LOCAL NEWS A Walmart-less Clear Creek Crossing Continues Page 2
LOCAL NEWS Make West 38th Avenue Safe for Walking, Biking and Rolling Along Page 7
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NEIGHBORHOOD
WHEAT RIDGE | APPLEWOOD | MOUNTAIN VIEW | LAKESIDE April 18 – May 15, 2017 • ngazette.com • FREE
Development: Are We Lucky That’s Not a Walmart? n By
J. Patrick O’Leary
T
he Corners at Wheat Ridge development will have a Lucky’s Market natural foods grocery as its anchor tenant, according to both the retailer and the City of Wheat Ridge. It will be the Boulder-based grocer’s first store in the Denver metro area, and its fourth in Colorado. The new 35,000-square-foot grocery will complement 30,000 square feet of other retail shops and restaurants, a pocket park, and 230 market-rate apartment units to be built on the site of the former Go Ford dealership on the northwest corner of West 38th Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard The at-times controversial development had its councilapproved tax-increment financing package challenged by a citizen ballot initiative in fall of 2015, and lost its initial anchor tenant – Walmart – last summer, shortly after a Jefferson County District Court ruled the ballot initiative could not undo the approved TIF. Continued on page 2
CAPTURE WHEAT RIDGE CONTEST WINNER Wheat Ridge resident Andrea Haydon took Best in Contest for this photo of her children playing in Clear Creek. Haydon received $500 from Localworks’ annual Capture Wheat Ridge photo contest. All award-winning photos will be on display at Wheat Ridge City Hall through the end of April. From May to June, these photos, along with all of the photos that received honorable mention, will be on display at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center. PHOTO BY: ANDREA HAYDON
Fun, Friends and New Skills at Wheat Ridge Summer Camps n By
T
Nancy Hahn
his summer, Wheat Ridge parents will never need to hear, “There’s nothing to do!” Children of all ages can look forward to summer full of great activities and camps offered by Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation. Summer camps are a wonderful opportunity for children to spend the day playing, laughing and learning with a group of friends and guided by skilled instructors. Wheat Ridge has wonderful natural spaces for exploring and imaginative play. There are pools and other activities at the Recreation Center and at Anderson Park. A choice of summer camps will enable any child to explore their own interests and what the Wheat Ridge area has to offer. Summer Sun Camp begins on June 5 and runs through August and is a licensed youth camp. Camp begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 5:30 p.m. Campers enjoy some activities at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center each day. They may swim, climb the rock wall, try out some crafts, play board games, or many other activities. They, also, go to nearby parks. Wednesday is field trip day for the campers. Each week campers travel for enrichment activities based on the week’s country-of-the world theme. For example, one week in June the theme is Brazil and campers will take a field trip to the aquarium. Another week, when the theme is Australia, campers will travel for some rugby fun. A few other field trips include visits to Coors Field, the Confucius Center and Water World. Campers may attend the Summer Sun Camp for the complete summer or for less than 39 days, as a part-time camper. The cost is $35 a day with a discount for siblings. Registration must be in person at the Recreation Center at 4005 Kipling St
and has already begun. Additional information may be found at www.ci.wheatridge.co.us/suncamp.
In addition to the summer-long Sun Camp, Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation offers a three-day Summer Art Camp. This exploration of art will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Active Adult Center at 6363 W. 35th Ave. from May 30 through June 1. Ippy Farnum, who has taught classes previously at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center, will guide young artists to create
two projects each day. Each day is an exciting new exploration of art both 2-D and 3-D. Different techniques and different media help stimulate the imaginations and creativity of the campers. Farnum is an artist working in fiber arts, stained glass, painting and more. She has works at the Teller Street Gallery, Denver International Airport and several Denver locations. She has also taught elementary art for 20 years. Her interest in art exploration and various media will guide young artists
to using their imaginations to experiment with a wide variety of art materials. Artists from 7 to 12 can attend for any or all of the days. Each day is $60 for residents and $65 for nonresidents. Young scientists had an opportunity during Spring Break Mad Scientist Camp to explore and experiment with chemistry. Young scientists explored chemical reactions and created potions. Summer Mad Continued on page 4
N E I G H B O R H O O D F E AT U R E
The Wheat Ridge Historical Society Keeps History Alive n By
Meghan Godby
D
eep Roots, Short Commutes. Wheat Ridge’s slogan is a nod not only to the city’s convenient location, but also to its rich heritage. The story of its past can’t be gleaned from apps or television screens but instead is found in lively conversations between neighbors and the quiet nostalgia of old photographs. It’s the type of history lovingly curated and preserved by the Wheat Ridge Historical Society (WRHS), a community organization run by dedicated, passionate and enthusiastic volunteers. Tucked away in a peaceful, historical park just minutes from the hustle and bustle of I-70, it’s a place where Wheat Ridge’s history is brought to life. The WRHS was founded in the early 1970s as part of the “Save the Soddy” campaign, a community effort to preserve one of the area’s oldest structures (originally built circa 1860). Thanks to the work done many decades ago, residents can enjoy a unique glimpse into the city’s THE MAY FESTIVAL WAS FIRST HOSTED IN 1976 as past. a bicentennial celebration by the Wheat Ridge HistoriThere’s truly something for everyone at the Wheat Ridge Historical
cal Society. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, May 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Historic Park, 4610 Robb St. WHEAT RIDGE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
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