After a water pipe froze, it caused a ceiling to collapse Wednesday at the Fremont County Family Center at 1401 CR 143, bringing the fire department to the scene.

The call came in to the Canon City Fire Department at about 11 a.m. Wednesday.

At first, "we thought the roof had collapsed," said Lt. Doug McAndries. "It turned out to be a drop ceiling."

According to the report, a valve from the copper water line that was hooked to the air conditioner between the roof and the drop ceiling accidentally had not been turned off.

The extreme cold weather "froze the copper line, causing quite a bit of water" to collapse the ceiling and flood inside the office, McAndries said. "We got in there and shut the valve off."

Because of the damage, Family Center managing director Paulette Bolton said the activities at the center have been cancelled Wednesday and today.

"When you have a problem, who else should you call than your friendly fire department," she asked.

The Knights of Columbus Fremont Council No. 2553 will participate in the 33rd annual Tootsie Roll Drive from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at City Market, Walgreens and Safeway for the mentally handicapped and developmentally disabled.

As in years past, the funds raised through this drive will be given to Colorado charities serving those with mentally challenged and other developmental delays.

Monies collected will be used to pay for occupational and vocational training, recreational programs, lifeskill training and more.

Last year, the Fremont County No. 2533 raised a total of $1,200, which was given to Starpoint in Fremont County.

Starpoint, 203 E St. Salida, is November Heart of the Rockies Chamber of Commerce business of the month.

John Engelbrecht, chamber director, said Starpoint is a long-standing community contributor by supporting people with developmental disabilities and from a financial standpoint.

Employing more than 40 full- and part-time service and support personnel, Starpoint “is one of the larger employers in our area,” Engelbrecht said.

Bill Davis, Starpoint director, said services and support are driven by needs of people. It includes intermittent contact and support, employment assistance, day programs, personal care, community access, transportation and 24-hour, seven day a week comprehensive care.

Engelbrecht said the Starpoint personnel volume of service is “overwhelming,” and “it was an easy decision” awarding business of the month to the organization.

The color of fall is orange.

At least it will be when Family Center presents its annual Fall Festival from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Abbey Fieldhouse.

“They’ve been doing the fall festival for about 15 years,” said Fremont County Family Center coordinator Sheila Rocchio. “We do four community events a year. The festival is one of our biggest ones.”

Traditionally offered at the Family Center, it was moved last year to the fieldhouse, where about 900 attended the event. Read the whole article...

Starpoint was the primary charity to receive $6,000 raised during the 25th annual Autumn Color Run held Sept. 19 in Buena Vista

The organizing committee, headed by Tom Liverman, selected Starpoint as recipient.

Starpoint consumers, staff personnel and board members provided help during the event manning the food and drink tent in the park as runners finished races and assisting with park cleanup.

Hundreds of baked items were donated from throughout the community.

More than 500 competitors from several states showed up for the annual Autumn Color Run Sept. 19 in Buena Vista. The event, which features a 5K run, 10K run, half-marathon run and one-mile fun run, drew over 150 more runners and walkers than did last year's races.

McPhelemy Park was headquarters for the Autumn Color Run. Organizations benefiting included Starpoint and Habitat for Humanity. Read the whole article...

Sarai Trujillo soon will run more than 26 miles in a brave triumph that will shine as a beacon of light and hope for victims of sexual violence.

“I long for this run to mean something more than just another attempt at marathon success,” said Trujillo, a 33-year-old Cañon City mother of seven. Her five daughters are part of the reason she will run the Denver Marathon on Oct. 18.

“I’m hoping to raise money that will directly impact their lives,” she said. “I long for them to grow up safe in a world that often isn’t safe for girls and women.”

Trujillo is running to benefit the local Family Crisis Services, Inc. All of the funds raised from her run will provide support for victims of sexual violence and education for prevention of such violence, including a local high school curriculum to help teenagers learn prevention techniques. Read the whole article...

[Starpoint Note: Sarai Trujillo is a Starpoint Early Head Start home visitor and she also ran in the 25th Annual Buena Vista Color Run on September 19 with proceeds benefiting Starpoint Chaffee County.]

Sarai Trujillo’s vision of a future for her children that is safe and free of sexual violence is shared by Family Crisis Services, Inc.

“It is appropriate that Sarai has chosen such a challenging event to raise both funds and awareness for victims of sexual assault,” said Gail Conroy, FCSI board president. “It is representative of the challenges that victims experience in dealing with the feelings of shame, depression, anger and fear.” Read the whole article...

[Starpoint Note: Sarai Trujillo is a Starpoint Early Head Start home visitor and she also ran in the 25th Annual Buena Vista Color Run on September 19 with proceeds benefiting Starpoint Chaffee County.]

The Starpoint Foundation will initiate a new orientation program for anyone interested in learning more about Starpoint’s mission.  Free :45 minute Starpoint Community ORientation Events (SCORE) will be held monthly every 2nd Thursday beginning September 10 at 1 pm at Adult Services, 700 S., 8th in Canon City.  Presentations will include discussions with Roger Jenson, CEO, a short mission video and Q & A session and tour of Adult Services.  There is no commitment from the participants and follow on sessions with the SPIN and Family Center facilities will be offered on a quarterly basis.

“The Starpoint mission is vital to Fremont County and many folks are not aware of all that we do nor the services that we provide.  This initiative is an attempt by the Foundation to get the word out to the resident and citizens of Fremont County,” said Ron Hinkle, Starpoint Foundation Director.

If you would like to attend please RSVP to Hinkle at 269-2228 or by email to rhinkle@starpointco.com.

Being a developmentally disabled adult isn’t a disability for “Wolfman” Dave Carty. With his sidekick, “Redneck” Ed Belinski, Wolfman does a weekly radio show on low-power community radio station KHEN 106.9 FM in Salida, Colorado.

Note: Dave and Ed’s show, “Weather or Not”, can be heard Wednesday at 5PM on KHEN.

Starpoint, which introduced Dave and Ed, provides essential services to two vulnerable populations: kids, prenatal through five years of age, and their families, and adults with cognitive and physical challenges. Starpoint has been providing services and supports to individuals, families, and communities in Fremont, Chaffee, and Custer Counties since 1977, and began providing adult services in Front Range communities in 2001.

Two months before Ava Walters was born, her parents were told she had an 80 percent chance of having Down syndrome, as well as a severe heart defect that would require surgery immediately following her birth.

While waiting to find out the extent of their daughter’s problems, mom Greta Johnson had a revelation.

“I started to pray, ‘I don’t care if the baby has Down syndrome. We could deal with that, just please, please, God, let her heart be OK’,” Johnson told the crowd at the Eighth Annual Legislative Symposium sponsored by ECHO and Family Center Early Childhood Council on Wednesday evening. Read the whole article...

Photo by Christopher Kolomitz “Redneck” Ed Belinsky, left, and “Wolfman” Dave Carty work at the KHEN studio Wednesdays. Neither Belinsky or Carty thought they would ever do a show at a radio station.

Three years ago "Wolfman" Dave Carty and "Redneck" Ed Belinsky never thought they'd be a part of a KHEN 106.9 FM radio show - or any other show.

But that changed when the radio station offered Carty an "opportunity most people never have a chance to do," Belinsky said.

Carty is a Starpoint consumer and Belinsky is a Starpoint support team member who works with him. Read the whole article...

Starpoint's Wine and Cheese Fundraiser and Celebrity Signature Auction held on April 18th raised proceeds to benefit various Starpoint programs and services in Fremont and Chaffee County. Read the whole article...

In the vehicles division, first place went to Andy Andrews of Canon City, second to Cassandra Shelver, Miss Teen United Nations and third to Starpoint.

Striving to prevent dangerous behaviors in children, the Fremont Build A Generation team is creating a community database of organizations dedicated to the same mission.

The community action group is dedicated to prevent negative behaviors in local youth such as substance abuse, violence, delinquency, teen pregnancy and school drop out. To assist in that effort, the panel’s Resource Assessment subcommittee is working this summer to update information on Fremont County organizations that serve children and adolescents...Each month, board members Darby Baldwin from Department of Human Services, Guentcheva from Rocky Mountain Behavioral Health, Jo Beth Palmer from Head Start, Kathy Kennedy from Starpoint and Kari Snelson from West Central Mental Health Center work to compile the directory. Read the whole article...

To the editor:

Starpoint SPIN, the early childhood learning center located at 1333 Elm Ave in Canon City will save up to $2,400 on their electric bill each year thanks to a new photovoltaic (PV) solar electric generation system donated by Power House Solar and Wind. The total cost of the installed system was nearly $70,000. An upfront rebate and Renewable Energy Credit (REC) covered close to $45,000 and Power House contributed the balance of almost $25,000. The project was completed May 19, 2009 and will be commissioned pending final state electrical and Black Hills inspections (06/01/09).

Pete Austin and his wife, Lea Darnell, owners of Power House Solar and Wind, have been in business in Fremont County for 10 years. They made the donation to Starpoint in appreciation for the continuing services and care provided to their special needs grandson.

Power House Solar and Wind has made a significant donation to our community. Pete and Lea deserve a big thanks.

Other donations to the project included K & M Electric, who provided the AC hookup to the PV system, and Canon Rental, who provided the equipment.

Roger Ratcliff,
Canon City

To the editor:

Starpoint would like to thank Pete Austin and Lea Darnell, Power House Solar & Wind, their employees and the following local companies for their donations and support to the Starpoint’s SPIN solar energy project.

This project involved many hours of volunteer help and assistance, equipment, supplies, safety apparatus and solar system specific items totaling more than $20,000 from Power House Solar & Wind, K & M Electric, Cañon Rental and Roger Ratcliff, a volunteer.

The total cost of the Power House Solar and Wind project, including the Black Hills Energy rebates, was estimated at $67,000.

Thanks for your continued support of Starpoint consumers, families, programs and events.

Ron Hinkle,
Starpoint Foundation Director

She does not remember when she first learned to crochet.

But, Nancy Trussell does remember watching her mother make numerous items. It intrigued so much that she emulated her by making scarves, afghans and clothes. Recently, she and Karen Cato organized the Wool Gatherers as a social group, but before long, it became more than that....At that point, the members learned about the Family Center’s need through the John C. Library District staff, who donated baskets to families with newborns. The baskets featured material about the library. As a result, the Wool Gatherers decided to make baby blankets, bibs, booties and other baby items to give to the same cause. Read the whole article...

Foundation Note: Family Center’s full name is Starpoint’s Fremont County Family Center.

Kids say the darnedest things. But once in a while, they may say something that is worth writing down, or maybe even writing a book about.

Foundation Note: Kathy Kennedy, author, is a Starpoint employee at our Family Center and she is best known as a First Steps Home Visitor/Youth Coordinator.

Megan Yarberry greets the audience of the Mrs. Colorado Pageant May 16 after she is crowned Mrs. Colorado 2009 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in Denver. Graphique/Courtesy Photo

She was crowned Cañon City’s Music and Blossom Festival Queen in 1999; 10 years later, she is the newly reigning Mrs. Colorado.

Foundation Note: Megan Yarberry is the daughter of Foundation Board Member, Glenn McCarter.

The flipping of the switch. Left to right:  Roger Jensen, Starpoint CEO; Pete Austin, Power House Solar & Wind Co Owner; Leah Darnell (Pete’s wife), Power House Solar & Wind, Co Owner, and Kevin Pratt, Black Hills Energy Renewable Energy Director. Photo by Starpoint

Solar panels gleam brightly from the roof of SPIN Early Childhood Care and Education Center, part of a new advanced solar energy system just installed that will save the facility thousands of dollars each year.

Power House Solar and Wind of Cañon City installed the system that is expected to save 19 percent of the center’s electrical usage every year. The $45,000 project was funded through a rebate from Black Hills Energy, the local power utility. Read the whole article...

Fifty-seven solar panels line the roof of SPIN preschool in Canon City. A couple who owns a solar company organized the project as a thank-you gift for the school's caring of a grandson. Photo by Tracy Harmon

A couple who own a solar business recently gave a Canon City preschool a fitting thank-you gift: They helped outfit the school with solar energy.

Pete Austin and his wife, Lea Darnell, the owners of Power House Solar and Wind, coordinated the project in appreciation of SPIN preschool's caring for a grandson. The private school cares for 200 children with and without special needs. Read the whole article...

To the editor:

Jennifer Harrigan outlasted other bidders at Saturday’s Starpoint Celebrity Signature Auction and took home a once-in-a-lifetime piece of art – a Salvador Dali etching signed by the legendary artist.

“I’m thrilled,” Harrigan said of her catch of the night. As a member of the Starpoint Foundation Board of Directors, she was present when Brendan Pardue donated the artwork for the Wine and Cheese Fundraiser. Read the whole article...

Foundation Note: Jean Dilatush was a member of the board of directors for Starpoint for 17 years.

Jean Ross Dilatush, 78 of Salida, died March 9, 2009, at Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lonetree from injuries received in a car accident in Monument.

She was born August 17, 1930, in New York City, N.Y. to Thomas and Jeanette (MacKay) Gillies. As a child, she lived in Long Island, N.Y., and Hollywood, Fla. She married Gordon Kessler in 1948 and daughter, Barbara Jean, was born in 1949.

After working many years as an executive secretary for Cahners Publishing Co. of Denver, she operated Jean's Secretarial Service in the Cherry Creek area in Denver in 1975. Read the whole article...

4. Shop for stoneware and salsa

Pick up gourmet kitchenware and food items at the Mixing Bowl, a must-stop spot for gourmands and foodies. To warm up your palate, try the green-chile salsa mix or the original-blend hot salsa mix. Mix $4; 148-A F St.; 719/539-2655. Read the whole article...

Bowling can be a treat for almost everyone.

For the Starpoint consumers, it is not only fun, it can be challenging.

Starpoint employee and co-organizer Darlene Globoker said the foundation had established its own league with nine teams consisting of 36 players and four substitutes playing on Tuesdays for 12 weeks at Cañon Lanes. Read the whole article...

One is a great-grandfather with decades of leadership, volunteer and business experience under his belt, while the other is a high school junior who is just beginning to explore the many opportunities her community has to offer as she searches for her place in this world.

What do these vastly different individuals have in common? They both have hearts dedicated to serving their community and are both new members on the Starpoint Foundation Board.

The generation gap that is bridged by seasoned Myron “Smitty” Smith and the board’s youngest member, fresh and innovative Jennifer Gennaro, is what makes the Starpoint Foundation Board quite unique. Read the whole article...

January 19, 2009
Trujillo endlessly volunteers in county
Around The Town by Charlotte Burrous
The Daily Record

She reminds me of the energizer bunny. Wind her up and she keeps on going and going and going. Everywhere you look, you’re bound to see Janet Trujillo in the middle of almost any event, sponsored by a nonprofit in Fremont County.

For example, as part of the Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class of 2007, she helped organize the Fremont County Senior Volunteer Fair, which was scheduled Saturday at the historic National Guard Armory on Main Street.

I can’t help but admire her dedication. She not only helps at several schools, she also works as a board member of Starpoint, going above and beyond what most people are likely to do. Read the whole article...

January 12, 2009
Local center helping struggling families
Melodie Head
The Daily Record, pg. 1

During the Christmas season, Fremont County Family Center phone calls doubled, according to Diane Trujillo, Starpoint Education Manager, and the center’s 2008 Fall Festival brought in 900 visitors compared to 600 in 2007.

Business isn’t the only hit of the suffering economy, the financial bind is affecting organizations from the top all the way down to the individuals — bringing monetary and emotional difficulties to families.

“The cost of diapers and formula can have a huge impact on families,” said Ron Hinkle, foundation and marketing director for the family center. Read the whole article...

The flush of optimism the developmentally disabled community felt last summer with the signing of legislation to give them long-awaited relief and opportunities is fading fast.

The 10 bills Gov. Bill Ritter signed June 5 were meant to provide jobs for the disabled, increase oversight of their care and reduce by up to 700 the number of people on a years-long waiting list for service.

The waiting list is being pared slowly, but the econmy's collapse is wiping out nearly all of the other gains. Read the whole article...

St. Benedict’s Knights of Columbus – Florence recently donated $649 from their annual Tootsie Roll campaign to Starpoint.

Spelling "fluorescent" correctly Dec. 3, Salida High School Matchwits team members beat McClave High School of Bent County, winning the southern Colorado regional championship. Read the whole article...

In the season of giving, Starpoint Foundation will be the recipient of several fundraisers by organizations in the area.

During the Loaf ‘n Jug “Stars for Starpoint” fundraiser, customers buy paper stars for $1 to hang around the different stores this month. Read the whole article...

December 5, 2008
Loaf 'N Jug Partners with Starpoint in Fremont and Chaffee Counties
The Daily Record, page A3

The four Loaf 'N Jug convenience stores in Fremont and Chaffee Counties are accepting donations through the end of December to support Starpoint programs in Canon City and Salida.  According to Loaf 'N Jug District Manager, Guy Denny, "We have chosen Starpoint as our non-profit of choice in this campaign because of the folks they serve and the programs they have instituted." Read the whole article...

Penrose Elementary and Starpoint Spin Penrose joined efforts in holding a food drive for Thanksgiving for the local school. All the food that was donated went to students of the elementary school. Thanks for the help, fifth-grade students, preschool students, the PTO members and the entire student body. Back row, from left, Linda Freed, Michaela Davalos, Jeannie Melcher. Front row: Sonya Woolston, Rian Toman, Christopher Fisher, Kash Fields, Sophie Adamson, Sydney Adamson, Davanie Genova, Nichole West, Marcus Suiters and Jami Botz. Not pictured is Michelle Hess.

Dear Editor,

Starpoint was founded in 1977 in Fremont County, Colorado as a community-center board dedicated to service, support and advocate those with developmental disabilities (DD).  Read more about Starpoint...

She saw the struggles of her cousin, who has mental challenges.

Over the course of her cousin’s life, Starpoint has supported her. Read the whole article...

October 25, 2008
New Vitamin D
Lindsey Tanner
Cañon City Daily Record Weekend Edition, page B5

The nation’s leading pediatricians’ group says children from newborns to teens should get double the usually recommended amount of vitamin D because of evidence that it may help prevent serious diseases...General developmental, health and safety questions regarding pregnancy and children birth through 5 years can be directed to: Starpoint/Fremont County Family Center, 1401 Oak Creek Grade Road, Cañon City, 269-1523. Read the whole article...

Chaffee County Early Childhood Council, Buena Vista and Salida school districts and Child Find sponsored countrywide screenings for infants and young children Aug. 23...We also extend sincere appreciation to the following groups who organized and staffed the screenings.

They include Arkansas Valley District of Colorado Association for the Education of Young Children, Avery-Parsons Early Childhood Program, Chaffee County Public Health, Head Start, Starpoint and Strawberry Door. Read the whole letter...

The Starpoint Foundation’s 4th Annual Casino Night returns this year on October 31 at the Abbey Event Center.  Take your children trick or treating, hand out goodies to all of the little ones and then get dressed up your self at 7 pm for the “Masquerade and Merriment” fundraiser with heavy appetizers, chocolate fountain, poker chips, Black Jack, Texas Hold-Em and Silent Auction.

Tickets are $45 per person and may be ordered and purchased in advance at Starpoint, 700 S. 8th St., Canon City or by calling (719) 276-1616.

The Mixing Bowl, 148 F St., Salida, received the September Business of the Month award Friday from members of Heart of the Rockies Chamber of Commerce...What's different about the store, however, is its partnership with Starpoint agency which works with special needs residents. The Mixing Bowl provides work experience for those individuals.
Read the whole article...

Her name is Rebecca, and she greeted me cheerfully from across the room as I walked through the doors of The Mixing Bowl in Salida.

Before I had walked 10 steps into the store, Rebecca offered me water infused with fresh citrus (nice touch, by the way) and asked if I was looking for anything special.

This is a store so full of special even if you’re not looking for it, you’re going to find it. Read the whole article...

	Presenting a $1,000 check to Starpoint CEO Roger Jensen is Kiwanis president Dr. Tonya Hubbard and Kiwanis president elect Janet Trujillo.  From left are Patty Donaldson, Beth Landers, Trujillo, Jensen, Hubbard, Mary Baros, Bobbi Summers and Terry King.  Kiwanis Club issued a challenge to other service clubs to meet or exceed it $1,000 donation to the project.

The Royal Gorge Kiwanis Club of Canon City presents a check for $1,000 to Starpoint Foundation for the purchase of equipment and furniture for an enclosed and shaded Sanctuary behind the facility at 700 S. 8th St.  Presenting the check to Roger Jensen, Starpoint CEO is Dr. Tonya Hubbard, President and Janet Trujillo, President Elect of the local Kiwanis Club.  Also attending were (l – r), Patty Donaldson, Beth Landers, Trujillo, Jensen, Huibbard, Mary Baros, Bobbi Summers and Terry King.

The Kiwanis Club has issued a challenge to all other service clubs in the county to meet or exceed their $1,000 donation to this project which will provide additional parking, landscaping, privacy fence and an enclosed and shaded Sanctuary.  The area will be available for adult consumer services and additional recreation, eating, outdoor classes and relaxation.

Starpoint has served the developmental disabled population in five counties for more than 30 years and overseas the SPIN Child Care facility as well as the Fremont County Family Center.  Starpoint – enriching lives; realizing dreams.

Starpoint touches the lives of more than 1200 individuals every year.  For more information about donating to Starpoint contact Ron Hinkle, 269-2228, rhinkle@starpointco.com or on their web site at www.starpointco.com.

August 25, 2008
Event to address homeless problems
Charlotte Burrous
The Daily Record, pg. A1

Living on the streets is not easy.

Many of the homeless are starving and living in weather conditions that can become lethal when the temperatures drop...As part of Hunger Awareness Month, a group of nonprofit representatives from Fremont County, known as “Providing Intervention to Community Homelessness” will host an “Under the Bridge Cardboard Camp-out” event from 7 p.m. Sept. 19 until noon Sept. 20 in the field at 14th and Main streets... “Starpoint, Early Head Start and Spin are on board with this,” Slaughenhaupt said. “They are going to be drop-off points for clothes, canned goods and stuff that we’re collecting.” Read the whole article...

	Jeff Shane/Daily Record

“The goal is to accommodate the medical field,” Lemay said. “Keep the money local, help enhance the downtown area and to give back to local organizations.” Read the whole article...

	Chris Tollis, left, and Josh Monahan of Mathews Brothers Electric of Cañon City cut conduit for electrical work at the former Harrison School. Project ECHO received a $237,500 grant to remodel the building and is launching a major community fundraising effort to raise matching funds. Debbie Bell/Daily Record

Project ECHO and the Family Center Early Childhood Council has influenced the lives of about 40,000 children in its 31 years of operation.

Now, the center seeks financial help from the community to continue its growth and expand its facilities.

Read the whole article...

	Early Head Start Policy Council chairwoman Tina Gossett, from left, Early Head Start Home Visitor Manager Brenda Aguirre and Royal Gorge Kiwanis Club member Stan Mingus dedicate the Kids Corner Playground Tuesday at the Fremont County Family Center. Charlotte Burrous/Daily Record

Months of hard work culminated Tuesday when members of the Early Head Start Policy Council and Royal Gorge Kiwanis Club dedicated the Kids Corner Playground at the Fremont County Family Center.

During an informal ceremony, Early Head Start Home Visitor Manager Brenda Aguirre, who was one of the driving forces behind the playground, thanked everyone for helping complete the project. Read the whole article...

	View more photos of the South 8th Street outdoor improvements

The outdoor landscaping, extended and additional parking and fencing upgrade project at S. 8th St. facility is progressing well. Consumers and staff eagerly watch the progress and look forward to it’s completion with recreational, cooking and eating areas to be added soon.

Scholarships are available NOW for 3 and 4 year olds, as well as some infants and toddlers. The program begins this fall, 10 hours each week, but you can register NOW! For more information and eligibility, see our Scholarship Flyer [PDF] or call Starpoint – SPIN, 275-0550 or ECHO, 276-5700.

For the second consecutive year, Starpoint reached the highest level of achievement for early intervention programs in Colorado.

The non-profit organization established in 1977 serves infants, children and adults with developmental disabilities in Chaffee, Custer and Fremont counties. Read the whole article...

Each year in October, the Knights of Columbus sell Tootsie Rolls to raise more for the developmentally disabled.  This year the campaign raised $1,000.  Tony DiMarino, left, who chaired the annual Tootsie Roll for the Handicapped Drive, presents the $1,000 check to Ron Hinkle, Starpoint Foundation Director.

July 11, 2008
Babysitters Club
Melodie Roberts
The Daily Record

The instructor was full of life during Thursday’s class — making even the most unattractive subject matter more fun.

Diana McPeek,- class instructor, showed the group of girls the importance of cleanliness during a diaper change. Read the whole article...