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April 3, 2014
50 cents Adams County and Jefferson County, Colorado | Volume 69, Issue 21 A publication of
westminsterwindow.com
Casino night to chip in for local nonprofit By Ashley Reimers
areimers@ coloradocommunitymedia.com Since 2008, A Precious Child has served as a resource center for thousands of children and families throughout Colorado by improving their quality of life. The Broomfield nonprofit works with many other agencies in providing the essential needs, like food and clothing to disadvantaged youth in eight counties. To continue the outreach, A Precious Child relies on donations from the community and fundraisers, like the first an-
nual Casino Royale Gala coming up on April 12. The event from 5-11 p.m. at the Marriott Hotel, 7000 Church Ranch Blvd. in Westminster, will be an evening of food, music and casino games with 9News anchor Kim Christiansen as the emcee. “The gala is a James Bond-themed event that will really be an enjoyable time, while ultimately supping A Precious Child,” said Britta Robinson, A Precious Child associate director. “All of the proceeds will go back to the organization to provide basic essentials such as clothing, coats, sporting equipment, backpacks, and school supplies to disadvantaged and displaced children in
Colorado.” Robinson said over the last five years, A Precious Child has grown exponentially. What started out as an organization serving 70 children, ran out of a garage, has transformed into an organization with eight different programs serving 26,000 kids. Robinson said the ultimate goal of A Precious Child is to provide essential needs to all Colorado children while empowering them to perform alongside their peers in school. “A good portion of our growth is a result of our service model, which includes partnering with 200 different community
organizations,” Robinson said. “As we work with other agencies, word continues to spread about the services we provide and the services we help the other organizations provide. This fundraiser will really help keep these services going.” Tickets to the Casino Royale Gala are $150 apiece or $1,000 for a table of eight and must be purchased prior to the event at www.APreciousChild.org. Attire is black tie optional and attendees are encouraged to start the night off with the signature James Bond martini. Evening activities include craps, poker, blackjack and roulette tables.
Gun lawsuit trial begins Judge’s ruling could impact recently-enacted laws in Colorado By Vic Vela
vvela@coloradocommunitymedia.com Colorado’s new gun laws are “burdensome” and “a symbolic gesture that does not improve public safety,” a lawyer said on the first day of testimony of a trial that takes on the legislation passed in 2013. But a state’s attorney said that the laws do nothing to take away guns from law-abiding citizens and Report that the motivation behind the legislation is to curb mass shootings like the ones that occurred at Columbine High School and from inside an Aurora movie theater. “In response to these events, Colorado’s elected representatives made a policy decision to pass two pieces of legislation that appropriately balances the state’s public safety concerns with the respect of the Second Amendment rights of citizens,” Deputy Attorney General Matthew Grove said. The lawyers’ arguments opened a twoweek trial over a lawsuit filed against the state and Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper that alleges that two recently enacted gun laws violate gun owners’ Second Amendment right to bear arms. At question are laws that expand background checks on gun sales in Colorado and limit the number of rounds that an ammunition magazine can hold to 15. The lawsuit is being brought by gun rights groups and is being heard in a Denver U.S. District Court by Judge Marcia Kreiger. A successful effort by the plaintiffs could put the new laws — which were signed by Hickenlooper last year — in jeopardy. Debate on the bills last year caused highly-charged partisan rancor at the Capitol between Democrats who backed the efforts and Republicans who uniformly voted against them. The bills also led to last year’s recall elections, where three
Capitol
A Hyland Hills Park and Recreation employee works on the final touches of Woody the Talking Tree, a new feature at Adventure Golf and Raceway in Westminster. The tree is two stories high, features two spinning skunks and an owl named Hooty. Woody replaces the original Pyramid at the 18th hole. Photo by Ashley Reimers
A way with words
Tree trunk heckles participants By Ashley Reimers
areimers@ coloradocommunitymedia.com Mini golfers beware Woody the Talking Tree is here to challenge and heckle all who attempt a hole-in-one. The new feature at Adventure Golf and Raceway in Westminster is the newest addition to the miniature golf course, replacing the original Pyramid 18th hole feature for Buccaneer Bay and Adventure Cove, which is being stored for
a future project. Woody is a two-story high tree trunk with a highly animated face, who shares tree wisdom when awakened. The feature also includes two spinning skunks, Pinky and Stinky, and an owl named Hooty. When a golfer makes a hole-in-one, the feature erupts into a musical performance with Hooty rising out of the top of tree in a cloud of mist. But when a golfer misses, he or she is awarded with something not so neighborly. “The skunks actually `reward’ the person with a spinning spray of water and a puff of a smelly scent,” said Joann Cortez,
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Adventure Golf and Raceway communications spokesperson. “And depending on which side you miss at, you also either get a puff of flowery scent, or a puff of something that doesn’t smell quite as good.” The cost of Woody the Talking Tree was $100,000 and is the most recent major project at Adventure Golf and Raceway in the past three years. The idea for the new feature came from facility manager Ken Ciancio. “We thought it would be a nice 25th anniversary present for our guests,” he said. Woody’s face is made out of a latex and foam cast and is animated with seven moving eye and mouth parts, activated via trip switches, compressed air and pneumatic cylinders and solenoids. “The enormity of the tree and especially the giant face are surprising, but the animatronics and humor are over the top,” Cortez said. Construction on the feature began in November 2013, and was competed in March. For more information on Adventure Golf and Raceway at 9601 North Sheridan Blvd., visit www.adventuregolfandraceway.com.
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