December 3, 2015
Become a weekly subscriber for as little as 38¢ per week.
VOLUM E 127 | IS S U E 1 9 | 75¢
See ad inside for details.
A publication of
A R A P A H O E C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
LittletonIndependent.net
Littleton unwraps birthday present Brightly colored boxes spread cheer downtown By Jennifer Smith jsmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Santa Claus heads west on Main Street toward the awaiting and excited crowd. Despite below-freezing temperatures, hundreds turned out to welcome the jolly old elf to Littleton’s 32nd annual Candlelight Walk. Photos by Jennifer Smith
Downtown with Good St. Nick Jolly old elf brings shiny new friends Staff report Littleton’s 32nd annual Candlelight Walk arrived downtown with a bit more flair this year than in the past. Making their debut were the Ice Princess and her courtiers, which included dancing elves, who led the way to announce that Santa Claus was not far behind. He did not disappoint, magically illuminating the holiday lights on each block as he approached them — than a million lights total — Christmas continues on Page 5
Littleton’s Ice Princess, accompanied by her courtiers, made her debut during this year’s Candlelight Walk, held downtown on Nov. 27.
The season for ugly Christmas sweaters
On Nov. 23, Littleton got a brightly colored, beautifully decorated box for its 125th birthday, and there are 59 more on the way. “Littleton is an older town, very nice and unique,” said Ashley Salazar, president of Sheridan High School’s National Art Honors Society. “It’s had so many years of seasons, we thought it would be nice to incorporate them. And since it’s its 125th birthday, we wanted to make sure we had the historical part incorporated, too.” So she and the 12 other members of the society, led by teacher Karen Spotts, set about to create the first design to be painted on one of the 60 boring, greenishgray electrical boxes that keep downtown Littleton abuzz. Member Naya Ziegler sketched the design, making sure to include input from all of her colleagues. “It’s really neat that we were actually able to be part of it, and get our skills and our talent as part of history,” said Ziegler. Each side of the first beautified box, on the southeast corner of Main and Nevada streets, represents a different season, and the train engine on the west-facing side boasts the number “125” in honor of Littleton’s quasquicentennial celebration. “This is wonderful, and I’m so excited,” said Sudee Floyd, the owner of Outnumbered Gallery on Prince Street. She’s helping organize the project, which will bring in various groups and artists to glamorize the remaining 59 boxes. Boxes continues on Page 5
Unique selection at consignment shop on County Line Road By Alex DeWind adewind@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Clothing-X-Change has everything from classic Eddie Bauer knits to hand-stitched cardigans, just in time for National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day on Dec. 18. Photo by Alex DeWind
An ugly Christmas sweater should be somewhat obnoxious, a little tacky and — most importantly — fun. At one Littleton consignment store, you’ll find many to fit that definition. Clothing-X-Change has more than 400 vintage sweaters that are hand-decorated with festive ornaments, blinking lights and other comical trinkets. “People just think it’s a hoot,” owner Sweaters continues on Page 5
Naya Ziegler, left, and Ashley Salazar lead the team of Sheridan High School students who adorned the first of 60 electrical boxes that will ultimately be decorated in downtown Littleton. Photo by Jennifer Smith
LITTLETON INDEPENDENT (ISSN 1058-7837) (USPS 315-780) OFFICE: 2550 W. Main St., Littleton, CO 80120 | PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Littleton, Colorado, the Littleton Independent is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 2550 W. Main St., Littleton, CO 80120. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT LITTLETON, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 5 p.m. | Classifieds: Tue. 8 a.m. | Obits: Tue. 11 a.m. | Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m.