The Arvada Report : Dec 2009 - Jan 2010

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2009 Citizen SurveyResults Are In!

The final report from the 2009Arvada Citizen Survey have been com-piled and are available on the City’sweb site at www.arvada.org.

New City Council Sworn In November 9T

hree Councilmembers took the oath of

office on Monday, November 9 follow-

ing the November 3 election. Don

Allard, former District 1 Councilmember,

defeated incumbent Aaron Azari for the At-

Large seat; Shelley Cook defeated Robert

Fifer for the District 3 seat vacated by term-

limited Lorraine Anderson; Rachel Zenzinger

defeated Gus Spano and Robert Wolf for the

District 1 seat vacated by Don Allard.

See official election results on page 2

Critical Beltway VoteApproaching

At the December 16 meetingof the Denver Regional Council ofGovernments (DRCOG), the Boardof Directors will hold a publichearing on whether to include theJefferson Parkway—the last signif-icant piece of the metropolitanbeltway—on the fiscally con-strained Metro Vision RegionalTransportation Plan. Make yourvoices heard! The Board will voteon the issue at their January 20,2010 meeting. See page 3 formore information.

Prescription Drug Discount Program Now AvailableIn cooperation with the National League of Cities, the City of Arvada is now a

participant in a Prescription Drug Discount Program which can help those withouthealth insurance, or whose insurance does not cover the cost of prescriptions, toreceive up to a 20% discount on the retail cost of prescription drugs. See page 23for more information.

Board and CommissionApplications are Due

January 15See pages 6-7 for more informa-

tion and application form.

Arvada PlacesSecond inNation as TopDigital City

The most technologically

advanced cities in America

have been named by

e.Republic’s Center for Digital

Government and DigitalCommunities magazine, and for the

seventh time the City of Arvada has

placed in the Top Ten Digital Cities

in the population category of

75,000 – 124,999. In fact, this year

Arvada rose to second place in the

nation behind only Santa Monica,

California.

continued on page 2

Left to right: Don Allard, At-Large Councilmember; Bob Dyer, District 4 Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem; Rachel Zenzinger, District 1 Councilmember; Bob Frie, Mayor; Shelley Cook, District 3 Councilmember;

Mark McGoff, District 2 Councilmember; and Marc Williams, At-Large Councilmember.

Mayor Bob Frie

303-420-1234 (w)[email protected]

Mayor Pro TemCouncilmember

District FourBob Dyer

303-456-4646 (h)303-423-8080 (w)[email protected]

CouncilmemberAt-Large

Don Allard303-420-6559(h)

[email protected]

CouncilmemberDistrict ThreeShelley Cook

720-935-9224 (c)[email protected]

[email protected]

CouncilmemberDistrict Two

Mark McGoff303-423-5258 (h)

720-898-7000ext. 2196 (w)[email protected]

Councilmember At-Large

Marc Williams303-940-7593(h)303-424-4486(w)

[email protected]

CouncilmemberDistrict One

Rachel Zenzinger303-748-0770 (c)

[email protected]

The Arvada Report is a newsletter published by the Arvada City Manager’s Office, 720-898-7500, City of Arvada, 8101 Ralston Road, Arvada, Colorado 80002. It is distributed to all residences and businesses in the City. The City of Arvada holds the ownership rights and copyrights

in the design and articles contained in The Arvada Report. Articles may only be reproduced with the express permission of the City of Arvada. Graphic Design: Steve Milke. Photography and other graphic assitance: KATV Channel 8.

2

A Top Digital Citycontinued from page 1

The Digital Cities Survey examines

how cities use technology to create a

seamless environment between local

government and constituents.

As part of its entry submission, City

staff highlighted a number of key proj-

ects and technologies that distinguish

Arvada from other organizations, and

also published its strategic technology

plan. Arvada has embraced social media

and become a leader in this area, inte-

grating with You Tube and Flickr to

deliver video and pictures on all City

web sites and engaging citizens through

the use of tools such as Twitter and

Facebook. Check out all of the social

media tools in one place at

http://arvada.org/find-us-online.

The City also offers access to infor-

mation around the clock with its award-

winning Ask Arvada citizen response

management system.

The top ten cities in the 75,000 –

124,999 category are (in order of rank-

ing): City of Santa Monica, CA; City of

Arvada, CO; City of Roanoke, VA; City

of Richardson, TX and City of West

Palm Beach, FL (tie); City of Ann Arbor,

MI and City of Independence, MO (tie);

City of Lee’s Summit, MO and City of

Pueblo, CO (tie); City of Westminster,

CO; City of Lawrence, KS and City of

Ogden, Utah (tie); City of Boulder, CO;

and Village of Schaumburg, IL.

The survey is open to all U.S. cities

with a population of 30,000 or more.

Respondent cities are classified into

four size-based categories.

The Center for Digital Government

is a national research and advisory insti-

tute on information technology policies

and best practices in state and local gov-

ernment.

Arvada has been named a top

Digital City in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006,

2007, 2008, and 2009. The 2009 award

was presented at the National League of

Cities 2009 Congress of Cities in San

Antonio, TX on November 12.

The Arvada Report December 2009/January 2010

Left to right: Teresa Goodwin, GEH AT&T;Lorraine Anderson, Former Arvada City

Councilmember; Todd Sanders, Center forDigital Government; Michele Hovet, City of

Arvada; Mark Williams, Arvada CityCouncilmember; Brett Bailey, Hyland-Onbase.

OfficialNovember 3, 2009City CouncilElection ResultsAt-Large

Allard 9,581 50.77%Azari 9,289 49.23%

District 1Rachel Zenzinger 2,596 53.68%Gus Spano 1,600 33.09%Robert Wolf 640 13.23%

District 3Shelley Cook 2,935 68.85%Bob Fifer 1,328 31.15%

Total voter turnout: 30.28%

Jefferson Parkway Faces Critical Vote


3

The Jefferson Parkway Public

Highway Authority (JPPHA), com-

prised of Jefferson County, the City

and County of Broomfield, and the City of

Arvada, was formed in 2008 with the goal

of constructing the last significant remain-

ing piece of the metropolitan beltway, clos-

ing the gap between State Highway 128 in

Broomfield and State Highway 93 at

approximately

W. 58th Avenue north of Golden.

The JPPHA has made significant

progress towards achieving its goal. The

next critical step in the process is for the

Jefferson Parkway to be included in the

Denver Regional Council of Government’s

(DRCOG) Fiscally Constrained Metro

Vision Regional Transportation Plan, which

describes the highest priority transportation

projects that can be accommodated with

future expected revenues. The DRCOG

Board of Directors will hold a public hear-

ing on this item at their December 16, 2009

meeting, and vote on the issue at their

January 20, 2010 meeting.

The completion of the beltway is not

just a Jefferson County issue—it is a

Denver metropolitan area issue. A complet-

ed beltway is a necessity for effective trans-

portation in the Denver metropolitan area.

To state otherwise ignores not only future

projections about population and traffic

growth, but current conditions and the

already evident lack of mobility in northern

Jefferson County.

Over the past two decades employment

and population growth have soared in the

Denver metro area. In the five- county

region of Jefferson, Boulder, Broomfield,

Larimer, and Weld counties, employment

increased from 560,000 jobs to 725,000

jobs, or 30%. Jobs bring workers and their

families from outside the region and outside

the State—causing the five-county popula-

tion to grow over the same time period by

28%. With roughly 2.3 cars per household,

it is no surprise that traffic volumes grew

proportionately. During this growth period,

the increased traffic in the northwest metro

area has been forced onto local streets and

State highways that are not suited (nor were

they designed for) such loading. The “de-

facto” beltway includes Indiana Street,

Alkire Street, Ward Road, and Wadsworth

Boulevard to name a few.

While a vocal minority in the City of

Golden continues to push for improvements

to existing Jefferson County local roads, the

required funding (some $900 million dol-

lars) is not budgeted and this “fix” would

still result in intersections rated at a level of

service “F” or “fail.” Failing intersections

and a tab for $900 million dollars is not the

answer to the problem. Indeed, transporta-

tion funding in the State of Colorado faces a

quiet crisis; funding levels are insufficient to

maintain the current system, so new capaci-

ty projects are completely unfundable.

The Jefferson Parkway Public Highway

Authority looks to the private sector to

fund, by means of a toll road, the comple-

tion of the beltway along an alignment that

has been on metropolitan transportation

plans since the 1960s.

The construction of the Jefferson

Parkway is a matter that affects 2.5 million

residents in the Denver metropolitan area.

As the late Rocky Mountain News stated in a

March 25, 2008 editorial: “Beltways

enhance much-needed suburb to suburb

connections. They take traffic off local

streets. They provide motorists with more

direct routes to their destinations, thus saving

them time and the money spent on increas-

ingly expensive gasoline.” The Denver Postconcurred in a March 23, 2008 editorial:

“We hope a plan goes forward that can close

the beltway around Denver—40 years after

the idea was first proposed.” The Jefferson

Parkway Public Highway Authority is pre-

pared to do just that.

Make your voices heard! Support the inclusion of the Jefferson Parkway on the DRCOG Fiscally Constrained Metro VisionRegional Transportation Plan. You may submit comments online at the following website: http://www.drcog.org/publiccomment/dsp_postComment.cfm?subjectormeeting=Cycle2_2009_commentsonAmendments. For more infor-mation visit http://www.drcog.org/index.cfm?page=Dec.16,2009,PublicHearing or contact Jill Locantore with DRCOG at303-480-6752.

“We hope a plan goes forward

that can close the beltway

around Denver—40 years after

the idea was first proposed.”

The Denver Post Editorial

Page, March 23, 2008

Employees of the MonthThe Employee of the Month is nominated by fel-low workers and chosen by a subcommittee ofthe City’s Employee Committee. Recipients arehonored in front of the employee body and pre-sented a certificate and gift by City ManagerCraig Kocian. Their name is engraved on aplaque which hangs at the main entrance ofArvada City Hall.

Kim GrantKim Grant,

Grants Administratorfor the City ofArvada, was theSeptember Employeeof the Month. Granthas been with theCity since 1999.Grant coordinatesproject development,prospect research,proposal writing, andgrant implementationand reporting respon-sibilities across

departments, and has secured literally millionsof dollars in funding for the City of Arvadawhich have made possible such projects as his-toric Olde Town revitalization and park acquisi-tions. His nominators state, “Since 1999, KimGrant has built a successful, high-achievinggrant-making fortress, and this has onlyoccurred because he has served as its strongfoundation. He is able to translate discussioninto action, insuring our grant applications arepositioned in the best possible way for thegrantor’s consideration. He is a consummateprofessional who does what he does very, verywell.”

PD Employee Highlights

VanderVeen Promoted to Sergeant

Robert

VanderVeen

was recently

promoted to the

rank of ser-

geant. Sergeant

VanderVeen

joined the

Arvada Police

Department in

1993 and has worked a variety of

assignments during that time including

Patrol, Criminal Investigations Bureau,

DUI officer, polygraph specialist, bicy-

cle officer, and field training officer.

One of his assignments in the Criminal

Investigations Bureau was to coordi-

nate the investigation of the Youth

With A Mission shootings occurring in

December 2007. Following his promo-

tion to sergeant, VanderVeen has been

assigned to the Patrol Bureau.

Rzeppa Recognized by West

Chamber

Sergeant Jo

Ann Rzeppa

was honored

for her extraor-

dinary work at

the Arvada

Police

Department at

the Celebrate

Women of Jefferson County event,

hosted by the West Chamber of

Jefferson County in November.

Sergeant Rzeppa has established

herself in the field of law enforcement

and attained the position of sergeant

through hard work and determination.

Having worked in Patrol, Investigations,

and Administration, she now oversees

the School Services Unit for the

Department.

“Jo Ann works tirelessly to ensure

the effective operation of the School

Resource Officers and the safety of the

children of Arvada,” said Commander

Jim Keating. “She has forged positive

relationships within the School District

with everyone from the Superintendent

to individual teachers in the classroom

and even the students themselves.”

Commander Keating adds, “You

can find Jo Ann in the classroom read-

ing to kindergarteners, teaching safety

classes in the elementary schools, and

offering instruction and guidance at the

middle and high school levels in addi-

tion to her supervisory duties at the

Police Department.”

Patricia Kelly Named Top Victim

Advocate in State

Patricia

Kelly, Victim/

Family

Support

Advocate at

Ralston

House,

received the

2009 Deana

Griswould

Award for Outstanding Victim Advocate

in the Non-Profit Sector from the

Colorado Organization for Victim

Assistance. The award was presented

at their annual conference in Keystone

this past October.

“As a victim advocate, Patricia is

not only knowledgeable and compas-

sionate with children, teens, and their

families, but also mentors Ralston

House volunteers to guide them in their

assistance to the nearly 700 families

who visit the center each year,” said

Don Moseley, executive director of

Ralston House

Grant

VanderVeen

Rzeppa


City of Arvada Employee Corner

What Arvada Residents SayAbout City of Arvada

EmployeesIn the 2009 Arvada Citizen Survey,

respondents were asked if they had had con-tact with a City employee within the last 12months. Those who had were asked theiropinion on a number of characteristics. Thepercentage of respondents whose impres-sion was “good” or “very good” are as follows:Professional attitude, 83% Knowledgeable: 82% Willingness to help or understand: 79%Overall impression: 78%

These rankings are all above nationalaverages. For more results from the 2009Arvada Citizen Survey, visitwww.arvada.org.

4

Kelly

Arvada Crews Excel at National Snowand Ice “Roadeo”

Lorraine Anderson Honoredfor 24 Years of Service

City of Arvada streets department employees Tom

Bucholz, Ron Mann, Tom Swartwood, and Brian

Williams have one thing to say to Mother Nature:

Bring it on! These skilled equipment operators proved they

can tackle whatever winter has to offer at the 2009 National

Snow and Ice Conference and Roadeo. Cities, counties,

and states send their best crews to this national competition

which puts two-person teams through a written test, a diag-

nostic test, and an obstacle course.

The written test assesses knowledge of the rules and

laws that govern commercially licensed drivers. The diag-

nostic test requires the operator to inspect a plow truck and

discover four mechanical defects within five minutes

(defects can be as minute as a missing bolt or nut). Finally,

each operator drives through an obstacle course designed to

test their ability to negotiate very tight obstacles made of

cones, barrels, and barricades. The clearance on each side

of the truck is typically about one inch with no room for

error.

Bucholz and Mann placed third in the Single Axle

Truck; Swartwood and Williams placed third in the Tandem

Axle Truck.


5

Aaron AzariLeaves CouncilAfter Eight Years

Former At-Large City CouncilmemberAaron Azari lost his re-election bid toDon Allard on November 3. Azari servedfrom 2001 - 2009.

Former Arvada City Councilmember Lorraine Anderson, far right, is roasted by Jefferson CountyCommissioners Faye Griffith (far left) and Kathy Hartman at a November 19 recognition ceremony.Ms. Anderson, who served 24 years on the Arvada City Council as the District Three representative,

was term limited. Councilmember Shelley Cook was elected to the District Three seat on November 3.

Left to right: Tom Swartwood, Ron Mann, Tom Bucholz, and Brian Williams.

City Council Seeking Applicants For CitizenAppointed Boards and Commissions


6

The Arvada City Council is recruiting for

applicants to fill vacancies for 2010 on

the Boards and Commissions listed

below. Information is also available on the

City’s web site at www.arvada.org, or call the

City Clerk’s Office at 720-898-7550.

Boards and Commissions are established for

the purpose of acquiring and studying informa-

tion in specific areas and to make recommenda-

tions to the City Council on issues within the

Board’s area of expertise. Some Boards are

quasi-judicial and have decision-making powers

within their areas of expertise; some are advisory

Boards to both staff and City Council. The City

relies heavily on citizen volunteers to study spe-

cial community issues, provide staff direction,

obtain public comment on key projects, and take

action or offer recommendations to Council on

any number of matters. These groups are the

community’s voice that influences public policy

and decisions that impact the entire City.

The recruitment period is December, 2009

through January 15, 2010. Applications, along

with the accompanying questionnaires, are due in

the City Clerk’s Office by 5:00 p.m. on Friday,

January 15, 2010. Each application must be

accompanied by the questionnaire specific to the

Board for which you are applying. The ques-

tionnaires can be obtained on the City’s web site

at www.arvada.org or through the City Clerk’s

Office. You may also attach a short resume,

although it is not required. Tentatively, appli-

cants will be selected for interviews the week of

February 8, 2010 with interviews scheduled for

the week of February 22, 2010. Appointments

will be made in April.

Description of Boards and Commissions With

2010 Vacancies

Arvada Council for the Arts andHumanities - Arts Council members advocate

for the arts and humanities and for the Arvada

Center, and are committed fundraisers and

informed advisors to the City of Arvada and

Arvada Center staff. Projects on the current

work plan, both short-term and long-term,

include: establishment of a Public Art Policy;

support of increased goals for the annual operat-

ing fund; promoting education opportunities at

the Arvada Center; and targeted recruitment of

Board Membership. Board meetings are gener-

ally on the second Tuesday of each month at

5:30 p.m., with committee meetings at various

other times on a monthly basis. This is a volun-

teer appointment. Term of office is three years.

Arvada Festivals Commission* – Sponsors,

coordinates, plans, and works with community-

based organizations on festivals of community-

wide celebration by promoting activities consis-

tent with public celebration. Members participate

as active volunteers in putting together current

festivals and events as well as helping to create

new ones for the City and citizens of Arvada.

Responsibilities include:

• Regularly attend at least 8 of the 12 monthly

meetings scheduled in the calendar year;

• Participate in the planning of at least two of

the Commission’s events by attending sub-

committee meetings for these events or oper-

ational committees;

• Volunteer to work and actively take part on

the day of at least two additional

Commission events;

• Maintain and submit Commission documenta-

tion as necessary (volunteer hours, budgets,

sub-committee meeting notes, etc.)

Meets generally on the fourth Thursday of

every month at 7:00 p.m. This is a volunteer

appointment. Terms are for three years.

Arvada Liquor Licensing Authority* -Considers new and transfer-of-ownership appli-

cations for liquor licenses and conducts hearings

on alleged violations of the liquor code. Meets

generally on the second and fourth Thursday of

each month at 5:30 p.m. Appointees are paid

$75 per meeting. Terms are for three years.

Arvada Urban Renewal Authority – AURA

is responsible for the revitalization of three dis-

tinct urban renewal districts: Ralston Fields,

Village Commons, and the Jefferson Center, as

well as two new future districts, the Olde Town

Station and the proposed Northwest Arvada.

AURA’s goal is to redevelop properties within

the urban renewal districts; to afford maximum

opportunity for the rehabilitation or development

of the urban renewal area; to stabilize and pro-

vide for additional commercial, office, retail, and

residential development opportunities to serve

the needs of the City of Arvada and the regional

area; and to maximize return to the City of

Arvada through sales and property tax collec-

tions by optimizing the fiscal assets and the real

estate assets, both AURA-owned and privately

owned. The Board of Commissioners meets on

the first and third Wednesday of each month at

5:30 p.m. at AURA’s office at 5601 Olde

Wadsworth Boulevard, Suite 210. This is a vol-

unteer appointment. Terms are for five years.

Board of Adjustment* – Hears all appeals

of the zoning ordinance and requests for vari-

ances to the Land Development Code. Meets

generally on the second and fourth Tuesday of

each month at 7:00 p.m. Appointees are paid

$75 per meeting. Terms are for three years.

Gold Line Committee*– The Gold Line

Advisory Committee addresses issues related to

the Gold Line, a commuter rail corridor due to

open in Arvada in 2016. The committee pro-

vides education to the community related to the

Gold Line, solicits public feedback on Gold Line

issues, and provides advice to City Council on

such matters as transit station design. This is a

volunteer appointment. Meets generally on

Thursday evenings once a month at 6:00 p.m.

Terms are for three years.

Human Services Advisory Committee* -Advises the City Council on the allocation of

funding from the Human Services funding pool,

as well as the funding for public services from

the Community Development Block Grant.

Meets generally four to six times per year in the

evening. This is a volunteer appointment. Terms

are for three years.

Park Advisory Committee* - Prioritizes and

makes recommendations to the City Council on

projects for parks, open spaces, and trails; works

with the City’s Parks, Golf, and Hospitality

Department to prioritize park and open space

issues; actively participates in park dedications

and occasional field trips to parks, trails, and

open space areas; and works cooperatively with

Apex Park and Recreation District Board and

staff. This committee meets generally on the

second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.

This is a volunteer appointment. Terms are for

three years.

Planning Commission* - Serves as an advi-

sory body to the City Council and reviews

annexations, rezonings, subdivisions, and

planned unit developments, and formulates a

long-range comprehensive plan. Meets generally

on the first and third Tuesday of each month at

5:30 p.m. Appointees are paid $100 per meeting.

Terms are for four years.

Transportation Committee* - Prioritizes

transportation improvement projects and recom-

mends possible funding alternatives. Meets as

needed in the evening, usually several meetings

per year. This is a volunteer appointment.

Terms are for three years.

*You must be a resident of the City ofArvada to apply.

CITY OF ARVADA

2010 City of Arvada Boards andCommissions Application Form

The Boards and Commissions listed below will have vacancies occurring in 2010. If you are interested in applying, please fill out

this application form AND the questionnaire specific to each Board or Commission. The questionnaires are available on the City’s

web site at www.arvada.org or by calling the City Clerk’s office at 720-898-7550. Please submit both the completed application

form AND questionnaire to the City Clerk’s office by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 15, 2010.

Name:______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________ Zip Code: __________________

Home Phone Number: ________________________________________________________________________________________

Work Number: ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Cell Number: ________________________________________________________________________________________________

Fax Number:________________________________ E-Mail: ________________________________________________________

Occupation: ________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name of Company/Firm: ______________________________________________________________________________________

Prior Work Experience: ________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Education: __________________________________________________________________________________________________

Indicate up to three Boards and Commissions on which you would be interested in serving by ranking them as 1, 2, or 3:

! Arvada Council for the Arts and Humanities ! Arvada Festivals Commission

! Arvada Liquor Licensing Authority ! Arvada Urban Renewal Authority

! Board of Adjustment ! Gold Line Committee

! Human Services Advisory Committee ! Parks Advisory Committee

! Planning Commission ! Transportation Committee

How many years have you lived in Arvada? __________________________

Have you previously served on any City of Arvada Board or Commission? Yes ! No !

If so, what Board or Commission and years served: __________________________________________________________________

Do you have any relatives employed by the City? Yes ! No !

Referred by: ________________________________________________________________________________________________

You may also attach a short resume to this application form, although it is not required. Citizens are limited to 12 years of service perBoard or Committee. Applicants are considered for appointment regardless of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, or disability.Note that most of the Boards and Commissions require you to be a resident of the City of Arvada.

For more information, contact the City Clerk’s Office at 720-898-7550

between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Thank you for your interest in the community!

7



8

Have you ever driven down

Ralston Road and thought that

this corridor has potential to be

something more? Or walked along the

street and desired a safer environment

that is more pedestrian friendly? If so,

now is your chance to share those ideas.

The City of Arvada is beginning a

planning process to work with the com-

munity to develop a long-term plan for

retrofitting this unique and important

corridor. The study area spans 1.5 miles

between Olde Town Arvada and the

Arvada Triangle, roughly bounded by

Brooks Drive/Ralston Creek to the north

and Grandview Avenue to the south.

This project will build off of previous

planning studies that have been completed

for Olde Town and the Triangle, but will

focus on the connecting corridor and its

relationship to adjacent neighborhoods.

City staff and their consultant,

Charlier Associates, Inc., will be hosting

a series of coffees in December to listen

to the community goals, objectives, and

desired outcomes. In early spring, pub-

lic workshops will be held to define and

evaluate scenarios for transportation

improvements and redevelopment.

A vital component of the study is for

the community to articulate a vision of

the future Ralston Road Corridor. The

project team invites active participation

with the public to develop design

changes that transform the corridor to

meet the vision. The future Ralston

Road Corridor Plan can be successful

only if land use and transportation alter-

natives are packaged together in realistic

scenarios. Citizens will have the oppor-

tunity to work with the project team to

create an integrated set of scenarios that

combine land use and transportation

solutions that make sense together.

The City of Arvada is actively

involved in community outreach and

offers a number of communication tools.

Please mark your calendars for our first

public workshop, to be held on February

25, 2010. The project team will publish

study information to the project website

(http://arvada.org/transportation/

ralston-road-corridor-plan). We also

invite you to sign up for e-mail or phone

updates that will be broadcast via

Notify-Me services (http://arvada.org/

residents/notify-me). For questions or

additional project information, please

contact Patty Lorence, City of Arvada

Traffic and Transportation Division at

720-898-7740.

Ralston Road Corridor Planning Effort Begins

Vision StatementTo provide an integrated land useand transportation plan for theRalston Road Corridor Study Areathat will enhance neighborhoodconnectivity, improve safety,encourage redevelopment andattract economic development,and provide a pleasant journeyalong a complete street throughthe heart of historic Arvada.

Ralston Road

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The Arvada Police Department’ssection of The Arvada Report ispublished by the City of Arvada withcontent provided by the ArvadaPolice Department as a service tothe citizens of Arvada.

Contact NumbersEmergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .911

Non-EmergencyReporting . . . . . . . . . .720-898-6900

Office ofthe Chief . . . . . . . . . .720-898-6650

RecordsDepartment . . . . . . . .720-898-6920

Investigations . . . . . . .720-898-6700

MediaRelations . . . . . . . . . .720-898-6654

Arvada Police Department8101 Ralston Road • Arvada CO 80002

720-898-6900www.arvadapd.org


These five pages of The Arvada Report arefor and about the Arvada Police Department.

policedepartment

As 2009 comes to a close, I want

to share some of the many high-

lights from the year related to the

Arvada Police Department and safety in

our community.

The Directed Police Intervention

(DPI) strategy continues to have a posi-

tive effect on reducing crime. DPI brings

members of the Arvada Police

Department to locations in the City

where crime is concentrated. One of the

recent intervention areas was Olde Town

Arvada. After six weeks of saturated

police response, crime dropped nearly

20% in the area this past summer. In that

time, people with warrants were arrested,

while parks with overgrown brush were

cleared to reduce hiding spaces for

would-be criminals and to make patrol

efforts more effective. Although the DPI

emphasis has shifted to a different part of

the City, the crime rate in Olde Town

remains lower compared to statistics

from a year ago.

Nearly a half-dozen locations were

part of the DPI effort during the year, and

we plan to continue with this effort in

2010.

A crime impacting all areas of the

City is that of car break-ins. This crime

has seen a double-digit increase from

2008 statistics. While arrests have been

made throughout the year, more needs to

be done to lower these numbers. We need

the help of citizens to take simple steps

to reduce this crime of opportunity. The

most effective ways to do this are to

avoid leaving anything of value in your

car, and to always lock your car doors.

This past summer marked the conclu-

sion of a comprehensive criminal trial of

a homicide occurring two years ago.

Ricky Regalado, a suspect in a homicide

at the Castlegate Apartments in July of

2007, was convicted of first-degree mur-

der in Jefferson County in 2009. He will

join Thomas Garrison in a life sentence

in prison for their roles in the death of

Shawn Rodriguez. continued on page 13

A Message from the Chief of Police

See Your PoliceDepartment in ActionVisit www.arvadapd.org to see

members of your Police Departmentas they patrol the streets of the City.You can click on videos on the website as well as learn about the latestcrime prevention information andupcoming events.

Cable subscribers can also watchCop Talk on KATV Channel 8 to seethe Arvada Police Department’smonthly television show.Sunday: 10:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday: 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.Thursday: 1:30 p.m. Friday: 7:30 p.m. Saturday: 7:30 a.m. Visit www.arvadapd.org to take part in a survey about Cop Talk to shape

the future of the program. The survey takes only minutes to complete. If you

would like a survey sent to you, please call Susan Medina at 720-898-6654

for more information. 9

Get Socialwith the Police

www.twitter.com/arvadapolice

Search Arvada Police Departmentand ask to become a fan.

Do you Tweet on Twitter? Do you

have a Facebook page?

If so, follow the Arvada Police

Department on these two social media

sites. By doing so, you’ll join hundreds

of people who are getting the latest

police news and information. Stay con-

nected with your Police Department and

receive real-time information about

upcoming events and crime news.

Crooks Target iPods

10


As City of Arvada employees

helped deliver gifts as part of

last year’s Lighting up the

Holidays program, they came across a

single mom who was brought to tears

by the generosity demonstrated by the

presents given to her family. She was

completely taken aback when a City

employee presented her with a Safeway

grocery store gift card for a turkey din-

ner with all of the trimmings that had

been donated by an Arvada resident.

It’s not too late to help with the

2009 Lighting up the Holidays pro-

gram. There is still a great need for this

year’s gift giving event.

“We are in need of new toy dona-

tions as well as gift cards to places like

Target to purchase last

minute gifts for the

kids,” said Carrie Brady

of the Arvada Police

Department, who helps

coordinate the program.

“We also provide par-

ents with gift cards to

grocery stores to help

with food if resources

allow.”

Please call 720-898-

7586 to take part in this

important gift-giving event that brings

toys to hundreds of kids living in

Arvada. You can also drop off new toy

donations to Arvada City Hall (8101

Ralston Road) during regular business

hours or at Downtown Toys and Games

in Olde Town Arvada (5515 Olde

Wadsworth) after 5:00 p.m. and on

weekends until December 19.

Make the season bright for a child

in need this Christmas.

You love your iPod. You love themusic. You love the video, and don’t for-get those pictures! Guess what: so doesa thief. With more and more peopleusing MP3 Players, police are seeing anincrease in these clever gadgets beingstolen.Here are a few tips to keep your musicand your player safe.• Keep your iPod hidden and never

leave it unattended.• Never store it in your car.• Put a lock on your MP3 player. You

can purchase a lock that will attachon your iPod so you can lock it on toanything you want such as a purse, abackpack, or even a treadmill at thegym. Be sure to register your iPod on the

Apple website or through the companyof another brand. Create an Apple nameand password if you don’t have onealready. Also register your serial numberwhich is found on the back of your iPod.Keep the serial number in a safe place soyou can report the information to thepolice in the event your MP3 player isstolen.

“When an arrest is made in a theft orburglary crime and property is recov-ered, our detectives review policereports to match serial numbers fromstolen property previously reported. By

keeping a solid list of serial numbers ofelectronics and other items of value inyour home, crime victims have a betterchance of having their stolen itemsreturned,” said Commander GaryHutchcraft who oversees the CriminalInvestigations Bureau.

You have a lot of time and moneyinvested in making your MP3 Player yourvery own. Be sure to take steps so yourmusic, pictures, and video stay with youa long time.

It’s Not Too Late to Get Involved in GiftGiving Program


11

Auto Theft Task Force Warns Public AgainstLeaving Valet Keys in Vehicles

Members of the newly

formed Jefferson County

Regional Auto Theft Task

Force (JCRATT) are warning the pub-

lic about an increasing number of

vehicles being stolen by using a valet

key commonly found in the glove

compartment of many vehicles.

Sergeant Dave Hoover of JCRATT

said that many vehicles, especially

high-end models, come from the fac-

tory with a valet key that is usually

with the original ownership manual or

paperwork commonly kept in the

glove compartment.

“Thieves need only to break into the

vehicle and find a valet key before being

on their way with your car,” said

Sergeant Hoover. “We are urging every-

one to check inside their vehicles and

remove the valet keys when not needed.”

Valet keys are commonly used to

give a parking attendant the ability to

operate your car and park it. The key

allows the vehicle to be started and

driven; however it will not access the

trunk or glove compartment.

Sergeant Hoover added, “There are

probably many vehicle owners that

don’t even know their car came with a

valet key. We suggest that everyone

check their glove compartment for

them and remove them if found prior

to leaving your car unattended.”

If you leave your car running unat-

tended as it warms in Arvada’s frosty

mornings, you may become a victim

of auto theft.

“Unfortunately, there are car thieves

who prowl through the City for the

chance to steal a car running unattended,

whether it’s in front of a convenience

store or in the driveway of a home in one

of our neighborhoods,” said Commander

Jim Keating of the Arvada Police

Department.

With the arrival of cold weather and

frost on the windshields, there is tradi-

tionally an increase in the number of cars

stolen due to the fact residents leave their

vehicles running unoccupied.

In an effort to reduce car thefts in

Arvada, the City has adopted strict motor

vehicle theft laws.

Two City of Arvada ordinances

address the crime of auto thefts at the

local level: Unauthorized Control over aMotor Vehicle and Motor VehicleTrespass. Suspects charged with violatingthese ordinances will have to make bond

or appear in court the next arraignmentday. The municipal legal process isdesigned for swift justice with immediatejail sentencing upon conviction.

Another facet of the auto theft reduc-

tion program known as Operation Auto

CRUSH addresses efforts to reduce

“puffer” crimes in the City.

That law states that no person driv-ing or in charge of a motor vehicle shallpermit it to stand unattended on propertyother than a street or highway and onpublic property without first stopping theengine, locking the ignition, removingthe key from the ignition andeffectively setting thebrake thereon.

Violation of this law can result in a

municipal summons being issued to the

owner of the car.

“Our officers have spent a significant

amount of time working to reduce crimes

of opportunity, and the community can

greatly assist in decreasing these numbers

as well by always locking car doors and

never leaving vehicles running unattend-

ed,” said Commander Keating.

For those citizens who have keyless sys-

tems for their cars they can leave their vehi-

cle running if they remove the key, lock the

ignition, and set the brake of the car in com-

pliance with the law.

Car Thieves Warm Up to Cars Left Running

By staying with your car while it warms you may avoid:• Paying an insurance deductible should your car be stolen.• Receiving a summons for leaving your car unattended and running. • Having your car used by a crook to commit other crimes such as burglaries.


12

Adriver tucked this note under

the windshield wiper of his

automobile. “I’ve circled the

block for 20 minutes. I’m late for an

appointment, and if I don’t park here

I’ll lose my job. Forgive us our tres-

passes.” When he came back he

found a parking ticket and this note:

“I’ve circled the block for 20 years,

and if I don’t give you a ticket, I’ll

lose my job. Lead us not into temp-

tation.”

It may be a bit unorthodox, but a

quick joke of the week is how

Arvada Police Senior Liaison Officer

Don Sikkema starts his community

meetings with seniors.

Whether it’s a recreation center or

a senior living community, Officer

Sikkema meets with more than five

dozen seniors (ages 60 and older) at

four different sessions throughout the

week. After the weekly funny,

Officer Sikkema listens to their con-

cerns, shares crime information, talks

about the latest scams targeting sen-

iors, and offers crime prevention tips.

“It’s important to get out and

meet with people, to have face-to-

face contact with an officer in a situ-

ation where a crime has not

occurred,” said Officer Sikkema,

who began serving as the Senior

Liaison Officer (SLO) in January

2009. “Some seniors are very nerv-

ous to talk to people on the phone.

The fact someone will spend time

with them is imperative.”

Officer Sikkema’s goal is to meet

with hundreds of seniors each week

to share crime prevention informa-

tion. He also tells each group to relay

the crime prevention tips to another

person outside of the meeting to

maximize the effectiveness of the

message.

The SLO is also responsible for

investigating crimes against seniors.

The SLO files felony cases with the

Jefferson County District Attorney’s

Office on a regular basis.

Officer

Sikkema has also

been proactive in

his approach

towards crime tar-

geting the senior

population.

Earlier this year,

Officer Sikkema

initiated a “sting”

operation

designed to catch

a suspect known

for stealing wal-

lets from shop-

ping carts. This suspect was targeting

the senior population as they

shopped in Arvada. Officer Sikkema

coordinated with one of the patrol

teams and had a female officer work

in an undercover capacity as an eld-

erly female. He enlisted the help

from the Arvada Center costuming

department, who provided an outfit,

makeup, and other props to properly

“age” the officer. While the sting did

not catch the suspect that day, he was

later caught and interviewed, con-

fessing to several thefts from seniors

in Arvada, Lakewood, and Denver.

In addition to meeting with sen-

iors and working cases, Officer

Sikkema oversees programs to better

assist those in this age group.

The Lockbox Program is a safe

and secure way for police, fire and

paramedics to help a senior in need

in an emergency situation.

There is also the Solicitor

Verification Program to protect sen-

iors (and the community as a whole)

from bogus businesses and other

people intent on swindling citizens.

In the Colorado Life Trak

Program, family members register

their loved one to receive a wrist

band which contains a transmitter

tracking signal. If their loved one

wanders off, a report is made to the

Arvada Police Department and the

system is activated so the missing

person can be more easily located.

This important program is available

for seniors with dementia issues and

at-risk adults or children who are not

mentally capable of knowing they

are missing. More than one dozen

Arvada residents are currently

enrolled in the Life Trak Program.

The Arvada Police Department

first introduced the Senior Liaison

Officer program in 1995. For nearly

15 years, the officer serving in this

assignment has worked to help sen-

iors (ages 60 and older) navigate

through situations where they are

crime victims or in need of crime

prevention information or referrals to

other assistance agencies.

“The SLO serves as an important

resource for seniors related to quality

of life issues and problem solving in

their everyday lives,” said Deputy

Chief Lynn Johnson. “The SLO pro-

gram has become part of the fabric of

the Arvada Police Department and is

a service of which we are very

proud.”

Senior Liaison Officer Makes TremendousImpact in Community

On average, more than 500 cases involving senior victims occur each year in Arvada.


13

Message fromthe Chief ofPolice

continued from page 9

This was a complicatedcase filled with twists andturns that led investigators todifferent states in pursuit ofone of the suspects. In theend, Arvada is a safer placebecause those responsible forthis crime are in prison.

While this was a high-pro-file case, our police officersand detectives prepared forand testified at many othercritical trials during the year.

I would be remiss if I didnot discuss the efforts of thePolice Department to ensurewe continue to be good stew-ards of taxpayer money relat-ed to the budget. In 2009, wemade a significant effort toanalyze the budget to reducespending where possible andto make business changes tostreamline operations and ulti-mately save money. We willcontinue this process witheach budget cycle.

I speak on behalf of themembers of the Arvada PoliceDepartment in relaying thatwe take great pride in ourcommitment to public safetyin Arvada. We work each andevery day with the goal ofensuring the quality of life forthose who work, play, and livein Arvada.

Please look for the ArvadaPolice Department’s completeannual report onwww.arvadapd.org in thecoming months.

Be safe.Don Wick

Chief of Police

Secret Shopper Scamon Police Radar

A secret shopper scam is targetingthose seeking employment on popularweb sites such as Craigslist, according topolice.

In a handful of cases reported to theArvada Police Department, the victim(s)attempted to cash fraudulent checkswritten by representatives from boguscompanies.

Here’s how the scam works: Oncethe victim is hired through the adver-tisement of becoming a secret shopper,he/she is sent two checks and asked tocash both. The victim is instructed toretain the cash from one check whilewiring the remaining money to a per-son in another state under the guise of‘rating the wire service business.’

“The problem is both checks arefraudulent to begin with, and the victimmay be responsible for the hundreds ofdollars cashed through their bank,” saidSergeant Steve Grisham with theArvada Police Department.

There are steps you can take to pro-tect yourself from these scams.• Be careful of easy money offers

through a potential employer.• Be cautious of claims of a business

offering you money in excess of aproduct’s value and especially thoseasking you to wire money from oneplace to another.Something else to consider is that

you may unwittingly offer your personalinformation to these fraudulent compa-nies by sending your resume containingyour name and address.

Tips to avoid jeopardizing your per-sonal information include: validatingthe authenticity of a business throughreputable sources such as the BetterBusiness Bureau, never offer your socialsecurity number on a resume or otherdocuments as you proceed through ahiring process, and follow the adage of‘if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.’

Police say while this particular scamappears on Craigslist, there are manymethods crooks use to swindle moneyfrom unsuspecting victims such asphone calls, bogus e-mails, and a varietyof Internet sites.

Thanks to Serenity Salon for SuccessfulFundraiser

Thanks to the very talented and very

dedicated staff at the Serenity Salon

(13761 W. 85th Drive in Five Parks),

more than $5,000 was raised during a

Cut-A-Thon in support of the Ralston

House.

Haircuts, facials, manicures, pedi-

cures, and massages were the services

offered during the four-hour fund-rais-

ing event held in November.

Each service ($25) plus tips and

sponsorship of the staff at Serenity went

directly to Ralston House.

“We are so thankful for the generos-

ity of the team at the Serenity Salon.

They gave up their time on a Sunday,

away from their families, to make the

difference in the life of a child,” said

Don Moseley, director of Ralston

House.

Ralston House is a family-friendly site

for Jefferson County law enforcement

agencies and other health professionals to

interview children who have been physi-

cally or sexually abused. Hundreds of

children visit the site each year where

they begin the healing process from these

traumatic events.

14


Recycle Those Christmas Trees!

Save landfill space while creating

valuable mulch by recycling

your Christmas trees at the end

of the holiday season. Each year the

City of Arvada reduces thousands of

Christmas trees into mulch that is

used to enhance soil throughout the

community.

There are two drop-off sites for

your trees. The City Park Maintenance

Shops at 7800 W. 62nd Avenue will

accept trees Monday through Friday

from 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., through

Friday, January 22, 2010. The Lutz

Sports Complex at 5700 Oak Street

(access the southwest parking lot off

of Oak Street) does not have restricted

days or times for drop-off and will

accept trees through Sunday, January

24, 2010.

To ensure the safety of equipment

operators, please make sure the tree is

free of nails, wire, and all decorations.

Only Christmas trees are accepted—

no garlands, wreaths, or yard waste.

Mulch will be available free of

charge at all three locations; residents

will be responsible for loading and

hauling of mulch. This service is for

Arvada residents only (no business or

commercial disposal).

For more information on the

Christmas tree mulching program or how

to use mulch in your landscape, call the

Parks division at 720-898-7410.

The American Recovery and

Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed

into law on February 17, awarded

one billion dollars in Community

Development Block Grant (CDBG)

funds to be distributed to local govern-

ments throughout the country for the

purpose of stimulating the economy

through measures that modernize the

nation’s infrastructure, improve energy

efficiency, and expand educational

opportunities and access to health care.

The City of Arvada, one of approximate-

ly 1,200 jurisdictions that shared in the

grant funding, received $136,700.

Jurisdictions must ensure that 70 per-

cent of its CDBG grant be expended for

activities that benefit low- and moderate-

income persons. Grantees must also

identify projects that could be funded

within 120 days from the date the funds

were made available. Arvada quickly

moved to identify eligible uses for the

funds that met important City needs.

$20,500 was awarded to the Arvada

Community Food Bank and to the Carin’

Clinic (a provider of health care services

for children of low-income families).

$116,200 was allocated for

the removal of three deteriorated

and hazardous pedestrian and

bicycle path crossings along the

Ralston Creek trail just west of

Wadsworth Bypass. These aged,

low-water crossings become

blocked with debris and water,

causing a flooding and safety

hazard to surrounding structures

and to trail users. In addition, the

sidewalk connecting the crossings

is of inadequate width and is set-

tling. The crossings will be replaced

with a new span crossing including grad-

ing, berms, walkway improvements,

replacement of landscaping, and restora-

tion of the creek waterway. The project

will provide for environmental bene-

fits as well by preventing or decreas-

ing unnatural blockages to stream

flow and drainage dynamics that cur-

rently cause stream bank undercutting

and damage to vegetation. It is also

estimated 15 private sector construc-

tion jobs along with three design jobs

will be created or retained.

Construction should commence

before the end of 2009.

Additional Federal Funds Coming to Arvada

15

Black Walnut trees have been under

attack by the Walnut Twig Beetle in

many communities along the Front

Range. This Beetle, which is native to the

Southwest, has apparently moved north.

The Walnut Twig Beetle is a very aggres-

sive bark beetle that carries the Geosmithia

Fungus. The Beetles and Fungus girdle the

twigs and trunk of Black Walnut trees, restrict-

ing water and nutrient movement within the

tree. Symptoms include yellowing and wilting

foliage, usually starting at the top and pro-

gressing downward. To date, attempts by

arborists to control the Beetle and disease have

for the most part been unsuccessful. Trees

generally die two-to-three years after symp-

toms such as branch wilting or dieback are

observed. City of Arvada forestry crews have

removed over 40 dead Black Walnut trees on

public property since 2006, including 14 very

large Walnut trees at the Arvada Center.

Colorado State University professors

Whitney Cranshaw and Ned Tisserat have

been studying this beetle/fungus relationship,

which they have named Thousand Cankers

Disease. In Arvada, Thousand Cankers

Disease has spread throughout the entire com-

munity with little hope of saving the remain-

ing Black Walnut trees. There are, however,

many communities in Colorado that have been

isolated from Thousand Cankers Disease. It is

extremely important that Thousand Cankers

Disease is not introduced to these communi-

ties by transporting infected wood to these

areas. Recently cut Black Walnut trees show-

ing symptoms of Thousand Cankers Disease

can contain thousands of walnut twig beetles.

Diseased wood should be chipped, debarked,

or isolated from healthy Black Walnut trees.

Professor Cranshaw believes that if

Thousands Cankers Disease becomes estab-

lished within the native range of the Black

Walnut tree, the results could be catastrophic.

Prevention of the spread by preventing the

movement of infected wood is critical to the

protection and future survival of the Black

Walnut in North America.

Black Walnut Trees Dying Throughout Arvada


Disabled Residents Need to Update Dispatch SystemArvada Emergency Services: Special Assistance Form

NAME: ____________________________________________________________

ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

PHONE: ____________________________________________________________

TTY/TDD: __________________________________________________________

NATURE OF DISABILITY (please check all that apply):

!! hearing impaired !! vision impaired !! mobility impaired

!! other (please describe) ____________________________________________

List Assistive Equipment (i.e., wheelchair, oxygen, assistance dog):

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Any additional information necessary for emergency services:

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

This information will be requested annually by the City of Arvada. Please notify us if

you move from this address by calling 720-898-7500, or 720-898-7869 TDD.

The City of Arvada is committed to supporting accessibility in the community. If you

have a concern related to accessibility, or would like more information, please call Vicky

Reier at 720-898-7509.

This is a reprint of an article that ran a year agoregarding special information for emergencydispatchers. If you would like for information toremain in the computer aided dispatch system,you must resubmit the information. The existinginformation will be purged from the system onDecember 31, 2009.

When an emergency occurs, a fast,

appropriate response is critical to a

successful outcome. The Arvada

Police Department, Arvada Fire Protection

District, and Pridemark Ambulance Service may

be able to deal more effectively with an emer-

gency when additional information about the vic-

tim is provided. The City collects information

related to special assistance requirements for citi-

zens in Arvada. Information is sent to dispatchers

for these three agencies and entered into the com-

puter dispatch system; it is made available to

response teams in case of an emergency. If you

have a disability that requires special assistance or

equipment, please consider filling out the attached

form and sending it to: City of Arvada, attn:

Vicky Reier, 8101 Ralston Road, Arvada, CO

80002. You may also send in your form via e-

mail. Receive a form electronically by e-mailing

[email protected]. Information is confiden-

tial. In order to keep the information current, it

will only be kept on file for one calendar year.

Each December 31 it will be purged from the

computer system.

Next year, if you wish to have the information

listed in the computer aided dispatch system, you

will need to resubmit the form. This notice will

be reproduced each year to remind you of this

opportunity.

Pink Heals Tour

It is once again time to finalize our annu-

al budget. The Board will approve the

budget in December which will desig-

nate operating capital for 2010.

Arriving at this final budget has not been

easy. District property tax income in 2009,

which is 92% of our annual income,

increased less than 1% over 2008. In 2010

our property tax will decrease 1.02%. In

addition, we are forecasting a decrease of

$100,000 in interest income and about

$100,000 in license fees. This equates to a

reduction in our overall income from these

three items of $364,000 or about a 2% over-

all reduction in income. Early on everything

pointed to a reduction of about 5-6%.

As with any entity, the most significant

expense in the budget is personnel, which

equals 80% of our total expenditures.

continued on page 19

ArvadaFire Protection

District


The Arvada Fire ProtectionDistrict’s section of The Arvada

Report is published by the City ofArvada with content provided by theArvada Fire Protection District as aservice to the citizens of Arvada. TheCity of Arvada is not responsible forthe accuracy of the information con-tained in this section of The Arvada

Report.

Board of Directors

James H. (Jim) SnyderPresident

Douglas J. (Doug) SchneiderVice President

Debra S. (Debi) LuftTreasurer

Gary Michael (Mike) KerrSecretary

Edward G. (Ted) Terranova

Assistant Secretary

Arvada

Fire Protection District7903 Allison Way • Arvada, CO 80005

303-424-3012

www.arvadafire.com

These four pages of The Arvada Report are forand about the Arvada Fire Protection District.

Chief’s LetterFIRE CHIEF JON GREER

fireprotection district

16

The Arvada Fire Protection District

hosted the Pink Heals Tour on

Tuesday, September 15 at the Home

Depot store, W. 52nd Avenue and

Wadsworth Boulevard between 7:00 a.m.

and 9:00 a.m.

The “Guardians of the Ribbon” are a

group of firefighters, police officers, and

leaders in the community whose purpose is

to raise awareness and money for the fight

against cancer for women nationwide.

North Metro Fire and Rescue hosted the

tour later in the day at Flatiron Crossing in

Broomfield.

“While firefighters are often thought of

as community heroes, this event gives us

the opportunity to show our strength and

support for the people in our community

who inspire us,” said Wendy Forbes of

North Metro Fire Rescue. “In our minds,

these men and women are the real heroes--

people fighting and surviving the battle

against cancer in

its various forms.”

Attendees of

the Pink Heals

Tour are wel-

comed to tour spe-

cial pink fire

trucks and have

their picture taken.

Women who have

been affected by

cancer are encour-

aged to sign their

name on one of

the trucks. !


Winter Safety for Children

Whether winter brings severestorms, light dustings of snow,or just cold temperatures, here

are some valuable tips on how to keepyour children safe and warm.

What to Wear

Dress infants and children warmly foroutdoor activities in several thin layers tokeep them dry and warm. The rule ofthumb for older babies and young chil-dren is to dress them in one more layer ofclothing than an adult would wear in thesame conditions.

Blankets, quilts, pillows, sheepskins,and other loose bedding may contribute toSudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)and should be kept out of an infant’ssleeping environment. Sleep clothingsuch as one-piece sleepers is preferred. Ifa blanket must be used to keep a sleepinginfant warm, it should be tucked inaround the crib mattress, reaching only asfar as your baby’s chest, so the infant’sface is less likely to become covered bybedding.Hypothermia and Frostbite

Set reasonable time limits on outdoorplay to prevent frostbite. Have childrencome inside periodically to warm up.

Hypothermia develops when a child’stemperature falls below normal due toexposure to cold. It often happens when ayoungster is playing outdoors in extreme-ly cold weather without wearing properclothing, or when clothes get wet. Thechild may shiver and become lethargicand clumsy. His speech may becomeslurred and his body temperature willdecline. If you suspect your child ishypothermic, call 911 at once. Until help

arrives, take the child indoors, remove

any wet clothing, and wrap him in blan-

kets or warm clothes.

Frostbite happens when the skin and

outer tissues become frozen. This condi-

tion tends to happen on extremities like

the fingers, toes, ears, and nose. They

may become pale, gray, and blistered. At

the same time, the child may complain

that her skin burns or has become numb.

If frostbite occurs, bring the child

indoors and place the frostbitten parts of

her body in warm (not hot) water. 104°

Fahrenheit (about the temperature of most

hot tubs) is recommended. Warm wash-

cloths may be applied to frostbitten nose,

ears, and lips. DO NOT rub the frozen

areas. After a few minutes, dry and cover

her with clothing or blankets. Give her

something warm to drink. If the numb-

ness continues for more than a few min-

utes, call your doctor.

Ice Skating

Allow children to skate only on rink

surfaces—never on lakes or ponds.

Advise your child to skate in the same

direction as the crowd, avoid darting

across the ice, never skate alone, and do

not chew gum or eat candy while skating.

Consider having your child wear a helmet

while ice skating.

Sledding

Supervise children while sledding and

keep them away from motor vehicles.

Avoid sledding in crowded areas and keep

young children separated from older chil-

dren. Sledding feet first or sitting up,

instead of lying down head-first, may pre-

vent head injuries. Consider having your

child wear a helmet while sledding. Use

steerable sleds, which are structurally

sound and free of sharp edges and splin-

ters, with a well lubricated steering mech-

anism, not snow disks or inner tubes.

Sled slopes should be free of obstructions

like trees or fences, be covered in snow

not ice, not be too steep, and end with a

flat runoff.

Sun Protection

The sun’s rays can still cause sunburn

in the winter, especially when they reflect

off snow. Make sure to cover exposed

skin with sunscreen.

Fire Protection

Remember to buy and install smokealarms on every floor of your home, testsmoke alarms monthly, and practice firedrills with your children

American Academy of Pediatricshttp://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/

decwintertips.cfm !

Family SafetyDay a Hit

Arvada Fire’s Family Safety Day

was a hit for everyone

involved. This year’s event

was held September 19 at the Arvada

Volunteer Firefighter Park and Retired

Fire Station #7, located near the inter-

section of W. 84th Avenue and Garrison

Street.

The focus of the day was home fire

safety. A demonstration was put on by

Arvada Fire about the amount of fire

protection that can be provided by a sin-

gle fire sprinkler. You can see the dra-

matic video at www.arvadafire.com.

Over 300 people enjoyed free hot

dogs, snow cones, face painting, and

more. Bicycle safety was demonstrated

through an obstacle course and we had

visits from our mascot Tower and Flight

for Life.

Mark your calendars for next year’s

Family Safety Day, scheduled for June

26 at the same location. !

17

Free Carbon Monoxide Alarms

The Arvada Fire Protection

District has received a grant

from the Federal Emergency

Management Agency (FEMA) to teach

a home safety course. This course will

be offered twice a month and will pro-

vide our residents with the best prac-

tices to stay safe in your homes. After

attending the course, a fire crew will

contact each household to install, free

of charge, a carbon monoxide (CO)

alarm complete with a ten-year lithium

battery, as well as a pair of stove top

fire extinguishers.

The CO alarm will provide each

home with protection from the dangers

of carbon monoxide poisoning and will

ensure that the home will

meet the requirements that

were set into law in July of

2009 with the passage of the

Lofgren and Johnson

Families Carbon Monoxide

Safety Act.

The stove top fire extin-

guishers will attach above

your stove and will activate if

a fire breaks out on your

stove top to extinguish the

fire before it has a chance to spread.

The one-hour class will be held at

AFPD Headquarters, 7903 Allison Way.

Call 303-424-3012 to register. The

class schedule for the next three months

is listed to the right.

December 17, 7:00 p.m.

December 19, 9:00 a.m.

January 17, 9:00 a.m.

January 18, 7:00 p.m.

February 18, 7:00 p.m.

February 20, 9:00 a.m. !

18

In 2007, roughly 84% of all deaths

that were the result of fires in

homes occurred where no residen-

tial sprinkler was in place. If you have

a fire in your home, your risk of dying

decreases by about 80% if you have a

residential sprinkler system in place.

These are some staggering numbers.

According to a report that was

recently published by the National Fire

Protection Association (NFPA), an ordi-

nance that would require residential fire

sprinklers in all new home construction

does show huge benefits. In 1992,

Prince George’s County in Maryland

initiated a single-family dwelling fire

sprinkler ordinance. In the 15 years

from 1992 – 2007, there has been a sig-

nificant impact on life-safety and

reduction of property damage.

During the 15-year period, there

were 13,494 house fires with 101

deaths and 328 injuries in homes that

were not protected with fire sprinklers.

There were ZERO deaths in homes that

were protected by fire sprinklers. In

addition to that, the average property

damage dollar loss in unsprinklered

homes was ten times that of a sprin-

klered home.

There are several myths about fire

sprinklers that film and television pro-

ducers have exploited to add visuals to

their shows. The first myth is that if

one sprinkler activates, they all acti-

vate. This is false. Sprinklers are indi-

vidually activated by heat. The temper-

ature at that sprinkler head must reach

over 165 degrees. With that said, it is

also difficult to set off a sprinkler with

just a cigarette lighter.

continued on page 19

Do Home Fire Sprinklers Work?


The image above is a fire demonstration showing two rooms: one with no sprinkler and one with a sprinkler. The fire in the room on the right wasextinguished by the sprinkler immediately after the picture was taken. The image to the far right shows the room with a sprinkler, approximately three

minutes later, just before fire crews attacked the fire.


19

Are YouPrepared foran Emergency?• Would you or your family mem-

bers know what to do in case ofan emergency?

• Would you have the proper provi-sions? Do you have an evacua-tion plan?

• What is a pandemic? What ifthere is a terrorist attack? Once an emergency strikes, it is

too late to plan! Being prepared cangive you peace of mind.

The Arvada Fire ProtectionDistrict offers the free CommunityEmergency Response Team (CERT)course which will answer all of theabove questions for you and more.CERT training will prepare you forwhat to do in case of a fire, terroristattack, snow storms that knock oututilities, etc. So it you want thepeace of mind of knowing what todo in case of an emergency visitwww.arvadafire.com, or [email protected] to sign up.

The AFPD recently recently grad-uated its first official CERT class. !

continued from page 9

Our firefighters and administrative

personnel will not receive a raise in 2010.

We also reduced the health insurance ben-

efits to keep the cost to the District the

same as in 2009. I want to take this

opportunity to thank our employees, espe-

cially the Local Firefighters Union, which

as always was great to work with and kept

the best interest of our citizens and the

Fire District in mind. In negotiating the

2010 union contract, the issue of a raise

was not even presented, as they under-

stand the District’s overall financial situa-

tion.

In 2010 we will be placing about

$300,000 in reserves to help balance our

2012 budget. We are expecting the 2011

numbers to be similar to 2010. This

means that for the years of 2009, 2010,

and 2011, our income will actually be

about 2% lower than 2008.

As this occurs, we have had a signifi-

cant increase in the demand for our serv-

ices and the cost of conducting business

continues to rise.

Because of the property assessment

process, we are expecting a significant

reduction in the 2012 budget from today’s

numbers—how significant, we have yet to

learn. The price for commercial property

is down about 20% from last year, and we

all know what has happened to the value

of residential property since June of 2008.

Why June of 2008? That is when the

assessment of property was completed for

2010. The assessment will occur in June

2010 for 2012. We are very concerned

about 2012 and beyond unless a dramatic

turnaround occurs in the real estate mar-

ket by June of 2010. There are no assess-

ments for the odd years, so those budgets

increase only by the value of new con-

struction, which has been very limited.

What this means is that through 2013 we

expect to be operating on less income

than we had in 2008.

I know I sound like an alarmist and

you are looking to see if the sky is falling.

The reality is that the Fire District will be

operating on very limited income for the

next four years and even then it will be

very difficult to ever fully recover.

Our revenue generating possibilities

are very limited. The District does not

have the ability to increase the fees that

we charge. We are a Fire Department. We

cannot add new charges for license plate

fees or raise the rates for water and sewer

to balance the budget. You can see why

we are concerned. We are constantly pur-

suing more cost-effective alternatives and

evaluating everything that we do to ensure

that those items on which we spend your

money further our goal of providing the

services that you expect. As we move

through these next few years, I will pro-

vide updates on the financial condition of

the Fire District on a regular basis to keep

you informed. Thanks again for allowing

us to be your Fire Department. !

Chief’s Letter

Fire Sprinklerscontinued from page 9

A second myth is that fire sprinklers willactivate if you burn popcorn in themicrowave. This is also false. As previouslymentioned, sprinklers are activated by heatand not smoke.

A third myth is that the water damagecaused by the sprinkler after the fire startswill be worse than the fire damage. This alsois false. If there are no sprinklers in place,the fire will double in size every 30 seconds.By the time someone calls 9-1-1 and there isa response by the fire department, the dam-age to the home may be extensive.Everything in the home will have smokedamage if it is not destroyed by the fire itself.Then you add the amount of water that thefire department will need to use to put outthis large fire and the damage is much moreextensive.

For more information, visit www.fire-sprinklerinitiative.org. !

Save a Life:Learn CPR

The Arvada Fire Protection District willhold a CPR certification class on Saturday,January 9, from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.The class will be held at the Arvada FireTraining Center, 6651 Indiana Street.

Your two-year certification will bethrough the American Safety & HealthInstitute (ASHI). Both beginners andrenewals take the same class. There willbe a practical test given at the end of theclass.

All classes will be limited to 20 stu-dents and will be filled on a first come,first served basis. The cost for the courseis $30. To sign up or for more information,call 303-424-3012. !


2010 Budget Adopted

On October 19, the Arvada City Councilapproved the City’s budget for 2010. Aportion of City Manager Craig Kocian’s

budget transmittal letter follows.

“My recommended budget for 2010 is dra-matically different from any other budget that Ihave submitted in my 12 years as Arvada CityManager.

Last August, in submitting the recommend-ed two year 2009 – 2010 budget, I stated that“we appear to be standing at the precipice ofvolatile economic times and an uncertain future,both locally and nationally.” At that time, thestock market had not yet suffered the meltdownthat occurred in late 2008. When you approvedthe 2009 – 2010 budget in October of 2008, wehad a clearer picture of the economic crisis andyou adopted the budget with the understandingthat circumstances in 2009 might force us to fur-ther reduce expenditures. I also assured you thatthe City had adequate reserves to maintain serv-ices and infrastructure during the two years ofthat recommended budget.

Today, we know that the revenues which weestimated for 2009 have not come to pass. Weknow that sales tax revenues are down byapproximately 4.5%.

It is during challenging times that the truemettle of an organization is shown, and I amproud to say that this organization has trulystepped up to the plate. Through the tremendousefforts of City staff, you are receiving a balancedoperating and capital budget for 2010 which rep-resents a significant shift in the way we do busi-ness as a municipal corporation, as well as howwe utilize our resources.

Through a constant monitoring of sales taxreceipts we acknowledged early on that wewould not meet our estimated revenues for 2009.Therefore, beginning in February, departmentsbegan voluntarily reducing expenditures. Aselective hiring freeze was put into place. Overthe next few months, departments went throughan exercise of “scrubbing” their line items tomake cuts wherever possible. The budget teambegan meeting regularly and conducted an in-depth analysis of internal service funds (comput-er replacement, vehicle maintenance andreplacement, building maintenance, and insur-ance). All of these steps have resulted in to-dateand committed year end reductions in the 2009budget of $1.1 million dollars.

Next, departments were requested to submitrevised 2010 budgets that presented 2%, 4%,and 5% cuts. Departments were also encour-aged to investigate changes in business practicesthat would result in overall savings to the organi-zation. To that end, the recommended 2010budget displays a dramatic shift in how we dobusiness, reflected by the elimination of 16.5positions that are the result of departments giv-ing serious thought to what is truly required tocontinue to provide quality services to the com-munity as well as to the organization.

The recommended 2010 budget also dis-plays what is intended to be a short-term shift inhow we utilize our reserves. Arvada’s history ofconservative budgeting and careful forecastingthrough the five-year modeling process hasserved us extremely well and has left us in theenviable position of having over $29 million intotal cash reserves at the beginning of 2009. Weare now estimating – very conservatively – thatthe General Fund will have cash reserves at thebeginning of 2010 of $24,240,884. Of this total$5,146,599 must be set aside to meet our 2010operating reserves of 8 percent. The 8 percent iscomprised of 5 percent required for TABOR and3 percent as the additional set aside per CityCouncil policy. This leaves a conservative bal-ance of $16,624,002 an unreserved cash in theGeneral Fund.

However, when forecasting expendituresversus revenues as conservatively as is our prac-tice, through the five-year model, at the end ofthat model given increasing expenditures inoperating and maintenance costs, salaries andbenefits, etc., our reserves are typically con-sumed at the end of that model. You also knowthat in years past, while our budget forecastinghas shown that we spend down reserves at theend of five years, we never actually have. Wehave benefited from unbudgeted economicgrowth, new retail, cost savings in areas such asunfilled positions, etc., leaving us not only witha healthy reserve but with “one time” funds thatwe have been able to utilize towards prioritizedcapital projects. What is so significantly differ-ent about the budget I recommend to you todayis that the City of Arvada will, in fact, spenddown our reserves by no more than $2.7 milliondollars in 2009 and an estimated $2.4 million in2010. The $2.4 million in 2010 does assumethat we will also dedicate an additional $900,000of our dollars to capital improvements. Position Eliminations

A total of 16.5 positions are being eliminat-ed from the City’s 2010 budget, including theEducation Manager at the Arvada Center, aStreets Equipment Operator, five RecordsSpecialists and one Records Supervisor in thePolice Department, a Landscape Architect, aDrafting Technician, and an AdministrativeSpecialist. Five of the 16.5 positions were notfilled. The decisions to eliminate these positionswere business related as opposed to being com-pelled by economic circumstances; in otherwords, they are eliminations which should havebeen made regardless of the City’s revenue situa-tion. For example, the six records positions inthe Police Department were eliminated due tochanging technology. The Police Departmenthas been analyzing changes in the way officerreports are transcribed for a number of years,and has determined that outsourcing transcrip-tion to a private firm will save significant dollarsto the general fund. In addition, voice transcrip-tion software is rapidly improving.

Operating and Maintenance Changes

Departments worked hard to eliminate othermajor costs to the organization, including thefollowing reductions: • No (0%) Salary Rate adjustment for 2010

for all employees. Eligible employees willcontinue to get step increases.

• Overtime costs were reduced by $48,000.• Travel and training was reduced by

$144,000.• Over $200,000 in supplies and clothing

expenses were eliminated. • Small equipment purchases were reduced by

$185,000.Employees understand that the reductions

offered this year were to be sustainable; thismeans that these reductions are permanent.Because of this operating condition, departmentsreduced very little in repair, maintenance materi-als, and other areas where the reduction might beclassified as a “deferral” and not a long termreduction.

It is a new way of doing things; there will beless money for any unknown challenge or spe-cial request, but we will be able to maintain thecurrent overall services the citizens of the City ofArvada has come to expect.

This leads us to the capital or infrastructureneeds of the City. This Budget recommends thatabove our debt service needs of $4.498 millionan additional $3.5 million be dedicated for gen-eral capital needs. This is above our Charterrequirement of 60% of one cent of sales tax – or$7 million. Funded projects will include:• General Streets Maintenance• General Parks Capital Maintenance• Ralston Road Corridor Study• Traffic Signal and Intersection Safety

Improvements• Irrigation Ditch Work• Median Improvements• Beeman and Broad Lake Parks

This budget continues a financial manage-ment plan which will ensure fiscal stability forour organization by thoroughly analyzing pres-ent trends and future issues, and extrapolatingthe results over the next five years. This budgetenables the municipal corporation to provide rea-sonable and appropriate services to our residents,businesses, and visitors, and remain fiscally sta-ble in the future. It is our goal to ensure not onlyfiscal stability, but citizen satisfaction with ourcontinued operations with the financial resourcesavailable.

Respectfully submitted,

Craig G. KocianCity Manager”

The 2010 City of Arvada budget may beviewed in its entirety at www.arvada.org.

20

19th Annual Colorado CowboyPoetry GatheringThis four-day roundup features some of

the world’s best-rhyming yarn-spinners,

sagebrush side-ticklers, yodelers, singers,

and western musi-

cians. Our January

2008 event will pay

tribute to Buck

Ramsey, who pro-

foundly influenced

the writing and

music of contempo-

rary Western per-

formers. Buck’s

widow, Bette, will be in attendance as we

honor his life, outstanding achievements,

and contributions to the art of cowboy

poetry. The program will also feature

over 30 poets and

musicians with the

current line-up

including Doris

Daley, Chuck Pyle,

Gary McMahan,

Cowboy Celtic, Jerry

Brooks, Jill Jones,

Liz Masterson,

Georgie Sicking, Milton Taylor, and

Andy Wilkinson.

January 10 - January 13, 2008

Children’s

Annual Chocolate Affair

Delightful chocolate experience with

award-winning chocolate therapist,

chocolate sampling, chocolate treas-

ure hunt, and chocolate cookie con-

test. Presented with Historic Olde

Town Arvada Association. Benefits a

non-profit organization. See more

information on page 25.February 6 in Olde Town Arvada

High Tea for Seniors

This celebration for citizens 90+

years young includes music, enter-

tainment, gifts, and stories of joyful-

ly lived lives. March 13 at the Egg ShellRestaurant

Arvada Kite FestivalA sky filled withfantastic flyingcreatures cele-brates NationalKite Month withflying contests,kids’ activities,musical enter-tainment, food,and vendors.Presented withFoothills Kite Club. April 10 at Robby Ferrufino Park

Arvada Trails Day

Festivities feature wildlife displays,environmental exhibits, hikes, andbike rides. Presented with MajesticView Nature Center, Arvada ParkAdvisory Committee, and TwoPonds National Wildlife Refuge.June 5 at Majestic View Nature

Center and Two Ponds National

Wildlife Refuge

Independence DayCelebrationCelebrate with

family fun,

music, kids’

activities, enter-

tainment, and

FIREWORKS.

Presented with

Apex Park and Recreation District

and KOOL 105.

July 4 at the Stenger Lutz Sports

Complex

Festival of ScarecrowsScarecrow con-

test, pumpkin

patch, kids’ cos-

tume parade, hay

wagon rides, and

a giant pumpkin

contest are fea-

tured at this Boo

Fest presented

with Historic Olde

Town Arvada Association. Benefits a

non-profit organization.

October 9 in Olde Town Arvada

Wines for the HolidaysWine TastingA presentation of

Front Range winer-

ies with food sam-

plings and silent

auction. Benefits a

non-profit organiza-

tion.

November at The

Egg Shell Restaurant (check

www.arvadafestivals.com for

dates)

The Arvada Festivals Commission is an organization of 20 Council-appointed Arvada volunteers who plan and produce seven diverse family-oriented events. Volunteers to help plan and

produce these events are always welcomed and appreciated. Come join the fun!

Celebrate in Arvada in 2010 with the Arvada Festivals Commission

For more information call 720-898-7400 or

log on to www.arvadafestivals.com.

21



Majestic View Nature Center, provid-

ing environmental education and aware-

ness of our natural resources, is located at

7030 Garrison Street. Through May 1, the

Center is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and

Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., as

well as during programs and special activi-

ties. Below are upcoming classes and

activities. Pre-registration is required; to

make reservations, call 720-898-7405.

Funding For School Field Trip

Programs

The Nature Center received a Tier III grant award for

the fifth year from the Scientific & Cultural Facilities

District. This award assists in funding the Elementary

Exploration Program, a K-6th grade science curricu-

lum in which the students learn environmental educa-

tion concepts throughout the 80-acre Park and Nature

Center facility. Examples of interactive stations that

complement Jeffco Science standards include the 3-

6th Grade topics; Incredible Insects, Mammals Study,

Wetland Experience, Prairie/Nature Trail and Exhibits.

Elementary Exploration also includes Pre-K-2nd grade

topics; Meet a Mammal, Amphibians & Reptiles, Birds,

Fish, Butterflies, My Five Senses, How do Plants Grow?

Elementary Exploration is offered weekdays in the

mornings and can

accommodate up to

65 students per pro-

gram. The cost is

$3.75 per student.

Call us for further

information and to

schedule a field trip

for your group.

Nature Adventures:

An Interactive Experience

Celebrate the natural wonders of the season with your

child through short hikes, hands-on activities, crafts,

and books. Dress for the weather as we will spend a

portion of each class outside. Taught by Dean Bernard,

Nature Center Specialist, and his dog Moxie. Ages 4 –

6 and parents.

• December 19, 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. No fee.

• January 16, 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. No fee.

Animal Art and Awesome Activities

Learn about, and then use your artistic skills to discov-

er amazing creatures and make a great project to take

home. Ages 6 – 10.

• December 12, Gyotaku (Japanese fish printing).

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. $10

• January 10, Creatures of the Extreme. 10:00 a.m. –

12:00 p.m. $10

Mad Science Jeffco School Break

Day Camps at Majestic View

Mad Science strives to spark the imagination and

curiosity of children, providing them with fun, hands-

on, exciting activities that instill an understanding of

science and nature. Call Mad Science directly to regis-

ter at 303 403-0432 or visit their website at

www.madscience.tv. Ages 6 – 12.

• December 21 – 23: Funky Forensics, 9:00 a.m. –

5:00 p.m., $169.

• December 28 – 30: Earth Awareness, 9:00 a.m. –

5:00 p.m., $169.

Explore the Animal Kingdom

through Art

Artist David Sullivan teaches about different creatures

and helps you portray them artistically. Draw, paint,

sculpt, and use other fun are techniques to examine

and learn about the many living creatures that make

up the Animal Kingdom. Bring your healthy after-

school snack each time.

• Wednesdays, January 13 – March 17. 4:00 p.m. –

5:30 p.m. $90 for the ten week session.

Wild Costa Rica

Not many adventurers get to see a Quetzal, the spec-

tacular, rare classic bird of Costa Rica. See digital

images of the Quetzal high in the mountains in the

Cloud Forest. Active volcanoes, sloths, monkeys,

water birds, and jungle birds make up this awe-inspir-

ing rainforest. Presented by Bob Barber, professional

outdoor photographer and member of the Arvada

Park Advisory Committee. Ages 10 - adult.

• January 21, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. $3.

Jr. Duck Stamp Program

K-12 Students, call us to help you create and submit

your artwork as you participate in U.S. Fish and

Wildlife’s educational program and contest on water-

fowl and wetland conservation..

720-898-7405www.arvada.org/nature

7030 Garrison Street

22

23

Fine Art Market, ACES Sale Returns to theArvada Center

The popular Fine Art Market returns for the 23rd

year to the Arvada Center’s main gallery, featuring

original works—in a wide range of media, size, and

price—by more than 100 prominent artists from through-

out Colorado and the Western U.S.

The Arvada Center Eduction Studios (ACES) sale

will be held concurrently in the upper and theater lobby

galleries. Instructors and students from the Center’s

outstanding studio art classes offer an extensive selec-

tion of ceramics, sculpture, drawings, paintings, and

prints at irresistible prices!

Whether you seek distinctive hand-fashioned gifts

for those special people on your holiday shopping list

or something you will keep and cherish, the Fine Art

Market and ACES Sale offer truly extraordinary some-

things.

Opening Reception: December 11, 5:00 p.m. –

9:00 p.m.

December 12 – 20

• Monday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

• Sundays, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.


Arvadans Now Have Access to Prescription DrugDiscount Program

In today’s economic climate, the

high cost of some prescription

drugs can be a heavy burden, par-

ticularly to people without health

insurance or whose health insurance

does not cover prescription drugs.

Now, the City of Arvada, in part-

nership with the National League of

Cities and CVS Caremark, is making

available a Prescription Drug Discount

Program that can offer average savings

of 20% off the retail price of prescrip-

tion drugs. The Program is offered at

almost all chain pharmacies, as well as

some independent pharmacies,

throughout the United States.

There is no cost to sign up for the

Prescription Drug Discount Program.

Cards are currently available at Arvada

City Hall, the Arvada Community

Food Bank (8555 W. 57th Avenue), the

Apex Center (13150 W 72nd Avenue),

and other locations. Cards may also

be printed off of the program website

at http://www2.caremark.com/nlc/.

Program assistance is available at the

website or by calling toll-free 1-888-

620-1749.

The cards may be used by all

Arvada residents. There are no

restrictions based on the resident’s

age, income level, or existing health

coverage. The NLC card can be used

when purchasing prescription drugs

at participating pharmacies around

Arvada, as well as at more than

59,000 participating retail pharmacies

across the country.

The program is easy to use.

Residents simply need to show their

card when purchasing medication at

one of the many participating phar-

macies. There is no enrollment form

required to get a card, no member-

ship fee of any kind and City resi-

dents and their family members can

use the card any time their prescrip-

tions are not covered by insurance.

The discount card program is admin-

istered by CVS Caremark.


There’s Lots Going On InOlde Town Arvada!

These two pages of The Arvada Report are forand about Historic Olde Town Arvada (HOTA).

Historic Olde Town Arvada

The Historic Olde Town Arvada’s sec-

tion of The Arvada Report is published by

the City of Arvada with content provided

by Historic Olde Town Arvada as a serv-

ice to the citizens of Arvada. The City of

Arvada is not responsible for the accuracy

of information contained in this section of

The Arvada Report.

Historic Olde Town Arvada

7307 Grandview Avenue • Arvada, CO 80002

303-420-6100

www.historicarvada.org

Neighborhood News

A Perfect HolidayGift: Purchase aBrick in OldeTown Square

Purchasing a brick in Olde

Town Square is a holiday gift

that is a part of history. Make

your mark on Olde Town with a

personalized memorial brick to be

permanently installed on the side-

walk in Olde Town Square. Not

only will you be a part of history,

but your purchase will contribute to

revitalizing our historic downtown

and building its future.

Meet Kaycee Edwards

The Historic Olde Town Arvada

association has announced its

newest staff member. Kaycee

Edwards has joined the team as

Marketing Coordinator.

Edwards has been brought on board

to handle promotion and marketing of

the downtown business district. She will

work in close collaboration with the

Main Street marketing committee volun-

teers, local business owners, and staff,

including Executive Director Jason

Dennison. “Kaycee will quickly become

an integral member of our team,” says

Dennison. “With Kaycee’s help, we plan

to launch a new branding campaign and

implement a marketing strategy by creat-

ing a downtown Arvada marketing

niche.” Edwards obtained her MBA from

the University of New Mexico and has

previously held marketing positions with

Sandi National Laboratories. She and her

husband recently relocated to Denver

from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

24

Downtown Arvada has undergone

significant change over the past

decade. Once known as a dilapi-

dated antique row, our historic buildings

are now home to award-winning restau-

rants, contemporary businesses, urban

residents, and well-respected places of

worship. Numerous residential, retail

and office projects have come on line to

create an increasingly vibrant urban envi-

ronment thanks to productive public and

private partnerships led by City of

Arvada, AURA, AEDA, and Historic

Olde Town Arvada (HOTA). A key trans-

portation project, the Gold Line, an elec-

tric commuter rail line from Denver

Union Station to the heart of Olde Town

is scheduled to reach Arvada in 2016.

To take advantage of this momen-

tum, the HOTA organization has recently

launched an outreach campaign called

Voices & Visions to gain input from

downtown stakeholders that will be used

to create and implement a strategic plan

for downtown Arvada. A community

survey and a series of focus groups are

being organized to gain valuable insight

from business and property owners, resi-

dents, and community groups as to what

makes downtown Arvada remarkable.

Information gathered will be assessed

and translated into areas of priority to

reach downtown Arvada’s full potential.

HOTA is also charging forward with

the release of the organization’s new

branding campaign, set for the first quar-

ter of 2010. In updating its name, logo,

color scheme, marketing materials, web-

site, and expanding downtown Arvada

boundaries, pertinent information will be

available in an even more comprehen-

sive, user-friendly format for business

and property owners, investors, residents

and community groups. For further

information, please contact HOTA staff at

303-420-6100.

It’s Chocolate Time in Olde TownCHOCOLATE IS CHEAPER THAN THERAPY, AND YOU DON’T NEED AN APPOINTMENT.

Special EventsHoliday Shopping Carriage RideIncluded

We invite you to experience the holi-day charm only historic downtownArvada can offer this season with familyand friends. Take a horse drawn carriageride (details below), and fulfill your holi-day shopping needs in our quaint bou-tiques and locally owned businesses. Weencourage Arvada residents to be smartthis holiday season and shop local fortheir holiday needs, as your sales tax dol-lars are reinvested in your community toprovide invaluable services. Invite yourfriends and family along and experienceArvada’s downtown business district.Horse Drawn Carriage Rides

December 11 and 18, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

W.57th Avenue and Olde Wadsworthin Olde Town Square/$10 per carriage ride.

25

5515 Olde Wadsworth Blvd.

Arvada, CO 80002

303-425-1111

www.downtowntoysandgames.com

Realizing the need for a contempo-

rary toy store to serve the com-

munity of

Arvada, Downtown

Toys and Games

came to be. A family

owned business,

Downtown Toys and

Games opened its

doors in November,

2008. Bob and

Ra’Chelle Fifer are

the owners, and

together with their

three boys Kyle, 12

and identical twins

Derrick and Chad age

2, they help to make

up a fifth generation

of Arvada residency. The store prides

itself first and foremost on family and

family values, and they pride themselves

on providing customers with high quality

customer service. If you can’t find what

you need, they will find it for you and

special order it right to your front door.

The store is open seven days a week:

Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m.

– 9:00 p.m, Saturday from 9:00 a.m. –

9:00 p.m., and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. –

6:00 p.m.

Featured Business

Bring your friends and family fora day of delicious chocolate ther-apy at the 10th annual Chocolate

Affair on Saturday, February 6, from11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., presented bythe Arvada Festivals Commission andHistoric Olde Town Arvada.

Sample chocolate for a good causeat the Taste of Chocolate featuringchocolatiers, bakers, and restaurants.Entrance fee is $1 per person or $5 forsix people. Tickets can be purchased atthe door for delicious taste treats ofchocolate-based food and drink. Over20 chocolatiers will share samples oftheir products. The proceeds benefitRalston House (see page 13 for moreinformation about this organization).

Visit over 20 Olde Town stores tocollect clues to compete in theChocolate Treasure Hunt. Teams or

individuals that gather all of the cluesqualify for prize drawings for largechocolate-enriched baskets of goodies.The competition is free, and manystores offer bites of chocolate to sustainyou in the search.

Colorado’s Chocolate Therapist andaward-winning author, Julie Pech,explains the multiple health benefits ofchocolate in three lively, free presenta-tions about how chocolate is good foryou!

Catch a free carriage ride and enjoya romantic ride around the charmingOlde Town historic district.

Enter your best chocolate cookies ordecorated chocolate cookies in theCreative Chocolate Cookie Contest.Cookie contestants may drop off cookiesamples (six cookies) at the ArvadaLibrary Community Room between

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Compete for

one of six prizes to be awarded.

To entertain little chocolate lovers,

the Arvada Library will host story-

telling throughout the festival in the

children’s area. Balloon tying and face

painting will be offered free to children

of all ages.

Usher in the month of love by

declaring your love on a giant Lamp

Post Heart! Purchase a personalized

heart for $25 from HOTA (call 303-

420-6100). Hearts will hang from

lampposts on Olde Wadsworth

Boulevard and Grandview Avenue.

For more information, to buy tickets

to the Taste of Chocolate, or to purchase

Lamp Post Hearts, call Historic Olde

Town Arvada at 303-420-6100.


26


Keep Your Water Pipes From Freezing

It’s that time of year again! Follow

these tips to prevent frozen water

pipes, as well as information about

how to thaw the pipes if they do freeze.

Why Pipe Freezing is a Problem

Water expands as it freezes. This

expansion puts tremendous pressure on

whatever is containing it, including metal

or plastic pipes. No matter the ‘strength’

of a container, expanding water can cause

pipes to rupture and break. Pipes that

freeze most frequently are those that are

exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose

bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water

sprinkler lines, and water supply pipes in

unheated interior areas like basements and

crawl spaces, attics, garages or kitchen

cabinets. Pipes that run against exterior

walls with little or no insulation are also

subject to freezing.

Preventing Frozen Pipes

You can prevent freezing of water sup-

ply lines and pipes by following these rec-

ommendations:

• Drain water from swimming pool and

water sprinkler supply lines following

manufacturer’s or installer’s directions.

• Remove, drain, and carefully store all

hoses that are used outdoors.

• Both hot and cold water pipes in

unheated areas should be insulated. A

hot water supply line can freeze just as

easily as a cold water supply.

• Consider installing specific products

made to insulate water pipes like a

‘pipe sleeve’ or installing UL-listed

‘heat tape,’ ‘heat cable,’ or similar

materials on exposed or susceptible to

freezing water pipes.

During Very Cold Weather, Take

Preventive Action

• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet

doors to allow warmer air to circulate

around the plumbing. Be sure to move

any harmful cleaners and household

chemicals up out of the reach of chil-

dren.

• When the weather is very cold outside,

let the cold water drip from the faucet

served by pipes that are susceptible to

freezing. Running water through the

pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent

pipes from freezing because the tem-

perature of the water running through

them is above freezing.

• If you will be going away during cold

weather, leave the heat on in your

home set to a temperature no lower

than 55ºF.

To Thaw Frozen Pipes

If you turn on a faucet and only a

trickle comes out, first make sure your

main water valve is turned on. If it is on,

then you may have a frozen pipe. Locate

the frozen area of the water pipe: likely

places include pipes running against exte-

rior walls or where your water service

enters your home through the foundation.

• Keep the faucet open. As you treat the

frozen pipe and the frozen area begins

to melt, water will begin to flow

through the frozen area. Running

water through the pipe will help melt

more ice in the pipe.

• Apply heat to the frozen section of

pipe using an electric heating pad

wrapped around the pipe, electric hair

dryer, a portable space heater (kept

away from flammable materials), or

wrapping pipes with towels soaked in

hot water. Make sure electrical devices

do not come into contact with water.

• Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or

propane heater, charcoal stove, or other

open flame device. A blowtorch can

make water in a frozen pipe boil and

cause the pipe to explode. All open

flames in homes present a serious fire

danger, as well as a severe risk of

exposure to lethal carbon monoxide.

• Apply heat until full water pressure is

restored. If you are unable to locate

the frozen area, if the frozen area is not

accessible or if you cannot thaw the

pipe, call a licensed plumber.

Broken Pipes

• Check all other faucets in your home

to find out if you have additional

frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others

may freeze, too.

• Make sure you and your family knows

how to shut off the water in case a pipe

bursts.

• Call a licensed plumber to make the

necessary repairs.


27

August

11 Celebrate the Holidays in Olde

Town, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Carolers, sleigh rides, and Santa

(see page 25)

Fine Art Market, Arvada Center

Education Studios Sale

Arvada Center Galleries

14 Arvada City Council, 5:30 p.m.

Arvada City Hall

16 DRCOG Public Hearing regard-

ing the Jefferson Parkway

(see page 3)

17 Music with a View: Boulder

Philharmonic Chamber Players

Holiday Jazz, 7:00 p.m.


18 Celebrate the Holidays in Olde

Town, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Carolers, sleigh rides, and Santa

(see page 25)


Arvada City Hall

22 Planning Commission, 6:30 p.m.

Arvada City Hall

25 Christmas Day

Arvada City Hall Closed

January

1 New Year’s Day



Arvada City Hall


Arvada City Hall


Arvada City Hall

14 Music with a View: Mollie

O’Brien and Rich Moore,

7:00 p.m.


20th annual Cowboy Poetry

Gathering, Arvada Center

(see page 32)

18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day



Arvada City Hall


Arvada City Hall

28 Music with a View: Janet

Feder, 7:00 p.m.


February


Arvada City Hall


Arvada City Hall

2 Premiere, A Man For All

Seasons

Arvada Center

6 A Chocolate Affair

Olde Town Arvada

(see page 25)


Arvada City Hall


Arvada City Hall


Arvada City Hall


Arvada City Hall

25 Music with a View: Boulder

Philharmonic Chamber Players

Mendelssohn String Quartet,

7:00 p.m.


COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Arvada Center: 6901 Wadsworth

Boulevard

Arvada City Hall: 8101 Ralston

Road

DRCOG: 1290 Broadway, Suite 700,

DenverFEBRUARY

JANUARY

DECEMBER

Dates subject to change.Confirm with appropriate agency.

12-20

14-17


Invest in Arvada!

We are all investors in Arvada –

citizens, businesses, and their

employees. Like any stockholder of

a corporation, you expect a return

for your investment. The quality

and amount of return on that invest-

ment depends on many things: how

the investment is used, what prod-

ucts or services are funded, the quality of life you want now

and in the future, how much can be invested in your City serv-

ices…and the list goes on. During coming months you will be

increasingly informed of the return on your investment through

an “Invest in Arvada” campaign. If you are a citizen, you may

notice this symbol at your local stores. If you are a business,

you may use this symbol when trying to obtain products or

services from other Arvada companies. The bottom line is: The

investment you make in Arvada by patronizing local business-

es, retailers, restaurants, service providers, etc. will impact

your quality of life and/or ability to do business here. It will

affect the City’s ability to continue to offer top-notch services

that you have come to expect. INVEST IN ARVADA, TODAY

AND EVERY DAY!

Annual Business Appreciation Event

On October 14 more than 300 business and community

leaders gathered at the Arvada Center for the 15th Annual

Business Appreciation Event. The theme this year was

“Breakfast of Champions!” This annual event is designed to

recognize the valuable contributions of Arvada businesses to

our community, appreciate their community support and

involvement, and offer participants the opportunity to meet

new or renew business acquaintances. During the event the

Arvada Economic Development Association (AEDA) present-

ed 13 awards including the Lloyd J. King Entrepreneurial

Award, Community Spirit Award, and eleven 2009 Outstanding

Business Awards which were based on significant community

involvement, capital investment, increased employment, and

overall commitment to the community. Hereford Percy, AEDA

Business Retention Chairman emceed the event. Arvada

Mayor Bob Frie provided a City update and presented the

awards along with AEDA President, Steve Camins.

Jerry Marks, President of

Custom Environmental

Services, located at 8041 N.

I-70 Frontage Road, Suite 11,

received the prestigious Lloyd

J. King Entrepreneurial Spirit

Award. The Award was estab-

lished in 1998 to annually

honor an individual whose traits and character typify an exem-

plary entrepreneur. More than 11 years ago, Jerry, an Arvada

native, and three others came together to form Custom

Environmental Services (CES). CES is a “hands on” environ-

mental contractor and response cleanup team with a network of

over 1,500 subcontractors nationally. Jerry’s initial vision for

the company was to grow to 10–15 employees. Last year CES

was named in the “Top 100 Privately-Held Businesses in

Colorado” with gross revenues of $10.5 million, and they

added a national division to their business plan. Today, with 65

employees in two locations (Arvada and Colorado Springs)

CES does work around the country. Jerry is passionate about

his company, employees, and the community he lives in, and is

especially proud of, and dedicated to, his family. In fact, he

credits his wife, Jannell, as the reason he gets to do what he

does. Jerry personally gives back to the community as well. He

served nine years as a volunteer Arvada fireman and remains

actively involved by funding training courses. He is also active

in youth activities including Pomona High School band, athletic

programs, and supports the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless

and YMCA of the Rockies.

Harry Mathews, owner of

Vintage Sales, LLC, located at

5889 Lamar Street was hon-

ored with a surprise “2009

Community Spirit” Award for

the major contributions he has

made to the community

through consistent personal,

professional, and financial investment. Harry has been a valued

member of the AEDA Board of Directors for 15 years where

he has shared the exceptional knowledge he has gained through

years of entrepreneurial experience. He and his wife, Cris,

have been an important part of the Arvada Arts Community

since 1996, each year increasing their support which has

These four pages of The Arvada Report

are for and about Arvada businesses.

28

business link 2009

helped the Arvada Center to produce and sustain a variety of

quality arts experiences in our community. They have also sup-

ported educational programs in Arvada through multiple

events, including the many years of the Children’s Charity

Gala. They love to travel and have two children who also share

their love for the arts.

Eleven 2009 Outstanding Business Awards

3 Sons Italian

Restaurant, located at

14805 W. 64th Avenue, Unit

C, was recognized for locat-

ing the family-style restau-

rant to Arvada and for the

substantial investment made

in the construction of their new site. Michael and Susan

Scarafiotti have owned the restaurant since 2004. Their daugh-

ter, Anna, was also recognized as an integral part of the busi-

ness’ success. Michael noted that they had enjoyed success for

many years at their former Denver location, but had a dream of

fulfilling a need for a high-end restaurant in the ever-growing

western region of Arvada. They moved the restaurant in early

2008, and proudly serve many of the Scarafiotti family recipes

perfected over the years to new, and former, loyal customers

alike.

Beyond the

Blackboard, located at

7721 Wadsworth Boulevard,

Unit B, was created as a

grass roots family business

six years ago. Sisters Jean

Boylan and Jacqueline

Killian, built their business to fulfill a vision to provide inspi-

rational and educational supplies, games, and toys that would

help teachers “Renew, Inspire, and Teach” their students. Now

with two retail locations, one in Arvada’s Indian Tree Shopping

Center and one in Aurora, they offer a full range of educational

products designed to support teachers and caregivers, as well

as awaken the desire to learn in every child. Beyond the

Blackboard was honored for their extraordinary support of edu-

cators, as well as for substantial special offerings “beyond”

their retail sales business.

D-Note, located at 7519 Grandview

Avenue in Olde Town Arvada, has

become one of Arvada’s favorite spots to

dance, listen to great music, relax, and

just hang out. Owners Monica and

Matthew DeGraff set out with a mission

to bring people together to enjoy great

food and great live music in a fun and artful atmosphere. They

are pleased to be drawing crowds from all over the metro area,

as well as hosting bands from far away lands, and assisting

organizations with local and international aid efforts. Besides

their active participation in merchant organizations and Arvada

groups, the D-Note has raised more than $100,000 for various

charities by hosting and publicizing events, earning them this

special recognition for their support of community and benevo-

lent causes.

Faustson Tool, Inc.,

located at 6803 Joyce Street,

Suite A, opened in Arvada

26 years ago in an 80 square

foot facility with only one

milling machine and two

employees—owners Paul

and Alicia Svaldi. Today Faustson Tool has grown to include

both national and international markets. The company contin-

ues to be a pioneer in the machining industry, introducing the

Front Range to a variety of new precision machining technolo-

gies. Faustson’s reputation for innovation and exceptional qual-

ity has made the company suppliers to the defense, aeronautic,

medical, and aerospace industries. Faustson Tool was recog-

nized for its non-profit work in the community, the national

attention the company brings to Arvada, and for continued

growth and success in our community.

JēHN Engineering,

located at 5690 Webster

Street, was established in

1982 when Joe Jehn opened

his homegrown, family-ori-

ented, civil engineering and

land surveying company.

Recently, in spite of chal-

lenging economic times, that commitment was further cement-

ed at the opening of JēHN Engineering’s new state-of-the-art

building in Olde Town Arvada. JēHN Engineering brings glob-

al attention to Arvada with its numerous municipal and com-

mercial projects throughout North America, the South Pacific,

and Europe. Joe was recognized for JēHN Engineering’s sig-

nificant building investment which serves as a catalyst for local

business growth and for investing his time and talents in sever-

al key community boards and foundations.

PrimeStar Solar, located

at 14401 W. 65th Way, was

honored for its significant

investment in a new, modern

corporate headquarters and

solar module manufacturing

facility in Arvada, as well as

the addition of many new primary jobs to our community.

Globally focused, yet community minded since 2006,


29


PrimeStar Solar has been raising public

awareness and teaching others about the

benefits of their technology which

makes large scale, clean, renewable, cost

competitive solar electric power a reali-

ty. With additional facilities in Wheat

Ridge, CO and Montague, MI, and

strategic investment partners like

General Electric, PrimeStar’s solar prod-

ucts will be marketed to serve the

renewable energy needs of the world!

Sartorius

Mechatronics,

located at 6542

Fig Street, has a

130 year history in

Colorado, first as

the William

Ainsworth

Company, and

later as Denver Instrument. This

biotechnology and mechatronics

provider was acquired in 1998 by

Sartorius, a German group with sales

and holdings worldwide. Convinced that

Arvada’s prime location was the right

place to stay, the facility was expanded

from 25,000 to 65,000 square feet hous-

ing upgraded office space, expansive

shipping dock, and new production and

warehousing space. With over $4 mil-

lion in capital investment in 2008, and

job growth in 2009, Sartorius was rec-

ognized for its significant investment in

the community, the global recognition

brought to Arvada, and the many pri-

mary jobs in our community.

Sonsio, Inc.,

was also acknowl-

edged for its sub-

stantial investment

in the purchase of

a new corporate

building located at

5630 Ward Road,

and for the many

primary jobs brought to the Arvada

community. Founded in 1983, William

Jones created the first nationwide war-

ranty to be offered to the motoring pub-

lic, with Shell Oil as the first national

account. Now in its 25th year of busi-

ness, with second generation Michael

and David Jones at the helm, Sonsio has

built the largest network of servicing

dealers, supplying road hazard and

repair specific programs for over 79.5

million vehicles. Sonsio also contributes

to the community through serving on a

variety of boards and a CEO peer group

which helps others navigate today’s

unpredictable business landscape.

Sunflower

Farmers Market

satisfied requests

from citizens for

this type of busi-

ness by locating its

store to 7725

Wadsworth

Boulevard, and

received a warm welcome by its cus-

tomers when it did. Located in the

Indian Tree Shopping Center, the store

was recognized for re-energizing the

shopping center and neighborhood and

for the new jobs it brought to the com-

munity. Michael Gilliland and Elizabeth

Cook opened the first Sunflower in 2002

after stepping down from the Board of

Wild Oats. Their goal has always been

to provide a clean, accessible store, and

to offer the best quality food at the low-

est prices. Now, 25 stores strong,

Sunflower Market takes pride in being

active within each community in which

they are located, and strives to impact

those areas where it is needed most.

The Academy

Early Childhood

Education

Center, located at

6412 Fig Street, is

another home-

grown success

story recognized

for business

expansion and significant investment in

building a new state-of-the-art facility.

The Academy was founded in 1994 by

Arvada natives, Doug and Kathy

Konrad, and first opened at W. 64th

Avenue and Simms Street in Arvada. In

2001 they built their second facility in

Westminster. This year the Academy

relocated the Arvada facility to a new

building at W. 64th Avenue and Fig

Street. Offering high-quality preschool

and childcare programs to children from

12 months to 12 years, the Academy is

committed to building a strong academic

foundation for the over 300 children

served in the Arvada and Westminster

communities.

The

Community

Partner of the

Year award

was accepted

by Jefferson

County

Business Resource Center (JCBRC)

Executive Director Denise Stephens and

JCBRC Board President Steve Camins.

JCBRC, located at 1667 Cole Boulevard

Suite 400, was acknowledged as a val-

ued business partner for providing no-

or low-cost comprehensive services for

start-up and established businesses

throughout Jefferson County. The Center

opened its doors in June 2006 as a

501(c)3 organization and has assisted

nearly 1,100 business to date. Its mis-

sion continues to be to provide a one-

stop center offering centralized access to

resources which encourages the devel-

opment and growth of entrepreneurial

activity.

Employment Law

In October, Arvada hosted the annual

Employment Law Seminar. This event,

sponsored by AEDA, continues to grow

in attendance each year. Over 60 busi-

ness representatives for more than 35

companies attended. Back by popular

demand, Attorney Chuck Passaglia pro-

vided businesses with an update on cur-

rent legal issues, employment trends,

and related legislation. The seminar was

included as part of the Jefferson County

BES Series and available to all Jefferson

County businesses through a collabora-

tive partnership with all Jefferson

County municipalities, chambers of

commerce, Jefferson County Business

Resource Center (JCBRC), and others.

Businesses Education Series (BES) sem-

inars are offered each month featuring

different topics.

30


Business Information

Arvada Chamber of Commerce will

host its Annual Dinner on January 22,

2010 from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the

Arvada Center. Cost is $75 per person.

Check out www.arvadachamber.org or

call Dot at 303-424-0313 for more

information or reservations.

Be sure to check AEDA’s website

for current news regarding business

assistance programs – www.aeda.biz.

You will also find valuable information

at the State of Colorado’s website:

www.advancecolorado.com.

New Arvada Businesses

For a complete listing of Arvada

products and services offered by new

and existing businesses, go to

www.aeda.biz.

Archive Room Restaurant opened

at 5601 Olde Wadsworth Boulevard.

The owner also has the Pour House

Restaurant in LoDo.

Camaro’s Plus located to 5627

Kendall Court, Unit H.

Chase Bank is now open in the

Arvada Connection Shopping Center on

the northeast corner of W. 52nd Avenue

and Wadsworth Boulevard.

Clear Creek Endodontics opened

at 7375 W. 52nd Avenue, Suite 330.

Edible Arrangements located to

5324 Wadsworth Boulevard.

El Senor Sol Restaurant will open

soon at 6380 McIntyre Parkway (for-

mer Natural Harvest building).

Guild Mortgage Company is a

new mortgage broker at 5460 Ward

Road, Suite 300.

Jiffy’s located to 10370 W. 64th

Avenue and is now offering burritos,

specialty hot dogs, and much more.

Metals Treatment Technologies

located to 14045 W. 66th Avenue spe-

cializing in heavy metals treatment.

Nails Plus is a new salon at 6350

Sheridan, Suite 103A.

Premium Downspout Supply

opened at 5930 Ingalls Street.

Sylvan Learning Center opened at

5101 Kipling Street, Suite 300 in the

Arvada Ridge Shopping Center.

The Marketplace opened at 7523

Grandview Avenue specializing in chil-

dren’s clothing.

Udi’s at Grandview Restaurant

opened a bread, café, and pizzeria at

7600 Grandview Avenue #100 (south-

west corner of Olde Wadsworth

Boulevard and Grandview Avenue).

AEDA Works with Shopping Centers

Yes, Albertsons did close. But the

many businesses in the Arvada West

Town Center located at W. 64th Avenue

and Indiana Street are still open.

AEDA, along with partners from the

Arvada Chamber, JCBRC, and Arvada

Press, worked with the businesses in

that Center to facilitate a collaborative

marketing plan. The businesses are now

more proactively promoting themselves

and the Center so if you’re in the neigh-

borhood, check them out.

Businesses in the Safeway

Marketplace at Meadowlake Village

have come together to form a coalition

to promote their shopping center in

partnership with other local groups.

AEDA facilitated the initial meeting to

bring businesses together to begin plan-

ning a strategic marketing effort. Watch

for activities and promotions in that

Center.

If businesses within any shopping

center in Arvada would like assistance

with this approach to joint marketing,

contact the AEDA office at 720-898-

7010. All you need is a designated

“champion” for the Center who is

responsible for contacting businesses

within the shopping center area and a

commitment from most of the business-

es to participate in an informational

first meeting. AEDA will assist with the

initial meeting bringing ideas and

resources for the group. From there,

respective shopping center businesses

can determine what action they would

like to take.

Look no further!For holiday events, special gatherings, outstand-

ing gift items, services of all kinds, just look withinyour own community – you will find it! Arvadaenjoys a diverse mix of quality and unique retail

stores, dining venues throughout the community,and services offered. During the holiday season,please remember to thank your business neigh-

bors for the many ways they give back to thecommunity. We can create our own local stimulus

package by patronizing Arvada merchants andbusinesses. Do it today! Invest in Arvada!

31

The Arvada Center–Treat Yourself to the Arts!To purchase tickets and for more information call 720-898-7200 or visitwww.arvadacenter.org

23rd Annual

Fine Art MarketShow & Sale

2nd Annual

ACES (Arvada Center Education Studios)

Works for Sale by Arvada Center Students andTheir Instructors

December 11 – 20, 2009Mon-Sat, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Sun, Noon – 5:00 p.m.; Free Admission

HONK! IS EXTENDEDTHROUGH THEHOLIDAYSDon’t miss this entertaining children’s tale!Honk! has an extended Holiday Schedule onselect days, December 19-January 3.For more information call the Box Office, 720-898-7200 or go online: www.arvadacenter.org

Book & Lyrics by Anthony DreweMusic by George StilesDirected by Billie McBride

This musical adaptation of Hans ChristianAndersen’s story The Ugly Duckling brings a con-temporary hipness to being “not as cool as every-one else.” This lavish song-and-dance version ofthe classic tale provides some hilarious insightsinto discovering that beauty lies within us.

Through Jan 3, 2010Weekday general admission tickets: $8Weekend reserved tickets: $10

Go online for more information:arvadacenter.org/on-stage/honk

Sponsored in part by

Additional Support provided by:John G. Duncan Charitable TrustKinder Morgan FoundationRalph and Florence Burgess TrustTarget Wells Fargo Foundation

Children’s Theater

Gallery Event

Music with aView

Mollie O’Brienand Rich MooreHailed as one of today’s best interpretivesingers of American pop, Mollie and her husband Rich Moore return to the ArvadaCenter to combine the intimacy of one voiceand one guitar in an eclectic presentation ofblues, vintage roots, and gorgeous ballads.

Thurs, Jan 14, 2010, 7:00 p.m.ArtTalk/ArtTour starts at 6:15 p.m.Tickets: General Admission - $10

On Stage

21st Annual

Colorado CowboyPoetry GatheringA Contemporary Expressionof Cowboy Life and Culture Thurs-Sun, Jan 14-17, 2010

Including: Baxter Black, Michael Martin Murphey, Sons of the San Joaquin, Wylie & The Wild Westand other cowboy poets and musicians. PlusDaytime Sessions of Music & Poetry

Evening Concert Packages (Thurs-Sat) 3 Evening Concerts Package - $125 for Prime & $100 for Value2 Evening Concerts Package - $90 for Prime & $75 for Value

On Stage

Wylie & The Wild West

PR SRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDDenver, CO

Permit No. 1278

P.O. Box 8101 8101 Ralston Road

Arvada, Colorado 80001-8101

*****ECRWSSARVADA POSTAL PATRON

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Arvada Center Happenings

Documents

The Arvada Report : Dec 2009 - Jan 2010