January 7, 2016
CAPTURED IN TIME
VOLU ME 32 | ISSU E 2 8 | 50 ¢
Golden History Museum reaches out to public for input on community timeline on PAGE 13
WheatRidgeTranscript.com 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
What a year for Wheat Ridge Development, or a lack thereof, were big news in 2015 By Glenn Wallace gwallace@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Andy Nelson is one of the main stage performers who will be at the 27th annual Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering, which comes to Golden Jan. 21-24. The gathering always includes some “top-notch” performers, Nelson said.
Experiencing the Old West 27th Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering set for Jan. 21-24
Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering branding event:
By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com
10 a.m. to noon Jan. 21 at Clear Creek History Park, 1020 11th St. in Golden
In the form it takes today, cowboy gatherings have only been around for about 30 years. But they stem from the ways of the Old West, and people can experience the tradition at the 27th annual Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering, which comes to Golden Jan. 21-24. “It’s a folk art that started with the cattle drives, and it carried on,” said performer and event coordinator Liz Masterson. This year, people can enjoy four days of old—and contemporary—cowboy tradition through poets and western singers. The gathering takes people back to a time before iPods and watching movies on a mobile device, Masterson said. “Everybody is rushed these days,” she said. “This gives them a chance to step back in time and relax a bit.” People familiar with cowboy gatherings generally enjoy the nostalgia, Masterson said, but the gathering is “also a chance for city folks to be in a different culture.” Cowboy poetry is a little more animated than what people usually think of as urban poetry, Masterson said. One of the 15 performers this year is Susie Knight of Conifer, who has been “on the stage and in the saddle” for more than 50 years. Knight performs poetry and songs with her guitar. “We’re a genre that relates to all ages,” Knight said. “It gets people caught up in a feeling or a memory.” For example, one of her crowd pleasers is a story about a grandmother, who tells about life as a ranchwoman— milk-
Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering welcome reception and show:
Show: 7:30 p.m.
Jon Chandler
Jan. 24: Sunday Songs: 10 a.m.; Mainstage Matinee Show: 1 p.m.
Patty Clayton
Chuckwagon lunch:
7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at Miner’s Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Avenue in Golden Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering weekend performances: American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th St. in Golden Jan. 22: Daytime session: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Mainstage Show: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23: Daytime session: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Mainstage
Jan. 22 and 23, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering classes: Pop Wagner’s Cinch-making Class: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 22-24 Gary Allegretto’s Learn to Play Cowboy Harmonica Instantly: 11 a.m. Jan. 24 2016 Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering performers Gary Allegretto and Ian Espinoza Floyd Beard
ing the cows and fixing her make-up. People relate because everyone has a grandmother, or is a grandmother, Knight said. “You write about what you know,” said Andy Nelson, a cowboy poet from Wyoming who includes a lot of humor in his works. And “there’s nothing a cowboy likes more than hearing about a horse wreck.” But a person does not have to be involved in the cowboy culture to enjoy the gathering, he said. “Don’t let the topic scare you away,” said Nelson, who has performed at the gathering at least a dozen times. “Those who have never experienced it before become hooked. This is a good opportunity to get your feet wet and delve into the
It was a year of booms and busts for Wheat Ridge. Most of the booms came in the housing sector, as the city has continued to see new housing developments pop up. The city’s biggest “bust” was also development-based, as the city’s voters opted to place a major restriction on all city tax incentive deals over $2.5 million. Issue 300, as it was listed on the ballot, also had a retroactive clause in it, meaning that it may have busted up the development plan for the corner of 38th Avenue and Wadsworth — a win for residents suspicious of Wal-Mart and tax increment financing. From the major motion picture of a Wheat Ridge alum, to the apparent victory of a neighborhood to preserve a golf course, 2015 was a year full of memorable stories. In no particular order, here are five of the Transcript’s favorites.
Doris Daley Mark Gardner and Rex Rideout Kristyn Harris Mary Kaye Susie Knight Liz Masterson Gary McMahan
Gunsmoke under fire Crime, in general, was down in 2015. But there were some notable exceptions. Particularly sad was the death of 10-yearold Angel Goodwin in May. The developmentally disabled youth was found unresponsive at his grandmother’s house, and later pronounced dead. In August, his grandmother Onesia Ann Najera was officially charged with child abuse resulting
Al “Doc” Mehl
2015 continues on Page 5
Andy Nelson Pop Wagner and Bob Bovee Dick Warwick To find a schedule of events, register for classes or to purchase tickets for performances, visit www. coloradocowboygathering.com.
genre.” Pop Wagner has seen generations grow up through the nearly two decades he has been performing at cowboy gatherings. Along with performing, Wagner will also be having a cinch-making class at this year’s gathering. The “old-time cowboys” would make their own cinches, he said. The class provides people the opportunity to work with their hands and make something original for their horse that will last a long time. Golden always turns out an appreciative and interested audience, Wagner said. “Cowboys have been a part of Colorado since the early days — it makes sense to have it here,” he said. People will “get a taste of the Old west and the New West.”
Teachers’ unions helped fund recall group Secretary of State orders release of donor information By Crystal Anderson canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com Nearly 100 percent of money used by Jeffco United — the parent-founded organization behind the successful recall of three conservative school board members — came from local, state and national teachers’ unions, according to campaign reports ordered released by the Colorado Secretary of State. The information was released Christmas Eve in compliance with a decision of the Colorado Administrative Courts. The
WHEAT RIDGE TRANSCRIPT (ISSN 1089-9197) OFFICE: 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210, Golden, CO 80401 | PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Colorado, the Wheat Ridge Transcript is published weekly on Thursday by Mile High Newspapers, 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210, Golden, CO 80401. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT GOLDEN, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 5 p.m. | Classifieds: Tue. 8 a.m. | Obits: Tue. 12 p.m. | Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m.
Recall continues on Page 6