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NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE – DECEMBER 19, 2017 –JANUARY 15, 2018– ngazette.com
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40 WEST ARTS DISTRICT
WEST METRO FIRE
Winter Solstice Class, Meditation Group and More
Field Day Tests West Metro Recruits
Liz Black
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ate dawn. Early sunset. Short day. Long night. Winter Solstice is the longest night and shortest day of the year. Symbolically, the solstice is a time of turning inward, into the darkness, into the depths of the unknown. It’s a time of tuning into a deep sense of intuition – trusting your inner voice. In a sense, it is a time of feeling your way in the dark when you cannot see where you are going. Join Container Collective Yoga, 1492 Ammons St., in Lakewood, for a Winter Solstice Class, Thursday, Dec. 21, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., to reflect on what has been and what will be through intention setting, restorative yoga and yoga nidra. Learn more at www.cc360denver.com.
Taoist-Style Sitting Meditation Group, Dec. 28 Join 40W artist and creative Richard Eversley for a sitting meditation that will help to center and relax the mind, relieve mental stress and increase oxygen flow to the body, Thursday, Dec. 28, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Bring a pillow and/or a mat. $5 suggested donation. This course is held at 40W Studios, located at 1615 Reed St., in Lakewood. For more information, visit www.40 westarts.org/Events.
Mark Your Calendars for ‘About the Body’ 40 West Arts, Lakewood’s state-certified arts district, invites the public to celebrate its newest exhibition titled “About the Body.” Opening in February, this exhibit explores the multiple aspects of the human body including cycle of life, birth and aging, wrinkles, scars, markings and more. The exhibit will also focus on things that can be ascribed to the physical self such as attitudes toward bodies and topics of selfesteem, body size, and body acceptance among others. The body is a topic that is fundamental to both art and human existence. We’re excited to kick off our 2018 exhibition schedule with this show because it’s a recognizable and accessible topic for artists, but it also has so many fresh and unique opportunities, especially with topics like body size, body acceptance and gender issues gaining a large and profound voice in recent years. The opening reception for “About the Body” will take place First Friday, Feb. 2, 2018, from 5 to 8 p.m. at 40 West Gallery, located at 1560 Teller St., Lakewood. Beer and wine and light bites will be served. Additionally, multiple galleries in the arts district will be open to the public with exhibitions and opening receptions. Liz Black is the 40 West Arts Executive Director.
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Ronda Scholting
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house fire, a dumpster fire, a car crash, a medical emergency. The calls were coming in one after the other. Almost as soon as the recruits were cleared from one incident, they were on their way to the next. It was a long day, filled with challenges and designed to test the skills of soon to be firefighters – on track to graduate in early December. “This is the first time the recruits have taken everything they’ve learned during Academy and put it all together,” said Lieutenant Dan Fahrney, West Metro Fire Rescue. “They’re teamed up with experienced firefighters on fire engines and ambulances and running calls from beginning to end. We think this gives them a real life look at what it’s going to be like after they graduate.” Over the course of 12 plus hours, the recruits of Class 17-02 would respond to nearly two dozen calls, most on the grounds of West Metro’s Training Center. The class is the second academy of the year with 13 recruits from three fire agencies – West Metro, Tri-Lakes Monument Fire and Castle Rock Fire. “During Academy, we’ve had subjectmatter experts from all three agencies on hand teaching the skills required to be a firefighter,” said Fahrney. “On Field Day, the recruits show how well they’re able to put it all together.” Pairing the recruits with experienced crews was a strategic decision meant to lay the groundwork to prepare them for what would be expected of them as new firefighters. And, it was an opportunity for the experienced crews to once again mentor the younger firefighters.
WEST METRO FIRE ACADEMY RECRUITS put put their rescue and firefighting skills to the test on the grounds of West Metro’s Training Center during “Field Day.” PHOTO: WEST METRO FIRE. On scene at a Field Day car crash, it’s up to the recruits to talk to the victims and determine injuries. In one car, a father and son are both bruised and bleeding, lending a bit of authenticity to the incident. “We try to make the medical calls as realistic as possible and we use makeup to give the recruits something to look at and diagnose,” said Lieutenant Mike Binney, West Metro Fire Rescue. “It’s important to replicate as closely as we can some of the patients they’re going to come into contact with.” After they graduate from the 17-weeklong Academy, the new firefighters will go “on line,” or be assigned to a fire station. “It’s our goal that when they leave Academy, they’re more than ready to respond when people dial 9-1-1,” said Binney. Ronda Scholting is West Metro Fire Rescue’s Communications/Media Relations Specialist.