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December 13, 2012 75 centsA Colorado Community Media Publication

Elbert County, Colorado • Volume 117, Issue 46

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Tree lighting signals holiday arrivalParade, shopping make for full dayBy Deborah Grigsbydgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Elbert County, as Elizabeth Mayor Clay Hurst threw the switch lighting the town’s 30-foot tree in the police station parking lot.

Close to 300 people gathered around a bejeweled Colorado blue spruce on Dec. 1, following a brief holiday parade down Main Street, for the annual tree-lighting ceremo-ny.

Bursting with more Girl Scouts than floats, the parade swelled in size as it col-lected onlookers along the way.

“We had a great turnout this year,” said Hurst. “It’s been our goal to have communi-ty activities like this to build a sense of iden-tity, and annual events like the tree-lighting ceremony help us do that.”

Sponsored by the Elizabeth Downtown Advisory Committee and the Elizabeth Tree Board, the lighting ceremony preceded First Friday Night Live, the monthly extend-ed shopping event hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.

Susette Frausto, Tree Board chairwom-an, who had the task along with her hus-band of stringing the lights on the three-story tree, said the job took several hours with an extended pole to prepare the tree for the evening’s event.

“But this year’s tree is very special,” she said. “This tree was the first to be donated by the Tree Board back in 1999, so it’s very

special for us, since this is the first year the board has sponsored the tree-lighting event.”

Uniformed Girl Scouts and the Western Plains Fife and Drum Corps helped make the evening merry with sugar cookies, hot chocolate and traditional Christmas tunes.

Local merchants kept things bright, with an endless sea of miniature lights, face painting, discounted merchandise and mu-sic.

Santa and Mrs. Claus lingered, posing with local children for formal portraits.

While chilly temperatures made for cold fingers and noses, warm hearts caroled their their way back down Main Street, dis-appearing into the night.

Hurst added, “Really, anytime we can get people downtown, for a community event, is good; you can’t enough of them.”

Elizabeth Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Beverly Durant rings in the holiday season as she rounds up locals to participate in the town’s annual tree-lighting ceremony, which was held on Dec. 1. Photo by Deborah Grigsby

Woman hears, thanks to helpGroup home, audiologist garner funds for devicesBy Deborah Grigsbydgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com

A 68-year-old Elbert County woman was given the gift of hearing, thanks to the te-nacity of an assisted living administrator and a Parker audiologist.

Juanita Hosmer, a resident at A Country Home in Parker, has had hearing problems since she was about 19.

Most likely hereditary, Hosmer’s troubles came to light shortly after she moved to the rural group home from New Mexico.

“I noticed Juanita was frustrated and often secluded herself in her room, away from the other residents,” said Linda Mel-bardis, owner and administrator. “And it was because she couldn’t hear people talk or even the television.”

Determined to find a solution, Melbar-dis contacted a caseworker on Hosmer’s behalf.

“The sad thing is, the caseworker told me that most agencies were more likely to fund younger people for hearing aids than the elderly,” Melbardis said. “But I was de-termined to make it happen.”

Having no real income of her own, Hos-mer would need significant financial help to purchase the $2,600 hearing aids she needed so badly.

A by-chance visit to a local ear, nose and throat specialist put Hosmer and Melbardis in contact with Parker audiologist Sarah Bretz.

Melbardis had already spent countless hours advocating for Hosmer’s case, writ-ing letters, making phone calls and human-izing Hosmer in ways that helped her case stand out among others, often to no avail.

Bretz referred them to Friends of Man and the A.V. Hunter Trust, two of the three charitable organizations that eventually funded a significant portion of Hosmer’s new digital behind-the-ear hearing aids.

Elbert County resident Juanita Hosmer has a special reason to smile this holiday season. She recently received new digital hearing aids. Photo by Deborah Grigsby

Four-legged lawman gets a tune-upSurgery aims to divert trouble for Elbert K-9By Deborah Grigsbydgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com

A four-legged deputy is recovering from surgery and anxious to get his nose back on duty.

Elbert County Sheriff’s Deputy “Radar,” an 8-month-old bloodhound, recently un-derwent gastropexy surgery to prevent a condition called torsion bloat, sometimes called twisted stomach.

“This was simply preventative surgery,” said Elbert County Sheriff Shayne Heap. “It’s just a condition that is inherent with Radar’s breed, particularly when they get older, so we thought we’d take care of it be-fore anything happens.”

Oh, and while Radar was under seda-

tion, he was also neutered.Most often performed on large breed

dogs, canine gastropexy is a surgical pro-cedure that prevents the animal’s stomach from flipping over, cutting off circulation to both the stomach and spleen.

Radar’s stomach was surgically tacked to the side of his abdominal wall so as he grows, it won’t twist or shift.

The neutering part, while not so life-threatening, was necessary for Radar, who will serve the county as its future tracking and decomposition dog.

“It’s important the dog’s not distract-ed by other things while on the job,” said Heap. “These dogs have such a keen sense of smell, Radar could probably pick up the scent of a female dog a mile away, and we don’t need that when he’s tracking.”

Radar currently works with his handler, Deputy Frank Hurst, and is being trained to replace K9 Deputy “Red,” an 8-year-old bloodhound who retires next year.

According to the sheriff’s office, Dr. David Swieckowski, a veterinarian at the Franktown Animal Clinic, started a charity to help cover Radar’s $1,900 bill.

Swieckowski collaborated with Dr. Chad Devitt at Englewood-based Veterinary Referral Center of Colorado, and the two worked an agreement to perform Radar’s surgery free of charge.

“We can’t adequately express our grati-tude to Dr. Swieckowski and Dr. Devitt

Radar, an 8-month-old bloodhound with the Elbert County Sheri�’s O�ce, is recovering from surgery. Radar is in training to become a K-9 deputy and will one day replace Red, when the older dog retires. Courtesy photo

Hound continues on Page 10

Help continues on Page 7

2 Elbert County News December 13, 20122-COLOR

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Some crimes do harm to us allKimber Schneider, 42, mother of two,

can close her eyes and still see his face, the brown hair, the jean jacket.

Gene Martin. Last seen in August 1984 while delivering newspapers in Des Moines. Five days shy of his 14th birthday, he disappeared, never to be found. He rode the same school bus as Schneider, then in middle school.

“It has shaped how far I let my kids go out of my bubble,” she said. “And I didn’t think it would.”

But how could it not.One moment, a child is here, walking

to school, playing in the park, carefree, be-liever of good. The next instant: Vanished. Innocence lost. Trust — in the world — bro-ken.

For the family and friends left behind, the horror never ends. And in today’s world, it implants terror in the hearts and minds of parents everywhere.

As parents, where do we draw the line between fear and faith, protectiveness and independence? Where do we go when a child, like little Jessica Ridgeway, is ab-ducted on her way to school, then killed in a most terrible way?

We do what parents have always done. We grieve, because we can almost imagine what that loss would feel like. We worry, be-cause what if it happened to our child? We reassess parenting methods and teach vigi-lance better than before. And, we try to re-mind ourselves that good is more abundant than evil.

Fear cannot win.The black-and-white clarity of statistical

data also helps balance the tilting anxiety between possibility and probability.

Consider that the probability of a child being abducted by a stranger is about one in 650,000, slightly less than the odds of dying

by fireworks discharge, said Dr. Kim Gor-gens, a clinical psychologist at the Universi-ty of Denver who teaches the psychology of criminal behavior. The numbers come from federal justice and health studies.

“Statistically speaking, kids are fairly safe, all things considered,” said Gorgens, who has an 11-year-old son. “The differ-ence is the availability of media and infor-mation overload about safety risks.”

Google news alerts on the Internet. Ra-dio. TV. Text-message updates on phones. Facebook posts. The constant stream of news is inescapable when something bad happens today. The immediacy, in cases such as Jessica’s, overwhelmingly creates a sense that evil lurks in the corners and, even, wide-open spaces of communities we suddenly no longer consider safe.

Bad things have always happened.My neighbor remembers the sexual as-

sault of a classmate during his high school years in California more than 20 years ago. Schneider talks of another child kidnap-ping that happened in her husband’s home state of Minnesota in the 1980s.

But instantaneous cross-country knowl-edge didn’t exist then to cast its fearful net over us.

My mother, who is 79, remembers only one child abduction incident being talked about during her youth — of famous avia-

tor Charles Lindbergh’s baby in 1932, which actually occurred the year before she was born.

“Bad things happened,” she said. “Be-fore, we didn’t know of them.”

She does, however, add a caveat: The world today is a less friendly place, a more suspicious one in which scarier incidents occur more frequently than the world in which she grew up, or the world in which she raised her three kids.

Back then, the culture was different, less brutal violence in movies and video games. Boundaries were narrower and more re-spected; people paid attention to each oth-er more, relied on each other more.

My mother could call the telephone op-erator to find out where I had wandered as I played with friends. “She’s over at the Lo-pez’s house,” the operator would tell her. The grapevine constantly chattered and watched.

Now we have Neighborhood Watches, which are highly successful crime preven-tion programs, according to Gorgens. They require an investment by neighbors to look out for one another, to care beyond their fences, to believe that what happens to someone else is their business, too.

If we operated in such a fashion all the time, could we keep our children safer?

A positive outcome, if it can be called that, of Jessica’s tragedy was a re-examina-tion of family safety policies.

“It’s like a call to arms for parents,” Gor-gens said. “Every parent evaluates their own procedures.”

The collateral damage, as Gorgens de-scribed it — a bruised perception of safety, the traumatic anguish — was more difficult to manage.

For many, a new reality exists.Kimber Schneider still sees Gene Mar-

tin’s face. When her kids complain they can’t walk somewhere alone, she is unyield-ing: “You have to be with someone. There are bad people in the world who do bad things and that’s why mommy is really care-ful about where you are. … People will take you. People take kids all the time and don’t think that just because you live where you live that it’s not going to happen, because it can happen anywhere.”

They take her warning in stride, she said. Just a matter-of-fact part of life.

Like our parents before us, we tell our children not to talk to strangers. We teach them how to cross a street. But we have added to the precautionary list: Always walk with a buddy, even to a restaurant bathroom. Call as soon as you get to your destination, even if it’s just around the cor-ner. Park in well-lit areas, even if the area is crowded. Learn self-defense, even if you think you’ll never need it.

We do our best to prepare them to know how to be safe. Because, as my mother said, one day, “like all good parents, you have to let go.”

Gorgens offers this to think about: “When you have a quiet moment and your fear starts to unravel you, consider what’s the likelihood I’m going to face that prob-lem? Have I done everything possible to protect myself?”

That’s all, really, that we can do.That, and continue to believe in good-

ness — and make it our business to look out for one another.

Especially the children.

Ann Macari Healey’s column about peo-ple, places and issues of everyday life ap-pears every other week. She can be reached at ahealey@ourcoloradonews.com or 303-566-4110.

Analysts pick apart election results at forumFocus on social issues hurt Republicans, experts believeBy Jennifer Smithjsmith@ourcoloradonews.com

No matter the topic, the theme came back to shifting tides during the League of Women Voters election dissection on Nov. 29.

“It’s hard to ignore the shifts that are go-ing on … and the party that ignores them will tend to not do as well,” said Seth Mas-ket, chair of the political science depart-ment at the University of Denver.

Masket was one of three local political analysts LWV invited to Koelbel Library to

offer their takes on all things Election 2012. Joining him were Fred Brown, former Den-ver Post state Capitol bureau chief and an adjunct professor of media ethics at the University of Denver, and Clarissa Arellano, political analyst and government-affairs di-rector at the Pikes Peak Association of Real-tors.

Everyone acknowledged the Democrats did well this year, both nationally and lo-cally. In Colorado, voters gave them control of the state Capitol for just the 15th time; Republicans have claimed it 38 times.

The consensus was that Republicans have turned too far away from their fiscal-conservative roots and too much toward divisive social issues.

“Social issues can’t continue making people warm and fuzzy,” said Arellano.

Brown thinks the Tea Party movement jolted Democrats into action in both 2010

and 2012.“Hopefully Republicans will realize you

can’t go too far to the right lest you run off the road entirely,” he said.

Arellano thinks the Tea Party will con-tinue to influence dialogue on fiscal issues — the horse they rode in on — but will have to present viable candidates.

“While some portray them as a whole bunch of lunatics, the left has its fringe ele-ments too,” she said.

Masket noted that the longer a party is out of power, the more moderate its candi-dates become.

“But that doesn’t mean the Republicans need to completely go back to the drawing board,” he said.

The stats show Republican Mitt Rom-ney lost the presidential race despite the support of the majority of whites, married people, people older than 45, those living

in rural areas, those earning more than $50,000 a year and those who go to church every week. There’s been speculation that a growing minority population, particularly Latinos, and motivated young people, put Obama over the top.

“It is a mistake to think you can create a monolith out of a demographic,” cautioned Brown.

In Colorado particularly, young men turned out more than they usually do — women traditionally vote in higher num-bers. Masket noted the presence of pot on the ballot.

“There was no gender gap in Colorado this year,” he said.

To delve further into the demographics, finances and other key points of the 2012 election, visit lwvarapahoe.org and look for “2012 Election: Final Analysis Power Point Slides” at the bottom of the page.

YOUR COLORADO NEWSColorado Community

Media connects readers

to 18 local communities:

Arvada, Castle Rock,

Centennial, Elbert

County, Englewood,

Golden, Highlands

Ranch, Lakewood,

Littleton, Lone Tree,

Northglenn, Parker,

Pikes Peak, Thornton,

Tri-Lakes, Westminster

and Wheat Ridge. To

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Elbert County News 3 December 13, 20123

DeMint defection demonstrates divisionRepublican Party sees schism between purity, compromiseBy Charles BabingtonAssociated Press

An AP News AnalysisWASHINGTON — The surprise job

change by the Senate’s most prominent tea partyer will complicate Republican mod-erates’ bid to nudge their party toward the center after another stinging campaign loss.

Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina is giv-ing up his high profile in the Senate, where he annoyed establishment Republicans and delighted conservative purists. But he may play an even broader role in the nation’s political debate in his new post as president of the Heritage Foundation, Washington’s best-known conservative think tank.

“There was already going to be a vigor-ous debate over the future of the Republi-can Party,” said Dan Schnur, a former top GOP aide who now teaches political sci-ence at the University of Southern Califor-nia. “This is just going to make that debate more vigorous.”

Not softening stanceDeMint, a founder of the Senate Tea

Party Caucus, takes hard-line stands on is-sues that many mainstream Republicans say need a lighter touch from a party whose white conservative base is shrinking.

Take immigration. Republicans are los-

ing the fast-growing Hispanic vote. That’s partly because their stands on illegal immi-gration strike many people as overly harsh and dismissive of all Latinos, including U.S. citizens.

During George W. Bush’s presidency, DeMint helped lead the fight against GOP-crafted efforts to create paths to legal status for illegal immigrants.

Tax and spending policies? DeMint last week attacked Republican House Speaker John Boehner’s compromise deficit-reduc-tion bid to generate $800 billion in new tax revenues over 10 years. That’s half the amount President Barack Obama seeks.

Many Republicans see Boehner’s plan as the best possible outcome, given Obama’s re-election last month. DeMint says it would “destroy American jobs and allow politicians in Washington to spend even more.”

Frustrating to someThat’s the sort of uncompromising stand

that has made DeMint a tea party hero and one of the few senators who might be wide-ly recognized outside his home state. It also makes him a deeply frustrating figure to Washington officials who say compromise is essential in an evenly divided nation with a Democratic-led Senate and Republican-controlled House.

“There’s obviously a fight going on for the soul of the Republican Party,” said Jim Manley, a former long-time Senate Demo-cratic aide. GOP strategists, he noted, are poring over data showing that Mitt Romney lost badly among female and Hispanic vot-ers and that his stand against tax hikes on the rich did him little good.

“There’s a wing of the party that is pre-pared to leave all that aside and double down on the failed policies of the past,” Manley said. “Nobody epitomizes that more than Senator DeMint.”

DeMint may be best known for backing tea party activists for Senate seats, often infuriating the Republican establishment. His 2010 support for Marco Rubio in Flor-ida, Rand Paul in Kentucky and Mike Lee in Utah had happy results. But detractors say DeMint hurt the party by backing eventual losers such as Christine O’Donnell in Dela-ware, Ken Buck in Colorado and Sharron Angle in Nevada.

DeMint was unbowed, saying he would rather have “30 Republicans in the Senate who believe in principles of freedom than 60 who don’t believe in anything.”

Uncertainty in airThe Heritage Foundation’s choice of De-

Mint comes at a moment of uncertainty and unrest for conservative activists. Facing the looming “fiscal cliff” of big tax increas-es and spending cuts, a growing number of GOP lawmakers say they are willing to break a pledge never to vote for tax increas-es. That’s a setback for prominent anti-tax advocate Grover Norquist.

Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas, took an $8 million payout to leave the tea party group FreedomWorks after a dispute over its future direction.

Now DeMint is leaving the Senate for a much better-paying job with a founda-tion that’s highly regarded in conservative circles.

“This platform is a much bigger mega-phone than he has as the junior senator

from South Carolina,” said John Ullyot, a former Senate Republican aide. The Heri-tage Foundation was never seen as centrist, Ullyot said, “and this could signal an even farther turn to the right by Heritage.”

“That is not necessarily where many Re-publicans think the party should be going,” said Ullyot, who worked for moderate GOP senators John Warner of Virginia and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania.

Digging in heelsUnless DeMint softens his views, he’s

poised to be a powerful opponent of those trying to move the Republican Party toward the middle.

In a 2010 Wall Street Journal opinion piece, DeMint told newly elected senators with tea party ties they “must now over-come determined party insiders if this na-tion is going to be spared from fiscal disas-ter.”

“People will try to convince you to mod-erate conservative positions and break campaign promises, all in the name of win-ning the next race,” DeMint wrote. “Resist the temptation to do so.”

He added: “The word `Senator’ before your name carries plenty of clout. All sena-tors have the power to object to bad legis-lation, speak on the floor and offer amend-ments.”

Following a disappointing election in which Republicans lost the presidential race and failed to retake the Senate, DeMint is giving up that power. In exchange, he’s getting a big platform and megaphone that can help him resist efforts to move his party in a direction that many campaign strate-gists believe it needs to go.

Little lull in political ads‘Fiscal cli� ’ picks up where election le� o�By Henry C. JacksonAssociated Press

WASHINGTON — Debate over the “fis-cal cliff” has money pouring into televi-sion, print, radio and online ads, picking up where the wall-to-wall election campaign left off.

As Republicans and the White House joust over a way around big year-end tax in-creases and spending cuts, outside groups on both sides are weighing in with major ad campaigns aimed at politicians and voters alike.

The latest is Crossroads GPS, the Karl Rove-backed conservative group last seen dropping more than $80 million on ads as-sailing President Obama in his re-election campaign.

Its new $500,000 buy, announced last week, has attributes familiar to viewers ac-quainted with the political attack-ad genre. It features dreary, dread-inducing music, foreboding narration and grainy footage. All that’s changed is its aim. Instead of de-nying Obama re-election, the intent is to defeat his policy.

“So far, a huge tax increase is his solu-tion,” a narrator says, before imploring viewers to personally call the president.

If anything, Crossroads is slow to enter the fiscal cliff fray.

Groups don’t dawdleWithin days of Obama’s Nov. 6 victory

over Republican Mitt Romney, outside groups were keying up ad campaigns de-signed to shape the fiscal debate. The range of participants — from business interests opposing higher tax rates on the wealthy to unions that want to raise them and ad-vocates for the elderly opposed to cutting benefits — reflects the messy tangle of is-sues that Congress and the White House are dealing with.

In general, the ads are less sharp-edged than the most caustic 2012 election spots. In many cases, the intent is to bring pres-sure to bear on the whole of Congress, not just a particular member or group of mem-bers. But combined, the ads reflect the high

stakes involved and intense competition to shape the outcome.

AARP, the 37-million-member group that lobbies for the elderly, is running ads nationally that home in on two key aspects of the debate: potential changes to Medi-care and Social Security. They lambaste Washington politicians as a whole for even talking about Medicare and Social Security changes “behind closed doors.”

In one of the TV ads, a narrator speaks as images of seniors hugging grandchildren, mulling drug choices at a pharmacy and looking forlornly at the camera flash across the screen.

“We’ll all pay the price” if hasty cuts are included in a year-end deal, the narrator says.

Unions band togetherLabor unions that traditionally support

Democrats are producing more explicitly political advertising. Three of them — The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the Service Employ-ees International Union and the National Education Association — joined to buy TV and radio ads targeting specific lawmakers in both parties in Colorado, Missouri, Vir-ginia, Alaska and Pennsylvania. The ads ask voters to call their senators and congress-man and push for a deal that protects the “middle class.”

“We shouldn’t raise taxes on the middle class,” the narrator says in one radio ad. “But if Congress fails to act soon, that’s ex-actly what will happen.”

Other ads hammer home the stakes of the debate, something all of the groups that have invested money in “cliff” ads seem to agree on.

An online ad from The Business Round-table features a gloomy narrator making that case that Congress will be to blame for an economic slowdown and sharply higher taxes if no deal is made. It includes foggy images of two key players in the debate, Re-publican House Speaker John Boehner and Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

“If Congress does not act, growth will stall, jobs will be lost and our nation’s credit will be harmed. If Congress does not act, America’s entire economy will be put at risk,” the narrator says over images of Reid, Boehner and the Capitol dome.

4 Elbert County News December 13, 20124

As the Spirit of the Holiday season begins its yearly conversion of things ordinary and trivial into things festive and reflective, The South Metro Chamber encourages all to consider those who spend the whole year in the service of others in need. The following non-profit groups are but a small sampling of organizations, both large and small who are always in need of support whether it be monetary, goods, services, or simply time. Take a moment and give thought as to how you might share a bit of yourself for the benefit of others not only this time of year, but throughout the year.

Project C.U.R.E. is a humanitarian relief organization that collects medical supplies and equipment and donates it to developing countries. Since 1987, Denver-based Project C.U.R.E. has delivered donated medical supplies and equipment to the most desperately ill and impoverished people living in more than 108 countries around the world. Last fiscal year, Project C.U.R.E. delivered 83 cargo containers valued at more than $26 million worth of medical relief to developing countries. PROJECT C.U.R.E. is currently the world’s largest distributor of donated medical supplies and equipment. www.projectcure.org

TLC Meals on Wheels is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the nutritional needs of our neighbors. A healthy, hot meal is delivered by caring volunteers to our clients’ door at lunch time Monday through Friday, for only $3 per day. Often one hot meal a day can make the

difference between a senior living independently and having to be institutionalized. In addition to the nutritional value of the meals, the social interaction with the volunteers delivering the meal and assuring that the senior is well encourages independence. www.mealsonwheelslittleton.org

Inter-Faith Community Services provides basic human services and enrichment programs to low-income people using community resources. Inter-Faith fosters self-sufficiency and respects the dignity of each client. Serving the people of Centennial, Englewood, Glendale, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, Lone Tree, Sheridan and unincorporated Arapahoe County, Inter-Faith is the largest non-governmental agency helping individuals, families and seniors who are struggling in the South Metro Denver area. Their goal this year is to “adopt” 550 families and 100 seniors for the holidays. www.ifcs.org

During the year, the Denver Rescue Mission provides shelter, food, clothing, education, Christian teaching, and work discipline to meet individuals at their physical and spiritual points of need. Operating five different facilities, each with a specific mission and clientele, the Denver Rescue Mission is the oldest full-service charity serving the needy in the Rocky Mountain Area. www.denverrescuemission.org

The Centennial Rotary Club works on many community service projects throughout the year both locally, nationally and internationally. Rotary

is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 31,000 Rotary clubs located in 166 countries. www.rotary.org

Developmental Pathways is a Colorado non-profit agency created to serve persons with developmental disabilities and their families. It was established in 1964 as a community-based alternative to institutional care. Since that time, Pathways has developed a broad array of services based on the principle that full inclusion and participation in community life is attainable for every individual with a developmental disability. www.developmentalpathways.org

Goodwill Industries believes in the power of work as a means to self-sufficiency and a transformational element

in the lives of the more than 19,000 people served each year. Goodwill promotes sustainable change throughout the community and supports a growing economy through a model that provides education, training and opportunities to help the working poor, people moving from welfare to work, and disabled adults attain true self-sufficiency. www.goodwilldenver.org

Alternatives Pregnancy Center exists to care for Denver-area women and men in pregnancy-related crises and offer them a meaningful alternative to abortion. The center seeks to meet emotional, physical and spiritual needs, enabling and encouraging women every day. Alternatives provides a “Baby Shower in a Bag” to new mothers. We are in need of new baby items including: pacifiers, baby wipes, sleepers and outfits (size 0-3 months), hooded bath towels and washcloths, bottles, baby toiletries, and grocery gift cards. Alternatives’ services are free and confidential with six metro area offices and a 24-Hour Helpline at 303.295.2288. www.youhavealternatives.org

Giving is the Spirit of the Season by Terry McElhaney Calendar of Events For a complete calendar of South Metro Denver Chamber events or more information, visit our

web site at www.bestchamber.com or call 303-795-0142.

Thursday, December 13th7:30 am: Technology Advocates Group Monthly Discussion The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial11:30 am: HYPE Business Empowerment Group The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial3:30 pm: Women in Leadership Philanthropic Networking Holiday Event The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial5:30 pm: 2013 Legislative Reception The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial Friday, December 14th 7:00 am: 26th Annual Economic Forecast Breakfast - SOLD OUT. Hyatt Regency DTC, 7800 E. Tufts Ave., Denver Saturday, December 15th 11:00 am: Bellco Sloan’s Lake Branch Ribbon Cutting Celebration 1931 Sheridan Blvd., Unit G1, Edgewater, CO Monday, December 17th 7:00 pm: Save Lives & Sort Medical Supplies with Project CURE 10337 E. Geddes Ave., Centennial Tuesday, December 18th 7:30 am: HYPE Business University: How to Build a Personal Brand. The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial Wednesday, December 19th 4:30 pm: Ken Caryl Business Coalition Holiday Social. Peak Community & Wellness Center, 6612 S. Ward St., Littleton5:30 pm: Meet Kosama - You’ll Love It! Kosama Fitness, 7150 E. County Line Rd., Highlands Ranch Friday, December 20th 11:30 am: Energy & Sustainable Infrastructure Meeting: Governor Bill Ritter The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial3:00 pm: President’s Leadership Forum The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial4:00 pm: Chamber Unplugged The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial

The Denver Rescue Mission is Denver’s oldest full-service charity providing the necessities of life to those in need.

TLC Meals on Wheels delivers hot meals and companionship to home-bound individuals.

Emails shed light on shooting reactionCampus comments leave many questionsBy Nicholas RiccardiAssociated Press

DENVER — It didn’t take long for suspi-cions to surface at the University of Colo-rado-Denver that the man who just hours earlier shot up a midnight movie was a student who recently resigned from a school program.

The name of James Holmes began to circulate in news reports a few hours after the early-morning shooting July 20 at an Auro-ra movie theater that killed 12 people and wounded 58.

At 6:47 a.m., Angie Ri-bera, director of the neu-roscience program, noted that the shooter could be the 24-year-old of the same name who had just withdrawn from her department.

“Do you think we should meet with stu-dents in his class?” she asked colleagues. “If they had been close to him, this would defi-nitely be something that I think we should do. But as they were not, I do not know.”

Mysteries remainThe new insight into the school’s reac-

tion came last week with the release of thousands of emails, but they shed little light on the year that suspected theater shooter Holmes spent as a graduate student there.

The University of Colorado-Denver re-leased the material in response to public records requests from media organiza-tions, including the Associated Press. But it withheld more than 2,000 documents on Holmes, citing federal privacy laws on stu-dent medical and academic issues.

What remained revealed more about the school’s reaction to the July 20 shooting than about Holmes. Holmes had withdrawn from a competitive neuroscience graduate program in June after failing a key exam.

Denver’s KMGH-TV reported last week reported that a university psychiatrist, Dr. Lynne Fenton, reached out to campus po-lice in June partly because Holmes talked about killing “a lot of people.” It said she opted not to place him under a psychiatric hold because he was leaving the school. A university spokeswoman said she could not comment on the report.

Holmes’ attorneys have said he suffers from mental illness.

Gag order plays roleDespite the avalanche of material last

week, the school has not been able to an-swer key questions about Holmes and whether there were any signs he might do something violent. That’s because, admin-

istrators say, a gag order in the case and the federal privacy laws prohibit them from disclosing much information.

As it became clear that James Holmes was the former student, faculty at the school passed on more tidbits of informa-tion they knew about him.

While the neuroscience program is very intimate — there are only six students ad-mitted annually — Holmes had no appar-ent friends in the department, Ribera wrote in an email. She said he had “1-2 friends” elsewhere.

Another professor, responding to a friend’s inquiry a few hours later, said Holmes had a “brief romantic relationship” with a graduate student in his computa-tional bioscience program.

“She, fortunately, it turns out is in India right now,” professor Larry Hunter emailed. “She knows, and is pretty freaked out.”

Media swept inA regular theme is the school’s difficulty

in dealing with the media swarm that de-scended after the shooting. At 8:02 a.m. on July 20, the neuroscience program adminis-trator broke the news to the program’s stu-dents and urged them to avoid mentioning anything on Twitter or Facebook.

School officials wrote that they needed to protect students and staff from reporters and urged all calls to be routed through a single spokeswoman. As reporters pursued the few people connected with Holmes,

professors asked the administration to take down their university web pages so journal-ists would have no more clues. The school did so.

Four days after the attack, the campus police chief, Doug Abraham, told a press conference that school police had no infor-mation about Holmes. Then Judge William B. Sylvester implemented his gag order, and administrators said they could say no more.

Sylvester, at the request of the prosecu-tor, also barred the school from releasing documents under Colorado’s public record law, ruling it could jeopardize Holmes’ right to a fair trial. He did not lift that order until last month following objections from a con-sortium of media organizations.

Attorneys in court have presented a rough chronology of Holmes’ final two weeks in the program. He failed his oral exam in early June and withdrew from the program after making unspecified threats to a professor, court records and attorneys say. He last saw Fenton on June 11, just after filing his withdrawal paperwork.

Six weeks later, he surrendered to police in the multiplex’s parking lot after the at-tack.

Holmes is charged with multiple first-degree murder and attempted murder counts. He has not entered a plea and won’t do so until after a weeklong preliminary hearing in which prosecutors will pres-ent evidence supporting the charges. That hearing is scheduled to begin Jan. 7.

Holmes

Elbert County News 5 December 13, 20125

OFFICE: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129PHONE: 303-566-4100A legal newspaper of general circulation in Elizabeth, Colorado, the Elbert County News is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media. PERI-ODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ELIZABETH, COLORADO and additional mailing o�ces.POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129DEADLINES: Display advertising: Thurs. 11 a.m.Legal advertising: Thurs. 11 a.m.Classi�ed advertising: Mon. 12 p.m.

ELBERT COUNTY NEWS(USPS 171-100)

Political money plentiful; transparency runs shortAttorney says he’s not obligated to disclose origin of large sumsBy Jack Gillum and Stephen BraunAssociated Press

WASHINGTON — A lawyer in Tennessee who is mysteriously linked to millions of dollars in campaign contributions steered to congressional candidates doubled his in-vestments in the weeks before Election Day and quietly funneled $6.8 million more to a prominent tea party group, according to new financial statements filed with the gov-ernment.

William Rose of Knoxville previously told The Associated Press that his business was a “family secret” and he was not obligated to disclose the origin of what now amounts to more than $12 million that he routed through two companies he recently creat-ed. Rose did not immediately return phone calls from the AP at the end of last week. He previously complained that phone calls and emails from reporters were irritating.

The money went to the tea party’s most prominent “super” political committee, FreedomWorks for America, which spent it on high-profile congressional races. The $12 million accounted for most of the $20 million the group raised this year.

FreedomWorks did not respond to re-quests from the AP for an explanation, al-though CEO Matt Kibbe told Mother Jones magazine at the end of last week, “I don’t know about these (donations). It’s the first time I’ve heard.” When AP asked Freedom-Works weeks ago to explain the source of Rose’s earlier contributions, a spokesman for the group declined to discuss the money and said his group adheres to the law in dis-closing information about donors.

Murky contributionsThe contributions are a glaring example

of the murkiness surrounding who is giv-ing money to politicians in modern elec-tions, shaped by new federal rules allowing unlimited and anonymous donations. The law has allowed wealthy executives, corpo-rations and other organizations to establish shell companies and mail drops to disguise the source of the money they give to politi-cal groups and politicians. But the mysteri-ous donations linked to Rose by far eclipse any suspicious amounts paid to support the campaigns of President Obama and Re-publican Mitt Romney.

Rose made the latest $6.8 million in contributions even as the AP and Knoxville News Sentinel were jointly investigating $5.2 million in suspicious donations traced to one of the two companies during Octo-ber. That company, Specialty Group Inc., filed incorporation papers in September less than one week before it gave Freedom-Works several contributions worth between $125,000 and $1.5 million each. Specialty Group appeared to have no website de-scribing its products or services. It was reg-istered to a suburban Knoxville home.

Rose recently renamed the company Specialty Investments Group Inc. That firm and Kingston Pike Development Corp. — which Rose also registered and owns — were used to steer the latest $6.8 million in contributions to FreedomWorks. Among other amounts, FreedomWorks spent more than $1.8 million of the money on Con-nie Mack’s unsuccessful Senate campaign in Florida and a similar amount opposing Tammy Duckworth, who was elected to Congress in Illinois.

Financial statements that Freedom-Works filed with the Federal Election Com-mission did not cite any business address for Kingston Pike, but business records indicate that Rose registered the company one day after he created Specialty Group.

Law sets boundariesUnder U.S. law, corporations can give

unlimited sums of money to outside groups supporting candidates, but not if their sole purpose is to make campaign contribu-tions.

Rose said in a statement last month that he formed Specialty Group to buy, sell, de-velop and invest in a variety of real estate ventures and investments. He declined interview requests from the AP over three weeks and complained in his statement that reporters had contacted his ex-wife and business colleagues. He also disputed any characterization that his company was “shadowy.”

“The business of Specialty Group is my family secret, a secret that will be kept — as allowed by applicable law — for at least an-other 50 years,” Rose said in his statement.

FreedomWorks is among the most prom-inent organizations supporting the conser-vative tea party and was headed for years by former GOP House Majority Leader Dick Armey. Armey recently left the group in exchange for $8 million in payouts over 20 years from an outside benefactor, Richard J. Stephenson, according to a confidential agreement obtained by the AP. Stephenson is a prominent fundraiser and founder and chairman of the Cancer Treatment Centers of America.

The source of the money linked to Rose is unclear. Rose identified himself as Specialty Group’s chief executive, president and gen-eral counsel, but there was no evidence that the company or Rose could afford to give away $12 million. County register records indicate a William S. Rose Jr. listed at one of Rose’s former addresses owes $69,881 in federal back taxes, which a county official said Friday hasn’t yet been settled. Property tax records show Rose’s current home is ap-praised at $634,000.

Armey, in a previous interview with the AP, said he didn’t know Rose and wasn’t

aware of where Specialty Group’s donations may have originated.

Court OK’d super PACsThe Supreme Court cleared the roles of

super PACs in legal cases that included its landmark Citizens United ruling, which greatly expanded the limits and sources of money in politics. But even justices who supported increased giving — which the court has equated with free speech — said that citizens deserve to know who was be-hind money given to politicians.

“I think Thomas Jefferson would have said the more speech, the better,” Justice Antonin Scalia said in July. “That’s what the First Amendment is all about, so long as the people know where the speech is coming from.”

Determining who is behind the money hasn’t always been easy to determine.

One company dissolved in summer 2011 shortly after giving $1 million to a super PAC supporting Romney. It turned out to have been formed by Ed Conard, a Romney supporter who once worked with the for-mer Massachusetts governor at the private equity firm Bain Capital.

Months later, a $400,000 gift from a lim-ited liability partnership was traced to a fund connected with Boston-based Hell-man Jordan Management. The firm even-tually acknowledged that a married couple who had raised money for Romney had re-ceived the $400,000 as part of an unspeci-fied investment disbursement and instruct-ed Hellman Jordan to give it the super PAC supporting Romney.

“This is the huge issue,” said Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., who is well known in Congress for trying to expand campaign-finance disclosure laws.

“Transparency leads to more account-ability, and the voters have the right to know who is spending gobs of money to in-fluence their vote.”

Pot vote puts work policies on the bubbleLaw protects employees for legal o�-duty behaviorBy Gene Johnson and Kristen WyattAssociated Press

DENVER — Coloradans may have voted for legal marijuana, but workers may want to check with their boss first before they grab the pipe or joint dur-ing off hours.

Businesses in Washing-ton state, where the drug is legal, and Colorado, where it will be by January, are try-ing to figure out how to deal with employees who use it on their own time and then fail a drug test.

It is another uncertainty that has come with pot le-galization as many ask how the laws will affect them.

“There’s just an incred-ible amount of gray right now” about how marijuana legalization affects employ-ers, said Sandra Hagen So-lin of the Northern Colo-rado Legislative Alliance, a coalition of chambers of commerce.

Police departments are especially worried. Officers take oaths to protect all laws, state and federal. In this case, pot is still prohib-ited under federal law.

The Seattle Police De-partment is reviewing its policies on drug use by of-ficers or prospective offi-cers, spokesman Sgt. Sean Whitcomb said, adding that it’s unlikely off-duty officers will be allowed to use pot. The department might ease its requirement that appli-cants not have used mari-juana in the previous three years.

Contractors seek answerOther employers, es-

pecially those with federal contracts, are concerned what the new laws mean for them. One group of Colora-do businesses has pleaded for clarity in a letter to the White House, which hasn’t said if it would sue to block the law.

“The uncertainly cre-ated will cause havoc for our members and hamper their efforts to maintain drug-free worksites,” wrote Mark Latimer, head of the Rocky Mountain chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors.

The havoc Latimer refers to is confusion over a law passed with cigarette smok-ers in mind. Colorado’s Lawful Off-Duty Activities law says workers can’t be dismissed for legal behavior off the clock. A case pend-ing in a state appeals court could settle the question.

The case involves Bran-don Coats, a telephone op-erator for Dish Network. Paralyzed in a teenage car crash, he’s been a medical marijuana patient in Colo-rado since 2009. Coats was fired in 2010 for failing a

company drug test, though his employer never claimed he was impaired on the job.

Coats sued to get his job back, but a trial court dis-missed his claim in 2011. The judge agreed with Dish Network that medical mari-juana use isn’t a “lawful ac-tivity” covered by the law. Coats appealed, and the state Court of Appeals has agreed to hear the case but hasn’t set a date.

According to the Na-tional Conference of State Legislatures, more than half

the states have laws that protect workers who smoke cigarettes off the clock. Col-orado’s law extends to all le-gal activities, though Wash-ington state doesn’t have a similar statute.

“If you’re doing it at home and it’s not illegal and it’s not impairing your work performance, you should be protected,” said Coats’ lawyer, Michael Evans.

Some drug tests requiredSome employers are re-

quired by law to conduct drug testing, including in industries regulated by the U.S. Departments of Transportation, Energy and

Defense. In other cases, companies or agencies that receive federal grants or contracts, including univer-sities that get money from the Department of Educa-tion and police agencies that obtain grants from the Department of Justice, are required to maintain drug-free workplaces.

One of Washington state’s biggest private em-ployers, The Boeing Co., generally requires drug tests before employment, upon reasonable suspicion or af-ter accidents. The Washing-ton measure won’t change that, said company spokes-woman Cathy Rudolph.

“The safety and integrity of our operations, products and services is paramount,” she said in an email.

For companies like Boe-ing without random or regular drug testing, it’s not entirely clear how such pol-icies can be enforced.

Some lawyers are en-couraging companies to take stock of their drug poli-cies. “This is a good time for employers to revisit their policies and make sure they’re still consistent with what they want to do, and to talk with their employ-ees about what the policies are,” said Mark Berry, an employment lawyer.

Coloradans voted last month to legalize marijuana. File photo

6 Elbert County News December 13, 20126-OPINION

Elbert County resident Juanita Hosmer holds the new digital hearing aids she received through the generosity of several organizations that funded the $2,600 price tag. Photo by Deborah Grigsby

OPINIONS / YOURS AND OURS

Look local for holiday shoppingAs we reach the midway point in the

holiday shopping season, halfway between Thansgiving and Christmas, we encourage our readers to shop local as they look for those just-right gifts.

For all the hype surrounding Black Friday, it’s not the biggest shopping day of the year. It consistently ranks behind the four days that make up the two weekends preceding Christmas — in other words, the point where we are now.

During the late part of the year — with all its holidays — there is information aplenty about local businesses and prod-ucts in our newspapers. Stories throughout the year cover the local hard-working busi-

nesses that serve so many and give back in numerous ways — supporting activities at schools and community organizations — and often contribute in the immeasur-able ways that occur when local business owners and their employees live in our communities.

Of course we know online shopping edges up a few percentage points each year. But even there we encourage our

readers who enjoy online shopping to choose the websites featured by our local businesses.

The Colorado Retail Council has fore-cast a 2.9 percent increase in holiday shop-ping projections, while the National Retail Federation predicts spending around the country will rise 4.1 percent from last year. We hope the season plays out well, and the economy edges upward.

And buying local not only fuels busi-nesses, it improves the job market.

There, too, the state is gaining traction. According to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, nonfarm payroll jobs increased 8,600 from September to

October to 2,310,100 jobs. Private sector payroll jobs increased 8,500 and govern-ment increased 100.

Looking back a year, the current 7.9 un-employment rate has declined two-tenths of a percentage point from 8.1 percent in October 2011.

Colorado is faring well in statistics like these compared to many other states. So it is a good time to show your pride. As you make holiday purchases — as well as everyday or durable-goods purchases — we encourage you to take time and look for your consumer needs to be met by your neighbors. Supporting local businesses makes our communities stronger.

OUR VIEW

A Phillies ad over four strangersI was told recently to count my blessings.

“Count your blessings instead of complain-ing about things that can’t be changed for a change.” I wondered if they were talking to me. I am Mr. Sunshine.

I usually write my columns after a bowl of coffee and a few chapters of Kafka, so it’s little wonder that I have a sunny disposi-tion about things I read in the paper, like the new gun dorm at CU (there have been zero applications), and assorted kidnap-pings nationally, and the frenzy among my countrymen for electronic Christmas gifts.

I was voted “Most Likely to Succeed” by the senior class. I didn’t quite make it. I had to turn in my plaque. John S. became presi-dent of Holiday Inns of North America. I was the head coach of a coed softball team. That’s about it.

But there are blessings all over the place. I don’t have to look very far. I can start by looking at the floor. No, it’s not the carpet or hardwood flooring. It’s a heartbeat.

I was across the street the other morn-ing, when Smitty was tied up in the front yard. He was examining our rabbit.

The same rabbit is here every day. I think it is the same one. I wish there were some humane way of tagging him. Maybe he could carry a pocket watch.

I looked across the street at Smitty and thought that he looked exactly like a red mouse. He’s an expensive red mouse. Thou-sands of dollars for medical procedures and boarding and cheese cubes. Worth it.

This home is a blessing. I have never been down and out, but I have lived in apartments in sad places. I lived in an apartment across the street from the Saw-telle Veterans Home in southern California. Back then it was a gritty area, with some un-fortunate stories. There was a self-immola-tion. We don’t have many self-immolations in Highlands Ranch.

Backlighted bare trees are blessings. You know about backlighting, don’t you? It turns things into silhouettes, and makes them in-teresting even if they’re not.

Put your worst uncle in front of a setting sun and take a picture. Your worst uncle will look like Lawrence of Arabia instead of just Lawrence.

Black and white are blessings: black and white films, photographs, and old televi-sion programs. Robert Motherwell’s paint-ings. Ink (like this) on newsprint. BOOKS.

Genuine books. Library books. Bookstore books. Paperback and hardcover. Kindle? No siree.

Blessings? I went back to Michigan to visit my family right before my final semes-ter of college.

Dad and I had a heart to heart about my future and then he asked me what they could get me for graduation.

I just sat there and looked at him. Even-tually I composed myself and said, “Get me? Dad, you and mom have already given it to me.”

They put me through schools in four states. Every time we moved they made sure I would be educated.

Thanks to them I was able to write this sentence.

I know the difference between right and wrong, that’s a blessing.

Between good and evil. And between ice cream and ice milk.

I am leaving a few things out, for the sake of discretion, but read my mind and that will take care of it.

Here are some odd ones: Chinese yel-low Number Two pencils. Potatoes. Vespas. Hands. Tears. Opinions. Ideas. Maps. Ideas as maps. Silence. Properly inflated tires. One size does not fit all. Medical break-throughs.

Those sugar cubes we were given in grade school. My dentist. My accountant. They are not the same person. J. A. M.

When I am alone with Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks” in the Art Institute of Chicago I feel like everything I have seen and done and felt has made it possible for me to ap-preciate the “human aquarium” with a Phil-lies ad over four familiar strangers.

Craig Marshall Smith is an artist, educa-tor and Highlands Ranch resident. He can be reached at craigmarshallsmith@comcast.net

Don’t be shy about spreading good wordWho do you know? I mean who do you

know that you would feel really good about recommending or providing a referral for?

What if I asked it a different way? What if the question was this, who knows you and who would feel really good about giving you a referral or recommending you as a friend, or for a job, or to join a committee?

You see, networking happens all the time, whether we do it consciously, uncon-sciously, or subconsciously, we have an op-portunity to participate at many levels.

I can share with you that many years ago, when I had my first big opportunity to join a company, the difference maker between why I was hired and beat out the other few finalists was because of the letters of recommendation that were sent on my behalf. They were so strong that the hiring manager almost couldn’t believe it. But af-ter following up and speaking directly to the people who endorsed me, the hiring man-ager became convinced that I was the right candidate and offered me the position.

Facebook and LinkedIn have helped me to reconnect with so many people. Some folks that I grew up with and went to school with, others that I served with in the mili-tary, and many people that I have worked with or had an opportunity to know profes-sionally. Social media is awesome in that way, connecting us with people from our past as well as our present.

But even without the help of such en-abling technology, we still have our imme-diate circle of friends, family, co-workers and associates that help us and who we should be willing to help as much as we possibly can. Just think of all of the wrap-ping paper, Girl Scout cookies, popcorn or gift cards you have purchased from a neigh-bors child. If you are like me, you just can’t say “no.”

If we took this same concept just one or two steps further, we should be asking ourselves things like, “If I am going to buy a car I will buy it from that guy I went to high school with who is now selling cars.” Or “If my spouse and I are going to dinner, why wouldn’t I go to that restaurant that my neighbors own and maybe where my other

friend’s daughter is a server?”I am not sure about you, but I love refer-

ring people, connecting people or business-es, and making recommendations or refer-ring anyone and everyone I know to people and companies that I can trust and who I know will deliver a better than good result. Many of my friends and family members work for big corporations, and I am grateful for the work that they do and all the people that they serve. But I must share with you that my heart goes out to the entrepreneur or small business owner and their staff.

One day, and maybe one day soon, you will find yourself in a position to recom-mend someone, refer people to a business, or network with folks where you can help connect the dots between two people or businesses.

And you may just even find that when you are the consumer, when you do every-thing you possibly can to shop where your friends and neighbors are trying so hard to build their business, that you will not only be helping them, but you will truly be en-riching your own life as well.

I am not sure about you, but I am going to go the extra mile in seeking out my con-nections and see if I can make a purchase, give them a recommendation, provide a re-ferral, or help them network. And I would love to hear all about your thoughts at go-tonorton@gmail.com because when we all do lock arms and help one another, it really will be a better than good week.

Michael Norton, a resident of Highlands Ranch, is the former president of the Zig Zi-glar organization and CEO and founder of www.candogo.com

Elbert County News Colorado Community Media

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number of regular columnists, found on these pages and elsewhere in the paper, depending on the typical subject the columnist covers. Their opinions are not necessarily those of the Elbert County News.

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WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER

Conservation fund is vitalLike most Coloradans, I’m grateful the

election is over and the ads have stopped running — but then I realized Congress has lots of work to do this December, including cutting a budget deal.

As Congress considers how best to meet our nation’s many needs, I urge inclusion of full, permanent and dedicated funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Nearly 50 years ago, Congress created the LWCF to aid the protection of land and wa-ter projects, using fees from private compa-nies conducting offshore oil and gas drill-ing.

Yet nearly every year, Congress has si-phoned money from the fund for unrelated expenditures.

We know that many difficult choices must be made regarding the budget. As we measure those choices based on their chances for success and their effect on

communities and the economy, I’d make the case that the Land and Water Conser-vation Fund should be at the top of the list and continues to be one of the most bipar-tisan, widely supported conservation pro-grams that provides common-sense solu-tions for landowners, recreation users and local communities to provide this country with the critical recreation infrastructure necessary for strong economic growth.

That’s why I’m asking Congressman Coffman to support full and dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conser-vation Fund (LWCF) before the end of the 112th Congress. Senators Udall and Bennet support dedicated funding, and continue to be leaders for the Land and Water Con-servation Fund and I thank them.

Now more than ever, Congress needs lis-ten to constituents.

Scott NelsonLone Tree

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Elbert County News 7 December 13, 20127-COLOR

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“These are just two of several agencies we have on a standard list of resources we give to patients,” she explained.

Bretz said she sees a lot of cases like Hos-mer’s, but has never seen anyone with such a passion to help like she saw in Melbardis.

However she confessed she had doubts the entire cost would be funded.

“But when she told me Friends of Man had already provided $1,300, I knew she’d have no problem,” she said.

The A.V. Hunter Trust provided $800 and Lions Clubs from both Parker and Centen-nial also helped, picking up the remaining $500 of Hosmer’s bill.

The fi rst sound Hosmer said she could hear was the faint whir of the water cooler outside Bretz’s offi ce.

On the way home, she marvels at the sound of the road, the tires and the gravel.

She also enjoys being able to hear birds.“It was a miracle,” said Hosmer of the

moment. “To me, this is a godsend and these ladies are angels.”

Help: ‘This is a godsend’ Help continues from Page 1

Elbert County resident Juanita Hosmer holds the new digital hearing aids she received through the generosity of several organizations that funded the $2,600 price tag. Photo by Deborah Grigsby

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Don’t be shy about spreading good word

friend’s daughter is a server?”I am not sure about you, but I love refer-

ring people, connecting people or business-es, and making recommendations or refer-ring anyone and everyone I know to people and companies that I can trust and who I know will deliver a better than good result. Many of my friends and family members work for big corporations, and I am grateful for the work that they do and all the people that they serve. But I must share with you that my heart goes out to the entrepreneur or small business owner and their staff.

One day, and maybe one day soon, you will fi nd yourself in a position to recom-mend someone, refer people to a business, or network with folks where you can help connect the dots between two people or businesses.

And you may just even fi nd that when you are the consumer, when you do every-thing you possibly can to shop where your friends and neighbors are trying so hard to build their business, that you will not only be helping them, but you will truly be en-riching your own life as well.

I am not sure about you, but I am going to go the extra mile in seeking out my con-nections and see if I can make a purchase, give them a recommendation, provide a re-ferral, or help them network. And I would love to hear all about your thoughts at go-tonorton@gmail.com because when we all do lock arms and help one another, it really will be a better than good week.

Michael Norton, a resident of Highlands Ranch, is the former president of the Zig Zi-glar organization and CEO and founder of www.candogo.com

Suicide prevention videos released ‘Sensitive, dark, scary subject’ is topic of online productions By Rhonda Moore rmoore@ourcoloradonews.com

Suicide is everybody’s business. That is the message from the Douglas County Sher-iff’s Offi ce, which worked with the county to produce a series of online suicide preven-tion videos in hopes of reaching those clos-est to despair.

The most important outreach, however, begins with friends and family members who are the fi rst to see the warning signs and in the best position to intervene, said Undersheriff Tony Spurlock, who was piv-otal in the charge to launch the series.

“This is a very sensitive, dark and scary subject,” Spurlock said. “(With these vid-eos), people have the opportunity to see that and refl ect in a different venue. We can use our webpage and hand out papers all the time, but having the videos lets us share that message in a different way.”

The message is complex, according to the Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network. Barbara Becker, division direc-tor of community programs and a licensed

counselor with the network, agrees with the sheriff’s offi ce that getting the message out is pivotal to suicide prevention.

Suicide is usually not a refl ection of an isolated moment in time, but a prevailing mental health issue, Becker said. Statistics show that 90 percent of people who commit suicide have a mental health issue that can be addressed along a spectrum of interven-tion, before despair leads to a tragedy, she said.

“We really do need to stop whispering about suicide and start talking about it,” Becker said. “Suicide knows no boundaries. It crosses all socioeconomic lines, all races, all genders. It is very prevalent out there and I don’t believe the general public knows how prevalent it is. It affects us in the work-place, at school, in our families.”

According to the 2010 statistics available from the American Association of Suicidol-ogy, there are 3.7 male deaths by suicide for each female death.

The videos are available to view online at www.dcsheriff.net/yess/suicide-preven-tion.

For more information or for help in a crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention hotline at 800-273-8255 or the Metropolitan Crisis Services line at 888-885-1222.

8 Elbert County News December 13, 20128-COLOR

�Merry Christmas

atChrist Lutheran Church

Child Care at 1, 3, 5 & 7 p.m.

Come and join the joy & wonder of Christmas at one of our five Christmas Eve Services on December 24th, 2012!

��

Carols, Communion & Candlelight at all services.1:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. Children’s and Family Service

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303-791-0803 • www.clchr.org

8997 S. Broadway, Highlands Ranch½ Mile South of C-470

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atatatChristmasChristmasChristmasChristmasChristmasChristmasChristmasChristmasChristmasChristmasChristmasChristmasChristmasChristmasChristmasChristmasChristmas

Christ Lutheran ChurchChrist Lutheran Church

 

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Join  us  for  our  Christmas  Eve  Candlelight  Service  Celebrating  our  Lord  and  Savior  Jesus  Christ’s  birth    4:00PM  and  5:30PM  –  Monday  –  December  24th  

 We  invite  you  to  join  us  in  our  regular  Services  

Sunday  School  for  all  ages   -­‐        9:00AM  Coffee  and  Fellowship     -­‐     10:00AM  Praise  and  Worship     -­‐     10:30AM  Wed  Eve  Youth  Group     -­‐        7:00PM  

 E-­‐mail:  office@nbccparker.com  –  Phone:  [303]  495-­‐2949  –  Web  Site:  nbccparker.com  

Celebrate the Birth of Our Savior St. Philip-in-the-Field Episcopal Church

Christmas Eve Services: 6 p.m Family Mass 10 p.m. Solemn High Mass

397 S. Perry Park Rd.* 303-688-5444

Holiday WorshipHoliday WorshipHoliday WorshipHoliday WorshipHoliday WorshipHoliday WorshipHoliday WorshipHoliday WorshipHoliday WorshipHoliday WorshipHoliday WorshipHoliday WorshipCelebrate the Season! You are invited to join these churches for their Holiday Worship Services.

935 Evalena St. Castle Rock, CO 80108 303-660-8011

Christmas ServicesSun, Dec. 16 & 23 at 9:30 amAdult Choir featured Sun, Dec 16Children’s Choir featured Sun, Dec 23

Annual CandlelightChristmas Eve ServiceMon, Dec. 24 at 6:00 pm

Make Parker United Methodist Church

Your Home for the HolidaysDec. 23 - Final Sunday of Advent

Services at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Christmas Eve services4 p.m. Children's Service

6 and 8 p.m. Lessons and Carols8 p.m. Carols and Communion

UNITED METHODISTPARKER

www.parkerumc.org11805 S. PINE DR. PARKER, CO 80134

303-841-3979 UNITED METHODISTPARKER

www.parkerumc.org11805 S. PINE DR. PARKER, CO 80134

303-841-3979

Resolve to build your relationship with God in the New Year! Join us in January for discussions on age-old questions of faith.

Merry Christmas

Embattled Gessler puts light on othersLawyers want to see how expenses handledBy Ivan MorenoAssociated Press

DENVER — Attorneys for Colorado Sec-retary of State Scott Gessler will scrutinize the expenses of lawmakers and other state elected officials in their defense of Gessler on an ethics complaint charging he used public money to attend political events.

Gessler’s attorney asked the state’s In-dependent Ethics Commission last week for more time to file a response to the com-plaint so they can review the records.

“We’re just trying to understand how the expense procedures are working for various state agencies and elected officials. That, we think, is important for us to understand so we can make the proper presentation in response to the complaint,” said attorney Robert Bruce, one of the lawyers represent-ing Gessler.

The ethics panel rejected the request for

an extension to Feb. 1 but gave attorneys until Dec. 21 to respond. The response was originally due Dec. 10.

Colorado Ethics Watch filed a complaint alleging that the Republican elections chief misused public funds because he was reim-bursed $1,570 to attend the Republican Na-tional Convention in Florida and a Repub-lican election law training event. Gessler could be fined up to double that amount if he is found to have violated rules.

Denver prosecutors are also investigat-ing to see if Gessler committed a crime.

Gessler’s attorneys cited the ongoing criminal investigation to argue for a post-ponement in the ethics case, saying they expected the Denver DA’s office to make a charging decision before February.

Dan Grossman, chairman of the ethics panel, told Gessler’s lawyers he was reluc-tant to delay the case because lawmakers have urged them to resolve ethics com-plaints more quickly.

Lawmakers were expected to decide this week whether to move forward with an au-dit of Gessler’s expenses.

Elbert County News 9 December 13, 20129-COLOR

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The Glory of His MajestyChristmas dinner and

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Christmas Eve Services Dec. 24

4:00 pm | 6:00 pm 8:00 pm |11:00 pm

Christmas Day ServiceDec. 25 @ 10:00 am

JoyLUTHERAN CHURCH, ELCA

7051 East Parker Hills Ct. • Parker, CO303-841-3739 • www.joylutheran-parker.org

Rejoice, Rejoice!CHRISTMAS EVE

4 pm Family Service7 & 9 pm Candlelight Service

& Holy Communion Nursery available at the 4 and 7 pm services

Join us for our Christmas Cantata Sunday, December 16th • 8 & 10:30 am service

Come celebrate with us this season

CELEBRATE ADVENT IN WORSHIP WITH PEPC

Sunday Services at 8:45 and 10:30am

Parker Evangelical Presbyterian Church9030 Miller Road; Parker, CO 80138

303-841-2125 • www.pepc.org

December 16: Conspire to Give Gratefully

December 23: Conspire to Love the World

December 24: �e Christmas Conspiracy(5:00pm, 7:00pm, 8:30pm - Candlelight Services)

12/24 -- Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Times:

4:00, 6:00, and 8:00 p.m.

12/25 -- Christmas Day Worship: 10:00 a.m.

TRINITYLUTHERAN

CHURCH4740 N Hwy 83Franktown, CO(303) 841-4660

Christmas Begins with

Christ!

Begin theNew Year with Hope!

Holiday WorshipHoliday WorshipHoliday WorshipHoliday WorshipHoliday WorshipHoliday WorshipHoliday WorshipHoliday WorshipHoliday WorshipHoliday WorshipHoliday WorshipHoliday WorshipCelebrate the Season! You are invited to join these churches for their Holiday Worship Services.

State gets millions in education grants Federal money will support early learning By Ivan Moreno Associated Press

DENVER — Colorado is receiving nearly $30 million in federal money over four years to accelerate the state’s early learning programs, an award that makes it “a good day for Colorado kids,” Gov. John Hickenlooper said last week.

The grant funding announced is part of “Race to the Top” money aimed at early childhood education programs. Colorado and four other states are getting the funding be-cause they were fi nalists in last year’s competition.

“Colorado is committed to helping ensure every child is ready for kindergarten and reading by the third grade,” Hickenlooper said. Illinois, New Mexico, Oregon and Wis-consin are also receiving funds.

Late last year, nine states won a collective $500 million for early learning programs. Thirty-fi ve states along with the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico had applied. The contest is administered by the Education and Health and Human Services departments.

The funding means Colorado will be able to increase the quality of early childhood education programs and hire better trained professionals, said Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia.

Garcia said one the of priorities for the state is to in-crease kindergarten readiness, and that to accomplish that there needs to be a focus on children from low-income families, English-language learners, and children living on

American Indian lands.“Those children need adults who are caring and who

can provide the kind of learning and development oppor-tunities for them that they need to be successful,” Garcia said.

The money is the latest education-related funding Colo-rado received last week.

Early last week, Colorado and four others states an-nounced they’ll be participating in a pilot program to ex-pand the school day. Four districts — Denver, Boulder, and

Adams and Jefferson counties — will add at least 300 hours of learning time to the calendar in some schools starting in 2013. Federal, state and district funds will cover costs, with help from the Ford Foundation and the National Center on Time and Learning.

Denver is also among seven school districts that will split about $25 million in grants from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to work with charter schools to improve achievement, according to an announcement midway through last week.

10 Elbert County News December 13, 201210COLOR

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�e EHS Gymnastics Team would like to thank the

Elizabeth community for your generous support of our recent coat, food and necessities drive

to bene�t the Elbert County Coalition for Outreach.It was a HUGE success!!

Happy

Holidays!!

THANK

!!YOU!!

for their generosity and kindness in caring for our four-legged deputies,” said Heap.

Red, Radar and Hurst have completed several success-ful searches in Elbert County and throughout Colorado. Red and Radar are two of nine working bloodhounds in the state.

Sometimes called “a nose with a dog attached,” blood-hounds are so profi cient at scent tracking, the result of their work is admissible evidence in court.

Hound continues from Page 1

Hound: Dogs’ tracking is admissible evidence

ELIZABETH EXTRAVAGANZA

PHOTOS BY DEBORAH GRIGSBY

The season gained some sparkle Dec. 1 when Elizabeth Mayor Clay Hurst threw the switch that lit the town’s 30-foot tree. Around 300 people gathered to watch on a day that also featured a holiday parade and First Friday Night Live, when merchants host extended hours for shoppers. And the fi rst couple of the holiday season, Santa and Mrs. Claus, were on hand to pose for photos with children.

Shoppers fi ll the downtown Elizabeth area after the annual tree lighting ceremony. The event prefaced the Chamber of Commerce’s monthly First Friday event, where shops and merchants extend their shopping hours to 8 p.m.

A few onlookers linger just outside the Elizabeth Police Station after a tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 1. The 30-foot Colorado blue spruce was donated by the Elizabeth Tree Board in 1999.

Elizabeth Mayor Clay Hurst counts down to the big moment before the annual tree-lighting ceremony.

HAVE A NEWS TIP?Our team of professional reporters, photographers and editors are out in the community to bring you the news each week, but we can't do it alone. Send your news tips, your own photographs, event information, letters, commentaries ... Please share by contacting us at news@ourcoloradonews.com and we will take it from there.

South MetroLIFE Holiday concert goes for baroque Classical groupstages show with Christmas theme By Sonya Ellingboe sellingboe@ourcoloradonews.com

Englewood Arts, chaired by cellist/educator Eric Bertoluzzi, will present “Baroque Christmas,” a concert of baroque music, in-cluding a selection of traditional Christmas carols, arranged by Matthew Naughtin. The concert by the Up Close and Musical en-semble of accomplished classical musicians will be at 2 p.m. Dec. 15 in Englewood’s Hampden Hall. (Located on the second level of the Englewood Civic Center, 1000 Englewood Parkway.)

Featured soloists include Eric Bertoluzzi, cello; Frank Nowell, harpsichord; and CSO principal trumpet Justin Bartels. The en-semble will provide accompani-ment in the fi rst half of the concert and be featured in the second half.

The program will include Viv-aldi’s “Sonata No. 4 for Cello and Harpsichord,” Bach’s “French Suite No. 5 for Harpsichord” and Neruda’s “Concerto for Trumpet.”

This is part of the Chamber Music of the Masters series, which will offer fi ve additional Saturday afternoon concerts in the fi rst half of 2013. (Saturday afternoon is a time when musicians from the Colorado Symphony and other or-chestras are available.)

In addition to practicing for this concert in his offi ce at the Museum of Outdoor Arts, Ber-toluzzi has a desk and table fi lled with a variety of project plans to bring the arts to Englewood resi-dents. “It’s so important to enrich the community — there’s more to life than just the bare necessities,” he said, adding praise for coop-eration by city staff.

ourColoradonews.com

11LIFE

South MetroLIFEElbert County News 11

December 13, 2012

Holiday concert goes for baroqueClassical group stages show with Christmas themeBy Sonya Ellingboesellingboe@ourcoloradonews.com

Englewood Arts, chaired by cellist/educator Eric Bertoluzzi, will present “Baroque Christmas,” a concert of baroque music, in-cluding a selection of traditional Christmas carols, arranged by Matthew Naughtin. The concert by the Up Close and Musical en-semble of accomplished classical musicians will be at 2 p.m. Dec. 15 in Englewood’s Hampden Hall. (Located on the second level of the Englewood Civic Center, 1000 Englewood Parkway.)

Featured soloists include Eric Bertoluzzi, cello; Frank Nowell, harpsichord; and CSO principal trumpet Justin Bartels. The en-semble will provide accompani-ment in the first half of the concert and be featured in the second half.

The program will include Viv-aldi’s “Sonata No. 4 for Cello and Harpsichord,” Bach’s “French Suite No. 5 for Harpsichord” and Neruda’s “Concerto for Trumpet.”

This is part of the Chamber Music of the Masters series, which will offer five additional Saturday afternoon concerts in the first half of 2013. (Saturday afternoon is a time when musicians from the Colorado Symphony and other or-chestras are available.)

In addition to practicing for this concert in his office at the Museum of Outdoor Arts, Ber-toluzzi has a desk and table filled with a variety of project plans to bring the arts to Englewood resi-dents. “It’s so important to enrich the community — there’s more to life than just the bare necessities,” he said, adding praise for coop-eration by city staff.

He has spent 11 years with the organization’s Strings Attached program, which loans instru-ments and gives lessons at a mod-est rate, or on scholarship, for children who might not otherwise feel the joy and sense of accom-plishment that comes with mas-tering an instrument.

He was education director for the CSO for some years, with the Up Close and Musical group, then retired from that responsibility and was offered the Englewood

office, where he initially worked with late mayor Olga Wolosyn to promote arts for their city.

The program started with vio-lins for third through fifth grades in Clayton and Maddox elemen-tary schools, then expanded to Charles Hay Elementary and soon added second grade and cello. Benjamin Tompkins teaches vio-lin and David Short cello. It has now expanded into the Sheridan schools, with Desiree Cedeno-Suarez teaching violin, and added keyboard instruction in Engle-wood.

Bertoluzzi, a Colorado Sym-phony cellist since 1971, said he was given a chance to learn to play an instrument by his Pitts-burgh school system and it has led him into a rewarding career. “It offers discipline, focus, teamwork — what a child needs to become a successful member of a commu-nity.” It also inspires him to make music possible for many children.

He said he owned a cello when he joined the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, but it wasn’t suitable for a member of a major sympho-ny.

Principal Cellist Jurgen DeLemos, who “over the years has been one of the most influential persons in my life,” knew of one

in the town in Germany where he grew up and purchased it. “I’d guess it’s about 150 years old and made by a German maker, based on an Italian model,” he said.

Englewood Arts Presents has added another series of programs this fall: “Starlight Rhythms” on Friday evenings in Hampden Hall, which converts to more of a cabaret atmosphere. The idea of jazz and other contemporary concerts was suggested to Ber-

toluzzi by people who attended the chamber music events. “There are so many artists who don’t play classical music, but deserve to be heard.” They recently presented violinist Lionel Young and his Blues Trio and next will be singer/songwriter and flamenco guitar-ist Andy Hackbarth in concert on Feb. 8.

For information, see engle-woodarts.org and enjoy its newly designed website.

Cellist Eric Bertoluzzi will be one of the featured soloists in Englewood Arts’ “Baroque Christmas.” Photo by Courtney Kuhlen

Eric Bertoluzzi, cellist and educator, chairs Englewood Arts, which will present “Baroque Christmas,” at 2 p.m. Dec. 15 in Englewood’s Hampden Hall. Photo by Courtney Kuhlen

Harpsichordist Frank Nowell will perform with Up Close and Musical at Hampden Hall on Dec. 15. Courtesy photo

Lone Tree lauds birthday boy LudwigBeethoven’s 282nd will be celebrated at city’s arts centerBy Sonya Ellingboesellingboe@ourcoloradonews.com

Readers of a certain age will remem-ber Denver’s exuberant Gene Amole, who owned classical radio station KVOD.

In the ’60s and ’70s, he staged an annual cel-ebration of Ludwig von Beethoven’s birthday each Dec. 16.

The event began with a few dozen listeners ap-pearing for punch and cookies at the Ruby Hill radio station. Over the years, it grew to an over-size event at the Denver Convention Center.

Longtime radio host/music professor Betsy Schwarm, who combines history with the classical music for Lone Tree Arts Center’s chamber music series, will host “Beethoven’s Birthday Party” at 3 p.m. on Dec. 16 at the Lone Tree Arts Center.

Schwarm, who teaches in Metropolitan State University’s music department, will share stories about Beethoven, who was born 282 years ago. She says this celebra-tion is more in the spirit of Amole’s early parties.

Musicians from the Colorado Symphony will play a program of great music that in-cludes lovely waltzes. (Dancing is encour-aged.)

Refreshments will be available, includ-ing a cash bar. Tickets cost $5.

Schwarm

IF YOU GOLone Tree Arts Center is located at 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree. lonetreeartscenter.org, 720-509-1000. Tickets for Beethoven’s Birthday Party, at 3 p.m. Dec. 16, cost $5.

12 Elbert County News December 13, 201212

GR AC E PR E S B Y T E R IA N

303-798-8485

www.gracecolorado.comAlongside One Another On Life’s Journey

Sundays at9:00 & 10:45 amGrace is on the NE Corner of Santa

Fe Dr. & Highlands Ranch Pkwy.(Across from Murdochs)

You are invitedto worship with us:

CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL LIVINGAffiliated with United Church of Religious Science

Sunday Services 10 a.m.Castle Rock Recreation Center

2301 Woodlands Blvd, Castle Rockwww.OurCenterforSpiritualLiving.org 720-851-0265

Little Blessings Day Carewww.littleblessingspdo.com

Sunday Worship8:00 & 10:45 a.m.

Trinity Lutheran School & ELC(Ages 3-5, Grades K-8)

303-841-4660www.tlcas.org

Trinity Lutheran Church

& School Sunday Worship 10am2121 E. Dad Clark DriveHighlands Ranch, 80126

A Christian Reformed MinistryA Christian Reformed Ministry

Horizon Community

Church

www.horizoncommunity.org

303-791-2143

“The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.”Weekly children’s classes, devotions and study ColoradoBahais.org • 303 947 7540

The Bahá’í Faith

Abiding Word Lutheran Church

8391 S. Burnley Ct., Highlands Ranch

(Next to RTD lot @470 & University)

Worship ServicesSundays at 9:00am

303-791-3315 pastor@awlc.org

www.awlc.org

Sunday Worship8:00 am Chapel Service

9:00 & 10:30 am Sunday School 9:00 & 10:30 am

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

www.st-andrew-umc.com303-794-2683

Preschool: 303-794-05109203 S. University Blvd.

Highlands Ranch, 80126

Open and Welcoming

Sunday 8:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m.

First Presbyterian Church of Littleton

1609 W. Littleton Blvd.(303) 798-1389 • www.fpcl.org

Looking  For  a  New  Beginning  ?    

 

New Beginning Community Church 10550  S.  Progress  Way  &  Longs  Way  

Parker,  CO  80134  

 

Sunday  School  for  All  Ages        9:00AM  Coffee  and  Fellowship     10:00AM  Praise  and  Worship  Service     10:30AM  Wed  Evening  Youth  Fellowship      7:00PM  

 

Join  Us  A  Friendly  Place  to  Worship  

P.O. Box 2945—Parker CO 80134-2945www.ParkerCCRS.org

303.805.9890

ParkerCommunity Churchof Religious Science

Sunday services held in thehistoric Ruth Memorial Chapel

at the Parker Mainstreet Center...19650 E. Mainstreet, Parker 80138

New Thought...Ancient Wisdom

Visit our website fordetails of classes &

upcoming events.Sunday Service& Children’s Church10:00 a.m.

Parker evangelicalPresbyterian churchConnect – Grow – Serve – Love

New Sunday Worship Services

8:45 am & 10:30 am9030 MILLER ROADPARKER, CO 80138

3038412125www.pepc.org

www.SpiritofHopeLCMC.org

5755 Valley Hi DriveParker, CO303-941-0668

Pastor David FisherFellowship & Worship: 9:00 amSunday School: 10:45 am

SATURDAY 5:30pm

SUNDAY 8:00 & 10:3Oam

Joyful Mission Preschool 303-841-37707051 East Parker Hills Ct. • Parker, CO

303-841-3739www.joylutheran-parker.org

JoyLUTHERAN CHURCH, ELCA

E D U C A T I O N Sunday 9:15am

S E R V I C E S :

Sunday Worship: 10:45AM & 6PMBible Study: 9:30AM

Children, Young People & Adults

www.parkerbiblechurch.org

4391 E Mainstreet, Parker, Colorado 80134

Church Office – (303) 841-3836

Where people are excited about God’s Word.

Sunday Worship 10:304825 North Crowfoot Valley Rd.Castle Rock • canyonscc.org

303-663-5751

An EvangelicalPresbyterian Church

CHRISTMAS AT CANYON’SDecember 9th 6:30pm

Christmas Eve Service 6:30pm

Castle Rock Highlands Ranch

Littleton

Parker Parker

Lone Tree

Franktown

Greenwood Village

9300 E. Belleview Ave.Greenwood Village,

CO 80111303.770.9300

Sunday Worship

8:30 am |10:45 am

Adult and youth education 9:40 am

Highlands Ranch

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Divine LiturgyDecember 9, 9:30amLuncheon after servicesMore info call:Don: 720-851-5212Mark: 720-870-5210

Arapahoe Philharmonic performs ‘Holiday Pops’ By Sonya Ellingboe sellingboe@ourcoloradonews.com

Orchestra members with Arapahoe Philhar-monic and guest conductor Travis Juergens met in August and chose the program for a “Holiday Pops” concert scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at Mission Hills Church, 620 South Park Drive, Little-ton.

This is the Arapahoe Philharmonic’s 59th sea-son of local concerts.

Before the concert, the orchestra will hold a si-lent auction beginning at 6:30 p.m., according to publicist/musician Gail Sindelar, who is excited about this program — new for the orchestra.

Included:• “Hark the Herald Trumpets Sing “ (Mendels-

sohn/Chip Davis, with a brass choir).• “Die Natali” (Samuel Barber, with strings,

timpani.)• “Die Schlittenfahrt, Sleigh Ride” (Leopold

Mozart.) *”Nutcracker Suite complete” (Tchia-kovsky.)

• “Christmas Overture” (Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, arr. Baynes)

• “Stille Nacht” (arr. Chip Davis.)• Christmas Festival” (Leroy Anderson.)Juergens is music director and conductor of

the Philharmonia of Greater Kansas City and as-sistant conductor of the Boulder Philharmonic. He recently served as assistant conductor of the Lamont Symphony and Opera Theatre in Denver.

Tickets: 303-781-1892 (9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mon-days to Fridays), or online at arapahoe-phil.org, or at the door.

DAM extends Van Gogh hours

Tickets for “Becoming Van Gogh” at the Denver Art Museum are in heavy de-mand and the museum has been able to respond by staying open until 9 p.m. most nights (the entire Hamilton Build-ing will be open for visitors, although the North Building will close at 5). The exhibit assembled by curator Timothy Standring, with assistance from co-curator Louis Van Tilburgh of the Van Gogh Museum in Am-sterdam, consists of about 70 paintings and drawings by Van Gogh, plus some by artists who infl uenced his development. Timed tickets include general admission, so visitors can roam elsewhere in the mu-seum. (We especially recommend the works by El Anatsui on the fourth fl oor.) Reserve in advance to get the time slot you want. The Paint Studio is open on the fi rst fl oor for demonstrations and infor-mation on tools and techniques used by artists. Overview of show: VanGoghDen-ver.com. Tickets: VanGoghDenver.com or call 720-913-0130 ($3 service charge for phone orders). Note that DAM’s new next-door neighbor has a show called “Vincent|Clyfford,” which explores con-

nections between Van Gogh and Clyfford Still.

Rocky Mountain Christmas“John Denver Holiday Concert” with

Denver’s bandmate/friend Dan Wheet-man and Broadway star Jim Newman will play through Dec. 16 at Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11, 12, 13; 8 p.m. Dec. 14, 15; 1:30 p.m. Dec. 12, 15, 16.

Tickets: $32-$62: LoneTreeArtsCenter.

org, 720-509-1000.

‘Yes, Virginia’A Macy’s grant to bring the script and

score to “Yes, Virginia,” was given to the Charter to Excellence Charter School, 16995 E. Carlson Drive, Parker. The school’s production will be at 6 p.m. Dec. 18. The program encourages children to drop a letter to Santa in a red mailbox at their local Macy’s. Macy’s will donate $1 to the Make-a-Wish Foundation for every letter.

Memory toolsThe Highlands Ranch Historical Soci-

ety will present “Memory History: Tech-niques to Improve Your Memory” at 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at Southridge Recreation Center, 4800 McArthur Ranch Road, Highlands Ranch.

The speaker will be Al Smith, who will give everyone in attendance at least one way to improve memory. Refreshments served at 6:30. Drawings for prizes. Sug-gested donation of $1 from non-mem-bers, who are welcome to attend.

Scrooge et alFront Range Players’ production of

“A Christmas Carol” continues at 7 p.m. Dec. 14, 15 and 5 p.m. Dec. 16 at Gen-erations Church in Castle Rock, corner of Third and Perry, across from the fi re sta-tion. Directed by Sara Crandell. Tickets: $17/$14/$12/$10.

“Canal With Woman Washing,” is an 1888 Vincent Van Gogh oil on canvas. It is part of a private collection.Courtesy image from Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam

Elbert County News 13 December 13, 201213

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ONGOING

SERVICE PROJECTS. Frontier High School students plan community service projects. For the toy drive, bring a new, unwrapped toy for the holiday toy drive spon-sored by the Elizabeth Fire Department. For the food drive, bring any non-perishable food items for distribu-tion by the American Legion Post 82. Collection boxes will be located at the Frontier campus. Call the school at 303-646-1798 or email its director, Rob McMullen, at rmcmullen@esdk12.org to make a donation. Frontier High School is at 589 S. Banner St., Elizabeth.

THROUGH DEC. 15

HOLIDAY PROGRAM. Home Instead Senior Care has partnered with retailers and community organiza-tions to make sure isolated seniors receive gifts and companionship through the Be a Santa to a Senior program, running from Nov. 15 to Dec. 15. Christmas trees will go up in Walgreens stores at 355 S. Wilcox St. and 14 E. Allen St. in Castle Rock and at 3510 Evergreen Parkway in Evergreen. Holiday shoppers are asked to pick up an ornament off special Be a Santa to a Senior Christmas trees, buy items on the list and return them unwrapped to the store, along with the ornament attached. The Home Instead Senior Care offi ce will then enlist the volunteer help of its staff , senior-care business associates, nonprofi t workers and others to collect, wrap and distribute the gifts. Home Instead serves Douglas and Elbert counties, and portions of Clear Creek, Sum-mit, Jeff erson and Gilpin counties. For information, visit www.beasantatoasenior.com or call 303-688-7852.

DEC. 13

ANNUAL MEETING. The Elizabeth Area Chamber of Commerce plans its annual meeting and luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 13 at Spring Valley Golf Club. Special presentations on chamber member of the year, board of directors for 2013, and the year in review. Cost is $15 payable at the door by cash, check or credit card. Reservations are required. Call Beverly at 303-646-4287 or email at director@elizabethchamber.org.

DEC. 13, DEC. 18

MUSIC IN the Air. Elizabeth Middle School and Elizabeth High School have several upcoming musical programs. The schools’ choirs will perform a combined concert from 7-8:30 p.m. Dec. 11 in the high school cafetorium. Contact Melanie Kaumeyer, mkaumeyer@esdk12.org or 303-646-4987. The middle school will have a band concert from 7-8:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the middle school. Contact Robert Barbre, rbarbre@esdk12.org or 303-646-4986. An orchestra concert is from 7-8 p.m. Dec. 18 at the middle school. Contact Melanie Kaumeyer, mkaumeyer@esdk12.org, 303-646-4987.

DEC. 19

BLOOD DRIVE Walmart Community Blood Drive is

from 2-6 p.m. Dec. 19 inside Bonfi ls’ mobile bus located at 2100 Legacy Cir., Elizabeth. For information or to schedule an appointment, contact the Bonfi ls’ Appoint-ment Center at 303-363-2300 or visit www.bonfi ls.org.

DEC. 24

DENTAL CARE. Comfort Dental off ers free dental care from 7:30-11:30 a.m. Dec. 24. For locations, see www.ComfortDental.com.

JAN. 10

BUSINESS AFTER hours. The Elizabeth Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to a Business After Hours from 5-7 p.m. Jan. 10 at Kat Eyes Optical in the Safeway shopping Center in Elizabeth. Come meet Kathy at the only eye specialist in Elbert County. Enjoy visiting a local business and meeting other area business people. Great networking tool. Refreshments provided by the local business.

FEB. 14

FRONTIER FUNDRAISING. Frontier High School students will make reindeer and snowmen to sells at the EMS craft fair Nov. 17 and the local craft fair on Dec. 1. A spaghetti dinner, sponsored by students and staff , is planned for Feb. 14. Call the school at 303-646-1798 or email its director, Rob McMullen, at rmcmullen@esdk12.org to make a donation. Frontier High School is at 589 S. Banner St., Elizabeth.

THE OUTBACK Express is a public transit service provided through the East Central Council of Local Governments is open and available to all residents of Cheyenne, Elbert, Kit Carson and Lincoln counties and provides an economical and effi cient means of travel for the four-county region. Call Kay Campbell, Kiowa, at 719- 541-4275. You may also call the ECCOG offi ce at 1-800-825-0208 to make reservations for any of the trips. You may also visit http://outbackexpress.tripod.com.

Simla, Matheson to Limon, Dec. 27

Simla, Matheson to Colorado Springs, Dec. 17

Kiowa, Elizabeth, Elbert to Parker or Colorado Springs, Dec. 18

Elizabeth to Colorado Springs or Parker, Dec. 11

Good Samaritan Nursing Home residents, Dec. 13

DIVORCE AND Post-Decree Clinic. Elbert and Lincoln County Pro Se Divorce Clinic is off ered from 9 a.m. to noon the third Friday of each month at the Elbert Coun-ty Justice Center, 751 Ute St., in Kiowa. For information, call 303-520-6088 or email morgan@hayday.org. The clinic is free for parties who have no attorney and who are going through dissolution of marriage, legal separa-tion, or post-decree cases. All walk-ins are welcome, and will be assisted on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis.

THE ELBERT County Sheriff s Posse is a nonprofi t

volunteer organization that is part of the Elbert County Sheriff s Offi ce. As volunteers we support the Elbert County Sheriff s Offi ce, all law enforcement in our county, and the community at large. Membership is open to anyone without a criminal record. It meets the last Monday of the month at the Elbert County Sheriff s Offi ce at 7 p.m. For more information or a membership application, go to http://www.elbertcountysheriff .com/posse.html, or contact Dave Peontek at 303-646-5456.

THE ELIZABETH Food Bank, 381 S. Banner in Eliza-beth (next door to Elizabeth Presbyterian Church) needs to let the public know that we are available to help anyone who needs food. The hours are Friday 12:30-3 p.m. and Saturdays from 9-11:30 a.m. Other times by appointment.

ELIZABETH GUITAR Group. Elizabeth guitar circle will meet on the fi rst and second Wednesday of each month at the Elizabeth Library. Traditional protocol/courtesy. Country, pop, bluegrass, cowboy, Beatles, 50s, 60s, 70s, blues, jazz and more. We who play for pleasure would love to meet more of same. Acoustic or power down. Come prepared to share a few songs, perform, play along, sing along with others. Enjoy new guitar friends to jam with. Gerry Vinson hosts on the fi rst Wednesday from 6:30-9 p.m., and Laurie Smith hosts on the second Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. Uncertain? Drop by and observe. Banjo, ukelele, mandolin welcome. Call Laurie at 720-363-3531.

LAWYERS AT the Library, a free legal clinic for parties who have no attorney, will be featured from 6-9 p.m. the third Tuesday of every other month in Elizabeth. Volunteer attorneys will answer questions, help fi ll out forms and explain the process and procedure for the areas of family law, civil litigation, criminal defense, property law, probate law, collections, appeals, landlord-tenant law and civil protection orders. Walk-ins are welcome. Everyone will be helped on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis.

SATURDAY GENEALOGY Fun meets at the Elbert Public Library at 1 p.m. on the seocnd Saturday of each month. Beginning to advanced genealogy enthusiasts are invited to attend. The Elbert Public Library is in the Elbert School library at 24489 Main Street in Elbert. Call 303-648-3533 for more information.

SENIORS MEET in Elizabeth every Monday at 11 a.m. for food, fun and fellowship at Elizabeth Senior Center, 823 S. Banner St. Bring a dish for potluck on the fi rst Monday of each month. Other Mondays, bring a sack lunch. Bingo, games and socializing. New leadership. Call Agnes at 303-883-7881 or Carol at 303-646-3425 for information

EDITOR’S NOTE: Calendar submissions must be received by noon Wednesday for publication the following week. Send information to calendar@ourcoloradonews.com, attn: Elbert County News. No attachments. Listings are free and run on a space-available basis.

THINGS TO DO

Poignant musical“Next to Normal” by Tom

Kitt and Brian Yorkey will be presented Dec. 21 to Jan. 6 at The Aurora Fox Arts Cen-ter by Ignite Theatre Com-pany.

It won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize in Drama for its rich score and absorbing story about a family’s battle with the mother’s mental illness. Operatic quality. Margi Lamb plays Diana Good-man. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 26.

Tickets: $25/$18, ig-nitetheatre.com, 720-362-2697.

Bah! Humbug!“A Christmas Carol,” as

adapted by David and Julie Payne, with original mu-sic by Martha Yordy, plays through Dec. 16 at the Au-rora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora, then moves to the PACE Center Dec. 20 to 23, 20000 Pike’s Peak Ave., Parker. Charles Packard directs. Perfor-mances: Aurora: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday; 2 p.m. Sat-urday, Sunday. Parker: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20, 21, 22; 2 p.m. Dec. 22, 23. Tickets: Aurora, 303-739-1970. PACE, 303-805-6800.

Holiday spectacular“Home for the Holidays,”

created by Starkey Produc-

tions, brings a cast of about 50 performers: musicians, singers, dancers to the Mainstage of the Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Com-mons St., Lone Tree, from Dec. 18 to 23.

Performances: 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday; 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Saturday, Sun-day. lonetreeartscenter.org, 720-509-1000.

The hills are alive …“The Sound of Music” by

Rodgers and Hammerstein plays through Dec. 30 at Town Hall Arts Center, 2450 W. Main St., downtown Lit-tleton. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays and Dec 22, 29. Reserve in advance — some perfor-mances are sold out. 303-794-2787, ext. 5 or townhal-lartscenter.com.

Stories on Stage“Making Merry,” the an-

nual holiday performance, features Jamie Horton in a return visit to read “Two of a Kind” by Sean Faolin, plus readings by GerRee Hin-shaw and Erin Rollman at 1:30 and 6:30p.m. Dec. 16 at the Seawell Ballroom, Den-ver Performing Arts Com-plex and at 2 p.m. Dec. 15 at Dairy Center for the Arts in Boulder.

Tickets: $25, 303-494-0523, www.storiesonstage.org.

CURTAIN TIME

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Elbert CountySPORTS14 Elbert County NewsDecember 13, 2012

Cardinals dominate dual tournamentFreshman Nick Hawkins fabulous in varsity debutBy Scott Stockersports@ourcoloradonews.com

There are plenty of reasons why last Saturday will be memora-ble for the Elizabeth High School wrestling teams, as the Cardinals soundly whipped the field of eight teams to win their dual match invitational tournament. And it was also a day that freshman Nick Hawkins will never forget.

Elizabeth defeated Mullen 61-12 in the championship dual to win the tournament. Yet it wasn’t the highest team score of the day for the Cardinals of coach Garry Martin.

On their way to the final on their home floor they defeated Skyline 70-12, Lutheran 66-18, Co-nifer 61-12 and Ridgeview Acade-my 60-18.

Hawkins made his varsity de-but in golden fashion as he pinned all of his five opponents within the first two periods. He came away with the championship at 152-pounds when he made short work of Skyline’s Evan Baker, with a 56-second pin.

Baker was one of two Skyline wrestlers who were able to wrestle for Mullen to fill in for their two missing weight classes. The other Skyline wrestler to fill a void in the Mullen lineup was Brandon Popi-no at 182.

He too, though, met defeat, be-ing pinned by Dalton Averitt in 2:17.

To note, other wrestlers from other teams were able to fill in weight classes which teams were not able to fill.

It’s not a new procedure, but one in which the teams are able to use in their early season tourna-ments.

Hawkins was more that pleased with his effort, but hopes the injured wrestler he filled in for will soon be back in the varsity lineup.

“I’m actually happy with the way that I was able to wrestle to-day and surprised I was able to do as well as I did,” said Hawkins, who improved his overall record, counting junior varsity matches, to 11-0.

“I came in hoping to win two or three of my matches. But five? Gosh, what a day. As a team, we really put up the points and I’m not surprised that we did as well as we did overall. It’s a day for me to remember.”

No doubt, Martin is more than pleased with Hawkins’ effort, but he had high praise for all his wres-tlers.

“Winning all five of his match-es on his first day on the varsity is great,” Martin said.

“Yet this was a day in which all the boys excelled.

“Mullen is always tough and I’m surprised that we were able to do as well against them as we did,” Martin said.

“Ironically, we’re going to be seeing them again next Thursday in a dual.

Martin likes that teams were able to borrow wrestlers from other squads to fill out their lineup.

“I like the idea of being able to fill in our lineups in the tour-nament giving others a chance to wrestle and get in matches. The kids really stepped up to-day. It’s early and we still have a long way to go and we’ll probably have several lineup changes. After the Christmas break, I think we should be in pretty good shape.”

Gavril Houston, a return-ing state qualifier for Elizabeth, kept his record unblemished at 126-pounds with a 7-1 victory against Ray Young.

“It was actually surprising to me that we did so well today,” said Houston, who improved to 6-0. “We just went out individually and did what we expected to do. I think things are going to work out pretty well for us this season, but it’s still a new year. We just want to grow and live up to our potential.”

Neither Rob Leonard, at 138, and Dylan Burgett, 145, had an opponent in the championship dual against Mullen.

But they were successful in their other encounters coming away with victories.

“We’ve been working hard and I think we just did so well today,” said Burgett, who improved his season record to 6-1. “It’s hard to believe that we were able to put up the big points in all our matches - nothing below 60, that’s incredible.

Our key is to be confident and I feel that’s happening with me right now.

And, I think the guys are begin-ning to feel the same. I just want-ed to be ready when we came in and I think this performance says we certainly were ready all the way around.”

Leonard improved to 5-1 over the course of the tournament.

“Our team did well and I think it shows the improvement we have over last season,” Leonard said. “No score below 60? Wow. I don’t think any of us could be any more pleased by the way we wres-tled today. We’ve put in the prac-tice time and do a lot of drills and

it’s definitely showing early.”Mullen came through with its

only wins in the championship match as the Mustangs recorded pins at 190- and 220-pounds. The Mustangs Rhett Hanson pinned Chase Turner in 1:37 while Luis Nelson shouldered Wes Boone in 1:12.

The question for the Mustangs this week is will they be able to re-bound against Elizabeth in their Thursday dual?

Conifer placed third in the team competition beating Rid-geview Academy 36-29, Lutheran finished fifth with a 36-33 victory against Harrison and Skyview fin-ished seventh beating Skyline, 36-24.

ELIZABETH INVITATIONAL DUAL MATCH TOURNAMENT

CHAMPIONSHIPElizabeth 61, Mullen 12106 - Tyler Erzen, E, def. Vince

Hoffman, M, 9-2. 113 - Zach Pe-drick, E, pinned Andrew Atencio, M, 1:31. 120 - Josh Lee, E, def. Donald Sisneros, M, 9-2. 126 - Gavril Houston, E, def. Ray Young, M, 7-1. 132 - Hunter Moore, E, def. Kevin Reynolds, 11-8. 138 - Rob Leonard won by forfeit. 145 - Dylan Burgett, won by forfeit. 152 - Nick Hawkins, E, pinned Evan Baker, Skyline, 1:57. 160 - Josh Leonard, E, won by forfeit. 170 - Robert Wagner, E, pinned Michael Ibarra, M, :56. 182 - Dalton Averitt, E, pinned Brandon Popino, Sky-line, 2:17. 190 - Rhett Hanson, M, pinned Chase Turner, E, 1:37. 220 - Lius Nelson, M, pinned Wes Boone, E, 1:12. 285 - Dallas Reins, E, pinned Zach Rios, M, 2:12.

Third place: Conifer 36, Rid-geview Academy 29. Fifth place: Lutheran 36, Harrison 33. Seventh place: Skyview 36, Skyline 24.

Pool matches:Elizabeth 66, Lutheran 18; Eliz-

abeth 60, Ridgeview Academy 18; Elizabeth 70, Skyline 12; Elizabeth 61, Conifer 12; Mullen 48, Conifer 27; Mullen 42, Harrison 26; Mul-len 42, Ridgeview Academy 24; Mullen 54, Skyview 18; Conifer 31, Harrison 30; Conifer 36, Skyview 24; Ridgeview Academy 42, Lu-theran 24; Ridgeview Academy 34, Skyview 33 (tie breaker); Lutheran 41, Skyline 15; Lutheran 42, Sky-view 18; Harrison 36, Skyline 18; Harrison 42, Skyview 24.

Elizabeth freshman Nick Hawkins tries to roll an opponent on his back during a match at the Elizabeth Dual Tournament. Hawkins went 5-0 in his varsity debut. Photo by Kevan Sheppard

Hoops roundup: Cubs perfect earlyBy Scott Stockersports@ourcoloradonews.com

The Simla boys and girls bas-ketball teams are off to a flying start as the 2012-2013 season got underway for the Elbert County teams. The Cubs are the only one of the four schools in which nei-ther gender has lost a game, com-piling 3-0 records.

Simla opened the season host-ing it’s own tournament Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

The boys of coach David Guy defeated the Falcon junior varsity 47-32 then followed with a 53-38 victory against Genoa-Hugo. They kept their record unblem-ished by beating Kit Carson 57-40 last Saturday.

Cody Norris is off to a solid start as has scored 18 points against Genoa-Hugo, 17 against Falcon and 16 against Kit Carson. He has been the only player in double-figures in the three games for the Cubs.

Aaron Thieman is second in scoring with an early 7.7 per game average.

The Simla girls, coached by Al Snyder, have played the same three opponents beating the Fal-con JV, 73-6, Genoa-Hugo 76-74 and Kit Carson 58-41. Leading the way has been Kenzi Mitchell, who had a high game of 30 against Ge-noa-Hugo and 21 against the Fal-con JV in their tournament. Both the boys and girls teams will head into the holiday break after the Cubs host Cheyenne Wells, Dec. 14, then travel to Flagler, Dec. 20.

ELBERTThe Elbert boys and girls have

only played three games heading into this last week of competition before the holiday break.

And, each has only been able to come away with a single vic-tory.

The boys, coached by Mac Mc-Guire, opened the season with a 47-34 victory against Front Range Christian. However the Bulldogs faltered in their next two games, losing 56-51 to Kiowa and 45-39 to Peyton. No one scored in double figures in the loss to Pey-ton. The best so far has been a 20-point effort by Bryce Hutch-ens in the narrow loss to Kiowa and 15 points from Blake Nicho-las in their victory against Front Range Christian.

The Elbert girls, coached by Rebecca Tomlin, have been led by Logan Franek and Lauren Pear-son, who have been the only Bull-dogs to reach double-figures in their games. Franek had a game high 17 against Peyton, Pearson 11, but they still fell short losing 63-40.

The Bulldogs lost their sea-son opener against Front Range Christian, 30-25, again with Franek and Pearson reaching double-figures with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

The only win in the early go-ings has been the Bulldogs 38-25

victory against Pikes Peak Chris-tian, Dec. 1.

The Bulldogs boys and girls will host Pikes Peak Christian in a rematch Dec. 11th, then play at Genoa-Hugo, Dec. 14 and Van-gard Christian, Dec. 15th.

KIOWAThe Kiowa boys and girls will

head into the holiday break Dec. 14th after traveling to Flagler. The boys of coach Walt Sutton are currently 3-1 having defeated Pikes Peak Christian, 57-39, El-bert 56-51 and Genoa-Hugo 49-44. Their lone loss is to Pikes Peak Christian, 57-39, in their season opener.

The girls of coach Mark Clemmons also won their sea-son opener against Pikes Peak Christian, 50-49, but since have dropped three straight losing to Front Range Christian, 49-25, Li-mon, 47-32, and Genoa-Hugo, 47-32.

Jordan Gabehart has been sol-id for the boys with high games of 17-points against Elbert and Pikes Peak Christian while Sa-mantha Trehal has been scoring well for the girls with her high of 16 against Pikes Peak Christian.

ELIZABETHIt’s been a struggle for the

Elizabeth boys under coach Mike Boss as the Cardinals have gone 2-4.

They opened the season with a 74-69 victory against Niwot and won their second game, Dec. 1 against Pueblo Central, 69-53. They will head into the holiday break after hosting Evergreen, Dec. 11, then playing at Canon City, Dec. 14.

Jake Gavitt has been able to reach double-figures in each game with a highs of 28 against Valor Christian (a 85-65 loss) and 20 against Pueblo Central. His low was 12 in the Cardinals 68-60 loss to Wasson.

Cody Steinke, with a high game of 22 points against D’Evelyn in the Cardinals 72-61 loss, and 19 against Niwot, has been steady, as well. However both he and Stein-ke could have hoped for more wins. The other disappointments were losing 72-61 against Ever-green and 68-67 against Palmer Ridge.

The girls, coached by Jaime Schmalz, reeled off three straight wins to open the season, but then lost their last outing to D’Evelyn, 75-43. Tatum Neubert, with a high of 21 in the Cardinals 47-45 victory against Montrose, has been the top scoring effort in the early goings. However, Sabra Ross has been helping with double-figure efforts.

The Cardinals have also de-feated Palmer Ridge 36-33 and Steamboat Springs, 46-20.

The Elizabeth girls close for the holidays playing at Mesa Ridge, Dec. 11, then hosting Vista Ridge, Dec. 13 and Canyon City, Dec. 14th.

Elbert County News 15 December 13, 201215COLOR

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Name Changes PUBLIC NOTICE

Public Notice of Petitionfor Change of Name

Public notice is given on November 16,2012 that a Petition for a Change of Nameof an adult has been filed with the ElbertCounty Court.

The Petition requests that the name ofLinda Boyle be changed to LindaChynoweth.

Case No.: 2012 C 49

Cheryl A. LayneClerk of CourtBy: Jafeen JenkinsDeputy Clerk

Legal Notice No: 927828First Publication: December 6, 2012Last Publication: December 20, 2012Publisher: Elbert County News

Government Legals PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that a proposedbudget has been submitted by the KiowaConservation District for the year 2013.

A copy of the proposed budget is on file atthe Kiowa Conservation District office,7519 E. Hwy 86, Franktown, Colorado,and is available for review. Comments orObjections must be filed by 4 p.m. Decem-ber 19, 2012.

Public hearing will be held December 19,2012 at 6:30 p.m. at The Kiowa Conserva-tion District office located at 7519 E. Hwy86, Franktown, Colorado.

Dated December 5, 2012Kiowa Conservation District

Legal Notice No.: 927832First Publication: December 13, 2012Last Publication: December 13, 2012Publisher: The Elbert County News

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Elbert CountySPORTS Legend of skies pays visit to med students By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@ourcolora-donews.com

Bob Stewart’s life path closely mirrors his ascent to the stars. It was not without a few bumps in the road — or, rather, the sky.

His two primary forays in aviation offered both death-defying and thrill-ing moments. They earned him national notoriety and military decorations re-served only for war heroes. Of course, fl ying more than 1,000 hours during combat missions in Vietnam and spending 12 days in space will do that.

Stewart, now 70, shared tales of white-knuckled terror and sheer adrena-line rushes Dec. 4 with medical students at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Parker. The medical stu-dents, many of whom are in the military, sat enthralled as Stewart recounted his days as an experimental test pilot, a helicopter pilot for the Army and astronaut for Challenger and Atlantis shuttle missions with NASA.

His message was simple: “Reach far and do good things.”

A dozen students lined up after the presentation to shake Stewart’s hand. He spent much of the day at Rocky Vista visiting classes, imparting his wisdom and offering encouragement. Stewart said he hopes that the commonalities between him and the students might infl uence them to go be-yond the perceived possi-bilities of science, much like he did when he helped de-sign the space shuttle and fl ew untested aircraft.

Stewart, who lives in Woodland Park, seemingly carries the memory of every small detail of his nearly 30-year career, from the sights and sounds of stepping

into the cockpit to the eerie calm and weightlessness of space. He enthusiastically acted out every detail, from the liver-rattling launch of the Challenger space shuttle in 1984 to the physi-ological changes that occur in the body when in orbit.

Stewart described the “bird legs” and “puffy face” astronauts get from the shifting of blood and talked about the importance of temperature and pressure control. He also surprised one student who asked about physical prepara-tion by saying that back then, very little training was required. Stewart talk-ed about the enlargement, then shrinking of the heart because of the conditions. Appropriately, he summed up his space travels as a “whole-body, whole-being experience.”

But there were some frightening moments, like his run-in with a NASA honcho who was ready to fi re him for suggesting that they scrap the original space shuttle design and start over. Earlier in his life, Stewart was shot twice in combat and later received the Purple Heart.

His stop at Rocky Vista

was part of his effort to en-courage younger genera-tions to become involved in the sciences. Stewart, although semi-retired, re-mains involved in technol-ogies as the director of ad-vanced programs at Nichols Research Corp. in Colorado Springs.

Retired military pilot and NASA astronaut Robert Stewart speaks to students at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine Dec. 4. Photo by Chris Michlewicz

Hoops roundup: Cubs perfect early

victory against Pikes Peak Chris-tian, Dec. 1.

The Bulldogs boys and girls will host Pikes Peak Christian in a rematch Dec. 11th, then play at Genoa-Hugo, Dec. 14 and Van-gard Christian, Dec. 15th.

KIOWAThe Kiowa boys and girls will

head into the holiday break Dec. 14th after traveling to Flagler. The boys of coach Walt Sutton are currently 3-1 having defeated Pikes Peak Christian, 57-39, El-bert 56-51 and Genoa-Hugo 49-44. Their lone loss is to Pikes Peak Christian, 57-39, in their season opener.

The girls of coach Mark Clemmons also won their sea-son opener against Pikes Peak Christian, 50-49, but since have dropped three straight losing to Front Range Christian, 49-25, Li-mon, 47-32, and Genoa-Hugo, 47-32.

Jordan Gabehart has been sol-id for the boys with high games of 17-points against Elbert and Pikes Peak Christian while Sa-mantha Trehal has been scoring well for the girls with her high of 16 against Pikes Peak Christian.

ELIZABETHIt’s been a struggle for the

Elizabeth boys under coach Mike Boss as the Cardinals have gone 2-4.

They opened the season with a 74-69 victory against Niwot and won their second game, Dec. 1 against Pueblo Central, 69-53. They will head into the holiday break after hosting Evergreen, Dec. 11, then playing at Canon City, Dec. 14.

Jake Gavitt has been able to reach double-fi gures in each game with a highs of 28 against Valor Christian (a 85-65 loss) and 20 against Pueblo Central. His low was 12 in the Cardinals 68-60 loss to Wasson.

Cody Steinke, with a high game of 22 points against D’Evelyn in the Cardinals 72-61 loss, and 19 against Niwot, has been steady, as well. However both he and Stein-ke could have hoped for more wins. The other disappointments were losing 72-61 against Ever-green and 68-67 against Palmer Ridge.

The girls, coached by Jaime Schmalz, reeled off three straight wins to open the season, but then lost their last outing to D’Evelyn, 75-43. Tatum Neubert, with a high of 21 in the Cardinals 47-45 victory against Montrose, has been the top scoring effort in the early goings. However, Sabra Ross has been helping with double-fi gure efforts.

The Cardinals have also de-feated Palmer Ridge 36-33 and Steamboat Springs, 46-20.

The Elizabeth girls close for the holidays playing at Mesa Ridge, Dec. 11, then hosting Vista Ridge, Dec. 13 and Canyon City, Dec. 14th.

16 Elbert County News December 13, 201216COLOR

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