Elbert County News 1211

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December 11, 2014 VOLU M E 1 1 9 | I S S UE 45 | 7 5 ¢

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Elbert County moves ahead with water planning Request for proposals is first step, engineer says

By Rick Gustafson

Special to Colorado Community Media

LEFT: John Leybourne, director of this year’s food drive, packs boxes. ABOVE: Cyndy Collaro donates bags of food and gets a hug from the American Legion’s John Guttenberg. Photos by Rick Gustafson

Veterans’ drive feeds families Christmas basket effort propelled

by American Legion Post 82

By Rick Gustafson

Special to Colorado Community Media

POSTAL ADDRESS

Shoppers visiting the Elizabeth Walmart between late October and the first week of December are likely to have run into the crew of four veterans from the American Legion posted outside the store next to a folding table and a pile of flattened cardboard boxes.

Bundled in heavy coats, their hands thrust deep into their pockets or holding hot cups of coffee to ward off the cold, John Leybourne, Calvin Pagel, John Guttenberg, and Bo Anders have spent many of their Friday and Saturday afternoons this fall collecting food and cash for the American Legion Post 82’s Annual Christmas Food Basket Drive.

“This is the 89th year for the food drive,” says Calvin Pagel, Post 82’s vice commander and food drive volunteer. “Next year will be a big year.”

“We started in 1925,” adds John Leyborne, Food Drive Director for 2014.

Veterans continues on Page 9

ELBERT COUNTY NEWS

Alex Helzer, of Franktown, a recent transplant from Laguna Beach, Calif., donates two bags of food.

More than 20 consultants and interested members of the public filled the Board of County Commissioners meeting room at the Elbert County Courthouse in Kiowa on Dec. 3 to hear details regarding the county’s request for proposals from contractors interested in preparing a preliminary water and wastewater infrastructure master plan for the county.

Kurt Schlegel, the District 2 County Commissioner, presided over the mandatory pre-submittal meeting and Sean O’Hearn, the county engineer, presented the parameters and limitations to the interested firms and opened the floor to questions.

“It’s a first step to understand what water systems could look like in this unique county,” O’Hearn told representatives from the consulting firms. “It should be better thought out than what we have seen over the past 10 years, which is just, sort of, a one-off answer to a 700-lot subdivision or a commercial/residential development.”

The county is hoping to work with a single firm to develop a preliminary master plan based on a consultant’s assessment of local water supplies, an assessment of the existing wastewater system, projected growth and demand, and residential and commercial development patterns.

“What’s our goal? To come up with a master plan that is practical that the county commissioners, the county planning commission, and so on can use to make decisions,” O’Hearn said. “Being practical is very important. To put a master plan together that ends up being a good read and sits on a shelf is not the goal.”

O’Hearn asserted that state agencies such as the Colorado Department of Local Affairs are more confident the county will spend money wisely and are therefore more likely to provide funding when it is approached by a county with a master Water continues on Page 9

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Commissioners, planners could clash over bylaws

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The Elbert County Planning Commission has chosen, for a second time, to postpone a vote on the final version of its bylaws, which is now slated to occur at the group’s meeting on Dec. 16.

The continuation from the meeting on Dec. 2 occurred as the planning commission made significant revisions to the original draft and wanted a “clean” copy before giving approval to the document it began working on in November.

An area of contention was language in the document giving the Board of County Commissioners final approval of the planning commission’s bylaws. The discussion became heated between planning commission member Rick Brown and Wade Gateley, attorney to the BOCC and author of the original draft.

“I don’t see that the BOCC has any role in the planning commission,” Brown said, referring to language stating that the BOCC would have final

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By Rick Gustafson

Special to Colorado Community Media

say in the wording of the bylaws.

Brown, a retired attorney, asserted that the statutes are on the side of the planning commission, allowing it to create its own bylaws without the need for approval by the BOCC. Gateley strongly disagreed.

Planning commission member Tony Baker agreed with Brown’s assessment, stating that just as the county commissioners are elected as the people’s representatives, the members of the planning commission are appointed as representatives of the BOCC and may act independently.

The BOCC directive to create bylaws comes in response to recommendations made during the 2013 financial audit. Kim Higgins, a partner at of Eide Bailly, the accounting firm retained by the county to audit its annual financial statements, recommended that the county continue to standardize its business practices.

According to Kurt Schlegel, county commissioner for District 2, bylaws were requested from multiple offices within county government in order to formalize and structure practices.

“We are establishing these (bylaws) to clarify the authority and rules for conducting county business, so that each department understands what the rules are,” Schlegel said following a

BOCC study session on Nov. 26.

The final document without the provision for BOCC approval will most likely be passed at the next planning commission meeting on Dec. 16.

It will then be forwarded to the BOCC. No one on the planning commission was certain what would happen next if the document failed to meet the BOCC’s approval. There is no formal protocol in place for such an occurrence.

Gateley said that he and the BOCC would need to evaluate the entire document before they could make a decision about how to respond.

When asked how the board might respond, Larry Ross, commissioner for District 3, said, “Then we sit down like gentlemen, like we are supposed to, and work things out.”

The Elbert County Planning Commission consists of nine members appointed by the Board of County Commissioners for three-year terms to hear and make recommendations on land-use cases including rezoning, special uses, vacations, special district service plans, and subdivision plats. Their recommendations are sent to the BOCC, which has the final authority.

Three of the nine seats on the commission remain vacant while the BOCC decides if the number of seats will remain the same or be reduced.

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2 Elbert County News

December 11, 2014

Ceremony recalls massacre in 1864 After 150 years, Sand Creek still stains Colorado history, many believe

By Vic Vela

vvela@coloradocommunitymedia.com The mood was somber and the details were sobering at a Dec. 3 ceremony at the Colorado Capitol, marking the 150th anniversary of the Sand Creek Massacre, in which dozens of American Indians were slaughtered by U.S. Cavalry troops.

On the west steps of the Capitol, Gov. John Hickenlooper issued a formal apology on behalf of the state to descendants of the victims in an attempt to clean wounds that may never fully heal within tribal communities.

“I am sorry for the atrocities of our government,” Hickenlooper said.

On Nov. 29, 1864, in what is now eastern Colorado’s Kiowa County, as many as 200 Arapaho and Cheyenne Indians — mostly women and children — were killed by U.S. troops.

Most of the Indian warriors were away hunting bison when Col. John Chivington gave attack orders. Many of the victims were sleeping or were trying to surrender to Chivington’s army of 600 troops.

Hickenlooper provided graphic details of the slaughter — which he described as an “unthinkable nightmare.” They included the killing of an Indian boy who was used as “target practice” and the slaying of tribal leaders by troops who ignored the American and white surrender flags they hoisted.

The massacre was the culmination of territorial conflicts that grew more intense as Rocky Mountain gold drew large numbers of white settlers to the West.

The Indians thought they were protected by federal treaties that recognized Indian-controlled land in parts of the West that included much of eastern Colorado.

However, the discovery of gold intensified relationships between Indians and white men seeking riches. Shortly thereafter, the Civil War erupted, bringing cavalry troops led by Chivington to Colorado to fight Confederate armies.

Chivington’s army remained in the state after fighting off the Confederates and, with the backing of then-Gov. John Evans, began taking a hard line against the Indians, leading to a series of attacks that culminated with the violence at Sand Creek.

Hickenlooper said Evans had a culpable role in the attacks and his lack of leadership resulted in a “deep moral failure that warrants condemnation.”

“We should not be afraid to criticize and condemn that that is inexcusable,” the governor said.

Cornell Sankey, lieutenant governor of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes of Oklahoma, said what happened that day “will not fade from history.”

“For some, it would be too convenient to forget the darkest

Gov. John Hickenlooper, with tribal leaders in the background, gives a Dec. 3 Capitol speech on the atrocities that occurred during the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre. Photo by Vic Vela moments of our history,” he said. “For others, it would be too easy to hold on to anger, resentment and bitterness. Instead, we are here today to honor those lives that were lost and to remember the evil of which men are capable.”

Lawmakers in attendance included state Rep. Joe Salazar, D-Thornton. Salazar plans to sponsor bills during the upcoming legislative session aimed at furthering American Indian causes. They include bills that would offer in-state tuition for students living outside of Colorado with tribal ties here and separate legislation that could do away with Indian-themed mascots at state schools.

“It’s very important to think about tomorrow,” Salazar said in a private interview. “We need to make a commitment to rectifying these inequities.”

Rep. Tim Dore, R-Elizabeth, said in a separate interview: “We cannot tomorrow forget about this remembrance.”

“If humans are to survive, we have to be able to live together in a peaceful manner,” Dore said.

Dore

In an eerie moment when history overlapped, ceremony attendees were temporarily distracted by student marchers who were protesting police actions in Ferguson, Mo., where a black man was killed by a white officer, causing controversy and fury in black communities.

As the Ferguson protesters marched across the street from the Capitol (the two events were unrelated), they chanted, “Hands up, don’t shoot.” The chant was intended to evoke the events from Ferguson, but it was not lost on some in the audience outside the Capitol that the chant also applied to the Sand Creek Massacre — where some Indians were killed trying to surrender.

The ceremony at times proved to be overwhelming for Cheryl Wanstall LittleBird, a Northern Arapaho tribe member who made the trip from Wyoming to attend the event.

LittleBird wiped away tears and clutched a young family member while the governor provided details of the slaughtering.

“How could I not?” she said, when asked what brought her to tears. “These were our people. We were here way before others were. As long as I’m alive I’m going to remember.”

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Elbert County News 3

December 11, 2014

Second time’s a charm

Orion test launch a success

By Ashley Reimers

areimers @coloradocommunitymedia.com Although it was 4 a.m., Morning Star Yazzie and Ariyah Castro, both 11, were full of energy as they waited to see a rocket burst into the atmosphere.

“It’s pretty exciting to be here,” Yazzie said.

Yazzie, Castro and 13 other members of Girls Inc. took part in the Dec. 4 Orion launch watch party at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Girls Inc., the official watch party sponsor, partners with Lockheed Martin to provide STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education mentoring programs and inspire girls.

The trip to the watch party was part of the Rocket Girls program, which teaches the girls how to build and launch their own rockets.

“The girls are already engaged in STEM and learning about rockets,” said Chris Homolac, a Lockheed Martin mentor. “So it was really exciting for them to have the opportunity to experience a real launch and take it to the next level.”

Unfortunately the girls and about 500 other people left the museum disappointed after a failed launch attempt. Due to wind delays and other issues, Orion remained grounded at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida until a second attempt the following morning, which took off without a hitch.

Orion is part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s goal of sending humans to asteroids and Mars. and on Dec. 5, Orion orbited the Earth twice, spending around 4.5 hours in the atmosphere before splashing down into the Pacific Ocean. Orion was designed to go farther into space than previous rockets, and involved contributions the work of many Colorado companies.

The spacecraft was designed by Jefferson County-based Lockheed Martin Space Systems, and its cameras and antennas were provided by Ball Aerospace in Westminster.

It launched into space on a Delta IV Heavy rocket made by United Launch Alliance, based in Centennial.

Lockheed Martin principal engineer

People wait patiently for the launch of Orion on Dec. 4 at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Due to wind and other issues, Orion ended up staying grounded until a second attempt on the morning of Dec. 5. Photo by Ashley Reimers Darrell Williams has been invested in space travel since college after he watched Apollo 17 take off in 1972. Since then, he’s worked to make sure mankind got back in space.

“Typically through the years,we don’t see this much excitement revolved around space,” he said. “So it’s really great to see people actively engaged in what’s going in the space program.”

Mark Walsh, of Denver, was up early for the first launch attempt, and not just for the fun of it. A ULA employee, he worked on the admissions and separation systems for the rocket. He said he was pretty anxious in the hours leading up to the launch, but was con-

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fident the spacecraft would make it in the air.

“It’s a good vehicle, but it’s a pretty big mission with a lot of stuff riding on it,” he said.

Orion’s next mission around the moon is set for 2017,followed by its first manned mis-

sion in 2021. The spacecraft has a maximum capacity of six people, but would mostly likely only host four.

In 2032 Orion is scheduled to launch for Mars in 2032. The trip there should take about 10 months.

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4 Elbert County News

December 11, 2014

Pit bulls lead way in euthanizations Aggression, difficulty in placing strays noted

By Burt Hubbard and Jeremy Jojola Rocky Mountain PBS I-News and 9News The animal shelter serving El Paso County and its cities euthanized more than one pit bull a day last year, making it the most euthanized breed along the Front Range, according to an investigation by Rocky Mountain PBS INews and 9News.

The two news organizations analyzed dog euthanasia cases from 2013 at the major shelters along the Front Range. Combined, they accounted for about 4,800 of the 7,000 dogs euthanized statewide.

However, the number of dogs euthanized in the state was small when compared to the number of dogs that shelters adopt out or return to their owners. In 2013, shelters found homes for almost 53,000 dogs and returned close to another 24,000 to their owners.

Pit bulls stood out as a breed for euthanasia, accounting for 766 of the Front Range cases.

More than half of those, 445, took place at the Humane Society of Pikes Peak, the shelter for El Paso County and its cities. They totaled about 40 percent of all of the roughly 1,100 dogs put down at the shelter last year.

Jan Smith, director of the shelter, said a combination of factors account for the high numbers.

“They’re a very popular breed here in El Paso County, so we see a large influx of those animals coming in,” Smith said. In addition, the county’s population tends to be transient, leading to a large number of stray animals, she said.

“What’s interesting is that about 72 percent of those dogs (pit bulls coming to the shelters) are strays,” Smith said.

She said the pit bulls are harder to place with families than other breeds taken in by the shelter.

“We are outraged about the number of animals we have to euthanize every year,” Smith said.

“We’re working proactively to try to get these dogs into homes.”

Roger Haston, executive director of the Animal Assistance Foundation, said another problem is that spay and neutering by pit bull owners is lacking.

“The shelters are simply a reflection of what is going on in the community,” Haston said.

The analysis showed that almost 90 percent of the pit bulls euthanized at the shelter were because of aggression or high arousal tendencies. That compares to 50 percent of all euthanasia cases for all breeds along the Front Range.

But animal rights activist Davyd Smith of No Kill Colorado said shelters are too quick to label pit bulls as aggressive.

“We’re killing dogs that have a square head, short hair and straight tail,” Smith said. “It has nothing to do with their behavior.

The shelter serving all of Jefferson County and its cities euthanized 125 pit bulls in 2013, the second highest number along the Front Range.

Pit bulls are the most euthanized dog breed along the Front Range. Shutterstock image Denver and Aurora, which both ban pit bulls, euthanized 89 combined.

Labradors were the second most euthanized breed along the Front Range last year, 435 cases, followed by Chihuahuas, 337, and German shepherds, 230.

The series on Front Range dogs, K9 Confidential, is a collaboration between Rocky Mountain PBS INews and 9News. For more information, contract reporter Burt Hubbard at bhubbard@inewsnetwork. org.

Bella, Buddy, Max are area’s top dog names Chances are if you walk into a dog park, you are likely to find a Labrador named Bella. That is the most popular dog breed and dog name along the Front Range.

Rocky Mountain PBS I-News and 9News gathered data on more than 130,000 pet registrations from Colorado Springs to Boulder. It found: • Labradors were the most popular breed at 18,826 registrations, or one of every seven registered dogs. They were followed by Chihuahuas, 6,782, and German shepherds, 6,811.

• Bella, Buddy and Max were the most popular names at 1,481, 1,249 and 1,225, respectively.

• Sports figures tended to dominate pets named after celebrities.

There were 52 Kobes (Bryant), 35 Melos or Carmelos (Anthony) and 32 Magics (Johnson).

• Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning beat out his boss, John Elway. There were 51 Peytons and only 19 Elways.

• Elvis remained the King among celebrities with 90 pets named after him.

• Hip-hop star Bow Wow only had one dog named after him. However, 19 lazy owners named their dogs simply “dog” or “doggie.”

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The new Black Forest Fire Department Chief is expected to be named Dec. 10 during the regular budget meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.

The Black Forest Fire Department Board has narrowed its search to three finalists; current acting Chief Jim Rebitski, Scott Van Boerum (fire chief with the Arivaca Fire District in Arizona), and Bryan Jack (the town administrator of Simla in Elbert County).

The three candidates will be interviewed by the five-member fire board on Dec. 9 following a meet-and-greet with the public at the Fire Station 1, 11445 Teachout Road.

The new chief will replace former Chief Bob Harvey, who led the department during the devastating and controversial Black Forest fire in June 2013.

In June of this year, Harvey left the department on sick leave, claiming he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after the fire and heavy criticism of his handling of the fire.

Harvey was heavily criticized after the fire by El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa, who had accused the chief of not handling the fire properly when it ignited around noon on June 11, 2013.

Maketa’s last day in office will be in January when his term runs out.

The Black Forest Fire destroyed nearly 15,000 acres and consumed around 500 homes. Two people were also killed.

The Black Forest Fire is the most destructive wildfire in state history, surpassing the Waldo Canyon fire of June 2012.

Amidst the controversy surround-

ing Harvey, the former Black Forest Fire Board - led by president Eddie Bracken launched an investigation into the possible cause and handling of the fire. Harvey was cleared of all potential wrong-doing.

The investigation cost as much as $130,000, according to current board member PJ Langmaid.

After Harvey took sick leave, he was not heard from for several weeks. He was eventually asked to resign by several board members.

In the interim, Rebitski was named interim chief. Rebitski has been a full-time employee of the Black Forest Fire Department since early 2009. He has more than 16 years in the fire/medical service that includes the Fountain Fire Department and AMR. Jack has nearly 20 years of experience working for the U.S. Forest Service, as well as the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District.

Van Boerum has more than 27 years of fire service in Arizona.

In related news, Black Forest Station 2 has been staffed with part-time and volunteer members since Nov. 1 from 8 a.m.to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

5

Elbert County News 5

December 11, 2014

Some say tax law might recognize pot Federal code hasn’t budged as states shift on marijuana

By Katie Kuntz

Rocky Mountain PBS I-News Marijuana advocates in the U.S. House of Representatives believe that the punitive federal tax code that treats state-legalized cannabis stores as a criminal enterprise can be reformed, perhaps within the next couple of months.

Internal Revenue Code 280E disallows any businesses selling Schedule I or II illegal drugs, including marijuana, from deducting routine expenses associated with sales, including advertising, employee salaries and building leases. The result is that many marijuana businesses, legal in Colorado and in a growing number of other states, pay an effective tax rate of 70 percent or more of their profits to the federal government.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., is the sponsor of the Small Business Tax Equity Act, which would exempt statelicensed marijuana businesses from the 280E code.

Congress ap-

proved 280E in 1982 as a tactic in the government’s war on drugs.

“Now, with Oregon, Alaska and Washington, D.C., all approving adult use, and momentum increasing around the country for medical marijuana, I think we are in a position to get this enacted,” Blumenauer told Rocky Mountain PBS I-News.

The two states and the District of Columbia on Election Day joined Colorado and Washington state in approving recreational use of marijuana for adults.

Another 23 states also allow the sale of medical marijuana.

In 2014, nine more states, Wisconsin, Utah, North Carolina, Missouri, Mississippi, Minnesota, Kentucky, Iowa and Alabama, passed bills that allow the limited use of cannabis-extract oil for individuals with severe epilepsy, though many of those states do not allow the manufacturing of the product.

But nationwide movement toward some form of marijuana legalization has not been reflected by Congress. Selling marijuana remains a federal crime.

“Clearly the voters in various states are deciding on this issue and there is a need to resolve the disparity between state and federal law,” said Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo., in an email to I-News.

Perlmutter is a co-sponsor of Blumenauer’s bill and has also proposed his own legislation that would allow marijuana busi-

nesses full legal access to banking services.

“As more states vote to legalize some form of marijuana, there will be a tipping point,” Perlmutter wrote.

But that tipping point has not yet arrived.

`Complicated process’

“Certainly, our biggest challenge is the resistance from Congress to doing anything, not just marijuana legislation, but doing anything at all,” said Taylor West, deputy director of the National Cannabis Industry Association. “So it’s hard to say what the odds are, whether it’s likely or not.

Blumenauer is a strong advocate, so while we are certainly hopeful, it’s a complicated process.”

Pat Oglesby, tax lawyer and a former chief tax counsel for the Senate Finance Committee, said that a marijuana tax reform bill would need to be a part of a larger piece of legislation in order to get the support needed to pass.

“Let me just say that I used to work for Congress, and anything can happen up there,” Oglesby said. “But they would need two things to make this work: First, a package to move and second, a consensus about marijuana.”

Blumenauer and another co-sponsor, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., hope the larger piece of legislation might be the Senate Finance Committee’s so-called tax extender package, expected to pass within the

H oli day w o r s

next few weeks.

“I think now is the time, the chair of the Senate Finance Committee, his state just overwhelmingly voted to legalize adult use,” Blumenauer said. “If it is included in the extenders package, it would be effective as soon as it is signed into law.”

The “extenders package” is a broad set of tax provisions that apply to individuals and businesses, and it could pass before Jan. 1.

However, the outgoing committee chairman isn’t said to favor amending the bill to include marijuana tax reform.

“Our preference is our bill,” said Lindsey Held Bolton, a spokesperson for Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., in an email.

Industry analysts say that if the code doesn’t change, many marijuana businesses will face such high taxes on April 2015 that some will be forced to close.

But Blumenauer remains optimistic.

“It’s been literally my entire elected career we have been working on these policies and this has taken a very dramatic turn,” Blumenauer said. “We will have a complete reform of marijuana laws in five years and individual states will be able to treat it like alcohol.”

Colorado Community Media brings you this report in partnership with Rocky Mountain PBS I-News. Learn more at rmpbs.org/news.

Contact Katie Kuntz at katiekuntz@rmpbs. org.

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6

6 Elbert County News

December 11, 2014

Coffman bucks GOP on immigration vote Congressman says action

by Republicans will mislead Americans

By Vic Vela

vvela@coloradocommunitymedia.com Republican Congressman Mike Coffman bucked his own party during a Dec. 4 House vote on a measure that seeks to undo recent changes to U.S. immigration policy that were put in place by President Obama.

Meanwhile, Congressman Cory Gardner, Colorado’s Republican senator-elect, voted for the effort, which is largely meant to serve as a message to the president, who surely would veto the measure.

The Democrat-controlled Senate is not expected to take up the resolution.

Coffman was one of only seven House Republicans to vote against House Resolution 5759, which passed the chamber by a vote of 219-197.

Coffman, who represents the state’s 6th Congressional District, is coming off an impressive re-election victory over former state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff.

Coffman ran a campaign where he touted the need for immigration reform. His district, which was re-mapped in 2012, includes a large number of immigrants, including those who are Latino.

The congressman voted against the resolution, even though he said through a statement that Obama’s recent executive action on immigration is unconstitutional.

“I voted against H.R. 5759 because, although I strongly believe that it is unconstitutional to have immigration policy made through executive orders and without the consent of Congress, this legislation will only mislead the American people into believing that we are taking care of the problem when the only way to address President Obama’s overreach is either through the U.S. Supreme Court or through the appropriations process.”

Immigration reform also was an issue in Gardner’s race against Democratic Sen. Mark Udall, whom Gardner edged in last month’s election.

Gardner, who represents the state’s 4th Congressional District, also explained his vote through an emailed statement, saying that while the resolution does nothing to solve immigration problems, Obama’s actions “circumvented Congress and asserted power he previously said he doesn’t have.”

“Today the House voted on a bill to condemn the president’s circumvention of Congress. But neither the president’s actions nor today’s legislation will solve the real problem at hand: our broken immigration system.”

On Nov. 20, Obama announced that he would take steps to protect millions of undocumented immigrants from the threat of

‘... this legislation will only mislead the American people into believing that we are taking care of the problem when the only way to address President Obama’s overreach is either through the U.S. Supreme Court or through Coffman

the appropriations process.’

Mike Coffman, U.S. Represtentative (R-CO)

deportation by allowing them to stay in the country temporarily.

The president said his actions will allow federal agents to prioritize deportations that target threats to public safety and not hardworking, law-abiding immigrants who contribute to society.

The president’s moves also will add more border resources and will make it easier for high-skilled immigrant workers, college graduates and entrepreneurs to stay in the country.

Obama’s moves were hailed by immigrant

H oli day w o r s

advocates, and public polling has shown that his actions are receiving overwhelming support among Latinos — a demographic that Republicans have struggled to attract, especially over the last several years.

Coffman was the only member of Colorado’s congressional delegation to break party ranks on the vote. Doug Lamborn and Scott Tipton joined Gardner in voting for the resolution. Democrats Diana DeGette, Jared Polis and Ed Perlmutter all voted against the measure.

h i p for unto us a child is born.

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12/25 -- Christmas Day 10:00 a.m.

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7

Elbert County News 7

December 11, 2014

Couple seek daylight time throughout year Federal law is hurdle in quest for brighter winter evenings

By Vic Vela

vvela@coloradocommunitymedia.com There could be good news afoot for the morning grouches among us who bemoan the hour of sleep we lose when we change the clock each spring.

Rather than adjusting and re-adjusting to changing clocks, a Lakewood couple seeks to do away with the bi-annual tradition of the springing forward and falling back of time by making Mountain Daylight Time a permanent fixture in Colorado.

Sean and Teri Johnson have filed paperwork with the state in an effort to pursue a ballot measure that would make switching clocks twice a year a thing of the past.

“I had a client tell me that if I don’t like it I should do something about it. So I did,”

said Sean Johnson, who runs his own personal trainer business.

The Johnsons’ measure would mean that the clock we set during the second Sunday in March would be our year-round time zone, thus doing away with falling back to Mountain Standard Time on the first Sunday of each November.

“I have a lot of clients and friends and family who are and who have always been sick of the ridiculous early sunsets in the winter,” he said.

Johnson cites an American Psychological Association study that showed how workplace issues come about during timechange periods, such as missed appointments, employees showing up late and workplace injuries that occur due to a lack of sleep.

He also said the time change in November is hard on road construction crews who often have to set up traffic cones during dark rush-hour periods in the winter.

“A lot of them are fearing for their lives

because it’s pitch black while they’re doing this,” he said.

Others say people with special needs are impacted by time changes. Kristine McAllister of Pueblo has a 24-year-old daughter with a seizure disorder who must take her medication at specific times of the day.

“It wreaks havoc on our lives every six months,” McAllister said. “She’s non-verbal and her cognitive abilities are decreased.

You can’t explain to her that you get to sleep in an hour or have to get up early, because she doesn’t get that.”

“She couldn’t care less what the clock says. She can’t change what her body is telling her, so she gets very angry because she doesn’t understand.”

The Johnsons have a lot of work to do before voters could even weigh in on the measure in 2016. In order to qualify for the ballot, they would have to collect 86,105 valid signatures of registered voters.

Also, a similar effort failed in the Legislature in 2011.

And the Johnsons may be facing an uphill legal battle. Language in the federal Uniform Time Act indicates that Colorado may not be able to switch to a permanent Mountain Daylight Time zone.

Johnson said he is aware of the law and has been communicating with lawyers about the possible hurdle.

“I’m not sure about what the strategy is going to be, but I don’t think it’s going to be an issue,” he said.

But Johnson said recent press coverage has resulted in him being contacted by people from all over the state who say they support his effort and who say they will volunteer to collect signatures. Johnson also has set up a website: stopthetimechanges. com.

“A lot of people want a longer evening to walk their dog and to be able to attend after-school sports and activities,” he said.

“That’s what I’ve heard the most — real, personal reasons and the effects on families.”

Parker police alerted to possible phone scam At least 50 Parker homeowners received calls

By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz @coloradocommunitymedia.com

motivation is. While the investigation is in the preliminary stages, police believe it could be a roofing company using a new technique to drum up business.

“It’s been a big business with all of the hail damage we’ve had in the last year,” said Andy Coleman, public information officer for the Parker police.

Detectives are not sure whether any crime has been committed. There are no victims and only one person said they were considering trying to schedule an appointment, Coleman said.

But the calls have put at least 50 homeowners on high alert. Questions about the legitimacy of the inspection and whether the request came from Parker’s offices have poured into town hall. The town employee whose number was “spoofed” on the caller ID has also received numerous calls.

Coleman confirmed that the town’s phone system was not hacked and said new software enables people to pick any number they want to show up on caller ID systems.

Elizabeth United Methodist Church Christmas Eve Family Worship

The Parker Police Department is dialing in on a possible phone scam that has affected 50 people and flooded town hall with calls from concerned citizens.

Caller ID says the calls are coming from the Town of Parker, but authorities have confirmed that they are not originating from phone lines at any government office.

Initial reports from some residents indicated that the caller was claiming to be associated with the town’s building department and needed to conduct a roof inspection.

However, investigators have learned that the person or persons do not actually identify themselves as employees of the town.

Because the caller is trying to schedule an appointment, it’s not yet clear what the

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8-Opinion

8 Elbert County News

Y O U R S

OPINION

December 11, 2014

&

O U R S

A publication of

9137 Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210 Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 Phone: 303-566-4100 Fax: 303-566-4098 On the Web: ElbertCountyNews.net Get Social with us

GERARD HEALEY President and Publisher CHRIS ROTAR Editor VIC VELA State Desk and Legislative Editor RON MITCHELL Local Sales Manager THERESE DOMBROWSKI Marketing Consultant

Looking back at all those non-memories There is very little evidence that I existed before the eighth grade.

My sister has a few pictures of me, and I have some of a boy in a Little League costume, and that’s about it.

There are no scrapbooks or home movies — not a one.

This crossed my mind when I was in the grocery store earlier today, and found myself in the middle of a casting call for “Peter Pan.” There were kids running around everywhere. They were making small-voice sounds, and grabbing at things on the lower shelves.

I am sure that you know that grocers stock the lowest shelves with the products that have the most sugar in them. Just go to the breakfast cereal aisle.

Since I didn’t exist until I was in the eighth grade, I never annoyed an old crabknuckle like myself in a grocery store.

I never ruined someone’s big night in a restaurant, or kicked the back of anyone’s seat on an airplane.

I didn’t fly at all until I was 16, and I was as well behaved as a courtroom reporter.

No one has ever made a movie or a television show about a courtroom reporter because they are so well-behaved.

Who wants to sit in a darkened theater and watch someone who is well-behaved?

We want mayhem.

I am rarely in a grocery store when children are up and about. But now and then I

have to have something, like hearts of palm, to get me through the day.

But I pay for these trips. My patience is always tested.

Mom is on the phone while Vera, Chuck and Dave are auditioning.

In the past three years I have written about everything — except kids. Or if I have, I have been brief and not very affectionate.

I think it might be because I never was a child.

I just woke up one day and I was in a student council meeting.

I vaguely remember a Howdy and a Doody. Years later I found out that they were the same person.

I can write all day and all night about dachshunds. I know all about them. I know why their bark is so deep. I know everything. I know exactly how many dachshunds it takes to change a light bulb: A lot.

But I don’t know anything about kids these days.

They see things that I didn’t see until I was in college. Cleavage for one.

I rarely see an 8-year-old reading a book.

There is nothing better than a book. When I am asked about my favorite book, I say, “The dictionary.”

It’s all in there. Every great quote, every great joke, every great novel. It’s just all a word soup.

Do they still make alphabet soup? Apparently I used to play with mine when I was a kid. I was told that by chance one day, the letters “a,” “r,” “t,” “i,” “s” and “t” floated together for a few seconds.

I see kids in stores and look at them with skepticism. I wonder if they know what they are getting themselves into. Life starts to nibble at your bum, and right away.

Sometimes mom and dad do the nibbling, through neglect and many other things.

My dentist just had a baby. She and her husband named it Riley. I think it is very optimistic to have a baby these days.

Good for you, I said to her, but in the back of my mind I was thinking about what each of us faces. Some of us face much more than others.

When I see a child, my one wish is that they can make it to the eighth grade without too much nibbling at the bum.

Craig Marshall Smith is an artist, educator and Highlands Ranch resident. He can be reached at craigmarshallsmith@comcast.net.

Make your decision and drop the doubt The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. A simple theory, and yet a much tougher application to manage sometimes.

Let’s think about a ski run rated “expert” — you know, something that may be really steep and richly covered in moguls. Now the expert skier may be able to take a straight line, going top to bottom as quickly and efficiently as possible. For the intermediate skier, the goal to get to the bottom is the same, but they have to take a more circuitous route. There will be more turns made for sure, and they will use more of the mountain as they traverse the slope.

At some point both skiers knew which direction they would be headed, and in some cases once they jumped on the chairlift there would be no turning back. The expert has no issues because they can ski or snowboard just about any terrain. So it is with confidence that they take to any hill. However our intermediate folks may take the same chair ride up with a little trepidation, and that fear or nervousness may increase once they are looking over their tips and down at the steep grade and bumps below.

Doubt creeps in for sure.

Sometimes we all make decisions without looking at the big picture or complete situation.

We have all at some point stood looking out over our tips at a precarious situation where we have already made the commitment or decision to do something knowing we were maybe too ambitious in our thinking or too aggressive in our belief that we could actually pull it off. And yet there we stand, looking at the project or opportunity and we are overcome with fear and Norton continues on Page 9

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Governor wrong to apologize for Sand Creek I say Gov. Hickenlooper is wrong to apologize for the Sand Creek Massacre. I do not accept any guilt or responsibility for what happened 150 years ago.

The Indians and Federal Troops are all long gone. Hickenlooper is simply wrongly promoting collective guilt and reinforcing the divide and conquer tactic of racism, and he is therefore a race baiter!

Will the Indians now apologize for their savage murdering of the Hungate and Deitemann families in June of 1864? I challenge Gov. Hickenlooper and the Indian leadership to meet me in front of the monument to the murdered settlers at the Kiowa courthouse in Elbert County anytime!

I reject the governor’s apology as racist and divisive!

Dan Mason Kiowa

ERIN ADDENBROOKE Major Accounts and Classified Manager AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager SCOTT ANDREWS Production Manager SHARI MARTINEZ Circulation Manager

We welcome event listings and other submissions.

News and Business Press Releases Please visit ElbertCountyNews.net, click on the Submit Your News tab and choose a category from the drop down menu.

Calendar calendar@coloradocommunitymedia.com Military Notes militarynotes@coloradocommunitymedia.com School Accomplishments schoolnotes@coloradocommunitymedia.com Sports sports@coloradocommunitymedia.com Obituaries obituaries@coloradocommunitymedia.com To Subscribe call 303-566-4100 Columnists and Guest Commentaries The Elbert County News 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 Elbert County News.

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

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9

December 11, 2014

Water Continued from Page 1

plan. He cited the $3 million the county has received for road improvements since it created a transportation master plan.

He also emphasized that the winning plan needs to create a good value for the county, saying that in Elbert County every nickel matters. The estimated cost for the study is around $50,000 and the deadline to submit proposals is Jan. 7.

“We don’t know what we don’t know, and that’s why we want to rely on you all.

Like Sean says, you’re the experts. We’re not,” said Schlegel to close the meeting.

“This is the first step down a road that we in Elbert County have never taken before, so we need a roadmap to get from point A to point B.” Not everyone, however, agrees on the route to point B. On Nov. 12, the BOCC voted two to one to authorize the re-

quest for proposals during its scheduled meeting, and the RFP was posted the following day.

Larry Ross, District 3 county commissioner, cast the dissenting vote, asserting the development of a water and wastewater infrastructure master plan exceeded the scope of the BOCC’s authority. Ross questioned the RFP’s legality under the Local Government Land Use Authority in Colorado, specifically referencing the Community Development Office’s language stating, “It is the responsibility of a county or municipal planning commission (rather than the governing body) to prepare and adopt a master plan for the physical development of the communities.”

Schlegel strongly refuted Ross’ interpretation as it applied to the RFP, saying that only the BOCC can appropriate funds and the RFP calls on experts to explore options that could be incorporated into a master plan. Schlegel also asserted that any recommendations made by a consultant would be non-binding.

Norton Continued from Page 8

doubt. And then we make it worse by letting our ego get in the way as we refuse to ask for help or let others assist us and maybe even come to our rescue. It’s kind of like having ski patrol stop by while we are on the brink, offer us a safe ride down on a sled or snowmobile, and we refuse the help.

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. But each situation will dictate whether we have the expertise to go from point A to point B as precisely and efficiently as possible, or whether we are still in our learning curve and it will take us a bit longer to accomplish the same goal. So although the shortest distance between two points may

DIVORCE AND Post-Decree Clinic. Elbert and Lincoln County Pro Se Divorce Clinic is offered from 9 a.m. to noon the third Friday of each month at the Elbert County Justice Center, 751 Ute St., in Kiowa. For information, call 303-520-6088 or email morgan@hayday.org. The clinic is free for parties who have no attorney and who are going through dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or post-decree cases. All walk-ins are welcome, and will be assisted on a first-come, first-served basis.

DOUGLAS-ELBERT COUNTY Music Teachers’ Association meets at 9 a.m. every first Thursday at Parker Bible Church, between Jordan and Chambers on Main Street. All area music teachers are welcome. Call Lucie Washburn, 303-814-3479.

THE ELBERT County Sheriff ’s Posse is a nonprofit volunteer organization that is part of the Elbert County Sheriff ’s Office. As volunteers we support the Elbert County Sheriff ’s Office, all law enforcement in our county, and the community at large. For more information or a membership application, go to http://www.elbertcountysheriff.com/posse.html, or contact Dave Peontek at 303-646-5456.

THE ELIZABETH Food Bank, 381 S. Banner in Elizabeth (next door to Elizabeth Presbyterian Church) needs to let the public know that we are available to help anyone who needs food. The hours are Friday 12:30-3 p.m. and Saturdays from 9-11:30 a.m. Other times by appointment.

LAWYERS AT the Library, a free legal clinic for parties who have no attorney, will be offered from 6-9 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month at the Elizabeth Library, 651 W. Beverly St. Volunteer attorneys will answer questions, help fill out forms and explain the process and procedure for the areas of family law, civil litigation, criminal defense, property law, probate law, collections, appeals, landlord-tenant law and civil protection

Veterans Continued from Page 1

“And John’s been here for every one of ‘em,” Pagel quips, rocking back on his heels with a chuckle.

In addition to the typical nonperishable and shelf-stable items collected at most food drives, the men of Post 82 are also collecting all the fixings for a full Christmas dinner, including 10- to 12-pound frozen turkeys or hams. Classes at Singing Hills Elementary assisted in the effort by collecting 48 boxes of food.

Collections continued through Dec. 6 and then the volunteers went to work organizing and packing the cardboard boxes, donated by Home Depot, with the canned food, the stuffing mixes and cereals collected over the past two months.

In addition to the nonperishable items, cash donations allow for the purchase of fresh vegetables such as 5-pound bags of potatoes, carrots, onions, and celery.

“We’ll pick those up on the 17th, the day

be a straight line, the most effective path will be whichever path gets the job done safely, accurately, and on time.

When we can accept the level we are operating at in a given activity, event, or project, we will place ourselves in a much better position to minimize our doubts, fears, and biggest worries. And this is huge because I can tell you that most people stop pursuing their goals and dreams or give up on a path or a project because of doubt and fear. And quitting is just a shame.

Whether we are a beginner at something, average or intermediate, advanced, or an expert, we all face that moment of making a decision. We make decisions all day long both consciously and subconsciously, and it is when we are making a conscious decision to engage in something, anything, that we then follow up that decision with some form

of direction. We see the road ahead and we embark on the journey and to minimize the fear, doubt and worry we need to evaluate our skill set, know how far we can stretch ourselves, and then know what resources and people are available to help. We need to know if we have the luxury of time on our side and if so, then we can traverse the project as slowly as necessary to achieve the desired results, or if we are expert enough and confident in our ability, we can take the straight line.

Years ago I would ski just about anything, bumps, trees and steeps. And I would ski them full of doubt and fear sometimes because my ego wouldn’t let me figure out how to ask for help so I could get better. Then I was skiing with my good friend Dudley Ottley, who is a phenomenal skier, and as we were headed down Ripsaw over in Beaver Creek one day, he gave me a few pointers.

AREA CLUBS

orders. Walk-ins are welcome. Everyone will be helped on a firstcome, first-served basis.

MYSTERY BOOK Club meets at 9:30 a.m. the first Saturday of each month at the Simla Public Library. The group enjoys talking about a variety of mystery authors and titles. We also periodically host a Colorado author during our meetings.

Everyone may join us, and registration is not required. Visit the Simla Branch of the Elbert County Library District at 504 Washington Avenue, call 719-541-2573, or email farabe@ elbertcountylibrary.org.

BUILD BUSINESS Today, a business networking group meets from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. every first and third Thursday at Johnny Carino’s in Parker. Visit www.buildbusinesstoday. com or call 720-840-5526.

DOUGLAS-ELBERT COUNTY Music Teachers’ Association meets at 9 a.m. every first Thursday at Parker Bible Church, between Jordan and Chambers on Main

Elbert County News 9 boxes go out,” Pagel said.

Families, military, and wounded warriors throughout Elbert County signed up to receive the meals through the Elizabeth Fire Department, which will oversee the anonymous distribution of the food, with each family receiving four to five boxes plus everything needed for a holiday meal.

“Most of it stays here in Elbert County, about 99.9 percent of it does. Nothing is wasted. Any unclaimed food goes to the food bank,” Pagel said.

According to Leyborne, last year the American Legion Post 82 gave away more than 400 boxes of food to an estimated 90 families.

The American Legion is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization. Chartered in 1919 as a veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness, the Legion sponsors programs advocating patriotism, national security and services to its members and veterans.

Membership in the American Legion is open to all current serving members of the U.S. Armed Forces as well as anyone who served on active military for at least one day during a period of hostilities.

After just a little bit of practice on those newly acquired techniques, my confidence soared and my fears were abated. And all I had to do was ask for a little help after I had made my decision to ski an expert trail and then committed to the direction or path that I would follow.

Have you made a decision to do something? Have you set your course or direction?

And are you having any second thoughts or doubts now that you have made that commitment? I would love to hear all about it at gotonorton@gmail.com and when we can ease or eliminate the doubts that creep in, it really will be a better than good week.

Michael Norton is a resident of Castle Rock, the former president of the Zig Ziglar Corporation, a strategic consultant and a business and personal coach.

Street. All area music teachers are welcome. Call Lucie Washburn, 303-814-3479.

LEADS CLUB Southeast Superstars meets at 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays at LePeep at Parker and Orchard roads. Call Linda Jones at 720-641-0056.

Clubs continues on Page 15

THE OUTBACK Express is a public transit service provided through the East Central Council of Local Governments is open and available to all residents of Cheyenne, Elbert, Kit Carson and Lincoln counties and provides an economical and efficient means of travel for the four-county region. Call Kay Campbell, Kiowa, at 719- 541-4275. You may also call the ECCOG office at 1-800-825-0208 to make reservations for any of the trips. You may also visit http://outbackexpress.tripod.com. To ensure that a seat is available, 24-hour advance reservations are appreciated.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS meets from 10-11 a.m. and from 7-8 p.m. Wednesdays in the Sedalia Room at New Hope Presbyterian Church, 2100 Meadows Parkway, Castle Rock.

SENIORS MEET in Elizabeth every Monday at 11 a.m. for food, fun and fellowship at Elizabeth Senior Center, 823 S. Banner St. Bring a dish for potluck on the first Monday of each month.

Other Mondays, bring a sack lunch. Bingo, games and socializing.

New leadership. Call Agnes at 303-883-7881 or Carol at 303-6463425 for information.

Parker

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10-Life

10 Elbert County News

S O U T H

LIFE

December 11, 2014

M E T R O

“Church Choir Angels,” by Joel Cook, is in the “African American Contemporary Artists” exhibit at Curtis Arts and Humanities Center. Courtesy photos

Black artists share works

Greenwood Village show will run through Jan. 8

By Sonya Ellingboe

sellingboe @coloradocommunitymedia.com A group of nine widely experienced African-American artists who work in the Denver metro area have artwork on exhibit at Curtis Arts and Humanities Center through Jan. 8. The exhibit, called “African-American Contemporary Artists,” includes paintings, mixed media and sculpture in varying techniques. The nine are friends who encourage each other’s creative endeavors.

While all bring years of experience to this show, some may not be familiar to art lovers in the south metro area, and the intimate Curtis gallery is a fine place to become acquainted with what may become new favorites. The historic schoolhouse/gallery is well-lit and easy to access. (Admission is free.)

The exhibit features work by Joel “Dragonfly” Cook, James A. Dixon, Christine Fontenot, Michael Gadlin, Li Hardison, Ron Hicks, Rochelle Johnson, Ella May Ray and Yenni Tawahade.

Cook is a University of Colorado BFA graduate who paints still lifes, portraits, nudes and landscapes. He labels himself as an “energist, with the primary concern of conveying a sense of energy … Primal pulse, beat, vibration.” He has also studied at the Denver Art Students League and Loveland Art Academy. His paintings can be seen at Creative Framing Gallery in Louisville. His work is widely collected nationally and internationally. His statement says: “In terms of style, I would say my style is no style. I will use whatever is necessary, Abstraction, Impressionism, Realism, Expressionism, etc. to make tangible the intangible image I have in my mind …”

James A. Dixon states that he is “committed to creating aesthetically efficient forms of limited physical mass which allude to possess far significant visual space. Increased transparency, textured surfaces, improvised asymmetric orientations and visceral affectations continue to be the foundations of my design concepts …”

Ron Hicks is a well-known national artist, a graduate of Colorado Institute of Art, who studied with Quang Ho at Denver Art Students League. His influences include the 17th-century Dutch masters Van Dyck and Rubens.

His palette is muted and the vision is moody. His work is described as a mix of representational art and impressionism. He is represented by Gallery 1261 in Denver and Meyer East Gallery in Santa Fe. Michael Gadlin works in both two and three dimensions. He writes of “creating aesthetically efficient forms of limited physical mass …” He was the youngest ever winner of Best of Show at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival in 1999. He is co-owner of ArtHaus Gallery in the RiNo art district, which also houses studios for the two own-

“The Conductor,” oil by Ron Hicks, is in the “African American Contemporary Artists” show at Curtis Arts and Humanities Center.

IF YOU GO “African-American Contemporary Artists” will continue through Jan. 8 at Curtis Arts and Humanities Center, 2349 E. Orchard Road, Greenwood Village.

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. 303-797-1779.

Admission is free.

ers, and he is committed to helping talented young disabled artists.

Yenni Tawahade came from Ethiopia in 1974 to study science and discovered the arts. He received an MFA from Howard University in 2011 and teaches and sculpts figurative works.

Christine Fontenot’s oil paintings are focused on the beauty of color, she writes, with some focus on flowers and dance figures.

Li Hardison is a portrait artist and figurative sculptor, who has had both private and public commissions.

“Ethereal Universe,” created from found objects by Michael Gadlin, is at Curtis Arts and Humanities Center.

11

Elbert County News 11

December 11, 2014

CURTAIN TIME `Dreamgirls’ in Aurora

Set in the 1960s, “Dreamgirls” will be presented by Ignite Theater at the Aurora Fox, 9900 E. Colfax Ave., from Dec. 27-Jan. 18. Music is by Henry Kreiger, book and lyrics by Tom Eyen, winner of six Tony Awards. Keith Rabin Jr. directs. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $27/$19. 720362-2697, ignitetheatre.com.

`Balls!’ revue is fundraiser

For the sixth year, actors GerRee Hinshaw, Emily K. Harrison, Jim Ruberto and Mare Trevathan have concocted “Balls! A Holiday Spectacular,” a variety show with special guest stars, audience sing-alongs, spontaneous haikus, sock puppets (everyone in the audience gets one), games and a white elephant. This year, it will again be at Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret, 16th Street

Mall at Arapahoe Street. Each year a charity benefits — in 2014, it will be the Denver Actors’ Fund, which helps members of the local theater community with unexpected medical expenses. One more performance remains — on Dec. 15. Tickets: $18 advance, $22 day of show: 303-293-0075.

reservationist at a swanky New York res-

Sam Peliczowski’s plight

Fridays, Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets:

Madrigal Banquet

“Fully Committed” stars Steven Burg as

taurant that is booked weeks in advance.

He plays not only Sam, but also a number of characters Sam deals with. Plays at the Aurora Fox Studio Theater, 9900 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora. Performances: 7:30 p.m. $28/$24, 303-739-1970, aurorafox.org.

Join us at the Glen Eyrie Castle in Colorado Springs for an exciting new way to experience a classic Christmas tradition! This renaissance-style banquet is set in the grandeur of the Great Hall, and is sure to engage all of your senses. We’ve paired spectacular entertainment with a sensational four-course meal designed by our new Executive Chef. This production is fit for a king and is filled with joyous festivity and brand new performances! You won’t want to miss out on this remarkable event!

10 PERFORMANCES THIS DECEMBER Reserve your seats today!

GLENEYRIE.ORG/MADRIGAL 719-265-7050

  

Castle Rock/Franktown Castle Rock/Franktown 

 First United  Methodist Church

TRUST JESUS & WORSHIP! 10:30am at Castle  View HS



1200 South Street w/Kids & Castle Rock, CO 80104 Youth Min 303.688.3047  mysummitchurch.com www.fumccr.org



 Services:

Trinity

Sunday 8am, 9:30am, 11am Sunday School 9:15am

   

Lutheran Church & School

Little Blessings Day Care www.littleblessingspdo.com

     

Sunday Worship 8:00 & 10:45 a.m.

Sunday School Bible Study 9:30am Trinity Lutheran School & ELC (Ages 3-5, Grades K-8)

  303-841-4660 Serving the southeast Denver www.tlcas.org WORSHIP area   SUNDAY SCHOOL Greenwood Village   PRESCHOOL Sunday · 8:00 am & 10:30 am

Highlands Ranch

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Open and Affirming

Sunday Worship

8:00 AM Chapel Service 9:00 & 10:30 AM Sanctuary 10:20 AM St. Andrew Wildflower Sunday School 9:00 & 10:30 am

www.st-andrew-umc.com 303-794-2683 Preschool: 303-794-0510

Littleton

Cowboy Church

with Kevin Weatherby

Sundays 10 am

Calf’s Lowell Ranch • 2330 S. I-25 www.savethecowboy.com

Serving the Southeast Denver area

Call or check our website for information on services and social events! www.cbsdenver.org

303-794-6643

Highlands Ranch

Alongside One Another On Life’s Journey

www.gracecolorado.com

You are invited to worship with us:

Sundays at 10:00 am

Grace is on the NE Corner of Santa Fe Dr. & Highlands Ranch Pkwy.

(Across from Murdochs)

303-798-8485

worship Time 10:30AM sundays 9:00am Spiritual Formation Classes for all Ages 90 east orchard road littleton, co

Parker evangelical Presbyterian church Connect – Grow – Serve

Sunday Worship

8:45 am & 10:30 am 9030 MILLER ROAD PARKER, CO 80138 3038412125 www.pepc.org

Sunday Worship - 10:00am Bible Study immediately following Thursday Bible Study - 7:30pm Currently meeting at: Acres Green Elementary School 13524 Acres Green Drive 303-688-9506 www.LoneTreeCoC.com

Parker

Community Church of Religious Science Sunday 10:00 a.m. at the historic Ruth Memorial Chapel on Mainstreet

303.805.9890 www.ParkerCCRS.org

Lone Tree Church of Christ

Weaving Truth and Relevance into Relationships and Life

Parker, CO • 10am Worship www.uccparkerhilltop.org 303-841-2808

GRACE PRESBYTERIAN

Lone Tree

Welcome Home!

  Congregation Beth Shalom

Parker

10926 E. Democrat Rd.

9203 S. University Blvd.

Highlands Ranch, 80126

Serving the community ages 21/2 – 6 years “Love, Learn, Laugh”

303 N Ridge Rd. • Castle Rock • CO

Parker

United Church Of Christ Parker Hilltop

9:15 am · for children and adults

  www.faithcrco.org  303-688-3476

Littleton

Joy Lutheran Church Sharing God’s Love

SERVICES:

SATURDAY 5:30pm

SUNDAY 8:00 & 10:30am

Expository Teaching Through Books of the Bible Families worshipping together Iron Horse Elementary School 20151 Tallman Dr. Parker 80138 Sunday 10:00 TwentyMileBibleChurch.org

Education Hour: Sunday 9:15am Joyful Mission Preschool 303-841-3770 7051 East Parker Hills Ct. • Parker, CO 303-841-3739 www.joylutheran-parker.org

303 798 6387 www.gracepointcc.us

First Presbyterian Church of Littleton Sunday Services 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

Christ’s Episcopal Church 615 4th Street Castle Rock, CO 80104 303.688.5185

www.ChristsEpiscopalChurch.org TWITTER: @CECCastleRock

Sunday

8:30 a.m.

11:00 a.m.

1609 W. Littleton Blvd.

(303) 798-1389 • www.fpcl.org

To advertise your place of worship in this section, call 303-566-4091 or email kearhart@ColoradoCommunityMedia.com.

12-Calendar

12 Elbert County News

December 11, 2014

Wings digs in on new airport ‘digs’ Groundbreaking signals excitement, commitment to new museum construction Special to Colorado Community Media A new flight education and technology center broke ground Dec.1 at Centennial Airport, with the promise of becoming a “launch pad for learning.”

The $21 million Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight Education and Technology Center is situated on a 15-acre site on the southeast side of Centennial Airport. It will include two contemporary galleries featuring experience- and flight-based learning activities geared at renewing the state’s leadership in science, technology, engineering and math.

According to Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum President Greg Anderson, the ceremonial groundbreaking signals the museum’s commitment to construction of the first of its multi-phased plan, the Blue Sky Aviation Gallery hangar, beginning in 2015.

“The Blue Sky Gallery hangar will be the largest feature of this new facility,” explained Anderson. “With a connection to the runway behind us, visitors will be able to see six to eight aircraft, and be immersed in a variety of flight activity.”

Beth Cohen, a STEM instructor at Dakota Valley Elementary School in Aurora and part of the Wings Teacher Envoy Program, agrees the new facility will be a welcome addition.

Cohen recently took part in the Wings Teacher Flight Program and had the opportunity to experience flight first-hand in a vintage open cockpit biplane.

“For the children who have been touched

LEFT: Arapahoe County Commissioner Nancy Doty, right, and Robert Doubek, Chairman of the Centennial Airport Board of Commissioners contribute shovels of dirt from a groundbreaking ceremony Dec. 1, at Centennial Airport. The ceremony signals Wings Over the Rockies commitment to begin construction on a new $21 million expansion that will include two unique exhibit galleries and, eventually, a charter school. Doty also sits on the airport’s Board of Commissioners. RIGHT: A burning blue sky provides the perfect backdrop for Wings Over the Rockies president and CEO Greg Anderson as he describes how Wings Over the Rockies’ new Blue Sky Aviation Experience Gallery will look once completed in 2017. Anderson said the new facility’s location adjacent to the airport runway will facilitate a setting of ever-changing aircraft for visitors to enjoy. Photos by Deborah Grigsby by this program, dreaming will now become a reality,” she said.

For recent graduate Patrick Ivers, of Littleton, his experience with Wings Over the Rockies paved the way to a serious interest in aviation.

“I actually just soloed three weeks ago,” he said.

Ivers, an Eagle Scout, also helped create the Learning for Life Aviation Outpost at the museum’s Lowry location.

With approximately $9 million in pledges toward a goal of $21 million, the groundbreaking affirms the museum’s commitment to construction of the first gallery in 2015.

As additional capital is raised, Anderson

said the site will include a companion gallery — the Black Sky Space Experience gallery, a theater, restaurant and banquet facilities.

Plans for the site also include an aerospace-themed charter school.

Construction will begin in early 2015.

— Deborah Grigsby Smith, Centennial Airport

Pianist brings classical music to Englewood Englewood Arts Presents will host pianist Stephanie Cheng in a concert at 2 p.m. Dec. 13 at Hampden Hall in the Englewood Civic Center, 1000 W. Englewood Parkway.

The program will feature Beethoven’s “Grand Sonata No. 4, Op. 7,” an epic work lasting 28 minutes. Two contrasting works by Chopin will follow.

Next, Cheng will perform Ravel’s “Jeux d’eau,” Debussey’s “The Girl With Flaxen Hair” and Liszt’s “Mephisto Waltz.” Tickets: $20/$15 at the door one hour prior to concert or at englewoodarts.org.

Symphony to perform The Littleton Symphony will perform at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at Littleton United Methodist Church, 5894 S. Datura St., Littleton.

Featured will be pianist Simon Su and the Greig “Concerto in A Minor.”

Also on the program: Bach/Stokowski: “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor” and a selection of holiday orchestral and choral favorites. Tickets: littletonsymphony.org or Gorsett Violin Shop, 8100 S. Quebec St., Suite B 206.

Writers’ potluck set

Three venues for photos

The Parker Writers group will share a holiday potluck on Dec. 14 from 2-4 p.m. at the Parker Library, 10851 Crossroads Drive. Bring a dish to share and thoughts about writing.

Trish Sangelo, photographer and director of Colorado Gallery of the Arts at Arapahoe Community College, will exhibit work through December by ACC students who traveled to Italy with her last summer. Photographs will be at Goodson Recreation Center, 6315 S. University Blvd., Centennial. Paintings will be at Buck Recreation Center, 2004 W. Powers Ave., Littleton. Photographs by Dave Simms will be displayed through December at Lone Tree Recreation Center, 10249 Ridgegate Circle, Lone Tree.

Plein air painters show work

303-933-6824.

Art recalls Sand Creek Cheyenne and Arapaho artists Brent Learned, George Levi, Nathan Hart, B.J. Stepp and Merlin Little Thunder exhibit artworks in several mediums in remembrance of their Sand Creek ancestors at Native American Trading Company, 213 W. 13th Ave., Denver.

(Located across the street from the Denver Art Museum.)

The exhibit runs through Dec. 24. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays to Fridays; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. 303-534-0771, nativeamericantradingco.com.

The 2014 Colorado Plein Air Arts Festival participants exhibit their works through Dec. 31 at Denver Central Library, 10 West 114th Ave. Parkway, Level 7. More than 60 painters painted on location at dozens of venues across the state.

Starlight Rhythms Singer/songwriter Marie McRae will perform in Englewood’s Starlight Rhythms Series at 7:30p.m. Dec. 20. The concert will be in Hampden Hall, in the Englewood Civic Center, second level, 1000 Englewood Parkway. Linda Hickman, a founding member of Celtic Thunder, will perform with McRae, who offers vocals, guitar and piano music. Tickets: $15/$12, free under 18, englewoodarts.org, 303-806-8196, at the door 30 minutes before show time.

`Grinch’ event aids library Cindy Lou Who, portrayed by a librarian from Littleton’s Bemis Public Library, will read Dr. Seuss’ classic “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas,” followed by the movie, at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at Aspen Grove at 11 a.m.

Dec. 22. Tickets are $6, with all proceeds going to support the library. Select reserved seats in person or online at drafthouse.com/denver/ littleton.

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13

Elbert County News 13

December 11, 2014

Quilts made with steady hands, heavy hearts Parker woman tries to comfort neglected boys

By Chris Michlewicz

cmichlewicz@coloradocommunitymedia.com The disturbing details of the case were enough to leave an impression on anyone who followed the story of four boys removed from a neglectful home in Denver.

That anyone could mistreat children in such a way reverberated with Tina Lewis. The Parker resident read with horror about the case involving Wayne Sperling, 67, and Lorinda Bailey, 36, who were arrested in October 2013 after police found the couple’s children in squalid conditions.

Wayne Sperling accepted a plea agreement and pleaded guilty to one felony count of child abuse; the original charges were dismissed. He is free on bond and will be sentenced later this month. Bailey pleaded guilty to reckless child abuse and received 90 days in jail and five years of probation.

A caseworker testified in court that the boys ages 2 to 6 communicated through grunts and physical contact, treated apples like toys and were not potty trained.

“I just wanted to do something, and you don’t know what you can do,” Lewis said.

She decided to put her talents to good use. She coordinated with a two-person team of quilters to create elaborate bedspreads that would serve as not only a comfort, but also an educational tool. The quilts are linked together not physically but by theme. Lewis included everything a young boy might think is cool, from helicopters and fire trucks to farm animals and mountain scenes. Put side by side, the quilts fit right together.

“It was kind of fun searching for the fabric and finding things like the emergency vehicles,” she said.

The labor-intensive project began in February when Lewis’ quilter friend paid a visit from Washington, D.C. It didn’t wrap up until October. The result, however, is four intricate quilts made with steady hands and heavy hearts.

The issue has never been the time, money or effort expended for the sake of a worthy cause, but rather the ability to get the quilts to the boys. Lewis has no plans

to meet the brothers, but simply wants to make sure the quilts are in the hands of someone who will deliver them. So far, she has been unable to do so.

Julie Smith, a spokeswoman for the Denver Department of Human Services, said the laws that determine the release of information about foster children in their care are strict.

“I am not even allowed to confirm or deny that specific children or families are involved with the Denver Department of Human Services,” she said.

While the department of human services appreciates the generosity of Lewis’ quilts, Smith said, it “cannot promise to get them directly to the children in this case.”

Many foster children in the system could benefit from the donation, Smith said, suggesting that Lewis give the quilts to GIVE Denver, where they can be matched with a qualifying foster family or other family in need.

Lewis is not ready to give up.

She hopes any public attention will cause someone who knows the family to come forward and help. Her ultimate goal is to “let the boys know somebody cares, because their first few years have been pretty difficult,” Lewis said.

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tole mo a.m. Parker resident Tina Lewis unfolds one of the quilts made for four boys who were neglected and removed from a Denver home. Photo by Chris Michlewicz going ts in er/

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Arvada Press, Brighton Banner, Castle Rock News Press, Centennial Citizen, Douglas County News Press, Elbert County News, Englewood Herald, Foothills Transcript, Golden Transcript, Highlands Ranch Herald, Lakewood Sentinel, Littleton Independent, Lone Tree Voice, Northglenn-Thornton Sentinel, Parker Chronicle, Pikes Peak Courier View, South Platte Independent, Teller County Extra, Tribune Extra, Tri-Lakes Tribune, Westminster Window, and Wheat Ridge Transcript.

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14-Sports

14 Elbert County News

SPORTS

December 11, 2014

C

Conti

Rams football left in good shape McElwain’s departure shouldn’t doom program

By Pat Graham Associated Press

There were the 10 wins and an appearance in the Top 25. Oh, and that $7 million, too.

Hard to say Colorado State lost even though the coach who orchestrated the dramatic turnaround is bailing on the Rams after three years to take over at Florida.

Jim McElwain may have used the Rams as a stepping stone to a more high-profile coaching gig with the Gators, but he left the team in great shape — and with a financial windfall.

As part of the buyout agreement, the Rams will receive $7 million, including $5 million in cash and $2 million to play a football game in Gainesville, Florida, down the road. His buyout clause was for $7.5 million.

Offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin will step in as interim coach for the team’s upcoming bowl game as the school begins a national search.

“CSU athletics has benefited from the three-year association with Jim McElwain,”

President Tony Frank said in a statement.

An emotional McElwain met with his team one final time Dec. 4 in the auditorium where he’s gone over many a game plan.

There was a roar from inside the room.

In his time in Fort Collins, McElwain restored the luster to a program that had gone 3-9 in three straight seasons before his arrival. The Rams won 10 regular-season games this season for just the fourth time in school history.

“He couldn’t turn down this job,’’ senior offensive lineman Mason Myers said.

“We know. We seniors know how it works.”

And now it’s back to the business of football as the Rams have the Las Vegas Bowl game vs. Utah on Dec. 20 to prepare for under Baldwin, who called the plays for a high-powered offense that averaged 36 points a game this season behind senior quarterback Garrett Grayson.

Baldwin may receive strong consideration for the position should the Rams prefer continuity. He came on board with McElwain and has head coaching experience, with San Jose State from 1997-2000.

There are plenty of big-name candidates out there, too, like recently fired Michigan coach Brady Hoke, who knows the Mountain West given his past ties with San Diego State.

Here’s an intriguing possibility: Once again courting an Alabama offensive coordinator. This time, Lane Kiffin, the former USC coach who has roots with the Rams after serving as the team’s offensive line assistant coach in 1999.

Hiring an Alabama coach certainly worked out well the first time, when McElwain was lured to Fort Collins from Tuscaloosa, Ala. He served as offensive coordinator for Nick Saban and helped the Tide capture two national titles.

When he was hired, McElwain was billed as an offensive mastermind who could lift the Rams from their doldrums, even if it was his first head coaching position. The team went 4-8 in his first season and then 8-6 in 2013, which included a win over Washington State in the New Mexico Bowl.

This season, the Rams (10-2) flourished as Grayson took another step in his development under McElwain.

Grayson had quite a few explosive weapons, like running back Dee Hart, a graduate transfer from Alabama, and sophomore receiver Rashard Higgins, who leads the nation in yards receiving (1,640) and TDs (17).

“The sky is the limit (for the offense),” Grayson recently said. “We are a very talented group.”

McElwain turned the town into big football backers again, with the parking lot at

Hughes Stadium usually filled on Saturdays, much like it was when Sonny Lubick was in charge.

The success also helped push forward the agenda for a new stadium, with Frank even recommending last week that the school build a new sports stadium on campus instead of renovating the existing football arena.

Former Colorado State tailback Kapri Bibbs was sorry to see McElwain go.

“I think Colorado State probably just lost one of the great coaches to coach this game,” said Bibbs, who’s now with the Denver Broncos. “This new coach, if he can try to implement what Coach Mac had in place, I think they’ll have another successful season.”

Colorado State put a positive spin on losing a coach who has turned around a downtrodden program, saying in a news release that it was receiving the largest-ever buyout. The school said the amount it recouped had eclipsed the $4.3 million that Texas paid to Louisville to hire away coach Charlie Strong.

There’s no timetable to find McElwain’s replacement. But there’s plenty of interest.

“I would say I have been contacted by 40 to 50 candidates. Impressive ones. It is staggering,’’ interim athletic director John Morris said.

Can `Pot Roast’ dunk a basketball?

Broncos teammates want to see if nose tackle can get vertical

By Arnie Stapleton Associated Press

The big debate in the Denver Broncos locker room is about whether 350ishpound nose tackle Terrance “Pot Roast” Knighton can really dunk a basketball like he claims.

Standing under the basket. Flat-footed. Vertical leap. No running start.

Players are taking sides and planning to head to the hardwood after the NFL season is over — which they hope won’t be until February, of course.

The 6-foot-3 Knighton said he looks forward to proving his doubters wrong, especially those urging him to, as the saying goes, “put your money where your

mouth is.”

Tight end Julius Thomas, a power forward in college, doesn’t see how Knighton could possibly jump that high.

“I’m one of the strongest opponents of believing he can dunk,” Thomas said.

“I told T-Knight, `Man, if you can dunk, I’ll take all the chagrin, you know, you’ve earned it at that point. But I can’t just take you on your word for that.’

“I’ve seen a lot more spryer men try and fail.”

Running back C.J. Anderson is a believer — he said he’s seen him do it.

And he said all the naysayers need to do is look at how Knighton has used his uncommonly long arms to swat two

passes that helped the Broncos sweep the Kansas City Chiefs this season.

“I’ve played basketball with him,” Anderson said. “He’s super athletic for the size he is. So, when he jumps up and tips passes and makes plays, it doesn’t surprise me.

He doesn’t have to jump too high. He’s super-long and you can tell just watching him in the trenches.

He makes things happen on his own.”

Thanks in large part to Knighton, the Broncos are second in the league against the run, but Knighton has also done his share of disrupting passing games.

In the most recent game against Kansas City, he reached high to deflect Alex Smith’s throw, and teammate DeMarcus

Ware came down with the interception.

Knighton, of course, called it an “alleyoop.”

Denver defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio wouldn’t bet against Knighton being able to slam a basketball through the standard 10-foot hoop.

“He’s an athlete,” Del Rio said. “I mean, he’s a former wide receiver. He’s got good hands. He’s got good feet. I would say he can dunk. Listen, I played The Fridge.

William “The Refrigerator” Perry and I were Lombardi finalists (for best college lineman or linebacker), and I watched him dunk. And he was big like that. So, I know Terrance is the same type of athlete, probably a little more athletic than The Fridge was but powerful like that.’’

Thomas will have to see it to believe it.

“I’m looking forward to finding out,” Thomas said. “After the season, we’re going to get to the bottom of this.”

Ice skating has impressive lineage Activity may have been developed 5,000 years ago Metro creative Although many people shy away from coasting across a sheet of thin ice when the temperature drops outside, fans of ice skating and hockey willingly don their blades and effortlessly traverse a rink. Ice skating has become a recreational activity and sport tied to the winter season. Since its inception, ice skating has garnered thousands of fans and enthusiasts around the world.

While ice skating is now known as a recreational activity, it was born out of necessity thousands of years ago. A new study by Federico Formenti, a human biomechanics specialist at the University of Oxford, suggests that ice skating was developed in Finland more than 5,000 years ago. Researchers surmised that southern Finland was the one area of northern Europe that was flat enough to make traveling by skates worthwhile. It is believed that ancient Finns used animal bones tied to their feet to coast across the frozen landscape and reduce travel time when daylight during cold, win-

ter months was a limited commodity.

The first ice skates employed straps and animal bones, mainly horse bones, in their design. The oldest pair of skates found dates back to about 3,000 B.C. and were discovered at the bottom of a lake in Switzerland.

An old Dutch word for skate is “schenkel,” which means “leg bone.”

Historians also believe that ancient peoples who used ice skates relied on residual animal fat left on the bone as well as wooden poles to propel themselves across the ice — much in the way a cross-country skier would coast across the snow. The gliding style of ice skating now associated with seasoned athletes likely didn’t begin until metal blades were introduced around the 13th century.

Although ice skating started as a transportation method, eventually it became recreational as well. In some areas of the world, all classes of people could participate in ice skating. However, in other regions, ice skating was reserved for royalty and people of the upper class.

By the 18th century, ice skating was well known and enjoyed throughout much of Europe. As people emigrated to America, they brought their ice skating customs with them. Also at this time, ice skating started to become subdivided into different spe-

The first ice skates looked nothing like these. Metro Creative cialties, such as figure skating and speed skating.

The first instructional book written concerning ice skating was published in London in 1772 and authored by a British artillery lieutenant named Robert Jones. It was designed for men to learn the basic positions of skating and how to achieve circles and figure eights.

While ice skating may have originated in Europe, the style of skating that evolved into figure skating was developed and honed by American Jackson Haines. Haines eschewed the rigid British style of figure skating that was merely tracing shapes for a style that included elements of ballet and other dance to offer fluidity of movement.

Haines’ style was accepted by many skaters in Switzerland and the Netherlands, and eventually he established the Vienna School to teach others this artistic style of skating.

Haines died young, but his teaching methods at the school prevailed and led to the development of the International Skating Union in 1892. The Union drafted the first official set of codified figure skating rules.

Figure skating continued through the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Athletes began to emerge who would be best known for their signature moves, some of which would be permanently added to the figure skating lexicon.

Modern figure skating has four Olympic divisions, including ladies’ singles, men’s singles, pair skating and ice dancing. The International Skating Union also recognizes speed skating on a traditional long track as well as short track speed skating as the main offshoots of the ancient form of ice skating.

15

Elbert County News 15

December 11, 2014

Clubs

11290 Twenty Mile Road in Parker. Bring a stack of business cards, marketing material and calendar and get ready to mingle and win a raffle. To RSVP and for information, e-mail Info@behindthemooninc. com or call 303-250-4528.

Continued from Page 9

PROJECT MEETINGS. Luxury living at affordable

PARKER LEADERS, a leads group with a networking at-

titude, meets from 10:30-11:45 a.m. the second and fourth Mondays of the month at Parker Heating & Air, 18436 Longs Way, Unit 101.

Entrepreneurs are encouraged to visit the club, which is seeking new members, including a personal trainer, massage therapist, acupuncturist, lawyer, bookkeper, telecom consultant and computer repair technician. Contact Erica_Kraft@ADP.com.

PARKER LEADS meets from 4-5 p.m. every second and fourth Wednesdays. Call 303-524-9890.

prices is the goal for an active adult condo community projected for downtown Parker. Community meetings are from 5-8 p.m. every Monday at the Vines Restaurant. Join us at any time. Call Marty Pickert 303-649-9125 for information.

SOUTH METRO Sales and Business Professionals, a networking group, meet from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday at August Moon, 18651 E. Mainstreet, in Parker.

Call Tom Joseph at 303-840-5825 for information.

RECREATION

THE PARKER Morning Mingle provides an opportunity for small businesses to gather, mingle, network and connect on a business and personal level. Parker Morning Mingle meets every second Tuesday of the month from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Panera Bread,

ALTITUDE MULTISPORT Club invites anyone interested in triathlon, running, biking, or swimming to join us for group workouts. Sunday morning swims at the Parker Rec Center and run and bike workouts throughout the week. Whether you’re

an Ironman or have run a 5K, we welcome all abilities. Go to www.

AltitudeMultisport.com for more information.

CYCLE CLUB meets at 9 a.m. Saturdays in the parking lot of Southeast Christian Church. Tour the streets of Parker, Elizabeth and Castle Rock. Call John at 720-842-5520.

PARKER ARTISTS Guild presents free art classes for kids

and teen on the second Saturday of each month at Hobby Lobby at Parker Road and Mainstreet. Lessons and Lemonade classes for ages 10-12 are at 9:30 or 11 a.m., and the Teen Art Studio for grades 7-9 are at 1 or 3 p.m. Reservations required by the Wednesday before class. Go to www.parkerartistsguild.com and click on Youth Programs. 20 students maximum.

THERAPEUTIC RIDING. Promise Ranch Therapeutic Riding in Parker offers free therapeutic riding for developmentally disabled adults and children. Scholarship money is available for Douglas County residents to provide 10 therapeutic riding lessons.

Call 303-841-5007 or visit www.promiseranchtherapeuticriding.com.

PARKER ARTS Council has youth open mic/karaoke

nights on the first Thursday of each month. The event is open to all ages. Kids 12 and under eat free. Takes place at Clavin’s Bar and Grill, 17904 Cottonwood Drive, Parker.

SOCIAL AARP PARKER meets at 1 p.m. every second Wednesday of the month at Parker United Methodist Church, 11805 S. Pine Drive, Parker. There are interesting and informative programs for seniors. For further information, contact Patsy at 303-905-1008.

AMERICAN LEGION Parker Post 1864 meets at 7 p.m. every first Wednesday of the month at South Metro Fire Station No. 46, 19310 Stroh Road, Parker. Go to www.post1864.org or call 720-542-3877.

AWANA CLUB at Parker Bible Church meets from 6:30-8:05 p.m. Wednesdays at 4391 E. Mainstreet. Call 303-841-3836.

BETA SIGMA Phi Preceptor Gamma Theta Chapter meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7 p.m. Contact Sandy Pearl at 303-319-2392 for more information.

SALOME’S STARS

crossword • sudoku

FOR THE WEEK OF DEC 8, 2014

GALLERY OF GAMES

ARIES (Mar 21 to Apr 19) That change in holiday travel plans might be more vexing than you’d expected. But try to take it in stride. Also, it couldn’t hurt to use that Aries charm to coax out some helpful cooperation.

TAURUS (Apr 20 to May 20) Your Bovine determination helps you deal with an unforeseen complication.

And, as usual, you prove that when it comes to a challenge, you have what it takes to take it on.

& weekly horoscope

GEMINI (May 21 to Jun 20) Although a romantic theme dominates much of the week, all those warm and fuzzy feelings don’t interfere with the more pragmatic matters you need to take care of.

crossword • sudoku & weekly horoscope

GALLERY OF GAMES

CANCER (Jun 21 to Jul 22) Best not to ignore those doubts about an upcoming decision. Instead, recheck the facts you were given to make sure nothing important was left out. A weekend surprise awaits you.

LEO (Jul 23 to Aug 22) No time for a catnap -- yet.

You might still have to straighten out one or two factors so that you can finally assure yourself of the truth about a troubling workplace situation. Stay with it.

VIRGO (Aug 23 to Sept 22) News from an old friend could lead to an unexpected (but nonetheless welcome) reunion with someone who had once been very special in your life. Be open to the possibilities.

LIBRA (Sept 23 to Oct 22) It might be time for a family council. The sooner those problems are resolved, the sooner you can move ahead with your holiday preparations. Don’t let the opportunity pass you by.

SCORPIO (Oct 23 to Nov 21) Take some time out to give more attention to a personal relationship that seems to be suffering from a sense of emotional neglect. Provide that much-needed reassurance.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 to Dec 21) Cheer up. That unusual circumstance that might faze most people can be handled pretty well by the savvy Sagittarian. Look at it as an opportunity rather than an obstacle.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 to Jan 19) Someone you believe has hurt you in the past might now need your help. Reaching out could be difficult. But the generous Goat will be able to do the right thing, as always.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 to Feb 18) Prioritizing is an important part of your pre-holiday scheduling. Try to give time both to your workday responsibilities and those personal matters you might have neglected.

PISCES (Feb 19 to Mar 20) With the vestiges of your anger about that painful incident fading, you can now focus all your energy on the more positive aspects of your life, including that personal situation.

BORN THIS WEEK: You have a way of bringing your own strong sense of reassurance to others and encouraging them to hope.

Notices © 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.

Public Notices Notice To Creditors

Misc. Private Legals

PUBLIC NOTICE

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of RALPH GORDON FENNELL, aka RALPH G. FENNELL, Deceased Case Number: 14PR30029

District Court Elbert County, Colorado Court Address: 751 Ute Ave. Kiowa, CO 80117

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Elbert County, Colorado on or before April 6, 2015 or the claims may be forever barred.

Star Roberta Fennell Personal Representative 46155 Black Spruce Parker, CO 80136 Legal Notice No: 23120 First Publication: December 4, 2014 Last Publication: December 18, 2014 Publisher: Elbert County News

In the Interests of: Zeke Greeley Theodore Burge Attorney or Party Without Attorney Renee Burge 1488 Oxford Way Elizabeth, CO 80107 Phone Number: 303-903-5409 E-mail: renee@dkrranch.com Case Number: 14PR13 * Division 1 NOTICE OF HEARING BY PUBLICATION PURSUANT TO § 15-10-401, C.R.S. To: Unknown Last Known Address, if any: Unknown

Government Legals

A hearing on Guardianship for Zeke Burge for: Renee Burge is seeking guardianship of Zeke Burge

Public Notice

will be held at the following time and location or at a later date to which the hearing may be continued:

The Elbert County Board of County Commissioners, in preparation for our annual Appointments and Reappointments for 2015, request that any Elbert County resident interested in serving on an appointed Board or Commission submit a letter of interest or resume by December 30, 2014 to: Elbert County BOCC P.O. Box 7 Kiowa, Colorado 80117 Legal Notice No.: 23122 First Publication: December 11, 2014 Last Publication: December 11, 2014 Publisher: The Elbert County News

Date: January 15, 2015 Time: 1:30 PM Courtroom or Division: 1 Address: 751 Ute Avenue Kiowa, CO 80117 Legal Notice No.: 23115 First Publication: November 27, 2014 Last Publication: December 11, 2014 Publisher: The Elbert County News

To advertise your public notices call 303-566-4100

16

16 Elbert County News

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