May 23, 2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourarvadanews.com
Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 8, Issue 52
Tamales warm school programs Foster Elementary takes event to larger venue By Mikkel Kelly
mkelly@ourcoloradonews.com Tasting tamales and eyeing collector motorcycles made for a festive Friday evening at a Foster Elementary fundraiser. The school’s fourth annual Tamale Throw-Down attracted more than 250 people and raised money for the school, which is known for its English-Spanish dual immersion program. The funds will be dedicated half to support the school’s Parent Teacher Association and half to fund a school program called Project Prepare, an afterschool program involving clubs and activities. “We have found that students who participate in these clubs outperform their peers in the Colorado Student Assessment Program on reading and math,” said Tracie Mayes, who serves on the school PTA and helped coordinate the event. This year the event was moved from the school, 5300 Saulsbury Court in Arvada, to the Lamar Street Center nearby at 5889 Lamar St., which is designed for receptions and events and now features vintage motorcycles and cars. “We were able to attract more people by putting it in the larger center and attract more of the extended community,” said Mayes. She noted this was the first event at the center since it had been renovated, which was an added draw. Mayes said the tamale theme is ideal for the school given its Spanish and English immersion emphasis. And although the tally for the event was not available at press time, she said the event — based on tickets and silent auction items — raised more than $7,000 the year before last and not quite as much last year. At the event, participants taste tamales — keeping track which tamale stations they have visited by marking wristbands
Amanda Duncan, who teaches at Foster Elementary, and her husband, German Zarate, taste tamales at the fourth annual Tamale Throw-Down Friday at the Lamar Street Center in Arvada. The Foster Elementary fundraiser attracted about 250 people. Photo by Mikkel Kelly — and vote. Maria Macias, 39, of Arvada won the Top Individual category. She said she learned the process of making tamales — which she has down to three-hours — from a friend from Mexico named Karina Lopez. “When people tasted them they said,
‘Oh my goodness.’ So I feel great for my friend because she taught me how to make them and because I love to eat,” Macias said. And for the third year in a row, Las Potrancas, 6610 Wadsworth Blvd. in Arvada, won the Top Restaurant category. Savina Lopez, another PTA volunteer,
said people enjoy the texture and the flavor of the restaurant’s tamales and the chile sauce on top. “The chile is really fresh, and there is not too much masa and plenty of meat,” she added. The restaurant also won the People’s Choice award.
Hickenlooper signs mental health bills Jefferson Center for Mental Health hosts signing
“These bills are the first step to building a system that will be able to help
By Clarke Reader
everyone who needs it.”
creader@ourcoloradonews.com The mood was celebratory at the Jefferson Center for Mental Health on May 16 as Gov. John Hickenlooper signed two mental health bills into law. “The Jefferson Center is proud to host the signing for these bills,” said Harriet Hall, Center president and chief executive officer. “This is place where we truly believe that recovery is possible and treatment works.” The governor signed SB13-266 — Coordinated Behavioral Health Crisis Response — and HB13-1296 — Civil Commitments Task Force — with sponsors Rep. Tracy Kraft-Tharp (D-Arvada), Rep. Dave Young (D-Greeley) and Sen. Jeanne Nicholson (D-Blackhawk) on hand as well. “Almost anyone you talk to today has a story about mental health issues or is connected to someone who has dealt with them,” Hickenlooper said. “These bills are the first step to building a system that will be able to help everyone who needs it.” All three sponsors spoke, sharing stories about the hard work that went into getting these bills passed, and their own experiences trying to help those with mental health issues.
Gov. John Hickenlooper
Gov. John Hickenlooper – surrounded by mental health advocates and legislators – signs SB13-266 and HB13-1296 into law on May 16. SB13-266 creates a coordinated behavioral health crisis response and HB13-1296 creates the civil commitment statute review task force. Photo by Clarke Reader “I am honored to have been the prime sponsor for the crisis response bill in the senate,” said Nicholson. “We finally have the funding we’ve waited for for years and years.” Mental health groups and advocates from Jeffco and surrounding counties were
all present to see the two bills signed, since they will benefit mental health facilities statewide. “There’s been a lot of work put into the building of a crisis system that doesn’t have boundaries,” Hall said. “It’s a great thing for the state, and now we have a lot
more work to do to carry it out.” Lorraine Bowen, who sits on the Jefferson Center board of directors, was at the signing with her son, David, a mental health consumer. “I’m so glad leaders were able to come together to set up the crisis system, and we’ll definitely make good use of it,” Lorraine said. “Cooperation is a key part of this, since almost everyone has been touched by the issue.” David said that finding new sources of income to help people is extremely important, especially for an issue like this. “It’s really good for the community,” he said. “It gives people a chance to get help when its necessary.”
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