Denver Headlines Blog: September 2016

I was born and raised in Tampa, Florida, where I met and married my husband, Dave. We have three children and enjoy experiencing the many adventures Colorado and this region of the country has to offer. When our middle child Evan was born with bilateral deafness and other disabilities, we searched for programs that would help him reach his full potential. We found those here in Colorado and relocated in 2008. It has been one of the best decisions that we have ever made.

My career in nursing

I have always had an interest in the science of humanities, the healing arts and reducing suffering in the face of illness.

I became a Certified Nursing Assistant in high school and started working in a nursing home, then later moved into the acute care setting. Upon graduation with my nursing degree I entered into critical care where I specialized in neurosciences. I had the opportunity to advance into leadership where I went on to manage a variety of departments, services and service lines such as critical care, neurosciences, cardiology, internal medicine, oncology and more.

The profession of nursing never ceases to humble me in knowledge and personal growth.

A new twist

This year I had the wonderful opportunity to serve as the Associate Chief Nursing Officer for Lutheran and be mentored by our interim Chief Nursing Officer, Judy Austin.

As the chief nursing officer I oversee nursing services with a special focus on excellence in patient care, professional development in nursing, quality and safety goals. I am also keenly focused on creating a pipeline of nurses to ensure that Lutheran will be able to continue to deliver the high quality of care that we are known for in the midst of a nursing shortage.

A culture of caring

We are fortunate to have a CEO who embraces an innovative patient-centered approach and recognizes efforts in improvement. The people who make up this culture of excellence at Lutheran is ultimately what makes us successful. The culture of caring at Lutheran is what has kept me there for the past eight years.

If you have suggestions for My Name Is ..., contact Clarke Reader at creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com.

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/My-Name-Is-Andrew-Burch,236466

When life gives you apples ... make cider - #lakewoodnews

There's a crispness in the early autumn air, and the apples falling from trees are just as crisp.

In Lakewood, that can only mean one thing --; Cider Days are here again.

The city's signature fall festival returns to the Lakewood Heritage Center on Saturday, Oct. 1, and Sunday, Oct. 2. This year's event is sponsored by the city's Heritage, Culture and the Arts division, the SCFD, Foothills Credit Union, St. Anthony Hospital, Cornerstone Home Lending, Sprouts Farmers Market, Auto Aves, Muller Engineering and Tedford Commercial Real Estate.

"Everything people enjoy, from apple bake-offs, apple pie-eating contests and tractor pulls are back again," said Justin Greenstein, community events coordinator with Lakewood's Heritage, Culture and the Arts division. "This year we have a new beer garden, featuring beers from Lakewood's own Caution, WestFax and Great Frontier Brewing companies."

Cider Days was created by the Lakewood Historical Society in the 1970s to celebrate the area's agricultural heritage and has grown to include live music and historic demonstrations, in addition to cider pressings. With the partnership of Rocky Mountain Tractor Puller's Association, Cider Days also hosts Colorado's largest antique and vintage tractor pull.

Hard cider, containing alcohol, has become very popular in recent years, and Cider Days is also home to the state's largest hard cider tasting, featuring more than 50 hard ciders. This year the tastings will be offered both days.

"The tasting and popularity has just grown of the years,' said Brad Page, manager of Colorado Cider Company, which has worked with the city for the past four years. "Cideries have a longa history that goes back to the original colonies, and that scene is being revived."

Organizers of the event say there's a lot to love about Cider Days, and things definitely not to miss this year.

The details of Cider Days are this: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 1, and Sunday, Oct. 2, at the Lakewood Heritage Center, 801 S. Yarrow St.

Admission includes all entertainment and children's activities, and is $7 for adults and $4 for children, ages 3-12.

For more information, call 303-987-7850 or visit www.Lakewood.org/CiderDays.

Justin Greenstein, community events coordinator with Lakewood's Heritage, Culture and the Arts division is a fan of the whole experience. "The pie-eating contest is a huge favorite every year. Competitors can't use their hands, and it's fun to watch. There is a children's bracket, too, so anyone can participate. It's a great way to celebrate all things apple."

Brad Page, manager of Colorado Cider Company, said he likes the venue. "The Heritage Center is just a great place, with a very folksy atmosphere. Cider Days and hard cider bring in a wide gamut of people, and we have experts coming in, so there will be a lot of cider opinions to discuss. It's just a nice fall festival," Page said.

Meghan Ruble, marketing and promotions coordinator with the city said she thinks the can't-miss feature of this year is the expanded hard cider tasting.

"Due to popular demand, we've expanded it to two days, making it the largest hard cider tasting in the state. It's the perfect way to usher in fall and get a greater understanding of how diverse and interesting hard ciders can be," she said.

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.comhttp://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/When-life-gives-you-apples-make-cider,236465?branding=15

Hail Mary helps Standley Lake football edge Green Mountain - #lakewoodnews

ARVADA --; A tip on the final play of the first half Friday, Sept. 23, helped Standley Lake football snag a victory against Jeffco rival Green Mountain at the North Area Athletic Complex.

With 2.4 seconds left in the second quarter, the Gators (3-1 record) had the ball on Green Mountain's 27-yard line. Senior quarterback Jake Foutz heaved a pass into the end zone. Standley Lake senior Beck Halbiesen and Green Mountain senior Emery Schattinger battled for the jump ball. Halbiesen was able to tip the ball up in the air. Standley Lake senior Ty Webber caught the deflection in the back corner of the end zone to give the Gators a 13-6 lead at halftime.

"I saw the ball and everything stopped," Webber said about the Hail Mary catch. "I didn't hear the crowd or anything. I was so surprised."

Webber said Halbiesen told him before the snap of the ball to be prepared for a tipped ball.

"That wasn't the plan," Standley Lake coach Don Morse said after the Gators' third straight victory. "I just said throw it to the end zone and see what happens."

What happened in the end was Standley Lake taking a 20-12 victory. Foutz actually connected with Webber in the final minute of the third quarter on more of a conventional touchdown pass of 18 yards to give the Gators a 20-6 lead.

The Gators' other touchdown came on a 17-yard touchdown run in the first quarter by sophomore Brady Kizer that erased Green Mountain's early lead.

"Football is a game of inches. Sometimes the ball bounces your way and sometimes it doesn't," Green Mountain coach Matt Pees said. "You've got to overcome those things and I think our kids did in the second half."

Green Mountain took advantage of a Standley Lake turnover with less than four minutes to play. Rams' senior quarterback Dylan Jacob hit senior Justin Booher for a 29-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 20-12.

The Rams were able to get the ball back with 1:59 to play and on Standley Lake's 38-yard line, but a pair of sacks on Jacob eventually turned the ball over on downs to the Gators to seal the win.

"It was a shock. It was pretty stressful," Standley Lake defensive end Jack Anderson said of Green Mountain getting the ball back late with a chance to tie things up. "Any win is a big win. You have to take them when you can get them."

Anderson was in on a number of plays in the Rams' offensive backfield. The Gators sacked or held Jacob to zero yards on eight plays.

"I really think our defense played outstanding," Morse said. "We got a lot of pressure on Jacob."

Green Mountain jumped out to an early 6-0 lead when Jacob hit senior Kyle Clabaugh for a 74-yard touchdown on a slip-screen on the Rams' first offensive possession. Jacob finished 11-for-19 passing for 187 yards and two touchdowns.

"That screen really opened our eyes. We had prepared for it, but we didn't read it," Anderson said. "We changed it up and we figured out how to beat it."

Clabaugh had four catches for 104 yards, along with 64 yards rushing to pace Green Mountain (2-2).

"We've got a lot to clean up before playing Battle Mountain," Pees said. "Our goal is still there to win a conference championship. That is what we're aiming for."

Green Mountain has its final non-league game at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, at Trailblazer Stadium in Lakewood against Battle Mountain.

Standley Lake is back at NAAC next Friday for another late-afternoon game against yet another Jeffco school. The Gators get a shot against Class 5A's Arvada West at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30.

"You like to see your team progressing so once you get into league hopefully you've worked out some of those kinks," Morse said. "Each week you just kind of piece it together and see what you can do."

Dennis Pleuss is a communication specialist for Jeffco Public Schools with a focus on athletics and activities. For more Jeffco coverage, go online at CHSAANow.com/Jeffco.

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.comhttp://arvadapress.com/stories/Hail-Mary-helps-Standley-Lake-football-edge-Green-Mountain,236449?branding=15

Arvada Center begins Black Box season - #lakewoodnews

The Arvada Center is kicking off its Black Box season by tapping into two long-held theatrical traditions.

The first is hiring an ensemble company of actors, directors and designers who will put on all four of the season's Black Box productions. And the second is beginning the season with Moli re's classic comedy, "Tartuffe."

"'Tartuffe' is a great play to start the season, because every character in it has a moment to shine," said director Lynne Collins. "It's a fabulous play that is both very timely and timeless."

The show runs at the center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Sept. 30 through Nov. 6. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 1 p.m. Wednesday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Audience engagement events, including insiders' talkbacks and chats with the cast, are held through the run of the production.

"Tartuffe," translated from French by Richard Wilbur, is a satire about frauds and the power they can manage to wield. It focuses on the wealthy family of Orgon (Sam Gregory), and what happens when fraudulent holy man Tartuffe (Michael Morgan) comes into their lives. Tartuffe professes he's there to show the pathway to salvation, but really he's out to wed Orgon's daughter Mariane (Emily Van Fleet), seduce his wife Elmire (Kate Gleason) and abscond with the family fortune. To counter this, Orgon's family launches a plan of their own.

"High jinks and hilarity ensues," Van Fleet said. "It's very farcical, and there are a lot of big, silly characters to laugh with."

The laughs will be coming at the audience fast and frequently, and many of the tropes and stereotypes will be familiar to modern audiences.

"It's been a very joyful room putting this together," Gregory said. "There are moments when we have to stop because we're laughing so hard."

The play is written in entirely in rhyming couplets, which makes for a lot of terrific wordplay and fun with the pacing. Collins said some language and references were slightly updated to better correlate with modern times, but the meaning behind the story cuts as deep now as it did in the 17th century.

"It feels shockingly modern," Gleason added. "It really speaks to what we can still see in the world today."

The play is also exciting, because it's the start of a relationship with the company and audience that will develop over the next productions.

"Working together on this show is going to carry on through the next shows," said Sean Scrutchins, who plays Damis. "We know how to communicate with each other, and that will help with all the other shows we do."

All the actors have taken to the stage at the Arvada Center before in a variety of roles, and that focus on showcasing local talent is one of the things that makes the center unique, said Josh Robinson, who plays Cl ante in the show

"The Arvada Center's commitment to hire locally is a great thing to see," he added. We've all worked together before, so we're starting at a higher level than a lot of production seasons."

The audience will also benefit from this arrangement, because they'll become familiar with the actors throughout the season. They will get to see them switch up characters and styles, develop a relationship with them.

"They'll have different experiences with us in each show and get to see different sides of us," Morgan said. "The audience really becomes part of our family."

For more information, call 720-898-7200 or visit www.arvadacenter.org.

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.comhttp://arvadapress.com/stories/Arvada-Center-begins-Black-Box-season,236453?branding=15

A meditation on the beginning of autumn - #lakewoodnews

Driving to and from work every day the past couple of weeks has been a daily demonstration of why autumn is Colorado's best season --; blue skies, early dustings of snow on the higher mountains, and a rippling palette of green, yellow, orange and red.

With the right music, these sights just sing.

The transition from summer to autumn heralds some big stylistic changes for me. I trade all the brashness of summer sounds for bittersweet acoustic guitars, pianos and vocal harmonies. Whereas summer is about brightness --; from big horn lines to danceable synths and rhythms --; autumn is more introspective and quiet.

This embracing of melancholy seems fitting to me, since autumn is often such a swift season in our state. It has barely arrived before branches are bare and we're shoveling snow. I have so many memories of Halloweens spoiled by the year's first snowstorm.

Of course, one of the most common complaints about the summer-to-fall transition is the cooling temperatures. It means winter is just around the corner, and you can't go outside in anything less than jeans, boots and a sweater. But these cooler temperatures and gray days are why the warmth and intimacy of an acoustic guitar is so welcome.

Records made by a small group of people in a room, notes you can actually hear being plucked always sound more like home. I can't imagine a better soundtrack to the season than Nick Drake or Fleet Foxes' staggeringly pretty approaches to folk music. They're like warm musical blankets.

It's easy to get gloomy this time of year, especially with the aforementioned weather and the desolate-looking scenery. Add in longer nights, and it's understandable why some people get seasonal affective disorder around autumn.

Many of us spend much time and money trying to avoid sadness, which, let's be honest, is an impossible task. Autumn shows us the incredible beauty and regenerative nature of sorrow. The right soundtrack does the same thing.

I have always loved sad songs more than any other --; I find solace in music that embraces life's somber moments. Put on songs like Bob Dylan's "If You See Her, Say Hello," or Zac Brown Band's "Cold Weather," and really snuggle into the sadness. There's a lot of beauty to be heard.

Music certainly won't cure you from any melancholy, but it's the best way I know to get through it --; and even, maybe, benefit from those feelings.

So, as you're putting away your summer clothes, my advice is to do the same for your summer music. Pull out what makes you feel warm and comfortable --; something that feels lived in and welcoming. It will have to last you through winter.

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.comhttp://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/A-meditation-on-the-beginning-of-autumn,236454?branding=15

Lakewood-area house candidates discuss mental health - #lakewoodnews

It was a small group of state House candidates who attended the first of four candidate forums hosted by Mental Health Colorado, but the discussion of the topic was lively and full of personal stories that show mental health is an important area of concern, regardless of party.

Mary Park, independent candidate for District 22 (Columbine and Ken Caryl), Chris Hadsall, Republican candidate for District 23 (Lakewood), Chris Kennedy, Democratic candidate for District 23, and Brittany Pettersen, incumbent and Democratic candidate for District 28 (Lakewood), shared the myriad ways mental health touches everyone's life.

"My mom suffers from mental illness and she has been suicidal and needed in-patient care, but there was really nowhere for her to go," Pettersen said, in response to a question about the lack of inpatient beds in the state. "Where she usually got long-term care was when she as in critical condition. Coverage is a huge issue."

The forum was hosted on Sept. 20 at the Lakewood Cultural Center, and candidates from House Districts 22, 23, 24, 25, 27 and 28 and Senate District 19 were all invited.

"This is our first-ever forum and we're excited to have people here," said Chuck Reyman, chair of Mental Health Colorado's board of directors. "We're pulling our questions from questions candidates have seen in advance, online questions and ones from those in attendance."

Questions ranged from topics like how the state can make mental health care more affordable, getting young people help when mental health symptoms often first appear, and decreasing the state's suicide rate.

"A good friend of mine killed himself, who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. Every 72 minutes a veteran kills themselves," said Hadsall, a veteran who served in Iraq. "We need to be talking about it in schools, and kids need to understand there's help available. It falls on all of us."

Colorado is seeing an increase in opioid addiction, and Parker tapped into her 10 years as a Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer to share her experiences with the issue.

"The most surprising thing to me is most of the parents I worked with had mental health and/or addiction issues," she said. "The good news is, once the parents got into the system they were able to get treatment for their drug addiction and mental health needs."

All agreed one of the best things that could be done is increasing awareness of mental health issues and decreasing the stigma about seeking help.

"The best thing we can do is early detection and getting kids past the stigma, because mental health issues are common," Kennedy said, in response to a question about the best way to fill the gaps between the first appearance of symptoms and when a person finally receives treatment. "It's OK to seek help, in fact it's a prerogative to seek help. I've also been learning about mental health first aid, and the more we're able to train parents and teachers what the symptoms look like, the better."

Attendees at the forum included Lakewood Mayor Adam Paul, Edgewater Mayor Kris Teegardin, Jefferson County Commissioner Casey Tighe and District Attorney candidate Jake Lilly.

"I wanted to attend because there are so many people who are uninformed about mental health," said Lakewood resident Ann Cowie. "I've been a teacher, so I know that our schools just don't have the resources needed."

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.comhttp://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Lakewood-area-house-candidates-discuss-mental-health,236455?branding=15

Mindfulness eases the pain of politics - #lakewoodnews

There are few things that rile me up as much as presidential politics, and one of them is commuting. In both instances, I find myself restless, frustrated, irritated, and sometimes angry. There's never much I can do to make the situation better for myself.

I can't force people to pull ahead at a stoplight, for example. I can't physically move someone out of the fast lane who's puttering along at 10 miles under the speed limit. And I can't stop people from running red lights, which is happening with such frequency now that I don't even look for the green light, just for the people barreling across the intersection in front of me.

I'm not sure why, or how, but last evening I convinced myself to engage in mindfulness for my ride home ... you know, that process of being present, of being in the moment at the time that moment is happening.

I had my windows down as I headed home on the first day of fall, and the air was deliciously warm on my face and my hands. And the leaves - when had they begun to change into gold, rust, amber? Interesting ... at a certain bend in the road, almost exactly half of the people veered to the right, while the rest of us stayed left. And what's with all these license plates with Qs on them?

This simple exercise, in the time it took me to drive about two miles, actually worked. I found myself relaxed (really) as I queued up to the next traffic light. It became unimportant to me to beat the car beside me off the line, so that I could be in first position at the next light. And as much as I enjoy Drew Soicher on 9News, it would have been okay, truly, if I had missed his segment during the 5:00 newscast. (I didn't.)

It occurs to me now, after watching local and national evening news, after taking in the latest poll numbers, after reading editorial after editorial, that I get as wound up about the looming presidential election as I do about rush-hour traffic - with about the same feeling of powerlessness.

Very little of what I do today is, after all, going to affect the outcome on November 8. I can - and I will continue to - share my opinions with you here, and if this should cause you to look at something, or someone, just a little differently, I will have accomplished my objective. I'll continue to share these same opinions at cocktail parties and Saturday brunches, and I'll continue to wonder why how our politics could have gotten to this point.

But just as inching perilously close to the vehicle in front me fails to actually nudge it forward, so too will my impassioned discourse fail to nudge those who have already made up their minds.

I will vote on Nov. 8, and I will have done everything I could. And I'll be awaiting the outcome with a heart pounding pretty much as fiercely as it is now.

Until then, though, I will have to practice the art of mindfulness, of being in the moment to lessen my anxiety, my restlessness, frustration and irritation.

It's the only way I'll get through this ride.

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.comhttp://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Mindfulness-eases-the-pain-of-politics,236456?branding=15

Panthers test triumphant Lions - #lakewoodnews

Game summary

The Sept. 20 Pomona-Littleton volleyball match goes down as a 3-0 Lions win but the final score doesn't reflect the fact the Panthers played excellent volleyball against the talented Littleton team.

"I am proud of how our team played tonight," Pomona coach Lora Faust said after the match. "Our girls never quit and I thought we played very well, particularly in the third match.

She said this team is developing as the season moves forward.

"This is my first year as head coach, so we are getting to know each other and the players are getting to know the system we are now using," the coach said before the match. "They are learning the system quickly and the fun part of a coach for me is watching them come together and improve in all areas of play."

Key moments

Littleton's veteran team set the tempo early and built a strong lead in the first game but Pomona played hard and scored points as the Lions won 25-15. Littleton won the second game by the same score but again the Panthers played solid volleyball and tested the Lions.

The third game proved to be a challenge for both teams. It was exciting volleyball with hard serves, hard spikes and solid defense on both sides of the net that produced long volleys. Pomona was fired up and held the lead at a couple points in the game. But the Lions got the needed points to win, 25-20.

Key players/statistics

Senior captain Ashlea Johnson led the team with nine kills. She made seven digs and received 13 serves with only one error. Freshman Meghan McGarvey served two aces and received 10 serves without an error. Co-captain Taylor Martin was the dig leader with 11, plus she received 14 serves with two errors. Morgan White was the team leader in assists with 12.

They said it

Coach Foust spoke about the future of the program with 47 on the rosters of the four teams playing volleyball for Pomona.

"We are using the same system at all levels," she said. "We have to start building volleyball skills with our freshmen because Jefferson County doesn't have volleyball in the middle schools. The joy is watching the young players learn to play the game and play it well."

Martin is the team defensive specialist in the position that is called the libero.

"My freshman year I was put in the role," the senior said after the match. "I just took it and ran with it."

She said the third game was very exciting.

"Our team played very well together. We made things happen and everyone was pumped up. We played hard but unfortunately we didn't win the game," she said.

"But we saw we can play very good volleyball and that is something we can build on for the matches we play the rest of the season."

She said her goal is to play hard and help her teammates have a successful season as they work hard and play to their full potential.

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.comhttp://arvadapress.com/stories/Panthers-test-triumphant-Lions,236450?branding=15

Pomona rallies to avenge Valor loss - #lakewoodnews

It was billed as a revenge game for Pomona, the top-seeded team in the CHSAANow.com Class 5A rankings, when the Panthers faced defending state champion and fifth-ranked Valor Christian in a Sept. 23 game.

Valor Christian, which came from behind to defeat the Panthers in last season's state championship game, dominated for most of the game but Pomona stormed back from a 16-3 halftime deficit to notch a 23-16 non-league victory in the contest played on Valor's Highlands Ranch campus.

The victory was payback for the Panthers but Pomona quarterback Ryan Marquez claims the win was more than just for revenge.

"We proved what was supposed to have happened last year," he said. "We made a statement here that we are the best team in Colorado. And, we're going to play like it from here on out."

Key Moments

Two Valor Christian penalties helped Pomona's tying and winning touchdown drives in the fourth quarter.

Leading 16-9 the Eagles' Ethan Zemla intercepted a pass which would have given Valor the ball at the Pomona 40-yard line but a face mask penalty nullified the pick. The Panthers kept possession and completed a 59-yard touchdown drive when Marquez threw a 30-yard TD pass to Uniah Vigil. That TD plus the extra point tied the score at 16 with 3:27 left in the game.

Then, the Eagles had the Panthers backed up at their own 8-yard line but a personal foul was called against Valor. With 2:34 showing on the clock instead of a third down, Pomona was given a first down. Pomona marched down the field and completed a 92-yard, game-winning drive with 39 seconds on the clock when Cameron Gonzalez broke loose on a 22-yard scoring run.

Key players/statistics

Valor monopolized most of the statistics The Eagles had 364 total yards compared to 252 for Pomona and 151 of the Panthers yards came on the final two scoring drives. Valor Christian also had the advantage in first downs (23-11), time of possession (28:32-19:28), total offensive plays (71-51) and third down conversions (8/18-3/13).

Marquez, a junior, completed 12 of 25 passes for 176 yards and two TDs. He was also the Panthers leading rusher with 27 yards. Sophomore Billy Popisil caught seven passes that included one catch for 41 yards and a touchdown.

Senior Garrett Zanon led the Pomona defense with 13 tackles and blocked an extra point attempt.

Senior quarterback Dylan McCaffrey was a workhorse for Valor. He was 16-31-0 for 137 yards passing and he rushed 15 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Ryan Thibault and Jack Walley were McCaffrey's favorite targets with four receptions each.

With 10 tackles Zemla lead a Valor defense that contained Pomona's talented junior Max Borghi to just 65 yards all-purpose yards.

They said it

Pomona's second half comeback started when the coaches simply let the players play.

"We were concerned about the checks and fancy stuff they did the first half," said Pomona coach Jay Madden. "We decided to keep it simple and once we did our kids showed up. We ran a defense we hadn't run since last year. We went from a 3-4 defense where we had to shift a lot for their motion to a 3-5 defense where we could just line up. Once we just lined up, you saw how great we played in the second half."

Offensively, the Panthers let Marquez throw more passed.

"We were trying to establish our run game instead of just throwing it," Madden said. "We had great pass protection all night and we decided to throw it and things turned our way. "

Valor Christian coach Rod Sherman claims the Eagles 1-3 start could be misleading because of the tough non-league schedule. Valor has won six of the past seven state titles but have a 20-12 record in the first four games of the past eight seasons. In 2010 the Eagles started 1-3 but won the state championship with an 11-3 record.

"We laid an egg against Mullen but other than that, we've played pretty good," said Sherman. "At the end of the third quarter (against Pomona) the yardage was inflated towards us and if we execute, avoid a couple penalties we'd have a chance."

Going forward

Pomona (4-1) opens Mt. Evans League play Oct. 6 in a home game against Rock Canyon. Valor Christian (1-3) travels to the Stutler Bowl Sept. 29 to test a rebuilding Cherry Creek team.

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.comhttp://arvadapress.com/stories/Pomona-rallies-to-avenge-Valor-loss,236451?branding=15

Editorial cartoon September 29 - #lakewoodnews

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Editorial-cartoon-September-29,236446

Making the local business connection - #lakewoodnews

Jefferson County is a friendly place for small businesses --; and businesses say they have noticed.

Small businesses make up 80 percent of the county's business population, which means there's competition for customers and attention.

For the third year, the Jefferson County Business Resource Center hosted the Small Business Resource Fair on Sept. 22 at the Jeffco Fairgrounds to provide business owners with connections and information. As well as some door prizes, for good measure.

"We're always looking for opportunities to support local businesses," said Amira Watters, executive director of the resource center. "This event gives business owners a way to connect with people they would not meet otherwise."

County Commissioner Don Rosier presented a proclamation declaring the third week of September small business resource week, and local author businessman Tim Brown gave a keynote speech.

The event was the biggest resource fair yet, featuring booths from a variety of organizations, including the Jefferson County Library, Golden and Evergreen Chambers of Commerce, the American Job Center and Red Rocks Community College.

"It's really grown from last year," said Bill Marino, chairman of 40 West Arts District, which had a booth at the event. "Folks are stopping by because they want to know who we are, and are excited once they learn what we're about."

If the bite-sized candy and treats at almost every booth wasn't incentive enough to visit, the resource center created a game to encourage visitors to check in with all the vendors. Visitors who received a signature from every booth were entered to win door prizes, like Broncos tickets, or a "staycation" at Golden's Table Mountain Inn.

"The feedback I've had from vendors and visitors has been great," Watters said. "We had so many great volunteers help put this together."

For people like Mary Anne Fleet, executive director of the Lakewood Symphony Orchestra, the event was an opportunity to get her finger on the pulse of the business community and spread the word about the orchestra.

"I really enjoy visiting with everyone in that community," she said. "This year's fair was better than ever."

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Making-the-local-business-connection,236435

Artists on painting safari in the natural world - #lakewoodnews

"En plein-air" is a French phrase meaning open air.

The phrase refers to a kind of painting done in the outside world with natural or man-made objects the painter sees.

It's also the kind of painting Lakewood artist Deborah McAllister finds particularly inspiring.

"If you're painting off of a photo, you have to remember cameras sometimes affect the color of the image," she said. "You can see objects' colors better when you're outside."

McAllister is one of 27 artists from throughout the country participating in PLAN Jeffco's first ever In Plein Sight painting event, which will be held at Jeffco Open Space parks from Oct. 4 through 9. PLAN Jeffco is a nonprofit open space advocate group.

"We are thrilled to launch In Plein Sight this fall," said Margot Zallen, PLAN Jeffco president, in a statement. "We look forward to celebrating the beauty of our conserved open spaces through the palettes of the plein-air artists that will be joining us in October."

Artists will be painting from dawn to dusk at one of five Jeffco Open Space locations each day, including South Valley Park in in Littleton on Oct. 4 and Crown Hill in on Oct. 6. A gallery exhibit of all the works will be displayed at the Golden Community Center Oct. 8 and Oct. 9.

Originally from Wisconsin, McAllister has been making art her whole life. She graduated from the Colorado Institute of Art.

"I've been in Colorado for 18 years, and it's very inspiring to be here," she said. "I love painting outside, so it's perfect for me here."

A board member of Plein-air Artists Colorado, McAllister has participated in events celebrating Summit County's Continental Divide Land Trust, and exhibits her work at Artists on Santa Fe Gallery in Denver and Rijks Family Gallery in Crested Butte. She helps to arrange Plein-air Artists Colorado's Tuesday "paint-up" events that get artists out and painting en plein-air.

"It's very important to me to support groups that protect open space, so the In Plein Sight event is perfect for me," she said. "The event will be a great opportunity for people to watch us artists work, and they can talk with us and ask questions."

Some of McAllister's favorite painting spots around town include Bear Creek Open Space and Prospect Park. She also said she likes landscapes that have water and a good view of the mountains.

"It's a challenge, because the light is always changing," she said. "Sometimes you have to deal with the weather, or it's really hot or cold or there are bugs. But that's part of it. You experience it with all your senses."

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Artists-on-painting-safari-in-the-natural-world,236436

Carpenter charged with murder

from Valley Courier - News http://www.alamosanews.com/V2_news_articles.php

Alamosa supports Inspire Initiative

from Valley Courier - News http://www.alamosanews.com/V2_news_articles.php

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

City defers golf course annual lease payment

from Valley Courier - News http://www.alamosanews.com/V2_news_articles.php

Alamosa loses local legend

from Valley Courier - News http://www.alamosanews.com/V2_news_articles.php

'She skated to live and lived to skate' - #lakewoodnews

When Yvonne Dowlen was in the room, there was a spark of happiness that came with her. As a lifelong ice skater, she inspired many at the Apex Ice Arena in Arvada as well as on the national stage.In May, Dowlen -- a Lakewood resident -- passed away at the age 90. She died where she lived: on the ice."She skated to live and lived to skate," said Bret Dowlen, Yvonne's son.Many Apex Center staff, participants and ice arena spectators fondly remember Dowlen and continue to be inspired by her story. To honor her, the center held a public skate session dedicated to her memory on Sept. 21. The skate was combined with the center's annual superhero skate."We decided to combine it with Yvonne's memorial skate because she is our superhero and so many of us knew her and skated with her," said Patti Snyder, skating director at Apex. "She is really a superhero for everybody that's in this rink. She's touched so many lives here."For Dowlen, slowing down was not an option."I'm not too old to move," she was often heard saying.She pursued her love of skating for nearly 80 years, starting at age 13. Highlights included a stint with the Ice Capades and many national awards -- including second place at the Senior Skating Championships last year.Just over six months ago, Dowlen skated in an Ice Skating Institute (ISI) national competition -- the 2015 ISI Holiday Challenge, at Dr. Pepper StarCenter in McKinney, Texas.According to an ISI Facebook post, "She inspired others of all ages, on and off the ice."Dowlen also had a genuine interest in sharing her love of skating with others. She worked as an instructor for several years throughout the Denver metro area as well as at Apex PRD/North Jeffco."When she got older and didn't have much of a roster of students, she would go skating at a public session, find someone who was having trouble skating and give them a lesson on the spot," Bret Dowlen said. "That person usually would be able to make it around the rink by the session's end, and at no charge."Skating coach Leasa Parr was one of many who came out on Sept. 21 to remember Dowlen. She said she looked at Dowlen as a surrogate mother and a skating mentor."What an amazing soul she was," Parr said. "She was just always so happy and she gave so much to skating and the community."Recently, Katie Stjernholm and Jonathan Hiller, of Balcony Nine Media, created a documentary short film called "Edges" that features Dowlen and her life."I have a passion for elderly people and capturing their stories," Stjernholm said. "I read about Yvonne -- 10 people over the age of 90 that were winning life. She was the only person in America and right here in Lakewood."Stjernholm, who is based in Boulder, knew she had to meet and film the woman who was skating at 90.Yvonne's son helped the documentary crew light the rink at the Apex Center and they filmed her skating in addition to sit-down interviews.They finished editing the film in May. Two days later, Yvonne Dowlen died. It was the day before she was scheduled to view the film."We were devastated she never got to see the film," Stjernholm said, adding that they did a private screening at her memorial service.The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival Labor Day Weekend. It is currently traveling on the festival circuit and was just accepted to the Denver Film Festival, which is in early November."The film is a tribute to her legacy, spirit and resilience," Stjernholm said.At the memorial skate night, a plaque of dedication to Dowlen was hung in front of the west rink in the ice arena."I'm kind of overwhelmed," said Yvonne's daughter, Sherry Dowlen, after the plaque was presented. "It's really awesome that they honored my mother. She was always the happiest out on the ice."

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/She-skated-to-live-and-lived-to-skate,236240

Getting hitched in the great outdoors - #lakewoodnews

A reoccurring theme for people who live in Colorado is that they love being outside and active in nature. So it's only natural a classic Colorado wedding is often centered around an outdoor ceremony.

Sharing Colorado's beautiful scenery with guests was one of Sarah and Allen Griffith's top priorities when looking for a wedding venue.

"Allen and I both share a love for the outdoors and natural landscapes, so it was really important to us to have that be a part of our wedding," said Sarah Griffith, a Colorado native and former Centennial resident. "We chose Cherokee Ranch and Castle because it was so close to downtown Denver, so our guests could enjoy both the urban charm of the city as well as share Colorado's incredible scenery with us for our wedding."

After touring the historic castle in Sedalia, the couple --; who met after "swiping right" on Tinder --; knew it was the place for them.

"It was the first and only venue we looked at," Griffith said. "We loved it so much we booked on the spot."

Sarah and Allen said "I do" at the Castle July 30 and, because of Allen's position with the United States Army, moved to New York two weeks after the wedding.

Like many brides and grooms, their day was a "complete blur and went by way too fast," Sarah said. "But the weather was perfect, our guests were so incredible and fun, and the venue was a complete fairy tale."

Another rustic venue with a view can be found atop Lookout Mountain in Golden.

Atop the mountain sits Boettcher Mansion, which hosts about 300 events a year including weddings. Built in 1917 as a summer home and seasonal hunting lodge for Charles Boettcher, the former Lorraine Lodge was donated to Jefferson County in the 1970s for public use and enjoyment. The mansion is operated by Jefferson County Open Space.

The history and the view are what special events coordinator Megan Kreutzer said draws couples to the mansion.

"We have a mountain view without the mountain drive," Kreutzer said, adding that the character in the historic building allows for minimal decorations.

But some Colorado couples are choosing to make their wedding even more nature-centric and adventure focused.

Westminster-based wedding photographer Rayna McGinnis specializes in photographing weddings for active couples.

"It's mostly people who are more experience-focused and want to be out in nature," McGinnis said. "They are not necessarily athletic, but like being in the great outdoors."

McGinnis has photographed couples on their wedding days on mountain bikes, mountain climbing, hiking and enjoying a glass of wine in nature.

"The trend is more couples doing what they want versus what the traditional wedding was 30 or 40 years ago," she said. "I feel like it's just couples taking a piece of who they are and putting that into their wedding."

The weddings McGinnis photographs tend to be shorter and with a smaller guest list.

While she's not sure if active weddings have their own culture, like adventure sports do, McGinnis said she does see couples leaning toward more intimate nuptials.

"My couples tend to want to see each other," she said. "It's a small intimate thing, where they want to remember their wedding day and who they spent their day with."

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Getting-hitched-in-the-great-outdoors,236241

Medical pot law may add PTSD as qualifier - #lakewoodnews

Marijuana pioneer Colorado is poised to add post-traumatic stress disorder to its medical marijuana program, joining 18 other states that consider PTSD a condition treatable by pot.A panel of state lawmakers voted 5-0 on Sept. 21 to endorse the addition of PTSD to Colorado's 2000 medical pot law. The vote doesn't have legal effect; it's just a recommendation to the full Legislature, which resumes work in January. But the vote indicates a dramatic shift for a state that has allowed medical pot for more than a decade but hasn't endorsed its use for PTSD."Cannabis treats all the multiple issues that are going on with PTSD like no other drug,'' said Dr. Joseph Cohen, a physician who recommends marijuana to patients for other ailments and testified in favor of adding PTSD to the medical program.Colorado's change would put Colorado in line with 18 other states and Washington, D.C., that allow cannabis for PTSD treatment. Montana voters will decide in November whether to make the same change.The PTSD vote came over the objections of Colorado's Health Department, which has opposed the PTSD addition in the past, citing a lack of research.The agency was absent from last week's hearing and declined a request for comment on PTSD and marijuana. The Colorado Board of Health has rejected four separate applications to add PTSD to Colorado's list of eight qualifying ailments, which include cancer, AIDS and glaucoma.Medical objections were raised Sept. 21 by a lobbyist speaking for the Colorado Medical Society and Colorado Psychiatric Society."There's insufficient medical evidence that marijuana is an effective treatment'' for PTSD, said Debbie Wagner, a lobbyist speaking for the medical societies.Colorado has already approved a first-of-its-kind medical study of marijuana as a PTSD treatment. The $2 million study has been approved by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and includes 76 military veterans. The study isn't yet complete.Colorado has about 100,000 medical marijuana patients. No one has produced an estimate of how many additional patients may join the registry for PTSD treatment.Though Colorado voted in 2012 to allow marijuana use without a doctor's recommendation, the medical pot program persists. That's because the marijuana expansion applies only to people over 21. Also, a doctor's recommendation for pot allows patients to possess more marijuana than they'd be allowed otherwise, and the patients pay dramatically lower taxes than their recreational counterparts.

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Medical-pot-law-may-add-PTSD-as-qualifier,236223

Putting a premium on the future - #lakewoodnews

About 3 million Americans have served in the military since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and just as there are differences between generations of the public at large, there are differences between younger veterans and those who served before them.One of those differences is a reluctance to join organizations like Veterans of Foreign Wars.Like many veterans of her era, Rita Leblanc, of Centennial, said she doesn't feel like membership in an organization fits into her schedule."I just don't have the time," said Leblanc, who served in the Marine Corps from 2000-07, with duty in Korea. "I'm a student. I'm a parent."Army veteran Jason Moore, of Lakewood, shares that concern."At this point, I'm just too busy," said Moore, a student who served as a field artilleryman in Afghanistan.But Moore, who heads up the veterans club at Arapahoe Community College, said he would like to spend time around older veterans."It'd be nice to go and talk to vets from another generation and have some camaraderie there," he said.Vernon Baltes, of Parker, who served as an Army cavalry scout from 2000-05, including in Iraq and Kosovo, said younger veterans may feel uncomfortable in groups of older veterans.Greta Bleau, senior vice commander of VFW Post 9644 in Sheridan, said the club has struggled to attract younger members and that Vietnam veterans -- now in their 60s and beyond -- make up the core of its membership."I think our problem is that we get a couple here and there and they feel like they're alone," she said.A societal shift?Paul LeVeque, post commander in Sheridan, said he and his fellow Vietnam veterans often didn't feel welcome in the VFW when they returned home, and they want to make sure the organization is inviting to younger members.He said younger veterans may not know that the VFW can help them with problems accessing veterans benefits.Though LeVeque said Sheridan's older demographics plays a role in the post's membership, he has heard from younger veterans that they found it hard to interact in a group made up almost exclusively of older veterans.At VFW Post 4666 in Littleton, there are no members who served in the post 9/11 era. In fact, 70-year-old Vietnam veteran Stan McClure, the post's service officer, said he is one of the youngest members."We'd really like to change that because we're getting older," the Army veteran said.Members of the Littleton post gather three days per week in the mornings -- which McClure says may be part of their problem, as the younger veterans are likely to be at work. He also said that a place where members can sit and have a beer, something the post lacks that many VFW halls have, could help. Instead, members gather around a long table for coffee in the small white Gallup Street house that serves as the post."We're losing members faster than we're gaining them," McClure said.In Sheridan, the post at 2680 W. Hampden Avenue has the typical VFW hall look -- a bar, a jukebox and TVs. But post Junior Vice Cmdr. Paul Gremse said that could play into the sterotype of the organization being for the older crowd.He also chalked some of the problem up to a societal change."These organizations used to be like the social hub of the community," said Gremse, who retired from the Air Force in 2001 after a 23-year career.LeBlanc said that when she got out of the Marines, she didn't know much about the VFW or similar organizations."I honestly thought it was just for older vets," she said.McClure didn't join the VFW as a younger vet either -- he just joined last year, nearly five decades after his tour in Vietnam. He says he's glad that he joined."I have a whole bunch of new friends," he said.A new approachSome VFW posts are being proactive in their quest for younger members. In Denver, VFW Post 1, which began even before the nationwide VFW organization, bills itself as "the oldest post with the youngest members." Post 1's location, located in an old art gallery in the Santa Fe Arts District, lends itself to a younger crowd.Post 1 even holds weekly yoga classes, coordinated by the Team Red, White & Blue, which is one of several upstart groups that appeals to the different interests younger veterans have. It was started in Michigan in 2010 by Army veteran Mike Erwin."Team RWB's mission is to enrich veterans' lives through physical and social activities," said Tara McMachen, who is the social director for the Denver chapter.Team RWB is not just for younger veterans. In fact, it's not just for veterans -- McMachen is not one. But roughly 70 percent of its members served, most in the post 9/11 era.Team RWB does not have a space of its own, but meets at various locations around the Denver area for running, rock climbing, Crossfit, bar trivia and more.LeVeque, of the Sheridan post, said that finding a way to get younger members will be crucial to the VFW's survival as an organization, noting that the posts do volunteer service and the older members are not as able to do as much as they used to."We have to," he said, "if we're going to stay afloat at least."

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Putting-a-premium-on-the-future,236233

Monday, September 26, 2016

Gymnastics teams face a balancing act - #lakewoodnews

Girls high school gymnastics in Colorado faces a difficult routine each season.

Challenges include facilities, handling expensive equipment, dealing with club teams and the fact that athletes for most teams come from here and there.

This season, there are 34 teams competing in Class 4A and 5A, and several teams go outside the school to practice. Participation figures for Colorado have remained stable with 545 gymnasts in 2015-16, 543 in 2014-15 and 481 in 2013-14.

Ponderosa is the lone Douglas County school with an in-house practice facility, which doubles as the wrestling room in the space located above and behind the west bleachers. However, if there is a pep assembly in the gym, the gymnastics equipment has to be taken down and set up again.

Thornton has one of the state's biggest gyms and the gymnastics equipment can remain separated for daily physical education classes.

Pomona has a permanent practice area located higher than the gym where meets are held. It takes hard work from athletes and coaches to move and set up the equipment, plus the Panthers lose two days of practice every time a home meet is scheduled because of the relocation.

And there are risks moving equipment with an estimated startup cost of $20,000, according to Athletic Business, an online and print publication that covers the sports industry. Facilities, equipment and a shortage of coaches that require safety certification is a reason budget-strapped school districts shy away from adding gymnastics programs. Most teams are co-op, drawing athletes from multiple schools in the district.

Finally, it is often hard for teams to convince athletes to compete as a high school gymnast and not on a club team, where they may get more attention from college recruiters.

I would have liked to offer an account on this season's top gymnastics teams and individuals but schedules are hard to find and results of meets can't be found, so that's another bad routine that gymnastics coaches face --; but one that can easily be fixed.

Pitching from the stretch

Wheat Ridge's Brandy Trengove looks as if she might have lost her direction and went to the softball pitching circle instead of the mound on the baseball field.

The senior left-hander starts in the stretch or set position, lifts her right leg and appears ready to throw a split-finger fastball or maybe attempt a pickoff move toward first base.

Somehow, she drops her arm and delivers an underhand softball pitch.

"She's unique," Wheat Ridge coach Jamie Heflin said. "She was having trouble pushing off and the pitching coach said let's try this. It gave her about four miles an hour more speed. Sometimes, we'll switch it up and throw a conventional pitch.

"Really in the science of pitching, it goes against all physical genetics."

Trengove is 9-5 this season with two saves.

Heisman Watch

UCLA went all out to limit the big play by Stanford junior running back Christian McCaffrey.

McCaffrey, a Valor Christian graduate, was the AP Player of the Year and the Heisman Trophy runner-up last season, but was limited to 138 yards rushing and 165 all-purpose yards in the Cardinals' 22-13 win over UCLA on Sept. 24.

Louisville sophomore quarterback is the early Heisman front-runner as he has thrown for 1,301 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed 510 yards and 12 touchdowns in three games. This season, McCaffrey has 635 all-purpose yards for an average of 211.6 per game in three contests.

Airing it out

Faith Christian used a statistically impressive passing attack to notch its first win of the season on Sept. 23 with a 34-7 triumph over Brush.

The Eagles passed for 349 yards, averaging 29.1 yards per completion.

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Gymnastics-teams-face-a-balancing-act,236228

Homeless camps cleared along Clear Creek Trail - #lakewoodnews

Trash and debris were all that was left at a Clear Creek Trail site after more than a dozen homeless people --; who had been living along a stretch of trail just north of I-76 between Arvada and Wheat Ridge --; were relocated last month by a multi-agency partnership providing support and housing resources.

"Denver has done some similar cleanups, and over the past year some the homeless people moved out of Denver and into Jeffco," said Jenny Fulton, spokeswoman for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. "When we realized this was becoming an issue, we tried to find a way to get them help and not just kick them out of where they've been living."

The cleanup came in response to citizen complaints of an increasing homeless population along the trail as well as increased criminal activity, Fulton said.

The sheriff's office was joined by the Arvada Police Department, Wheat Ridge Police Department, Colorado Department of Transportation and other human services agencies for the operation.

Jeffco met with partner agencies to identify available support and housing resources and to determine how best to provide those resources to those living in homeless camps along Clear Creek Trail between Sheridan Boulevard in Arvada and Johnson Park,4084 Wadsworth Blvd., in Wheat Ridge. Rather than transport the individuals to each agency for assistance, it was decided to bring aid to them, Fulton said.

The agencies established a command post that included representatives from human services, mental health, veterans assistance, public libraries and other social service and medical agencies, in addition to law enforcement. Services included housing assistance, transportation, hygiene help, mental health assistance and resource information.

Law enforcement personnel escorted service providers to the various homeless camps. Any homeless were either provided a ride back to the command post to receive services, and medical attention if necessary, or services were brought to them on site.

The sheriff's office gave advance notification to those living along the trail of the cleanup and the services that would be provided. On Sept. 21, deputies found 15 homeless individuals. But law enforcement believes that over the course of several weeks up to 40 homeless people were living along the trail.

Joe Zamora, who works less than a mile south from the park along Wadsworth, said he has watched the population there grow.

"We often work lake nights, and it's been pretty bad, seeing all the people who walk through our parking lot or behind the building," Zamora said. "We see tents a lot in the area. Since the homeless have been here, we stopped coming to this park. Good for the police and county getting them help."

The next step and the project's second goal, Fulton said, is to return the trail and surrounding open space to a safe recreational environment. To accomplish this, the Colorado Department of Transportation --; which owns the land--; has posted "no trespassing" signage and has initiated efforts to remove graffiti in the area, remove all debris and trash and trim trees and brush to increase visibility. Law enforcement will also increase patrols along the trail.

Although the Clear Creak Trail cleanup was the first homeless camp and relocation cleanup done by the sheriff's office, Fulton said it won't be the last, as the homless population increases in Jefferson County.

But, Fulton said, "We established a model way of doing a cleanup of this type that is humane."

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Homeless-camps-cleared-along-Clear-Creek-Trail,236221

Serbian refugees' faith helps them build community - #lakewoodnews

During the Yugoslav civil wars of the early 1990s, Bosnian Mile Panic saw some of the worst sides of humanity.

He, his father, brother and numerous cousins were taken from their homes to a Serbian war camp at gunpoint on June 20, 1992. Panic stayed there until Dec. 23 of that year and, during that time he said,family and friends were routinely beaten, prisoners were barely given adequate water and food andprisoners came to rely on visits from the Red Cross to survive.

"When I was released, I was given three options --; stay in the camp, move to Montenegro or go home," he remembered. "I decided to go home, but I wasn't there for long before my family and I realized we had to move."

After leaving Bosnia and staying in a refugee camp in Serbia with his family, Panic and his family made it to Colorado in November 1995. Once here, they began to look for a community they could call their own.

They found it in their Serbian Orthodox faith, which led Panic to Colorado's Serbian population.

"Our identity is deeply, deeply rooted in our faith," said Dusan "Dan" Njegomir, a Colorado native and lifelong member of the Serbian Orthodox faith. "In a way, our situation is similar to Judaism in that the term 'Serbian' describes both our faith and identity."

Serbians have been immigrating to Colorado since the late 19th century, but they never had a place to entirely call their own.

Until now.

On Sept. 10, Lakewood's St. John the Baptist church, 9305 W. Cedar Ave., was officially recognized as the first Serbian Orthodox Church to serve Colorado. Bishop Dr. Maxim of the Western American Diocese and Bishop Longin of the Midwestern American Diocese led the consecration ceremony.

"We've been blessed with the efforts of our parishioners to get here," said Father Radovan Petrovic, St. John's priest. "So many of our members lost everything before coming here, but God has given us the opportunity to be worthy of their labors."

The consecration was the result of work that began in earnest in 1999, due to the increasing number of Serbian refugees arriving in Colorado. The new Serbian population started organizing and working with church leaders to get an official parish started.

According to research by Njegomir, a member of St. John's parish, in the early 20th century Serbians attended Russian Orthodox churches in the region and held events at hotels like the Ramada Inn in Greenwood Village.

Father Petrovic moved to Denver full-time in 2007, and from there was able to direct efforts to find a suitable property to call home. The Lakewood site was a former church that had been unused for some time. The parish closed on the property on June 26, 2009.

"Many of our parishioners have experience in construction and similar areas, so they contributed to the renovation work," Njegomir said.

One of those contributors was Boris Jugovic, president of St. John's board, who has years of experience in the construction and real estate industries.

Much like Panic, Jugovic left Serbia in the 1990s and came to Colorado because he had family here. After serving in the country's military as part of mandatory service, he enrolled in college but spent several years struggling to build a life for himself and his family.

"I wanted to come to America so I wouldn't have to struggle anymore," he said. "The American dream is only possible here."

After arriving, Jugovic started working in the construction industry, but wanted to start his own businesses. He learned about the real estate industry, and through hands-on experience started his own investment property company.

"I lost what were supposed to be the best years of my life, from 18 to 25, because of everything that was happening in the country at the time," he said. "But I was able to start from nothing in America and use the system to get where I am."

Jugovic's experience in these industries helped get the church off the ground, and Father Petrovic was able to work with other Serbian churches around the country to get needed materials. A church in Wisconsin, for instance, sold St. John's the hand-carved iconostas, which is a wall of icons and religious paintings, separating the nave from the sanctuary in a church.

St. John's held its first service for the 200- to 300-person parish in September 2010. Mass is held at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays in English and Serbian.

The Serbian Church is a branch of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, which split off from Roman Catholicism in the Great Schism of 1054. The church has bishops who are all considered to be of equal authority --; there is no equivalent to the Catholic pope. Eastern Orthodoxy is practiced primarily in Eastern Europe and Greece, as well as by Christians in the Middle East and Africa.

"We're a very conservative church and require people to adapt to our ways," Father Petrovic said. "That's attractive to some people, because we've been doing what we do for 2,000 years."

After finishing the church in 2010, parishioners began plans for a cultural hall and rectory for Father Petrovic and his wife and four children to live in. Construction of the building began in April 2015 and finished a year later.

Now that the church is consecrated, the parish is looking to expand its services. It has already been the site of parishioners' weddings, baptisms and slavas, which are ceremonies honoring a family's patron saint on that saint's feast day.

In attendance at the consecration ceremony on the Sept. 10 were Serbian Orthodox priests from Arizona, Nebraska and Nevada as well as other Orthodox clergy from throughout the Denver area, and Lakewood Mayor Adam Paul, who was invited by Njegomir.

"It was a really informative slice of culture that we have right here in Lakewood," Paul said. "We're building an inclusive community here, and the fact that they feel at home here shows we're a community where all are welcome."

In a time where many people are discussing the immigrant experience and processes, people like Panic and Jugovic are grateful for the opportunities and community they've found in Lakewood and St. John's.

"The church is what keeps us together," Panic said. "St. John's is our house."

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Serbian-refugees-faith-helps-them-build-community,236209

'Atlantis' series author to meet with readers - #lakewoodnews

Favorite Colorado author T.A. Barron, best-selling writer of the "Merlin Saga" series, will meet fans to talk about his newest series, "Atlantis," as well as his earlier novels, on Oct. 1 at Smoky Hill Library, 5430 S. Biscay Circle, Centennial. A special "Young Wizards" VIP event/question-and-answer session for teens and tweens is planned from 3-4 p.m. His 4-5 p.m. book talk will be for teens and adults, with conversation about nature and myth in his newest series. Book signing at 5 p.m. (Tattered Cover will have them on sale before and after programs.) 303-LIBRARY (303-542-7279), arapahoelibraries.org/meet-the-author.rita derjue exhibit"The Best Roads Lead Uphill: A Decade of Paintings by rita derjue" opens Sept. 23 at the Littleton Museum, 6028 S. Gallup St., Littleton, featuring a collection of works created in the past 10 years -- in the U.S. and abroad. It will run through Feb. 26, and derjue will speak about her life as a painter early next year. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is free. 303-795-3950.300-booth craft fair comingThe Annual Friends of the Library/Museum Craft Fair will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 1 at Ketring Park, 6000 S. Gallup St., Littleton (just north of the Littleton Museum). There are six concessionaires in case the munchies strike. 303-795-3950.Images from BulgariaDaniel Gonzales-Calaveras will exhibit new pieces in "Impressions from Bulgaria," his exhibit at Outnumbered Gallery, 5654 S. Prince St., Littleton. On First Friday, Oct. 7, from 5 to 8 p.m., he will be in the gallery to talk about his trip and the places and people that inspired him. 720-389-9085.Lone Tree Art ExpoThe 15th Annual Lone Tree Art Expo opened Sept. 24 at the Lone Tree Arts Center and runs until Nov. 13. Juror for the show was Brian DeLevie, chair of the Visual Arts Department at CU-Denver. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and two hours before performances.Diversity in theaterThree panel discussions about diversity in theater are scheduled at Curious Theatre, 1080 Acoma St., in Denver's Golden Triangle. The first panel, at 7 p.m. Oct. 3, will discuss why diversity should be a priority, barriers and community involvement. Sponsored by Colorado Theatre Guild and Curious Theatre. Admission free.Healing Arts programWatercolorist Cindy Welch of Castle Rock will open an exhibit of her series, "Castle Rock Iconic Landmarks," with an artist's reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 6 in the hospital's gallery, 2350 Meadows Blvd., Castle Rock. The show is part of the hospital's Healing Arts program, which extends to Parker and Littleton Adventist hospitals as well. Open to the public and admission is free.Littleton Garden ClubGardener/author Joel Torpey will speak to the Littleton Garden Club at 6:30 p.m. Oct 5 at the Littleton Public Schools Educational Services Building, 5716 S. Crocker St., Littleton. (Access from the south/Ida Street entrance.) Torpey's topic: "How to Save Money and Water in the Landscape." Guests and new members welcome.Pumpkin time• Littleton Museum's Harvest Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 8 at the Littleton Museum, 6028 S. Gallup St., Littleton. Select your pumpkin, enjoy hayrides, games and refreshments. Admission free, but refreshments and pumpkins are for sale, with tickets purchased the day of the event. 303-795-3950.• Chatfield Farms Pumpkin Festival runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 7 to 9 at Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton. Admission $9 to $13, includes all of the gardens, including a five-acre pumpkin patch, Hildebrand Historic Farm and more. Food and crafts. 720-865-4346.Colorado show returnsHeritage Fine Arts Guild will open its annual "This is Colorado" exhibit on Oct. 11 at the Colorado Gallery of the Arts at Arapahoe Community College, Littleton Campus, 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton. Juror Lian Quan Zhen will teach a three-day watercolor workshop Oct. 19 to 21 at the Littleton Museum. A reception is planned on Oct. 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. See heritage-guild.com/shows.Jazz concert"Ella and Sarah, The Great Ladies of Jazz" is the title for Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra's 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15 concert at the Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. -- the first of three Arvada dates this season. Vocalist Heidi Schmidt will present songs from those two plus Anita O' Day, Rosemary Clooney and more. Tickets: 720-898-7200. (Three-concert season tickets available.)Improv at libraryYaY!Improv playtime dates at Koelbel Library Forum, 5955 S. Holly St., Centennial, with Pam Roth O'Mara are scheduled for Oct. 6 (6:15 to 8:45 p.m.) and Nov. 1 (1:15 to 3:45 p.m.). pam@yayimprov.com, 720-593-9955.Blair Meerfield WorkshopNationally known potter Blair Meerfield of Highfield Pottery will be at Arapahoe Community College for a two-day workshop Oct. 15-16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Summit Room, 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton. Co-sponsored by the ACC Ceramics Department and the ACC Foundation. (Meerfield is a former Colorado resident, now with the Art League in Alexandria, Virginia.) Tickets cost $150 general public; $100 ACC students/Arapahoe Ceramics Guild members, through the ACC Foundation: arapahoe.edu/about-acc/foundation.

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Atlantis-series-author-to-meet-with-readers,236200

`Swan Lake' will launch season for Colorado Ballet - #lakewoodnews

"Swan Lake" opens Colorado Ballet's 56th season with 11 performances from Oct. 7 to 23 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver Performing Arts Complex. Accompanying the dancers will be the Colorado Ballet Orchestra, live, performing Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's beautiful score.Based on Russian folk tales, this production features the original choreography from 1895, after Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, performed by the Imperial Ballet in St. Petersburg.It was set and updated by American Ballet Principals Amanda McKerrow, John Gardner and Sandra Brown, who is now ballet mistress of the Colorado Ballet. It remains true to traditional choreography with a new fourth act that premiered in 2008.It will be presented in four acts, with two intermissions, and tells the story of Prince Siegfried, who falls in love with Odette, a lovely princess, living under Baron Von Rothbart's wicked curse, which condemns her to forever be the Swan Queen, unless the curse is broken by a royal marriage vow.The sorcerer and his daughter, Odile, work against the romance. Odile becomes the evil black swan.At one point the audience can look forward to seeing 27 swans onstage at one time, according to company director Gil Boggs.Drama, beautiful set pieces and costumes and wonderful music carry this well-known story.If you go"Swan Lake" will be performed from Oct. 7 to 23 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver Performing Arts Complex. Performance dates: 7:30 p.m.: Oct. 7, 8, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22; 2 p.m. Oct. 8, 9, 16, 23. Ticket prices range from $30 to $155: coloradoballet.org or 303-837-8888, ext. 2.Principal dancer plans for futureAt some performances principal dancer Maria Mosina will probably perform as Odette, assuming that a broken foot she suffered during the summer has healed adequately.After 21 seasons with Colorado Ballet, she has announced that this is her final season and she will retire at its end and share her artistry as a teacher in future years.Born in Moscow, she went through rigorous training with the Bolshoi Company and joined the Bolshoi Ballet Grigorovich Company, touring the world.In 1995, Colorado Ballet invited her to join as a leading principal dancer. She has performed all major parts in classical productions and contemporary ones.

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Swan-Lake-will-launch-season-for-Colorado-Ballet,236201

Saturday, September 24, 2016

No second autopsy in murder

from Valley Courier - News http://www.alamosanews.com/V2_news_articles.php

Friday, September 23, 2016

Cooper charged with murder

from Valley Courier - News http://www.alamosanews.com/V2_news_articles.php

Airlines begin SLV transition

from Valley Courier - News http://www.alamosanews.com/V2_news_articles.php

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Keeping Score: Hayley Upson - #lakewoodnews

What is your favorite movie?

My favorite movie is "The Blind Side"because I like how it is based on a true story. Also, the story behind the movie truly inspires me to do greater things in my life.

Who is your favorite professional or collegiate athlete?

My favorite professional athlete is Laurie Hernandez because she works extremely hard to be one of the best gymnasts, but still has fun with it and doesn't take it too seriously.

Do you have any pre-competition superstitions or rituals?

I am very superstitious before meets. My biggest superstition is that I have to do my own hair before the meet. If I let my coach or any of my teammates do my hair for me, it'll mess me up.

What are your plans for after high school graduation?

After high school, I plan on attending college, as I am applying to Stanford, CU Boulder, Regis, DU and TCU. I plan to major in child or sports psychology.

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.comhttp://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Keeping-Score-Hayley-Upson,236050?branding=15

An inclusive recognition - #lakewoodnews

One of Sandie Weathers' main areas of focus --; as PTA president of South Lakewood Elementary School --; is celebrating students' diverse cultures and backgrounds.

"We're a unique school, with such a diverse student body," she said. "At the end of the day, children do better if they feel free to share who they are."

The National PTA organization celebrated these new efforts by awarding South Lakewood the 2016 Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion award in May. The PTA was presented with the award on Sept. 12 at the school.

"South Lakewood Elementary PTA is committed to helping the school community embrace diversity and inclusion," said Laura Bay, president of National PTA, in a statement. "Its efforts have resulted in positive change, and we are thrilled to recognize the PTA."

The Jan Harp Domene award recognizes PTAs that go above and beyond in the areas of diversity and inclusion, as well as ending discrimination in the school.

"This is truly a prestigious award that only goes to one school," Colorado PTA President Cindy Daisley told South Lakewood's PTA. "Keep up the good work."

The award is presented to PTAs across the country in three categories: state, council/district and local unit. South Lakewood won in the local unit category.

"In a way, I wasn't too surprised when I heard we'd won," said Principal Loren Huwa. "I know how much work our PTA puts into welcoming everyone to our school."

More than 50 percent of students at South Lakewood represent ethnic minority groups, and the PTA devoted itself to celebrate these backgrounds throughout the year.

According to the data from the 2014-15 school year, South Lakewood is 53.6 percent white, 38.7 percent Hispanic, 1.3 percent black and 6.4 percent all other ethinicites. Forty-nine percent of students are on free and reduced lunch. These numbers have remained about the same for the past five years at the school, with only slight shifts up and down.

"Before, my school felt very separate. Our cultures, our personalities, even how old we were," said seventh-grader Ella McCary, who attended South Lakewood last year. "Nobody felt very connected to the school."

During the 2015-2016 year, the school hosted events throughout Hispanic Heritage and Black History months, as well as a large Intercultural Fair where students and families shared their cultures with each other. The school is also a site for Jeffco Public School's Indian Education program.

South Lakewood also recognized Autism Awareness Month by celebrating its program for autistic children and the challenges they've overcome.

There has been a lot of improvement in the students' celebration of their cultures, in large part because of these kinds of activities, Weathers said. When the children are able to feel pride in where they come from, everyone benefits.

"The award goes along with everything we do as a school," Huwa said. "This is the world, and we want to share it with the students."

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.comhttp://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/An-inclusive-recognition,236046?branding=15

Arachnids fascinate young children - #lakewoodnews

Spiders are often over-feared and misunderstood. When a spider web and huge "Charlotte" appear in the yard you might turn them into family STEAM activities at home (science, technology, engineering, arts and math).

Adults and children can observe a spider with a magnifying glass for several days while it adds to its web, collects insects and encases them. Check on spiders working at night with your flashlights. How much progress do they make by morning? Observe spiders around the neighborhood to compare spiderwebs. Warn children to look and not touch because they will bite.

Check out some nonfiction spider books from the library like "I Love Spiders" by John Parker andAnansi the Spider" by Gerald McDermott. Search for "Spiders: Animals for Children Kid's Videos" on You tube. The" Isty Bitsy Spider" song and many other finger plays are also found on the internet.

Children can discuss how spiders help the ecosystem by catching harmful insects like mosquitoes and flies. Are there female spiders carrying white sacs of eggs? Research if Daddy Long Legs are really spiders.

Adults and children may discuss what facts they learn and use different geometric shapes to illustrate a few pages about spiders. Children may dictate sentences for captions under the pictures and help staple the pages together.

With adult help, children may create their own spiders. Children can cut out two circles (head and body), eight long skinny rectangles for legs, circles for eyes, and tape them together to make a spider. Hang a string and thread it through a short straw taped on the back so the spider can climb and drop down from the string.

With help, children may make edible spiders. Cut two circles from bread, spread peanut butter, add eight pretzel legs and eight raisins for eyes.

Children can also go outside to make spiderweb mazes in sand or on the sidewalk. Spread out stones in the sand to make points for a pentagon, hexagon and octagon. With a stick or chalk, make lines like spokes in a wheel to connect each stone with the center of the shape.

To catch an intricate web, spray one with a light coating of white paint and carefully swish a large black piece of construction paper made by taping several pieces together. What geometric shapes are in the web? How do spiders store their meals? Which web has captured the most insects? How strong is a web?

Family STEAM activities help young children observe, form questions, increase vocabulary, do quick sketches and write stories of what they see for science journals.

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.comhttp://goldentranscript.net/stories/Arachnids-fascinate-young-children,236037?branding=15

My Name Is: Heidi Eversley - #lakewoodnews

About me

My family has roots in Colorado and has been here for several generations, but I was born in Seattle, Washington. We moved back to Denver when I was a toddler. My husband Richard and I feel so fortunate to live in Lakewood, such a beautiful place to raise our children, and I love to enjoy the great Colorado outdoors.

My art

I have been an artist since I was a teenager. My first influence was my sister, Suzanne Williams, who is also an artist. Growing up, we were always involved in some sort of art project.

I've always been interested in art because it allows me to express ideas, emotions and realities that can be expressed no other way. Creating art is essential for my own well-being.

I have stylistically always been an experimenter exploring from an odd angle, perspective or depth to create something intersectional. As an artist, through the years, I have journeyed through many traditional media. I have a fine arts degree with a concentration in printmaking and ceramics, which later evolved into painting and sculpture before it entered the digital realm and into motion art.

On display at the Denver Art Museum

I participated in a Motion Arts exhibition at the Niza Knoll gallery in the Sante Fe Arts District in February 2016. Representatives from the Denver Art Museum attended the show and invited me to participate in the visiting artist program in the Movement Studio at the museum.

As a visiting artist at the Denver Art Museum and part of the demo artist program, I felt honored and extremely excited to have the opportunity to engage with the public on the topic of art and the importance of art in our daily lives. What I loved most about the experience is the range of people who were interested and involved in the conversation, many of whom participated in a visitor art project I had set up.

The power of art

Art is a positive force that connects people to ideas and to each other through the past, present and future. It fosters understanding in a way that other forms of communication can't. Art can connect, heal, bring balance and be an important start to finding solutions to problems and difficulties of our time.

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.comhttp://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/My-Name-Is-Heidi-Eversley,236042?branding=15

- #lakewoodnews

Griffin Barela, golf, senior, Lakewood: He finished the 4A/5A Jefferson County League season as the medalist in the Sept. 12 tournament at West Woods Golf Club with a 3-under par 69. At the 5A Western Regionals on Sept. 15 at the Broadlands Golf Course in Broomfield, he fashioned a 5-under par 67 to finish second in the individual standings.

Max Borghi, football, junior, Pomona: His most extraordinary highlight came when he hurdled a tackler on an apparent 73-yard TD run, which was nullified because his hurdle was penalized. Still, he finished with 159 yards rushing on only 10 carries and scored three times in a 28-7 win over Ralston Valley on Sept. 16. Borghi also had two receptions for 10 yards and 29 yards on kickoff returns as the Panthers prepped for a rematch of last year's 5A title game against Valor Christian Sept. 23 at Valor.

Justin Andrade, cross-country, senior, Arvada West: Andrade won the boys varsity individual title Sept. 17 at the Arvada West Cross Country Invitational with a time of 16:27.00.

Bailey Marvel, softball, junior, D'Evelyn: Marvel helped the Jaguars cruise to a 14-2 win over Fort Lupton Sept. 16. She went 2-for-3, scored twice and had four runs batted in and improved her season batting average to .619.

Dany Pineda, soccer, sophomore, Jefferson: He scored twice in the Saints' 3-goal second half in a 3-1 win over Arrupe Jesuit on Sept. 14.

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/

Keeping Score: Hayley Upson - #lakewoodnews

What is your favorite movie?

My favorite movie is "The Blind Side"because I like how it is based on a true story. Also, the story behind the movie truly inspires me to do greater things in my life.

Who is your favorite professional or collegiate athlete?

My favorite professional athlete is Laurie Hernandez because she works extremely hard to be one of the best gymnasts, but still has fun with it and doesn't take it too seriously.

Do you have any pre-competition superstitions or rituals?

I am very superstitious before meets. My biggest superstition is that I have to do my own hair before the meet. If I let my coach or any of my teammates do my hair for me, it'll mess me up.

What are your plans for after high school graduation?

After high school, I plan on attending college, as I am applying to Stanford, CU Boulder, Regis, DU and TCU. I plan to major in child or sports psychology.

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.comhttp://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Keeping-Score-Hayley-Upson,236039?branding=15

FAC hostes watermedia exhibit for 43rd and final year - #lakewoodnews

For the 43rd year, the Foothills Art Center will bring top watermedia talent from all over the country for the annual Rocky Mountain National Watermedia exhibit.

The exhibit runs at the center, 809 15th St. in Golden, through Oct. 23. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m., Sunday.

The tradition began in 1974 when local artists approached Foothills to host a watercolor art show.

"The Rocky Mountain National Watermedia committee, founded in the beginning, extended watercolor to watermedia," said Patricia Rucker, chairwoman of the watermedia committee, in a statement. "This year's exhibition includes acrylic, tempera, casein, as well as mixed watermedia."

Here's what you need to know about this year's exhibition:

Point 1: A wide variety of subjects and styles --; In addition to the variety of watermedia styles in this year's exhibition, one of the best things about it is the diversity of subjects, according to Foothills Executive Director Hassan Najjar.

"We have everything from realism to abstraction," he said. "The range is really refreshing and will keep visitors engaged throughout the exhibit."

Point 2: The juror is Katherine Chang Liu --; Internationally known artist Liu reviewed more than 500 entries from 228 artists from 34 states to pick her favorites.

Liu was born in China and grew up in Taiwan and went on to receive her master's in science at the University of California-Berkeley. Interested in art her whole life, her work can be found in more than 1,100 public, private and corporate art collections. She has been featured in 40 books and 98 magazine or newspaper articles. In 2012 she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Watercolor USA Honor Society.

Point 3: This will be the last Rocky Mountain National Watermedia exhibit at Foothills --; Next year the exhibit will be moving to the brand-new Center for the Arts Evergreen, which is scheduled to finish construction next year.

"We've had volunteers and staff from Evergreen here as we got the show set up so they could see what goes into it," Najjar said. "It'll be great for them to have their first show at the new facility be a nationally known exhibit."

The Watermedia exhibit is the perfect kick-off of the new Evergreen center because the show has such a great reputation, not only in the metro area, but the state and country, said Vanessa Gareis, curator of the center.

"We're really excited for next year, and it's going to be great exposure for us," Gareis said. "It's just a great fit for Evergreen."

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.comhttp://goldentranscript.net/stories/FAC-hostes-watermedia-exhibit-for-43rd-and-final-year,236040?branding=15

Lakewood Tigers XC run to second place finish - #lakewoodnews

Orange jerseys with tigers on the fronts made their presence known as Lakewood boys and girls finished second in team standings at the Sept. 13 Cardinal Invitational Cross Country Meet at Elizabeth High School.

Key moments

The ground under the 5-kilometer course that looped around Elizabeth High School Stadium shook as runners from 26 schools took part in the competition.

The course, which followed a circular path up and down the hills in the area, began and ended in the stadium.

"We had a good turnout for our team with about 60 runners this season, and participation in the sport seems to be growing," Lakewood Coach Kyle Gillett said. "I think the kids come out for cross country because they like hanging out with each other."

Key players/statistics

Elizabeth won the girls team title with 80 points and the Tigers finished second with 102 points.

Lakewood's girls team was led to the finish line by Carley Bennett who finished second in the field of 121 runners with a time of 20:01.40. The other Tiger runners who scored team points were Jessica Woodhead, who finished 16th, Anna Granquist, 24th, Colleen Amori, 32nd, and Hannah Mosher, 33rd.

D'Evelyn won the boys team title with 85 points and the Tigers were second with 102 points. Chase Dornbusch was the first Lakewood runner to the finish line as he was third in the field of 141 runners with a time of 17:47.90. The other Lakewood runners who scored team points were Alex Granquist, who finished 23rd, Jack Ackerman, 24th, Nicholas Gordon, 25th, and Dean Lugsch, 27th.

They said it

Lugsch, a senior, remembered how friends talked him into joining the cross country team during his freshman year.

"Joining the cross country team was one of the best choices I have made in high school because all my closest friends are on the team and we have a great time every year," he said. "I like to run most of the time and it is my thing. My only other high school sport is track, and during the winter I run with a track club to help me stay in good shape and to work on improving my times."

Other area school finishes

The other four area schools at the invitational were Alameda, D'Evelyn, Golden and Green Mountain.

D'Evelyn boys were led by Lucas Jordan who finished 10th in the field of 141 runners. His teammates all finished in the top 35 as the Jaguars won the boys team title with 80 points. D'Evelyn girls finished seventh in team standings and Chloe Stensland was the first Jaguar across the finish line at 13th in the 121-runner field with a time of 21:56.20.

Green Mountain's girls finished third in team standings with 104 points. The first Ram runner across the finish line was Kasey Klocek, who was sixth with a time of 20:22.90. The Ram boys finished fifth in the team standings with 135 points and Green Mountain's first runner across the finish line was Jace Pivonka, who was fourth with a time of 17:52.30.

Golden's girls finished fifth in team standings with 148 points. Rachael Goodrich and Mary Fox set the pace for the Demons as they finished third and fourth, respectively. Both girls time was listed as 20:11.50. The Demon boys were eighth in team standings with 171 points. Danny Ridley was the first runner for his team to cross the finish line; he was 26th with a time of 19:13.30.

Alameda's boys finished 17th with a score of 447. The lead Pirate runner was Leonardo Andrada who was 53rd with a time of 20:06.30. The only Pirate girl to complete the race was Angel Bernard, who finished 22nd with a time of 22:23.40.

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.comhttp://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Lakewood-Tigers-XC-run-to-second-place-finish,236036?branding=15

Integrating art into neighborhoods - #lakewoodnews

Real Coloradoans know there's no such thing as bad weather for ice cream.

And so despite cloudy skies and autumn temperatures, residents of the North East Lakewood Neighborhood around Aviation Park turned out for Popsicles and ice cream sandwiches and to share thoughts with Lakewood city staff on the coming Arts Loop.

"We're looking at ways to get out and engage with the communities near the loop," said Alexis Moore, principal planner with the city. "We'll be at other events this fall to get our residents' input on what they'd like to see for the loop."

As children scrambled over Aviation Park's playground, competed in non-regulation croquet and cornhole, parents chatted with Moore, arts curator Lorene Joos, facilities planner Ross Williams and landscape architect John Paliga about the potential route for the loop, and the public art that would decorate it.

The proposed loop will go around the northeast section of the city, highlighting 40 West and West Colfax and featuring Walker Branch, Mountair Park and Aviation Park. This is the first arts loop in Lakewood, and was born out of a partnership between the 40 West Arts District and the city. The project was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts Our Town Grant to help pay for the loop.

"We're excited to be a part of the loop," said Pam Benigno, a member of the North East Lakewood Neighborhood Organization. "We feel strongly that being part of the loop will benefit the neighborhood and give us another thing in our neighborhood to be proud of."

Many residents out walking their dogs stopped by to chat and share excitement about the loop, which could begin construction in spring 2017.

"I'm interested in the work they're doing here, especially as a large-scale sculptor," said Sean Doherty, who was out on his evening walk with his dog. Doherty walks through Aviation Park twice a day, and said he's excited about the changes the loop will bring.

"The trails here are already being used by a lot of people, so I'm excited to see the park get spiced up," he said. "This project is part of the dedication to arts for the future in the city, and this loop integrates art right into the community."Real Coloradoans know there's no such thing as bad weather for ice cream.

Many residents out walking their dogs stopped by to chat and share excitement about the loop, which could begin construction in spring 2017.

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Integrating-art-into-neighborhoods,236043

City approves rink/pavilion architect

from Valley Courier - News http://www.alamosanews.com/V2_news_articles.php

Students may receive medical marijuana

from Valley Courier - News http://www.alamosanews.com/V2_news_articles.php

Questions remain about Jeffco's sixth-grade shift - #lakewoodnews

In response to the article by Crystal Anderson, "Shift eyed at Jeffco middle schools" article, nearly $100 million of the $535 million bond request is allocated to moving sixth graders to middle schools. There are a few items that need further attention. The rationale used is it's "a better way to utilize existing facilities." If that were true, why does it cost $100 million to add 120 classrooms? How is that utilizing current facilities efficiently when sixth graders already have space in elementary schools?

If sixth graders are moved, there will be 24 elementary schools with less than 300 students. The school board used 300 students in the initial facility plan as the cut-off to determine if a school should be closed. The school board said they wouldn't close those small schools "yet." But will smaller schools have to be financially subsidized so they can operate comparably to larger schools? How will this impact neighborhoods in which smaller schools are an integral part of communities? Having 24 schools potentially close and sit empty is not a better way to utilize existing facilities.

Moving sixth graders will negatively impact teachers. Five thousand sixth graders are projected to make this move resulting in over 200 teachers having to make a choice to move to middle school. Since the teaching credentials are different in middle school, teachers will have to be accredited as a content specialist. They will have to do that on their own time and on their own dollar. Special teachers (PE, art and music) will also be impacted as middle schools already have elective teachers. How many specials teachers lose jobs?

The school board didn't do an adequate job of soliciting community feedback on this topic. When the school district discussed moving sixth graders in 2008-09, a team of 50 community leaders spent nearly eight months studying and soliciting feedback. In 2012, the school board spent nearly 12 months gathering input. This board spent less than 90 days having this conversation and nearly half of the neighborhoods weren't even scheduled to have their sixth graders moved, so parents in those areas weren't engaged. The online survey had 851 responders, and only about half agreed with this proposal. With over 170,000 parents in Jeffco, this survey is statistically insignificant. Moreover, under 500 people participated in the two calls and 12 public meetings, most of which were held during summer break. Shouldn't we have a much larger conversation before facing the largest-ever bond request?

The article included feedback from parents of autistic children who will lose a year of services if moved to sixth grade. There are 14 center programs in elementary schools --; providing the support these students need to be successful. There are zero autism center programs in middle school, so moving sixth graders means one less year of specialized support for those who need it.

I am glad there is a school like Sobesky as an option for special needs students, but they service students who struggle with significant emotional and/or mental health disabilities, not children attending autism centers. It is insulting to those parents who are striving to meet the learning needs of their children to tell them Sobesky is a viable option.

Dr. (Dru) Tomlin (director of middle-level services at the Association for Middle Level Education) mentions that middle schools can offer students additional opportunities, but what are Jeffco's plans? How is Jeffco going to address the loss of direct literacy hours or the fact that test scores in middle schools are some of the lowest in the district? Shouldn't parents know plans for improving student achievement prior to the move? Dr. Tomlin also said "Kids are neurologically hooked up to take risks and make questionable decisions." How will Jeffco handle this? Why put kids at risk a year earlier, especially when studies show sixth graders in middle schools have more discipline problems than those in elementary schools?

Mr. (Terry) Elliot (chief school effectiveness officer for Jeffco Public Schools) is quoted as saying "Grade configuration is not as important as what is happening in the classroom and at the school," so why spend $100 million moving sixth graders? Just because other school districts are doing this does not mean it is the right choice for Jeffco.

Finally, the article makes no mention of the actual cost of the $535 million bond. Our ballots will tell us that we will actually be paying $987.22 million, $200 million more than is necessary because of the financing payback plan. That's a billion dollars in debt with nothing in it to specifically help our students.

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.comhttp://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Questions-remain-about-Jeffcos-sixth-grade-shift,236030?branding=15