50¢ • Vol. 92 • No. 35
August 22, 2013
What’s Inside w
LOCAL
G’day mates! Littleton welcomes friends from Aussie sister city
Western Welcome Week ends with traditional parades SEE PAGES 4-5
BUSINESS
Cabela’s has distinctive grand opening in Lone Tree SEE PAGE 6
COLORADO HISTORY
Nothing says summer like a brass band in the park SEE PAGE 7
INDEX Opinion..................................3 CLASSIFIEDS...........................9 HOROSCOPES..........................9 LEGALS...........................10 - 11 WORSHIP DIRECTORY...........12
By Peter Jones It is about 9,000 miles from Littleton, U.S.A. to Bega, Australia, but the two cities never seem that far apart when a delegation from one visits the other. “I have to say it’s a thrill, and it’s really like coming home,” Bega’s Barb Westmacott said last week in Bega Park, which is named for Littleton’s longtime sister city. Westmacott also had a few words for her fellow Australians. “For those who are here for the first time, you’ll [feel the same way] by the end of this – probably this day, but certainly by the end of the visit,” she said. Westmacott, who is on her third official visit to Littleton, was a leader among a delegation of 25 Bega residents whose 10-day visit to Littleton concludes this weekend. The busy trip was designed to run parallel to Littleton’s 85th annual Western Welcome Week celebrations, during which the Bega delegation participated in last weekend’s Grand Parade. The visit kicked off Aug. 15 with a welcome from Littleton city officials and civic leaders who unveiled the newly renamed Bega Street, a block of Rio Grande Street that runs through Bega Park between Main Street and Alamo Avenue. The rechristening has followed the renaming of several sites in Bega to honor the larger Littleton community – including
Historic Downtown Littleton has a new intersection. A block of Rio Grande Street that runs through Bega Park between Main Street and Alamo Avenue has been renamed in honor of Littleton’s Australian sister city. Photo by Peter Jones
Littleton Gardens and a park for Columbine High School after the 1999 massacre. City and county officials and the Australian delegation were joined by several hundred city residents for last week’s unveiling and grand welcome in Bega
Park. The celebration included performances of the U.S. and Australian national anthems and a sing-along of the latter’s folk classic “Waltzing Matilda.” Sir Mark O’Regan, the Greenwood Village-based Australian consulate of the Rocky Mountain
region, said the Australian government is proud to be part of the 52-year relationship between Littleton and Bega. “There are two levels of diplomacy,” he said. “The first is Continued on page 2
Palisade peaches available now throughout Colorado
They call it the “million dollar breeze;” that ideal flow of air that keeps the produce at the perfect temperature in the Grand Valley of western Colorado. This breeze, paired with spring runoff and varying daily temperatures, provides ideal growing conditions for the world-famous Palisade Peaches, plus an abundance of other fruits and vegetables. Not to overlook the grapes in the region, supporting award-winning wineries in Colorado’s Wine Country. This mecca of fresh living includes the cities of Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade. Grand Valley peaches should now be available all across Colorado. To really experience this summer’s sweetest treat, take time to travel to the orchards for a memorable getaway. Only four hours from Denver, visitors can find freshpicked, just-off-the-tree peaches and peach products at roadside stands throughout the Grand Junction area. What else should you do when planning a visit to Grand Junction during peach season? • Explore – Many orchards offer tours for a close-up view of fruit varieties, organic growing, picking, community-supported agriculture, selection, packing, distribution and marketing.
Take a trip to Grand Valley and find fresh-picked, just-off-the-tree peaches and peach products to enjoy. Courtesy photo
• Farmers’ market – Taking place Thursday evenings through Sept. 19, the market offers seasonal fruits and vegetables. Connect with the farmers directly. • Wineries – Colorado’s Wine Country features 21 tasting rooms. The local wineries produce almost every type of wine, including many peach wines. All wineries are small and personal, with most offering free tastings and winery tours. Peach wines also will make appearances at the Sept. 19-22 Colorado Mountain Winefest in nearby Palisade. • Get Outdoors - Among Grand Junction’s spectacular red cliffs and winding canyons is the Colorado
National Monument. Also worth exploring is the world’s tallest flattop mountain, the Grand Mesa and then there is the Bookcliff Wild Horse Area, two national scenic byways and five scenic golf courses. For more information on visiting Grand Junction, or to take advantage of their Bushel of Summer Savings lodging packages that celebrate the peach harvest, visit www.Visit GrandJunction.com or call 970-2441480. Here is a recipe to use the ripe Palisade Peaches:
Pasta with Peaches and Pancetta 8 oz pasta of your choice
1 tbsp olive oil 4 oz pancetta, cut into small dice 1-2 leeks, white part only, split, washed, and thinly sliced 2 Palisade peaches, washed and pitted, coarsely chopped 4 cups baby spinach or arugula, washed, stems removed ¼ cup dry white wine 1 tbsp butter salt and pepper 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts Boil the pasta. While the pasta cooks, add the oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally until it begins to turn golden brown. Add the leeks and peaches and continue cooking until the leeks soften. Add spinach and toss until it begins to wilt. Add the wine and continue cooking until the liquid is mostly evaporated, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, but keep warm. Drain the pasta well and add it and the butter to the other ingredients in the skillet. Toss to combine and melt the butter. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Transfer to serving dishes and garnish with pine nuts. Serves 4. Recipe Compliments of Mr. Wayne smith, assistant technical professor, Culinary Arts, Western Colorado Community College.