DECEMBER 14, 2017
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PEN PALS: Writers learn to stretch their literary legs P18
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
TIME TO TALK One in five residents of Douglas County lives with a mental illness. On pages 7-13, we kick off an ongoing series looking at the impact of mental illness and the collaborative efforts aimed at bringing it into the light. Learn more about why we wrote these stories in our editorial on page 14.
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A SAFE PLACE: Hospital program helps sex-assault survivors get on the road to healing P4
SMASHING SUCCESS: Rock Canyon senior is the South Metro Volleyball Player of the Year P33
THE BOTTOM LINE
‘I have overheard people who make a coffee order sound like a recipe for pudding. If someone wants to meet for coffee, I am willing — if it’s coffee.’ Craig Marshall Smith | columnist, Page 14 INSIDE
VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 18 | CALENDAR: PAGE 30 | SPORTS: PAGE 32
HighlandsRanchHerald.net
VOLUME 31 | ISSUE 4
2 Highlands Ranch Herald
December 14, 2017D
House decorating contest coming to a close
MY NAME IS Stephanie Mills is a science teacher at ThunderRidge High School who was recently named teacher of the year by PeaceJam, whose mission is “to create young leaders committed to positive change in themselves, their communities, and the world through the inspiration of Nobel Peace Laureates who pass on the spirit, skills, and wisdom they embody.”
Winners will be announced Dec. 18 BY ALEX DEWIND ADEWIND@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
COURTESY PHOTO
STEPHANIE MILLS
Mother of three named teacher of the year by PeaceJam About me My dad was a naval officer in the military and we traveled. I say I’m from Virginia because we ended up there when I was in high school and I went to the University of Virginia, where I received a degree in science and a masters in education. Then I went to the Peace Corps for two years in West Africa. I came back and worked in Fairfax County, Virginia. I got married, had children and was a mom for 17 years. We moved to Highlands Ranch in 2002 and in 2005, we moved to Germany for a few years. We came back and I needed something to do, so I applied for a job here in Douglas County. I was hired by ThunderRidge part-time and eight years ago, I went on full time. I teach earth and environmental science to ninth-graders, AP environmental science and IB environmental science. I also lead the school’s PeaceJam club. I have three children: a 25-year-old son, a 22-year-old daughter and a 19-year-old son.
Solving problems in PeaceJam What’s really great is not only working with Nobel Peace Laureates, but PeaceJam has a whole service-learning curriculum. They want you to learn and get to the root of a problem and solve it from the bottom up. My students were noticing racial profiling, slurs and bullying of Asian students, so they organized a forum where they are bringing in people to talk about stereotypes of Asians to teach people to be more sensitive to that. That is one thing they have done this year to educate people so they understand the problem, so they can change the behavior. We want to help kids understand so they don’t behave in these negative ways. I want to inspire the students to see that they can make a difference even if it is in their own little area of the world. My time in the Peace Corps I learned more in the two years I was in the Peace Corps than I did all four years of college. When you take yourself out of your own culture, you have to rethink who you are. Ghana helped me really figure out who I was. If you have suggestions for My Name Is..., contact adewind@coloradocommunitymedia.com
The Highlands Ranch Community Association is now holding its annual House Decorating Contest. A map of the 20 participating houses can be found at www.HRCAonline.org/Contest. Voting is open online until Dec. 15 and winners will be announced Dec. 18. First place wins $100. Second place gets $50 and third gets $25. “Homeowners spend a lot of time and money putting really remarkable light displays together, and it’s nice to give people the opportunity
STAFF REPORT
The addition of a third lane in each direction along E-470 from Quincy Avenue to Parker Road is complete. Part of the eight-mile Road Widening Project, the new lanes will allow the toll road to accommodate projected growth and continue to maintain flow of traffic. A 2014 study of the E-470 Public Highway Authority indicated that the section of roadway between Quincy Avenue and Parker Road would need to be widened by 2018 to continue operating at the same level of service desired by customers. Work began in spring 2016, and the new lanes opened Oct. 16, two months ahead of projected. Final work on signage, landscaping and lighting is expected to wrap up in the coming weeks. Cost of the project is about $90 million. The project also included the construction of a regional trail along the west side of E-470, between Quincy Avenue and Ireland Way. The trail opened Dec. 1.
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to see these homes,” said Sara Walla, senior marketing and special projects manager at the HRCA. “There are a few houses that are on the list every year, but it is also fun to see the new entries.”
E-470 widening project now complete
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Last year, the Bogle home on Brentwood Circle took first place in HRCA’s annual House Decorating Contest. Voting for this year’s conest is open online until Dec. 15.
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The trail has been constructed past the designated endpoint at Ireland Way, along the E-470 right of way to the Arapahoe/Douglas County line, although this section is not yet open to the public. The Town of Parker is working with neighboring jurisdictions to determine the connectivity and final design for the trail reaching to the Cherry Creek Trail west of Parker Road. E-470 officials see the construction of the trail as laying the groundwork for future connections and travel options in the area through partnerships with the local jurisdictions. “The Road Widening Project provided us with an opportunity to explore other steps, like the trail and added lanes, that we could take now to prepare for enhanced connectivity and options in the future,” Tim Stewart, E-470 executive director, said in a news release. “The larger focus of the project — adding roadway capacity — will allow us to meet customer demand and continue to provide a safe and reliable journey for travelers.”
Highlands Ranch Herald 3
December 14, 2017
National superintendent search in the works for Douglas County BY ALEX DEWIND ADEWIND@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Following more than an hour of deliberation at a special meeting on Dec. 4, the Douglas County School Board voted 7-0 to hire a firm to conduct a national search for a permanent superintendent. “I do see that it is an investment,” board member Wendy Vogel said at the meeting at the school district’s administrative building in Castle Rock. “And it is something that will pay off in the long run for us and specifically for our students.” School board President David Ray and board member Kevin Leung will conduct interviews of three national search firms and select one no later than January 2018. The school board will then work with the search firm to find a permanent superintendent for the 2018-19 school year. Prior to the school board’s decision, Douglas County interim Superintendent Erin Kane made a recommendation. “I would encourage you to engage in a search — I would encourage you to engage in in a quick search at least,” Kane said. “Whether I am the future leader of this school district or not, I will tell you that our number one issue is indeed receiving more funding for this school district and if we are unable to receive more funding in November of ’18, the challenges to come are very, very significant.” Kane does not know whether she will participate in the search for a superintendent, she said before leaving the boardroom while the school board discussed the three options on the table for hiring a permanent
superintendent. Options included selecting one of three firms to do a national search, conducting a regional search in-house or hiring Kane as permanent superintendent. In a public comment at the Dec. 4. meeting, parent Darien Wilson revealed the results of an informal Facebook poll taken by Douglas County Parents, a group of parents and community members formed in 2013 to inform the community on issues in the school district, on the three options. The poll received 600 votes, Wilson said, of which 469 were in support of a national search. “These results overwhelmingly show a desire for a national search for a new superintendent,” Wilson said. “We believe people voted for a change in the direction of the district and the superintendent will be the one to lead us in that direction.” Parent Tim Krug voiced his support for the third option, hiring Kane as permanent superintendent, to school board members at a Nov. 28 board of education meeting. “I respect Erin Kane, I like Erin Kane,” Krug said, “but most importantly, I trust Erin Kane.” Kane was hired in 2016 after former superintendent Elizabeth Fagen resigned and took a position in the Humble Independent School District in Texas. Many teachers and parents blamed Fagen, who was hired in 2010 by a school board majority of reform-minded members, for policies that led to an exodus of teachers and administrators over the past several years. During her tenure, the school board severed ties with the teachers’ union. In January 2016, the school board extended Kane’s contract through the 2017-18 school year.
Civic Center Station to reopen Dec. 17 STAFF REPORT
The newly renovated Civic Center Station will return to full service Dec. 17 after being closed for more than a year. The station is one of the Regional Transportation District’s busiest transit hubs, serving an average of 15,000 passengers a day before it closed in July 2016. The Free MallRide and Free MetroRide are among the 18 bus routes served by the station, which is at the south end of the 16th Street Mall near the state Capitol. Temporary stops on Broadway, Colfax and Lincoln will be discontinued. The completed $31 million renovation adds a third component to a multimodal regional transit network
that includes Denver International Airport and Denver Union Station. Providing a brighter, more welcoming environment while improving transit connections was a central component of the roughly 16-month-long renovation project. The station now features a glassenclosed terminal building, nine bus bays, and a newly constructed bus concourse. The transit center’s design also provides an open view of the State Capitol building from the 16th Street Mall. A grand opening event from 3 to 6 p.m. Dec. 15 will feature a commemoration ceremony, a preview of the facility and light refreshments. Go to www.rtd-denver.com/civic-center.shtml for details on routes, ticket sales and more.
Christmas Douglas County offices will close at noon Dec. 22 through Dec. 25 for the Christmas Holiday. Many county services are available online at www.douglas.co.us
Help keep your neighborhood safe Did you know that the simple act of creating a neighborhood watch group can reduce crime in your community? Stop crime before it starts. To learn more visit www.dcsheriff.net and search for Neighborhood Watch.
Need help with heating costs? Eligible low income households in Douglas County may apply for energy assistance through the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). For more information, or to download the application, please visit www.douglas.co.us and search for LEAP or email LEAPHELP@discovermygoodwill.org
Are you ready if disaster hits? It takes a matter of seconds for disaster to strike and change your life forever. Thankfully, it also takes only seconds to sign up for free emergency notifications at www. DouglasCountyCodeRED.com ensuring that you will be in the know if an emergency or disaster is on the way or happening near you.
What’s happening with my County government? Our commitment to open and transparent government includes online posting of information about all public meetings at which the business of government is conducted. To view agendas for various public meetings, visit www.douglas.co.us and search for Meetings and Agendas.
Online Engagement Tool of the Week
DOUGLAS COUNTY NEEDS YOU!
Is “volunteer in my community” one of your New Year’s Resolutions? Share your talent and expertise on one of our many Citizen Advisory Boards, Committees or Commissions.
www.douglas.co.us search: Boards and Commissions
Visit www.douglas.co.us
4 Highlands Ranch Herald
December 14, 2017D
Sex-crime victims have allies in SANE nurses
Littleton Adventist among hospitals with program that helps provide healing, justice
SAFE SPACES
SANE/SAFE programs can be found around the state, from Durango to Fort Morgan, and at nine locations in the metro area, with Parker Adventist Hospital to be added in January: • Littleton Adventist Hospital • St. Anthony Hospital, Lakewood • St. Anthony Hospital, North Health, Westminster • St. Anthony Hospital, 84th Avenue location, Westminster • Denver Health Medical Center • Porter Adventist Hospital, Denver • Medical Center of Aurora • UCHealth Aurora • Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora
BY DAVID GILBERT DGILBERT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Jennifer Bishara often meets people on the worst day of their lives. Bishara, a nurse, is the director of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner/Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner program — or SANE/SAFE — for Littleton Adventist Hospital. She’s liable to be paged any time of day or night to meet with sex-assault victims, and to conduct a thorough evidence-gathering examination that could spell the difference between locking up sexual predators or watching them walk free. In an era in which politicians, entertainers and business leaders are facing waves of accusations of sexual misconduct, Bishara and her colleagues want to get the word out that victims of sex assault can expect skilled and loving help from experienced professionals. “When a patient comes in this room, they’ve had something taken from them,” Bishara said, sitting in a small examination room. “We give them their dignity and control back.” The program also cares for victims of domestic violence and strangulation, and is beginning to branch out into elder abuse and child abuse. The program has its origins in the 1970s, as forensic evidence collection commenced a sea change in how sex crimes were prosecuted. Today the program, overseen by the International Association of Forensic Nurses, is present in nearly 30 hospitals statewide — and soon expanding to Parker Adventist Hospital. Treatment and options When victims arrive at the hospital, staff page a SANE/ SAFE nurse, who arrives within 45 minutes, regardless of the time, 365 days a year. Nurses must obtain explicit, informed consent from victims, who then provide a detailed account of the assault, Bishara said. They are then given a meticulous physical exam, in which nurses take swabs of physical evidence on the victims’ body, and use a device called a colposcope — essentially an oversized microscope — to examine and
this, I started feeling like everyone was a rapist. We see the worst of society — the absolute worst. It’s a sisterhood, and we help each other stay resilient.”
Nurse Jennifer Bishara, left, performs a strangling action on a mannequin head — named “Liz” — that she and nurse Stacy Hobson, right, use to ask strangulation victims to demonstrate how their attacker assaulted them. Bishara and Hobson are trained SANE/SAFE nurses, who work with victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. DAVID GILBERT photograph injuries. The examination also provides treatment for infection and pregnancy prevention. Victims are also connected with The Blue Bench, a Denverbased sex assault victims advocacy group, as well as other resources. Nurses ensure that each victim has a safe place to go after the examination. Victims are not required to report the assault to law enforcement, though Bishara encourages it. Regardless, the forensic evidence and statement of the victim are collected and assigned a serial number and maintained under strict security, so that if the victim decides to pursue charges at a later date, the evidence remains intact and admissible in court. SANE/SAFE nurses routinely testify in criminal cases. Victims can come in up to five days after an assault, though Bishara said the sooner the better, as evidence degrades with every passing hour. Catching offenders Evidence collected in a SANE/SAFE examination can be crucial to convicting sexual predators, said Chris Gallo, chief deputy district attorney for Colorado’s 18th Judicial District, which covers Arapahoe, Douglas, Lincoln and Elbert counties. “Robberies can be caught on camera,” said Gallo, who heads the district’s Special Victims’ Unit, which prosecutes sex crimes and crimes against children. “Homicides have bullets
and guns and people willing to testify. With sex assault, however, we have a crime that occurs often between two people behind closed doors. The victim often feels shame and embarrassment. The fact that there’s a trained professional who can collect whatever small amount of evidence could exist to prosecute a sexual assault is fantastic. Without that, we’re back to circumstantial evidence and the credibility of witnesses.” Sex crimes occupy a dark niche in the world of criminal prosecution, Gallo said, because society has long held a distrust of accusers — a distrust Gallo said he sees waning. “It’s gratifying to see the support for people who disclose they’ve been abused, and I say it’s about freakin’ time,” Gallo said. “Supporting programs like SAFE/SANE goes a long way toward furthering that goal.” Doctors, too, rely on the expertise of SANE/SAFE nurses to address an otherwise difficult scenario. “Sexual assault examinations are very time-dependent, and very time-consuming,” said Dr. Matt Brougham, an emergency physician at Littleton Adventist and the medical director for the South Metro SANE/SAFE Program. “It can take two to three hours to do it right, and that’s very hard for emergency practitioners. Also, it’s vital that the evidence be handled properly, because a good defense attorney can find ways to get evidence thrown
out. This way, there are no mistakes.” In hospitals without SANE/ SAFE care, sexual-assault victims may wait for hours to be treated, Brougham said. “These are very emotionally charged situations, and people may walk if they can’t get this care,” Brougham said. “This is a great benefit to the community, and it’s hard to practice in a community where this isn’t available.” Impact on practitioners Seeing sexual predators thrown in prison based on the testimony of SANE/SAFE nurses is rewarding, said nurse Stacy Hobson, who has worked in the program for 10 years. “It’s greatly gratifying,” said Hobson, who has testified in more than 30 cases. “Sometimes our evidence is so impeccable they just take a plea deal.” Hobson has the distinction of being among the longer-lasting nurses in the program, which can take an emotional toll on its practitioners. “I have healthy boundaries,” Hobson said. “I’m good about not taking on vicarious trauma.” The nurses in the program look out for one another, and help keep each other from getting overwhelmed, said Bishara, the program director. “Detailed accounts of assaults can be traumatizing for nurses,” Bishara said. “If I have a particularly bad case, I dream about it all night. I have five kids. When I started doing
Bigger picture Bishara said that while she’s grateful to be able to help victims, she’d like to see society do a better job of addressing the causes of sexual assault rather than just treating the symptoms. “Sex assault starts with the culture,” Bishara said. “It’s about teaching sons about inappropriate touching and violence. I’ve got four sons — I tell them if a girl’s been drinking, hands off.” Sexual assault is less about sexual gratification and more about power, dominance and humiliation, Bishara said, adding that she’s beginning to see more men report assaults, too. Their suffering can be acute. “Women are trained and conditioned to avoid sex assault, but men are not,” Bishara said. “I see more outward devastation from men.” Regardless of identity, victims can expect a safe place and a wealth of resources and options in a SANE/SAFE facility, Hobson said. “We start by believing you,” Hobson said. “I won’t force you to report. I just want you to come in.” Bishara takes issue with elements of sexual assault nomenclature. “I hate the word ‘victim,’” Bishara said. “I prefer the word ‘survivor.’ They’re being victimized out there, but here, they leave as survivors.” Bishara’s survivors often leave her exam room on a path to healing, she said. “We’re told not to hug them, but a lot of times, they hug us,” Bishara said. “It seems very cathartic to them. We tell them that this happened and it’s terrible, but it doesn’t have to define you. You can be more and you can be better. ”
Highlands Ranch Herald 5
December 14, 2017
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6 Highlands Ranch Herald
December 14, 2017D
Highlands Ranch Mansion hosts holiday celebration BY COURTNEY KUHLEN FROM THE HIGHLANDS RANCH METRO DISTRICT SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
The Highlands Ranch Metro District held its annual holiday celebration at the Highlands Ranch Mansion on Dec. 2. Santa arrived on a fire engine and visited with children throughout the day listening to their Christmas wishes. The beautiful weather contributed to the largest crowd on record for the event, estimating more than 3,500 attendees. Good Times helped sponsor this year’s event.
Calvin Binfet, 2, visits with Santa during the Highlands Ranch Metro District Holiday Celebration. M ore than 3,500 people attended the event, a record, as beautiful December weather drew residents outdoors.
Ebenezer Scrooge, right, jokes with one of the members of the Trailblazer Elementary School choir. Trailblazer Elementary and five other groups performed during the Highlands Ranch Metro District Holiday Celebration, including Summit View Choir, Bear Canyon Elementary Choir, Redstone Elementary Choir, Sand Creek Chorale and Headliner Vocals. PHOTOS BY COURTNEY KUHLEN/HIGHLANDS RANCH METRO DISTRICT
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Highlands Ranch Mansion volunteer David Johnston, center, gives a tour of the West Bedroom Dec. 2 during the Highlands Ranch Metro District Holiday Celebration. Visitors could take free tours of the Mansion and kids could complete a scavenger hunt while visiting stops throughout the house.
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December 14, 2017
‘Mental health in Douglas County looks like it does everywhere. It looks like one in five people.’ Anne Mosbach, coordinator Douglas County Mental Health Initiative
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID GILBERT / STEVEN WEINMEISTER
G A Shared
Story In Douglas County, mental illness sparks community conversation, collaboration
rowing up in Highlands Ranch, Sydney Chapin, 19, had everything she needed: a nice home where she lived with her parents and younger sister, good schools, close friends, money to pay for a tutor or therapist if she needed one. But she struggled. In second grade, she was diagnosed with anxiety, a mental health condition that runs in her family. In ninth grade, when her mother battled stage-four breast cancer and Chapin took on the role of caring for her sister, she was diagnosed with depression. She had difficulty fitting in at a new high school. Her energy declined, as did her grades. “Because you have the money to fix things, it’s kind of expected that it’s all OK,” Chapin said. “There is an expectation to do well by everyone.” Today, with the help of medication and therapy, Chapin is successfully managing her mental health. She is a freshman at Metropolitan State University of Denver, studying psychology so that she can someday help people who have been in her shoes. She is not alone in her struggle to maintain a healthy state of mind: One in five adults nationally lives with a mental illness. The number is the same for young people 13 to 18 years old. That means, even in affluent, suburban Douglas County — with its $103,000 median income, family-friendly communities, safe neighborhoods and good schools — almost everyone knows someone who is struggling with some form of mental illness.
Today’s report on the state of mental health in Douglas County, and the barriers that can prevent needed care, is the first in an ongoing series that looks at how mental health challenges and illnesses affect our communities. The next part will explore how social media is affecting our children’s emotional intelligence and self-esteem and their ability to cope with conflict. Subsequent focuses will include suicide; mental health challenges among seniors, families, employers and jails; and how substance and alcohol abuse exacerbates the issue. “There is no level of education or socioeconomic status or ethnicity or creed or age that is mental illness,” said Anne Mosbach, coordinator of the Douglas County Mental Health Initiative, a 37-member coalition studying ways to address the county’s mental health challenges. “Mental illness in Douglas County looks like it does everywhere — it looks like one in five people.” SEE STORY, P8
Stories by Alex DeWind • adewind@coloradocommunitymedia.com
8 Highlands Ranch Herald
December 14, 2017D
STORY
BY THE NUMBERS: MENTAL HEALTH IN DOUGLAS COUNTY A 2017 Colorado Health Access Survey found:
FROM PAGE 7
Challenges in Douglas County Among mental illnesses, two are most commonly diagnosed: Nearly 42 million Americans live with anxiety disorders, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports. About 16 million adults live with major depression, also the leading cause of disability worldwide. NAMI calculates that depression costs $193.2 billion in lost earnings every year. Research has shown lower income directly correlates to poorer mental health. “Income is a pretty good proxy for life circumstance,” said Dr. John Douglas, director of Tri-County Health Department, which provides health services to Douglas, Arapahoe and Adams counties. “In that respect, Douglas County looks better.” But, he said, Douglas County has additional lifestyle challenges, such as substance abuse and binge-drinking, that impact mental health. And mental health experts also have found no one is immune from society’s fast-paced, competitive, technolDouglas ogy-driven environment. Stressors of work, pressure of academics, the emotional unrest caused by social media — combined with the stigma associated with mental illness and high costs of insurance and treatment — make it difficult to achieve a positive state of mental health, they say. “We just need to normalize that all of us have small or large, or a different variety of, behavioral health problems,” said Dr. Kaan Ozbayrak, chief medical officer at AllHealth Network, which provides behavioral health services to Douglas and Arapahoe counties. “It is as normal as having diabetes or high blood pressure. We should be talking about it more.” Mosbach, who was a social worker for 10 years and a former director of internal therapists at the Douglas County jail, has noted the growing role that societal factors play in increasing stress among county residents. Particularly, she said, there seems to be more pressure on young people to succeed, as well as fear of what others perceive. No person is immune from the daily stress of society’s fast-paced, technology-driven environment, say mental health experts.
5 5.9 13.6 14.1
percent — Douglas County residents who reported eight or more days of poor mental health in the previous 30 days.
Tri-County Health Department’s 2016 Community Health Assessment found: percent — Douglas County residents who needed mental health care or counseling services but did not get them in that time during the past 12 months. percent — Douglas County students in ninth through 12th grades who reported their mental health was not good on 14 or more days during the past 30 days.
percent — Douglas County students who seriously considered attempting suicide during the past 12 months.
A December 2016 health update from Tri-County Health Department with data from 2014 found:
6.8
percent — Douglas County residents who reported 14 or more days of poor mental health in the past 30 days.
“There is a lot of pressure and high expectations of young people,” Mosbach said. “It comes from a good place, but I have noticed that a characteristic that might be different in Douglas County is high expectation and a lower margin of error for people.” Statistics show the Douglas County School District is high-performing, outpacing neighboring counties and the state in several areas of academic achievements. In 2016, DCSD’s graduation rate was 90.1 percent, acMosbach cording to the Colorado Department of Education. That was higher than the national rate of about 83 percent and Colorado’s rate of 78.9 percent. In the 2016-17 school year, every traditional high school in the district scored above the state average on the PSAT and SAT, according to standardized college test score results released in August. Those are all praiseworthy accomplishments. But even with programs to help students deal with stress positively, the pressure to perform well academically, combined with the nonstop buzz of social media, can cause anxiety in some students, said Wendy Strait, a counselor at Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch. “Kids typically look at academics as a way that they are performing in the world right now. That’s what they have as their window into who they are,“ said Strait, a counselor for 22 years. “When something doesn’t go right and there is so much pressure put onto things they can’t control, that’s when things get bad.” Kevin Duffy, captain of detention at the Douglas County Sheriff ’s Office, also points to the weight that high expectations, such as maintaining an affluent lifestyle, generate. That, coupled with what he describes as a “severe” lack of mental health resources, can create a stressful environment for many. “We live in a very affluent, very safe county, but it is also a very, what I would call, a pressure,” Duffy said. “Kids are under a high pressure to succeed, our parents are under high pressure to maintain their lifestyle — you just see people that are going a million miles an hour just trying to stay ahead of the curve.” Duffy, who has worked at the sheriff ’s office for 28 years, said county jails mirror society. And in the Douglas County jail, 45 percent of inmates have a diagnosable mental illness, he said, adding that because Colorado has only one mental health hospital, in Pueblo, county jails across the state double as mental health facilities. SEE STORY, P10
SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE
‘It’s as normal as having diabetes or high blood pressure. We should be talking about it more.’ Dr. Kaan Ozbayrak, chief medical officer AllHealth Network
Highlands Ranch Herald 9
December 14, 2017
Barriers to care: Stigma, cost, service fragmentation Feeling ashamed or guilty. Not knowing where to begin or
illness, mental health experts say. But other major obstacles
whom to call. Finding out your insurance won’t cover treat-
include insurance coverage, high costs, fragmentation of
ment or the expense is too much. Getting lost in the system.
services and a shortage of mental health care professionals.
These are all reasons that people with mental health ill-
According to Mental Health America, formerly known as the National Mental Health Association, one in five — more
ness don’t seek treatment.
than 40 million — adults in the U.S. have a mental illness. Of
A significant barrier to seeking and receiving mental health care is the negative stigma associated with mental
those people, 56 percent do not receive treatment.
Campaigns fight stigma that follows mental illness
Efforts seek to define mental health in a positive way
Dan Jackson was at dinner with a colleague when he felt the onset of a panic attack. So he took a Xanax, prescribed by his psychiatrist to calm him. When his colleague’s tone of voice and facial expression changed as he questioned him about the medication, Jackson felt like he was being judged. “The stigma is, `There is something wrong with that person, they are on medication,’ ” Jackson, 43, said. A former English as a Second Language teacher, Jackson has a master’s degree in English. He likes to travel. He taught English in South Korea. He also is among the one in five adults in America with a mental illness. As a child, he was diagnosed with dysthymia, described as a chronic and mild form of depression, and more recently with other issues linked to his childhood. To focus on his mental health, Jackson stopped teaching and moved in with his mother in Aurora. He sees a psychiatrist once a week for an hour. He helps out at his father’s business and does part-time jobs every so often. He doesn’t know if he will teach again, but he has plans to move into his own place within the month. “There are things you can do, there is help out
‘If people are in crisis,
they shouldn’t have to wait’ Cost of treatment often gets in the way of care
there,” Jackson said. “I was at a hopeless point, but now I don’t feel hopeless.”
Jo Ann Mahoney, 34, used to be insured by Medicaid, the federal public health insurance program for low-income people. It allowed her to see a therapist for depression and anxiety. Therapy, she said, was a safe place for her to discuss her life and struggles as a mother of three young children. The therapist, Christian-based and in private practice, helped her work through, among other issues dating back to her childhood, the pre-partum depression she was experiencing before the birth of her third child. Her therapist was available by phone or text whenever she needed to talk. “He let me say whatever I wanted,” without judgment, she said. “He was a father himself, so he had an understanding.” Then her husband switched jobs. His company covers his insurance but not hers, and he makes too much for her to qualify for Medicaid. The result: She can no longer afford to see a therapist. “There are so many of us Americans all over the country where it’s the same story,” she said. “We make too much to get help but not enough to be able to afford it.”
SEE STIGMA, P12
SEE COST, P12
Dan Jackson calls his mental health a lifelong journey. He has been diagnosed with dysthymia, described as a chronic and mild form of depression and, more recently, with other issues linked to his childhood. He manages his mental health challenges by seeing a therapist once a week for an hour and expressing his feelings to the people closest to him. COURTESY PHOTO
Connecting the dots for treatment proves challenging Fragmentation of services is an obstacle to good care Knowing whom to call or where to go for mental health care can be daunting and overwhelming. “When you are mentally ill,” said William Henricks, CEO of AllHealth Network, which provides mental health services to Arapahoe and Douglas counties, “it is very difficult to connect the dots.” Fragmentation of mental health services is an obstacle everywhere, Henricks said, even within the two counties in AllHealth’s network. That means healthcare providers are available, but they aren’t working together to make treatment more accessible to and Henricks easier for the patient. An example is a
therapist who doesn’t accept insurance and doesn’t know where to refer a patient. Or when a primary care doctor makes a referral but doesn’t follow up with the patient. “We need to work together, collaboratively,” Henricks said. “The challenges are so big that no one organization can do it on its own.” Mental health treatment can include therapy, hospitalization, case management, support groups and alternative medicine, according to Mental Health America. Within those categories are specialists, ranging from a certified alcohol and drug abuse counselor to a family therapist to a licensed professional counselor. A major challenge complicating the fractured service structure is a shortage of psychologists in Colorado and across the country, said Dr. Kaan Ozbayrak, chief medical officer at AllHealth Network. For every 1,000 residents in Colorado, there is less than one behavioral health employee, according to
numbers provided by Mental Health Colorado, a mental health advocacy organization. Behavioral health employees include clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists. “We do not have enough workers to take care of everyone that needs us,” Ozbayrak said. AllHealth is piloting a service in the next couple of months that would allow primary care doctors to refer patients to one of AllHealth’s nine locations that provide behavioral health therapy and counseling services for all ages. “We have to make it easier for people to access care when they need help,” Henricks said. For Andrew Romanoff, president and CEO of the advocacy organization Mental Health Colorado, integrating mental health care and primary care in one place rather than separating the two makes sense. SEE TREATMENT, P13
10 Highlands Ranch Herald
STORY FROM PAGE 8
“Many of these inmates come from our community — and are going to go back to our community,” Duffy said.
Importance of seeking treatment Caused by a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors, mental illness is treatable. Yet only 44 percent of adults with diagnosable mental health problems and less than 20 percent of children and adolescents receive needed treatment, says the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A 2017 Colorado Health Access Survey conducted by the Colorado Health Institute, a research organization that provides data on healthcare in Colorado, found 5 percent of Douglas County residents reported eight or more days of poor mental health in the previous 30 days. Of those people, 2.8 percent didn’t seek treatment for four main reasons: cost or insurance coverage, feeling uncomfortable discussing personal problems, difficulty getting an appointment and fear of someone finding out. Tri-County’s 2016 Community Health Assessment found 5.9 percent of Douglas County adults needed mental health care or counseling services but did not get them at the time during the previous 12 months. “Sometimes depression can be so severe that you can’t get out of bed or go to work,” Ozbayrak said. “It is very difficult at that point just to say, ‘Eat healthy, exercise and get over it.’ You do need professional intervention.” The importance of addressing mental health shows in numbers, Douglas said. Suicides in Douglas County increased from 34 cases in 2010 to 57 cases in 2016, according to data from the Colorado Department of Health and a 2016 report from the Douglas County coroner. “Douglas County is the healthiest county (physically) in Colorado but mental health is clearly not optimal,” Douglas said. “The suicide issue in particular is a concern in Douglas County, just like it is across Colorado.” Statewide, the number of suicides jumped from 910 cases in 2011 to 1,058 in 2014. Colorado’s suicide rate that year was 19.4 per 100,000 residents, the seventh highest in the country, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reports. The suicide rate in Douglas County, which has 328,632 people as of the 2016 U.S. Census, was 16.3 per 100,000 residents as of 2015, according to the Colorado Health Institute. Tri-County’s 2016 Community Health Assessment found 13.6 percent of Douglas County students in ninth through 12th grades reported their mental health was not good on 14 or more days during the past 30 days. And 14.1 percent of Douglas County students had seriously considered attempting suicide during the past 12 months. Duffy, of the sheriff ’s office, said it seems as if suicide is “becoming more of an option” as people dealing with crisis become more overwhelmed and increasingly feel more hopeless. “It seems like every year our completed suicide calls are rising fairly significantly, not only in Douglas County but throughout the state of Colorado,” he said. “Sui- Duffy cide is probably one of the biggest issues we are dealing with right now.” However, mental illness doesn’t have to be fatal, said Andrew Romanoff, president and CEO of Mental Health Colorado, an organization that advocates for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental health and substance-use disorders. “We are trying to help more people understand that mental illness is not a character flaw or a figment of imagination, it’s a medical condition,” Romanoff said. “Mental illness doesn’t have to be a death sentence — it’s treatable.”
December 14, 2017D
BY THE NUMBERS: MENTAL HEALTH IN AMERICA
1 1 10.2 90 56
in 5 — Adults in the U.S. who experience a mental illness.
in 25 — Adults in the U.S. who live with a serious mental illness. million — Adults who have co-occurring mental health and addiction disorders.
percent — Those who die by suicide who have an underlying mental illness. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S.
percent — Adults with a mental illness who didn’t receive mental health services in the previous year.
Sources: National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Mental Health Association
PREVALENCE OF TYPES OF MENTAL ILLNESS IN AMERICA
42
million adults live with anxiety disorders.
16 6.1 2.4
million adults live with major depression.
million adults live with bipolar disorder.
million adults live with schizophrenia.
Anxiety disorders occur in 25 percent of teens ages 13 to 18 years old. Mood disorders, including major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder — described as low-grade chronic depression — and bipolar disorder, occur in 14 percent of teens ages 13 to 18 years old. Source: National Alliance on Mental Illness, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Adolescent Health Tragedies spark action For Douglas County officials, two tragedies in 2013 and 2014 sparked a realization that residents with mental health issues were falling through the cracks. In December 2013, a student at Arapahoe High School who lived in Highlands Ranch fatally shot a classmate before killing himself. The following year, a 15-year-old boy from Highlands Ranch shot and killed his mother, then fatally turned the gun on himself. Both displayed signs of mental illness, according to investigators. Deputy County Manager Barbara Drake and other county leaders began to question how the county could better support people with mental illness and find ways to create a more integrated healthcare system, where mental health specialists were consistently more accessible to individuals. In 2014, Drake spearheaded the creation of the Douglas County Mental Health Initiative, whose 37 partner organizations meet monthly to discuss the county’s needs. Its goal is to find the gaps in services required by those with mental illness, streamline support by facilitating collaboration among local resources and start
HOW TO TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH Let’s Talk Colorado, launched in May, is a statewide campaign created by Tri-County Health Department and other partner organizations to combat the stigma of mental illness. In English and Spanish, Letstalkco.org defines mental health and stigma, as well as provides links to local and statewide resources. The campaign also provides tips on how to talk about mental health, such as: • Be nice. • Keep in contact. • Offer help. • Listen. • Keep the conversation moving. • Don’t ignore it. MakeItOk.org is a national campaign to combat the stigma of mental illness. On its website, visitors can learn about mental illness, answer a questionnaire on stigmatic behaviors and read about individual experiences with stigma. The campaign provides resources that can be used to teach, share, learn and speak about mental illness and stigma. Below are phrases the campaign recommends to use and to avoid when discussing mental health. Try saying: • “Thanks for opening up to me.” • “I’m here for you when you need me.” • “I can’t imagine what you’re going through.” • “People do get better.” • “I love you.” Avoid saying: • “It could be worse.” • “Just deal with it.” • “Everyone feels that way sometimes.” • “You may have brought this on yourself.” • “We’ve all been there.” new programs to fill the holes. “The idea of the mental health initiative was to really put forth that message that this is a community issue and it takes everyone in a community working together,” Drake said. “We wanted to look at where there were unmet needs. If we got people connected to mental health services, could we prevent people from falling through the cracks?” Douglas County Commissioner Lora Thomas, who served as the county’s coroner from 2011-15, also encountered tragedies related to mental illness in the suicides of Douglas County residents, including some students at local high schools and middle schools. When her term as coroner ended in 2015, she started “A Night with the Coroner,” a Thomas nonprofit that raises money for suicide prevention efforts. Thomas, along with fellow commissioners Roger Partridge and David Weaver, agree a strong community network is essential to improving care for residents. “When people are not able to access or get the right kind of mental health care they need, bad things happen,” Thomas said, “and that hurts a community.” Late last year and early this year, Douglas County experienced two more extreme tragedies, highlighting again the need for accessible mental health support and acceptance of mental health challenges as a daily part of life, officials of the county and public health departments say. In November 2016, a mother from Highlands Ranch shot and killed her two young sons before shooting and killing herself. And in January 2017, another Highlands Ranch mother shot and killed her 10-year-old daughter and then herself. Law enforcement and family members said depression and anxiety played a role. “There are a lot of stories out there,” said Drake, noting that each is unique to the person. “There is not just one story.” SEE STORY, P13
Highlands Ranch Herald 11
December 14, 2017
Community members form unique mental health partnership Collaboration aims to educate the public and create an integrated system
S
everal Douglas County administrators sat on one side of a large rectangular table. The deputy county attorney was a few seats down, near a deputy from the sheriff ’s office. Representatives from area hospitals, public health departments, rehabilitation centers, nonprofits and churches filled other seats. Some people presented; others listened and threw around ideas. They were at a monthly meeting at Douglas County’s administration building in Castle Rock to brainstorm how they could better serve residents with mental illness. And they were from among the 37 organizations that make up the Douglas County Mental Health Initiative. “The idea of the mental health initiative was to really put forth that message that this is a community issue and it takes everyone in a community working together,” said Barbara Drake, Douglas County’s deputy manager who led the creation of the mental health initiative. Drake The mental health initiative started three years ago, after multiple tragedies shook communities in Douglas County. In 2013, Karl Pierson, 18, fatally shot 17-year-old classmate Claire Davis before killing himself at Arapahoe High School in the neighboring Littleton school district. Pierson lived in Highlands Ranch. In 2014, a 15-year-old boy, also from Highlands Ranch, shot and killed his mother, then turned the gun on himself. “Those were the things that made us say, ‘Can we do better than this? What can we do? We think this is indicative that there are people that are falling through the cracks,’ ” Drake said. Collaboration is ‘night and day’ The initiative aims to create an integrated mental healthcare system, educate the public on mental health resources and make navigating the healthcare system easier for people with mental health challenges. Partners include the Douglas County School District, the district attorney’s office, Tri-County Health Department, AllHealth Network, The Rock church in Castle Rock, private psychiatric facilities such as Highlands Behavioral Health in Highlands Ranch, local law enforcement agencies, area hospital systems and other public health, nonprofit and private resources. From what Andrew Romanoff of Mental Health Colorado has seen, the initiative is the only program of its kind in Colorado. Similar efforts are underway, he said, pointing out that other communities have teamed up law enforcement and mental health professionals as Douglas County is doing in one of its programs. But the initiative is different in that it is “encouraging local officials to prioritize prevention and early intervention instead of criminalizing,” said Romanoff, president and
CEO of Mental Health Colorado, a mental health advocacy organization. “Douglas County is consistent with everything we believe and everything research shows and everything the rest of Colorado ought to be doing.” For the Douglas County Sheriff ’s Office, the mental health initiative provides partnerships that help treat and reintegrate mentally ill inmates into society. Two of four mental health clinicians in the jail are from AllHealth Network, made possible by a grant from the state’s Jail Based Behavioral Health Services (JBBS) Program, which supports county sheriffs in providing resources for inmates with substance use disorders and co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. Arapahoe/Douglas Works! Workforce Center provides job training and employment opportunities for inmates. “It’s night and day compared to when I took over the jail in 2014 — the amount of collaboration and partnerships we have, the services we are giving the inmates,” Kevin Duffy, captain of detention at the sheriff ’s office, said of the mental health initiative’s impact. Developmental Pathways, a nonprofit agency that serves people with developmental disabilities and their families, is better able to provide resources for and identify more individuals with a co-occuring mental illness and intellectual disability. Before the initiative “we were all in our own silos,” said Bob Ward, the organization’s vice president of case management and quality assurance, of the partners. “It broke down those silos and created a better understanding of what resources were available in the community.” The initiative’s discussions and identification of gaps in resources and community needs have led to the creation of three programs to date that serve residents experiencing mental health challenges. Project Upstream is a prevention program that offers families ways to get help for children with mental health concerns, even if they haven’t met thresholds for intervention set by the more formal evaluation systems. If a school has exhausted resources it may recommend the family participate in Project Upstream and, with the family’s permission, refer the child to the program. A family meeting would be arranged with Project Upstream at the school, where a representative with the program would discuss the family’s strengths and weaknesses and recommend concrete next steps. In a second program, a mental health navigator, described as a conduit for continuation of care, contracts with the mental health initiative to assist the County Attorney’s Office in working with individuals and families of individuals who have severe substance abuse or mental illness. The navigator helps 14 clients per week access ongoing treatment and provides support for the families. The third program is a community-response team — consisting of a law enforcement officer, a paramedic, a mental health professional and case manager — that models a public health program in Colorado Springs called CARES. The service connects individuals to mental health services and prevents the overuse of jail
and emergency departments, Drake said. For example, the initiative looked at seven individuals in Castle Rock who generated more than 100 combined 911 calls in 18 months. To health care professionals, that can signal the person isn’t getting the outcome he or she needs by using the emergency system. Since the pilot’s inception in May, the community-response team has served 327 individuals. From May to August, 65 percent of 911 calls to which the community-response team responded were treated in place, 8 percent were treated at an area hospital, 14 percent at psychiatric units, 3 percent at a detox unit and 3 percent at a family support center, according to Douglas County’s website. None were taken to jail. Because of its success, the mental health initiative plans to roll out a second team in early 2018. There is not a typical call for the communityresponse team, said Anne Mosbach, coordinator of the mental health initiative. Calls may come from an individual or the family of an individual who is contemplating suicide, from an individual who is struggling with substance use disorders or from a chronically mentally ill individual who is “experiencing disruption in their lives as a result of the symptoms of their behavioral illness,” Mosbach said. Until the individual is connected to the appropriate services, the community-response team follows up in person. “Coordination means somebody is going to check in with you and make sure that you called someone,” Mosbach said. “It’s reaching out to people to make sure that they are getting connected.” Paving the way for the future For Sheryl, whose last name is being withheld for privacy reasons, the community-response team has been a blessing. Her brother, who lives in Castle Rock, was diagnosed with schizophrenia in his late 20s, she said. He doesn’t take his medication regularly, Sheryl said, because he doesn’t like the way it makes him feel. On his medication, his mental illness is manageable. Off of it, his behavior is “aggressive and belligerent,” said Sheryl, her brother’s legal guardian. Her brother has been in jail in Douglas County since August on misdemeanor charges, she said. Thanks to the community-response team and the mental health navigator, Sheryl, who lives in North Dakota, has been informed on her brother’s progress and whereabouts since May. Before “there was no coordination between entities,” she said, “no central location.” Leaders of the mental health initiative hope that the community partnership paves the way for mental health treatment and becomes a model for other cities and counties. “Our hope is that these different responses — that we are finding are much more effective and are producing better outcomes — become the foundation and way we do things in the future,” Drake said. “Eventually it will be the way things are and not just an initiative.”
12 Highlands Ranch Herald
December 14, 2017D
COST FROM PAGE 9
Cost of services can be prohibitive Nationwide, 28.2 million people, or 10.4 percent, under age 65 are uninsured, according to a 2016 National Health Interview Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of the insured, 65 percent have private insurance and 26.3 percent have public health insurance, which includes Medicaid and Medicare, which insures people 65 and older. Signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010, the Affordable Care Act — according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services — has provided one of the largest expansions of mental health and substance use disorder coverage in a generation, by requiring that most individual and small employer health insurance plans cover mental health and substance use disorder services. To Patti Boyd of Tri-County Health Department, the current administration’s unsuccessful attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act show how important mental health care coverage and public engagement on the issue are to the country’s citizens. “If people are in a crisis, they shouldn’t have to wait,” said Boyd, manager of strategic partnerships for the public agency that serves Douglas, Arapahoe and Adams counties. “We can do something about that, and getting that message across is really important.” For those who have no health insur-
When she no longer qualified for Medicaid, a health insurance program for lowincome people, and could no longer afford to see a therapist, Jo Ann Mahoney was forced to look for other ways to manage her mental health challenges. Today, she confides in her close friends and attends support groups for moms. COURTESY PHOTO ance — and even for some who do — the cost of mental health services can be prohibitive. A Google search of several private counseling and therapy services in the south metro Denver area shows a price of $60 to $200 per session without insurance. Some private practices take insurance or have a sliding scale, where cost is dependent on the client’s income. Oftentimes, finding those practices takes some searching. Individuals insured by Medicaid in Colorado have access to behavioral health services in each county, which are listed at www.colorado.gov/pacific/ hcpf/behavioral-health-organizations. Even with commercial insurance
STIGMA FROM PAGE 9
Jackson also is at a point where he feels comfortable talking about his mental illness and reaching out for help. But mental health experts say many others in similar situations are not receiving the treatment they need because they are embarrassed, ashamed or feel guilty about letting others know they are struggling mentally. Stigma ‘is deep’ “If you were to break your arm, you would retell the story in detail,” said Patti Boyd, manager of strategic partnerships of Tri-County Health Department, a public health agency that provides services to Douglas, Arapahoe and Adams counties. “When there is a mental health issue, people just don’t want to talk about it.” To combat the stigma of mental illness, Tri-County launched a campaign in May called “Let’s Talk Colorado.” Rather than just addressing mental illness, the campaign promotes mental health as a state of wellbeing and balance in people’s thoughts and behaviors, Boyd said. The goal is to make mental health a collective focus for all of Colorado so that people with mental health issues will seek treatment. “People know there is care but they don’t seek it because they don’t want people to know that they are having a mental health issue,” Boyd said. “The level of stigmatizing language that we aren’t aware of is so deep.” The statewide campaign is part of a growing trend of efforts to fight stigma. Mental Health Colorado is building a statewide network of advocates to improve mental health care called Brain Wave. The national campaign MakeItOk.org clarifies on its website what a mental illness is and is not, provides
coverage, the wait for mental health services can be lengthy, said Dr. William Henricks, CEO of AllHealth Network, which provides behavioral health services for Douglas and Arapahoe counties. Because of the amount of time it takes to find a specialist and get authorization from a health insurer for the mental health service, “you may have to wait 60 days to see a psychiatrist,” he said. The process, he said, can be frustrating. In Douglas County, residents are generally insured. In 2015, more than 60 percent of the county’s population of about 322,400 was covered by employer-sponsored insurance, according to the Colorado Health Institute, a research organization that provides data on healthcare in Colorado. Between 7 percent and 17 percent were covered by Medicaid or Child Health Plan Plus, a low-cost insurance for children and pregnant women that may expire Jan. 31 if Congress does not renew federal funding. Between 8 percent and 10 percent were on Medicare. About 2 percent were uninsured. Insurance doesn’t always guarantee care But having insurance doesn’t mean it’s always easy to access needed care. Finding a health care provider that takes health care insurance is one reason some 60 million Americans with mental illness don’t get the treatment they need, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) found in a recent study titled “The Doctor is Out,” which looks at disparities in access to mental and physical health care.
a questionnaire asking users if they participate in stigmatic behaviors and tells the stories of people who have felt the effects of stigma. “My family and friends thought my depression and possible bipolar episodes were all in my head,” a woman named Andrea shares on the MakeItOk website. “They didn’t understand why I had trouble getting out of bed or why I cried so much. I was just `oversensitive.’ ” Andrew Romanoff, president and CEO of Mental Health Colorado, is using the organization’s website to reduce stigma. Mentalhealthcolorado.org has dozens of stories from people who have experienced mental illness in themselves or in a person close to them. Sharing stories is a “powerful way to demystify mental illness,” Romanoff said. “What we are tackling here is not some exotic disease that is confined to a tiny fraction of the population,” he said. “Mental illness touches every single family in Colorado and our story bank reflects that.” Research shows that stigma campaigns are effective. Using a grant from the Colorado Health Foundation, Tri-County Health requested a study from Frameworks Institute, an independent nonprofit research organization based in Washington, D.C., on how the public communicates about mental health. “We are excited to have been able to do this work and start this conversation in Colorado in a meaningful way,” Boyd said. “We can do this better, we have evidence.” In the study, a team of Ph.D. researchers interviewed at length 10 mental health experts and 10 residents of Douglas, Arapahoe and Adams counties on their perceptions of mental health. Participants acknowledged that people with mental illness should not be stigmatized, which is a “testament to the success of stigma campaigns,” said Moira O’Neil, director of research interpretation and application at Frameworks Institute. But “while they can explicitly say `no, people with
In a nationwide online survey of 3,177 individuals, more than half of respondents who looked for a new mental health provider in the last year F contacted psychiatrists who were not accepting new patients or who did L not accept their insurance. A third of respondents reported difficulty find- T ing any mental health prescriber who t would accept their insurance. I “When people cannot find a provid- g er, many have to go out-of-network and b pay high out-of-pocket costs, including h co-pays,” NAMI reports. “When people face higher out-of-pocket costs, it may l lead to them seeking less care—or go- t i ing without any care at all.” Mahoney, who lives in Elizabeth on c the outskirts of Parker, learned to advocate for herself when she didn’t like a the therapists initially assigned to her g through a public health department. o When she lost her insurance cover- s o age, she started confiding in loved ones and attending groups for moms, i “ such as Mothers of Preschoolers in fl Elizabeth and You Are Not Alone — Mom2Mom in Highlands Ranch, m which hosts free weekly meetings for moms to feel connected and sup- b s ported. One time, when she had a panic at- t tack while driving, she dialed Colora- s do Crisis Services, the state’s resource for mental health. The person on the f line helped calm her down. Today, she is successfully managing H her depression and anxiety with the i support system of the moms’ groups t w and close friends. “I pride myself on being resourceful and reaching out,” Mahoney said. “But there are so many that can’t advocate for themselves or reach out.”
mental health should not be stigmatized,’ when they talk about mental health issues, there is an `otherizing’ process that ends in stigmatization,” O’Neil said. That means the language used in conversation indicates “I am normal” and “that person is not.” The study — which Tri-County will use as a tool and model for communicating about mental health — found that people struggle to talk about mental health as a positive state that everyone has and requires support for, O’Neil said. ‘A positive definition’ of mental health The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines mental health as emotional, psychological and social well-being. It affects how individuals think, feel and act. It helps determine how individuals handle stress, relate to others and make choices. And “it is important at every stage of life,” the department of health and human services says. The problem is that experts and individuals do not use that positive definition enough, O’Neil said. “The public does not have access to a positive definition of mental health,” she said. “It is something that they struggle to talk about beyond mental health being the absence of disease.” In therapy over the past three years, Jackson has developed self-acceptance and resilience. His therapist has helped him work through issues he has struggled with since childhood. His mother’s support and care has helped him open up about how he is feeling. He said he now recognizes that the pain his mental illness causes does not mean there is something wrong with him. But he still finds it difficult to explain his mental health challenges to his “ bestest of friends with the biggest hearts.” More awareness, education and empathy around mental illness is needed, he said. “We should listen to everyone because you don’t know what people are going through — that’s the bottom line,” Jackson said. “It could be anyone.”
Highlands Ranch Herald 13
December 14, 2017
STORY FROM PAGE 10
Looking ahead Douglas, the executive director of Tri-County Health Department, praises the Douglas County Mental Health Initiative for being proactive and giving greater attention to the notion that behavioral health issues are part of human health. “We don’t like to talk about it, we don’t like to admit it to ourselves, we don’t like to admit that our family members have it,” Douglas said. “Mental health issues can extract an incredible toll.” But opening up to another individual about the accomplishments and struggles of everyday life is a significant part of maintaining mental health, Mosbach said. As is digesting the statistic that one in five people go through a mental illness, which Mosbach describes as “part of the human condition, not a flaw or weakness.” “The best thing we can do as community members is to model that behavior,” Mosbach said. “Don’t force someone to open up, but model it, talk to them about how you are doing and show them that it is a safe space.” Some of that role-modeling is coming from the county’s younger residents. At Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch, a group of students is working on a photography project that depicts depression and anxiety. It will be presented sometime in January. Sophomore Tabi Snowden, one of the
Sydney Chapin, a 19-year-old from Highlands Ranch, is successfully managing depression and anxiety. ALEX DEWIND group members, focused her research on self-harm, and with the help of her mother, Tami Snowden, interviewed three young girls who were or are cutting themselves to cope with depression and anxiety. Tabi Snowden hasn’t experienced mental health problems or engaged in self-harm. But the topic interests her, she said, because a friend she cares about from middle school went through that experience. “If we talked about it more,” she said of self-harm, “it wouldn’t be as scary.” For Tami Snowden, her daughter’s project reflects a larger societal issue that makes itself evident in suburban communities of Douglas County and across the nation. “We are such a busy society, we don’t have time for people,” she said. Sitting in a Highlands Ranch Starbucks on a November afternoon, Chapin, a Rock Canyon High School
graduate with a sweet smile, comfortably talked about how she manages her mental health. She makes herself get out of bed. She does yoga. She says no when she doesn’t want to do something. She writes. “A lot of things that I can’t say to other people, I can put on paper,” she said. She said she often feels that because she was raised in an area where having enough money is generally not a problem, there is a preconceived notion her mental health is supposed to be optimal and fixable. “I’m privileged,” she said. “It’s hard to explain why I’m still depressed because to an outsider, I have everything. But it’s not about physical things — it’s completely about my mind.”
ABOUT THE REPORTER Alex DeWind, 25, joined Colorado Community Media in September 2015 and reports primarily on Highlands Ranch and the Douglas County School District. She grew up in Basalt, a small mountain town outside of Aspen, and graduated from the University of Colorado-Boulder. She has spent the past two months reporting, researching and writing the stories for this first installment of DeWind our series on mental health, a subject about which she is passionate and which she believes needs to be normalized as part of everyday conversation. “The reality is, if it’s not me or you, it’s someone we know, someone we care for, someone we love,” she said. “And it’s too big of a burden to carry alone.”
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“Right now you go to one place to treat your body and another place to treat your head,” Romanoff said. “But it turns out your body is connected to your head.” The Douglas County Mental Romanoff Health Initiative, a partnership of 37 county organizations from government to private to faith-based entities, has been working since its inception in 2014 to rally local public health agencies to work more closely with each other so that individuals can be assured of a continuum of care. The initiative is working to create awareness about the different types of services available in the community and provide other resources for needs such as employment, health and housing. The goal is to provide coordination for people with mental illness, said Anne Mosbach, coordinator of the mental health initiative. “It’s reaching out to people to make sure that they are getting connected.”
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14 Highlands Ranch Herald
LOCAL
December 14, 2017D
VOICES
It’s time to talk about mental health
S
ydney Chapin is 19. She grew up in Highlands Ranch and graduated from Rock Canyon High School. She will tell you she is privileged: She has had a comfortable life, materially. But over her young life, she also has struggled with anxiety and depression. And because she was raised in a generally affluent community, she believes a preconceived notion exists that her mental health should be easily fixed. “Because you have the money to fix things, it’s kind of expected that it’s all OK,” said Chapin, who today is managing her mental health well. But it’s not about physical things, she
OUR VIEW reminds us. “It’s completely about my mind.” Sydney and other men and women graciously share their stories with us this week in the first installment of Colorado Community Media’s ongoing series, “Time to Talk,” on the state of mental health in Douglas County and the need to bring the issue of mental illness into everyday conversation. According to national mental health organizations, one in five adults in the U.S. — and one in five youths between 13 and 18 years old — experience a mental illness.
One in 25 adults across the country live with a serious mental illness. Fifty-six percent of adults with mental illness did not receive the treatment they needed in the previous year. And 90 percent of those who died by suicide had an underlying mental illness. “If you were to break your arm, you would retell the story in detail,” said Patti Boyd of Tri-County Health Department, the public agency serving Douglas, Arapahoe and Adams counties. “When there is a mental health issue, people just don’t want to talk about it.” It’s time to talk: Don’t we all know someone who is struggling with some form of mental illness or mental
Coffee is a great thing, so don’t make a stir about it
C
offee, black. Please.” “Cream and sugar?” There’s my six-word novel. I got the idea for a six-word novel from Hemingway, who got the idea from QUIET someone else. But someone else was DESPERATION someone no one has heard of, so Hemingway gets credit for it. I will share Hemingway’s six-word novel later. This isn’t a tribute to Hemingway or very, very short novels. Technically, six words are too few to be either a novel or even a haiku. Most novels are over 60,000 words. Herman Melville, the creep, inflicted over 200,000 on me in just one Craig Marshall book. About a whale. Smith This is a tribute to coffee, hot and neat, unpolluted with sugars and half this and that. I have overheard people who make a coffee order sound like a recipe for pudding.
If someone wants to meet for coffee, I am willing — if it’s coffee. Bogart never said, “Do you have any flavored coffees?” None of this means I am a tough guy. It just means that I refuse to take something profound and meaningful, and put gimcracks in it. You go ahead: toss your hair, and say, “Blonde Roast, room for sweet cream and Jujubes,” if you want to, but leave me out of it. If someone at my table orders a “single-origin Rwandan espresso,” I am out. Gone. Hand me a “craft” coffee, and I will hand it right back. I don’t want a cup of coffee that has been Frenchpressed. We like to turn good things, great things, into overthought things. I still drive my own car. It doesn’t drive me, park me, or ask me what I want to listen to, or if my butt is warm enough. SEE SMITH, P15
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Why waste money? As various board community committees research various ways to infuse money into the school district’s budget, how can some members of the present board consider spending up to six figures of tax dollars to pay a consultant to find a new superintendent? Is it because the old board majority put the present acting superintendent in place? Is it time to put politics aside and do what is right for taxpayers if you are considering asking for more tax money? Hasn’t the acting superintendent decreased central administration, saving money that gave some money back to fill the pay gap for staff that experienced pay freezes? Hasn’t the acting superintendent reached out to the
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community to mend fences that previous administration created along with the previous board? It is time for the new board to swallow their pride and move forward and not waste tax dollars when every dollar is needed for our students that these same new board members complained about wasting money on reform efforts of the previous board. Does it make sense to extend the contract for a year, let new board members evaluate performance and make a decision based on facts rather than personal feelings and not waste money now when it is needed in other places? Dave Usechek Parker
health challenge? Throughout the state and nation, campaigns are underway to eliminate the stigma of shame and guilt associated with mental illness and encourage a conversation that puts the issue into the light, without judgment, with compassion and understanding. In the hopes of furthering that movement, Colorado Community Media will spend much of the next year exploring how the state of mental health affects our Douglas County communities, which despite their general affluence are not immune from the societal stresses of high expecta-
Raising the bar of optimism is courageous and contagious
H
ow are you doing?” It was a common and simple enough question to ask a friend of mine whom I had not spoken to in a while. Her response, “Better than yesterday, awesome today, and not yet quite as incredible as tomorrow.” I loved it and her enthusiasm was contagious as her answer inspired me for the rest of my day, and it definitely contributed to this column. Years ago, I had written about WINNING a friend of mine, his name is Jerry, but his nickname has alWORDS ways been Nazz, an abbreviated version of his last name. Well Nazz, when asked how he was doing would always answer in the same way, “Great, couldn’t be better.” I watched him give this same response over and over again. And without fail, it always brought a smile to my face and to whoever it was that Michael Norton asked him how he was doing. Optimism is one thing, but a commitment to optimism takes everything to a whole new level. It isn’t just a mindset, it turns our mindset into action. Both friends I mention above have always had this sense of positive thinking ever since I have met them. Their positive attitude and optimistic outlook towards life has played a huge role in my own personal development and I hope to share a little of that with you here today. When I think about some of the emails I receive, and relate their stories to the idea of a positive outlook in life, I think about the people
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SEE TALK, P15
SEE NORTON, P15 Highlands Ranch Herald A legal newspaper of general circulation in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, the Herald is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110. Send address change to: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110
Highlands Ranch Herald 15
December 14, 2017
TALK FROM PAGE 14
tions, peer pressure and social media, among other factors that influence state of mind. This week, the series kicks off with a comprehensive look at mental health in Douglas County, along with companion pieces on barriers to accessing mental health care. We also take a look at the Douglas County Mental Health Initiative, a unique collaboration of 37 public, private and nonprofit organizations and institutions established by county officials who realized people were falling through the cracks when local tragedies occurred several years ago. We laud the county’s progressive vision and strong support for this important cause and the initiative’s mission: Partners meet monthly to talk about issues, needs, resources, successes, failures. They talk about the gaps they see, what they can do together, what programs can be created and what resources shared, to weave a community web of support that ensures a continuum of mental health care for residents. But the conversation needs to extend
into our neighborhoods, too. To do that, we will be working with Douglas County, Douglas County Libraries and several other health organizations to sponsor forums in various parts of the county that focus on mental health concerns spotlighted in our series. We are grateful for the community partnerships that will help make this happen. Upcoming installments will be published generally on a monthly basis. The second part will look at the effect of social media on the mental health of our children — research shows it is affecting their emotional intelligence, self-esteem and ability to cope with conflict. Other focuses will include suicide; mental health challenges among seniors, families, employers and jails; and how substance and alcohol abuse exacerbates the issue. The hope is that the conversation will not only enable us to reach out to one another, but also help lead to some solutions and ideas that reflect the needs of our families, friends, neighbors and colleagues. In this fast-paced world, we need to care enough to slow down and take a minute to listen. If this isn’t the time to talk, then when will it be?
SMITH FROM PAGE 14
I know that it’s cool to be cool, and black coffee isn’t cool. You have to have some standards, and you have to have some rules. I don’t allow anyone in my house who has a hyphenated name. Or anyone who refers to carrots and celery as “veggies.” Anyone who begins a sentence with “So” is on probation. I will interrupt and say, “I’ll bet you like flavored coffees.” “Why, yes. So, how did you know?” Do I have an open mind? I did have one until I heard about Richard Nixon and Richard Carpenter and Richard Simmons. And Richard Bach. I read “Jonathan Livingston Seagull.” “Overcome space, and all we have left is Here. Overcome time, and all we have left is Now.” Pass the smelling salts and the
OBITUARIES GOODMAN
NORTON FROM PAGE 14
fighting addictions, couples going through a divorce, relationships that are hanging on by a thread, people battling cancer or other health-related problems, members of our community struggling to find work, and others who are facing challenges of any kind. And I think about what I have shared in my replies to their emails as I encourage people to take personal ownership of how they choose to prepare and respond to any situation positively: • Strength: I am strong enough to fight this and I am getting stronger every day • Courage: I am braver today than I was yesterday, and I can face whatever comes my way • Confidence: I believe in myself, my abilities, my knowledge, and who I am as a person • Faith: I am loved by God, my God is here with me, He is here for me, He never forsakes me • Hope: I live with hope, a hope for each day to be better than the day before • Love: I have love to offer, and I have many people who love me for who I am The more people who I have been blessed to meet and who carry such a conviction of optimism, enthusiasm, and positive outlook are the people who
live with strength, courage, confidence, faith, hope, and love. And here’s the thing, many of the people who live with these qualities and characteristics have made the conscious choice to do so. That’s right, they have made the choice to live with these qualities even in the face of much adversity and overwhelming hardships and heartache. They have been challenged with the death of a loved one, divorce, a business partner who cheated them, bankruptcy, and addictions of many kinds. Yet they choose strength, courage, confidence, faith, hope, and love. It is life-changing for them and it is life-changing for everyone that has the pleasure and privilege of knowing them. And here’s the other part of this. Many people who I know who are thriving and not facing challenges at this time also seem to live with these very same traits. They aren’t fighting adversity, they use these same qualities to raise the bar of optimism and success. So let me ask you, “How are you doing?” I would love to hear how you are doing, what might be pulling you down and what may be driving your optimism at gotonorton@gmail.com. And when we can try and be better than yesterday, awesome today, and not quite as incredible as tomorrow, it really will be a better than good week. Michael Norton is a resident of Castle Rock, the former president of the Zig Ziglar Corporation, a strategic consultant and a business and personal coach.
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syrup of ipecac. I don’t drink a cup of coffee. I drink six at a time. Go ahead and tell Dr. Watts. He already knows. I used to start the day with vodka. See? It could be worse. Much worse. I’d wake on Thursday, and think it was Wednesday or Friday. Hemingway’s six-word novel went like this: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” Good, but mine is just as good. Mine is a reminder that we don’t listen. And we make assumptions. “Your stomach growled. You’re hungry.” “No. I just read `Jonathan Livingston Seagull.’” Coffee is a hot, brown beverage. It’s not a candy-colored, tangerine-flaked bouillon. Of course, it’s not up to me. Nothing is. Except what I nickname my houseplants. Next week: It’s not “mac and cheese.” It’s “macaroni and cheese.” Craig Marshall Smith is an artist, educator and Highlands Ranch resident. He can be reached at craigmarshallsmith@comcast.net
Larry Goodman
Larry Goodman, 75, of Highlands Ranch & long time businessman, passed away in Sun City, AZ on November 17. Services St Mary Catholic Church
6853 S Prince Dec 12. 10;30 Memorial mass followed by celebration of life. Donations to heart associations, cancer research, or St. Vincent de Paul Society.
In Loving Memory Place an Obituary for Your Loved One.
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16 Highlands Ranch Herald
December 14, 2017D
Lone Tree Arts Center landscaping complete Grounds designed to complement building and its ‘hard angles’ BY TABATHA DEANS STEWART TSTEWART@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Attendees of the Lone Tree Arts Center have enjoyed the beauty and unique lines of the building since its completion in 2011. The grounds, however, have left something to be desired. Until now. The landscaping around LTAC was completed this month, after nearly nine months of planning and work by contractors Singing Hills Landscaping and Ivy Street Design. “The building has a lot of hard angles, and we wanted to complement the design with the landscaping surrounding the building,” said Darin Rose, facilities maintenance manager for the City of Lone Tree. Planning began in February, with meetings involving the public works department, representatives from LTAC and contractors. Once a concept was drawn up with
a generalized scope of the work was put up for bid, Ivy Street Design was awarded the contract for creating the space, and Singing Hills Landscaping won the bid for implementing the work. The project began with creating concrete walls of varying sizes, which matched the lines of the building, and adding flower and plant beds where hundreds of native flowers, grasses and trees were planted. Greg Anderson, project manager for Singing Hills, said the project included irrigation, and the plants and bushes installed will bloom at varying times. “We used perennials, a large blue spruce, some ornamental trees and grasses, all of which will flower at different times,” said Anderson. “You don’t generally see the best results as far as blooming until about the third year.” Now that the landscaping is completed, Rose said they will focus on doing some concrete and asphalt repairs next. Landscaping costs were $330,000, plus $160,000 for increasing the number of parking spaces by 28.
Nearly six years after the Lone Tree Arts Center was completed, the landscaping around the center was finished, including hundreds of native plants, grasses and trees. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DARIN ROSE Grounds surrounding the Lone Tree Arts Center have been undeveloped until this November, when landscaping was completed.
Careers Help Wanted We are a non-medical home health care agency in IMMEDIATE need of Caregivers and Homemakers in ALL CITIES WITHIN THE DENVER METRO AREA for various days and times throughout the week! We have the schedule that you want to work!! This is a perfect job for someone who is retired or just looking to supplement their income. PLEASE APPLY IN PERSON AT THE ADDRESS LISTED BELOW MONDAY THRU FRIDAY 9:00am-4:30pm. YOU WIL L ON TR AIN ON WED N ESD AY OR TH U R SD AY, AN D START WORK THE NEXT DAY! Put your own schedule together; YOU PICK THE AREAS YOU WANT TO WORK, AND THE DAYS AND TIMES YOU WANT TO WORK!! WE HAVE WEEK-DAY AND WEEKEND HOURS AVAILABLE! No experience necessary. Must be dependable. Must pass criminal background check. If you have questions, Please call our Employment Line during business hours Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm at: (303)993-2353. Or stop in to apply in person! No appointment necessary. Applicants will need to bring in a valid State ID, a social security card, and $6.85 ffo or a criminal background check. Apply in person at: Independence At Home, Inc. 1340 Carr Street (located just south of Colfax Ave. on Carr Street) Lakewood, CO 80214 (303)993-2353 - Phone
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Help Wanted Valley Hope Association Employment Opportunity We currently have an opening ffo or a Full-Time Registered Nurse position at our Parker, CO facility! Qualifications ffo or the position include: Associate’s degree in nursing, Licensed as a RN to practice, CPR Certification and one year of clinical nursing care experience. Starting salary will be based on experience and education. Full-Time Benefits included.
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To advertise your business here, call Karen at 303-566-4091
Highlands Ranch Herald 17
December 14, 2017
Migration out of Colorado reaches record in 2016 Number of people moving in is still larger as state’s growth continues ASSOCIATED PRESS
A record number of residents have moved out of Colorado, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau. New annual figures from the bureau’s American Community Survey show that Colorado saw its first drop in about a decade last year in the number of people arriving from other states, while those leaving Colorado hit a record high. The result was the lowest netmigration number — 30,000 total new residents — in seven years. About 193,000 Colorado residents moved away last year, 10,000 more than in 2015, according to the data.
“We are seeing that there has been an increase in outs — the highest on record.” Elizabeth Garner, Colorado demographer Meanwhile, 223,000 people moved into the state, down about 4,000 from the year before, though still well above recent years. “We are seeing that there has been an increase in outs — the highest on record,” said state demographer Elizabeth Garner. The Census Bureau survey numbers do not include people who have moved to the state from abroad. And because the counts are based on surveys, the margin of errors can be large, espe-
Valley Hope Association Employment Opportunity istant Valley Hope is currently recruiting for an Ass ility. Director of Nursing for our Parker, CO fac a The Assistant Director of Nursing requires clinical current Colorado RN license and four years for nursing experience. Ideally, we are looking someone with a BSN or MSN, with proven experience in clinical nursing. No prior ADON the right experience needed, we are willing to train candidate! Please apply on our website at ey https://valleyhope.org/careers/. Contact Cal stions at Greving in Human Resources with any que 785-877-5111.
cially when looking at movements to and from individual states, The Denver Post reported . Tax-return counts from the IRS show that Colorado experienced a big jump in both households arriving and leaving from other states last year versus 2015. But on the whole, net migration among people who filed tax returns isn’t declining. Home prices in metropolitan Denver are up 57 percent the past eight years through October, as measured by the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller home price indices. The average apartment rent since mid-2009 is up 63.6 percent, according to figures from the Apartment Association of Metro Denver. The average hourly wage, by contrast, rose from $25.07 to $28.94, an increase of only 15.4 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Meanwhile, Colorado’s population grew by 11 percent from 2009 to 2016, to 5.55 million residents.
The drop in net migration could help explain why Colorado’s unemployment rate dropped sharply to a record-low 2.3 percent this spring. But slower population growth could help housing markets along the Front Range rebalance after years of strong gains in home prices and rents and allow builders to catch up on supply shortages, especially for single-family homes. Still, professionals in real estate and moving businesses say they aren’t yet seeing a slack in the number of people moving here. “I suppose if we had negative or slowing migration numbers, then, yes, it could help the constrained market. But I have not experienced that yet and would be surprised to see a slower market in 2018,” said Steve Thayer, chairman of the Denver Metro Association of Realtors and owner of the Keller Williams Action Realty office in Castle Rock.
job board Occupational Therapist, in 2-3 hours per week Registertoed increase time to 1-1.5 days per week
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18 Highlands Ranch Herald
LOCAL
LIFE
Honing
their
December 14, 2017D
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Lighthouse Writers Workshop has offered classes to amateur writers for 20 years.
Craft
COURTESY OF LIGHTHOUSE WRITERS WORKSHOP
RMCAD students contribute to White House Christmas
Area offers workshop options for writers seeking feedback and networking BY CLARKE READER CREADER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Trai Cartwright teaches “CharacterBuilding Tools” at a Castle Rock Writers meeting. COURTESY OF DERALD HOFFMAN
Colorado doesn’t have the same literary reputation as places like New York, Chicago or San Francisco, but there’s something about the state that draws men and women of letters here. Beat prophets Jack Kerouac, Neal Cassady and Allen Ginsberg all spent time in the Front Range; James A. Michener taught at what is now the University of Northern Colorado; and gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson made Woody Creek, outside of Aspen, his mountain home. That same atmosphere makes
Colorado a popular place for writers in the making. “Denver is this kind of quietly literary city,” said Corey Dahl, communications coordinator with Lighthouse Writers Workshop, an organization that has been around for 20 years, and offers classes and opportunities to amateur writers. “We have thousands of writers who come to us for classes and workshops, and we work regularly with the students and faculty associated with Regis University’s Mile-High MFA and the University of Denver’s creative writing Ph.D.” SEE WRITERS, P19
HELPFUL ORGANIZATIONS FOR AMATEUR WRITERS • Anythink Libraries www.anythinklibraries.org • Arapahoe Libraries www.arapahoelibraries.org • Book Organizations of Colorado
www.coloradobook.org • Castle Rock Writers www.castlerockwriters.com • Denver Writers Meetup Group www.meetup.com/denverwriters
• Douglas County Libraries www.dcl.org • Englewood Public Library www.englewoodco.gov/englewood-happenings/library • Jefferson County Library
www.jeffcolibrary.org • Lighthouse Writers Workshop www.lighthousewriters.org • Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers www.rmfw.org
a b A c W t i
f resident’s Park, the 77-acre w park surrounding the White House, spends the holidays c J full of 56 trees representing each U.S. state, territory, and g p Washington, D.C., as part of the m America Celebrates display. All the trees are decorated by rep- J resentatives from i COMING h the source locaATTRACTIONS tion, and for this a s year’s Colorado tree, students and a faculty from the Rocky Mountain P College of Art + w Design contributed the ornaments. “We had contributions from all nine of our Clarke Reader departments, and several from our Animation and Game Art department,” said Sean Brown, chair of the Animation and Game Art department. “Some of the entries were combinations from students and instructors together, and others were created by individual students or faculty.” The trees are part of the 95th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting display, and will be on display through Jan. 1. The tree lighting happened on Dec. 4 and was broadcasted on the Hallmark Channel. In addition to Brown, RMCAD students Maya Dite-Shepard, LaVanna Holland, Christopher Jackson, Avery Lamb, Shania Ortegon, Erin Simenson, Gabriella Vagnoli, Justin Van Gend and Esther Yi created ornaments for the display. “I made a mini replica of Red Rocks,” Brown said. “Some of our students incorporated a columbine, and another recreated one of our amazing Colorado sunsets.” Students and staff used a variety of mediums and methods when making their ornaments, including sculpture, painting and 3-D printing technology. Presented by the National Park Service and National Park Foundation, the National Christmas Tree Lighting first started on Christmas Eve in 1923, when President Calvin Coolidge lit a Christmas tree in front of 3,000 visitors. “It is a great honor for our school to be chosen to participate in this event on behalf of the state of Colorado,” said Chris Spohn, president of RMCAD.
P
For 20 years, Lighthouse Writers Workshop has called up some of the top local writing talents to teach thousands of amateur writers. COURTESY OF LIGHTHOUSE WRITERS WORKSHOP
a o f p
SEE READER, P19
Highlands Ranch Herald 19
December 14, 2017
WRITERS
Brandstetter, adult services librarian. The retreat will feature awardwinning authors speaking during the sessions. Local independent bookstores like the Tattered Cover offer large writers resources section, and make a point to feature locally published authors. “Supporting writing, stories, and information is our core mission, along with connecting readers to the books they are looking for,” said Heather Duncan, director of marketing and
events at the Tattered Cover. “Aspiring authors often become published authors and their books may one day be on our shelves. Writer are also some of our most valued customers.” Organizations like Lighthouse and Castle Rock Writers offer more regular meetings in addition to special events and conferences. These regular offerings give participants a chance to fully develop their writing and stories. “We offer a variety of workshops and classes year-round, from eight-
week workshops where students submit and critique each other’s work to one-day intensives that focus on a single element of the writing craft, like plot or character development,” Dahl said. “All of our classes are taught by local working writers, like Eleanor Brown (who wrote the New York Times bestseller ‘The Weird Sisters’) and David Wroblewski (who wrote the bestselling and Oprah Book Club novel ‘The Story of Edgar Sawtelle’).” Castle Rock takes a more locally focused approach, and covers the difficulties of getting published, especially in a small market like Denver. “People don’t realize how much of getting published is marketing oneself,” Aldridge-Dennis said. “You have to do a lot of that work yourself, at writers’ fairs, farmers markets, and other event. You have to sell yourself.” Both Aldridge-Dennis and Dahl said the writing process requires a lot of determination, and commitment to sticking to it, especially when things get discouraging. “Workshopping your writing or studying an element of craft can also open you up to new perspectives and ideas for your work,” Dahl said. “Workshops and classes are great for the community — a forum for discussing writing with people who enjoy writing.”
READER
event costs $34.99 for adults and $13.99 for children. Visit www.redrocksonline.com for information and reservations.
“Our campus holds so much talent, and we are excited to showcase the ornaments that our students and faculty members have created for the America Celebrates display,” Spohn continued.
Making handmade ornaments in the Furnace Furnace Glassworks is one of Lakewood’s many creative hidden gems, and has built up quite the reputation over the years for its intricate and detailed work. For the holidays, the studio, 11354 W. 13th Ave. Suite 6, is hosting a Make Your Own Ornament Extravaganza from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17. The owners of Furnace will help guests select the colors they like, apply the color to the molten glass, shape the bubble and assist with adding the hook to hang it on a tree. There will also be pre-made ornaments and other items made by Furnace for sale, and 10 percent of net sales on products and workshop fees will be donated to creativity and arts programming at Brown Elementary and The Boys School of Denver, part of the Denver Public Schools system. The event is free to watch and costs $35 to make an ornament. For more information, visit www.furnaceglassworks.com/make-your-own-ornamentworkshop.html.
audiences, the message will inspire them and it’s a show that will stick with audiences. Go to www.suteatro.org for the schedule and tickets.
Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. A community editor with Colorado Community Media, he can be reached creader@ coloradocommunitymedia.com.
FROM PAGE 18
For writers of all ages, skill levels, and genres of interest, there are options to perfect their craft, get feedback, and receive help pursuing a publishing deal. “The goal is to support writers who are just starting and those who have been published locally before,” said Alice Aldridge-Dennis, president and conference director of the Castle Rock Writers. “Most of us have a story to tell, and many people need help working on the art and craft of it.” Many local libraries offer programs for writers to get feedback on their work. According to Rebecca Winning, communications coordinator with Jeffco Public Libraries, the Evergreen Library does a Come Write In program on the last Tuesday of the month, for the sharing of writing. In January, the Arvada Library is starting Hard Times writing workshops to help people deal with difficult times, and the Golden Library is starting a series of workshops for writers age 60 and older. In the south metro area, Englewood Public Library is hosting a two-day writers retreat, according to Michelle
FROM PAGE 18
Music for the soul at the Ogden French multi-instrumentalist FKJ’s debut album, “French Kiwi Juice,” was released in March of this year, and has quickly become one of my favorite albums of 2017. It’s an enchanting blend of electronic, R&B, funk and world music, and sounds great at a party, or just coming through your headphones. At 9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 14, FKJ will be swinging by The Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave. If his live show is anything like his album, audiences are in for a blissedout experience. Tickets are still available, and can be purchased at www. ogdentheatre.com.
Santa Claus on the Rocks There are opportunities all over town to meet Santa Claus, and make sure he knows what your children want for Christmas. But it’s hard to top seeing the jolly old elf at the country’s best music venue. Families can have Brunch with Santa from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17 at Red Rocks Amphitheater, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway. In addition to photo ops with Santa, there will be holiday games and crafts for the children, a made-to-order omelet station and waffle and hot chocolate bars, as well as a specialty children’s buffet. Children can eat free if they bring a gift for a child in need. Reservations are required, and the
Anne Randolph, founder of Kitchen Table Writing, teaches “Raising the Stakes with Conflict” at a Castle Rock Writers gathering. COURTESY OF DERALD HOFFMAN
A Christmas miracle at Su Teatro For those looking for a story of faith during the holidays, Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center brings the pageantry of a small hill called Tepeyacatl, where 57-year-old Juan Diego has a vision of the Virgin Mary. “The Miracle at Tepeyac” runs at the performing arts center, 721 Santa Fe Drive, through Dec. 23. The play calls audiences to question what it means to serve a higher purpose and ponder how they can help other people. The music will move
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H O L I D AY Christmas Eve at CLC—Carols, Communion, and Candlelight Experience the joy and wonder of Christmas at one of our five Candlelight Christmas Eve Services! Each service will have Holy Communion and candle lighting. Nursery care available at 1:00, 3:00, 5:00 and 7:00. 7:00pm 1:00pm Contemporary Service, featuring Children and Family Traditional Crossroads Band Service, featuring the Carillon Ringers 9:00pm 3:00pm Traditional Service of Lessons & Children and Family Traditional Carols, featuring Celebration Choir Service, featuring CLC KidsRock! 5:00pm Contemporary Service, featuring Crossroads Band
Christ Lutheran Church 8997 S Broadway | Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 | www.clchr.org | 303-791-0803
WORSHIP Join us for the Celebration of Christ’s Birth
Christmas Eve Services Sunday December 24, 2017 9:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Providence Presbyterian Church 18632 Pony Express Drive Parker, Colorado 80134
(Across the street from the Post Office)
720-851-6881
COMPASS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP 12250 N. Pine Dr., Parker, Co | Lead Pastor Mike Spivey Sunday’s 10:30AM - WORSHIP & SERMON I 9:25AM LEGACY BIBLE CLASS
• 7 Years Professional Football Career (1977-1984) • Chaplain University of COLORADO Football, 15 years (1996 – 2010) • Chaplain DENVER BRONCOS 2 years (2009-2010) Join Us: Sundays – 10:30am Address: 12250 N. PINE Dr., PARKER, COLORADO 80138 Email: mike.spivey@compasschristian.org Ph# 303 895 0904 Listen to Sunday Messages at compasschristian.org
Associate & Youth Pastor Mike Bennett
• 16 year involvement in ministry • Servant leadership, evangelism, discipleship training, substance abuse awareness, and youth ministries. YOUTH GATHERINGS (6th-12th grade regardless of school or religious affiliation) • Friday Nights 6:30-9:30pm starting 1st Friday of January Email: Mike Bennett: lilbaldmike@yahoo.com
Mission Statement:
Teaching & Ministering, both Grace & Truth (John 1:17) Minister the Gospel that Heals to 2 Generations – Adults & Youth (Mark 5: 21-42)
Mission Statement:
Is to introduce every kid in Parker to Jesus through the stories that Jesus told and the acts that He performed. Meeting Jesus will be the most important thing that any person will ever have the opportunity to do.
www.compasschristian.org
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Grace Lutheran Church of Parker-LCMS Come worship with us.
Christmas Worship 8am - Sunday Morning Advent Service 4pm - Christmas Eve Service (Hymns & Carols) 11pm - Midnight Divine Service (Communion) 10:30am - Christmas Day
Grace Lutheran Church (LCMS) 11135 Newlin Gulch Blvd. Parker, CO 80138 (in front of Lutheran High) 303.840.5493 pastor@glcparker.org | www.glcparker.org
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6485 Ponderosa Dr Parker CO 80138 303-941-0668 Pastor David Fisher Sunday Morning Services Fellowship & Worship 9:30 am Education Hour 11:00 am
Christ is born!
Christmas Eve Worship December 24, 7:30 pm 9030 Miller Rd., Parker CO 80138 (Thanks to PEPC for use of their facility) www.SpiritofHopeLCMC.org
DECEMBER
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CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES of CAROLS & CANDLES
CHILDREN’S 1:00 & 3:00pm
ARE YOU LONGING FOR THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS? Celebrate the Birth of Christ With Us
Christmas Eve Parker United Methodist Church - 11805 S. Pine Dr., Parker, CO
Christmas Eve Morning Worship 10 AM
Candlelight Services 2 PM
4 PM
6 PM
8 PM
2 and 4 P.M. services especially for children and families. 6 and 8 P.M. traditional Christmas Eve services.
Tapestry UMC CU South Denver - 10035 S. Peoria St., Parker, CO
Candlelight Service 7 PM
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9720 US Hwy 85 N, Highlands Ranch www.gracecolorado.com • (303) 798-8485
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Christmas Eve Services, December 24 • 10:00am: Family Christmas Eve 8:00pm: Carols and Candlelight Service • 11:00pm: Carols and Communion Service
TRADITIONAL 5:00 & 7:00pm COMMUNION 10:00pm
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Popular gift, housewares shop closing its doors Compleat Lifestyles has lost lease, will close toward end of year BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A store decked out in bright, neoncolored signs saw a flow of customers in and out of the doors that would make you think it was in the throes of a grand opening. But the doors at Compleat Lifestyles, a shop that offers gifts, kitchen wares and other home goods, are soon closing. The store, which has stood in different forms at its location on South University Boulevard near East Dry Creek Road in Centennial for nearly 30 years, was up for a lease renewal but lost the lease. Its closing sale started in mid-November, and it will close Dec. 31 or when it runs out of merchandise, whichever comes first. “The number one thing people say is how sad they are,” said Connie Stevinson, who has owned the store for the last six years. Stevinson, a Centennial resident, hears from “people who have been coming since the store was across the street.” Stevinson bought the store from its previous owners, Joan Dennen and Barb Trexler, who opened the store’s first location — then named The Compleat Gourmet, using an archaic spelling of “complete” — in 1984 in a strip mall just south of Arapahoe High School. In 1989, it took a new name, Compleat Gourmet and Gifts, and moved across the street. It currently sits at 7592 S. University Blvd. Decades later, Compleat Lifestyles has built up a loyal customer base. On Nov. 28, dozens of shoppers and a steady flow in and out of the store underscored that — friendly chatter fluttered through the store as artificial Christmas trees stood for sale. The slow sway of holiday music wafted through the shop, where people looked at products in every aisle and nook. Jane Gusmus, a Centennial resident of 15 years, went in to shop amid the crowd that afternoon. “I hate to see it (close),” said Gusmus, who shopped at Compleat more than five times per year on average and first came there at least a decade ago. “Because this was a go-to store of mine, for gifts and just things we need.” Over the years, Gusmus bought hostess gifts, thank-you gifts, holiday gifts and “gifts for me,” she said with a laugh. “I really hate seeing local owners leave,” Gusmus said. “I really like to support them — it’s really unfortunate.” Stevinson, who was a certified public accountant and chief financial officer in the Denver-area health-care field before buying Compleat from its two founders who wanted to retire, started down the path to owning the store when she took a “life-changing” trip in 2009, she said. “I actually had been to Rwanda and was asked by a women’s collective to
Connie Stevinson, owner of Compleat Lifestyles gift and housewares shop in Centennial, stands in the store holding a traditionally woven Rwandan basket Nov. 28. Stevinson began selling them after meeting members of a women’s collective in Rwanda in 2009 that makes them. PHOTOS BY ELLIS ARNOLD find a new outlet for (its) handicrafts, and I started wholesaling them,” Stevinson said. The group, Gahaya Links, started after the 1994 Rwandan genocide to economically empower women who were left as widows, single mothers or orphaned girls, according to its website. It makes traditionally woven baskets and jewelry. “At the time I met them, they had been selling Rwandan baskets to Macy’s,” Stevinson said. People in the group learned Stevinson worked in business, and she started selling the handicrafts at gift shows in New York, Atlanta, Las Vegas and Denver. That’s how she met Dennen and Trexler, who eventually took on the products in their store on consignment. “I still sell them today,” Stevinson said. Compleat’s closing is one more example of a changing retail landscape in Stevinson’s eyes. Big-box stores and Amazon will be what customers are eventually left with, she said. “It’s important for the public to understand that if (you) can buy something locally from a local business, (you’re) supporting” your city with sales tax revenue and supporting your community, Stevinson said. She lamented the trend of people coming into physical stores and looking at a product in person, then viewing it on their phones to buy it online. “People want to have their cake and eat it too.” The lease ends Dec. 31, and Compleat lost the lease because its Denverarea property owners have other plans for the space, Stevinson said. “They said they would announce the
Shoppers at Compleat Lifestyles in Centennial, which had a store-closing sale starting Nov. 28. The store, which opened in 1984, lost its lease, which expires Dec. 31. plan at a later date,” she added. As a business person, she’s not bitter about the change, though, and she plans to consider other locations where she could reopen the store in the metro area. She won’t rule out a reopening, but there’s no guarantee. “It’s an expensive landlord market
right now,” Stevinson said. Stevinson was a longtime shopper at Compleat herself before owning the store. And judging by the customers, demand for a new store won’t be in short supply. Gusmus planned to take advantage of the sale again. “I’ll be back,” Gusmus said.
Time is a gift and one short hour can provide priceless moments for others. This holiday season, give the gift of your time to Bonfils Blood Center and we’ll transform it into the gift of life for patients in need. GIVE BLOOD. Highlands Ranch Community Donor Center 541 W. Highlands Ranch Pkwy. Open Monday through Saturday 7 am - 7 pm & Sundays 7 am – 3 pm
Walk-ins are welcome! Visit bonfils.org for more information.
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December 14, 2017D
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Kylee Batemans, of Highlands Ranch, was named to the spring 2017 president’s list at Drake University. Claire Benner, of Highlands Ranch, was named to the spring 2017 honor roll at the University of Kansas. Dan Billett, of Highlands Ranch, received the Jack and Marie St. Martin Men’s Hocky Scholarship from the Bemidji State University Alumni & Foundation. Billett is a sophomore majoring in business administration. Rehan Choudhury, of Highlands Ranch, was named to the spring 2017 dean’s list at Washington University. Brendan Clark, of Highlands Ranch, was named to the spring 2017 honor roll at the University of Kansas. Connor Croan, of Highlands Ranch, was named to the spring 2017 dean’s list at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Abby Curry, of Highlands Ranch, was named to the spring 2017 honor roll at the University of Kansas. Natalie Distin, of Highlands Ranch, graduated in spring 2017 from Fort Lewis College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Christiana Duerksen, of Highlands Ranch, traveled to China this summer as part of Belmont University’s Study Abroad program. Students spent time in Greece, Brazil, England, France, Switzerland and Haiti. Duerksen also was named to the summer 2017 dean’s list at Belmont. Anna Eccles, of Highlands Ranch, graduated from Western Governors University with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies (K-8). Rylee Flocken, of Highlands Ranch, was named to the spring 2017 honor roll at the University of Kansas. Blake Goldsberry, of Highlands Ranch, was named to the spring 2017 honor roll at the University of Kansas. Anna Hamilton, of Highlands Ranch, was named to the spring 2017 honor roll at the University of Kansas. Macy Heath, of Highlands Ranch, was named to the spring 2017 honor roll at the University of Kansas. Hailey Howell, of Highlands Ranch, was named to the spring 2017 dean’s list at Biola University. Chelsey Jacobs, of Highlands Ranch, graduated in spring 2017 from Fort Lewis College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Kaitlin Jarrell, of Highlands Ranch, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Whitworth University. Sawyer Johnson, of Highlands Ranch, was named to the spring 2017 honor roll at the University of Kansas.
Local Focus. More News. ColoradoCommunityMedia.com
Olivia Johnson, of Highlands Ranch, was named to the spring 2017 dean’s list at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Brendan Kearney, of Highlands Ranch, graduated in spring 2017 from Fort Lewis College with a bachelor’s degree in economics. Tyler Key, of Highlands Ranch, was named to the spring 2017 honor roll at the University of Kansas. Shaun Lorton, of Highlands Ranch, graduated from Western Governors University with a bachB elor’s degree in IT, security emphasis. ( Caroline Mather, of Highlands s Ranch, is a member of the Carleton S College women’s swimming and diving team for the 2017-18 season. Mather is a member of the class of 2019 at Carleton and attended Mountain Vista High School. Paige Mawhinney, of Highlands Ranch, was named to the spring 2017 dean’s list at Drake University. Shannon McPherson, of Highlands Ranch, graduated from Western Governors University with a master’s degree in educational leadership. Braden Mediavilla, of Highlands Ranch, earned the spring 2017 dean’s award with distinction from Colgate h University. k Marisa Mills, of Highlands Ranch, l graduated in spring 2017 from Fort t Lewis College with a bachelor’s dej gree in athletic training. a Karina O’Byrne, of Highlands Ranch, performed in “Fall Kaleid doscope,” the fall 2017 symphony T orchestra concert at Wheaton College. g c O’Byrne played horn. b Michael Patrick O’Neal, of Highlands Ranch, graduated with a master’s degree in automotive engi- C y neering from Clemson University. Michael O’Sullivan, of Highlands t Ranch, was named to the spring 2017 B m dean’s list at Drake University. Benjamin Prichard, of Highlands e Ranch, graduated in spring 2017 from b Fort Lewis College with a bachelor’s C b degree in marketing. Jack Reeves, of Highlands Ranch, m was named to the spring 2017 honor D roll at the University of Kansas. C Aryn Robinson, of Highlands Ranch, was named to the spring 2017 A a dean’s list at Biola University. Katherine Sherlock, of Highlands w Ranch, was named to the spring 2017 R J dean’s list at Biola University. Ethan Snow, of Highlands Ranch, i was named to the spring 2017 dean’s t a list at Washington University. Caroline Smetanka, of Highlands t Ranch, was named to the spring f 2017 honor roll at the University of Kansas. Wheaton College ROTC cadet Mi- S chael Stanley, of Highlands Ranch, a V received the American Legion Post 76 Award, given to a junior or senior t for military excellence. Recipients are e S in the top 25 percent of their class. Stanley also was named to the College e Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin d i Academic All-Conference team. ( Jordan Wilmes, of Highlands Ranch, was named to the spring 2017 a dean’s list at the University of North- i western, St. Paul. t Lauren Yacks, of Highlands h Ranch, was named to the spring w 2017 dean’s list at the University of i Findlay.
Highlands Ranch Herald 25
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Benchmark Theatre’s cast for “Smokefall,” playing at Buntport Theater: John Hauser (Footnote the narrator/Fetus Two/Samuel); Sarai Brown, a sophomore theater student at Grandview High School (Beauty); Chris Kendall (Colonel/Johnny): Suzie Scott (Violet); and Matthew Blood-Smyth (Daniel/Fetus One).
CALM AFTER THE STORM
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‘Smokefall’ is intriguing look at family through generations “Smokefall” plays through Dec. 23 at Buntport Theater, 717 Lipan St., Denver. Performances: 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays; 6 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $30/$20, benchmarktheatre.com. The Benchmark Theatre company starts its second season Feb. 16 to March 24 with “A Kid Like Jake” by Daniel Pearle, followed by “The Arsonists,” “Uncanny Valley,” the second annual “Fever Dream Festival,” featuring new works of science fiction, fantasy and horror, submitted by playwrights across the country, and finally, “What You Will” by Jeffrey Neuman.
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beloved Lenore ... (“We loved each other on six continents ...”) While the Colonel is losing his edge, he also comes up with the play’s focal idea: “The greatest act of courage is to love.” The surprising Act 2 features a pair of fetuses discussing philosophy and the fear of one about entering the scary world out there ... Really clever scripting here. Years pass ... In Act 3, the house is occupied by the aging surviving twin, Johnny, who casually picks a ripe apple from the tree planted when he was born and now growing through the walls. His son Samuel appears with a birthday present and frustration about the state of the house and the old man. And a somewhat magical third person appears ... An online search offers several interviews with young playwright Noah Haidle, a Michigan native who graduated from Princeton and the Juilliard School’s prestigious playwriting program. He says this play developed out of a larger project with a play for every two hours in a day. “I think of creating an imaginative real estate that I own and that I understand the rules of. It’s not anywhere. But it is a space ... exists in time as people come to it.” We learn that the play’s title comes from a poem by T.S. Eliot that includes: “The moment in the draughty church at smokefall ... Be remembered: involved with past and future. Only through time time is conquered.” Plan to stay for a talk back with these talented actors after the play ends.
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A lived-in, rather weary-looking home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with kitchen, living/dining room and stairs leading to second-floor bedrooms, fills the stage as an audience is seated — just waiting for actors to fill it with life and ideas. The regional premiere of Noah Haidle’s “Smokefall” at Denver’s Buntport Theater offers a journey with several generations of a Midwestern family, carried with humor, love, sadness and bit of magic realism. The still new Benchmark Theatre Company completes a promising first year with this imaginative production which runs through Dec. 23 at Buntport. (In January, Benchmark will move to 40 West in Lakewood to present its second season. The space has been the home of The Edge Theater Company. Edge principals will take a break from the pressure of programming year-round.) Haley Johnson, an award-winning Denver-area actress who lives in Centennial and is a graduate (1997) of Arapahoe High School, is producing artistic director of the new company, which she and the play’s director, Rachel Rogers, formed a year ago. Johnson assisted Christopher Waller in designing the props for this production, which in the third act, has an apple tree growing inside the house ... As lights go up on Act 1, Violet is in the kitchen, fixing breakfast for the family. John Hauser (Footnote, Fetus 2 and Samuel) tells us a bit about the family as we meet them: a very pregnant Violet (Suzie Scott), who grew up in this house and now lives here with her edgy husband, Daniel (Matthew BloodSmyth, who also plays Fetus 1); Violet’s elderly father, the Colonel (Chris Kendall, who also plays a mature Johnny in Act 3) and teenage daughter Beauty (Sarai Brown), who refuses to talk — and eats dirt, tree bark (and napkins, if at a restaurant!). The Colonel and Daniel greet the twins, who are soon to be born, Beauty heads out to school, Daniel leaves for work and the Colonel talks about walking to the cemetery to chat with his
IF YOU GO
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BY SONYA ELLINGBOE SELLINGBOE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
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Andy Marquez photo book finally reaches store shelves Frustrating saga resolved two years after initial publication target BY SONYA ELLINGBOE SELLINGBOE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The latest collection of beautiful Colorado photographs by Littleton artist Andy Marquez, “The Magic and Wonder of Colorado,” has had a long and difficult journey from conception, through the photographer’s practiced eyes and trusty camera, to printing, to the booksellers’ shelves. But it has arrived intact and is available from Outnumbered Gallery in Littleton, all Tattered Cover stores, the School of Mines bookstore in Golden, Boulder Bookstore and the Buffalo Bill Museum on Lookout Mountain. And also at assorted to-be-announced appearances by the author, Marquez, who recalls sometimes returning to a site, such as Garden of the Gods, five times at moonrise, in order to have the light “just right.” From 1992 to 2015, Marquez, with his wife Teresa, ran his own gallery featuring his prints and books, and traveled the world, often twice a year, to find the best shots, the best light and color — and at times, remarkable close-up encounters with wildlife. Once a journalism major, Marquez
Local photographer Andy Marquez’s latest book offers a collection of images from Colorado. COURTESY OF ANDYMARQUEZ. also enjoys writing and composed four-line pieces for each page, plus a note about location. The first sunrise in the new book was shot in 2012 at Chatfield State Park, near Marquez’s Roxborough home. After 30 years-and two near-death experiences, Marquez connected with a large Boulder publisher for produc-
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tion of his latest collection of Colorado images. That publisher had acquired several local smaller companies and was known for its quality work on natureoriented books. Marquez originally contacted the publisher about reprinting an earlier (2006) title and got a “we’ll get back
to you” response, he said. They really weren’t interested in a reprint. Next, he assembled negatives, a name and some copy for the new book and had a contract for a 60-70 page book covering 2006-2015. Images were both new and from unpublished archives. Writing occupied the summer of 2015 and that year’s Thanksgiving was a prospective publication date after the manuscript and negatives were submitted. Then it was postponed to the following May or June. (They were trying to get money together, he was told.) By June, communication became difficult, then impossible. The publisher filed for bankruptcy in the fall, leaving a number of authors in trouble. Nine months later, Marquez received a call from an attorney for the new owner, local publisher Derek Lawrence, of Bower Books, who offered to return his material. Lawrence and another acquaintance also helped him find an overseas publisher and a friend/customer helped finance the printing in return for a share of sales. The newly printed volumes arrived around Labor Day and as a selfpublished author, Marquez began the marketing/distribution part of the big project. The handsome book is priced at $39.95 and will be a welcome gift for outdoor lovers.
Stage shows share magic of the holiday season Festive theater for all BY SONYA ELLINGBOE SELLINGBOE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
“Seussical” at Town Hall Arts Center, 2450 W. Main St., Littleton, is delightful and some dates may be sold out. Check for tickets at 303-794 2787, ext. 5 or at the box office or at townhallartscenter.org. Reservations recommended. • “Making Merry” is Stories on Stage’s annual celebration and it’s at the King Center (Metropolitan State University campus), 855 Lawrence Way, Denver at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 and 1:30 p.m. Dec. 17. Beloved actor Jamie Horton will read from “Wind in the Willows”; GerRee Hinshaw will read “Crimble Wocky,” inspired by Lewis Carroll; and Anthony Adu will read “The Goldfish,” about a young immigrant in London. Tickets: $15-$28, storiesonstage.org, 303-494-0523. • “Home for the Holidays” is an audience favorite musical show at Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree, Dec. 7-17. Also: A Kantorei Christmas on Dec. 19, Cherish the Ladies on Dec. 20, Michael Martin Murphey’s “A Cowboy Christmas” on Dec. 22. Lonetreeartscenter.org,
720-509-1000. • “A Christmas Carol” is at Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Ave. in Golden, through Dec. 23. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Dec. 20; 1 p.m. Sundays; and 6 p.m. Dec. 10 and 17. Adaptation by Josh Hartwell. Tickets: $15-$38. Minersalley.com or 303-935-3044. • “A Christmas Carol” is at the Stage Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, through Dec. 24. The DCPA is at 14th and Champa streets in downtown Denver. Tickets: $47-$97. The elaborate, traditional production is here. Denvercenter.org, 303-893-4100. • “Santaland Diaries,” by Joe Mantello, based on David Sedaris’ short story, runs through Dec. 24, starring Michael Bouchard. Jones Theatre at the Denver Center complex, 14th and Champa streets, downtown Denver. Staged by Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company. Note: mature language — 16 and over. Tickets: denvercenter. org, 303-893-4100. • “Elf the Musical” is at the Buell Theatre, also at the Denver Center at 14th and Champa streets in downtown Denver, through Dec. 17. Suitable for all ages. Tickets start at $25, 303-893-4100, denvercenter.org.
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Show your
Merry Christmas
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28 Highlands Ranch Herald LTAC17005_CCM_12.11.17.pdf
December 14, 2017D
1 12/11/2017 9:50:52 AM
Pointers for postal package preparation 2017
Use sturdy box and strong tape; write address clearly to ensure safe arrival STAFF REPORT
Home for the Holidays 2017
A Kantorei Christmas Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 7:30pm
Now through this Sunday, December 17
Viva Las Vegas: Elvis Night Thursday, Dec. 28 at 7pm
The Good Humor Men Friday, Dec. 29 at 8pm
Tickets make great holiday gifts! Gift certificates are available online, over the phone, or in person at our Box Office.
720.509.1000
LoneTreeArtsCenter.org 10075 Commons St, Lone Tree, CO 80124
Back by popular demand! Holidays are about traditions, so continue your tradition with hometown favorite Home for the Holidays. There’s something for everyone in this family-friendly holiday spectacular: dancers, singers, drummers, holiday songs, and of course, a celebrity appearance from you know who!
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The U.S. Postal Service has been busy making sure every sleigh is ready to go this holiday season. Postal workers are ready to deliver gifts, and the postal service has some tips on how to box a package to help ensure the holidays come off without a snag. First, select a sturdy box that is strong enough to protect the contents. If you are reusing a box, remove or obliterate all previous labels and markings with a heavy black marker. The post office provides free Priority Mail boxes in a variety of sizes. Make sure heavy items are packed so no contents are shifting. Place cushioning all around your item until you cannot hear it move inside when you shake it. Use newspaper to stuff glass and fragile, hollow items such as vases to avoid damage. When mailing framed photographs, take the glass out of the frame and wrap it separately. Remove batteries from toys. Wrap
and place them next to the toys in the mailing box. Keep new batteries in the original packaging. In addition to packaging the items correctly, labeling is important when shipping a package. Make sure to use the proper address. Don’t guess. For correct spelling of city names and state abbreviations, or to find a zip code, go to www.usps.com. Make sure addresses are clearly printed and that all address elements, such as apartment numbers and directional information (ex: 123 S. Main St. Apt. 2B), are included. Include both “to” and “from” information on packages. Place a card inside the package that contains delivery and return address. This ensures the package can be delivered or returned should the label become damaged or fall off. Mark packages “Fragile” if the contents are breakable, and mark packages with food items as “Perishable.” Finally, don’t use twine. Use high quality 2-inch packaging tape. You can pay for and print your postage at home using Click N Ship at usps.com, or you can stop by the post office. The postal service has created a video on package preparation. To watch it, go to www.youtube.com/ watch?v=b4xGpzn2s5k.
Christmas Clearance Sale
December 18-22 ~ 9 AM to 4 PM PRAIRIE
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Highlands Ranch Herald 29
December 14, 2017
Beethoven birthday bash to enliven Englewood
C
ellist Silver Ainomae returns to Hampden Hall in the Englewood Civic Center, 1000 Englewood Parkway, at 2 p.m. Dec. 18 to celebrate Beethoven’s birthday with violinist Claude Sim SONYA’S and pianist SAMPLER Joshua Sawicki. They will perform Beethoven’s “Sonata in D Major for Cello and Piano” and “Piano Trio in D Major, Op. 70 No. 1 `Ghost.’” Tickets at the Sonya Ellingboe box office, at englewoodarts. org and at 303-806-8196. Whiffenpoofs Yale’s celebrated singers, the Whiffenpoofs, who began singing in harmony more than 100 years ago, will bring the most recent members to the Newman Center at the University of Denver at 2 and 7 p.m. on Jan. 6. Tickets from $17/$15 students, Newman Center Box Office, newmantix.com, 303-871-7720.
at 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $25-$30. Vintagetheatre.com, 303856-7830.
Opera guild Opera lovers might plan to start the new year with an Opera on Tuesday luncheon and performance, presented by the Denver Lyric Opera Guild. On Jan 9, the event will be at Denver Country Club, 1700 E. 1st Ave., Denver. Program at 11 a.m. is followed by noon lunch. Singers from the University of Denver/Lamont School of Music will perform. New members are welcome. $40; reservation deadline Jan. 2, 2018. Online through PayPal: denverlyricoperaguild.org.
Augustana “And on Earth, Peace,” the Augustana Lutheran Church Festival Christmas Concert, will be at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 at 5000 E. Alameda Ave., Denver. Tickets: AugustanaArts.org or 303-3884962.
Nutcracker The Denver Ballet Theatre (David Taylor) will present a classical ballet version of “The Nutcracker” at 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 22 and 23 at Gates Concert Hall, the Newman Center at the University of Denver, 2344 E. Iliff Ave., Denver. Tickets: $36$18, newmantix.com/dbt. ‘Red’ Vintage Theatre will present the fine play, “Red,” by John Logan, through Jan. 7 at 1468 Dayton St., Aurora. Directed by Craig A. Bond. Performances
Miniatures Abend Gallery. 1412 Wazee St., Denver, holds its annual holiday miniatures show with works by more than 50 artists, through Dec. 31. Miniature original paintings are an ideal holiday gift for many folks on the list. Open Tuesdays-Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m. Holiday lights Two south area spots to enjoy holiday lights and treats. (Both have admission charge): Hudson Gardens at 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, through Dec. 31, and Santa’s Village at Chatfield Farms, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, through Dec. 24.
Cellist Silver Ainomae will return from his home in Minnesota to perform “Happy Birthday Beethoven!” Dec. 18 at Hampden Hall, 1000 Englewood Parkway, on the second level of the Englewood Civic Center. COURTESY PHOTO
To advertise your place of worship in this section, call Karen at 303-566-4091 or email Serving the southeast Denver kearhart@ColoradoCommunityMedia.com area Greenwood Village Castle Rock/Franktown
Castle Rock/Franktown
First United Methodist Church 1200 South Street Castle Rock, CO 80104 303.688.3047 www.fumccr.org
Services: Sunday Worship 4825 N. Crowfoot Valley Road Castle Rock, CO. 80108 303-663-5751 www.CanyonsCC.org
Sunday Services: 9:30am – Traditional
9:00am & 10:45am
9:00am - Sunday School
11:00am – Modern Traditional
Little Blessings Parents Day Out www.littleblessingspdo.com
(Nursery & Sunday School offered during 11am service)
Trinity Lutheran Church & School
Sunday Worship 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Sunday School Bible Study 9:30am Trinity Lutheran School & ELC (Ages 3-5, Grades K-8)
303-841-4660 www.tlcas.org
Parker
Centennial St. Thomas More
Sunday Services - 10 a.m.
Catholic Parish & School
Seven Sunday Masses Two Daily Masses Confessions Six Days a Week STM Catholic School Preschool – Grade 8
8035 South Quebec Street Centennial, CO 80112 303.770.1155
www.stthomasmore.org
Congregation Beth Shalom
Cimarron Middle School 12130 Canterberry Parkway Parker, CO 80138 www.CSLParker.org
Serving the Southeast Denver area
Call or check our website for information on services and social events! www.cbsdenver.org
303-794-6643
Highlands Ranch Pine Lane Elementary South 6475 E Ponderosa Dr. Parker, CO 80138 303-941-0668
30 Highlands Ranch Herald
THINGS to DO
THEATER
Seussical, The Musical: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 30 at Town Hall Arts Center, 2450 W. Main St., Littleton. Show at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10. No show on Dec. 24. Go to townhallartscenter. org/seussical.
ART/CRAFTS
Coffee and Coloring: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14 at the Parker Library, 20105 E. Mainstreet. Coloring-related gift exchange and potluck. For adults. Register at 303-791-7323 or DCL.org. Bring Your Own Craft: 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20 at the Castle Pines Library, 360 Village Square Lane. Start or finish a crafting project and connect with other crafters. For adults. Registration is required; contact 303-791-7323 or DCL.org. Kids Zone: 4-5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21 at the James H. LaRue Library, 9292 Ridgeline Blvd., Highlands Ranch. Drop in for building fun with Legos, Magna-Tiles and more. For grades 2-6. No registration required; contact 303-7917323 or DCL.org.
MUSIC
Sunday Serenade: Celtic Guitar: 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 at the James H. LaRue Library, 9292 Ridgeline Blvd., Highlands Ranch. All ages. No registration required; contact 303-791-7323 or DCL.org. Advent Recitals: 12:10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20 (St. Andrew Sisters) at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 9203 S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch. Contact Mark Zwilling, mzwilling@gostandrew.com or 303-794-2683. Madrigal Dinner: 7 p.m. Dec. 22-23 at 401 W. Mineral Ave., Littleton. A fundraise for the homeless, featuring a four-course prime rib dinner, the Opera Colorado singers and Douglas County High School students as castle servants. A benefit for the Inversion Community Food Bank. Go to www. denvermadrigal.com. Merry Mariachi Music: The Talisman Duo: 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 23 at Sheridan Library, 3425 W. Oxford Ave., Denver. Live performance of upbeat holiday hits. Go to arapahoelibraries.org.
FILM
Make Better Videos: 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at Southglenn Library, 6972 S. Vine St., Centennial. Learn the basics of manual camera controls, general lighting setup and capturing audio. Save your spot at arapahoelibraries.org.
December 14, 2017D
10055 Library Way. Get help with your computer or mobile device, including downloading and streaming. For adults. No registration required; contact 303-7917323 or DCL.org.
this week’s TOP FIVE Nutcracker of Parker: 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14 to Sunday, Dec. 17, and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 16-17 at the PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker. Colorado School of Dance performs. Go to http://parkerarts.org/2019/Shows-Events Reunited at Christmas: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 9203 S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch. The Reunited Vocal Ensemble’s Christmas concert features guest harpist Hillary Schefter and a dessert reception. Advance tickets available online. Or you can purchase tickets at the door. Contact Mark Zwilling at 303-794-2683 or mzwilling@gostandrew.com. Nutcracker in Concert: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at Englewood High School, Fisher Auditorium, 3800 S. Logan St., Englewood. Conductor talk at 6:45 p.m. Call 303-781-1892 or go to www. arapahoe-phil.org for tickets and information. Galactic Knight Training Camp: 2-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at Koelbel Library, 5955 S. Holly St., Centennial. Are you one with the force? Prepare
Lifetree Café: 5-6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18 (Mental Illness: Breaking the Silence, Overcoming the Shame) at DAZBOG, 202 Wilcox St., Castle Rock. Call 303-8140142. Go to LifetreeCafe.com. World Cinema Movie Night: 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20 at Smoky Hill Library, 5430 S. Biscay Circle, Centennial. Film is “Fellini’s Casanova” (1976, Rated R, 155 minutes). Sign up at arapahoelibraries.org. Movie Day: 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21 at the Englewood Public Library, 1000 Englewood Parkway. Watch “Frosty the Snowman.” Bring stuffies, pillows and blankets. Call 303-762-2560.
READING/WRITING
Writers Group: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20 in the Altenbach Room at the Englewood Library, 1000 Englewood Parkway. Writing discussion and practice with prompts and exercises. All experience levels welcome. For adults. Malley Book Club: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 21 at the Malley Senior Center, 3380 S. Lincoln St., Englewood, in the library. Book is “Books for Living” by Will Schwalbe.
Conversations Over Coffee: 10:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Dec. 19 in the Altenbach Room at the Englewood Library, 1000 Englewood Parkway. Those experiencing homelessness, or interested in discussing social issues affecting our community invited for a warm beverage and a donut. Open to everyone regardless of housing situation. to protect our galaxy from the dark side in honor of the newest “Star Wars” saga. Save your spot at arapahoelibraries.org. A Hudson Christmas: 5-8 p.m. select evenings through Dec. 31 at Hudson Gardens and Event Center, 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton. Outdoor holiday walking tour. Share Christmas wishes with Santa; take a photo on Santa’s sleigh. Tickets available at www.altitudetickets.com, or in person on event nights. Go to www.hudsongardens.org.
EVENTS
Teen Maker Night: Star Wars: 5-6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 at Castlewood Library, 6739 S. Uinta St., Centennial. Teens: Join us to hang out, relax and get creative in the Makerspace. Save your spot at arapahoelibraries.org. Pancake Poetry: 1-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at Sheridan Library, 3425 W. Oxford Ave., Denver. Practice writing and performing poetry, as well as learning about the newest and greatest novels in verse. Save your spot at arapahoelibraries.org. Open Play: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 and Dec. 30 at Englewood Public Library, 1000 Englewood Parkway. Call 303762-2560. Colonial Holiday Celebration: 3:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21 at Sheridan Library, 3425 W. Oxford Ave., Denver. Children ages 5-12 are invited to experience how colonial families celebrated the holidays through stories, treats and more. Sign up at arapahoelibraries.org. Gamers Guild: Reindeer Games: 4-5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22 at Southglenn Library, 6972 S. Vine St., Centennial. For teens. Sign up at arapahoelibraries.org. Lego Maniacs: 1-5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, Tuesday, Dec. 26, Thursday, Dec. 28; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23 at the Englewood Public Library, 1000 Englewood Parkway. For school-aged children. Call 303-762-2560.
Santa’s New Village, 3-D Magic: open through Dec. 24 in the Dillard’s Court at Park Meadows. Walk inside an oversized Christmas tree featuring 3-D lights that transform into gingerbread men, candy canes, snowmen and more, then share wishes with St. Nick. Pick up glasses at Santa’s Village, the gift wrap station or select vendors in Park Meadows. Go to https://www.parkmeadows. com for hours and other details. Santa’s Village: Fridays to Sundays through Dec 24 at Chatfield Farms, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton. Replaces Trail of Lights. Admission includes a hayride, short holiday movies at Santa’s Cinema, live reindeer, crafts with Mrs. Claus, pictures with Santa and craft vendors in Santa’s workshop. Food and beverages may be purchased. Go to https://www. botanicgardens.org/chatfieldfarms
EDUCATION
Practice Your English: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at the James H. LaRue Library, 9292 Ridgeline Blvd., Highlands Ranch. Intermediate to advanced English learners. For ages 17-plus. Register at 303791-7323 or DCL.org. Digital Drop-In: Tech Assistance: 2-4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18 at the Lone Tree Library,
Computer Basics, Internet I: 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20 in the tech lab at the Englewood Library, 1000 Englewood Parkway. Basic information about email, Internet searches, Facebook, website resources, password management or another topic. Registration required. Buddhism: 10-11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 22 at Malley Senior Center, 3380 S. Lincoln St., Englewood. Buddhism is the fourth largest religion in the world with some 500 million adherents. Learn about its origins, teachings, beliefs and practices. Call 303-762-2660 to RSVP. 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.
Highlands Ranch Herald 31
December 14, 2017
Marketplace ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Misc. Notices **TRYING TO LOCATE** Donelle Angela Schenkeir Concerning 2 properties Please contact: Mike Kajpust 720-722-3965 Littleton Indendent First publication: November 30, 2017 Last publication: December 28, 2017
Misc. Notices
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32 Highlands Ranch Herald
LOCAL
December 14, 2017D
SPORTS A SWEET VICTORY
Yet another milestone for one of state’s great coaches
Highlands Ranch girls basketball coach Caryn Jarocki shows off the cake that she and her players enjoyed after Jarocki notched her 600th career victory with a 62-27 victory over Arapahoe on Dec. 7. Jarocki has compiled a 600-163 record in 33 years of coaching at Highlands Ranch and Colorado Academy. Her record after the Arapahoe win was 449-90 in 22 seasons at Highlands Ranch. JIM BENTON
F
BY THE NUMBERS
18
58
39
60
Shooting percentage Unanswered points Shooting percentage from Rebounds by the from the floor on Dec.6 by Highlands Ranch the field for Chaparral in its Douglas County boys by the Valor Christian to begin a 62-27 girls 76-63 boys basketball con- basketball team comboys basketball team basketball victory over quest of Rocky Mountain on pared to 24 by Coronado in a 75-58 victory over Arapahoe on Dec. 1. Dec. 6. in a 72-52 victory. Cherry Creek.
33.2
Points per game scored in six games by the Douglas County girls basketball team while allowing 55.1 ppg.
Standout Performers Autumn Watts, Highlands Ranch The junior poured in 26 points in the 62-27 girls basketball win over Arapahoe on Dec. 7.
Colton Carson, Valor Christian The sophomore right wing scored four goals and added an assist in the 9-2 hockey romp over Castle View on Dec. 8.
Chase Hettinger, Castle View In the 56-54 boys basketball triumph over Lakewood on Dec. 7, the junior had 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Amy Holland, Mountain Vista In four games, the 5-foot-10 sophomore forward is averaging 13.8 points and 10.8 rebounds a game.
Connor Hawk, Ponderosa With 16 points and eight rebounds, the junior helped the Mustangs’ boys basketball team down Skyview, 43-42, on Dec. 5.
Quincy Burland, Douglas County The junior paced the boys basketball team with 12 points in a 65-48 win over Hinkley on Dec. 9.
STANDOUT PERFORMERS are six athletes named from south metro area high schools. Preference is given to those making their debut on the list. To nominate an athlete, contact Jim Benton at jbenton@coloradocommunitymedia.com
our years ago, I was at Legend High School when Highlands Ranch girls basketball coach Caryn Jarocki won her milestone 500th career game. I was at Arapahoe on Dec. 7 when Jarocki’s Falcons defeated the Warriors, 62-27, to notch her 600th win in 33 seasons of Colorado high school coaching. OVERTIME She has the most wins for a girls coach in Colorado with a 600-163 record, including a 449-90 mark and seven state championships in 22 seasons at Highlands Ranch. She coached for 11 seasons at Colorado Academy. Jim Benton There were 600 signs and a big cake as former players, current players and fans celebrated after the win over Arapahoe. Milestone victories are special, but 600th appeared to mean a little more for Jarocki who said she was looking toward win 601 and even victory number 700. “I was more nervous for this one, I don’t know why,” Jarocki said. “I guess because Jerry (Arapahoe coach Knafelc) always puts a good team out there on the floor.” The post-game celebrations seemed to effect Jarocki more than a unforced turnover by one of her players. “I’m really proud of my school for helping me celebrate and all my coaches I’ve had over the years and all the great players I’ve had have that really made this a fun celebration,” said Jarocki, who then offered her success secret. “It took hard work and paying attention to detail and great kids that are willing to listen to me,” she said. “I always loved playing the game and I always wanted to coach it. I love giving the kids my love for the game.” Tradition prevails in grid alignments Hopefully we can say goodbye to waterfall alignments and welcome back tradition. The Colorado High School Activities Association football committee must have been humming the melody to “Tradition” from “Fiddler on the Roof ” when it announced its proposed lineups for 2018-19 football seasons. The former Centennial League almost looks the same and many Jefferson County schools will play conference games against each other. SEE BENTON, P39
Highlands Ranch Herald 33
December 14, 2017
‘True leader’ showed volleyball spirit
CHSAA reveals proposed football league alignments
Keeley Davis, bound for Creighton, honored as player of year
Legislative Council will meet in January to make final decision
BY JIM BENTON JBENTON@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Rock Canyon senior Keeley Davis was a state leader as well as a team leader during the volleyball season. Davis led Class 5A players with 577 kills and was selected as the 2017 Colorado Community Media South Metro Volleyball Player of the Year. “We had one senior on the team and probably one of the best players in the state,” said Rock Canyon coach Angela Nylund-Hanson. “Keeley has matured more and more. She was that senior on the team. “She is the greatest player and not only is she skilled, she’s a wonderful person, great teammate and a humble player. She is a true leader. She stepped up in every way she could.” Davis, who has signed to play next season at Creighton University, took on her leadership duties with the same intensity as with her attacking skills. “Everyone came to me for everything,” said Davis. “I’ve done that before in club season. It was
STAFF REPORT
Rock Canyon senior Keeley Davis is the Colorado Community Media South Metro Volleyball Player of the Year. TOM MUNDS All-America match on Dec. 15 in Kansas City. Besides 577 kills and a 42.1 kill percentage, Davis had 355 digs. 58 aces, 46 blocks and 35 assists during her senior season. In her four-year career Davis finished with 1,592 kills. “The kills grew grown ever since I became taller and got more athletic,” said Davis. “It was definitely about going out and practicing a lot.”
definitely a good role to be in to help younger girls achieve their goals. “It was a great year. We didn’t know we would go to the state championships because we were a young team. We just came together, played as a team and I was really proud of the team for giving it their all and wanting to win.” Davis was named a first team Under Armour All-American and has been invited to play in the
Continental releases all-league volleyball selections STAFF REPORT
Scott Dowis of Class 5A state champion Castle View was named Continental League Coach of the Year when all-league volleyball selections were released on Dec. 5. Castle View, Heritage and Regis Jesuit shared Sportsmanship team honors. First team selections were: Castle View: Lauren Lowry, senior, setter; Kate Menz, senior, outside hitter; Ashley Echols, senior, middle hitter; Holly Schmidt,
senior, at-large; Kara Brock, senior, defensive specialist; Leanne Lowry, sophomore, libero. Chaparral: Kira Thompson, junior, outside hitter; Noelle Knutsen, senior, middle hitter; Julianna Dalton, sophomore, right side hitter; Kyla Gerson, junior, libero. Douglas County: Paityn Hardison, senior, outside hitter; Jessika Linnemeyer, senior, defensive specialist. Highlands Ranch: Kelsie Milkowski, senior, outside hitter; Cassie Davis, sophomore, middle
hitter; Jill Borgerding, junior, right side hitter. Legend: Danielle Mullen, senior, outside hitter. Mountain Vista: Amanda Keller, senior, middle hitter; Sam Novak, senior, libero. Ponderosa: Abigail Hildenbrand, senior, setter; Solei Daniels, senior, at-large. Rock Canyon: Keeley Davis, senior, outside hitter; Laryssa Myers, junior, at-large. ThunderRidge: Sarah Cavanaugh, senior, setter.
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The Colorado High School Activities Association’s football committee revealed its 2018 and 2019 proposal for football league alignments. These proposed leagues would have to be approved by the Legislative Council at its 2018 January meeting. The alignments were created after feedback from coaches, administrators, conference presidents and football committee members. There are six Class 5A leagues including one 10-school alignment, seven 4A leagues, seven 3A leagues and seven 2A leagues. Conferences still have to be named. The following are the proposed league alignments for schools in the Colorado Community Media circulation areas. Class 5A North: Fairview, Horizon, Legacy, Fossil Ridge, Poudre, Rocky Mountain. Metro West: Arvada West, Columbine, Lakewood, Pomona, Ralston Valley, Mullen. South: Regis Jesuit, Chaparral, Douglas County, Legend, Fountain-Fort Carson, Doherty. Metro South: Valor Christian, Highlands Ranch, Mountain Vista, ThunderRidge, Rock Canyon, Castle View. Metro East: Cherokee Trail, Cherry Creek, Eaglecrest, Grandview, Overland, Arapahoe. League 10: Denver East, Smoky Hill, Rangeview, Adams City, Far Northeast, Westminster, Boulder, Mountain Range, Prairie View, Northglenn. Class 4A Metro 1: Dakota Ridge, Wheat Ridge, Golden, Chatfield, Bear Creek, Grand Junction. Metro 2: Ponderosa, Denver South, Aurora Central, Heritage, Gateway, Montrose. Metro 3: Centaurus, Vista Peak, Hinkley, Thornton, Standley Lake, Fruita Monument.
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34 Highlands Ranch Herald
December 14, 2017D
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Highlands Ranch Herald 35
7December 14, 2017
Services Handyman
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36 Highlands Ranch Herald
December 14, 2017D
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Highlands Ranch Herald 37
December 14, 2017
Arapahoe junior Cameron Gail, right, is the Colorado Community Media South Metro Boys Soccer Player of the Year. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC SCOTT WILMOTH PHOTOGRAPHY
Cameron Gail went above and beyond BY JIM BENTON JBENTON@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
There are several descriptions that could depict the soccer season recently completed by Arapahoe junior Cameron Gail. Gail led all Class 5A goal scorers with 25 and tied for third with 53 points. He was selected as the 2017 Colorado Community Media South Metro Boys Soccer Player of the Year, and Warriors coach Mark Hampshire had the best portrayal for Gail’s individual contributions. “He has a banner year and also a breakout year,” said Hampshire. “It was a bit of a surprise. Last year he was a sophomore and ended up playing a position he wasn’t necessarily used to. He played some at midfield and didn’t get a ton of time. “He really picked it up at the end of the year and in the playoffs. This year
he just played phenomenally. He had a nose for the goal, found ways to help teammates and the kid played incredibly.” Gail scored six goals and had two assists during his sophomore season. “One of my goals was to be one of the leading goal scorers on my team,” said Gail. “I was definitely happy with how many goals I scored. I think what I did preseason was a lot more beneficial for me. I was practicing with better teams and got more practice over the summer. “I worked a lot on one vs. ones with another defender. I like taking people on and I like shooting. I have a friend that I would go one-on-one against. And I have a good friend who is a keeper as well for Arapahoe and I would take a few shots and that helped me get better because he is a very good keeper.” Arapahoe beat Vista Ridge 6-1 early in the season and Gail scored all six goals for the Warriors. “Against Vista Ridge, that was my best game and that helped me realize that this would be a good season,” said Gail.
Answers
Solution © 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.
Warriors junior named South Metro Soccer Player of Year
THANKS for
PLAYING!
Notices
complaint in and of itself will not stop the foreclosure process.
38 Highlands Ranch Herald
First Publication: 11/23/2017 Last Publication: 12/21/2017 Publisher: Douglas County News Press
Public Notices Dated: 10/2/2017 CHRISTINE DUFFY DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee
The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:
Public Trustees
Public Trustees
PUBLIC NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
Highlands Ranch NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2017-0217
Littleton NOTICE OF SALE Public Trustee Sale No. 2017-0218
To Whom It May Concern: On 9/20/2017 3:31:00 PM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.
To Whom It May Concern: On 9/29/2017 5:15:00 PM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.
Original Grantor: BRIAN J. BRADFORD Original Beneficiary: MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., AS NOMINEE FOR RBC MORTGAGE COMPANY, AN ILLINOIS CORPORATION Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 3/24/2005 Recording Date of DOT: 4/8/2005 Reception No. of DOT: 2005030751 DOT Recorded in Douglas County. Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $238,000.00 Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $196,854.32
Original Grantor: JULIE L NICHOL Original Beneficiary: MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., ACTING SOLELY AS NOMINEE FOR COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOA NS, INC. Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE TO CITIBANK N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR BEAR STEARNS ALT-A TRUST, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-4 Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 4/10/2006 Recording Date of DOT: 4/21/2006 Reception No. of DOT: 2006033491 DOT Recorded in Douglas County. Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $223,250.00 Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $222,588.44
Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust and/or other violations of the terms thereof.
THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.
The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust.
Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 130, HIGHLANDS RANCH FILING NO. 122-A, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO. Which has the address of: 9878 Aftonwood Street, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 NOTICE OF SALE
The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.
THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 10, 2018, at the Public Trustee’s office, 402 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.
If you believe that your lender or servicer has failed to provide a single point of contact (38-38-103.1 CRS) or they are still pursuing foreclosure even though you have submitted a completed loss mitigation application or you have been offered and have accepted a loss mitigation option (38-38-103.2 CRS), you may file a complaint with the Colorado Attorney General (720-508-6006) or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (855411-2372) or both. However, the filing of a complaint in and of itself will not stop the foreclosure process.
Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust and other violations of the terms thereof. THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN. The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust. Legal Description of Real Property: ALL THAT CERTAIN PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO, BEING KNOWN AND DESIGNATED AS LOT 223, HIGHLANDS RANCH FILING NO. 120-A, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO. Which has the address of: 9696 Rockhampton Way, Littleton, CO 80130-7107 NOTICE OF SALE The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust described herein, has filed written election and demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust. THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 17, 2018, at the Public Trustee’s office, 402 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)’ heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys’ fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. If the sale date is continued to a later date, the deadline to file a notice of intent to cure by those parties entitled to cure may also be extended.
Dated: 9/22/2017 CHRISTINE DUFFY DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee
If you believe that your lender or servicer has failed to provide a single point of contact (38-38-103.1 CRS) or they are still pursuing foreclosure even though you have submitted a completed loss mitigation application or you have been offered and have accepted a loss mitigation option (38-38-103.2 CRS), you may file a complaint with the Colorado Attorney General (720-508-6006) or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (855411-2372) or both. However, the filing of a complaint in and of itself will not stop the foreclosure process.
The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:
First Publication: 11/23/2017 Last Publication: 12/21/2017 Publisher: Douglas County News Press
SCOTT TOEBBEN Colorado Registration #: 19011 216 16TH STREET SUITE 1210, DENVER, COLORADO 80202 Phone #: (720) 259-6710 Fax #: Attorney File #: 15CO00875-4
Dated: 10/2/2017 CHRISTINE DUFFY DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee
First Publication: 11/16/2017 Last Publication: 12/14/2017 Publisher: Douglas County News Press
*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE DATES on the Public Trustee website : http://www.douglas.co.us/publictrustee/ Legal Notice No.: 2017-0217 First Publication: 11/16/2017 Last Publication: 12/14/2017 Publisher: Douglas County News Press
The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is: MONICA KADRMAS Colorado Registration #: 34904 1199 BANNOCK STREET, DENVER, COLORADO 80204 Phone #: (303) 350-3711 Fax #: Attorney File #: 00000006714570 *YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE DATES on the Public Trustee website: http://www.douglas.co.us/publictrustee/
MONICA KADRMAS Colorado Registration #: 34904 1199 BANNOCK STREET, DENVER, COLORADO 80204 Phone #: (303) 350-3711 Fax #: Attorney File #: 00000006714570
Public Trustees
*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE DATES on the Public Trustee website : http://www.douglas.co.us/publictrustee/ Legal Notice No.: 2017-0218 First Publication: 11/23/2017 Last Publication: 12/21/2017 Publisher: Douglas County News Press
Misc. Private Legals Public Notice NOTICE OF PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE AT TAX LIEN SALE AND OF APPLICATION FOR ISSUANCE OF TREASURER’S DEED To Every Person in Actual Possession or Occupancy of the hereinafter Described Land, Lot or Premises, and to the Person in Whose Name the Same was Taxed or Specially Assessed, and to all Persons having an Interest or Title of Record in or to the said Premises and To Whom It May Concern, and more especially to: Occupant - Alfred C Allis Etal - Douglas Heights Ltd nka Douglas Heights LLP - Douglas Heights LLP - Land Services Inc - Douglas Heights Ltd a Colorado General Partnership nka Douglas Heights LLP - Summer M Vanderbilt Summer M Vanderbilt aka Summer Morgan Vanderbilt Groubert aka Summer M Groubert INA Group LLC - FRHL LLC and UMB Bank CO NA - Charles V Gundelach - County of Douglas, Trustee - H. Sol Cersonsky and Jack D. Feuer Trustees - Paul Ramadan Managing General Partner Douglas Heights Ltd - Paul Ramadan Managing General Parter Douglas Heights Ltd a Colorado General Partnership - Fuller and Company - Gregory W Morris Registered Agent Fuller and Company - Qwest Communications Company LLC a Delaware limited liability company nka Century Link Communications LLC Spr i nt C om m uni c ati ons C om pany LP a Delaware limited partnership - Level 3 Communications LLC a Delaware limited liability company - WilTel Communications LLC a Delaware limited liability company - Qwest Communications Company LLC fka Qwest Communications Corporation nka Centurylink Communications LLC - Level 3 Communications Inc - Level 3 Telecom Holdings Inc - WilTel Communications Inc - Williams Communications LLC fka Williams Communications Inc fka Vyvx Inc nka WilTel Communications LLC - Centurylink Communications LLC - Centurylink Communications LLC C/O The Corportation Company, Registered Agent - Williams Communications LLC fka Williams Communications Inc fka Vyvx Inc nka WilTel Communications LLC - Williams Communications LLC fka Williams Communications Inc fka Vyvx Inc nka WilTel Communications LLC C/O The Corporation Company, Registered Agent - Level 3 Telecom Holdings LLC C/O The Corporation Company, Registered Agent - Level 3 Communications Inc C/O The Corporation Company, Registered Agent - Qwest Communications Company LLC nka CenturyLink Communications LLC - Qwest Communications Company LLC nka Centurylink Communications LLC C/O The Corporation Company, Registered Agent - WilTel Communications LLC - WilTel Communications LLC C/O The Corporation Company, Registered Agent Level 3 Communications LLC C/O The Corporation Company, Registered Agent - Sprint Communications Company LP C/O The Prentice-Hall Corporation System Inc, Registered Agent Alan Gene Auslander as Vice President Larkspur Meadows Inc a Nevada Corporation Lance Kerness President, Secretary and Treasurer Larkspur Meadows Inc - Douglas A Barnes as Agent for Douglas Heights Ltd a Colorado General Partnership C/O Land Services Inc Sydney S Macy as Colorado Director for The Conservation Fund a Maryland non-profit Corporation - Jodi R O'Day, Resident Agent The Conservation Fund a Nonprofit Corporation The Conservation Fund a Nonprofit Corporation - Christine Quinlan Registered Agent The Conservation Fund a Nonprofit Corporation - David E Archer and Associates Inc - Beth Miller Title Officer Land Title Guarantee Company Douglas Heights LTD a Colorado General Partnership - Steven M H Cersonsky, Personal Representative for the Estate of H Sol Cersonsky a/k/a Harold Solomon Cersonsky You and each of you are hereby notified that on the 3rd day of November 2004 the then County Treasurer of the County of Douglas, in the State of Colorado, sold at public tax lien sale to Summer M Vanderbilt the following described real estate situate in the County of Douglas, State of Colorado, to wit: TRACT IN NE1/4NE1/4 10-10-67 1.42 AM/L EAST OF ATCHISON TOPEKA & SANTE FE RR and said County Treasurer issued a certificate of purchase therefore to Summer M Vanderbilt. That said tax lien sale was made to satisfy the delinquent* taxes assessed against said real estate for the year 2003. That said real estate was taxed or specially assessed in the name(s) of Alfred C Allis Etal for said year 2003 That on the 10th day of February 2017 said Summer M Vanderbilt assigned said certificate
nership - Steven M H Cersonsky, Personal Representative for the Estate of H Sol Cersonsky a/k/a Harold Solomon Cersonsky
You and each of you are hereby notified that on the 3rd day of November 2004 the then County Treasurer of the County of Douglas, in the State of Colorado, sold at public tax lien sale to Summer M Vanderbilt the following described real estate situate in the County of Douglas, State of Colorado, to wit:
TRACT IN NE1/4NE1/4 10-10-67 1.42 AM/L EAST OF ATCHISON TOPEKA & SANTE FE RR
#048-17 HEAVY EQUIPMENT RENTAL
December 14, 2017D
The Department of Facilities, Fleet & Emergency Support Services of Douglas County, Colorado, hereinafter referred to as the County, respectfully requests bids from responsible qualified firms for the provision of the rental of heavy equipment (i.e., AWD Motor Grader and Wheel Loader), as specified. Douglas County will make one (1) payment, in advance, for all costs to cover the entire initial rental term. The IFB documents may be reviewed and/or printed from the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing
To advertise yourSystem publicwebsite notices 303-566-4100 at call www.rockymountainbidsys-
and said County Treasurer issued a certificate of purchase therefore to Summer M Vanderbilt. That said tax lien sale was made to satisfy the delinquent* taxes assessed against said real estate for the year 2003. That said real estate was taxed or specially assessed in the name(s) of Alfred C Allis Etal for said year 2003
Misc. Private Legals
That on the 10th day of February 2017 said Summer M Vanderbilt assigned said certificate of purchase to Summer M Groubert. That said Summer M Groubert on the 10th day of February 2017 the present holder of said certificate, has made request upon the Treasurer of said County for a deed to said real estate; That a Treasurer’s Deed will be issued for said real estate to the said at 1:00 o’clock P.M., on the 29th day of March 2018 unless the same has been redeemed. Said property may be redeemed from said sale at any time prior to the actual execution of said Treasurer’s Deed. Witness my hand this 14th day of December 2017 /s/ Diane A. Holbert County Treasurer of Douglas County Legal Notice No.: 932186 First Publication: December 14, 2017 Last Publication: December 28, 2017 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press
City and County Public Notice INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) #044-17 PUBLICATION OF LEGAL NOTICES The Purchasing Division of Douglas County Government, hereinafter referred to as the County, respectfully requests bids from newspapers, qualified under Colorado Revised Statute (C.R.S.) 24-70-103, for the provision of the publishing of the County’s privately and publicly funded legal notices, on an as-needed basis, for the period of one (1) year, beginning approximately January 1, 2018 to and including December 31, 2018. Douglas County reserves the right to enter into a contract with multiple newspapers for separate components of the County’s publishing needs but not others (less than all). The IFB documents may be reviewed and/or printed from the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System website at www.rockymountainbidsystem.com. IFB documents are not available for purchase from Douglas County Government and can only be accessed from the above-mentioned website. While the IFB documents are available electronically, Douglas County cannot accept electronic bid responses. One (1) original hard-copy of your IFB response shall be submitted in a sealed envelope plainly marked “IFB No. 044-17, Publication of Legal Notices”. Electronic and/or faxed bid responses will not be accepted. Bids will be received until 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, December 21, 2017 by the Douglas County Finance Department, Purchasing Division, 100 Third Street, Suite 130, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104. Bids will not be considered which are received after the time stated, and any bids so received will be returned unopened. Douglas County Government reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive formalities, informalities, or irregularities contained in a said bid and furthermore, to award a contract for items herein, either in whole or in part, if it is deemed to be in the best interest of the County to do so. Additionally, we reserve the right to negotiate optional items/services with the successful bidder. Please direct any questions concerning this IFB to Carolyn Riggs, Purchasing Supervisor, 303660-7434, criggs@douglas.co.us, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Legal Notice No.: 932195 First Publication: December 14, 2017 Last Publication: December 14, 2017 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) #048-17 HEAVY EQUIPMENT RENTAL The Department of Facilities, Fleet & Emergency Support Services of Douglas County, Colorado, hereinafter referred to as the County, respectfully requests bids from responsible qualified firms for the provision of the rental of heavy equipment (i.e., AWD Motor Grader and Wheel Loader), as specified. Douglas County will make one (1) payment, in advance, for all costs to cover the entire initial rental term. The IFB documents may be reviewed and/or printed from the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System website at www.rockymountainbidsystem.com. IFB documents are not available for purchase from Douglas County Government and can only be accessed from the above-mentioned website. While the IFB documents are available electronically, Douglas County cannot accept electronic bid responses. Three (3) hard-copies of your IFB response shall be submitted in a sealed envelope plainly marked “IFB No. 048-17, Heavy Equipment
tem.com. IFB documents are not available for purchase from Douglas County Government and can only be accessed from the above-mentioned website. While the IFB documents are available electronically, Douglas County cannot accept electronic bid responses.
City and County
Three (3) hard-copies of your IFB response shall be submitted in a sealed envelope plainly marked “IFB No. 048-17, Heavy Equipment Rental”. Electronic and/or faxed bid responses will not be accepted. Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, December 21, 2017 by the Douglas County Finance Department, Purchasing Division, 100 Third Street, Suite 130, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104. Bids will not be considered which are received after the time stated, and any bids so received will be returned unopened.
Douglas County Government reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive formalities, informalities, or irregularities contained in a said bid and furthermore, to award a contract for items herein, either in whole or in part, if it is deemed to be in the best interest of the County to do so. Additionally, we reserve the right to negotiate optional items/services with the successful bidder.
Please direct any questions concerning this IFB to Carolyn Riggs, Purchasing Supervisor, 303660-7434, criggs@douglas.co.us, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Legal Notice No.: 932196 First Publication: December 14, 2017 Last Publication: December 14, 2017 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice
AVISO PÚBLICO CON RESPETO A LA BECA DEL BLOQUE DE DESARROLLO COMUNITARIO (CDBG POR SUS SIGLOS EN INGLÉS) REPORTE CONSOLIDADO DE LA EVALUACIÓN ANUAL t DE RENDIMIENTO 2016 (CAPER POR SUS SIGLOS EN INGLÉS) S
El Condado de Douglas ha preparado elt CAPER, lo cual evalúa el progreso general hacia abordar las prioridades y objetivosn específicos identificados en el Plan Consolid-h ado del Condado de Douglas 2014-2018 y el Plan de Acción Anual 2015. Este reporte resume los cumplimientos del proyecto CDBG yf provee un resumen financiero de los programas del CDBG en 2015. El Condado solicita ela reviso público de este documento comenzando el 14 de Diciembre de 2017 y terminando el 29p de Diciembre de 2017. El CAPER se entrega alg Departamento de Alojamiento y Desarrollo Urbano de los EE.UU según las regulaciones dela programa. El reporte está accesible en la páginar web del Condado de Douglas. Copias físicas están ubicadas en el Condado de Douglas, 100 Third St., Castle Rock, y en cualquier de los escritorios de consulta en las bibliotecas delb Condado de Douglas. Aquellas personas quei desean compartir comentario deben de comunicarse con Tina Dill a 303-814-4380, tdill@douglas.co.us, o a la dirección referida arriba. Acomodaciones razonables podrían serd provistas a los individuales discapacitados o a las personas que no hablan inglés, para asegurar el reviso significativo de este document. Arreglos para acomodaciones tienen que ser hechos por adelantado, lo cual puede incluir número de retransmisión/TDD/TTY, y el uso de intérpretes como sea necesario. Legal Notice No.: 932246 First Publication: December 14, 2017 Last Publication: December 14, 2017 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice PUBLIC NOTICE CONCERNING DOUGLAS COUNTY’S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) 2016 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION REPORT (CAPER)
Douglas County has prepared a CAPER, which evaluates overall progress in addressing priorities and specific objectives identified in the 20142018 Douglas County Consolidated Plan and 2015 Annual Action Plan. This report summarizes CDBG project accomplishments and provides a financial summary of the 2015 CDBG programs. The County invites public review of this document beginning December 14, 2017 and ending December 29, 2017. The CAPER is submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in accordance with program regulations. The report is accessible on Douglas County’s website. Hard copies are located at Douglas County, 100 Third St., Castle Rock, and any of the Douglas County Library Reference Desks. Those who wish to share comments should contact Tina Dill at 303-8144380, tdill@douglas.co.us, or the address referenced above. Reasonable accommodations can be provided to individuals with disabilities or those who do not speak English to ensure meaningful review of this document. Arrangements for accommodations are to be made in advance, and may include TDD/TTY/Relay number, and use of interpreters as needed. Legal Notice No.: 932247 First Publication: December 14, 2017 Last Publication: December 14, 2017 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press
Highlands Ranch * 1
Highlands Ranch Herald 39
December 14, 2017
HOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE Send volunteer opportunities to hharden@ coloradocommunitymedia.com Meals on Wheels: Delivers meals to residents in south metro Denver, including Littleton, western Centennial, Englewood, and parts of Jefferson County. Need: Regular and substitute drivers, kitchen and office volunteers. Drivers must be 18 or older and a background check is required. Contact: Complete application online at http://tlcmealsonwheels.org/apply/. Neighbor Network: Nonprofit that helps older adults stay independent. Serves all of Douglas County. Need: transportation, light housekeeping, handyman and companion services. Requirements: Must be at least 21; have a valid driver’s license and auto insurance. Contact: 303-814-4300, neighbornetwork@ douglas.co.us or dcneighbornetwork.org. Nonprofit Wildlife Group: Works to protect native wildlife in Greenwood Village. Requirements: Must work two hours a week. Contact: info@wildearthguardians.org
Red Cross: Supports the elderly, international causes and social services. Need: Volunteers to provide support for various Red Cross activities and events. Contact: 303-607-4768 or 303-266-7855
Outreach Uganda: Empowers impoverished people in Uganda, especially women and children, to overcome poverty through income generation, education, training and other holistic endeavors. Need: office support with fair trade craft show preparation, mailings and miscellaneous office work. Office at 9457 S. University Blvd., Suite 410, Highlands Ranch. Contact: Jennifer Dent, 303-683-8450 or office@outreachuganda.org.
Parker Senior Center: Provides services to local seniors. Need: Volunteer drivers to take seniors to the center for a hot meal, to appointments, to the grocery store, and more. Contact: Louise West at 303-841-5370.
Paladin Rescue Alliance: Christian nongovernment organization dedicated to rescuing human trafficking victims and building alliances to combat trafficking locally, nationally and internationally. Need: help organize supplies; donations of supplies. All donations are tax-deductible. Needed items include cleansers, skin cream, ointment, disinfectants, dressings, bandages, rolls, sponges, pads, dressing tape, gloves, alcohol pads, asprin, Tylenol. Age Requirement: All ages can participate. Contact: www.paladinrescue.org; Paladin Rescue Alliance, P.O. Box 79, Littleton, CO 80160; 888-327-3063.
Project CURE: Delivers medical supplies and equipment to developing countries around the world. Need: Groups of 7-15 people to help sort medical supplies; those with medical/ clinical backgrounds to become Sort Team Leaders; truck drivers to help pick up donations (no CDL required). Age Requirements: Ages 15 and older (if a large group of ages 15 and younger is interested, we can try to accommodate). Location: 10377 E. Geddes Ave., Centennial Public Notice Contact: Kelyn Anker, 303-792-0729 or INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) 720-341-3152; kelynanker@projectcure.org; #046-17 www.projectcure.org. FENCE REPAIR & REPLACEMENT
PeopleFirst Hospice: Denver hospice. Need: Volunteers to provide companionship to hospice patients and their families. Contact: Rachel Wang at 303-546-7921
Seniors’ Resource Center: Nonprofit onestop shop of community-based services and care designed to keep seniors independent and at home for as long as possible. Need: Drivers to help transport seniors to doctor’s appointments, the grocery store, the hair salon and more. You choose the areas, days and times that work for you. Seniors live in Adams, Arapahoe, Denver and Jefferson counties. Mileage reimbursement and excess auto insurance provided. Drivers may use their own car or one provided by the center. Requirements: Must be able to pass a background check (paid for by the center) and have a good driving record. Contact: Pat Pierson, 303-332-3840 or ppierson@srcaging.org. Go to www.srcaging.org SEE VOLUNTEERS, P40
The Division of Parks, Trails & Building Grounds of Douglas County, Colorado, hereinafter referred to as the County, respectfully requests Jefferson County District bids School from responsible qualified firms forthere the pro- in football as well. Mullen could fence repairwas and replacement, haveasthen come to our league. Athletic Directorvision JimofThyfault needed, at buildings, parks, and trailheads Douglas County. “As it is, the Douglas County schools pleased with the throughout proposed leagues.
BENTON
programs in mind with its proposed alignments. The proposal heading to the Legislative Council includes have two of the private schools in “It was been several since expanding the 5A state playoffs from FROM PAGE 32 The IFB years documents may be reviewednow and/or the Rockyin Mountain their leagues, which seems wrong, but our schools haveprinted beenfrom together a E-Purchasing 16 to 24 teams and a change to start System website at www.rockymountainbidsysI understand the rationale of trying league,” he said. tem.com. “Hopefully this reFive Highlands Ranch schools are in practice a week earlier, which could IFB documents are not available for Public Notice Public Notice Public Notice purchase from Douglas County Government and to create competitive balance in the vives the excitement in our communiallow for a bye week in the schedules. the same loop along with Castle View. can only be accessed from the above-menPUBLIC NOTICE CONCERNING DOUGLAS INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) FOR BID the IFB documents are The problem is COUNTY’S COMMUNITY NO.the 047-17 south. `competitive ties like we have tioned seenwebsite. in theWhile past.” In Class 5A(IFB) there will be five leagues Several north areaDEVELOPMENT teams won’t have INVITATION #045-17 available electronically, Douglas County cannot BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) of the COURTS REMODEL PROJECT balance’ CLERK will shift now thatCOUNTY the waterStill, everything seems acceptable with sixSERVICES teams and one conference to schedule non-league games against ARBORIST accept electronic bid responses. 2016 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL at the DOUGLAS PERFORMANCE EVALUATION REPORTleagues JUSTICE CENTER fall is gone, but we’ll have to deal with but not perfect. with 10 schools, which includes schools nearby rivals since a couple The Division of Parks, Trails & Building Grounds Two (2) hard-copies of your IFB response shall (CAPER) in the cycle. group ofSupport 10 “I absolutely hate we areinnot in the like Northglenn and reWestminster that have north area teams. of Douglas County, Colorado, hereinafter be submitted a sealed envelopethat plainly Thenext Facilities, FleetThe and Emergency ferred to as the County, respectfully requests “IFB No. 046-17, Fence Repair & ReDouglas County has prepared a CAPER, which Services Department in conjunction with the sense on some levels, but same conferencemarked as Castle View,”and/or said faxedthing have struggled All this makes Theprioritwaterfall bids from responsible qualified firms recently for the pro- in football. placement”. Electronic bid re- makes evaluates overall progresssense. in addressing Sheriff’s Office of Douglas County Government, vision of Arborist Services to include, but not sponses will not be accepted. Bids will reies and specific objectivesgood identified in the 2014- was hereinafter referred to as the County, respectitbe creates some brutal schedules for Douglas County coach Gene Hill. “This will provide the 10 teams with format sounded but logic limited to, spraying, fertilization, pruning, tree re2018 Douglas County Consolidated Plan and ceived until 3:00 p.m., on Thursday, December fully requests bids from responsible and qualieveryone else thinkand everyone is to Mountain Vista28,coach Cash County also Finance opportunity have competitive absent. enrollment is still a moval, stumpan grinding, and winter treeto watering 2015 AnnualOpen Action Plan. This report summar2017 byRic the Douglas Defied firmsand for allImaterials services related at buildings, equity parks, and trailheads throughout izes CDBG that projecthelps accomplishments and partment, Purchasing Division, 100 Third Street, the Clerk ofabout the Courts Remodel Project. a little worried depth right now, weighed in. ,” said Westminster School Disproblem the rich teams Douglas County. provides a financial summary of the 2015 CDSuite 130, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104. Bids BG County public review will not be considered which are received after The IFB are documents reviewed and/or thinking they goingmay to be get beat up “I don’t like playing Valor since trict athletic director Gabe Trujillo. getprograms. richerThe but theinvites CHSAA can’t do The IFB documents may be reviewed and/or of this document beginning December 14, 2017 the time stated, and any bids so received will be printed from the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing before the playoffs. I suppose we’ll see.” they are in our back yard,” he said. “Participation will improve, hopefully anything about29,the state legislative printed from the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing and ending December 2017. The CAPER is returned unopened. System website at www.rockymountainbidsysSystem website at www.rockymountainbidsyssubmitted to the U.S. Department of Housing tem.com.isIFB documents are not available for Jim Benton a sports writer for “Traditionally, CHSAA put the private there will be a decrease in injuries, regulation. tem.com. IFB documents are not available for and Urban Development in accordance with proDouglas County Government reserves the right purchase from Douglas County Government and Colorado Community Media. Heabove-menhas schools in a league outside their proximity is critical to reduce Public Notice These proposed leagues still to fromand purchase Douglas County Government and gram regulations. The report is accessible on have to reject any and of all bids, to waive formalities, incan only be accessed from the can only be accessed from the above-menDouglas County’s website. Hard copies are locformalities, or irregularities contained in a said tioned website. While the IFB documents are immediate recruiting but toI guess class andare early leaves. If be approved by the beenforcovering sports in the Denver area tioned website. Whiledisruption the IFB documents ated at Douglas County, 100 Legislative Third St., Castle Council bid and area, furthermore, award a contract INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) available electronically, Douglas County cannot County cannot Rock, and any of herein, eitherare in whole if it is1968. #046-17 accept responses.at jbenthat has changed.items Since they in or in part, we did Douglas not address the inequitable in January . the Douglas County Library available electronically, since Heelectronic can bebid reached accept electronic bid responses. Reference Desks. Those who wish to share deemed to be in the best interest of the County FENCE REPAIR & REPLACEMENT the Jeffco leaguetoin else, I the right competitive conference we could very ton@coloradocommunitymedia.com or@ The council kept geography , school comments should contact Tina Dill at 303-814do everything so. Additionally, we reserve to neON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017 Two (2) hard-copies of yourfootball IFB response shall gotiate optional items/services with the success4380, tdill@douglas.co.us, or the struggling address referThe Division of Parks, Trails & Building Grounds 2:00PM THERE WILL BE A MANDATORY don’t understand why they didn’t go well lose as a program.” at 303-566-4083. district rivalries and be submitted in a sealed envelope plainly ful bidder. enced above. Reasonable accommodations can of Douglas County, Colorado, hereinafter reSITE VISIT RELATED TO THIS PROJECT.
be provided to individuals with disabilities or those who do not speak English to ensure meaningful review of this document. Arrangements for accommodations are to be made in advance, and may include TDD/TTY/Relay number, and use of interpreters as needed.
City and County
Legal Notice No.: 932247 First Publication: December 14, 2017 Last Publication: December 14, 2017 Publisher: Douglas County News-Press Public Notice INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) #045-17 ARBORIST SERVICES
The Division of Parks, Trails & Building Grounds of Douglas County, Colorado, hereinafter referred to as the County, respectfully requests bids from responsible qualified firms for the provision of Arborist Services to include, but not limited to, spraying, fertilization, pruning, tree removal, stump grinding, and winter tree watering at buildings, parks, and trailheads throughout Douglas County.
The IFB documents may be reviewed and/or printed from the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System website at www.rockymountainbidsystem.com. IFB documents are not available for purchase from Douglas County Government and can only be accessed from the above-mentioned website. While the IFB documents are available electronically, Douglas County cannot accept electronic bid responses.
Two (2) hard-copies of your IFB response shall be submitted in a sealed envelope plainly marked “IFB No. 045-17, Arborist Services”. Electronic and/or faxed bid responses will not be accepted. Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, December 28, 2017 by the Douglas County Finance Department, Purchasing Division, 100 Third Street, Suite 130, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104. Bids will not be considered which are received after the time stated, and any bids so received will be returned unopened.
Douglas County Government reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive formalities, informalities, or irregularities contained in a said
marked “IFB No. 045-17, Arborist Services”. Electronic and/or faxed bid responses will not be accepted. Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, December 28, 2017 by the Douglas County Finance Department, Purchasing Division, 100 Third Street, Suite 130, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104. Bids will not be considered which are received after the time stated, and any bids so received will be returned unopened.
City and County
Douglas County Government reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive formalities, informalities, or irregularities contained in a said bid and furthermore, to award a contract for items herein, either in whole or in part, if it is deemed to be in the best interest of the County to do so. Additionally, we reserve the right to negotiate optional items/services with the successful bidder. Please direct any questions concerning this IFB to Carolyn Riggs, Purchasing Supervisor, 303660-7434, criggs@douglas.co.us, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Legal Notice No: 932235 First Publication : December 14, 2017 Last Publication: December 14, 2017 Publisher: Douglas County News Press Public Notice INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) #046-17 FENCE REPAIR & REPLACEMENT The Division of Parks, Trails & Building Grounds of Douglas County, Colorado, hereinafter referred to as the County, respectfully requests bids from responsible qualified firms for the provision of fence repair and replacement, as needed, at buildings, parks, and trailheads throughout Douglas County. The IFB documents may be reviewed and/or printed from the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System website at www.rockymountainbidsystem.com. IFB documents are not available for purchase from Douglas County Government and can only be accessed from the above-mentioned website. While the IFB documents are available electronically, Douglas County cannot
ferred to as the County, respectfully requests bids from responsible qualified firms for the provision of fence repair and replacement, as needed, at buildings, parks, and trailheads throughout Douglas County.
City and County
The IFB documents may be reviewed and/or printed from the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System website at www.rockymountainbidsystem.com. IFB documents are not available for purchase from Douglas County Government and can only be accessed from the above-mentioned website. While the IFB documents are available electronically, Douglas County cannot accept electronic bid responses. Two (2) hard-copies of your IFB response shall be submitted in a sealed envelope plainly marked “IFB No. 046-17, Fence Repair & Replacement”. Electronic and/or faxed bid responses will not be accepted. Bids will be received until 3:00 p.m., on Thursday, December 28, 2017 by the Douglas County Finance Department, Purchasing Division, 100 Third Street, Suite 130, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104. Bids will not be considered which are received after the time stated, and any bids so received will be returned unopened. Douglas County Government reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive formalities, informalities, or irregularities contained in a said bid and furthermore, to award a contract for items herein, either in whole or in part, if it is deemed to be in the best interest of the County to do so. Additionally, we reserve the right to negotiate optional items/services with the successful bidder. Please direct any questions concerning this IFB to Carolyn Riggs, Purchasing Supervisor, 303660-7434, criggs@douglas.co.us, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Legal Notice No: 932236 First Publication : December 14, 2017 Last Publication: December 14, 2017 Publisher: Douglas County News Press
Please direct any questions concerning this IFB to Carolyn Riggs, Purchasing Supervisor, 303660-7434, criggs@douglas.co.us, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
City and County
Legal Notice No: 932236 First Publication : December 14, 2017 Last Publication: December 14, 2017 Publisher: Douglas County News Press Public Notice
THE MANDATORY SITE VISIT WILL ALLOW ALL INTERESTED PARTIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO VIEW THE LOCATION AND DISCUSS THE PROJECT DETAILS. THE MANDATORY SITE VISIT WILL BEGIN IN THE MAIN LOBBY OF THE ROBERT A. CHRISTENSEN JUSTICE CENTER, 4000 JUSTICE WAY, CASTLE ROCK, COLORADO 80109. ONLY THOSE PROSPECTIVE BIDDERS ATTENDING THE MANDATORY SITE VISIT WILL BE ALLOWED TO SUBMIT A BID ON THIS PROJECT.
City and County
The Facilities, Fleet and Emergency Support Services Department in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Office of Douglas County Government, hereinafter referred to as the County, respectfully requests bids from responsible and qualified firms for all materials and services related to the Clerk of the Courts Remodel Project.
Three (3) copies of the bid response shall be submitted in a sealed envelope plainly marked “IFB No. 047-17, Clerk of the Courts Remodel Project” and mailed or hand-carried to the address shown below prior to the due date and time. Electronic and/or faxed bid responses will not be accepted. Bids will be received until 2:00 pm, on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 by the Douglas County Finance Department, Purchasing Division, 100 Third Street, Suite 130, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104. Bids will not be considered which are received after the time stated, and any bids so received will be returned unopened.
The IFB documents may be reviewed and/or printed from the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System website at www.rockymountainbidsystem.com. IFB documents are not available for purchase from Douglas County Government and can only be accessed from the above-mentioned website. While the IFB documents are available electronically, Douglas County cannot accept electronic bid responses.
Douglas County Government reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive formalities, informalities, or irregularities contained in a said bid and furthermore, to award a contract for items herein, either in whole or in part, if it is deemed to be in the best interest of the County to do so. Additionally, we reserve the right to negotiate optional items/services with the successful bidder.
ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017 @ 2:00PM THERE WILL BE A MANDATORY SITE VISIT RELATED TO THIS PROJECT. THE MANDATORY SITE VISIT WILL ALLOW ALL INTERESTED PARTIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO VIEW THE LOCATION AND DISCUSS THE PROJECT DETAILS. THE MANDATORY SITE VISIT WILL BEGIN IN THE MAIN LOBBY OF THE ROBERT A. CHRISTENSEN JUSTICE CENTER, 4000 JUSTICE WAY, CASTLE ROCK, COLORADO 80109. ONLY THOSE PROSPECTIVE BIDDERS ATTENDING THE MANDATORY SITE VISIT WILL BE ALLOWED TO SUBMIT A BID ON THIS PROJECT.
Please direct any questions concerning this IFB to Carolyn Riggs, Purchasing Supervisor, 303660-7434, criggs@douglas.co.us, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) NO. 047-17 CLERK of the COURTS REMODEL PROJECT at the DOUGLAS COUNTY JUSTICE CENTER
Legal Notice No: 932237 First Publication : December 14, 2017 Last Publication: December 14, 2017 Publisher: Douglas County News Press
Highlands Ranch * 2
40 Highlands Ranch Herald
December 14, 2017D
VOLUNTEERS
every second and fourth Tuesdays; they also meet from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every first and third Saturday Contact: Jami Martin at 303-693-2105
SMARTS! South Metro Arts Center Need: Help with public relations, marketing to public officials, fundraising, and special projects Contact: 303-790-8264 or gdnguy@comcast.net
The Right Step Inc.: Therapeutic horseback riding program for children and adults with disabilities. Based in Littleton. Need: Volunteers to help with horses before, during and after lessons, as well as to walk alongside clients as they ride to help keep them securely on their horses. Volunteers also needed to help with administrative tasks and fundraising. Requirements: Volunteers who help with lessons must be at least 14 years old and attend a three-hour training session. Contact: volunteercoordinator@therightstepinc.org or go to www.therightstepinc.org.
FROM PAGE 39
Spellbinder Storytellers, Douglas County Chapter: Connects the generations through storytelling. Need: Adults to tell stories to children in schools Age Requirement: Must be 50 and older Contact: Denise Rucks, 303-921-8462 or drrucks@me.com. For other chapters, go to http://spellbinders.org/ South Metro Medical Equipment Loan Closet: Loans durable medical supplies to those 18 and older in the South Metro area. Need: Volunteers to help answer phones 2-3 times a month for a day. Calls are taken on your cell phone and you make the appointment at the convenience of you and the client to accept donations or hand out equipment Monday through Friday. Requirement: Must be 18 or older; periodic training provided as needed. Contact: Donna Ralston, 720-443-2013. South Platte Park Need: Help with programs ranging from hikes, overnights, gold panning, sunset canoeing or HawkQuest events Contact: 303-730-1022 Sunset Hospice: Provides end-of-life support. Need: Volunteer training is from 6-10 p.m.
Volunteer Connect: Brings organizaations in need of volunteers in touch with individuals looking for ways to help. Need: help with nonprofit organizations in Douglas County Contact: info@volunteerconnectdc.org or www.volunteerconnectdc.org. Volunteers of America, Foster Grandparent Program: Foster grandparents volunteer in early childhood centers and public schools focusing on literacy and numeracy for at-risk children and youth. Need: Seniors on a low, fixed income who enjoy working with children. Volunteers work 15-40 hours a week. Contact: 303-297-0408 or www.voacolorado.org. YANAM2M (You Are Not Alone - Mom 2 Mom): Provides a safe, free place to connect with other moms of Highlands Ranch and be paired with another mom as a support person.
Need: Mom volunteers to be support people for other moms. Requirement: Must be a mom who can be real and lend support to another mom. Contact: Nikki Brooker at nikki@yanam2m. org or go to www.yanam2m.org. Zuma’s Rescue Ranch: Provides care for rescue animals, including horses and farm animals, and rehabilitates them into forever homes. Need: Volunteers from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. Feeding and cleaning. Zuma’s also provides animal assisted therapy for at risk youth and their families; many of our once homeless animals have become amazing therapy partners helping kids and families. Contact: www.zumasrescueranch.com 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office Domestic Violence Program: Provides information and support to crime victims. Need: Victim advocates interact with and support victims of domestic violence. They also provide resource referrals and explain processes to victims. Requirements: 20 hours of training required; volunteers must commit to one morning a week at the justice center in Castle Rock. Contact: Mel Secrease, 720-733-4552 or msecrease@da.18.state.co.us. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide: Offers free tax filing help to anyone, especially those 50 and older, who cannot afford a tax preparation service. Need: Volunteers to help older, lower-income taxpayers prepare their tax returns. Requirement: All levels of experience are welcome; training and support provided. Contact: 1-888-OUR-AARP (687-2277) or www.aarpfoundation.org/taxaide
Alzheimer’s Association, Colorado Chapter: Provides care and support to 67,000-plus families dealing with all kinds of dementing illnesses. Need: Walk to End Alzheimer’s committee members. Requirements: Individuals who love to help plan and execute Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Contact: Deb Wells, 303-813-1669 or dwells@alz.org. Angel Heart Project: Delivers meals to men, women and children with life-threatening illnesses. Need: Volunteers to deliver meals to clients in the south Denver area. Requirements: Attend an orientation and submit to a background check. Training provided to all new drivers. Deliveries start at 1 p.m. and last until 3 p.m. Contact: 303-830-0202 or volunteer@ projectangelheart.org. Animal Rescue of the Rockies: Provides foster care for death-row shelter dogs and cats throughout Colorado. Need: Foster families for animals on lists to be euthanized Contact: www.animalrescueoftherockies.org. Arthritis Foundation, Colorado/Wyoming Chapter: Helps conquer everyday battles through life-changing information and resources, access to care, advancements in sciences and community connections. Need: Walk to Cure Arthritis committee members and general office volunteer support. Requirements: Individuals who love to help plan and execute Walk to Cure Arthritis. We combat arthritis every day, so support from volunteers is crucial. Contact: Amy Boulas, aboulas@arthritis.org, 720-409-3143.
you’re invited Join us for the new Kidtopia Signature Event series this winter at Keystone Resort! With three signature multi-day events created just for the family, you won’t want to miss out on the family fun. EXPLORE EVENT DETAILS AT KIDTOPIA.COM