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October 6, 2016 VOLUME 93 | ISSUE 8
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LakewoodSentinel.com J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
School’s fall forum has small turnout Board members reach out to community about proposed bond and mill levy ballot measures By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Justin Kruger, founder of Project Helping, is announced as the winner of the first Innovators Society Pitch Showdown on Sept. 30. Kruger won $50,000 in addition to the $80,703 he raised during his five-minute pitch. Photo by Clarke Reader
An innovative first step Community First hosts first Innovators Society Pitch Showdown By Clarke Reader creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com It might be tempting to say Project Helping, founded by Justin Kruger, was the winner of The Innovators Society’s first Pitch Showdown on Sept. 30. After all, the organization did win the $50,000 grand prize, and brought in $80,703 in donations. But the real winner of the afternoon was mental wellness in the metro area, as the issue will receive increased attention from six innovative minds.
“We’re all here to focus on mental wellness because a thriving community is a healthy community,” said Amy Humble, member of the Innovators Society steering committee member and co-founder of HumbleBarlow Leadership. “There is going to be new faces, new ideas and new innovations in the field of mental wellness.” The Innovators Society is a new extension of the Community First Foundation, an organization that helps connect nonprofits and donors. Six organizations were selected by Community First to participate: Bright by Three, Clayton Early Learning, Project Helping, Carson J. Spencer Foundation, Im’Unique and CU-Denver, School of Public Affairs. All six have ideas to address the
challenges of mental wellness, but their ideas had not yet been tried. Each received an initial grant of $25,000 and nine months to develop ideas. The Pitch Showdown, held at the Lakewood Cultural Center, was the culmination of months of work with coaches and practicing for all six participants. 250 community members were invited and given $1,800 each from Community First to donate to the participant of their choice, after hearing a five-minute presentation from each. Community members were advised to not consider risk and instead think of which programs they found the most promising. Society continues on Page 8
Business celebrates 70 years of music Rockley Music Center adapts to changes over years
Rockley continues on Page 31
Forum continues on Page 6
IF YOU GO Monday, Oct. 10, 6-7 p.m. in the Bear Creek High School Library, 9800 W. Dartmouth Place, Lakewood. Presented by board member Amanda Stevens. Tuesday, Oct. 11, 6-7 p.m. at the Columbine High School library, 6201 S. Pierce St., Littleton. Presented by board president Ron Mitchell. Monday, Oct. 17, 6-7 p.m. at the Pomona High School library, 8101 W. Pomona Drive, Arvada. Presented by board members Brad Rupert and Ali Lasell.
By Clarke Reader creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com If there’s one word to explain the longevity of Rockley Music Center, it’s adaptability. That’s what Liane Rockley believes. She and her husband, Tobin, are the third generation of Rockleys to operate the music education and instrument service business, which has evolved in many ways over the years. So it’s fitting that when Rockley hit its 70th anniversary in February, there wasn’t any celebration because it was in the process of another change. “At that time, we were doing a transition with our departments and some
Caroline Fuller, whose children attend Wheat Ridge High School, came away from a recent community forum about Jeffco Schools’ proposed bond and tax rate increase still searching for more information. “I’m looking for a reason to feel enthusiastic about 3A and 3B,” she said. “I want to support something for the schools, but I don’t have a warm and fuzzy about it yet.” With just six weeks until decision time, Fuller, like many residents, still are unsure about how to vote. Fewer than 20 people — many of whom were district employees — attended the Sept. 28 meeting at Wheat Ridge High School, the first of five fall community forums with the Jeffco Board of Education to discuss how the $33 million mill levy override and $535 million bond will enhance programming and opportunities for students. The bond is 3A and would provide funds for improvements and repairs to schools. The mill levy override is 3B and would provide funding to attract and retain teachers, mental health staff and help cover state funding gaps.
Tuesday, Oct. 25, 6-7 p.m. at the Evergreen Firehouse, 1802 Bergen Parkway, Evergreen. Presented by board member Susan Harmon.
LHS COMPETES AT STATE GOLF A look at a piano in the process of being tuned at Rockley Music Center. This kind of service has become the business’ main area of focus. Photo by Clarke Reader
Find out how students from Lakewood and other area schools fared in the state golf championship on PAGE 27.