NORTON

FROM PAGE 10 in your own life? And would a new beginning have a better chance of success if you started with lling your gratitude bucket? I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@ gmail.com, and when we remember

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On the horizon

New residential development keeps marching on with more plans in the mill. I want to call to your attention to a proposed townhome development in Westminster and a proposed apartment development which would be located in unincorporated Adams County toward the edge of Westminster’s southern boundary.

First, Westminster sta has received a townhome development proposal on what is known as the Pomponio land or the Northgate site. It is located on the east side of Federal Boulevard south of the existing Northgate Shopping Center (73rd Avenue). e site is an “in ll site” along Federal Boulevard with the approximate eight dwelling units to the acre being a good match for the surrounding area in my opinion.

Given the variety of land uses in the Federal Boulevard corridor south of 72nd Avenue, it would be to show our gratitude, even just a simple and sincere “thank you,” it really will be a better than good life. be published within 12 days of an election.

Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.

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The Colorado Sun is a journalist-owned, award-winning news outlet that strives to cover all of Colorado so that our state — our community — can better understand itself.

In this way, The Sun contributes to a more vibrant, informed and whole Colorado.

The Sun, launched in 2018, is committed to fact-based, in-depth and non-partisan journalism. It covers everything from politics and culture to the outdoor industry and education. a reasonable t. I am glad apartment density was not approved for this site in the newly adopted 2040 Comprehensive Land Use Plan as it would have been too impactful. e other proposed residential plan is located in Adams County adjacent to Westminster’s southern boundary west of Lowell Boulevard and slightly south of 68th Avenue. A ve-story apartment complex planned at approximately 30 units to the acre would be on Westminster’s “door step” if approved by the Board of County Commissioners. e Adams County Planning Commission recently voted to recommend approval on a 4-3 vote. Westminster sta had sent a referral opposing the density. When reviewing the area both in the city and unincorporated Adams County, ve story buildings are not compatible with the area.

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Apartments next door in Adams County?

Plus, as the Lowell Boulevard corridor south of 72nd Avenue experiences more apartment development, the more obvious the need becomes to widen Lowell Boulevard to the south to carry the increased tra c.

And now it begins e April 4 criminal indictment of former President Donald Trump has launched what is guaranteed to be a lengthy, hotly contested criminal proceeding. However, the 34 counts of criminal wrongdoing are simply the rst of likely four highly visible legal proceedings for Trump to face.

While it may very well be playing favorable for him strengthening his block of loyal supporters within the Republican Party, polls are already showing that una liated voters have little interest in him for the 2024 Presidential election.

On his plus side, one news service reported that he had already raised $8 million in campaign contributions since the indictment was announced by the Manhattan District Attorney’s O ce. Needless to say, it is going to be a loud, contentious 19 months leading up to the various primary elections and then November 2024 election if he succeeds as the party’s candidate.

I hate to think how many millions of dollars will be spent on his defense in the four major cases he is facing.

Bill Christopher is a former Westminster city manager and RTD board member. His opinions are not necessarily those of Colorado Community Media. You can contact him at bcjayhawk68@gmail.com

Warm Hearts Warm Babies serves hospitals, agencies across Colorado

BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Surrounded by colorful fabric patterns, handmade baby items and frequent laughter, volunteers of the Warm Hearts Warm Babies nonpro t went to work on a Friday morning to put together layettes for organizations who need them.

e nonpro t has a list of roughly 40 agencies it delivers items to throughout Colorado, said Kathleen Williams, the nonpro t’s grant coordinator. e list includes the Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Platte Valley Medical Center and Denver Medical Center.

“Warm Hearts is totally made up of volunteers,” said Sandi Powis, president of the board of directors. “Everyone’s volunteering with their heart and skills to make things for newborn (babies), preemies to help them get a good start in this world.”

Volunteers sew, knit, crochet and quilt items such as bibs, burp pads, jackets, hats and blankets. e items are assembled into a layette, which is a collection of clothing and accessories for newborn infants.

Each layette contains a quilt, two receiving blankets, bibs, burp pads, clothing and a goodie bag containing items such as a bottle, some diapers and a small toy. ese items are delivered in a handmade tote bag.

“All these items are made with love,” Powis said. “We don’t connect to the individuals personally. We deliver the layettes to hospitals, birthing centers, food banks — anyone that can help us help the newborn.” e nonpro t also o ers items for the neonatal intensive care units at hospitals in Colorado, such as positioning roles that are used to help support the infants.

A number of the mothers who receive these items are experiencing homelessness, sometimes living in shelters or in their cars, Williams said.

“We also provide clothing for babies that don’t survive, from tiny little babies to full-term babies,” Williams said. “We have clothing for them that we hand out at the hospitals.”

Included in those burial layettes is a cloth-made envelope intended for the parents to hold important items and memories, Powis said.

“It’s sad, but it’s so important,” Powis said. “And to know that a mom wouldn’t have to go out, or send her mom or her sister to go out and nd things for her precious one that has passed — that it can be given to them and that’s not a worry for them.”

How it began

e nonpro t’s origin dates back to 1996, when a woman named Victoria Swain gave birth to a stillborn infant, according to the nonpro t’s website. e hospital she was at could not provide a blanket or clothes for her infant, prompt- ing Swain to look into how she could help donate these types of items.

After recruiting some volunteers and spending a few years working through a di erent organization called Newborns in Need, in 2000, Swain and the other board members decided to create their own nonpro t: Warm Hearts Warm Babies.

Powis estimated the nonpro t currently has about 200 volunteers and 12 work groups throughout the state including in Arvada, Brighton, Littleton and ornton.

Powis is part of the work group in Conifer, where she lives. She joined the organization roughly six years ago.

“I’ve been doing things for babies for many years, donating to other groups, but they were all missing something. ere was no social connection with anyone else making things,” Powis said. “I found that they had a local organization up here in Conifer and it was like, that’s it — that’s one I can link up with. I can meet people right here in our community.”

Williams learned about the nonpro t through a quilt show, as representatives of the organization had a table at the event. Living in Aurora at the time, she initially joined the Aurora group. Since then, she has moved to Colorado Springs

SEE IN NEED, P13