March 5, 2015 VOLU M E 70 | I S S UE 1 7 | 5 0 ¢
WestminsterWindow.com
A D A M S C O U N T Y A N D J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O A publication of
Brittany Hill offers up event packages, murder mystery dinners By Ashley Reimers
areimers@colorado communitymedia.com Brian Byerly always had his eye on The Brittany Hill in Thornton. And since November 2012, the experienced event planner has worked hard to transform the building into a successful Colorado venue. “I always knew with the right things done to The Brittany Hill and under the right management, it could be one of the top event centers in the state,” said Byerly, whose been involved in event planning since age 13. “This place is so unique. It’s the highest point in the entire Front Range, so there are amazing views you can’t get anywhere else.” The Brittany Hill, at 9350 Grant St., was closed for seven years before Byerly took it over and re-opened it in January 2013 as a wedding and event venue. Before welcoming back the community, the building received a complete overhaul of repairs and improvements. From new flooring and a new HVAC system, to taking down a wall and incorporating landscaping to the property, Byerly said people will see a completely new space. “It’s been a general progression over two years, but we literally had to start over,” he said. “It was so run down from top to bot-
tom. But we totally transformed the building.” Byerly offers all-inclusive wedding and event packages, which include the food, drinks, table linens, center pieces, wedding coordinator, disc jockey, bar tender and more. His goal is to make the planning as simple as possible. “The best part for me when I do weddings is being part of someone’s special day and making it perfect,” Byerly said. “The hours can get a bit long, but it’s worth it.” The Brittany Hill also offers a Sunday brunch with over 100 menus items like the waffle and Fresh toast bars and the bottomless bacon option. And just recently, mystery murder dinners were added to the calendar, which will happen once or twice a month. Chef Bobby Armijo wants to keep his dishes fresh. “Freshness and quality are huge to me, which is what a lot of places are missing,” he said. “I’ve been cooking since I was 15, so I want to make sure everything I put out is fresh.” And when it comes to offering restaurant services full time, Byerly said it depends on the demand. “The hardest part for us is trying to undo almost a decade of this place having a bad reputation,” he said. “That’s why we’re not
The Brittany Hill in Thornton offers wedding and event accommodations along with a Sunday Brunch and mystery dinners. Courtesy photo doing a full restaurant all the time. We’re easing into the restaurant. But if the demand gets there, we’ll do it. We’re not trying to do something that we’re just proud
of, but something the city of Thornton and neighboring cities can be proud of as well.” For more information on The Brittany Hill, visit www.thebrittanyhill.com.
Police officer injured in hit-and-run Jeep found in Longmont, suspect still missing By Lou Ellen Bromley
bromleyclan@hotmail.com POSTAL ADDRESS
Firefighter Jeremy Leadem from North Metro Fire Rescue District styled his hair in the shape of a gecko before having his head shaved at last year’s St. Baldrick’s shave-a-thon at the Exchange Tavern in Westminster. Courtesy photo
WESTMINSTER WINDOW
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P L EA S E R ECYC L E T H I S C OPY
Firefighter’s event a ‘celebration of life’ By Ashley Reimers
areimers@coloradocommunitymedia.com In the beginning, Caleb Larson participated in St. Baldrick’s Foundation’s shave-a-thon simply to make a difference against childhood cancer. But now, after four years of shaving his head in the nationwide effort to benefit childhood cancer research, the North Metro firefighter’s involvement is more personal. For two reasons. First, the opportunities to meet families dealing with childhood cancer have touched him in a way that drives him to help even more. Second, his daughter’s birth. “Now that I have a 2-year-old of my own and I’m watching her grow and be healthy, the work of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation is brought home in a different way,” he said. “I can only imagine the energy a parent goes through just to prolong their child’s life or improve their
child’s quality of life, even if there is not cure for the cancer.” And it’s not just a haircut every year for Larson. He also organizes his own annual St. Baldrick’s shave-a-thon at the Exchange Tavern in Westminster. This is the second year for the event, which brings together firefighters from North Metro Fire’s Local 2203, Westminster, Louisville and Pleasant View fire departments; and other community teams and individuals. Last year the event raised $27,000. This year the goal is to reach or surpass last year’s amount. The event, from 1 to 4 p.m. on March 14, features stylists from Appearances Salon doing the shaving, a dance performance from Moriarty-Moffitt School of Irish Dance and Queen City Pipe Band. Exchange Tavern owner Teddi Davis is accustomed to parties at her Irish pub. But she
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Brighton Police are looking for man that struck and slightly injured a police officer and damaged three police cars during a domestic dispute. The hit and run occurred Friday, Feb. 27. The white 2015 Jeep Cherokee that was involved in the incident was located in Longmont Saturday afternoon. Police spokesman John Bradley said the Jeep was found abandoned, and that the suspected driver Mark Duane Molstad has not been located and is now believed to be driving a 1999 Black Ford F250 or F350 license plates number 739NTK. Molstad Molstad, 52, is described as 6 feet tall, weighing 200 pounds with red hair and red beard. Molstad is suspected of striking the Brighton Police officer with the Jeep before fleeing with officers in pursuit. During the course of the pursuit Molstad struck three police cars causing damage to each police vehicle and severe damage to the Jeep. At approximately 4:52 Friday afternoon, Brighton Police were working traffic control at Highway 85 and Weld County Rd. 2, because of a malfunctioning traffic light, when they were advised by dispatch that a woman was reportedly being followed by her ex-husband. The woman was driving southbound on Hwy. 85 and was approaching the police location. as officers approached the woman’s car a white Jeep Cherokee directly behind her car swung out of the traffic lane striking the officer, hitting him in the leg, before fleeing southbound. Officers pursued the suspect on Hwy. 85 to the Bridge St. exit where the driver turned into the Crown Homes area where he proceeded to ram into the three police cars. He then continued south bound on Brighton Rd. Brighton police discontinued the pursuit of the vehicle out of concern for public safety. Anyone with information about Molstad or the black Ford pickup truck is asked to not approach Molstad but to call 911 and give them his location.