Gonzales Named Colorado Manager of the Year
Adams County Manager Raymond Gonzales was named Colorado City/County Manager of the Year at the annual Colorado City and County Management Association Annual Conference in Feb. 6-8 Glenwood Springs.
Gonzales, a Brighton native, has served as county manager since April 2017. He has also served as deputy county manager and neighborhood services director with Adams County. During his tenure, Adams County adopted the Riverdale Regional Park Master Plan, the Colorado Air and Space Port received a Site Operator’s License from the Federal Aviation Administration, and the county introduced “Homes for Hope,” to provides emergency foster care placement.
“Ray’s management style and leadership have created a collaborative atmosphere in Adams County that allows their staff to work with each other and their municipal partners,” said Arvada City Manager and Board Member Mark Deven.
Gonzales was nominated by Bennett City Manager Trish Stiles. The award recipient is decided by a vote of members at the annual conference.
Stretch Zone Makes Colorado Debut
A fitness center designed to promote flexibility along with overall health is scheduled to make its Metro North debut Feb. 25.
Thornton resident, physical therapist and wellness advocate, Amy Nehrke is opening Colorado’s first franchise for Stretch Zone, the largest practitioner-assisted and only nationally-accredited professional stretch studio franchise in the country. The center is scheduled to open Feb. 25 at 2255 West 136th Avenue in Broomfield.
Stretch Zone focuses on a scientific approach to stretching to increase clients’ range of motion as well as the quality of the body’s movements. Stretch Zone practitioners work with the body’s stretch reflex using patented Stretch Zone equipment, following specific methods and protocols to properly position, stabilize, isolate and manipulate muscles.
“The great benefit of Stretch Zone’s practitioner-assisted stretch methodology is the ability to help people increase their range of motion through a safe and proven fitness method,” Nehrke said in a press release. “Professional stretching has been around for years, mostly used by athletes. Now everyone can benefit.”
Stretch Zone practitioners work one-on-one with clients through a series of personalized stretches and movements performed on stretching tables using a patented strap stabilization system. The 1,400-square-foot Broomfield studio features five stretching tables and will employ eight trained stretch practitioners.
Hodgkins Elementary students given bikes, helmets
Every student in the second-grade class at Westminster Public School’s Hodgkins Elementary school received a free bicycle and helmet Feb. 15 thanks to non-profit organization Wish for Wheels and Xactly Corporation.
In all, 81 students received new wheels courtesy of the giveaway.
“Hodgkins staff has known about the giveaway since January and we have been able to keep it a secret,” said Principal Amber Swieckowski. “We are so excited for our kids. This week we even designed some of our PE curriculum around bike safety.”
Xactly Corporation has offices in Denver and Westminster and after employees decided to fund a community-giving project, they asked Wish for Wheels to select a school located between both office locations. Staff selected Hodgkins Elementary and gathered the names of the students to receive the bikes on Friday.
Since its creation, Wish for Wheels has given away more than 30,000 new bikes and helmets. Wish for Wheels uses the membership fees for its cycling club to get more kids on bikes. Members of the club are strong advocates for bike riding noting that it does wonders for a child’s mental and physical health.
Adams County 12 offers meet the author night
The Hispanic Advisory Council is sponsoring a meet-the-author night with local author, Mary Louise Sanchez.
Her debut middle grade novel, “The Wind Called My Name”, was the 2016 recipient of Lee and Low Books New Visions Award. “The Wind Called My Name” explores the merging of two cultures and worlds when the main character moves from New Mexico to Wyoming where traditions, customs and family begin to collide. At the same time, love and understanding ensue.
Sanchez will be at the Thornton’s STEM Launch School, 9450 N. Pecos, beginning at 6 p.m. Feb. 25.
Nonprofits providing birthday parties monthly to a local child
Once a month, Butterfly Pavilion and A Precious Child will throw a one-of-a-kind birthday experience for a child facing difficult life challenges such as abuse and neglect, crisis situations and poverty.
“As a parent, I’ve been to a lot of birthday parties, and a Butterfly Pavilion birthday party is totally unique, exposing kids to the fascinating world of invertebrates,” said Russ Pecoraro, VP of Marketing for Butterfly Pavilion. “As a community asset, we want to share our message with some kids who might not otherwise get the chance, and because of A Precious Child and an anonymous donor who felt the same way, we’re able to make it happen.”
A Precious Child helps identify the child and gift the experience to them through their Precious Gift program each month.
Once selected, Butterfly Pavilion will host the child and 40 of their family and friends at a celebration featuring special animal encounters, themed decorations, all-day exhibit exploration and more. A Precious Child will also provide the child with a present for their celebration. As a special add-on, Westminster’s Nothing Bundt Cakes will donate a birthday cake to complete the celebration.
The program began in January and parties will continue once a month, year-round.
To learn more about A Precious Child and their Precious Gift program, visit APreciousChild.org. The Butterfly Pavilion is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at 6252 West 104th Ave.in Westminster.