Westsider 19
November 30, 2012
Key characteristics needed to move on I recently wrote a column laying out some characteristics I thought would be important if there was going to be any hope of healing the rifts in this country. I acknowledged that there was the possibility I was making too much of it, but then I saw one more astonishing statistic that seems to support my thesis: After this election, there are now 37 states that have one-party rule, including Colorado. So while the Democrats in Washington are going to need to pull in at least a little Republican support to get things done, that sort of outreach is not the case in more than two-thirds of the states. In other words, the need for those in power to learn how to play well with others is all but nonexistent in the states; so, there’s little reason to think that Washington will get better in time. But that shouldn’t deter us from trying to find a better way forward. I’d hate to think the only way I was going to feel like I got along with my neighbors was to move to Texas. So, following on my suggestion that Truth and Service are necessary, here goes a few more characteristics that I think might be useful going forward. Generosity — most people think of gen-
erosity as the impulse to give something away. So let’s give this away — the benefit of the doubt. The Right thinks the Left wants to collapse the American system so that they can move in with the European social state; the Left thinks the Right only wants to protect the obscene wealth of the 1 percent, and to do it on the backs of the other 99 percent. Can we, maybe, give each other the benefit of the doubt? Is it possible that both sides actually want what is best for the country, but that they disagree on what that would be and how to get there? Must we always assign the other side nefarious motive? I know that makes it easier to demonize the other side to win elections, but it really doesn’t do a lot to move the country for-
ward or to keep it together. Transparency — The American system works best when the governed know what the governing class is doing, if for no other reason then that it prevents corruption. But hidden agendas, lies, spin and obfuscation have become the norm lately. Whether it’s administration people repeatedly pushing a story that is obviously false regarding Benghazi, or candidates carefully dodging questions while getting caught on telephone-cameras telling donors what they really think, transparency is practically a thing of the a bygone era. Here’s an idea: everybody say what you actually mean, what you really think, and what you actually intend to do, and then let’s have a legitimate contest of ideas. Accountability — Here’s the tough one. When your candidate fails on any measure of what a good, honest public servant should be doing, will you withhold your support for them? To illustrate what’s so tough about this one, consider this: Jesse Jackson Jr. left Congress in June, missed more than 200 votes, had health problems and campaign finance scandals, and made exactly zero public appearances in his re-election bid. Yet, for some reason, his constituents re-
elected him by a 4-1 margin. That’s not accountability, that’s aristocracy. That’s why we keep having the childish partisan bickering in Congress — because too many in Congress are in “safe” districts and never have to try to see another point of view. If the voters stopped accepting that from their representatives, maybe we would see some change. I know these are all pipe dreams; I don’t expect things to get any better any time soon. There are too many systemic incentives for the status quo, at least as far as the elected class goes. But maybe we can start something new, built around some of the ideas I’ve presented. And then, someday, when they build a giant fence around Washington, D.C., we can start over, remembering that disagreements can be the starting point of brilliant solutions, if we don’t let them tear us apart. Michael Alcorn is a music teacher and fitness instructor who lives in Arvada with his wife and three children. He graduated from Alameda High School and the University of Colorado-Boulder.
COMING SOON:
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COMING SOON/DEC. 7-9, DEC. 14-16
JAN. 16: “South Africa: Journey from
THE NUTCRACKER Ballet Nouveau Colorado presents the traditional family holiday favorite “The Nutcraker” Dec. 7-9 and Dec. 14-16 at the Performing Arts Complex at Pinnacle Charter School, 1001 W. 84th Ave. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Free parking available on-site. Order tickets online at www.bncdance.com or call 303-4665685.
Apartheid,” presented by Active Minds. Join Active Minds as we explore the history of South Africa, its struggle with Apartheid, and its journey to rejoin the international community since Apartheid’s end in 1994.
COMING SOON COMING SOON/DEC. 7 NOEL NORTHGLENN Join Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elves for Noel Northglenn from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7 at the Northglenn Recreation Center, 11801 Community Center Drive. Santa will turn on the city’s holiday lights, and an indoor fair will take place in the gym, with refreshments and activities for children and free pictures with Santa. Back Beat, an Adams County youth band, will perform at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Denver Municipal Band and the Northland Chorale. The Northglenn Senior Organization will have its annual baked sale starting at 1 p.m. Canned goods, new toys and gently used clothing will be collected for those who need them. Call Jeanette Sanchez at 303-450-8935 or email jsanchez@northglenn.org.
COMING SOON/DEC. 7-8 CHRISTMAS CONCERT Kick off the holiday season with Tidings of Joy, a Christmas concert and gift auction, starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, and Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Broomfield Auditorium, 3 Community Park Road, Broomfield. The Colorado Repertory Singers will share a variety of Christmas songs and carols, and guest artists will perform seasonal Celtic folk. Enjoy free refreshments and find holiday gifts at the silent auction. For information or to buy tickets, visit www.coloradorepertorysingers.org.
COMING SOON/DEC. 8 SANTA BREAKFAST Bring the entire family for a pancake breakfast with Santa and a puppet show at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Community Recreation Center, 6842 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada. An adult must accompany children. Both adults and children ages 3 and over must pay.Children 2 and under are free, but still need to register. No tickets are sold at the door. Register with payment ($5 per person) by Dec. 5. Call 303-425-9583.
11200 W. 58th Ave., Arvada. Awards given to the top three in each division, and a finisher medal for everyone. Visit www.alloutmultisport.com.
COMING SOON/DEC. 9 CHAMBER CHOIR St. Martin’s Chamber Choir performs “Lo, How a Rose!” at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at Broomfield Auditorium, 3 Community Park Road, Broomfield. Visit www.stmartinschamberchoir.org or call 303-298-1970 for information and tickets. VISIT BETHLEHEM Take your
family back in time with “A Night In Bethlehem!” from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at Westminster Christian Church, 3575 W. 96th Ave. You’ll taste, see, and smell what daily life was like when Jesus was born. You will find shops and activities for kids of all ages. Call 303-466-0622.
CONCERT YE Wanton Singers are bring-
ing their unique vocals to celebrate the season at Arvada Mennonite Spirit of Joy Church of the Brethren for the Sunday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m. service. Everyone is welcome. Come at 9:30 for refreshments. The church is at 5927 Miller St., Arvada.
Heart group from Risen Savior Lutheran Church welcomes all seniors ages 55 and older to the monthly potluck at noon Wednesday, Dec. 12. The theme for the day is “Food for FISH.” If you are able, bring your gifts for those in need and help provide food and personal care items for FISH of Broomfield County. Guest speaker will be Karen Steele from FISH. No RSVP necessary. Risen Savior Lutheran Church is at 3031 W. 144th Ave., Broomfield.
COMING SOON/DEC. 13 AUDITION NOTICE Auditions for Creative Revolution Theatre Company’s upcoming murder mystery dinner theater production of “The Matchmaker’s Date with Murder” are from 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, at North Valley Tech Center, Suite C1, Thornton. Email creativerevolutiontheatre@gmail.com to set up an appointment. Roles are for adults and teens ages 16 and older. Rehearsals will be the week of Jan. 7, and the show is Feb. 8-9 at the Thornton Arts & Culture Center, 9209 Dorothy Blvd., Thornton.
through Friday through Dec. 6 to LifeSource Health Partners, 65 S. Wadsworth Blvd. Visit www.theactioncenterco.org or www.LifeSourceHP.com or call 303-9343600. Toys should be for boys and girls ages infant to 12 years.
RECURRING/WEDNESDAYS, THROUGH DEC. 12 HULA DANCE Hula dancers tell stories with their hips and hands as they sway to smooth Hawaiian music. Join this adult class that meets from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesdays from through Dec. 12 at the Community Recreation Center, 6842 Wadsworth Blvd. Call 303-4259583. Register in advance. RECURRING/THROUGH DEC. 14
or visit www.festivalplayhouse.com for information.
RECURRING/THROUGH DEC. 21 HELP SANTA North Metro Fire Rescue District will accept donations of new or gently-used children’s coats and long pants as well as other cold weather wear or gift cards to purchase coats and pants for A Precious Child Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides basic essentials to disadvantaged and displaced children living in the North Metro area. Donations will be collected until Dec. 21 and can be dropped off at the North Metro Fire Rescue District Headquarters or fire stations. Contact 303-452-9910 or smulligan@ northmetrofire.org for details.
RECURRING EVENTS
TOY COLLECTION New Dawn Chiropractic & Accupuncture is an official collection site for this year’s U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. New Dawn will accept new and unwrapped toys through Dec. 14. Donors will receive a 25 percent discount. New Dawn is at 7597 W. 66th Ave., Suite 201, Arvada. Call 303-420-7707 or visit www. newdawndc.com.
THEATER SHOW “Miracle on 34th Street,” with book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, will show through Dec. 23 in the Main Stage Theater at the Arvada Center. The Arvada Center is at 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. and provides free parking for all its patrons. Visit www. arvadacenter.org or call 720-898-7200.
RECURRING/THROUGH DEC. 23
ALZHEIMER’S WORKSHOP Home Instead Senior Care is offering a free educational workshop for those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. The workshop will cover how to manage behaviors, learn engagement skills and how to care for yourself while caring for a loved one. The workshop is from 8 a.m. to noon at Saturday, Dec. 8, at Home Instead Senior Care, 6191 W. 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge. RSVP at 303-463-1900.
COMING SOON/DEC. 11
RECURRING/THROUGH FALL
RECURRING/THROUGH DEC. 15
RECURRING/THROUGH DEC. 27
BLOOD DRIVE Ten West at Westmoor Technology Park Community Blood Drive is from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11 at Westmoor Technology Park, 10155 Westmoor Drive, Building 3 Suite 140, Westminster. For more information or to schedule an appointment contact Bonfils’ Appointment Center at 303-3632300 or www.bonfils.org.
HOMEWORK HELP Free drop-in homework center is open 3-5:30 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays at the Westminster Public Library, 7392 Irving St., Westminster. Call 303-658-2306 or visit www.westminsterlibrary.org.
MINI SHOW Art Gallery 3698, 3998 W. 72nd Ave. in Westminster, will host its fourth annual mini show through Dec. 15. Call 303-487-1981.
RUN/WALK ALL-OUT Multisport
COMING SOON/DEC. 12
HOLIDAY SHOW The Broomfield Art Guild’s holiday show, “Inside/Outside,” runs through Dec. 27 at the Broomfield Auditorium Lobby, 3 Community Park Road, Broomfield. All artwork will be for sale and can be viewed from 2-6 p.m. Thursdays, 2-5 p.m. Fridays and 1-5 p.m. Sundays. Holiday gift items such as cards and jewelry will also be for sale. For information, see broomfieldartguild.org.
presents the Fa La La 5K & 5M, a USATF sanctioned run/walk presented in support of Habitat for Humanity of Colorado, is Dec. 8 at Stenger Soccer Complex,
MONTHLY POTLUCK The Young at
RECURRING/THROUGH DEC. 6 TOY DRIVE LifeSource is launching a toy drive to benefit The Action Center Santa Shop. Drop off new toys in original packaging from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday
RECURRING/THROUGH DEC. 16 PLAYHOUSE SHOW The Festival Playhouse presents “The Man Who Wanted to Be Santa,” through Dec. 16 at 5665 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. Sundays. Call 303-422-4090
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