Neighborhood Gazette - March 2015

Tidbits From Behind

the Diassee page 7

Sustainability Comes To

Wheat Ridgesee page 10

A TALENTED TEAM OF WRHS STUDENTS AND ADVISORS pose behind a por-tion of the car body from the hydrogen powered eco-car they are building for the annual Shell Eco-marathon in Detroit from April 9th to 12th. This is the fi rst time WRHS has participated. PHOTO BY TIM BERLAND

GazetteNEIGHBORHOODGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteWheat Ridge | Edgewater | MARCH 17–APRIL 16, 2015

Downtown Denver in

26 Minutes?see page 2

WRHS Students Create Their Own Competition Eco-car

By Cyndy Beal

What’s it like to build a car from scratch? Pretty cool actually.

A class of Wheat Ridge High School students are in the fi nal stages of building a carbon-fi ber based and hydrogen-cell powered eco-car to participate in the annual Shell Eco-marathon Americas, held April 9-12 in Detroit.

The Shell Eco-marathon Americas challenges student teams to design, build and ultimately test their energy-effi cient vehicles. There are several diff erent categories on how a car is judged. This April more than 1,000 students are expected to participate on the streets of Detroit. There are additional Shell Eco-marathons in Europe and Asia. This is the fi rst time WRHS has participated.

The WRHS class team of 16 students is competing in the hydrogen fuel cell prototype series, which is based primarily on fuel effi ciency. The vehicles that go the greatest distance, using the least amount of energy, are the winners. In past years, some vehicles have exceeded 3,500 miles per gallon of fuel, per the Shell Eco-marathon website.

WRHS plans to begin testing their vehicle for safety and general roadworthiness through March. Test drives will take place in

the school parking lot, in the loop near the main entrance.

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) class is open to all WRHS students, from freshman to seniors, who are interested in engineering. The class has no prerequisite, so the students come from a variety of backgrounds. For some of the students, this is their fi rst engineering experience. The students in this year-long class, starting in August 2014, have designed and built the eco-car on their own, representing some impressive collective brain power, with only guidance from the four advisors and three consultants.

The educational degrees and professional experience of the advisors and consultants represent some of the best engineering talent available locally and nationally, with graduates of University of Colorado-Denver (UCD) and the School of Mines in the mix.

“These are high-end engineers,” said Charles Sprague WRHS STEM/Engineering teacher and Girls Tennis Team Coach.

From the car’s initial inception to the partnership with UCD, the concept has been to give the students a hands-on experience.

“Yeah you can design it, but then you have to build it,” said Sprague.

The WRHS STEM/Engineering program entered into a three-year partnership with Continued on page 12

Continued on page 12

By Cyndy Beal

Pretty much everyone dreams of fl ying, but some of us make it a reality.Through a new program Wheat Ridge

High School (WRHS) students are getting their chance to explore their own dreams of fl ight.

Every Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to noon for nine weeks, 18 WRHS students are attending an aviation ground school through Shades of Blue.

Shades of Blue, started 15 years ago, is

a non-profi t educational organization that mentors, tutors, counsels, and arranges internship and employment referrals for young people who want to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers, per their website.

The aviation ground school, which runs through April, provides students with a foundation and support system for STEM-related pursuits. The course is an introduction and general overview of aviation. Some of the highlights include the educational and skill sets required, as

Wheat Ridge High School Fires Up Shades of Blue Flight Programwell as hands-on experiences. In addition, discussion about personality and character traits needed for careers in aviation, aerospace and engineering are explored.

As part of the general overview, the class visited the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum in Denver (at the former Lowry Air Force Base). Shades of Blue has an ongoing relationship with the museum.

The aviation ground school in Wheat Ridge, is the result of combined relationship through Shades of Blue, WRHS and the Wheat Ridge Community Foundation (WRCF). It’s the fi rst time this class has been off ered in a Jeff erson County school.

WRCF off ers several scholarships and fosters many relationships, with the mission of enhancing the community through a range of eff orts, including education.

The connection between the two groups is the brainchild of Arthur Bushell, a board member for both Shades of Blue and WRCF. He is a WRHS graduate and a former pilot.

“Although nine weeks isn’t long enough for a full ground school,” said Bushell, it’s about “getting them to think” and to create a “fl ight plan for life.”

Traditional ground school is a fundamental part of any pilot training program. Although not tracked by the number of hours spent, it’s crucial before a student begins the process of logging hundreds of hours of fl ight time needed to obtain a license and become an experienced pilot. A person can obtain a student license as early as 16.

The classes are led by professionals and

qualifi ed instructors, giving the students direct contact with industry leaders. Shades of Blue has sponsorships from industry giants like Jeppesen, Lockheed Martin and United Airlines. Their second class was taught by instructors from Redstone College and focused on aircraft mechanics. Students were introduced to navigation and the Garmin 1000 GPS system.

At the last class, the graduates will have some air time with a free introductory fl ight through the Young Eagles Program.

It’s a time for them to “utilize the skills they’ve learned,” said Willie Daniels, president and founder of Shades of Blue.

Daniels is a commercial pilot and has fl own for United Airlines for 28 years. He started Shades of Blue in 1999 to help “create the future workforce.” He made the connection in his mind, after watching two separate newscasts regarding the nation’s demand for qualifi ed persons in both aviation and aerospace, and the present and projected shortages in the years to come. He said he wants to “make our kids part of the solution.”

“Employment in occupations related to STEM … is projected to grow to more than 9 million between 2012 and 2022. That’s an increase of about one million jobs over 2012 employment levels,” according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (April 2014).

The numbers for pilots and airplane mechanics is expected to rise in the next

UCD to facilitate these types of projects for the students. This type is generally reserved for college seniors. UCD competed in the marathon last year, and its car was used as an example for the students, and its hydrogen fuel cell is being used in the WRHS car.

The vehicle and its driver will travel a circuit on the streets of Detroit. The Detroit Drivers – Nicole Ortega and Andrew Miller – are both juniors who have their drivers’

licenses. Measurements were taken of both drivers for a custom fi t in the car.

“It was cool to see all the drafting, and go from the computer to real life,” said Ortega, the primary driver. Ortega is the leader for the mechanical team. The four teams in the class are divided by engineering specialty: electrical, mechanical, manufacturing and design.

SHADES OF BLUE FOUNDER CAPTAIN WILLIE DANIELS interviews WRHS high school STEM students while Wheat Ridge Community Foundation board member Arthur Bushell looks on. The non-profi t organization recently launched a 9-week aviation ground school for WRHS students. PHOTO BY ARMAND GUERRERO

2 NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE – MARCH 17 – APRIL 16, 2015 – ngazette.com

This lucky little guy is lounging about somewhere in this issue, help fi nd him and

send an email to [email protected]

and tell us where he is. We will draw a winner

out of the correct responses and send them a cool prize.

Good luck!

Find Me!Tim Berland 303-995-2806e-mail: [email protected]

www.ngazette.com4385 Wadsworth Blvd., #140,

Wheat Ridge, CO 80033Publication date is the 15th of each month.

Advertising: Tim Berland 303-995-2806 Copy Editing/Proofreading:

J. Patrick O’Leary, Cyndy Beal & Sarah DiTullio© MARCH 2015 All rights reserved.

The publishers assume no responsibility for representations, claims or opinions by

any advertising or article in this publication.

GazetteNEIGHBORHOOD

Coming in 2016: Downtown Denver in 26 Minutes?

When the 11.2-mile Gold Line opens in 2016, Wheat Ridge residents can

travel from the Wheat Ridge • Ward Station (Ward Road and 52nd Avenue) to Union Station in downtown Denver in 26 minutes, according to RTD.

Commuter rail trains rolling to Union Station will also stop at the new Gold Line stations in Arvada (Arvada Ridge, Olde Town Arvada, 60th & Sheridan • Arvada Gold Strike), Adams County (Clear Creek • Federal, Pecos Junction) and Denver (41st & Fox).

Along the route, updated at-grade rail crossings will feature new crossing arms, lights, and visual and auditory signals. With these improvements, currently under construction by Denver Transit Partners, train operators will no longer be required to sound horns at each crossing, instead sounding them for safety purposes only. Once the Gold Line opens for service, these

quiet zones will go into eff ect for both commuter rail and freight trains.

Additional Gold Line construction activities planned for 2015 include continued work on the Wheat Ridge • Ward Station Park-n-Ride, bus bays and station access roads. The station will begin to take on its fi nal shape late this year once canopy construction on the train platforms begins.

Power poles and overhead electrical wire are currently being installed along the route. Once the wires are up, they will be electrifi ed with 25,000 volts. The electrical wiring installation and activation is the fi nal step in preparation for commuter rail vehicle testing to begin.

The Gold Line is part of the $2.2-billion RTD FasTracks Eagle P3 Project, a public-private partnership that includes the East Rail Line to Denver International Airport, the Northwest Rail Line to Westminster and a new commuter rail maintenance facility.

YES, VIRGINIA, THERE WILL BE A WARD ROAD STATION: Work continues on the Wheat Ridge • Ward Station Park-n-Ride at Ward Road and 52nd Avenue, the end-stop of the 11.2-mile Gold Line, scheduled to open in 2016. PHOTO: DENVER TRANSIT

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WR Housing Authority SeeksNew Buyer For Fruitdale School

By J. Patrick O’Leary

Wheat Ridge Housing Authority gave the go-ahead for Hartman Ely

Investments to provide a refi ned proposal for reuse of the historic Fruitdale school building at its Feb. 24 meeting, after the Fruitdale Building Corporation canceled its contract to buy the structure. Hartman Ely, a developer specializing in historic preservation and reuse, was given 60 days to present its proposal.

Last year WRHA accepted an off er by FBC to buy the 10801 W. 44th Ave. structure. FBC was to hold the property until the Mountain Phoenix Community School, a local pre K-8 charter school, made a decision to use the structure as an extension of its Miller Street campus, according to FBC’s Karen Bailey. Last month the school’s Governing Council decided not to purchase the school due to continuing projects in its middle school, she explained.

Hartman Ely has renovated and redeveloped many historic buildings in Denver, including Steam Plant Lofts and Hangar 2 at Lowry.

“Their quest is to fi nd an end-user,” said Wheat Ridge Community Development Director Ken Johnstone. “They’re more of a facilitator. So it’s in their court, and they’re looking for a variety of end-users” including schools, arts groups and aff ordable housing developers. WRHA also gave Johnstone authority to grant two, 30-day extensions to

the developer, if needed.Hartman Ely was one of three entities

submitting proposals last summer for reuse of Fruitdale. However, they were not considered at the time because they didn’t participate in a site visit required for all proposals.

“They didn’t become aware of it in time,” explained Johnstone. “But otherwise their application was strong.”

Wheat Ridge will not be giving away the historic school. The school district had spent roughly $117,000 on environmental abatement before selling it to Wheat Ridge, and WRHA spent $250,000-$300,000 since. The authority’s outlay included a new roof and a historical structure assessment, which identifi ed needed repairs to address critical defi ciencies in the building, as well as restore it to its historical character.

“All that work has been done, we have construction drawings,” said Johnstone. “The housing authority spent a fair amount of money, in addition to grant money it received.”

The cost to restore – the responsibility of the eventual buyer – is approximately $2 million, he said.

“We certainly would like to recoup this cost, while preserving the building,” said Johnstone. But that requires fi nding a buyer who can pay the purchase price and restoration costs, and then pay the operating costs once moving in.

“Stay tuned,” he said.

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ngazette.com – MARCH 17 – APRIL 16, 2015 – NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE 3


By Guy Nahmiach

When the Jeff erson County School District decided this month to

close down Wheat Ridge 5-8 and convert Jeff erson High into a 7-12 school, they considered (but did not decide on) the moving of Stevens Elementary into the soon-to-be-empty building, thus vacating another school in our town. Only four years ago, it was Martensen Elementary that was shut down. While schools are being built and renovated in cities around us, Wheat Ridge won’t get a new school in my lifetime.

The Wheat Ridge Educational Alliance (a.k.a. WR Education Excellence), a committee made up of our mayor, city manager, a city council member, a few local principals and two citizens (including myself), submitted the district a formal request to consider “Plan B” – the Wheat Ridge Plan.

The plan would not only help local families remain in Wheat Ridge neighborhood schools, but help reverse the declining enrollment at Wheat Ridge High School. The details were discussed in mid-December through early January with school board members, city council, and the principals and staff of the aff ected schools.

Plan B would have Everitt, our only remaining middle school, move into Wheat Ridge 5-8, an almost-new building that could accommodate the new Gifted and Talented Center classes as well as other programs. Did you know that the last time Everitt received any serious renovation work was 20 years ago? Did you know that Griff Wirth, our amazing SuperFarmer principal over at Wheat Ridge High, spent this past summer painting the inside of the school, on his own time? Did you know that most of the Jeff co facility dollars are being pledged to new buildings in Arvada?

Under Plan B, Stevens Elementary would stay put and, should more space be needed, Martensen Elementary could be reopened. The community is certainly in support of that.

With the Everitt building vacant under Plan B, it could accommodate Sobesky or even the Manning school, providing space for 100 additional students. And since we’ve been told that Maple Grove – part of the Wheat Ridge articulation area – is bursting at the seams, it's 4-6 grades could move in to the Manning building a block away. These were suggestions to consider, part of a conversation with the community.

Terry Elliot and his team of principals presented the Jeff erson Plan (including The Wheat Ridge Plan B) to the board of education, fi rst on Jan. 15 and then again on Feb. 19. It was detailed on the overhead screen. I know, because I was there. Plan B also called for community meetings and

feedback, as did the Jeff erson and Alameda plans. Copies were distributed to the board members and a vote was scheduled for March 5.

By the time the March 5 vote came around, the district had recommended against Plan B without the promised community meetings,

and proposed to move Stevens into the vacated Wheat Ridge 5-8, with Sobesky moving into the Stevens building. A retrofi t cost of almost a million dollars for both. Once again, people outside the city made a decision aff ecting our community. While some city councilors and members of the Education Alliance had backed down in their support of Plan B, others had stepped forward in speaking out against shutting

down yet another Wheat Ridge school.

The motion read by John Newkirk was not new. Speaking at the meeting did not instigate the motion or a new call to action. It was already scheduled, back in the Feb. 12 meeting, to be read and voted on March 5.

Without the community meetings many Applewood families were shocked to fi nd out that a decision about their schools was being made without their consent, upset that people from outside their neighborhood were about to make changes to their community.

After losing two elementary schools and now a middle school, many Wheat Ridge residents were also looking for answers. As the PTA president of Everitt, I was torn between standing up for my city and looking out for my school's best interest. With so many organizations standing up for various causes, where is the one standing up for Wheat Ridge?

As much eff ort that was put into communicating and evaluating feedback from the Jeff erson Framework and Alameda community meetings, Plan B was simply asking for the same to be done right here in Wheat Ridge. Perhaps another remodeling project at Everitt would be enough to bring the building into the 21st century.

Update on the facts: The original Plan B request was offi cially submitted by The Educational Alliance. Chad Harr and I did not request a vote or further conversation at the March 5 board meeting...the vote was already scheduled. Most on the Alliance had individually backed away from a Plan B. After realizing that we were the only ones being blamed for this plan, we decided to offi cially retract our support for it.

When you are standing up for a city, it's crucial for that city to be standing next to you.

I now challenge the district to better manage our schools, update some of our older buildings and include the community in future changes to our articulation area.

As always, thanks for reading.Contact Guy Nahmiach at 303-999-

5789 or [email protected].

Guy Nahmiach

The Truth Behind Plan B

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Zach Urban

WHEAT RIDGE CITY COUNCIL

URBAN PERSPECTIVE

Have a news tip or story idea? Send it to [email protected]

Am I My Seniors’ Keeper?By Zachary Urban

The sound of the police officer’s boot kicking down the door is a sound I won’t

soon forget. With every thump, the lump in my throat grew larger. I knew why they were here today, and I had a sinking suspicion what they would find after the door jamb finally splintered. The Wheat Ridge police officer and his partner entered Fred’s home, calling out for him as they searched from room to room. Then they stopped calling out and I didn’t hear them anymore, as they silently re-emerged from his home, our worst fears came true. Even in the professional voice of a well-trained officer, the words didn’t hit any softer, “Fred is deceased.”

Upon learning of his death, we all leaned on each other, grieving the loss of the best neighbor we could have ever asked for. Fred Carter was a good and honest man with an amazing work ethic. His lawn was the emerald jewel of the neighborhood. He had lived in our neighborhood for 17 years. Fred was a Marine and had valiantly served our country in the Korean War. We had each taken turns watching out for Fred over the years, and more so recently as his advanced age of 82 was catching up with him.

He was an independent man, a Marine to the core and a friendly face to each of us neighbors. He walked his grocery cart to and from the grocery store several times a week. The Seniors’ Resource Center was a huge help to Fred over the years. They would check in on him throughout the week and help him as much as he would allow.

The night before Fred passed away he had

been invited to have dinner at our neighbor’s home – this alone is strong testimony to the strength of the bond between neighbors in our community. After having dinner, Fred said goodnight and walked back across the street to his home, locked his door and presumably went to sleep. In the intervening time between when he arrived home and when the welfare check occurred the next day, Fred had passed away. The impetus of

the welfare check had started off innocently enough: our neighbor noticed Fred’s window shade hadn’t been drawn up that morning. Some might call that being a nosey neighbor, but in our case, in our neighborhood, this was just another excellent example of each of us watching out for each other.

I would like to ask you to consider taking a moment to

look around your neighborhood: do you have a neighbor who is advancing in age and who also lives alone? Have you taken a few minutes recently to check in on how they are doing? How do you balance being a good neighbor against being considered a nosy neighbor? Whose responsibility is it to notice when your neighbor’s window shade hasn’t been drawn up? We have a great support network in the form of the Seniors’ Resource Center, but they can only do so much with the little resources they have for the 19,000 individuals they serve every year. These are questions without easy answers, except to say I believe we have a duty to each other to take care of our seniors in our community, to be our seniors’ keepers.

Zachary Urban can be reached at 720-252-5930 or www.zacharyurban.com.

You’ve Come a Long Way,City of Wheat Ridge

By Tracy Langworthy

I find it hard to believe that my time on City Council is coming to a close. After

nearly eight years I am faced with finding something to do with my Monday nights and a lot of memories of Wheat Ridge. I would like to reflect on the changes I have seen since I was elected.

In 2007, Wheat Ridge City Council was more known for throwing punches than working together. In 2015, we still don’t always agree with each other but we are more likely to find common ground. In 2007, the issues that faced Wheat Ridge were those of stagnation. We were seeing an increase in crime and a decrease in property values and median income. Today Wheat Ridge has a booming housing market. There are people that are crossing Sheridan to come here due to the large lots and lower prices. The median income, while still not where it one was, has been inching up. Our police department has made strong inroads into reducing crime especially in the east Wheat Ridge neighborhoods.

In the last few months our council has moved forward with some legislation that helped Wheat Ridge become a leader in our community. George Pond from District III crafted legislation to allow for moderation in the retail marijuana industry due to

large concerns from our citizens. Genevieve Wooden has taken a leadership role by forming the Education Alliance, which strives to help our schools. Mayor Joyce Jay is out in the Wheat Ridge community and the Denver Metro community promoting Wheat Ridge as a “Great Place to Work and Play.” Bud Starker continues his role as a strong leader and developer of ideas that will strengthen our community through

redevelopment and reducing crime. Kristi Davis has continued where her dad left off and continues to fight for the rights of the citizens. She has helped ensure that we work at spending our money wisely.

We as a council strive to make the city a great place to live for all citizens. Not everyone always agrees with us, but I hope that they at least realize that we are doing our best. We live

in Wheat Ridge just like all the other citizens. We see the same problems and successes. We live here, shop here and play here. Your city is our city and our commitment as council members is to honor the people that elected us and those that didn’t.

It has been an honor to work for the fine citizens of Wheat Ridge and I look forward to a city that continues to grow and thrive.

Contact Wheat Ridge District IV Coun-cilmember Tracy Langworthy at 720-364-0358 or [email protected].

Tracy Langworthy

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WHEAT RIDGE 2020 UPDATE

Grammy’s Goodies Opening Restaurant March 21

Grammy's Goodies will hold its grand opening and ribbon-cutting on Saturday, March 21, at 4601 Harlan St. in Wheat Ridge. They’ll be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the ribbon cutting at 11 a.m.

“Grammy’s is well known at local festivals with their giant Krispy treats,” said publicist Cheryl Brungardt. “In addition to the Krispy treats, Grammy's will feature giant Sicilian pizza, Bada-Bing burgers, sausage and pepper sandwiches, meatball sandwiches and sausage canolis.”

Grammy’s Goodies will be open Tuesday through Saturday, with hours to be announced.

For more information call 303-422-0380 or visit www.grammysitaliangood-ies.com.

Local Chiropractor Now Serving Wheat Ridge

Dr. Scott King of Novo Soft Tissue & Spine is now offering chiropractic services in Wheat Ridge, three days a week at Elixir Pilates & Wellness at 7047 W. 38th Ave.

Dr. King specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of adhesion – the most common and most under-diagnosed problem in the body, according to King.

“If you are experiencing pain, numbness, burning, tingling, or chronic tightness it is likely that you have adhesion,” says King,

who adds that the affliction is “highly treatable by an expert.”

Wheat Ridge office hours are Wednesdays 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Thursdays 8 a.m.-2 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m.-noon.

He offers a no-charge mobility assess-ment and consultation. Call for more infor-mation: 303-990-0159 or [email protected].

Lutheran NamedOne of America's100 Best Hospitals

Lutheran Medical Center was one of two Denver metro area hospitals recognized among the top 100 hospitals in the country for quality by Healthgrades, a healthcare ratings organization.

Both Lutheran and St. Joseph Hospital made the list, and were the only two in the Denver metro area to receive this distinction. This places Lutheran Medical Center among the top two percent of hospitals in the country.

The hospitals achieved this recognition in part through innovative programs to reduce readmission rates, improve patient safety, and take other measures that contribute to patients' overall outcomes.

Recipients of the award, from 2011 through 2013, as a group had a 26.4 percent lower risk adjusted mortality rate across 19 procedures and conditions, when in-hospital mortality was the clinical outcome..

To learn more about how Healthgrades evaluates hospitals and makes the awards, visit www.healthgrades.com/quality.

LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS

Strong Families, Organizations Should Discuss Finances

By Joseph Giordano

As a medical social worker, my wife is a hero. Her calming supportive

voice guides hundreds of grieving families through their darkest times. Her hardest work occurs after the patient has passed away and the adult children go through their parent’s finances. Feelings regarding those finances, if they are not properly managed, may lead to decades of animosity. Families with clear communication, solid financial controls and transparency may successfully avoid uncomfortable future holidays.

The same holds true for nonprofits. Nonprofits are managed by people, and while people at nonprofits are without exception altruistic, they are still human. Just like a family, organizations that can demonstrate solid financials and transparency can be responsible stewards for funds gifted to them.

Some nonprofits do not prioritize financial best practices like they should. They aren’t legally required to be audited or to show decision processes, so they don’t. This can be disastrous. Knowing what other organizations do, I am even more proud of the nonprofit organization I volunteer for, Wheat Ridge 2020.

I am well aware of how exemplary Wheat Ridge 2020 is because in my spare time and for fun, I volunteer as the treasurer and have for several years. Wheat Ridge 2020 is a community nonprofit working to make

Wheat Ridge a better place. We have $1.3 million in assets and $483,000 in revenue, managed by three employees.

My role is to make sure that money is spent appropriately. By appropriately I mean legally, transparently and within our mission, which is advancing Wheat Ridge as a vibrant and sustainable community.

Luckily, I have help from a tremendous group of professionals who volunteer on the finance committee. Accountants, attorneys, bankers, financial advisors and concerned citizens who each month pour over the financials line by line, questioning and ensuring best practices are met. Then a 13-member board of directors volunteers their time going through it again before approving all financials.

Our financial information is public, and anyone can go through it by visiting WheatRidge2020.org. We insist on this transparency as an organization. Each year we also have our statements audited by a local firm who ensures our books are solid. We use these audited financials to report to the Internal Revenue Service.

My wife and I believe in contributing to our community and invite you to join Wheat Ridge 2020. We are always looking for more outstanding volunteers.

Joseph Giordano is an accounting pro-fessor at Metro State University, lives in Wheat Ridge, and volunteers as the Wheat Ridge 2020 Board Treasurer.

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By Bonnie McNulty

Have you noticed the temporary signs on Sheridan? The signs in front of

all the businesses that blow in the wind? How about all the banners on the sides of buildings? No? Well, courtesy of our code enforcer, they are gone. City council passed an ordinance last fall to help clean up Edgewater by putting restrictions on temporary signs.

Edgewater purchased 12 new bike racks with plans to get more. The first batch is being installed now, starting at 25th and Sheridan. As we acquire more we’ll move west through the city, putting them near restaurants and parks. If you get a chance, take a look at the shadow the bike racks cast on the sidewalk each morning in front of Joy Ride.

Thank you to the many volunteers who are shoveling snow off senior citizens’ sidewalks. Neighbors, firefighters, Community Service youth, and staff have stepped up to clear walks at more than 35 homes. Remember, we are all required to keep our walks free of ice and snow. If you can help a neighbor in need you will also be making Edgewater a safer place for everyone who walks about our city.

From April 1 to 5, the Spin Foundation will host a Diversity Leadership Summit in Aspen. Ed McCallin, Edgewater’s School Resource Officer, is one of six in

By David Fleck

With record-setting February snow behind us, and spring growth and

longer days ahead, the call of pedals and two wheels is here. Pump up your tires, oil the chain, check the brakes and strap on your helmet. There has never been such an activity so aligned with the freedom of the American way of life than riding a bicycle. As a child it embodies newfound independence as the world around you becomes accessible. As an adult it reconnects you to the neighborhood, the sounds, and the smells that driving has disconnected you from.

Often safety is the biggest obstacle keeping more of us from riding our streets. For decades, we’ve seen our public right of ways designed with only the car in mind. Thankfully, we’re seeing change. “Complete Streets” are becoming the new standard. Public right of ways are now being designed for people in cars, trucks, buses, people on bikes, and people on foot.

What is changing in Edgewater to embrace the shift to neighborhood friendly multimodal transportation? In the last year we’ve repaired and replaced long neglected sidewalks throughout the city, making it safe for residents of all ages to walk without risk of fall. We’re on track to repave our streets and replace much of the older infrastructure beneath. The men and women of the Edgewater Police Department have been doing an excellent job with increased DUI identification and enforcement.

Along 25th Avenue we’ve added

the region invited to attend. The inaugural “Ski for Heisman Community” is an event designed to build greater cooperation and understanding between law enforcement and neighborhood teenagers. Bringing both parties out of the neighborhoods and into the mountains will provide a fun and awe-inspiring environment to build new relationships.

Heads up – 26th Avenue will be torn up for the next few months. Contracts have

been signed for the replacement of underground water pipes and lead water lines. After we get-the-lead-out, the street will be repaved. The project will start by the end of March, so plan accordingly … and think how great it will be when it is finished!

Thank you to all who responded to the survey. I really appreciate all of the comments and suggestions. I will try to

respond to some of the comments in future issues. One interesting finding is that respondents listed the Neighborhood Gazette as the second highest source of information about the City of Edgewater.

I am available on Wednesday mornings from 9 to 11 at Targets' Starbucks. I will buy your coffee or tea. I will also be happy to meet with you at other times. Just call or email and I will arrange a time that is convenient for you.

Contact Edgewater Mayor Bonnie McNulty at 303-233-6216 or [email protected].

numerous bike racks to expand two-wheeled parking options. We’ve adjusted prohibitive laws to enable the Car2Go car-sharing program to expand into the city. The Edgewater Planning and Zoning commission is beginning the process of implementing the city’s Comprehensive Plan, which, built through public feedback,

reinforces the desire for safe, walkable and bike-friendly streets.

The next school year will see Safe Routes to School grants impact both Edgewater and Lumberg Elementary Schools. This CDOT program provides age specific safety education to children encouraging and facilitating walking and biking to school.

Unfortunately, not everyone gets access to such a great

program as a child. It’s never too late to learn. Some great tips for safe bicycling and applicable laws can be found at bicyclecolorado.org. You can also find some great ideas on how to help your kids safely learn to explore the world on two wheels.

Safer roads and educational resources are readily available, but don’t forget to catch up on maintaining your bicycle. Like your car, small problems can become large when ignored. If you haven’t met Levi at Yawp Cyclery at Sheridan at 25th Avenue, go introduce yourself.

Keep your helmet strap snug. I want to see you riding around town for many years to come.

Contact Edgewater Councilman David Fleck at 303-886-3508 or [email protected].

Bonnie McNultyDavid Fleck

Tidbits From Behind the Dias We’re Making Edgewater Safer For Cyclists, Pedestrians

EDGEWATER CITY NEWS EDGEWATER CITY COUNCIL

Jefferson To Be a 7-12 SchoolBy Joel Newton

The Jeffco School Board voted 5-0 on March 5 to approve two motions to

reorganize schools within the Jefferson Articulation Area as part of the Jefferson Plan. The Jefferson Articulation Area currently includes Molholm Elementary, Edgewater Elementary, Lumberg Elementary, Stevens Elementary, Wheat Ridge 5-8 and Jefferson High School.

The first motion passed will move seventh- and eighth-grade students from Wheat Ridge 5-8 to Jefferson this fall. The second motion will move fifth- and sixth-grade students at Wheat Ridge 5-8 to Stevens Elementary.

School board member John Newkirk put forward a motion to move Everitt Middle School to the Wheat Ridge 5-8 building, as well as other school moves within the Wheat Ridge Articulation Area, but it was tabled due to not enough community input. District staff will seek input from the Wheat Ridge community and school staff on the possible moves and the future of the Wheat Ridge 5-8 building. Part of the Jefferson Plan was to move Stevens Elementary into the Wheat Ridge 5-8 building, but no decision was made on that.

“What excites me about the this plan is the possible collaboration between teachers and staff from both schools and building upon the great work we’ve completed thus far,” said Jefferson High School teacher Rhiannon Wenning. “I am excited that we will have the opportunity to work with some outstanding folks, and get the opportunity to expand our academic foci, athletics, activities, and other programs that make the Jefferson community so unique and a great place to live, work and go to school. I also am looking forward to building more community in which to grow and foster not only our programs, but our students and their success in our neighborhood schools.”

Although there is broad support among teachers for the Jefferson Plan, some have reservations. .

“I also am concerned about innovation

status as it has failed miserably in schools in other districts that are similar to Jefferson,” said Wenning, echoing concerns of other educators. “We do not need to seek such measures as we can take variances from our Collective Bargaining Agreement as well as Memorandums of Understanding to address our calendar, salaries and other possible concerns that are contractual in nature. I am, however, more excited than worried, and I, as well as my colleagues from both schools, will continue to stand up for all of our students and do the very best for them and their futures!”

The Staff Advisory Committee will meet this spring to work out the details of the move. Jefferson Principal Michael James will be the principal of the new 7-12 next fall. Wheat Ridge 5-8 Principal Warren Blair will assist the Jefferson Articulation Area and the Achievement Directors.

Joel Newton is Executive Director of the Edgewater Collective; contact him at [email protected] or 303-748-0631.

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The Gift of Hospice CareBy Julia Spigarelli

The word hospice is derived from the Latin hospes (from the same linguistic

root as hospitality). The first hospices are believed to have originated in the 11th century around 1065 when, for the first time, the incurably ill were permitted into places dedicated to treatment by crusaders. Hospices flourished during the Middle Ages and were revived in the 17th century in France by the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul.

The Irish Sisters of Charity began to open hospices in Dublin, Melbourne, New South Wales and eventually St. Joseph’s in London. It was at St. Joseph’s in the 1950s that Dame Cicely Saunders, a prominent British Anglican nurse, developed many of the foundational principals of modern hospice care.

These principles included supporting the goals and wishes of the patient while offering a means by which symptoms are managed and suffering is alleviated. She emphasized focusing on the patient rather than the disease, addressing a broad range of concerns including the psychological, emotional, spiritual and physical aspects.

“You matter to the last moment of your life and we will do all we can, not only to help you die peacefully, but to help you live until you die,” said Sanders.

Today, a multi-disciplinary Hospice Team provides support and care for the patient and their families, and includes:

• Patient, family and friends: (while hospice is on call 24/7, visits are intermittent).

• Hospice Physician (Medical Director): leads the team in patient care.

• Primary Care Physician or Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner: supports the lead of the medical director.

• Nurse: Manages and coordinates the patient’s plan of care including medications, supplies and coaching for patient and family.

• CNA: Assists patient with daily personal care.

• Social Worker: Provides patient and family with emotional support and counseling for end-of-life transition.

• Chaplain: Provides non-denominational spiritual and emotional support as well as bereavement follow-up services.

• Registered Dietician: Provides education and intervention to patient and family regarding nutritional needs on an as needed basis.

• Therapists (OT, PT, Speech): provides consultation as needed for comfort care.

• Volunteers: Visits with patient and family in a variety of ways to provide emotional support and companionship.

Hospice Care is a constant process and an ever-evolving journey. At its center lies the belief that each of us has the right to die pain-free and with dignity, and that our families will receive the necessary support to allow us to do so.

Too many Americans still die alone or in pain and patients are being referred to hospice care either too late or not at all.

Consider allowing hospice to help you begin the conversation and welcome them as a partner with you on this journey.

Julia Spigarelli is the Resident Services Coordinator at Highland West and South Independent Senior Living Community, 6340 W. 38th Ave., in Wheat Ridge. Con-tact her at 303-424-9401.

New State Legislation Affects YouBy Cheri Jahn

I first want to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to once again serve as the

State Senator in Senate District 20. I also want to thank the hundreds of people who have participated in the legislative process by calling me or emailing me with issues they are passionate about. This is my 13th session and it continues to be a privilege to serve as well as quite educational on such an array of issues.

We have 56 days left in this session to hammer out some big issues that are still to come. For instance, construction defects, the amount of testing done in our K-12 schools, urban renewal, TABOR and the surplus, and workforce development. These topics all promise lively debates and I would very much like to hear from citizens in my district.

During this session I carried a bill that will allow “BioSimilars” to enter the market here in Colorado. Biologic medications are used to treat high-risk and critically ill patients that haven't responded to traditional treatments and will be at a cost significantly lower. BioSimilar products must be interchangeable to a biologic and FDA approved products. The Food & Drug Administration just approved the first BioSimilar drug for Sandoz, bringing in a drug called Zaxio, a generic version of the Amgen drug Neupogen, which wards off infections in chemotherapy patients. According to the Wall Street Journal, blockbuster rheumatoid arthritis drugs Humira, Enbrel and Remicade are among

the drugs which BioSimilar knockoffs are farthest along in development. BioSimilars are used for very chronic diseases. That bill passed 98 to 2.

I also carried the legislation that requires foster care homes and facilities to report immediately or within 24 hours when a kid goes missing. There is currently a statute that

was written for missing persons, but it does not include those in foster care. This was completely unacceptable to me, and a team of bipartisan legislators in the House and Senate brought forth legislation to add this vulnerable population of kids to the statute, especially with the horrific cases we are seeing across the country on human trafficking. This measure passed the House and the Senate unanimously.

I am currently working on a piece of legislation that would align Colorado with surrounding states’ standards for granting prescriptive authority to Advance Practice Nurses. With the shortage of health care providers in rural areas, this will be an invaluable tool to bring patients access to care. I hope that everyone will take the time to study up on the measures being debated at the capitol and then contact me with your opinions on the issues. I am proud to say that I continue to vote on policy, not soundbites. The devil is always in the details and learning how law affects real people in the conduct of their lives is far more important than voting for something just because it sounds good.

Contact State District 20 Senator Cheri Jahn at [email protected] or 303-866-4856.

Cheri Jahn

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CAR TALK WITH TOM

POLICE BLOTTER

By Tom Schmuke

For both new and experienced drivers, driving during the winter brings about

many challenges. A little preparation for your car will go a long way, but altering your driving habits will help to keep you safe while driving.

Don’t use your cruise control. While it may be second nature to fl ip on the cruise control when driving, it’s best to skip it when driving during the winter. If you have the cruise control on and you hit a patch of ice or hydroplane it can cause the vehicle to accelerate while trying to maintain a constant speed and you could potentially lose control of your car.

Defog your windows. Sometimes it’s hard to keep your car windows defogged during the winter. If nothing else is working, try turning on the air conditioning – that will clear the windows right up. A less desirable fi x would be to crack the window, making the temperature in the car the same as the temperature outside, which will also get rid of the fog.

Take your time. While it may seem obvious that you need to take your time when driving during the winter, it isn’t always what you do. Give yourself extra time during the winter, especially during inclement weather.

By Laura Poole

Our recent roundup of local lawlessness is chock-full of Driving Under the

Infl uence of Alcohol (DUI) charges and traffi c violations. Recent shoplifting incidents at the Target at 20th and Sheridan have shown that those suspected of lifting merchandise are typically in possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

In the pre-dawn hours of Feb. 20, a 41-year-old Englewood resident was issued a summons for DUI and failure to show insurance after an offi cer noticed him violating traffi c laws and pulled him over.

On Feb. 10, a motorist drove his car into a residence and fl ed the scene. The 28-year-old Arizona man was not injured, but was arrested and booked on careless driving, DUI and hit-and-run charges. Later that night, another driver was arrested for speeding, failure to present insurance, and DUI. A few days later a driver of a vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign and the offi cer who pulled him over charged him with the same violations as the previous two, and driving with a denied license. The offi cer also discovered the driver had an outstanding arrest warrant from the Westminster Police Department for failing to appear in traffi c court.

On Feb. 13, offi cers discovered two stolen vehicles at an apartment complex on Gray Street. One was stolen from Thornton, but the other was taken from Mexico. Offi cers then discovered other stolen vehicles at the location, so the investigation was turned over to the Metro Auto Theft Task Force.

Drive with caution. Avoid accelerating and decelerating quickly during the winter. Even if you have a four-wheel drive vehicle take your time speeding up and slowing down to help with traction and reduce the chances of losing control. You’ll also want to leave more space between yourself and the other cars on the road.

Keep your gas tank full. When driving during the winter it’s best to keep your gas above half a tank. If you break down and need to keep the engine running to stay warm, you’ll be glad you weren’t on empty.

Turn into the spin. If you lose control of your car and start spinning, turn into the spin to regain control. While it’s very counter-intuitive, you need to turn your steering wheel towards where your back tires are going. Your instincts will tell you to hit the brakes, but don’t. Instead, try gently accelerating. Doing that will redistribute weight and help to bring you out of the spin.

Don’t forget your emergency kit. Every vehicle should have an emergency kit for driving during the winter. It should include blankets, fl ashlights, duct tape, bottled water and some general purpose tools.

Got a car care question? Email Tom Schmuke at [email protected].

On Feb. 15, offi cers pulled over a car with three aboard. A 25-year-old female from Aurora provided a false name and identifi cation, and was arrested on felony warrants for possession of a controlled substance and motor vehicle theft. Another woman was given a summons for possession of an open container of alcohol and narcotics paraphernalia, but released. The third, male occupant was arrested for the same off enses, as well as violation of a protection order.

Also on Feb. 15, four vehicles had their rear windows broken and property stolen from within, in the 2500 block of Fenton Street, 1900 block of Gray, 1800 block of Depew and Lakeshore Drive. Credit cards were stolen from one vehicle and later used in Broomfi eld, which helped track down the suspect. One suspect, seen breaking through a car window at 4 a.m., was described as a male wearing dark pants and light-colored jacket with a backpack.

And fi nally, as a 17-year-old washed his mother’s car at West 38th Avenue and Chase Street on Feb. 19 after 6 p.m., a 32-year-old Hispanic man came up, revealed the handle of a handgun, and drove off with the teen in the passenger seat. The young man was able to notify his friends via text message that he needed help and fl ed from the vehicle unharmed when they came to the intersection at West 8th Avenue and Federal Boulevard. The suspect was later arrested and the vehicle recovered.

If you have any information about these or other criminal activities, please contact Edgewater Police Chief John Hough at 720-763-3000.

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HOME, GARDEN & LIFESTYLE Sustainability ComesTo Wheat Ridge…Again

By Guy Nahmiach

In recent years sustainability has gone from a fad or hobby to a mainstream issue that

is practiced by most whether they realize it or not.

You don't have to be an extreme environmentalist to care about making the most of what you have. It’s as simple as growing your own vegetables, reducing trips to the store, carpooling or sharing a great book with your neighbor.

Sustainability is about prolonging our existence with minimal effects on our environment. The idea is not for everyone to completely change their lifestyles. Simply doing your own part, however small, can contribute to an overall reduction of waste and usage of resources.

Wheat Ridge took a step toward this when it set up a Sustainability Committee, which held its first meeting Feb. 24. Two days after launching on social media, it had more than 100 members. The meeting included discussions of rainwater storage, re-purposing of tires, chickens, beehives and the remodeling of homes using green materials.

Joyce Manwaring, Director of Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation, shared that the city has a sustainability plan, but lacks staff to accomplish its goals. While the city is trying to increase the number of online forms and services, a large part of its population was in need of printed format.

Police Chief Brennan shared that the Wheat Ridge Police Department was

planning more cleanup days around the city and could work with the committee in organizing more dumpster days and helping seniors clean up their yards for improved neighborhoods.

Wheat Ridge had a sustainability group four years ago, but suffered from too many goals and not enough muscle – it's important to remember that volunteers also have real jobs, families and a life to live. That group did produce a successful event that allowed people to dispose of, for free, electronic/electric appliances, computers, old televisions and other items required special disposal.

The new committee agreed that not everyone was equally passionate about all facets of sustainability. Mini groups will be formed to tackle common goals more efficiently, sharing what people were already doing and bringing in experts to conduct training sessions for those that wanted more in depth information about a specific topic.

The committee also decided to highlight a Sustainability Hero each month, selected on degree of commitment, innovative method and dedication to a sustainable lifestyle. Their work would be showcased in the Neighborhood Gazette and will hopefully inspire others to do their part.

The Sustainability Committee’s next meeting will be Thursday, April 2, 7 p.m., at the Active Adult Center, 6363 W. 35th Ave., Wheat Ridge.

For more information, please contact Guy Nahmiach at [email protected] or 303 999-5789.

Clutter Be Gone!By Jeanne Nichols

March 20 marks the official beginning of spring, meaning spring cleaning is

just around the corner. As part of the spring cleaning ritual, I’m suggest that we become more organized and do some decluttering that will benefit our productivity and energy level as well as our pocketbook.

Most of our lifestyles do not mimic a living standard that looks like a model home or one of those pristine photographs in a magazine, and each person’s acceptable level of clutter can vary. But with a few organization tips and taking a bit of action, we can eliminate some of the negative impact clutter has on us all.

There are many positive benefits achieved by decreasing clutter. It can increase your free time by decreasing the amount of time spent cleaning, and provide more useable space by eliminating unnecessary objects. Reducing clutter can make you more productive, increase your level of concentration, give you peace of mind, elevate your mood and even help you relax. It has been known to lessen discord in the home as one scrambles to find things, and it could even increase your inclination to entertain. Freeing up space and decluttering can actually help you breathe better.

If those benefits aren’t enough, reducing clutter can also be very profitable as you decide what to do with unnecessary items. Revenue can be generated by doing a yard

or garage sale or, for the more electronically savvy, placing items for sale on the Internet through eBay or Craig’s List. For those of you who don’t want to actually do the work yourself there are many consignment shops that will share the profit, or you can donate the items to nonprofits.

A quick and easy way to organize is to have ongoing boxes (or in my case, piles): things to keep that don’t have a place; things to store; those items not used but which you want to keep; things to consign or donate; and things to throw away. Keep in mind that if you don’t need it or love it, consider getting rid of it.

If you place those things together as you go through the week and then take a few minutes each week or even monthly to take care of them, the task may not seem so daunting. First find a permanent place for items that need to be kept, such as a dish for the keys near the door, or baskets for the kids’ toys. Wrap and box things to be stored, take to the consignment shop or donations center things to be rid of and toss the others on trash day. You should have your home decluttered in no time.

Happy decluttering! Wheat Ridge resident Jeanne Nichols

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WHAT’S HAPPENINGHighland West Community Renovation Complete by Year’s End

Major renovation of the Highland West Community started Feb. 9 and will be completed by the end of the year, according the property’s management. Highland West Senior Citizens Apartments and Highland South Apartments have been providing aff ordable housing for seniors 62 and up in Wheat Ridge since 1964 and 1984 respectively. The two properties were recently refi nanced and combined into a single property.

In addition to a total update of the apartments and building exterior, the renovation of the property will add fi re sprinklers to the apartments, improve access to the buildings, add parking spaces, and improve marketability and energy effi ciency.

Refi nancing and renovation of the property is being done by the Denver Offi ce of Housing and Urban Development, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, Rockport Mortgage Corporation, Red Mortgage Capital, LLC, Midwest Housing Equity Group, Colorado Federal Savings Bank, Citi Community Capital, Daniel G. Morgan & Associates, Aff ordable Housing Consultants, Jeff erson County Housing Authority, and United Presbyterian Association and Highland South, Inc. Design services are being provided by Lantz-Boggio Architects, and general contracting services are being provided by Pinkard Construction Co.

The newly combined property will continue to meet the mission of the founding sponsoring churches, Wheat Ridge Presbyterian Church and Westminster Presbyterian Church, by providing aff ordable housing for seniors and adults with a disability.

For more information, call 303-424-9401, ext. 1.

Patrick Goff Wins Manager of the Year Award

Wheat Ridge City Manager Patrick Goff was awarded Manager of the Year by the Colorado City and County Management Association (CCCMA) at its Winter Conference last month.

The Manager of the Year award honors a member of the statewide association of local government managers and assistants that has made an outstanding contribution to local government in the past year. Goff was nominated by the City’s Executive Management Team for his leadership in 2014.

“Last year was a landmark one for the City and Patrick was a driving force in many key initiatives,” said Wheat Ridge Mayor Joyce Jay. “He not only helped promote economic growth and development, but fostered partnerships and leveraged funding to make Wheat Ridge a better community.”

In 2014, developers broke ground on three new residential communities, a new retail center housing the City’s fi rst Sprouts

Farmer’s Market began construction and Wheat Ridge was ranked as one of the best places in the nation to retire.

Goff joined the City of Wheat Ridge in 2002 as Administrative Services Director then Deputy City Manager before being promoted to City Manager in 2010.

TABOR – Refunds This Year or Not?

Are we getting TABOR refunds this year? Join the League of Women Voters of Jeff erson County for answers and explanations at its next public meeting, Tuesday, March 24, 1-2:30 p.m., at the Belmar Library, 555 S. Allison Way, Lakewood.

Carol Hedges, Executive Director of the nonprofi t Colorado Fiscal Institute, will present the update on Colorado’s Taxpayers Bill of Rights amendment – better known as TABOR. Hedges, a recognized expert on the law’s eff ects, will also discuss the options of refunding tax money to taxpayers or using the money for education and other state obligations. Handouts and time for questions will be available at the free talk.

For more information call 303-238-0032 or visit www.lwvjeff co.org.

Free Spring Break Kite Workshop for Grandkids, March 26

Grandkids and their grandparents are invited to make their own kite in “Let’s Go Fly (and Make) a Kite,” Thursday, March 26, 1-3 p.m., at Ye Olde Firehouse, 3232 N. Depew St.

Wheat Ridge Kite Flite Festival sponsors the free kite-building workshop, in which kids can create kites to fl y at the upcoming Festival, set for April 25 in Panorama Park.

The “Grandparents Must be Supervised” event is presented by Wheat Ridge Senior Connections.

For more information or to RSVP, call Alison Joucovsky at 720-248-4591.

Community Forum,March 25th to Discuss 38th and Wadsworth

Keep Wheat Ridge Local is hosting a Community Forum Wednesday evening, March 25th at 6:30 PM at the Wheat Ridge Grange, 3850 High Court. The proposed plan for a Walmart Grocery at 38th and Wadsworth will be the topic of discussion as well as tax incremental fi nancing (TIF) to support the project. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The developer is requesting $7.8 million in TIF to fund this project. Currently the City generates $121,000 per year in tax revenue from the property. This is the base revenue. The TIF would come from any additional property and sales tax revenue generated over and above the base.

Keep WR Local is a group of concerned citizens who aim to maintain our hometown

Submit items to the “What’s Happening” section at [email protected]

TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

agricultural roots as well as attract new, younger residents interested in all that Wheat Ridge has to off er. Your participation and input at this meeting is encouraged.

Easter Egg Hunt at Panorama Park, March 28

Kids from 2 to 9 are invited to hunt for Easter eggs with the Easter Bunny Saturday morning, March 28, at Panorama Park, West 35th Avenue and Fenton Street. Children should arrive by 9:45 a.m. for the 10 a.m. hunt.

The City of Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation and the Wheat Ridge/Arvada Kiwanis hosts the free event. Children need to bring their own baskets.

For more information, call Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation at 303-231-1300. In case of inclement weather on the day of the hunt, call 303-231-1300 for reschedule information.

Gear Up for Kite Flite Festival, April 25

Mark your calendar for the second annual Kite Flite Festival, April 25, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. in Anderson Park, 4355 Field St., Wheat Ridge. This year the Festival will be joined by the Wheat Ridge Police Department and their fi fth annual Child Safety Fair, incorporating several new events and activities while keeping popular favorites from last year.

The Festival will feature a crafting

competition, lots of giveaway kites and planned crafts for over 200 kids. The WRPD will provide free information on child safety and installation of car seats to families of Wheat Ridge, specifi cally in the Hispanic community.

For more information visit www.kite-fl itefestival.com.

This Spring, Don’t Fall Down

The Wheat Ridge Fire Department will be holding free falls education classes to share personal and home safety tips aimed at keeping you from becoming one of three adults over 65 who will fall this year. They will be held:

• March 27, 1-2 p.m., at Highlands South Apartments, 6360 W. 38th Ave.

• March 30, 1-2 p.m., at Town Center Apartments, 4340 Vance St.

• March 31, 1-2 p.m., at Ye Olde Firehouse 3232 N. Depew St.

• April 2, 1:30-2:30 p.m., at Edgewater Plaza 2250 Eaton St.

Eighty percent of calls to the fi re department are non-fi re related, and of that 50 percent are related to falls, according to WRFD.

Wheat Ridge and Edgewater residents can call 720-248-4591 to arrange for a free phone or in-home fall safety screening. Free necessary home safety modifi cations may also be available.

For more information, visit Wheat-RidgeSeniors.org or call 720-248-4591.

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several years. An estimated loss of 69,000 pilots and 100,000 mechanics will be needed to replace the number of retirees, said Daniels.

Presently Shades of Blue has 1,000 registered student members, but assists thousands. They have chapters in eight states, with plans to make their program national. They offer classes and presentations for K-12 students all along the Front Range. They have established programs in Littleton and Aurora schools.

A goal for Shades of Blue is to help 250,000 students by 2017.

For those interested in volunteering or donating to Shades of Blue go to www.ourshadesofblue.org. Those interested making a donation to WRCF go to Wheat-RidgeFoundation.org or in volunteering contact Arthur Bushell at 303-810-3087.

Shades of Blue

WRHS STEM

Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1

MEDICALLY SPEAKINGThe Power of Plant-Based

Eating By Cherie Chao, RDN

Spring is a time of growth, renewal and rejuvenation. What better time to reap

the benefits of a healthier way of eating and feel that youthful vigor! You've probably heard the term “plant-based eating,” but what exactly is it?

Plant-based eating refers to eating more whole, unprocessed foods that come directly from plants. It's a shift away from the traditional Western diet that is high in meat, fat, saturated fat and sodium.

For example, vegans exclude meat, fish, eggs and dairy from their diet. They do so for a variety of reasons – ethical considerations, or the environmental impact associated with animal consumption.

There are also health benefits, such as a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, cancer, diabetes and obesity. This is due to the diet being cholesterol-free, lower in saturated fat, trans-fat, sodium and calories, while being higher in fiber and plant phytochemicals like antioxidants.

Impossible, you say? It's easier than you think to eat a plant-based whole foods diet, consisting of:

• Legumes – beans, peas, lentils, peanuts. Also baked beans, refried beans, soy milk, edamame, tofu and textured vegetable proteins. They're a powerhouse of nutrients providing protein, fiber, iron, calcium, zinc and B vitamins. Eat two or more servings a day – 8 oz. soy milk, 4 oz. tofu, half a cup cooked beans, a quarter cup of nuts, or two tablespoons of peanut butter.

• Whole Grains –100 percent whole grain breads, pasta, tortillas, cereals, barley,

quinoa and brown rice. These hearty grains are super sources of fiber, B vitamins, protein, zinc and complex carbohydrates. Eat five or more servings per day – one slice of bread, one cup dry cereal or a half cup cooked cereal, a half cup rice or pasta, 6-inch whole wheat tortilla, or a half cup cooked barley or quinoa.

• Fruit – any kind, any color! Try to include a serving of fruit high in vitamin C each day, like strawberries, citrus fruits

or melons. Whole fruits are packed with fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. Eat three or more servings/day – one medium piece of fruit, a half cup cooked fruit, or a quarter cup dried fruit.

• Vegetables – any kind, any color! These are also loaded with nutrients including vitamin A and C, beta-carotene, folic acid, iron, calcium and fiber. Get your vegetables in a

variety of colors, especially dark green and orange/red to ensure you get those important nutrients. Eat four or more servings – one cup of raw veggies, or a half cup cooked veggies.

How do you make this shift?• Start slow. Any movement toward a

plant-based diet will provide health benefits• Change your mindset• Make it simple and delicious• Begin with breakfast• Get a good cookbook or borrow from

the library• Check out websites and blogs online• Get inspiration from ethnic restaurants• Think positive! The possibilities are

endless!Cherie Chao is the Cardiac Rehab and

Outpatient Dietitian for Bridges Health and Wellness at Lutheran Medical Center.

The vehicle consists of a custom-made carbon-fiber body, made by hand from molds. It will weigh somewhere between to 20 to 40 pounds when assembled. It will have three wheels, two in front and one in back. The motor is the same type used in radio-controlled airplanes. The motor is powered by hydrogen combustion, with water as the resulting exhaust.

“It’s been a journey, and a lot more work than he thought it would be,” said Andrew, the secondary driver in Detroit. .

The team isn’t sure how many hours have gone into the entire process to build the car, but estimate it to be in the thousands, with class time during the week and continued work on weekends.

Total cost for the car and travel is $12,500. The team is asking for monetary assistance and support from individuals and groups in the community.

Two of the sponsors include the city of Wheat Ridge and the Wheat Ridge Community Foundation.

“This is a community car,” said Sprague.For more information or to provide fi-

nancial support, visit https://sites.google.com/a/jeffcoschools.us/wrhs-stem/home; or call the main office at WRHS at 303-982-7695.

Cherie Chao, RDN

7700 West 44th Avenue 303.728.9497www.modmood.com

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Documents

Neighborhood Gazette - March 2015