Elbert County News 0303

29-4121-5

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

VOLUME 121 | ISSUE 5 | 75¢

March 3, 2016

ElbertCountyNews.net

A publication of

ELBERT COUNTY NEWS (USPS 171-100)

OFFICE: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 | PHONE: 303-566-4100

A legal newspaper of general circulation in Elizabeth, Colorado, the Elbert County News is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ELIZABETH, COLORADO and additional mailing offi ces.

POSTMASTER: Send address change to:9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

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Participants describe blessings, challenges of life in rural area

By Rick Gustafson Special to Colorado Community Media

The Kiowa Town Hall was the fi rst of four stops in the Colorado Health Foundation’s two-day Eastern Plains Listening Tour. On Feb. 22, commu-nity leaders from Kiowa met with the foundation’s president and CEO Karen McNeil-Miller to discuss the pros and cons of rural living as they pertain to the general health of residents.

McNeil-Miller emphasized the no-

tion that health goes well beyond what happens between patients and doctors, and that leaders infl uence the health of their communities through the deci-sions they make.

“For most people in the community that are decision-makers, many of the decisions they have to make have a health impact or a health outcome at-tached to them,” she said. “If they can think about that as they are making those decisions, look through a health lens, it can go a long way in moving their community forward.”

Kiowa Trustee Larry Perreault, coun-ty 4-H assistant Lore Denson, Elbert County Coalition for Outreach director Pam Witucki and Kiowa Town Adminis-trator Michelle Oeser offered several of

Elbert County’s outdoor activities, such as 4-H, as examples of programs con-tributing to healthy living, but also ex-pressed concerns for health challenges common to many rural communities.

“We are hearing many common themes, behavioral health, mental health and substance abuse being at the top of the list, access to care being next,” said McNeil-Miller. “In the rural communities it’s, ‘We just need a doctor nearby.’ In some of the more resourced communities it’s, ‘We have plenty of docs, but nobody’s taking Medicaid or additional Medicare patients.’”

McNeil-Miller launched her state-wide listening tour a month after taking

Colorado Health Foundation CEO Karen McNeil-Miller speaks to community leaders during a Feb. 22 stop on the Eastern Plains Listening Tour. Photo by Rick Gustafson

Health tour gives area residents a voice

Geerdes allegedly shot cohort at location of marijuana grow


Elbert County resident Shawn Ed-ward Geerdes has pleaded not guilty to murder in the fi rst degree and to eight other charges related to the slaying of a 44-year-old Parker resident, Jason Dosa, in September 2015.

Geerdes appeared with his two public defenders in Elbert County District Court

in Kiowa on Feb. 22 and remained silent during the proceedings.

According to the complaint, Geerdes and Dosa were partners in a marijuana grow in a greenhouse just outside of the town of Agate. When the deal “fell apart,” Dosa allegedly made an

early-morning visit to the greenhouse on Sept. 20 to claim a share of the grow, and authorities believe Geerdes shot Dosa at least fi ve times with a .22-caliber fi rearm.

Dosa’s body was discovered by Jeffer-son County sheriff’s deputies respond-ing to a car fi re in a ravine near Deer Creek Canyon just before noon on Sept. 20. Once the blaze was extinguished by fi refi ghters from the Inter-Canyon Fire

Geerdes

Murder suspect pleads not guilty

Elizabeth production was ‘high-energy’ effort


When Elizabeth High School’s drama department pondered a mu-sical, the obvious choice just had to be “Seussical.” With Horton and Jojo, and a hat-clad cat in tow, students

and teachers put on a show … four of them actually.

Guided by the Cat in the Hat (junior Megan Kelly), “Seussical” combines the meter and stories from 15 Dr. Seuss favorites, weaving a mu-sical journey through the places we can go, into the land of Who-hearing Horton the elephant (sophomore Seth Beebe) and inside the life of Whoville’s Jojo (senior Kristin Dodd) — “the thinks she can think.”

“We get ‘Horton Hatches the Egg’ and ‘Horton Hears a Who’ combined with the Cat and the Hat and the Lo-rax,” said teacher and music director Allison Wagstaff. “Everything kind of weaves itself together.”

Producing a rock opera with 34 high school cast members and a live student orchestra took the time and patience of three dedicated teachers:

Horton, played by sophomore Seth Beebe, searches for his lost clover in a fi eld of clovers. Photo by Rick Gustafson

‘Seussical’ brings fun to stage

Tour continues on Page 9

Suspect continues on Page 9

Musical continues on Page 9

March 3, 20162 Elbert County News

2

THE TRAIN TO THE PLANE

aRRiving 4.22.16

Hall of Justice is only store of its kind in town

By Chris [email protected]

Jon Garnett spends each day surround-ed by the relics of his youth.

At Hall of Justice Comics & Collectibles, which opened in November in an indus-trial area northeast of Dransfeldt Road and Plaza Drive, Garnett is also surround-ed by people just like him, in that they’ve had a nearly lifelong obsession with comic books and the characters that animate the pages within.

But classic comics — featuring fa-vorites like Swamp Thing and the Flash — aren’t the only items that fill the many jam-packed boxes and shelves. There has been a tsunamic resurgence in comic books, and it’s been buoyed by the success of movies and TV shows featuring a grow-ing list of compelling superheroes with background stories as complex as their outfits.

“It’s crazy now because comics are cool, and when I was a kid, it wasn’t cool,” Garnett said.

Hall of Justice is the first store in Parker solely dedicated to comic books. Garnett drove to Aurora and Littleton to visit shops that specialized in comic books before opening his own store. He started the business two years ago and operated online, wheeling and dealing on eBay and his own website, www.hallofjusticecom-ics.com.

The 35-year-old married father of one knew he would eventually open a brick-and-mortar store; it was simply a matter of finding an affordable spot in Parker, his home for the last five years. And so he landed in a somewhat hidden, 1,000-square-foot space just off Drans-feldt Road. Nevertheless, people seem to be finding him.

“So far (business has) been above and beyond our expectations,” said Garnett, a collector since elementary school.

Todd Proffit drove an hour from Colo-

rado Springs to pay his first visit to Hall of Justice Comics & Collectibles Feb. 25 after seeing ads on Yelp and Craigslist. He likes that the store has all of the current titles, like “Batman,” “Deadpool” and “The Walking Dead,” but also enjoys the fact that it carries the comic books that started it all — what Proffit calls “back stuff.” He

says there are several shops in the Springs, but points out that a little bit of expertise goes a long way.

“You can have all the inventory in the world, but having a good person to talk to about comic books helps out,” he said.

“I try not to be Comic Book Guy,” Garnett quickly interjects, referring to the pretentious, know-it-all comic book store owner on “The Simpsons.”

Critics believed that the Kindle and iPad would be a “death knell” for com-ics, Garnett says, but studies indicate that readers use those tools to find titles they’re interested in. There is an “inher-ent” need to collect physical issues, Gar-nett said, adding: “You can’t beat holding something paper in your hand.”

The ones that Garnett prefers to hold the most are “Aquaman,” “Swamp Thing” and “Hellboy.” Garnett dresses as Hellboy for conventions like Denver ComicCon, and last year ran a booth there in charac-ter. His wife, Carissa, patiently helps him

apply the necessary red makeup. She also tolerated a basement full of comic books as her husband collected thousands of titles to sell.

“She’s glad to have it all out,” said Garnett, who left a career as a salesman of aquarium chemicals to start his venture.

Garnett comprises one-third of a team that hosts a weekly podcast about comic books called “Thinking Outside the Long Box.” With the popularity of comic books soaring, there is plenty to talk about.

Independent publishers are earning more of a market share from DC Comics and Marvel, the two largest publishers of comic books for decades. The people writ-ing and illustrating the comic books are passionate about their craft and the result has been broadening interest — and the opening of new comic book stores.

“It’s a very cool time. It’s nice to see that it’s not all superhero stuff; there’s room for horror, sci-fi, romance,” he said. “It’s just neat to be part of this time frame.”

Jon Garnett, owner of Hall of Justice Comics & Collectibles in Parker, talks about the surge in the popularity of comic books and the superheroes that animate their pages. Photo by Chris Michlewicz

Comic books fly off shelves in Parker shop

INFORMATION TO KNOWAddress: 10336 Dransfeldt Road, Unit #8, Parker

Phone: 303-484-9103 or 720-361-8081

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.hallofjusticecomics.com

Hours: Tues-Sat 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Sun 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Monday Closed

Elbert County News 3March 3, 2016

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SIN

ESS Marijuana exacerbates

prior conditions in some

By Kristen Wyatt Associated Press

Colorado’s tourists aren’t just buy-ing weed now that it’s legal — they’re ending up in emergency rooms at rates far higher than residents, ac-cording to a new study.

Doctors reviewed marijuana-related emergency-room admissions at “an urban academic hospital in Aurora” during 2014, when the sale of recreational pot became legal. The results were published Feb. 25 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The physicians found that the rate of emergency-room visits possibly related to marijuana doubled among out-of-state residents in the fi rst year of recreational pot sales. The rate went from 85 per 10,000 visits in 2013 to 168 per 10,000 visits in 2014.

Among Colorado residents, the rate of emergency-room visits pos-sibly related to cannabis use did not change signifi cantly between 2013 and 2014. Among Colorado resident emergency-room patients, 106 per 10,000 visits complained of mari-juana-related ailments in 2013 and 112 per 10,000 visits complained of marijuana-related ailments in 2014.

The difference between tourists and residents played out statewide.

Doctors in the study compared the hospital rates to data from the Colorado Hospital Association. That showed the rate among out-of-state residents rose from 78 per 10,000 vis-its in 2012 to 112 per 10,000 visits in 2013 to 163 per 10,000 visits in 2014. Among Colorado residents, the rate of emergency-room visits possibly re-lated to cannabis use increased from 61 to 70 to 86 to 101, respectively.

Tourists and Coloradans also had different complaints related to marijuana. Coloradans across the time period mostly complained of

gastrointestinal problems, while the most common ailment by visitors was psychiatric, including aggressive behavior and hallucinations.

Men were more two to three times more likely than women among both groups to complain of cannabis-related ailments in emergency rooms. Coloradans were slightly younger than out-of-state residents, with a median age of 34 for residents and a median age of 35.5 for visitors.

The doctors said the difference be-tween tourists and residents caught them by surprise.

“We didn’t expect people from out of state to actually be coming to the emergency department mention-ing this drug more often,” said Dr. Andrew Monte, a toxicologist and emergency-room physician at the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora.

The cases of both tourists and residents reporting feeling like they’d overdosed on pot were a “vast minor-ity” of those showing up complaining of a cannabis-related ailment, Monte said. Instead, the patients usually reported that pot exacerbated an underlying medical condition, espe-cially schizophrenia or psychosis.

The study included all cases where patients mentioned cannabis. Monte said the increase has two likely expla-nations: more people using pot, and more patients ‘fessing up about using pot to doctors because it’s legal.

“There’s more communication between patients and providers, and of course there’s just more mari-juana out in the community,” Monte

said. “People can come in and say, `Hey, I’ve got chest pains and I used marijuana a week ago.’ Now, that’s got nothing to do with the marijuana.”

None of the cases in Monte’s study were fatal.

The effect of marijuana legaliza-tion on Colorado tourism is a matter of some dispute.

Colorado set records in 2014 for overall visitors (71.3 million) and tourist spending ($18.6 billion). But Colorado had also set records in the previous three years, when pot sales were restricted to state residents with medical ailments. (Tourist numbers for 2015 aren’t yet available.)

The Colorado Tourism Offi ce did report in a 2015 visitor survey that the marijuana laws infl uenced vacation decisions nearly 49 percent of the time.

State health offi cials say they’re trying to educate tourists about responsible pot usage through educational pamphlets and signs at pot shops, a big part of a $5.7 million “Good To Know” campaign launched last year.

But health authorities add that Colorado can’t advertise about how to use pot in other states, and that trav-elers likely use marijuana differently than people staying home.

“You’re more likely to overdo it on vacation, with marijuana just like with anything else,” said Mike Van Dyke, branch chief for environmental epide-miology at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “You have that vacation mentality. You’re there to have a good time.”

Pot tourists’ visits to ER spikes We didn’t expect people from out of state to actually be coming to the emergency department mentioning this drug more often.”

Dr. Andrew Monte“


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Dr. Kimberly Neyman

said. “People can come in and say, `Hey, I’ve got chest pains and I used marijuana a week ago.’ Now, that’s got nothing to do with the marijuana.”

None of the cases in Monte’s study were fatal.

The effect of marijuana legaliza-tion on Colorado tourism is a matter of some dispute.

Colorado set records in 2014 for overall visitors (71.3 million) and tourist spending ($18.6 billion). But Colorado had also set records in the previous three years, when pot sales were restricted to state residents with medical ailments. (Tourist numbers for 2015 aren’t yet available.)

The Colorado Tourism Offi ce did report in a 2015 visitor survey that the marijuana laws infl uenced vacation decisions nearly 49 percent of the time.

State health offi cials say they’re trying to educate tourists about responsible pot usage through educational pamphlets and signs at pot shops, a big part of a $5.7 million “Good To Know” campaign launched last year.

But health authorities add that Colorado can’t advertise about how to use pot in other states, and that trav-elers likely use marijuana differently than people staying home.

“You’re more likely to overdo it on vacation, with marijuana just like with anything else,” said Mike Van Dyke, branch chief for environmental epide-miology at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “You have that vacation mentality. You’re there to have a good time.”

Sponsors pull measure due to lack of support in House

By James Anderson Associated Press

The sponsors of a Colorado right-to-die bill that would let terminally ill people end their own lives abruptly withdrew the proposal on Feb. 24, tearfully and angrily conceding they didn’t have the votes for it to pass the Democrat-led state House.

Democratic Reps. Joann Ginal of Fort Collins and Lois Court of Denver vowed before a hushed House chamber that they will introduce legislation again next year.

Citing polls that suggest most Colo-rado voters support a right-to-die law, they also told colleagues they were doing them a bitter political favor by not forcing a voice vote on the House fl oor to reveal where each member stood on the issue this election year.

“I am profoundly disappointed that we have gotten to this point, and I am profoundly disappointed in you, col-leagues, because you have disappointed 65 percent of your constituents,” Court said. “But make no mistake. The voice of this state will be heard. You will hear from your constituents.”

The bill, cosponsored by Democratic Sen. Michael Merrifi eld of Colorado Springs, required that a mentally compe-tent patient have a six-month prognosis and get two doctors to sign off after three requests for life-ending medication. It calls for safe storage of lethal drugs and recognizes that a patient can change his or her mind.

Oregon, Washington, Vermont and California have passed right-to-die laws. New York, Arizona and Maryland are considering legislation. Montana’s state Supreme Court has ruled that doctors could use a patient’s request for life-end-

ing medication as a defense against any criminal charges linked to the death.

“I want to empower people to decide how best to manage their life without being criminalized,” Ginal said as she tearfully described the death of a brother of blood cancer last year.

Opponents argued the bill would facilitate doctor-assisted suicides, espe-cially after mistaken terminal diagnoses, and they insisted existing hospice and palliative care for the dying is suffi cient. The arguments helped defeat a similar proposal last year.

During hours of testimony this month, lawmakers asked pointed questions about tracking lethal drugs once they are prescribed; the infl uence doctors or family — wittingly or unwittingly — can have on patients’ decision-making; and the consequences for disabled patients suffering depression, among other issues.

Supporters had hoped to send the bill back to the Republican-controlled Senate, where a committee rejected legislation on a party-line vote earlier in February.

“To those who have testifi ed, I’m sorry that we could not help you. I’m sorry that this state Legislature has failed you,” Ginal said Feb. 24.

Right-to-die bill falls short for second year

I want to empower people to decide how best to manage their life without being criminalized.”

State Rep. Joann Ginal, D-Fort Collins

“


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OngoingAffordable Colleges Online has created a guidebook to help women fi nd and secure fi nancial aid. The guide includes a collection of scholarships for women, including due dates and award amounts; insight into the fi nancial aid application process; and other funding op-portunities, such as industry-specifi c scholar-ships and funding for special groups. The guide is available online at www.affordablecollegeson-line.org/womens-guide-paying-for-college/.

Douglas-Elbert County Music Teachers’ As-sociation meets at 9 a.m. every fi rst Thursday at Parker Bible Church, between Jordan and Chambers on Main Street. All area music teach-ers are welcome. Call Lucie Washburn, 303-814-3479.

The Elbert County Sheriff’s Posse is a nonprofi t volunteer organization that is part of the Elbert County Sheriff’s Offi ce. As volunteers

we support the Elbert County Sheriff’s Offi ce, all law enforcement in our county, and the commu-nity at large. For more information or a member-ship application, go to www.elbertcountysheriff.com/posse.html, or contact Dave Peontek at 303-646-5456.

Elizabeth American Legion Post 82, a 96-year veterans association supporting veterans, their families, their survivors and the community, meets at 6:30 p.m. the fi rst Tuesday of each month at the Legion Post Hall at South Banner Street and Elm Street in Elizabeth. All veterans are invited to attend these meetings to learn of their eligibility for membership in the National American Legion Organization.

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.

Finding Our Way Together, a brand new group for anyone who is alone, left out, picked on or overwhelmed by life. Since it is just forming, the group will evolve to fi t the needs of the partici-pants. Group will meet at 10 a.m. Saturdays at 34061 Forest Park Drive, in the lower level of Elizabeth Family Health. Leaders are Mary, 720-638-9770, and Karen, 303-243-3658, and both welcome phone calls. Group participation is free, and building is accessible.

Kiowa Creek Food Pantry is a distribution site for the State of Colorado TEFAP food program. Food is distributed monthly to low income individuals/families that qualify. We also distribute low income senior food boxes for the state; those 60 and older may qualify for a monthly supplement. If you are in need of food assistance or know someone who is, we may be able to qualify you for one of these programs. Call the food pantry for more information at 303-621-2376, or come by from 8:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays; we are located in the Fellowship Hall at 231 Cheyenne Street, Kiowa.

Lawyers at the Library, a free legal clinic for parties who have no attorney, will be offered 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 fi ll out forms and explain the process and procedure for the areas of family law, civil litiga-tion, criminal defense, property law, probate law, collections, appeals, landlord-tenant law and civil protection orders. Walk-ins are welcome. Everyone will be helped on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis.

Mystery Book Club meets at 9:30 a.m. the fi 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 registra-tion 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 ser-vice 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 eco-nomical and effi cient means of travel for the four-county region. Call Kay Campbell, Kiowa, at 719- 541-4275. You may also call the ECCOG offi ce at 1-800-825-0208 to make reservations for any of the trips. You may also visit www.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.

Parker-Franktown-Elizabeth Paper Craft-ing Club is open to anyone interested in card making and scrapbooking. We meet regularly throughout the month on various weekday eve-nings and weekends. Club events take place at 7786 Prairie Lake Trail, Parker (in the Pinery). Contact Alison Collins at 720-212-4788 for information or fi nd us online at www.meetup.com/Parker-Franktown-Elizabeth-Paper-Crafting-Club/

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

Sky Cliff Adult Day Center Support Groups: Stoke Victors meets from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the second and last Wednesday of each month. Lunch is provided. Contact Sue Parson, 303-814-2863. Evening Stroke Victors meets from 6-7:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month. Cookies and coffee provided. Con-tact Sue Parson, 303-814-2863. Caregivers Support Group meets from 10-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays. All groups meet at Sky Cliff Adult Day Center in Castle Rock. Contact Sky Cliff at 303-814-2863. Visit www.skycliff.org.

Therapeutic riding. Promise Ranch Thera-peutic Riding in Parker offers free therapeutic riding for developmentally disabled adults and children. Scholarship money is available for Douglas County residents to provide 10

AREA CLUBS

Clubs continues on Page 15


7

www.douglas.co.us

For more information or to register for CodeRED please visit www.DouglasCountyCodeRed.com

DOUGLAS COUNTYCOLORADO

What’s happening with my County government? Our commitment to open and transparent government includes our online posting of information about all public meetings at which the business of government is conducted. To view agendas for business meetings, land use meetings and public hearings, planning commission, the Board of County Commissioners’ weekly schedule and more, please visit www.douglas.co.us and search for meetings and agendas.

Looking for a staycation during spring break? Whether seeking to learn more about area history, spend time appreciating abstract or contemporary art or get in touch with nature, SCFD organizations have your entrance fee and interest covered. For more information about the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District and all of the organizations participating in 2016 Free Days — including specific dates and locations — please visit the SCFD website at www.scfd.org.

Are you a veteran? Did you know the Douglas County Office of Veterans Affairs is here to serve those who have served as well as their families? Whether you need help with vocational training, disability compensation, or obtaining dependent or survivor benefits, please visit www.douglasveterans.org for more information.

What to do with those pesky weeds Noxious weeds are a part of the landscape, but how do residents recognize and properly treat and eliminate them? Learn more about the different types of noxious weeds, as well as pesticides and associated health concerns at the County’s Noxious Weed Symposium, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. March 19 at the Douglas County Event Center, 500 Fairgrounds Drive in Castle Rock. Call 720-733-6930 to RSVP as space is limited. Early bird registration is $12 and closes March 14. The cost at the door will be $15 if seats remain. Lunch is included. For more information, please visit www.douglas.co.us and search for noxious weed management.

NEW!

Grand openingUCHealth Visage Center at Lone Tree

LONE TREE HEALTH CENTER

visagecenter.com

You’re invited to the grand opening of the UCHealth Visage Center at Lone Tree. Through UCHealth, you receive private, expert care from Colorado’s only board-certified, academic facial plastics and cosmetic physicians. Join us at this free event, tour our new facility and learn more about our private, expert, state of the art care and meet our medical team.

Thursday, March 105:30-7:30 p.m.

Lone Tree Health Center9544 Park Meadows Drive, Suite 100 | Lone Tree

Refreshments provided by Epicurean Catering.

Register at lonetreeevent.eventbrite.com, orcontact Stephanie Taylor at [email protected].

Editor’s note: Calendar submissions must be received by noon Wednesday for publication the following week. Send listings to [email protected]. No attach-ments, please. Listings are free and run on a space-available basis.

EventsSouth Metro Community Blood Drives

A number of community blood drives are planned in the South Metro area. For informa-tion or to schedule an appointment, contact the Bonfils Appointment Center at 303-363-2300, unless otherwise noted. Go to www.bonfils.org. Upcoming blood drives are: Friday, March 4, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker; Wednesday, March 16, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Walmart, 2100 Legacy Circle, Elizabeth; Friday, March 18, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker; Sunday, March 20, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., ChristLife Commu-nity Church, 5451 CO-86, Franktown (Diana Brown, 720-224-1484); Friday, March 25, 10-11:40 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m., Parker Adven-tist Hospital, 9395 Crown Crest Blvd., Parker; Sunday, March 27, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., New Hope Presbyterian Church, 3737 New Hope Way, Castle Rock; Thursday, March 31, 9-10:40 a.m. and noon to 2:30 p.m., Castle Rock Adventist Health Campus, 2350 Meadows Blvd., Castle Rock.

Castle View Presents ‘Mother Hicks’

Castle View High School presents “Mother Hicks,” the story about three outsiders living in rural Southern Illinois during the Great Depres-sion: A girl with so little she doesn’t even have a name, a deaf boy and an eccentric recluse who is suspected of being a witch. Told through sign language and poetry, this play recounts the difficult journey we all make in life. Show is at 7 p.m. through Saturday, March 5, with a 1 p.m. matinee Saturday, March 5. Go to www.seatyourself.biz/castleview for tickets and information.

Juried Art Show

Local artists’ works are featured in the Greater Castle Rock Art Guild’s 11th annual “Romanc-ing the Arts” juried art show, which runs until Saturday, March 5, at the Philip S. Miller Library, 100 S. Wilcox St., Castle Rock. Infor-mation at 303-791-7323 or www.DouglasCoun-tyLibraries.org.

Movie Showing

A community showing of the movie “Just Eat It!” is planned at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 6, at Elizabeth United Methodist Church. Admission is free. Donations will support the church’s food outreach programs, and a panel discus-sion and Q&A will follow the movie. The film follows Canadian filmmakers Jen and Grant as they dive into the issue of food waste, from farm through retail. Realizing that billions of dollars of good food is tossed each year in North America, they pledge to quit grocery shopping cold turkey and survive only on

foods that have been discarded. Food waste is right under our noses, and it’s a seemingly insignificant problem that is having shockingly massive global impacts.

Outback Express March Schedule

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 efficient means of travel for the four-county region. Call Kay Campbell, Kiowa, at 719- 541-4275. You may also call the ECCOG office at 1-800-825-0208 to make reservations for any of the trips. You may also visit www.outbackexpress.tripod.com. To ensure that a seat is available, 24-hour advance reservations are appreciated. Go from Simla and Matheson to Colorado Springs on Monday, March 7, and Monday, March 21; go from Simla and Matheson to Limon on Thursday, March 24; go from Kiowa, Elizabeth and Elbert to Parker or Colorado Springs on Tuesday, March 15; go from Elizabeth to Colorado Springs or Parker on Tuesday, March 8. Good Samaritan Nurs-ing Home residents ride on Thursday, March 10.

Lenten Fish Fry

The Knights of Columbus will have a fish fry every Friday night through March 18. Food is served from 4-6:30 p.m. Fried fish, baked fish or nuggets with coleslaw, fried or baked potato, mac and cheese, and dinner rolls are on the menu. Beverage choices include iced tea, lem-onade and coffee. Cost for dinner is $5 for ages

5-12; $10 for 12 and older; $29 for the family; free for children younger than 5. Homemade desserts cost from 50 cents to $1. Takeout and drive-thru are available. Dinner is available in Brownstein Hall at Ave Maria Church, Parker.

Monthly Adult Lecture Series

The Parker Cultural and Scientific Commission sponsors talks on topics that impact Colorado and Douglas County residents. The intent of these talks is to increase the understanding of how science and technology address issues facing the community. RSVP required; call the PACE Center box office at 303-805-6800. All lectures begin at 6:30 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Thursday, April 7, What Does Your DNA Have To Say? A general discussion on big data and biology with guest speaker Dr. Michael Edwards, assistant profes-sor of medicine, University of Colorado Denver. The information contained in our DNA can be used to trace ancestry across the planet, to convict someone of murder or to predict the potential for a terminal disease later on in life. This lecture will attempt to summarize the state of genetic analysis and to explain how all this information will completely change the way we do science and medicine in the future. Thursday, May 5, Living with Wildlife. Mary K. McCormac, education and watchable wildlife coordinator (Northeast Region), will lead a discussion on how and why human-wildlife conflicts happen, how to minimize potential problems, and how to protect wild animals, people and pets.

CALENDAR

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

If you would like to share your opinion, visit our website at

www.coloradocommunitymedia.com or write a letter to the editor.

Include your name, full address and the best telephone number to

contact you. Send letters to [email protected].


8-Opinion

VOICESLOCAL

We welcome event listings andother submissions. Please visit our website, click on the Submit Your News tab and choose a category from the drop down menu.

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

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

Want your own chance to bring an issue to our readers’ attention, to highlight something great in our community, or just to make people laugh? Why not write a letter of 300 words or fewer. Include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.

Email letters to [email protected]

DeadlineFri. 5 p.m. for the following week’s paper.

9137 Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

Phone: 303-566-4100Web: ElbertCountyNews.net

President and PublisherJERRY [email protected]

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EditorCHRIS [email protected]

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A publication of

What is Sustainable Printing?

It’s the paper: Biodegradable, renewable, recycled, reusable.

It’s the ink: Soy based inks are used, reused then recycled.

It’s the plate: Process-freeplates eliminate VOC’s andreduce water usage.

It’s the press: Using cold-set presses reduces the amount of VOC’s put into the air.

It’s the location: Printed locally reducing shipping and postage costs, while saving gas,emissions and time.

To Subscribe call 303-566-4100

Craig Marshall Smith

QUIET DESPERATION

Michael Norton

WINNING WORDS

Dr. Thomas Lally

LIVING AND AGING WELL

Jim was the rea-son I had come to this house in a quiet Douglas County neighborhood. But his wife, Ellie, not offi cially my pa-tient, also sparked my concern that day.

Her husband’s dementia made getting out of the house diffi cult for the pair, even for a doctor’s appoint-ment, and that’s why I came to check

in. Ellie looked drawn, and I asked whether she had seen her own physician recently. When she said no, I inquired about how long it had been since her last visit.

“Since I realized Jim couldn’t be alone at home anymore,” Ellie replied. “Maybe three years.”

Jim and Ellie aren’t their actual names, but this story is real enough. Spouses and adult children caring for people with Al-zheimer’s and other dementias neglect their own health because of their loved ones’ intense and increasing needs. This isn’t good for them or those in their care.

Currently, 229,000 unpaid caregivers de-vote 261 million hours annually to helping 65,000 Coloradans with dementia, accord-ing to the Alzheimer’s Association. With the number of people in Colorado with Alzheimer’s or another memory-impairing disease expected to increase by over 40 percent in the coming decade, more fam-ily members will take on the caregiver role.

Studies have shown the majority of family dementia caregivers experience depression. Their stress is linked to hy-pertension, increased risk of cardiovas-cular disease and other maladies. Here in Douglas County, I see the people behind

You know those moments in life where we wish we hadn’t done something, where we’re sorry we said what we said, or where we failed to act or speak when we had the chance? We wish we could turn back the hands of time, pull the words back into our mouths, or relive the moments where we could have done something more about a given situation.

And for some of us guilt sets in, our over-developed sense of obligation takes over and we stew over the mistakes we made in life. I mean we stress and worry about them to the point of making ourselves sick, losing sleep, and eating poorly. Now just remember, 98 percent of all the things we worry about are not worth worrying about. First, they have already happened and there is nothing we can do about them; or second, they will never happen. Therefore, wait to worry, regardless of the mistakes we make.

Oh the mistakes we have made, and oh the mistakes we will certainly make again in the future.

And when it comes to mistakes, I am probably right at the top of the leaderboard. I can’t tell you how many times I have said to myself, “Oh Michael” or “Oh the mistakes you have made.” But here’s the good news when it comes to the mistakes we make or even the mistakes others make that have a direct impact on us.

First, we can choose to learn from each mistake. When we fi nd ourselves in the

same circumstance or familiar position, we can remember what happened last time, ac-knowledge the mistake, and make a choice to respond or react differently — so when we walk away from the situation we can be proud that we had a growth moment.

Second, we can offer the necessary apologies and we can forgive ourselves of the mistakes and errors that we make, regard-

less of how often we make those mistakes, as some of us just take longer to learn from the error of our ways while others happen to be very fast learners. We also need to accept the forgiveness of others when we do something wrong or say anything that may have been considered hurtful to another person. If they are big enough to forgive us, we need to be big enough to accept it.

Third, we can choose to forgive those who have made mistakes that directly and adversely impact us. Holding on to anger or maintaining an upset position only causes us further grief and stress. And the likelihood is that we too have made the same mistake or

similar mistakes at some point. Or maybe a close friend or family member screwed up in a major way. We would expect understanding and forgiveness in those situations, so why not choose to live and forgive when mistakes happen that affect us as well?

Oh the mistakes we have made and the mistakes we will make and what to do about them. Learn from them, forgive yourself, accept forgiveness from others, and offer forgiveness to others. The hands of time won’t be turned back, words that have been spoken or sent in a text can’t get pulled back into our mouths or into our phones, and our inaction cannot be relived. The mistakes will happen; let’s just be better prepared to deal with them and move ahead.

How about you? Are you living in the shad-ow and shackles of mistakes you have made? Or have you learned from those mistakes, offered apologies, accepted forgiveness, and forgiven yourself? Either way I would love to hear all about it at [email protected]. And when we realize that we can move be-yond the mistakes that we make and that 98 percent of all the things we worry about are not worth worrying about at all, 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.

We’re human, and we make mistakes

When you think about March, what comes to mind? If anything.

March is the connective tis-sue between win-ter and spring, at least around here.

In England, it might be differ-ent.

Charles Dick-ens wrote in “Great Expecta-tions”: “It was one of those March

days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.”

It is not a very glamorous month.However, it is notable for a few things.March 27 is Easter Sunday, or is that re-

dundant?There’s March Madness — the NCAA

basketball tournament. But if you know college basketball, you know that the tour-nament climaxes in April.

We are expected to do something in March that I resent every year.

Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. on March 13.

It’s dumb.Most of my clocks change on their own

now, as if a Time Fairy comes through here in the middle of the night.

In New York and other cities, there will be big, bright and woozy parades on Thurs-day, March 17.

If you decide to parade to a bar in metro Denver, have a plan because the DUI team will be out in big numbers.

Call me, and I will come and get you.Some of my students and I were in New

York, specifi cally at the Metropolitan Mu-seum of Art, on St. Patrick’s Day in 2002.

We all ate lunch in the old cafeteria, which was much better than the new one.

Most of us had corned beef and cabbage,

Dementia caregivers must carefor selves

March is like the Midwest — you just get through it

Lally continues on Page 9Smith continues on Page 9


9

Place an Obituary for Your Loved One.Private 303-566-4100

[email protected]

Funeral HomesVisit: www.memoriams.com

OBITUARIES

In Loving Memory

Dustin Aron Riffel, 21, from Elbert & Englewood, Colorado passed away on February 19, 2016 in Elbert, Colorado. Dustin graced our lives from November 1, 1994 to February 19, 2016. He is survived by his Mother Marilyn (Lyn) Riffel of Elbert, Father Gary and Roberta Riffel of Englewood, Grandparents Chuck and Esther Pittock of Ft Collins, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Dustin graduated from El-

bert High School class of 2013 & enjoyed his friends, meteorite hunting, MX motorcycles, fast cars, Tae-kwondo, and music. Dustin was an honor roll student &

ambassador to Australia for People to People.

A memorial service will be held on March 5, 2016 at 2pm at Elbert Christian Church, 23928 Broadway St, Elbert, CO 80106. A memorial fund has been es-tablished in Dustin’s honor. Donations can be made to the Dustin Riffel Memo-rial Fund at any 1st Bank location.

Please visit www.legacy.com for add’l details.

RIFFELDustin Aron Riffel

Nov. 1, 1994 – Feb. 19, 2016

and closed our eyes and smiled with every bite.

The Met is on the parade route, so we could see the bands and the twirlers and the bleary-eyed blarneys in colorful review.

March 7 is a state holiday in Illinois. You’ll never guess.

It’s Casimir Pulaski Day.Pulaski was the offensive tackle on the

Chicago Bears 1986 Super Bowl team.That’s not true.Pulaski (1745-79) was the “father of the

American cavalry.”He was a Revolutionary War offi cer who

was born in Poland.President Obama made Pulaski an hon-

orary American citizen in 2009.March 31 is a state holiday in California.

It is an optional holiday in Colorado.It’s Cesar Chavez Day.I have a feeling that it will grow to be a

national holiday someday.I was in college during Chavez’s most

active years, and had a lot of admiration for him.

What else about March?The March Hare, of course, in “Alice’s

Adventures in Wonderland,” who was

“mad” at the tea party.If you are as mad as a March hare, it’s

partly because you are feeling amorous.March is the beginning of the long

breeding season for rabbits.Otherwise, March will come and go and

we will be staring wistfully at April, and wondering where winter went, looking at tax day, and the opening of the baseball season.

The Rockies open on the road on April 1. No fooling.

I don’t have any attachments to March.I like the word, however.It is a noun and a verb.It’s the last name of a great actor. Fred-

ric March, who won an Academy Award for his remarkable performance in “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” He was both.

Later March starred in “The Best Years of Our Lives.”

I think he has been forgotten. But at one time he was an A-list actor.

It’s hard to get excited about the month of March.

As English essayist A.C. Benson said, “When you get to my age life seems little more than one long march to and from the lavatory.”

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

the data. Some caregivers haven’t taken the time to have their own medications checked and are on prescription drugs that may no longer be appropriate. Oth-ers don’t go to the grocery store regularly and nutrition suffers. Many are so con-sumed by their duties they become cut off from other people. Few get enough sleep.

Neglecting their own well-being is not something caregivers do deliberately. It’s an insidious process over a long period of time. On average, 12 years pass between the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and the end of life. Symptoms tend to evolve in stages. Early on, caring for a loved one at home, while not easy, can be manageable.

But as the disease progresses, capaci-ties diminish and more challenging be-havioral expressions such as wandering can emerge. The loved one’s needs are

now nonstop and overwhelming. The de-voted spouse or adult child becomes iso-lated and exhausted, ultimately unable to sustain the intense pace of care.

Many dementia caregivers wish to handle their mission by themselves. For spouses accustomed to the pledge to care for each other that comes of a marriage, this issue is especially emotional. But I urge all in this role to understand it’s virtually impossible to go it alone and to take the following steps:

Contact the Denver offi ce of the Al-zheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter at 303-813-1669 for information on local support groups.

Go online for more resources at such sites as Alzheimer’s Reading Room (www.alzheimersreadingroom.com).

Say yes to those offering to assist, whether they are relatives, friends, peo-ple from church or anyone else extending a helping hand.

Look into respite care to get some rest and the opportunity to do things left un-done for a long time.

Recognize that constant exhaustion,

always feeling down, neglecting one’s own health, no longer going to the gro-cery store or seeing family and friends are indications the time has come to evaluate whether caring for the loved one at home is still feasible.

Keep in mind that to provide the best

care, caregivers must look after them-selves, too.

Dr. Thomas Lally is medical director for An-them Memory Care and president of Physi-cian House Calls, which can be reached at 303-379-9371.

Continued from Page 8

Lally


Smith

over the top position at the foundation in September 2015.

After the stops in Kiowa, Limon, Burl-ington and Cheyenne Wells on Feb. 22 and 23, the tour had reached 63 of Colorado’s 64 counties in a circuit designed to iden-tify the health needs of Coloradans and fulfi ll the Denver-based nonprofi t’s vision

of “making Colorado the healthiest state in the nation.”

“I wanted to understand the state as deeply as I possibly could, around the nu-ances of the location, what the commu-nities look like, what their struggles are,” McNeil-Miller said, “because the headline may be the same in every community. The headlines may be that you don’t have a good safe place for kids to play, there aren’t enough activities.”

According to its website, the Colorado Health Foundation is a nonprofi t organi-zation that advocates for health policies

within the public and private sectors; it also issues grants in furtherance of healthy communities and health education.

The foundation has already been active in Kiowa, sponsoring a community garden and providing a $175,000 grant in 2013 for exercise stations in Fawn Valley Park.

Though access to health care and trans-portation for seniors was a concern during the discussions, the issue of general well-being also became central to the conver-sation in Kiowa, including the practicality of a community recreation center to pro-vide activities central to a healthy lifestyle.

“In Kiowa, it was striking that there isn’t … any kind of spot for families to congre-gate and work out. There is not a health center; there is not what they called a rec-reation center. So there is not that hub for physical activity,” McNeil-Miller said.

McNeil-Miller said that many commu-nities use rec centers as a hub for addi-tional activities to promote healthy living, and her foundation would be open to dis-cussions about a possible grant to further that goal, provided the local community was committed to the project and “had some skin in the game.”


Tour


SuspectDepartment, deputies found Dosa’s charred remains in the trunk of the Nis-san Maxima belonging to one of Dosa’s friends.

Geerdes was arrested in Douglas County on Sept. 23 and originally charged in Jefferson County, but was later charged

in Elbert County when the investigation indicated the slaying had occurred there.

In addition to fi rst-degree murder, Geerdes was also charged with intention-ally setting a wildfi re, cultivating mari-juana, second-degree arson, possession of a weapon by a previous offender and fi ve counts of being a habitual criminal. The charge of cultivating marijuana was dismissed in November.

With the charge of fi rst-degree murder, George H. Brauchler, the district attorney

for the 18th Judicial District, has 60 days from the date of the arraignment to decide whether to seek the death penalty for Geerdes.

The most recent defendant recom-mended for the death penalty in the 18th Judicial District, which includes Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties, was James Holmes, who was convicted of the 2012 Aurora theater shooting last July. Holmes was not condemned to death, but was sentenced to 12 life sentences, plus

3,318 years in prison, essentially eliminat-ing his eligibility for parole.

Geerdes was originally scheduled for arraignment on Jan. 11, but his defense team requested a delay, citing the need for more time to review a new discovery released by the prosecution the previous week.

Judge Jeffrey K. Holmes scheduled the trial to start June 13 at the Elbert County Courthouse in Kiowa. It is expected to last two weeks.

Cat in the Hat Megan Kelly, a junior, makes mischief for Jojo, played by senior Krista Dodd. Photo by Rick Gustafson


MusicalWagstaff, director Jennifer Barclay and pit conductor Megan O’Connor.

O’Connor, coming off a sixth-place fi nish in the state band competition in November, brought many of her musicians right into rehearsals last December, and in addition to directing, Barclay wrapped up three months of sewing last week to com-plete the 60 costumes her students wore during the two-hour production.

“It’s such a high-energy show,” Wagstaff

said. “There really aren’t any dull moments at all. The story is constantly advancing. It plays to the child in everybody. One of our seniors is playing a 9-year-old girl. She’s doing a phenomenal job, and she says this is what I felt like when I was a kid.”

Originally, “Seussical” was not a popu-lar choice with many students.

“We asked them to see what they were interested in, but ultimately it was our de-cision,” Wagstaff said. “Initially they were kind of disappointed when we announced it. ‘Seussical? What is that? This isn’t going to be a fun musical.’ Now I think everyone thinks it’s a fun musical.”

Seussical drew many juniors and se-

niors, veterans of previous Elizabeth High School productions, but both Barclay and Wagstaff were encouraged by some new faces on stage.

“We pulled in some younger perform-ers too,” Barclay said. “We have quite a few freshmen and sophomores in the group … who at the beginning of the year didn’t want to audition for a fall play. They felt a little more confi dence and encouragement from the older folks to audition this time around.”

The four performances of “Seussical” included three evening shows on Feb. 25, 26 and 27 along with a Saturday matinee on Feb. 27.


10-Life

LIFELOCAL

C U L T U R EF A I T HF A M I L YF O O DH E A L T H

By Chris Michlewicz [email protected]

Justin Swartz, co-owner of the Gigi’s Cupcakes fran-chise at Aspen Grove shopping center in Littleton and another in Denver, never envisioned owning a

cupcake shop. But business is so good, he’s consider-ing opening another location in Colorado Springs.

“We were really in there at the ground floor of it,” said Swartz, who grew up in Littleton and opened his store in August 2010, just as the cupcake craze was gaining steam.

It seems like just yesterday cupcakes were a simple go-to treat for classroom birthday parties in elemen-tary school. These days, cupcakes are all grown up, and some are leading quite a posh life.

The advent of reality TV shows like “Cupcake Wars” and “DC Cupcakes” precipitated the explosive popu-larity of cupcakes in the late 2000s. Some believed cupcake shops would be a passing fad. But the phe-nomenon has endured and, for many, the business model has been sustainable.

Gigi Butler, founder of the national Gigi’s Cupcakes franchise, says on her website she received the same response four times when asking for a bank loan: “A cupcake shop — are you kidding?”

Gigi’s started with a single shop in Nashville, Ten-nessee, in 2008. Today, it has more than 100 locations in 23 states and, according to multiple media reports, enjoys more than $30 million in annual sales. The Denver and Littleton locations were stores No. 7 and No. 8, respectively.

Some Denver-area shops dedicated to the art of cupcake-making have been around for more than five years, and business continues to grow for many, despite operating in Colorado’s health-conscious climate.

Swartz — who actively seeks outside business, from corporate events to the 300 weddings he sup-plies with cupcakes per year — makes sugar-free and gluten-free varieties to cater to everyone’s needs.

Cupcake boutiques decorate Main Street thor-oughfares and roads less traveled, and have varying degrees of success. Passing pedestrians make up a portion of the sales at Nomelie Cupcakes in down-town Parker, said Soumya Sen, who owns the busi-ness with his wife, Avantika. But it’s often large orders

Wyatt Heiman, 3, of Denver, devours a birthday cake-flavored cupcake at Gigi’s Cupcakes in Littleton. The shop in Aspen Grove has been open since 2010. Photos by Chris Michlewicz

Emilee Hafler, an employee at Gigi’s Cupcakes in Littleton, serves up a tray of some of the shop’s most popular flavors.

Little cakes bring big smilesExotic flavors help cupcakes return to the table as pop-culture phenomenon

AREA CUPCAKE SHOPSGigi’s Cupcakes of LittletonAddress: 7301 S. Santa Fe Drive, Suite 625, LittletonPhone: 303-797-2253Website: gigiscupcakesusa.com/LittletonCoHours: Mon-Sat 10 a.m. -7 p.m. | Sun: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Nomelie Cupcakes Address: 19751 Mainstreet, ParkerPhone: 303-805-2607Website: viewmenu.com/nomelie-cupcakes/menuHours: Mon-Thurs 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. | Fri-Sat 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. | Sun 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Posh Pastries Address: 10471 S. Parker Road, ParkerPhone: 303-840-1251Website: poshpastriesbakery.comHours: Tues-Sat 6 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Sun and Mon Closed

Sweet ‘Ness Cupcakes Address: 10655 S. Parker Road, ParkerPhone: 720-561-1511Website: locu.comHours: Mon-Tues Closed | Wed-Fri 1:30 - 6 p.m. | Sat-Sun 12:30 - 5 p.m.

Smallcakes Address: 7600 Park Meadows Center Drive, #1100, Lone TreePhone: 720-387-7284Website: smallcakescolorado.comHours: Mon-Sat 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

The Bundt Shoppe Address: 7437 Village Square Drive #125, Castle RockPhone: 303-422-8638Website: thebundtshoppe.comHours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Sat 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Sun Closed

The Makery Cake Company Address: 8203 S. Holly St., CentennialPhone: 720-270-4042Website: Themakery.comHours: Tues-Thurs 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Fri-Sat 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. |Sun 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Mon Closed

We just found this place one day and the cupcakes are fantastic, so it’s like an enjoyable, relaxing treat to come here.”

Julie Phipps, Parker resident

“Cupcakes continues on Page 11

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for birthday parties, weddings and corporate events that help maintain a steady stream of income.

There are the die-hards, though, the people who pop in every couple of weeks to indulge their sweet tooth.

Julie Phipps, of Parker, cops to be-ing one of those.

When asked how often she stops by Nomelie, Phipps gives a guilty grin and delivers a deliciously vague answer: “More often than I should, probably.”

Decisions, decisionsWith 60-plus flavors, Nomelie

customers sometimes find it hard to choose. But it’s no problem for those with an adventurous spirit. Phipps became hooked six years ago after biting into a red velvet cupcake at Nomelie, which opened in 2009. She now finds herself trying exotic con-coctions and tried-and-true flavors like coconut cream.

“We just found this place one day and the cupcakes are fantastic,” she said, “so it’s like an enjoyable, relaxing treat to come here.”

Karstin Painter, of Denver, had the same delighted impression of gour-met cupcakes upon first trying them as many people do.

The cotton candy-flavored cupcake is “disturbingly good,” said Painter, who visited Gigi’s Cupcakes in Littleton Feb. 18 with her husband and 3-year-old son.

Gigi’s serves more than 200 fla-vors of cupcakes out of traditional storefronts in Littleton and Denver, but reaches the masses with kiosks at Sports Authority Field, the Pepsi Center and the Colorado Convention Center, as well as two food trucks that post up at festivals and fundrais-ers.

It didn’t matter to Painter’s son, Wyatt Heiman, where his cupcake came from.

For 10 minutes, the rest of the world disappeared and his sole focus was a birthday cake-flavored cupcake he devoured voraciously. He started with a fork and was shoveling fistfuls of cake into his mouth by the end.

Community involvementIt’s not just a vast selection or

unique flavors — like the maple bacon and chai tea varieties baked at Smallcakes in Lone Tree — that keep people coming back.

Proper customer service is a must, Sen of Nomelie Cupcakes said, and fresh ingredients make all the differ-ence.

Connecting with local schools and organizations has helped Nomelie build bonds and become ingrained in Parker’s social fabric, Sen said. It partners with the PACE Center and wedding venues like Villa Parker, and relies heavily on word of mouth from satisfied customers.

Nomelie is also creating a referral network of respected Parker busi-

nesses by enabling customers to rate the services, much like users of Lyft and Uber do.

When a little boy with severe food allergies stopped in with his mom to ask whether Nomelie made vegan cupcakes, the boy was disappointed with the answer. But Avantika Sen took it as a challenge and made a spe-cial shopping trip to get the ingredi-ents to make vegan cupcakes.

“He was very sad, and I felt bad for him,” she said, “because he has no choice.”

Nomelie not only baked a batch of vegan cupcakes, but made them a regular offering every Friday through Sunday, naming them after the boy — Quinn Cupcakes.

They are a hot seller.


11

A platter of popular cupcakes from Gigi’s Cupcakes in Little-ton. Photo by Chris Michlewicz

HUNKA CHUNKA BANANA LOVE RECIPEGigi’s Cupcakes offers this flavorful ba-nana nut cake baked with dark chocolate, topped with fresh banana butter cream, and dipped in smooth chocolate ganache.

CAKE 4 ripe bananas, mashed

2 cups sugar

4 eggs, beaten

1 cup oil

2.5 cups flour

1.5 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1.5 cups chopped pecans

1 cup dark chocolate chips

FROSTING 1 cup butter, softened

1 small banana, mashed

2 pounds powdered sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

GANACHE 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 1/3 cup heavy cream

Dried banana chips

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a large bowl, mix by hand bananas, sugar, eggs

and oil in a bowl until well blended. Add flour, baking soda and salt; mix until com-bined. Fold in pecans and dark chocolate chips.

Dip batter into cupcake liners, 2/3 full. Bake for 26 minutes. Test with toothpick or cake tester before removing from the oven.

In a stand mixer, beat butter and banana on medium speed until butter is smooth. Slowly add powdered sugar. Add vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. If frosting is stiff, add milk by the tablespoon. If soft, add powdered sugar slowly.

When cupcakes are cool, pile the banana butter cream high on top with a pastry bag using a large, round frosting tip. Place frosted cupcakes in refrigerator for 10 minutes until the frosting is slightly stiff.

While cupcakes are in the refrigerator, mix the semi-sweet chocolate chips and the heavy cream in a double boiler. Stir constantly until all the chocolate chips are melted. Place banana chip on top of banana buttercream and drizzle ganache over cupcake.

Allow the cupcakes to return to room temperature, and top with a dried banana chip.

Source: www.gigiscupcakes usa.com


Cupcakes

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12-Sports

SPORTSLOCAL

Missy Franklin dances on stage at a ceremony in Centen-nial honoring her and other Colorado Olympians returning from London in August 2012. File photo

Missy Franklin: ‘I’m very much a homebody’

Missy Franklin, the 20-year-old, four-time Olympic gold medalist, talks about managing her time as a professional swimmer. “I’m a very old soul,” she said. “In my free time I’m usually sitting at home, drinking tea and reading a book.” Photo by Alex DeWind

MISSY FRANKLIN’S CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• June 2016: To compete in the Rio Olym-pic trials.

• 2015-16 Arena Pro Swim Series: Cur-rently second on leaderboard for women. Next race is March 3-5 in Orlando.

• 2015 AT&T Winter Nationals: Winner of the 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke, and runner-up in the 200-meter freestyle.

• 2015 FINA World Championships: Silver in the 200-meter backstroke and bronze in the 200-meter freestyle.

• 2015 NCAA Swimmer of the Year, Pac-12 Swimmer of the Year and Honda Award-winner as the top female swimmer in the country.

• Won three individual titles and was on two winning relays for Cal at the 2015 NCAA meet.

• 2014 Pan Pacific Games: Gold in the 4x200-meter, and silver in the 4x100-meter freestyle and 4x100-meter medley.

• 2012 Olympic Games: Gold in the 100-meter backstroke, 200-meter back-stroke, 4x100-meter medley and 4x200-meter medley; bronze in the 4x100-meter freestyle.

• 2011 FINA Swimmer of the Year Award

• 2011 National Championships: Titles in 100-meter backstroke and 100-meter freestyle.

• World records: 200-meter backstroke and the 4x100-meter medley relay.

Source: www.teamusa.org/usa-swimming/athletes/missy-franklin

I’m a huge baker — I love to bake things. I’ll bake a huge batch of cookies and have one, and then I have to get them out of the house so I bring them to my teammates.”

“

By Alex [email protected]

Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin calls herself an old soul: To her, the simple things matter most.

A cup of hot tea after a long day.A good book.A dinner and a movie on her own.“I’m very much a homebody,” the 20-year-old said. “My

idea of a fun day is sitting at home, drinking tea, reading books and just being quiet … Having that time for me sort of fills me up so when I’m back around people I can really enjoy it.”

But that time is limited.Franklin, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, has 10,

two-hour workouts in the water and three, one-hour dry-land workouts per week. She also incorporates hot yoga into her training, which she was reluctant to try at first.

“I thought I was going to hate hot yoga,” she said. “And the first couple of classes I really did. I thought, ‘I’m going to faint, this is so embarrassing.’”

Franklin, who sat down recently with Colorado Com-munity Media to talk about life in and out of the water, is in training mode for the upcoming Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics in August.

That includes her diet. She learned to cook from her mother, “the best cook in the whole world.” She eats five to six meals a day — her daily intake is 4,000 to 5,000 calo-ries — and considers cooking a fun challenge.

She could splurge on a fast-food hamburger after swimming 13 meters, but she knows it wouldn’t be benefi-cial to her body, she said.

“Nutrition is almost as important as what we do in the pool,” she said. “You have to fuel your body with the right things.”

Franklin’s passion for swimming hasn’t diminished since four years ago, when she set a world record and won four gold medals at the London 2012 Olympics.

“You have to keep that love,” she said. “That’s why I’m still here — I love to swim, I love to practice every day.”

Franklin was born in Pasadena, California, and moved to Colorado when she was 2 years old. She’s lived in the same house in Centennial for the majority of her life.

She found her faith while attending Regis Jesuit High School. Before every race, she prays that she will do her best.

“For me — more than anything — it helps keep things in perspective,” she said. “In any elite position, it’s so easy to get caught up in everything.”

Swimming has opened doors to many different worlds.She’s traveled across the globe. She was featured as

a cameo in the teen sensation “Pretty Little Liars.” And she’s been endorsed by major athletic brands, including Speedo.

But she hasn’t let the stardom get to her head.Franklin turned down endorsements after the 2012

Olympics, in part, so she could be on a college swimming team. If an athlete turns professional, he or she loses eligi-bility to compete in collegiate athletics.

The decision was difficult because the offers could’ve

Olympic swimming gold medalist talks about life in and out of the water

Franklin continues on Page 13


13

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fi nancially supported her for the rest of her life, she said.

“My parents let me make my own decisions,” Franklin said, “but they make sure I have every ounce of knowledge about the situation.”

She kept her amateur status for two years of col-lege at University of California, Berkeley.

She would’ve made the same decision 100 times over, she said.

But in March 2015, Franklin decided to begin swimming professionally with the Rio Olympics in mind. It would’ve been diffi cult to go through two Olympics with an amateur status, she said.

She took time off from school to train and will return this fall to complete her degree.

“I can’t wait,” she said. “I miss it so much.”Franklin plans to compete through the 2020 Olym-

pics. But, fi rst, she will take a much-needed break after Rio this year.

“I haven’t done that before,” she said, “and the older you get the more important it is to have those breaks.”

The day she stops learning from swimming is the day she stops competing.

And although she’s nervous for that time, she’s also excited: “It will give me extra time to invest myself in other things that I am really passionate about.”


Franklin On college:

After Missy Franklin won four gold medals in the London 2012 Olympics, she had the opportunity to turn professional — she was 17. But when an athlete be-comes a professional, he or she is no longer eligible for collegiate athletics. After many conversations with her parents, Franklin decided to turn down endorsements and keep her amateur status so she could be on a college swimming team.

“My parents had to be honest in telling me that I was turning down money that could sustain me and my fam-ily for the rest of my life — money that could send my kids to college,” she said.

But she wanted to be a freshman, live in the dorms and belong to a college swim team. She chose University of California, Berkeley, where she experienced challeng-es and formed relationships she will have for the rest of her life, she said.

“I had the most unbelievable two years. I’m going back in the fall — which I’m so excited about — to fi nish up and get my degree.”

On swimming:Franklin fi nds swimming “incredibly therapeutic.”

Whether she’s had a good or bad day, the water will always be there for her, she said.

“It gives me a space to work through stuff or to not

think at all,” she said.Sometimes she sings songs, counts her strokes or

reviews lists. Other times, she doesn’t think about any-thing.

To Franklin, the water has been her therapist and friend for the past 20 years.

“The water is nonjudgmental,” she said. “When you dive in, nothing matters except who’s there in that mo-ment.”

On professional sports:Franklin had the chance to attend this year’s Super

Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco. She saw a professional sporting event from a different perspective — as a spectator in the stands.

“It was so interesting watching a major athletic per-formance on one of the greatest stages in the world after competing on one,” she said. “I was trying to imagine how Peyton (Manning) was feeling in the locker room.”

She soon realized it was just another football game. The only difference was the media and the attention.

“You have to fi gure out a way to use that to motivate and excite you,” Franklin said.

Professional sporting events are special, she said, but athletes can’t let the game get too far ahead of them.

“Don’t ever feel like you’re not big enough to be there, because you are there and you made it.”

M ore thoughts from Missy Franklin...


14

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ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Whatever deci-sions you’re faced with this week, rely on your strong Aries instincts, and base them on your honest feelings, not necessarily on what others might expect you to do.

TAURUS (April 30 to May 20) Your sensitive Taurean spirit is pained by what you feel is an unwarranted attack by a miffed colleague. But your sensible self should see it as proof that you must be doing something right.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) More fine-tuning might be in order before you can be absolutely certain that you’re on the right track. Someone close to you might offer to help. The weekend favors family get-togethers.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) The week contin-ues to be a balancing act ‘twixt dreaming and doing. But by week’s end, you should have a much better idea of what you actually plan to do and how you plan to do it.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) Changing your plans can be risky, but it can also be a neces-sary move. Recheck your facts before you act. Tense encounters should ease by midweek, and all should be well by the weekend.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) You might still be trying to adjust to recent chang-es. But things should improve considerably as you get to see some positive results. An uneasy personal matter calls for more patience.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Con-gratulations. Your good intentions are finally recognized, and long-overdue appreciation should follow. Keep working toward improve-ments wherever you think they’re necessary.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Try to look at your options without prejudging any of them. Learn the facts, and then make your as-sessments. Spend the weekend enjoying films, plays and musical events.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Someone might want to take advantage of the Sagittarian’s sense of fair play. But before you ride off to right what you’ve been told is a wrong, be sure of your facts.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) You might be surprised to learn that not ev-eryone agrees with your ideas. But this can prove to be a good thing. Go over them and see where improvements can be made.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) After taking advice on a number of matters in recent months, expect to be called on to return the gesture. And, by the way, you might be sur-prised at who makes the request.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Reassure everyone concerned that a change of mind isn’t necessarily a change of heart. You might still want to pursue a specific goal, but feel a need to change the way you’ll get there.

BORN THIS WEEK: You are able to make room in your heart for others, and that makes you a very special person in their lives.

(c) 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.

Answers

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TO SOLVE SUDOKU: Numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

therapeutic riding lessons. Call 303-841-5007 or visit www.promiseranchtherapeuticriding.com.

VFW Post 10649 meets monthly at 8:30 a.m.

the fi rst Saturday of every month at 24325 Main St., Elbert. Go to www.vfwpost10649.org. Contact Alan Beebe at 303-435-2560 for questions.

VFW Post 4266, serving veterans of foreign wars in Parker, Castle Pines and Castle Rock areas, meets at 7 p.m. the third Monday of every month at the Pinery Fire Station, Com-munity Room Lower Level, 8170 N. Hillcrest Way, Parker. Go to www.vfwpost4266.org. P.O. Box 4266, Parker, CO 80134. On Facebook at

VFW Post 4266, Parker.

Women’s Divorce Workshop covers the legal, fi nancial and social issues of divorce and is presented the fourth Saturday of each month at Southeast Christian Church, 9650 Jordan Road, Parker. Meet in the community room. Check in from 8-8:30 a.m.; workshop runs from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Register online at www.divorceworkshopdenver.com. Advance registration costs $35; at the door, cost goes to $40 (cash/checks only). Attendees will get

help taking the next step by getting unbiased information and resources. Learn the options available and next steps to take positive action steps. Discover community resources, and talk with other women experiencing similar life changes. Volunteer presenters include an attor-ney, mediator, therapist and wealth manager. Discussion items include co-parenting, child support, family coping, tax consequences, property division, hostile spouses and more. For information, contact 303-210-2607.


Clubs


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