For the first seven months of 2023, auto thefts in GV decreased from 93 to 71, compared to the same period in 2022.
With all the talk about increased crime rates, The Villager decided to look at the actual crimes numbers for two of the cities in our area from January through July of this year.
We started with Cherry Hills Village, where theft of items from cars, most often unlocked, saw the largest year-over-year increase from 2022 to 2023, going from 16 to 33, through the first seven months of the year. A significant number of these thefts from motor vehicles, according to CHVPD, occurred in church parking lots.
The actual theft of motor vehicles in CHV went down from 11 to five during the same seven-month period in 2023 compared to 2022.
Of the five vehicles stolen, CHVPD reports stated that three were unlocked and had keys inside. Reports did not say whether the other two vehicles that were stolen were unlocked or had keys accessible.
All thefts combined in CHV increased from 34 in 2022 to 52 in 2023 between January and July.
Burglaries increased slightly from 12 in 2022 to 14 in 2023. Since burglary is most often the crime of forced entry for the purpose of committing theft, one could deduce that most of the 52 thefts from January to July 2023 did not involve forced entry. That is entirely possible because a theft can mean that something can’t be found that one thought they had. It might have been stolen, but it could also have been misplaced.
Although Greenwood Village borders Cherry Hills Village and both cities have some affluent areas, there is little similarity between the two cities in the factors that impact crime.
While GV’s population of 15,365 is only 1.4 times that of CHV’s 6,312, GV’s population swells to over 50,000 every weekday because of the number of people who come to work in its many offices and other businesses. GV also has the largest public high school in the state on a combined campus that has up to 7,000 people in it every school day.
There is also Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater that hosts 33 concerts every year in a venue that seats 19,000.
Added to those factors, 225,000 vehicles go through GV on I-25 daily, where they might have accidents, traffic issues, etc.
With its many restaurants and bars, GV is home to hundreds of liquor licenses. People who drink alcohol are more likely to get into trouble than those who don’t.
Several years ago, the city began to track the number of stolen cars it recovers within its borders. That number dropped from 122 in the first seven months of 2022 to 97 for the same period in 2023.
Thefts in GV have remained at virtually the same rate, 68 per month, for a total of approximately 475, between January and July of 2022 and 2023. Burglaries, the act of entering a premises without permission in order to commit another crime, occurred at the same rate in both years, 8 per month, or approximately 56.
As is the case for CHV, since the number of burglaries is onetwelfth far fewer than the number of thefts reported, it seems likely that most of the thefts did not involve forced entry.
fmiklin.villager@gmail.com
This story about the Kennedy family begins at 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 22, 1963, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. His 10-mile motorcade was entering downtown Dallas, passing through Dealey Plaza, when gunfire broke out. The shots came from Lee Harvey Oswald, a new hire at the Texas School Depository, working in the building and firing out an upper-floor window. Two shots fatally struck the president and the motorcade rushed to Parkland Hospital. President Kennedy was pronounced dead 30 minutes later.
Within hours, law enforcement officers had arrested Oswald as the shooter. On Sunday morning, Nov. 24, Oswald was being escorted to court and was shot on live national TV by nightclub owner Jack Ruby.
The day of the shooting, I was working in the back shop of The Craig Daily Press when I heard the Associated Press newswire machine exploding in the newspaper’s front office. Bells were ringing, and I rushed to see a message being printed out. “President Kennedy was shot in Dallas today.”
Vice-President Lyndon Johnson as the new president on the airplane. Later in the week, the historic funeral march, the riderless horse, the family walking, and the Arlington Cemetery burial for the very popular President John F. Kennedy.
BY BOB SWEENEYTragedies for the Kennedy family would not end in Dallas. Robert “Bobby” F. Kennedy was seeking the Democratic nomination for president in 1968 when he was fatally shot in Los Angeles by Sirhan Sirhan on June 6, 1968. Kennedy had been his brother’s campaign manager in 1960, and his brother appointed him the 64th Attorney General,
of Greenwich, Conn., in 1950, and the couple had 11 children. The third child born was son Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now 69 and seeking to be the Democrat nominee for president in 2024, or he may run as a third-party candidate. So far, President Biden’s campaign has refused a Kennedy/Biden debate.
far Northwest Colorado.
Again, the AP wire service informed me that the Kennedy family would take a riverboat trip down the Yampa River, leaving at the “Gates of Ladore” canyon that afternoon. I rushed home, picked up Gerri, daughters Sharon and Saundra, and headed out 50 miles west of Craig on U.S. 40 to capture the news of the Kennedys arriving in Moffat County to float the river.
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I raced across the street and borrowed a TV from the local hardware store, where the tragedy of his death unfolded. Jackie Kennedy stayed with her husband’s body during the flight to Washington, D.C. . The swearing-in of
serving until the end of 1964 when he took office as a United States Senator in 1965.
Kennedy married Ethel Skahel
Now, to my connection to the Kennedy family and a brief but pleasant experience that my wife Gerri and I had with Bobby and Ethel Kennedy on the riverbanks of the Yampa River in
We reached a highway marker indicating a Ladore Road to the river and headed down a narrow dirt roadway. We encountered Bob Scott, an AP photographer assigned to cover the Kennedy’s trip. He was not injured when he wrecked his car driving off the road into a shallow ravine but needed assistance. He rode with us, heading a few more miles to the Yampa (Bear) River.
Just a few minutes after our arrival, we saw the caravan of vehicles coming down the road carrying the rubber river rafts and the members of the Kennedy
Continued on page 9
Rate Hikes and Federal Spending don’t seem related, until we get into the underlying intent of our fiscal leaders. Sadly, its not a pretty sight. But it is to be expected that a government entity, the Federal Reserve in this case, will naturally seek to prolong its existence and power. The ugly side is that in order to preserve their power, they must act against the good of the people for whom they are supposed to work.
As an example, today’s inflation was started by Fed Reserve actions taken in 2008 when they began printing US Dollars and ended up creating $8 Trillion in new debt. There are a few problems with this. We citizens pay off that debt through increased taxation. Further, that debt was used to allow government spending on Congresses favorite pork projects. Finally, all that debt , all those dollars printed, resulted in inflation. Once again, we citizens are paying for it through high prices.
But it gets better, or worse if you are a non-government citizen.
The Federal Reserve’s rapid interest rate hikes caused an inverted Yield. Curve. This resulted
in two problems. First, “available for sale” bonds in banks declined substantially; many banks took massive losses, depressing capital ratios, and, inevitably, reduced lending. So not only did the cost of borrowing go up, but banks are not lending as much. This certainly depresses economic activity.
The second issue is the inverted yield curve suggests great imbalance in the economy. The nature of a free market economy is that it self-corrects, sometimes violently. Not all yield inversions foretell recessions, but all recessions are preceded by inverted yield curve.
By bludgeoning the private economy with high rates and causing an inverted curve the Fed has all but guaranteed a recession.
The irony is that today’s inflation is not caused by an imbalance in supply and demand (in which case rates would solve it). Todays inflation was caused by another Fed mistake mentioned earlier: Since 2008 the Fed drowned our economy in excess money supply, liquidity, M2, by printed dollars via QE. Granted, high monetary liquidity stimulated our economy, but there is always a price to be paid and that price is devaluation of the dollar, inflation.
One has to wonder why the Federal Reserve has stimulated the economy through massive liquidity and simultaneous depresses the economy with high interest rates. Totally opposing actions at the same time. Makes one wonder…
If the Fed Reserve and Congress wants to reduce inflation, they must drain all excess liquidity from the economy. And that requires government spending not only stop, but decline.
This goes back to the opening paragraph. Namely, that in order to fulfill their duty and obligation, members of our federal government must act to benefit the citizen, the people for whom they
have a sworn duty. Sadly, that’s asking too much of human nature. And as we’ve seen for the past 100 years, since comrade President Woodrow Wilson, the nature of a government is to grow.
So the burden of sustaining ad passing on our Constitutional Republic and free economy, through capitalism, we citizens must take control and direct our representatives to do our bidding. But that is the nature of our unique form of limited government. Citizens must be involved in their government’s affairs to keep the bureaucrats honest. After all, we are asking federal employees to act in the best interests of our entire country, not in their own. That’s asking a lot.
Jay Davidson is founder and CEO of a commercial bank. He is a student of the Austrian School of Economics and a rabid capitalist. He believes there is a direct connection between individual right and responsibility, our Constitution, capitalism, and the intent of our Creator.
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Reverend Martin Niemoller
“In Germany, the Nazis first came for the communists and I didn’t speak up because wasn’t a communist. Then they came for the Jews and didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists and didn’t speak up because wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics and I didn’t speak up because was a Protestant. Then they came for me and by that time there was no one left to speak for me!”
2020 Member
We don’t need to share the same opinions as others, but we need to be respectful.
– Taylor SwiftGerri Sweeney, co-publisher of The Craig Daily Press, and daughters Saundra and Sharon greet former Attorney General and United States Senator, Robert Kennedy, on the bank of the Yampa River in Brown’s Park in August of 1966. Photo by Bob Sweeney, Craig Daily Press
Proposition HH is on the November ballot. Will it save taxpayers’ money or end up costing us more? It is a classic bait and switch move, and like playing 3 card
Monty with the guy on the street corner, you will leave the game with less money in your pocket.
What’s the bait? Start with the wording of the actual ballot question, “Shall the state reduce property taxes for home and businesses…” Who doesn’t want their property taxes reduced? Then again, how many phone calls do we receive from unknown numbers promising to lower our energy, cable, or insurance costs? These are other bait and switch schemes.
Why are property taxes going through the roof now? Colorado voters took the bait in 2020, repealing the longstanding Gallagher Amendment. Put in place in 1982, as home values increased, the amendment lowered the rate used to calculate property tax rates, preventing the kind of runaway property tax increases that we will soon see due to the COVID era rise in home prices.
Opponents of the Gallagher Amendment felt it would make it more difficult for the state to fund continuous cost increases for schools and public services. Under current economic conditions, most Coloradans are also struggling with cost increases, but we can’t call on our fellow citizens to bail us out. That’s why we have budgets and spending priorities, and so should the state.
TABOR, approved in 1992, is a check on profligate state government spending, limiting how much Colorado can retain and spend, tied to inflation and population growth, common sense limits on spending. Excess funds are returned to taxpayers.
Now for the switch. Passing Prop HH would take the TABOR refund Colorado taxpayers would receive and use a portion to reduce property taxes. That would be like the IRS taking your refund and using it to pay for a new tax increase. You are still paying for the tax increase using your own money, just taking it from a different pocket.
Who is supporting Prop HH?
As expected, big government donor class Democrats – Pat Stryker, Democrat PAC Boldly Forward, and the Colorado Teachers Union. Their return is more government spending for their pet programs and agendas.
If Prop HH passes, the state would be able to collect and spend an additional $9 billion over the next decade that would otherwise go back to taxpayers. If the legislature extends Prop HH through 2040, Coloradans would face a $21 billion tax increase
If anyone believes Governor Polis needs more spending money, feel free to write a check to the Colorado Department of Revenue.
The Common Sense Institute summed it up well; Proposition HH is one of the most compli-
BY BRIAN C. JOONDEPH
cated ballot measures ever presented to voters. Coloradans are facing historic property tax increases. Property taxes still significantly increase under Prop HH and has costly impacts for homeowners and renters.
Leave it to the government to create a problem, pushing repeal of the Gallagher Amendment, causing a new problem, which they want to “fix” using our money under a new and complex scheme.
The bait is lowering property taxes. The switch is that you will give up more in TABOR refunds than you save in property taxes. And your tax relief would only be temporary as taxes will continue to rise absent the Gallagher Amendment. But your lost TABOR refund will be permanent.
Don’t fall for the bait and switch, short term gain for long term pain. Vote NO on Prop HH.
CCSD Board of Education is neglecting the education of our children
It is happening in plain sight, and no one is paying attention. The Cherry Creek School District Board of Education is actively negligent in its primary responsibility—the education of our children. During the September 11, 2023 board meeting, Norm Alerta reviewed the district’s 2023 CMAS test scores. They are shocking. Only, 49.7% of our students met basic expectations in English Language Arts, and a scant 39.9% of our students met basic expectations in Math. Surprisingly, there was little or no improvement from the 2021-2022 school year to the 2022-2023 school year - a post COVID year where students were in school full time and without interruption.
Upon hearing these results, not one of the five board members, nor the superintendent, asked what immediate measures are being taken to reverse this frightening trend. Rather, all were quick to point out this test is only one measure of student success, while at the same time admitting it is the only true measure upon which we can rely.
The Cherry Creek School District has prided itself as “Dedicated to Excellence” for over 70
years. The ball has been dropped, and our children are suffering. Of Colorado’s 10 topperforming schools, only one was in the Cherry Creek School District (Challenge School). We no longer have the highest achieving students, and it is time to refocus on education.
As a retired dean, teacher, parent, and grandparent in the Cherry Creek School District, I support Steve McKenna and Scott Graves for the Board of Education. These candidates are focused on student achievement.
Ann Moore Centennial
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Community
Michelle Kay, Operations Equine
Armed ForCes
These special honors recognized Douglas County first responders, Armed Forces members, veterans, nonprofit organizations that support these brave heroes and remarkable individuals who have had a positive impact on our community.
Lt. Col. Jacob Mathis, U.S. Air Force dispAtCh
Keara Martin, DCSO
Fire & resCue
CJ Bailes, SMFR VeterAn
Alex Racy, Retired Army, SOF SGM
LAw enForCement
Jeff Cisclo, DCSO
SRO Deputy Best yeAr yet
Wellspring Community FALLen hero
Kendrick Castillo
Three seats on the Cherry Creek School District (CCSD) Board of Education are up for election on November 7. Anne Egan is running for re-election to a second four-year term in Director District A. She is being challenged by Steve McKenna. Ruthie Knowles is the sole candidate running for Director District B, which is an open seat. Anglela Garland is running for re-election to a second term in Director District C. She is being challenged by Scott Graves. All the candidates run at large.
The Villager watched and listened to the first four of six candidate forums presented by CCSD at four of its high schools between September
12 and September 27. We noted key questions and answers that could help voters determine differences between candidates. Ms. Knowles was only allowed to participate minimally because she is running unopposed so we did not include the few responses she gave. Some questions were asked of all four of the other candidates. Some were asked of only two.
In their introductions at the first candidate forum held at Smoky Hill High School on September 12, Garland emphasized her experience on multiple committees and PTCOs while her children were in Cherry Creek schools before graduating.
Graves talked about being a father of four sons, a former band schoolteacher in Texas, holder of a masters’ degree in curriculum, and a current financial planner.
Egan, a parent of four
Continued from page 4
family.
I calculate that present-day candidate Robert Jr. was around 14 at this time in his life. The vehicles pulled up, and the Kennedys were surprised that there was a media presence in the boondocks, but they were friendly and pleasant. Wearing shorts, Ethel slipped on some jeans, and the kids scrambled into the bushes and rocks adjacent to the river. It is a place I would not have gone to because of the rattlesnakes. Fortunately, no one was bitten.
We visited while the boats were unloading; Bobby and Gerri especially hit it off well, and we wished them “bon voyage.” We took AP photographer Scott back to Craig for a flight to Denver.
We sent our photos to Senator Kennedy and received a personal note dated September 23, 1966. We have this photo of Gerri and daughters, proudly framed among family pictures. Only with the resurgence of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as a presidential candidate can we relive and cherish that day’s events and meeting the famous family many years ago.
Don’t discount the candida-
cy of Kennedy Jr., noted for his speech impediment diagnosed in 1996 as “spasmodic dysphoria,” for which there is no cure. Kennedy was 9 years old at the time of his uncle’s death in 1963 and 14 when his father was killed.
Kennedy, now 69, was born on Jan. 17, 1954, with a colorful background and early-day challenges. He is a Harvard graduate with a JD law degree from the University of Virginia and a long career defending the environment, especially waterways.
He was married to his first wife, Emily Black and divorced in 1994. He married his second wife, Mary Richardson, who passed away in 2012. Now married in 2014 to actress Cheryl Hines, who starred as Larry David’s wife on the HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm Cheryl is 58 and doesn’t always agree with her husband’s viewpoints but remains in love with her husband, who apologizes to her often for his statements.
The older generation will remember the magical days of the Kennedys and the vibrance they brought to the White House and America.
The sheer Kennedy name is still influential today and could be a game changer.
CCSD graduates, focused on her former role as education policy advisor to Colorado Gov. Romer, as well as having completed the Cherry Creek Leadership program and having served on three CCSD school PTCOs, including as president. She also pointed to her role helping to pass several CCSD bond issues.
McKenna noted that two of his three children attended CCSD and said he was running because, “district leadership fails to educate half its students to grade level proficiency in English and fails nearly 60% in math.”
He pointed to his work as an attorney for the Securities and Exchange Commission and his prior service as a training pilot in the U.S. Navy. He pledged, if elected, “to reverse the decision to eliminate naming valedictorians at our high schools,” which he stated came about because, “current leadership thinks recognizing academic excellence inflicts harm.” Later in the forum, Egan pointed out that Cherry Creek High School, which hers and McKenna’s children both attended, has not had a valedictorian for 30 years.
The questions and answers that follow were selected from the first four candidate forums.
Asked if they had attended at least three CCSD Board of Education meetings prior to announcing their candidacy, Egan and Garland said yes. Graves and McKenna said no.
To the statement, “I support periodically raising taxes to continue the long history of investing in safe, healthy, and innovative school buildings,” Egan and Garland said yes. McKenna said no and Graves was uncertain.
“I believe the Cherry Creek school district provides an excellent academic environment for all of our children,” and, “I believe Cherry Creek is fiscally transparent and responsible with its funds,” brought agreement from Egan, Garland, and McKenna. Graves disagreed.
None of the four candidates supported the use of school vouchers for religious or pri-
vate schools.
“Based on state law and district policy,” all the candidates were asked what they believe is the role of a school board member and what they would bring to it.
McKenna said school board members’ role was, “to be a liaison between the schools and the community, including the parents,” and his experience as a litigator would help him do that.
Egan named the responsibilities of the school board as 1) hiring and managing the superintendent; 2) the district’s budget; and 3) setting district policies at a high level.
Graves said, “The job of the board of education is to represent the people who elect them and to take responsibility for the outcomes that a school produces,” along with “making sure funds are used in an efficient and transparent way.”
Garland echoed the responsibilities outlined by Egan, adding that it is important to be accountable to the voters.
Asked how they would support CCSD’s goal to eliminate academic disparities, Garland said that giving every student what they need to be successful “may not look fair or equal on the outside,” but “is a path to eliminating academic disparities.”
Graves said that it is the duty of the school board to make sure outcomes are appropriate and kids are prepared for adult life, adding that kids are all individuals and should have the opportunity to progress. He retold a story he heard from a community member at a recent school board meeting that a child was expelled without his family getting notified, thus they could not contest the expulsion. Assuming it was accurate, he said, “That’s the kind of thing that should never happen and leads to the school-to-prison pipeline.”
Asked what CCSD does well and what it could improve upon, McKenna said that academic success should be a primary focus “and I think we’ve veered away from that.”
Egan said CCSD needs to
improve its test scores.
A question about candidates’ volunteering experiences in CCSD and how it has prepared them to serve on the board brought, “Back-toschool nights, parent-teacher conferences, and sporting events; my wife did a lot of volunteering while I was busy practicing law, and I really do care about the kids,” from McKenna.
Egan listed her past four years as a board member, where she served on (three committees for which she used acronyms) and as the delegate to the state school board.
Graves said, “I’ve been involved in the raising of my four children, two of whom are twice-exceptional.” He also listed being a cubmaster, scoutmaster, and teaching in church as volunteer work, adding, “While it is very important to volunteer in the district, it is equally important to have voices from outside the district on the board who can come to the board and say…here are some new ideas that will be effective in helping kids get the academic experience that they should.”
Asked what to do about, “Tens of millions of dollars in deferred maintenance… while providing updated, innovative spaces for students to learn,” McKenna said, “I wasn’t aware that we had outstanding maintenance issues. I’m still learning a lot about the district.”
Egan said, “I think it’s critical to go for another bond and budget,” pointing to Cherry Creek High School as being over 50 years old and “severely struggling with maintenance issues.”
To a question about putting aside personal and political affiliations to work with others on the school board, Graves said he was concerned about the history of four or five years of unanimous votes on the school board and, “We need some different voices. We need some new ideas.” Later, Egan pointed out that it was not true that all board votes were unanimous, giving an example of a vote during her tenure on charter schools as being divided.
“If elected or re-elected, what would be your top prior
Two laws to prevent gun violence and save lives go into effect on October 1. HB231219 establishes a minimum three day waiting period to purchase a firearm, and SB23168 creates new avenues for victims of gun violence to pursue justice.
“We know waiting periods are a successful tool proven to prevent suicide and firearm deaths,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, sponsor of HB23-1219. “Establishing a three day waiting period creates breathing room and time to intervene before an act of violence is committed. Widely supported by gun owners, waiting periods can help us address gun violence and create safer Colorado communities.”
“Previously, if you wanted to get your hands on a gun, you could do so with near immediacy,” said Senator Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, sponsor of HB23-1219. “Whether you intend to harm yourself or others, waiting periods on firearm purchases delay immediate access to weapons and cut down on impulsive acts of violence. I’m proud to champion this new law that will save lives and create safer communities for all Coloradans.”
“I have experienced firsthand how a ‘cooling off’
period can save someone’s life when they are in crisis and trying to purchase a firearm,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sponsor of HB231219. “My son is still with us today because his background check was delayed when he went to a local gun store, and I am forever grateful he did not have instant access to a firearm that day. This new law will help save lives from senseless and preventable gun violence and improve public safety by preventing someone in crisis from immediately acquiring a deadly weapon.”
“A cooling off period could be the difference between life and death for a person in the midst of a mental health crisis,” said Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, sponsor of HB23-1219. “This legislation is backed by research and will reduce gun deaths by suicide and homicide. I’m incredibly proud of Colorado’s leadership on this issue and am proud to take this meaningful step to reduce the epidemic of gun violence.”
Research shows that creating a waiting period for purchasing a firearm has led to a 7 to 11 percent reduction in suicides by firearm and a 17 percent reduction in firearm-related homicides. In 2020, Colorado had the seventh highest suicide rate in the US, and in
2021, there were 740 suicides by firearm in Colorado, accounting for more than half of all suicides in the state. From 2014 to 2019, the number of firearm deaths in Colorado was greater than deaths from motor vehicle crashes and opioid overdoses. Among firearm deaths, more than 75 percent were caused by intentional self-harm or suicide.
Current law mandates that a background check is complete before a firearm can be transferred, which often takes less than three days. HB23-1219 requires a gun seller to wait for an approved background check or three days from the initiation of the background check, whichever is later, before delivering a gun to the purchaser. Creating a waiting period delays immediate access to firearms and can help prevent impulsive acts of violence, including suicides, homicides and assaults. Mandatory waiting periods are supported by 72 percent of gun owners.
The law does not apply to antique firearms. It also exempts the transfer of a firearm between an active duty military service member, who is set to deploy overseas, and their family.
“With this law, we are ending the excessive legal protections enjoyed by the firearm industry and ensuring they can
be held accountable when their actions cause harm to others,” said Rep. Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie, sponsor of SB23168. “This law re-establishes pathways for victims of gun violence, and their families, to seek justice through the courts. It ensures the firearm industry can be held to the same standard as any other business that operates in our state and hopefully encourage them to be stronger partners in our efforts to reduce gun violence in our communities and create safer neighborhoods for everyone.”
“Colorado used to be home to one of the most punitive laws against gun violence survivors in the country, laws that shielded them from accountability and needed to be changed,” said Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont, sponsor of SB23-168. “This new law will level the playing field by removing those extra protections and allowing legitimate lawsuits to move forward, ensuring the gun industry is no longer given special treatment and improving gun violence survivors’ ability to seek the justice they deserve.”
“Previously, Colorado gun sellers and manufacturers were provided legal protections far beyond those for most other businesses in the state and that prevented victims of gun violence from seeking justice,”
Senator Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, sponsor of SB23-168 said. “Removing Colorado’s overly broad gun industry immunity law will provide another avenue for survivors to pursue justice if they are harmed by irresponsible business practices.”
“When it comes to seeking justice through the courts, victims of gun violence in Colorado have faced an uphill battle,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, sponsor of SB23168. “Prior to this law, the firearm industry had extreme and unjust legal protections that prevented families and victims from seeking accountability. Through this legislation, we’re removing these completely unwarranted legal protections and creating a new avenue for victims to seek the justice they deserve.”
Prior to SB23-168, firearm industry members enjoyed broad protections under the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act from most types of civil lawsuits. Colorado law goes even further by including a punitive provision that forces victims of gun violence who sue the firearm industry to pay the company’s legal fees in dismissed cases. SB23-168 removes Colorado’s overly-broad immunity protections for firearm industry members and allows legitimate lawsuits against the firearm industry to move forward.
James Pritchett, CSU’s current dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and director of the Agricultural Experiment Station, will serve as the university’s next vice president for Engagement and Extension, beginning Jan. 1, 2024.
The appointment taps a seasoned university leader with lifelong ties to rural Colorado communities, signaling a continued and elevated commitment to the state, according to Parsons.
“As a proven leader with extensive expertise and a strong network of internal and external relationships across the state, James is exactly the person we need to move this priority area forward for CSU and Colorado,” Parsons said.
Pritchett has served CSU in many leadership roles including in his current role as dean, assistant vice president for Engagement and executive associate dean for the College of Agricultural Sciences. He joined the College of Agricultural Sciences faculty in 2001.
On August 28, the Preserve at Greenwood Village Homeowners’ Association filed suit in Arapahoe County District Court against its former management company, HDM2 d/b/a Hammersmith Management, Inc. (HMI), which provided management services to the Preserve neighborhood for X years until August 2022, when the HOA terminated its relationship with Hammersmith.
The basis for the lawsuit is the most recent contract between the parties, which began in March 2020 and ended when the HOA termi-
nated the relationship in August 2022. According to the allegations, Hammersmith shorted the HOA $27,682 when its relationship ended and the balance on the books was transferred to the HOA’s new management company.
In addition, in an audit, “the Association discovered approximately $20,000 in administrative fees charged by HMI,” and, “Despite a request for an accounting, HMI has not provided the Association with sufficient records to verify these charges.”
The suit also lists multiple payments “that were not authorized or approved,” including $16,000 paid to two separate parties, $5,400 HMI paid to itself “for a website HMI never created,” and $2,000 paid to a Hammer-
smith-related company.
There is also the matter of $6,590 that the suit alleges John Hammersmith, HMI’s owner and chief executive officer, “offered to reimburse the HOA for management fees, however, no…reimbursement” was made.
The HOA also says, in its lawsuit, that lifestyle services events Hammersmith managed were “poorly organized and managed” and that John Hammersmith “acknowledged that the services HMI had rendered did not comply with HMI’s obligations under the Management Agreement.”
The Preserve is seeking an accounting of all relevant charges, as well as damages and attorney’s fees. fmiklin.villager@gmail. com
FIREPLACES, AND EVERY IMAGINABLE AMENITY, IT IS TRULY IN A CLASS OF ITS OWN!! FROM ITS PERCH OVERLOOKING THE VERDANT PRESERVE, A NATURE PRESERVE IN PRESTIGIOUS GREENWOOD VILLAGE, ITS OVER 10,000 PLUS SQUARE FEET OF SPACE, INCLUDING ITS WALKOUT LEVEL, OFFERS AMENITIES AND PRIVACY THAT ARE RARE, EVEN IN THIS UPSCALE COMMUNITY. WITH ONE OF THE LARGEST FENCED YARDS, THE OWNERS HAVE CREATED A VIRTUAL PRIVATE OASIS ON THIS HEAVILY TREED 3/4-ACRE SITE. WITH FIRE PITS AND OUTDOOR KITCHENS ON THE MAIN AND LOWER LEVELS AN EXQUISITE WATERFALL, A POOL AND HOT TUB ONE STILL HAS THE USE OF THE OLYMPIC SIZED POOL, TENNIS COURTS AND WALKING TRAILS OF THE EXTRAORDINARY PRESERVE COMMUNITY. WITH 2 STAIRCASES TO ALL LEVELS, DRAMATIC VOLUMINOUS ROOMS WITH EVERY AMENITY IMAGINABLE, BRAZILIAN CHERRY FLOORS A FABULOUS STATE OF THE ART GOURMET KITCHEN, A WINE CELLAR, EXERCISE ROOM, EXTENSIVE STORAGE AND AN INTEGRATED THEATRE ROOM... WHY LEAVE HOME?
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BY PATRICE MATTESONI’m wondering how many of you remember drinking your juice in a “Swanky Swig”. This term was coined by Kraft Foods in 1933 when they began offering their processed cheese spread in reusable glass containers. It was a marketing strategy to encourage housewives to purchase Kraft’s products during the Great Depression when money was tight.
Kraft partnered with the Hazel Atlas Class Co. to manufacture these adorable little glass tumblers. More than 18 different Swanky Swig designs were produced from the 1930’s into the 1970’s including stars, solid color bands, and some floral patterns. In 1974, a Fayetteville, Arkansas Safeway grocery store advertised Kraft cheese spread in Swanky
Swigs: olive, pimento, olive-pimento and pineapple cheese spread (which was my favorite) for 49 cents each. Kraft used the phrase “collect them all” in many ads to encourage continued consumer shopping and brand loyalty.
When I am traveling across the country looking for vintage finds (or some people call it “picking”), I always purchase these swanky swigs for my shelf at home and also for the store.
A little tip…if you have any in your cupboard or have become a collector of this vintage glassware, don’t put them in the dishwasher. The color will fade and peel. Come and see some of these cute little juice glasses in the store and share your stories about a “Swanky Swig” from your past.
redapronvintage.com Aspen
THIS DICK TANNER DESIGNED EXECUTIVE HOME IS A SYMPHONY OF STYLE, QUALITY, VOLUME, AND LIVABILITY. ITS UNIQUE FLOORPLAN INCLUDES TWO STUDIES AND A LUXURIOUS GUEST BEDROOM ON THE MAIN FLOOR. WITH ITS SPACIOUS ROOMS, EXQUISITE
Continued from page 9
ity?” the candidates were asked.
Garland pointed to the district’s new strategic plan, which focuses on 1) literacy, 2) the whole well-being of all students, and 3) the disproportionality that exists in the district that predict students’ achievements based on race, economics, and their zip codes, as well as discipline.
Graves would prioritize “making sure every child knows how to read at grade level by third grade.”
Egan pointed to the strategic plan, as well, adding the importance of individual Pathways of Purpose because four-year college is not the right answer for all students, who might choose the military or the trades.
McKenna pointed to, “The lack of a focus on academic excellence,” thus his priority would be, “returning the focus to teaching the kids how to read and to make sure they know how to do basic math,” adding, “Safety and security is certainly right up there.”
Asked to “explain the role of each of the stakeholders--teachers, parents, school boards, superintendent, leadership, students— and what changes you would like to see related to school curriculum,” Graves said, “School curriculum, I think, is one of the pri-
mary and most important jobs for the school board to supervise because that’s ultimately what our kids are learning…There’s been a lot of effort at the district, unfortunately, to not include all parents in that conversation…When a parent doesn’t agree, that’s when we’ve seen issues with parents not being told the truth, not knowing what it is that their kids are learning, finding out later. That’s one of the reasons why Covid became such a dramatic moment, because parents started to find out what their kids were learning and some of them had a problem with that.”
Garland said that, “All the stakeholders have a place in determining curriculum,” and, “We live in a global world, so we ought to know each other’s experiences,” adding, “Some of the guidelines for curriculum are dictated by the Colorado Department of Education, which establishes guidelines and sets curriculum.” She commented that she did not understand how parents did not know what their children were learning since they register their students, take them to and pick them up from school, attend back-toschool nights where books are out, talk to teachers, and have access to syllabuses their students are given.
Asked, “Would you consider hiring a teacher
or a district administrator who has admitted to multiple DUIs and sex assault? Is this history appropriate for a district employee or a member of the school board?” McKenna responded, “I think it would depend upon the circumstances…I think the way this country works is if you do something wrong and you’re punished and you pay your debt to society, then you get to go on with your life and you need not be ostracized forever for that. But obviously, if you’re a teacher with children, then we need to look carefully at your past and ensure that the safety of the children is there…”
Egan said, “When we look at adults interacting with children, I agree with candidate McKenna that there is a certain level of an ethical bar that we need to apply to make sure that our students are safe and secure in their environment.”
fmiklin.villager@gmail.com
Editor’s note: Before The Villager completed its report, another media organization published an interview with candidate Steve McKenna in which he admitted to having had a brief, non-consensual sexual contact with a woman he did not know during the infamous U.S. Navy Tailhook convention in Las Vegas in 1991. McKenna has expressed remorse and embarrassment for the incident.
I am living in a world of transitional change. My mother passing in February changed the rhythm of my days as I called her every morning on the way to the office just to check in. The house I moved into after a brutal divorce, which was a place of healing and peace for 27 years, just sold. The succession plan the Center for Relationship Team and I have been planning and preparing for the last 3 years is here. Starting October 1, 2023, I will no longer be the president of this amazing organization I founded over two decades ago. Some days I feel am doing well and excited to retire and other days I feel like I am being held together emotionally by duct tape.
Seeking wise counsel for this stage of my life, I learned that workers who continued to work past retirement experienced better health and well-being. Research suggests that work provides a sense of purpose and social connection which are essential for human flourishing.
I am healthy, curious, joyful, smart and have something yet to do to make the world a better place. I know I will enjoy not working 12 hours a day but playing golf or traveling will get old and will not satisfy my need to expand my horizons and use the gifts, talents, and time I have left to make a difference. It is in my DNA!
As God so often does, a new opportunity surfaced. I was recently offered the position of being the President of NARME, (The National Alliance for Relationship and Marriage Education). The mission of NARME is to improve the well-being of
children, adults, and families by elevating skills-based relationship and marriage education (RME) as a social norm. Strengthening marriage and families are important to the health of our nation as the root cause of many social challenges emanate from the breakdown of the family. Relationship Education, as opposed to therapy, has the potential for creating positive social change which is essential at this time when America can not longer afford reparative endeavors in the area of violence and crime prevention, homelessness, substance abuse, depression, suicide, school failure, and the crisis of loneliness and isolation (outlined in a new report released by the Us Surgeon General).
The NARME Board of Directors is allowing me to work half-time and remotely so I can travel and continue to build alliances across the country as well as opportunities to increase the funding for marriage/fatherhood grants and other initiatives that strengthen families. The research concerning this issue is abundant and robust. It is my new job to inform foundations and congressional appropriators about this root cause data.
I am working diligently to let go of the rhythm of my life being focused on building the brand of the Center for Relationship Education and embracing the transition to NARME and the opportunity to effect sustainable change by making marriage, fatherhood, and family formation cool! Opening myself to new opportunities and embracing change is a primer for life transitions. joneen@ myrelationshipcenter.org
Are you an UPSTANDER? Are you looking to help bullied children? Come join us for a morning filled with fun, exercise, resources, give-aways, music and food. Your support in the 5K will ensure that Colorado families experiencing bullying are empowered through education and advocacy to defend their child where the bullying occurs. With your participation, we are committed to building a community of support. to help families rebuild and recover together. Join us for a very special day and become an UPSTANDER with us.
Berkeley Lake Park - The Resource Fair will be in the park and the 5K will take place on the trail around the lake.
2nd Annual UPSTANDER 5K Benefiting Bullying Recovery Resource Center (BBRC)
Saturday, October 7, 2023 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Berkeley Park 4601 W 46th Ave
Denver, CO 80212
https://runsignup.com/Race/CO/Denver/BRRCUpstander5K
On September 29, the League of Women Voters of Arapahoe and Douglas Counties, Aurora Chamber of Commerce, Aurora Women’s Club, 9 News, and Sentinel sponsored forum for candidates for Aurora mayor and city council.
Candidates for mayor, incumbent Mike Coffman and challengers Juan Marcano and Jeffrey Sanford, fielded questions from Max Levy of the Sentinel, Luige Del Puerto of the Gazette, Marshall Zelinger of 9News, and Debbie Gilliard of the Aurora Women’s Club, who served as moderator.
In his opening statement, Mayor Coffman expressed his “fundamental belief that every resident in our city, regardless of where they live, has the right to live in safety without fear of being a victim of a crime. I’ve worked hard as our mayor to make sure that our police department has the resources that they need…to attract, train, and retain the best police force we can have to keep our communities safe.”
Marcano said he is running for mayor “because we need to make Aurora a city that is safe, clean, and thriving.” He continued, “I believe we can do that by attacking the root causes of crime in our community, by investing in permanent supportive housing for folks who are experiencing homelessness in our city, by making sure we are protecting our environment, including our water from fracking and other extractive industries, by ensuring an honest day’s work pays enough for you to live, and by ensuring that we celebrate our community’s rich diversity by creating a cultural and performing arts center so that we can all have a place to come together. We have an amazing amount of potential here in Aurora and it is time that we lived up to it.”
Sanford’s complete statement was, “My number one priority is the environment and sustainability. We are leaving our children a horrid world.”
The first question, from Gilliard, was, “What specific actions will you take to attract and retain industry to Aurora with good-paying jobs?”
Marcano said, “Economic development is going to be key to our future. We need to rework what our economic development strategy is…I believe we can do that by broadening the table of folks who we have at the economic development end of the city…”
Sanford responded, “The city needs a master plan. There
Q: Dr. Dusty, what exactly is earwax and why do we have it?
A: Earwax is a natural substance produced by glands in the outer ear canal. The consistency of earwax can be watery or gooey. When it dries it can become flaky. My patients are sometimes concerned about their ears being “dirty” when I do their exams. But it is important to know that having earwax doesn’t mean you have “dirty” ears. In fact, one of the functions of earwax is to prevent actual dirt and other debris in the air from going deep into the ear canal. Another function of earwax is to moisturize the skin of the ear canal, preventing irritation and dryness.
Q: So if earwax is actually a good thing, why is there so much talk about how to remove it?
Q: How would someone know if they have excessive wax production or a wax build-up?
A: If you have an annual physical, your provider should look in your ears let you know if there is too much wax build-up. Otherwise, the symptoms of excessive earwax include reduced hearing, earache, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), dizziness, and a feeling of fullness in the ear.
Q: What should they do if they suddenly start having some of these symptoms?
are a lot of great committees… parks and rec…economic development…They aren’t working together. We need a comprehensive master plan… for development, for modernization, and for sustainability.”
Coffman talked about his role as mayor placing him on the board for the Fitzsimmons Innovation Community, that is, “the bioscience part of the Anschutz medical campus (which) has the most extraordinary potential for growth… The campus right now has a $10 billion economic impact, 29,000 employees and 4,500 students in the health care area. It is a catalyst for redevelopment. We need to continue our relationship with the (military) base, which has an extraordinary economic impact, too, in terms of how we redevelop around it. Under my leadership (Coffman is a former U.S. Marine and Member of Congress), we will remain a good partner with the military.”
Levy wanted to know, from Sanford, how he expected to be a successful mayor with no previous municipal government experience.
He answered, “I’m a leader, not a politician. I was a facilities manager at Buckley Air Force Base…I’ve managed multi-billion-dollar contracts, along with staffs into the thousands. I can deal with infrastructure and the trades.”
Continued on page 16
A: Most people’s ears only produce a small amount of earwax and that earwax naturally migrates out of the ear canal and is rinsed out in the shower or bath. However, some people have very active earwax glands and produce so much wax that it builds up in the ear canal. In addition, people who use cotton swabs to clean out their ear canals can unintentionally push the earwax back into the ear canal and cause a blockage. Do you remember your mom telling you never to stick anything bigger than your elbow into your ear? Well, that might be a little bit of an exaggeration. I tell my patients not to stick anything bigger than their pinky finger into their ear canals. A tissue on the end of your finger is a safe and effective way to clean and dry out your ear canal after bathing. Cotton swabs work well for cleaning in and around the small folds of our outer ears, but should never be put inside the opening of the ear canal.
Q: OK, so Q-tips are a no-no. What about all of the other earwax removal tools I see online or at the store?
A: I know, there are so many devices marketed for earwax removal, and they all frankly scare me to death. The skin in the ear canal is very thin and bleeds easily, so these little corkscrew and hook-like devices can cause severe lacerations in the canal. Open wounds in the ear canal are a perfect place for bacteria to grow and cause an outer ear infection, which can be incredibly painful and must be treated with antibiotic drops and sometimes oral antibiotics. In addition, many of the little tools I see advertised are so long that they could puncture the eardrum which causes extreme pain and could even harm the tiny bones in the middle ear space resulting in the need for surgical correction. So, I’ll always go back to my rule of nothing bigger than your pinky finger in your ear canal. Don’t let those online ads fool you - just because they market these devices as “safe and effective” tools for earwax removal definitely doesn’t mean they are safe OR effective!
A: The symptoms I mentioned can also be symptoms of other, more serious medical issues. So if you’ve never had wax build-up in the past and you suddenly start having one or more of these symptoms, it is really important that you be seen by your primary care provider, an audiologist, or an ear, nose, and throat specialist. However, if you have a history of wax build-up and know what it feels like when your ears are plugged with wax, then it is OK to attempt to remove the wax at home using the following methods. First, you need to soften the wax with hydrogen peroxide or over-the-counter earwax removal drops (fun fact - stool softener also works!). Let the hydrogen peroxide or drops sit in your ear canal for at least 20 minutes. You might hear some bubbling and sometimes your ear will feel even more clogged as the liquid makes the earwax expand and fill more of your ear canal. Next, you can gently squirt warm water into your ear canal with a large syringe or bulb syringe that you can find at any drugstore. You’ll want to do this part in the bathtub or shower as it can get kind of messy. Keep doing this until you notice that your ear is feeling less plugged. If you have any pain, stop right away and schedule an appointment with your medical provider. In general, using warm water to gently rinse your ear canal is an effective way to remove earwax and is much safer than sticking a pointy hard object into your ear canal. However, if you have ever had a punctured eardrum or have been told by your medical provider that you have a hole in your eardrum, please do NOT squirt water into your ear. You will need to have the earwax removed professionally.
Q: What do you think about ear candling?
A: Oh, I’m so glad you asked! Ear candling ranks right up there with sticking sharp objects in your ear canal. It is not an effective way to remove earwax and it is extremely dangerous as it can burn the inside of your ear canal. Burning the sensitive skin inside the ear canal is not only incredibly painful but also makes it susceptible to infection. Just say “no” to sharp objects and ear candling!
Q: What can people do to prevent earwax from building up?
A: Water is your friend when it comes to preventing earwax build-up. When you shower or take a bath, let the water get into your ears. The
shampoo also helps to soften the wax and clean out the ear canals, so don’t be afraid to let a little bit of shampoo get into your ears. Just be sure to rinse it out by tilting your ears up to the shower stream, or dunking your ears under the water in the bathtub. When you are done bathing, use a tissue on the end of your pinky finger to dry out the opening of the ear canal. If you wear hearing aids, wait at least 30 minutes before inserting your hearing aids so that your ear canal has time to dry out. Another way to prevent excessive earwax build-up is to keep the skin in your ear canal nice and healthy. We sell drops in our clinic that are a combination of natural oils specially formulated for ear canal health. But you can also use mineral oil or plant-based oils like olive oil or fractionated coconut oil. Just use any of these oils very sparingly. One or two drops in each ear canal a couple of times per week is plenty.
Q: Do you perform earwax removal at Columbine Hearing Care?
A: I sure do! In fact, wax removal is one of my favorite jobs in the clinic. I just find it so satisfying and love the look of relief on the faces of my patients when they can hear normally again! I have specialized tools and equipment for ear examinations and wax removal. I use techniques such as ear irrigation and curettage to remove stubborn or impacted wax safely and efficiently, minimizing the risk of injury to the eardrum or ear canal. The safety of my patients is always my top priority and I take all necessary measures to make sure they are comfortable throughout the procedure. I like to call our earwax removal process a “spa treatment” for their ear canals. I perform video otoscopy before and after the wax removal process so the patients can see exactly how much wax was in the canals initially, and how clean they are after we’re done. This also allows them to clearly see their eardrums which everyone thinks is pretty darn cool! We perform a special pressure test called a tympanogram to make sure the eardrum and middle ear bones are working properly, and we do a hearing screening. So it is a very comprehensive visit that not only cleans your ears but also gives us valuable information about your auditory system. Being a small, self-pay clinic allows us to spend extra time with our patients and to be extremely thorough with every aspect of our care.
Continued from page 15
DelPuerto asked the candidates to identify, “the one social problem you promise to resolve by the end of your term.”
Coffman named homelessness, noting the number of unsheltered homeless has gone down by half since 2022, while the number of sheltered homeless has gone up by about the same number, “so our aggregate numbers are relatively flat.” He pledged to be more aggressive about helping the homeless with needed services like treatment and job training.
Marcano named the same topic, conceding that the numbers have gone down (while Coffman has been mayor) but attributed it to the fact that the count was taken on a cold night when more people would have been in shelters. He recommended following Houston’s lead and working with Denver on the problem.
Sanford said he would work with other mayors on a regional solution, along with Arapahoe County Human Services, adding, “Unfortunately, our weather is quite a bit different from Houston, and if we don’t work on this right now to get these folks housed, even temporarily (implying cold weather is coming that has an impact on the unhoused)…I’ve done it before. I can do it again.”
Zellinger asked Marcano, “A Democratic Socialist’s view of police is that they protect wealth and power (Marcano has identified himself as a Democratic Socialist) and prevent protest. Do you believe in Aurora police and what would you prefer Aurora’s police force to look like?”
Marcano responded, “I believe there is an ongoing civil war within the (Aurora Police)
department. We have some folks (in the department) who are willing to…rebuild community trust. We have some folks who are holding on for dear life to the way things used to be, and that is just simply unacceptable to our community.” He spoke positively about current Interim Police Chief Art Acevedo and pointed to the need for increased community policing.
Zellinger pointed out that Sanford’s skill set as a public administrator might be best suited to the job of city manager, to which the candidate responded, “I believe in the strong mayor, but that’s a question for another time.”
Trust was the subject of Zellinger’s question to Coffman, pointing out that the mayor was not forthright about his role in the strong mayor ballot initiative (which was ultimately withdrawn) when reporters asked him about it early on. He asked Coffman, “Shouldn’t trust come with transparency?”
The mayor explained that, when asked by reporters, he said he would discuss it if it made the ballot, implying that he didn’t deny his involvement, he just didn’t admit it. Coffman followed that with the frank admission that it wasn’t a good strategy, but, “That’s the nature of what we do. Sometimes things work and sometimes they don’t. That obviously did not work.”
The Villager will have more from this forum, along with those held for Aurora City Council candidates at-large and from Wards IV, V, and VI next week. Stay tuned.
Ballots for the November 7 election will go in the mail beginning the week of October 16.
fmiklin.villager@gmail.com
The NBA champion Denver Nuggets are about to attempt one of the most difficult feats in professional team sports: Repeating.
Training camp opened two days ago in San Diego, and Mike Malone’s team faces several challenges as he prepares it for the 2023-24 National Basketball Association season.
Most obvious is replacing two integral members of the three-man bench rotation Malone relied on during last season’s championship run. (Bruce Brown signed with the Indiana Pacers, and 36-year-old Jeff Green jumped to Houston.)
Most unpredictable is the continued health of two key players, forward Michael Porter Jr., who suffers from chronic back issues, and Nikola Jokic’s mind-reading alter ego, guard Jamal Murray, who is playing on a reconstructed knee. Also critical is the sustained well-being of the magical Joker, selfless Aaron Gordon and seasoned Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Most daunting is matching the individual intensity of last June’s championship run.
How hard is it to successfully defend a title, especially when numerous players must again produce effort to match the level they mustered to reach previously unattained heights?
Just ask the Avalanche. Or most past champions, whether in the National Hockey League, the National Football League, Major League Baseball or the NBA.
After winning the Stanley Cup in ’21-22, the Avs were ousted in the first round of last season’s NHL Playoffs. In the past 30 seasons, only three teams—the Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning—won back-toback titles.
During that time, 14 franchises have won at least once. The Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks flirted with repeating, but the best they could do was win in alternating years, 2012 through 2015.
The Denver Broncos (199899) and New England (200405) claimed consecutive Super Bowls. The Dallas Cowboys won two out of three (1994-96), and the Patriots were champs three times in four years (2002, plus their back-to-back years). Fifteen teams won at least once.
Only the Yankees of 19982000 have won consecutive World Series since 1994. The San Francisco Giants won three in five years, but each title was followed by not even winning the National League pennant.
Perhaps because the number of championship-caliber players on a title team is smaller, pro
basketball teams have successfully defended their titles more often.
The Chicago Bulls won three straight from 1996 through 1998 after Michael Jordan un-retired, and the Lakers of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant won three in a row in 2000-02. Hakeem Olajuwon led the Houston Rockets to backto-back titles in ’94-95, and Golden State reprised 2017 in 2018.
But at the same time, the Champions Challenge is readily apparent even in the NBA. San Antonio, led by Tim Duncan, won four titles between 1999 and 2007 but never followed up one with another. And Golden State played in five straight Finals, though won just three of them. Cleveland went 1-3 and Miami 2-2, each in four straight Finals appearances.
Why is it so hard to win again the next season?
“Winning takes talent; to repeat takes character,” explained legendary basketball coach John Wooden, whose UCLA teams won nine collegiate national championships in 10 years, including seven in a row, between 1964 and 1973.
There are more than two dozen definitions for character in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, but the ones that correspond to Wooden’s concept deal with personal attributes such as
competitiveness, intensity and focus.
That’s the challenge all teams face after hoisting a championship trophy.
The Nuggets, who return all five starters, have roughly six months to find out who most likely among veterans Reggie Jackson and DeAndre Jordan, draft choices Julian Strawther, Jalen Pickett and Hunter Tyson, and second-year forward Peyton Watson can join Christian Braun in a championship bench rotation.
But the key to their encore will be avoiding even the slightest emotional letdown. That’s a tough test.
News last week of the blockbuster trade that will pair Giannis Antetokounmpo with Damian Lillard instantly made the Milwaukee Bucks the betting favorite to win the next NBA championship—ahead of the Nuggets. Right behind Denver are the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns.
The first of five preseason games is next Tuesday, against those Suns. The regular season begins October 24 at home against the Lakers.
The next six months will answer this question:
Can the Nuggets shake off the still-warm satisfaction of having won it all and prevail over the Bucks or any other opponent fortified to relegate them to the list of one-hit wonders?
Denny Dressman is a veteran of 43 years in the newspaper business, including 25 at the Rocky Mountain News, where he began as executive sports editor. He is the author of 15 books, nine of them sports-related. You can write to Denny at dennydressman@comcast.net.
ONE
PORTICO
Dear Savvy Senior, Which vaccines are recommended for Medicare seniors this flu season?
Just Turned 65
Dear Just Turned, There are actually three different types of vaccines seniors should consider getting this fall to protect against a repeat of last winter’s “tripledemic” of respiratory illnesses, which included flu, RSV and coronavirus. Here’s a rundown of the different vaccines the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending and how they are covered by Medicare.
For people age 65 and older, there are three flu vaccines (you only need one) that the CDC recommends over traditional flu shots.
These FDA-approved vaccines provide extra protection beyond what a standard flu shot does, which is important for older adults who have
BY DONALD PETERSONSupported deci -
sion-making is a voluntary process that enables seniors and adults with disabilities to make decisions with the assistance of personally selected members of their supportive community. The individual identifies a person they trust to assist them with determining the issue that need to be decided, the choices available, and weighing the pros and cons of the possible outcomes when making such a decision.
Supported decision-making can be adapted to many different situations, enabling adults with disabilities to have more control over their lives and their futures. Supported decision-making can be used either:
1. As an alternative to guardianship; or
2. As a supplement to an existing guardianship,
weaker immune defenses and have a greater risk of developing dangerous flu complications compared with younger, healthy adults. The three senior-specific options include the:
• Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent vaccine, which contains four times the amount of antigen as a regular flu shot does, creating a stronger immune response for better protection.
• Fluad Quadrivalent vaccine, which contains an added ingredient called adjuvant MF59 that also helps create a stronger immune response.
• FluBlok Quadrivalent vaccine, is a recombinant protein (egg-free) flu vaccine that contains three times the amount of antigen as compared with a regular flu shot.
There isn’t enough evidence yet to indicate whether one of these three vaccines provides superior protection
conservatorship, or power of attorney.
Supported decision-making is an effective way for seniors and people with disabilities to choose the people they trust to help them understand complex information and make informed medical, financial, or legal decisions. Individuals provided with this type of support have an increased knowledge of the risks and benefits that enable them to make informed decisions, consistent with their personal values.
Supported decision-making relationships are based on the concept that being able to make your own choices about your life is critically important for a person’s well-being. One advantage is that the process can adapt and change over the course of a person’s life, depending on their abilities and their support networks.
Using the supported decision-making process can increase an individual’s self-confidence and provide an opportunity to practice skills in problem-solving and setting goals. In addition, supported decision-making encourages the creation and maintenance of supportive communities that assist seniors and adults
over the other two for seniors.
As for side effects, you should know that the Fluzone High-Dose and Fluad vaccines can cause more of the mild side effects that can occur with a standard-dose flu shot, like pain or tenderness where you got the shot, muscle aches, headache or fatigue. While the side effects of Flublok tend to be a little less frequent.
BY JIM MILLERAll flu vaccines are covered 100 percent by Medicare Part B as long as your doctor, health clinic or pharmacy agrees not to charge you more than Medicare pays.
Anyone age 60 and older, especially if you have any heart or lung conditions, diabetes, kidney or liver disorders that make you vulnerable to the respiratory syncytial
with disabilities in maintaining decision-making authority over their own lives.
Part 2 of this article will cover who is considered a member of the supportive community and how supported decision-making is used.
What are the four key medical/estate plan documents you need now?
Many of my clients have asked what are the critical documents needed, particularly in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Simply being married does not give you the legal right to gain access to your spouse’s medical records or make medical decisions on your spouse’s behalf, even in an emergency. To avoid this problem and to help others care for you and to
virus (RSV) should consider getting one of the new FDA approved RSV vaccines (either Arexvy or Abrysvo).
These vaccines, recommended by the CDC, will help protect older and immunocompromised adults from respiratory illness, which is responsible for 6,000 to 10,000 deaths and at least 60,000 hospitalizations each year in seniors 65 and older.
The new RSV vaccines are covered by Medicare (Part D) prescription drug plans.
Updated
If you haven’t had a Covid-19 booster shot lately, you should consider getting one this fall. Even though the Covid public health emergency has ended and the number of cases has gone way down, it has been surging in recent months causing an increase
achieve your overall estate planning goals, the following documents create an effective medical/estate plan package:
1. Healthcare Power of Attorney;
2. General Financial Power of Attorney;
3. Advanced Directive for Medical/Surgical Treatment (“Living Will”); and
4. Will (or a Will with a Trust). Careful medical/estate planning should include preparation and signing of these documents, to accomplish your goals and protect you, both during your lifetime, and at the time of passing. The Power of Attorney documents allow you to designate those agents whom you authorize to help you on your behalf during your lifetime, and
in hospitalizations, especially among the elderly.
The updated Covid vaccine targets the XBB omicron subvariants that are some of the most dominate coronavirus variants circulating in the U.S. It will also provide protection against the EG.5 variant (Eris), which is closely related to the XBB.
Covid booster shots are covered 100 percent by Medicare Part B.
Most health officials agree that it’s safe to receive the flu and Covid booster at the same time. But because the RSV vaccines are new this year, many doctors are recommending a two-week window between an RSV shot and the flu and/or the COVID shots.
You can find all three vaccines at most pharmacies, medical clinics and health departments, or you can do a search at Vaccines.gov.
the Will/Trust documents allow you to nominate others to help with your estate after your passing, as well as to identify the beneficiaries and the distributions to them, to accomplish your estate planning goals.
Selected information in this column has been taken with permission by Continuing Legal Education in Colorado, Inc., from the Colorado Senior Law Handbook , 2023 Edition, Lisa T.C. “Blattner, ed., CLE in Colo., Inc (Chapter 35: Supported Decision Making, Sandra M. Sigler Esq.), which is a copyrighted publication and may be accessed and downloaded for free at: http://seniorlawhandbook. org/.
DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO
7325 S. Potomac Street Centennial, Colorado 80112
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO, Petitioner, IN THE INTEREST OF GUSTAVO GALINDO, Child, And concerning PEGGY GALINDO and JESUS GALINDO CARRILLO, Respondents.
Linda Arnold, Reg. No. 16764
Office of the Arapahoe County
Attorney Attorney for the People
Arapahoe County Department of Human Services
14980 East Alameda Drive Aurora, CO 80012
Tel: 303-636-1882 Fax: 303-636-
1889
NOTICE OF ADJUDICATORY
COURT TRIAL AND DEFAULT JUDGMENT
REGARDING RESPONDENT
FATHER JESUS GALINDO CARRILLO
Case No: 23JV293
Division: 23
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the above captioned matter has been set for an ADJUDICATORY
COURT TRIAL AND DEFAULT
JUDGMENT REGARDING RESPONDENT FATHER JESUS
GALINDO CARRILLO on OCTOBER 20, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. (MST) in Division 23 of the Arapahoe District Court. ** The Arapahoe County District Court is holding hearings via Cisco WebEx Meetings to allow for audiovisual and/ or audio participation. Participants may use any computer, tablet or smart phone equipped with a camera and microphone for audiovisual participation. Parties should use the following link:
•https://judicial.webex.com/meet/
D18-ARAP-Div23
•Enter your name and email address (so we know who you are).
You will then be in the virtual courtroom.
•Select your audio setting. If the audio on your computer or tablet does not work, please use the alternate audio option of calling in to the number below.
If you do not have a device that will support a video connection, you may still participate by audio only by calling 720-650-7664 and enter access code 2598 320 5548 (followed by #, #).
In the event you fail to appear for said hearing at the date and time indicated, the Petitioner will request that the Court enter a default judgment against you and adjudicate the child dependent and neglected in accordance with the Colorado Children’s Code.
/s/ Linda Arnold
Linda Arnold, Esq., 16764 Assistant County AttorneyPublished in The Villager
Published: September 28, 2023
Legal # 112
DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO 7325 South Potomac Street Centennial, Colorado 80112 (303) 649-6355 Telephone
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO Petitioner, In the Interest of:
ESPERANZA FERNANDEZ, Child, and concerning, CELESTE RICO AND JOHN DOE, Respondent.
Sarah Simchowitz, Reg. #44890
Assistant County Attorney Office of the County Attorney
ARAPAHOE County, Colorado 1790 W LITTETON, BLVD LITTETON, CO-80120
PUBLIC NOTICE OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME
Case Number: 2023C100640
Petitioner: SHAMSULLAH SHAHAB - SOMAN SABAH SHAHAB
Public Notice is given on September 21, 2021 that a Petition for a
Change of Name of a Minor Child has been filed with the Court.
The Petition requests that the name of MARYAM SHAHAB be changed to MARYAM SELINA SHAHAB
By Clerk of Court/Deputy Clerk
Published in The Villager
First Publication: September 21, 2023
Last Publication: October 5, 2023
Legal # 11285
ARAPAHOE County, Colorado 1790 W LITTETON, BLVD LITTETON, CO-80120
PUBLIC NOTICE OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME
Case Number: 2023C100644
Petitioner: SHAMSULLAH SHAHAB - SOMAN SABAH SHAHAB
Public Notice is given on September 21, 2021 that a Petition for a
Change of Name of a Minor Child has been filed with the Court.
The Petition requests that the name of SADAF SHAHAB be changed to SARAH SADAF SHAHAB
By Clerk of Court/Deputy Clerk
Published in The Villager
First Publication: September 21, 2023
Last Publication: October 5, 2023
Legal # 11286
14980 E. Alameda Drive Aurora, CO 80012
Phone: 720-800-5788
Case No: 23JV304 Division: 22
NOTICE OF ADJUDICATORY HEARING AND DEFAULT JUDGMENT CONCERNING
JOHN DOE
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that an Adjudicatory Hearing and Default Judgment regarding JOHN DOE is set on October 16, 2023 at 8:45 a.m. in Division 22 at the Arapahoe County District Court, 7325 South Potomac Street, Centennial, Colorado 80112.
You have the right to be represented by an attorney during these proceedings; if you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to represent you. In the event you fail to appear for said hearing at the date and time indicated, the Petitioner, the People of the State of Colorado, will request that the Court enter a default judgment against you and adjudicate the child dependent and neglected in accordance with the Colorado Children’s Code.
The Arapahoe County District Court is holding hearings via Cisco WebEx Meetings to allow for audiovisual and/or audio participation. Participants may use any computer, tablet or smart phone equipped
with a camera and microphone for audiovisual participation. Parties should use the following link:
•https://judicial.webex.com/meet/ D18-ARAP-Div22
•Enter your name and email address (so we know who you are).
You will then be in the virtual courtroom.
•Select your audio setting. If the audio on your computer or tablet does not work, please use the alternate audio option of calling in to the number below.
•If you do not have a device that will support a video connection, you may still participate by audio only by calling 720-650-7664.
When prompted enter Access code: 2594 887 9073 then press #,
NOTICE OF PARTIAL RELEASE OF RETAINAGE
NOTICE is hereby given that South Metro WISE Authority of Arapahoe County and Douglas County, Colorado, will make a partial release of retainage payment at Greenwood Village, Colorado, on Wednesday, October 11th, 2023, at the hour of 10:00 AM to Jennifer Smith of Glacier Construction Company, of Centennial, Colorado for all work done by said Contractor in construction of the Binney Connection Pumping and Treatment Package, performed within South Metro WISE Authority, Arapahoe County and Douglas County, State of Colorado.
Any person, copartnership, association of persons, company or corporation that has furnished labor, materials, team hire, sustenance, provisions, provender, or other supplies used or consumed by such contractors or their subcontractors, in or about the performance of the work contracted to be done or that supplies rental machinery, tools, or equipment to the extent used in the prosecution of the work, and whose claim therefor has not been paid by the contractors or their subcontractors, at any time up to and including the time of final settlement for the work contracted to be done, is required to file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid, and an account of such claim, to South Metro WISE Authority, c/o Kate Bandel, on or before the date and time hereinabove shown for final payment. Failure on the part of any claimant to file such verified statement of claim prior to such final settlement will release South Metro WISE Authority, its directors, officers, agents, and employees, of and from any and all liability for such claim.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SOUTH METRO WISE AUTHORITY
By: Secretary – Board of Directors
Published in The Villager
First Publication: September 21, 2023
Last Publication: October 5, 2023 Legal # 11292
NOTICE OF FINAL PAYMENT
ARAPAHOE County, Colorado 1790 W LITTETON, BLVD LITTETON, CO-80120
PUBLIC NOTICE OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME
Case Number: 2023C100642
Petitioner: SHAMSULLAH SHAHAB - SOMAN SABAH SHAHAB
Public Notice is given on September 21, 2021 that a Petition for a
Change of Name of a Minor Child has been filed with the Court.
The Petition requests that the name of HEELAL SHAHAB be changed to YOUSUF HEELAL SHAHAB By Clerk of Court/Deputy Clerk
Notice is hereby given that final payment will be made on the 13th day of October, 2023, on a contract dated November 4, 2022 between the City of Cherry Hills Village Sanitation District (Owner) and Vortex Services, LLC (Contractor) for the 2022 Remove & Replace Project. All persons, companies or corporations that have furnished labor, materials or other supplies or service used by Vortex Services, LLC under and in connection with the said contract and whose claim has not been paid by the Contractor shall, by the 13th day of October, 2023, file with the Owner a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim. Failure on the part of the claimant to file such settlement will relieve the owner from any or all liability for such claims.
Owner, City of Cherry Hills Village Sanitation District
By: Kathy L. McKunePublished in The Villager
First Publication: October 5, 2023
Last Publication: October 12, 2023
Legal # 11299
NOTICE OF FINAL PAYMENT
# (no attendee ID is needed).
If you elect to appear in person, you must be at the Courthouse a half hour before the hearing is scheduled to begin.
Date: September 26, 2023
Sarah Simchowitz, Esq. #44890 Assistant County Attorney Attorney for Petitioner 14980 E. Alameda Dr Aurora, CO 80012
Phone: (720) 800-5788 Email: SSimchowitz@arapahoegov.com
Published in The Villager
Published: October 5, 2023 Legal # 11298
trict (“District”). Such proposed budget will be considered at a meeting and public hearing of the Board of Directors of the District to be held at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, 8390 E. Crescent Pkwy., Ste. 275, Greenwood Village, CO 8011 and via telephone and videoconference. To attend and participate by telephone, dial 720547-5281 and enter passcode 608 895 112#. Information regarding public participation by videoconference will be available at least 24 hours prior to the meeting and public hearing online at www.pjmd.org or by contacting Sandy Brandenburger by email at sandy.brandenburger@claconnect.com or by telephone at 303-265-7883.
NOTICE IS FURTHER
GIVEN that an amendment to the 2023 budget of the District may also be considered at the above-referenced meeting and public hearing of the Board of Directors of the District. A copy of the proposed 2024 budget and the amended 2023 budget, if required, are available for public inspection at the offices of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, 8390 E. Crescent Pkwy., Ste. 300, Greenwood Village, CO 81111. Any interested elector within the District may at any time prior to final adoption of the 2024 budget and the amended 2023 budget, if required, file or register any objections thereto.
PARKER JORDAN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
By: /s/ Kevin Pettway, President
Published in The Villager
Published: October 5, 2023
Legal # 11301
NOTICE OF ELECTIONS
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and particularly, to the electors of the Prosper Metropolitan District No. 1, Prosper Metropolitan District No. 2, Prosper Metropolitan District No. 3, Prosper Metropolitan District No. 4, Prosper Coordinating Metropolitan District, Prosper Water & Sanitation Financing Metropolitan District, Prosper Park & Recreation Financing Metropolitan District, and Prosper Regional Water & Sanitation Service Metropolitan District (collectively, the “Prosper Districts”) of Arapahoe County, Colorado:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that elections for each of the Prosper Districts will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. regarding the submission of the proposition of issuing general obligation bonds or creating other general obligation indebtedness or any questions necessary to implement the provisions of Article X, Section 20, of the Colorado Constitution.
The elections are being conducted as mail ballot elections by the Designated Election Official, Craig Sorensen, c/o McGeady Becher P.C., 450 E. 17th Avenue, Suite 400, Denver, Colorado 80203, telephone number 303592-4380. The place of deposit for mail ballots and walk-in polling place for voting at the elections will be at said office.
Not sooner than October 16, 2023 and no later than October 23, 2023, the Designated Election Official shall mail to each active registered elector of the Prosper Districts, mail ballot packets.
The walk-in polling place shall be open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. beginning not sooner than twenty-two days prior to the election, October 16, 2023, and from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on the date of election.
Case Number: 2023C100638
Petitioner: SHAMSULLAH SHAHAB - SOMAN SABAH SHAHAB
Public Notice is given on September 21, 2021 that a Petition for a Change of Name of a Minor Child has been filed with the Court.
The Petition requests that the name of BELAL SHAHAB be changed to BELAL AIDEN SHAHAB
By Clerk of Court/Deputy Clerk
Published in The Villager
First Publication: September 21, 2023
Last Publication: October 5, 2023
Legal # 11288
Notice is hereby given that final payment will be made on the 13th day of October, 2023, on a contract dated August 29, 2022 between the City of Cherry Hills Village Sanitation District (Owner) and Inliner Solutions, LLC (Contractor) for the 2022 CIPP Project. All persons, companies or corporations that have furnished labor, materials or other supplies or service used by Inliner Solutions, LLC under and in connection with the said contract and whose claim has not been paid by the Contractor shall, by the 13th day of October, 2023, file with the Owner a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim. Failure on the part of the claimant to file such settlement will relieve the owner from any or all liability for such claim/s.
Owner, City of Cherry Hills Village Sanitation District
By: Kathy L. McKunePublished in The Villager
First Publication: October 5, 2023
Last Publication: October 12, 2023
Legal # 11300
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that an eligible elector of said Prosper Districts for the purpose of said election is a person registered to vote pursuant to the “Colorado Uniform Election Code of 1992”; and (i) who is a resident of the Prosper Districts, or (ii) who, or whose spouse or civil union partner, owns taxable real or personal property within the Prosper Districts, whether said person resides within the Prosper Districts or not. A person who is obligated to pay taxes under a contract to purchase taxable property within the Prosper Districts shall be considered an owner of taxable property for the purpose of qualifying as an eligible elector.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that applications for absentee voter ballots may be filed with the Designated Election Official at the address set forth above no later than the close of business on the Tuesday immediately preceding the election. Return of absentee voter ballots and replacement ballots may be received by the Designated Election Official at the above address, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. beginning on October 16, 2023, until the day prior to the election, or between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on the date of the election.
Prosper Districts
By: /s/ CRAIG SORENSEN
Designated Election Official
Published in The Villager
Published: October 5, 2023
Legal # 11302
DENVER GOP FIRST FRIDAY
BREAKFAST
OCT. 6, 8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. at the Morning Story Restaurant. Speaker: Clarence Burton, Jr., the Exec. Dir. for Denver Families for Public Schools. Topic: “First Families’ Candidate endorsements for the Denver School Board.
THE QUEEN CITY JAZZ BAND
FRIDAY, OCT. 6, 7:30 p.m. Free
Admission, Littleton United Methodist Church
5894 S. Datura St. littletonumc.org
RODEO ALL STAR RODEO COMPETITION
OCT. 6-7, NEW Denver dates. Three rodeo competitions and a Friday night All-Star Concert.. Also the RAS Mutton Bustin’’ Sheep Stampede. Registration open. Tickets: rodeoallstar.com
DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS
CHATFIELD FARMS PUMPKIN FESTIVAL
OCT. 6-8, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Ticket price includes access to the 10-acre pumpkin patch, Corn Maze, live music, and family activities. Tickets: Calll720-865-3500. CORN MAZESundays-Oct. 29 Seven acre maze. Featuring sea creatures for fun twists & tricky turns. Purchase tickets online for a specific date & time to visit. Tickers not available onsite.
ARAPAHOE COUNTY 4-H EXTRAVAGANZA
SAT., OCT. 7, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Learn more about 4-H membership at the 17 Mile House Farm Park. QR code in the Sept. 28 Villager - page 3.
SOUTH METRO DENVER CHAMBER EVENT
SAT., OCT. 7, 2-4 p.m. Bring the family Sports Dome Grand Opening & Touch - a - Truck. Featuring fire, police, trucks, soccer & speed/agility activities inside the Sports Dome on the new turf field at 6959 S. Peoria St., Centennial. RSVP: 303-795-0142
INDEPENDENT INSTITUTE SEMINAR “SPEAKING UP AND SPEAKING OUT!”
SAT., OCT. 7, 9:30 a.m.-Noon. Cost: $10. Koelbel Library, 5955 So. Holly St., Centennial, Meeting Room B. 2 1/2 hour seminar facilitated by Kathleen Chandler and Sheri Tuffield. Learn how to Speak out in the name of Liberty! Info: Kathleen@i2i.org
PARIS STREET MARKET
OCT. 7, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Aspen Grove, 7301 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton. Open-Air, Vintage, Boutique, Artisan.
ARAPAHOE COUNTY OIL & GAS UPDATE
OCT. 10, 6 p.m. in the East Hearing Rom at the Administration Bldg., 5334 S. Prince St., Littleton.Visit: arapahoeco.gov/oilandgas
CHERRY CREEK
REPUBLICAN WOMAN
OCT. 10, 11:00 am social time with meeting start of 11:30 at the Double Tree Hotel, I-25 and Orchard. Speaker: Michael Fields – Proposition HH For information contact Karen Blilie at 303-667-8767
COLORADO AUTHORS’ HALL OF FAME HAPPY HOUR
OCT. 11, 5 p.m. with bestselling author Patricia Raybon. Register: https://bit.ly./FRIAuthorHappy Hour. Live the second Fri. of each month. Next month - Nov. 8 with Jill Tietjen featured.
TESORO CULTURAL CENTER
FREE LECTURE
OCT. 14, 4 p.m. Lone Tree Hub, 8827
Lone Tree Pkwy. “The Widowed OnesBeyond Little Big Horn by Chris Ends.
OCT. 15, 1:30 p.m. at Goodson Rec Ctr., 6315 So. Univ. Blvd., Centennial.
DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS
AT YORK ST., GOLDEN
LEGACY
OCT. 15-FEB. 18, 2024 Explore whimsical children’s book illustrations highlighting animals & nature. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily. Art from 80 years of Golden Books. Tickets: 720-865-3500.
UPLIFT GUILD FASHION SHOW & MEMBERSHIP
LUNCHEON
OCT. 20, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Columbine Country Club. Fashion show sponsored by local boutiques. Proceeds support students and staff by sponsoring new vans, hygiene products for kids in need, and more. Shop with local vendors. RSVP: Nicole at nwirwtz@coloradouplift.org
ARAPAHOE COUNTY TREAT
STREET
OCT. 21 AND 22, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Outdoors at the BOOOO-tiful Arap. CO. Scaregrounds in Aurora. Kids 12 & under: wear a costume and get in FREE! Adults in costume get in for $5.
WESTERN FANTASY 30 YEARS
OCT. 21, at National Western Events Center. The evening’s entertainment: Kevin Costner and Modern West. Humanitarian Award Winners: Charlie & Judy McNeil. Gala Chairs: Sharon Magness Blake and Ernie Blake. Benefiting Volunteers of America. Info: Lynn Hubert at 303-748-5368 or visit www.voacolorado.org/wf
SPINA BIFIDA FALL FESTIVAL
OCT. 21,11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Food, music, games, crafts & demos. The event is free but pre-registration is required at https://form.jotform.com 232486099729169. Main sponsor: Rotary Club of Aurora. At Douglas County Fairgrounds, Castle Rock.
CITY OF CENTENNIAL SIP IN CENTENNIAL
OCT. 21, 1-5 p.m. Centennial Center Park, 13050 E. Peakview Ave. Combining Brew-N-Que and Whiskey Warmer - beer & liquor tastings, food trucks, yard games and live entertainment. Free to attend and open to all ages.
HIGHLINE CANAL TREE
PLANTINGS
OCT. 21 & 28, 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Plant drought-tolerant trees along the trails shoulders. OCT. 21, Centennial. OCT. 28 - Milliken Park 6445 S. Clarkson St., Centennial. Register to Volunteer at 720-7672452.
CARLA’S A CLASSIC DESIGN
OPEN HOUSE
OCT. 26, 27, 28, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. OCT. 29 - 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Christmas
Florals, Pre-Lit Trees, Garland & Wreaths and much more. The Streets at Southglenn, 6851 S. Gaylord St., Suite 233 Centennial.
40TH ANNUAL MENTAL HEALTH FUNDRAISING GALA
OCT. 28, 5:30 p.m. at Seawell Ballroom, DCPA. Tickets: www. auctria.com/auction/tribute
MENTAL HEALTH COLO.
40TH ANNUAL TRIBUTE FUNDRAISING GALA
SAT., OCT. 28, 5:30 p.m. Formal attire. Denver Center for the Performing Arts Seawell Ballroom, 1350 Arap. St., Den. Email: ashaw@ mentalhealthcolorado.org
TRUNK-OR-TREAT AT WELLSHIRE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
OCT. 29. Spooky Organ Concert, Pipe organist Wil Smith and digital artist Nathan Selikoff present an evening of spooky classics at Wilshire Presbyterian Church. In a darkened sanctuary, digital images are projected onto the organ pipes accompanied live by creepy organ pieces such as Bach’s infamous Toccata and Fugue in D minor, and works by Gyorgy Ligeti and Olivier Messiaen. Child-friendly concert at 4:30 followed by a trunk-ortreat; full-length concert at 7:00. Suggested donation: $20 per person (or $20 per family for child-friendly concert). 2999 S Colorado Blvd, Denver. wpcdenver.org
JUNIOR LEAGUE HOLIDAY
MART
NOV. 11-12, at Gates Field House on the Univ. of Denver campus. Local & national vendors. The League’s newest cookbook, “Centennial Celebrations” will be available. NOV. 10 - 1-8 p.m. NOV. 11 - 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. NOV. 12 - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. $10 in advance at JLD .org or at the door. PRIVATE SHOPPING EVENT - NOV. 10 11a.m. - 1 p.m. Tickets $40.
CHERRY CREEK SCHOOL DIRECTORS ELECTION
NOV. 7, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Three directors will be elected to serve 4-year terms in Director Districts A, B & C for CCSD No. 5. Eligible electors must reside in each District respectively for at least 12 months preceding the election.
