12-15-22 Villager

Thoughts, quips, & comments

“Sometimes I just think funny things.”

That line is one of my favorites from the classic Dudley Moore film Arthur from 1981. And I always think about it when random thoughts, quips, and comments pop into my head or come at me from a friend in a casual conversation. We all have those random instances of a wise or profound or thoughtful or silly or poignant or just interesting thought. And a few years ago I started collecting a list of mine. So, for this week’s column, I thought I’d list a few favorites.

Before you can have a good week, you can have a good day. And before a good day, you can have a good hour. And before a good hour, you can have a good moment. So, here’s to more good moments.

The Dalai Lama once said something to the effect of, you suffer because you want something that doesn’t belong to you. And while I’ve understood the Buddhist beliefs around suffering and attachment, the simplicity of his words provides clarity for me.

Years ago during a moment of ennui and melancholy, I voiced a worry that I had perhaps lost my faith. A young but wise and spiritual man told me that, on the contrary, faith is what remains when all else seems hopeless. Faith is not something you lose – it’s what you turn to when feeling lost.

I no longer double check the mailbox slot to make sure the letter went all the way down, and I think that’s a sign I’m finally growing up.

Growing up in the Midwest means a natural balance of maintaining a hopeful idealism in “the way things ought to be” while also holding onto an honest pragmatism about “the way things actually are.”

From a physiological standpoint considering the rules of physics and what we know about human reaction time, it should be impossible to hit a 95-mph fastball from 60 feet 6 inches away. According to the laws of physics and aerodynamics, bumblebees should not be able to fly. Neither professional baseball players nor bees know this. And no one should ever tell them.

The Presidency is kind of like being head cheerleader, tasked with inspiring us to believe in ourselves and win the big game. The best presidents have always lifted us up reminding us that “We have nothing to fear but fear itself” as we “Ask not what our country can do for you but what you can do for your country” because “It’s morning again in America” and no

matter what challenges confront us, we know that “Yes, we can.”

I think the key to artists is

A primary tenet of the Hippocratic Oath for doctors is to first, do no harm. I think that’s a pretty good tenet for all professions and really everyone in their personal lives. It’s part of my daily quest to the kinder, gentler Michael.

One of the best bits of advice a colleague ever gave me as a teacher was “Don’t become a caricature of yourself.”

they never stop noticing the world. When they create art, it is to remind us of the fascinating brilliance of everything. Picasso said every child is an artist. The key is to not forget that when we grow up. Look around and notice the infinite complexity and simple beauty of the world.

Arguably, the greatest day, week, month, and year of your life is the current one. It’s always the current one. For it’s the only one that truly exists, and it is here to be embraced for all it’s worth.

My dad was the eternal optimist. He was always looking for and reminding me of the positives in any situation.

Often he had a wonderful anecdote to illustrate his point. One of his favorite stories was about two brothers – a pessimist and an optimist – who were tasked with cleaning up a huge pile of horse manure. As the pessimist whined and complained about the work and the mess, the other brother just started digging through the pile. When the first brother asked what he was doing, the optimist simply looked up to say, “With all this horse s–t around, there has to be a pony in here somewhere.”

Look for the pony, my friends. Always look for the pony.

Michael P. Mazenko is a writer, educator, & school administrator in Greenwood Village. He blogs at A Teacher’s View and can be found on Twitter @ mmazenko. You can email him at mmazenko@gmail.com

Before you can have a good week, you can have a good day. And before a good day, you can have a good hour. And before a good hour, you can have a good moment. So, here’s to more good moments.

We’re not Nantucket.

I’ve been reading stories about the immigrants arriving in Colorado from the border. Most are from many Latin American countries. They are like my grandfather who came from Ireland in 1865 and had to start with nothing.

I’m no fan of the open border and favor an efficient legal immigration policy. On June 27, 2013, the Senate passed bipartisan immigration legislation 68-32 with overwhelming bipartisan support. The House of Representatives never followed suit and the legislation ultimately never became law. Congress and our presidents since have failed time and time again to resolve our broken immigration system because of partisan gridlock. About a decade ago, when I was active in The National Newspaper As-

sociation, I toured many newspapers in Latin America and met with aspiring journalist students. They all wanted to study in America but were unable to obtain visas.

As a result, they were going to attend European schools. These top-notch students wanted to learn about our democracy and freedom of the press. All we hear, and see now, are thousands of immigrants entering the United States illegally without visas.

Since we won’t protect our borders as prescribed in the Constitution as a duty of our government, we need to make the best of it. These human beings seek safety from dictatorships that have ruined what should be bountiful countries rich in minerals, mining, tourism and agriculture. They didn’t have our Constitution.

Making the best of it means we embrace these new arrivals and adopt

them into our homes, schools, and free enterprise system. I admire the grit and determination of these immigrants who have walked hundreds of miles, if not thousands, to reach the land of the free and the brave. It resembles the Mormon Trail, where the Mormons pulled carts and walked across the West led by Brigham Young to a final site that became Salt Lake City.

This is not just a Texas, Arizona or border state problem. There are many homes throughout the United States including those in Colorado that might welcome these newcomers into their homes for a hot shower, some new clothes, bedrooms and toys for the children. The Denver Rescue Mission, United Way and others can supply names and families who need our assistance.

Rather than be like Nantucket, Mass., where immigrants were shipped

out of Texas to Nantucket (with the help of the Florida governor), we should welcome them to their new home in the United States of America. There is a lot to say about “grit,” and these folks have plenty of it, walking to America. Forging the Rio Grande River, fighting off drug smugglers, and having nothing but small packs on their backs. That is a genuine desire for freedom from oppression and seeking opportunity … “the huddled masses yearning to be free….”

I hope that some of you readers run with this concept and establish a committee to help relocate these guests and show the kindness and compassion that make our nation great.

Immigrants from around the world settled in America, and we can find room for a few more souls who only seek jobs and freedom.

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“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!”

Reverend Martin Niemoller

You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.

Littleton Elks member, Dan Bate, stands with the items donated to the Littleton Family Services from the Littleton Colorado Elks Lodge #1650.

Littleton Family Services, a non-profit whose mission is to strengthen family stability and well-being through community support and resources, received many toys, gift wrap and gift cards from the Littleton Colorado Elks #1650 members. Members donated these items, plus the Lodge used money from bingo nights to provide these for needy children in the Littleton area.

Oh what fun it is to shop for a cause!

Cancer League’s seventh shopping extravaganza featured 26 vendors

Glenmoor Country Club was again the venue of choice for Cancer League of Colorado’s (CLC) Holiday Boutique fundraiser

The generous community looks forward each year to this shopping mecca with a variety of vendors offering a myriad of unique items ranging from food to jewelry to clothing, from kids to home

accessories and furs to paper products and more unexpected, irresistible items Taking over the main level of the clubhouse, the boutique was complemented with beverages and gourmet delights - need-

ed and appreciated for shopping energy. CLC President Gary Reece was on hand as well as board members, loyal supporters, power shoppers and friends of Cancer League of Colorado.

Denver Santa Claus Shop (DSCS) held its ribbon cutting ceremony at this year’s location to serve thousands of local families in need of toys for their children ages newborn through 11 years old. Dozens of volunteers helped with qualified families through advance registration.

DSCS expects to provide toys to 15,000 youngsters this year.

DSCS is a 92-year-old, volunteer-run, nondenominational 501 c (3) nonprofit organization that provides free toys for thousands of children in need each holiday season. Families qualified as needing assistance are referred to DSCS by Denver Human Services and other social service agencies to be invited to the annual Toy Giveaway. DSCS has helped more than one million children since 1931. For more information, future participation and corporate sponsorship, visit: www.denversantaclausshop.org.

Loyal supporter Lynn Stambaugh whose late mom Gene Koelbel was a “guardian” of Denver Santa Claus Shop with “Santa Bill”

Brent Wood from Larry H. Miller dealerships presented a check from Larry H. Miller Charities for $10,000. to Denver Santa Claus Shop President Kylee Glaser

Photos courtesy of Denver Santa Claus Shop

ABOVE: Shoppers Barbara Reece, Event Chairs Laura Shipman and Rosalina Diecidue with Arlene Mohler Johnson

Photos by Scottie Iverson

LEFT: CLC VP Fundraising Barbara Reece with CLC Board Member Diane Brandon Hadley

RIGHT: Toasting success of the dayMarty Gathers and Gayle Rogers

From Carriage House to Carriage House

On the Harvard campus there is a Carriage House with space for offices and a haven for six scholars who can do their own work as well as easily collaborate. That Carriage House is home to the Harvard Women’s Studies in Religion Program, (WSRP). Ann Braude explained that endowments are crucial ingredients for the program and loosely quoted

Virginia Woolf who said money and a roof were needed for success. As part of the Governor’s Residence at Boettcher Mansion in Denver, that Carriage House functions as an impressive venue for special events with its own separate entrance.

The Colorado Steering Committee of Harvard WSRP held a very special event to

celebrate 50 years of Women’s Studies at Harvard Divinity School. (Coincidentally, that same evening, the Annual Meeting of American Academy of Religion brought 8,000 religion professors to Denver.) Philanthropist Arlene Hirschfeld, a champion for the power of women leaders was inspired to do even more in the community when she heard a speech in 1992. The speaker was then Director of Harvard WSRP - Constance

Buchanan. At Harvard Divinity School, the Women’s Studies in Religion Program was founded in 1973 in response to the need to transform theological education to reflect the unprecedented presence of women as candidates for the ministry and students of religion. While women were first admitted to Harvard Divinity School only in 1955, they comprised a third of the student body by the mid-1970s and a majority of students by

Waves of Progress: Celebrating 50 Years of Women’s Studies at Harvard Divinity School

early 1980s.

A powerhouse panel of guests shared the impact of the WSRP at Harvard Divinity School, in the fields of women’s studies, and throughout the study of religion. Colorado has had 22 scholars in the program thanks to generous endowments raised by the Colorado Committee!

FLEURISH

LEFT: The Carriage House at 45 Francis Avenue in Cambridge, Massachusetts where six scholars have individual offices and space to collaborate

ABOVE: The Carriage House in Colorado, as a venue for special events, is part of the Governor’s Residence at 400 East 8th Avenue in Denver and was included in the major renovation/restoration under the leadership of former First Lady Frances Owens

Arlene Hirschfeld, Kathy Borgen, Pat Cooper, Harvard Divinity School Dean – David Hempton, Sister Lydia Pena, Anna Sun (former Harvard Women’s Studies in Religion Research Associate and currently Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Duke University, Director of Harvard Divinity School Women’s Studies in Religion Program Ann Braude

Photos by Scottie Iverson Ann Braude

Anna Sun

Dean David N. Hempton

Dick Wadhams tells GOP it’s time to leave Trump behind

BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER

In a talk on December 7 at Maggiano’s DTC to 75 members of the Arapahoe County Republican Breakfast Club, to those who were bold enough to show up after an election that went much worse for the party’s candidates than virtually any of them expected, Dick Wadhams provided his insights to what went wrong for the GOP on November 8.

For the record, all the statewide incumbent Democrats were re-elected to the offices they first took in 2018, and the Democrats increased their numbers in both houses of the general assembly, where they already held majorities. U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet (D) also beat challenger Joe O’Dea (R) by almost 15 points. This happened, even though the GOP fielded a significant number of extremely qualified candidates for statewide and many local offices, by any measure.

Wadhams, a highly credible and universally respected former GOP state party chair, did not pull any punches. He told his fellow Republicans that, although he had voted for Donald J. Trump for president in 2016 and 2020, the path forward for the Colorado GOP was to move on from the former president, full stop.

As the November 8 election approached, Wadhams hoped for and expected a better result than

OPINION

the party had in 2018, when it lost the Colorado state offices of governor, attorney general, secretary of state and treasurer. He believed that, because Trump, highly unpopular in our state, was no longer in the White House, Colorado voters would give the GOP candidates on the ballot a fair look.

That did not happen, he explained, because Trump’s conspiracy theory about the 2020 election being stolen was still in the news in Colorado. State Rep. Ron Hanks, who was Joe O’Dea’s sole opponent in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, was still claiming that Colorado’s elections were unsafe. Then there was Tina Peters, one of Pam Anderson’s opponents in the GOP primary for Colorado Secretary of State. Peters is currently under indictment for multiple felony and misdemeanor charges related to disclosing confidential data as Mesa County Clerk. Those charges were brought by the Republican

Media malpractice covering Colorado Springs shooting

Any shooting is tragic, regardless of circumstances, motive, or any other issues. Lives are cut short, needlessly, leaving sadness and anger for families and communities. The latest Colorado shooting was at a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs where five poor souls lost their lives.

Instead of reporting the story and allowing everyone to grieve these unnecessary deaths, big media was quick to pounce, politicizing the story, castigating their political enemies, without knowing or waiting to learn the facts of the story.

Several days after the shooting, before anything was known about the perpetrator or his motive, USA Today presumed to have all the answers, “Colorado Springs shooting is what comes from anti-LGBTQ hate.” They went further to blame Republicans, “For months in America we’ve heard hideous anti-LGBTQ rhetoric coming from one side of the political aisle.”

The Denver Post was more specific, blaming a Colorado member of Congress in their editorial, “We’re looking at you, Lauren Boebert. Stop the intolerance.”

The implication was that the Club Q shooter was some MAGA

hat wearing Trump supporting conservative Republican. This isn’t journalism, instead it’s sensationalism. Two major newspapers, not knowing the facts, presumed to know the who, what, where, when, and why of basic journalism when they were only projecting their biases instead.

district attorney for Mesa County. Although Hanks and Peters lost in the primaries, both candidates publicly subscribed to the stolen election conspiracy theory.

Wadhams also pointed out that Colorado voters were evenly divided between Republican, Democrat, and unaffiliated for decades. Now the state is 46% unaffiliated, 28% Democrat and 25% Republican. He attributes the change partly to the political leaning of the 800,000 people who have moved to our state.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis looks to Wadhams like the strongest candidate the Republicans have right now nationally, having shown his mettle by even winning Miami Dade County in his November 8 successful re-election as governor, since Miami Dade is mostly Hispanic.

The bottom line, according to the speaker, was that the top three reasons that the GOP lost in Colorado on November 8 were, first and foremost, the “hangover” of Trump’s presidency; secondly, the issue of abortion, which, although settled for now in Colorado, is a national problem; and thirdly, the impact of “dark money.” Although they say they are against it, the Democrats were able to collect more dark money, which can be raised in large amounts without specific donors being identified, than was the GOP, and they used it unsparingly in the election.

fmiklin.villager@gmail.com

Perhaps the media could focus on how Colorado’s myriad gun control laws failed, including Colorado’s “red flag” law. Weren’t these laws supposed to stop such acts? Instead, the Denver Post wants to blame a Republican member of Congress for the shooting.

This is not an isolated incident. Remember NASCAR driver Bubba Watson claiming someone hung a noose in his garage? The FBI took a pause from spying on President Trump to send 17 agents to investigate the “noose” which was simply a garage pull handle. But the media was quick to call this a racially motivated hate crime.

BY BRIAN C. JOONDEPH

Once the shooter was identified, his lawyers released a statement, “Anderson Aldrich is nonbinary, They use they/them pronouns, and for the purposes of all formal filings, will be addressed as Mx. Aldrich.”

So much for the media narrative of right-wing, Q-anon, MAGA homophobia causing the shooting. After showing little concern for the victims, the media’s fantasy balloon popped and they are ready to move on to some other story, looking for another opportunity to use tragedy as a political weapon. But they accomplished their mission of setting the narrative before the truth came out.

Instead, the shooter is a mentally ill young adult with a horrific family life including chronic bullying, a drug addicted porn actor father, a drug addicted mother, and himself with borderline personality disorder.

Then there was the “hands up, don’t shoot” myth, perpetuated by the media and professional sports for months until facts prevailed. The Washington Post had to reluctantly admit, after fanning the lie, “Hands up, don’t shoot did not happen in Ferguson.”

Yet the damage was done. A false narrative was created, leading to protests, riots, and property damage, all based on a lie, but one that fit the media’s political preferences.

The Club Q shooting is just another example of our local and national media playing, “readyfire-aim”, blasting out a lie before knowing the facts. This is media malpractice. Where are the apologies?

Is it any wonder trust in media is an all-time low?

Greenwood Village names sole owner of The Crossings at High Line Canal

BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER

In the staff report for its meeting on December 5, the Greenwood Village City Council identified Andrew Reberry as the sole individual who controls HOA, LLC, the company that owns all the property in the Harrison Oaks Metropolitan District (HOMD), now known as The Crossings at High Line Canal in Greenwood Village.

In 2016, an approximately 30-acre parcel of land bound by Belleview on the north and Colorado Boulevard on the east that was owned by the Magness family, was subdivided into 11 residential lots ranging from 2.5 acres to 3.6 acres, in a planned unit development. The property, bifurcated by the High Line Canal and

Trail (HLC), had long been zoned residential but was undeveloped and untouched, appearing to be open space. Complicating matters was the fact that there were no public streets connected to the six lots on the south half of the property, as is required by state law for residential property.

After discussions between the city and neighbors that lasted over a year, it was agreed that the best way to access the south half of the property was to build an atgrade bridge over the HLC.

Koelbel and Company was retained by the owners to develop and market the residential lots. Over the next few years, utilities were installed and landscaping was placed along Belleview Avenue to shield the new development from the busy traffic there.

Marketing efforts were commenced, but, before any individual lots were sold, HOA, LLC purchased the six lots on the south side in one transaction on January 21, 2020 for $8,125,000. Ten months later, HOA, LLC purchased the remaining five lots for an additional $5,000,000. Until December 5, 2022, Mr. Reberry’s identity as the sole owner of HOA, LLC was not publicly disclosed.

A search of social media named Reberry as the co-founder of TurnCommerce, Inc. a domain investment company and web development/online media company that “owns over 3,000,000 domain names such as Glossary.com, Margin.com, Cooking.com, NeighborhoodWatch.com, Stop.com and Proverb.com.” According to his Linked In

profile, he graduated from the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business with a B.S. in Information Systems in 2001. Mr. Re berry has not stated publicly what his plans are for the property.

formed in 2017, after being approved by the Greenwood Village City Council, to act in place of a homeowners’ association, to take care of the maintenance of com mon areas, public trails, and drainage ways in the devel opment. HOMD was not in tended to, nor authorized by the GV City Council to pay for public improvements, in cluding roads and infrastruc ture for the development, as is often done by metro districts.

was and is required to follow Colorado’s strict laws for

Find something for everyone on your list at

Park Meadows, Colorado’s only retail resort

The season of gifting is upon us and there’s no better place to start crossing items off your shopping list than Park Meadows. Housing over 200 of the finest and most popular retailers in America, Park Meadows is the ultimate destination to find a gift for even the pickiest of people on your list.

During the holiday season, many are setting health goals

for the coming year. For the fitness fanatics, check out Alo Yoga, Lululemon, Fabletics, or Athleta for fashion and fitness.

People are spending more time at home & enhancing the space around themselves has become a priority. Find gifts for the home, a culinary or everyday chef, or aspiring interior designers; with shops like Williams Sonoma, Crate

and Barrel, Pottery Barn, Arhaus, or Love Sac.

Gifting fashion, Park Meadows has Colorado’s largest Nordstrom and Dillard’s. For the men in your life, Travis Mathew or Psycho Bunny are sure to please, or for one-stop-shopping head to Tommy Bahama or Sundance, which have a collection of both men’s and women’s apparel, gifts, and

accessories to choose from. Make your holidays sparkle; no gift impresses more than jewelry from Ben Bridge, John Atencio, Pandora, Kendra Scott, Brighton,

or Helzberg. Over the Top or on the Road, how about a Tesla?

Dining is divine at Park Meadows with 16 fabulous restaurants all offering gift cards or reservations for an unforgettable meal. Experience art with a gift card to Canvas & Cocktails that makes for the perfect evening. Give the virtual reality experience of your choice at Sandbox VR, Colorado’s only location at Park Meadows.

Shopping local will never go out of style, which makes the Maker’s Market a fantastic stop. The market has 54 locally owned entrepreneurs that offer unique and hand-crafted items.

Pamper yourself or your loved ones with gifts from LUSH, Bath & Body Works, The Body Shop, Luxor Fragrances, L’Occitane, Aveda or MAC Cosmetics.

We cannot forget the little ones in our lives, who make the holidays even more magical. Fun for everyone and gifts galore at Build a Bear, LEGO, It’s your Move, and Tattered Cover Book Store.

There is nothing like seeing your gift light up a friend or family-member’s face. Experience the joy of the holidays and stop by Park Meadows to ring in the season of giving.

Entertaining vs hospitality: It’s not about the food

Now that December is here, I think about hosting dinner parties and family members who come from faraway places to celebrate holidays and family traditions. The thought of getting everything ready for the holidays is daunting and overwhelming. Yet, we are called to open our home and our hands with generosity and kindness. How should I respond when I am so busy with my work, my life and my responsibilities?

How do I carve up enough energy to do what it takes to get

through the holidays and all the obligations with grace and gratitude? I go through these mental and emotional machinations every year. This year I am going to be better, more organized, and less stressed, stay within my budget, enjoy my company, and simplify the way I entertain. What else can I do to be better at this?

The word “entertain” means to provide with amusement or enjoyment; to hold the attention pleasantly or agreeably; divert; amuse. The word “hospitality”

means the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers; the quality of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.

I have never thought about the differences between hospitality and entertaining. No wonder I get stressed. My expectations of entertaining is to have everything perfect. When everything is perfect, my guests will feel comfortable. This is crazy thinking! When I go somewhere and the host or hostess is busy making everything perfect, I am feeling their stress and not feeling relaxed. I feel my presence is making them work too hard. I feel guilty for all the preparation it took to have me over. All the busyness does not make time for visiting, talking, playing games and ensuring relationships go

deeper. Hospitality, on the other hand, is not about perfection or appearances. It is personality driven. The host thinks about the little things that will make their guests feel special and relaxed.

Hospitality says the dishes can wait, time with my guests is more important. Hospitality has an open-door policy whereas, entertaining says wait until I have everything perfect, then come over. Entertaining puts the focus on self instead of others. Hospitality may not look like a magazine cover, but it has a comfortable environment ready for anyone. Hospitality values fellowship and face time over perfection; it is other-focused. Growing up, my family always had an open-door policy for meals and getting together.

When you look like your passport photo, it’s time to go home

Lucky for me it was the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop and not a Dress for Success workshop I was attending. If you’re familiar with Erma Bombeck you know that as one of America’s most beloved humor columnists, she would have seen humor where someone else might have seen…well… room for improvement in me.

For starters, I arrived late. Moments before it was set to close, I slid in at the conference registration table like a batter into first base. While I signed in, my assistant, who is also my husband, went to the hotel desk to register. I call him my assistant because he was there to be at my beck and call. He just didn’t know it yet.

We met in the lobby and raced to our room so I could make myself presentable for the opening night banquet starting in half an

hour. I’d been sitting in a car all day, much of the time napping. I didn’t have bed head, I had headrest head, which is worse. I was crumpled and wrinkled and so were my clothes. And not just the ones I was wearing. As I stuffed everything into the closet, I noticed the blouse I’d planned to wear that evening was wrinkled, maybe because someone— me—had left it in the dryer for a day and a half. I found the iron and while it heated up, I wet a comb and tried to tame my headrest head. It didn’t work.

Neither did the iron. It didn’t steam but it did leak—all over my blouse. Then I steamed, which wasn’t helpful.

My assistant heard me ranting and suggested I dry it with the hairdryer. Good idea—except I couldn’t find a hairdryer. I looked in the closet, in the bathroom and

Whatever my mother or grandmother was preparing was what everyone, including guests, were having. No one cared about the place setting or the table décor. What they cared about was simply talking, sharing, laughing, creating memories and breaking bread together. Love was in the air. Hearts were open and people were authentic and real with one another. There was always room and food for everyone. When we focus more on our appearances and the food, rather than on service and time spent with them, we miss what is important… which is building relationships. Relax and enjoy your guests. Practice hospitality without grumbling, open your home to joy instead of stress, feed your soul, enhance your relationships. Always remember it is not about you or the food, it is about us, together in fellowship. joneen@ myrelationshipcenter.org

even under the bed, wasting valuable time I could have spent going to the front desk to get another one.

No hairdryer meant my hair was hopeless. But it occurred to me it could draw attention away from my glasses, which were crooked because one of the pads on the nose piece had fallen off during our trip.

I put on another outfit. It was also wrinkled, but at least it was dry. Then I grabbed the necklace I’d brought to wear with it. It was not just tangled, it was broken. After 10 minutes of trying to untangle it and fix it—I handed it to my assistant who did both. I put it on and immediately realized that my lanyard and name tag would cover it anyway.

I dashed out of the room with damp headrest hair and wrinkled clothes carrying one shoe and wearing the other and ran to the elevator. I’m proud to say I was only eight minutes late to the banquet. I’m not proud to say that somewhere between third floor and the lobby, I realized I had no idea which room I’d just come from.

As I slumped into my chair, dejected and disheveled, the title of an Erma Bombeck book came to me: When You Look Like Your Passport Photo, It’s Time to Go Home. I didn’t look like my passport photo. I looked worse. Also, I didn’t need a passport to get to the workshop. It was in Dayton, Ohio.

But it made me laugh and I relaxed. I ate half my dessert before dinner was served. I texted my assistant and got our room number. He said he’d pick up a hairdryer at the front desk and get some glue the next day to fix my glasses. Things were looking up— until I looked down.

My name tag had somehow fallen off the lanyard. The conference had barely started and I’d already lost my name tag. On the bright side now everyone could see my necklace.

Dorothy Rosby is the author of ‘Tis the Season to Feel Inadequate; Holidays, Special Occasions and Other Times Our Celebrations Get Out of Hand and other books. Contact her at www. dorothyrosby.com/contact

Tips for being a long-distance caregiver

Dear Savvy Senior, What tips do you recommend for long-distance caregivers? I help take care of my stubborn 86-yearold mother who still lives at home about 150 miles from me.

Need Advice

Dear Need, Providing care and support for an aging parent who lives far away can present a variety challenges that can make the job difficult and stressful. Here are some tips and resources that may help you.

BY JIM MILLER

Area Agency on Aging (call 800677-1116) to see if they have a list of providers.

If, however, your mom only needs occasional help, or if you can’t afford to use a care manager, here are some things you can do yourself to help her.

Long-Distance Caregiving

When it comes to monitoring and caring for an aging parent from afar, you have a couple of options. You can hire a professional to oversee your mom’s needs, or you can manage things yourself by building a support system, tapping into available resources, and utilizing technology devices that can help you keep tabs on her.

If your mom needs a lot of help, you should consider hiring a geriatric care manager who will give her a thorough assessment to identify her needs and will set up and manage all aspects of her care. But geriatric care managers are expensive typically charging between $100 and $250 per hour after an initial assessment of $150 to $750 and are not covered by Medicare.

To find a geriatric care manager in your mom’s area, visit AgingLifeCare.org or contact the nearest

Create a care team: Put together a network of people (nearby friends or family, neighbors, clergy, etc.) who can check on your mom regularly, and who you can call on from time to time for occasional help. Also put together a list of reliable services you can call for household needs like lawn care, handyman services, plumber, etc.

Tap local resources: Most communities offer a range of free or subsidized services that can help seniors with basic needs such as home delivered meals, transportation, senior companion services and more. Contact the nearby Area Aging Agency to find out what’s available.

Use financial tools: If your mom needs help with her financial chores, arrange for direct deposit for her income sources, and set up automatic payments for her utilities and other routine bills. You can also set up her online banking service, so you can pay bills and monitor her account anytime. Or, if you need help, hire a daily money manager (AADMM.com) to do it for you. They charge between $25 and $100 per hour.

Check essential documents: This is also a good time to make sure your mom has the following essential legal documents: a will; a living will and health-care proxy, which allows you to make medical decisions on her behalf if she became incapacitated; and a durable power of attorney, which gives you similar legal authority for financial decisions, if needed.

If she doesn’t have these documents prepared, now is the time to make them. And if they are prepared, make sure they’re updated and know where they are located.

Hire in-home help: Depending on your mom’s needs, you may need to hire a part-time home-care aide that can help with things like preparing meals, housekeeping or personal care. Costs can run anywhere from $12 up to $25 per hour. To find someone, try websites like Care.com or CareLinx.com

Utilize technology: To help you keep tabs on your mom from afar, there are various technologies that can help. For example, there are medical alert systems, video camera monitors, wearable activity trackers, and electronic pill boxes that can notify you if she has taken her medications. And to help you coordinate her care with members of her care team there are websites like LotsAHelpingHands.com

For more tips, call the National Institute on Aging at 800-2222225 and order their free booklet “Long-Distance Caregiving: Twenty Questions and Answers.”

Perfect for locals, newcomers and tourists to learn about the city and plan outings. Written by Denver native, Lisa J. Shultz, who loves to inspire the exploration of Denver’s treasures.

Readers will learn about:

• Art, Culture and Entertainment

• Parks, Recreation and Sports

• Government and Education

• Eating and Drinking Establishments

• Famous People

• Landmark Buildings and Neighborhoods

• History You Can Remember

• Great Lists and Fun Facts

• And Much More Find about more about the author on her website: LisaJShultz.com

SAVVY SENIOR

Oh what fun it is ...

Holiday must-haves: Make holiday shopping a cinch

There’s nothing quite like the joy of watching a loved one’s face light up when opening a gift you selected with care, but holiday shopping can be a chore.

If you’re a shopper at heart, it may be a challenge you enjoy, but if the idea of holiday shopping brings out the Grinch in you, consider these ideas for gifts to delight those you love this holiday season.

Look for more ideas to make this holiday season magical at eLivingtoday.com

Power Up Your Holidays with Protein

Whether you’re out shopping or traveling for the holiday, savor the season without compromising health goals by treating yourself to a Premier Protein Winter Mint Chocolate High Protein Shake. Featuring cozy chocolate and refreshing mint flavors, this seasonal favorite is back, but for a limited time only. Flavorful and packed with the nutrition you need, each shake includes 30 grams of protein, 160 calories and 1 gram of sugar. Whether you drink this

shake on its own or use it as an ingredient, you can ring in the season with a healthy amount of vitamins C and E, important antioxidants to support a healthy immune system as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Learn more at PremierProtein.com

Holiday Sweets for a Good Cause

Few things go together like the holiday season and sweet treats. By gifting family and friends Wendy’s Frosty Key Tags, which are good for a free Jr. Frosty with every purchase, you can give back all year long because proceeds from every tag sold helps the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption find loving, adoptive homes for children in foster care. Available for purchase every November and December, tags are good for one full

year and can be purchased in-restaurant, at the drive-thru, via a kiosk, through the app or at Wendys. com

Step Up Gifting with FashionForward Footwear

Every fashionista knows there’s no such thing as too many shoes, and that includes ankle boots and booties that never go out of style. These lowslung styles can be dressed up or down, depending on the look you’re wearing. Among this season’s hottest designs are faux animal prints, such as cheetah or snakeskin, that add some playful color and texture to complete an ensemble. If you’re not sure about the color or style, a classic black or brown bootie with well-padded soles and a moderate heel is a versatile

choice with universal appeal.

Brrr-ing Gifts of Warmth and Good Cheer

Give loved ones an easy way to brighten a cold, dreary day with a cute and cozy matching hat and glove set. It’s a thoughtful and practical gift that brings a smile to recipients’ faces each time they don those warm layers to face a blustery day. What’s more, with all the options for personalization, it’s an affordable way to show you care. When choosing the perfect duo, keep your loved ones’ tastes and preferences in mind. You can find hats and gloves to match virtually any interest, whether it’s a favorite color, sports team or pop culture reference.

Holiday Shopping Hot List

Turns out, Santa may be onto something. Making your list and checking it twice can help you save money (and your sanity) during the holiday season. Set a budget and stick to it. Remember to include all your

seasonal expenses, including Secret Santa and teacher gifts, ingredients for dishes you’ll take to potluck gatherings and admission to special holiday activities.

Make a list. Having an idea of what you’d like to buy can help you stick to your budget and avoid frustration when you’re in the stores. You’ll be more likely to avoid costly impulse purchases and you’ll be more efficient while shopping.

If you can, jot down a couple of backup ideas just in case what you want proves hard to find or exceeds your budget.

Shop for deals. Before you head out shopping, research specials on the items on your list. You may be able to adjust your timing to take advantage of sales or find steep discounts at stores you don’t normally visit.

Give yourself plenty of time. If holiday shopping stresses you out, it’s a good idea to start early. That way you can tackle a little at a time and avoid feeling the pressure of a ticking clock. Also try shopping during off-peak hours, such as during the week, when stores are likely to be less crowded.

Map out your plan of attack. Planning the most direct route to travel from one retailer to the next can help keep you organized and avoid unnecessary backtracking. Be sure to watch for promotions that provide free shipping and be conscious of shipping times to ensure gifts arrive in time for the big day.

Holidays in Denver

STORY & PHOTOS

BY LISA J. SHULTZ

Be sure to see beautiful holiday lights, trees, and decorations in Denver at Christmastime.

Enjoy this list of seven mustsee displays:

1. Botanic Gardens – Make reservations for Blossoms of Light and stroll the grounds for a magical experience.

2. Brown Palace Hotel – See the eloquently decorated lobby and consider making a reservation for tea.

3. City and County Building –Look at this beautiful building from Civic Center Park and walk right up to the nativity scene at the entrance to the building and see the Mile High Christmas tree.

4. Larimer Square – Stroll the festive block, browse in the shops, and refresh yourself at one of the many restaurants.

5. Oxford Hotel – Visit the quaint lobby and have a classic cocktail in the Cruise Room.

6. Union Station – Check out the main terminal Christmas tree and sip a drink upstairs at the Cooper Lounge.

7. 16th Street Mall – Walk along the 16th Street Mall, see the lights on the Daniels and Fisher Tower, and consider ice skating on the rink next to the Tower.

Most of these locations are close to one another. So, plan your outing and see several sites in one evening.

Lisa J. Shultz is a book reviewer and an art and culture columnist for The Villager since 2020. Lisa is a Denver native, and she loves to inspire exploration of the city’s treasures in her book Essential Denver. Find out more about her and her book at LisaJShultz. com or call her at 303-881-9338.

Artworks @ Streets at Southglenn is a gallery featuring art created by a group of local artists. The art includes ceramics, both functional and decorative, fiber arts, photography, hand painted placemats and garden flags and much more.

The gallery is operated by the artists themselves who are happy to talk about their process and answer questions you may have so please come shop for gifts or yourself.

Open Friday & Saturday 12:00 - 4:00 instagram: Artworkssouthglenn

A horse is a horse, of course, of course... unless you are in need of a therapy horse

Zuma’s held their final event of the year on December 3 to help raise funds for therapy horses. The Christmas Market drew in 30+ crafters/ artisans and more than 200 guests. Kids and family members enjoyed hayrides, photos with Santa and elves, hot chocolate, shopping and more. Proceeds helped offset the inflated costs of hay to feed their herd through the winter.

Zuma’s is still hopeful to reach their fundraising goal for the year with contributions through Colorado Gives Day.

Funds support the care of rescued animals who are healing children, families and veterans currently facing mental health challenges and hardship.

“Growing up my mother

struggled to take care of me and my two siblings, we learned to fend for ourselves until our aunt stepped in and adopted me at age 10.” Says Jennifer, a Zuma’s volunteer. “As the oldest, I was always the protector and I felt I had to be strong enough for them. Due to the trauma we experienced, my little brother suffered from reactive attachment disorder, borderline personality disorder, and anxiety. As he grew older he struggled with addiction. My brother felt he would never become the person he knew he was meant to be. On April 8, 2017, I received the phone call

that my brother committed suicide. I tried to cope by seeking therapy but never felt I had a safe place to process everything I had been through, until I found Zuma’s. Their staff are so kind and supportive and it’s empowering to see how far I’ve come with their help. Whether you’re a volunteer, a rider, a client in Zuma’s equine therapy programs, or a rescued animal, Zuma’s is a safe place to heal and get better.” - Jennifer, Zuma’s Volunteer

The holidays can be a challenging time for many struggling with loss. To help Zuma’s continue meeting the needs of the community, you can make a donation at: https://www. coloradogives.org/organization/ Zumasrescueranch

Mini Mariah &

Cindy

Photos by Susan

Sweeney Lanam

Icelandic horse Atticus

Zuma’s Volunteer Hayley

Local Vendor Cristi from BowWow Chews

Live music by Summit Sound of Voices

Santa with 2008 rescue

Steely and volunteer Luna

Local Vendor Oui Redux

Zuma’s Development Team; C.C., Jodi, Jessi and volunteer Erin (and Lulu the rescued bulldog!)

Share Your Talents – Terri Flagg

Arabian Nights – Maja Buck, Elena Paich, Athanasia Poulos, Christiana Hillier, Fotini DeMatteo

How Lovely Are Your Branches – Vivian Bouzarelos, Mimi Bouzarelos, Dora Matzakos

Michele Krochta and Missy Katsoulas (not present) – cochairs of the bakery with Jean Greos

St. Catherine’s Men’s Fellowship – The Winning Drive

Tiger Tales –Presv. Marsha Christopulos & Elaine Cladis

Making Spirits Bright - Hostess Valerie LeVier

“Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in

your hearts to God.”

Photos by Gerri Sweeney

Snow White dinner plates with the door to Club 33 – a private dining club established in 1967 by Disney

Love You To The Moon and Back –Mindi Armatas

Faith) – Olga Payne, Natasha Bealer

Starry Starry Night – Evyan Maniatis, Elaine Strompolos

“Checking” It Twice – Presv. Marsha Christopulos & Elaine Cladis

Buon Appetito – Jean Greos

Penalty kick ‘foul’ way to break World Cup tie

The championship game of soccer’s 2022 World Cup will be contested on Sunday in Qatar, and here’s hoping all 22 players are on the pitch when the winner is decided.

I dislike tiebreakers—in this case, penalty kicks—intensely.

Call me old-fashioned, but I think sporting events should be decided the way they’re played during regulation time, whether that’s nine innings, four quarters, three periods or, in the case of soccer, two halves plus whatever they choose to call the time added at the end of 90 minutes of continuous play: stoppage time . . . injury time . . . makeup time . . .

We don’t decide deadlocked basketball games with a free throw-shooting contest when the final buzzer sounds.

So why decide the most important soccer game every four years with penalty kicks from a designated spot 12 yards from a goal that’s eight times larger than a hockey goal—defended by a sitting duck goalie?

It is unsatisfying, at least for me, to see full teams match wits and, in many cases, knock heads throughout a regulation game then see a couple or few of those players decide the outcome.

If, during the regular season, we can’t be satisfied that neither opponent prevailed, even after overtime of some duration, then a tiebreaker should be a last resort.

But not when a championship is at stake. Even the National Hockey League gets that.

Football comes closest to preserving the game, especially the pros.

In the National Football League full teams return to the gridiron for offense and defense, and it takes a touchdown to end play before both teams have a chance to score.

At the college level, it’s not exactly the same game the teams played to reach the tie, but at least it’s 11-on-11, defense lined up opposite offense, and both sides get an equal chance.

I admit I don’t know a lot about soccer, and that it has grown in the United States largely without me. So, I’m likely missing something important about the world’s most popular game.

But if that’s the case, I’m not alone.

Most Americans have at least a casual knowledge of football, baseball and basketball—the rules . . . players’ positions . . . the basics of play. Fewer—though an ever-increasing number, thanks in particular to youth leagues—know soccer’s intricacies.

I sought out a former member of the University of Denver soccer team, which is good enough most years to make the post-season playoff that determines the national collegiate champion.

Soccer, he explained, involves four disciplines: physical, mental, technical and tactical.

It’s the tactics that are

A Rockies Doubleheader

hard to discern as players dart, seemingly willy-nilly, up and down a field, called a pitch, that’s most often about five times the size of a gridiron. (Soccer, unlike football, does not have one standard set of field dimensions.)

I believe the subtleties of soccer tactics and many Americans’ unfamiliarity with them is a big reason why soccer is not yet as appealing as, for example, football.

Most football fans don’t have a clue what every player is supposed to do on any given play, but the outcome is apparent to them every time. Not so with soccer.

Getting back to the current World Cup, three of the four teams that reached the semifinals made it that far thanks to penalty kicks.

Morocco beat Spain 3-0 from 12 feet after tying 0-0; Croatia and Japan tied 1-1 before Croatia prevailed 3-1, then upset Cup favorite Brazil 4-2 following another 1-1 draw; and Argentina survived Netherlands 4-3 to break a 2-2 standoff.

My knowledgeable DU source insists that penalty kicks (the most in five tries, or more if the sides are tied after five) are the best way to resolve a soccer match that might otherwise go on for who-knows-how-long.

There’s tremendous mental pressure on the kicker and the goalie in each instance, he said, which is the epitome of competition. And it’s conceivable that all 10 players in the lineup at game’s end (excluding the goalie) could be called on to try a kick, if the teams repeatedly match kicks and misses after tying through the first five.

But I’m not convinced.

I remember the Avs’ first Stanley Cup triumph in 1996, when Uwe Krupp rifled a shot past Florida goalie John Vanbiesbrouck almost five minutes into the third overtime period of Game Four, to break a scoreless tie that had lasted more than 104 minutes.

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.

Order online from Amazon.

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 14 books, eight of them sports-related. You can write to Denny at dennydressman@comcast.net.

BY DON IRELAND SENIOR REPORTER/WEEKLY REGISTER CALL

When the curtain rises at the iconic Central City opera each summer, the well-dressed patrons attend the highbrow performances featuring professional singers, beautiful stage designs and an orchestra whose music resonates throughout the historic, well-preserved opera house building on Eureka Street.

During this off-season, however, a nasty brouhaha has emerged between last summer’s cast and the operators of the non-profit opera organization. At the moment, what’s going on behind the scenes at the opera resembles more of a reality-TV show slugfest than the traditional Shakespearean plays scheduled for next year’s opera season, including Romeo and Juliet and Othello.

This ongoing clash, deemed a “Fight at the Opera” by local observers, features two sharply-contrasting viewpoints about last season and the status of ongoing negotiations between the opera and the performers’ guild.

Members of the bargaining committee from the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), which represents the opera singers, have issued complaints about the Central City Opera and Pamela Pantos, who became the opera’s CEO and president last February, claiming she is trying to break up the guild that performs in Central. While both sides say they are open to negotiations, they also claim the other side isn’t communicating.

AMGA alleges “several artists have come forward, detailing disturbing conduct, ranging from public body shaming to sexual harassment, to threats of retaliation for union activity. Out of respect and concern for the artists who have shared these accounts with us, we will not detail them here, but we are open to discussing the conduct with CCO’s Board of Directors under an appropriate agreement that guarantees the confidentiality and protect of the targets of this abuse.”

The guild, which has had an 80-year agreement with the Central City Opera, noted that “at the moment, our path forward in negotiations is questionable due to the recent actions of the CCO, under the current leadership of Pamela Pantos. We understand that it has been a tumultuous period for CCO

and that, in recent months, several long-tenured and respected members of CCO’s artistic team have resigned.”

Last summer, a Covid outbreak among performers caused the opera to cancel performances from July 19 to 24. The new, younger performers weren’t paid due to the cancellation, according to AMGA, substantially impacting their personal finances, while the longer-serving guild members were compensated.

The Central City Opera has fund balances and assets exceeding $12 million, according to a tax form filed with the IRS by the CCO in 2019. The opera is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.

Leaders of the Central City Opera, responding to an inquiry from the Weekly Register-Call, said in a statement Monday, “We’re proud of our long and storied history as a staunch advocate for opera and the arts in Colorado and across the country, so we are naturally concerned about unfounded allegations being made as part of current contract discussions. We’re committed to working under National Labor Relations Board standards to reach an agreement and maintain a fair and equitable working environment for our artists.

“This summer, we shut down production for eight days due to Covid and were praised by the state and AGMA for taking swift action to protect the health and wellbeing of our artists and staff. During that time, we continued to compensate our artists. Additionally, we have not received any recent complaints or allegations of misconduct, including body shaming, discrimination, retaliation or harassment, from any of our artists – either to our human resources team or via our anonymous hotline. If there is validity to these claims, we commit to fully investigating and addressing these wrongdoings immediately. However, after requesting more

information on these claims from AGMA, we have not received a response.

“We take the allegations presented very seriously and remain committed to the negotiating process with AGMA in order to reach a mutually beneficial resolution. Our position has been to refrain from public comments as we are still in active negotiations with AGMA. We are disappointed information has been made public without a full representation of both sides, however, we need to continue to refrain from specific comments so that we don’t jeopardize the ongoing negotiation process.”

AMGA, in releases on its website and Facebook posts, said it is open to negotiations. However, the guild also alleged the opera had retained the law firm of Little Mendelson, which they describe as “a notorious union-busting firm currently engaged by Starbucks to crush their ongoing unionization effort, to represent it in negotiations. Our first day of bargaining was on Nov. 1, and it was immediately made clear by the CCO management-drafted proposals is a transparent attempt to destroy the AGMA bargaining unit at CCO in a bid to make artists at CCO less empowered and less secure.

“Taken together, CCO’s proposals and actions have forced us to conclude that, under the leadership of Ms. Pantos, CCO management is attempting to target and silence our industry’s most marginalized artists. We think this demonstrates rather clearly who so many of our colleagues are afraid to participate opening in bargaining. It is for this reason that our committee for these negotiations is comprised only of AGMA artists who are well-established in our careers and do not rely on CCO for employment and advancement – we are at the table because CCO management has made it unsafe for others to be there instead.”

The AGMA remarked, “at the moment, though, our path forward in negotiations is questionable due to the recent actions of CCO under the current leadership of Pantos.”

In a statement, AMGA called the Central City Opera one of the organization’s oldest signatory companies. “It is a jewel in the opera world and a pillar of the local Colorado and Rocky Mountain Arts community. A number of us, as well as many successful artists in our industry, had their start at the Central City Opera. We respect the in-

stitution so much and consider it a leader in producing artists that continue to flourish, and we want nothing more than to see it thrive for the sake of the next generations of artists. Our attempt to reach the Board of Directors is not to tear you down as a group or as individuals, but to fill in potential gaps of information. We believe a switch change in approach is needed at your institution in order to ensure its storied legacy as the country’s fifth oldest opera house and one of its leading and most-celebrated training programs is upheld.”

Before the arrival of legalized gaming in Central City 30 years ago, the Central City Opera was the primary summer attraction that drew thousands of Denver-area visitors to experience the 550-seat jewel box opera house built in 1878 by Welsh and Cornish Miners. After the gold-mining boom of the late 1800s ended, the opera house fell into a state of disrepair. The building was restored and reopened in 1932 and is a national historic landmark. That summer, the legendary actress Lillian Gish opened the newly restored opera house with Camille, launching an annual tradition of summer festivals in Central City that continues to this day. During the past decade, the opera has trimmed the number of shows offered during the season. During the pandemic

year of 2020 pandemic, the opera was forced to cancel the season.

The Central City Opera organization, based in Wheat Ridge, was founded in 1932 and is the fifth-oldest opera company in the nation. The opera owns the opera house and 27 Victorian-era properties, and three commercial buildings in Central City. In recent years, many Central City locals have complained about the lack of upkeep and maintenance of the opera residences. Others have voiced concern that the homes – which are vacant most of the year – could be used for much-needed housing or temporary rentals in Central City. Some local business operators say the opera is a part of the city’s rich history. However, the patrons use most available parking spaces in town during the season but don’t patronize local establishments.

Circulating around Central City are reports that the opera has lost several long-time staff members, including board members after the opera organization hired a new CEO this year.

Central City leaders have not publicly expressed opinions about the current opera situation. Last week, however, the City Council approved their 2023 municipal budget, which gives an annual $25,000 donation to the opera.

Villager BOOK REVIEW

Lincoln Highway

Published in 2021 and written by Amor Towles, author of A Gentleman in Moscow and Rules of Civility, this book is a winner. Set in 1950s America, it was an adventure through and through. Eighteen-year-old Emmett Watson was recently released from a work farm because his father died, and the family farm went into foreclosure. He and his eight-year-old brother Billy decide to drive to San Francisco from Nebraska along the Lincoln Highway in search of a new life and maybe their mother.

The brother’s plan goes awry when two friends from the work farm hide themselves in the trunk of the warden’s car. As he drops off Emmett, they escape. The uninvited friends take Emmett and Billy in the opposite direction of their goal. Challenges tax Emmett and Billy at every turn. I held my breath to see if they could get

To learn more about Lisa and her books, visit her website, www.LisaJShultz.com. To read more book reviews, follow her on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/ LisaJShultz. Lisa loves speaking to groups, and she would be happy attend your book club. Call her at 303-881-9338.

back on track to reach their desired destination over the ensuing ten days. I enjoyed the story from start to finish! An excellent reader on Audible as well.

Pamela Pantos, CEO, Central City Opera (file photo)

Littleton Elks Lodge #1650 honors veterans with dinner and ritual

So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.

The Littleton Colorado Elks Lodge #1650 proved this when they honored veterans and guests with an amazing meal and ritual presentation provided by Exalted Ruler, Amy Jo Berg; Esteemed Leading Knight, Jimmy Stanley; and the Colorado National Guard.

More than 150 people enjoyed the meal of stuffed pork chops, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls and dessert. The Littleton Elks Veterans Committee paid for all veterans and one guest for this dinner.

In addition, the committee held a raffle for baskets made by Elks members and sold Littleton Elks Lodge 1650 hats to help pay for the dinner and future donations.

“Making a meal this large for so many people is a challenge, but we would do anything for our veterans,” said Angie Jackson, Veterans Committee. “And we could NOT have done it without the help of our Ladies of the Elks, Veterans Committee members and other volunteers who spent many hours preparing for this meal that means so much to our veterans.”

CITY OF GLENDALE

PUBLIC NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES

The following ordinance was passed before the City Council of the City of Glendale, Colorado, on the 6th day of December, 2022, and ordered published by said Council:

CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO ORDINANCE NO. 4 SERIES OF 2022

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO, ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO, FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2023, ESTIMATING THE AMOUNT OF MONEY NECESSARY TO BE RAISED BY TAX

LEVY BASED ON THE SAID BUDGET SO ADOPTED; ESTIMATING THE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO BE DERIVED FROM OTHER REVENUE SOURCES; AND SETTING FORTH THE TOTAL EXPENDITURES FOR EACH FUND

A copy of the ordinance and budget are on file at the office of the City Clerk and may be inspected during regular business hours.

Dated the 7th day of December, 2022 City of Glendale, Colorado Veronica Marvin, City Clerk

Published in The Villager Published: December 15, 2022 Legal # 109

CITY OF GLENDALE

PUBLIC NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE

The following ordinance was passed before the City Council of the City of Glendale, Colorado, on the 6th day of December, 2022, and ordered published by said Council:

CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO ORDINANCE NO. 5 SERIES OF 2022

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO, APPROPRIATING SUMS OF MONEY TO DEFRAY EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE FOR THE CITY’S CALENDAR YEAR 2023

A copy of the ordinance and budget are on file at the office of the City Clerk and may be inspected during regular business hours.

Dated the 7th day of December, 2022 City of Glendale, Colorado Veronica Marvin, City Clerk

Published in The Villager Published: December 15, 2022 Legal # 10948

CITY OF GLENDALE

PUBLIC NOTICE OF

GLENDALE

ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES

The following ordinance was passed before the City Council of the City of Glendale, Colorado, on the 6th day of December, 2022, and ordered published by said Council:

CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO ORDINANCE NO. 6 SERIES OF 2022

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO, LEVYING TAXES FOR THE YEAR 2022 TO DEFRAY THE COSTS OF THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO, FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2023, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2023

A copy of the ordinance and budget are on file at the office of the City Clerk and may be inspected during regular business hours.

Dated the 7th day of December, 2022 City of Glendale, Colorado Veronica Marvin, City Clerk

Published in The Villager Published: December 15, 2022 Legal # 10949

CITY OF GLENDALE PUBLIC NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES

The following ordinance was passed before the City Council of the City of Glendale, Colorado, on the 6th day of December, 2022, and ordered published by said Council:

CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO ORDINANCE NO. 7 SERIES OF 2022

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO, AMENDING THE SUMS OF MONEY APPROPRIATED TO DEFRAY EXPENSES BUDGETED FOR THE EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFITS FUND, AND THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED CANNABIS SALES TAX FUND OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO, FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2022, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2022

A copy of these ordinances and budget are on file at the office of the City Clerk and may be inspected during regular business hours.

Dated the 7th day of December, 2022 City of Glendale, Colorado Veronica Marvin, City Clerk

Published in The Villager Published: December15, 2022 Legal # 10950

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City

of Glendale, Colorado, will hold a Public Hearing at Glendale City Hall, 950 South Birch Street, Glendale, Colorado, in the Courtroom/Council Chambers on the first floor, at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, concerning the following ordinance:

CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO ORDINANCE NO. 8 SERIES OF 2022

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO, REVISING THE WATER RATES AND FEES OF THE WATER ENTERPRISE

Copies of this ordinance are on file at the office of the City Clerk and may be inspected during regular business hours.

Dated the 7th day of December, 2022 City of Glendale, Colorado Veronica Marvin, City Clerk

Published in The Villager Published: December 15, 2022 Legal # 10951

DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO 7325 S. Potomac Street Centennial, CO 80112

PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO, Petitioner,

IN THE INTEREST OF:

JORDAN TRUJILLO, JR. and CELIA VIGIL, Children,

And concerning JUSTINE MESTAS, JORDAN TRUJILLO, SR. and FRANK VIGIL, Respondents.

And concerning ALICIA MESTAS, Special Respondent.

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 larnold@arapahoegov.com

COURT

Tel: 303-636-1882 Fax: 303-636-1889

Case No: 22JV30034 Division: 23

NOTICE OF ADJUDICATORY COURT TRIAL AND DEFAULT JUDGMENT REGARDING RESPONDENT FATHER JORDAN TRUJILLO SR.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the above captioned matter has been set for an ADJUDICATORY COURT TRIAL AND DEFAULT JUDGMENT REGARDING RESPONDENT FATHER, JORDAN TRUJILLO, SR., on January 20, 2023 at 10:45 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: •www. judicial.webex.com/meet/ D18-ARAP-Div23 •Enter your name and email

SPECIAL DISTRICTS

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

CENTENNIAL AIRPORT ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO

The Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority (ACPAA), owner and operator of Centennial Airport in Englewood, Colorado is soliciting Statement of Qualifications and Experience from qualified firms to prepare a Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 150 Airport Noise Compatibility Study for submittal to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The consultant must supply all information required by the Request for Statements of Qualifications and Experience. The Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority reserves the right to waive any informalities and minor irregularities in the submittals and to select the Consultant deemed to be in the best interest of the Airport.

For any questions and to obtain a complete copy of the Request for Statement of Qualifications and Experience please contact Samantha Blymyer, Noise & Environmental Specialist at Centennial Airport at sblymyer@centennialairport.com or 303-218-2922.

The Statements of Qualifications and Experience must be submitted to Samantha Blymyer, Noise & Environmental Specialist, 7565 S. Peoria St. Unit D-9, Englewood, CO, 80112 no later than 4:00 p.m. MST, on Friday, January 13, 2023. DBE firms are encouraged to submit.

Published in The Villager

First Publication: December 8, 2022

Last Publication: December 15, 2022 Legal # 10944

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

/s/Linda Arnold

Linda Arnold, Esq., 16764 Assistant County Attorney

Published in The Villager Published: December 15, 2022 Legal # 10946

Pursuant to Section 32-1-808(2)(a)(I), C.R.S., notice is hereby given that there is a vacancy on the Board of Directors of Goldsmith Metropolitan District, in the City and County of Denver and Arapahoe County, Colorado (the “District”). Any eligible elector of the District who is interested in appointment to the Board of Directors may contact the District’s attorney, Tom George of Spencer Fane LLP, 1700 Lincoln Street, Suite 2000, Denver, CO 80203, via email at tgeorge@spencerfane.com. The Board of Directors of the District may fill said vacancy 10 days after the date hereof.

By: /s/ Thomas N. George Legal Counsel

Published in The Villager Published: December 15, 2022 Legal # 10952

NOTICE OF VACANCY INOVA AERO METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

Pursuant to Section 32-1-808(2)(a)(I), C.R.S., notice is hereby given that there are vacancies on the Board of Directors of INOVA Aero Metropolitan District, in the City of Centennial, Arapahoe County, Colorado (the “District”). Any eligible elector of the District who is interested in appointment to the Board of Directors may contact the District’s attorney, Tom George of Spencer Fane LLP, 1700 Lincoln Street, Suite 2000, Denver, CO 80203, via email at tgeorge@spencerfane.com. The Board of Directors of the District may fill said vacancies 10 days after the date hereof.

By: /s/ Thomas N. George Legal Counsel

Published in The Villager Published: December 15, 2022 Legal # 10953 NOTICE

NOTICE OF VACANCY GOLDSMITH METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Avenue Aurora, CO 80017

Published in The Villager

First Publication: December 1, 2022

Last Publication: December 15, 2022 Legal # 10933

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Patricia A. Snow, aka Patricia Ann Snow, DeceasedCase Number 22PR31254

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to District Court of Arapahoe, County, Colorado or on or before March 24, 2023, or the claims may be forever

barred. Christine Trejo 20187 N. Santa Cruz Drive Maricopa, AZ 85138

Published in The Villager

First Publication: December 1, 2022

Last Publication: December 15, 2022 Legal # 10934

SOUTH SUBURBAN PARKS & RECREATION HOLIDAY EVENTS

Jan. 13 & Feb. 10 5-8 p.m. Goodson Rec. Center. For ages 3-12 for movie nights. Bring your blanket. Popcorn & pizza served. Info: 303-483-7014

CENTRAL CITY OPERA PRESENTS AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS DEC. 16, 17, 18 IN DENVER

DEC. 16, 7:30 p.m.; DEC. 17, 7:30 p.m. AND DEC. 18, 2:00 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church - Denver. A holiday event for audiences of all ages performed with a full orchestra. The story of a magic star, a shepherd boy, and how unselfish love can work miracles. Box Office for tickets: 303-292-6700.

TESORO CULTURAL CENTER CHRISTMAS EVENT AT THE FORT

DEC. 24, 4 p.m. Tesoro partners with the Fraternas sto commemorate Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem as they

seek shelter on the night of Jesus’ birth. Refreshments and biscochitos are provided. The Fort is located at 19192 Highway 8, Morrison.

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

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.

‘WHAT’S NEW?” DENVER JAZZ CLUB YOUTH ALL-

STAR IS LOOKING FOR A HIGH SCHOOL TRUMPET PLAYER

Contact The Director, Ed Cannava at ecan11@msn.com

“WHAT’S NEW?”

LYNX auto wraps has been sold and consolidated with with Signarama - Denver. Both companies utilize computer graphics and materials for Signarama signage & commercial trucks & vehicle. Call Mark Metevia for 3M paint protection vinyl film for upscale vehicles. 303-926-7446 or 720-503-6028 or Mark@lynxauowraps.com

CITY OF CENTENNIAL NEWS

Centennial City Council Meetings move to Tuesdays in 2023. Study Session followed by a Regular Council Meeting on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. Council Work Session on the second Tuesday of the month. Study Sessions and Work Sessions at 6 p.m. Regular Council meetings a t 7 p.m. Open to the public.

Classified advertising

HELP WANTED

Baywood Hotels Inc. seeks a Project Manager to work in Greenwood Village, Colorado and be responsible for assisting senior management in making strategic decisions in organizational strategy and communi-

cating to the downstream. Send resumes, references and salary requirements to: Keyur.Naik@ baywoodhotels.com with “Project Manager” in subject line. 12/8,10

Colorado Statewide Network

To place a 25-word COSCAN Network ad in 91 Colorado newspapers for only $300, contact The Villager at 303-773-8313

DIRECTV

DIRECTV for $64.99/mo for 12 months with CHOICE Package. Save an additional $120 over 1st year. First 3 months of HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz and Epix Included! Directv is #1 in Customer Satisfaction (JD Power & Assoc.) Some Restrictions apply.

Call for more details!

BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER

With the unexpected resignation of state Sen. Bob Rankin (R) of Carbondale, the longest serving member of the general assembly’s Joint Budget Committee, state Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer (R) of Weld County, who received 1,632 votes less than her Democratic opponent, U.S. Rep-Elect Yadira Caravejo, out of 236,402 votes cast in the election for Colorado’s new Congressional District Eight, has been named to replace Rankin on the JBC.

The Villager would also like to correct an item from last week. On page 21 of our December 8 issue, we identified state Sen. Jeff Bridges as a member of the GOP. Anyone familiar with Sen. Bridges or his family history would have recognized that as being incorrect. Sen. Bridges is and has always been a member of the Democratic party and The Villager regrets the error.

fmiklin.villager@gmail.