Lily Fenner, who will start fifth grade this fall, loves playing soccer and tennis. She’s excited to start a new basketball season with her friends. She attends Jefferson County Open School in Lakewood and is looking forward to attending her second school camping trip this year. Starting in kindergarten, Lily has participated every year in
Baby boomers are the generation that reshaped American culture, consumerism, the workplace and retirement and senior living is next. Nearly one in five Jefferson County residents is 65 or older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and Jefferson County’s population ages 65 to 100 was projected to grow 25 percent between 2022 and 2030, according
This has been the summer of everything theme parties, and I couldn’t be more delighted! I’m incredibly grateful that so many people have been thinking of Anteak Booteek as their shopping destination for all their costuming and styling needs. It seems that gatherings are becoming more than just parties , they’re opportunities to create an
For nearly 60 years, the Action Center has been a place where community members can turn when they need help taking the next step toward stability. Located in Lakewood and serving residents across the larger Denver metro area, the nonprofit family resource center provides support through cost-free grocery and clothing markets, along with one-on-one supportive
First, Lutheran Hospital moved to a new location. Now, an agreement has been reached that could put the hospital’s day-to-day operations under new management. Intermountain became Lutheran’s parent system through its 2022 merger with SCL Health, which had operated Lutheran for decades. The new campus at Clear Creek Crossing at 12911 W. 40th Ave. is
After nearly a half century, the Wheat Ridge branch library will have a new home in the near future. At a special Aug. 20 meeting, Jefferson County Public Library trustees gave consensus to a recommendation to find a new site for the branch library. Executive Director Donna Walker told the Neighborhood Gazette in an Aug. 21
Mid-morning on a Friday, I-70 Westbound is at a standstill. Heading east on West 44th Avenue, I watch as dozens of cars and three semis snake along the westbound lanes from a single traffic wave; shortly behind them, another set of vehicles matching in volume follows, and soon after, another. Approximately 135,000 drivers travel on
Do you enjoy telling your neighbors about the great businesses and people that make Wheat Ridge special? Localworks may have just the volunteer opportunity for you. Localworks is looking for a Ridge at 38 Volunteer Storyteller — a community member who can spend a few hours each week helping us share the stories of the
Long before Wheat Ridge was known for its parks and neighborhoods, it was known for something else, celery. In the 1930s, celery farming was a way of life for many Wheat Ridge families. It was hard work that required long days, strong backs, and a little luck with the weather. If a family was fortunate,
As Colorado endures this dry summer, most Front Range communities have once again limited the days residents can water their lawns. The goal is simple: conserve water and protect our reservoirs. But here’s a question worth asking: Can some watering restrictions actually encourage people to use more water? I have been asking my friends; “when
Over the last few months, the most visible changes at the former Lutheran Hospital campus have revolved around clearing old buildings to make way for new construction. Now, the roughly 100-acre redevelopment is beginning to reveal what is coming next. Demolition at the Lutheran Legacy Campus remains on schedule and is expected to wrap up
As kids head back to school, many pets go from a busy house all summer to several hours of quiet during the day. For most healthy pets, this is a normal adjustment—but a little preparation can make the transition easier. Is Sleeping All Day Normal? Yes! Dogs and cats naturally spend a lot of time
There’s an argument to be made that we simply have too many restaurants in town. But you’d be hard-pressed to choose which ones we could do without. Mestizo’s certainly wasn’t on anyone’s list. Great location. Husband-and-wife owners who lived and breathed community. The fact is, it’s harder than ever to keep a restaurant afloat these
Wildfires have become an unfortunate part of summer across the West, and this year is no exception. With multiple large fires burning across the country—including here in Colorado—many of us are paying close attention to air quality before heading outside. While we often think about how smoke affects people, our pets are breathing that same
Alively debate is brewing around town, and it has nothing to do with politics or sports. It starts every Tuesday around dinnertime. Tuesday has traditionally been the slowest night of the week for restaurants. To fill empty tables, many owners have turned to one of the oldest promotions in the business: Kids Eat Free. Locally,
The older I get, the more convinced I become that life is simply too short to spend pretending to be someone you’re not. Each passing year reminds me how important it is to embrace our authentic selves not the version our ego creates or the one society expects, but the person we were always meant
The City of Wheat Ridge will begin work on 38th Avenue sometime in 2027. The Kipling to Youngfield project is part of the $76 million project approved by voters 2 years ago. The project will include safe routes to schools for kids on bikes as well as 3 roundabouts (see plan drawings). City council is now
Most people walk in dreading the road test. The official data says they have it backward. This report breaks down Colorado’s own test records, shows exactly where most people get stopped, and explains how to pass both the permit test and the driving test on your first try. Written Test vs. Driving Test: Colorado’s Pass Rates
Finding blind spots, changing procedures and raising awareness of potential bias or discrimination in Wheat Ridge’s internal policies are parts of an upcoming equity audit. The city council, by a 5-3 vote on July 13, approved spending up to $96,000 in reserve money for the audit. Council members Mike Okada, Rachel Hultin, Jenny Snell, Kathleen
For 57 years, the Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival has celebrated more than the city’s rich agricultural heritage—it has celebrated the people who have helped shape our community. One of the Festival’s longest-standing traditions is recognizing individuals whose leadership, volunteerism, and commitment have made a lasting impact on Wheat Ridge. Each year, community members nominate outstanding
Now in his sixth year as chief of the Wheat Ridge Police Department, Chief Christopher Murtha reflects on changing crime trends from the height of the pandemic to today. With the help of new technologies and the largest graduating class of police officers in the department’s history, the police force can focus more on proactive
The name “5 Fridges Farm,” although nicely alliterative, seems a mighty unusual name for a farm. On the other hand, when one stops to consider all that goes on at a working farm, it starts to make sense. A farm that regularly produces lots of eggs and milk certainly needs a reliable method of refrigeration,
Tickets are on sale now for Localworks’ fourth annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser, scheduled for Sept. 17, 7:30 a.m. shotgun start at Applewood Golf Course in Golden. The cost to play is $120 per player and $450 per team. The 18-hole scramble tournament tees off at 7:30 a.m. and welcomes players of all skill levels. Participants can
Summer is still in full swing, and we’re celebrating with an evening of family fun, sweet treats, and community at El Arka Plaza (located at 6875 W. 38th Ave)! Join Localworks on Thursday, August 13, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. for a fun-filled Live Local at one of Wheat Ridge’s newest community gathering places. El
