Neighborhood Gazette – May 2018 by Neighborhood Gazette

WHEAT RIDGE MAYOR Wheat Ridge — Suburban Or Subrural? Page 4

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS Career Explore Program Benefits From Funding Award Page 6

WEST METRO FIRE West Metro Adds New Rescue To Fleet Page 14

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WHEAT RIDGE | APPLEWOOD | MOUNTAIN VIEW | LAKESIDE May 15 – June 17, 2018 • ngazette.com • FREE

Bike Racing & Beer At Criterium And Brewfest, June 10 ■ By

Sally Griffin

olorado has a reputation for providing challenges to bike-riding athletes and, next month, we will have our own local version. The Criterium is part of the Bicycle Racing Association of Colorado (BRAC) Series and will be held in the heart of Wheat Ridge. You are invited on Sunday, June 10, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., to root for your favorite rider while tasting your favorite beer at the Ridge at 38 Criterium Bike Race and Brewfest. It is free, fun and exciting. The Ridge at 38 Criterium is a cycling race on a fast, 1.15-mile course. Participating cyclists ride as many laps of the closed-loop circuit as possible within the time limit. This ensures a lot of action and excitement for spectators and athletes. Criterium races – aka “crits” – are supposed to be short, fast, heart-pounding events. This year, the race will once again act as the Colorado Criterium State Championships. The Criterium celebrates Wheat Ridge bicycling and criterium history and, hopefully, inspires a new generation to get involved in cycling. The Ridge at 38, who sponsors this event, is working to be a hub of positive growth for the community by hosting events like the Criterium, promoting Continued on page 20

CYCLISTS SPEED PAST ONLOOKERS in last year’s Ridge at 38 Criterium Bike Race and Brewfest. You can root for your favorite rider while tasting your favorite beer at this year’s event, Sunday, June 10 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. PHOTO BY BECKY OLSTAD

Wheat Ridge High School’s STEM Program Gets Stronger Every Year ■ By

Nancy Hahn

he STEM program at Wheat Ridge High School has an impressive record. In 2016 its students designed, built and raced its first vehicle, a hydrogen fuel cell powered car, at the Shell Eco Challenge, a fuel efficiency competition in Detroit, and took first place. Just last month in Sonoma, Calif., it entered two vehicles into the competition, both passing a demanding technical inspection and one placing third. STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) is a class that requires students to ask questions and then discover how to find the answer. Charles Sprague, who teaches STEM, explained that this is not a class where the teacher knows all the answers. Sprague invited me to visit the STEM workshop over spring break – about a week before competition – and watch the students at work. While their fellow students were on break, these were focused and readying their projects. Students moved from one classroom to another: from vehicles, to computers, to white boards, to notebooks and back to vehicles. The variety of work and skills required of students provides a way for every student to shine. Imagine all the steps from design to finished vehicle. These students are passionate about their work. What is it about STEM that engages students this completely? "The work I'm doing here builds valuable skills for the job market," student Ali Hilton explained, "You are doing real work." Another student found that a part was the wrong size and had to brainstorm a solution, since there was not time to make another. It was a real-life problem with a

real-life solution, involving a lot of elbow grease. Every student had their reasons to be in STEM and to be there during spring break. Students enjoy designing, handson work, technology, and manufacturing a real working vehicle. It takes work on the computer, cooperation with others, figuring out what question to ask, figuring out how to find the answer, and a lot of physical work, too. Two students, for example, were sawing the legs off a chair to use on a human-

powered Mars Rover. Two other students were drawing diagrams on the board. All sorts of work done by all sorts of students. I asked a student what is it about STEM that makes him willing to work over spring break. "You aren't just solving a made-up problem on a piece of paper that you throw away," he explained. "You are solving real problems that matter in the real world." That says it all. This year the students built two vehicles

to compete in the Eco Marathon, and a rover for a NASA competition in Alabama. For the Eco Marathon, one vehicle was designed and built to compete in the Prototype category, and another for the Urban Concept category – a ﬁrst for Wheat Ridge. Both vehicles are powered by hydrogen, using a fuel cell. Hydrogen gas is pumped from a bottle into the fuel cell, which has Continued on page 2

PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW

Katie ‘Deletta’ Hartkopp ■ By

Elisabeth Monaghan

RODENTS OF UNUSUAL SIZE performing at The Four Seasons Farmers Market. That’s Katie “Deletta” Hartkopp as the fire on the floor, surrounded by Jace, Erin, Tara and Tobie. PHOTO COURTESY KATIE HARTKOPP

here’s a saying, “when you want something done, ask a busy woman.” Considering Katie “Deletta” Hartkopp’s jam-packed schedule, she may be one of busiest – and best – women for just about any task. Although she has lived all over Colorado, including Steamboat Springs, Westminster, Grand Junction, Grand Lake and Arvada, Hartkopp has spent much of her life in Wheat Ridge. Her father graduated from Wheat Ridge and her grandparents lived just down the street from the Wheat Ridge Dairy. When it came time to attend high school, Hartkopp was living in Arvada. With her mother’s permission, Hartkopp opted for open enrollment and went to Wheat Ridge High School. It was in high school that she met husband Blu, whom many in Wheat Ridge may know for his work as a photographer of local activities like the Carnation Festival. As a child Hartkopp discovered theater be a great respite from the tension between her parents, who divorced when she was young. “Theater was my ‘anti-drug.’ It was my community and place to belong,” said Hartkopp. She remained involved with theater, studying fashion design to do costuming, working on student ﬁlms and playing bit parts Continued on page 20

NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE – MAY 15 – JUNE 17, 2018 – ngazette.com

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UNLIKE THE PROTOTYPE VEHICLE, the Urban Concept vehicle (left) must have lights, a windshield, doors, turn signals, and all the expected extras you expect to find on a car. Both raced in the Eco Marathon in Sonoma, Calif. PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARLES SPRAGUE

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ALI HILTON SHOWING THE FABRICATED PARTS that will form the wheels for the Mars Rover. PHOTO BY NANCY HAHN

JAKE MORLEY STUDIES THE PLAN for the prototype vehicle. PHOTO BY NAN-

WRHS STEM

"Those are the big ones. Basically, it's for safety and compliance with the rules. They put little stickers on the car before they can go on the race track." It's the second year STEM students entered the NASA rover competition. Like last year's design, two student drivers sit back-to-back in the rover. Changes from last year's design included creating wheels with tread like a tank and a lighter hub than last year's, Ali Hilton explained. Sprague said this year's design was more complex, a completely different chassis design, made out of carbon fiber tubes, aluminum plates and clamps. Unfortunately, it wasn't able to compete. "The students weren't able to get it finished on time so we are turning it into a two-year project and we will be competing next year," Sprague explained later. Next year's Prototype entry has been designed and is ready to manufacture, said Sprague, and the Urban Concept entry will be designed over the summer. The student teams will be almost the same as this year's. "The majority of design starts in the fall, but this year we're ahead of game, and the design is almost complete," he said. "Then we teach the students how to build."

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a membrane separating the gas from the atmosphere. In the membrane, hydrogen combines with oxygen from the atmosphere, creating electricity as the electrons are stripped off, as well as water and heat. The electricity runs to a motor controller and then an electric motor, although each vehicle has a different driveshaft. This year's Prototype entry featured a hub motor, similar to that of an e-bike. Although the Prototype vehicle placed third – earning the team a spot on the award podium – Sprague said Wheat Ridge became the first Colorado high school to get two cars through the technical inspection and race at the same competition. Teams sometimes don't make it past the inspection. The technical inspection requires vehicles to visit 10 different stations before being allowed on the track, Sprague explains. One is a test to get the driver out of the car in 10 seconds. Another examines the electric vehicle's wiring harness. A manufacturing station checks for sharp edges and compliance with guidelines. At the hydrogen station, fuel cells are checked for leaks and other problems.

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complete with all the tools necessary to bring life and prosperity to the lives of our earliest homesteaders. That visit brought reflection happened to be driving on one of our on our city’s history as a rural farming pleasant Wheat Ridge streets near my community with its wheat crop, orchards home recently and in no particular hurry. and fields full of carnations. However, while The spring leaves were just beginning to we can appreciate our roots, we should also show themselves in the generous tree canopy take pride in how our city is moving into on either side of the road. The sun was the future with the revitalization brought about to set on what had been a cloudless by such projects as The Corners at 38th, afternoon, with temperatures that were Wheat Ridge * Ward Station warm but not hot. The recent and TOD, West 38, and Clear rain and snow, in combination Creek Crossing. with the sunshine, had turned the In 2019, our home in landscape a verdant green, and I Wheat Ridge turns 100 years marveled at how much I felt as if I old and our city celebrates its were in the country, not 10 miles 50th birthday. As I start getting from downtown Denver. the gardens ready for spring In contrast to our mature trees planting this year, I am inspired and the deep roots of our city’s with a connection to our land history, my job as a contractor took and our history while knowing me to a brand new community in we are cultivating a bright a neighboring city. The project is future for our city. Although the build-out of an interior tenant Bud Starker defined as a suburb due to our finish for a pet food store planned population and proximity to Denver, our for a building adjacent to a new grocery store rural roots as a community are one of the in a new subdivision out on the plains. The defining characteristics of Wheat Ridge. home builders were populating newly created Since the Latin root of suburban, “urbs,” streets with houses in various stages of means “city” and “sub-” means “below” or construction. Some were merely foundations, “near” perhaps we could coin a new phrase, some had framing erected, while others subrural, to describe Wheat Ridge as being already had siding, windows and roofing in near a city while including all that we love place. These homes were not quite ready for about rural living. families to move into but that activity was As we face the challenges of change, clearly on the horizon. This area will become I hope you will join me in honoring our a new community soon and appears it will be strong agrarian roots, preserving the best of similar to many Denver suburbs. our past, and helping to build a prosperous In contrast to that new community, I future for Wheat Ridge. Look forward to recently visited the Wheat Ridge Historic seeing you around town. Park and took a step back into history. I Contact Wheat Ridge Mayor Bud toured the Baugh House, the Sod House, the Starker at bstarker@ci.wheatridge.co.us Coulehan-Johnson Cabin, the first Wheat or 303-235-2800. Ridge Post Office and a farm implement shed

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so popular because people long for the wayback days of drive-in movies. You might find hen a community offers its green better video and sound quality at a theater, spaces to its residents, and provides but the feeling of snacking on your favorite food and entertainment, something magical movie food while feeling the outdoor air on happens. People see their neighbors, and your skin lends a certain perfection to the they find themselves surrounded by a sense whole experience. of community. This is the foundation of why For three nights this summer, Localworks in Wheat Ridge Localworks in Wheat Ridge presents Friday Night Live for will host hundreds of locals three nights every summer on and guests from neighboring The Green along 38th Avenue. communities at Friday Night The annual series of events Live on The Green along 38th started three years ago and Avenue. On June 22, we’ll show continues to expand. What “Cool Runnings” with crafts by started with some fabulous local Sweet Ridge Studios and music musicians offering their talent by Jakarta. On July 13, we’ll show before the movie has turned “Coco” with crafts by Teller Street into an all-out dance party for Studios and Gallery. Our final two hours headed, of course, by movie of the summer will take the children of Wheat Ridge. place on Aug. 3. We’ll show “Star Joy Opp Music and movies in the Wars: The Force Awakens” with park has become a summer staple across crafts by Teller Street Studios and Gallery the Denver metro area. From Centennial and music by the 17th Avenue Allstars. to Westminster with stops at Red Rocks, Localworks hosts this fabulous event Stapleton and Civic Center Park, many local that starts around 7 p.m. with live music, communities have similar events. Monday food trucks and plenty of activities for Movie Madness in Glendale has five movies kids. At dusk, everyone settles in to watch playing weekly throughout the summer and the movie. Picnics are welcome, alcohol is has a huge lineup of food trucks. Flicks on prohibited, doggies make the whole thing the Square in Arvada is a series of movies perfect, and seating fills fast. A special and live music in August. And Dive-in thanks to our movie sponsor, West + Main Movies offers attendees the chance to soak in Homes. We can’t wait to see you there! the pool at Elitch’s while they enjoy a movie. Joy Opp is the Secretary of the Local(Sounds like a recipe for wrinkly skin!) works' Board of Directors and a Realtor Perhaps this summer activity has gotten with West + Main Homes. n By

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SCHOOL CROSSING Making Parenting A Priority Again Project based learning, etc. And while they sound wonderful to our educators, they ducation is on everyone’s lips. How are in fact alienating many parents further to fund, how to raise scores what to and make that possibility of volunteering a improve ,where to build and how to make mountain that much higher to climb. How resources accessible to all students? In a can we roll up our sleeves and help out time when our schools have became much without knowing what the goal is and why the actual goal keeps moving day to day? more than a place for learning, we feed those What are these new types of education that need feeding, we transport those that models and how can parents get involved need transporting and keep for in the process? Why was the longer hours those that have an old one not working anymore? otherwise empty home to go to. We need better methods of But while our schools have been communicating with our increasing the number of services families. Less barriers and more they provide, we’ve moved away invitations from friendly faces. and have forgotten about the But the basics remain actual function of learning. The the same, no matter the style work of our teachers that have of education. Put your phone become surrogate moms and down and read to your kid. dad to many of our students. This is going to be the biggest The essence of that function they investment you can make. In a Guy Nahmiach serve. The education our young world where time has become a citizens so desperately need. We valuable commodity, we have less and less have moved away from recognizing the of it to share. But make that sacrifice and profession of teaching. travel less, purchase less, entertain less and I was attending a Jeffco education spend more time to read to your child and conference when I heard a friend of mine get involved in their education. get up and speak about the challenges in Our Freshmen (ninth grade) class at our schools and made a bold statement that Wheat Ridge High school came in with stayed with me for a long time. The reduced almost half of them reading at a fifth grade level of parent involvement in our schools. level. It’s not the school they came from, So many of our parents slowing down to or the one before that; it started at home drop off their kids in the morning with their where no one read to them. There is only phones in their ears. The lack of involvement so much “catching up” that can happen in a in the PTAs and Accountability committees. classroom, where a teacher has to share his I write from experience as a past PTA or her time with 25 other kids. As opposed president and accountability chairperson to one-on-one undivided attention at home. in a few of our local schools. The struggle The profession needs to be a viable for volunteer recruitment. A lending option for students deciding on a career. hand inside our classrooms for teachers While we know that teachers are caring and overwhelmed with students not reading or compassionate, let’s not forget that these writing at the level they should be. Children educated professionals are also competent arriving at kindergarten with a less than and committed to providing a day full of needed number of words in their vocabulary learning, critical thinking and plenty of and the inability to read basic sentences and reasons to be passionate about history, demonstrate simple math skills. geography and even building satellites. We all lead busy lives, work many But when the day is done and your child jobs and are faced with more challenges comes home, it’s your turn to pick up where than ever before. We are told that our teachers left off. Their future depends on it. As always, thanks for reading. once neighborhood schools have now Contact Guy Nahmiach at Guy@Nostransformed into types of learning we’ve never heard of before – Expeditionary, talgicHomes.Com or 303-999-5789.

n By

Guy Nahmiach

Think Outside the Bench – Funds From An Unlikely Source n By

Meghan Godby

hen you have a good thing going, it makes sense to keep that ball rolling as long as possible. Such is the case for the Career Explore Construction Pathways class at Wheat Ridge High School, which began in late 2016. The program was started to help students explore careers in a variety of fields, including construction, healthcare and hospitality. It’s a wonderful opportunity for participants to discover different career paths through internships and make connections with professionals in their field of choice. The class, led by Jane Johnson, has been hard at work building 15 wooden benches. The sturdy, quality pieces are to be auctioned off at the Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival, which takes place Aug. 10 through 12 in Anderson Park (44th and Field). Sound familiar? It should - similar tables were also auctioned off last year. However, things are a little different this time around. “This year we have a new design for the bench,” explained Chad Meyers. “[it] converts into a picnic table. There will [also] be a plaque on each bench identifying which school designed [it].” Chad is a Program Specialist for the School to Work Alliance Program (SWAP), a statewide initiative that helps make employment possible and maintainable for youth throughout Colorado. He has played a vital role in the Career Explore program and was instrumental in bringing it to fruition. He’s proud of the students and proud of the progress they have made. “This year, Jane had a strong group of builders,” he notes. “[They] all completed industry standard certification and most completed internships at many different construction locations.” And the best part?

WHEAT RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL’S Career Explore Construction Pathways class built 15 wooden benches. The sturdy, quality pieces are to be auctioned off at the Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival. COURTESY WHEAT RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL

“Some of the intern locations are hiring the students right after graduation,” Chad shared. The benches are special in their own right, but Wheat Ridge schools have taken it a step further. After being coated with a layer of protective paint, the benches are painted by school art departments in the Wheat Ridge area. Each one is as unique as the students who built and created it. Better yet, the proceeds go to a great cause - right back to the art programs of the schools. The Career Explore program is a rewarding experience for students and professionals alike, and it is expected to grow. Next year, staff members hope to add an Information Technology and computer science pathway. The pride that went into each piece is evident and the hope is that the students’ efforts will translate into valuable funds for Wheat Ridge schools. So even if you can't afford to bid, you’ll still enjoy this presentation of colorful and symbolic artwork. Who knows, you may even be inspired to start something yourself!

I ndependent & A ssIsted L IvIng | M eMory C Are

LOCAL SCHOOL NEWS Thank You Principals Collins and Stone n By

Guy Nahmiach

s the school year closes down we say goodbye and a huge thank you to Mike Collins and Ian Stone, principals of Prospect Valley and Maple Grove elementary schools, who are retiring this spring. Their incredible work and dedication to student achievement, creating a welcoming environment and, of course, their indirect contribution to home values have been very much appreciated. For years we’ve heard other communities accuse Prospect Valley and Maple Grove of having the easy task of educating the “rich kids” when in fact we know that learning behaviors and potentials are not directly tied to the economic situation at home. Positive environments where good behavior is expected and where all students thrive and grow are very much present in both schools. There is support from the community with very active parents in and

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out of the classrooms. While both schools attracted a large number of families from outside their neighborhoods, Maple Grove reached a point where buying a home down the street was pretty much the only way in, while Prospect Valley had a more balanced mixture of neighbors and families traveling in from outside the neighborhood. It also has had its share of students from a socio economic disadvantaged background. Incoming principals will be Beverly Haynie (currently the assistant principal at D’Evelyn) for Prospect Valley and Christopher Neville (currently a principal in Douglas County) for Maple Grove. I will be interviewing both in coming issues of the Neighborhood Gazette. While Both Collins and Stone are retiring, I doubt that this is the final chapter in education for either. Much thanks for everything they brought to our community and best wishes in their futures.

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Career Explore Program Benefits From Funding Award n By

Jennifer LeDuc

n an effort to stimulate compelling and progressive ideas in the district and elevate them into action, the Jeffco Board of Education announced 10 recipients sharing in a $1 million Innovation Acceleration Fund. The recipients were selected from 104 applicants – educators, administrators and staff – within Jeffco Public Schools. The fund, as explained by the district in announcing the recipients, “offers an incentive for staff to look for innovative ways to improve Learning, Conditions for Learning, and Readiness for Learning for Jeffco students; it encourages the organizational value of ‘Entrepreneurial Spirit.’” The innovations awarded included STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics)-based learning programs, creating a director of Safe Schools position, creating a K-12 academy program at Green Mountain, teaching students to be more mindful in discharging energy with the support of fidget spinners and stress balls in Arvada, and expanding school-based health

centers in the district. Wheat Ridge High School and Dakota Ridge High School were also recipients of the funding in support of the Career Explore program based at the two schools. The program, as detailed in their innovation description, serves as “an alternative to the traditional (and current re-engagement strategies) educational track designed specifically as a re-engagement strategy for high school juniors and seniors.” More simply, the Career Explore program is an audacious thread of hope tied around the premise of a second chance to impact lives, generations, communities and educational mindsets. Launched at Wheat Ridge High School under the leadership of former principal Griff Wirth, Jennifer Marquez is the learning coordinator of the Wheat Ridge program and said the money, and recognition, from the fund changes everything for the program, which identifies students that are on track to drop out and places them in mentorship and real-world work experiences within health, hospitality

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and construction industries to earn credits to graduate. Following graduation, the students have the opportunity to continue with the employer. Additionally, Marquez and a team of committed educators ensure the students have transportation, clothing and other essentials in order to fully commit. For many of the students, Marquez explained, there are economic barriers that might otherwise prevent a student from participating. Marquez estimates the cost per student is $4,600, however the impact on the community over that student’s lifetime is far greater. According to Marquez, if the student earns just an average of $17 an hour during their career, $1.7 million is saved by that student avoiding housing assistance, food stamps and other taxpayer supported programs. “The return on investment is huge,” she said. Dakota Ridge implemented the program this year, and Bear Creek, Golden and schools outside of Colorado have expressed interest in the program. Wheat Ridge has seen participation in Career Explore nearly double, from 28 students last academic year to 48 this year. Dakota Ridge Principal Dr. Jim Jelinek called the program “just a life changer.” “The fund helps sustain us.” said Jelinek, explaining before receiving the Innovation Award, the program relied heavily on donations. “I hope [the fund] continues and more schools can get on board.” Thomas McDermott, a doctoral candidate from Harvard and special assistant to Jeffco Schools Superintendent Jason Glass, explained the Innovation Acceleration Fund came to life after conversations made it clear “we need to have something that encourages systemic innovation throughout the district.” The fundamental question the applicants had to answer was, “How are your innovations going to impact the student learning?” From there the innovation had to show sustainability after three years. A committee of parents, educators, administrators and staff scored the initial

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applications based on a rubric created for the fund. The initial evaluation process explored several critical components including was the idea targeted to a thoughtfully and specifically, were the goals ambitious and defined, were there clearly defined roles, a timeline for measuring success, and were 100 percent of budget items: (a) allocable (directly related) to the project, (b) an allowable use of district funds, and (c) reasonable. After an enthusiastic response and clear evidence there are still many good ideas in the district, a second round of the funding is planned, with some changes to the process after feedback, review and restructuring. McDermott explained the next round will adopt a process of evaluation based on tiered amounts, rather than evaluating all ideas from one pool, so an application seeking $3,000 of funding isn’t evaluated against an application for $80,000 of funding , but rather other ideas that fall within a similar range. The second approach will also see all applicants move into a design event, rather than the first round being an elimination, as in the initial process. The new approach, said McDermott, will be “more hands on in terms of support, and create a better opportunity to understand what’s happening out there and where are things successful, or not yet and could be. We’re going to be learning as we go with this, but that’s the hope.” It could be argued that innovation cannot exist in the absence of hope, or determination. A teacher for 17 years, Marquez called the Career Explore program “one of the hardest things we’ve done, and one of the best things we’ve done.” “These are kids who for all intents and purposes, gave up hope. And now they have hope, but the road isn’t easy” she said, and it’s evident that though Innovation Award funding is a “game charger,” to the team involved in the Career Explore program, it’s about lives, not dollars. “When people look at the numbers there's a lot of reasons to say ‘we can't,’ but there's really no way not to say ‘we can.’”

Nancy Hahn

t is nearly impossible to watch the news without hearing a discussion of about a long list of housing issues in Denver and the metro area. Colorado housing costs have soared. Affordable housing is hard to find. On May 21 at Right Coast Pizza, a fundraiser will be held for Sunshine Home Share Colorado, a program helping to create solutions for some important housing issues. Hops for Housing will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., at 7100 W. 38th Ave., in Wheat Ridge. Tickets begin at $20, are tax deductible, and include a pint and a slice or more. Home Sharing is an idea used by more than 64 groups throughout the United States to match homeowners with home seekers. Home seekers struggle to find affordable housing in an area where they want to live. Many older homeowners are living alone in homes that once held a family. Look around any neighborhood: Many of those homes have empty bedrooms. Ninety percent of senior homeowners want to stay in their home, but many cannot afford the taxes. In Denver, 60,000 people spend more than half of their income on their housing. Matching homeowners with home seekers is the goal of Sunshine Home Share. It helps home seekers find affordable housing in an area where they want to live. Homeowners are matched with home seekers that fit their personality and their needs. Alison Joucovsky, Executive Director of Sunshine Home Share, worked for years with the seniors of Wheat Ridge and Edgewater through Jewish Family Services

Colorado Senior Connection. She then set up and developed Sunshine Home Share, as a nonprofit, which matches senior homeowners and renters. Background checks and references are processed. Then the program matches needs, personalities, and locations. Both homeowner and home seeker have wish lists and must-haves. The homeowner might need a trip to the grocery store every few weeks, someone to mow the lawn or walk the dog. The renter might need garage space or a kitchen area for glutenfree food. Creating a perfect match takes time. Finally the prospective Home Share partners meet. If they feel comfortable, a short trial of the living arrangement is set up. If that is successful, an agreement is written and signed. Then the renter moves in. Sunshine visits the home during the first year and is available to help with any issues. The Sunshine Home Share program is not expensive, but finding funding is critically important. The process of making a match, keeping someone in their home, and helping someone find affordable housing costs less than $1,500. This fundraiser will help create great solutions for some real housing issues. When you buy a ticket for a pint and a slice or more, you will help fund Sunshine Home Share Colorado and to support independence in aging and affordable housing. Tickets begin at $20 and are tax deductible. All proceeds go to Sunshine Home Share Colorado. So head to Right Coast Pizza on May 21 at Right Coast Pizza and enjoy a pint and a slice or two. For more information visit sunshinehomeshare.org or call 303-915-8264.

Have a news tip or story idea? Send it to editor@ngazette.com

ngazette.com – MAY 15 – JUNE 17, 2018 – NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE

Smelly Spray Ain’t The Worst Thing About Skunks n By

Sally Griffith

seem to have an unwanted but personal relationship with skunks. About a month ago, as I was picking up mail at our mail boxes, a skunk suddenly appeared from under a bush where she had dug a den. Hopefully, she won’t be able to follow me to our house on the other side of the neighborhood. Just in case, I checked to see if any holes or other hiding places were next to our house. So far, she hasn’t found me. I have lived in several places where skunks have taken up residence under our porches. Skunks will do that. They prefer pre-dug residences, but if necessary their long, sharp claws work well for digging their own holes. From personal experience, I know that it is much easier to prevent skunks from taking up residence than to move them from pre-existing ones. But I can give you a little advice for co-existing with skunks: the skunk usually wins, so the best you can do is work out an uneasy compromise. In one instance, our 170-pound dog learned the hard way that he had to stop and look before exiting into our back yard from our back porch. In another place, we learned to yell loudly after leaving our garage, then peek around the corner until our resident skunk exited from below our front porch and danced over to the neighbor’s yard to eat from the outdoor cats’ dishes. Then we’d run as fast as we could to unlock the front door. My point is that skunks are so numerous that they almost seem like pets. That is until they turn around and raise their tail. They also present an even more serious threat in the form of skunk-based rabies. It was our vet who suggested I write this article. He gave me a copy of Rabies in Colorado, 2018, a release from the Department of Health and Environment. He pointed out that suddenly Denver County has gone from one to 24 confirmed rabies cases in skunks. Jefferson County, which

typically had none, reported three. Between these two counties, they make up 60 percent of all the cases in Colorado so far this year. Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that infects the central nervous system in mammals. Skunks can only transmit the virus to another animal when they are rabid, meaning the virus is no longer dormant and symptoms are present. Rabies is transmitted in saliva when a rabid skunk bites another animal. Skunks cannot spread rabies through urine, feces or even via their unpleasant spray. There are two ways in which rabies can present itself. Either the skunk will become aggressive, called the “furious” form of rabies, or he’ll display a complete lack of fear of humans or other animals, called the “dumb” form. Furious rabies, where a skunk grows aggressive and foams at the mouth, is the most recognized form of the disease and the most likely to lead to a disease-spreading bite. If a skunk wanders into your yard and seems totally fearless of your presence and wanders around disoriented, he may have the “dumb” form. Healthy skunks, like the one in our neighborhood, will typically run away from people or pets, shooting off a dose of foul-smelling spray to keep them away. There are three types in skunks in Colorado: striped, eastern spotted and western spotted. The striped skunk in the largest in size and the most common. With rare exceptions, all these skunks have the familiar warning colors of white on black. They may have a single stripe, two thin stripes or a series of white spots and broken stripes. Skunks are about the same size as cats, only with stouter bodies and shorter legs. These shorter legs mean that they waddle wherever they go. If they waddle too fast, it looks like a very strange dance move. I know, I have seen it many times. Wild skunks usually live alone, except

when they are breeding and when mothers are caring for their young, called kits. After breeding in early spring, they have their kits in late spring. The kits stay with their mothers until they are about 8 months old. Skunks are omnivorous, eating both plant and animal material and changing their diets as the seasons change. Skunk foods may include rats, mice, birds, eggs, chickens, small rabbits, and insects such as grasshoppers, cutworms, grubs and beetles. Skunks love honeybees and are considered the primary predator of bees. Skunks can spray with a high degree of accuracy as far as 10 feet. The smell is sufficiently powerful to be detected by a human nose up to a mile downwind. They have two glands beneath their tail that produces their “musk perfume” and they seem to be able to fire at will. The good news is that skunks carry just enough for five or six uses after which they require 10 days to produce another supply. Skunks’ most serious predator is the great horned owl, which has a poor-tononexistent sense of smell. Coyotes, foxes and cougars will usually not prey on skunks unless there are no other options available. They hate the scent as much as humans. Skunks are creatures of opportunity and will help themselves to anything that’s

available such as garbage, berries, dog food and bird seed. Skunks will even use dog or cat doors to come inside searching for an easy food source. Skunks have been known to fall down uncovered window wells and be unable to get out. In either case, you don’t want to have to extricate a skunk that feels threatened. According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, more skunks live in and around towns than in remote locations. “This is a good time to remind people to clean up possible food sources around their property and seal up openings that skunks might get into,” says Steve Keefer, a wildlife manager with CPW. Skunks come out at night and take shelter during the day beneath woodpiles, in abandoned cars, or under sheds or buildings. Skunks look for any place dark and secluded. As with most conflicts involving wildlife, prevention is key and begins with removing easy food sources that might attract skunks. Keefer reminds citizens that relocating skunks is illegal. Regulations require that captured skunks must be euthanized. If any member of your household does get sprayed by a skunk, tomato juice is not recommended. It just masks the scent. It doesn’t get rid of it. I know from trying to bathe a 170-pound dog in tomato juice. We used up our store’s tomato juice allotment for a week and it still didn’t help. Instead a homemade shampoo can be made by mixing 1 quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of dish soap. You should wear gloves and apply the mixture on the dog’s coat, being very, very careful to avoid the dog’s eyes. Let it remain on the dog for about 10 to 15 minutes and rinse it off. Or you may use vinegar, which means you must endure the vinegar smell. But that usually dissipates in about 5 to 10 minutes. As an alternative, you can purchase a shampoo called Skunk-Off.

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ime is constant and so is change. The City of Wheat Ridge recognizes that reality in its unofficial 2018 State of the City address by City Manager Patrick Goff. Goff said his presentation is not an “official” State of the City address – usually given by mayors of surrounding municipalities – and he has used it as an outline of the city council’s directions for the current year. One key issue Goff focused upon was the need to upgrade the “Repositioning Wheat Ridge, Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy,” a 50-page document that described the city’s early 2000s economic situation and recommended various steps to “regain its strength in the area and reinvent itself as a thriving, economically diverse community, with broad commercial and residential opportunities.” The document needs to be updated, Goff stated, because a lot has changed since it was adopted in 2005. “It’s still the overall direction we want to go, that hasn’t changed,” he said in an interview. “And we’re using the same firm (Winston Associates and several others). Just like before, we’ll have a lot of community discourse to gather public input over the next year.” The update will cost the city around $218,000, Goff stated. A 20-member citizen steering committee is planned to be in place in July to help guide the process, he added. Goff said the study was undertaken because the city wanted to know why it appeared to be “stagnating” compared to its neighboring municipalities. That included the need to regain its share of “strong households” it had lost over the past 25 years, the study noted. “Those are the young, upwardly

mobile families, the ones who invest in their communities and schools,” Goff said. “Wheat Ridge has been known as having a large senior population, and it’s not like we want to get rid of them. But we needed to diversify.” The study noted Wheat Ridge used to be more balanced demographically. “Residents across all family and income spectrums were attracted to and remained in the community,” according to the study. “However, since the 1980s, other communities have effectively out-competed Wheat Ridge in attracting families and higher income households from Wheat Ridge, resulting in these strong households either leaving Wheat Ridge or simply not being attracted to Wheat Ridge in the first place.” That resulted in an “unbalanced community,” with at-risk households (lower income, single parents) the main housing demographic at the time. That imbalance affected the image, condition, economic health and competitiveness of Wheat Ridge when compared to the greater Denver metro region, the study noted. “We had a lack of diverse housing types back then,” Goff said. “It was a lot of single-family, ranch homes. Not everyone wants that type of housing, so now we’re adding different types of housing. We now have townhomes, single-family, even what you might call mini-mansions. And we have several market-rate housing projects coming online soon.” Also new to the revised document will be short-term rentals, such as Airbnb, and accessory dwelling units. “We know there are about 70 or 80 of those in Wheat Ridge, but they’re not really regulated right now,” Goff stated. “So we Continued on page 13

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Vow Renewals, Family History At Second Saturday Event n By

Janet “White” Bradford

he Wheat Ridge Historical Society’s June Second Saturday event will include wedding vow renewals in honor of all those June brides! Renew the vows of love with those you care about on Saturday June 9, between 10 am and 2 pm at the Historic Baugh House on 44th and Robb Street. The tradition of June brides goes back to Roman times when they celebrated the festival of the deity Juno and his wife Jupiter, who was the goddess of marriage and childbirth on the first day of June. Come share your love story and family history! Speaking of family history, do you have a will to let your family know what to do with your things once you are no longer around to enjoy them? All of the items at the Baugh House and Historic Park have been donated by people just like you. With the upcoming 50th anniversary of the incorporation of Wheat Ridge we are looking to gather more historic information that we can share with our fellow citizens and future generations. 1969 was the year that Wheat Ridge, Lakewood and others became their own cities. So coming in 2019 the city will celebrate 50 years and we would like to include as much history as we can into a book for the celebration. We are greatly encouraged by the recent donations to the Historical Society and we encourage you to talk with your relatives about the past, record their stories and share them with us. Antique items, old Wheat Ridge-area photographs, diaries or journals, yearbooks and other memorabilia can be preserved for the future by donating them to the Wheat Ridge Historical Society. Still enjoying your antiques and pictures

but not sure what should happen to them when you are no longer around to enjoy them? Put the Wheat Ridge Historic Society in your estate plan. Future generations will appreciate the items you loved and they will be treasured here at the park. Our June Historical Society meeting will be a potluck picnic at 6 p.m. followed by the meeting around 7 p.m. on, June 12. There are some great cooks in our society so this is one meeting you should not miss! We will be discussing the upcoming Heritage Day celebration. We are looking for someone with an older classic car that would be interested in letting our historians ride in it for the Carnation Festival parade, which is the second Saturday in August – the same day as Heritage Day at the Baugh house. Please contact our museum hostess at 303-4219111 if you could help with this project. The Wheat Ridge Historical Park at 4610 Robb St., is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with tours available for only $2 per person, cash or check only please. Please call the museum hostess for groups of 10 or more, so we can have more historians available. Our Wheat Ridge Quilt Circle meets at the Historical Park on the fourth Wednesday of the month from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. All crafters are invited to join. Bring a project you are working on, lunch if you prefer and join in the fun of working with like-minded crafty people! The circle is currently working on a new quilt for the Baugh house. They hope to have it on display at our Vintage Quilt Show during Heritage Day. For more information check our Facebook page: The Wheat Ridge Historical Society. Watch for our website coming soon! Email us at WRHistorical@gmail.com.

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NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE – MAY 15 – JUNE 17, 2018 – ngazette.com

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Carnation Festival Chili Cookoff SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018 ANDERSON PARK (44TH & FIELD) WHEAT RIDGE

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A Wee Bit?

Fried Mac & Cheese | Corned Beef, White Cheddar, Creamy Red Gravy Roasted Vegetable Hummus | Black Olive Tapenade, Broccoli, Cucumbers, Carrots, Celery, and Flatbread Irish Nachos | Corned Beef, Braised Lamb, Tomato, Onion, White Cheddar Sauce, Green Onions, Sour Cream, House Potato Chips Fried Pickles | House Pickles, Grain Mustard Ranch Avocado and Asparagus Fries | Avocado and Asparagus Spears, House Ketchup, Grain Mustard Aioli, Lemon Greens Avocado and Asparagus Fries Avocado and Asparagus Fries | Avocado and Asparagus Spears, House Ketchup, Grain Mustard Aioli Usinger’s Sausage and Cheese Board | Beef Sausage, Provolone, Swiss, Cheddar, Whiskey Mustard Sauce Drunken Irishman Wings | Buffalo, BBQ, “Bloody Hot”, House Bleu Cheese Dressing. 6, 12 or 24 Dressed or Naked Clancy’s Sampler | Potato Skins with Green Chili, Irish Spring Rolls, Fried Pickles, Fried Mac and Cheese, and Asparagus Fries

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A Treat to Nibble or Share

Granny Goat Flatbread | Granny Smith Apple, Goat Cheese, Onion Conﬁt, White Cheddar Sauce Pulled Pork Flatbread | BBQ Sauce, Onion, White Cheddar Cheese, Scallions Margherita Flatbread | Red Gravy, Cherry Tomatoes, Mozzarella Cheese, Chiffonade of Basil Wafﬂe Fries $5| Served with House Ketchup Shepherd’s Fries | Topped with Mixture of Lamb, Beef, and Vegetables in Savory Gravy, Topped with White Cheddar Green Chili Fries $10| Topped with our Pulled Pork Green Chili, Tomatoes, and Cheese

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ngazette.com – MAY 15 – JUNE 17, 2018 – NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE

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Sandwiches Sausage Sandwich 8.50 served on French bread with sauce & chips Sausage Burger 9.00 on bun with lettuce, tomato, pickle & fries Ground Beef Sandwich 9.00 served on French bread with chips Meatball Sandwich 8.50 served on French bread with sauce & chips Grilled Cheese 6.75 on French bread with pickles & fries Grilled Ham & Cheese 7.50 served on French bread with chips Jumbo Hamburger Deluxe 9.50 Lettuce, tomatoes, pickles & fries Chicken Breast Sandwich 9.50 Grilled with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles & chips Poor Boy Sandwich with meats, cheeses, tomatoes, onions & cherry peppers with Pietra’s italian dressing 12 inch 11.25 24 inch 21.00 TUESDAY-SATURDAY 11-10 SUNDAY 12-9 • CLOSED MONDAY

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NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE – MAY 16-JUNE 17, 17, 2017 – ngazette.com 15 – JUNE 2018 – ngazette.com

2017 DINING 2018 NEIGHBORHOOD NEIGHBORHOOD DINING

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ngazette.com – MAY 15 – JUNE 17, 2018 – NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE

n By

MOUNTAIN VIEWS

Heroes of Hope Race* & Kite Festival

THE STATE OF THE TOWN: A Conversation with Public Works Director John Pughes

Ridge at 38 Criterium & Brewfest

Patricia Lilliston

n year two on the job, John Pughes remains the solo staff member in the Mountain View Public Works Department. During a recent conversation at the town hall, Public Works Director Pughes discussed current and future town projects and business development, and offered a few reminders for residents. “In the past year, a good deal of project preparation and work has occurred in the town,” reflects Pughes. In April, the first phase of the spring town clean up was underway with multiple rollaways available at the town hall. Pughes admits, ”It is hard to manage the timeline for residential trash drops during this annual program. Rollaways tend to fill up quickly.” Pughes reassures that if dumpsters are full, residents should wait as additional rollaways are always scheduled. Another noticeable short-term spring undertaking was the Xcel Energy project on Eaton Street. This restoration project required the removal and replacement of main lines and the relocation of residential gas meters. Pughes states, “Xcel anticipates completion of this project by early May when 40 holes are filled along Eaton Street. The company has no other job proposals in Mountain View for 2018.” With regard to community business development, Pughes indicates, “Plans have been approved, permits pulled and work has begun to convert the existing building at 5600 W. 44th Ave. into dental offices. At this time, the completion timeline is unknown.” “Preparation and planning for the rehabilitation of the Mountain View sanitary sewer system is moving forward,” offers Pughes. He indicates that a needs assessment for the rehabilitation project is complete. State funding loan and grant applications have been submitted. “A public meeting will be held this summer to inform the community regarding all aspects of the sewer and storm drainage project,” declares Pughes. Pughes says that there are very few reoccurring issues within the community. He does gently remind property owners to be vigilant of sidewalk and driveway areas to prevent tripping hazards. Removal of mattresses and large furniture items are also the responsibility of residents. In addition,

WR State of City Continued from page 8

want to make sure we have a handle on that, too.” The next study will likely put more emphasis on the city’s retail sector as well, he said. Goff added the city’s comprehensive plan references the neighborhood revitalization strategy, so an update to this plan could lead to an update of the comprehensive plan. The latter is about 8 or 9 years old, he said. Goff also noted Wheat Ridge will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, and having a revised strategy will help the city move forward into the next half-century.

High number of police calls, traffic issues require attention

Another city goal in Goff’s presentation was to develop an I-70/Kipling Street corridor strategy to address crime, aesthetics and redevelopment opportunities. That grew partly out of the high number of police calls for service in that area, where five lodging establishments are located next to an interstate highway and busy business street. Goff cited 2015 statistics that found

property owners must remove graffiti. Community members need to contact Pughes for information to arrange for the removal of large household items. Additionally, graffiti concerns should be reported to Pughes. He can provide a cleaning solvent for a timely clean up. As a final thought, Pughes comments, “The Mountain View residents are pretty cooperative and supportive. I recognize many by face. A lot of people wave to me, which I accept as a friendly gesture.” For additional or related information, contact Public Works Director John Pughes at jpughes@tomv.org.

Happy Anniversary, Lady Bug Library

On May 15, 2017, the Mountain View Little Free Library, located on the North side of the town hall, was installed and registered. Red and black in color and distinguished with a decorative ladybug on its door, the Lady Bug Library has flourished in the first year of operation. Owing to the recurrent trades and generous multiple book donations by the community, the steward visits the library on Friday to tidy, remove, clean and stamp donated books. Shelves are replenished with the prior week’s offerings to make 40 titles regularly available for youthful and adult readers. To celebrate a successful first year, visit the Lady Bug Library to choose your next best title.

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Have a news tip or story idea? Send it to editor@ngazette.com

Voter Reminder: Colorado Open Primary

In 2016, voters passed a ballot initiative allowing unaffiliated voters the opportunity to cast a vote to help choose the state’s nominees for major political parties. Therefore, on Tuesday, June 26, the first open primary will be held in Colorado. Eligible voters who aren’t registered with either major political party will be able to participate in the election. In early June, registered voters can expect to receive their ballot in the mail. Unaffiliated voters will receive two ballots, one for each major political party, but should select one ballot to vote and return. Unaffiliated voters submitting a ballot will remain unaffiliated. However, state law requires that the political party of the returned ballot will be entered as the voter’s record. 3,909 citizen-initiated calls for service in the corridor, or nearly 13 percent of the total number of such calls city-wide that year. “You have a lot of homeless issues because of the location and there has been a lot of drugs and prostitution in the past,” Goff added. “On top of that, transportation through that intersection is just terrible. It backs up during rush hour past 32nd and something needs to be done.” The city is working with the Colorado Department of Transportation on a future reconstruction of that intersection, which could include the removal of some or all of the hotels and motels and redevelopment of the area. The CDOT project web page noted a diverging diamond interchange configuration was the preferred alternative, similar to the U.S. Highway 36 and McCaslin Boulevard interchange in Louisville. Kipling Street will remain under the I-70 bridge. A final environmental assessment is scheduled for release to the public later this year. “But neither the city nor CDOT can come up with (an estimated) $60 million to rebuild the interchange right away,” Goff said. “CDOT would have to buy those properties, too. We can’t just piecemeal development there because we don’t know for sure how the interchange will work.”

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NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE – MAY 15 – JUNE 17, 2018 – ngazette.com

WEST METRO FIRE

What’s Happening in the WRBA

April Biz Mix had a great turn out! Thank you all for coming and networking. Thanks to LocalWorks for hosting the event. Great ofﬁce looking over Wheat Ridge neighborhoods. Great eats and libations.

May breakfast meeting with Christopher Peck, our speaker presenting the art of public speaking. — at Wheat Ridge Recreation Center.

June Membership Breakfast

Please register for this meeting before 5pm on Thursday, June 7

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DATE: Tuesday, June 12, 2018 TIME: 7:00am-9:00am LOCATION: Wheat Ridge Recreation Center – 4005 Kipling St. COST: $15 for WRBA Members and their guests, $18 for Non-members SPEAKER: Gary Barnes TOPIC: “How a Beaver Saved My Life” MEETING SPONSOR: Cibo Meals – Emily Green MEMBER BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Cheryl Blum-Garcia – LegalShield/IdentityShield, Christine Jensen – Fairway Independent Mortgage

Welcome New Members Victoria Bresee - Technologies of the Self-Mind/Brain Tools & Life Hacks Keifer Mansﬁeld - Kreative Projekts, LLC (Teller Street Gallery & Studios) Darin Hammerschmidt, CFP - Darin J. Hammerschmidt, CFP Please join us for our next meeting. Call (720) 588-2317 or email membership@wheatridgebiz.com today for more information.

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PART FIRE TRUCK, PART RESCUE TRUCK, West Metro Fire Rescue’s new rescue poses with many of the crew that work at Station 10. PHOTO: WEST METRO FIRE RESCUE

West Metro Adds New Rescue To Fleet n By

t’s nearly 43 feet long, weighs in at more than 36 tons and carries 500 gallons of water. West Metro Fire Rescue’s newest apparatus is a combination fire truck and rescue truck, designed to get firefighters out the door and on scene faster. The rescue is housed at West Metro Station 10, one of the homes for West Metro’s Technical Rescue Team. Before the rig went into service, when the alarm sounded, firefighters would often have to rush to move gear between two different pieces of apparatus, depending on the call. For a fire or medical emergency, the crew would take the engine. For a technical or rope rescue or building collapse, the rescue truck. The new rescue fulfills both roles. “It’s really no exaggeration to say that seconds can save lives and property,” said Fire Chief Don Lombardi, West Metro Fire Rescue. “The quicker our crews get on scene, the quicker we can help. That’s why it made sense to combine the capabilities of two different apparatus into one.” Known as Rescue 10, the new apparatus is just one piece of the district’s overall fire protection strategy that recently gave West Metro a Class 1 ISO (Insurance Services Office) rating. The rating – which is the

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highest rating given to fire agencies – should translate to lower property insurance rates for home and business owners. Having a Class 1 rating means the Insurance Services Office believes West Metro has the resources needed to provide elite fire protection services to the district. Since it’s been in service, Rescue 10 and crew have been on scene at a number of fires, car crashes and high profile calls, like the rescue of a teenager from a mine shaft near Golden last December. West Metro’s Technical Rescue Team was called in to assist Golden Fire Rescue on the incident. Rescuers used a rope system to lift the teenager to the surface, and he was then transported to a local hospital. He and his family later met with the crews to say thanks. Stowed behind some 20 doors, there is a wide range of equipment on board Rescue 10. As both a fire engine and a heavy rescue truck, it carries hundreds of feet of varying diameter fire hose, 13 ladders, a full compliment of extrication equipment, hundreds of feet of life safety rope and specialized equipment for rescuing victims from a building collapse, trench collapse or confined space. Rescue 10 was added to West Metro’s fleet through a detailed planning process that is part of the district’s strategic plan.

ASK THE EXPERT What Options Do You Have If You Risk A Student Loan Default? n By

H Cheryl Blum Garcia • 720-371-1736 my-idt.com

Ronda Scholting

Victoria Thompson

ave you made a federal student loan payment in the last three months? About 11 percent of federal student loan borrowers have not and are therefore in default. That default rate only represents the borrowers entering repayment. (See freep.com/story/news/local/ michigan/2016/10/02/rate-student-loandefaults-slows-michigan/91330184/ , Oct. 2, 2016.) More than 8.1 million Americans are behind on federal student loan payments. If you risk facing this dilemma, consider these possibilities. You could rehabilitate your loan. Rehabilitation of a Direct Loan or Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program involves making nine monthly payments within a ten-month period; for a Perkins loan, the period is nine months. Once rehabilitation is complete, the loan is out of default and you are again eligible for different repayment options, forbearance, deferment, loan forgiveness, and additional federal student aid. (See studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/ default/get-out, Jan. 15, 2017.) You could consolidate your loan(s). This move transfers your debt into a new fixedinterest-rate Direct Consolidation Loan,

which you can repay through an incomebased plan. Alternately, you can make three straight full monthly payments on time on a defaulted loan and then consolidate it, which allows you to repay the resulting Direct Consolidation Loan under any repayment plan for which you qualify. (See studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/default/ get-out, Jan. 15, 2017.) Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by Wealth Management Systems Inc. or its sources, neither Wealth Management Systems Inc. nor its sources guarantees the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. In no event shall Wealth Management Systems Inc. be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages in connection with subscriber’s or others’ use of the content. © 2016 DST Systems, Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part prohibited, except by permission. All rights reserved. Not responsible for any errors or omissions. Victoria Thompson is a partner at Resolute Family Wealth Advisors. She can be reached at 720-464-5697, victoria.thompson@lpl.com.

ngazette.com – MAY 15 – JUNE 17, 2018 – NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE

Seniors’ Resource Center Honors Senior Heroes n By

Mike McKibbin

he way Chuck Lautenbach looks at it, he has a great job as a volunteer at Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge. “How many people get to tell hundreds of people where they can go?” the 95-yearold Golden resident said as he received an award for his volunteering. “Nicely, of course.” Lautenbach was one of eight senior citizens honored at the Senior Heroes 2018 award presentation at the Mountain Vista Senior Living Community in Wheat Ridge on Thursday, May 10. The Seniors’ Resource Center and Jefferson County Council on Aging presented eight awards for volunteer work. Lautenbach has volunteered 12 to 15 hours a month at Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge for the past quarter-century. Debbie Anderson with Lutheran Medical Center wrote in her nomination that Lautenbach, a U.S. Army veteran, began his volunteer work as a “mailman.” “His upbeat personality led to friendships with the staff throughout the hospital, who affectionately nicknamed him ‘Chuckles’,” Anderson wrote in her nomination. “Chuck went on to oversee the daily operations of the hospital’s Blue House tea room and consignment shop ….” After the Blue House closed, Lautenbach volunteered at the info desk, Anderson added, “as he loves to be near other volunteers and staff and help hospital visitors. Chuck loves to talk with staff and visitors and knows no strangers ....” Another honoree, Geraldine “Gerry” Johansson, 93, of Arvada, has volunteered 13 hours a month for 34 years at the Apex Community Center of Arvada. Earlier in life, Johansson served in the USO during World War I. “As Gomer Pyle would say, ‘golly, thank you, thank you, thank you,” Johansson said to laughter from the crowd. “Through Gerry’s efforts and talents with crafts, she helped the Apex Center raise funds for projects such as purchasing automatic doors, lobby furniture and kitchen appliances for community use,” wrote Dale Marshall, volunteer specialist at the center, adding that despite receiving a pacemaker 28 years ago and a few replacements, Johansson has not slowed down. “At 93 years young, she amazes everyone with her humor, wisdom and hard work ....” Senior Heroes have been honored for about 17 years to bring attention to the likelihood many agencies would be hard-pressed to provide services without volunteers and to recognize volunteer efforts. Each February, nominations are sought from hospitals, libraries, senior centers, faith communities, cities and retirement communities. Between 20-45 nominations are received and honorees are chosen by a group of three representatives each from the SRC and the council on aging: Charles “Charley” Ault, 71, of Arvada, volunteered more than 20 hours a month for 19 years at the Wheat Ridge Optimist Club. Wade Hammond of the club noted Ault is a board member, past holder of various offices with the Optimists, and headed up a Junior Optimist Club. Those clubs teach area teens how to help the community through volunteerism, Hammond wrote in his nomination. “Charley lives out the Optimist creed of a ‘friend to youth’,” he added. “He gives time to the children of the community through the Christmas and Immediate Needs programs that serve 300 kids per year. In 2017, the gifting program provided 65 families with Christmas gifts and food cards.” Cynthia Best, 70, of Evergreen, volunteered 60 hours a month for the last seven years at the Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice in Evergreen. Lori Carpenter, director of volunteers for the program, wrote that Best “multitasks” for Mt. Evans as a volunteer receptionist, organizing fund-raising events and performing data entry tasks.

“She is described as dedicated and hardworking,” Carpenter wrote. “… Cynthia is known for her meticulous and confidential work ethic, all done with the special compassion needed in a hospice and care environment.” Judith Gordon, 79, of Golden, volunteered 12 to 15 hours a month for the last eight years at the SRC’s adult day and respite care center in Wheat Ridge. Tia Sauceda with the SRC noted Gordon presents a weekly specialized reminisce discussion group for seniors with dementia. “Judith puts much into the program by devoting thought and energy to what clients will respond to via music, special topics and getting to know each participant,” Sauceda wrote. “Additionally, Judith volunteers in the SRC kitchen with food prep and cleaning.” Sandy Graber, 67, of Arvada, volunteered 50 hours a month for the last eight years at the Community Table (formerly the Arvada Community Food Bank). “Her behind-the-scenes help includes client services (client intake and database), accounting assistant, helping with the Feeding the Future Backpack program and special events such as Thanksgiving Box distribution, postal food drive and golf tournament,” Jaci Hjelmgren of the Community Table wrote. Charie Platt, 84, of Lakewood, volunteered more than 100 hours a month with the Colorado Volunteers of America’s foster grandparent program in Jefferson County. Patti Krattenmaker with VOA Colorado noted Platt helps pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade students at three Jefferson County elementary schools in Lakewood and Golden with their reading skills and building confidence. “Charie is passionate about helping students, taking each one to heart,” Krattenmaker wrote. Marge Seyfer, 77, of Wheat Ridge, volunteered 15 to 20 hours a month with the Wheat Ridge Business Association for more than 30 years. Cheryl Brungardt with the association called Seyfer a “cheerleader for all things Wheat Ridge and getting others involved in the community.” “She has organized the Wheat Ridge kite festival and served as vendor chair for the Wheat Ridge carnation festival,” Brungardt wrote. “… She is known for her high energy and is a great role model for using one’s time to benefit the greater community.” Also honored was council on aging President Cary Johnson for his work with the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office to help prevent senior fraud crimes. Current DA Pete Weir and his predecessor, Scott Storey, presented Johnson with his award.

40th anniversary brings challenges

May is Older Americans Month nationwide and the SRC is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. In 1978, the SRC began as part of the Jefferson County Department of Social Services. It was incorporated in 1982 as a nonprofit provider of information, services and advocacy for seniors in the metro Denver area. Its main area helps seniors who have trouble staying in their homes due to health or financial reasons. Locations are its headquarters in Denver, a Wheat Ridge adult day facility, the Yellow House in Evergreen, southwest in Littleton, the Mark T. Starr Center in Lakewood and the Johnson adult day program in Englewood. Transportation, adult day and respite care, volunteer services and opportunities, in-home care, care management, chores, mental health outreach, wellness and services for adults with developmental disabilities are offered. The over-85 population – the main demographic served by the program – is the fastest growing in the U.S., SRC President and CEO Monica Roers noted in an interview. “And as more Baby Boomers retire, those numbers will just continue to go up,” she said. “We’re seeing smaller families as

CHUCK LAUTENBACH AND MARGE SEYFER WERE HONORED during the Senior Heroes 2018 award presentation at the Mountain Vista Senior Living Community in Wheat Ridge on Thursday, May 10. The Seniors’ Resource Center and Jefferson County Council on Aging presented eight senior citizens with awards for their volunteer work. Lautenbach volunteered 12 to 15 hours a month at Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge for the past quarter-century, and Seyfer 15 to 20 hours a month with the Wheat Ridge Business Association for more than 30 years. PHOTOS BY MIKE MCKIBBIN

well, so the numbers of seniors is growing faster than the younger populations” that have traditionally helped pay for senior services through their taxes. The SRC has a $10 million operating budget, 256 employees and 819 volunteers, Roers explained. Staff and volunteers provided “in-depth” services to 10,189 seniors in 2017, according to program figures. Roers said the SRC’s “braided funding” of government, foundations and individual donors has provided some stability over the years. “But with the federal funding questions at the moment, it’s a little more unstable,” she stated. “For now, we’ve been able to ask

our other sources like foundations and the state to fill in some gaps.” Most of the SRC’s federal funding comes through the Older Americans Act, the same source as other programs that help area seniors, such as Meals on Wheels. The SRC recently began a thorough review of its services, Roers said. That includes a technical assessment to make sure services are not hindered by a lack of technology. A salary assessment will help the program stay competitive in recruiting and keeping staff as the cost of living rises. The program recently added 15 new positions for drivers, personal care and inhome providers, along with assistants for an Alzheimer’s care program, Roers said.

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NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE – MAY 15 – JUNE 17, 2018 – ngazette.com

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hile avid cyclists have been hitting the pavement all year long, warmer weather often inspires beginners to get outdoors as well. There’s no question that Colorado is a cyclist’s paradise, but you don’t have to travel far to get some fresh air. In fact, whether you’re an old pro or just learning the ropes, Wheat Ridge has something for everyone. Just starting out? Stop by Wheat Ridge Cyclery, located at 7805 W. 38th Ave. Not only do they sell a variety of bikes and accessories for all ages, but they’ll also help fit you to a bike and service it when it needs some attention. Their website is a great place to start if you’re looking to learn more about the cycling community in Colorado; be sure to check out their calendar for information on group rides and maintenance clinics (www.wheatridgecyclery.com). As you venture out, don’t be surprised if you see lots of other cyclists on the road. According to the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, Wheat Ridge had the highest rate of increase for bicycle commuters among other Denver metro area cities (from 2010 to 2015). While the statistics are compelling, the bigger message is that the number of bikes on the road is on the rise. With so much traffic on two wheels, safety is a priority. If you could use a safety refresher, you might want to check out the Bike Safety Rodeo at the Wheat Ridge Library on Saturday, May 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. The free event is appropriate for all ages - learn about the importance of wearing a helmet, safety skills, and ways to keep your bike running smoothly. Once you feel comfortable, you may be wondering where to go. If you’re a beginner,

BOTH ELITE AND AMATEUR RIDERS WILL RACE at the Ridge at 38 Criterium Bike Race and Brewfest, Sunday, June 10th from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Enjoy Colorado craft beer while cheering on the cyclists participating in fast-paced races. PHOTO: BECKY OLSTAD consider a park, like Crown Hill (26th and Kipling), where you won’t have to worry about vehicles and other dangerous road hazards. The paved trail around the lake is just over a mile long, making it perfect for a leisurely afternoon ride. Ready to step it up a notch? The 20-mile Clear Creek trail also passes through Wheat Ridge and the new trailhead near Kipling and 44th makes a convenient access point. Cycling is a great way to improve your physical fitness, explore nature, and get some fresh Colorado air. As the temperature keeps rising and the days get sunnier, don’t be afraid to get out there. There are miles and miles of trails to explore and a friendly community of cyclists who would be more than willing to show you the ropes. (Or should we say spokes?)

MEDICALLY SPEAKING Prepare for Ski Season Now – Really! • Stay in control. Most of us love speed. Yet, we need to keep situational awareness of our surroundings and other skiers. It’s oloradans understand that gravity was like the highway. Even the most cautious made for skiing and snowboarding. We driver can get in an accident if the other live in the perfect place to take advantage of drivers aren’t paying attention. Give space Mother Nature's bounty in winter, with our and know your limits! perfect mountains and perfect snow. As a • Finally, get and stay lifelong skier, I understand the in shape. Yes, we just emerged drive to find the perfect carve, from winter – it’s already time the secret powder stash, and the to start thinking about the wide open groomer. 2018/19 season and make the Staying healthy and in shape commitment to be in shape. year-round is key to ensuring You can’t expect your body to that your days on the mountain perform during the ski season are pain-free and pleasurable. if you haven’t taken care of it Here are some helpful, seasonduring the off season. extending observations I've For your training plan, made as a former collegiate ski take advantage of Colorado’s racer, an avid weekend warrior and physician pool member of David Bierbrauer excellent summer weather and bike, run, hike, swim and the U.S. Ski Team. explore. Keep your core muscles engaged According to snowbrains.com, six of and strong and increase your aerobic the top 10 most visited ski areas belong capacity. Visualize yourself standing on to Colorado. Our ski areas are becoming that cornice overlooking an endless field of more popular and more crowded. This untracked powder. Think about how ready means that risks go up as well, even you are because you’ve stayed in shape. though the rate of catastrophic or fatal Skiing, boarding and telemarking have injuries on the slopes remains relatively enriched my life beyond measure. Staying low, according to National Ski Areas in shape, obeying the skier code, and using Association studies. common sense have allowed me to continue But, what about knee, hip, shoulder in the sport I love. I hope to live up to my and wrist injuries that can sideline you for 77-year-old father’s example and have a a season? What steps can you take to ensure long and healthy skiing career. If an injury you get to ski or ride the whole season? does befall you, we’ve got you covered and • Wear your helmet! The NSAA estimates will put you on the fast track to recovery. that 83 percent of skiers and riders wear a And, remember, no friends on a powder helmet. Snowboarders should also consider day! using wrist guards. Several studies suggest David Bierbrauer, MD, is an orthopedic a significant decrease in wrist fractures in surgeon at Lutheran Medical Center. snowboarders wearing wrist guards. n By

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UNDER THE DOME

Buying. Selling. Investing.

Standing Up for Colorado Daughters

AJ Steinke, REALTOR® 303.901.0454 AjSteinke2@gmail.com www.All4Sloans.com

State Rep. Jessie Danielson

very morning as I get ready to go into work, I’m doing so while taking care of my 10-month-old daughter Isabelle. I routinely catch myself thinking about how inspired by her I am. Working toward a better, more just, and more equitable world for her to grow up in is a big reason for the work I do under the gold dome. I am sponsoring HB18-1378, The Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, because I believe that hard-working Coloradans deserve a fair shot at economic security. I want Isabelle and all Colorado daughters to enter the workforce without the kind of discrimination we face today. Women are still being paid far less than men for the same work, and that hurts Colorado families. We must pass common sense measures to close the wage gap – not only is it the right thing to do, but it will grow Colorado’s economy by billions and help families save for the future. My new bill will make sure all qualified employees know about job opportunities when jobs are announced – not just those handpicked insiders. It will make sure companies disclose salary ranges for jobs so that employees can better advocate for what they deserve. The Equal Pay for Equal Work Act also allows people who have been discriminated against to take action and hold “bad actors” – those irresponsible corporations and companies – accountable. According to The Women’s Foundation of Colorado, women in our state earn an average of 86 cents for every dollar men earn for the same work. The numbers are worse for Latinas, who earn 53.8 cents on the dollar, and black women, who earn 63.1

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cents for every dollar earned by white men for the same work. And, the negative effects caused by the wage gap compound. Over a woman’s lifetime, she will take home an average of $500,000 to $1.2 million less in income. Let’s call it what it is: wage discrimination. Isabelle deserves better than that. Daughters across Colorado and the nation deserve better than that. It is time to demand fairness and pass the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. Jessie Danielson represents State House District 24 in Jefferson County, and serves as Speaker Pro Tempore of the state House of Representatives. Rep. Danielson’s legislative oﬃce phone is 303866-5522. Her website is www.jessiedanielson.com.

Will Wheat Ridge Accept Another Kind Of Weed? Guy Nahmiach

t is the first flower to cut through the snow and offer nectar to birds and bees. Its jagged leaves resemble lion’s teeth (in French, Dent De Lion) hence the name Dandelion. While first recorded in the 17th century in Europe and Asia, mentions of this flower can be traced all the way back to the 10th and 11th centuries being used for medicinal purposes. The dandelion seeds of course do spread like a good rumor in Wheat Ridge. These days they can be found in Australia, Italy, Turkey, Poland and, of course, right here at home. In fact, in India, this flower is cultivated and used as a remedy for liver ailments. This little flower will grow just about anywhere, though it does prefer sunlight rather than the shade of a tree. The puritans brought it with them when they settled in their new land as an assured way for generating growth and food. It is the only plant that will continue to appear in overgrazed lands, burnt forests and other distressed landscapes. We can read about the Spaniards bringing the dandelion over to California and Mexico. Reports also show the French introducing the flower to Canada. Throughout its history, this flower has been used for many positive uses, including health benefits and, of course, part of many meals. The flower and its leaves were used to cure fevers, eye problems, fluid retention, liver congestion, heartburn and skin conditions. It’s also used for weight loss and produces a high level of antibodies. Food wise, dandelions are included in many recipes including salads, pancakes,

REWARD!

STATE REP. JESSIE DANIELSON poses with her daughter, Isabelle, on the ﬂoor of the Colorado House on Equal Pay Day, April 10. PHOTO COURTESY JESSIE DANIELSON

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roasted meals, wines and tea. This chicory flavored plant is a great addition to so many meals throughout our daily menu. The elephant in the room is the fact that many find it annoying and a disturbance to their perfectly manicured green lawns, and feel the constant need to control its growth and seemingly nuclear-blast-resistant seeds. It’s the cause of many complaints filed by neighbors to our code enforcers. In reality, only in the 1940s that home owners became conditioned to having negative views on our controversial plant. Hence the title of this article: Are we ready to accept this weed in our homes? If I have to smell my neighbor’s weed, why shouldn’t I be able to cultivate mine? If neighbors have to be tolerant of each other’s goats and chickens, political yard signs and front yard farms, isn’t it time we bring this roaring flower back from the detention room and into our yards and fields? You can always log onto the Wheat Ridge Sustainability Facebook page and share your thoughts. Thank you.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING Bike Safety Rodeo at the Wheat Ridge Library, May 19 Gear up for summer cycling at a free Bike Safety Rodeo at the Wheat Ridge Library, 5475 W. 32nd Ave., Saturday, May 19, from 2 to 4 p.m. Technicians from Wheat Ridge Cyclery will show adults and kids how to be safe on two wheels by wearing a helmet, chain maintenance and other safety skills. Kids will have a chance to test skills when they ride through the obstacle course. Bring bike and helmets and meet in the parking lot west of the library. Fix-a-flat kits, nutrition bars, streamers, and more will be given away. Limit 50, appropriate for all ages. For more information, call the Wheat Ridge Library at 303-235-5275.

League of Women Voters Book Club Discusses ‘Independence Lost’ For those of us with the traditional concept of the Revolutionary War, that of Minutemen, Lexington, and Concord, “Independence Lost,” by Kathleen DuVal, will be an eye opener. The Jefferson County League of Women Voters Nonfiction Book Club’s May selection

covers the mosaic of activity along the Gulf Coast around the time of the Revolution, outside the 13 rebelling colonies. DuVal uses composite characters to explain the role of the British loyalists, the French, Cajuns, Choctaws and other tribes, free blacks and slaves in the struggle, which resulted in major British defeats at Baton Rouge, Pensacola, and Mobile. The final meeting to discuss the book will be held Saturday, May 19, at 9:30 a.m., at Brookdale Westland Meridian, 10695 W. 17th Ave., Lakewood. All are welcome at either meeting, which are the last of this season. Book club meetings will resume in September. For more information, call Lynne at 303-985-5128, email info@lwvjeffco.org, or visit www.lwvjeffco.org.

Outdoor Market Opening and More At Four Seasons Market Ridge at 38 Four Seasons Outdoor Market Opening Day is Saturday, May 19, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., including an Upcycle Fair and plant sale, at Four Seasons Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market, 7043 W. 38th Ave., Wheat Ridge. Local band Jon Romero y Amanecer will provide music.

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The Outdoor Market runs every Saturday through Oct. 20, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stroll around the market and find fresh veggies, baked goods, live music, kids activities, free samples and more. There’s also an Indoor Market, just inside the building behind the tents. The pet-friendly fete also features free coffee and popcorn, restrooms on site, and kids activities with Sweet Ridge Studios and Fairy Garden Workshop with Lulu’s House. Extra parking is available east of Four Seasons on Reed Street. “An Evening at Roost Farms” is set for Wednesday, May 23, from 6 to 8 p.m., 7395 W. 32nd Ave., Wheat Ridge. Hosted by the Localworks Harvest Committee, farm owners Chris and Liz McCune will give a tour of their property and discuss their production methods, history and love of agriculture, as well as share the challenges and joys of urban farming. For more information, visit www. fourseasonsfam.com or call 720-5606648.

Enjoy a Pint and a Slice for Housing, May 21 at Right Coast Pizza Treat yourself to a Pint and Slice and help connect aging homeowners with people in need of affordable housing at Sunshine Home Share’s second fundraising event, set for May 21, 5 to 7 p.m., at Right Coast Pizza, 7100 W. 38th Ave., in Wheat Ridge. “Sunshine 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. All proceeds from each $20, tax-deductible

ticket goes to Sunshine. For more information and tickets, call 303-915-8264 or visit Sunshinehomeshare.org.

Sign Up Soon For Summer Art Fun at Sweet Ridge Studios Come make beautiful and creative projects with Sweet Ridge Studios at Stevens Elementary School, located right next door to Wheat Ridge Cyclery. New this summer are Monday-throughWednesday, all-day camps from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., that include lunch, as well as traditional Monday through Friday camps from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4 p.m. Students 6 to 12 years of age are welcome and Sweet Ridge Studios offers a 10 percent sibling discount. Lunch Bunch is available from noon to 1 p.m. each day so parents can mix and match for a perfect schedule! Themes change from week to week and students will use a wide range of materials including clay, painting and drawing. For enrollment and full details, visit SweetRidgeStudios.com.

June is HEALthy Wheat Ridge Active Living Month Be active, win prizes! The City of Wheat Ridge Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Committee invites you to participate in healthy living activities throughout June including: Heroes of Hope Race and Kite Flite, Ridge at 38 Criterium, weekly run/ walk club, fitness and cruiser rides, fitness on the green, Performances in the Park and Bike to Work Day. Continued on page 19

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WHAT’S HAPPENING Continued from page 18

The more you participate, the more you are entered to win prizes! The HEAL Committee includes Lutheran Medical Center, Jefferson County Public Health, Localworks, Wheat Ridge Active Transportation Advisory Team, local businesses, and residents. Together, we are focused on promoting healthy opportunities in the City. For more information, visit www. HEALthyWheatRidge.com.

Spring Whale of a Used Book Sale at the Fairgrounds, June 1-3 The Jefferson County Library Foundation will host its annual Spring Whale of a Used Book Sale at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Friday through Sunday, June 1 through 3. The sale, which has more than a 20year history in the community, offers the book-buying public more than 100,000 books, DVDs, CDs and audio books at prices starting at just 50 cents. There will be a large children’s section and teachers can take advantage of half-price books all day Saturday. Nearly 5,000 bargain hunters visited the Fall Whale Sale in October raising $65,000 for Jefferson County Public Library programs. “The funds generated by the Whale Sale will help support the Library’s STEM/ STEAM initiatives, early childhood literacy and the hugely popular Summer Reading program,” said Pam Nissler, Executive Director of Jefferson County Public Library. Jefferson County Library Foundation is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to supporting the programs of Jefferson County Public Library through advocacy and fundraising.

For more information about the JCLF and the Spring Whale of a Used Book Sale, visit jeffcolibraryfoundation.org.

For information, email or call Annie Smiley at annie@westchamber.org or 720399-5656.

on the main stage that evening. They’ll also need to be available for the Mayor's Reception to kick-off the festival on Friday evening.

Rodents Family-Friendly Show to Benefit LifeSpark, June 2

I Do, Why Not? Renew Wedding Vows And More At Historic Park, June 9

To nominate festival royalty, visit https://thecarnationfestival.com/eventsentertainment/parade.

The Rodents of Unusual Size return to the Grange in Wheat Ridge on June 2 for their monthly Comedy for a Cause program. The family-friendly improvisational comedy show is free, with a suggested donation of $5 or a total of $15 for families of three or more. Proceeds from the show will benefit LifeSpark Cancer Resources.

Bring your partner and renew your wedding vows with the Wheat Ridge Historical Society’s friendly historians as your witnesses, Saturday, June 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Baugh House, 44th and Robb Street in Wheat Ridge. The Society’s Second Saturday event also offers tours of the Baugh house and the Historic Park, craft demonstrations and sales, and snacks and tea. Bring your voice or instrument and join local musicians performing in recorder and string groups. Or, just bring your questions about the Wheat Ridge area to their historians.

For details, visit www.coloradoimprov. com.

Sample The Best of Jeffco’s Cuisine at Taste of the West, June 7 Taste of the West 2018 will take place Thursday, June 7, from 5 to 8 p.m., at Jeffco Fairgrounds, 15200 W. 6th Ave. Frontage Road, Golden. Billed as the premier culinary event in Jefferson County, the Taste will feature award-winning cuisine from many of Jeffco’s best restaurants and caterers. In addition to tasty food samples, the festival will feature an assortment of beer from local breweries, wine, culinary exhibitors and networking with over 1,300 attendees. 2018 marks the fourth year for the Taste of the West beer garden, which highlights the great local craft beer from Colorado. Advance-purchase individual tickets are $20, or six for $100; pick up at will call the day of the event. Individual tickets will be $25 at the door. Children 12 and under are free.

For more information, visit The Wheat Ridge Historical Society Facebook page.

Nominations Needed For Carnation Festival Royalty Roundup Do you know a community member who has made a positive contribution through notable participation or service in Wheat Ridge? If so, consider nominating them for this year’s Count, Countess or Grand Marshal of the 49th Annual Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival, Aug. 10 through 12. Deadline for nominations is July 6. All nominees must be available for public appearances during the festival. That includes leading and participating in the parade on 38th Avenue and judging entries Saturday morning, and announcing awards

Mark Your Calendars For Historic Elitch Theatre’s ‘A Hogwarts Homecoming’ Historic Elitch Theatre will present “A Hogwarts Homecoming” Children’s Day event on Saturday, July 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Historic Elitch theatre, 4655 W. 37th Ave. The community event will invite Harry Potter fans to J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the U.S. publication of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” Costume contests, trivia contests and quidditch matches with Colorado Quidditch teams will be among the many interactive activities for attendees. Festivities will include opportunities for all muggles, young witches and wizards to make wands, learn spells, shop for candy frogs and enjoy butterbeer in Hogsmeade. Before entering Hogwarts, Second Star to the Right bookstore will offer sales of Scholastic’s new 20th Anniversary Editions with cover illustrations by awardwinning illustrator Brian Selznick. The Theatre and surrounding grounds will be transformed into Hogwarts for the event welcoming all Harry Potter lovers to dress in costume, locate Platform 9 and 3/4, to enjoy a magical celebration! Tickets purchased through July 27 are $5 each to cover expenses and can be purchased online. Free admission for children up to 4 years old. Visit www.etfest.com/hogwarts tickets and details.

West Colfax MuralFest

Join us for the 4th annual West Colfax MuralFest on Saturday, August 11th, 2018 from 11am-6pm West Colfax MuralFest is a vibrant arts festival held in 40 West Arts District each year, designed to celebrate creativity and the character of historic West Colfax. This festival features juried artists from across the country who create an outdoor art gallery of murals culminating in a one-day celebration of art, music, food, and creative activities for the whole family. Organized by the West Colfax Community Association, in association with 40 West Arts and Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, this event highlights and embraces the artistry of the Lakewood West Colfax corridor.

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Hartkopp Continued from page 1

along the way. In the early 2000s, Hartkopp auditioned for a comedy improv group called “But Seriously,” which landed an invitation to join the crew. As she worked her way to become what the group leaders considered “stage ready,” Hartkopp paid her dues by assisting with lighting and sound. She had just performed two shows for But Seriously, when the group’s founders moved from Colorado. Discovering a strong affinity for improv comedy, Hartkopp did not wish to give up the work and teamed up with fellow performer Jeff Chacon. The newly-formed troupe did not yet have a name, so after hearing others repeatedly make comments like “Oh, you are still around …” and continuously responding with comments like, “Yes, we do exist,” Hartkopp and Chacon selected “Rodents of Unusual Size,” inspired by the film “The Princess Bride” as their name. Chacon left the group a number of years ago, but the Rodents have continued to thrive. Today there are seven Rodents in the core group. The Rodents performed at various venues, but they did not have a location they could call home. When she was at a community event in Wheat Ridge, Hartkopp ran into Dominick Breton, with the Grange in Wheat Ridge. Upon hearing the Rodents were looking for a new spot, he

suggested they give the Grange a try. The Rodents have performed there ever since. While they are available to perform paid gigs at comedy clubs, private parties and corporate events, the Rodents have committed to at least one free, familyfriendly show each month. The suggested donations for the Rodents’ Comedy for a Cause shows are $5 per person or $15, maximum, for families of three or more. All funds received go to that evening’s designated charity. The Rodents came to focus on these charitable performances after participating in a series of shows they did to benefit Smile Train. Appreciating the unifying power of laughter and the ability to raise awareness through these shows, Hartkopp and the Rodents launched Comedy for a Cause. As Hartkopp explains, “We all really love the idea of doing the benefit shows – just focusing on reaching out to the community, saying, ‘this show is for everyone. You can bring your kids. You can have a family date night and go to something that’s happy.’” Among the organizations to benefit from the Rodents’ Comedy for a Cause Shows are Smile Train, Redefined, the Green Mountain High School Marching Band, Bailey and Warm Hearts, Warm Babies. When it comes to full plates and a heavy responsibility load, Hartkopp is no slouch. She is a mother, wife, actor and improv comedy performer. During the day, she works full-time as a personal assistant. In spite of that schedule, Hartkopp also finds

RODENTS OF UNUSUAL SIZE Katie “Deletta” Hartkopp, Tobie and Jace put on a family-friendly benefit performance at the Wheat Ridge Grange. PHOTO COURTESY KATIE HARTKOPP

time to write children’s books. She already has published two books and is working on her third. Add to this the historic home she and her husband have owned for about nine years and opened to the community to commemorate the home’s 100th

PLAYING AN IMPROV GAME BLINDFOLDED and barefoot on a live set of mousetraps are Rodents of Unusual Size “Deletta” (Katie Hartkopp) and “Tara.” PHOTO COURTESY KATIE HARTKOPP anniversary. It may seem with so much on her plate, Hartkopp would be too busy for anything else, but that busyness is the reason is one should ask for Hartkopp for assistance because she would be among the first to jump in and complete the job with maximum efficiency. For more information about the Rodents of Unusual Size, or to learn how your organization can benefit from Comedy for a Cause, visit www.coloradoimprov.com.

Criterium Continued from page 1

local restaurants and shops, and supporting close relationships within the Wheat Ridge community. The Ridge at 38 is a commercial district at the heart of Wheat Ridge, located on West 38th Avenue between Sheridan and Wadsworth Boulevards. It is home to an eclectic mix of businesses that serve the community and welcome visitors by offering a taste of small town life without the drive. The Criterium course goes from High Court to 35th Avenue, to Pierce Avenue, to 38th Avenue to Reed Street to 39th Ave, and back to High Court. Both elite and amateur riders will race using staggered start times, beginning at 8 a.m. with the last start time at 5:30 p.m. Each race takes about 40 to 45 minutes to complete. Prizes range from gift cards and merchandise to $1,000 cash. For the first time, the winners in both the top male and female categories will receive $1,000. Eliminating prize disparity between genders is a big issue in sports, especially pro cycling. The 2018 Ridge at 38 Criterium is doing its part to end the practice of awarding different prizes for men and women. Back this year is the Brewfest, featuring beer from some of the best local breweries. In addition to racing and beer, the event features free festivities for spectators, including a family-friendly festival with food, live music, vendors, lively commentators announcing the action, and a kids’ zone featuring a bouncy castle and face painting! The event will be based around the High Court area for the festival, Brewfest, live music and vendors. However, the races can be seen almost anywhere along the Criterium route. The Criterium and the associated festival is free. Brewfest prices are $15 for a commemorative cup (8 ounce) and four beer tickets, or $3 for each individual ticket. If you are interested, they may still need some volunteers to help with the Criterium. In addition, to meeting some really great people and sharing in some racing excitement, you also get a free meal and a t-shirt. For more information, visit ridgeat38. com/criterium; volunteer information can be found by clicking the “sign up to volunteer” link.