Lakewood Sentinel 1214

DECEMBER 14, 2017

A publication of

PEN PALS: Writers learn to stretch their literary legs P14

JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO

BEDS FOR VETS: Lakewood facility helping vets stay off the streets P20

TAKING OFF: A strong 2017 shows 40 West and West Colfax are indeed on the rise P4

SOLO STUDENTS:

Jeffco students without a steady home situation still working to graduate P6-7

INSIDE

VOICES: PAGE 10 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 25 | SPORTS: PAGE 27

LakewoodSentinel.com

VOLUME 94 | ISSUE 18

2 Lakewood Sentinel

December 14, 2017D

MY NAME IS

NICOLE HENSLEY

Lakewood resident and member of the US National Hockey team About Me I grew up in Lakewood. I attended Rooney Ranch Elementary, Dustan Middle School and went on to attend Green Mountain High School. I went to college at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri.

In elementary school, I played soccer, basketball, and T-ball. When I was in third grade, I started playing hockey. I played for the Foothills Flyers, and was the only girl on the team. I played soccer all the way up through my sophomore year of high school. I played at Green Mountain for two years and played club soccer at Riverside. I played one year of high school girls lacrosse during my senior year because Maddi Ossello asked me to play. I played for the Foothills Flyers up until my junior year of high school. I started playing for the Colorado Select that year.

I lived in Lakewood from four years old until I left for college when I was 18 years old. My parents still live there and when I get breaks during the summer, Thanksgiving and Christmas, I come back to Lakewood. I plan on coming home to Lakewood for the spring following the Olympics.

My hobbies include collecting hat pins (started doing this because players traded pins at hockey tournaments when I was younger), journaling (about hockey and life), reading (this recently started and I wish I had begun reading for fun sooner), reading my Bible (definitely consider that more than a hobby though).

Getting into hockey I started playing hockey when I was nine, so I’ve been playing for 14 years.

I started playing goalie full time when I was 11, so I’ve been doing that for 12 years. I started playing for two reasons — my neighbor across the street was always playing in the cul-de-sac and one day he asked if I would join him. We played street hockey all the time and eventually, his dad asked my parents if they’d let me try for real.

Nicole Hensley grew up in Lakewood, and it was there she discovered her love of hockey. She now is the goalie on the US National Hockey team - a team that was named Olympic Team of the Year.

COURTESY OF USA HOCKEY/ALLY EAMES At that same time, the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup. I was glued to the TV for the playoffs. My family was on vacation during the Final against the Devils and I made them watch the games instead of going out to eat or enjoying the beach — I wasn’t going to miss a second of the games. My favorite player was and still is Joe Sakic.

Playing with Foothills, I met some of my best friends. Three of my teammates were very close and still keep up with each other today. It’s cool to see that although we’ve all ended up in different places, we are still great friends. That’s something that is so awesome about hockey. I think it’s unique because teams have locker rooms from the very beginning so a team bond is formed quicker and tighter than sports where you just show up to the court or field. I love how the game brings people together and the sense of team that comes with it.

One of my favorite experiences playing hockey was playing for the

Colorado Select and competing at the National Championships. In 2010 and 2011 our U19 AAA team earned thirdplace finishes. Just like at Foothills, I met a few of my best friends here as well. We talk a lot and are constantly laughing together.

One of my favorite college memories was during our playoff run my freshman year when we were playing Robert Morris University. The game went to triple overtime and we ended up losing, 2-1, but I recorded 90 saves on 92 shots. It was such an adrenaline rush and such a fun game to be a part of.

With the national team, I have two favorite memories. My first game with the national team was at the 2016 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Kamloops, British Columbia, against Russia. I was so nervous leading up to the game, but while we were on the ice for warm ups, I was stretching and I looked at the Russian team and then looked at ours and it hit me that I had made it to the highest level of hockey

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and I couldn’t help but smile. We won, 9-0. The other favorite memory was defeating Canada in overtime at the 2017 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Plymouth, Michigan. We won, 3-2, in overtime off a goal from Knight. It was an incredible feeling to backstop the team during the tournament.

Joining the US Hockey team It’s an incredible honor to be on the team. Just to get on the ice with people like Knight, Marvin, Decker and Coyne every day is a dream come true.

The process of making the team includes attending camps periodically throughout the year where you’re evaluated against the top talent in the country and if the staff likes what they see, they’ll invite you to be part of the team. The two main tournaments in a non-Olympic year are the Four Nations Cup in November and the IIHF Women’s World Championship in the spring. For this season, there was a selection camp in May where the U.S. Women’s National Team that would compete leading up to the Olympics was chosen for the residency program. We are all living and training together in Wesley Chapel, Florida.

Competing on this team is amazing but it’s also a challenge every day. We all push each other to get better every day. We are all giving our best because in the end, we know that will get us to our ultimate goal of an Olympic gold medal.

The Olympic Team of the Year It was such an honor for our team to be named the Olympic Team of the Year. It shows the hard work and dedication each woman puts in every day. At the same time, it recognizes the accomplishment this group had in the spring, reaching the historic deal with USA Hockey to grow the girls and women’s game across the country.

Right now, I’m not trying to look too far ahead. My goal is to be on the final roster that will compete in Korea and contribute to the team in any way I can. Our last two games of The Time Is Now Tour are coming up. We will play Canada in San Jose on Dec. 15 and the final game will be in Edmonton on Dec. 17. The final roster for the 2018 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team is set to be announced on Jan. 1.

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

Lakewood Sentinel 3

December 14, 2017

HEARTFELT AND HANDMADE

Fatal hit-and-run continues to be investigated STAFF REPORT

The Lakewood Police Department Traffic Unit is still investigating a fatal hit-and-run pedestrian accident that took place at about 10 p.m. on Nov. 21, near the intersection of West 13th Avenue and Otis Street.

The accident happened when an eastbound vehicle struck Jason Barela, 42, who was in the West 13th Avenue roadway. Barela was pronounced dead at the scene.

After the crash, footage from surrounding location showed the

For the 16th year, the Developmental Disabilities Resource Center’s public holiday market brought together clients, local artisans, family and friends to buy uniquely made gifts and treats for the holiday. This year’s market was held on Dec. 7, and allowed shoppers the opportunity to buy handmade gifts, and celebrate clients at the center. CLARKE READER

vehicle, which is a smaller, white two-door with tinted windows and sunroof, stopping and, after pausing, leaving the area, police said. Detectives are interviewing witnesses and reviewing video to obtain a make and model and license plate.

Anyone with information that would assist detectives in their investigation is asked to call the Lakewood Police Department at 303-987-7111 or Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867).Fatal Auto/Pedestrian Hit and Run Investigation Update ADVERTISEMENT

For Some Homeowners, You Must Sell By Dec. 31st to Avoid Possible Tax Hike If either version of the GOP tax bills is enacted, nearly 20% of Colorado homeowners who would not have been subject to capital gains tax if they’d sold their home in 2017, will have to pay capital gains if they sell after the end of this year. That’s how many of us have lived in our homes more than two but less than five years.

Currently, you need to have lived in your home for two of the five years preceding a sale to enjoy a $250,000 (if single) or $500,000 (if married) exemption on your capital gains from selling a primary residence. That changes to five of the preceding eight years under both bills. For a typical $100,000 gain in value, that computes to nearly a $20,000 tax hike. (The Senate version requires you to be under contract by Dec. 31, whereas the House version requires that you close by that date.)

Although there is still time to get your home under contract by January 31st, there’s probably not time to close on the transaction.

So, if you are planning to sell before you’ve lived in your current home for at least 5 years, it might be a good idea to put it on the market immediately. Fortunately, as I’ve demonstrated in previous columns, December is a pretty

good month for putting a home on the market. We know how to make it happen, so call us.

Also at risk: the deductibility of property taxes, state income tax, and the mortgage interest deduction.

All these tax breaks that are so important to the middle class are being cut to benefit the wealthy. The most outrageous tax break for the wealthy would be the elimination of the estate tax. This tax, which even now applies to only the top twotenths of one percent, of taxpayers would be cut in both versions, and eliminated entirely by 2024 if the House version prevails. This is a windfall in the billions of dollars to heirs of the top 0.1% (which happens to include our current President.)

Clean energy tax breaks are also being cut, including incentives for buying electric or hybrid automobiles. If you’re thinking of buying an electric or hybrid vehicle, you should consider doing so before year end, too, because the $2,500 to $7,500 tax credit (based on battery size) is one of the items killed in both versions.

It’s not too late to take delivery of a new Tesla Model S or Model X, or Chevy Volt by year’s end and get that full tax credit plus Colorado’s

Real Estate Email Scams Seem to Be Proliferating Judging from my own inbox, there has been a huge spike in email scams targeting real estate agents and their clients. For several months I have been getting emails with subjects like “Clear to Close” or “Document Delivery Notice,” with links to “View Documents.”

Many of the emails appear to have a PDF attachment, but when you click on the attachment, then you get a link to view the PDF. I worry that some of my colleagues or their clients might fall prey to this or a similar scam. .

DocuSign is a well-known software for signing real estate documents, and often the email asks me to click on a link to view a DocuSign document that is a contract or settlement statement for some transaction it doesn’t identify.

This can be tempting to an unaware agent.

I can’t tell you what exactly the scam is because I haven’t clicked on any of these links.

If any of my readers have clicked on such links, I’d like to hear from them.

Another current scam involves sending an email giving buyers “new” wiring instructions

for their down payment — to them instead of the title company closing the transaction.

Our office has a business subscription to Microsoft Office 365, and often I receive emails aimed at compromising my email account. The subject line is often “Account Login Attempt,” and the text claims that someone knows my login details and has used it to access my email account. The email will even insert my email address in the message. It goes on to say that a lock has been placed on my email account and that I need to click on a link to restore access. Of course I ignore and delete these messages. How many of my colleagues (and readers of this column) have fallen victim to such emails? I’d like to hear from them/you.

There’s a simple way to identify links you should not click on. Float your cursor over the link to display where it’s actually going. It may show you something completely different from how it looks in the message. Often it will be for a web address from a foreign country, whose 2-letter initials take the place of .com.

$5,000 credit (which does not go away in 2018). If you order your Tesla Model S or X using my link (http://ts.la/james6985) or one from another current Tesla owner you will be entitled to lifetime free supercharging, which was otherwise eliminated this spring. There are plenty of inventory models for immediate deliv-

ery at www.tesla.com. The tax credits are not available for used (or “certified pre-owned”) cars which are also on Tesla’s website There are plenty of in-stock Nissan Leafs and Chevy Volts and other battery or plug-in hybrid vehicles at local dealers which are available for 2017 delivery

2017 Home Sales Will Hit Record Despite Low Inventory One of the most persistent myths about our real estate market is that not enough people are listing their homes resulting in “low inventory.”

Then how do you explain that each year since 2012 has set a new record for the number of sold homes? In the chart shown here, 2017 is shown slightly lower than 2016, but by Dec. 31st it will show yet another record.

The number of homes not under contract is at record lows, but that’s not for lack of new listings. It’s because buyers are snapping up the new listings so quickly that at any given time there are fewer homes that aren’t under contract. For example, at press time

New Listings

Sold Listings

there are only 747 “active” listings in Jefferson County, but there are 938 listings under contract.

Price Reduced on Home Near Downtown Englewood Looking for an affordable starter home in a terrific neighborhood? Be sure to take a look at this charming two-story house at 490 W. Nassau Ave. in Englewood’s Broadway Heights neighborhood. The home sits on a quiet street located on a corner lot with sweeping seasonal views of the Front Range. On the main floor you’ll find a nice sized kitchen, living room, laundry room and full bathroom. Upstairs you’ll $300,000 find two bedrooms, a loft and a 3/4 bathroom.

Upgrades include new paint inside/outside, new wood floors, asphalt roof, double pane windows and network wiring for internet/cable/satellite. The large yard comes alive during the growing season with flower gardens, lilacs that provide privacy, shrubs, perennial flowers and raspberry bushes. This is a great Englewood location close to light rail, the Platte River trail, shopping at Riverpoint and all of the hot new spots popping up along Broadway. This is a fun home, and I think you’ll like it. I created a narrated video tour of this home, which you can view online at www.EnglewoodHome.info. Then call your agent or Chuck Brown at 303-885-7855 for a private showing. He’ll be holding an open house on Saturday, Dec. 16th, 11 am to 1 pm.

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4 Lakewood Sentinel

December 14, 2017D

Businesses, both creative and not, invest in artistic corridor A banner year on West Colfax

BY CLARKE READER CREADER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

When asked about the kind of year 40 West Arts and West Colfax had, Bill Marino, executive director of the Lakewood West Colfax Business Improvement District, and board chair of 40 West Arts, pauses, as if to stop an avalanche of answers from coming all at once.

“Sometimes I think back to when we started, and wonder if all this really happened,” he said with a grin. “But it really did happen. The community has changed forever.”

In 2017, the art district, and the corridor as a whole, had a banner year, with new businesses moving in and an increase in events and attendance. According to Marino, the West Colfax Community Association, which promotes interest and investment in the corridor, has its best year yet, with more people and businesses getting involved than ever before.

The exciting thing is many of those new members are creative businesses and galleries, which boost the profile of both the community association and business improvement district, and 40 West.

The 40 West district is a nonprofit organization focused highlighting arts and creative industries around Lakewood’s West Colfax corridor surrounding the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design. The organization is made up of artists, residents, business owners and students who are invested in the arts and bettering the community.

Reed Art, which has national clients like photographer John Fielder, moved to the former location of the Avalanche Harley-Davidson at 8000 W. Colfax Ave. The NEXT Gallery, which also serves as an artist cooperative, moved to West Colfax in late April, and Pirate: Contemporary Art moved in June. Both NEXT and Pirate had been located on Navajo Street in Denver before coming to Lakewood.

These moves are a result of increased costs in the Denver area, as well as the efforts of West Colfax organizations to make the avenue an inviting place for businesses. And these efforts aren’t just aimed at

The balloon jellyfish created by public performance group The Bad Asstronauts. The jellyfish are lit up, and were used to lead visitors on a tour of 40 West Arts in March.

CLARKE READER

WEST COLFAX’S 2017

40W ARTS DISTRICT’S 2017

New Leases CornerStone Auto Glass Head Games VR Plank and Pearl Rino Sign Works All Its Own Conundrum Escape Room McDonald Mazda West Pep Boys Projects Completed StorQuest Self Storage Metro Urgent Care Empire Nissan

Projects Under Construction Banner Self Storage Avenida Senior Living Oak Street Station Apartments Oak Street Townhomes Costs Current average rent for the West Colfax corridor is $13.72 per square-foot. This is up from $11.55 five years ago and $9.96 in 2010 Current vacancy rate is 4.5 percent.

This is down from 5.4 percent five years ago and 7.9 percent in 2010

In the corridor, average sales price was $150.52 per square-foot. This is up from $89.78 five years ago and $85.77 in 2010 Average sales price per acre was $1,711,244 an acre over the past year. Average price per acre was $2,011,322 five years ago and $964,357 in 2010.

— City of Lakewood’s economic development department

creative businesses, either.

“The presence of 40 West Arts was hard to miss, even back in 2014 when we had the Lamar Station Plaza under contract and completed the purchase,” wrote Tom Yockey, president of Broad Street Realty, in an email interview. Lamar Station Plaza is home to Casa Bonita, Arc Thrift Store, and WestFax Brewing. “Having owned and redeveloped real estate nationally, I was keenly aware of how an active arts community can have a positive impact on real estate redevelopment.”

One of the district’s closest and most long-standing partners is the City of Lakewood, which has also been looking for opportunities to bring in more businesses.

“The great thing about these organizations is how

they promote each other,” said Vanessa Zarate, economic development specialist with the city. “Partly because of that, we saw Ross open in Lamar Station, and Dutch Brothers coffee is coming as well.”

40 West’s reputation continues to grow on a state level. It became the first state-certified creative district to be granted eligibility for Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) funding. Marino said receiving the go ahead to apply for funding from the SCFD is the result of years of preparation and study, and in early 2018, the organization will make its official funding application.

“There’s still a lot to do, and a lot to be excited about in 2018,” he said. “In 2018, we hope to see more restau-

rants open, as well as more entertainment destinations, as well as infrastructure like wayfinding and signage.”

The growth and development discussion has been the hottest topic for months, but along West Colfax, more investment and smart development is considered a good thing by corridor investors.

“Intelligent growth will provide the demand for new retail and other businesses that make for a desirable and vibrant community,” Yockey said. “The presence and growth of the arts are not the only factor attracting people to the corridor, to either visit or live, but arts along with light rail, housing opportunities, and new retail stores will help drive the success of local businesses.”

New Leases in 2017 Reed Photo Edge Gallery Pirate Gallery Next Gallery Ross Dress for Less Dollar Tree Lechuga’s Restaurant Colorline LaborWorks Hi Little One Projects Completed West Line Flats 40 West Residences BPL Plasma Projects Under Construction Bucky’s Car Wash Dutch Bros Coffee West Line Village Metro Urgent Care New 15-unit apartment complex at 1315 Sheridan Blvd.

Costs Current average rent in the 40 West is $13.95 per square-foot, up from $12.18 per square-foot five years ago and $9.96 in 2010 Current vacancy rate in the 40 West is 4.2 percent. This is down from 4.5 percent five years ago and 8.5 percent in 2010 In the district, average sales price was $165 per square-foot over the past year. This is up from $118 five years ago and $38.25 in 2010 Average sales price per acre were $1,892,048 an acre over the past year. This is up from 1,708,044 five years ago and $980,257 in 2010 —City of Lakewood’s economic development department

Lakewood Sentinel 5

December 14, 2017

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6 Lakewood Sentinel

December 14, 2017D

Daliliah Wilson is a senior at McLain Community High School. She goes to school full time and works two jobs to support herself.

Despite obstacles, ‘I have a lot of

reasons to be happy’ Girl, 18, determined to graduate, takes one day a time

BY SHANNA FORTIER SFORTIER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Every day, Daliliah Wilson spends four hours simply getting to and from school.

Without a car or driver’s license, Wilson, 18, must take two buses and the light rail from her Wheat Ridge home to McLain Community High School in Lakewood, where she is finishing her senior year.

To arrive on time, she leaves her house by 6:15 a.m., two hours before class starts.

For Wilson, who is living on her own, working two jobs and attending school full-time, transportation is one of her biggest challenges. But she is determined to overcome the obstacles in her quest for a high school diploma, the first step toward one day becoming a pediatric nurse.

“It’s something that I take day by day and try to handle the best that I can,” she said. “Because I know that this is just one tough spot, and all the hard work that I’m putting in right now is going to be worth it in the end.”

Wilson is one of approximately 500 students identified as unaccompanied youths by Jefferson County Public Schools for the 2017-18 school year. They differ from the about 3,000

students in the district classified as homeless because they are not living with a legal guardian and are supporting themselves.

Some, like Wilson, have a stable place to live. But some students living on their own also are homeless, couchsurfing among friends and family or living in their cars, school officials say.

“There’s an economic piece that sometimes causes families to split up,” said Oscar Fonseca, community family connection liaison for Jeffco Schools who works with unaccompanied youth and families experiencing homelessness at all the district’s options schools, which like McLain provide a special focus or educational program.

Parents might leave for another state or country, but the child chooses to stay behind, Fonseca explained. Or kids run away because of a shambled home life. Or students sleep in their cars because a parent has died or is an alcoholic or drug addict.

But “our unaccompanied youths are really resilient,” he said. “They’re really driven. They are still looking to finish off school — and I’m amazed by the work they do.”

Overcoming obstacles For Wilson, who calls herself a nerd

ABOUT THE SERIES This is the latest in an occasional series by Colorado Community Media that focuses on why homelessness is growing in Jeffco, how homelessness is affecting communities, the faces of the homeless in our communities, and what churches, social workers, law enforcement and community leaders are doing to help find solutions.

Contact Editor Glenn Wallace with information or story ideas at gwallace@coloradocommunitymedia.com. who likes algebra and geology, finishing school is the reason she is on her own.

As a second-year senior, she will graduate with her high school diploma in December.

“High school hasn’t always been the easiest thing for me,” Wilson said. For several years she hung out with the wrong group of friends who she said encouraged her to ditch school and use drugs. “So, I’m really glad I got to a school where it’s not as difficult to do the things I need to do to be successful.

It’s given me a great pathway.”

That’s why when Wilson’s great-aunt — who has had legal guardianship of her since she was 2 years old — moved to Colorado Springs, Wilson chose to stay behind.

Because she is so close to getting her high school diploma, she knows it is the right decision — even though it

SHANNA FORTIER

won’t be easy.

“I’m going to be the first person in my family to go to college and the first person in my family to graduate high school since 1976,” Wilson said. “I’m really proud of myself.”

Wilson has goals to attend Red Rocks Community College and pursue an associate degree of applied sciences. She eventually wants to become a medical assistant and work her way up to pediatric nursing.

“I’m just having a hard time because I don’t know how I’m going to make that happen,” Wilson said. “Money is a big reason. I know there are a lot of grants and scholarships out there, but there are also a lot of students who are in need of those grants and scholarships. So even though it’s a great thing, it also makes them less available. But I’m gonna make it happen one way or another.”

Wilson works two jobs, one at the new Michael’s in Arvada and another as a hostess at Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar in the Arvada Marketplace.

Before her great-aunt and greatgrandmother, who also lived with them, moved, Wilson contributed toward living expenses with her paychecks. Her great-aunt is disabled and unable to work, she said, and her great-grandmother supported the family with her income from a job at a credit union. But a couple of years ago, her great-grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer and the family financial troubles worsened.

Now, Wilson’s paychecks help her pay rent on the home in which she grew up. The landlord has been nice enough to let her stay there temporarily for $500 a month, she said.

SEE HOMELESS, P7

Lakewood Sentinel 7

December 14, 2017

Lack of affordable housing pushes families onto streets Homeless students’ resiliency spurs successes, school official says

BY SHANNA FORTIER SFORTIER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Lack of sleep, anxiety, depression and acting out are all heightened mental health challenges faced by the 500 unaccompanied youths and the approximately 3,000 students experiencing homelessness in Jefferson County Public Schools.

“Homelessness is not someone standing off I-70 and Sheridan,” said Oscar Fonseca, community family connection liaison for Jeffco schools who works with unaccompanied youths and families experiencing homelessness. “It comes in many different ways within the schools. Our kids don’t always show it. They see a lot of things when they have to stay in a parking lot or shelter, and it’s our job to help, make sure they have somewhere stable during the day, and can break that cycle through education.”

According to Rebecca Dunn, community and family connections coordinator for Jeffco schools, the majority of those students are in “doubled-up” situations living with other families.

“But we’re seeing it’s really triples or quadruples,” Dunn said, adding that it’s scary for families living in those situations when the landlord doesn’t know, because everyone in the home could potentially become homeless.

“Something I don’t think can be communicated enough is when we vote down pro-growth legislation, what you’re doing is stopping affordable housing,” Dunn said. “So families that have always been self-sufficient

paying $1,500 rent, that’s taken away and now their rent is $2,200 and there’s not enough safety net programs. Now they get evicted and this whole cycle starts. It’s a really slippery slope when you don’t have enough affordable housing for your community.

It opens kids to trauma, which starts that hard-to-break cycle of poverty.”

Fonseca says he sees this pattern daily when working with families experiencing homelessness, many of whom are being priced out of the county.

“Many families are living in a tight situation — sharing homes with people — but they are working and just cannot get out of that rut,” Fonseca said. “Some are paying $500 a week for hotels on Colfax, and when you’re making $10 an hour, that’s everything.”

Fonseca is one of five family connection liaisons who serve the 157 schools in the district. Their job is to help break down the barriers of accessing education.

One main focus — beyond getting parents singed up for benefits and providing needed hygiene items, clothing and school supplies — is to give students a sense of place at their home school.

“Study after study is looking at the effects of high mobility on students,” Dunn said. “What they’ve found is students experiencing homelessness, as the parents move, the student moves and you lose attachments of people who know your name, the layout of the building … all the things that make us feel comfortable. Each time a student moves, it came with a four-tosix-month regression.”

Because of this, Dunn said the district works to keep students at their school by providing transportation if necessary.

But the barriers are as different as

Getting connected

the students, each with a unique challenge.

Last year, one student experiencing homelessness made her school’s cheerleading team, but couldn’t afford the $1,200 cost associated with it. The liaisons reached out to donors, and through them and the student’s own fundraising, she was able to join the team.

“It bums me out that if there are not resources, you don’t have the same opportunities,” Dunn said.

Similarly, the Arvada Elks are partnering with Arvada High School to help cover graduation costs for about 20 graduating seniors experiencing homelessness.

In spite of everything, Dunn said she is continually surprised with the students’ spirit and determination.

“It always stuns me the effort they put forth,” she said. “Some have tremendous barriers and they have overcome them.”

HOMELESS FROM PAGE 6

“It’s hard when you’re young and trying to do everything for yourself,” Wilson said. “With the prices of everything, (the landlord) could really be renting this house for a good $1,200 or more a month. It’s still tough for me to be able to pay everything, but I’m really lucky to be in a situation with a home.”

That isn’t the case for all unaccompanied youth.

With the lack of shelter space in Jeffco, especially for young people, some unaccompanied youth are living in much worse situations, said Jeanne Stongle, McLain’s career development coordinator.

“I have found over the years that particular young men occasionally do end up sleeping in the park,” Stongle said. “They are aware they can go to shelters in Denver, but then they can’t get to school on time — so they don’t.

There are some times when students don’t have anywhere to go, and that’s a SEE HOMELESS, P8

Oscar Fonseca, community and family connections liaison for Jeffco schools, meets with a student at McLain Community High School. Fonseca is one of five liaisons working with families experiencing homelessness at all schools in Jeffco.

SHANNA FORTIER

8 Lakewood Sentinel

December 14, 2017D

HOMELESS FROM PAGE 7

shame in such a big county.”

The mental toll Through the help of school resources, Wilson receives food assistance and recently applied for LEAP to help with electrical and heating bills. She also recently visited the Arvada Community Food Bank for the first time.

But anxiety overwhelms her at times, keeping her from sleeping and making her physically sick.

“The last couple months have been the most stressed-out months of my entire life,” Wilson said. She is always tired and sometimes has difficulty stay-

“The last couple months have been the most stressed-out months of my entire life.”

Daliliah Wilson Senior at McLain Community High School

ing awake and alert in class. “I worry about everything all the time and my anxiety is a lot worse now than it ever has been before. Sometimes it’s difficult for me to try and cope with it.”

Wilson’s mental health state is common among students trying to make it on their own, Stongle said.

“The number one challenge is that it’s hard to focus on studies when you have a lot going on in your life,” Stongle said. “Not getting a lot of sleep because you don’t always know where you are sleeping, not having enough to eat, not knowing if you’re getting evicted from where you are…

So it’s hard to focus on what they need to while they are at school.”

Wilson is thankful for the resources she is able to access through the district, Fonseca and Stongle. Like being one of 80 students utilizing a bus pass provided by the district.

“There are lots of Daliliahs out there,” Fonseca said. “Sometimes they struggle when they don’t have that supervision, but she still makes it to school.”

A positive attitude, Wilson said, helps her continue to put one foot forward.

“There’s a lot of obstacles I face,” Wilson said. “But I still have a lot of reasons to be happy despite all that I’m going through. I just have to tell myself that things are going to be OK and this moment won’t last forever.”

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December 14, 2017D

LOCAL

VOICES Many a lesson in looking at the long view

D

HITTING HOME

Michael Alcorn

o you ever take significant moments and try to look at them through a wider lens?

Watch out — the next few paragraphs will likely cause VRUO — Visceral Reaction Unthinking Outrage. It’s practically a sport these days. Only difference here is that I’m going use a whole column to do it, not a mere 140 characters.

What do I mean, “wide lens?” Last week we commemorated the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the “Day of Infamy” which brought the United States into World War II 76 years ago. And, I think we take an interesting view of that particular event. We remember that 2,400 Americans died, that sailors were buried at sea in their boats, and that we had no warning, no reason for suspicion, and that caused us great outrage, and justified the next four year’s worth of blood and toil beating back that enemy and all others. We

remember outrage.

But, from a really long distance, December 7, 1941, was a seminal moment in American history, and one for which we, perhaps, need to recognize and even thank Emperor Hirohito.

Had Japan not pulled a sneak attack on an American naval base, would our reaction have been so strong? Would we have had the drive to build an Air Force large enough to blot out the sun? Would we have had the fortitude to sacrifice thousands of our greatest men on a bold and dangerous invasion of Europe?

As Yamamoto is reported to have said, “…we have woken a sleeping Tiger.”

Even further, had we not been brought into the war after being sucker-punched in the mouth, would we have ever grown into the role as the lone world actor to resist the expansion of Communism? Or, would we have simply done what many in America, circa

P

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Monumental fuss Who is inciting the mobs of protesters who say that Pres. Trump is not permitted downsize especially those National Monuments which were created solely to ‘lock-up’ vast swaths of the American West, often to the economic detriment of Native Americans and others who live nearby?

Was not Pres. Clinton’s creation of the extensive Escalante/Grand Staircase Monument, which blocked the

A publication of

mining of bountiful coal reserves, to the advantage of a well-connected Indonesian mining baron, long overdue for correction?

Should not Colorado’s own Mt. Holy Cross National Park, which was originally proclaimed by Pres. Hoover as a National Monument in 1929, and decommissioned without much fuss in 1950 during Pres. Truman’s Administration, set the precedent for pruning?

Russell W Haas, Golden

SEE ALCORN, P13

Porch pirates can’t steal my memories

orch pirates. Package lost my mom approaches, my sister thieves. Hijackers. No matter and I have been reminiscing about what we call them –I’m parher and our family, and the holitial to “jerks” – the people days we’ve spent in each other’s who come up to our houses and bra- company. These memories can zenly take what’s not theirs never be taken away. That’s ALCHEMY are holiday spoilers. In why time spent together – fact, more than 25 million with family, with neighbors Americans have been the and coworkers, with friends victims of a holiday packold and new – is my priorage robbery, an increase ity, and why I’ve decided from 23.5 million porch on presents this year that thefts reported in 2015. can’t be stolen. (Note: FamAnd whether it’s that ily members, stop reading once-in-a-lifetime gift, a now.) trove of stocking stuffers, Here are some of my or a box of handmade favorite ideas: goodies lovingly prepared Take the train to the Andrea Doray by one family member for Glenwood Hot Springs. another, the loss is sure to provoke My first such trip included breaksome helpless rage. Some people fast with a view, back flips off the now ship packages to their work diving board into the mist below, addresses or to neighbors who are snowflakes in my frozen curls while home during the day, to foil these lounging in the pool, and a herd robbers. of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep I admit that I personally have on the sidewalk outside the hotel. embraced the online shopping The train ride along the Colorado experience. Yet, even though I track River in winter is as magical as you my packages scrupulously from might imagine. shipment to delivery, I worry that Give the gift of personal comfort. they could disappear before I’m able retrieve them.

As the 10th Christmas since we SEE DORAY, P13

JERRY HEALEY President

ERIN ADDENBROOKE Majors/Classified Manager

jhealey@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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November 1941, wanted, and let the world’s problems be the world’s problems, while we sheltered safely on the other side of two oceans? And, now that the world is deeply interconnected, what would that non-engagement mean to us in this day and age?

And, even taking this process one step further, what happens to the remainder of World War II if Japan turns its attention westerly, and invades — or at least begins to threaten — Russia? You know, as long as they don’t do it in winter…

Do you ever wonder if, somewhere in one of those grainy black-and-white photos of Hirohito’s cabinet, somewhere in the background is lurking a man who knew what a mistake it was to attack America, and encouraged it, anyway?

GLENN WALLACE Editor gwallace@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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Deadline Fri. 5 p.m. for the following week’s paper.

Lakewood Sentinel 11

December 14, 2017

Glass: What makes a great school in Jeffco GUEST COLUMN

I

n October, we released a proposed vision statement for Jeffco Public Schools called Generations: A Learning-Centered Vision for our Community’s Schools. Since that time, we’ve had deep and engaging conversations Jason Glass across Jeffco about the ideas in that report to determine if they are the right “fit” for Jeffco going forward.

Generations focuses on three main areas. First (and rightly), “Learning!”

More specifically, it asks us to consider how we can profoundly change the student learning experience to be authentic, meaningful, and connected to the world outside of school. Second, the Generations report discusses the “Conditions for Learning,” and that learning happens best with the facilitation of a professional educator and in an environment of high expectations. Finally, Generations discusses “Readiness for Learning,” and that our schools and community must work to get our children to school

ready to learn and to remove barriers to learning that stand in their way.

As this work moves from the vetting of ideas and into implementation, we must also consider how to measure our current state, and how we will know if we are making progress in achieving our short, intermediate, and long-range goals.

Identifying the best educational measures is somewhat an exercise in convenience and comparability. That is, we frequently choose measures that are readily available (such as state test scores) and those that provide us a comparison by which to benchmark ourselves (such as four-year graduation rates, which are a common measure across systems).

But these are not the only considerations. More importantly, our measures should be based on our values, and what we want our schools to accomplish – and these concepts are sometimes more difficult to quantify.

For example, we want our students to achieve well academically (which we can use standardized tests to measures) and to successfully graduate (which we can measure with graduation rates), but we also want our students to be engaged and excited

about learning. We want our parents and community engaged, as well.

And, we want our schools to be safe and operationally well-managed. Few would argue these other concepts are unimportant, but their measurement becomes less obvious and we must get more creative in how we evaluate them.

This might all come down to how we, as a community, answer the question, “what makes a great school?”

With this as the leading question, we can let our aspirations begin to define our measures, rather than letting our measures define our aspiration.

Looking ahead, Jeffco Public Schools will be publishing a strategic plan in the spring based on the Generations report and the conversations happening in our community right now. That plan will include a series of system-level measures designed to evaluate the current state of our

schools, as well as more internal system measures designed to evaluate our progress on implementing our vision.

I encourage you to get involved in this conversation. One way is to visit with your local school principal and find out how they are hosting conversations on the Generations report in your neighborhood or area. Another is to join-in on the Jeffco Generations Conversation group on Facebook. Just search for “Jeffco Generations Conversation” and request to join.

I look forward to continuing these conversations, and hearing from Jeffco about “what makes a great school” for our kids and our community.

Jason Glass is the superintendent for Jefferson County Public Schools. His OpEds will run on the second Thursday of each month.

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12 Lakewood Sentinel

December 14, 2017D

Two men talking about North Korea

Y

esterday I was in a coffee shop. world on Twitter.

As I sat at my table, sipping my Chatty Man: He’s the first. latte, I could hear voices behind Big Man—Trump called North me. I turned my head slightly Korea’s Kim Jong Un a “Little Rocket Man.” to see two men, both over the WIT AND GRIT Chatty Man: yes a reference age of 60. They were wearing to a song by Elton John, T-shirts and baseball caps.

Big Man: Now to save face Normally I don’t eavesdrop, North Korea has to bomb the but their voices where so clear United States. They say it’s and loud, I could not ignore inevitable. what they said. As I didn’t Chatty man — you don’t reknow their names, for this ally believe they’d send missiles column, I will call them, “Big over here, do you? Couldn’t Man” and “Chatty man.” they be bluffing?

Big Man: So look at all these Big Man: These two idiots, crazy people who voted for Mary McFerren Trump and Kim Jong Un hold Trump and look what it’s Stobie the future of our lives, whether got us. I can’t sleep at night we live or die, whether our chilworrying about Trump as our dren and grandchildren live or die — in president. their hands. Just one temper tantrum Chatty Man: What has he done that and one of them pushes the button. kept you awake?

Now I’m thinking What Big Man just Chatty Man: Who ever heard of a said bothers me too. Trump and Kim president who communicates with the

Jong Un both seem too childish to be in control of nuclear bombs. I need to leave the coffee shop, but I have a few more minutes and keep listening.

Chatty Man: I pray every day about the world…

Big Man: Prayer, hocus-pocus. I’m glad you find comfort in that.

Chatty Man: Thank you, yes I do find comfort in my faith. The world has always been a mess, people fighting and shouting. Most people have never had any control over who goes to war. But God does.

Big Man: I just want to put Trump and Kim in a room with boxing gloves and let them duke it out.

I take the last sip of my coffee and think about what they are saying. I also am worried about Kim Jong Un and Trump arguing and I’m concerned about nuclear war. However, I don’t lose sleep over it. Like Chatty Man I do pray about the situation. I have no idea how

the conflict between the two leaders will be resolved.

The men start talking again.

Big Man: Maybe we should just bomb North Korea.

Chatty Man: No, no, no! That would be a disaster. I trust my God. I think He has the whole world in his hands.

I finish my coffee and get ready to leave.

I agree with Chatty Man that prayer is the only power we have in terrible situations.

Prayer changes things. And as tense as the situation between Trump and Kim Jong Un is, I believe God knows and cares about what’s happening. After all he created this beautiful world.

Yes, I believe He does have the whole world in his hands.

Mary Stobie is a syndicated columnist and author of the memoir You Fall Off, You Get Back On. It is available at the Bookbar on Tennyson and on Amazon. com. Contact her at mry_stobie@yahoo. com or www.marystobie.com.

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Lakewood Sentinel 13

7December 14, 2017

ALCORN FROM PAGE 10

History is replete with examples of blunders that change the shape of the world. Lee getting drawn into a battle without good intelligence at Gettysburg: Napoleon delaying his attack at Waterloo due to wet conditions; Pete Carroll throwing the ball on first down at the one yard line…

The world has been shaped by great mistakes.

Thought processes like these ultimately lead me back to wondering about who is responsible for shaping events in our world today. It’s like, it’s easy to imagine that 9/11 changed the world, or that the invasion of Iraq was a monumental blunder. But, 200 years from now, do either of those events merit even a page in

a history book? Heck, you could easily argue that the world has, for the most part, settled back into a pre-9/11 status quo, and all the Sturm und Drang of the last 16 years has been for naught.

But, more importantly, do you trust any of the “great minds” in Washington, D.C. to possess the sort of subtle thought process required to begin to see that long view like this? Can any of our “leaders” see beyond the next sound bite, much less the next 50 years?

But, do you know who does have this sort of mind? Vladamir Putin. Among others.

Kids, learn chess. And study history. It’s our only chance.

Michael Alcorn is a teacher and writer who lives in Arvada with his wife and three children. His novels are available at MichaelJAlcorn.com

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DORAY FROM PAGE 10

Consider massages, facials, manicures and pedicures … and don’t leave out the men on your list, no matter how reluctant they might seem at first. (Tip: schedule one for yourself at the same time.)

Go for great art. We are fortunate to be surrounded by museums and galleries with intriguing exhibitions, by top-talent local music, and by world-class performances at a variety of theaters. Don’t hesitate to air your own talents, either, at, say, karaoke parties or cocktails and canvas celebrations.

Try a twist on the “dinner-and-amovie” night out. What with DVDs and streaming services these days, you don’t have to leave home to see a great film. Add a home-cooked meal – whether it’s a tried-and-true favorite

or a first-ever adventure – and you definitely have a memory in the making, especially if you prepare dinner together. Think movie and lunch or brunch, too, for something more unexpected.

Learn something new together.

What better way to spend quality time? Family, if you didn’t actually stop reading, my choices would be cooking, golf, a new language, drawing or painting, or … surprise me!

In the end, and especially because we’ve agreed among us to be “reasonable” with our gift-giving this year, I’m not giving porch-pirating, package-thieving, or hijacking much of a chance to steal my Christmas memories or those of my family and friends.

Andrea Doray is a writer who remembers a family holiday when there was a mouse stirring … straight up the trunk of the Christmas tree! Contact Andrea at a.doray@andreadoray. com with your favorite memories.

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14 Lakewood Sentinel

LIFE

Honing

their

December 14, 2017D

LOCAL

Lighthouse Writers Workshop has offered classes to amateur writers for 20 years.

Craft

COURTESY OF LIGHTHOUSE WRITERS WORKSHOP

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

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, P17

HELPFUL ORGANIZATIONS FOR AMATEUR WRITERS • Anythink Libraries www.anythinklibraries.org • Arapahoe Libraries www.arapahoelibraries.org • Book Organizations of Colorado

RMCAD students contribute to White House Christmas

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

W

F

a o f p

a b A c W t i

resident’s Park, the 77-acre park surrounding the Whitef House, spends the holidays w c full of 56 trees representing each U.S. state, territory, and J g Washington, D.C., as part of the p America Celebrates display.

All the trees are decorated by rep- m resentatives from J COMING i the source locaATTRACTIONS tion, and for this h a year’s Colorado tree, students and s faculty from the a Rocky Mountain College of Art + P Design contribut- w ed the ornaments. B “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. SEE READER, P17

Lakewood Sentinel 15

December 14, 2017

WRITERS

FROM PAGE 16

READER FROM PAGE 16

“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.

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 blissed-

PIANOS ON SALE! Visit Store for details

Anne Randolph, founder of Kitchen Table Writing, teaches “Raising the Stakes with Conflict” at a Castle Rock Writers gathering.

COURTESY OF DERALD HOFFMAN ian. 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

out experience. Tickets are still available, and can be purchased at www. ogdentheatre.com.

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.furnaceglass-

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 event costs $34.99 for adults and $13.99 for children.

Visit www.redrocksonline.com for information and reservations.

8555 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood, CO 80215

303-233-4444 www.rockleymusic.com

works.com/make-your-own-ornamentworkshop.html.

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 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.

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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 Brandstetter, adult services librar-

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.”

Rare Opportunity!

…for this hard to find, one-acre lot, that has huge build your dream home potential!

Or if you prefer, a quaint, little bit of country in the city, home is already in place. Horses are welcome. Enjoy expansive panoramic views of Lookout Mountain, and the foothills from Green Mountain on the south, to Table Mountain on the north. A two acre greenbelt borders the property on the north. One quick hop to I-70 takes you to the mountains for hiking, biking, camping or to the slopes for skiing. Less than two miles from two light rail transit park and rides; shopping, fine and casual dining, and entertainment are a stone’s throw away.

You will find one of Denver’s newest, largest medical centers less than two miles away and Red Rock Amphitheatre and park about seven miles away. This location has it all!

16 Lakewood Sentinel

December 14, 2017D

H O L I D AY Church of the Beloved 10500 Grant, Northglenn The Ecumenical Catholic Communion offers a wonderful way to celebrate your Catholic faith this Christmas. Please join us for a rich, familiar Mass, a small caring community and Communion open to all: families, singles, divorced, remarried, gay or straight, and non-Catholics. There are five ECC parishes in the metro area.

WORSHIP Golden First Presbyterian Church S. Golden Road at W. 16th Avenue 303-279-5591

Advent Masses, Saturday Dec 16, 23 at 5 pm Christmas Eve Mass for all ages, Sunday Dec 24 at 4 pm Christmas Eve Mass, Sunday Dec 24 at 9 pm Pastor: Mother Kae Madden www.churchofthebeloved-ecc.org

CSunday, DDecember17 Christmas 10 am am Christmas CCantata antata cchoir hoir with orchestra

Sunday, DDecember 24

Services Dec 24, 6:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. All are Welcome

Reverend Gretchen Sausville

Christmas Services Dec 17, 5:30pm Christmas Caroling • Meet at the church Dec 21, 5pm Longest Night Service of Solace and Solstice

10 am am LLessons essons and CCarols arols 4 pm pm FFamily amily Friendl Friendlyy CCandlelight andlelight Service 7 pm pm Jazz and CCandle andlellight andlel ight please join us!

(WWSL^VVK =HSSL`

Dec 24, 5pm Sermon, children’s time, choir, candlelight and Communion

<UP[LK 4L[OVKPZ[ *O\YJO

5592 Independence St. Arvada • 303.422.3463 www.arvadapc.org

2035 Ellis Street Golden, CO 80401

Dec 24, 9am Service of carols, scripture, choir and Communion

Dec 24, 9pm Sermon, special music, candlelight and Communion

Lakewood Sentinel 17

December 14, 2017

Come join us for our

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 7 pm • 11 pm

(11 pm includes Communion)

A caring Community joyfully proclaiming, living and teaching the loving word of God

Northglenn United Methodist Church 1605 W. 106th Northglenn, CO 80234 303-452-5120

This Season, Join Us to Celebrate Jesus, the Hope of Christmas

* Unto Us a Child is Born! *

•December 24th•

Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship 3, 5 & 7pm

Christmas E v e

•December 25th•

C andlelight & C ommunion S ervices

Christmas Day Worship 10am

6:00pm ­ Children’s Pageant 8:00pm ­ Chancel Choir Westminster Presbyterian Church 74th & Bradburn...303‐429‐8508

JasoinWeusLight the Way

to Christmas

Children’s Christmas Pageant Dec.17, 10am Christmas Orchestra Candlelight Service Dec. 17, 7pm

and Joseph to a Bethlehem Manger

11pm

Candlelight Service with Communion

Christmas in the Park, Christmas Day

Donate socks or join us as we distribute them in Civic Center Park at noon

New Year’s Eve Sunday Service at 9am

Sunday, December 24 Traditional Worship Family Worship Noon, 7:00 & 9:00 p.m.

3:00 & 5:00 p.m.

CHRISTMAS DAY

Monday, December 25 at 10:00 a.m.

Risen Savior Lutheran Church 3031 W. 144th Ave., Broomfield 303-469-3521 www.rslc.org

Christmas Eve Worship Services 8 & 10 am Services 5pm Candlelight Service 7pm Las Posadas Service, Journey with Mary

CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICES

Holiday Worship Pages 2017 Colorado Community Media North/West Dec 14 & Dec. 21 $135/wk 2 Weeks Small Ad: “4.73 x 3” Ads include free color and will include on shopLocalColorado.com

rvada A United Methodist Church Sunday Services 8 &10am 6750 Carr Street • Arvada, CO 80004 For more information go to www.arvadaumc.org or call 303-421-5135

18 Lakewood Sentinel

December 14, 2017D

Celebration Events Sunday, December 17 at 10 a.m.

Special Music Celebration “Hope Was Born This Night”

Advent & Christmas Schedule

Sunday, December 24

Fourth Weekend of Advent:

10:00 a.m. - Sunday Morning Worship 5 p.m. - Christmas Eve Service

December 24 • 7, 9 & 11 a.m. • Mass

Families Welcome at all services

Christmas Eve • December 24

Christmas Eve Services

(Nursery care available: infants - 3 years old)

December 23 • 5 p.m. • Mass

Christmas Mass Schedule 4:30 pm Childrens Pageant/Choir.

5 p.m., Midnight • Mass Christmas Day • December 25 8 & 10 a.m. • Mass

11500 W. 20th Ave. Lakewood 303-238-2482 www.soth.net

Sts. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church 3900 Pierce Street | Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033-4942 | 303.424.3706

Lakewood Sentinel 19

December 14, 2017

Arvada Center brings ‘Joseph’ back “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is once again playing at the Arvada Center. Several years ago, “Joseph” was an annual tradition. If memory serves, it played each year for at least five years. The new iteration is very different from previous productions. Director Gavin Meyer has definitely put his own stamp on AROUND the show. Gavin, who TOWN used to be the drama Harriet Ford coach at Pomona High School, is currently at the University of Nevada/ Reno.

It was fun to see such a different interpretation of an old favorite. The Arvada Center is at 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. “Joseph” plays through Dec. 23.

Tim Rice wrote the lyrics and Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote the music. Joseph was his father Jacob’s favorite son.

Needless to say, Joseph’s eleven brothers weren’t too fond of their little brother. They plotted and planned to get rid of their nemesis. Joseph was sold into slavery and taken to Egypt.

The brothers didn’t factor in Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams. That skill opened many doors for him and he

became Pharaoh’s trusted confident.

Some of the songs in the musical are: “Any Dream Will Do,” “Close Every Door,” and “Go Go Go Joseph.” Other amusing tunes include a calypso number, an Elvis take-off and, “Those Canaan Days,” a scene set in a French bistro. Kitty Skillman Hilsabeck’s delightful and energetic choreography enhances the proceedings. Costumes

by December Mathisen are gorgeous I particularly liked the new “dreamcoat”. The stunning set designed by Brian Mallgrave is eye popping. Roberto Sinha took the reins as musical director.

Cast members include Sarah Rex (Narrator), Aaron Young (Joseph), Stephen Day (Jacob/Pontiphar), and James Francis (Pharaoh). While the production was very different than the “original” shows. It was equally enjoyable. Time does indeed march on. Charles Langley (the actor who played Joseph in the earlier shows) is probably actually over 30 by now… maybe waaay over 30. All in all, it’s a delightful evening and very suitable for the entire family to enjoy.

Harriet Hunter Ford can be contacted at hhunterford@gmail.com

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December 14, 2017D

Valor Point provides a temporary home for the brave Lakewood facility offers therapies and employment and housing services

One of the 37 single-person rooms in Lakewood’s Valor Point residence for homeless veterans.

The facility provides needed resources to help veterans find housing and employment.

BY CLARKE READER CREADER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

To be successful at something, it usually takes more than one go. And that includes getting off the streets and finding stable living and employment.

Mike, 54, and Eddie, 55, neither of who wanted their last names used for privacy reasons, are two veterans who have lived this truth. But thanks to Valor Point Domiciliary for Homeless Veterans in south Lakewood, part of the Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado Health Care System, both men are working toward a better future.

“I’ve been here before and successfully progressed through the program,” said Mike, who served in the Navy from 1988 through 1991 during the Gulf War. “Because of unforeseen circumstances, I’m back here again.

But they’re helping me with housing.”

Valor Point was opened nearly five years ago thanks to a federal grant aimed at helping homeless veterans.

It’s a satellite of the Veterans Affairs facilities in downtown Denver, and is part of the continuum of care veterans have access to after their service is finished.

“We’re a piece of the puzzle for veterans in need,” said Dr. Thomas Kinney, program manager at Valor Point.

“We’re one of about 230 Residential

CLARKE READER

VETS AND HOMELESSNESS Veterans are over-represented among the homeless population. It is estimated that veterans represent nine percent of the total homeless population, and that homeless veterans tend to be male (91 percent), single (98 percent), live in a city (76 percent), and have a mental and/or physical disability (54 percent).

— Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Rehabilitation Treatment Program facilities around the country that offer a variety of services to veterans.”

The number of homeless veterans in Colorado is about 1,181, according to the 2016 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s annual report on homelessness, which was an

ST. JOAN OF ARC C AT H O L I C C H U R C H

Reverend gretchen Sausville

Proclaiming Christ from the Mountains to the Plains

Living and Sharing the Love of Christ

www.StJoanArvada.org 12735 W 58th Ave · 80002 · 303-420-1232 Daily Masses: 8:30am, Mon-Sat Confessions: 8am Tue-Fri; 7:30am & 4:00pm Sat Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:00pm Sunday Masses: 7:30, 9:00, 11:30am, 5:30pm

5592 Independence St. 80002 Tel. 303-422-3463

Worship: 10:00am every Sunday Sunday School: 9:00am Sept – May (nursery provided)

www.Arvada-pres.com Email: office@arvada-pres.com

Now enrolling for All Precious Children Learning Center

Golden First Presbyterian Church

S ERVICES 8 &10 am Church School

9 &10 am

On the round-about at South Golden Rd. and West 16th Ave. Sunday Praise & Worship................... 9:00 am Fellowship Time ................................. 10:00 am Church School ................................... 10:30 am

Pastor: Rev. Dr. Miriam M. Dixon

Nursery provided

6750 Carr St. Arvada, CO 80004 303.421.5135 • www.arvadaumc.org Nursery Available

303-279-5591

HELP HOMELESS VETERANS If you know a veteran in need of assistance, call 1-877-424-3838 (877-4AID-VET).

If you’re interested in volunteering or donating to the Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado Health Care System, visit www.denver. va.gov/giving/index.asp. increase of 231 veterans from 2015.

As one of those veterans, Eddie, who was an Army Ranger from 1979 through 1982, said if he didn’t have access to the services at Valor Point, he would be homeless on the street.

“The cost of living in Denver is very high right now, so I’m saving money after I just started a new job,” he said. “I’ve been here for five months already, and hopefully will be able to find a place to live.”

Valor Point has 40 beds in 37 rooms.

As Kinney explains, this is to provide their residents with privacy and to help them learn the skills necessary for sustainable living on their own.

Residents can stay for as short a time as two months, but others have stayed as long as 10 to 12 months.

“We really try to personalize their time here, so it’s however long they need to find a job and place to live,” Kinney said. “While they’re here, they have access to help like social workers, mental health experts, physical and art therapists, and employment and housing liaisons.”

The facility has a gym, art studio

the

with a kiln, and cafeteria and gathering area for their residents.

High housing costs are a major barrier for many veterans, and many also have problems getting the funds for first and last month’s rent, or the references required on an apartment application, Kinney added.

“One thing that really helps veterans once they are looking for a place to live is scatter site housing, which means formerly homeless veterans are spread out in the community, instead of all housed in one place,” he said.

“This allows them to integrate into their community and feel like they’re a part of it.”

It takes partnerships to make a facility like Valor Point function, and in addition to other Veterans Affairs facilities, nonprofits like The Action Center, and restaurants like Texas Roadhouse help out whenever possible. This past Thanksgiving the Sheridan Texas Roadhouse’s servers, hostesses, managers and kitchen prepared turkeys, home-made stuffing, home-made sweet potato pie and made-from-scratch rolls for Valor Point residents.

That sense of community is what makes the facility important for its residents, and a vital step on the path toward sustainable living.

“As long as others like myself know there are places like this that can provide assistance with a direction in life, we can better ourselves,” Mike said. “The VA sometimes gets a bad rap from people, but this is something they got totally right.”

2017

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BALLET

www.balletariel.org

2:00 pm – Saturday, Dec. 9, 16 and 23 Sunday, Dec. 10 and 17 Friday, Dec. 22 7:00 pm – Saturday, Dec. 16 Friday, Dec. 22 $38 adult www.Lakewood.org/Tickets $33 student and senior Box Office: 303-987-7845 $25 child 470 S. Allison Parkway.

LAKEWOOD CULTURAL CENTER

Lakewood Sentinel 21

December 14, 2017

Trinity Williams, 18, was excited to find her son a walker for Christmas at the Hope House Santa Shop Dec. 9.

PHOTO BY SHANNA FORTIER

Hope House brings Santa Shop to teen moms Colorado Santa Shop served 87 Denver metro area teen moms

This is the first year for the Santa Shop model where moms can earn points and shop for their children. In years past, it was an adoption-style program.

“Oh my gosh, this has been such an awesome event,” said Jenny Macis, program director at Hope House. “Our girls are excited and saying that this is taking a lot of stress off the season because they don’t have a lot of money.”

All the teen moms Hope House services live below the poverty level, many coming from generational poverty situations.

“They’re loving the store because they get to choose what they’re getting,” Macis said.” The girls are pumped.”

Rosa Stevenson, 21, has never been able to provide Christmas gifts for her six-year-old daughter, Mary Jane. But with the 245 points she earned at Hope House this year, Stevenson was able to get M.J. and one-year-old Jeremiah what they wanted.

“M.J. wrote Santa a letter and asked for a Baby Alive doll, so that was the first thing I got her,” Stevenson said.

“I’m so happy.”

Overwhelming happiness was a common feeling between the teen moms.

“This was more than I was expecting,” Williams said. “It’s sort of overwhelming to see how much people care and are willing to help us moms in need.”

BY SHANNA FORTIER SFORTIER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Trinity Williams, 18, had her sights set on a walker for her eight-month old son, Anthony. When she arrived at the Hope House Colorado Santa Shop Dec. 9, the walkers were the first thing she went for.

“I had to make sure I got that before anyone else,” Williams said with a big smile on her face.

Williams is one of 87 teen moms in the Denver Metro area that chose gifts for their children at the Santa Shop.

“I kind of want to cry,” Williams said after shopping with the 400 points she earned throughout the year by attending classes through Hope House.

“I didn’t think I was ever going to be able to give Anthony a Christmas. I don’t have a job. I’m going to school full time. But in the end, God made a way and God gave me Hope House.”

Hope House of Colorado is a nonprofit based in Arvada that empowers parenting teenage moms throughout the Denver Metro area to strive for personal and economic self-sufficiency and to understand their significance in God’s sight, resulting in a healthy future for them, and for their children.

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December 14, 2017D

CLUBS Ongoing Activities Mondays Arvada Chorale, an auditioned community chorus, rehearses Monday evenings from September to June at Arvada United Methodist Church, 6750 Carr St., Arvada.

The chorale performs three concerts a year plus many community events. For audition information, call 720-432-9341, or email info@arvadachorale.org.

Divorce Workshop A workshop that covers the legal, financial and social issues of divorce is presented the third Monday of each month at the Sheridan Library, 3425 W. Oxford Ave., Denver. Check in from 5:155:30 p.m.; workshop runs from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Register online at www.divorceworkshopdenver.com. Advance registration costs $35; at the door, cost goes to $40 (cash/ checks only). Attendees will get help taking the next step by getting unbiased information and resources. Learn the options available and next steps to take positive action steps. Discover community resources, and talk with other women experiencing similar life changes. Volunteer presenters include an attorney, mediator, therapist and wealth manager. Discussion items include co-parenting, child support, family coping, tax consequences, property division, hostile spouses and more. For information, contact 303-210-2607 or info@divorceworkshopdenver.com.

Golden Chapter, Order of DeMolay meets at 7 p.m. every first and third Wednesday in the town of Golden. Walt Disney, Mel Blanc & Walter Cronkite are counted amongst its Alumni. DeMolay is an

organization for young men between the ages of 12 and 21 that offers character building, leadership training, and life skill development. We offer many activities, academic opportunities and scholarships. Please contact the chapter for more information.

Email demolaygolden@gmail.com or www. coloradodemolay.org and visit Golden’s page under the Chapter tab by clicking on the Golden photo.

Golden Nar-Anon family group meets from 7:30-9 p.m. Mondays at Calvary Episcopal Church, 1320 Arapahoe St. We ask that people enter on the east side of the church and follow the signs to the upstairs meeting room. Call the Nar-Anon Family Groups World Service Organization at 800-4776291 or go to Nar-Anon.org.

Jefferson County Republican Men’s Club meets from 7-9 a.m. Mondays at Davies’ Chuck Wagon Diner, 10151 W. 26th Ave., Lakewood. Meeting fee is $5 (cash preferred).

Order from diner menu (pay on you own).

Call Fred Holden at 303-421-7619 for information. Republicans, especially students, youth and women, welcome to join.

Job’s Daughters, Golden Chapter Bored?

Lonely? Make life-long friends. Join a group of young ladies from ages 10-20 learn leadership and organizational skills in meetings with support from friends. Meetings are the second and fourth Monday of the month in Golden. Meet periodically to do fun activities. Rewards of membership include life skills, community work and significant scholarships for college. Interested, call Job’s Daughters at 303-204-1572 to join us for an activity.

Mesas de conversación en inglés/English Conversation Tables: 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Mondays at the Wheat Ridge Library, 5475 W. 32nd Ave., Wheat Ridge. Confidence, cultural understanding and comfort are key to truly becoming fluent in a foreign language. Come to the library to practice speaking English in a safe environment with a trained leader. Suitable for high beginners, intermediate and advanced English learners. Go to http://jeffcolibrary.org.

Mesas de conversación en inglés/English Conversation Tables: 6-7 p.m. Mondays at the Arvada Library, 7525 W. 57th Ave., Arvada. Confidence, cultural understanding and comfort are key to truly becoming fluent in a foreign language. Come to the library to practice speaking English in a safe environment with a trained leader. Suitable for high beginners, intermediate and advanced English learners. Call 303-235-JCPL (5275) or visit www.jeffcolibrary.org.

Open mic Living Water Unity Spiritual Community presents open mic night - celebrate your teen self from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays at 7401 W. 59th Ave., Arvada. This program gives teens the opportunity to express their performing art including voice and instrument, acting, poetry, stand-up comedy, mime, etc. Open to all students in sixth to 12th grades. Email bellbottoms809@ gmail.com.

Square Dancing Want some fun exercise?

Learn to square dance. Start at 7 p.m. any Monday at the Wheat Ridge Grange, 3850 High Court. Call 303-973-9529.

Wheat Ridge Rotary Club meets from noon to 1:30 p.m. Mondays for lunch at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center, 4005 Kipling St. Come as our guest and learn about our service projects for the community.

Tuesdays Applewood Kiwanis Club meets from 7-8 a.m. Tuesdays at the Applewood Golf Course, 14001 W. 32nd Ave., Golden. You are invited to attend a meeting. Our goals are to serve children worldwide and in our community. We ring the bell for Salvation Army, deliver Christmas baskets to needy families and, assist the Jeffco Action Center with school supplies for children from low-income families. These are just three of our many projects. For more information, contact Fred McGehan at 303-947-1565.

Arvada Fine Arts Guild: 2-4 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at Indian Tree Golf

Club, 7555 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, in the restaurant/clubhouse. Meetings are free and open to the public. Go to http:// arvadafineartsguild.com/

Arvada Sunrise Rotary Club meets from 7-8 a.m. Tuesdays at The Arvada Centre For The Arts and Humanities, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. for a breakfast meeting. Come join us as our guest and learn about our community service projects and what Rotary does in the world to help people.

Denver Apple Pi, an Apple/Mac computer user group, meets from 7-9 p.m. the third Tuesday each month at the Applewood Community Church (downstairs), 12930 W. 32nd Ave., Golden. Program varies each month. We welcome those interested in learning more about their Apple or Mac computer. Visitors are welcome to see if you like our more mature group. More information may be found at denverapplepi.com.

Golden Optimist Club: 7 a.m. Tuesdays at Windy Saddle Café, 1110 Washington Ave., downtown Golden. The primary activity of the Golden Optimist Club is our bicycle recycle program. We fix donated bicycles and offer them for donations at reasonable prices -- $20 for an adult bicycle and $10 for a child’s bicycle. Helmets given free with every bicycle sold, and locks also available for sale. For someone who cannot afford these low prices, we will give away the bicycle, helmet and lock.

Golden Rotary meets from 7:15-8:30 a.m.

Tuesdays at Rolling Hills Country Club, 15707 W. 26 Ave., Golden. This active organization reaches neighbors in need. We build, support, and organize. We save lives locally and globally. For additional information visit www.rotayclubofgolden.org or contact Pat Madison at 303-279-1021.

Lakewood Chapter of Retired and Active Federal Employees meets at 1 p.m. the second Tuesday of most months at the Episcopal Church, 10th and Garrison. Call Greg Kann at 303-718-7307 with questions.

Lake Arbor Optimist Club Bringing Out the Best in Kids meets at 7 a.m. Tuesdays at Indian Tree Golf Course, 7555 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada. Breakfast served. Contact Terri Kearney, president, 303-506-6692; or Debbie Espinoza, treasurer, 720-937-2550.

New members welcome.

Northside Coin Club is a group of collectors that meets monthly to promote the hobby

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. Denver West Community Donor Center 13952 Denver West Pkwy., Bldg. 53, Ste. 335 Open Monday through Saturday 7 am - 7 pm & Sundays 7 am – 3 pm

Walk-ins are welcome!

Visit bonfils.org for more information.

Lakewood Sentinel 23

7December 14, 2017

CLUBS

er03@comcast.net for information. No meeting August or December.

Wednesdays

of numismatics among its members and the public. The club meets at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at 12205 Perry St., at the Friendship Hall in the Cimarron . Village in Broomfield. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Find more information about our club at www.northsidecoinclub.org/ or look for us on Facebook.

Master Networks of Belmar Entrepreneurs and professionals interested in growing their business and personal connections, this is the group for you. We use a national platform that includes an educational component along with traditional networking aspects. Group is oriented toward entrepreneurs and professionals. The group meets from 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays at DeMarras Bourbon Bar & Eatery, 11100 W. Alameda Ave. For information, visit a meeting or call Suzie at 303-979-9077 or email Littleton@ Mathnasium.com.

Ports of Call Singles Club, 55 Plus Social hours take place from 4-6 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at 3 Margaritas in Lakewood (contact Carol at 303-389-7707), and the fourth Tuesday of each month at Chads in Lakewood (contact Darlene at 303-233-4099). Denver meetings are the fourth Thursday of each month at Baker St. Pub, 8101 E. Belleview, in the Tech Center (contact Harold at 303-693-3434). For information and a monthly newsletter, call JoAnn, membership chairperson, at 7 303-751-5195, or Mary, president, at 303985-8937.

Rocky Mountain Team Survivor, a health, education and fitness program for women of all abilities who have experienced cancer or are currently in treatment, offers weekly free, fun, supportive activities. Tuesdays, 10 a.m., Boulder Creek Walk (meet at Boulder Public Library main entrance). Tuesday, 11-11:30 a.m., Yoga, Boulder Senior Center, 909 Arapahoe Avenue. Thursdays, 6-7 p.m., Fitness Training, Boulder Center for Sports Medicine, 311 Mapleton Avenue (entrance on Maxwell Avenue.). Learn more at rockymtn-teamsurvivor.org.

Wheat Ridge Art League meets at 7 p.m. the last Tuesday of the month at the Active Adult Center, 6363 W. 35th Ave, Wheat Ridge. Social time starts at 6:45 p.m. Enjoy an art demo by an award-winning artist each month at 7:30 pm. All art mediums and abilities welcome. Contact Pat McAleese at 303-941-4928 or mcpaint-

Adult Roller Skating is offered from 10:30 a.m. to noon every Wednesday at Roller City at 64th and Sheridan, Arvada. Cost is $5 plus $2 to rent skates. Contact Toni at 303-868-8273.

American Legion Auxiliary presents Burger Nite, 5-7:30 p.m. every Wednesday at Post 178, 1655 Simms St., Lakewood. Members, their guests and active military invited for varied food and reasonable prices. Visit www.alpost178.org.

Arvada Business Connection is a friendly group of Arvada Business owners who meet once each month on Wednesdays at various restaurants in the Arvada area. All are welcome - friends, kids and spouses, too. We collect a $5 donation, which is given to one of the attendees to donate as they wish.

They share how they donated the money at the next meeting. For meeting and contact information, check the Arvada Business Connection Facebook page @ArvadaBusinessConnection or call 303-995-9919.

Arvada Jefferson Kiwanis meets from 7-8 a.m. Wednesdays at the Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., for a breakfast meeting. We invite you to join us for great fellowship, interesting programs, and the satisfaction of serving your community. This Kiwanis organization supports the Arvada Community Food Bank, the school backpack program, Santa House, Ralston House, and many other local organizations.

For information or to visit a meeting, call Brad at 303-431-4697.

Arvada Rotary meets from 6:30-8 p.m.

Wednesdays at Indian Tree Golf Club, 7555 Wadsworth Blvd. The club engages in a variety of community service projects, with emphasis on assistance to and support of Arvada’s youth. Visitors are always welcome. For additional information visit www.arvadarotary.org or call Matt Weller 303-480-5220 or 303-908-7165.

Buffalo Toastmasters meets from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month at the Denver West Office Park, 14142 Denver West Parkway, Building 51, Suite 195, Golden. Go to www.buffalotoastmasters.org or http://www.meetup. com/Buffalo-Toastmasters-Golden/ for more information. Buffalo Toastmasters, where public speaking and leadership excellence is encouraged in a safe environment.

Community Fee

WAIVED

Community Fee waived for new for new Memory Care residents

Dawn Yawn Toastmasters meets from 6:45-8:30 a.m. Wednesdays at Denny’s Restaurant, 565 Union Blvd., Lakewood (on the southwest corner of 6th Avenue and Union Boulevard). You need Toastmasters training because communication is not optional, it is required. Do you communicate with confidence, are you worried about your next big presentation or job interview.

Attend the first three meetings for free. Call 303-988-2025 for directions. For information about the club, contact dawnyawn. toastmastersclubs.org or John Googins, VP of membership, at 303-547-0084, john. googins@gmail.com.

Foothills Music Teachers Association meets 9:30 a.m. to noon the third Wednesday of each month. FMTA is a local group of independent music teachers, affiliated with Colorado State Music Teachers Association and Music Teachers National Association.

Call Kathy at 303-988-9565.

Golden Elks Lodge meets at 7:30 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 16795 W. 50th Ave. Contact golden2740@hotmail.com or 303-279-2740 for more information, or to learn how to join.

Kiwanis Club of Lakewood: noon Wednesdays at the Egg and I, 7830 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood. Weekly programs pique the interest of members and guests. Lakewood Kiwanians support projects including Lakewood High School, Lakewood Elementary playground, Catch-a-Calf, Alive at 25 Teen Driver Education, Jefferson County Business Education Alliance, Ronald McDonald House, Colfax Marathon, Kuddlez for Kids, Write Stuff School Supplies, Donations for Hurricane victims in Texas, plus many more. Volunteer as little or as much as you want. Contact Kathryn Williams at

812-599-3339 or go to http://kiwaniscluboflakewood.org/ Kiwanis Club of Alameda West: 7-8 a.m.

Wednesdays at Garrison Street Grill, 608 Garrison St., Lakewood. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. The Alameda West Kiwanis Club is dedicated to serving the community through various service and fundraising projects. Our club has been of service to our community for more than 35 years. Join us at one of our meetings or for a service project. Contact Bob Zachman at 303-988-5678 or visit us at Alameda West Kiwanis on Facebook.

Music Teachers Association Suburban Northwest meets 9:30 a.m. to noon the first Wednesday of the month at Community in Christ Church, 12229 W. 80th Ave., Arvada. Meetings are open to the public and include refreshments, business meeting and program featuring music teaching professionals from around the state lecturing on the latest teaching developments.

New Apostolic Church Food Pantry: Open from 9-11 a.m. every Wednesday at 5290 Vance St., Arvada, rear entrance. All are welcome. We provide food to anyone in need. Please visit us once a month. Call 720-722-FOOD (3663) or email foodpantry@nac-denver.org. Go to http://www. nac-denver.org/foodbank.html.

Order Sons of Italy in America/Denver Lodge 2075 meets every third Wednesday of the month at 5925 W. 32nd Ave., Wheat Ridge. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. and meeting follows at 7 p.m. Lots of fun activities planned for summer meetings. Everyone welcome. Call 303-238-8055.

You're invited to educational events on Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (MS) WHO

Kyle Smoot, MD Providence MS Center

WHEN

Monday, December 18, 2017 11:30 AM Arrival 12:00 PM Presentation

WHERE

240 Union 240 Union Boulevard Lakewood, CO 80228 (303) 989-3562 Venue offers handicap accessibility.

Modest meal will be provided.

SIGN UP NOW!

To register, learn more, or find other events:

M EMORY C ARE R ESIDENTS If you move-in by December 29

1-844-627-3887

www.genemsevents.com

Space is limited and advanced registration is strongly recommended.

ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE of WHEAT RIDGE

720.250.9405 10100 W 38th Ave | MorningStarSeniorLiving.com

©2017 Genentech USA, Inc. | All rights reserved. | OCR/052217/0121a 08/17

24 Lakewood Sentinel

December 14, 2017D

HOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE Send volunteer opportunities to hharden@ coloradocommunitymedia.com.

City of Lakewood boards or commissions.

Deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Dec. 29.

Need: Advisory Commission for an Inclusive Community, Board of Appeals and Historic Preservation Commission.

Requirements: Applications and descriptions/qualifications for each position available online at Lakewood.org/GetOnBoard, which provides a full description of the qualifications for each position.

Contact: Donna Moreno at 303-987-7661 or donmor@lakewood.org.

Ongoing 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 to help older, lowerincome 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

Golden Business & Financial Services, Inc. Financial & tax counseling business & personal Tax planning & preparation Accounting & payroll services Budgets & plans, venture analysis, problem-solving QuickBooks consulting and training ®

In The Gateway Station Building

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. Our Walk to End Alzheimer’s attracts more than 10,000 people, so planning committee members are essential.

Contact: Deb Wells, 303-813-1669 or dwells@alz.org.

Animal Rescue of the Rockies: Rescues homeless dogs and cats from overcrowded shelters.

Need: Foster-care families for death-row shelter dogs and cats 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 to help plan and execute Walk to Cure Arthritis. We combat arthritis every day, so support from volunteers so that we can serve people is crucial.

Contact: Amy Boulas, aboulas@arthritis.org, 720-409-3143.

Arvada Visitors Center Need: Help assemble welcome bags for new Arvada residents. Specific dates and times are scheduled.

Contact: Jean Gordon, jean@visitarvada.org or 720-898-3380 AYUSA: International Youth Exchange Program: Promotes quality exchange programs for high school students from around the world.

Need: Host families for international high school students ages 15-18 studying in the Denver area.

Requirements: To provide students with a safe home, meals and transportation for 5-10 months. All family types are considered. Must fill out onlilne application and pass background check.

Contact: Adrienne Bivens, 720-467-6430 or abivens@ayusa.org. Go to www.ayusa.org.

CASA of Jefferson & Gilpin County: Court appointed special advocates work with abused and neglected children, speaking on behalf of them in court.

Need: Many volunteers needed; CASA Jeffco/

Gilpin relies on more than 200 volunteers, but many more are needed (just 30 percent of cases typically are covered). CASA volunteers dedicate 3-4 hours per week.

Requirements: Training is provided; must be 21 or older and pass a full background check including driving record.

Contact: Kathy Drulard, recruitment and training coordinator, at 303-271-6537, kathy@casajeffcogilpin.com or www.casajeffcogilpin.com.

Cat Care Society Nibbles `N Kibbles Food Bank: Works to reduce number of abandoned and surrendered cats.

Need: Donations of canned and bagged cat food and litter Contact: 303-239-9680 Colorado Refugee English as a Second Language Program: Teaches English to recently arrived refugees, who have fled war or persecution in their home country. In Colorado, refugees are from Afghanistan, Burma, Bhutan, Somalia, Iraq, Eritrea and D.R. Congo, among others.

Need: Volunteers to teach English. Tutoring takes place in the student’s home. Refugees live throughout Denver, but the largest concentrations are in Thornton, near 88th Avenue and Washington Street, and in east Denver/Aurora, near Colfax Avenue and Yosemite Street.

Other details: Tutors do not need to speak the student’s language. Most participants are homebound women and small children, adults who are disabled, and senior citizens.

Many are not literate in their first language, and remain isolated from American culture.

Requirements: training at Emily Griffith Technical College. Go to www.refugee-esl. org for details and volunteer application.

Contact: Sharon McCreary, 720-423-4843 or sharon.mccreary@emilygriffith.edu.

Common Earth Community Garden: Garden project for entire community of Arvada.

Need: help build and work in garden Contact: Anthony at 303-204-0840 or squiggy.as@gmail.com The Edge Theater: Lakewood-area community theater.

Need: front of house, back of house, concessions and committees (audience building, grants, sponsorships, events) Contact: Leigh Ann Kudloff at 303-986-5073 or lkudloff@comcast.net; theedgetheater.com English As a Second Language: Provides English and civics tutoring to non-English speakers at Arvada United Methodist

Church.

Need: Adult tutor volunteers; no prior teaching experience required. Tutors do not need to know a second language.

Contact: Kathy Martinez, kathybv@comcast. net or 303-882-2751.

Founders and Friends of Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge: Restores native habitat and wildlife; provides opportunities to experience wildlife and nature; promotes awareness and appreciation of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Need: update website and Facebook page by developing resource materials, articles about refuge events and calendar postings; assist with developing introductory video for website; manage and organize volunteer activities; maintain and update information posted in refuge kiosks; remove noxious weeds; and perform regular clean-up and maintenance (picking up trash, spraying weeds, cutting grass) of kiosk areas.

Location: Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge is at 9210 W. 80th Ave., Arvada.

Age requirements: Adults, or children with adult supervision; training provided.

Contact: Janet Torma-Krajewski, 303-4232069 or jtorma79@gmail.com.

Gateway Battered Women’s Services: Serves domestic violence victims in Aurora and Arapahoe County.

Contact: Jeneen Klippel, 303-343-1856; email jkworden@gatewayshelter.com.

Girl Scouts: Youth organization for girls.

Need: running troops to helping with a science event or office work Age requirement: Men and women 18-plus Contact: girlscoutsofcolorado.org, email inquiry@gscolorado.org or call 1-877-4045708 Global Goods and Coffee Shop: Supports the efforts of Global Refuge International, which provides medical support and training to refugees in Uganda. Shop sells fairly traded global goods and coffee, lattes, homemade paninis and pies.

Need: Cashiers at the coffee shop; barista experience a plus but not required. Also need musicians to provide live music in the evenings.

Location: Olde Town Arvada Requirement: Must be at least 16 years old; cashiers must be willing to volunteer at least one shift per week, for at least six months.

Contact: scheduling@globalgoodsandcoffee.com or stop by the shop to fill out a volunteer application.

Is it time to consider Assisted Living?

Call Mountain Vista Senior Senior Living Living Community Community

Mountain Vista Senior Living Community

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Take an online VIDEO TOUR at www.MountainVista.net Mountain Vista is owned and operated by American Baptist Homes of the Midwest, a not-for-profit provider of senior health care since 1930.

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303-421-4161

www.MountainVista.net

December 14, 2017

THINGS to DO

THEATER

Ballet Ariel’s The Nutcracker: 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 16-17, Dec. 22-23 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 and Dec. 22 at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway. Ticekts available at the box office, at www. lakewood.org/tickets or by calling 303-987-7845.

A Christmas Carol: 7:30 p.m.

Thursdays to Saturdays and 1 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 23 at Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Ave., Golden. Additional performances at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, and 6 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 3, Dec. 10 and Dec. 17. Call 303-935-3044 or at minersalley.com.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: through Saturday, Dec. 23 at Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. Performances at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays; 1 p.m. Wednesdays, and 2 p.m.

Saturdays and Sundays. Call 720898-7200. `Resolutions’: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 6 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 31 at The Edge Theater, 1560 Teller St., Lakewood.

Additional performance at 7 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 31. No show Dec. 24.

Call 303-232-0363 or go to www. theedgetheater.com.

MUSIC

Christmas in Aspen Acres: 7 p.m.

Dec. 15-16 and 2 p.m. Dec. 16-17 at Arvada Covenant Church, 5555 Ward Road, Arvada. One-act musical. Go to www.arvadacovenant.org.

FILM/MOVIES

this week’s TOP FIVE

Elf Academy: Sunday, Dec. 17 at Gold Mine Cupcakes, 700 12th St., Suite 130, Golden. A joint venture with The Golden Hayride, Elf Academy allows kids to compete in a series of activities, including singing Christmas carols and making crafts.

They also will get to decorate their own cupcake. After completing their Elf Academy tasks, they will receive a certificate of completion from Santa. Hot chocolate, coffee and cupcakes available. Reservations required. Call the shop at 720-328-9531, or stop by the store during business hours. Time slots are 10-10:45 a.m., 11-11:45 a.m., noon to 12:45 p.m. and 1-1:45 p.m. Space is limited.

6842 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada.

Call 303-425-9583 or go to www.apexprd.org. Registration required.

Holiday Art Market: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 30 at the Foothills Art Center, 809 15th St. Golden. www.foothillsartcenter.org/upcoming

EVENTS

American Legion Post 161 Meeting: 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, at 6230 W. 60th Ave., Arvada.

Contact 303-424-0324 for cost and other information.

Stigma of Mental Illness: noon and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19 at Lifetree Café, 5675 Field St., Arvada. “Mental Illness: Breaking the Silence, Overcoming the Shame” features a filmed interview with Amy Simpson, author of the book “Troubled Minds.” Simpson grew up with a mother who was later diagnosed with schizophrenia. Contact Polly Wegner at 303-424-4454 or pwegner@peacelutheran.net.

ART/CRAFTS

Timberline Handbell Ensemble Concert: 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 at Wheat Ridge United Methodist Church, 7530 W. 38th Ave., Wheat Ridge.

Fight Back Against Stress: 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at Natural Grocers, 3333 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood. Learn to incorporate a few specific nutrients into your diet to deal with life’s many stressors.

Call 303-989-4866.

Fine Art Market; ACES Show and Sale: open through Dec. 17 at the Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada. Opening reception from 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30.

Go to http://arvadacenter.org/ galleries/31st-annual-fine-artmarket-show-sale or call 720898-7200 for hours and other details.

Christmas Party Luncheon: noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14 at the Vista at Applewood Golf Course. Presented by the Denver Northwest Suburban Christian Women’s Connection. The Sweet Adelines quartet, Four to the Bar, will sing and Andrea Erickson will speak. Reservations required; all women welcome. Call Isabel at 303-233-9655 or Nancy at 303421-6484 for cost information.

Art Classes: 12:30-3 p.m. Tuesdays through Dec. 19 (painting) at the Community Recreation Center,

Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest: 6-10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 at American Legion Post 161, 6230 W. 60th

Jammin Feud: 7-9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18 at American Legion Post 161, 6230 W. 60th Ave., Arvada.

Anyone can play in teams of 1-4 people. This is played like Family Feud. You do not have to be good at trivia to have a wonderful time and win great prizes. Call 303-4240324 or go to https://www.alp161. org `The Story of the Nutcracker’: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 23 at the Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Ave., Golden. Call for weekday availability. Call 303935-3044 or go to minersalley.com. Appropriate for ages 12 and under, and the people who love them.

Ave., Arvada. Call 303-424-0324 or go to www.alp161.org International Tea Day Party: 4-4:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 at the Standley Lake Library, 8485 Kipling St., Arvada. Listen to tea stories and sample some delicious teas. Call 303-235-5275 or go to www.jeffcolibrary.org.

Saturday with Santa: noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 in Olde Town Square, 57th and Olde Wadsworth. Bring your own camera.

Canned food donations accepted for the food bank at The Rising Church.

Chanukah Celebrations: 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 (congregational celebration) at B’nai Chaim, 4716 S. Coors Lane, Morrison. Call 303-697-2668 or go to www.bnaichaim.org.

Lego Play and Build: 3-4:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Standley Lake Library, 8485 Kipling St., Arvada; 2-4 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Wheat Ridge Library, 5475 W. 32nd Ave., Wheat Ridge. Call 303-235-5275 or go to www.jeffcolibrary.org.

Santa’s Mailbox: through Dec. 18 at Apex Center North Pole, 13150 W. 72nd Ave., Arvada. Send letters to Santa.

After School Fun: Fractured Fairy Tales: 4-5 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Standley Lake Library, 8485 Kipling St., Arvada. Call 303-2355275 or go to www.jeffcolibrary. org.

Visit with Santa: 10:15-11:30 a.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 20 at the Wheat Ridge Library, 5475 W. 32nd Ave., Wheat Ridge. Go to http://jeffcolibrary.org.

Superhero Training Academy: Dec. 20 at Standley Lake Library, 8485 Kipling St., Arvada. 2-2:45 p.m. for ages 4-6; 3:15-4 p.m. for ages 7-9. Call 303-235-5275 or go to www.jeffcolibrary.org.

Arvada Winter Break Fun: 1-4 p.m. Dec. 22; 1-3 p.m. Dec. 23; 1-4 p.m. Dec. 26; 1-3 p.m. Dec. 27; 1-3 p.m. Dec. 29 at the Arvada Library, 7525 W. 57th Ave., Arvada.

Watch movies, munch popcorn, play with Legos and meet new friends. Dec. 22 movie is “Wonder Woman”; Dec. 23 movie is “Polar Express”; Dec. 26 movie is “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”; Dec. 29 movie is “Despicable Me 3.” No movie Dec. 27. Call 303-235-5275 or go to www.jeffcolibrary.org.

Lakewood Sentinel 25

HEALTH

Food Pantry: open from 9-11 a.m.

Wednesdays at New Apostolic Church, 5290 Vance St., Arvada, rear entrance (across the street from Beau Jo’s restaurant). Contact Gertrude at 303-902-6794.

EDUCATION

Dinosaurs: 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 14 at Atria of Applewood, 2800 Youngfield St., Lakewood. Join Active Minds for a look at new discoveries that will change our thinking about dinosaurs, one of the most fascinating creatures ever to inhabit our planet. Seating is limited; RSVP required. Call 303-233-4343 Kindergarten Information Meeting: 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 15 at Vanderhoof Elementary School, 5875 Routt St., Arvada. Call 303982-2744.

The Salty Tale of Salt: 1-3 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 19 at Kipling Meadows, 7175 Kipling St., Arvada.

Join Active Minds as we tell the story of salt, from its key role in preserving food, to its influence in political conflict, to modern angles including gourmet salt and health concerns surrounding high blood pressure. Call 303-4125480 to RSVP. Wine: 2:30-3:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21 at Atria Inn at Lakewood, 555 S. Pierce St., Lakewood. Join Active Minds as we describe the history of wine as well as give an overview of the various types of wine and their most salient characteristics. Call 303-742-4800 to RSVP.

Parents Day Out: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 23 at Apex Center, 13150 W. 72nd Ave., Arvada. Pizza, a craft and a holiday movie. Registration required. Go to apexprd. org or call 303-403-2739.

Toddler Dance Party: 11:15 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Dec. 26 at the Wheat Ridge Library, 5475 W. 32nd Ave., Wheat Ridge. Go to jeffcolibrary.org.

Party Bridge: 1-4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 26 at the Apex Community Recreatioon Center, 6842 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada. Play for fun, partners rotate after each game.

Register the Friday before each party. Call 303-425-9583 or go to ApexPRD.org.

Editor’s note: Calendar submissions must be received by noon Thursday for publication the following week. Send listings to calendar@coloradocommunitymedia.com. No attachments, please. Listings are free and run on a space-available basis.

26 Lakewood Sentinel

December 14, 2017D

Marketplace ANNOUNCEMENTS

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December 14, 2017

Lakewood Sentinel 27

LOCAL

SPORTS

MIGHTY TIGERS LEAP INTO NEW SEASON

Another milestone for one of state’s great coaches

F

Lakewood senior Camilla Emsbo, far left, celebrates with teams after a Tiger bucket against Arapahoe on Dec. 5 in Lakewood’s home opener. The Tigers won 55-39. Last year’s Class 5A state runner-up got off to a busy start to the season with eight games in 10 days. The team went 6-2 over that stretch, and now prepare to host Fossil Ridge on Dec. 20. PHOTO BY DENNIS PLEUSS/JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

BY THE NUMBERS

58

Percent shooting from the field for Golden in the 53-16 girls basketball victory over Eaglecrest on Dec. 7.

15

3-point fields goals and a 63 percent shooting percentage from beyond the arc for Bear Creek’s boys in a 74-48 basketball romp over Arapahoe on Dec. 8.

10

Of the 14 matches to determine individual championships at the Dec. 9 Frank Palmeri Wrestling Invitational at Wheat Ridge were decided by pins.

24.2 59.8

Scoring average after four games for Golden senior forward Makenna Prey.

Points per game averaged by the Jefferson boys basketball team while compiling a 5-0 record.

Standout Performers Manuel Perez, Bear Creek The senior swished six-of-six 3-point attempts and scored 20 points in a 74-48 boys basketball win over Arapahoe on Dec. 8.

Alex Telles, Green Mountain The senior led the team with 19 points in a 68-37 boys basketball win over Denver West on Dec. 8.

Justus Aragon, Standley Lake The junior figured in all the scoring with two goals and an assist in the 3-1 hockey victory over Standley Lake on Dec. 8.

Samantha Van Sickle, Ralston Valley The senior did a little bit of everything in the 55-46 triumph over Fairview on Dec. 9 with eight points, 11 rebounds and six steals.

Adam Thistlewood, Golden In a 62-51 boys basketball victory over Conifer on Dec. 8, the 6-foot-6 senior notched a double double with 24 points and 11 rebounds.

Colorado Community Media selects five to five athletes from area high schools each week as “Standout Performers.” Preference is given to athletes making their debut on the list. To nominate an athlete, contact Jim Benton by noon on Sunday 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 OVERTIME notch her 600th win in 33 seasons of Colorado high school coaching.

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 Jim Benton Ranch. She coached for 11 seasons at Colorado Academy.

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.

Five Highlands Ranch schools are in the same loop along with Castle View.

Several north area teams won’t have to schedule non-league games against nearby rivals since a couple leagues have north area teams.

All this makes sense. The waterfall format sounded good but logic was absent.

Open enrollment is still a problem that SEE BENTON, P30

28 Lakewood Sentinel

December 14, 2017D

BENTON FROM PAGE 26

helps the rich teams get richer but the CHSAA can’t do anything about the state legislative regulation.

These proposed leagues still have to be approved by the Legislative Council in January.

The council kept geography, school district rivalries and struggling programs in mind with its proposed alignments. The proposal heading to the Legislative Council includes expanding the 5A state playoffs from 16 to 24 teams and a change to start practice a week earlier, which could allow for a bye week in the schedules.

In Class 5A there will be five leagues with six teams and one conference with 10 schools, which includes schools like Northglenn and Westminster that have struggled recently in football.

“This will provide the 10 teams with an opportunity to have competitive equity,” said Westminster School District athletic director Gabe Trujillo.

“Participation will improve, hopefully there will be a decrease in injuries, and proximity is critical to reduce class disruption and early leaves. If we did

not address the inequitable competitive conference we could very well lose football as a program.”

Jefferson County School District Athletic Director Jim Thyfault was pleased with the proposed leagues.

“It was been several years since our schools have been together in a league,” he said. “Hopefully this revives the excitement in our communities like we have seen in the past.”

Still, everything seems acceptable but not perfect.

“I absolutely hate we are not in the same conference as Castle View,” said Douglas County coach Gene Hill.

Mountain Vista coach Ric Cash also weighed in.

“I don’t like playing Valor since they are in our back yard,” he said.

“Traditionally, CHSAA put the private schools in a league outside of their immediate recruiting area, but I guess that has changed. Since they are in the Jeffco league in everything else, I don’t understand why they didn’t go there in football as well. Mullen could have then come to our league.

Jim Benton is a sports writer for Colorado Community Media. He has been covering sports in the Denver area since 1968. He can be reached at jbenton@coloradocommunitymedia. com or at 303-566-4083.

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Lakewood Sentinel 29

December 14, 2017

SPORTS NEWS IN A HURRY All Conference for Mt. Anteron League (Bear Creek) First Team: Kylan Martinez, senior, Offensive Line George Martinez, junior, running back Tanis Craiglow, senior, Defensive end Josh Ramos, sophomore, Linebacker Axel Gonzalez-Sarabia, junior, Punter Second Team: Isaiah Romero, junior, Quarterback Shawn Vigil, junior, Offensive Line Dillon Monk, junior, Running Back Nate Madrid, junior, Wide Receiver Aeneas Maynes, junior, Linebacker Honorable Mention: Josiah Hernandez, Benjamin Lodwick, Zachary Weaver, Ryan Dalton, Quenton DiDonato, Kadin Wilson, Brenden Pennington.

West Metro League All-Conference Trey Towndrow, Green Mountain, Quarterback Tristan Tafoya, Green Mountain, Wide Receiver Ryan Burdi, Green Mountain, Fullback Isiah Lawson, Alameda, Quarterback Jayden Mares, Alameda, Defensive Line Carlos Turcios-Flores, Alameda, Offensive Line Second Team: Zachary McCaslin, Green Mountain, Offensive Line Matthew Schlieper, Green Mountain, Linebacker Riley Hall, Green Mountain, Offensive Line Quinn Meinert, Green Mountain, Defensive Back

Andrew Borquez, Alameda, Defensive Line Ray Martinez, Alameda, Safety Ruban Portillo, Alameda, Linebacker Trey Towndrow, Green Mountain, Punter Isiah Lawson, Alameda, Return Specialist Honorable Mention: Green Mountain — Will Banks, Trevor Valde, Trevor Way. Alameda — Anthony Agosto, Dominic Martinez, Jheramiah Vigil, Patrick Gallegos.

West Metro CO-Offensive Players of the Year: Deyvon Butler, Skyview, Running Back; Trey Towndrow, Green Mountain, Quarterback

Mount Lincoln All-Conference (Lakewood High School) First Team: Rex Desso, Wide Receiver Robert Miller, Defensive Tackle Ezekiel Sundberg, Defensive Back Second Team: Trenton Sanders, Offensive Line Blake Cowden, Wide Receiver Kegan Hufford, All-purpose offense Phillip Luba, Linebacker Brian Duong, Defensive Back Nick Pierro, Defensive Back Honorable Mention: Apollo Espinoza, Linebacker; Weston Lee, Defensive Back; Son Bui, Defensive Tackle; Noa Ladd, Linebacker; Pierce Holley, Quarterback; Spencer Kennedy-Larkin, Offensive Line; Parker Beastrom, Offensive Line.

CHSAA reveals proposed football league alignments Legislative Council will meet in January to make final decision STAFF REPORT

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES GUIDE

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.

lands 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 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, FountainFort Carson, Doherty.

Metro South: Valor Christian, High-

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.

Class 3A North Central 1: George Washington, Evergreen, Conifer, John F. Kennedy, Abraham Lincoln, Green Mountain.

North Central 2: Mead, Holy Family, Frederick, Denver North, Skyview, Northfield.

Southern: Discovery Canyon, Palmer Ridge, Lewis-Palmer, Lutheran, Littleton, Thomas Jefferson.

Class 2A Metro 1: Arvada, Bennett, D’Evelyn, Faith Christian, Middle Park, Denver West.

Metro 2: Alameda, Machebeuf, Kent Denver, Ridgeview Academy, Englewood, Riverdale Ridge.

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