May 28, 2015
VOLUME 31 | ISSU E 4 8 | 50 ¢
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WheatRidgeTranscript.com J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
Farmers bid high school a fond farewell
District denial draws criticism Governor signs educational bills at Heritage Center By Crystal Anderson and Clarke Reader
The Wheat Ridge High School class of 2015 graduation ceremony in the Bellco Theatre, May 22. Photos by Glenn Wallace
canderson@colorado communitymedia.com and creader@colorado communitymedia.com Legislators and members of the education community gathered around an old schoolmarm’s desk in Lakewood as Gov. John Hickenlooper signed two key educational bills into law. The catch — the desk wasn’t located at any Jeffco school. “It’s another black eye for Jeffco, and a missed opportunity for our students to get a real life civics lesson,” Jeffco school board member Lesley Dahlkemper said at the signing. “Instead, they got a lesson in
The Wheat Ridge High School class of 2015 change their tassles.
District continues on Page 21
Food shoppers get new alternative POSTAL ADDRESS
Natural Grocers opens in Wheat Ridge By Clarke Reader
creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com Natural Grocers opened its 19th Denver location at 4900 Kipling St. in Wheat Ridge on May 19, and aims to bring its signature natural food choices and nutritional education to the community. “There’s no need to go anywhere else with our everyday affordable low prices,” said Amy Lucariello, with Natural Grocers’ marketing team. “We have all the items customers could want to make this a one-stop shop.”
Natural Grocers opened its Wheat Ridge location on May 19, and it brings new healthy food options to the community. Photo by Clarke Reader
WHEAT RIDGE TRANSCRIPT (ISSN 1089-9197)
OFFICE: 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210 Golden, CO 80401 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Colorado, the Wheat Ridge Transcript is published weekly on Thursday by Mile High Newspapers, 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210, Golden, CO 80401. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT GOLDEN, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 722 Washington Ave., Unit 210 Golden, CO 80401 DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. Legals: Fri. 11 a.m. Classifieds: Mon. 5 p.m.
PL E ASE RECYCLE T HI S C OPY
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Organic options: The market prides itself on its 100 percent USDA-certified organic produce, and applies the highest standards to all its products. Lucariello said the compnay is looking to increase the number of local vendors it works with. Natural Grocers also has a variety of frozen foods, nuts and seeds in bulk sizes for local restaurants, and this location is the first store with an in-house chef who makes the “grab and go” meals fresh. “We have all our supplements and vitamins arranged by structure and function,” Lucariello said. “All of our health and beauty supplies are safe alternatives to the products that use a lot of chemicals and other materials.”
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Commitment to healthy food: Natural Grocers’ commitment to its products is highlighted in two major areas — dairy and meats. The company recently switched to using only pasture-based dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese and ice cream), and as a result had to phase out some well-known brands that didn’t meet its standards. In its meats department (both frozen and fresh), the company also uses very strict quality standards, Lucariello said. Every store offers fully grass-fed and finished meat products, and the grasses and forage are encouraged to be non-GMO.
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Nutritional health coaches: Among Natural Grocers’ most unique features are the nutritional health coaches who are on hand to offer free health advice to customers. The education component is one of their founding principles. “It’s been an amazing experience to see the store come up here,” said Kim Ruzicka, one of the coaches at the Wheat Ridge
location. “We get to be ambassadors of health to our customers, and I’m one of the go-to people for customers with questions and suggestions.”
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NATURAL GROCERS SERIES
Sustainable footThe store will kick-off a series of print: The commitfree, grand-opening celebrations, ment of Natural Grocers including food tastings, cooking to the planet’s health demonstrations and nutrition extends beyond its food, and goes classes with nutrition experts. All into the very design of the buildactivities will take place from noon ings. All the lights in the Wheat to 4 p.m. on the following dates: Ridge location are energy-efficient Saturday, June 6: Spa Day Health LED, and Petra Kordischova, with Fair new store operations, said there Saturday, June 13: Paleo and are occupancy sensors to control Primal Fair the lights. The store also has temperature monitors and a hot water reclamation system in place. “Our outer signs only come on when it’s dark outside, which helps us to use less energy,” Kordischova said. “We also do a lot of recycling, have a compost bin, and are completely disposable-bag-free here — we only have reusable bags.”
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Community outreach: To get the community involved, Natural Grocers has a community room and kitchen that can be used for cooking classes and other kinds of seminars. Use of the room will be free to nonprofits, and is a great place to educate the community about health.