Mutiny Information Cafe is moving to Englewood — but will remain on Broadway
The
cafe has been in its Denver location for nearly a decade
BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
After 11 years of delighting Denver with its eclectic mix of used books, rich co ee, vibrant comics, beloved records and creative events, Mutiny Information Cafe is moving “four miles up the street” to Englewood. e cherished haven for creative minds and curious souls will be open in Denver for its last day on Sept. 22. It will then relocate further south on Broadway, where its blend of atmosphere and artistry will nd a new home among various local
VOICES: 10 | CALENDAR: 14
businesses. e new space at 3483
S. Broadway formerly housed Sweet Caroline Confections.
Described as “a space for unique individuals to gather and create safely,” Mutiny is excited to bring “comics, art, words and music” to its new location, said co-owner Jim Norris. ere will be a soft opening for the new location on Sept. 25 and a grand opening on Oct. 4.
“We are really looking forward to being a part of such a beautiful and historical part of Englewood,” Norris said. “It already feels great to be part of a genuine and friendly small business community. We feel so welcomed by everyone — especially the local government.”
Mayor Othoniel Sierra said the city is thrilled to welcome Mutiny to Englewood.
“ eir move re ects the vibrant and growing community we have
here, and we’re excited to see them bring their unique blend of culture, creativity and community spirit to South Broadway,” Sierra said. “It’s an honor to be part of their next chapter, and we’re committed to supporting them as they settle into their new home.”
Co-owner Matt Megyesi, Norris’ business partner, said Mutiny has been a bookstore since the 1980s, then over the years, di erent elements such as a co ee bar were added.
After years of walking by the store at Broadway and Ellsworth Avenue and talking with the previous owner, the duo decided to purchase Mutiny for themselves in 2013.
“We bought it one day, turned the key, and the next day, we were selling books,” Megyesi said.
City on timeline to buy defunct Zuni plant
Move could settle long conversation about the future of the structure
BY MERYL PHAIR SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
e fate of the Zuni Generating Station at the intersection of Zuni Street and West 14th Avenue has been a looming question for community members in the Sun Valley and La Alma Lincoln Park neighborhoods for years. Conversations on the future use of the site have gone back and forth between Xcel Energy, the city of Denver and neighbors who envision an adaptive reuse of the now defunct steam power plant. ose conversations have been moved forward with a letter from Xcel sent to the city on July 26, giving o cials 90 days to purchase the site or waive their right of rst refusal. If the city decides to not purchase the plant, the utility company will o er the plant up in a general sale for 30 days before moving ahead with plans for demolition.
Xcel has been approved by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to demolish the steam plant and has been remediating the plant to industrial use in preparation, essentially, decontamination of the site.
“We committed to the city and community to not do any work that would impact the structure of the buildings, and so we pivoted to
Patrons browse Mutiny Information Cafe’s current and soon to be old location on Broadway in Denver. The Mutiny’s last day in Denver is Sept. 22.
PHOTO BY ELISABETH SLAY
RTD launches cadet program to train transit o cers
Program allows students to earn college credit while exploring police work
BY MONTE WHALEY MWHALEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Fulltime college students interested in becoming police o cers can get on-the-ground experience in law enforcement through a new program with the Regional Transportation District.
RTD is launching a new Transit Police – or RTD-PD – cadet program for full-time college students in the Denver metro area pursuing a criminal justice or related degree.
Police cadets will gain insights into the day-to-day work of an ocer in a transit police environment while potentially earning a threehour credit for most college programs, according to an RTD news release.
Johan Sherpa, a senior at Metro State University studying criminal justice, started as RTD-PD’s rst police candidate on July 22 and is expected to be with the agency for six months or more to complete the program, RTD said in a written statement.
An Emergency Management police cadet role is also available, and the agency is reviewing applica-
ZUNI
remediation work,” said Grace Lopez Ramirez, Xcel’s Denver area manager. “ at’s been winding down so we’re in a position now where we need to take the next step forward for the future of the property.”
Located right on the South Platte River, the 120-year-old plant once played an essential role in supplying the growing Colorado city with energy. e site was selected for demolition in 2020 by Xcel Energy with plans by the company to construct a new substation in its place.
In response, community members living in proximity to the Sun Valley site have called for an adaptive reuse of the structure that would directly bene t surrounding neighborhoods. e site would likely only be able to accommodate commercial reuse rather than residential, and ideas oated for the site have included a community hub of meeting places and o ces, or a public marketplace for local businesses and retailers, similar to other adaptive reuse projects in Denver such as the REI store adjacent to Con uence Park or e Source in RiNo.
“We feel pretty strongly that it cannot be reused,” Ramirez said. “We have been approved to remediate it to industrial level, which means any additional reuse of the property would likely mean more remediation which we are not able to do.”
tions to ll that position.
RTD Deputy Chief Steven Martingano created the program for students to learn about the agency and explore the public safety eld.
“ e program dedicates time and resources to make sure someone knows what they’re coming into when considering being an ocer,” Martingano said in the news release. “Police work is more of a calling and a passion.”
Sherpa learned about the RTD police cadet program through his uncle, who is a part of the Golden Police Department. Sherpa said he is looking forward to potentially shadowing or riding along with RTD-PD o cers on patrol and recommended anyone interested in being a police cadet to come into the role with an open mind.
“I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can and I’m glad to be here,” said Sherpa in the news release.
RTD’s cadet program provides specialized training for skills essential to pursuing a career in public safety including video investigations, integrated security, cyber security and police dispatch communications. Police cadets can get a “head start” for an o cer role, states the news release.
“If a cadet wants to join our department, they already have the con dence to come in and understanding of the work to quickly
Ramirez said Xcel has had ongoing dialogue with community groups and the city in educating stakeholders on the limitations of the utility company, the unique challenges of the site – including giant turbines in the basement that would need to be removed, considerations for the nearby RTD light rail tracks and impacts to the South Platte River.
“ ere are huge challenges in the city exercising its right to this property,” said council member Jamie Torres, whose district includes Sun Valley and the steam plant. “One is just being able to a ord it, and two, not knowing what environmental mitigation might come with restoring the building or converting that property into something more useful.”
Torres added that demolition could facilitate a historic landmark review as there are plenty of concerned community members passionate about preserving Denver’s architectural history. Earlier this year, the defunct power plant was placed on a list of Colorado’s Most Endangered Places by Colorado Preservation Inc., an organization that works to preserve at-risk historic sites.
“ ese are all things that have yet to be explored,” Torres said, “but there are plenty of community members who want a safer and cleaner neighborhood, along with adaptive reuse advocates and historic advocates who would want to see parts of the building maintained.”
Community members have already initiated their support in nd-
complete eld training,” said Martingano in the news release. Martingano is aware of the impact of a police cadet program. Without his year-and-a-half experience as a New York Police Department police cadet, “I might never have applied to be an o cer.” Martingano originally intended to pursue a degree in accounting. “It’s a job that I’m passionate about,” he added about his work as an o cer and deputy chief.
RTD is hiring two detective positions in addition to the emergency management police cadet role, according to the news release. e agency continues to add sta to reach a minimum of 96 o cers on the force by yearend. Martingano noted that a college degree is not a requirement for joining the RTD-PD police. Visit the Transit Police Careers page to apply for open roles.
ing an alternative solution and sent a letter to Mayor Mike Johnston and the Denver City Council in November 2023 that urged the city to use its right of rst refusal to take over ownership of the Zuni Steam Power Plant and help the community nd a development partner.
So far, that partner has yet to come forward but if the site goes up for a general sale, with growing interest in the development along the South Platte River corridor, Torres said, there might be some interested parties. Whether they are interested in preserving the building or in demolition is another question, she added.
For Xcel’s part, the company stressed that it is a utility, not a community developer.
“Being a good neighbor is tantamount to this neighborhood and all of the communities we serve,”
Ramirez said. “We’ve heard loud and clear that the community doesn’t want another substation or any impact to the structure. We committed to that, and we continue to commit to that, but how much more time do we spend in the community?”
As the clock ticks on the days left for the city to decide, Torres said there is still opportunity for further conversations. Due to a mayoral transition during the ongoing talks, Johnston has not yet made any public statement about what the city plans to do next.
“I hope that we can start to answer the question about the city’s role in that conversation coming forward,” Torres said. “ e visible recognition of the story of Denver and the role that generating station played in the development of our city would be a shame to lose.”
The Zuni Generating Station is bordered by the South Platte River and RTD light rail tracks.
PHOTO BY MERYL PHAIR
Johan Sherpa, a senior at Metro State University, is RTD’s first Transit Police cadet.
PHOTO COURTESY
With the Market Shifting in Buyers’ Favor, Selecting the Right Listing Agent Is Key
Last week, I wrote about what skills and knowledge you should expect your real estate agent to possess. This week, with the shift from a seller’s market to a buyer’s market, I want to write about the importance of selecting the right listing agent.
You’ll probably want to know their level of experience, competence and success in selling homes similar to your own, hopefully within your city or neighborhood.
agents to list their homes? Many, I suspect are friends and family every agent’s biggest “competitor.”
Like you, I monitor the real estate activity where I live. The best way to do that is to ask an MLS member like my broker associates or me to set up a “neighborhood alert,” whereby you receive an automated email from the MLS whenever a home in your area is either coming soon, newly active, price reduced, newly under contract, newly sold, or even newly withdrawn or expired without selling. Send an email to info@GoldenRealEstate.com and I’ll make sure the most appropriate broker associate (or me) responds to set up an alert like that for you.
In my own neighborhood, I’m always astonished how many homes are listed by agents I’ve never heard of. As I write, there are 36 active or coming soon listings within 2 miles of my home, represented by 33 different agents from 27 different brokerages! No agent has more than two listings. And despite practicing real estate here for 22 years, I only recognize the names of 10 of them. This is typical of every city. Where did the sellers find all those different
In some cases, the seller had already gone under contract for their replacement home elsewhere and was convinced by the listing agent of that home to list their current home. If that agent is on the other side of the metro area, that is not the best decision, because that agent will be unfamiliar with your neighborhood, lives far away, and is unable to show the home on short notice, answer questions from buyers, or keep your brochure box well stocked.
Every homeowner, it seems, gets letters or finds a note taped to their door from a broker claiming to have a buyer for their home. That tactic may earn him or her an interview in your home, but I’d bet dollars to donuts that the broker then says, “That buyer found another home, but I’m sure I can find you another buyer if you list with me. Sign here.”
Let’s say, however, that you want to interview listing agents and make a rational hiring decision. Good idea! Let me suggest some questions you might want to ask, some of which might not be obvious or that you know you could ask.
First, however, you need to choose the agents to interview. I suggest basing your search on their location and experience in your neighborhood or city. Second, study their active/sold listings to see (1) their geographic distribution and (2) how well their listings are presented on the MLS.
Since this column is printed in 24
Kim Taylor’s New Listing in Cedaredge
What an ideal location for your new home!
$598,000
This oasis at 24051 Parkwood Lane sits on 2.29 acres at the end of the road, adjacent to farmland, with great views of the San Juan Mountains and the Grand Mesa and it is just minutes from downtown Cedaredge. The 2,352-sq.-ft. home with 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, an additional den/office, attached 2-car garage and beautiful wrap-around deck is just the beginning! Outbuildings include a 60’x24’ metal equipment and RV storage building, a 20’x10’ workshop with 120 and 220 volt electric, a 16’x10’ storage shed, a 24’x17’ tractor barn, a chicken coop, and a fenced backyard for your pets. This home was strategically designed to take advantage of passive solar with floor to ceiling windows across the south wall of the living/dining area. A truly amazing place! Come take a look for yourself. If you are new to Cedaredge, it is a very welcoming community with lots to do. Check out Pioneer Town, the Grand Mesa Arts & Events Center and the Grand Mesa itself, just 10-20 minutes up the road for outdoor recreationatitsbest.TheGunnisonRiverisjust15minutesdowntheroadforfishing and boating. All in all, it’s a great place to live! Find more details and lots of pictures at www.CedaredgeHome.info, then call Kim Taylor at 303-304-6678 to request a private showing.
weekly newspapers around the metro area, my broker associates and I may not be the best choice based on that first question, but, with my access to the MLS, I can identify the best candidates to interview. Full disclosure: that costs you nothing, but I will get a referral fee if you choose an agent I recommend.
You can also do this on your own by visiting www.Nestfully.com, the consumer-facing website of Denver’s MLS, where you can search for active listings in your area. Click on one or more of them to see how well the listing agent described the home on the MLS. Did they list all the rooms, not just bedrooms and bathrooms, and did they provide dimensions and descriptions of each, or just enter the mandatory fields?
Always keep in mind that the best indicator of how a listing agent will serve you is how they have served previous sellers.
Looking at those listings will answer the most important questions which you’d ask in person, but you won’t have to take their word the truth is there in front of you. You’ll learn, for example, whether they did point-and-shoot pictures or had a professional photographer shoot magazine quality photographs, and whether they created a narrated video tour or just a slide show with music.
Having chosen who to interview that way, ask these questions of those you invite into your home for an interview:
What commission percentage do you charge? Keep in mind, there is no standard commission. It’s totally negotiable, and the industry average is in the mid -5’s, not 6%. It used to be that that commission included the co-op commission paid to a buyer’s broker. As I explained in a previous column (which you can read at JimSmithColumns.com), that has been reworked so that the seller offers whatever buyer agent compensation he or she wants, and that amount, if paid, is deducted from the listing com-
mission same net effect, just reworked to comply with the NAR Settlement prohibiting shared listing commissions.
See whether the agent volunteers that they reduce their commission when the seller doesn’t have to pay the offered compensation to a buyer’s agent. That’s standard with my broker associates and me. If you have to ask for that provision, consider it a red flag. They hoped you wouldn’t ask.
Ask the agent whether he or she will discount their commission if you hire them to represent you in the purchase of your replacement home. That, too, is standard with my broker associates and me.
Hopefully the brokers you interview will have researched the market and will make a well-supported recommendation of listing price. Beware of agents who inflate their suggested listing price so you will list with them.
When setting the appointment, ask the agent to bring a spreadsheet of their sold listings with dates, days on market, listing price and sold price. They can produce that spreadsheet quickly on the MLS. (If they don’t know how, that’s a big red flag!) Here’s an example (mine):
That’s to show you what it looks like. If you want to read it, it is bigger at http://RealEstateToday.substack.com
Bumper crop of ‘hoppers plagues state
Colorado is experiencing one of its worst grasshopper infestations in recent history
BY JENNIFER BROWN THE COLORADO SUN
It was as if Doug Bay’s wish had come true, the day the doves landed.
Bay, who grows alfalfa and a bit of corn and sorghum in Otero County, had been eyeing the 3 acres of fresh green shoots for days, worrying they were about to be destroyed by the swarms of crop-munching grasshoppers that were bouncing all over his farm.
He was holding out hope that he wouldn’t have to spray pesticide to save his alfalfa crop from the destructive insects, which are vexing farmers and gardeners from Denver to the plains this summer. Bay almost called the local crop duster, but he put it o .
en came the doves. About 200 of the tan birds swooped down from the sky and feasted on the grasshoppers, demolishing pretty much the whole lot.
“It was kinda neat,” recalled Bay, whose family has been farming in Cheraw since 1950. “A couple hundred of them, eating those grasshoppers. ey must have told their friends this was a good place to eat.” For farmers, the best way to deal with grasshoppers is to let birds handle it. But this year, when the grasshopper infestation is one of the worst in recent history, farmers can’t rely on just the birds. e bounty of grasshoppers is on par with last summer’s Mormon cricket invasion on the Western Slope.
Bay said he had to hire the crop duster to spray his other, larger eld of alfalfa, costing him about $15 for each of the 120 acres. He’s also got 15 chickens that spend their days pecking his yard and keeping the grasshoppers at a more manageable level, at least near his house.
Scientists say the grasshoppers are having a banner year in Colorado because the conditions for hatching eggs and growing big insects were ideal. Grasshoppers lay their eggs in dirt, and the pods or “egg beds” remain underground through the winter. e eggs hatch in the spring, and the tiny “nymphs” crawl out of the ground in search of food, according to Colorado State University’s extension services.
If weather conditions are good, and there is plenty to eat, grasshoppers grow for several weeks until they reach adult size — and this summer they are quite large. e insects likely hatched earlier this year because of a mild, warmer spring, and then did not face the kind of cold, wet weather that can kill o newly hatched grasshoppers.
In Denver, gardeners are reporting extra-large grasshoppers and in extra large numbers, popping around yards and chewing holes in the leaves of their lettuce and tomato plants. On the Eastern Plains, their destruction has been spotty — some
farms are having to spray pesticides or losing yields to the bugs, while others have had few issues.
For gardeners, experts suggest adding some plants that repel grasshoppers — garlic or chives — or using garlic to make a natural spray. Another idea is to cover the garden with netting to keep the insects from jumping into it. Get some chickens. Or put up a bird feeder.
While grasshopper eggs are more likely to survive the winter in dry soil, undisturbed by tillage or irrigation, the insects often live longer and grow bigger in irrigated land where there is plenty of foliage.
Farmers, including Bay in Otero County, are on their third out of four cuts of alfalfa for the season, and still keeping an eye on the grasshoppers. Alfalfa is most vulnerable to grasshoppers when it’s just beginning to grow and “they can mow it right down,” Bay said. When the plants are taller, grasshoppers can’t destroy it but can decrease its yield, he said.
At Bay’s son-in-law’s ranch, in the southeastern corner of the state,
the grasshoppers hatched early and died o when they were small because there wasn’t enough moisture for them to survive. But Bay has had to deal with two grasshopper hatches, and the second one produced especially big grasshoppers. He and others were forced to spray, he said, and Bay hired a pilot because the alfalfa was too thick to drive a sprayer through it. “Once you spray them, it pretty well kills them,” he said. “You have to watch it real close — you can spray one batch and another batch could hatch.”
Farmers also can scatter an insecticide called EcoBran, which grasshoppers will eat and die. en other grasshoppers, which are cannibals, will eat the dead grasshoppers and die, too. But this is “hit or miss,” Bay said, because if the grasshoppers have other things to eat — say, alfalfa or lettuce — they likely won’t eat the wheat bran laced with the chemical carbaryl, which is toxic to insects.
On July 1, a grasshopper sits atop the Clear Creek trail’s handrail underneath the U.S. Highway 6 bridge.
PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN
Ranking the top 5 snacks to take on a hike
How many times have you woken up for a hike — perhaps after a long night — with less time to prepare than you thought? You had it all gured out: you were going give yourself time to wake up slow, have a co ee, make a sandwich and head o on a new Front Range mountain adventure. e only problem is you overslept, your friend is already on the way and now you don’t have time.
REPORTER COLUMN
To get you through the next few hours, you’ll likely need a snack; either on the car ride there, at the peak of the mountain or waiting on you when you complete your round trip.
As an avid weekend hiker, I’ve
HOPPERS
Ranchers have little recourse, since their grazing land is so vast. eir cattle just get less to eat when grasshoppers are rampant. It’s just all part of the season for farmers and ranchers, Bay said. “I gamble every day,” he said. “You gamble with the weather. You gamble with the bugs. So I don’t much like to go to Cripple Creek.”
On the bright side for hunters: e doves are thick this year thanks to grasshopper abundance, and dove hunting season starts this month. Bay is optimistic lately,
compiled a list of what I believe to be the best ve hiking snacks. Each can be found either in your home or at a gas station or market on your way to the hike. is list is clearly subjective, like all snack-based conversations, but check it out below and see how my favorites stack up with yours.
5. Granola and/or trail mix is classic was sure to make the
as he nishes the latest cut of alfalfa and moves on to cutting the sorghum, that the grasshoppers will run out of things to eat and fade out. e Arkansas River, which supplies his irrigation water, is getting low now at the end of summer. And it hasn’t rained much lately on the plains.
Bay will also keep hoping for black birds or more doves, the “most awesome” natural control for insects.
“But you can’t order a ock of birds to come in,” he said. “It’s a luck thing.” is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.
list, even if I feel it’s a bit boring. But trail mix and granola will hold you over and provide a mixed bag of sweet and salty bites to keep you going on the trail.
I lean more toward the granola side (just give me chocolate or peanut butter), but trail mix is a fan favorite and was created for outdoor adventures. It might not be the most lling item on the list, but if you’re just trying to hold on until the posthike meal, granola and trail mix will get you there.
4. Fruit of choice
Perhaps the most refreshing option on the list, fruit can give you sustenance and cool you o on your as-
cent. Whether you go with a banana to help ward o potential cramps or an apple for the water it contains, this healthy option makes you feel even better about getting up and at it.
An underrated hiking fruit is cubed watermelon; you don’t have to carry a peel or core back to the car (leave no trace!) and the juiciness of it is like another beverage on your journey. Dried fruits are also nifty, but aren’t as rewarding or refreshing, in this writer’s opinion.
What’s your favorite fruit to take on a hike? You can’t go wrong.
John Renfrow
SEE RENFROW, P7
Two grasshoppers navigate through insect-damaged leaves of a lilac bush on Aug. 29.
PHOTO BY DANA COFFIELD THE COLORADO SUN
Check it Out: Two great reads for children
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
BY QUETZALLI CORTEZ
Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month. To celebrate, I’d like to share some of my favorite books that celebrate Hispanic culture.
“Juana and Lucas” by Meg Medina
Juana is a Colombian girl forced to take on her greatest challenge yet –she must learn English. Convinced that this will be no fun, she asks everyone to give her one good reason to learn English. After several disappointing answers, Juana’s abuelo nally gives her a good reason to learn English – to go to Spaceland in Florida and meet her idol, Astroman. With this tantalizing incentive, Juana is determined to learn English.
“Juana & Lucas” is a funny, lighthearted, quick read. Author Meg Medina perfectly captures the voice of a young girl tackling a new challenge. Large, childlike illustrations and bold text make this a great book for kids who are starting to transition from easy readers but aren’t quite ready for longer chapter books. Spanish words are used throughout the text with enough context clues to help English readers understand what they mean. Kids who are trying to learn a new language will
CHECK IT OUT
relate to Juana and her struggles to learn English.
Quetzalli Cortez
“Juana & Lucas” was a Pura Belpré Children’s Author Award winner in 2017 and is best for children ages 6 to 10.
“The Piñata that the Farm Maiden Hung” by Samantha Vamos
What begins with a boy playing in the mud quickly becomes more as a horse, goose, cat and sheep help him make a piñata. After the piñata is ready and all set up, the birthday girl arrives and hits the piñata, releasing all the goodies inside.
Inspired by the nursery rhyme “ is is the House at Jack Built,” Vamos’ story follows a family and its animal friends as they throw a surprise party for the birthday girl. Rhyming text is enhanced by the use of simple Spanish words like ‘gato’ and ‘niño’ that slowly build to more complex words like ‘ganso’ and ‘oveja’ as more animals join the story.
Bright, colorful, dynamic illustrations help set the lighthearted and playful tone for the book. Back pages include instructions on how to make your own piñata, along with a glossary of Spanish words.
“ e Piñata that the Farm Maiden Hung” is great for children ages 3 to 6.
Check out these and other His-
panic Heritage Month books at a Denver Public Library branch near you.
Join us at the Decker branch on Sept. 28 from 11 to noon for our Alebrije Magnets craft program for adults and on Oct. 11 from 10:30 to
11 a.m. for a Worry Dolls craft program for kids. Learn more at denlib. org/decker.
Quetzalli Cortez is a librarian at the Decker Branch Library. She loves reading, cooking and exploring parks with her dog.
Check it Out:
‘How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water’ by Angie Cruz
Mid-September marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month and one great way to celebrate is to read some Hispanic literature.
Angie Cruz’s novel, “How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water” follows the story of Cara Romero, a 56-yearold Dominican immigrant in New York City who lost her job during the Great Recession of 2008.
Romero has signed up for a workforce program for older adults in order to obtain unemployment bene ts and nd a new job. e program requires her to meet with a career counselor for twelve sessions that are intended to teach various job skills such as how to create a resume and how to ace an interview. e sessions inevitably expand beyond the boundaries of simple career counseling to reveal rich narratives from Romero’s past. e reader is swept along in the current of her story, written as a conversation from Romero’s perspective with her counselor. Interspersed is “paperwork” from her workforce program pro le.
Over the course of the twelve sessions, we learn about Romero’s history growing up in the Dominican Republic, the fragile relationships she has with her sister and her son and the deep friendships she has cultivated with other women in her apartment building.
“How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water” highlights the poignant diculties of being an immigrant in the U.S. while also touching on other topics like nancial struggle, abuse, grief and identity.
brary’s Personalized Reading List service at denverlibrary.org/reads and a librarian will email you some suggestions. e Central branch will fully reopen to the public in November. Visit denverlibrary.org/explore-central to see what’s in store.
Ashley Love is a librarian at Denver Public Library’s Central branch. She spends her free time gardening, hiking and reading long fantasy books.
LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com
MICHAEL DE YOANNA Editor-in-Chief michael@coloradocommunitymedia.com
e innovative conversational style utilized by Cruz to convey Romero’s story made for some delightfully funny reading amidst rather painful moments. Cara Romero and her antics will have you laughing and crying in this novel that is full of humor, sorrow and ultimately an abundance of hope.
3. Jerky (beef or vegan) e only savory option on the list, jerky gives you a protein boost and makes you feel like a real outdoorsman while you blaze Colorado’s mountain trails. is is the perfect option to stop and gather your strength before you tackle the nal stretch of your hike.
Plus, vegan jerky is severely underrated (try Louisville Vegan Jerky Co. Even meat-eaters won’t be disappointed).
But jerky can be expensive. Grab a beef stick or a Slim Jim to save money and still get some protein in.
2. Gummy candy
Full disclosure: this is a weird
“How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water” can be found at your closest Denver Public Library location or as
one. My buddy once brought gummy bears on a hike and I couldn’t believe how rewarding they were to eat at the summit. Now, gummy bears or worms accompany me on all my weekend outings. is is purely a guilty pleasure treat for yourself. I know gummy candy doesn’t give you energy, protein or the health bene ts of fruit, but once you conquer a di cult hike, they are such a sweet treat. Or sour, if you’re into that.
Just make sure you don’t grab the wrong gummies from the fridge on your way out the door!
1. Clif Bars/protein bars/breakfast bars e undisputed No. 1 of the list: nothing lls you up like a Clif Bar (shout-out to chocolate chip, peanut butter banana and blueberry almond crisp avors).
I don’t know how they do it, but it
an eBook at denverlibrary.org. Already read it? Check out these readalikes: “Family Lore” by Elizabeth Acevedo or “Olga Dies Dreaming” by Xóchitl González.
Interested in more Hispanic literature? Try out Denver Public Li-
reminds me of the “lembas bread” given to the hobbits in the rst “Lord of the Rings.” One bite was supposed to be enough to ll the belly of a grown man. Every time I eat a Clif Bar, I’m shocked at how well it subdues my hunger.
But if you prefer others, there’s no shortage of solid options protein bar-wise. Honey Stinger Wa es are delicious and give you a boost of energy. Nutri-Grain bars never fail to disappoint if you can keep them in one piece. But protein bars are tailor-made for hiking and more outdoor adventures, so you can’t go wrong.
Honorable mention: Peanut butter-stu ed pretzel nuggets –self-explanatory
Did I leave o your favorite hiking snack? Email jrenfrow@coloradocommunitymedia.com and tell me where I got it wrong.
Columnists & Guest Commentaries Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Independent. We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone. Email letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com Deadline
Tues. for the following week’s paper.
Is South Broadway moving into Englewood?
Fancy Tiger is the latest Baker business to move a few miles down and across city lines on Broadway
BY KEVIN BEATY DENVERITE
e employee-owners of the Fancy Tiger Crafts Co-op were hoping to stay in Denver when it became clear they needed to leave the space on South Broadway that housed their yarn, needles and classes for almost two decades.
at didn’t happen — their rent in Baker doubled, so they needed to leave.
But they did end up happy with where they landed.
It turned out that their new block, further down Broadway in the heart of Englewood, was a refuge for other businesses eeing high overhead.
“When we found this space, we were like, ‘Well, it’s just outside of Denver. It’s downtown Englewood. It’s three or four miles south, whatever,’” recalled Marta Johnson, one of those co-owners. “We’re still on Broadway.”
ey’re not the only ones making the move.
Mutiny Information Cafe recently announced they plan to relocate down the block from Fancy Tiger’s new location, thanks to rising rent. Treelotta Fabrics & Craft Supplies made a similar move a few years ago.
Fellow Traveler, which opened in the area in 2022, was opened by a longtime bartender at Sputnik. ere’s a growing center of gravity
MUTINY
Megyesi explained they decided to relocate Mutiny due to the expiration of their lease and an increase in rent.
in Englewood. Is it a bad omen for Denver’s piece of South Broadway?
Back in 2020, we canvassed businesses on Fancy Tiger’s old block in Baker to see how everyone was doing during the COVID era. Complaints about landlords and high rent abounded.
Erika Righter, owner of the Hope Tank gift shop, told us then that she worried all of these small businesses were in danger.
Hope Tank was eventually forced from the neighborhood. So was the nearby Sol Tribe tattoo shop, albeit more recently, a few years after the murder of founder Alicia Cardenas destabilized the business. Barry’s on Broadway, a longtime watering hole next door, also closed due to tricky nances.
Meanwhile, visible poverty has become a point of con ict in the corridor over the last few years.
Johnson said she and her Fancy Tiger co-owners have no beef with their old landlord. ey get it, Denver is more expensive than ever.
And it’s helped that they found a budding business community in Englewood.
“Yeah, being not in Denver isn’t a huge deal,” she said.
But Denver City Council member Flor Alvidrez, who presides over the district, said these relocations are “concerning.” ere’s a certain “character” that’s lost when a small business leaves, she told us, especially because she worries only well- nanced tenants will be able to a ord to replace them.
“Businesses close and open. at’s a part of time. But what scares me is that the ability for someone that’s not wealthy to start a business is going down,” she said.
SEE BROADWAY, P9
“Jim and I had gone down to Englewood a couple of times, but I had gone down there one day and heard of a place called Fellow Traveler,” Megyesi said.
Fellow Traveler is a vegan restaurant located at 3487 S. Broadway.
After talking with the owner of Fellow Traveler, Megyesi discov-
Be prepared before the next power outage.
Receive a free 5-year warranty with qualifying purchase* - valued at $535.
Call 866-977-2602 to schedule your free quote!
ered there was a space available next door.
“Went in there and immediately fell in love with the place,” Megyesi said. “It had all the things we’re missing here: air conditioning, heating, good lighting, brand-new hardwood oors.”
Once he discovered the price was right, Megyesi and Norris decided to move into the space and felt like it was a good t.
“We feel that Englewood has been very warm in the reception for us,” Megyesi said.
e duo introduced themselves to the Englewood community at the annual Block Party on Aug. 24, and Megyesi said many people came by and expressed their excitement for Mutiny’s arrival.
At the new location, Norris said Mutiny will be more focused on comics, co ee and community rather than used books.
“We are not going to carry most used books,” Norris said. “ ere is a great used bookstore only a couple doors down. We are also going to continue hosting events like Punketry-poets with a band, chess clubs, magician open mics, comedy open mics, our monthly Cypher and small local bands.”
Despite some changes to the
aesthetic and the layout of the store, Megyesi said Mutiny will still maintain its “punk rock vibe” and he doesn’t see it changing too much.
Norris and Megyesi said there have been mixed responses from people in the Denver community who frequent their shop.
“ ey’re sad about that but they understand we need to move ... Englewood, especially downtown Englewood, is just up the street,” Megyesi said. “It’s only four miles away.”
Norris added that many people seem happy for the upcoming bene ts the new space will bring to Mutiny.
“Most everyone we’ve talked to are very excited for our move,” Norris said. “Free parking, lower sales tax and a safer place to bring your family are all reasons.”
Going forward, Norris and Megyesi are hopeful the new location will be successful and that they will be happy.
“We get to be around the greatest people and we get to raise our families with them. We are truly lucky,” Norris said.
For more information on Mutiny Information Cafe, visit www. mutinybooks.com.
Inside Fellow Traveler in Englewood. Aug. 17, 2024. PHOTOS BY KEVIN J. BEATY
Fancy Tiger Crafts Co-op’s new location in Englewood. Aug. 17, 2024.
BROADWAY
“New businesses will come, but will they be snazzy investors or will they be a local person that’s just opening their dream?”
ose super-local ventures may yet survive in Denver, but it might take some creative thinking.
Joe Phillips is the ex-Sputnik bartender who opened Fellow Traveler in Englewood a few years ago. But he’s not nished with his old employer. is week, he inked the nal paperwork to buy Sputnik from his old bosses.
He’s encouraged to see Englewood’s main street growing — it’s a good sign for Fellow Traveler. But he’s not sold on the idea that those good tidings have come at Denver’s expense. Broadway may be in ux, but it’s not nished.
“I’ve been going to South Broadway for over 20 years, and I’ve seen the changes. When Punch Bowl [Social] opened up, we all thought it was the end of the world and we were like, ‘Well, South Broadway is over now, it’s just going to be the bros and the Chads and all that shit.’ But it survived and it found a new era,” he told us. “I’m doubling down on that side of Broadway.”
Alvidrez told us there is assistance available for local proprietors, mini-grants for micro-businesses and federal money issued by the state. At the city level, she said she’s working to make it easier for businesses to expand into parking lots, as they did during the pandemic, so they might squeeze more cash out of xed open hours.
But she admitted that City Council can’t control the whole economy. She said small local enterprises might need to share space on corridors like Broadway to a ord the rent, or try to diversify their o erings.
“A good example of that, I think, is Molecule E ect, where they are a bar at night, but they’re a co ee shop during the day. You can only make so much money on co ee,” she said. “We do have to evolve. And that does mean nding other parts to cut your costs.”
Meanwhile, Englewood has mostly welcomed these economic refugees to their downtown.
Nick Perry purchased Edward’s
Tobacco Shop, a few doors down from Fancy Tiger’s new spot, and its building about four years ago. All of this new interest, he said, is a good sign.
“You can de nitely see that this neighborhood’s on the upswing. It kind of feels like maybe this could become the next Tennyson, or that kind of shopping district. If you go around the neighborhoods, you’ll see it’s being gentri ed, a lot of scrapes, a lot of new builds,” he told us.
“ ere’s a big push from the city, and there’s a downtown development committee, that are really starting to put a lot of resources into this area.”
While we didn’t get a hold of anyone with the city of Englewood for this story, everyone we spoke to in their downtown Broadway corridor said they were happy with the ways local government was supporting their ventures.
Johnson said she’s met most of her new neighbors, many of whom were excited to connect. She’s hopeful they’ll gel into a support network as they get their footing. (Fancy Tiger is still relying on a crowdfunding campaign to cover their moving costs.)
Phillips said he’s looking forward to Mutiny moving in next door. eir exit from Baker will probably impact Sputnik’s business, but it will be a boon for Fellow Traveler.
He views all of these moves, he added, as more of an “expansion” of Broadway rather than a death knell. But Englewood, he added, will need a ordable housing, and a lot of it, to really reach economic viability.
“I’m excited about the changes going on here. My one fear is, even if every storefront in downtown Englewood was the coolest place, it’s not going to change the availability of housing in this area,” he said. “ e density in this area is not built to handle a real vibrant downtown community.”
Wes Champion, who’s owned retail shops here long enough to remember when the old Cinderella City Mall made this one of the busiest business areas in the metro, said that additional housing development is probably inevitable. He just suspects it will have to wait until the Federal Reserve lowers interest rates.
“ is is going to all turn into small retail stores with housing,” Champion said. “It’s just a matter of time.”
Real estate in Englewood, in turn, may heat up like it did in Denver.
But Perry said he’s not worried about all this new demand making it more expensive to exist there.
“We’re years and years away from it becoming like what they’re es-
caping in Denver,” he told us.
“We’re a long ways from that.” is story is from Denverite, a nonpro t Denver news source a liated with CPR News. Used by permission. For more, and to support Denverite, visit denverite.com.
SCAN NOW
VIEW JOBS
Broadway runs through downtown Englewood. Aug. 17, 2024.
Fellow Traveler owner Joe Phillips in his Englewood bar. Aug. 17, 2024.
Fancy Tiger Crafts Co-op co-owner Marta Johnson stands in the business’ new location in Englewood. Aug. 17, 2024. PHOTOS BY KEVIN J. BEATY
Power of a di erent kind of fantasy
Ah, the start of another Fantasy Football season is upon us, and there’s a buzz in the air! It’s that magical time when we, the managers of our own imaginary franchises, gather to draft the ultimate all-star teams. We pore over stats, analyze player projections, and argue the merits of sleeper picks. It’s all part of the thrill of building our dream lineup, lled with the most procient players at each position. And with a little bit of luck and a favorable draft order, we might even snag some of our favorite players from our favorite teams.
e joy of Fantasy Football lies in the game’s simplicity and connection to the action on the eld. Players earn points in so many ways: rushing and receiving yardage, touchdowns, eld goals, extra points, interceptions and more. We tally up our points each week and compare them against other teams in our league. It’s pure, exhilarat-
ing math: e team with the most points wins. But what if we could take that same excitement and apply it to something beyond football? What if we created a di erent kind of “Fantasy” league?
Imagine a league where we each choose 12 people, not based on athletic prowess, but on how they contribute to making the world better. ese allstars earn points not for touchdowns or rushing yards but for acts of kindness, compassion, bravery, and positivity. Points are awarded whenever they lift someone up, provide a helping hand, or spread joy. Simple acts, like giving hope to someone feeling lost, o ering a listening ear to a friend, or showing unconditional love and forgiveness, would score big in this league.
September could be turning point
This could be a pivotal month for our economy. Will the rst interest rate cut since the COVID-19 pandemic be announced this month?¹ Turning to October, what will third-quarter earnings look like? What about projections for the last quarter of the year? Whatever happens in the next few weeks may paint the picture for the history books for all of 2024.
Investors may be wondering how to navigate all the economic news that is likely to ood our eyes and ears in the coming months. Oh, and don’t forget, there is also an election.
We may have forgotten that many thought the rst interest rate increase in March 2022 after the pandemic would throw the economy into recession. Remember that the 10 rate hikes that followed were designed to curb in ation, much of which was caused by clogged supply chains and other shortages that sent prices up. Headlines over the last two and a half years have often been about a “soft landing.” In other words, could the Federal Reserve pull o interest rate hikes without dampening economic growth to the point of recession? Well, so far we have made it all the way through the interest rate hiking cycle with no recession. Now Fed Chairman Jerome Powell is talking about beginning to lower interest rates now that in ation is under control. He may also see indications that the housing market and the job market have cooled o a bit.
I caution investors to be prepared for stock market volatility when
Like in Fantasy Football, we would track these points throughout the season. We could celebrate those who drop o food for a needy family, pick up litter from the sidewalk without hesitation, or smile at a stranger. ese are the gamechangers of life, the people who make our communities better and our world brighter. e beauty of this “Better than Good Life Fantasy League” is that it would remind us of the real champions among us, the everyday heroes who often go unnoticed but whose actions make a profound impact. Picture the draft: Who would be your rst-round pick? Would it be the neighbor who always volunteers at the local food bank or the friend who never fails to o er a shoulder to cry on? And here’s a humbling thought: Would someone else draft you into their top 12?
In the end, like in Fantasy Football, it’s all about building the best team. But in this league, the stakes
are much higher, and the rewards far greater. It’s about celebrating the best in all of us and striving to improve daily.
Yes, there is much to do in this world, and sometimes, it can feel overwhelming. is could leave us questioning what impact our small gestures and actions can actually have on this world. As Jana Stan eld sings in her song “All the Good,” “I cannot do all the good that the world needs, but the world needs all the good I can do,” we need all the good that we all can do. I would love to hear what that means to you at gotonorton@gmail.com. When we can all do just a little bit more, it really will be a better-than-good life.
Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.
FINANCIAL STRATEGIES
rates do start to go back down, even though we should think that would fuel the economy in a positive way. e reverse psychology that often plagues the stock market could be based on the theory that if we need to cut rates, the economy must be worse o than we think.
Do not base long-term decisions on the mindset of less-educated investors or try to follow the herd. You and your advisor can rise above the noise and look at the fundamentals to make a good strategy going forward.
Fixed income investors who have been enjoying nicer interest rates recently will also be in for a change as interest rates decline. While your income may be reduced, it is most likely that your bond values will increase. Work with your advisor in determining what term is best for you during this pivot on rates by the Fed. ere may be a good reason why the 10-year Treasury is paying less than a two-year bond. is is giving us a peek into the future of where rates are expected to be. So, beware when you try to reinvest that shorter-term bond in two years. You need patience with both the equity and the xed income side of your portfolio during these exciting times.
1. Forbes: Federal Funds rate history
Patricia Kummer is managing director for Mariner Wealth Advisors.
Town Hall Arts Center starts new season with ‘Jersey Boys’ COMING ATTRACTIONS
Music is such a fast-moving artform, always celebrating the new thing, that it can be easy to forget that musical history is built on the artists and genres that came before.
So, that means that while many young people don’t know it today, Frankie Valli and e Four Seasons had hits. And those hits mattered when they were being made and they still matter now. e stories behind songs like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” and “Can’t Take My Eyes O of You,” are explored on Littleton Town Hall Arts Center’s stage by the musical “Jersey Boys.”
“I want to get audiences as close to the story as possible,” said director Matthew Dailey. “ e bene t of a space like Town Hall is you can put the audience right there in the booth with the musicians and make them part of this incredible rags to riches story.”
“Jersey Boys” runs at the theater, 2450 Main St., through Sunday, Oct. 6. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. ursday through Friday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Told in a docu-musical format, the show follows Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Nick Massi and Tommy DeVito as they make their way from New Jersey to the peak of the music world. Each band member gets the opportunity to tell their side of the story, providing a window into what it takes to make it as a musician.
e show is one Dailey, a Colorado native, is very familiar with — he played DeVito in the Broadway National Tour for three years and as such, understands just how to tell the story.
Clarke Reader
“It’s really a show about sound. It’s about four guys struggling to nd their sound and what they’re willing to sacri ce to hold onto the sound when nd it,” he said. “ e group we’ve put together is great and it’s an almost out-ofbody experience to work on a show I’m so close to.”
While the songs that made Franki Valli and e Four Seasons superstars may be decades old, that doesn’t lessen the impact of their story, nor does it mean that “Jersey Boys” will only appeal to older audiences. e show has everything, from a history of pop music and dancing to great characters and elements of a mob story.
“Younger people know this music, even if they don’t know they know it,” Dailey said. “It’s a real experience that will give younger people an appreciation of a time gone by, and for older generations, it’s an opportunity to sit back and analyze the soundtrack of their life.”
Information and tickets are available at https://townhallartscenter. org/event/jersey-boys/.
High West Oyster Fest returns to Jax Fish House Colorado might be the last place you’d think of to hold an oyster festival, but Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar has been hosting the High West Oyster Fest for years.
Arvada Center’s 2024-25 season opens with ‘Waitress’
Musical
brings a slice of life — and pie — to Arvada
BY LILLIAN FUGLEI
SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Mix sugar, butter, our, 35 fake pies, a live band and one diner-inspired set. Combine with an all-female creative team, sprinkle in the music of Sara Bareilles. e result: Arvada Center’s “Waitress.”
“Waitress” — a musical based on a lm of the same name — follows Jenna, an expert pie maker and waitress in her small-town diner. When Jenna is faced with an unexpected pregnancy while trapped in a rocky marriage, she turns to her fellow waitresses — and a handsome doctor — for help.
e Arvada Center kicked o its 2024-25 season on Aug. 30 with the pie- lled musical, which runs through Oct. 13 at the venue, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. in Arvada. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, as well as at 1 p.m. on Wednesday and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
“It’s the story of a woman trying to nd her true self, using her arch, which is baking, to try to unlock her life and nd her way,” Director Lynne Collins said. “It’s very much a story about friendship, especially female friendship, and how women help and support each other in their lives.”
e show — which features a book by Jessie Nelson, and music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles — has always been steeped in telling women’s stories. However, the Arvada Center’s production takes it one step further with an all-female creative team.
“It’s great to have an all-female creative team,” Collins said. “When you direct a musical, it’s a real collaboration with your musical director and your choreographer. And in
READER
is year’s festival, which is held at Town Hall, 1535 Spruce St. in Boulder, on ursday, Sept. 19, marks the restaurant’s 30th anniversary and will support local charity ere With Care. e festival includes unlimited oysters, curated beverage stations, live oyster shucking and eating competitions, live music and entertainment and more.
Find all the details at https:// www.jax shhouse.com/hwof/.
JAAMM Festival hosts Ari Melber e Neustadt Jewish Arts, Authors, Movies and Music Festival (JAAMM Festival) at the Mizel Arts and Culture Center, 350 S. Dahlia St. in Denver, kicked o on Sept. 2 and is bringing all kinds of fascinating events to the metro area throughout the fall.
One of the most exciting is also the perfect pair for the autumn of an election year: MSNBC journalist and author Ari Melber will be at the center at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14. Melber is an Emmy-winning journalist, news anchor, writer and attorney and will be discussing the election, current events and more.
Find information on the whole festival and tickets for Melber athttps://www.jccdenver.org/arts-culture/festivals/jaamm-festival/.
Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Kacey Musgraves at Fiddler’s Green ere’s a lot to love about Kacey Musgraves, beyond just her stunning discography. ere’s her sense of humor (check her social media for that), her willingness to go against the grain of country music and embrace diversity and the LGBTQ+ community, and her ability to add ourishes of other genres to country. Her latest album, this year’s’ “Deeper Well,” is lovely and
the case of this show, it’s a team of three women, which is correct for
“Waitress” tells Jenna’s story through what she knows best — pie. Many scenes feature Jenna concocting a new pie as she describes her problems to the audience, pouring ingredients into the bowl and whisking it together on stage. Of course, since real food doesn’t have a place on stage, it was up to the props department to create some
“ ere are tons of di erent kinds of batters and liquids and eggs and our and sugar that we had to gure out with the show,” said Director of Scenic Design and Properties Brian Mallgrave. “None of it’s actually the real stu , because food doesn’t look good on stage. We had to gure out how to make formulas that are mostly oil-based so that when the batter ows it all looks really pretty
After “baking” the pies onstage, the nished pies appear — sporting names that re ect Jenna’s mood, like “I Don’t Want Earl’s Baby Pie.” ese nished pies were carefully sculpted by the props department, using materials like foam so they could be danced across the stage during performance after performance.
“It’s really funny to nd out how intriguing fake food is,” said Mallgrave. “ e more realistic you make it, the more interesting it is for people because everybody kind of relates to food, especially these sweets and desserts like pie.” With sweet treats aplenty, the show has something for everyone.
“ ere’s some people who love to laugh,” Collins said. “ ere’s great laughs. ere are people who want to weep a little bit. ere’s some nice weeping. It’s just got a lot of emotional notes that I think makes it accessible and interesting to most any audience. It’s a little sexy, too.”
searching, and blends all of the above into a wonderful listen. In support of the record, Musgraves is coming to Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15. As a testament to the many musical genres Musgraves embraces, she has two killer openers – folk/bluegrass legends Nickel Creek and dynamic songwriter Father John Misty Get tickets at www.ticketmaster. com.
Clarke Reader is an arts and culture columnist. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.
In the Arvada Center’s “Waitress,” the diner comes to life as patrons and waitresses dance across the stage, toting pies and menus. PHOTOS COURTESY OF AMANDA TIPTON PHOTOGRAPHY
“Waitress” follows Jenna as she navigates life working at her small town diner.
Colorado Community Media’s newsroom has already used the results of the Voter Voices surveys we have received so far.
In recent months, we asked readers to take surveys asking what they think candidates for political o ces should focus on as they compete for their votes. e top answer from Colorado Community Media readers across the metro area sounded like something from a civics class: “democracy and good government.”
Our readers said they want the candidates to focus on solutions, even if it means compromises.
As Lisa Anne Bresko, a self-described moderate and business owner from Evergreen, told us, democracy and good government are foundational if our leaders are going to solve the many pressing problems facing our communities.
“I feel there’s very little respect and no more compromise,” Bresko said. “It’s ‘My way or no way’ on a lot of topics. at’s not the way to run a country or get anything done. I feel all of the name calling, the pointing of ngers, the disinformation about the people you’re supposed to be working with toward common goals is hurting the ability to get things done.”
More than 400 (and counting) Colorado Community Media readers have lled out our Voter Voices surveys using links in our newsletters and stories or QR codes from newspapers and yers. Our reporters and editors have been using the results to help form the questions we ask politicians in the two dozen Denver-area cities, towns and suburbs we cover. We are partnering with 60 newsrooms across the state in this endeavor.
Overall, there are some 6,000 responses.
In the surveys, voters are asked to rank their top three issues among 13 categories, revealing their importance. e surveys also allow voters to elaborate in their own words on what they think candidates should focus on.
Additionally, our Colorado Community Media reporters reached out directly to many survey respondents of all political persuasions to speak to them about their surveys and more. We also went into the community to connect with younger voters, an underrepresented category in the data.
More than 37% of our readers who took the survey cited democracy and good government as their top issue. More moderates and liberals cited it as a top issue than conservatives, but the surveys revealed that it is an important issue regardless of political inclination. Readers’ other top issue was the economy and cost of living, which was cited more by conservatives as their No. 1 issue, yet readers across the political spectrum said it was a top issue.
Phillip McCart, a liberal from Littleton, told us that candidates should focus on ways to help people who are struggling. One way candidates can do that, McCart said, is to work to reduce housing costs by creating more housing density.
“Housing costs are destroying the hopes and dreams of everyone,” McCart said.
at view was echoed many times in the surveys we gathered. For instance, one moderate Je erson
County voter – who wished to remain anonymous –wrote in her survey, “We have a severe lack of affordable and workforce housing in the metro area, and it is not improving.”
Evergreen resident Norm Sherbert, a conservative on scal issues and moderate on others, told us that everyone, regardless of income, should be concerned that many people across the metro area are struggling.
“I think it a ects us all,” he said. “I see it in my utility bills, the price of gas, grocery bills — and it just keeps climbing.”
Sherbert worries that the Social Security system might not be intact for future generations and believes strong, bipartisan leadership is needed to tackle such problems. He is not impressed by President Biden or the Democratic and Republican nominees for president, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
“I’m not a Trump fan, and I’m surely not a Biden or Harris fan,” Sherbert said. “It’s a shame we do not have the candidates out there that can really make something happen in the country. I hope we come back to the center and realize it’s not the candidates that are going to drive this country, it’s the issues and how they’re solved.”
Similar views were espoused around our coverage area, which spans from Fort Lupton, Brighton and Commerce City in the north to Je erson County in the west, Idaho Springs in the mountains, Arapahoe and Douglas counties in the south, and Parker and Elbert County in the east.
During the primaries, we incorporated readers’ concerns about democracy and good government and the economy into questions we asked Republican and Democratic candidates for Congress in our primary forums for Colorado’s 4th District. e forums were cosponsored with the League of Women Voters Colorado and KUNC public radio.
We plan to do the same for more forums we’re cosponsoring this fall.
And, our Question and Answer surveys of candidates, which are widely read in print and online ahead of the November elections, will include Voter Voices-inspired questions and themes.
We also got to speak directly to voters and our reporters were met with appreciation in their e orts. is is just the start. We intend to keep the conversations with you going and we’re looking for ways to localize our connections with survey respondents. Watch for that.
Readers also told us they appreciated the opportunity to elaborate on their views and see our journalists as advocates for getting their voices into the process, given our unique access to leaders and candidates.
We have more work to do in terms of outreach, especially when it comes to younger voters and another category underrepresented in our results – people of color. Watch this space for future stories about them as we consider Voter Voices a starting point.
A big next step for us will be to work with groups of survey respondents to create a Voter Voices Citizens Agenda for our newsroom that helps guide our every interaction with public ofcials and candidates for political o ce.
Until then, tell us what we’re missing by adding your voice to our Voter Voices survey. Here’s the link: https://tinyurl.com/ mv6jxw7w or scan our QR code below with your phone. Our door is always open. Michael de Yoanna, editor-in-chief
BY THE COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA NEWSROOM
VOTER VOICES
About half of the readers who responded to our survey consider themselves moderate. About a quarter identify as conservative and another quarter as liberal. About 60% of respondents are women and 40% are men.
Many readers told us that partisanship has become a never-ending soap opera – with sides squaring o against each other leaving compromises, and the potential solutions to longstanding problems, in the dust. Many shared a feeling that the country has an urgent, almost desperate need for candidates who will talk about issues, especially divisive ones, calmly instead of attacking and dismissing each other.
e stakes, readers say, are just too high given a long list of concerns, from crime to climate change to in ation to immigration to national security. One of the most eye-opening insights from readers is their disdain for grandstanding by candidates, bitter attacks and empty promises.
Michael Wilson, a 65-year-old conservative in Je erson County, said he would like political candidates to talk about what they will do if they are elected.
“I don’t need to hear them try to run down their opponent,” Wilson said.
omas Gibbons, a moderate who lives in the Highlands Ranch area, said property taxes, local crime and reducing gun violence are important to him, but the problems associated with them can’t be solved if elected leaders are not focused on good governance. “Elected o cials must
nd a way to work together in bipartisan cooperation,” said Gibbons.
Littleton resident Porter Lansing, who identi es as liberal, said he would like to see candidates address the wealth gap between the metro area’s richest and poorest residents, citing concerns about unemployment and in ation.
Lansing, who is 70 and disabled, said he lives mainly on his Social Security income.
“Everything’s so expensive, and everything’s going up,” he said. “I don’t want politicians to forget people way down here just because we don’t have money to contribute to their campaigns.”
It’s not just Coloradans who feel the government must improve.
Across the country, positive views of political and governmental institutions are at historic lows, according to the nonpartisan Pew Research Center. Many Americans say they are underwhelmed by candidates and 28% of Americans express unfavorable views of both the Democratic and Republican parties, the highest share in three decades of polling, with a comparable share adding that neither party represents their interests well.
In Voter Voices surveys, newsrooms across Colorado received strikingly similar ndings to ours, with good government and the economy coming out as top issues, closely mirroring the results of our readers. Other important issues cited by survey respondents included the environment, climate and natural resources, immigration and abortion.
e vast majority of respondents identi ed as older than 45.
at prompted Colorado Community Media to reach out to younger people directly. A reporter and our summer reporting intern used social media to promote the Voter Voices survey on Instagram, tweeting on X and even texting friends and colleagues for help reaching more voters in their 20s and 30s online and in person.
Many of the younger voters shared the same concerns as older voters, particularly regarding good government and the economy.
Ben Warzel, 25, of Littleton, was at a Denver restaurant as he expressed frustration over how candidates attack each other.
“(Candidates) can have their little pageantry, but we know that they’re not really doing anything,” Warzel said. “It’s just becoming dangerous, the people that we’re having to choose between.”
Some young people spoke about the intersection that the high costs of college and wages play out in their lives.
“I would like to see candidates talk about pay wages, especially with degrees and the cost of college,” a 24-year-old Voter Voices respondent from Arapahoe County who wished to remain anonymous wrote. “I think the cost of college is becoming una ordable even for people who are more well o .”
“Cost of living has not gone down at all over the years,” a 24-year-old respondent to our survey wrote.
Joshua Glenn, 28, of Aurora, said he hopes candidates will focus on a raft of issues – from the economy to the safety of all Americans.
“I would like candidates
to focus on climate issues, economic future, abuse of power and the environment,” Glenn said. “Social justice is very important to me as well. As an African-American, and a contributing member of society, I want to feel safe in all parts of the country.”
Kamara Maxie, 24 of Denver, said the cost of living and abortion are the most important issues she wants candidates to address this election.
Maxie also said gun safety is an issue that candidates should address.
“I believe having legal guns is important for protection reasons, however, I don’t think we should have weapons of war,” Maxie said.
ere were also familiar divisions among conservatives and liberals. For instance, many conservative readers, like Eric Tyrell, who lives in Douglas County, cited immigration and tax policy as important issues. He would like to see candidates close the southern border and cut government spending.
“Government is too big and is still getting bigger every year,” he said.
Meanwhile, many liberals, like Kathy Mendt in Adams County, said abortion policy is important.
“Politicians need to keep their laws o women’s bodies,” Mendt said.
She also wants to see candidates who care about the environment.
“How willing are they to address climate change?” Mendt said.
Mary Wylie, an Arvada voter who identi es as a liberal, said climate change is a pressing problem.
“I think climate change is essentially the ballot, depending on who ends
up winning the presidency and has control of the government,” Wylie said. Many survey respondents have similar litmus tests for candidates. For instance, they want to know: Does a candidate support the overturning of Roe v. Wade? Does a candidate support U.S. funding for Israel? Does a candidate believe that Donald Trump won the 2020 election?
Thu 9/19
Neil Z at the Chart House @ 4pm
Chart House, 25908 Genesee Trail Rd, Golden
Little Trips @ 8pm
Lost Lake Lounge, 3602 E Colfax Ave, Denver
Fri 9/20
Tony Medina Music: Tony Medina and Friends @ 6pm The Bluegrass Coffee & Bourbon Lounge, 7415 grandview ave, Arvada
A Conversation with Larry David with Guest Moderator
Pajamas: Denver OktoberfestDenver, CO @ 7:30pm Denver Oktoberfest, 1101 W Col‐fax Ave, Denver
Sun 9/22
Free Live Music at Roxy @ 11am Roxy on Broadway, 554 S Broadway, Den‐
Seekarlplay: SKP in the backyard at GB Arvada @ 5pm GB Fish & Chips, 7401 Ralston Rd, Arvada
Dressy Bessy: Mutiny Bene�t @ 6pm Mutiny Information Cafe, 2 S Broadway, Denver
Mon 9/23
Tech N9ne @ 5:45pm The JunkYard, 1098 Yuma St, Denver
Jeris Johnson @ 5:45pm The JunkYard, 1098 Yuma St, Denver
Hollow Head @ 7:30pm Skylark Lounge, 140 S Broadway, Denver
Male Tears @ 8pm HQ, 60 S Broadway, Denver
Wed 9/25
instant crush @ 7pm
Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St, Denver
Suzi Sabotage @ 8pm Skylark Lounge, 140 S Broadway, Denver The
powered by
Lawn & Garden
Professional lawn service: Fertilization, weed control, seeding, aeration & mosquito control. Call now for a free quote. Ask about our first application special! 1-833606-6777
Hablamos Espanol Dental insurance from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 400+ procedures. Real dental insurance - not just a discount plan. Get your free Information Kit with details!
1-855-526-1060 www.dental50plus.com/ads #6258
Medical
Attention oxygen therapy users! Discover oxygen therapy that moves with you with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. Free information kit. 1-866-4779045
Miscellaneous
Bath & shower updates in as little as 1 day! Affordable pricesNo payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & military discounts available. 1-877-543-9189
Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Financing available. 1-855-417-1306
Miscellaneous
Water damage cleanup:
A small amount of water can cause major damage to your home. Our trusted professionals dry out wet areas & repair to protect your family & your home value! Call 24/7: 1-888-872-2809. Have zip code!
Aging Roof? New Homeowner?
Got Storm Damage?
You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-888-878-9091
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 8/25/24. Call 1-844-501-3208
Replace your roof w/the best looking & longest lasting material steel from Erie Metal Roofs! 3 styles & multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer up to 50% off install + Additional 10% off install (military, health & 1st responders.) 1-833-370-1234
Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule free LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-610-1936
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 1-866-859-0405
Don’t let the stairs limit your mobility! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1-833399-3595
FreeHighSpeedInternetforthosethatqualify. Govermentprogramforrecipientsofselectprograms incl.Medicaid,SNAP,HousingAssistance,WIC, VeteransPension,SurvivorBenefit,Lifeline,Tribal. 15GBInternetservice.Bonusoffer:Androidtablet FREEwithone-time$20copay.FreeShipping& Handling. CallMaxsipTelecomToday:1-866-654-9429
Public Notice
TO: JULIA M ARMSTRONG : You are notified that you have 10 days after publication for this notice of levy to file your claim of exemption with the District Court of Denver County, 1437 Bannock, Room 256, Denver, CO 80202 in Case 2019CV33943 entitled: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. v. JULIA M. ARMSTRONG $401.51 garnished at USAA Federal Savings Bank, 10750 McDermott Fwy, San Antonio, TX 78288.
Legal Notice No. DHD 3244
First Publication: August 29, 2024
Last Publication: September 26, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Public Notice
JUVENILE COURT, COUNTY OF DENVER STATE OF COLORADO 520 West Colfax Avenue, Room 125 Denver, CO 80204
UPON THE PETITION OF: JEWEL LYNNETTE SHEFFIELD, For the Adoption of a Child Case Number: 24JA30012 Division: 2H
TO: BAPTISTE CLEMONS, Respondent
Pursuant to § 19-5-208, C.R.S., you are hereby notified that the above-named Petitioner has filed in this Court a verified Petition seeking to adopt a child.
An Affidavit of Abandonment has been filed alleging that you have abandoned the child for a period of one year or more and have failed without cause to provide reasonable support for the child for one year or more.
You are further notified that an Adoption hearing is set on October 30, 2024, at 10:00 am in the court location identified above.
You are further notified that if you fail to appear at said hearing, the Court may terminate your parental rights and grant the adoption as sought by the Petitioner.
Legal Notice No. DHD 3261
First Publication: September 5, 2024
Last Publication: October 3, 2024
Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Notice to Creditors
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Thomas E. Cirkal, a/k/a Thomas Elmer Cirkal, a/k/a Thomas Cirkal, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR30956
All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado, on or before January 5, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Susan T. Cirkal, Personal Representative 2871 S. Sidney Court Denver, CO 80231
Legal Notice No. DHD 3258
First Publication: September 5, 2024
Last Publication: September 19, 2024
Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Keith Anthony Norris, Deceased Case Number: 2024 PR 030854
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the on or before January 6, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Anna L. Burr, Esq.
Attorney to the Personal Representative 2851 South Parker Road, Suite 230 Aurora, Colorado 80014
Legal Notice No. DHD 3255
First Publication: September 5, 2024
Last Publication: September 19, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Cheryl Ann Baker, aka Cheryl A. Baker, aka Cheryl Baker, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR030935
All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before January 5, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Candi Baker, Personal Representative c/o Pearman Law Firm 4195 Wadsworth Blvd Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
Legal Notice No. DHD 3259
First Publication: September 5, 2024
Last Publication: September 19, 2024
Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Timothy Roy Canfield, a/k/a Timothy R. Canfield, a/k/a Timothy Canfield, a/k/a Tim Canfield, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR30970
All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado, on or before January 6, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
M. Cris Brown, Personal Representative 570 10th Ave NE, Naples, FL 34120 and M. Cris Brown, Personal Representative PO Box 92, Fair Haven, NY 13064
Legal Notice No. DHD 3256
First Publication: September 5, 2024
Last Publication: September 19, 2024
Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of PATRICK VERNE MCBRIDE, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR030986
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before January 5, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Kip Bernice McBride, Personal Representative c/o Solem, Woodward & McKinley P.C. 750 W. Hampden Ave, Suite 505 Englewood, Colorado 80110
Legal Notice No. DHD 3260
First Publication: September 5, 2024
Last Publication: September 19, 2024
Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of CHARLES ALLEN DUBREE, AKA CHARLES DUBREE, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR30594
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before December 29, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.
Jonathan P. Shultz, Atty for Personal Representative 19751 E Mainstreet, Suite 200 Parker, CO 80138
Legal Notice No. DHD3267
First Publication: August 29, 2024
Last Publication: September 12, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS PURSUANT TO § 15-12-801, C.R.S.
Estate of Patricia Agnes Higgins Green, aka Pat Green , Deceased Denver County Case Number 24PR30822
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, CO on or before December 31, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.
Jody Duvall, counsel for Personal Representative, Alice E. Green Coan, Payton & Payne, LLC 103 W. Mountain Ave., Suite 200 Fort Collins, CO 80524
Legal Notice No. DHD 3251
First Publication: August 29, 2024
Last Publication: September 12, 2024
Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of LINDA RITA KELL, a/k/a LINDA R. KELL, a/k/a LINDA KELL, a/k/a L. A. KELL, a/k/a L. KELL, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR30915
All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to Denver Probate Court of the City
WAITRESS
At its core, Collins believes that what makes the show so great for any audience is its humanity.
“I feel like these characters are relatable and human,” Collins added. “For musicals, sometimes that’s hard to nd, and I feel like this fabulous cast has really brought that (humanity).”
For Collins and Mallgrave — along with the rest of the cast and creative team — the show open-
VOTER VOICES
ing means months of work paying o .
“What we do takes a great team of artisans, and it’s always quite challenging, and people are seeing the nal product,” Mallgrave said. “It’s so exciting to know that we’re being supported by the community through our challenges and all of the craziness that it takes to put a big, huge show like this together. It’s just nice to know that people in the community will be a part of the audience.”
More information and tickets can be found at https://arvadacenter.org/events/waitress.
Our readers also listed a hodgepodge of local issues. ey included inadequate roads and cell phone “dead zones” in Je erson County, a desire to see more conversation around local control issues, the e ects crime has on businesses and how safe people feel in certain parts of the metro area, among other issues.
And, some said perceptions of communities as conservative or liberal doesn’t provide an accurate reection of reality.
“Douglas County is a red county,
and County of Denver, Colorado on or before Monday, December 30, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.
Renate Tomsic, Personal Representative 2128 Dodd Street Blaine, WA 98230
Legal Notice No. DHD 3266
First Publication: August 29, 2024
Last Publication: September 12, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Loretta DeWitt, Deceased Case Number: 2024PR030880
All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before Monday, January 13, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
Colorado Estate Planning Law Center
Attorney to the Personal Representative
6870 W. 52nd Avenue, Suite 103 Arvada, Colorado 80002
Legal Notice No. DHD 3271
First Publication: September 12, 2024
Last Publication: September 26, 2024
Publisher: Denver Herald Dispatch
but it’s growing a little more blue, especially where I live in northern Highlands Ranch,” Alex Miller, a 60-year-old Highlands Ranch man who identi es as a liberal, told us.
“Based on the yard signs in the last election, my neighborhood had as many Biden signs as Trump signs. I think it’s a mistake to write o the county as lost to Republicans.”
Candidates can improve by focusing on the issues instead of attacking each other, many survey respondents said.
“ e negativity and the bashing, I think, is just very divisive and drives us further apart,” Wylie said.
Jane Dvorak, a moderate from Jefferson County who listed democracy and good government as top con-
Public Notices
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Carlene Tidwell, Deceased Case Number: 24PR45
All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before November 8, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.
Deidra R. Batts
Personal Representative 5090 Worshester Street Denver, Colorado 80239
Legal Notice No. DHD 3245
First Publication: August 29, 2024
Last Publication: September 12, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of Paul Eric Smith, AKA Paul E. Smith, AKA Paul Smith, Deceased Case Number 2024PR30927
All persons having claims against the above named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the Denver Probate Court of the City and County of Denver, Colorado on or before Monday, January 13, 2025 , or the claims may be forever barred.
di ering opinions/ideas is scary.”
“It’s time to take a hard look at how we talk to each other, make decisions and what is best for the whole, not one person/group,” Dvorak wrote.
To voters like C. Michael Litzau, a 65-year-old moderate Adams County voter, the integrity and ethics of political candidates matters as much as their stance on issues.
“What has their experience been like working with groups during di cult circumstances, and how do they resolve con icts?” Litzau said. “A priority for my evaluation of candidates for elected o ce is their ability to act civilly, even in a time of disagreement.”
Kimberly Raemdonck, Attorney for Personal Representative, Aaron P. Smith
2485 W Main Street, Suite 200 Littleton, CO 80120
Legal Notice No. DHD 3270
First Publication: September 12, 2024
Last Publication: September 26, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch
Public Notice
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of
LOUIE BENJAMIN SUTHERLAND, JR. a/k/a LOUIE B. SUTHERLAND, JR., Deceased, Case Number 2024PR30969, Denver Probate Court, City and County of Denver, State of Colorado
All persons having claims against the above-named Estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to:
The Clerk of the Denver Probate Court, 1437 Bannock Street, Room 230, Denver, CO 80202 on or before January 12, 2025, or the claims may be forever barred.
/s/ Anthony D. Damon
Attorney for Personal Representative
The Damon Law Firm, LLC 4465 Kipling Street #101 Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
Last Publication: September 26, 2024 Publisher: Denver Herald-Dispatch ###
Jenna bakes pies onstage — which proved to be a challenge the props department could rise to. Many of the pie ingredients are replaced so they look better to the audience, such as sugar being swapped for salt.
