Elbert County News 1126 by Colorado Community Media

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November 26, 2015 VOLUME 120 | ISSUE 43 | 75¢

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ElbertCountyNews.net E L B E R T C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O

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Commissioners catch ﬂak in lengthy meeting Elected ofﬁcials among those leveling harsh criticism By Rick Gustafson Special to Colorado Community Media

Crowds exceeding capacity forced the relocation of the Nov. 18 Board of County Commissioners meeting to the fairgrounds. Photo by Rick Gustafson

In what might be described as an open rebellion, some Elbert County elected officials and staff members initiated an organized uprising against the Elbert County Board of County Commissioners at the board’s regularly scheduled meeting on Nov. 18. Though much of the staffers’ and officials’ outrage was directed at the perceived dysfunction of the BOCC as a whole, the majority of the ire was directed at District 2 Commissioner Kelly Dore and District 3 Commissioner Larry Ross for their roles in adding two items to the BOCC’s agenda regarding the possible

Vicki Miller of Parker drops off a bag of food following her shopping trip to Walmart. Photos by Rick Gustafson

suspension of County Attorney Wade Gateley. The opening salvo was fired by Dallas Schroeder, Elbert County clerk and recorder, during a segment of the meeting allocated for elected officials, department heads and employees to address the BOCC. Schroeder expressed his concerns for the state of the county and especially for the two agenda items relating to Gateley, a proposed 30-day paid administrative leave and the engagement of an outside law firm to handle legal matters during his absence. “This county has put together a great team over the past few years and has made great progress in putting its financial house in order, great progress in putting the employees first, great progress

Flak continues on Page 5

Rowland steps down as board chair Commissioner’s announcement comes during meeting By Rick Gustafson Special to Colorado Community Media

Volunteers help fight hunger

American Legion drive has nine-decade history By Rick Gustafson Special to Colorado Community Media

Standing outside a Walmart store for hours on end can be chilly duty as November and December come along, but John Leyborne and his crew of volunteers do not seem to mind the cold. Each Friday and Saturday afternoon since the middle of October, as many as six volunteers have been posted to the parking lot of the Elizabeth Walmart, collecting food for the Elizabeth American Legion Post 82 Christmas Food Basket Drive. Hunger continues on Page 5

In a surprise announcement, District 1 County Commissioner Robert Rowland has relinquished his position as chairman of the Elbert County Board of County Commissioners. Rowland’s announcement came in the opening minutes of a public BOCC agenda meeting on Nov. 16. In a statement issued Rowland by Rowland, he said that he would — at some point — further explain his decision to relinquish his position as chairman and praised the “team of dedicated and honest employees and most of our elected officials who have shown themselves to be committed to the cooperation and the work expected from us from the citizens of Elbert County.” Rowland was elected chairman of the BOCC last January, and has been the subject of ongoing legal action launched by his 2012 rival for the District 1 seat, Jill Duvall. The genesis of Duvall’s complaint stems from a violation of the Colorado Fair Campaign Practices Act, when the BOCC hired a consultant to speak at four town-hall meetings ahead of a November 2013 mill-levy vote. Administrative Law Judge Robert

Boy Scout Keeler Sparks, a seventh grader at Kiowa Middle School, volunteers for the American Legion Post 82 Christmas Food Basket Drive on his day off from school.

ELBERT COUNTY NEWS (USPS 171-100) OFFICE: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 | PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Elizabeth, Colorado, the Elbert County News is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ELIZABETH, COLORADO and additional mailing ofﬁces. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 12 p.m. | Classiﬁeds: Mon. 10 a.m. | Obits: Mon. 10 a.m. | Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m.

Rowland continues on Page 5

2 Elbert County News

November 26, 2015

Techie moves up fast in business world uBreakiFix store managed by 22-year-old entrepreneur By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@colorado communitymedia.com Ingenuity, hard work and a twist of fate have turned Brandon Best into an entrepreneur with limitless potential. Best was working four different jobs at a mall when friends and coworkers found out that he’d fixed his own smartphone. They enlisted Best, then 18, to do the same for them, and before long, his frequent visits to get parts from an electronics repair shop called uBreakiFix got the attention of management. “They pulled me aside and called corporate on me,” he said with a laugh. It was good news. After finding out what Best was up to, they offered him a job, and within two years he was managing a uBreakiFix store in Centennial. Never again would he go back to the four-job grind. Learning the craft For all of his knowledge of electronics, Best insists he wasn’t a techie growing up. After graduating from Chaparral High School, Best learned coding from his computer scientist dad. Although the rigid nature of programming wasn’t for him, Best’s dad did have an influence on him. “He’s somebody who really likes to buy the new devices and test them out, so I guess I’ve

always been exposed to computers,” Best said during an interview Nov. 4 in the repair lab of his own uBreakiFix location in Parker. The shop specializes in same-day repairs for most small electronic devices, with specific expertise in smartphones. uBreakiFix opened Oct. 19 at 11211 Dransfeldt Road, Suite 161, in the SuperTarget shopping center. So how did Best master a trade that has made him a business owner at the young age of 22? Video tutorials he watched for free online. He learned how to dissect and diagnose, and even though electronics repair might seem like a cut-and-dried activity, Best considers what he does “a mixture of science and art.” Mining talent Robert Viator, who owns two uBreakiFix stores in the Denver area, has no regrets about making Best his manager in Centennial when the up-and-comer was just 20 years old. It was maturity and capability that factored into Viator’s decision, not age, and the store became the state’s top-grossing location. He attributes the success to Best’s “go-get-’em attitude.” “He’s not afraid to do something new, and his problemsolving and critical-thinking skills were there,” Viator said. “He’s smart and hard-working, so it made sense to move him up quicker because he was capable of doing the work that was needed.” Aside from knowledge, there

was something in Best that Viator says is crucial in a customer service-based industry: an affable personality. But effectively repairing electronics in a short window of time is also required to keep customers coming back. Best points to a line of voltage controllers, which are used to short out the power supply so he can get a set of numbers that help determine the precise location of each issue. He draws from years of troubleshooting experience when approaching a problem, but there are a handful of issues out of every 1,000 repairs that stump him. When that happens, Best is not afraid to ask for advice from others or contact the manufacturer. “We’ll find a solution for you if we’re not the solution,” Best said. The typical cost for a fix runs between $50 and $250, far cheaper than replacing a phone. Perhaps the most interesting part of the job is finding out how people broke their phones. Best uses a dehydrator to dry water-damaged phones, and only charges in those cases if he needs to remove corrosion. Smartphone users can probably guess the most common type of repair requested at uBreakiFix. “We get a lot of water damage, PCs with viruses, charging ports on tablets, but cracked screens are definitely No. 1 for sure,” Best said, adding that curious babies, unruly dogs and butterfingers are often to blame for those. Best hopes to pay off a small

Family Owned, Family Run

Brandon Best, the 22-year-old owner of the uBreakiFix location in Parker, repairs a smart phone Nov. 4. Photo by Chris Michlewicz business loan within a year or so and will go to college to study molecular biology. He wants to apply phenomena found in nature to medical settings, and excitedly fires off examples of what has been done in the field thus far. It’s an adventure that waits.

But for now, Best is establishing himself as an entrepreneur in a fast-expanding, in-demand area of tech commerce. “We try to fix the image of smartphone repair,” he said. “We don’t want it to be out of a trunk or a shady shop.”

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Elbert County News 3

November 26, 2015

Hospital’s new status may save more lives Parker Adventist now certified to treat major head, spine injuries By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@coloradocommunitymedia.com Following a recent designation as a Level-2 trauma center, Parker Adventist Hospital is poised to save more lives of critically-injured patients. The jump from Level 3 to 2 means Parker Adventist can now treat patients with major spinal cord and head injuries. It means having trauma surgeons present 24 hours a day and an operating room ready to go at a moment’s notice. Historically, patients had to be taken to Level-2 trauma centers like Littleton Adventist or Porter Adventist, and because of worsening traffic congestion, “it’s getting harder and harder to get there in a timely fashion,” said Dr. Chris Winter, the director of trauma services at Parker Adventist. The move to the new status was an arduous, two-year-plus journey that required extensive education, the hiring of more employees and, on Sept. 17, a visit from a team of surveyors who ensured that all proper components were in place. The criteria for Level-2 status are set by the state department of health and the American College of Surgeons. For the hospital, which continues to see the population grow around it, the effort is expected to pay off. Attaining Level-2 status will result in a significant difference in patient outcomes, said Heather Tiftickjian, director of emergency, trauma, critical care and respiratory services at the hospital. “Now we will be a closer receiving facility for patients in the eastern corridor because (EMS units are) supposed to go to the closest one,” she said. “Before they were having to drive past Sky Ridge and Parker, or drive to the Medical Center of Aurora, and that can be quite a drive,

Dr. Chris Winter, director of trauma services at Parker Adventist Hospital, helped oversee the preparation for becoming a Level-2 trauma center. Courtesy photo especially in traffic.” A patient in Kiowa with a spinal cord injury, for example, will be flown by helicopter and receive treatment much quicker than before. And a patient who

suffers severe head trauma in an accident on South Parker Road near Franktown would be transported via ambulance. Sky Ridge Medical Center, which opened in Lone Tree in 2003, months

before Parker Adventist, also was recently certified as a Level-2 trauma center. The bolstered capabilities at Parker Adventist are most noticeable in the emergency department, operating room, intensive care unit and surgical floor. Improvements were also made in neurosurgery and orthopedics, and there were “across-the-board” staffing increases, Winter said. Parker Adventist will not seek Level-1 status, which entails creating an academic institution and performing medical research. A combination of improvement goals from hospital administrators and feedback from emergency room employees and emergency services partners like South Metro Fire Rescue prompted the change in trauma level. “They said, ‘We need this kind of resource closer to this body of patients,’” Winter said, who coordinated the supplemental education for staff and determined the specific services needed to meet Level-2 trauma center standards. Parker Adventist is expecting 180 more admissions per year because of the designation. The hospital will undergo a reverification process in 18 months, and every three years after that. Achieving and maintaining Level-2 status is a large financial undertaking and there are no grants available to help cover expenses. But responding to the rise in population, bettering the quality of treatment, and improving accessibility and response times will be worth it. It’s a “commitment the hospital wanted to make… regardless of the cost,” Tiftickjian said. While the new designation is a crowning achievement for the 11-year-old facility, there is more work to be done. “Getting ready is one thing, but delivering that care and keeping the level of excellence going, that’s when the real work begins,” Winter said. “We have to make sure we’re doing all of the things we said we were going to do.”

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4 Elbert County News

November 26, 2015

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Elbert County News 5

November 26, 2015

Flak Continued from Page 1

County Attorney Wade Gateley, left, and commissioners Robert Rowland, Kelly Dore and Larry Ross listen to nearly an hour of comments offered by elected ofﬁcials and staff at the Nov. 18 Board of County Commissioners meeting. Photo by Rick Gustafson

Hunger Continued from Page 1

Leyborne, who has chaired the food drive for the past three years, said most of his volunteers are from the American Legion post, but he also gets volunteers from around the community. “Last weekend we had two from the Boy Scouts and two from the Girl Scouts working out here,” he said. The Legion is accepting most shelf-stable items, but cannot accept anything packaged in glass or paper such as bags of flour or sugar. All of the food collected will not fit into a single basket, so volunteers will pack the canned goods, boxes of cereal, and packets of dry soups into three-box packages that will be distributed to approximately 85 Elbert County families the week before

Rowland Continued from Page 1

Spencer ruled that hiring a consultant was a violation of the act by the entire BOCC, and ordered Rowland to pay a $1,000 fine. Duvall has stated on a number of occasions that she specifically named Rowland in her complaint to the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office because he was the only commissioner who verbalized the term “mill levy” during the town-hall meetings. Rowland’s appeal was unsuccessful, and Judge Gale T. Miller of the Colorado Court of Appeals compelled Rowland to pay the fine, which he did. In addition, Duvall has sued to have her legal fees, which she incurred when Rowland appealed the ruling, reimbursed by the county. The fees could total more than $15,000 and the matter is expected to be settled in December. At a BOCC meeting on April 8, 2015, District 2 Commissioner Kelly Dore cast a lone vote indemnifying Rowland “for any judgment entered against him in his individual capacity” regarding the lawsuit. Rowland and District 3 Commissioner Larry Ross both recused themselves from the vote, though Ross seconded the motion to add the item to the agenda. According to Dore, it was her understanding that the indemnification was for any future actions and did not apply to county reimbursement of the $1,000 fine. Dore was shown a receipt for a county disbursement, which she took to be a receipt for the fine paid by Rowland. The document presented to Dore was in fact a record

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manager. They do have to do with issues with the county attorney,” Ross said. “We place these items on the agenda to work out issues with the county attorney and the county attorney only.” Dore also reiterated that the proposed action against Gateley had nothing to do with Ehmann. “We have placed this on the

Ehmann. Ross responded by praising the work of the county’s employees for the improvements to the county’s situation and addressed the group’s concerns regarding Ehmann. “First of all, I want to point out to you that these agenda items in no way relate to our county

agenda because we could not come together,” she said. “We have three commissioners here that are sitting on a board together and only one is being told what is happening.” District 1 Commissioner Robert Rowland also entered the fray, which devolved into a string of accusations leveled among the

Christmas. The three-box packages are capable of feeding a family for several days and contain canned vegetables and fruits, canned meats such as chicken and tuna, along with various dry goods such as boxed dinners. Additionally, each qualifying family will receive a frozen turkey along with everything they need to prepare a full Christmas dinner, including a 10-pound bag of potatoes, five pounds of onions, and fresh carrots and celery. The collections began on the weekend of Oct. 16, and volunteers will be standing by each Friday and Saturday afternoon from noon to 4:30 through Dec. 5. The food baskets will be distributed on Dec. 16 in the Walmart parking lot along with Toys for Tots and a clothing distribution. Families wishing to receive the food baskets may sign up through the Elizabeth Fire Department. In addition to food, the American Legion is also accepting cash donations. The donated money will pay to

for a reimbursement to Rowland from the county for the fine. Dore has since obtained a copy of the actual check issued to Rowland for the reimbursement. Dore has said that she takes responsibility for her vote and admits that she should have done more due diligence regarding the issue instead of relying on the legal advice of County Attorney Wade Gately. When she discovered the facts and confronted Gately, his response was that she did not ask him the right questions. Rowland neither cited the conflict over the lawsuit nor gave another specific reason for his resignation of the chairman position, but in his statement he said, “I have decided that I cannot and will not remain in a ‘leadership role’ of a board for which I feel is unjustly at odds with senior staff and the direction and structure that has brought us as far as it has.” When asked if his resignation as BOCC chairman meant that he would not run for re-election in 2016, Rowland responded, “One step at a time.” The role temporarily fell to Dore at the opening of the BOCC meeting and budget hearings on Nov. 18. The first order of business was to elect Ross as chairman and Dore as vice chairwoman.

complete the three-box packages and purchase foodonly gift cards. Last year it was possible for the Legion to donate $1,400 to the United Methodist Church’s Friendto-Friend Weekend SnackPack program. Each week the SnackPack program provides bags of food to about 25 families of Elbert County students who are at risk of running out of food over the weekend. Church volunteers purchase and assemble the SnackPacks and deliver them to local schools each Friday. This year marks 90 years since the American Legion launched the food drive, which began in 1925.

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in making this county what it can be,” Schroeder said. “I believe it is an attempt to break up this team and put disorder back into Elbert County.” Schroeder accused Ross of “slowing down” business that benefited county taxpayers and accused Dore of causing strife and confusion among the staff and employees by “inserting herself into the process.” “I wish things were better, but because of these actions, I have no confidence in either Commissioner Dore nor Commissioner Ross in leading this county, and therefore I call for both of you to resign immediately,” he said to the applause of about half of the overflow crowd that forced the relocation of the meeting from the courthouse to the fairgrounds. For the next hour, 18 elected officials and employees echoed Schroeder’s sentiment, with Sheriff Shayne Heap, Treasurer Rick Pettitt and Surveyor Keith Westfall all calling for Dore and Ross to resign. Many comments were also made in support of Ed Ehmann, county manager. Though not specifically singled out, the group appeared to be under the impression that Dore and Ross were also planning to take action against

commissioners in what county resident Tony Baker described as a Jerry Springer-like hearing as he rebuked all three commissioners during his public comment. Not everyone concurred with the staff’s praise for Gateley. Rick Brown, a retired attorney and previous member of the planning commission, called out Gateley for speaking at the meeting. “Until today it was unimaginable to me that an attorney of an elected body would get up and attack his client in public. It is shocking and shockingly unprofessional,” Brown said. Brown, who has a pending lawsuit against the county for a vote taken in April to indemnify commissioners, also encouraged the BOCC to consider the quality of the work they have been getting and the quality of the attorneyclient relationship. In the end, neither Ross nor Dore resigned, and the two items regarding Gateley were removed from the agenda by a unanimous vote. The meeting proceeded in a tense but polite tone to other county business and a public hearing on the proposed 2016 budget. During one of two recesses in the five-hour meeting Gateley was visibly moved by the show of support from his coworkers. “I’m relieved and hope we can get things worked out,” he said. “I hope we can use this to move forward as a county.”

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6 Elbert County News

November 26, 2015

VOICES

LOCAL

Change your outlook, change your outcome “You cannot consistently perform in a manner which is inconsistent with the way you see yourself.” - Dr. Joyce Brothers I often hear people talk about how successful other people are, but seem to think that they personally struggle to achieve their own success. This happens sometimes because of the way we see ourselves. If we see ourselves as a failure, we are likely to fail. If we see ourselves as a success, we will likely be successful. It starts with becoming your own biggest fan. Now I am not talking about becoming an egomaniac, centered only on yourself, I am just talking about loving yourself enough to see and enjoy the successes that are in front of you. When you greet yourself each morning in the mirror what do you think? Do you like who you are looking at? Do you avoid looking yourself in the eyes because you don’t like the person looking back at you? Is there something you see that inspires you to become even better? Does your reflection convict you of something you need to change? You have probably heard other people, maybe friends, and possibly even family members, say something like, “I do not like

who I have become.” Maybe they are referring to stress levels at home or work that have caused a shift in the way they see themselves and behave. And when they get to that point, they know that something has to change. And that something that has to Michael Norton change is usually the WINNING person. Maybe you are one WORDS of those people who sees others as successful. Maybe, just maybe, you can benefit from learning to believe in yourself and seeing yourself as a true success and becoming your own biggest fan. The power of positive self-talk and visualization should not be underestimated. Some people may believe otherwise, but I can share with you that every successful person I have ever met has told me that they use these techniques every day. Some actually have lists of positive words that they believe describe who they are. Words and state-

ments such as: a person of character, a great dad, a wonderful mom, a loyal employee, a strong leader are not only used as mental motivation, but many people actually say them out loud as they greet themselves in the mirror, while driving, during a workout and at other times throughout the day. And when it comes to seeing success, they actually visualize what that success looks like. They see themselves 20 pounds lighter, they see that promotion, they see a happier and healthier relationship, and they see themselves owning their own business. The list is endless, and success is different for everyone and defined and driven by our own goals and dreams. So how about you? Are you your own biggest fan? Do you like who you are or is there something that has to change? Either way I would love to hear all about it at gotonorton@gmail.com. And when we do become our own biggest fan, it really will be a better than good week. Michael Norton is a resident of Highlands Ranch, the former president of the Zig Ziglar Corporation and the CEO/founder of www. candogo.com.

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‘Five ways from Sunday’ can help reach better day Investing has become a lot more complicated than in my grandmother’s time. One of her favorite sayings was “five ways from Sunday.” Building wealth is a daunting task any day of the week, especially now with zero interest rates and low stock returns. Our economy is barely growing each year at 2 percent and the outlook for investment returns has declined. But yet we know the importance of making our money work for us to meet our future needs and wants. Before you can invest, you must have a strategy or you won’t stay on course. However, life often gets in the way of planning. We all know we should spend less than we make, pay ourselves first by saving before guilty pleasures, but life happens. One day you wake up and wonder where the last 10 or 20 years went. Well, it is not too late to take charge of your financial welfare. Arm yourself with good information and make yourself accountable for those times you sabotage your own plan. 1. The first step in taking charge is to identify your goal. Maybe you want a million dollars or maybe you just want to get off your parents’ couch. Whatever it is, make sure it is real and visible every day. Then ev-

ery choice you make should be based on whether it moves you closer to or further away from your goal. 2. Next, get your financial house in order. No one likes to clean house but organization is key to tracking finances. Set up a plan on a budget Patricia Kummer software program, Excel or a columnar FINANCIAL The idea here is STRATEGIES pad. it must be written or you could lose focus. Pay yourself first by setting aside funds you need to save such as your emergency reserves, 401(k) plan or college fund. Then list expenses that are mandatory such as food, shelter, transportation and health. Next classify the flexible expenses such as dining out, travel, sports and hobbies. If there is no money left, see where you can cut. If there is money left over, add to your savings. 3. Now you are ready to sit down with a

trusted adviser. This will put another pair of eyes on your work and help create solutions to identify, fund and meet your different goals. A good adviser will help you realize your goals, whatever they are, rather than judge or criticize you. At the same time you must be open and respect their ideas as they are there to help you. Make sure they are looking at the whole picture, such as taxes, estate planning and risks. 4. Once you have your time frames and financial goals identified, it is time to build a portfolio to put your hard-earned dollars to work. Make certain the investment choices line up with the time frame you have for each goal. For example, an investment in emerging markets should be your longest time frame, not for your next car purchase. Aggressive investments may take 10 years or more to give you the optimum benefit. This ability to identify different buckets of money allows you to build diversification through diverse investments for different needs. 5. Now that you have everything in place, it is important to monitor, review and gradually increase the amount you are adding to Kummer continues on Page 7

County Court for Veterans is truly impressive Recently, I was invited to visit and observe court proceedings at the Adams County Court for Veterans (ACCV). I was deeply impressed with its mission: “using a collaborative, respectful and accountable approach to assist military veterans to access treatment and supports while holding them accountable for their actions within the criminal justice system.” In other words, the ACCV strives to get veterans who have been arrested or convicted out of trouble and keep them out of jail. Upon my arrival, I met with Judge Brian Bowen, two defense attorneys, and the prosecutor for the court. The prosecutor — a decorated Marine Corp combat veteran from the Vietnam War — had a deep understanding of military culture and the capabilities of the veterans being tried because of his extensive military background. Veteran volunteers were assigned as mentors to the veterans in court. At first, I questioned the need for a special court for veterans. After my observations, however, the value of the court to veterans quickly became clear. Each of the veterans stood before the Judge Bowen with pride. When asked what branch of service they served in, the veterans spoke with the same military bearing as if they were still in uniform, addressing

Judge Bowen with the same respect given to a senior officer. Some even stood at attention. The goal of keeping these veterans out of jail and returning them to responsible, contributing members of society was apU.S. Rep. parent in the court’s proceedings and Mike Coffman protocols. GUEST Veterans appearing before the ACCV are COLUMN required to undergo routine drug screening, treatment (if necessary) and counseling. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), of which I am normally a critic, had a representative with a laptop and direct access present to schedule appointments with the VA for medical and mental health issues. This system seemed remarkably effective in serving our veterans. At the conclusion of the proceedings, Judge Bowen invited me to address the veterans who came before the court that day. I spoke to them about the common bond that we all shared as veterans. At one point in

time, each veteran completed basic training and earned the title of “Soldier,” “Marine,” “Airman” or “Sailor.” Each title represents the challenges faced and demonstrates values such as determination, self-discipline, honor and integrity. I reminded each of them of their achievements earned in the past and the expectations of each veteran in the future, both in and out of uniform. My visit to ACCV made me a big believer in the services and missions of the court for veterans. It is my hope that more communities follow in the footsteps of Adams County, the 18th Judicial District, and other areas to implement these cost-effective solutions to rehabilitating those who have served this nation and still have more to give. U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Aurora, is a Marine Corps combat veteran with a combined 21 years of military service. He serves the 6th Congressional District, which includes Aurora, Centennial, Littleton, Highlands Ranch and parts of Adams County. He currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee and House Veterans Affairs Committee, where he chairs the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. He is the only member of Congress to have served in both Iraq wars.

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Columnists & Guest Commentaries The Elbert Co. News features a limited number of regular columnists, found on these pages and elsewhere in the paper, depending on the typical subject the columnist covers. Their opinions are not necessarily those of the Elbert Co. News. Want your own chance to bring an issue to our readers’ attention, to highlight something great in our community, or just to make people laugh? Why not write a letter of 300 words or fewer. Include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone. Email letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com Deadline Fri. 5 p.m. for the following week’s paper.

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Elbert County News 7

November 26, 2015

CALENDAR Editor’s note: Calendar submissions must be received by noon Wednesday for publication the following week. Send listings to calendar@ coloradocommunitymedia.com. No attachments, please. Listings are free and run on a space-available basis. Events Musical Merry Season at PACE Some of the nation’s best performers and local homegrown favorites will help celebrate the holiday season at the PACE Center in Parker. The season kicks off Friday, Nov. 27, with Texas legends Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel performing at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Then Saturday, Nov. 28, the 16-piece big band Colorado Jazz Repertory Band performs at 7:30 p.m. From Friday to Sunday, Dec. 4-6, the Parker Chorale and Parker Symphony Orchestra will treat audiences to traditional carols, familiar songs, and a few surprises in “A Classic Parker Holiday.” Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4-5 and 2 p.m. Dec. 6. The Manhattan Transfer performs at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. The PACE holiday season wraps up Thursday to Sunday, Dec. 17-20, with the Colorado School of Dance performing The Nutcracker of Parker. Show times are at 7 p.m. all four days and 2 p.m. Dec. 19-20. Tickets for all shows are available by calling 303-805-6800 or going to www.ParkerArts.org.

Castle Rock; Saturday, Nov. 28, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Walmart, 11101 S. Parker Road, Parker; Friday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker; Saturday, Dec. 12, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Philip S. Miller Library, 100 S. Wilcox St., Castle Rock; Wednesday, Dec. 16, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Walmart, 2100 Legacy Circle, Elizabeth; Friday, Dec. 18, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker; Monday, Dec. 21, 10-11:40 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m., Parker Adventist Hospital, 9395 Crown Crest Blvd., Parker; Tuesday, Dec. 22, 9-10:40 a.m. and noon to 2:30 p.m. at Castle Rock Adventist Health Campus, 2350 Meadows Blvd., Castle Rock; Tuesday, Dec. 22, 10-11:40 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m., Castle Rock Government, 100 Wilcox St., Castle Rock (contact Jane Chrestensen, 303-660-1397); Sunday, Dec. 27, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., New Hope Presbyterian Church, 3737 New Hope Way, Castle Rock. Big Band Christmas Get in the swing of the holiday season with the 16-piece Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra big band playing holiday tunes such as Duke Ellington’s “Nutcracker Suite,” Maynard Ferguson’s “Music for Moderns,” and more. Concert is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, at the PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker. For tickets and information, go to www.ParkerArt.org or call 303-805-6800.

Jazz Repertory Band performs at 7:30 p.m. From Friday to Sunday, Dec. 4-6, the Parker Chorale and Parker Symphony Orchestra will treat audiences to traditional carols, familiar songs, and a few surprises in “A Classic Parker Holiday.” Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4-5 and 2 p.m. Dec. 6. The Manhattan Transfer performs at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. The PACE holiday season wraps up Thursday to Sunday, Dec. 17-20, with the Colorado School of Dance performing The Nutcracker of Parker. Show times are at 7 p.m. all four days and 2 p.m. Dec. 19-20. Tickets for all shows are available by calling 303-805-6800 or going to www.ParkerArts.org. Lighting of the Lights Join the Town of Kiowa for its ninth annual Lighting of the Lights on Saturday, Nov. 28. Crafts and games start at 3 p.m. at the Kiowa Lions Hall, 336 Comanche St. ECCO will have a special toy sale in conjunction with the lighting. At 6:30 p.m., the town will light up town hall with Mayor Jason Kerbs. Santa will dash in to say hello. Then move to Patty Ann’s Café for pictures with Santa (bring your camera). Santa would love to hear what it is you would like him to bring for Christmas, so be ready with your wish list. Patty Ann’s Café will provide snacks and warm drinks. Women’s Divorce Workshop

Community Blood Drives

Musical Merry Season at PACE

A number of community blood drives are planned in the area. For information or to schedule an appointment, contact the Bonfils Appointment Center at 303-363-2300, unless otherwise noted. Go to www.bonfils.org. Upcoming blood drives are: Saturday, Nov. 28, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Walmart, 4400 Front St.,

Some of the nation’s best performers and local homegrown favorites will help celebrate the holiday season at the PACE Center in Parker. The season kicks off Friday, Nov. 27, with Texas legends Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel performing at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Then Saturday, Nov. 28, the 16-piece big band Colorado

The more information and support women have when facing a divorce, the better decisions they can make for themselves and their children, and the more hopeful they are about the future. Meetings are from 8 a.m. to noon the fourth Saturday of every month at Southeast Christian Church, 9650 Jordan Road, Parker. An upcoming meeting is Saturday, Nov. 28. The mission is to provide education, support and guidance to women. The workshop is affiliated with Sec-

your plan or losing sight of the value of investing. Remember that investing is defined as taking near-term risk for longerterm reward. You can do these five simple steps to get you closer to your goals. Patricia Kummer has been an independent Certified Financial Planner for 29 years and is president of Kummer Finan-

cial Strategies Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor in Highlands Ranch. Kummer Financial is a six-year 5280 Top Advisor. Please visit www.kummerfinancial.com for more information or call the economic hotline at 303-683-5800. Any material discussed is meant for informational purposes only and not a substitute for individual advice.

Kummer Continued from Page 6

your goal funding. Time and consistency will help your assets grow. Don’t shortchange yourself by drifting away from

We Are Hiring! Positions available:

• IT Site Manager (Position number 2334, qualifications have changed, closes Nov. 30) • Cashier (Part-time, position number 2688) Join our team! Apply at jobsatcu.com Search by job title or position number The Liniger Building at CU South Denver is a location of the University of Colorado. We offer cultural and community programming through The Wildlife Experience, an art and natural history museum, plus CU classes and degree programs.

ond Saturday, founded by nonprofit WIFE.org. Registration may be done at the door, or register online at www.divorceworkshopdenver.com. Public Transit Outback Express is a public transit service provided through the East Central Council of Local Governments and is available to all residents. Call Kay Campbell, Kiowa, at 719- 541-4275 or go to www.outbackexpress.tripod.com. Advance reservations appreciated. November schedule: Tuesday, Dec. 1, Kiowa, Elizabeth and Elbert to Parker or Colorado Springs; Monday, Dec. 7, Simla and Matheson to Colorado Springs; Tuesday, Dec. 8, Elizabeth to Colorado Springs or Parker; Thursday, Dec. 10, Good Samaritan Nursing Home residents bus ride; Tuesday, Dec. 15, Kiowa, Elizabeth and Elbert to Parker or Colorado Springs; Thursday, Dec. 24, Simla and Matheson to Limon. Chamber Annual Events Elizabeth Area Chamber of Commerce plans its annual Olde Town Christmas on Friday, Dec. 4. Vendors and sponsors are needed; contact www. elizabethchamber.org for details about participating. Pet Pictures with Santa Ginger’s Legacy plans its annual Pet Pictures with Santa from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Elizabeth Animal Hospital, 330 W. Kiowa Ave., Elizabeth. A single photo is $10, or a CD with all pictures taken is $20. There will be refreshments and everyone is welcome. If the weather is bad, Santa’s helpers will reschedule for Dec. 12. Call 303-646-2891. Go to www.

Calendar continues on Page 12

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8 Elbert County News

November 26, 2015

Andrew, Jamie Wyeth in museum’s spotlight Denver exhibit looks at world of father, son

IF YOU GO “Wyeth: Andrew and Jamie in the Studio” runs through Feb. 7 on the second level of the Hamilton Building at the Denver Art Museum, located on 13th Avenue, between Broadway and Bannock Streets. Open daily, except Mondays. There is an extra ticket charge for this exhibit. See: denverartmuseum.org or call 720865-5000.

By Sonya Ellingboe sellingboe@coloradocommunitymedia.com After four years of visiting various Pennsylvania and Maine painting studios owned and used by Andrew and Jamie Wyeth, Timothy Standring, Denver Art Museum’s Gates Foundation curator of painting and sculpture, has overseen the opening of “Wyeth: Andrew and Jamie in the Studio,” which runs through Feb. 7, 2016, at the museum. It’s the first major exhibit to look at the process and products of both and involves Jamie Wyeth’s input about his own practices and those of his late father, as seen on numerous studio visits. The exhibit contains more than 100 works by both artists, in a variety of media: pen and ink, charcoal, dry brush, watercolor, tempera, oil and mixed media. When it leaves Denver, it will travel to Museo Thyssen-Bomemisza in Madrid, Spain. “They extended, and we accepted, the invitation to take part in their Wyethian tea party,” writes Standring as he concludes, in the catalog text, his account of trips to the Brandywine Valley in Pennsylvania and to locations in coastal Maine where the two have worked for their lifetimes, reflecting the pastoral valley and the rocky coast — and the people, plants, animals and structures that inhabit each. “They are like migrating birds between Pennsylvania and Maine,” Standring said in remarks at the Nov. 4 press preview — which was attended by Jamie Wyeth, dressed in knickers and a casual jacket. Jamie talked about his work and his family, including the painting of a

“Kleberg” by Jamie Wyeth, 1984, oil on canvas, is an image widely seen around town now promoting the Wyeth exhibit at the Denver Art Museum. It depicts a beloved Labrador who for many years wore a ring around his eye painted in mustache dye. Courtesy photo

dog called “Kleberg,” widely used for publicity. When the Labrador was a puppy, it got into Jamie’s paints and made a mess — and the artist painted a ring around his eye, which pleased and amused Jamie so much that he continued to renew it with mustache dye for the following eight years. He also talked about his family, including his grandfather, the famed illustrator N.C. Wyeth. Both Andrew and Jamie were home-schooled, including formal art training so thorough that Jamie painted his first commissioned portrait in his teens. Despite similarities in

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rural Pennsylvania upbringing and studio practice, the work is “strikingly different,” Standring writes. Both maintained assorted studios that inspire Standring’s label of “Messy Painting and Fleeting Moments” for his first section, dated in July 2011. Portraits, human figures, rocky shores, animals and birds, weathered domestic architecture, “the Maine coast’s fingered peninsulas and archipelagoes,” are all depicted in a dazzling array of works. (Allow some time to read about them and watch the video of Jamie painting his large “Inferno” at breakneck speed with brushes, fingers, Q-tips, etc.)

“The collection reflects 10 decades of continued overlapping journeys” and is about “empathy, feelings and sharing feelings,” Standring said. The show’s wall text reflects strong ties between father and son and the show includes their expert portraits of each other, starting with one by Andrew of a charming small Jamie in his favorite raccoon-skin hat, “Faraway.” Each is quoted about portraiture. Jamie: “When I work on a portrait, it’s really osmosis. I try to become the person I’m painting.” Andrew: “It was partly painted before I ever painted it. That man is partly me.” Jamie had a period that he spent with painter Andy Warhol, at his New York “Factory,” with resulting portraits of Warhol and a diorama Jamie built of the “Factory Dining Room,” where Warhol and others watched movies. Subsequent sections of catalog text are labeled “Oct. 26, Tenants Harbor Maine,” “Oct. 31, Rockliff Island, Maine — Wyeth Halloween Party” and finally, “April 1, 2015,” when Standring concluded the account of his journey with the Wyeths — the most insightful bit of catalog text I have ever read. (The catalog is available in the museum’s gift shop.)

Elbert County News 9

November 26, 2015

Fair brings crafts, arts to rec center

Englewood concert “Santa Baby” with Brigette Lee is the Nov. 4 “Starlight Rhythms” concert on Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in Hampden Hall. Hampden Hall is on the second level of the Englewood Civic Center, 1000 Englewood Parkway. Tickets: $10 at the door/students under 18 free. Ensemble music The Colorado Wind Ensemble presents “Sound the Bells!” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5, at Littleton United Methodist Church, 5894 S. Datura St., Littleton. The ensemble’s new conductor, Dr. David Kish, a Metro State University faculty member, will direct a program that will feature two MSU faculty members in gems from contemporary classical literature: Michelle Thompson will be soprano soloist in Frank Tichell’s “Angels in the Architecture” and pianist Sara Parkinson is featured on Carter Penn’s “Slalom.” CWE’s bassoon trio will perform “BasSOON it will be Christmas.” The partnership with MSU will benefit CWE with an opportunity to rehearse and perform at the King Center. Tickets cost $15/$10/$5; coloradowindensemble.org. Books, book, books Books are “the gift that keeps on giving,” in bookseller parlance. Two sales at our local libraries may turn up some treasures: • The Better Book Bonanza runs Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Dec. 6 from 1

to 4 p.m. at Koelbel Library, 5955 S. Holly St., Centennial. The sale features a quantity of gift-quality books from $5 to $350. The sponsoring group is Friends of the Arapahoe Libraries, which has to date in 2015 granted $100,000 to the Sonya Ellingboe libraries. • The LittleSONYA’S ton Friends of the SAMPLER Library/Museum Holiday Sale at Bemis Library, 6014 S. Datura St, Littleton, runs now through noon, Christmas Eve, with a selection of books, including children’s titles on a special table in the lobby. They will have new titles added regularly. Cash or checks only. Fine art show, sale The Arvada Center’s Annual Fine Art Market Show and Sale returns Dec. 3-20 for its 29th year in the Arvada Center Galleries, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada. Categories include books, journals, paper; clay, jewelry, mixed media, drawing, fiber, glass, metal, pastel, photography, mosaic, painting, watercolor, printmaking and woodwork. A silent auction, with bids taken during the show, will benefit the Arvada Center. (Make bids in person or call 720-898-7251.) Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Holiday herbal gifts Make a variety of herb-themed gifts: infused vodkas, oils and vinegars; powdered ranch dressing dip mix; French onion soup dip mix; Chai; mulling spices; and more from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 5 at Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. ($58/$53 member). Also, on Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to

noon, there will be a family workshop on building a decorated gingerbread creation to take home. Fees: $17 child/$15 member child/$12 adult/$10 member adult. All programs include garden admission. botanicgardens.org.

ACC concerts Three free concerts are scheduled at Arapahoe Community College, 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, in the Waring Theatre — all at 7 p.m.: • Wednesday, Dec. 9: ACC String Orchestra, directed by Rene Knetsch • Friday, Dec. 11: ACC Jazz Ensemble, directed by Cecil Lewis • Monday, Dec. 14: ACC Choir, directed by Ron Kientz. For information, contact the music department chair, Dr. Hidemi Matsushita,

hidemi.matsishita@arapahoe.edu or 303797-5897. College hosts artisan fair Arapahoe Community College will present an Artisan Fair on Dec. 11 and 12, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days, in the Second Floor Atrium at 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton. Ten percent of proceeds will go to the ACC Foundation. Information: Jane Binns, jane.binns@araphoe.edu or 303-7975799. Parker holiday classics The Parker Symphony and Parker Chorale perform holiday favorites at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 and 5 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 6 at the PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker. Tickets are $20-$25; parkerarts.org, 303-8056800.

Happy

Macey Foronda / BuzzFeed

The 29th annual Arts and Crafts Fair — held by South Suburban Parks and Recreation District at Goodson Recreation Center, 6315 S. University Blvd., Centennial, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 5 — will exhibit works by more than 70 Colorado artisans/ vendors. Included will be ceramics, jewelry, clothing, quilts, paintings, photographs, floral arrangements, holiday items and specialty foods. Complimentary gift wrapping will be provided by the South Suburban Sparks Gymnastics Team. Free admission and parking. Information: Darcie@ssprd.org.

Danksgiving NOVEMBER 2015 CoDispensaryDirectory.com

November coupons and special offers available online at

CoDispensaryDirectory.com Salomess Stars Salome FOR RELEASE WEEK OF NOV. 23, 2015 ARIES (March 21 to April 19) This year, instead of jumping into the whole holiday prep scene, move in a little at a time. You’ll appreciate the sense of control you’re more likely to enjoy. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) The separation between the Bovine’s head and heart is never as far apart as it seems. Both senses work best when they come out of logic and honesty. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) The best way to keep those pre-holiday pressures under control is to just say no to taking on new tasks while you’re still trying to work with a heap of others. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) News means a change might be on its way, but what does it hold? Don’t just ask questions; make sure you get answers you can trust. LEO (July 23 to August 22) Old friends and new have one thing in common: Both your longtime and newly minted pals have much wisdom to impart. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) With time running out, this is a good time for you to show ‘em all what those Virgo super-organizational skills can do. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Librans and holidays are made for each other, especially if children and animals are going to be part of your joyous season. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Time is getting too short to allow a spat to taint the holiday season. Restart your relationship and reschedule holiday fun times. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Seeking advice is laudable. You might learn far more than you thought you could. Stay with it. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Continuing to assess changes works toward your getting your new project up and ready. Trusted colleagues remain ready to help. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) That new situation needs a lot of attention, but it’s worth it. This is a very good time for you to involve the arts in what you do.

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PISCES (February 19 to March 20) It might be a good idea to slow your hectic holiday pace so that you don’t rush past what -- or who -- you’re hoping to rush toward. BORN THIS WEEK: Others pick up on your confidence in yourself, which inspires them to believe in you and your special gifts. © 2015 King Features Synd., Inc.

10 Elbert County News

November 26, 2015

Kiowa volleyball makes it to state

Indians earn 2A tourney spot, but fall in pool play

By Tom Munds tmunds@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Kiowa’s volleyball team entered new territory Nov. 13 and 14 as the Indians qualified for the state Class 2A championship tournament for the first time since the 1980s. The Indians won plenty of matches as they made their way to state, but then the season ended as they went 0-2 in the tournament’s pool play. “This has been an amazing year for us,” coach Matthew Smith said after the final state tournament match. “We finished 11-1 in league, advanced to regionals and finally got to come to the state tournament. It was a great experience for our players, and I believe we will be back here next year.”

Key moments Kiowa hosted and won its regional playoffs by going undefeated in matches with Byers and Denver Christian. At the regional championship, the Indians earned one of the 12 berths in the pool play portion of the Class 2A state tournament. The team traveled to the Denver Coliseum Nov. 13 and 14 to take part in the two days of nonstop action it took to crown state volleyball champions in Classes 1A through 5A. The 12 state qualifiers in each of the five classes were divided into four pools of three teams each for round-robin play, with the pool winners advancing to the semifinals. Five courts were in constant use to play all the matches needed to determine the five championships. The Indians faced Yuma, the eventual Class 2A state champions, in the first round of pool play. Yuma won the match 3-0 by game scores of 25-22, 25-26 and 25-24. Kiowa’s final state tournament pool play match was against Cedaredge. The Bruins won the first game 25-14, but Kiowa came back to win game two 25-20. But Cedaredge won the next two games, 25-19 and 25-22, to win the match 3-1.

Key players/statistics The Indians finished the year with a 20-7 overall record. The Indians and Resurrection Christian both had 11-1 records to finish atop the Black Forest League. Season individual statistics show

Tylar Zielinski and Melanie Deering go up for a block, but a Cedaredge player sent the ball high over the net during the state Class 2A state volleyball tournament pool play game. The Indians season ended in the state pool play competition, but Kiowa wrote history as the team won its volleyball regional tournament and advanced to state for the ﬁrst time since the 1980s. Photos by Tom Munds Melanie Deering had an outstanding year for the Indians. She led the team in kills with 339 and in serving aces with 79. Teammates Helen James had 157 kills while Tawna Upchurch had 150 kills and 53 serving aces. Julie Smith was the team leader with 518 digs. They said it Julie Smith, a Kiowa senior, said it was an amazing season and a special experience to play in the state volleyball tournament. “God blessed me with the opportunity to play with very special teammates,” she said after the final state match. “I felt blessed to be able to be a member of this team and to be on the court with so many teammates who are very, very good volleyball players.” She said qualifying for the state tournament was special because Kiowa is a small school, so it was a whole new experience to take the court before huge crowds cheering loudly for their teams.

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a good group of players returning next season. “We only have three seniors on the roster, so we should be a strong team again next year,” he said. “Our young players have a taste of what it is like to play in the state tournament, so look out this basketball season and look out next volleyball season.”

Julie Smith agreed. “I wish I could be with the team next year, but we made it to state when so many seniors in past years didn’t,” she said. “I see this as a building block for Kiowa volleyball in the future. I hope the young girls step it up, return to state and go even further in the tournament next year.”

Classiﬁeds

Going forward Matthew Smith said the team he coached was young, and he will have

Arts & Crafts

The state volleyball tournament was played Nov. 13 and 14 at the Denver Coliseum. Five courts were set up, and the action was constant in order to play all the matches needed to crown state champs in Classes 1A through 5A.

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Elbert County News 11

November 26, 2015

Storied B-17 finally sees ‘action’ Indie filmmaker casts vintage warbird in meant-to-be movie debut By Deborah Grigsby Smith Centennial Airport While a majority of B-17s made their way to Europe during World War II, one hit the U.S. Army Air Corps inventory too late to ever see military action. However, thanks to a compelling love story and a tenacious Colorado filmmaker, the Aluminum Overcast, a 1945 Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress, will finally fulfill its destined role of strategic bomber over Nazioccupied Europe, albeit some 70 years late — and as what some might call the ultimate movie “prop.” FilmIt Productions founder and executive producer Darla Rae stumbled on to the extraordinary connection in late October when the Experimental Aircraft Association’s 34,000-pound beauty made its annual stop at Centennial Airport. Rae, who was introduced to the compelling story of John Tschirhart, a former B-17 bombardier forced to leave his love in France when Germany entered Paris in 1940, desperately needed a vintage bomber as a platform for her upcoming indie flick, “The French American.” She hoped for something as historically accurate as possible, even if it didn’t fly. “There are of ways to use lighting to create the illusion of flight,” explained Rae, a self-confessed stickler for details, “even if the plane is static — I wasn’t really worried about that. It was just finding something we could use — not really a lot of options out there for small budget filmmakers.” Rae is right. According to the EAA website, fewer than

Colorado actor Julien Oblette positions himself over the famous Norden bombsight, located in the front of the B-17 Aluminum Overcast. Oblette was cast by Colorado indie filmmaker Darla Rae as Lt. John Tschirhart in her upcoming production “The French American.” Photo by Paul Gordon

GET INVOLVED FilmIt Productions is casting day players and silent roles in Colorado. Direct inquiries to castingTFA@ gmail.com For more information on “The French American,” visit www.thefrenchamerican.com

100 B-17 airframes exist and less than 15 are airworthy, still able take to the air. So she knew finding a rare WWII bomber locally would be tough. One that was still flying, even tougher. “But one of our cast members, Greg Kyle, mentioned the Aluminum Overcast was coming to Centennial Airport as part of a dedication ceremony for the new Wings

Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum,” Rae said. “I couldn’t believe it. It was all coming together.” The opportunity had presented itself. Rae planned to seize it. Reached out to EAA, the Wisconsinbased organization that owns and operates the Aluminum Overcast, she pleaded her case. “I’ve always said, if you don’t ask, the answer is always no,” she said. In this case, the answer was a very welcome yes. Olivia Rasmus, EAA’s air tours program coordinator, helped Rae get actors, film crews and equipment aboard the plane, launching more than just the platform for Rae’s film, but the beloved bomber’s film debut, as well. “To my knowledge, this (“The French American”) will be the first film the AlumiPUBLIC NOTICE num Overcast has appeared in,” Rasmus

Public Notices Name Changes

Notice To Creditors

PUBLIC NOTICE

Public Notice of Petition for Change of Name

Public notice is given on September 9, 2015 that a Petition for a Change of Name of an adult has been filed with the Elbert County Court.

Public notice is given on October 9, 2015 that a Petition for a Change of Name of an adult has been filed with the Elbert County Court.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Donna Kay Hunt, a/k/a Donna K. Hunt, a/k/a Donna Hunt, f/k/a Donna K. Backes, Deceased Case Number: 2015PR30037

The Petition requests that the name of Connie Sue Tackett be changed to Connie Sue Marshall Case No.: 15 C 46

The Petition requests that the name of Veronica Marguarite Trimmer be changed to Veronica Marguarite Trimmer Sawyer Case No.: 15 C 56

Cheryl A. Layne, Clerk of Court By: J. Jenkins, Deputy Clerk Legal Notice No: 23270 First Publication:November 12, 2015 Last Publication: November 26, 2015 Publisher: Elbert County News

Cheryl A. Layne, Clerk of Court By: Joleen Jenkins, Deputy Clerk Legal Notice No: 23275 First Publication: November 19, 2015 Last Publication: December 3, 2015 Publisher: Elbert County News

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Elbert, County, Colorado on or before March 26, 2016, or the claims may be forever barred. Devin Backes Personal Representative 4935 Old Post Road, Apt. #41 Ogden, UT 84403 Legal Notice No.: 23280 First Publication: November 26, 2015 Last Publication: December 10, 2015 Publisher: The Elbert County News

said in an email. “For me, there’s really a lot of value in fresh faces,” said Rae, whose cast is made up almost entirely of newcomers. “Using up-and-coming actors in this particular film really seemed to help illustrate the vulnerability that existed in life during the war. Big name actors often distract viewers from the storyline, simply because they’re who they are — and people remember them from previous films.” Now in preproduction, “The French PUBLIC NOTICE American” is Rae’s seventh film, and perNOTICE OF REQUEST haps her most ambitious. FOR PROPOSALS Date: November 12, 2015 Her goal is to have film RE:the Deerindependent Creek Water District Storage Tank in ready for a Veterans DayWater 2016 showing Refurbishment Project Texas, where Tschirhart, now 95, resides. 1. Introduction/Invitation. The Deer Rae’s additional film credits “The Creek Water District,include a quasi-municipal corporation politicalof subdivision Goal,” “Dandy Kids” andand “Spirit Love.” of the State of Colorado, is seeking proposals for performance of services in connection She prides herself on writing, directing and with its anticipated Water Storage Tank producing quality, family-centric films cleaning, that Refurbishment Project to include refurbishing and coating the District’s inspire, educate275,000 and celebrate the human gallon water storage tank and providing a temporary water collection and condition.

Notices

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Donna Kay Hunt, a/k/a Donna K. Hunt, a/k/a Donna Hunt, f/k/a Donna K. Backes, Deceased Case Number: 2015PR30037

Name Changes

Colorado filmmaker Darla Rae, center, strikes a pose with actors Julien Oblette, left, and Greg Kyle, right, in front of the ultimate movie “prop,” a mint-condition B-17, on the ramp at Centennial Airport. Courtesy of FilmIt Productions

Devin Backes Personal Representative 4935 Old Post Road, Apt. #41 Ogden, UT 84403

Notice To Creditors

Legal Notice No.: 23280 First Publication: November 26, 2015 Last Publication: December 10, 2015 Publisher: The Elbert County News

Government Legals PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Date: November 12, 2015 RE: Deer Creek Water District Water Storage Tank Refurbishment Project 1. Introduction/Invitation. The Deer Creek Water District, a quasi-municipal corporation and political subdivision of the State of Colorado, is seeking proposals for performance of services in connection with its anticipated Water Storage Tank Refurbishment Project to include cleaning, refurbishing and coating the District’s 275,000 gallon water storage tank and providing a temporary water collection and treatment system in place during that work to provide treated water to the District’s residents.

Holiday Deadlines for Legal Publications!

2. Procedure for Submitting Proposals. Bruce McQuaid, District President, is acting as the owner’s representative for the District, and it is in the process of recommending a firm to the Board of Directors for the project work.

Once again the legal publication deadlines surrounding the holidays are very tight. Below are parties are invited to request a deadlines and publication dates. The wisest course of action would be toInterested email notices early Request for Proposal (RFP) Package from the Deer Creek Water District no later so there is be no delay in publication. than 14 December 2015 at 5:00 p.m. MST, whose address is 3344 Deer Creek Drive, Parker, Colorado 80138, 303-6460800. For consideration, proposers must submit responses to the RFP Package no later than 31 January 2016 at 5:00 p.m. Responses shall include three (3) hard copies mailed to the District address above and an electronic version sent via email to deercreekwaterdistrict@gmail.com. Late submittals or submittals delivered to the wrong location will not be accepted. The proposals will be evaluated and the District expects to accept by written notice the proposal that, in its estimation, represents the best value to the District.

PUBLIC NOTICE

treatment system in place during that work to provide treated water to the District’s residents.

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Date: November 12, 2015 RE: Deer Creek Water District Interested parties are invited to request a Water Storage Tank To advertise your publicRequest notices 303-566-4100 for call Proposal (RFP) Package from Refurbishment Project the Deer Creek Water District no later than 14 December 2015 at 5:00 p.m. 1. Introduction/Invitation. The Deer MST, whose address is 3344 Deer Creek Creek Water District, a quasi-municipal Drive, Parker, Colorado 80138, 303-646corporation and political subdivision of the State of Colorado, is seeking proposals for 0800. For consideration, proposers must performance of services in connection submit responses to the RFP Package no with its anticipated Water Storage Tank later than 31 January 2016 at 5:00 p.m. Refurbishment Project to include cleaning, Responses shall include three (3) hard refurbishing and coating the District’s copies mailed to the District address 275,000 gallon water storage tank and above and an electronic version sent via providing a temporary water collection and email to treatment system in place during that work deercreekwaterdistrict@gmail.com. Late submittals or submittals delivered to the to provide treated water to the District’s wrong location will not be accepted. The residents. proposals will be evaluated and the District expects to accept by written notice the 2. Procedure for Submitting Proposals. proposal that, in its estimation, represents Bruce McQuaid, District President, is actthe best value to the District. ing as the owner’s representative for the District, and it is in the process of recomThe District reserves the right to act in its mending a firm to the Board of Directors best interest and may terminate, modify or for the project work. suspend the process, reject any or all submittals, modify the terms and conditions of Interested parties are invited to request a this selection process and/or waive inRequest for Proposal (RFP) Package from formalities of any submission. the Deer Creek Water District no later than 14 December 2015 at 5:00 p.m. Legal Notice No.: 23281 MST, whose address is 3344 Deer Creek First Publication: November 26, 2015 Drive, Parker, Colorado 80138, 303-646Last Publication: November 26, 2015 0800. For consideration, proposers must Publisher: The Elbert County News submit responses to the RFP Package no later than 31 January 2016 at 5:00 p.m. Responses shall include three (3) hard copies mailed to the District address above and an electronic version sent via email to deercreekwaterdistrict@gmail.com. Late submittals or submittals delivered to the wrong location will not be accepted. The proposals will be evaluated and the District expects to accept by written notice the proposal that, in its estimation, represents the best value to the District.

Government Legals

The District reserves the right to act in its best interest and may terminate, modify or suspend the process, reject any or all submittals, modify the terms and conditions of this selection process and/or waive informalities of any submission. Legal Notice No.: 23281 First Publication: November 26, 2015 Last Publication: November 26, 2015 Publisher: The Elbert County News

Deadlines for legal notices publishing before and after Thanksgiving:

Deadlines for legal notices publishing before and after Christmas / New Year’s:

Notices to be published Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2015: The deadline is noon, Tuesday, November 17.

Notices to be published Christmas Eve, December 24, 2015: The deadline is end of day Tuesday, December 15, Questions: Contact Sheree Sandell The District reserves the right to act in its 2015. best interest and may terminate, modify or at 303-566-4088 or suspend the process, reject any or all submittals, modify the terms and conditions of legals@coloradocommunitymedia.com this selection process and/or waive inNotices to be published Year’s formalities New of any submission. Eve, December 31,Legal 2015: The Notice No.: 23281 deadline First Publication: November 26, 2015 Thanks for your consideration and business. Last Publication: November 26,22. 2015 is end of day Tuesday, December Publisher: The Elbert County News

Notices to be published December 3, 2015: The deadline is noon Tuesday, November 24.

Regular deadlines for December 10 and 17.

Colorado Community Media

Notices to be published January 7, 2016: The deadline is end of day Tuesday, December 29, 2015.

** Listed are deadlines for legal publications only.

Please check with Editorial, Retail Sales and Classifieds Sales for their individual deadlines.

Regular deadlines resume for January 14, 2016 Elbert * 1

12 Elbert County News

November 26, 2015

Calendar

A free legal clinic for parties who have no attorney is open from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, at the Elizabeth Library, 651 W. Beverly St., Elizabeth. Volunteer attorneys will answer questions, help fill out forms

Commitment Day 5K Fun Run/Walk Life Time Fitness in Parker kicks off the New Year with a part run/walk, part festival that includes an expo with numerous vendors on race morning. Run

starts at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 1 at Life Time Fitness, 9250 Crown Crest Blvd., Parker. Event is open to runners and walkers of all levels and abilities. Members and nonmembers welcome. Discounted registration available through Sunday, Dec. 13. Children 12 and younger may register for free with a registered adult. Go to www.commitmentday.com/ colorado/parker-aurora. Group training for the event starts Tuesday, Nov. 10; go to www.lifetimerun. com/group-run-training/co-commitment-day-5k2016-parker. Contact Heather Crosby at hcrosby@ lifetimefitness.com for additional information.

www.elbertcountysheriff.com/posse.html, or contact Dave Peontek at 303-646-5456.

beth (next door to Elizabeth Presbyterian Church) needs to let the public know that we are available to help anyone who needs food. The hours are Friday 12:30-3 p.m. and Saturdays from 9-11:30 a.m. Other times by appointment.

Kiowa, at 719- 541-4275. You may also call the ECCOG office at 1-800-825-0208 to make reservations for any of the trips. You may also visit www.outbackexpress.tripod.com. To ensure that a seat is available, 24-hour advance reservations are appreciated.

Finding Our Way Together, a brand new group for anyone who is alone, left out, picked on or overwhelmed by life. Since it is just forming, the group will evolve to fit the needs of the participants. Group will meet at 10 a.m. Saturdays at 34061 Forest Park Drive, in the lower level of Elizabeth Family Health. Leaders are Mary, 720-638-9770, and Karen, 303243-3658, and both welcome phone calls. Group participation is free, and building is accessible.

Overeaters Anonymous meets from 10-11 a.m. and from 7-8 p.m. Wednesdays in the Sedalia Room at New Hope Presbyterian Church, 2100 Meadows Parkway, Castle Rock.

three months after your birth month. If you have further questions, call Colorado East Community Action Agency at 719-775-8586 to speak with a counselor. Open enrollment for Part D runs through Monday, Dec. 7. Colorado East Community Action Agency is at 1114 Main St., Limon.

Continued from Page 7

gingerslegacy.com New to Medicare? If you are turning 65 years of age, you have a seven-month window to enroll in the Medicare program. Enrollment can take place three months before your birth month, your birth month, and

Free Legal Clinic

and explain processes and procedures for all areas of civil litigation, including family law, property law, probate law, collections, appeals, landlord-tenant law, small claims, veteran’s issues and civil protection orders. Walk-ins are welcome. Help offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Clinics are offered the second Tuesday of each month.

CLUBS Ongoing Douglas-Elbert County Music Teachers’ Association meets at 9 a.m. every first Thursday at Parker Bible Church, between Jordan and Chambers on Main Street. All area music teachers are welcome. Call Lucie Washburn, 303-814-3479. The Elbert County Sheriff’s Posse is a nonprofit volunteer organization that is part of the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office. As volunteers we support the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office, all law enforcement in our county, and the community at large. For more information or a membership application, go to www.

Elizabeth American Legion Post 82, a 96-year veterans association supporting veterans, their families, their survivors and the community, meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Legion Post Hall at South Banner Street and Elm Street in Elizabeth. All veterans are invited to attend these meetings to learn of their eligibility for membership in the National American Legion Organization. The Elizabeth Food Bank, 381 S. Banner in Eliza-

Lawyers at the Library, a free legal clinic for parties who have no attorney, will be offered from 6-9 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month at the Elizabeth Library, 651 W. Beverly St. Volunteer attorneys will answer questions, help fill out forms and explain the process and procedure for the areas of family law, civil litigation, criminal defense, property law, probate law, collections, appeals, landlord-tenant law and civil protection orders. Walk-ins are welcome. Everyone will be helped on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Good for both days!!!

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Mystery Book Club meets at 9:30 a.m. the first Saturday of each month at the Simla Public Library. The group enjoys talking about a variety of mystery authors and titles. We also periodically host a Colorado author during our meetings. Everyone may join us, and registration is not required. Visit the Simla Branch of the Elbert County Library District at 504 Washington Avenue, call 719-541-2573, or email farabe@elbertcountylibrary.org. The Outback Express is a public transit service provided through the East Central Council of Local Governments is open and available to all residents of Cheyenne, Elbert, Kit Carson and Lincoln counties and provides an economical and efficient means of travel for the four-county region. Call Kay Campbell,

Seniors meet in Elizabeth every Monday at 11 a.m. for food, fun and fellowship at Elizabeth Senior Center, 823 S. Banner St. Bring a dish for potluck on the first Monday of each month. Other Mondays, bring a sack lunch. Bingo, games and socializing. New leadership. Call Agnes at 303-883-7881 or Carol at 303-646-3425 for information. Therapeutic riding. Promise Ranch Therapeutic Riding in Parker offers free therapeutic riding for developmentally disabled adults and children. Scholarship money is available for Douglas County residents to provide 10 therapeutic riding lessons. Call 303-841-5007 or visit www.promiseranchtherapeuticriding.com. Sky Cliff Adult Day Center Support Groups: Stoke Victors meets from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the second and last Wednesday of each month. Lunch is provided. Contact Sue Parson, 303-814-2863. Evening Stroke Victors meets from 6-7:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month. Cookies and coffee provided. Contact Sue Parson, 303-814-2863. Caregivers Support Group meets from 10-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays. All groups meet at Sky Cliff Adult Day Center in Castle Rock. Contact Sky Cliff at 303-8142863. Visit www.skycliff.org. VFW Post 10649 meets monthly at 8:30 a.m. the first Saturday of every month at 24325 Main St., Elbert. Go to www.vfwpost10649.org. Contact Alan Beebe at 303-435-2560 for questions.