You’d Be Hard-Pressed To Sample This Much Hard-Pressed Cider At Pressed Fest, Aug. 20
Tickets are now available for Pressed Fest, an iconic feature of Lakewood’s Cider Days. It takes place Saturday, Aug. 20, with afternoon (11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) and evening (4 to 7 p.m.) tasting sessions, held at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, 801 S. Yarrow St.
Wheat Ridge’s own Clear Fork Cider is one of the 14 participating cideries.
Colorado’s largest hard cider tasting event will feature more than 50 different interpretations on this traditional spirited beverage from across the region, hosted in partnership with the Colorado Cider Guild.
Tickets ($40) are sold online and at the box office while supplies last, and include unlimited tasting and commemorative glass. Children will be permitted to enter with a parent or guardian, but no kids activities will be provided.
In addition to Clear Fork Ciders, vendors include Apple Valley Cider Company, C Squared Ciders, Climb Hard Cider Co., Colorado Cider Company, Fenceline Cider, Haykin Family Cider, Locust Cider, Snow Capped Cider, Starcut Ciders, St. Vrain Cidery, Stem Ciders, Talbot’s Cider Company and Vermont Cider Company.
Participating food trucks include Colorado Pig Rig (barbecue), The Walking Taco (tacos) and Turkish Chef on Wheels (kebabs).
For tickets – You must be 21 or older to purchase – visit the box office or go online (https://lakewood.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=717, or search for “Pressed Fest”).
No-Cost Preschool Enrolling Now at Jefferson County Head Start
Jefferson County Head Start is enrolling for the 2022-23 school year for no-cost preschool, with locations in Wheat Ridge and Arvada. Full-day and half-day sessions are available.
Children are not required to be potty-trained. After-school care is available for working families (small fee or CCAP required for after-school care). SNAP and TANF recipients automatically qualify.
Offices are open in the summer Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Apply online (www.jeffco.us/head-start) or call 720-497-7900.
Carnation Festival Coincides With Historical Society’s Heritage Day Baugh House Bash
After the Carnation Festival parade ends Saturday morning and while the midway at Anderson Park gets cranking, the timing is just right to stop by the Baugh House (44th Avenue and Robb Street) and explore the oddly fascinating background of this historical gem at Heritage Day.
The Wheat Ridge Historical Society’s Aug. 13 Second Saturday Social celebrates the adventurous history of the quaint little farm house from the time James Baugh built his original log cabin in the mid-1800s, through the time the cabin was encapsulated by a Victorian farmhouse (and forgotten!) in the early 1900s, to the devastating and mysterious fire in 1994 that nearly ended the structure but revealed the cabin’s existence once again.
Historical Society tour guides will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to reveal the theory of who tried to burn the house down and the bizarre reason why, along with how the rustic old bachelor’s cabin was completely encased and changed into a charming Victorian farmhouse, and its glorious and historically accurate restoration after the fire that allowed its designation as a historical property.
Visitors can enjoy live music and free cold drinks as they stroll through the Society’s extensive antique quilt collection and talk to experts about the story each one tells.
The Historical Park museums are open on Fridays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Society is happy to accommodate your needs and glad to make appointments for tours on other days; just call or email.
For more information visit wheatridgehistoricalsociety.org, email wrhistorical@gmail.com, call 303-421-9111, or stop by the Red Brick House Fridays at 4610 Robb St. And follow them on Facebook.
Jeffco Needs Your Help Shaping Our Climate Future
Jefferson County is creating its first Climate Action Plan and is looking for the community’s help to understand climate change concerns and to prioritize climate action resources. Your voice will help inform how Jeffco can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase community resilience to climate hazards, like wildfire and flooding.
You can participate by taking an online survey in English or in Spanish. And, join a Virtual Open House on Aug. 3 or 8 from 6 to 7:30p.m. Jeffco students will have the opportunity to participate in a youth-focused breakout group.
For details, visit www.jeffco.us/4410/Climate-Action-Plan.
Free Rides This Month Thanks To RTD’s Zero Fare for Better Air Initiative
During August – Colorado’s highest ozone month – RTD will provide all of its services – bus, rail, paratransit and microtransit – at zero fare to the public. That’s part of the Zero Fare for Better Air initiative, designed to reduce ground-level ozone by increasing use of public transit, supported through a grant program created by Colorado Senate Bill 22-180 in partnership with the Colorado Energy Office. Through this initiative, RTD welcomes everyone to its system – those who may have not used the agency’s services, either during or prior to the pandemic; individuals whose travel habits have changed; and those who continue to use RTD services daily.
During the month of August, community coffee chats involving RTD staff and Transit Police team members are also planned at various RTD stations, enabling the public to ask questions about service, safety and other topics of interest. A complete list of event dates and times is published on the Zero Fare for Better Air webpage.
RTD is operating under its current service plan for the duration of the initiative, and has developed operational plans to meet increased service demands and will make adjustments as necessary. Rail cars will be added to trains and extra buses will continue to be positioned strategically throughout RTD’s service area.
Customers who are new to the RTD system can plan trips or research routes by visiting www.rtd-denver.com, where they can use the Trip Planner app, access schedules or sign up for Service Alerts. Next Ride provides real-time vehicle information. To ask questions during normal business hours (6 a.m.-6 p.m.), call Customer Care at 303-299-6000.
Wait Lists Are Now Open For Two Affordable Senior Communities In Jeffco
Are you looking for an affordable apartment in Jefferson County? Two affordable properties are opening wait lists for seniors. Green Ridge Meadows in Evergreen and Canyon Gate in Golden are affordable communities for residents aged 62 and older. Foothills Regional Housing will accept preliminary applications beginning Aug. 1 during the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Visit www.foothillsrh.org for more information.
Bummer! Lakewood Closes Swimming At Bear Creek Lake Park Due To Algae
Harmful levels of blue-green algae at Big Soda Lake in Bear Creek Lake Park, 15600 W. Morrison Road, required its closure to swimming in late July, according to a release from the city.
It is unknown at this time when Big Soda Lake will reopen to swimming. Staff will continue to monitor conditions. The swim beach typically closes for the season after Labor Day weekend.
Personal paddle craft devices and rentals of paddleboats, canoes and kayaks from Rocky Mountain Paddleboard are currently allowed, but paddlers must have limited contact with the water and rinse their boards immediately following contact. Dogs and other animals should not have any contact with the water.
Blue-green algae, a type of bacteria called cyanobacteria, is normally present in bodies of water such as Big Soda Lake and is commonly found in Colorado. This type of bacteria thrives in warm, nutrient-rich water. Excessive growth of the algae can occur during summer months, and certain varieties of blue-green algae can produce toxins that are linked to illness in humans and animals.
Visitors can continue to use the rest of the regional park from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., including the swim beach for shoreline use only, park amenities, picnic shelters, playgrounds and the campground.
For more details on park activities and restrictions, visit Lakewood.org/BCLP or call 303-697-6159.
Tips On Dealing With Poor Air Quality Days This Summer
Each summer, Jefferson County, along with the entire Denver metropolitan area, faces challenges when it comes to clean, healthy and safe air. During this time of year, when the climate is hot and dry, air quality can worsen and make normal, day-to-day activities outdoors riskier. That’s why Jefferson County Public Health reminds residents of some simple steps they can take to protect themselves from poor air quality, as well as what they can do to help.
One of the most prevalent causes of poor air quality in Colorado is ground-level ozone. This air pollutant is formed when source emissions such as those from vehicles, industry, certain household products, and lawn and garden equipment combine with sunlight on hot, dry and stagnant summer days. Another major concern in Colorado is smoke from wildfires, which can irritate the respiratory system and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases.
While poor air quality is unsafe for everyone, there are several groups of people who are at higher risk of more severe health concerns, including people with heart or lung diseases (including asthma), older adults, children and infants. It is also well documented that residents in disproportionately impacted communities feel these effects to a higher degree.
When air quality is poor, JCPH encourages residents to take the following steps to protect their health:
• Spend more time indoors, where wildfire smoke and ozone levels are lower.
• Exercise indoors. If you must exercise outdoors, choose easier activities like walking instead of running so you don’t breathe as hard.
• Plan outdoor activities at times when ozone levels are lower, which is usually in the morning and evening.
In addition, there are some simple steps everyone can take to improve air quality during the summer months – and all year long:
• Skip two car trips each week and replace them with other ways to get around, like walking, riding a bike or using an e-scooter.
• If you have to drive, combine car trips. For example, pick one day each week to run errands. You can also carpool with others to reduce cars on the road.
• Telework when possible. Working from home can be a great way to reduce car trips and air pollution.
• Avoid idling. When you are stopped for more than 60 seconds, turn your engine off to prevent pollution and save on gas.
• Mow your lawn after 5 p.m. to prevent ground-level ozone.
• Refuel your car after 5 p.m. and “stop at the click” to prevent gasoline vapors from turning into air pollution.
• Order online and bundle deliveries for after 5 p.m. to reduce car trips.
To stay informed on the air quality near you, JCPH offers an air quality alert system. Jeffco residents can sign-up to receive air quality alerts from JCPH via text or email. On the NotifyMe webpage, scroll down to “Alert Center.” Select “Air Quality Alerts from Public Health” and enter your phone number and/or email address.
