Neighborhood Gazette - December 2014 by Neighborhood Gazette

Caregivers Need Boundaries see page 8

Nonprofits Need Your Time, Not Just Money see page 5

Your Home Is A Mirror see page 12

Gazette NEIGHBORHOOD

Wheat Ridge | Edgewater | DECEMBER 19, 2014 – JANUARY 15, 2015

A Tale of Two Budgets: Wheat Ridge Makes Big Cuts, While Edgewater Moves Ahead By J. Patrick O’Leary

heat Ridge and Edgewater each face markedly different ﬁnancial futures in the coming year. After the failure of Ballot Question 2A and lower-than-expected sales tax revenues in 2014, Wheat Ridge will be cutting back on services, delaying public works projects, and putting off maintenance and equipment replacement. Yet to the east, the neighboring municipality of Edgewater is enjoying growth in sales tax revenue and is on track to pay for signiﬁcant infrastructure upgrades and catch up on the same deferred street maintenance issues Wheat Ridge faces. A look at each city’s budget and recent history shows that both face the same challenges of maintaining roads, buildings and equipment. But one is seeing an increase in tax revenue, while the other isn’t. Wheat Ridge’s nearly $29 million 2015 budget is 7 percent smaller and projected revenues 7 percent less than in 2014. Total

proposed expenditures are 18 percent less, and the ending fund balance is 19 percent less than in 2014. Assistant to the City Manager Heather Geyer read aloud the 2015 Proposed Budget presentation (available on the city’s website) during the Dec. 8 city council meeting. The good news is that the budget is balanced without dipping into reserves, with $9 million of general fund spending going directly to city council’s goals, and $2.46 million will be transferred to the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP). And, funds for pedestrian and bicycle improvements, two trafﬁc trailers, a few streetlights and trafﬁc calming projects were restored or added to the proposed budget after public testimony and a handful of amendments proposed by District I councilman Jerry DiTullio. The bad news is the city will continue to defer maintenance and large equipment replacement, and a handful of programs and public improvement projects won’t be

or almost two decades Santa, under the guise of the Wheat Ridge Optimist Club, has been helping families in Wheat Ridge. For 18 years the local club has been collecting and donating gifts to those in need for their annual Christmas program, and this holiday season they were joined by the Wheat Ridge Police Department for their own Operation Blue Santa to further their efforts. The police department collected two cars full of donations on Black Friday last month which were distributed on Saturday, Dec. 14, to 75 families and 250 kids in the Wheat Ridge area. Given that the 31,000 population of our town consists of many families, those who might otherwise have struggled to put gifts under the tree on Christmas were helped by the community’s efforts. “Our Optimist Club is reaching out to one and a half percent of the population.

OPERATION BLUE SANTA collected two cars full of donation on this year’s Black Friday.

The Jefferson Framework: What It Is, What It Isn’t

Continued on page 2

WR Optimists & ‘Blue Santa’ Join Forces To Serve The Needy By Laura Poole

WHEAT RIDGE’S ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION featured sleigh rides, hot drinks, snacks, a bonfire, pictures with Santa, train rides, live music and more in front of Wheat Ridge 5-8 Middle School on Dec. 6.. PHOTO BY JOYCE JAY

That’s a big push,” said 10-year Wheat Ridge Optimist Club member Charley Ault. Not only are toys collected but also gift cards for clothes and food, and over 300 toys were collected and donated this year thanks to Operation Blue Santa. The police department has always been highly supportive of the Wheat Ridge Optimist Club’s Christmas program, and took the opportunity to join in this year. “We had 24 large trash bags full of toys it was huge, unbelievable… a lot more successful than we anticipated,” said Sergeant Kevin Armstrong of the Wheat Ridge Police Department. “We are going to definitely do it again next year.” The police department has always made an effort to help underprivileged families with Christmas but this year they jumped in and helped the Optimist Club with 20 days of advertising and handing out leaflets about the cause at the 38th & Youngfield Continued on page 2

TOYS AND GIFTS of all shapes and sizes await wrapping by volunteers at the Wheat Ridge 5-8.

By Guy Nahmiach

t’s called the Jefferson Framework and, contrary to the recent rumors, it is not a plan being driven down by the school board. It was conceived by the area principals wanting a shake-up of our system with an assertive goal of evaluating every aspect of our students’ path from pre-K all the way up to high school. It’s about removal of what has not been working for years and channeling funds to making a real difference for our students in every bracket and category. Achievement Director Brenda Carlson had a great analogy: Ripping off the Band-Aid. Painful at ﬁrst, but a must if you want to make a real change. The Jefferson Framework is a reorganization of schools, teachers and students, with the goal of increasing the value and results of time spent by students in each of their schools. Area principals have been discussing ways to signiﬁcantly increase student achievement for the last year. With an initial focus on Jefferson High School in Edgewater, it also pulls in Stevens Elementary and Wheat Ridge 5-8 in Wheat Ridge. WR 5-8 is an “At Risk” school that dropped in performance and was labeled as a “turnaround” school for two consecutive years. The district had also brought in a GT (advanced learning) program to help in boosting its performance. This included funds and trained teachers to attract families with advanced learners. In fact some local families moved their students from local elementary schools into WR 5-8 because of this program. However, principal Warren Blair and his team never managed to achieve what they had hoped for. Even with drastic staff and curriculum overhauls, the school still struggled with the basics. Disruptive student behavior and even a plea to parents on the school’s frontpage web site to have their kids at school on

time. The Wheat Ridge 5-8 experiment has not worked. I’ve heard this statement from almost everyone I’ve interviewed these past two weeks. The Edgewater community had long been trying to create their own articulation area, and have better control of the outcome of every student’s experience through their schools, including Lumberg and Edgewater Elementary all the way up to Jefferson High. While families speak of wonderful experiences, the numbers painted a different story. The goals became an obvious one. Focus on everyone. Students that did not go to college needed the same attention and focus on their next step. Don’t let the socioeconomic or language barrier stop these students from the getting the education they deserve. Hence two paths were created at Jefferson High, a rigorous program that would have students ready for either college or a career. Recruit effective teachers and compensate them accordingly. Increase the dual-language learning programs that have been hugely successful. Increase classroom support that is aligned with the community. These are the ingredients needed to bolster the quality and results of the education in Edgewater schools. Plan A includes moving Stevens Elementary into the Wheat Ridge 5-8 building. It also includes the Creation of 7-12 Jefferson Pre-College/Career Academy High School. The Jeffco facilities department will decide how to repurpose the Stevens building. The one strong option right now would be to move the Sobesky School into that Stevens location. Sobesky Academy is part of the Jefferson County Public School’s Special Education continuum. It is a program, which is designed to meet the intensive emotional, behavioral, and related academic needs of students with identiﬁed Continued on page 12

NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE – DECEMBER 19, 2014 – JANUARY 15, 2015 – ngazette.com

Gazette NEIGHBORHOOD

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Tim Berland 303-995-2806 e-mail: editor@ngazette.com www.ngazette.com 4385 Wadsworth Blvd., #140, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 Publication date is the 15th of each month. Advertising: Tim Berland 303-995-2806 Copy Editing/Proofreading: J. Patrick O’Leary, Cyndy Beal & Sarah DiTullio

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Optimists/Blue Santa Continued from page 1

Walmart, helping draw in more donations and stufﬁng their two squad cars to the brim. Toys for ages infant to 15 were bought by both children and adults. Cash donations were used to purchase gift cards for older kids. “It was absolutely heartwarming [seeing] kids participating and understanding that they were helping those kids less fortunate,” said Armstrong. “I appreciate the community outpouring support for this program. It was deﬁnitely a community effort to bring this together.” Like many other programs in Wheat Ridge this brings out the best of our community and allows everyone to bond over a good cause, and bring a little joy to those in need. “People who participate are not only involved in the wrapping but are in school and Junior Optimists … they’re people throughout the community who come and know when the wrapping is. It’s about three hours of organized chaos, but everyone goes away feeling good about it,” said Ault. Eighteen years ago Optimist members

2015 Budget Continued from page 1

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funded this year. Long-term, the city faces a CIP funding gap through 2023, with no funding beyond 2015 for capital needs, and a decreased ability to leverage private investment. And because voters did not approve the 1 percent sales tax increase in November – Ballot Question 2A – missing is $6.4 million dedicated to public works, parks and recreation capital infrastructure projects. Off to the east, Edgewater passed a $2.9 million balanced budget for 2015-2016 – one-tenth that of Wheat Ridge’s. It’s 24 percent larger than 2014 ($2.3 million), made possible by expected revenue increase of $1 million. According to City Manager H. J. Stalf’s 2015 Budget Message, sales tax revenues are expected to rise 6 percent, and projected revenue from marijuana taxes will cover nearly all the expenses of the city’s long-overdue street maintenance program. Like Wheat Ridge, it faces funding shortfalls for needed improvements to public safety facilities and utilities. However, if the marijuana revenue continues, the program will be fully funded in three to four years. Edgewater’s final 2015 budget included substantial increases for Community Services ($351,161, up from $201,380 last year), Public Works ($266,036, up from $163,178) and Parks and Recreation ($145,362, up from $66,160). Department expenses (city manager, clerk, police, council, court, etc.) increased slightly, overall. There were no significant cuts. Edgewater’s biggest infrastructure concern – $1.5 to $2 million for the water system – may be financed with a lowinterest loan from the state. Stalf warned that additional upgrades to the system may require fee increases or borrowing from the city’s general fund, but it wasn’t likely in the next 10-20 years. In Wheat Ridge, in spite of the November rejection of a revenue increase, the city will make progress, albeit with some delay, toward its five-year goals: economically viable commercial areas; exceptional service while remaining financially sound; desirable neighborhoods; and a more attractive Wheat Ridge. Spending on commercial areas took a $260,000 hit. Renewal Wheat Ridge project funding was reduced $150,000, from $450,000 to $300,000. Ridge at 38 public events got clipped for $10,000, from $98,600 to $88,600. Kipling Corridor planning efforts will get $50,000 less than the original $151,700. Wheat Ridge 2020 lost its entire $50,000 for community engagement and communications, despite pleas at the Dec. 8 public comment session. Untouched are Live Local events, Ridge at

John Lobus and George Langdon felt there was a need to help families in Wheat Ridge that were struggling to have a Christmas. Langdon’s daughter was a teacher and with her help they got other teachers and Security Resource Officers at her school to come up with a list of families in town who could use help with presents for the holidays. Families have been informed of the donation beforehand and are very grateful and happy when members of the club come to their homes with toys and food for their children. “We deliver the presents to their homes, we get a chance to interact with those families [and] they are grateful beyond belief,” said Ault. He says people have cried “tears of joy” and experience “almost disbelief that the community would reach out in such an effort.” The club also gets support from local merchants on 38th Avenue, as well as Lutheran hospital and four or five different banks in the area, and even a group in Boulder that have been supporting the cause long before Ault became part of it. “It’s reaching out even beyond Wheat Ridge, but giving back to the folks that really need it,” said Ault. 38 banners and lights, marketing efforts, business loan programs and tax incentive programs. Basic city services saw cuts of $170,000 for equipment and vehicle replacement ($641,000 down to $471,000), but preventative street maintenance was increased by $1.7 million to just under $3.3 million. City Hall LED lighting retrofits were axed ($35,000 down to zero), and employee safety and wellness programs took a $9,000 hit ($30,950 to $21,950). Untouched were employee compensation, police expenditures and Priority Based Budgeting; an attempted amendment to reduce permanent Pay for Performance raises failed at the meeting. Of neighborhood improvements, the entire $100,000 pedestrian/bicycle improvements budget was saved by an amendment transferring that amount from the proposed $3.3 preventative street maintenance fund. No last-minute luck for the Aging Needs Plan implementation – all $13,000 was cut. To the end of making Wheat Ridge more attractive, no budget cuts were made to public art acquisition, Ridge at 38 annual planting, bus shelter/bench maintenance, and citywide right-of-way maintenance. Funding for the Kipling Street multi-use path and lighting, parks and trails maintenance projects, public art acquisition, and open space improvements survived due to grants and monies from specific funds. Funding for CIP in 2016 and beyond is very limited or nonexistent, according to Geyer’s presentation. City staff said it will continue to research and apply for grant funding, but with the failure of the sales tax increase, more budget cuts and new or increased fees and charges for service are the identifiable options. Outside of council goals, various city sponsorships and community partnerships saw cuts: Carnation Festival will get only $50,000, down from $80,000; the Senior Resource Center circulator bus lost $12,000, down from $42,000; Jeffco school’s outdoor lab lost its entire $16,450 sponsorship (the first year Jeffco requested one); Arvada Food Bank will get $10,000, not $15,000; and the Action Center capital campaign won’t get its $10,000 contribution. Critical comments by two individuals and District II councilman Zachary Urban failed to convince council to place additional documentation requirements on Wheat Ridge 2020’s funding, nor new documentation requirements on all organizations requesting funds from the city. For more information on the Wheat Ridge 2015 budget, visit www. ci.wheatridge.co.us/115/City-Budget; for Edgewater’s budget, visit http://edgewaterco.govoffice3.com, and look under “Inside City Hall” and then “Finance.”

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ngazette.com – DECEMBER 19, 2014 – JANUARY 15, 2015 – neighborhood gazette

NOSTALGIC FULL

NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE – DECEMBER 19, 2014 – JANUARY 15, 2015 – ngazette.com

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URBAN PERSPECTIVE Schools, Change & Community purposes. Once again our community has been rowing up I can remember the upended and there remains a possibility independence I felt when my parents of a further exodus of Jeffco schools’ physical footprint within eastern allowed me to walk to and from Wheat Ridge. Many if not all school. Almost without fail, our neighborhoods were built I would do that all by myself with the neighborhood school for the seven years I attended as a critical foundation of the Swanson Elementary School in neighborhood, if not the hub of Arvada. the community. Wheat Ridge The truth be told, my residents know best what it mom could probably see me means when you remove a hub the whole time as our house from a spoke. The wheels fall off, was only three blocks from that’s what happens. The fact Swanson. Nevertheless, I was remains that I know more about thrilled to be given the freedom Zachary Urban our community than I know to walk the tough streets of about educational theory. Let me southeast Arvada. If I saw a rock I would kick it all the way to be clear, I don’t doubt the pedagogy behind school. I enjoyed the sense of independence the proposed changes. I remain concerned and the experience of the walk. Sadly today about the community impacts of school many Wheat Ridge children, including my closures as it relates to our local economy, own, do not enjoy the independence and traffic concerns and any associated freedom associated with this most basic of repurposing plans for vacated campuses. If you are interested in providing childhood experiences. When my wife and I bought our feedback regarding these proposed home we did so with the intention that changes you may contact Jeffco Schools our children would attend Martensen Superintendent Dan McMinimee at 303Elementary School. This was one of many 982-6800 or visit www.jeffcopublicschools. homes in northeast Wheat Ridge that are org for more information about upcoming within walking distance of Martensen. public meetings seeking public input into This all changed several years ago when these proposed changes. While walking to school remains out Martensen closed. Albeit for specific reasons defined and announced in a public process, of reach for many in our community, there Jefferson County Schools chose to shutter it. is a new grassroots community effort to Now it is proposed through a document encourage walking to school. If you are titled “Jefferson Plan Flyer One” that Jeffco interested in forming a “walking school create a 7-12 Jefferson Pre-College/Career bus” within your neighborhood to facilitate Academy High School at Jefferson High groups of children to walk to school School, establish a Stevens Elementary together, you may contact Rachel Hultin School PK-6 on the vacated Wheat Ridge 5-8 at 303-908-0076 for more information campus, and repurpose the current Stevens regarding the program. PK-4 campus for a yet to be announced Zachary Urban can be reached at 720purpose. Insiders say they have already 252-5930 or www.zacharyurban.com. short-listed of a certain number of proposed

By Zachary Urban

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financial history. When the “Great Recession” started, tax revenues for the city declined and have continued at a low level until just t’s December and we are moving towards recently. In response, the city tightened its the Christmas and New Year’s holiday belt. Employees were laid off, economies were season. I should be writing an uplifting piece found and waste was hunted down. Some about peace, love and good will. But instead, services were eliminated. Traffic calming I’m writing to ask for your help. I need help is one example, but also planned repair to in understanding what happened in our and maintenance of your infrastructure was election. In our recent election the people significantly reduced. Planned spoke and, by an overwhelming maintenance is the most efficient majority, voted to not allow and cost-effective way to keep their city a 1 percent sales tax things in good working order. For increase. example, streets are “top coated” Previous to the election, city on a planned schedule in order to council, the mayor, and the city seal the street from water before manager had all spoken about it gets under the pavement, then the absolute need for the tax freezes and potholes and other increase. Even with the increase damage occurs. That kind of we would still have been one damage is more expensive to of the least taxed cities in the fix. It takes about $3.9 million metro area. Tim Fitzgerald to maintain our streets on an So now that the people have efficient, planned basis. However, voted, council has to react. City we have been spending only about $1.5 council on Dec. 8 approved the budget for million per year. Each year we get further and 2015. It has been a difficult process because further behind. it’s all about taking services away from In 2015 we expect a 3 percent increase citizens. I am not an accountant, but I’ll give in our sales tax revenue compared to the you my best shot at sharing what I know. A 2014 adjusted revenue. Perversely though, few general statements: that will give us a 5 percent decrease in • Sales tax is our largest source of income General Fund revenue. That is due to two – over 60 percent. factors, the biggest is that in 2014 we settled • Property tax is one of our smallest a tax issue and collected about $1.5 million sources of income – about 2.6 percent. In that we had not budgeted for. We were also general, Wheat Ridge gets only about $34 awarded some grants. per house. We probably have the lowest mill Overall, your 2015 General Fund rate in the metro area. operating budget is a 7 percent decrease • We spend about 35 percent of our compared to 2014. The General Fund General Fund for the police and the court. operating budget is $28,990,382. When • The Parks Department and Public comparing the expected revenue with Works each get about 15 percent of our money. One important factor is our recent Continued on page 11

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ngazette.com – DECEMBER 19, 2014 – JANUARY 15, 2015 – neighborhood gazette

Give And Thus Receive: Local Nonprofits Need Your Time, Not Just Money By Cyndy Beal

oliday celebrations, traditions and their meanings are myriad – but most parties agree it’s a giving, receiving and thoughtful time of year. A time to thank and think of others, such as local organizations that serve the community year round. On Colorado Gives Day, Dec. 9, the giving was a record-breaking $26.2 million statewide to Colorado nonprofits in a 24hour period. Local nonprofits such as Family Tree and Arvada Community Food bank were two of the many in our area who received a part of this generosity. The Denver area has many nonprofits and organizations that can benefit year round from monetary and physical item donations, as well as volunteerism. Sometimes the greatest gifts given and received are the ones of time. These are a couple in the area.

FaMily TrEE For more than 30 years Family Tree has been part of the Wheat Ridge community. “The mission of Family Tree is to help people overcome child abuse, domestic violence and homelessness to become safe, strong and self-reliant,” per their website. Through Dec. 9, Family Tree offered their Holidays of Hope program that had several ways to get involved, such as adopting a family for the holiday. After completing a questionnaire, an individual or group was given the family’s wish list. Their volunteer program attracts more

than 2,000 annually, said Jaclyn Wilmont, Family Tree’s volunteer director. However there is an ongoing need for volunteers, but especially for volunteers willing to make a long-term time commitment, which may include training. Key volunteer positions for 2015 are supervised visitation monitor, crisis support specialist and thrift-store guru. In 2015, they are additionally seeking groups for their Project IMPACT program. These groups would take on capital improvement projects (with skilled labor and funding to support the project) that help offset agency expenses. For physical item donations, there is Family Tree’s Treasure Trunk Community Thrift Store, now located at 5892 W.44 Ave. They accept gently used items Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For questions about the thrift store call 303421-9205. Their next volunteer orientation sessions are Tuesday, Jan. 6 and Saturday, Jan. 24. For general information, volunteer descriptions and to start the volunteer application process go to www.thefamilytree. org; or contact Jaclyn Wilmot at jwilmot@ thefamilytree.org or 303-422-2133.

uddy Paws celebrated its grand opening on Dec. 6 with a ribboncutting ceremony and a pet-themed art show to raise money for a local shelter, attended by Wheat Ridge dignitaries, friends, supporters and employees. Located at 4332 Harlan St., it offers full- and selfservice pet washing and grooming. After six years in business, the shop relocated from its previous home in Denver to a bigger location in Wheat Ridge. The new building provides owner Zia Meranto with more room and additional parking for her customers. The larger facility includes a walk-in tub to accommodate large or older dogs. Donations from the fundraiser go to Max Fund Adoption mobile. Muddy Paws will have a gallery full of pet related art for sale during December, a photo booth, refreshments and a pet adoption mobile from Max Fund.

Contact Muddy Paws at 303-4337652, or visit muddypawsbathhouse.com.

Seniors Benefit From Saanti Massage Stretch Program Longtime Wheat Ridge resident Melissa Chaffin, LMT, is living her dream – improving the lives and overall well-being of her clients through yoga stretching. But yoga isn’t just for the young and lithe – it’s for everyone, and especially seniors. Chaffin owns Saanti Massage Studio in Wheat Ridge. She was recently asked by Senior Resource Center to provide weekly on-site services for the elderly after learning about her 30-minute, full-body stretch program she designed specifically for people suffering from Parkinson’s. The service is offered twice weekly, Tuesday mornings and Friday afternoons, at SRC, 3227 Chase St. “I’m pleased and humbled to have the ongoing opportunity to help people,” says Chaffin. “I love what I do. It’s very rewarding

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The Arvada Community Food Bank was formed in 1982. They serve around 11,500 households. Continued on page 11

when I hear how much better people feel after each session. In addition, I’m honored to be an additional resource for SRC by serving seniors and their loved ones.” Chaffin practices Thai Yoga Massage, a unique combination of assisted stretching, joint manipulation and movement that provides a host of benefits that include increased range of motion, improved balance, relaxation, stress reduction, muscle tension release, improved circulation and increased energy. For more information about Saanti Massage, call 303-332-9567.

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Swim Otters Offering Extracurricular Programs Swim Otters Swim and Fitness School is offering a range of extracurricular activities for kids at its 3974 Youngfield St. location. Swim Otters operates out of high-end business hotel pools that are kept at a warm 87-89 degrees Fahrenheit and maintained to comply with Colorado’s State health codes. Summer Swim & Fitness Camp provides kids with more than swim lessons, with survival in the wilderness, tumble and play games, and learning how to take care of their bodies through healthy eating and resting. Baby & Me Group Classes, for infants 6-12 months, provides an hour of water play helping them to adapt to land and water environments. It’s offered four times a year at the Wheat Ridge facility only. Parent-Tot Group Classes, for kids 12 months to 4 years, shows parents how to interact with their kids in the water as they learn to swim, all in a fun play environment. Also offered four times a year. Splash Celebration Parties for all ages can be scheduled on Saturdays or Sundays, with options to include pizza, juice boxes, goodie bags or cake. Two hours long. For Swim Otters members, there are Parent Night Out evenings for all ages the second Friday of the month, plus a Rookie Swim Team and a Snorkeling Program for ages 5-13.

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Wheat Ridge Business Association

Pat Dolan 303-753-8800 3850 Wadsworth Blvd. • AAA.com

Ron Benson Linda McDonald 720-484-8647

Peter Damian Arguello • 303-463-5335 7220 West 38th Avenue

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Tim Berland • 303-995-2806 ngazette.com

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Meet your business neighbors and learn about new developments in Jeﬀerson County & Wheat Ridge We invite you to join our next monthly breakfast meeting

Tues., Jan 13 • 7-8:45am • Wheat Ridge Rec Center Guest Speaker: Kelly Leid

Executive Director, North Denver Cornerstone Collaborative Mayor’s Office, City and County of Denver RSVP by Jan. 9

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neighborhood gazette – DECEMBER 19, 2014 – JANUARY 15, 2015 – ngazette.com

school crossing Education In Every Conversation

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changes that could effect the very goals of our schools. Changes like further blending s we close the year, it’s an opportunity of charter and public, empowering each to recap 2014 and anticipate new school’s leaders with budget decisions but issues in the new year. I think back to at the same time being accountable for the how much time education has spent in results and achievements. Or compensating the news, and all of the issues and topics teachers for not only being effective or highly effective educators, but we debated: Common core, also for their willingness to teacher contracts, GT/ALP, work and be effective in a title History AP curriculum, a newly school, intervention programs elected school board, newly as opposed to working in an hired superintendent, rigor, too easier environment such as a much testing and, of course, not high performing school in a great enough testing. Right or left, up neighborhood. or down, the good news is that Accountability is being we are talking about education. pushed to the forefront of our After a low voter turnout in our education system. Both for last elections, it’s about time schools and staff as well as that this topic is at top of all our students and parents. Being agendas. Guy Nahmiach responsible for a student’s education does not stop when the bell rings. Economic, political and social During this past year I’ve had the It’s crucial for parents to play a role in it. opportunity to meet many stakeholders The subject of holding back is also being from all sides of the education arena. considered. Interesting times. Students I’ve learned incredible facts about our arriving to their new school with a reading or educational system. An index of learning math level several grades below their class is factors. The huge impact of low birth weight simply not an option anymore. 2014 also brought a new subject to be on the success and failure rate of students. That class sizes do not matter as much we worried about, edible marijuana. With city thought it did. I found out that after all councilors unaware of what was going on these years, my dad (retired teacher) was right next to our schools, it took parents to right. Homework has no significant impact mobilize and make enough noise for the city to react and amend zoning laws. on the learning process. A few wishes for the new year: Success It was also a year with more tuition hikes. And high schools across our nation to our schools who will be administrating the are rated and funded based on how many CMAS testing. Effective and highly effective students are college ready. With so many teachers to be well compensated for their applying to colleges, the demand far exceeds hard work and dedication to students of all the supply of available room in our colleges. socioeconomic backgrounds and academic It’s basic economics. Colleges can keep abilities. A special thank you to our Master pushing the price tag up, but the urgency to Teachers and Peer Evaluators for the drive get a college education far exceeds the pain and belief in the right of our students to have of paying higher rates and being saddled excellence in classroom education. Congratulations to Sara Shackett for with two mortgages or student loans. My daughter claims that grad schools being named high school social studies have become yesterday’s bachelor degrees. teacher of the year. What a great honor. A As a Realtor, I’m always complaining that special mention to Lakewood High School I can’t find a good electrician, carpenter or Debate coach Greg Davis who is retiring a plumber. Perhaps removing the prejudice from an amazing career in our community to from our vocational schools and preparing navigating his boat in south Florida. Thank some of our high school students for a career you for your years of elevating our students would be a great option. It’s safe to predict to incredible heights. It would be important to wish great this issue growing in importance in the near success in 2015 to our new superintendent future. In fact, it is at the very heart of the Dan McMinimee. Talk about a tough job. I Jefferson Framework (see story page 1). Another issue to keep us talking in believe that his positive and calm attitude, 2015 will be Student Based Budgeting, as well as his incessant drive to improve the or SBB: Principals being given complete educational experience, of every student in control over how to spend their increased our system should be reassuring to every budget, and having to now decide on the parent out there. Finally to all my readers every month, number of teachers and programs at their thank you for your feedback. You keep me in own school. Depending on the level of transparency allowed by each principal, check and reward me with kind words. My these decisions are to be made with the help passion is education and I love sharing what of the school’s accountability committee, I’ve learned with you. If you have any ideas which includes teachers, administration for next year, please don’t hesitate to email me or call. and members of the community. As always, thanks for reading. Happy While it’s important to remember that salary cuts, budget reductions and even holidays to you and yours. cuts to masters degrees compensations Contact Guy Nahmiach at 303-999to teachers were made by the previous board, we are on the cusp of even more 5789 or Guy@NostalgicHomes.com.

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ngazette.com – DECEMBER 19, 2014 – JANUARY 15, 2015 – neighborhood gazette

EdgEwatEr City NEws Do You Feel Safe? and their commitment to Edgewater. First is Elder Angels, sponsored by Colorado Senior Connections and Jewish recently received 10 letters from thirdFamily Service. Our police department grade students at Lumberg Elementary collected more than $1,300 to be used for School. Each letter, written in the child’s gifts or gift cards for elderly individuals in own handwriting, came with a personalized our community with no friends or family drawing. The themes were very sweet and readily available during the holiday season. telling. Dated close to Veterans Day, many Thanks to Colorado Senior Connections, of the drawings included artistic versions Jewish Family Service and our police! of flags. It was nice to see how positive and The second project I hope optimistic the letters were. you noticed is called Cops The kids shared some Fighting Cancer – the Long Blue common thoughts with me. Not Line. Organized by an officer only did they appreciate how in Aurora, this year’s event was clean our city is, but many of the scheduled for Dec. 17. All types kids said they liked our stores. of police vehicles from around Remember the simple life of the state participate in a silent kids and wishes? Well, some of procession, with emergency them thought everything should lights flashing, from Aurora be free – I’m not sure what the to Children’s Hospital. From mayor’s office is supposed to do parking lots and overhead about that one. Another very walkways, staff and children common topic the third-graders Bonnie McNulty get to view the procession and talked about was feeling safe. I acknowledge the officers in the Long Blue appreciate that they feel safe and think the Line. It is quite a production and of course, city is clean, but I can’t take all the credit. it includes police officers handing out gifts Our city staff and officials all work together to patients. to make Edgewater what it is. I want to thank ALL of our city staff for Thank you, third-grade teacher Shelly all the work and commitment they have Seymour, for helping the children think given to our city. about their city and what role government Merry Christmas, happy holidays, be plays. Many of the students thanked me for safe in the new year! being mayor and said they hoped to become As usual, I will have the Mayor’s Coffee mayor themselves one day. In the future I at the Starbuck’s in Target on Wednesdays hope to see these same students stepping up from 9-11 a.m., with the exception of Dec. 24 to help keep Edgewater both safe and clean, and 31. If you can’t meet with me then please regardless of whether or not they become call or email and I will arrange a different mayor. time and place. When it comes to safety our police Contact Edgewater Mayor Bonnie Mcdepartment does more than just write Nulty at 303-233-6216 or bjmcnulty2@ tickets. The Edgewater’s police have two comcast.net. projects that say a lot about who they are

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Meet Edgewater’s Newest Councilman businesses we wouldn’t have even imagined five years ago. We have many residents who have lived reetings! I am the newest member of the here for decades (sometimes in homes Edgewater City Council, having been their families have owned for generations). appointed this summer to fill an unexpired We also have a steady influx of young term. The City Charter allows for an interim professionals and young families. It is a appointment until the next election, which wonderful mix in Edgewater. You can see will occur in November 2015. our diverse community at events like last The transition to City Council seemed week’s Holiday Lighting Festival, like a logical one for me. For or the summer’s Celtic Harvest nearly seven years I served Festival, Edgewater Walks and on the Planning and Zoning the Community Picnic. Commission, much of that Through the holidays, time as chair. Planning and community can be even more Zoning and City Council important. There are, of course, have been working very the very worthwhile programs closely on code updates and that provide gifts and assistance on the Comprehensive Plan during this time of year. update, adopted last year. The Donations and support of these current Planning and Zoning programs is important. Beyond Commission is working on that, though, we can make a implementation plans, which Steve Conklin difference just by reaching out will be presented to Council in to our neighbors at this time of year. The the coming months. holidays can be a difficult time for some, and Representing you on City Council is our compassion can make a difference. a responsibility I take very seriously. I Early in 2015, Edgewater will be appreciate the faith the current council put conducting a community survey to ask in me in selecting me for the position. Edgewater residents their thoughts about I moved to Edgewater in July 1998, a variety of aspects of the city. It won’t take drawn to the city for its small-town feel and much time to complete the survey and the proximity to downtown. When I arrived, thoughts you provide will be very valuable. we still had a Builder’s Square, Cub Foods, The results help guide City Council in our A&W Root Beer and other long-gone efforts. Look for more details coming soon. establishments. Over the years, in their Happy holidays and here’s to a place have come vibrant new businesses. prosperous 2015! Whether you’ve lived in Edgewater all your life or just a few years, you’ve seen Contact Edgewater Councilman Steve changes in our business community. Our Conklin sconklin@edgewaterco.com. tax base has been enhanced by some new

By Steve Conklin

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neighborhood gazette – DECEMBER 19, 2014 – JANUARY 15, 2015 – ngazette.com

Ask A LocAL MechAnic

GUest editoRiAL

Keeping Older Cars New in the New Year

What is ‘Use by Right’?

By Tom Schmuke

opular opinion holds that New Year’s Eve is a great time to get a bargain on a new car, but some of us – apparently a lot in Wheat Ridge, as we see a lot of older cars here – resist the rush to the showroom floor, and for good reasons. The only concern I have for folks is that buying at this time of year means low inventory. So while one may get a better deal, it is only for those willing to buy what’s available. I have often heard that dealers will use the “end-of-year sale” only to upgrade people into models they would not otherwise be able to afford. More importantly, if you’re happy with your vehicle there’s really no reason to buy a new one. So, my friends in Wheat Ridge ask, what are some of the things you can do to keep your car lasting longer? If everything on TV were true, then keeping a vehicle running great, looking good, and lasting a long time would be the easiest thing ever. Advertising will tell us over and over that all we really need to do to keep that car or truck running forever and looking brand new for years is to pour some bottles of miracle liquid into the crankcase, sprinkle magic dust on the paint, or spray some sort of ionized wonder water on the interior. Unfortunately this is not the case. The secret is that there is no real secret to getting a vehicle to last a long time. The difference is maintenance. Regular fluid checks and a dedication to scheduled lubrication will keep the powertrain going strong. What kind of oil, brake fluid, and grease used is just as important as when it is changed. The best oil in the world will do your engine no good if you never change it. Cleaning and protecting the finishes of

the vehicle inside and out will keep things looking good. Paint, plastic, leather, and fabric need help to survive the constant assault of sun and elements. Here are my top tips for keeping your old vehicle safe and ready for the road ahead: • Check and change the oil. No single step will help an engine last more than regular oil and filter changes will. Conversely, nothing will destroy an engine faster than neglecting oil-level checks or fresh-oil changes. • Flush the cooling system and change coolant once a year. A 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water will keep the cooling system in good shape and prevent corrosion and deposits from building up. • Change out transmission and differential oils. While not requiring frequent service, these fluids must be changed at service intervals • Keep it clean. While washing the outside of the vehicle is obvious, most everything the vehicle ran over can also get stuck to the underside. Hosing off winter salt and road grime is a good idea. • Brake fluid is hygroscopic. This means it is adept at attracting moisture. Moisture causes components to corrode and fail. Replace fluid and bleed the system once a year. Brake fluid is cheap. Calipers, hoses, and sensors are expensive. • Nothing keeps paint looking good and protected like a coat of quality wax. Apply wax at least every six months. • Protect the interior plastic by parking the vehicle in the shade, using a window deflector screen, and applying a UV protectant to prevent the plastic and vinyl from drying out.

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to open in a shopping center that allows commercial use they may apply for that type of license and open their store through an ave you ever driven through the city administrative process that follows the city’s and noticed a new store or business long-range plan. If the bookstore complies and wondered, “Wow, how did that end up with zoning for that area and follows the there?” You may even call the city to inquire architectural standards it is and may find out the land or not subject to special review or building was private property approval by local governments. and the business was “use by Some examples of recent right.” What does this mean projects that were reviewed and to you and what goes on in our approved as use by right include: city? • Town Center senior Use by right is a term that apartments at 44th and Upham refers to a property owner’s use (Phase II will break ground of land, structures or a business soon) in accordance with a city’s • Chase Bank at 38th and zoning code and architectural Vance standards. Many communities, • 7-11 at 38th and Harlan including Wheat Ridge, have in Genevieve Wooden • BCS Credit Union on the last 20 to 30 years adopted Wadsworth long-range plans. These were developed • Perrin’s Row townhomes at 38th and with community input at the beginning Depew of the plan to include zoning guidelines As any city grows and changes the and architectural design standards for plans may need to be evaluated and development, buildings and businesses. possibly adjusted. When Wheat Ridge was The plans help a city streamline incorporated back in 1969 the physical look administrative processes for working with of our city was much different than what developers. By creating long-term plans, we see today. The social atmosphere and a city may create an environment that will business environment of 2015 is also very attract developers to invest in that area. different from 1969. Each city must address Community meetings are held and citizen and examine their long range plans to adapt. input is gathered at the front end of the The comprehensive plans put together by a process on both zoning areas and design city will help direct how developments and standards. Developers and business owners businesses will evolve in any area. place a great deal of importance on the Genevieve Wooden is Wheat Ridge ability to work with a city within a developed City Council Member, District IV. Contact framework and predictable plan. her at 303-204-9504. For example, if a bookstore wishes

By Genevieve Wooden

Caregiver Boundaries By Julia Spigarelli

ost of us become caregivers at one time or another; for our spouses, children, friends, neighbors, etc. Effective caregiving involves not only taking care of someone else, but taking care of ourselves, which includes: being honest about our emotions, loving and respecting ourselves, and being comfortable with who we are and who we want to become. If we don’t take care of ourselves we can’t effectively take care of others. The purpose of setting boundaries is twofold: to care for and protect ourselves and to establish and maintain healthy relationships. When we set a boundary, we are essentially saying we are “willing to let go of the outcome.” Setting boundaries requires giving up some control, which can be difficult. But as with most learned new behavior, practice and repetition help. Caregivers can become enablers without meaning to do so. When we make it easier for someone to continue their selfdestructive behavior by rescuing them over and over, we are enabling them. Enabling someone gives us, as the caregiver, a false sense of accomplishment. It is much easier to become an enabler than it is to set boundaries; setting boundaries means that you may have to say no. What do we need to know in order to set boundaries and to be effective caregivers? Assess our own needs first. How much time do we have to give, what kind of support system do we have, how much time do we need to refresh? Learn what it means to be assertive. Being firm with our boundaries and what we believe should happen allows us to be effective compassionate caregivers

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while still meeting our own needs. It means neither being passive nor aggressive! We can only control our own behavior. We are responsible for ourselves. Be kind and respectful and avoid attacks on anyone’s character. What are the limits of our knowledge and responsibility? When should someone with more knowledge and resources take over? What tasks would be better handled by others? A nurse, social worker, therapist or clergy may be better equipped to understand complicated medical or emotional issues, or to dispense and monitor powerful medications. Use statements that begin with “I” and not “you”; for instance…“I feel frustrated when I get so many phone calls. Can we set some times for you to call that would work for both of us?” (This is setting a boundary.) Do not say, “You frustrate me when you call me so often” Learn to be compassionate, consistent and repetitive with what you say and how you say it. Avoid long sentences and explanations. Stay positive. “I’m sorry I can’t take you shopping every day. I’m happy to take you twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday.” (This is setting a boundary.) Setting boundaries changes our relationships. We need to become aware of what acceptable interaction and healthy behavior looks like. It is vital in learning to love ourselves and learning how to effectively care for others. 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.

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ngazette.com – DECEMBER 19, 2014 – JANUARY 15, 2015 – neighborhood gazette

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neighborhood gazette – DECEMBER 19, 2014 – JANUARY 15, 2015 – ngazette.com

MEdIcAlly SPEAkING

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‘Tis the Season – to De-Stress! Poor eating contributes to stress during the holiday rush. Eat well-balanced meals and avoid unhealthy foods at parties. Abuse of s the holidays approach, anxiety and alcohol or drugs, including prescription expectations are often on the rise. Here medications, can become problematic. If are 12 helpful hints to manage your holidays you are feeling tired, lonely, anxious or and help you survive the season. stressed, take a break: take a walk or a nap, 1. Take care of yourself. Eat healthy do some deep breathing, listen to music or meals; get a full night’s sleep and exercise. If watch a funny video. you get sick, slow down, rest up and recover. 9. Practice kindness. Take care of yourself so you will Give back or volunteer to help have the energy to enjoy the find meaning in the holidays. holidays. 10. Tips for special 2. Have realistic circumstances. If you are alone expectations. Decide with over the holidays, be sure to take your family what’s important care of yourself and think ahead. over the holidays. Set a Don’t isolate or withdraw. Join a reasonable gift budget. You can group of others who are solo and break from tradition or create plan a fun event. Start your own a new one. Change your vision tradition. If you have lost a loved to include having a happy, not one, allow yourself to grieve, but perfect, Christmas. 3. Plan ahead and Phil Bender-Stone don’t opt out of life. If you find yourself severely depressed, call prioritize. Plan ahead with for help. If you have experienced a divorce or a schedule to meet your holiday goals, family issues, remember that the good of the including putting away decorations. children is paramount and put differences 4. Say “No.”V1 Take back control of aside. the holidays by saying “no” to expensive 11. Give the gift of forgiveness. gifts, to countless holiday parties and to Holding on to bitterness and resentment overindulging. Setting limits and boundaries adds to stress. If you have experienced abuse will help you keep your holiday sanity. or trauma in your past, avoid contact with 5. Deck the halls, and keep it the person who hurt you over the holidays. simple. For a simpler approach, try a few 12. Have a 303.463.5335 holiday moment. Tell outdoorDamian lights and a few tasteful303.463.5335 decorations Peter Arguello Peter Damian Arguello your loved ones how important they are; inside. Use children’s crafts to decorate, or 7220 West 38th Avenue · Wheat Ridge, Wheat Ridge, Colorado 7220Colorado West 38th80033 enjoy ·the wonder the children80033 experience. add a wreath on the front door to create a Avenue Drive around the neighborhood and look peter@peterdamianjewelry.com holiday atmosphere. peter@peterdamianjewelry.com 6. Define your holiday meaning. at the lights. Put on a funny holiday movie. www.peterdamianjewelry.com www.peterdamianjewelry.com Listen to holiday music. Attend a candlelight Whether it is spiritual significance, or time service. As hectic as the holidays can be, spent with family or friends, decide what’s remember to stop, breathe and take in the important and focus on that. Break out of moment. old patterns and start new traditions. Phil Bender-Stone, LCSW, is the outpa 7. Manage your time. Develop a tient coordinator at West Pines Behavioral calendar for your family’s holiday activities. V3 V2 V3 Health at Lutheran Medical Center. 8. Eat, drink and be moderate.

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The City of Edgewater needs more volunteers who can help senior citizens shovel snow from their sidewalks. “We are still in need of volunteers for shoveling,” said Edgewater City Services Director Dan Maples. “Currently we have 11 signed up but close to 30 locations to shovel.” With the help of Pauline York, the city compiled a list of seniors needing assistance and who have been qualified through Senior Connections. The city is seeking volunteers living close to the seniors who requested assistance with clearing snow. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Dan Maples at 720-763-3012 or dmaples@edgewaterco.com.

Planning & Zoning Commission Member Wanted For Edgewater Applications are being accepted to fill a vacancy on the Edgewater Planning & Zoning Commission. Edgewater’s Planning & Zoning Commission consists of five members, appointed by the mayor. The term of the Commissioner will expire on Aug. 31, 2016. The Commission reviews Site Development Plans, Planned Unit Developments, rezoning requests, and any other type of changes to the city’s zoning ordinances. They prepare, adopt, and may amend the city’s Comprehensive Plan. The Commission also assists the mayor and City Council with plans for capital improvements. It meets the third Wednesday of each month in City Hall. Applicants must be a registered taxpaying elector; a resident of the city for at least one year immediately preceding the

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Learn more about how the City of Wheat Ridge is investing in a more walk-, bike- and transit-friendly community for people of all ages and abilities at “State of the City,” Wheat Ridge Active Transportation Advisory Team’s quarterly meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 6:30 p.m., in the second floor of Colorado Plus, 6995 W. 38th Ave., Wheat Ridge. Join with neighbors and community leaders and learn how to become involved in support events and outreach. For more information, email Rachel Hultin at wratat@gmail.com.

In Wake of 2B Defeat, Two Surveys Are Floated Citizens for Inclusive Wheat Ridge and the Wheat Ridge Active Transportation Advisory Team have each drafted and begun circulating public surveys to guide the next steps in the 38th Avenue revitalization plan. Wheat Ridge voters defeated Ballot Question 2B in November. It would have modified the street width of a portion of West 38th Avenue to implement that part of the plan related to curb line and gutter for that section. Both surveys can be found on the

Season’s Greetings and best wishes for a joyful New Year! COREY & PAM

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date of appointment; not an elected official, officer or employee of the city; or have been convicted of embezzlement, bribery, solicitation of bribery, perjury or any offense involving fraud. Applications are available at the City Clerk’s Office, 2401 Sheridan Boulevard and will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Jan. 9, 2015.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING personal website of District I councilman Jerry DiTullio, on the right hand side of the page. “Our vision is about moving people, in cars and bikes … so the goal of our survey is to inform our organization, by seeking input from neighbors (including Denver, Arvada and other nearby cities),” said the advisory team’s Rachel Hultin. Citizens for an Inclusive Wheat Ridge was the citizen group that campaigned for other fiscally responsible options for the revitalization of 38th Ave. Visit www.jerryditullio.com for both surveys, with links on the right hand side of the webpage.

Healthy Ending for Edgewater Walks Whether in miles or minutes or body mass, Edgewater Walks was a success. In September the City of Edgewater partnered with the Edgewater Collective, concerned citizens and other local businesses to launch the first Edgewater Walks campaign to improve the health of Edgewater citizens – both adults and children. The month-long program encouraged participants to set a goal to walk 30 minutes a day at least 5 days a week with emphasis on walking in and around Edgewater. Participants received a free t-shirt for enrolling, had the opportunity to participate in five weekly walks, received weekly emails with encouragement and tips for walking and being more physically active, and were entered into random drawings for prizes like gift certificates. The goal of the program was to increase daily activity and according to weekly progress reports, participants exceeded weekly physical activity recommendations. A total of 111 participated in the program, with 15-20 joining in each weekly walk. Twenty percent of program participants

completed both pre- and post-program assessments. Of those, 86 percent either increased or maintained their weekly minutes of walking which was 150 minutes or more each week. Seventy one percent of those who took the post program survey reported feeling confident or very confident that they could continue to meet the goal to walk 30 minutes a day after the program was over. Physical inactivity in Jefferson County is a contributing risk factor to chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Obesity rates in Jefferson County have been on the rise the last ten years and children in particular are at great risk of becoming obese if they are not encouraged to take steps to eat well and move more. Daily walking is recognized as a relatively easy way to maintain or improve health, and lower the prevalence of obesity in the community.

Volunteers Needed for Garden Tour In a few short months, tulips will emerge to signal that summer is right around the corner. The 2015 Wheat Ridge Garden Tour will be held on Saturday, July 11. The Executive Committee is looking for two garden enthusiasts to help promote and staff the tour. The Marketing/Promotions position involves 20 hours of writing, editing and submitting time-sensitive press releases to an established list of publications and organizations. The Volunteer Coordinator solicits and assigns volunteers to be stationed at each garden, the lunch stop and starting location. The Executive Committee meeting schedule is flexible, and primarily consists of keeping informed by email and phone. Access to a computer is required. For more information, contact Vicki Ottoson at WheatRidgeGardenTour@outlook.com or 303-777-6144.

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Free Patient Education Series at Lutheran Lutheran Medical Center, 8300 W. 38th Ave., will offer a series of free, educational seminars on a variety of health and medical topics, led by physicians, starting in January. Upcoming classes include: • Tips for Arthritis Pain: Alternatives to Knee Replacement, with Dr. Brian Shannon, Thursday, Jan. 2, noon-1 p.m. • Tips for Shoulder Pain: Rotator Cuff Therapies, with Dr. Brian Shannon, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 5:30-6:30 p.m. • The Aging Spine, with Dr. Andy Castro, Thursday, Feb. 12, noon-1 p.m. All classes take place in the second floor Learning Center; use Entrance No. 2. For more information or to register online, visit lutheranmedicalcenter.org/ classes or call 303-425-8375.

Volunteers Continued from page 5

Presently they are looking for physically capable drivers with and without pickup trucks for assistance with deliveries. Presently there are no regular volunteer positions available, but this will most likely change in 2015. The Bridges to Opportunity program will need some applicants in 2015. It started in September 2013 with a three-year federal grant. One of their most critical needs are monies for the Feed the Future backpack program, which provides food and snacks in backpacks for students who are enrolled in free or reduced school meal programs. The program “took at hit a year and half ago with a loss of federal funds, “said Randy Weiner community relations manager. In January, the program will add Head Start students from Wheat Ridge and Arvada, which will amount to an additional 400 to 500 children, bringing the total to around 1,750. If you donate to the Backpack Program up until Dec. 30, you will receive a code for a free entry into the 2015 Resolute Runner 5k

Council Continued from page 4

budgeted expenditures for 2015 there is a gap. The long and short of it is that we have basic expense needs that are more than our income. The city manager and staff eliminated about $450,000 before

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Circle School Founder Speaks at Alpine Valley Jan. 15 Education pioneer and founder of The Circle School Jim Rietmulder will “Every Child a Pioneer: Schooling on the New Frontier” at Alpine Valley School, 4501 Parfet St., Wheat Ridge, on Thursday, Jan. 15. Rietmulder practices Integral Education, an approach akin to the Sudbury model practiced by Alpine Valley. The event is free and open to the public. Open house begins at 6:45 p.m., followed by the presentation and a question and answer session. For more information, call Larry Welshon at 303-271-0525, email info@ alpinevalleyschool.com, or visit AlpineValleySchool.com

on New Year’s Day. To make a monetary donation to the Backpack program go to www. arvadacommunityfoodbank.org or call 303-424-6685; or mail a check to Arvada Community Food Bank, 8555 W. 57th Ave., Arvada, CO 80002. You can specify the program and city, where you want the funds used. Throughout the year, there are many events and opportunities to give and participate in the community.

VoLuNTEEr CoNNECTioN JEFFErSoN CouNTy CoLorAdo The Volunteer Connection of Jefferson County is a network of nonprofit organizations, agencies and individuals who promote and encourage volunteerism throughout Jefferson County, per their website. For more information go to http:// volunteerjeffco.org.

METro VoLuNTEErS An online source to connect volunteers with organizations. Visit http://www. metrovolunteers.org. For questions, comments or future story ideas email cdbea22@gmail.com, or editor@ngazette.com

the budget was even presented to us. Subsequently another $800,000 was cut by eliminating services to citizens, repair and maintenance, and replacement of obsolete vehicles. In addition, we will have about $2.4 million less left in the checkbook at the end of 2015 than we had to start 2015. However, we will still have 17 percent of our income budgeted for reserves plus 3 percent required by the state’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR). We have an adequate “rainy day” reserve. In the first paragraph, I asked for your help. If you voted against 2A, I would like to know your reason. Please email me at tfitzgerald@ci.wheatridge.co.us. The City of Wheat Ridge is not an entity separate from us. It is ours, each and every one of us. We own it. It’s your street, your snowplow, your park. If we work against the health, welfare and future of the city we’re doing it to ourselves. Ask yourself: do I want a better Wheat Ridge in the future, or do I want to just want to let it slide? Contact Wheat Ridge District III councilman Tim Fitzgerald at tfitzgerald@ ci.wheatridge.co.us or 720-360-0871.

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neighborhood gazette – DECEMBER 19, 2014 – JANUARY 15, 2015 – ngazette.com

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es, it is December and for both the Christian and Jewish cultures this is a time of great celebration. But I’ve been thinking as I look around at the homes and their holiday decorations, which generally reflect one’s spiritual beliefs: Does our everyday home – the one we live in all the other times of the year – reflect our lifestyle and who we are today? My job requires spending time in people’s homes. It’s fascinating the vast array of environments I have the opportunity to explore. As a home stylist I believe that a glimpse into your home should reveal a lot about you, your lifestyle, attitudes, feelings and values. Take a moment and look at your home. Does it reflect who you and/or your family is or have you gotten stuck? Wheat Ridge real estate has been the beneficiary of professionals who loved living in lofts, high-rises or single-family homes with small yards and now have one or two children and need a home to accommodate that change of lifestyle. You could be one of those guys, gals or even couples who have continued to live as though you are still in college with a hodgepodge of hand-me-down furniture and would like to revamp your space from a frat house to a home that reflects your new station in life. Maybe you are an empty nester that has given your life and home to your children and now can make some changes and return your home back into an adult living space.

Jefferson Framework Continued from page 1

emotional disabilities. I’ve heard objections from parents and educators about having seventh-graders sharing a school with 12th-graders. But there are so many examples throughout the U.S., North America and the rest of the world of this combination being successful. It wouldn’t be too difficult to recreate successful systems right here in Edgewater. It’s important to know that the only decision that’s set in stone is the elimination of Wheat Ridge 5-8. Everything else is still undecided and has yet to be confirmed, as the entire plan has to be presented and approved by the board. We have yet to see any details of this proposal. There is a plan B that is being supported by Wheat Ridge Education Alliance, a committee made up of Wheat Ridge mayor, city manager, city council a few local principals and citizens (yours truly being one of them). Plan B has been floated to local principals, teachers, parents and up the ladder in the district with favorable feedback. Plan B still includes elimination of Wheat Ridge 5-8 and creation of the Jefferson Academy. Increased duallanguage learning programs. However it relocates Everitt Middle into the WR 5-8 building as a neighborhood middle school with a GT program (possibly STEM school), allowing the GT students from Stevens Elementary to remain in town for their middle-school years and then flow right

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Something that seems peculiar to me is the value that people put on their home furnishings. Keep in mind, I believe that quality is important and investments into essential pieces are important. I’ve seen those who do not bat an eye to spend tens of thousand on a car or thousands on a television. But they do not want to spend more than what it would cost to eat out at a fast food restaurant once a week for a year when it comes to buying a sofa, on which they will sit every day, snuggle with loved ones, entertain friends and spend quality time with their family. I read once that what one has on their bookshelf is a reflection of who they are. Since that time I’ve stopped at times to review my bookshelves to make sure that I am being true to myself. Let’s take the time as we move into 2015 to look at our homes as a mirror to see if it is true reflection of our lifestyle, attitudes, feelings and values, and if not make changes as needed. Need help? There are professionals that can get your home cleaned, organized, decorated and furnished. Professionals that can help you haul away that excess baggage that is cramping you and not allowing you to live daily in an environment that reflects who you want to be. Let 2015 be the year that your home becomes a true reflection of you! Wheat Ridge resident Jeanne Nichols is the owner and Lead Designer/Home Stylist at modmood/RETRO Consignment at 44th and Wadsworth. She can be reached at jeanne@modmood.com or 303-728-9497.

into Wheat Ridge High. This was WR High Principal Griff Worth’s part of the plan. Thus keeping our advanced students right here in Wheat Ridge, instead of channeling into Creighton and then onto Lakewood (as the majority are currently doing). This “aligns into our commitment to promote Wheat Ridge schools for Wheat Ridge families,” said Genevieve Wooden, Wheat Ridge city councilor. Of course, having these programs will now attract even more families from the Highlands, “perhaps even to a point of relocating to Wheat Ridge” stated our mayor. Plan B does goes further, but at the time of writing has still not been confirmed. Whichever plan is used, community meetings are planned for December and January. The district wants to make sure that they’ve answered questions and explained the intent and the goals of this shakeup: “to ensure every Jefferson Area student is engaged daily in their learning, feels supported and valued in their school community, and has a foundation – academically, socially, behaviorally – to thrive in their post-secondary endeavors. The plan includes goals and metrics to ensure students are successful in meeting these goals.” While frustration has stemmed mostly the lack of details involved in the moving of schools and not knowing where students will be next year, I’ve heard from many educators that reminded me privately of past years when “changes had all their details already worked out” by the district and were laid out with full explanation, but “lacked community input.” This can be a real opportunity to take part and have a say in the changes to come. I urge you to start attending your local accountability and PTA meetings, city council meetings and participate in upcoming community gatherings. While following up as this story progresses, I would love to hear your questions and observations. You can write me at guy@NostalgicHomes.com or call at 303 999-5789. The opinions expressed by the author are his own, and do not necessarily reflect those of the Neighborhood Gazette. Reader opinion submissions are welcome, but are published on a space-available basis and subject to the staff’s editorial judgment. Email comments or questions to editor@ ngazette.com.