Westminster Window 120612

December 6, 2012

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A Colorado Community Media Publication

ourwestminsternews.com

Adams County and Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 68, Issue 7

Giving gifts to those less fortunate

By Ashley Reimers

areimers@ourcoloradonews.com In its fourth year, the annual Precious Gift Program is well under way.

The program is sponsored by A Precious Child, a nonprofit organization devoted to making a positive impact in the lives of disadvantaged and displaced children and families by improving their quality of life.

The program provides gifts for children who are living in shelters or foster homes in the north metro-Denver area, and those facing challenges.

Last year the program provided gifts for more than 4,000 children, and this year the

program is set to provide gifts for more than 5,000 children.

“Every year we rely heavily on the support from the community to provide holiday gifts for children who would otherwise have been without them,” said Courtney Rogers, director of programs for A Precious Child. “This year we have been overwhelmed with requests, and we are hoping, with the help from the community, to fulfill the holiday wishes of all of the children in need.”

Community members can participate in the Precious Gift Program by organizing a toy drive; hosting a giving tree, which is hung with gift tags for a chosen number of children; or by sponsoring a child, family or

list of children.

Rogers said individual sponsors are encouraged to donate $50 online at www. apreciouschild.org, which would sponsor one child’s wish list.

She said for larger groups, such as businesses, the giving tree is a great option because each person or employee can sponsor a child on the giving tree. ”Our goal is to bring normalcy to these children and families during the holidays,” she said. “We want the parents to feel empowered that they are able to provide for their children, and we want the children to feel the joy of waking up on Christmas morning with a gift under the tree.”

Members of A Precious Child will collect

toys until Christmas Eve at the A Precious Child giving tree in the food court at FlatIron Crossing in Broomfield.

People can also choose a child to sponsor from the giving tree.

For more information, go online to www. apreciouschild.org or email Rogers at courtneyrogers@apreciouschild.org.

“The best part of the Precious Gift Program is how it is truly a collaborative effort.

We partner with over 30 different social service agencies to collect the gift wishes of the children who are most in need,” Rogers said. “We then partner with the community in order to fulfill these children’s wishes.

With everyone’s help, we are all able to make a difference in a child’s life.”

Lights illuminate City Hall

By Ashley Reimers

areimers@ourcoloradonews.com

The marquee for Chelsea Park in Westminster is covered and surrounded Oct. 21 by items left by community members in memory of Jessica Ridgeway, who was abducted while walking to the park and then murdered. The park is being renamed Jessica Ridgeway Memorial Park. Photo by Andy Carpenean

Park renamed in memory of Jessica Ridgeway

By Ashley Reimers

areimers@ourcoloradonews. com During a time of sorrow and tragedy, Chelsea Park in Westminster was a place for comfort and peace, and now it will bear the name of the girl who was headed there before she was abducted and murdered.

It was at the park, where 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway was to meet friends before school on the morning of Oct. 7, that community members gathered for prayer vigils and paid their respects to Jessica by bringing flowers and gifts to memorial sites.

Now, with the approval of Westminster City Council, the park will serve as a permanent memorial through being renamed as the Jessica Ridgeway

‘I want to thank all of our community for supporting us and Jessica in the manner in which they have.’

Rebecca Ridgeway Memorial Park. The council voted unanimously to rename the park during its Nov. 26 meeting.

The quest to rename the park was led by Westminster resident Linda Mitchell and members of the Noon Rotary Club. Mitchell and Jon Johnston from the Rotary Club both sent letters of support to Don Tripp, director of the Parks, Recreation and Libraries Department, expressing their desire to make the name change. The Parks, Recreation and Libraries Advisory Board

POSTAL ADDRESS

voted 6-0 in support of renaming of the park before the proposal was sent to council.

The city will pay $2,500 to repaint the park signs, with the funds coming from the park’s general capital improvement fund.

According to a staff report, preliminary plans to improve the park are already in place and will cost between $250,000 and $350,000, with only $85,000 currently available from past capital improvement projects.

Private fundraising is needed to complete the project, and the Ridgeway family has asked that community volunteers be included in making the improvements.

Printed on recycled newsprint. Please recycle this copy.

“I just want to tell you all thank you for allowing the motion of the park to even come to this level,” Rebecca Ridgeway, a family member of Jessica’s, told the City Council. “And I want to thank all of our community for supporting us and Jessica in the manner in which they have. I know we’re all really thankful for living in Westminster, a great community.”

City employees will begin painting the signs in Jessica Ridgeway Memorial Park in the next week or two, and work is set to begin on the improvements of the park in 2013.

During the council meeting, Mayor Nancy McNally thanked Rebecca Ridgeway for allowing City Council to get to know Jessica.

“There is no way to say thank you enough,” she said. “You have been a role model to all of us in the community. Everything I have seen and watched, and going to Jessica’s memorial service really was a blessing to the rest of us. Thank you so very much.”

Led by the Standley Lake High School marching band, Santa arrived in Westminster Sunday night to crowds of children.

His arrival came during the annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony at City Hall, where thousands of lights illuminated the sky.

Along with a visit from Santa, the evening featured musical performances by Victorian carolers, students from Mesa Elementary School and students from Crown Pointe Academy.

Children from the Westminster Dance Company also performed a holiday dance.

“Tonight is special,” said Mayor Nancy McNally. “We have to give a huge thank you to our park elves for working tirelessly and making sure every light is perfect” Families had the opportunity to warm up by the bonfire, and enjoy hay rides and free refreshments. Westminster resident Carol Montgomery said she tries to come to the event every year because it’s a free, festive night out with her family.

“Tonight is just a fun time for my entire family,” she said. “My kids get to see Santa, and we all get to enjoy the wonderful lights.”

The holiday lights will be on display in the evenings at City Hall, 4800 W. 92nd Ave., throughout the month of December.

The switch is flipped to light a Christmas tree during the 25th annual city of Westminster Holiday Lighting Ceremony Sunday at City Hall. Photo by Andy Carpenean

2 Westminster Window

December 6, 2012

Healthy living Local mom is voted fan favorite in weight loss competition

By Ashley Reimers

areimers@ourcoloradonews.com Keely Shaw is oozing with self-confidence. So much so, that if she really tried, she believes, she could just take off and fly away.

The Westminster resident was recently voted the female fan favorite in Life Time Fitness’ 90-Day Weight Loss Competition after losing 54 pounds and 26 percent of her body weight. This was her second 90day challenge. During her first challenge she lost 58 pounds.

“I am so confident, I feel like can fly if I try hard enough,” she said. “I can’t believe this is me.”

Shaw wasn’t always this full of life. Less than a year ago, the 32-year-old weighed 260 pounds and felt uncomfortable in her own skin. After the birth of her daughter, Shaw decided to turn her life around and joined Life Time Fitness in Westminster.

“When I had my daughter, I had to confront my life and the issues I had with my weight and being heavy all my life,” she

‘I struggled with selfesteem, and I didn’t want my daughter to have the same experience that I did.’

Keely Shaw said. “I struggled with self-esteem, and I didn’t want my daughter to have the same experience that I did.”

After winning the title, Shaw said she felt like her win was validation for the heavy girl she once was.

“I’m really different from that heavy girl I used to be, but it feels like I did for her,” she said. “I’ll always keep my gym ID card that I got when I first joined, when I was heavy, as a reminder of what I did, why I’m here and who I was. That motivates me.”

As a fan favorite, Shaw received a oneyear Life Time Fitness membership and a $2,000 travel voucher toward a vacation of her choice.

She is currently training for her first halfmarathon. She said the best part about los-

Westminster resident Keely Shaw was voted the female fan favorite for her second Life Time Fitness’ 90 Day Weight Loss Competition after losing 54 pounds and 26 percent of her body weight. She lost 58 pounds during her first challenge.

Photo provided ing the weight is gaining years back to her life.

“I feel like I’m the person I was when I

was young,” she said. “I feel like I’ve taken 15 years off my life and I’m only 32. I’m comfortable in my body, and I can move.”

Woman’s pain transforms into quest to end domestic violence

By Ashley Reimers

areimers@ourcoloradonews.com

Six years ago Angela McMahan made a life-changing decision.

She had woken up in a pool of blood after another abusive weekend with her then-husband. So close to death, she made a decision to turn her life around, leave her husband and serve God. “He would abuse me verbally and physically, and I eventually starting abusing myself by drinking and drugging,” she said.

“That night, when I woke up covered in blood, I got to my knees and looked up and said, `God, if you are real, you have to help because I’m in serious trouble.’ That was when everything changed. I knew if I didn’t leave that place, I would die.”

It took another two years for McMahan to finally divorce her husband.

After gaining her independence, she began the journey of creating a healthy, clean lifestyle.

During her transformation, she began

‘We are really here to support and help anyone dealing with domestic violence. We have many resources we provide for free.’

Angela McMahan going to her local church and participating in its choir.

She said she quickly realized that many other women were suffering the same pain she once was by living with domestic violence.

“I kept running into women in crisis. I would literally be in a bathroom and hear a woman talking about domestic violence, and it was like she was talking to me,” she said. “I guess that’s what they mean when they say you have a calling in your life.”

In 2007 McMahan started Arising Hope, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping end the effects of domestic vio-

WESTMINSTER NEWS IN A HURRY Historical marker placed at Church’s Stage Stop A bronze plaque was recently installed at the Church’s Stage Stop historic site, on the west side of Wadsworth Boulevard, north of 103rd Avenue on city of Westminster open space.

The site was a stagecoach stop operated by the George and Sara Church family, beginning in 1864. The stop was halfway between Denver and Boulder along the Cherokee Trail, later called the Overland Stage route.

President Ulysses S. Grant and his daughter stayed overnight at the stage stop in 1868.

The plaque is mounted on a large boulder near a brick well, which is the only remnant of the stage stop.

In 2002, City Council budgeted funds to fabricate 24 plaques to commemorate Westminster history. To date, 19 of 24 plaques have been installed.

Recycle your Christmas tree Allow Troop 484 and the city of Westminster to recycle your tree.

The troop will provide front-porch pickup of your tree on one of the two Saturdays

lence in the lives of women, children and household pets.

Arising Hope provides safe and secure emergency housing to victims of domestic violence in the Denver metro area, especially in the Westminster, Thornton and Northglenn areas.

During their time at the shelter, residents are expected to participate in biblical-based counseling and classes.

“I just took a leap of faith and went for it. There was a lot of trial and error, but it’s all been worth it,” she said. “I have seen women turn their lives around, and it’s amazing to be a part of that.”

McMahan’s first shelter was in her home in Northglenn.

She began with one woman and her dog, and a couple of months later,she said, she had a houseful of women, children, dogs and cats.

The Arising Hope shelter is now in Thornton, in a house donated to McMahan.

A cadre of volunteers at Arising Hope assist victims with legal concerns, safety planning, secondary housing, transportation, life-skills coaching, employment, job training and any other issues they bring up.

Arising Hope also provides service to the public, including counseling, biblical classes, life-skills coaching, and educational and spiritual training.

“We are really here to support and help anyone dealing with domestic violence,” McMahan said. “We have many resources we provide for free.”

For more information on Arising Hope, visit www.arisinghope.org or call the emergency crisis and information line at 303-280-3180.

SO MUCH INSIDE THE WINDOW THIS WEEK

after Christmas.

Your supporting donation for this service will help the troop prepare boys to become leaders.

This project helps the environment by turning trees into mulch. Call 303-7063389 for more information.

Decorating contest Federal Heights encourages all businesses and residents in the city to decorate festively this holiday season.

The City Council is offering prizes to three businesses and three families selected for the best-decorated store front or office exterior and residence. Prizes are: $100 for first place, $75 for second place and $50 for third place.

A panel of judges will evaluate nominees during the week of Dec. 10-16.

The contest winners will be notified on Dec. 17, and a special presentation will be made to contest winners at the Dec. 18 City Council meeting.

To nominate a business or residence, email the name and address to info@ fedheights.org.

Nominations are due by Dec. 7. Selfnominations are accepted. Only outdoor decorations will be considered.

HAVE A STORY IDEA? Email your ideas to Westminster Community Editor Ashley Reimers at areimers@ourcoloradonews.com or call her at 303-566-4131.

Mom approved: Goddard School recommends top 10 toys for preschoolers.

Page 4

Life: Classic holiday ballet, ‘The Nutcracker,’ debuts with a few twists.

Page 16

Sports: Legacy senior hopes to win state tournament.

Page 21 Movie: Keira Knightley discusses her newest role in “Anna Karenina” Page 24

Holidays: See tips for the season on our special pages.

Pages 10-11

Westminster Window 3

December 6, 2012

Westminster City Council On the Record Compiled by Ashley Reimers

areimers@ourcoloradonews.com Westminster City Council voted on the following legislation during its Nov. 26 meeting.

Council members in attendance were Mayor Cindy McNally, Mayor Pro Tem Faith Winter, Herb Atchison, Mark Kaiser and Scott Major

Heritage Clubhouse HVAC retrofit

Council unanimously voted to authorize the city manager to execute a contract with the low bidder, American Mechanical Services of Colorado Springs Inc., for the upgrade and modernization of the heating and cooling system at the Heritage Golf Clubhouse in the amount of $223,807.

In addition, council authorized a 10 percent contingency in the amount of $22,300 sfor a total project cost of $246,107.

City of Westminster 2013 Legislative Policy Statement

Council unanimously approved the nadoption of the city of Westminster 2013 Legislative Policy Statement, which identifies general legislative issues of interest to the city and articulates the city’s policy principles on these issues.

Staff uses the policy statement as direction when reviewing and analyzing bills that may have an impact on the city’s interests.

Adopting the statement allows staff and council to move quickly to influence legislation affecting cities that is introduced at the Capitol.

Amendment to the Westminster Solid Waste Collection Municipal Code

Council unanimously approved Councillor’s Bill No. 47 on second reading, implementing revisions to the solid waste collection section of the Westminster municipal code as recommended by the Environmental Advisory Board to improve recycling in the community.

The revisions will improve the availability of recycling in the community and allow for portions of the annual trash-collector recycling report to be held in confidence to the extent authorized by the Colorado Open Records Act.

Appropriation for funds to the 2012 general budget

Council unanimously approved Councillor’s Bill No. 48 on first reading, providing for a supplemental appropriation of funds to the 2012 budget of the general, water, storm drainage, general capital outlay replacement and general capital improvement funds.

General fund amendments include: $79,063 in grants, $14,265 in contributions and $3,189 in reimbursements. Water fund amendments include: $9,959 in reimbursements.

Storm drainage fund amendments include: $1,475 in transfers. General capital outlay replacement fund amendments include: $9,165 in grants. General capital improvement fund amendments include: $6,768,000 in transfers and $39,800 in grants.

The next city council meeting will be Monday, Dec. 17, at City Hall, 4800 W. 92nd Ave. in Westminster.

MILITARY NEWS Jeffery C. Harville Air Force Capt. Jeffery C. Harville has arrived for duty at Thule Air Base, Greenland, to serve as the commander of operations for the support flight, 21st Space Wing.

Harville has served in the military for 10 years. He is the son of Miyuki Harville, of Westminster.

He graduated in 2002 from Pomona High School, Arvada, and received a bachelor of science degree in 2007 from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs.

NEWS IN A HURRY Winners of CHSAA Championship five-ticket package Colorado Community Media held a drawing for free tickets to the Colorado High School Activities Association Championship Saturday. Each winner received five tickets. The winners were:

YOUR COLORADO NEWS Colorado Community Media connects readers to 18 local communities: Arvada, Castle Rock, Centennial, Elbert County, Englewood, Golden, Highlands Ranch, Lakewood, Littleton, Lone Tree, Northglenn, Parker, Pikes Peak, Thornton, Tri-Lakes, Westminster and Wheat Ridge. To find out more about our communities visit www.ourColoradonews. com the online home of Colorado Community Media.

WANT MORE NEWS? For breaking stories, more photos and other coverage of the community, visit our website at www.OurWestminsternews.com the online home of the Westminster Window.

David Bralish, Arvada; Linda Pierce, Arvada; Mary Beth Renfrow, Lakewood; John Patrick N. Revitte, Centennial; Anthony Macias, Highlands Ranch; Jane Kawasaki, Highlands Ranch; Cheryl Key, Highlands Ranch; Stacy Sax, Highlands Ranch; Rebecca Green, Lakewood; and Matt Bowden, Lakewood.

Lily and Sophie Schwechel, 3-year-old twin sisters from Frederick, enjoy touching one of the ice sculptures at the Fire & Ice holiday show Nov. 21.

ON HOT ICE Photos by Pam Wagner The annual WinterFest program featured fire and ice dancers, performers skating with the Ice Princess and Toy Soldier on Orchard’s Ice Rink, ice sculptures and face painting.

“Melinda” works with a hoop of flames, just one of the Fire Performers at the annual WinterFest program.

4 Westminster Window

December 6, 2012

Goddard School passes toy test

Recommends 10 toys for season

THE GODDARD SCHOOL’S TOP 10 TOYS FOR 2012 (Listed by “Suggested Age Range”)

1 GYMINI MOVE ‘N PLAY - 3 months and older 2 MY FIRST TOOL KIT - 6 months and older 3 DR. DOCTOR - 18 months to 5 years 4 ON THE FARM - 18 months and older 5 JUNGLE JINGLES - 2 to 6 years 6 BUBBER SMART SHAPES KIT - 3 years and older 7 CITIBLOCKS NEON WOODEN BUILDING

By Clarke Reader

creader@ourcoloradonews.com All kinds of toys area competing for children’s attention during the holidays, and to help parents make their choices, The Goddard School in Lakewood has released its top 10 list of preschool-approved toys for 2012.

The Lakewood school, 12850 W. Alameda Parkway, was one of 20 Goddard Schools nationwide to test and vote on the best toys for the season.

The Goddard School is a nationwide group of preschools for children 6 weeks to 6 years old.

It focuses on exploratory learning that builds children’s emotional, social, cognitive and physical skills.

“Every year different schools are chosen to have the students see which toys are the best,” said Shannon O’Hara, owner of the Lakewood school.

“Parents and teachers were also allowed to vote, and then Goddard collected all in the information to chose the top 10.”

The 10 toys selected range from the Gymini Move ‘N Play activity gym for ages 3 months and older to the Poppin Hoppies game for ages 5 years and older.

All the toys have educational or developmental benefits, according to O’Hara.

BLOCKS - 3 years and older

8 KALEIDO GEARS - 3 years and older 9 CANDY CONSTRUCTION- 4 years and older 10 POPPIN HOPPIES - 5 years and older Shannon O’Hara, owner of The Goddard School, left, watches as her daughter Katelyn plays with an assortment of toys the school recently tested. Photo by Andy Carpenean Different classes with children of different ages were given age-appropriate toys to play with and see which ones they enjoyed the most. For the classes with younger children, teachers made observations on which were the most popular, and for older children, teachers used voting for the best toys as a way to teach about charts.

“It was wonderful, and we turned the whole thing into a learning experience,” said teacher JoAnn Crabill.

“My students are 4 to 5 years old, and we played with toys that helped to build fine motor coordination and cognitive games.”

The school started testing the toys Oct. 22, and for that week it was like early Christmas at the school, O’Hara said.

Once the results from all participating schools had been collected, the top choices were posted on the Goddard website.

“It was great to see the kids interact-

ing with the toys before we buy them,” she said. “It’s nice to be able to know which toys the kids were developing an interest in.”

O’Hara said the hands-on approach the children had in playing and learning with the toys fits perfectly with the philosophy of the Goddard School “Not everyone learns the same way, so for us education is to provide opportunities to learn different things in different ways,” she said.

For information on the top 10 toys selected, go online to www.goddardschool. com/toys.

Jeffco continues Outdoor Lab support through 3A, 3B Outdoor Lab Foundation to receive expected $325,000 for sixth-grade program

By Sara Van Cleve

svancleve@ourcoloradonews.com For 54 years the Outdoor Education Laboratory Program has taken students out of the classroom to teach them lessons in nature.

With voters’ approval of ballot issues 3A and 3B in November, Outdoor Lab will continue to receive support from Jefferson County Public Schools and keep the lessons going.

In March 2011, progam leaders faced the possibility of shutting down the program as part of Jeffco Public Schools’ bud-

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get-reduction program.

Through a community fundraising effort, which was matched by district funds to generate about $625,000, the program was kept going for the 2011-12 school year.

Outdoor Lab is a one-week program offered to all sixth-graders in the district . During the overnight camp-like experience, children learn science lessons and their real-world applications in a natural setting.

The program has a sustainability agreement with the district to provide $350,000 in funding in 2012 and $325,000 for 2013, said Shannon Hancock, executive director of the Outdoor Lab Foundation.

“What 3A did was solidify that money and solidify that the lab schools will get the $325,000 next year,” Hancock said. “If it had not passed, that money would be gone, and the foundation would have to make up

the difference.”

Outdoor Lab is not receiving any additional funds through the approval of the $39 million mill levy override known as 3A. Funding from 3A will be used for the school district’s day-to-day operations, educational programs, maintenance, salaries and supplies.

The $99 million bond package, known as 3B, will help fund maintenance for the district, including work at the two outdoor lab locations, Mt. Evans Outdoor Laboratory School at 201 Evans Ranch Rd. in Evergreen and Windy Peak Outdoor Laboratory School in Bailey.

“Outdoor Lab has $2.3 million in deficiencies, which is maintenance and repairs at both sites,” Hancock said. “Our agreement with the district was, because the amount is so high, they would perform the repairs on an as-needed basis and we’d pay

it back over 10 years. With 3B, they are paying for repairs upfront. It gave us breathing room.”

Although Jeffco Schools will still support Outdoor Lab because of 3A and 3B, the program is still facing deep cuts next year.

The program is funded in part by Jeffco Schools, tuition, city contributions and the Outdoor Lab Foundation.

In 2012, Outdoor Labs had to cut its $2 million budget by 15 percent, or $329,000; in 2013, the budget will be cut by 5 percent, or $105,000.

“The goal of 3A and 3B was to put a stop to the very deep, deep cuts,” Hancock said of the ballot measures’ effects on the school district as a whole. “It’s kept things where they were. The U.S. is looking at a fiscal cliff, and the district is looking at an equivalent. It’s so awesome that voters saw education as a priority. It helps everybody.”

Hometown Christmas events in Westminster

By Ashley Reimers

areimers@ourcoloradonews.com It’s a holiday tradition that started in 1911 with a community gathering featuring lights, caroling and, of course, Santa Claus.

Hometown Christmas, sponsored by the Westminster Historical Society, is a free annual event in historic Westminster to promote residents sharing the holiday spirit with each other.

“The tradition kind of went silent after 1923, but a group of us in the community regenerated

it in 1987, and we have been doing it ever since,” said Linda Cherrington with the historical society. “It’s a popular event. At one time we had over 300 people.”

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, at Fire Station 1, 3948 W. 73rd Ave. in Westminster.

The pinnacle of the evening will be the Christmas tree lighting, which will be done this year by long-time Westminster resident Elizabeth Price. Just before the lighting, students from Ranum Middle School will sing carols.

Cherrington said children can have their pic-

Westminster police arrest major player in menacing, pursuit case Staff report Westminster Police have arrested three of four suspects in a felony menacing and pursuit incident.

At about 1 a.m. Nov. 23, police received a call about a possible assault happening at 92nd Avenue and Lowell Boulevard. Upon arrival, officers saw several vehicles with their windows broken out, said investigator Cheri Spottke.

A woman involved in the disturbance was possibly hit by a bat and transported to a local hospital.

“As officers arrived at the intersection, they say a van matching the description of the suspect vehicle leaving the area,” Spottke said.

“Officers attempted to stop the van, and the vehicle fled.”

The van finally stopped in the 1300 block of Peoria Street in Aurora, and the two occupants fled on foot.

Spottke said at that one point two of the four suspects were arrested.

A third suspect, Robert Crespin, the major player in the incident, was arrested Nov. 28.

One suspect is still at large.

Crespin was charged with kidnapping, vehicular eluding, third-degree assault, protection-order violation and violation of bail-bond conditions.

He is being held in the Adams County Detention facility on a $50,000 bond.

Spottke said the names of the other suspects are not being released at this time.

ture taken with Santa for $5 and local Boy Scout troops will be selling hot dogs and pop corn.

The Rodeo Market Community Arts Center will be open from 5 to 9 p.m., with staff serving hot chocolate and offering a free art activity for children of all ages.

“We encourage people who are new to Westminster to come and enjoy this tradition,” she said. “As far as I can tell this is probably the very first tradition the city ever had, and it’s nice to continue this fun, hometown event.”

For more information on Hometown Christmas, contact Cherrington at 303-426-1858.

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Westminster Window 5

December 6, 2012

Proposed projects discussed at meeting

By Ashley Reimers

areimers@ourcoloradonews.com

Residents learned about a few possible future projects in south Westminster that would benefit the area using federal funds during a recent city meeting.

On Nov. 27, a handful of residents heard from Westminster community development program planner Signy Mikita about the 2013 action plan, which describes projects to be funded in 2013 by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and Home Investment Partnership Act (HOME) funds.

These funds are allocated each year by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and are available for projects that benefit the city’s low- and moderate-income residents, and to alleviate blight.

This year the city should receive roughly $500,000 in CDBG funding and $184,000 hin HOME funding.

Mikita presented five possible options

for how the city would use the CDBG funds as well as how the HOME funds could be allocated.

“A few months ago, the city prepared a questionnaire to gain citizen input on projects that would be funded with CDBG funds,” she said. “From that questionnaire we were able to gain a better understanding as to what was a priority for the citizens.”

Mikita said based on the questionnaires and staff analysis, five projects are being recommended for 2013 CDBG funding.

• Bradburn Boulevard realignment, phase II, $200,000 to $260,000: a project to continue the phased realignment of Bradburn Boulevard from 72nd Avenue to the BNSF railroad tracks to intersect 72nd Avenue at the existing traffic signal at Raleigh Street.

•Westminster Grange/Rodeo Market community arts center feasibility study,$10,000: preparation of a feasibility study and business plan for the development of a cultural community center that would combine the Westminster Grange

and Rodeo Market Arts Center into one facility.

• Rodeo Market Park improvements,$150,000: continued improvements to the area north of the Rodeo Market for a gathering space, lawn areas, expanded art opportunities and gardens for residents.

• CDBG administration, $100,000 or 20 percent of CDBG program: HUD allows grantees to utilize up to 20 percent of the CDBG funding for administration and planning expenses. This funding pays the salary of the full-time CDBG technician and the part-time community development program planner.

• 76th Avenue pedestrian improvements,$35,000: staff is looking into the possibility of undergrounding the overhead utilities along 76th Avenue in conjunction with the improvements to Torii Square Park planned for 2013.

HOME funds are allocated through Adams County to be used on affordable housing projects and programs.

Mikita said these proceeds have previously been used to assist affordable

housing development; to provide downpayment assistance to low- and moderateincome homebuyers; and for the housing rehabilitation program, administered by Adams County, providing low-interest loans to income-eligible households. Staff is recommending 10 percent, or $18,400, be allocated to county administration and $165,000 to the Affordable Housing Development Fund.

Before the public meeting, staff presented the proposed projects to City Council during a study session on Nov. 19.

Each council member was supportive of the proposed projects.

“It all makes sense, and I look forward to actually getting something done and getting it under way,” said Councilman Scott Major.

Residents will have another opportunity to voice their opinions on the action plan at a public hearing during Monday’s City Council meeting at City Hal, 4800 W. 92nd Ave. The complete action plan will be available online by Dec. 13.

e

Two Ponds foundation fundraising for education

y

tRefuge

launches capital campaign to help fund .construction of environmental education center

By Sara Van Cleve

svancleve@ourcoloradonews.com For 20 years, children and adults alike have been visiting Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge and learning about nature, including the three ecosystems the refuge boasts.

However, visits have been limited when the refuge gets a fresh blanket of snow or the air is simply too cold.

To help ensure residents and guests can explore nature year-round, the Two Ponds Preservation Foundation is planning to build an environmental-education center, the Two Ponds Schoolhouse.

The foundation has started a capital campaign to help raise some of the $1.5 million estimated cost of the schoolhouse construction.

“Our goal is to raise $500,000 to help construct the environmental-education center,” said Two Ponds Preservation Foundation President Janet Tarma-Krajewski.

An artist’s preliminary rendition of the proposed environmental-education schoolhouse at Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge. The Two Ponds Preservation Foundation has started a capital campaign to raise $500,000 to help fund construction. Photo provided An educational facility at the refuge would further the goals of the refuge and of Fish and Wildlife Services, said Paul Hartmann, treasurer for the Two Ponds Preservation Foundation.

“Two Ponds is a bit different than other

refuges,” said foundation secretary Joyce Persson. “It’s very small, but it has three different ecosystems and was designed for improving environmental education.”

Two Ponds covers 72.2 acres and receives an estimated 12,000 visits per year. Many of

those — about 3,000 per year — are from children on school or group trips. Those visits are why the schoolhouse is such an important project.

“Being raised on a farm, I have a deep appreciation for nature and what it has to offer,” Persson said. “A lot of young people don’t have that opportunity. This is why we work hard to preserve it. In the words of a poet [Graham Greene], `There is a moment in every child where the door opens and lets the future in.’ Children are the stewards of the earth.”

The Arvada Young Professionals have already named the schoolhouse as their special project for 2013. Persson said it has yet to be determined what their support will look like, but the foundation is excited to have it.

The foundation will also continue its long partnership with the city of Arvada to help receive grants and other support for the project, Tarma-Krajewski said.

Donations to support the Two Ponds Schoolhouse capital campaign can be made by going to the foundation’s website, www.TwoPonds.org, and clicking on the “Donations” link or by sending a check through direct mail to Two Ponds Preservation Foundation, P.O. Box 740748, Arvada, CO 80006.

‘Too Much Time’ offers hundreds of do-it-yourself green projects Blogger provides ideas for everything from headboards to Christmas ornaments

By Sara Van Cleve

svancleve@ourcoloradonews.com From turning old shopping bags into Christmas tree garland to transforming an old wooden fence into a headboard, local

blogger Kim Hanou has a project for every do-ityourselfer.

Hanou, an elementary school teacher who took a break from teaching to raise her son and daughter, started doing do-it-yourself, or DIY, projects and crafts a few years ago.

Kim Hanou holds a Christmas ornament Nov. 26 she made from recyclables in front of her fireplace in Arvada. Photo by Andy Carpenean

“Two years ago I started my own blog,” she said. “My husband came home from work and saw a lot of my projects and said `You have too much time on your hands,’ which is where the name came from.”

Her blog, Too Much Time on My Hands, features a plethora of DIY projects and craft ideas nearly anyone can do to spruce up the home and entertain their children.

As a mother of two — her children are 3 and 5 — Hanou said she doesn’t have too much time on her hands. Instead, all of the projects she undertakes and posts are simple, basicskill projects.

For example, one of her favorite projects was turning an old fence into a headboard.

Hanou found a listing on craigslist for an old fence someone was giving away.

She went to the property and loaded the fence into her Subaru. She has since

made nine projects from it.

“There’s so much that inspires you,” she said. “I just say, `What do I have? How can I make this work?’”

Much of the inspiration for her own projects comes from magazines, stores, Pinterest and other websites, but she personalizes them and does them as cheaply as possible.

Many of Hanou’s projects involve upcycling and repurposing old materials.

“It’s just to be respectful. You definitely want to respect the environment,” she said. “It’s important not to be wasteful. It’s an important lesson for my kids to learn, and we can have fun being creative.”

Hanou’s upcycling Christmas ideas include garland made from paper shopping bags and jute, Christmas ornaments filled with recyclable paper and stockings made from burlap. Her creativity helped Hanou land a spot in Better Homes and Gardens’ holi-

day issue.

While Hanou has blogged about hundreds of projects, they don’t always turn out well, she said, and she makes sure to let her readers know that.

“About two out of 10 don’t turn out,” she said. “I hate giving up though, so I alter my plans. It’s a learning process. I post, `This is

what I tried.’”

Hanou’s headboard project, her upcycled Christmas decorations and other ideas can be found on her blog at www.too-muchtime.com.

Some of Hanou’s projects, can be purchased through her store on Etsy, K & H Homegoods, at www. etsy.com/shop/khanou11.

TANNER GUN SHOW Northern Colorado’s Premier Gun Show

500 Tables

THE RANCH in Loveland 5280 Arena Circle, Exit 259 (next to Budweiser Event Center)

Dec 8 & 9 Saturday 9am - 5pm • Sunday 9am - 4pm

6 Westminster Window

December 6, 2012

Golden’s Candlelight Walk opens holiday season

By Glenn Wallace

gwallace@ourcoloradonews.com

The weather outside wasn’t frightful, but the Christmastime lights along the Clear Creek were still delightful.

The Golden Candlelight Walk took place Nov. 30, and quite a crowd gathered in the pleasantly warm, dry night air to participate in the annual kick-off of the month-long Olde Golden Christmas celebration.

“I’m thinking 7,500 people. It was the largest crowd ever,” Greater Golden Chamber of Commerce CEO Gary Wink said.

Washington Avenue was packed, even before the traditional group of candlebearing carolers made its way down the hill from the 15th Street intersection.

Event organizer Carol Ann Bowles, armed with a bullhorn to keep the gigantic crowd organized, led the candlelight procession alongside Santa Claus. As the mass of candle bearers made its way down the hill, the group sang Christmas and holiday songs, often several at the same time.

The mood was definitely festive and fun. Golden resident Susan Applegate joined the candlelight procession with her three children, ages 5, 8 and 10.

“They’ve been coming since they were born,” Applegate said. “It really gets us in the mood for the season.”

Her youngest, Brad, definitely looked festive. He was dressed up like a Christmas tree, complete with working lights.

He seemed a little confused, but happy to help, as several other asked to get their pictures taken with him.

“It’s just kind of a magical night,” Applegate said.

Several Samaritans and downtown businesses set up candle and hot-beverage stands for the procession. Table Mountain Inn employee Matt Lech helped served hot cocoa and cider.

“It’s fun and nice to see everybody come out and celebrate the event,” Lech said.

Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with members of the Golden Chamber of Commerce and 24th Street Carolers, lead the way north on Washington Avenue during the candlelight walk in Golden Friday. Photo by Andy Carpenean Dave Wann, of Golden, said he did the walk up and down the hill last year, but was content to watch from a street-side bench this year.

“I think it’s nice that Golden is getting to be known for all these festivals, and this is certainly one of the best,” Wann said between sips of hot cocoa.

The procession ended at the city’s Visitor’s Center, where the crowd counted down to zero and the flick of the switch that turned on the multitude of Christmas lights that light up Clear Creek, the Washington Avenue Bridge, Visitors Center and

Running the life marathon New course teaches life skills by marathon training

By Clarke Reader

creader@ourcoloradonews.com A lot of lessons can be learned while preparing for a marathon, and Red Rocks Community College is directing those lessons to students’ careers and lives.

In the spring, for the first time, the college will offer the course Change Through Challenge, in which students will learn from training for the Estes Park Marathon.

Andrew Johnston, an accounting instructor at the school and frequent marathon runner, created and will teach the course.

“The thing that got this course going was me analyzing why so many students don’t graduate college,” he said. “Many are smart kids; they just lack some key skills, so I thought about a different way to give them that information.”

During the 21-week class, students will attend a 90-minute lecture on Monday nights, with each lecture having a “discipline of the week,” including goal setting or overcoming setbacks.

On Saturdays, the students will run. The first week will be a two-mile run, the next a four-mile run. The distance will increase each week until the 26.2-mile marathon takes place on

June 16.

Whether the students actually run the whole marathon is not the point of the class. If they walk some or all of the race, they will still pass the class.

“The goal is crossing the finish line,” Johnston said.

“By virtue of doing that, students will have mastered all these life skills, which are key for school and work.”

According to Kim Rein, director of marketing and communications at Red Rocks Community College, this kind of unique class fits well with the college’s approach to learning, which she describes as experiential.

“We very much support the idea of our students experiencing things hands-on and learning by doing,” she said. “We think the class could not only be a gateway for people who are considering getting in shape, but for those who want to go back to school.”

Johnston said he hopes this course will go beyond the book-seminar-class style of teaching by having students do more than just talk about subjects.

“I’’m hoping to see students experience what I do when I train for a marathon — it makes you a completely different person,” he said.

“I want them to think, ‘If I can finish a marathon, I can graduate college, start my own business or do whatever I want.”

For more information and registration, go online to www.rrcc.edu.

IF YOU GO: OLDE GOLDEN CHRISTMAS Special holiday events and activities are available in Golden virtually every day of the month, through Saturday, Dec. 22. A full list of activities is available online at www. goldencochamber.org.

OLDE GOLDEN CHRISTMAS ON PARADE Every Saturday until Christmas, Golden holds a parade for Santa Claus. Floats clowns, Christmas music and Santa will travel down Washington Avenue. The half-hour parades Parfet Park.

Wink said he was very pleased with the popularity of the Olde Golden Christmas

change each week. For more information, call 303-2793113.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Children will have an opportunity to have breakfast with Santa at the Buffalo Rose Event Center from 9 to 11 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 8. Entertainment and bags of goodies will be provided. Cost is $8, and reservations are required. Call 303-279-0200. program.

“It’s what it’s all about, bringing people to Golden.”

‘Proof of Heaven’ sticks with reader Nobody packs a suitcase like you do.

A weekend away? No problem.

Cram everything you need in a tote and go.

A two-week cruise? Again, no problem. You can roll, fold and stuff half a closet in a carry-on and still have room for a book.

It’s a gift. You’re like a squirrel when it comes to packing, but there’s one trip you’ll have to make someday, and you won’t have to pack a thing.

Yes, you’re going to die. But what happens and what awaits us on our final journey?

In “Proof of Heaven,” written by Eben Alexander, M.D., and published by Simon & Schuster, you’ll read about one man’s week-long experience and the inspiring souvenirs he brought back.

It all started with a middle-of-thenight backache.

Alexander, a neurosurgeon, awoke from the pain and headed for a warm bath, thinking it might help.

Eben Alexander, M.D.

It didn’t, and neither did a back rub from his wife, Holley. The pain, in fact, intensified.

By mid-morning, he was nearly unconscious.

Rushed to the hospital, he landed in the ICU, surrounded by baffled doctors who believed that he’d somehow acquired spontaneous E. coli meningitis.

His spinal fluid and the outer portion of his brain were filled with pus.

There was no brain activity and no precedent.

The affliction was a 1-in-10-million rarity.

But something amazing was happening to him.

Alexander says his first notion was that he was surrounded by primordial jelly, aware but not aware, and he could hear sounds. Working his way upward and toward “dazzling darkness,” he was greeted by a beautiful woman who took him on a journey on a butterfly wing.

She told him three things: He was loved, he was valued and there was nothing he could do wrong.

One week after Alexander’s coma began, doctors informed Holley that he had virtually no chance of recovery, yet as they were walking to his room to stop treatment, he opened his eyes.

Within months, fully recuperated, he started to cautiously talk about his journey because what he saw, he says, opened his mind and his heart.

No doubt, this is a thinking-per-

son’s book.

Filled with serious science, medical information and awe-inspiring theology, Alexander gives his readers a lot to chew on.

But this memoir isn’t just that; Alexander also gives us an abundance of absorbing backstory, so we know why his spiritual journey was mindbogglingly significant and why he believes that it unfolded as it did.

What’s interesting is that Alexander was a skeptic once.

The only bumps in the road are he wrestles with descriptions of his experience.

He admits that mere words don’t do his visions justice, but he tries anyhow and it becomes repetitious.

Even so, most of this book will stick with you for a long time after you close its back cover, making you seriously contemplate what you’ve read.

Whether you’re a believer or an undecided scoffer, I think “Proof of Heaven” will pack a wallop.

Westminster Window 7

December 6, 2012

Moose killings an ‘outrageous’ incident The news report of the wanton slaughter of a cow moose and two small calves in Grand County on Wednesday, Nov. 14, was disheartening and more than disgusting.

The killing of the moose family occurred in the surroundings of the Mountain Shadows Estates residential subdivision between Granby and Grand Lake.

Moose were introduced in the Cowdrey area of Jackson County in north central Colorado in 1979. Bringing moose to Colorado has been one of those successful game management programs by the then Colorado Division of Wildlife.

The moose have not just survived, but multiplied significantly over the 33 years with population approaching approximately 1,800 in 2012.

Colorado moose do not have natural predators, such as grizzly bears and wolves as those in Canada and Alaska do.

They differ from elk and deer in their diet as well. Moose do not have upper teeth and rely on lower incisors in their consumption of fruits and plants, predominately wetland aquatic plants and marsh area woody plants, mosses and lichens. By contrast, elk are grazing animals, seeking grass plants and deer are browsers relying on brush and shrub leaf plants.

As a result, the three wild game species do not compete in any significant way for food. They do not have a history of competing with cattle either since cattle are grazers that consume grasses.

The developing moose population is less visible.

They avoid foraging in town garbage cans, as do bears. They are far more solitary than elk that have nearly overtaken human populated areas like Estes Park and Rocky

Mountain National Park.

The big-hoofed undulates average between 1,000 and 1,500 pounds, with large bulls reaching 1,800 pounds.

They are private and not frequently observed by people or found in herds or large groups. As a result, there is less conflict with cattle ranching, human activities and the growing urban population.

Sustaining habitat for moose, like many Colorado wildlife, is one of the factors concerning wild game managers on the future of the moose population balance in ColoCow moose with young calf. Photo by Free Extras Photos rado.

Human activity and mountain development continually threaten all wild game with man, and yet, can be aggressive or habitats. “And habitat is primarily going to threatening. As a result the senseless killbe influenced by temperature, changing ing of the cow and two calves near Granby weather and moisture patterns,” said John causes even more disgust.

Broderick, terrestrial biology manager for The state wildlife managers are making the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife. a concerted effort to monitor moose health Given the fact moose do not seek out and to guide moose expansion by movhuman populations or urban activities, it ing some to the far West Slope area in the further angers the public when someone, Grand Mesa area as well as to the Rio Branwithout cause, kills these animals. co County near the Colorado-Utah border.

However, moose do pose strength of Moose have only recently been added to presence. They don’t run from people. They the big game hunting management proare to be respected when man is in their grams. presence.

According to John Broderick, “there Moose do coexist in limited numbers have not been any cases of chronic wasting

disease and we are putting moose in all the habitats that can support them.”

“The Nov. 14 poaching of the three moose,” Northwest Regional Wildlife Manager Ron Velarde stated clearly, “is an outrageous incident and my officers are preparing an all-out effort to find the person or persons responsible and bring them to justice.” The public can assist anonymously in this investigation by relaying any helpful information to the Operation Game Thief toll-free number at 877-265-6648.

Ron Hellbusch can be reached at RonHellbusch@comcast.net

Understanding the impact on state of Amendment 64 Question: Amendment 64, the initiative to regulate marijuana like alcohol, was passed by Colorado voters on Nov. 6. What will be allowed under the new amendment?

Answer: Amendment 64 was created to increase individual freedoms, enhance revenue for public purposes and to use Colorado law enforcement and judicial resources more efficiently.

In order to achieve these goals, Amendment 64 legalizes the recreational use of marijuana for individuals who are 21 and older; taxes and regulates the sale of recreational marijuana and provides for the regulated production and distribution of industrial hemp.

Under Amendment 64, individuals who are 21 and older will be able to cul-

LEGAL LINES tivate up to six marijuana plants, three of which are flowering and three of which are vegetating.

These individuals will be able to keep all of the marijuana harvested from these plants, so long as the harvested marijuana is stored on the same premises where the marijuana plants were grown.

Individuals also will be able to possess, use, display, purchase or transport up to an ounce of marijuana as well as marijuana accessories.

Individuals who are 21 and older also will be able to transfer up to an ounce of marijuana to another individual over the age of 21

without receiving money.

However, public consumption of marijuana, as well as driving under the influence of marijuana, will remain a crime in Colorado.

Amendment 64 allows for the creation of recreational marijuana businesses, similar to the current medical marijuana businesses.

Amendment 64 does not affect medical marijuana centers, and holders of a medical marijuana business license also will be able to apply for and possess a recreational marijuana business license.

Amendment 64 sets a deadline of July 1, by which time the Colorado Department of Revenue must adopt regulations for the implementation of commercial marijuana

businesses, including cultivation facilities, manufacturing facilities and retail sales facilities.

Amendment 64 provides that the state legislature shall enact an excise tax on the sale of marijuana.

Amendment 64 mandates that this excise tax is not to exceed 15 percent.

However, the percentage of the tax can be adjusted after Jan. 1, 2017, by the general assembly.

The first $40 million in tax revenue generated from the sale of recreational marijuana is earmarked for the Public School Capitol Construction Assistance Fund.

Amendment 64 also directs the Colorado General Assembly to enact legislation governing the cultivation, processing and sale of industrial hemp by July 1,

‘Greetings’ and ‘Mame’ worth checking out Miners Alley Playhouse is going a different direction this holiday season. Instead of doing what might be called a traditional show, this year the audience is treated to a play that contains enough twists to make a Slinky feel at home.

“Greetings!” is billed as a comedy but, as my sister and I found out on opening night, you’d best have a tissue or two available. Just as in real life, it’ s hard to put a single label on the emotions the play evokes. The basic premise is simple: Boy brings girl home to meet his family for the holidays. Now, let s add some specifics. The girl, Randy Stein (played by Miriam Tobin), is a Jewish atheist. The boy, Andy Gorsky (Kurt Brighton), is from a conservative Catholic family complete with a mom; Emily (Jennifer Condreay), dad, Phil (Rick Bernstein); and an adult autistic brother, Mickey (Matt Maxwell).

Initially the parents try to be welcoming and gracious to their guest. It doesn’t take long for Dad to drop the pleasant facade and get to the nittygritty. Mom is beside herself, and Mickey, who is nearly nonverbal but very active, goes about life as usual.

“Mame” shines at Candlelight

As the story progresses, relationships become strained, seemingly to the breaking point until transformative events effect the entire family. Longheld beliefs are called into question.

The resolution is surprising, and we are left to reflect on the enigmas in our own lives.

I loved this play even though the dialogue was a bit rough in patches (it was opening night, after all). The entire cast was spot on, but I must mention Matt Maxwell’s performance in particular. He is brilliant as the autistic Mickey.

“Greetings!” plays through Dec. 23 at MAP in Golden. For more information, call 303-935-3044 or go online to www.minersalley.com.

If you haven’t made the trek up the road to Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, 4747 Marketplace Drive in Johnstown, it’s high time you do. In spite of getting stuck in traffic, it was worth the drive.

Located near the venerable Johnson’s Corner, this gorgeous facility is the perfect venue to have a tasty meal followed by delightful entertainment.

Based on the novel and play, “Auntie Mame,” “Mame” the musical is full of singable songs, so be prepared to hum your way out of the theater. Social butterfly and single lady-abouttown Mame Dennis unexpectedly finds herself guardian to her young nephew Patrick. Having a 10-yearold, along with his nanny Agnes, in the house is a foreign experience for the free-spirited Mame. She welcomes the youngster with open arms and sets about teaching him about the world.

Her instructions include martini making, which he proudly displays for the man who holds the purse strings to the estate of Patrick’s father. Auntie Mame and Mr. Woolsey have very different ideas about the proper education of the young Patrick.

2014. Unlike Amendment 20, Colorado’s medical marijuana constitutional provision, Amendment 64 does not restrict recreational use of marijuana to only Colorado residents.

This lack of residency requirements allows individuals over the age of 21 to travel to Colorado and use and possess marijuana while in Colorado. Furthermore, Amendment 64 does not expressly prohibit Amsterdam-style “coffee shops” or businesses that allow you to consume marijuana onsite.

The Colorado Bar As-

sociation welcomes your questions on subjects of general interest. This column is meant to be used as general information. Consult your own attorney for specifics. Send questions to the CBA attention: Sara Crocker, 1900 Grant St., Suite 900, Denver, CO 80203 or email scrocker@cobar.org.

Legal Lines is a question and answer column provided as a public service by the Colorado Bar Association.

Attorneys answer questions of interest to members of the public for their general information.

8 Westminster Window

December 6, 2012

OPINIONS / YOURS AND OURS

Look local when holiday shopping Oh, the polarity.

Thanksgiving — a day of thanks — ended with the skiff-skaff of registers at midnight to ring in give-me-more Black Friday.

News reports showed people bursting through retail doors and crawling over each other to grab featured deals — sometimes incurring injuries.

In recent years, more and more stores open at midnight instead of early morning Friday, but the emerging trend is Gray Thursday, referring to stores opening on Thanksgiving to offer sales.

Beyond the initial retail rush, we hope readers took note of a slightly more civil event, called Small Business Saturday, on Nov. 24, and we encourage our readers to shop local throughout the season.

OUR VIEW During the late part of the year — with all its holidays — there is information aplenty about local businesses and products in our newspapers.

Stories throughout the year cover the local hard-working businesses that serve so many and give back in numerous ways — supporting activities at schools and community organizations — and often contribute in the immeasurable ways that occur when local business owners and their employees live in our

communities.

Of course we know online shopping edges up a few percentage points each year. But even there we encourage our readers who enjoy online shopping to choose the websites of our local businesses.

The Colorado Retail Council has forecast a 2.9 percent increase in holiday shopping, while the national sales projection is anticipated to be up 2.8 percent over last year.

There was a similar uptick last year, so we hope the season plays out well, and the economy edges upward.

And buying local not only fuels businesses, it improves the job market.

There, too, the state is gaining traction. According to the Colorado Depart-

ment of Labor and Employment, nonfarm payroll jobs increased 8,600 from September to October to 2,310,100 jobs.

Private-sector payroll jobs increased 8,500, and government increased 100.

The current 7.9 unemployment rate has declined two-tenths of one percentage point from 8.1 percent in October 2011.

Colorado is faring well in statistics like these, compared to many other states. So it is a good time to show your pride.

As you make holiday purchases — as well as everyday or durable-good purchases — we encourage you to take time and look to your neighbors to meet your consumer needs.

Supporting local businesses makes our communities stronger.

‘A day that will live in infamy’ Tomorrow is Dec. 7. How many Americans will remember or even know that it is a historic date — “a day that will live in infamy” as stated by then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt?

The attack on Pearl Harbor by Japanese aircraft in 1941 caught us flat-footed with our Pacific naval fleet anchored there like sitting ducks.

Too many American sailors and soldiers lost their lives that fateful Sunday morning in Hawaii.

Unfortunately, too many young Americans do not know or appreciate the significance of this date.

According to the World War II Veterans Committee, a recent poll showed that only 13 percent of high school seniors know of the Pearl Harbor attack and the ensuing World War II. And 72 percent did not know who Hitler was and the atrocities which he ordered and condoned along with our involvement in the European theater of World War II.

Awareness and appreciation

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

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Our schools, both public and private, should be more diligent and focused in teaching today’s youth about such important events in our American history.

We should make today’s students aware of the reasons why both Japan and Germany attempted to impose tyranny and conquer the world.

Also, today’s young people should learn to appreciate and respect the sacrifice which American military personnel made to assure the defeat of both the Japanese and Nazi Germany’s efforts and to preserve our freedom.

Tomorrow would be a good time for parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles to do some teaching of their own and share the importance of “a day that will live in infamy.”

The Doolittle raid

And here is a fact that is more obscure than the attack on Pearl Harbor — soon we will be acknowledging and celebrating the 70th anniversary of the famous attack on Japan by Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle and his 16 twin propeller B-25 bombers.

Just four months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, our pilots launched a bombing run from the USS Hornet which had never been done before by B-25 bombers.

They took off to attack Tokyo knowing that the flight would be one-way. Given the great distance they flew to reach Japan, the pilots knew there was not sufficient fuel to even attempt a return flight to the aircraft carrier.

Also, the military planners knew that the number of bombs carried and the size of the bombs would not cause major damage.

However, the attack on the heart of Japan showed the Japanese military leaders

that America was not about to give up.

And it provided a huge boost in morale to American troops and the American people.

We salute the brave, courageous pilots and crews who flew that risky bombing run and thank them. They were indeed a part of the Greatest Generation.

Compromise is critical

The federal fiscal cliff is finally heating up and gaining more attention and understanding now that the election is over.

This crisis, like so many situations, could have been avoided.

If we had leadership and a willingness on the part of both political parties to meet in the middle, this down to the wire negotiating effort would not be needed.

The election is over and now all the talk and promises to the American people by President Barack Obama and congressional candidates that non-partisanship would be practiced needs to be demonstrated.

Otherwise, we were terribly misled.

And let’s remember the basic reason people were elected to serve in Congress.

It is to represent the people; not their own political party or protect their own political career.

This is a critical situation for the United States given the impact the fiscal cliff could have on our fragile economy.

The American people do not want the increased taxes and the pre-determined set of tax cuts to be triggered.

Local impact as well

And let’s be cognizant of the fact that the federal budget cuts would not simply impact federal programs, contractors and employees.

The reduced spending would directly impact state and local governments, including school districts and municipalities. While it is paramount that a well thought out set of budget reductions implemented over a multi-year period of time is essential along with closing tax loop holes and raising some taxes, the package of budget cuts and across the board tax increases are too much for our economy to absorb.

Tell your congressional members and the president that responsible compromise must take place.

Bill Christopher is former city manager of Westminster and used to represent District J on the RTD board of directors.

NEWS TIPS Do you see something newsworthy? The Westminster Window welcomes your news tips about possible story ideas. Let us know about it at newstip@ourcoloradonews.com

Westminster Window 9

December 6, 2012

South Westy is not being neglected The question facing the city of Westminster is how to best use the 2013 allocation of Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) that comes our way.

Westminster expects to receive close to $500,000 and our City Council has already decided all the money will be spent in the older, southern part of the city.

I know some folks think the older part of our city gets neglected or passed over, but that is simply not true.

The other evening some of us who live in older Westminster attended a public hearing hosted by Signy Mikita, a parttime employee of the Community Development Department. She did a good job in presenting the city’s plan for 2013.

Here it is

The city received $523,309 in 2012 Community Development Block Grant funds. The 2013 CDBG allocation is not known at this time.

The federal Budget Control Act of 2011 requires an 8.2 percent “sequester” reduction to many federal programs which is scheduled to go into effect Jan. 2. An 8.2 percent reduction would decrease the city’s CDBG budget to approximately

$480,397 or less. The grant is proposed to be used for program administration, the Bradburn Boulevard realignment phase II project, the Westminster Grange/Rodeo Market community arts center feasibility study, Rodeo Market Park improvements and 76th Avenue pedestrian improvements.

Program administration: $96,079 or 20 percent of grant. Program administration funds will be used to maintain a 1.5 fulltime equivalent staff devoted to administering the program.

The budget will also provide funds for consultants as needed for program development and planning support for CDBG eligible activities.

For planning purposes, the city is as-

suming it will use $96,079, or 20 percent toward program administration.

Bradburn Boulevard realignment project phase II (demolition and right-of-way acquisition) — $150,000 to $200,000. The multi-year project will realign Bradburn so that it intersects with 72nd Avenue at the traffic signal at Raleigh Street.

CDBG funds for 2010 and 2011 were spent on phase I for preliminary design plans and right-of-way acquisition.

The proposed phase II includes demolition/clearance of the structures at 7225 Bradburn Blvd. and acquisition of parts of 7215 and 7231 Bradburn Blvd. properties that will be needed for realignment.

Westminster Grange/Rodeo Market community arts center feasibility study — $10,000.

Prepare a feasibility study and business plan (operations, financing, etc.) for the development of a cultural community center that would join the Westminster Grange and Rodeo Market Arts Center into one facility.

Rodeo Market park improvements — $200,000 to $250,000. Continue improvements to the area north of the Rodeo Market for a gathering space, lawn areas,

expanded art opportunity and gardens.

Substantial grading work is needed to tie the two areas together.

76th Avenue pedestrian improvements – up to $40,000.

Improve 76th between Lowell Boulevard and King Street in conjunction with Torii Square Park improvements, as a reserve project subject to fund balance availability.

The next public hearing will be Monday, Dec. 10, and then City Council will make the final decision.

If you are interested in the well-being of the older part of our city, you will be pleased that the dollars are all going there.

The meeting is open to the public and is the final public hearing on the matter.

Thanks to Signy for the fine presentation.

Stay well, stay involved and stay tuned.

Vi June is past Democratic state representative for House District 35. She is a former mayor of Westminster and a former newspaper publisher. A Westminster resident for more than four decades, she and her husband, Bob, have five grown children and eight grandchildren.

Handbag hang-up: Holding on is a weighty matter I did a terrible thing this weekend. I changed handbags; that is, I moved selected items from one purse to another.

This wasn’t even my regular changeof-season switch, where I put away my sunny summer weave and dig out my black leather bag. I’ve already done that.

No, I just wanted to carry a smaller purse, so I sorted through the stuff that usually weighs me down, and off I went with a lighter load.

My first problem was that I didn’t have my grocery club card with me, which was evident only when I made it to the register with my cart full of semi-monthly shopping.

I ran through all the recent phone numbers I could recall with the clerk, including a couple of mobile numbers from two cities. None of them matched the one I had when I opened the card account several years ago.

The line of shoppers behind me was getting restless as I asked the checker to try just one more number. The kind and patient checker, however, graciously scanned a store card to make sure I got my valued

customer discount.

Next, when I arrived in downtown Denver, I realized — after I had squeezed into the one available parking spot even remotely near my destination — that all my cash and coins were in the bottom of my other purse. I did have my credit card, so I paid the premium surcharge for what turned out to be a half hour of parking.

I envy men who get away with carrying just a wallet and, perhaps, a money clip.

Maybe even a handkerchief. Keys are carried easily in one of a multitude of pockets.

This just doesn’t work for me. Most of my clothes don’t have pockets — not the serviceable kind, anyway. They’re more for

decorative purposes.

That makes it difficult to carry the minimum of what I need to have with me — keys, phone, money — much less all the nice-to-have items I usually carry, such as tissues, Band-Aids and hand lotion.

Add to that my frequent flyer coffee cards, my real frequent flyer cards, book club discount cards, cards to libraries in four counties, my PADI scuba certification card, my backcountry search-and-rescue card, gift cards, expired gift cards, business cards (mine and from people I don’t remember meeting) and my sometimeselusive grocery cards.

Then I have reading glasses (at least two pair); sunglasses; flash drives; an assortment of pens in three colors; a couple of small journals; lens cloth; a miniature sewing kit with minuscule scissors; a miniature office supply store with stapler, tape dispenser, paper clips; and safety pins.

Of course, I like to have a wallet, my checkbook, cash and coins. Oh yes, my driver’s license, registration and insurance papers. And a pair of paper eyeglasses that turns lights into kaleidoscopes and comes

with the warning: “Do not drive or study.”

I’m more well stocked than most vending machines, but, as you might imagine, carrying all this can be clumsy and cumbersome. And when I want to find something, it can also be downright aggravating.

So, up and over: I dump out the bag and shake it violently. With the purse now empty, I run my hands around the inside more thoroughly than the TSA. I unzip all the compartments and feel for any holes in the lining. Then, success. Here it is, dangling from a paper clip caught in the seam.

I retrieve my mail but leave most of the rest of my handbag’s contents on the floor mat of my car. I figure it’s easier to drive it all around than carry it.

And who knows? If I’m not driving to work or studying for class, I might just need those sparkly kaleidoscope glasses …

I know that doesn’t seem like such a big deal but the temptation is powerful, when you open up the pad and see that somebody has “liked” or commented on something you wrote.

It’s allowed us to be even more self-absorbed than we Americans already were.

It’s odd, and contradictory, to consider that, with all the ways we have to stay plugged in to the world, we are gradually withdrawing, one Tweet at a time.

I know this isn’t exactly what we had in mind when we came up with all these cool gadgets, but that’s where we are.

And I’m not positive that the gadgets themselves bear any blame, though surely any product that allows 10 million people instant access to the deep, deep, 140-char-

acter thoughts of Ashton Kutcher is not a good thing.

For the most part, I guess, this is no big deal. Technology is very much a part of our lives, and why would my daughter need to know how to get anywhere when her phone can give her directions on the way? I’m just a little nervous about the day when some guy asks her to marry him, and she doesn’t have access to a quick Google search for the right answer.

Andrea Doray is a full-time writer who acknowledges her handbag hang-up. Contact her at a.doray@andreadoray.com if you want to play wallet wars.

Technology causes us to stop observing the world Want to see something funny? Ask a teenager how to get somewhere. It’s hilarious. No, it’s not getting lost that’s funny. It’s that, if my experience with teenagers is any indication, they don’t even know where to begin.

I’ve been teaching my own teenager to drive, and, as an experiment, a few months ago I stopped giving her directions to get to places that she should know how to find — work, school, church, the dance studio.

You should have seen the panic in her eyes. I don’t mean to pick on her — I know for a fact that it isn’t just my teenager.

I ask her about how her friends do getting places, and she tells me they’re just as bad as she is.

I watch them try to figure out directions on their own, and they’re lost.

For a generation that has spent more time in cars being carted to more organized activities than any other generation in history, they have precious little idea where they are.

I try to think back to my own childhood and how I learned how to find things.

It seems that I spent quite a bit of time in the car, but I don’t remember anybody ever teaching me about how street numbers work or where directional dividing lines were.

I just kinda picked it up from looking out my windows on the way to baseball games. And that’s the difference: I was looking out the window on my way to places. My teenager, bless her heart, never has her eyes out the window.

They’re locked on her cell phone; she’s texting her friends or getting the latest update from Facebook.

The world around us is an interesting place, but they — well, actually, all of us — we’ve started to not pay attention to it.

It’s not just directions; the sort of “how-to” stuff that people pick up just by watch-

ing life go by is getting lost because our internal lives have become more important than our external lives.

I know I am guilty of this.

My wife has grown to hate that she bought me an iPad a couple years ago because I am constantly in it, trying to figure out what’s going on in the world.

I read items on the Internet, check my email, get updates from Facebook, check my bank account and watch training videos, all in the palm of my hand while sitting next to her on the couch.

I heard a radio program the other day during which one of the people admitted that the last thing he saw at night was not his wife’s face, but was, instead, his Facebook page. This can’t be healthy. I know that technology is a wonderful thing.

In fact, I think I’ve written a column or two extolling the virtues of Facebook because it’s allowed me to reconnect with old friends to whom I would have no access elsewhere.

But I am painfully aware of how distracted it makes me to have that sort of access to friends’ thoughts. I’ve had to impose a limit on myself: four trips to Facebook a day.

Michael Alcorn is a music teacher and fitness instructor who lives in Arvada with his wife and three children. He graduated from Alameda High School and the University of Colorado-Boulder.

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Celebrate the Holidays

Origins of a holiday staple The thick, spiced drink we know as eggnog has become synonymous with the holidays. It is so linked with the Christmas season that a person may be hard-pressed to

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Annual Holiday Lighting Event Friday, December 7, 2012 6 p.m. at City Hall

Singing by the Pinnacle High School choir and other musical entertainment. Hot cider, hot chocolate, coffee and sweet treats.

Mayor Joyce Thomas officially turns on the City’s holiday lights with the rap of her cane.

Enjoy the holiday lights and check out the city’s newest holiday decorations.

Overflow parking will be at Water World with a shuttle provided to City Hall.

City Hall is located at 2380 W. 90th Ave.

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century Europe, primarily as a drink for the elite, since the ingredients in the beverage were hard to come by and thusly relegated to the very rich.

There are different theories on the origins of the word eggnog itself.

Some believe it has gotten its name from the Old English word “nog,” which meant “strong beer.” The “egg” refers to one of the ingredients in the beverage, fresh eggs.

Others surmise that it comes from the word “noggin,” which was a vessel for serving drinks in taverns. The drink was called “egg in a noggin,” which was shortened to “eggnog.” Still, there are others who say its name is derived from the term “grog,” which was another term for booze. “Egg n’ grog” was eventually abbreviated to “eggnog.”

Although there is little certainty to the origins of the name, the recipe for eggnog has essentially remained unchanged throughout the centuries. It consists of beaten eggs, cream or milk and sugar mixed with some sort of alcoholic spirit. The Old English were believed to mix it with wine, though once the drink was brought to the New World, colonists substituted rum for the

wine. Rum was readily available through tradesman running between the Americas and the Caribbean and therefore less expensive than another spirit. As America grew and eggnog was enjoyed in different parts of the country, the rum was replaced with regional spirits, including bourbon or grain alcohol.

Other ingredients were also added to give it a customized flavor. However, the use of nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves has become traditional flavors for the holiday brew.

Although eggnog is widely enjoyed throughout the holiday season, in the past it was served at special events and social occasions. As a warmed beverage it can easily chase away winter’s chill. This is how it may have come to be enjoyed primarily during the holidays.

Love it or hate it, eggnog is a drink that can evoke strong feelings of the holidays within minutes. There are variations of eggnog sold commercially, but many people swear by homemade versions for their taste and authenticity.

Try your own homemade eggnog with this recipe, courtesy of Cooks.com.

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The first Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center was erected in 1931, two years before the opening of Rockefeller Plaza, where the tree now draws thousands of tourists each year. The tradition began when construction workers hard at work on building Rockefeller Center decorated a roughly 20-foot tall balsam fir tree on Christmas Eve in 1931. Strings of cranberries and tin cans were among the items used to decorate the tree.

While there was no tree in 1932, the first official tree was unveiled in 1933 in Rockefeller Plaza, and the lighting ceremony was broadcast over NBC Radio. The 1933 tree, at 50 feet tall, dwarfed the 1931 tree. However, the

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1933 tree paled in comparison to the 10-ton Norway Spruce erected in 1999, which measured 100-feet tall and remains the tallest tree ever erected at Rockefeller Center. The tradition of the Rockefeller Center tree continues to evolve to this day, but the evergreen it is no longer lit with incandescent light bulbs. LED bulbs that consume a fraction of the energy of traditional bulbs are the bulbs of choice now. In addition, in 2007 Rockefeller Center partnered with Habitat for Humanity, who used the tree after it was taken down to furnish lumber for home construction.

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Beat eggs until light in color, gradually add sugar, salt and vanilla. Then add milk and water. Stir in rum (brandy, bourbon or rye may also be used). Cover the nog and ripen for 24 hours in the refrigerator.

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December 6, 2012

Celebrate the Holidays Easy ways to be ‘green’ for the holidays While the holiday season is a time of joy, giving and religious reflection, it also can be a time of excess.

Holiday parties, meals brimming with more food than the average person can consume, wrapping paper tossed aside after minimal usage, and shoppers venturing for miles in cars in search of presents can all prove wasteful.

For the environmentally conscious, the holiday season is a great opportunity to put your ideals to use. Although it may seem like a challenging task, going green for the holidays is easier than you might think.

• Get a live Christmas tree. Christmas trees are planted expressly for the purpose of being cut down and turned into holiday decor. Responsible tree farms will plant many more trees than is needed for the purpose of Christmas trees.

Be a good steward for the environment and recycle your tree once the holidays are over. Some recycling centers will pick them up for free or a small fee.

• Consider giving food as a gift. Food is consumable, doesn’t take up space, and locally grown food does not require shipping or wasteful packaging. It’s an ideal gift for those who already have everything.

• Cut back on holiday decor. Most people love showcasing their Christmas spirit with decorations. However, many decorative products are produced overseas and shipped over to North America on large vessels that require a lot of fuel.

Think about reducing your decorations or replacing plastic and metal decorations for all-natural options. Branches of holly or twigs tied with ribbon to form a natural wreath are just as decorative as storebought plastic decorations.

• Don’t leave lights on

for extended periods of time. Homes and businesses bedecked in holiday lights are staples of the season. However, extra lights, inflatable lawn Santas and other accessories consume substantial amounts of energy. Instead of leaving lights and other decorative items running for hours each night, turn them off after a little while to save energy.

• Donate money in lieu of gifts. Choose environmentally responsible charities and donate funds to their efforts in the name of people who do not need another package of pajamas.

• Use decomposable shipping peanuts. Shipping peanuts are environmentally friendly packing products that are made from cornstarch. When they come in contact with water, they dissolve -making for easy clean-up and less trash.

• Donate unused gifts.

Nearly everyone gets an unwanted gift come the holiday season. Instead of putting items in the trash or taking them back to the store, donate gifts you’ll never use to a charity or a thrift shop.

• Wrap gifts with wrapping paper alternatives.

Wrapping paper is a luxury item and one that tends to be wasteful. There are many items around the house that can be recycled into decorative gift wrap.

Sew scraps of fabric together for a patchwork bag or use glossy photos from a fashion magazine to papier mache a box. When you think creatively, you’re bound to come up with some very usable and ecofriendly ideas.

Although many people tend to go overboard for the holidays, getting into the holiday spirit does not have to be unfriendly to the environment.

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December 6, 2012

Adams County Commissioners & Employers Award Professionalism in Adams County 8th Graders.

Employers throughout the region admit that having professionalism exhibited in future employees is essential to business success.

The Adams County Commissioners, in a county-wide effort to help all 5,500 8th graders not only discover the vast careers available to them but also have a chance to demonstrate their business professionalism, sponsor the Adams County Commissioners’ Career Expo annually.

The ninth annual event, held November 13, 2012 at the Denver Mart, welcomed over 5,500 career-exploring eighth graders from 35 middle schools. It is the longest running career expo of its type in the state and has served as model for similar events in Denver, Douglas County and Phoenix, AZ. It is a first encounter for students trying to see a fit between their skills and interests and the many occupations that would best use these talents.

Over 450 employers and higher education professionals participated to encourage and inform students regarding their respective professions and possible career paths.

Additionally, students were encouraged to use this event as an opportunity to demonstrate professionalism and leadership excellence. From the 5,500 students, employers compiled a list of “Top Students” they met that day. We proudly announce the 544 students who demonstrated exemplary professionalism and left a significant impression with the employers.

Those students listed received praise and recognition for professionalism, firm handshakes, leadership, well-developed questions, preparedness, professional attire, and among other things, good eye contact. Impressively, there were many students who were mentioned by several employers. The asterisks next to a student’s name represent the number of times they were mentioned by multiple employers. We would like to extend special recognition to Haleigh Falconer from Westlake Middle School in Adams 12 Five Star School District for receiving seven votes from seven different employers – the highest amount ever received. Haleigh will receive a plaque in recognition of this achievement by the Adams County Commissioners at a public hearing later this month.

School recognition goes to the highest percent of students

recognized relative to the total number of that school’s students attending. The four schools with the highest percentage of named students are Stargate Charter School, Crown Point Academy, Westlake Middle School in Adams 12 Five Star Schools and York International in Mapleton District 1.

Preparation of these students for this event takes months of effort by school counselors, teachers and administrators.

Lessons they begin to learn this day will be helpful for their entire career. In addition to certificates that will be issued for each of these students, thank you to our sponsors listed below who contributed to prizes for each. The event itself is made possible by the Adams County Board of County Commissioners whose support of the youth of this county is viewed as a model partnership by others in and outside of Colorado.

Adams 12 Five Star Schools Academy of Charter Micaela Adam, Alexander Boone, Julee Huff **, Kaitlynn Huffman, Zachary Liuzzi, Allen Majors **, Ashly McMurtry, Mitchell Perez, Jack Shannon, Samantha Swanson, Jayza Veno, Dakota Webster Century Middle School Kindra Alley, Erick Anderson ****, Andres Atencio Sandoval, Abraham Atta, Brendan Batz, Teara Ben-Joseph*****, Clara Burns, Katelyn Caviness**, Jessica Diaz, Karley Domenico, Andrew Dutch, Daniel EsquivelMartinez, Hailee Flis, Luis Gallegos, Damon Gawart, Lauren Gillies, Brittney Guerink, Jarred Gurss, Yanal Haneih, Kyle Harford, Christina Helgeson, Taraneh Kian, Derek Leroux, Haley Longcrier, Jessica Marsh, Cameron Neumann-Barbich**, Bradon O’Connor, Charles Pastor****, Alexandria Perez, Rachelle Plank, Jakob Scott***, Alexis Soules, Emily Stephenson, Tamara Stone, Karthik Subramaniam, Ashley Taylor, Lydia Vanes, Maxwell Wilkins Crossroads Alternative Joshua Smith, Luis Villalobos Crown Pointe Academy Alexis Castro, Jonathan Kuhn**, Alyssa Murphy, Tommi Vegas, Beatrice Walsh**, Hulstrom Options Jacob Cole, Abi Dancho, Seena Fakhimalizad, Rebekah Griffin, Nathan Krause, Cecily Martin, Jacob Mercer, Andrew Peterson International School at Thornton Vanessa Anaya Vazquez, Jose Arteaga, Jennifer BustillosBetancourt, Rogelio CarreteDeLaPaz, Steben Dewey, Cynthia Flores, Yesenia Gonzalez, Erick Goodall, Robert Jones, Kiara Kennedy, April LeBaron, Ladell Lerma, Iris Limas-Palacios, Cinthia Lopez, Karen Maynez-Murillo, Miguel Ocon, Enrique OlivasGiner*****, Fabian Ramirez**, Janel Ramos**, Allen Ruiz, Veronica Valdivia Hernandez Northglenn Middle School

Gutierrez Miranda, Zachary Hardman, Julia Hoofnagle, Amanda Kuehn**, Tylor Lopez, Brendan Martinez, Joshua Merlo, Shelby Moore**, Bradley Murphree**, Michelle Nguyen, Yair Gallegos Nunez Michelle Nyguyen, Lea Palacios**, Scott Peck, Manuel Perez Yanez, Jacob Ramsey, Jeffrey Robisch, DeAngela Rodriquez, Alia Ruiz***, Grayson Smith, Seth Smith, Patrick Sorenson, Ashley Sparks, Mason Speirs***, Alejandrea Trujillo, Cameron Vandevander, Issac Vigil, Bryce Walker, Melissa Watkins, Cody Weatherford, Shelby Wethor**, Diana Yanez ** Stargate Charter School Esteban Arellano***, Hannah Bach, Austin Briggs, Madison Burney***, Sean Connelly, Joshua Dare, Megan Facey, Audrey Femrite**, Carissa Flores**, Anurag Golla**, Nimish Garg***, Robert Gauer, Bonnie Hartman, Alexander Hutchinson, Sophie Kelly***, Drew Landskroner, Matthew Lei, Carlena Lim, Sydney Mayer**, Jensen Miller**, Spencer Narowetz**, Chaz Okada**, Punya Ramesh, Thomas Shriver***, David Sipe, Raquel Valdez**, Anna Veilleux-Malone**, Kyler Vitgemos, Jillian Weber, Logan Wine, Chandra Xu ** STEM Launch Aaron Afele, Alexander Cardoza Valenzuela, Natalia Holguin Javalera**, Concepcion Sierra Lopez, Maiger Lor, Anthony Martinez, Jose Retana Martinez**, Rodolfo Calderon Perez, Angel Vargas, Ulisis Zavala Mendoza STEM Magnet Lab Dustin Kerr, Megan Korang, Joseph Patten, Nicholas Porter, Kara Tennant, Riley Walsh** Westlake Middle School Nicholas Alvarez, Zamzama Amin, Jordan Backus, Alyssa Bass, Megan Becker**, Colten Bonnet, Riley Boston, Aubrie Briggs, Kylee Bugler, Brittney Calcagno, Ryan Casselberry**, Haley Champion, Michael Chavez, Yeraldin Chavez, Benjamin Chilton, Allison Coate, Nicholas Cook,

dariz Mendoza, Gennifer Bado, Kelcie Bills, Victor Chaparro, Evan Cochran, Darrien Contizano, Madison Dent, Taylor Dixon, Samuel Escamilla, Wyatt Fair, Genesis Figueroa**, Brandon Frazee, Dylan Gagon, Rachel Griffin***, Braden Handcock**, Louis Hinojos Corral, Brandi Hunter**, Skye Keanaaina**, Marcus Kern, Trevor Kullberg, Abigail LeCheminant****, Jacob Lewis, Daniel Lopez**, Chasity Lovato, Ana Maria Moncada, Jessica Montes, Jessica Morgan, Tera Mutchler**, Jada Oberacker, Brijido Ortiz, Payton Phelps**, Eugene Quintana, Shelbie Quintana, Joe Rey Reyes**, Colton Rupple, Tanner Rupple, Amber Ryan, Rachel Sena, Connor Shandick, Kalie Smythe, Tyler Steele, Kaylee Teggart, Jose Torrez, Marieke Van Erven, Alondra Zamora-Garcia Vikan Middle School Tanner Abbott, Tanner Aitken, Daisy Alverado, Dylan Bezdek, Michael Calahan, Charissa Calderon, Ivan Covarrubias, Roberto Delgadillo, Erik DeLuna, Alexandria Garcia, Isaiah Garcia, Foster Gifford, Katelyn Newby, Alexander Portlock, Alejandro Santizo, Luke Vargas-Christenson Mapleton 1 District Achieve Academy Reyna Burrell, Isaiah Martinez, Sandra Trejo Global Leadership Osman Flores MESA Trinity Williams, Beau Baker, Desiree Flores, Brandon Juarez, Chase Kennedy, Vanessa Rodriguez-Gomez, Tahlia Lucero, Diego Mireles, Lynette Rincon, Aaron Smith***, Temia Torris, Sarah Lindgren Monterrey Community Jesus Ortiz, Karen Quinones Acosta, Tessa Harris, Esperanza Torres** Valley View Oscar Alvarez, Mackenzie Bruening, Josselin Chavez, Alicia Pena, Rafael Rebollar, Isaai Urbina, Joaquin Torres York International Jonathan Burns, Alexis Clark, Jasmine Cox, Giovanni De la

Adam Ajana, Alexandria Baldwin**, Kaitlyn Butts, Chelsie Brinkeroff-Dupue, Jesus Cervantes, Elias Contreras, Hector Gomez, Joceline MoralesGonzalez, Alika Kealoha, Jesse Negrete**, Brianna O’Connor**, Fred Otero, Whitney Ramirez, Aspen Robertson, Autumn Sanders, DeAndre Valdez, Teresa Vo, Steven Whitcomb, Richard Woody**, Natasha Zartman*** Pinnacle Charter School William Harris, Angelina Mahran, Aaron Miller, Brayam Gonzalez-Miranda, Stephen Stampfl**, Jamie Torres Rocky Top Middle School Stephen Chamot, Madalyn Fresquez, Hunter Glass, Noah Gulbrandson, Katelyn Mackiewicz, Maggie Mildenberge, Brianna Miller, Antonio Munoz, Madison Musich, Gregory Nixon**, Christina Parker, Tyler Smith, Carolyn Saenz, Emily Taggart, Terrence Townsend**, Rachel Van Arsdale**, Cesar Varela, Ceirra Weller** Shadow Ridge Middle School Chayni Allen, Chelsea Allsopp, Amanda Arts, Kira Bigelow, Caroline Brewer, Trevor Delin, Meagan DiGiallonardo, Michael Frye**, Ryan Hatfield, Tashaiya Henderson, Mitchell Hutzler, Kylie Jimenez, Angelique Johnson, Julia Johnson, Kirkland Johnson, Lukas King, Ashlee Klein**, Mackenzie Lancaster***, Annalysia Martinez, Hunter McPherson, Kaylee Miller, Megan Murray, Jocelyn Nelson, Andrew Nienaber, Jennifer Orona, Alexandria Pruitt, Keith Repasy**, Malachi Sailas, Jovan Sisneros, Pete Trujillo, Michael Vang, Jarred Wilbourn Silver Hills Middle School Anna Aguilar Munoz, Chloe Allen, Alan Alvarez, Jonathan Andrews, Adrian Aragon, Sara Baca, Kevin Barz, Lauren Castro-Peterson, Frederick Coleman, Nathen Contreras, Austin Crump, Taylor Dannenberg, Colby Deaville, Joshua Delsanno, Ariana Ellis, Jesus Esquivel Ortiz, Ally Farr, Emma Fiore, Rebecca Garcia, Jordan Goodwin, Elisa Gray, Jaime Gutierrez, Guadalupe

Vanessa Cornejo, Jeanine Cox, Katie Curran, Nicole Ericksen, Sarah Eshbaugh**, Kaylee Esplin**, Haleigh Falconer*******, Tristan Fulton**, Matthew Gee**, Gabrielle Gibson, Samantha Glenn, Anthony Guerrero, Meghan Hansen, Savanna Harris, Amanda Helguero, Jack Herrmann**, Nicole Hicks, Anna Jensen**, Cody Johnson, Kayla Knabenbauer***, Justin Lajoie**, Peter Lam, Hailey Landwehr, Parker Loertscher, Kaleigh MacDonald, Ashley Marquez, Dylan McCollom, Jenny Ou Yang, Tanner Plank**, Shannon Rollins, Tanner Ross, Shania Royce, Lisa Sanchez, Bamidele Sangoyomi, Jacob Sargent**, Kendall Schroeder, Ryan Spallone***, Emily Stockhus, Laura Strong, Matthew Strong, Joshua Tibbetts***, Jenna Volesky**, Tyler Whitaker****, Natalea Williams Adams 14 School District Adams City Middle School Marina DeSantiago-Medina***, Sheyly Flores, Noemi GaldeanCalderon, Alexander GonsalesZans, Emerik Macias, Edgar Munoz-Ramirez, Alexandra Palma Kearney Middle School Jovany Balderrama-Carranza, Eveleena Beedy, Ruby Enriquez, Isaac Escobedo, Selena Figueroa-Ramirez, Jesse Mascarenas, Alex Omans**, Ana Rodriquez, Juan Soberano, Zoey Sutherland, Alexandra Theorine District 27J Belle Creek Charter Isaac Bugarin, Jimmy Herrera, Krystofer Pajka, Nia Poole, Lauryn Rossback Otho E. Stuart Middle School Hannah Brown,Alexis Dechant, Gretchen Djibom, Jordan Duran, Mildred Garcia, Ivan Gutierres**, Madelyn Happ, Jesse Hereford, Carl Jacobs, Haydon Locklear**, Shayanne Martin, Samantha Mitchell, Nicholas Montoya, Randy Parsons, Brandon Ramirez, Cheyanne Skeen, Peyton Smith, Olivia Toppalo Overland Trail Middle School Thalia Aguirre, Abigail Armen-

Fuente, Thalia Gonzalez, Natalie Hernandez, Leslie Reyes**, Alfredo Rodriquez, Alezandro Ruvalcaba***, Yaraldy Solano-Venzor, Kayla Terrill, Daniela VillalobosPayan** Strasburg District 31J Hemphill Middle School Paris Brown, Timothy Burns, Zachary Lamari, Charles Murrow**, Allison Oakley Westminster District 50 Ranum Middle School Tiana Burke, Daniel Calahorra, Erick Estrada, Swannett Falcon Murrillo, RayAnn Garcia, Jacqueline Guzman, Matthew Harris, Anthony Magallanes, Jalil Miramontes, Tawia Mmorosa, Yvonne Nguyen, LeeAnn Ortega, Alison Phommaxahane, Fayeth Pritchard, LouAnn Reyes, Esmeralda Rodriguez, Alex Rodriquez Manzanarez, Seth Vasquez, Shaun Worth, Michelle Prieto, Tania Yanez Scott Carpenter Middle School Kailey Brooks, Sin Chisholm, Jennifer Cornejo, Samantha Cross**, Fernando Espejo, Adrian Grimaldo, Nancy Luna, Manuel Mendez, Daniel Ochoa Rodrigues, Uriel Salayandia Adame, Zachary Sanchez, Naomi Sedberry, Nadia Sherman, Vincent Tafoya, David Vega Marquez, Simon Villalpando Shaw Heights Middle School Andrea Arellano Rivas, Maguire Baldus**, Zacharyah Carver***, Alyssa Curry, Arizona Duran, Sara Duskin, Wendy Figueroa-Aragon**, Anthony Franqui, Oscar Guardado**, Erica Johnson, Zephaniah Keyes, Atya Lucero, Dylan Lynch, Christian Maldonado Castro**, Richard Marin, Zachary Mattson, Angelic Miller, Sarah Mock, Steven Moua**, Jacob Murray, Linda Nguyen**, Thanh Nguyen, Massiel Orduna, Maria Pham, Devon Pruden, Britney Pruss, Armando Rodriquez, Brittany Rohrer, Matthew Thomase, Freedom Trujillo**, Diego Ulibarri, Brittney Vang**, Vanessa Vialpando Number of mentions indicated by number of astricks following name.

Westminster Window 13

December 6, 2012

Employers Provide Hands-On Career Exploration to High School Thank you to these employers for their participation this Drug Taskforce, North Suburban Medical Center, North Students year!

Washington Fire and Rescue, Office of the District Attorney

At a time when employers are seeking skilled, enthusiastic and motivated new employees but are not certain the most efficient way to find them and students are trying to find a profession that takes advantage of their skills, interests and talents, Experience 9 to 5® – a program of the Adams County Education Consortium now in its fifth year – is helping build that bridge. Throughout October and November nearly 400 students attended sessions offered by employers to get first-hand knowledge of what it is like to be a professional in that industry. They learned the skills and academic proficiency they would need to demonstrate, the type of work they would do as an entry level professional and the environment in which they would work. Professionals already in the field also spoke to the various pathways of success for those interested in following in their footsteps. The gracious donation of time and resources of many employers dedicated to helping create the next generation of employees is critical to this success of this program.

Adams County 911 Dispatch, Adams County Detention Facility, Adams County Economic Development, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Alternative Autoworx, Art Students League of Denver, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, AVEDA Institute Denver, Children’s Hospital Colorado, City of Brighton Police Department, City of Commerce City Police Department, Coda Coffee, Colorado Meth Project, Commerce City Communications, Community Reach Center, Curious Theater, Denver International Airport, Denver Joint Electrical Apprenticeship & Training Committee, Denver Office of the Medical Examiner/Coroner, Denver Zoo, DeVry University, Donor Alliance, ELEMENTS, Emily Griffith Technical College, Empire Beauty School, Fitzsimons Life Science District, Four Winds Interactive, Front Range Community College, Galloway, Goodwill Industries of Denver, Grower’s Organic, IECRM - Independent Electrical Contractors Rocky Mountain, International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing - Ironworkers Local 24, Judge John E. Popovich, Kimberly Timmons Interiors, Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking, Lifebound, Lighthouse Writers Workshop, North Metro

program of the Adams County Education Consortium or want to know more about the work we do, contact us!

Sandy Steiner ssteiner@adamscountyed.com or 303453-8518 or Emma Galvin at egalvin@adamscountyed.com or 303-453-8515.

Adams 12 Five Star Schools Academy High School AIMEE TRUE 8 AUSTEN RENEAU 6 * BRAXTIN PURCELL 6 JOSIAH MARTINEZ 6 MACKENZIE USHER 6 * TAYLOR PAHANG 2 * TOMAS CABRERA 10 Bollman Technical Education Center BRIDGETTE VEJNAR 10 KATHLYNN RODDY 8 * MACKENZIE KESSLER 10 * NICHOLAS PADIAS 10 QUINN O’CONNEL 8 * Horizon High School ADRIAN LUNA 4 AILOR RODRIGUES 2 AMBER COLLOM 4 ANDREW KING 4 * ANGELIQUE HERNANDEZ 4 * ANN DANG 10 * ANTHONY CORTEZ 4 * ANTHONY DAM 10 * ASHLEY DAFOE 4 * BRINLEY WIECHMAN 4 CASSONDRA MARTINEZ 4 CHANCE CALLAHAN 10 CIERRA GIOIA 2 DANIELLE POURIER 10 * DOMINIQUE GIAMPERI 2 EILEEN SILVERTHORN 6 * ELENA RENTZ 6 * ERIN BENDER 4 * FERNANDO BRACAMONTES 2 IEESHA MEZA 6 * JASON KISSNER 4 JORDAN ADOLPH 2 JORDAN ESPINOZA 2 JUSTIN VINING 2 KACI ADAMS 10 * KEVIN LOEFFLER 4 * KRISTA HARRINGTON 4 * LAURA SAME 4 LINDSEY MARX 10 * LYNDSEY STARK 2 MACKENZIE MYERS MARIAH SOLANO 8 * MARISA SOLANO 8 * MARISSA SANCHEZ 2 MAUNJAREE TAYLOR 4 *

DARRIEN FENTON 2 DILLON BARBOUR 10 DYLAN KRAUSE 8 EMA WHITE 8 EMILY BROWN 4 EMILY TRENT 6 * ISAAC MARTINEZ 12 JALISSA MERAZ 4 * JENNA JONES 10 JERARD HERNANDEZ 4 * JESSICA HOBEN 4 JESSICA RAY 4 * JOHN WISDOM SENOLOS 6 JOSH ENGLE 8 JULIAN SANCHEZ 12 KATELYN RITTER 8 KATIE DEWALD 4 KELSEY BERGER 10 * KELSEY CHESTNUT 6 * LOGAN KRUMPHOLZ 10 MADELINE SEARS 4 * MANDY RIVERA 2 MARISSA RAMIREZ 6 MARISSA PRICKETT 12 * MEGHAN GAGLIANO 2 MERANDA MESTAS 6 SARAH COHEN 6 * SHANNON SCHOOLEY 2 STEPHANIE BALLESTEROS 2 STEVEN MCCLURE 12 TATIANA SCHWALGER 4 TRACE KREUTER 10 * VICTORIA ERICKSON 4 VICTORIA VON DUYKE 2 * Northglenn High School ALAN CHAVEZ 4 ALEJANDRO REYES 8 ALEXANDRA ROGERS 4 * ALEXIA MCGREW 6 * ANA CORDOVA 2 ANDREA LIBY 4 * ASHLEY JEFFRIES 4 * AUSTIN KIMBROUGH 6 * BETHANY THOMAS 8 BRANDI ALVAREZ 2 BRANDON DEGRAW 4 BRENNA HAHN 2 BRIGGETTE ALVAREZ 2 CAILYN MACDONALD 4 CASSIE VARGAS 2 CESAR GARCIA 6 CODY TUNELIUS 12 *

Thornton High School ALICIA BLACK 10 AMBER CASTRO 8 ANGELO ARAGON 2 ARIANY ESTRADA 10 CIARA NEILL 4 * EMILY CUNIS 4 EMILY GUZMAN 2 ERIK GARCIA ESPINOZA 2 JESUS BARRAZA 4 JOSHUA HARRIS 8 KAI EVANS 6 KEENAN SEARLES 6 * MARIA VALENCIA 6 * MARIAH CASILLAS 4 NICK MAES 6 SHYANNE MARTINEZ 4 * Vantage Point High School ACACIA SENA 2 ALEX ROMERO 8 ALTON HAYNER 2 DESTINY MORTENSEN 4 * ELIZABETH HESS 2 GABY MONTOYA 4 * GINA BACA 8 ISMAIL EROGLU 8 JESSIE WALLACE 8 Adams 14 School District Adams City High School ANA PADILLA 4 * ANDREW SANCHEZ 4 * CAROLINA RICO 2 DULCE ORTIZ 4 * JESSICA QUIJANO 6 * LARRISA MEDINA 2 MARIA BUSTOS 8 * OMAR PEREZ 6 REBECCA MARCUM 4 * ROSA DOMINGUEZ 4 * ROXAANA BURCIAGA 2 * RYAN KOWALIK 8 * TANIA SILERO 12 VANESA MERCADO 4 District 27J Brighton High School ANGELIQUA TRUJILLO 6 * CASSIDY JONES 6 HUNTER CORONEL 8 JUSTIN WOODCOCK 10 * LILLY PROCHODA 10 MARISSA HERNANDEZ 4 * RAVEN SOUTH 6

MELINA GALLEGOS-MONTANO 4 MICHAEL MARTINEZ 2 MICHELLE SAAL 4 * MURSAL RASUL 4 PAUL PEREZ 8 RACHEL HIRSCHFELD 4 RANJ KHOSHNAW 2 SHIRIN SHARAFUBOTI 4 SORAIYA RASHIDI 8 * TYLER BEAVERS 8 WALTER MIYAMOTO 12 * YASAMEEN HOUSINI 6 ZACK DAY 2 Legacy High School ALIA DITTRICH 2 BERKELEY KLEIN 6 CHANGLIN YANG 4 COOPER THOMPSON 8 * ELLEN KOSKI 4 ERIC KOWALIK 6 JACKSON POTTER 4 * JOHNATHAN TIBBETTS 4 KARA WESTER 4 KAYA MALLICK 10 KEELY JONES 8 LAUREN CHEW 8 * MICHAEL DANNE 10 * NANCY LE 10 ROBERT HUGHES 8 SARAH HANKINS 10 SETH MYERS 6 SETH ROBY 4 STUART SHIRLEY 8 * TAYLOR ROCHA 4 TROY FOSSETT 4 * Mountain Range High School ABBY NUNEZ 6 ABIGAIL SMITH 4 ALANNA MOSKOT 4 ALEXIS PEARSON 4 * ALLISON JOHNS 4 * AMBER TAGGART 8 ANDREA MIGUEL 4 * ANNIE WARNOCK 6 * ANTHONY MASTROIANNA 4 ANTHONY MCARTHUR 6 ASIA KAWAMURA-WILLIAMS 8 AUSTIN QUARATINO 10 BRAIDON HOSP 4 CANDICE BERENS 6 * CONOR MCNAMARA 4 *

CRYSTAL AYALA 2 CRYSTAL HERNANDEZ 6 DALMARIN ENRIQUEZ 4 * DELILAH LOVATO 10 DEVYN GUSSENBAUER 6 DONIKA DUNLAP 6 * EDITH HERNANDEZ 4 ELIZABETH PATINO 10 ELVA FARIAS 2 ERICA MUNOZ 2 FABIAN JONES 2 FRANCHESCA GEORGE 6 * GABRIELA RAMIREZ 4 IRIANA VALLES 2 JACOB HER 4 JACOB MEDINA 2 JESSIE APPELHANS 8 JONISHA MCDONALD 2 JOSE GONZALEZ 6 JOSHUA NORTON 2 KAILEE NAUMAN 4 KAREN FROST 4 * KASSIDY NORTON 2 KIANA KAIBETONEY 2 KIMBERLY GONZALEZ 2 LIZ NICHOLS 6 * LUIS LUCIO 4 LUIS MARTINEZ AGUILAR 2 MEGAN BURTON 12 MICHAEL VALDEZ 4 * MIKALA MORUA 4 MIRANDA JENKS 10 MITZY BARRERA 8 MYTHILI ISOLA 4 PAMELA MELENDEZ 4 * PATRICK TACKWELL 6 QUINN HULL 2 REGGIE BUCKALEW 12 RORY MOORE 2 ROSA RODRIGUEZ 6 RUDI SAUCEDO 4 * SAMANTHA MELLEN 4 SASHA HOFFMAN 2 SAVANAH MENDOZA 4 SPENCER LARRABEE 6 STEPHANIE VALLES 10 TANIA GARCIA 4 * TIFFANY RIDENOUR 4 TONI PROKSCH 2 VANESSA VALLES 2 Pinnacle Charter School SAUL VALENCIA 10 *

– District 17, Pipefitters Local 208, RNL, Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, Rocky Mountain Pipe Trades, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, SERI - Scientific Education & Research Institute, Sheet Metal Workers Local 9, Sprint Press, Tennyson Center for Children, U.S. Army, U.S. Senator Mark Udall’s Office, UA Plumbers Local 3, United Power, Urban Drainage and Flood Control District, Welby Gardens, Wells Fargo, and Youth Biz.

Video and company background information on each of these employers and their programs is available at: http://e9to5.org/student. Students who enrolled in this program are listed below. Those with an * had perfect attendance, and the total number of hours each student participated in this program is also included.

If you are an employer interested in participating in any

YOSSELIN VIDANA-RODRIGUEZ 12 Prairie View High School ALEXANDRIA DURO 6 * ALYSSA CAMPOS 4 * ANGELA SCHISSLER 4 ASHLEY PIPKIN 4 * BRIANNA HASKINS 6 BRIANNA LIMA 12 * DRAKKAR WORLEY 4 JOLENA HERRON 12 * KRISTI YORK 12 * MARIAH JAJDELSKI 12 * MIKKAYLA NGUYEN 12 NAVDEEP SINGH 4 * RACHEAL REED 6 * SHENG LOR 6 STEPHANNIE MATA 10 Mapleton District 1 Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts HALEY MORA 4 * MICHELE MONTEZ 12 York International ALEXANDER JOHNSON 4 JENNIFER PROVINCE 4 JOSEPH HOLSTON 4 KAREN VILLAR 2 KIMBERLY VALADEZ 8 ALICIA LAVERY 6 * BREANNA GARCIA 4 BRYAN RUIZ 4 DYLAN HYATT 6 EARLENE GUEL 4 FABIOLA REBOLLAR 6 FANTASIA MARTINEZ 4 JAZMIN GARCIA 8 * Westminster District 50 Hidden Lake High School LYNNSEY NELSON Westminster High School BREANNA MURPHY 6 CALIDA LIEU 10 CHRISTINA OUBKEO 8 ERNAN LOYA 6 GABINO ALMANZA 2 ISABELLA XIONG 8 RAVEN BACA 4 VALYSSA CORREA 8 *

About Adams County Education Consortium (ACEC) Adams County Education Consortium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop a county-wide partnership that will enhance the academic skill development, career knowledge and exploration, and relevant work-ready skills for all learner groups. Along with coordinating this event, ACEC is responsible for a job-shadowing program offered to all Adams County high school students: Experience 9 to 5®.

Designed and produced by

After initial career discovery in eighth grade, Experience 9 to 5® deepens the exploration by bringing students into the workplace for hands-on project learning. Registration for this event will be open to all entering freshmen and high school students starting in July, 2013.

31J, Mapleton 1 School District, Pinnacle Charter School, Adolfson & Peterson, Front Range Community College, Community College of Aurora, Denver Mart, DeVry University, Wells Fargo, Goodwill Industries of Denver and The Hanson Group.

ACEC is supported by a board of directors.

ACEC is a sister-agency to ACED and is located with them at 12200 Pecos Street, Suite 100, Westminster, CO 80234. www.adamscountyeducation.org

The board includes Adams County Economic Development, Adams County Workforce and Business Center, Adams 12 Five Star Schools, Adams 14 School District, Adams 50 School District, District 27J, Strasburg District

Marketing, Advertising, Design, Interactive, Public Relations and Crisis Management. www.hansondenver.com

www.centralcoahec.org affiliate of UCHSC

14 Westminster Window

December 6, 2012

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Lisa Bell Friday, 7:30 p.m.

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Community Chorus

Saturday Saturday 1010 a.m. a.m.

SONshine SONshine Music Musicand and Art ArtAcademy Academy Outdoor Outdoor Stage Stage 1111 a.m. a.m. St. St.Johns Johns Lutheran Lutheran Church Church Bell BellChoir Choir Performance Performance Outdoor Outdoor Stage Stage 1212 p.m. p.m. Wayne Wayne Francis Francis Ventriloquist Ventriloquist Fun Funfamily family comedy comedyshow show with withlife-sized life-sized puppets, puppets, featuring featuring Mrs. Mrs. Santa, Santa,Spanky Spanky the theChristmas Christmas elf elfand andan an 88foot foot tall tall Jack Jack in inthe theBox! Box! Outdoor Outdoor Stage Stage 1 p.m.

1 p.m.

Yuletide Yuletide Carolers Carolers Outdoor Outdoor Stage Stage 1:30 1:30p.m. p.m. Wayne Wayne Francis Francis Ventriloquist Ventriloquist Fun Funfamily family comedy comedyshow show with withlife-sized life-sized puppets, puppets, featuring featuring Mrs. Mrs. Santa, Santa,Spanky Spanky the theChristmas Christmas elf elfand andan an 88foot foot tall tall Jack Jack in inthe theBox! Box! Outdoor Outdoor Stage Stage 2:30 2:30p.m. p.m. City Cityof of Thornton Thornton Preschool Preschool Outdoor Outdoor Stage Stage WinterFest 6:30 6:30p.m. p.m.

Community Community Tree Tree Decorating Decorating Contest Contest Performance Awards Awards Presentation Presentation Schedule 7 p.m.

7 p.m.

Thornton Thornton Community Community Band Band WinterFest WinterFest Event Event Tent Tent Friday 6:45 p.m.

Sunday Sunday

Visit Visit with with Santa Santa

Santa Santa Claus Claus is waiting is waiting to hear to hear all all Christmas Christmas wishes wishes and and Christmas Christmas lists.lists.

If you've If you've got got thethe time, time, he'she's got got the lap! the lap!  Friday  Friday 6:456:45 - 9 p.m.

- 9 p.m.  Saturday  Saturday 10 a.m.

10 a.m.

- 1 p.m.

- 1 p.m.

2 - 52p.m.

- 5 p.m.

6 - 8:30 6 - 8:30 p.m. p.m.  Sunday  Sunday5 - 8:30 5 - 8:30 p.m. p.m.

Souvenir Souvenir photographs photographs are are available available for purchase for purchase for $3for $3 perper photo photo or 2or photos 2 photos for $5. for $5.

They They make make a perfect a perfect holiday holiday card card stuffer! stuffer!

Santa Santa is very is very busybusy and and needsneeds hishis rest,rest, so the so the line line will be will be cut-off cut-off in order in order to adhere to adhere to to each each individual individual closing closing time.time.

Santa’s Santa’s Village Village & & Holiday Holiday Lights Lights

The The Thornton Thornton Parks Parks Division Division has has constructed constructed a miniature a miniature village, village, including including Santa’s Santa’s house. house.

SantaSanta will will bebe available available to visit to visit withwith youngsters youngsters and and thethe children children can can also also havehave their their picture picture taken taken withwith Santa!

Santa!

(See (See schedule schedule above.) above.)

Eagleview Elementary Outdoor 5 p.m.

5 p.m.

Girls GirlsJazz Jazz Choir Choir Stage 7:30WinterFest p.m.

Lisa Bell,Tent Holiday Music WinterFest Event Event Tent WinterFest Event Tent 6:30 6:30p.m. p.m. Thornton Thornton Community Community Chorus Chorus Every Every evening evening of the of festival, the festival, the the Saturday WinterFest WinterFest Event Event Tent Tent entire entire village village is illuminated is illuminated with with 10 a.m.

SONshine Music and thousands thousands andand thousands thousands of of Art Academy Outdoor Stage holiday holiday lights lights for all for to all enjoy. to Visit withenjoy.

Santa 11 a.m.

St. Johns Lutheran Church Santa Claus is waiting to hea Bell Choir Performance all Christmas wishes and Village Ice-Skating Pond Outdoor Stage Christmas lists. If you've got Our synthetic ice-skating pond will be 12 p.m.

Wayne Francis the time, he's got the lap! open throughout the day and into the Ventriloquist evening every day ofFun thefamily festival, so be  Friday 6:45 - 9 p.m. comedy show sure to stop by and give this fun winter with life-sized puppets,  Saturday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. activity a try! The rink requires theSanta, use Spanky featuring Mrs. 2 - 5 p.m. of ice skates which will provided or an the be Christmas elf and 6 - 8:30 p.m. foot The tall Jack Box! you may bring your 8own. fee in forthe iceOutdoor skating is $2 for children (12Stage and under)  Sunday 5 - 8:30 p.m. and seniors (60 and Yuletide over) and $3 for 1 p.m.

Carolers Souvenir photographs are Outdoor Stage adults. available for purchase for $3 WinterFest 1:30 p.m. Wayne Francis per photo or 2 photos for $5 Community Tree Ventriloquist Performance They make a perfect holiday Fun family comedy show Decorating Contest card stuffer!

Schedule with life-sized puppets, Awards presentation 6:30 p.m. featuring Mrs. Santa, Spanky Santa is very busy and needs Saturday Friday on the Outdoor Stage. the Christmas elf and an his rest, so the line will be All entries of thep.m.

Community TreeJack Decorating 8Eagleview foot tall in the Box! 6:45 Elementary cut-off in order to adhere to Stage Contest are located in Outdoor Wonderland Outdoor StageWoods in each individual North Poleclosing time. the southwest Santa’s Village and 2:30 p.m.

City of Thornton Preschool 7:30corner p.m. of Lisa Bell, Holiday Music Puppet Theatre are available for publicOutdoor viewingStage forEvent the entire WinterFest Tent length of the festival. come wander 6:30 p.m. Please Community Tree “Sing-a-long Santa’s Village & Saturday through the woods and vote for your Decorating Contest with the Puppets” Holiday Lights 10 a.m.

SONshine Music and favorite in the People’sAwards Choice Presentation category The Thornton Parks Division has Art Academy (voting closes at 5 p.m.Thornton Saturday.)Community All entries Band FRIDAY 7 p.m.

Outdoor Stage constructed a miniature village, Visit with Santa will be posted at www.cityofthornton.net/ 7:45 - 8:15 p.m.

WinterFest Event Tent including Santa’s house.

Santa wi 11click a.m.on WinterFest.

St. Johns The Lutheran Santa Claus is waiting to hea festivals and run- Church SATURDAY be available to visit with youngst Bell Choir Performance Sunday ners-up and winners of each category will be all Christmas wishes and Noon - 12:30 p.m.

Outdoor and the children canIfalso have 5 p.m.

Girls JazzStage Choir highlighted.

Christmas lists. you've got - 4 taken p.m. their 3:30 picture with Santa! (Se 12 p.m.

Wayne Francis WinterFest Event Tent the time, he's got the lap!

6 - 6:30 p.m. schedule above.)

Ventriloquist Ice Carving 6:30 p.m. Thornton Community  Friday 6:45 - 9 p.m.

Fun family comedy show Chorus Demonstrations Every evening of the festival, the SUNDAY with life-sized puppets, 6:30-7 Saturday 10 a.m. - 1with p.m.

WinterFest Event Tent Ice carving demonstrations beSanta, entire village is illuminated p.m. featuringwill Mrs. Spanky 2 - 5 p.m.of ongoing throughoutthe theChristmas durationelf ofand an thousands and thousands 6the -to 8:30 p.m.

Broughtlights to youfor byall the festival. “Dazzling8 Ice” holiday enjoy. footsculptors, tall Jack in the Box! Thornton Arts, Sciences and professional ice carvers, will Stage create a Outdoor  SundayCouncil 5 - 8:30 p.m.

Humanities frozen surprise, a fun photo 1 p.m. providing Yuletide Carolers Souvenir photographs are opportunity.

Outdoor Stage available for purchase for $3 1:30 p.m. Wayne Francis per photo or 2 photos for $5 North Pole Ventriloquist They make a perfect holiday Fun family JOIN THE FUN ON comedy show Puppet Theatre cardthrough stuffer! Santa’s Village, with life-sized puppets, During your walk SATURDAY featuring & SUNDAY Mrs. Santa, Spanky be sure to setSanta aside is some catch a verytime busytoand need EVENING! the Christmas elf and an show at the North PolesoPuppet Theatre. his rest, the line will be 8 foot tall Jack in the Box! Members of the Thornton Arts, Sciences Children’s Carnival Games cut-off in order to adhere to Outdoor Stage Saturday, 5-8 p.m. and Humanities Council (TASHCO) willtime be each individual closing 2:305-7 p.m.p.m.

City of Thornton Preschool Sunday, on-hand to entertain you with the help Outdoor Stage of some very special puppet friends! A Members and volunteers from 6:30 p.m. Community Tree must see for everyone!Village & Santa’s the Village Baptist Church will be Decorating Contest providing fun carnival games for Holiday Lights Please see the Puppet Theatre Awards Presentation the children. Free!

The Thornton Parks schedule above for show times.Division has 7 p.m.

Thornton Community Band constructed a miniature village, WinterFest Event Tent

including Santa’s house. Santa w

Westminster Window 15

December 6, 2012

The Children's Shoppe North Pole Carnival Games Craft Saturday Visitors Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Center 5 - 8 p.m.  Sunday Heated 5 - 7 p.m.

Picnic Area (evenings only) 

Santa Claus' House Banking for Everyone.

Friday 6:30 - 9 p.m.

Saturday Noon - 9 p.m.

Sunday 5 - 9 p.m.

Beer Garden

ATM

Heated Picnic Area

Elf Workshop Gingerbread House

Outdoor Stage

The Children's Shoppe North Pole Carnival Games Craft Saturday Visitors Saturday 10 a.m.

- 4 p.m. Center 5 - 8 p.m.

Fire House  Sunday Heated 5 - 7 p.m.

Picnic Area (evenings only) 

Santa Claus' House Banking for Everyone.

Mistletoe

Friday 6:30 - 9 p.m.

Saturday Noon - 9 p.m.

Sunday 5 - 9 p.m.

Beer Garden Skating

Pond ATM

Moose Inn

Skate Shack

Gingerbread House Mistletoe

North Pole Nibbles

Outdoor Stage

North Pole Puppet Theatre

Watch Me Grow Photo Op

HolidayRudolph’s Reindeer Hospital Traditions

Heated Picnic Area

Schoolhouse Elf Workshop

North Pole Nibbles

Watch Me Grow Photo Op

Rudolph’s Reindeer Hospital

Mercantile Fire House

Skating Pond Schoolhouse

Ice Carving Moose Inn

North Pole Puppet Theatre

Holiday Traditions

Wonderland Woods

Skate Shack

Event Tent

= Static Lighting Display

Mercantile

= Restrooms = Picnic Area Ice Carving

Wonderland Woods

Event Tent

= Recycling Station = Static Lighting Display = Restrooms = Picnic Area = Recycling Station

LOST & FOUND All items found at WinterFest will be returned to the North Pole Visitor’s Center in Santa’s Village. After the event, remaining items will be moved to the Margaret W. Carpenter Recreation Center and can be claimed until January 15, 2013.

WEATHER INFORMATION WinterFest is an outdoor, winter event and will take place rain, snow or shine. However, the weather may force the cancellation of certain scheduled activities. If you have questions about the weather and how it may be affecting any aspect of WinterFest, please call the Carpenter Recreation Center at 303-255-7800 for updated information.

Banking for Everyone.

presents

EMERGENCY SUPPORT First Aid treatment can be secured by notifying festival staff in RED uniforms or nearby police officers who will contact the medical professionals on duty. People are encouraged to dress warmly and appropriately for cold weather conditions.

Got ALUMINUM, COPPER, BRASS, etc. you no longer need? Bring them in for CASH! We pay cash for: • Aluminum cans • Aluminum scrap We p ay T O P • Copper, brass, iron, lead, alloys for AL DOL L scr LAR ap m • Radiators • Stainless steel etals!

• Insulated copper wire • Insulated wire • Some electronics • and more!

Call for details

ADDITIONAL 5¢ per pound on all COPPER

ADDITIONAL 3¢ per pound on all ALUMINUM

Limit one per customer. Some restrictions may apply.

Limit one per customer. Some restrictions may apply.

Valid with coupon only. MNN RECYCLING CONNECTIONS

Valid with coupon only. MNN RECYCLING CONNECTIONS

Commercial Pick-Up Available. We accept all competitors’ coupons!

9985 E. 104th Ave. (Just East of Hwy 85 on 104th)

Henderson, CO

303.333.6363

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC M-F 8 am-4:30 pm Saturdays 8 am-12:30 pm

North MetroLIFE

16 Westminster Window December 6, 2012

‘Nutcracker’ updates holiday favorite Annual production brings new features to ballet

By Clarke Reader

creader@ourcoloradonews.com

T

he holiday season wouldn’t be complete without a production of “The Nutcracker,” and the Lakewood Cultural Center offers the classic ballet with a few twists.

The Dawson Wallace Dance Project will bring the ballet to the center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, for its 13th year on Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 15-16 and 22-23.

The two Saturday performances will be at 3 and 8 p.m., and the two Sunday performances at 1 and 5 p.m. “’The Nutcracker’ for many families is a tradition, and we like to be part of continuing that tradition,” said Susan Martin, administrator at the Cultural Center. “We always get a lot of groups, and it’s great to see all the kids get dressed up for a night out.”

James Wallace, co-artistic director of the ballet troupe, has directed the company for seven years, and said the production has become a staple for Lakewood but that it’s important to keep the ballet fresh.

“We do re-choreographs every now and then, and a lot of the comedy we have in the first act has some current pop-culture references,” Wallace said. “Even with the changes, the story remains the same.”

IF YOU GO WHAT: The Nutcracker WHERE: Lakewood Cultural Center 470 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood

WHEN: Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 15-16 and Dec. 22-23 Dec. 15 and 22 - performances at 3 and 8 p.m.

Dec. 16 and 23 - performances at 1 and 5 p.m.

COST: $38 for adults, $28 for children INFORMATION: 303-987-7845 or www. lakewood.org/CulturalCenter

“The Nutcracker” is a two-act ballet that follows a young girl named Clara on Christmas Eve as her godfather gives her a nutcracker doll that comes to life and whisks her away to a dream land of sweets and adventure.

Wallace said the company prides itself on being able to entertain audiences for the entire show, not just the showcase dances — including the “Dance of t h e Sugar Plum Fairy” — that most are familiar with.

“The first act, we make use of caricatures and an almost cartoonish, overthe-top humor that makes it really fun,” he said. “The best way I’ve heard it described is ‘zany.’”

For Clara’s and the Nutcracker’s journeys during the second act, the company uses computergraphic projections instead of a single backdrop, which Wallace says really draws the audience into whatever land the pair are visiting.

He said the backdrop changes about 15 times during the second act.

Martin said that one of the best things about the performance at the Cultural Center is that because the theater is a smaller space — with only 316 seats — it keeps the focus on what is going on onstage.

“The show is one of our most family-oriented, and really brings people together in a very multigenerational way,” she said.

Wallace said the production is perfect for those who aren’t normally interested in ballet.

“For people who hear ‘ballet’ and start yawning, we’re the show to come to,” he said. “We present it in a way that is much more accessible for the general public.”

For tickets and information, call 303-987-7845 or go online to www. lakewood.org/CulturalCenter.

For the first time the Cultural Center is allowing audiences to purchase specific seats.

Bye-bye Burnsley The Burnsley Hotel, a 17-story, allsuites hostelry originally constructed as an apartment building in 1963, will close Wednesday, Dec. 12, according to a 9News report and my spies.

The story, however, does not quote hotel management or RedPeak Properties, the Denver-based real estate firm allegedly buying the property at 1000 Grant St. When I contacted hotel general manager David Milito, he would neither confirm nor deny the 9News story except to say, “It’s not something I’m able to talk about at this time.”

A call to Mike Zoellner, president and CEO of Zoellner, was not returned last week.

But I was told that several local musicians who performed at the hotel on a regular basis were basically given their pink slips a few weeks ago, saying that management was no longer booking gigs.

The Burnsley has been a popular temporary quarters for business travelers and was known by Capitol Hill residents for its great happy hour and dining room.

Shortly after it was built as an apartment building, the property was converted into an all-suites hotel with a jazz club.

Denver philanthropists Joy and Franklin Burns purchased the hotel in 1969 from an investment group that included singer Ella Fitzgerald and actor Kirk Douglas.

9News also reported that RedPeak plans to convert the hotel into apartments or condos.

Note to self: Since I live one block from The Burnsley, I’m making it my mission to revisit the bar at least once before the alleged closing to partake of the extremely happy happy hour.

Manning’s his man

Elmore Leonard, the 87-year-old author and winner of this year’s National Book Foundation lifetime achievement award, is the interviewee for Proust Questionnaire in the December edition of Vanity Fair.

Among the questions in the interview, Leonard is asked, “Which living person do you most admire?”

His answer? “Peyton Manning.”

Author, author

Denver Center Attractions and Nancy Rebek Productions present Works in Progress: An Intimate Evening With David Sedaris, best-selling author and NPR contributor, for eight performances Jan. 21-27 in the Garner Galleria Theatre.

Sedaris will present select readings that may be included in his new book, “Let’s Explore Diabetes With Owls,” due to be published in April. Audience reaction will, in part, determine the final edits to the publication.

Patrons may purchase a limit of four tickets per performance. Tickets are on sale at www.denvercenter.org or by calling 303-893-4100.

Triple threat

Left, As Clara and the Nutcracker travel to a variety of exotic locations, dancers evoke each place with computer projections and different costumes. Right, Choreographer James Wallace created a new Spanish dance for the first act. This is part of the company’s efforts to keep the production fresh. Above, Jennifer Kuhn performs as the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Photos by Stanley C. Obert (2009)

For the third year in a row, Conde Nast Traveler has named The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa at Beaver Creek Mountain No. 1 on the magazine’s list of the Top 50 Ski Hotels in North America.

Parker continues on Page 20

December 6, 2012

Holiday Recipes Potato Latkes

s Recipe

Tina Meltzer

k Chop r o P d e s s i anberry-K

Cr

Ingredients: -4 cups peeled & shredded potatoes -2 tablespoons grated onion -2 eggs -2 tablespoons all-purpose flour -3 teaspoons salt -1/2 cup oil Directions: 1. Place potatoes in a cheesecloth & wring, extracting as much moisture as possible.

2. In a medium bowl, stir together the potatoes, onion, eggs, flour and salt.

3. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Place large spoonfuls of the potato mixture into hot oil, pressing down on them to form 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick patties. Brown on one side, turn and brown on the other. Remove and let drain on paper towels. Serve hot! *Yields about 12 (Not enough.

They go fast!)

Ingredients rk loin -6 boneless po es each) nc chops (5 ou coarsely -1/4 teaspoon er ground pepp

Ingredients -1 package (8 ounces) pared horseradish cream cheese, softened -1-1/4 teaspoons -1/2 cup apple jelly ground mustard -1/2 cup apricot -1 teaspoon pepper preserves -Assorted crackers or -1-1/2 teaspoons pregingersnap cookies Directions 1. Place cream cheese on a serving plate. In a small bowl, combine the jelly, preserves, horseradish, mustard and pepper until blended. Pour over cream cheese. Serve with crackers or cookies. Yield: 4 servings.

berry p jellied cran

-1/3 cu sauce ons stone-4-1/2 teaspo rd ground musta

s dried -3 tablespoon cranberries s raspberry -2 tablespoon vinegar

ium-high heat des over med si th ; bo on s e and mustard own chop Directions ith pepper. Br y. Combine cranberry sauc a thermometer w s op ch rk til ra 1. Sprinkle po h cooking sp minutes or un s and vinegar et coated wit cook for 4-6 rrie be an cr d in a large skill Reduce heat; cover and Ad 5 minutes. r s. fo op until liquid is d ch an ok er st co t ov spoon ops and le g to a boil; in ch Br e ov n. m pa Re 2. from reads 145°. browned bits Yield: 6 servings. ring to loosen s. to skillet, stir 1/2 cup. Serve with chop t ou ab to d reduce

Caramel-Crunch Pumpkin Pie Recipe Ingredients -3/4 cup packed brown sugar, divided -1/2 cup finely chopped Diamond of California® Walnuts -2 tablespoons butter, melted -1 unbaked pastry shell (9 inches) -3 eggs -1 cup canned pumpkin -1 teaspoon rum extract

SPICY APPLE DIP RECIPE

Westminster Window 17

-3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon -1/2 teaspoon salt -1/2 teaspoon ground mace -1/4 teaspoon ground ginger -1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream -Whipped cream and additional chopped Diamond of California® Walnuts, optional

Directions 1. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup brown sugar, walnuts and butter until crumbly. Press onto the bottom of pastry shell. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, pumpkin, extract, cinnamon, salt, mace, ginger and remaining brown sugar until blended; stir in cream.

2. Pour into pastry shell. Cover edges loosely with foil. Bake at 400� for 10 minutes. 3.

Reduce heat to 350 degrees; bake 40-45 minutes longer or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Remove foil. Cool on a wire rack.

4. Garnish with whipped cream and additional walnuts if desired. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 8 servings.

Gingerbread Men

Almond-Topped Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe -1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs -1/3 cup finely chopped almonds -1 tablespoon sugar -1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice -1/4 cup butter, melted FILLING: -3 packages (8 ounces

INGREDIENTS each) cream cheese, softened -3/4 cup sugar -1 cup canned pumpkin -1/4 cup eggnog -3 tablespoons all-purpose flour -2 tablespoons maple syrup -1/2 teaspoon each ground ginger, cinna-

mon and nutmeg -3 eggs, lightly beaten TOPPING: -1 cup (8 ounces) Daisy Brand Sour Cream -3 tablespoons sugar -1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract -1/4 cup sliced almonds

DIRECTIONS 1. Place a greased 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan.

In a small bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, almonds, sugar and pumpkin pie spice; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom of prepared pan. Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

2. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in the pumpkin, eggnog, flour, syrup and spices. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour over crust.

3. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 55-60 minutes or until center is almost set. Let stand for 5 minutes.

4. Combine the sour cream, sugar and vanilla; spread over top of cheesecake. Sprinkle with almonds. Bake 15-18 minutes longer or until almonds are toasted.

5. Remove springform pan from water bath. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. Remove sides of pan. Yield: 12 servings.

Ingredients -Original recipe makes 2 1/2 -1/2 cup packed brown sugar dozen -1 egg -1 (3.5 ounce) package cook -1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and serve butterscotch pudding -1/2 teaspoon baking soda mix -1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger -1/2 cup butter -1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Directions 1. In a medium bowl, cream together the dry butterscotch pudding mix, butter, and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the egg.

Combine the flour, baking soda, ginger, and cinnamon; stir into the pudding mixture. Cover, and chill dough until firm, about 1 hour.

Happy Holidays! from

18 Westminster Window

December 6, 2012

YOUR WEEK: HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

FRIDAY/DEC. 7 BREAKFAST FORUM The Wilmore-Richter American Legion Post 161 presents Mike McDonnell, city of Arvada Parks and Recreation, at its Roundtable Issues Breakfast Forum at 7 a.m.

Friday, Dec. 7, at the Post, 6230 W. 60th Ave., Arvada. Breakfast service is at 7 a.m. and the presentation begins at 7:20. Email alp161@hotmail.com for information.

NOEL NORTHGLENN Join Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elves

for Noel Northglenn from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at the Northglenn Recreation Center, 11801 Community Center Drive.

Santa will turn on the city’s holiday lights, and an indoor fair will take place in the gym, with refreshments and activities for children and free pictures with Santa. Back Beat, an Adams County youth band, will perform at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Denver Municipal Band and the Northland Chorale. The Northglenn Senior Organization will have its annual baked sale starting at 1 p.m. Canned goods, new toys and gently used clothing will be collected for those who need them.

Call Jeanette Sanchez at 303-450-8935 or email jsanchez@ northglenn.org.

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY/DEC. 7-8 DINNER SHOW Colorado ACTS presents “Christmas at Snowflake Lodge” at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 7, and Saturday, Dec. 1 and Dec. 8, at Colorado ACTS Theater, 9460 W. 58th Ave., Arvada. This is a dinner show, and reservations are required.

Call 303-456-6772 or visit www.coloradoacts.org.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT Kick off the holiday season with Tidings of Joy, a Christmas concert and gift auction, starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, and Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Broomfield Auditorium, 3 Community Park Road, Broomfield. The Colorado Repertory Singers will share a variety of Christmas songs and carols, and guest artists will perform seasonal Celtic folk. Enjoy free refreshments and find holiday gifts at the silent auction.

For information or to buy tickets, visit www.coloradorepertorysingers.org.

FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/DEC. 7-9, DEC. 14-16 THE NUTCRACKER Ballet Nouveau Colorado presents the

traditional family holiday favorite “The Nutcraker” Dec. 7-9 and Dec. 14-16 at the Performing Arts Complex at Pinnacle Charter School, 1001 W. 84th Ave. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Free parking available on-site. Order tickets online at www.bncdance.com or call 303-466-5685.

SATURDAY/DEC. 8 SANTA VISIT For the 7th year, Re/Max Northwest welcomes

Santa from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at 12000 Pecos St., Westminster. Enjoy free photos with Santa, face painting, treats and crafts. The event also includes a toy drive to benefit A Precious Child and CASA. Monetary donations will benefit Urban Peak Teen Shelter. Call 303-457-4800.

REPUBLICAN FORUM North Suburban Republican Forum will have its next meeting from 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at Legacy Ridge Clubhouse, 10515 Stuart St., Westminster.

Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Former District 7 Rep. Bob Beauprez hosts local Senate and House members talking about the 2013 legislative session. Admission is two non-perishable items that will be donated to a local food bank. Also plan to pay your 2013 dues.

ART WALK Most of the businesses in the Historic Westminster Art District will offer refreshments and family activities during the Second Saturday Art Walk from 1-6 p.m. Dec. 8. There will be live music provided by Now and Then (a group of local musicians) at the Aar River Gallery, 3707 W. 73rd Ave. at 2 p.m..

The Aar River Gallery also has a Holiday Boutique. Art Gallery 3698 is featuring a miniature show with more than 100 original miniature paintings created by local artists. Iddle Bits of This and That is offering Kids Only shopping on Saturday mornings in December where children will receive assistance in picking

out and wrapping a unique gift for their parents. The Rodeo Market Art Center is putting on a Holiday Market throughout the month with a n assortment of hand made gift items. The Historic Westminster Art District extends between Lowell and Bradburn, on 72nd and 73rd avenues. Maps can be picked up at any of the galleries. For more information call 303-426-4114.

5-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, at North Valley Tech Center, Suite C1, Thornton. Email creativerevolutiontheatre@gmail.com to set up an appointment. Roles are for adults and teens ages 16 and older. Rehearsals will be the week of Jan. 7, and the show is Feb. 8-9 at the Thornton Arts & Culture Center, 9209 Dorothy Blvd., Thornton.

RUN/WALK ALL-OUT Multisport presents the Fa La La 5K & 5M, a USATF sanctioned run/walk presented in support of Habitat for Humanity of Colorado, is Dec. 8 at Stenger Soccer Complex, 11200 W. 58th Ave., Arvada. Awards given to the top three in each division, and a finisher medal for everyone. Visit www.alloutmultisport.com.

TUESDAY TO MONDAY/DEC. 11-17

SUNDAY/DEC. 9 CHAMBER CHOIR St. Martin’s Chamber Choir performs “Lo, How a Rose!” at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at Broomfield Auditorium, 3 Community Park Road, Broomfield. Visit www. stmartinschamberchoir.org or call 303-298-1970 for information and tickets.

VISIT BETHLEHEM Take your family back in time with

“A Night In Bethlehem!” from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at Westminster Christian Church, 3575 W. 96th Ave. You’ll taste, see, and smell what daily life was like when Jesus was born.

You will find shops and activities for kids of all ages. Call 303466-0622.

MENORAH LIGHTING Chabad of Northwest Metro Denver, a Jewish organization based in Westminster, is hosting a menorah lighting ceremony in memory of Jessica Ridgeway at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at the Orchard Town Center in Westminster. The free outdoor event will begin with a Chanukah concert

by Steve Brodsky and Friends, a five-piece band that will play cool contemporary Chanukah music and conclude with the menorah lighting ceremony. Chanukah gifts will be distributed to the kids and the traditional Chanukah fare of latkes and donuts will served. Contact Rabbi Benjy Brackman at 720-984-5805 or email milehighchabad@aol.com.

CONCERT YE Wanton Singers are bringing their unique vocals to celebrate the season at Arvada Mennonite Spirit of Joy Church of the Brethren for the Sunday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m. service.

Everyone is welcome. Come at 9:30 for refreshments. The church is at 5927 Miller St., Arvada.

TUESDAY/DEC. 11 BLOOD DRIVE Ten West at Westmoor Technology Park Community Blood Drive is from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, at Westmoor Technology Park, 10155 Westmoor Drive, Building 3 Suite 140, Westminster. For more information or to schedule an appointment contact Bonfils’ Appointment Center at 303-363-2300 or www.bonfils.org.

LIFETREE CAFÉ Life-and-death decisions, hardships and

disabilities will be discussed at noon and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, at Lifetree Café, 5675 Field St. in Arvada. This program features an exclusive film about a couple who learned that their unborn child would have profound disabilities. Admission to the 60-minute event is free. Snacks and beverages are available.

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 12 MONTHLY POTLUCK The Young at Heart group from Risen Savior Lutheran Church welcomes all seniors ages 55 and older to the monthly potluck at noon Wednesday, Dec. 12. The theme for the day is “Food for FISH.” If you are able, bring your gifts for those in need and help provide food and personal care items for FISH of Broomfield County. Guest speaker will be Karen Steele from FISH. No RSVP necessary. Risen Savior Lutheran Church is at 3031 W. 144th Ave., Broomfield.

THURSDAY/DEC. 13 AUDITION NOTICE Auditions for Creative Revolution Theatre Company’s upcoming murder mystery dinner theater production of “The Matchmaker’s Date with Murder” are from

CRAFT WORKSHOPS Make great gifts for the holidays at

upcoming do it yourself holiday card and craft workshops. Cost is $5 per hour for space, resources, instruction and inspiration to create using repurposed materials. Cards and paper crafts are Dec. 4-7 and fabric crafts are Dec. 11-17. Drop-in from 3-5 p.m. at 5927 Miller St., Arvada. Sliding scale and work trades available. All ages; under 12 must bring adult.

COMING SOON COMING SOON/DEC. 15 CHRISTMAS CONCERT Ring Christmas Bells concert by the Risen Savior Lutheran Church’s Handbell Choirs is at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15 at the church, 3031 W. 144th Ave., Broomfield. Tickets required; children ages 10 and younger are free. To purchase tickets, stop by the church office during business hours or call 303-469-3521. Proceeds to benefit the Risen Savior Handbell Fund. Visit www.rslc.org.

COMING SOON/DEC. 16 HOLIDAY CONCERT The Broomfield Symphony Orchestra

presents “Celebrate The Season With Song” at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, at Broomfield United Methodist Church, 545 W. 10th Ave., Broomfield. Traditional holiday will be featured with favorites by Leroy Anderson and Ralph Vaughan Williams, along with selections from Handel’s Messiah, with a 60-voice choir led by Dr. Rebecca Arendt, all conducted by music director David Brussel. Tickets available online or at the door.

For information, visit www.broomfieldsymphony.org or call 303-912-1649.

COMING SOON/DEC. 19 WEDNESDAYS AT 2 Covenant Village in Westminster presents

a series of monthly events featuring expert speakers on a variety of educational and entertaining topics. Admission is free, but seating is limited. Call 303-403-2205 for reservations and directions. Lectures begin at 2; come early for refreshments and fellowship. For information, call 303-424-4828. Upcoming topics:

DEC. 19: “Paris: Biography of a City,” presented by Active Minds. We will trace the city’s history from its Celtic origins through modern times.

JAN. 16: “South Africa: Journey from Apartheid,” presented

by Active Minds. Join Active Minds as we explore the history of South Africa, its struggle with Apartheid, and its journey to rejoin the international community since Apartheid’s end in 1994.

COMING SOON/DEC. 20 HOLIDAY PARTY Friends Night Out for adults with developmental disabilities is from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, at the Miramonte Lodge, 1200 Miramonte St., Broomfield. Cost is $20. The party includes snacks only; please eat dinner before attending. Call Molly Coufal, evening/social program director, at 303-404-0123 or email info@friendsofbroomfield.org.

RECURRING EVENTS RECURRING/THROUGH FALL HOMEWORK HELP Free drop-in homework center is open 3-5:30 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays at the Westminster Public Library, 7392 Irving St., Westminster. Call 303-658-2306 or visit www.westminsterlibrary.org.

RECURRING/THROUGH DEC. 6

RECURRING/WEDNESDAYS, THROUGH DEC. 12 HULA DANCE Hula dancers tell stories with their hips and hands as they sway to smooth Hawaiian music. Join this adult class that meets from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Dec. 12 at the Community Recreation Center, 6842 Wadsworth Blvd.

Call 303-425-9583. Register in advance.

RECURRING/THROUGH DEC. 14 TOY COLLECTION New Dawn Chiropractic & Accupuncture is an official collection site for this year’s U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. New Dawn will accept new and unwrapped toys through Dec. 14. Donors will receive a 25 percent discount. New Dawn is at 7597 W. 66th Ave., Suite 201, Arvada. Call 303-420-7707 or visit www.newdawndc.com.

RECURRING/THROUGH DEC. 15 MINI SHOW Art Gallery 3698, 3998 W. 72nd Ave. in Westminster, will host its fourth annual mini show through Dec. 15. Call 303-487-1981.

RECURRING/THROUGH DEC. 16 PLAYHOUSE SHOW The Festival Playhouse presents “The Man Who Wanted to Be Santa,” through Dec. 16 at 5665 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. Sundays. Call 303-422-4090 or visit www.festivalplayhouse.com for information.

RECURRING/THROUGH DEC. 21 HELP SANTA North Metro Fire Rescue District will accept donations of new or gently-used children’s coats and long pants as well as other cold weather wear or gift cards to purchase coats and pants for A Precious Child Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides basic essentials to disadvantaged and displaced children living in the North Metro area. Donations will be collected until Dec. 21 and can be dropped off at the North Metro Fire Rescue District Headquarters or fire stations. Contact 303-452-9910 or smulligan@northmetrofire. org for details.

RECURRING/THROUGH DEC. 23 THEATER SHOW “Miracle on 34th Street,” with book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, will show through Dec. 23 in the Main Stage Theater at the Arvada Center. The Arvada Center is at 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. and provides free parking for all its patrons. Visit www.arvadacenter.org or call 720-898-7200.

RECURRING/THROUGH DEC. 27 HOLIDAY SHOW The Broomfield Art Guild’s holiday show, “Inside/Outside,” runs through Dec. 27 at the Broomfield Auditorium Lobby, 3 Community Park Road, Broomfield. All artwork will be for sale and can be viewed from 2-6 p.m. Thursdays, 2-5 p.m. Fridays and 1-5 p.m. Sundays. Holiday gift items such as cards and jewelry will also be for sale. For information, see broomfieldartguild.org.

RECURRING/NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER NEWCOMERS CLUB The Northwest Area Newcomers and Social Club, serving the women of North Jeffco and Northwest Denver Metro, welcome women who want to meet new friends and have new activities. We will meet on the second Tuesday in November and December. For information and reservations, call Peggy Francis 303-215-9627 or Karen Dowling 303-4227369.

RECURRING/THROUGH JAN. 7 ART DISPLAY “Fresh Expressions,” works by Betty Grace Gibson, Mary Bass, Dianna Wilson, Becky Enabnit Silver and Ben Silver, will be on display through Nov. 30 at College Hill Library, 3705 W. 112th Ave., Westminster. The works also will be on display from Nov. 17 to Jan. 7 at The Ranch Country Club, 11887 Tejon St., Westminster. A reception is from 6-7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17 for that display.

Recurring Events continues on Page 19

MetroNorth Worship Directory

Arvada United Methodist Church

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Lowell

Bradburn.

PCUSA

9:15 am Sunday School - all ages 10:30 am Sunday Worship Youth Group - Sundays

Sheridan

Our purpose is to Welcome All, Praise God, and to Care for the World.

72nd Ave. Rev. Dr. Jack Cabaness - 303-429-8508 - 3990 W. 74th Ave. - www. westypres.org

Northglenn United Methodist Church

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

LCMS

Sunday Worship 8:00 am, 9:30 am & 11:00 am Sunday School & Adult Classes 9:20 am - 10:40 am

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA) 11040 Colorado Blvd.

(across from Thornton Rec. Center)

303-457-2476 www.stjohns05@gmail.com Worship 8:00 am & 10:45 am Sunday School 9:30 am

We invite you to join us for worship on Sundays. An inspirational traditional service is offered at 9 AM on Sunday.

We are located at 1605 W. 106th Ave., Northglenn.

The Pumpkins are coming! We are hosting a community Pumpkin Patch sale Oct. 17-31st at 1605 W. 106th Ave. For more information about church and all other services offered, feel free to contact us at 303-452-5120. See you there!

Is Your Church in the Worship Directory?

RATES: • 2” x 1” – $20/week • 2” x 2” – $27/week • 4” x 1” – $27/week • Ad renews every 4 weeks

Call 303.566.4093

6750 Carr Street 303-421-5135 arvadaumc.org Sunday Worship 8:00 and 10:00 Nursery provided during both services Church School at 9:30 am Rev. Rudty Butler Rev. Valerie Oden Where science, religion and life are compatible

Westminster Window 19

December 6, 2012

RECURRING EVENTS: CONCERTS

Recurring Events continued from Page 18

RECURRING/MONTHLY THROUGH MAY FAMILY CONCERTS The Music Train and Swallow Hill Music presents the family concert series, at 4 p.m. the second Sunday of each month through May at Swallow Hill Music Association, 71 E. Yale Ave., Denver; and at 4 p.m. the third Saturday of each month through May at the D-Note, 7519 Grandview Ave., Arvada. For information and tickets, visit http://ridethemusictrain.com.

Women’s Group meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays. WINGS provides therapist-facilitated, peer-support groups in which survivors are believed, accepted and no longer alone. For more information, call 303-283-8660.

a local charity at the end of each quarter. The 4th Quarter Charity is the Dan Peak Foundation who assists families in need. http:// danpeakfoundation.webs.com/. For more info call Virlie Walker 720-323-0863.

the second Saturday of the month at Anythink, Huron St. Community Room, 9417 Huron St. in Thornton. Admission is $3 and includes a continental breakfast. Meet like-minded people and discuss Colorado political issues.

DENVER THYROID Cancer Support Group meets 7-8:30 p.m.

Mondays at Montclair Recreation Center Lowry, 729 Ulster Way. For more information, call 303-388-9948.

FLATIRONS VIEW Toastmasters meets at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of every month at The Depot at Five Parks, 13810 W. 85th Ave. in Arvada. Polish your speaking and presentation skills in a fun, instructional, nurturing environment. For more information visit http://9407.toastmastersclubs.org/.

WHAT YOU Want to Be AFG Al-Anon meets at 9:30 a.m.

Saturdays at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in the Richard P. Young Room, 11245 Huron St. For more information, go online to www. al-anon-co.org.

LOOKING AHEAD

GRIEF RECOVERY A 12-week Grief Share program meets at 6:30 p.m. each Monday at Arvada Covenant Church, 5555 Ward Road.

LOOKING AHEAD/DEC. 24

HYLAND HILLS Women’s Golf League meets Mondays, Tuesdays

DENTAL CARE Comfort Dental offers free dental care from 7:3011:30 a.m. Dec. 24. For locations, see www.ComfortDental.com.

LOOKING AHEAD/DEC. 26 BLOOD DRIVE Walmart Community Blood Drive is from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 26, inside Bonfils’ bus at 7101 E. 128th Ave., Thornton. For information or to schedule an appointment contact Bonfils’ Appointment Center at 303-363-2300 or visit www.bonfils.org.

LOOKING AHEAD/DEC. 27-28 BLOOD DRIVE Snow Fun Community Blood Drive is from10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, and Friday, Dec. 28, inside Bonfils’ bus at 14697 Delaware St., Westminster. For more information or to schedule an appointment contact Bonfils’ Appointment Center at 303-363-2300 or visit www.bonfils.org.

LOOKING AHEAD/DEC. 28 BLOOD DRIVE St. Anthony North/Centura Health Community Blood Drive is from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 28 at 2551 W. 84th Ave., Aspen Room, Westminster. For information or to schedule an appointment, contact Bonfils’ Appointment Center at 303-363-2300 or visit www.bonfils.org.

LOOKING AHEAD/JAN. 6 “GODSPELL” AUDITIONS Auditions for the Northglenn Players’ summer production of “Godspell” will take place Sunday, Jan. 6, by appointment only. Prepare 16 bars from a contemporary musical and a comedic monologue (up to two minutes in length). Bring a headshot, resume, and sheet music. Accompanist provided. Small stipend if cast. Show is directed by Warren Sherrill and is for ages 18 and older. Call 303-450-8800 for an appointment. Callbacks are Wednesday, Jan. 9, and rehearsals begin in June. Performances will be July 19-27.

LOOKING AHEAD/JAN. 12 WINNERS RECITAL Music Teachers Association Suburban Northwest will have its ensemble competition winners recital at 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at the School of Music at CU Boulder, 914 Broadway, Boulder. For intermediate to advanced music students performing in ensembles on piano, flute, strings and voice.

LOOKING AHEAD/JAN. 21 CHILDREN’S THEATER Auditions for Missoula Children’s Theatre’s musical production of “Blackbeard the Pirate” will be Jan. 21. Check-in is from 3-3:55 p.m., and auditions run from 4-6 p.m. No late-comers will be accepted. No prepared materials are necessary. About 60 roles are available. To audition, you must be able to attend all rehearsals. Open to ages 6-18. Fee applies if cast.

Rehearsals are Jan. 21-25, and performance is Jan. 26.

LOOKING AHEAD/JAN. 28-29 TALENT SHOW Auditions for the 7th annual Night of the Stars talent show for ages 5-18 will be from 4-8 p.m. Jan. 28-29 at the D.L. Parsons Theatre, inside the Northglenn Recreation Center. Visit www.northglenn.org/talentshow for information. Call 303-450-8800 for an audition appointment. Dress rehearsal will be Thursday, Feb. 7, and the show will be Friday, Feb. 8.

LOOKING AHEAD/FEB. 10 PERFORMANCE CONCERT A collaborative performance concert of the Music Teachers Association Suburban Northwest is at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10, at Arvada United Methodist Church, 6750 Carr St., Arvada. All levels of music students performing in ensembles on piano, flute, strings and voice.

LOOKING AHEAD/MARCH 14 SPELLING BEE Compete with other spelling whizzes in the 60+ Spelling Bee, sponsored by the Arvada Press/Mile High News, Brookdale Senior Living’s Arvada Sterling House and Arvada Meridian, and Prime Time for Seniors Newspaper. Prizes and refreshments included. This is a free event, but both contestants and spectators must register by March 2. Contestants must be 60 and over. Sign up soon; space is limited. The spelling bee is from 1-3 p.m. Thursday, March 14, at the Community Recreation Center, 6842 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada.

ONGOING/LIBRARY PRESCHOOLERS GATHERING Primetime for Preschoolers meets 10-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at Anythink Huron St., 9417 Huron St. in Thornton. Admission is free. For more information, call 303-452-7534 or go online to librarianship.

MUSIC TIME Music and Movement meets 1:30-2:15 p.m.

Wednesdays at Anythink Huron St., 9417 Huron St. in Thornton.

Children ages 3 to 6 years can sing, dance, play games and learn how to play instruments. Registration is required. To register, visit the online calendar at librarianship. For more information, call 303-452-7534.

ONGOING/CLUBS AND SERVICES MONDAYS ADULT SURVIVORS of Childhood Sexual Abuse Northglenn

and Thursdays, May through September, at 9650 Sheridan Blvd.

For more information, call Bernice Aspinwall at 303-426-7579.

LA LECHE League of Broomfield meets 10 -11 a.m. the second Monday of the month at Brunner Farm House, 640 Main St.

LIFERING SECULAR Recovery meets at 6 p.m. Mondays at Washington Park United Church of Christ, 400 S. Williams St. This is a nonprofit, abstinence-based peer-support group for recovering alcoholics and addicts. For more information, call 303-830-0358 or go online to www.unhooked.com.

METRO NORTH Chamber Leads Monday group meets at 8 a.m.

Mondays at Perkins Restaurant, 12015 Melody Drive in Westminster. For more information, call Jason Doss at 303-657-7265.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS meets at 7 p.m. Mondays at North Metro Church, 12505 Colorado Blvd. in Thornton.

WEST METRO Real Estate Investing Education Group meets from 7-9 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center, 4005 Kipling St., Wheat Ridge, CO 80033.

We meet in Classroom 1. We cover all the information you will need to successfully fix and flip or buy rentals with positive cash flow. We analyze deals as examples, talk about where to get funding, the best ways to find a bargain and sometimes do property tours. Investors of all levels of experience are welcome but no agents please.

TUESDAYS DENVER NORTH Metro Rotary Club meets 7:10 -8:30 a.m.

Tuesdays at The Egg & I, 855 Thornton Parkway in Thornton.

LET GO and Let God AFG Al-Anon meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 12021 Northaven Circle in Thornton.

For more information, visit www.al-anon-co.org.

METRO NORTH Chamber Leads Tuesday group meets at 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays at Lone Star Steakhouse, 237 E. 120th Ave. in Thornton. For more information, call Alan at 720-233-5873.

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS Group meets at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at 3585 W. 76th Ave. in Westminster. For more information, go online to www.nacolorado.org.

NEW SWING Swing dancing comes to Thornton 8:30-11 p.m.

Tuesdays at Taps and Toes Dance Studio, 12720 N. Colorado Blvd.

Beginners are welcome; World Champion Lindy Hop dancers Mark Godwin and Shauna Marble, along with other dancers will provide instruction. Cost is $5. For more information, go online to www.markandshaunaswing.com/weekly_dances/.

NORTHGLENN AFG Al-Anon meets at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 11385 Grant Drive. For more information, go online to www.al-anon-co.org.

NORTHGLENN-THORNTON ROTARY Club meets at noon Tuesdays at Red Lobster, 1350 W. 104th Ave. in Northglenn. For more information, email NorthglennThorntonRotary@hotmail. com.

NORTHWEST AREA Newcomers and Social Club meets at 11:30 a.m. every fourth Tuesday of the month at Wishbone Restaurant ,9701 Federal Blvd. in Westminster. The club serves the women of North Jeffco and Northwest Denver Metro. All women are welcome to meet new friends and have new activities. There are new speakers and topics every month. For more information, call Delores Jacobson at 303-425-4205 or email ddeejacob@aol.com.

NORTH METRO Newcomer and Social Club meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month for lunch and a program. We welcome all women who would like to meet new friends and find new activities. Call Peggy Frances at 303-215-9627 or Karen Dowling at 303-422-7369.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS meets from 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Tuesdays at Westminster United Methodist Church, 3585 W. 76th Ave. Contact Laura at 303-428-9293.

TAE KWON do Learn self-defense, get a workout and increase self-confidence. Two classes available on Tuesdays and Thursdays through the city of Westminster recreation division: peewees (ages 5-8), from 6:30-7:30 p.m., and ages 9 and up, 6:30-8 p.m.

Classes at the MAC, 3295 W. 72nd Ave. Call 303-426-4310. Visit www.hupstaekwondo.com and www.ttatkd.com.

TALKING IDEAS Toastmasters Club meets noon-1 p.m. Tuesdays at 10155 Westmoor Drive, Suite 225, in Westminster. For more information, call Mary Taylor at 303-327-1616.

TOPS CO 538, a weight-loss support group, meets Tuesdays at St. Martha’s Episcopal Church, 76th and Bradburn. Weigh-in is from 6-6:45 p.m., followed by the meeting. For information, call 303-429-5923.

WESTMINSTER OPTIMIST Club meets at 7 a.m. Tuesdays at the Egg & I, 799 Highway 287, Broomfield. For more information, call John Swanborg at 303-466-5631 or email him at jswanborg@ comcast.net.

WEDNESDAYS

MUSIC TEACHERS Association Suburban Northwest meets from 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. Upcoming meetings are Nov. 7, Feb. 6, March 6, April 3, May 1.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN Submarine Veterans meets at 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month at American Legion Wilmore-Richter Post 161, 6230 W. 60th Ave. in Arvada. Active duty, reserve, retired, veterans, interested public and their ladies are cordially invited. For more information, go online to www. rockymountainsubvets.com.

TOASTMASTERS-WESTMINSTER COMMUNICATORS meets 12:15-1:15 p.m. every Wednesday at DeVry University, 1870 W. 122nd Ave., Room 134. Toastmasters has helped thousands of people over the years and we can help you. Admission is free. Enter the southeast door to the first room, 134. Call Ray Hamilton at 303-284-4223.

WESTMINSTER ROTARY 7:10 Club meets 7:10-8:30 a.m.

Wednesdays at The Ranch Country Club, 11667 Tejon St., Westminster. For more information, call Angela Habben at 720947-8080.

THURSDAYS ADAMS COUNTY Triad meets 1-2 p.m. the third Thursdays of the month at 3295 W. 72nd Ave. in Westminster. The Triad is formed of law enforcement officers, senior citizens, fire personnel and senior organizations. Triad volunteers develop and implement crimeprevention and education programs for older adults. Activities address crime from both a pre-victimization (preventive) standpoint and a post-victimization (victim/witness assistance) standpoint.

All senior citizens or people who care about senior citizens of Adams County are welcome. Topic changes each month. For more information, contact Jenee Centeno at 303-854-7420. Fridays.

FOOD PANTRY Agape Life Church distributes Jefferson County commodity foods from 10-11 a.m. Thursdays, at the church, 5970 W. 60th Ave. in Arvada. The church provides this service to all Jefferson County residents. If you have questions, call 303-431-6481.

FRONT RANGE Toastmasters Club meets from 7-9 p.m. every Thursday at the Thornton Civic Center, 9500 Civic Center Drive, Thornton. Develop your prepared and impromptu speaking skills.

Guests are encouraged to drop in and participate at their comfort level. For information, contact www.d26toastmasters.org/ frontrange/about_us.htm.

GRIEFSHARE SUPPORT Group meets at 9:30 a.m. Thursdays at Mountain View Lutheran Church, 1481 Russell Way. For more information, go online to www.mountainviewlutheran.com.

LET’S FIND Serenity Al-Anon meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays at Park Center Office Building Room 104, 3489 W. 72nd Ave. For more information, go online to www.al-anon-co.org.

METRO NORTH Chamber Leads Thursday group meets at 8 a.m.

Thursdays at the Egg and I, 885 Thornton Parkway in Thornton. For more information, call Jim Johnson at 303-522-3608.

ONE BUSINESS Connection meets from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Thursdays at Barker’s St., 2831 W. 120th Ave. in Westminster. For more information, call Michelle Mathiesen at 303-424-1207 or go online to www.wbncolorado.com.

WOMEN’S BUSINESS Network meets 7:20-8:35 a.m. Thursdays at the Doubletree Hotel, 8773 Yates Drive in Westminster. For more information, call Michelle Mathiesen at 303-424-1207 or go online to www.wbncolorado.com.

FRIDAYS CAFFEINATED CAREER Club meets 8:15-10 a.m. Fridays at La Dolce Vita, 5756 Olde Wadsworth Blvd. An inspirational weekly job-search networking group, facilitated by a job-search expert.

Bring business cards and a 60-second introduction. Typical attendance is more than 20 people, and the restaurant prefers that you order breakfast. RSVP recommended. For more information call CAREER-Magic at 303-424-5451. For directions, call Don Carver at 303-420-1637.

NORTH SUBURBAN Sales Professionals meets 7:30-9 a.m.

Fridays at Indian Tree Golf Course, 7555 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada.

This club is for entrepreneurs, small-business owners, independent distributors and professional salespersons for business education, sales training, motivation, fun, food, and fellowship. Ticket price includes parking, breakfast buffet, program and chances to win door prizes and lottery tickets. Newcomers are welcome. Call Laura Nokes Lang at 303-428-9293.

SWING THRU’S Square Dance Club meets Fridays at the Victory Grange, 2025 Tower Road in Aurora. Singles, couples and youth are welcome. For more information, call 303-426-8986.

SATURDAYS NORTH SUBURBAN Republican Forum meets 9:45-11:15 a.m.

SUNDAYS HOW AFG Works Book Study Al-Anon meets at 9 a.m. Sundays at Park Center Office Building, Room 104, 3489 W. 72nd Ave. For more information, go online to www.al-anon-co.org.

MILE HIGH Harmonica Club meets 1:30 -3:30 p.m. the second and fourth Sundays of the month at Grant Avenue Community Center, 216 S. Grant St. in Denver.

THORNTON VFW Post 7945 meets 8:30 -11 a.m. Sundays at 10217 Quivas St. in Thornton. Admission is $5 for breakfast. For more information, call 303-438-6700.

YOGA FOR Survivors Whether you’re a longtime cancer survivor, in treatment or a caregiver to a cancer survivor, Yoga for Cancer Survivors & Caregivers is a great way to live more comfortably in your own body. Benefits include decreased stress and pain, improved sleep and energy, improved lymphatic flow, reduced nausea and a greater sense of well-being. Class led by Shari Turney, a registered yoga instructor with specialized training through Yoga for Survivors. Class offered from 1:30-2:45 p.m. Sundays at Duncan Family YMCA, 6350 Eldridge St., Arvada. Contact Turney at 720-319-3703 or szturney@mac.com before taking your first class to ensure a safe practice.

ONGOING ACTIVITIES FRONT RANGE Boot Camp gets you out of the gym and gets results. Front Range Boot Camp provides dynamic, unique and results-driven full-body workouts exclusively for women. All ages, sizes and fitness levels will succeed. Indoor location is just behind Super Target at Kipling and 50th Avenue. Outdoor location is Skyline Park by Stenger soccer fields. Email Robyn@FrontRangeBootCamp.com or go online to www.FrontRangeBootCamp.com.

GIRL SCOUTS Snowboard. Scuba dive. Sleep over in a museum or at the zoo. Go backstage at a concert or a Broadway play. Even stage your own Project Runway. Girl Scouts turns normal days into days you’ll remember all your life. Girl Scouts offers girls of all ages and backgrounds a safe place to explore the world and discover their potential. There are now more flexible ways to be a Girl Scout than joining a troop. To explore your options, visit girlscoutsofcolorado.org, email inquiry@gscolorado.org or call 1-877-404-5708.

REALITY CHECK Learn, laugh and move beyond denial in a small, cozy, group workshop environment. Join me for a facilitated Reality Check. Put on your big-girl pants, and call 303-953-2344 for details.

ONGOING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES GATEWAY BATTERED Women’s Services is looking for volunteers to work on various planning committees for its upcoming fundraising endeavors. Monthly attendance for fundraising meetings required. Contact Jeneen Klippel at 303-343-1856 or email jkworden@gatewayshelter.com.

GIRL SCOUT volunteers Whether you commit a few hours a month running a troop, or a few hours a year helping with a science event, tackle important issues, travel to incredible places, share interests and create experiences with girls and other adults you will never forget. Gain marketable skills that will benefit you in ways beyond Girl Scouting. Join Girl Scouts today and become one of our volunteers. Both men and women 18 and older are invited to join. In addition to positions working with the girls, we’ve got volunteer needs in our offices around the state to help with paperwork and other administrative duties. For more information, visit girlscoutsofcolorado.org, email inquiry@gscolorado.org or call 1-877-404-5708.

HEALTH PASSPORT Looking for a volunteer opportunity?

Health Passport volunteers provide support for patients and their families both in the hospital and upon discharge; help with outreach, marketing, and social networking; connect patients, families, and volunteers with the services and programs right for them; host classes at various Health Passport locations; contribute to the health and wellness of those in the community; counsel clients who need prescription drug assistance, and help with day-to-day living expenses, Medicare and Medicaid issues. For information about these volunteer opportunities, contact Kerry Ewald, Health Passport volunteer coordinator, at 303-629-4934.

To learn more about Centura Health, visit www.myhealthpassport.org.

COMPANIONS FOR Elders PeopleFirst Hospice seeks compassionate, committed and dependable individuals to provide companionship to hospice patients and their families. By volunteering as few as 1 or 2 hours per month, you can help combat the isolation and loneliness that affects the quality of life of countless people near the end of their lives, simply by listening and providing a comforting presence. Orientation and training provided.

To learn more, please contact PeopleFirst Hospice at 303-5467921. PeopleFirst Hospice is a program of Kindred Healthcare.

For information, contact Rachel Wang, volunteer coordinator, at 303-546-7921.

ARVADA BIZ Connection (http://www.meetup.com/Arvada-

GET SOCIAL WITH US

Business-Connection/) is an informal networking event that brings together local entrepreneurs. Meetings are Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at various restaurants in Olde Town Arvada.

A $5 fee is collected from each attendee, which is then donated to

The Westminster Window wants to share the news. Check out and like our page on facebook. Search for Westminster Window. While you are there search for Colorado Community Media's page too.

20 Westminster Window

December 6, 2012

Parker: Gateway to The New West photo collection debuts Parker continued from Page 16

The magazine touts The Westin Riverfront’s “excellent location by the lifts” and extensive amenities, including the “amazing hot tubs and pool” and Spa Anjali.

For more information or reservations, go to www.westinriverfrontbeavercreek. com or call 1-866-949-1616.

Larkburger’s new location

Downtown Denver finally has a burger bonus with the recent opening of the 10th Larkburger, on California Street just off the 16th Street Mall.

The Colorado-based, fast-casual burger chain’s newest outlet has regular hours from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

The award-winning restaurant group (Larkburger won this year’s Denver

Burger Battle) is committed to being ecofriendly.

For the new downtown location, that means chairs are made from recycled plastic bottles; canola oil is recycled for automotive fuel; cups, utensils and containers are 100 percent biodegradable; and reclaimed timber is used in the interior design.

Larkburger will open its next restaurant in Broomfield in mid-December. For more information, go to www.larkburger. com.

army of Orcs or the legion of Rohanians), for two nights at 8 p.m., Dec. 27 and 28.

A self-proclaimed “professional geek,” Ross has toured the globe for the past 11 years performing his frenetic solo shows at venues including off-Broadway in New York City to the Sydney Opera House.

Tickets start at $36 and can be purchased online at www.lonetreeartscenter. org or by calling 720-509-1000 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

The Lone Tree Arts Center is at 10075 Commons St.

One-man show

Lakewood, seen

The Lone Tree Arts Center is bringing in Canadian comedian Charlie Ross with his show “One-Man Lord of the Rings,” a 70-minute performance where Ross portrays 46 characters (not counting the

The Gateway to The New West, a fine-art photo collection featuring contemporary images of Lakewood, will be unveiled during a free open house from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7.

The collection will be featured as part of the Belmar Block 7 Art Walk, 455 S. Saulsbury St., at Anam Cara Living Arts Studio and Gallery, and is presented by Alameda Gateway, a member organization that promotes the Lakewood region.

The art walk also will include exhibits at Colorado Photographic Arts Center and True Colors Studio and Gallery.

The public is welcome and details are available at www.GatewayGuide.info.

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

WindowSPORTS

Westminster Window 21 December 6, 2012

McWee out to redeem himself

OUT OF BOUNDS

BY THE NUMBERS Ranking of the Pomona wrestling team

by On the Mat in Class 5A to start the season.

The Panthers are ahead of No. 2 Pine Creek and No. 3 Coronado.

1

Legacy’s senior opens season ranked No. 3 at 220 pounds

By Jonathan Maness

jmaness@ourcoloradonews.com BROOMFIELD - No wrestler has more to prove this season than Legacy’s Skylar McWee. McWee was one of the top wrestlers at 220 pounds last season, even winning the regional tournament.

However, his trip to the state tournament was derailed when he got sick right before the tournament.

He still wrestled, but was pinned by (G.J.) Central’s Thomas Holman and Legend’s Dalton Porter.

“Last year I was hyped up going to state,” McWee said. “And I go down there and pretty much choke.”

But with that behind him, the senior believes he can use last season as a stepping stone to a bright final season.

“I’m motivated big time,” McWee said.

“This year I am hoping to win it.”

Even though last year’s state champion, Greeley West’s Austin Waterman, is moving up to 285, the competition at 220 pounds remains tough.

Columbine’s Brian Mayberry returns after finishing fifth and Overland’s Amer Tipura just missed getting a medal last season.

While McWee is a talented wrestler, he’s arguably a better football player.

He led Legacy’s football team with seven sacks and was second on the team with 48 tackles.

“It’s a lot different in the conditioning,” McWee said. “But being physical it is pretty much the same. I think it helps me by doing both sports.”

One thing that should help McWee and his teammates is Legacy High School held a camp this summer that was taught by Northwestern’s wrestling coach Drew Pariano and some of his assistant coaches. The camp will be an annual event at Legacy.

That experience and the energy with the

Number of Pomona wrestlers who are ranked to start the season. There are only three weight classes where the Panthers don’t have a wrestler ranked.

11

Number of Panthers which are ranked No. 1 individually to start the season. Archie Colgan (160 pounds), Raymond Robledo (132) and Travis Torres (113) all start the season ranked No. 1.

3

Legacy’s Skylar McWee enters the season ranked No. 3 at 220 pounds by On the Mat. Photo by Jonathan Maness Lightning wrestler have McWee thinking this team could be something special.

“I’m expecting a top-5 finish at state,”

the senior said. “We have a lot of young guys and new guys, but they have adjusted to the program pretty well.”

Local wrestling rankings On the Mat pre-season rankings with local wrestlers included.

Class 5A 106lbs

1. Trenton Watson, Coronado 2. Tomas Gutierrez, Pomona 3. Anthony Garza, Greeley West 4. Ryan Deakin, Legacy 8. Robert Burger, Northglenn

113lbs

1. Travis Torres, Pomona 2. Anthony Cortez, Horizon 3. Jess Hankin, Coronado

120lbs

1. Adrian Cordova, Coronado 2. Josh Rosales, Pomona 3. Mitch Finesilver, Cherry Creek 9. Maurisio Garcia, Northglenn 13. Michael Herman, Horizon

126lbs

1. Emilio Martinez, Greeley West 2. P.T. Garcia, Bear Creek 3. Payton Tawater, Arvada West 20. Nick Archuleta, Northglenn 21. John Fugita, Westminster

132lbs

1. Raymond Robledo, Pomona 2. Bennie Pachello, Arvada West 3. Taylor Killion, Fossil Ridge;

15. Nate Carlson, Standley Lake

145lb

1. Jacob Trujillo, Grand Junction 2. Derrick Ortiz, Pine Creek 3. Torry Williams, Ponderosa 14. Matt Bryan, Westminster

152lbs

1. Alex Smith, Pine Creek 2. Ethan Wright, Pomona 3. Randy Boerner, Mountain Range 14. Matt Hebel, Legacy

160lbs

1. Archie Colgan, Pomona 2. Austin Lindsay, Fossil Ridge 3. Riley McConnell, Fort Collins 5. Conner Casady, Legacy

170lbs

1. Dylan Gabel, Ponderosa 2. Gabe Grimaldo, Westminster 3. Jacob Seely, Fruita Monument 7. David Chitwood, Horizon 9. Joel Geers, Mountain Range

182lbs

1. Axel Wessel, Boulder 2. Corry Williams, Ponderosa 3. Dalton Weiss, Loveland 8. Roman Orozco, Westminster

220lbs

1.Brian Mayberry, Columbine 2. Amer Tipura, Overland

3. Skyler McWee, Legacy

285lbs

1. Jorge Rodriguez, Mountain Range 2. Austin Waterman, Greeley West 3. Tony Martinez, Rocky Mountain

Class 3A 120lbs

1. Levi Maes, Sheridan 2. Trenton Piatt, Olathe 3. Neff Malouff, Alamosa 5. Vincent Casados, Holy Family

126lbs

1. Aaron Cisneros, Jefferson 2. Kole Kelley, Alamosa 3. Julian Prieto, Holy Family

132lbs

1. Josh Miller, Bennett 2. Joseph Prieto, Holy Family 3. Isaac Rider, Rifle

220lbs

1. Dalton Shoop, Eaton 2. Brian Shaw, Trinidad 3. Justice Reddick, Platte Canyon; 4. Daniel Jansen, Holy Family

THEY SAID IT “It’s a lot different in the conditioning. But being physical it is pretty much the same. I think it helps me by doing both sports.”

Legacy standout Skylar McWee on playing football and wrestling

22 Westminster Window

December 6, 2012

Rodriguez out to defend state title Mountain Range’s heavyweight carrying a big load for Mustangs

By Jonathan Maness

jmaness@ourcoloradonews.com WESTMINSTER - Winning the state title last season was a lifelong dream for Jorge Rodriguez. Now Mountain Range’s heavyweight wrestler is out to defend his reign.

“I think I can do it,” Rodriguez said. “I am going to go out and wrestle hard each and every match. No matter how big, or how small it is I’m going to go out and do my best.”

Rodriguez dominated at 285 pounds last season, going 38-3 and cruising through the brackets at state.

He beat Arapahoe’s Isaac Prudhomme by major decision in the opening round and then pinned Rocky Mountain’s Tony Martinez and Pine Creek’s Ian Kluckman to advance to the state title match. In the title match, Rodriguez won 7-2 over Smokey Hill’s Kirk Owens to win his first state title.

“It was great,” the junior wrestler said.

“It was a childhood dream that came true.

It was magnificent and made my mamma proud.”

A P w

‘No matter how big, or

G s

how small it is I’m going to go out and do my best.’

B

j

Jorge Rodriguez Rodriguez first started wrestling when he was 3 years old, but thanks to years of hard work he has worked his way up to being one of the top wrestlers in the state.

“It’s always been a passion,” said Rodriguez, who is currently the top-ranked heavyweight in the state.

Probably his biggest competition this season is Greeley West’s Austin Waterman, who moved up after winning state at 220 pounds last season.

“That’s who I want to wrestle and see how I stack up with him,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez’s success is important this season if the Mustangs want to build off of their third-place finish last season.

Mountain Range is currently ranked 10th, and have four wrestlers that are ranked to start the season.

“If everybody wrestles well we should be a top-10 team at state, and maybe even win a championship,” Rodriguez said.

s a

f C 5 t

a w m N i

p h a L

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i

Mountain Range’s Jorge Rodriguez is the defending Class 5A heavyweight champion. Photo by Jonathan Maness

e

Grimaldo setting his sights on state title

t t H i T

Senior looks to build off of last season’s experience

o s s w r

By Jonathan Maness

jmaness@ourcoloradonews.com

Westminster’s Gabe Grimaldo is looking to improve on his fourth-place finish from last year. Photo by Jonathan Maness

WESTMINSTER - Gabe Grimaldo has tasted the state tournament and he wants more.

The Westminster wrestler took fourth at 160 pounds in his first state tournament as a junior and that experience has helped raise his expectations this season.

“I plan on taking state,” said Grimaldo, who will move up to 170 this season. “That’s everybody’s goal, I guess. For right now I’m taking it one practice at a time and one match at a time.”

Last season, Grimaldo rolled through the first two rounds of the tournament before losing to Regis’s John Crowley in the quarterfinals.

Crowley went on to win state, while Grimaldo lost 6-4 in the third-place match to Grand Junction’s Gage Casey.

“It was an incredible experience,” said Grimaldo, who has only been wrestling for four years.

What made last season impressive for Grimaldo, who finished with a 15-11 record, was he didn’t even think he was going to

‘For right now I’m taking it one practice at a time and one match at a time.’

Gabe Grimaldo

jmaness@ourcoloradonews.com THORNTON - Horizon’s senior Dustin Rivas was chosen as the Front Range League’s Most Valuable Player.

Rivas helped Horizon’s football team advance to the second round of the state playoffs, before falling to Arapahoe 17-14. The Hawks finished the season 7-4.

He was one of seven Horizon players that made the FRL first team. Spencer Elliott, Greg Gonzales, Dom Castiglione, Easton Robbins, Brandon Halperin and Steven Sumey also made the team. Rivas was chosen to the first team on both defense and offense.

Mountain Range’s Preston DeHerrera

was chosen Co-Defensive Player of the Year. Also making the team from Mountain Range were Joey Ramos, Gabe Garcia-Gellespie and Tom Commander.

SIX AREA SOFTBALL PLAYERS MAKE FRL FIRST-TEAM: Horizon, Legacy and Mountain Range each had two players chosen to the first-team all-conference softball team.

Horizon’s Makenzy Mitts and Jasmine Wessel; Legacy’s Bekka Prokaski and Paige Reichmuth and Mountain Range’s Harley Huser and Valerie Ortega made the first team.

GEE AND NUN MAKE ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM: Legacy’s runners Melanie Nun and Emma Gee were chosen to the Front Range League first-team cross country team.

Horizon’s Megan Mooney and Gabrielle Penaflor made the second team.

In volleyball, Hawks’ Kristin Hoeben was chosen to the first team and Mountain Range’s Steven Salter made the first team in soccer.

HAWKS OFF TO QUICK START: The Horizon girls basketball team is proving quickly that it is among the best in the state.

The Hawks cruised past Standley Lake in the home opener, 80-41 and then they beat Prairie View, 68-42 on Saturday.

Kaleigh Paplow led the way in the season opener with 20 points, while Kaylie Rader had 15 points and nine rebounds.

Lauren Bennett had 16 to lead Horizon against Prairie View.

STAYING PERFECT: The Holy Family boys have won its first three games of the

w g 4

“ make it past the regional tournament. But now with the state experience under his belt a H his expectation has been raised.

“That is what I did with a fourth of the experience of all of the other wrestlers at state,” the senior said. “This year, I plan on going far.”

Grimaldo opens the year ranked second in his weight class behind Ponderosa’s Dylan Gabel.

He is also one of four wrestlers that are ranked at Westminster, which makes Wolves’ new head coach Doug Pfeifer eager to see how his squad does this season.

“I think we could easily take six kids to state and we can do something there,” said Pfeifer, who was an assistant on the team the past few years. “Gabe’s been there before and he has done a great job with the younger kids. We feel we have a lot of good wrestlers that could compete.”

Sports Roundup: Rivas chosen Front Range League MVP

By Jonathan Maness

“ t

season.

The Tigers beat both Grand Valley (7912) and Alamosa (54-28) at the Tiger Classic and then topped Manitou Springs 57-49 on Tuesday.

David Sommers and Ryan Willis have led the way.

Willis had 18 points to lead the Tigers over Grand Valley, while Sommers is averaging 13.7 points to lead Holy Family. Sommers also had eight rebounds against Manitou Springs.

GATORS GET FIRST WIN: Standley Lake topped Mead 51-40 on Tuesday at the Boulder Valley Invitational.

Sara Shileny led the way with 18 points and 11 rebounds to help the Gators get their first win. Standley Lake lost its season opener to Horizon.

Westminster Window 23

December 6, 2012

All-Region softball: Pitching leads the way for Holy Family

Gardon, Prokaski lead squads deep into playoffs

By Jonathan Maness

jmaness@ourcoloradonews.com

BROOMFIELD - While neither team came home with a state title, it was a successful season for both Holy Family and Legacy softball teams.

The two teams each made a run in the state playoffs, before losing in the semifinals. The Tigers fell 3-1 to Valley in Class 3A, while the Lightning lost to rival Loveland, 9-2, in 5A. The loss ended Legacy’s streak at five consecutive state titles.

It’s tough to ignore the success of many of the individuals on both squads. Legacy had another impressive squad, which featured seven seniors - including star second baseman Bekka Prokaski. Prokaski, who is the 2012 MetroNorth Newspapers Softball Player of the Year, set a school record in doubles and even led the state with 19 in her senior year.

She finished the season with an impressive .570 at the plate and led Legacy with 49 hits, 36 RBIs and 35 runs. She had two four-hit games throughout the season, and even hit a home run against Ponderosa early in the season. Against Loveland at state, Prokaski went 3 for 4 with two doubles.

“It wasn’t how we wanted to end, but I’m proud of my teammates,” Prokaski said.

Senior Nicole Gardon’s arm carried the Tigers to an impressive 18-4 record, with Gardon winning 13 of those games - which was a big reason why she was chosen the Pitcher of the Year. She also struck out 118 batters and posted a 1.89 ERA. Gardon’s domination on the mound was apparent throughout the season - she earned five shutout wins. She threw 10 strong innings and struck out 13 batters to help Holy Family sneak past Conifer 3-2 earlier this season. And in the state playoffs, she struck out seven batters to help the Tigers top Basalt 10-3.

“I think we had a very successful season,” Gardon said.

“We improve a lot from last year and I’m going to miss my teammates.”

Holy Family’s coach Glen Ramos was chosen as Coach of the Year after leading the Tigers to the semifinals. His squad only dropped one league game and made it to the state playoffs for the 13th consecutive season. They also won the league title for the fourth consecutive season and rolled through the regional tournament.

Holy Family only had one loss to a 3A opponent, which was Valley in the semifinals. The Tigers had to forfeit a game, but their other losses were to 5A Monarch (5-4) and 4A Broomfield (7-4).

“We had a phenomenal group of seniors,” Ramos said.

“I’m just really proud of the girls.”

Joining Gardon and Prokaski on the all-region first team are Angelique Archuleta, Paige Reichmuth, Celyn Whitt and Haley Smith from Legacy, Jasmine Wessel and Makenzy

Holy Family senior Nicole Gardon is the pitcher of the year for 2012. File photos Mitt from Horizon, Melissa Heronema and RiAnna May from Standley Lake and Angel Micciulli and Marisa Kennedy from Westminster.

2012 MetroNorth Newspapers All-Region Softball Team

C- Jasmine Wessel, Soph., Horizon .500, 39 hits, 17 RBI, 8 doubles 1B- Angelique Archuleta, Sr., Legacy .443, 31 hits, 18 RBI, 19 runs 2B- Bekka Prokaski, Sr., Legacy .570, 49 hits, 36 RBI, 19 doubles 3B-Melissa Heronema, Jr., Standley Lake .481, 3 home runs, 5 triples, 22 RBI SS- Paige Reichmuth, Sr., Legacy .366, 30 hits, 21 RBI, 7 doubles OF-Angel Micciulli, So., Westminster .46, 29 hits, 17 RBI, 7 3B OF-Makenzy Mitt, Sr., Horizon .429, 33 hits, 26 runs, 16 RBI OF-RiAnna May, Jr, Standley Lake .373, 28 hits, 21 RBI, 3 home runs UT-Celyn Whitt, So., Legacy .447, 21 hits, 17 runs, 16 RBI P- Haley Smith, Soph., Legacy 14-1, 2.02 ERA, 66 K, 26 BB P-Nicole Gardon, Sr, Holy Family 13-2, 1.89 ERA, 118 K, 18 BB P-Marisa Kennedy, So., Westminster 8-7, 2.72 ERA, 93 K, 78 BB Player of the Year - Bekka Prokaski, Holy Family Pitcher of the Year - Nicole Gardon, Holy Family Coach of the Year - Glen Ramos, Holy Family

OF-Jocelyn Howard, Sr., Legacy UT-Hanna Caress, Sr., Legacy P-Taylor Smith, So., Horizon P-Kayla Staab, Jr., Mountain Range P-Rhiannon Parry, Jr., Standley Lake

Honorable Mention

Holy Family (Moriah Turney, Maeve Donovan), Horizon (Lindsey Pritchard , Sierra Watts, Taylor Smith), Legacy (Kara Walling , Kylie Bernard, Mariah Latham), Mountain Range (Harley Hueser, Valier Ortega, Riley Craig), Skyview (Mercedes Aguilar, Allison Pacheco), Standley Lake (Brooke Stevens)

Second Team

c

Legacy’s second baseman Bekka Prokaski is the MetroNorth Newspapers softball position player of the year for 2012.

s -

C-Tess Cartlin, Jr, Holy Family 1B- Desirae Visser, Jr, Mountain Range 2B-Grace Peterson, Jr, Holy Family 3B- Caitlyn Krenz, Sr., Holy Family SS-Andrea Pierce, Sr. Northglenn OF- Kelsey Bernard, Sr., Mountain Range OF-Haley Draudt, So., Holy Family

THE IRV & JOE SHOW M–F 1p–3p

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Irv Brown and Joe Williams are the longest-running sports talk tandem in the history of Denver radio. For more than 28 years, Irv Brown and Joe Williams have teamed to bring sports talk to fans in Denver. That tradition continues on Mile High Sports Radio.

24 Westminster Window

December 6, 2012

Keira Knightley fascinated by complexities of ‘Anna Karenina’

By Tim Lammers Acclaimed actress Keira Knightley has definitely flexed her creative muscles this year, having starred over the summer in the brilliant, offbeat dramedy “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World” — and just in time for holiday and awards season, she’s back with the title role in a new adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s classic romantic drama “Anna Karenina.”

Of course, the concept of mixing things up isn’t exactly new to Knightley. After her breakthrough role in the rip-roaring “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” in 2003, she’s done everything from romantic comedy with films like “Love, Actually” to sci-fi with the vastly under-appreciated mind-bender “The Jacket.”

Still and all, Knightley is often associated with period dramas, thanks to her creative association with director Joe Wright on 2005’s “Pride and Prejudice” (which earned her a Best Actress Oscar nomination) and the 2007 Best Picture Oscar nominee “Atonement.”

And While Knightley said she doesn’t mind her association with period films, she’s always on the lookout for something new.

“If I keep doing the same thing, I get bored, so my tastes tend to go to something wildly quite opposite,” Knightley told me in a recent interview. “Generally speaking, my heart is in the darker drama. That’s what I really love watching and that’s the sort of material that makes me incredibly excited. But once I’ve done that for a while, I end up yearning for something much lighter and modern. For me, the most exciting thing about my job is getting the opportunity to change and do different things.”

Now playing in select theaters and opening nationwide Wednesday, “Anna Karenina” tells the tragic story of an aristocrat (Knightley) who daringly plunges herself into an affair with Count Alexi Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) in late 19th century Russia.

Despite the willingness of her powerful statesman husband, Count Alexei Karenin (Jude Law), to forgive her, Anna can’t shake her love for Vronsky, even if it means sepa-

Jude Law and Keira Knightley in “Anna Karenina.” Photo by Focus Features ration from her young son and exclusion from society.

With about 25 film and television productions of “Anna Karenina” produced in the last century, Knightley, 27, said she was quite well aware that she had her work cut out for her in bringing the iconic character to life.

And while she admitted that diving into the role was intimidating at first, it wasn’t as nerve-wracking as taking on the spirited lead in the adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel “Pride & Prejudice.”

“In a strange way, Anna wasn’t as terrifying as playing Elizabeth Bennet — not because of the people who have played her before, but because the character is somebody people love and they see themselves as her,” Knightley explained.

“Anna is not that. Anna is a very curious creature that has fascinated people, but she’s not somebody people want to be or fall in love with. So in that way, it was less

daunting.”

Knightley said perhaps the biggest appeal of playing Anna was the chance to get inside the head of somebody who was willing to go to such extremes in her life — and on the flip side, remain impartial about Anna’s decisions.

“If you’re talking about why I’m an actress, that’s it — that’s what makes it so fascinating, trying to figure out how somebody else ticks and not to judge them,” Knightley said. “That’s the most difficult thing to do — to not bring judgment in, but to just try to understand them.”

“It’s fascinating, trying to do characters where there is a fine line,” Knightley said.

“Can you forgive her for leaving her son?

I don’t even have kids, and I don’t know if I could forgive her — but, if I were her, would I behave any differently? I’d like to think that I would, but do I know that I would? No. I think that’s what so fascinating and so terrifying about Anna.”

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No matter what side of the equation you think or know you land on, the fact that “Anna Karenina” gives opportunity for audiences to contemplate such a quandary is what satisfies Knightley the most.

It’s what she desires as a fan of movies, but doesn’t always get.

“I ... despise it when I go to the cinema and feel patronized,” Knightley said, bluntly. “I think it’s wonderful when you go and you can say, ‘This person is tricky.’ It’s wonderful because you get to dive in and explore that person. That’s what’s exciting about drama.”

Tim Lammers is a syndicated movie reporter whose work appears on more than 50 TV news and entertainment websites across the country. You can see Tim’s work on his website, StrictlyCinema.com, and follow his tweets at Twitter.com/TimLammersFilms. You can also “Like” Tim on Facebook. com/StrictlyCinema.

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