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August 6, 2015 VOLUM E 70 | IS S UE 39 | 50 ¢
Anniversary 25th A DA M S C OU N T Y & J E F F E R S ON C OU N T Y, C OLOR A D O
A publication of
Festival Guide Inside
WestminsterWindow.com
Sweet sounds of summer
Concert series relaxes residents at Cherry Park By Crystal Anderson
canderson@colorado communitymedia.com When the sun sets, the fun at Cherry Park begins. At 7 p.m. on the last evening in July, families flocked to Thornton’s Cherry Park, propping up lawn chairs, spreading out blankets and getting ready to enjoy the sounds of summer. “We’re a little far away,” said a young mom to her daughter as they looked for a seat on the verdant lawn. “Let’s get a little closer.” As they inched forward, the music began. “City of Thornton, how you doin’?” vocalist Orlando Poole asked the crowd. “Ah, well, it’s a beautiful day and we’re going to provide some good music for ya.” Playing the sounds of Soulfonix, the Tunisia band rocked the
stage near the park’s baseball fields with a collection of jazz, soul, funk and Top 40 music. From the likes of Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon” to the sounds of Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk,” the nine-member band grasped the audience by the soul and had them moving to the beat. “Everybody get up—we’re going to bring the elements right here to Cherry Park,” Poole said. And they did. Soul and jazz fans young and old jumped up to dance to Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.” From toddlers and teenage boys to fathers dancing with babies and grandmas, the audience grooved to the music. With their electrifying dance moves—waving arms in the air, turning around, sliding to the left, then sliding to the right— each dancer cheesed it up, let loose and had a great time. Around the park children zoomed by on bicycles, started
Audience members waved, swayed and flapped their arms and hearts out to Tunisia band’s cover of “The Bird.” Photo by Crystal Anderson a game of one-on-one basketball, played on the nearby playground, climbed trees and waited eagerly in line for free
ice cream. And as the last light of evening disappeared and the moon rose, the concert neared its end.
“Come on—one more time fellas,” Poole said. And Tunisia played one last song.
Tie-dye for the knee-high Greenridge Place residents donate to Gathering Place By Clarke Reader POSTAL ADDRESS
WESTMINSTER WINDOW
(ISSN 1072-1576) (USPS 455-250)
creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com Helping people knows no age restriction, as volunteers of all ages proved at Greenridge Place memory care center on July 28. Residents and family members, staff and volunteers gathered at the Westminster center, 7700 W. 101st Ave., to tie-dye infant clothing for The Gathering Place — a Denver drop-in center for women, children and transgender people experiencing poverty and homelessness. “We do different community outreach projects often here, and have donated to other shelters in the past,” said Audrey Olivier, community relations director for Greenridge Place. “Today we’re working on toddler T-shirts and onesies for children in need.”
Around 10 residents diligently worked on the shirts, some going for Broncos colors, others letting creativity carry their color choices. “It’s important because it helps a lot of people,” said resident Joyce Howat as she worked. Staff and volunteers — including Marsela Quiroz and Mya Holman, students from Lakewood and Mountain Range high schools — were on hand to help residents. Quiroz said she got involved at Greenridge because it seemed like a good, relaxing thing to do. “I’m hoping to pursue a nursing career so I wanted to help as experience,” Holman said. Residents at Greenridge have very involved family members, according to Olivier. For residents, it’s not just a fun activity — it’s a way to help others while doing something they love. “I like art, and taught in high school. It’s for a good cause, and it feels good to help others,” said resident Pat Siler. “When I taught the kids, they made a real mess. But we can, too.”
Jerry Van Eps, right, helps Fred Yahrling fill goodie bags to be sent to Colorado soldiers stationed in Kuwait during an interactive program at Greenridge Place, a memory care community in Westminster. Photo by Clarke Reader
OFFICE: 8703 Yates Dr., Ste. 210 Westminster, CO 80031 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Adams County and Jefferson County, Colorado, the Westminster Window is published weekly on Thursday by MetroNorth Newspapers, 8703 Yates Dr., Ste. 210, Westminster, CO 80031. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT WESTMINSTER, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 8703 Yates Dr., Ste. 210 Westminster, CO 80031 DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. Legals: Fri. 11 a.m. Classifieds: Mon. 5 p.m.
PL E ASE RECYCLE T HI S C OPY
Northglenn accepts applications to help crime victimes Money goes to groups that fight crime, help victims By Clarke Reader
creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com Northglenn’s Victim Assistance Law Enforcement (VALE) Board is accepting grant applications for its 2016 funds, and residents have until 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, to submit requests. “The program was started because the city saw a need for it, and because it’s a good, helpful thing to do,” said Margo Aldrich, communications manager with the city of Northglenn. “We support agencies that support victims.” The VALE account receives its funding from a $10 surcharge added to a variety of citations issued by the Northglenn Police Department, explained Tammy Sutton, municipal court supervisor for Northglenn. The funds are available to all nonprofits that work with crime victims or provide crime prevention programs,
with a preference given to those serving Northglenn residents. “It’s not just for Northglenn — people across the county benefit from this,” Sutton said. As Sutton explained, the process for getting funds goes through the VALE board of directors, who meet in October to review applications and request any other information or interviews required, and later make the final decision on who will receive money, and how much. Northglenn City Council created VALE in 1990 — led by current mayor Joyce Downing, according to information provided by Aldrich — to enhance victim assistance, crime prevention and law enforcement programs in their efforts to assist victims and witnesses of criminal violations. “We wish more municipalities would launch programs like this,” Sutton said. “These organizations are crying out for help.” To get an application, visit www.northglenn. org/vale. For more information, contact Sutton at 303-450-8703 or tsutton@northglenn.org.
2015 VALE WINNERS RALSTON HOUSE — Located in Northglenn and Arvada, Ralston House received a $25,000 grant to help pay for a forensic interviewer/therapist to serve victims of child abuse. ARISING HOPE — For victims of domestic violence, Arising Hope received $7,500 for operating expenses. ASSISTANCE LEAGUE of Denver — Received $9,470 to fund Assault Survivor Kits given to rape victims by hospitals in the Denver metro area. Items in the kits include clothing, toiletries and underwear. PROJECT SAFEGUARD — Awarded $10,000 to help ensure legal advocacy services are available to any Northglenn resident who is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking. CASA OF ADAMS COUNTY — Received $7,000 for program and staff support. CASA trains and supervises community volunteers to represent child victims of physical, sexual or emotional abuse and neglect. ALTERNATIVES TO FAMILY VIOLENCE — $12,000 was awarded to help provide continued services, shelter, food and counseling to families who have lived with domestic violence.