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SAVE THE DATE Couples’ plans postponed as vendors brace for industry impacts amid COVID-19 P16

APRIL 9, 2020

JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO

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Jeffco has announced that students will not return to the classroom this school year P9

LIFE IN LAKEWOOD

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TAKING CARE Child cares open but struggling

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THE BOTTOM LINE

“Studies show there is really every reason to use these nonmedical masks.”

Gov. Jared Polis | P2 INSIDE

VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 16

LakewoodSentinel.com

VOLUME 96 | ISSUE 33

2 Lakewood Sentinel

April 9, 2020A

Polis urges Coloradans to wear cloth masks in public Governor’s guidance on COVID-19 came as White House was expected to issue similar advice

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Gov. Jared Polis wants Colorado “converting to a mask culture.”

That’s how the governor put it during a news conference where he urged Coloradans to wear face coverings any time they go out of the house for groceries or other essential reasons.

“If you’ve been around grocery stores, you’re noticing people are wearing cloth masks,” Polis said at the April 3 conference. “We want everyone to model that behavior.”

Pausing at multiple points in the news conference to put on his own Colorado-themed cloth mask and speak through it, Polis referenced Asian countries — such as South Korea — that have had notable success in containing COVID-19, the disease caused by a widespread coronavirus.

Those countries “already have a strong mask culture,” and in Japan, for instance, if people are ill, they wear masks on the street “even on a normal day,” Polis said.

At the time, the White House had been expected to advise Americans to wear cloth masks in public in areas where COVID-19 is widespread, according to national news outlets. Shortly after Polis’ address, President Donald Trump announced the guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which says to wear cloth face coverings in crowded public settings such as grocery stores and pharmacies.

The governor framed the need to wear masks as “your patriotic duty,” adding that the more people wear masks and stay home, the sooner the state can lift restrictions such as its stay-at-home order.

The masks are “literally allowing us to return to work sooner” and save more lives, Polis said.

The governor drew a distinction, though: Medical masks such as “N95s” should be reserved for medical workers, but everyone else is advised to make masks out of fabric in their home, such from old T-shirts, Polis said.

“It’s about making it cool so everyone else will do it,” Polis said, urging Coloradans to show their creativity on social media. Polis, who has been vocal about leaning on public buy-in and voluntary compliance in fighting the spread of COVID-19, showed a public service announcement-style video from Nathaniel Rateliff, a Denver-based folk rock artist, encouraging the public to wear masks.

Fashioning a mask out of a T-shirt with scissors and tying it is what Polis advised, also suggesting using a rubber band.

“Studies show there is really every reason to use these non-medical masks,” said Polis, adding that fabrics can filter the respiratory droplets that transfer the virus. Those droplets are produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, according to the CDC. After a use of the mask, Coloradans should put it in a washing machine or, if a home doesn’t have one, wash it in the hot water in the sink, Polis said. He suggested Coloradans wash their hands for at least 20 seconds and wash their faces afterward.

Wearing a mask indoors won’t protect a person from a household member

who has COVID-19 — they still need to be isolated at home, Polis said.

The state has partnered with an effort called the Colorado Mask Project and is working with private partners who are donating at least 100,000 masks a week. Those will be distributed to Colorado’s “vulnerable residents” and workers, according to another official at the news conference. That includes homeless service providers and people experiencing homelessness, according to the governor’s office news release.

Polis repeated that it is “very likely” the statewide stay-at-home order will need to be extended. He mentioned the White House social distancing guidelines’ new end date of April 30 but didn’t confirm how long Colorado’s order would last if extended.

The order — which requires Coloradans to stay home except to leave for certain necessities, such as shopping for groceries or caring for a family member — went into effect March 26, and the effect it has on COVID-19’s spread won’t be clear until around April 7, due to how long symptoms can take to appear, according to the governor. The order has an expiration date of April 11.

munity to donate medical supplies. The name of the hospital, and supply donation website included a misspelling.

The website for more information and a full list of supplies can be found at sclhealth.org/donate-supplies/.

To report any corrections or clarifications please call 303-566-4129 or email gwallace@coloradocommunitymedia.com.

CORRECTION

A story in last week’s edition discussed the Lutheran Medical Center, owned by SCL Health, asking the com-

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April 9, 2020

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Newspaper Headline Gave a Distorted Picture of Real Estate Market Under Covid-19

“Hundreds of sellers pull their homes off market,” read the lead headline on the Business page of last Friday’s Denver Post, but the first sentence of the article noted that “thousands [of sellers] went the other way, rushing to list their homes before a major downtown made a sale tougher to achieve.”

The reporter was referring to March statistics quoted by the chair of the market trends committee of the Denver Metro Association of Realtors.

Let’s look at the actual numbers. Yes, 184 listings that were entered during the month of March were “expired” on the MLS by month’s end. Another 443 listings were “withdrawn,” which means the listing agreement is still in effect, but it is not displayed on the MLS until it is made “active” again.

However, 3,525 listings entered last month are already under contract as I write this on April 5th, and another 467 listings have already closed. Of the ones that closed, 179 were sold before being entered on the MLS, and of the 308 that were exposed to MLS users as active and had already closed by this past weekend, only 13 took longer than a week to go under contract.

As I write this on April 5th, there are still 4,289 listings that were entered on the MLS during March and are still active.

So, yes, 184 sellers decided not to sell

during March, but 8,122 sellers made their homes active on REcolorado during March and did not withdraw or expire them. Another 443 sellers kept their listing agreement active but without exposure on the MLS. Presumably their listing agents can still sell those listings privately, perhaps keeping their entire commission instead of having to share it with a buyer’s agent.

So the headline was sort of accurate.

By the way, unless the practice has changed since I was a reporter at the Washington Post and then a headline writer at the New York Post, reporters have no say in the headlines that appear above their articles. Instead, a headline writer on the “copy desk” reads the article briefly and writes a headline that fits the assigned character count. As a result, sometimes the headline doesn’t truly reflect the gist of the article, and that may be the case with last Friday’s article.

From the New York Post, I went on to publish several community newspapers in New York City and instructed my reporters to write their own headlines, not knowing what the character count had to be, so the editor had the reporter’s headline as a guide as he rewrote it to fit.

Getting back to real estate — sorry, I had to vent! — here are the numbers from March 2019: A total of 7,968 listings were entered

Business coaches exist in every industry, and I’ve dabbled in hiring a coach over the years.

When I first entered the business, I had a mustache, and Mike Ferry, the best known of all real estate coaches, said to shave it off because “people don’t trust agents with facial hair.” A week later I asked a seller why he listed with someone else, and he said, “Well, I didn’t trust you.” Off it came!

Recently I was offered a free onehour coaching session with a lesserknown coach, and I accepted the offer.

During the session, he thought I was giving my services away too cheap. He said I should charge 7% and not reduce my commission when I don’t have to share it with a buyer’s agent. (I charge 5.6% and reduce it to 4.6% if I doubleend a transaction.)

He didn’t like that I further reduce my commission when I earn a commission on the purchase of a seller’s replacement home and that I provide totally free moving in that situation, too.

“You’re worth more than that,” he said. I didn’t hire him as my coach.

Real Estate Coach Thinks I Should Charge Much More Than I Do. What Do You Think?

as “active” during March 2019, which is fewer than this year, even if you include the 70 listings that were withdrawn by month’s end. So, not only was the headline misleading, but this March showed increased activity over March 2019.

The fact that 70 listings were expired prematurely in a “normal” month suggests that not all 184 expired listings this

year should be attributed to Covid-19.

The market was “hotter” last year, in that over 400 of that month’s listings went under contract in less than 7 days compared to just under 300 this March.

I invite any and all reporters writing about real estate statistics to let me fact check their conclusions prior to publication. And suggest your own headlines!

Here’s a Follow-up to My Analysis of the Denver Real Estate Market for March 22-28

In last week’s column (which you can read at www.JimSmithColumns.com), I showed how the market continued to be active from March 22nd to 28nd, despite the growing impact of Covid-19 and imposition of a stay-at-home order.

It seems appropriate for me to do a similar analysis of the following week which ended last Saturday, April 4th.

This time I limited the stats to listings on REcolorado that were within a 20mile radius of the state capitol, since our MLS includes many far-flung listings.

What I found is that between March 29th and April 4th, there were 1,136 new listings, 884 of which were still active on Monday, April 6th. 207 of them went under contract by week’s end, and 19 were withdrawn or expired.

This compares to 1,651 new listings during the same 7 days in 2019, of which 329 were under contract by April 6th of that year. Only 4 listings were expired or withdrawn immediately.

Since those numbers were about 50% higher than this year, I analyzed the same 7-day periods in 2016, 2017 and 2018, and was surprised to see that last year was an anomaly. During the same 7 days of all three prior years, the number of new listings was roughly the same as

this year, although the number of quick contracts was much higher, as you’d expect from the stronger seller’s market that we were experiencing during those years.

In 2018, there were 1,192 new listings during the same 7-day period, 51 of which were entered as already sold. Of the “active” listings, 290 were under contract within that 7-day period and 4 were expired.

In 2017, there were 1,161 new listings during the same 7-day period, 58 of which were entered as sold. Of the “active” listings, 413 were under contract within the same 7 days, and 3 were expired immediately.

In 2016, 1,285 new listings were entered during the same 7-day period, 50 of which were entered as sold. Of the “active” listings, 392 were under contract during that 7-day period, and 7 were expired immediately.

Undoubtedly some sellers kept their homes off the MLS this year because of Covid-19, but still a lot of homes were made active this year, comparable to 3 of the past 4 years for that period. Listings are not going under contract nearly as fast, but it’s still impressive how many of them are selling quickly.

Jim Smith

Broker/Owner, 303-525-1851 Jim@GoldenRealEstate.com Broker Associates:

See All Our Listings, Active & Under Contract, at www.GREListings.com

JIM SWANSON — 303-929-2727 CARRIE LOVINGIER — 303-907-1278 KRISTI BRUNEL — 303-525-2520 CHUCK BROWN — 303-885-7855 DAVID DLUGASCH — 303-908-4835 ANDREW LESKO — 720-710-1000 CAROL MILAN — 720-982-4941

4 Lakewood Sentinel

April 9, 2020A

What the stay-at-home order looks like in Lakewood The stay-at-home order lasts in the state until April 11

BY JOSEPH RIOS JRIOS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

College campuses and shopping centers are empty.

School playgrounds are quiet and are going unused.

Parks are occupied, but still, there is a strange feeling throughout Lakewood.

On March 25, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis announced a stay-at-home order throughout the state. The order is scheduled to end April 11, but until then, popular areas of Lakewood are largely vacant.

An empty parking lot at Colorado Mills Mall. The mall has been temporary closed due to the pandemic, aside from Target and Yard House which remain open.

PHOTOS BY JOSEPH RIOS

Noah Kapustka practices soccer at Belmar School of Integrated Arts. Kapustka, a student at Rocky Mountain Deaf School, plays soccer for the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club.

Jacob Stock walks his dog Luna on March 30 through Addenbrooke Park. Stock said he had nothing better to do, so he decided to take Luna on a walk while he played Pokemon Go.

Colorado Christian University’s campus. Typically, Colorado Christian University would be filled with students, but COVID-19 forced the university to shutdown and carry out online classes for the rest of the semester. Other universities throughout the state have moved to online learning due to the pandemic like Colorado State University and Colorado School of Mines.

With schools being shut downthe rest of the school year, the playground at Belmar School of Integrated Arts is going unused.

The school has shifted to online learning along with other Jeffco Public Schools.

Belmar has temporary suspended its hours from March 23 until April 6. The shopping center’s streets were empty as can be on March 30.

Lakewood Sentinel 5

April 9, 2020

Englewood man accused of attempted homicide in Lakewood One man recovering from gun shot and accused taken into custody STAFF REPORT

An Englewood man has been jailed in connection to a shooting in Lakewood.

On April 4, Lakewood Police were called to the 12600 block of West Mississippi Avenue on reports of shots

fired, according to a release from the police department.

When officers arrived to the scene, they found a man suffering from at least one gunshot wound, the release says. The man was taken to a hospital with serious injuries, and his name is not being identified right now.

An investigation led to the arrest of Michael David Counterman of Englewood at a nearby residence in Lakewood hours after the shooting, the release reads. The 40-year-old was jailed on attempted homicide and possession of a weapon by a previous

offender.

Escapees captured Two juvenile escapees from Jefferson County’s Mount View Youth Services Center at 7862 W. Mansfield Parkway have been arrested by Lakewood Police and Denver Police.

Emilio Domingues and Eduardo Ruelas, both 17, escaped from the facility on April 4 after assaulting a staff member, the Denver Post reported.

On the morning of April 5, a Lakewood Police officer located a vehicle taken in a carjacking earlier in that

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same day, according to a release from the police department. The vehicle was allegedly occupied by Domingues and Ruelas according to officers.

Lakewood Police chased the vehicle until it crashed in the area of West Fifth Avenue and Newton Street in Denver, the release says.

Domingues and Ruelas then fled from the vehicle and were arrested shortly after by Lakewood Police and Denver Police in the same area where the crashed occurred, the release reads.

Nobody was injured in the incident.

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Call my FREE 24/7 real estate information line if you have any questions about buying or selling home during this time of uncertainty.

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COVID-19 Facts and Tips

by Kathy Muni

I hope this finds you and your family well.

Below is information provided by John Hopkins University that may prove helpful.

Covid-19 Facts • The virus is not alive but is a protein molecule covered by a protective layer of fat. The virus will disintegrate on fabric in around 3 hours, copper and wood in 4 hours, 24 hours for cardboard, 42 hours for metal, and 72 hours for plastic. Do not use a feather duster; the virus floats in the air for up to 3 hours and can lodge in your nose. Touching your eyes, nose and mouth with hands that have not been cleaned is the primary cause of becoming sick.

The importance of proper handwashing: • The virus is very fragile and is protected by a thin outer layer of fat. Washing with any soap or detergent dissolves the fat layer. Use water that is above 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Wash your hands before and after touching your face, food, locks, knobs, switches, remote control, cell phone, watches, computers, desks, TV, etc.

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Other tips for stopping the virus: • Any mixture with over 65% alcohol dissolves the fat around the virus.

• A solution of 1-part bleach and 5-parts water will dissolve the protein and may be used to disinfect your countertops and surfaces. (Fabrics may “bleach out,” so be careful.)

Silver Leaf Mortgage has implemented safety protocols to continue to serve the community to get you the financial resources you need. For information about how a reverse mortgage can help you preserve your assets and help with monthly cash flow, call the Reverse Mortgage Experts at Silver Leaf Mortgage.

Kathy Muni, NMLS #1368981, is Senior Vice President and Reverse Mortgage Specialist at Silver Leaf Mortgage in Centennial.

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SLM NMLS #1394377 is an Equal Housing Lender. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Regulated by the Department of Real Estate.

6 Lakewood Sentinel

April 9, 2020A

COVID-19’S IMPACT: “It’s the most impactful not being able to get together with friends for us and for our daughter. Thankfully, there’s technology. We FaceTime and have tea parties over the phone. We don’t tell her the really scary stuff, but we explained to her that we need to be mindful. She knows she can’t play on the playground.

We went to Walmart and she was really good about not touching anything.

We’re approaching it as: If we’re sick, we don’t want to get anyone else sick.

She’s been a trooper and she hasn’t complained. We’ll get through it.”

— Emily Costner, 35, Arvada, Emily Costner and her daughter, Adeline CASEY VAN DIVIER marketer for financial adviser “I work at Regis University for their catering department. I have been off work the last couple of weeks and just went back to work there on a part-time basis. I’m just trying to figure out how things are going to work, how long this is going to last, and I am looking to see if I qualify as a small business, because I do not have any employees. It is uncertain. I can’t see family or friends. My parents are older and have some underlying health issues. It makes us nervous that we can’t see anyone, and I am financially nervous.

I am trying to stay home and be safe.”

— Rachel Lucero. Age 52.

Lakewood resident. Food service provider at Regis University and owner of LuEllen’s Gifts & Cards at the Colorado Mills Mall

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Voices from the community “(The COVID-19 pandemic) has changed my forecast on how I see relationships and how I have planned for the relationships in my life with my family, friends and for work. It has created a lot of uncertainty. I am in a position where I have no family in Colorado. All of my family lives in Wisconsin. The uncertainty of not knowing when we’ll see each other is pretty heavy.”

— Kelly Theiler. Age 36. Lakewood resident and real estate agent

“I am a little more prepared than some people. I grew up on a farm, so we always have a good supply of things that we might need in events like a blizzard. That happens fairly often in Fort Collins — the area where I grew up. I volunteer for a lot of different situations, like the Jefferson County Boys & Girls Club. I have not left the house since March 12.”

— Sue King, 81 years old. Lakewood resident and former Lakewood City Councilmember “I think it’s been pretty eye-opening from the point of view of what we are capable of as a community and just humans in general. It’s been tough but we are staying busy enough at Nosu to keep the doors open. Right now I am here at the restaurant six or seven days a week because we can’t afford to pay a whole staff right now. So that’s kind of been my social distancing.”

— Tommy Kummer, 33, Golden, Chef at Nosu Ramen

Lakewood Sentinel 7

April 9, 2020

Jefferson County

Good News Breakfast Join us in Celebrating the 2020 Good News Breakfast Honorees Although the actual breakfast was cancelled to help protect and safeguard our Jeffco community, it is with steadfast hearts that we hold up the values of the Good News Breakfast to share good news.

Our 2020 theme, Enriching the Earth, Enhancing the Future, honors individuals and organizations that work to preserve and sustain the water, air, and/or soil in our community; implemented change that will carry us into our future; and make a difference in our environment and inspire others.

Alicia Asmus

Alicia, a sixth grade science teacher at Moore Middle School, has taken the lead on the Lake Arbor learning project. She coordinates the project with Moore’s sixth grade teaching team, community members and the city of Arvada to create a unique learning experience. The project was created after local residents started to experience a pungent odor and see signs about poor air quality. Blue-green algae in the lake alarmed the neighborhood. Alicia assembled a team of environmental experts to help guide the students and research a solution for the water quality problem.

Madhvi Chittoor

Now an eight-year-old, Madhvi founded Madhvi4EcoEthics when she was just six. She strives to fight climate change and protect our ecosystems.

She has worked with U.S.Rep. Ed Perlmutter, Gov. John Hickenlooper and Gov. Jared Polis to declare April as Plastic and Styrofoam Pollution Awareness Month. Through her efforts, there are currently two bills in the Colorado House and Senate to ban Styrofoam and single-use plastic. Her advocacy has eliminated 7.6 million Styrofoam containers from the landfill annually. She is also an author and music composer. Madhvi donates her album proceeds to rejuvenation efforts after the Australian bush fires.

Colorado School of Mines Solar Decathlon/Tiny House Club

The Decathlon/Tiny House Club started four years ago and is building an off-the-grid, net-zero tiny house. The club competed in and won a Solar Decathlon last fall. Students designed and built a solar energy decathlon home that produces sufficient energy to meet a family’s needs including powering an electric vehicle and producing surplus power that gets contributed back to the grid. Features include gray water collection, cleaned through constructive wetlands, and compressed earth bricks.

Dawn Hendry

Dawn is passionate about enriching the earth and being a role model for children. She is the sponsor of the “Green Team” at Welchester Elementary. This group of kids has composted over 27,000 pounds of food and recycled over 12,500 lunch trays in the last two years! They also wrote to the Jeffco School Board, encouraging the Board to require all schools to use compostable trays. The team maintains a Certified Pollinator Habitat Garden on school grounds and distributes earth worms on Earth Day. Dawn teaches kids about climate change, how to be “Community Scientists,” and how to use organic gardening techniques.

K-Kids of Westridge Elementary

The K-Kids of Westridge have been collecting TerraCycle items for 2 ½ years. TerraCycle is a program that up cycles difficult to recycle materials into new products and prevents these items from being sent to a landfill.

There are TerraCycle containers in each classroom, and K-Kids have created a video to promote the program. The school has earned $150 thus far this year through this recycling effort.

Melissa Kraai and the SustainAbility staff

Melissa began SustainAbility with the vision that everyone deserves dignity, respect and meaningful employment. She merged her background in human services with her love of the environment to create SustainAbility, a diverse company, now a decade old, that employs 120 individuals with disabilities and has recycled over 7,000 tons of material.

Tom Quinn

Tom works with communities to become sustainable by fostering a thriving society, economy and environment. He created the first annual Alameda Connects Sustainability Summit for business owners and community members. He developed the Lakewood Green Business Alliance, which helps Lakewood residents and businesses focus on actionable sustainability efforts year-round. He has also worked with the Rooney Ranch Recycling Center and sustainability efforts at Belmar’s Italian Festival and the Lakewood Farmers Market.

Sheila Townsend

For over 30 years, Sheila has been a warrior for a clean environment, sustainability and human animal care. As a leader of the Golden Earth Day Committee, she helped remove over 70 junk cars from Lookout Mountain and planted hundreds of trees. She regularly cleans three miles of Clear Creek Canyon. Sheila organizes the Metro Denver Green Homes Tour, promoting sustainable lifestyles. She has coordinated a foster program for unwanted pets and collects unwanted pet food and supplies twice a week to redistribute to rescue pets.

Sandie Weathers

Sandie is an ardent and passionate environmentalist who founded Zero Waste Services, a nonprofit dedicated to identifying opportunities to improve water diversion for local and state governments, private companies and nonprofits. She has served on the board of the RC Foundation, supported the Rooney Road Recycling Center, chaired Belmar Sustainable Neighborhoods, and organized countless workshops and clothing swaps. Sandie has consulted with Lakewood and Jefferson County and created a five-year plan to convert the Italian Festival to a zero-waste event.

Nominees Serve Our Community

The nominees for 2020 were all outstanding representatives of our community and truly protect and preserve our environment.

In addition to the honorees, nominees are: • Arvada United Methodist Church

• Colorado Environmental Film Festival

• Morse Park Sustainability

• Be the Change

• Lesley Dahlkemper

• Rodman and Gina Schley

• Kate Broyles

• Friends of Jeffco Fairgrounds

• Citizens Climate Lobby

• Melissa Gutierrez

• Steve Stevens, Golden Oldy Cyclery and Sustainability

8 Lakewood Sentinel

April 9, 2020A

Jeffco school district uncertain about staff raises after COVID-19 crisis State may not provide additional money to schools next year

BY CASEY VAN DIVIER CVANDIVIER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

An early March estimate showed Jeffco Public Schools may have around $17 million to allocate in its 2020-2021 budget, but at its April 2 meeting, the Board of Education learned that the ongoing pandemic may leave the district with no new money at all.

A December 2019 state forecast estimated there would be an $832.5 million surplus at the state level to fund new costs next fiscal year. But by the end of March, that number had dropped to just $27.3 million, said Kathleen Askelson, the district’s chief financial officer.

As a result, Colorado school districts may be unable to receive new funds for 2020-2021, though the decision won’t be finalized until a future meeting of the legislature.

The federal government also has not made final decisions on additional relief packages for school districts, which could significantly

change the outlook, Askelson said.

The government already passed the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) at the end of March, which included about $13 billion for K-12 schools.

The news of the current state of the budget left board members wondering what steps, if any, could be taken to provide raises for staff members in the next school year.

At their March budget meeting, all present board members — Ron Mitchell was absent — said they wanted to make staff compensation a top priority next school year.

The plan was to explore options to allocate about $17 million to compensation, allowing each Jeffco staff member to move forward on the district’s salary schedule.

Now, as more information becomes available, the board and district plan to ask the community whether it would like to see that priority continue, even at the expense of other items in the district budget.

Board member Stephanie Schooley said she believed the community could find a happy medium between being cautious and prioritizing those who work for the district.

“I just always want to keep people in the forefront of those decisions

that we’re making because that’s who we are,” she said.

The district had planned to hold two in-person community budget forums in April, with the first canceled and the second likely to be canceled, Askelson said. Because there is so little concrete information to provide to the community at this point, the district has yet to decide how or when the community input process will proceed.

“We want to continue in that effort,” said board president Susan Harmon. “We may need to modify the nature of that or content of that in light of our circumstances, but we value that input in the form in which it can come in.”

The budget must be finalized by June 30, Askelson said, but the board can choose to revise the budget after that date. Askelson recommended the district staff should build a budget that assumes no additional funding from the state, a loss of $1.7 million in interest and a loss of $1.5 million in specific ownership tax.

To balance this budget, the district will have to make an additional $2.2 million in reductions.

Board members unanimously directed staff to go forward with this budget proposal. Board member Brad Rupert said the district should

also preemptively schedule an August or September meeting to revise the budget based on government school finance decisions that could be made after June 30.

Covering this year’s costs Meanwhile, just for this year’s expenses, Askelson informed the board that the district may need to pull from its reserve funding.

She estimated that the hit from COVID-19 may cost the district anywhere from $15 to $20 million dollars. Extra costs have included supplies for remote learning and compensation for hourly workers, like food service and school safety workers. These hourly workers have been paid 1.5 times their hourly rate to compensate for the fact that while some of their coworkers are staying home and still receiving their wages, these workers are out in the field, Superintendent Jason Glass said.

Some of these additional costs can be covered by savings from throughout the year. Based on Askelson’s estimate, those savings could range from $10 to $14 million, with the possibility of excess COVID costs being covered by the district’s reserves.

The district has a rough estimate of $87 million in its reserves, Rupert said.

p P L o h

Lakewood Sentinel 9

April 9, 2020

In-person learning will not resume this school year in Jeffco Decision to continue remote learning made by 14 area school districts

2020

BY CASEY VAN DIVIER CVANDIVIER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

After previously suspending in-person learning through April 30, Jeffco Public Schools sent out an April 3 letter announcing that school buildings will remain closed for the rest of the school year.

The decision was made with Jefferson County Public Health and 13 other districts in the metro area, with Denver Public Schools, Douglas County Schools, Cherry Creek School District and others making the same announcement April 3.

The Jeffco school district will continue remote instruction and learning through the 2019-2020 school year. Jeffco schols were potentially going to be reopened for in-person education for 14 school days in May. The final day of the school year is May 22.

“The key factor leading to this decision is guidance from county health officials and the information shared in the governor’s announcement that the impact of COVID-19 is likely to peak from mid-April through possibly July,” the district letter said. “This creates a significant safety risk for all of our students, families and staff members.”

The letter included a joint statement from all 14 districts that are closing, which stated that one motivating factor was the belief that large group gatherings could be restricted past the end of the school year.

“What we do know is that once the stay-at-home orders are lifted, we will continue to have restrictions on social distancing and the size of group gatherings for at least several weeks, if not months,” the joint statement said. “Given the nature of a school environment … these restrictions are not practical within the school setting.”

For local families like the Hinds family, whose daughter, Cassidy, is a junior at Arvada High School, the announcement was somewhat expected, and the plan to continue remote learning seems manageable.

“Cassidy in general is motivated with school. I don’t know if they’re learning the same amount as they would, but with everything that’s going on, we just have to get through the rest of the school year,” Molly said.

Cassidy agreed that she has been able to adjust to the change, even as it has made it difficult for teachers to communicate as effectively as they otherwise would.

“Some teachers do video calls and others just post the assignments, and some are just setting us free,” she said.

“I feel like we’re not getting as much learning so I don’t prefer it necessarily, but I’m okay with the online school.”

In addition to preparing extra online instruction, schools have been figuring out how to ensure students feel connected to their school, even as they will not be returning for the rest of the semester.

“I have teachers who are driving by their students’

BEST OF THE

BEST With school closed for the rest of the school year, the community around Mortensen Elementary in Littleton is posting teddy bears in their windows so kids can go on a scavenger hunt for them as they go on walks with their parents.

COURTESY OF KARLA HANKINS houses just to wave hi to them from their cars and others who are dropping off books and materials on their front porches,” said principal Karla Hankins at Mortensen Elementary in Littleton. “We have a teddy bear initiative happening in the neighborhood where people are putting bears in their windows so that kids can go on a bear hunt while they are walking with their parents. We have a very closeknit community, and we will get through this together.”

Jeffco Public Schools has said that it plans to communicate further information, including the status of graduations, events and final exams.

“We are working to determine the answers to these, and other questions, and we will be sharing that information as soon as possible,” the district letter said.

Several private and charter schools across the Jeffco area, including Faith Christian Academy, Golden View Classical Academy and Lincoln Academy previously told Colorado Community Media they planned to follow the state restrictions and district’s lead on closing for the semester.

Child care enrollment takes hard hit Some centers still open, others suspend operations during response to virus

BY CASEY VAN DIVIER CVANDIVIER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

“Sanitizing like crazy” is just a part of life at child care centers, said Pam Kenney, director of Thomas Learning Centers. But in the wake of COVID-19’s arrival, the past weeks have seen Denver area daycares take a

FIND CARE Essential workers in need of child care can get a referral to a center in the state’s Emergency Child Care Collaborative by going online to covidchildcarecolorado.com. variety of extra precautions to make sure their kids go home germ-free.

At Denver Child Care Center, teachers are working to help younger children stay spaced out even when they don’t understand social distancing.

At Thomas Learning Centers, which has locations in Westminster and

Lakewood, students are avoiding sharing toys, such as by using their own labeled bags of Play-Doh each day.

At both centers, ritual sanitizings of surfaces and toys have turned into multiple rounds of disinfecting, and every child goes through a quick wellness check before entering the classroom.

The Denver, Westminster and Lakewood centers are part of the state’s Emergency Child Care Collaborative, which the state government launched March 23 to allow some child care SEE CHILD CARE, P11

VOTE ONLINE NOW! VOTE FROM MARCH 1, 2020 TO APRIL 12, 2020 To provide the most accurate results by geographical area, Colorado Community Media does not require, but does encourage readers to vote for businesses in their immediate local community. All nominated businesses have an equal opportunity of winning, no purchase required. Please see voting website for complete contest rules and regulations.

10 Lakewood Sentinel

April 9, 2020A

HOLY WEEK IS HAPPENING IN NEW WAYS AT AUMC! Holy Week, starting on Palm Sunday on Sunday, April 5 and the days leading up to Easter on Sunday, April 12 will be experienced in some new, yet familiar ways. It is essential that our faith family remember the faithful suffering of Christ that leads to the triumph of resurrection.

Indeed, our world is experiencing the tombs of fear, sadness, and confusion, and we long for a promise from God of healing, forgiveness, and new life. Join with us in these exciting ways, and start spreading the news to others who will be blessed by these virtual gatherings

Thursday, April 9 • Holy Thursday Throughout the day, you can enjoy an online meditation recording by our Spiritual Connections Team at arvadaumc.org and Facebook.

Then, print off the Holy Thursday Table Devotion which will be emailed to each household and join Rev. Amy for communion at 5:30 p.m. on Facebook Live. If you want, add bread and grape juice to your shopping list to experience communion with the Facebook Live community!

Friday, April 10 • Good Friday Join us in a virtual Good Friday worship service for a scriptural journey through the end of Jesus’ life. The worship service will be available beginning at 8am on Friday morning through out Holy Saturday as we encounter this sacred time in unique and different ways. Watch for this and an online meditation service on our webpage, arvadaumc.org and Facebook.

Sunday, April 12 • Easter Sunday A virtual worship celebration will be available at 8:00 a.m. with organ, brass, our virtual choir, and some dancing! Watch for pictures from our virtual Selfie Site and join us for the Facebook Live Chat with Rev. Amy at 10:00 a.m.

Risen Savior Lutheran Church

Holy Week Experiences to do anytime • Take a walk on the labyrinth at AUMC and pray for peace, healing, and hope • Take a prayer drive/walk around your neighborhood/care center/hospital and pray for those in our community • Make a card for a healthcare worker or essential employee and record a picture of that card and send to info@ arvadaumc.org to be shared in a video we can send to these workers whom we know • Stop by the church during Holy Week in your Easter finest (or your work pj’s) and take a photo at our Easter Celebration Selfie Site, located in the center of the labyrinth, which will be set up throughout the week.

When you post your pics on info@ arvadaumc.org or AUMC’s Facebook page, you give us permission to use them in our service recordings for Easter

Arvada United Methodist Church · 303-421-5135 · www.arvadaumc.org

www.rslc.org/ Weekly Worship

First Presbyterian of Golden Celebrating 150 years!

Hosting online worship on Resurrection Sunday at 9:00 AM A link to our service will be found on the church’s Facebook Page:

www.facebook.com/FirstPresbyterianChurchOfGolden/ First Presbyterian Church of Golden | 17707 W. 16th Ave. | 303-279-5591

Lakewood Sentinel 11

April 9, 2020

CHILD CARE FROM PAGE 9

facilities to stay open amid stay-athome orders. Many other daycares in the area are also part of the initiative, which aims to provide daycare for essential workers, including those who work essential jobs from home and those who are continuing to work in person. The collaborative also covers the full cost of child care tuition for these families.

For Alexis Archuleta, an essential worker with Denver Human Services who has two sons attending Denver Child Care Center, “I wasn’t sure I’d be able to work from home if the center didn’t stay open,” she said.

“This really is the only feasible option. I couldn’t really have my boys around while I’m talking to the people I’m assisting,” she said. “The center is so open in helping people that need it. I appreciate they’re taking precautions and that my kids are safe.”

For some child care facilities, the ability to continue doing business has offered hope that the centers can weather the storm during a time when more parents are staying home with their kids than ever, reducing a widespread need for child care.

But the measure hasn’t been able to eliminate all of the centers’ challenges. Even with some new referrals coming in to Denver Child Care Center and some regulars continuing to attend each day, enrollment has dropped significantly, said Rich Silvas, executive of operations. In turn, the daycare has had to cut staff members’ hours by about 50%, he said.

“Our staff is our family. We’re always worried about each other and it is difficult to say we’ve cut half of your work schedule, because that’s half of your income,” he said. “It’s hardship for everybody.”

At her centers, Kenney has also seen a drop in attendance due to the pandemic. On April 3, just four children were in attendance and the daycare has also cut staff hours, em-

ploying just one teacher a day instead of two.

However, the center is also committed to staying open for those who don’t have other options.

“We’re just trying to help our existing families, who are very appreciative,” Kenney said, “and trying to be part of the community.”

Other centers have been forced to close, not because they aren’t authorized to stay open, but because they don’t have the enrollment to make the money necessary to stay open. That’s been the case for KidsTown Drop-In Child Care, which has locations in Highlands Ranch, Parker and the Smoky Hill area.

A fourth KidsTown location, in Castle Rock, closed at the end of March because of the financial loss it has incurred from the coronavirus.

Regional director Hollie Wilson said because families are typically referred to full-time centers before part-time centers like KidsTown, the daycare’s enrollment dropped by about 99% with the spread of the

coronavirus, forcing the centers to close.

Without steady revenue coming in, “we’re working with our business association or our local banks to make sure we do have that line of credit,” she said. “Our hope is to open our doors as soon as possible.”

In the meantime, the centers haven’t lost touch with the families they serve on a daily basis, Wilson said.

“We’ve been in contact with our regulars to ask if there’s anything they need and we’re going to be sharing books, crafts and sensory activities on Facebook,” she said. “We’re taking the next three to four weeks and we’re going to step it up (online) so this can continue to be a support even after we open again.”

Back in Denver, Silvas is likewise looking forward to the pandemic coming to an end and business returning to normal.

“We know we are going to fill up right away when this is over,” he said.

“And the big question is, how long is this going to last?”

New Life, New Vision!

Unless there is a

Good Friday

EASTER SUNDAY

in your life, there can be no

Easter Sunday.

-Venerable Fulton J. Sheen

April 12 – VIRTUAL SERVICE Find a link on our Facebook page: LCM Lakewood

LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE MASTER 14099 W JEWELL AVE • LAKEWOOD www.lcmonline.org • 303-988-6400

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE MASSES WILL BE LIVESTREAMED on our YouTube Channel (search stjoanofarcarvada) Links will also be on our Facebook Page

Apr. 9 - Holy Thursday Apr. 10 - Good Friday Apr. 11 - Holy Saturday Apr. 12 - Easter Sunday

7:00 pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper 3:00 pm Veneration of the Cross 8:30 pm Easter Vigil Mass 6:30 am Sunrise Service

12 Lakewood Sentinel

LOCAL

April 9, 2020A

VOICES

Finding both solace and resilience in poetry ALCHEMY

Andrea Doray

A

pril is National Poetry Month. As a poet myself (my first published poem in college landed me $7.00), I turn to poetry for insight, humor, provocation, poignancy, controversy, comfort, outrage, love, passion, intelligence, goofiness, clarity and confusion.

So it’s no wonder that in times like these – and, let’s face it, even as the coronavirus rages, other societal evils are not on hiatus – in times like these, poetry soothes and satisfies, creates awareness, and spurs action.

My earliest memories of poetry are found in a slim, now dog-eared and well-thumbed volume by Robert Louis Stevenson called “A Child’s Garden of Verses” first published in

1885 and gifted to me and my sister by our mother more than 50 years ago. There are poems such as “Bed in Summer” that I can recite by memory, among many other favorites. If you want to share the joys of literature with kids while they’re home, this book is a good place to start. Fine new work is already emerging about the coronavirus – read Rich Uhrlaub’s “For a Corona We May Die,” which he wrote when stunned by youthful disregard while a loved one died in assisted living: “While beautiful young idiots drink beer / And play outside in sun and sand and sea, / Their elders hide indoors and gasp in fear.”

(Rich is a fellow member of a poetry group in which, unfortunately, I now participate only

S LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Durkin for DA I consider myself an average, but informed citizen. Quite frankly I have been very disturbed lately by the news I am seeing regarding violent felons who have been released back into the community prior to their trial in several jurisdictions, only to commit further violent crimes.

This seems to me to have become a much too common occurrence and I am very concerned that this practice may spread to Jefferson county if we do not have a proactive district attorney. This is the main reason I am supporting Matthew Durkin for Jefferson County District Attorney.

Having spoken with him I am confident that he will be pro-active in protecting us from violent offenders.

Marlin Jahnke, Arvada Support and counseling For 332,000 Coloradans affected by Alzheimer’s disease (76,000 living with the

A publication of

Call first: 14143 Denver West Pkwy., Suite 100, Golden 80401, 303-566-4100 Mailing Address: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110 Phone: 303-566-4100 Web: LakewoodSentinel.com To subscribe call 303-566-4100

disease and 256,000 unpaid caregivers), the coronavirus (COVID-19) has created new challenges. Caring for loved ones with dementia in our homes already poses many challenges. Doing it under the “stay at home” guidelines without the support of family and friends can make it even more stressful.

And for those of us with loved ones quarantined in memory care facilities, the strain of not being able to see and comfort them in person is heartbreaking.

But the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado can help. While its staff is working from home in accordance with public health guidelines, most of the Association’s services are available online or by telephone. Education classes. Support groups. Counsel from trained professionals. All are still available - at no charge.

It’s important to note that most of the Association’s educational programs are SEE LETTERS, P15

sporadically.)

I asked other writers what poems they recommend right now … and why. John, another member of our group, says “Pandemic” by Lynn Ungar works for him because it faces the present crisis head on and presents it as an opportunity: “ … when your body has become still, / reach out with your heart. / Know we are connected in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.” Cassidy, a writer in an online poetry class with me, says she’s reading poems such as “To Be of Use” by Marge Piercy: “ … people who submerge / in the task … / move in a common rhythm / when the food must

Lessons of faith in all this uncertainty

o, this isn’t exactly what you had in mind, is it?

Seems so long ago…

Friday, March 6, the news of the day was HITTING that the economy created HOME a “whopping” (according to Yahoo News) 273,000 jobs, causing the unemployment rate to fall to a near all-time low of 3.5%.

Schools were plugging along Michael Alcorn at their regular tempo, as younger grades were starting to gear up for testing season, winter sports were gearing up for championship runs, and, here and there, thoughts of Proms and Graduations were filling kids’ heads.

And then everything stopped.

Now, the economy is shedding jobs at a pace 10 times its previous record worsts. And, even with government relief, many small businesses are shuttered, contract work is being left undone, and there is serious doubt if the economy can be jumpstarted again.

Schools look wildly different, Columnists & Guest Commentaries

JERRY HEALEY President

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jhealey@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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GLENN WALLACE Editor

AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager

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Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Sentinel. We welcome letters to the editor. Please Include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.

JOSEPH RIOS Community Editor

ERIN FRANKS Production Manager

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LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com

SEE DORAY, P13

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too, as thousands of teachers put their heads together and, literally, reinvented public school education in a matter of hours.

And, with the announcement last week that all Jeffco Schools, along with the other Denver metro area school districts, will remain closed for the remainder for the remainder of the school year, children and teachers who had hope of seeing each other again for the best part of the year had to accept the sad reality that we won’t be together in May. We’re also learning new things about this nasty little bugger that’s brought all of us to a stop.

It lives on surfaces, undetectable; it sometimes hooks a ride on a person without letting them know it’s there, so it can move on and pick an opportune moment to jump to somebody more vulnerable; it cares not a whit for race, gender, income, or political outlook; and, with the news that it has infected a tiger in the Bronx Zoo, it has now revealed the ability to jump species.

Whatever pictures we had in our heads of what 2020 was going to be, we have all had to rapidly discard them and start penciling in new pictures. Which, frankly, SEE ALCORN, P13

Lakewood Sentinel A legal newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Colorado, the Lakewood Sentinel is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 14143 Denver West Pkwy., Suite 100, Golden 80401.

POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Lakewood Sentinel, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110

Lakewood Sentinel 13

April 9, 2020

4-H turning obstacles into opportunities

W

poned, we have the opportunity to use problem solving skills to find alternate solutions to reach out to new members, hold regular meetings, learn, and fundraise. Our weekly “Lifeline” newsletter has valuable informative information about 4-H related activities and resources for talking about Covid-19. 4-H is launching a peer buddy program for new members.

For more information on how 4-H is handling COVID-19, are interested in sponsorships, or to become a member of 4-H, visit https://Jeffco.extention. colorado.colostate.edu/4-H/ or call the Extension Office at 303-271-6649. To help with our online fundraiser, and get home-delivered pasta, please visit www.FunPastaFundraising.com, click “Support your group” and search for Jeffco 4-H. Thank-you!

hile we are all adjusting to a new and different way of life, members of the Jeffco 4-H youth develope ment program are using this chalGUEST lenging situation COLUMN to practice several Faith Martin life skills taught by the program. The four-leaf clover symbol represents Head, Heart, Hands, and Health.

Each one of the 4 groups encompass many qualities, such as leadership, teamwork, self-motivation, communication, productivity, community service, relation to others, and making healthy choices. 4-H youth are using this time as an opportunity to embrace in these skills.

Although all of our face-to-face gatherings are cancelled or post-

ALCORN FROM PAGE 12

have probably already been discarded, too.

But, it’s okay.

Two of the world’s major religions are celebrating huge feasts this week, and, curiously enough, they both run right along with the theme of starting over. My Jewish friends are celebrating Passover, which commemorates the freeing of the Hebrews from Egyptian captivity by Moses. More specifically, it recognizes that the Angel of Death “passed over” the houses of the Hebrews as it sought the firstborn in every household in Egypt. I doubt that’s what the Hebrews had in mind.

I doubt even more that they thought their liberation would be followed by 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.

But, sometimes, even the wise cannot draw very good pictures of the future.

In my own faith, Christians are celebrating how the Messiah entered the capitol in a parade of adoration, and then just four days later was arrested and bound over for trial, to be executed the next day.

And for the earliest Christians, everything stopped.

But the faith lessons of this week are that we never know the end of the story. Where we are at right now is like that moment in the movie that the hero seems to be beaten, he’s out of tricks, she’s desperate, outgunned, outmanned, outnumbered, out-planned.

Faith teaches us to go forward. To put one foot in front of the other against insurmountable odds, against an enemy that seems invincible … and to persevere and wait for the Promised Land or for the Third Day. Or for whatever you hope for — really hope for — as all our illusions about what is important get stripped away and cast aside.

Strive to find the beauty in the struggle right now, my friends, even if it’s as simple as how happy your dog is.

And hold on to your faith that we’ll get through this. Maybe, even better than before.

Michael Alcorn is a teacher and writer who lives in Arvada with his wife and three children. His new novel, “Charon’s Blade,” is available at Amazon.com, on Kindle, or through MichaelJAlcorn. com.” His opinions are not necessarily those of Colorado Community Media.

DORAY FROM PAGE 12

come in and the fire must be put out.” Cassidy says, “I take comfort in knowing there are good people out there, in grocery stores and fire departments, as well as in hospitals and pharmacies who are doing their work. I’m inspired to do my part and stay home.” Carrie is a fellow writer in the Lighthouse Writers Workshop year-long Poetry Collective program.

Carrie recommends “Storm Warnings” by Adriene Rich and tells me, “I particularly like the metaphor of the storm for any difficult time in which we are faced with much that is out of our control.”

Adrienne Rich describes being unable to control the weather as well as having ways to protect ourselves: “This is our sole defense against the season; / these are the things we have learned to do / who live in troubled regions.”

Carrie, who facilitates writing

workshops for cancer patients, says, “I find this poem hopeful without being overly sentimental or unrealistic.

I love that she brings it down to what we can do in our personal spaces … so appropriate right now.” Other poets Carrie suggests for difficult times are Ada Limon, Naomi Shihab Nye, Mary Oliver, and Wendell Berry.

“They all speak to resilience,” she says, “the value of darkness, and the comfort both the natural world and community hold for us.”

For me, I find myself turning back to the “Garden of Verses,” and my mother, and my childhood.

And – perhaps notably – Christina Rosetti’s 1947 poem comes frequently unbidden to mind: “Who has seen the wind? / Neither you nor I: / But when the trees bow down their heads / The wind is passing by.”

Let’s bow our heads but stand strong. Stay safe, my friends.

Andrea Doray is a writer who would like to know where you are finding comfort. Contact Andrea at a.doray@ andreadoray.com.

In Loving Memory Place an Obituary for Your Loved One. Private

ST. JOAN OF ARC C AT H O L I C C H U R C H

Proclaiming Christ from the Mountains to the Plains www.StJoanArvada.org 12735 W 58th Ave · 80002 · 303-420-1232 Daily Masses: 8:30am, Mon-Sat Confessions: 8am Tue-Fri; 7:30am & 4:00pm Sat Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:00pm Sunday Masses: 7:30, 9:00, 11:30am, 5:30pm

To advertise your place of worship in this section, call Erin at 303-566-4074 or email eaddenbrooke@ ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

303-566-4100 Obituaries@ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

Funeral Homes Visit: www.memoriams.com

14 Lakewood Sentinel

April 9, 2020A

Casa Bonita employees say their paychecks bounced Restaurant’s owner reportedly issuing a statement soon

PAYCHECK PROBLEMS? The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment allows for residents to apply for payments that were not distributed from an employer. You can complete and submit a wage complaint to the Division of Labor Standards and Statistics by visiting colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/complaintforms.

If your check bounced, you can find a Notice of Dishonored Instrument form at the above website. The form is simple and asks for your employer’s information, your information and simple information about your check.

BY JOSEPH RIOS JRIOS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

COVID-19 has silenced the mariachis at Lakewood’s Casa Bonita, ended the chase for Chiquita the gorilla and stopped the performances from cliff divers.

And according to some of its employees, the Mexican restaurant has allegedly stopped paying its staff too.

Three Casa Bonita employees told the Lakewood Sentinel on March 31 that multiple employees of the restaurant had their paychecks bounce due to insufficient funds in the bank account of Casa Bonita’s owner — Star Buffet, Inc., a restaurant holding company.

Star Buffet, Inc. was contacted for comment for this story but did not respond.

Casa Bonita is closed due to a March 16 statewide order for bars and restaurants to stop dine-in services for 30 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

That order has been extended through the end of April, and Casa Bonita isn’t offering take-out services.

The checks were dated for March 17, according to Felicity Akers, a floor manager at Casa Bonita. She said

QUALITY & VA

when she deposited her check from her phone, her bank told her the check went through.

But after seeing some of her coworkers post on Facebook about having their paychecks bounce, Akers checked her bank account a few days after depositing her check and saw it wasn’t posted and that she had a returned-check fee.

“For me, my check wasn’t that much. I have a second job, which is my main source of income,” said Akers, who works at a plumbing company.

“But for the majority of the restaurant employees, (Casa Bonita) is the majority of their income. There are only a handful of us that have second jobs that we are able to rely on.”

Akers said the restaurant recently switched to a new payroll service, and the March 17 check was the first time

LUE

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A history of not paying people on time Kendahl Lambert has worked at Casa Bonita for nearly six years, recently as an administrative assistant.

Her role required her to help with payroll and to assist with paying vendors.

Lambert had her March 17 check bounce, and while she has another source of income, she is irritated with Star Buffet, Inc. “It is so frustrating that they are not communicating with employees when you see other local businesses working hard to pay their workers,” she said.

Lambert added that she speculates Casa Bonita won’t reopen.

Some of Casa Bonita’s food vendors require the restaurant to deliver cash when paying for their services, because Casa Bonita was either late paying them electronically or told the vendors their checks were in the mail when it was “questionable” whether or not that was true, according to Lambert. “(Star Buffet, Inc.) doesn’t have a good track record of paying bills on time. We got multiple calls that our SEE CASA BONITA, P18

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Casa Bonita, and her check bounced as well. He said he is out of a job with the restaurant’s closure. “(Not being paid) is just affecting a lot of people really hard. I think almost everybody had their check bounce,” said Begay. “It is sad to see all of them struggling, including myself.”

the service was used to pay the restaurant’s employees.

Multiple Casa Bonita employees tried to contact Star Buffet, Inc. about their paychecks for at least two weeks, Akers said, but no one from the company responded. She said Mike Mason, a general manager at Casa Bonita, was finally able to reach Star Buffet, Inc. on March 29. The company told Mason they were not going to get paid on March 31 and that it would issue a statement — possibly the week of March 30.

“They had nothing to say about our (March 17) checks being bounced,” said Akers. “At this moment, I don’t want to work for a company that is not going to pay me. That is hard to say, because I spent (eight years) working there and made so many friends there.

But at this moment, I don’t see myself working for a place that doesn’t respect me enough to pay me for the work I have done.”

“I think almost everybody had their check bounce. It is sad to see all of them struggling, including myself.”

Around July of 2019, Lenny Begay became a kitchen manager at Casa Bonita. When he got his March 17 check, he deposited it that day.

But a week went by, and Begay’s bank pulled all of the money from his paycheck out of his bank account.

“My rent is due in two or three days, and I am trying to find another way to get money,” Begay said.

Begay’s roommate also works at

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Lakewood Sentinel 15

April 9, 2020

LETTERS FROM PAGE 12

delivered by volunteers, just like me.

There’s always a need for more help until we find a cure.

Whether you’re seeking tips on how to care for your loved one at home or stay connected with the loved ones you can’t see face-to-face, the Alzheimer’s Association is there for you. Call the free 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 or visit www.alz.org.

Linda Oberg, Lakewood China’s wrongdoing A letter in the April 2 edition accuses Michael Alcorn of “stoking the flames of racism” for calling COVID-19 a Chinese curse. But there is nothing racist about naming viruses or outbreaks for the place where they originated (examples are Ebola and Hendra).

COVID-19 did break out in China and it’s accurate to call it a Chinese curse because of the Chinese governments deception and dishonesty. Journalist Jim Geraghty has compiled a comprehensive time line of Chinese government deceptions during the earliest phase of this pandemic which you can find online. Since then Chinese health workers who sounded public warnings have disappeared, and there is now a disinformation campaign on social media trying to shift responsibility away from China.

We need to be honest about the suppression and false reports by the Chinese authorities. Candor is vital during

the earliest phase of an outbreak. The Chinese government needs to be held accountable for its dishonesty so that future outbreaks — and they will happen — are not covered up during the critical early phase. Attacking people who want China held accountable is counterproductive if we want to suppress future outbreaks. It’s more dangerous and every bit as wrong as the verbal attacks on Asians that she cites.

One of the better Angels that needs to fly right now is candor and truthfulness. The world’s response to the next potential pandemic outbreak depends on it.

Dean Schulze, Arvada We can do this I just wrote the mayor of Wheat Ridge asking: Why isn’t the city leading citizens when Lutheran Medical Center is asking for donations of hand-sewn masks?

If our leaders/elected officials will not lead, it is the responsibility of the press to call attention to the problem.

Seriously, if Lutheran needs homemade masks, we could make thousands fast if there was better organization/ citizen notification. I have an 8x 10 virus free storage full of 100% cotton and five machines for anyone who can sew all day.

Go to Operationwecansewit.com to sign up and learn the hospital-approved pattern.

These home-sewn masks really are superior if we really don’t have medical grade fabric!

Someone needs to organize the people.

I’m begging anyone I can think of.

The mayor of Wheat Ridge can be a hero, or have blood on his hands like Donald Trump. The Transcript can save lives and be a force in the community, or it can be something we only look at when we are at city hall.

Jayne Barton, Wheat Ridge

can’t you do it at Dillards?

Safety measures are appropriate and needed. I hope officials are looking at ways to make necessary safety measures more equitable. It’s a big task. I think officials are up to it.

Mark W. Salley, Arvada

Questions for the governor Is it the unelected officials at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment who are advising you as to which businesses are essential and can remain open?

Have the non-essential employees at CDPHE lost their paycheck? If so, why not? (I worked there for 12 years; I know there are many non-essential employees.)

State and Jeffco parks and trails are remaining open for people to exercise — which is essential. Why is my golf course not considered essential ... for the exercise people get walking the course?

Why is it I can’t get a back adjustment at my chiropractor, but a woman can get an abortion at Planned Parenthood?

Why can’t my library allow in a limited number of people at a time, like some other stores have done? Are all Jeffco library employees still drawing a full paycheck?

If a restaurant has a seating capacity of say 50, or even 25, could they safely accommodate ... say 1/5th of their capacity and have customers spaced more than six feet apart?

Why not allow the same 6-foot social distance restrictions in all businesses where the distance can safely be maintained? If you can do it at Lowe’s, why

About that Sooper suggestion Maria Wagner’s letter made me laugh and cry. We all should be grateful for everything that King Soopers and the other stores that are open are doing for the community. Many of their employees are probably in the high risk category themselves but they show up for work. Nobody forced the “old folks” to stand outside. I cannot imagine anything any one of them needed that made that necessary. As for the crowd being so old. I doubt it. I am one of the few left who did live through the depression, World War II, etc. and my memories are all good because I was a child and was never deprived. As for having lived through several plagues never. There has never been anything like this in my life time and all we are being asked to do is stay home. I think we should be able to do that and not complain. If Maria Wagner really was concerned about the “old folks” maybe she could have offered to do their shopping for them. One friend said her neighbor put a sticker on her door with her telephone number on it offering to do that.

Thank you Kings, Safeway, Sprouts, and all the other business that are serving us.

Phyllis Kerns Arvada

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16 Lakewood Sentinel

LOCAL

April 9, 2020A

LIFE

Arvada Center invites artists to share quarantine creations

Couples’ plans postponed as vendors brace for industry impacts amid COVID-19

A

BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

B

obbie Jo Dodson waited to reschedule her wedding, clinging to hope she and her fiancé could enjoy some semblance of the event they spent a year planning, until the choice to reschedule was no longer a choice at all.

First, the hotel where she reserved a block of rooms for guests closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Then her wedding venue, The Manor House in south Jefferson County, closed as well.

After both closures, she and her fiancé, Trent Stein, spent a day researching contingency plans.

They considered inviting only their parents to watch them marry at the courthouse — a plan that later became impossible when the courthouse, too, closed. They contacted Airbnb to see if the company would rent them a home for their ceremony, some guests included, as governments began restricting the size of events.

Finally, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis announced he was prohibiting all gatherings of 10 or more people. His order, the venue closure and the hotel closure, all came within 48-hours.

“That was, I think, finally the wakeup call to stop fighting this,” Dodson said.

‘A screeching halt’ Dodson and Stein’s original wedding date of March 28 came and went. The Centennial couple still does not have a new wedding date. Rescheduling their honeymoon to Italy, which they planned to take immediately after the wedding, also hangs in the air.

With Colorado under a stay-at-home order through April 11 — which Polis says is likely to be extended — Dodson is waiting to pick a new date until life is less uncertain.

“We fought it and that was so tortuous,” Dodson said, hoping other couples can learn from her experience. “It was better once we decided to postpone, because this is such an uncertain time and a really anxiety-provoking climate.”

Wedding vendors in the Denver metro area said they are encouraging couples like Dodson and Stein to stay positive and trying to provide clients with as much support as possible during the crisis.

“You almost have to be their therapist with it,” said Karalee McMillan, an Englewoodbased wedding planner at Borrowed and Blue Colorado. “Just listening to everything and making sure that they feel heard, because at the end of the day, that’s all you can really do.”

McMillan has seen her share of wedding tragedies — natural disasters clashing with wedding dates and fires wiping out venues.

But she has never seen a crisis like COVID-19

Bobbie Jo Dodson and her fiance, Trent Stein, were forced to reschedule their March 28 wedding because of COVID-19 closures.

COURTESY PHOTO unleashed on the industry.

“At this point, we don’t even have (backup venues) as an option,” she said.

Dodson’s wedding photographer, Castle Rock-based Dawn Sparks, was scheduled to photograph 15 weddings this year. Her next is slated for June, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced that couple into a “holding pattern,” along with all events in the near future.

“The photography industry has just come to a screeching halt, and I really don’t know how that’s going to pan out for us,” she said.

SEE WEDDINGS, P17

s a working artist, Collin Parson — the Arvada Center’s exhibition manager and curator — understands the need to create during such a tumultuous time.

But with exhibitions canceled all over the metro area, he wanted to find a way to engage with the creative community while everyone is in quarantine.

COMING “Emily King (the Center’s exhibiATTRACTIONS tion manager) and I wanted to do something more, and we asked ourselves, what can we control?” Parson explained. “So, we decided to put a call out.”

The Center, 6901 Clarke Reader Wadsworth Blvd., announced a call for entry March 31 for its new ongoing art exhibition, “Viral Influence: Art in the Time of Coronavirus.”

The juried exhibition is open to all Colorado artists working in all media, concepts, and processes. And since it’s an ongoing event, there is no submission deadline or limit to the number of submissions. The Center has also waived submission fees, so artists are encouraged to submit multiple times.

“Usually we spend months and even years fine-tuning our calls to entry, and we’ve considered all aspects of the show, including the concept,” Parson said. “It was a team effort at the Center to put this together so fast, and we don’t quite know what the exhibit will look like yet. We’re hoping to set it up sometime in 2021.”

The aim is to create a kind of “linear time capsule” that provides a window into how artists are adapting.

Parson said he’s curious to see what changes when an artist runs out of paint or sculpting materials — how do they innovate and use other materials to create?

The call to entry is not the only way the Arvada Center is connecting artists with the community. Its website, https://arvadacenter.org, hosts virtual gallery tours and it launched the first in a series of Living Room Talkbacks on April 6 , which are opportunities to explore the productions in the Black Box theatre with the directors, cast and designers.

“Maybe this will be a good excuse for artists to create,” Parson said.

“We’re hoping for a really wide range and overview of submissions.

SEE READER, P17

Lakewood Sentinel 17

April 9, 2020

WEDDINGS FROM PAGE 16

It’s too early to call late summer and fall weddings, she said, but she suspects many couples will eventually opt to elope and pass up the expenses of a large event, especially if their jobs were affected by the pandemic.

Contracts between vendors and couples is “a big, hot topic in the wedding industry” amid the crisis, she said.

Vendors who spoke to Colorado Community Media said they are making every effort to help couples reschedule and have not encountered a couple choosing to cancel altogether.

“I’m praying it’s all over with before I have to cross that bridge,” Sparks said.

McMillan waived all date-transfer fees for couples and believes most vendors are taking similar measures.

Dodson praised The Manor House, located just west of C-470, for its professionalism and several of her vendors for their flexibility in rescheduling.

Her florist, Florals by Nora, sent her a care package. The Manor House offered to return her rental fee if they don’t reschedule with that venue. All but one of her vendors offered to refund Dodson if she can’t retain them

READER FROM PAGE 16

“We’re hoping artists see this as a way the Arvada Center is trying to help any way we can.”

For more information on the call (and to donate to support the Center), visit www.arvadacenter.org/galleries/ art-submissions/viral-influence-callfor-entry.

Outdoor activity - visit Arvada’s Volunteer Firefighters Park First off, I need to remind everyone that when enjoying any outdoor space, it’s of vital importance that you maintain the appropriate distance from other enthusiasts. Gatherings of any kind should be avoided for the foreseeable.

Having said all that, if you’re looking for a gem of a park, I’d recommend the Arvada Volunteer Fire-

Dawn Sparks is a Castle Rock-based photographer.

COURTESY PHOTO

for her rescheduled wedding date, although she hopes to.

All vendors cautioned couples forced into rescheduling to pick a date they are confident in and pick soon.

Many industry professionals already have bookings for the rest of the year and into next year.

Supporting themselves Vendors hope couples will choose to reschedule weddings affected by the pandemic rather than cancel and support the industry as revenue streams grow thin.

“There’s going to be many of us that are filing for unemployment and taking advantage of the CARES Act that was just passed, the SBA loans, I’m researching all that,” Sparks said.

McMillan said it’s hard to encourage couples to tour venues or con-

fighters Park, located at 9190 W. 84th Ave. While the great playground is closed during the stay-at-home orders, there are plenty of trees for shade and grassy space and for walking running through and exploring. It also connects to similar small parks in the Standley Lake area.

Search Arvada Volunteer Firefighters Park on Facebook for more information.

Clarke’s Concert(s) of the Week - Father John Misty and Hiss Golden Messenger’s new live shows Two of the best contemporary folk (and folk-adjacent) musicians, Father John Misty and Hiss Golden Messenger, have both released live albums to support those affected by COVID-19.

Father John Misty’s “Off-Key in Hamburg” was recorded at the Hamburg Elbphilharmonie on Aug. 8, 2019 with the Neue Philharmonie Frankfurt, and is a beautiful display of singer/songwriter Josh Tillman’s

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sider bookings when the future is so uncertain.

“It’s definitely more difficult to kind of keep things going and support yourself,” she said.

A few potential couples reached out recently for information about her services, and their biggest questions revolve around the “what ifs” currently shrouding the industry, she said.

Are deposits refundable or transferable? What happens if they need to reschedule? What if there is another wave of the virus?

“To say that there’s been normal booking for the quarter, I would definitely say not, but there’s definitely questions being answered and trying to bring as much calm as we can,” she said.

Crystal Scott is director of operations at Aspen Coast Studio, a team of photographers serving the Denver metro area, all of Colorado and now expanding to other states.

As their spring and early summer clients reschedule, that delays what photographers can earn to support themselves and their families, she said.

“When someone pushes their date off, then that pushes off also what we can make for each client,” she said.

“It’s going to be tricky to navigate, but overall I wouldn’t say we’re losing it,

but it’s just being put on hold.”

To support industry professionals, Scott urged couples to book sessions and weddings in advance. McMillan said those retainers help vendors earn income during off seasons. Sparks suggested giving photographers and vendors shout-outs and tags on social media.

Randy Newman-esque lyrical style and heady blend of folk and alternate rock music. All proceeds will be donated to the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.

MC Taylor’s Hiss Golden Messenger works in a more traditional folk style, with elements of country and soul mixed in. His live album “Forward, Children,” features stirring renditions of fan favorites like “I Need A Teacher” and “Heart Like a Levee.”

All profits from this album will benefit the Durham, North Carolina, Public Schools Foundation and the teachers and students who are struggling as a result.

Visit www.bandcamp.com to purchase the albums, throw them on at home and have a concert on your couch.

“Fleabag,” “State of the Union,” “Breeders” and “Back to Life,” are also deeply human explorations of the joys and struggles that come with living in our fractured modern world.

“This Way Up,” the series from Ireland’s Aisling Bea, is a pitch-perfect example of all the nuance that comedy done right can capture.

Bea stars as Áine, an English as a second language teacher who is recovering from some serious mental health issues. As she struggles to reclaim her life and reintegrate with her family and friends, the laughs come lightning quick, but so do the insights about the importance of acceptance, forgiveness and embracing life’s new challenges. If you let it, it will absolutely rock you back.

The first season of “This Way Up” can be streamed on Hulu.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail. com.

Streaming style - ‘This Way Up’ Many of the best contemporary British comedies are great sources of more than just laughs. Shows like

Focusing on what matters Regardless of what the future holds for weddings and events, vendors encourage couples to focus on what matters.

“You need to remember what’s at the center of all of it, and it’s the two people who fell in love,” McMillan said.

For Dodson, quarantining with her fiancé has reminded her they still have each other, and she’s enjoying the extra time with him. When their wedding day does come, she said, they will be more appreciative. Their main wish is to have parents and close friends there to witness their vows and share in the memory.

“People have said, `I think the ceremony will be all the more special because of this.’ I’m sure that’s true,” she said. “It definitely makes you reflect on what was most important, what was the essence of what you wanted of that whole celebration.”

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18 Lakewood Sentinel

April 9, 2020A

Attorney general warns about COVID-19 relief check scammers STAFF REPORT

Scammers are using the checks the federal government is scheduled to send as part of the coronavirus stimulus package to encourage Coloradans to share bank account numbers or other sensitive personal information, according to a news release issued March 30 by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser.

“As Congress worked to complete the first COVID-19 economic stimulus package, scammers were already working to deceive Coloradans and take advantage of those eagerly awaiting federal relief,” Weiser said in a news release. “It’s important to remember that the federal government hasn’t issued a single stimulus check yet, and will not call you on the phone to ask for sensitive personal information. Anyone who calls claiming to be able to send money now — and asks for your personal information — is a scammer.”

Following are some ways to protect yourself from government check scams: * Don’t respond to texts and emails about checks from the government.

CASA BONITA FROM PAGE 14

trash bill wasn’t getting paid and that our trash wouldn’t get picked up,” said Lambert.

“That has been a common theme over the last two or three years that I’ve worked there — but I didn’t expect that our paychecks would start bouncing.”

Star Buffet, Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2011, the

The details are still being finalized.

Anyone who tells you they can get you the money now is a scammer. * Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know. They could download viruses onto your computer or device. * The government will not ask you to pay anything up front to get this money. * The government will not call to ask for your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card number.

Most Americans will receive up to $1,200 per person in coming weeks, as part of a historic $2 trillion stimulus package that was signed March 27.

Parents will receive up to $500 for each child under age 17.

Those eligible for a payment will receive a payment directly from the IRS. The IRS specifies on its website that no sign-up is required, and there is no need to call. The agency will post additional information, when it’s available, at www.irs.gov/coronavirus.

If you notice any scams, fraud, price gouging, or other attempts to take advantage of Coloradans during this public health emergency, contact Stop Fraud Colorado at 800-222-4444 or StopFraudColorado.gov.

Denver Post reported. In 2013, the company announced it was able to formally exit bankruptcy.

According to an April 4 Facebook post from Mason, Star Buffet, Inc has applied for a Small Business Administration loan to fund its payroll account.

Casa Bonita has been in Lakewood since 1974 and was named a landmark by the Lakewood Historic Society in 2015 for its history, architecture and community engagement, the Denver Post reported.

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Landscaping • Yard Cleanup • Sod Concrete • Sprinklers • Fertilization Tree Trimming/Cutting • Planting Retaining Walls • Flagstone Fencing • Gutter Cleaning Power Raking • Aerating

720-436-6158 Lawn/Garden Services

Alpine Landscape Management

Weekly Mowing, Aerate, Fertilize, Spring Clean Up, Power Raking, Trim Bushes & Small Trees, Senior Discounts

720-329-9732

Painting

Long lasting Specialty Services interior & exterior Over 40 yrs. experience References and guarantees available.

Call Frank

DANIEL’S PAINTING exterior • interior residential repaints Re-caulk all home complete prime all caulked areas / replace any damaged boards/ popcorn removal drywall and texture repair/fences and decks/insured and bonded

720-301-0442

Sprinkler Solutions Professional Installations & Repairs Sod Installations

SAVE MONEY AND WATER Fast, friendly service Lifetime Warranty!

All Work Guaranteed!

Time to winterize

PLUMBING & SPRINKLERS

Free Instant Phone Quote Repair or Replace: Faucets, Sprinklers, Toilets, Sinks, Disposals, Water Heaters, Gas Lines, Broken Pipes, Spigots/ Hosebibs, Water Pressure Regulator, Ice Maker, Drain Cleaning, Dishwasher Instl., for coupons go to vertecservices.com CALL Vertec 303-371-3828

www.sprinklersolutionscolorado.com

303-523-5859 Tree Service

JAY WHITE Tree Service Serving with pride since 1975

Call Jay (303)278-7119 Licensed and Insured

Handy Man Screwed up your plumbing?

Firewood For Sale

We are open and operating on normal schedule!

Tree & Shrub Trimming, Tree Removal Stump Grinding Free Estimates/Consultations Licensed and Insured

Drain Clearing & Plumbing Repair • Garbage disposal • Leaking pipe • Water Heater • Sump pumps

Call Dirty Jobs 720-308-6696 Over 35 yrs experience• Free Estimates www.askdirtyjobs.com

Majestic Tree Service 720-231-5954

Painting

Fences: pressure washing / Drywall patch Free Estimates • Great Winter Rates

Call Joseph

303-523-6372

Front Range Plumbing

303.451.1971 Commercial/Residential

For all your plumbing needs

• Water Heaters • Plumbing Parts

PEREZ PAINTING LLC

SENIOR DISCOUNTS www.frontrangeplumbing.com

Interior & Exterior Front Door Refinishing Specialist

Roofing/Gutters

Caring for our Bob’s Painting,

community by

Repairs & Home Improvements 30 yrs experience Free estimates 303-450-1172

using sustainable

printing practices Licensed and Insured • EXCELLENT REVIEWS!

Local ads, coupons & deals are just one click away!

C H E C K I T O U T AT:

Sprinklers

Interior • Exterior Residential Specialist Woodworking, Decks Highlands Ranch resident

juspainting.com • Affordable • Quality • Insured • Great Customer Service • Local Colorado Business • Interior Painting • Exterior Painting • Drywall Repair “We Specialize In Jus*Painting”

Plumbing

We Provide Quality Painting

303.420.0669

$$ Reasonable Rates On: $$

Stay in your home longer with an American Standard Walk-In Bathtub. Receive up to $1,500 off, including a free toilet, and a lifetime warranty on the tub and installation! Call us at 1-855-534-6198.

Painting

ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

For appointment contact: perezpaintingcolorado@yahoo.com or call 720-298-3496

All Types of Roofing New Roofs, Reroofs, Repairs & Roof Certifications Aluminum Seamless Gutters Family owned/operated since 1980 Call Today for a FREE Estimate • Senior Discounts

(303) 234-1539

www.AnyWeatherRoofing.com • Sales@AnyWEatherRoofing.com

*See our website for details

ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

22 Lakewood Sentinel

April 9, 2020A

P L A C E A D S O N L I N E 2 4 / 7 AT

www.ColoradoCommunityClassifieds.com

To Advertise call Karen 303.566.4091 kearhart@coloradocommunitymedia.com TO ADVERTISE CALL 303-566-4100 PETS

Misc. Notices Colorado Statewide Classified Advertising Network

Adopt Me Ragu is an adorable 6-month-old kitten who is looking for her forever family. Although shy at first, her affectionate personality will blossom with a quiet and patient home.

Ragu would do best in a home with children over 12 and without dogs. ID# A0808726 Louie is a happy and affectionate 4-year-old pit bull. This handsome man has a big personality making him the perfect companion for an active owner. Leash walks, gentle pets and cuddles are the name of the game for sweet Louie.ID# A0812486

To place a 25-word COSCAN Network ad in 91 Colorado newspapers for only $300, contact your local newspaper or call Colorado Press Association Network at 303-571-5117.

WANTED

COLORADO PRESS ASSOCIATION NETWORK

Cash for Mineral Rights Free, no-risk, cash offer. Contact us with the details: Call: 720-988-5617 Write: Minerals, PO BOX 3668, Littleton, CO 80161 Email: opportunity@ecmresourcesinc.com

Buy a 25-word statewide classified line ad in newspapers across the state of Colorado for just $300 per week. Ask about our frequency discounts!

Contact this newspaper or call Colorado Press Association Network 303-571-5117

Health and Beauty Misc. Notices

Misc. Notices

AT&T Internet. Starting at $40/month w/12-mo agmt. Includes 1 TB of data per month. Get More For Your High-Speed Internet Thing. Ask us how to bundle and SAVE! Geo & svc restrictions apply.

Call us today 1-888-796-8850.

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ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. FREE information kit. Call 877929-9587.

BECOME A PUBLISHED AUTHOR! We edit, print and distribute your work internationally. We do the work… You reap the Rewards! Call for a FREE Author’s Submission Kit: 866-951-7214.

CASH FOR CARS: We Buy Any Condition Vehicle, 2002 and Newer. Nationwide Free Pick Up! Call Now: 1-800-8645960

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SAVE BIG on HOME INSURANCE! Compare 20 A-rated insurances companies. Get a quote within minutes. Average savings of $444/year! Call 866695-8390! (M-F 8am-8pm Central)

FARM & AGRICULTURE

Farm Products & Produce Grain Finished Buffalo

Recently diagnosed with LUNG CANCER and 60+ years old? Call now! You and your family may be entitled to a SIGNIFICANT CASH AWARD. Call 877648-6308 today. Free Consultation. No Risk.

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Medical DENTAL INSURANCE. Call Physicians Mutual Insurance Company for details.

NOT just a discount plan, REAL coverage for 350 procedures. 888-623-3036 or http://www.dental50plus.com/58 Ad #6118.

Miscellaneous

MERCHANDISE

Mount Olivet in Wheat Ridge - Niche # 119 for two Cremains in the Circle Mausoleum; The first mausoleum built at Mt. Olivet In an open & peaceful area with easy access. Asking $4900/or best offer Call 303-422-3318 ME.

719-771-8742

Firewood

Wanted to Buy

Doodle Puppies

Golden Doodles and Bernedoodles Home-Raised Health Tested and Guaranteed Standard and Mini Size available Schedule a visit today!

(970)215-6860

To advertise your business here, call us at 303-566-4100

TRANSPORTATION

quartered, halves and whole

Disabled and unable to work? Bills beginning to pile up? Call Citizens Disability! We can help you get the benefits you deserve. Call 800-804-5883 Today!

DISH TV $59.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply.

1-833-872-2545.

Dogs

Autos for Sale Donate Your Car to Veterans Today!

Help and Support our Veterans. Fast FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800-245-0398.

Wanted

Cash for all Vehicles!

Cars, Trucks, Vans, SUV’s Any condition • Running or not No title OK • Free towing

(303)741-0762

Cell: (303)918-2185 for texting

Bestcashforcarsco.com Split & Delivered $300 a cord Stacking available extra $35 Call 303-647-2475 or 720-323-2173

Want To Purchase minerals and other oil/gas interests. Send details to: P.O. Box 13557 Denver, CO 80201

CARS/TRUCKS WANTED!!! 2002 and Newer! Any Condition. Running or Not. Competitive Offer! Free Towing! We’re Nationwide! Call Now: 1-888-416-2330.

Local ads, coupons & deals are just one click away!

C H E C K I T O U T AT:

ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

Lakewood Sentinel 23

April 9, 2020

To Advertise call Karen 303.566.4091 kearhart@coloradocommunitymedia.com TO ADVERTISE CALL 303-566-4100 REAL ESTATE

RENTALS Office Rent/Lease

Home for Sale Southwest Nebraska Home

with 2 garages $45,000 cash, small town living in Fishing, Hunting, Boating community.

Great place to retire.

970-472-5978

VARIOUS OFFICES 100-2,311 sq.ft. Rents from $200-$1750/month.

Full service.

405-409 S Wilcox

Castle Rock

Wasson Properties 719-520-1730

Local Focus. More News.

17 newspapers. 20 websites. Connecting YOU to your LOCAL community.

ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

FIND YOUR NEXT SPOT!

To Advertise call Karen 303.566.4091 kearhart@coloradocommunitymedia.com

24 Lakewood Sentinel

April 9, 2020A

In times of uncertainty, rest assured that as your community newspaper, we are working hard with a local, regional and national network of official resources to keep you informed and up to date on the issues and developments that matter most to you. And sharing the stories about neighbors, businesses and local governments that keep you connected to your community.

Accurate. Reliable. Unbiased. Local. ho make your hometown newspape w e l p o e p e h t o r possib you t k n a le. h T

Jerry Healey, Publisher

Jim Benton, Sports Reporter

Kayla Cornett, Lead Page Designer

Sheree Sandell, Legals

Erin Addenbrooke, Sales

Ann-Marie Meyn, Sales

Barb Stolte, Sales

Audrey Brooks, Business Manager

Carla Bathke, Accounting

Casey Van Divier, Reporter

Paul Albani-Burgio, Reporter

Sharyn Nevins, Circulation

Chris Rotar, Managing Editor

Christy Steadman, Monthly Editor

David Thompson, Sales

Sonya Ellingboe, Columnist

Elliott Wenzler, Reporter

Heidi Harden, Page Designer

Lindsay Nicoletti, Operations Manager

Mindy Nelon, Sales

Scott Taylor, North Editor

Erin Franks, Production Manager

Gary Benware, Ad Layout

Pat Smith, Reception

Steven Gregg, Sales

Tina Meltzer, Production

Glenn Wallace, West Editor

David Gilbert, Reporter

Ellis Arnold, Reporter

Jessica Gibbs, Reporter

Joseph Rios, Reporter

Nick Puckett, Reporter

Ann Macari-Healey, Columnist

Not Pictured: Scott Gilbert, Proofreader • Ben Wiebesiek, Page Designer

An edition of the Littleton Independent A publication of

DENVER Since 1926

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Life On

CAPITOL HILL

Subscribe or make a voluntary contribution today by calling Lindsay Nicoletti at 303-566-4071 or online at Subscribe: coloradocommunitymedia.com/subscribe • Donate: coloradocommunitymedia.com/readerscare