Elbert County News 0409

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E L B E R T C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D OA publication of

April 9, 2015VOLUME 120 | ISSUE 10 | 7 5 ¢

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NEWS IN A HURRY Art on display in Elbert

More than 300 works are on display at the Elbert School spring art show, which runs through the end of April.

The show highlights the two- and three-dimensional work of kindergarten through 12th-grade students. The school is at 24489 Main St., Elbert.

The S.T.A.R.S will be outThe Elizabeth Education

Foundation will be hosting the 17th Annual S.T.A.R.S Banquet on April 11 at Elizabeth High School.

Students Taking Account-ability and Responsibility Seri-ously is a program that recog-nizes students from throughout the school district who have a positive impact not only in their respective schools, but also within the community. Each year approximately 50 students are nominated by faculty mem-bers to receive the award.

Health fair comingThe 9 Health Fair, presented

by Channel 9 News, will be held from 7 a.m. to noon April 18 at Elizabeth Middle School. The event offers basic health screen-ings, some of which are free and some that come with a charge.

Online registration is avail-able at www.9healthfair.org/register. Same-day registration is also available. Participants must be 18 or older.

Rowland loses appeal over reimbursement Leadup to 2013 tax vote gave rise to complaint By Rick Gustafson Special to Colorado Community Media

An appellate judge has affi rmed an order compelling Elbert County Commissioner Robert Rowland to reimburse $1,000 to the county’s general fund due to a violation of campaign law.

The ruling by Judge Gale T. Miller of the Colorado Court of Appeals upheld an order by Ad-ministrative Law Judge Robert Spencer, who found that Rowland, a Republican, “was an individual responsible for a violation of the Colorado Fair Campaign Practices Act.”

Jill Duvall, chairwoman of the Elbert County Democratic Party and Rowland’s opponent for the District I commissioner’s seat in

2012, petitioned the suit. In her original complaint fi led with the Colorado Secretary of State’s Of-fi ce, Duvall alleged that the Board of County Commissioners and Rowland violated the campaign-practices law when the three-

member BOCC unanimously au-thorized $15,000 of county funds to hire a consulting fi rm ahead of the November 2013 elections, to do what some resi-dents saw as pro-

moting ballot issue 1C, a property tax

mill levy increase.Consultant Timothy Buchan-

an, president of Timotheos Inc., spoke at four town-hall meetings in October 2013, addressing Elbert County’s fi nancial situation at the time and talking of the need to ei-ther massively decrease service or

raise revenue.Neither Buchanan nor Row-

land, who attended the four meet-ings, spoke directly to ballot issue 1C, other than a disclaimer read at the beginning of the meeting stating that the proposed mill levy was “not a topic for discussion.” However, according to the original complaint, some in attendance raised the issue.

In December 2013, Spencer ruled against the BOCC, noting, “It would be inappropriate to impose a civil penalty against the BOCC it-self, as any penalty would likely be satisfi ed with county funds and ul-timately burden the Elbert County taxpayers.” Spencer instead held Rowland, who was the only com-missioner named in the suit indi-vidually, liable for a $1,000 reim-bursement to the county.

“I am convinced, as are most others, that this is and has been a personal, politically motivated action by the person I soundly de-

feated in the election for county commissioner,” Rowland said. “To name, individually, a single commissioner, without expla-nation, for an action admittedly taken while acting as a member of a three-person board is without precedence and does not make any sense unless the motivation is personal and political, which this clearly is.”

Duvall said that she specifi cally named Rowland in her complaint because he was the only commis-sioner who verbalized the term “mill levy” during the town-hall meetings.

During Rowland’s appeal, County Attorney Wade Gateley argued that Rowland’s role as a public offi cial protected him from personal liability, and that the ad-ministrative law judge “erred” in making Rowland solely respon-sible for the reimbursement.

Rowland

Rowland continues on Page 7

Bands battle for audience’s vote Event at fairgrounds showcases area musicians By Rick Gustafson Special to Colorado Community Media

Six bands from across the Front Range rocked the Elbert County Fairgrounds in Kiowa on April 4 in the second High Plains Battle of the Bands. The event featured the talents of musicians rang-ing from middle school-aged to early 20s compet-ing in a head-to-head competition for cash and prizes.

Each band was given a thirty-minute window to set up, perform and strike. The faster a band sets up the more songs they can play. Each band performed between fi ve and six songs, many of them original compositions.

Organizer and president of Peak Events, Mike Anthony says that the bands are not rated by a panel of judges who score the groups’ musical ability. Instead, the audience votes for its favorite band via a text network, donated by Viaero Wire-less in Elizabeth, which tabulates the results.

Lead singer John Sullivan and brother Paul Sullivan, on bass, of the band Sibling Rivalry perform at the Elbert County Fairgrounds in Kiowa on April 4 in the second High Plains Battle of the Bands. Photos by Rick Gustafson

Crews break down staging between performances at the Battle of the Bands. Bands continues on Page 7

Hospital grows with communityService area expected to have 100,000 more people in 2022By Chris Michlewiczcmichlewicz@colorado communitymedia.com

Nowhere is the need to keep up with growth and development more impor-tant than at Parker Adventist Hospital.

Accessible medical care is perhaps the most vital infrastructure component for a region experiencing rapid growth. Serv-ing an area that encompasses 460,000 people is no easy feat, which is precisely why the hospital has made a habit out of planning ahead.

By 2022, hospital officials estimate that the population it serves will reach nearly 562,000. Parker Adventist has shelled out space for growth during previous phases of construction, and is in the midst of a $39 million expansion that will enable it to absorb the impact that comes from more patients.

A facility master plan uses market data to “tailor our construction and services toward community needs,” said Jonathan Fisher, chief financial officer for the hos-pital.

“Our goal is to serve the community, so how do we try to stay out in front of that growth that’s happening so we’re not maxed out,” he said.

Here is a breakdown of the three major projects underway at Parker Adventist:

Parking structureA shortage of parking has long been

an issue at the hospital, but the construc-tion of a 295-space parking garage on its northwest side will alleviate some of the problems. Because it is being built on a former parking lot, Parker Adventist will have a net gain of 175 spaces, but they will be in a crucial location: near the medical floor and obstetrics unit.

“In the past, we would have pregnant mothers walking uphill to get to the OB unit,” Fisher said.

The $6 million parking structure,

which will include a bike cage and elec-tric car chargers, is scheduled to open in May.

More room to operateThe foundation supports were origi-

nally built with the idea that a second floor would be added to the operating room, and it’s now taking shape, with crews are putting in electrical, plumbing, walls and mechanical devices for four new rooms and six pre-op beds above the emergency department. It’s also shelling out space for two rooms to be completed during a future phase.

The level of demand grew to the point that an expansion was warranted this year, Fisher said, adding the hospital could have benefitted from having more ORs on line during a seasonal rush last November and December.

“It’s the convenience factor if you’re a patient,” he said. “Having surgery at 9 p.m. at night is not convenient.”

The new operating rooms should be open around Christmas.

Aiming for short-`ER’ waitsIn continuing with efforts to reduce

emergency room wait times, the hospi-tal is adding two beds and expanding the size of trauma rooms. It is creating an “ER express process” with a “results pending” area where patients are triaged and vis-ited by physicians and nurses, leading to faster discharges, Fisher said.

Parker Adventist is also carving out space for behavioral patients and chang-ing the way it uses existing space to maxi-mize efficiency.

The hospital still has room to grow on its northeast flank, where a tempo-rary parking lot has been established to accommodate vehicles during the con-struction of the parking garage. It also owns a lot near Lifetime Fitness where a medical office building will eventually be built.

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• 2005: Hospital unveils 35-bed patient care unit, roughly one year after opening.

• 2008: Opening of sleep center that uses the latest technology to diagnose and correct problems such as sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy and insomnia.

• 2011: Parker Adventist opened its south wing.

• 2013: Hospital opens a 10,000-square-foot radiation oncology center.

• Late 2013: 3,000-square-foot wound care center opens. The $1 million facility has two hyperbaric chambers to help with the healing process.

• 2015: Parking garage, OR expansion, ER expansion and addition of rehab gym.

EXPANSIONS AT PARKER ADVENTIST

Construction workers pour concrete for the new parking garage, which will add 175 spaces to help address parking issues at Parker Adventist Hospital. Courtesy photo

Trooper awards come with praise Ceremony honors state patrol heroics in 2014 By Chris Michlewicz [email protected]

Proud families and applauding col-leagues packed a ceremony dedicated to Colorado State Patrol troopers who put their lives on the line.

Hundreds gathered in the Great Hall at the Liniger Building at CU South Denver April 2, with Trooper Jeff Goodwin retelling the incredible stories behind the awards.

Bellamann Hee, the trooper who was in-jured during a high-speed chase that ended near CU South Denver’s doorstep in March 2014, was given the Purple Heart Award, an honor given to troopers who are seriously injured, wounded or killed while perform-ing basic law enforcement functions.

Hee thanked his supporters and a fl eet of angels he says were watching over him that day, including his late father. Hee re-vealed that he will return to active duty in three to four months.

Eugene Hofacker, a trooper wounded by gunfi re during a traffi c stop on I-70, nearly died from his injuries. He was struck in the femoral artery by a bullet, and his fellow troopers were commended with Life Sav-ings Awards for their actions after Hofacker was injured. His arm was still in a cast when he accepted the Purple Heart Award.

Hospital grows with community Elbert County News 3 April 9, 2015

3

THE DENVER CONCERT BANDunder the direction of Jacinda Bouton

Presents its Annual Young Artist Concert

ACCENT ON YOUTH

The winner of our contest this year is Stephen Spink, a senior at Holy Family High School and the winner of many prestigious awards in Colorado and nationally. A virtuoso trumpeter, he will amaze you with the playing of

Alexander Arutunian’s “Trumpet Concerto”. You’ll also enjoy other selections by the Denver Concert Band including “Watchman Tell us of the Night”, by

Camphouse, “Selections from Into the Woods” by Sondheim and “Aquarium by Johan De Meij.

Sunday, April 19 at 2:00 p.m.

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree CO 80214

To reserve by phone: 720-509-1000 or Online: lonetreeartscenter.org

$13 Adults/ $8 for 16 and under (includes LTAC handling fees)Parking is free in the LTAC parking lot.

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Distinguished Service Award: Sgt. Jared Rapp and Trooper Adam Jennings, who neutralized a situation in which a suicidal man was threatening himself and responding law enforcement o� cers.

Distinguished Service Award: Trooper Colin Remillard, who climbed down a steep embankment to reach a woman whose vehicle had gone o� the road.

Life Saving Award: Sgt. Philip Gurley and Sgt. Coby Smart, who helped stop the bleeding of a trooper who had been shot. They also directed other troopers to the suspect, who was apprehended.

Life Saving Award: Sgt. Benjamin Steger, who along with a bystander helped save a motorist who sustained head and neck injuries after their vehicle landed upside down in Green Mountain Reservoir.

MORE ON THE HONOREES

Colorado State Patrol Trooper Adam Jennings gets a congratulatory kiss from his wife, Sarah, after receiving a Distinguished Service Award at the Liniger Building at CU South Denver April 2. Photos by Chris Michlewicz

Bellamann Hee, left, a trooper who was injured in a high-speed chase that ended near The Wildlife Experience in March 2014, receives a Purple Heart Award April 2.

Trooper Eugene Hofacker is still recovering after being shot during a tra� c stop on I-70 last year. He received the Purple Heart Award April 2.


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Online school bows out after leading wayJones International University, based in Centennial, has been hit with declining enrollmentBy Chris [email protected]

Gwen Lane had just put the exclamation mark on her master’s degree when she got the news early last week.

“I finished my last class (March 28), and I was like ‘oh my gosh, don’t tell me the last two years were for nothing,’” she said in a phone interview from her home in Chesa-peake, Virginia.

Lane learned her school would soon be closing.

Centennial-based Jones International University is winding down operations, a decision communicated to its roughly 2,000 students March 31. The process is expected to be finished in early 2016.

The online, for-profit school that offers degrees in business and education has seen an enrollment decline of more than 55 per-cent since 2011, a spokeswoman said. The move could mean 90 or more lost jobs at the Jones International Ltd. headquarters near Interstate 25 and Dry Creek Road.

“During the past year, JIU’s Board of Trustees and leadership have closely exam-ined our business and operations and have explored every opportunity to continue to effectively support our students by deliver-ing the highest-quality online education,” Bryan Wallace, the school’s chief operat-ing officer, said in an emailed statement. “However, due to market pressures and op-erational considerations, we have come to the difficult decision that it is time to close Jones International University.”

JIU was founded in 1993 — staking claim to being the first university to exist fully on-line — by cable magnate Glenn R. Jones. It launched its first courses in 1995 and con-tinued to add programs through the years. It received regional accreditation in 1999.

Students are increasingly embracing online learning, and the number of institu-tions offering it, including public schools, has been climbing since the early 2000s. A study released in 2013 by the Babson Sur-

vey Research Group found the number of college and university students taking at least one online course grew from 1.6 mil-lion in 2002 to 6.7 million in 2011.

So while JIU was a pioneer in online education, it has been confronted in recent years with stiff competition.

Continuing educationLane quickly called the school and was

assured she would still receive her master’s degree in business administration.

Still, news of the closure was unsettling to Lane, who said she carries a 4.0 GPA and took out tens of thousands of dollars in stu-dent loans.

“Until I get my degree in hand, I have a big worry.”

JIU officials say they remain dedicated to their students’ education.

Those who can complete their programs in a year or less will be given the chance to continue their studies and graduate from JIU.

But many students will likely transition to another online school, Trident Univer-sity International, based in Cypress, Cali-fornia. The two universities have “a formal transfer agreement,” Wallace said. JIU also is attempting to work out agreements with other institutions.

“Our commitment to our students and their education has always been, and will continue to be, our top priority,” Wallace

said, “and we will not close until we have helped all JIU students to either transfer or graduate.”

New terrainThe decision to close the online school

will not affect a massive, mixed-use proj-ect bearing the Jones name in the works in Centennial, Wallace said.

The 42-acre Jones District broke ground on its initial stage in October and is expect-ed to boast 1.8 million square feet of resi-dential, commercial and retail space when it is completed over a period of 20 years or more. The price tag of the largest develop-ment in the city’s history could run in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

The site of the project is just down the road from Jones International Ltd. head-quarters, home to the online university and other Jones companies. As of late March, Jones employed more than 150 people at the location, and that number will be pared to about 60 by the time the school closes, a spokeswoman said.

Centennial officials remain optimistic about Jones’ continued presence in the city.

“As a pioneer in education and devel-opment, Mr. Jones will always be a part of Centennial and the southeast area,” Cen-tennial Mayor Cathy Noon said. “The one thing that is constant is change, no matter how much you do or don’t want it to hap-pen.

“That being said, we are very pleased The Jones District is moving forward and the city is committed to the partnership we have in place for this mixed-use develop-ment.”

Moving onOn its website, www.jiu.edu, the school

outlines the process for students wishing to transfer. It also touts Trident as being a larger, more cost-efficient alternative.

“Trident University currently serves more than 8,000 students with more degree programs than JIU,” the site states.

“An education at Trident University costs significantly less than one at JIU. For ex-ample, JIU’s MBA program costs $805 per credit hour compared to Trident Universi-ty’s $475 per credit hour. Undergrad tuition will drop from $530 per credit hour to $350 per credit hour.”

After learning of Trident’s lower tuition, Lane said she wonders if she spent more money on her education than she needed to.

She also wonders, down the road, what potential employers will think of a degree from a school that no longer exists.

But Lane said her experience at JIU was a good one, with teachers who were “very nice, very available.”

“I enjoyed it, it was a challenge,” she said. “I’m just surprised that they’re closing.”

Some noteworthy items about the founder of Jones International University and the CEO of Jones International Ltd.:

• Graduated from the University of Colorado law school in 1961.

• Founded Jones Intercable Inc. in 1969. The tiny cable TV company grew to more than 1.5 million customers before it was sold to Comcast in 1999.

• Launched a cable network in 1987 that enabled college students to take courses via TV.

• Founded Jones International University in 1993.

• Was a 2013 inductee into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame.

Source: www.jones.com

ABOUT GLENN R. JONESGlenn R. Jones, founder of Jones

International University, talks

about plans for a 42-acre, mixed-use

development in Centennial during

an October press conference. On

March 31, officials announced the school

would be closing by early 2016. File photo

Elbert County News 5 April 9, 2015

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Theater shooting case costs $2.2 million before trial Cost in the Holmes case includes hundreds of thousands of dollars in police overtime By Dan Elliott Associated Press

Public spending to investigate and prosecute Aurora theater shooting defendant James Holmes has surpassed $2.2 million, weeks before opening statements in his trial, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.

That fi gure does not include how much it has cost to defend Holmes, who is rep-resented by the Offi ce of the State Public Defender because he cannot afford private attorneys.

The number is neither complete nor exorbitant, said Hollis Whitson, a Denver defense attorney who specializes in appel-late law and who has studied the costs of

a Colorado death penalty case in terms of days spent in court. But, she added, tallying the total cost of a death penalty case in dollars is diffi cult

if not impossible.“In order to have a death penalty trial, even if you’re

never going to execute a single person, there’s an enormous cost to maintaining the machinery of death,” which in-cludes expert witnesses, specialists, private attorneys and others involved.

Holmes has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to charges of killing 12 people and injuring 70 on July 20, 2012. Jury selection began in January, and opening statements are set for April 27.

Holmes’ lawyers acknowledge he was the gunman, but they say he was in the grips of a psychotic episode. Prosecu-tors are seeking the death penalty.

Offi cials in Aurora say they have spent more than $928,500 on the case. That includes more than $517,000 in overtime pay for police and other city employees.

Holmes continues on Page 8

Holmes

Hash explosions prompt proposed changes Making the oil from marijuana at home has led to dozens of injuries By Kristen Wyatt and Gene Johnson Associated Press

Alarmed by a rash of explosions and injuries caused when amateurs make hash, lawmakers in Colorado and Washington are considering spelling out what’s allowed when it comes to making the concentrated marijuana at home.

The proposals came after an increase in home fires and blasts linked to homemade hash, concentrated marijuana that can be inhaled or eaten.

In Colorado, at least 30 people were injured last year in 32 butane explosions involving hash oil — nearly three times the number reported throughout 2013, according to officials with the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, a state-federal enforcement program.

Washington’s legal marijuana law in 2012 did not per-mit the production of hash or even edibles at home; it technically remains a felony even to use weed purchased at a state-licensed store to make brownies. Nevertheless, many people have done it.

Federal prosecutors in Seattle have brought charges in five cases where hash-oil operations blew up, includ-ing at one apartment complex where an 87-year-old for-mer mayor of Bellevue died after sustaining an injury while trying to escape a fire that started in another unit.

People make hash oil at home for the same reasons they make beer, wine or booze — to save money, make it to personal taste, or as a hobby.

Though there are safer methods, such as soaking marijuana in a vegetable-based glycerin, one common practice is to force a solvent such as butane or propane gas or liquid through leafy cannabis, a process that sep-arates its psychoactive material from buds, leaves and stems.

After the extraction, the hash-maker then releases the gas or boils off the liquid, leaving behind marijuana’s psychoactive material in a potent goop. The resulting product — called hash oil or shatter or wax in even more concentrated form — can be added to foods without the grassy taste raw pot imparts.

Without proper ventilation, though, the gases can pool in a room, where a spark from an appliance can trigger a severe explosion, knocking buildings off their foundation in some cases.

Washington lawmakers are proposing to allow limited home hash production, though butane or other explo-sive gases would be banned except for use by commer-cial producers. Safer methods would be OK, and adults

would be allowed to use cooking oil, butter or similar substances to make edibles.

“We have a little problem here with people blowing themselves up,” said Washington state Sen. Ann Rivers, the Republican sponsor of that state’s measure. “Any-thing we can do to stop that from happening.’’

In Colorado, where hash regulations vary by juris-diction, a bill up for its first vote next week in a House committee would establish a similar ban on the use of explosive gases to make hash.

“People who make it at home, they can do so with al-cohol or methods that are safe,” said Colorado state Rep. Yeulin Willett, a sponsor of the bill.

Colorado’s largest jurisdiction, Denver, banned some types of home hash production late last year. A similar ban is under discussion in Aurora.

But some marijuana activists argue that when pot is legal, concentrating it at home should be legal, too. They compare the hash explosions to fires caused by turkey fryers and call it a problem with a new product that is best addressed by consumer education.

“Sure, there have been numerous dangerous explo-sions and fires from idiots who are determined to blow themselves up participating in activities which need considerable safety precautions,” said Timothy Tipton of the Rocky Mountain Caregivers Cooperative.

Tipton insisted that butane extraction is perfectly safe with proper ventilation or when done outside.

Supporters of home production also say Colorado’s law is on their side. The state’s marijuana legalization measure specifically included concentrated marijuana and all its production methods.

Just last month, the Denver district attorney dropped a case against a man facing felony charges of manufac-turing marijuana concentrate and fourth-degree arson. The man, Paul Mannaioni, was charged last year after a hash oil explosion sent him and two other people to a hospital.

Mannaioni challenged the legality of Denver’s hash oil ban, prompting Colorado’s former attorney general to say the marijuana amendment allows limits on home production.

The charges were later dismissed after prosecutors said they couldn’t tie him to the explosion beyond a rea-sonable doubt, leaving the legality of the city’s hash oil ban unresolved.

Some marijuana advocates said a statewide ban would invite more legal challenges.

“It’s a patient’s right to make their medicine,” said Jason Warf of the Southern Colorado Cannabis Council.

But Colorado lawmakers backing the homemade lim-its said the state should err on the side of caution.

“This is something we need to nip in the bud,” Willett said.

Online school bows out after leading way

“That being said, we are very pleased The Jones District is moving forward and the city is committed to the partnership we have in place for this mixed-use develop-ment.”

Moving onOn its website, www.jiu.edu, the school

outlines the process for students wishing to transfer. It also touts Trident as being a larger, more cost-effi cient alternative.

“Trident University currently serves more than 8,000 students with more degree programs than JIU,” the site states.

“An education at Trident University costs signifi cantly less than one at JIU. For ex-ample, JIU’s MBA program costs $805 per credit hour compared to Trident Universi-ty’s $475 per credit hour. Undergrad tuition will drop from $530 per credit hour to $350 per credit hour.”

After learning of Trident’s lower tuition, Lane said she wonders if she spent more money on her education than she needed to.

She also wonders, down the road, what potential employers will think of a degree from a school that no longer exists.

But Lane said her experience at JIU was a good one, with teachers who were “very nice, very available.”

“I enjoyed it, it was a challenge,” she said. “I’m just surprised that they’re closing.”

Hold Congress accountable for shutdown In October 2013, Congress shut down

the federal government for 16 days, put-ting the U.S. economy at risk and leaving 800,000 people out of work nationwide — 40,000 in Colorado. Estes Park sales tax revenue alone dropped 18.2 percent, two of our national parks lost more than $2 million in revenue each, and Colorado Springs had one of the top percentages of workforce affected by the shutdown. In addition to jeopardizing the nation’s safety, security and credibility, Standard and Poor’s estimated that the shutdown took $24 billion out of our economy. For count-less Coloradans suffering the aftermath of unprecedented fl ooding, this shutdown was a kick in the teeth.

While paralysis in Washington, D.C., extended the shutdown for more than two weeks, workers across the state continued to do their jobs, day in and day out. From

police offi cers to teachers, business owners to assembly-line workers, they showed up to carry out their duties and fulfi ll their responsibilities. Coloradans didn’t shut down. Why should Congress?

Congress can learn a little something from the people in our state. That’s why Sen. Cory Gardner and I introduced a resolution last month to put pressure on Congress to avoid, or at least quickly end,

these needless, damaging crises. Our plan establishes new procedures to keep sena-tors at work until they end the shutdown.

It would set in motion a constant series of live quorum calls and roll call votes until a bill to reopen the government has been signed into law. This would mean that senators would have to remain on or near the Senate fl oor — forcing them to open the lines of communication and work with one another — until the government is reopened.

This is how it would work. Following a full or partial government shutdown, the Senate would convene at 8 a.m. the follow-ing day. If a majority of senators are not present, a roll call vote to request the atten-dance of the absent senators would take place. Once a majority of senators — or a

Attitude of abundance pays o� in every way No doubt there is some heavy-duty

competition taking place these days. Many businesses are fi ghting for a little bigger piece of the pie each and every day. And this holds true for the single entrepreneur, the small and medium-size business, and the large enterprise organizations.

We see the competition play out in marketing campaigns, advertising, social media, and through intentional word-of-mouth battles as we all talk up our favorite products and businesses and talk down their competitors. I mean we will share posts and “like” pages on Facebook for the companies we love and support and then we will jump on the bandwagon of negativ-ity when it comes to those products and businesses we do not like or where we had a bad experience.

Who is ultimately responsible for our opinion, favoritism, or dislike of a product or business? I mean, our thoughts can only be infl uenced by the opinions of others to a certain extent; sooner or later we get to the point where we make up our own minds based on our experiences with that person or business.

Let me share with you the story of two businesses, competitors in the same in-dustry. The owner of the fi rst business runs his company with an attitude of winner takes all, win at all costs, take no prisoners, and a total lack of trust and respect for the employees at the company. The turnover is very high, employees come and go, and the customers become very frustrated

with having to deal with new employees all the time. The owner’s view of the world is driven purely by greed.

Now if you have ever watched the movie “Finding Nemo,” there is a scene in the movie where Nemo’s dad, a clown fi sh, and Dory, a blue tang, end up on a dock surrounded by dozens of seagulls. The seagulls start calling out, “Mine, mine, mine … Mine, mine, mine” in a typical seagull-like cry. And when I met the owner of the company I described above, that is all I heard as I spoke with him. I could liter-ally hear him saying, “Mine, mine, mine … Mine, mine, mine.”

In contrast, the other company couldn’t be more different. The owner treated the employees like family; there was hardly ever any turnover, as the staff has stayed on for many years. The team built solid re-lationships with customers and each other and even with the local business commu-nity. The owner had a mentality of “A rising tide lifts all boats” and wanted to see every-one succeed, even the competition. The ownership, leadership and management

delivered a common message to the staff and the community, “We are here to help,” and they consistently communicated the goals and objectives of the business.

They didn’t operate from a position of fear or greed, a minimalist mentality. Instead they operated from an attitude of growth and abundance. The fi rst business owner always fi nds himself justifying, ex-plaining and defending away the problems in his business. The second owner spends his time celebrating wins and enjoying the benefi ts of the support of the entire busi-ness community.

So which CEO/owner would be more likely to get invited to community events or speak at local or national conferences? As a consumer, which company would you prefer to do business with? Which com-pany would you more than likely “Like” on Facebook? Pretty obvious, isn’t it?

So how about you? Whether you are a sole proprietor, owner of a small or medi-um-size business, or the CEO or executive of a large corporation, are you operating from a “Mine, mine, mine” mentality or a “Rising tide lifts all boats” mentality? Either way, I would love to hear all about it at [email protected], and when we learn to live and work from an attitude of growth and abundance, it really will be a better than good week.

Michael Norton is a resident of Castle Rock, the former president of the Zig Ziglar Corporation, a strategic consultant and a business and personal coach.

� ose guys in orbit sure do get around There is something familiar about this.

The other day, an American and two Rus-sians fl oated into space together.

I used to fl oat into space with two Rus-sians myself. One was named Smirnoff, and the other one was named Stolichnaya. I affectionately called him “Stoli.”

But we were only gone for two or three days.

American Scott Kelly and Russian Mikhail Kornienko are going to be in space for 342 days. Another Russian, Gennady Padalka, will spend six months on the mis-sion.

In all the years that I have been writing this column, not once have I mentioned outer space, unless you include Steve Martin, who is one letter away from being Steve Martian.

This amazing project begs for my atten-tion.

The fi rst thing that crossed my mind was: What are they going to do about haircuts?

The only men who are out of touch for that long are usually in the state pen.

I can’t imagine what it would be like to be circling the earth in a great big Pontiac for close to a year.

How is it that we are so co-operative with Russians in outer space, but we can’t seem to be just as co-operative down here on the ground?

What do our mutual space agencies know that our mutual politicians do not?

I would look at that very closely. Who

is the head of NASA? Get him to run for president. [Editor’s note: Charles Frank Bolden Jr.]

I live in near isolation. It’s almost home detention. And I like it, but I can back out of my driveway whenever I want to.

Not only that: I like to look at women. Just look, mind you.

Being up there in a Pontiac without live women somewhere handy would be unacceptable, and perhaps unbearable. Wouldn’t you get a little “restless”?

Maybe they take something for that.Certainly there are things I could do

without for 342 days.I think I could go that long without be-

ing in a Highlands Ranch grocery store on Saturday.

Any thought of this wouldn’t even be entertained in my dog’s lifetime. Unless Smitty went along with me. Actually I would like to see a dachshund experienc-ing zero gravity.

Maybe you already know this: Kelly has an identical twin named Mark. Mark

is going to take part in some of the same experiences that Scott is experiencing, so that they can see how a body in space com-pares with an identical body on earth.

I guess that means that they will both have unqualifi ed Russians cutting their hair.

I have never come close to wanting to go up in orbit, although my third wife wanted to send me into one now and then. [Editor’s note: The writer has never been married.]

“To the moon, Alice,” Ralph Kramden used to yell at his wife. I never thought the show was funny.

I watched “The Honeymooners” when I was in grade school. So I was just a kid. But something told me it wasn’t all that funny to see a man barking at a woman.

I haven’t had an interest in our space program in years. At one time I could name the missions and many of the astronauts.

This particular mission was simply a way for me to wisecrack about Russian vodkas.

I know it’s not the same, but if I want to travel around the world or into outer space, I just have to turn on the television and I get to be Captain Video.

If it were up to me, I’d have Mark eat too many hot dogs down here, to see if Scott got an upset stomach up there.

Craig Marshall Smith is an artist, educator and Highlands Ranch resident. He can be reached at [email protected].


6-Opinion

OPINIONY O U R S & O U R S

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Bennet continues on Page 7


7

OBITUARIES

Place an Obituary for Your Loved One.Private: 303-566-4100, [email protected] Homes: Visit: www.memoriams.com

Funeral services for Eads, CO resident, Alvin Siefkas will be held at 11:00 a.m, Saturday, April 4, 2015 at the United Meth-odist Church in Eads, CO. Interment will take place at Haswell Cemetery. Visi-tation for Mr. Siefkas will be from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday, April 3, 2015 at Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel in Lamar. Alvin Siefkas was born January 21, 1917, at Lacelle, Iowa to Fred and Ella Mae (Smith) Siefkas. He passed away on March 30, 2015 in Pueblo, Colorado at the age of 98. Alvin’s family moved to Haswell, Colorado, arriv-ing August 1, 1920, when Alvin was 3 years old. He started school at the age of 4 and graduated from the Haswell School in 1934 in the middle of the depres-sion and the dust bowl. He worked various jobs in-cluding the CCC Camp in Red Feather Lakes, while building up a cow herd with his dad and brother. By the end of the 30’s they had a farm of their own. In February of 1942, after Pearl Harbor, Alvin volunteered in the Marine

Corps, serving with the 2nd Marine Division in the South Pacific until his discharge in September, 1945. His unit received a Presidential Citation for “bravery beyond the call of duty” for their part in the battle on the island of Tarawa. He and Louise Elizabeth Jacobs were married January 20, 1945. They raised 8 children while operating dairy farms first at Akron and then at Elizabeth. During those years Alvin served on the Elizabeth school board, the Elbert County planning and zoning board and was elected as a board member on the Intermountain Rural Elec-tric Association. He was named the Outstanding Conservationist of the Year for Elbert County in 1978. After he and Louise moved to Eads, he served on the Kiowa County planning and zoning board and on the Eads town board. He also served as trustee, dea-con, and Sunday school teacher in the churches they attended in Elizabeth, Castle Rock, and Eads. Alvin was preceded in

death by his wife, Louise; daughter, Sharon Maleto; granddaughter, Katherine Maleto; daughter-in-law, Lesley Siefkas; parents, Fred and Ella Siefkas; brother, James Siefkas; sisters, Thelma Prescott, Mildred Jacobs, Ruby Weisdorfer, and Helen Siefkas. He is survived by his children, Darnly and husband, Larry Motter, Kim and wife, Donna Sief-kas, Ricky Siefkas, Kevin and wife, Marsha Siefkas, Kerry and wife, D Siefkas, Roxana and husband, Conrad Smith, and Craig Siefkas; 18 grandchildren, a growing number of great-grandchildren; sis-ter, Iola Geiger; numerous nieces and nephews along with many friends.

Memorial contribu-tions may be made to the charity of donor’s choice in care of Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 950, Lamar, CO 81052.

For more information or to leave online condo-lences please visit www.valleymemorialfc.com.

SIEFKASAlvin Siefkas

Jan. 21, 1917 – Mar.30, 2015

quorum — is achieved, a roll call vote will occur every hour up until midnight to en-sure that the senators are in the chamber and working toward a solution to reopen the government.

The new procedures would also include consequences for senators who choose not to show up. If the absent senators don’t respond to the request for their attendance, a motion to require their attendance would be put to a vote. The Sergeant at Arms would report the names and locations of the senators who have failed to report to the Senate fl oor. If the Senate still cannot achieve a quorum at that point, the Sergeant at Arms would be issued warrants to arrest the missing sena-tors and bring them to the Senate.

Ideally, a bill like this wouldn’t be nec-essary. But Washington’s habit of turning routine responsibilities into government shutdowns has to end. At best, these changes will motivate Congress to avoid a crisis and do the work they were elected to do. At worst, they would at least force lawmakers to stay on the fl oor and work together until they fi nd a solution to re-open the government.

This type of political theater hurts our economy and competiveness, puts our safety and international reputation at risk, and most importantly continues to erode the American people’s faith in their gov-ernment. No county commissioner or city councilor in the state of Colorado would put their credit at risk or jeopardize their community because of a disagreement or to prove a point. People wouldn’t stand for it. Coloradans don’t shut down, and Congress shouldn’t either.

Democrat Michael Bennet has represented Colorado in the U.S. Senate since 2009.

Continued from Page 6

Bennet

Judge a� rms rulingMiller affi rmed Spencer’s original fi nd-

ing, writing in his opinion, “The appellants have not demonstrated that either issue argued on appeal was raised before the ALJ, and we must assume the transcript supports the administrative judgment.”

In addition to her complaint, Duvall also petitioned for an award of her at-torney fees on the basis that Rowland’s appeal was frivolous, but in his opinion, Miller wrote that he did not consider Row-land’s appeal to be “futile, irrational, or unjustifi ed” and denied the award.

With his appeal lost, Rowland has two options. He may appeal Miller’s order to the Colorado Supreme Court or he may simply pay the $1,000 reimbursement.

Duvall, who is funding her own legal fees, said, “If Rowland appeals, we will fol-low whatever procedures are appropriate within the justice system.”

Rowland said, “I will not discuss the le-gal options as they are strategic and need not be discussed outside of counsel or the legal system.”

Regardless of the choice Rowland makes, the issue will not likely end there. Duvall has also fi led a complaint with Colorado Ethics Watch accusing Roland of violating state ethics laws for failing to recuse himself during a vote authorizing the Elbert County attorney to oversee his

appeal of the reimbursement order.The basis for her complaint stems from

a meeting of the BOCC on Jan. 16, 2014, where Rowland seconded and later voted in favor of a motion made by then Com-missioner Kurt Schlegel authorizing the Elbert County attorney to represent Row-land’s appeal. Commissioner Larry Ross voted against the motion.

Last May, Colorado Ethics Watch fi led a complaint against Rowland with the Colo-rado Independent Ethics Commission, asking the IEC to “determine if Commis-sioner Rowland’s offi cial actions consti-tute a breach of fi duciary duty and public trust according to applicable law.”

The IEC stayed the complaint pending the outcome of Rowland’s appeal, but on Feb. 24, Ethics Watch made a request to the IEC to act on the complaint.

There is some speculation that Row-land and Duvall might face each other in the 2016 election for the District I com-missioner’s seat, but both are not ready to make their intentions public.

“I am keeping my options open,” Du-vall said.

“The election is two years away,” Row-land said, “plenty of time to answer that question.”

The Independent Ethics Commission has jurisdiction over all state executive and legislative branch elected offi cials and employees, and local offi cials and employ-ees not having home-rule. It is charged with the implementation of Article XXIX of the Colorado Constitution, which ad-dresses the conduct of public offi cials.

Colorado Ethics watch is a nonprofi t

501(c)(3) founded in 2006 by the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Wash-ington (CREW). According to its website, “Ethics Watch executes a comprehensive communications strategy to bring atten-tion to misconduct in public life while also educating the public about ethics, trans-

parency, nonpartisan election administra-tion, and the importance of a strong, inde-pendent state and federal judiciary.”

The 2013 ballot issue was swamped at the polls, with nearly 86 percent of voters opposing the proposed tax increase.


Rowland Madison Swirtz, of the School of Rock, entertains the crowd at the Battle of the Bands.

The band Paradox, of Fort Collins, � nished second at the Battle of the Bands. The lead singer is Makenzie Culver, on bass is Darren Van Winkle and on drums is Mason Culver. Photos by Rick Gustafson


Bands“Ours is a pure popularity contest,” An-

thony said.At the end of the evening, musicians

from each band were called to the stage a fi nal time to hold up a sign with the band’s name and a text number. Audience mem-bers were permitted one vote per device us-ing either text messaging or email through

a mobile website.At the end of the evening when the votes

were tabulated, The Blush Band from Cas-tle Rock won fi rst place and took home half the door receipts.

“The Easter weekend took a toll on our attendance,” Armstrong told the audience. “But we still managed to put together $400 for the Blush Band.”

The original date for the event had been Feb. 21, but a winter storm forced Arm-strong to postpone the event until last weekend.

Along with the cash, the Blush Band re-ceived an invitation to perform at the Eliza-beth Music Festival in August. Paradox, a Fort Collins band, placed second.

The fi rst High Planes Battle of the Bands was held in the winter of 2013 as a way for Anthony to encourage younger musicians to participate in the Elizabeth Music Festi-val, of which he is the organizer, and once again, Peak Events collaborated with Musi-cians in Action, a Colorado nonprofi t that hosted a “Not-So-Silent-Auction.”

Proceeds from the auction supported

the Douglas/Elbert Task Force, a Douglas and Elbert County nonprofi t organization that assists people in serious economic need or at risk for homelessness. MIA regu-larly collaborates with Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, the Gathering Place, Ur-ban Peak and Senior Support Services.

Peak Events is a production and man-agement business run by Mike and Jami Anthony, who have been organizing events in Elbert and Douglas Counties and are founders of the Elizabeth Music & Art Festi-val, which is scheduled for Aug. 22.


8

O�cials spotlight distracted drivingPeople urged to commit to road safety all year longBy Christy [email protected]

Data shows there are far too many deaths and injuries from motor vehicle crashes that involve distracted driving, said Colorado Department of Transporta-tion spokesman Sam Cole.

In Colorado, about one life is lost every week from a distracted driving crash, he said. “The ultimate goal,” he added, “is zero deaths.”

National Distracted Driving Aware-ness Month in April “presents a unique opportunity for people to commit to driv-ing distraction-free,” Cole said.

As part of bringing awareness to the dangers of distracted driving this month, CDOT and the Colorado State Patrol have partnered to help ensure traffic safety through additional education and en-forcement campaigns.

“Driving is serious business,” said Col-orado State Patrol chief Col. Scott Her-nandez in a media release, “and should

be the main focus of every driver when they are behind the wheel.”

The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office is participating in the campaign from April 6-14, when the department will use “a combination of strategies to crack down on motorists who engage in dis-tracted driving,” states a press release. However, crashes attributed to distracted driving don’t only happen in April, said bureau chief Glenn Thompson.

“Upwards of 50 percent of crashes are caused by distracted driving,” he said. “It’s a problem 365 days a year.”

Distracted driving can be anything that takes a person’s attention away from focusing on using the skills required to drive, he said. Skills that all drivers need includes keeping eyes on the road, oper-ating the motor vehicle and paying atten-

tion to surroundings such as other traffic, road construction and pedestrians or bi-cyclists on the roadway.

People can be distracted by a number of things — using a cell phone, grooming, using a GPS system, watching a video and even eating or drinking, the Arapahoe County media release states.

Cell phone use is “the most troubling” because of the popularity of the devices, Cole said.

“Very simple advice,” he said, “is put down the phone. Drive now, use cell phones later.”

The No. 1 category of complaints the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office receives from the public is related to traffic, spokesman Ron Hanavan said.

In an effort to help ensure the safety of the motoring public, the Douglas Coun-

ty Sheriff’s Office’s traffic unit recently implemented its Strategic and Tactical Analysis of Crime and Crashes (STACC) program, Hanavan said. STACC deputies concentrate on areas that are “notori-ous for a high incidence of crashes and dangerous drivers,” he said, which allows road patrol officers to apply their time to more immediate patrol duties.

Providing the public with resources on traffic safety, education and awareness is something Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock is committed to, he said.

“It’s everyone’s responsibility to drive in a safe and prudent manner,” he said. “By doing so, you could be saving the life of your neighbor, family member or even your own.”


Holmes

‘Very simple advice is put down the phone. Drive now, use cell phones later.’Col. Scott Hernandez,

Colorado State Patrol chief

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

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Include your name, full address and the best telephone number to contact you. Send letters to [email protected].

John Schneebeck, business manager for the Aurora Police Department, said last week that the total includes other city de-partments, but he said a list of those de-partments and a breakdown of their share wasn’t available.

More than $200,000 of the overtime was for police officers who responded to the theater and to Holmes’ apartment, where explosives were found, he said. The U.S. Department of Justice reimbursed that ex-pense, Schneebeck said.

Prosecutors previously said they had incurred more than $920,000 in costs, not including salaries, which would have been paid anyway. Court officials have said they have spent $435,000, mostly on courtroom security.

The $2.2 million figure highlights a de-bate over whether Holmes’ public defend-ers should have to disclose their costs. A bill to require public defenders to reveal such costs failed recently in the Colorado Legis-lature.

Public defenders are rarely required to release those costs, according to the Na-tional Association of Public Defense. They cite attorney-client privilege and argue that disclosure would unfairly tip prosecutors

about how much is being spent on expert witnesses and investigative services.

The office of Colorado Public Defender Doug Wilson denies open-records requests for almost any information, not just inqui-ries about specific cases, according to state Democratic Rep. Rhonda Fields, of Aurora, and Republican Rep. Polly Lawrence, of Roxborough, who sponsored the failed dis-closure bill.

Wilson’s office currently has an $83 mil-lion operating budget to cover 160,000 cas-es, according to its website, which does not provide further details. The office has cited a gag order, attorney-client privilege and state Supreme Court rules for declining to disclose its expenses to the AP.

The FBI and the Arapahoe County Sher-iff’s Office have refused to release their expenses in the case. The FBI said releas-ing its costs could interfere with an active case. Sheriff David Walcher cited security reasons, noting Holmes is still being held at the county jail.

Other federal, state and local agencies have spent at least $1.6 million in costs di-rectly attributable to the Holmes case, ac-cording to records released by the agencies.

Costs for the state judiciary system in-clude grants for courtroom security; print-ing and mailing; office equipment; and 10 new courtroom chairs to accommodate the 12 jurors and 12 alternates who will hear the case.


9

Your guide to legal cannabis in Colorado is

NOW ONLINE @CoDispensaryDirectory.com

Parents and children de-scended on the Outlets at Cas-tle Rock on April 3 for the Eas-ter Bunny Breakfast. Children took turns sitting on the Eas-ter Bunny’s lap while freshly cooked pancakes were served by Chris Cakes in the food court. While the Easter Bunny made his way around the food court to greet the children, a guitarist played children’s songs and passed out crowns. The event was free, but a dona-tion of a canned food item for the Douglas/Elbert Task Force was suggested.

PHOTOS BY MIKE

DIFERDINANDO

The Easter Bunny sits with children April 3 at the Outlets at Castle Rock during the third annual Easter Bunny Breakfast.

Fresh pancakes are served o� of a griddle by Chris Cakes in the food court of the Outlets at Castle Rock April 3 during the Easter Bunny Breakfast. Mothers surround the Easter Bunny with their children during the Easter Bunny Breakfast April 3 at the Outlets at Castle Rock.

THINGS TO DO EDITOR’S NOTE: Calendar submissions must be received by noon Wednesday for publication the following week. Send listings to [email protected]. No attachments, please. Listings are free and run on a space-available basis.

EventsStudent Art on DisplayTWO- AND three-dimensional work by kindergarten through 12th grade students is on display now through the end of April at Elbert School, 24489 Main St., Elbert. K-2 art is on display in the lower west wing hallway; grades 3-5 is in the lower east wing hallway; grades 6-8 is in the upper east wing; and 9-12 grades is in the upper secondary west wing hallway.

Deep Space ComedyDEEP SPACE Theatre presents Comedy Night shows that feature improve, stand-up comedians, videos and more. The shows run from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, April 10; and Friday, May 1, at 11020 S. Pikes Peak Drive, Parker. For these shows, reserve a table for your party, and then you bring your own dinner (or order from a local restaurant). Water and soda will be available for purchase. Call 720-675-7932.

S.T.A.R.S. BanquetTHE ELIZABETH Education Foundation plans its 17th annual S.T.A.R.S Banquet on Saturday, April 11 at Elizabeth High School. S.T.A.R.S (Students Taking Accountability and Respon-sibility Seriously) is a program that recognizes students from throughout the school district who have a positive impact not only in their respective schools, but also within the community. Each

year approximately 50 students are nominated by faculty members to receive this award.

Electronics RecyclingTHE PINES & Plains Libraries Foundation plans its second electronics recycling event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 11, at the Elizabeth Library, 651 W. Beverly St. Blue Star Recyclers will receive your TVs, audio/visual equipment, computer monitors & towers, laptops, printers, fax machines, scanners, stereo equipment, and batteries. Net proceeds from recycling fees and cash donations collected during the event will go to support the Pines & Plains Libraries Foundation. For a full list of material that will be collected during the event, visit www.bluestarrecyclers.com. Call 303-646-3792.

Spring Fling Craft FairPONDEROSA HIGH School plans its annual craft fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 11, at 7007 E. Bayou Gulch Road, Parker. More than 100 Colorado artists, crafters and spe-cialty vendors will o� er a wide selection of gifts including hand-crafted jewelry, gourmet food, home décor, textile crafts, skin care, ceramics and more. Admission is free.

Emergency TrainingsELBERT COUNTY O� ce of Emergency Manage-ment plans two trainings. Weather Spotter Training is from 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, April 21 at the Old County Courthouse in Kiowa. The training will be conducted by members of the National Weather Service. Learn the skill of detecting severe weather as it moves into the neighborhood. An Emergency Preparedness Clinic is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 11 at the Elbert County Fairgrounds in Kiowa. A

dedicated sta� and volunteers will be presenting many aspects of planning and preparedness for emergency evacuations, preparing your property for wild� re and many other emergency scenarios.

Free Legal ClinicA FREE legal clinic for parties who have no at-torney is open from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, at the Elizabeth Library, 651 W. Beverly St., Elizabeth. Volunteer attorneys will answer ques-tions, help � ll out forms and explain processes and procedures for all areas of civil litigation, including family law, property law, probate law, collections, appeals, landlord-tenant law, small claims, veterans issues and civil protection orders. Walk-ins are welcome. Help o� ered on a � rst-come, � rst-served basis. Clinics are o� ered the second Tuesday of each month; future clinics are o� ered May 12, June 9, July 14, Aug. 11, Sept. 8, Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Dec. 8.

Community Blood DriveWALMART IN Elizabeth will host a Bon� ls com-munity blood drive from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, at 2100 Legacy Circle, Elizabeth. For information, or to schedule an appointment, contact Bon� ls Appointment Center at 303-363-2300 or go to www.bon� ls.org.

High School PerformancesElizabeth High School presents its One-Act Festival at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 16, and its ninth annual gala at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 23.

9Health FairGET HEALTH screenings at the 9Health Fair, from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 18, at Elizabeth Middle School, 34427 County Road 13. The fair o� ers numerous, basic health screenings,

some free. New this year, 9Health Fair o� ers those who have never attended a fair before the chance to get 20 percent o� all health screenings if they register online and use discount code MyFirst9HF. Go to www.9healthfair.org/register; credit card payment is required. Day of registration also avail-able; however, only cash or checks are accepted on the day of the fair. Participants must be 19 and older. The Elizabeth High School Future Business Leaders of America was asked to assist in the publicity for the event; go to www.ElizabethLion-sClub.org.

Spring Fling GalaTHE ELBERT County 4-H program presents its Spring Fling Gala from 5-11 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at the Elbert County Fairgrounds. Event features a reception, auction, dinner and dancing, and it supports kids in the Elbert County 4-H program.

Middle School TheaterELIZABETH MIDDLE School theater class earned the Page to Stage grant from Opera Colorado. Through this grant, the students will work with professionals in the industry to write and perform their own musical. The musical will be presented at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, at the school.

ZumbathonTHE THIRD annual Zumbathon charity event is from 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 2, at the Elizabeth Fire Station.

Golf TournamentA GOLF tournament to support the Elizabeth High School track initiative is Friday, May 29, at Spring Valley Golf Club. Cost is $100 per player, and that includes green fees, cart, range

balls, lunch and prizes. Start time is 8 a.m. Drop o� registration form and money at Elizabeth High School, attention Lori McCoin.

ElizaBash Street FestivalMORE THAN 5,000 festival-goers attend the annual ElizaBash Street Festival, planned for Saturday, June 6, on Main Street in Elizabeth. The day begins with the Stampede Rodeo Parade, then the street is cleared for the festival including arts and crafts, food, live music and other fun activities.

Street Fair, Car Show KIOWA STREET Fair and Car Show is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 27. All proceeds bene� t the Elizabeth Veteran’s Memorial. Those wishing to be a vendor at the Street Fair can call 303-621-2366.

Chamber Annual EventsELIZABETH AREA Chamber of Commerce is planning its annual events, including the golf tournament on Friday, July 31; the Harvest Festival on Saturday, Oct. 31; Olde Town Christmas on Friday, Dec. 4. Vendors and sponsors are needed; contact www.elizabeth-chamber.org for details about participating.

Prohibition Casino NightELIZABETH AREA Chamber of Commerce plans its � rst Prohibition Casino Night on Saturday, Oct. 24 at Spring Valley Golf Course. The event includes a poker tournament, casino games, danc-ing and a silent auction. A portion of proceeds will bene� t Elbert County Coalition for Outreach, which provides assistance to families in need. Contact www.elizabethchamber.org.

PANCAKES AND EASTER EGGS

The FBI and the Arapahoe County Sher-iff’s Offi ce have refused to release their expenses in the case. The FBI said releas-ing its costs could interfere with an active case. Sheriff David Walcher cited security reasons, noting Holmes is still being held at the county jail.

Other federal, state and local agencies have spent at least $1.6 million in costs di-rectly attributable to the Holmes case, ac-cording to records released by the agencies.

Costs for the state judiciary system in-clude grants for courtroom security; print-ing and mailing; offi ce equipment; and 10 new courtroom chairs to accommodate the 12 jurors and 12 alternates who will hear the case.

Young Artist Concert coming to Lone TreeBroom�eld student to perform on trumpetBy Sonya [email protected]

Each spring, the Denver Concert Band chooses a young musician from a group of competitors to perform in its Young Artist Concert. This year’s show will be at 2 p.m. April 19 at Lone Tree Arts Center, and the 2015 winner is trumpeter Stephen Spinks, who at-tends Holy Family High School in Broomfield.

He will perform Alexander Arutunian’s “Trumpet Concerto” with the band, in a con-cert titled “Accent on Youth.”

Also on the program are other numbers that should appeal to children: “Watchman, Tell us of the Night,” by Camphouse; selec-tions from “Into the Woods,” by Sondheim; “Famishius Fantasticus,” by Markowski; “A Childhood Remembered,” by Galante; “Aquarium,” by John de Meij; “The Seal Lullabye,” by Whitacre; “A Boy’s Dream,” by Bocook; and “The Screamer,” by Fred Jewell.

Spinks started playing a piano at age 5 and switched to trumpet after finishing sec-ond grade in Dawn Kramer’s Studio. He be-gan playing with the Conservatory Orches-tra (Denver Young Artists Orchestra) in fifth grade.


10-Life

LIFES O U T H M E T R O

Hyperrealist sculptures on display

A visitor favorite since she first appeared in 1984, “Linda,” by Denver sculptor John De-Andrea, is kept in a dark, climate-controlled storage area at Denver Art Museum when not on display. DeAndrea’s hyperrealist human figure sculptures include “Linda” and two more on exhibit: “Clothed Artist and Model,” previously exhibited, and a new work, “Nude, with Black Drape.” They will be on display until June 21. denverartmuseum.org, 720-865-5000.

Photography presentationBoulder-based photographer Steve

O’Bryan, who also teaches Greek and Roman history, will speak to the Englewood Camera Club at 7 p.m. April 14, at Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, 6400 S. University Blvd., Centennial. He wrote: “In this presentation we will consider the personal and artistic side of the photographic process by visualizing the ‘many images’ that precede releasing the shutter … eventually the image comes from within the artist …” He invites attendees to bring an image to discuss. Guests and new members are welcome.

First-person historyRetired Littleton teacher and principal

Hank Wyeno will give a multi-media presen-tation and firsthand account of the Japanese-American experience during World War II at Bemis Library at 7 p.m. on April 16. Wyeno’s father was a farmer in southern Colorado when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, and like other Americans of Japanese ances-try, he experienced discrimination. Ironically, the all-Nisei (second-generation Japanese-Americans) 442nd Regimental Combat Team was the most decorated military unit of World War II. Bemis is at 6014 S. Datura St., Little-ton. 303-795-3961.

Jazz at Lone TreeThe Grammy-winning Yellowjackets jazz

quartet will perform at Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree, at 8 p.m. April 17. Tickets: $33-$57, lonetreeartscenter.org, 720-509-1000.

Spring garden programThe Colorado Water Garden Society and

Denver Botanic Gardens co-sponsor a spring program from 6 to 8:30 p.m. April 16 at the Plant Society Building at Denver Botanic Gar-dens/York Street, 1009 York St., Denver. (The Plant Society Building is a modular building near the new Bonsai Pavilion and the West Terrace area.) The 2015 theme is “Gardens Around the Globe” and the April 16 pro-gram will include members’ slides from Kew Gardens in London, Na’Aina in Hawaii and points in between, according to board mem-ber Jim Arneill of Centennial. A preview of the upcoming water garden season and useful gardening information will be included and prospective members are encouraged to attend. Admission is free. Use the employee/deliveries parking lot north of the Visitor Cen-ter. Information: Bill Powell, 303-355-8098, or Jim Arneill, 303-843-9619.

Book tells of fairyAuthor Pat Long will introduce her chil-

dren’s book, “The Stitches Fairy” from 4 to 5 p.m. on April 16 at Smoky Hill Library, 5430 Biscay Circle, Centennial. Little Claire dreads having her stitches removed until her father tells her about the stitches fairy and she is excited to put her stitches in a little box under her pillow. Will the fairy remember to come? Registration is required, 303-LIBRARY, visit any Arapahoe Library District branch or visit arapahoelibraries.org.

Literary FestivalThe Writers Studio at Arapahoe

Sampler continues on Page 15

Exhibit focuses on equine art�ree artists share visions of horses at PACE CenterBy Sonya [email protected]

Art specific to the Western United States often depicts horses saddled and herding cattle, or harnessed, working the soil, but for centuries, they have drawn artists’ at-tention in many visions.

The Arts Gallery at the PACE Center in Parker displays an exhibit with work by three very different artists who all revere the image of the horse.

“The Horse: Variations on a Theme” will hang in the gallery through April 30 and is open during daytime hours and during performances. It offers art by Amy Laug-esen, Quang Ho and Brown Cannon.

Laugesen, of Englewood, said on her website that she grew up in Parker, where her love of horses was nurtured and she was a member of the local Pony Club.

“Now as a sculptor, the horse, familiar in form, nature and spirit continues to of-fer powerful inspiration for my mixed me-dia sculptures.”

Copy from the gallery speaks of her Etruscan-influenced clay forms, tying her with an ancient time when horses were

also subjects for artists. The Museum of Outdoor art exhibits her work near the fountain by Englewood Civic Center.

Brown Cannon’s photographic images of horses reveal his reverence for the natu-ral world. He prints some in epic sizes. He lives in Bend, Oregon, and travels through-out the world seeking images to photo-graph.

Quang Ho is a well-known Denver art-ist, who was born in Vietnam and immi-grated to the U.S. at age 12 in 1975. He is now a U.S. citizen and successful artist in-ternationally. He said, “The real essence of

painting is the dialogue between shapes, tones, colors textures, edges and lines.” He is represented by Gallery 1261 in Denver.

Brown Cannon’s horses run right at the viewer in a photograph exhibited in “The Horse: Variations on a Theme” at PACE Center Art Gallery. Courtesy photos

Quang Ho’s drawings of horses o�er a third vision of the animals in “The Horse: Variations on a Theme”.at PACE Center Art Gallery.

Sculptured horses by Amy Laughesen, exhibited in “The Horse: Variations on a Theme,” at Pace Center Art Gallery, show Etruscan in�uence.

The Art Gallery at the PACE Center is at 20000 Pikes Peak Ave. in downtown Parker. The gallery is open days and evenings during performances. Parkerarts.org, 303-805-6800.

IF YOU GO

Young Artist Concert coming to Lone Tree Broom� eld student to perform on trumpet By Sonya Ellingboe [email protected]

Each spring, the Denver Concert Band chooses a young musician from a group of competitors to perform in its Young Artist Concert. This year’s show will be at 2 p.m. April 19 at Lone Tree Arts Center, and the 2015 winner is trumpeter Stephen Spinks, who at-tends Holy Family High School in Broomfi eld.

He will perform Alexander Arutunian’s “Trumpet Concerto” with the band, in a con-cert titled “Accent on Youth.”

Also on the program are other numbers that should appeal to children: “Watchman, Tell us of the Night,” by Camphouse; selec-tions from “Into the Woods,” by Sondheim; “Famishius Fantasticus,” by Markowski; “A Childhood Remembered,” by Galante; “Aquarium,” by John de Meij; “The Seal Lullabye,” by Whitacre; “A Boy’s Dream,” by Bocook; and “The Screamer,” by Fred Jewell.

Spinks started playing a piano at age 5 and switched to trumpet after fi nishing sec-ond grade in Dawn Kramer’s Studio. He be-gan playing with the Conservatory Orches-tra (Denver Young Artists Orchestra) in fi fth grade.

“I attended the Rafael Mendez Brass Insti-tute (held at the Lamont School of Music at DU) in 2010 and it was a life-changing experi-ence,” he writes. In summer 2011, he toured in Europe with the DYAO’s top orchestra and has since attended the Summer Jazz Work-shop at Eastman School of Music; attended Interlochen Arts Camp; performed multiple times at the Greeley Jazz Fest; and played in the World Youth Symphony Orchestra. He has played with all-state ensembles in Colorado and was a fi nalist in the 2014 National Trum-pet Competition.

He is now awaiting admissions decisions from colleges where he will study trumpet performance.

The 90-member Denver Concert Band in-cludes musicians who volunteer because of a love of music. Many are music educators. Jacinda Bouton of Lone Tree is in her 16th year as conductor and Ken Kopatich of Little-ton, a retired educator, is associate conductor.


11

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The Denver Concert Band’s Young Artist Concert will be at 2 p.m. April 19 at Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree. Tickets cost $13/$8; lonetreeartscenter.org, 720-509-1000.

IF YOU GO

Trumpet player Stephen Spinks, winner of the Denver Condert Band Young Artists’ competition for 2015, will perform with the Denver Concert Band on April 19 at Lone Tree Arts Center. Courtesy photo

Review: ‘Furious 7’ drives hard with action By Sandy Cohen Associated Press

Fast-moving fi ght scenes, outrageous auto antics and a sprinkling of ridiculous one-liners make “Furious 7” a campy, crowd-pleasing escape.

Never mind that the fi lm repeatedly pres-ents the impossible _ a muscle car attacks an airborne helicopter — fans of the franchise know to suspend disbelief at the door. With nonstop action from start to fi nish, it’s easy — if a bit exhausting — to go along for the high-speed ride.

Reality intrudes at the end: The fi lm is ded-icated to Paul Walker, who died in a car crash in 2013, and concludes with a montage of im-ages of the actor from his fi ve previous “Fast and Furious” appearances. Walker’s brothers acted as stand-ins and special effects were used to maintain his presence throughout his fi nal fi lm, which was still in production when he died.

There are a couple of creepy allusions to his death in the fi lm that could briefl y jar viewers. At one point, Roman (Tyrese Gibson) asks Brian (Walker) to promise their team won’t face any more funerals. When Brian replies, “Just one more,” he’s referring to that of the fi lm’s villain (Jason Statham), but one can’t help but think of the actor’s own acci-dental death.

Another scene shows Brian telling wife Mia (Jordana Brewster) that if she doesn’t hear from him after the crew’s latest mission, she should “move on.’’ It almost feels like a message to his co-stars.

Like its predecessors, the seventh install-ment of the hit franchise features a multicul-tural cast, international settings and a daz-zling array of cars. While this critic is partial to American muscle cars, the $3.5 million Lykan Hypersport from Dubai-based W Motors is incredible to see. Only seven such vehicles ex-ist. (No Lykan Hypersports were harmed dur-ing the making of the fi lm.)

The story is just a framework for car chases and fi ght scenes. Dom (Vin Diesel) and his crew are acclimating to life on the right side of the law when they’re attacked by Shaw (Statham), bent on avenging the death of his brother, who was killed in “Fast & Furious 6.’’

Shaw is elusive, and the crew needs help.They’re approached by secret operative

Mr. Nobody (a smiling and smarmy Kurt Rus-sell), who promises to aid in taking out Shaw if Dom’s crew can secure a breakthrough tracking device for the U.S. government. Meanwhile, a group of mercenaries, led by an underused Djimon Honsou, is also willing to kill for the tracking device, which can locate anyone on the globe by hacking into myriad digital networks.

Directed by James Wan (“Saw”), “Furi-ous 7” scores with unprecedented car stunts. A cargo plane drops various parachute-equipped cars onto a curving road in the Cau-casus Mountains. Amazingly, all the cars land upright where they are supposed to. Hilari-ously, Dom and the others are shown “steer-ing” the vehicles as they fl y through the air.

When the characters aren’t in their cars, they’re fi st-fi ghting, and Wan’s shooting style makes those scenes appear illuminated by strobe light.

Even Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), the lone female, throws blows — in gown and heels — battling an all-woman security team led by MMA fi ghter Ronda Rousey. Though Letty is depicted as an equal among the boys, there is a sexist undertone to the fi lm. Attractive women are set dressing and Roman and Tej (Chris “Ludacris” Bridges) play rock, paper, scissors for “dibs” on a woman.

While that may be comic for some, most of the funny comes from security agent Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson), with lines like, “Daddy’s got to go to work,” after which he busts his arm out of a plaster cast, Hulk-style, just by fl exing.

It all adds up to an over-the-top escapist romp, which is exactly what “Fast & Furious” fans expect.

‘FURIOUS 7’“Furious 7,” a Universal Pictures release, is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for “prolonged frenetic sequences of violence, action and mayhem, suggestive content and brief strong language.” Running time: 140 minutes. Three stars out of four.


12

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Running Creek Elementary (PreK-5)900 S. Elbert Street, Elizabeth 303-646-4620

Singing Hills Elementary (PreK-5)41012 Madrid Drive, Parker 303-646-1858

Elizabeth Middle School (6-8)34427 Co. Rd. 13, Elizabeth 303-646-4520

EliElizabeth High School (9-12)34500 Co. Rd. 13, Elizabeth 303-646-4616

Frontier High School (9-12)589 South Banner Street 303-646-1798

(Alternative Education Campus for non-traditional learners)

Connect With Elizabeth Schools: www.elizabeth.k12.co.us

Open House with the Principal Tuesday, April 21 at every school Three sessions offered that evening; 5:00pm, 6:00pm, or 7:00pm

For all new or out of district students interested in Elizabeth Schools

Come Learn About Elizabeth Schools

Instructor’s career path keeps her close to kids Preschool sta� er lauded as 2015 Elementary Educator By Jane Reuter [email protected]

As Jennifer Morris’ own chil-dren grow closer to adulthood, she realizes even more clearly the wonders of the early years.

“It makes me appreciate those little kids even that much more,” said Morris, a preschool teacher at Parker’s Iron Horse Elementary Preschool, who re-

cently won an Apple Award as Douglas County School Dis-trict’s Elementary Educator of the Year. “What I love about the age is their enthusiasm. They are just happy to learn, and they are like sponges. They love every-thing you teach them.”

The mother of three teenag-ers, Morris gets to indulge her delight in children both at home and at work. Though she ma-jored in child development and knew her career would involve children, it’s taken Morris time to find the right job.

“I always loved kids but af-ter college, I worked in the day care industry; I didn’t love it,” said the University of Wyoming

graduate and Colorado native. “I didn’t feel like I was teaching kids much.”

Morris took a break from work to stay home with her children, but when the youngest started kindergarten, she went back to work; this time, for the Douglas County School District. As an early childhood instructor, she’s feels a new sense of satisfaction.

“We’re teaching kids social skills, how to be good civilians, and how to work together,” she said. “Communicating is huge.”

Huge, but not easy. About half of Morris’ charges are on indi-vidualized education programs for speech and language, which means they have unique learn-

ing styles and issues.“So communication is hard,”

she said. “But we do song, dance, sign language and writing and art. A lot of times we follow their lead.”

Morris’ challenges are com-plicated by the children’s ages, which range from 2 to 5.

“It’s a big age difference in one classroom,” she said. “You have different levels of devel-opment. We have kids that are ready for kindergarten; they’ve learned how to sit and listen and when it’s appropriate to talk. And then we have babies who are log rolling across the floor.

“So we give kids different ways to learn and be success-

ful. You have to be really flexible, and you can’t have one standard for the classroom. It teaches all of the kids some tolerance, and it teaches them empathy.”

Morris’ career path isn’t done climbing, however. During her off-hours, she’s taking classes to earn her master’s degree at the University of Colorado-Denver. She plans to continue following her lifelong calling and be an early childhood special educa-tion teacher.

“My dad was a teacher and my mom’s degree was also in child development,” she said. “They were always passionate about helping children them-selves. Maybe it reflected in me.”

New race – Dirty 40 bike ride – hits Castle Pines Area event features many types of road surfaces Sta� report

The first Dirty 40 Ride Wild bike race will be held in Castle Pines April 26.

This bike race has a little

bit of every road medium you can think of — dirt, pavement, packed dirt, crushed pavement, off road track. All bikes can be used, based on an individual’s ability. Road bikes, mountain bikes, cross bikes, fat tire bikes and even beach cruisers are free to join the race.

There will be category win-ners for each race. All races will begin at 11 a.m. at Elk Ridge

Park, 6971 Mira Vista Lane in Castle Pines.

Distances and surfaces:Short loop of 12 miles — two

miles on a hard-packed road, six miles on road, four miles on dirt/paved paths. Long loop of 24 miles — six miles on paved road, 10 miles dirt ranch roads, two miles on dirt path, two miles hard-packed dirt road, four miles off beat wildlife trail and

a 2K Kids adventure loop in Elk Ridge Park.

Event details:All bike types are allowed.

Bounty Setter of $500 to the fast-est women and man on the long course will be awarded. There will be an event area with mu-sic, beer, food and sponsor ven-dors, bouncy house and more. Ten miles of this course is on The Canyon development east

of Interstate 25 to highlight this property that will soon become a part of the community.

Cost & Registration:$60 for the men’s and wom-

en’s open division 40 km races, $40 for the men’s and women’s open 20 km races and $10 for kids. The 9.8-mile leisure ride will cost $35. Register online at bikereg.com/ride-wild.

Young author plots literary path Legend High School junior becomes a ‘Dreamer’ By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@colorado communitymedia.com

Nicole Steiner, a 16-year-old junior at Legend High School, recently returned home from the Disney Dreamers Academy, a mentoring program that gives advice and tools to teens to help them achieve success in their desired career fi eld.

Steiner was one of 100 teens chosen out of 10,000 applicants nationwide to attend the four-day, all-expenses paid program at Walt Disney World. Her dream is to be an author and she was able to network with successful writers, and

will continue to be men-tored by professionals as

AREA CLUBSOngoingDOUGLAS-ELBERT COUNTY Music Teach-ers’ Association meets at 9 a.m. every � rst Thursday at Parker Bible Church, between Jordan and Chambers on Main Street. All area music teachers are welcome. Call Lucie Washburn, 303-814-3479.

THE ELBERT County Sheri� ’s Posse is a nonpro� t volunteer organization that is part of the Elbert County Sheri� ’s O� ce. As volunteers we support the Elbert County Sheri� ’s O� ce, all law enforcement in our county, and the community at large. For more information or a membership application, go to http://www.elbertcountysheri� .com/posse.html, or contact Dave Peontek at 303-646-5456.

THE ELIZABETH Food Bank, 381 S. Banner in Elizabeth (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.

LAWYERS AT the Library, a free legal clinic for parties who have no attorney, will be o� ered from 6-9 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month at the Elizabeth Library, 651 W. Beverly St. Volunteer attorneys will answer questions, help � 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 � rst-come, � rst-served basis.

MYSTERY BOOK Club meets at 9:30 a.m. the � rst Saturday of each month at the Simla Public Library. The group enjoys talking about a variety of mystery authors and titles. We also periodically host a Colorado author during our meetings.

Everyone may join us, and registration is not required. Visit the Simla Branch of the Elbert County Library District at 504 Washington Avenue, call 719-541-2573, or email [email protected].

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 e� cient means of travel for the four-county region. Call Kay Campbell, Kiowa, at 719- 541-4275. You may also call the ECCOG o� ce at 1-800-825-0208 to make reservations for any of the trips. You may also visit http://outbackexpress.tripod.com. To ensure that a seat is available, 24-hour advance reservations are appreciated.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS meets from 10-11 a.m. and from 7-8 p.m. Wednesdays in the Sedalia Room at New Hope Presbyterian Church, 2100 Meadows Parkway, Castle Rock.

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 � 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.

THERAPEUTIC RIDING. Promise Ranch Therapeutic Riding in Parker o� ers free therapeutic riding for develop-mentally disabled adults and children. Scholarship money is available for Douglas County residents to provide 10 therapeutic riding lessons. Call 303-841-5007 or visit www.promiseranch-therapeuticriding.com.


13

OF GAMESGALLERYc r o s s w o r d • s u d o k u

& w e e k l y h o r o s c o p e

GALLERY OF GAMESc r o s s w o r d • s u d o k u & w e e k l y h o r o s c o p e

SALOME’S STARSFOR RELEASE WEEK OF APRIL 6, 2015

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You might be upset about having to deal with problems that are no fault of your own. But you can turn the annoyance into an asset by showing how quickly and how well you can resolve them.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) The Bovine’s fondness for tidiness pays off when you untangle a situation that seems hopelessly snarled. You might later be surprised to learn who will be expressing his or her gratitude.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Although you can tackle your assignment the way you prefer, it might be a good idea to at least ask for suggestions. Who knows? One or two might even turn out to be helpful.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Make all the changes in your plans or proposals that you feel are necessary before -- repeat, before -- you submit them to your col-leagues. You’ll come off looking more decisive that way.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) You might feel a mite in-timidated in a new environment, be it a job, a classroom or meeting the future in-laws. But enter with a big smile, and everyone will see you as a real take-charge Cat.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) This could be a romantic time for you if you can set aside your cyni-cism and let yourself believe that someone really cares. If you’re already in a relationship, expect your partner to be extra-loving.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) It’s a good time to shed any doubts about your abilities. You’ve proved yourself in the past, so why not accept that you’ll do just as well, or better, in dealing with the new challenge ahead?

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Your suspi-cions might be on the mark, but unless you can prove what you assume, you need to exercise that Scorpion discretion and let events unfold without your assistance.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Be careful not to go over the top this week. Avoid over-eating (especially of the wrong foods), or drinking too much, or working too hard. You can do it all, but in moderation.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) A fam-ily matter is given to you to resolve because you have the gift for bringing quarrelsome kinfolk together. But while you’re playing Dr. Phil, don’t neglect your career obligations.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Someone of importance shares your goals but disagrees with your plan to achieve them. Never mind. Defending your methods with logic and facts earns you admiration and respect.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Consider getting away, perhaps for the weekend, despite all the demands made on your time and energies. You’ll return refreshed and ready to tackle it all with your usual finesse.

BORN THIS WEEK: You have a sense of honesty that makes people believe and trust in you.

© 2015 King Features Synd., Inc.

Instructor’s career path keeps her close to kidsful. You have to be really flexible, and you can’t have one standard for the classroom. It teaches all of the kids some tolerance, and it teaches them empathy.”

Morris’ career path isn’t done climbing, however. During her off-hours, she’s taking classes to earn her master’s degree at the University of Colorado-Denver. She plans to continue following her lifelong calling and be an early childhood special educa-tion teacher.

“My dad was a teacher and my mom’s degree was also in child development,” she said. “They were always passionate about helping children them-selves. Maybe it reflected in me.”

New race – Dirty 40 bike ride – hits Castle Pinesof Interstate 25 to highlight this property that will soon become a part of the community.

Cost & Registration:$60 for the men’s and wom-

en’s open division 40 km races, $40 for the men’s and women’s open 20 km races and $10 for kids. The 9.8-mile leisure ride will cost $35. Register online at bikereg.com/ride-wild.

Young author plots literary pathLegend High School junior becomes a ‘Dreamer’By Chris Michlewiczcmichlewicz@colorado communitymedia.com

Nicole Steiner, a 16-year-old junior at Legend High School, recently returned home from the Disney Dreamers Academy, a mentoring program that gives advice and tools to teens to help them achieve success in their desired career field.

Steiner was one of 100 teens chosen out of 10,000 applicants nationwide to attend the four-day, all-expenses paid program at Walt Disney World. Her dream is to be an author and she was able to network with successful writers, and

will continue to be men-tored by professionals as

she pursues her dream.Along with three other teens, Steiner also

wrote and recorded a song in the Disney re-cording studio about having big dreams.

The Parker Chronicle caught up with the aspiring young author for a question-and-answer session.

What specifically has influenced you to pursue a career as an author?

Once I learned how to write, the trans-fer from playthings to pencil came natu-rally. My parents gave me notebooks and a library card. In the third grade my teacher told me not to write so much… and I lis-tened. My fifth grade teacher, however, en-couraged me, so I entered and won my first writing contest. I have used both teachers as motivation. Truly, I want my readers to feel as I do while reading; baggy-eyed late at nights, sipping coffee, begging myself to stay awake through another page.

Which genre do you prefer to write?Anything fiction! Lately science fiction

and dystopian novels have been my fixa-tion, but generally young adult fiction is my go-to. Crafting new worlds and fabri-cating societies is really fun because there are no limits. I also focus a lot on the inter-actions between my characters and their ever-changing relationships. As I like to say, characters are my co-workers, not my cre-ations. They lead the story in the direction it is meant to go!

In what way will your experiences at the academy help you in achieving your dream?

DDA gave me two key factors for suc-cess: connections and inspiration. I’ve been privileged to network with authors and ce-lebrities, including my new mentor, (author and corporate leader) Sonia Jackson Myles. These connections are designed to provide a career jumpstart for the teenagers who were chosen to attend DDA. The inspiring speakers taught me that the glamour of achievement is easy to see, but the sacri-fices and hard work required are what make

those achievements possible: “The dream is free but the hustle is sold separately.”

Describe the song you wrote and recorded.We wrote “Someday” as a song about

dreams. My chorus and bridge illustrate the relentless inner craving I have to work un-til my dream as an author comes true, and knowing that — someday — I will be what I was born to be. All of our voices and lyr-ics are like comparing apples to oranges yet they blend together deliciously.

How did you feel listening back to it?Dazed. For a song we made in a four

hours, we were all amazed by the turnout! I’m used to writing and performing songs in a bedroom with a cat for an audience. Sometimes I’ve performed originals in my guitar class, but performing “Someday” at DDA is my performance highlight! I wanted to cry and hug the other dreamers I worked with. At the same time, however, it felt so right. I was born to work with words… “Someday” is only the beginning for me.

Nicole Steiner

Q&A

House kills Regulatory Reform ActSmall business owners testify in support for education �rst, �nes secondBy Amy [email protected]

Each year, a handful of legislators draft a bill known as the Regulatory Reform Act in an effort to tweak new regulation enforce-ment on small businesses owners.

And each year the bill fails.Such was the case for the Regulatory Re-

form Act of 2015, which passed through the Senate but was squashed in a House com-

mittee last week.The bill, which was introduced separate-

ly in both chambers of the general assem-bly, would have applied to business with 100 employees or less.

Sponsored by father and son represen-tatives Tim Neville, R- Jefferson County, and Patrick Neville, R-Franktown, as well as former state representative Libby Szabo, R-Arvada, the bill aimed to relieve enforce-ment of new regulations that small busi-ness owners may inadvertently violate.

Usually, small businesses are not aware of any unintended violations until a state agency audit determines noncompliance. Due to smaller size, most small business owners do not have a separate department whose sole duty is to monitor new regula-

tions and ensure compliance, said Rep. Brian DelGrosso, R-Loveland.

“Majority of these cases, there is some-body who just didn’t know something new came along,” said DelGrosso.

First-time violations against new regula-tions would be handled through a warning rather than imposing a hefty fine, which brought opposition from the union advo-cacy group, AFL-CIO.

“I think that are some instances where people make honest mistakes,” said lobby-ist Phil Hayes for AFL-CIO. “What this bill does though is say that every time they vio-late a law except for a pretty narrow list of circumstances that the agency must waive the fine.”

Minor violations relating to only new

regulations were specified under the act, which dealt with operational or adminis-trative matters that includes “record keep-ing, retention of data or filing of reports,” the bill reads. Infractions relating to public safety or permit and bidding contracts were exempt from the bill.

“We have not had a violation yet but new rules and regulations come out every year and it is impossible for an owner with a growing company to keep up with all of them,” said Elizabeth Bayer, owner of a small consulting firm known as SJR Envi-ronmental Consulting. “I am not asking on behalf of me or my employees for a chance to get ‘out of jail’ or ‘get away with it’ but a chance to learn and to grow as an owner be-cause I don’t know everything.”


14-Sports

SPORTS

SPORTS ROUNDUPGirls Soccer

Frederick 3, Elizabeth 1 - Tegan Alexander’s late goal could not prevent the Cardinals from dropping their first match of the season at home on April 1. Me-gan Reyner recorded five saves in net. Elizabeth managed eight shots on goal in the contest.

BaseballElizabeth 17, Vista PEAK Prep

3 - The Cardinals wrapped up their fourth-straight league win in five innings on the road on April 1. Blake Hagerman pro-vided an offensive spark, knock-ing two doubles in a 4-for-4 day that included driving in six runs. Stuart Eurich hit a solo home run and scored three times in a three-hit day. Tyler Hagerman,

Ryan Schaeffer, Willie Weber and Jackson Wherry each drove in two runs.

Castle View JV 22, Kiowa/Sim-la 12 - Everything went wrong in the bottom of the fifth inning for the Cubs in a loss on April 2. The Cubs led 12-2 entering the frame, but gave up 20 runs to lose mercy-rule style. Cub pitchers walked 17 batters in the contest. Cody Norris finished 2-for-3 at the plate with a triple, three RBIs, and two runs scored.

Kiowa/Simla 18, Genoa-Hugo/Karval 0 - Maclain Smiley, Mitchell Bates and Cody Norris combined to strike out 10 batters and allow only a single hit in five innings as the Cubs won at home on March 31. Kyler Hamacher and Logan Link scored three

times each as the Cubs racked up 10 hits, drew 11 walks, and took advantage of seven errors.

Sand Creek 10, Kiowa/Simla 0 - Maclain Smiley and Mitchell Bates each knocked a single in three plate appearances as the Cubs were held to only those two hits in a five-inning loss on March 27. Cub pitchers gave up only three earned runs in the game after the defense commit-ted seven errors.

Boys Track and FieldElbert Invitational - Kiowa

(7th), Elizabeth (12th), Elbert (17th) - Elbert hosted 19 teams for the Elbert Invitational on March 28. Kiowa solidified their sev-enth-place team finish with a win in the high jump from TJ Daugh-

enbaugh and second-place finishes from James Neighbors in the long jump and the 4 x 400m relay team. Elizabeth recorded three top-eight finishes from the 4 x 800m relay team and Tyler Whitley and William Anderson who tied each other for seventh in the high jump. Daniel Mayer logged the only top-eight finish for Elbert coming in at seventh-place in the 800m.

Girls Track and FieldElbert Invitational - Kiowa

(7th), Elbert (8th), Elizabeth (15th) - Nineteen teams traveled to Elbert on March 28 to compete in the Elbert Invitational. Kiowa picked up two event wins from the 4 x 800m relay team and in the 400m from Melanie Deer-

ing. Deering also garnered a fourth-place finish in the high jump. Tabitha Miner finished as runner-up in the triple jump for Kiowa. Elbert locked down three second-place finishes, two from Hannah Maben in the 100m and 200m and from Caya Bahr in the 3200m. Elizabeth’s best finish came in the 1600m as Kara Brooks took fourth.

Boys BasketballAll-State Selections - Simla’s

senior guards Cody Norris and Kyler Hamacher were named 2A All-State by CHSAA for their play this season. Norris garnered a first-team selection and Ham-acher was selected to the third team.

Staff report

DC Dolphins’ Director of Baseball Academy Meagan Lang’s idea to hold an MVP Challenger League game for youth athletes with physi-cal and developmental chal-lenge as the season opener grew to an event with 14 par-ticipating athletes and more than 100 spectators in just a matter of months.

The game was held at Met-zler’s Field in Castle Rock on March 28, a sunny Saturday. The event included a three-inning game of seven-on-seven baseball, with some assistance from the Dolphins baseball players and volun-teers, complete with music and cheerleaders.

Lang said the event is defi-nitely one the DC Dolphins plan to continue and grow and reflected on the inau-gural event, saying, “It was amazing to see all the smiles and laughs from kids and their families — I am beyond grateful and humbled to have the support I do and see-ing something I simply [en-visioned] a few months ago come true.”

Olivia Sevier celebrates with her father, Boo, after she received her trophy following the conclusion of the inaugural DC Dolphins MVP Challenger League Game in Castle Rock on March 28. Photos by Chase Ellis

Tesa Gregory, right, races her brother Dillon to �rst base in the second inning of the DC Dolphins MVP Challenger Game. The game was held at Metzler’s Field in Castle Rock on March 28.

Joey Chambers is presented with his trophy by DC Dolphins’ Director of the Baseball Academy Meagan Lang following the DC Dolphins MVP Challenger League Game in Castle Rock on March 28.

For the LOVE of the GAME


15

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NoticesPublic NoticesPublic NoticesPublic NoticesPublic NoticesPublic NoticesTo advertise your public notices call 303-566-4100

Public NoticesPublic NoticesPublic NoticesPublic NoticesPublic NoticesPublic NoticesPublic NoticesName Changes

PUBLIC NOTICE

Public Notice of Petitionfor Change of Name

Public notice is given on March 26, 2015that a Third Order For Publication ForChange Of Name of a minor child hasbeen filed with the Elbert County Court.

The Petition requests that the name ofWilliam Nathaniel Hill be changed toNathaniel Joel Robison.Case No.: 2014 C 030237

By: Palmer L. BoyetteCounty Court Judge

Legal Notice No: 23158First Publication: April 9, 2015Last Publication: April 23, 2015Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Misc. Private Legals PUBLIC NOTICE

DISTRICT COURT, ELBERT COUNTY,COLORADO

Court Address: 751 Ute StreetP.O. Box 232, Kiowa, CO 80117

ELBERT COMBINED COURTDOMESTIC CASES

CONSOLIDATED NOTICEOF PUBLICATION

Notice is hereby given that in the follow-ing proceedings filed in the Court August25, 2014 under the Uniform Dissolution ofMarriage Act, the above Court has foundthat due diligence has been used to ob-tain personal service of process within theState of Colorado and that efforts to ob-tain same would be to no avail, C.R.S. 14-10-107(4)(a) has ordered five publica-tions of a Consolidated Notice of said pro-ceedings:

Case No.: 2014DR65Name of Parties:Katarina Eva Buesking-Villanuevaand Richard Anthony VillanuevaNature of Action:Dissolution of Marriage

You are further notified that a copy of thePetition and Summons may be obtainedfrom the Clerk of the court during regularbusiness hours (8:00 am to 4:00 pm) andthat default judgment may be enteredagainst that party upon whom service ismade by this notice if he or she fails to ap-pear or file a response within thirty (30)days after the date of publication.

Dated this 1st day of April 2015.

Cheryl A. LayneClerk of Combined Court751 Ute Avenue, P.O. Box 232Kiowa, Colorado 80117

By: Kathy Notary, Deputy Clerk

Legal Notice No.: 23160First Publication: April 9, 2015Last Publication: May 7, 2015Publisher: The Elbert County News

Government Legals Public Notice

PURSUANT TO THE LIQUOR LAWS OFTHE STATE OF COLORADO

Hi Test Liquor, Ltd., whose address is24501 N. Elbert Rd, Elbert, Colorado80106 has requested the Licensing Offi-cials of Elbert County to grant a Retail Li-quor Store License at the location of24501 N. Elbert Rd, Elbert, Colorado80106 to sell malt, vinous & spirituous li-quors. The Public Hearing on this applica-tion is to be held by the Board of CountyCommissioners at 215 Comanche St,Kiowa, Colorado on May 13, 2015 at ap-proximately 9:00 a.m.

Date of Application: May 28, 2015Officer: Eddy E. Sanders

Legal Notice No.: 23159First Publication: April 9, 2015Last Publication: April 9, 2015Publisher: The Elbert County News

PUBLIC NOTICE

DISTRICT COURT, ELBERT COUNTY,COLORADO

Court Address: 751 Ute StreetP.O. Box 232, Kiowa, CO 80117

ELBERT COMBINED COURTDOMESTIC CASES

CONSOLIDATED NOTICEOF PUBLICATION

Notice is hereby given that in the follow-ing proceedings filed in the Court August25, 2014 under the Uniform Dissolution ofMarriage Act, the above Court has foundthat due diligence has been used to ob-tain personal service of process within theState of Colorado and that efforts to ob-tain same would be to no avail, C.R.S. 14-10-107(4)(a) has ordered five publica-tions of a Consolidated Notice of said pro-ceedings:

Case No.: 2014DR65Name of Parties:Katarina Eva Buesking-Villanuevaand Richard Anthony VillanuevaNature of Action:Dissolution of Marriage

You are further notified that a copy of thePetition and Summons may be obtainedfrom the Clerk of the court during regularbusiness hours (8:00 am to 4:00 pm) andthat default judgment may be enteredagainst that party upon whom service ismade by this notice if he or she fails to ap-pear or file a response within thirty (30)days after the date of publication.

Dated this 1st day of April 2015.

Cheryl A. LayneClerk of Combined Court751 Ute Avenue, P.O. Box 232Kiowa, Colorado 80117

By: Kathy Notary, Deputy Clerk

Legal Notice No.: 23160First Publication: April 9, 2015Last Publication: May 7, 2015Publisher: The Elbert County News

Misc. Private Legals “Trust Us!”

Noticesaremeant tobenoticed.Readyourpublicnoticesandget involved!

Without public notices,the government wouldn’thave to say anything else.Public notices are a community’s windowinto the government. From zoningregulations to local budgets, governmentshave used local newspapers to informcitizens of its actions as an essential partof your right to know.You knowwhere tolook, when to look and what to look for tobe involved as a citizen. Local newspapersprovide you with the information youneed to get involved.

Notice to Creditors PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORSEstate of Betty Jean Albers,

DeceasedCase Number: 2015 PR 30006

All persons having claims against theabove-named estate are required topresent them to the Personal Represent-ative or to the District Court of ElbertCounty, Colorado on or before August 10,2015 or the claims may be forever barred.

Reid Allred, Esq.Chipman Glasser, LLC2000 S. Colorado Blvd.Tower One, Suite 7500Denver, Colorado 80222

Attorney for the PersonalRepresentativeTimothy Larry Albers

Legal Notice No: 23161First Publication: April 9, 2015Last Publication: April 23, 2015Publisher: Elbert County News

Large cast will stage highlights from storiesBy Sonya [email protected]

Guest skaters in the 2015 “Fairy Tales on Ice” show include Polina Edmunds, the 2015 Four Continents ladies cham-pion/2014 U.S. Olympic Team member, and Max Aaron, 2014 U.S. bronze med-alist and 2013 U.S. men’s national cham-pion.

They will join 145 skaters from South Suburban Ice Arena, Family Sports Cen-ter and Denver ice arenas for this annual spring production, with two evening performances and two matinees on April 24-26.

“Fairy Tales on Ice” will include high-lights from “Shrek,” “Tangled,” “Enchant-ed,” “Cinderella,” “Sleeping Beauty” and “Frozen.” The show is produced through a partnership between Colorado Skat-ing Club and Denver Figure Skating Club and is held at South Suburban Ice Arena.

The annual Showtime on Ice produc-tion was created by the late Peggy DeLio to expose figure skaters and their fami-lies to Broadway musicals and classics, according to publicist Madeline Daley. She writes that the first show was fash-ioned after the Ice Follies and each year since has had a different theme.

Skaters range in age from preschool

through adult, and come from Denver, Aurora and south suburban communi-ties, including 42 from Douglas County Public Schools, 23 from Littleton Public Schools, 44 from Cherry Creek Schools and 12 from south-area Catholic and pri-vate schools.

Internationally known figure skaters have appeared in past shows, including Scott Hamilton, Dorothy Hamill, Paul Wylie, Robin Cousins, Kristi Yamaguchi, Rudy Galinado, John Curry and more re-cently Ryan Bradley, Adam Rippon, Josh-ua Farris, Gracie Gold, Courtney Hicks and reigning U.S. pairs champions Alex Scimeca and Chris Knierim.

On opening night there will be a VIP event and tribute to the Pat Bowlen fam-ily, longtime supporters, in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association, which will receive the proceeds.

Madison Powell, Olivia D’Agostino, Janie Ochitwa and So�a Daley will perform in “Fairy Tales on Ice” on April 24-26 at South Suburban Ice Arena. Photo by Madeline Daley

There will be four performances of “Fairy Tales on Ice”: 7:30 p.m. April 24, 25; 1 p.m. April 25, 26 at the South Suburban Ice Arena, 6280 S. Vine St., Centennial. Tickets range from $10-$20 and the VIP event tickets cost $100. For ticket inquiries, contact [email protected]; www.showtimeonice.com/ticket-information.

IF YOU GO

‘Fairy Tales on Ice’ bound for local arena

WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK? Want to know what clubs, art exhibits, meetings and cultural events are happening in your area and the areas around you? Visit our website at www.coloradocommunitymedia.com/calendar.


SamplerCommunity College will host its 2015 Literary Festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 18 in the Half Moon (Room M 1800) on the Littleton campus, 5901 S. Santa Fe Drive. Workshops, readings, presentations and lunch. Cost: $45/$25 non-ACC students/$20 ACC students, by April 16. Information: [email protected], 303-797-5815.

‘Greenwood and Beyond’Curtis Arts and Humanities Center, 2349 E. Orchard Road,

Greenwood Village, presents its annual “Greenwood and Beyond” photography exhibit. It is open April 18 to May 8. Juror Jim Sidinger will speak from 5:30 to 7 p.m. April 23: “The Past: Traditional Process, The Present: Digital, The Future: Anything New.” Gallery hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Admission is free. 303-797-1779.

Genealogical Society to meetThe Columbine Genealogical and Historical Society holds

two meetings in April at Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, 6400 S. University Blvd., Centennial. Guests are welcome. The meeting on April 14 from 1-3 p.m. will focus on “Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection” by Mary McCarthy, Colorado State Library. Then on April 21 from 1-3 p.m., the program will be “My Irish Genealogy Inspired by Music” by Star Edwards, harp instructor, musician and author.

Sidewalk Prophets“The Great Big Family Room” tour by the family-oriented

Sidewalk Prophets band will appear at 7 p.m. April 18 at Foot-hills Baptist Church, 6100 DeVinney Way, Littleton. Tickets: $10, $75 Pizza Party, $200 Serenade, 815-797-2428, greatbig-familyroomtour.com.


16

FAMILY FEATURES

Busy weeknights call formeals you can preparequickly, but there’s noneed to compromise onflavor and quality.

One way to save time is combiningfresh ingredients with frozen sides,such as those offered by AlexiaFoods. Made with premium, naturalingredients and creative flavor com -binations, they lend a deliciouslygourmet complement to any meal.

Don’t be fooled by the complexflavors of these dishes — they’resurprisingly fast to prepare, requiringonly about thirty minutes of hands-ontime (or less).

For more time-saving recipesfeaturing real ingredients that serve-up exceptional taste, visitwww.alexiafoods.com.

Italian Herb Corn andRice Zucchini BoatsHands-on: 25 minutes Total: 50 minutes Servings: 4 (2 halves each)

4 medium zucchini1 tablespoon olive oil1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon ground black

pepper1 package (12 ounces)

Alexia Italian Herb Corn with Sundried Tomatoes

3/4 cup cooked white basmati rice (or quinoa for added protein and fiber)

1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, optional

Preheat oven to 425°F. Cut zucchini in half lengthwise.

Using melon baller or spoon, scoopout zucchini flesh, leaving about 1/4-inch border.

Brush zucchini halves with oil.Sprinkle with garlic, salt and pepper.Place zucchini on parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake 13–15minutes or until tender.

Meanwhile, prepare corn accord -ing to package directions. Toss cornwith rice and cheeses. Spoon mixtureevenly into zucchini halves.

Return to oven. Bake 8–10minutes more or until filling is hot. Place zucchini under broiler for golden brown top. Sprinkle withparsley, if desired.

Chicken Paella with French Green BeansHands-on: 30 minutes Total: 60 minutes Servings: 6 (1 2/3 cups each)

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces

1/2 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon ground black

pepper1 small onion, chopped2 cloves garlic, minced2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1 1/2 cups parboiled white long-grain rice, uncooked

2 cups chicken broth1 can (14.5 ounces)

Hunt’s Diced Tomatoes, undrained

1 package (11 ounces) Alexia French Herb Green Beans

1/3 cup sliced ripe olives2 tablespoons chopped fresh

Italian (flat-leaf) parsleyLemon wedges

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large deepskillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken, salt andpepper. Cook 7–9 minutes or untilgolden brown on all sides. Transferto plate.

Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to skillet and heat. Add onion, garlicand paprika. Cook 3–5 minutes oruntil onion is tender, stirring often.Stir in rice; cook 1–2 minutes oruntil coated well.

Stir in broth, tomatoes andchicken; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook 12 minutes.

Stir in frozen green beans; cookcovered 8–10 minutes more or untilrice is tender and chicken is cookedthrough. Remove from heat; letstand covered 5 minutes.

Stir in olives. Sprinkle withparsley and serve with lemonwedges.

Almond Crusted Tilapia withParmesan PeasHands-on: 30 minutes Total: 30 minutes Servings: 4 (1 filet and 1/2 cup peas each)

1/3 cup dry unseasoned bread crumbs1/3 cup finely chopped almonds

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese1/4 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

4 tilapia fillets (6 ounces each), or any white-fleshed fish such as cod, haddock or sole

1/3 cup all-purpose flour1 egg, beaten2 tablespoons olive oil1 package (12 ounces)

Alexia Parmesan PeasLemon wedges

Combine bread crumbs, almonds and cheese inshallow dish.

Sprinkle salt and pepper on fish. Coat fish withflour; shake off excess. Dip in egg until coatedwell. Place in bread crumb mixture and turn tocoat completely.

Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over mediumheat. Add fish; cook 3–4 minutes on each side oruntil fish flakes easily with fork and is goldenbrown (145°F internal temperature).

Meanwhile, prepare peas according to packagedirections. Serve peas and lemon wedges with fish.

Southern Sweet Potato HashHands-on: 35 minutesTotal: 35 minutesServings: 4 (1 1/4 cups hash with 1 egg each)

1 pound fresh hot Italian turkey sausage, casings removed

2 packages (11 ounces each) Alexia Southern Sweet Potato Blend

2 green onions, sliced2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar4 cold eggs

Heat large skillet over medium-high heat; addsausage. Cook 5–7 minutes or until crumbled,stirring occasionally. Drain.

Add sweet potato blend. Cover and cook 5minutes, stirring occasionally. Uncover and cook5–7 minutes more or until vegetables are cooked,stirring occasionally. Stir in onions and cilantro.

Meanwhile, fill saucepan with about 3 inches of water. Heat until water simmers gently; stir in vinegar. Break 1 cold egg into small dish or saucer. Holding dish just above simmering water, gently slip egg into water. Repeat withremaining eggs.

Cook eggs in gently simmering water 3–5minutes or until white is set and yolk is cooked to desired doneness. Remove eggs with slottedspoon. Drain on paper towels.

Divide sweet potato mixture among 4 plates.Top each with poached egg.

Elbert County News 0409

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