Sentinel Lakewood
August 1, 2013 A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourlakewoodnews.com
Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 89, Issue 51
Stories weave spells Jeffco group looking for more storytellers By Clarke Reader
creader@ourcoloradonews.com
Statues outside of Fox Hollow Golf Course, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this week. Photos by Clarke Reader
Fox Hollow celebrates two decades of golf Course one of top rated in state By Clarke Reader
creader@ourcoloradonews.com Fox Hollow Golf Course is celebrating its 20th anniversary this week with savings and contests for golfers who have come to call the course home. The course, 13410 W. Morrison Road, was officially opened on July 31, 1993 and since then has become a favorite for golfers not only from Lakewood, but the surrounding cities as well. “Fox Hollow is one of the top courses in the area, and has won awards as a city course,” said Meghan Ruble, marketing and promotions specialist with the city. “We wanted to take a week and have some time to give back to the people who have made it great.” Golfers will receive a complimentary cart Thursday, Aug. 1, with their tee times; on Friday, Aug. 2 golfers can try to beat the pro’s score; on Saturday, Aug. 3, Cleveland Golf, Taylor Made, Adams Golf and Ping will have some of their newest equipment on display, and there will be a patio grill after each round. According to Ruble, many of the events during the week are directly tied to the 20th anniversary. On Wednesday, July 31, the actual day the course opened, the price for a round was $22 — the same as the day Fox Hollow opened. Bill Jewel, regional parks and golf manager, has been working with Lakewood since 1977, and was part of the team that
Golfers using the driving range at Fox Hollow Golf Course. The course is celebrating its 20th anniversary this week. had the course built. “The land was part of property owned by the Corp of Engineers, and Foothills Recreation leased it briefly for a time before Lakewood got it,” Jewell said. “The property was 2,200 acres. We set aside 450 for the course and the rest went to what would become Bear Creek Lake Park.” Construction on Fox Hollow started in 1991 and wrapped in 1993. Since then, Jewell said there has been very little maintenance work done, but it will need to have
an eye kept on it. “The course has been great, and very well received, but there is a ‘graying’ process with anything,” he said. “We just need to stay up on things and pay attention.” The course is consistently voted among the top courses by players, and has been recognized by the PGA for its junior golf programs. For more information on Fox Hollow, call 303-986-7888 or visit www.lakewoodgolf.org.
Police search for missing sexually violent predator By Clarke Reader
creader@ourcoloradonews. com Lakewood Police are searching for Nick R. Medina, 38, a sexually violent predator, who has vanished from his residence at 5601 W. Colfax Ave., No. 7. Medina was released from
the Colorado Department of Corrections in mid-June, and due to his status as a SVP (sexually violent predator) he is required to notify Lakewood Police of his residence. Medina gave the Colfax Ave. address to police on June 13. As part of standing operating procedure, police often check the addresses of SVP to make sure they are living at the address
they gave. Earlier this month police checked the address and found he had left without notifying any Medina authorities. He has not been seen or heard from since. Medina’s original crime and
conviction was for the sexual assault of a child. He has also been known to be involved in gang activity. There are two warrants for his arrest. The police is asking anyone who sees or has any information on Medina to contact them at 303-987-7111. He is considered dangerous and the public should not attempt to contact him.
Storytelling is an art, and the members of the Jeffco Spellbinders organization have the art down to a “T.” The Jeffco chapter of the national organization currently has about 70 storytellers going out to schools, churches and senior centers all over the county, using the ancient art of storytelling to entertain. Those interested in joining the organization have the chance, with new training starting on Aug. 10. “The organization itself has been around for about 19 years,” said LaRene Wolfe, the new chapter leader of the Spellbinders. “1999 was when our chapter started.” Beverly Brayden founded the Jeffco chapter. The group is made up entirely of volunteers — many of whom are retired teachers — who still have a love for working with children and educating them about the power of words. “When I was a teacher we had an artist in residence who was a storyteller, and I remember thinking when I retired that’s something I’d like to do,” Wolfe said. “It’s really a great kid fix for teachers who are retired.” Linda Boettcher, the chapter’s former leader, has been a member since 2001, and said the growth of the organization has been amazing to see. “We go to places like the grocery store and on walks and we get kids who recognize us,” she said. “We usually have more requests for storytellers than we have people to send.” According to Boettcher, most of the Spellbinders are known in the community, so they are able to set up partnerships with nearby schools to come and tell stories. The organization does have a volunteer coordinator who works on outreach as well. Hearing stories not only helps students build up their imagination, but also is a great way to teach students, Wolfe said. “I try to use stories that are tied into the curriculum of what they’re doing in school,” she said. “We will also point out features of stories like beginning, middle and end, to help them grasp these concepts.” For those interested in taking part in the program, there is a four-session training process, that adds up to about 12 hours of practice. In the sessions people will learn things like voice projection, gesture, voice changes for characters and keeping a story flowing. “You have to enjoy a story to tell it well,” Wolfe said. For Boettcher, being a Spellbinder is a way to give back to the community. “It’s this great inner-generational relationship,” she said. “Last year about 15,000 students heard our stories, and it’s a great way to connect and contribute to the community.” Those interested in training for the Jeffco Spellbinders should contact Boettcher at 303-984-2225 or at jcspellbinders@comcast.net.
Printed on recycled newsprint. Please recycle this copy.