Features

Over the past 40 years, thousands of kids have enjoyed the baseball fields near West Elmhurst Avenue and South Kendall Boulevard in Columbine Hills. But few of today’s young players realize they are treading some of the oldest ball fields in South Jeffco, or that Columbine Hills is one of South Jeffco’s original neighborhoods.

Jim Kennedy, 85, looks back over those four decades and is thrilled that so many children have been able to enjoy the fields that he helped to create in the neighborhood that he helped to build.

A South Jeffco author has an unusual message for parents about social networking sites such as Facebook: Be worried if your children are not using them.

The Internet may be teeming with predators and creeps, but exercising a little caution allows teens to safely interact on social media sites, which are swiftly replacing the need for face-to-face conversations, the author says.

Linda Barnard has a message for her clients: Pour the soda down the sink and stock up on dietary supplements.

Barnard, the owner of a South Jeffco fitness studio, has decades of experience that have produced an ethos that emphasizes restraint and doesn’t accept failure.

It’s been more than a year since Barnard opened DOT Weight Loss and Wellness, which was inspired by her time managing Gloria Stevens Figure Salons in Massachusetts.

A creepy crowd of characters took over the gym at The Ridge Recreation Center on Oct. 30.

Among those walking table to table at Foothills Park & Recreation District's Boo-rific Bash and Splash Halloween celebration were at least two devils, a couple of dragons and one kid dressed like the Joker from “Batman.” Some chose the light instead of the dark, dressing up as princesses, ladybugs and the ultimate storm chaser, who sported a Doppler on Wheels truck as a costume.

Celebrate Halloween this year with Foothills Park & Recreation District in a safe, fun and indoor environment at our new BOO-rific Bash & Splash event on Friday, Oct. 30.

Rand Kannenberg knows what it takes to beat addiction.

The 49-year-old has spent more than half his life working full time in addiction counseling. He's authored two books on the subject and has lectured in every state in the country. His work has taken him beyond the U.S. borders, with lectures in Puerto Rico, Italy and South Africa.

Now, as Kannenberg plans to open the low-cost Jeffco Addiction Assessment Clinic on June 1, he says his experience overcoming alcoholism is one of his strongest tools in helping people overcome their addiction demons.

Residents near the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield might have noticed some new growth at the site in recent weeks.

And that hasn’t been limited to spring’s usual bounty of fresh green leaves. The additions also include two new greenhouses that soon will house thousands of wild plants from all over the world.

Although the thermometer dipped to chilly environs the morning of May 2, the warmth among people gathered under pavilion No. 6 at Clement Park was palpable.

They were about to embark on the 16th annual Courage Walk, in which crime victims and their families joined with victim advocates in a fund-raiser what brought in $3,268. The proceeds from the event, which coincided with National Crime Victims Rights Week, will help maintain the Courage Garden at the Jeffco Courts and Administration Building.

Garrett Keaney, a fifth-grader from Normandy Elementary, will play violin. Brandon Ware, a senior at Chatfield Senior High School, is on percussion. Brenda Anderson, a mom, will be the conductor.