Canyon Courier December 12, 2024

Community Dinner returns to Morrison Holiday Bar

“We couldn’t nd a reservation; we couldn’t cook,” Maryann McDaniel said.

“We said, ‘We’re looking for a place to eat.’”

e bar sta invited them to come back the next day for the Holiday Bar’s annual anksgiving Community Dinner. e sta was welcoming, the food tasty and abundant and the atmosphere warm,

Phil McDaniel remembers.

Five years ago, the McDaniel family came from Chicago to visit their Englewood family at anksgiving. e day before, they stopped in at the Morrison Holiday Bar.

“It was like a family,” he said. is year, the McDaniel family, including their two daughters and sons-in-law, came back for the holiday feast.

“ is is what we wanted to do; this is

our family anksgiving,” Phil McDaniel said.

e Holiday Bar rst introduced its community dinners in 2007, holding them annually on anksgiving, Christmas Day and Easter Sunday until 2019. But when the pandemic shut down the world in early 2020, the community dinners disappeared with it.

is fall, owner Dave Killingsworth revived the tradition. He and his sta spent hours in the days before anksgiving cooking eight turkeys and four hams,

Morrison votes to disband its police department

Town says $1.6 million budget is unsustainable, plans to contract with Je co Sheri ’s O ce for services

BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e Morrison Town Board voted Dec. 3 to disband its police department, saying it is not nancially sustainable. e motion also calls for contracting for full-time town law enforcement services with the Je erson County Sheri ’s O ce.

e change will happen with the start of the new year, Morrison Town Manager Mallory Nassau said.

e department, which includes nine fulltime o cers, an administrative assistant and some part-time sta , operated at an estimated $1.2 million de cit in 2024, according to town attorney Austin Flanagan. e town had budgeted $1.6 million for its police department in 2025. at’s almost 40% of the expected $4.046 million in anticipated 2025 general fund expenditures, a number too steep for town leaders.

“I think the time is now,” said Town Trustee Sean Forey, who made the motion at the end of the 2025 budget hearing. “ e town has a lot of obligations coming its way. It’s time to try this.”

e motion included setting aside a maximum of $900,000 to make severance payments to current o cers and honor other contractual obligations, and pay the sheri ’s o ce for taking over town law enforcement in 2025.

Nassau said she emailed the town’s o cers

The McDaniel family including from left Maria Harrison, Maryann McDaniel, Phil McDaniel, Hannah McDaniel, Theodore Braman and Evan Harrison, chose to celebrate Thanksgiving at the Morrison Holiday Bar.

PHOTO BY JANE REUTER

Evergreen Fire board takes more disciplinary action against fellow board member

For the second time, Campagna is called out for violating Evergreen Fire/ Rescue board policies

For the second time in six months, the Evergreen Fire/Rescue board took disciplinary action against one of its own — this time voting to limit director Suzanne Campagna’s access to district communications, remove her from a special district committee, and to again censure her.

e board rst censured Campagna on June 18 for stepping outside the group’s bylaws. ey added two extra measures to their Nov. 19 decision, to both help prevent a reoccurrence and emphasize the severity of her most recent alleged transgression.

Campagna, who is serving a four-year term, joined the board in May 2023 after an uncontested election.

e board rst voted to censure Campagna for violating the board’s censorship policy based on her attendance and alleged conduct at a May 1 all-hands EFR personnel meeting.

Board president Stacey Ballinger said the recent board measures against Campagna are tied to a con dential email Campagna allegedly forwarded to a district resident. e email from Chief Mike Weege, which was about personnel and district security issues, had been sent to board directors. It was marked condential and due to its subject matter, was considered con dential under district bylaws, said public information o cer Stacee Martin.

Campagna, who said she has “taken a stance against Chief Weege from early on,” allegedly forwarded the email to a community member who has criticized Weege in previous board meetings. at resident spoke to the board during their October meeting, making critical comments about Weege and the district, and using “speci c verbiage” from the email,

Ballinger said.

Ballinger said she emailed board members to ask if any of them had forwarded the con dential email, and received negative responses from everyone but Campagna, who did not respond. She then contacted the company that hosts the organization’s email server, which veri ed the email had been forwarded to an address outside the district.

Campagna acknowledged during the district board’s Nov. 19 meeting that she had forwarded the email.

Ballinger said the recent o ense was particularly alarming and in a di erent category from the actions that triggered Campagna’s June 2024 censure.

“ e rst censure was because we received a complaint from the volunteers; it was something external from the board,” Ballinger said. “ is one was very di erent, and the egregiousness of what she did warranted three di erent actions by the board.

“ at was also done because of how she handled it. If she would have been willing to do some training, anything, it probably wouldn’t have been to the degree it was,” Ballinger continued.

Board members had a lengthy discussion with Campagna about the issue at the Nov. 19 meeting before voting to take disciplinary action.

“As directors, I feel we have to trust each other,” Ballinger said. “More importantly, the chief has to trust what we’re doing, and that we are living up (to) the standards that are set as directors.”

Campagna said she feels it’s important the board have varied opinions.

“It’ll never be just vanilla, and it shouldn’t be; that’s not how it works,” she said. “I hear a message of harmonious, harmonious, harmonious. It’s not going to happen.”

“I’m OK with that,” Ballinger said. “We should all voice our opinions, in the appropriate format. But we should all live by the guidelines that protect this district from unnecessary issues, … that come up because our con dentiality is being broken.”

In addition, Ballinger said sharing con-

dential information sets the district up for potential lawsuits.

Director Julie Ann Courim asked Campagna if she could explain her actions.

“I think what you’re looking for you’re not going to get from me right now,” Campagna said. “I’m not going to grovel about my behavior. I don’t think the information I provided pushed anything over the top; I think it was already there.”

Director Evan Je ries asked if Campagna would agree to participate in training through the Special District Association of Colorado, which lobbies for special districts and o ers training.

“ at’s a no,” Campagna said, but agreed she could adhere to the same standards as other board members.

“Of course, yes,” she said. “I’m going to remain on the board and serve to the best of my ability, regardless of censorship. I don’t want to put anybody in indemnity… the board or myself.

“I have taken a stance against Chief Weege from early on, based on my own opinions,” she continued. “And I feel some of this is due to that. If you want to censure me again, I’m OK with that. I’m going to be who I am. If you want to call

Evergreen Fire/ Rescue Director Suzanne Campagna, far right, was formally censured for unacceptable conduct at the board’s June 18 meeting. Further action was taken against her for another policy breach last month. From left are fellow directors

me completely unprofessional, I’m OK with that too.”

Campagna also said she is sorry for her actions and wants to move forward.

“I feel like we’re beating a dead horse right now,” she said. “I apologized. I did it. What’s been done has been done. e future is what will change. Let’s move on.”

Je ries asked Campagna what she felt the board should do.

“I would say you can limit communication, censor me, all three, if that’s going to make you feel comfortable,” she said.  e board agreed to limit Campagna’s communications to work product only.

“ at is any work product she needs to make a decision as a director,” Ballinger said. “She doesn’t need any personnel, security updates, or things along those lines. e biggest concern is that she is de nitely putting the district at risk because of her actions.”

Speaking after the meeting, Weege said he does not know the issues Campagna said she has with him.

“She has not spent any time with me, other than in board meetings,” he said. Campagna did not return requests from the Canyon Courier for comment.

Trail of Lights shines bright for the holidays at Chatfield Farms

For those seeking holiday magic, the Trail of Lights at Chat eld Farms is lighting up the season with a dazzling display of sparkling lights. Now in its 16th year, the event welcomed more than 50,000 visitors in 2023, cementing its place as a favorite destination for families and holiday enthusiasts across the region.

“ is year, we have over a million LED lights strung throughout the trail, all supporting our sustainability mission,” said Erin Bird, associate director of communications for the Denver Botanic Gardens.

Installation begins each October after the Pumpkin Festival wraps up, continuing until the opening in late November.

“We reuse many of the decorations year to year, and we always try to bring something new — whether it’s a feature tree in a new color or a completely fresh display,” Bird said. e feature tree, which glows in a di erent color each year, has become a highlight for returning visitors. As far as which colors they choose, Bird said, “It’s just the whim of the team.”

“We know there are a lot of people who

come back every year, so we like to make it a fresh experience,” Bird said.  is year’s additions include a massive illuminated Christmas tree sculpture and interactive displays like the music-synced treehouse play area.

Bird explained that guests can stroll a milelong loop or take a shorter route. On select nights, the Holiday Market o ers local crafts, gifts, and specialty foods, adding an extra layer of festivity.

According to Bird, the Trail of Lights isn’t just about holiday cheer. It’s part of a broader e ort to highlight Chat eld Farms’ yearround appeal. From its July Lavender Festival to the Pumpkin Festival in October and year-round wildlife viewing, the farm provides outdoor experiences for every season.

“ ere’s something special here, whether it’s seeing the gardens come alive in the spring or catching a glimpse of migrating birds,” Bird added.

Running through Jan. 5, the Trail of Lights invites visitors to bask in the season’s glow while enjoying a quintessential Colorado experience. Tickets and additional details are available on the Trail of Lights website at www.botanicgardens.org/events/specialevents/trail-lights.

Evan Je ries, Julie Ann Courim and Stacey Ballinger.

PHOTO BY JANE REUTER

Media Coverage of

Denver’s Real Estate

About this time each month, the media updates readers and viewers on Denver’s real estate market, based on the “market trends” report released by the Denver Metro Association of Realtors (DMAR), based on data from REcolorado, our local MLS.

The headline last Friday in the Denver Post was, “Metro Denver home sales tumble in November, taking prices down with them.”

When I worked for daily newspapers, the reporters did not write their own headlines. That was left to the copy desk, which I also worked on for awhile. So, remember to read the whole article and not just the headline!

Market Can Be Confusing or Even Misleading

below. Second, the statistics are based on month-to-month movement, which is not seasonally adjusted like other statistics. So, look at the two charts I printed at right to correct for those two flaws in the coverage.

However, headlines are what most people rely on, leading to a “conventional wisdom” about any given topic.

There are two problems with that headline. First, you need to know that the statistical report for “metro Denver” is based on statistics for an area that is more rural than urban or metropolitan, as I explain

Year-over-year, the number of sales is way up, and although the median closed price for detached single-family homes is down a little from October, it’s actually up fractionally from the prior November. The median closed price for the attached homes is actually up significantly from a year ago and up slightly from October.

DMAR’s statistics for condos and townhomes in its 11-county area were way off from the statistics based on a 25mile radius of downtown Denver. DMAR reported that the median price of attached listings was down 1.2% from November 2023, but you can see that it’s actually up quite a bit — 15.4%. The number of closings was up 51.4%.

According to DMAR, the number of

What’s the Statistical Definition of ‘Metro Denver’?

People often want to know, “How’s the real estate market?” That question is answered each month by the Denver Metro Association of Realtors using data from the Denver MLS, which is REcolorado. But they define “metro Denver” as the 11 counties that touch on the metro area. That map is at left. It would be just as easy to gather statistics (as I do) based on a 25-mile radius of downtown Denver, shown at right. The yellow circle on the left map approximates the 25-mile radius that I use.

active listings was up 39.3% from October 2023. In the 25-mile radius, they were up only 30%. These are just some exam-

Last week’s newsletter from our friends at Alpine Building Performance was on this topic, and some of the descriptions below are from them, but I have added my own content and edited theirs.

Brick or Stone Veneer - It has been decades since builders actually built brick or stone structural walls. Nowadays, homes are almost always wood frame with only a veneer of brick or stone. And that “stone” is usually “cultured stone” (example at right), which is made from concrete with additives to create the look of real stone and molded into different shapes. It’s fun to look at a wall and see if you can find where different shapes are repeated.

Composite Decking - Trex was probably the original brand name for this product, which is a mostly petroleum product. Its first version over 25 years ago was gray and not very wood-like in appearance. It also was prone to sagging if your joists were more than 12 inches apart. Now Trex and its several competitors make versions which look quite wood-like. I like TimberTech’s line.

Balcony vs. Deck - A balcony is technically a structure that does not have exterior stairs to the ground level and can only be accessed from the interior.

Fiber Cement Siding - If you own a tract home built since, say, 1990, and you think you have wood siding, you quite likely have fiber cement siding that looks like wood.

James Hardie® dominates this product line with their “HardieBoard.” This exterior cladding is made from a mixture of cement, sand, water, and cellulose fibers. In addition to wood, it often mimics stucco or masonry, offering superior resistance to moisture, pests, fire, and weather. Fiber cement is a popular siding choice due to its affordability and benefits.

Flatwork - Refers to horizontal surfaces made from materials like concrete or pavers, including sidewalks, driveways, patios, and slabs, providing functional and decorative flat surfaces in outdoor spaces. It is not structural! It is slab-on-gravel, and if the earth under it is not properly prepared, it is prone to settling, which is fixed by “mudjacking,” a process in which a concrete slurry is pumped through 4-inch holes in the concrete to raise it. Your basement and garage floors are probably slabs on gravel. I am particularly fond of “stamped concrete,” which is typically colored and can resemble flagstone.

EIFS - (Exterior Insulation and Finish System) is also know as “artificial stucco.” It’s a multi-layered exterior wall cladding that provides insulation, waterproofing, and a customizable finish. It typically consists of an insulation board, base coat with fiberglass mesh, and a decorative finish coat often referred to as synthetic stucco. While EIFS has a bad reputation for moisture issues, it can be a great product IF it is installed properly.

that

knowledgeable about and experienced in all the

living entails, whether it be well-

mitigation, or whatever.

ples of how much stats can vary based on the urban/rural mix of DMAR versus looking at a 25-mile radius of Denver.

DINNER

mashing potatoes, making stu ng, gravy, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole and a vast assortment of desserts.

“We provide it all, except people bring a dessert here and there,” said Killingsworth, who describes the e ort as a labor of love for his patrons.

“ is is our giveback to them,” he said. “It pays o all year long. ere are a lot of people that have no place to go, or they want to get away from family and

friends. I’ve heard people say, ‘You made my anksgiving,’ and ‘You kept me out of the kitchen for 12 hours.’”

Killingsworth said he doesn’t keep tabs on how many people participate in the dinner, which started at 1 p.m. anksgiving Day and was expected to continue into the evening — or until food ran out.

Despite the ve-year hiatus, word about the community dinner’s return got out.

Bear Creek Avenue — the town’s main drag that is often choked with pedestrian and auto tra c on summer weekends — was nearly abandoned on anksgiving afternoon, its shops and restaurants largely closed. e only cars on it were

parked in front of the Holiday Bar, with dozens more behind it in o -street parking lots. Families with children, groups of friends, couples and individuals streamed in and out, lling paper plates with food and nding seats at the bar or at tables scattered throughout the establishment.

Greg Taft and his son Chad ate sideby-side at the bar. ey, too, had come to the event in years past, and were happy to see its return.

“I live by myself and his wife was working today,” Greg Taft said. “ e food is fantastic.”

Ron Job and his partner found seats at

the bar. e couple recently moved back to the area after several years living in southwest Colorado, and said anksgiving at the Holiday felt like a homecoming.

“We used to come to this event 15 years ago,” Job said. “We just moved back to Morrison from Ridgway, and this is part of the reason why. ere’s no community there; anytime you come to this bar, people talk to you. at type of thing doesn’t exist much anymore.”

A post on the bar’s Facebook page says it will host a community dinner on Christmas Day, and Killingsworth said he’ll likely do another on Easter Sunday.

Greg Taft and his son Chad had their Thanksgiving meal at the Holiday Bar. PHOTOS BY JANE REUTER

Sta prepared and supplied all the food. They include from left owner Dave Killingsworth, Tom Smith, Cherise Davison and Gil Padilla.

Maria Harrison from Englewood and her dad Phil McDaniel, who lives in Chicago, fill their plates.

with the news Dec. 4, telling them they would soon receive details about severance payments. She did not receive any immediate response.

“I imagine things are setting in,” she said. “It’s hard news to receive.”

The Morrison Police Department could not be reached for comment. Calls to the department were answered with an automated recording identifying the location as the Jefferson County Communications Center.

Town leaders said disbanding its police department is a purely financial decision, and has nothing to do with Police Chief Bill Vinelli’s recent involuntary administrative leave or the Oct. 3 arrest in Longmont of Morrison Police Sgt. Richard Norton.

A JCSO spokesperson said the agency is up to the task of adding Morrison to its full-time coverage area. It is already the on-call agency for the town from 2 to 6 a.m. daily when Morrison has no officers on duty.

“I can say that we will take on the proposed expansion,” JCSO Director of Public Affairs Mark Techmeyer wrote in an email. “We have been in contract with the Town of Morrison for several years now for overnight law enforcement services, so this would be an expansion of those services to 24 hours.

“We do not have the staff needed to fill this responsibility, so we will need to add additional personnel,” he added.

The sheriff’s office hasn’t yet calculated the added staffing and other financial impacts.

“It is a fluid situation, and we don’t have a lot of specifics in place yet,”

Techmeyer wrote.

Morrison Town Trustee Katie Gill cast the only vote against the measure, saying it was done too hastily.

“I 100% agree that over the last several years, our police department budget has become increasingly unsustainable,” she said. “It’s threatened the ability of the town to invest in our community and purchase assets the community’s been asking for.

“I personally need a little more time to

support this big a change,” she continued. “While I see the need and I think it could work, I’m not prepared to support this tonight.”

Trustee Paul Sutton supported the motion, saying the police department’s budget has grown incrementally larger over the years. He attributed it to the need for each officer to have another officer on duty simultaneously.

“Every cop has someone else that can back him up if something weird hap-

pens, and it ended up being too much for us to afford,” he said. “You project that budget into the future, and we’re bankrupt.”

Nevertheless, Sutton said he has mixed feelings about the change.

“I’d like to have a police department, but it’s unaffordable,” he said. “We have so massively expensive things to deal with. Doing those things with a police department that is in the red by $1 million is not viable.”

State organization honors Annie Dorchak as Community Paramedic of the Year

BY JANE REUTER

Evergreen Fire/Rescue Captain Annie Dorchak, who helped found the district’s successful and growing ECARES program, was named Community Paramedic of the Year by a statewide medical services organization.

e Emergency Medical Services Organization of Colorado gave Dorchak the award at the 2024 Colorado EMS Awards, held in Keystone Nov. 10.

A fellow EFR community paramedic spearheaded a campaign to nominate Dorchak for the award, which required letters from 8-10 re and health service professionals who work with her.

“I’m very humbled,” Dorchak said. “I was just so overwhelmed when I heard how many people played a role. I get to do a job I love every day, and I couldn’t do it without any of them.”

Dorchak, a longtime emergency medical services responder, helped create ECARES — Evergreen Community Assistance Referral & Education Services — in 2018 along with EMS Division Chief Dave Montesi. e program helps ll gaps in the local health care system and keeps mountain-area seniors out of the hospital and in their homes. Licensed commu-

nity paramedics make weekly visits to seniors, checking vitals, ensuring clients are taking medication when and how they should, and assessing them for any physical, cognitive or emotional changes.

“I just entered my 37th year in EMS, and the past six have been the most rewarding,” Dorchak said. “I’ve enjoyed the whole process of doing it, seeing it come to fruition, and seeing the positive impact it’s having on older adults in our community.”

ECARES logged its 1,000th visit for 2024 about a month ago.

“It’s doubled almost every year since its inception,” said EFR Chief Mike Weege. “It’s a very popular and growing program. Evergreen is so proud of the ECARES program and how Annie’s managed it.”

e state organization also renamed one of its awards for retired EFR re ghter and former Clear Creek County Commissioner Sean Wood, who died by suicide in May. Wood was an advocate for EMS and community wellness, and played a pivotal role in developing an Idaho Springs clinic to help bring healthcare to rural communities.

e Commissioner Sean Wood Golden Ambulance Award will be given to a legislator who exhibits exceptional support of EMS.

Annie Dorchak

COURTESY

Iconic Idaho Springs mural undergoing meticulous restoration with help from the town

“The ‘Oh My Gawd’ Road” mural from downtown Idaho Springs is noticeably missing from the side of what locals call the “brown barn”

BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A mural that has adorned downtown Idaho Springs for more than three decades has come down and is in the process of being restored by hand — one brush stroke at a time — inside the gym of the old Carlson Elementary. e mural titled “ e ‘Oh My Gawd’ Road” hung on the outside of the “brown barn” adjacent to the former Citywide bank and future headquarters of Idaho Springs Police at 1744 Miner St.

An abundance of city resources, public and private, are pitching in to assist local artist Shawn Cox in his e ort to bring the mural back to its vibrant colors and history.

e mural was painted by a local artist Wendall Pugh in the early ‘90s, according to Director of the Historical Society of Idaho Springs Jan Boland.

Pugh was even featured in a Colorado Community Media article about mural artists dating back to 2005 (see coloradocommunitymedia.com/2005/03/24/olde-townmurals-celebrate-history/).

“He was a creative guy and he saw an opportunity and a space,” Boland said. e wooden mural is painted as an amalgamation of the city of Idaho Springs with people, cars, trucks and wooden structures, but the paint on the plywood is so badly disintegrated that only faded images remain barely visible.

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new trails at Virginia Canyon and want to support the town’s e orts to preserve its history and culture to show our appreciation.”

“I noticed the mural and the shape it’s in and I thought it was kind of a tragedy to see it just fade like that. I know someone put a lot of e ort into it,” Cox said.

Although Cox is reluctant to call himself a professional artist, he said the mural reminded him of a childhood friend’s father who painted murals in places like Times Square in New York City. Cox said what he learned from him he wanted to put to use here.

Since his decision to revive the once colorful mural, Cox has had some help along the way.

Hearing about the idea to restore the mural, which is approximately 10 feet tall and at least 24 feet across, the Clear Creek School Board o ered the gymnasium at the old Carlson Elementary School building as a workshop where Cox could spread out and have the room needed to recreate.

School board member Kelly Flenniken said it just made sense.

“We are happy to provide the space for this restoration,” she said. “As we often say, what’s good for the community is good for the school district. What’s good for the school district is good for the community.”

Cox said Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub is supporting the e ort to buy paint and supplies and Pick Axe Pizza provided tools and ladders.

e Colorado Mountain Bike Association provided a $500 donation to the project and is starting a tax-deductible donation option for anyone else interested in supporting the e orts, according to COMBA Director Gary Moore.

“I discovered this mural right about the time Shawn started leading the e ort to restore it and was excited to hear that it could be saved,” Moore said, “We’re grateful for the

However, there was still the problem of how to get the original plywood mural down from its home of 30 years on the side of a barn in downtown Idaho Springs.

at’s where Clear Creek County Fire Authority and Assistant Chief Jeremy Jones came in.

“I remember when Wendall painted that when I was a kid. I knew Wendall personally and I think it’s important we don’t lose some of that history and the e ort that individual put into something (that) is pretty unique.”

Jones said. “So, we o ered to provide a ladder truck to make that whole process as easy as possible.”

Cox said he works on the project a few hours a day four days a week, gently sanding the original paint, lling small cracks with wood putty and tracing new lines on old plywood relying on original photographs as a guide.

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“I enjoy it, I enjoy every minute of it. I enjoy getting here and drawing and seeing what it looks like when I get nished, I mean like this right here, it doesn’t look good right now but it will when I get done with it,” he said.

Cox and the occasional volunteer or two have already spent weeks working and Cox said there are hundreds of hours of sketching and painting to go to bring the mural back to its original condition.

“I’m just excited to see what it looks like when it gets nished,” he said.

In case you’re wondering, “Oh My Gawd Road” in Idaho Springs earned its name by reputation, according to many locals.

O cially, it’s Virginia Canyon Scenic Drive in Clear Creek County. Several online sources including the county tourism board describe it as a narrow, curving, dirt and rock lane that will have you shouting, “Oh My Gawd!” over and over.

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Local artist Shawn Cox works to restore the original “Oh my Gawd” mural. PHOTOS BY CHRIS KOEBERL

Local artist Shawn Cox sketches a boarder line on the mural.

The former Carlson Elementary School building in Idaho Springs is transformed into an art studio for the mural restoration.

Evergreen High School’s DECA program gains members and recognition

35 students qualified last month to participate in the upcoming state competition

BY JANE REUTER JREUTER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

When Evergreen High School senior Aspen Peterson joined the school’s DECA club, she already knew a thing or two about the business world. Peterson launched HighSchoolBabysitters.com in 2023, a website that matches high school students across the country with babysitting jobs. But DECA taught her much more.

DECA, or Distributive Education Clubs of America, is an international organization that prepares high school and college students for careers in business and leadership. It does that in several ways, including classroom instruction and competitions at which students practice business scenarios.

“You have to learn to think on your feet and be ready for any situation, so it’s great for learning to talk to people,” said Peterson, who is vice president of the EHS DECA and is planning a career in business or public policy. “I’ve never been super shy, but DECA has helped me be more open to having conversations with people I don’t know. I’ve de nitely gotten better at talking to adults, which is a good skill to have going into college.”

In April 2024, Peterson was named an international champion for presenting a business growth plan for her company at the DECA International Career Development Conference.

EHS’ DECA program has undergone signi cant growth in the last two years, and it shows in its students’ results.

Last month, Peterson and 34 other EHS students quali ed at the Nov. 21 districtlevel DECA competition in Castle Rock to compete at the state level. e Colorado DECA’s State Career Development Conference will be held Feb. 23-25 in Colorado Springs.

Among them was EHS senior Dylan Jones, who with fellow senior Jack Corrigan quali ed for the state competition in a role-play event. Role play is a competitive event in which students solve problems on the spot and present their solutions to judges. Jones, who plans to someday start his own engineering rm, joined the EHS DECA club last year.

“I had heard from some older kids it was an absolute blast,” he said. “And I wanted to know more about business because it’s a eld I’m interested in. Getting the

ness as a career path.

“It’s incredibly valuable for kids who aren’t sure if they want to go into business. You’re getting real scenarios you could have a job, and you have to think on the y. You’re also learning critical thinking skills, how to be polite in a business setting. DECA teaches overall life skills, not just those that apply to the business world.”

Jones and Peterson both credit EHS business teacher Devon Brady for the club’s success. Brady took over DECA last year, and the group has seen steady growth since.

“We’re really excited about where our program is,” he said. “Last year we were at about 74 kids, and this year, we’re up to 86. at puts us in the running with Dakota Ridge and Chat eld (high schools). To have a program with that many people at a school of our size is really cool.”

More importantly, Brady said, the increased participation in EHS’ DECA program means more students are learning what they’ll need to be successful in their careers.

“ e DECA piece gives students an opportunity to think critically, and to learn to communicate not only with your peers but also with adults,” he said. “ at ability is so important in the business world.

“ inking critically and learning to com-

continue their education and careers, and it’s really just about being a good member of society. ese skills are transferrable to whatever it is they do want to do post high school,” he continued.

Brady plans to continue expanding the program, with the goal of bringing those bene ts to as many EHS students as possible.

“We have noticed a lot of growth in our

DECA kids, especially as it relates to condence in their public speaking skills and in speaking with people they do not know well,” he said. “Adults struggle with this and high schoolers are no di erent. However, we try to incorporate soft skills as well, such as critical thinking, problemsolving and communication skills to help build on this.

“We’re looking forward to continuing to build on the students’ success,” he continued.

Evergreen High School students who qualified for the state DECA competition pose with their awards after the Nov. 21 district event at Douglas County Fair Grounds Nov. 21. They’ll advance to DECA’s State Career Development Conference, set for Feb. 25-27 at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.

Look with your heart

While I just recently read about this concept, physicists and neuroscientists discovered long ago that when we look at something, technically, what we see is the past. Studying the speed of light and the human brain, scientists learned that for us to identify an object, light must hit the object, bounce o , and move to our eyes where our brains process the image. ese steps take time; ultimately, while it is only a fraction of a second, it is the past that we are seeing.

e James Webb Space Telescope, looking deep into space, provides a clear example of this concept. Because of the strength and location of that telescope, we can observe images of events that took place 13 billion years ago. e light has taken that long to reach us.

e idea that what we “see” is in the past is thought provoking.

The holiday season is about more than just Christmas trees, snow and twinkling lights. It’s also about family, loved ones and nding ways to spend time together. at same truth applies to holiday theater, which the Arvada Center is channeling in its production of “Once Upon a Mattress.”

“ is is the kind of show that is written for kids of all ages to laugh and get, while at the same time there’s another layer that adults can enjoy,” said Mathenee Treco, who plays Sir Harry in the production. “ e togetherness and fact that it’s a show for everyone is what makes it feel like a holiday show.”

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

When we look at our struggles, it is easy to get stuck viewing the past. Pondering an illness or some other difculty can leave our minds focused on what we are not able to do or what we do not have. ere are traps in that perspective. Yes, there are things that we can gain from looking at the past, but we must understand that it can be inaccurate, less than a full picture. Do we have the ability to see more than the past?

When we look with our hearts, we see more.

Looking with our heart comes with

Once upon a

hilarious

opening ourselves up to feeling all the emotions that surround our existence. When we look with our heart, we see the kind things people are doing for us, as well as the opportunity to help those around us. When we look with our heart, we understand the value of moments with others. ere is a purity of emotion in that view, joy, elation, appreciation. Looking with our heart allows us to see the abundance that surrounds us.

Don’t get me wrong, our eyes are incredibly important to “seeing the situation.” But when we only look with our eyes, we are limiting ourselves. Seeing everything that surrounds us, the support, the care, the love is only possible when we look with our hearts. Our hearts show us encouragement and hope.

My hope for you is that this week you will sit and gaze with awe and wonder at what your heart shows you and that

as you look with your heart, you will see, with great clarity, the past, present, and future. Additionally, I hope the view will remind you of all the other hearts that stand side by side with you. I would appreciate hearing from you as you nd helpful morsels in these columns. is week I would especially love to hear about the things that you see when you look with your heart. I can be contacted at jim.roome@gmail.com

Jim Roome lives in Arvada with his wife Beth. He spent 34 years in public education. Lessons learned from the one two punch of being diagnosed with MS shortly before his best friend was diagnosed with terminal cancer led him into a new pursuit as a freelance writer and speaker. He uses his life experiences and love of stories to inspire, educate and encourage local, national and international audiences.

night at the Arvada Center

COMING ATTRACTIONS

All the details are available at https:// arvadacenter.org/events/once-upon-amattress.

Directed by Kenny Moten, “Once Upon a Mattress” runs at the center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., through Sunday, Dec. 29. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, 1 p.m. on Wednesday and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. e classic musical is a hilarious ri on “ e Princess and the Pea” fairy tale, with Prince Dauntless’s (EJ Dohring) outspoken Queen mother and silent King father decreeing that no one in the kingdom may marry until their son nds

of the show. Someone described it as Monty Python’s version of the musical.”

One of the most interesting things about doing a show with roots that go so far back is nding ways to modernize the telling of the story, Treco added, with the cast and crew exploring ways to handle things that wouldn’t be written the same way anymore.

For Treco, doing the show means more than just performing in a holiday show — his connection to the Arvada Center goes back years, so being here for “Once Upon a Mattress” feels like a real homecoming.

“ e Arvada Center gave me my equity card and they’ve always been very supportive of me,” he said. “I love the rehearsal process here and building a community within the show.”

While the main aim is to entertain audiences and give them something fun to enjoy the holiday season, Treco also hopes the show inspires people to try more theater they may not be familiar

“Everyone who sees the show may not have heard of it before, but we hope they come away pleasantly surprised,” he said. “ ere are so many genius shows out there that I wish were produced more and were seen by more people.”

‘The Nutcracker’ returns to PACE Center

Some holiday traditions are timeless and one with the longest history is the staging of “ e Nutcracker” ballet around Christmastime. ose looking to see the classic story this year will want to head to the Parker Arts, Culture & Events (PACE) Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., to see the Denver Ballet eatre take to the stage from ursday, Dec. 12 through Tuesday, Dec. 17. Performances are at 2 and 7 p.m.

“ e Nutcracker” is set at a Christmas Eve party and follows a young girl named Clara who goes on a magical adventure to the Land of the Sweets. Featuring toptier choreography and a score by Tchaikovsky, it’s a performance that shouldn’t be missed.

More details at https://parkerarts.org/ event/the-nutcracker/.

JCC hosts third annual Latkes and Lights event

e Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center’s (JCC Denver), 350 S. Dahlia St., Latkes and Lights Hanukkah event is back for its third year, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15.

e annual event includes two latke competitions, a craft fair featuring local vendors, live music, Hanukkah games, and more. According to provided infor-

mation, attendees can taste latkes from restaurants like Ash’Kara, Latke Love, Zaidy’s, Rosenberg’s, all of whom are competing for the Golden Latke Award. ere will also be vendors selling goods and fresh pita and olive oil tasting from Challahrado Hearth.

For more information and tickets, visit www.jccdenver.org/portfolio-items/ latkes-and-lights/.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — The Allman Betts Family Revival at the Paramount Theatre Unfortunately, they just don’t make bands like e Allman Brothers Band anymore. But while Duane and Gregg Allman and guitarist Dickey Betts are no longer with us, the next generation is carrying on. Devon Allman  and Duane Betts host the annual Family Revival, which provides the opportunity to celebrate the band’s music and pulls in some of the best performers in blues, country and rock. e revival is coming to the Paramount eatre, 1621 Glenarm Place in Denver, at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18. is year the band and its guests will be performing music from the Duane Allman 1970s era and the 1990s comeback era with two amazing sets. Get tickets at www.ticketmaster.com.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.

Jim Roome

Clarke Reader

BY STAVROS KORONEOS

Test pattern

ASPEN PARK – Making an afternoon butter-and-egg run, Alert Citizen noticed a sketchy fellow in a white tank top and gray shorts casually working his way down the parking aisle and trying the door handle of every car in the row. Alert asked Tank Top if he should be doing that. “Oh!” said Tank Top, feigning surprise. “I thought this was my car!” Not even a little convinced, Alert found a parking spot with a view and watched as Tank Top continued up the next parking aisle, testing every door handle along the way. Con dent that Tank Top wasn’t mistaking every car for his own, Alert called JCSO, but by the time deputies arrived Tank Top had departed in a gold pickup truck with two green bicycles in the bed. Unless and until a shopper reports something stolen from their vehicle, the case will remain securely closed.

Hot purse-uit

EVERGREEN – So as to drink and mingle more comfortably, Nicole hung her purse on the back of a stool at the end of the bar, and at about 2 a.m. was much surprised to nd it missing. Bartender quickly punched up surveillance footage of the crime scene and immediately identi ed Paris as the thief. On a hunch, Bartender went out to the parking lot and found Paris still loitering nearby. She denied taking Nicole’s purse until Bartender mentioned the videotape, at which point Paris admitted taking it by accident and, realizing it wasn’t hers, throwing it “in some bushes.” Bartender asked “What bushes?” which is when Paris turned on her heel and stalked drunkenly away yelling “I got the purse and you ain’t gonna ( ipping) get it back!” Pathetically eager to save Paris from a theft rap, her boyfriend, Josh, followed her at a distance and recovered Nicole’s empty purse where Paris had discarded it. At rst disinclined to press charges, when Nicole learned that the contents of her purse were still missing and presumed ditched in a ditch somewhere, she asked o cers to apply the full force of the law against Paris. Deputies were pleased to oblige.

desk on the morning of Oct. 10 when Weasel sauntered over and said “Hi. I like your pants.” Olive said “thank you,” but no more. “Do you like sliding on ropes?” Weasel persisted. Not sure what to make of the question, it occurred to Olive that Weasel might have noticed that her pants were scientically formulated for rock climbing. “Do you mean on belay?” Olive asked back. Suddenly hu y, Weasel stalked o , but continued dropping by the desk every 10 minutes or so with bizarre nuggets of chit-chat. “Do you know Sage?” he asked at one point. Olive did know Sage, but told Weasel she didn’t think so. Hu y again, Weasel brooded about the place until Olive readied herself to go. “Are you leaving?” he asked. “I have a meeting to get to,” she replied. Weasel quickly took a chair by the exit, strategically situating himself for some parting palaver. Olive headed him o by pointedly being on the phone with her boyfriend as she left. In hindsight, Olive found the whole episode, not to mention Weasel, “odd and creepy,” and decided to share that opinion with JCSO. Deputies documented the incident as suspicious.

Gee whizz!

Conversation non-starter

EVERGREEN – Olive was working the

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EVERGREEN – Vacationing out of state, on Oct. 10 the complainant’s Blink camera back home caught a fellow wandering around her Evergreen property and apparently “urinating on items” inside her shed. Upon closer inspection, she felt pretty sure the tinkling trespasser was a known avowed enemy of her family and called JCSO long distance to have him brought up on charges. Contacted by deputies, the avowed family enemy vehemently denied the allegation, assuring o cers he wants nothing better in life than to “stay as far away as I can from them.” After examining a handful of provided Blink photos, deputies couldn’t de nitively identify the illicit leaker and put the case on hold pending new information.

Sheri ’s Calls is intended as a humorous take on some of the incident call records of the Je erson County Sheri ’s O ce for the mountain communities. Names and identifying details have been changed, including the writer’s name, which is a pseudonym. All individuals are innocent until proven guilty.

• Letters advocating for a political candidate should focus on that candidate’s qualifications for o ce. We cannot publish letters that contain unverified negative information about a candidate’s opponent. Letters advocating for or against a political candidate or ballot issue will not be published within 12 days of an election.

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John Bernard “Jack” Putt February 8, 1930 - October 28, 2024

Jack, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather died peacefully at home in Golden at 94. He and his deceased wife, Mary Sue, raised their seven children in Evergreen, CO. His six children survive Jack: John, Susan, Annie, Mike, Mark, and David, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. A memorial will be held in the spring of 2025. For his full obituary go to: ellisfamilyservices.com

Anthony Dominguez and Nate Harner have worked plenty of jobs and some have been ful lling. Dominguez was a medical caregiver and Harner is a musician in Fort Collins.

But both men were caught a little o guard by the accolades heaped on them after they started installing Christmas lights this fall for Humbug Holiday Lighting. e north metro company’s motto is “All e Magic Without e Hassle” and people are more than joyful to let Humbug take the complicated and sometimes dangerous task of hanging Christmas lights out of their hands.

“People are just so happy to see us,” said Dominguez, who recently carefully lined up a string of colorful lights outside a home in north Broom eld. “ ey are so grateful ... it just seems what we do makes people smile.”

“One customer was so happy for what we did for them, she baked us a plate of cookies,” Harner said. “I have never seen that before.” is is Humbug’s rst year in the Christmas lighting business, and owner Brad Goins said he is still dealing with the joy he is spreading.

“I’ve enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would,” Goins said. “ ey are all just so incredibly excited to see us. It’s just something super special for them.”

As of late November, Humbug had serviced 60 homes. Most are in the north Denver metro area, but Goins thinks the company’s reach will soon stretch further south and beyond.

“ is business is going to grow. ere is such a demand,” he said.

Natalie — the Broom eld homeowner — said she and her family have hung Christmas lights for the past 15 years. is year, her husband announced he no longer wanted to take the risk.

“He’s afraid of heights, and he didn’t want to do it anymore,” she said.

Natalie, who asked that her last name not be used, contacted Humbug, which relies on online marketing as well as signs planted on the side of roadways to advertise their services. “ is is so great. You guys are great,” Natalie told the Humbug crew. “... e best part is that no one has to be hurt.”

Goins said worries over safety usually prompt people to call for his company’s services. It has led to the overall growth of the Christmas light industry in Colorado and elsewhere, Goins said.

“People call and say, ‘You really do this?’” Goins said. “A lot of people still don’t realize we’re out there.”

A typical installation may take up to four hours and the price tag to let professionals handle the work also widely varies, according to Goins and other light installers contacted by Colorado Community Media.

A two-story home may cost about $500 to decorate, especially if it has been tted for lights before. Some larger and more elaborate homes may cost a few thousand to t.

But many homeowners and businesses are more willing to pay for the installation just so they can forgo the hassles of hanging their own lights.

“When we do it, that means for homeowners there is no more climbing ladders or untangling lights. Who wants to do that during the holidays?” Goins said.

Most of the people who call for professional light installers are wives who no longer want their husbands climbing ladders and potentially hurting themselves, said Chris Rhodes, co-owner of Window Genie, which hangs Christmas lights in Arvada, Brighton, Denver, Eastlake and Wheat Ridge.

Brad Goins of Humbug Christmas Lights uses a pole to decorate a tree with Christmas lights. PHOTO BY MONTE WHALEY

LIGHTS

FROM PAGE 12

e company just nished decorating a home in Greenwood Village for “a few thousand dollars,” Rhodes said.

“A lot of guys say ‘Oh no, I can do it. I can do it,’” Rhodes said. “ e wives are saying ‘Well, let’s get someone else to do it.’”

A generational shift is also fueling the growth of professional Christmas cheer installers, Goins said.

Baby boomers are aging out of stringing lights, especially for homes that are more than one story, he said.

“ e generations after baby boomers are more than willing to let someone else do it for them,” Goins said. “Plus, they want to do something elaborate, something they can be proud of.”

Humbug professionals consult with homeowners before they start work on a home, Goins said.

“Professionals create a stunning and customized lighting design tailored to your home’s unique architecture,” states the Humbug website.

Humbug workers do the installation, takedown and storage.

“Licensed, insured, and OSHA-certied technicians ensure the job is done safely, reducing the risk of accidents,” according to the Humbug website.

“ e company uses commercialgrade lights and materials that are more durable and brighter than standard store-bought lights,” Goins said.

Some homeowners bring out their own lights and o er to let Humbug use those instead, Goins said.

“We always say no,” he said. “ ey almost always have some lights that are broken and need to be replaced.”

Humbug will also adjust or repair their display as needed to keep their house displays looking ideal, he said.

“We take a lot of pride in what we do and we want to make our customers happy,” Goins said.

Many of Window Genie’s 100 or so Christmas light customers are those who already use the company’s window cleaning services, Rhodes said.

Christmas light installation is the second most lucrative part of the business, said Rhodes, adding that by anksgiving the company is done with Yuletide services.

“It’s become a big part of our business,” Rhodes said. “We get customers coming back every year, wanting the whole Christmas treatment.”

Window Genie — based out of ornton — installs LED lights, programmable RGB lights and remote-controlled lights, Rhodes said.   e company also o ers a three-year, no-worries warranty on all maintenance and storage of customer lights. Window Genie’s methods are more meticulous than the typical “Uncle Bob” approach of just wrapping up lights in a haphazard manner and tossing them into a corner of the basement or work shed, Rhodes said.

Each customer’s strand is carefully wrapped up and includes a small map that informs installers where each light goes next year, Rhodes said.

Window Genie also carefully screens employees for their ladder skills, he said.

“If we see someone white knuckle a ladder, we won’t use them,” Rhodes said.

The Humbug Holiday Lighting crew of Nate Harner, owner Brad Goins and Anthony Dominguez pose before starting work on a house in Broomfield.

PHOTO BY MONTE WHALEY

Anthony Dominguez of Humbug Christmas Lighting helps put up a string of holiday lights.

PHOTO BY MONTE WHALEY

LIFESTYLES

Center for the Arts Evergreen Celebrates

50 Years of Inspiring Creativity and Community

FEATURE OF THE MONTH

In 2025, the Center for the Arts Evergreen (CAE) marks an extraordinary milestone: its 50th anniversary. From its humble beginnings to its current role as a vital cultural hub, CAE has grown and thrived, o ering an ever-expanding array of opportunities to explore, create, and celebrate the arts. As CAE re ects on the past ve years, the organization celebrates a period of signi cant growth and accomplishment—culminating in the excitement of 2025, its rst full year of programming in its expanded facility.

CAE’s roots date back to 1975, when a group of passionate art enthusiasts forged a plan to provide mountain-area residents with an avenue to pursue high-quality art instruction and view a wide variety of art. In 2003, the organization leased a small building

and was renamed Center for the Arts Evergreen (CAE) to signify its transformation into an o cial community venue. A pivotal moment came in 2017 when CAE purchased and renovated the historic Bergen Park Church. is new space, the log-sided front half of the current CAE, provided an 1,800-square-foot exhibition gallery and allowed for a signicant expansion of educational and community programming, laying the foundation for the vibrant organization CAE is today.

Now, under the leadership of new Executive Director Sara Miller, CAE kicks o 2025, its anniversary year, with the same enthusiasm and momentum that have made it such an important part of Evergreen. Miller and the

entire CAE sta bring dedication and a passion for the arts, ensuring that CAE remains a cornerstone of the community while charting a course for the future.

e past ve years have been nothing short of transformative for CAE. e culmination of a successful capital campaign allowed CAE to break ground on its long-awaited addition. Over months of anticipation, the Evergreen community watched as the building took shape—brick by brick. In June 2024, the new addition opened its doors, welcoming the community to a state-of-the-art space that ampli es the organization’s ability to inspire and engage.

In 2025, CAE is proud to o er a full year of programming in its newly expanded space. e center continues to serve as a meeting place for the community, hosting groups like Rotary and Leadership Evergreen, as well as o ering an extensive catalog of classes for adults and kids. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a curious beginner, there’s something for everyone:

• Visual Arts: Explore oil painting, watercolor, drawing, acrylics, and sculpture.

• Ceramics: Enjoy hands-on experiences in a fully equipped ceramics studio.

• Writing and Poetry: Hone your storytelling and creative expression.

• Specialty Classes: Explore the unique mediums of glass art, jewelry-making, and more.

is new addition represents more than just additional square footage; it’s a symbol of CAE’s commitment to serving the community. With expanded classrooms, meeting spaces, and artist studios, the facility is designed to accommodate the growing demand for diverse programming, exhibitions, and events.

• CAE’s classes nurture creativity, build skills, and foster connections within our

community.

In addition to its on-site programming, CAE is deeply committed to outreach e orts that bring the arts to underserved communities. In partnership with local organizations like EChO, EPRD’s INSPIRE program, Easter Seals, Resilience 1220, and the Boys and Girls Club of Park County, CAE o ers enriching arts experiences to those who may not otherwise have access. Building on these successful initiatives, 2025 also introduces new outreach programs tailored to veterans, o ering creative outlets for CAE-expression and healing. Additionally, CAE is bringing back its Share the Moment program, designed to provide meaningful art experiences for individuals in the memory loss community.

e gallery at CAE remains a centerpiece of the organization, hosting nine diverse exhibitions in 2025. Highlights include:

• CAE’s Annual Teen Show: A celebration of the next generation of artists

• Studio Artists Retrospective: Honoring

the talents of those who create in CAE’s studios

• Blue Silo Studios: Showcasing a renowned collective of Denver-based artists

• 130 for $150: e beloved fundraiser that o ers accessible art for all

• Glass Show: Highlighting the luminous beauty of glass art

• Sculpture Walk Weekend: A celebration of three-dimensional creativity

• Pop-up Exhibitions: From a LEGO show to a creative look at CAE member artists

• Rocky Mountain National Watermedia: A prestigious showcase of watermedia masterpieces from across the U.S

• Member Show: Honoring the incredible artists who form the backbone of CAE. With each exhibition, CAE invites visitors to explore new perspectives, celebrate creativity, and connect with the local art scene. CAE’s Artist in Residence program is a

Any Lab Test Now® O ers

By Jo Ann M. Colton Special to Lifestyles

If

Virginia Avenue, Suite C o ers Single or Bundle Nutritional B12 Injections

Although not common in the U.S., vitamin B-12 de ciency, if le untreated can lead to anemia/fatigue/muscle weakness/intestinal problems/nerve damage and mood disturbances.

“Plant foods don’t contain vitamin B-12 so vegetarian/vegan diet followers and older adults with digestive tract conditions a ecting

absorption of nutrients are susceptible to vitamin B-12 de ciency,” said Lakewood franchise owner Drew Scarbrough, who moved to Colorado from Florida where he worked as a Veterinary Doctor.

In addition to Nutritional B12 Injections, Any Lab Test Now® o ers uninsured and self-pay individuals thousands of tests that are private, a ordable and convenient including: STD, DNA, TB, Celiac/Chron’s/IBS, and A1C. e lab is sure to have the test for your speci c need—and it provides the doctor’s order; no insurance needed or ever accepted.”

Most tests take less than 15 minutes, and many results are ready within 24-72 hours. For lab hours/test information/fees and appointments, contact Any Lab Test Now® of Lakewood (720-543-2280 / https// www.anylabtestnow/lakewood-80226).

By Jo Ann M. Colton Special to Lifestyles

Because Grant Brewster of Edge Home Finance Corporation is a Mortgage Broker and not a bank employee or a liate, he represents YOU—not the lender. As such, he can o er borrowers access to a broader selection of loan types.

All mortgages require you to meet the loan’s funding requirements. Public-sector guaranteed Conventional loans (with or without gi money) tend to have stricter requirements than government-backed loans. Governmentinsured loans include FHA (Federal Housing Administration), VA (Veterans Administration), or USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) $0 down loans available to low-income borrowers in speci c designated rural areas to help improve rural areas› local economies.

Terms of loans can be Fixed Rate ( xed for the entirety of the loan) or Adjustable Rate (with uctuating interest rates). Many ARMs will start at a lower interest rate than xed rate mortgages but can go up or down based on market conditions.

For over thirty years, Colorado Foothills native and Mortgage Broker Grant Brewster of Edge

Home Finance Corporation has been providing his customers with mortgage services that exceed their expectations. His Evergreen o ce is conveniently located at Flow eory Coworks, 3540 Evergreen Parkway.

Contact Mortgage Broker Grant Brewster today for all your home nancing needs 720-668-4183 grant.brewster@edgehome nance.com www.grantbrewster.com.

Give Your Home A Gift This Holiday Season!

e holiday season is full of quality time spent around the replace with family and friends. Do you picture a roaring yule log with the snap, crackle and pop of burning wood? Or a gas replace you can turn on with the push of a button? Or that runs on a thermostat to keep your home perfectly warm?

Mountain Hearth & Patio specializes in helping families like yours create a cozy home for your holiday memories. We o er an array of replace, stove, and insert options that will bring warmth, beauty, and safety to your home. Whether you want to burn wood or gas, our Nationally certi ed technicians and sales sta will help you experience the comfort that a new replace can bring.

If your replace brings you headaches instead of joy, it’s time to improve your replace to be the centerpiece of your home. Our experienced technicians can resolve most replace issues, and our National

Fireplace Institute Certi ed Installers and Hearth Design Specialists can help you have the new replace of your dreams!

Our most popular project is putting an insert into an existing woodburning replace. Our customers most commonly choose the convenience of a gas insert, that is entirely controlled by remote and with thermostat settings. Gas inserts also have the most choices for styling your new appliance; di erent species of wood for the log sets and metal nishes on the fronts to match your décor.

Inserts are also available for the high-efciency burning of wood or pellets, with a large view of the beautiful real ames. e smell and sounds of burning wood make sentimental moments all the more poignant. ere’s even a tax credit going on right now for the highest e ciency wood and pellet appliances, so you can give a future gi to yourself next tax season too!

Adding a freestanding gas, wood, or

pellet stove for zone heating is increasingly common. A freestanding hearth appliance can concentrate warmth in a chilly addition, basement, or a room that is frequently used so the homeowner doesn’t have to rely on more expensive electric baseboard heat or central heat to warm unused square footage. Freestanding hearth appliances are easy to install because they don’t require any framing or nishing materials, they can simply be installed against a wall or in a corner.

If thinking about the holiday season brings visions of stockings hung on the mantel above a ickering replace- we will make sure you have that! We regularly add a replace where there was none before, or swap out an ine cient, ugly, outdated replace! We can even change the size and shape or fuel type for your dream replace. Most replaces in our foothills communities are just installed into framing and nished with a stone veneer or tile. at replace is surprisingly easily changed! We can

remove the nishing materials and change some of the framing to create a space for a new replace that has improved aesthetics, e ciency, and technology.

One more reason our customers are updating their hearth appliances for the winter season is for an e cient and reliable source of back up heat during a power outage, or an especially cold day. Nearly all of the hearth appliances we sell can be used when the power is out so your family can stay warm during the storm!

Let us help you be surrounded by moments of joy and peace with your family during the holiday season with a safe, beautiful, reliable replace. Whether you’re looking for a new replace or you just need annual service or repair to keep your current unit running safely and e ciently, we can help. Call our o ce at (303) 679-1601, email us at O ce@MtnHP. com , or visit our website to get in touch and see our portfolio. Happy Holidays!

rdaniels@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Gas Fireplace Installation by Mountain Hearth & Patio

cornerstone of its mission to bring fresh perspectives to the Evergreen community. Designed to attract artists from across the country, this program introduces new voices, fosters innovative conversations, and enriches the local arts scene with unique works created during each residency. rough their time at CAE, resident artists inspire both audiences and fellow creators, leaving an indelible mark on the community.

Beyond its vibrant programming, CAE has become a sought-a er venue for gatherings of all kinds. Whether hosting corporate team-building events, weddings, birthday parties, or community celebrations, CAE o ers a beautiful and unique space surrounded by art and inspiration.

Beyond the gallery walls, CAE o ers a vibrant calendar of events that appeal to art enthusiasts and casual participants alike. In 2025, there truly is something for everyone:

• Art Bars and Date Night Experiences: Sip, create, and connect in a fun, relaxed setting

• Exhibition Openings: Mingle with artists and explore new works

• Culinary Arts Pairings: Discover the art of food and drink through curated experiences

• Live Music Series: Enjoy concerts amidst the gallery art or under the stars during the summer Back Porch Concert Series

July brings Summerfest, CAE’s signature arts festival, which promises to be bigger and better than ever. In September, CAE will host a Day of the Arts, a daylong party celebrating its 50th anniversary with interactive activities, performances, and surprises for the whole family. And in December, everyone’s favorite, Winterfest, will be back for holiday shoppers who want to support local artists and artisans.

For 50 years, CAE has prioritized keeping much of its programming free for the community. is commitment to accessibility is made possible by the generous support of individual and corporate donors. As a nonpro t, CAE relies on our community’s incredible network of supporters to continue its mission of enriching lives through the arts.

As CAE embarks on its 50th anniversary year, it does so with gratitude for the support of the Evergreen community and excitement for what lies ahead. e dedicated team at CAE invites you to join them in celebrating this milestone year. From classes and exhibitions to events and community outreach, CAE o ers countless ways to engage with the arts and connect with your neighbors.

Make 2025 a year to remember. Visit the Center for the Arts Evergreen, join a class, attend an event, or simply stop by to see what’s new. Together, we’ll continue to build on CAE’s legacy of creativity, community, and inspiration for the next 50 years. For more information about upcoming events, exhibitions, and classes, visit CAE’s website at www.evergreenarts.org

A BOOK MAKES A GREAT GIFT.

A womanizing US president. Gin-drinking, poker-playing, skirt-chasing Cabinet members. And a plot from the inside to usurp control of the Navy’s oil reserves. Wild and juicy stuff this. And all of it a true chapter of America’s history.

There may not be another US scandal that is so heavy with corruption and criminality that weighs so lightly on our collective consciousness as the Teapot Dome Scandal. From 1920 to 1922, power-hungry politicians and corporate tycoons boldly schemed to steal the nation’s newest energy resourcel. In so doing these crooks put a black mark on the pioneering work of those who gave birth to Wyoming’s incredible bonanza.

With a deft researcher’s hand and the heart and attention of a creative writer, Constance Bierkan has written a rst-of-its-kind ctionalized recounting of what led up to this nearly forgotten nugget from the past, the Teapot Dome Scandal. Like No Place on Earth is a spirited coming-of-age story set in Wyoming at the start of the madcap Roaring Twenties and the birth of the oil industry. As much a love story as it is a historical deep-dive, Like No Place on Earth will be irresistible to book clubs and history buffs alike.

Constance Bierkan grew up in Zürich, Switzerland and London, England. She sat her Ordinary and Advanced Level exams administered by the University of London while in high school at Francis Holland and earned a BA in English Literature with a minor in Semantics from Skidmore College and Goucher College. She also worked toward a Master’s at Fair eld University in Psychology. Bierkan’s debut novel, Alone In A Crowded Room - An Adoption Story, published in 2017, received a Kirkus Star and was named Kirkus Best Book Indie 2018. Free To Breathe is her second outing and it captures one boy’s struggle to emerge from an abusive family and nd authentic loving relationships. Her third, In Spite of It All, is a historical ction piece, wherein the history of Hitler’s propaganda art is married to a race of high jinks to rescue it from the wrong hands. Fluent in French and German, Bierkan loves to read, people watch, work puzzles, travel and off-road in her badass Jeep Wrangler. She and her best friend-husband-Naval-Aviator-veteran-airline-pilotgentlemantree-farmer, live at 8,200 feet in the Rocky Mountains.

CCM owner starts printing press operations in Colorado

National Trust for Local News facility hopes to o er a ordable option for newspapers

Colorado Community Media’s 25 weekly and monthly newspapers are now being printed at e Trust Press, a commercial printing facility in northeast Denver launched by the National Trust for Local News to address the skyrocketing costs of producing local news in Colorado.

Printing costs for CCM’s newspapers have risen more than 60% in the past two years. After the Gannett-owned printer in Pueblo closed in the summer of 2023, the nonpro t National Trust for Local News – which owns Colorado Community Media – began looking for more long-term and a ordable solutions.  e project to stand up a new printing facility, named e Trust Press, spanned nearly a year.

“We’re excited that this path-breaking idea is nally a reality in Colorado,” said Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro, CEO and cofounder of the National Trust. “Print newspapers are still valued, particularly in rural and underrepresented communities. We are proud to launch this affordable and sustainable printing solution that will strengthen local and ethnic news organizations across Colorado.”

e new press plans to begin printing dozens of other local and ethnic newspapers in the new year. e Trust Press is estimated to save local publishers at least $500,000 in 2025 compared to existing printing options, according to the National Trust.

e Trust Press was made possible by philanthropic support from the Colorado Media Project, Bohemian Foundation, Gates Family Foundation, and e Colorado Trust. e National Trust is continuing to fundraise to support the Trust Press, with roughly $700,000 remaining to reach the project’s overall goal of $1.7 million.

“Gates Family Foundation is grateful for the partners that rallied to make this new printing solution possible,” said omas A. Gougeon, president of Gates Family Foundation. “While the future of news is digital, a local and a ordable way to support print publications is an essential bridge to that future. We hope that this press will support smaller, local publishers on the Front Range in a way that is more a ordable, more mission aligned, and more supportive of the local news ecosystem in Colorado.”

e centerpiece of the Trust Press is a four-tower DGM 430 Press purpose-built for the smaller print runs that most local independent publishers now demand. e printing facility has already created ve full-time jobs, with more expected in 2025.

“We have heard from so many local publishers here in Colorado who are struggling to nd an a ordable printing solution, and I am excited to serve them

at the Trust Press,” said Kevin Smalley, director of the Trust Press. “We have a great team and rst-rate facility in place. We’re already printing 100,000 copies per week and will soon o er a ordable printing services that support a wide range of publications and the communities they serve.”

Smalley, previously vice president of operations for e Daily Gazette in Schenectady, NY, joined CCM earlier this year to oversee the stand-up of the new press facility. Publishers or commercial printing customers interested in

the Trust Press are encouraged to email printing@coloradocommunitymedia. com for more information.

Colorado Community Media, the nonpro t a liate of the National Trust for Local News, operates two dozen weekly and monthly publications in and around the Denver metro area. e National Trust, founded in 2021 in Colorado, owns and operates more than 60 newspapers across Maine, Colorado and Georgia – critical sources of community news that serve nearly 40 counties and some ve million people.

The centerpiece of the Trust Press is a four-tower DGM 430 Press purpose-built for smaller print runs. LINDA SHAPLEY

SPORTS

Optimism high as Conifer basketball teams win season openers

Both Lobos teams

hope to stack more wins after recent down years

BY JOHN RENFROW

e Conifer Lobos took over Englewood High School’s gymnasium on Dec. 3 as both girls and boys teams made the trek down the city to tip o the 2024-25 basketball season.

It was a doubleheader on the Pirates’ home oor, but the Lobos felt right at home, with both teams securing dominant wins to start the year’s campaign.

Parents noticed the fun the players were having on the oor and on the bench and said it’s a sign of hope for teams that have struggled to win in recent seasons.

Girls basketball

e Conifer girls basketball team is coming o two consecutive 4-19 seasons

in 2022-23 and 2023-24, but the opening win over Englewood had fans thinking this year could be di erent.

e Lobos jumped out to a 12-0 lead in the rst quarter, forcing a timeout by the Pirates. Su ocating defense and o ensive rebounds kept the ball in Conifer’s as the Lobos nished the rst quarter up 22-2.

e obvious di erence in this year’s squad was 5-foot-10 freshman Izzy Ogdon, who posted 15 points in the rst half, scoring down low, from the three and at the free throw line. Ogdon carried Conifer to a 32-8 halftime advantage.

“Calm leadership by example,” said Head Coach Connie Ireland on what she saw from her freshman standout. “She’s got a good head about her. She knows the game, and I think it calms everybody else around her. She’s just solid. I don’t mind her taking a shot from anywhere on the court.”

Ogdon led all scorers with 19 points and could have had more but Ireland deployed a platoon system of substitutions as the Lobos took advantage of their large lead.

Leading the second unit was senior Eleanor Sikora, who hit late threes in the rst and second quarters to help extend the lead. Sikora nished with 12 points, captaining the younger players and keeping control while most of the starters took a seat.

“Probably Eleanor will be a future starter,” Ireland said. “ e leadership there is strong. I like that they like each other and play well together, and tonight really showed that.”

Senior guard Finley Johnson had three steals and ve points. Junior Breeana Leslie added six points also. e game simply got away from Englewood as Conifer ended the third quarter up 48-11.  e one bright spot for Englewood was junior guard Leilana Phanekham, who tallied nine points and two steals, getting to the free throw line often and being crafty in the lane.

Conifer won 50-14 to start 1-0.

“I’m really, really hopeful,” Ireland said on stacking more wins in 2024. “We dropped down to 3A this year, although we’re still in the 4A/5A Je co League,

so the schedule is going to be tough the second half of the season. But we got 14 nonleague games that I think we can really compete in and really approve upon — at least double — that win count from last year.”

Boys basketball

Last season wasn’t much better for the boys team. e team nished 5-18 and 1-9 in the 5A/4A Je co League. But game one of 2024 looked promising.  e rst half of the boys’ games against Englewood gave the impression the game would get sweaty for Conifer fans. e Lobos nished the rst quarter up 14-6, but the Pirates went on a 6-0 run to make it a two-point game to start the second.  Both squads played tough defense to keep the game close, but eventually Conifer took over, and the game wasn’t nearly as close as the rst half would indicate. Entering halftime, the score was 22-17 in favor of the Lobos.

Sophomore guard Eli Arndt showed

Above, Conifer’s Eleanor Sikora skies for the layup against Englewood. Conifer won 50-14 to go 1-0 to start the 202425 season. Below, Conifer’s Isaac Pratt rises up for the baseline jumper against the Pirates. Conifer won 62-37 to start 1-0 on the year.

Conifer sophomore guard Eli Arndt brings the ball up for the Lobos on Dec. 3 at Englewood High School. Conifer beat the Pirates 62-37 to start the season 1-0. PHOTOS BY JOHN RENFROW

BASKETBALL

poise beyond his years with dazzling passes to get his teammates involved.

ough he only had ve points, Arndt had a team-high three steals to turn defense to o ense quickly.

“I’ve been seeing it (from Arndt) all fall and the summer when I saw him play. I knew,” said Head Coach Josh Templeton. “If the game was close, he would have played every single minute tonight. He is de nitely smart above his years. He just has a natural basketball IQ, and that makes it really easy to coach a guy like

that.”

e second half was all Conifer as the Lobos cruised to a 40-23 lead to end the third quarter.

Senior Benson White started slow in the rst half but nished the game leading all scorers with 20 points after taking over in the second half.

Senior Isaac Pratt added 12 points and a steal. Tyler Warner, another senior, was a sparkplug o the bench for Conifer, scoring seven points, including an and-one play, and grabbing two steals.

Conifer had at least eight steals in the game, many caused by de ections from key players.

“Tyler had ve de ections in the rst half, just getting his hands on balls, he’s

always in position,” Templeton said. “He gave us a huge spark. Him, Sam VincentBenne (a junior) and Clyde Yaun (a junior) all came o the bench and made threes. When they spread the oor like that, that lets Isaac and Benson and Eli do a lot of work.”

Conifer became too much to handle for Englewood as the team settled in, winning the game with a nal score of 62-37 to start 1-0.

Englewood sophomore Nathan Owens led the Pirates with 10 points, while junior twin brothers Jonah and Soren Singer combined for 13 points and two steals.

“ ey really committed to guarding in preseason practices,” Templeton said of his Lobos team. “ ey wanted to win.

ey’ve had a tough couple years. ey’re ready to be a good team, to be unsel sh, to try to win. I was really proud of them. I was shocked by how smart they were, how quickly they picked up the scouting report. It was nice to see them execute like that.”

Templeton said the team doesn’t have tangible goals other than getting better every day and being great teammates.

“It’s high school sports. It should be fun,” Templeton said.

Editor’s note: is story went to press before several of Conifer’s games took place. Search for Conifer girls and boys basketball on MaxPreps.com for updated records, upcoming games and more.

PHOTOS BY JOHN RENFROW

Head Coach Josh Templeton addresses his Conifer boys basketball team in the huddle on Dec. 3 at Englewood High School.

HAPPENINGS

We’d like to know about events or activities of interest to the community. Visit www.canyoncourier.com/calendar/ and post your event online for free. Email jreuter@coloradocommunitymedia.com to get items in the newspaper. Items will appear in print on a space-available basis.

UPCOMING

Salvation Army bell ringers needed in Evergreen: Now through Dec. 24 at WalMart, Nov. 25-Dec. 31 at King Soopers, Dec. 9-24 at Safeway. Register at registertoring.com

Conifer Community Church nightly Christmas light show: rough Jan. 6, 9998 S. Havekost Rd., Conifer. 5-10 p.m. Sunday- ursday, 5-11 p.m. Friday & Saturday, 7-11 p.m. Dec. 24. Show is approximately 35 mins. long and runs on a continual loop.

Seniors4Wellness Cookie Exchange & Craft Fair: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 20, Christ the King Church, 4291 Evergreen Parkway, Evergreen. seniors4wellness.org.

“It’s a Wonderful Life,” Evergreen Players theater production: 7 p.m. Dec. 20, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 21, 2 p.m. Dec. 22, Center Stage eatre, 27608 Fireweed Drive, Evergreen. Tickets at evergreenplayers.org.

Dennis Swiftdeer Page. Ticket sales support Mountain Resource Center, Conifer Historical Society, and StageDoor eatre. Tickets at stagedoortheatre.org.

EPRD senior excursion Denver Zoo or Botanic Gardens: 4:30 p.m. Dec. 21. Departing from Buchanan Park Recreation Center and Rocky Mountain Village Estates. Register by Nov. 29. evergreenrecreation.com.

Evergreen Chamber Orchestra - Colorado Mountain Holiday Concerts: 3 and 6 p.m. Dec. 21, Evergreen Lutheran Church, 5980 County Hwy 73, Evergreen. Fun and festive family event featuring a 3 p.m. Santa visit. Tickets at evergreenchamberorch.org

9th annual Conifer Christmas concert: 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 21. Stage Door eatre, 25797 Conifer Road, Conifer. Music of the early 19th century, stories of Old West Christmas celebrations. Featuring Norman Hughes and

Ice Fest: Dec. 31, Evergreen Lake, 29612 Upper Bear Creek Road, Evergreen. Ice skating, skate rentals, hockey, broomball, ice carving demonstration, mobile recreation trailer games, repits, DJ. evergreenrecreation.com.

Evergreen Ball: 8 p.m. to midnight, Dec. 31, Evergreen Lake House, 29612 Upper Bear Creek Road, Evergreen. Featuring the Michael C Experience band, catered hors d’oeuvres, desserts, photo booth, cash bar. Limited tickets at evergreenrecreation.com.

New Year’s Day Lake Plunge: 10 a.m. to noon, Jan. 1, Evergreen Lake, 29612 Upper Bear Creek Road, Evergreen. $50 participation fee. No fee for spectators. VIP parking at lake, $25. Register at a4aevergreen.org

pionship: 7 a.m. playtime, Jan. 25 and 26, Evergreen Lake, 29612 Upper Bear Creek Rd. evergreenrecreation.com

ONGOING

Soldier Bags Project 2024: Tallgrass Spa accepting travel-sized toiletries and other donations at e Wild Game, 1204 Bergen Pkwy, Evergreen, for annual veterans backpack project. Information at tallgrassspa.com

Conifer Chamber of Commerce member meeting: 7:30 a.m. on second ursdays, Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church, 9444 Eagle Cli Road, Conifer. Free for members, $10 for nonmembers.

Evergreen Nature Center Weekly Preschool Adventures Program: 9 a.m. every ursday, 27640 Hwy 74, Evergreen. Free & no registration required. Programs designed for children ages 2-5 years old. All children must have an adult in attendance. Dress to explore the outdoors. evergreenaudubon.org

Evergreen Nature Center Monthly Family Program: 11 a.m. every last Saturday, 27640 Hwy 74, Evergreen. December’s program is Hibernation Station. evergreenaudubon.org

e American Legion Evergreen Post 2001: Meets every fourth Tuesday at 7 p.m., Evergreen Church of the Trans guration, 27640 Highway 74, Evergreen. Serving all military veterans in the foothills communities. Email evergreenpost2001@gmail.com

2025 Evergreen Pond Hockey Cham-

Evergreen Camera Club: Meets ev-

ery second Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Evergreen Fire/Rescue auditorium, 1802 Bergen Parkway, Evergreen. Club is for people who share a passion for all photography, from beginners to professionals. Attend in person or via ZOOM.

Evergreen Area Republican Club: e Evergreen Area Republican Club meets at 6 p.m. the rst Wednesday of the month at the Evergreen Fire/Rescue Administration Building, 1802 Bergen Parkway. Information at evergreenarearepublicanclub.org

Mountain Area Democrats: Mountain Area Democrats meet at 9 a.m. the fourth Saturday of the month January through April at the United Methodist Church of Evergreen, 3757 Ponderosa Drive, Evergreen. For more information, e-mail MountainAreaDems@gmail. com.

Evergreen Sustainability Alliance and Lam Tree services are collecting holiday trees and block styrofoam from noon to 3 p.m. Jan. 3 at the vacant lot across from the Evergreen King Soopers, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 4 and 11 at both Evergreen Lutheran church and the vacant lot across from Evergreen King Soopers. Information at www. sustainevergreen.org or 720-536-0069.

Evergreen Nature Center: Evergreen Nature Center is open from 10 a.m.4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays next to Church of the Trans guration. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.EvergreenAudubon.org. SEE HAPPENINGS, P31

Foothills Art Center’s annual market features gifts galore

Astor House campus hosting event through Dec. 29

BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Whether looking for holiday cards, stockingstu ers, cute jewelry to wear to upcoming holiday parties, or that perfect piece of art to ll that empty space on the wall before company arrives, Foothills Art Center has it all. is year, the organization is hosting its 49th annual Holiday Art Market in a new location — its Astor House campus at 1133 Arapahoe St. is year’s market features more than 3,000 unique items by 90-plus Colorado artists, including many based in the Denver area.

Shoppers can browse a variety of jewelry, textiles, photographs, paintings and ceramics, as well as holiday cards, ornaments and other wintertime items. Paid FAC members get 10% o any purchase.

While the Astor House and market will be closed Dec. 24-25, last-minute shoppers can still stop by through Dec. 29. e market will be hosting a sale Dec. 26-29, when all customers can buy items 30% o .

FAC representatives said the new location and space is working out well for the annual market. It previously hosted the annual event at its former headquarters at 809 15th St, which is now serves as the Creative Campus with classes and artist workspaces.

e Astor House campus is open from 10 a.m.5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon-5 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is free.

In addition to the Holiday Art Market, the “Decomposing/Recomposing” art exhibition is ongoing in the Astor House’s south gallery space.

For more information, visit foothillsartcenter. org.

BERGEN PARK CHURCH

Bergen Park Church is a group of regular people who strive to improve ourselves and our community by studying the Bible and sharing our lives with each other. On Sunday mornings you can expect contemporary live music, Children’s Ministry that seeks to love and care for your kids, teaching from the Bible, and a community of real people who are imperfect, but seek to honor God in their lives. We hope to welcome you soon to either our 9:00AM or 10:30AM Sunday service.

Search Bergen Park Church on YouTube for Livestream service at 9:00am 31919 Rocky Village Dr. 303-674-5484 info@bergenparkchurch.org / www.BergenParkChurch.org

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH SERVICES

28244 Harebell Lane

Sunday Service & Sunday School: 10 a.m.

Wednesday evening: 7p.m: (Zoom only Nov.1st-Mar. 31st.)

Visit: www.christianscienceevergreen.com for more information and ZOOM link

Reading Room: 4602 Plettner Lane 303-674-5296

OPEN: TUES-SAT 12 p.m.-3 p.m.

CHURCH OF THE HILLS PRESBYTERIAN (USA)

Serving the mountain community from the heart of Evergreen Worship 10:00 a.m.

Reverend Richard Aylor

O ce Hours: Tu-Thur 9:00 - 4:00; Fri 9:00 - noon Bu alo Park Road and Hwy 73 www.churchofthehills.com

WORSHIP DIRECTORY

CHURCH OF THE TRANSFIGURATION EPISCOPAL

In-Church: Sunday Communion Quiet Service 8:00 am & with Music 10:15 am 10:15 am only Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86017266569

In-Meadow: 2nd Sunday of the month at 9:30 a.m. --June through September— 27640 Highway 74 – ¼ mile east of downtown Evergreen at the Historic Bell Tower www.transfigurationevergreen.org

CONGREGATION BETH EVERGREEN (SYNAGOGUE)

Reconstructionist Synagogue

Rabbi Jamie Arnold www.BethEvergreen.org / (303) 670-4294 2981 Bergen Peak Drive (behind Life Care)

DEER PARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Reverend Dr. Knut Heim, pastor, Sunday Worship 10 AM

Located one mile west of Pine Junction just o Rt. 285 966 Rim Rock Road, Bailey (303) 838-6759 deerparkumc.org

All are welcome to our open/inclusive congregation!

EVERGREEN LUTHERAN CHURCH 5980 Highway 73 + 303-674-4654

Rev. Terry Schjang

Join us for worship in person or on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/EvergreenLutheranChurch

Sunday Worship held at 9am. www.evergreenlutheran.org + All Are Welcome!

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY CHURCH – EPC 1036 El Rancho Rd, Evergreen – (303) 526-9287 www.lomcc.org – o ce@lomcc.org

Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m., with communion every Sunday “Real Church In An UnReal World”

A community empowered by the Holy Spirit which seeks authentic relationships with God and others to share the good news of Jesus with Evergreen, the Front Range and the world. Come as you are, all are welcome!

PLATTE CANYON COMMUNITY CHURCH

Located: 4954 County Road 64 in Bailey.

O ce hours MWF 8am-1pm 303-838-4409, Worship & Children’s Church at 10am

Small group studies for all ages at 9am

Transitional Pastor: Mark Chadwick

Youth Pastor: Jay Vonesh

Other activities: Youth groups, Men’s/Women’s ministries, Bible studies, VBS, MOPS, Cub/Boy Scouts.

ROCKLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH

“Connecting all generations to Jesus”

Please check our website, www.Rockland.church, for updated service times ¼ mile north of I-70 at exit 254 17 S Mt. Vernon Country Club Rd., Golden, CO 80401 303-526-0668

SHEPHERD OF THE ROCKIES LUTHERAN CHURCH

Missouri Synod. 106 Rosalie Road, Bailey, CO 303-838-2161 Pastor Pete Scheele Sunday Worship Service; 9 a.m., Fellowship Time; 10:15 a.m., Sunday School & Bible Class; 10:45 a.m. www.shepherdoftherockies.org

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF EVERGREEN Rev. Sarah Clark • 303.674.4810

Several holiday-themed wood pieces are on display Dec. 3 at the Foothills Art Center’s annual Holiday Art Market at its Astor House campus. The show features more than 3,000 art pieces of various media by local artists. PHOTOS BY CORINNE WESTEMAN

Jewelry by Duendes Tejidos, foreground, is on display Dec. 3 at the Foothills Art Center’s annual Holiday Art Market at its Astor House campus. The market features more than 90 Colorado-based artists

One of Steve Sorensen’s photographs, center, is framed betwen jewelry pieces Dec. 3 at the Foothills Art Center’s 49th annual Holiday Art Market at its Astor House campus. The market runs through Dec. 29.

As seen on Dec. 3, the Foothills Art Center hosts its annual Holiday Sale at its Astor House campus. The market features more than 3,000 pieces by dozens of Colorado-based artists.

TRIVIA

1. LITERATURE: Which Victor Hugo novel was made into an animated Disney movie?

2. MUSIC: In the song “ e Twelve Days of Christmas,” what was the gift on the eighth day?

3. GEOGRAPHY: Where is the Kalahari Desert located?

4. HISTORY: Who was the rst African-American justice on the U.S. Supreme Court?

5. BIOLOGY: What is the process called in which a nonreproductive cell divides in two?

6. MOVIES: In the movie “Elf,” what is the name of Santa’s sleigh?

7. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is the largest mammal on Earth?

8. U.S. STATES: Where did the rst organized celebration of Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) take place in the U.S.?

9. ASTRONOMY: Which planet is the smallest in our solar system?

10. TELEVISION: Which 1980s-1990s TV family sitcom had a holiday episode titled “A Very Tanner Christmas”?

Answers

1. “ e Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

2. Eight maids a-milking.

3. Southern Africa.

4. urgood Marshall.

5. Mitosis.

6. e Kringle 3000.

7. e blue whale.

8. Mobile, Alabama.

9. Mercury.

10. “Full House.”

(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

FLASHBACK

1. Name the original title of the Beatles lm “Help!”

2. What was a deuce coupe in the Beach Boys’ song?

3. “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” was a big hit for which group?

4. What was Jesse Belvin’s biggest hit?

5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “All we need is a drummer, for people who only need a beat.”

Answers 1. “Eight Arms to Hold You.” In the 1965 musical comedy, a sinister cult (complete with mad scientists) is after Ringo, who has a special ring they want.

2. e deuce coupe was a 1932 Ford Model 18. e same model car also appeared in “American Gra ti” in 1973. 3. e Rolling Stones, in 1965. e song topped the charts in the U.S., but in the U.K. it was played on pirate radio stations at rst because it was considered to be too suggestive.

4. “Goodnight My Love” in 1956. Belvin died at the age of 27 in a suspicious car accident after playing a concert in 1960.

5. “Dance to the Music,” by Sly and the Family Stone, in 1967. It was their rst song to get into the Top 10. irty years later the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. (c) 2024 King Features Syndicate

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Jacuzzi Bath Remodel can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day. For a limited time, waving ALL installation costs! (Additional terms apply. Subject to change and vary by dealer. Offer ends 12/29/24.) Call 1-844-501-3208

Wesley Financial Group, LLC Timeshare Cancellation Experts

Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt & fees cancelled in 2019. Get free info package & learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 833-308-1971

DIRECTV Stream - Carries the most local MLB Games! Choice Package $89.99/mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/ Choice Package or higher.) No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866859-0405

Miscellaneous

We buy houses for cash as is! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer & get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-844-8775833

Bath & shower updates in as little as 1 day! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & military discounts available. 1-877-5439189

Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-theline installation and service. Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Financing available. 1-855417-1306

HAPPENINGS

e Bear Creek Cemetery Association board of directors volunteers needed: Members needed to help with operations of the local cemetery on Highway 74, Evergreen. Contact board president, evergreenbearcreekcemetery@gmail.com

Blue Spruce Habitat volunteers needed: Blue Spruce Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers. A variety of opportunities and exible schedules are available on new construction sites as well as for exterior minor home repairs. No previous construction experience needed. Contact volunteer@bluesprucehabitat.org for in-

EChO needs volunteers: e Evergreen Christian Outreach ReSale Store and food pantry need volunteers. Proceeds from the EChO ReSale Store support the food pantry and programs and services provided by EChO. Many volunteer options available. For more information, call Mary at 720673-4369 or email mary@evergreenchristianoutreach.org.

LGBTQ+ teen book club: Resilience1220 is o ering an LGBTQ+ teen book club that meets from 4-6 p.m. the fourth Monday at the Resilience1220 o ce next to the Buchanan Park Recreation Center. For more information and to register, visit R1220.org.

ESA EverGREEN Re ll Station: Ever-

GREEN Re ll Station (re ll your laundry detergent, lotions, soaps and more. We have many sustainable products available).

e Re ll Station is open Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and the second Saturday of each month from 1-4 p.m. in the Habitat Restore, 1232 Bergen Parkway.

Support After Suicide Loss: A safe place to share and learn after losing a loved one to suicide. is group meets every fourth Wednesday of the month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. via Zoom or in person at the Resilience1220 o ce. For ages 14 and up. Suggested donation for this group is $15. Register at resilience1220.org/groups.

Sensitive Collection: Resilience1220 strives to inform and support highly sensitive people to live healthy and empowered

lives. It meets the third Wednesday of each month from 6-7 p.m. via Zoom. Register at resilience1220.org/groups

Caregiver support group: Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice o ers a monthly group to provide emotional support services for caregivers helping ill, disabled or elderly loved ones. An in-person support group meets Wednesdays from noon to 1:30 p.m. at 3081 Bergen Peak Road, Evergreen. For more information, visit mtevans.org/services/emotional-support/.

Parkinson’s disease support group: A Parkinson’s disease support group meets the rst Friday of the month from 1-3 p.m. at Evergreen Christian Church, 27772 Iris Drive, Evergreen. For more information, email esears@parkinsonrockies.org.

on the 31st day of December 2024 final settlement will be made by the County of Jefferson, State of Colorado to: HASELDEN CONSTRUCTION LLC. 6950 S POTOMAC ST ENGLEWOOD, CO 80112

hereinafter called the “Contractor”,

1.

For over 10 years, Mountain Backpacks has been sending weekly backpacks of food and grocery gift cards for winter break home with children in the Mountain Backpack Program. We are currently supporting 60 children in 11 schools and hope to make sure they all have breakfasts, lunches, and snacks for each day they are not in school. Additionally, we provide grab and go for older kids through our middle and high school pantries.

Please consider making a donation of funds or grocery gift cards to the Mountain Backpack Program.