Lakewood Sentinel 1220

THE SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS Making holiday treats is serious work for area bakeries P14

DECEMBER 20, 2018

JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO

A publication of

CARPENTRY AND CONNECTION Lakewood HS using classtime to bring together all students P8

WINTER HOOPS HEATS UP

A POWERFUL MESSAGE Find out how young people of varying backgrounds want to make a difference in this week’s special report, ‘Hear My Voice’ Pages 19-26

Area teams about to enter league competition P31 Your newspaper is made possible by advertisers like this one, who support our efforts to keep you connected to your community!

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LakewoodSentinel.com

VOLUME 95 | ISSUE 19

2 Lakewood Sentinel

December 20, 2018D

Spreading holiday cheer with the Action Center The Action Center hosted its annual holiday gift shop

BY JOSEPH RIOS JRIOS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

F

or over 40 years, the Action Center provides families with gifts for children who struggle to make ends meet during the holiday season. Parents of over 3,000 children in Jefferson County shopped for free toys that they wouldn’t be able to afford at Faith Mountain in Lakewood from Dec. 10 to Dec. 15.

“This time of year, families who are already struggling face increased pressure with the desire to create a happy holiday for their children. We are here to ease that burden and bring needed joy to children in our community,” said Pam Brier, executive director for the Action Center.

Janelle Baca shops for toys at the Action Center’s holiday gift shop. The Action Center has hosted the event for the past 46 years.

PHOTOS BY JOSEPH RIOS

Ann Ricketson, a volunteer, goes through boxes of toys for the Action Center’s holiday gift shop.

Every year, an anonymous volunteer purchases dolls and sews custom made dresses for each doll.

Mandy Blair searches through toys for Christmas presents for her children.

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Lakewood Sentinel 3

December 20, 2018

Phase one of EnrollJeffco opens STAFF REPORT

Jeffco Public Schools opened the first phase of a new online enrollment system, www.EnrollJeffco.org, Dec. 17. The EnrollJeffco School Finder enables families to learn about neighborhood, option, and charter schools all in one place.

The EnrollJeffco School Finder is designed to help families of new, current, and potential students: learn what kind of programs neighborhood schools offer;

locate schools offering specific services such as before and after school care or preschool programs; find basic information about school hours, location, and website links; identify schools with certain academic models or extracurricular activities; and discover the wide variety of schools available in Jeffco.

EnrollJeffco is the digital replacement for choice enrollment. The enrollment process has expanded to capture all students to

make school information easier for families to access, streamline processes, ensure the same timeline for all schools, and give schools more time to plan for the next school year.

Phase two of EnrollJeffco opens Jan. 22 through Feb. 8.

At that time, all families will use EnrollJeffco to enroll in neighborhood schools (K-12), indicate their student is returning to the same school, or apply to a new or different school for preschool and choice enrollment.

WOMEN’S PRO RACING TO TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT AT THE ‘CLASSIC’

The Colorado Classic will become the only women’s stand-alone stage race in the Western Hemisphere on the Union Cycliste Internationale calendar and USA Cycling’s Pro Road Tour. COURTESY PHOTO

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Looking Back at a Busy Year: Here Are Some Popular Columns From 2018 `Tis the season when it’s popular to reflect on the year that is drawing to a close, so here’s a collection of my favorite columns from 2018.

If any of them strike your fancy, you can find links for each of them online at my archival website, JimSmithColumns.com.

Jan. 4, 2018 — Golden Real Estate: ‘Promoting and Modeling Environmental Responsibility’ This column describes how we completed the transition from mere energy efficiency to a “net zero energy” office.

Jan. 25, 2018 — Life Transitions Are at the Heart of Most Clients’ Real Estate Needs. Divorce, marriage, relocation, medical crises and becoming “empty nesters” are a few examples.

Feb. 1, 2018 — Here Are Some Obstacles

Does Your Subdivision Have a Metropolitan Tax District?

I am thinking of doing some investigative reporting about these tax districts created to pay for infrastructure. You could help me by providing any insights or information you have about the tax district created for your own subdivision. Are you on the board, or have you attended any meetings?

I am particularly interested in these tax districts’ financial management and would be interested in receiving information on any audits that have been performed. Thanks!

(Real or Imagined) Faced by First-Time Home Buyers. Down payment, credit issues, student loan debt, and unwarranted risk aversion are some of the obstacles covered.

Feb. 22, 2018 — Owned Your Home for a Long Time? Here Are Some Ideas on Limiting Capital Gains Liability. Although not a CPA myself, I offer some advice such as “Don’t put your heirs on the title of your house — let them inherit it.”

Mar. 8, 2018 — How Can Sellers Prepare for the Buyer’s Inspection?

Here’s Some Practical Advice. The information in this column can help to save you money when the buyer asks for repairs.

Mar. 15, 2018 — Buyers and Sellers Ask: Why Did the Appraisal Come in at Exactly the Contract Price? This is a common question, and I help answer it this week.

Mar. 22, 2018 — Off-Market Real Estate Sales Hurt Sellers by Shutting Out Buyers Who Might Pay More. When someone offers to buy your house, treat it as an opening bid.

You don’t want to sell your home to less than it’s worth, do you?

Mar. 29, 2018 — How Can Buyers Win a Bidding War? Here’s What Our Agents Do. It’s easy for agents to ask buyers to submit their “highest and best,” but an auction approach often nets you more money for your home.

April 5, 2018 — What If Sellers and Their Agents Don’t Disclose Known Defects in Their Listings? The new version of the Sellers Property Disclosure is a disservice to

Beverly Heights Ranch Back on the Market Nestled in Golden’s Beverly Heights with mountain $770,000 views, just uphill from the Colorado School of Mines campus, this one-owner, ranch-style, 5-bedroom/3bath brick ranch is move-in ready! With over 4,000 finished square feet, 2 wood-burning fireplaces, studio, flex space and walkout basement, this home is a must see! Sellers have remodeled the home with new paint, doors, walls, trim, outlets, switches and lighting. If you have previously toured the home, take a second look. The clean, modern feel of the home is sure to impress! The private backyard oasis is great for relaxing as paragliders float peacefully overhead with the famous “M” on Mt. Zion as your backdrop. Buyers can add their personal touch to the kitchen and bathrooms to create their forever Golden home. There’s RV parking, too! More pictures and info at www.BeverlyHeightsHome.info.

both buyers and sellers. I explain why.

April 26, 2018 — Just in Time: A Breakthrough in ‘Rent-to-Own’ for Those Who Can’t Buy Now. Golden Real Estate has an investor who will buy a home that is being offered for sale, then rent it you. And you receive an 5year option to buy!

May 3, 2018 — As Warm Weather Arrives, What Are the Different Ways to Cool a Home? Alternatives to conventional air conditioning includes whole house fans, evaporative (swamp) coolers and heat pumps.

May 24, 2018 — What Is Title Insurance, and Why Do Buyer and Sellers Need It, Anyway? This is typically your second biggest expense when selling a home. I explain its purpose.

June 14, 2018 — Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Sell Your House Without Putting It on the Market. To get the highest price, you need to expose your home to the broadest range of buyers possible, something that happens only if it appears on the MLS. June 21, 2018 — I Love to Write About Real Estate, But This Week It’s Personal. This

well-received column was about Donald Trump. I just couldn’t stay silent any longer, and I was flooded with thank-yous for writing it.

July 26, 2018 — The Home Buying Process: How It Works in the Internet Age. The role of the real estate agent has changed now that most buyers do their own online searching before calling their agent.

Aug. 16, 2018 — Should the MLS Include a Condition Rating for Each Listing? Here’s How It Might Work. In this column, I explain how this could be done and how it would better serve buyers.

Aug. 30, 2018 — What You Need to Know About Agents Who Claim to Have a Buyer for Your Home. They could be lying to get you to list with them.

Sept. 13, 2018 — Don’t Make the Same Mistakes Made by Others When Trying to Sell Their Homes Perhaps you’ll recognize some of these common mistakes.

Nov. 8, 2018 — Senior Homeowners Are at Risk of Being Conned/Scammed Out of Their Homes. This is a must-read! Too many seniors are falling victim to scammers.

Just Listed: Custom-Built Applewood Ranch This 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home at $525,000 3221 Routt Street is located on a quiet cul-de-sac north of 32nd Ave. between Youngfield and Kipling. Built in 1986, it is offered for sale by its original owners, who have beautifully maintained it. The garden-level basement has lots of natural light and features a high-efficiency gas furnace with central A/C unit and a radon mitigation system, making it ready for finishing. The 2-car garage is both extra-wide and extra-deep, perfect for a home workshop. All kitchen appliances and the high-efficiency washer and dryer are included. The professionally landscaped backyard features a 12’x16’ covered deck with sun shades, three garden beds and a horseshoe pit! Showings begin this Saturday. Expect to see a narrated video tour at www.ApplewoodHome.info. It will be open Sunday, 11-2.

Jim Smith Broker/Owner

Golden Real Estate, Inc. CALL

Get this Column in Your Inbox every Thursday.

Send request to Jim@GoldenRealEstate.com

OR

TEXT: 303-525-1851

MAIN: 303-302-3636 EMAIL: Jim@GoldenRealEstate.com WEBSITE: www.GoldenRealEstate.com 17695 South Golden Road, Golden 80401

4 Lakewood Sentinel

December 20, 2018D

David Wiechman set to serve on Lakewood’s Budget and Audit Board Wiechman previously served as a Ward 4 councilman

BY JOSEPH RIOS JRIOS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Typically, when a Lakewood citizen is being appointed to the city’s Budget and Audit Board, it is a routine procedure that doesn’t get much public attention — but David Wiechman’s return to the city of Lakewood came with controversy and considerable public comment during a Nov. 26 Lakewood City Council meeting.

The former councilman served on Lakewood City Council for eight years up until 2017, and now he is set to join the city’s Budget and Audit Board.

But Wiechman’s return has some Lakewood residents concerned about how he will work with city employees.

In 2013, a city employee allegedly saw an indecent image on Wiechman’s iPad. Former Lakewood Employee Relations Director Ken Milano released a statement at the time of the incident, saying the employee who saw the image described it as “a fully exposed nude picture that was pornographic, explicit and vulgar.” Wiechman issued an apology on his website at the time and said that he takes full responsibility for the incident. He previously stated that he didn’t intentionally show the photo to the employee.

Wiechman faced no repercussions from the incident. Lakewood’s Municipal Code only allowed councilmem-

David Wiechman

COURTESY PHOTO

bers to be removed from their position if they knowingly disclosed confidential information, had a physical, or mental disability, were absent from 30 percent of council meetings, or study sessions, or if they had a conviction of violating the Colorado Constitution.

Some citizens approached Lakewood City Council addressing their concerns with one citizen questioning what message council is sending to the public by letting Wiechman return to working for Lakewood, while others voiced their support for Wiechman’s nomination by saying his qualifications would be an asset to the Budget and Audit Board. Eight citizens commented about Wiechman’s nomination before Lakewood City Council appointed him to the Budget and Audit Board, and it was 50/50 in terms of supporters to detractors.

Wiechman was appointed to the city’s Budget and Audit Board after Lakewood City Council went back and forth about whether they should delay voting him to the board and after hearing from numerous members of the community. He was appointed to the board on a 6-5 vote with councilmembers Ramey Johnson, Mike Bieda, Barb Franks, Pete Roybal, Charley Able and David Skilling voting for his appointment. While councilmembers Dana Gutwein, Karen Harrison, Sharon Vincent, Jacob LaBure and Lakewood Mayor Adam Paul voted no.

Councilwoman Johnson voiced her support for Wiechman during the meeting, saying that he understands how the city works.

Wiechman will serve on the board with Harrison, Bieda, LaBure and Lakewood citizens Donald Tallman and Jon Ludwigson. The Budget and Audit Board is responsible for reviewing financial statements and budget forecasts and for providing financial oversight and feedback on budgetary compliance with city policies, according to Lakewood’s website. In his application for the Budget and Audit Board, Wiechman wrote that he is interested in serving for the board, because he brings professional knowledge, experience and a broad citizen perspective to add diversity and creativity.

Wiechman has worked professionally as an economist. In a previous interview with the Lakewood Sentinel, Wiechman said his proudest moment on city council was helping to stop the city from purchasing land at the Federal Center, in opposition to some

of the current city council.

Councilman LaBure said that some residents mentioned that the Budget and Audit Board is already heavy with residents from Ward 4, which is located west of C-470 — the area that Wiechman represented during his time on Lakewood City Council. He also mentioned that he had some residents ask him to support Wiechman.

Among the candidates for the Budget and Audit Board that were passed over was a ratings data associate, a financial planner and an associate director of finance, according to documents obtained from the city.

“Dave has a wide range of experience in financial matters, and he was more qualified than the other candidates. He is the guy who will ask the hard ball questions, and the Budget and Audit Board needs someone who is not complacent,” said Councilman Able.

Diana Wilson and Cindy Baroway both served on city council with Wiechman, and both women wrote letters to Mayor Adam Paul and councilmembers, urging them to vote no on Wiechman’s appointment. Wilson said she has known Wiechman for a long time, and his daughter used to babysit her kids.

“I thought he was really interested in the community. Then I started to see how he claims to be collaborative, but then decisions don’t get made,” Wilson said. “He enjoys the power and he likes to stir the pot.”

The Lakewood Sentinel reached out to Wiechman for this story, but he had not responded as of the paper’s print deadline.

West Metro Fire District sued by a former firefighter Filing alleges that district improperly took retirement money for current employees

BY JOSEPH RIOS JRIOS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The West Metro Fire District is being sued by a retired firefighter and the wife of another district retiree over allegations that money from a retiree health trust fund was improperly used.

The lawsuit, filed in Jefferson County courts, names the fire district, and the Executive Committee of IAFF Local 1309, a union for current employees of West Metro Fire District, as defendants.

The union and fire district gave current firefighters funds from the health trust as it was being closed down — something they say was appropriate, but the plaintiffs say was in direct violation of the trust rules.

The plaintiffs are listed as Tim O’Hayre and Ruth Brienza. O’Hayre spent 20 years working as a firefighter for the West Metro Fire District — a full service fire de-

A West Metro fire truck in Lakewood. The West Metro Fire District is a full service fire department that serves 250,000 residents in Jefferson and Douglas counties.

JOSEPH RIOS

partment that serves over 250,000 residents in Jefferson County and Douglas County. He was forced to retire due to a partial disability authorized by the Fire & Police Pension Association of Colorado, according to O’Hayre.

Brienza, a 62-year-old woman married to a former West Metro firefighter, is on the lawsuit instead

of her husband, because she was eligible to receive funds from the health trust. Her husband is past the age to be able to qualify for benefits from the health trust.

O’Hayre and Brienza believe that they and other retirees and dependents from West Metro Fire were entitled to money that remained in the health trust. But the fire

district gave money in the health trust to current employees’ retirement health savings accounts, or 457 retirement plans. West Metro says it took an appropriate approach to distributing the remaining funds in the health trust.

O’Hayre’s and Brienza’s attorney asked the judge to expand the lawsuit to include all eligible retirees and their eligible dependents who would have had health care coverage under the health trust through 2017. The number of eligible retirees is believed to be around 73 people — some of whom were in the courthouse for the case hearing on Nov. 8.

“We’re a bunch of old-school, beat-up, disabled firefighters. (West Metro) could’ve prevented a lot of these issues if they had just talked to the retirees,” said O’Hayre.

The health trust was created by West Metro Fire District in 1996 to provide health benefits to both active employees, and qualified retirees until they turned 65 and could apply for Medicare, according to court documents.

SEE FIREFIGHTER, P28

Lakewood Sentinel 5

December 20, 2018

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6 Lakewood Sentinel

December 20, 2018D

H O L I D AY Join us to Celebrate Love, Life, and Community!

WORSHIP * Unto Us a Child is Born! *

Traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight and Carol Worships 6 and 10 p.m.

Sunday Services 9:30 a.m.

“So That All May Know Christ’s Love”

Advent Lutheran Church 7979 Meade Street, Westminster, CO 80030 303-428-7501 • www.adventwestminster.org

Come to your Spiritual Home this Christmas

Christmas E v e

C andlelight & C ommunion S ervices 6:00pm ­ Children’s Pageant 8:00pm ­ Chancel Choir Westminster Presbyterian Church 74th & Bradburn...303‐429‐8508

Celebration Events Sunday, December 16 at 10 a.m.

Christmas Music Sunday “O Great Mystery”

Saturday, December 22 at 2 p.m.

Blue Christmas (a service to honor those who are grieving)

Christmas Orchestra Service | Sunday, December 23, 7 p.m

Christmas Eve Services

3 p.m. Children’s Service 5 & 7 p.m. Candlelight Service 11 p.m. Candlelight Service with Communion

Sunday Services 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve Services

5 p.m. - Christmas Eve Service Childcare for preschool & under

11 p.m. - Christmas Eve Service

Children’s Choir (grades 1-7) 9 a.m.

Children and Youth Sunday School 10 a.m.

Youth Fellowship 11 a.m.

Arvada United Methodist Church 6750 Carr Street • arvadaumc.org • 303-421-5135

11500 W. 20th Ave. Lakewood 303-238-2482 | www.soth.net

Lakewood Sentinel 7

December 20, 2018

Golden First Presbyterian Church S. Golden Road at W. 16th Avenue 303-279-5591

CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICES Monday, December 24 Traditional Worship Noon, 7:00 & 9:00 p.m.

Contemporary Worship 3:00 & 5:00 p.m.

NO CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE

Christmas Eve Service: Dec 24, 7:00 P.M. All are Welcome

Risen Savior Lutheran Church 3031 W. 144th Ave., Broomfield 303-469-3521 www.rslc.org

Holiday Worship Pages 2018 Colorado Community Media North/West Dec 13 & Dec. 20 $135/wk 2 Weeks Small Ad: “4.73 x 3” Ads include free color and will include on December 24: 3p & 5p Candlelight Blended Worship ShopLocalColorado.com

Christmas Worship

with Chamber Orchestra 7p Candlelight Worship / Unplugged December 25: 10am Worship with Communion December 31: 6p Worship with Communion

Peace Lutheran Church 5675 Field St, Arvada | 303-424-4454 | www.peacelutheran.net

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DEC 25 • 10AM • CAROLS AND COMMUNION

LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE MASTER 14099 W Jewell Ave • Lakewood www.lcmonline.org • 303-988-6400

8 Lakewood Sentinel

December 20, 2018D

Lakewood High’s woodworking class hosts a special group Program pairs students together to change assumptions into understanding

BY JOSEPH RIOS JRIOS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Steven Barnhill, a technical education teacher for Lakewood High School, looks at his woodworking classroom, smiling like a proud father.

“Welcome to my world,” Barnhill says with his arms stretched out as the sound of saws and high school students talking echo throughout the classroom.

Barnhill’s woodworking class is unlike any he has taught in his 27 years as an educator. This one is all about unity between students who have special education needs and Lakewood High School’s woodworking students.

On Dec. 11, Lakewood High School’s woodworking class helped students who have special education needs from Lakewood High School and Alameda High School to build projects for the holidays. The students built bird houses and tool boxes, and the day was part of a program that takes place throughout Jeffco Schools. The program is called the Unified Program, and it is designed for students with special education needs to partner with

Lakewood High School seniors Christian Medina and Shakira Galvan work on a bird house together as part of the Unified Program. The program is designed for students with special education needs to partner with a coach, or fellow student to work on a common project, or learn with each other.

PHOTOS BY JOSEPH RIOS

Steven Barnhill, a technical education teacher for Lakewood High School, shows off a bird house.

a coach, or fellow student to work on a common project, or learn with each other, according to Lakewood High School principal Daniel Bock.

“More schools should do stuff like this. It opens a lot of people’s eyes to special education kids,” said Jackson Horton, a sophomore at Lakewood High School who participated in the woodworking class. “Some people just don’t know much about them, and they make assumptions. Then you

start to realize how sweet a kid is and how special they are.”

Barnhill’s class was also designed to introduce students who have special education needs to a workplace experience in woodworking.

“I’ve never done woodworking before. My favorite part of this today was making a tool box,” said Jose Rodarte, an 11th grade student who has special education needs at Alameda High School. Rodarte said he would

like to participate in woodworking projects more in the future.

Lakewood High School offers athletics and drama production through the Unified Program, but this is the first time woodworking has been integrated into it.

“It’s really heartwarming to see students being accepting of each other.

You hear so much in our world about bullying, and these kids just don’t care about any of that stuff,” Barnhill said.

Lakewood Sentinel 9

December 20, 2018

2019 FARES Effective January 1, 2019

In RTD’s continuing efforts to provide safe, clean, reliable, courteous, accessible and cost-effective service for all members of the community we serve, our Board of Directors approved a new fare policy that will take effect on January 1, 2019.

2019 LOCAL, REGIONAL AND AIRPORT FARES LOCAL 3-Hour Pass

Full $3.00

Discount* $1.50

Youth** $0.90

MyRide Card Day Pass

$2.80 $6.00

$1.40 $3.00

$0.90 $1.80

3-Hour Pass

Full $5.25

Discount* $2.60

Youth** $1.60

MyRide Card Day Pass

$5.05 $10.50

$2.50 $5.25

$1.60 $3.20

Full $10.50

Discount* $5.25

Youth** $3.20

$10.30

$5.15

$3.20

(replaces one-way transfer)

REGIONAL (replaces one-way transfer)

AIRPORT 3-Hour Pass

(replaces one-way transfer)

MyRide Card Day Pass

Included in a Regional/Airport Day Pass

Discounted fares *Discount fares apply to seniors 65+, individuals with disabilities and Medicare recipients. **Youth discount fares apply to youth ages 6-19 (up to three children ages 5 and younger ride free with a fare-paying adult).

Proof of eligibility is required for all passengers using discounted fare products.

Active duty members of the U.S. military ride for free on all RTD services.

For more information visit us online at rtd-denver.com

10 Lakewood Sentinel

December 20, 2018D

Air tests show minimal polution from Terumo BCT Company significantly cut ethylene oxide emissions after EPA warning

BY JOSEPH RIOS JRIOS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Residents near a Lakewood biotech manufacturing site can breathe a little easier now, after air tests showed the air around the building did not contain noticeably higher levels of a cancerous air toxin.

Back in August, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s updated its National Air Toxins Assessment that listed Terumo BCT, a medical device factory in Lakewood, as one of 26 places in the country where emissions of ethylene oxide could pose an elevated risk of cancer based on lifetime exposure.

That report, based on estimated emissions of ethylene oxide, triggered a community risk assessment on Dec. 3 by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).

The Colorado study of actual air emissions around the Terumo building found ethylene oxide levels were not significantly higher than baseline readings for the area.

The CDPHE targeted eight locations near Terumo BCT, whose headquarters are located at 11308 W. Collins Ave., for air samplings, where model-

Terumo BCT, with 2,500 employees in Lakewood, follows strict regulations to produce medical products at its clean rooms.

The company sterilizes these single-use sets before they are shipped to health care providers to collect blood and deliver critical treatments.

QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS? Any residents who have questions about ethylene oxide exposure can call the state health department’s toxicology call line at 303-692-2606, or email cdphe_toxcall@ state.co.us. ing showed ethylene oxide would be most impactful.

According to the CDPHE study, there was a “significant reduction” in ethylene oxide around Terumo BCT, after the company reviewed its own systems following the EPA warning, ranging from a two, to fivefold reduction.

Data from the risk assessment shows that one of the sites with the highest levels of ethylene oxide contained 1.6 parts per billion of the toxin, before the company installed new emission controls. Following that, ethylene oxide in that same site dropped to .4 parts per billion. The average regional parts per billion of ethylene oxide is a little bellow .2 parts per billion.

“It was paramount for us to reduce our emissions. We took a new view at our emissions, and we immediately acted to put these emissions through our emission control system,” said Tom Gulland, the director of factory operations for Terumo BCT. Terumo BCT uses ethylene oxide, a flammable gas used to create other chemicals, to sterilize medical devices.

Terumo BCT was not exceeding permitted emissions, according to the CDPHE — but the company still took

COURTESY OF BRADLEY HEIN

steps to reduce the amount of ethylene oxide it was putting in the air.

Exposure to ethylene oxide may be linked to Hodgkin’s lymphoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma, breast and lymphocytic leukemia cancers. According to the risk assessment, the rates of those cancers in the area surrounding Terumo BCT were no different than expected, based on cancer rates in the rest of the state from 2000 to 2017.

While there isn’t evidence that there is more cancer in the area of Terumo BCT, state health officials say breathing low levels of ethylene oxide over a lifetime, similar to what was detected

near the medical device manufacturing’s facility may lead to a small increased risk of cancer. However, it could take decades for data to show whether the increased risk does lead to increased rate of cancer.

“It is very difficult to pinpoint a specific cause for cancers, because there are so many underlying factors that can also increase a person’s risk,” said Dr. Mark B. Johnson, director of Jefferson County Public Health.

Any residents who have questions about ethylene oxide exposure can call the state health department’s toxicology call line at 303-692-2606, or can email cdphe_toxcall@state.co.us.

MMiners i n e r s Alley Alley CChildern’s h i l d r e n ’ s Theatre Theatre

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minersalley.com 303.935.3044

Lakewood Sentinel 11

December 20, 2018

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ALL SALES FINAL, NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES. OPEN DAILY REGULAR HOURS. WE ACCEPT VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER, AMERICAN EXPRESS AND SEARS CARD. WE ACCEPT SEARS GIFT CARDS. DISCOUNTS DO NOT APPLY TO PREPAID GIFT CARDS AND PHONE CARDS. INVENTORY IS LIMITED TO STOCK ON HAND. THESE STORES ARE NOT PARTICIPATING IN CURRENT SEARS CIRCULARS. THIS EVENT EXCLUDES ELECTROLUX AND TEMPUR-PEDIC.

12 Lakewood Sentinel

LOCAL

December 20, 2018D

VOICES

What is better than the gift of literature?

R

ecently, at my beloved Lighthouse Writers Workshop, one of my classmates arrived with what appeared to be a pack of famous-author trading cards she had discovered downstairs. The rest of us scrambled to get some and what ALCHEMY ensued was a full-out trading-card session.

The cards are actually photographs of writers who have visited Lighthouse over the years, with quotes from their works.

I was particularly interested in authors I have heard, talked to, or learned from at Andrea Doray various Lighthouse events.

The cards I most wanted are for Cheryl Strayed, Roxanne Gay, Jennifer Egan, Kazuo Ishiguro, Claudia Rankine, Michael Ondaatje, Mary Karr,

to hear from and about others. Literature prompts us to engage with the world, taking us into the past or the future, down alleys and into drainpipes, and even asking us to suspend our disbelief as we enter the world of magical realism.

Often, our engagement with literature also means examining our humanity – and inhumanity – as so deftly conveyed, for example, in Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried, based on his experiences as a soldier in Vietnam.

Although you may be most familiar with Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day, in Never Let Me Go – named one of Time magazine’s 100 greatest English-language novels – Nobel prize winner Ishiguro writes appropriately, “Memories, even your most precious ones, fade surprisingly quickly. But I don’t go along with that. The memories I value most, I don’t ever see them fading.”

Lauren Groff reminds us of the value of the little things, saying of her char-

Lauren Groff … all luminaries with whom I’ve had the privilege of interacting.

That’s one reason why I ask for books … and why I choose books for others.

What is better than the gift of literature?

For instance, you may have heard of Cheryl Strayed’s Wild, also a movie produced by and starring Reese Witherspoon. Even if – or because – you’ve seen the film, Strayed’s book is a delight. Put Wild on your list, to give or to get!

Consider these timely words from Mary Karr’s Liar’s Club: “Sure the world breeds monsters, but kindness grows just as wild …”. Or this from Jennifer Egan in A Visit from the Goon Squad: “I don’t want to fade away, I want to flame away – I want my death to be an attraction, a spectacle, a mystery. A work of art.”

Whew … I’m inspired.

Now, as we approach both the hope and uncertainty of a new year, it helps

acter in Fates and Furies, “Because it’s true: more than the highlights, the bright events, it was in the small and the daily where she’d found life.”

Personal favorite Michael Ondaatje might not be a household name, but his novel The English Patient probably is. Again, a fine film, but necessarily without the author’s nuances.

It’s worth the read. (I’m also partial to Ondaatje’s Running in the Family and The Collected Works of Billy the Kid … I recommend both.)

Perhaps the most poignant – and currently relevant – words on the cards are those of the English patient himself: “All I ever wanted was a world without maps.”

Enjoy!

P.S. Thanks to Lighthouse for the trading cards.

Andrea Doray is a writer who reminds us never to judge a book by its movie. For more gift book suggestions, email her at a.doray@andreadoray.com.

My favorite gifts: A Christmas story HITTING HOME

Michael Alcorn

Part three...

The Being sat back against the bench, and closed his eyes.

The child thought he might be sleeping, so it did not disturb him. But then the Being spoke again, with its eyes still closed.

“I must leave you soon, child, for this world is meant for you, and you must learn to navigate its ways by yourself.”

“But, sir, won’t I be lonely?

Won’t it be quiet and, well, a little boring with only me and

my dogs … and cats?”

And then the Being let out a deep breath, and opened his eyes. “I have been thinking about this. I think I shall give you others, like yourself, that will keep you company. Some will be very much like you; some will be very different from you; and some, you will not enjoy being around at all.

“But some will be like your shadow, like the harmony to your melody. People different, and yet the same. People who will walk beside you, and be closer than a brother, who will help SEE ALCORN, P13

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Health tax trouble Recently, I left my job and with it my health insurance. I’m very concerned about the cost of purchasing my own or finding another job with benefits.

Now there’s reason to worry both options will soon become more difficult.

A health insurance tax, put on hold for 2019, is expected to return in 2020 and drive premiums higher.

If that happens, the cost of an individual plans will rise at least $170.

That’s a lot of money when you’re out of work. Moreover, many local

A publication of

employers will pay over $400 extra for each family on their health plan. I suspect it will become harder to find a job that comes with health insurance, and the tax might lead to less hiring.

Elected leaders need to understand that people really struggle to pay for health insurance. The costs are cutting into the money for basic necessities, and they’re limiting the funds companies have to hire employees and pay good wages.

There’s no reason to put a tax on something as important as health in-

A bookish boon In the spirit of gift-giving, I like to play a game that flies in the face of technology. Occasionally, I might leave a book at a bus stop. It could be of mixed genre but one I hope would be of interest to the average reader.

Without all the bells and whistles, it might include a humble book mark.

Happy reading!

Martin Gross, Wheat Ridge

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surance. It should be tax-free so more people can afford it.

Fortunately, our U.S. Senator Cory Gardner signed on to a letter bringing the health insurance tax problem to the attention of congressional leadership. Now we just need them to craft legislation putting the tax on hold again in 2020, so Senator Gardner can vote “yes” and help save us all a lot of money on health insurance.

Sandra Jo Horner, Lakewood

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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.

Lakewood Sentinel 13

December 20, 2018

L

Calling all geezers, even late at night: Fourth in a series

ast night I heard my cell phone ring. I wondered who could be calling me at 11 p.m. I answered the phone and heard an unfamiliar man’s voice.

Me: Hello, is this an emergency?

Caller: You could say that. Is this Mary Stobie?

Me: Yes. Who is this?

Caller: My name is Humperdink Snorkle.

Me: I don’t think I’ve met you.

Caller: You don’t know me, but I know you! Over the past few months, I’ve read three columns you’ve written about Geezers.

Me: Ah, yes, I see. My columns on how to be a geezer.

Caller: You’ve got me hooked!

Please tell me you’re going to write a fourth geezer column and keep the series going.

Me:, Yes, yes, of course.(Yawn). I’m sending the fourth one in to my editor tomorrow morning. (I was actually making this up, but wanted to end the

ALCORN FROM PAGE 12

guard you and yet challenge you to be better. This gift is greater even than music, though, if I do say so myself, it would be wonderfully spent making music. This is the gift of Friendship.”

The child got very excited at this news, and could barely contain itself.

But the Being was very serious.

“I must warn you, however: this is a precious gift. Do not take it lightly.

Great friends are rare. Many will come and go in your life, but the great Friends will always be there when you need them.”

This did not dampen the child’s excitement about Friends, but, somehow, made it more important and more profound.

The Being continued. “And from among all the people there will be some that are made of some of the same stuff that you are made of. You will share a home as you and create a common history. This gift you will call Family, and, though in many cases you will not choose them, they will be the most important people in the world to you.

“And someday, you will meet someone, somebody different than you, who you will want to be a part of your family. In turn, you will make your own Family with this person, and then you will understand the soul-shaking pain and the transcendent joys of creation, for the Family you create will be your most important responsibility.”

This sounding suspiciously like something very difficult, and the child was not completely certain that it was a good thing.

“But, sir, couldn’t I just stick with friendship? That sounds so much easier.”

And the Being smiled. “It is easier.

But, Family is still better.

“And, now, my child, my time is done.

phone call.)

Caller: Thank you.

Now I can rest easy.

Me: You’re welcome.

Then I started feeling sympathy for dear Humperdink Snorkle, the man who loves my Geezer columns. I went down to my comMary McFerren puter during the wee Stobie hours of the morning and started writing. The following is what came out: Now, as a reader, you may be asking, what is a geezer? Is a geezer just an older person? No, a geezer has an attitude. You ask what is the attitude of a geezer? Okay, Okay.

Instead of attempting to conceal your age , as a geezer you flaunt it.

Have fun with aging. Ramp up your foibles. The following suggestions will help you let everyone know that

WIT AND GRIT

I must leave you.” And the Being stood up and looked down at the child.

The child, for its part, was saddened by the thought of this wise and powerful Being leaving. The child reached out, and grabbed the Being’s coat.

“But, sir, don’t leave me now. There is so much I still do not understand.”

And the Being smiled down at the child, and placed his hand on its head.

“I know, I know. But you will have to discover it now for yourself. All of it.

The good, the bad, the ugly, the wonderful. Don’t be afraid. You will find, I believe, that if you learn to look for it, there will be a great deal more good and wonderful than bad.”

And, with a gentle pat, the Being turned and began to walk away from the child. The child watched him go for a distance, then called to him. “Will I ever see you again?”

The Being turned, and looked at the child with a warm smile. “Yes. That is my final gift to you. I have written on your heart all the ways you can find pieces of me in this world, and I will send others to you who will teach you how to find me again, and one who will open the doors to my world. And, finally, when your journey in this world is through, I will bring you to my world with me and all those who also seek me.

“And that will be a glorious day, my child.”

And He left, leaving the child lonely and confused, but hopeful. Because, in the end, the best part of this season is the Hope it infuses into every life.

Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays!

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.

you are proud to be a geezer.

1. While having coffee at Starbucks, start a spirited discussion about whether motorcycle cops should wear plaid or paisley.

2. If the City Council meeting is dragging, pluck out your bottle and blow bubbles.

3. Sitting in the tree in your front yard, you read the newspaper. After you’ve finished a few pages, wad them up. Ask a passerby, “Do you like baseball?” If the passerby says yes, toss the ball of paper down and say, “Catch!”

4. Shave your head except for one chartreuse braid.

5. Say, “I remember a 1960s rock group with heart trouble. They were called Gerry and the Pacemakers.”

6. You’ve heard that green tea cures restless leg syndrome. You’ve never had it but you drink a pot just in case.

7. Go to an art exhibit and interpret

the subjects in paintings. You claim, “That gopher means the artist likes to hide in holes.”

8. Become a nuisance at parties.

If you have just seen a movie, say to everyone, “You’ve got to see this!”

Then tell the plot, the climax and the ending.

9. Use a butterfly net to catch thoughts that fly away.

10. When the weatherman says it’s going to be a chilly day, with a high of 48 degrees, you walk to the grocery store. You wear two hooded parkas, snow pants, rubber boots, goggles, with two ski poles for balance.

I imagine Humperdink Snorkle will read this column. I wrote it thinking about him. I like to know I am connecting with readers, even if one of them calls late at night.

Mary Stobie is a syndicated geezer.

Contact her at mry_jeanne@yahoo.com.

In Loving Memory Place an Obituary for Your Loved One. Private 303-566-4100 Obituaries@ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

Funeral Homes Visit: www.memoriams.com

14 Lakewood Sentinel

LOCAL

December 20, 2018D

LIFE

Eat the wheat, test the taste — it’s scientific

Nothing HALF-BAKED

T

from Germany. They started with the stollens and fruitcakes. People come from all over now. It would be a huge disappointment if we didn’t have holiday items.”

Another bakery offering traditional family recipes is Grammy’s Italian Goodies in Wheat Ridge. The family-owned Italian restaurant and bakery bakes traditional Italian cookies and desserts from scratch daily.

Their honey and wine cookies are a best seller.

“They are really hard to make, so they are a special treat during the holidays,” said Joey Lyn Corder, co-owner with her mom, dad and brother.

Corder said their shop, which has been located on Harlan Street for the past four years, is like coming into a family member’s home.

here’s a stereotype that scientific research belongs in cold, sterile laboratories to people with Ph.D.s and white lab coats. But at the Genetics Taste Lab at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Nicole Garneau, Ph.D., curator of health sciences at the museum, is working to make sure the community knows they have just as much claim as anyone.

“We want the pubCOMING lic to know they own ATTRACTIONS scientific inquiry too, not just professional researchers,” Garneau said. “We want to remove the privilege and elitism that comes with these fields and let the community get involved in important studies.”

Through Aug. 2, community members aged Clarke Reader 8 and older can participate in a new Genes and Grains study, designed and conducted in partnership with community scientists, Colorado State University and the United States Department of Agriculture. The study aims to determine how variations of the TAS2R4 gene affect the taste of whole wheat.

“This is the sixth study we’ve participated in at the genetics lab. We accept applications from scientists all over the country on a ride range of topics,” Garneau explained. “We try to balance the setup so the scholarly part is not diminished, but participants can still have fun.”

This new study is part of a larger project funded by a Science Education Partnership Award rom the National Institutes of Health to conduct research in a way that empowers community participation. And since genetics is such a complicated field, exploring it through the lens of taste allows easier entry for the layperson.

“The community lab is on its way to better understanding why DNA affects the sense of taste and the role taste plays in what individuals choose to eat and their health,” Garneau said. “By participating, the community will be adding real, diverse data to the experiment.”

Each taster will sample a series of whole wheat wafers and describe what they detect. The community scientist will record the observations and take a DNA sample from the guest tasters via a cheek swab. Community scientists will then analyze the DNA samples using high-tech equipment in the Genetics of Taste Lab. The results will shed light on how DNA affects human perception of whole wheat, as sweeter or more bitter, according to information provided by the museum.

SEE BAKE, P15

SEE READER, P15

about holiday season Ashley Lawrence decorates sugar cookies at Rheinlander Bakery.

PHOTOS BY SHANNA FORTIER

Strudels, cookies, cakes, other sweets are December delights

Peppermint is among the holiday flavors baked up at Gold Mine Cupcakes in Golden each December.

BY SHANNA FORTIER SFORTIER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

W

hile customers browse the glass cases to pick out their sweet treats at Rheinlander Bakery in Olde Town Arvada, in the back a team of bakers works to bring the sweets to life. One rolls out pastry dough, fills it with sweet almond paste and prepares it for the oven, while another decorates sugar cookies with ornate details.

For over 50 years Rheinlander has been bringing German and Eastern European sweets to the Denver suburbs year-round. But the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is the busiest of the year.

With baking happening 12 hours a day, seven days a week, co-owner and baker Maro Dimmer said Rheinlander is 80 percent to 90 percent busier during the holidays than the rest of the year.

“The last three days before Christmas are the busiest,” Dimmer said, adding that during those days, they can barely fit anything else in the over other than their strudels.

Strudels are one of the bakery’s specialties with apple being the most popular. New to the holiday menu this year is an eggnog strudel.

Other traditional items the bakery is known for are kringles, stol-

lens, holiday cinnamon king cakes, German cookies, yule log cakes and brandied fruit cake.

“Our family is also very famous for our brandied fruit cake,” Dimmer said.

The cake is made by soaking nuts, fruits, dates and currents in a rum sauce and brandy sauce. That is then mixed with cake.

“Fruitcake is always a little controversial,” Dimmer said. “But I tell people if you taste our fruitcake, you’ll change your mind.”

As a German bakery in the United States, Rheinlander also offers hand-decorated sugar cookies and holiday-flavored cupcakes with a European buttercream.

Rheinlander starts prepping for the holiday season in July to make sure they have enough supply to meet the holiday demand.

“The holiday season has always been a tradition here,” Dimmer said. “Ever since our parents came

Lakewood Sentinel 15

December 20, 2018

BAKE FROM PAGE 14

Because of that, serving traditional Italian sweets was a no-brainer.

“There was never a meal served at our grammy’s house — our namesake -—that there wasn’t something sweet on the table or served after dinner,” Corder said. “We want all our customers to know that they are part of the family.”

Family is also the focus at Gold Mine Cupcakes in downtown Golden.

During December, the shop turns into a winter wonderland. Every weekend in Golden, downtown comes to life with parades and special events, and Gold Mine is no different.

“Being a family-owned business, we have always loved Christmas,” said Krista Lyons, co-owner of the cupcake shop with her

mom and sister. “It’s such a family holiday, so we love the chance to be able to share our Christmas spirit and joy with the community.”

During the winter months the flavors at Gold Mine shift to include those of traditional holiday cookies and drinks.

Eggnog, gingerbread, peppermint hot chocolate, candy cane and white chocolate cranberry are just a few of the festive cupcake flavors found.

Baking begins at 3 a.m. to get 300 cupcakes done before the shop opens each day. And that doesn’t include special orders.

Santa and horse-drawn carriage rides can also be found at the shop on the weekends.

“When we have Santa at the shop it brings in three times the amount of people we have on a Saturday,” Lyons said “It’s crazy busy, but it’s so much fun that we can bring smiles to peoples faces around the small town.”

READER FROM PAGE 14

“Those who participate will be helping to create real knowledge,” Garneau said. “It is also a way to get people more comfortable with participating and being involved in science.”

The study is fully available in both English and Spanish, and people can participate by going to the Taste Lab in “Expedition Health” on the second level of the museum at 2001 Colorado Blvd. The experiment is available daily, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Enrollment is free with museum admission.

Experiments run approximately 30 minutes and are subject to the availability of the community scientists on a first-come, first-served basis. It is also possible to make an appointment by emailing genetics@dmns.org. For more information, visit www.dmns. org/genetics.

Go home this holiday to Lone Tree Tap into a vein of pure Christmas cheer right before the holiday itself kicks into high gear by heading to Lone Tree.

In response to audience demand the Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., is hosting Home for the Holidays 2018 through Dec. 23. Performances are at 1:30 and 8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.

This production aims to delight everyone by including everything from dancers, singers, drummers, holiday songs, and of course, a special appearance by everyone’s favorite Christmas elf. The storyline has even been updated for 2018.

Get your tickets at www.lonetreeartscenter.org.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Conscious Alliance Holiday Party at Fillmore Auditorium It is no secret that the holidays

BOUCHE DE NOEL BY JODI POLSON, PASTRY CHEF AT COPERTA Chocolate Sponge Cake What you need:

yolks and second addition of sugar until thick and pale. Beat the melted chocolate mixture into the egg yolk mixture.

20 grams cocoa powder 40 grams all-purpose flour 115 grams dark chocolate, chopped 25 grams canola oil 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Fold the meringue into the chocolate mixture in three additions.

Fold the dry ingredients into the chocolate mixture in three additions. Spread the cake batter evenly into a greased and lined half sheet pan.

Bake cake 10-12 minutes at 375 degrees.

6 eggs, separated 1/2 teaspoon salt

over a double boiler and cook, whisking occasionally until the sugar has completely dissolved.

Pour the mixture into a mixer and whip until thick and cooled.

Add butter in a few tablespoons at a time, while still whipping, until all the butter has been incorporated. Stir in the vanilla.

Chocolate Ganache What you need: 450 grams dark chocolate

70 grams granulated sugar

Swiss Meringue Buttercream What you need:

What to do:

4 ounces egg whites

What to do:

Sift together the cocoa powder and all-purpose flour. Combine the chocolate, oil, and vanilla and melt over a double boiler. Begin whipping the egg whites until frothy, then slowly pour in the first addition of sugar and the salt; whip until stiff peaks form.

227 grams granulated sugar

Place dark chocolate in a large bowl. Heat cream until just about boiling. Pour cream over chocolate and let sit 5 minutes. Stir the mixture until completely smooth and incorporated.

In a separate bowl, beat the egg

Combine the egg whites and sugar

can be a very stressful time, with all the crowds and shopping, to say nothing of commitments with family and friends. Sometimes the best thing a person can do to stay sane is relieving some of that stress on the dance floor.

BoomBox, the electronic work of songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Zion Rock Godchaux, is offering audiences a chance to do just that while collecting toys for a good cause at the same time.

The Conscious Alliance Holiday Party will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 21 at the Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 N. Clarkson St. in Denver.

The event is hosted by Conscious Alliance, a nonprofit focused on feeding the hungry through organized food drives at music and sporting events.

For this special concert, instead of food the organization will be accepting new or unwrapped toys. Those who donate will receive a limited-edition poster.

In addition to BoomBox, the show will also feature a DJ set from Classixx, one of my favorite contemporary electronic groups, and Orchard Lounge, a duo that blends genres ranging from downtempo to space disco, with a healthy dose of hip-hop, soul and funk added to the mix.

Tickets can be purchased at www. livenation.com, and find about more about Conscious Alliance at www. consciousalliance.org.

Mark the shortest day with a long night of partying The winter solstice used to be a time for celebrations and festivals of all kinds in the world’s ancient cultures.

Even the Christmas celebration coincides with these annual events.

Some still keep the tradition of marking the shortest day and longest night of the year alive with parties of various kinds. One such place is Denver’s Mercury Café, 2199 California, which is hosting Danc-

227 grams butter, room remperature 1 teaspoon vanilla What to do:

ing the Dark from 8 p.m. to midnight on Friday, Dec. 21.

The evening will feature Cerunno’s Reverie, a local group that performs spirit-weaving tribal fusion dance music, Eva, Rafi’ah and Mercury Café belly dancers, and a solstice ritual facilitated by Erica Adams.

Use immediately if pouring, or let sit until slightly cool but spreadable.

More information on this all ages event can be found at www.mercurycafe.com.

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

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16 Lakewood Sentinel

December 20, 2018D

Michelle Obama, Santa Claus share holiday cheer with kids Children’s Hospital Colorado welcomes two special guests

BY JOSEPH RIOS JRIOS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

T

here was a buzz in the air at the Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora as children began to slowly make their way to the hospital’s lobby. The children, ages 3 to 17, were patients of the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Neurosciences Institute, Heart Institute, Rehabilitation, Orthopedics Institute and trauma and surgery departments. They had no idea what they were about to see — they just knew that they were going to some type of holiday event.

As the children made their way to the lobby that was decorated with a sky-high Christmas tree and two large, white chairs, it became apparent amongst the crowd that this wasn’t just any event.

Families and individuals packed balconies above the lobby to watch as former first lady Michelle Obama and Santa Claus entered the room to a roar from the crowd. Obama, who is in Denver as part of a tour for her book, “Becoming,” started off the event by reading “The Night Before Christmas.” Once the book was finished, she answered questions that the children had.

“What inspires me? It’s kids like

Obama answers a question about if she is going to run for President. “The answer is no,” she said. “I have two girls who spent eight years with the spotlight on them.

They’ve had to struggle with living a normal life.”

PHOTOS BY JOSEPH RIOS you,” Obama told the crowd. “Whenever I meet kids like you guys, it gives me a reason to work harder.”

Leslie Hernandez, a child who sat through the event in a wheelchair, said she felt inspired by seeing the former first lady in person.

“It makes me happy that she came to visit us. I got to see a famous person today,” Hernandez said with a big grin on her face.

Once Obama left, Santa handed chil-

dren presents like books and board games. Obama has met with other children on her book tour, including at Whitney Young High School in Chicago and the Boys and Girls Club in Boston.

Leslie Hernandez gets a chance to ask Obama a question. Hernandez said it made her happy that Obama visited.

“It was awesome. The timing was beautiful, and I think she is such a great role model for young women, and Americans in general,” said Roslyn Swinton, a mother of one of the children in attendance.

Sydney Rohrich runs off from Santa after getting a present from him.

Rohrich is eight, and she was recently discharged from the hospital.

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2:00 pm 7:00 pm Sat, Dec. 22 Fri, Dec. 21 Sat, Dec. 22 Sun, Dec. 23 Wed & Thurs, Dec. 26 & 27 Wed Dec. 26 $38 adult www.Lakewood.org/Tickets $35 student and senior Box Office: 303-987-7845 $30 child 470 S. Allison Parkway.

LAKEWOOD CULTURAL CENTER

December 20, 2018

Lakewood Sentinel 17

Mark Murray, MD, PhD St. Anthony Hospital, Littleton Adventist Hospital

Beyond health care.

This is Mark care.

Dr. Mark Murray, a Centura Health Interventional Neurologist, has a passion for providing patient-centered care to people from all walks of life. A devoted family man, Dr. Murray loves hiking and mentoring young leaders interested in pursuing a career in the medical field. At Centura Health, we pride ourselves on being instruments of whole person care, like Dr. Murray serving the Denver Metro region. Discover more at centura.org

Care for your whole self.

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programs, services and activities, or in employment. For further information about this policy contact Centura Health’s Office of the General Counsel at 1-303-673-8166 (TTY: 711). Copyright © Centura Health, 2017. ATENCIÓN: Si habla

español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-303-673-8166 (TTY: 711). CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số 1-303-673-8166 (TTY: 711).

18 Lakewood Sentinel

December 20, 2018D

Hackberry Hill kicks off marker recycling drive

Arvada third-graders collected 23 pounds of markers

BY SHANNA FORTIER SFORTIER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Students at Hackberry Hill Elementary in Arvada collected 23 pounds of markers to be recycled.

“This is an amazing thing for us as an elementary school to be able to do,” said Hackberry Hill Elementary Principal Don Klene. “Think about how much a marker weighs. Hardly anything right? But when you collect them all from this school — all 426 of us — that’s a lot of markers.”

The recycling effort was spearheaded by a third-grade student, Madhvi Chittor, and her mom, Lalitha. Stu-

dents Tishya Bhat, Mila Stevanovic and Stasha Stevanovic also helped coordinate the marker recycling drive through Crayola ColorCycle.

ColorCycle is a program for students in K-12 schools across the continental United States and parts of Canada can collect and repurpose used Crayola markers. It’s also designed to help teachers and their students to explore eco-friendly practices and help kids understand the importance of their role in protecting the environment.

“What we’re trying to do is slow down our impact on the environment around the world,” said Jeffco schools’ Superintendent Dr. Jason Glass. “Imagine if every single school in Jeffco and every school in the world was a sustainable school and throwing away only those things that are absolutely necessary.”

The hope is that the marker drive

Students Madhvi Chittoor, Tishya Bhat, Mila Stevanovic and Stasha Stevanovic coordinated the marker recycling drive. SHANNA FORTIER at Hackberry is duplicated at other schools throughout Jeffco and continues year round.

Chittor and her nonprofit, Madhvi

4 Ecoethics, is also working with the Jeffco Schools Sustainability Committee to look into removing Styrofoam from all cafeterias in Jeffco schools.

Outdoor Lab Foundation to offer scholarship Jefferson County seniors eligible for inaugural high school leader award STAFF REPORT

Jefferson County high school seniors who have been leaders for the Outdoor Lab program at least twice are eligible

to apply for a new scholarship provided by the Outdoor Lab Foundation.

Two $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to former high school leaders who are applying for admission to any

private or public vocational training program, college or university.

“This is a real opportunity to not only give back to students who have given so much to the Outdoor Lab program, but a way to create a lifelong connection to Outdoor Lab we have only dreamed could be possible,” Jason Dewar, student services specialist with Jefferson County Schools and Outdoor Lab Foundation board member, said in a news release.

The application period is open until Feb. 20, and applications can be found at www.outdoorlabfoundation.org/ scholarships. Winners of the Outdoor Lab High School Leader Scholarship will be notified in early April, and a formal announcement will take place in May. This scholarship is advertised on Naviance, a comprehensive college and career readiness solution that helps

districts and schools align student strengths and interests to postsecondary goals. Jefferson County students use this as a resource to find available scholarships.

Each year close to 1,000 students from Jefferson County high schools volunteer as leaders in Jefferson County’s Outdoor Lab program, immersing them into a leadership opportunity to the teach Jefferson County sixth-grade students the core values of stewardship of oneself, others and the environment around them.

The Outdoor Lab Foundation is dedicated to inspiring community support and advocating for the Outdoor Lab Schools. It is through the efforts of the entire community that Jefferson County has Outdoor Lab Schools with a legacy enduring more than 62 years.

Learn more at www.outdoorlabfoundation.org.

Caring for our Community by

Using Sustainable Printing Practices.

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DENVERCENTER.ORG/EDUCATION 303.446.4892

Lakewood Sentinel 19

December 20, 2018

HEAR MY VOICE STORIES from our YOUTH and why we should LISTEN to them

20 Lakewood Sentinel

December 20, 2018D

HEAR MY VOICE

Young voices carry a powerful message

In this week’s special report called “Hear My Voice,” 15 young people from around the Denver metro area share their stories, their passions, their hopes for the future. They range in age from 15 to 23. They come from different backgrounds, places and experiences that have shaped who they are, how they view the world and what they want to change.

In a year marked by the rise of unprecedented youth activism, in which young people fought to be

heard, the stories in this report reflect some of the nation’s most pressing challenges: mental health, immigration, equity, racism, politics, gender and sexuality identity, teen pregnancy and more.

The excerpts from these interviews, which have been edited for clarity and space, point to a common call to action: to listen better, to be more compassionate, to be willing to change.

They are aware of their power — 24 percent of the U.S. population is under

18, U.S. Census numbers show. They understand the issues because many live them, and they see the country we are becoming: By 2055, the United States will have no racial or ethnic majority, Pew Research Center reports.

These young men and women are adamant in the belief they can make a difference — and that their voices should be heard.

“Young voices make up a giant chunk of those living in this country, and they are widely underrepresented

and misunderstood because they are just labeled as ‘kids who have learning and maturing to do,’ ” said Englewood resident Maria Alsubhi, 19, who moved to the U.S. from Saudi Arabia when she was in eighth grade.

“We cannot just repress and patronize them — it is frustrating and unfair that we already do ... Listening just expands perspectives, especially listening to a young, excited, refreshing voice.”

So, let’s listen.

STORIES AND PHOTOS BY TAYLORE TODD SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

‘People should listen to everyone’ Ikram Zetraoui and Rokaya Abdulameer Denver

I

kram Zetraoui, 18, was a freshman in high school when she moved to Denver from Morocco to live with her older sister. A high school senior, she hopes to study psychology and criminology to become a detective or psychiatrist. She has always been interested, she says, in trying to understand how people view themselves. Rokaya Abdulameer, 17, emigrated from Iraq in 2009 to seek shelter from the war. Being from another culture, she says, has taught her not to judge. Also a senior, she plans to study business and pre-law in college next year.

If you knew me, you would know …

Ikram: “When I speak my language, people try to protect themselves and they scoot away from where I am. It happened once on a bus, but I didn’t know anyone there, so I didn’t know how to react. One time it happened at school and another girl stood up for me. It’s nice to have allies and people who are going to stand up for you and tell you how to react in that situation because I wouldn’t know what to do.

“Anything that’s attached to human services — serving food, giving them their needs — anything that is serving them makes me happy.

Seeing people in front of me suffer

Rokaya Abdulameer and going through the same kind of situation, it made me realize that so many people are ungrateful for things they have. And people who don’t have anything are so grateful for what they do have. I just try to find a balance between those two kinds of people.”

Rokaya: “Not living in Iraq made it hard to understand where my culture came from, but my parents have taught me everything — our Arabic language, our traditions. I love the people of my culture and everything, really. The food, the dancing, the celebrations.

Coming here, “I didn’t know that so many cultures could exist in one place, because I grew up around people who followed the same values and traditions as me and my family.”

How I want to change the world Ikram: “People see immigrants as people who are trying to steal their jobs and trying to get their salaries ...

Muslim people are seen as ... not on

Ikram Zetraoui the same level of humanity ... At the end of the day, if we really look into America’s deepest economy, we see it’s based on immigrants. I would like other people to see immigrants as how they see themselves.

“If I had a chance to change the world, I would probably change how people are viewed ... Why is there so much hatred ... and so many crimes? ... I’m interested in human services, and that’s a way for me to help other people. I’m thinking about doing that as volunteering. I feel like I’m pretty good with other people ... helping people in need — coming together as one, basically.”

Rokaya: “The biggest problem right now is that people think everyone from the Middle East is a terrorist and all that, so I guess that’s the biggest thing that I would want to change ...

People are not like that, you just have to get to know them.

“My biggest goal is to go back and use the opportunities I’ve had in America to help however I can. I was

thinking about it, and there’s a lack of education there. I think that’s my biggest goal is to just go back to the schools in need and just help out. I have pretty good English — maybe I can teach them there.”

Why my voice is important Ikram: “If we all come as one collective mind, I feel like we would be so much more successful than just looking back on our mistakes and blaming it on other people and other countries.

We need to forget all of this hate that is between us.”

Rokaya: “We are the future and this generation has a lot to offer.

Knowing different perspectives helps us understand the world more. I think I bring a different perspective, which is why people should listen to everyone, especially those who are from different cultures. Just don’t judge someone by their cover. I think that’s the biggest thing I’ve learned — just to not judge someone if you don’t know them.”

Lakewood Sentinel 21

December 20, 2018

HEAR MY VOICE

‘We don’t recognize the footsteps we are leaving behind’

E

Elizabeth Osterhoudt Castle Rock

in Pine Ridge, that’s in South Dakota, some of them don’t even have homes and some of them don’t really have water. So I really want to just make sure that rezes have the supplies they need to just even survive because the winter is coming.

“I really want the world to recognize all of the bad things that are being done right now because I think with that recognition some people will take initiative for what happens — like especially with GSA (Gender Sexuality Alliance). I just want to raise awareness that it isn’t right to judge someone based on how they identify because that’s not your business.

“And for the world, I just think we need to respect the land we live on more. Some people are treating it really bad, and we don’t recognize the footsteps we are leaving behind. And if this earth dies, we have nowhere else to go.”

lizabeth Osterhoudt, 17, is a member of the Pueblo of Jemez Native American tribe and has family who lives on a New Mexico reservation. Growing up in a predominantly white community, she says she has dealt with racism, along with unintended slights and negative assumptions from classmates and teachers. She is passionate about fighting for equal rights of Native Americans and such populations as the LGBTQ community who she says need allies to make their voices heard. She plans to attend college and raise awareness about the injustice that Native people still face.

If you knew me, you would know ...

“Here, a lot of people don’t know my race, so they just assume I’m Hispanic at first, and then I’ll get a lot of microaggressions and just racist comments to Hispanic people ... But then a lot of people, once they find out I’m Native, really start to target me, in a way. They’ll ask if I live in a tipi ... One time, in the classroom, these two girls presented ‘Indian tag’ as a game in gym. The teacher didn’t do anything. My classmates didn’t do anything. So I had to be the one

Elizabeth Osterhoudt to stand up and say it wasn’t right.

And then I get asked a lot if I speak ‘Indian.’

“I was talking with my teacher — he didn’t realize that he was being racist. We were talking about alcoholism, but he told me that I should be careful because I’m Native ... This girl was saying I was her ‘Native American friend,’ so I was sort of held as an object. It’s really

hard to go between being open and an object. You don’t want to be too open about anything because then you’ll be treated like this prized possession.”

How I want to change the world “I really want to start branching out to just Native Americans and help out a lot on rezes (reservations) because they are in more need right now … Up

Why my voice is important “It is important to listen to the voices of the young people because they have learned from the older generations. As they mature, they can recognize the mistakes and actions the past generations have committed.

From that recognition, they can then carve a new path that will be more efficient in shaping the world to be better.”

‘You can’t be a racist if you travel’ understanding.”

Maria Alsubhi Englewood

M

aria Alsubhi, 19, was born in Saudi Arabia and moved to the United States when she was in eighth grade. Because of her dad’s love of exploring, Alsubhi has traveled to seven countries throughout Europe and Asia.

She is a freshman at the University of Colorado-Boulder and has goals to serve others. She frequently shadows public health officials, doctors and those working for nonprofits so that she can learn as much as she can about how to make a difference later in life.

If you knew me, you would know ...

“My family, we travel a lot. We’ve gone to parts of Asia and parts of Europe. Just seeing the way these people live and experiencing a different way of life helps you be able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes a lot easier. It helps you connect with others more and then you can find a different network. For me, personally, it helps me connect with people if I can put myself in their shoes and understand where they’re coming from. Coming from a completely different background than the life I’m living right now really has expanded upon my ability

How I want to change the world “The best way to understand other people is to talk to them. There’s a difference between tourism and actually understanding and meeting the locals … Try to understand where people are coming from and the reasons why they have the beliefs that they do and the reasons why they’ve gotten to the places that they’re in.

“Careerwise, I am very passionate about healthcare access and affordability … I feel like here, especially in the States, the bill that you’re going to get after you visit the hospital just makes it so terrifying to go and heal yourself … I want healthcare to be affordable and accessible to everybody whether you’re middle class, the top 1 percent or socio-economically disadvantaged.”

thinks, `Oh, today I’m going to be evil.’ There is a reason why people believe what they believe, and when you get to the root of that, that’s when change can happen ... People are filled with anger when they don’t have anyone that’s listening to them. Maybe my message is just to listen.

“Considering the fact that 24 percent of the U.S. population is under age 18, young voices make up a giant chunk of those living in this country, and they are widely underrepresented and Maria Alsubhi misunderstood because they are just labeled as ‘kids who have learning and maturing to do.’ This is dangerous because it leaves no one listening to powerful young voices that are attempting to represent the new generations. We cannot just repress and patronize them — it is frustrating and unfair that we already do ...

Listening just expands perspectives, especially listening to a young, excited, refreshing voice.”

‘People are filled with anger when they don’t have anyone that’s listening to them.

Maybe my message is just to listen.’

Maria Alsubhi to do that. I’m grateful for it.

“My number one belief is `You can’t be a racist if you travel.’ I went to Thailand when I was a kid, and it was the most amazing experience ever, so I got really into Asian culture. There is something beautiful about every single part of the world, and if you choose to focus on that, rather than the ugly statistics, perhaps it helps you kind of be a more well-rounded person and more well-spoken and more

Why my voice is important “No one ever goes outside and

22 Lakewood Sentinel

December 20, 2018D

HEAR MY VOICE

‘You don’t know everybody’s story’ Vanessa Garcia Arvada

V

anessa Garcia, 23, was 15 years old when she gave birth to her son. She was “scared, disappointed ... in disbelief ” when she found out she was pregnant. She relied on Hope House, a nonprofit in Arvada, to help her take care of her son and herself, living in its residential program for about five months. Today, she works full-time and plans to attend college in Florida to study law.

If you knew me, you would know ...

“I was a baby having a baby. I was 15 when I had my son, so I was in ninth grade … Teen moms, when they have a child, they either mature or they don’t. With my case, I come from a very dysfunctional, abusive family. So I feel like when I had my son, when I found out I was having him, it was kind of like a fight-or-flight feeling for me because I didn’t have anybody to fall back on … He shaped me into wanting to be the best mom … I wanted to give him everything that I wasn’t provided with. It’s been an awesome Vanessa Garcia eight years. We’ve grown up together, after all. He’s like my best friend, but he’s my son.

“The first thing that people do is judge. They judge. I just feel like they shouldn’t be so judgmental because they don’t know exactly what is going on or what happened. They don’t know if the mom has support or family. You don’t know everybody’s story.

“I don’t think I would change anything because it’s made me who I am now ... I think the only thing I would have changed was to probably push myself more as to wanting to achieve my goals Vanessa Garcia and go after my goals. Like I said, I come from a very dysfunctional family. So having that voice in for a machine company, so they make your head 24/7 telling you that parts for different things people need. you’re never going to be this, you’re I handle all the administrative, so I never going to do that, that you aren’t handle the money, the bills, their data worth it, that stopped me from being entry, all of that. I definitely want to able to do a lot of things because I move up in the world, but as of now, never believed in myself. So now … I it’s cool. just go after what I want to do.”

“My real dream is to become a homicide detective, but to make it more How I want to change the world realistic, I would work in a jail or be “I definitely want to be able to help a probation officer ... I just want to be out … with teen moms because I was able to help out in some way.” there at one point. I know it’s hard.

It’s difficult — especially when you’re Why my voice is important a baby having a baby. I mean, can you “Everyone, regardless of age, is enimagine being 15 years old? You can’t titled to their own opinion. Everyone go out and have a job. There are age has a different situation, relatable or limits for everything … I definitely want to be able to help people the way not, but being a younger crowd, we shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help I’ve been helped. when needed or just be heard. I guess “I’m moving to Florida, but I do it just doesn’t hurt anyone to hear us plan on going to college out there and out. Maybe they’ll learn a thing or studying law. That’s a goal of mine. two.”

Right now, I work full-time. I work

‘Everyone has a different situation, relatable or not, but being a younger crowd, we shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help when needed or just be heard.’

Mike Andrews

‘The only way to change is to listen’

M

Mike Andrews Denver

ike Andrews, 20, a volunteer coach at The Phoenix, a sober active community in Denver, began using meth and heroin when he was 13 years old, getting high with his mother. He got his GED before heading into recovery. He says he has been arrested and jailed about seven times. Almost two years ago, after a week into his six-month sentence, he realized he needed to make a change.

He hasn’t touched a drug since, he says, and is intent on helping others.

If you knew me, you would know ...

“Using was pretty much the ultimate reason why I was arrested several times. I’m now labeled a multiconvicted violent felon, so there’s a huge overhang. I can’t have a normal job, so right now I work at a treatment center.

“Using is also the only reason that I have become the person I am today. It’s the only reason I’ve had to work this hard to be as good of a person as I try to be. It’s influenced everything in my life.

“I grew up in a home with addiction, so it’s always kind of been a part of my life. I got high with my mom. That kind of screwed my whole worldview.

“My breaking point was the realization of how alone I was in the world.

With all the ‘friends’ that I had made, none of them were real and nothing was real, essentially, which is really strange if you think about it. The last time I got locked up, I went into jail and I had a pair of pants, a pair of boots and a hoodie and two rings.

I didn’t have a wallet. I didn’t have a phone. I didn’t have anyone to call. I didn’t have anywhere to go.

“Having completely nothing and having to build myself back up was probably the hardest thing I’ve done in my life … It took me a solid six months of doing nothing but walking the streets all day long trying to find an ID, a job, a place to live and all these other things.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION The Phoenix is a sober active community that provides resources, support and community for addiction recovery. 2239 Champa St., Denver, 720-440-9175, https://thephoenix.org How I want to change the world “I’ve completely turned my life around, so I’m just trying to break the stigma behind how terrible addiction is. The whole ‘addiction is a choice thing’ irritates me so much … That’s absolute nonsense, so I’m trying to change that stigma as well. Nine out of 10 people don’t know that I was ever a drug user. Essentially, not everything is what it seems.

“I think a lot of the perspective around addiction is that a lot of us are monsters and that we’re incapable of being helped, and that we’re just pretty much a lost cause. That’s definitely not true. The whole monster piece, that shapes the people in addiction, that shapes their view of themselves, because for a long time I fully believed I was a lost cause and that I was a monster, whatever you want to call it.

“I work in a treatment facility, not only because that’s pretty much the only job I can get, but it’s nice to help other people — whether it’s just helping other addicts or getting the information out. I think both are equally relevant.

Whether or not the information gets out, there still needs to be people there for other addicts. There still needs to be some type of support. Whether they do 12-step, whether they’re religious, whether they’re just doing their own thing, whatever that looks like for them, I’m always there to support whoever.

That’s been my biggest mission for me because I had no help for a good while before I figured things out.”

Why my voice is important “If we don’t listen to our youth then nothing will change. Young people die every day, whether it be from addiction or hate crimes, and it has to stop. The only way to change is to listen, so people need to start opening their ears and their minds.”

Lakewood Sentinel 23

December 20, 2018

HEAR MY VOICE

‘We shouldn’t be working against each other’ similar ideas as me. I like to not hate people.”

Ben Yoshida Highlands Ranch

B

en Yoshida, 17, uses his Buddhist faith to strive to make the world a better place. Buddhism focuses on reaching a sense of peace and learning the meaning of life by following in the footsteps of the Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. A high school senior, he is an editor of his school magazine.

His faith, he says, gives him hope and something to look forward to.

He wants to attend college to study politics and business.

If you knew me, you would know ...

Being Buddhist “didn’t really shape my life until recently. I went to a camp over the summer in California that really changed my perspective.

I wouldn’t say that my life really revolves around it or it’s the most important part of my life, but I’d say that it’s a community that I have friends in also — outside of school, outside of clubs. It’s just additional support, so it’s kind of cool.

“I think it’s helped me be more openminded. I like to hear stories from everyone. It’s one of the reasons I still like journalism, too, and still do it. I want to hear the stories of other peo-

Ben Yoshida ple. I want to know. I want to be open to different perspectives. I think that being Buddhist has kind of helped me stay open to different possibilities, different options in my life in general.

“I don’t hate anyone. One thing that I’m proud of is that I don’t really hold a grudge against anyone and I try to be as happy as possible

all the time. I feel like I’m able to accomplish that through Buddhism, but also through my everyday life.

I feel that one of my strong suits is that I have been able to meet a lot of people and make a lot of connections. I guess Buddhism has helped me because I’ve met a whole different group of people who have

How I want to change the world “We’re all coming from different points of view. We are all working towards a common goal, and we shouldn’t be working against each other.

“I want to bring a sense of understanding to other people and to myself because no one is exactly the same …

We don’t necessarily have to like what someone else thinks or even want to know it, but we should have a sense of understanding and compassion for their situation. We shouldn’t feel the need to dislike someone for what they think ... Everyone’s opinions should be valued.

“I want to pursue business and politics as a career, although I’m not exactly sure yet. I also hope to travel internationally to experience different cultures. I want to make an impact environmentally by doing a lot of community service and helping with alternative energy sources.”

Why my voice is important “I believe that it’s important for people to listen to young people because we offer a unique perspective from growing up with technology. Most people in our generation are very passionate: Our generation’s drive will not only benefit us but society as a whole.”

‘I’m hopeful that life gets better’ Chloe McNamee Denver

C

hloe McNamee, 17, a leader of Children’s Hospital Colorado’s Youth Advocacy Board, a group of 20 metro-area students who raise awareness and advocate for mental health, struggles with anxiety and depression. She also is an ambassador for the hospital and has testified to pass a bill that would increase suicide prevention training for professionals who work with youth. She lost her brother, who had bipolar disorder, to suicide.

She says she has attempted suicide several times. She wants to become a clinical psychologist to help others the way she has been helped.

If you knew me, you would know ...

Her brother’s death by suicide “was a huge thing that really impacted me. But at the same time, it was like ‘I can’t just wallow in this sadness. I feel like I should do something about it.’ So my mom, actually, is on the adult board for the PMHI, which is the Pediatric Mental Health Institute, so she told me about this youth board.

I wanted to be a part of that just because I want to help so that somebody else doesn’t have to go through that — or they have the resources so they don’t have to reach that point.

“I struggle with my own mental health stuff, which also makes me

FOR MORE INFORMATION The Youth Advocacy Board works to raise awareness of and destigmatize mental health issues. https://www.childrenscolorado.org/doctors-and-departments/departments/psych/youth-action-board/ want to do more ... but I am getting to the point where I can function, which is good. It’s just a process. It’s not linear by any means. It’s hard, but I’m hopeful that life gets better.”

Having a mental illness “has lead me to be more empathetic with other people and develop friendships that are deeper because we can talk about these things, and I’m more open with that. That’s a huge part of me — developing relationships with people and being able to connect on the emotional level, and understanding where they’re coming from when they’re dealing with hard stuff. Also, it’s just driven my passion for advocacy. I didn’t really have anything that I was super passionate about before, and now this is something I can really focus on — and it means a lot to me. I always want to do more with it.”

How I want to change the world “In the ideal world, I would like to create more access for mental health treatment just among different demographics of people because I know that there are a lot of barriers, especially if you don’t have money to pay for it. It’s expensive. It’s not offered

Chloe McNamee in some places ... So I just want to increase access for everybody no matter what circumstance they’re in. I think that there are some racial barriers and stigmas within communities ... In any way I can, I just want to make it better for somebody.

“Having a mental illness is not a choice. It’s hard to talk about, but we need to talk about it. If you ignore it, it’s not going to go away. You can’t just sweep it under the rug because that’s how it gets worse. Just reach out to somebody ... You can be helped, but you have to take that step of asking for help. It’s hard for other people to know, so you need to advocate

COURTESY PHOTO

for yourself and express your own needs.”

Why my voice is important “I think our generation has a lot of different experiences than other generations. Especially with social media, we’re more aware of a lot of things because it’s so accessible. I think we have a different perspective.

I also think that there are a lot of kids who are really invested in activism and just changing the way the world is ... I think that we have a lot to say and it’s challenging the social norms in a way that people haven’t done before.”

24 Lakewood Sentinel

December 20, 2018D

HEAR MY VOICE

‘Hope and humanity is the ticket to safety and prosperity’ Wesley Ferguson Castle Rock

“Being gay defines who I am but, at the same time, it doesn’t. People are like `describe yourself.’ And I’m like `Well, I do a lot of theater, and I do art, and, oh yeah, I guess I’m gay.’ I try not to play up the gay stereotypes. I try to kind of avoid them and just be who I am … I’m really lucky to be gay in the time that I’m gay, so it makes me thankful for being alive now … It’s made me aware of how lucky I am, but also of how much I still have to fight — and people like me still have to fight. I’m also very lucky because I was never really bullied by a single person for being gay.”

W

esley Ferguson, 18, told his family and friends he was gay when he was a high school freshman so that he would no longer be hidden in the shadows. The national moment of silence after the Parkland shooting in April spurred an emotional response that propelled him to take action. These days, the senior leads walkouts and peaceful protests for gun control and LGBTQ rights and is part of an outreach organization that encourages youth to register to vote. He plans to study technical theater, with a focus on stage management, in college.

If you knew me, you would know …

“I just have to speak out. It’s my duty. It’s what I have to do as a human being in America. I have to use the rights that I’ve been given and do what I can to spread goodness in the world.

“I first questioned my sexuality in sixth or seventh grade. By seventh grade, I was pretty sure, but I didn’t really tell anyone, and I was kind of scared to come out because I was like

Wesley Ferguson `I don’t know anyone else.’ I came out in ninth grade, around September.

I was real proud of coming out as a freshman. All of the upperclassmen that I knew in theater company were just so supportive, and I was like `Oh, my gosh, why didn’t I do this earlier?’

How I want to change the world “I would like universal background checks. I am in favor of an assault weapons ban because it’s a weapon of war and if we’re doing other things the way we should, nationally and globally, we shouldn’t need weapons of war in our homes. We shouldn’t need to be scared of people the way that we are … An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind … I want others to be more accepting of people and be able to see that everyone is human.

I believe that hope and humanity is the ticket to safety and prosperity for everyone.

“I want people to understand that gun violence isn’t only about mass shootings, it’s also about things like suicide ... It affects us all. It’s not just about your rights. It’s about my rights.

And her rights. And his rights. And their rights over there.

“I just want the LGBT community to be seen, just like anyone else. We want a happy home, a happy family, a happy significant other … We want to know that we’re not going to be discriminated against.”

Why my voice is important “Everyone has some reason for being the way they are ... They were rude in line because they woke up late and, maybe yesterday, a presentation they had didn’t go well. They were rude on the road because their sister is sick and in the hospital, and they’re really just concerned about getting to her. People aren’t unkind because they want to be unkind, they’re unkind because something made them that way … Anger begets anger, goodness begets goodness. If you can just eliminate all of the anger and all of the distraction in your life — and keep focused on positivity and spreading that — the world would just be a better place.”

‘Everything I do, I do it for my mom’ Brisa Bejarano-Gonzalez Aurora

shouldn’t be going to school. I should be doing something rather than school. I’ve had a lot of that confrontation, but that doesn’t stop me from doing what I want to do.”

B

risa Bejarano-Gonzalez, 19, is a freshman at University of Colorado-Denver. She received a $10,000 scholarship from Hide in Plain Sight, a nonprofit that helps homeless students pursue higher education, because of her family’s struggles with homelessness when she was young. She works two jobs to pay her bills so that her mom no longer has to support her. Bejarano-Gonzalez is studying English and wants to become a teacher.

If you knew me, you would know ...

“We were going from place to place.

It was maybe from six months until I was 2 years old. I was really young, so it’s not something I can recollect, you know? But my mom tells me stories now.

“What my mom had to go through, every challenge that she had to go through is an eye-opener for me ...

Everything I do, I do it for my mom because she’s been through so much throughout her life. What she did was for my own good, for my siblings’ own good. Everything’s basically for my mom.

“I used to be ashamed of being Latina. Sometimes it was embarrassing to say where your family came from because you’d get made fun of in school. Now it’s like `You have so many opportunities.’ I appreciate my mom for it.

“My mom has always been strong

How I want to change the world “When I think about making an impact, I think about my community, the Latino community. So just looking back from where I come from, a very small town and the Aurora area where I was living before, there are just a lot of kids who don’t have the resources that they need. We do have access to a lot of things — they just don’t know about it. So I’d like to bring that awareness and help that out.

“I want to teach high school. My senior year, I took a class called Pathways to Teaching. It was about the teaching world ... I learned so much about teaching and students and how students view teachers ... It’s a very hard profession and I want to be able to do something challenging and help students who have a similar background as me get through what I went through as well.”

Brisa Bejarano-Gonzalez and independent. As soon as she knew she was pregnant with me at the age of 19, she packed her bags, came to a country of opportunity and decided she was going to start fresh no matter what obstacles she had to face. She pushed through with the mindset of a better life for her daughter.

“I have (faced racism). Mostly in middle school and the beginning of high school but not so much after that ... (Some people) think that because you’re foreign you’re able to do labor work, you have to do it, and that’s the position you’re supposed to be in. I’ve had a lot of (people) who tell me that I

Why my voice is important “I believe it is important for young voices to be heard because it creates a bigger community of opportunity ... for minorities — homeless, of color, less power, etc. ... People should listen to my story as an eye-opener for those who can’t speak up for themselves — including those who don’t see the struggles that homelessness brings to younger individuals.”

Lakewood Sentinel 25

December 20, 2018

HEAR MY VOICE

‘Trayvon Martin could have been me’

Isaiah Alfonso

‘There’s no reason to be ashamed of who you are’

I

Isaiah Alfonso Denver

saiah Alfonso, 16, volunteers with Rainbow Alley, a safe space for young members of the LGBTQ community, where he, too, feels safe. He identifies as non-binary, but mostly as trans male, he says. After dealing with mental health challenges, he fell behind in school, eventually to the point where he knew he couldn’t catch up. He is now working toward a GED and plans to attend college to study psychology.

If you knew me, you would know …

“I realized when I was pretty young.

When I was 5 years old, I loved girly things. I was like `This is how girls are supposed to be.’ All pink and princesses.

Then I saw this soccer game of a local soccer team where all the girls had their hair in ponytails and they were all wearing blue and looked the exact same as the boys. I was like `Huh, something seems a little weird here, I think my favorite color is blue now.’ And as time went on, I became slowly more passionate. I was not a girl, I was a tomboy — there’s a very big difference. Then I found out what trans is, and the rest is history. “... Everyone around me was definitely not super restorative of my struggle. But it’s turned out pretty good so far. Most people who were around me back then aren’t around me anymore or have changed for the better.

“I’d say that the hardest thing was losing some of the people that I did or, just in general, seeing the backlash I got from people.

When you come out, you don’t expect it to be that bad, especially when you’re really young. You just think `No one’s going to give me any crap.’ I was the token queer kid at school ... People didn’t take me very seriously and they were rude. For the most part, my transition, even though I haven’t medically transitioned yet — because that’s a lot of stuff and things to do — but just the social transition itself has, luckily,

Tay Anderson

FOR MORE INFORMATION The Rainbow Alley, operated by the GLBT Community Center of Colorado, provides a safe dropin space, along with youth-led events, counseling and support groups, health services and life skills for LGBTQ youth ages 11 to 21. 1301 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, 303-733-7743, https://www. glbtcolorado.org/programs/rainbow-alley/ gone pretty smoothly.”

How I want to change the world “I just want people to know that they can be whatever they want to be and they shouldn’t feel ashamed for being themselves. And I just want people to treat trans people normal … People expect you to look a certain way or else you aren’t real. I just don’t want people to worry about being themselves … and to have the space to be themselves because there’s no reason to be ashamed of who you are or pretend you’re something that you’re not ... As long as you don’t hurt anyone else, what’s the real harm in being you — no matter what you look like?”

Being transgender “made me have a perspective where I can appreciate the outlandish a little bit more because I am considered outlandish and weird by most people. I just have this odd perspective on life where I was raised as one thing then found out I was another.

“I want to do a lot of public work with LGBT youth. A lot of them don’t know who they are or what they want to be or what they are looking for. I hope that I am someone who can help lead them to where they want to be.”

Why my voice is important “Youth have new ideas. We haven’t been raised in the same society that a lot of adults were. We come in with a fresh head and new perspective on things, so we see things that not everyone else does. So many kids are really intelligent, and no one gives them the space they deserve to say these awesome things they are thinking.”

T

Tay Anderson Denver

ay Anderson, 20, is running for the Denver Public Schools board election in 2019 because he wants to improve safety in schools. A student at Metropolitan State University of Denver, he is taking a gap year to focus on his campaign. He first ran for school board in 2017 when he was a senior in high school, but lost. Because of family issues, he spent about eight months in foster care when he was 16. His activism began in 2015 when he attended a protest against police brutality. Today, he works to create justice and equal opportunity for people of color.

If you knew me, you would know …

“I think we come with a unique experience because a lot of people think that we are still clinging onto the past, and we’re not clinging onto the past — we’re just trying to rectify the wrongs of the past. When Colin Kaepernick takes a knee, he’s not taking a knee to say that this is for Martin Luther King.

He’s saying that this is for every unarmed black man that’s been shot in the 21st century, for kids that are still living in poverty, for young people that aren’t allowed to have a voice. It’s also been used against me. I’ve had people tell me that because of the color of my skin, I won’t be able to win a citywide race. I just get to prove them wrong in November. I mean, I might be black, but my blackness doesn’t define where it’s going to take me in the future.

“My activism started on July 5th, actually my birthday, in 2015

when Alton Sterling was killed, because I’d had enough of waking up to the news that another unarmed black person was killed by people that we trust to protect us. Trayvon Martin could have been me. Eric Garner could have been me. Philando Castile could have been me. All of these other African-American males that have been killed at the hands of law enforcement could have been me ... I just got tired of injustice.”

How I want to change the world “A lot of people think that I want to be president — which is cool and I would love to do that — but I want to help my city before I try to go save the world. So that’s why I’m running for the Denver school board.

My city desperately needs some young perspective on the board of education. They need somebody who knows what it means to sit in those seats and what it means to have failed policies used against them. Before we can go change the world and worry about what’s happening in D.C., we have to fix our cities ...”

Why my voice is important “My work has never been about me, it’s never going to be about me. It’s about making sure that the next person who looks like me, who has a funny name like me — my real name isn’t Tay, its Auontai — who have these different, unique characteristics just like myself understand that they, too, have a place in the world.

“It’s time for us to stand up, to understand what we’re inheriting — because we can either inherit a system that we helped craft or we can inherit a system we’re forced to recreate.”

26 Lakewood Sentinel

December 20, 2018D

HEAR MY VOICE

‘We live in a democracy — let’s make sure it stays that way’ Abigayle Post and Codey Carr Golden

spread more ideas. That’s really when you can have a stronger foundation in your own opinion. So I feel like the stronger your opinions are and the more well-founded they are, the more impactful, I think, on a personal level, your vote actually is.”

A

bigayle Post, 18, and Codey Carr, 15, helped push for a law to lower the voting age in Golden to 16 years of age, as well as help write city legislation to ban conversion therapy, the practice of trying to change a person’s sexual orientation from homosexual or bisexual to heterosexual. Abigayle became involved in politics after the election of President Donald Trump, which she said threatened her beliefs in social justice, change and diversity.

Codey’s involvement also began soon after the election — he wanted to make a difference and ensure his ideas were represented. They plan to remain involved in politics in the future.

If you knew me, you would know ...

Abigayle: “I think it’s important to speak up because it’s important to create the world that you want to live in and to create the spaces that future generations will live in, and so speaking up is so important to make sure that you can live in the best world possible. I think I’m so passionate because it’s exhausting to watch history repeat itself, and watch the same issues come up again and again. And I think it’s important to try and create that change individually so that we can also create it as a society.”

Codey: “Being involved in politics has really just shaped my willingness to speak to other people, my willing-

Abigayle Post

Codey Carr

ness to listen to other people’s opinions. I think before I really started getting engaged and super actively involved, I had opinions I wanted to stick to and that was that. Talking to more people, spreading the word, canvassing and actually being involved a lot more with just more discussion, in general, has just really changed my opinions as well as just made me stronger in what I believe in and what I think on what America stands for.”

Codey: “I want to work in the state department when I am older, so I’d really like to change the political sphere not only on a national level but on an international level as well, and make sure that every single international relation does either benefit the United States — or we’re informed in regards to that issue and we can also really make the best decision on that. On a national level, I think more moderation is wonderful. I think we are so polarized right now as a country that I would do anything I could to … make sure that everything is heard and it’s not just black and white, but a spectrum of gray.

“I also think just keeping open dialogue with people you don’t agree with — that’s the best way to make informed decisions, besides going and actually reading up on the issues.

When you talk to more people, you

How I want to change the world Abigayle: “I would love to create a political sphere that is focused on diversity and diversifying the people that we see in office and the policies that are brought to office — not just the type of person they are, but when it comes to health care, gun control and things like that, diversifying the types of beliefs that really get media-megaphoned.”

‘All of us can help out in the world’

C

Cyndy Dominguez Arvada

yndy Dominguez, 20, attends Sobesky Academy in Lakewood and is participating in Children’s Hospital Colorado’s Project Search Program, which teaches young people with developmental disabilities who are nearing the end of their high school careers the skills they need to work. She has a cognitive disability that makes it more difficult for her to learn new things quickly.

She is interning at the hospital to gain job experience. For her internship, Dominguez takes the vitals of patients, cleans the exam rooms and performs many other jobs usually handled by medical assistants. Her goal is to live an independent and successful life.

If you knew me, you would know ...

“They didn’t find my disability until I was a freshman in high school. The put me on a ton of meds for ADHD, but it wasn’t that. It’s cognitive. And then my life changed. How I learn has changed. I feel like I got more support to learn in the way I learn best — being shown and talked to during the process just to make sure I do it right.

Cyndy Dominguez “I’ve been in Project Search just for a few months, but I’ve been in transition for three years. JeffCo Transition Services is for young adults with a disability to job train, budget and teach them how to do cooking and cleaning.

“I want to be a CNA (certified nurse assistant) and maybe an RN (registered nurse). I want to take classes and find good classes that will help me how to do stuff. I maybe want to go to college in the future, I’m not sure. I want to get my own apartment in Arvada and get my driver’s license.”

How I want to change the world “I did a summer job at a retirement home and I just fell in love with it because I was helping the elderly and taking them to the bathroom and giving them baths and talking to them. I just like helping people ... That made me feel like I was helping patients and learning more about medicine and how to not just be a standby person.

I liked that feeling of helping people and this job will give me a good point of view in the medical career.

“I want to help people and to demonstrate all of us can help out in the world, too. Just be patient with us. Don’t think we can’t do everything you guys do ... some of us can’t, but most of us can.

All of us can’t be independent all of the time and all of us need support.”

Why my voice is important “We are still figuring out life. The older generation needs to be more patient with us because we are still figuring it out. We do the same things they have been through ... It makes them aware about how people with a disability don’t get everything they say and it kind of puts them in our shoes. To teach them how to actually talk to us and not get mad easily. If they try to tell us what to do really fast, sometimes we can’t.”

Why my voice is important Abigayle: “We have all been lucky enough to be in a country that wants us to exercise our voice and vote on our right to speak to one another. As individuals, the best thing that we can do for our community is to take a stand and talk about what we believe in.

“Just a general rule of thumb, especially to the younger population, is to make sure that you understand when you go into the voting booth how many people have worked for and fought for and died for that right that you have now been given. And that, as a person, the best thing that you can do is make sure that your opinion is heard. You’ll hear a lot of people say, `Oh, vote blue, vote red.’ But vote how you believe in and what you believe and just make sure that you are always doing what you truly believe is best for your country — and then you can’t ever really go wrong.”

Codey: “It’s always that we’re trying to get more people to vote, right? In my opinion, it does not matter how you vote as long as you are voting and making sure that you are putting your opinion in the polls and you are making your vote matter. That’s so important. We live in a democracy, let’s make sure it stays that way.”

ABOUT THE REPORTER Taylore Todd, 17, is a senior at Castle View High School in Castle Rock, where she is copy editor of the yearbook. She has been involved in the school’s journalism program for four years and has spent the past nine weeks interning at Colorado Community Media.

Todd was inspired to do this project by Brandon Stanton’s “Humans of New York.” She has always loved learning about people and their experiences and is passionate about advocating for social equality for people of all backgrounds. She used both interests to create the idea for “Hear My Voice.”

To report and write the stories for this project, she interviewed youths from Castle Rock to Arvada to Denver and other metro-area municipalities to find out how they see their place in today’s world.

“I haven’t been through Taylore Todd a lot of the experiences they have been through,” Todd said of the young people she interviewed. “It made me aware of what more I can do.

This world is going to be ours someday — it might as well start listening to us now.”

Lakewood Sentinel 27

December 20, 2018

HOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE Editor’s note: Send new listings or changes to hharden@coloradocommunitymedia.com.

Deadline is noon Wednesday a week before publication.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide: Free tax filing help to anyone, especially those 50 and older, who cannot afford a tax preparation service.

Need: Help older, lower-income taxpayers prepare their tax returns.

Requirement: All levels of experience are welcome; training and support provided.

Contact: 1-888-OUR-AARP (687-2277) or www.aarpfoundation.org/taxaide Alzheimer’s Association, Colorado Chapter: Provides care and support to 67,000-plus families dealing with all kinds of dementing illnesses.

Need: Walk to End Alzheimer’s committee members.

Contact: Deb Wells, 303-813-1669 or dwells@ alz.org.

Animal Rescue of the Rockies: Rescues homeless dogs and cats from overcrowded shelters.

Need: Foster-care families for death-row shelter dogs and cats Contact: www.animalrescueoftherockies.org Ainsley’s Angels in Denver: Pairing runners and riders with special needs or physical limitations in races from 5k’s to marathons.

Need: Volunteers to run and help push the specialized race chairs in local races. Volunteers to take pictures and videos of Angel teams at the start, middle and finish of races.

Requirements: Able to run/jog a 5k and/or work an iPhone.

Contact: Law Dickerson, 225-278-4265 or Denver@ainsleysangels.org, https://ainsleysangels.org/signup Arthritis Foundation, Colorado/Wyoming Chapter: Helps conquer everyday battles through life-changing information and resources, access to care, advancements in sciences and community connections.

Need: Walk to Cure Arthritis committee members and general office volunteer support.

Contact: Amy Boulas, aboulas@arthritis.org, 720-409-3143.

AYUSA: International Youth Exchange Program: Promotes quality exchange programs for high school students from around the world.

Need: Host families for international high school students ages 15-18 studying in the Denver area.

Requirements: To provide students with a

safe home, meals and transportation for 5-10 months. All family types are considered.

Must fill out onlilne application and pass background check.

Contact: Adrienne Bivens, 720-467-6430 or abivens@ayusa.org. Go to www.ayusa.org.

CASA of Jefferson & Gilpin County: Court appointed special advocates work with abused and neglected children, speaking on behalf of them in court.

Need: Many volunteers needed; CASA Jeffco/ Gilpin relies on more than 200 volunteers, but many more are needed (just 30 percent of cases typically are covered). CASA volunteers dedicate 3-4 hours per week.

Requirements: Training is provided; must be 21 or older and pass a full background check including driving record.

Contact: Mallory Hastings, outreach and recruitment coordinator, at 303-271-6542, MalloryHastings@casajeffcogilpin.com or www.casajeffcogilpin.com.

Cat Care Society Nibbles `N Kibbles Food Bank: Works to reduce number of abandoned and surrendered cats.

Need: Donations of canned and bagged cat food and litter Contact: 303-239-9680 Colorado Refugee English as a Second Language Program: Teaches English to recently arrived refugees, who have fled war or persecution in their home country. In Colorado, refugees are from Afghanistan, Burma, Bhutan, Somalia, Iraq, Eritrea and D.R. Congo, among others.

Need: Volunteers to teach English. Tutoring takes place in the student’s home. Refugees live throughout Denver, but the largest concentrations are in Thornton, near 88th Avenue and Washington Street, and in east Denver/Aurora, near Colfax Avenue and Yosemite Street.

Other details: Tutors do not need to speak the student’s language. Most participants are homebound women and small children, adults who are disabled, and senior citizens.

Many are not literate in their first language, and remain isolated from American culture.

Requirements: Volunteers must attend training at Emily Griffith Technical College in downtown Denver. Sessions take place every 6-8 weeks. Go to www.refugee-esl.org for information and volunteer application.

Contact: Sharon McCreary, 720-423-4843 or sharon.mccreary@emilygriffith.edu.

Common Earth Community Garden: Garden project for entire community of Arvada.

Need: Volunteers to help build and work in garden

Contact: Anthony at 303-204-0840 or squiggy.as@gmail.com The Edge Theater: Lakewood-area community theater.

Need: Volunteers needed for front of house, back of house, concessions and committees (audience building, grants, sponsorships, events) Contact: Leigh Ann Kudloff at 303-986-5073 or lkudloff@comcast.net; www.theedgetheater.com English As a Second Language: Provides English and civics tutoring to non-English speakers at Arvada United Methodist Church.

Need: Soliciting candidates to serve as director(s) for the program, adult tutor volunteers and volunteers to provide clerical support. No prior teaching experience required. Tutors do not need to know a second language. Financial donations welcome.

Contact: Kathy Martinez, kathybv@comcast.net or 303-882-2751.

Front Range BEST: Hosts free robotics competitions for middle and high school students.

Need: Volunteers to help test and repair vex controller and motor parts; to count and organize miscellaneous materials.

Training: Provided; kit team meets weekly in Highlands Ranch.

Contact: Tami Kirkland, 720-323-6827 or tami.kirkland@frontrangebest.org. Go to www.frbest.org.

Foothills Art Center: Golden’s premier art facility.

Contact: volunteerinfo@foothillsartcenter.org

Founders and Friends of Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge: Restores native habitat and wildlife; provides opportunities to experience wildlife and nature; promotes awareness and appreciation of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Need: Volunteers needed to update website and Facebook page by developing relevant resource materials, articles about refuge events and calendar postings; assist with developing a short introductory video for website; manage and organize volunteer activities; maintain and update information posted in the refuge kiosks; remove noxious weeds from the refuge; and perform regular clean-up and maintenance (picking up trash, spraying weeds, cutting grass with weed whacker) of the kiosk areas.

Location: Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge is at 9210 W. 80th Ave., Arvada.

Age requirements: Adults, or children with adult supervision; training will be provided if needed.

Contact: Janet Torma-Krajewski, 303-4232069 or jtorma79@gmail.com.

Gateway Battered Women’s Services: Serves domestic violence victims in Aurora and Arapahoe County.

Need: Volunteers for various fundraising, planning committees Contact: Jeneen Klippel, 303-343-1856; email jkworden@gatewayshelter.com.

Girl Scouts: Youth organization for girls.

Need: Volunteers for jobs ranging from running troops to helping with a science event or office work Age requirement: Men and women, 18-plus Contact: girlscoutsofcolorado.org, email inquiry@gscolorado.org or call 1-877-404-5708

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December 20, 2018D

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Part of that health trust included a separate account to hold funds just for retiree health benefits as well as their beneficiaries, known as the Retiree Health Account. Both current and retired employees contributed to the health trust before the fire district and the trustees of the trust agreed to start closing it down, beginning in March of 2015. The trust was to be officially closed on Dec. 31, 2017.

The health trust was closed down because, according to West Metro spokesperson Ronda Scholting, it was projected to fall behind by $15 million in funding. She said the district could have used reserves to keep the the health trust running, “but that would have left the district in a stanglehold, with little or no operating budget.”

As the health trust was being terminated, the fire district agreed to provide retired firefighters with health-care benefits between 2015 up until the end of 2017. Both the firefighters and the district agreed to appointed the Executive Committee of IAFF Local 1309 to manage the health trust during the shut-down period.

According to court documents, about $1.7 million remained in the health trust as of Dec. 31, 2015.

In the joint resolution to end the health trust, signed March 10, 2015, a

paragraph reads “any assets remaining in the health trust fund, after satisfaction of all liabilities, shall not revert to either the employees or the employer, but shall instead be transferred to such other entity or entities that will utilize them for similar purposes as the health trust.”

According to West Metro Fire’s agreement for coverage of retirees, funds contributed to the Retiree Health Account were meant to be used to provide benefits to eligible participants and their beneficiaries.

“The assets of the Retiree Health Account shall never inure, or revert to the benefit of the District or become part of the general assets of the fund,” the agreement reads.

Some of the funding from the Retiree Health Account did go to active West Metro employees in 2016 however — either placed in a retirement health savings account, or a 457 retirement plan for each eligible employee.

O’Hayre and Brienza are seeking

an accounting and restitution for all money that was in the health trust as of March 10, 2015 and any money that was added later.

“We shouldn’t have to be sitting here talking about this. They should’ve never taken our money and did what they did with it,” Brienza said.

When asked for comment, the West Metro Fire District provided the following statement: “West Metro felt that those active employees who had been paying in the Retiree Health Account were entitled to a portion of those funds since they would no longer be receiving the health benefit they had been paying for.”

The statement also said the decision to reimburse current employees, made in conjunction with IAFF Local 1309, fit the mission of the Retiree Health Account.

The IAFF Local 1309 did not respond to multiple requests for comment about the lawsuit.

West Metro Fire District and IAFF asked the lawsuit judge for a summary judgment in their favor, with the hopes of avoiding a trial.

The judge in the case has not yet ruled on either the certification of class or the summary judgment requests. The trial is scheduled for Feb. 5, 2019 in a Jefferson County District Court.

“West Metro is defending this suit and firmly believes it took appropriate action in winding down the health trust in a fair and equitable manner,” the district’s statement concludes.

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THINGS to DO

THEATER

“Seussical”: through Dec. 29 at Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. Call 720-898-7200 or go to https://arvadacenter.org/seussical-2.

MUSIC

A Very Kline’s Beer Hall Christmas: 8-11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22 at Kline’s Beer Hall, 7519 Grandview Ave., Arvada. Polka Folka performs.

Go to www.facebook.com/ events/960203260833511/

ART

Arvada Center Fall Exhibitions: “Laura Merage: Nausy Nausy,” through Dec. 23 in the Theatre Gallery. Go to https://arvadacenter.org/laura-merage-nausynausy.

Holiday Boutique: Aar River Gallery and Art Cottage have become gift shops for the holidays offering local hand-crafted items including jewelry, paintings and décor. Regular selection of original paintings also still on display. The Holiday Boutique is at 3707 and 3715 W. 73rd Ave. in the Historic Westminster Art District. Go to www.aarrivergallery.com

this week’s TOP FIVE “Scenes of the Season”: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21 and Saturday, Dec. 22 at Center Stage, 27608 Fireweed Drive, Evergreen. Tickets: 303-6744934 or www.evergreenplayers.org.

Ballet Ariel Presents “The Nutcracker”: 2 p.m. Dec. 22-23 and Dec. 26-27, and 7 p.m. Dec. 21-22 and Dec. 26 at Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood. Go to www.lakewood.org/tickets, call 303-987-7845 or stop by the box office.

elf-the-musical for tickets.

“A Christmas Carol”: showing through Dec. 23 at Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Ave., Golden. A fast-paced adaption that challenges six actors to bring all the Dickens’ characters to life.

Call 303-935-3044 or go to minersalley.com for show dates and times and ticket information.

Holiday Art Market: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 30 at Foothills Art Center, 809 Fifteenth St., Golden. Colorado artists will sell handcrafted items. Go to www.foothillsartcenter.org

“Elf, the Musical”: runs through Dec. 23 at Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada.

Buddy the Elf spreads his holiday cheer and finds the human family he never knew he had.

Go to https://arvadacenter.org/

that in-need individuals, families, seniors and groups have access to the necessary seeds, seedlings and education to grow a successful, productive vegetable garden and improve local food security for program participants. Call 303-235-5275 or visit www.jeffcolibrary.org.

EVENTS

Parents Day Out: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22 at the Apex Center, 13150 W. 72nd Ave., Arvada. Supervised free play in the Apex Center Clubhouse. Pizza, arts and crafts, gym games. Registration required. Go to http://apexprd. maxgalaxy.net/Registration. aspx?ActivityID=4537 Winter Break Fun Movies: “The Polar Express” Dec. 22; “Christopher Robin” Dec. 26; “Incredibles 2” Dec. 28 from 1-3 p.m. at Arvada Library, 7525 W. 57th Ave., Arvada. Call 303-235-5275 or go to www.jeffcolibrary.org.

Christmas Eve Services: 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 24 at Faith Bible Chapel, 6250 Wright St., Arvada. Music, candlelight and a live nativity. Kids’ classes for infants to kindergarten. Go to www.faith.church/christmaseve.

Lego Play and Build: 4:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27 at Wheat Ridge Library, 5475 W. 32nd Ave., Wheat Ridge. Use theme or build own creation.

Lego Contest Build Day: 2:304:30 p.m. Dec. 27 at Standley Lake Library, 8485 Kipling St., Arvada. Celebrate the two-time Toy of the Century by creating a scene from a book. Build at

Lakewood Sentinel 29

home or use the library’s Lego collection from Dec. 1 to Jan. 5.

Entries accepted from Dec. 22 to Jan. 5. Public voting open from Jan. 6-12, with winners announced Jan. 12. See contest rules at https://jeffcolibrary.org/ news/2018-lego-contest/ Call 303-235-5275 or go to www. jeffcolibrary.org.

Winter Break Fun: Laser Tag: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 28 at Standley Lake Library, 8485 Kipling St., Arvada. Call 303-235-5275 or go to www.jeffcolibrary.org.

Winter Break Fun: Non Year’s Eve: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Dec. 31 at Arvada Library, 7525 W. 57th Ave., Arvada. Refreshments, party favors, crafts and dancing. Count down at noon.

Call 303-235-5275 or go to www. jeffcolibrary.org.

Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve: Monday, Dec. 31 at Steuben’s Arvada, 7355 Ralston Road. Champagne/sparkling cider toasts at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Food and drink menus. Tableside magician. Contact 303830-0096.

Winter Break Fun: Happy New Year’s Eve Celebration: 2-3 p.m. Dec. 31 at Standley Lake Library, 8485 Kipling St., Arvada. Call 303-235-5275 or go to www.jeffcolibrary.org. It’s midnight in Moscow, Ankara and Baghdad. Celebrate with balloons, bubbles, drinks (sparking apple juice for toasts), songs and more.

Winter Break Fun: 1-3 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 2 (Movie: ‘Hotel Transylvania 3, Summer Vacation’); 2:30-4:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 3 (Lego Contest build day); and 1-3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4 (Movie, ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’) at the Arvada Library, 7525 W. 57th Ave., Arvada. Call 303-235-5275 or visit www.jeffcolibrary.org.

DUG Grow a Garden: Wheat Ridge Library, 5475 W. 32nd Ave., is a Denver Urban Gardens site. Sign up for Grow a Garden from Jan. 2-31. Eligible participants can select up to ten seed packets and five two-packs of seedlings and attend gardening workshops. Ask a librarian for assistance. Program ensures

N.E.W. Connection: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3 at the Arvada Library, 7525 W. 57th Ave., Arvada. Call 303-235-5275 or visit www.jeffcolibrary.org.

N.E.W. stands for Networking Experienced Workers. Group for job seekers, employers, and entrepreneurs.

Yarn and Needle Arts: Famous People that do Needle Arts: 5:30-8 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 3 at the Standley Lake Library, 8485 Kipling St., Arvada. Call 303-235-5275 or visit www. jeffcolibrary.org.

Coordinator Neila Achter leads monthly meeting. Each month has a different focus.

Let’s Dance: 11:15-11:45 a.m. Friday, Jan. 4 at the Arvada Library, 7525 W. 57th Ave., Arvada. Call 303-235-5275 or visit www.jeffcolibrary.org.

Keep the fun going with 1000 Books Before Kindergarten.

HEALTH

Memory Café: 1-2:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 2 at the Arvada Library, 7525 W. 57th Ave., Arvada; and 1-2:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11 at the Standley Lake Library, 8485 Kipling St., Arvada.

Call 303-235-5275 or visit www. jeffcolibrary.org. For people living with memory loss and their caregivers. Ongoing series presented by the Alzheimer’s Association.

Food Pantry Agape Life Church distributes free food from 10-11 a.m. on the third Thursday of each month (weather permitting) at the church, 5970 W. 60th Ave. in Arvada.

ALC provides this service to all qualifying Colorado residence.

Call 303-431-6481 to see if you qualify.

EDUCATION

Discovery Play: 11:15 a.m. to noon Dec. 28 at Standley Lake Library, 8485 Kipling St., Arvada. Songs, stories and hands-on fun with STEM skills. Call 303-235-5275 or go to www.jeffcolibrary.org.

Hard Times Writing Workshop: 3-5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2 at the Arvada Library, 7525 W. 57th Ave., Arvada. Call 303-2355275 or visit www.jeffcolibrary. org. Writing prompts, tools and refreshments provided.

School of Mines Winter Break Camps: Jan. 2-4. Morning session is Native American Games and Toys; afternoon session is Pioneer Games and Toys.

Presented by the Academies for Young Minds. Go to https:// students.csmspace.com for descriptions of each camp, times and dates, information about each camp leader, and more.

To register, go to https:// students. csmspace.com

to RSVP.

Chicago: Biography of a City: 3-4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3 at Applewood Place, 2800 Youngfield St., Lakewood.

Active Minds program on the story of the Windy City. Seating is limited. Call 303-233-4343

Editor’s note: Calendar submissions must be received by noon Wednesday for publication the following week. To place a calendar item, go to eventlink. coloradocommunitymedia.com.

Things to Do events run free, on a space-available basis.

30 Lakewood Sentinel

December 20, 2018D Lucy George donated 100 board games to Foster Source.

COURTESY PHOTO

CALM AFTER THE STORM

SM

Arvada teen collects over 100 games for foster families STAFF REPORT

Lucy George, a member of North Arvada Middle School’s Family Career, and Community, Leaders of America (FCCLA) organized a board game drive to donate to Foster Source, a nonprofit serving foster children.

The FCCLA mission is to work with families and local communities to make them better places. George chose to work with Foster Source as

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her family works with foster care. She said she has seen first hand how a simple board games can make families getting to know each other easier.

For the last few weeks she collected games both new and used by reaching out to people at her school, on Nextdoor and Facebook. George then packaged the games in gift bags with music, candy and a card and delivered them to families at Foster Sources free movie night in Lakewood.

Lakewood Sentinel 31

LOCAL

December 20, 2018

SPORTS

Arvada West clamps down defensively on Lakewood

BY DENNIS PLEUSS JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

LAKEWOOD — Arvada West’s boys basketball coach Jeff Parriott wished the Wildcats’ 53-41 win over Lakewood on Dec. 14 would have counted as a nice opening conference victory.

“I’d rather this be a league game. If we are going to play them, let’s count it,” Parriott said after the dozen-point victory. “It is what it is. The next one counts (in league standings) so we have to hit the rest button and ready to go next time.”

A-West and Columbine were Class 5A Jeffco League cochamps last year with identical 10-4 conference records. The league looks different with Valor Christian moving up to 5A Jeffco for 4A Jeffco in the mix this season.

It will also feel different with the conference going to just an 8-game league schedule after having home-and-away games between all eight teams last season.

“It’s definitely a different schedule this year,” A-West senior Josh Rogers said. “It would have been nice to get the league win, but we get them at home next time. We’ll have good energy for that one.”

A-West (5-1 record) is scheduled to host Lakewood on Jan. 23 in what will count as a conference game.

The key to the Wildcats’ win the first time around against Lakewood was a strong defensive effort, especially in the fourth quarter. A-West held a 43-36 lead going into the final quarter.

After allowing seniors Omar Vargas and Pierce Holley to combine for six 3-pointers in the first three quarters, the Wildcats made sure to closeout better on Lakewood’s shooters.

“We played with higher hands late,” Parriott said of his Wildcats holding the Tigers to just five points in the final quarter. “We gave them some looks early. We were in the right position, but the guys made that adjustment taking the easy shot away. A challenged shot and an unchallenged shot the percentages are quite a bit different.”

Vargas (14 points) and Holley (13 points) were the only Tigers to get double-digit points.

“Arvada West is such a great defensive team. Jeff Parriott’s teams do the right things defensively. I thought we helped them SEE A WEST, P32

W

Arvada West senior Josh Rogers, right, goes up strong as he is fouled by Lakewood senior Omar Vargas during the second half Dec. 14 at Lakewood High School. A-West took a 53-41 road victory.

PHOTOS BY DENNIS PLEUSS/JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Conifer drains a dozen 3-pointers in win over D’Evelyn

BY DENNIS PLEUSS JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DENVER — Conifer boys basketball team raced out to quick lead Dec. 13 against former Class 4A Jeffco League rival and never looked back in a 71-51 win over D’Evelyn.

The Lobos hits the 20-point mark less than six minutes into the game at D’Evelyn Junior/Senior High School.

Junior Elijah Cook’s 3-pointer with 2:24 left in the first quarter pushed Conifer’s lead to 21-4 on the Jaguars’ home court.

“We have in spurts,” Conifer coach Eric Valerio said of the Lobos’ hot shooing. “We’ve got guys who get streaky and hot. Elijah Cook is just an unbelievable shooter.”

Cook finished with a game-high 27 points, including seven 3-pointers. The junior guard was one 3-pointer short of tying the school record. As a team, Conifer finished with a dozen 3-pointers on the night.

“I just came in and knew I’d be hitting my shots for some reason,” said Cook, who said he has hit 10 3-pointers in a summer game.

SEE CONIFER, P32

Gift from afar scores down under

D’Evelyn senior Mac Brandon, left, is guarded by Conifer senior Wil Ratzer during the second half Dec. 13 at D’Evelyn Junior/Senior High School. The Jaguars suffered a 71-51 loss.

PHOTO BY DENNIS PLEUSS/JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

e are often reminded that one of the best things about the holiday season is the ability to help those in need.

It’s a special time of year, and Rock Canyon assistant basketball coach Nick Mahan and his uncle, Shawn DominOVERTIME guez, who is a Colorado State Patrol officer, were feeling good as they helped orchestrate a donation of old Jaguars basketball uniforms to a school in Derby, Australia.

Jim Benton The uniforms were used by kids and even adult teams in Derby.

This bittersweet story came to light when Trev Menmuir Sr. and his son, Trev Menmuir Jr., were in Colorado and spoke during a course on emotional intelligence for Colorado Department of Public Safety employees in late October.

Gerry Cleveland, an attorney for at-risk kids and a businessman from Australia who has known Trev Menmuir Sr. for years, helped teach the course, and since the Menmuirs were being treated to a three-week vacation in Colorado and Washington, D.C., they were invited to speak to the CDPS class.

What they told the CDPS group was moving and when they asked for donations of basketball equipment and paraphernalia, Dominguez called Mahan, who talked with Rock Canyon head coach Kent Grams and found some old uniforms to ship down under, along with gifts from other donating organizations.

“The class was so moved that we reached out to different sources to find basketball attire for the kids,” said Mahan. “Rock Canyon donated home and away uniforms for the kids. The uniforms were a big hit with everybody in Derby.”

Derby is a tribal township in western Australia with a population of 3,325, and 47.2 percent of the population is of Aboriginal decent. Much of the Aboriginal population faces poverty and poor living conditions.

Trev Sr. is employed at the local school as a counselor. His paid hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, but he usually works from 5 a.m. until 11 p.m. between Monday and Saturday. On Sundays, he is usually working between noon and 10 p.m.

SEE BENTON, P33

32 Lakewood Sentinel

December 20, 2018D

A WEST FROM PAGE 31

out as well,” Lakewood coach Daryl Johnson said.

“I’m happy with where we are at, but Arvada West is on a different level right now.”

Lakewood (4-3) held a 14-6 lead late in the first quarter, but A-West had an 8-0 run to tie things up and took its first lead midway through the second quarter. The Wildcats would never give up the lead.

Rogers — last year’s 5A Jeffco League MVP — came in averaging 23.8 points per game. He was held to just 12 points, but the combo of seniors Oliver Lindeblad, Joseph Call, along with juniors Taylor Kline and Josh Yago combined for 36 points.

“I think the confident those other guys play with are going to be huge for us,” Parriott said.

“Teams know Josh (Rogers) can shoot and score.

We’ve got to play without his high volume of shots some nights.”

Kline hurt the Tigers

from the outside with four 3-pointers. Lindeblad had a quiet first half, but poured in five key points in the fourth quarter to help the Wildcats seal the victory.

“Seven deep can go make big plays,” Rogers said of the Wildcats’ depth this season. “I think that is what makes this team special from some of the others in the past.”

The Wildcats stayed on the road facing Fossil Ridge in Fort Collins on Tuesday, Dec. 18, after press deadline.

Lakewood played at Arapahoe on Tuesday before hosting 4A Jeffco’s Wheat Ridge on Wednesday, Dec. 19, heading into the winter break.

“Get your popcorn ready.

Tommy Dowd is coming to Lakewood,” Johnson said about the Tigers facing an old rival coached by longtime coach Tommy Dowd.

“Wheat Ridge is going to be awesome.”

Dennis Pleuss is a communications specialist for Jeffco Public Schools with a focus on athletics and activities. For more Jeffco coverage, go to CHSAANow.com/Jeffco

CONIFER FROM PAGE 31

The Lobos (5-3 record) has some good balanced scoring. Juniors Landon Wallace, Connor Long and Cody Jacobson each scored 10 points.

Senior Will Ratzer pitched in 12 points to give five Lobos in doublefigure points.

“I’m just so proud of the guys,”

G a c

Lakewood sophomore Michael Bennett (3) drives the baseline on Arvada West senior Joseph Call (11). The Wildcats held the Tigers to five points in the final quarter to take a 12-point victory.

PHOTO BY DENNIS PLEUSS/JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Valerio said. “They are fun to watch, especially when they are shooting the ball like that.”

The victory ended a long losing streak against D’Evelyn. It has been at least a decade since the Lobos had defeated the Jaguars in boys basketball. Valerio was 0-6 coaching against D’Evelyn since he took over the Jaguars’ program in the 2013-14 season.

“It’s a big win to kind of get this monkey off our back,” Valerio said of defeating D’Evelyn.

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The Jaguars (0-8) are still looking for their first victory. D’Evelyn did show signs of turning things around in the fourth quarter. The Jaguars scored 23 points in the final quarter after being held to 28 points through the first three quarters.

D’Evelyn senior Dan Brady led the way with 18 points for the Jaguars.

Looking a little ahead, the Lobos begin play in the 4A/3A Colorado 8 League in mid-January. A conference title would like nice on

Conifer’s resume.

“There are some good quality teams in there,” Valerio said of the Colorado 8 League. “Our goal is to win everything. My goal is to get better each game and teach them to play the right way.”

Dennis Pleuss is a communications specialist for Jeffco Public Schools with a focus on athletics and activities. For more Jeffco coverage, go to CHSAANow.com/Jeffco.

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December 20, 2018

WINTER GRADUATION AT CSM

Graduates from the Colorado School of Mines applaud their fellow students’ accomplishments during the 2018 mid-year commencement ceremony on Dec. 14. A ceremony took place for both the graduate and undergraduate students.

FROM PAGE 31

His day starts at 5 a.m. as he drives around to pick up students for school because their parents are unable to drive them.

Trev Sr. has a classroom with room to nap for the kids who did not get a good night’s sleep because of issues at home. He has a uniform program and keeps clean, spare school uniforms for any kids who have a dirty uniform. He issues laundered uniforms so students are not bullied for being dirty.

There is also a breakfast area for kids to get food to start the day and another room with games, puzzles and a TV, on which National Basketball Association highlights are shown.

Basketball is the second highest team participation sport in Australia, according to Basketball Australia.

Australian Rules Football is the No. 1 watched sport.

After school, the Menmuirs run

a basketball league with about 100 players but practice and games last sometimes to 10 p.m. Afterward, the Menmuirs make sure the players get home.

On weekend trips, Menmuir teaches kids about the Aboriginal culture, including hunting, fishing and singing.

They also make boomerangs, hunting tools and musical instruments like didgeridoos.

There was a basketball tournament early in December in Halls Creek, outside of Derby, with 15 teams. Trev Jr.’s team won the tourney wearing the Rock Canyon uniforms.

There was also a town fair in Derby, where more basketball games were played and all the NBA jerseys collected by the CDPS class were handed out as town fair prizes.

Jim Benton is a sports writer for Colorado Community Media. He has been covering sports in the Denver area since 1968. He can be reached at jbenton@coloradocommunitymedia.com or at 303-566-4083.

Answers

Solution © 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.

BENTON

PHOTO COURTESY OF COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES

THANKS for

PLAYING!

34 Lakewood Sentinel

December 20, 2018D

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- Call Dave Vaughn 720-427-7422 - davegoldenspikeroofing@gmail.com

30+ yrs. exp.

George - (303)252-8874

Roofing/Gutters Tile

$$ Reasonable Rates On: $$

Mark: 303.432.3503

REALTOR, CNE, SRES, HSE

Let Me Help You Beautify Your Home – Quality Workmanship

HAULING

Trash Cleanup • Old Furniture Mattresses • Appliances • Dirt Old fencing • Branches • Concrete Asphalt • Old Sod • Brick • Mortar House/Garage/Yard clean outs Storm Damage Cleanup Electronics recycling avail.

Ed Vaughn - Keller Williams

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 (720)298-0880

DIRTY JOBS Done Dirt Cheap!

Drain Cleaning & All Plumbing Repairs

720-308-6696 www.askdirtyjobs.com Commercial & Residential 30 Years Experience Phone for free Quote

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

Tile

Thomas Flooring & Tile • All Types of Tile • • Granite-Ceramic • • Porcelain • • Natural Stone •Vinyl • •Bathroom Remodel•

32 Years Experience • Work Warranty

303-781-4919 FREE Estimates

h s i E L I sT

te, References ani available r g r s you need r y fo mic * Bathrooms pan cera * Kitchens m d o * Backsplashes e c an * Entry Ways abl stone d r * Patios, Decks ffo rble, a * Other Services an ma as required

Mark * 720-938-2415 Tree Service

Tree Service

Majestic Tree Service 720-231-5954

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

Windows

TOP WINDOW CLEANING #1 in Customer Satisfactions

JAY WHITE Tree Service Serving with pride since 1975 Tree & shrub trimming & removals Licensed and Insured Firewood For Sale Call Jay (303)278-7119

10% OFF to NEW CUSTOMERS Over 20 Years Experience Insured / Bonded Call Today For A FREE Estimate Quality work guaranteed Gutter / Tree Works

Please Recycle this Publication when Finished

720-400-6496 topwindowcleaning.net

36 Lakewood Sentinel

December 20, 2018D

www.ColoradoServiceDirectory.com

HOME

& BUSINESS SERVICE DIRECTORY FROM A TO Z

To Advertise call Karen 303.566.4091

kearhart@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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TRUCK Classifieds For Local News Anytime of the Day Visit OurColoradoNews.com

Call Karen at 303.566.4091

1. Ralph Breaks the Internet .(PG) animated 2. The Grinch ..........................(PG) animated 3. Creed II .......................... (PG-13) Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone 4. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald ....................... (PG-13) Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston 5. Bohemian Rhapsody ..... (PG-13) Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton 6. Instant Family ............... (PG-13) Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne 7. Green Book .................... (PG-13) Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali 8. Robin Hood ................... (PG-13) Taron Egerton, Jamie Foxx 9. The Possession of Hannah Grace .......................................... (R) Shay Mitchell, Grey Damon 10. Widows ................................. (R) Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez © 2018 King Features Synd., Inc.

King Features Weekly Service

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December 17, 2018

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Lakewood Sentinel 37

December 20, 2018

www.ColoradoCommunityClassifieds.com

GARAGE

SALES

MERCHANDISE ANTIQUES SPORTS

To Advertise call Karen 303.566.4091 ANNOUNCEMENTS

EQUIPMENT

PETS AUTOS &

kearhart@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Misc. Notices

MERCHANDISE

Building Materials

Lost and Found LOST Bracelet alternating CZ & red stones “tennis bracelet” yellow gold color setting. Plz call/text Amy 303-5071422/amy@byczkowskicpa.com. May have lost while shopping at many stores in Parker or at church. Sentimental Value. Many thanks!

Misc. Notices Arvada Church of God 7135 West 68th Avenue 1 time food bank for the Arvada Area Providing Food, Hygiene Items and Gift Cards Available one time only Call Carmen Terpin at 303-232-6146

I am Dan Deans, I am looking for my nephew, Michael James Deans.

Son of Jerry & Bonnie Deans.

Michael is approximately 41 years old, was born in the Denver area in 1977.

Michael please contact me at 1-435-781-8376 Want To Purchase minerals and other oil/gas interests. Send details to: P.O. Box 13557 Denver, CO 80201

WIDOWED MEN AND WOMEN OF AMERICA.

A social club offering many exciting social activities and friendships.

Link 10 social hours, 4-6 P each Thur at Innsider Bar and Grill, Holiday Inn, 7390 Hampton Ave., Lkwd.

Visit widowedamerica.org or contact Bob, 303-979-0181.

Antiques & Collectibles Antique Children's Sleds

in good condition Usable or decorate for Christmas $50 each Call John (303)770-0746

Dogs

Bicycles Bicycle 24 speed

Electra Townie Sport light weight aluminum frame computer for distance - time excellent used condition $425 Call John (303)770-0746

FARM & AGRICULTURE

2012 Modular Building for sale $70,000 OBO 24’x70’ must remove from location by Jan 10 no later Two large rooms with an office Please call 303-806-2015

Firewood

GARAGE & ESTATE SALES Estate Sales Estate, Vintage, Antiques, Collectibles, Displays, Designer and Staging Furniture Liquidation 7700 West 44th Avenue Wheat Ridge 12/13-12/22 11am-5pm 303-502-7899 EVERYTHING GOES One of the Biggest Collections in the Rocky Mountains

Split & Delivered $300 a cord Stacking available extra $35 Christmas Trees available at Sedalia Conico and Jar Mart in Sedalia Call 303-647-2475 or 720-323-2173

New & Used Electric Bikes & Trikes

Misc. Notices

Starting at $995 The Largest ebike Store in the Country Best Selection & Discount Prices

Colorado Statewide Classified Advertising Network

720-746-9958

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.

ATTENTION HUNTERS

WANTED

Attention Hunters/Furharvesters.

Petska Fur running routes in your area.

Actively seeking Coyotes, Lynxcats, Fox, Deer/Elkhides and Antler.

Coyote market exceptional.

308-750-0700, www.petskafur.net

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

1919 Federal Blvd.

Denver, CO 80204 ElectricBicycleMegaStore.com

Musical Antique upright piano Free to good home (303)985-8134

Selmer (Paris) Mark VI Saxophones: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, including accessories 303-756-0994

Tools Werner 12' (16' maximum reach) fiberglass step ladder, never been used, original price $254 asking $150 Roger 303-969-9077

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Colorado Press Network 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 Network, 303-571-5117

Birds

Free to right home-for Xmas 2 yellow and grey,1grey on white cockatiels.Large cage and3 playgrounds.must have free flying time out of cage.also have2 grey on yellow cockatiel and 2 playgrounds free to good home.text Nancee at 720 288 2858

Want your life story written?

I can help. I have 30+ years experience, and can deliver print-ready documents and electronic copies within 60 days.

I have reasonable rates and write informative, entertaining life stories.

Great family gift.

Call Tabatha 720.763.5090.

MORE!

HOLIDAY PUPY SALE!!!

English Setter Puppies Playful and Smart, Good Hunters and Family Dogs 3 months old $299-$499 Lynn 720-212-5627 or Paul 720-238-2510

Horse & Tack Boarding for Retired Horses

High quality, low cost all-inclusive Horse Boarding for retired and senior horses.

Contact Blue Rose Ranch 303-796-7739 Springfield, CO www.bluerosehorseretirement.org

TRANSPORTATION

Cash for all Vehicles!

Cars, Trucks, Vans, SUV’s Any condition • Running or not Under $500

(303)741-0762

Cell: (303)918-2185 for texting

Bestcashforcars.com

Autos for Sale

Sell your merchandise on this page $25 for 2 weeks in 16 papers and online 303-566-4091 Wanted

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

Please Recycle this Publication when Finished

Cash for all Vehicles!

Cars, Trucks, Vans, SUV’s Any condition • Running or not Under $500

(303)741-0762

Cell: (303)918-2185 for texting

Bestcashforcars.com

CHECK IT OUT AT:

For Local News Anytime ColoradoCommunityMedia.com of the Day Visit

DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK, BOAT, RV; Running or not, to www.developmentaldisabled.org Tax deductible! 303-659-1744.

20 years of service

38 Lakewood Sentinel

December 20, 2018D

www.ColoradoCommunityCareers.com

EDUCATION FINANCE FOOD GENERAL HEALTHCARE PRODUCTION RETAIL SALES SERVICES TECHNOLOGY TRADES TRANSPORTATION

To Advertise call Karen 303.566.4091

kearhart@coloradocommunitymedia.com

U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

HAS OPENINGS FOR TEMPORARY PART-TIME FIELD REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE UPCOMING AMERICAN HOUSING SURVEY IN THE DENVER METRO AREA

MAY-AUG/SEP 2019 (4DAYS TRAINING MAR/APR) 20-40 HRS A WEEK, $15.55/HOUR & $0.545/MILE PLUS POTENTIAL ELIGIBILITY FOR OUR MONTHLY ON-GOING SURVEYS MUST BE A U.S. CITIZEN, 18YRS OF AGE OR OLDER, VALID DRIVERS LICENSE, RELIABLE VEHICLE, LIVE IN DENVER METRO AREA, PASS A BACKROUND CHECK, HAVE EMAIL ADDRESS & PRINTER ACCESS, BE AVAILABLE TO WORK DAY, EVENING, AND WEEKEND HRS

TO APPLY, SEND AN EMAIL TO: DENVER.RECRUIT@CENSUS.GOV

INCLUDE YOUR PHONE #, NAME, ADDRESS, PO BOX IF USED, CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE & COUNTY The U.S. Department of Commerce is An Equal Opportunity Employer.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities.

If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the application process, please notify the agency.

Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

CR&R, a family owned company since 1963, is now hiring for the following positions.

Must be able to pass a drug and physical screening!

Current Positions available in Castle Rock

Class A&B Driver Needed Seeking great commercial drivers to add to our team!

• Be part of a great company with a minimum of 2 years experience and a clean MVR.

Diesel Mechanics Needed NOW !!

CR&R is looking for Experienced Heavy Truck Diesel Mechanic with knowledge of all aspects of Diesel engines and hydraulics along with electrical diagnostics, troubleshooting, preventative maintenance & DOT inspections. APPLY NOW!

The company not only offers good pay, great benefits, a great work environment but here you are not just a driver, you’re FAMILY!

Apply at: crrwasteservices.com or call (714) 372-8215

CAREERS

Help Wanted Electrician

LIKE US on FACEBOOK

Looking for an electrical apprentice and/or licensed person for an established family owned electrical contracting business in Parker.

Please send resume to parkerelectric83@aol.com or fax to 303-841-2051. Competitive salary is based on experience.

For more info call 303-841-5448.

LEGITIMATE WORK AT HOME

No Sales, no Investment, No Risk, Free training, Free website. Contact Susan at 303-6464171 or fill out form at www.wisechoice4u.com Now hiring all positions at Safeway in Parker, Colorado.

Must have open availability and apply at careersatsafeway.com.

Also hiring for management positions Colsing manager and Floral manager inquired at store if interested resume required.1105 S Parker Rd, Paker, Co 80134 also can contact Erica front and manager or Elizabeth store admin at 303-840-1604.

ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

H RING? It’s easy to place your ad online.

Rates are very reasonable with self-placement.

It will run in print and on all 20 of our newspaper websites.

classifieds.yourquickads.com/ccm/

Need to get the word out?

Marketplace Classic

TRUCK

Advertise with us to find a good home for your favorite Ford

Classifieds

Call Karen at 303.566.4091

Lakewood Sentinel 39

December 20, 2018

HOMES APARTMENTS COMMERCIAL OFFICE INCOME PROPERTY STORAGE ROOMMATES

To Advertise call Barb 303.566.4125 Income/Investment Property ®

Located just south of the 6th Ave. & Federal Blvd. interchange, this opportunity offers a 2,175 SF building with great visibility. Currently used for auto repair, the building has both an office and warehouse/repair facility component. Zoning allows for multiple uses. Priced at $625,000. Call Sam Marks or Luke Maglio for additional information.

bstolte@coloradocommunitymedia.com Office Rent/Lease

Federal Blvd. Industrial Building For Sale

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

www.FullerRE.com (303) 534-4822

Fuller Real Estate, 5300 DTC Pkwy., #100 Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111

Roommates Wanted Looking for a small room to rent in Douglas County Can pay $400 a month (303)359-4838

Home for Sale

Free Market Evaluation

SELL your home $ 2495

No Upfront Fees M.L.S. Listing & Advertising Internet Advertising Professional Photography Showing & Feedback Service Sign & Lockbox Contracts & Negotiations Title Company & Escrows Settlement Representation Full Service Brokerage

*when purchasing another home *1% fee if selling only *+ buyer agent co-op

Charles Paeplow

20 Years Experience Best of the Best Realtor

720-560-1999 charlespaeplow@yahoo.com

Cornerstone Homes Realty

call, text, or e-mail

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ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You might be busier than you had expected right now. But between the socializing rounds and the workplace tasks, there are opportunities for special moments with that certain someone.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Your creative approach leads to a quicker-than-expected solution to a workplace problem. Now you can devote more time to that proposal you hope to introduce by midmonth.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Technological glitches create problems early on. But by midweek, all runs smoothly once again, and you’re well and truly on your way to meeting all your deadlines.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Your energy levels are high, and you feel you can handle everything that comes along. But try to take a break from your hectic pace for some quiet time with someone close to you.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) Before you pounce on that shiny new opportunity, take more time to check it out to see how much substance actually lies beneath all that glitter. A family member has important news.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A personal situation you thought was resolved resurfaces, thanks to a possibly well-intentioned move that went awry. Deal with it as soon as possible.

Accept the help of a trusted friend.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) That goal you set way back when is finally in sight. Maintain your focus on achieving it, and don’t allow yourself to be distracted by unimportant demands for your attention.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) A temperamental flare-up creates negative feelings that need to be dealt with immediately. But things once again go well after the apologies are made and hurt feelings are soothed.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) An early impulsive act causes confusion. But all is smoothed over once explanations are made.

Expect a friend or family member to ask for your kind and always wise advice.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) You might have to do some juggling of your priorities, as a personal matter appears to require more time and attention. Put your pride aside and accept help from those who offer it.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Your creative aspect is strong.

Not only does it help you accomplish your goals, but it also inspires others. This could lead to a potentially rewarding collaboration opportunity.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Be careful about making major decisions when you’re not really committed to them. And resist any pressure to do otherwise. Better to delay action until all doubts are resolved.

BORN THIS WEEK: You set goals and are rarely distracted by any attempt to move you off the path you’ve chosen to reach them.

For Local News Anytime of the Day Visit OurColoradoNews.com

Local Focus. More News.

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

ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

© 2018 King Features Synd., Inc.

40 Lakewood Sentinel

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Voluntary Contribution

GOAL

WEEK 2

PROGRAM 75%

A sincere thank you to the dedicated readers who have already contributed.

As a result of your generous support we are getting close to our goal!

69%

50%

Colorado Community Media is proud to bring your local community newspaper to your doorstep FREE each and every week. If you enjoy receiving your newspaper as much as we enjoy bringing it to you, please make a voluntary contribution. Your support helps our continuing efforts to bring you the best local news, sports and entertainment along the Colorado Front Range!

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