11-17-22 Villager

TOP: (right to left) John Maling, Judith Briles, Natli Van Derwerkin, Jeannete Seibly, Pat Williams, Linnea Tanner, Linda Schaal and Laura MeadeColorado authors.

The Lone Tree Ladies 9 League - Lisa Hornafius and Annie MoberlySocial Co-Chairs with their unique aprons and hand towels.

Photos by Gerri Sweeney

RIGHT: Bill & Debbie Vetters of Aurora with their Custom Woodworking.

TOP: Elizabeth “Liz” Burton and Megan Bastian with their creative Burtons Bake Shoppe.

Heritage Eagle Bend in Aurora held their annual Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 5. There were many new vendors with a large turnout of Holiday shoppers.

Unwrap the joy of the season at Gaylord Rockies with endless hours of holiday entertainment and activities for the whole family to enjoy together. NOV. 11 - JAN. 1 | ChristmasAtGaylordRockies.com

Cindi Anden of Aurora with her Handmade Pumpkin Creations.

I’m still happily recovering from the Miklin-Lipsky wedding held Sat urday night, Nov. 12, at the Seawell Ballroom at the DCPA in down town Denver.

Gerri and I, daughter Susan, and husband Mike Lanam, were invited guests to the fin est, most beautiful wedding, that I have ever attended.

Rebecca Miklin and Na than Lipsky recited their per sonalized vows before 300 guests. Nathan stomped the wine glass to shreds follow ing the traditional Jewish cer emony as the guests let forth a mighty cheer. Rebecca’s four brothers, Alex, Danny, Zach, and Jason, hailed the

prowess of their little sister. All five of the Miklin children are Cherry Creek High School graduates.

Family members spoke, the cantor sang, the audience did a jubilant dance to a fabulous 10-piece band. Our wonderful Villager colleague Freda Miklin and husband Jerry were hoisted aboard strong shoulders and paraded around the dance floor by dancing guests. It was a frightening scene, but joyful, to see Freda in a beautiful gown, floating high in the air around the room, as the band played the spirited ceremonial music.

Epicurean Catering per formed miraculously to pro

vide hors-d’oeuvres down stairs, while the upstairs ball room was beautifully trans formed from the wedding garden motif to flower laden dining room with elegant ta bles for a sit-down wedding dinner followed by fabu lous desserts. The speeches continued and the love of family and friends rained

down upon this divine prov idence occasion joining in marriage this loving couple.

The Lipskys will be moving to Denver from Chicago where they will join the Dr. Jerry Miklin family, encircled with family love, and cherishing Fre da who just accomplishes miracles on a daily basis.

PUBLISHER & EDITOR

Gerri Sweeney gerri@villagerpublishing.com

PUBLISHER

Robert Sweeney bsween1@aol.com

CREATIVE MARKETING DIRECTOR

Susan Sweeney Lanam 720-270-2018 susan@villagerpublishing.com

VICE PRESIDENT/MARKETING

Sharon Sweeney sharon@villagerpublishing.com

LEGALS

Becky Osterwald legal@villagerpublishing.com

NEWS EDITOR

Gerri Sweeney 720-313-9751 gerri@villagerpublishing.com

GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER

Freda Miklin fmiklin.villager@gmail.com 303-489-4900

REPORTER Robert Sweeney bsween1@aol.com

FASHION & LIFESTYLE Scottie Iverson swan@denverswan.com

DESIGN/PRODUCTION MANAGER Tom McTighe production@villagerpublishing.com

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS

Susan Lanam — 720-270-2018 susan@villagerpublishing.com

Sharon Sweeney — 303-503-1388 Gerri Sweeney — 720-313-9751 gerri@villagerpublishing.com Scottie Iverson swan@denverswan.com Linda Kehr — 303-881-9469 linda@villagerpublishing.com Valerie LeVier — 303-773-8313 valerie@villagerpublishing.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS Susan 720-270-2018

PHOTOGRAPHER

Stefan Krusze — 303-717-8282 octaviangogoI@aol.com

EDITORIAL COLUMNIST

Robert Sweeney bsween1@aol.com The

Reverend Martin Niemoller

“In Germany, the Nazis first came for the communists and didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a communist. Then they came for the Jews and I didn’t speak up because wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics and didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me and by that time there was no one left to speak for me!”

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.

The happy couple — Nathan and Rebecca Lipsky.

Mother and daughter — Freda Miklin and Rebecca Lipsky.

The Seawell Ballroom

The Miklin family — Jason, Alex, Becky, Danny, Jerry, Freda and Zach.

The kids are all right

I don’t fret about “kids these days.” At least not much. Maybe it’s because I’m a teacher. Maybe it’s because I’ve parented two children through the teenage years. Maybe it’s because I’m just the eternal optimist, though that’s probably a dubious claim to many who know me. Perhaps it’s because I’m a member of Generation X, an often maligned if not altogether overlooked demographic. Gen Xers were first refer enced in “A Nation at Risk,” the pessimistic report on education in the early 80s that predicted “a rising tide of mediocrity.” Later on, Xers were called the “Slacker Generation,” who would amount to noth ing. Needless to say, they are the innovative people who, in the 1990s, went on to build the internet as we know it today.

Regardless, I’m simply not worried about young peo ple, and I never have been. Worrying about the youth of the day, as older generations are always wont to do, and as even many contemporary teens themselves do, has become a bit of a national pastime. In fact, it’s become a bit of an obsession, and I don’t think that’s a healthy attitude, nor do I believe it’s an accurate portrayal of Gen Z. Tracy Moore, a Los Ange les-based writer, thinks like wise, and she recently pub lished a piece in the Wash ington Post letting us know that “The kids are alright, take it from a Gen X parent.” I’ve made the same claim over the years, and have even written those words before. The kids are all right.

According to a parent like Tracey Moore, the generation of kids born after 1998 is “the most diverse, engaged, social-justice-minded, pur pose-driven generation yet, and we have every reason to anticipate their success, or at least not to presume their failure.” This perspective is borne out by extensive stud ies on Generation Z from the Pew Research Center.

The kids these days have many positive attributes and much to be proud of. My own kids are in many ways wiser and more balanced at the age of seventeen than I feel like I was at the age of twenty-seven. My students regularly produce writing that surpasses work I did in my undergraduate degree. In fact, across many content ar eas, students are achieving at admirable levels. The knowl edge and skills these kids possess will serve us all well going forward.

One of the most recent causes for alarm and sources for criticism of Gen Z is the recent release of national standardized test scores

known as the National As sessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP, also referred to as “the nation’s report card.” Lower reading and math scores across the board from fourth through

too much significance on those standardized assess ments, which are given to a cross-section of kids nation wide in a voluntary format. And it’s far too soon to judge the long-term impact of the learning. In the meantime, educators will simply do what they do best, which is teach the students in front of them. And who knows, maybe we’ll learn that we greatly overestimat ed the value of those tests.

culture and negative talkinghead programming on cable TV is every bit as subversive and insidious as Instagram and Tik-Tok are. And to be perfectly honest, young peo ple often seem more attuned to the downsides and prob lems of their media. They regularly mock it even as they engage with it.

twelfth grade suggest stu dents are far behind the expected academic levels previous to the pandemic. There’s little doubt that two years of inconsistent in-per son learning has impacted students’ education. How could it not have? That said, society has long placed

Yes, many people might concede, but what about their obsessive use of social media and the apparent need to post ev erything and live their lives online? Certainly, the kids of today are tuned in and influenced by media in ways unimaginable decades ago. However, I truly believe the twenty-four-hour talk radio

I refuse to look at young people today and tell them they are damaged. I refuse to engage in the idea of ongoing trauma. Each gen eration faces its challenges, and somehow comes out on the other side. I once read a New York Times column in which the writer opined that it’s amazing the human race survived, knowing we all had to be nineteen at some point. How true. So, here’s look ing at you Gen Z, with hope and optimism. I believe in the youth as I believe in the future.

Worrying about the youth of the day, as older generations are always wont to do, and as even many contemporary teens themselves do, has become a bit of a national pastime. In fact, it’s become a bit of an obsession, and I don’t think that’s a healthy attitude, nor do I believe it’s an accurate portrayal of Gen Z.

Brown elected Cherry Hills Village mayor

BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENT REPORTER

Katy Brown, who served on the Cherry Hills Village City Council for 10 years, including four years as Mayor Pro Tem, was elected to be its new mayor on Nov. 8. Brown received 46 percent of the vote, besting twoterm incumbent Mayor Russell Stewart, who got 42 percent, and newcomer Jenn Diffendal, who received 12 percent of the 3,465 votes cast.

CHV has a total population of 6,353, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, of which 4,593 are old enough to vote. That translates to a 75 percent voter turnout in the mayoral race.

The term for mayor in CHV, unlike most cities in Colorado, is only two years long, and those elected are limited to three (con secutive) terms.

Also on the ballot in CHV were candidates for city council to represent CHV districts two,

four and six.

In district two, Earl Hoe llen defeated newcom er-to-politics, environmental ist and musical composer Tory Leviton by a decisive 41 points. Hoellen is an attorney who also holds a master’s degree and an undergraduate degree in nu clear engineer ing. He served on the city council repre senting district two from 2015 to 2019. After losing his re-election bid four years ago, he remained a constant fixture and contribu tor at city council meetings. He went on to serve on the planning and zoning committee and the

Quincy Farm committee, beginning in 2019.

Susan Ma guire, former executive director of the Cherry Hills Land Pre serve, also an attorney who has worked in real estate and finance, was elected to represent CHV district four. She will replace Mike Gallagher, who was term-limited and endorsed Ma guire for the position. Maguire defeated former federal prosecu tor Mark Williams by 35 points. Although new to CHV govern ment, Williams holds degrees in international affairs, political

Relationship land mine

Spending, unending consump tion, credit cards, online shopping, ATMs, refinancing deals, and online money transfers have made manag ing finances a shell game. Debt is at an all-time high, affecting the qual ity of relationships. For millennials, who are marrying later, both part ners have a financial history they bring into the relationship. Some enter marriage with undisclosed fi nancial obligations. This disclosure avoidance regarding debt creates a crumbling of trust and may even feel like a betrayal that deconstructs the relationship’s fabric.

Not only do we come into re lationships with debt, but we also have unspoken expectations about how we make, spend, save, and give money. We have years of modeling about how our family of origin managed resources. Money affects choices, identities, self-worth, sense

of freedom and security, emotions, hopes, dreams and expectations.

Conversations about money are based on intention, unspoken mo tives, daily decisions, activities, and a framework of a belief system that is not untangled in our conscious ness or adequately verbalized. This makes finances the third rail of re lationship management and a tight rope of delicate discussions. This is especially true as we deal with this inflationary economy and holiday gift-giving.

Research highlights that most adults enter marriage with some form of debt. Dr. Scott Stanley, professor of psychology at the University of Denver, opines, “It is pretty common to find out that the person you married has more debt and less income than you realized.”

This is a “negative dowry” effect. There used to be such a thing as a

dowry, property or money brought by a bride to her husband on their marriage. Also, a “hope chest” was an ordinary furniture item where women would add items of value or family heirlooms to bring into their marriage for legacy building. These traditions are a thing of the past. How a couple deals with this “new normal” predicts the success or fail ure of their relationship.

To overcome this landmine, emotional safety in the relationship is defined as the ability to be totally honest, vulnerable, and openly dis cuss this issue. Stanley recommends that couples view themselves as two separate individuals with a shared third identity: me, you and us. A way to diffuse conflict when both individuals are working and shar ing the duties at home is a shared bank account, with each partner having their accounts used by each

science and Russian, in addition to a law degree.

CHV district six City Council member-elect is Robert Eber, who grew up in CHV and is a longtime member of the city’s parks, trails and recreation com mission. He also serves on the master plan revision citizen task group and has been a vocal ad vocate for open spaces. Eber is also a lawyer representing state government and corporate clients in environmental and natural resource matters. He overcame insurance executive, CPA and MBA holder Tom Conroy by a 17-point margin on Nov. 8. Eber will take the seat formerly held by Mayor elect-Katy Brown.

There were also two ballot issues solely for CHV voters on election day.

The first question was wheth er to change the language of the city’s sales tax ordinance to expand the definition of “en gaged in business in the city,” to include making deliveries to

city residents by remote sellers. The change would allow CHV to participate in the State of Colorado’s Sales and Use Tax System to ease the burden of collecting sales taxes for home rule cities by out-of-area sellers.

Residents of cities that are not a part of that system have found retailers unwilling to sell to them because of the difficulty in collecting and remitting tax.

The ballot measure passed 59 percent to 42 percent.

CHV voters also voted overwhelmingly to amend their Home Rule Charter to require voter approval “for the sale, vacation, or conveyance of any City property interest in any trail or open space” in CHV, with minor named exceptions. That vote was 82 percent to 18 percent.

The new members of the CHV City Council, including the mayor, will be sworn into office on Jan. 17, 2023.

fmiklin.villager@gmail.com

individual but disclosed to one another with trust and trans parency. For relationships to be successful, both partners need to contribute equally in the form of finances and effort. If one person feels that he or she is the only one contributing to the union’s success, resentments will run high, and the relationship equilibrium will be negatively affected.

On a positive note, today’s cou ples have the fantastic opportunity to design and reimagine how their relationship is going to operate, not having to align with the roles of the past, Ensuring the relationship is defined by full disclosure, honesty, transparency, and respect is the path to success.

Game

Cherry Hills Mayor-elect Katy Brown

CHV District Two City Council

Member-elect Earl Hoellen

CHV District Four City Council Member-elect Susan Maguire

CHV District Six City Council

Member-elect Robert Eber

Commissioners get two new members

BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENT REPORTER

On Nov. 8, two of the five seats on the Arapahoe County Board of County Com missioners (BOCC) were up for election. There were no incumbents because the current holders of the positions, Nancy Sharpe (R) in BOCC district two and Chair Nancy Jackson (D) in BOCC district four, were term-limited, having served 12 years each.

Election results as of Nov. 14 show that Jessica Campbell-Swanson (D) will re place Sharpe in BOCC district two, having bested former Centennial City Council Member Mark Gotto (R) by over 10 points.

Campbell-Swanson is a political consultant with a law degree and a master’s degree in comparative politics from the University of

Denver.

In BOCC district four, U.S. Navy vet eran, small business owner, and mother of five Leslie Summey (D) defeated former Aurora City Council Member Bob Roth (R) by a whopping 31 points. Summey will replace Nancy Jackson in BOCC dis trict four.

Campbell-Swanson and Summey will be sworn in and begin their first four-year terms in January 2023.

Democrats gain seven seats in legislature

BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENT REPORTER

Going into the November election, Republicans held only 24 out of 65 seats in the state House. They hoped to pick up some more but didn’t think they would likely get to 33, the num ber they’d need to take control. In the state Senate, they had 15 out of 35 seats, so they only needed to flip three to control that chamber and thereby wres tle total control from the Dem ocrats, who had the governor’s office, as well. It sounded very plausible since everyone, locally and nationally, was predicting the same “red wave.”

The Secretary of State’s office told The Villager election results cannot be official ly certified until Dec. 5 at the ear liest. However, based on posted results as of Nov. 14 at 1:33 p.m., all the changes in the 2023 Colo rado general assembly will bene fit the Democrats. In the Senate, where 17 seats were up for elec tion, seven remained Republican, eight remained Democratic, and two will change from Republi can-held to Democrat-held.

State Senate District 8 was represented by state Sen. Bob Rankin (R) of Carbondale until 2021, when the Independent Leg islative Redistricting Commis sion’s work resulted in his resi dence being located in SD5. Since

state House, beat Matt Solomon (R) in that election by an 11-point margin, flipping the seat from the GOP to the Democrats.

In Larimer County State Senate District 15, incumbent Rob Wood ward (R) appears to have lost his bid for re-election by 448 votes out of 83,558 votes cast to systems en gineer and former vice-president of the Thompson School Board Janice Marchman (D).

to 2022, there was no incumbent in the 2022 race. Stephanie Vigil (D) bested Dave Donelson (R) by two points.

United States Air Force veter an Jennifer Lea Parenti (D) beat Dan Woog (R) in HD19 by three points. Woog was redistricted into HD19, having represented HD63 in the previous term.

Bob Marshall (D), retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Colonel,

ter Holbert resigned to move to Florida. Van Winkle was elected to a full term in SD30 on Nov. 8.

In HD 49, Judy Amabile (D) beat Kathryn Lehr (R) by a whopping 30 points. Amabile had represented HD13 before the 2021 redistricting.

Glenwood Springs’ Elizabeth Velasco (D), trained as a wild land firefighter, bested incum bent Perry Will (R) in HD57 by

Leslie Summey, Commissionerelect for district four

Jessica Campbell-Swanson, Commissioner-elect for district two

Oh what fun it is to shop

was a shopping success

Yummy Recipes

Front: Co-chairs Heather Yount and Brooke Bearman. Back row: Danielle Poole, Darcy Ripple, Alexis McClain, Krista Mullen, Jennifer Lund, Kristen Claxon, Bridget D’Angelo.

Abigail and Bridget Gerhardy

Gerri and Susan Sweeney

Mother daughter duo of Makhala Designs

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF DENVER

Culinary Nibbles

What Villager readers dislike for Thanksgiving...

SUBMITTED BY HEATHER SEGAL

I recently saw a post on social media that got me thinking about the upcoming holi days and how so many of us get off track with our healthy diets and lifestyles.

The post said, “In the United States, we have a candy holiday, followed by a pie holiday next, a cookie and candy holiday before a boozer holiday, and we call it “flu season” rather than sugar poisoning season.” It’s no wonder so many people have FLC (Feel Like Crap) Syndrome around this time of year and want to reset come the New Year.

Did you know that in the year 1900 the average American ate about 3 pounds of refined sugar per year. Flash forward to a study in 2019 that showed we were up to 57 pounds of added sugar per year! It’s no wonder 41.9 percent Americans struggle with their weight.

Delicious food. Enjoyed with family and friends.

We all look forward to our celebrations and enjoying our favorite recipes that we only indulge in once a year. But when we’re trying to focus on our health, the holidays can become slightly problematic. What we once looked forward to becomes an affair laden with either anxiety beforehand or guilt for days afterward because we lost control and ruined our momentum.

The holidays don’t have to be like this!

Below I’ve put together a list of my top tips to help you take back control of the hol idays and enjoy them without shame or regret.

1.). Enjoy a balanced breakfast that includes protein, healthy fat and fiber: It will help stabilize mood and energy as well as assist in resisting holiday treats! You get bo nus points for adding extra vegetables. In fact, incorporate this philosophy with all your meals and you will feel a difference in your mood, energy and waist line.

2.). Incorporate movement: Movement helps boost metabolism, burn fat and control appetite by reducing the hunger hormone leptin.

No time? I’m going to challenge you on this one. Movement doesn’t have to be a 60 minute class at Orange Theory. Maybe it’s a 15 minute walk after lunch, 10 push ups while your coffee brews, or 10 squats while drying the dinner dishes. My suggestion is if you do not already have an exercise routine, find ways to include some minor move ment into your daily routine. I think you will be surprised at how a few minutes of movement can morph into something much larger-simply because it feels good!

3.). Avoid adding additional sugar to your food: Skip the ice cream or whip cream on the pie (try unsweetened full fat coconut milk), enjoy a plain coffee with a splash of unsweetened milk or Nut Pods while avoiding the seasonal Peppermint Mocha or Car amel Brûlée Latte. And if you are baking goodies, try adding 1/2 the sugar. I’m willing to bet it will go unnoticed.

4.). Make a plan: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. In the case of surviving holi day parties, this is such an important concept. Plan out in your head exactly what you want to indulge in and where your limit lies. Setting parameters before the fact can go a long way towards achieving your goals. Been dreaming all year about your grand mother’s famous fudge? Plan on having only a couple of pieces of it and forget about the other decadent choices on the table. When we set an intention before the party and visualize exactly how we want to feel when we’re there and afterward, we’re much more likely to pull it off. This is a practice I regularly employ.

5.). Don’t arrive for the holiday party completely famished: When we are hungry, we make bad choices and have a harder time stopping when we are full. Try to eat something with protein and healthy fat (avocado, nuts and seeds, olive oil, coconut) about an hour before the festivities begin. An old trick is to have a shot of olive oil or a teaspoon of coconut oil.

6.) Follow the three bite rule: Take three bites of your favorite holiday treat and put the fork down! Notice the sight, smell, taste and how the food feels in your mouth. Our taste buds are chemical sensors that tire quickly. After the first few bites our taste buds begin to shut down and after a large amount, we may have very little taste experi ence at all.

7.). Keep holiday treats out of the house: Maybe it’s the irresistible pumpkin pie from Costco or the Christmas family fudge recipe that has been passed down from gen eration to generation. One bite becomes more than one bite and before long the entire treat has disappeared! Make things easy on yourself and don’t let that food into the house. Willpower can only go so far!

8.). Make sleep a priority: Sleep deprivation seems to be common over the holidays. This is problematic because research proves that missing out on just one nights sleep causes a spike in hormones that make you feel hungry, cranky and mentally foggy. A perfect trifecta for emotional eating.

9.) Manage stress: Stress can contribute to weight gain in several different ways, and the holidays are an inherently stressful time for most people. Make sure to set some time aside for rest and leisure. This could be something as simple as a 3 minute breath work/meditation break, practicing gratitude or journaling. Or maybe it’s talking with a friend, getting outside or dancing? What ever the secret sauce is for you-find a way to implement it into your day.

10.). Unable to implement all of this perfectly: Guess what, that makes you human! Choose grace instead of guilt. Don’t beat yourself up if you made a mistake. We don’t have to be perfect to achieve results. Small changes over time add up to BIG victories.

I HOPE THESE TIPS HELP YOU NOT JUST SURVIVE THE HOLIDAYS BUT COME OUT OF THEM FEELING GREAT!

And if you’re looking for a little more in-depth guidance on how to live your best life and naturally improve your body’s healing mechanisms, reach out to me at heathersegal@integrativeliving4u.com or call (303) 868-1326.

I’d love to hear your health story!

A day honoring veterans

By Danny Tomlinson WRC U.S. Navy Veteran Scribe

On Nov. 10, your faithful scribe was honored to be invited to Polton Elemen tary School for a Veterans Day event. Polton is part of the Cherry Creek School District and is located near Parker Road and Peoria in the Dam West subdivi sion. Principal Angie Lore and Assistant Principal Courtney Blume organized the event with the help of the teachers and staff of Polton Elementary. They have done this on Veterans Day for several years and last week’s visit was outstanding! There were about 15 veterans and active duty on hand for the ceremony, including many parents of the students. The program started promptly at 0900. (Editor’s note: That’s 9 a.m. for folks who have not had the honor of serving in the military.)

The veterans walked into the school gym on a red carpet with nearly 400 kids stand ing, cheering, and waving American flags. Together, we said the Pledge of Allegiance, sang the National Anthem, and then each of the veterans introduced themselves, giving their branch of service and military experience. The an them for each military branch was played, with words displayed on a large screen. Blume asked the veterans to stand as their anthem was played.

After the program, students returned to their classrooms, and the veter ans then dispersed to visit individual classrooms to talk with the kids for about 30 minutes in each room. I spoke with a kindergarten class, then 1st, 2nd and 4th-grade classes. The kids were excited and very wel coming. They had many questions, and most of them had family members who were veterans. Activities finished before noon.

In Kate Donaldson’s 1st grade class, one of the girls asked if she could hug me, and then all of her classmates came by and hugged me. One of the boys gave me a picture of the flag he had made for me. That was about the time that my eyes started sweating.

It’s great to spend time with these young Americans who genuinely love and appreciate veterans. Lore, Blume and each of the teachers are doing a fan tastic job teaching these kids what it means to be an Ameri can. It was a tremendous experi ence and a wonderful day.

I appreciate the opportunity to spread the word on behalf of Rocky Mountain Honor Flight and veterans everywhere.

Hooyah! And Bravo Zulu to everyone at Polton Elementary!

My special gift from Jeremiah.

Mr. Ashcraft’s kindergarten class.

Miss Donaldson’s class. Jeremiah gave me the picture he is holding.

An old sailor and a classroom full of young patriots! Ms. Plouff is the teacher in the back.

The veterans gathered in the Veterans Center at Polton Elementary.

Hooyah! Go Navy, Beat Army!

Ms. Blume and several of the veterans, some of whom were parents of Polton Elementary students.

AZFL belongs on every baseball fan’s bucket list

It wasn’t Bryce Harper fac ing Justin Verlander, though batter and pitcher might in deed achieve such lofty status in the seasons ahead.

The attendance was in the hun dreds, not the tens of thousands.

And instead of the Philadelphia Phillies vs. the Houston Astros in the World Se ries, it was the Peoria Javelinas versus the Glen dale Desert Dogs at Camelback Ranch and the Salt River Rafters against the Scottsdale Scorpions, Mesa Solar Sox and Surprise Sa guaros.

What it was, to quote a variation of Andy Griffith’s first monologue while a student at the University of North Carolina decades ago, was the Arizona Fall League, where future stars get their first taste of playing against each other. It’s nirvana for real baseball fans (who actu ally talk baseball during the game, if they talk at all), and after a week up close, I rec ommend it.

The AZFL began play in 1992, a year before the Rockies took the field for the first time. With a year lost to Covid, this marks its 30th an niversary.

The 30 Major League teams stock the six AZFL teams, each sending at least seven highly regarded pros pects, mostly from Class A and AA levels. Five MLB clubs support each Fall League team, the Rockies joining Arizona, St. Louis, To ronto and Detroit in supplying the Rafters.

The teams play a 30-game schedule in October and ear ly November at six Cactus League venues. Admission is inexpensive ($8 for seniors); parking is free; and open seating allows anyone who so chooses to sit right behind the plate, within earshot of the pop of the catcher’s mitt and the calls of the ump.

Since ’92 almost 60% of all AZFL players have appeared in the Majors, including su perstars such as Pujols, Jeter, Arenado, a guy named Helton and Arvada’s favorite son, the late Roy Halladay. Their ranks include almost two dozen Most Valuable Player Award winners and numerous Rook ies of the Year and Cy Young Award recipients.

After a week in the Valley of the Sun, I’m looking for ward to seeing which players I watched in the AZFL join them, or at least appear in a Big League game.

If there’s a future Harper/Verland er-type matchup in the making in this year’s AZFL, it might involve (based on what I saw):

Desert Dogs righthander Emmet Sheehan, a sixthround draft choice from Boston College, who went 7-2 with a 2.83 earned run average for the Dodg ers’ Great Lakes team in the High-A Midwest League in 2022 and worked five score less innings the day I saw him. Yes, another Dodgers pitcher.

Pitching to . . .

Rafters outfielder Jordan Walker, the 21st player cho sen in the 2020 draft from Decatur (GA) High, and the Cardinals’ No. 6 prospect in MLB Pipeline’s top 100, who has slugged 33 homers with 116 runs batted in and a .310 batting average in his first two minor league seasons com bined. He lined a rocket-shot homer to left center at Scott sdale Stadium the first time I laid eyes on him.

For those who wonder about future Rockies playing in the AZFL, two prospects, in particular, were worth not ing.

Outfielder Zac Veen, Col orado’s top pick in 2020, showed a good eye leading off for the Rafters with dou ble-figure bases-on-balls, including three in one game, to go with a .333 batting average; pop in his bat; and

running speed as advertised (a league-leading 16 steals in 18 tries). He was named the AZFL Offensive Player of the Year.

Third baseman Warming Bernabel (pronounced berNAY-bul), who has hit over. 300 in both of his previous minor league seasons, showed uncommon defensive ability at third base with a diving stop in the hole and charging a slow roller, both resulting in impressive outs at first.

In addition to preview ing the next wave of Major League superstars, everyone who attended the AZFL this year also got to see how the game will unfold under MLB’s latest attempt to speed up play.

The big one, the pitch clock, definitely keeps play moving.

The pitcher throws . . . the catcher tosses it back . . . the hitter steps out of the batter’s box—with ONE foot—then quickly assumes his stance . . . the pitcher toes the rubber as the timer flashes 3-2-1. And so it goes, every 15 seconds (or 20 if there’s a runner on base)—unless someone calls “time” to avoid a violation.

Game times during my week in the desert ranged from just over two hours to slightly more than 2:30. The average was about 2:20.

I can hardly wait to see how that translates to a game at Coors Field.

Denny Dressman is a vet eran of 43 years in the news paper business, including 25 at the Rocky Mountain News, where he began as executive sports editor. He is the author of 14 books, eight of them sports-related. You can write to Denny at dennydressman@ comcast.net.

A Rockies Doubleheader

Order

Go behind the scenes as the Colorado Rockies come to life then win the official Coors Field opener in classic walkoff fashion in the 14th inning. And relive their greatest game and their greatest season, ending with Matt Holiday's head-first slide in the 13th - 12 years later.

online from Amazon.

Helping seniors find discounted high-speed internet services

Dear Savvy Senior, Do you know where I can find cheaper high-speed inter net services for my home? I’m 70-years old and live strictly on my Social Security and would like to find something faster and less expensive than I currently have.

Surfing

Susan

Dear Susan, There are actually two new resources available today that can help you save money on your home internet services, but what’s available to you will depend on your income level and where you live. Here’s where to begin.

Internet Discounts

Depending on your finan cial situation, a good first step to reducing your home inter net costs is through the new Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program. This is a tem porary federal benefit that pro vides a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households

and up to $75 per month for households on tribal lands.

Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from par ticipating providers if they contribute $10 to $50 toward the purchase price.

To qualify, you’ll need to show that your annual house hold income is at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, which is $17,388 for one person or $23,517 for two. Or, if you’re receiving certain types of gov ernment benefits such as Med icaid, food stamps (SNAP), SSI, public housing assistance, veterans’ pension or survivors pension benefit, or live on fed erally recognized tribal lands.

Households that experi enced a substantial loss of income since February 29, 2020 due to job loss or fur lough can also qualify for the EBB program, as long as their household income for 2020

was at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers.

To apply, go to www.GetEmergency Broadband.org where you can apply online or print out an applica tion and mail it in.

If you’re already receiving assistance through the federal Lifeline benefit (see www.LifelineSupport.org), which is a $9.25 monthly subsidy for phone or internet costs, you automatically qual ify for the EBB program, and you can receive both benefits at the same time. You can apply your EBB and your Lifeline benefit to the same or separate services.

Or, if your broadband provider already has its own low-income or COVID-19 relief program, you may be able to qualify through this program as well. Talk to your broadband provider for more information.

Low-Cost Internet

If you’re not eligible for the EBB program, another resource for locating cheaper highspeed internet is Ag ing Connected, which has a higher income qualification.

Created by Older Adults Technology Services from AARP (OATS) and the Hu mana Foundation, Aging Con nected is a nationwide cam paign created to help lower-in come seniors find low-cost, in-home broadband options in their area.

Partnering with telecom munications companies, nonprofits and public entities, Aging Connected will help you search for services in your area that provide high-speed internet at a very low cost. Most participating companies charge around $10 to $15 per month, with no contract and no equipment fee.

Aging Connected also pro

COURT

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:

Tel: 303-636-1882 Fax: 303-636-1889 Case No:22JV30032 Division:23

vides referrals to affordable desktop and laptop computers for under $160.

To qualify, you’ll need to show that your annual house hold income is at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, which is $23,800 for one person or $32,200 for two. Or, if you’re receiving certain types of gov ernment benefits similar to the EBB program.

To search, go to www.Ag ingConnected.org and type in your ZIP code, name and email address, or you can call 877-745-1930.

Other Search Options

If you find that you’re not eligible for either of the previously listed resources, you may still be able to save on your internet by shopping and comparing. The best way to do this is at websites like InMyArea.com and Broad bandNow.com, both of which provide a list of internet pro viders in your area, along with pricing and download speeds.

address (so we know who you are).You will then be in the virtual courtroom.

CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD BEFORE THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2022, AT 5:00 P.M. FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING WRITTEN AND ORAL COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC CONCERNING A FLOODPLAIN VARIANCE AT THE GLENMOOR COUNTRY CLUB LOCATED AT 110 GLENMOOR DR. FOR THE EXPANSION OF GREENS #7 AND #13.

THE APPLICATION IS AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT THE CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, 2450 E. QUINCY AVENUE, CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, CO

THROUGH

8:00 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M. OR YOU MAY CALL 303-7832729 FOR MORE INFORMATION. PROTESTS OR COMMENTS MAY BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, 2450 EAST QUINCY AVENUE, CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, CO 80113 OR PWORKMAN@ CHERRYHILLSVILLAGE.COM ON OR BEFORE THE DATE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING, OR BY PERSONAL APPEARANCE AT THE PUBLIC HEARING.

Published in The Villager Published: November 17, 2022 Legal # 10924

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Constance Kay Sturgeleski, also known as Connie Kay Sturgeleski, also known as Connie K. Sturgeleski, also known as Connie Sturgeleski, Deceased Case Number 2022PR31134

All persons having claims against the above named estate are re quired to present them to the per sonal representative or to District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado on or before March 17, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

Dennis R. Stemen, Personal Representative c/o Stewart B. Grant, Attorney at Law, LLC 12265 W. Bayaud Avenue, Suite 210 Lakewood, CO 80228

Published in The Villager

First Publication: November 3, 2022

Last Publication: November 17, 2022 Legal # 10905

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Nancy Webster Skeff, Deceased Case Number 2022PR31252

Div. CLX

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Arapahoe County for the above styled action on or before March 17, 2023, OR SAID CLAIMS SHALL BE FOREVER BARRED.

Barbara J. Creel

Personal Representative 6150 Castlewood Ln. Colorado Springs, CO 80918 (719) 337-0151

Published in The Villager

First Publication: November 17, 2022 Last Publication: December 1, 2022 Legal # 10929

JAZZLYNN MESTAS, LILLIANNA SANCHEZ, JOSYAS MESTAS, TATE KILLS SMALL, JR., and ANGEL MESTAS aka ANGEL KILLS SMALL, Children, And concerning MARIAH MESTAS, JOHN DOE, CIRILO SANCHEZ, AARON DURAN, TATE KILLS SMALL and ALICIA MESTAS, Respondents.

Linda Arnold, Reg. No. 16764 Office of the Arapahoe County Attorney Arapahoe County Department of Human Services 14980 East Alameda Drive Aurora, CO 80012

larnold@arapahoegov.com

NOTICE OF ADJUDICATORY COURT TRIAL AND DEFAULT JUDGMENT REGARDING TATE KILLS SMALL AND JOHN DOE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the above captioned matter has been set for an ADJUDICATORY COURT TRIAL AND DEFAULT JUDGMENT REGARDING TATE KILLS SMALL and JOHN DOE on December 9, 2022 at 10:30 am (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: •www. judicial.webex.com/meet/ D18-ARAP-Div23

•Enter your name and email

SPECIAL DISTRICTS

NOTICE OF HEARING ON PROPOSED 2023 BUDGET

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the proposed 2023 budget has been submitted to the Fiddlers Business Improvement District (“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 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 via telephone and videoconference. To attend and participate by telephone, dial 650-479-3208 and enter passcode 2592 643 3603. Information regarding public participation by videoconference will be available at least 24 hours prior to the meeting and public hearing by contacting Stephanie Net by email at snet@spencerfane. com or by telephone at 303-839-3712.

A copy of the proposed 2023 budget is available for public inspection at the offices of Spencer Fane LLP, 1700 Lincoln Street, Suite 2000, Denver, Colorado 80203. Any interested elector within the District may, at any time prior to final adoption of the 2023 budget and, file or register any objections thereto.

FIDDLERS BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

By: /s/ Ron Fano, District Counsel

Published in The Villager Published: November 17, 2022 Legal # 10925

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS ON PROPOSED 2023 BUDGET AND AMENDMENT OF 2022 BUDGET ILIFF AVENUE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed Budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors (“Board”) of the Iliff Avenue Metropolitan District (“District”) for fiscal year 2023. A copy of the proposed 2023 Budget is available for inspection by the public at the office of the District’s accountant at 304 Inverness Way South, Suite 490, Englewood, Colorado.

The District Board will consider the proposed 2023 Budget, and an Amended 2022 Budget, if necessary, at public hearings to be held during a regular meeting scheduled for 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 1201 S. Parker Rd., Ste. 200, Denver CO 80231.

The Board may take action on the proposed 2023 Budget, and the proposed Amended 2022 Budget, if necessary, during the regular meeting

•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(ren), dependent and neglected in accordance with the Colorado Children’s Code.

/S/Linda Arnold, Reg. No. 16764 Linda Arnold, Reg. No. 16764 Assistant County Attorney

Published in The Villager Published: November 17, 2022 Legal # 109

following the public hearings. Any interested elector of the District may file or register any objections thereto with the Board during normal business hours prior to the final adoption of the proposed 2023 Budget and Amended 2022 Budget.

ILIFF AVENUE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

By:/s/ Brian Alpert President of the District Board

Published in The Villager Published: November 17, 2022 Legal # 10926

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS ON PROPOSED 2023 BUDGET AND AMENDMENT OF 2022 BUDGET VALENTIA COURT METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed Budget has been submitted to the Board of Directors (“Board”) of the Valentia Court Metropolitan District (“District”) for fiscal year 2023. A copy of the proposed 2023 Budget is available for inspection by the public at the office of the District’s accountant at 304 Inverness Way South, Suite 490, Englewood, Colorado.

The District Board will consider the proposed 2023 Budget, and an Amended 2022 Budget, if necessary, at public hearings to be held during a regular meeting scheduled for 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 1201 S. Parker Rd., Ste. 200, Denver CO 80231.

The Board may take action on the proposed 2023 Budget, and the proposed Amended 2022 Budget, if necessary, during the regular meeting following the public hearings. Any interested elector of the District may file or register any objections thereto with the Board during normal business hours prior to the final adoption of the proposed 2023 Budget and Amended 2022 Budget.

VALENTIA COURT METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

By:/s/ Sally Alpert President of the District Board

Published in The Villager

Published: November 17, 2022 Legal # 10928

SAVVY SENIOR BY JIM MILLER

46TH ANNUAL L’ESPRIT de NOEL HOME TOUR

NOV. 18 & 19 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the beautiful Glenmoor Country Club neighborhood. Five diverse homes festively decorated by ten talented local florists & table designers. The fundraiser benefits Central City Opera and organized by volunteers with the Central City Opera Guild. In addition to the home tour, a holiday boutique & ticketed luncheon will be held Sat. in the Clubhouse. The patron party will be held at Shaver-Ramsey Fine & Custom Rugs on Nov. 17. This is a ticketed event. Tickets for the home tour Fri, or Sat. are $50 or $100 for the tour and Sat. lunch. Tickets for ’Twas the Night Before are $100-$250. All tickets can be purchased at www.espirithometour. com/buytickets. The Villager is one of the Media Sponsors.

ARAPAHOE COUNTY LOOKING FOR VENDORS FOR HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE

DEC. 10

Local businesses, craft vendors & artisans to apply by Nov. 18 to be a vendor. Event at Arapahoe County Fairgrounds & Park Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

ANNUAL TABLES

EXTRAORDINAIRE

Saint Catherine Philoptochos Charity Event to benefit their ministries. Tea Party & Decorated Table Viewing Wed., Nov 30, 10 a.m. -12 p.m. $45/person. Thurs., Dec. 1, 10 a.m. -12 p.m. $45/person. Dec. 1, 2-5 p.m. decorate table viewing & pastry favor for groups only, by appointmentemail info@tablesextraordinaire.org to schedule, $15/person. Dec. 2, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. presale or at door $15/person.

The church is located at 5555 S Yosemite St., Greenwood Village.

NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW

JAN. 7-22, 2023. The 117th NWSS will host 29 rodeo performances and a full schedule of horse shows. Info: nationalwestern.com

9TH ANNUAL THE VILLAGE TOY DRIVE

DEC. 8, 5-8 p.m. All toy & cash donations go 100% to VOA Colorado Branch. Suggested NEW toy donation value of $25 (ages 0-16). Cash donations directly to: www.voacoloado.org/toydrive. Every toy/cash donation receives one drawing ticket. Winners for the drawing will be announced Dec. 16. Food & drinks will be served. RSVP: mygruber@fasbank. com by Dec. 1. Enter the drawing to win two Club Level tickets with valet parking pass to the Arizona Cardinals vs. Denver Broncos game on Dec. 18. Sponsors: First American State Bank and Gruber Commercial Real Estate.

NOV. 18 IS PAINT RECYCLING DAY IN COLO.

If you have leftover paint to recycle, now is the time to use the paint stewardship program for interior & exterior coatings sold in containers of five gallons or smaller, including house paint & primers, stains, deck & concrete sealers & clear\ finishes. PaintCare offers free paint pickup service for households with more than 10 gallons of paint. Call 720-854-8722 to see if you qualify. Less than 10 gallons of paint - use PaintCare’s site locator tool to find a nearby drop-off site. www. paintcare.org

OPTIMIST CLUB OF MONACO

SOUTH SELLS CHRISTMAS TREES- KIDS VISIT WITH SANTA Sales at the northwest corner of Monaco & Iliff (2285 S. Monaco) at the Villa Monaco Shopping Center. Funds used to serve youth and the community. Santa Claus in the Tree Lot’s heated Santa Haus on the weekends. This is a 45-year tradition and supports over 35 youth & community programs, including Super Citizenship Awards.

FRIENDS OF NURSING CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON

DEC. 3. with FON President, Greta Pollard. Check-in & Social, 11:00 a.m. with Valor Christian High School students serenading with song. Luncheon, 12:00 noon. Festive sounds of the season with pianist Dr. Sandra Varley and readings of Light & Hope for Christmas & Hannukkah by Radio Personality, Rick Crandall. Silent Auction and The Christmas Shoppe to raise money for nurses scholarships as they have done for 41 years. RSVP: Melanie - 720-891-3412. Event at Eddie V’s Prime Seafood Restaurant, 5111 DTC Parkway, Greenwood Village.

CHERRY CREEK CHORALE RING IN THE SEASON

DEC. 9 & 10. Selection of Christmas carols along with the Rocky Mountain Ringers, a handbell ensemble. Preconcert talk begins at 7:10 p.m. with the concert at 7:30 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E. Hampden Ave., Cherry Hills Village. Tickets: CherryCreekChorale.org

2023 Lexus ES350 F-Sport adds higher performance

modes, eco, normal or sport. Fuel economy depends upon mode choice and averages 31 freeway and 22 city, with an overall 25 mpg. However, traffic is moving at very high speeds these days on all major highways.

NEW AND COMING

o HUNTINGTON ACRES, GREENWOOD VILLAGE. EXQUISITE TRADITIONAL 2 STORY, HARDWOOD FLOORS, NEW CONTEMPORARY WHITE KITCHEN, NEWER BATHS AND TOP OF THE LINE FINISHES THROUGHOUT. $1,550,000 PLUS $25,000 IN CLOSING COSTS OR LOAN DISCOUNT POINTS.

o FOXRIDGE WEST EXCEPTIONAL TRI-LEVEL WITH FINISHED BASEMENT. FORMER MODEL HOME. ON MARKET NOW. $675,000 PLUS $25,000 IN CLOSING COSTS OR LOAN DISCOUNT POINTS.

o HIGHLANDS RANCH GOLF CLUB: PATIO HOME. RARE MAIN FLOOR MASTER SUITE. PERFECTION. OVER $150,000 REMODEL $800,000 SOLD

o COMING: CHARLOU IN CHERRY HILLS. Builder’s own home. Exceptional quality, spacious rooms, walk out basement. European Chateau. $2,700,000

o THE PRESERVE: EXQUISITE ART DECO HOME WITH A MAIN FLOOR MASTER SUITE AND EXERCISE ROOM. THE BEST OF EVERYTHING!! COMING $2,695,000

A 7th-generation Lexus ES350 F-Sport was the test car of the week and a pleasurable test drive.

This Lexus is a sleek, four-door sedan with ”Ultrasonic Blue Mica paint,” and final assembly in Georgetown, Kent.

This F-sport is a faster ES model capable of 131mph as the top speed and zero to 60 in 6.2 seconds.

Doing the hard work is the 3.5L/ V6 engine that produces 302hp—pushing an eightspeed variable transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters. This is a sports edition yet aimed for comfort first with heated and ventilated front seats, teamed with high per formance. I was surprised to

find the base manufacturer’s suggested list price at a modest $47,900. Adding some extra options can increase the price, such as triple beam LED head lights and a panoramic view monitor, edging up the price at the buyer’s discretion.

The Lexas ES350 is a sassy-looking car with a menacing sport appearance with a mesh grill and black graphite 19” split five-spoke alloy wheels. It is the driv er’s choice of the three drive

The cabin is plush with 10 speaker sound system, a 12.50-inch color touchscreen, and a pleasant surprise with the USB phone charging pad moved up front next to the console armrest.

Many of these ES models are on the road, standing for “Elegant Sedan,” a Lexus best seller now challenged by hy brid choices.

No safety rating on this

F-Sport just released the 2023 model, but it will be five-star. The F-Sport has the Lexus Safety Sense system that includes all bells and whistles like pedestrian detec tion and radar cruise control.

This is a wise choice for fun, family outings, and busi ness. It will turn heads at the valet station.

Correction

In last week’s Villager , $5.1 million was identified as the total general fund revenue for Greenwood Village for the first nine months of 2022. The sentence should have said that $5.1 million was the amount by which total general fund revenue for Greenwood Village for the first nine months of 2022 exceeded the amount budgeted. The Villager regrets the error.

Centennial City Council Approves Proposed 2023/2024 Budget

Submitted by Allison Wittern

The proposed budget for 2023 and 2024 as well as a mul tiyear Capital program for the City of Centennial has received unanimous approval by City Council,. The 2023/2024 pack age is the first biennial budget to be adopted by the City.

“The biennial budget strengthens the City’s alignment with City Council’s strategic goals and direction, commu nity needs and priorities,” said Centennial City Manager Matt Sturgeon. “While allowing for flexibility to make adjustments as the needs of the community change, the budget provides a roadmap for Capital Improve ment Projects, programs and service levels the City antici pates accomplishing in the next two years to achieve the goals set forth by City Council. The objective of the budget docu ment is to fiscally position the City to operate efficiently and effectively in delivering ser vices that provide exceptional service to the community.”

The City Manager’s Budget constitutes the legal authority of the City to appropriate and ex pend public funds. Additionally, it serves as a communications and operations guide for the community by detailing strate gic projects, service levels and programs that fulfill the policy direction of City Council. The components of the budget work together to deliver on the City’s vision of being a connected community where neighbor hoods matter, education is em braced, businesses are valued, and innovation is absolute.

Fiscally Healthy and Debt-Free General fund revenues for 2023 are budgeted at $76.2

million and $77.96 million for 2024, an increase from the 2022 adopted budget of 7% in 2023 and 2% in 2024. When compared to general fund ex penditures, general fund rev enues remain in a strong po sition, leading to an operating margin (revenues less expen ditures, excluding transfers out of the General Fund) of $15.6 million. The budget contains expenditures for all City funds of $152.8 million in 2023, an increase of 7% over the 2022 adopted budget, and $129.4 million in 2024.

Total budgeted expenditures exceed total budgeted revenues due to the use of fund balance to pay for anticipated large capital improvement projects. The use of fund balance to balance the budget is a result of the City’s practice to save for capital projects instead of incurring debt which results in expenditures exceeding rev enues in certain years. As re quired by the Centennial Home Rule Charter and the Colorado Local Government Budget Law, each fund in the adopted budget is balanced. Following Council direction, major capital projects are funded with the use of cash, and as a result, the City remains debt-free. The healthy condition of the City’s fund balances confirms the contin ued fiscal health of the City.

Street and Corridor Improvements

With a commitment to ensur ing Centennial’s transportation network provides alternatives for safe, efficient and reliable movement within and through the City, a significant portion of the budget is reserved for sev eral roadway investments and improvements, including:

• Additional funding for in creased service levels pro vided by the City’s public works contractor, Jacobs, for concrete repair and replace ment, asphalt major patching quantities, surface treatment and pavement mill, overlay and striping

• Design and construction im provements to portions of the City’s traffic signal network

• Funding to implement rec ommendations of the City’s Transportation Master Plan in cluding: design efforts in 2024 for operational improvements along the Smoky Hill corri dor, five sidewalk projects, design and construction of two pedestrian crossings and a citywide advanced pedestrian retrofit to improve pedestrian visibility at crossings

• Funding for projects through grant requests and contribu tions by area partner agencies for micro-mobility, underpass and bridge, side path, open space, multimodal and inter section studies, designs and improvements

• Ongoing funding for the management of the Intelli gent Transportation System that was recently deployed for predictive and diagnostic analyses of traffic safety

Funding also is re-budgeted for ongoing projects or those that will not be completed in 2022, such as the replacement of the Arapahoe Road Bridge over Big Dry Creek currently underway and the implementa tion of a wayfinding and identi ty program for the City, among others.

Strategic Retail Transformation Building on 2022 discus sions and funding, the biennial

budget identifies funds for the implementation of a Retail Center Transformation Program to facilitate improvements in the City’s retail centers and support the City’s sales tax base. In total, this program is anticipated to be a $5-million implementation tool for the City’s retail strategies, with $1 million in 2023 and 2024 and $3 million identified in the General Fund Committed Fund Balance for future years.

Further Investments in Public Safety, Health and Housing

Building on the City’s strong partnership with the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, the 2023/2024 budget includes continued and increased in vestments to ensure Centennial remains among the safest cit ies in the United States. The budget includes funding for an additional Behavioral Health Response Program Clinician and associated equipment costs within the Sheriff’s Office, ex panding the Behavioral Health Response Program to six clini cians and a program manager.

Funding for a three-year pilot program to provide a co ordinator for homeless services through an intergovernmental agreement with Arapahoe County also is included in the budget. Subject to an annual workplan developed by the City and under administrative direction from the County, the coordinator will work with regional partners to implement an intentional, collaborative approach to rehousing and pro viding necessary supports and opportunities to people who are currently unsheltered.

Quality of Life for Residents and Neighbors

At the direction of City Council to evaluate the poten tial to provide older adult and youth services in partnership with a local nonprofit agency, the budget includes startup funding for 2023, and ongoing maintenance funding in 2024, to develop an agreement with the YMCA to provide activ ities, programs and special events for older adults and youth in Centennial.

To assist in resolving dis putes between neighbors, the City plans to fund contracted mediation services on a limited basis to offer an alternative perspective for residents that protects the City from liability and exposure if staff were to become involved.

As the City’s short-term rental program continues to grow among residents offering vacation rental space on their property, the 2023/2024 budget includes funding to support on going turnkey services to help City staff manage licensing and regulation to protect the health, safety and residential character of Centennial neighborhoods.

Service Delivery Innovation

Funding is proposed to in novate how the City delivers services to the community. Among them are virtual build ing inspections and court ser vices. Virtual accommodations for these services were required during the COVID-19 pandem ic and resulted in increased ser vice levels by eliminating trav el time while providing more opportunities for flexibility for residents, contractors and at torneys. In 2023, the City plans to formalize these services and provide funding for technology to support fair and accessible virtual service delivery.

Join Centennial in collecting socks to help those experiencing homelessness

The City of Centennial is collecting socks to help Coloradans experiencing homelessness this winter, beginning Thursday, Novem ber 3 through Tuesday, Jan uary 17. These new socks, of all sizes and age groups, benefit the Sock It To ‘Em Campaign, a Denver non profit serving local homeless shelters. Socks are the #1 clothing need of those expe

riencing homelessness, and having clean, dry socks to wear regularly is the #1 way to avoid the ER with a foot ailment. Since 2012 the Sock It To ‘Em Sock Campaign has given away over 904,565

pairs of socks in 41 states. To participate, collection boxes are available at vari ous locations throughout the City, and beyond, for partic ipants to drop off new socks. This year's primary collec tion boxes are available at the locations outlined below.

Centennial Civic Center - 13133 E Arapahoe Rd, Cen tennial

Collection Hours: 8 a.m.— 5 p.m., Monday – Friday

Centennial Public Works: 7272 S Eagle St, Centennial, Collection Hours: 8 a.m. — 5 p.m., Monday - Friday

Arapahoe Libraries Koelbel Library - 5955 S. Holly St., Centennial Collection Hours: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Monday – Thursday; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday; Noon – 5 p.m. Sunday

Arapahoe Libraries Castle wood Library - 6739 S. Uinta St., Centennial Collection Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday - Saturday

Arapahoe Libraries Smoky Hill Library - 5430 S. Bis cay Cir., Centennial Collection Hours: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., Monday –Thursday; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday; Noon – 5 p.m. Sunday

Arapahoe Libraries South glenn Library - 6972 S. Vine St., Centennial Collection Hours: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Monday – Thursday; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday; Noon – 5 p.m. Sunday

Additional collection boxes include:

Arapahoe Libraries, Eloise May Library - 1471 S. Parker Rd., Denver Collection Hours: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday – Thursday; 9

a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday and Sat urday; Noon – 5 p.m. Sunday

Arapahoe Libraries, Kelver Library - 585 S. Main St., Byers

Collection Hours: 9 a.m. –5 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday

Arapahoe Libraries, Davies Library - 128 2nd Ave., Deer Trail

Collection Hours: 9 a.m. –5 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday

Centennial thanks all in sup port of helping our city make a social and local impact—one pair of socks at a time. For more information about the City’s sock campaign, visit centennialco.gov/socks. To learn more about Sock It To ‘Em visit sockittoemsock campaign.org.