2016 Community Review 100

100 Longmont Times-Call Community Review • Sunday, June 26, 2016

Get to know your neighbors

World-Class Care – in the heart of the community

Longmont United Hospital has played a vital role in Northern Colorado for more than 60 years as an integral part of the community delivering high-quality, compassionate care.

As part of Centura Health – the region’s leading health care network – Longmont United Hospital works with 21,000 of the best hearts and minds in medicine. With a network of 6,000 physician partners and access to the most advanced technology – we’re pioneering health in our community.

To learn more visit www.luhcares.org or contact us at 303-651-5111

Meet the ‘100’

D

o you know them?

Look again at those photos on the cover.

Check that list of names on this page. Odds are you’ve heard of at least one of them or have seen a few of these faces around your community.

Today, you will get to know them. Or, if you know them already, you will get to know them a little better.

One has met four U.S. presidents. Another is the son of a famous comedian and is inspired by his own 2-year-old son to create art.

One coached the USA Triathlon elite team at the World Championships, winning gold. Another is a taekwondo black belt at the age of 10.

One local business owner ran out of money here on a cross-country trip 42 years ago and decided to stay.

Another turned a leftover set of face paints into a thriving enterprise that counts the Denver Broncos among its clients.

He’s a playground designer. She’s been serving you at Aunt Alice’s Kitchen for more than a decade. He climbed his first 14er in his 70s.

As we discover every year, the St. Vrain Valley is filled with the most fascinating people. Today, you get to meet the latest set of 100 people we’ve gotten to know while working on this annual project.

Welcome to the “100,” this year’s Longmont TimesCall Community Review edition.

— John Vahlenkamp, managing editor

Acknowledgments Many thanks to the following people, who made this year’s edition possible: Matthew Jonas, Lewis Geyer, Rob Quan, Karen Antonacci, John Bear, Amy Bounds, Charlie Brennan, Alex Burness, Mitchell Byars, Brett Callwood, Shay Castle, John Fryar, Sarah Kuta and Pam Mellskog.

WHO’S INSIDE Amy Abbott........................................4 Theo Abkes.........................................4 Hazel Achor........................................4 Carrie Adams.....................................4 Debbie Adams..................................5 Ismael Aldana...................................5 Janene Alford....................................5 Linda Allour....................................... 5 Paul Andersen...................................6 Trudee Andersen.............................6 John E. Archibold............................6 Jasmine Biesanz...............................6 Vicky Boone.......................................7 Cole Brenner......................................7 Michelle Brietzke.............................7 Greg Brock..........................................7 Kaylene Brown................................. 8 Jose Cardenas...................................8 Carole Carroll....................................8 Kevin Carroll......................................8 Ron Cheyney......................................9 Robert Cotton...................................9 Mary Cowdin..................................... 9 Brian Curran.......................................9 Dennis Dinsmore..........................10 Angie Doyle.....................................10 Beryl Durazo...................................10 Robin Ericson..................................10 Marc Evans.......................................11 Ian Feinhandler..............................11 Martha Garcia­Lara......................11 Sadaf Ghiasy...................................11 Allen Ginsborg...............................12 Cliff Grassmick...............................12 Helen Hanna....................................12 Schriee Harding.............................12 Katie Herrmann.............................13 Riley Holcomb................................13 Marilyn Hughes.............................13 Reilly Jernigan................................13 Amanda Jonas................................14 Richard Juday.................................14 Ann Kaven........................................14 Meagan Keen..................................14 Walker Korell...................................15 Richard Kpogoh­Narh................15 Louise Leise.....................................15 Greg Macy........................................15 Alan Marschke................................20 Debbie Martinez...........................20

Shauntina Martinez................20 Rachel Mau......................................20 Jimmie McCaffree.........................21 Angie McCreavy............................23 Eric Meiers........................................21 Jesse Michaels................................21 Seth Miller........................................21 Esther Mills......................................24 Holly Milne.......................................24 David Minaya..................................25 Jay Minaya...............................25 Carmen Mireles..............................26 Felipe Mosqueda..........................26 Deanne Mulvihill...........................26 Kurt Munding.................................27 December Murillo.........................27 Aaron Nagell...................................37 Jewel Ng............................................37 Geoffrey Nicosia............................29 Jef Norton.........................................35 David Obvchowski.......................37 Bruce Partain..................................37 Darcy Pasko.....................................40 Gina Patterson...............................39 Dr. Mary Poole................................40 Kevin Puckett..................................40 Nancy Rich........................................40 Brenda Ridgley..............................42 Ted Risk..............................................44 Jose Rodriguez­Lopez................44 Kandis Rulle.....................................47 Rae Schmidt....................................49 Susan Scruggs................................51 Sandra Seader................................51 Ralph Shnelvar...............................51 Daman Singh..................................53 Logan Smith....................................54 Richard Socash...............................54 Josh Stegmeier..............................54 Teresa Taylor Tate.........................55 Sophanna Thann...........................55 Diana VanDeHey...........................55 Rebekah Vicknair..........................56 Hannah Waldron...........................56 Ashley Weber..................................62 Pattie West.......................................62 Sydney Wetterstrom...................59 Valerie Whatley.............................62 Fred Wilson......................................61 Ernie Wintergerst..........................63

COMMUNITY REVIEW • JUNE 26, 2016 • 3

Amy Abbott

Age: 41 Occupation: Elementary music teacher Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 15 What brought you here? What has kept you here? I grew up in Lafayette/Louisville. My parents lived in Lafayette and my grandparents in Louisville and time was spent between the two.

My Granny’s family has lived along t he eastern side of the Rockies, with being born in Loveland, living in Berthoud and then settling in Louisville. For my first teaching job, I taught elementary music in Salem, Oregon. I wanted to live somewhere else, but when I came back I took a job teaching music at Indian Peaks. Then five years ago I opened Red Hawk and have been here ever since. My kids are in the St. Vrain Valley schools now. I love the collaboration that I have with other elementary music teachers in the district, and I’m really excited about the vertical collaboration that is starting to happen in the Erie feeder system.

What’s the most rewarding thing about teaching music/choir? I love

Hazel Achor children and I love teaching music. The best thing about my position is that, unlike classroom teachers, I get to see the children every year that they are in Red Hawk. It’s so rewarding getting to know them as kindergartners and see them change, develop and grow into fifth­ graders. That time span of six years getting to be their teacher really lets me build relationships with my students, enables them to take risks in my class and allows me to really help them develop their musical abilities.

Are there any memories or even students that stick out? There are so many amazing memories, and every year brings awesome students. One of the top memories from this year was our choir musical, “The Music Man.” All of the students were so amazing and worked so hard, it was such fun seeing them shine on stage. Another amazing memory from this year is working with on of our students who has autism and seeing him go from not singing at all to singing in tune and with his class.

Theo Abkes

Age: 62 Occupation: Firestone public works director Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 40, the past 12 years in Firestone What brought you here? What has kept you here? I started working in Dacono in 1976, moving mobile homes until the subdivision was completed around 1982. I then opened my own excavating business and continued working doing general contracting. At one time I was working for all three towns repairing and installing water and sewer lines, which also included both the Dacono Sanitation District and Tri­Area Sanitation District. In December 1990 I applied for the position in Firestone and have been honored to serve Firestone ever since.

What are some of the changes

you’ve seen in Firestone and in the town government and your department? When I started in Firestone, there were just over 1,000 residents, and now there are over 10,000. We had six miles of roads to maintain, and now, 130 miles. The shop consisted of a single­ car garage, and now we have a 13,000­ square­foot shop, which is due for expansion this year. Water meters were read by hand, walking from house to house, and now they are read every our and sent to billing.

What’s the most unusual or difficult problem you’ve had to deal with as public works director? I believe the most difficult problem every year is making the best decision for use of town funds.

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Age: 83 Occupation: Part­ time employee and manager emeritus at Lighthouse Bookstore in Boulder. I currently volunteer at the Longmont United Hospital and participate in activities at the Longmont Senior Center Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Five What brought you here? What has kept you here? After two major surgeries in two months, I needed to find more reasonable housing.

What do you like about Longmont?

From the moment I arrived in town, I felt welcome and at home. I grew up 10 miles from Long Beach, Calif., in an area surrounded by farming communities.

Downtown Longmont reminded me of the downtown of my youth. We had a streetcar instead of a railroad. Business, shopping and recreation are within two miles of where I live. There are vacant lots and a variety of income houses. I have experienced a real welcome and friendliness from the people I have met at the Longmont Senior Center, Longmont

United Hospital, human resources, health professionals and the service people in the businesses in town.

Why do you like to volunteer? Volunteering is a wonderful way to say thank you to the community. We are fortunate to have a Planetree Hospital here, and volunteering is a pleasure. Had I not been called back to work more hours at the Lighthouse Bookstore, I would have added volunteering at the Senior Center to my schedule. There is tremendous joy in volunteering. Working alongside dedicated people and being able to assist others from all walks of life has its own satisfaction. I have learned something new each shift that I have worked as a volunteer.

What advice do you have for younger people? Education is important. Learn where and how to find information you need along your path.

Be able to communicate with people of all walks of life. Ask yourself, “What am I learning from this experience in my life and how does it make me a better person?” And a smile goes a long way.

Carrie Adams Age: 54 Occupation: Program Director for the Silver Creek Leadership Academy (SCLA) Years in the St. Vrain Valley: I have been in Colorado since I was 3 years old. My dad was one of the original IBMers. I am a Boulder High School graduate and have Lived in Longmont since 1989.

What brought you here? What has kept you here? I grew up down the road in Boulder but moved to Longmont to raise our family because of good housing prices and great schools. I stay here because of the community. It is a beautiful place to live, there is a synergy between politics, business, school district and the people that live here that makes is a great place to live.

What exactly do you do at the leadership academy and what about it do you enjoy? As the program director for SCLA, I am responsible for helping build young leaders. I do this by connecting the program to the

community, and the community to the program, supporting the teaching staff, assisting students with their Capstone Projects, helping students volunteer in the community and helping our students reach the next level with their education and career goals. What I enjoy about it the most is seeing our students making a difference in the community and the world. I love seeing them stretch themselves out of their comfort zones and achieving their goals. I get to hang out with amazing teachers and cool kids. Best job ever!

When you aren’t running the leadership academy, what do you do with your time? I love spending time with my family — my five kids, their spouses and my three amazing grandkids, volunteering with my church, traveling, watching Denver Broncos football, and designing plans for my future tiny house.

Debbie Adams Age: 58 Occupation: Photographer Years inthe St. Vrain Valley: Seven

What brought you here? What has kept you here? A universal shift brought me and my husband, Matt Erickson, to Longmont from Santa Barbara, Calif. The splendor of this state and its central location to mountains and wilderness areas are why we stay. We have become avid hikers and happy campers. There is no finer state than Colorado to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle. We have discovered and explored so many amazing areas of spectacular beauty since moving here seven years ago. This summer we are going on an extensive road trip to the Pacific Northwest and Idaho with our Cricket trailer, kayaks and bikes for seven weeks.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? It’s rewarding to say I have been a professional photographer for over 40 years, self­ employed since 1983. My lifelong career has been making thousands of

Ismael Eduardo Aldana people happy with their portrait and event photographs.

Time and technology have changed the public perception of the value of the profession. These days, I focus on studio head shots with a touch of Photoshop magic to continue making clients happy with their professional image.

What’s one thing you wish people knew about your job? Photography is all about the light and what you make of it. I love the digital image technology as it has allowed my creativity to flourish. I have become a camera artist and free spirit. I express myself well through the lens of a camera to capture the light of nature, the spirit of people and the beauty of life. I am thankful to have lived my life doing what I was determined to be as a young girl … I was going to be a photographer. And a photographer I shall always be. If you are inclined follow our summer adventure on Twitter @debladams or Instagram dla_camera_artist.

Janene Alford Age: 18 Occupation: Works at Texas Roadhouse; 2016 graduate of Skyline High School

Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 12 What brought you here? What has kept you here? The people.

Also the beautiful view of the mountains.

You have a particular interest in theater. When did your interest in plays and theater begin? I have always had an interest in plays and theater. Because of my disability (muscular dystrophy) I wasn’t able to play sports, so I turned to music and theater.

What do you like about working behind the scenes? Although I have

Age: 37 Occupation: Mead animal control officer Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 15 What brought you here? What has kept you here? I moved to Colorado in 2001 after my best friend’s funeral. Colorado offered peace and tranquility versus the stress of a busy city life this made the decision to move fairly easy.

What’s the most rewarding thing about working in animal control?

The most enjoyable thing about working in code enforcement and animal control is the dialogue with the people and the interactions with its domestic and wild animals. The ability to help animals and people in good times and hard times is rewarding in itself. Preserving the peace and creating positive relationships with members of the community and their animals makes my job exciting, fun and most of all enjoyable. I love working in a community the size of Mead because it has great people and a special small

town feel. Its residents are wonderful to interact with and it is my pleasure to serve this community.

How do you cope when you find an animal in a neglected condition? Neglect cases can indeed be are very difficult to work with and come to understand. I believe that in this field one must create a median and provide options to help cope with situations that have outcomes with many emotions. A great outlet for me is family. Having a great family to speak to and gravitate towards during emotional time is key, in my opinion, in all aspects of public and animal services. In my opinion it has been a great opportunity to care for animals and assist in providing any services needed when animals cannot speak and advocate for themselves.

The task include holding individuals who violate cruelty laws accountable when horrible situations present themselves and providing education when needed.

Linda L. Allour been in a ton of musicals and plays, I also like being behind the scenes. I love helping teach the music and help direct the actors/actresses.

What is your favorite play? My favorite play that I have worked on would probably be a church performance we did. It was called “We Three Spies.” The performance included about 55 children from kindergarten to fifth grade. My favorite musical that I have preformed in was “Tommy,” performed at Skyline High School In November of 2013. My favorite play overall would probably be “Phantom of the Opera.” The music is beautiful and the story is super intense.

Age: 53 Occupation: Co­ owner/operator of Daylight Donuts of Dacono Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Born in Boulder, raised in Longmont What brought you here? What has kept you?: This is and always will be my home. I love this area and still have so many friends and family here.

Is it true that donuts are actually good for you?: Yes. Some donuts have nuts (protein). Some donuts have fruit (antioxidants). And, of course, chocolate releases endorphins which reduces stress, and stress reduction is always

good. My husband, Patrick, cooks donuts all night. His hard work and dedication allow me to be involved with community events. We both believe strongly in giving back to the community that helps support our business.

By the way, Daylight Donuts has been in Dacono since the building was built in 1984. We like to also think of Daylight Donuts in Dacono as a welcome/visitor center, too!

What is something interesting about Dacono many might not know?: Dacono was founded in 1908 and named after three women: Daisy, Cora and Nora.

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Paul Andersen

Age: 45 Occupation: New business owner (Long Mont Velo Bike Shop) Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 14 What brought you here? What has kept you here? It was my aunt and uncle (Jim and Linda Andersen) that gave me the opportunity, but it was my courage to take a risk (by myself) and leave everything behind. I owe a huge amount of gratitude to the St. Vrain Chain Gang (SVCG) and Blue Sky Velo cycling clubs for helping me cultivate meaningful, lifelong friendships. We live in a cycling mecca, recognized worldwide. Why would any cyclist live anywhere else? In all honesty, if I were to lose the ability to ride I would be OK with it. It’s my family and the beauty of the mountains that makes the St. Vrain Valley my home.

You were a reproductive biologist before coming to Longmont. Why give that up? The stress and unbearably long hours had taken its toll, emotionally and physically. I was displeased with the person I had become. A change was in order. I was very fortunate to be afforded the opportunity to leave it all behind.

Trudee Andersen Longmont already has five bicycle shops. Why open this one? Longmont has a rapidly growing population, and we thought it was the perfect location to start a new shop. Its a relatively unsaturated market compared with Boulder and Fort Collins. Each of the local shops fills a cycling niche. Long Mont Velo will offer a family oriented, community focused shop with emphasis in the needs of women’s cycling.

Seeing those packs of super­fit cyclists on the road can be intimidating. How can the average person get into cycling? I think it’s important to understand that all those fit cyclists started out as beginners. I would suggest checking one of the many fine local cycling clubs, Blue Sky Velo, Long Mont VeloBelles (women’s group), SVCG, etc. Find which fits your personality, experience and fitness level.

I think its really important to realize that no matter how fast you may be or think you may be, there is always someone who will be faster than you. especially here in Boulder County. Keep in mind, we all share the love of the bike.

John Archibold Age: 83 Occupation: Retired attorney Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Two What brought you here? What has kept you here? Our son lives up here with his six children. We came to visit our son and saw a for­sale sign two houses down from him. Our daughter lives here, too.

How did you come to meet four presidents? Dwight D. Eisenhower I met for the first time when I was 5 and he was on leave from the Philippines as a lieutenant colonel. His wife, Mamie, lived five houses down the street and was good friends with my mom. I knew him practically my whole life. Herbert Hoover I met when I was 15. My mother was the Colorado delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1948, and afterward we went to the Waldorf Astoria in New York City and

had a private meeting with him. John F. Kennedy I met when he was a senator. He came to Princeton to an event for a society I was secretary of and a few of us had a private dinner with him. My cousin, Annie Wells, was married to Gates Wells, who was first cousins with Bess Truman. Harry Truman gave us a personal tour of the Truman Library.

What do you think of the current crop of presidential candidates? I don’t think it would be quotable in a family newspaper.

What is missing from this era of politics that those presidents had? I think all four of the presidents I met realized the presidency was an act of service, not a reward for ambition. All four of these men was had a sense of their faith. They did not wear religion on their sleeve or use it as a tool of political engineering.

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Age: 47 Occupation: Senior director of finance, Oracle; part­time Long Mont Velo Bike Shop owner Years in the St. Vrain Valley: About seven years for me, but my family (the Tanakas) has been here since about 1906, so I grew up here and have been around town my whole life.

What brought you here? What has kept you here? When I was 3, my mom brought my dad (Dr. Fukai) here after he graduated from Berkeley, and he started his first optometry practice in Longmont around 1971. My mom later moved to Lafayette and Louisville, but many of the Tanakas have remained in Longmont. Paul and I decided to buy a house in downtown Longmont because it is an incredible city for cycling, close to the mountains and with many cycling friendly roads. We love the trees, the parks, the breweries and walking or riding bikes around town. We also love the people; everyone is friendly and down to earth. We know most of our neighbors and have so many good friends.

You’re into fitness.

What’s the simplest, best thing a person can do to stay fit? I think the secret is to make it a part of your lifestyle. It can be a simple as walking your dogs every day.

Riding my bike is like meditation for me. It clears my mind, makes me forget about my stress and makes me smile. Paul and I also enjoy riding our cruiser bikes for dinner dates. To all you women out there, make time for yourselves. It’s so easy to give that up taking care of your family and trying to do it all.

What was it like growing up as a member of the Tanaka family? Family is everything to us. We have holiday potlucks with 30 to 40 people, the more people (and food) the merrier. We also consider our friends our family. I have known the Kanemotos, Mayedas, Nishidas and Miyasakis my whole life. I think the farm taught us all to work hard.

I was one of the youngest of the cousins, so I got the busywork like sweeping the floor and filling up bags. There was always a job to do.

Jasmine Ruth Biesanz Age: 18 Occupation: 2016 Faith Baptist School graduate; training to be a cashier at the new Longmont Sam’s Club Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 15 What brought you here? What has kept you here? My grandparents moved to Longmont in 1981. I was born in Longmont, but we lived in Greeley for three years. Faith Baptist School has been a huge part of why my family has stayed here. My mom, uncles and brothers have all graduated from the school. I love Longmont, but I am super excited to go to college in Florida.

What are your favorite memories of Faith Baptist? My favorite memories include playing basketball and volleyball, concerts, homecoming, spirit week, my “big sisters” in first grade, the “big family” that we were all part of and the love that the staff still has for us even though the school is now closed.

The biggest highlights of my senior year included my class’s production of “A Murder Was Announced,” our senior

trip to California and the way my class has bonded through it all.

What are your college plans, and how did you arrive at them? And your long­term plans after college?This summer I am focusing on saving money for college and playing basketball. I will be attending Pensacola Christian College in the fall. At the moment, I am considering sports management, physical education, design or pre­physical therapy as my major. I will be working hard this summer to try to get on the Lady Eagles basketball team at the college. I have always felt comfortable at PCC because a lot of my family has attended the college, but I decided to attend the college because that is where God has directed me. I know that He will guide me to pick the major that is right for me in His timing. I am very excited for college and the opportunities that come with it. I am thankful that I also have friends and family that are pushing me to finish college.

Vicky Boone Age: 54 Occupation: Owne r of Serendipity Mercantile Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Lived in Longmont for 28 years; born and raised in Boulder

What brought you here? What has kept you? I purchased a home in old town in 1988. I choose Longmont because of the lower housing prices and stayed because of the friendly small town feel. I opened my vintage/antique store Serendipity in 2004.

How would you describe Longmont to someone who has

Michelle Lynn Brietzke never visited?

Longmont has a creative, family­ friendly vibe. There are a lot of new and established businesses in downtown.

Downtown has many organized events which bring people out.

Longmont is a great place to live and work.

Could city hall be more supportive to the business community? If so, how? City hall could be a lot more helpful. The continual construction projects has negatively impacted my business. I guess that’s growing pains.

Cole Brenner

Age: 30ish Occupation: Artist of SuperheroNapTime. com and designer for BRENNERds.com Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Two years in Longmont What brought you here? What has kept you here? I had been living with my wife, Michelle, and newborn son, Wes, at the top of Crestview between Boulder and Lyons. We wanted to move to a place where Wes, now 2½, would have a place to play that wasn’t on an 70 degree incline of ice with an adult watching for mountain lions. The local community of Longmont has been so fantastic supporting my rise as an artist, and its also a great place to raise a kid.

What’s the most recent piece of art you’ve created? Painting the cover of Yellow Scene Mag was a blast, (but) my Superman vs. Batman painting is a favorite piece in my Superhero Nap Time collection.

Currently, I’m working on a commission for a Lego store; I’m painting an army of Lego Storm Trooper mini­figs charging into battle over the top of a realistic Darth Vader helmet.

What inspires you? Re­living my own childhood through the eyes of my 2­year­old son inspires my paintings.

But my origin story as an artist began in a much sadder place. Two years ago my two younger brothers and myself said a final goodbye to our best friend, our hero, our dad, comedian David Brenner, who had lost his battle to cancer. Turning my sadness into art is just part of my healing or dealing process; my pillar of strength each day since is being a stay home dad to an amazing kid. I have added more about my dad, being a dad and my creative process on my site SuperheroNapTime.com.

Age: 39 Occupation: Owner of La Momo Maes Bakery Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 10 What brought you here? What has kept you here? I transferred to Longmont 10 years ago from the corporate offices of ConAgra Foods in Omaha, Neb., to the finance department of Butterball formally on Main Street. I left six months after ConAgra Foods sold the turkey business to Carolina Turkeys.

I continued to work for ConAgra Foods in Commerce City at their flour milling plant in finance and accounting until October of 2011 when my mom and I opened La Momo Maes Bakery. My business, the growing community, and the continued support of our loyal customers, fellow business owners and community partners keep me in Longmont.

What’s the most rewarding thing about running La Momo Maes? It’s rewarding to watch the business grow year after year. This year has been particularly exciting as we’ve grown our

wedding business to over 250 events. We will add three to four employees to our business by June. Even though the growth of my business is rewarding, giving back to the local community is even more rewarding. I’ve served on the Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors for three years, with this year serving as chair­ elect. I also chair the LACC’s neXt Young Professionals committee. Through La Momo Maes Bakery, we have supported many of the non­profits in town through sponsorships, donations, and service. Another rewarding thing about owning La Momo Maes Bakery is the incredible support this community gives small businesses, like earlier this year when I was honored as one of Boulder Valley’s 40 Under Forty.

Tell us about the best day of your life: Fortunately I’m grateful to have many great days, but the two best days of my life are when my daughters were born. My girls are 13 and 8, and they are everything in my world.

Greg Brock Age: 58 Occupation: Retired pro baseball player What brought you here? I grew up in Oregon and went to the University of Wyoming in 1975­’79. I always enjoyed the mountains, hunting and this area.

What is your earliest memory of baseball? Winning our small town championship at the age of 8.

What are your best memories from playing Major League baseball? The best memories were the 1987 season with the Milwaukee Brewers. We started the season with a 13­game win streak.

Paul Molitor had a 39­game hit streak. I

played on the winning end of a no­hitter. I also had my best all round year, hitting .299.

You’ve been helping coach at Mead High School.

How has that been?

Coaching at Mead has been fun. I am coaching with my son­ in­law, Alex Anaya. It’s been great getting back into baseball. I retired from Mountain View because of family, not getting to see my kids play ball as much as I would of liked, and now because of family, I’ve gotten back into it. The coaching staff at the school is great, the facilities top notch.

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Kaylene Brown Age: 31 Occupation: Manager, La Vita Bella Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Five What brought you here? What has kept you here? Opening La Vita Bella Coffee House brought me here five years ago.

And it is one thing that has kept me here.

And pretty much everything that Colorado has to offer has kept me here, such as great hiking and snowboarding.

You snowboard and hike 14ers.

What has been your scariest/craziest outdoor experience so far? The scariest outdoor experience so far was when I was snowboarding with my nephew and it was a complete white­ out day. You couldn’t see 5 feet in

Carole Carroll front of you, which meant that it was very uncertain if you would run into a tree or go off the edge of a run.

You’ve had a couple injuries from your hobbies. What makes you keep coming back? Yeah, I’ve gotten a concussion from soccer and a concussion from snowboarding. Also several broken ribs and a broken arm from snowboarding. What makes me keep going back is the fact that it is something I love to do. I have very little fear when it comes to sports because for me it is all about the rush.

I will keep doing the things that help me clear my mind and what I view as self care.

Age: 51 Occupation: Owner, Lyons Classic Pinball; part­time office manager Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 21 What brought you here? What has kept you here? Family, weather and lifestyle change from the East Coast Your name is Carole Carroll? Yes, my name is really Carole Carroll. I’ve been married over 20 years and heard it all about my name, believe me. Kevin was open to my keeping the maiden

name “Williams” but I decided to make the change. I’m more of an introvert than Kevin and it’s a good ice­breaker.

What’s your favorite pinball game?

I really like the Addams Family pinball game, which was the second game in our collection and is a personal favorite to this day. Before we owned one, we went regularly to play one at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. The multi­ ball start up is particularly exciting — great light show and sound!

Jose Cardenas

Age: 82 Occupation: Retired from Great Western Sugar Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 54 What brought you here? What has kept you here? I came here in the summer of 1947 and I liked it so much that after I came out of the military and got married, we decided that we would make our home here in Longmont. I was born in New Mexico but raised during the Second World War up by Vail. My dad was a miner, and he also worked for the Rio Grande Railroad. My parents came here as migrant workers in the late 1930s.

You’re an OUR Center client. Why? I’m on Social Security, but I get a little bit under $1,000 every month. It’s only my wife and I, but I get better food here than I would at home. I’m still paying for my house, and we’re limited

with our income for various reasons. I like the food here — they’re balanced meals.

You’re a runner.

Do you still run competitively? I’ve been running competitively for 27 years. I started late.

I’ve run marathons, half­marathons, relays, 10Ks, 10 miles — I’ve done over 100 races. I was 57 when I did my first race. I used to walk to work for 15 years when I worked in research at Great Western Sugar. I retired when I turned 60 about 22 years ago. I quit doing races about four years ago but I still work out. Last year, I was running 10 miles a day, six days a week.

What made you start running? I was a diabetic. I’m not anymore because of all the exercise. I lost about 45 pounds.

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Kevin Carroll Age: 52 Occupation: Owner, Lyons Classic Pinball Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 21 What brought you here? What has kept you here? Outdoor activities, family, weather and way of life What do you like about pinball and your business? What I like most about Lyons Classic Pinball (LCP) and the thing that I like people to discover about pinball is that there’s a game going on beyond batting the ball around randomly. When you learn to slow it down and hit shots on purpose, that’s when the true joys of the game become apparent. I also love that Mom

and Dad can bring the kids to show them what they did “back in the day” and they all enjoy playing together.

Watching these children return years later as adults who say it was one of their favorite places growing up is all the “payment” we need.

What are you most proud of? Over the past 13 years, LCP has started numerous collections in many customer basements, as well as inspired many others to become involved in routes and arcades in the Colorado area. I was even told we were the first place where some of the world­ranked players began playing regularly. We hold monthly tournaments and weekly pinball leagues throughout the year.

Ron Cheyney

Age: 64 Occupation: Owner of Ron’s Printing Center Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 42 What brought you here? What kept you here? In 1974, Paul Sandberg and I were touring the country on motorcycles. We had been all over the southeastern United States and decided to go to Vancouver, BC. We ran out of money when we came through Longmont, so we stopped and got some odd jobs. After a few months, I found that I liked Longmont a lot better than where I grew up (Kansas) and decided to stay.

Has it ever been tough running Ron’s Printing Center? One of my odd jobs was working for the old Longmont Ledger weekly newspaper.

When it went out of business in 1978, I started Ron’s Printing Center as a one­ man typesetting shop. The early days were hard and it was often difficult to make ends meet. But, I didn’t give up, and over the years we have grown to become Longmont’s largest and most respected printing company.

What have you seen change in Longmont after 42 years? Back in the

Robert Cotton 1970s downtown Longmont was the retail hub of the city, but when shopping centers sprung up on the north and south sides of town it was the end of an era.

Storefronts quickly went vacant and it took nearly 20 years of revitalization efforts before downtown was again “the place to be in Longmont.” Like my business, I didn’t give up on downtown Longmont. In 1991, I purchased 418­420 Main Street, the former location of Daily Office Supply, Starr’s Clothing, and The Carlton Hotel.

I moved my printing business into the ground floor and a few years later remodeled the hotel into a loft where my wife, Regina Marr­Grigsby (a Longmont native), and I have lived ever since.

What do you do when you’re not printing? Regina and I love to spend time at our cabin west of Lyons, and are avid golfers, bikers and scuba divers. We are lucky enough to travel to exotic places around the world to explore and to discover ocean creatures. But more than that, we are lucky to call Longmont our home.

Mary K. Cowdin

Age: 65 Occupation: Retired Berthoud town clerk Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 33 What brought you here? What has kept you here? I originally came to this area to visit family and felt the lifestyle and opportunities here were what I was looking for.

What are one or two of your favorite memories about being town clerk? I don’t have one or two memories that stand out. In dealing with the public every day, there are many memories of being able to get the information to citizens that they are looking for — everything from working with different organizations to licensing their special event, such as Berthoud Day, Oktoberfest, etc., to handling elections.

What would your advice be, for anyone thinking of applying for a municipal government job in our area? You will meet many, many people from all walks of life and will be informed about everything going on in the community that involves local government. It is a very busy environment and requires juggling many duties throughout each day.

Working for a small community requires that we all wear many hats. In the 32­plus years I worked for the town of Berthoud there have been changes. Adjusting to those changes is a never­ending process and is an exciting journey. Never a dull moment and very rewarding!

Age: 81 Occupation: Retired; volunteer for Habitat for Humanity Years in the St. Vrain Valley: I’ve lived in Boulder County 50 years, and for the last 11 years in Longmont.

What brought you here? What has kept you here?: Emigrating from England in 1959, I lived in Princeton, New Jersey, got married,and we moved to Boulder in 1966, after securing my night school degree at Rutgers University. The beauty of Colorado and opportunities here were a draw for us.

Our grown family will keep us here.

What is the importance of the work done by Habitat for Humanity? I’ve supported Habitat for Humanity 20 years, initially with my Boulder church, and Flatirons Habitat for Humanity. Over the years, I organized many teams to help build homes. In 2005, I moved to Longmont, and joined Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where I was asked to work with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. In 2005, Thrivent started a program to fund Habitat homes throughout the country. Working with 14 Lutheran churches here, I coordinated

financial pledges and encouraged work teams to help build one home every year for the past 10 years.

Many are in Poplar Grove on the south side of town.

Do you have a current project you’re excited about? In 2013, after the catastrophic floods, SVHFH started a program to rebuild the damaged homes.

My church ramped up to supply a group of volunteers once a month to repair these homes in the area, and continues to help families finally regain full use of their space. It is exciting to see the joy in people’s eyes when they get a brand new home of their own. It is so rewarding to see a family who has suffered many hardships qualify for a Habitat home. They’re required to take classes on financial management and home ownership, and work 500 hours of “sweat equity.” The family’s smiles at move­in are priceless. They have a mortgage they can handle with zero interest, lower utility bills, and children who show sudden improvements in their grades. They love their new community, fellow Habitat owners, and they all thrive.

Brian Curran Age: 47 Occupation: Studying to be a medical assistant, hoping to work with dialysis patients; on disability, still recovering from my own kidney problems Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 44 What brought you here? What has kept you here? My father got transferred with the phone company, and that brought me here. All the friends and my family are all here. Plus, I love being by the mountains.

Describe your years of coping with renal failure, dialysis and the eventual transplant. At first, dealing with kidney failure after my diagnosis in July 2009 was very hard. I got depressed and had to get counseling, but I stayed relatively healthy until May 2011, when I had to start dialysis and I was terminated from my job because of it. My time on dialysis was hard, but I’m a fighter and don’t give up. I started working out and I went from 275 pounds when I was diagnosed to 194

when I received my transplant. When I got my transplant, it was an amazing feeling to be given a second chance at life, the best gift. After the transplant on Aug. 27, 2015, my parents’ wedding anniversary, my life is much different. I take anti­ rejection meds and will, for the remainder of my life. My donor was in his 20s. I named my kidney “Nyart,” which is the Gaelic word for strength. I have a much more bright outlook on life, and my mission is to pay it forward daily.

Based on your own experience, any advice for anyone experiencing similarly serious kidney conditions?

For anyone gong through renal failure dialysis, the best advice is to stay positive, follow the doctors’ orders. Try to stay as healthy as possible. And lastly, be assured that your transplant will come. It might be a long wait, but it is worth it. Never give up hope, fight, and stay strong.

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Dennis L Dinsmore Age: 66 Occupation: Wine and spirits purveyor Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Have lived 63 of my 67 years in Northern Colorado.

Grandfather was a miner in Ward in the ’20s, and my family stayed for the most part here in Northern Colorado.

What brought you here? What has kept you here? Born here, not my choice, but a wonderful gift.

How did your family get into this business? During electrical engineering school at CSU, I earned

Robin Ericson my living as a bartender/waiter. I enjoyed it so very much; I keep going in the wine and spirits industry. Also, the lack of jobs available in early ’70s as an electrical engineer in Loveland, as HP was going through a hiring freeze.

Does the mustache in your logo have an origin story? It is the iconic symbol of the Tombstone Marshal Wyatt Earp and a lot of fun to use for marketing. Who doesn’t like a little facial hair?

Beryl Durazo

Age: 23 Occupation: Fundraising professional and part­ time voice coach Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Two What brought you here? What has kept you here? I first came to visit Longmont when my soon­to­be­ husband was home to see his family in 2012.

I automatically fell in love with the mountains and beautiful weather that was so drastically different from Arizona. When my husband decided to leave the military, we wanted to move to a place we love and had family support, so we picked Longmont, I truly love this city because of the community spirit. Regardless of family or friends, I would choose to live here no matter what, and the community is what keeps me here.

Why did you want to work with non­profits like food banks and the Inn Between? I grew up watching my mom serve for Meals on Wheels and help disadvantaged youth at a summer camp in Connecticut. Although my family and I were never well off, we always have believed in giving back to our community. During the 2008 market crash, my parents lost

everything. Without the support of a local food bank, I don’t know what would have happened to my family. After my freshman year of college I was offered the unique opportunity to give back to my country through AmeriCorps VISTA at the local food bank that once helped me and my family. I jumped at the opportunity to serve and have not looked back since.

Who’s your favorite performer? My favorite performer is not one individual, but a few that make up my performance inspirations. Adele because of her ability to keep composure even if the sound is off at the Grammys. Prince for his ability to stay true to himself and stand out from the crowd. Susan Boyle for rising above her circumstances to become one of the most surprising and wonderful singers of our time. Last but not least, all of the struggling performers who continue to stay true to their art and spread their love of music by continuing to perform when they may never be recognized.

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Age: 54 Occupation: Marketing analyst/assistant to public safety chief for Longmont Public Safety Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Since 1989; 27 years in emergency services in the Longmont area What brought you here? What has kept you here? What brought me was the opportunity to use my journalism/public relations background to provide fire department prevention/education information (1989). I found I loved the people in emergency services (police, fire, 911 Comm Center) and the commitment they had to the people of the St. Vrain Valley. I stayed for all these years to try to make a difference.

What do you tell first­time visitors to Longmont they shouldn’t miss?

The Dickens Opera House building at Third and Main. William Henry (W.H.) Dickens built the structure in 1881 as a theater with the lower floor of the building serving as various commercial establishments. The Farmers National Bank, also founded by W.H. Dickens,

had its offices on the first floor of the Opera House. The Opera House was the most widely used community center in Longmont’s early days.

Social and cultural community life revolved around this building for many years, and many types of amusements were enacted here, including dances, vaudeville and minstrel shows, plays and sporting events such as boxing and wrestling. The Dickens Opera House is one of only a few period theater structures remaining in the state of Colorado. And ironically, one of the Longmont Police Department’s most prominent murders was the death of W.H. Dickens on November 30, 1915, a block away.

If you weren’t doing your current job, what would you be doing?: Likely working for a historic preservation based non­profit and/or traveling to old cities/towns photographing people and historic structures. These old buildings are a history of the city’s culture. Regret goes only one way. You can’t bring it back after it’s gone.

Angie Peterson Doyle Age: 41 Occupation: Kindergarten teacher at Legacy Elementary School Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 10 What brought you here? What has kept you here? My husband and I were looking for an affordable place to live and raise a family that was near Boulder. I’m originally from Boulder.

My parents still live in Boulder. Longmont is a wonderful town and community to live in. I love all the family friendly events in town, including the annual Halloween parade, the downtown concerts and Art Walks in the summer and the farmers market, just to name a few.

What’s your best advice for parents of incoming kindergarten students?

Read with your child every day. Make reading a special time where you and your child can relax and bond while fostering the love of reading at a young age. It’s important that you begin teaching your child the letters, sounds and numbers. In addition, it is important

for your child to be able to write their own name when the enter kindergarten.

It’s a good idea to se up play dates with children that are thei approximate age.

This helps build their social skills. Self care skills are also essential in making the transition into kindergarten more smooth. Help your child learn how to put on their own jacket, button and zip their clothing and tie their own shoes.

What’s the best thing about teaching kindergarten? How candid they are about everything. I’m grateful to be able to laugh every day at the silly things that they say, and I absolutely love how children are so present in the moment. Kindergartners have natural love of learning and they are so excited to learn new concepts. It is amazing to see how much they learn and grow in a school year. I adore the spontaneity of teaching children, there is never a dull moment.

Marc Evans

Age: 60 Occupation: President and founder, Marc Evans Endurance Education and Sports Engineering Group.

Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Three What brought you here? What has kept you here? I moved from Lake Tahoe to Old Town Longmont to finish my fourth book on endurance sport, “Triathletes in Motion.” I appreciate the direction the city planners and managers are taking, and in my few years here Longmont is growing into an awesome community for living and business. I hope we see a 50­meter pool and eventually, quiet zones for the trains.

How did you get involved with the Olympic triathlon team? I was coaching professional triathletes and I was selected to be the USA Triathlon head coach of the elite team at the World Championships, winning gold. I later would work with triathletes at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and met some amazing scientists and biomechanists.

What’s your best memory of that

Ian Feinhandler time? There’s nothing like representing your country and participating in world championships with elite athletes, and meeting coaches, directors, scientists and educators from other countries. The parade of nations is especially memorable with countries coming together in sport, for sport.

How did that experience lead you to what you’re doing now? My interests have mostly been on teaching technique and movement, and my books are more educational in that way. From this interest, I have patented several swimming products in use today around the world that improve technique. In late 2015, I joined with two partners to start a sports engineering company that focuses on training equipment for athletes. I’ve built each of the prototypes and developed some interesting new designs with the patenting process beginning now.

Martha Garcia­Lara Age: 48 Occupation: Administrative assistant for Longmont Public Works Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 11 What brought you here? What has kept you here? I had my job here in Longmont and I used to commute every day. I decided, You know what? Let’s just save some time and gas and live in Longmont, since I work here. ... I like everything. Everything’s local. When I used to live in Platteville, I’d have to drive a lot. I don’t have to even go to

I­25 or anything. All my shopping is here.

What is your favorite way to spend a day off in Longmont?

Watching TV and spending time with my chulo. You know what that means?

He’s my dog. Oh, and, dancing. I like to dance a lot.

Tell me about your dancing hobby. I teach at the Y, so it’s my dancing and exercise at the same time. Four times a week. I like meeting people there, talking to them. They’re doing the same thing I’m doing, dancing just like I am.

Age: 50 Occupation: (1) Geography faculty (full­time), Front Range Community College, (2) geography lecturer (part­time), University of Colorado Years in the St. Vrain Valley: I have lived in Boulder County for 20 of the last 25 years.

What brought your here? What has kept you here? I moved to Boulder in 1991 to train for track (1,500 and 5,000 meters) and to earn a master’s degree in religious studies at the University of Colorado. My love for climbing and the mountains has kept me here.

What led to your passion for geography? Travel abroad and the desire to better understand differences in development between countries, and conflict between different ethnic and religious groups. Geography is the academic discipline that provides an integrative approach to these issues, drawing on the study of politics, economics, anthropology, demography, and the physical environment, to formulate holistic explanations for the problems we face.

How did you end up giving lectures at the Longmont Public Library? By

invitation from librarian Cathy Silbert and the Friends of the Longmont Library; it has been a wonderful opportunity to build relationships with the community.

So, do you agree — and can you defend — that “it’s a small world after all”? The world has certainly become much smaller as innovations in communication and transportation have brought us closer together. Today an “American” car might have 50 percent of its parts made overseas, and it might be built in Mexico, while a “Japanese” car might have 70 percent of its parts sourced from the U.S. and be built by American workers in Kentucky. A strike by workers in China increases the price Americans pay for electronics. The rise of the gluten­free diet in America and the subsequent popularity of quinoa has driven up the price of the grain in Bolivia (the largest exporter of quinoa globally) beyond the point where most Bolivians can afford it; on the other hand, quinoa farmers in Bolivia are getting richer as a consequence of an American dietary shift. Everywhere we look we see people and places more closely connected than ever before.

Sadaf Ghiasy Age: 17 Occupation: Incoming senior at Silver Creek High School, Times­Call guest opinion writer Years in the St. Vrain Valley: One What brought you here? What has kept you here? I was always dreaming of going to a high school where I could learn things that I wanted, dreaming of a school that could have posters on walls, have a library and computers. I didn’t know that one day my dream will come true.

When I came to the USA and Colorado, I felt that this is where I should be.

Silver Creek is one of the best schools I have known. I feel very grateful to be here with all the opportunities that this country has provided for me, I wish everyone had the same opportunity that I do as an immigrant. Besides the

mountains, weather and overall the beauty of Longmont reminds me of my province (in Afghanistan).

What’s your favorite opinion piece that you’ve written? One of my favorite opinion pieces that I wrote was “Colorado should increase transportation funding.” I wrote that in my government class for my civic action project.

What’s your dream job? I was born in a place where human rights were violated. I was always dreaming of being a lawyer, because I want to give to every human being every right that I claim for myself. And I can speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.

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Allen Ginsborg Age: 55 Occupation: Shoppi ng center developer, builder and owner Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Two What brought you here? We lived in Fort Collins for 20 years but with the Village at the Peaks project, it’s just nice to be close to work. We’ve come to love living here more than Fort Collins. Our fourth child is still at home, and it’s a great place for her to grow up.

What are some of your most memorable times with your kids?

When my kids each graduate sixth grade, I offer them a trip to anywhere

Helen Hanna they want to go. My son loves moving things that can kill you: reptiles, ants. So we spent five or six nights in the Amazon. The waterfowl there ... you’ll never see so many birds in one place. It was amazing.

Why is that a good age to take trips with your kids?

I think they still really like their parents at that age and are still really curious.

Travel exposes them to ideas they’d never have otherwise. You can learn independence but also that it’s a big world and our way is just one of many.

Cliff Grassmick Age: 59 Occupation: Photojournalist at the Boulder Daily Camera.

I also contribute to the Longmont Times­Call, Broomfield Enterprise, Colorado Daily, Hometown Weekly, Denver Post.

Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 14 years in Longmont What brought you here? What has kept you here? I have worked at the Daily Camera for 30 years in Boulder. I couldn’t afford to buy a house in Boulder, but we could in Longmont. Our family really likes Longmont, small town feel with all the

conveniences, a town with character, good schools.

What is your favorite part about being a newspaper photographer? As a photographer, I have had a huge variety of experiences, met interesting people, always interesting if you are a student of humanity.

What assignments stand out to you in your time here? Five Super Bowls, traveled around the world, documenting experiences that are important to people in Boulder County.

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Age: 100 Occupation: Retired teacher Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 25 What brought you here? What has kept you here? My husband was in the construction business.

We came here and he did a lot of work to build up Gunbarrel.

What’s the best and worst thing about being 100? The best is that I’m keeping up with my mother. She lived to 110. And I don’t think there is a

worst.

Since you plan on keeping up with your mother, what’s your plan for the next 10 years? I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I plan to live one day at a time.

Whether I not to make it to 110, that’s up to God. If you could be any age again, how old would you be? I wouldn’t want to live any age again. I had a good life, a good childhood and a good husband.

Schriee Harding Age: 40 Occuption: Scheduling manager and server at Aunt Alice’s Kitchen Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 15 What brought you here? What has kept you here? I was born in Anaconda, Mont., a small town that is on the downside of a mining community.

The smelting mine closed, and the town’s economy dropped. After attending school there, I moved to Longmont. While living in Longmont, I have made so many friends. I have enjoyed how friendly everyone has been to me. Being employed by Aunt Alice’s has been one of the main reasons that I have stayed in Longmont so long.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job? The management here makes all of their staff and customers feel like they are family. We don’t have a turnover in the staff because of that. I have been the scheduling manager for 10 years, managing 22 people in the

serving area. My day­ to­day responsibilities also include serving customers as a server.

This is a busy restaurant every day, and we make a great living for ourselves.

Our customers are the most important part of our jobs.

We read a lot about people picking up the check for other people. How often does that happen? Is there a certain kind of customer who usually does this? We have a program here called “Paying it Forward” that was started by some of the customers. It has become infectious! This originated when a lot of the customers were paying for the military meals. When it happens most of the time, you don’t know who did it.

The server simply comes over and tells you that your meal has been taken care of, and pay it forward when you can.

That even makes it more special. This reassures my feelings that there are still great people in our busy world. This happens almost every day.

Katie Herrmann

Age: 39 Occupation: Co­ owner, Longmont Dairy Years in St. Vrain Valley: 23 What brought you here? What has kept you? I was born and raised here.

What about your mom’s career in this male­dominated business inspired you? I have always appreciated my mom’s passion for wanting to provide a wholesome product in glass bottles to thousands of families. She is a farm girl who has strong business acumen and gut intuition. After I went to college and worked on my own for many years, I realized carrying on our family business was something I wanted to do with one of my siblings.

I’m not as involved with the farm side of things, but I am heavily involved with the home delivery side.

As a third generation co­owner, what has changed the most and the least at Longmont Dairy? Science and technology have driven most of the changes throughout the years. We

Riley Holcomb have nutritionists and veterinarians that use science to recommend the healthiest ration of food and care for the cows. As a result of this improved care, the cows are now able to produce more milk, and the overall herd health is better.

From a technological standpoint, we are now able to quickly and efficiently create and modify our home delivery routes with mapping programs. This creates a huge time savings. On the flip side, some things have remained very much the same in our 51 years of business, such as how we process and pasteurize the milk, package it in glass bottles, and do night­time deliveries.

What dairy products did your mom most enjoy serving in your childhood home? I remember watching her make homemade butter and ice cream during the summer.

And she loves making fresh whipped cream for strawberries at family gatherings.

Reilly Jernigan

Age: 37 Occupation: Acupuncturist and massage therapist, founder of Well Within Healing Arts Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Two What brought you here? What has kept you here? I was moving and looking around, and Longmont seemed like an interesting place. It seemed like a progressive town and there’s lots going on, and people seem really friendly. Now — oh my gosh — I love Longmont. I actually thought it would be more difficult to get to and from the airport or to Boulder, and I feel like it’s super accessible. But, that said, I don’t ever want to leave Longmont now that I’m living here.

There’s so much here that I end up staying here most of the time. Before I got here, I was concerned about accessibility, but it turns out it’s really easy.

How are the acupuncture and message industries doing in Longmont? I don’t know a ton about

the industries here besides my own little practice, but it seems like massage is a really thriving business that the community supports.

What surprises people about acupuncture? A lot of people find it to be super relaxing. There’s that initial sensation when the needle goes in, and that can be a bizarre feeling for people, but I think it’s kind of cool to realize that you have this energy system inside of you that’s working for you all the time. To access that is really neat for people. Just to feel that level of relaxation and to be able to get up and feel more whole and more present and more relaxed. I think people don’t realize how much they have the ability to heal themselves, and that all we’re doing is accessing.

What’s the best breakfast in Longmont? I love Lucile’s. They’re just so good, beignets for breakfast, and their farmer’s eggs are so good. That’s not on the menu, though.

Age: 13 Occupation: Incoming eighth­grader at Altona Middle School Years in the St. Vrain Valley: My entire life What brought you here? What has kept you here? My parents Why did you want to participate in Relay for Life as a team captain?

When I was 9, my aunt Tina passed away from kidney cancer. I wanted to make a difference so that hopefully we would one day find a cure. I recruit team members, organize

fundraisers, motivate team members, participate in team captain meetings and ask for people to donate items to the silent auction.

What advice would you give other kids who want to raise money? Don’t let your age stop you.

Age is simply a number. You can do just as much as anyone else. If you feel passionate about something, do it.

Marilyn Hughes Age: 68 Occupation: Retired special education teacher; current president, Longmont Area Democrats Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 44 What brought you here? What has kept you here? After my husband and I graduated from the University of Colorado in 1970, we rented a small apartment in Boulder. In 1972 we decided to buy a house, spurred on by receiving a St. Bernard puppy from a relative. Even then, prices were high in Boulder, so we decided to look in Longmont and fell in love with the town. We bought an older “fixer­upper” on Atwood Street. The small­town feel, community and diversity has kept us here for 44 years.

Why are elections important, especially this year’s? To me, all elections are important, from the city council through county and state government and onto the federal level.

Voting is a right and a privilege that too many people take for granted. The vitality of our democracy depends on citizen participation. That includes

knowing and understanding the issues and who our representatives are as well as whether they are voting in the best interest of the people.

What will your role be, as Longmont Area Democrats president, in the 2016 election? I will personally be working hard to get out the vote. To clarify, the Longmont Area Democrats is an active club. As president of the group, I focus on ways to support our group’s core principles, including but not limited to comprehensive immigration reform, voter access for all, including an open transparent political process, living­ wage jobs, and equal treatment for all, to name a few. Our club works to inform and motivate the electorate by providing voting information, regular speakers and political activities such as rallies, documentaries and debates around issues, candidates and legislation. To see all of LAD’s support statements, please go to longmontdems.org.

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Amanda Jonas

Age: 29 Occupation: Officer with Longmont Police Department Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Entire life, other than a stint in Denver What brought you here? What has kept you here? Family, community friends. I kind of fell in love with it, and it’s the perfect spot. I can go visit the mountains and go camping anytime I want. I can go snowboarding. I can go motorcycle riding. It’s just a great place to live. I love it.

What do you enjoy about being a police officer? The people is a big thing for me, all the way from the crime victim to the angry drunk to the mentally disabled individual. It doesn’t matter. It runs the gamut. I get to experience people in their worst. It’s their toughest day when they’re dealing with me, and I love dealing with people in their best or worst,

Richard Juday whether it’s being a rock for them to lean on to make their day better or handing them some structure because they don’t have any. It keeps me on my toes every day because I never know what to expect.

If you weren’t a cop, what would you be doing? That’s a hard one because I really don’t picture myself doing anything else, but if I had to pick something I’d say photography. It’s kind of my side hobby. It takes me out into nature, where I can relax and recharge.

What’s the best picture you’ve taken? I would have to say a lake just outside of Yosemite. Everything about it was perfect: The water was calm and serene and reflected the mountains off of it. The sun was in a perfect place.

The picture really showed what I was feeling, which is just calm, beauty and kind of the vastness of the area.

Meagan Keen

Age: 18 Occupation: Recent Lyons High School graduate Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 18 What brought you here? What has kept you here? I was born and raised in Longmont. My father grew up here, as well as my grandmother. I attended Northridge and Alpine for elementary school before coming to Lyons for middle and high school. Lyons is such an amazing community to be a part of. The support and involvement can be felt at all community events. There really isn’t a more beautiful place to grow up. We are blessed with an amazing view of the Rocky Mountains that still takes my breath away. The football field at Lyons high school is so beautiful, and watching games played there on fall nights are memories I will never forget.

You were involved in student government at Lyons High School.

What have you learned in student government that you will be able to use as you move forward in life,

career? I have been a part of student council all of my years at Lyons. I was class president freshman through junior year and was student body president this year. I think the biggest thing I learned is how important it is to be able to communicate with people. The ability to present yourself in a professional and relatable way is a skill that I know will help me in my future. Doing so can help create lasting relationships with a wide variety of people and will help me to succeed.

What do you do for fun? Outside of school and work, I spend most of my time playing volleyball with my family.

We play every Sunday, weather permitting, and a highlight of every summer is going to Vail for the King of the Mountain tournament. I also like to attend sporting events as much as possible. Recently I have also enjoyed hiking with my family and my dog, Nala.

14 • JUNE 26, 2016 • COMMUNITY REVIEW

Age: 74 Occupation: Retired NASA scientist Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 15 What brought you here? What has kept you here? When Darcy and I married, I took early retirement from NASA in Houston and she was working on her Ph.D. at CSU in Fort Collins. She said Longmont was halfway in between, so that was our compromise. Actually, we chose Longmont as a mid­point among outdoor activity at Rocky Mountain National Park (we hike), Denver International Airport (we travel a lot — 27 countries in 15 years of marriage), and badminton (my regular sport) in Boulder. We’ve settled into the splendid social, political, environmental and cultural scene here as well.

What did you do at NASA/Johnson Space Center, and what was your favorite part of working there? I had a wonderful and varied career, and I’d be there still except for marrying Darcy. In 35 years I worked on radiation hazard to manned flight (yes, we really did go to the moon — I got that question again last week in England) and remote sensing on

Skylab. Then it was image processing for crop surveys, robotic vision and human low vision. I continue to consult in electrically controlled holograms to make optical tweezers and to do image pattern recognition for genome sequencing.

The best part? The dozens of students, from high school to Ph.D. candidates, who worked in my lab and lived at my house. After 15 years of retirement, I’m still in touch with many of them, and it’s been great to watch their progress, and to hear “I do the same things to my students that you did to me!”

How did you wind up keeping bees? I’ve always been intrigued by ants, termites, wasps and bees. E.O. Wilson describes their colonies in third in the sequence from single­ to multi­ cell to super­organism to societies. The honeybee has domesticated us, one could say, only Apis mellifera among those social insects having bent humans to intentionally providing them support. I love their hum on the back porch. Besides, I’m addicted to sugar.

Ann Kaven Age: 60 Occupation: Nurse and owner of Martini’s Bistro Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 27 What brought you here? What has kept you here? My husband’s family lived in Colorado and he was managing hotels when he found out that this restaurant was closing, and he came and looked at it, and that’s what brought us here. Frank, my husband, wanted to open up. I love Longmont. It’s beautiful, the people are awesome, and I feel safe in Longmont. I don’t know anywhere else in the country that I would rather live.

How would you change the foodie scene in Longmont? I think it needs more higher­end restaurants. We have a lot of fast food, a lot of chains, a lot of

quick stops, but I think what Longmont needs is something to draw people from Boulder and Denver. People aren’t going to drive for Chik­fil­A and Arby’s.

We need more unique restaurants.

How do you find time to work as a nurse once a week and still run the restaurant? I love nursing, and that’s always been a passion of mine, so I’d hate to give that up, too. I try to balance both of them. I love people, and to see them happy, to see them enjoying themselves; to see them healthy and well makes me feel really good. When I have a part that I can play in that, that just makes me feel so good about myself. So in the restaurant, people come and enjoy themselves, and then at the hospital, I help people feel better and get well. I’ve got kind of double joys going on.

Walker Korell

Age: 18 Occupation: Recent graduate of Mead High School, headed to Eastern Wyoming college on a basketball scholarship Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Nine What brought you here? What has kept you here? My family likes outdoor activities, so we love to go canoeing and skiing and all that stuff. We moved from Phoenix, and Colorado supports our lifestyle better. It’s a pretty great place to live.

What’s your fondest memory from high school basketball? Playing Longmont High in the Elite Eight game. We lost, but I think that game will be something to reminisce about forever because of the atmosphere.

There were so many people there and so much adrenaline. I played pretty well. I think I had 20­something points and some rebounds. We just had some turnovers at the end that cost us the game.

What was it like to represent a small school, going up against so many bigger ones? It was fun. we came into almost every game as, “Who are these guys? What’s Mead?”

Richard Kpogoh­Narh Nobody knows where it’s at. It’s fun to go out against some of the bigger schools and make a name for ourselves.

It’s especially fun at state tournament time, when we were down playing Green Mountain and Sierra, and Sierra just had no idea who we were. We came out, and it was awesome to represent and have so much heart and passion.

What makes Mead special to you?

It’s the people. Mead kind of gets a rep for having country boys, I guess you could say. But it’s more than that.

Obviously there’s a group of farmers, but there’s also so much diversity in such a small area and everybody in the area and everybody at Mead (High School) is just so accepting and welcoming. We had people transfer from Longmont and from Frederick and all these schools, and the one thing I’ve heard from every one of them was that the first day was scary because they thought they wouldn’t fit in, but that they immediately found a group. We have open arms to anybody and everybody, which is cool, and I don’t think a lot of people can say that.

Greg Macy Age: 39 Occupation: Owner, Ripple Effect Martial Arts Years in the St. Vrain Valley: One What brought you here? What has kept you here? We love the community and people in Longmont.

It is a “big­little” city!

There is so much to do, and with the new mall and developments in town, we get the best of both worlds: small, close community with all conveniences of a big city.

How did you become interested in martial arts? After watching the very first “Karate Kid,” I fell in love with martial arts and begged my mom to enroll me. It wasn’t until I fell over and

split my head open — due to some balance problems — that my mom listened to my doctor’s advice and she put me in martial arts to help with my balance.

What do you think are the benefits of getting involved in martial arts? Kids and adults these days face so many challenges and distractions. Being able to develop self­defense skills while building key character traits like discipline, self­ control and self­motivation, in a positive community, sets students up for success in life. They learn to have an indomitable spirit that helps them to be successful, responsible and happy community leaders.

Age: 36 Occupation: Public works technician for city of Longmont Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Four What brought you here? What has kept you here? I was born in Ghana, West Africa.

I went to school in Germany for a while, and then I decided to leave my parents and siblings behind to come seek greener pastures, so that was what brought me to the U.S. in the first place. I came out here to visit Colorado in 2011 for three weeks. I went back to New York for nine months and decided I just needed a change of environment. I met my wife here through a friend and she asked me to move down here. I don’t regret doing that at all.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? The best part of my job

is the people I work with, seeing people really appreciate what you do. It motivates me to get out of bed and come to work.

I love what I do, and I have interesting people on my crew.

They are lively. We joke. The most interesting thing about what I do is getting to work outside and put a smile on people’s faces and make them happy.

What do you wish people knew about snow­plowing?

We put our lives on the line just to make this city a better place. We wake up at all hours. It’s not like we control the snow. So whenever the snow comes, we have to be out of our beds and headed to work. We are always on call. In the winter, it’s like we don’t have a life. We hardly see our families during winter time because we’re always working.

Louise Leise Age: 65 Occupation: Artistic director/owner of Dance Dimensions Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 15 What brought you here? What has kept you here? Before establishing Dance Dimensions in Longmont, I was the director of dance for the city of Boulder.

While teaching in Boulder, I had a persuasive adult Longmont student, who insisted that Longmont needed me. She felt there was a lack of quality dance education in Longmont. And it was hard for people to want what they had never known. But once they experienced it, they would respond.

Well, the Longmont community welcomed us with open arms, and we are now teaching the children of the children that we started with 30 years ago.

Dance Dimensions is turning 30. What’s contributed to your longevity? The “secret” of our success is staying committed to our core beliefs: excellence of endeavor, being mindful and supportive of the whole person in each and every individual, teaching more than dance while teaching dance. Dance is a great experience. Movement, creativity, community, self expression, being at one with the moment — I and my family are lucky to share this with the children and community of Longmont!

What advice do you have for children interested in getting started with dance? Education should not be so much about filling a bucket as it is about lighting a fire. Dance with your heart, and your feet will follow.

COMMUNITY REVIEW • JUNE 26, 2016 • 15

Y EA R S

A Legacy of Business and Community

1871 to 1962 IN BUSINESS

1904

1879

1871

100 Martin Street Longmont, CO

www.westernfoundries.com

303-776-2244 1860 Industrial Cir. • Longmont,CO

1936 Longmont Chorale

1922

Carroll-Lewellen Funeral, Cremation and Cemetery Services Proudly Serving Families Since 1922 Longmont’s Lowest Cost Funeral Provider

503 Terry Street

Longmont, CO 80501

(303) 776-4477

303-776-3882 • 800-525-3290 www.goldenvanlines.com

303-485-7866

Celebrating our 80th Season!

1946

Fitting Longmont at the same location for 70 years!

373 Main St., Longmont • 303.776.2920

303-651-7664 www.longmontchorale.org

Monday-Friday 9:30-6 • Saturday 10-5 • Sunday closed

1957

1958

1948

Celebrating 58 years 1958-2016

Ahlberg

Funeral Chapel & Crematory

Entertaining Longmont for over 59 years!

Custom Design Our Specialty, Quality And Service Our Tradition.

Full-service mortuary • On site crematory

Funerals • Cremations • Pre-Planning • Celebrations of Life

303.772-5200 www.longmonttheatre.org

303-776-1992 2201 Ken Pratt Blvd.

1961

Bassett Carpets

326 Terry Street • 303-776-2313 www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com

1962

Applewood “A Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Community”

1637 N. Main St. • Longmont, CO 80501

303-776-5711

www.bassettcarpets.com

16 • JUNE 26, 2016 • COMMUNITY REVIEW

1800 Stroh Place

303-776-6081

www.applewoodlivingcenter.com

YEARS

A Legacy of Business and Community

1965 to 1984 IN BUSINESS

1968

1966

1965

A Boulder County Tradition TOP PRICES •••• 48 YEARS!

TEBO COIN BUYS Celebrating 51 Years!

303-776-7024

2863 28th St. • Boulder, CO 303-444-2646

328 Coffman St., Longmont www.gktravel.net

452 Main St. • 303-651-1125

1971

Rare coins/currency gold & silver jewelry & diamonds

Family owned since 1966

1977 Briggs Carpet Care

1979

1978

Family Owned and Operated

45 Years in Business!

Nelson Rd & Sunset Longmont, CO

303-772-3454

1983 1983

• Residential and Commercial • Carpet Cleaning • Upholstery Cleaning • Tile and Grout Cleaning

303-772-6548 • Longmont, CO www.briggscarpetcare.org

1983

Terry E. Robinson, M.D. We

Board Certified Ophthalmologist, Eye Physician & Surgeon

LOOK forward to seeing you soon!!

• Cataract Surgery • Glaucoma • Macular Degeneration • All Age Related Eye Disease

500 Coffman #109 • Longmont (303) 776-EYES (3937)

oof

Proudly Serving Downtown Longmont for 38 Years!

420 Main St. • 303-772-2510

1984 1984

1984

Longmont

BUDGETHOME

Po BoX 1511 Longmont, Co 80502

SUPPLY

Commercial • Residential Architectural • Sheet Metal

303-772-2827

Keeping Lawns Healthy for Life.

(303) 929-5068

1610 Skyway Dr. • Longmont, CO 303-678-7828

est.1984

Leader in decking, doors, windows and Kitchens.

303-678-8800 Boston Ave • Longmont

COMMUNITY REVIEW • JUNE 26, 2016 • 17

Y EA R S

A Legacy of Business and Community 1986

1986 to 1993 IN BUSINESS

1987

1987

303-651-0719

515 Kimbark St., Suite 103 Longmont, CO 80501 303-772-3200

1987

1987

19th & Terry

2334 N. Main St. 1230 Ken Pratt Blvd.

303-485-9206 303-772-8865 Firestone: 6140 Firestone Blvd. • 303-678-1616

www.morrowsgreasemonkeys.com

1987

Steve’s Plumbing Repair • Remodel

Hot Water Heaters • Service Work Maintenance • Gas Log Installation

2 19 W. 17th Ave ue Longmont, CO 8 50 3 3-7 2-030

Dinner Theatre

Steve Moskel, Master Plumber 303-651-1898

224 Main St. • 303-682-9980 www.JestersTheatre.com

1991

1989

1988

Where We Take Better Care of Your Car

Antiques • Collectables • Furniture 1201 S. Sunset St. Longmont 303-776-6605

Your Hometown Flooring Experts!

618 S. Sunset St. • (303) 651-2407 ww www ww.carpetmastersofco.com w Family Owned & Operated for 27 Years!

www.frontrangefleamarket.com

1993

1993 Steve’S Auto

Wes Parker, Agent 603 Kimbark Street Longmont, CO 80501

Bus: 303-772-6467 www.agentwesparker.com

18 • JUNE 26, 2016 • COMMUNITY REVIEW

Celebrating 23 Years!

510 2nd Ave. • Longmont 303-682-9015

www.stevesautorepairlongmont.com

1533 N. Main Longmont 303-776-3666

YEARS

A Legacy of Business and Community 1994

1994 to 2016 IN BUSINESS

1995

1996 Used Book Emporium USED - NEW - SPECIAL ORDERS

Paperbacks • Hardbounds • Audio Books Gift Items • Children’s Books Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Friday 10am-8pm Parking & rear entrance off Kimbark, across from library

1831 Boston Ave., Suite D Longmont • Boulder • Loveland

1151 Delaware & Ken Pratt Blvd

303-651-0650

346 Main St. • Longmont • 303-776-6561

1996

1998

1999

385 Main Street • Longmont, CO ChamberlainCoins.com • 303-774-9661

110 Bowen Circle, Longmont, CO 720-366-1512 l www.mandmhvac.com

303-776-3882 • 800-525-3290

2004

2008

We Buy Gold & Silver!

www.usedbookemporium.net

www.goldenarchives.com

Stonum Automotive

THE SHOP YOU WOULD RECOMMEND TO A FRIEND!

Honest Car Care & Repair 1812 Sunset Place (corner Ken Pratt & Sunset)

Colorado Aromatics creates natural skin care formulated for the outdoor lifestyle.

www.stonumautomotive.com 303-485-9303

coloradoaromatics.com 330-651-2062 340 Lashley St, Unit 220, Longmont

COMMUNITY REVIEW • JUNE 26, 2016 • 19

Alan Marschke

Age: 30 Occupation: EDGE clinician Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Two What brought you here? What has kept you here? I grew up on the Front Range, and despite many attempts to venture away, I found there to be nothing quite like life in Colorado. The perks of being able to ski, hike, camp, etc. (sometimes all in one day), combined with the “small town charm” of life on the Front Range, seems unbeatable to me.

What is EDGE all about? Why did you get involved? Through the EDGE (Early Diversion, Get Engaged) program, we aim to integrate mental health awareness, intervention and assessment into the local police departments (Longmont and Boulder), as well as the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office. EDGE clinicians work alongside police officers and meet with people in the community as they come into

Shauntina Martinez contact with law enforcement.

Clinicians help officers de­escalate situations, interpret mental health symptoms, and provide appropriate community resources.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? The concept of EDGE immediately captivated my excitement. Lofty goals, such as changing cultural paradigms and inflicting long­term impacts on how mental health is viewed in a community, are a natural fit with my tendency to take on challenges and with my philosophy of helping others.

I joined the EDGE team to help people in some of their darkest moments. The most rewarding part of my job is being able to help both the people I meet within the community and to change the culture of law enforcement in general every day when I go to work.

Debbie Martinez

Age: 56 Occupation: Crossing guard, Third Avenue and Bowen Street Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 35 What brought you here? What has kept you? We wanted a great place to raise our sons. Longmont has terrific schools, and our sons had great successes in the schools both in music and athletics. We wanted a way of life of a small town, like the concerts in the park, the community band, the Christmas celebrations, yet we have seen amazing growth in our city. We have been involved in many civic organizations during our life here, the Longmont Symphony, Kiwanis, Longmont Rotary, and my husband and I have both owned businesses and enjoy the festivities year round that Longmont offers. My husband, Tom, and I have also been judges for the Boulder County Fair Parade for over 15 years.

What led to you to become a

crossing guard, and then to start waving at everyone? I just enjoy people and especially kids. I enjoy the fact that these children are safe when they come to my intersection. I was a preschool teachers aide at Central Elementary while my boys were in school at Central. The waving started my first week as a crossing guard when a small girl waved at me from the back seat of her mom’s car, and when I waved back, her mom waved and they both smiled. That began the connection to each driver and their kids as they all responded with a wave and a smile back. I hope it has made someone’s day just a little bit brighter.

Are you always happy? If so, what’s the secret to staying that way?

Despite any challenges in life, I’ve always felt that being happy is my God­ given strength. Sometimes, people just need a touch of kindness, and a simple wave is what I can do.

20 • JUNE 26, 2016 • COMMUNITY REVIEW

Age: 38 Occupation: Accounting clerk for the Town of Frederick since September 2012 Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 35 years in the Tri­Town area What brought you here? What has kept you here? My mother met my father when I was very young. We moved to Firestone to be with him, and we have called the Tri­ Town area home ever since. I have been with my high school sweetheart, Julian Gomez, since I was 14 years old.

We became young parents, and since all of our family lives here, they were a huge help and great support system for us, so we never left.

How has Frederick changed since you have lived and worked there, and how has town government changed? Frederick has grown! I can remember there being one stoplight among all three towns. Now I pass seven stop lights just to get to the office. I used to deliver pizzas for the old Mugg­N­Pye restaurant, and I knew every street like the back of my hand. Now, I find myself relying on Google Maps. In the 3½ years I have worked for the town of Frederick, I

have definitely seen a lot of residential growth. I enjoy meeting new residents, especially those that come from a large city, and seeing their excitement about living in a “small” town.

You’re a Frederick High School graduate, and your own daughter, Kendall, just graduated from FHS. How were things different about her high school experience than yours? I graduated in 1996, and the old high school was located on Fifth Street just near the rec center. It was a junior/senior high school, so it was seventh­ through 12th­grades. I loved high school, and have even said I would do it all over again if given the chance. I had a great group of friends, and we made a lot great memories. It was a small town back then, and everyone knew everybody. My graduating class was just shy of 80 kids, so it was small. Kendall’s graduating class was nearly 200 kids, and she was the first class to go through the new high school all four years.

Rachel Mau Age: 11 Years in the St. Vrain Valley: I have been in the St. Vrain Valley for a little over 10 years.

What brought you here? What has kept you here? My family brought me here from China when I was 11 months old, and we have lived in the St. Vrain Valley ever since.

How did you get into gymnastics, and what do you like about it? I got into gymnastics because when I was little I would climb up to high places, and when my

mom took me to a pediatrician, they said to get me into gymnastics. I’ve been in it ever since. What I like about gymnastics is that I get to learn new skills and do fun activities with all of my teammates.

What do you want to do when you grow up?When I grow up I want to be a gymnastics coach, because gymnastics is really fun to teach and coach. I also want to be a physical therapist because I want to help other people recovering from injuries.

Jimmie McCaffree

Age: 101 Occupation: Retired nurse Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Two What brought you here? What has kept you here? After my husband died, I couldn’t handle the farm. I went to Scotts Bluff, Ariz., to live with my daughter and then to Mead to live with my other daughter.

What’s the best thing about being 101? What’s the worst? The worst thing is being 101:

Jesse Michaels I’m just getting so damn old. I am blessed that I have a mind and am not off in Timbuktu. I can make my own decisions. I’m thankful I can comprehend and live.

What advice do you have for people who want to live a long, happy life? I don’t like to give advice. Just keep breathing, go day by day and do the best you can.

Eric Meiers

Age: 43 Occupation: President of M and M Heating, Cooling and Plumbing Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 37 What brought you here? What has kept you here? My parents brought me to Longmont in 1979. I have attempted to move from Colorado twice, neither of which lasted a whole year before I came running back to my home. Sunshine, mountains, family, consistently flourishing economy, and most of all the people is what keeps me here.

We’re told that you believe “doing the right thing always pay off in the long run.” What do you mean by that, in a business sense? Ethics seem to be constantly changing and not necessarily in the right direction.

Instant results and gratification often trumps “doing it right the first time.”

Do what you say you are going to do.

Do it right the first time and most of

all do it better than anyone else. My key to success.

What don’t people know about the HVAC business that they should? I believe today’s youth should know the HVAC business is a thriving trade that incorporates a multitude of trades: ... heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical and welding. I believe that the HVAC trade is the fastest growing, highest paid career opportunity of today.

What has been the best day of your life so far? The best day of my life so far is the day I married my best friend and love of my life. I met Sharon in the fifth grade at Mountain View Elementary. I knew the moment she walked into class she was the one and I would one day marry her. I love her very much and can contribute a great deal of my success to her standing strong by my side.

Jesse Michaels Age: 32 Occupation: Marketing director at StickerGiant Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 12 What brought you here? What has kept you here? I moved with my family to Longmont in 1998 and attended Niwot High School, graduating in 2002. I left the area for work and pursuit of my degree in marketing from Metropolitan State University of Denver but ultimately came back to the area because of the opportunity to work for StickerGiant, and the growth and development in Longmont over the past several years made me want to be a part of it.

How did you get involved with StickerGiant? I learned about StickerGiant a couple of years prior to

having the opportunity to work here. I was fascinated with the way they ran their business and how fast they were growing. When John Fischer brought me in with the opportunity, I could not have been more excited to jump on the chance to help continue its growth.

What is the best part about working at a company like StickerGiant? The sticker benefits are great! StickerGiant does business all around the country and world, so it is awesome to see the variety of ways people are utilizing stickers and labels in their business. We like to say “Every sticker has a story,” and getting to see that play out here in Longmont for businesses and across the world is pretty amazing. Great group of people to work with, too.

Seth T.J. Miller Age: 32 Years in the St Vrain Valley: 25 What brought you here? What has kept you here? I was born and raised in the greater St Vrain region, before I moved to Hawaii for college. I moved to East Los Angeles after college for three years before relocating back to the St. Vrain Valley to work within Miller Music full time. Having lived elsewhere, I definitely appreciate all the beauty Colorado has to offer much more than I did growing up in and around it. It really isn’t just the environment but the communities’ attitude in general that really helps make this place feel like home.

When did you open Miller’s Music, and why? Miller Music was opened by

my father, Ken Miller, in 1974. After my father passed away in 2008, we ran it in conjunction with the estate for almost a year, and then I began working with the shop remotely and then moved back to work full time in the business in 2010.

What has been the ethos of the store?

The purpose was to educate — educate new musicians, educate consumers on which products best meet their needs, and educate them on how to protect and care for their instruments. That mission rang true for our entire endeavor.

What’s next for you? I am focusing on bringing this venture into a close and honestly couldn’t tell you what the next chapter will bring.

COMMUNITY REVIEW • JUNE 26, 2016 • 21

Angie McCreavy has been an agricultural teacher at the Career Development Center for 12 years

22 • JUNE 26, 2016 • COMMUNITY REVIEW

Lewis Geyer / Staff Photographer

Helping students grow

CDC teacher says courses teach students real life and hands-on skills A

ngie McCreavy was going to Colorado State University to become a veterinarian, then decided to switch to agricultural education.

She wasn’t completely convinced she wanted to go into teaching, but was student teaching at a vocational school in Jefferson County when she saw a job opening for a greenhouse teacher at Longmont’s Career Development Center.

She applied, was offered the job and is still teaching the greenhouse and floral design classes there 12 years later.

“This was my first teaching assignment and hopefully my last,” she said. “It’s the best thing that ever happened to me. I absolutely love it.”

She said the best part of her job is building relationships with her students.

“I like to see the students’ curiosity, to watch them learn and explore the area of horticulture,” she said. “ I like to see how excited they get.”

For her class, students start

Angie McCreavy

Age: 42 Occupation: Greenhouse teacher at Longmont’s Career Development Center Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 12

plants from seed and learn grafting with fruit trees and hydroponics with lettuce. Other topics include design, growing conditions and dividing plants.

“There’s reading, math and science,” she said. “It’s a great complement to the high school curriculum. It really supports what they learn in their other classes.”

Her class culminates with a monthlong plant sale, with students selling what they’ve grown so they can learn about the business side of a greenhouse.

“I teach them about plants and floral design, but a bigger part of my class is to teach them to think for themselves and problem solve and interact with people,” McCreavy said.

“It teaches them real life, hands on skills.”

Plus, she said, a hands-on class with an interesting topic can motivate at-risk students to keep going with their education.

“I’ve had some students say they finished high school because of this class,” she said.

After successfully completing the greenhouse or floral design class, students receive a certificate and, if they enroll at Front Range Community College, receive credit for their high school class.

Some students go straight to work at greenhouses or shops, others enroll in agriculture programs at Front Range or Colorado State University — or go on to study something else altogether.

One of the benefits of the hands-on classes, McCreavy said, is students can figure out while they’re still in high school if working with plants is what they really want to do.

Junior Morgan Benedict takes culinary classes in the morning and the greenhouse

class in the afternoons at the Career Development Center.

She’s planning to go to culinary school.

“As soon as I got into it, I thought it was so much fun,” she said. “I love being out here in the greenhouse. It’s one of my favorite things in the world.

It’s a great class.”

She added that McCreavy provides a good balance of “discipline and silliness.”

“She listens and talks to us,” she said. “She doesn’t just want to teach us, she seems actually interested in us.”

Classmate Dade Lindley, also a junior, said he liked learning the science behind growing plants.

“I loved starting off with seeds and watching the plants progress,” he said. “It’s a great experience.”

He said McCreavy is one of his favorite teachers.

“She’s here to give us real world experience,” he said.

Amy Bounds: 303-473-1341, boundsa@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/boundsa

Story by Amy Bounds | staff writer ■ Photo by Lewis Geyer | staff photographer COMMUNITY REVIEW • JUNE 26, 2016 • 23

Esther A. Mills

Holly Milne safe and fun environment. I really was pretty clueless 21 years ago about dog pack behavior. The many dogs I’ve had over the years have taught me everything.

Age: 65 Occupation: Owner/operator of Mrs. Doolittle’s Doggie Daycare Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 35 What brought you here? What has kept you here? I followed family from New York.

Everything about Colorado has kept me here.

What is your favorite part of working with dogs?

They view life simply.

Most dogs just like being with other dogs and using the communication skills that they are How did you get into the doggie day care business? I was volunteering born with. I immensely enjoy watching them play and develop friendships at the Longmont Humane Society. I needed to find a full­time job and saw with other dogs. My day consists of a the need for dogs to be socialized in a lot of laughing!

R MPE

Charles, Liz & Steve

U TO B

E C I V SER $24.95 Oil Change ER UMP

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Oil Change, Rotate Tires, Check Brakes, Belts, Hoses & Fluid Levels

Depending on the weekend, you could find hot rods or handrails in Roosevelt Park, you could skip stones in solitude at McCall Lake or hobnob with artists at a downtown gallery, and for dinner you could eat a hotdog wrapped in bacon or enjoy farm­ fresh cuisine — the experience is your choice. To have such range in one town — without it being the size of Seattle — is fun.

Age: 35 Occupation: Public information specialist, city of Longmont Public Works & Natural Resources Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Five

What brought you here? What has kept you here? I fell in love and married a Longmont­livin’ man.

My husband and I have jobs we enjoy that allow us to live and work in our community, and we value that connection. We also appreciate the What’s a super interesting fact area’s diversity and unique spirit. It’s you’ve learned about Longmont exciting to see so much positive change since you started working for the happening. city? My favorite thing that I’ve learned about Longmont since I started What’s the most exciting part of working for the city is that we have a your job? Getting to have an inside, up­close look at all of the things Public gem of a place to store much of our Works & Natural Resources does — with water — Ralph Price Reservoir inside Button Rock Preserve. I had never heard expert friends to explain it to me! It’s of “Button Rock” as those in the know like Dirty Jobs, How It’s Made and Nat casually refer to it. Discovering its Geo all mixed into one reality beauty and learning about its role in experience, and each day holds a new our water supply has been neat. It’s episode. now my favorite place to visit on a You’ve lived in Georgia, Seattle and sunny Colorado day. When I hit the now Longmont. What parts of Sleepy Lion Trail with my best buds Longmont remind you of those other beside me, I think, finding out about places? Longmont is a great blend of this place was the best job perk! Of small and large, conservative and course, you don’t have to work for the liberal, traditional and modern, city to enjoy Button Rock — it’s open to independent and connected. all.

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24 • JUNE 26, 2016 • COMMUNITY REVIEW

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David A. Minaya

Jay J. Minaya

Occupation: Architectural designer and Journey Language Center co­founder and owner Age: 36 Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 10 What brought you here: In 2005, I came to visit my brother Jay for his graduation ceremony at CU Boulder. As a graduated architect in South America I was very interested in practicing architecture in the U.S. I still remember the first day when I visited DLB and Associates, an architectural office in Longmont, and told them: “Good afternoon, I am an architect from Peru and I would love to work here. I do not care if I work for free, but I just want to do architecture.” Maybe they were very surprised by the way that I approached them, but a few days later they referred me to Habitat for Humanity of the St. Vrain Valley and I started working as a volunteer there, in the housing design area.

You are a trained architect. What has been your favorite project and

why: All projects are unique and special to me, but I can mention the Aspen Meadows Town Homes project for the Longmont Housing Authority. I participated designing and creating the architectural plans of the townhouses. I was very motivated to help to increase the affordable housing stock in

Longmont.

You own a business that helps people learn Spanish. Do you think it’s important for non­Spanish speakers to learn some Spanish: According to my experience in this field with my language school, the benefits that you obtain from speaking a second language in Boulder County are huge: better job prospects, enhanced brain health, more satisfying travel experiences, improved abilities in your first language, and the ability to experience new cultures in your own community.

Longmont’s Trusted Downtown Jeweler for 51 Years.

Age: 34 Occupation: Journey Language Center founder Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 12 What brought you here? What has kept you here? I came to Colorado to pursue a B.S. in business administration and marketing at the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado at Boulder. I graduated from CU in 2005. A year after I started working in some financial institutions for few years. I fell in love with Longmont and Colorado, and I thought this was the right place to pursue my dream of opening a language school.

You bring students from all over the world to Longmont to study English. Why is Longmont an appealing place for people to come for this purpose? Longmont is a great place to learn English because international students are able to find more affordable prices and vacancy when it comes to renting or leasing a place to live. Also terms for leasing can

be more flexible for people who want to stay in Longmont only for few weeks or months. The location is also good. Longmont is close to other attractive towns like Fort Collins, Boulder, Estes Park, etc.

Longmont has great breweries, parks and fun trails for hiking, biking and running on Rabbit Mountain, etc.

You dedicate a lot of time to raising money for various causes. What is the most rewarding part of this for you? I enjoy supporting non­profits that raise money for important causes.

We’ve been doing this by providing our language services for free. The non­ profits receive all the payments. I like, in particular, helping non­profits to raise money through cultural events because I enjoy spreading awareness to Longmont residents about activities that enrich tremendously, in many culturally and artistically ways, our city and its people. If you have the opportunity to reach out to an audience, why not use that influence to help others?

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COMMUNITY REVIEW • JUNE 26, 2016 • 25

Carmen V. Mireles

Age: 38 Occupation: Part­ time operations director at El Comite de Longmont, part­ time legal assistant at McKinley Law Group, bilingual funeral director at Carroll­ Lewellen Funeral and Cremation Services, and Longmont Latino End of Life presenter Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 37 What brought you here? Why did you? I was born in Boulder and my family has lived in Longmont since the 1970s. I love being able to raise my children in the same community that I grew up in.

I love that Longmont has such an interesting history and that I am able to share that with my children.

What has been the most rewarding thing about working at El Comite and why? The most rewarding thing about working at El Comite has been being able to come back as an adult and help the organization continue to serve the needs of our Latino and non­Latino communities. I started volunteering with EC at the

Felipe Mosqueda age of 13 in the summer youth program called “Familias de base” helping the older youth counselors.

You work as a bilingual funeral director and present for Longmont Latino End of Life program. Explain what the end of life program does and why it is important?

The Longmont Latino End of Life Program holds classes to help educate and help prepare the Spanish speaking community for end of life issues. This education is extremely important because as far as we (Longmont Latino End of Life committee) know, there is not an end of life education program anywhere in the nation. As a bilingual funeral director I understand the importance of pre­planning, but as a Latina I also understand that end of life is not usually a topic that is discussed, so several community members joined together to initiate this end of life conversation and help prepare and better educate our Latino community.

26 • JUNE 26, 2016 • COMMUNITY REVIEW

Age: 30 Occupation: Owner of Mile High Wine Tours Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 23 What brought you here? What has kept you here? My father brought all of my family to Longmont when I was 7 years old. As many other immigrant families, we were looking for a better life and work opportunities. We settled in the Casa de la Esperanza community, which provided immigrant farm working families with low­income housing and an after­school learning center. Thanks to this center and to its coordinator at the time, Carlota Loya, my family and I moved ahead in life.

Why wine tours in Colorado? I believe Colorado has some pretty amazing wines that have yet to be discovered by both tourists and locals alike. A couple of years ago, I was surprised to discover a winery in downtown Denver by accident. It dawned on me that, if I had no knowledge of the wineries in Denver, likely others wouldn’t either. That’s where the idea of doing wine tours came from. The goals is to spread the word about the wineries and create a memorable experience for guests.

What’s your favorite summer wine?

A nice Chenin Blanc or a Viognier white wine.

Deanne Mulvihill Age: 61 Occupation: Executive director, Berthoud Area Chamber of Commerce Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Working three years; living 1.5 years What brought you here? What has kept you here? My position at the Berthoud Area Chamber of Commerce. We loved the Berthoud Community so much, we moved here. We had lived in Fort Collins for over 24 years prior.

How did you get involved with the chamber of commerce? Networking and small business has always been something I have enjoyed. This position allows me to utilize my experience and expertise. I really like getting to know our members so that I can promote them and support them within the community. Being able to do what I love; live in a town that I love; and work

with the great people of Berthoud is the best of all worlds.

What is your favorite thing to do in Berthoud in your spare time? I like to participate in local activities (whether it’s just to attend or to volunteer). At the chamber we rely on volunteers for the major events we sponsor as well as our monthly events.

Therefore, it’s great for me to get to volunteer at other events that I didn’t have to plan. My husband, Steve, and I enjoy supporting local businesses and chamber members. You’ll see us at local restaurants or events being sponsored by local businesses and charities. We also like to spend time with our friends here in Berthoud. My husband and I have eight grandchildren in Colorado so we like to spend time with them and attend their sporting events.

Kurt Munding

Age: 48 Occupation: Landscape architect and owner, Munding Design, Lafayette Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 18 What brought you here? What has kept you here? I love the mountains and came here to work as a landscape architect at a small landscape architecture firm in Lafayette.

Of all the playgrounds you’ve designed or redesigned, which feature stands out as the most fun one? Back in 2003, I redesigned a Denver playground with a concrete sombrero slide centerpiece custom­built in the 1950s. It does not meet any of the current safety standards, but the city decided to keep it. At a public meeting one girl said she loved the slide because it was scary to go down the first time. So many of the playgrounds being built now are not much fun for the kids due to the risk of litigation. When I was a kid, the things

Honest Car Care & Repair that were the most fun were the ones you had to get your guts up to do the first time. Kids need more of that in their lives.

Of all your designs, which is your masterpiece? Kay Saint Germain Special Needs Playground in Port Au Prince, Haiti. In 2013, I did the master plan for this pro bono project. In 2015, my wife, son, and I went to Haiti to build this playground for special needs kids from the ground up. It was an amazing experience to do that in a country with such great needs. (Visit http://tinyurl.com/haiti­playground.

What would a playground for adults look like? It would be a big lake flanked with a variety of trees and shrubs labeled for learning — a place where you explore pathways that lead to all kinds of fun things that we used to do when we were kids, like hopping on rocks and skipping stones.

December Angel Murillo

Age: 27 years young Occupation: Manager at Taco Bell on Ken Pratt Boulevard Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 22 What brought you here? What has kept you here? My mom and dad moved my six sisters and me to Colorado 22 years ago.

We had family members already here.

What has kept me here is my family of course but also my job and the people here. Everyone is always so friendly, even though there are a few that can just move along with all that attitude.

LOL. Does Taco Bell have regulars? Heck yes, we do. I’ve been employed with TB since I was 16. It was my first job, and I loved it. We absolutely love our guests.

There have been a few people I’ve known since I first started. Some of them even come in every day till this very day. My crew and I have developed relationships with these awesome guests. Most of our guests are workers on lunch break, students from school, business owners around us, or people

going to Boulder. We even have guests who live on the other side of town who drive specifically to our TB because they love us that much.

Is there an assumption that people make about fast­food workers that isn’t true? I think most people assume that it’s easy, that all we do is stand at a register and take orders, when that is definitely not true. My co­workers and I work hard to make sure the quality of our food is fantastic and that it tastes delicious. We care about our guests’ happiness and them returning to our store. We love building relationships with them. We like to treat them as our friends and our neighbors.

What’s your favorite item on the menu? What do you eat for lunch most days? My favorite is the Dorito Cheesy Gordita Crunch. If you haven’t tried it, it’s a must. But I also like our tacos and chalupas. Most days I like to eat a side of white cilantro rice with grilled chicken green sauce and cheese.

This is not an item on the menu, but it should be because it’s delicious.

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COMMUNITY REVIEW • JUNE 26, 2016 • 27

Bagpipe player Geoffrey Nicosia, 16, poses for a portrait in downtown Longmont.

28 • JUNE 26, 2016 • COMMUNITY REVIEW

A strong set of pipes

When he heard ‘Amazing Grace,’ this home-schooled teen was hooked L

ongmont Public Librar y patrons may well have seen Geoffrey Nicosia without knowing who he is.

Nicosia is the young man who can often be found playing his bagpipes outside the doors.

It’s a startling sight, and sound, not least because it’s the last thing one might expect to see on the streets of Longmont. In some parts of the world, particularly Scotland and Ireland, the bagpipes are considered a noble instrument, but in Longmont they are certainly an anomaly. Still, Nicosia has become something of a local fixture. He volunteers at the librar y and is a popular character with the staff, but it’s when he starts blowing on those pipes that he’s in his element.

He started playing the pipes over two years ago, when he was introduced to the instrument by his dad.

“At one point, I remember hearing ‘Amazing Grace’ played on the bagpipes on his computer and asked him what it is because I liked it,” Nicosia said. “I became obsessed, and I still am. That night, I went out

As well as performing at the librar y, Nicosia has played the bagpipes at numerous funerals, and he plays with the Northern Colorado Caledonian Pipe Band, though he’s not yet an official member.

ever y note is a sweet note.”

When he’s not playing the Age: 16 pipes, Nicosia enjoys learning Occupation: Home school student about pathology during his Years in the St. Vrain Valley: We’ve been living in Longmont for two school time. He’s homeyears now. Before that, we lived in schooled, and he feels that Lyons for five years. Before that, approach is the right one for Loveland.

“It’s a company about 10 pip- him. ers strong,” he said. “I’m not “My parents teach me,” he sure how many drummers said. “They’ll give me an and bought a bunch of practice there are. Each time, I see a assignment and I have to go pipes and put together a set of new drummer. Some of them study it, write a paper, they’ll bagpipes.” (have Irish and Scottish roots), review that and determine but I don’t. The only thing that whether or not I did the assignYes, Nicosia made his own ment properly. I enjoy the simever yone has in common is set of bagpipes. If you’ve ever plicity of being able to wake seen a set of bagpipes, you’ll they love to play bagpipes.” up, get dressed and get started know how out-of-the-ordinar y Nicosia laughs when it’s sug- on school. The home schooling that is. Not only that, but he’s gested to him that the sound of is nice and simple, plus I’m self-taught, learning how to the bagpipes is like nails on a able to address my needs. I play by using Youtube videos had problems in regular school and tutorial books. He said that chalkboard to some people, he spent hours working things but he understands and admits being able to eat.” that he has a unique taste in out by himself, by ear. He’s When it comes to hobbies, music for someone so young. modest though; he said that it Nicosia says that he’s passionwasn’t too difficult.

“Lately, I’ve discovered the ate about his bagpipes, and intricacies of Irish folk rock,” that really is it. He has big “It helps that the pipes that I he said. “I like listening to how ambitions too. made weren’t ver y hard to play,” he said. “I had to change they can take these traditional “What I’d love to do is go to tunes and really twist them up. Scotland and get into a piping the bag ever y two weeks but blowing-wise they weren’t ver y When you’re playing the pipes, college, and get into one of the hard. Then I got my first set of you’re using your whole body. big bands like the Royal Scotch You have to put ever ything you Dragoon Guards,” he said. pipes and it was much harder. have in it. If you have your It’s not a walk in the park but Brett Callwood: 303-684-5274, it’s not the hardest instrument pipes tuned properly, which some argue is never the case, callwoodb@timescall.com on the planet.”

Geoffrey Nicosia

Story by Brett Callwood | staff writer ■ Photo by Matthew Jonas | staff photographer COMMUNITY REVIEW • JUNE 26, 2016 • 29

omen W In BusIness BusIn ness Friends and family overwhelmingly agree, owning a consignment store is “the perfect niche” for Jill Cutler, owner and operator of Lifestyle Consignments in Longmont.

Jill’s experiences in retail & B2B sales, counselling, interior & fashion design and real estate provided the expertise needed to create the high-quality and affordable store Lifestyle Consignments has become. Her lifetime of thrifty treasure hunting helped hone her skills of selecting unique, trendy and exceptional products for resale. Elegantly staging furniture and home décor items as well as women’s clothing & accessories, Lifestyle Consignments embodies Jill’s vision of creatively and beautifully inspiring even the most discriminate of buyers.

Blessed with the calming influence of manager Michelle Greeott and an amazingly talented staff, Lifestyle Consignments has become a destination for shoppers looking for eclectic fashion and furniture at a fraction of the cost of retail.

“Many of our shoppers are here several times a week because our inventory is one-of-a-kind and changes daily. They enjoy the welcoming energy of the store and come in for a respite from their hectic day, not JUST to shop. But most end up finding a special something that speaks to them!” says Cutler.

Lifestyle Consignments offers solutions to people in transition, whether they’re downsizing from a larger home, disposing of an estate, or furnishing something new. As Jill describes it, “Consignment is an opportunity to recover some of the investment made in the original purchase and to use that money effectively to select the right piece for your new “digs””.

Now in their 3rd year, conveniently located at 1225 Ken Pratt Blvd, Longmont CO 80501, Cutler invites you to come see why Lifestyle Consignments was voted BEST Consignment and BEST Home Décor shop by the Times-Call Readers’ Choice Awards.

Merry Ann Webb

NICOLE SMATHERS, Owner

Co-Owner, The Rib House

InspIre salon and spa, InspIre at the park Nicole Smathers is the owner of Inspire Salon and Spa and Inspire at the Park in Downtown Longmont. She opened the first Inspire location in the heart of Downtown in 2004. After 10 years of success, she was offered the opportunity to become a part of the new Roosevelt Park developments and knew it was an expansion opportunity she and her team could not pass up.

Both Inspire locations provide revitalizing Aveda salon and spa services, and carry the full Aveda product line. Inspire is also proud to offer an advanced education program for newer stylists, helping to build the beauty industry and give guests an opportunity to experience a first class service at an affordable rate.

Over her many years as a local business owner, Nicole has integrated herself and her brand to become a key part of the Downtown Longmont community. Inspire partners with many local charities and organizations such as A Woman’s Work, Longmont Art’s Fresh event, and The Learning Center just to name a few.

Visit either Inspire location today for your beauty needs. You will be in great hands with any member of their talented team.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Inspire Salon and Spa 512 B Main St.

Inspire at the Park in Downtown Longmont 600 Longs Peak Ave. Suite C-D

303.776.7311

30 • JUNE 26, 2016 • COMMUNITY REVIEW

Merry Ann Webb studied at the Bailey Automotive School graduating with honors in 1980. She became one of the first female automotive technicians leading the way in a male-dominated profession and used her unique skills working professionally for Datsun and Cadillac.

Merry Ann broke the stigma once again working her way up to service manager of Mc Caddon Cadillac before leaving in 2001. Inspired to become her own boss, she opened The Rib House with her husband Tracy Webb, an award winning BBQ restaurant in Longmont. Merry Ann also produces Prospect Sound Bites which has become the largest Food Truck & Free Concert Event in Northern Colorado!

303-485-6988 1920 S. Coffman St., Longmont, CO 80504

omen W In BusIness BusIn ness Clarissa, EdElEn, Owner

Fabulous Finds, Full Figure Boutique & Outlet

Providing the best in Guilt-free Retail Therapy for the past 5 years, Fabulous Finds remains the first stop for savvy fashionistas! Clarissa’s boutique has everything a girl could want to fashion themselves and their home. They truly have it all from Gap to Gucci and Woodley’s to Restoration Hardware. With over 5,000 sq. ft., 10,500 consignors and over 1,200 new items a week, it’s a new store each time you visit.

Opening this June is her newest store--Fabulous Finds Fashion Outlet. Located in Gunbarrel, this store will benefit A Woman’s Work which is a timely fund for women in need. A percentage of every sale will directly help women right here in our community. This business is about women helping women and we can all be a part of that.

Don’t miss her Full Figure Boutique next to the main store on the west side. Now in its second year, this store has quite a following. Here you will find a fabulous selection of clothing size 16 and up as well as a host of shoes, jewelry and handbags for anyone. It is a beautiful store designed like a French boutique.

Fabulous Finds, 600 S. Airport Rd., 720 340-4152, Full Figure Boutique: 600 S. Airport Road (west side). 720 340-4152, Outlet: 6565 Gunpark Dr., Gunbarrel (next to King Soopers). 720 350-4219.

KellY HaNDeR

Owner, Be Well Bodyworks The Mission of Be Well Bodyworks is to infuse our community with wellness and empower our clients to make their health a priority, at an affordable price.

To fulfill this mission, we offer a Wellness Program where you can receive Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, Reflexology, Yoga Therapy, Aromatherapy and Nutritional Counseling, your choice, for one monthly fee of $65.00.

When you have a team of therapists that are working together for the best results, you can maintain a healthy lifestyle for years to come.

Be Well Bodyworks is owned and operated by Kelly Hander.

Kelly has been treating pain and injury-related patients since 2002. We’re located in downtown Longmont, and open 7 days a week. All of our treatments are a full 60 or 90 minutes. We work with Insurancce, Work and Auto related injuries.

A special discount for new w clients of $49.95 for the first one-hour session. Learn more at bewellbody.com

630 Coffman St. Unit B, Longmont 303-652-3533 www.bewellbody.com

Dr. Jamie GilGren Board Certified Audiologist

Dr. Jamie Gilgren has been practicing audiology and fitting hearing aids since 2002 and is board certified by the American Board of Audiology. She earned her Doctorate in Audiology from Pennsylvania College of Optometry, a Master’s degree with an emphasis in Aural Rehabilitation from the University of Texas at Austin, and two Bachelor’s degrees in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology from the University of Northern Colorado. She has extensive experience fitting and programming today’s latest hearing aid technology, has extensive knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing disorders. She takes pride in doing the best job for her patients and enjoys helping people of all ages hear better. She spends her free time four-wheeling and camping with her family. Dr. Gilgren was voted Best of Longmont in 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016 by the Readers’ Choice Awards Times-Call Newspaper.

2318 17th Ave, Unit H Longmont 303.532.4956 www.hearingrehabcenter.com

Olivia Neill

Linda Snyder

Dog Tested, Owner Approved

Linda Snyder was honored to be inducted in the Class of 2015 Boulder County Business Hall of Fame. Over the years, grandparents - Hobart & Audrey, parents - John and Barbara, Linda and her sisters worked together to build the business while always serving the community.

Co-Owner, Happy Hounds Dog Care Center

Olivia Neill, co-owns Happy Hounds Dog Care Center with her husband Brian Neill, where a very hands-on approach is taken with staff and clients. Olivia’s passion for animals spans a lifetime, from pet setting in her youth, spending college summers working at a vet hospital, volunteering to help rehab rescue and shelter dogs, and over nine years working as a professional dog trainer. Drawing on these experiences helps Olivia daily as a small business owner and drives her support of local charitable organizations. Happy Hounds provides super fun daycare for dogs of all ages and sizes, luxury boarding, basic and professional grooming services, and is proud to have won first place for the past 5 years in a row in the Reader’s Choice Pet Daycare & Pet Boarding categories and first place for Grooming in 2016! Come on by and check us out!

303 774-8158 1822 Sunset Pl. #2 Longmont, CO www.happyhoundscolorado.com

Owner, Snyder Jewelers

As the Third Generation owner of Snyder Jewelers, Linda has continued her family’s legacy of service and contribution to many community charities and organizations. She is most proud of her work as a co-founder of A Woman’s Work, and service on the Board of Directors of TRU Community Care Hospice.

Snyder Jewelers specializes in custom design, jewelry repair & restoration as well as watch repair & appraisals.

Linda believes building relationships is more important than “closing the sale”. Her team will take the time to educate and inform all guests. You will be treated like friends and family, and the staff will providee the opportunity to select from a large collection of uniquee, high quality, beautiful and competitively priced jewelry!

303 776-2992 2201 Ken Pratt Blvd., Longmont, CO www.snyderjewelers.com

COMMUNITY REVIEW • JUNE 26, 2016 • 31

omen W In BusIness BusIn ness

ROSE HLAING FAISSAL Whitney Swander

Co-Owner with husband Robertino

The Gold Market Jewelers

Owner, Hearing HealthCare Centers

Our passion is storytelling, creativity and connecting with our community. We are a small family owned business and enjoy giving personalized service for your jewelry needs. Our specialty is creating custom, one of kind jewelry with special attention to detail.

We carry brands we love: Pandora, Seiko, Bulova, Lashbrook, Rhythm Musical Clocks.

We also do repairs on jewelry and watches: ring sizing, replace watch batteries, appraisals, pearl stringing, ear piercing, engraving with free cleaning, inspection and emergency ring removal at no charge. Our in house jewelers are experienced, certified gemologists, extensively trained from the GIA (Gemological Institute of America).

Rose’s family is originally from Rangoon, Burma and came to the US on a diplomatic assignment in the 60s. Rose grew up around precious gems (especially rubies) as they are abundant in Burma and her mother’s hobby of jewelry and design turned into a side business. Rose got her BA in Economics and worked in int’l trade before a long career in Film & Television. Rose met her husband Joe while filming in LA and they have a son, now 10 years old. In 2009, they moved to Longmont to help run Joe’s family jewelry store which was full circle for both of them returning back to jewelry business. Joe’s family started The Gold Market in Dearborn, Michigan back in the 70s, and Joe Sr. later moved the business to Longmont to be close to his kids and his many grand kids.

Stop by to say hi!

Whitney Swander has been in the Hearing Profession for over 16 years. She started with Hearing HealthCare Centers as the Director of Audiology, and has progressed to being Doctor of Audiology and owner. Over the past 8 years, Dr. Swander has grown her business from two locations in 2008 to a total of six offices covering the span between Fort Collins and Colorado Springs.

For more than 30 years, Hearing HealthCare Centers has provided the latest technology to the Front Range of Colorado. Dr. Swander’s practice prides itself on taking care of each patient as if they were a family member, to receive the best possible hearing outcome.

Dr. Swander’s practice is also a proud supporter of the Starkey Hearing Foundation and she has even had the pleasure of traveling to Africa to participate in mission trips providing hearing aids to those less fortunate.

family owned & operated since 1972

Raluca loan, who co-owns Romana Cake House Bakery and Coffee House with her husband, Robertino, has always had a lifetime passion for baking. Recognizing her highly creative and artistic baking and decorating skills, husband Robertino encouraged and supported the opening of this bakery that brings a profound commitment to quality, flavor, presentation and customer service.

All their pastries and cakes are made from scratch using only the highest quality, fresh natural ingredients, no artificial sweeteners and preservatives. They create a wide variety of products from warm, out of the oven morning pastries to individual desserts, all celebrations cakes, but what really sets them apart are their amazingly delicious and elegant wedding cakes that could make a bride and groom’s wedding day a dream come true!

It’s certainly not easy trying to raise two young sons, age 6 and 9 and supporting a busy, ever-changing business, but the second you step into the relaxed atmosphere of their European bakery and are welcomed by their smiling faces, you know that their dream of creating a friendly, family oriented business came true. Have a taste of one of their desserts, cakes and pastries, and you’ll never want to go elsewhere!

17th Ave & Pace next to Safeway www.LongmontJewelers.com

303-834-8981

Marj Sater and Vicky Andrew Co-owners, Front Range Mercantile

Marj and Vicky met when their sons played baseball together in Hygiene. For over 25 years, they have been a family-owned and operated business. What started as a hobby, became Front Range Indoor Flea Market.

They operate on traditional values: customer service, satisfaction and hard work and they attribute their success to their great customers.

Many feel they are a part of the Front Range Flea Market family.

The store and the 90+ vendors repurpose, re-use and recycle. You’ll find an incredible high quality selection of antiques, vintage, retro, mid-century, gift items as well as new products and a great line of chocolates and candy.

As co-owners, Marj and Vicky thank you for voting them winners in the Reader’s Choice Best of the Best contest for 10 years!! Quality, variety, excellent service and value for your dollar are just a few of the reasons for this accolade and why Marj and Vicky will celebrate 27 years in business this year.

www.frontrangefleamarket.com

32 • JUNE 26, 2016 • COMMUNITY REVIEW

1201 S. Sunset, Longmont 303-776-6605

LongMonT 1515 Main St. #15 (303) 776-8748

BrooMfieLd BouLder 320 E 1St avE, #102 4800 BaSELinE Rd.# E-108 (303) 464-8440 (303) 499-3900

Providers for most insurance companies including Medicare

MORGAN ELIZABETH DALTON and JENNIFER LOVE WALTER Co-owners, Aime’s Love

Morgan Elizabeth Dalton

The granddaughter of the talented, creative, dapper monsieur, Georges Aime Marchessault. For years, as owner and cake decorator of La Patessiere St. Hyancithe outside Quebec, Canada, he was known for his delicious gourmet pastries and special occasion cakes. Following in her grandfather’s footsteps, Morgan, herself, has always had a passion deep within to create deliciously beautiful masterpieces. In pursuit of her dream to become a pastry chef and cake decorator, Morgan studied Baking and Culinary Arts at the Art Institute of Colorado and Chocolate Sculpting at L’ecole Internationale de Patisserie Olivier Bajard in Paris, France. The idea to be a 100% Gluten Free Bakery was a tweak to Morgan’s original dream. Presented by Jennifer as a need, desire, and vision, Morgan rose to challenge teaching herself how to create her menu, gluten free. Not an easy task.

Jennifer Love Walter Je

The great-great-great granddaughter of Robert Love Sr., whom in 1851, opened Love’s Bakery in Honolulu, HI. Still today, as it was then, Love’s Bakery is the largest L bread supplier to the Hawaiian Islands. The entrepreneurial success of Love’s Bakery truly deserves to go to one woman, Fanny Johnson Love. At the age of 48, Fanny became a widow with 6 children. For 32 years, Fanny ran Love’s Bakery enduring fire, plague, annexation, and the Republic.

With the grace, dignity and statesmanship to have been a queen, Fanny has been referred to as ‘one of the first liberated women of our culture to have a view down through the glass ceiling.’ As a counselor, entrepreneur and single mother herself, Jennifer tries to live up to Fanny’s reputation as CFO with the grace of God to guide her.

331 Main St, Longmont, CO 80501 • Phone: (720) 340-4636

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COMMUNITY REVIEW • JUNE 26, 2016 • 33

Jef Norton and Miguel pose for a portrait at Norton’s home in Longmont.

34 • JUNE 26, 2016 • COMMUNITY REVIEW

Longmont’s bird man

On their frequent walks, Miguel the Macaw keeps this retiree under his wing I f you’ve come across a man walking along Longmont’s trails with a bright red bird perched on his shoulder and haven’t stopped to talk to them, meet Jef Norton and Miguel the Macaw.

Norton — a 57-year-old retired software developer who grew up in Boulder, moved to southern California when he was in his 20s and decided a few years ago to return to Boulder County — said he pulled a large U-Haul in March 2011 up to the small Longmont ranch home he’d bought, with “three very agitated parrots” inside the truck.

The three: • The now-17-year-old Miguel, a greenwinged (macaw that Norton gave an Hispanic name because its natural habitat is in South America; • Bessie, an African Grey parrot that Norton said is “somewhere in her mid-30s” and “speaks in full sentences”; and • R-2, a Meyer’s parrot who’s “about 11” and who Norton said “makes plenty of electronic sounds,” like Star Wars’ R2-D2 robot.

Norton bought Miguel from a pet shop when the macaw was about 5 months old. Bessie’s previous owners, Norton’s Burbank, Calif., neighbors, gave him custody of Bessie and R-2 when those neighbors moved from their own home.

Norton and his three avian

through and around Longmont with Miguel on his shoulder, Age: 57 “we’ve walked almost 4,000 Occupation: Retired software miles,” including more than developer 1,200 miles thus far this year.

Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Five “My doctor is absolutely years, three months delighted” with the weight losses, lower blood pressure levels and other health benefits that came with walking, Norton said.

“I was a 28-year-old kid who companions live on Longmont’s weighed 130 when I left BoulEast Fourth Avenue, but he said der” for California, Norton said, Miguel, “my best bud,” is the and the need to travel everyonly one he takes with him on where by car — accompanied by his walks through that neighbor- waits in traffic jams — limited hood and the rest of the city. the kind of physical activity the Norton said Bessie is afraid of walks have provided. dogs and that he fears that R-2 “When I arrived in Longmont, might fly off his shoulder and I weighed 245 pounds. I weigh alight in a high tree branch 155 now,” he said. where Norton couldn’t retrieve Norton said he’s had other her. personal benefits from walking Miguel, on the other hand, with Miguel. “has never left my shoulder “I used to be very shy and when we’re out walking,” Norwithdrawn,” he said, but he’s ton said. become “a lot more social.”

“I found I really enjoy walking He said he sometimes even on the paths and trails in Longtakes the macaw with him when mont,” Norton said. “I can find a he goes shopping. lot of places to walk in Longmont “Miguel has wandered with and outside Longmont.” me in Home Depot. He attracts Norton said he and Miguel “go attention, but they’ve never all over town,” asked me to leave,” Norton said.

Norton recounted a recent There are some places he hike to East County Line Road knows he can’t take Miguel, where the macaw “had a blast though, including the Boulder just watching the other birds out County Farmers Market at the there,” and a visit to Longmont’s fairgrounds in Longmont, where annual Cinco de Mayo festival in no pets are allowed because of Roosevelt Park, where Miguel the organizers’ concerns about ate a taco. food safety and the possibility of Since Norton started traveling

Jef Norton

birds and animals spreading disease.

Before moving back to Colorado, Norton said, he and Miguel “were thrown out of a farmer’s market in Burbank.”

Norton said he finds such bans hypocritical because outdoors farmers’ markets do nothing to keep pigeons and squirrels out of their venues.

Norton said Miguel “likes being everybody’s friend,” and enjoys it when they halt their hikes to visit with the people they’ve encountered.

Miguel is “quite the ham,” Norton said, and while the macaw “doesn’t have a huge vocabulary, he enunciates very well.”

Norton said parents will tell him: “‘My kids just love seeing you” when he and Miguel take walks through their own neighborhood.

Norton said, though, that he sometimes has to caution both adults and children not to try to stroke or pet Miguel — something he warns might result the macaw making what it intends as a friendly bite but with jaw strength that “that can open walnuts.”

Said Norton: “The older kids understand,” but some of the younger ones “may not know what a walnut is.”

John Fryar: 303-684-5211, jfryar@times-call.com or twitter.com/jfryartc

Story by John Fryar | staff writer ■ Photo by Matthew Jonas | staff photographer COMMUNITY REVIEW • JUNE 26, 2016 • 35

House of Q BBQ & Brew is NOW...

Longmont “Come on in and we’ll tell you the whole story!”

Smokin’ Dave’s

36 • JUNE 26, 2016 • COMMUNITY REVIEW

Smokin’ Dave’s

Smokin’ Dave’s

Aaron Nagell

Age: 40 Occupation: Owner of Dizzy Family Fun Center Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 30­plus. I was born and raised here, but I moved to Fort Collins for 10 years.

What brought you here? What has kept you here? I am a Longmont native born and raised. I moved back after college to raise a family and start a local business. I now live here with my beautiful wife, Stephanie, and my two daughters, Maya and Mackenna. And we have twins on the way.

Were you big into video games when your were a kid? I love video games.

What made you decide to open Dizzy? My two partners, Matt and Allison Hull, and I decided to open Dizzy here in Longmont because we love the community that we all live in and wanted to provide a fun, safe

David Obvchowski place for kids and adults alike. We knew Longmont needed a place where the whole family could have fun without having to drive 20 minutes out of town.

We offer a little of something for every age with a kids area for 10 years and under, all ages laser tag, laser maze, ball shooters, an arcade and concession stand. We hold a number of events including Kids Night, Adult Night, Parents Night Out, Teen Night and lock­ins.

What’s the most tickets someone has won at Dizzy? What prize did they pick? The most tickets won in one day is probably around 20,000 tickets, but we have many kids and adults that save up their tickets over time so they can redeem them for larger prizes like Broncos football jerseys, Beats head phones and Ipad Minis

Jewel Ng

Age: 15 Occupation: Student at Niwot High School Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Five What brought you here? What has kept you here? My parents aren’t from here, but they moved from Oklahoma to Longmont. I didn’t have the chance to choose where I lived but did get to choose which school I attended. The exceptional education provided at St. Vrain Valley School District is one of the main reasons why I came to Longmont and studied at Niwot High School. The friendliness of the environment promotes positive attitudes and overall I enjoy living in Longmont.

Where are you going with Sister Cities and why did you want to visit there? I’m going with Sister Cities to Japan; I wanted to visit Japan because

of the unique culture and technology you can find there. It’s amazing how different their way of life is from ours in Longmont.The main thing that intrigues me about Japan is the school system and the traditions that you can’t find elsewhere, like the shrines or festivals. I’d say the part about Japanese culture that I enjoy the most is the unusual types of food you can find. I haven’t visited Chino before, so I’m very excited to experience Japan for the first time.

Do you think you will stay in the area after you graduate? I don’t think I’ll stay in the St. Vrain Valley School District area after high school, but I aim to reach out further in the states for college choices. My plans after high school are to attend college and build a solid future for myself.

Age 37 Occupation: Musici an and writer Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Six What brought you here? My wife grew up in old town (Longmont), and her family is here. We were living in New York, and my band was going on tour a lot, so we didn’t need to play New York anymore.

We wanted to start a family and have a support system.

How did your band get signed to a national label? I have two bands. Goes Cube formed in New York in 2003, and we’ve toured more times than I can ever count, released two albums and just got done recording our third and final album. Publicist U.K. formed in

2014, and we released our first album last year. We’re technically not metal but new wave post metal, some people say post punk.

We’re signed to Relapse Records.

Is there a particular mood or setting that’s most conducive to songwriting?

When I was in New York with Goes Cube, I only wrote when we were in the practice space together. We would drink a lot of beer. Then I moved out here and I have kids, so I wake up at 4 a.m. and go to the office and play. So drinking a lot of beer is not an integral part, but there is something about detaching that helps.

I found that sleepy 4 a.m. space is way more intoxicating.

Bruce R. Partain Age: Timeless Occupation: CEO, Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Six months What brought you here? What has kept you here? I’ve been visiting Colorado since I was a teenager, learning to ski. Both my sons have lived in Boulder County, so we’ve had frequent family time along the Front Range. Combining my career with family and now living in one of the most awesome parts of the world has been a great experience. The energy and can­do vibe of Longmont has kept me here.

What has been the most memorable day of your life? The most memorable day of my life was being at the birth of my youngest son. He seemed in great shape but was whisked away to a city 100 miles away for a week in the NICU. So the combination

of joy and anxiety was a new dimension of emotion for Linda and me.

Was you son OK? More than OK. He grew up to be very strong and active. He’s smart in science and in art and an Eagle Scout.

He is working in Boulder County now in software design and user interaction.

What do you do in your free time? I like to be outdoors. So I’m either walking or riding a bike at every opportunity. I would rather be in cold weather than on a machine indoors. So if you see someone in a reflector vest on the street at 5:30 a.m. in January, that’s me.

When weather and daylight allows, I add golf to the mix. I learned to ski in Aspen, and we’d go somewhere in New Mexico or Colorado multiple times each winter. I dream of doing it again.

Photography is my favorite way to communicate — and I really can’t get enough of it.

COMMUNITY REVIEW • JUNE 26, 2016 • 37

Gina Patterson began developing her face painting talent in 2007, when she dug through a closet to unearth a face­painting kit a friend had given her.

38 • JUNE 26, 2016 • COMMUNITY REVIEW

Finding face time

Business that started with neighborhood kids now includes Denver Broncos game-day fans

T

ools of the trade for Longmont face painter Gina Patterson go beyond brushes, makeup and mirrors to include the Misty clones — eight beauty salon-style mannequin heads with hazel eyes, brunette hair, and cheeks worn shiny by baby wipes.

“I bought them online and someone named Misty must have owned them because her name is on some of them — on the nape of the neck or under the base,” she said, laughing.

“So, that is what we call all of them.”

The heads give Patterson, 45, and her 10 part-time face painters at Face to Face Body & Face Painting in Longmont a surface to practice on during event down time. The Misty clones also make appearances at the “training jams” she hosts at home on the first Wednesday night of every month to enjoy refreshments, watch training videos, and practice creating freehand art around eyes, noses and mouths.

“We learn from each other,” Patterson said. “Parker, who started with us this spring, he just showed me how to draw an awesome volleyball.”

The Misty clones also help staff pick up speed for the standard two-minute turnaround time per design, she said.

Gina Patterson Age: 45 Occupation: Face painter and owner, Face to Face Body & Face Painting Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 41

Patterson’s attention to detail and quick work paid off in 2008 when she landed steady face painting contract work with the Denver Broncos.

Team officials said her service adds value to Broncos fans seated on the exclusive club level of Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver where a season ticket starts at $190 per seat per game, Melissa Anderson, a premium service executive with the Denver Broncos, said.

“People start lining up for her and her staff in the lounge on that level three hours before kickoff time. They get used to face painting, and it almost becomes another sports-related superstition or ritual,” she explained. “It’s an amenity that the Broncos have found out people really appreciate. So, we have kept her around and learned not to mess with it. And it worked last year!”

The Broncos hire Patterson and some of her staff to face paint at every game as well as at year-round Broncos marketing events, Anderson said.

However, instead of reproducing the stylized blue, orange, and white Bronco profile logo, she tells them to do their own thing — something Patterson and company embrace by developing new Bronco characterizations.

Picture this one — a frontal bust of a broad-shouldered white bronco wearing a team jersey and sporting a wild shock of orange mane. This bronco flattens his ears, furrows his brow, and bares his teeth — giving both fan and mascot a more fearsome face.

With her growing client list, which also includes area municipalities and St. Vrain Valley School District schools, Patterson recently branched out and hired two part-time balloon twisters.

She’s having more fun than ever after stumbling upon her talent and developing it in 2007.

That summer, she dug through a closet to unearth the Snazaroo Facepaint Kit a friend gave her.

She thought her daughter and the neighbor kids might enjoy it some lazy afternoon.

“But they wanted their faces painted every day,” Patterson, who took a single art class in college at 19, said. “So, I just kept having fun with it at home until my sister said, ‘Wow! You’re

good! You should do that for birthday parties.’”

These days, some families, such as the Snyder family in Firestone, hire her every year when their daughter’s birthday rolls around in August.

The tradition began when Zoey Snyder turned 2 and will continue this summer when she turns 9, her mother, Roxy Snyder, said.

“But it’s not just for kids. My husband invited a couple of friends from work to one of Zoey’s birthday parties, and the men got their faces painted in Spiderman and minion characters,” she said. “For me, she’ll do swirleys and stars that match what I’m wearing.”

The same open-ended face painting fun that keeps customers happy keeps staff happy, too, staffer Heather Rogers, 43, of Fort Lupton, said.

“It’s creating the transformation,” she explained. “Even for adults, it’s the surprise and the transformation of what they’ve become.”

That explains why some make weird requests — Can you draw a dolphin with a unicorn horn and Pegasus wings? — and others say, “Just surprise me,” Patterson said.

Pam Mellskog can be reached at p.mellskog@gmail.com or at 303746-0942.

Story by Pam Mellskog | for the Times-Call ■ Photo by Lewis Geyer | staff photographer

COMMUNITY REVIEW • JUNE 26, 2016 • 39

Darcy Pasko

Age: 38 Occupation: Master hair designer at Cohayla Salon and Spa in Longmont Years in the St. Vrain Valley: I spent five or six years in Longmont, moved away, then came back about two years ago.

What brought you here? What has kept you here? The people brought me back.

Longmont keeps changing and growing, but the people here are still amazing.

Why did you first get into cosmetology? I figured I would get into the cosmetology industry to kill time until I found my “real” career.

Then I realized that once I got established in my industry, I never

Mary Poole really worked. Every day is like hanging out with friends and getting paid for it. It’s the best decision I ever made.

What advice would you give someone who wants a new style but isn’t sure how best to communicate with their stylist? With Pinterest, Facebook and other social media resources, it’s fun and easy to find a style that you like. Bring in your pics and talk about it with your stylist so you’re both on the same page. You can even combine two or three pics to customize a style that’s perfect for you.

Kevin Puckett Age: 54 Occupation: Owner, Skazma Custom Apparel Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 30 What brought you here? What has kept you here? Buying our first house, we wanted to be in a community where we could raise our children. I grew up in Wheat Ridge but worked all over. We liked the community here.

What is it like running your business and working every day with your children? It’s rewarding and challenging at the same time. I coached my son when he was growing up, and the hardest thing in coaching your children is not having higher expectations of them than you had of all the other kids on the team.

We’re pretty rough on each other sometimes and we need to look at

that and say “It’s OK; it’s a job.” It’s something I never ever dreamed of growing up, and I can’t imagine not doing.

What did you learn from coaching that translates well into being a business owner? I spent 12 years at Skyline coaching boys and girls soccer. Coaching is very much like being a manager of people. When you’re running a business or coaching, you need to motivate people. Whether it’s three people or 30 people, you have to get them to do the job.

What’s more difficult: coaching kids or managing adults? Kids change easier but adults get it quicker sometimes. Kids are more accepting of change, but sometimes it’s hard for them to get it.

40 • JUNE 26, 2016 • COMMUNITY REVIEW

Mary Poole Age: 63 Occupation: Retired recently from Frontier Internal Medicine Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 18 What brought you here? What has kept you here? I came to Longmont to join Frontier Internal Medicine. I had been working in Boulder at CU with the student health center, which was good when my child was young, but then I became interested in doing internal medicine with older patients that have more complex chronic issues.

I wanted more of a medical challenge. I had been in Old Town Longmont several times for restaurants and art events, and I loved it. I just liked the neighborhood community.

You’re a doctor, you play with the Longmont Symphony, you garden and you’re an accomplished marathoner. How do you excel at so many different things? As a kid, I wasn’t interested in team sports, but I rode horses, did kayaking, sailing. When I discovered running at the age of 50, I found that I had some ability, and it just became more of a passion, mainly

because it’s taught me a lot about my body and my mind, because it’s a great way of getting out of your mind, so it taught me a lot about how busy mine was, and how I could let that go through running. My parents were both great gardeners, and as a child I couldn’t understand how they could love gardening.

Then as soon as I had a garden, I was out there for hours a day.

With music, I came from a family of musicians — some professional, some amateur. I grew up with classical music.

In my mid­40s I took up the cello.

What advice do you have for people taking up new passions later in life? Be aware of what your real passions are and even if you feel that maybe in another life you might have had a different career — I might have been a musician, geologist or park ranger — instead of regretting that, try to bring those interests into your life. I guess doing that has made me love people, because everybody is so interesting, and the more interests you have outside the medical field, the more you can relate to patients.

Nancy Rich Age: 71 Occupation: Deputy Dacono city clerk and administrative assistant Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 46 in Dacono What brought you here? What has kept you here? We had a mobile home and we liked that but we didn’t want to live in a trailer park. Here, you could buy a piece of property and put it on a foundation permanently.

It’s no longer a mobile home, no wheels. It’s been such a nice area to raise our two daughters.

What are some of the highlights of your 14 years as deputy city clerk?

It’s been a learning process, watching the town growing and just being part of the community. It’s been great. We have grown, and our police department

has grown. I want to stay here as long as I can, as long as they’ll let me. I think maybe I’ll retire when I’m between 75 and 80.

That’s a goal.

How has Dacono changed in the more than four decades you’ve lived there?It’s grown, but I like it because we have maintained the small­ town community atmosphere, where you go to the grocery store and you see people you know. We’ve got more businesses, but not a whole lot. It’s still mostly mom­ and­pop restaurants and things like that. When people move here, they seem to like it here. My kids have stayed in the area. My grandchildren have stayed in the area.

COMMUNITY REVIEW • JUNE 26, 2016 • 41

Brenda Ridgley is the organizer of the Carbon Valley Half Marathon, which raises money for autism research.

42 • JUNE 26, 2016 • COMMUNITY REVIEW

In a race to help others

B

Co-founder put autism research at heart of Carbon Valley Half Marathon

renda Ridgley was running through Firestone’s Central Park back several years ago when she was struck by its beauty — and the notion that to many, the area is an undiscovered gem.

“I thought, gosh, no one even knows about this. The FirestoneFrederick area is so beautiful. I want to get people here,” she recalled.

Together with her brother-inlaw, Firestone resident Mike Sindelar, they hit on a way to make that happen. Such was the impetus for the Carbon Valley Half Marathon, which had its fourth consecutive running May 21.

But Ridgley, a 47-year-old Longmont native who has lived in Firestone since 2001, was not content just to add one more race to the exploding distance race calendar without a greater underlying cause. She and Sindelar chose the support of autism research as an incentive to get people to the starting line — and hopefully, across the finish line as well.

“I have friends who have children with autism, and I have watched them struggle, not only trying to manage their children, who can be unruly at times, but with the perceptions of others who do not understand it — that it is not just a kid misbehaving,” said Ridgley. “I wanted to bring awareness to that, and I also

designing the course, which highlights the Carbon Valley’s Age: 47 mining history, giving particiOccupation: Direct selling pants a mix of manicured trail Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 28 systems, dirt paths and rural roads, and taking them on the wanted to raise funds for Firestone Trail, as well as research into what’s going on around Frederick’s Milevac with these kids.”

Lake and its downtown area.

Since the first year of the race, “She’s a wonderful person,” in 2013, it has raised more than said Sindelar, who is married to $50,000 for autism research at Ridgley’s sister. “She is very Children’s Hospital Colorado. dedicated in all facets of her life, They hope to add another regarding her family, her busi$15,000 to $20,000 to the pot ness, and her passion to help with this year’s event. people. Where this event derived Ridgley, a 1987 graduate of from, is with her heart.

Longmont High School, has not “We wanted to raise money for run her own race — although a cause, and this one really hit she has completed one half mar- home with her. ... She works athon, in Las Vegas. She lived very, very hard, and is very there for three years after comorganized, keeping the business pleting school at Fort Lewis Col- side of the race in order, dotting lege, in Durango. She then all the i’s and crossing all the returned to Colorado, due to t’s.” missing the snow and the fact Also helping Ridgley — and that her parents are still in Long- pushing more praise her way — mont. is Jennifer McRae. Ridgley. who works from her home in direct One factor keeping Ridgley from running in her own race is selling, met McRae several years that, as its director, “It’s like the ago through their memberships in the North Metro Business whole four hours is ‘Brenda!

Women’s Network. McRae, who Brenda! Brenda!” she said. “I has an events planning business had hopes of running it when I based in Greeley, has come on first started. But I just don’t see board the Carbon Valley race that happening for a very long time. It’s stressful. I have a lot of organization as director of its post-race expo. responsibility, that day.”

“Brenda is just a very giving, But she’s not alone. Sindelar, who has run five marathons and caring person, and very active in the Carbon Valley community,” 70 half-marathons, took care of

Brenda Ridgley

McRae said.

And, she was happy to accept Ridgley’s invitation to pitch in on the effort.

“She does a lot for this event. I think that autism research is huge,” McRae said. “I have a child with Asperger’s, which is kind of a derivative of autism. I don’t know fully what it’s like to be parents of an autistic child, but I know what the struggles are. It’s kind of near to my heart, and I want to help and I want to support the research.”

The event also features a 5K race and a fun run, which adds up to a substantial effort for which Ridgley needs -— and credits — not only her immediate team, but the dozens of volunteers who help on everything from staffing water stations to assisting with traffic control for the nearly 600 people who now take part in the three races.

“Sometimes I go, ‘Why am I doing this?’ I really do,” confessed Ridgley, who is married to husband Parker Ridgley, and is mother to Parker Jr., 16, and daughter Gillian, 14.

“But, I love bringing people together, and I kind of have a knack for doing that. So it kind of turns me on, to rally around something important.”

Charlie Brennan: 303-473-1327, brennanc@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/chasbrennan

Story by Charlie Brennan | staff writer ■ Photo by Lewis Geyer | staff photographer COMMUNITY REVIEW • JUNE 26, 2016 • 43

Ted Risk

Age: 31 Occupation: Co­ founder of Wibby Brewing Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Two What brought you here? What has kept you here? I moved in August of 2014 from Chicago. The brewery brought us. Ryan — my business partner — and I started our business plan back in the summer of 2013 and we were pretty sure we wanted to do it in Boulder County, and we started looking at other places. We were also pretty sure we’d open in Boulder, but then we visited Longmont and learned about all the redevelopment.

We found a location in the heart of it all.

About a year later we were ready to hit the ground running.

How have the first two years of the brewery gone? It’s been phenomenal.

The first year we were on the ground, our challenge was working through everything we needed to do to get our project underway, and our capital campaign, but we’ve been welcomed

Jose Rodriguez­Lopez with open arms since then by the Longmont community, especially craft beer aficionados and other breweries.

What’s your favorite Longmont­area brewery, besides your own? Left Hand. Their community involvement is second to none. They’ve put a lot of focus on reinvesting in the community, partnering with nonprofits while still remaining true to their core principles — crafting outstanding beers.

You haven’t been in the area very long. So, how do you like it? It’s been incredible. What’s happening here is really unique. It’s a city that’s approaching 90,000 people, but the city is maintaining a small­town feel where you walk down Main Street and see the same faces. It’s just very comfortable and friendly. It’s a really vibrant scene down here, where there are so many people bringing their excitement and enthusiasms and passion here that it’s great to spend our time here in leisure and in profession.

Actually – there are several reasons.

First, is our amazing staff. Our employees have combined printing & graphic design experience exceeding 100 years.

That experience enables us to make your printing projects go smoothly from start to finish.

Second is our decade’s old policy of doing quality work for a reasonable price, with customer satisfaction always guaranteed.

And you are looking at the third. Ron’s Printing Center led the pack in Digital Printing Technology ten years ago when we were the first company between Chicago and Phoenix to install the Canon ImagePress VP7000. And last month we’ve done it again by installing the newest Canon Digital Press – the ImagePress C10000VP. The quality and speed of this quarter-million dollar digital press is so impressive that we just shake our head in wonder.

Ron’s Printing Center has come a long way in 38 years. We started in a tiny storefront at 319 Main Street in 1978 as a one-man operation. Back in those days, there was no such thing as desktop publishing. No computers, no fax machines, no email. Type was set on a 44 • JUNE 26, 2016 • COMMUNITY REVIEW

Age: 25 Occupation: Health clerk at Twin Peaks Charter Academy Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 25 What brought you to the area? What has kept you here? I was born here. This is where I want to live. I was out while I was at school in New Mexico, and I couldn’t stay away. I thought change was what I wanted, but I love the sense of community here.

How did you get to be the youngest­ever head of the volunteer board at Longmont United Hospital? I started in 2005 when I was at Niwot High School as part of required community service hours. I was there all through high school and came back in 2013 again.

What do you think young people can offer to organizations as volunteers that is sometimes

huge machine that shot beams of light through spinning discs that exposed photographic paper which had to be “developed, fixed, rinsed and dried”, before being cut up by hand and adhered to paperboards with wax and rubber cement. By contrast, with today’s technology, a full-color printing job that might have taken three days to do, now can be done in an hour or less. And the icing on the cake is that the quality is tons better.

Yes, we are proud of the fact that we have been in business for 38 years. But we are even more proud of the fact that during that time we have employed many people and by doing so, helped put food on their tables. We’ve watched many of them get married and raise their children.

Additionally, for nearly four decades we have been able to give back our community by donating printing projects for worthy causes and local non-profit organizations.

So, let’s have a toast. A toast to the past, for it has shaped us, aided us, and guided us to the present. And a toast to the future – that we may adhere to the objectives and ideals which have brought us so far.

Thank you Longmont.

overlooked? I feel like (being) on social media or communications is a big part of it. We’re able to offer what a lot of older people shy away from.You can put very little effort into raising funds or awareness it has bigger effort.

I’m in charge of the publicity committee for volunteers. One of the things I’m very happy about is that we do scholarships for junior volunteers. I was first recipient.

What would you say to encourage other young people to volunteer? I think that the great thing about volunteering is you should always go into it with an open mind about not expecting anything in return. That’s what gets me going and allows me to keep going is that sense of accomplishing something.

Family Carpet One Floor & Home Ltd.

1401 Ken Pratt Blvd., Suite B Longmont 303.651.2011 familycarpetonelongmont.com Pictured are brothers John Paul and Jason do and that Family Carpet One Floor & Home is truly a family business.

They don’t keep that sense of family to themselves, though. They treat every customer that steps through their door as one of their own. And just as they would for any family member, they provide only the best in products and services.

Flooring consultants will help you get started on choosing the right type of flooring for your home, family lifestyle and budget. They carry exclusive brands like Lees, Invincible and Innovia that you can trust to be durable and fashionable.

From high quality vinyl tile and laminate, stain-resistant carpets and trendy tiles, to the latest styles in hardwood flooring, the largest inventory in town is their claim to fame.

They’re so sure you’ll love it that they offer The Beautiful Guarantee. If you aren’t happy with your qualifying

It seems to be a little rare that you meet a true Colorado native, but the Martinez family is one of the lucky few. Their family tree can be traced back to the first settlers in the San Luis Valley in the 1700s. Even after a 30 year stay in California, they couldn’t shake their roots, returning to Colorado 1994 and choosing Longmont as the perfect spot to grow their family and business.

They invested themselves in the community and their family grew that investment. Their three sons have gone through the stages of doing chores around the store as kids, to learning installation and leading their own crews as they got older, moving on to selling the product and now they are equal owners with their parents. That means they know every single aspect of the business from the bottom up. So customers can be comfortable in knowing that they understand every detail of what they

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A large national presence may lend them buying power and brand name associations but their local ownership lets them get to know their customers and community personally.

The Martinez family invests in their town both as a business and in personal endeavors. They believe that enriching the lives around them is a privilege and an honor.

“When we say ‘Our family, serving yours,’ we truly mean it,” Martinez says.

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COMMUNITY REVIEW • JUNE 26, 2016 • 45

Kandis Rulle is a volunteer diver at the Denver Aquarium and has been a pen pal with a family in Prague, Czech Republic, for 30 years

46 • JUNE 26, 2016 • COMMUNITY REVIEW

Grateful for small things Pen pal helped Longmont woman dive into her family’s past

K

andis Rulle would not be living in Longmont today if not for the heroics of her great-grandmother thousands of miles away, many years ago.

While living in the Czech Republic, Rulle’s great-grandmother was working for a wealthy family when she saved one of the family’s children from drowning in a river. The family was so grateful, they put her and her entire family on a boat with them to America.

Kandis Rulle Age: 61 Occupation: Owns housecleaning and home office organizing business; diver at the Denver Aquarium Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 30

tions.

“One little thing like that can change your whole life,” Rulle said.

Through the pen pal program, Rulle was paired up with a man named Jaromir Hlvaty. Hlvaty “That’s how she ended up in wanted to teach his daughter the U.S., or else I wouldn’t be English, and Rulle wanted to here,” said the 61-year-old Long- learn some Czech to help transmont resident. late some of the letters from her great grandmother.

So when Rulle walked into a Boulder County card store The two exchanged letters and shortly after moving to the area gifts until three or four years ago 30 years ago and saw a pen pal when Hlvaty died. But Rulle then began exchanging letters with program, she decided on Prague. Little did she know, that his now-adult daughter, Lydie Plecita. The two became so close choice would result in a lasting friendship with a family overseas that Plecita has visited Colorado that has lasted for three decades while Rulle has gone to Prague, where she was able to connect and has spanned three genera-

it out.

“I got an airline ticket for “Prague was one of the most myself and the kids, and 8 the beautiful cities I’ve ever visited,” next morning we flew out to Rulle said. “I could see things Denver and rented a car and just that I liked that I didn’t know drove around,” Rulle said. why, but then I realized it’s all Rulle wound up liking it so the things that my grandmother much, they ended up moving would do or make when I was a here. little kid.”

“It was that quick,” she said.

The internet has made comRulle has a housecleaning and municating a lot easier, so Rulle home office organizing busisaid her daughter and Plecita ness, but also is a diver at the have also started keeping in Denver Aquarium. touch. She said even Plecita’s “Best diving in Colorado,” Ruldaughter and her own grandchille said. “I drive through snowdren got along. storms to go swim with sharks.”

“We have this great big family Of course, Rulle only learned now,” Rulle said. to dive on a vacation. It’s just It’s been a strong bond formed another example of how Rulle over as something as random as has never let an opportunity to a pen pal program. But Rulle’s explore pass her by. life has been full of twists and “The cool thing is that just by turns. Rulle was preparing to set- reaching out to other people or tle down in Wisconsin with her doing something, it can change husband and kids when a comyour life,” she said. mercial for a ski resort in Colorado came on the TV. Rulle had Mitchell Byars: 303-473-1329, never been to Colorado, so she byarsm@dailycamera.com or thought it would be fun to check twitter.com/mitchellbyars with her roots.

Story by Mitchell Byars | staff writer ■ Photo by Lewis Geyer | staff photographer COMMUNITY REVIEW • JUNE 26, 2016 • 47

Rae Schmidt’s daughter died of an overdose in 2011.

48 • JUNE 26, 2016 • COMMUNITY REVIEW

Strength in her story

Despite tragedy of addiction, mental illness, she has ‘hope for a ... brighter future’

R

ae Schmidt’s boss at the Center for People with Disabilities sent her to Longmont’s recent and ongoing community mental health conversations for work, but also so she could tell her story.

“That’s initially how I got my story out,” Schmidt said. “I suffer from depression and addiction, alcoholism. I’m dual diagnosed. I’ve been in a program for quite a while.”

Schmidt also lost a daughter to mental illness and drug addiction, and her mother took her own life, so she has seen firsthand how mental illness can impact a family. It’s been a tough road, but she tries to be philosophical about it.

“My motto today is ‘Pain is real, but so is hope, hope for a brighter, more compassionate future,’” she said. “Help is available. You just need to be aware of how to find it.”

She came to the first meeting earlier this year, also, because in her line of work she comes into contact with many people suffering with mental health issues, so it was educational as well.

It has helped her cope with

Rae Schmidt Age: 59 Occupation: Works at Center For People With Disabilities Years in St. Vrain Valley: 25

her own issues.

“It’s been a healing process for me,” she said. “Any time I’ve told my story, it’s helped me with my grief. By sharing it and putting it out there, it will hopefully help someone else.”

Schmidt, 59, is a Boulder native but came to Longmont 25 years ago, because, liking the small town vibe it had in years past, she thought it would be a nice place to raise her daughters.

Her youngest daughter, Lindsay, struggled with bipolar disorder for several years, which led to a serious drug problem, multiple run-ins with police and times in rehab centers. Schmidt, who was a single mother, struggled to help her daughter as she spiraled out of control.

Lindsay died in 2011 from a drug overdose. Schmidt lost her mother, who also struggled with

mental health issues for much of her life, two years earlier.

“I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop,” Schmidt said. “I was always waiting for that phone call or that knock on the door telling me Lindsay was dead.”

Schmidt has also struggled with alcohol and prescription drug addiction on and off for about 25 years. She said she has been sober for five years, and recovery programs helped keep her sober following her daughter’s death.

“This program has been a huge part of the struggles of living life on life’s terms — depression, addiction — one day at a time,” she said. Within the last 10 years, I have lost two family members to addiction and mental illness.”

Schmidt spends a lot of time in her recovery program, both attending and helping out with meetings. She has been working at the Center for People with Disabilities as a receptionist for about a year and a half, and was recently promoted to auditor.

When she is not focusing on her sobriety, Schmidt goes up to

the mountains, swims, spends time with her Chihuahua/dachshund mix Roxie. She used to hike, but an injury — which contributed to her problems with prescription drugs — has kept her from doing much of that lately.

She said she tries to stay active, because it helps her stay sober. She is not the stay-athome type and gets out whenever possible. She has also found religion and joined a local church.

“I’m a very outgoing person,” she said. “I wouldn’t say I’m a social butterfly, no bars or anything, but I like being around people.”

She has been to two mental health conversations and has signed up for another one at the end of June. She plans on attending more.

“I’ve found so much relief in knowing that mental illness here is being addressed,” she said. “so many more resources are available now than even just a few years ago.”

John Bear: 303-473-1355, bearj@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/johnbearwithme

Story by John Bear | staff writer ■ Photo by Lewis Geyer | staff photographer COMMUNITY REVIEW • JUNE 26, 2016 • 49

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Susan Scruggs

Age: 61 (but only 27 in Jazzercise years) Occupation: I’m retired after 29 years as a technical writer and editor at IBM and InfoPrint. My volunteer job is founder and leader of the Longmont Shabbat Group, a community­based Jewish group that celebrated its 24th anniversary in February.

Years in the St. Vrain Valley: My husband and I have lived in Longmont since 1981.

What brought you here? What has kept you? I love living in Longmont. It has so much to offer, including art, music, festivals and nature. I love my neighbors and my neighborhood. Every year my husband and I have a block party for National Night Out. We have an ice­cream social in the middle of the street with neighbors from our block and two surrounding blocks.

Why should people Jazzercise? You need to find an exercise program that you’ll stick with. Jazzercise is fun and keeps you engaged. You can go to any Jazzercise class anywhere in the world and have the same experience as in your own local class. I’ve been going to Jazzercise since 1981, and I’ve made lifelong friends there.

You spent time as a Longmont Humane Society volunteer. What was the most rewarding thing about that?

Sandi Seader For 14 years, my volunteer partner, Jan, and I took animals from the Longmont Humane Society to visit non­ambulatory and dementia residents at Life Care Center as part of the shelter’s Pet Therapy program. It was wonderful to see the residents interact with the dogs, cats, puppies and kittens (and once a rabbit), and to see the animals learn how to socialize. I learned so much from Jan about how to interact with the residents and how to work with dogs.

The dangerous thing about volunteering there is that you want to take all the animals home.

What’s the most interesting thing about leading the Longmont Shabbat Group? It’s very interesting to hear our varied voices singing our traditional songs together. We might have grown up with different tunes or traditions, but when we’re together we sing with one voice. Most Jewish people who move to Longmont think they’re the only ones here, and that can be a very isolating feeling. When they find out about our group, they are overjoyed to learn that we have a nice little community together. Community is very important to me, so I’m glad when they find a place to come and meet other like­ minded people.

Ralph Shnelvar Age: 65 Occupation: Software developer Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Five What brought you here? What has kept you here? I moved from the city of Boulder because of the heavy hand of government there.

You’re chairman of the Boulder County Libertarian Party.

Why are the issues and offices on this year’s election ballot important to voters in the St. Vrain Valley? With huge negatives for both Trump and Clinton, I strongly urge voters to consider voting Libertarian in the next election. Our nominees are Gary Johnson and William Weld for president and vice president, respectively. Both were very popular

governors in Democratic states.

What will your role be, as county Libertarian chairman, in the 2016 election? To promote Libertarian ideals of getting government out of our pockets — economic liberty — and our bedrooms — social liberty. For the last year I have been active in recruiting speakers for our Libertarian Lunch. I reach out to all speakers, to those who agree and disagree with us. Last week, for instance, we had as speaker someone who urged us to vote for Trump. I am looking for someone who wishes to urge us to vote for Clinton. If you wish to be on our mailing list, please go to lpboulder.org

Age: 43 Occupation: Assistant city manager for the city of Longmont Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 16 What brought you here? What has kept you here? I came to Colorado to work for the city of Longmont in 1998 in the fabulous Public Works Division, and then in 2003, had the opportunity to work in the city manager’s office. I stayed because I met and married a wonderful Longmont native, love this community, the views, the people and the Longmont vibe.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? In my role at the city, I have an opportunity to work with some of the most amazing, hard­working staff, who have dedicated their lives to making sure that our residents, business

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owners and visitors enjoy a world­class community. My career at the city has always provided a unique opportunity to make a real difference in peoples’ lives, whether that be delivering new recycling cans to neighbors, helping to coordinate recovery efforts during flood or helping departments with their strategic plans. I get to connect people with their government, which is my passion.

What is your perfect Saturday in Longmont? Ahh ... Saturday in Longmont! We have two active, fun sons, so after a hearty breakfast in one of our awesome downtown restaurants, we look for anything outdoors — Frisbee golf at Loomiller Park, batting cages at Garden Acres, a bike ride around McIntosh Lake, all topped off with one of our favorite local brews.

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COMMUNITY REVIEW • JUNE 26, 2016 • 51

Daman Singh, 30, opened Flavor of India, at 516 Main St. in Longmont, 10 years ago.

52 • JUNE 26, 2016 • COMMUNITY REVIEW

Where business is family Restaurant has an open (kitchen) door to the community

D

aman Singh was only 20 years old when he opened his first restaurant, Flavor of India, on Main Street in downtown Longmont.

He was the youngest business owner on the block, but at least he had some family wisdom to draw from: Hardilprit, Singh’s father, has either opened or worked in 26 restaurants, including several in Colorado. Naming his dad head chef, then, wasn’t hard for Singh.

At the beginning, everything else was.

“It was pretty shocking, being 20 and self-employed,” Singh, now 30, said in a recent interview from a booth at Flavor of India, 516 Main St. “I had to figure out A to Z completely.”

A decade later, he’s pretty sure he’s got it down. On this particular day, folks are streaming in under his restaurant’s conspicuous red awning. Indian and Middle Eastern music is playing

“They’re always welcome to help themselves to whatever Age: 30 they need,” Singh says.

Occupation: Owner of Flavor of India restaurant That’s something he takes Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 12 great pride in. He and his wife, Sukhi Kaur, whom he met working in the restaurant’s early from speakers inside, and people days, live in Longmont and have two young children. Finding a sit under tapestries and painted fabrics, enjoying Singh’s famous place in the community, he says, was about much more than food mesquite-charcoal lamb chops quality. and many seafood specialities.

“When I’m walking through Not only is business good, malls or stores or anywhere,” he Singh says — it’s personal, too. says, “I always see a customer.

“People feel really comfortable That makes me feel so proud, when they come here,” he states that through this business I can proudly. “They trust our quality meet so many people.” of food and our customers, so Including, of course, his wife. many times, are repeat. That’s because they know it’s a family- They were both on staff 10 years ago, and Daman jokes that “it owned business, managed by was a good business decision” to family. Some customers know marry her. The base of customour kitchen in and out.” ers is loyal enough that some of It’s not unusual, in fact, for a them were around for the wedregular to stick their head into ding. the kitchen to give Hardilprit a “They saw us get married, wave, or to check in on Singh they’ve watched us with our before paying their check.

Daman Singh

kids. They’re family, too,” Singh says.

“They want to know how we’re doing personally,” adds Sukhi Kaur. “They like coming here because it feels like home.”

The restaurant, clearly, is a people place. But the good food doesn’t hurt, either. The best Indian in town, Singh says.

So, what’s the second-best Indian joint in town? Singh smiles again and pleads the Fifth.

“It’s the customer’s decision,” he says.

Lucky for him today, the customers have spoken. It’s a good day of business — something Singh has gotten used to in his 10 years.

“It’s because we work hard, stay together, help each other,” Sukhi Kaur chimes in. “We put a lot of time into this, all day, seven days a week, at the beginning. You have to.”

Story by Alex Burness | staff writer ■ Photo by Lewis Geyer | staff photographer COMMUNITY REVIEW • JUNE 26, 2016 • 53

Logan Smith

Richard Socash

Age: 51 Occupation: Assignment editor, CBS4 Denver Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Just shy of 18 years What brought you here? What has kept you here? My family moved to Loveland when I was 10 years old — from one dairy farm to another. I’ve never left the Front Range since then. I moved to Longmont in 1998. It’s been a great time. I live near all the amenities I need to thrive, which includes mountains. I look to the west and study the profiles of landscape I’ve set foot upon using Longmont as a launching pad.

What stories stick out in your mind as being particularly impactful or poignant? The 1989 shooting at Loveland’s River House Restaurant was my first immersion into tragedy. As a young sports writer, I had not developed (I had no reason to) the defenses necessary to cover people living through trauma. And this incident involved acquaintances. It was a difficult

lesson. I became personally vested in a story about a sick homeless man living in his car in the Poudre Canyon during the height of rafting season. The Columbine tragedy was a soul­searing marathon. Finally, though, I received national recognition for a feature story on a fun­filled monthly meeting of a local balloon twisters club.

You and your wife used to own an art gallery here on Main Street. What was that like? (It is) my favorite failure.

Having a passion for art doesn’t always evolve into an ability to support yourself on it. It was a game attempt to break away from journalism, but ... I am back to doing what I’m trained to do, what I was educated to do and what I’ve proven I’m best at. My artistic pursuit will have to take a back seat to my profession for now. The funny thing is, my wife, who was already an established and successful artist when I met her, has dismounted her role as artist in favor of a slightly more normal job too.

Age: 78 Occupation: I’m retired, but I have a Ph.D. in physics.

Primarily I’ve been an academic and a business executive Years in St. Vrain Valley: 49 What brought you here? What has kept you here? I moved here to teach at CU in 1967. And I thought homes in Boulder were cheap then. I fell in love with the environment, the mountains and the altitude. I still call Pittsburgh home. I have no intention of ever leaving, but I’m still a Steelers fan.

You and your daughter built a VANS RV­7A airplane together in an interesting way. What was the process like? The process took us 8½ years. We decided to introduce elements of interest or fun into the project. We’d carry nuts or bolts to interesting places, or if someone we knew was traveling to somewhere unique, they’d ask, “Can we take part of your plane?” So we’d photograph the rivets in these places and add them to the plane. So parts of the airplane flew combat in Iraq; have been to the Sydney

Opera House; to Tel Aviv, Israel; to the Metropolitan Opera.

Second, we had guests put rivets in the airplane. I’m a great respecter of World War II veterans, so anytime I met someone or I knew a bunch from flying over the years, they’d put a rivet in the plane, we’d take their picture and they’d autograph the plans.

What advice do you have for younger people in the St. Vrain Valley? I tell a lot of young people, “Don’t make the same mistake I did.” I walked up my first 14,000­ foot mountain after I was 70 years old, and that’s shameful. I’ve been out here near Denver since my 30s and I never took advantage of it. I have to pace myself and gauge myself. ... It’s not like being a teenager. I have to work out to go up one of the hills. If you haven’t done it and are capable, the reward is so worth it. It’s hard to over­describe the feeling I get, from everything — the wildflowers, the clouds, the scenery. So, put that electronic device you’re looking at in a pocket or a backpack and go walk and look at the flowers and clouds.

Josh Stegmeier

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Mortgage | Business Banking | Consumer Banking Commercial Banking | Agriculture Banking abtbank.com 54 • JUNE 26, 2016 • COMMUNITY REVIEW

Age: 21 Occupation: Softwar e engineer/web developer Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 21 What brought you here, or what has kept you? I’ve lived in Longmont my entire life, and am very grateful for the amazing community that I’ve grown up with.

As a student, I have been fortunate enough to study under some of the most supportive and dedicated teachers. As a web developer, the vibrant tech/startup scene has been massively helpful. Combine all of that with the glorious outdoor scenery, and it’s pretty understandable why I’ve stayed in Longmont all these years.

What’s the biggest challenge facing today’s teenagers? My generation and future generations face various challenges. However, one issue stands out — the issue of self­esteem and acceptance. We naturally desire to look good and be admired by others. Social networking and mass media have led us to create unrealistic expectations for ourselves that are impossible to achieve.

Many of us emulate whatever is cool and

trendy, in order to be accepted. As a self­ conscious teenager, I was scared to express myself, simply because I wanted to fit in.

Looking back, the single greatest piece of advice I’d give is “be yourself.”

No matter your age, do not be afraid to be unique and pursue what you love.

What will you be doing in 10 years? I plan to continue pursuing my career in computer science and engineering, while working on projects that disrupt the tech industry and create a positive impact in the world. I would also like to experience different cultures and societies through travel. I believe that each individual has a powerful life story to tell — full of rare experiences and unique perspectives. My heart is personally drawn toward those affected by conflict and hardship, such as the Syrian and Congolese people.

Additionally, modern issues (such as climate change) pose a significant threat to the poorest communities in the world.

I aspire to develop sustainable solutions that will help those adapt to their ever­ changing environments.

Teresa Taylor Tate

Age: 43 Occupation: Assistant city attorney for the city of Longmont and loving every minute of it!

Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 13 What brought you here? What has kept you here? I was already a mom when I decided to go to law school. My oldest son turned 3 my first week of school. So when I set out to pick a place, I wanted to choose a law school in a community that I could imagine ultimately serving.

Colorado and CU Law were a perfect fit for me, and this has been home ever since. My other two sons are Colorado natives, and I have never considered moving out of the area even when it meant a longer commute. I love the people, the lifestyle, the diversity, the weather and everything that the St. Vrain Valley has to offer.

What made you want to be an attorney? My best friend went to law school and told me I would love it. She was so right. I love wrestling with the

Diana VanDeHey thorny questions. It’s a great day when I get to have a discussion with my colleagues about the 10 different approaches we could take to a legal issue. I appreciate learning new things every day and being challenged.

This job gives me that.

You clerked for the Colorado Supreme Court. What does a clerk do, and how is it different at the Supreme Court as opposed to lower courts? I had the great honor and pleasure of clerking for (now) Chief Justice Nancy Rice. As her law clerk, I advised her on the law and facts of the cases before the Supreme Court. Clerking on the high court differs from other courts in that the legal issues before the Supreme Court are still undecided in Colorado. As a result, every day is an intellectual challenge that forces you to think independently and reason through novel concepts. The experience made me a better attorney and a more capable advocate.

Sophanna Thann Age: 44 Occupation: Owner of Centennial Square Liquors Years in the St. Vrain Valley: I have been in Broomfield since 2003 and have owned a business for about 2½ here in Longmont.

What brought you here? What has kept you here? I came here because I married my wife as a U.S. citizen, and she has lived here about 30 years.

As an immigrant, what do you understand about America that people born here don’t understand?

The USA is a country of freedom, and people have freedom of speech. We have a freedom to do things that in my birth country would not be acceptable. And the Constitution they

made to help and protect people, not to hurt people as my birth country.

You went to Rocky Mountain National Park for the first time last year. Describe that experience. This was a first time for my family to visit since we have lived in Colorado(13 years for me, 36 years for my wife and 10 years for my son since he was born here in 2005). I was very impressed with what I saw in the national park. It was so beautiful. The land was set aside for all people in America to enjoy it, and no one can build housing or stores on the land.

We were impressed to see beautiful aspen trees and the view on the top of the mountain.

Age: 62 Occupation: Longmont municipal judge Years in the St. Vrain Valley: I grew up in the St. Vrain Valley, moved away and then have lived here since for 31 years What brought you here? What has kept you here? My parents both had long careers working for St. Vrain Valley schools.

They loved Colorado and moved here in 1963. I grew up between Lyons and Estes Park, graduated from Lyons High School, and became the municipal judge in 1986. It’s a wonderful job; the voters retained me 15 times.

might be considered minor when you look at the seriousness of the offenses in the larger scheme of things, but every case was important to the people involved, which made them important to me. In some cases, I succeeded (often with the assistance of the probation department) in helping people make changes for the better and not end up in court (mine or others) repeatedly. I also performed weddings as a judge, sometimes in Spanish.

How have you seen Longmont change over your time here? What do you hope to see in the future?

Longmont was a small town when I was growing up. It has expanded over the Now that you’re retiring, what are years. I hope it can remain a close­knit, your plans for the future? What will friendly community, one where people you remember? I plan to travel, knit, want to live, raise their families and feel sew, cross­stitch, swim, exercise, play like they belong. Longmont is a great the piano, learn more Spanish, read, place to live and work. The city and do whatever pleases me, including employees are qualified, competent, nothing sometimes. I will miss the caring people. They serve the people I’ve worked with over the years. community very well and are wonderful I will remember the thousands of co­workers that become friends. This is people who passed through my especially true of those who work in the courtroom. I was committed to treating court and probation department. I them with courtesy and fairness. Before could not have done this job for 30 becoming a judge, I prosecuted felonies years without them and would not in District Court. Municipal court cases have wanted to!

LIVE MUSIC SecondStoryGarage.com COMMUNITY REVIEW • JUNE 26, 2016 • 55

Hannah Waldron

Age: 10 Occupation: I am a student at St. Vrain Community Montessori in Longmont and will enter sixth grade this fall. I recently earned my First Degree Black Belt in taekwondo from Origin Martial Arts in Longmont and also currently swim year ’round with Flatiron Swimming.

Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 10 What brought you here? What has kept you here: My parents brought me home from the hospital after I was born to our home in Longmont. I lived in Longmont until we moved to Erie in 2010. I live here because this is where my mom, my dad, and my brother live.

What intrigued you about the martial arts? I started Tae Kwon Do when I was 6 years old because my mom thought that martial arts would help teach my brother self control. I joined him in class and I loved it. Also, I watched the older black belts helping teach our classes, and I wanted to be just like them. They were kind and respectful; they wanted to help other people; and

Rebekah Vicknair overall they were just pretty cool people.

When did you earn your black belt, and how does that make you feel? I received my First Degree Black Belt in April this year. I feel happy that I accomplished getting my black belt. I also feel proud because it was a lot of hard work, and I stuck with it. I also feel proud because now I am just like the black belts that I looked up to when I was 6. I also feel more confident in myself.

What was the biggest struggle in the process of earning the black belt?

The biggest struggle was staying positive and learning to accept criticism as constructive feedback. That was very hard for me.

What encouragement do you have for other kids interested in doing what you have done? I would tell them to keep going because most kids give up after summer camp. It was hard for me and it will be hard for you, too. But it is well worth it. Find a mentor and ask them for help and guidance. And always remember to keep a positive attitude.

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500 Coffman St. Suite 109 • Longmont, CO (303) 776-EYES (3937) www.longmonteyecare.com 56 • JUNE 26, 2016 • COMMUNITY REVIEW

Se Habla Español

Age: 59 Occupation: President, Longmont Republican Women; co­chair, Flatirons Responsible Energy Action; Fourth Congressional District director, Colorado Federation of Republican Women Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 16 What brought you here? What has kept you here? A job brought me and my husband here. He is a software engineer, and Boulder County is a good place for that.

Before coming to Longmont, we spent almost a year in Los Angeles. Concrete as far as the eye can see, mobs of people and unbelievable traffic! So, our experience there is one of the reasons we like Longmont so much. Longmont offers a beautiful place to live, open spaces and high quality of life. One other thing I love about this area is how well animals are treated. The Longmont Humane Society is great. That’s where we adopted our Chihuahua, Rita.

Why are the issues and offices on this year’s election ballot important to voters in Longmont and the St. Vrain Valley? We have much of importance this year, and it’s great there will be eight Republicans on the ballot. Locally, some issues that could arise in the race and

that are vitally important because of the costs are the neglected roads in subdivisions and a county budget wherein costs are out of control.

Statewide, Amendment 69, a constitutional amendment which would increase the state income tax to 14.63 percent, the highest in the country.

There are also initiatives which would ban oil and gas in Colorado. Boulder County has 248,000 cars. Why pretend we don’t depend on fossil fuels? Then we have the presidential election, of importance to everyone. Trump wins!

What will your role be, as Longmont Republican Women president, in the 2016 election? I have several roles to play, but all of it is with the LRW Board and Working Group. It is our responsibility to bring candidates to our meetings so that our members can get to know these people. Our members have a real advantage if they have met these candidates and talked with them.

Similarly, we must bring the pertinent issues before our members, again, so they can decide how to vote. This entails deciding what issues to present and then securing an expert on the topic.

Let’s hear it for our compassionate, dedicated volunteers.

303.776.5000 2451 Pratt St. Longmont, CO 80501 LifeCareCenterofLongmont.com Joint Commission accredited

COMMUNITY REVIEW • JUNE 26, 2016 • 57

Longmont High School graduate Sydney Wetterstrom will attend the University of Michigan in the fall.

58 • JUNE 26, 2016 • COMMUNITY REVIEW

Giving it her best effort Longmont High School grad carries on family’s athletic tradition

S

ydney Wetterstrom comes from a long line of Longmont High School athletes.

Her grandparents met at the school, where her grandpa played football, wrestled and ran track. Her uncle, her mom and her brother were all successful multi-sport athletes at Longmont High. Her younger sister is there now, playing volleyball, basketball and running track.

Maybe that’s why Wetterstrom, who will attend the University of Michigan in the fall to play volleyball, is such a huge fan of the city and her school.

“Knowing that it’s a tradition for my family to be involved in Longmont athletics and then just knowing when I come back from school, I want my kids to continue the legacy ... I feel like it’s impacted me a lot,” she said.

By all accounts, Wetterstrom, 18, was a star athlete during her time at Longmont High School, excelling in volleyball, basketball and track. But she was also an

Sydney Wetterstrom Age: 18 Occupation: Recent Longmont High School graduate Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 18

“outstanding student” and a mentor to younger athletes, said Bob Wiley, assistant coach for the Longmont women’s basketball team.

“She has a passion for everything she does in life that I’ve noticed,” Wiley said. “She has a lot of pride in Longmont High School and giving back to the community.”

Wetterstrom said she gets her fierce competitiveness from her family, which likes to make everything a friendly challenge.

“Every get-together, we’re always playing bocce ball,” she said. “Even for non-athletic stuff ... our education. We’re always like ‘Oh well, I got this on the ACT,’ ‘Oh well, sorry I got this.’

We’re just a really competitive

family and it’s not like that hurts us, it actually brings us together.”

Her family’s mentality: Give it your best effort, or don’t do it at all.

Wetterstrom, who plans to study kinesiology at Michigan, said her dream is to move back to Boulder County and coach volleyball at the University of Colorado.

She’s hoping to study human anatomy, biology and psychology to prepare herself for all aspects of coaching, including the ability to help student athletes adopt the right mentality for competition.

She said being a three-sport athlete at Longmont High prepared her for college, which is sure to be challenging.

“High school was a really good time for me to balance my physicality and my education,” she said. “I’m really thankful for the opportunities I was given and the teammates and especially

the teachers. There’s so much that teachers do that is so unappreciated. They’re here to teach you, to give you your best future.”

Her favorite pastimes when she’s not practicing or competing include swimming, playing tennis, going out to eat with her family and walking around McIntosh Lake in northwest Longmont with friends.

She’s looking forward to the next chapter in her life, but at the same time, sad to leave behind the Longmont community for the time being. She regrets that she’ll miss most of her younger sister’s high school athletics career.

“Longmont’s such a small world,” Wetterstrom said. “You know everyone or if you didn’t know everyone you’re going to know everyone. You just run into so many people.”

Sarah Kuta: 303-473-1106, kutas@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/sarahkuta

Story by Sarah Kuta | staff writer ■ Photo by Lewis Geyer | staff photographer COMMUNITY REVIEW • JUNE 26, 2016 • 59

Fred Wilson, former Longmont mayor, poses for a portrait in his woodworking shop on a chair he built.

60 • JUNE 26, 2016 • COMMUNITY REVIEW

‘Make the best of it’

Lifetime of tinkering led this former mayor from Navy cockpit to wood shop F

red Wilson’s home is full of one-offs. The former Longmont mayor and councilman isn’t fond of making two of the same thing.

Wilson, who was a bit of a jack of all trades, is now retired and spends his days focusing a lifetime of tinkering into making unique objects.

There are chairs made of thin, spine-like reeds. There’s a pewter model of Longs Peak, and there’s a collection of what his wife, MaryAnn, considers his prettiest wooden bowls, spotted with knots and imperfections. Below them, a bench in the shape of an aircraft carrier that Wilson considers a conversation piece but MaryAnn says is weird. In the garage are Wilson-made canoes and specially-made curvy paddles. Wilson crafts wood into strange geometrical shapes — a hollow cane design that resembles a stretched mesh tube (“I can’t even begin to explain how I do that,” Wilson said) or a faceted hunk on a side table that holds yarn (“I call it a squoob because you take a cube and twist it 45 degrees).

In the pond, there’s a fish bubble of Wilson’s design.

It’s just what it sounds like. A clear plastic half-sphere is surrounded by a rim of flat plastic.

The effect is that of a clear, rigid sombrero floating on Wilson’s backyard fish pond. When Wilson uses a vacuum to suck most of the air out of the bubble, and plops it quickly back to the water,

Fred Wilson

Age: 71 Occupation: Retired; former Longmont mayor and councilman Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 44

it fills with pondwater. His fish swim up into it on sunny late mornings and get a view of the above-water world.

“I just got a thing for making things that don’t exist,” Wilson said. “I don’t like to copy anything. I just think ‘Gee, that would be an interesting direction to go in.’ With the fish thing, it just came out of nowhere to me and I said there’s got to be a way so it floats and they swim in it.”

Wilson’s father was a cabinetmaker. Wilson inherited his know-how but introduced his own quirky creativity.

MaryAnn chimed in on what fuels her husband’s art.

“His father did what he was told to do. Fred has never been one to do what he’s told to do,” MaryAnn said.

Wilson grew up in New Jersey, attending the University of Colorado when he finished high school in 1962.

When he was 18 years old, he met a cute blonde at The Sink bar in Boulder. When he graduated in 1966 with a degree in English literature, he ran into a crafty recruiter for the U.S. Navy who told Wilson that he better start with the Navy if we wanted to be an astronaut.

Instead, Wilson became a pilot in Pensacola, Fla. He brought MaryAnn, the blonde, with him to Florida and they were married.

Today they have two children and four grandchildren.

Wilson then did a little bit of everything. He doesn’t like working at one job too long.

“I had this feeling that life is here to make the best of it, and I never really wanted to be in one place from college to retirement,” Wilson said. “A lot of people are like that. They start something, and it’s right for them and they keep on it. I’ve always been more ‘Hey, that looks fun’ and I switch.”

Wilson spent four years with the Navy, flying over the ocean listening for submarines (he never found one) and then worked as an advertising copywriter for HEAD Ski in the early ’70s, which he likened to a Boulder version of “Mad Men,” where he and his coworkers would go out for drinks at lunch.

Wilson worked as a pattern maker at Western Foundries, where he would make full-size wood versions of the giant objects Western would cast in steel.

There, a friend prodded him to get into politics.

“I had a little problem with the fact that the people who ran Longmont at that time were a tight group and nobody from the outside came in,” Wilson said.

“That was my take on it at the time, but I can’t say for sure.”

Wilson ran an unsuccessful

campaign in 1987 and a successful one in 1989. MaryAnn said that on election night 1989, they were absolutely stunned when a Times-Call staffer called at 9:30 p.m. to ask if they could come to the newspaper offices. At that time, the Times-Call held a public open house on election nights where candidates congregated.

“It was strange to make that leap like that and all of a sudden I had to have suits and ties, but I managed it,” Wilson said. “And I learned how to talk to (crowds of) people and then I got so I talked too much to people and started to really enjoy it when I got a bunch of people there.”

Wilson served two terms as mayor, traveling to Chino, Japan, with the first official Longmont Sister Cities delegation. He caused a dust-up ahead of trip when he said he wouldn’t be going because he felt it was an inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars. Local businessmen gathered together to raise the funds for Wilson to go to Japan.

After his second term as mayor, Wilson served on the City Council for another 13 years, breaking his unofficial rule to never do one thing for more than five years.

Now, he tinkers in his basement woodworking shop, producing strange wooden things.

“I have to keep moving and keep doing something because it’d be very easy to sit back and watch TV,” Wilson said.

Story by Karen Antonacci | staff writer ■ Photo by Matthew Jonas | staff photographer COMMUNITY REVIEW • JUNE 26, 2016 • 61

Ashley Weber

Age: 32 Occupation: Cannabis advocate, hemp business owner, Colorado NORML Board Member, Chapter Leader Parents 4 Pot Co Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Eight What brought you here? What has kept you here? I relocated to Longmont for a better quality of life.

Longmont has an incredible school district, shopping, and other economic opportunities offered to residents. Visiting Longmont, often in my youth, played a major role in deciding to make Longmont home. Having been raised in a very small town in north­ eastern Colorado, I think Longmont has a good mix and variety of stores while still keeping that quaint small town feel. It’s the perfect balance of small town with all the modern necessities. We want to keep Longmont as our home based on the great St. Vrain Valley School District and how involved the town is in supporting today’s youth expanding knowledge through the various programs offered.

Do you think Longmont should change its stance on recreational marijuana? I feel Longmont will have a hard time moving forward if the residents

Valerie J. Whatley are not educated on the medical benefits of cannabis.There are a large amount of Longmont residents, who overwhelmingly supported Amendment 64. Setting city bans on dispensaries are a lazy political way of addressing the subject without solving actual problems. If Longmont has been using the wait and see tactic, it is not helping our residents.

When setting regulations the city needs only to follow the state regulations, which were largely written by Longmont state Rep. Jonathan Singer. I’d like to see Longmont move forward on lifting the cannabis ban.

Longmont is proud of how hemp is being produced here it is time to expand the same welcoming for cannabis.

Is the community supportive enough of the disabled? I feel Longmont could be a little more supportive of the disabled community.

Small issues to some are often obstacles for disabled, things such as enforcing city rules as shoveling sidewalks in winter. It makes it difficult to trek through snow if it is not removed properly. Also the accessi­ bility to public transportation in Long­ mont for disabled should be addressed.

Patti West

Age: 60 Occupation: 911 emergency dispatch manager Years in the St. Vrain Valley: 35 What brought you here? What has kept you here? I’m a transplant from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and remain an avid Steelers fan; I moved here after college when my family re­located following my dad having received a job transfer. I found a rewarding career in law enforcement, met and married my soul mate, and raised a family here. Colorado is my home.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? I enjoy watching and listening to the 911 dispatchers perform an extremely complex, emotionally challenging and incredibly stressful job — and do so with skill and compassion.

It’s estimated that less than 2 percent of the population has the temperament and skills to succeed at this job. The people of Longmont are fortunate to have such a team of qualified, caring and

skilled professionals serving them. For my part, I enjoy the challenge of building and supporting an effective, high­ functioning team.

What’s one misconception about your job that people have? Just one?

Contrary to popular opinion, when you call 911 from your cell phone, the dispatcher can’t always automatically determine who you are or where you are calling from. It’s not a question of a public safety failure, we have state­of­ the­art equipment. It’s because the individual cell phone carriers don’t/won’t provide the necessary technology to support access to that information. It’s frustrating for the citizen and for the dispatcher; it illustrates the importance of knowing where you are. “Pinging” a phone frequently isn’t a viable solution. It can take upwards of 30 minutes to work through the phone company’s bureaucracy and privacy issues. Even then, it doesn’t provide a specific address, only an approximate location.

62 • JUNE 26, 2016 • COMMUNITY REVIEW

Age: 49 Occupation: Program director, The Pearl Group; Single Moms Ministry director, LifeBridge Christian Church Years in the St. Vrain Valley: Almost two years What brought you here? What has kept you here? I am a Colorado native who moved here when Longmont’s LifeBridge Christian Church offered me a director position.

What prompted you leave your career as a research scientist with a Ph.D. in pharmacology to go into women’s ministry? On Thanksgiving day 2009 my only son committed suicide. I was so angry — angry at everything and everyone because my son and I had become a statistic. I was a single mom, and about 65 percent of all suicides happen to people who grew up in a fatherless home. As Jon was growing up, I thought I had deduced the formula for successfully raising a child as a single parent. My son and I were educated, career minded, surrounded by loving family and friends, and connected to God. ... The loss was

torturous, and I felt like dying, too. But God — Abba Father — slowly poured an overwhelming peace over me that passed all my understanding. I experienced the grace of God, and that inspired me to share that grace with others.

Since then, my grief has been great, and I am still in the healing process. But He walks with me in helping other traumatized women.

What stereotype about single moms irritates you most? The stereotype — the misperception — that single moms are not as valuable as married moms.

What refreshes you most as you minister to struggling single moms?

What refreshes me most on the job is when I can share with a struggling single mom why I am not forever angry at God for the death of my son, why I have not given up on life, why I can choose to walk in grace and in the joy of the Lord. And then, when we at LifeBridge and The Pearl Group manage to lead that single mom to self­sufficiency and her children to hope, it refreshes me to hear her say, “Thank you. I get it now.”

Ernie Wintergerst

outdoors and natural areas since I was young. When I Occupation: learned about the Arborist/tree care concept of urban professional for city of forestry and taking Longmont care of urban trees in Years in the St. college, I was hooked.

Vrain Valley: 18 There are various roles that trees play What brought you outside of my job. I here? What has kept really enjoy mountain you here? I got hired biking in forests as an arborist with the throughout our state city of Longmont in as well as other states.

1998. The fantastic It’s really cool getting trees and people of a change of pace and riding through Longmont are what keep me here. We deciduous forest trail systems. I have some really nice trees in town, experiment with trees in my yard. It’s some of the best trees along the Front interesting to observe changes in trees Range. Fort Collins may be a close based on various tree care practices. I second. often find myself talking to friends, What is the most rewarding part of landscapers or fellow tree care folks your job? The most rewarding part of about proper tree care. For example: my job is seeing the positive results my Tree pruning is often one of the most work has on trees in town. My beneficial practices for trees. Without interactions with people about trees the proper knowledge, or experience, it keeps things interesting, too. I get some can be one of the most harmful or really cool cards and pictures from kids dangerous aspects of tree care. Seek that have helped out with planting tree advice or help from an projects. I really like the enthusiasm International Society of Arboriculture that kids have for trees. certified professional. No one wants to What got you interested in trees in be a viral YouTube sensation for some goofy tree care attempt gone bad. the first place? I’ve enjoyed the Age: Older than the discovery of fire

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At Artistic Smiles we strive to provide the very best dental care by using the best equipment and materials available. We stand out among the crowd by offering Sedation dentistry, cerec same day crowns, digital x-rays, 3D imaging, computer bite analysis for TMJ, lasers for gum treatment, cosmetic dentistry, extractions, root canals, zoom whitening, and mercury free fillings.

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64 • JUNE 26, 2016 • COMMUNITY REVIEW

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Twin Peaks Liquor 999 S. Ho over St. , Uniit C, Longmont 303.684.9165, twinpeaksliquor.com

A trip to Twin Peaks is a global experience. From beer, wine and spirits produced right here in Colorado to special flavors from around the world, Twin Peaks Liquor offers an expansive selection for every discriminating taste.

The selection of wines at Twin Peaks Liquor numbers in the thousands. Bottles neatly line organized shelves allowing customers to locate varietals from different regions across the United States — including a unique selection of Colorado wines — to countries worldwide.

The same goes for beer and spirits— you’ll find organic, seasonal and even gluten-free selections. Find a favorite or go out on a limb and try something new.

Customers can even explore the 2,400 bottle walk-in wine and beer cellar that is the only one of its kind in the area.

“Located adjacent to our tasting bar, the cellar is a unique space that houses affordable luxury wine and limited release beers,” says Suzy Bergman, the store’s event planner.

Speaking of the tasting bar, it’s worth a special trip. “We offer free tastings on Friday evenings from 4 to 7 p.m. at our tasting bar, “The Perfect Pour.” Each week

a beer, two to three wines and a cocktail are tasted. Providing the consumer with a plethora of choices, pairing advice and mixology instruction,” Bergman says.

The store also likes to reward their local customers by offering a VIP rewards program that treats customers for every dollar they spend with a rebate on a future purchase once a level has been achieved.

Weekly deals offer special pricing on a variety of items, and internet savvy people can follow Twin Peaks Liquor on Facebook and Twitter for additional news and deals. Coming soon will be a more user-friendly website, many more promotions and fun events.

If a party is in the works, the staff at Twin Peaks Liquor offers great party planning services with specific help in selecting and determining the perfect amount of beverages for the occasion.

As a locally owned part of the community, there’s no question that the folks at Twin Peaks really know their customers. They were a part of Longmont even before 1994 when Todd Buchholtz first opened the store.

Born and raised in Loveland, Buchholtz has years of experience in the liquor business. Alongside him, RT Magley, a Longmont native, is the general manager who enjoys getting to know the many customers who enter the doors.

Bergman contributes the success of Twin Peaks to their involvement in local charities and business functions as well as their two decades of unwavering commitment to providing unmatched customer service, selection, and price.

“We would like to thank Longmont for 21 great years. We are proud to call Longmont home, and truly do appreciate the community support.”

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COMMUNITY REVIEW • JUNE 26, 2016 • 65

The next ‘100’

Do you have a nominee for the next edition of “100”?

If so, let us know. Send your nominee to tcnews@times-call.com and put “100” in the subject line. Let us know that person’s name, where he or she lives and a little about what makes that person interesting.

See you next year.

66 • JUNE 26, 2016 • COMMUNITY REVIEW

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