December 17, 2015 VOLUME 92 | ISSUE 18
HOLIDAY WORSHIP
SERVICE GUIDE INSIDE
LakewoodSentinel.com J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
WOODWORKING SKILLS REFINED
Rosier declares bid for Senate Jeffco commissioner to run for seat held by Bennet By Clarke Reader creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Mike Goyn, a student in Red Rocks Community College’s intensive woodworking program, works on a cabinet, the second big project of the year. He said it’s been an enjoyable process learning the finer details of woodworking. Photos by Clarke Reader
RRCC exhibit to feature students’ works Kate Heath, a student in Red Rocks Community College’s intensive woodworking program, works on a cabinet for class. The next project will be a chair. Heath said she’s eager to learn new woodworking skills.
By Clarke Reader creader@colorado communitymedia.com Those who can do — teach. That’s the maxim of Red Rocks Community College’s fine woodworking program. The department has built itself into one of the country’s top woodworking programs by employing talented staff and offering a vast array of classes — about 50 at last count. “We’re not a cookiecutter program in our design or the work we produce,” said Buff Brewster, a student in the program. “We’re not just learning technical skills, but refining skills and learning to make something that lasts.” As opposed to construction woodworking, which
is more concerned with utilitarian design, fine woodworking is all about celebrating the material and what can be created from the wood. Students can enroll in classes from furniture and instrument-making— including drums, guitars and mandolin — to wood carving,
veneering and marquetry. According to Brewster, the college’s woodwork program, which has about 200 students, has seen an increase in interest over the past several years. The students represent a variety of demographics, with full-time students making up about half. She esti-
mated about 20 percent are former military personnel, 20 percent are women and approximately half are in their 30s and 40s. Quite a few students are older and have retired and are looking to learn more about the art. Works continues on Page 5
Donald Rosier, a Republican Jefferson County commissioner, announced Dec. 10 he is running for the Senate seat held by Democratic incumbent Michael Bennet. “I’m here running because Colorado deserves better — it needs a senator that will fight for the residents of this state,” Rosier said in his announcement speech. “Bennet continues to impose bad decision on the state. I will continue to advocate and fight for our communities.” Rosier’s wife, children and family were on hand for the announcement, as were early campaign supporters. “We need a small federal government and more state control,” said Bob Nelson, an unincorporated Jefferson County resident. “States should be allowed to run their own business, and I want the federal government kept out of our schools.” Rosier continues on Page 5
Jefferson County Commissioner Don Rosier chats with supporters at his Senate race announcement on Dec. 10. Rosier is running against incumbent Michael Bennet. He said he wants the federal government out of the state’s business. Photo by Clarke Reader
Jeffco school board eases into first full meeting
Board members honor schools and sports teams
By Corrie Sahling csahling@colorado communitymedia.com
As promised the night they were sworn in, the five newly elected Jeffco School Board members started out the first official business meeting of their terms
by working collaboratively. The Dec. 10 meeting was the first after a successful recall in November’s election installed an entirely new board. During the recall election campaign, the sometimes less-than-friendly interactions between the former board majority and others was mentioned often. But that proved not to be the case now: Before the meeting even began, board members were joking about little things, such
as the need for a gavel to get the crowd’s attention. Few actual district decisions were made. Instead, a large part of the evening was spent honoring schools and sport teams. Among them: Pomona High School, which won the 5A state championship in gymnastics for the team competition; and Standley Lake’s Rachel Cody, who won the individual all-state 4A gymnastic title. Evergreen High School’s soc-
cer team won the 4A state championship, and before announcing what the team accomplished, Harmon put in her 2 cents that soccer is the best sport, later disputed by Lasell. “I’d like to make a correction, Ms. Harmon,” Lasell said, smiling. “Ultimate Frisbee is the best sport in the world.” Lakewood High School’s varsity ultimate Frisbee team won the fall mixed state championship against rival school Monarch.
Stevens, who was announcing the team’s win, was a fan of the sport’s refereeing. “The ultimate Frisbee student athletes also act as their own referees in disputes on the field — this promotes a spirit of the game mentality and allows individuals to own their behaviors on the field,” Stevens said. “I think maybe we should take that up and try out the spirit of the game here at the table as well, if we start to lose our composure.”