2-29-24 Villager

Today’s Leap Day a historical

BY DON IRELAND CONTRIBUTING WRITER

We’re all aware that Leap Year occurs only once every four years. Most of you loyal readers also know that copies of The Villager have been distributed every Thursday since 1982.

So, what’s Leap Year have to do with today’s newspaper?

Today (Thursday) marks just the second time this newspaper has been printed and distributed five times during the month of February – due to Leap Day.

The last time this newspaper was printed on a Leap Day was on Thursday, Feb. 29, 1996 (28 years ago, to save you from doing the math).

To jog your memory, 1996 was the year when home computers were just starting to gain popularity. Those who braved the “World Wide Web” typically did so by connecting their computer to their home phone line via a cable, then hearing the noisy sounds as the computer logged in to the internet. By the end of the year, about 10 million people were going online.

The year 1996 also was the year of the bombing at the Olympics in Atlanta, Prince Charles divorced Princess Diana, internet sites Ebay and Ask Jeeves debuted, the mad cow disease swept through Britain and IBM’s Deep Blue computer defeated chess champion Gary Kasparov. It also was the year that Dolly the sheep became the first mammal to be cloned successfully and Bill Clinton won a

second term as U.S. President by beating Bob Dole.

So, for annual subscribers, you’ll actually get 53 editions of The Villager during 2024, so this week’s Leap Day edition should be considered something of a “free bonus copy.” There won’t be another Feb. 29 Leap Day falling on a Thursday until 2052.

Coincidentally, the Weekly Register-Call, our sister publication in Black Hawk and Gilpin County is the oldest newspaper in the state. It began printing each Thursday in 1862. For them, they have printed only five editions on Leap Day in those nearly 162 years.

Facts about Leap Years

Julius Caesar introduced the first leap year around 46 B.C. but his Julian calendar had a rule: Any year evenly divisible by four would be a leap year. The result was that thinking created too many leap years. Finally, 1,500 years later, Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar, which established our current system of having a Leap Year every four years, which incidentally coincides with U.S. presidential elections during the past

few centuries.

Here are some other tidbits regarding Leap Years:

Leap year babies are called “leapers” or “leaplings.”

Feb. 29 has traditionally been a day on which women were allowed to propose to men. (Think of it as a Sadie Hawkins’ dance gone wild. Of course, in 2024, such old-fashioned dating rituals have largely been replaced by apps, such as Match.com, Hinge, FarmersOnly.com, etc.)

Some cultures consider Feb. 29 an unlucky day.

Depending on their job, lots of people work for free on Feb. 29.

There’s a Leap Year Capital

The bordering cities of Anthony, Texas, and Anthony, New Mexico, are the self-proclaimed “Leap Year Capital of the World.” They hold a three-day leap year festival that includes a huge birthday

party for all leap year babies. There was be a birthday party for Leap Babies tonight at the Rollin’ Smoke BBQ, which is a 624mile, or nearly 10hour, drive from Black Hawk. Of course, if you hop on a private jet at Centennial Airport, fly into El Paso and drive north to Anthony, it’ll take less than 2-1/2 hours. This year’s festival runs from today through March 2 and will include music, vendors, food and other activities.

(Identification is required for birthday party participants.)

All in the family

According to the folks at Guinness World Records, there exists one known family that has produced three consecutive generations of Leap Babies. Peter Anthony Keogh was born in Ireland in on Feb. 29, 1940. His son, Peter Eric, was born in the U.K. on Leap Day in 1964, and his granddaughter Bethany Wealth was born in the U.K. on Feb. 29, 1996.

Leap Day movie history

The 12th Academy Awards ceremony, held on Feb. 29, 1940 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), honored the best films for 1939 at a banquet

in the Coconut Grove at The Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. It was hosted by Bob Hope, in his first of nineteen turns as host.

History was made at the event when Hattie McDaniel’s performance as Mammy in Gone with the Wind earned her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. She was the first African American to win this award.

Leap Day Fate?

According to the World Heritage Encyclopedia, in the 1800s, British-born James Milne Wilson, who later became the eighth premier of Tasmania, was born on a leap day and died on a leap day too. Wilson died on Feb. 29, 1880, on his “17th” birthday, or aged 68 in regular years.

Born on Feb. 29

The “Honor Society of Leap Year Day Babies” is a club for people born on Feb. 29. More than 11,000 people worldwide are members. The goal of the group is to promote leap day awareness and to help leap day babies get in touch. They have a Facebook page, too.

Leaping ahead 10 days…

Daylight saving time will begin on Sunday, March 10 at 2 a.m., when our clocks should spring ahead for one hour. It’s part of the twice-annual time change that affects millions – but not all – Americans.

Happy Leap Day to our readers!

Cherry Creek Schools cancels its contract with Colorado Skies Academy

At its regular meeting on February 12, the Cherry Creek Schools (CCSD) board of education unanimously passed a resolution stating it would not renew its contract with Colorado Skies Academy (CSA), a chartered middle school at 13015 Wings Way near South Peoria Street and East County Line Road, after it expires in June 2024. The contract in place is a one-year extension of CSA’s four-year contract that began when it opened its doors in August 2019, and ended in June 2023. The mission of the school from its inception was to use project-based learning with a focus on aeronautics and aerospace.

The content in the resolution pointed to CSA’s steadily declining enrollment since its high of 236 students in October 2020, one year after it began operating. Enrollment has fallen steadily since, dropping to 105 students in February 2024.

The resolution also said CSA’s evaluations indicated it had not met its contractual obligations during its five years of operations, including its failure “to submit adequate documentation to CCSD demonstrating that its curriculum in reading, science, and social studies aligns with Colorado Academic Standards,” despite CCSD having raised concerns about it with CSA

leadership. At CCSD’s February 12 meeting, three CSA administrators, Meredith Motley, director of aerospace, outreach, and data, Tommy Bryan, president of CSA’s board of directors, and Christa Coryell, former CSA board president, strongly pushed back against CCSD’s decision.

Motley criticized the CCSD board and its superintendent for never once having “stepped foot into CSA,” except for one person, who she didn’t name. She also pointed out that only 45% of CSA students live in the Cherry Creek School District.

Motley noted that, although “30% of our students are on learning plans,” CSA was in the “44th percentile for 6th grade, 43rd percentile for 7th grade, and 50th percentile for 8th grade,” ending her statement with, “I would think that for a charter school to meet a gap, maybe you should support them instead of be hostile.”

Regarding the decision to not renew CSA’s contract, Tommy Bryan said, “I think it’s unconscionable, and quite honestly, unethical, that you would take action against a school that you haven’t even stepped

foot in. To me, that’s not dedication to excellence. To me, that’s laziness, its mismanagement on your part.”

Coryell pointed out that CCSD’s decision in 2023 to only give CSA a one-year contract extension was, “seemingly a death sentence for a charter school,” making it difficult to attract teachers “when they believe there’s little job security,” as well as creating challenges recruiting students because, “families are concerned the school might not be there after one year.”

Not one CSA parent spoke at the meeting in support of CCSD renewing its contract with CSA.

The only two CSA parents who spoke at the meeting both agreed with CCSD’s decision to end its relationship with CSA. In each case, they said their daughters were bullied and retaliated against by a science teacher at the school until they removed them back to their home school, despite making numerous complaints to school administrators. Both parents also said their children were now thriving, since returning to their home schools.

CCSD Board Member Anne Egan moved the resolution to end the contract between CCSD and CSA,

which was seconded by Kelly Bates. In so doing, Egan expressed, “concerns…particularly around their financial performance and budget. The numbers are much the same as last year and we are concerned the school won’t even be financially viable through the end of this school year. Recruitment numbers continue to decline and, without adding a significant number of new students or a large financial donation, the school will run out of cash,” adding, “There is no plan to meet current financial obligations, including any balloon payments required to meet bond obligations.”

The relationship between CCSD and CSA started out rocky. In 2018, when John Barry, a former Aurora Public Schools superintendent, began the process to get it open via a contract with CCSD, school board members were uncertain whether it could meet its goals.

In November 2018, when CSA failed to produce anywhere near the number of enrollment commitments it had projected to open the school--they had 24 letters from parents who said their child would attend, instead of the 225 they expected— CCSD refused to approve the contract.

CSA went to the State Board of Education and asked them to overrule CCSD. The State Board agreed with CSA, allowing the school to move forward. It opened its doors in August 2019.

fmiklin.villager@gmail. com

South Suburban honored for 2023 Gold Medal Finalist Award

South Suburban was honored at its Feb. 14, regular board meeting for being named a 2023 Gold Medal Finalist. Rod Tarullo, on behalf of the American Academy for Parks and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), and Edwin Arceo with Musco Lighting, delivered the award to the board of directors.

Not one CSA parent spoke at the meeting in support of CCSD renewing its contract with CSA. The only two CSA parents who spoke at the meeting both agreed with CCSD’s decision to end its relationship with CSA. In each case, they said their daughters were bullied and retaliated against by a science teacher at the school until they removed them back to their home school, despite making numerous complaints to school administrators.

for Excellence in park and recreation management,” said Board Chair Susan Pye. “This award is a true testament to the high level of service and programs we continually provide for our community.”

The AAPRA and NRPA have awarded South Suburban the Grand Gold Medal Award three times (1980,1988 and 1996), and South Suburban has been a Gold Medal finalist 11 times (1976, 1980, 1987, 1988, 1995, 1996, 2001, 2008, 2011, 2012 and 2023).

Since 1965, the National Gold Medal Award Program has recognized the best managed park and recreation agencies in the country. South Suburban was named a 2023 finalist in the Class II category (150,001-400,000 residents).

“It is such an honor to be named a finalist for the National Gold Medal Award

“Over the last 47-year involvement in the Gold Medal program, you have demonstrated significant success with the design and delivery of superior services to your constituents,” said Tarullo.

“South Suburban Parks and Recreation continues to be in the upper echelon of the 8,000+ parks and recreation agencies across the nation.”

Understanding Abstraction

Whenever someone looks at a piece of abstract art and says, “Well, I could have done that,” my immediate response is a blunt, direct “No, you couldn’t have.” I stand by that assertion despite bemused and annoyed counterarguments, and I explain that the primary reason they couldn’t have done it is quite simply because they didn’t do it. Art doesn’t happen by accident or without intentionality. Art, even seemingly chaotic pieces of abstract expressionism, is not just a disorganized collection of color and lines.

Sometimes people who look at abstract art dismissively deride it even more harshly by saying “my six-year-old kid could do that.” I respond with my same direct answer. “No, they couldn’t.” There’s a clear distinction between intentional pieces of abstract art and the whimsical play of a child. Abstract art is guided by concepts such as geometry, color theory, contrast, relationship, light, shade, and meaning. That concept of meaning is what often gives viewers pause. But, in fact, the movement is called abstract “expressionism” for a reason. The artist is most certainly expressing intentional meaning.

Numerous studies have confirmed how easy it is to tell the difference between high quality abstract art and a child’s scribblings or an amateur’s attempt to mimic it. Researchers will pair various pieces of professional art by trained experienced artists with the work of a child. When they share these art pairings with audiences with varying degrees of artistic knowledge and experience, there is little doubt about which is which. Time and again viewers can instinctively identify the high quality intentional pieces, and more than 80% of viewers can easily discern the professional art from others’ work.

I’m often bemused by people who criticize and dismiss a beautiful abstract color palette but then marvel at the abstract beauty of a sunset. Living in Colorado, a land of expansive overwhelming landscapes that truly inspire, I think of and appreciate abstract art the same way I marvel at the grandeur of a breathtaking sky. Those stunning displays of color, with swirls and blends are the spirit of abstraction. In fact, appreciating landscapes is a helpful avenue into understanding abstraction. When people gaze at a picturesque mountain valley or a breathtaking sunset or a grove of golden aspens, they are quite literally appreciating the beauty of abstract art and color theory.

Abstraction has a close connection in both art and literature with the concept of distortion. Writer Flannery O’Connor once said, “I am

interested in making a good case for distortion, as I am coming to believe that it is the only way to make people see.” Distorting something to make people truly “see” it seems to be counter-intuitive, though one could argue that all literature distorts information in order to make the point clear. From exaggeration to understatement to stock characters, metaphors, and cliched endings, abstraction and distortion can make the truth plain to see.

Often that truth, that revelation, can only come from – in Flannery O’Connor’s word

– distortion. How often have we encountered characters who only truly exemplify a trait or an idea because the trait is so glaringly obvious? How often have we told “some stretchers,” as Huck claims Mr. Mark Twain did, in order to impact an audience and help them “see” what we mean? Distortion and abstraction are natural parts of our language and our thinking.

This concept of distortion is particularly interesting because the word has a negative connotation. Certainly, to exaggerate a detail is in some ways deceptive. It might even be dishonest. But if we shift away from the concept of “distorting” and instead focus on simply emphasizing, then the act seems almost necessary.

Artist John Kascht, whose caricatures of many iconic figures have become iconic themselves, explains that he is not distorting the figures he draws

but instead magnifying their traits. Kascht’s works have been featured in the Smithsonian, and his video explanation of his craft as he draws Conan O’Brien is fascinating in its analysis of the concept of artistic distortion – or magnification, emphasis, exaggeration, even abstraction.

This concept of emphasizing an idea or subject beyond its obvious reality is integral to our understanding of art, especially movements like impressionism, cubism, and abstract expressionism. And whether it’s the writing of Flannery O’Connor or the caricature art of John Kascht, whether it’s the literary genre of Romanticism or the philosophical concepts of postmodernism, the techniques of abstraction and distortion are integral to the beauty of art.

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

When people marvel at a picturesque mountain valley or a breathtaking sunset or a grove of golden aspens, they are quite literally appreciating abstract art and color theory.

Growing up in N.W. Colorado on a cattle ranch adjacent to the Yampa River created my memorable childhood. I continue to write about rural ranch life as I experienced it during the war years.

Our family ranch was on a designated U.S. government livestock trail where thousands of sheep would trail by in springtime for cooler mountain pastures and in the fall to winter west of Craig in the dry land prairie. Craig was famous in the past century as the largest wool shipping terminal in America. The railroad was located at the end of the Denver and Rio Grand railroad line. Denver railroad tycoon David Moffat started his rail line to California, but only got as far as Craig and the county that carries his name. It was 90 miles further across Brown’s Park and miles of sagebrush, cedar trees, and dry desert country to extend the train to Vernal, Utah, and Salt Lake City.

But, because of the vast prairie land stretching from Craig to the Utah border it was excellent sheep country and thousands of sheep spent winter months on private and public lands in N.W. Colorado.

The cold climate, the abundance of sagebrush, cheatgrass, flowers and weeds made excellent forage for large bands of sheep that grazed across thousands of acres of wild prairie. The high altitude and cold winters produced excellent wool sheared by crews every spring.

Starting in the 1920s sheep

BY BOB SWEENEY

arrived in Moffat County and were not welcomed warmly by the cattlemen of the area, my ancestors included. There was early trouble with grazing, water rights, and land disputes, but the sheep were well suited to the land and wool was in great demand. The sheep industry prospered with great families.

Greek immigrants arrived in N.W. Colorado in great numbers and began careers as “sheepherders” but as years passed many Greek families owned the land and vast herds of sheep and private lands. They became leading citizens and successful stockmen.

Since our ranch was on the “Sheep Trail,” so to speak, my parents became friends with the herd owners. In the 1940s I would awaken to very early sheepmen in the kitchen enjoying breakfast with my parents. As I grew older, I went to Craig schools with dozens of Greek kids, and we became lifelong friends to this day.

I had a closet full of Pendleton wool shirts that I greatly enjoyed during my years of owning and operating the Craig Daily Press from 19611980. The Greek and Mormon ladies would always win the newspaper cooking contests.

One of our closest ranching neighbors was Harry Kourlis who traveled to Greece in his 50s and brought home a wonderful wife, raising eight children all in Craig. A son, Tom Kourlis, became Colorado Secretary of Agriculture

and married Becky Love, the daughter of Governor John Love. She practiced law in Craig prior to becoming a Supreme Court Justice of Colorado. They still live part-time between Craig and Denver properties. One of their sons, Harry, became a doctor in Texas. One of his girlfriends was Julie Sather, who operates a jewelry store today in Ft. Collins. Another daughter, Helen, married an Irish lawyer, and lives in Greenwood Village. One of her daughters became a local TV celebrity.

Agriculture was big in Craig with the railroad able to ship gigantic sacks of wool stored in the railroad yard on the south edge of town. At night my school chums and I would go down to the gigantic mountain of wool sacks and jump back and forth on the soft sacks of sheared wool heading to New England mills and Europe.

Sadly, the demand for wool diminished, partly because of synthetic fibers developed during and after World War ll. While the demand for racks of lamb is still strong, mutton has diminished in demand. Some bands of sheep still travel that sheep trail west in the fall to the desert and to the mountain high-country cooler pasture lands in the summer. The town of Vail today rests in what was great summer sheep pasture.

Fortunes were made in agriculture by the value of land over time, not the care and feeding of sheep and cattle that demand constant care, grass, hay, water, and uncertain market prices.

My ancestors were Irish and Scottish immigrants working as Irish cowboys, and Leadville Scottish silver miners. In the foothill mountains of Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties in the 1860s over 20,000 miners sought their fortunes in seeking placer and lode gold discoveries.

Immigrants came to America seeking new lives and found them in the opening of the West and the discovering of gold in California in 1849. The Colorado gold rush came a few years later in 1859 in Gregory Gulch in today’s Central City.

With coal demand diminishing in N.W. Colorado there is emerging plans to promote passenger service once again to mountains towns through Rollinsville, the aging Moffat Tunnel, onward to Steamboat Springs and Craig. We rode that train in the early days to Denver when my father would ship his steers to the John Clay Co. at the Denver Union Stockyards.

Tourism, skiing, snowboarding, fishing, hunting, hiking, new hiking trails, sports, and gaming are replacing the pioneer industries of yesteryear.

The descendants of the early day pioneers have scattered and prospered, standing on the shoulder and sacrifices of those who came to America for opportunity and found it in this beloved land.

It still looks like everyone wants to live in America.

There is some persistent mind-set that thrives on chaos

There is some persistent mind-set that thrives on chaos. The author (Andy Kessler) of this WSJ article “America’s ‘Chinatown’ Politics” does a remarkably commendable job bringing order to the chaos. His conclusions are correct. Their agenda is obvious, now: Create chaos, allow lawlessness, destroy private enterprise, create an endless stream of bigger-than-you crises to tear down our belief system, our moral and ethical life style and sow disorder. To what end? Control.

discord and chaos. This disorder gnaws at our conscious and rational mind, it resides in the periphery for decades. The final step is to reveal its evil intent. That intent, for reasons unknown by rational people, is to control the masses.

If the study of history tells us anything, it is that these forces have lived for ages; since mankind first was given the knowledge of good and evil.

That at times of greatest disorder and disruption, they come out of the darkness and promote their falsehoods openly.

truth: There are people who crave power above all else, even above salvation of their soul. We who believe in the individual, don’t have such cravings, we believe that each soul is sacred and each individual has the right to choose, not be coerced.

The individual can only survive under the framework of the Rule of Law. In America the rule of law is our Constitution. And the Constitution’s entire writ is directed at controlling the government, not the governed.

The fourth step is to protect the individual, including yourself at all times. Adhere to the ancient and well-proven knowledge of the ages, whether religious or philosophical. This is not the first time mankind has been challenged. It’s just the first time we’ve been challenged…we have the roadmap, we are on the path.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/ the-chinatown-agenda-as-in-the1974-movie-chaos-reigns-absentcommon-sense-a92589be

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

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SUBSCRIPTIONS

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The

of fact but hold contributors liable for the content, accuracy and fairness of their contributions. All submissions become the property of The Villager and may be reused in any medium.

Reverend Martin Niemoller

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

It is curious that the forces of control and tyranny use our own government to coerce all citizens into compliance. In order to use the power of government, they must sow

We live in such a time, again. Rampant anti-semitism is the first sign of this evil emerging from the abyss. We are confused only because we refuse to admit the

So, the first step in restoring order is to understand the meaning of the Constitution. The second is to demand that our politicians adhere to its rule. The third is believe in your own internal compass, you know right from wrong, good from evil.

Jay Davidson is founder and CEO of a commercial bank. He is a student of the Austrian School of Economics and a dedicated capitalist. He believes there is a direct connection between individual right and responsibility, our Constitution, Capitalism, and the intent of our Creator.

2024 Member

Q: Welcome Ryan to The Villager as a monthly new columnist! What do you hope to learn and to share? Or as they say in journalism, what’s your “beat?”

A: I want to thank The Villager for taking a leap on a young journalist and welcoming me wholeheartedly to their staff as a monthly writer. My “beat” is anything and everything sports. I’m psyched to share my take on current and upcoming events. My first article will be centered around the upcoming NCAA Basketball Tournament aka March Madness, so please keep an eye out for it.

Q: Please share your background with The Villager readers?

A: I am currently a high school junior at Kent Denver and for the last two years, have served as the Sports Section Editor for my school’s newspaper. My favorite classes this year are AP Statistics and English. I was intrigued by the challenge to create our own model for predicting the spread of NBA games and comparing it to Vegas and I love “dapping up” (modern language for “handshake”) my English teacher at the beginning of class. As for sports, you can find me on a golf course in the fall, on the slopes of Vail in the winter and on the baseball field in the spring. My parents joke that my fourth sport is fantasy football because I invest an exorbitant amount of time analyzing stats. I am the proud champion 3 out of the last 4 years in a league full of diehard teenage football fans. Additionally, I have an older brother, Colin, who is

RYAN

the best brother in the world. I frequently pester him seeking a reaction which, rightfully so, often results in my demise.

Q: What is on your bucket list?

A: Much to the dismay of my compulsive planner of a mother, being a 17 year old boy means I haven’t thought too far into the future. I have been fortunate enough to travel in the U.S. and abroad. Two years ago, I followed

Super 50 at Levi’s Stadium with

introduces RYAN BOUBLIK

Q: What sport is your favorite and why?

A: Although I don’t play, my favorite sport is football. I bleed blue and orange each gameday rooting for my beloved Denver Broncos. I love following the NFL Combine, the draft, and I eagerly await the start of the NFL season each fall.

On our way to Blue Sky in Vail with Colin and Dad, Martin.

Q: How did your passion for Sports evolve?

A: Don’t laugh. In elementary school, I was the type of kid who held grudges for losing in recess football. I made those 30 minute games a recurring personal Super Bowl. My lopsided win loss record against my older and bigger brother only fueled my passion for competition.

the Broncos across the pond to London to witness a rare win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Wembley Stadium. I love traveling and creating memories with my family. On my bucket list … experiencing a World Cup Match and exploring the wonders of Australia.

Q: What characteristics make a good athlete or a team?

A: In my opinion, a great athlete possesses the trifecta 1)raw physical talent, 2) mental toughness, and 3) a strong work ethic. Superior raw talent allows one to compete against better players while developing and improving their game: Iron sharpens iron. Of equal importance is developing a strong mental game where

a player concentrates on what is within his or her control (effort, attitude and focus). In order to rise to the next level, an athlete needs to have the discipline and work ethic to practice hard and with intent. An outstanding team has athletes who check these three boxes coupled with strong camaraderie with their teammates.

Enjoying a Broncos win with Mom, Kristen

Super Bowl 50

Celebration with Colin and Dad (Head Team Physician Denver Broncos)

Brother, Colin (2016)

Family trip to Portugal

CU Regent Frank McNulty presented “What to

Unapologetic conservative CU Regent Frank McNulty represented Highlands Ranch in the Colorado House of Representatives from 2007 – 2015 and served as Speaker of the House for the 68th General Assembly. He is a graduate of CU-Boulder and a graduate of University of Denver College of Law.

“Caucus on March 7 is the grassroots effort to select

candidates,” Frank McNulty began when he addressed members and guests of Douglas County Republican Women (DCRW). He emphasized the importance of the caucus with party business taken care of as well as meeting the precinct committee people = the backbone of the Republican Party. It’s an opportunity to meet directly with friends and

neighbors to present the party platform and policies. “Caucus is about community,” he said and encouraged everyone to grow the attendance at caucus by inviting others. Delegates are selected to county assembly to be held March 23 and eventually the state assembly which will be held in Pueblo April 6. The National GOP Convention will be in Milwaukee July 15-18. For further information on Douglas County precincts, a great

Know about Caucus” to DCRW

caucus manual and dates, visit: www.dcgop.org.

In addition to the candidates pictured, many others were present to introduce themselves: Candidate for CD 4 – Ted Harvey, for House District 43 Lora Thomas who also gave a report as Douglas County Commissioner, for Lone Tree Mayor Council Member Marissa Harmon and representing Lauren Boebert for CD 4 Clarice Navarro.

“It’s always an honor and privilege to speak to Douglas County Republican Women, the gold standard for Republican activism. Things are not perfect when Republicans are in office, but they are better!”Frank McNulty

State Rep. Minority Whip Richard Holthorf who is running for CD 4

DCRW is presenting a forum for 11 candidates vying for CD 4, the seat being vacated by Congressman Ken Buck, on Wednesday, March 27 at The Hub in Lone Tree from 7:00 – 8:30 PM. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Seating is limited and admission is free, but reservations must be made in advance: douglascounty republicanwomen@ hotmail.com or Judy Allen 303-841-7202.

From Castle Rock Town Council Max Brooks who is running for Lisa Frizell’s seat in HD 45

Featured speaker CU Regent Frank McNulty and DCRW President Deborah Mulvey Photos by Scottie Iverson

Jeannette NewVille and CD 4 candidate Deborah Flora

DCRW 1st VP Susan Squyer and Douglas County Commissioner candidate John Carson

Bill Jack is running for HD 45

Lone Tree Mayor Pro Tem and candidate for mayor Wynne Shaw, candidate for DA (Judicial District 23)

George Brauchler, Holly Kluth

Central City Opera (CCO) proudly announces the appointment of stage director Alison

Moritz was selected from an incredibly vast pool of talented applicants through a rigorous and highly competitive national search process led by Jonathan West on behalf of Management Consultants for the Arts (MCA) and CCO’s volunteer Search Committee, chaired by CCO Board of Directors member Joshua Navarro. Acclaimed for her innovative productions and insightful direction, Alison has earned recognition on stages across the United States and abroad, solidifying her reputation as a leading figure in the opera world. With a B.A. in Music and Art History from Washington University in St. Louis and an M.M. from Eastman School of Music, Alison has created original productions for Cincinnati Opera, Washington National Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Opera Omaha, Wolf Trap Opera, the Atlanta Opera, Austin Opera, and many more. Her previous work includes translating opera into television and film, and she is a frequent guest director and teacher for preeminent conservatories and Young Artist Programs such as Santa Fe Opera, Juilliard, and Rice University.

In her role as Artistic Director for Central City Opera, Alison will oversee all artistic and production staff and will direct one production per season beginning with the 2025 Festival. Moritz has worked closely with participants from CCO’s esteemed Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program through her previous directorial engagements with Central City Opera for productions like Madama Butterfly in 2019, and will lead the search for CCO’s next director of this prestigious program.

Moritz expressed her enthusiasm for the new role, stating, “I am deeply honored to join Central City Opera as the new Artistic Director. My previous experiences with the company have been incredibly rewarding, and I am excited to build upon that foundation as we embark on this new chapter together.”

Alison’s tenure coincides with Central City Opera’s eagerly anticipated 2024 Festival season, running from June 29 through August 4, where she will oversee productions of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance, Puccini’s The Girl of the Golden West (La fanciulla del West), and Kurt Weill’s Street Scene. Attend Central City Opera Guild’s 2024 Opera Teaser on Thursday, March 14 for the first public opportunity to meet Alison and to experience a preview of the coming season. For complete event details and tickets to the 2024 Opera Teaser, visit the Special Events page of CCO’s website HERE at centralcityopera.org.

Central City Opera President and CEO Scott Finlay lauded Moritz’s appointment, emphasizing her exceptional dedication to the art form. “I’m thrilled to welcome Alison Moritz to Central City Opera as our new Artistic Director! Her talent and vision align perfectly with our goals, and I couldn’t be more excited to have her on board. With Alison as a member of this team, we’ll continue the upward trajectory that has

Moritz as its new Artistic Director

already begun. Welcome, Alison!”

Central City Opera Board Chair Sonny Wiegand echoed Finlay’s sentiments, underlining the significance of Moritz’s appointment. “Alison Moritz’s appointment as Artistic Director marks a pivotal moment in Central City Opera’s history,” Wiegand stated. “Her vision and leadership will shape the artistic direction of the company and ensure its continued success.”

MORE ABOUT ALISON MORITZ

Alison’s work focuses on using music as a prism for human emotion – as such, her recent projects have been lauded as “enchantingly cheeky” (Washington Post), “elegantly sexy,” and “raw, funny, surreal, and disarmingly human” (Opera News).

In addition to taking on the role of Artistic Director for Central City Opera, Alison’s current activities include directing new productions of Don Giovanni (Cincinnati Opera) and Elizabeth Cree (Glimmerglass Festival) and collaborating on the 2024 Santa Fe Apprentice Scenes. Future projects include original productions with Opera Philadelphia, Opera Omaha, and Austin Opera.

Recently, Alison’s ambitious 2022-2023 season included a landmark celebratory 50th Anniversary performance of Leonard Bernstein’s MASS at the Kennedy Center, as well as house debuts directing original productions at Cincinnati Opera (The Knock,

world stage premiere), Wolf Trap Opera Company (Faust), and the Atlanta Opera (Candide). Other recent highlights include original productions for Washington National Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, the Glimmerglass Festival, Opera Omaha, Ravinia, Tanglewood, Bard Music Festival, and Portland Opera.

During the 2021-2022 season, Alison served as the Interim Managing Artistic Director of Opera at Peabody Conservatory where she produced a season of mainstage opera and spearheaded the socially conscious “Opera in Action” initiative. Moritz has also guest directed

and taught at Juilliard, Eastman School of Music, Rice University, and Bard College. Her additional professional credits include directing engagements at Austin Opera, Palm Beach Opera, New Orleans Opera Association, Central City Opera, Opera Colorado, Madison Opera, Edmonton Opera, and Opera Santa Barbara.

Passionate about opera as a living art form, Alison has workshopped and directed several world premieres including Proving Up (Mazzoli/Vavrek; Washington National Opera), Taking Up Serpents (Sankaram/Dye; Washington National Opera), The Knock (Vre-

balov/Brevoort; Glimmerglass), and Chunky in Heat (Experiments in Opera, NYC). Her production of Kevin Puts/Mark Campbell’s The Manchurian Candidate was nominated for seven Austin Critic’s Table awards and won four, including Best Production. She has also workshopped pieces by David Hertzberg and Rene Orth for Opera Philadelphia and her multidisciplinary works include projects in film and Virtual Reality. In fall 2022, Alison made her television directing debut with the experimental Everything for Dawn, a ten-episode opera series airing on WNET and All Arts.

Doctors Aaron Sun, Lisa Augustine, Ron Yaros, and Daniel Zeppelin, Aspenwood Dental Jay Davidson and Scott Yeoman, First American State Bank

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BY FREDA MIKLIN

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Bill to reduce aviation impacts on communities introduced in the legislature

On February 12, in response to years of complaints about noise and air pollution by residents living near regional airports, especially Centennial Airport (APA) in Centennial and Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC) in Broomfield, HB 24-1235 Reduce Aviation Impacts on Communities was introduced in the general assembly.

State Reps. Kyle Brown, who represents Broomfield, and Shannon Bird, chair of the powerful Joint Budget Committee (JBC), along with state Senate President Steve Fenberg and state Senator Rachel Zenzinger, who is vice-chair of both the JBC and the Appropriations Committee, signed on as prime sponsors of the bill. Among the nine other co-sponsors in the state House is new Greenwood Village state Rep. Chad Clifford, who was appointed to the position on January 3, 2024, following the resignation of elected state Rep. Ruby Dickson. All the sponsors named above are Democrats, i.e., members of the party that controls both chambers of the legislature and the governor’s office.

The bill permits the imposition of a fee of up on fifty cents per gal-

lon, beginning September 1, 2024, payable by distributors of leaded aviation fuel. It is to be collected by the state department of revenue to fund a variety of costs associated with encouraging the use of unleaded airplane fuel at general aviation airports.

It would also:

• provide a state income tax credit for aircraft owners who convert their airplanes from leaded to unleaded fuel;

• promote the use of state aviation fund grants to general aviation and commercial airports in Colorado that build infrastructure to utilize unleaded airplane fuel, including subsidizing the cost of the fuel itself;

• add two new seats to the state aeronautical board for non-pilots who are residents of local communities impacted by airplane traffic.

• require the state aeronautics division to work with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, “to evaluate, prevent, and mitigate the adverse impacts of aircraft noise and the use of leaded aviation gasoline on public health, safety and wel-

fare.”

The “stick” part of the plan, accompanying the “carrot,” would prohibit grants from the state aviation fund to airports, “in a densely populated residential area (that fails to) adopt a plan for phasing out sales of leaded gasoline by January 1, 2026 and voluntarily establish an effective noise mitigation plan.”

The first hearing for the bill is scheduled for March 3 by the state House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee chaired by Englewood Rep. Meg Froelich. Like every bill that is introduced in the legislature, it will be subject to amendment by all interested parties as it proceeds through the process of approval by impacted committees and the full state House and Senate. If that process works to produce a final agreed-upon product, it will head to Governor Polis, who has the final say by his signature or possible veto.

We reached out to Greenwood Village Mayor George Lantz and Rep. Chad Clifford to get their thoughts on this bill. Mayor Lantz told The Villager, “I support legislation that improves the health and

Paper ballots will be used for official counts at GOP state convention in Pueblo

Republicans planning to serve as delegates to the state GOP Assembly in Pueblo on April 6 may want to plan to spend some extra time there.

Some who attended will recall that, at the 2022 GOP state assembly, there was a late request to replace the clickers that were being used for delegates to vote, with paper ballots. That request was rejected.

On February 16, former state Rep. Ron Hanks, who is current chair of the Ballot and Election Security Committee of the Colorado Republican Party and a candidate for the Republican nomination for Congressional District Three being vacated by current Rep. Lauren Boebert, announced that, “We will have hand-counted paper ballots at the Colorado GOP State Assembly in Pueblo, Colorado on April 6, 2024. The hand count will prevail as the official count. In addition, there will be two 1970s-technology optical readers from Scantron used as a preliminary vote count procedure.”

He explained, “The Colorado GOP was in financial disarray when Chairman Dave Williams took the helm 11 months ago, and it required significant efforts just to reach equilibrium. Legal

The bill permits the imposition of a fee of up on fifty cents per gallon, beginning September 1, 2024, payable by distributors of leaded aviation fuel.

It is to be collected by the state department of revenue to fund a variety of costs associated with encouraging the use of unleaded airplane fuel at general aviation airports.

quality of life for Greenwood Village residents.” Rep. Clifford said, “We’ve been working very hard, engaging both our local community and the general aviation community to make sure that we get this right.

I think, when we’re done, everyone on both sides will be satisfied with the direction that we’re moving.”

count will prevail.”

“We will have hand-counted paper ballots at the Colorado GOP State Assembly in Pueblo, Colorado on April 6, 2024. The hand count will prevail as the official count. In addition, there will be two 1970s-technology optical readers from Scantron used as a preliminary vote count procedure... handcounted paper ballots is, “a seismic shift in the right direction—providing fully 90% of what the grassroots wants.”

– Ron Hanks, Chair of the Colorado GOP Ballot and Election Security Committee

battles (e.g., keeping President Trump on the ballot) also consumed time and money. Given those realities, there was not sufficient time nor funds to design and procure the necessary items we would all prefer to utilize for hand counting ballots. In spite of these limiting factors, there will be hand-counted paper ballots at the 2024 COGOP State Assembly.”

He continued, “However, this ad hoc, expedient method of hand-counting may be more time intensive…(and) there are also time constraints associated with

the event location, so, should the voting procedure and the handcounting take longer than scheduled, additional fees will have to be paid, and people traveling from across the state may be inconvenienced…For these reasons, oldstyle optical readers, first fashioned in the 1970s, will be used to provide a preliminary count.

Many people will remember these machines from grade school, when we took multiple choice tests and filled in the bubbles with a soft lead pencil,” emphasizing, “Remember, however, the hand

Hanks elucidated that the use of hand-counted paper ballots is, “a seismic shift in the right direction—providing fully 90% of what the grassroots wants,” because this method, unlike the use of radio transmitter clickers (used previously at the state GOP convention) will, “wrest our elections from the corrupt establishment and make our national or state elections transparent and trustworthy.” He added that if former President Trump is re-elected in 2024, that will be the road to having, “hand-counted, paper ballot elections throughout the United States,” and that Colorado, “being called by some a tier one swing state,” can be, “an immediate player with potential impact on the presidential election.”

He also confirmed his, and Colorado GOP Chair Dave Williams’ position that, “Using any electronic equipment, even in a backup role, is not what we want for future elections.”

Like Hanks, state GOP Chair Williams is a former state representative who is a candidate for Congress. Williams is seeking the nomination in Congressional District Five to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn in the November 5 general election.

Survey looks at how much individual states resemble national electorate—Colorado is 18th

To secure the Republican nomination for President of the United States, a candidate needs to win the support of 1,215 of the 2,429 delegates expected to attend the Republican National Convention being held in Milwaukee on July 15-18, 2024.

To secure the Democratic nomination for President of the United States, a candidate needs to win the support of 1,990 of the 3,979 delegates expected to attend the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 19-22, 2024.

As of February 23, former President Trump had secured 63 delegates from Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada toward the 1,215 needed for the GOP nomination. President Biden had secured 91 delegates from South Carolina and Nevada toward the 1,990 needed for the Democratic nomination. Also, as of that date, only Republicans, not Democrats, had held their primary in Iowa, and only Democrats, not Republicans had held their primary in South Carolina. Nevertheless, it was already deemed a fait accompli that Joe Biden and Donald Trump had won their party’s nominations for Presi-

dent of the United States, notwithstanding the fact that multiple polls have agreed that 70% of Americans would prefer neither Trump nor Biden be their party’s standard-bearer in 2024.

That left many voters wondering how well those four states whose primary results appear to have made the decision as to who the major party presidential candidates will be this year---Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina--represent the country, as a whole.

Wallet Hub, which produces a wide range of research reports that have frequently been cited by major publications nationwide, took on the task of formulating an “Electorate Representation Index,” to get empirical data to answer the question.

To evaluate each of the 50 states, Wallet Hub looked at characteristics around gender composition, age, race, size of families, whether residents were immigrants, income, education, religion, health insurance coverage, unemployment rate, the wealth gap, and even beliefs on gun rights and abortion.

They compared the relative com-

The states whose combined characteristics most closely resembled all 50 states as a whole, were, in order,

1) Illinois, 2) Florida, 3) Ohio 4) Virginia and 5) Pennsylvania.

The states whose combined characteristics least resembled the United States overall were 50) Utah 49) Mississippi 48) Alabama 47) Wyoming and 46) Vermont.

position of the state’s population in each of these demographic categories with the same one for the U.S. as a whole, e.g., 49.59% of the overall population nationwide is male and 50.41% is female. Kentucky’s gen-

der composition most closely resembles those numbers so it was ranked first in that category, while Alaska’s is least similar, so it was ranked 50th Combining all characteristics considered for the four states that appear to have determined the 2024 major party presidential candidates, Iowa ranked 19th-most similar, Nevada ranked 28th South Carolina ranked 30th, and New Hampshire ranked 36th out of 50, as being representative of the United States as a whole.

The states whose combined characteristics most closely resembled all 50 states as a whole, were, in order, 1) Illinois, 2) Florida, 3) Ohio 4) Virginia and 5) Pennsylvania.

The states whose combined characteristics least resembled the United States overall were 50) Utah 49) Mississippi 48) Alabama 47) Wyoming and 46) Vermont.

Colorado ranked 18th out of 50, making it more representative of the United States as a whole than any of the four states whose voters have apparently chosen our presidential candidates.

For more details on the entire report, go to www.wallethub.com.

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF SPEAKERS

The 2024 Economic Forecast Breakast featured a full house of over 400 attendees, informative speakers and a collaborative and inclusive atmosphere.

L-R: Robin Wise (Moderator), Chief Executive Officer, Junior Achievement Rocky Mountain; Evan Makovsky, Managing Partner, NAI Shames Makovsky; Jeff Keener, President and CEO, South Metro Denver Chamber; Shelli Brunswick, CEO & Founder of SB Global LLC and Executive Director, Center for International Space Policy for the Behavioral Economic Development Society (BIED Society); Henry Sobanet, Chief Financial Officer/Senior Vice Chancellor for Administration and Government Relations, Colorado State University

Dr. Rex Corr, DCSD Legacy Campus, and Jeff Keener, CEO, President of South Metro Denver Chamber

“LOOK UP, OUT, and FORWARD!”

EVENT SPONSORS PRESENTING SPONSOR PINNACLE ADVANCED PRIMARY CARE

GOLD SPONSOR ARAPAHOE COUNTY

MEDIA SPONSORS

IHEART MEDIA

THE DENVER GAZETTE

NEWS SPONSOR THE VILLAGER NEWPAPER

VENUE SPONSOR LEGACY CAMPUS

SILVER SPONSORS

CITY OF CENTENNIAL CITY OF LITTLETON STIFFEL COMCAST

CENTENNIAL AIRPORT TERRACARE ASSOCIATES

DENVER BUSINESS JOURNAL OLINGER MORTUARIES & CEMETERIES

BREAKFAST CATERER FOOTERS

VIDEO SPONSOR LIGHTSAIL VIDEO

QUOTES FROM SPEAKERS

“Positive synergy”

“One of my favorite events of the year!”

“I am optimistic of the economic future!”

“Expect an optimistic soft landing!”

“Nothing lasts forever!”

“Look out in front of you - not at the floor!”

As the Presenting Sponsor for the South Metro Denver Chamber State of the Region, we congratulate Jeff Keener and his team for their excellent production of this event.

The informative event gave attendees insights on everything from local economic issues to the space industry.

Team Pinnacle also had the opportunity to share with business owners and community leaders about the Direct Primary Care movement. for a quote

The Villager Media Sponsor, Susan Sweeney Lanam with guest Brandon Berkley, President, Berkley Bank

Stacy Briscoe with Silverado Clean, Susan Sweeney Lanam, The Villager, Dr. Dusty with Columbine Hearing, all loyal chamber members.

South Metro Denver Chamber staff - Lori Gerlits, Vice President; Nick Eden, Director of Operations; Ashley Garcia, Member Engagement & Business Development.

Sherry Brown, Travis J. Bockenstedt, Jeff Keener CEO and President of South Metro Denver Chamber, Dr. Sue Miranda, Dr. John Dygert and Dr. David Cameron, Hint Connect

Nicole Milo, SMDC Board Chair

Philanthropy group selects Bryce Hunter as Outstanding Youth for 2023

Colorado Association of Fund Raisers (CAFR), which consists of over 300 fund development professionals who support the community as the experts on philanthropic giving, selected Bryce Hunter as the recipient of its Outstanding Youth award for 2023.

The son of Michelle Anthony and Scott Hunter, Bryce is a junior at Cherry Creek Elevation High School, has a 4.0 GPA, and is on the swim team.

The program for the award event described Bryce this way: “He credits his busy schedule as one of the ways that he manages ADHD, a diagnosis he’s struggled with since childhood. Bryce has initiated and led two impactful service projects. Cyber Leaders is a program designed to teach coding to and mentor fourth graders Bryce leads at Holm Elementary School in Denver. As a Title I school, 70 percent of students are ESL (English Second Language) learners. Bryce developed the coding class to inspire these kids and has worked with 60+ students. As a result, these students have increased math scores and administrators report a drop in absences. This fall Denver Public Schools will be requiring teachers to teach coding one hour a week. When Bryce heard this and saw the looks on our faces as faculty having to learn and do this, he immediately said, ‘Don’t worry. I can train you all. We got this! This is so great! Now our students will know even more and we can take them even further!’”

The program continued, “Bryce also founded the Can Campaign. Through this initiative, he collects pop-top canned goods for those experiencing food insecurity. Bryce believes one person CAN make a difference in the community. Bryce partners with organizations like Christ in the

City and Second Change and is currently working on an app to show locations where free canned food stations are located.”

Explaining the impact Bryce has had on the students at Holm Elementary, Meaghan Elliott, teacher advisor for the school’s Cyber Leaders group, told The Villager, “This is a particularly meaningful time to have Bryce be part of our efforts to support learners, as our school is one that you hear about on the news with a tremendous influx in migrant families--those with almost no resources, arriving having experienced significant trauma. Many of these students have limited English proficiency, and Bryce has worked to bridge the gap using the action-oriented language of code. We are also one of the schools that are zoned as part of the Denver unhoused relocation efforts, with the families given temporary housing in the hotels the city is now using. The energy and exuberance he offers is unparalleled, and his ability to connect with students from all life situations shows maturity beyond his years.” She described Bryce as, “enthusiastic, inspired, hopeful, invested.”

In a video expressing what the award meant to him, Bryce said, “I’m just really excited about the idea of philanthropy, giving back to your community. During Covid, I saw a lot of unhoused individuals that lacked a stable supply of food. I thought, how can I make a difference? What can I do? I founded the can campaign, which is an individualized donation center donating canned food to the unhoused. What I love doing with the can campaign is not only giving canned food to people but also talking with them, making their voices feel heard.”

He continued, “Growing up, I loved coding. It was my excitement to go to school, it helped me get through math, because coding is very math-based. Based off the coding classes results, they saw

the math score significantly improve in those who coded (compared to) those who didn’t participate in the class. To give back to my community, I’m running a coding program for fourth graders. I hear from kids in the coding class, ‘I’ve gotten so much better at math. I’m more excited to come to school,’ and that’s across all types of students. Reaching out to every type of student and helping them find their own strength is really inspiring to see. I feel like this award is very motivating for me. Through getting recognized, I’m able to realize in myself that I do have this power in me.”

As the local chapter of the national organization Association of Fundraising Professionals, CAFR “provides education and advocacy to the Colorado community on the role and importance of fund development in philanthropy and the nonprofit sector,” as well as education to fund development professionals on the process and ethics of philanthropic fundraising.

Finally a Barbie that looks like me

I blame my lack of success in adulthood on the mediocre dolls of my youth. I have to blame it on something and that beats blaming me. Barbie dolls have been inspiring young girls for generations but I never had one. My dolls and I could never live up to Barbie’s perfect good looks, her globetrotting and her amazing career success. It’s really no wonder they made a movie about her.

er that Barbie is, not if their clothes were any indication. I made many of their dresses myself using old socks. What kind of career can a doll have wearing old socks? That might explain why I work at home wearing sweatpants.

tops, an iced tea and a fan.

And Tennis Barbie will naturally mature into Pickleball Barbie. She’ll come decked out in leggings, a knee brace and a baggy T-shirt that says, “Pickle Ball: The Real Dill.”

Colorado Realtor/ Entrepreneur to appear on “The Blox” Reality Show

Amber Pleiss a dynamic and purpose-driven entrepreneur is set to showcase her skills beyond the real estate world as she competes in the upcoming “The Blox” Reality Show February 20th to 26th in Tulsa.

She’s had 250 careers, from astronaut to ballerina to zoologist She’s been a yoga teacher, a soccer coach and an Olympic skier. And even with her hectic work life, she’s still found time for travel and hobbies. She cooks, camps and bowls. She plays tennis, baseball, basketball, hockey and volleyball and she has the clothes to prove it all.

Dr. Barbie, Farmer Barbie, Pop Star Barbie. Barbie’s message has always been that girls can grow up to do whatever they set their minds to—as long as they have the right wardrobe.

Meanwhile my inspiration was a couple of Barbie wannabes. I loved them dearly but they were not the multi-talented overachiev-

But maybe there’s a Barbie in my future. Barbara Millicent Roberts—Barbie—made her debut on March 9, 1959. Yes, Barbie’s turning 65. And you know what that means. Here comes Medicare Barbie!

Why not? She may have a few age spots from her years in the sun as Beach Volleyball Barbie. And her figure might be less like an hourglass and more like a juice glass. But she’ll still look fabulous in a cardigan, stretch denim jeans and loafers. Yes, Medicare Barbie will wear sensible shoes. Wisdom comes with age. So do bunions.

If Barbie can grow older, so can her clone friends. I see Winter in New York Barbie aging into Hot Flash Barbie. When you least expect it, her face will turn bright red and sweat beads will form on her brow. Hot Flash Barbie will come with an assortment of tank

Camping Barbie had her backpack and sleeping bag. Now she’ll settle into a new role as Camp Host Barbie with a comfy lawn chair, a welcome sign and a fabulous motorhome.

Obviously between her extensive travel and her many careers Barbie didn’t have time for children. So she’ll skip straight to Grandma Barbie, complete with two small children, reading glasses and an AARP tote bag.

But wait! There’s more. Our new mature Barbie and her clone pals will come together in Medicare Barbie, the movie. During one of their regular coffee dates Medicare Barbie will reveal to her friends that she’s having a late midlife crisis. Hilarity will ensue as they all become human and get colonoscopies, mammograms and matching tattoos. Then Barbie will find new purpose traveling the country to educate women everywhere about the importance of a healthy body image and the dangers of high heels. Now there’s something to aspire to.

Amber Pleiss Founder and CEO of Pleiss Realty & Associates, a seasoned real estate entrepreneur for over 20 years was chosen from thousands of applicants nationwide to be part of a popular reality TV show that’s filming in Tulsa, OK this month. “The Blox”, gives participants a chance to learn business from the best while competing for startup money and a lifeline to coaching and potential investors. Amber along with other contestants will spend Feb. 20-26 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, participating in informative sessions, business classes and practical application challenges where contestants must show the judges their innovation, creativity and drive.

Growing up by the expansive Pacific Ocean prior to moving to Colorado in 2003, Amber learned the values of resilience and resourcefulness that have been instrumental in shaping her remarkable journey in the real estate

industry. Over the past twenty years she has mastered negotiation tactics as well as cultivated the art of building communities. Her commitment to empowering others is evident through her volunteer work with local shelters, charities and the initiatives for financial literacy she continues to spearhead.

“The Blox” can be watched on an array of streaming platforms— www.betablox. com or the “BetaBlox” Facebook page.

For more information or media inquiries, please

contact:

Amber Pleiss, Pleiss Realty & Associates, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, 303-638-3633

Direct, apleiss@protonmail. com, www.buy local properties.com

Bryce Hunter with his parents Scott Hunter and Michelle Anthony

Bryce teaching coding to 4th graders at Holm Elementary

Jacket that depicts Bryce’s can campaign to collect food for unhoused people

NFL, NHL, NBA losing All-Star Game battles

What do the National Football League, National Hockey League and National Basketball Association have in common?

Their respective All-Star Games have become mockeries of those sports.

All three entities staged their showcases during this same month, which Leap Year has extended to today.

They asked (or expected) fans to watch players deemed the cream of the crop in their respective leagues demonstrate a variety of athletic skills and talents in what was supposed to pass for elite competition reflective of the prowess that merited their selection as all-stars.

Manning, won the flag tilt handily, 50-34, but brother Eli’s NFC squad took the overall title, 6459, on the strength of a 30-9 composite scoring advantage in all the other events. * * *

NBA All-Stars).

But were these exhibitions entertaining spectacles or embarrassing debacles?

I think the latter.

We begin with what the NFL billed as the “Pro Bowl Games” on February 1 and 4.

Highlights of this match of talent from the National and American Conferences included:

· a contest to see who could hit a golf ball—that’s right, a GOLF BALL—closest to the pin on a par 3 at a local golf course;

· a tug-of-war;

· a Madden NFL video game competition; and

· a 7-on-7 FLAG football game in place of an actual rendition of what plays out every week of the season.

The AFC, coached by Peyton

Moving on to the NHL, the players whose performances so far this season earned them All-Star status gathered in Toronto the same weekend that NFL standouts were cavorting in Orlando.

This league’s extravaganza featured a skills competition (all hockey-related, at least) and an elimination tournament comprised of four groups playing 3-on-3 games with two 10-minute halves, with a succession of shootouts in case of a tie.

(The “team” captained by Avs superstar Nathan McKinnon lost in the first round to the “team” led by Edmonton’s Connor McDavid.) * * *

At least the NBA still had its stars play a regulation, four-quarter game two weeks later. But it was hardly representative.

The final score was—this is not a typo—211-186.

Fifteen players scored in double figures, including five who topped 30 points and one who scored 50. (Nikola Jokic had 13 points and a game-high nine assists in 23-plus minutes.)

In 48 minutes of play, THREE FOULS were whistled. (Defense, apparently, is no longer a matter of pride among

Not to be outdone by their football or hockey brethren, Pro Basketball also held Slam Dunk, Skills and Three-Point Shooting competitions—and a game between teams of celebrities. coached by Broncos Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe and TV personality Stephen A. Smith.

And, to add flair, two-time MVP Award-winner Steph Curry and decorated Women’s NBA star Sabrina Ionescu squared off in a separate three-point shooting contest.

* * *

For decades, the game itself was enough, in every sport. Allstars wanted to prove who was better. If anything, they played harder in all-star exhibitions.

But now, Major League Baseball’s Midsummer Classic is the only one that still resembles its roots.

Three dynamics changed everything.

First, schedules changed as leagues expanded. Everybody plays everybody now, so all-star games no longer afford the one opportunity to see the best face each other.

Second, television has saturated fandom. Thus, all-star events must offer more than just another game. The novelty of “entertainment” supersedes the simple appeal of a meaningless game between top players.

Third, money has become more paramount. Players don’t want to risk an injury that could diminish their earning power when the outcome doesn’t really matter. And TV wants pizzazz if it’s going to shell out megabucks for the prospect of attracting the audience needed to justify bigtime ad revenue.

* * *

Here are the crises:

· This year’s Pro Bowl Games attracted the smallest audience in NFL All-Star history, with 5.79 million viewers despite being available on four platforms. Ratings fell 9%.

· The NBA’s All-Star Weekend drew 5.5 million viewers, ahead of only 2023’s audience for lowest ever.

· The NHL’s 1.4 million viewers were the second-fewest in the past 10 years.

So, what’s the answer?

If the games can’t match the intensity and competitiveness fans have come to enjoy and expect, they’re not worth having. Better to announce the all-star honors and let the recognition speak for itself. Then figure out how to satisfy TV and attract viewers.

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 16 books, nine of them sports-related. You can write to Denny at denny dressman@comcast.net

Come Out and Play!

I have seen tee shirts that declare, “I do not want to adult today.” Life is way too serious, and we have all been through a lot in the last few years. People are tired of being afraid and stressed. What does it mean to be an adult?

also has been shown to activate pleasure centers in the brain and release positive neurochemicals that make us calmer and more resilient.

Does it mean we forget to play and be silly? According to research, it should not.

Data show that people have an easier time-solving puzzles after laughing at a joke or watching a comedy show.

Having fun and being silly facilitates neuro-connections that allow for mental relaxation and creativity. Playing

Researchers at the University of North Carolina found that positive emotions and humor increase our cognitive capabilities by expanding our visual attention, making us more awake and alert, and improving our ability to connect with others. Play is a way to get out of a funk and can help us reduce tension and anxiety. A hearty and robust belly laugh improves physical health. Doing it regularly has been

linked to decreased stress and inflammation. One of the reasons play is so fun is that it helps us be totally in the moment which allows us to feel alive and happy. If you watch young children play, they lose themselves and are immersed in an activity which makes it hard to get them to do what parents want them to do at times.

Play connects us. I was moved by a story I heard years ago. During a Christmas Day truce in WWII, the English brought a soccer ball and a lively game ensued with the enemy. The Christmas truce became a celebration of love and connection bringing mortal enemies together for a moment in time.

This is a reminder that the ability to laugh, have

fun, let go, and be present for just a moment helps us bring the lightness of life to fruition. As a world traveler, I get tickled when people of different cultures and races find humor in the same thing, and we are belly laughing together. It promotes the highest form of humanity and our mutual desire for happiness, love, and fundamental interconnectedness.

As I discovered the many benefits of play, I was thinking about the mental health of adolescents. The rate of teen suicide in Colorado has increased by 58% in 3 years, making it the cause of 1 in 5 adolescent deaths. Why is this happening? Peter Gray Ph.D., a research professor at Boston College, opines that the decline of

1st place - 2018, 2nd place - 2023 2018-1st place

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play may cause a reduction in the sense of control and intrinsic goals and a rise in anxiety and depression. He goes on to say that children’s freedom to play and explore, independent of direct adult guidance and direction, has declined. Young people are engrossed in performance and making the grade. They are overscheduled and their free time is sucked up by social media. Games, activities, play and humor need to be increased in the life of an adolescent so they can experience abundant joy.

Let’s work together to help children and adults experience the joy and pleasure of play. It is good for our mental health and our relationships. joneen@ narme.org

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REHABILITATE TAXIWAYS C AND D

AIP NO. 3-08-0029-060-2024 (BIL) and 061-2024 (AIP)

CENTENNIAL AIRPORT ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO

Sealed bids for AIP No. 3-08-0029-060-2024 (BIL) and 061-2024 (AIP), at Centennial Airport, Englewood, Colorado, will be received by the Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority, 7565 South Peoria Street, Englewood, Colorado 80112, until 10:00 a.m., local time, on March 27, 2024, and then opened, read aloud and canvassed.

The work involved includes the following: Schedule I

Rehabilitate Taxiways C and D (Federal) Schedule II

Construct Taxiway S3 (Federal)

Schedule III

Rehabilitate Taxiway D Electrical (Federal) Schedule IV

Reconstruct Taxilane C2 (Federal) Schedule V

Rehabilitate Taxiway C (Non-Federal)

A complete set of Plans and Bidding Requirements and Contract Documents may be obtained on or after February 28, 2024 on Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System at https://www.bidnetdirect.com/colorado.

The major work items include earthwork, variable depth milling, patching, crack repair, asphalt paving, concrete repair, saw and seal concrete joints, cement treated subgrade, crushed aggregate base course, underdrains, drainage, installation of headwall, pavement marking, thermoplastic markings, marking removal, electrical rehabilitation to edge lights and signage, placement and compaction of asphalt millings.

All bidders are advised to examine the site to become familiar with all site conditions. The project will be discussed and shown to interested bidders at 10:00 a.m., local time on March 13, 2024, at the Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority, 7565 South Peoria Street, Englewood, Colorado 80112.

Each bid must be accompanied by a Certified Check or Cashier’s Check in the amount of not less than five percent (5%) of the total bid, made payable to the Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority, or by Bid Bond in like amount executed by a Surety Company.

All bidders are advised that the right is reserved by the Sponsor to waive any informality in, or to reject any or all bids.

Any questions must be submitted to Kirstie Wilson and Molly McGuire, JACOBS, via email to Kristie.Wilson@jacobs.com & Molly.mcguire@ jacobs.com. Questions are due by 10:00 a.m., March 20, 2024. Questions received after this time will not be accepted.

Published in The Villager

First Publication: February 15, 2024

Last Publication: March 7, 2024 Legal # 11465

COLORADO PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2024

PRESENTING ON STAGE - ALASKA EVENT MULTI-MEDIA PRESENTATION FROM AAA TRAVEL

Expert Planning Advice - View Stunning Film Footage. MARCH 5, 6 p.m. at Doubletree by Hilton, 8773 Yates Drive in Westminster. Reserve your seat online at AAA. com/HollandAmerica

ARAPAHOE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC & REPUBLICAN PRECINCT CAUCUSES

MARCH 7. The Democrats will hold their caucus via Zoom. Info: www.arapahoedems.or/2024-caucus. Check in 6 p.m. and start time 7:00 p.m. ARAPAHOE County Republicans will hold their in-person caucus meetings at various locations throughout the county. Republicans will need to know their precinct number, which can be found, along with their caucus location, on www.arapahoerepublicans.org. Check-in at 6:30 p.m and caucus to start at 7 p.m. Unaffiliated voters

in CO can vote in party primary elections, which will be held by mail ballots sent out beginning June 3 and due on June 25, but they cannot participate in party caucuses. More info: Republicans Anne Rowland, chair@arapahoerepublicans.org or 303-779-1115. Democrats, Melissa Garland, info@arapahoedems.org or 303-468-7968.

ENGLEWOOD LIONS CLUB MEETING

MARCH 7, 7 p.m. at Mango Tree Coffee, 3498 S. Broadway, Englewood. Info: Gail 720-377-7682.

12TH ANNUAL JUNIOR LEAGUE OF DENVER JOURNEY FUNDRAISER

MARCH 8, 6 p.m. (International Women’s Day.) At Mile High Station. Bubbles & Bow Ties theme. Lauren Whitney with CBS Cool will emcee, Halie Behrauctioneer. Tickets JLD.org or 303-692-0270.

CHERRY CREEK CHORALE PRESENTS “HOPE’S JOURNEY”

MARCH 8 & 9. Pre-concert talk at 7:10, Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church,

CONDO FOR RENT

Available Mar 1st. Sunny, secure, 1 bed, 1 bath, W/D, ground lvl, lg patio, Yosemite & Hampden. Close to shopping. $1,685/ mo. Deposit, $20 app fee. lapointevidence@ earthlink.net 303.638.1517.

4500 E. Hampden Ave., Cherry Hills Village. Bach, Beethoven, Hagewnberg, Hayes & many others. Tickets: Visit CherryCreekChorale.org or purchase at the door. Cecilian Singers, directed by Phil Drozda, from Overland High School will also perform. The Chorale has approximately 100 members with Artistic Director & Conductor Brian Leatherman.

COLORADO BALLET PRESENTS COPPELIA

code in the Arapahoe County ad on page 3 Feb. 22 issue.

SOUTH METRO DENVER CHAMBER BUSINESS AWARDS 2024

ENGLEWOOD LIONS CLUB MEETINGS

1ST & 3RD THURSDAYS at 7 p.m. at Mango Tree Coffee, 3498 S. Broadway, Englewood. Next meeting: March 7. Info: Gail 720-377-7682.

ARAPAHOE COUNTY 4TH ANNUAL SPRING WINE & CHALK FESTIVAL

Every time I get a new test car I’m pleased to see a Genesis on the delivery schedule. However, I’m very partial to hybrid vehicles that have the smaller backup gasoline engines teamed with the EV battery components. The all electric EVs work well for short distance commuters, but if you plan on any trip exceeding 150 miles it may take a charging station to reach your destination …or make it back home. I’ve learned the hard way that traveling uphill into the mountains with air-conditioning or heating dramatically diminishes the estimated EV mileage.

Always pleasurable to have a Genesis model arrive for the week’s driving experience. These cars are the top of the line for Hyundai luxury brands manufactured in Ulsan, Korea.

The GV60 arrived this week as the Genesis PGA golf tournament is underway in California. Tiger Woods played the first day but had

health issues, dropping out of the tournament. He was driving a Genesis several years ago at the same tournament when he had his Genesis auto accident with safety features of the car saving his life. He’s admirably worked his way back after his very serious injuries and no doubt headed to the Master’s in Augusta in April.

The GV60 test model is all-electric with an EV estimated range of 235 miles and a home charge time of 7.2 hours, more or less depending upon the charging component. What is excellent about EVs is the instant acceleration that is almost breathless compared to slower internal combustion engines that ignite gas in a cylinder to produce horsepower.

MARCH 8-17, at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House Coppelia follows the story of a young couple, Swanhilda and Frantz, as they navigate a series of enchanting events involving a life-like doll and its mysterious maker, Dr. Coppelius. Filled with love, humor, and adventure, this ballet is a family-friendly event that will leave audiences with a sense of wonder and delight. For tickets and times of performances visit COLORADOBALLET.ORG or call Patron Services at 303339-1637; Mon. Thru Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

2024 ART ON LOAN PROGRAM

ENTRY DEADLINE MARCH 11, 2024. Administered by the South Suburban Public Art Committee. The program is a year-long outdoor exhibit designed to promote public interest in art, develop community pride, and enhance the visitor experience around the Goodson Recreation Center (Centennial) and The Hudson Gardens & Events Center (Littleton). A $500 Exhibitor’s Honorarium is provided to each artist after the artwork is installed in June 2024. The project is open to all artists residing in Colorado who have the background, experience, and reputation for completing such a project. Info: Call 303-483-7003.

CHERRY CREEK REPUBLICAN WOMEN

”PUTTIN’ ON THE GLITZ”

MARCH 12 Tuesday, 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM Luncheon and Fundraiser Dress to Impress as the theme implies Entertainment (Colorado’s own Frank Sinatra), Silent and Live Auctions DoubleTree Hotel, 7801 E. Orchard Road, Greenwood Village 80111 $50. pre-paid reservations by March 5 www. cherrycreekrepublicanwomen.org

ARAPAHOE COUNTY COTTAGE FOOD SAFETY

MARCH 12, 5-8:30 p.m. Learn food safety guidelines and the specifies of operating a home-based cottage food business from a home kitchen. To RSVP scan the QR

MARCH 14, 5-8 p.m., Curtis Ballroom at The Landmark/ Comedy Works in Greenwood Village. Cocktail attire/ cocktails, Hors’d’oeuvres. Register: Jeff Keener at jkeener@bestchamber.comST.

SOUTH METRO DENVER CHAMBER BUSINESS AWARDS 2024

MARCH 14, 5-8 p.m., Curtis Ballroom at The Landmark/ Comedy Works in Greenwood Village. Deadline for nomination, Feb. 10. Contact Jeff Keener at jkeener@ bestchamber.com

WANT TO PUBLISH AND SELL MORE OF YOUR BOOKS?

MARCH 15 online – zoom via your computer or MARCH 16 in person at Dr. Briles office. Lunch & snacks with one day intensive training. Early Bird registration ends Feb. 17. Register: https:/./bit.ly/ PublishingUnplugged

ST. THOMAS MORE PARISH SERVICES

MARCH 28, Holy Thursday, 7:00 p.m. - Mass of the Lord’s Supper. MARCH 29, Good Friday, 3:00 and 7:00 p.m. - Celebration of the Lord’s Passion. MARCH

30, Holy Saturday, 8:00 p.m., Solemn Vigil of Easter.

MARCH 31, Easter Sunday, 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Mass. There will also be a Spanish Mass at 12:30 p.m. The Parish is located at 8035 S. Quebec St., Centennial. Call 303-770-1155 or stthomasmore.org

COLORADO AUTHORS’ HALL OF FAME TO OFFER FIVE $2,000 SCHOLARSHIPS

For aspiring Colo. authors & authors-to-be. Winners will have an opportunity to participate in an extensive 12mo. Mentoring program. Applications deadline MARCH 31, 2024, with the winning recipients announced in August with a luncheon event to be held on Friday, Sept. 16. Scholarships envisioned by founder of the Hall, Dr. Judith Briles. Info: www.ColoradoAuthorsHallofFame. org

MAY 18 & 19. At the Fairgrounds. Early bird discount thru March 1. Visit arapahoecountyeventcenter.com

ROCKY MOUNTAIN BOYS STATE JUNE 2-8 FOR HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS

Premier civic program in Sterling, CO. Applications: www.CoLegionBoysState.org

WHAT’S NEW IN AWARDS? FINALISTS FOR DCPA STUDENT PLAYWRITING COMPETITION

“CONSIDER THE RAVENS” by Victoria Schnell - Cherry Creek High School. “MY FUTURE IS (KINDA) IN YOUR HANDS” by Esther Weiss - Cherry Creek High school. There were 107 High School submissions for these awards.

MS COLORADO SENIOR AMERICA ACCEPTING CONTESTANTS FOR 2024

Ms. Colorado Senior America is not a beauty pageant. The pageant re-defines and gives honor to the senior woman in all her glory. It champions the dignity, maturity and inner beauty of all senior women. Currently accepting contestants who will be 60 years old or better by our pageant date of APRIL 27, 2024 This is the year to do something for yourself and have fun! Call Rene’ Green at 720-384-6249 for more details. (ColoSrAmerica.com)

Another excellent feature is how smooth they drive, and all the Genesis models have luxury interiors with Nappa

Outside appearance for this vehicle is more spartan with a compact front-end design rather than the sloping hood design that is so prevalent in today’s car design. This design is perhaps

leather seating surfaces and aluminum interior trim.

The power source for the GV60 comes from two 160V motors, front and rear with a 77.4 kWh battery. This power-train source has a ten-year/ 100,000-mile warranty.

appealing to those desiring to support the movement to all-electric vehicles by 2030 to save the planet; now receiving push-back from the auto industry as EVs are waning in present popularity because of weather challenges, charge

times, availability of charging stations, and vehicle purchase pricing. This GV60 has a suggested manufacturer’s price of $69,550.

More attractive features include a visual dash view of rear traffic lanes when signaling lane changes, so helpful to avoid blind spots. A boatload of safety features including all the latest bells and whistles are a major factor in the purchase of new vehicles.

The Genesis brand offers luxury in comfort and interior styling with heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats.

The power front seats provide 4-way lumbar control and “Ergo” feature for the driver’s seat. The sound system is a Bang and Olufsen premium audio. Many hightech controls feature stem from the 12.3 center console screen and steering wheel buttons.

Safety, navigation, technology, and comfort are all captured in this GV60 and the space-age popular Genesis brand.

REPORT/PHOTOS BY SCOTT AND CHERYL BERMAN

Nikki Haley spoke for 40 minutes without notes or a teleprompter at Centennial Airport's Wings Over the Rockies Tuesday afternoon. There were 1,000 people, which is all that was allowed due to the size of the room. All had to preregister. Others had to be turned away. Look for more information in next week’s issue.

Nikki Haley visits Centennial’s Wings Over the Rockies