June 24, 2016
SCREEN THE SUN
VO LUM E 1 4 | IS S U E 34 | FREE
Experts explain how to avoid sunburn this summer on PAGE 12.
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Report doesn’t fault school board members Silverthorn, Reynolds broke no rules or laws in encounter with student, probe finds By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com The Douglas County School Board’s president and vice president were found not to have violated any rules or laws in the alleged bullying of a Ponderosa High
School student. An independent report, which cost the district Community $178,000 and protests on heels was released the of investigative evening of June report. See page 3 20, focused on an incident in which Meghann Silverthorn and Judith Reynolds spoke to Grace Davis about a planned protest at her school in March. The investigation was conducted
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Silverthorn
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by Denver-based law firm Sherman & Howard LLC. “We have investigated all aspects
of the March 4, 2016 meeting between Directors Silverthorn, Reynolds and Ms. (Davis) in which they discussed the planned protest,” states the report, in which Davis’ name was redacted. “Many of the individuals indicated that they would have handled the meeting differently if they could have stepped into the shoes of Directors Reynolds and Silverthorn. But their reasons for doing so differed widely. Several Directors felt it was inappropriate
Report continues on Page 4
Students learn Mad Science Colorado program runs weeklong camp at PACE Center By Tom Skelley tskelley@coloradocommunitymedia.com The Discovery East room at the PACE Center was full of bubbles, giggles and steam on June 17, as Laurel Block and her students capped a week of science studies with experiments involving dry ice. Block is an instructor with Mad Science of Colorado, a program that provides scientific presentations to Denver-area schools, after-school programs and camps. The weeklong “Fizz-ical Phenomenon and Che-mystery” class taught the 6- to 12-year-olds involved about matter, molecules, cells and chemical properties. Science continues on Page 17
Liam Macfarlane pours a frosty brew at Elk Mountain Brewing Inc. at 18921 Plaza Drive in Parker on June 15. Macfarlane says the concoction he hears the most demand for is the brewery’s peanut butter stout. Photos by Tom Skelley
Parker’s potable plaza Brewery, nearby winery offer unique libations to locals By Tom Skelley tskelley@coloradocommunitymedia.com
I Campbell Schildt answers a question as dry ice becomes water vapor during a Mad Science chemistry class at the PACE Center on June 17. Students discussed the process of sublimation to end a week of experiments and presentations. Photo by Tom Skelley
t’s a sunny summer morning at the shopping center at 18921 Plaza Drive, but the lights are off and the air is tinged with a musky aroma inside Purgatory Cellars Winery. It’s winemaking day, and co-owner Gary Tassler sits at a small table covered with an array of scales, pipettes and measuring spoons. “You kind of have to be a little bit like a mad scientist here,” he said. Brew continues on Page 17
Head Brewer Shannon Madruga and intern Daniel Clark add a little malt to the mix at Elk Mountain Brewing Inc. in Parker on June 15. Clark is an intern at the brewery from Auburn University.