court’s rejection of a case, a decision that could ultimately lead to states collecting billions of dollars in sales taxes lost to increasingly popular internet retailers. The court would not hear a chal-

lenge to a Colorado law requiring online sellers such as Amazon.com to notify customers and the state how much they owe in taxes. State officials have estimated that Colorado alone has been missing out on as much as $172.7 million a year. At least three other states — Louisiana, Oklahoma and Vermont — have passed similar laws that could take effect given the resolution of the Colorado case. Though the court didn’t endorse Colorado’s law and could even weigh in against it if given a different case, other states are likely to see the Dec. SEE ONLINE, P6

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6 Elbert County News

December 29, 2016D

Helping patients walk away from pain Parker Adventist partners with nonprofit for free surgeries STAFF REPORT

Parker Adventist Hospital recently partnered with Operation Walk USA to give patients a chance to step into 2017 free from incapacitating pain. Between Dec. 5 and Dec. 10, three patients at Parker Adventist and two patients at Porter Adventist Hospital in Denver received free hip and knee replacement surgeries. Across the United States, an estimated 80 people received the transplants through the program this year. “Our mission is to improve the quality of life for the people within our community,” said Derek Johnson, a Parker Adventist Hospital orthopedic medical director and surgeon. “OpWalk is a collaborate initiative that provides hope and a pain-free life to underserved patients.” The nonprofit Operation Walk USA has been offering the free surgeries with volunteer surgeons and medical providers since 2010. The program covers all aspects of treatment — surgery, hospitalization and pre-and post-operative care — at no

Patients Winifred Okoye, front left, and Prema Jayamanna, front right, pose with their care teams after receiving free joint surgeries from Parker Adventist Hospital and Operation Walk USA. The annual venture between the hospital and nonproft group provides free joint replacement surgeries for patients who otherwise couldn’t afford the procedures. Pictured in the back row from left to right are: Alyona Dmitruk, RN, Jennifer Dentino, PT, Melissa Lanskey, CNA, Lilia Malicay, RN and Britta Buehler, RN. COURTESY PHOTO cost to patients who don’t qualify for government health coverage, don’t have insurance or can’t afford surgery on their own. “The debilitating pain of endstage hip or knee degenerative disease makes even the most simple of

Renaissance Secondary Charter School will offer personalized, challenging, hands-on learning to middle and high school students Tell me and I forget, Teach me and I remember, Involve me and I learn.

Renaissance Secondary School has broken ground and is now accepting enrollment for the 2017-18 school year, initially serving grades 7-10* This innovative, tuition-free charter school in Castle Rock, CO will emphasize critical thinking, problem solving, communication, collaboration and creativity – skills that colleges and employers alike agree are essential to success. “Renaissance Secondary School will be a fundamentally different school” said Principal Debbie Rabideau. “Understanding that each student is their own unique individual with their own way of learning, RSS takes a personalized approach to meet students where they are academically while accounting for their individual interests and passions.” The model utilizes best practices from research-based methods of Expeditionary Learning, Design Thinking, and Project Based Learning to achieve deeper levels of understanding of concepts. Featuring deep studies of academic topics across all disciplines – including the arts – students will tackle complex, real-world issues with greater engagement and achievement. Student inquiry, critical thinking and craftsmanship will be emphasized, and students present project results to their peers and the public. Other aspects of its culture will set the school apart said Ms. Rabideau, “Our Adventure Education program challenges students physically and mentally to go outside of their comfort zones, which builds a culture of teamwork, perseverance and cooperation.” She added that there will be a strong service learning component.

Parents - and students - can attend an Information Session January 12 or February 9 at 6pm. The sessions will be located at 3960 Trail Boss Lane, Castle Rock, CO 80104. Visit https://renaissancesecondary.org to learn more about the personalized, challenging, and authentic learning at Renaissance Secondary School. *One grade will be added per year bringing the school to full 7-12 capacity in 2019.

daily tasks excruciatingly painful,” Operation Walk’s website states. “Although more than 1 million hip and knee replacements are performed in the United States each year, thousands of uninsured or underinsured men and women continue to live

ONLINE FROM PAGE 5

12 move as a green light to step up collection efforts. That comes despite a 1992 Supreme Court decision saying retailers must have a physical presence in a state before officials can make them collect sales tax. Online shoppers always have owed state sales taxes on their purchases, but the rule has been widely ignored. States have spent years examining ways to capture those lost tax dollars, but their options are limited when the retailers are not based in the state. So-called Amazon taxes that started in New York have not been adequate to fill the widening gap, said Mark Behlke, director of budget and tax policy for the National Conference of State Legislatures. Sales taxes account for about a third of revenue in many states, more in those with no income taxes, such as Texas and Florida. And with online sales going up about 15 percent a year, states are increasingly feeling the effects of those taxes going unpaid. The Colorado Legislature found a possible solution in 2010 when it passed a law requiring online retailers to notify customers to pay sales tax and report purchases to the state. That’s not the same as demanding tax payments from outof-state retailers. The Data and Marketing Associa-

with severe arthritic pain and immobility.” Nearly 650 patients have received transplants from the group through the annual program since 2010. Total value of the services adds up to more than $17.3 million.

tion sued, and a federal judge put the law on hold in 2012. A year later, a federal appeals court sided with Colorado. The association appealed to the nation’s highest court, arguing that the law would meddle in interstate commerce. The marketing group said the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the case could have far-reaching implications for online shoppers. “It will only encourage other states to adopt similar laws and regulations that are designed to put arbitrary burdens on out-of-state sellers,” association vice president Emmett O’Keefe said in a statement. Supporters of Colorado’s law agreed it sends a strong signal that reporting requirements don’t infringe on constitutional protections for interstate commerce. “This settles the issue, once and for all, that the 2010 law is constitutional, it was not an undue burden on business,” said Tim Hoover, spokesman for the Colorado Fiscal Institute, which supported the law. George S. Isaacson, who represented the marketing group and teaches constitutional law at Bowdoin College, said the high court may simply be waiting to see more states copy Colorado. “Colorado was the first state to pass such a law, and the Supreme Court may be waiting to see how other state legislatures and lower courts deal with this type of highly controversial state legislation before addressing the constitutional issues,” Isaacson said in a statement.

Elbert County News 7

December 29, 2016

THINGS TO DO Elizabeth Library Book Sale: gently used books for children and adults for sale in the book sale room at the Elizabeth Library. Stocked by Friends of the Elizabeth Library. All donations from book sales benefit the Elizabeth Library. Community Blood Drives: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, Walmart, 4400 Front St., Castle Rock. Contact the Bonfils Appointment Center at 303-3632300, unless otherwise noted. Go to www. bonfils.org. New Year’s Eve Noon Countdown, Celebration: 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31 at the Parker Library, 20105 E. Mainstreet. Hat decorating, storytimes, balloon drop. Registration required; call 303-791-7323 or go to www.DCL.org. Commitment Day 5k Run/Festival: 10 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 1 around the neighborhoods of Life Time Fitness in Parker. All levels and abilities welcome. Go to http://www. commitmentday.com/colorado/parkeraurora/ for registration. Contact Heather Crosby at hcrosby@lifetimefitness.com. Outback Express Public Transit Service: provided through the East Central Council of Local Governments, provides travel to Elbert County residents. Call Kay Campbell, Kiowa, at 719- 541-4275 for reservations; 24-hour notice requested. Go to http://outbackexpress.tripod.com. January schedule includes: Monday, Jan. 2: Simla and Matheson to Colorado Springs;

Tuesday, Jan. 3: Elizabeth, Kiowa and Elbert to Parker; Tuesday, Jan. 10, Simla to Colorado Springs; Tuesday, Jan. 10; Elizabeth to Parker or Colorado Springs; Thursday, Jan. 12, Good Samaritan Nursing Home residents ride; Monday, Jan. 16, Matheson and Simla to Colorado Springs; Tuesday, Jan. 17, Elizabeth, Kiowa and Elbert to Parker; Wednesday, Jan. 25, Simla to Colorado Springs; Thursday, Jan. 26 Simla to Limon. PACE Center Blood Drive: 9:30-11:40 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6 and Friday, Jan. 20, at 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker. In the bloodmobile. Contact the Bonfils Appointment Center at 303-363-2300 or bonfils.org. Ave Maria Catholic Parish Blood Drive: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, at 9056 E. Parker Road, Parker. In the bloodmobile. Contact the Bonfils Appointment Center at 303-363-2300 or bonfils.org. Parker Non-Fiction Book Club: 7:30-9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9 in Event Hall B on the second floor of the Parker Library. Early arrivals can meet at 6:30 p.m. in the magazine section. January’s topic is the women of the Supreme Court; come prepared to talk about what impressed you about the woman you chose. Contact Evelyn Poulo at evelyn.poulo@gmail.com. The Monday, Feb. 13 meeting topic is the influence of the uber wealthy on politics (reading suggestions: “Dark Money” by Jane Mayer or “The Party is Over” by Mike Lofgren. March’s meeting will address entertainers who are alive and politicly active. SEE CALENDAR, P15

Nation’s fight against obesity sees hope among babies, toddlers At-risk status declines among children up to age 3 enrolled in WIC program BY LINDSEY TANNER ASSOCIATED PRESS

Chubby babies and toddlers at risk for later obesity are on the decline in a government food program serving millions of kids, a glimmer of good news in the nation’s fight to slim down. The trend was found in a study on children up to age 3 enrolled in the WIC nutrition assistance program for low-income women and children. Half of all U.S. infants up to 12 months old are enrolled in the program. The portion of youngsters at risk for obesity fell during the study, from almost 15 percent in 2010 to 12 percent overall in 2014, researchers from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. The rate declined in all ages studied. It was lowest — about 8 percent in 2014 — for the youngest infants, from 3 to 5 months in age, versus almost 15 percent among toddlers. The results echo a reported decline in older WIC children and were unexpected, given rising rates earlier in

the decade, said CDC researcher David Freedman, the lead author. “People are thrilled,” he said. Previous CDC data showed a similar decline in all U.S. youngsters aged 2 to 5 years old, from about 14 percent in 2004 to 9 percent in 2014, coinciding with national campaigns targeting childhood obesity. Obesity rates tend to be higher in children from low-income families, including WIC participants. Freedman said reasons are uncertain for the decline in heavy WIC babies, but it came amid changes designed to improve nutrition and health in WIC food packages, including more whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Also, breastfeeding among participating women increased in 2009 and that can protect against obesity. The study was published Dec. 13 in Pediatrics. Dr. David Ludwig, director of obesity prevention at Boston Children’s Hospital, called the results encouraging but said, “It’s too soon to tell whether these new data represent a statistical fluke or evidence of real progress with the pediatric obesity epidemic.” The researchers analyzed WIC survey data from 2000 to 2014 involving almost 17 million infants and young children. Rates increased early on, then remained stable from 2004 to 2010 until the decline.

8 Elbert County News

LOCAL

December 29, 2016D

VOICES Ziglar’s life-changing message can open door to worthy goals

WINNING WORDS

Michael Norton

s I prepared to write this column and thought about the best message I could share with the community to help plan and prepare for 2017, I thought about some of the lessons I have learned from Zig Ziglar over the years. And then as I began writing, I remembered that Zig’s son Tom Ziglar has also tremendously impacted my life and has also been a great friend, mentor and brother. So instead of me paraphrasing lessons learned, I thought I would interview Tom Ziglar and have him share some ideas on how we can plan and prepare for a better than good 2017. Here are Tom’s thoughts: MN: One of my personal sources of inspira-

tion over the years has been your philosophy of Purity, Simplicity and Transparency. How has this philosophy made a difference in your personal, professional, and spiritual journey? TZ: This approach has really helped me make good choices. I ask myself this question: Is what I am about to read, listen to, eat, do, talk about … etc. going to help me be more “pure?” Will I willingly be transparent about it? If the answer is no, don’t do it! MN: What advice would you give someone who would like to incorporate the same philosophy in their own journey in 2017? TZ: It all starts with your mental input. Choose carefully what you allow into your mind. Input determines Outlook, Outlook

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people happy and that, when I inevitably anger or sadden them, I will have carefully considered the outcomes. I trust that I’ll be doing purposeful work that both affords me financial stability and does good for other people. I trust that I will make a difference in at least one person’s life, and that I will be aware of and grateful for the presence of others in mine. I trust that new people will come into my life, and that I will meet the loss of any others with peace. I trust that peace will come to more people and to more places on the earth in 2017. I trust that the checks and balances in our system of government will function as they are meant to, that the business of being a billionaire will not take precedence over the import of being the president, and that someone takes away his Twitter account before “Saturday Night Live” does another skit. I recognize this is a lot of trusting, which could be a challenge because trust doesn’t come all that easily to me. The new year will have its trials, no doubt, but everything will turn out in the most optimal way. Trust me. Andrea Doray is a writer who is perhaps a little too trusting, after all. Contact her at a.doray@andreadoray.com.

his might come as a surprise. The color red is often used as a signal for a motorist to stop. Not only that, red is often used as a signal for a motorist to come to a complete stop. QUIET This is fascinating DESPERATION stuff. Red wasn’t chosen, it turns out, because someone’s girlfriend had red hair, or someone attended the University of Nebraska. There are plenty of reasons, good ones too, why red was chosen. Craig Marshall Red is one of the three “primary” Smith colors. The other two are blue and yellow. Red is regarded as a “warm” color. Blue, on the other hand, is regarded as a “cool” color. Warm colors optically advance, and cool colors optically recede. So it wouldn’t make sense — would it? — if stoplights were blue. They wouldn’t be as easy to see, but I have to admit, they would be better-looking. One of the reasons why the color red is used for stoplights is that red light molecules don’t scatter as much as the molecules of other colors, so

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ERIN ADDENBROOKE Majors/Classified Manager eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com

SEE NORTON, P9

No matter how you color it, it’s worth a stop

‘Trust’ is the word for the new year was envisioning a visioning session when my word for 2017 became clear. You may know that I eschew New Year’s resolutions, favoring ALCHEMY instead a word I choose (or, as I keep finding out, it chooses me) as a focus for the coming year. As I was preparing for a vision discussion about the coming year, Andrea Doray I trusted that my word would soon be revealed … and it was: Trust. My word for 2017 is “trust,” both as a noun and a verb. I will have trust and I will earn trust. “Breathe,” my word for 2016, was the first verb in the five years I’ve been doing this, so it seems fitting that 2017’s word should be both. I trust that my endeavors in the coming year will happen in the most optimal way. I trust that I will be worthy of the trust of others – people I love and people who love me, people I admire, people of integrity and decency. I trust that I will be gladdened, saddened, angered, touched and moved throughout the year, and that I will handle all of these with aplomb. I trust that I will make other

determines Output, Output determines Outcome. It’s simple really, your mental input determines your outcome in life. Choose it wisely, and guard against the negative. MN: Goal setting has always been such a huge part of the Ziglar message and life lessons. Again, as we look to 2017, what recommendations do you have for our community to help them set and achieve their goals? TZ: I believe that the fastest way to success is to replace bad habits with good habits. My encouragement for 2017 is to start each day with these three really good habits. First, start the day with two chairs. One for you and one

they travel the greatest distances through rain and fog. This is called “Rayleigh scattering.” It was named after Lord Rayleigh, a British physicist, according to Brigham Young University. If you have been to a paint store, you know that there are lots and lots of reds in a wide range of tints, tones, shades, and intensities. There are more reds than you can count. Pink is a low-intensity red. I don’t think the color committee considered pink for a minute when they were deciding on a stoplight color, do you? But it would be relevant now, wouldn’t it? No, the red they chose is a robust red Traffic lights are red, green, and yellow. Can you name which color is on top, which color is in the middle, and which color is on the bottom? I had to look it up. Some days, it doesn’t seem to matter what color they are, because no one pays any attention to them. We run red lights all the time. Some of us, knowing we drive foolishly, must actually budget at least one automobile accident every year. “Darlene, it’s your turn to wreck the car.”

Columnists & Guest Commentaries Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Elbert County News. We welcome letters to the editor. Please Include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone. Email letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com Deadline Fri. 5 p.m. for the following week’s paper.

SEE SMITH, P9

ELBERT COUNTY NEWS (USPS 171-100) A legal newspaper of general circulation in Elizabeth, Colorado, the Elbert County News is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. 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

Elbert County News 9

December 29, 2016

NORTON FROM PAGE 8

for God. Ask your creator these three questions: Do you know my circumstances? (Yes, He is God). God, are you big enough to handle them? And finally, God, what is the plan? And then be quiet and listen. Second, dedicate 1 percent of your time, just 14 minutes a day, planning your dreams, goals and priorities for the day, do this first thing in the morning. I challenge you to find anyone who does this already who says it is not the most powerful thing they do all day. Third, invest at least 20 minutes a day listening to

SMITH FROM PAGE 8

Otherwise, why do we speed? Tailgate? Make calls? Reach for french fries? Risk our lives and endanger others — and run red lights? That brings me to my other theory, and it’s a harsh one. There is no other way to explain it. We co-exist with many, many thoughtless, rude, self-absorbed, entitled, oblivious, drip-dry, hedgeborn, fly-bitten, clown-milking jerks. Accountants, ventriloquists, sea captains, soccer moms, closet organizers. Varoom. According to Forbes, “Red-light running was the leading cause of ur-

or reading information that is going to lift you up and improve your life physically, mentally and spiritually. MN: A few years ago you developed the Ziglar Legacy Certification program. Why did you develop this program and why are you so passionate about it? TZ: We estimate that in Dad’s life he impacted over 250 million people with his philosophy and teachings. One thing we know for certain is that the world needs hope and encouragement now more than ever. Because of this we created our ZLC program to equip others to carry on Dad’s life-changing message by teaching, training, speaking and coaching our core life-changing programs. We want

ban crashes in the United States in 2013. At least 697 people were killed in an accident that involved running a red light, while an estimated 127,000 were injured. Some 3.7 million drivers received a violation for driving through a red light.” The top five cities for red-light running in 2015 were Houston, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Chicago. Denver ranked 10th. I live near the intersection of University and East Wildcat Reserve Parkway. It’s a great place to pick up damaged auto parts. I suggest you arrive about 4 or 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Craig Marshall Smith is an artist, educator and Highlands Ranch resident. He can be reached at craigmarshallsmith@comcast.net.

CLUBS Ongoing AA If you want to drink, that’s your business. If you want to stop, that’s ours. More than 1,000 AA meetings are offered in the Denver area every week. If you think you may have a problem with alcohol, come see us. To find a meeting near you, call 303-322-4440, or go to www.daccaa.org. Affordable Colleges Online has created a guidebook to help women find and secure financial aid. The guide includes a collection of scholarships for women, including due dates and award amounts; insight into the financial aid application process; and other funding opportunities, such as industry-specific scholarships and funding for special groups. The guide is available online at http://www. affordablecollegesonline.org/womens-guidepaying-for-college/. Camping Singles is a group of Colorado single adults who enjoy camping, fishing, hiking, swimming, biking, sightseeing, photography, the camaraderie of others, and starry nights around the camp fire. We usually camp in designated forest service or state park campgrounds within 2 to 5 hours of Denver. We welcome all single adults. Our membership ranges from the 40s to 60-plus. We usually meet at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month. For specific meeting information, contact campingsingles@gmail.com Castle Rock Bridge Club plays a friendly, ACBL-sanctioned duplicate game at 1 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday at Plum Creek Golf Club, 331 Players Club Drive, Castle Rock. For assistance in finding a bridge partner, call

Georgiana Butler at 303-810-8504. Go to www.castlerockbridge.com. Chess: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at the Simla Library. All skill levels and ages welcome. Call 719-541-2573. Douglas-Elbert County Music Teachers’ Association meets at 9 a.m. every first Thursday at Parker Bible Church, between Jordan and Chambers on Main Street. All area music teachers are welcome. Call Lucie Washburn, 303-814-3479. Elbert County Sheriff’s Posse is a nonprofit volunteer organization that is part of the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office. As volunteers we support the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office, all law enforcement in our county, and the community at large. For more information or a membership application, go to http://www.elbertcountysheriff.com/posse.html, or contact Dave Peontek at 303-646-5456. Elbert Game Night: 5 p.m. Tuesdays at the Elbert Library. Board and card games for all ages. Call 303-648-3533 or go to pplibraries.org. Elizabeth American Legion Post 82, a veterans association supporting veterans, their families, their survivors and the community, meets the first Tuesday of each month at the Legion Post Hall at South Banner Street and Elm Street in Elizabeth. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m., and the regular business meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. All veterans are invited to attend these meetings to learn of their eligibility for membership in the National American Legion Organization.

to change the world and we need help! We have certified over 200 people in 16 different countries so far and we have just barely touched the surface. When I first met Tom Ziglar back in 1998, I asked him this question before we parted company, “Tom, so tell me, what was it like growing up as Zig Ziglar’s son?” Tom’s eyes proudly filled with loving tears as he replied, “It was amazing and wonderful.” I hope you caught the sentence above where Tom shared that the Ziglar message has impacted more than 250 million people around the globe. If 250 million people can experience a positive change, I think we can too by applying some of Tom’s advice above. So how about you? Are you ready

for 2017 physically, mentally and spiritually? If you visit www.ziglar. com you may find some great information that can help you set, reach, and exceed your goals for 2017. If you would like more information about this column or how to get in touch with the folks at Ziglar, please send me an email at gotonorton@gmail. com, and when we can set goals and work towards living a life of purity, simplicity and transparency, it really will be a better than good week. Michael Norton is a resident of Castle Rock, the former president of the Zig Ziglar Corporation, a strategic consultant and a business and personal coach.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU If you would like to share your opinion, visit our website at www.coloradocommunitymedia.com or write a letter to the editor. Include your name, full address and the best telephone number to contact you. Send letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com.

OBITUARIES KELLER

Carolyn Sue Keller

6/26/1954 - 12/19/2016 Carolyn Sue Keller, 62 of Akron, passed away at her home on December 19, 2016 with her family at her side. Carolyn Sue Garlow was born in Concordia, Kansas on June 26, 1954 to Earl William and Doreen Mary Garlow. She attended school in Elbert, Colorado, graduating in 1973. She married Donald Keller on August 10, 1997. She will be remembered as an artist, cook, singer, and dancer. She was a member of the DoLittle’s Pool Team as well. Carolyn’s family was especially important to her, and she was known for her love and hugs.

Garlow; daughter Wendy (Tim) Pulkrabek and children Zach, Shelby, Holly, Mack, Colby, and Helen; and son Wade (Kim) Keller and children Edward and Albert. She is also survived by sisters Leona, Earlene, Mary, Geri, Connie, Jackie, and She was preceded in Patti. death by her parents, A funeral service will be sister Sarah, and brother held Friday, December 23, LeRoy. 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the She is survived by Peace Lutheran Church her husband, Donald of Akron. Viewing will be Keller; her daughter held from 9 to 11a.m. the Jessica (Jerry) Ortega and morning of the service at children Leanda, Kaine, Peace Lutheran Church. Kylie, and Kash; daughter Interment will follow Darcee (Kyle) Pearson and at the Akron Cemetery. children Elijah, Justice, Memorial donations may Solomon, Maria, and be made to the Peace Sophie; son Jason (Tara) Lutheran Church.

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December 29, 2016D

LOCAL

LIFE

user’s guide to

ending

the

year

New Year’s Eve celebration options for families Sometimes it’s tough keeping children up all the way until midnight, but fortunately there are plenty of daytime activities where families can celebrate 2017 early. The Evergreen, Golden, Lakewood and Standley Lake branches of Jeffco Libraries all have free activities going on during the day to celebrate the holiday, with Golden, Lakewood and Standley Lake hosting a balloon drop at noon.Go to www.Jeffcolibrary.org to register. Families looking for more active options can head to The Rink at Belmar, 464 S. Teller St., where there will be a skating performance by the Mountain Edge Figure Skating Club from 10:50 a.m. to 11:20 p.m., followed a New Year’s Eve countdown at noon. Admission is $9.50 for adults, $7.50 for children, $5 for entrance without skate rental and veterans, and free for children 2 and younger and for seniors 65 and older.

BY CLARKE READER CREADER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The year 2016 is just days away from ending, and there are all kinds of activities, both fun and necessary, that people need to think about. There’s questions of if one should go to a party, throw one, or just stay off the roads altogether? And if one does decide to go out, what are the options, and the best way to get there? Is there even a point to making New Year’s resolutions? And after all the celebrating, there is still the Christmas trees and decorations to take down, but what’s the best way to get rid of these items? To help make the transition from one year to the next a little easier, we tackled some of these questions for our readers. Thank us later.

New Year’s Eve celebration options for adults

For families with older children, For those wanting a quiet and reGolden Mount Vernon Country laxing evening, Parker’s Elev 5900 Club has plans for both children Kitchen and Bar, 19751 E. Mainand their parents. street, will be ringing in the New For the parents, there is an $85, Year with a wine dinner, beginning four-course dinner and compliat 6:30 p.m. mentary Champagne toast at “This is something we’ve done for midnight, plus music by Chris the past several years, and it’s usuDaniels and The Kings and apally done by 10 p.m.,” said Richard petizers. Esper, owner of the restaurant. “It The country club will be hostwas designed so that if people want ing a to go separate out later event for in the children evening ages 4 they to 14 at can, or GO Banking Rates conducted a survey at the end of $25 per if they 2015 to see what the most popular resolutions for 2016 child, want to were. The most popular answers are as follows: which go out includes but be Enjoy life to the fullest Save more, spend less pizza, home snacks before Live a healthier lifestyle Pay down debt and the drinks, roads Lose weight Spend more time with games get bad, family and friends and this also movies. works.”

Top New Year’s resolutions

Tree cleanup As people begin taking down their holiday decorations, one of the biggest questions is often what to do with the tree, especially if someone wants to keep the tree out of a landfill. Lakewood is just one community that offers tree recycling to its residents as a way to environmentally dispose of Christmas trees. “Recycling allows the tree to be put to a positive use after the holidays and its primary purpose has been met,” wrote Steve Carpenter, Parks Manager in the

Options for New Year’s Eve events, travel and cleanup

city’s Parks Division, in an email interview. “If it just gets tossed in the trash it ends up in a landfill, and no further benefit is derived from it and it contributes to a growing refuse problem.” Recycled trees are chipped up, and the mulch is available to residents and any leftovers will be used for park operations. Arvada and Westminster will also offer tree recycling to residents, and Douglas County will have tree recycling locations in Parker, Castle Rock, and Highlands Ranch.

The theme for the year’s dinner is Red-White-Pink Masquerade, and will feature six courses of food and wine, as well as unlimited Champagne. Reservations are required, and are $89 per person. “New Year’s is one of the busier nights of the year for us,” Esper added. “We’re glad to be a place people can go to celebrate with friends.” Westminster’s Hoffbrau, 9110 Wadsworth Parkway, has performances from The Corporation and Wash Park beginning at 9 p.m. and going to 1 a.m. A ticket to the event is $25 in advance and $30 at the door, and also includes party favors and Champagne. If a night at the theater sounds better Lakewood The Edge Theatre, 1560 Teller St., is performing Arthur Miller’s “A View From the Bridge,” followed by a New Year’s Eve party after the show. Tickets are $30.

Traveling safe during the holiday For the eighth year in a row, the RTD is partnering with Coors Light and Coors Distributing Company to offer free rides on New Year’s Eve on all regularly-scheduled bus and rail service, as well as Access-aRide and SkyRide services. The free service begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31 and ends at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 1. “We want to remind the community to ring in the New Year safely and take advantage of Coors Light Free Rides,” said David Genova, General Manager and CEO of RTD, in a statement.

Service will operate on a Saturday schedule on New Year’s Eve and a Sunday/holiday schedule on New Year’s Day. Passengers should check both the late night weekday schedule and the early morning Sunday/holiday schedule for trips after midnight on New Year’s Eve. Service hours will not be extended. For fare and schedule information, visit www.rtd-denver.com or call RTD Customer Care at 303299-6000 or TDD 303-299-6089 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

Elbert County News 11

December 29, 2016

Monumental Calder works coming to Denver SONYA’S SAMPLER

A special collection of monumental works by American sculptor Alexander Calder will take root amidst the flowers at Denver Botanic GarSonya Ellingboe dens, York Street, from April 28 through Sept. 24, 2017. Alfred Pacquement, honorary director of Musee National d’Art Moderne, Centre Pompidou in Paris is curator of the exhibit, organized in conjunction with the Calder Foundation, New York. It will not be seen anywhere else. Although Calder is especially known for his mobiles, the majority on works in this exhibit will be stabiles, made of bolted steel plates.

many aspects of preservation — local and national. (Building local support, fiscal realities, advocacy, sustainable tourism, and more.) Information: savingplacesconference.org Unknown writers? The Denver Women’s Press Club sponsors the Unknown Writers Contest, starting Jan. 1, with cash prizes and constructive comments to entrants in nonfiction, fiction and poetry. Open to Colorado residents, age 18 and over, whose work has never appeared with a paid byline. Deadline is Feb. 22. All entrants invited to a reception at the clubhouse on April 9. Fees: $25, fiction and nonfiction; $15, poetry. Limits: 2,000 words fiction and nonfiction, 40 words poetry. See: dwpconline.org/ outreach/unknown-writerscontest/.

Three sculptures by Alexander Calder, whos large works will be exhibited at Denver Botanic Gardens April 28-Sept. 24: “Funghi Neri, 1957 Sheet Metal, bolts and paint, 112”X 91”; “Untitled” 1976, Sheet Metal, bolts and Paint, 17’10”’ Sheet Metal, Bolts and Paint; “Polygons on Triangles (The Nun),” 1963. All from the Calder Foundation. COURTESY OF AUDUBON

`Mixed Bag’ The “Mixed Bag” exhibit of contemporary art — ceramics, jewelry, paintings, photography and installations created by Arapahoe Community College Fine Art students — is displayed at the Colorado Gallery of the Arts in the Annex

Building at ACC’s Littleton campus through Jan. 13. Holiday hours: closed Dec. 24Jan. 2. Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays Through Fridays. The campus is at 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton. New for all ages “Siren Song: a Pirate Odyssey,” a comedy inspired by the classic story of the Odyssey, with the sorts of twists that Buntport Theater, 717 Lipan St., Denver, excels in, will be presented at 1 and 3 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month. In the 12th year of creating multigenerational tales

for family theater, award-winning Buntport actors produce each segment based on a song suggested the previous month by the audience. It features a “theme shanty” by local band Chimney Choir and tells of feisty gods, notorious mortals, idiosyncratic sea beasts and untold monsters. Ticket: $8 ($7 online), buntport.com, 720-9462015. Stay fit Chuze Fitness, opening at 8996 W. Bowles Ave., Littleton, in January, offers free one-year basic memberships to all teachers, administrators and sup-

local

port staff in Littleton Public Schools and Lakewood (south Jeffco schools) or private schools. Sign up from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays, 720-502-4035, chuzefitness.com/ gym-locations/co/littleton/. History buffs: Plan ahead The annual Saving Places Conference, “Preservation in a Changing Colorado,” will be held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. Colorado Preservation Inc. is taking registrations. Dates: Feb. 1-4, 2017. Speakers, sessions on

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Reminder to photographers The 51st Annual “Eye of the Camera” Photography Competition entries are invited by the Littleton Fine Arts Board. Deadline: midnight January 6, 2017. Open to Colorado artists. Juror is Randy Brown. Exhibition dates: Feb. 17 to March 26. Enter: CallforEntry.org. Information: 303-795-3950.

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HOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE Send volunteer opportunities to hharden@coloradocommunitymedia.com 18th Judicial District Attorneyâ€™s Office Domestic Violence Program Provides information and support to crime victims Need: Victim Adocates interact with and support victims of domestic violence. They also provide resource referrals and explain processes to victims. Requirements: 20 hours of training required; volunteers must commit to one morning a week at the Justice Center in Castle Rock. Contact: Mel Secrease, 720-733-4552 or msecrease@da.18.state.co.us. AARP Foundation TaxAide Helps Colorado taxpayers who need assistance prepare and file their tax returns Need: Volunteers for the upcoming tax season. Requirements: Free training provided;

volunteers do not have to be AARP members or retirees. Contact: www.aarp.org/money/taxes/ aarp_taxaide/ or 888-OUR-AARP. Deadline: Apply by Dec. 15 Angel Heart Project Delivers meals to men, women and children with life-threatening illnesses Need: Volunteers willing to deliver meals to clients in the South Denver area. Requirements: Attend an orientation and submit to a background check before volunteering. Training provided to all new drivers. Deliveries start at 1 p.m. and last until 3 p.m. Contact: 303-830-0202 or volunteer@ projectangelheart.org. Animal Rescue of the Rockies Provides foster care for death-row shelter dogs and cats throughout Colorado Need: Foster families for animals on lists to be euthanized Contact: www.animalrescueoftherock-

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TO SOLVE SUDOKU: Numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

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ies.org. ASSE International Student Exchange Program Organizes student exchange programs Need: Local host families to provide homes for boys and girls age 15-18 from a variety of coutries. Contact: Cathy Hintz, 406-488-8325 or 800-733-2773 Audubon Society of Greater Denver Provides engaging and educational birding and wildlife programs at the Audubon Nature Center at Chatfield State Park and throughout the Denver metro area. Need: Volunteers lead birding field trips and assist with nature programs, office projects, fundraising and community events. Location: Chatfield State Park and offsite locations around Denver. Age requirement: 18 years or older for year-round volunteers; 13-17 for summer

camp programs. Contact: Kate Hogan at communityoutreach@denveraudubon.org or 303-9739530. Castle Rock Senior Activity Center Provides services to local seniors Need: Volunteer drivers to take seniors to appointments, the grocery store, pharmacies and more. Contact: Steph Schroeder, 303-6889498 Colorado Humane Society Handles animal abuse and neglect cases Need: Volunteers to care for pregnant cats, dogs and their litters, as well as homes for cats and dogs that require socializing or that are recovering from surgery or injuries. Contact: Teresa Broaddus, 303-961-3925

SEE VOLUNTEERS, P15

December 29, 2016

Elbert County News 13

LOCAL

SPORTS Elizabeth boys team wins in nail-biter

Final-second play ices Cardinals’ victory over Kennedy BY TOM MUNDS TMUNDS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The Dec. 16 Elizabeth boys basketball road game against Kennedy was a seesaw battle. The Cardinals built leads of 10 points on several occasions but the Commanders battled back to keep the game close. But key plays down the stretch earned Elizabeth a 60-56 win. “We are a young team, I am a first-year coach so we are getting to know each other,” Cardinals Coach Eric Steinert said after the game. “We played very well tonight and I am proud of the fact the guys didn’t let the pressure get to them when it got to crunch time down the stretch. It is a big win for us and it is something we can build on as we prepare for the league season.” Key moments Elizabeth built leads as wide as 10 points during the game but each time Kenney would rally and close the gaps. The score was tied on several occa-

sions but the Cardinals appeared to be on the way to a win as they were up 53-42 midway through the final quarter. Kennedy got the points needed so the score was 5856 in the closing seconds. Elizabeth missed a shot and Kennedy got the rebound and called time out with less than two seconds to play. The Commanders moved to bring the ball into play, but Elizabeth’s Garrett Hawkins stole the pass and put it into the hoop as the buzzer sounded, cementing Elizabeth’s 60-56 win. It was the only points Hawkins scored in the game. Key players/statistics Colin Steinke was the Cardinals’ team scoring leader with 17 points that included a trio of threepointers, plus he made six steals. Gage Smith had 10 points, plus he had five rebounds, seven assists and six steals, and Josh Thompson had nine points. Carson Trolley led the team in rebounds with eight. Garrett Hawkins blocked five shots for the Cardinals. They said it Leading scorer Steinke said it was a tough, physical basketball game.

“We put in a new defense, we struggled with it a bit but we worked out. We also did a good job of moving the ball around plus we crashed the boards hard tonight,” he said. “It was an exciting game and Kennedy’s fans were going crazy, particularly at the end when the score was close. We did stay in the lead and didn’t panic even when Kennedy came back to within two points. We just played our game and got the win.” The junior said he felt he played pretty well and he said the win was big for the Cardinals. “It was a tough game against a very good team and we fought hard the whole game and got an important win for us,” he said. “It is a great night for us and helps build our confidence as individuals and as a team.” Going forward The 2016 portion of the schedule is over and the court is dark for the remainder of December. The Cardinals boys resume play with a nonleague home game Jan. 3 against Evergreen and then start league play Jan. 5 on the road against the Classic Academy.

Gage Smith completes an Elizabeth fast break with a layup shot during the Dec. 16 non-league game against Kennedy. Smith had 10 points and five rebounds as the Cardinals turned back a Commander rally to win the game, 60-56. TOM MUNDS

Cardinals take flight over Denver team Olivia Whitworth drives to the hoop looking to complete an Elizabeth fast break ahead of Kennedy defender Briana Ilaoa during the Dec. 16 nonleague game. Whitworth was the Cardinals leading scorer for the game with 17 points as Elizabeth established an early lead, built on the lead and won the game, 6450. TOM MUNDS

Elizabeth girls dominate to win hoops game against Kennedy 64-50 BY TOM MUNDS TMUNDS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Elizabeth girls only gave up the lead once before combining a stingy defense, domination on the boards and good shooting to win the Dec. 16 non-league road game over John F. Kennedy, 64-50. “We are a group of hard-working skilled players this season and we have more varsity experience than we had last year,” Cardinals coach Jaime Schmalz said. “We don’t have a lot of height but our girls are scrappy and battle for rebounds. We try to get inside for shots but we do shoot pretty well outside. Defensive-

ly we tend to go one-on-one almost exclusively.” The coach said the varsity is comprised of juniors and seniors but the Cardinals have strong JV and C-level teams as well. “Our young kids are playing very good basketball and that is good for the future of our teams,” Schmalz said. “We have some tall girls on the younger teams and even some tall girls who are playing eighth-grade basketball at the middle school. We hope all those girls stick with basketball and join our high school team.”

Key moments Elizabeth got ahead 10-4 early, Kennedy came back late in the first quarter to take a 14-13 lead. But the Cardinals scored five unanswered points to take the lead at 18-14 and held the lead for the rest of the game. SEE BASKETBALL, P14

14 Elbert County News

December 29, 2016D

BASKETBALL FROM PAGE 13

Kennedy made a scoring run in the fourth period but the Cardinals sank back-to-back three-pointers to rebuild the lead and went on to win the game, 64-50. Key players/statistics Olivia Whitworth was the Cardinals’ scoring leader against Kennedy with 17 points, Christy Sweigart had 13 and Rachel Rucker scored eight points for Elizabeth. Other statistics for the game were not posted. However, the team statistics for the first five games show Whitworth the team leader in scoring with 53 points, in rebounds with 30, in steals with 13 and in assists with 24. Other statistics for five games recorded that Rachael Rucker scored 53 points in those games, Christy Rucker scored 36 points and pulled down 23 rebounds and Tegan Ross also gained possession of 23 rebounds. They said it Whitworth said the game against Kennedy was about defense. “Our focus coming into the game was defense because we knew if the defense wore them down, we would get the win,” the Cardinals senior said. “On offense we moved the ball really well tonight and that helped us get good shot opportunities.” She said the Cardinals had a bit of a height advantage and used that to crash the boards in an effort to counter Kennedy’s speed and fast tempo style.

After pulling down a rebound, Christy Sweigart looks to get a pass to a teammate to trigger an Elizabeth fast break during the Dec. 16 non-league game. Crashing the boards, a stingy defense and a good shooting night enabled Elizabeth to win the game 64-50 to raise the team record to 3-3. TOM MUNDS “It was a good team game and everyone did their part,” she said. “It was a little frustrating at times but we worked through the frustration, played well and got the win.” Whitworth said she plays basketball all year and, for the high school

season, her goal is to be a first-team all-state selection. Going forward The Dec. 16 win over Kennedy raised the Cardinals record to 3-3 as the court goes dark for the

remainder of 2016. Elizabeth returns to action at home Jan. 3 against Evergreen and begins Class 4A Colorado Springs Metro League play Jan. 5 on the road in Colorado Springs against the Classic Academy.

Classiﬁeds

Classiﬁeds Help Wanted ACTIVITY BUS DRIVERS: Kiowa Schools is accepting applications for part-time Activity Bus Drivers to transport students to and from academic and athletic events. Work schedule is flexible and includes daytime, evening, and week-end driving. The district will provide the necessary training for required licensure. If you have a good driving record and are interested, please contact Mrs. Pearson at 303-621-2220 as soon as possible. Equal Opportunity Employer

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Elbert County News 15

December 29, 2016

VOLUNTEERS FROM PAGE 12

Colorado Refugee English as a Second Language Program Teaches English to recently arrived refugees, who have fled war or persecution in their home country. In Colorado, refugees are from Afghanistan, Burma, Bhutan, Somalia, Iraq, Eritrea and D.R. Congo, among others. Need: Volunteers to teach English. Tutoring takes place in the student’s home. Refugees live throughout Denver, but the largest concentrations are in Thornton, near 88th Avenue and Washington Street, and in east Denver/Aurora, near Colfax Avenue and Yosemite Street. Other details: Tutors do not need to speak the student’s language. Most participants are homebound women and small children, adults who are disabled, and senior citizens. Many are not literate in their first language, and remain isolated from American culture. Requirements: Volunteers must attend training at Emily Griffith Technical College in downtown Denver. Sessions take place every 6-8 weeks. Go to www. refugee-esl.org for information and volunteer application. Next training session is Saturday, July 30. Contact: Sharon McCreary, 720-423-4843 or sharon.mccreary@emilygriffith.edu.

CALENDAR

Court Appointed Special Advocates Works with abused and neglected children in Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties Need: Advocates for children, to get to know, speak up for and ensure their best interests in court Contact: 303-695-1882 or www.adv4children.org.

FROM PAGE 7

Free Legal Clinic: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10 at the Elizabeth Public Library, 651 W. Beverly St., Elizabeth. Volunteer attorneys will answer questions, help fill out forms and explain areas of civil litigation. Walk-ins welcome; all served on first-come, first-served basis. Upcoming 2017 dates are Feb. 14, March 14, April 11, May 9, June 13, July 11, Aug. 8, Sept. 12, Oct. 10, Nov. 14 and Dec. 12.

Denver Asset Building Coalition Provides low-income families with free tax preparation Need: Volunteers to join the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program Requirements: Volunteers are needed from Jan. 28 to April 17. No accounting background necessary; DABC trains all volunteers through an IRS-approved certification. Volunteers can choose their schedule and time commitment. Contact: Marissa Stanger, volunteer coordinator, at 303-388-7030 or marissa@denverabc.org; go to www. denverabc.org.

History’s Hoaxes, Scams, Schemes: 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, at the Philip S. Miller Library, 100 S. Wilcox St., Castle Rock. Presented by Ed Weising. Refreshments at 6:45 p.m. Contact the Castle Rock Historical Society at 303-8143164, museum@castlerockhistoricalsociety. org or www.castlerockhistoricalsociety.org. Admission is free.

Douglas/Elbert Task Force Provides assistance to people in Douglas and Elbert counties who are in serious economic need, at risk of homelessness or in similar crisis. Need: Volunteers to assist in the food bank, client services and the thrift store Treasures on Park Street. Contact: Marion Dahlem, 303-688-1114, ext. 32

Walmart Elizabeth Blood Drive: 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 2100 Legacy Circle, Elizabeth. Inside the bloodmobile. Contact the Bonfils Appointment Center at 303-363-2300 or bonfils.org. Brexit: What Does the Future Hold for the UK and the European Union?: 1-2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, at Castle Rock Senior Center, 2323 Woodlands Blvd., Castle Rock. Presented by Active Minds. Call 303-6889498 to RSVP.

Public Notices Notice To Creditors

Notice To Creditors

Philip S. Miller Library Blood Drive: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at 100 S. Wilcox St., Castle Rock. Inside Meeting Room West. Contact the Bonfils Appointment Center at 303-363-2300 or bonfils.org. Crossroads Community Church Blood Drive: 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, at 9900 S. Twenty Mile Road, Parker. In the adult classroom. Contact the Bonfils Appointment Center at 303-363-2300 or bonfils.org. The Jeff McBride Experience: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10-11 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, at Theatre of Dreams, 735 Park St., Castle Rock. Family-friendly. Fusion of mask, myth, drama, martial arts, dance and illusion. Reservations required; call 303-660-6799 or go to http://tickets.amazingshows.com. [PHOTO] Inside the Orchestra’s Tiny Tots Shows: 9:30-10:15 a.m. and 10:45-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, at CU Denver South, 10035 S. Peoria St., Parker. For ages 6 and younger, and their families. Children surround the 30-plus piece orchestra and interact with the conductor and musicians. Register at insidetheorchestra.org/tiny-tots-events or by calling 303-355-7855. Editor’s note: Calendar submissions must be received by noon Wednesday for publication the following week. Send listings to calendar@ coloradocommunitymedia.com. No attachments, please. Listings areNotice free and run on a Public space-available basis. NOTICE OF PURCHASE OF REAL

Notices

Notice To Creditors

ESTATE AT TAX LIEN SALE AND OF APPLICATION FOR ISSUANCE OF TREASURER’S DEED TSC# 2013-01825

To Every Person in Actual Possession or Occupancy of the hereinafter Described Land, Lot or Premises, and to the Person in Whose Name the Same was Taxed or Specially Assessed, and to all Persons having an Interest or Title of Record in or to the said Premises and To Whom It may Concern, and more especially to:

SPRING VALLEY RANCH HOA You and each of you are hereby notified that on the 18th day of

To advertise yourNovember public notices A.D.2013call 303-566-4100

Misc. Private Legals

PUBLIC NOTICE

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Luvina Marie Smith, aka Luvina M. Smith, aka Luvina Smith, Deceased Case Number: 2016 PR 30038

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of John C. Brooks, Deceased Case Number: 2016 PR 30069

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of DANIEL KEITH LISTUL, a/k/a DANIEL K. LISTUL, a/k/a DANIEL LISTUL, a/k/a DAN K. LISTUL, Deceased Case Number: 2016PR30068

NOTICE OF PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE AT TAX LIEN SALE AND OF APPLICATION FOR ISSUANCE OF TREASURER’S DEED TSC# 2013-01825

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to:

Daniel R. Smith, Personal Representative 8201 S. Santa Fe Drive Lot #234 Littleton, Colorado 80120 Or to the District Court of Elbert County, Colorado on or before April 24, 2017 or the claims may be forever barred. Legal Notice No: 23549 First Publication: December 22, 2016 Last Publication: January 5, 2017 Publisher: Elbert County News

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Elbert County, Colorado on or before May 1, 2017 or the claims may be forever barred. Daniel L. Brooks Personal Representative P.O. Box 987 Kiowa, Colorado 80117

the then County Treasurer of the County of Elbert, in the State of Colorado, sold at public tax lien sale to UEMCO REAL ESTATE FUND LLC the following described real estate situate in the County of Elbert, State of Colorado, to wit: Assessed Value: 60,980

Misc. Private Legals

Legal Description: Section: 32 Township: 6 Range: 64 PAR IN W2Subdivision: RURALA

Assessed To: That said real estate was taxed or specially assessed in the name(s) of SPRING VALLEY RANCH HOA for said year 2012.

That a Treasurer’s Deed will be issued for said real estate to the said Elbert County at 3:00 o’clock P.M., on the 6th day of April, A.D.2017, unless the same has been redeemed.

Said property may be redeemed from said sale at any time prior to the actual execution of said Treasurer’s Deed. Witness my hand this 12thth day of December, 2016 A. D.

Get Involved!

Legal Notice No: 23577 First Publication: December 29, 2016 Last Publication: January 12, 2107 Publisher: Elbert County News

Lisa D. Cohen Personal Representative c/o Kelly S. Hansen Hansen Law LLC 117 Main Ave., P.O. Box 400 Akron, CO 80720 (970) 345-2219

SPRING VALLEY RANCH HOA You and each of you are hereby notified that on the 18th day of November A.D.2013

Legal Notice No.: 23578 First Publication: December 29, 2016 Last Publication: January 12, 2017 Publisher: The Elbert County News

Richard Pettitt County Treasurer of Elbert County

Legal Notice No.: 23575 First Publication: December 22, 2016 Last Publication: January 5, 2016 Publisher: Elbert County News

Legal Description: Section: 32 Township: 6 Range: 64 PAR IN W2Subdivision: RURALA

Assessed To: That said real estate was taxed or specially assessed in the name(s) of SPRING VALLEY RANCH HOA for said year 2012.

That a Treasurer’s Deed will be issued for said real estate to the said Elbert County at 3:00 o’clock P.M., on the 6th day of April, A.D.2017, unless the same has been redeemed.

Facts do not cease to exist b because they are re ignored. ignored. - Aldous Huxley

Every day, the government thisofone at any time makes prior to decisions the actual that execution saidto publish public notices since the birth Deed. Witness my hand 12thth can affect your life. Treasurer’s Whether they are decisions on this of the nation. Local newspapers remain the most of December, 2016 A. D.other trusted source of public notice information. This zoning, taxes, newday businesses or myriad issues, governmentsRichard play a big role in your life. newspaper publishes the information you need Pettitt Governments have relied on newspapers like to stay involved in your community. County Treasurer of Elbert County Said property may be redeemed from said sale

Notices are meant toPublication: be noticed. Last January 5, 2016 County News Read your publicPublisher: noticesElbert and get involved!

Legal Notice No.: 23575 First Publication: December 22, 2016

Elbert * 1

16 Elbert County News

December 29, 2016D

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