Wednesday, March 13, 2024

CPA - Community Police Academy - Estes Park Police Department


The Community Police Academy familiarizes participants with everything from constitutional law to crime scene investigation. The classes include topics that are common among law enforcement agencies, as well as issues that are unique to Estes Park. Following graduation many academy graduates choose to continue involvement with the Police Department through its volunteer programs, however, a commitment to future volunteering is not required.

More information can be found here: EPPD Community Police Academy 

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I have been an auxiliary officer for the EPPD since 2017. The Community Police Academy (formerly Citizens Police Academy) is held every two years on even numbered years. 

I went through it in 2018 and it's an informative and educational look at how the police department functions put into layman's terms. 

Here are some highlights from the 2024 Academy. I worked all be two of the nights. 

Introduction by Interim Chief Stewart

Auxiliary Talk by Auxiliary Commander Bill Bradford

Chaplin Larry Strong talking about Police Chaplins

Sgt Poluchia talking about Communtiy Policing

Captain Life talking about Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership

Captain Life talking about Police Records Department

Dispatcher Pugh talking about 9-1-1 Dispatching

Estes Park Police Co-Responder program officer from SummitStone

Estes Valley Crisis Advocates about their support services for the Estes Valley

Interim Chief Stewart talking about Incident Command

Larimer County Sheriff's Office Commander talking about All Crisis Team (aka SWAT)



I was unable to make other classes due to work related stuff and being on vacation. 


Wednesday, February 28, 2024

February Arts and Crafts



I did have a lot going on with February being the NaMoPaiMo Month (see BLOG here) and the Estes Park Police Department Events (CPA and Coffee & Tea at the PD) - so I was limited with the number of craft nights I could attend this month as well. 

This month - I was hoping would be as busy as last month besides the items above, but there was only one thing that I wanted to do = embroidery. 

AND I missed out on signing up for the embroidery class - it was very limited compared to all of the other events for the month, which was very disappointing. 

The rest of the stuff for activities were friendship bracelets, tea towels and flat painting and baking classes (none of which were Gluten Free)... so..... this month kinda of stunk on the arts and crafts side. ๐Ÿ™

I did try the library too and all of the things I wanted to try were on Monday and Thursday nights when I was working at the CPA. ๐Ÿ˜ž 

Hopefully, March will be better. 






Sunday, February 18, 2024

NaMoPaiMo 2024 - National Model Painting Month

 

NaMoPaiMo Logo 2024

THIS IS NOT A SHOW, CONTEST OR COMPETITION. The goal of NaMoPaiMo's International Model Horse Painting Party is to motivate artists of all levels to jump in and challenge themselves to finish a model in a month.

Join us and take part as we share, play, learn and chat about what we love doing most--painting and customizing model horses!

Challenge yourself, try something new and most importantly, have fun!

Me with my model

Real horse reference

This is my project horse for 2024 and the reference photo for the horse that I am trying to recreate. 

Droids and their model space

BB8 and BB9E begged me to let them paint again this year. BB8 is painting a Micro Breyer Loping Horse and BB9E is painting a safari Micro draft horse. They were scrolling on their laptops and saw the other posts about #minispaitingminis. They also wanted to show off how spoiled they are. Dio didn't want to paint. He's to shy. He just likes looking at everyone's stuff but the BB's let him be in the picture with all their stuff. Dang spoiled droids. (and yes BB9E convinced me to get them a cat - they have to clean up after Kyree though.) and i am hoping the Porg doesn't eat the Pegasus ๐Ÿ™„

I wasn't able to start working on my model until February 3. I did get a few layers on the model and I helped the droids get their models primered. 

My model and an elk model in the works

BB8 with model

BB9E with model

My model with layers

Me with my model and more layers

I wasn't able to work again on my stuff until February 9 and 10. The droids were arguing, but I did manage to get stuff done. 

droids fighting

droids fighting

more layers on my model

more layers on my model


I am pleased with the way the model is turning out. I have been using a process that Stephanie Blaylock uses on her cremellos. I follow her on instagram and she does amazing work. 

I officially completed my horse on 2/14/2024. I am very pleased with how she turned out. 

My completed model - left side

My completed model - right side

My completed model - left side with penny for scale

My completed model - front

My completed model - back


And the droids are still busy on their horses. BB8 saw my cremello and changed what they were doing originally (an orange pinto) to an orange-cream-ello. ๐Ÿ˜

BB9E painting

BB8 painting


And the droids completed their models and I did an extra one too! 

BB8 holding completed model

BB8 completed model


BB9E holding completed model


BB9E completed model


My second model - Micro Friesian in black







Monday, February 12, 2024

Coffee and Tea at the PD - Estes Park Police Department


 The Estes Park Police Department invites the community to Coffee & Tea at the PD. This recurring event will provide an opportunity for community members to enjoy a hot beverage, snacks, and conversation with members of the Estes Park Police Department. The first event will be held Thursday, Feb. 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in the Town Board Atrium area outside of the Police Department located in Town Hall, 170 MacGregor Ave.  Subsequent events will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on the last Thursday of each month from February through October 2024 at the same location. 

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This was a new event that the Estes Park Police Department put on. I was able to attend the first event held Feb 1, 2024. Here are some highlights from that event. If you are making a trip to Estes Park in 2024, you might want to stop by and check it out, meet the officers.  

There is an estimate that about sixty people were in attendence.