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WEEKLY BRIEFS City of Arvada internal news Jan. 16, 2023 Opportunities to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day On Monday, Jan. 16 we honored and celebrated the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was a Baptist minister and prominent leader in the American civil rights movement. This is a day when we recognize Dr. King’s legacy of service and gain inspiration to serve in our own ways. Although the holiday has passed, the work for civil rights continues. Here here are some ideas for how you can participate: ● Learn about and discuss Dr. King’s life and teachings. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute is a great place to get started. ● Attend an event in support of MLK Day. One option is to join the Othering and Belonging Institute’s Belonging: A Weekly Practice space and explore how you can cultivate the skills, flexibility and muscle to make belonging real. ● Volunteer a day of service. MLK Day provides an opportunity for people to engage in community action to positively affect social problems. Consider volunteering for an organization of your choice or start here to find a volunteer opportunity that suits you. You can also visit The King Center’s website to learn more about the holiday. This year, their strategic theme is ‘Cultivating a Beloved Community Mindset to Transform Unjust Systems’. Arvadans can register with Resource Central to save water and money Did you know that outdoor watering can cost a single family home 50% more on their water bill? The City of Arvada partners with Resource Central to provide our water customers with opportunities to save money, conserve water and beautify their landscapes through four programs. Two of these programs are Garden in a Box and Lawn Replacement. Watch the latest Arvada Media Services videos about Garden in a Box and Lawn Replacement to learn more. We also encourage you to visit the Resource Central website to see where you can register and visit the City’s website to read more information about the water saving programs and resources that are available to Arvada community members. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Organizational Service Effectiveness Work System New Facilities after-hours number The Facilities team has a new after hours on-call phone number for employees: [PHONE REDACTED]. Please use this for after-hours emergencies at City Facilities. Thank you City team! Celebrate National Fun at Work Day! National Fun at Work Day occurs on the last Friday of January, which this year is Jan. 27. While Congress has not voted on it as an official holiday, this “holiday” was created to foster happiness and humor in the office and bring employees together. It’s also an excellent opportunity to rally co-workers, bosses and employees to celebrate and enjoy each other’s company. Interested in other reasons for your team to celebrate National Fun Day at Work?: ● It encourages humor, boosts employee morale, builds team camaraderie, encourages creativity and innovation and fosters positive feelings. ● It creates a positive environment for yourself and your team. A supportive workplace creates better communication and collaboration and improves employee well-being. ● It lowers stress and even increases productivity. Visit this website to start brainstorming ideas, games, and activities that you could do with your team. We hope you have a great time! Ergonomic tips and exercises Did you know that In the modern workplace, many workers spend more than 50% of their workday in a seated position? Take a look at these ergonomic tips and exercises to ensure that you maintain good posture, do beneficial stretches and incorporate breaks into your day. You can also visit this website to learn additional tips and exercises. If you have questions about these recommendations, please contact the City’s Ergonomic Specialist Valerie Reed at [EMAIL REDACTED]. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Here’s how to view internal job postings All internal job opportunities are posted on our internal job link and on Inside Arvada under the “Employee Resources” tab. Arvada University Update Register in advance on the Arvada University Learning Calendar. Contact Judson Smith ([EMAIL REDACTED]) with questions. Session/topic Date Time and/or resource link Ethical Decision Making (required & hybrid) Last option Jan. 24 Register on ArvadaU Stop the Bleed Jan. 26 and Feb 3 Register on ArvadaU Speed of Trust (in-person) Jan. 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Register on ArvadaU Wastewater Collections MGT Jan. 31 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Register on ArvadaU Project Management (in-person) Feb. 15 from 1 to 5 p.m. Register on ArvadaU First Aid (in-person) Feb. 6 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 14 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Register on ArvadaU CPR (in-person) Feb. 7 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 14 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Register on ArvadaU Federal Contracts (online) Feb. 10 from 1 to 2 p.m. Register on ArvadaU Evacuate, Evade, and Defend: Active Shooter (required) New Dates Added: March 17, March 27 and April 13 Register on ArvadaU Vibrant Community & Neighborhoods Work System Majestic View is hiring! Do you know someone who is a great teacher, loves nature, and enjoys spending time outside? We’re now hiring for a Seasonal Naturalist to join our small Nature Center team to help impact our school and camp programs, our park interpretive opportunities, and meet the amazing community that calls Majestic View their "hidden gem.” Fill out the application online through Feb 3! Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Golf Course Operations Manager Joe Kunze earns CGCS designation Congratulations to Joe Kunze, the City’s Golf Course Operations Manager, for becoming a Certified Golf Course Superintendent! The designation is the highest level of recognition that can be achieved for golf course superintendents, and only a handful earn the distinction nation-wide each year. The stringent certification process included a 3-part exam, a communication and leadership requirement, and a thorough site visit where the City’s golf courses were graded on a list of 130+ items. Kunze said becoming CGCS certified was a goal of his since college and that the distinction further adds to the credibility of the City’s two courses, West Woods and Lake Arbor. Way to go, Joe! Post Office mural, ‘La Letra’ is complete! Artist Marco Garcia recently completed his new mural, located near the Post Office one block east of City Hall on Allison Street. The mural is called ‘La Letra’ – which means ‘The Letter’ in Spanish – and represents the important connections we maintain with loved ones who live far away through the letters and packages we send in the mail. The mural wall is 150 feet long and 15 feet high. After signing the mural, Marco played the flute to express the positive energy he wants the mural to have. Community and Economic Development Work System When one door closes another opens: Big Lots and Mangiami Last week Big Lots announced the closure of seven stores across Colorado and California, which includes the Arvada store located at 8125 Sheridan Boulevard. The closure may leave a vacancy of approximately 25,000 square feet at the King Square Center. Big Lots attributes the closings to rising costs of doing business and inflation. The company plans to shift investment to new stores in rural areas, which may be part of a larger retail trend as box retailers prepare for potential recessionary consumer behavior. However, when one door closes another opens and Mangiami, a highly anticipated new Italian fusion restaurant, opened its doors in Olde Town last Friday evening. “We are a finely curated group of highly trained chefs and cocktail chemists. Our goal is to provide our community with the finest blend of Italian and American cuisine and libations, with a modern vibe,” the restaurant’s website states. For more information and to read up on the menu, visit dinemangiami.com. Email your news to ---PAGE BREAK--- Employee Updates Newly hired: Prarthana (Prath) Shahi, Data Engineer, effective 1/3/2023 Raquel (Rocky) Sheppard, Budget Analyst, effective 1/3/2023 Promotions: Kyle Fredin, Chief Information Security Officer, effective 12/31/2022 Scott Jarvis, Senior HR Manager, effective 12/31/2022 Melissa Marmitt, Senior Economic Development Specialist, effective 12/31/2023 Resignations: Dana Goddard, Police Records Specialist, effective 1/13/2023 Eriberto Martinez, Municipal Inspector II, effective 1/20/2023 David Turner, Utility System Technician-Associate Level, effective 1/6/2023 Zachary Yee, Police Officer, effective 1/10/2023 Retirements: Link Strate, Chief of Police, effective 12/23/2022 Email your news to