LOCALWORKS UPDATE Introducing New Executive Director Krista Lewis
NEIGHBORHOOD FEATURE No Gym? No Problem – Head To The Park Page 6
WEST METRO FIRE West Metro Brings in High Tech CPR
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NEIGHBORHOOD
WHEAT RIDGE | APPLEWOOD | MOUNTAIN VIEW | LAKESIDE February 13 – March 12, 2018 • ngazette.com • FREE
TIF For Wheat Ridge Development – Still Useful? ■ By
Mike McKibbin
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or every $1 in tax increment financing the City of Wheat Ridge approved for several development projects, private investors put $13 into the pot. While city officials are proud of that fact, others look at the use of the growth and renewal funding method as improper and outdated. Tax increment financing, or TIF, allows an urban renewal authority to use net new tax revenues generated by projects within a designated area to help finance improvements. TIF is a new source of tax revenue, not an added tax, that would not be available but for new investment, according to a definition from the Denver Urban Renewal Authority. When a redevelopment project is proposed, the amount of added property and/or sales taxes that may be generated upon completion is determined. That “tax increment” is then used either to finance the issuance of bonds or to reimburse developers for some of their project costs. In either case, that new tax revenue must be used for improvements that have a public benefit and support the redevelopment effort, such as site clearance, streets, utilities, parks, the removal of hazardous materials or site acquisition. Wheat Ridge has had an urban renewal authority – Continued on page 2
WHEAT RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL GIFTED AND TALENTED program students Isaac Hoskins and Piper Binkley recently qualified for the prestigious Daniels Fund Scholarship. PHOTO: LISA LEE
Beyond The Dreadmill: Fitness Options For All ■ By
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Jennifer LeDuc
ight about now, statistically speaking, eight out of 10 of you reading this article will give up on a New Year’s resolution. According to a 2015 U.S. News and World Report study, by mid-February most people who set life-changing goals – be it in career, health, relationships, financial – shift their thinking from the jump-start, can-do mindset in January to slouching, slacking, excuse-making couch potatoes just in time to tuck into that box of Valentine’s truffles or make a second pass at the box of donuts in the breakroom (no one has to know you brought them in). Luckily, you live in one of the healthiest states – if not counties – in the entire country, which means you have more resources at your fingertips to commit to a healthy lifestyle (if you already don’t) than nearly anywhere else. Jefferson County is only second to Denver in the number of fitness-centric facilities in the state, edging out not only uber-fit Boulder County but Arapahoe, El Paso, Adams and Douglas counties as well. In fact, the approximately 240 fitness facilities in Jeffco offers nearly twice as many options for residents as the entire population of West Virginians (which may or may not correlate to it consistently ranking as one of the least healthiest states). So you can’t blame the coal mines or lack of options for what’s stopping you from getting, and staying, fit this year. Perhaps it’s lack of awareness into your options. While it may seem like there’s a fitness center on every corner – and in some places there may be – how many have you tried? Fitness centers are like stretch pants: no matter what they say, one size does not fit all.
Rec centers and big-box facilities offer more of a homogenized and price-conscious setting and although personal training sessions are available, the individual is mostly left to use equipment and create a regimen independently. Boutique gyms – smaller facilities with a bit more esthetic and flex appeal – are on the rise. Though pricier, they offer a more intimate, attentive environment that typically revolves around a session with a small group and more opportunity for personal attention. Fitness Together is a small, one-on-one personal training franchise. Pueblo-native David Dias owns the Edgewater location.
The former high school coach agrees that in order to stick with a fitness regimen, be it at his facility, a rec center, kickboxing or Crossfit, it needs to be the right fit. “Not everyone who comes through buys in,” he said. For some, stepping on a scale, checking your heart rate or staring at yourself in the mirror while beads of sweat glisten on your bat wings – er, triceps – is neither pleasant, nor motivating, even with someone like Dias encouraging you on. One industry study revealed 67 percent of memberships go unused, meaning two thirds of the multibillion-dollar industry profits are made by people just giving up.
Which is why one fitness program, despite stereotypes, has defied the trends and competition and boasts a seven-year average retention when other gyms hope a member sticks around for six months. Founded in 1969, Jazzercise, the “original dance party workout” is not, as instructor and franchise owner Missy Ahr assures, about leg warmers and leotards – because she knows that’s what just crossed your mind. It is also not about weigh-ins, mirrors or monitors, and although many of the attendees at a recent mid-morning class Continued on page 6
N E I G H B O R H O O D F E AT U R E
Dentist Also A Passionate Concert Pianist ■ By
Ken Lutes
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PIANIST AND DENTIST CODY GARRISON balances a professional dentistry practice with the performance schedule of a busy concert pianist. PHOTO BY LYNN FISCHER.
practice piano six to eight hours a day, on days I’m not practicing dentistry – at least three hours on days I’m in the office,” says concert pianist and dentist Dr. Cody Garrison. “As much as you can be a good musician in your mind, you have to keep making your fingers work.” Garrison’s piano playing ranges from recitals at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where he’s on faculty, to accompanying opera stars and performing concertos. This year he was chorus pianist for Opera Colorado. So, just how does a person balance a professional dentistry practice with the performance schedule of a busy concert pianist? “Some people have lots of hobbies; I don’t,” Garrison said at his City Roots dental practice on W. 29th Ave. “It can be challenging sometimes, though. Like tomorrow, I have to play a recital at school, then come back Continued on page 10