Neighborhood Gazette –July 2015 by Neighborhood Gazette

Improving Healthy Food Access see page 4

2015 Carnation Festival Music Guide see pages 7-10

National Night Out Aug. 4 see page 15

Gazette NEIGHBORHOOD

Wheat Ridge | Edgewater | JULY 20-AUGUST 17, 2015

Musical Talent, Expanded Attractions Highlight 2015 Carnation Festival By Laura Poole

he 46th annual Carnation Festival will be just as fun as previous years with some added musical talents and attractions. August 14-15 will be full of music, food, rides, fireworks, entertainment and games at Anderson Park, 4355 Field St., plus an added day on Aug. 16 with the Automezzi Exotic Italian Car Show. The festival will kick off this year on Friday Aug. 14 at 4 p.m. with the opening performance of the Zoppe’ Circus and non-stop entertainment and activities throughout the festival grounds. Saturday morning starting at 9:30 a.m., residents can catch the parade on 38th Avenue then head over to Anderson Park for another full day of fun starting at noon. Sunday the 16th is dedicated to the Italian-themed circus, car show and food and beer garden. Friday the festival will be open from 4 -11 p.m., Saturday from noon-11 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m with the Automezzi 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and circus performances at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. that day. The Wheat Ridge Police Department

Bike Safety Rodeo, the Annual Art Show and the famous spaghetti dinner all kick into gear at 4 p.m. each day and there’s a chili cook-off on Saturday from 5-7 p.m. The spaghetti dinner takes place Friday and Saturday nights from 4-8 p.m. The main stage sponsored by Quality Auto Care features 10 great bands over the two days that will perform your favorite covers as well as stellar original music, and include Colorado favorites such as The Long Run, Wendy Woo, Coles Whalen, Austin Young and Jeff Brinkman plus two very unique touring bands Mike Zito & The Wheel (Blues Rock) and Kahuna Beach Party (Beach Boys tribute band). The Blue Star Teen Stage sponsored by Blue Star Connection will have teen bands and a magician to entertain the younger crowd plus storytelling and crafts on Saturday. The Smile Generation Kids Zone will once again have full size carnival rides and midway games. The food court and spaghetti dinner will be located in a new area with plenty of room and has an expanded selection of food with lots of local Wheat Ridge flavor and a large variety to choose from. The alcohol

FINE AUTO ENTHUSIASTS WILL ENJOY THE STELLAR COLLECTION of automobiles on display during the Automezzi Car Show, Aug. 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

THEIR EYES LIGHT UP at the Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival 2014. This year’s festival brings back traditional favorites, such as the 38th Avenue Parade–and a host of new sights for attendees to enjoy at the 46th annual festival, which begins on Friday, Aug. 14 at 4 p.m. . PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE WHEAT RIDGE CARNATION FESTIVAL. offerings now include local crafters such as Brewery Rickoli and Silver Vines Winery. The entire venue will be fenced so the the whole festival is the beer garden and you can walk around to all the features while enjoying your alcoholic beverages. There will be three locations for beer and/or wine to be purchased. The food, beverages and activities are purchased with festival fun tickets so be sure to get your tickets upon arrival at one of the three convenient ticket booths. The fireworks show sponsored by Noble Energy is a featured attraction of the festival and will start each night at 9:15 p.m. The Zoppe’ Italian Family Circus sponsored by DaVita will return for a limited engagement run of seven performances starting on Friday at 4 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. Saturday performances will be at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets for the circus are available

Painter Ed Slack, On The Studio Tour By Cyndy Beal

il and water don’t go together, unless maybe you are Ed Slack. Slack is an oil and watercolor painting artist who is one of 11 artists, including four other painters, on the first Wheat Ridge Cultural Commission’s Artist Studio Tour in August. The self-guided tour on Aug. 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. begins at Teller Street Gallery, 7190 W. 38th Ave. Maps to the studios are available for a $5 ticket price, on the day of the tour. Slack is probably best known for his evening cityscapes and mountain landscape oil paintings, but does paint a range of other subjects, such as still lifes. He describes his work as representational art. Representational art is images that are easily recognizable as the object or subject matter that they purport to be or represent. Ed Slack began painting (and later his subsequent career) as a child. His mom

bought him oil paints and encouraged him to explore his interest in art. That was close to five decades ago. “It stuck with me,” he said. Slack grew up in the Chicago area. He graduated from a fine art program at the American Academy of Art in Chicago in 1980. He moved to Bailey, Colorado in 1994. He was drawn to Colorado, after helping his brother moved to the state in the late 1980s. He was struck by all the verticals and how different it was from the flatlands of the Midwest. In the years before his move, he spent many vacations out west. Slack has lived and had a studio in Wheat Ridge for 15 years. He moved into his Wheat Ridge studio space, shortly after he saw a For Rent sign. At the time he was working for a faux finish company in the area. “It was like the universe stepped in, and said here’s the studio you wanted,” said Slack. He said of his workspace one has to be careful where you step. “It’s a working studio.”

He says the last two years have been a growth period for him, and he’s been experimenting with his art a great deal. He said he feels more refreshed and that the creative juices are flowing. “Everybody’s life goes through transformations,” he said. Some of his fellow painter influences are Vincent Van Gogh, and Illinois painter Richard Schmidt. Slack presently is teaching three painting classes at Teller Street Gallery. He has taught both children and adults the fundamentals of painting. His highest hope for people who visit his studio and the 10 others on the tour, is to maybe look at the world around them a little differently. He said he primarily these days has been painting for himself. “Art is a visual statement, either it connects or it doesn’t, “said Slack. For more information on the tour or the Wheat Ridge Cultural Commission go to http://www.ci.wheatridge.co.us/100/ Cultural-Commission

online at www.thecarnationfestival.com, at the Wheat Ridge Rec Center or at the door one hour prior to each performance time. Save $5 with Circus Bucks coupons or online code NINO. There will also be an Italian car show on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with automotive vendors and concessions. Car enthusiasts check out www.automezzicolorado.com for more information. Parking will be limited so a free shuttle service will provide transportation during the festival hours to the main areas with continuous shuttles running on Friday and Saturday from First Bank on 44th and Wadsworth and the south side of Pep Boys, St. James Church on 44th and Brentwood, Pennington Fields lot on 44th and Jellison, and Jefferson Ave. Church on 44th and Kipling. This will help festival-goers get to the festival without the headache of parking and will be available until 11:30 p.m. Check the schedule of events for a full list of activities, as well as changes and updated information, at www.thecarnationfestival. com. Event producer Gina Hallisey is very excited and proud to be bringing such great musical talent to the festival this year. Each year the festival looks for fun bands or unique attractions to share their talents with Wheat Ridge and it seems to be getting better each year. “Probably the biggest thing this year is we were able to get some really nice national talent thanks to additional sponsorship. We usually have to stay local… and it’s hard to find really good music unless you have a bigger budget,” said Hallisey. “We did really well getting the best local bands to come out as well as some awesome national talent .” Two notable local talents the festival was able to get on the lineup are the Wendy Woo Band and the Jeff Brinkman Band, two very talented artists that Hallisey is excited to have coming. Woo will be performing at 5 p.m. on Friday, and Brinkman will perform at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday evening. Continued on page 15

NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE – JULY 20-AUGUST 17, 2015 – ngazette.com

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That is one critical way we can work to provide a safe and secure retirement for older citizens. olorado has one of the fastest growing As Coloradans live longer, they have populations of senior citizens in the more time to grow our economy, develop entire country. It is estimated that by the and enhance our communities and spend year 2021, our state will have more than more time with their families. It 1,350,000 citizens aged 60 also means we need new ways of or older. Here in Jefferson thinking about the challenges of County, the elder population economic security for retirees. A is one of the highest, and is new report reveals that nearly 1 growing steadily. We must in 3 Americans don’t have access continue to provide critical to workplace retirement benefits. services for older Coloradans It’s a problem that will only get so that they are able to live at worse unless we work on ways home and independently. This to help Coloradans save for the includes the right to a safe and future. secure retirement. One obstacle to progress During the 2015 legislative session I sponsored several bills Jessie Danielson is the fact that 45 percent of Colorado’s private sector workers that promoted the rights of senior citizens. have no retirement savings plan available The CARE Act (HB 15-1242) assures through their employer. One way to help hospital patients the right to have a caregiver promote retirement security is to establish present with them both throughout their state-based retirement savings initiatives stay in the hospital, and when receiving for these employees. critical instructions upon release. I also Creating the opportunity to save means sponsored legislation to combat elder a more secure future for Colorado’s retirees, abuse that unfortunately was opposed and will help save taxpayer dollars by by the Republican leadership in the state reducing stress on our social safety net. senate. I was recently asked to speak at the During the next legislative session, Jefferson County Senior Law Day because I plan to work on expanding retirement of my commitment to end elder abuse. This savings options for employees who might annual event, sponsored by Jeffco’s District not otherwise have access to a retirement Attorney’s Office, includes educational saving plan. This is how we help plan for seminars and workshops designed to help a brighter future, create more opportunity our neighbors with issues and challenges we for economic security for Colorado retirees face as we age. Elder abuse prevention was and tackle the challenges facing an aging one of the topics covered, and I appreciate population. the DA’s office putting on such an important State Representative Jessie Danielson event. More than 600 residents participated, represents Northern Jefferson County at showing our community is committed to the State Capitol. To reach Rep. Danielson helping seniors. or for information about upcoming Town I will continue to work with stakeholders Hall events, please call her at 303-866across Jeffco and in the legislature to reduce 5522 or visit www.jessiedanielson.com. elder abuse – both physical and financial.

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egarding the corner of 38th and Wadsworth and the TIF petition, Keep WR Local would like to offer the following rebuttal to Council Member Fitzgerald’s Letter to the Editor and the Wheat Ridge Business Association article: 1. Lack of offers for development on that corner was a result of the Great Recession that began in 2007. With the recent uptick in real estate values everywhere in Denver, this corner has become desirable as well. 2. Capping TIFs at $2.5 million and requiring voter approval for anything over that amount will not stymie development. City Council's’ refusal to include residents’ input in planning decisions and a lack of accountability on the part of unelected urban renewal authority members and the city manager has motivated tax paying residents who want a part in the decision. Wheat Ridge citizens are smart; good ideas will stand, bad ideas won’t. 3. TIF monies are paid by all citizens in Wheat Ridge. For 15 years (more or less), our tax revenues from that corner are reduced as we pay off the TIF. Meanwhile, city resources such as fire and police services respond to calls from the businesses located there. Wear and tear on the infrastructure must be included as a cost too. 4. The pool of money spent on groceries and other products and services in Wheat Ridge will not change if this development is built. What will happen instead is that other nearby store’s revenues will be cannibalized. 5. Urban renewal laws were passed

years ago to counter blight in run-down and crime-ridden neighborhoods and to cure urban food deserts. Do those criteria fit the corner? Over time, blight designation has become a way for city officials, elected and unelected, to subsidize private development with our tax dollars. 6. There are seven Walmarts within a five mile radius of this site. When the new superstore is completed in Arvada, there will be eight. If this one is completed, there will be one Walmart for every 4,000 residents in Wheat Ridge. Do we need another? 7. At the Council meeting on June 22nd, nearly every person who spoke in support of the development also said, “I don’t shop at Walmart”. One council member indicated that he will not shop at Walmart because of its substandard pay and benefits for workers, yet he voted for the development. Why? Development will happen on this corner but it should be based on the changing demographics in Wheat Ridge. Residents want to walk to a smart development with unique restaurants and shops. We believe that if a Request for Proposals were issued by City Council for ideas from the development community, that replies would include thoughtful, innovative ideas and proposals from many interested parties. The right developer will see the corner, the crossroads of Wheat Ridge, for the diamond in the rough that it is. Vote for TIF reform in November and hold out for smart, sustainable development. We can do better. Visit www.keepwrlocal.com.

ngazette.com – JULY 20-AUGUST 17, 2015 – NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE

NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE – JULY 20-AUGUST 17, 2015 – ngazette.com

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EDGEWATER CITY NEWS HEALthy Edgewater: Improving Healthy Food Access By Joel Newton

ave you heard about HEALthy Edgewater? It's a new initiative formed out of the City's recent adoption of a resolution that makes Edgewater a Healthy Eating Active Living community through the HEAL Cities and Towns Campaign sponsored by LiveWell Colorado. In other words, the City of Edgewater has made a commitment to providing opportunities for Edgewater residents to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. One of the key focus areas of HEALthy Edgewater is looking at ways to increase residents' access to healthy food. Our seasonal Farmers Market provides ways to achieve that goal and holds great potential for increased healthy food access opportunities. On July 16, City Council workshopped a concept that has been discussed among members of the HEAlthy Edgewater Advisory Council, which includes looking at using the Colorado Cottage Foods Act as a foundation for home gardeners and other artisans who grow and prepare food at home to sell their shares and/or products at the Farmers Market. The Colorado Cottage Foods Act became law in 2012. It allows individuals to sell certain types of "cottage food" products in unlicensed home kitchens (i.e. home grown produce, eggs, spices and certain baked goods). Cottage food operations require no license but do have a net sales limit. City

council will discuss ideas for how a local ordinance in Edgewater could align with the state law so that home grown produce could be sold and shared in Edgewater and ultimately at the seasonal Farmers Market. "We are excited about this concept, as it creates another channel for healthy food to be accessed by residents, said Lee Stiffler-Meyer, HEALthy Edgewater Advisory Committee Chair." For hobbyist home gardeners, it could also be financially advantageous - making a little profit on something that you love to do is a win win for the home gardener and the community at large."

Joyride Brewing Celebrates One Year Anniversary on July 25 Joyride Brewing Company is celebrating their one year anniversary with an event open to the public on Saturday, July 25 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Designed as a family-friendly event, 25th Avenue will be closed off from Sheridan Boulevard to Ames Street for various fun activities and booths. A stage will be setup for live musicians and various food trucks will be in attendance. An inflatable bouncing house, dunk tank, face painter and balloon artist will help celebrate the family atmosphere. Joyride will also serve their tasty brews in an enclosed event area with proceeds benefiting the local nonprofit, Edgewater Collective.

Wheat Ridge Education Alliance Restructures For 2015-16 By Genevieve Wooden

he Wheat Ridge Education Alliance (formerly the Wheat Ridge Committee for Education Excellence) is moving into the 2015-2016 school year with a new structure and exciting plans for the school year. The WREA has drafted new bylaws, an ethics statement, and guidelines, based on Colorado Nonprofit Association documents, to help set a stronger framework for our activities. All board members, school representatives and volunteers working with the Alliance will be required to sign the ethics statement. The ninemember Board of Directors will consist of representatives from the following: Wheat Ridge City Government, Wheat Ridge Police Department, Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation, Jefferson County School Board, Jefferson County District personnel, Wheat Ridge principals and teachers, and Wheat Ridge business representatives. We are hoping to recruit representatives from each of the 17 schools in Wheat Ridge to serve as liaisons to the WREA. This is where you can be part of the WREA! If you are interested in participating as a school representative of the WREA, please contact your school principal. The school representatives will attend meetings, assist with plans for each school year, and exchange best practice ideas with the group. Calling all Wheat Ridge businesses! We are also looking for community business members to participate in the Alliance. We need your input and ideas to help direct students and the future employees of the 21st century. Final copies of the Alliance’s bylaws, ethics statement and guidelines will be available on the City’s website and the

WREA Facebook page. Through the restructuring process, we’ve also had a chance to fine-tune our mission. We are dedicated to promoting Wheat Ridge schools for Wheat Ridge families and the WREA objectives are: • Expand communication and the flow of information between local schools and residents • Identify community partners and engage them in our mission of advancing academic excellence • Facilitate events that provide residents with opportunities to learn about Wheat Ridge schools • Form stronger relationships with school administrators and parent groups to foster excellence in education The WREA will not be taking positions on specific policies. Instead, our focus is on building better communication and forming relationships with schools, district administration, residents, businesses and the city. Our goal is to raise awareness about innovative programs, new staff, exciting classes, student achievement and awards, while dispelling outdated stereotypes and correcting misperceptions about how our schools perform. We also hope to connect the schools with the resources they need to achieve student success. For example, in the 2015-2016 school year look for the WREA to partner with the Jefferson County Business Education Alliance for Career Readiness classes at Wheat Ridge High School. We also hope to see all Wheat Ridge schools promote their programs in fun and exciting ways at the City’s annual Carnation Festival. Working together, we will make Wheat Ridge schools better for our community. Genevieve Wooden is a District IV Wheat Ridge city council member

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ngazette.com – JULY 20-AUGUST 17, 2015 – NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE

NEWS FROM EDGEWATER Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle By Bonnie McNulty

creating an item from what you already have instead of buying new. When dining out, bring your own food storage container which is likely the best way to seal and store your food the way you want it.

t’s hard to believe it has already been five years since Edgewater implemented a city-wide recycling program. Republic’s trash and recycling containers have helped REUSE clean up our alleys and helped us meet our Don't recycle, Freecycle. Freecycle.org Keep America Beautify goals. is a great website that lets users post items Edgewater is a ‘Keep America Beautiful’ they no longer need, and pick up items they City; one of only a few in the state. It has want for free. Visit their website and every been nice to see our progress but we still day you'll get an email with the have a way to go. items available in your neck of I have asked Jeannette Papp the woods. to give us a little perceptive on recycling and offer some tips. RECYCLING Here’s what she had to say: Please breakdown boxes. Americans generated about DO NOT put ANY plastic bags 250 million tons of trash, and in your recycling bins - they over 85 million tons of recycled/ jam recycling sorting machines. composted material in 2010. When in doubt, THROW IT On average, we generated 4.43 OUT - a little contamination can pounds of waste, per person, turn your whole recyclable bin per day. Of that we recycled/ into trash. Bonnie McNulty composted 1.51 pounds - 34 Feel proud of our collective percent is not bad, but we can do ability to improve! Over the last few better. decades, recycling, composting, and For your personal Reduce, Reuse, and disposal of municipal waste have changed Recycle goals the following tips and hints substantially. While solid waste generation may lighten your load, and possibly create a has increased, so has the rate of recycling. welcome treasure for someone else. The total amount of waste going to landfills

REDUCE

Nearly everything you buy comes in some sort of container. The key to precycling is finding products in containers that are easy to recycle, or can be reused. Simply thinking about packaging, and buying accordingly, can help curb your waste output before you purchase. Consider

dropped from 89 percent in 1980 to only 54 percent in 2010. Thank you Jeanette for your dedication and willingness to share your insight! I’m still buying coffee on Wednesdays from 9 am to 11 am, at the Target Starbucks.

If you would like to meet at another time please contact me at bjmcnulty2@ comcast.net or 303-233-6216.

EDGEWATER CITY STAFF City’s Rising Revenues Spur Projects By HJ Stalf, Edgewater City Manager

he City of Edgewater has initiated a very aggressive plan to upgrade utilities and repave all streets within Edgewater by the end of 2016. In the past two years, 20th Avenue, Pierce and Harlan Streets were repaved, along with a few residential streets in the western section of Edgewater. This fall the City expects to repave the remaining streets, west of Harlan Street that were not repaved last year, as well as 26th Avenue. In 2016, if revenues provide, we will repave all of the streets east of Harlan between 26th and 20th Avenues. The ability to repave sooner than expected and catch up on decades of deferred maintenance is due to the increased sales tax revenue the City has received in recent years. This is due to the many new businesses that have opened, as well as the strong growth we are seeing in nearly all of our existing businesses. The City is currently finalizing a replacement of a 60-year-old, 5,000-foot water line in 26th Avenue. The original line is a six-inch ductile iron with very few valves for isolation. A new eight inch line will be replacing the old line with isolation valves at each mid-block. This will not only increase the capacity and reliability, but will also give us the ability to isolate leaks without shutting down a large portion of the system. This summer we will remove and replace all lead service lines remaining within the City water system. In 2014 we inspected all of our lines and will be hiring a contractor to remove and replace the final 200 of them in 2015. Property owners will

have the opportunity to replace lead service lines within their property at the same time, at their own expense, but at a favorable rate from our contractor. These water projects, totaling over $1 million, are being funded by a 2 percent loan from the State of Colorado. Our utilities are enterprise funds, which must be accounted for separately and rely on service charges, not sales tax revenue, for operations and capital investment. Over the last three years, the City has also lined all of the main lines within our sewer system (basically east of Lamar) with PVC. This liner will extend their life by up to 50 years of the original clay pipes, as well as improve flow through the sanitation lines to minimize the risk of backups. This unique lining system allowed us to effectively replace all of the City sewer system without excavation or severe disruption to our residents. This resulted in nearly a 50 percent cost savings over the traditional methods. All of this utility work is being done within our current rate structures and no increases are anticipated in our utilities for the foreseeable future, other than the standard cost of service increases we receive from Denver Water and Metro Sanitation. Utility rates were last increased in 2010, resulting in a structure that passes through our vendor costs while keeping our local rates constant. A small sewer line will be replaced on 25th Avenue this summer, correcting a sag in a main caused by other utilities. If you have any questions about utility system improvements please feel free to call 720-763-3012 or email dmaples@ edgewaterco.com.

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NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE – JULY 20-AUGUST 17, 2015 – ngazette.com

SCHOOL CROSSING Parents Not Included On WR Education Alliance Board Feedback from some PTA leaders around town was loud: "who's going to ask the tough he Wheat Ridge Education Alliance was questions?" Definitely not the politicians. originally formed to encourage Wheat "Who's is going to find out why elementary Ridge families to send their kids to Wheat school students in our articulation area are being sent to schools outside Ridge schools. As one of the Wheat Ridge?" "Who is going to founding members, I shared hold principals accountable for the same concern that while this dropping grades or lack of support city is attracting new families, for certain programs". parents are actually choosing The Alliance compares itself schools outside our borders for to the Golden Foundation. A 10 their young students. Drake was year-old group with minimal city last year's "flavor of the month" involvement (strictly parents & … this coming year will show community members). Created for Bell as the premiere choice for the same reasons we formed the our advanced learners. Alliance. Make our schools a more The Alliance core group was Guy Nahmiach viable option for our families. made primarily of city elected But without making the families officials and staff, including police and parks leaders. Also included were implicitly part of this process, how will we get principals from elementary, middle and high their buy-in? This seems a recurring theme in school … as well as district representatives. Wheat Ridge. A new initiative has been formed And of course non elected or citizens focused on improving the learning experiences of all the Wheat Ridge Articulation PTA & Accountability Committee. Using an already our students. As parents involved in local schools, existing and proven group of parents, volunteering in and out of classrooms, we teachers, administrators and even students know first hand what the challenges and that live the day to day issues in our schools. needs are. We even find ourselves sometimes A general meeting to promote and share in heated debates that stem from our passions, best practices between schools and develop but when it comes down to what happens relationships that will support one another. inside the classroom … we all meet in the Everitt Middle already sponsors the Prospect Valley Elementary 5K run fundraiser and middle to help our teachers and students. Fast forward to almost a year from when is also sharing resources with Wheat Ridge the Alliance was formed … a difficult year High, based on common needs. Collaborating where politicians retreated back to neutral with the community will help build the good and ineffective territories. The Alliance spent reputation and performances that will attract many hours and dollars for our city attorney to and keep families in our schools. The removal create bylaws and a code of ethics that would of politics and city red tape will allow voices make its work confidential, no mention of and public opinions to continue making our increasing the number of of families attending schools a success. Accountability committees our schools, and removing citizens/parents working with data to help in defining specific from its newly created board of directors. This needs per grade level. PTA's will work new board will meet monthly and includes the together to increase parent involvement mayor/city mgr, a city councilor, WR Police and participation across the articulation & Parks, Jeffco school rep, a WR principal, a area. Leveraging relationships with local WR teacher (though that was debated) and businesses to bring dollars to schools that are finally a WR business representative to be not typically exposed to sponsorship dollars. I hope the Alliance changes their mind selected by the board. It will also invite school representatives but only four times a year to and includes citizens as board members and reverts to a grassroot styled committee report on what is happening in their schools. I was surprised at the removal of citizen with a stronger reflection of the community participation on this board. Weren't we with less political clutter. I am also looking working to appeal to Wheat Ridge parents? forward to hearing more from the Wheat Was this another case of top down decision Ridge Articulation PTA & Accountability making? Politicians with limited experience in meetings … and as always, thanks for reading. Contact Guy Nahmiach, 303 999-5789, our schools along with school staff restricted with what they are allowed to say in public. Guy@NostalgicHomes.com

By Guy Nahmiach

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Question: Over the last 20 years, for many reasons, the enrollment growth rate of private, charter, online and home schools has surpassed dramatically that of our neighborhood public schools. What can we do as communities to make our schools a more viable and attractive option for new families moving in? Answer: This is a great question. First of all, we need to recognize and celebrate that there are more choices than ever before for our students and parents. Families can choose from a wide variety of options, picking the one school that most fits their needs or aspirations. Because of this, Principals need to be very aware of the "why" behind the choice people are making to either enroll at their school or go somewhere else. Making schools more attractive starts with understanding what is currently being said about the school and then capitalizing on the good points. A simple search on a computer can reveal a lot about a particular school. In addition, one of the greatest ways to showcase a school is through word of mouth. A building Principal can always use community participation on their School Accountability Committee, this is a great place to start learning about the school and the various needs and accomplishments. Community events should have an opportunity for the school to participate in some way, from an informational booth to a student performance of some type, the more the school's' name is out there in a positive light, the better. Finally, I am sure in each school community there are some people with specific ideas as to how to showcase their neighborhood school, all it takes is a phone call to the Principal to start the discussion. We all want to have vibrant and effective schools; we all need to work together to make that a reality Thank you. Dan McMinimee, Superintendent, Jeffco Public Schools These are questions submitted by members of our community. If you have a question for Superintendent McNiminee, please submit it to guy@NostalgicHomes. com or call it in to 303 999-5789

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ngazette.com – JULY 20-AUGUST 17, 2015 – NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE

LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS Independent Pharmacy Now Employee Owned By Silvana Vukadin-Hoitt

he Wheat Ridge Pharmacy is one of only a handful of independently-owned pharmacies in Colorado and is located at 6650 W 38th Ave. The business has been serving Wheat Ridge and the surrounding community as a professional pharmacy since 1975. Recently it was sold to six local area residents inspired in part, by the legacy of a very special man. The new owners of the Wheat Ridge Pharmacy are Paul Beasley, Wendy DiLorenzo, Nancy Dallinger, Jenna Eccles, Frank Miyazawa and Johanna Geiger. Dennis Mantas opened the Wheat Ridge Pharmacy as owner/operator in 1975 and ran his business for more than 30 years with a kindness and generosity that locals say, is legendary. The unfortunate and untimely death of Mantas led to the eventual sale of the pharmacy to an outside company in 2012. A number of veteran employees stayed on after the transfer. When word circulated last year that the pharmacy was up for sale again, those same employees, motivated by a sense of community and solidarity, won the bid to buy the place creating a now 100 percent employee owned business on West 38th Avenue. One of those employees is Nancy Dallinger, who started at the pharmacy 16 years ago. She said, keeping the spirit of the independent pharmacy concept going’ was important for everyone. Compared to the stale efficiency and impersonal consultations offered by the larger chain

store pharmacies, the folks at Wheat Ridge Pharmacy pride themselves on being an integral part of the fabric that makes up their community. “Dennis was the type of man that treated everyone who walked into the store like family. That legacy needed to be passed on and we, as employees and members of the community, felt strongly that we should do everything to have that continue,” said Dallinger. Together the six owner/employees share a passion for providing pharmacy services in a professional and trusted environment. In addition they like to go “that extra mile”, said Paul Beasley who is also a longtime employee and a local resident like Dallinger. According to Beasley, keeping the place open during the sale of the business was challenging. New licensing, reinstating credit, establishing relationship with vendors and wholesalers and filing the inevitable avalanche of paperwork all took time and patience, he said. Some of the customers could not wait it out. “We had a lot of support from the community but unfortunately we also lost some customers along the way. We hope to get them back in the door.” Wheat Ridge Pharmacy offers home delivery for $4.00 and does a brisk business with area Nursing Homes and Assisted Living facilities in Wheat Ridge proper but also as far away as Parker. “We feel good about what we are accomplishing here. We did the right thing,” said Dallinger.

n June Loretta DiTirro, successful real estate agent, fundraiser and community mover and shaker, resigned as President of the Wheat Ridge Business Association. At the helm of the organization for six years, Loretta was instrumental in shaping the vision and goals for the group. The organization, which functions as a Chamber of Commerce for the City of Wheat Ridge is made up of dedicated volunteers, each one, leaders in their fields from the local business community. Don Seifer, the former VP is taking over DiTirro’s spot as president. “Don is the perfect person for the job, and the WRBA is in good hands.” Loretta said she will continue to support the organization she helped to guide, but in a different position, this time as Chair of the Membership Committee, with her eye on signing new members. “My tenure at WRBA served its purpose,” said DiTirro. With satisfaction she mentioned that while she was president, the organization broadened its base and visibility by expanding and widening the network. This, she noted, resulted in a healthy support for and from the business community.

Come See What We Are About!

Fellow board member Cheryl Brungardt, coincidentally also stepping down from her position at the organization, cited business and family obligations as the reason she was leaving. After 10 years of gratifying volunteer work, she said she was ready to give others the opportunity to have as much fun with the experience as she did. Both women sincerely articulated that their lives were chock full, between nurturing their growing businesses, tending to happy grandchildren and extended involvement in yet other community programs. “I needed to start tweaking where I spent my time,” said DiTirro. “I had a fantastic time and have seen such positive results throughout the years,” said Loretta “but there are many things to choose from in life and you have to say goodbye to something.” DiTirro intends to intensify her support of the Wheat Ridge Feed the Future Backpack Program. She says that “helping those less fortunate, especially the children” has become increasingly important to her and that she is ready to dedicate more of her time in this way. Silvana Vukadin-Hoitt lives in Denver and writes about culture, food, travel and local events. Contact editor@ngazette. com

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RIBBON CUTTING AND GRAND OPENING for Body Mind Systems Martial Arts Center was held on Sat. July 11. The center located at 5455 W. 38th Ave. is owned by John Hanley, owner of three martial arts centers in Boston. Hanley who grew up in Lakewood and graduated from Wheat Ridge High School, opened the Wheat Ridge location and is hoping to open other centers in Arvada, Lakewood/Littleton. L to R – George Alajjouri, John Hanley, Wheat Ridge Mayor Joyce Jay, Christina Escoto and a bevy of family, friends and students. PHOTO: CHERYL BRUNGARDT

NO AUGUST MEETING! September 8, 2015 – Women in Business Breakfast The Honorable Christine M. Arguello, The United States District Court, District of Colorado Topic: TBA For info and reservations visit www.wheatridgebiz.com

NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE – JULY 20-AUGUST 17, 2015 – ngazette.com

FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY WHEAT RIDGE 2020 UPDATE Dairy Queen, Chocolate and Community Involvement

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If you view sustainability as a chore or an activity that takes up your time and energy without a personal gain, you've picked the wrong way to contribute. For example....if you hate gardening, why would you compost? If you hate eggs, why would you raise chickens? Focus on what you love and find a way to insert yourself into the cycle that provides, enhances or renews that item without leaving waste behind. If you commute via bicycle, you frequent businesses that have bike racks. But if the route to school is too dangerous for your kids, then you keep driving. It's not about getting stressed out … it's about acting where you can. Sustainability in a community such as ours is based on individual efforts. It is not about what the city can do for us … it's more about what we can contribute to our community which becomes a reflection of the city … can our city do better? No doubt. The will to improve is strong and time is on our side.

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other residents and decision makers, and pitching in to help. I started as a volunteer and was convinced to join the staff nine hen my daughter was old enough years ago. to know about 25 words, we were As we approach ten years since the driving down Pierce Street, she pointed at passage of the Neighborhood Revitalization Dairy Queen and said, "Chocolate." While Strategy, there are still plenty of ways to this may point to the prominence of my pitch in around Wheat Ridge. sweet tooth, it also reminded me I am proud to know so many of when I first reached out to an folks who give their time to elected leader in Wheat Ridge. volunteer at our schools, My husband and I had churches, nonprofits and civic purchased our home in Wheat organizations. If you have Ridge over 10 years ago and as been thinking about how to get we settled in, I wanted to get a involved, pick an organization better sense of the community. that intrigues you, learn more So I looked online, found our city and make a call or email. council representative and gave Ask your friends where they them a call. City Council Member volunteer and join them. Call or Wanda Sang, who represented us Britta Fisher email us through Wheat Ridge at that time, agreed to meet me at 2020 and learn more about the committees that very same Dairy Queen. we have or sign up to help with one of our I asked her about what was going many single day events. Carolyn Doran, our on around town and she told me about events manager, and I would be happy to big decisions facing the city and a new connect with you at 720-259-1030 or you study with promising results called the can learn more at www.WheatRidge2020. Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy. She org. Feel free to reach out to your elected invited me to get involved with a new nonleaders or city hall. In my experience, they profit organization being organized to help know a lot about what is going on and where the community in revitalization efforts. It there are opportunities to serve. was a pleasant conversation over some ice As for me, it is time to hop on my bike cream. and visit Dairy Queen. My son still doesn't People sometimes ask about how I came know how to say chocolate and I want to to be the Executive Director at Wheat Ridge help him expand his vocabulary. 2020, a community nonprofit with a mission For more information call Britta Fisher to advance Wheat Ridge as a vibrant and or Carolyn Doran at 720-259-1030 or consustainable community. It started with being nect at www.WheatRidge2020.org. involved in the community, conversing with

By Britta Fisher

s we continue to define sustainability in our own words, actions and lifestyles, we find that it not only relates to making resources last and becoming nature friendly, but allowing nature to improve our lives. A mutually beneficial relationship. Here is an example from my own life … just how many different ways can I charge my iPhone without help from Xcel Energy. My iPhone has become as common and as crucial as the air that we breath. Especially in my line of work. It allows me to communicate with my family and friends, to work with my clients , pay my bills and have access to the Internet to watch videos of very cute cats. From the solar panels on my home that power up every outlet in every room, to the small panel I travel with to make sure my iPhone is juiced up. Converting my car's energy through the cigarette lighter and into my phone is a traditional method. There is a hand crank device you can buy to plug your phone into, but that takes an excessive amount of winding. Two years ago I purchased a dynamo for my bike that I converted into a charging mechanism. The faster I peddled, the bigger electrical charge to my phone. But finally today I bought a small camping furnace that will convert the heat from campfire flames produced by wood and twigs into electricity. Simply plugging my phone into this thermo-electrical camping device keeps me in touch with the rest of the world. I haven't been this excited since the Habs won their 24th Stanley Cup. Of course when camping my phone mostly becomes my GPS map and source of music. But it's nice to be available for emergencies as well.

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ngazette.com – JULY 20-AUGUST 17, 2015 – NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE

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WHEAT RIDGE MAYOR Keep Wheat Ridge Strong and Vibrant! Protect TIF is using TIF responsibly to revitalize our community. Our partnership with RWR has generated these benefits and more: ran for Mayor of Wheat Ridge because Revitalized our local economy I believe that our City is a great place • Created family-friendly amenities to call home. Over the past decade, the • Remediated contaminated sites City has been transformed into a dynamic • Provided employment community with enhanced residential living • Created new housing options, places to wine and dine, options new places to recreate, and • Improved overall quality new places to work. We have of life renewed, restored, regenerated, With all of this progress in revitalized, reinvented, and mind, the anti-TIF petition led reimagined our City into the by the Keep WR Local group great place it is today! secured enough signatures Wheat Ridge’s transto place the measure on the formation has been supported November ballot. The antiby the efforts of Renewal Wheat TIF measure is anti-progress Ridge (RWR), our urban renewal and it will kill meaningful authority, and our ability to use Joyce Jay redevelopment opportunities tax increment financing (TIF). in Wheat Ridge beyond my Wheat Ridge first used TIF lifetime, my children’s lifetime and so on. back to the 1980s for the development of I believe this effort is reckless public policy the Safeway shopping center at 38th and and will only hurt the progress the City has Wadsworth. Historically, the City has also seen. The petition language calls for giving used the tool for enhancements to Colorado’s residents the opportunity to vote on most premier bicycle shop, Wheat Ridge Cyclery; future TIF deals. Good. However, the irony for the construction of 26 new townhomes is there will never be anything to vote on at 38th and Depew known as Perrin’s Row; because developers will avoid Wheat Ridge for the new Kipling Ridge shopping center and no significant development will occur in at 38th and Kipling that is home to Sprouts Wheat Ridge. Farmers Market; and more recently City I urge you to get involved in protecting Council ratified a TIF agreement for the TIF by voting NO on this ballot measure in Wheat Ridge Corners development at 38th November. We are not Littleton; we do not and Wadsworth. This project will include a have a TIF problem. We are Wheat Ridge 40,000-square-foot Walmart neighborhood and we need you to help keep Wheat Ridge grocer, 40,000-square-feet of additional strong by protecting our ability to use TIF retail (shops, outdoor dining, coffee shops, for the betterment of our great City. taverns), 37 for sale town home units, and Contact Wheat Ridge Mayor Joyce Jay public gathering spaces. at jjay@ci.wheatridge.co.us or 303-235I am excited about this new development. 2800. This is one more example of how our City

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A Fearless Wheat Ridge for calling this great city our home. Now I won’t stand here and pretend to be lily white, I have been around long enough here is a pervasive, underlying and in our community and I have participated frankly very unsettling attitude I in many debates and disagreements over have stumbled upon within Wheat Ridge the years. We are each responsible for our politics. The attitude I have identified is an own actions, and it takes each of underlying fear of retribution, us being committed to raising the intimidation, and bullying. I bar to make our community the am not going to get into calling best Wheat Ridge possible. If you out names, except to say I have have in the past felt threatened, or seen this fear expressed or this you previously felt too intimidated attitude displayed by residents, to share your viewpoint, I would elected officials, and business encourage you to move beyond owners, alike. This fear cuts this fear and join in the debate. across all political stripes, Debate is contention in camps, and voting blocs. argument; especially a formal Citizens of Wheat Ridge discussion of subjects before have a right to voice their a public assembly. Debate is opinion, interact with their Zach Urban a method of interactive and city officials, protect their representational argument. Debate doesn’t property, petition their government, elect involve fear. This level headed approach their elected officials, recall their elected to debate is where we should be operating officials, run for office, and vote according to from, instead of from a base level of their own beliefs, without fear of reprisals, intimidation and fear. retributions, or otherwise be intimidated As the election season is just around by their expression of these rights. I have the corner, I would encourage all Wheat spoken with a number of residents who Ridge residents to consider being fearless have stated a desire not to speak up or not and to consider running for city council. to voice their own opinion out of fear of Nomination petitions may be circulated and retaliation by those who may disagree with signed beginning on August 4th and need their viewpoint. This is not to say we should to be turned in to the City Clerk's Office no not have a vigorous debate of the issues and later than Aug. 24. an open and honest discussion of policy The following elected positions will be with all stakeholders. up for election in November 2015: Council We can and should encourage debate, Members - District I; District II; District III; but not discord. There should be a bright District IV; City Clerk - At Large; City Treasurer line between disagreement and discord. It - At Large; all terms are for four years has been said before and it bears repeating, Zachary Urban can be reached at 720We are all here because we love Wheat 252-5930 or www.zacharyurban.com. Ridge, we all have our own personal reasons

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NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE – JULY 20-AUGUST 17, 2015 – ngazette.com

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All Edgewater business owners are invited to attend an event on Wednesday, July 22 from 5 to 7 p.m., at GB Fish & Chips at 2175 Sheridan Blvd. This get to know one another and networking session is designed to encourage communication and support between businesses and the city of Edgewater. For more information email any of the following: kristan.teegardin@gmail. com, chrstiemayor@tamaracreative.com or dmaples@edgewater.com.

Morning Yoga In The Park The outdoor classes, which are free and open to all ages, include adult and children’s segments. The yoga sessions are on two Saturdays from 9:30 to 10:30 am on July 18 and Aug. 8 on the Green on the Ridge at 38 at 7101 W. 38th Ave., across from Wheat

Performances are every Wednesday at Anderson Park, 4355 Field St. through Aug. 5. It features family-friendly evening concerts from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and daytime children’s programs from 10 to 10:45 a.m. All entertainment is free and open to the public. Evening performances feature the following acts: July 22, Skean Dubh, acoustic Scottish/Celtic music; July 29 Phat Daddy and Aug. 5 Hot Tomatoes. Morning performances feature the following: July 22, Beth Epley, Wiggle and Giggle with silly songs; July 29, Jim Jackson, A One Clown Circus, magic, juggling, puppetry and circus and Aug. 5, Anya Jane and The Music Train, Hop aboard for a music journey. For further information on the series go to http://www. ci.wheatridge.co.us/481/Performances-inthe-Park.

Foot Hills Animal Shelter PAWty The shelter is celebrating their fifth anniversary at their present location, on Saturday Aug. 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 580 McIntyre St. in Golden. The event will feature adoption specials, music, free food, face painting and more. In their 39-year history, they’ve adopted more than 24,000 pets and cared for more than 41,000 animals. For additional information go to http:// Continued on page 15

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Adult and teen readers are invited to explore Hell's Bottom, Colorado, a Milkweek National Fiction winner, is a collection of linked short stories by Colorado author Laura Pritchett. This annual summer and city-wide literary endeavor culminates in three gatherings in September, where author Pritchett will appear for a community discussion about her book. Copies of the book are available at some Jefferson County Libraries, including Wheat Ridge, as well as for free on several eBook sites. Wheat Ridge Reads is sponsored by the Wheat Ridge Cultural Commission, Jefferson County Public Library and the Wheat Ridge Library.

Ridge Cyclery. This hatha style class is led by an instructor from Santosha Yoga. Although the class is free, participants are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item for donation to a local food bank. Please allow 10 to 15 minutes prior to class to sign in.

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any of us know that panting is how dogs cool themselves. Through a panting dog is able to cool the blood that circulates through the body-- once the temperature outside gets higher than the dog’s body temperature, dogs need our help to avoid heat stroke. There are a few things we can do to avoid dogs over-heating. Provide shade and fresh cool water to drink. Spraying cool water on your dog’s belly, armpits and groin area can help. Setting up an umbrella and turning on a fan helps also. If there is some dirt to dig in, dogs can dig down and find a cool resting spot. Do not leave a dog in a hot car even in the shade or with windows cracked. Dogs can even overheat if left in a hot room or garage without proper ventilation. Do not walk your dog over hot pavement or concrete. Even at 77 degrees air temperature if the surface is hot enough skin destruction can occur very quickly. Put booties on them. Do not muzzle your dog in warm environments, this limits their ability to pant and cool off. Some types of dog clothing like lightweight aluminum-fabric coats help reflect the sun’s heat and are helpful in cooling the dog. But, keep in mind any clothing on the dog has the potential of trapping heat instead of cooling them. Keep your dog physically fit and at their optimal weight. Overweight dogs or snub nosed dogs (like bulldogs and Pekingese, etc.) overheat faster than other dogs. Do not involve your dog in vigorous, excessive exercise in hot

weather. A little bit of exercise goes a long way. Keep your dog well groomed. Brushing your dog can often do the trick if performed regularly and with the proper tools. But shaving the whole dog is often not the answer. If your dog has a thick undercoat (double-coated) like sheepdogs, shepherds, Labradors and even Pomeranian they need that old undercoat brushed out in order for their skin to breathe and cool off. Many people believe that if they shave their dog they will be cooler. It may seem counterintuitive but they need their coat. Their coats are designed to protect them from the heat and the cold. Sometimes groomers will spot shave the dog for cleanliness or to remove matted fur that traps the heat and irritates the skin; but unless it is a medical necessity and unless it is done for breed standards, we discourage it. If you can get a steel comb through the dog that means the skin is able to breathe and the dog can better cool himself. If your dog is shaved for whatever reason and they are exposed to sun rays even for a short period of time apply sun-screen. Dogs can sunburn very easily when their protective coat has been removed. Many of these ideas are easy and affordable ways to avoid heat stress in the summer. Let common sense be your guide. Come winter there’s a new set of challenges facing dogs, but with our help, love and kindness dogs are better able to deal with hot or cold weather.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

TH SA E D VE AT E!

ngazette.com – JULY 20-AUGUST 17, 2015 – NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE

Wheat Ridge Celebrates National Night Out Tuesday, August 4, 2015, from 4 – 8 p.m. Hayward Park, 7500 W. 29th Ave. YOUNG ATTENDEES PAINT LIVING SCULPTOR DONALD NASH at Dannette and Howard Jaidinger's Garden. While a butterﬂy helped spread the beauty of Katie Brookler and Mike Shupe's Garden. Both were featured during the 2015 Wheat Ridge Garden Tour, held Sat, July 11. PHOTOS: JOYCE JAY. Continued from page 14

foothillsanimalshelter.org/newsevents/ events/pawty/

Wheat Ridge Celebrates National Night Out On Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Hayward Park, 7500 W. 29th Ave., north of the Municipal Building. The event will include tours of the police facility, a display of police vehicles including patrol cars, the SWAT van, and Community Service vehicles, and educational crime-prevention displays. National Night Out strives to heighten awareness and strengthen participation in local anti-crime efforts in communities such as Wheat Ridge. The program promotes neighborhood spirit and communitypolicing efforts to prevent crime, which plays an important role in the revitalization of communities. More than 11,000 communities participate across the U.S. in all 50 states. For more information, contact Officer Steven Berkowitz at 303-235-2910 or sberkowitz@ci.wheatridge.co.us.

Deep Cleaning Closures in August The Wheat Ridge Active Adult Center will be closed Aug. 20 – 25, and the Recreation Center will be closed August. 2428 for a deep cleaning of the facilities, from scrubbing down the equipment to power washing the locker rooms. The Golden

Carnation Festival Continued from page 1

Each musician has toured extensively in Colorado and outside the state as well and are very successful. Hallisey said it will be a big bonus to have their fans attending the festival this year and also great for locals to hear these artists for the first time if they haven’t been lucky enough to catch their show yet. “I think when you start drawing bigger talent as far as music you will get people coming from all over to check out the Carnation Festival. I do think it makes a difference when you have other kinds of draws that are not local; people will travel for great music or unique entertainment attractions such as the Zoppe’ Circus,” said Hallisey. Wendy Woo is a unique personality and equally talented musician, her spirited songwriting taking her across the country and back again to perform for audiences from New York to California. Not only does she delight her fans with her songs but she

Recreation Center will welcome Silver Sneakers and annual pass holders, while the Wheat Ridge facilities are closed.

(North of the Municipal Building) The event will include tours of the police facility, a display of police vehicles including patrol cars, the SWAT van, and Community Service vehicles, and educational crime-prevention displays. National Night Out strives to heighten awareness and strengthen participation in local anti-crime efforts in communities such as Wheat Ridge. The program promotes neighborhood spirit and community-policing efforts to prevent crime, which plays an important role in the revitalization of communities. More than 11,000 communities participate across in 50 different states. For more information, contact Officer Steven Berkowitz at 303-235-2910 or sberkowitz@ci.wheatridge.co.us

Private Fireworks Display On Applewood Golf Course The Wheat Ridge High School Class of 1985 reunion committee would like to notify residents of the Applewood area that on the evening of Aug.1st there will be a private fireworks display at the Applewood Golf Course. The display will be conducted by a professional fireworks company and all permits have been approved and coordinated with the fire department. The committee wishes to thank residents in advance for their cooperation.

The National Bike Challenge Join the 2015 National Bike Challenge and become part of the Wheat Ridge Team "Mighty ATATs". The five-month national program continues until Sept. 30. This cycling competition to ride more, unites bicycle riders locally and across the country to log their miles. Prizes are awarded each month. The Wheat Ridge Mighty ATATS have logged more than 14,000 combined miles, giving them a top 5 percent national ranking. It's free program and open to all ages. For more information or to join visit https://nationalbikechallenge.org/ team/7275 Submit items to the “What’s Happening” section at editor@ngazette.com

has also built her own company, named after herself, which she uses for her record label company and agency. Jeff Brinkman was featured as a semi-finalist of Season three of the FOX’s XFactor, and was featured in the top 10 for his age group. His performance of Joe Cocker’s “You Are So Beautiful” was praised for his raw vocal talent and moved him forward in the competition. His unique voice is compared to the likes of Ray Lamontagne. Other talented artists include Coles Whalen, another singer/ song-writer who has performed all over and has a great Colorado fan base (Saturday at 3:40 p.m.) and Kahuna Beach Party, a more interactive live Beach Boys cover band that tours nationally and encourages beach style games and participation (at 6:50 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. on Saturday). Hallisey said they “tried to get a really good mix this year in every aspect of the festival so as far as end of summer celebrations goes, it’s a home run” and between the carnival rides and games for kids, teen stage, slew of vendors, and a good mix on the midway there is something new and exciting for everyone to try all weekend long.

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NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE – JULY 20-AUGUST 17, 2015 – ngazette.com

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n the United States, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) was formed within the National Institutes of Health to “conduct and support research and provide information about complementary health products and practices.” One recent study funded by NCCIH found a “lack of knowledge is one reason people don’t use complementary health approaches.” The NCCIH website recommendations include: Be an informed consumer. Find out and consider what scientific studies have been done on the safety and effectiveness of any health approach that is recommended to or interests you. Discuss the information and your interests with your health care providers before making a decision. Choose a complementary health practitioner, such as an acupuncturist, as carefully as you would choose a conventional health care provider. Complementary medicine means “In addition to.” You may be under a doctor’s standard care and decide to use additional means to treat your illness. Alternative would mean that you are choosing a treatment different than the standard care options. What is considered standard treatment in one culture may not be standard in another. Keep in mind that some treatments such as prayer or music and aromatherapy are hard to study, but they may have a positive effect on you. As you are researching this type of treatment, ask yourself a few questions. Why are you considering this treatment? Are you dissatisfied with standard medicine or simply looking for a “cure all”? What are you comfortable with? Many complementary medicines use techniques you may not be familiar with, including the use of touch as a part of the practice.

Insurance Coverage: While some complementary treatments are covered by insurance, others are not. Here is a list of several complementary treatments: Acupuncture: A traditional Chinese technique using needles to stimulate various points on the body. Chiropractic Medicine: Chiropractors manipulate the spine to put the body into better alignment. Energy Therapy: use of therapeutic touch to manipulate the body’s energy fields. Aromatherapy: is the use of plant material and oils. Oils can be used through massage, bathing or inhalation. Massage therapy: Massage therapy encompasses many techniques through the manipulations of the muscles and other soft tissues in the body. Reflexology: is the application of pressure to specific points on the hands and feet. Tai Chi and Yoga: Tai Chi focuses on relaxed movements with no pauses as you move from one posture to the next. Yoga focuses on stillness and holding the posture for several seconds. Both Tai Chi and yoga use controlled breathing and meditation to enhance the practice. A healthy diet, exercise and stress control all play a part in your health and wellness and may support complementary treatments. For more information, log on to the website www.nccih.nih.gov. The following topics are listed under the Health side bar: Complementary, alternative, or integrative health; Be informed; Safety; Herbs at a glance; How to find a practitioner; Informacion en Español. Julia Spigarelli is the Resident Services Coordinator at Highland West and South Independent Senior Living Community, 6340 W. 38th Ave., in Wheat Ridge. Contact her at 303-424-9401.