Labor Day & Hard-Working Americans see page 5
Exotic Circus Meets Exotic Cars see page 9
Volunteers Needed for Celtic Festival see page 10
Gazette NEIGHBORHOOD
Wheat Ridge | Edgewater | AUGUST 14 – SEPTEMBER 18, 2013
Mid-Century and Modern Home Tour Unveils the Unexpected
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he 2013 Mid Century and Modern Wheat Ridge Home Tour takes place Saturday, Sept. 7, 1-5 p.m., sponsored by Wheat Ridge 2020 and modmood/RETRO Consignment. In 2011 300 tickets were sold for the inaugural, biannual event. Visitors got firsthand look at the charm of Wheat Ridge vintage homes and those that have been renovated to capture the modern style. This year’s tour features six showcase homes. While Wheat Ridge roots are grounded in an agricultural-based heritage, the City of Wheat Ridge possesses another subtle yet quite coveted identity. A western suburb of
Denver, Wheat Ridge is rich in some of the most remarkable examples of mid-century modern residential architecture in the Front Range. A limited number of tickets will be available at $15 per person prior to the event on Wheat Ridge 2020’s web site. Unsold tickets may be purchased day of the event for $20 at modmood/RETRO Consignment, 7700 W. 44th Ave. All tickets include an after party. Volunteers are needed to help visitors through the homes and assist the homeowners, working a 2-1/2-hour shift, and will receive one complimentary tour ticket. Potential volunteers should contact Wheat Ridge 2020 at 720-259-1030 or kim@wheatridge2020.org. The proceeds from the event go to benefit Wheat Ridge 2020, a nonprofit 501(c)3. Wheat Ridge 2020’s mission is to advance the city as a vibrant and sustainable community. Tour sponsors also include Blue Iron Photography, Vinyl Works, and Dana Cain Events (The Denver Modernism Show). For more information and tickets, visit www.WheatRidge2020.org.
IN TRUE FARMER-TO-MARKET FASHION, True Roots Farm owners Christa (left) and Shannon display and sell their Wheat Ridge-grown organic produce at the Edgewater Farmer’s Market and Music, every Thursday evening from 5 to 8 p.m., through Sept. 12. True Roots Farm has four farmers/owners. Their farm stand is open Tuesdays 4 to 7p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon at 6230 W. 38th Ave. PHOTO BY CYNDY BEAL
Volunteers Make the Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival Go Around BY DANA R. BUTLER
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tate Senator Cheri Jahn is a proud representative of Colorado’s District 20 and, more so, a long-time resident of Wheat Ridge. As such, she well remembers the process the citizens underwent to incorporate in 1969, and the new city’s first birthday party in 1970, an event that celebrated the community’s agricultural roots, especially its historical designation as the largest producer of carnations in the world. Jahn’s appreciation of the work done by the Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival’s volunteers began even before she joined their ranks and was magnified in 2008 when she became chair. Putting on the Festival each year, she says, “…takes a really great team (and a very dedicated one). We have a good 21 that actively work on this throughout the year, each person working on different aspects. For the actual event, we take every volunteer to come forward to help work through the Festival weekend.” One of the Festival’s best-loved volunteers is Walt Pettit, a devoted member of the Wheat Ridge Rotary Club since 1996. In 2000, Pettit’s good friend, ex-mayor and then-festival chair Dan Wilde suggested the club join forces with the Carnation Festival, selling root beer floats as a fundraiser for the club and a fun and frosty treat for Festival attendees. Pettit became the Rotary’s representative when it came to Festival activities, and his involvement grew from there. He was even honored as the Carnation Festival “Count” in 2003, a mark of distinction he remembers as “humbling.” In 2004, the Festival’s beer concession was up for grabs, and the Rotary Club adopted it, annually raising money for
A DEDICATED VOLUNTEER assists festival attendees at the welcome booth during the 2012 Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival.
Transcript, drawn by “the dedication and commitment of the Wheat Ridge community.” Regardless of the impetus behind each person’s involvement with the Carnation Festival, they all agree that the volunteers are the heart and soul of the event. “We wouldn’t have a festival without the volunteers,” says Patrick. “It’s that simple. Their time and hard work make the Festival the pride of Wheat Ridge.” “Without our volunteers, this event just doesn’t happen,” agrees Jahn. “This is one of those events where ‘Teamwork’ comes
with a capital T!” So do you have what it takes to be a Carnation Festival volunteer? Who are these people, anyway? “A typical festival volunteer is just a funloving resident who loves to come join the fun,” says Jahn. “We can always use some more good hands!” Pettit puts it more succinctly: “Without the ongoing and continued support of volunteers from our community, we will likely see the festival fail and become a Continued on page 11
PHOTO BY BLU IRON PHOTOGRAPHY
the Club’s community service efforts throughout the year. This also marked the year Pettit formally joined the Carnation Festival Committee and took on the facilities management duties, ensuring that canopies, tables, chairs and more, are in place and ready for the weekend. As of last year, Pettit became first vice chairman of the newly reorganized Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival Board of Directors. In contrast, this will be only the third year that Milly Nadler has worked for the Festival, but her short tenure in no way dampens her enthusiasm. Her work experience belies her limited history with the event. “I’ve been the keeper of the vendor paperwork, help vendors move into their spots, but I’ve also run the chili cook-off and helped out at the Welcome Tent,” says the former math teacher, who was looking for meaningful volunteer work post-retirement. Michelle Patrick, the Festival’s communications guru, became aware of the volunteering opportunities here when she was working for the Wheat Ridge
Mark, Get Set, and Go at the Farmers 5000, Sept. 15
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he Wheat Ridge Farmers 5000 fundraising foot race is set for Sun., Sept. 15, at Wheat Ridge High School, 9505 W. 32nd Ave. Featuring a flat, fast course on neighborhood streets with cash and door prizes, the 30+-year-old race raises money for the school and promotes physical fitness and community spirit. The 5k race begins at 9 a.m., trailed by a 1K fun-run at 10 a.m. There is a $100 cash prize for the first place overall male and female runners, and prizes for first through third place in all age groups. There will be a drawing for door prizes after the race. Winners must be present to claim their prizes. The 5K race costs $30 and includes a technical t-shirt, snacks, entertainment and entry into the raffle drawing. The fun run is $5.
Registration at Wheat Ridge High School before the race is available, Wednesday through Friday, Sept. 11-13, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 14, 9 a.m.1 p.m. Registration is also available on race day, 7 a.m.-8:30 a.m. Off-site registration is also available from Sept. 1 until Sept. 14 (noon) at Runners Roost Lakewood, 7978 W. Alameda, and Wheat Ridge Recreation Center, 4005 Kipling. Online registration is available at www. active.com at http://beta.active.com/ wheat-ridge-co/running/running-eventfarmers-5000-2013. Pick up an informational packet at Wheat Ridge High School during the registration times, or on race day. To register for the elementary or middle school challenges, please see the representative at your school. The cost for the challenges is $10.