Reflections on Writing & Publishing My 1,000th ‘Real Estate Today’ Column
Because journalism was my first profession, writing a column about real estate seemed an obvious way to make myself known when I entered the real estate industry in 2003. The first column I published as a paid advertisement was on July 30, 2003, and I estimate that I have published at least 1,000 columns since then — 52 columns per year for most of the last 21 years. And every one was written by me, on a new topic each week.
have never written a column which embarrassed me due to something I wrote. (I still show each column to my wife, Rita, and to my broker associates before sending it for publication.)
From the beginning, I saw this column as “my own continuing education program,” because I had to study each topic before I could write knowledgeably about it. At first, that meant showing the first draft to my managing broker at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, to make sure I had my facts right. Even now, I will often send a first draft to another broker who has expertise I don’t in the topic I chose to write about that week.
You can see the topics of those columns going back to July 2003 at www.JimSmithColumns.com
The links on those original columns don’t all work, but you can at least see the headlines.
cal homeowner, with letters and postcards saying, “I have a buyer for your home” — which may or may not be the truth. I much prefer to spend those hours being of service to the general public, studying every aspect of real estate that I can think of where I myself would like to know more, and then sharing it with you.
tation where the seller mentioned a particular issue of concern to them. “I wrote about that a few years ago,” I said, whereupon the seller opened a manila folder in which that old column was on the top of the pile.
As a result, I can honestly say that I
I don’t know of any real estate agents anywhere in the country who have taken this approach to promoting themselves, but that may be due to the fact that the vast majority of people in any profession other than the writing professions have trouble expressing themselves in writing — and it’s a big commitment of time. If I weren’t writing this column, I’d probably have to spend hours every day or week prospecting — making cold calls or knocking on doors soliciting sellers and buyers. I might have been one of those agents who bombards you, the typi-
We Learned Firsthand About Vacant Land Scams
The Colorado Association of Realtors (CAR) issued a warning last month about scammers trying to sell vacant land that they don’t own in Douglas County, adding that it may be happening in other counties.
One of our broker associates found himself caught up in just such a scam even before that alert was issued. Here is how the scam unfolded and was discovered, so that the property owner and buyer were not victimized.
Via our website, we received an inquiry about listing a parcel of land in Coal Creek Canyon, so I referred the lead to a broker associate who lives nearby. He quickly got a signed listing for the property at $100,000, and I advertised the parcel in that week’s ad. He put a for-sale sign on the parcel and a neighbor quickly snapped it up, going under contract for it below full price.
The scammer said he was in a cancer isolation ward and didn’t have an ID with him. He needed to close quickly so he could pay his medical expenses.
The folks at First Integrity Title, which received the contract for processing, got suspicious because of no ID and sent a FedEx letter to the real owner of the property at his home in Maryland. The owner immediately called our broker associate, incensed that his property was being sold without his knowledge or involvement.
If the title company had not taken that action, it is possible that the transaction might have gone to closing based on forged IDs from the scammer, and the proceeds of the sale would have been wired according to the scammer’s directions.
The sale would ultimately have been voided, but the buyer would have lost his money. The seller would not have suffered loss.
In its October alert, CAR provided some guidance on how to recognize a vacant land scam in the making:
“In these cases, the scammer tries to list vacant land with no mortgage. He wants to sell it at below market prices for a quick sale. The scammer makes it clear there can be no in person communications, and that all communications are to be done by text or email. The scammer tells the real estate agent one of several stories about why he is out of town. He insists on a remote, no-contact closing, typically using a “local” notary of his choosing. He will not accept a local notary selected by the title company.
“The scammer has presented fraudulent driver’s licenses and fraudulent passports as identification. He uses spoofed phone numbers and untraceable email addresses.”
No such scam should be successful so long as the title company does what First Integrity Title did, which was to contact the registered owner of the land to verify the transaction.
In listing any property for sale, it’s a good practice for the listing agent to have the title company run an “ownership and encumbrance” report, which identifies the owner. Then, using an app called Forewarn, which is only available to licensed real estate agents, we can find the phone number(s) of the registered owner and call them to verify that they are indeed who is talking to us.
BTW, once the seller knew we were not scamming him and had foiled the scam attempt, he said he might list his land with us!
Golden Real Estate’s Broker Associates
in 2008
Licensed in 2000
Chuck Brown
303-885-7855
Joined us in 2014 Licensed in 2000
be misled by our name. Our agents have listed homes throughout the Denver Metro area and helped clients buy homes and other real estate all over Colorado!
When I ran for political office in 1981, I did exactly the same thing. Before announcing my candidacy I spent several months investigating every aspect of municipal government, speaking to civil servants in each agency and learning everything I could about policing, criminal justice and corrections as well as welfare, housing and economic development. When I announced my campaign, I released a 16-page tabloid spelling out my program for “saving” my city. I referred to it as “the power of the well-printed word.” It helped that I owned a typesetting business at the time, so I knew how to make what I printed look professional.
That effort wasn’t as successful, however, because I was running against seasoned politicians with political clubhouses behind them, not competing with fellow professionals, most of whom had a lot more experience than me but couldn’t demonstrate that experience or knowledge as well as a seasoned journalist like myself.
My training in journalism came from writing and editing my prep school and college newspapers but most especially from winning a summer internship in 1968 at The Washington Post I really love the practice of real estate and the reputation I have built with my readers. I love getting emails and phone calls asking my advice or reacting to something I have written. And when you call me about selling or buying a home, I love to know that the call was based on the trust and reputation I have built over two decades (or less) from my writings. Often, when I go on a listing appointment, I find that the seller has a folder containing clippings of my columns. I love to tell the story of one listing presen-
My first year in this business, I attended a retreat hosted by one of the preeminent real estate coaches. Following that event, I hired that coach’s firm briefly, but the focus was on memorizing scripts and “time blocking” several hours per days for cold-calling. I couldn’t do it.
It just wasn’t my style. I have never memorized a script and never made a cold call — in fact, never prospected at all. This column is what made that approach possible. The hours I could spend prospecting are so much better spent writing and publishing this column.
At first I wrote monthly, then biweekly, and within a couple years I was able to write this column every week. At first I bought a page in a little Golden newspaper because I couldn’t afford the Golden Transcript. When the Denver Post introduced the regionalized “YourHub” section, I jumped on it, limited to the Jefferson County editions.
Then came the Golden Transcript and three other Jeffco papers. When over 20 metro area weeklies were combined under the non-profit ownership of Colorado Community Media, I expanded to include my ad in all of them. That was after I had already expanded to be in all the local editions of YourHub.
A couple months ago, I signed a contract with the Denver Gazette, a digitalonly newspaper with a large readership.
And, of course, I am also online, with over 1,300 email subscribers to our blog at http://RealEstateToday.substack.com For me as a journalist, there is no greater pleasure and satisfaction than what I get from having my writings broadcast so thoroughly around this metro area that I call home. Thank you for letting me take this week off from writing about another real estate topic to share my story with you.
It’s not often that you can buy a duplex where one side is empty and the other side is rented and contributing $1,500 per month to your mortgage costs! That’s the situation with this well-built and well-maintained brick duplex at 12613 W. 8th Ave. in that quiet neighborhood next to Welchester Tree Grant Park called Foothills View Estate. The two sides of this duplex are mirror images of each other and identical in terms of updating, including newer bath fixtures, doublepane windows, and new garage doors. (The two 1-car garages are accessed from an alley.) The vacant half is the one with a 12’x30’ wood deck, from which you can see the foothills to the west. Welchester Tree Grant Park is just a block away, with nature trails, including to the adjoining Welchester Elementary School. A narrated video tour of both sides of this duplex can be viewed at www.GoldenDuplex.online, along with interior photos of the vacant unit. The rented unit is not available to see until you’re under contract, but it is identical in condition to the vacant unit, as you’ll see on the video tour. Open Saturday, Nov. 16th, 11am to 1pm
Conifer
LIFESTYLES
AN ADVERTISING SECTION OF COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
ELF works to improve safety from one end of Evergreen to the other
By Anne Vickstrom Special to Lifestyles
A lot of folks in Evergreen don’t know about the Evergreen Legacy Fund – ELF – but certainly bene t from its hard work. ELF is making Evergreen a safer place to live.
In a nutshell, because Evergreen is unincorporated, it is considered rural; therefore, Je erson County is not required to fund infrastructure such as crosswalks, sidewalks, or shoulders. at’s where ELF steps in and works with Je co, CDOT, Evergreen Parks and Recreation (EPRD), and other governmental agencies to see projects completed — much like the role of a Town Manager in an Incorporated town.
ELF raises funds from voluntary contributions from customers of participating ELF member businesses, based on 1% of sales — an idea borrowed from Crested Butte where 1%
FEATURE OF THE MONTH
is collected to protect open space. Of course, individuals and businesses can also make donations and bequests. When ELF requests projects be addresssed, it comes with funds to back them, resulting in governmental entities becoming enthusiastic partners.
In 2012 Evergreen downtown business owners and community leaders, Dean Dalvit, Gail Riley, Richard Touissant, Bob Cardwell, Kathleen Davis, and Rachel Emmer formed what eventually became the Evergreen Legacy Fund, to improve the historic area of Evergreen. Over the years, the scope of the organization expanded to include all ve activity centers across Evergreen. In 2020, Je co County Commissioners endorsed
formation of the Evergreen Local Improvement District (ELID), enabling Je erson County to make important public safety improvements on county roadways across Evergreen, funded by ELF funds. ELF seeks grants providing seed money, leveraging every contributed dollar tenfold.
During a two-year process of intensive community engagement, 45 priority projects were selectively reduced to 17 improvements in Je co rights-of-way to increase safety in our community.
Projects like the crosswalks and sidewalks near Wilmot Elementary School have taken ve or more years to come to fruition. ELF has learned to be patient. Project timing and scope is at the discretion of Je co. Delays can occur through the bid process, and occasionally projects may be scaled-down to keep costs down.
ELF board members view the shoulder area along Meadow Drive that will soon have a sidewalk extending to the Hiwan History Museum.
Photo by Ellen Nelson
ELF
From Page 5
Under the professional leadership of Dean Dalvit, ELF has developed a strong working relationship with Je co and other partners. “Maintaining relationships with government partners and our elected o cials is hard work,” Dean explains, “because they change so frequently. We have to be relentless in keeping in close contact with new people and educating them on the history of ELF or else we can quickly lose all of the momentum and credibility we’ve created over the years.”
ELF’s funds have kick-started several projects that would have been delayed or never addressed. For instance, this past summer, the crosswalk across Bu alo Park Road from Greenwood to Hatch Drive was relocated with signalized light and curbs to slow tra c and
CURRENT BUSINESS
Alexa Interiors*
Alpen Way Chalet*
Anderson Insurance Company
Kelli Anderson / Berkshire Hathaway
Bear Essence Salon & Boutique*
Bear Paw Stanbro Property Management
Bistro Del Lago*
Blackbird Kitchen & Bath*
Cactus Jack’s Saloon & Grill
Campfire Evergreen*
Coaty and Woods, PC
Colorado Serenity
Creating Space Colorado
Jennifer Davenport / LIV Sotheby’s
Melody Ellis / Berkshire Hathaway
Tamara Drozda / Madison & Co. Essence*
EV Studio
Evergreen Area Chamber of Commerce
Evergreen Clothing and Mercantile
Evergreen Crafters*
Evergreen Discount Liquors
Evergreen Massage*
Evergreen Living
Evergreen Rodeo Association
Evergreen Wash Co. – Ponderosa & Hilltop*
Evoke 1923*
FirstBank Flicker & Finch Salon
Diane Florscheutz / Wildflower Realty
Kevin Freadhoff / Berkshire Hathaway
Stephanie Freadhoff / Berkshire Hathaway
Wendy Grillo / RE/MAX Alliance
Mary Haling / LIV Sotheby’s
Highland Haven Creekside Inn*
Lakepoint Chiropractic
Marie Lynch / Madison & Company
Alison Maltese / LIV Sotheby’s
Manning Financial Advisors
Marmalade
Medical Aesthetics LLC*
Nick Melzer / Compass Realty Mountain Daisy*
Mountain Home Furnishings*
Murphy’s Mountain Grill*
Neighborhood Welcome
PandoraJohnProperties
Pixie Hair Studio*
Julia Purrington / Berkshire Hathaway
Yvette S. Putt / LIV Sotheby’s
Rising Graphics & Printing
Nicole Reyes / LIV Sotheby’s
Shadow Mountain Gallery*
Deborah Simon / LIV Sotheby’s Sisters & Company*
Stems Flower Shop*
Lark Stewart / LIV Sotheby’s
Stillwater Partners LLLP TallGrass*
Tupper’s Team—Madison & Co.
Tricia Wales / Coldwell Banker
Valentine Seevers & Associates
Valerian Landscape Architecture
Andy Wann / Berkshire Hathaway
Wild Aware
Kevin Wilson / Keller Williams Foothills
*1% pass-thru members
INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTERS
Carolyn Baldwin
Amy Bergevin
Tupper and Karla Briggs
Jeanne Canny
Charles and Bette Carcano
Anne Chew
Liz Cohen—donated in honor of the tireless ELF board
Alexa Cowley—donated in honor of Liz Cohen and Linda Kirkpatrick
Brenda Cumming
Greg Dobbs
Peter and Peggy Eggers
Shelleen Ellington
Miriam Epple
Anna Murray Garner and Kevin Garner
Eric Gill
Gayle Gordon
Mary Houlihan
Peter Jacobson
Luann and Hank Kaanta —donated in honor of Linda Kirkpatrick
Linda Kirkpatrick
Janice and Stephen Kaup
Jim and Anita Kreider
Todd Landrum
Cindy Lempke
Meg and Mike Leonard
Peter and Pam Lindquist
Trish Maggio
Jani and Bryan McCarty
Joan Mickelson
Lynn and Dan Moyle
Dave and Carolyn Nelson
Dan Pike
Jim Pisula and Nadja Pisula-Litoff
Martha Pofit
Charles Rhodes
Gail Riley and Tom Statzell
Brian Roberts
Jay Roberts
Mark Schnoll
Jim and Aleta Smith
Denise Stoner
Richard and Susan Toussaint
Saraben Turner
Marty and Don Unger
Michele Vanags
Laura Veckerelli
Anne and Mark Vickstrom
Nancy Williams and Jim Casebolt
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dean Dalvit, EV Studio Bob Cardwell, Stillwater Partnership Alexa Cowley, Mountain Home Furnishings and Alexa Interiors
Brenda Cumming, Medical Aesthetics Eric Gill, Bear Paw Stanbro Property Management
Kaslon, Valerian, LLC
Lempke, Resilience1220
Vickstrom, freelance writer
Please see ELF, Page 8 Crosswalks and ADA-accessible 4-way stops in Bergen Park.
Photo by Linda Kirkpatrick
Mortgage Loan O cer
Grant Brewster Represents
YOU... the Customer
NMLS# 737321 Serving the foothils for 30+ years www.grantbrewster.com
By Jo Ann M. Colton Special to Lifestyles
Mortgage Loan Broker Grant Brewster of Edge Home Finance Corporation is committed to helping salaried and/or self-employed individuals obtain the best loan for their needs.
Mortgage broker vs. bank…what’s the di erence? A mortgage broker is not a bank employee/a liate; the products they can o er you are not limited. Grant Brewster represent YOU—not the lender. Mortgage brokers, knowledgeable on current trends, only specialize in mortgages and they rely on your referrals/repeat business.
With a wide assortment of loan options currently available to homebuyers/homeowners (Conventional/VA/FHA/USDA; Fixed Rate, ARMs), choosing the wrong mortgage can be costly. Let Grant’s 30 years’ experience and expertise identify the best lending package tailored to your particular situation, whether it’s with a national wholesale lender, second mortgage/HELOC lender, or private funds. e average consumer savings with a wholesale broker over the life of the loan can be $10,000plus.
For over thirty years, Colorado Foothills native and Mortgage Loan O cer 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 O cer Grant Brewster today for all your home nancing needs (720-6684183/grant.brewster@edgehome nance.com/ www.grantbrewster.com).
Any Lab Test Now® O ers Lab Testing That’s
By Jo Ann M. Colton Special to Lifestyles
Whether you are taking active steps to manage a chronic condition, monitor dosages for a new medication, or engage in a diagnostic process, Any Lab Test Now® of Lakewood o ers you a variety of clinical tests/test options.
With over 230 franchised facilities throughout the United States, and eight locations within the State of Colorado, the Lakewood business is conveniently located at 7650 West Virginia Avenue, Suite C. O ering a complete and extensive range of clinical lab tests, the facility serves its clients Monday-Friday / 7:00 am to 06:00 pm, and Saturday / 9:00 am to 02:00 pm. (closed Sunday).
“We o er thousands of tests, including: STD/DNA/TB/Celiac/Chron’s/IBS, A1C, and Single or Bundle Nutritional B12 Injections, to uninsured and self-pay individuals, and we’re sure to have the test for your speci c situation,” said Drew Scarbrough, the Lakewood franchise owner who moved to Colorado from Florida where he worked as a Veterinary Doctor. “We provide 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. Choose a test. Choose your time. Get your answer. For fees/testing information and appointments, contact Any Lab Test Now® of Lakewood (720-543-2280 / https//www.anylabtestnow/lakewood-80226). (720) 543-2280
From Page 5
keep drivers in their lanes, along with an added sidewalk along Hatch to Wilmot with ADA ramps for students to safely arrive at school.
When erosion under the Evergreen North Lake Trail caused it to be closed, the ELF board encouraged EPRD to take the lead on a multi-jurisdictional project, donated renderings as well as $50,000 to the extensive undertaking.
e organization provided $30,000 in matching funds and assisted with project coordination for creation of the 200- . pedestrian bridge connecting the lake trial to Downtown. ELF Funds supported the Bear Creek Children’s Mural under the bridge from the lake to downtown, creating a legacy through the art project. ELF contributed $5,000 to the Leadership Evergreen mural on the CenturyLink building downtown, which turned an eye-sore into an admired work of art by local artists Chris and Will Krieg. In 2022 Evergreen High School students designed and delivered on the murals on two sides of Evergreen Metro Building, making this once utilitarian structure add beauty to our community. When EHS was in need of support, ELF kicked in $5,000 for the acquisition of new bleachers.
ELF participated in installation of water fountain in downtown and contributed to the downtown ood relief in 2013, acquired two de brillators for downtown businesses to use in emergencies, and worked with CDOT to have curb-to-curb paving of Main Street, including parking spaces.
Installation of the signalized crosswalk from RTD lot allows folks to have access to the shops at Bergen Marketplace, and Center for the Arts Evergreen. ADA-accessible 4-way stops at the Marketplace at Bergen Park allow not only wheelchairs but strollers to pass safely between the two shopping and residential areas. e crosswalk across Hwy. 74 at Christ the King Church allows neighbors to safely cross from the Meadow Drive community to the walkway leading to Evergreen Lake and north toward Elk Meadow.
At the end of downtown, ELF created the Riverwalk, added signage and striping making Independence Trail one-way and created a pedestrian shoulder, increasing convenience and safety, and adding six additional free parking spaces.
Board Member Eric Gill says, “It’s exciting to have accomplished so much in such a short time. With each completed project, our enthusiasm only grows, knowing we can look forward to accomplishing remaining projects as well.”
Within the next few years ELF looks
A Rude Awakening!
Well, it is suddenly wintertime! How is your replace doing? Does your replace live up to your expectations? You don’t have to live with an ugly, outdated, dirty, dra y replace! Whether you want to burn wood or gas, there are so many attractive AND e cient replace options available. We are your expert resource in high e ciency and high-quality appliances that will keep you warm for many winters to come! Any room in your home can become cozier and warmer. Imagine getting ready for the day on a chilly morning, but you’re perfectly comfortable because you have a beautiful and e cient gas replace burning in your bedroom or bathroom. When it’s time to go, you can easily turn it o with the press of a button or set the replace to thermostat-mode to keep your room consistently warm.
You can even add a replace to a blank wall! We can help you put in a replace almost anywhere in your
home. Your new zero-clearance gas or woodburning replace can be installed into framing that creates a bump-in structure into any room, like the picture below. Adding a vertical design element for the replace within a room can create a focal point for a television, built-in bookshelves, or even the classic look of oor-to-ceiling stone. You can complement the existing style of your home with other design elements around your new replace such as a hearth extension, mantle, stonework, or sleek modern tile.
Today’s replaces have revolutionized what we expect out of our hearth appliances. ere are so many sizes, shapes, and styles to t in any home. ere are many new trends in replaces too, such as the new landscape shape which is not quite a traditional square, nor a modern linear. Some new gas replaces even have burners integrated into the logs, for the most ultra-realistic ame appearance to
date. ere is also a huge increase in the popularity of replaces where you may not expect, such as your kitchen or bedroom. Your home doesn’t have to be brand new or custom-built to have a replace anywhere you want one.
Gas replaces are the most popular choice because they are easy to operate with a thermostatic remote control and can integrate into any room. For gas replaces and stoves, the venting can even be as simple as straight out through the wall, minimizing disturbance to your home while safely exhausting outside.
Did you know you can get a new woodburning replace? EPA-Certi ed woodburning replaces, stoves, and inserts are not only allowed, but encouraged with a new tax credit that is up to $2000 back! All of our woodburning appliances are EPA-Certi ed, and most qualify for this tax credit. We consider high-e ciency woodburning another one of our specialties.
If you already have a replace in your home, we can improve it. It’s not as complicated as it may seem to remove an old, ine cient factory-built replace and replace it with a new, beautiful and powerful heater; such as our project in the picture below. If you wish to update your old masonry replace, there are many design options for putting an insert into the old rebox that will take your replace from outdated and ugly to e cient and elegant.
Visit our website at www.MtnHP. com to see our products and portfolio of work. Or, come see them in person! We have a huge variety of beautiful and e cient replaces in our showroom at 7001 Highway 73 in Marshdale. Come visit us from 9am-5pm Monday through Friday, and 8am-4pm Saturdays. You can also reach us by phone at 303-679-1601, or email at O ce@MtnHP.com.
upon a time,
Page 8
forward to completing projects including the widening of Highway 73 with paved shoulders, beginning in May, making it safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. A small number of additional parking spaces will also be added.
In 2026, the widening of Meadow Drive will allow for an asphalt pathway so that residents can travel safely along the roadway. At the same time, paving of shoulders on Iris from Elks Lodge to Evergreen Christian Church and Fireweed to Center/Stage for pedestrian safety in shared parking lots for church, choir, and theater activities.
Replacing the Little Cub Creek Road bridge with a turn lane will improve sight distance and pedestrian/ bike safety. A sidewalk from Highway 73 at Bu alo Park Road to Highway 74 downtown currently planned with federal funding. Sidewalks on Bu alo Park Road at Highway 73 to S. Hatch Road and between Bu alo Park Road to Camel Heights Rd. along Highway 73 will allow pedestrians to travel safely from Wilmot Elementary and Evergreen High School to the Library, and with other projects, into downtown.
e Forest Hill Bridge will be replaced with a guardrail and pedestrian handrail.
ere will be a Bu alo Park crossing at EHS so sprinting will no longer be a requirement of students. And nally, a sidewalk along S. Olive Road by EHS can help neighbors and students get to the Wulf Recreation Center and the High School.
Long-time supporter (and a founding board member of ELF) Gail Riley says, “I know the power and the value for Evergreen with the funds we contribute. We have made an impact most certainly in lieu of being incorporated.”
Riley has been instrumental in the beauti cation projects such as the mural by elementary school students under the connector bridge downtown and the murals on two sides of the Evergreen Metro Building at the foot of the dam as well as the addition of a natural stone park bench below one of the murals and another along Bear Creek.
ELF is grateful to the numerous local businesses and individuals who have stepped up to support their goal of raising funds for future projects. Recently, Frank Compagnino, owner of Ponderosa Carwash suggested he place a banner, and stickers at the pay stations, to bring focus on ELF. He generously is donating 1% each month rather than adding on 1%. Asked why he is so enthusiastically supporting ELF he replied, “It’s a great idea –why not?! With all the supporting information and documentation, and seeing what has happened, it makes it legitimate.”
Extensive improvements to safety a orded by sidewalks and crosswalks near Wilmot Elementary.
Photo by Linda Kirkpatrick
e new and improved Evergreen Lake North Trail.
Photo by Linda Kirkpatrick
Gail Riley shows o stone bench along Bear Creek made possible by ELF.
Photo by Tom Statzell
Frank Compagnino, owner of the carwashes at Ponderosa and Hilltop, not only donates 1% of his earnings but also publicizes ELF with banners and stickers. Photo by Linda Kirkpatrick
Returns to Colorado with His ‘Winter’s Eve’ Holiday Tour
By Jo Ann M. Colton Special to Lifestyles
Get set to welcome the 2024 winter season with sounds of music and merriment when David Arkenstone, musician/composer/ performer and ve-time Grammy® Award nominee (2022, 2020, 2004, 2000, and 1992) returns to Colorado in December with his enthralling holiday concert tour “A Winter’s Eve with David Arkenstone & Friends.”
His highly regarded Winter’s Eve tour, which celebrates its third year in our Rocky Mountain state, begins scheduled performances in Golden, Colorado at Bu alo Rose (12/1), Fort Collins (12/3), Colorado Springs (12/4), Salida (12/5), Evergreen (12/6 at Center Stage), and Palmer Lake (12/7), and continues into New Mexico and Arizona. Check the website (davidarkenstone.com) for all tour schedule updates.
Arkenstone, a multi-talented musician who has worked with many musical genres, including progressive rock, has released 70-plus
albums. He has composed music soundtracks for lms/ lm trailers, NBC Sports themes ( e Kentucky Derby, U.S. Figure Skating, Premier League Soccer…), History and Discovery Channels’ historical reenactment dramas, video game scores (among them Heavy Metal), and epic orchestral soundtracks for Emperor: Battle for Dune and the World of Warcra ).
David Arkenstone was one of a select group of composers honored September 27-29, 2024 in Lausanne, Switzerland at four concerts (showcasing a 90-piece orchestra and 120 vocalists) for their musical contributions to World of Warcra , a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) released in 2004 by Blizzard Entertainment.
His epic new album “Quest For e Runestone,” premiered July of this year. A powerful journey of music, story, and emotion based upon his love of Celtic/Nordic and cinematic movie traditions, his inspiration was a short story written by his son Dashiell Han Arkenstone.
“Quest For e Runestone” is available on
all major global streaming platforms. e CD Digibook is available with a 48-page booklet containing the original short story. e recording was mixed and mastered in Dolby Atmos at Evergroove Studio in Evergreen, Colorado.
David will also be releasing the fourth album in his Fairy-themed Series in the month of November.
Arkenstone, who plays a variety of musical instruments, will mainly play guitar and keyboard at his tour performances. He will be joined on stage by four other musicians playing cello, violin, ute, and percussion.
“I’ve done lots of holiday records throughout my career, and I took the best of what I thought would work live, and put them into the show,” said David. “ ere are a lot of holiday favorites that people know and some of what I call my original winter music. It’s actually a whole lot of fun!”
David Arkenstone, whose music is primarily instrumental, has established himself as one of the best contemporary instrumentalists of our time. He has clearly found his niche in
new age and neo-classical compositions that have been described as “soundtracks for the imagination.”
Categorized by melodic harmonies, improvisation, and sounds reproduced from the natural world, his listeners o en feel a peaceful sense of calm that carries them on magical journeys within their minds. His music moves people. When asked why, he stated, “I think it starts with me wanting to go on my own little adventure. en I make this sort of ‘sound painting’ in my mind that takes me there. I try to keep it interesting, and I am fortunate that people like to go on these adventures with me…they like where I take them.”
Visit David’s website (davidarkenstone.com) for venues/concert dates, and ticket information. Music lovers and Arkenfans…treat yourselves to a memorable musical night with David Arkenstone at any, or all, of his Colorado concert engagements, including his December 6 appearance at Center Stage, 27608 Fireweed Drive, Evergreen, Colorado.
TRIVIA
1. MOVIES: In the movie “ e Shawshank Redemption,” what is Andy Dufresne’s occupation before he was imprisoned?
2. LITERATURE: Which of Shakespeare’s plays features the characters of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
3. TELEVISION: Which 2000s TV drama starred a character named Jack Bauer?
4. U.S. PRESIDENTS: What was First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy’s maiden name?
5. HISTORY: Which dynasty built the Forbidden City in China?
6. MYTHOLOGY: What is the name of the mythical creature who is half man and half horse?
7. CHEMISTRY: What is aqua regia?
8. GEOGRAPHY: Where was the ancient region of Mesopotamia mostly located?
9. ANATOMY: Where are the alveoli located?
10. FOOD & DRINK: What is hummus mostly made of?
Answers
1. Banker.
2. “Hamlet”
3. “24.”
4. Bouvier.
5. Ming Dynasty.
6. Centaur.
7. A corrosive mixture that can dissolve gold.
8. Iraq.
9. Lungs.
10. Chickpeas.
(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
FLASHBACK
1. Which group released “Rag Doll”?
2. Name the artist who wrote and released “Dreamy Eyes.”
3. Which group released “Green-Eyed Lady”?
4. Who wrote and released “Cracklin’ Rosie”?
5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “If I could take my pick of all the girls I’ve ever known, en I’d come and pick you out to be my very own.”
Answers
1. e Four Seasons, in 1964. e song spent two weeks at the top of the Hot 100 chart and reached No. 1 in Canada as well.
2. Johnny Tillotson, in 1958. e song was his rst single and made it on to the Hot 100 chart. Tillotson penned several more hits over the years, including “Poetry in Motion.”
3. Sugarloaf, in 1970. A few years ago an old tape was found of the group’s live performance in 1975. It was remastered and turned into a vinyl album titled “Sugarloaf Live 1975.” It’s
available online.
4. Neil Diamond, in 1970.
5. “Never Be Anyone Else But You,” by Ricky Nelson, in 1959. Nelson’s song has been covered by several artists, including internationally, over the years. e song has recently been used in a TV commercial for chicken noodle soup.
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