4-4-24 Villager

Money Sense

Smart ways to transfer the family business

These tips from Bank of America can help you create a meaningful legacy while generating a healthy retirement income.

For most business owners, retirement is either a subject they welcome or the last thing they want to think about. If you are looking forward to that day, you have probably already started preparing to move on from your business. Indeed, selling your business — or gifting it to the next generation — may be central to your retirement plan.

Assuming your company has the systems in place to operate without your direct participation, your first step is to get an accurate assessment of its worth. A professional valuation and tax expert can help you look past your emotional attachment to the company and gauge its true value.

Prior to making any move, consider your income needs in retirement, keeping in mind that merely matching your current salary may not be enough if the business has also been paying for things like health insurance, car leases, club memberships and tax preparation — expenses you may have to start covering. Having a conversation with your financial advisor is key to making the right decision.

With all that information in hand, consider these three options for transferring or selling the business to family members, friends, longtime employees or another interested buyer.

Transfer the business as a gift. Say you want to pass the business down to a child or grandchild. The lifetime federal gift tax exemption gives business owners considerable latitude to transfer part or all of the company as a gift. The exemption can change annually.

You may owe federal gift taxes on amounts exceeding the exemption, but once the business is out of your hands, it is no longer part of your estate, and future growth of the company will not subject your estate to additional transfer taxes. You may also be able to supplement your retirement income by continuing to work for the new owners.

Assist the buyer with financing. What if you want to sell the business to a family member or an employee who does not have enough assets to complete the transaction? To get around that, you could lend the buyer the money for the sale in exchange for a promissory note, which allows the buyer to pay you back directly. You and the buyer determine what terms work for all parties involved. The buyer benefits from the opportunity to own a business, and you receive a steady stream of income from the principal and interest that the buyer pays for an agreed-upon period.

Even after a sale, many former business owners can stay involved and earn income by serving on the board of directors or consulting. You might even continue helping with day-to-day operations in a

reduced but vital role, such as serving long-time clients that are used to working with you.

Execute a partial sale. If you do not want to cut ties with your business entirely, another option is to sell part of the company while retaining a portion of business assets and income. You will want to spell out the arrangement with the new majority owners in the formal transfer or sale agreement. That also should be the case if you are turning the business over or selling it to other family members. You may pay capital gains tax on any profit from the sale, but you may also get a steady income from rent or lease of office space or other assets.

Whatever choice you make, a smooth transition can be the crowning legacy of the years of care and effort you have poured into your business. And you can have the satisfaction of knowing that your vision has the potential to live on for generations to come.

For more information, contact Merrill Financial Advisor Andrew Neal in the Greenwood Village, CO, office at 303.689.8043 or andrew.neal@ml.com.

It’s déjà vu for CU Buffs as they faced off against Iowa for second year in a row

BY RYAN BOUBLIK CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

It was a date with destiny Saturday afternoon as Colorado for the second year in a row faced off against Iowa in the Sweet 16 of March Madness.

Last year, the Buffs lost 77-87. Unfortunately for Colorado fans, the game was déjà vu. CU only led the game, once, 18 seconds into the first quarter until Caitlin Clark, Iowa Superstar, hit a two point jumper. From there out the Hawkeyes commanded the game and Clark with 29 points helped douse the hopeful ember of CU. Final Score: Buffs 68, Hawkeyes 89. Hopefully Boulder students

FINAL FOUR

aren’t taking up bird hunting out of spite.

As for my March Madness predictions in my prior article, both UCONN and Iowa are still dancing on the hard wood in the hunt for a National Title. Although my forecasted champions are still

alive, my brackets are very much dead. The dagger was selecting the highly talented Kentucky team to make it to the finals. My hopes were dashed when the No. 3 seed Kentucky Wildcats fell to the No. 14 Oakland

Golden Grizzlies led by Jack Gohlke who cashed in on ten 3-pointers and finished with 32 points. Despite Oakland’s run for the trophy ending in the Round of 32, Gohlke displayed that he has the ability to play at the next level whether that be in the NBA or internationally. However, if Gohlke’s basketball chapter comes to a close, he has earned a degree in accounting and has a great story to tell the office. Fun Fact: Oakland University is not located in California. It lies 31 miles north of Detroit in the Auburn Hills

of Michigan. After hyping up March Madness for weeks, my dreams of winning Warren Buffet’s billion dollars and more realistically my pools among friends were shattered in less than 10 hours. I hope your picks have fared better than mine. Regardless, the last few games of this year’s NCAA March Madness should keep us on the edge of our seats.

Arapahoe County Budget

Newspaper Shop Talk

We’ve received some kind compliments about last week’s edition of The Villager highlighting news stories and photos for our first quarter of 2024. The edition captured the incredible hard work and dedication of The Villager staff and family members. We publish this newspaper because we feel it is important, and if we didn’t cover these many events, who would? Community newspapers have been a pillar of communities since the days of Ben Franklin. Readers may agree, or disagree, with some content, but overall newspapers provoke thought, combat apathy, and preserve local history as it happens. Newspapers, at least this one, goes deep into the community with news of your neighbors, city councils, and elected officials. We also have fun along the way with many social events that promote nonprofits that do so much for the afflicted and disadvantaged. Bottom line, we fill a gap in society that would be void if this newspaper vanished.

BY BOB SWEENEY

is to seek nonprofit status and rely on donations, foundations, and generous patrons that follows the path of public radio. If the government can support public radio, why not newspapers. It has taken centuries for some newspapers to figure out what’s good for radio could be good for print. The difference is in individual enterprise. If we don’t market subscriptions and advertising, we will eventually fade away. What may be left are newspapers funded by foundations with whatever mission they may possess from their donors and founders. Not all bad, but we sing for our supper, so to speak, and if we don’t perform and produce an interesting newspaper under the free enterprise form of capitalism, we should fail. In many respects capitalism is success, and failure, and who can make the best mousetrap.

There are two types of newspapers emerging as I write this column; privately owned family newspapers such as this one, and the new model for newspapers

Thinking of mouse traps, we note that other newspapers in the area have gone the nonprofit route, first led by The Colorado Sun, operated and owned by a group of talented journalists that left The Denver Post over five-years ago and starting their digital only product.

The Denver Gazette has followed the same concept, but connected to the Anschutz family, with the Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph as their parent organization. The two digital news organizations have different political viewpoints, along with some good writing and news coverage. This may, or may not be the future of journalism. If the outside funding keeps coming the news will keep flowing. In the meantime, we’re the scrap yard dogs looking for our next meal and depending upon subscriptions and finding new customers for our loyal advertisers, who like us, must market products and services to survive in a very competitive business environment.

We read last week’s Littleton Independent, a newspaper that we have read for years, dating back to meeting Ed Bemis, of Bemis Library fame, in his later years at the Colorado Press Convention with well-known Houston Waring and Garrett Ray, who operated the newspaper for decades, until sold to Bob Tisch who drove it into bankruptcy. Ultimately, resurrected by Jerry Healy, who did a miraculous job of forming Colorado Media News, now owned by the nonprofit National Trust. Newspapers must be

The Tree of Freedom and Responsibility

The Federal Reserve’s latest comments on interest rates are encouraging. Chairman Powell continues his statements about reducing rates. This action reduces the cost of borrowing, and allows businesses to expand, resulting in job growth, economic expansion, and prosperity for the greatest number of people.

we will spend more dollars to obtain the same commodity. And we will suffer, even if rates decline.

However, the Fed still hasn’t addressed the reason behind inflation, which is excess money supply, and its precedent, federal spending. Printing dollars and federal spending caused a massive debt burden, which has been placed on every citizen. Until Congress addresses its spending excess and the Fed reduces money supply, we will remain subject to devaluation of the dollar and thereby inflation in prices. In other words,

Excessive federal spending is the greatest threat today to our future. It depletes capital and diverts it into government hands and out of free enterprise. Spending creates debt that further weighs on citizens, who must pay it back. Money supply, printing dollars by the Fed, assists Congress in spending more than it makes and puts the citizen in debt. This is taxation without representation.

Suffice it to say that politicians, regardless of party affiliation, will never reduce spending on their own. The citizen must demand they reduce spending and then pay down the debt. Only when politicians fear not being

re-elected will they act on our behalf. Our own salvation, and especially that of future generations, depends on our active involvement.

We are all aware of the concept, in our nation’s founding documents, that the citizen will be protected from his government’s excesses. The greatest concept employed was separation of powers, that all three branches had clearly defined powers and more importantly limitations. We can read those limitations in the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

One other brilliant method our Founding Fathers implemented is that they gave the limited right to tax and spend only to Congress — not the President or SCOTUS, not the administrative state or regulatory bureaucracies. The reason is that these elected politicians have to stand before the citizens on a regular

printed on large printing presses that are disappearing as many newspapers disappear. Linda Shapley, the current publisher of The Colorado Media News, owner of 23 Colorado newspapers, announced on the back page of their newspapers last week that The Trust has purchased a printing press and will continue to print papers with the arrival of the new press operational sometime in May.

Their challenges came last August when The Pueblo Chieftain, now owned by Gannett, shut down their Union printing plant leaving 79 publications looking for new printing press facilities. We have been a Denver Post printing client for 43 years and did not have that challenge. However, in my newspaper career, I have owned and operated several printing plants where we printed our own newspapers, doing inserts, and mailing. It is a very difficult business and takes immensely experienced management with critical daily printing deadlines.

Linda Shapley is a talented publisher, and I wish her success in the press adventure. If The Denver Post ever folds, maybe I can become her customer . GOOD LUCK LINDA.

basis — the citizens could vote them out.

That is the duty of any citizen who lives in a free America. To fulfill our obligation of remaining free citizens, and passing those freedoms on to our children, we must limit the government’s sizable power according to the law of the land, the Constitution.

It is a wise man, knowing that he will never sit under its shade, who plants seeds for a tree that will eventually shelter his grandchildren. That tree is individual freedom and responsibility.

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.

Candidate Forum presented by DCRW

Douglas County Republican Women (DCRW) hosted a Candidate Forum at its monthly meeting highlighting contested races for the June 25 Primary Election. For Douglas County Commissioner District 3 –John Carson and Priscilla Rahn: Carson served a Legal Counsel to U.S. Senator Wayne Allard, served on the Douglas County School Board and as a University of Colorado Regent. (carsonforcommissioner.com). Rahn is a teacher/administrator, small business owner, was chair of the DougCo Planning Commission and former vice chair of the Colorado Republican Party (priscillafordougco.com). State Senator Kevin Van Winkle was unable to attend because of duties at the Capitol (kevin vanwinkleforcolorado.com).

Running to be the first DA for the new 23rd District are George Brauchler and Dagny Van Der Jagt. Brauchler was a military officer here and in Iraq. He was twice elected DA for Colorado’s 18th Judicial District and has led some of the toughest cases in Colorado (georgebrauchler. com).Van Der Jagt is a Douglas County attorney, owner of a small successful law firm, served as Deputy DA and is a criminal prosecutor, civil litigator and criminal defense attorney (votefordagny.com).

Momentum building for Deborah Flora, candidate for US Congress Colorado’s 4th District

The Women’s Coalition for Deborah Flora was officially launched in Parker. Support for the candidate was quickly followed by a luncheon fundraiser at Eddie Merlot’s the next day. In addition to the hosts, sponsors included: Flip and Louise Rouse, John and Mary Sable, Linda Christie Horn, Rance Rogers, Bill Banta, Austin and Sara Tilghman, Councilman Rik Holt, Dana and Mary Predovich, Lynne and Bo Cottrell,

Candidates for the first District Attorney of the newly formed Judicial District 23 – Dagny Van Der Jagt and George Brauchler

Candidates for Douglas County Commissioner District 3 – John Carson and Priscilla Rahn Photos by Scottie Iverson

DCRW President Deborah Mulvey with the not-to-be-missed May 15 Auction Chairs Barbara Piper and Susan Squyer

Moderator for the Forum – Elbert County Commissioner Chris Richardson

Brett Titus, Charlie McNeil, Scottie Iverson, Ellen Graham and John Reiter. Jonathan Flora and his wife, congresswoman candidate Deborah Flora

Former Colorado Lt. Governor Jane Norton will head the Women’s Coalition for Deborah Flora’s campaign

Photo courtesy of Jane Norton

Hosts for the luncheon reception held at Eddie Merlot’s –Boo Dixon, Jay and Kristina Davidson, candidate Deborah Flora, John Pritzlaff III and wife Satya, and Edie Marks Photos by Scottie Iverson

Official Launch of Flora’s Women’s Coalition in Parker included Danielle Jurinsky (Aurora City Council), Barbara Piper (National Federation of Republican Women Board), candidate Deborah Flora, Deborah Mulvey (Castle Pines Council and President, Douglas County Republican Women), Stephanie Hancock (Aurora City Council), Laura Carno (Faster Colorado) and Laura Hefta (Parker Town Council)

Photo courtesy of Deborah Flora

Cor2Cor features peace activist, producer, public speaker and men’s transformational coach

Adam Baca, special guest speaker at Cor2Cor, the business alliance focused on Netgiving, began his presentation with “What’s happening in the world?” refer ring to Columbine and other mass shoot ings. “How can you change the world?” he continued. Baca and his team started the documentary Day Without Hate in 2019 and it won an Emmy in 2023! Other credits to this remarkable young man include: National Leadership Academy, Secret Santa for Homeless, Colorado’s largest Book Club for Men and health coaching. Day Without Hate is a preventative approach to mental health, - just peace and love and spread ing hope and connection with one anoth er – proving the power of relationships. Baca (when he was 17) was one of 12 student founders of Day Without Hate, international education for high schoolers on social change making, leadership and social entrepreneurship. It’s a grassroots movement in 35 states and five countries. Jefferson County had 100 schools participate in a Year Without Hate bringing in businesses and other supporters. The last Friday in April is designated as Day Without Hate – April 27, 2024 this year! (daywithouthate.org)

Cor2Cor Co-Founder Nepeta Godec welcomes new board member Cheryl Wilson

Denver Ballet Guild’s annual Young Dancers Competition

Karen Crossman and Caroline Rodawig chaired the 39th Denver Ballet Guild (DBG) Young Dancers Competition (YDC) on stage at the brand new Mapleton Arts Center. The three-day event was founded in 1981 by the late Florence Ruston and is one of the longest running classical ballet competitions for young dancers in the country and supports the advancement of the next generation of dancers. DBG’s 2024 YDC accomplished Master Teacher was Cecilia Iliesiu, a Principal Dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet with a 14-year career as a professional ballerina, teacher and mentor. 2024 YDC Artistic Directors Tracy Jones and Francisco Estevez, experienced dancers nationally and internationally, were recently tenured dancers with the Colorado Ballet.

Special awards went to: Olivia Weimerskirch – David Parvin Award for a dancer between 12 and 13 years, Simon Nguyen – the prestigious Florence Ruston Medallion for overall excellence, and Jylyn Clark – the Kresten Wolff Bright Light Memorial Award. The Masterclass Teacher also recognized three outstanding dancers in Category 1 – ten and 11 year-olds: Caedmon Armstrong, Hana Schmidt and Grace Germeroth.

FLEURISH

Special guest speaker Adam Baca with his Emmy

Candy-filled bags as favors

Adam Baca with Edie Marks and Dave Evans

Photos by Scottie Iverson

Emma Livesay

Kyler Laman

Ruby Wilderman

Over 200 dancers between ten and 19 years old competed for $20,000. in scholarship awards

Photos courtesy of Denver Ballet Guild

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BY FREDA MIKLIN

am passionate about government and giving our readers straightforward information that will help them make informed choices when they vote. am also a licensed C.P.A. and former Greenwood Village City Council member. Dr. Jerry Miklin and are the parents of five young adults, including two sets of twins, all of whom graduated from Cherry Creek High School and college. am a 7-time Colo. Press Assn. award winner. If you have any questions about local or state politics or government, or something you want to share, email me at fmiklin.villager@gmail.com.

Attendees name Deborah Flora the winner of CD4 candidate forum

Most of the 150 people who attended the sold-out Douglas County Republican Women’s (DCRW) forum for candidates running in the June 25 primary to represent the GOP in the November 5 general election to replace former U.S. Rep. Ken Buck in Congressional District Four (CD4) completed straw poll ballots to identify their preferred candidate.

Former talk radio host, film producer, and candidate for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate in 2022 Deborah Flora was the strong favorite, receiving 64% of the 120 votes cast. Outgoing CD3 Rep. Lauren Boebert was second, with 25% of participants checking the box next to her name.

State Rep. Richard Holtorf got 7% and former state Sen. Jerry Sonenberg got 3% of the votes in the straw poll.

CD4 includes Parker, Lone Tree, and Highlands Ranch, as well as the rest of Douglas County, along with most of the rural area of the eastern slope.

DCRW President Deborah Metzger Mulvey announced that only those candidates who had raised at least $25,000 for the race were invited to participate. Six qualified but only five were present. State Rep. Mike Lynch (R-Larimer and Weld Counties) qualified but was unable to break away from the legislature. On the dais were Boebert, Holtorf, Sonnenberg, Flora, and Chris Phelen.

Former state Senators Tom Weins and Bill Cadman served as moderators. Their thoughtful questions were directly related to the issues that the next Member of Congress from CD4 is likely to confront.

The audience was respectful, and no candidates spoke out of turn throughout the two-hour event.

Asked to identify the first two bills they would pass if elected,

Boebert said, “Build the wall and deport them all.” The second thing she said she would do is, “Designate fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction,” because of all the Americans it has killed.

Flora also said, “Finish the wall,” adding, “The border invasion is an existential threat to our country.” Her second priority would be to “cut all the bureaucracy in Washington in half and get rid of the Department of Education.”

Both Holtorf and Sonnenberg said they would impose federal term limits of eight years for Members of Congress and 12 years for U.S. Senators. They also both prioritized a balanced budget bill to limit federal spending. Sonnenberg would take the additional step of, “reducing federal personnel 10% every year for the next five years.”

Phelen talked about closing the border, but named his top priority

as, “Allowing Colorado to keep its water and do what it wants with it,” adding, “Charging California for water would generate $143 billion,” for our state.

Asked how we can defend our country against China, especially if they were to invade Taiwan, Holtorf offered, “The woke EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) military of today won’t be able to win wars tomorrow,” adding that we need to concentrate on technology and satellite defense.

Flora agreed that, “We have to get wokeness out of the military,” adding that military spending should be separate from “the omnibus and pork (directed spending by individual Members of Congress).”

Phelen proposed that we “reduce redundancy in the government,” and reduce regulations, which he claimed, “cost $2 trillion.” He didn’t offer any data on

how that amount was calculated.

Sonnenberg pointed to high costs resulting from “backroom bloated deals with contractors in Washington D.C. that hand out contracts to favorite donors,” adding, “That has to stop… You’ve heard about thousanddollar toilets. We do the same thing with airplanes and boats and everything in the military.”

He closed with, “Then we have to get rid of all the wokeness in the military and let our military serve as they see fit.”

Boebert would “reduce those swampy bureaucrats’ salary down to one dollar,” adding that, “The world is on fire, thanks to Joe Biden and his weak leadership. We need President Trump back in office.” Trump has endorsed Boebert in the race.

When the moderators asked the panel what they knew about the Sentinel Project to replace the ICBM (inter-continental ballistic missiles) system, currently ongoing in Colorado, and how they would create efficiencies in large military contracts that produce the armaments to protect our country, Boebert said, “We are doling out over $160 billion to Ukraine.”

She continued, “I oppose more funding to Ukraine and certainly would love to hear more about the Sentinel Project. That’s not something that comes up in my committees directly…With the contractors, most of that has to do with the special interest groups and lobbyists.”

Holtorf said that the Sentinel Project “is a new strategic initiative to protect our country. It has upgraded technology… The Minuteman II missiles are everywhere but they’re outdated and they need to be replaced… So let’s talk about installing new missiles and (new) technology. It’s time to upgrade to defend this great nation. In CD4, we have transportation issues just to move these missiles. With the right congressman in Washinton DC, you can get new roads to move these missiles to their new loca-

tion and enhance our transportation infrastructure.”

Flora recommended “competitiveness and transparency in contracts” and encouraging young people to develop skills like welding and other trades, pointing out that everyone doesn’t need to go to college.

Sonnenberg offered, “Search for the best deal for the quality you need.”

On the topic of education, Flora said, “There is a Ponzi scheme between the Department of Education,

the teachers’ union, and the Democrats.” She would like to see more charter schools.

Sonnenberg answered, “Neither the feds nor the state should be involved in education.” He would eliminate the federal Department of Education and the State Board of Education, as well. He would like to see vouchers for all students to attend any school.

Boebert accused the Department of Justice of “attacking parents and grandparents for being involved in their kids’ education,” adding, “Presi-

dent Biden says your children don’t belong to you. They belong to us.”

When the moderators asked the panel whether former U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy should have been removed as the GOP Speaker of the House in 2023, Flora said, “I am not a fan of one person being able to call the vote, pointing out, “The GOP needs to show the world we can govern ourselves so we can govern the country,” adding, “The only people reaching across the aisle are the Republicans,” and, “I’ve yet to see the

CD4 Democrats select Trisha Calvarese to run in special election

In an April 1 meeting of Democratic delegates representing congressional district four to choose a candidate for the June 25 special election to complete former U.S. Rep. Ken Buck’s term (he resigned on March 22), Colorado native Trisha Calvarese was selected over three other contenders, attorney Karen Breslin, environmental scientist John Padora, and the more well-known U.S. Marine veteran Ike McCorkle, who previously ran against Buck for the seat. After not being selected by party insiders as the special election candidate, McCorkle congratulated Calvarese, then announced he would still run in the primary for the opportunity to represent the Democrats in the November election, also being held on June 25.

A poll from a nonpartisan research group released ahead of the CD4 Democratic assembly showed that McCorkle would beat U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert in a head-to-head contest by seven points if the elec-

tion were held today, although 30% of voters in that survey were still undecided. Neither candidate was yet on the ballot when the survey was conducted on March 27-29. Both major parties’ candidates for the November 5 general election will be selected by voters on June 25.

During the question-andanswer session conducted with all four candidates by state Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib and CD4 Chair Lisa Chollet preceding the delegates’ vote, Calvarese said that she grew up in Douglas County, attended Johns Hop-

“I am running for all of our seniors, for universal care, for reproductive freedom, to bring landmark investments home to our district, to create jobs and apprenticeships while helping us rise to the challenges of our time,” she explained.

– Trisha Calvarese

kins University on an academic scholarship, and was a press intern for Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Her recent work experience was in Washington D.C. with the AFL-CIO and the National Science Foundation. “I am running for all of our seniors, for universal care, for reproductive freedom, to bring landmark in-

Democrats come up with a constitutional policy.”

Phelen answered, “Rules are in place so leadership can be accountable to its members, but removing Kevin McCarthy didn’t have the result that was intended.”

Sonnenberg said that Republicans should deal with disagreements and choose their leaders privately “as a caucus,” then present a unified front when dealing with the Democrats.

Regarding the former Speaker, Boebert said, “I did not vote with the eight Republicans to vacate McCarthy, although I agree with their frustrations,” adding, “I nominated Mike Johnson (the current Speaker of the House) and now I’m sad to say that I had because he is disappointing us, left and right…(but) I do not agree… that he (Johnson) should be vacated.” She also said, “Do you know that I have to pay $250,000 of your campaign donations to those who contribute to pay to the party to have my committee seat?...You want a better committee assignment? Then you gotta pay more money; it’s just part of the swamp there in Washington D.C…”

Holtorf responded, “McCarthy was wrong because he was compromising with the Democrats.”

See page 14 for more FOLLOW FREDA coverage of Greg Lopez.

vestments home to our district, to create jobs and apprenticeships while helping us rise to the challenges of our time,” she explained.

When Murib asked the candidates how they would protect women’s reproductive rights as a Member of Congress, Calvarese responded, “The economic strength of families starts with choice, without the government having anything to do with it. I will absolutely support legislation to restore the constitutional right to reproductive choice and privacy that Donald Trump’s Supreme Court took away,” adding, “We have to invest in the maternal care of eastern Colorado.”

To the question of how they would support programs that seniors and veterans rely on like Social Security, Medicare, and the Veteran’s Administration, the candidate explained she would “scrap the cap on Social Security and get billionaires paying into it to make it solvent,” adding, “We absolutely have to save our rural hospitals, which serve those populations overwhelmingly.”

Calvarese will face Republican Greg Lopez in the June 25 special election. She is also expected to be a candidate for the nomination to run in the November general election. Lopez has committed to not run in the November general election.

“The economic strength of families starts with choice, without the government having anything to do with it. I will absolutely support legislation to restore the constitutional right to reproductive choice and privacy that Donald Trump’s Supreme Court took away,” adding, “We have to invest in the maternal care of eastern Colorado.”

– Trisha Calvarese

Candidates at the Douglas County Republican Women’s forum, from left to right, U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, state Rep. Richard Holtorf, Deborah Flora, Chris Phelen, and former state Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg.

The forum was a sold-outin-advance affair.

Former state Senators Tom Wiens and Bill Cadman were excellent moderators. Photos by Freda Miklin

CD4 special election Democratic candidate Trisha Calvarese

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

South metro mayors share their cities’ triumphs and challenges

South Metro Denver Chamber recently sponsored a panel discussion at which the mayors of Lone Tree, Littleton, Centennial, Greenwood Village, Englewood, and Castle Pines provided a regional perspective about what is happening in their cities. Arapahoe Community College and its president, Dr. Stephanie Fujii, hosted the event that drew over 100 people.

Dr. Fujii opened the forum by asking the mayors to say something about themselves and to identify their cities’ “unique strengths or characteristics that some might not know they possess,” along with pressing issues they face.

Greenwood Village Mayor George Lantz, an engineer and successful entrepreneur, described his city as being eight square miles with a population of 15,000 and the largest non-collegiate school campus, consisting of over 6,000 students in grades K-12, in the state.

Mayor Lantz said that it was “the fourth time this week” that he’d been with some of the other panelists, all of whom were aligned in their concern with proposed legislation that would allow the state to determine cities’ housing policy near transit centers. Land use has historically been treated as a matter of local concern in Colorado.

Mayor Lantz explained that GV has major concerns about traffic that the development they believe the state favors would bring. Said Lantz, “As I think most of the people on this panel will tell you, the cities run very well as long as the legislature is not in session,” a statement that the audience seemed to appreciate.

Describing his history in city government, the mayor named this reporter as the person with whom he began his career with Greenwood Village in the 1990s when we first served together on the city’s Board of Adjustments and Appeals, an experience that lasted over a decade.

Lone Tree Mayor Jackie Millet said, “At the end of May, I will be completing my two decades of public service in the city of Lone Tree.” Noting that her city “has more jobs than people,” she acknowledged the South Metro Denver Chamber and its president, Jeff

“As I think most

of the people on this panel

will tell you, the cities run very well as long as the legislature is not in session.”

– Greenwood Village Mayor George Lantz

“When I started on the Lone Tree planning commission, 25% of our new builds were for-sale condos. In 15 years, we saw well over 2,000 multi-family units being built in the city of Lone Tree, with zero condos. We just broke ground on the first (condo) project…and we are excited to bring it to fruition, but it’s going to be more expensive than it should be because of the cost of insurance. Insurance wholesalers indicate condo construction in Colorado is more difficult and more expensive than in 48 other states. Action at the legislature must be taken.”

– Lone Tree Mayor Jackie Millet

Keener, for the chamber’s “huge contribution to the success of the ecosystem of the region.”

Mayor Millet focused on the issue of housing affordability, especially as it relates to the lack of condo construction. She has been

speaking with legislators about it and encouraged everyone to urge their state representatives and senators to support SB24-106 (see our article on that topic on page 18 of the March 28 issue of The Villager).

Mayor Millet explained that SB24-106 Right to Remedy Construction Defects “will address the disruption of the Colorado housing market that has occurred with construction litigation.” She continued, “CDARA is the acronym. You don’t need to know CDARA (Construction Defect Action Reform Act). What you need to know is that condos are not being built in our state right now… When I started on the Lone Tree planning commission, 25% of our new builds were for-sale condos. In 15 years, we saw well over 2,000 multi-family units being built in the city of Lone Tree, with zero condos. We just broke ground on the first (condo) project…and we are excited to bring it to fruition, but it’s going to be more expensive than it should be because of the cost of insurance. Insurance wholesalers indicate condo construction in Colorado is more difficult and more expensive than in 48 other states. Action at the legislature must be taken. (Condos) are a way that folks generate wealth… My house was my biggest personal investment. It was my parents’ biggest personal investment. I think every Coloradan should be able to aspire to owning a home. The entry-level home is a condo and we need to start building them.”

Turning her focus to the housing bill for transit areas, the mayor continued, “We have seen cranes in our city, pretty much since it was born. We had 3,500 acres of greenfield that was zoned for development. I’m very proud of the fact that over one third of that has been preserved as parks and open space. It will not be that difficult for Lone Tree to achieve the density along our light rail stations that’s being asked for at the state level. But that’s because we’re greenfield. We have five light rail stations, one of which is 360 degrees transit-oriented-development. To have that burden from our legislature apply to all of us who do not sit with the same assets that we have is very unrealistic… We must be allowed to make decisions for our own communities, for our businesses and our families, and we will all be more successful if we do.”

She continued, “One of the reasons Lone Tree has been successful is because we developed a comprehensive plan and a vision that we’ve been executing on…because we have had the ability for local control. Please do not allow the legislature to

South Metro Denver Chamber recently sponsored a panel discussion at which the mayors of Lone Tree, Littleton, Centennial, Greenwood Village, Englewood, and Castle Pines provided a regional perspective about what is happening in their cities. Arapahoe Community College and its president, Dr. Stephanie Fujii, hosted the event that drew over 100 people.

Arapahoe Community College President Stephanie Fujii

“All of our communities have unique challenges and unique opportunities. It’s the people that are on the ground every day that know what those are and how to bring out the best in our local communities, not the people sitting underneath the gold dome downtown. They are just too far removed and there are too many other interests tugging at them to do things that are one-size-fitsall for an entire area...One size fits nothing.”

– Centennial Mayor Stephanie Piko

take that away from us.”

Centennial Mayor Stephanie Piko is in her seventh year serving as its mayor after six years on the city council. She

is a former technology teacher for the Cherry Creek School District.

Mayor Piko said, “Centennial offers a wide variety of housing options for people and different types of communities to live in,” as well as educational opportunities and abundant parks and trails. It is also a major employment center for aerospace and technology.

She hopes the members of the general assembly understand, “All of our communities have unique challenges and unique opportunities. It’s the people that are on the ground every day that know what those are and how to bring out the best in our local communities, not the people sitting underneath the gold dome downtown. They are just too far removed and there are too many other interests tugging at them to do things that are onesize-fits-all for an entire area... One size fits nothing.”

Littleton Mayor Kyle Schlachter, in his third year as Littleton’s first directly elected mayor, is by day the executive director of the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board of the Department of Agriculture, promoting the wine industry.

Littleton, he said, goes back to the 1800s, and was built out in the 1950s. As a result, the mayor said, “Our streets and our sidewalks are starting to show their age.” Voters recently agreed to raise the sales tax “to invest in our infrastructure,” he shared, adding, “One of the big issues we’re facing is mobility for all our residents to get around, not just in cars, but on light rail, bikes, busses, and their feet.” After one of the mayor’s son’s classmates was run over and killed crossing the street on his way to school a few months ago, he told the crowd, “Our city council is greatly focused on improving our bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure to make sure students, the work force, and everyone can get to where they need to go.”

Englewood Mayor Othoniel Sierra, who rides his bicycle as much as possible, agreed with Mayor Schachter, explaining, “I’m a big supporter of multi-modal, making the streets safer for all commuters, pedestrians, and cyclists.” Mayor Sierra joined an environmental group, Citizens Alliance for a Sustainable Englewood, in 2016, which led to him running for city council.

He is serving his second term as mayor, having been just re-elected in November 2023.

The mayor pointed to a unique feature of Englewood, It has its own water supply, while most other jurisdictions are served by the Denver Water department. That allows flexibility, he shared, including adding density, “because we know how much water we have.”

Castle Pines Mayor Tracy

Engerman, who shared that she has a background in finance, operations, and energy markets, said she has served for seven years on the city council and as mayor in a community where everyone knows their neighbor. In Castle Pines,

developer

owned 220 acres of commercial land for 40 years that remains unbuilt, presenting a unique opportunity for the future.

one

has

Arapahoe County Commissioner Carrie Warren-Gully offers remarks as south metro Mayors (from left to right) George Lantz, Tracy Engerman, Stephanie Piko, Jackie Millet, Kyle Schachter, and Othoniel Sierra show their agreement.

Photos by Freda Miklin

Shades of Buster Posey: I’ll be gone; will return

These days I’ve been channeling Buster Posey in 2018. While probably feeling worse.

In case you don’t remember the name, Buster Posey was an outstanding catcher for the San Francisco Giants for a decade early in this millennium.

He was National League Rookie of the Year when the Giants the World Series in 2010, and NL batting champion (.336, best in both leagues) and Most Valuable Player when they won it all again in 2012. He became a three-time World Series champion when San Francisco won again in 2014.

readers of my column that it will be missing for several weeks while I recuperate, beginning next week.

he said.

He does only hips.

This ordeal— canes, a wheelchair, an electric scooter, handicap parking, sometimes-uncomfortable sleeping, etc.—began for me a few days before Christmas. An x-ray a couple weeks later found “severe osteoarthritis” in my right hip.

You may wonder, understandably so, why I waited until now, more than three months later, to get it fixed.

Let me explain.

He was a seven-time allstar and recipient of five Silver Sluggers (as the best offensive player at his position, by vote of opposing managers and coaches) and a Gold Glove in 2016 (as the best defensive player at his position), and finished with a lifetime batting average of .302, which is seventh all-time among catchers in both leagues.

I caught some when I was young, but I was no Buster Posey—as much as I wish I could have been.

I do have one or two of Posey’s traits, though: a bad hip and determination to return to action.

Recalling Buster Posey in this space is my way of telling

I received a call in January, offering April 10 for surgery.

“Can’t you do it any sooner?” I responded, exasperation in my voice.

“Oh, this is a cancellation opening,” replied the nurse. “Otherwise, we’d be talking sometime in June.”

I thought, but didn’t say, “How do you have a cancellation for this surgery? Does the patient die first?”

Turns out there are several ways, none of them good.

When I met in late February with my surgeon (a former quarterback for the Air Force Academy Falcons), he told me it was a good thing I hadn’t waited until our meeting to schedule the procedure.

“I’m into September now,”

In a classic example of a superstar perk, Buster Posey had his surgery within days of ending his 2018 season prematurely and announcing he needed the operation.

It wasn’t a full hip replacement, but the surgery—at the Steadman sports medicine clinic in Vail—revealed a microfracture that required repair.

Recovery time was put at six to eight months.

I’ve been through this once before (left hip, a few years ago), so I have an idea how it should go.

Since at this stage I don’t hope to do anything more athletic than occasionally play golf with my wife, I expect to be fine in much less time. (My wife, by the way, is a stellar caregiver, along with being a pretty good golfer who is capable of beating me on occasion.)

I had not yet had my first hip replacement when Buster Posey underwent his surgery.

Even then I was awed that someone could go through that and return to the rigors of crouching behind home plate in Major League Baseball games.

Buster Posey did that on his surgically repaired hip 101 times in 2019 (846.1 innings), hitting .257 with seven homers and 38 runs batted in in 445 plate appearances.

Just remarkable.

He opted to sit out the abbreviated Covid season in 2020 but came back strong in 2021.

In 113 games that year (behind the plate for 106 games/892 innings) he hit .304 with 18 home runs and 56 RBI, was voted a National League All-Star for the seventh time, and won the Silver Slugger for his position.

Then, at the age of 34, he retired.

As for me, I intend to return, too—just as soon as I can sit at my keyboard again for as long as it takes me to write a column.

To cover part of my absence, I’ve interviewed Dave Logan for a Q and A that will run in parts. I found our conversation very interesting, and I appreciate Dave making time for me. Hope you enjoy it.

See you soon.

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 dennydressman@ comcast.net.

How to Tap Underutilized Burial Benefits for Veterans

Dear Savvy

Senior,

What types of funeral benefits are available to old veterans? My 83-year-old father, who has Alzheimer’s disease, served during the Vietnam War in the 1960s.

Planning Ahead

If you don’t have it, you can request online at Archives. gov/veterans. Here’s a rundown of some of the different benefits that are available to veterans that die a nonservice related death.

Military Cemetery Benefits

Dear Planning, Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) National Cemetery Administration actually offers a variety of underutilized burial benefits to veterans as well as their spouses and dependents.

Most U.S. veterans (both combat and non-combat) who didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge are eligible for burial benefits. To verify your dad’s discharge, you’ll need a copy of his DD Form 214 “Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.”

Dear Readers,

Scam Alert—Watch

Out! Scammers target everyone!

Recognize Scammers.

They may:

◊ Pretend to be from an agency or organization you know (such as the IRS or Social Security Administration).

◊ Say there’s a problem, or promise a prize.

◊ Pressure you to act immediately.

◊ Tell you to pay in a specific way.

◊ Threaten you with arrest or legal action because you don’t agree to pay money immediately.

◊ Threaten to suspend your Social Security number.

◊ Claim to need personal information or payment to activate a costof-living adjustment or other benefit increase;

◊ Threaten to seize your bank account.

◊ Demand secrecy.

◊ Direct message you on social media.

◊ Use legitimate names of the Office of Inspector General or Social Security Administration employees.

◊ ”Spoof” official government phone num-

If your dad is cremated, his remains will be buried or inurned in the same manner as casketed remains.

But be aware that funeral or cremation arrangements and costs are not taken care of by the VA. They are the responsibility of the veteran’s family, but some veteran’s survivors may be eligible for burial allowances.

If your dad’s eligible and would like to be buried in one of the 155 national or 119 state, territory or tribal-operated cemeteries (see VA.gov/find-locations), the VA provides a number of benefits at no cost to the family, including: a gravesite; opening and closing of the grave and perpetual gravesite care; a government headstone or marker; a United States burial flag that can be used to drape the casket or accompany the urn; and a Presidential Memorial Certificate.

bers, or even numbers for local police departments.

◊ Send official-looking documents by U.S. mail or attachments through e-mail, text, or social media message. Do not give scammers money or personal information—ignore them!

How to avoid a scam:

◊ Remain calm if you receive a communication that causes a strong emotional response. Do not be forced to act. Talk to someone you trust.

◊ Hang up or ignore the message. Do not click on links or attachments.

◊ Protect your money. Criminals will insist that you pay in a hardto-trace manner, such as with a gift card, prepaid debit card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, money transfer, or by mailing cash.

◊ Protect your personal information. Be skeptical of a contact you didn’t initiate. Be cautious of any contact claiming to be from a government agency or law enforcement telling you about a problem you don’t recognize, even if the

Private Cemetery Benefits

The VA also offers a memorial web page called the Veterans Legacy Memorial for any veteran buried in a national, state, territorial or tribal cemetery. This allows families to post pictures and stories of their loved one online as a way to remember and honor their service.

If you’re interested in this option, the VA has a pre-need burial eligibility determination program to help you plan ahead before your dad passes. See VA.gov/burials-memorials/pre-need-eligibility or call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117.

BY DONALD PETERSON

caller has some of your personal information.

◊ Spread the word. Share your knowledge, including of Social Security-related scams. Post on social media using the hashtag #SlamtheScam to share your experience and warn others.

◊ Visit ssa.gov/scam for more information. Please also share with your family and friends.

What are the four key medical/estate plan documents you need now?

Many of my clients have asked what are the critical documents needed, particularly in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Simply being married does not give you the legal right to gain access to your spouse’s medical records or make medical decisions on your spouse’s behalf,

The VA also provides benefits to veterans buried in private cemeteries. If your dad chooses this option, the VA benefits include a free government headstone or grave marker, or a medallion that can be affixed to an existing privately purchased headstone or marker; a burial flag; and a Presidential Memorial Certificate.

Funeral or cremation arrangements and costs are again the responsibility of the family, and there are no benefits offered to spouses and dependents that are buried in private cemeteries.

Military Funeral Honors

Another popular benefit available to all eligible veterans buried in either a national or private cemetery is a military funeral honors ceremony. This includes an honor guard detail of at least two uniformed military persons, fold

even in an emergency. To avoid this problem and to help others care for you and to achieve your overall estate planning goals, the following documents create an effective medical/estate plan package:

1. Healthcare Power of Attorney;

2. General Financial Power of Attorney;

3. Advanced Directive for Medical/Surgical Treatment (“Living Will”); and

4. Will (or a Will with a Trust).

Careful medical/estate planning should include preparation and signing of these documents, to accomplish your goals and protect you, both during

ing and presenting the U.S. burial flag to the veteran’s survivors, and the playing of Taps.

The funeral provider you choose will be able to assist you with all VA burial requests. Depending on what you want, certain forms may need to be completed which are always better to be done in advance.

For a complete rundown of burial and memorial benefits, eligibility details and required forms visit Cem.va.gov

Burial Allowances

In addition to the burial benefits, some veteran’s survivors may also qualify for a $948 burial allowance and $948 for a plot to those who choose to be buried in a private cemetery. And $231 for a headstone or grave marker allowance. To find out if your dad is eligible or to apply, see VA.gov/burials-memorials/ veterans-burial-allowance.v

your lifetime, and at the time of passing. The Power of Attorney documents allow you to designate those agents whom you authorize to help you on your behalf during your lifetime, and the Will/Trust documents allow you to nominate others to help with your estate after your passing, as well as to identify the beneficiaries and the distributions to them, to accomplish your estate planning goals.

As a courtesy, there is no charge for my initial consultation with clients. I have served seniors and their families for over 47 years regarding their medical and estate planning needs.

Greg Lopez will represent GOP in special election to finish Buck’s term

On March 28, former Parker Mayor and two-time candidate for the GOP nomination for Colorado governor Greg Lopez was selected by a vacancy committee to represent the GOP in the upcoming special election to complete Ken Buck’s current term in Congress, which ends this year.

Former U.S. Rep. Ken Buck was in his fifth term representing Colorado’s fourth congressional district (CD4) when he announced on November 1, 2023, he would not seek re-election. Then he unexpectedly resigned his seat nine months early on March 22.

As soon as Buck stepped down, Governor Polis named June 25 as the date for a special election so voters could choose someone to represent CD4 for the rest of this year. That is also the date of the previously

set primary in which the Democratic and Republican standard bearers for the same seat will be selected for the upcoming general election on November 5.

All the significant action in CD4 happens in the Republican party because that district has only sent a Democrat to Congress once in 50 years (U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey 2009-2011).

When the Republican vacancy committee for CD4 met in rural Hugo, Colorado on March 28 to choose their candidate for the special election, the betting money was on one of the candidates who was also running in the primary election. Most people who follow politics believed that, with at least eight candidates in the GOP primary for the permanent seat in November, anyone whose name appeared on both the special election ballot and the primary ballot on the same day would have an advantage over the others in the primary.

It took six rounds of vot-

ing for Lopez to beat his strongest rival, former state Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg, 5146. Lopez told members of the vacancy committee that choosing him would keep the playing field even for the primary candidates because he was only a placeholder and would not compete for the permanent job in November.

Lopez told delegates, “I am not looking to run for office and I am looking to only fulfill the last six

months of this term. Tonight, it’s (about not) giving an individual advantage over their competition.”

Many saw the choice of Lopez as improving U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert’s chances in the primary.

Boebert could not run in the special election unless she resigned her current seat representing Congressional District Three, which she will hold until her replacement is sworn in next January. (Boebert declined to run for re-election in CD3, instead moving to CD4 where she hopes to replace Buck.) Had she resigned her seat early to compete in the special election, Republicans in Congress could have lost their majority if even one of the multiple other incumbents not seeking re-election resigned before the end of their terms.

Fewer people seem to have noticed that GOP primary candidate Deborah Flora, who also chose not to compete in the special election, also benefited from the vacancy committee

selecting Lopez rather than Sonnenberg or any of the other primary candidates seeking the nomination for the general election.

Although Flora doesn’t have nearly the fundraising advantage of Boebert, she has garnered strong support from the women of CD4, starting back in 2022 when she nearly made the primary ballot for U.S. Senate and continuing through the present.

On March 26, she launched the Deborah Flora Women’s Coalition, chaired by former Colorado Lt. Governor Jane Norton. The group’s initial membership list includes state Rep. Brandi Bradley, Centennial Mayor Stephanie Piko, National Federation of Republican Women Board Member Barbara Piper, Centennial City Council Member Robyn Carnes, Aurora City Council Members Danielle Jurinsky and Stephanie Hancock, Lone Tree Mayor Pro Tem Wynne Shaw, U.S. Army Lt. Col. and Parker Town Council Member Laura Hefta, Douglas County Coroner Rae Ann Brown, and local Republican activists Lynne Cottrell, Holly Horn, Jill Cullis, and Kathleen Chandler.

CD4 special election candidate Greg Lopez

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.

DENVER GOP BREAKFAST

APRIL 5, 8-9:30 am. at Morning Story Restaurant 560 S. Holly St., (Holly & Leetsdale). Speaker Drew Bolin, President. Of the Lincoln Club of Colorado.

SOPRANO SARA GARTLAND TO PERFORM AT CENTRAL CITY OPERA’S “THEATRE OF DREAMS” GALA

APRIL 5 at the Cable Center at Denver University. Honoring Judy & Newell Grant. Tickets: centralcityopera.org/gala

SOUL DOG RESCUE NONPROFIT TO HAVE FIRST GALA

APRIL 5 at Denver Museum of Nature & Science. For Tails of Hope tickets: www.souldog.org/gala

MULCH AVAILABLE TO CENTENNIAL RESIDENTS

APRIL 6 & 7, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the city’s Eagle Street Facility located at 7272 S. Eagle St. Bring a tarp and shovel to load yourself. First come, first serve basis. 303-325-8000.

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION WITH DISTRICT ATTORNEY JOHN KELLNER

APRIL 9, 6-7 p.m. Agenda: Retail Theft & Public safety at Lone Tree Hub, 8827 Lone Tree Parkway, Lone Tree. Special Guest: Chief Kirk Wilson, Lone Tree Police Dept. A South Metro Chamber event.

READING, WRITING AND A WARDROBE LUNCHEON TO BENEFIT CLOTHES TO KIDS OF DENVER

APRIL 11, 11:30-1:00 at Wellshire Event Center, 3333 S. Colo. Blvd. RSVP: val@clothestokidsdenver.org

SPRING MIGRATION BIRDING WALK

APRIL 17, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Marjorie Perry Nature Preserve with parking at Belleview trailhead. Bring water , walking shoes, binoculars, and camera. RSVP: 720-767-2452.

CENTENNIAL ANIMAL SERVICES TO HOST OPEN HOUSE

APRIL 17, 6-7:30 p.m. in the Community Room at 7272 S. Eagle St. Information on City’s rules & regulations around owning a pet - visit education stations. Centennial.gov/animalservices

CANCER LEAGUE OF COLORADO GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING.

APRIL 18, 4-6 p.m., Morning Story, 4930 S. Yosemite,

Suite D1C-Greenwood Village. $20 per attendee. Heavy Hors D’Oeuvres and cash bar. Election of officers, nominating committee members and Funds Allocation Committee Members for 2024-2025. RSVP: Laura Shipmen (4lshipman@gmail.com) or Barb Reese (barbarasreece@aol.com

COLORADO BALLET’S THE ONE GALA

Returns APRIL 18 at the Ellie Caulkins Oper. a House in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Tickets: 303-3391618 or COLORADOBALLET.ORG/Gala

CHERRY CREEK REPUBLICAN WOMEN

LUNCHEON MEETING

APRIL 19, 11:00 a.m. Social Time, 11:30 a.m. meeting. Doubletree by Hilton, DTC - 7801 E. Orchard Rd., Greenwood Village. RSVP by April 4 at www. cherrycreekrepublicanwomen.org Cost $36. Speakers: Aurora City Council members, Danielle Jurinsky, Steve Sundberg, Stephanie Hancock.

FRIENDS OF NURSING SCHOLARSHIP

LUNCHEON

APRIL 20 11 a.m. at Cherry Hills Country Club. FON to award $113,000 to nursing students. Rick Crandall will be the Master of Ceremonies. Tickets: 720-891-3412.

ARAPAHOE COUNTY WATER SUPPLY STUDY OPEN HOUSES

APRIL 24, 5-7 p.m. at Smoky Hill Library at 5730 S. Biscay Circle, Centennial. MAY 9 at the Kelver Library, 5855 Main St., Byers. Visit arapahoeco.gov/waterstudy

ANNUAL WAR MEMORIAL ROSE GARDEN

PRUNING WORKSHOP

APRIL 27, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Free event. Bring a sharp pair of bypass primary shears, leather gloves and kneepads. BGrubb@ssprd.org 303-483-7014.

30TH MS COLORADO SENIOR AMERICA

PAGEANT

APRIL 27, 2 p.m. For women age 60 plus. Event at Mizel Arts & Culture Center, Elaine Wolf Theater, 350 S Dahlia St., Denver. Hosts: Ms Senior America 2019-2020 Esmeralda Ybarra Hendrick; Ms Colo. Senior America 2008, Linda Holloway. Tickets at Mizel Arts & Culture Center Box Office. 303-316-6360. ColoSRAmerica.com

CANCER LEAGUE OF COLORADO HOPE

BALL

APRIL 27. Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center. Contact barbarasreece@aol.com for tickets.

MUSEUM OF OUTDOOR ARTS LA

PRIMAVERA FESTIVAL

APRIL 28 11:00 a.m. - 3 p.m. Marjorie Park, 6331

Please call me if you have room to board my trail riding horse. She can stay in a stall, paddock, and or pasture. Former Cherry Hills resident. 303-880-6222

PET & BABY SITTING

In your home. Pets $85/day; Child $20/hr. Exc. Ref. Eileen Murphy 303-704-8638 emm30000@gmail.com

S Fiddler’s Green Circle, Greenwood Village. Pancake brunch, live Celtic music, maypole dancing, basket making, yard games and more. Adult beverage bar. Will also premiere a latest permanent installation of local artist, Lonnie Hanson. Tickets at MOAONLINE .ORG

WHAT’S NEW?

Cherry Creek Republican Women memberships are due. Annual dues are $40 per year for regular members. Info: sstsruna@comcast.net or call 303913-1394.

ARAPAHOE COUNTY 4TH ANNUAL SPRING WINE & CHALK FESTIVAL

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

25TH VETERANS MEMORIAL DAY TRIBUTE

MAY 25, 10 a.m. - noon at Bethany Lutheran Church (4500 E. Hampden Ave., Cherry Hills Village. Honor servicemen and women who gave their lives in service and those that lost a battle with post-traumatic stress at home. View images and biographies of Colo. fallen heroes; show support for Gold Star families, military officers and Veterans in attendance. Free event.

MENTAL HEALTH OF COLO. UNMASKED

JUNE 8, 6 p.m. at Haven in the Pines, 463 E. Happy Canyon Rd., Castle Rock. Theme “Unmasking Discrimination.” Cocktail attire, heavy Hors d’oeuvres. Tickets 720-208-2220.

BOYS HOPE GIRLS HOPE COLORADO

HOSTS 22ND ANNUAL HOPE CHALLENGE

GOLF

JUNE 10. Tournament to be held at Colorado Golf

2024 Lexus NX 450+F Sport Has Hybrid Wings

I have been introduced to some great cars this month.

The factory representatives are clever in how the vehicles are distributed, many of the cars given test rides match up with national TV advertising campaigns. The Lexus pictured in a current TV com mercial is parked in my driveway.

The latest Lexus NX 450h+F Sport is a gas engine/ hybrid, a combination that is starting to capture the market as sole EV vehicles suffer slowing consum er demand, cold weather-related challenges, and a shortage of promised charging stations still in short supply at many locations. The EV vehicles work very well in special circumstances like daily commutes of less than 50 miles, and easy garage plug-in. The electric powered vehicles are smooth as silk to drive,

Club Preservation Trail in Parker. Four-person scramble. Breakfast, 18 holes of golf, drinks,Dinner. RSVP: 720-524-2061.

COMING SOON

LITTLE MAN ICE CREAM in Greenwood Village at Belleview & Yosemite. Now hiring!

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

with instant acceleration, and attractive exteriors and interiors. There are also some attractive tax rebate purchase incentives. If work, and pleasure driving demands match up with the capabilities of the EV cars, go for it. Otherwise, take engine, with the boost hybrid battery assist. The combination will take you on long trips, and you can make an easy trip to Ft. Collins, Pueblo, or Grand Junction without the worry of finding a charging station and the hours it may take for a charge, if the station operates,

and accepts you credit card, no cash payments. The overall mileage for the week exceeded 34 mpg., using gas in the sport high-performance mode.

This week’s test car is outstanding, so good it would be easy to purchase. However, one drawback, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $$60,005. Usually, I drive the car a short distance before looking at the specification sheet in the glove box. In this NX 450h sport’s model, the drive is sensational, so after a day’s drive it was time to check the price on this gem. Initially I was frankly surprised at the lofty price, but at the end of the week the car is worth every penny of the retail price.

This is a sports model that has a 304 total system horsepower,

By H. Throttle

connected to an 8-speed variable transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters. The transmission works well, and the drive was very powerful, I never had to use anything but the D. The engine and transmission were perfectly synchronized and would shift automatically with driving demands.

If I was designing this F-Sport model I would give the front end a more sloping design to make it look more like a sport’s car. The car looks like a conventional sedan with an SUV appearance. The “Ultrasonic Blue Mica” paint is elegant but somewhat mundane for a hot-rod disguised as a cross-over sedan. The interior is compact, with a leather trimmed steering wheel, and a center console computer that controlled almost all the car functions. It is a little hard during the drive, to look at symbols while cruising down E-470 at high speeds. Fortunately, the F-Sport is equipped with the

Lexus Safety System that includes every safety precaution, alert, and road sign assist. Some of the safety features are not standard equipment but on a list of desirable options such as cross-traffic alert, a must in parking lot challenges. The options on the loaded factory model hoisted the price on the test model to $66,535 including paddle lamps at the buyer’s choice. The car has great brakes feeling very firm when depressed. The suspension is that of a race car with front and rear performance dampers riding on 20” alloy wheels.

The final assembly is in Miyakawa, Fukuoka, Japan with superb craftsmanship. This is a superstar all-around hybrid crossover. If you are anywhere near the nation’s best KOA campground in Central City, CO. they have just installed four-public charging stations, a great place to park the camper, stay and charge the vehicle.

THIS FAMILY FRIENDLY FESTIVAL IS INSPIRED IN PART BY THE GAELIC BELTANE CELEBRATION AND EUROPEAN MAY DAY, MARKING THE BEGINNING OF SUMMER (IN THIS CASE, SPRING!). THE FESTIVAL INCLUDES A PANCAKE BRUNCH, LIVE CELTIC MUSIC, MAYPOLE DANCING, FLOWER CROWN AND BASKET MAKING, YARD GAMES, AND AN ADULT BEVERAGES BAR.

THIS EVENT WILL ALSO BE THE PUBLIC PREMIERE OF OUR LATEST PERMANENT INSTALLATION BY LOCAL ARTIST, LONNIE HANZON. HIS "CABINET OF CURIOSITIES AND IMPOSSIBILITIES" IS THE LATEST ADDITION TO MARJORIE PARK AND IS SURE TO DELIGHT ALL AGES! APRIL 28TH