Parker Chronicle

Chronicle Parker

Douglas County, Colorado • Volume 10, Issue 52

October 26, 2012 A Colorado Community Media Publication

ourparkernews.com

Cops seek man who tried to lure girl

A REAL BAT MAN

Suspect’s vehicle described as teal Chevy Astro Van

By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@ourcoloradonews.com

Rob Mies, scientist and renowned bat expert for the Organization for Bat Conservation, shows of a Malayan lying fox, the largest bat species in the world, during a presentation at The Wildlife Experience Oct. 18. Mies taught children and parents alike about bat behavior while showing of three diferent species, all of which had been injured at some point in their lives. Photo by Chris Michlewicz

Event to honor county philanthropists Dave and Gail Liniger founded RE/MAX

By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@ourcoloradonews.com Chances are most Douglas County residents have indirectly benefitted from the generosity of two local philanthropists. Chances are just as good that those residents don’t even know the names of those contributors.

Dave and Gail Liniger, of Castle Rock, have quietly set about improving the community around them one donation, one project, one organization at a time. They are the founders of The Wildlife Experience, a nonprofit museum on Lincoln Avenue east of Interstate 25 that promotes an appreciation and respect for wildlife and the outdoors through adven-

Dave Liniger

Gail Liniger

ture, experience and education.

The Linigers, whose wealth is tied to their tireless efforts to build RE/MAX from the ground up, also established the highly regarded Sanctuary golf course, the use of which is donated each year to a handful of nonprofits for money-raising golf tournaments.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is among the organizations that have been able to raise money via the Linigers’ benevolence.

“Dave and Gail Liniger have been the pillars of the

community for their philanthropic efforts,” said Sheriff Dave Weaver. “Many people have benefited from their vast compassion and generosity.”

Colorado’s top dignitaries, including Gov. John Hickenlooper, are gathering Nov. 3 at The Wildlife Experience for Expedition 10, an event that both honors the Linigers for their kindness and marks the museum’s accomplishments over its first 10 years.

Gary Debus, president and chief executive officer of The Wildlife Experience, said Expedition 10 will be the first time the couple has been publicly recognized for their gifts to the community. The primary reason why they might not be wellknown among the general Douglas County population is because the Linigers have never made being in the spotlight a priority.

“They care deeply about the place they live,” Debus said. “Douglas County is their home.”

The Linigers have been instrumental in the success of nonprofit groups that help, among other causes, education, veterans, the arts, culture and health.

The latter category includes donating and helping to raise about $117 million for the Children’s Miracle Network. They have also taken stands on issues that affect the county, such as the 2011 proposal to create a municipal landfill near the Backcountry Wilderness Area in Highlands Ranch.

Debus says there are few areas in which the Linigers are not involved, and Weaver listed off the organizations that have connections to the sheriff’s office that have been helped, including the Expedition continues on Page 13

The possible attempted abduction of a 4-year-old Parker girl has police scouring for clues and child safety classes filling within hours.

The Parker Police Department issued a warning Oct. 17 about what it called a “suspicious occurrence” days earlier in the Clarke Farms neighborhood. A mother of three children was placing two of the kids in her vehicle in her driveway around 3:30 p.m. Oct. 14 when she heard a vehicle pull up, then a man’s voice. When she looked around to the other side of her vehicle, a male passenger in a teal-colored Chevrolet Astro Van was “signaling with his hands” for the 4-year-old girl to come toward him.

When the suspect saw the mother, he ducked down and the van sped off. The mother and a handful of witnesses were unable to describe either the passenger or driver in any detail, and did not get a license plate number. The van was said to have a “high gloss paint job.”

Police officers and detectives have since canvassed the area near where the incident took place and interviewed homeowners in the area to determine whether anyone had seen a van matching the description of the suspect vehicle. The Parker police have issued a statewide “Be On the Lookout” bulletin, or BOLO, and are in touch with the Westminster police to see if there are any similarities or connections to the case of Jessica Ridgeway, whose body was found more than a week after her disappearance from a residential street.

The suspect in the van never exited the vehicle and the incident has not officially been called an abduction attempt, but the man raised suspicions through his actions, including ducking and “trying to hide his face,” said Dawn Cashman, public information officer for the Parker police.

“We don’t know what his intent was, but that’s not normal behavior,” she said.

Shortly after the report was made, the Parker police stopped a vehicle that closely matched the description of the Astro Van and took witnesses to the area, but they did not positively identify it as the suspect vehicle.

The mother was initially not planning to report the incident. However, increased awareness of child predators and media stories about other possible abduction attempts in the Denver area prompted her to come forward.

Residents have become “hyper-vigilant” about child abductions and law enforcement agencies across Colorado are receiving an increased number of tips about suspicious activity. Hundreds of people have Abduction continues on Page 13

Printed on recycled newsprint. Please recycle this copy.

October 26, 2012

2 Parker Chronicle

No charges for officer in shooting Parker man died in July incident

By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@ourcoloradonews.com A Denver police officer will not face criminal charges for shooting and killing a Parker man who reportedly was reaching for another officer’s gun.

Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey issued a “police shooting decision letter” early last month that commended the officer who fired the shots in July that killed 22-year-old Kevin Ryberg, a Ponderosa High School graduate.

Investigators said shortly after the shooting that Ryberg attacked a police officer while in custody, despite having been handcuffed in the rear seat of a moving patrol car.

Morrissey’s findings and report shed

more light on the incident.

An employee of the Niagara House Motel in Denver tried to wake Ryberg on July 31 to determine whether he was going to pay for another night or check out. The employee could not wake Ryberg him and saw a 9mm semiautomatic handgun next to him, leading to a call to police.

Officers moved the gun and roused Ryberg from his sleep. After a brief struggle, they placed him into custody and found a baggie with suspected methamphetamine in his pants pocket, according to the report. Officers discovered that Ryberg had a felony warrant out of Denver for menacing, third-degree assault and false imprisonment. He had allegedly threatened a person with a knife and crowbar in June.

Before he was placed in the rear seat of the police car, officer Tim Luke granted Ryberg’s request to loosen one of his cuffs.

Luke drove Ryberg toward a substation, with Officer Randall Krouse following, and a Plexiglas partition separating Luke and Ryberg was left open.

During the drive, Ryberg came headfirst through the open partition, grabbed a Taser from the center console and struck the officer repeatedly in the face during a struggle over the weapon, Luke reported. Luke deployed the Taser toward Ryberg, but both men were affected by the weapon because of their proximity.

That was when Luke says Ryberg began reaching for his police-issued Glock in his holster, leading Luke to use his baton to break out two car windows so Krouse could come to his aid.

Luke heard Krouse fire two gunshots and said Ryberg stopped fighting. He later died at a hospital.

An autopsy report said preliminary toxicology tests indicated that Ryberg had methamphetamine and cocaine in his system.

When reached by phone Oct. 22, Ryberg’s mother, Brenda, said she could not comment on the case because the family has not decided on future actions. She disagrees with the decision not to criminally charge the officer.

“They say it’s final. I say it isn’t,” she said.

“I don’t agree with any of (the report),” she added.

Four witnesses said they saw Ryberg attacking Luke in the front seat and saw the subsequent shooting. One reported that Ryberg’s left hand was free from the cuff, as Luke and Krouse reported. Luke suffered a few scrapes and had glass in his eye from the broken windows, but was otherwise unharmed.

SO MUCH INSIDE THE CHRONICLE THIS WEEK School issues. Parent Led Reform, a group urging big changes in Douglas County schools, aims to expand statewide. Page 4

Not quite right.

A crime-reporting website raised fears by listing a homicide in Douglas County that didn’t occur.

Page 7

Bright outlook.

KEZW has become the second radio station in the country to harvest its energy from solar power.

Page 16

Pole to pole.

We’re bufeted between the Bad and the Good, with a lot of territory in between, says columnist Craig Marshall Smith.

Page 10

Net gain. Chaparral volleyball gets revenge on Highlands Ranch. Page 28

On the diamond. Local softball teams battle at state. Page 29

Ballet at PACE. Music by Italian composers Tartini and Vivaldi will be featured when Ballet Nouveau Colorado brings “Dangerous Liaisons” to Parker’s PACE Center. Page 27

October 26, 2012

Parker Chronicle 3

Union, district to ofer separate teacher classes Union extends Groups will provide ongoing education

By Jane Reuter jreuter@ourcoloradonews. com The Douglas County teachers’ union will continue to offers its professional development classes to teachers, despite the expiration of its collective bargaining agreement with the school district.

Until this year, the classes were offered free to all teachers through the district. But the Douglas County Federation now will offer them for an as-yet-undetermined fee through Adams State University’s teacher professional development division.

Meanwhile, the school district is creating its own set of teacher classes, designed to tie into its strategic plan, pay-for-performance network and evaluation system.

Both the union and district believe their courses offer teachers unique benefits.

“We’ve provided this research-based professional development since 1999,

and we felt they were critical enough we should continue to offer them,” said Joanne Slanovich, president of the Douglas County Federation of Retirees, part of the union.

“It’s part of who we are as an organization. Why would we want to take it away from people simply because the district said they were going in a different direction?”

Pat McGraw, the district’s development and innovation officer, didn’t disagree.

“We’ve encouraged the union to continue to offer the courses in an outside venue,” he said. “I think they’re not overlapping.”

Sometime in November, the union hopes to hold its first classes, most of which will run five weeks for a total of 18 hours. All told, it will offer 15 classes, ranging from Foundations of Effective Teaching to Thinking Mathematics.

The district’s online catalog includes 26 courses, among them Backward Planning and Transformational Geometry. Some of the classes are designed for specific schools, such as the Hope Online K-12 school,

and others - like the STEM Institute and iPad Training — aimed at 21st-century learning skills.

District officials are calling on staff at various schools to help guide them.

“Because we are a choice district, we have different programming at different schools,” McGraw said. “It’s not one size fits all. We’re tailoring the development in the schools, dependent upon the program that’s offered.”

The internationally offered union classes are based on the Educational Research and Dissemination Program created by its national organization, the American Federation of Teachers.

Teachers who take the union’s ER&D classes are required to apply the methods in the classroom and report those outcomes. That makes the education an ongoing process, Slanovich said, ensuring the information is ingrained in the individual teacher.

“It’s not just researchbased,” Slanovich said. “It’s research that has been validated by other researchers. It

works with different groups of students. I’ve seen it work in very small districts. I’ve seen it work in large districts.”

The district’s also is based on national research, McGraw said, tailored “to meet the needs of our district.”

Doing so is hard work, he admitted. “It’s incredible work, though.”

Teachers are not required to take any of the classes, though the district offers teachers a small financial incentive in exchange for a specific investment of time.

The union is still working with Adams State to gain final approval on its classes.

That approval will extend for three years, and Slanovich said classes will be offered “as long as there is a request for them.”

Information on the union’s classes is available at www.douglascountyclassrooms.com.

A list of district-offered courses is available on the DCSD Web site www.dcsdk12.org/centerforprofessionaldevelopment/index. htm

classes to parents Free sessions begin this month

By Jane Reuter jreuter@ourcoloradonews.com Parents seeking to help young children sharpen their reading skills can choose from a series of ongoing evening classes. The Douglas County teachers’ union this month kicked off what will be a continuous series of free workshops designed for parents.

The classes focus on phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension, and are offered this fall at elementary schools in Parker and Castle Rock.

Douglas County School District teachers will lead the classes, using research from the national Educational Research and Dissemination program originally created for teachers.

“Parents have asked about these classes,” said Joanne Slanovich, president of the Douglas County Federation of Retirees, part of the union. “We felt the courses were so good and teachers were learning so much we should open it up to parents.”

Two evening classes are planned in Castle Rock on Oct. 24 and 25, and two more in Parker on Nov. 7 and 14.

For more information and to register, visit www.douglascountyclassrooms.com.

Each class is limited to 30 participants.

October 26, 2012

4 Parker Chronicle

Parent Led Reform has aim of expansion Douglas-based group wants to go statewide

By Jane Reuter jreuter@ourcoloradonews.com Parent Led Reform aims to grow into a statewide organization, and its founder doesn’t rule out the idea of someday going national. The proeducation reform group, founded in Douglas County by a Parker woman, recently expanded to Jefferson County.

“Right now, our focus is statewide,” said founder Karin Piper.

“That’s a dream on its own. But I have to admit, I’m already being contacted by parents in other states that are asking how long it will be until we come there.”

Piper, whose interest in school choice sprang from the diverse educational needs of her three children, is no longer the group’s volunteer leader. Earlier this year, the board raised funds and hired her as its executive director.

She declined to provide her salary or the identities of those who are funding PLR, saying only that they are local. The group is a nonprofit corporation registered in Piper’s name with the Colorado secretary of state.

PLR now is governed by a board of directors, including Washington, D.C.-based charter school advocate Mark Hyatt, Colorado State Sen. Tim Neville, former Douglas County Republican Party chairman John Ransom and financial consultant Tyler Hart.

While the board members have strong Republican political leanings, Piper describes PLR as “a multi-issue parent network” with no political affiliation.

“I am politically unaffiliated and I still remain that, to this day,” she said. Politics “is not my focus and it’s certainly not the organization’s focus either. Our focus is to project parental power into education reform. We do not and cannot have an educational bias.

“We believe in homeschooling, neighborhood schools, charter schools, online schools and private schools alike. Our group does not have a preference one way or another, but we think those choices belong with parents.”

The group shares many of the Douglas County School Board’s pro-reform ideas. It proposed the idea of open negotiations with the union to the board in early 2012, to which the board and union agreed.

In September, it requested the board investigate emails sent through the

district’s system that PLR suspected were political, and therefore inappropriate. The district has not responded yet to those concerns.

But PLR board director Ransom said it does not work hand-in-hand with the school board.

“We’re not connected to anybody, including the Douglas County School Board,” said Ransom, whose son attends Mountain Vista High School. “There’s certainly some likemindedness going on here. But I can tell you from the time they got elected until now, I’ve maybe had a half-dozen conversations with those guys.

“We are concerned about things at the local level. We’re not part of a bigger organization, but a small, grassroots organization that is having some success.”

Ransom believes the need for education reform crosses not only the political aisle, but spans demographic divides.

“I don’t think anybody would say K-12 education is adequate here in the United States,” he said. “We have to do something. The thing we’re saying is, if we can’t take these real simple steps in a place like Douglas County in order to improve public education, what hope does a place like Denver have?”

October 26, 2012

HEADS UP, WATER USERS

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A frog and mallard swapped heads to encourage residents at the Parker Farmers Market to swap out their old sprinkler heads for water-conserving low-low heads this fall as they are having their systems serviced. The two “species” — an “amphibillard” (amphibian/mallard) and “mallian” (mallard/amphibian) — were part of the 90 By 20 campaign, a nonproit initiative to encourage utilities using Colorado River water (which is pumped over the Continental Divide to the Front Range) to hold residential use to 90 gallons per capita per day by 2020.

Current rates in Parker exceed 120, according to the marketing irm running the campaign. Courtesy photo

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October 26, 2012

6 Parker Chronicle

GIVE ME SOMETHING GOOD

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Participants in last year’s Trick or Treat on Mainstreet line up for candy at a downtown Parker shop. Thousands of people are expected at the sixth annual event from 4:30-8 p.m. on Halloween. Entertainment includes goodies, Halloween-themed activities and costumed cartoon characters and superheroes. Courtesy photo

October 26, 2012

Parker Chronicle 7

Crime reporting site can cause confusion

Attempted homicide categorized as slaying in Highlands Ranch

By Ryan Boldrey

rboldrey@ourcoloradonews.com

An attempted homicide in Highlands Ranch this July has caused confusion to some residents over whether an actual murder took place in a Cedarcrest Circle home.

The incident, a stabbing that occurred the morning of July 17 in the Hearth subdivision, is coded as a homicide on the public website, crimereports.com.

According to both the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Coroner Lora Thomas, no death occurred at the scene or as a result of the incident.

The red “H” — the only one of its kind on the site in Highlands Ranch over the

past six months — raised a definite red flag for Hugh Whitmore, a resident who had been considering moving into the subdivision.

Not knowing where to turn for more information, Whitmore knocked on some doors, asking residents of the neighborhood what they knew. The only resident who had heard anything had been incorrectly informed by an alarm company salesperson who was using the crimereports.com information as a sales tactic, telling people that someone had been killed in the neighborhood and encouraging residents to buy an alarm system because of it.

Not to fault the salesperson, though, anyone who goes to that site and searches for homicides in Highlands Ranch over the summer would see one pop up on the 10600 block of Cedarcrest Circle.

And why would anyone think a homicide didn’t occur?

According to sheriff’s spokesman Sgt.

DC H APPEN IN GS l e c t i o n D a y v o t i n g a v a il a b l e a t 26 locations

Registered voters may vote at one of 26 voter-assigned locations throughout Douglas County on Election Day, Nov. 6. Voters are assigned a voting location based on the voter’s precinct number.

Visit www.DouglasVotes.com for a list of Election Day voting locations and precinct assignments in Douglas County.

All registered voters who vote at the polls must provide identification. Visit www.DouglasVotes.com for a list of acceptable forms of identification. Polls open at 7 a.m. Nov. 6 and close at 7 p.m.

Douglas County tax lien sale is Nov. 1

The Douglas County tax lien sale on Nov. 1 will be an Internet auction via www.realauction.com. Visit the web site for bidding rules, guideline and registration information. All properties available for bidding at the tax lien sale are those that have 2011 or prior year property taxes owed to Douglas County. Douglas County’s average collection rate on property taxes is 99.9 percent annually; therefore, only a small percentage of taxes are

available at the sale. The statutory interest for the 2012 tax lien sale is 10 percent.

“Tax liens are not risk free but can be a stable long-term investment, similar to a certificate of deposit,” said Douglas County Treasurer Diane Holbert. “I strongly encourage researching the property in question by visiting the website, www.douglas.co.us/treasurer/Tax_Lien_ Sale_Information.html or the assessor’s website, http://www.douglas.co.us/assessor.index.html.

An individual or a business can bid on the delinquent taxes at the sale. If a premium is offered, the highest bidder will be awarded the tax lien.

The winning bidder is responsible for paying Douglas County all taxes, fees, and any premium bid. Premiums do not earn interest.

In preparation for the annual tax lien sale, the treasurer’s office will publish an online listing of delinquent properties.

For information on the sale, visit www. douglas.co.us/treasurer/Tax_Lien_Sale_ Information.html or call the treasurer’s office at 303-660-7455.

MILESTONES Education Kelly Mason, a 2007 Ponderosa High graduate and a 2012 Colorado State University graduate, was honored among 17 other CSU alumni Oct. 4. She received the Albert C. Yates Student Leadership Award. Mason earned bachelor’s degrees in biology and languages, literatures and cultures, with an emphasis in Spanish. Each year the Colorado State Alumni Association honors distinguished alumni for their service to their communities, their professions, and the university.

Mason earned the Distinguished Service Key from her coed fraternity Alpha Phi Omega for her hard work and excellence in service. While attending CSU, Mason completed more than 350 hours of community service while earning two degrees and working for the university. She will also be honored in a separate ceremony for being on the dean’s list for the College of Natural Sciences.

Mason plans to continue her education in neuroscience.

Quincy Anna Benton, of Parker, graduated with honors with a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Iowa.

HAVE A STORY IDEA? Email your ideas to Parker Community Editor Chris Michlewicz at cmichlewicz@ourcoloradonews.com or call him at 303-566-4086.

Ron Hanavan, one issue with the site, in addition to providing a very limited amount of information on a single incident, is that it does not pull the word “attempted” from their report when it posts an incident.

“It pulls information from our records system based on the `occurred incident type,’ without regard to whether the crime was attempted or completed,” Hanavan said. “In this case, the `occurred incident type’ was appropriate for the circumstances, but because of limitations in the way crimereports.com pulls summary data, the word `attempted’ does not appear in the search result.

“We make every effort to ensure that information put out for public consumption is accurate, and in this case it was accurate, albeit incomplete. Like any informational tool, crimereports.com may provide information that is not completely fleshed out.”

Standard practice for law enforcement

agencies is to not release any information on investigations that are open, but certain crime reporting websites, such as crimereports.com, allow the public to see incidents that have occurred and may still be under investigation.

“The information provided on crimereports.com is a resource and convenience tool for the general public,” Hanavan said. “We ask that if someone has a specific question about an incident that they inquire through an open records request, or by calling. The department will always be happy to provide any information it can.”

The sheriff’s office can be contacted at 303-660-7544.

If an investigation is still open the department may not be able to provide any information, or only a limited amount.

Hanavan said the case on Cedarcrest Circle is still open and no charges have been filed at this time.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU If you would like to share your opinion, go to www.ourcoloradonews.com or write a letter to the editor. Please send letters to letters@ourcoloradonews.com.

October 26, 2012

8 Parker Chronicle

A glimpse at who’s running for council Background information on Parker’s eight candidates Compiled by Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@ourcoloradonews.com

Fraker Parker residents can learn plenty about town council candidates through campaign websites, but the following offers a brief glimpse into who is running.

Question-and-answer sessions with the candidates, in which they divulge their positions on various issues, are posted online at www.ourparkernews.com.

John Diak John Diak, a Parker resident since 1983, has been involved in the community, from participating in the 1988 “Stay Alive on Highway 83” campaign as a high school senior to the 2012 Smokin’ Brew BBQ that raised funds for charitable causes.

Diak attended Colorado State University, where he earned a dual degree in finance and human development and family studies. Upon graduation, he came home to Parker and began working for Western States Surveying, a locally owned and operated land surveying company He and his wife of 13 years, Noelle, are raising their three children in the Bradbury Hills subdivision.

Ron Fraker Jr. Ron Fraker Jr. has lived in Parker for eight years. He attended the University of Denver, where he received a degree in finance/marketing and a degree in statistics with a minor in economics. He later earned a master’s in business administration and a master’s in science of finance with a minor in business-to-business marketing. Fraker works in his family’s business as a manufacturers’ represen-

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tative selling hardware, automotive and farm products in the Rocky Mountain and Great Lakes regions. He is married to his wife, Lindsey, and they have two sons.

police and public works departments to understand how they function within the Town of Parker. He has lived in Parker for three years with his wife, Tia.

Robert Kron

Debbie Lewis

Robert Kron is originally from a small Minnesota farming community “where everyone knew each other.” He has been involved with youth sports in Parker and served in various capacities with the Boy Scouts of America.

He says he is not a career politician.

Kron has spent most of his life in the private sector, providing him with knowledge of how the economy works. He has a bachelor’s degree in science from the University of Phoenix and a master’s of business administration in finance and accounting from Keller Graduate School of Management. Kron moved to Parker four years ago with his wife, three sons and one daughter.

Debbie Lewis is a 30-year resident of Parker and former Town Council member. Lewis has a bachelor of science in education and has been a Parker small business owner for more than 30 years.

She has been the award recipient of the prestigious Citizen of the Year O’Brien Award and has been a Parker Chamber of Commerce member for many years.

As a Parker Town Council member for eight years (1996-2000 and 2004-2008), Lewis was a part of many special committees and legislative groups. She has raised two children in Parker and is a grandmother of three.

Roberts

Wright

on Mainstreet and decided it would be a perfect fit. They live in Idyllwilde with their two children.

Bob Roberts

Mark Lane Mark Lane lives off Mainstreet, runs a pedestrian taxi company on Mainstreet and is actively involved in the community as a resident and business owner.

He says his work allows him to meet many of the residents of Parker, listen to their concerns and to see areas that need focus. He is a Parker Chamber of Commerce member who volunteers as an ambassador to help new members “learn the ropes.”

Lane attended the 2012 Parker Civic Academy and learned about planning,

Joshua Rivero Joshua Rivero owns a coffee shop in downtown Parker and is an active community member.

He served as president for two years of the now-absorbed Downtown Development Council shortly after purchasing his business in 2008. While at the DDC, Rivero was involved in bringing the Farmers Market back to Mainstreet and in creating downtown events organized by the Parker Chamber of Commerce.

Rivero met his future wife, Anna, in 2001. When starting a family, they moved to Parker to be near Rivero’s family.

They found an old coffee shop for sale

Bob Roberts has lived in Parker for seven years and is the owner of a small general-practice law firm on Mainstreet.

Roberts holds a bachelor of arts degree, a bachelor of science degree, and a juris doctor degree from the University of Denver. He works regularly with local and county agencies as part of his law practice. He also volunteers with the Douglas/Elbert Task Force charity and Habitat for Humanity.

In his free time, Roberts enjoys hunting, fishing, biking, running, and hiking with his girlfriend and their two big dogs.

Bill Wright

Bill Wright is a longtime Parker resident, businessman and community volunteer. Wright, who is retired from the energy industry, has lived in Parker for 13 years and “knows just how good we have it here.”

He grew up in Colorado and graduated from Colorado State University with bachelor’s degrees in science and business. He went on to earn a master’s in business administration from the University of Texas-Austin. He has also served on various commissions, including a stint as a board member for the Colorado Council on Economic Education. Wright has been married to his wife, Carol, for five years.

New park Accidental gas leak destroyed Castle Rock home steeped in history

By Rhonda Moore

rmoore@ourcoloradonews.com

Fire investigators determined the gas leak that leveled a Castle Rock home originated in the basement room holding the furnace and water heater.

The home at 6942 Sulfur Lane in Sapphire Pointe was destroyed in a natural gas explosion around 7:15 a.m. Oct. 12.

The five family members in the home, Lisa Martinez and her four children, survived the explosion with minor injuries, in an event Castle Rock Fire Chief Art Morales described as a “miracle.”

Morales shared the findings of the investigation Oct. 17 with about 160 residents who attended an open house at Fire Station 155, near the entrance to the Sapphire Pointe subdivision. He was joined by representatives from

Black Hills Energy and the Castle Rock Police Department, who aided in the investigation until officials were certain the incident was not a criminal investigation.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families,” said Wes Ashton, with Black Hills Energy external affairs. “We’re so grateful for the outcome, it could have been so different.”

By the time officials were ready to announce their findings, in-

vestigators were sure the gas leak was unintentional, Morales said.

Based on witness accounts and the findings on scene, investigators believe the natural gas built up so that the point of ignition instantly consumed the fuel that had gathered, Morales said.

The ignition caused the house to shatter out and pull back into itself as the oxygen was consumed by the explosion in the basement, Morales said.

Staf report

Arapahoe County celebrated the opening of the 17 Mile House Farm Park, the newest gem in its open space crown, with a dedication, ribbon-cutting and fall festival on Oct. 20.

The 70-acre park, located at 8181 South Parker Road, adjacent to Cherry Creek and the boundary of Arapahoe and Douglas counties, features a restored farmhouse, silo and two replica windmills, as well as a trailhead linked to the Cherry Creek Regional Trail system.

Named for the 120-year-old home on the property, the park was once part of the historic Cherokee Trail stagecoach route to Denver.

Former tenants of the 17 Mile House, Jack Race and Ruth Race-Dolan, attended the ceremony and entertained visitors with childhood stories.

Purchased for about $12,000 in the 1930s, RaceDolan said the property, as she remembers, came with 640 acres of land and she and her siblings attended a one-room schoolhouse located a few miles away.

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October 26, 2012

10 Parker Chronicle

OPINIONS / YOURS AND OURS

The Bad, the Good, and in between We just get through — if not over — one Bad thing in the news and another one comes right along, on its heels, and clobbers our heads and hearts. In between something Good makes us feel OK again. For a while.

We get buffeted from the Aurora theater massacre to Missy to Jessica Ridgeway to the Broncos miracle to five people murdered in a Denver bar.

And that’s just us: metro Denver. Every other city in America and in the world goes through this.

Try bookmarking The Los Angeles Times to get some idea of what happens in a larger city, in Los Angeles and the suburbs.

“I don’t read the news, or watch it,” a nurse said to me recently. But for some reason he knew about Malala Yousufzai (The Good), the 14-year old Pakistani girl who was shot in the head on a school bus by members of the Taliban (The Bad).

There are statistics for absolutely everything.

Except this: How many of us are Good and how many of us are Bad?

I know: “Good” and “Bad” are very broad generalizations, and that some of us are both Good and Bad. Or more Good than Bad, or more Bad than Good. But some of us are always Good, and some of us are always Bad. Can you picture Missy Franklin EVER being Bad? Even a little Bad? Me either.

When I was sitting in Miss Frobischer’s first-grade class in Uniontown, Pa., I am sure I thought that all 18 of my classmates were Good, and would be Good forever.

In reality one of them probably opened a puppy mill (The Bad) and one of them smacked his wife around (The Bad). One of them served in Vietnam (The Good)

and one of them became an honest politician* (The Non Sequitur).

I have had my moments in both camps, but in general I think I am The Good. I am not as Good as my sister. She is The Good beyond my comprehension.

It’s always disappointing when The Good turn out to be The Bad. Lance, Lance, Lance. You break my heart. Joe Paterno. His Bad was adjunctive, however, and I because of that I will always have compassion for him.

Some of us have no choice. We are born under a Bad sign, whether it is indifferent parenting, or squalor, or the proximity to gangs, illegal drugs, or gunrelated mayhem.

I am sure that one of my classmates looked over the shoulder of another one when we were tested on fruits and stole an answer, and years later he stole a fruit truck.

We can be scammed partly because we believe or want to believe that people are basically Good.

Then we see our doctor on “60 Minutes” and it’s not because she has donat-

ed a kidney.

She’s sitting there with re-used syringes, and a candy dish of Oxycodone, Percocet, and Dexedrine.

Back to the nurse. I know a number of people who don’t read or watch the news.

The nurse said, “I can’t do anything about it anyhow.”

Neither can I, but I need to know. I want to stay informed for one thing, and for another, Bad news — I have to say this carefully — is a part of my general humbug with life, and contributes to the instruction of my thoughts, my writing, and even my painting.

Everything isn’t festooned with sunflowers.

Finally, now and then Bad news might give us a Good Laugh: “Other than that, how did you like the play, Mrs. Lincoln?” *Quote: “If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?” Abraham Lincoln Craig Marshall Smith is an artist, educator and Highlands Ranch resident. He can be reached at craigmarshallsmith@ comcast.net

Dragon slayers never quit Did you ever notice that in almost every movie, if not every movie that includes a dragon slayer, the hero is going solo?

It’s true, man or woman, adult or child, wizard or warlock, at some point the defender of our safety ends up fighting the fire-breathing beast alone.

Pushed backwards to the edge of a precipice or cliff, our valiant dragon slayer is down to just their sword and shield and in some cases, just his or her sword.

I have even seen in some movies where they may have no weaponry at all, they are in the final throes of battle with just their bare hands, just like Harry Potter who lost his wand.

As viewers of a movie or readers of the book, we are caught up in this intense moment with the character, our hands get sweaty and our hearts race as if we are the ones in battle and quite possibly about to die.

With all of our hearts and might, we “will” the hero to succeed. We so very much want them to win.

I mean really, who ever really roots for the dragon?

Let’s fast-forward to the present day and our careers, our workplace, our relationships, and our world.

The dragons still exist, but I believe they are metaphorical dragons who we allow to frighten us, intimidate us, and threaten our success.

We might feel like the dragons are our competitors, our difficult customers, the economy, or even people in our lives who for whatever reason seem to be against us.

The truth is that the biggest dragons we face are self-imposed and come in the shape of bad attitudes, lack of work ethic, compromised personal character, and wrong behaviors.

So many people I coach and speak with completely understand their competitive landscape, they know who their enemies are and how they behave, they recognize the impact that the economy has and real-world environment that they work and play in.

But what they fight most often, the dragons that frustrate them beyond

any other, are the self-imposed belief systems or habits that they themselves have created.

Journey back with me to the movie scene, our hero or heroine is backed up to a cliff, the dragon is furiously breathing fire and attacking with claws and spiked tail, and the dragon slayer has two choices and two choices only…they can accept defeat and be killed by the dragon, or they can fight back, finding the dragons weak spot, and thrusting their sword into that spot to claim victory.

Even the dragon slayer who has lost sword and shield and whose demise seems imminent, somehow in the climactic moment a new sword appears and a sun shines behind the dragon casting the dragon in a silhouette, and our hero/heroine emerges victorious. This is you, you are a dragon slayer, no matter what battle you are facing, no matter how close to the edge you are, you can fight back, that relationship is yours if you really want it, that job is yours, that promotion is yours, that goal is yours, and even that addiction you are struggling with is yours to defeat.

Here we are in October, we have a few months to go, and we may still have some dragons we need to defeat.

I would love to hear all about how you plan on fighting back or even how you have defeated those dragons of yesterday to achieve your success at gotonorton@ gmail.com.

Become a dragon slayer this week and I guarantee it will be a better than good week for you.

Michael Norton, a resident of Highlands Ranch, is the former president of the Zig Ziglar organization and CEO and founder of www.candogo.com

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October 26, 2012

Parker Chronicle 11

Lasater wants O’Boyle seeks second term with RTD seat at RTD table Former Lone Tree mayor wants to continue work

District pays more than others, former Parker mayor says

By Tom Munds tmunds@ourcoloradonews.com Gary Lasater tossed his hat in the ring as a candidate to represent District G as one of the 15 members of the board of directors of the Regional Transportation District.

“I became a candidate because I felt District G needs better representation on the board of directors,” Lasater said. “I don’t feel it is right that Lasater RTD has consistently cut services or threatened to cut services for the Parker area.”

He said he was a member of the Metro Mayors Caucus that supported the 2004 FasTracks proposal to expand mass transit by adding 119 of rail transit and 18 miles of bus rapid transit in the metro area.

“No one could have seen the change in the economic climate we have gone through that has created financial challenges for FasTracks,” he said. “But I feel FasTracks should be completed for the entire metro area before any line extensions are done.”

Lasater was born in Utah and raised in Florida.

The family moved to Colorado in 1968 and he graduated from Bear Creek High School Lasater and his family moved to the Parker area in 1994. He served as Parker mayor from 1996 until 2004. He was then term-limited as mayor, but he became a candidate and was elected to the town council in 2004 and again in 2008.

He said he had done some research and it appears the fees and taxes District G paid to RTD are higher than those paid by any of the other 14 districts.

“I feel the residents of District G are paying more and receiving less service,” he said.

Lasater owns and operates an online financial services platform that is used by other agencies. He said his company was similar to cloud computing before cloud was introduced.

He and his wife of 31 years live in the Parker area. They have two daughters, two sons and two granddaughters.

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By Tom Munds tmunds@ourcoloradonews.com Jack O’Boyle is seeking to be reelected to be the District G representative on the 15-member board of directors of the Regional Transportation District.

“I want to continue the work I started in my first term on the board,” he said. “I will again O’Boyle make it my priority to seek to make sure RTD continues along the road to fiscal sustainability.”

For the last four years, O’Boyle has represented District G, which includes Lone Tree, Parker, portions of Centennial and parts of unincorporated Douglas and Arapahoe counties.

The incumbent said he remains a supporter of the FasTracks mass transit improvement project. The initial plan was funded by the 2004 voter approval of raising the sales tax rate for RTD, and the proposal was to add 119 miles of rail transit as well as improved bus service throughout the metro area in 12 years.

Higher construction and material costs, coupled with a decline in revenues, have created financial challenges for FasTracks so, without additional funding, it won’t be completed until 2042.

“FasTracks is important to helping Denver make the transition from a cow town to a global city,”

said O’Boyle, who is now retired.

“However, finances are a problem and there could be modifications to plans for some of the corridors.

Local residents need to know the Southeast and Southwest line extension are scheduled in the future; they are still in the FasTracks plans.”

O’Boyle was born in Georgia and raised in California. He came to Colorado in 1994 when his position with Lockheed-Martin moved to the metro area.

He was elected mayor of Lone Tree in 1996 and served three fouryear terms in that position.

He could not seek re-election to the council in 2008 because of term limits and successfully ran to be the District G representative on the RTD board.

O’Boyle and his wife have been married 48 years and have three children.

October 26, 2012

12 Parker Chronicle

STATE SENATE DISTRICT 4 CANDIDATES

Schefel says his values reflect district

By Rhonda Moore rmoore@ourcoloradonews.com Mark Scheffel, the Republican incumbent in state Senate District 4, lives in Parker and has lived in the district for 39 years. He has been married for 19 years and is the father of three daughters and one son.

Scheffel graduated from the University of Denver with a degree in finance and has a Juris Doctor degree from The John Marshall Law School and a master of laws degree in taxation from New York University School of Law. He is a principal/owner of Reid and Scheffel P.C., a Parker law firm emphasizing business and taxation issues.

Scheffel’s previous public experience includes membership on the citizen advisory board for The Wildlife Experience; he is an active member of the Parker

Rotary; an active board member of Skycliff Stroke Center of Castle Rock; and the former chairman of the Douglas County Republican Party.

Colorado Community Schefel Media asked the following questions of the candidates in the race for Colorado Senate, District 4. Below are Scheffel’s answers.

What makes you the best candidate for this office?

One of the greatest privileges I have experienced was to be asked to run for the state Senate four years ago and to successfully be elected to serve the citizens of Senate District 4 at the State Capitol where I currently serve as the Senate Assistant Minority Leader.

I believe I am the best candidate for this office because my conservative, pro-

family, pro-life, pro-gun, pro-business values represent the district and I have worked faithfully to sponsor and support legislation that advances liberty and freedom while limiting the size of government, lowering taxes and reducing burdensome regulations.

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing your constituents and what would you do to meet that challenge?

Our economy continues to struggle.

Every day I hear from constituents who are working to raise their families and make ends meet. Many people are looking for work while others struggle with chronic underemployment, or the devastating news of losing their job.

Over the last four years I worked with business leaders and citizens on legislation that allows business to flourish and rekindles the entrepreneurial spirit that built this community, state, and nation.

I am dedicated to limiting government and strengthening our economy with a free market economic agenda and will continue to advocate for businesses, so they may thrive.

What should be done to improve Colorado’s K-12 educational system?

Our children and their education are critically important as they are our future. Colorado’s K-12 educational system will continue to improve as long as it promotes school choice, parental involvement, and accountability. Douglas County schools are at the forefront of the education reform movement, which I enthusiastically support. I support expanding educational options and empowering parents to make education choices for their children. I support raising student achievement, teacher accountability, and empowering local school boards instead of federal and state bureaucrats.

Grundemann ofers options to voters

By Rhonda Moore rmoore@ourcoloradonews.com Chris Grundemann, the Libertarian candidate for state Senate District 4, lives in Castle Rock and has lived in the district for 26 years.

He is the father of two sons, ages 5 and 10.

He attended Douglas County High School and is self-educated.

He regards learning as a lifelong and daily pursuit.

Grundemann is a network engineer who focuses on technical leadership and innovation. He has written two nonfiction books and various standards, specifications and industry papers.

His past public service experience includes work as the founding chair of the Colorado chapter of the Internet Society, a board member of the Rocky Mountain

IPv6 Task Force, an elected member of the ARIN Advisory Council and a number of volunteer positions in prominent industry organizations.

Colorado Community Media asked the followGrundemann ing questions of the candidates in the race for Colorado Senate, District 4. Below are Grundemann’s answers.

What makes you the best candidate for this office?

I am offering a fresh perspective and a fresh start. At all levels of government the dominant two parties are beholden to the special interests that pay for their campaigns. These donors very often back both Republicans and Democrats, ensuring that they always win and the voting people always lose. I offer an alternative

to that false dichotomy. As a Libertarian I believe in individual liberty and in the ability for each man and woman to govern themselves, with government’s role simply to facilitate that self-governance. I will only support policy that opens opportunities, and never laws that are unnecessary.

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing your constituents and what would you do to meet that challenge?

There are many distinct issues facing District 4, but many of them surround unconstitutional federal expansion of power. I plan to meet this challenge by ensuring the Colorado State Senate addresses all state problems directly. I believe that we must also fight against further expansion of federal power, and do our level best to restrain existing oversteps. To accomplish this, I will build relationships with Colorado’s U.S. senators

and representatives to ensure that they understand that District 4 can speak for itself, through me. To make this happen, my door, phone, and mailbox will always be open to all constituents.

What should be done to improve Colorado’s K-12 educational system?

Our primary problem in education today is that we are using a decades-old system. We are teaching digital children in analog schools. This must change.

We need to take a hard look at how and what we are teaching our kids and how that facilitates the future. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity must trump rote memorization in nearly all cases. We must shift our focus from preserving the status quo to shaping the next generation of innovators and leaders.

Once we make that shift, we must measure and manage the system, providing incentives appropriately.

Gorman keeps her focus on education

By Rhonda Moore rmoore@ourcoloradonews.com Holly Gorman, the Democratic candidate for state Senate District 4, lives in Castle Rock and has lived in the district for six years. She is a native of Colorado and is married to Mark Gorman. The couple has three girls, Jordan,

Amaris and Sabriya.

Gorman facilitates online learning at Denver Public Gorman Schools and has been a restorative justice coordinator and CU adjunct faculty member.

Colorado Community Media asked the following

questions of the candidates in the race for Colorado Senate, District 4. Below are Gorman’s answers.

What makes you the best candidate for this office?

My style of leadership.

As a Colorado educator and civic-engaged leader, I’m all about our community. I will absolutely

put the interests of people ahead of partisan politics and work with all Coloradans to implement solutions to make Colorado a better place to live, work, play, and raise our families. I connect and unite people around common goals to strengthen and improve community. This will be the same approach I will bring to the Senate.

Our communities cannot stay strong if we don’t rebuild our economy and expand job opportunities.

Additionally, our children cannot be successful and competitive in a global

economy without access to world-class education.

My opponent closely follows an extreme partisan ideology, without regard for the whole community. The consequences of that style of leadership can be found in the bitter division and partisanship rearing its ugly head in our schools.

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing your constituents and what would you do to meet that challenge?

Education. As I have been reaching out to voters several issues have

been brought to my attention to include foreclosures, jobs, healthcare, fracking, and most sadly drug-induced teen deaths.

However, education rises to the top. In my district, folks with children are concerned about the quality and quantity of education their children are receiving; they are concerned about the bitter division and partisanship rearing its ugly head in our schools. And folks without children are concerned about their home values and the consequences to the community as a result of the district unrest. They understand the value of a great education.

What should be done to improve Colorado’s K-12 educational system?

We first need to determine if public education is a priority. I see talk about this but as a parent and educator I see major cuts occurring in the classroom. That said, we must strengthen P-20 public education across the state, ensuring all students have access to early intervention programming, preschool, full-day kindergarten, and affordable post-secondary options.

In addition, we must ensure all students learn in 21st-century (STEM) classrooms that prepare for careers, today undefined.

October 26, 2012

Parker Chronicle 13

Humane Society board ires director Shelter has struggled for inancial viability

By Jennifer Smith jsmith@ourcoloradonews. com The Humane Society of the South Platte Valley’s board has fired executive director Nick Fisher and replaced him with an interim director, Leslie Maisonneuve.

Board member Margie Munoz and Maisonneuve briefed Littleton City Council on the situation on Oct. 16.

“We’ve taken steps within the last week to implement a dynamic growth plan,” said Munoz.

She thanked Fisher for his time and energy, but said the board is excited to explore permanent options.

Council unanimously approved an agreement Sept. 18 to work with Arapahoe County, Centennial, Cherry Hills Village, Bow Mar, Columbine Valley, Sheridan, Englewood, Lone Tree and Parker to explore options for hous-

ing lost or abandoned critters throughout the south metro region.

The agreement does not specifically say the joint committee will look for ways to keep the HSSPV viable, just that it will explore a variety of options ranging from a regional full-service animal shelter to using a combination of private kennels.

The shelter has struggled to become financially stable since the state attorney general’s office closed the Colorado Humane Society. Littleton and Englewood each provided $100,000 to kickstart HSSPV to replace CHS in 2009, and agreed to pay $50,000 a year for animal-sheltering services. HSSPV has asked for $25,000 advances each of the last two years.

Both councils gave HSSPV an extra $41,000 for 2012 — for a total of $91,000 each. Littleton City Manager Michael Penny warned he expected it to be the last time.

“The timing of last resort is the 2013 budget,” he said last spring. “We’re not continuing to do this.”

Expedition: Couple honored at event Expedition continues from Page 1

sheriff’s office that have been helped, including the Women’s Crisis & Family Outreach Center, Douglas County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, Sheriff’s Office Scholarship Program, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Program, victim assistance, Deputy Ron King Memorial Scholarship, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Fallen Officer Program, Race-A-Cop and Christmas for Kids.

Aside from monetary donations, the Linigers’ financial latitude enables them to create platforms for others to raise funds on a broader scale. The Sanctuary, for example, has helped raise $65 million over the years for various groups in need, and The Wildlife Experience,

which has 501(c)(3) status, helps other charitable organizations by offering deep discounts to rent out its Great Hall for fundraising events. The museum is the ideal spot to present an award to the Linigers.

“People finally have a chance to honor and recognize and thank them for the things they’ve done,” Debus said.

Expedition 10 starts at 6 p.m. and is open to the public. Tickets are $250 for the general public and $200 for members, and, of course, the money goes to a great cause: museum programs. For more information or tickets, call Lynn Howes at 720-4883379.

Council agreed and tossed the extra out of the 2013 budget that they approved during the Oct. 16 meeting.

Maisonneuve said she’s “super excited” about the direction the board is heading, and added that the community is becoming more involved through volunteering and donations.

She said her primary focus will be making the shelter more efficient by providing the right services and using the space better. She’ll also look at ways to increase cash flow, perhaps by charging for animal behavior training.

Abduction: Mom creates group following incident Abduction continues from Page 1

packed into Parker police meetings about child safety, including 175 people over three classes last weekend.

“We look at this as a teachable moment,” Cashman said.

Demand is so high, the Parker police built a waiting list of interested parents and eventually asked the Parker Arts, Culture and Events Center if the department could host a meeting that would educate a larger number of people. That meeting was scheduled for Oct. 24. Two meetings on Oct. 22 and 23 were expected to be at capacity.

“They filled up immediately, sometimes before people even got emails about them from their HOA,” Cashman said. “People are paying attention a little more now. We’re teaching them to

be our eyes and ears because we obviously can’t be everywhere.”

More free child safety seminars are scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Nov. 1-3 at the Parker Police Department, 18600 Lincoln Meadows Parkway.

Stand Out for Kids, a campaign organized by the mother of the 4-year-old girl, was created after the Clarke Farms incident and is intended to increase the visibility of responsible adults and keep kids safe while walking to and from school. The Facebook page had 125 likes by the afternoon of Oct. 22.

Anyone with information about the suspicious incident in Clarke Farms should call Detective Michael Buoniconti at 303-805-6524. For more information about child safety lessons, visit www.parkerpolice.org.

October 26, 2012

14 Parker Chronicle

Families carry flame for lost loved ones Women organize walks to battle pancreatic cancer

By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@ourcoloradonews.com A cancer diagnosis by a doctor is often followed by a list of treatment options and a positive look at how medical advancements have improved survivability. That’s not the case with pancreatic cancer.

Perhaps the most devastating of the cancers, it is known as the one that’s typically too advanced for intervention. The survivor rate for late-stage patients is a meager 6 percent.

The available information and statistics didn’t provide much hope for Parker resident Rich Phillips, who was diagnosed in 2004 with stage-4 pancreatic cancer.

He knew he was dying, and instead of flowers, asked friends and family to put their money toward research in the hopes that no one else would have to endure the pain of the disease.

His wife, Meg, and their daughters have followed through with his wish, and then some, by creating the Denver version of the Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk, one of Colorado’s most prominent memorial run/walks and fundraisers for research.

The event — this year’s is Nov. 4 at Sloan’s Lake Park in Denver — started in New York and is named for the former chief executive officer of Cablevision, Marc Lustgarten, who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer at age 52.

Through the inspirational event, in which participants share stories and pin photos of departed loved ones on their shirts, Phillips has built a bond with countless women who have lost their husbands, including Highlands Ranch resident Karen Robinson.

Robinson’s husband, Stew, was given three months to live after his 2004 diagnosis. The doctors “would not

From left, Carey LeJeune, Meg Phillips and Karen Robinson are among the organizers for the Lustgarten Foundation’s Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk Nov. 4 at Sloan’s Lake Park in Denver. All three women, including Phillips, of Parker, lost their husbands to pancreatic cancer, which is often detected too late for doctors to intervene. Photo by Chris Michlewicz

touch him” and told him to quit his job and “go home and die,” Robinson said. But with help from a Houstonbased treatment center called MD Anderson Cancer Center, her husband lived for three years.

Meg Phillips met another friend, Carey Lejeune, because Lejeune’s father, Bill, was undergoing treat-

ment at the same time and place as Rich Phillips. The men established an incredible bond, and so, too, have the women as they raise money for intensive research through the Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk, which is entering its sixth year, having raised $286,000 thus far.

Sadly, many of the survivors who participated in previous races have since passed away. Robinson said she has met only one pancreatic cancer survivor, a man at MD Anderson who was diagnosed nearly 15 years ago.

The deaths of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, astronaut Sally Ride and actor Patrick Swayze have increased awareness about pancreatic cancer in recent years, but Phillips, Robinson and Lejeune, who are part of the research walk’s organizing team, know there is still much work to be done.

Meanwhile, they take heart in promising innovations for early detection, including a camera-scope that reaches deeper into the recesses of internal organs than ultrasounds do. They are also hoping scientists can further define possible dietary factors and genetic links in pancreatic cancer.

Robinson, whose husband’s life was prolonged enough for him to witness the high school and college graduations of their two sons, is an advocate of regular screenings for relatives of patients.

All of their efforts, from the run/walk to silent auctions, are made in the name of finding a means of effective early diagnosis, treatments and eventually a cure.

All proceeds from the race — there are no administrative costs — go toward research. The Lustgarten Foundation funds studies at 40 medical centers around world.

When asked what her husband might say about her diligence in raising awareness and money, Phillips fights off tears.

“I think he would be proud because we’re working with scientists and researchers to help,” the Parker resident said. “He would say ‘good for you, but stop using my name so much.’”

The first run/walk drew 22 walkers and raised $42,000. The goal in 2012 is 700 walkers and $100,000 in donations. Participants are asked to contribute $50 when they register at www.lustgarten.org or call 1-866789-1000.

SEND US YOUR NEWS Colorado Community Media welcomes event listings and other submissions.

Please note our new submissions emails.

Events and club listings calendar@ourcoloradonews. com School notes, such as honor roll and dean’s list schoolnotes@ ourcoloradonews.com

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KEZW grows solar garden in neighborhood Station is second in U.S. to be sun-powered

By Jennifer Smith jsmith@ourcoloradonews.com On a prairie bluff overlooking a dog park, an enclave of high technology looms.

It’s technology that has launched KEZW Studio 1430 AM into historic notoriety as the second and largest radio station in the United States to be powered by solar energy.

“The thing that’s really cool to me is that the station that plays the oldest music has the newest technology,” said deejay Rick Crandall at an Oct. 19 ceremony to dedicate the station’s solar garden.

That, along with a transmitting station and several antennas, is on the western edge of David A. Lorenz Regional Park, along East County Line Road between Colorado Boulevard and Holly Street.

The solar project is part of parent company Entercom’s 1Thing environmental initiative, which encourages everyone to do just one thing every day to preserve the environment, coming one step closer to a sustainable world. The project is

designed to reduce dependency on the power grid and showcase renewable energy.

Atop the bluff sit 12 banks of solar panels, each one with 36 individual panels generating a total of 100,000 watts of power. In June 2011, KEZW’s energy bill was about $1,360; today it averages $270 a month.

“The KEZW solar project has been challenging and exciting for me,” said Jeff Garrett, chief engineer at the station’s parent company, Entercom Denver. “The science that allows that production of electricity from photons of light is cutting-edge.”

Cary Hayes of REC Solar, the company that installed the system, agrees it was a challenging project. It only took about two months to build, he said, but permitting and design took more than a year. There was a lot of testing involved, as well, to make sure the solar energy wouldn’t interfere with the radio signal.

That resulted in a sophisticated grounding system built into the Trex fencing around the panels.

“We went above and beyond what we normally do,” said Hayes.

Local dignitaries were on hand at the

KEZW deejay Rick Crandall and Amy Griesheimer, vice president and marketing manager at Entercom Denver, dedicate the station’s solar garden at David A. Lorenz Regional Park Oct. 19. Courtesy Photo event to welcome KEZW to the neighborhood.

“It’s great for them to make this investment,” said Rick Owens, chair of the Highlands Ranch Metro District. “It aligns with what Highlands Ranch is doing in our facilities.” He mentioned LED holiday lights and solar locks and lights in all the park restrooms as examples.

“It’s another great example of sensible sustainability,” agreed Lone Tree Mayor Pro Tem Jackie Millet. “It’s a great example of leadership, just like our arts center.” She noted that Lone Tree Arts Center is the city’s first LEED-certified building “We are excited about the future, and I’m honored to be part of converting sunlight into radio waves,” said Garrett.

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Dry means high for hay prices Animal owners make tough decisions amid soaring costs

By Deborah Grigsby dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com

Extreme drought conditions across the state have many area ranchers scurrying for ways to adequately feed their animals over the long winter months.

Unusually dry weather has crippled hay production resulting in a statewide shortage, and rising fuel costs are adding to already historic high prices.

According to reports from the Colorado Department of Agriculture, hay prices have more than doubled over the past 24 months.

“Two years ago, we were paying about $125 per ton,” said Pat Miller, one of the founding directors of the Ruby Ranch Horse Rescue in Ramah. “For what we bought last week, we paid nearly $350 per ton.”

Miller said she had to buy the hay from Wyoming, as local hay is becoming more difficult to find.

Ranchers continue to search for alternative feed sources, cheaper hay and other ways to reduce costs. However, according to the CDA, fuel prices are rising and freight costs to ship hay are also predicted to increase.

Poor pasture and rangeland conditions have also limited the potential for grazing.

So as cold weather approaches, many livestock owners who can’t sustain their animals will be forced to make tough decisions to stretch strained food supplies.

“In cases of extreme drought like we have now, some ranchers will cull the herd of weaker animals and others may take them to auction,” said Ben Berlinger, rangeland management specialist

with the National Resources Conservation Service in La Junta. “There’s always a top end of the herd, and always a bottom end.”

And for others, the decision often comes on the heels of other tough decisions.

“I’m probably going to lose everything this year,” said Jim, a rancher from Calhan, who asked to be identified by only his first name. “It’s only a matter of time. My wife has medical problems and I’m just at a point where I can’t even afford myself, much less all these animals.

There’s just no way I can feed us all over the winter. I’m gonna have to get rid of them.”

Miller said she’s extremely familiar with cases like Jim’s.

The Ruby Ranch is nonprofit organization that provides shelter, care and rehabilitation for abused, neglected, abandoned and unwanted horses, including those that can no longer be cared for by their owners and those at risk of going to slaughter.

She said her group has seen a significant increase in calls within the past six weeks and that winter is a particularly challenging time to feed animals, made even more difficult with high hay prices.

“An average size horse of about 1,000 pounds will eat about 15 pounds of food per day,” Miller said. “But when the temperature drops below 15 degrees, that same horse can eat as much as 40 pounds per day.”

Miller said the price of hay has even forced the ranch to make tough decisions by limiting the number of animals it can hold for the winter.

“But we’ve branched out and started to network more,” she said. “While we can’t take every animal this winter, we are working to find foster homes and other to help these owners in distress.”

Bales of hay await ranchers at Big R Feed Store in Elizabeth. Drought has driven hay prices up sharply, and some herds will be culled while others will go to auction. Some ranchers could lose everything, in cases where feed prices add one more cost to operations already inancially stressed. Photo by Deborah Grigsby

HAVE AN EVENT? To submit a calendar listing, send information by noon Friday to calendar@ ourcoloradonews.com or by fax to 303-425-8757.

Barn supervisor Adam Owens stacks bales of hay at the Big R Feed Store in Elizabeth. Drought conditions across the state have contributed to a shortage of hay. Many ranchers are now scambling to store enough to sustain their animals through spring. Those who can’t face some very tough decisions. Photo by Deborah Grigsby

October 26, 2012

24 Parker Chronicle

THINGS TO DO OCT. 26 CITIZEN ACADEMY. The Douglas County Sherif’s Oice is accepting applications for its annual citizen academy, a one-day class from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Douglas County Sherif’s Oice, 4000 Justice Way, Castle Rock, with a visit to the Highlands Ranch Law Enforcement Training Facility. Space is limited and a background check will be conducted on all applicants. Applications are due

by Oct. 7. Those that are accepted will be notiied prior to the class. Applications are available online at www. dcsherif.net. For information, call Deputy Jack Newton at 303-663-7702.

WINE WALKS, presented by the Parker Chamber of Commerce, are planned for the last Friday of the month, from May to October. The cost is $10 per adult, ages 21 and older.

Tickets can be purchased at the event, or discount season passes are available on the chamber website at www. parkerchamber.com. Dates are Sept.

28 and Oct. 26.

OCT. 26 HALLOWEEN AT the library. Scare up some family-friendly holiday fun with Douglas County Libraries. Family Fall Fest means stories, treats, crafts and more. Event is at 6 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Parker Library, 10851 S. Crossroads Drive.

OCT. 26-27 WORKFORCE TRAINING. Learn how to become a wedding planner at an Arapahoe Community College workforce training program Oct. 26-27 at the college’s Parker campus. The Oct. 26 session runs from 5:30-9:30 p.m. and the Oct. 27 session runs from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The class will cover the roles and responsibilities of a wedding planner and details about the wedding industry such as budget, wedding etiquette/protocol, supervis-

ing a ceremony and how to put on a great reception. Cost for this two-day event is $199. For information, or to RSVP, contact Meredith Toield at meredith.toield@arapahoe.edu or 303-734-3701.

THROUGH OCT. 27 LITTLE SHOP. Parker Arts, Culture and Events Center presents “Little Shop of Horrors” from Oct. 19-27. Directed by Paul Dwyer and presented in partnership with Starkey Productions, “Little Shop” is a comedy horror rock about a lorist shop worker who raise a plant that feeds on human blood. Tickets start at $18 and can be purchased at www.PACEcenteronline.org, by calling 303-805-6800, or at the box oice, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker.

OCT. 27-28 QUILT SALE. The Mission Quilters of Ave Maria Church are having a quilt sale and boutique from 3-7 p.m. Oct. 27 and from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 28. Handmade quilts, throws, kids’ and baby items, table toppers and decorative accessories for the home will be available for sale. We are also raling a colorful queen sized quilt. Rale tickets are $2 and 3 for $5. The proceeds from the sale enable the quilters to make and donate quilts to nursing homes, hospitals and children’s ministries. We also donate money to help needy families with housing. The church address is at 9056 E. Parker Road, Parker.

OCT. 28 FALL FUNDRAISER. The Parker Arts Council presents “The Grapes of Death: A Vintage Murder Mystery,” its fall fundraiser, at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at Clavin’s Bar & Grill. The cost is $42 per person, which includes the bufet dinner, show, tax and tip. Bar bill is separate.

Go to www.parkerartscouncil.org for tickets and information.

OCT. 29 DEDICATION CEREMONY. The Parker Arts, Culture and Events Center will dedicate its signature sculpture “Nucleus” at a ceremony from 5-6 p.m.

Oct. 29 at the center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave. Visit www.PACEcenteronline.org.

OCT. 30 WRITE A novel in a month. Help Douglas County Libraries kick of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) with activities, prizes and snacks. This event for ages 11-18 will be at 5 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Parker Library, 10851 S. Crossroads Drive.

Registration is required at 303-7917323 or DouglasCountyLibraries.org.

NOV. 1-30 DRIVER SAFETY. AARP is ofering a free drivers safety classroom course from Nov. 1-30 to veterans. The class is open to all veterans regardless of age who serve or have served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard/Reserves or Coast Guard. Their spouses, widows/widowers and children may also take the free class. The AARP driver safety course is the nation’s irst and largest course for drivers ages 50 and older. Classes are available all over Colorado. To register, call 303-764-5995 or go online at www.aarp.org/drive.

NOV. 2, Nov. 16 BLOOD DRIVE. PACE Community Center Community Blood Drive is from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. inside Bonils’ mobile bus at 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact the Bonils’ Appointment Center at 303-363-2300 or visit www.bonils.org.

NOV. 3 ENROLLMENT EVENT. Arapahoe Community College will ofer an opportunity for anyone to begin the process of enrolling in spring 2013 classes with the Start Now event from 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 3 at all three ACC campuses (Littleton, Parker, Castle Rock). For information, or to apply for admission, contact the admission and records oice at admissions@ arapahoe.edu or 303-797-6521. Visit www.arapahoe.edu.

NOV. 10 TOY RUN. EC Riders plan its 9th annual toy run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Nov. 10. Registrationo is from 8-10 a.m. at Stagecoach in Franktown with breakfast available for a small fee. An

8-mile parade of vehicles, including Marines, motorcycles, old cars, and the Elizabeth Fire Department, will start at 10 a.m. in Franktown and parade through Elizabeth ending at Casey Jones Park for everyone to enjoy door prizes, a 50/50 rale, live auction, food and fun. The cost of admission is a new unwrapped toy or cash donation for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Campaign. All monies and toys stay in and support the children of Elbert County. If you cannot make the run, and wish to donate a new, unwrapped toy you can come by the pavilion at Casey Jones after 11 a.m. the day of the ride, or do so at area businesses throughout the county marked with an oicial U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots drop box and Poster.

Contact 303-435-2793 or www. ecriders.org.

NOV. 13 CONSERVATION AUCTION. The Cutthroat Chapter of Trout Unlimited will have its annual conservation auction from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 13 at the historic Highlands Ranch Mansion, 9900 S. Ranch Road, Highlands Ranch. The event includes a silent and live auction, door prizes, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar. Auction items include vacations, guided ishing trips, ly ishing equipment, signed Broncos and Rockies memorabilia, outdoor apparel, etc. Proceeds from the auction are used to support CCTU’s local area conservation projects and youth and community education programs. Visit http://www.cutthroatctu.org or contact Cam Chandler at 303-956-5140.

NOV. 23 BLOOD DRIVE. Walmart Community Blood Drive is from 12:30-5 p.m. Nov. 23 inside Bonils’ mobile bus at 11101 S. Parker Road, Parker. For information or to schedule an appointment, contact the Bonils’ Appointment Center at 303-363-2300 or visit www. bonils.org.

DEC. 7-9, DEC. 14-16 PLAY. THE Parker Arts Council presents “It’s a Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play” at 7 p.m. Dec. 7, 8, 14, and at 3 p.m. Dec. 8, 9, 15, 16, at the Mainstreet Center, 19650 E. Mainstreet, Parker. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for children. Visit www. parkerartscouncil.org for tickets and information.

DEC. 31 NEW YEAR’S Eve. The PACE Renaissance Guild plans New Year’s Eve, New York Style starting at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at the PACE Center. A live theater production of “The Jerseys” will start at 9 p.m., followed by the Mainstage Theater being transformed to Times Square for the ball drop live from New York City. Ring in the new year at midnight with champagne, followed by ireworks. Dancing continues through the evening. Tickets are available through Oct. 15 at a discounted rate.

Go to www.PACEcenteronline.org or call 303-805-6800.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Calendar submissions must be received by noon Wednesday for publication the following week. Send information to calendar@ourcoloradonews.com, attn: Parker Chronicle. No attachments.

Listings are free and run on a spaceavailable basis.

Parker Chronicle 25 October 26, 2012

South MetroL I F E

Award brings gratitude, tears

Chloe Palmer, 9, of Centennial is a blur of activity as she takes on the jump rope in full costume. Palmer was among more than 600 visitors to the annual Halloween Spooktacular, which was held on Oct. 19 at South Suburban Parks and Recreation’s Goodson Center in Centennial.

COSTUMED CRUSADERS PHOTOS BY DEBORAH GRIGSBY

Hollywood seemed to be the trendy costume theme this year at the South Suburban Spooktacular on Oct. 19.

Superheroes, vintage stars and a few from modern animated ilms were out and about with a mission to haunt. The annual Halloween event ofered a safe, supervised alternative to traditional trick-or-treating for children up to 11 years of age and featured a haunted house, carnival games, tattoos, video games, hula hoops and a cookie walk. More than 600 visitors came through the doors of the Goodson Center, 6315 S. University Blvd., emptying the carnival of about 125 pounds of candy.

I’m honored to be honored.

Sense of Security, a Colorado-based breast cancer charity that helps patients with non-medical expenses, has been a favorite charity of mine since I was diagnosed seven years ago.

In my own small way — with a ton of help from my friends — I have raised money for this unsung charity that lost some of its funding last year — a casualty of budget cuts.

On Saturday night, being given an award for my efforts during the annual Champagne and Diamonds fundraiser humbled me. The award reads: “With gratitude, Penny Parker. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to improve the quality of life for breast cancer patients.”

Yes, I’m a survivor, but there are so many of us in this sorority that we never wanted to join. As I write this, tears are running down my face. It seems that October — Breast Cancer Awareness Month — is the one time a year that my journey comes flooding back.

I was truly blessed to have such supportive people in my corner during that time — my darling husband, Greg Henry, and my BFF, Devany McNeill, who also accompanied me to the event.

I want to thank Rita McCoy, executive director of Sense of Security, Vicki Tosher, founder of the charity, and Regional Emmy Award winning doll face Chris Parente, co-host of FOX-31’s “Everyday,” who emceed.

I also want to give a shout-out to the Embassy Suites in downtown Denver, which blew me away with their banquet service of perfectly cooked beef tenderloin (like buttah), crisp asparagus and a potato dish. Amazing.

Thanks to all who deemed me worth of such an honor. If you’d like to contribute to such a deserving organization, go to www.senseofsecurity.org. Since its inception in 2000, Sense of Security has provided more than $1.4 million in financial assistance to more than 860 breast cancer patients in Colorado.

Think pink for charity The 9th Door, the sexy tapas bar on Blake Street in LoDo, is donating proceeds from its Pink Coyote cocktail to Sense of Security during October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This could be the most fun you’ll ever have while donating to a worthy cause. See you there! For more information, go to www.senseofsecurity.org.

Historic Landmark status

Dressed as Mr. Fredrickson from the animated comedy “Up,” 2-year-old Hunter Brito is all smiles at the South Suburban Halloween Spooktacular Oct. 19 at the Goodson Center in Centennial. The annual event provides a safe and supervised alternative to traditional trick-or-treating.

Vintage Hollywood comes alive in 4-year-old Kimberly Brito’s interpretation of Audrey Hepburn’s classic role in “Breakfast at Tifany’s.” Kimberly was one of close to 600 visitors to South Suburban’s Halloween Spooktacular, at Centennial’s Goodson Center.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar designated Denver’s Civic Center as a National Historic Landmark on Wednesday, marking it as the City and County of Denver’s first NHL and one of two Civic Centers in the country to achieve this prestigious recognition, announced Historic Denver Inc., the Denver nonprofit that submitted the NHL nomination.

Celebrations to honor this historic moment will take place in Denver’s Civic Center in 2013.

Four Seasons GM jammin’ Thierry Kennel, general manager of Parker continues on Page 26

October 26, 2012

26 Parker Chronicle

Whole World Market returns to Pax Christi The Whole World Market will be open, for the 12th year, on Nov. 3-4 at Pax Christi Church, 5761 McArthur Ranch Road, Highlands Ranch.

There will be 33 vendors, with work by artisans from around the world. Proceeds go to individual artists and to nonprofit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and the Women’s Crisis and Family Outreach Center.

There will be a cafe with pastries, drinks and soup on Saturday and pizza on Sunday for a free will offering. Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 3; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 4. See: wholeworldmarket.org.

`Harry the Great’ makes magic Creede Repertory Theatre brings its world premiere production of “Harry the Great” by actor/playwright John DiAntonio to Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., for 10 performances, Nov. 1-11. The comic story is set against the background of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Director is Larry Hecht. Tickets start at $29. 720-509-1000, lonetreeartscenter.org.

New ragtime venue The Ragtime Society of Colorado will present “Something Doing, the Big Little Ragtime Band” at 7 p.m.

Nov. 4 in a new venue: Schmitt Music, 155 W. Hampden Ave., Englewood. Quartet members are all members of Queen City Jazz: John Bredenberg, banjo and clarinet; Bill Clark, tuba; Hank Troy, piano; Maurie Walker, leader/arranger. Tickets: $20/$15 (members). 303-979-4353 or send a check to president Colleen Vander Hoek, 8360 S. Zephyr St., Littleton, 80128.

dialect required. Prepare to read from the script — sides available from thejohnashton@gmail.com.

Indicate role(s) you are interested in. Rehearsals begin Jan. 2. Call for appointment, 303-739-1970. Performances: Feb. 8 to March 3.

Linda Lowry work exhibited Evergreen artists featured The Alliance of Artists of Evergreen will be featured during Great Western Art Gallery’s Denver Arts Week show, opening Nov. 2, First Friday, with a reception. Gale Gatto, Jessica Wicken, Rodgers Naglor, Cathy Jones, Gail Posner, Pixie Glore, Jean Widman and Gayle MacDougall will exhibit, according to gallery owner Hilliard Moore of Highlands Ranch.

The gallery is at 1455 Curtis St., in Brooks Tower. 303-396-2787.

MS suferer’s book available Singer/author Bonnie Ellison of Littleton attended the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Annual Meeting Oct. 20 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Westminster. Ellison, who has lived with multiple sclerosis for a number of years, introduced her book, “MS entertainer” and a related tribute CD by the FAB Co. Both are available from Amazon.com. Information at MSEntertainer.com.

‘The Seafarer’ auditions Director/actor/producer John Ashton has tried for several years to get rights to “The Seafarer” by Conor McPherson and has announced auditions at 1 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Aurora Fox Studio, 9900 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora. Director will be Michael Stricker. Needed: four men ages 4065 (the role of Sharky is cast). Irish

“Water Nymphs” by Linda Lowry is exhibited through Nov. 10 at Goodwin Fine Art, 1255 Delaware St., Denver. Lowry, who was chair of Arapahoe Community College’s art department, says she will return there to teach figure drawing in January. Gallery hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Tuesdays through Fridays; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays.

Festival ongoing at Mizel

The Jewish Arts, Authors, Movies, Music Festival is ongoing through Nov. 6 at the Mizel Arts and Culture Center, 350 S. Dahlia St., Denver, with a keynote speech by Rabbi Harold S. Kushner at 4 p.m. Nov. 6. For information on programs and tickets: maccjcc.org.

Orchestra plays at church

The Castle Rock Orchestra presents “The Lord of the Rings Experience” at 3 p.m. Oct. 28. The concert will be at First United Methodist Church of Castle Rock, 1200 South Street, Castle Rock. The concert will feature music from all three “Lord of the Rings” movies as well as the theme from “Game of Thrones” and the Berceuse and Finale from Stravinsky’ “Firebird Suite.” A $5 per person, $20 per family donation is suggested. Attendees are welcome to attend in fantasy costume. Castlerockorchestra.org.

Parker: Denver Gorilla Run coming soon Parker continues from Page 25

The Four Seasons Hotel Denver, has been promoted to regional vice president, effective this week.

Kennel will continue to serve as general manager of The Four Seasons Hotel Denver while assuming additional responsibilities as a Regional Vice President for three additional Four Seasons properties.

Kennel will oversee Four Seasons Hotel Palo Alto (my home town), Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City and Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis in addition to the Denver property.

Conde Nast readers vote Conde Nast Traveler readers have spoken and they have chosen the top 10 hotels in the West —

meaning in Colorado and Utah.

No. 1 is The Oxford Hotel in LoDo. No. 3 is the St. Julien Hotel & Spa in Boulder.

No. 4 is the Hotel Teatro downtown.

No. 5 is The Brown Palace.

No. 6 is The Four Seasons Hotel Denver.

No. 7 is The Ritz-Carlton Denver No. 9 if The JW Marriott Denver and No. 10 is The Curtis — a Doubletree by Hilton.

In the same survey, The Westin Riverfront was named the No. 1 resort in the “Top 40 Resorts in the West” category.

For more information, go to www.cntraveler. com/readers-choiceawards/united-states/ top-40-resorts-west-usa

or www.cntraveler.com/ readers-choice-awards/ united-states/top-10-hotels-west-usa.

“We’re so excited to once again see the JW Marriott Denver, The Oxford and the Curtis earn a spot on this prestigious list,” said Walter Isenberg, president and CEO of Denver’s Sage Hospitality.

Get your grrrr on This year’s ninth annual Denver Gorilla Run will be held on Oct. 27 in an attempt to hold onto its Guinness World Record title of most people dressed as gorillas in one location with 1,069 participants in 2009.

This year’s event is expected to attract 1,300plus participants in their gorilla costumes to enjoy

a scenic and fun 5K run/ walk or ride through Lower Downtown and the Platte River Valley.

The Denver Gorilla Run, which benefits the Denver-based Mountain Gorilla Conservations Fund, offers a costume contest and three starting waves.

The Wheels will go first, runners go second and walkers go third.

The race is followed by an extravagant postrace party featuring a live performance by Under the Radar Band, and food from the Wynkoop Holdings family of restaurants including Lodo’s Bar and Grill and the Breckenridge Craft Brewery.

The run’s start/finish line and post-race party takes place outside of Wynkoop Brewing Co. at 18th and Wynkoop streets.

Runners and spectators are invited to attend the celebratory Silverback Block Party.

More info at www.denvergorillarun.com or by calling 720-524-0272.

Penny Parker’s “Mile High Life” column gives insights into the best events, restaurants, businesses, parties and people throughout the metro area. Parker also writes for Blacktie-Colorado. com. She can be reached at penny@blacktie-llc.com or at 303-619-5209.

October 26, 2012

Parker Chronicle 27

Ballet gets a move on at PACE “A lot of collaborations start with a conversation over coffee,” said Garrett Ammons, Ballet Nouveau Colorado’s artistic director, when asked about where/how he begins on a new program with a live music component. “We discuss whether we enter into the world in a similar fashion.”

Conversation with the Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado’s Frank Nowell resulted in the choice of music by Italian composers Tartini and Vivaldi for two new ballets by BNC: “Dangerous Liaisons.” Performances are set for Parker’s PACE Center and the ballet’s home turf in Federal Heights.

“D a n c e r / c h o re o g r a p h e r Sarah Tallman has created a work to Vivaldi’s music and I am

?

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Let us answer it. Submit any questions or comments and send your feedback to Colorado

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working now with Tartini,” Ammons said recently. “Every choreographer has different ways of working — what is represented in those composers — not a definitive storyline — we leave that to viewers.

“We’ve embraced music that is complex, textured, with virtuoso playing. There’s humor and it’s sensual.”

The recorded music with which they are rehearsing includes harpsichord and violin.

Dancers won’t hear entire orchestrations until final rehearsals in the PACE Center theater, when the orchestra “fleshes out the sound.” This will happen a week before performances.

“It’s a wonderful adventure — a great way to create work. There are some adjustments. Baroque

music is very improvisational — soloists are free to interpret in their work, as in jazz.”

This is Ammons’ first experience with a Baroque orchestra, although he has worked with jazz musicians. He sees a natural synergy between contemporary dance and Baroque.

Ammons started his career in music, choir, musical theater, dance. “I fell in love with dance and focused.” He attended Houston Ballet Academy, joined that company, next moving to Oregon and Ballet Memphis. He and his wife, Associate Executive Director Dawn Fay, moved to Colorado in 2007 and started Ballet Nouveau Colorado, which is headquartered, with its school, at 3001 Industrial Lane in Broomfield.

It’s home performance venue is the Performing Arts Complex at Pinnacle Charter School, 1001 w. 84th Ave., Denver, where this production will repeat on Nov. 10, 11.

The Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado debuted in 2005, it’s a professional periodinstrument ensemble focused on the “musical riches and spirit of improvisation of the 17th and 18th centuries.” Artistic Director Frank Nowell founded the orchestra.

Sets for “A Dangerous Liaison” will be minimal, Ammons said. “The production is focused on dancing…full of surprises, whether audience members are music lovers or dance lovers. It’s a good opportunity to see both.”

IF YOU GO PACE Center is at 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker.

Performances: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3; 2 p.m. Nov. 4. Tickets: $18-$28, pacecenteronline.org, 303-8056800.

Pinnacle Charter School is at 1001 W. 84th Ave., Federal Heights.

Performances: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9, Nov. 10; 2 p.m. Nov. 11. Tickets $19-$27, bncdance.com, 303-

28 Parker Chronicle October 26, 2012

ParkerSPORTS

OUT OF BOUNDS

BY THE NUMBERS Combined points scored by ThunderRidge and C h a p a r ra l in last Thursday’s 14-7 wiin by the top-ranked Grizzlies. The point total was 48.4 points less than the combined 69.4 points per game the teams were averaging before the contest.

21

D t

Yards per carry averaged this s e a s o n

by Douglas County running back Trey Smith. Smith ran for a school record 448 yards in a 38-14 Continental League victory over Highlands Ranch last Friday night.

T

9.6

Total points allowed by Valor Christian football during the Eagles’ current six-game winning streak. Valor Christian has outscored its foes 289-14 during that stretch.

B

s

a P C A e a w

g h j r w t s

14

GAME OF THE WEEK

Chaparral’s Abby Shelton returns serve Oct. 18 with Hayley Ferguson backing her up. Photo by Courtney Kuhlen | ckuhlen@ourcoloradonews.com

Chaparral clips Falcons in rematch

By Criag Harper dwilliams@ourcoloradonews.com

CROSS COUNTRY

State championship Saturday, Oct. 27 Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs The cross country season comes to a close with the state championship meet. The event kicks off with 2A girls at 9:30 a.m., with other races beginning every 30 minutes until the 5A boys take off at 1 p.m.

THEY SAID IT “I think we can go far because when the pressure is on, we perform really well.”

Ponderosa linebacker Drew Stephon

f H w d

Rubber match, anyone?

It could happen but would have to wait until the postseason. Two of the best teams in the state’s best league squared off last Thursday, and two-time defending Class 5A champion Chaparral exacted a measure of revenge for one of its two losses. The third-ranked Wolverines prevailed in the rematch with a 3-1 (2826, 25-21, 14-25, 25-18) victory at No. 8 Highlands Ranch.

The operative word is “measure,’’ as the Falcons’ 3-0 win in the Regis Jam on Sept. 1 was a fleeting memory.

“We came into it not really thinking about the last time because we’re concerned more about our own side,’’ said Chaparral co-captain Abby Shelton. “And we’re definitely a different team than when we played them early.’’

“That was at the beginning of the year, and we have a completely new rotation,’’ added Morgan Stanley.

Indeed, Stanley was on a recruiting trip to California when the first match was played - a visit that resulted in the outside hitter committing to Sacramento State.

“The big difference between the beginning of the season when we played them was they didn’t have Stanley,’’ said Highlands Ranch coach Lou Krauss.

“She’s worth four or five points a set, and that’s about how much we beat them by.’’

Chaparral (17-2, 10-1 Continental) had clinched a third-straight league title with a 3-1 victory over No. 6 Legend on

Tuesday, but coach T.R. Ellis wanted her team to believe they had only secured a tie. “I didn’t tell the girls this game didn’t matter. I think they thought they were playing for the title,’’ she said.

Despite that and the revenge factor, “We should have played a lot more inspired,’’ Ellis said. “We played a great game against Legend. Tonight was OK, but not a great match. It’s tough to play a team that’s tipping the ball like they do.

They play small ball; they camp out in the middle and go tip-tip-tip. But we played during the fall break on their court and won.’’

Chaparral led for most of the first, second and fourth sets against the Falcons (14-5, 7-4), but had to survive two set points for the Falcons before taking the first set.

“I actually thought we had it because we got a nice pass and I thought we were going to side out,’’ Krauss said. “Then we made a little error that was very uncharacteristic, and that tied it back up again.

I think if we would’ve won the first set it might have been a longer match.’’

“We buckled down,’’ Ellis said.

Highlands Ranch dominated the third set, but Chaparral pulled away late in the fourth behind Shelton (15 kills) and Stanley (16 kills).

“They run a pretty simple offense,’’ Krauss said of Chaparral. “They don’t have to do a lot well. They just have to get it to the outside, and they’ve got two girls (Shelton and Stanley) who don’t error too much and hit the ball really hard -- that’s one thing we don’t really have.

“We had the defense set up for that. We

dug a lot of balls, but, still … I mean, it’s not a high-risk (offense). If I had someone to do it, I would do it, too. But we need to score points by running a whole lot of different things. And we made too many unforced errors.’’

“We have two of the best hitters in the state,’’ Ellis said. “That’s our bread and butter.’’

After losing the third set, “We thought it was important to end this one playing Chaparral volleyball going into the fourth game because next weekend we have the Cheyenne Mountain tournament,’’ Shelton said. “We’re going to save some fire going into next week.’’

Highlands Ranch got 15 kills from Rachel Saczepanski to go with 10 for Brittanie Tannenbaum and 9 for Natalie Brunstein. Shayli Siegfried had 26 digs and Kristin Conor 38 assists for the Falcons.

Under a new format implemented for 2012, district tournaments have been replaced with non-qualifying tournaments.

Following those, teams will be seeded, with the top 12 hosting three-team regionals where only the winner qualifies for state.

Chaparral most assuredly will host a regional, and has been virtually unbeatable at home. But Highlands Ranch might not be so fortunate.

“We still have seeding committee, so I’m not sure if they’re going straight top 12, and I’m not sure how much we’ll drop after losing today,’’ Krauss said. “The tournament we’re playing, they’re all 4A and 3A teams, so that’s not going to help us with the (points) formula.’’

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Ponderosa’s Kendra Dunham, No. 4, congratulates Mackenzie Mattey, No. 8, for making the last out of the Mustangs irst round win.

Day One devastating to local teams Titans, Mustangs make early exit at state

By Scott Stocker sports@ourcoloradonews.com AURORA - It turned out to be a disappointing first day for Douglas County, Ponderosa and Legend in last Friday’s Class 5A state softball tournament at the Aurora Sports Park. But no coach or player will call it a disappointing season. After all, they were all part of the successful few who reached state.

Douglas County struggled in the early goings against Eaglecrest, falling behind 8-0 after four innings. The Raptors jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead on a home run by Mikayla Faulkner. But the killer was the grand slam home run by the Raptors Rayle Glover in the fourth that really settled the matter.

Laramie Rewerts hit a two run homer for Douglas County in the fifth for the Huskies first runs of the game. They would add two more in sixth on an RBI double by Ashlee Kim. “We went in with confidence, but I

think we became frustrated after their home run in the first inning,” Rewerts said. “Mentally, we didn’t come back.

It was a good season, better than we thought. I think we can only be better next season.”

Douglas County coach Brian Stebbins was disappointed with the loss, but not the season.

“We had a slow start today and we didn’t take advantage of our situations when we had opportunities,” Stebbins said. “But we battled in the end and I couldn’t be more pleased with the girls.

But I think we got hit by nerves. Overall, we enjoyed our regular season.”

It turned out to be a short day for Legend as the Titans were defeated by Dakota Ridge, 10-0 in six innings on a three-hitter. Two Titan hits were by Robyn Leighton and the third by pitcher Madi Hunter.

“We came in as an underdog and not many expected us to even be here,” said Legend coach Shelly Boyd. “I’m just so proud of the girls. There has been a lot of surprising moments, but it just didn’t go

Legend’s Kaley Garcia, No. 15, narrowly avoids Brooke Doumer, No. 5, as Doumer catches a lyball. Photos by Courtney Kuhlen | ckuhlen@ourcoloradonews.com our way today. The girls have given a lot of heart and certainly proud to have gotten this far.”

There are only two seniors on the Legend team this season, Hunter and Karlee Deaver.

“We did play the best we could today, but we lost to a really good team,” Hunter said. “It was a good season. We knew that it would be hard coming in and we just wanted to make sure we gave it our best.”

Added Deaver, “We came in with a lot of heart and played the best we could. It just didn’t go our way against a very good team. No one is upset with our season, it

was fun and worth all our efforts.”

In the Class 4A tournament, Ponderosa opened with a 4-3 win over Frederick but was sent home after a 6-1 set back to Erie in the quarterfinals.

Amanda Ochoa hit two doubles to pace the No. 4 Tigers.

Ponderosa had defeated Erie in last week’s districts 4-3 behind the Mustangs’ four-run rally in the sixth.

In the rematch, Ponderosa pitcher Ally Power struck out 10, but was touched for two runs in the first, and the Mustangs struggled offensively against Erie’s Carrie Clarke, who tossed a three-hitter.

Stephon, Mustangs get defensive in low-scoring victory Ponderosa stay’s perfect, kicks Pine Creek

By Jim Benton jbenton@ourcoloradonews.com PARKER - Ponderosa linebacker Drew Stephon called them fun but Mustangs coach Jamie Woodruff indicated he was getting too old to watch.

What they were referring to was the close games that Ponderosa has been playing the past two weeks.

The Mustangs, the second ranked Class 4A team in Colorado, remained unbeaten with a 13-10 Pikes Peak League victory over Pine Creek last Friday at Sports Authority Stadium.

Ponderosa, which edged Falcon 3-0 on Oct. 2, is now 8-0 this season and 5-0 in league play.

“I’m getting too old for this,” said Woodruff. “I think when you win the close games, they do help because we know we can hang in there with our defense and still win.”

Stephon was involved in several key defensive plays for the Mustangs.

“Close games are exciting,” he said.

“It doesn’t get any better. It makes it fun.

It helps us with the toughness to finish.

I think we can go far because when the pressure is on, we perform really well.”

The teams scored on the game’s first three possessions and it appeared that

Ponderosa quarterback Tanner Augustine scored on a quarterback sneak to cap a 67-yard drive as the Mustangs scored a 13-10 Pikes Peak League victory over Pine Creek last Friday at Sports Authority Stadium. File photo

the contest was going to be high scoring, but neither team scored in the second half.

Ponderosa started the game by putting together a 51-yard, 12-play scoring drive that included one fourth down conversion to grab a 7-0 lead after Corry Williams’ 5-yard TD run.

Pine Creek retaliated with a 67-yard touchdown march on the Eagles first possession to tie the game.

Then it was Ponderosa’s turn as Tanner Augustine scored on a quarterback sneak to cap a 67-yard drive.

The Mustangs extra point kick was blocked as Ponderosa went ahead 13-7 with 9:47 left in the second period.

Late in the first half, Ponderosa made one of its several good defensive plays with Pine Creek on the Mustang 12-yard line.

Chris Fox, Ponderosa’s 300-pound

lineman, rushed Eagles quarterback Scott Savage and forced an incomplete third down pass. Pine Creek had to settle for a 29-yard field goal by Ian Fletcher which trimmed Ponderosa’s lead to 13-10 with 38 seconds left before intermission.

“They were a good team,” said Stephon said. “We knew they were. It was a game circled at the beginning of the season.”

Stephon intercepted a Savage pass early in the third quarter in the secondhalf defensive standoff.

Pine Creek was driving late in the game at the Ponderosa 49-yard line when Stephon and Kelton Good combined to throw Pine Creek fullback Lavanson Coffey for a yard loss to set up a fourth and three. The Eagles pass fell incomplete with 2:33 remaining in the game.

“That stop there was huge,” Woodruff said. “We finally got it figured out what they were doing. The kids usually do. We just keep it simple and they started figuring it out.”

After taking over on downs, the Mustangs ran out the clock thanks to first down runs by Dylan Spradling and Augustine.

Augustine finished with four completions on nine attempts for 82 yards and rushed for 36 yards on eight carries.

Williams was the game’s leading rusher with 128 yards on 19 carries to help Ponderosa pile up 242 yards rushing.

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30 Parker Chronicle

Lutheran tops D’Evelyn in elimination game

By Craig Harper

sports@ourcoloradonews.com

PARKER — Lutheran wanted a statement game last Friday against D’Evelyn, and got it in more ways than one.

Most notably: •฀The฀Lions’฀sophomore฀passing฀tandem฀of฀quarterback James Willis and receiver Joshua Clausen won the battle฀over฀the฀Jaguars’฀more฀highly-touted฀senior฀duo฀of฀ Cody฀Marvel฀and฀Connor฀Skelton.฀Willis฀passed฀for฀191฀ yards฀and฀four฀touchdowns฀-฀three฀of฀them฀to฀Clausen.฀ Marvel฀threw฀for฀248฀yards฀and฀a฀touchdown฀-฀but฀was฀ harassed฀and฀sacked฀four฀times฀in฀the฀irst฀half,฀including฀ a฀ safety฀ ฀ -฀ and฀ Skelton฀ did฀ not฀ reach฀ the฀ end฀ zone฀ despite฀catching฀10฀balls฀for฀80฀yards.

•฀More฀importantly,฀the฀Lions฀won฀the฀war,฀rolling฀to฀ a฀36-14฀win฀at฀Sports฀Authority฀Stadium฀that฀Lutheran฀ coach Daryl Moe believes is the signature win in the program’s history.

“It฀was฀a฀huge฀win฀for฀us,’’฀Moe฀said฀after฀the฀youthful฀Lions฀improved฀to฀6-2฀and฀clinched฀second฀place฀in฀ Metro฀West฀League฀less฀than฀a฀year฀after฀moving฀up฀from฀ 1A฀to฀3A.฀“We฀sold฀it฀all฀week฀to฀our฀guys฀(that฀this฀was)฀ the biggest game in our program. We made that jump, and฀ (D’Evelyn฀ is)฀ one฀ of฀ the฀ better฀ teams฀ year฀ in฀ and฀ year out in our league. So it was good to come out and take it to them.’’

Lutheran฀(4-1฀Metro฀West)฀can฀only฀claim฀the฀league฀ title฀ if฀ ninth-ranked฀ Conifer฀ (3-1)฀ loses฀ one฀ of฀ its฀ inal฀ two฀ games฀ and฀ the฀ Lions฀ beat฀ Alameda฀ the฀ inal฀ week฀ of฀the฀regular฀season.฀Conifer฀owns฀wins฀over฀both฀Lutheran฀and฀D’Evelyn,฀which฀fell฀to฀3-2฀in฀the฀league฀and฀ 5-4฀overall.

But฀the฀win฀sets฀up฀Lutheran฀for฀a฀high฀seed฀in฀the฀16team฀3A฀playoff฀ield,฀especially฀if฀it฀can฀close฀with฀wins฀ over฀Steamboat฀Springs฀(non-league฀road฀game฀this฀Friday)฀and฀Arvada.

As฀for฀D’Evelyn’s฀playoff฀hopes,฀“Oh,฀we’re฀done,’’฀said฀ coach฀Jeremy฀Hubbard,฀whose฀2011฀squad฀reached฀the฀ semiinals.฀ “This฀ was฀ a฀ playoff฀ game฀ for฀ us.฀ If฀ we฀ had฀ won and win out, we’re 7-3 and we’re in.’’

Lutheran,฀which฀lost฀nine฀key฀seniors฀from฀last฀year’s฀ 1A฀ quarterinalist฀ team฀ and฀ plays฀ mostly฀ sophomores฀ and juniors this year, sent D’Evelyn a message early. It began฀with฀Darian฀Perez’฀95-yard฀punt฀return฀less฀than฀ halfway฀through฀the฀irst฀quarter฀and฀snowballed฀from฀ there.

Marvel was sacked twice on the next possession, and following฀a฀punt,฀Willis฀hooked฀up฀with฀Derek฀Hizer฀on฀ a฀ 35-yard฀ scoring฀ strike.฀The฀ fourth฀ sack฀ of฀ Marvel฀ resulted฀in฀a฀second-quarter฀safety,฀followed฀by฀a฀12-play,฀ 40-yard฀scoring฀drive฀in฀which฀Lutheran฀converted฀four฀ third฀ downs฀ -฀ the฀ inal฀ one฀ the฀ irst฀ of฀ three฀Willis-toClausen฀ connections,฀ a฀ 14-yarder฀ for฀ a฀ 23-0฀ lead฀ with฀ 16.7฀seconds฀left฀in฀the฀half.

The฀two฀hooked฀up฀twice฀in฀the฀fourth฀quarter฀for฀48-฀

Lutheran quarterback James Willis passes Oct. 20. and฀36-yard฀touchdowns,฀quelling฀a฀potential฀D’Evelyn฀ comeback.฀ Obviously฀ lustered฀ in฀ the฀ irst฀ half,฀ Marvel฀ directed฀ drives฀ of฀ 80฀ and฀ 77฀ yards฀ in฀ the฀ third฀ quarter.฀ He฀ scored฀ on฀ a฀ 4-yard฀ run฀ on฀ fourth฀ down฀ to฀ cap฀ the฀ irst฀one,฀then฀hit฀Anthony฀Porreco฀for฀23฀yards฀to฀make฀ it฀23-14.

Then,฀ “The฀ big฀ play฀ hurt฀ us.฀ The฀ big฀ play฀ hurt฀ us,’’฀ Hubbard said.

Marvel฀ inished฀ 22-of-34฀ for฀ 248฀ yards฀ passing,฀ but฀ clearly฀ was฀ affected฀ by฀ Lutheran’s฀ defensive฀ pressure฀ up฀front.฀He฀was฀sacked฀once฀in฀the฀second฀half,฀scrambling฀for฀no฀gain,฀but฀the฀irst-half฀pass฀rush฀and฀the฀Lions’฀ability฀to฀contain฀him฀as฀a฀rusher฀were฀signiicant.฀ D’Evelyn’s฀ leading฀ rusher฀ with฀ 812฀ yards฀ coming฀ into฀ the฀game,฀Marvel฀netted฀just฀16฀yards฀on฀13฀carries฀and฀ had฀two฀running฀plays฀other฀than฀the฀sacks฀for฀negative฀ yards.

“We฀haven’t฀seen฀anybody฀really฀get฀after฀him฀much,’’฀ Moe฀said.฀“They฀play฀a฀lot฀of฀zone฀(blocking)฀and฀we฀igured฀we’d฀go฀after฀him฀because฀he’s฀such฀a฀good฀quarterback.฀I฀think฀we฀frustrated฀him฀a฀little฀bit,฀but฀he฀still฀ made his plays.’’

Hubbard฀said฀Marvel฀got฀banged฀up฀on฀his฀irst฀run฀ of฀the฀game.฀“If฀Cody฀doesn’t฀have฀a฀deep฀thigh฀bruise,฀

Lutheran’s Joshua Claussen makes a reception Oct. 20 during his team’s 36-14 victory against D’Evelyn at Sports Authority Stadium. Photos by Courtney Kuhlen | ckuhlen@ourcoloradonews.com

he฀takes฀off฀on฀a฀couple฀of฀those฀(sacks).฀I’m฀not฀saying that฀we฀win฀the฀game.฀But฀it฀doesn’t฀turn฀out฀like฀that฀for฀ sure.’’

Moe challenged the Willis-Clausen duo - particularly Clausen - to outplay Marvel and Clausen.

“They’re฀ getting฀ a฀ little฀ rhythm฀ going฀ between฀ the two,’’฀ Moe฀ said.฀ “Skelton฀ is฀ a฀ heck฀ of฀ a฀ receiver,฀ and฀ I฀ told฀ (Clausen),฀ `Hey,฀ go฀ show฀ everybody฀ here฀ that฀ you should be considered the best in the league. He answered฀the฀bell,฀for฀sure.’’

Willis,฀ who฀ was฀ 9-of-13฀ ,฀ could฀ feel฀ for฀ Marvel.฀ It฀ wasn’t฀ until฀ Game฀ 7฀ that฀ Lutheran฀ played฀ with฀ a฀ full฀ complement฀of฀running฀backs.฀With฀no฀serious฀running฀ game during that stretch - which included the loss to Conifer฀ -฀Will฀ said฀ opponents฀“were฀ rushing฀ guys฀ kind of฀like฀what฀Marvel฀was฀looking฀at฀today฀and฀I฀was฀just฀ trying to get through it.’’

But with backs like sophomore Christian Versteeg back, Lutheran complemented Willis’ passing with a solid฀running฀game.฀Versteed฀ran฀26฀times฀for฀109฀yards and฀the฀Lions฀inished฀with฀217฀yards฀on฀the฀ground.

Sports roundup: Smith leads DC past Highlands Ranch

Junior running back runs for school-record 448 yards

By Jim Benton

jbenton@ourcoloradonews.com

Douglas฀County฀junior฀running฀back฀Trey฀Smith฀set฀a฀ school฀record฀last฀Friday฀night฀when฀he฀rushed฀for฀448฀ yards฀in฀a฀38-14฀Continental฀League฀victory฀over฀Highlands Ranch.

Smith฀ carried฀ the฀ ball฀ 26฀ times฀ and฀ scored฀ four฀ touchdowns฀as฀the฀Huskies฀(2-2,฀5-3)฀overcame฀a฀14-10฀ halftime฀deicit฀to฀outscore฀the฀Falcons฀28-0฀in฀the฀second฀half.

For฀the฀season,฀Smith฀has฀run฀for฀1,527฀yards฀on฀158฀ carries฀ and฀ is฀ averaging฀ 190.9฀ yards฀ per฀ game.฀ He฀ is฀ the฀second฀leading฀Class฀5A฀rusher฀in฀the฀state,฀trailing฀ Thornton’s฀Keynan฀Huguley฀who฀has฀gained฀1,636฀yards.

“He฀did฀a฀great฀job,”฀said฀Douglas฀County฀coach฀Jeff฀ Ketron฀ of฀ Smith.฀ “The฀ offensive฀ line฀ obviously฀ played฀ a big role as did our wide receivers and other running backs.

“Trey฀has฀great฀speed฀with฀long฀strides.฀It฀doesn’t฀look฀ like฀ he’s฀ going฀ fast฀ but฀ he฀ is.฀ He฀ has฀ great฀ break฀ away฀ speed but I think the best thing is he has unbelivable vision and real good hips, real good balance.”

ROCK CANYON SECOND - Rock Canyon moved into฀second฀place฀in฀the฀Pioneer฀League฀after฀notching฀a฀ 23-13฀win฀over฀Legend฀at฀Shea฀Stadium.

Quarterback฀Ryan฀Hommel฀passed฀for฀200฀yards฀and฀ a฀touchdown฀for฀the฀Jaguars฀(4-2,฀6-2).฀Legend฀(3-2,฀4-4)฀ dropped฀into฀a฀tie฀for฀third฀place.

Running฀ back฀ Eric฀ Williams฀ ran฀ for฀ 152฀ yards฀ and฀ three฀ touchdowns฀ for฀ Rock฀ Canyon฀ and฀ increased฀ his฀ season฀rushing฀total฀to฀1,217฀yards.

Legend’s฀Nicholas฀Evdos฀scored฀twice฀and฀rushed฀for฀ 74฀yards.

EIGHT ADVANCE - Eight Contintenal League soccer฀teams฀were฀seeded฀in฀the฀state฀playoffs฀which฀began฀ earlier this week.

League฀champion฀Heritage฀(9-1-1,฀12-1-2)฀was฀seeded third.

Ponderosa฀ inished฀ second฀ in฀ the฀ league฀ and฀ the฀ Mustangs฀(8-3-0,฀9-4-2)฀were฀seeded฀ifth฀in฀the฀Class฀4A฀ tournament.

Mountain Vista, Rock Canyon, Highlands Ranch and Regis฀Jesuit฀tied฀for฀third฀in฀the฀inal฀Continental฀standings฀with฀7-4-0฀records.

The฀Golden฀Eagles฀(9-6-0)฀entered฀the฀state฀playoffs฀ as฀a฀No.฀16฀seed.฀Rock฀Canyon฀(8-6-1)฀was฀seeded฀19th,฀ Highlands฀Ranch฀(8-6-1)฀15th฀and฀Regis฀(8-6-1)฀20th.

ThunderRidge฀ (฀ 7-7-1)฀ drew฀ a฀ No.฀ 24฀ seed฀ and฀ Legend฀฀(7-5-3)฀was฀a฀No.฀25฀seed฀in฀the฀state฀tournament฀

bracket.

CROSS COUNTRY฀-฀Mountain฀Vista฀`s฀boys฀won฀the Class฀ 5A฀ Region฀ 5฀ cross฀ country฀ meet฀ and฀ the฀ Golden฀ Eagles girls were second.

The฀top฀ive฀full฀teams฀and฀all฀athletes฀who฀inished in฀the฀top฀15฀qualiied฀for฀Saturday’s฀state฀cross฀country championships which will be held at Cheyenne Mountain’s Stampede cross country course.

Chaparral฀ inished฀ third฀ in฀ the฀ Region฀ 5฀ boys฀ meet฀ and฀Rock฀Canyon฀was฀fourth.

Mountain฀ Vista’s฀ Connor฀ Weaver฀ (15:59)฀ inished฀ third฀in฀the฀individual฀boys฀race฀followed฀by฀teammates Andrew฀Walton฀(16:03)฀in฀fourth฀and฀Eric฀Steiner฀(16:06) in฀ifth.

Other฀Continential฀League฀runners฀in฀the฀top฀15฀were฀ Rock฀Canyon’s฀Lucas฀West฀(16:16)฀in฀eighth,฀Chaparral’s Dominic฀ Compoz฀ (16:19)฀ tenth,฀ ฀ Jacob฀ Lucero฀ (16:21)฀ of฀ Douglas฀ County฀ 11th,฀ Mountain฀ Vista’s฀ Blake฀ Graf (16:22)฀12th,฀Seth฀Parker฀(16:23)฀of฀Mountain฀Vista฀13th,฀ the฀ Golden฀ Eagles฀ Noel฀ Wagner฀ (16:25)฀ 14th฀ and฀ Stephen฀Geisler฀(16:28)฀of฀Mountain฀Vista฀15th.

Macy฀Kreutz฀(19:02)฀of฀Highlands฀Ranch฀came฀in฀seventh,฀Castle฀View’s฀Morgan฀Neher฀(19:05)฀was฀ninth,฀Solana฀Quistorff฀(19:13)฀of฀Douglas฀County฀14th฀and฀Rock฀ Canyon’s฀Morgan฀Cooney฀(19:13)฀ran฀15th.

Ponderosa’s฀boys฀were฀third฀in฀the฀Region฀1฀Class฀4A qualifying฀meet฀and฀the฀Mustangs฀girls฀were฀ifth.

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