Lakewood Sentinel 1231

December 31, 2015

Voluntary Contribution

VOLUME 92 | ISSUE 20

PROGRAM

See ad inside for details LakewoodSentinel.com A publication of

J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O

Snow can’t stop donation-toting cyclists Wheat Ridge Cyclery brings more than 500 pounds of food to the needy

Employees of Wheat Ridge Cyclery – including two “sleigh” drivers – depart their shop to deliver more than 500 pounds of donated goods 11 miles away at the Denver Rescue Mission. Photo by Steve Acuna

By Andrea W. Doray Special to Colorado Community Media None of Wheat Ridge Cyclery’s employees are named Dasher, or Dancer, or Prancer, or Vixen. But 18 of them did load up “sleighs” full of warm clothes, food and toys, and took off — on bicycles — over snow-covered streets to deliver them to the Denver Rescue Mission warehouse.

“Part of our mission here at Wheat Ridge Cyclery is to give back,” said Jeremy Jancovic, who coordinated the project, which ended with the biked-in dona-

tion run on Dec. 18. “We wanted to do something for the holidays, so we began collecting donations about three weeks before Thanksgiving.”

Through a combination of in-store displays, customer outreach and social media posts, employees at the store amassed more than 500 pounds of food and gifts.

The idea to donate goods to the Denver Rescue Mission came from Wheat Ridge Cyclery’s marketing director, Gil McCormick, Jancovic said. “This year, just our employees built and delivered the sleighs. In the future, we hope to push this event out to the larger cycling community.”

Give continues on Page 7

LAKEWOOD ON ROAD TO CHANGE

Mayor Adam Paul is sworn in

by Judge Anne Stavig after winning the seat in the November 2015 election.

Photos

by Clarke Reader

A look back at some of 2015’s biggest developments

By Clarke Reader creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com

L

akewood was a city in transition in 2015, with big changes coming in many forms. From leadership to new partnerships and neighbors, it was a dynamic year.

Here are the top 10 stories of the year:

1. City elections Lakewood saw a change in leadership, with three new faces joining the council, and Ward 4 councilman Adam Paul winning over Ward 1 councilwoman Ramey Johnson in the mayoral race.

Charley Able was elected to the Ward 1 seat, Sharon Vincent in Ward 2, Pete Roybal was re-elected to Ward 3, Barbara Franks in Ward 4 and Dana Gutwein in Ward 5.

Able, Vincent, Roybal and Franks were all “anti-establishment” candidates, who emphasized more conservative approaches to issues such as population growth and density.

The new council was sworn in on

Amy Sue Pinto and her daughter, Liliana, 6, pick out children’s books at the 2015 fall Whale of a Used Book Sale on Oct. 23.

Thanks to a property tax boost, Jeffco libraries will be able to expand services in 2016.

Photo by Christy Steadman

Looking back at Jeffco in 2015

By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Residents near Stein and O’Connell elementary schools attend a meeting to get an update on the new school plan on Oct. 11. They received information about the merged schools, and what the future holds.

Nov. 23 and looked forward to healing the rifts in the community.

“Council’s main duty, I believe, is to build community,” Able said.

“That’s what we need to do. We need to repair rifts that have appeared, and we need to build on our strengths and our common ground. We need to

do so in an open, honest and transparent way.”

2. Federal Center Station neighborhood Lakewood’s city council decided 2015 continues on Page 14

Jefferson County produced some forward-looking news in 2015, deciding on ways to improve the county fair and approving a tax increase to support the library. As the news continues into the New Year, here are some of the hot topics that began in 2015.

Changeup with county commissioners It was an unusually busy year for Jeffco commissioners.

Republican Libby Szabo of Arvada was sworn in to serve as Jefferson County commissioner for District 1 on Jan. 30. The seat was left vacant when Faye Griffin, who was elected to serve a four-year term in 2012, won the 2014 election for Jeffco clerk and recorder.

Szabo was serving her third term as state representative for House District 27 Jeffco continues on Page 5

2 Lakewood Sentinel

December 31, 2015

Reflection reveals contentious year at Jeffco schools

FACES AMONG US Jonathan Barnett, founder and CEO of Oxi Fresh, has been recognized for his franchise work, and is giving back by partnering with Water. org. Courtesy photo

HELLO

...

My Name Is

Battles waged and change wrought in 2015 A glimpse of the people in our community

JONATHAN BARNETT Founder and CEO of Oxi Fresh

About me I was born in Oklahoma, and raised in Texas. I played basketball at Oral Roberts University while I received my business degree. I moved to Colorado in 2003 to get my graduate degree at Colorado Christian University.

I was raised by a single mom, who managed to get her bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate while raising a child, and so I learned a lot about hard work from her.

I grew up playing basketball, and I learned more about business there than in school, because you learn about things like delegation and team work in basketball.

Starting a business I started Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning after getting my graduate degree in 2006. I’ve always loved the franchise business model because it allows people to achieve their business dreams and goals without a lot of

the risks, since they have a format to follow.

We have more than 300 franchises around the country.

We’re different from the competition in that we want to be more environmentally friendly — the world’s greenest carpet cleaner. We also embrace the newest technology, which allows us to use far less water than other companies.

We also have some really great software that allows us to do scheduling for the entire company here in Lakewood.

In my free time I like going to sporting events — my favorite teams are probably the Broncos and Avalanche.

I also love live music, so I always enjoy going to shows.

Giving back We are giving $2 to Water.org for every customer that books their cleaning online.

We’ve saved the planet 25 million gallons of water with our systems, we wanted to find a way to give that water back. One in ten people don’t have access to safe water, and we want to help change that.

We’ve been donating around $3,000 to $4,000 a month, and don’t plan on stopping this offer. It will be great next year to see how much the money we’ve donated has helped.

If you have suggestions for My Name Is..., contact Clarke Reader at creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com.

By Crystal Anderson anderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com To say 2015 was a tumultuous year would be an understatement.

Teachers, district staff, unions, students, parents and national organizations all played a role in multiple battles this year. Topics of contention included teacher contracts, compensation, turnover, curriculum, school facilities, and more.

But what the year boiled down to was control of the school board. And this year’s election saw all five seats in play, thanks to two incumbents choosing not to run again, and the other three — majority members Ken Witt, Julie Williams and John Newkirk — faced a recall election.

It was a bumpy ride, but below are the top five news stories of 2015 from the Jeffco School District: Ushering in a new era In November, after two years of policy changes and contentious actions by the board majority of Ken Witt, Julie Williams and John Newkirk, an entirely new fivemember board was elected when minority members Lesley Dahlkemper and Jill Fellman announced that they would not seek re-election.

The new board, consisting of board president, Ron Mitchell, vice president, Ali Lasell, second vice president Susan Harmon, secretary Amanda Stevens and treasurer Brad Rupert, was elected by the more than 46 percent of Jefferson

Family Owned, Family Run

County’s 399,918 registered voters who turned out for the election. More than 64 percent of those who cast ballots voted to recall the Witt, Williams and Newkirk, a significant shift in voter perception from just two years earlier.

Ready to recall Fed up with the direction of the former board majority, parents and community members across the county gathered in record numbers to recall them from office. Led by the citizen group Jeffco United for Action, formed by parents Tina Gurdikian and Wendy McCord, the organization began seeking a recall in July with the blessing of the teachers’ union. Organizers hit the ground with petitions, hosting a kickoff party at the Jeffco Fairgrounds, knocking on doors and hosting signature collection sites up and down Wadsworth Boulevard. Within three weeks, the group had collected more than 30,000 signatures in support of the recall, a number double that required by law.

Teachers’ contract negotiations Beginning in March, the district’s teachers’ union, the Jefferson County Education Association, and a team from the district began a five-month process to negotiate a new contract. The result: a 10-month agreement that ends in June.

The contract, which serves as a governing guideline for teachers, includes language about the importance of having effective educators in the classroom, retaining school-level autonomy and optimizing teacher instructional time and schedules. The 41-page docu-

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Lakewood Sentinel 3

December 31, 2015

School Continued from Page 2

ment also includes terms of employment between union teachers and the district.

Although the document did raise salaries for many district employees, critics said the short contract length and the relatively small size of pay increases left much to be desired.

The new board of education is expected to begin discussions on how to handle the revision and renewal of the contract ahead of the June expiration.

The “Clean Slate” — Ron Mitchell, Ali Lasell, Susan Harmon, Amanda Stevens and Brad Rupert — swept the Jeffco school board election, pushing the 2013 elected majority from power. File photo

A record year for turnover In late spring, turnover numbers for the county were announced, showing 710 of the district’s 4, 830 teachers left their jobs in the 2013-2014 school year — the highest rate the district has seen in the past eight years.

The 14.7 percent, although lower than

the state average (16.6 percent), was caused by several factors, including life decisions related to homes and spousal careers, career advancement and a contentious district climate. However, parents and teachers who favored recalling the board viewed this figure as one of the telling signs that the district’s climate needed

a change. Turnover numbers for the 20142015 school year have yet to be released.

A lack of communication Since the beginning of 2015, the district’s communication department has seen drastic change. Following the initial departure of the district’s former public

information officer, Lynne Setzer, the communication team began to fall apart.

Media relations specialist Melissa Reeves resigned and her colleague Marlene Desmond, the former assistant director of communications, left after being placed on administrative leave for undisclosed reasons.

A new public information officer, Lisa Pinto, was hired in January, only to have her past as a conservative media pundit immediately become a target for criticism.

Pinto kept the department small, relying on herself and a few individuals from the public relations firm Novitas Communications. After a few stormy months, Pinto resigned in June. In an OpEd published in The Colorado Statesman the same day as her resignation, Pinto cited the teachers’ union and “their vitriolic attacks” as the reason for her departure.

Interviews have been held, but the chief communications officer position has yet to be filled.

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Lobbying by Realtor Associations Serves All Agents, But Also America’s Homeowners Last week we had an excellent example of to protect the interests of America’s homeowners our Realtor dues at work. There was a strong — and their own careers. possibility that the new highway funding bill in When you see or hear an advertisement Congress would have robbed a cruREAL ESTATE urging you to “make sure your agent cial housing finance fund to pay for is a Realtor,” this is what it’s about.

TODAY our nation’s highways.

By the way, NAR’s efforts to proIf it weren’t for the lobbying tect your interests and, consequently, efforts of the National Association of the interests of its members are not Realtors — funded by Realtor dues limited to the national level. Just as — there’s a good chance that they much money is spent lobbying our would have gotten away with it. state legislators, funded by the porThe “Fixing America’s Surface tion of Realtor dues that goes to state Transportation Act” (FAST Act) had and local associations. We are reprea provision in the Senate-passed sented by Realtor lobbyists here in version that would have used the Colorado, not only before the Genloan guarantee fees (“G-Fees”) of

By JIM SMITH, eral Assembly, but also before the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as a Colorado Real Estate Commission.

Realtor® funding source, but the provision Especially in an era when state was removed in conference committee, preserv- and local legislators are term-limited, our elected ing an important pillar of our nation’s housing officials need lobbyists like ours to educate them finance system, in which 90% of all home loans about important real estate issues. An example are guaranteed by the government. of this is the highly partisan battle over construcThis was only the most dramatic example of tion defects legislation. Current state law makes the power of NAR’s lobbying and its ability to it possible for any condo board — without conmobilize its members — the nation’s 1.1 million sulting its membership — to sue the builder and dues-paying Realtors — to educate lawmakers developer for construction defects. The threat of on issues that are important not only to our insuch litigation — which has cost builders and dustry but to you, America’s homeowners. their insurance companies millions — has been Another recurring threat is the elimination of a key factor in bringing condo construction to a the home mortgage tax deduction. Imagine the virtual halt (except for the higher end) in Coloraeffect if this tax deduction were eliminated. It do. That’s why all that multi-family construction would have a disastrous impact on our nation’s we’re seeing in our state is rental apartments economy, not just on homeowners. It is NAR instead of condos for purchase. which keeps the pressure on Congress not to kill The battle for construction defects reform is that deduction. highly partisan, and our legislators need help With so many dues-paying members, NAR is separating rhetoric from facts. Republicans want a powerful lobbying force in Washington, second to make it virtually impossible to sue a builder, only perhaps to the National Rifle Association. while Democrats understandably want to protect Yet there are another million licensed real estate buyers of condos from shoddy construction. My agents who have not joined their local Realtor position is that condo associations should be association and thereby the National Association able to sue, but only after a majority vote of conof Realtors. These agents shouldn’t refer to do owners who show up at a membership meetthemselves as “Realtors,” which is a trademark, ing. This year’s failed legislation said the vote commonly misused as a synonym for “agent.” had to be by a majority of all condo owners, These non-Realtors either can’t or don’t want which is an impossibly high bar, since most conto “pay their dues” — literally and figuratively — do associations struggle to get a simple quorum

at their annual membership meetings.

On the state level, term limits have had the unintended consequence of making lobbyists more powerful but also more essential. By the time a legislator becomes truly knowledgeable about such complicated issues as construction defects, he or she has to leave office. That’s why well-intentioned and non-partisan lobbyists like ours play such a crucial role. And our Realtor dues make that possible.

Why would a licensed real estate agent not want to be a Realtor? While there may be some agents who don’t want to join NAR for ideological reasons (which makes little sense to me), for most agents I suspect it’s a financial decision.

Selling real estate is not a high-paying profession except for the 10 to 20 percent who are top producers. A statistically significant percentage of agents — I’ve heard estimates as high as 30% — go an entire year without a commission check. For those agents, paying $500 per year to support NAR and its state and local Realtor associations is simply not in the cards. Remember, agents also have to purchase errors and omissions insurance ($200-300 per year), pay for license renewal every few years, pay MLS fees (over $400 per year), and renew their contract software annually (over $200 per year), not to mention car, phone and other costs. When you’re doing zero to one transactions per year, every dollar hurts!

Realtor association rules dictate that every agent in a Realtor firm must join the Realtor association, and if the agent doesn’t pay, the Realtor association bills the broker for their dues.

As a result, non-Realtor brokerages have been growing in numbers — often as spin-offs of Real-

tor brokerages — and use their dues-free status to recruit financially distressed agents.

NAR and CAR (the Colorado Association of Realtors) say in their advertisements that you should ask if your agent is a Realtor because only Realtors subscribe to the Realtor Code of Ethics, but I think buyers and especially sellers should ask if their agent is a Realtor for a simpler reason — you want an agent who is successful enough not to scrimp on expenses. If you list your home with an agent who can not afford to pay Realtor dues, how much do you think he or she will spend marketing your home? Quite possibly, that listing agent will do little more than put your home on the MLS with point-and-shoot photographs and wait for other agents to bring a buyer. That ends up giving the rest of us agents, including Realtors, a bad image.

Statistics show that Realtors are far more successful that non-Realtors. For example, the 290 Realtor agents at HomeSmart Realty Group averaged 2.1 sold listings per agent this year (through last week). The 248 non-Realtor agents at its sister brokerage, HomeSmart Realty Group of Colorado, averaged 1.2 sold listings per agent. The 355 Realtor agents at Brokers Guild Cherry Creek Ltd. averaged 2.6 sold listings per agent while the 405 non-Realtor agents at Brokers Guild Classic averaged 1.2 sold listings per agent. The 293 Realtor agents at Your Castle Real Estate, Inc. averaged 4.2 sold listings per agent, but the 189 non-Realtor agents at Your Castle Services have averaged only 1.1 sold listings — hardly a living wage.

Golden Real Estate’s nine Realtor agents averaged 5.8 sold listings in 2015, plus an equal number of closings representing buyers.

Jim Smith Broker/Owner

Golden Real Estate, Inc. DIRECT: 303-525-1851

EMAIL: Jim@GoldenRealEstate.com 17695 South Golden Road, Golden 80401 WEBSITE: www.GoldenRealEstate.com

4 Lakewood Sentinel

December 31, 2015

J

HometownIMPRESSIONS

C

M O M E N TS I N T I M E F R O M YO U R C O M M U N I T Y

A festive forest for Christmas

Corey Silverman of Lakewood’s C&H Glassworks created a glass tree for the ArtReach Festival of Trees. Photos by Clarke Reader

By Clarke Reader creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com

This holiday season, Lakewood was home to a forest of Christmas trees. And every one was indoors.

The ArtReach Festival of Trees, which concluded Dec. 20, returned after a decade to 40 West, and gave visitors a shining and sparkling tour of the history of Christmas trees from the Victorian era onward.

“I worked on the historical part of the exhibit, researching all the details and obscure information,” said Krista Brayton, with ArtReach.

“There was so much more information beyond what we could use.”

Spread throughout the festival were placards with all manner of details on each decade, from information on the “Christmas Pickles” in the 1890s, the fact that one American in five had a Christmas tree in his home by 1900, and 81 percent of Christmas trees today are artificial.

“My favorite tidbit is from the 1910s, where a group called the Society for the Prevention of Useless Giving, or SPUG, was formed in New York,” Brayton said. “People were joining these giving clubs that required members to give a gift to everyone in the club, and it was becoming burdensome, so this group said no to all of that.”

The names on many of the creations might be familiar to local art aficionados: Corey Silverman of Lakewood’s C&H Glassworks created a stunning glass tree, and local artist (and festival Wizard in Residence) Lonnie Hanzon contributed the largest and most vibrantly lit piece.

“We’ve been building an audience throughout the weeks we’ve been open,” said Karla Johnson-Grimes, executive director of ArtReach.

Based on the feedback of a guest, a scavenger hunt for children and adults was created with such tasks as finding the tree with the silver snake or the tree afraid of the Internet — all of which was designed to draw attention to the artist’s craft.

Each artist made sure to capture specials details or features of his or her decade — a tree in the 1960s area sported peace signs, dog tags and bullet casings.

“My favorite thing about all of this are the little traditions and experiences people have,” Brayton said. “They’re really interesting.”

The first ArtReach Festival of Trees in a decade brought in visitors to take a tour of the history of Christmas tree decorating.

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Lakewood Sentinel 5

December 31, 2015

Jeffco

Square are among the historical crown jewels of this region.”

Continued from Page 1

when she was chosen for the threemember board of county commissioners, and according to E.V. Leyendecker, chairman for the Jeffco GOP, the Jefferson County Commissioner Vacancy Committee voted for her unanimously.

Lang Sias was selected to take the state representative seat previously held

by Szabo on Jan. 31.

In other county commissioner news this year, Donald Rosier publicly announced on Dec. 10 that he is running for the state Senate seat held by Democratic incumbent Michael Bennet.

Rosier entered local politics in 2010 after beating incumbent Democrat Kathy Hartman as county commissioner for Jeffco’s District 3 in the election. He won re-election in 2014.

Banner year for Jeffco libraries The Golden library, first built in 1914, underwent a three-month remodel made possible by an $85,000 contribution from the City of Golden. The library hosted a well-attended re-opening celebration on June 14.

In just eight days, participants of the Jeffco libraries’ Summer Reading Challenge, which took place May 29-Aug. 14, read 1,000,001 minutes, prompting library staff to up the ante to 10 million.

Of nearly 28,000 participating library patrons, Shawn Tateyama of Golden logged the 10 millionth minute on July 14.

In November, Jefferson County voters approved a mill levy increase to secure the success of the county’s library system.

With the Nov. 3 vote, the mill levy will increase by one mill to a maximum of 4.5 mills. For Jeffco homeowners, the change equals about 67 cents more a month for every $100,000 of home value.

The one-mill increase is expected to bring in $8 million of additional library revenues, beginning in 2016. The first priority is to increase library hours with a goal date of early April, and at least $2 million will be added to the books and materials budget in 2016.

Library patrons will also see some facility projects — new carpeting, sealing windows, replacing furnishings — updated Internet access and state-ofthe-art technology coming to all library branches.

County says yes to pot testing, but nothing else Jeffco commissioners decided to permit marijuana testing facilities in industrial zones come 2016, but the prohibition of marijuana cultivation/ manufacturing facilities, distribution and retail stores in unincorporated areas will remain in effect.

The decision was made following a series of meetings beginning on May 29 in which county staff informed commissioners Libby Szabo, Casey Tighe and Don Rosier about all aspects of marijuana operations.

Amendment 64 of the Colorado Constitution authorizes recreational use of marijuana, including the operation of facilities for cultivation, manufacturing, testing and retail sales. However, the

Libby Szabo signs in as Jefferson County Commissioner after Chief Judge Phil McNulty of the 1st Judicial District, right, swears in Szabo last January. Photo by Amy Woodward Foreclosure filings increased in the fourth quarter of 2014, but decreased between the third quarters of 2014 and 2015. Jefferson County recorded the smallest over-the-year decrease in foreclosures of the seven metro Denver counties.

Jefferson County Commissioner Don Rosier at his Senate race announcement on Dec. 10 in Arvada. Rosier is running against incumbent Michael Bennet. Photo

by Clarke Reader amendment allows counties to regulate the industry, including banning any or all of the four operations.

Arvada and Golden do not permit any marijuana sales. Lakewood permits medicinal marijuana, and the cities of Wheat Ridge and Edgewater permit recreational and medicinal sales.

Continuing housing concerns The lack of affordable housing remained an issue for 2015.

“We’re recovering in some areas, but not everyone is seeing it,” County Commissioner Casey Tighe said.

The county’s quarterly economic report for the fourth quarter of 2015 states that Jefferson County recorded the fifth highest average sales price for houses when compared to the seven counties in metro Denver.

The average selling price for a singlefamily detached home was $367,146 in the fourth quarter of 2014, and between the third quarters of 2014 and 2015, prices of single-family detached homes averaged $405,240. The county ranked second for the number of homes sold.

happy new year

Hard year for Heritage Square In February, property owner Martin Marietta announced its plans to close Heritage Square, a longtime Denver-area entertainment and tourist destination.

Going into 2016, only two businesses at Heritage Square will remain open.

The amusement park will open for the 2016 season and has lease options that continue until 2039, which includes the Garden Grill restaurant. Red Rocks Church’s lease continues until March.

Some of the square’s business owners facing relocation or closure said the announcement was not a shock, but agreed the closure is a sad loss for the community.

The Alpine Slide, which closed permanently on Oct. 11, was something that never went out of style, said general manager Debbie Hottinger, reminiscing about the slide’s 37 seasons in operation.

In addition to closing the square, Martin Marietta is demolishing seven buildings that make up part of the Victorian village, which was originally built as part of the Magic Mountain theme park, designed and crafted in 1958 by Disney and Hollywood artisans.

The wedding chapel will be relocated to an undetermined site at the owner’s expense, but the other structures are slated to be demolished as early as this spring.

Area historians, the Golden Landmarks Association and the Jefferson County Historical Commission strongly support preserving the original Magic Mountain structures.

“These storefronts and event center are among the finest, rarest and most artistic designs Golden will ever see.

They, and the other Magic Mountain structures, hold a special place in history,” Golden historian Richard Gardner said. “The historic structures of Heritage

Gang activity still an issue A Jefferson County grand jury indicted six members from a street gang known as the Gallant Knights Insane or GKI in March. The gang is known for running an organized crime enterprise in the Denver and Jeffco area for 11 years.

Gang founders Jimmy Valanzuela, Timmy Valanzuela and Michael Valanzuela were indicted on several counts in relation to the attempted murder of rival gang member Theodore Alex Trujillo on Feb. 23 at Hart’s Corner Bar in Lakewood. Jaime Venegas, Anthony Saleh and Tanya Gutierrez were also indicted.

Colorado is the founding state for the nationwide gang, with more than 800 documented members in the Denver area, and about 2,000 members statewide.

According to the Metro Gang Task Force, it’s doubtful that street gangs such as GKI will go away anytime soon, but the task force was happy with the indictments.

A new and improved Action Center After years of fundraising and a year of construction, the Action Center opened its new Program Services Building in April.

“Everyone comes to us for different reasons, but when they’re here, they’re going to see someone about their situation,” said Mag Strittmatter, executive director of the center, at the building opening. “We have so many volunteers and case managers, and all those services are upstairs in our new building.”

The two-story building, adjacent to the center’s longtime home at 8755 W. 14th Ave., is also home to the Action Center’s new grocery store, household items and clothing shops. The second floor is mostly devoted to office space.

The $4.2 million project included the purchase and renovation of the Cottonwood office complex.

Plans to help fair fare better To ensure the success of the Jeffco fair and rodeo, and provide a better experience for fair-goers, all three Jefferson County commissioners favored hiring a full-time fairgrounds events coordinator at a June 30 meeting.

In the past, the fair was organized and managed by an outside, all-volunteer nonprofit team, which, according to fairgrounds director Scott Gales, did a good job but did not have the resources to make the event truly spectacular.

Dexter Foxworth was hired for the fairgrounds coordinator position in October. He organized three communityoriented brainstorming sessions and an online survey, in which the community had an opportunity to share thoughts and provide opinions on what a county fair should entail. Feedback was accepted through Nov. 25.

The revamped 2016 fair is slated for Aug. 11-14.

“The fair is an opportunity to celebrate Jefferson County,” Foxworth said.

It will be “something people can be proud of — and proud to attend.”

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THANK YOU Businesses and Readers N E W P R I N T & D I G I TA L O P P O R T U N I T I E S

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mnelon@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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6 Lakewood Sentinel

December 31, 2015

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NEWS IN A HURRY Bonfils honors Lakewood Bonfils Blood Center honored the city of Lakewood on Dec. 16 with a plaque to celebrate the city’s 30th anniversary of hosting blood drives.

The city hosts about five blood drives each year which has amounted to about 4,900 blood donations over the last 30 years.

More than half the blood Bonfils collects is at mobile blood drives all over the state. Bonfils averages about 10 mobile blood drives each day to make donating blood convenient for donors.

Christmas tree recycling for Lakewood residents The city of Lakewood will offer tree recycling from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., through Sunday, Jan. 10.

Tree drop-off will take place at the Lakewood’s Greenhouse, 9556 W. Yale Ave. Residents should follow posted signs and drop trees in the designated area.

Tree recycling is free for Lakewood

residents, and trees dropped off for recycling must be free of all wire, ornaments, nails and tinsel. This service handles Christmas trees from residents only; wreaths, garland and trees from private contractors will not be accepted.

For more information, call 720-9635240.

LWV announce book club book The Jeffco League of Women Voters Nonfiction Book Club will study Orville Schell’s and John Delury’s influential “Wealth and Power: China’s Long March to the 21st Century” at its January and February book club meetings.

The authors help us understand China through their unique approach: studying the evolution of Chinese thought through 11 writers and leaders from the 1790s to now.

Meetings on this book will be Jan. 20, 23 and Feb. 17, 20. Learn more about this important topic through the insights in this stunning book. Call Lynne at 303985-5128 for more information.

Thank You and Happy New Year!

To our Friends of the Library, our Volunteers And our Donors

The two sleighs themselves were actually bicycle trailers outfitted with festive cutouts on the sides.

Each sleigh was so heavy “it’s like dragging a car tire behind you on a bicycle,” Jancovic said. Other riders wore packs filled with donations, or carried them in panniers on their bikes.

Steve Acuna, in creative productions for Wheat Ridge Cyclery, said that although the weather was a balmy 48 degrees, the amount of snow on the streets presented a challenge for the two sleigh drivers and seven other riders.

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Lakewood Sentinel 7 Mission warehouse on 39th Avenue, and it took us a little over an hour to get there,” he said. “The roads were really snow-packed, so we rode a mix of mountain bikes and fat bikes.

Things got pretty sloppy on some streets that had not been plowed.”

People the riders encountered along the way waved and cheered them on, Acuna said. “And our delivery was well received at the Mission — people were excited to see us.”

Alexxa Gagner, director of public relations for the Denver Rescue Mission, said the organization appreciated the donations —

and the unique way they were delivered.

“When I heard they were coming on bicycles, I thought it was especially fitting,” said Gagner. “We are very grateful that Wheat Ridge Cyclery reached out to their customers and donated to the Denver Rescue Mission on their behalf.”

Like Jancovic, Acuna said the event represented the company’s core values.

“It’s important for us to participate with our community,” Acuna said.

“Our sleigh ride was fun.

It involved bicycles, and it helped others. What could be better?”

8 Lakewood Sentinel

December 31, 2015

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Lakewood Sentinel 9

December 31, 2015

Careers

Advertise: 303-566-4100

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Resident Assistant/QMAP As a Resident Assistant you will provide Medication Administration and assistance with activities of daily living to seniors in our lovely 113 Apartment Assisted Living Community. The ideal candidate will be reliable, friendly and enjoy working with seniors. We are currently hiring for full time, part time or PRN employees.

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• Part-time hours • Adaptable route sizes • No suit & tie required!

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package in a friendly, family-like atmosphere and are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please apply in person at The Granville Assisted Living, 1325 Vance St., Lakewood, CO 80214. Questions? Call 303-274-4400.

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December 31, 2015

VOICES

LOCAL

Reading is best form of escapism I love to read. I guess it’s not a big surprise that the favorite pastime of a writer would be reading what other people write.

But maybe it’s a little bit of a surprise that I don’t read with a critical eye. That is to say, I like to immerse myself in a book, whether it’s a novel, or sci-fi fantasy, or a biography or history—I try to get “into” the story to feel what characters feel and really experience the story line.

It’s my most active form of escapism.

So, when I get to the end of a book I’ve really enjoyed—or worse, an entire series— there is always a slight feeling of sadness.

Like I have to say goodbye to a good friend.

My daughter, 14, is even more like that than I am. She gets fiercely protective of the characters that she likes, to the point that, if a movie adaptation gets a detail wrong, she will make it known in no uncertain terms to anybody who will listen that the movie-makers blew it. It’s pretty funny, actually.

But, I know how she feels. When I get into a book, the characters become friends (or enemies), the setting becomes a homeaway-from-home, the twists of the plot become problems to solve, and the action takes on a visceral quality. That’s why it’s difficult to close the cover on a book for the last time.

So, my thing is I try to get into the next book as quickly, and as thoroughly, as I can.

My thinking is simply that the sooner I meet the new, the sooner I get over the old. At the

same time, I like keeping a couple books “in queu,” as a reminder that once this one is done, there are still more adventures to be had.

It’s all part of a plan to keep me moving forward.

Plans are great, aren’t they? A lot of people make great, big plans at this time of year—we call them resolutions. A resolution is a promise we make to ourselves to try to focus on being something better this year, as if simply rolling over the Michael Alcorn calendar is going to give us the fortitude or the HITTING discipline to make someHOME thing new happen. That’s why I’m a little leery of making New Year’s Resolutions—and why so many of them fail.

But having “a plan”—that’s a little better.

It doesn’t have to be sudden, it doesn’t come with the time pressure, and it is subject to constant evaluation and revision. That’s a little more life-like.

In fact, sometimes plans are flexible enough to allow for multiple plans, simultaneously.

When Jim McElwain was head football coach at Colorado State, he gave an inter-

view on local radio, and said that one of the processes he brought with him from Alabama was to develop overlapping 18-month “plans.” That way, there was always a “next thing,” there was constant evaluation, and there was constant movement forward.

I love that idea, though I have to admit, I’m still trying to wrap my head around the whole overlapping plans. Imagine what the whiteboard looks like!

But, that’s beside the point.

The point is this: New’ Year’s Day is a great time to start trying to change yourself and your world. But, too often, those changes are too much like trying to reread a chapter in the last book to do it better. You won’t see the future if you’re still reading from the past.

Look to the next book, the next chapter.

If you want to make change, make a change! But make a plan, make two plans, exercise some foresight, have a fallback position, develop a vision for your future. Don’t put all the eggs in the basket of one narrowly tailored cosmetic goal—try to picture the characters, the setting and the events that make your next chapter worth leaping into.

Happy New Year, and Godspeed!

Michael Alcorn is a teacher and writer who lives in Arvada with his wife and three children. His novels are available at MichaelJAlcorn.com.

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We welcome event listings and other submissions.

Please visit our website, click on the Submit Your News tab and choose a category from the drop down menu.

Columnists & Guest Commentaries The Sentinel features a limited number of regular columnists, found on these pages and elsewhere in the paper, depending on the typical subject the columnist covers. Their opinions are not necessarily those of the Sentinel.

Want your own chance to bring an issue to our readers’ attention, to highlight something great in our community, or just to make people laugh? Why not write a letter of 300 words or fewer.

Include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.

Email letters to editor@coloradocommunitymedia.com Deadline Fri. 5 p.m. for the following week’s paper.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What is your New Year’s resolution?

“To be a great dad to my child who will be born in March.” — Sean Ryan of Littleton

“To bike to work more often.” — Nadia Cone of Texas “To have a beautiful wedding with my lovely fiancée.” — Rob Hengel of Texas, holding Nadia’s nephew, Gavin, of Golden

“To do what I choose to do, when I choose to do it.” — Kadie Engstrom, left, of Kentucky “To reach as many children as possible, to become more connected to the workings of the earth through my artwork.” — Sue Lion of Boulder “To increase my walk with the Lord.” —Blake Gasaway of Florida, with Stella

What is Sustainable Printing?

It’s the paper: Biodegradable, renewable, recycled, reusable.

It’s the ink: Soy based inks are used, reused then recycled.

It’s the plate: Process-free plates eliminate VOC’s and reduce water usage.

It’s the press: Using cold-set presses reduces the amount of VOC’s put into the air.

It’s the location: Printed locally reducing shipping and postage costs, while saving gas, emissions and time.

Lakewood Sentinel 11

December 31, 2015

Lakewood focuses on smart and healthy in ’16 As your new mayor, it’s an honor to have this opportunity to reflect on our great city and all we have accomplished together in 2015. During the early days of Belmar, “live, work, play” became the way to describe what Belmar was about. Looking back on 2015, those concepts remain a theme for Lakewood, but “healthy” and “smart” have been added to the ideals that guide us as we continually work to make Lakewood the best it can be.

Companies have bolstered the “work” part of our foundation with a stellar year of investing in the Lakewood.

Terumo BCT, a medical technology company, opened a new headquarters.

FirstBank, Lakewood’s hometown bank, is expanding its headquarters on West Colfax Avenue, and Qdoba moved its headquarters to join other great companies in Belmar in downtown Lakewood. Broadstreet is work-

ing to bring new vitality to West Colfax with the Lamar Station Plaza, home to the iconic Casa Bonita.

When it comes to being smart, Lakewood shines. We have excellent K-12 schools, with the graduation rate at high schools in Lakewood reaching Adam Paul more than 8 percentage points higher than GUEST the rest of Jefferson County and Colorado.

COLUMN Lakewood also has several higher education options in Red Rocks Community College, Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, Colorado Christian University and others.

We’ve got some of the best places to play, and it’s helping us meet our commitment to creating a healthy community. The Lakewood Cultural Center was recently named as one of 10 organizations in the metro area that gets its cultural offerings right. Hayden Park on Green Mountain and Bear Creek Lake Park are regional gems that make you feel miles from the city even though you’re not.

Lakewood ranks 26th among cities with populations between 20,000 and 350,000 in the 2016 ranking of the Top 100 Best Places to Live by Livability.com. The website said our ranking reflects the fact that we’ve been smart in proactively planning how to manage inevitable growth, and that has resulted in an outstanding quality of life with great amenities and a strong local economy.

As your new mayor, I want to focus on strengthening relationships throughout our

Refuge association manages resources

2015 marked the 40th anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge Association, the professional support entity that represents the nation’s 564 national wildlife refuges (NWR) in Congress and in the public domain.

Colorado has seven NWRs. Three are in our immediate Denver metro region. They include the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge (16,000 acres adjoining Commerce City), the Rocky Flats (5,000 acres west of Westminster) and Two Ponds (72 acres in Arvada) refuges. Nationally, the NWRs vary in size from the small .57-acre Mille Locs NWR in central Minnesota to the massive 19,286,000-acre Artic NWR in Alaska.

The 564 refuges provide critical habi-

CATHOLIC

tat, food source, nesting and life support for over 2,170 different and rare species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish. NWRs provide positive investments of dollars and time. For every $1 appropriated to the refuge system, an average of $4.87 is returned to local economies in nearby communities. The 564 refuges are popular destinations. They welcome 46.5 million visitors annually, create 35,000 jobs, and generate $342 million in tax revenues and $2.4 billion in economic output in numerous ways.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service NWR staff and volunteer Friends Groups provide hundreds of refuge youth, adult and family activities and educational programs. The three Denver metro-area refuges produce year-round public programs and educational opportunities. Current programs at the Arsenal and Rocky Flats NWRs can be obtained by calling 303-289-0930 and 303-289-0867 for scheduled events at Two Ponds NWR. The NWRA supports and provides testimony, research and position statements for a wide variety of wildlife issues, both policy and funding support. The Migratory

Contact Ron Hellbusch at Ron-Hellbusch@comcast.net.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Jeffco shell game ignored How is it that Judge Spencer’s ruling, re: the ‘Jeffco School Board Recall campaign finance shenanigans’, has not been reported by any state newspaper or TV news source?

Isn’t the illegality of the so called frontgroup ‘Jeffco United’s’ redirecting $90K early money to its coconspiratorial subsidiaries to hide its origins, and Spencer’s resultant fining of it, newsworthy?

Aren’t Court decisions, especially in contentious matters, both public record, and of public interest?

Or are there some election related offenses that are off-limits to the general public, and if so, why?

For that matter, why was Judge Spencer’s minimal fine levied only against ‘Jeffco United’ where it may never be recovered due to the group disbanding, rather than its officers/perpetrators?

Russell W. Haas Golden

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

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

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6750 Carr St. Arvada, CO 80004 303.421.5135 • www.arvadaumc.org Nursery Available

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Now enrolling for All Precious Children Learning Center

Golden First Presbyterian Church

On the round-about at South Golden Rd. and West 16th Ave. Sunday Praise & Worship................... 9:00 am Fellowship Time ................................. 10:00 am Church School ................................... 10:30 am

Pastor: Rev. Dr. Miriam M. Dixon

Nursery provided

Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly referred to as the Duck Stamp; the Wilderness Act; lawsuits initiated to protect refuge lands and wildlife species; annual federal government budget appropriations; listing protection or delisting of wildlife species; public education and information; Friends Groups award programs; photo programs; annual refuge manager of the year and Friends Group volunteer awards and recognition; and a wide range of cooperative partnerships with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service are typical initiatives and lead roles played by the National Wildlife Refuge Association.

NWRA services are fueled by public and private funds supporting an annual $2.7 million budget.

community. I want to build on our momentum while remaining committed to making smart decisions that create a community that is healthy in all respects: We’re all physically and mentally well; we communicate in vigorous but open and respectful ways; and we nourish our uniqueness and diverse cultures yet are unified in creating the best place for everyone.

I would like to thank the outgoing council and mayor for their dedication and hard work. It’s been a pleasure working with you.

I would also like to welcome our newly elected leaders, and I look forward to working with you. I would also like to thank our dedicated Lakewood staff who work hard day in and day out. 2016 will be a great year for Lakewood, and I wish you all Happy New Year!

Adam Paul is the newly elected mayor of Lakewood.

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12 Lakewood Sentinel

LIFE

LOCAL

December 31, 2015

CULTURE FA I T H FA M I L Y FOOD HEALTH

The Mother Cabrini Shrine is home to three gardens that allow visitors places to reflect in peace. Photo courtesy of Mother Cabrini Shrine

S

acred spaces — places for peace, reflection and spiritual communion — can be difficult to find in the highly developed Front Range.

But one such place stands to the south of Lookout Mountain, north of I-70, overlooking Golden and the entire region.

The Mother Cabrini Shrine has offered a respite for the weary for more than 100 years, and continues to provide spiritual clarity and solace for all visitors regardless of faith or religion.

“We have thousands of visitors a year,” wrote Sister Roselle Santivasi, in an email interview. “They come mainly to pray, and we do have regulars that come often to visit us.”

The shrine includes the Stone House, a 22-foot statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the convent of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as well as a grotto around the shrine’s spring, a rose quartz Sacred Heart and the 373-step stairway of prayer, which also features the Stations of the Cross.

Mother Cabrini, whose given name was Francesca Cabrini, founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Italy.

They were invited to the Denver area by a priest in 1902 to help serve the immigrant population and serve the community, according to information provided by Anna Dodd, the shrine’s retreat and marketing coordinator.

“At the time of their arrival to Colorado, the sisters discovered that there was a need for a girls’ orphanage. They had Queen of Heaven Orphanage for girls built just outside of the then-city of Denver, where years later it would rest on Federal Boulevard,” Dodd wrote. “Mother Cabrini loved the orphans and wanted a summer home for them outside of the city, and that’s where we come in.”

A place for

peace Mother Cabrini Shrine offers spiritual sanctuary

By Clarke Reader | creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com It took three transactions for Cabrini to acquire the 500 acres that would eventually be named in her honor. During a return visit in 1912, she found a natural spring on the property, commissioned the Stone House for the orphans, dedicated the hill to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and formed a rose quartz Sacred Heart of stones at the top.

“Mother Cabrini wanted a summer home for the orphan girls that was away from the city and nested in the beauty of the Rocky Mountains,” Dodd wrote. “Since her death, we have developed into a place of pilgrimage and prayer in her honor and in honor of

the Sacred Heart of Jesus.”

As a pilgrimage site, the shrine grew in popularity over the years, particularly during the summer through mid-fall. The orphanage was disbanded in early 1970s, which is when retreats started being offered at the shrine, according to Shellie Marsh, gift shop manager and accountant.

The shrine now offers group and hermitage retreat options. There’s a conference room for business and religious retreats and planning meetings, complete with a projector screen, podium and large conference table.

She was a teacher by profession, but a desire to enter a religious community of sisters struck her and she sought out a missionary community. In her journey, she was denied entry into religious communities because of her poor health.

On the advice of a priest, she started the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The work of her sisters brought her to the attention of Pope Leo XIII, who sent her to America through the port of New York City, to work with Italian Immigrants in 1889.

Mother Cabrini’s reputation led to several invitations and requests for the sisters to come to America, including Chicago, New York and Golden.

“What I like about Mass, is the family here, and the fact that we have different priests here, so we always have a different viewpoint. It’s a lovely community. I discovered this place with my Catholic friend before I was Catholic; I went to a lot of a churches, but I felt at home here.

I became a Catholic later in life, so this is like my church home.”

— Parishioner Carol Thrush

The hermitage option provides retreatants with solitude and rooms with a view of the Statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

“Most of our self-led day or overnight retreats are for Catholics and Christians who are seeking time alone with God for prayer and reflection,” Dodd wrote. “We rent out the whole historic Stone House, once used for the orphans now used as our retreat house, for overnight and day groups. We provide meals for our retreatants, coffee services, meeting rooms and a chapel space available for reservations for prayer or services.”

There’s still more to do at the shrine for pilgrims and visitors. They can drink the spring water, visit the museum and a smaller grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Visitors often make use of the solitude provided by the rosary, meditation and Cabrini gardens, Santivasi added.

“People are surprised at the amount of sacred spaces there are here,” she wrote.

“For me, this is a place where you could easily spend the whole day with your family.”

IF YOU GO:

WHO WAS MOTHER CABRINI? Francesca Cabrini grew up in northern Italy where the community had a great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She always had a desire to be a missionary, especially in China.

IN THEIR WORDS

She was known as a caring and determined businesswoman, who during her lifetime crossed the sea about 26 times — despite her fear of water — designed several buildings and constructed hospitals, schools and orphanages.

Mother Cabrini Shrine

She died in 1917 having established 67 international missions by the time she was 67 years old.

MASS TIMES: English Monday-Saturday:

WHERE: 20189 Cabrini Blvd., Golden SHRINE HOURS: Monday - Sunday: Gate opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m.

7:30 a.m.

Sunday: 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Spanish First and last Sunday of each month: 2 p.m.

INFORMATION: 303-5260758 or www.mothercabrinishrine.org

Lakewood Sentinel 13

December 31, 2015

St. Anthony gala marks a year of innovation

Third annual event features Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

By Clarke Reader creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com St. Anthony Hospital is kicking off 2016 with a gala celebration that honors the life-changing work that itl provides the community.

The third annual gala begins at 6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 30, at the Hyatt Regency Denver, 650 15th St., and features a cocktail reception, silent auction, dinner, program, dancing and a performance by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The evening will be emceed by Reggie Rivers.

The honorary co-chairs of the event

are Chuck and Becky Morris, physician co-chairs are Dr. Michael Brunko and Dr. Paula Dennen, and silent auction cochairs are Elaine Brickman and Michael DeWinter.

“Attendees can expect to have a great time enjoying all the event activities, but more importantly they will learn about St. Anthony Hospital and how it is transforming health care throughout Colorado,” wrote Jenni Lanier, Centura event planner, in an email interview.

St. Anthony Hospital was established in Denver in 1893 by the Sisters of Saint Francis, and since then has served the metro community through partnerships and the latest technological advancements. All funds from the gala support the hospital and its vital work, according

Don’t give up on yourself just yet I recently moved to a new condo. I had movers transport the big stuff, and friends helped me haul items that I didn’t want jostled – lamps, artwork, my laptop and such. Among these was my Hewlett-Packard printer, a workhorse that has served me well for years in my work as a writer.

The box for said printer is long gone, so I set the printer into a laundry basket and placed it in the back of my vehicle for the trip. As we were unloading and carrying stuff up the outside stairs to my new place, we left the back of my SUV open. What I saw when I came back left me standing in the driveway with my mouth gaped open.

The white laundry basket was out on the asphalt. So was my printer. The basket was tipped on its side, and the printer was sitting right side up, although, clearly, it had rolled … at least once. Chunks of black plastic were scattered on the ground around my open tailgate. The lid of the printer was askew and the front panel completely off. The paper tray jutted ominously at an odd angle.

Aghast, I scrambled together the various pieces and carried the rest of the remains up to my office. At this point, I had two options. One, I could have gotten a new printer – they are amazingly affordable (until you have to replace the ink). But money is tight, and even with a likely tax deduction for my work, I chose instead to reassemble the thing as best I could.

It worked. Literally. I reattached the front panel and straightened the paper tray, and muscled a piece of the base back into place.

I first tried a photocopy and then an actual printed document from my laptop. Success. My relief must have been palpable. Although it had taken a bad tumble, my print-

to Meg Nicolet, director of stewardship at Centura.

In recent years, St. Anthony has continued to collect accolades, including becoming a Level I Trauma Center, a base point for Flight For Life Colorado, and is home to the Comprehensive Stroke Center, one of the few elite providers nationwide to earn coveted Comprehensive Stroke Center certification. St. Anthony also hosts full-time in-house Intensivist Coverage, first in Colorado to provide this level of care and is a nationally recognized leader in pioneering multidisciplinary rounds to drive high quality care for the most complex, acutely ill patients.

St. Anthony Hospital pioneers health care by combining its traditional

Teaching kids to save is worthwhile activity

er was functioning.

Now, as I reflect on some of my own tumbles, I realize that I, too, can function again.

Each time I have taken a proverbial fall — a less-thanideal career choice, a less-than-wise relationship choice — Andrea Doray somehow the pieces fit back together.

ALCHEMY Of course, most of the time, I didn’t accomplish this on my own … in fact, it was often because of the other people who didn’t give up on me when I was ready to give up on myself.

In my experience, and there are 50some years of it, very few of us are without some sort of patching up. And now, as the New Year beckons with all of its potential and its promises, what’s important for me to remember is that there are options when we do tumble, when we are broken open.

Because even if we feel as though we can never be whole again, we can cobble together the parts and function again. And that, often, it is the love and support of the people who believe in us that help us heal.

In this season of new beginnings, it took a move, a laundry basket and a banged-upbut-beloved printer to remind me that we shouldn’t give up on ourselves just yet.

Andrea Doray is a writer who doesn’t make New Year’s resolutions, but chooses a word for the year instead. Stay tuned for 2016’s selection… Contact Andrea at a.doray@andreadoray.com.

In my experience, and there are 50-some years of it, very few of us are without some sort of patching up.

Grandparent visits are great times to help children learn the importance of managing money. Young children can learn to save, donate, and spend wisely.

The lifelong process of responsible personal finance can begin at a very early age.

Home Bank System To make a homemade banking system, label three see-through plastic containers with SAVE, DONATE and SPEND. There is also an award winning see- Esther Macalady through plastic piggy LIFELONG bank with sections labeled SAVE, DONATE, LEARNING SPEND and INVEST online. Search for Money Savvy piggy banks for this great gift.

Grandparents can help fill the bank by bringing coins instead of treats or toys when they visit. Young children like to receive coins rather than paper money from grandparents because coins seem like more money. Unfortunately, children also like to eat coins or push them inside machines to see what will happen so supervise children handling money.

Families can teach children to recognize and count the money. Sort pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters into piles using the proper names.

Because pennies are worth “one,” they can be used to practice counting and end up with the correct value. Move each coin and count together to avoid double counting and skipping numbers. Learning to say a number each time a coin is moved or dropped in the bank is an important skill and usually takes practice. Young children can count to ten or twenty and then start over again.

When children receive a new stash of money, supervise dropping equal amounts of money in each section. Otherwise, children quickly learn to place most of their money in the SPEND slot.

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Behind your weekly community newspaper is a dedicated team of skilled journalists, designers, administrative staff, printers and carriers who work hard to deliver quality content to your doorstep. If you enjoy your hometown newspaper, we invite you to make a voluntary contribution. We will continue to deliver your news free of charge, but your assistance helps us maintain a high-quality product and superior service.

strength as a regional center of excellence with a back to basics approach to care for the communities that it serves.

This is being accomplished through the new neighborhood health centers in Belmar, Golden and Arvada.

The gala is an opportunity to share these accomplishments with the community, and take a look at what’s next.

“There are a lot of new features to this year’s event,” said Nicolet. “We want our guests to have a wonderful evening and leave with a greater understanding of the vision St. Anthony Hospital has for our community.”

For more information, call 720-3214318 or visit stanthonyhealthfoundation. org/gala.

To participate in our annual Voluntary Contribution Program, please complete this form and mail with your contribution to: Lakewood Sentinel 9137 Ridgeline Blvd., Ste. 210 Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

Families can teach children to recognize and count the money. Sort pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters into piles using the proper names.

Talk About Money While the money is being counted, it’s a good time to teach young children to give to others through religious groups, charities, or the Humane Society.

How do they plan to spend their money?

What are they saving for?

Families may want to encourage wise money use by matching the amount of money children devote to these areas.

Families can make up a written piggy bank statement together and add or subtract the money in front of very young children.

Take children along when you do your banking and explain what you are doing.

Open an account at the bank or credit union and give them age appropriate information. They won’t like learning their money is not actually in the bank or others use their money.

Let children save up for items and take the money out of their own piggy banks.

They often think twice before spending their own money and watching their pile go down, a good life lesson.

Esther Macalady is a former teacher who lives in Golden and participates in the Grandparents Teach Too writing group. For more quiet learning games see grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com the wnmufm. org/ podcasts and the website grandparentsteachtoo.org.

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14 Lakewood Sentinel

TOP 5 Stock Show Manager to Speak Kendra McConnell, horse show manager of the National Western Stock Show, will speak about changes coming to the stock show with members and guests of the Jefferson County Horse Council at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4, at the Green Mountain Conference Room at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Denver residents overwhelmingly approved Ballot Measure 2C, ensuring that the stock show will remain in Denver and thrive for years to come. Many new buildings and changes will take place over the next few years, and that affect the horse shows and events that use the venue over the next several years. The council’s February speaker is Anna Twinney who combines horsemanship, energy work and animal communication in her work. Go to www.jeffcohorse.com.

Comedy Night at West Woods Local favorite Talon Saucerman, the country boy who left South Dakota to save the family farm, returns to Arvada for one show Wednesday, Jan. 6. Fresh off his appearance at the Laughlin Laughfest, Saucerman returns due to popular demand and seats are going fast for this event.

December 31, 2015

THINGS TO DO Valerie Storm plans two shows in February. Storm hails from Florida, but travels all over the world. She has twice been a part of the Boston Comedy Festival and is a regular aboard cruise ships. Shows are Wednesday, Feb. 10, and Thursday, Feb. 11, at West Woods Golf Club, 6655 Quaker St. All shows start at 7:30 p.m., and will be hosted by nationally touring headliner Bob Meddles. Tickets are available at SlapHappyEntertainment. com.

‘Brigadoon’ Performance Now Theatre Company presents “Brigadoon” from Friday, Jan. 8, to Sunday, Jan. 24, at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Tickets are available online at www. performancenow.org or by calling 303-987-7845.

Western Art and Lifestyle Artist Gary Sohrweid’s Colorado landscapes in oil will be featured in the Spirits in the Wind Gallery “Western Art and Lifestyle” exhibition running from Friday, Jan. 8, to Friday, Jan. 29, at 1211 Washington Ave., Golden.

2015 Continued from Page 1

to table until March 28 the vote for the ordinances and resolutions that would get the Federal Center Station Neighborhood off the ground.

The proposed neighborhood would be established in the 59 acres directly north of the Federal Center station — empty land that stretches all the way to West 6th Avenue. The land is owned by the federal government as part of its inventory, but will transfer the land to Lakewood in return for the construction of a new lab facility at the Federal Center.

The laboratory used by the geological survey and Food and Drug Administration services employees is in dire need of repair. The proposed lab would be for them.

The estimated cost for the facility would be about $25 million.

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) will define the needs of the lab, and then Lakewood would select a design and builder for the project. Construction would tentatively begin late 2016 and would most likely take two or more years.

Once the lab is complete, the land will be transferred to the city to be sold to a developer.

“There’s a lot of information here, and we’re still getting new information, as recently as this past Friday,” said former mayor Bob Murphy, before making the motion to table the issue during the Oct. 26 meeting. “I think we need to extend the conversation. I think it’s the right thing to do.”

3. Comprehensive, sustainability plans pass Years of work from city staff and community volunteers paid off with the passage of Lakewood’s new comprehensive and sustainability plans.

City council voted 7-3 to approve the city’s new comprehensive plan — the no votes were Ward 1 councilwoman Ramey Johnson, Ward 3 councilman Pete Roybal and Ward 4 councilman David Wiechman.

Ward 4 councilwoman Cindy Baroway was absent from the April 27 meeting.

The plan includes 401 implementation steps, which provide information on the responsible party and timeline for each step. These steps will not necessarily be taken in the coming decade, but rather provide a work guide for staff to use. It will ultimately be up to future councils to decide what steps, if any, should be taken.

Council approved 8-2 Lakewood’s first sustainability plan at a May 11 meeting.

The no votes were Johnson and Wiechman. Ward 5 councilwoman Karen Harrison was not in attendance.

The sustainability plan is a kind of

Go to www.spiritsinthewindgallery. com. Call 303-279-1192.

Unearthing Colorado Have you ever wanted to go on a rock hunt? Learn techniques and clues to have your own successful dig around Colorado and Wyoming. Find out how to join the North Jeffco Gem & Mineral Club on one of their many events throughout the year. They can answer your questions about their fascinating display of rocks and minerals. Program is from 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison St., Arvada. For ages 6 to adult. Register by Jan. 7. Call 720-8987405 or go to www.arvada.org/nature MUSIC/CONCERTS International Young Artists Competition The 2016 Jefferson Symphony International Young Artists Competition is Saturday, Jan. 9, at Colorado Christian University. Competition will go on throughout the day and is free to attend. A live round of judging will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The top three winners will perform in recital at 7 p.m. in the Music Center. Tickets for the recital are available at the door or

guide for the city’s sustainability efforts. It is complementary to the new comprehensive plan and builds upon goals set forth in the comprehensive plan.

4. Alameda area schools relocation Because of longstanding issues with overcrowding, schools in the Alameda articulation area were reconfigured this year. The end result was a new sevenththrough-12th-grade school on the Alameda International High School Campus.

Stein Elementary moved to the O’Connell Middle School site.

At a cost of approximately $1.1 million, this plan combined Alameda’s International Baccalaureate (IB) program with the area’s IB Middle Years program in one site, and will attempt to decrease dropout rates, boost student achievement and increase resources for students and staff.

“There have been a few growing pains, but we’re getting there nicely,” said Alameda International Junior/Senior High School principal, Susie Van Scoyk, at an update meeting on Nov. 11. “This whole process has been a great way to bring the community together.”

The plan is to launch a new elementary school program on the Stein campus for the 2017-2018 school year. The school will be hiring a principal in the spring, and there will be public update meetings in 2016. The school will be a Primary Years IB school.

5. Corrections facility relocation halted Vocal protests from the surrounding community persuaded the Lakewood Planning Commission to vote against a proposed relocation of a men’s community corrections facility to a site near West 8th Avenue and Quail Street in Lakewood on Sept. 9.

With all options exhausted on relocating the corrections facility, Jefferson County will now focus on bringing the historic New York building up to code to continue operations there.

Jefferson County had been searching for a new location for the facility for a number of years, Jefferson County Manager Ralph Schell said. The New York building, at 1651 Kendall St. in Lakewood, was built in 1922. The required repairs and maintenance could cost up to $5 million, which Schell said will come out of taxpayers’ pockets.

Although the facility is in Lakewood, Jefferson County oversees its funding.

Day-to-day operations of the community corrections facilities are contracted to Intervention Community Corrections Services.

6. ArtSpace agreement On April 13, Lakewood City Council unanimously approved the signing of a

by calling the JSO office at 303-2784237. Contact www.jeffsymphony.org/ young_artists/index.html. The winner also will perform Friday, Feb. 21, with the JSO, and will have a 30-minute solo recital Saturday, Feb. 20, at the Rockley Music Center. Contact www. jeffsymphony.org.

Concordia Choir Seeks Voices Concordia Lutheran Church Choir is starting its fall choir program and is looking to add new voices. The choir is a great cross section of the community and welcomes newcomers who have a desire to praise God with their voice. Concordia Lutheran is directed

by Dr. Jill Schroeder-Dorn of Colorado Christian University. The choir meets at 7 p.m. Wednesdays. The choir assists in Concordia’s traditional worship service.

The church is at 13371 W. Alameda Parkway in Lakewood. Contact 303989-5260.

EVENTS Following Your Dreams Explored at Lifetree Café A determination to pursue dreams even in the midst of difficult circumstances will be discussed at Lifetree Café on Tuesday, Jan. 5 at noon and 7 p.m.

letter of agreement with Artspace to begin the process of bringing affordable livework space for artists to the city.

Bringing an Artspace project to the city has been in the works for several years, and the process has included a feasibility study, conducting surveys of the community (both artistic and non) and working with groups like the 40 West Arts District and Metro West Housing Solutions.

Entering into this contract with Artspace means working with the group on three predevelopment phases: site selection and analysis for two locations near Lamar Station Crossing and city-owned property at 1290 Harlan, design and financial analysis, and financing and fundraising. The city’s cost for the agreement is $600,000, to be taken from the Economic Development Fund.

“This project will bring 50 to 60 small businesses to the city in one place, since all the Artspace’s living projects are livework places,” said Bill Marino, chairman of 40 West. “They will all be invested in the community and want to grow their businesses here. This is about investment.”

7. MuralFest Lakewood’s first MuralFest, held on West 16th Avenue on Aug. 8, succeeded with flying colors, bringing hundreds of residents to visit vendors, food trucks and, most importantly, seven new murals painted on walls and garage doors of local businesses.

The festival, sponsored by groups like the West Colfax Community Association (WCCA), 40 West, Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design and Planet Fitness, was the idea of Carrie Mesch of the WCCA. It took more than a year-and-a-half of planning.

A jury examined 68 entries from 12 states and four countries, before settling on seven Colorado artists to paint the murals.

The plan is to make the festival an annual event, and plans are already underway for next year’s event.

8. Civic Plaza construction complete Two years of reconstruction work on Lakewood’s Civic Center Plaza finally wrapped up, and the new plaza was unveiled on Aug. 27.

A highlight of the project is an underground heating system for snowmelt, which will make walking the plaza much safer during winter months. Additional work included waterproofing the underground parking garage and increasing the load capacity of the drive lane.

Completion of construction also meant the re-establishment of the Art on the Plaza program, which is overseen by George Valuck and the Alameda Corridor Business Improvement District, and features six pieces of public art that will change on a yearly basis.

Festivities kicked off in the morning

The program, titled “Follow Your Dreams: Even When You Think You Can’t,” features a filmed interview with Mandy Harvey, a jazz vocalist whose sudden hearing loss nearly derailed her dream of becoming a professional singer.

During the interview, Harvey explains how losing her hearing caused a downward spiral that almost kept her from pursuing any interest in music altogether.

“I started not being able to understand my teachers talking anymore, so I started moving closer and closer to the front of the room,” she says. “It didn’t help. I got hearing aids, but they stopped being useful probably after a month. I figured that I would never do music again.”

Admission to the 60-minute event is free. Lifetree Café is located at 5675 Field Street in Arvada.

Lifetree Café is a place where people gather for conversation about life and faith in a casual, comfortable setting.

Questions about Lifetree may be directed to Polly Wegner at 303-4244454 orpwegner@peacelutheran.net.

Calendar continues on Page 15

with a cornerstone-laying ceremony and time capsule burial, courtesy of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Colorado, and the community was invited to celebrate that evening with a massive party.

The city is still finding creative uses for the plaza, including guided exercises, games and concerts.

9. Bear Creek Lake Park flooding After a break in 2014, Bear Creek Lake Park saw flooding again this summer.

The rains at the end of May were not as dramatic as the 2013 storms, but posed a larger problem because they happened at the beginning of the park’s busy season.

Waters in the reservoir were about 40 feet above normal during peak flooding, which was somewhere between 5 to 10 feet below 2013 levels. Army Corps of Engineers operations project manager Joe Maxwell said the reservoir did exactly what it was designed to do.

Areas of native grass and shrubs were flooded for up to 11 weeks, which damaged or killed much of the native vegetation and resulted in heavy weed growth, according to Drew Sprafke, regional parks supervisor. This will take many years of weed control and reclamation work to restore. The trees, particularly cottonwoods, are the most visible sign of damage.

The park’s soft-surface trail system took significant damage and many trails were closed for the entire summer. Most of these have been restored, with some rerouting and drainage work to try to prevent future damage. Two areas along Bear Creek that were heavily impacted by erosion in 2013 were hit again in 2015.

Sprafke said vegetation that stabilizes the creek banks had not had time to establish, so staff is working this winter to restore these sections.

10. Denver Christian Schools relocation Denver Christian Schools, one of the oldest school systems in the state, came to Lakewood and turned the former 20.7-acre Qwest property in southwest Lakewood into a technological state-of-the-art home for its students.

DCS celebrated its 100th birthday this year, and Todd K. Lanting, CEO of the school, said he expects student enrollment to grow by 20 to 30 percent in the new location.

By keeping the Qwest facility building intact, DCS took advantage of unique design opportunities it wouldn’t have thought of otherwise. The facility features an atrium with a café, an enormous college-style dining area and stadiumseat seminar classrooms. There are also “break out spaces” that feature moveable furniture and interactive design elements to give students a place to have hands-on learning.

Lakewood Sentinel 15

December 31, 2015

Marketplace Lambert Foundation 12 Week Grief Support Workshop starting in January

2 Crown Hill Grave Sites, Wheat Ridge Single or Dual Entombment $2000 each (Crown Hill's price $4595 each) Buyer pays $295 transfer fee 303-810-6469

Richard Lambert Foundation’s Family Grief & Healing Center is offering a 12 Week Grief Support Workshop from 6:00 - 7:30 pm on Thursday’s from January 14 thru March 31st. Have you been impacted by the loss of a family member or friend? The death of someone you loved is frightening, painful and lonely. Our core 12 week workshop will focus on understanding grief and allowing yourself to mourn, helping to gain strength and understanding that hope and healing are possible. Discussion is based on the materials and training by Dr. Alan Wolfelt, Ph.D.

24" 5 speed snow thrower Excellent condition $300 (303)423-8163

The workshop is open to all adults 18 and over and is free of charge. To register for the workshop call or text Susan at 303-875-2347 or email info@richardlambertfoundation.org

MERCHANDISE Appliances

Instruction

Advertise: 303-566-4100

Miscellaneous

Misc. Notices

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Calendar

Auto Restoration tools; TP Bead Blaster $350, Small Drill Press $65, 3 Ton Jack $60, 4 Jack Stands $20, Florescent Light $20, Misc.

303-920-7174

Arvada, offers free one-on-one nutrition coaching sessions for the public. Call the store at 303-423-0990 for an appointment.

EDUCATION

Continued from Page 14

Winter Weather, Snow Animal Snacks What is snow and why does it fall from the sky? Bring your tyke (ages 3-6) to learn about winter weather and watch as they create snow animal snacks. Program offered from 10:3011:15 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison St., Arvada.

Registration required; call 720-898-7405 or go to www.arvada.org/nature.

Rocks and Minerals Around Us Through January, the North Jeffco Gem & Mineral Club will present an exhibit featuring Lyons sandstone, Mt. Antero granite, fossilized wood, smoky quartz, garnets, pyrite and more at Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison St., Arvada. Go home with a token of your visit.

Call 720-898-7405 or go to www.arvada.org/ nature.

HEALTH

PETS Piano Lessons- N.W Metro area Beg. - Inter. levels Piano lessons from B.Sc.in Music Instructor $35 hr. or $20 1/2 hr Lessons include: finger technique,sight reading,ear training please call Dave- 303-396-4438

A number of community blood drives are planned. For information or to schedule an appointment, contact the Bonfils Appointment Center at 303-363-2300, unless otherwise noted. Go to www.bonfils.org. Upcoming blood drives are: Monday, Jan. 4, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Whole Foods, Belmar, 444 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood; Tuesday, Jan. 5, 10-11:40 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m., Standley Lake Library, 8485 Kipling St., Arvada; Wednesday, Jan. 6, 10-11:40 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m., Golden Library, 1019 10th St., Golden; Thursday, Jan. 7, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Synergy Home Care, 12211 W. Alameda Parkway, Suite 203, Lakewood (Susie Fogerson, 720-263-6060).

Kenmore Elite Side by Side Refrigerator.

Stainless steel. Standard depth.

Excellent condition. $500 OBO. Call or text Sandy 310-857-4655.

Misc. Notices

Bicycles

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

Fun & easy to ride

Want To Purchase

Speeds up to 20 MPH Electric Motor Rechargeable Battery Pedals Like a Regular Bike No gas Needed No Drivers License Needed

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

FARM & AGRICULTURE

Community Blood Drives

Nutritional Coaching

Dogs

303-257-0164

Megan Grover, master of medical science and nutritional health coach at the Natural Grocers at Vitamin Cottage, 7745 N. Wadsworth Blvd.,

Vanderhoof Choice Enrollment Applications for first-round choice enrollment will be accepted from Wednesday, Jan. 6 to Friday, Jan. 29 for the 2016-17 school year at Vanderhoof Elementary School, 5875 Routt St., Arvada. Students are accepted on a space available basis. Round one applications are prioritized through a lottery process. Waiting lists, which are prioritized, will be created if applicants exceed space available at the school.

A separate application must be completed and submitted for each child. If a student is not accepted at a school during the first-round choice enrollment, the student will remain on the prioritized waitlist and be carried over to second-round choice enrollment, which runs from Feb. 12 to Aug. 31.

Kindergarten Information Nights Jeffco Public Schools’ kindergarten registration for the 2016-17 school year is open from Jan. 19-25. Children who are 5 years old by Oct. 1, 2016, are eligible to start kindergarten.

Registration is done online at Jeffco Connect, www.jeffcopublicschools.org/jeffco_connect/.

Information about kindergarten at Fairmount Elementary School will be presented from 5-6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, at 15975 W. 50th Ave., Golden. Call 303-982-5422. Allendale Elementary will meet with prospective new kindergartners at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, at 5900 Oak St., Arvada. Call 303-982-1161. Prospective parents are invited to learn more about Stott Elementary and its kindergarten program Wednesday, Jan. 13. Sessions are from 8:45-9:45 a.m. (including a classroom visit) or 6-6:30 p.m. (presentation only) at 6600 Yank Way, Arvada. Learn about the school’s blended learning environment and how education is personalized with its 1:1 iPads. Call 303-9822638. Finally, Vanderhoof Elementary plans its information night at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, at Vanderhoof, 5875 Routt St., Arvada.

Buy a dog from a store or online & they will breed the mother again, & AGAIN, & AGAIN, & AGAIN,.....

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TRANSPORTATION

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Feed, Seed, Grain, Hay Hay Nice grass/alfalfa 5X4 plastic wrapped round bales, Year end clearance sale. 303-204-1431.

Split & Delivered $250 a cord Stacking available extra $25, Delivery charge Hauling scrap metal also available (appliances, batteries etc.)

Christmas Trees for sale until Christmas on weekends at the Sedalia Conaco Call 303-647-2475 or 720-323-2173

Health and Beauty

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16 Lakewood Sentinel

December 31, 2015

SPORTS

LOCAL

Arvada wrestling still rebuilding Wishes

for the new year

Arvada’s Levi Mair works to escape the grasp of his Sierra opponent in their 145-pound match at the Dec. 19 Sheridan Invitational wrestling tournament. Mair won the match and finished sixth in his weight class. Photo by Tom Munds

Sophomores make up most of Bulldogs mat team; tournament generates experience

By Tom Munds tmunds@coloradocommunitymedia.com Besides gaining valuable mat experience, the young Arvada wrestlers earned enough points to help the Bulldogs finish 18th at the 12th annual Sheridan Invitational wrestling tournament.

“We are a very young team and we are fighting the battle with numbers,” Bulldogs coach Andy Sandoval said during the Dec. 19 Sheridan tournament. “Most of our 14 wrestlers are sophomores, so a tournament like this helps our kids get mat experience and helps build their confidence. We are rebuilding, see where we want to be and working to get there.”

Arvada took part in the Dec. 19 Sheridan tournament that included teams of all classifications from Class 2A Ellicott, Class 4A Conifer to Class 5A Rampart.

The tournament was held in the gymnasium of the new Sheridan Middle School and drew a large crowd with few vacant seats in the bleachers that covered one wall of the gym. There were few quiet moments as the friends, families and members of the 23 teams in the tournament cheered on their favorite wrestlers.

LaJunta, a Class 3A school, won the team title with 176 points and finished well ahead of Class 4A Classic Academy with 130 points. Arvada was 19th with 10 points in the 23-team field.

Other area teams in the tournament included Faith Christian, which finished ninth with 67 points; Alameda, 10th with 61 points; and Skyview 17th with 30 points.

Arvada 145-pounder Levi Mair posted

the best individual finish for the Bulldogs, finishing fifth in his weight division. His teammate, Larry Vigil, finished 12th at 182 pounds.

Because of the number of schools taking part in the competition, Sheridan used a 16-wrestler scramble format. The initial bracket had slots for 16 wrestlers.

But instead of the traditional doubleelimination format, the scramble format divided the 16 spots into four pools of four wrestlers each. It was still a double elimination format in which the winner of each pool then advanced to the eight-wrestler championship semifinals, and the losers in the championship rounds moved into the consolation bracket.

Three mats were set up on the gym floor and the action was nonstop. A computer problem slowed progress, but action continued until champions were crowned in all 13 weight divisions.

Standley Lake nips Pomona for pre-break win Boys basketball team hopes to rise above .500 in new year

By Scott Stocker When you get down to it, it has been an up and down season for both the Pomona and Standley Lake boys basketball teams.

Now, they are both looking forward to the Christmas and New Year’s holiday breaks.

Standley Lake, 3-5, got the better of Pomona Dec. 18 when the Gators were able to come through with a 51-45 victory over the host Panthers in their nonleague encounter.

The Gators of coach Mike Puccio led 11-8 after the first quarter and 22-20 heading into the halftime break. But, it was still going to be close going through the third quarter.

Standley Lake, led by Garrett Martin’s 21-point effort, took advantage of his threepoint basket with approximately 5 minutes to go in the third period to gain the game’s final tie, 29-29. John Voss, who would score 12 points, was credited with the go-ahead basket shortly thereafter and a 31-29 lead the Gators would not relinquish thus dropping Pomona to 3-3 on the season.

Martin would score five of the next eight Standley Lake points which help Standley Lake take an eventual 43-33 lead into the fourth quarter. From there, the Gators would not allow Pomona to come within five-points the rest of the game.

“It was tough,” Puccio said. “Overall, we need to play much harder, and we’ve got to find that grit and translate it into success.

We just can’t show up. We just had to many turnovers and we’ve got to get better.

“Now, with the vacation, we’ll have a couple of weeks of practice and it’s going to help, I’m sure,” Puccio continued. “I think both our teams are ready to welcome the holiday break and we just wish all the kids and their families a pleasant break.”

Standley Lake junior Austin Moore, who only scored eight points, did have a dynamic night on the boards when it came to rebounds.

“I think it’s certainly time to step up and we just have to have key efforts from everyone around,” Moore said. “We’ve got to work hard at practice and really not yell at each other and put together a solid winning effort.”

Pomona’s Danny Williams scored a team high 19 points for the Panthers, but he was

STANDLEY LAKE 51, POMONA 45 Standley Lake 11 11 21 8 — 51 Pomona

8 12 13 12 — 45

saddened about how the night eventually went.

“We just didn’t convert the layups tonight,” Williams said. “They took advantage of the breaks and we were not making our shots. We just couldn’t seem to get it going. We’ve got to get better and have more composure.”

Similar thought from Pomona teammate Elijah Leyva.

“It just seemed that we didn’t want it hard enough,” said Leyva, who scored 10 points. “We got outhustled when it counted, especially on the boards. We’ve just got to pick it up after the break and practice harder. Our league is going to be tough and we have to be ready to go.”

The Pomona boys host Prairie View Jan. 4 while Standley Lake will travel to Green Mountain Jan. 6.

With 2016 soon to arrive, it seems time to offer just a few of many wishes for Colorado high school athletics Jim Benton heading into the OVERTIME New Year.

My first wish is for the Colorado High School Activities Association Legislative Committee to reconsider the proposed Class 5A waterfall football league alignments before approving the change during its January meeting. The new leagues would take away some neighborhood rivalry games, while forcing many teams to log excessive miles for road games.

Another hope would be for Valor Christian to change its football jerseys so people in the stands and press box can read the numbers without having to use binoculars.

And it sure would be nice if golf, swimming and wrestling coaches could file scores and results from tournaments and meets so those results could be included in weekly roundups.

My Colorado Community Media cohort Tom Munds would like to see the state gymnastics meet set up so it is easier to follow and the public address system improved so everyone knows who is competing and who is on deck for each event.

Hockey teams, Munds says, also need to have numbers on their shoulders or helmets so it would be easier to identify players for photos. It is also tough to ID swimmers unless names are scribbled in ink on the competitors’ legs.

Valor grad is Player of the Year Valor Christian graduate Christian McCaffrey, a sophomore at Stanford, reversed the finishing order with Alabama running back Derrick Henry between the Heisman Trophy presentation and the naming of the AP Player of the Year.

McCaffrey was the runner-up to Henry in the Heisman Trophy voting, but he was named the Associated Press college football player of the year on Dec. 22 to become the first non-Heisman Trophy winner to be honored by AP in six years.

After setting an NCAA record 3,496 all-purpose yards, McCaffrey received 29 of the 60 votes from an AP media panel. Henry garnered 16 votes to finish second and Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, the third Heisman finalist, collected 11 votes.

Far-West All-Stars Arapahoe keeper James Conley and Heritage defender Dylan Keeney, both seniors, were named to the 18-player National Soccer Coaches Association of America Fall Boys High School All-FarWest team.

Benton continues on Page 18

Lakewood Sentinel 17

December 31, 2015

Eagles place ninth in wrestling tournament Faith Christian wrestlers gain experience at Sheridan Invitational

‘We have a pretty solid team this season.’

Ray Romero,

By Tom Munds tmunds@colorado communitymedia.com Luc Herrera won the championship at 113 pounds to help Faith Christian amass the 67 points needed to finish ninth in the team standings among the 23 school at the Dec. 19 Sheridan Invitational wrestling tournament.

“We have a pretty solid team this season,” Eagles coach Ray Romero said during the Dec. 19 tournament. “The kids have been working hard and we have done pretty well so far this season. We don’t really have one strong area in the lineup, but all our kids will wrestle hard and I feel we will be a competitive team this season.”

Faith Christian took part in the Dec. 19 Sheridan tournament that included teams of all classifications from Class 2A Ellicott, Class 4A Conifer and Class 5A Rampart.

The tournament was held in the gymnasium of the new Sheridan Middle School and drew a large crowd with few vacant seats in the bleachers that covered one wall of the gym.

There were few quiet mo-

Faith Christian wrestling coach

Faith Christian’s Sage Rodriguez has the upper position during a bracket match at the Dec. 19 Sheridan Invitational wrestling tournament. Rodriguez finished sixth at 106 pounds, and the Eagles were ninth in the team standings. Photos by Tom Munds London Spivey, Faith Christian’s 170-pounder, works to score points against Ruben Portillo of Alameda in the match at the Sheridan Invitational wrestling tournament. Spivey’s win in the match helped the Eagles finish ninth in the tournament’s 23-school team standings. ments as the friends, families and members of the 23 teams in the tournament cheered on their favorite wrestlers.

LaJunta, a Class 3A school, won the team title with 176 points and fin-

ished well ahead of Class 4A Classic Academy with 130 points. Faith Christian finished ninth with 67 points.

Other area teams in the tournament included Alameda, which finished 10th with 61 points; Skyview,

17th with 30 points; and Arvada, 19th, with 10 points.

Wrestlers earn team points for success in the tournament competition.

While most of the Eagles wrestlers got points for at least one win, Herrera

scored the most team points for Faith Christian by taking the championship at 113 pounds. The other two Eagle wrestlers finished in the top six — Joshua Marquardt was third at 138 pounds and Sage Rodriguez was sixth at 106 pounds.

Because of the number of schools taking part in the competition, Sheridan used a 16-wrestler scramble format. The initial bracket had slots for 16 wrestlers.

But instead of the traditional double-elimination format, the scramble format divided the 16 spots into four pools of four wrestlers each. It was still a double elimination format in which the winner of each pool then advanced to the eight-wrestler championship semifinals, and the losers in the championship rounds moved into the consolation bracket.

Three mats were set up on the gym floor and the action was nonstop. A computer problem slowed progress, but action continued until champions were

crowned in all 13 weight divisions.

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Salomess Stars Salome FOR RELEASE WEEK OF DEC. 28, 2015 ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Handle a potentially awkward situation by warming up your confidence reserves and letting it radiate freely. Also, expect an old friend to contact you.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) It’s not too early for the practical Bovine to begin planning possible changes for 2016. A recent contact can offer some interesting insights.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) A request for an unusual favor should be carefully checked out.

Also check the motives behind it. Your generosity should be respected, not exploited.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Party time beckons, but for some Moon Children, so do some workplace challenges. Deal with the second first, then you’ll be free to enjoy the fun time.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) A warm response to an earlier request might be a positive indicator of what’s ahead. Meanwhile, Cupid could pay a surprise visit to single Leos looking for love.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) How you respond to a proposed change in a project could affect your situation. Be prepared to show how well you would be able to deal with it.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) The revelation of a secret could cause some changes in how to deal with a workplace matter. It very likely also validates a position you have long held.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) An attempt to get too personal could upset the very private Scorpio. Make it clear that there’s a line no one crosses without your permission.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) The savvy Sagittarian might be able to keep a family disagreement from spilling over by getting everyone involved to talk things out.

Super Crossword & Sudoku Answers

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Be careful not to push people too hard to meet your ideas of what the holiday weekend’s preparations should be. Best to make it a cooperative, not a coerced, effort.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) An unexpected request could make you rethink a position you’ve had for a long time. Meanwhile, plan a family get-together for the weekend.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Someone might find that it was a fluke to try to use your sympathetic nature to get you to accept a situation you’re not comfortable with. Good for you.

BORN THIS WEEK: You like challenges that are both mental and physical, and you enjoy always beating your personal best. © 2015 King Features Synd., Inc.

18 Lakewood Sentinel

December 31, 2015

AREA CLUBS

Ongoing Activities, Ongoing/Business Groups Mondays Golden Chapter, Order of DeMolay meets at 7 p.m. every first and third Wednesday in the town of Golden. Walt Disney, Mel Blanc and Walter Cronkite are counted among its alumni.

DeMolay is an organization for young men between the ages of 12 and 21 that offers character building, leadership training, and life skill development. We offer many activities, academic opportunities and scholarships.

Please contact the chapter for more information. Email demolaygolden@gmail.com or www.coloradodemolay.org and visit Golden’s page under the Chapter tab by clicking on the Golden photo.

Golden Nar-Anon family group meets from 7:30-9 p.m.

Mondays at Calvary Episcopal Church, 1320 Arapahoe St. We ask that people enter on the east side of the church and follow the signs to the upstairs meeting room. Call the Nar-Anon Family Groups World Service Organization at 800-477-6291 or go to Nar-Anon.org.

Jefferson County Republican Men’s Club meets from 7-9 a.m. Mondays at Davies’ Chuck Wagon Diner, 10151 W. 26th Ave., Lakewood. Meeting fee is $5 (cash preferred). Order from diner menu (pay on you own). Call Fred Holden at 303-421-7619 for information. Republicans, especially students, youth and women, welcome to join.

Open mic Living Water Unity Spiritual Community presents open mic night – celebrate your teen self 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Mondays at 7401 W. 59th Ave., Arvada. This program gives teens the opportunity to express

Benton Continued from Page 16

Conley and Keeney were among four Colorado players picked on the all-star team.

National cross-country champions Brooke Wilson and Aidyn Woodall of Castle Rock won national championships on Dec. 12 at the USA Track & Field Junior Olympic National Cross-County Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Parker Panthers teams captured three national titles, winning the boys and girls 9-10 age group titles and the 11-12 girls crown.

Woodall won her third straight national crown with a time of 10:52.1 over the 3,000-meter course in the 11-12 division this year. She won by 14.5 seconds.

Wilson was the 9-10 girls champion with a time of 11:45.8 over the 3,000-meter course in a race that was run in the rain with 30-degree temperatures.

Spirit state champions Mountain Vista’s pom team won its third straight title, this year in the 5A jazz competition at the State Spirit Championships held Dec. 11 at the Denver Coliseum.

Castle View captured the 4A/5A co-ed title, Ponderosa was crowned the 4A poms champion, and Cherry Creek won the 5A poms state championship.

their performing art including voice and instrument, acting, poetry, stand-up comedy, mime, etc. Open to all students in sixth to 12th grades. Email bellbottoms809@gmail.com.

Wheat Ridge Rotary Club meets from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Mondays for lunch at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center, 4005 Kipling St. Come as our guest and learn about our service projects for the community.

Services Attorney ATTORNEY 30+ YEARS • Businesses • Contracts • Corporations • LLCs • Startups • Real Estate • Estates Louise Aron 303-922-7687 9 Metro Area Offices www.qualitylegaladvice.com

Tuesdays Applewood Kiwanis Club meets 7-8 p.m. Tuesdays at the Applewood Golf Course, 14001 W. 32nd Ave., Golden. You are invited to attend a meeting.

Our goals are to serve children worldwide and in our community. We ring the bell for Salvation Army, deliver Christmas baskets to needy families and, assist the Jeffco Action Center with school supplies for children from low-income families. For more information, contact Fred McGehan at 303-947-1565.

Arvada Sunrise Rotary Club meets 7-8 a.m. Tuesdays at The Arvada Centre For The Arts and Humanities, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. for a breakfast meeting.

Come join us as our guest and learn about our community service projects and what Rotary does in the world to help people.

Denver Apple Pi, an Apple/Mac computer user group, meets from 7-9 p.m. the third Tuesday each month at the Applewood Community Church (downstairs), 12930 W. 32nd Ave., Golden. Program varies each month. We welcome those interested in learning more about their Apple or Mac computer.

Visitors are welcome to see if you like our more mature group.

More information may be found at denverapplepi.com.

Youngs stands up Lutheran senior Chris Youngs appears ready to make an impact on the Class 3A state track meet this spring.

He finished sixth in the open 60-meter dash at the Air Force Open Indoor Meet on Dec. 11, and the five runners ahead of him were all collegiate runners.

State rankings Highlands Ranch is once again the top-ranked Class 5A girls basketball team in the CHSAANow.com rankings that were released Dec. 21 prior to the holiday break.

ThunderRidge was third, Ralston Valley fourth, Lakewood fifth and Cherry Creek seventh in the 5A girls poll.

Valor Christian was third and Golden sixth in the 4A rankings. Lutheran was sixth in the 3A poll.

The Grizzlies boys basketball team was second in the 5A poll with Rock Canyon ninth. Valor Christian was second and Golden sixth in the 4A boys poll, while Lutheran came in fourth and Faith Christian seventh in the 3A rankings.

In the CHSAANow.com hockey poll, Ralston Valley was third, defending state champion Cherry Creek fourth and Mountain Vista eighth.

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.

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20 Lakewood Sentinel CELEBRATIONS Arvada Stephanie Douglas, of Arvada, graduated in December with a master’s degree in library science degree from Emporia State University.

Victoria M. Heller, of Arvada, was named to the 3.5 or Better fall 2015 scholastic honor roll at Oregon State University. Heller is a freshman majoring in biology.

Rye T. Knowles, of Arvada, was named to the 3.5 or Better fall 2015 scholastic honor roll at Oregon State University. Knowles is a senior majoring in horticulture.

Elissa Naas, of Arvada, graduated in December 2015 with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Sarah S. Pettis, of Arvada, was named to the fall 2015 Straight-A Average scholastic honor roll at

December 31, 2015 Oregon State University. Pettis is a senior majoring in human development and family science.

Madeline Smith, of Arvada, earned the dean’s scholarship to attend Cornell College.

Lauren Yaffe, of Arvada, recently performed in the Christmas at Belmont concert, which was taped live and aired on PBS during the holidays. Yaffe is a music business major at Belmont University.

Golden Jaime Eisenbach, of Golden, was named to the spring 2015 dean’s list at Hofstra University.

Emily Mott, of Golden, recently performed in the Christmas at Belmont concert, which was taped live and aired on PBS during the holidays. Mott is a songwriting major at Belmont University.

Lakewood Tristan Randall Blue, of Lakewood, graduated in December 2015 with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Sarah Farris, of Lakewood, earned the presidential scholarship to attend Cornell College.

Kelly Kerr, of Lakewood, earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Kansas.

John Meyer, of Lakewood, earned the dean’s scholarship from Luther College.

Alyssa Mustard, of Lakewood, was honored at the annual conference of NODA: The Association for Orientation, Transition and Retention in Higher Education. Mustard is a second-year graduate student studying student affairs at Fort Hays State University and the

graduate assistant for family and transfer engagement in the Office of Transition and Student Conduct. She received the 2015 Outstanding Graduate Student award, which recognizes a graduate student who has demonstrated service to the NODA or to the orientation, retention and transition profession. Mustard also presented the poster session “Family Engagement Beyond Orientation” and presented the educational session “First 40 Days at Fort Hays” as part of the transition session of the regional innovative program highlights. She also presented the educational session “Reaching the Transition Summit Together.”

Brenna Shuttleworth, of Lakewood, is one of 31 students named as an Emporia State University Ambassador for 2016.

Ambassadors promote service, spirit and success, and have leaders from a variety of campus and community organizations.

Shuttleworth is a freshman majoring in earth science.

Joseph Walsh, of Lakewood, performed in the Cornell College holiday concert as a member of the choir and chamber singers.

Wheat Ridge Alex Koentges, of Wheat Ridge, earned a bachelor’s degree in communication studies with a minor in sociology from the University of Kansas.

Aiden Willink, of Wheat Ridge, was awarded a scholarship as part of the Robert Redford/Milagro Initiative Scholarship program. Willink attends Santa Fe University of Art and Design in New Mexico.