February 4, 2016 VOLUME 92 | ISSUE 25
SPECIAL SECTION INSIDE LakewoodSentinel.com J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
FRED MATAMOROS/GATEHOUSE MEDIA
FOLIO INFORMATION GOES HERE
A LOOK AT LOVE How love is demonstrated in religion is examined on PAGE 19.
W Rail draws riders, spurs development Vikki King founded ART @ 6 with her husband Brian after moving to the 40 West Arts District. Here she shows the pair’s works to visitors during the gallery’s opening on Jan. 29. Photo by Clarke Reader
40 West draws creativity ART @ 6 sets up at in-demand 40 West Studios By Clarke Reader creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com The 40 West Arts District has been among the leaders of the West Colfax renaissance, and the organization’s efforts are bearing a variety of fruits. One of them is the new ART @ 6 gallery and studio, created by Vikki and Brian King as a place to work on and display their fine art, jewelry and décor. “We looked at other arts districts all over Colorado, but the overhead costs were just too high,” Brian said, who moved to the area from Albuquerque, New Mexico. “We had lost hope, but on the way out of town we decided to stop by 40 West, and that changed everything.”
Bill Marino, chair of the district, has been one of 40 West’s greatest champions. In this case he provided all the information needed for the Kings to fall in love with the area. “There is no pretense, and it was so welcoming here,” Brian said. “At many of the other districts we looked at, there was friendliness but no openness, and that’s a big difference.” The Kings set up ART @ 6 in the new 40 West Studios building, located at 1615 Reed St. The studio have long been a goal of Marino and the district. After being open for just three months, it’s already full. “There are 16 spaces in the building — a building that we as a district lease to these artists,” Marino explained. “The studios have a great vibe, and there’s a wonderful group of creatives there.”
By Clarke Reader creader@colorado communitymedia.com Immediately following the November election, old and new members of the Lakewood City Council spoke excitedly about the culture change reflected in the victories of the so-called “antiestablishment” candidates. The group campaigned against what they described as reckless housing development. They called for more local government transparency, and were supported by some on the council who found
a great vibe, and there’s a wonderful group of creatives there.’ Bill Marino, 40 West Arts District chair
40 West continues on Page 20
Council strives to let all members be heard New group aims for civility in discussions
‘The studios have
themselves at odds with the majority. Ward 1 Councilwoman Ramey Johnson, Ward 3 Councilman Pete Roybal and Ward 4 Councilman Dave Wiechman were usually the nay votes on most issues under former mayor Bob Murphy. They said they often felt treated as outsiders because of this. “Things were so bad under the Murphy regime that almost anything would be better,” Wiechman said. “We’re seeing some improvements, but it’s still not totally equal yet.” Murphy said council members are elected to serve the public, and the public rightfully expects Council continues on Page 4
DIGGING OUT
Lakewood resident Andy Maikovich shovels out his driveway near 19th Avenue and Balsam Street on Wednesday afternoon. The 20-year resident of the area said the total snow accumulation for his neighborhood was around 12-14 inches. Photo by Glenn Wallace
Estimated 12,500 weekday riders using service By Clarke Reader creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com Lakewood resident Alisha Eversole and her husband recently moved from Denver, where they used the light rail for any trip that wasn’t walking distance. But although the transition from city to suburban life has been a bit bumpy, she said, one facet hasn’t changed: She can still take the light rail for those longer trips. “Having the W Rail readily available almost makes me forget that I’m no longer living in an urban For more information area,” Eversole on the W Rail stasaid. tions, schedule and It will be three tickets, visit www. years in April rtd-denver.com/ since the W Rail WestRailLine.shtml carried its first riders up and down the corridor. Years of planning, construction and development finally brought the completion of the first of RTD’s FasTracks projects. There are 11 stations along the line. Now, with the East Line out to Denver International Airport and the Gold Line to Arvada and Wheat Ridge nearing completion, the W Rail is a window into the future for many communities. With a current W Rail ridership of about 12,500 weekday riders, RTD is still finding ways to fine-tune service for riders. “It is not uncommon for us to reevaluate service changes that we instituted around opening of rail lines at the request of our customers,” wrote Tina Jaquez, RTD public relations manager, in an email interview. “Many times we receive feedback from our riders that indicates the changes we made with the new rail line do not work well for the community. So we take a look at that and make further adjustments after a line opens.” When the line first opened, many residents were concerned about changes in bus routes. RTD held several meetings to make the necessary adjustments. “Initially, I think ridership was a little less than they (RTD) were expecting,
HOW TO RIDE THE W LINE:
Rail continues on Page 6