Neighborhood Gazette – March 2018 by Neighborhood Gazette

COMMUNITY PROJECT Renovating Learning Spaces at Molholm Page 4

PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW Iron Sculptor Has a Heart of Gold Page 6

WEST METRO FIRE West Metro Recruits Burn Down the House(s) Page 10

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Gazette NEIGHBORHOOD

EDGEWATER

| SLOAN’S LAKE | WEST COLFAX | TWO CREEKS

March 13 – April 15, 2018 • ngazette.com • FREE

Edgewater Invites Developers to Buy, Reuse Old City Hall for Retail ■ By

J. Patrick O’Leary

veryone’s anxiously watching the City of Edgewater build its new civic center, but we may see changes in ownership, use or even appearance of the current city hall, 2401 Sheridan Blvd., and the old city hall, fire station and library at 5845 W. 25th Ave. The city sent out Request for Qualifications and Proposals for the Sale and Redevelopment of the two cityowned properties on March 6. Proposals are due by noon on April 6. In its request, the city said it wants a qualified, experienced developer to purchase the city hall property, which includes 10,000 square feet of land, an office building and parking area, and redevelop it as a retail salestax-generating use. Offers are expected to be at or near fair market value. While the city said it is willing to consider retail property uses that may not maximize sales tax generation, Continued on page 2

PERFORMANCE ARTIST TROUPE THE BAD ASSTRONAUTS brought their jellyfish installations – back by popular demand from last year – to dance, march and swarm the 40 West Arts District’s March 2 First Friday Art Walk. PHOTO BY DAVE REIN.

Egg-ceptional Easter Events For Kids and Canines ■ By

Jennifer LeDuc

hile this winter has been mild, save for a bit of wild wind, the arrival of spring on the calendar is itself enough reason to rejoice. Easter celebrations and egg hunts in the community give an all-faith opportunity to connect with neighbors and create some adorable photo opps – and even the pups can get in on the fun. Edgewater and Wheat Ridge are staging events, but Lakewood is not.

Citizens Park Youth Egg/ Dog Treat Hunt Edgewater doesn’t mess around – they offer something for both children and dogs. The Saturday, March 31, Citizens Park Youth Egg/Dog Treat Hunt starts 10 a.m. at Citizens Park, 5440 W. 24th Ave. (24th and Chase) and includes something for the whole family (unless you’re a cat person, of course). The kids collect in different waves based on their age, and the pups get in on the fun shortly after the kiddos, gobbling up treats donated from area businesses. Children ages 0 to 3 years will be allowed to collect first with their parents. Children in age groups 4 to 5, 6 to 8, and 9 to 11 will collect on their own. Adding to the fever-pitch excitement will be a golden egg hidden for each age group. The finder of the golden egg will be the recipient of a special basket. Of course there will be obligatory photo opps with bunny. While last year’s youth choir will not be performing, there will be music. Patrick Martinez, City of Edgewater recreation manager, recalled only postponing the event once in his sevenyear tenure, but should snow or rain arrive,

Martinez will update the Playedgwater.com website and post a sign at the park. The Edgewater Rec Center is also oﬀering an Easter Floral Arrangement class on Thursday, March 29, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. To register for the $10 class, visit playedgewater.com.

Mayor Bud Starker will be there to count the hunt down and get the crowd going. The Wheat Ridge Kiwanis volunteers helped scatter the eggs throughout the search area. The hunt begins at 10 a.m. and there will be four diﬀerent age zones for children to search in, so everyone can begin together. The city has been hosting this event for decades and Stephen Clyde, recreation supervisor of general programs and marketing, said this year’s event will be it’s biggest yet. “It’s a simple and lighthearted event,” said Clyde, “And it brings more and more people out each year.” Rain date, if necessary, will be the following Saturday, March 31.

Panorama Park Egg Hunt Wheat Ridge Park and Rec hosts its annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 24, at Panorama Park, W. 35th Avenue and Fenton Street. This year it’s bigger than ever, with more than 5,000 eggs to ﬁnd. Not only will there be a bunny on hand for photos and music, but Wheat Ridge

W E ST C O L FA X S K E TC H E S

Beulah Trout: ‘She’s a Former Music Teacher Too’ ■ By

Kristen Autobee

t was her name that first caught my eye. In early January 1938, the East Jefferson Sentinel business directory includes “Beulah Trout, teacher of Piano, Elements of Music. Studio 5221 West Colfax. Phone La458.” This may be the first studio on West Colfax. And like so many of our modern artists, her studio was in her home. Childhood piano lessons are stressful. Do you remember the old upright, Mrs. Pianoteacher noting your insufficient practice time, the dread moment when Auntie suggested you entertain the family? Which was worse: only your mother at your recitals or the whole family? Why would an otherwise sane adult be a piano teacher, torn between childhood indifference and parental educational duty? The historical record does not shout why the former Miss Beulah Bloyd became a private music teacher, but we can guess. After graduating in 1923 from Canon City High School, Beulah went off to teach school in Silver Cliff, about 47 miles southwest of her hometown.

BEULAH I. BLOYD, 1923 NONAC, Canon City High School Yearbook.

Continued on page 2

NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE – MARCH 13 – APRIL 15 2018– ngazette.com

Gazette NEIGHBORHOOD

Find Me!

Colfax Sketches Continued from page 1

Her marriage was announced in the June 11, 1926, issue of the Wet Mountain Tribune, a paper which has been published This CANny fellow is hiding somein Westcliffe weekly since 1883. Fred Trout where in this issue. Find him and was a “prosperous young farmer of Hillside,” send an email to puzzle@ Publisher: Tim Berland and the couple honeymooned in northern Managing Editor: J. Patrick O’Leary ngazette.com and tell us where Colorado. William was born in 1928 and he is at. We will draw a winner out of © MARCH 2018 Mrs. Trout’s public school teaching career All rights reserved. the correct responses and was over. The publishers assume no send them a cool prize. The marriage didn’t last and Beulah responsibility for representations, claims or opinions by any advertising Good luck! relocated to Mountair to be closer to her or article in this publication. parents. Cyrus and Daphna Bloyd moved to Lakewood in about 1928. Beulah’s father, along with her uncle William, sister Lola and Lola’s husband Herman Mann, operated a truck farm at 1590 Harlan St. Daphna Bloyd opened the Eagle Cafe at 5225 W. Colfax around 1935. By 1938 the cafe was in a newly constructed building, open 18 hours a day, employing seven waitresses, and one cook – Charles L. Meade. A notice in the East Jefferson Sentinel of Feb. 10 states, “The piano class of Mrs. Trout will join the class of Miss Florence Kaltriter in a recital and Valentine’s party at thgir eht tceleS rosivdA nathe oLlatter’s .rS –home neeron G Feb. .M n19.” iveK It wasn’t just the children making a ruoy – redneL also that gninnur sraey 6 enijoyful zagaM 08noise. 25 ni lanoThe isseforpaper P ratS eriF dedrareported wA *robhgien the home of Mrs. Trout “was the scene of a delightful pinochle party Saturday, Feb. 5…. Following the games there was music Select the by the crowd and lovely refreshments were – ecivreright S taerLender G served.” The guests included Lola and your neighbor! Herman, and Charles Meade. The Trout and Kaltriter classes gave a ✔ Great Service spring recital in April, and another party✔ Integrity ytir✔geGreat tnI Rates recital in June. The recitals and student Select the right r. Loan Advisor Sr. Loan Advisor parties were generally “at the studio of Lender – your Whether upgrading, downsizing, relocating, or just want to have some extra Mrs. Trout.” Students are listed along with 80 Magazine 6 yearsyou’re running izisnwod ,gnidargpu er’uoy rehtehW spending cash from a refinance. The quick and easy place to check out your options, their,gnpiece. The spring recital ended with neighbor* give me a call, stop on by and see for yourself! I’m your neighborhood lending expert. artxe emos evah ot tnaw tsuj ro ,gnitacoler setaR taerG Mrs. Trout and Miss Kaltriter playing “The dna emoC .ecnanifer a morf hsac gnidneps Nut Cracker” by Tchaikovsky. Then a May Come and knock on my door... or give me a call 303-865-3952 anytime. -303 llac a em evig ro ...rood ym no kconk 19, 1938 headline.emran “Mrs. Beulah Trout ityna 2593-568 Awarded Five Star Professional in 5280 Magazine 6 years running receives Scholarship.” The scholarship Great Service nwo yrev ruoy morF was for a summer term at Washington University in St. Louis and Miss Kaltriter CHECK ME OUT! loansbykevin.com !ROBHGIEN would teach Mrs. Trout’s students for the duration. Mrs. Trout’s summer was packed Integrity with technical courses to improve her own playing as well as classes on the latest educational theories. Classes titled zing, “Music Literature,” “Aural Theories” and ome extra “Piano Principles” were balanced with Great Rates

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“Observation of Children’s Work” and “Studio Administration.” The instructors were from the St. Louis Institute of Music faculty. SLIM, as its alumni call it, was founded in 1924 as the Progressive Series Teachers College. One of the instructors was Austrian-born Gottfried Galston (1879-1950). Mr. Galston performed extensively around the world between 1906 and 1926, the year he joined the faculty of SLIM. Mrs. Trout and her fellow teachers would have considered him a living great. Two circa-1912 Galston performances are available through the twin miracles of piano rolls and YouTube. Mr. Galston is best remembered for his arrangements of Chopin and Bach. This summer program was open to Progressive Series Society members who could pass an entrance examination. This non-secret society was associated with the St. Louis Institute of Music. The first two chapters, Alpha (Canon City) and Beta (Denver) were both organized in 1926. Once home, the combined classes held their annual Halloween party with 30 guests present. In mid-November, in a quiet ceremony Beulah Trout married Charles Meade at the home of the justice of the peace. A Sentinel article on Nov. 24 tells us that the bride wore black velvet, the couple would purchase the Eagle Cafe, and Mrs. Meade would continue to teach music in her West Colfax Studio. Eventually the Meades sold the Cafe and moved to 29th and Benton. In 1956, Charles retired as head of the priest’s dining room at Regis College, and became caretaker of his then invalid wife. They settled into a new routine. Every morning Charles made pancakes and scrambled eggs for breakfast and then read the Rocky Mountain News (RMN). Charlie's 1958 RMN obituary records his last day. After dinner, he cashed a check at the Edgewater Drug Store, bought eggs and milk at the Cowette Creamery, and stopped at the Edgewater Inn on his walk home. Sitting at the bar, Charlie called over co-owner Nick Domenico to show off a picture of Beulah. “‘Isn’t she a beautiful woman?’ Charlie asked Domenico. ‘She’s a former music teacher too.’” Charlie returned photo to his breast pocket, as a gunman entered and ordered Charlie to put his head on the bar. Instead, the otherwise “jovial Irishman” punched the gunman in the face, who responded by firing twice. The beautiful, beloved, former music teacher died in 2004, age 99.

Edgewater Continued from page 1

it wants the property to remain zoned C-1, 147542 SLMN and does not want mixed-use. Development proposals must meet commercial parking requirements, comply with the 25-foot height limit along Sheridan Boulevard, and meet other applicable zoning and design standards. The same criteria applies to the other parcel. The city will hold an open house and site visit for developers interested in the city hall site on March 26, 10 a.m.; an open house and site visit for the old city hall, firehouse and library takes place the following day. For more information, visit www. edgewaterco.com and click on the links under “RFQP for Sale/Redevelopment of Properties.” Lawsuit Over Lakewood Growth Initiative Stalled Half a year after Lakewood resident Steve Dorman filed a lawsuit challenging a citizen petition to place a growth restriction initiative on the November 2017 Lakewood municipal ballot, no trial, hearing or mediation dates have been set to settle the matter, according to public court documents. As the Neighborhood Gazette went to press, the judge had yet to rule on Dorman’s motion to kick the entire matter back to Lakewood City Clerk Margy Greer to rule on the petition’s validity after one of the two required petition proponents withdrew her name. Dorman filed the legal challenge on Sept. 19 last year, after Greer ruled the

THE EDGEWATER MUNICIPAL BUILDING’S FOR SALE, according to a Request for Qualifications and Proposals for the Sale and Redevelopment for that and another city property, both being replaced by the new, under-construction civic center. petition met city requirements, and seeks to overturn her decision. Greer, the City of Lakewood, and the two proponents of the initiative – Cathy Kentner and Anita Springsteen – were named in the lawsuit. Springsteen notified the city clerk that she had withdrawn as proponent of the petition sometime after the lawsuit was filed. Now making an additional argument that the city code requires a petition to have two proponents to be valid, Dorman filed a Motion to Remand (send back) to the City Clerk on Nov. 16, and moved to dismiss Springsteen from the lawsuit on Dec. 6. A flurry of responses and replies were filed through Dec. 20. Nearly three months later, no ruling has been issued on the Motion to Remand, and no case management conference, hearings or trial have been scheduled.

ngazette.com – MARCH 13 – APRIL 15, 2018 – NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE

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dgewater area schools are showing progress in their student success goals due to the hard work of teachers, staff and area organizations. Edgewater Collective and its partners in the Jefferson Success Pathway project released the third annual Jefferson Community Report. The report highlighted bright spots in student achievement with the goal of scaling up what is working. Edgewater Elementary and Lumberg Elementary improved their school ratings from the Colorado Department of Education and Molholm Elementary received the highest “Performance” rating for their high growth scores. Jefferson Junior/Senior High School continued their improved graduation rates with a 75 percent graduation rate for the Class of 2017.

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COMMUNITY PROJECT: Renovating Learning Spaces at Molholm Elementary

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Molholm Elementary School was built in 1954 and the age of the building is really starting to show. The spaces in the school where teachers and staff come together for

professional development and learning are not inspiring or comfortable. The library space is the largest meeting room in the school beyond the cafeteria or gym and is also in need of renovation. We believe that this is the perfect project for the community around Molholm and the Two Creeks Neighborhood. The renovations would not be major, but we believe that with the right resources and artwork from the community, these spaces could be inspiring and comfortable for both teacher and student learning. We are looking for artists, interior decorators and community members to form a team that would put together a budget and design for the space. Then we would rally the community for the funds and people power necessary to complete the project. Join us for our first planning meeting on Thursday, March 22, from 4 to 5 p.m., at WestFax Brewing, 6733 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood.

Jefferson Booster Club Golf Tournament, May 21 Join us for the first Jefferson Booster Club Golf Tournament at Lakewood Country Club! Get a chance to play the newly redesigned, private Lakewood Country Club and support the sports programs at Jefferson Junior/Senior High School. The tournament will take place on Monday, May 21 and there are opportunities for businesses to sponsor holes. More information is available at jeffersonsaints.org.

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ooking around the signs of spring are everywhere. Buds appearing on branches, bulbs breaking through the ground, and hints of green leaves inspire. During this time, I am eager to get to work, digging in the earth, planning plots and growing seedlings. In Edgewater, we have multiple classes and seminars throughout spring that will help all of us cultivate more sustainable lifestyles and beautiful gardens. On the first day of spring, come celebrate the possibilities with Edgewater urban gardeners and Master Composters Debra and Jason Bump as they teach us all how to get started composting at home. Calling all brown thumbs! On April 7, come get in the dirt at the Jefferson Community Garden where I will be teaching a basic introduction to gardening class. This is ideal if you are interested in gardening, but a bit intimidated to get started or you have had struggles in the past. There are currently garden plots available at the Jefferson Community Garden. Get to know your neighbors and receive support from fellow gardeners of all experience levels all while growing your own delicious food. It is only $30 for the entire season. Find more information at http://edgewatercollective.org/jeffersoncommunity-garden/ The Sustainability Seminar continues, but one week later than usual. While we hold the seminars on the third Tuesday over every month, a conflict is causing us to bump the date to the following Tuesday the 24th. For this seminar, I will be leading a discussion about food waste, the consequences as well as strategies for creating less waste. There are future seminars and gardening classes coming up as well. The Edgewater Sustainability Seminar are typically on the third Tuesday of every month, while the Jefferson Community Garden classes are on the first Saturday morning. Please mark your calendar for the following dates and

BINS IN ABNER’S GARDEN CENTER, 12280 W. 44th Ave., remind gardeners that St. Patrick’s Day is the right time to start planting root crops: beets, onions, rutabagas, yams, and potatoes. PHOTO BY NANCY HAHN.

we look forward to celebrating and learning alongside you this spring: • Tuesday, March 20, 7-8 p.m., Composting Seminar at the Edgewater Library on 25th and Grey Street. • Saturday, April 7, 10-11 a.m., Basic Organic Gardening at the Jefferson Community Garden on 24th and Pierce. • Tuesday, April 24, 7-8 p.m., Food Waste Seminar at the Edgewater Library on 25th and Grey Street. • Saturday, May 5, 10-11 a.m. TBA at the Jefferson Community Garden on 24th and Pierce. • Tuesday, May 15, 7-8 p.m., TBA at the Edgewater Library on 25th and Grey Street. Lilly Steirer volunteers with HEALthy Edgewater, she is a Master Community Gardener through Denver Urban Gardens, and is a co-leader for the Jefferson Community Gardens. She occasionally speaks at the Edgewater Sustainability Seminar about topics ranging from local food to simple living.

ngazette.com – MARCH 13 – APRIL 15, 2018 – NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE

EDGEWATER MAYOR Edgewater Moving Forward diverse and unique city requiring careful development. From Edgewater Public Works: We are ere are some exciting updates about prepared for any spring storms that come our Edgewater. way. Staff utilizes city plow trucks and city Council is moving forward with fleet trucks to maintain safe, drivable road several ordinances having to do with our surfaces for our citizens. Our snowstorm 20th and Depew property. One of these protocol enables staff to safely plow and allows for creation of an Entertainment remove snow from major avenues and city District allowing common consumption owned facilities, primarily on 20th, 22nd, of alcohol. City council will also establish 24th, 26th avenues and Harlan rules and make certain that and Pierce streets — the areas those entities organizing and carrying the heaviest traffic and promoting special events and in need of emergency vehicle entertainment activities in the and public transportation common consumption areas access. During a snowstorm reflect the best interest of the or ice event, we will either be residents and visitors. plowing the snow down to the This move will allow pavement and/or applying sand this site to become part of a for a safe-traveling road surface. new type of centers that are There are posted snow showing popularity in replacing route signs on the avenues the larger mall concept. Laura Keegan throughout the city. These signs These centers provide unique indicate areas where parked destination areas that are family vehicles may see a buildup of snow. Failure and community oriented with businesses to remove a vehicle from these areas prior to and activities appealing to all ages – centers a snowstorm will result in additional snow where citizens and guests can congregate removal by the vehicle owner. and enjoy a quick shopping experience or a After a storm, staff has a snow cleanup full afternoon or evening of shopping, eating protocol. This process takes time and is and congregating at one location, one that predicated on temperature, primarily most of our citizens can even walk or bike to. focusing on areas accumulating ice and sand Council also approved the new library build up. As temperatures rise, the entire design on March 1. (Please see Councilor city will be cleaned to allow correct drainage Caleb Rountree’s article below) into storm drains. When temperatures reach This week Edgewater posted and will 45 degrees, we can utilize street sweeping be accepting RFQPs for our properties at to prevent sand or debris from entering 2401 Sheridan Blvd., and 5845 W. 25th Ave. storm. For more information on the snow Qualifications and clear directives are given plan visit www.edgewaterco.com. at www.edgewaterco.com. The city will Contact Edgewater mayor Laura carefully consider and choose only projects Keegan at lkeegan@edgewaterco.com or fitting in with the needs and desires of our 303-232-0745. community. As we all are aware, we are a n By

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EDGEWATER CITY COUNCIL Patience Rewarded As Civic Center Enters Home Stretch the floors go in place and rooms start to get their outline. Much like a house, the plans become hen I was in high school, I worked with clearer as you race towards the finish line. my father’s best friend, a contractor, This past council meeting, we were treated for a summer. I remember working at the to a preview of the new Jefferson County construction site and wondering, “What are library floor plan and renderings. While the they doing?” for months as small changes glass, wood, and stone covering the outside were made. For the longest time, nothing hides the library, workers will besides a piece of concrete sunk be installing glass walls for in some dirt was visible. quiet areas, areas for computers Then, everything popped with stations in the shape of up at the same time. Before I a pinwheel, giving a secluded could finish figuring out how place to study and work. the outside walls were put up, One thing I was there was a roof. Right when particularly struck by during I’d started to get used to the tall the presentation, is how roof against the previously bare excellent this library is going to landscape, I walk inside and see be for children. Worried about the outlines of a home. In what something spilling or ruining felt like days the entire project new floors? Modular carpets had taken off. I’ve watched Caleb Rountree allow us to quickly swap out homes built since, but none as damaged pieces without replacing large large as Edgewater’s new home. sections. Have an auditory or visual learner? The new civic center is coming along The new library has room for people to read quickly, and we’re getting to the exciting together in a comfortable environment part. It’s obviously a bit bigger than your without bothering people nearby. average house, but from what we’re seeing, It’s incredible to see how fast this they’re very similar in how quickly they project is moving. At council, we’ve seen the progress. This month, our slab of concrete plans and renderings. This month, we see in the dirt will start looking like the place the building we’ve been waiting years for. we’ve seen pictures of for what feels like Be sure to stop by 1800 Harlan and check years. the progress. We’re past the “What are they If you see large trucks rumbling down doing?” part. It’s time to watch our piece Harlan with giant pieces of metal, that’s of concrete in the dirt turn into our city’s normal for the next few weeks. The steel home. frame for the building will begin arriving Contact Edgewater City Councilmemand going up, which will show the outline of ber Caleb Rountree at crountree@edgethe building. The green fence screen hiding waterco.com or 501-650-2747. the project will start to hide less and less as n By

Caleb Rountree

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NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE – MARCH 13 – APRIL 15 2018– ngazette.com

PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW — SLOAN'S LAKE

Iron Sculptor Has a Heart of Gold n By

Ken Lutes

hat kind of energy do you want to put in the world?” says Dennis West, founder and owner of 23rd Avenue Sculpture Studio and Gallery. West not only puts his soul into every piece of art he creates, he puts it into his community. He proclaims, “Through the power of art, together, we can begin to unfold the myth. The myth is what life is, the journey we’re on, and what a passion does to your heart. “I’m a big believer in God, in being a Christian and helping people out. I have people walk into my studio everyday who need something fixed – their favorite dandelion digger, or a wheelbarrow, or the chair they broke when they were yelling at the Broncos.” He stops everything he’s doing to make the fix, at no charge, “because these people are my neighbors. I only ask them to pay that favor forward to someone else who needs one.” The studio is at the corner of W. 23rd Avenue and King Street, in a 1950s, fourbay, former Texaco filling station. For 27 years, West has taken on building everything from handrails to fences – work that helps to financially support his artistic side – and it’s all fashioned from metal. “I’m selling out a little bit, but, you know, we live in a tough world; I have to pay the bills,” West said. A current project is “some cool furniture” and a series of iron planters and flower boxes that will surround the rooftop deck of a new three-story house in the Sloan’s Lake neighborhood. “The hardest thing about my art,” West said, “is not being able to sell it all the time. But the easiest thing is being my own boss. I never have any same ol’ same ol’. It’s always different. I’ve built spiral staircases

IRON SCULPTOR DENNIS WEST LAYS OUT A PROJECT DESIGN at his 23rd Avenue Studio. PHOTO BY KEN LUTES. and heart-shaped cookie cutters for dog biscuits.” A lifelong resident of north Denver, West grew up at 42nd and Clay, in Sunnyside; he attended St. Catherine’s and Holy Family High School. “The Sisters of Loretto at Holy Family couldn’t offer me art classes,” West said, “so when I graduated they gave me a scholarship and said, ‘Go follow your dream.’” In 1976, he received a fine arts degree from Loretto Heights College. Artistic talent runs in West’s family. His grandfather was a painter and an illustrator for the Bureau of Reclamation. “We have a lot of his old etchings,” West said. He also discovered his mother was a closet painter. “After she died, we found many unfinished paintings stashed away. But raising four boys and girl by herself, she didn’t have time for that kind of stuff anymore. She was a good mentor in that she encouraged me to follow my dream – same as the Sisters at Holy Family.” West said he kind of knew in grade

school that he wanted to be an artist; by high school, he was certain. “I was recruited to be the art editor of the newspaper and the yearbooks. In those days, that was the best the nuns could give me other than recruiting me to design bulletin boards for every classroom.” West didn’t realize until he got to college that he’d take interest in being a sculptor and a welder. “It’s spontaneous for who I am as an individual. [In college], I didn’t like carving stone; I didn’t like carving wood. I’d seen the oxygen and acetylene tanks sitting in a corner of the art studio, and I asked my instructor if he’d teach me to weld. “I didn’t have to wait for glue to dry or for 10 other techniques to get in the way. When casting a bronze, you’d have to make a wax and then a mold. I always felt that after you made the wax, the sculpting part was over. With welding, I could put a piece together without all those other steps. I have a propensity to be able to find scraps of steel and iron that speak to me and make them into something that actually looks like a sculpture.” Metal sculpting is West’s passion. His design influences range from abstract to contemporary to traditional – even figurative, or representational. Among his favorite artists are Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall and Vincent Van Gogh; many of the sculptures in the studio gallery reflect those influences. West’s gallery is unusual in that it’s part of an outdoor garden that surrounds a yearround koi pond stocked also with goldfish and turtles. “There are eight turtles in there,” West said. “We wanted one, then people started dropping them off because they didn’t know [turtles] could live 50 years.” With no website, and an unlisted phone

SLOAN’S LAKE RESIDENTS ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS OUTDOOR ART STUDIO at W. 23rd Ave. and King St. PHOTO BY KEN LUTES.

number, work comes to West by word of mouth. “I shake people’s hands and look them in the eye and say, ‘Do we have a deal?’” He doesn’t take credit cards. “I’ve had people come to buy with only a credit card, and I tell them to load their truck and send me a check when they get home. And you know what? I always get a check. “I’m grateful to God for giving me abundance, so I like to give back. The nuns used to tell me the one word I needed in my vocabulary was ‘no.’ I maybe say ‘yes’ too often, but I might need an extra gold brick to get into heaven. I just know that when I get there, St. Peter’s going to say, ‘You’re half a brick short, West.’” West said that if he weren’t an artist he’d probably be growing plants, like his brother, who owns Southwest Gardens in Wheat Ridge. “I like to be close to the earth. I receive a lot of energy from plants. Knowing how to care and cultivate plants helps me care and cultivate my art and my life.”

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ngazette.com – MARCH 13 – APRIL 15, 2018 – NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE

‘I, Too, Am Qualified’ Takes On Age Discrimination n By

Mike McKibbin

ot even 50 years of age, Nancy Fingerhood and Michael Lindenberger found it much harder to land jobs in Colorado than unemployment statistics show. After months and months and hundreds of job applications without success, the Westminster couple came to believe they were victims of age discrimination. Eventually, Lindenberger found a photography job, while Fingerhood works part-time for a title insurance company and is a substitute teacher. But their experiences led to the formation of a group to work against ageism, and a Saturday, Feb. 24, meeting with U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Arvada) at Natural Grocers on Kipling Street in Wheat Ridge. They asked him to co-sponsor a bill to help prevent age discrimination in hiring and other employment decisions. Perlmutter agreed several days later. HR 2650, the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act, was introduced in May 2017 by U.S. Rep. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-Va). A companion bill, SB 443, was introduced in February 2017 by U.S. Sen. Robert Casey, Jr., (D-Penn.). Both bills were assigned to committees but were not considered. The bills amend the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to establish an unlawful employment practice when the complaining party demonstrates that age or participation in investigations, proceedings or litigation under the act was a motivating factor for any unlawful employment practice, despite other possible factors. Dec. 15., 2017, was the 50th anniversary of the act, aimed at protecting people over 40 from unfair treatment by employers and preventing age-related bias. “People are not even aware what the (act) is all about,” Fingerhood said. “Age discrimination isn’t like race, sex or religion.

Most people are aware when racial or sexual discrimination happens but not when it comes to age. You can still say things about someone’s age that you can’t say about their race or their gender.” “Older Americans should be celebrated for their experience and knowledge,” Perlmutter said in a March 2 statement. “Discrimination of any kind is unacceptable and this bill would re-establish needed protections for older Americans and ensure they are competitive in the current job market.”

Starting a movement?

In October 2017, Fingerhood and Lindenberger launched a website and a Twitter account called “I, Too, Am Qualified.” With photographs and statements from people who believe they are victims of age discrimination, it is similar to the “I, Too, Am Oxford” effort that used photography to grow awareness of racism. The group is taking a three-pronged approach to ageism, Fingerhood said: Social awareness, legislative change and changing overall attitudes and culture. “We really want to let people know they’re not alone,” Fingerhood stated. “We always hear how low Colorado’s unemployment rate is, but there are a lot of people who have been looking for jobs for a long time and suspect they are victims of age discrimination.” Lindenberger said his job applications failed to generate any responses until he removed his high school graduation year. Some of the people on the website live outside Colorado, showing the issue is national in scope and in need of addressing at the federal level, Lindenberger added. Statistics show that age discrimination complaints are fairly high in Colorado, but few cases are found to have probable cause. And older workers make up a high percentage of the long-term unemployed. In fiscal year 2017, 27 percent of all

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compared to 19.3 percent of those under 55.

Misconceptions about older workers

During their research, a company that trains business managers about ageism told Fingerhood and Lindenberger younger managers worry older workers “won’t have respect for them or maybe think they know it all,” Fingerhood said. Older workers expecting to be paid more than a company can afford is another worry, she added. But many older workers don’t have that expectation, Fingerhood said, especially if they are trying to change careers. Continued on page 10

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Colorado complaints to the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission were age discrimination claims. The state had 2.5 percent of all U.S. age charges filed that fiscal year. Meanwhile, between 2013 and 2016, the Colorado Civil Rights Division found probable cause that discrimination occurred in just 51 of 1,012 age-related employment complaints. The Bureau of Labor Statistics noted the nationwide unemployment rate of workers over 55 last July – 3.2 percent – was lower than that of the general population – 4.4 percent. However, 36.4 percent of job seekers 55 years and older were out of work for nearly seven months or longer,

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NANCY FINGERHOOD, LEFT, MAKES A POINT TO U.S. REP. ED PERLMUTTER, (DArvada), about a bill to help protect older workers from age discrimination at a Feb. 24 meeting at Natural Grocers in Wheat Ridge. Fingerhood and her husband, Michael Lindenberger (sitting behind Fingerhood), recently started an online group, “I, Too, Am Qualified,” to work against age-related issues in employment. To the left of Perlmutter is Jerry Pifer, director of constituent services for Perlmutter. PHOTO BY MIKE MCKIBBIN.

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February breakfast this morning with Chris Katzenmeyer speaking on mindfulness. Cheryl Blum-Garcia LegalShield/Identity Shield talked, Tony and Gail Mohr from Anthony M’s Visions in Gold and Devanny Nolan from Ella Cress Skin Cate spotlight speakers. Many members gathered together with room full of energy!

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s we begin to see bright orange rays of sun stretch out from the west a little more each day, we also feel the ground beneath our feet gradually get warmer. Before you know it, we have green grass, sprouting buds and new tools on the brain. We get so excited to play in the dirt that we forget the importance of caring for ourselves in the process. For gardening seniors, retirement really means more time to play in the dirt. My mother-in-law, Kathy B. is one of these classic gardening seniors and she is just on the brink of retirement. Kathy has lived in Lakewood for over 35 years and has pursued trial-and-error tactics in every inch of her garden. And let’s face it: Colorado gardeners get a little extra room for error in such a unique climate – not to mention soil that would be better put to use as Play-Doh than for burrowing seeds. However, all that trial-and-error has led her to a picture-perfect yard. When we call her in the summer and she doesn’t answer her phone, we know it’s because she is in the garden. In recent years, Kathy has added some routines to her winter schedule in order to prepare herself for gardening season. She realized she was no spring chicken anymore and that she would have to work a little harder to keep her body in shape for gardening. Truth be told, this is good thinking for gardeners of any age. A few weeks before spring approaches, Kathy pulls out her five-pound weights and begins doing short reps, daily, to strengthen her arms and her grip. This allows her to continue lifting heavier items like bags of

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soil throughout the season. She said her chiropractor also gave her a list of stretches she can do before gardening. If you don’t have a medical professional to ask, some popular gardening websites (i.e., bhg.com, gardenmaking.com, etc.) also list similar stretches to do before you start. Most of these stretches focus on the knees, wrists and back to avoid injury. Another overlooked part of gardening that Kathy mentioned is the importance of cool-down stretches after a full day of gardening. After spending eight hours outside while lifting, bending and doing many repetitive motions, it’s funny to see how much of a workout gardening can really be for people. Doing before-and-after activity stretches seem like they would be just a habitual as they are for runners. But they’re not. So, before you start pulling all the tools from your shed to make your garden look and feel its best, you may want to make sure you have tools for the gardener to feel best, too.

MEDICALLY SPEAKING

Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Cost: $15 for WRBA Members and their guests, $18 for non-members

Tawny Clary

adolescents from dabbling in drugs and alcohol, programs that focus on positive n a daily basis, the opioid epidemic peer interactions, on-going family support is in the news. Also on a daily basis, and engagement, and basic education more people die in the United States from around the effects of substances on the body overdose than they do from motor vehicle and the developing mind have proven to be accidents. In Colorado, 224,000 people successful. misuse prescribed medications a year, two There are other proven early thirds of which are opioids. intervention strategies. Opioid use and abuse Colorado has participated in has reached an all-time high. two five-year Screening Brief State and federal governments Intervention and Referral have recognized the use of to Treatment (SBIRT) pilot opioids – from prescribed pain programs, and SCL Health, medications, to heroin – as a through West Pines Behavioral public health crisis. The Colorado Health, has applied for the State Legislature established the program. Through screening “Opioid and Other Substance Use of emergency department and Disorder Interim Committee” primary care patients, SBIRT in 2017 to consider strategies seeks to educate the average Brad Sjostrom to combat addiction – from patient about dangerous levels looking at laws to curtail opioid prescribing of alcohol consumption and drug use, and practices, to considering changes to how refer those who have developed a substance Medicaid reimburses treatment facilities. use disorder into treatment. Opioids have historically been Treatment consists of intensive services prescribed to treat acute pain; some of in a contained environment, to outpatient the more commonly used opioids are services, to medication-assisted therapy, Oxycodone, OxyContin, Percocet, Codeine which has proven to be the most effective and Vicodin. To diminish the use of in diminishing cravings and preventing substances, interventions can occur on many relapse. After successful intensive levels: changing of prescribing practices, treatment, there is a large and robust prevention in the form of education and recovery community for support. early screening, treatment and recovery. Prevention, early detection, changes The Colorado chapter of the College in prescribing practices, treatment of Emergency Physicians recently issued and recovery support are all essential guidelines for emergency departments that components in helping people heal and in recommended alternatives to opioids. Ten combating the addiction epidemic. There pilot hospitals in Colorado implemented is no cure for addiction, but many people the guidelines and experienced a 25 percent do get better and learn to live healthy and decrease in the number of patients prescribed productive lives. an opioid for pain. Pain management clinics Brad Sjostrom, LCSW, MAC, is the are also using alternative treatments for manager of Addiction Services at West pain – such as nerve blocks, physical Pines Behavioral Health at Lutheran Meditherapy and acupuncture. cal Center, and can be reached at 303 To help prevent children and 467-4080. n By

Brad Sjostrom

ngazette.com – MARCH 13 – APRIL 15, 2018 – NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE

ASK THE SUPER

UNDER THE DOME

Class in Session; Taxes, Mill Levy and Bonds

Making Prescriptions More Affordable

for our local schools, depending on how the funds are divided up. As funds from Initiative 93 would be ongoing, our schools Do you remember your dad telling you to would use these resources for expenses such do something because “he said so?” It seems as paying our teachers more and adding that we are slipping into that place again staff to our classrooms. where support for a new bond initiative Outside of Initiative 93, the Jeffco Public is being circulated. Why do we need more Schools Board of Education also money? Because it’s good for us. has some options to consider The requests are very in terms of putting questions specific in regards to who would on the ballot. School districts pay, how much they would pay in Colorado can only put forth and how the funding would be property tax proposals in one of collected. Yet, no mention of two formats. what would be accomplished The first is called a mill with the additional funds, who levy override, which allows would benefit and why? Lastly school districts to get (with there is no mention on how we voter approval) an additional 25 would measure the bond’s goals percent more in funds on top of and define it a success. Dr. Glass will you please share with Jason E. Glass, Ed.D. what they receive from the state. Jeffco could ask for a maximum us what you hope to achieve of around $80 million through a mill levy with this additional funding? Thank you. override. In 2016, Jeffco Public Schools To be clear, Jeffco Public Schools has asked voters for a $33 million override, proposed no tax questions for this fall, so which failed at the polls by a 53-47 margin. it would be premature for me to say what As would be the case with Initiative 93, we might do with additional funding from a these would be ongoing dollars so they most ballot proposal. However, as we look forward likely would be used for staffing levels and to this fall’s election season, there are a few compensation for educators and other staff. school funding ideas the community may The second possibility is called a bond. consider. A bond is a request from the voters for The first is being put forth at the state the school district to borrow money for level by a group called Great Schools construction purposes, and then for the Thriving Communities and is called voters to pay off the loan, with interest, over Initiative 93. This effort seeks to change the a period of usually 20 years. Jeffco Public Colorado state constitution so an additional Schools was also on the ballot in 2016 with a $1.6 billion is added to school funding. The bond proposal for $568 million, which also funds would be raised through a progressive failed at the polls by a 54-46 margin. These income tax on Colorado filers making over funds would have been used to improve and $150,000 annually and on corporate taxes. update facilities, improve schools safety Backers of the proposal say it would actually and security systems, and add on classroom lower residential and commercial property space for growing parts of Jeffco. tax rates. Initiative 93 faces some tough In my professional opinion, three hurdles as amending the state constitution questions will determine if Jeffco Public is more difficult than it used to be. The effort Schools is on the ballot this fall. The first is needs signatures from 2 percent of voters in whether or not 2018 is the right year to be every state senate seat to get on the ballot. on the ballot. Even years favor high turnout, From there, it will need to pass in November which also favors school elections, so that is with 55 percent (instead of just 50 percent) a factor. A second question is whether or not of the vote. we are able to put together a compelling and Initiative 93 would provide a substantial positive package that the community will increase in school funding in Colorado. The support. Related to this is how a local mill proposed $1.6 billion would move Colorado levy question can or should occupy the same close to (though not actually at) the national ballot as a potential statewide measure with average in terms of school funding. Here in Jeffco, it would mean between $120 million Continued on page 10 and $160 million in additional revenue

her prescriptions mailed to their home. But her parents are then forced to turn around or too long, insurance companies have and mail medicine to their daughter, further been able to restrict how a patient delaying the delivery of that medication. All may receive his or her medication. By because their insurance company raises fees drastically raising fees and or copays for in-person pickup copays for in-person pickup at at her local pharmacy. a pharmacy, many patients are Navigating the systems effectively forced to receive their required by the insurance prescriptions in the mail. companies to get your That is why I am sponsoring prescriptions through the HB18-1097, Patient Choice in mail is often difficult and time Pharmacy. This bill will allow consuming. It typically requires the patients – not the insurance spending time on an automated companies – to decide what is phone system, or navigating best for them when accessing their a website. Many seniors have prescription medications. Last difficulty with these systems month, my bipartisan legislation Jessie Danielson and would rather take a quick passed the House and similar bills drive or walk to visit with their have passed in 27 other states. We can’t allow pharmacists in person. big insurance companies to dictate our critical Coloradans from Jeffco, rural plains and health care needs. mountain communities, and urban centers For example, many people with diabetes have brought this issue to my attention. need immediate access to insulin. At times, They need to access their prescriptions in when that expensive insulin prescription is person from their local pharmacists, and delivered through the mail it is left to spoil should be able to do so without penalties in the sun or freeze in the cold. This is lifefrom their insurance company. That’s saving medication that a patient cannot do why the Senate needs to pass HB18-1097, without. In these cases, the patient is forced my measure to increase patient choice in to pay out of pocket to quickly replace the pharmacy. spoiled medication. Jessie Danielson serves as Speaker Or if a person is traveling – for work or Pro Tem of the Colorado House of Repfor fun – and gets and infection, how is resentatives. She represents State House that person supposed to obtain their mail District 24, which includes Golden, Wheat prescriptions through the mail in a timely Ridge and other areas in Jefferson County. manner? Rep. Danielson’s legislative office phone is Another example is a young woman 303-866-5522. Her website is www.jesattending school out of state. She is on her siedanielson.com. Please reach out any parents’ insurance and is required to have time with ideas, feedback or questions.

■ By

Jason E. Glass

■ By

State Rep. Jessie Danielson

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NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE – MARCH 13 – APRIL 15 2018– ngazette.com

Ask The Super

Too Qualified

Continued from page 9

Continued from page 7

Initiative 93. The final question relates to organizational credibility, and if Jeffco Public Schools has the confidence of the community – meaning that people won’t vote to give their tax dollars over to an organization they don’t trust. In the weeks ahead, we’ll be engaging with the community to find answers to all these questions. Ultimately, the Board of Education will need a majority vote to put a question on the ballot this fall. Until then, I’d encourage members of the community to engage in these discussions and provide feedback on whether or not Jeffco Public Schools should be on the ballot in 2018 and what package should be brought before the voters.

Fingerhood said younger workers think older workers can’t – or maybe won’t – adapt to technology. The reality is many older workers realize the value of technology and its importance in nearly every industry, she noted, so they are adept. Hoping to find a more tangible way to address ageism, Fingerhood and Lindenberger plan to host a March 24 discovery session in their Westminster home, then reach out to businesses, chambers of commerce and other organizations. “Right now, it’s like we can provide a place for people to vent, but can we go a little further and see if we can make a positive change,” Lindenberger said. If nothing changes, Lindenberger added, “We’ll start to see the weeding out of the older generations of workers and they’ll have no choice but to take social security and cause bigger demands on taxpayers. When you start to look at the long-term ramifications of this, it seems like it could really get out of control.”

Jason E. Glass, Ed.D., is Superintendent & Chief Learner, Jeffco Public Schools. If you have a question for our new superintendent please submit it to Guy@ NostalgicHomes.com or call it in to 303999-5789.

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ASK THE EXPERT Divorcing Your Mortgage separation agreements will require them to be legally recorded. Guidelines vary with different loan types his topic is always tough. Breaking (FHA, conventional, etc.) in terms of how down the numbers, for every 10 people long child support, alimony or maintenance married, four of them will be getting payments must be received in order to use divorced within the first seven years of that income to qualify for a loan, along with wedded bliss. how long it must continue. Divorcing clients need It is important to include guidance for their pre-, during a lending professional that can and post-divorce housing provide accurate information situations since there can be to the attorney in regards to impacts if they make the wrong the wording that lenders are decision or get the wrong advice. looking for in the divorce decree When there is a marital or separation agreements home (or other real estate) regarding these topics. involved in a divorce, the There are also potential question that comes up is, legal and tax implications “What do we do with the marital involved on how to handle home?” One person may want Wanda Norge mortgage-related tax deductions to buy out the other person and or how to handle 401(k) distributions. The retain the home. Or perhaps the marital administrator for the 401(k) plan has to home will be sold with the proceeds and approve the Qualified Domestic Relations costs split by each party. Order (QDRO) in order for the person to Be careful about the timing. For example, take advantage of a tax law that allows if a property is purchased while “separated,” withdrawal of retirement money without but not divorced, the other spouse could paying a 10 percent penalty. petition for half of that property later I often get calls from Realtors or including any value increases that may have clients that say they are getting conflicting occurred since purchase. Since the couple information about the mortgage rules when was not legally divorced at the time when in a divorce situation. Or worse – they the purchase occurred, the real estate is still have already been given bad advice and a “marital property.” That can come into play contract or refinance is now falling through. as an asset that needs to be “split” in order Let me know if I can assist with your divorce to give the other spouse his or her share of lending questions. the equity. Wanda Norge is a Mortgage Consul Many lenders will not do a new mortgage tant and Certified Divorce Lending Proif there is just a “separation” agreement. fessional (CDLP) with Equilane Lending, They can require the divorce to be finalized LLC (NMLS: 387869), lending for 14 years. first. This protects the lender and all parties Contact her at 303-419-6568, loans@wanso there is no question about any changes danorge.com or www.wandanorge.com. that could occur when a divorce has not NMLS:280102, MB:100018754 been finalized. Those lenders that do allow n By

Wanda Norge

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West Metro Recruits Burn Down the House(s) n By

Ronda Scholting

t first the fire was small, a flickering orange flame skittering along the floor of the bedroom. Within seconds, it began to grow, greedily consuming the rug, the bedspread and then the bed. Within just three minutes, the entire room was fully involved, smoke rolling up into the blue sky while a group of firefighter recruits watched. Today’s lesson – how quickly fire can grow and the different factors that affect its behavior. Two weeks before they burned them down, the recruits built the three small buildings, using different construction methods and filled them with furniture, wall hangings and rugs. One was built using new construction methods and materials and filled with newer furniture. Another was built using what are called legacy materials – dimensional lumber and furniture covered in natural materials, like cotton and wool. The third represented an unfinished basement. “These are all examples of the homes and businesses that we see in the West Metro district,” said Lieutenant Dan Fahrney, West Metro Fire Rescue. “What we want the recruits to see are the differences in how building materials and furniture react to fire, how quickly fire can grow and how dangerous it can be for firefighters to enter structures that are on fire.” Before each small building is intentionally set on fire, a 250-pound plate is positioned on the roof. The plate represents the weight of a firefighter, fully dressed in protective gear. As the fire grows, the recruits count the minutes and seconds until the fire weakens the structure just enough so that the plate falls through,

crashing to the floor below. “From when we get that 911 call, to when we arrive on scene, usually averages about four to five minutes,” said Fahrney. “If the roof is questionable after just five minutes, then our crews going inside to search for victims have to have an idea of what they’re facing.” The 29 recruits in this academy are from four different fire agencies: West Metro Fire Rescue, Castle Rock Fire and Rescue, Littleton Fire Rescue and TriLakes Monument Fire Protection District. The academy runs for 16 weeks and in the coming days, the recruits will go through several live fire trainings, where they will learn how to enter buildings, rescue life-like dummies and extinguish fires, among many other skills. “Everything they will learn over these next weeks is designed to help them operate safely, while protecting the community,” said Fahrney.

ngazette.com – MARCH 13 – APRIL 15, 2018 – NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE

WHAT’S HAPPENING Lakewood Kicks Off Recycling Initiative The City of Lakewood’s Sustainability Division kicked off an educational initiative to help residents recycle more at home and in their community. Dubbed “Recycle! It’s good for Lakewood,” the initiative has been developed after talking with Lakewood residents, including a focus group, for ideas and suggestions. While the effort is designed to build awareness, Sustainability Manager Jonathan Wachtel said the effort is designed to build awareness but is also an opportunity to continue the discussion about ways to increase recycling in the community. Residents will see fliers, posters and ads in the coming months to remind them about recycling options. Residents can get a bin and join in by signing up for curbside recycling at home with their trash hauler. While shopping or being outdoors, residents are encouraged to use recycling bins provided in stores and in Lakewood’s parks, instead of throwing items in the trash. A survey that the Sustainability Division conducted two years ago found that more than 90 percent of Lakewood residents who answered the survey said they wanted more recycling options and to reduce the amount of waste going to the landfill. The city’s citizen surveys conducted every few years also has found that Lakewood residents consistently cite Lakewood’s parks, open spaces and quality of life as their top reasons for living in the city. For more information on the initiative, visit Lakewood.org/WeRecycle.

Policy Analyst, Lakewood Mayor Discuss the Economics of a Changing Community, April 7 Population dynamics have changed in Jefferson County, and the League of Women Voters of Jefferson County will sponsor a free community meeting to address the impacts of these changes on Saturday, April 7 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at St. Anthony Hospital, south entrance, 11600 W. 2nd Place, Lakewood. Natalie O’Donnell Wood, Senior Policy Analyst at The Bell Policy Center, will explore the effects of demographic changes on the economy – for individuals and governments – including government revenues and expenditures, a changing job market, income inequality, retirement security, healthcare costs and others. Lakewood mayor Adam Paul will address the city’s approach to the impacts of population changes, and how a local government plans and prepares for changes in population demographics, revenue, needed services and an evolving job market. The meeting is one in a series based on

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the results of a 2017 review of demographic changes in the county by the League of Women Voters Jeffco. A Health Care meeting was presented in March and a Transportation meeting is set for May. The League of Women Voters of Jefferson County, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit www.lwvjeffco.org, call 303-2380032 or email info@lwvjeffco.org for more information.

Sunshine Home Share Seeks Sponsors for May 21 Fundraiser Mark your calendars – and consider a sponsorship – for Sunshine Home Share’s second fundraising event, set for May 21 at Right Coast Pizza in Wheat Ridge. “Sunrise is growing quickly as the need for affordable housing keeps growing,” said Executive Director Alison Joucovsky. “We need home seekers and home providers and have made seven matches.” Joucovsky said the new, small nonprofit needs community support to be sustainable, and is seeking sponsors and donors. For more information, call 303-9158264 or visit Sunshinehomeshare.org.

No More Fines For Kids’ Materials, Says Jeffco Library Jefferson County Public Library has eliminated of overdue fines for kids’ materials. According to a March 5 release from JCPL, the change increases access to books

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and materials for its youngest patrons: Studies show that imposing fines on overdue materials is not an effective method for ensuring the prompt return of materials, but that it can create barriers to using the library. “We want to increase access, availability and awareness of library resources to help every child in Jefferson County be ready to read when he/she enters kindergarten,” said Pam Nissler, executive director. “We know that our youngest patrons benefit from early exposure to reading, singing and speech and by removing potential barriers that might make families reluctant to check out materials for their children, we can better promote a culture of reading.” To encourage timely returns, all children’s items now have regular due dates, and reminder emails are sent. Several other library systems in Colorado have implemented this with considerable success, including Denver Public Libraries, Arapahoe Library District and Boulder County Libraries. Eliminating fines on children’s materials will not have a material impact on the Library’s budget, according to the release, as those fines represent less than one half of one percent of the budget.

TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

For more information visit jeffcolibrary. org.

Explore Tax Simplification at League of Women Voters’ Book Club, April 21 The Jeffco League of Women Voters Nonfiction Book Club will examine various options for simplifying our federal tax system for its April meetings. “A Fine Mess: A Global Quest for a Simpler, Fairer, and More Efficient Tax System,” by wellknown journalist and author T. R. Reid, is a comparison of taxation systems around globe. Using a similar style to his previous book on health care, “The Healing of America,” after visiting several European and Latin American countries and New Zealand, Reid explains in lay language, differences between how they deal with raising sufficient revenue to fund their government using methods that are seen as fair to their citizens. The nearest meeting take place Saturday, April 21 at 9:30 a.m. at Brookdale Westland Meridian, 10695 W. 17th Ave., Lakewood. For more information, call Lynne at 303-985-5128.

NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE – MARCH 13 – APRIL 15 2018– ngazette.com

NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS

NEIGHBORHOOD THEATER

Spring Welcomes Visitors to the Art District

Special Film Screenings, New Play Coming to Town

n By

Nancy Hahn

re you ready to start enjoying Colorado’s beautiful spring weather while visiting the Art District? The 40 West Art District is filling with new shows and new happenings for all of us to enjoy. The current exhibit at 40 West Arts Gallery, 1560 Teller St., is “Colfax Avenue: Past, Present, and Future” continuing until March 24. The gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday from noon until 4 p.m. There are extended hours on First Fridays. On April 6 there will be a reception from 5 until 8 p.m. for the opening of a new exhibition – the Member’s Showcase. Members are not restricted to theme or to materials. Visit and you may see sculpture, paintings, collage or photography, which makes the exhibit interesting and fun to view. Check it out during the reception and enjoy a complimentary beer or wine. 40 West Studios is affordable space for artist and other creatives a block off Colfax on Reed Street. A new gallery space, called Reed Street Gallery, is now open in the 40 West Studios lobby. Check it out! Lakewood Arts, 6731 W. Colfax in Lamar Plaza, will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on March 16. Stop by to enjoy the fabulous variety of artwork, the Joyful Soles Irish Step Dancers, and Irish Tacos. The food will be available and the dancing performed from 6 to 8 p.m., for $15. Edge Gallery, 7701 W. Colfax, opened their “Month of Printmaking” on March’s First Friday. You still have time to visit and enjoy until Easter, April 1. The next show, “On Edge,” has its opening reception on April 27. “On Edge” is a juried show of contemporary Colorado artists creating

Elisabeth Monaghan

FIRST PRIZE WINNER MICHELLE BALDWIN at Next Gallery. PHOTO: DAVE REIN/40 WEST ARTS

work that challenges the boundaries of ideas and materials. The Next Gallery, 6851 W. Colfax, closed their show, “Pink Palace,” art of all kinds in homage to Casa Bonita on March 11. The Opening Reception for the next show is on Friday, March 16, from 6 to 10 p.m. This show of Richard T. Anderson’s paintings and Leah Swenson’s collages will continue until April 1. Container Collective Yoga, 1492 Ammons St., has a spring bounty of activities. A “Spring Equinox Celebration” will welcome the season with sun salutations and setting intentions for spring on March 26 at 7 p.m. If you want to find out more about essential oils, the second Thursday and fourth Monday of each month there will be discussions, answers to your questions, and great scents. Monday’s classes are from 7 to 8 p.m., Thursday’s from 1 to 2 p.m. For more information about yoga classes, book club, and bamboo bicycles drop by and chat or visit online.

n addition to showing the industry’s latest box-office hits, the Alamo Drafthouse Denver will present a number of notable films between mid-March and mid-April. Included in the lineup are Girls Rock, presented by and benefitting Girls Rock Denver, (March 18, 3 p.m.) “Haunters: The Art of the Scare,” which is a documentary about the Halloween haunted house subculture (March 19, 8 p.m.), Celine Sciamma’s 2014 coming of age film, “Girlhood” (March 20, 7:45 p.m.), “The Road Warrior” (March 21, 9 p.m.), “Revenge of the Nerds” (March 26, 7:30 p.m.), and “My Brother’s Keeper: Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People,” presented by Ill Se7en and benefitting My Brother's Keeper Alliance and La Napoule Art Foundation (March 25, 6 p.m.). The April installment of the Film/STILL series at the Alamo Drafthouse Denver will feature “BEUYS,” a documentary by filmmaker Andres Veiel about the life and work of the 20th-century German sculptor and performance artist Joseph Beuys (March 21, 7 p.m.). Additional special screenings on deck include Icelandic LGBTQ double feature: “Heartstone” (April 7, 12 p.m.) and “Rift” (April 7, 3 p.m.) and RMCAD’s presentation of “All This Panic” (April 11, 7 p.m.), a coming of age documentary about teenage girls. For details on these and other special screenings or films playing at the Alamo Drafthouse, visit https://drafthouse.com/ denver/theater/sloans-lake.

‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ Opens at the Edge Benchmark Theatre’s production of “A Kid Like Jake” concludes on March 24, at which time, the space Benchmark currently shares with the Edge Theater will be made ready for the Edge’s production of David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “Glengarry Glen Ross,” which opens on April 13. Running through May 5, this is one of the Edge’s two remaining shows scheduled for 2018. For information or tickets, visit www. http://www.theedgetheater.com/

Rodents’ April Show to Benefit Giving Day Denver As part of its Comedy for a Cause series at the Grange in Wheat Ridge, the Rodents of Unusual Size will benefit Giving Day Denver on April 7 at 6:30 p.m. The show is free, a $5 donation is suggested. (Families with three or more pay only $15 total.) For details, visit www.coloradoimprov. com