Friday, October 15, 2010

Leadership In Action: Belle Creek's Henderson Hawks Football

On a run in the late summer, I noticed something new in Belle Creek.  A football team!  Boys of many different ages groups were gathered with their coach, running plays, doing pushups, and learning the fundamentals.
Soon after, when the Belle Creek Playground was being installed, neighbors volunteered their hours to help with the installation.  Namely, spreading 2 semis'-worth of mulch under the newly installed equipment.  Shortly after I got there, I noticed something impressive.  The football team and their coach were leading the efforts!


Henderson Hawks Get the Fundamentals

I soon found out that these were the Henderson Hawks, lead by Chad Weinand (Coach Chad).  I spoke with the coach to find out more about the team, the league, and what makes the Colorado Youth Football Association special:
How did you get started coaching the Henderson Hawks?
I decided to start a new competitive youth football league out here in Colorado.  One that did not have the restrictive rules that most recreational leagues have that ultimately restrict a coaches ability to properly develop kids.  As I started with the league, I felt there was a need in the Belle Creek and surrounding areas and decided to make my home team within the league the Henderson Hawks.
Tell me a little bit about your football background.
Not a whole lot to tell, I have been coaching youth sports since I was thirteen years old, only played one year of high school football, but I have always been a student of the game.  I completed a coaching minor while in college and played two years of football while in the Air Force.
Since moving to Denver in 1994, I have been very active in coaching a variety of youth sports and last year was on the coaching staff at Thornton High School.  This winter I was approached by the AAU, the Amatuer Athlete Union, and asked if I was interested in becoming the state director of football.  I accepted the position with the first order of business being to launch a competitive football league.  I also have recently accepted a recruiting and assistant coach position at Cole College, which will be launching its athletic programs fall semester of 2011.
What age groups are your teams’ members?
Our teams are broken up into 4 divisions, 14 and under, 12 and under, 10 and under and 8 and under.  Our programs number one goal is to develop athletes, I feel that our program is set to do just that over the long haul.
Tell me a little bit about your training schedule and expectations you have of your players (I understand you have a community service requirement for each kid?)
We practice three times per week, I would love to do more but, families have more going on than just youth football.  As our program grows and matures we will always look at and consider a more committed practice schedule.  We are a 12 month program, meaning that our season is just step one.  As we go into the spring we will look at playing in a spring league, spring and summer tournaments that are available, and will be putting on free skill camps for our athletes.
Our program is set up to teach kids the skills to become successful student athletes.  To accomplish this kids are required to balance an academic and social responsibility with their athletic responsibilities.  We require our kids to turn in progress reports and each team is required to do 100 hours of community service per year.
On top of that we also have a track and field program called R.E.A.L. Training that runs a full indoor and outdoor season as well for all age groups.  That program focuses on teaching Responsibility, Education, Athletics and Leadership.  Anyone in the community interested in that can call Coach Mo at 303-324-8301.
What is the biggest challenge facing players in that age group?
Every age group is different, this year our biggest challenge is just building the foundation as we move forward with this program.  Making sure that kids first develop a love of the game, then teaching kids how to compete, how to set goals and how to work to achieve those goals.
Kids have it pretty easy in today’s world and it has created an environment that doesn’t teach healthy competition.  Mainly because society doesn’t want a kid to feel like he failed or lost.  I think it is ok to fail, our kids should feel the same, because without failure and adversity how can they ever experience the thrill of victory and achievement.  I think that is the biggest challenge, just getting the kids to compete.
This is your first year in Henderson.  What kind of response have you seen from the community and the players and their families?  Will you be back again next year?
I think the Belle Creek and Henderson communities are one of the best kept secrets in the metro area.  I thank everyone for their


Belle Creek's Henderson Hawks- A Good Practice!

support and we will absolutely be back next year, bigger and more organized than this year.  This is something I plan on doing even when my kids are no longer in the program.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Fall and Winter Events in Belle Creek!

As I sit here in my office overlooking Belle Creek's expansive central park, the rain is whipping at my window in gusts.  Lighting is flashing with thunder not far behind, and my dog has positioned herself under my desk, atop my feet.
It reminds me that Fall is here and Winter is on the way!
Upcoming Events for Fall and Winter
It’s one of my favorite times of year in Belle Creek.  Starting in October, there are so many fun things to do with the whole family!


Boo on You!

The Halloween Parade will start at 1pm on October 31st.  Bring your goblins and ghouls to the Belle Creek Central Park to trick or treat around the square.  Local witches and warlocks will be opening their enchanted chariots to distribute and abundance of tricks and treats!  (Volunteer to pass out treats from your vehicle at the Family Center by contacting Shannon Wester 303.289.3584 shannonwester@bellecreek.org)
A Belle Creek Holiday Tradition! Join your neighbors and gather your friends at the Family Center December 11 at 6:30pm.  There will be horse-drawn carriage rides touring the neighborhood holiday displays and activities and treats for all.


A Holiday Tradition

What’s more, Santa will be taking time off from his busy schedule to say hello and listen to your holiday wish list!
Put on the hot chocolate.  Soon this rain will become snow!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

A Visit to Pete's Produce- Locally Grown!

One of the great things about living in Henderson is that there are so many local farms nearby.  Did you know that when King Sooper's and Safeway advertise "locally grown" produce, some of it comes from right here in Brighton?  It's true!
Pete Palombo's was hopping today and the chilis were being roasted in front of my eyes.  Have you ever smelled the aroma of chilis roasting?


The Smoky Aroma of Chilis Being Roasted Fills the Air

It is smoky and the chilis pop and crackle as the flames lick at their bursting skins.  People line up to wait while the chilis they have just purchased are fired before their eyes.


Pete Palombo's Market in Brighton

There are bushels are melons, peppers, broccoli, tomatoes and wagon loads of sweet corn  This is produce at its freshest- many times having been picked that very morning.
I was feeling like the cat that swallowed the canary-melon as I walked away from the stand with my arms full of melons and vegetables.  I picked up a huge spaghetti squash, half a dozen ears of corn, 3 melons, some pears and a few red bell peppers for about $14.  All were grown in Colorado, and most were grown right in Brighton.


Bushels of Goodness

If you haven't checked it out yet, you should.
Palombo's market is located just off Highway 85, north of 136th, on the west side of the road.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Belle Creek to Break Ground on Playground Wednesday!

Excavation on the Belle Creek playground will start this Wednesday.  The excavation of the site and installation of the playground is projected to take 2 weeks.  With that in mind, we are planning on doing a mulching day on August 7th starting at 8 a.m.  Please let me know if you will be able to help out.  With enough help, it should only take us a couple of hours to complete the project.  I also hope to have enough volunteers to plant two trees on that that day for shade behind the benches.  We will need wheelbarrows, rakes and shovels.  It would also be good for workers to wear gloves.  

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Improve Your Home's Indoor Air Quality

VOCs are present in dry cleaningAn EPA study shows that close to dozen common air pollutants are 2 to 5 times more concentrated indoors versus outdoors, regardless of whether the home is is located in Rural America, or in an industrial zone.
The cause is volatile organic compounds, more commonly known as VOCs.
VOCs are gases emitted from certain liquids and solids including paints, cleaning supplies, pesticides, air fresheners and permanent markers, among others. In the short-term, can cause respiratory irritation. In the long-term, VOCs can lead to "Sick Building Syndrome", cancer and other illnesses.
There are a number of ways to keep VOC levels in your Belle Creek home to minimum and the EPA published some tips to help with home health safety. The advice includes:
  1. Meet or exceed all product label precautions
  2. When buying paints and chemicals, don't buy bulk. Buy only what you need. Dispose of the rest.
  3. If a product label says "use in well-ventilated area", move to the outdoors or use a fan
VOC levels can remain elevated for long periods of time even after the VOC-generating activity is completed.  Therefore, take care to protect your home and your health.
Read the EPA's complete guide to volatile organic compounds on its website.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Oakwood Homes Opens in Belle Creek


Oakwood Homes is Excited to Be Part of Belle Creek – The Perfect Place to Call Home!


Henderson, CO---Oakwood Homes, Colorado’s largest privately held hometown builder, celebrates its grand opening at Belle Creek this Sunday.  Once you visit Belle Creek, you won’t want to leave.  Community gardens, retail shops, school and open parks are right outside your doorstep.  Yet- the hustle and bustle of Downtown Denver is just minutes away.  The Belle Creek collection showcases 6 floorplans including delightful front porches, spacious kitchens and dynamic master baths.  These classic architectural designs offer up to five bedrooms, three baths and two-car garages on both the four alley load plans and two front load plans with pre-model pricing from $179,500 to the $218,600 with up to approximately 2,100 square feet. 

Visit Oakwood’s Belle Creek sales office Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm and Mondays from Noon to 6 pm to experience The Perfect Place to Call Home!  For more information or to schedule a community tour, contact Dwayne Montoya at 303.486.8728, or visit Oakwood Homes online at www.HomesPeopleLove.com. 


Thursday, June 17, 2010

Good News For Sellers : Housing Starts Fall To 1-Year Low In May 2010

Housing starts June 2008 - May 2010Single-family housing starts plummeted to a one-year low in May, just 30 days after soaring to a 20-month high.  It's no wonder home builders are confused.
Against a revised April figure, Housing Starts fell 97,000 units in May, a figure representing almost one-fifth of the total market size.
It's the worst showing for Housing Starts since May 2009, a surprise to builders and economists alike.
Furthermore, single-family Building Permits plunged in May, too -- down 10 percent from April. A permit is a certification from local government that authorizes home construction.
Housing permits are a precursor to Housing Starts with 82% of homes starting construction within 60 days of permit-issuance. Fewer permits, therefore, directly reduces the number of new homes coming to market in the coming months.
For home buyers in Henderson , this should create a sense of urgency.
Home prices are based on supply and demand and supply appears to be falling about the same time that economists predict a surge in home demand.  It could spell rising home prices and a complete loss of negotiation power with home sellers.
For now, though, home affordability remains high with properties cheap and mortgage rates near all-time lows. If you plan to buy a home later this year, the May 2010 Housing Starts data may be a reason to move up your timeframe a bit.