Neighborhood Gazette – January 2019 – Wheat Ridge by Neighborhood Gazette

WHEAT RIDGE MAYOR Celebrate 50 Years With Wheat Ridge In 2019! Page 4

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS HEALthy Wheat Ridge Builds Healthy Champions Page 5

ASK THE SUPER What Non-Funding Issues Will We Hear About In 2019? Page 6

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Gazette NEIGHBORHOOD

WHEAT RIDGE | APPLEWOOD | MOUNTAIN VIEW | LAKESIDE | BERKELEY January 15 – February 15, 2019 • ngazette.com • FREE

Goats Gone Missing, Reward Oﬀered n By

Nancy Hahn

f you live in Wheat Ridge, watch the news or read NextDoor, you have heard about Five Fridges Farms missing male goats: Wendell, Daryl and his other brother Darryl, Yoda and Creampuff. Sometime between Dec. 30 and New Years Eve morning, the gate to their pen at the Kipling Trailhead Open Space was opened, and they haven’t been seen since. Volunteers and the Wheat Ridge Police have searched all along Clear Creek and the Greenbelt. What is it that has made the entire community so concerned? Goats have distinct personalities and enjoy people. When they thought I wasn’t looking, my own children repeatedly shared their breakfast cereal with Mr. Stubbs, our first goat. He followed them to the bus stop. I’m sure teachers heard, “My goat ate my homework.” Wheat Ridge has enjoyed many opportunities to get to know the goats from Five Fridges Farm. Five Fridges has shared their goats with the community for years. In 2017, Dr. Amanda Weaver of Five Fridges Farm was concerned about chemical weed killers being used beside 38th Avenue by the Continued on page 8

FIVE FRIDGES FARM’S GOATS ARE STILL MISSING as the Neighborhood Gazette went to press, but the company is “overwhelmed with gratitude for the community helping us find the missing boys,” including seven trained volunteers from Colorado 4x4 Rescue and Recovery conducting a search on Jan. 1. PHOTO COURTESY OF 5 FRIDGES FARM

Bottling Company’s Expansion, Renovation Beneﬁts From City Tax Rebate n By

Mike McKibbin

ne of the largest private employers in Wheat Ridge will get a partial rebate of city use tax the company paid related to a planned four-phase renovation and expansion project. The Rocky Mountain Bottle Co. submitted a request to participate in the city’s business development zone program. The company paid $1.05 million in city use tax associated with the first phase of a possible $120 million renovation project at their plant, 10619 W. 50th Ave. in Wheat Ridge. City staff recommended a 25 percent rebate, or approximately $262,500, and that council agree to future rebate amounts through 2021, when the full project is scheduled to end. City council consensus at a Dec. 17 study session was to grant the request. Existing Wheat Ridge companies and companies relocating to the city can ask to be included in the program for a partial rebate of use tax and other fees paid for new construction or redevelopment. The program allows a maximum rebate of 75 percent of use tax on building materials, furniture and fixtures associated with the development, building permit fees and zoning fees. According to the council agenda packet, the project will replace two of the company’s three furnaces with one larger furnace that uses cleaner-burning oxy-fuel technology to lower emissions and increase energy efficiency. A second phase under consideration for later this year would expand plant capacity and a third phase slated for 2020 would add new technology for production monitoring and quality inspections. A fourth phase

would include rebuilding the third furnace in 2021. “Part of this request will help us remain competitive and continue in the years to come,” plant manager William Dillaman told the council. City Manager Patrick Goff said if the company does spend around $120 million on the four-phase project, they would receive a total rebate of around $630,000.

EPA settlement that calls for plant improvements not mentioned at council meeting

The project will also meet the terms of a 2017 settlement Rocky Mountain Bottle Co. reached with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment over a furnace expansion project in the late 1990s. It was done without obtaining permits

or installing required pollution control equipment and resulted in significantly increased emissions of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) can cause or contribute to health problems and adverse environmental impacts, such as groundlevel ozone, acid rain, global warming, water Continued on page 2

PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW

Wheat Ridge’s First Poet In Residence: Sharon Heinlen n By

Elisabeth Monaghan

hen visitors come to Wheat Ridge, they don’t have to go far to discover public art on display throughout the city. That’s because through its Cultural Commission, the City of Wheat Ridge is committed to promoting the arts and the artists who live in the area. To celebrate Wheat Ridge’s 50th Anniversary in 2019, the City’s Cultural Commission has integrated poetry as part of its program with the recent appointment of its first Poet in Residence. When Wheat Ridge resident Sharon Heinlen learned about the newly created Poet in Residence program, she recognized an opportunity to merge her love for the community where she’s lived for 18 years, with her passion for poetry. “I have written poetry all my life, including as a young child,” Heinlen explains. “Poetry was a part of my public-school education, K-12, and it instilled in me the importance of this art form and its contribution to “I HAVE WRITTEN POETRY ALL MY LIFE, including society and communities.” As a poet, Heinlen, who currently serves as an adjunct professor as a young child,” said Sharon Heinlen, Wheat Ridge’s

first-ever Poet In Residence.

Continued on page 8

WHEAT RIDGE

PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF

NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE – JANUARY 15 – FEBRUARY 15, 2019 – ngazette.com

Gazette NEIGHBORHOOD

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303-995-2806 e-mail: editor@ngazette.com Publication is the 15th of each month. Publisher: Tim Berland Managing Editor: J. Patrick O’Leary

PROUD MEMBER

Our friends at 5 Fridges Farm are missing some goats! (see page 1). We are missing one too and he is hiding somewhere in this issue. Find him and send an email to puzzle@ngazette.com and tell us where he is at. We will draw a winner out of the correct responses and send them a cool prize. Good luck!

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Kudos On Coverage Of Prospect Valley School Thank you for devoting so much time to The City of Wheat Ridge and Jeffco Schools (School Crossing by Guy Nahmiach). We bought our first house at 3525 Moore St. and moved in January 1958. In 1962 our oldest daughter, Mara, started kindergarten at Prospect Valley School, which was located on the north side of 38th at the end of Moore Street. Our younger daughter, Carla, started kindergarten one year later. At that time when you finished 3rd grade you went to Kullerstrand. When our younger daughter, Carla, finished the third grade, she attended the new Prospect Valley school. The students who were going to Kullerstrand were not brought back to Prospect Valley. The students did the research of the Prospect Valley area and designed the celebration, opening the new

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quality deterioration and visual impairment, according to the EPA. Children and people with lung diseases such as asthma are most affected, along with possible lung tissue damage for people who work or exercise outside. High concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2) can affect breathing and may aggravate existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease, especially among asthmatics, those with bronchitis or emphysema, children and the elderly. SO2 is also a primary contributor to acid deposition or acid rain. The EPA also alleged the company violated part of the Clean Air Act by failing to submit a complete permit application. The company agreed to pay a $475,000 civil penalty, split between the federal and state governments. The settlement required the company to install new controls to reduce NOx and SO2 emissions by the end of March 2019 and to monitor for emissions every hour. The settlement noted the company will convert two of its three furnaces to one oxy-fuel furnace, as outlined to city council. Such furnaces mix pure oxygen — produced at Rocky Mountain Bottle Co.’s site — with natural gas to increase efficiency and reduce emissions. The third furnace already uses oxy-fuel combustion and the new furnace will reduce NOx emissions by approximately 60 percent. The company must route all emissions through a continuously operating scrubber system to reduce SO2 emissions by about the same amount. The EPA estimated the new equipment will result in a 200 tons-per-year reduction in NOx emissions and 150 tons-per-year reduction in SO2 emissions. The settlement was not referenced in the council packet nor mentioned during the council study session. Mayor Bud Starker said he was unaware of the settlement when asked in an interview. “It might have been a useful piece of information,” Starker said. “But I’m not

Prospect Valley. The students in Carla’s class were top dog in third grade, fourth grade, fifth grade, and sixth grade. They graduated from Wheat Ridge High in 1976. That was the graduation ceremony that was a bit “wild.” The graduation ceremony was held in the gym. By the time our son graduated in 1980 the graduation ceremony was held at Jeffco Stadium. The school design was planned to be “open.” Letter grades were not given. Can’t remember the exact wording for report cards. Just a bit of history - in case you are interested. Exciting there will be a new building! Hopefully the new building will be on the high ground and not on the north lower ground which tends to be very wet. Thank you for the time you devote to the city and the schools. Our very best wishes for a wonderful 2019! Gretchen Cerveny, Wheat Ridge sure what obligation city staff has to ferret out every bit of information there is about everything.” Starker added he was unsure knowledge of the settlement would have made a difference in the council’s consensus to move forward with the rebate request. In an interview, Dillaman said the settlement was not included in the company’s presentation on the advice of a consultant who helps companies identify and obtain government rebate programs, Duff & Phelps. “The advice was that it wasn’t pertinent to the discussion about use tax and rebates,” he added. “But we think it is the correct thing to do to meet the requirements in the settlement as we move forward with this project.”

Company could add more workers

The council packet noted Rocky Mountain Bottle is a glass container manufacturing joint venture between Owens-Illinois Inc. and MillerCoors. The company began as the Columbine Glass Co. in 1970. The approximately 400,000-square-foot plant is on 17.5 acres and includes a recycling facility that processes recycled glass for its bottles. The plant makes six bottle types and about 3.5 million bottles per day for over 30 varieties of beer. Bottles are shipped primarily to MillerCoors breweries in California, Colorado, Texas and Wisconsin. The packet called the company one of the largest private employers in Wheat Ridge, with 226 full-time permanent employees. Total annual payroll exceeds $23 million, with average annual wages of about $100,000, well above the Jefferson County average wage of $57,824. Between 15-18 new full-time permanent jobs could be created at the facility by the end of 2019. In addition, a significant amount of local labor among approximately 180 contractors will likely complete the project. That could include local millwrights, masons, electricians and other skilled labor. Local labor project costs could be in the range of $15 million to $17 million.

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THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN BOTTLE CO. IN WHEAT RIDGE will receive a partial rebate of more than $1 million in city use tax and fees through a program to help existing city businesses expand and others relocate. The company’s four-year, approximately $120 million project will also help it meet the requirements of a 2017 settlement with the federal and state government over emission violations during a previous project. PHOTO COURTESY RMBC.

ngazette.com – JANUARY 15 – FEBRUARY 15, 2019 – NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE

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NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE – JANUARY 15 – FEBRUARY 15, 2019 – ngazette.com

Wheat Ridge Historical Society’s

WHEAT RIDGE MAYOR

SECOND SATURDAY EVENTS MONTHLY! 10 am to 2 pm at the Baugh House – 44th & Robb St.

Celebrate 50 Years With Wheat Ridge In 2019! Work to update the Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy created in 2005 began in 2018 and will continue in 2019. appy birthday Wheat Ridge! In case you The council-appointed Steering Committee haven’t heard, the city is celebrating its convened small group “kitchen table” incorporation as a city this year. The official meetings to engage the public in peer-todate August of 1969; however plans include peer community conversations. In the first recognizing this milestone throughout round of engagement, these 2019. There are a lot of fun meetings asked participants, events planned so stay tuned "What would you change to Facebook, the Connections and what would you keep the newsletter, NextDoor and the same in Wheat Ridge?" In the city website. The history timeline second round of engagement, is already available on the the Steering Committee website and there is a Facebook hosted additional small group group with historic photos and meetings to obtain public input information at CelebrateWR50. on two hypothetical scenarios Watch for the displays of the as a means to understanding city’s history at the Wheat Ridge what the community values Recreation Center and additional Bud Starker about Wheat Ridge and how activities at the Historic Park on it weighs costs and benefits of 44th Avenue. public decision making. In the third round This special year has already kicked off of engagement, a public open house was with the Passport to Wheat Ridge. This is a held at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center discount book with more than 35 businesses and input gathered from the open house represented. The proceeds from the sale of will inform next steps as the Committee the book, which is $25, go to help renovate moves from identifying issues to developing the first Wheat Ridge Police Department possible actions and recommendations. patrol car, Unit 1. In addition to discount This coming year will include a public offers from local businesses, the Passport survey, likely in February 2019. also includes major events in the city The Wheat Ridge Sustainability throughout the year so make sure to pick Committee has undergone a name change. one up as a reminder of what’s happening Sustainable Wheat Ridge is a volunteer-led in 2019. Passports can be purchased online committee supporting efforts to improve and picked up at City Hall. community conditions focusing on six areas The WRPD also held a history panel of environmental sustainability: green earlier this month that is available on building and energy efficiency, renewable YouTube. “A Look Back with Those Who energy, transportation, solid waste and Served”, provided a unique perspective on recycling, water, and communication and the City’s history from former Chiefs and engagement. City council has also allocated officers from the WRPD and Wheat Ridge $7,500 in 2019 for Sustainable Wheat Fire Department. Ridge to implement Xcel Energy’s Home The WRPD is also wearing a Energy Audits for Wheat Ridge residents as commemorative badge this year featuring part of their Xcel Partners in Energy (PiE) the original design from badges worn in 1969. program. PiE works with municipalities to Chief Brennan planned to make it official design energy goals for communities and with a pinning ceremony and proclamation provide tools and guidance for achieving at the council meeting on Monday, Jan. 14. those goals. PiE will also be focusing on In addition to all the celebrations, there are a number of projects that will move forward this year: Continued on page 11 n By

Bud Starker

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efore there was a card section at the local stores most people made their holiday cards and gifts. The historians of The Wheat Ridge Historical Society will be celebrating Valentine’s Day a little early; we will be showing our visitors how to make old-fashioned handmade Valentine cards. Here is your chance to show your loved ones how much you care! Remember mom loves handmade gifts over store bought as they come from your heart! Everyone is welcome to our Second Saturday event on Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We will make cards have snacks and give tours of the Baugh house at 44th Avenue and Robb Street. Enjoy craft demonstrations and sales, sing or play along with local musicians and learn more about our local history when you visit. The Historical Park will also be open for tours. Historical books and old time toys are available for purchase The Wheat Ridge Historical Park, the hidden gem of our many parks is located at 4610 Robb St. It is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Our tour guides bring to life the stories behind the historical buildings and artifacts from our agricultural heritage. The implement shed is now ready to be toured after our Project Day helpers have organized it! Thank you volunteers! Tours are only $2 per person. We offer group tours with

advanced notice. Call 303-421-9111 for more information. The Historical Society meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Red Brick Museum. We have historical talks and snacks at the beginning of these fun informative meetings. All are welcome to join us to learn more about the Society and our upcoming events. The Wheat Ridge Quilt Circle meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Cost is $2. Bring a project and lunch if you want. All crafters welcome! Our Knit/Crochet Group meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month from 7 to 9 p.m. All crafters are welcome to our new evening group. Cost is $2. Fourth Saturday Project Day will be at either the Historical Park or at the Baugh House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There are indoor and outdoor projects to be done while enjoying snacks and historical tidbits. Come by for 30 minutes or an hour or two – all help is greatly appreciated! Check our Facebook page for updates on this community service, which is open to all, Feb. 23, March 23 and April 27. Upcoming Second Saturday events include Purple & Green Party (March) Earth Day Yard Sale (April), and May Pole Dance & Festival (May). For more information email wrhistorical@gmail.com or check our website, www.wheatridgehistoricalsociety.org.

ngazette.com – JANUARY 15 – FEBRUARY 15, 2019 – NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE

LOCALWORKS UPDATE Grant Funding For Commercial Properties In Wheat Ridge (10401 W. 44th Ave.). Owner Raffaele Vitale had big dreams for the modest building that houses his business, and his Mediterranean he Wheat Ridge Business District Florentine design came to life with the help (WRBD) has been a wonderful resource of the WRBD Façade Plus Program. and partner to local economic development, Next, head east and see how owner specifically the brick-and-mortar businesses Ellen Daehnick has updated the building in Wheat Ridge. of Post Oak Hall (6195 W. 44th Ave.), Since it was founded in 2002, which has been featured as “one of Wheat revitalization and improving commercial Ridge’s favorite attractions” in buildings in Wheat Ridge has the Denver Post. With help from been the mission and focus of the a Façade Plus Program grant, organization. Their matching Ellen took the building from grants are funded by the City nondescript and industrial to of Wheat Ridge and cover something more reminiscent of a projects in various categories, clean, rustic farmhouse. Pictures such as façade changes, exterior of both properties before and painting, landscaping, visual after the façade improvement impact special projects, sign projects can be found at www. improvements, and even WeAreLocalworks.org/business. accessibility projects. A 501(c) The 2019 continuance (3) nonprofit with an allof the Façade Plus Program is volunteer board of directors, Chelsea Bunker perfect for businesses looking the WRBD has some exciting to invest in their properties in the City incentives for Wheat Ridge businesses and of Wheat Ridge. Information forms and commercial properties in 2019. letters of interest are due by March 5 for this The board of directors has announced larger grant funding. As always, WRBD’s an increase to the Revitalization Incentive Revitalization Incentive Program will accept Program matching grants, which are applications throughout the year. Additional available ongoing and year-round. In information and grant applications for both 2019, available matching grant awards of these programs can be found at www. are increasing between 20 and 25 percent. WeAreLocalworks.org/business. Additionally, the WRBD will continue their Localworks is a partner in administering Façade Plus Program in 2019. This program the program for Wheat Ridge Business began in 2018 and awarded two businesses District and is eager to help answer any a total of $40,000 for significant façade questions. Please call us at (720) 259-1030. improvements. Chelsea Bunker is the Community EnTake a drive down 44th Avenue and gagement Coordinator for Localworks. notice the new look of Raffaele’s Hair Studio n By

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Rachel Hultin

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NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE – JANUARY 15 – FEBRUARY 15, 2019 – ngazette.com

SCHOOL VISITOR PASS

SCHOOL CROSSING

Resolutions Come In All Forms

Choosing Schools For The Right Reasons

n By

Guy Nahmiach

hings you want, things you wish for … hope to be. Improving, reducing and, perhaps, changing all together. New year’s resolutions. The Wheat Ridge Recreation Center welcomes a huge number of “get fitter,” “lose weight” and “gain muscle” crowds in the first couple of months of the year. It causes our annual “expansion/addition” conversation. Parents make all kinds of promises to each other and their children. But life gets in the way sometimes and while I’m not saying it’s impossible to change, Robert Plant sings about the “two paths you can go by, but there’s still time to change the road you’re on.” When it comes to this special breed of humans whom we call educators, they clearly sacrifice a life of wealth for small wages but huge gains in emotional currency. Resolutions take on a whole new meaning. I asked a few of them what they had in mind for a new year’s resolution, what it is that they hoped for in this new year. I knew I wasn’t going to get anything “normal” but I certainly didn’t expect this:

Scott Allensworth (Community Superintendent)

I hope for the Wheat Ridge area students to matriculate through the articulation area as productive positive citizens and we educate them to be successful contributing members of our community. I also hope we provide the skills and relationships for students to live their life goals.

Brenda Carlson (Community Superintendent)

Students involved/empowered. By giving students more control over their

assignments and activities, they will hopefully take ownership of their education and use their talents and interests in a positive way. Embrace the Jeffco Generations.

Beverly Haynie (Prospect Valley Principal)

I am resolved to do whatever I can to make a positive lasting impact on someone in my school every day – to offer kindness, spread acceptance, cultivate joy, encourage and empower.

Karen Quanbeck (Chief of Schools – Elementary)

My resolution is to push myself to consider the “user perspective” in any design process or work at a systems level. For example, if we are designing something for teachers, we need to consider the teacher needs and perspective. Innovation only works when it meets the needs of the user and helps us do something better. Shiny, new, creative is fun. Shiny, new, creative and it creates a better experience or remedies a pain point is fun and sustainable.

Jeena Templeton (The Manning School Principal)

My New Year’s resolution is to learn and grow with and from my school community and to create systems of experiences for staff and students to learn and grow together. Our priority as a staff this year has been to learn from one another, and we have become an even closer family of learners that challenge each other’s thinking, hold one another accountable, take calculated risks, reflect on our practices; create, design and innovate together; and grow from our Continued on page 8

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their values and command higher selling prices than homes in lower quality districts.” s Jeffco introduces a new registration As a Realtor myself, I can share with you that format, I’ve been hearing from many when buyers are in a home that they like and families that are reconsidering their choices pull up the stats on the nearest school on of where to send their kids to, maybe re- greatschools.com, they will either ask me evaluating their first choice and perhaps to show them other houses or be reassured even entertaining something they’ve never that the choice program will allow them to thought of before. It’s really shaking things buy this home but be able to register their up. More parents actually visiting schools kids at a different school. For a second, try to and having face-to-face conversations with imagine forcing families to attend the school closest to their home. In states principals, teachers and staff where choice does not exist, instead of listening to their values skyrocket around the good neighbor or reading the hype or schools and plummet around warnings on social media. those not-so-great schools. While parents are shopping I have to wonder what we around for schools, they are would look like here in Wheat considering class sizes, free and Ridge. Peak Elementary for reduced ratios, and they are also example had a 62 percent choicereviewing stats. Proficiency rates out enrollment. There are reasons (county vs state vs nationwide), why families actively decide not parent reviews, discipline to send their kids there. What if stats that include number of Guy Nahmiach choice was repealed and families suspensions and detentions, and were forced to attend Peak? extracurricular activities, such as school gardens, community involvement, Would they roll up their sleeves and dig may also be considered. Parents may even in to improve this school? Would they sell look at racial makeup of a school, languages their homes and move to where they wanted their kids to attend? Or would they simply taught and styles of PE. Of course, I’m laughing as I write this. not buy there in the first place, sending that Shopping for schools was unheard-of neighborhood into a depressed state? What happens if your child attends your growing up. You simply went to the school local school and you are involved yet still find closest to your home and made the best of it. The new registration system offers only it not to be the right fit? That was my case some categories for now. But superintendent with my kids. How long before you make a Dr. Jason Glass promises additional ones in move? We experienced both sides and I can the future. While most parents I speak with honestly tell you that the wrong side of that take those numbers seriously, most educators, coin does not feel good - not for the student I found, stay away from discussing test scores and certainly not for the parents. Educators view education like a and proficiency ratings. As mentioned above, this is by no means the only way to rate or marathon, small corrections to a long judge a school, but it certainly helps to paint a path. As parents though, we view our kids’ complete picture. It’s one of the reasons why education like a sprint race: Only so many choice has been so popular. It helps to find years to learn, instill values and create a plan for the future. I’m looking for daily and that “perfect” fit for your student. Choice, of course, has its own weekly changes and modifications. I don’t controversies. While many believe that have time to try something next fall or when “involved” parents would work to improve a bond passes. If you are not happy at your job, you any school they were assigned to, National Association of Realtors surveys show that speak with your boss and if that doesn’t work the No. 1 factor for home buyers is schools. out, you start looking around for a new job. If In fact the same study shows that “homes in Continued on page 8 good school districts sell more quickly, hold n By

Guy Nahmiach

ASK THE SUPER What Non-Funding Issues Will We Hear About In 2019? still certainly important, it is what we do with the basic knowledge and facts that matters much more. Now that the funding bond was approved Bringing about this change in how by voters, how do we move the conversation students experience learning will be our into other areas that need attention? In the singular focus for years to come. Imagine last few months most of your answers have if we could create a school system that revolved around this important issue. But graduated thousands of Jeffco students who today in your outlook for 2019, what are were really ready to compete and thrive in a you hopeful for? What non-funding issues global economy – this must be our goal! can we expect to hear and read about? As both superintendent We’ve worked to set the of our public schools and a “north star” for Jeffco Public parent of Jeffco students, I Schools on changing the student am incredibly passionate and experience in learning so that excited about this work. When we create authentic (real, and it comes to where we must put connected to the world), engaging our attention, this is the “main (meaningful to the student thing” and we intend to make and work that draws them in), breakthroughs on authentic and and create the opportunity for engaging learning experiences students to practice important for students that really prepare real-world skills. them for the future. On that last point, we call Jason E. Glass, Ed.D. Thank you. these “Generations Skills,” Jason E. Glass, Ed.D., is the Superinafter our strategic visioning document tendent & Chief Learner of Jeffco Public “Jeffco Generations.” They include things Schools; www.jeffcopublicschools.org. such as creativity, complex problem solving, If you have a question for our supercollaboration, effective written and oral intendent please submit it to Guy@Noscommunication, leadership, and adapting talgicHomes.com or call it in to 303-999to changing conditions. While the basics 5789. and foundational factual information are n By

4280 Tennyson St. Denver, CO 303 284 0194 welcome@bookbardenver.com www.bookbardenver.com

Jason E. Glass, Ed.D.

ngazette.com – JANUARY 15 – FEBRUARY 15, 2019 – NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE

MOUNTAIN VIEWS

What’s Happening in the WRBA

A Review Of 2018, Promise For 2019 n By

Patricia Lilliston

or many, a new year suggests consideration for the two R’s: reflection and resolution. Reflection, a review of previous practice or action, can help one avoid redundancy or ineffectiveness. Thoughtful reflection can, in turn, prompt one to create a desired intention for change through hopeful resolution. Since many tend to implement this reflect to resolve tradition in January, it would seem that now is an appropriate month to review community projects, business development, residential growth and the mayoral and town council endeavors during the past year. A short term 2018, spring street project was the undertaking by Xcel Energy on Eaton Street. The restoration project required the removal and replacement of main lines and the relocation of residential gas meters. Planning for the rehabilitation of the Mountain View sanitary sewer and stormwater system began over a year ago. The Capital Improvement Project requires the lining, repair and maintenance of existing sewer pipes in the town’s sanitary sewer collection system. Additionally, the project addresses the design and construction of drainage improvement along 41st Avenue. Mayor Levy introduced residents to the scope of the infrastructure project during the fall Coffee with the Mayor. Then at the Dec. 18 public hearing, RG and Associates, LLC, the town’s engineer firm, presented the Mountain View Wastewater and Stormwater Improvement Project proposed improvements, cost, safety and legal issues, loan and funding procedure and a projected construction timeline. Commercial properties along 44th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard remain occupied. The building at 5600 W. 44th is still under remodel, but signage indicates the space will offer facial and dental surgery. Additionally, exterior aesthetic improvements have been made to a few business storefronts. Although maintained by a Mountain View resident and certainly not considered a business, the Little Free Library located on the north side of the Town Hall and Police Department celebrated a one-year anniversary in spring, 2018. Owing to the recurrent trades by the community, over four hundred books for youth and adult readers have passed through the Lady Bug Library this year. Confined by 12 square blocks, the residential growth of the town is perceived by the number of homes listed for sale and any subsequent change in architectural design made to the property after the sale transaction. Each neighborhood block has witnessed at least one or more property exchange this year. Scrap-and-build development is now a reality in the town’s architectural design. The annual spring and fall town clean up provided rollaway receptacles for large household item discard. Street sweeping was accomplished as scheduled. Provisions have been made to increase focus on alleyway code enforcement. This year, the town council planned

more family oriented community activities. An ice cream social and an under-the-stars movie night, both hosted by council and held at the Town Hall and Police Department, were well received by neighbors, family and friends. Likewise the annual August picnic featured a luau theme and was well attended by community members. Two council members, Chelsea Steen and Adam Hilling, were appointed this year to complete the terms vacated by former town council members, John Richardson and Leola Boone. Two vacated seats on the town’s Appeal and Variance Board have also been filled by residents. With regard to the cost and convenience for residents, Alpine Waste and Recycling will provide the trash and recycle service for the community beginning this month. Measures to assure the sustainability of Mountain View is apparent. After review, consider now your resolve. Introduce yourself at the Town Hall and Police Department, 4176 Benton St. Shop locally. Visit the Lady Bug Library. Walk the neighborhood and welcome a new neighbor. Tidy your lawn and alleyway. Attend a town council meeting. Show up at the quarterly Coffee with the Mayor. Participate in community events. How will you become involved in the town? For 2019, create your own intention.

Community Events

The Project Needs Assessment (PNA) and a print version of the RG & Associates, LLC presentation agenda from the Mountain View Wastewater and Stormwater Improvement Project public hearing on Dec. 18, is available for review at the Town Hall and Police Department, 4176 Benton St. The deadline for completion of the residential questionnaire is Thursday, Jan. 31. The 10-minute questionnaire can be accessed at https://bit.ly/TOMV-Survey. A paper version is available at the Town Hall and Police Department. A suggestion box for comments, complaints and suggestions has been installed at the Town Hall and Police Department.

“

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DATE: Tuesday, February 12, 2019 TIME: 7:00am-9:00am LOCATION: The Vista at Applewood Golf Course, 14001 W. 32nd Ave. 303-278-6637 **Please note change in location for this meeting** COST: $15 for WRBA Members and their guests, $18 for Non-members SPEAKER: Sherry Ray, Motivational Speaker TOPIC: “Conﬂict-An Opportunity for Growth” MEETING SPONSOR: Erika Schultz, Fairmount Wellness MEMBER BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Ron Benson, Keller Williams Realty – The MacDonald Group

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New year? New plan? New direction? Why not be willing to do something that will take five minutes or less for anybody? A simple altruistic notion, but perhaps an opportunity to provide givers with good karma, too. “Even if you have no time, you can make time for five minutes,” states Adam Rifkin, who began to perform daily, five-minute favors in the workplace during late 1990s. “It doesn’t cost you much, but it can make a big difference in somebody’s life,” reinforces Rifkin. In the workplace the five-minute favor might involve something as simple as sharing knowledge, introducing individuals who might benefit from knowing each other, serving as a reference or providing feedback. Since giving has strong ties to longevity and happiness, how can the five-minute favor be expressed at home? Take a moment. Decide on your personal five-minute favor. Now extend the favor to a neighbor.

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Heinlen Continued from page 1

in humanities and social sciences university graduate programs, communicates with words that read or sound like poetry, even in what would be considered “every day communication.” For example, in an email explaining what poetry means to her, Heinlen writes, “Words, phrases and paragraphs in poetry record, explain, give hope and comfort to that which we live by – the human heart. Poetry reins not just as evidence of a fantasy life on the part of the poet, but quite often as a beacon of reality that inspires those of us who live moment by moment, day by day.” In her application for the Poet in Residence appointment, Heinlen included a poem she wrote, “Neighborly Inspiration” (see sidebar). She wrote the poem based on her interactions with an elderly neighbor she met just after she moved to Wheat Ridge. Over the years, the gentleman, who became Heinlen’s treasured friend, taught her about the area’s history. He also helped her appreciate the uniqueness of the community. Heinlen says she continues to be inspired by Wheat Ridge’s history and culture, or as what she describes as the city’s “points of light and interest, the progressive commitment to art in public places and especially our easy access to stunningly beautiful natural resources.” When she found out the Wheat Ridge Cultural Commission had selected her to be its first Poet in Residence, Heinlen’s first reaction was surprised, and then she was humbled because she knows of several talented poets who live in Wheat Ridge. Teaching at a variety of colleges and universities since 1973, Heinlen is excited about working with students during the second year of the Poetry in Residence program and considers it an honor. “Part of this honor, that really inspired me in the first place, was the potential opportunity to work with young people in year two of the appointment,” says Heinlen. “The open-

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collective wisdom. I am resolute in my conviction to see that work culminate in Manning becoming a responsive, efficient and sustainable learning organization committed to striving and reaching to be the best possible stewards of our students’ tremendous potential.

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TJ McManus (Stevens Elementary Principal)

My resolution for this year is to transition from an environment where we promised and delivered a meaningful and relevant curriculum to a place where these are now expected and is the norm here at Stevens. A place where every student is excited about coming to school and expects to learn something that will change their lives. Clearly these community superheroes are wired differently. Personally, I woke up on January 1st with one thing in mind:

Missing Goats Continued from page 1

farm. As CU Denver Senior Instructor of Urban Geography, Weaver was concerned about finding safe, sustainable solutions. So, instead of the city using chemicals, the LaMancha male goats performed weed control along 38th. Then, the goats spent several weeks in a one-acre fenced area in Lewis Meadows Park. Since that time the goats have worked throughout Wheat Ridge, around the Wheat Ridge Rec Center, and other areas around town. When they worked, visitors stopped by got to know them. This arrangement benefited everyone, Weaver explained: The goats enjoy eating the noxious weeds, and the weed seeds that pass through a goat will not sprout. The goats will, also, munch the grass down to about five inches. Last August the community was invited to meet at Lewis Meadows Park to walk the

Neighborly Inspiration 82-year-old next door said stand at Baugh Cabin and Feel the preserved bones of this golden Ridge place Dream a picture of beads of sweat with necklaces of dust On miners-farmers-women pioneers faces and bodies. Now take me over to Crown Hill Park close to my wife Walk our talk there and hear the Geese laughing all Facing one way above the lake that is more than water And you can’t miss our historical Tower of Memories. At 97 he reminded me art souls lived in the parks Truth and Discovering the Stars and Symbols in Stone Windows for past, present and future Ridge life cultivators He left me still looking right after the Carnation Parade. –Sharon R. Heinlen heartedness and often incredible wisdom of youth is a gift to all of us.” During her first year as Poet in Residence, Heinlen will create original poems, which she will read at public celebrations of Wheat Ridge’s 50th Anniversary, as well as the grand reopening of Anderson Park, Ridgefest and the Wheat Ridge Holiday Lighting. Her poems also will be posted on Wheat Ridge’s social media pages, as well as in city publications. To learn more about the Poet in Residence program or other activities the Wheat Ridge Cultural Commission sponsors, visit www.ci.wheatridge.co.us/100/Cultural-Commission.

’19 is the year I finally buy myself a scooter. But then we can all be thrilled that the fate of a generation’s education doesn’t rest on my shoulders. Of course, I’m kidding, but perhaps, we can each include in our own resolutions to thank an educator a few more times this year. Certainly a currency that that doesn’t get used enough. Happy New Year! Contact Guy Nahmiach at Guy@NostalgicHomes.Com or 303-999-5789.

School Crossing Continued from page 6

your child is not happy at school, you speak with the teachers and/or principal and if things don’t improve, you start looking for a new one. This is not a local store that you need to support. This is your child’s education and your job is to look out for your child, not the school. I wonder how diversified our choices will be after year one of Enrollment Jeffco. As always, thanks for reading. Contact Guy Nahmiach at Guy@NostalgicHomes.Com or 303-999-5789.

goats home. The male goats had spent time again weeding and grass trimming. A big group of Wheat Ridge residents arrived. The gate was opened and a big mixed group of goats and people of all ages started walking home. They were a few younger goats that tended to wander. They had to wear leashes. Children, who needed a job, held their leashes. The goats enjoy people and were quite happy to follow along. In September, the male goats walked to the Kipling Trailhead Open Space off 38th and Kipling Street. When the goats are penned they have goat houses, fresh water, lots of hay and lots of visitors. Children talk to them and pass handfuls of grass and weeds through the fence. The goats know their names and are quite friendly. A reward of $2,500 is being offered for information leading to the goats recovery. If you have any information you can call CrimeStoppers at 720-913-7867, text DMCS and your message to 274637, or go to MetroDenverCrimeStoppers.com/tip.

ngazette.com – JANUARY 15 – FEBRUARY 15, 2019 – NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE

ASK THE EXPERT

WEST METRO FIRE

Addressing A Retirement Savings Shortfall

West Metro 2018: Year Of Growth And Innovation

accounts and savings to potentially grow without being drawn down. This will take discipline. Real progress Some potential ways to make up is possible: if you are 50 and save and invest ground at mid-life. $15,000 a year at a 7 percent return, you Need to save more for the future? If you could have more than $400,000 face the challenge of rebuilding for retirement by age 65. or creating your retirement fund Because of the possibility of after 40, here are some steps that human or mechanical error by may help you. Wealth Management Systems Strive to max out your Inc. or its sources, neither Individual Retirement Account Wealth Management Systems or workplace retirement plan Inc. nor its sources guarantees contributions. In 2018, you can the accuracy, adequacy, put up to $5,500 in an IRA and completeness or availability $18,500 in a 401(k) or 403(b) of any information and is not plan. If you are 50 or older this responsible for any errors or year, you can contribute up to $6,500 to an IRA and $24,500 Victoria Thompson omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such to a 401(k) or 403(b). information. In no event shall Wealth Ask for a raise. See if you can earn Management Systems Inc. be liable for any more from your current job. If not, indirect, special or consequential damages consider applying for one with better pay in connection with subscriber’s or others’ or retirement benefits, or explore additional use of the content. © 2016 DST Systems, income streams. Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part Generate less debt. Every dollar that prohibited, except by permission. All rights doesn’t go to your creditors is a dollar reserved. Not responsible for any errors or you can put toward retirement. What omissions. unnecessary living expenses can you trim? Victoria Thompson is a partner at Res Think about staying in the workforce a olute Family Wealth Advisors. She can be little longer. For each year you keep working, reached at 720-464-5697, victoria.thompyou have one less year of retirement to fund son@lpl.com. – and one more year for your investment

Victoria Thompson

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n By

Ronda Scholting

n 2018, our firefighters answered nearly 35,000 calls – the most we’ve ever had in one year. As our fire district continued to grow and change, West Metro Fire Rescue looked for innovative ways to serve, implementing a number of new programs, with the goal of improving the quality of life in the district. In March 2018, West Metro introduced the innovative LUCAS device. The LUCAS is a chest compression system that helps our firefighter/paramedics and EMTs deliver continuous, high quality CPR to cardiac patients. The devices were placed on a number of ambulances, and within just two months, the LUCAS was key to saving the life of a husband and father who suffered cardiac arrest while on a Boy Scout camping trip. By the end of the year, the LUCAS assisted our crews with treating several patients who would not have survived without the device. In May, West Metro launched our advanced resource medic – or ARM car. It’s a program that brings medical care to the patient, avoiding a trip to the emergency room and helping combat the high cost of health care. Through a public-private partnership with Dispatch Health, the ARM car goes where the patient is, diagnosing the illness or injury and treating on site – at home, or at work. Because West Metro is an all hazard fire agency, our firefighters have to be ready for

anything, whether it’s a house fire, a rope rescue or a swift water rescue. We have several special teams, and in 2018 not only did we respond to special team calls within our own district, we also sent firefighters to help out on wildfires across the country and to help out during a hurricane. West Metro is the host agency for Colorado Task Force One, one of 28 Federal Emergency Management, or FEMA, urban search and rescue teams. In September, the team was sent to North Carolina to help in search and rescue and recovery from Hurricane Florence. Team members come from dozens of fire and rescue agencies across Colorado. We believe in dedication to service and in 2018, West Metro was recognized with an ISO Class One rating – the highest level awarded nationally. Fire agencies are measured by their ability to protect the homes and property of residents and businesses. The number one rating means lower insurance premiums, and potentially millions of dollars in savings for the people we serve. 2018 was certainly a year of innovation for West Metro. And, as we move forward, we will continue to look for opportunities to improve on the high level of service that our residents and business owners have come to expect. We truly believe in “Whatever it takes to serve.” Ronda Scholting is the West Metro Fire Rescue Communications/Media Relations Specialist.

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NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE – JANUARY 15 – FEBRUARY 15, 2019 – ngazette.com

WHAT’S HAPPENING Wheat Ridge Active Adult Center Oﬀers Suggestions For Seniors For A Healthy New Year The new year brings with it the challenge of setting resolutions. The Wheat Ridge Active Adult Center offers tips for older adults that address making healthy changes for the New Year, while also providing ways to stay healthy all year long. Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Not sure where to start? The Wheat Ridge Active Adult Center offers free classes including Healthy Table for 1 or 2, Almond Flour Power, and Satisfying Spiralized Vegetables. Be active. Looking for something more creative than just walking? How about Tai Chi, yoga, dancing to Zumba, or even snowshoeing or skiing? The Wheat Ridge Active Adult Center has a variety of fitness options. Guard against falls. One in three older adults falls each year. Falls are a leading cause of injuries among older adults. The Active Adult Center offers classes that focus on improving balance such as Balance ‘n Motion or Stretching for Better Health. Brain workout. From puzzles to card games, ukulele lessons to technology classes as well as a variety of art classes, the Active Adult Center provides a plethora of brain games. Register today for the ultimate puzzle at the Escape Room Happy Hour on Tuesday, Jan. 22. Visit the Active Adult Center at 6363 W. 35th Ave., or call 303-205-7500.

Sweet Hearts & Craft Arts With Wheat Ridge Historical Society, Feb. 9 The Wheat Ridge Historical Society will be celebrating Valentine’s Day a little early at to its Second Saturday Event on Feb. 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Society will be showing visitors how to make old-fashioned handmade Valentine cards at the Baugh House, at 44th and Robb Street. Enjoy craft demonstrations and sales, sing or play along with local musicians and learn more about Wheat Ridge’s history. For more information email wrhistorical@gmail.com or visit www.wheatridgehistoricalsociety.org.

Passport To Wheat Ridge 2019 Supports Renovation Of First Patrol Car The Wheat Ridge Police Department (WRPD) has created the Passport to Wheat Ridge to help support the renovation of the department’s first patrol car, Unit 1. Unit 1 will make appearances at special events in Wheat Ridge as part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations taking place throughout the city in 2019. The 2019 Passport to Wheat Ridge is a limited edition tour around the city with special discounts from more than 35 local businesses. Holders of the Passport redeem special offers with a stamp provided by the business. There are 500 printed and Passports will only be available for the 2019 year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the City of Wheat Ridge.

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The proceeds from the 2019 Passport to Wheat Ridge are funding the restoration of the Wheat Ridge Police Department’s first patrol car, Unit 1, and will support other programs hosted by WRPD such as Operation Blue Santa, National Night Out and the Child Safety Fair. The Passport to Wheat Ridge includes discount offers and coupons from businesses across the city, along with information about signature special events that build relationships within the community. The Passport to Wheat Ridge is $25 and available for purchase online or at City Hall. The official 2019 Passports are available for pick up at the front desk of City Hall.

Jeﬀerson County Public Health Celebrates Its 60th Anniversary Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) is celebrating its 60th Anniversary of service to the people of Jefferson County in 2019. “While we began as one of the members of Tri-County Health Department in 1948, we became the Jefferson County health department in 1959, focusing the work of our vigilant public health workforce on the residents of this county. It was a very different time for public health,” said Dr. Mark B. Johnson, MD, Executive Director of JCPH. “Seatbelts were optional in cars and cigarettes had no warning labels. JCPH has worked with the community through those public health milestones and more, and we look forward to continuing to help create the healthiest community possible.” Jefferson County Public Health began with a staff of only 24 employees and had only one location at the old courthouse in Golden. Now, JCPH’s 188 employees span across five locations throughout the county: Lakewood, Golden, Arvada, Wheat Ridge and Littleton. To celebrate its 60th anniversary, JCPH will be sharing stories from its workforce and its history throughout the year; follow on Facebook @jeffcopublichealth and on Twitter and Instagram @jeffcoph to see updates. To learn more about JCPH and its services, visit jeffco.us/public-health.

Wheat Ridge Active Adult Center Seeks Trip Volunteers

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The Wheat Ridge Active Adult Center is seeking volunteer trip drivers/guides. The Active Adult Center provides trips to groups of active adults (age 50 or better) to a variety of locations around the Denver metro area and beyond. Trips include concerts, museums, festivals, the mountains, happy hours, restaurants, train rides, visits to the hot springs, shopping, tastings of Victorian tea, the theater, escape rooms, and more! Activities also include trips for outdoor recreation such as walking, hiking, and skiing/snowshoeing. All volunteers are provided with training and support. Volunteers must love having fun, exploring new and familiar places, and meeting and assisting seniors. Volunteers must be at least 21 years old, have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record, as well as have current vehicle insurance. Volunteers must commit to attending required training and driving at least one trip a month and up to four trips that can last from 3 to 8 hours. Applications are available online www. rootedinfun.com/VolunteerApp or contact Christine Leahy, Trip Coordinator, Wheat Ridge Active Adult Center, 303-205-7510.

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Homelessness In Colorado Down Modestly In 2018 Local communities throughout Colorado report homelessness declined modestly in 2018, according to the latest national estimate by the U.S. Department of Housing

and Urban Development (HUD). HUD’s 2018 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress found that 10,857 Coloradans experienced homelessness on a single night in 2018, a decrease of .8 percent since last year. Meanwhile, homelessness among veterans fell .46 percent and homelessness experienced by families with children declined .3 percent statewide since 2017. The estimate is based on a single night in January of last year, and does not reflect changes since. Although additional local information is available from HUD, as the Neighborhood Gazette went to press, it (as well as the annual report) was not available on HUD’s website (www.hud.gov) due to the federal government partial shutdown. As in previous years, there is significant local variation in the data reported from different parts of the country, per a Dec. 17 HUD press release. Thirty-one states and the District of Columbia reported decreases in homelessness between 2017 and 2018 while 19 states reported increases in the number of persons experiencing homelessness. For example, the City and County of Los Angeles reported a 4.7 percent decrease in overall homelessness since 2017, primarily as a result of intensive street outreach and increased production of supportive housing. Meanwhile, New York City reported a 2.8 increase, principally among families in emergency shelters and transitional housing. HUD’s national estimate is based upon data reported by approximately 3,000 cities and counties across the nation. Every year on a single night in January, planning agencies called “Continuums of Care,” along with tens of thousands of volunteers, seek to identify the number of individuals and families living in emergency shelters, transitional housing programs and in unsheltered settings. These one-night “snapshot” counts, as well as full-year counts and data from other sources (U.S. Housing Survey, Department of Education), are crucial in understanding the scope of homelessness and measuring progress toward reducing it. HUD’s latest national estimate notes a continuing decline in family homelessness in the U.S. In January of 2018, there were 56,342 family households with children experiencing homelessness, a 29 percent decline since 2010.

City of Wheat Ridge Appoints Scheck As Administrative Services Director The City of Wheat Ridge recently appointed Allison Scheck as the Administrative Services Director. According to a press release from the city, Scheck will oversee the administrative services department that includes Human Resources, Finance, Purchasing, IT and Communications. These members of city staff provide customer service and support to both internal and external customers. Scheck served as the Public Engagement and Operations Manager for the City of Lakewood from 2012 to 2018. In that role, she was responsible for managing the Planning, Administration and Community Relations Division of the Community Resources Department. She oversaw the park planning, marketing and communications, and administrative teams. She coordinated the department's budget, which is $40 million across multiple funds, and was responsible for coordinating capital planning processes and assigning project funding. She also served as the spokesperson for the department, and managed and facilitated public engagement processes. She frequently led efforts to maximize outreach to residents in solicitation of broad community feedback, and managed master planning and strategic planning processes. Scheck received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Communication from Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2002, and her Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Denver in 2017.

ngazette.com – JANUARY 15 – FEBRUARY 15, 2019 – NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE

UNDER THE DOME

Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, Can You Be Recycled? n By

Meghan Godby

n 2017, the City of Wheat Ridge turned 1,500 real Christmas trees into mulch. The mulch, which was used throughout city parks, was also available to local residents for use in their own gardens and landscaping. But what about artificial Christmas trees? I spoke with Rachel Nathan, Director of SustainAbility, a local recycling organization that serves the greater metro area. She explained that artificial trees can’t be recycled. The reason is twofold, but cross contamination is the biggest contributing factor. Artificial Christmas trees are made up of many different materials, including paper (which makes up those convincing artificial pine needles) and wire. But that’s not the only problem. “Plastics recycling in the United States is very lacking. A lot of low-grade plastics used to go to China. Now that China has cut us off [...], the U.S. is not allowed to send the majority of low-grade plastics out any longer.” This is all part of the National Sword Initiative, a recently implemented policy in China that bans 24 types of solid waste, including the types of plastics that Nathan mentioned. So, what can you do? Perhaps the most obvious suggestion is to donate your unwanted tree to a thrift store or local charity. After all, artificial trees are designed to last many years, not to be replaced from season to season.

Mayor Continued from page 4

reducing energy usage for businesses as well as municipal facilities. Construction has begun in the Applewood Shopping Center at the former Walmart site. The new stores filling the 120,000-square-foot space include Ulta, Home Goods, Hobby Lobby and Sierra Trading Post. The new Hacienda Colorado Restaurant is under construction on the lot just north of the Chili’s Restaurant. To enhance the views of the center, the city, using Xcel Energy’s one-percent fund, will place the utility lines underground. New hook ramps off I-70 will begin construction to provide better access to the Clear Creek Crossing project, Applewood Shopping Center and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Thankfully, not all is lost – you can still recycle your Christmas lights locally. SustainAbility accepts all types of lights, as long as large (golf-ball size) bulbs are removed. Nathan explained that the lights, which contain copper wiring, are sent out to “metal smelters in the Denver area.” These facilities melt down the lights, which are then converted into copper wiring. She goes on to say that recycling metal is extremely important. “It’s the easiest thing to recycle,” she explains, “and can be recycled over and over again. There is no end life.” This is in sharp contrast to paper, which can only be recycled about six times before it “turns into sludge.” Yet although paper cannot be recycled indefinitely, it’s still important to extend its longevity as long as we can. After all, trees and lights aren’t the only waste leftover after a holiday season. “We try to educate [the public] that wrapping paper is recyclable,” Nathan shared. “Most people think it’s not. Shiny paper is not recyclable because of the foil, but matte, regular paper, that can be put in recycling.” The holiday season places a strong emphasis on consuming, and even wellintentioned traditions can generate a lot of waste. As consumers, it’s our responsibility to ensure that we properly dispose of the things we can, and try to find a home for the things we cannot. Because after all, the season of giving back should include taking care of our planet, too. Planning continues for improvements to Wadsworth Boulevard from I-70 to 35th Avenue. Improvements include a wider sidewalk, a bike path, and landscaping continuous-flow intersections (CFIs), which will also be installed at 38th and 44th and Wadsworth. CFIs better manage traffic flow on busy thoroughfares. Design is underway for bike lanes on Garrison from West 44th Avenue north to the Wheat Ridge city limit to improve access to the Clear Creek Trail. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2019 on this joint project with Jefferson County and the City of Arvada. This is just the start of a very special birthday for the City of Wheat Ridge. Hope you can join us as we celebrate 50 years of history! Contact Wheat Ridge Mayor Bud Starker at bstarker@ci.wheatridge.co.us or 303-235-2800.

Working For You In 2019 apprenticeships and vocational technical training programs. Whether it’s helping more Colorado kids graduate high school he 2019 legislative session has begun, career-ready, or helping adults seeking and it is an honor to serve as your state the training they need to provide for senator for District 20. I want to thank the their families, creating greater economic many constituents who have reached out to security in Colorado means creating more me with their ideas on how we build a better opportunity to find a pathway to a goodColorado. paying job. I will work to make sure that your state Local Control of Minimum Wage. government is focused on getting things done I will introduce a measure to and finding real solutions that are repeal a state law that prohibits going to improve our quality of local governments from setting life. From strengthening public a minimum wage that is right schools, to reducing the cost of for their unique community. health insurance, to making our Local control of minimum wage economy work for everyone, we allows communities to adopt a are going to work to make life minimum wage that fits local better for hardworking families economic conditions. and protect our Colorado way of In addition to these bills, life. I will be working on critical Here are a few of the bills I issues facing the state such plan to introduce this session: as transportation, housing The Equal Pay for Equal Jessie Danielson affordability and protecting Work Act. When women earn Colorado’s air and water. To be successful, the same as men for doing the same work, I need to hear from you. Please call my Colorado’s economy will grow by billions. cell at 720-276-3468 with your questions Equal pay will provide economic security for or concerns. I want to make your state hundreds of thousands of Colorado families, government is working for you. and it’s the right thing to do. State Sen. Jessie Danielson serves SDCracking Down on Elder Abuse 20, which includes many communities in and Abandonment. I will continue my Jefferson County, including Arvada, Ken work to fight for senior citizens to make sure Caryl, Lakewood, and Wheat Ridge. To that older Coloradans are able to live safely reach Sen. Danielson, call 303-866-4856 and independently in our communities. or visit jessiedanielson.com for informaExpanding Apprenticeships and tion her about upcoming town halls and Vocational Technical Training. I other local community events. will continue working to expand access to n By

Sen. Jessie Danielson

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