can until last year.
BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENTAL REPORTERUnserialized Firearms and Firearm Components is on its way to Governor Polis for signature after passing the State House on May 5, having passed the Senate on April 28. The bill won the support of every Democrat, except Sen. Kevin Priola, who was a Republi-
SB23-279
No Republicans in either the State House or State Senate voted yes for the bill that prohibits, “on and after January 1, 2024, knowingly selling, offering to sell, possessing, transferring, purchasing, or transporting an unfinished firearm frame or receiver, a firearm or frame or receiver of a firearm, unless it has been imprinted with a serial number as required by federal law.” The bill also prohibits the manufacture
of a frame or receiver of a firearm by anyone who does not hold a federal license to do so.
The bill is supported by 18th Judicial District Attorney John Kellner, who was the Republican nominee for Colorado Attorney General in November 2022. It is also supported by Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman and Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers, both of whom are Republicans, though presently serving their cities in a non-parti-
san role.
Anyone in the state who has an unserialized firearm in his or her possession must have that firearm imprinted with a serial number by a federal firearms licensee by January 1, 2024 for it to be legal.
A first offense under this new law is a class one misdemeanor. A second or subsequent offense is a class five felony.
This is the fifth and final bill of the 2023 legislative
session passed to address gun violence. Previous bills, signed by Governor Polis on April 28, require a three-day waiting period to purchase a gun, increase the minimum age to purchase a firearm to 21, expand the list of those who can request implementation of the red flag law, and allow gun violence victims wider access to sue gun sellers and manufacturers under certain circumstances.
fmiklin.villager@gmail. com
On April 24, the Aurora City Council upheld the decision of its Planning & Zoning Commission’s (P & Z) approving the Echelon at Eagle Bend Multi-Family Site Plan with adjustments on a vote of 8 to 3. Voting to support the project and P & Z were Council Members Crystal Murillo, Steve Sundberg, Ruben Medina, Juan Marcano, Alison Coombs, Curtis Gardner, Danielle Jurinsky, and Dustin Zvonek. Voting against the project and P & Z were Mayor Mike Coffman and Council Members
Françoise Bergan and Angela Lawson.
In Aurora, a land use project that meets the elements of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and other applicable requirements need only be ap-
proved by P & Z. The only role of the city council is to hear an appeal of that decision, should one be requested. That is what
occurred with this project.
Aja Tibbs, senior planner in the city’s planning development services department, told the
council that the property is 14.73 acres on the southeast corner of E. Aurora Parkway and S. Quemoy Way, just east of the Heritage Eagle Bend (HEB) 55-andover Planned Development. She explained that the entire area is governed by the Eagle Bend General Development Plan (GDP) which contains the building and development standards for the area. Development projects must also be harmonized with the applicable zoning standards, the UDO, and the city’s comprehensive plan.
Originally zoned for assisted living, the property was rezoned to multi-family residential in 2006, making that a use by right. It remained vacant until 2022, when a developer, Garrett Properties from Indiana, bought the land to build a multi-family complex named Echelon, which will have 260 units over 10 multi-family buildings, a clubhouse, pool, and maintenance building, plus a dog park and open space path.
Five of the ten residential buildings are two or three stories located along the back and interior of the site. The other five are four stories, located along Aurora Parkway. “Parking requirements are met by a mixture of tuck-under parking, detached garages, and surface parking,” Tibbs told the council.
She went on to explain that city staff and P & Z found the development in compliance with the applicable approval criteria, that it furthered Aurora’s
“Housing for All” principle, and that existing city infrastructure and public improvements have sufficient capacity to serve the development. Tibbs also noted
“The project is compatible with surrounding institutional and residential uses. The proposal has minimal external impacts on the surrounding area and provides housing opportunities for Aurora residents on a vacant parcel designated for multifamily use.”
– Aja Tibbs, senior planner, City of Aurora
Continued from page 2
that the proposal “will improve and expand existing bicycle and pedestrian conductivity through the site in the community through Aurora Parkway.”
Finally, Tibbs said, “The project is compatible with surrounding institutional and residential uses. The proposal has minimal external impacts on the surrounding area and provides housing opportunities for Aurora residents on a vacant parcel designated for multifamily use,” adding that, “adverse impacts are mitigated.”
For those reasons, she reported that P & Z voted unanimously to approve the site plan and adjustments on March 8, 2023.
On March 17, the Eagle Bend Metropolitan District appealed the planning commission’s decision and on March 20, 27 abutting property owners from HEB also filed an appeal. Both were based on the appellants’ belief that the project was not in compliance with the Eagle Bend GDP and that city staff, along with P & Z, had incorrectly determined that the project met applicable standards for architectural style, maximum allowed building height, and usable open space.
Ashley Bedell, vice president of development for The Garrett Companies, testified to the council that, “Since our initial filing in May 2022, we have worked with staff to confirm our project complies with the Eagle Bend GDP and the UDO. This was validated by the approval we received from P & Z on March 8 (which) came after the commission’s careful consideration of the same issues raised on appeal by the neighbors.”
She continued, “The GDP anticipated more intense uses, including commercial and multifamily, would occur along Aurora Parkway, a major arterial.” Bedell went on to describe the great care that had been taken to ensure appropriate setbacks and transition between Echelon and HEB when decisions were made about building types and building placement.
Describing the role of the project in the community, Bedell said, “Not only will this project fill a need for middle housing within the City of Aurora, it will appeal to a variety of residents through two different building types,” referring to the five four-story elevator buildings on the north side of the project, compared to five buildings on the south that will be, “more of a 2 ½ story home that’s more like a duplex or a townhome that has direct entries.”
Finally, she presented a chart showing that Echelon will have fewer units, more parking, and larger setbacks than what is required by the GDP and UDO.
Next, Will Schippers testified to the council on behalf of the Eagle Bend Metropolitan District that the proposed Echelon development did not meet architectural design, height, or neighborhood harmony require-
ments because, “The Garrett four-story Echelon buildings are more representative of a hotel,” and, “It is inconceivable that the authors of the Eagle Bend GDP would have ever envisioned a hotel-type building being a part of any residential area within Eagle Bend.”
Schippers concluded, “The
City of Aurora has no obligation, nor the authority to allow noncompliance with the GDP standards just to make the project financially feasible or desirable to Garrett. The district requests that the City of Aurora not approve the project as designed and recommends Garrett eliminate all four-story buildings,” adding,
We will also offer small-group tours of the historic 17 Mile House and barn. This is a FREE event, but registration is required. Registration:
“When Garrett recently wanted to relocate their offices, they did not choose Aurora. They moved their offices from Lone Tree to the Denver Tech Center,” which shows that, “Garrett is not invested in this community.”
HEB resident James Folk
Continued on page 5
Shred-a-thon is on Sat., May 20, from 8 a.m.-12
in Centennial. Learn more at
“Property and its value is a creation that you gave it back in 2006 when your predecessors on city council created this entitlement. The density and the height are allowed.”
– David Foster, land use attorney, Garrett Properties
I know it’s the beginning of summer when the fruit trees all blossom in the same week. It must be God that sends all the trees a message to shower the nation with the beautiful blossoms that promise another day.
***
I also note that it is the beginning of summer when a bug splashes on my windshield, always right in front of my face on the windshield and the spray and wipers can’t wash the spot. I used some cold coffee to clean the windshield last week, coke also works well.
***
The Villager is enjoying their location at the Streets of Southglenn. We’ll keep on, keeping on, enjoying our work and the wonderful readership that we enjoy from our subscriber base. I think we’ve had some really good newspapers this past year. At least the newspaper judges thought so and readership remains at a high level. We’re really pleased with the tribute edition to iconic figure John Madden Jr. who celebrated his 93nd birthday at his residence in Greenwood
Village. He is truly one of the pioneers of the area and a visionary for our South Metro area.
***
I’m glad the masks have disappeared, very few spotted these days. Most of the senior care centers now do not require masks to enter. It’s been a tough two years dealing with Covid19, but most of us made it through. My nose still runs slightly, which never occurred prior to my two inoculations. Any of you have strange maladies from the shots?
***
I work at home most of the time and then make my rounds for meetings and events. The Cancer League Hope Ball is on the schedule for Saturday night. The event is an extraordinary event put on by volunteers to support cancer victims and research. Gary and Barbara Reece are stellar leaders of the organization, along with dozens of volunteers.
*** Western Conservative Summit is arriving with a bevy of powerful speakers kicking off June 9-10 at a new location from last year’s
Gaylord Event Center. This year the Summit will be held at Hyatt Regency Denver. The event is a chance to hear notable speakers from across the nation and keep abreast of national political activities. The presidential election is already starting to dominate the national news. It appears to me at this point in time that we’re going to have a rerun of the Trump/Biden contest that will be political warfare.
***
On other fronts, I arose at 3:30 a.m. Saturday to witness the King Charles III Coronation. The British Empire still loves their royalty and the pomp and pageantry was magnificent. The impressive ceremony went off perfectly with massive crowds jubilantly cheering on the new king and queen. One of our writers, Anna Lee Frolich, is a 17th great niece related to British royalty and was invited to the resurrection of King Richard III’s tomb discovered in a parking lot. I’m reminded that the founding fathers asked General George Washington if he wanted to be king and he declined the offer. We became a Republic with Democratic principles guided
New Zealand closed its borders due to COVID beginning in February 2020, finally reopening to visitors over two years later, in August 2022. As an island country, border security is far easier than in the US for example.
I had the opportunity to visit recently, for both work and fun, 3 days of each. For work, I am an ophthalmology consultant in the eye department, where I once worked full time about 20 years ago. I have maintained my license and visit once or twice a year to assist in the eye clinic where their national health service has perpetual long wait lists for eye care.
I combined this trip with a hiking and kayaking adventure in the Abel Tasman National Park on the South Island.
Getting to New Zealand is easy but not for the faint hearted as the flight from the US to Auckland is about 12 hours.
Nonstop flights depart daily from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Houston via United or Air New Zealand. Several flights per week depart from Chicago and New York City, but these flights are even longer and out of the way if traveling from Denver.
Fortunately, flights from the US leave at night and if you can sleep on the flight, arrival early in the morning, two days later due to crossing the international date line, is not so bad. Even better is a lie flat business class seat. The day lost going to NZ will be recovered when you return to the US. Clockwise I often arrive home before I departed NZ.
An easy to obtain electronic travel visa is required but there are no longer any COVID requirements, either testing or
by the Constitution.
***
The Nuggets looked tired in Phoenix Sunday night, losing two games, and now come back to Denver tied at 2-2 with the Suns. The Suns shooting has been phenominal. Hard to defeat a team that keeps making three-point shots. Games are really entertaining to witness and Jokic is terrific but looking exhausted.
***
I’m predicting that the Congress will pass a new budget and our government will kick the national debt down the road to September.
Best way to reduce the debt would be to sell all the vacant government lands in the west to private citizens and eliminate the debt and put that property on the tax rolls. It was once proposed as the “Sagebrush Rebellion.” A movement in the western United States in the 1070s and 1980s that sought major changes to federal land control, usage, and disposal policies in 13 western states.
Let Americans own a piece of our country. ***
vaccination. A day in Auckland is a good way to relax after a long flight and chip away at some of the inevitable jet lag.
BY BRIAN C. JOONDEPHAfter that, the adventures begin.
New Zealand has 14 national parks and stunning scenery, especially in the South Island.
From volcanic plains and glaciers to rain forests and fiords, there is much to see and do, especially if you enjoy hiking. The hikes vary in length and difficulty, but there is something for everyone. I recommend the guided hikes where you stay in a comfortable lodge, enjoying a soft bed, hot shower, delicious meal, and glass of wine, rather than bunking in an open hut, especially if it is raining, a frequent phenomenon along their West coast.
New Zealand is mostly cashless, and a credit or debit card will make purchases much easier. Mobile phones work just fine over there. My carrier is AT&T and for $10/ day I can use my phone just as I use it at home – calls, messages, email, and web browsing.
The culture has a British flavor as NZ is part of the Commonwealth, but the accent is distinct from the UK and similar to, but still different than that in Australia. There is also a heavy Māori influence, the Māori being New Zealand’s indigenous peoples.
Although a long trip, NZ is an easy country to visit and well worth it if you are looking for an out of the way adventure. Given the travel distance, I would recommend at least two weeks to get a good taste of the country.
Bon
voyage!PUBLISHER
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Reverend Martin Niemoller “In Germany, the Nazis first came for the communists and didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a communist. Then they came for the Jews and I didn’t speak up because wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics and didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me and by that time there was no one left to speak for me!”
2020 Member
Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.
– Oscar Wilde
Continued from page 3
testified next on behalf of 825 other residents of HEB whose names were included in documents submitted to the council. His claims of non-compliance generally mirrored Schippers.
Folk also asserted that the four-story buildings, were “as high as a six-story building,” when “placed on top of the proposed topography.”
He said that Garrett’s renderings showing that areas near detention ponds were usable for recreational activities were, “wrong and deceptive,” and that, if the areas that are not usable are not counted, usable open space would be 38%, not the required 45%.
After City Council Member Danielle Jurinsky elicited from Folk that HEB was comprised of 1,442 homes containing 2,500 residents, she noted, “I have received several emails from HEB residents supporting this devel
opment,” and, “I understand your HOA board supports this development.”
Later, David Foster, land use attorney for the developer, testified that the 2006 rezoning allows multi-family development at 25 units per acre (that calculates to 368 units—this proposal is for 260) and that, “Property and its value is a creation that you gave it back in 2006 when your predecessors on city council created this entitlement,” adding, “The density and the height are allowed.”
As the council voted on whether to sustain the appeal or
support P & Z’s conclusion, only Council Member Bergan talked about why she voted as she did (to reverse P & Z), saying, “Although city staff and planning commission believe it meets all requirements,” there were “in-
consistencies between the GDP and the UDO” and she “has issues with the height.” Bergan also said she disagreed with the established City of Aurora policy of accepting payment in lieu of requiring a park, adding,
All of us have a short shelf life. As we get older, our social lives diminish. Some of us lose our spouses or long-time friends to death. Research suggests that when this happens, many do not invest the time in getting to know others to keep up with the robust social connections they once had to keep themselves happy and healthy. Many studies show the correlation of social connections to health. One recent study linked low socialization to the risk of developing dementia. Dementia is a global health challenge and social connections appear to lower the risk of suffering from this debilitating disease.
People who are socially engaged exercise their cognitive skills such as memory and language. Spending time with others is good for mental well-being, correlates with being physically active and a high level of life satisfaction and happiness.
Those that move into retirement homes might be surrounded by others, but the quality and nature of their relationships are superficial. Recently, the Center for Relationship Education team was retained to host a pilot 4-week workshop in a retirement community. The residents who attended were excited to learn new skills. One of the articulated expec-
tations of the group was to learn how to go deeper in relationships. One resident said he wanted to learn, “What do you say after, ‘How are you?’
The workshop presenters were effective in getting the reluctant residents to participate in icebreakers, dancing, music and conversation starters. There was laughter, engagement, skills acquisition and connection. We could tell that this group of seniors was captivated by the activities, the discussions, and the lighthearted atmosphere that was created.
The following workshops from one week to the next were more populated by the residents than the week before. Word of mouth about the fun was increasing the class attendance from week to week. There was a buzz in the retirement facility. The Center for Relationship Education team was delighted to serve seniors in the development of new social supports and connections.
Many of the goals around the work of the Center for Relationship Education is to increase health and well-being through thriving and satisfying relationship development. Additionally, the professional team desires to decrease loneliness and isolation among all age groups. The rate of teen suicide in Colorado increased
by 58% in 3 years, making it the cause of 1 in 5 adolescent deaths. This is shocking!
Social isolation and loneliness are huge risk factors for depression and suicide ideation. The US Surgeon General just released a report
entitled, Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation, the US Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community. This report outlines that social connections are essential and that we
“Traffic is going to be a huge issue,” despite city traffic engineers concluding it met applicable standards, and, “Parking is an issue,” despite meeting GDP requirements.
fmiklin.villager@gmail.com
need each other. We need to belong, to be affirmed, to be comforted, to be heard, encouraged, valued, known and respected. We need our lives to have meaning to ourselves and to others. That is why all of us, no matter what age, need positive social connections. joneen@myrelation shipcenter.org
“The Garrett four-story Echelon buildings are more representative of a hotel…It is inconceivable that the authors of the Eagle Bend GDP would have ever envisioned a hotel-type building being a part of any residential area within Eagle Bend.”
– Will Schippers, Eagle Bend Metropolitan DistrictResidents of HEB came to show they were against the project.
The 15th State of the State Luncheon championed by Denver Southeast Rotary
Club (DSE) was held at the Denver Mariott Tech Center. After Rotary introductions and formalities, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser gave opening remarks about the mental health crisis especially releated to teens.“Thank you Rotary for dedication to opening
eyes to what’s going on in our world!” He stated the combating of the opioid crisis is a team sport and encouraged visiting the website:opioids@coag.org.
“I am hopeful for the future, “ he said. Keynote Speaker, journalist and author Sam Quinones sat down with Emcee
Kim Christiansen as moderator to relate his inspiring history and passion and powerful message. (So meaningful and thoughtful – with not enough space here to share!) “It’s national poisoning we’re dealing with,” he said.”It didn’t begin with the drug dealers, but doctors and Big Pharma on the legal side.” How do we get our arms around this? “Start with
with family conversations and get rid of the coddling. Some kids are wising up and there’s a ripple effect.” He mentioned examples of finding ways to rebuild communities such as what happened in Hazard, Kentucky and Portsmouth, Ohio. “Small synergies make big social change. Little solutions become big solutions!”
The Rotary Club of Denver Southeast thanks Rotarians for Mental Health, Rotary Clubs and Rotarians in District 5450 and all other friends and colleagues for making the 15th Annual State of the State Luncheon and Mental Health Symposium a success.
The Rotary Club of Denver Southeast is a diverse group of people of action committed to service above self and improving the world locally and internationally. Find out more about us at www.dserotary.org
The Colorado Celebrity Classic started as the brainchild of Lynne and Bo Cottrell in 2005 to bring singer-songwriters to Colorado for a fun evening of music and patriotism. That has grown to a 400+ person event with premier entertainers, live and silent auctions and fantastic friends and support for our military families. In 2023, the Cottrells will be stepping
down as directors of the event. “We will be honoring their legacy of service to TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors),” said President and Founder of TAPS Bonnie Carroll, ”They have brought awareness to the services TAPS provides for military survivors as well as building a strong group of supporters for TAPS. We are forever grateful.”
“Our passion for TAPS has only grown since Bo and I were first introduced to it 18 years ago. It has been the most humbling and rewarding experience for us to be able to help and honor the many TAPS survivors…they will be forever in our hearts.”
- Lynne CottrellFor 18 years the Colorado Celebrity Classic has been hosted in Denver to raise crit-
ical funds for the military survivors in Colorado and to share the Taps mission with those who are in need of TAPS services. Currently TAPS is supporting over 3.000 Coloradoans who are grieving the deaths of a military loved one. The classic is responsible
for $350,000 - $400,000 each year to support these families.
On September 9, 2023, the unique TAPS fundraiser will be held at Wings Over the Rockies. The western-themed gala evening will feature country legend Pam Tillis and singer/songwriter Gary Morris. There will also be a special performance by Franki Moscato, an American Idol Gold Ticket winner. For more information, please visit TAPS.org/Colorado.
Guests mingled while cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were served at the prestigious Buell Mansion in Cherry Hills Village when Central City Opera (CCO) Guild held its Spring Membership event. Early arrivals
included Pam Banbach. She and husband Dutch are sponsoring this season’s Kiss Me, Kate. The highlight of the evening was the performance of two sopranos – Meg Ozaki Graves and Daniela Guzman accompanied by Cody Guy Garrison. For information about the Central City Opera 2023 Festival schedule and opportunities for Guild membership and its exciting programs: centralcityopera.org or 303.292.6700.
CCO Guild President–Elect Katie Grassby, CCO Music Director John Baril
LEFT: Cathy Groene who co-chairs CCO Historic Properties, Mike Ewert who was the Buell Mansion host and Christina Dinegar who chairs the CCO Planting Day
RIGHT: The entertainment - Cody Guy Garrison at the piano, Daniela Guzman/Soprano and Meg Ozaki Graves/Soprano
“Experience Amazing” arrived in the driveway this week with the delivery of a Lexus RX 350 F-Sport all-wheel drive SUV. The bright blue of the sleek sedan is described as “Grecian Water.” The ocean must be very blue around those Greek oceans.
The F-Sport is mid-size and has a 2.4L turbo engine linked to a versatile eight-speed transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters. Fuel economy averaged 21.1 overall with freeway and city driving.
The all-wheel drive vehicle is comfortable to drive, powerful, and loaded with safety features, but not rated yet for safety scores. However, safety features are many with the Lexus Safety System; lane tracing assist, curve speed manage-
By H. Throttlement, departure alert, blind spot monitor, and cross traffic alert.
10 airbags make up the total safety package.
An interesting sidelight… the car is equipped with a camera, apparently aimed at the driver. A message comes on the dash screen, “ Your eyes are closed” as an alert, a second message, “cannot detect your face, sit up.” Never had a vehicle observing the driver. My eyes weren’t closed, and I raised the steering wheel so the camera could see my face that was partially hidden.
The RX-350 has a 9.8-inch
screen that operates like a computer and the driver can scroll music selections, artists, and popular songs.
Usually the screens don’t scroll, but this is the latest improvement, just don’t go scrolling while driving at high speeds on E-470.
I found the entertainment system somewhat hard to navigate but under constant ownership, just a matter of figuring out what buttons to push, or what computer app to tap. Sound and station controls are located in the steering wheel frame for easy hand control. Again, the auto industry is pushing center dashboard
When William Urnick began experiencing pain in his neck and under his arm, he tried to ignore it. “It was just simple chest pains, and not in the places you would expect to have a heart attack,” William explains. “It wasn’t in the middle of my chest; it was under my left arm and right at my neck. But it wouldn’t go away.” As the pain persisted, William, a 69-year-old oil and gas retiree, decided to go to the local ER at The Medical Center of Aurora (TMCA) to find out what was causing his pain.
“When I got there, Dr. Sancaktar was the first one I talked to. He did an angiogram and found that all four arteries were 100% blocked,” William recalls. “I was the walking dead guy.” Because the blockage was too severe for a stent, Orhan Sancaktar, MD, a cardiologist with Aurora Denver Cardiology Associates (ADCA) at TMCA, referred William for lifesaving heart surgery at the hospital.
After the surgery, William spent nine days in the ICU, 15 days on a step-down unit and another 10 days at Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital. Today, William is healthy and grateful. He explains, “We all have the same goal, to live a healthy, long, happy life. It’s been 27 months since surgery and I’m doing great.” Living
just a few miles from the hospital, William continues his care with Dr. Sancaktar, but proudly shares that, because his heart is doing so well, he only needs to visit twice a year. In the meantime, he is back to walking local malls and spending time with his family.
William’s story is one example of the many lives changed by ADCA and the TMCA heart program. This year, ADCA is celebrating 50 years of bringing the highest quality, advanced heart care to the Aurora community.
Advanced heart care, close to home.
In July 1973, ADCA founder Dennis Battock, MD was fresh out of the Army where he’d served as a cardiologist at Madigan General Hospital at Fort Lewis Washington. Returning to Colorado, after being on the faculty at the University, he started solo practice at Rose Hospital in Denver and subsequently began seeing heart patients in Aurora at what would become Aurora Denver Cardiology Associates. In December, 1974, Aurora Community Hospital (now The Medical Center of Aurora) opened its doors. At that time, patients like William were being transferred to a downtown Denver hospital for heart interven-
tions such as surgery or catheterization. But Dr. Battock believed he could offer more to the Aurora community. He began adding partners to his practice, growing the service and reach of ADCA.
Within a few years, he and four other founding physicians (Drs. Barry Molk, John Haas, Robert Baum and Jerry Greenberg) began advocating for the growth of the heart program at Aurora Community Hospital through cardiac interventions. Because they believed so strongly in the community’s need, they launched the Colorado Heart Institute—a cardiac catheterization lab based at The Medical Center of Aurora—in 1987. One year later, the heart surgery program was launched in Aurora. This changed the landscape of cardiac care in Aurora; patients who needed heart interventions could be treated right at their community hospital.
“From 1987 on, we’ve been able to provide virtually every cardiac service that’s available,” Dr. Battock explains.
“Over the years, it’s evolved, but our vision to have Aurora offer tertiary care in cardiology has been accomplished. Our one lab has grown to four labs and what was once a small-time practice has become one of the largest cardiology practices in Colorado.”
screen controls, but as a result, there is an alarming number of front-end collisions based upon I-phones usage and/or central console trolling while driving.
Another safety tip is to always adjust the rearview mirrors before driving.
alloy wheels, rides higher, has a full sliding panoramic moonroof, roof rails, and a power lift truck. The truck space is adequate, but not spacious.
There is a long list of special options from a base price of $56,600 upward, with additional features like triple beam LED headlights at $1,565. The options are nice and add to the overall comfort and value of the vehicle to suit consumer tastes and pocketbooks.
Lexus has blind spot warnings, it is very important to have those rearview mirrors placed exactly with the seat positioning.
The F-Sport rides on 21”
The RX-350 has final assembly in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.
Overall, the vehicle is comfortable, attractive, turbo acceleration, and has strong safety systems.
Lexus is a solid chose.
In addition to their work in bringing cardiac interventions to Aurora, ADCA doctors were also pioneering heart care. Drs. John Haas and Barry Molk performed the first successful coronary angioplasty in Colorado in 1981 Then, in 2001, Dr. Nelson Prager led the effort to create the Cardiac Alert™ program. This partnership between physicians, the hospital and EMS is now the national standard of care for treating patients who are experiencing a ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
“It’s like seeing your baby grow up,” Dr. Battock ex-
plains. “We have always been at the forefront and kept up with the latest and greatest. And what we believed in then and is still true today is that it is a cooperative effort to keep on top.”
Thanks to the vision and efforts of Dr. Battock and his founding partners, ADCA has cared for tens of thousands of patients, saving lives, and preserving heart health for patients just like William.
To learn more about ADCA or to find a physician, visit ADCAcardiology.com. To learn more about heart care at The Medical Center of Aurora, visit us online.
When photos of two students at Campus Middle School (CMS) with swastikas drawn on them spread through the community on the day the school presented a program about the Holocaust recently, it led to the reporting of other acts of antisemitism at that school and at West Middle School (WMS).
The May 8 regular meeting of the Cherry Creek Schools Board of Education (CCSD) drew nearly 100 students, parents, and community members, as well as the regional director of the Anti-Defamation League Mountain States Region (ADL), to publicly report about these incidents and demand that CCSD take necessary actions to create a safe environment for its Jewish students.
The first mother to speak reported that her daughter was taunted with negative Jewish stereotypes and told, “Hitler didn’t do a good enough job.” She said other children felt that they had to hide their Jewish identity to avoid being targeted and that the board needs to “address the system and rampant antisemitism so that our children will feel safe again.”
Another said her two sons
at WMS “were Nazi-saluted, called (a slur for Jewish people), and told to take German showers,” adding, “During the Kanye West antisemitic media coverage, there were chants of support in the hallway for Kanye and his views (that) terrified our kids; they did not feel safe at school.” After that, she said, she and her husband noticed that their sons’ attitude about their faith changed. “They became self-deprecating about being Jewish, in order to be part of the joke and not the butt of it.”
The next mother said her daughter was taunted with Nazi salutes by two boys at CMS. After reporting the incident to school administrators, the girl and a friend who was with her when it happened, reviewed hallway security footage and
identified the boys by their yearbook photos. But, the mother reported, the boys received only a warning “because the footage was blurry,” and, “CMS was concerned about legal ramifications.” In her view, whatever programming is currently being used to address bigotry is not working and, “Antisemitism must be called what it is, not the generic ‘hate speech.’”
A sixth-grade student who attends CMS told the school board about a conversation she had with a classmate whose 8th-grade brother had been disciplined for making antisemitic remarks. When she told her classmate that behavior was wrong and she was Jewish, he said, “You should go back to the gas chamber, too.” After reporting the incident, she said she did not feel safe at school
The Zoo Will Provide New Homes and Care for Three Animals from the Juan A. Rivero Zoo
Denver Zoo is proud to be part of the efforts to rescue animals from the recently-closed Juan A. Rivero Zoo in San Juan, Puerto Rico. After being contacted by colleagues at another AZA-accredited institution, which is one of many organizations helping to monitor, evaluate and place the animals, the Zoo has determined that it can provide a new home for
a red kangaroo, crested porcupine and marabou stork.
The Zoo’s animal care and health teams are currently coordinating their shipment to its 84-acre campus with their colleagues at The Wild Animal Sanctuary, which is also bringing in a number of these animals.
“We have many rescued animals currently living here at the Zoo and take the responsibility of bringing in these animals very seriously,” said Bert Vescolani, president and CEO of Denver Zoo.
“We’re fortunate to have the space, resources, and animal
health and care expertise to provide the best possible care and home for these three animals; and glad we can assist in this coordinated effort with other organizations dedicated to the care and wellbeing of wildlife.”
The three animals from Puerto Rico will go through quarantine behind the scenes at the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Animal Hospital after they arrive. The Zoo will announce when and where guests and members can see the new additions at a later date. For more information, visit DenverZoo.org.
because it did not appear that her classmate had suffered any consequences for his action. She got visibly upset as she recounted what happened and had to leave the room.
Ido, an eighth grader, said he came from a Jewish day school in California where he only knew antisemitism “as a theory,” but has “experienced it multiple times” since coming to CMS. “I was told I need to leave this school because I’m Jewish,” he said. He was given a Nazi salute and invited to participate in a game with the words, “Come play basketball with us, you Jew.”
In class, Ido said, “The school teaches about World War II but doesn’t mention one of the biggest genocides in history. Is the brutal execution and torture of six million Jews not significant enough during World War II studies? International Holocaust Day isn’t even mentioned…Jews are only 2.4% of the population in the United States, yet over 55% of the hate crimes are against Jews. Extreme situations require extreme actions. At WMS, kids drew swastikas
on notebooks and on lockers. At CMS, it was on kids’ hands. What else needs to happen for something serious to take place? I thought I’d be the only one here talking about antisemitism. It’s unfortunate so many people have these issues.”
Scott Levin, regional director of the ADL, told the school board that there were 490 reported incidents of antisemitism in K-12 schools last year, up 49% from the year earlier. He acknowledged the administration of CMS in seeking out programming for its students, but since it’s the end of the school year, it is unlikely anything would happen. He asked the school board to be proactive, pointing out, “If we’re trying to change the culture and climate around antisemitism, we can’t wait to do it until after these incidents take place.”
CCSD board member Kristin Allen and Superintendent Chris Smith addressed the issue of school safety as it relates to these types of incidents directly. We will have more about what they said next week. fmiklin.villager@gmail.com
BY FREDA MIKLIN STAFF WRITER
As Emily Miller, a 7th grader at Campus Middle School in Greenwood Village, considered her upcoming Bat Mitzvah, she looked for ways to contribute to her community that would be meaningful. The literal translation of “Bat Mitzvah” is Daughter of the Commandments. According to the laws of the Jewish faith, it signifies the time in one’s life where she (he if it’s a Bar Mitzvah) becomes responsible for her actions. No longer are parents religiously accountable for their children’s behavior.
One of the main tenets of Judaism is the concept of “Tikkun Olam,” an idiom that refers to the responsibility of Jews to take actions to leave the world in a better condition than they found it—to repair the world in some fashion.
It is that sense of duty that led Emily Miller to Urban Peak, a homeless shelter in downtown Denver for teenagers. A year before her Bat Mitzvah, Emily began bringing food to Urban Peak with her family and helping serve it to the teens there. Sometimes they cooked the food they brought. Sometimes
they got other families to cook and picked up the food and brought it there. Sometimes they got it donated from places like Maggiano’s, Fire Bowl, Tzatziki’s Restaurant, Nonna’s Italian Bistro, and even Crumbl Cookies. “Lots of restaurants were really great about it,” Emily told The Villager, “but others we asked for donations said no, so we just kept going.”
She also asked for monetary donations for Urban Peak when she could and picked those up and delivered them with the food. Sara Miller, Emily’s mom, told us, “If they don’t get donations of food, they have to scrounge and find what they can. They don’t have a very
big kitchen to cook in. There are usually about 50 kids there and they are very dependent on donations.”
For Emily, talking to teens at Urban Peak was eye-opening. She said, “Some family relationships aren’t the greatest and people don’t have a home. Once a fight broke out while we were setting up and serving the food. It had nothing to do with the fact that we were there with a meal, but they had to close the kitchen and move us away from the area. I feel really grateful to have a house, food on the table, and a great family.”
Emily also loves animals and has been volunteering at MAMCO Rescue, Moms and Mutts
Colorado Rescue for Pregnant and Nursing Dogs on West Oxford Avenue in Sheridan. There, she helps check in people who might adopt dogs. She also cleans up dog poop because that is what needs doing.
We wanted to know how Emily’s parents, Herb and Sara, imparted the importance of giving back. Sara explained, “As parents, we’ve taught our children the important Jewish value of Tikkun Olam, repairing and improving the world through acts of love and kindness. Part of taking on responsibility as a Bat/Bar Mitzvah means giving back to our community as we are not in this world as just individuals but connected to one another. As a family, we put this into practice by volunteering in
food drives, donating meals to homeless shelters, and encouraging our kids to do the right thing when nobody’s watching. Every act of kindness matters and it’s up to each of us to do our part.”
When she grows up, Emily hopes to be a physical therapist or a sideline sports reporter. Whatever she does, she wants to work with people.
To learn more about how you can get involved with Urban Peak, please visit www.urbanpeak.org or contact Andrea Alcala at 303.974.2951 or andrea. alcala@urbanpeakorg.
You can support MAMCO via their website, https://mamco rescue.org.
fmiklin.villager@gmail.com
The USMC Memorial Foundation hosted an onsite tour and ceremony followed by dinner featuring former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, Admiral Harry B. Harris and military leaders.
More than 140 distinguished guests attended the reception and dinner to raise awareness and funding for the Memorial renovation. Former US Ambassador to South Korea Admiral Harry B. Harris presented a keynote address before an audience of military leaders, business leaders, service members and public officials. A highly decorated veteran and seasoned diplomat, Harris was also the first American of Japanese descent to lead US Pacific Command.
Earlier in the day, a
crowd of enthusiastic supporters toured the Memorial the same morning and got the chance to pay their respects and heard a detailed rundown of the renovations that donors and contributors will fund. Over 1000 Marines, sailors, soldiers, guardsmen and airmen were interviewed to come up with the design.
For event photos, visit: https://usmcmemorialfoundation.org/press-photos-ofapril-29-events/
What began in 1974 as the passion project of a lone Staff Sergeant, Cyrus “Bo” Bowers, who dedicated his life to the Eagle, Globe and Anchor, the Memorial has become a veteran and civilian effort with nationwide reach and global impact. The Memo-
rial is the only one of its kind to honor Marines who have served no matter the conflict, recognizing their
valiant honor, courage and commitment protecting the country since the inception of the Corps.
Now there is a memorial which authenticates the motto that “Marines never retire.”
The ONE Club for Creativity – Denver hosted an evening of creative excellence at The Fillmore Auditorium. The 17th Annual Paper Fashion Show, the largest and longest running paper fashion show in the nation, included art directors, designers, writers, illustrators, photographers, videographers, animators and educators.
The first place winner was Tickle Me Pink by designers Brielle Killip and Christopher Geissinger, with help from team Blue Linen Creative, who drew inspiration from Yayoi Kusama and Jean Louis. The second place winner was Pétale d’Amour by designer Caley Kenney and team, Berséy. They drew inspiration from the one and only, Claude Monet. Third place was awarded to It’s Yonic, Look it Up by designers
Tia and Gianna Tarka, assisted by Team Tarka who drew inspiration from Georgia O’Keefe. Teams spend hundreds of volunteer hours to meticulously create the inspiring fashions.
Each team designs one (1) unique fashion to be presented on the runway. Designs may be for men or women or unisex and are not limited to dresses. Paper is provided by Spicers Paper and the paper
mills they represent at no charge and can be written on, printed on, painted on, dyed, manipulated, etc. Binding techniques such as sewing, glue, tape, and wire are allowed. Teams may use their own model or you may use one of our professional models (highly suggested) for free. Fashions must abide by the 90% paper rule to be eligible for competition. A panel of judges will judge each fashion and category winners will be recognized with individual recognition, followed by trophies also constructed of paper.
Are you familiar with the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office K-9 School Resource Officer Therapy Dog program??
One of the largest programs of its kind in the country, it pairs therapy dogs with our community’s school resource officers to provide comfort and support to students in crisis. These dogs are trained to provide emotional support, reduce stress, and help students with special needs. And because dogs are so amazing and versatile, these K-9s are also certified or in the process of training for certification in firearm, explosives and electronics detection.
This program is funded through donations to Back the Blue K-9. As you can imagine, there are many costs associated with the care and maintenance of these pups!
Wondering how you can help continue funding this program? This is where Scenthound comes into play! Scenthound (Centennial West) and Scenthound (Smoky Hill), owned by Christy and Jim Boswell, are revolutionizing dog grooming in Arapahoe County. They provide wellness-based grooming services that focus on the routine hygiene dogs need each month. Scenthound has created more than 20 full-time jobs in the community, providing employment opportunities for dog lovers and animal care professionals.
Scenthound is more than just a business, it’s a community. In addition to providing jobs and services to the local community, Scenthound also gives back by participating in fundraising events for local animal organizations and donates monthly grooming services to the amazing Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office therapy dogs—Rex, Zeke, Riley, Bear and Otis. For the month of May, we will be collecting additional donations for the SRO K-9 program, offering a chance to win a free year of Escentials membership with us! Any donation will count as an entry into this raffle- your contribution will make an impact, whether you donate $5 or $500. Every little bit helps!
Christy always had a passion for dogs and knew she wanted to operate a business that would positively impact the lives of pets and their owners. She discovered Scenthound, which Tim and Jessica Vogel founded in Florida about eight years ago, and re-
cently started franchising. One of the unique aspects of Scenthound is its membership-based services.
Pet parents sign up for monthly memberships to budget for their dog’s basic hygiene and grooming needs and ensure that their dog receives regular care.
Scenthound offers a range of services for dogs- including the core services of bathing, ear cleaning, nail trims, and teeth brushing. Additional services such as haircuts and plaque reduction treatments are available as well. Pricing is a la carte, meaning pet parents only pay for their dog’s needs. Each service is performed by a trained animal care professional dedicated to providing the highest level of care to every dog that comes through its doors. Members also receive discounts on additional services and products, such as deep conditioning and flea and tick treatments. Additionally, Scenthound has a mobile app allowing pet parents to easily schedule services and view their dog’s health-based scorecard at every visit.
In their mission to provide routine hygiene for dogs, Scenthound is, in turn, improving dogs’ overall health and happiness. Regular hygiene can help prevent periodontal disease, improve circulation, and boost a dog’s immune system. Regular grooming also means a cleaner and more pleasant-smelling companion at home.
Christy, is thrilled with the success of her businesses and the positive impact they have had on the community. “I am so grateful for the support we’ve received from the community and for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of so many dogs and their owners,” she says.
Scenthound Centennial West is located at 7529 S University Blvd, Centennial 80122 and Scenthound Smoky Hill is located at 20269 E Smoky Hill Road, Centennial 80015. Both locations are open seven days a week. For more information on their services or to become a member, visit their website (www.scenthound.com) or call (720) 823-8180 or (720) 7843218.
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The transfer portal . . . CU departures . . . transgender athletes . . . the pitch clock . . . sports betting . . . the Rockies . . .
They’re all in the news, and I’ve commented on them before.
But recent developments have provoked additional thoughts I wish to share. This column, after all, is named, “Under Further Review.”
The portal:
Almost two dozen members of the University of Colorado football team have entered the NCAA Transfer Portal SINCE the Spring Game a couple weeks ago.
I said previously that I thought allowing student-athletes to change schools without losing eligibility—to, in effect, rectify a mistake they made when they chose the colleges they’d attend—is fair. I still feel that way. (This year, more than 6,000 student-athletes have entered the portal.)
But there should be limits.
This business of deciding to walk out on programs after spring football is too much. So is being able to abandon a basketball team virtually anytime after March Madness concludes. Same is true for any other sport.
The NCAA should establish ONE window for each sport, a single defined period following the conclusion of its season.
CU departures:
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Deion Sanders, upon his arrival at the University of Colorado, bluntly stated that he hoped many players returning from the 1-11 football team of 2022 would leave.
And he’s getting his wish. More than 50 student-athletes have entered the portal since Coach Prime came on the scene. All but a dozen scholarship players from last season are gone.
In an interview last week, CU Athletics Director Rick George told ESPN, “He’s trying to build a winner . . . and this is his way to do it.”
The flip side of granting young athletes a second chance to find the right program is, of course, allowing coaches a redo on personnel mistakes, too. But to what extent?
Transgender athletes:
The debate continues over allowing biological males to participate in girls’ and women’s sports.
All-America swimmer Riley Gaines is now a target of protesters because she outspokenly opposes allowing trans women to compete against female athletes.
I wonder if those who favor treating biological males as women have ever played any sports themselves, and if they have daughters who have or do.
Maybe this issue would come to a head if a few big guys who couldn’t make their schools’ basketball teams declare that they’ve transitioned and show up for women’s basketball, then dominate because they’re taller and stronger.
The pitch clock:
Recently I noted that several Major League Baseball teams have extended beer sales through the eighth inning because the pitch clock has sped
up games, as intended, thus cutting short beer-selling time.
There’s another consequence, one my granddaughter called to my attention.
Some players’ walk-up songs are too long to be completed before the batter must step up to the plate and be ready to face the pitcher.
Most notable, she pointed out, is Charlie Blackmon’s.
She attended Opening Day and noticed that the beginning of Chuck Nazty’s ode was shortened—progressively with each succeeding at-bat until, in his fourth plate appearance, it reached the part where the crowd chimes in “TOOONIGH-IGHT before he stepped into the batter’s box.
University of Alabama
baseball coach Brad Bohannon was fired last week for allegedly betting on his team’s game against top-ranked Louisiana State.
Two bets placed at a betting kiosk at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati led to an investigation.
Major League Baseball suspended Pete Rose for FOR LIFE for betting on his team while manager of the Cincinnati Reds. Now, MLB allows that team to offer IN-STADIUM sports betting.
Does anyone else see irony here?
Expect other sports betting-related scandals. The temptation is too great.
Bad luck continues to haunt the Rockies. German Marquez has joined Brendan Rodgers among key players lost for the season, and Noah Davis, the first rotation reinforcement, already is temporarily sidelined.
Late last week, Yonathan Daza was dumped, which likely means the Youth Movement is underway, beginning with Brenton Doyle joining Ezekiel Tovar.
Unless this team overachieves in a major way between now and June, don’t be surprised if the Rockies are sellers this summer.
It won’t surprise me if Randall Grichuk, C.J. Cron, Jurickson Profar and, yes, hot-hitting Elias Diaz are available for prospects.
Their departures would make way for Zac Veen, Drew Romo and Michael Toglia.
Denny Dressman is a veteran of 43 years in the newspaper business, including 25 at the Rocky Mountain News, where he began as executive sports editor. He is the author of 15 books, nine of them sports-related. You can write to Denny at dennydressman@ comcast.net
SB23-303 Reduce Property
Taxes and Voter-approved Revenue Change was introduced in the State Senate on May 1, one week before the 2023 session of the Colorado legislature was required to end, and right after Coloradans received their county assessors’ notices containing 35% to 45% increases in market value from the prior assessment date of June 30, 2020 to the current one, June 30, 2022.
Three days later, on May 4, the bill passed the Senate with zero Republican votes and moved on to the House. On the morning of May 8, the final day of the 2023 legislative session, GOP Minority Leader Mike Lynch asked that the entire bill be read “at length, just so that we know what’s in this,” which is his right. A computer then spent the next one hour and 38 minutes “reading” every word of the 63-page bill to what was undoubtedly an empty chamber before discussion of the bill began in earnest.
Sen. Lisa Frizell (R-45) pointed to the last-minute introduction of the bill, despite
the fact that, “We all knew… we had to have a conversation around property tax policy this session…Each of us walked in here (in January) knowing that there had been a dramatic increase in property values,” including the governor’s office.
Frizell, former Douglas County assessor, pointed out that this bill reduces the rate by which the actual value is multiplied to get the assessed value by less than one percent, while property values have increased 30% or more. “How is that relief?” she asked, recommending that the bill be defeated and the general assembly return in a special session, “so that we can come
back and fix this problem for our citizens; they deserve it.”
Minutes later, Democrats asked that the bill be moved back to later in the day.
Throughout the process, Republicans consistently complained that the money being used to fund the proposed property tax reductions in the bill would come from money that would have otherwise been the basis of TABOR refunds, so citizens were essentially being paid with their own money. Democrats argued that this solution was the best approach to the problem, given all the circumstances, which they described in detail.
When the final vote in the
Anyone driving around during the years of the COVID-19 pandemic probably noticed long-expired license plates on the road, including temporary tags and out-of-state plates.
After complaints from citizens, the legislature passed a new law, HB22-1254 Vehicle Taxes and Fees Late Regis-
tration, which went into effect right after Governor Polis signed it on June 7, 2022.
The law gives new residents of our state 90 days to get their vehicles registered. Failure to do so will result in the imposition of a $25.00 fine.
Colorado residents who buy a new or used vehicle from a dealer are also required to buy their plates in a timely manner. It is their responsibility to pay attention to the expiration date on their temporary paper plate.
We found that out the hard way. After buying a twoyear-old vehicle from a local dealer, we placed our temporary paper plate on the back of the car and waited for the post card that told us our paperwork was complete so we could buy our permanent license plates.
It finally arrived in the mail two months and two days after we bought the car. We immediately went online to buy the permanent plates, only to find out that, in addition to the cost of registering
our car, which isn’t cheap in Colorado, we were being assessed a $25 late fee.
After a few calls to the county clerk, we found out that the notice telling us our paperwork was complete did not arrive until after our temporary tags expired. We soon discovered that the reason our paperwork was processed late by the county clerk was they did not receive the documents from the dealer until 50 days after we bought the car, something we could not have known. To add insult
House was called just after 7:30 p.m. on May 8, all GOP House members walked out and did not vote. Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie marked all 19 of them absent and the vote was won 39-7 with only Democrats participating.
With concurrence of the State Senate to late amendments, the bill was passed. Its final fate rests on voter approval in November.
If it is approved, residential property owners with lower-priced properties will experience a more significant savings impact than those with higher priced homes.
We will have more details about how this plan will work for residential and non-residential properties next week. fmiklin.villager@gmail.com
to injury, the county clerk did not have the authority to waive the $25 late fee. If we wanted to get license plates, we had to pay it.
That didn’t seem fair, so we filed State of Colorado form DR2468 Late Fee Review and Refund Request to ask for the $25 late fee to be returned. It worked! Our refund request was approved and the fee refunded, but it would have been much easier to be proactive and extend the date our temporary plates would be valid, instead of waiting for the notice that the title work was complete.
Keep your eye on the expiration date of your temporary plates.
fmiklin.villager@gmail.com
Motherhood is a role that requires endless patience, strength, and unconditional love. But despite the immense joy that comes with being a mom, it can also be overwhelming and exhausting at times. That's why I want to encourage everyone to take some time this Mother's Day to celebrate the hard work that moms do and to show them how much they are appreciated.
One of the best ways to help a mom relax and enjoy some much-needed time to herself is by taking dinner off her plate. Charcuterie is the perfect indulgence for a busy mom who deserves a break. It's a tasty and convenient way to unwind, whether she's enjoying it with a glass of wine or simply snacking while reading a book or watching her favorite show.
More than just a delicious treat, charcuterie is a way to
show your love and appreciation for the woman in your life. It's a thoughtful gesture that says, "I see all the hard work you do, and I want you to take some time to relax and enjoy yourself." Of course, there are many other ways to celebrate the women in your life this Mother's Day. You could make her breakfast in bed, take her out for a special meal, or simply spend time with her doing something she loves. But whatever you do, make sure that it's
a way to show her just how much you care.
If you're a mom reading this, I want you to know that you are doing an incredible job! Whether you're a stayat-home mom or a working mom, whether you have one child or five, you are making a difference in the lives of your children every single day. You are teaching them, nurturing them, and loving them in a way that only a mother can. And while it may not always be easy, know that
your hard work is appreciated and valued more than you can imagine.
So this Mother's Day, let's all take a moment to celebrate the amazing moms in our lives. Let's show them how much we love and appreciate them, and let's give them the gift of relaxation and self-care. And to all the moms out there, I hope you have a wonderful day filled with love, laughter, and lots of well-deserved pampering. Happy Mother's Day!
A Million Things is a debut novel by Emily Spurr, which was released in 2021. I was impressed and rushed to the finish. The main character is ten-year-old Rae. The reader gets to spend fifty-five days with her as she looks after herself and her dog when her mother disappears. We also get to see the life of Rae’s grumpy neighbor Lettie. The two form an endearing friendship. Gradually Rae’s world unravels and then bursts as Rae is not able to manage alone without her mother.
The author took care to write about delicate subjects with compassion and insight. I find myself thinking about the book days after reading it and savoring the creative way the author chose to speak about abandonment and resilience. Spurr is an author I will now
Greenwood
Greenwood was published in 2020 by author Michael Christie. The novel is a multi-generational saga spanning the times of 1934, 1974, 2008, and 2034. It would appeal to tree lovers or those who enjoy the forest. The setting is Canada, and the Greenwood family is an odd collection of characters. They all seem to fall on hard times. Each of the time periods focuses on a family member or two, and I got a feeling for each generation. The majority of the book seems to focus on the 1934 time period, but the book begins and ends in 2034.
I appreciated this quote from one of the female characters: “Take heart, she seems to say. The world has been on the brink of ending before. The dust has always been waiting to swallow us. People have always struggled and suffered. Your poverty is not shameful. It is not a failure of your character. Life, by its very nature, is precarious. And your struggles are never for nothing.”
I got a sense of the plundering of forests that has occurred in history
To learn more about Lisa and her books, visit her website, www.LisaJShultz.com.
To read more book reviews, follow her on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/
LisaJShultz. Lisa loves speaking to groups, and she would be happy attend your book club. Call her at 303-881-9338.
follow, and I look forward to seeing where her writing goes from here.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THE BUSINESS?
My journey in the World of Wine & Spirits started about 13 years ago upon accepting employment in the grocery and liquor business. My passion arose from there and I never looked back.
WHAT DO YOU WANT BUYERS TO KNOW ABOUT WINE?
We want buyers to know that we have a diverse portfolio of wines from around the world, tasted and selected by our well educated and enthusiastic wine team.
WHAT IS A NICE MOTHER'S DAY WINE TO SERVE OR PURCHASE AS A GIFT?
A Gruner Veltliner, a white grape variety from Austria and Hungary. It's crisp acidity and green profile give a "fresh and tangy" taste. It's a powerful wine which embodies our mothers on their special day.
To learn more about Lisa and her books, visit her website, www.LisaJShultz.com.
To read more book reviews, follow her on Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/
LisaJShultz. Lisa loves speaking to groups, and she would be happy attend your book club. Call her at 303-881-9338.
and modern-day times as well. We are indeed losing trees to the lumber industry, disease, fire, and other forces. Trees have a rich history and story to tell unto themselves. Add some intriguing personalities into the mix, and you have a good story. It is a long book, but I enjoyed it.
Give the gift of a subscription
WHAT WINE IS YOU PERSONAL FAVORITE?
My favorite wine is Garnacha (Grenache). Grown in Spain or France, it has vivid cherry and fruit flavors, medium bodied and bright acidity. Garnacha is food friendly wine!
MOVING INTO SUMMER, WHAT WINES DO YOU RECOMMEND?
The best summer wines are Pinot Grigio, Rosé and Chardonnary. These varietals are bright, light and creamy. Pairs well with spring and summer foods.
WHAT’S A PHRASE YOU LIVE BY? A MANTRA?
Very simply, "Let your passion drive you!"
mollysspirits.com
303-773-8313
The community is invited to hear local crime and award-winning author Stephanie Kane who will speak about her new release True Crime Redux on Wednesday, May 17, 7 pm via the Zoom platform. The book recounts Kane’s personal experience with an Arapahoe County murder 50 years ago. The presentation will be followed by an audience Q&A.
The murder of Betty Frye had gone unpunished for decades when Kane, ex-wife of Betty’s son, first decided to
tell her story by fictionalizing the homicide. The result was the novel Quiet Time, which helped bring a forgotten cold case roaring back to life. In her newest book, True Crime Redux, Kane depicts the events leading up to the murder and its fascinating, decades-long aftermath. It offers a raw, revealing look at the criminal justice system from the vantage point of a lawyer with the shoe suddenly on the other foot – thrust into the role of witness in a cold case investigation and
prosecution. Kane is a lawyer and award-winning author of seven crime novels. After graduating from law school, she was a corporate partner at a top Denver law firm before becoming a criminal defense attorney. She has lectured on money laundering and white-collar crime and given workshops across the country on writing technique. Her crime novels have won a Colorado Book Award for Mystery and two Colorado Authors League Awards for Genre
Fiction.
Additional copies of Kane’s books will be available to purchase from The Bookies via thebookies.com.
To register for the event and for information on how to access Zoom, visit arapahoelibraries.org or call 303-LIBRARY (303-542-7279).
About Arapahoe Libraries
Arapahoe Libraries serves 250,000 patrons and includes eight community libraries, a
District Court Arapahoe. County 7325 South Potomac Street Centennial, CO 80112
Case Number: 23 DR 312 Division 25
Parties Petitioner: Kasope Oluwagbenga Sotinwa
Co-Petitioner: Jason Dodge Lawyer or Party filing: Kasope Oluwagbesa Sotinwa
The court has reviewed the Petitioner’s request for service by:
The court now makes these finds: The Petitioner has used due diligence to have the Respondent personally served and has not
Street Centennial, CO 80112 (303) 649-6355
real estate situate in the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado, to-wit: LOT 8
said County Treasurer issued a Certificate of Purchase therefore to MUNICIPAL POINT CAPITAL LP;
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO, IN THE INTEREST OF ELIZABETH ANN MATTOCK, Child,
Upon Petition of the Arapahoe County Department of Human Services and JENNIFER ANN MATTOCK, PETITIONER, and Concerning: SETH T. MATTOCK AND NEIL BROOKSHIER, RESPONDENTS, Tracy Rumans Attorney Reg. #34218 Assistant County Attorney 14980 E. Alameda Drive, Ste 38 Aurora, CO 80012
Telephone: (303) 752-8900 Fax: (303) 752-8901
Case Number: 22 JV 47 NOTICE TO ESTABLISH PATERNITY AND CHILD
That said tax lien sale was made to satisfy the delinquent general taxes assessed against said real estate for the year 2018;
That said real estate was taxed or specially assessed in the name(s) of JOSEPHINE L. HARRIS for said year 2018;
That said MUNICIPAL POINT CAPITAL LP, on the 1st day of December, 2022, the present holder of said Certificate, who has made request upon the Treasurer of said County for a deed to said real estate;
That a Treasurer’s Deed will be issued for said real estate to the said MUNICIPAL POINT CAPITAL LP, on or about the 12th day of
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: You are hereby notified that a Petition has been filed to establish paternity and support for the above-named child. You are an interested party. You are further notified that the Petition is set for hearing at 7325 South Potomac Street, Centennial, CO 80112 in Division 21 on June 27, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. You are further notified that if you fail to appear, the court may still enter an order.
Published in The Villager
Published: May 11, 2023
Legal # 11213
jail library and a Library on Wheels in Arapahoe County, Colorado. For more information, visit arapahoelibraries. org.
CITY OF GLENDALE
PUBLIC NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE
The following ordinance was passed before the City Council of the City of Glendale, Colorado, on the 2nd day of May 2023, and was ordered published by said Council:
CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO ORDINANCE NO. 2
SERIES OF 2023
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO, REVISING THE WATER
CONNECTION PERMIT FEES OF THE WATER ENTERPRISE
Copy of the ordinance is on file at the office of the City Clerk and may be inspected during regular business hours.
Dated the 4th day of May 2023
City of Glendale, Colorado Veronica Marvin, City Clerk
Published in The Villager
CONNECTION FEES OF THE WASTEWATER ENTERPRISE
Copy of the ordinance is on file at the office of the City Clerk and may be inspected during regular business hours.
Dated the 4th day of May 2023 City of Glendale, Colorado Veronica Marvin, City Clerk
Published in The Villager
Published: May 11, 2023
Legal # 11211
CITY OF GLENDALE PUBLIC NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE
The following ordinance was passed before the City Council of the City of Glendale, Colorado, on the 2nd day of May 2023, and was ordered published by said Council:
CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO ORDINANCE NO. 4 SERIES OF 2023
September, 2023, A.D., unless the same has been redeemed.
Said property may be redeemed from said sale at any time prior to the actual execution of said Treasurer’s Deed.
Witness my hand this 28th day of April, 2023, A.D.
Michael Westerberg Treasurer Arapahoe County
Published in The Villager
First Publication: May 4, 2023
Last Publication: May 18, 2023 Legal # 11200
Published: May 11, 2023
Legal # 11210
CITY OF GLENDALE PUBLIC NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE
The following ordinance was passed before the City Council of the City of Glendale, Colorado, on the 2nd day of May 2023, and ordered published by said Council:
CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO ORDINANCE NO. 3 SERIES OF 2023
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO, REVISING THE SEWER
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO, ADDING SECTION 1.21 REGARDING COLLECTION OF FINES, FEES, COSTS ASSESSED BY THE GLENDALE MUNICIPAL COURT
Copy of the ordinance is on file at the office of the City Clerk and may be inspected during regular business hours.
Dated the 4th day of May 2023 City of Glendale, Colorado Veronica Marvin, City Clerk
Published in The Villager
Published: May 11, 2023
Legal # 11212
NOTICE AS TO AMENDED 2022 BUDGET AND HEARING GREENWOOD ATHLETIC CLUB METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an amended budget will be submitted to the GREENWOOD ATHLETIC CLUB METROPOLITAN DISTRICT for the year of 2022. A copy of such proposed amended budget has been filed in the office of Greenwood Athletic Club, 5801 South Quebec Street, Greenwood Village, Colorado, where same is open for public inspection. Such proposed amended budget will be considered at a hearing at the special meeting of the Greenwood Athletic Club Metropolitan District to be held at 10:00 A.M., on Thursday, May 18, 2023. The meeting will be held via video conference at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86093809475?pwd=O W13cVUzSEErdFRjZ1pZcklGR3J4Zz09 and via telephone conference at Dial-In: 1-719-359-4580, Meeting ID: 860 9380 9475, Passcode: 443485. Any interested elector within Greenwood Athletic Club Metropolitan District may inspect the proposed amended budget and file or register any objections at any time prior to the final adoption of the amended 2022 budget.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: GREENWOOD ATHLETIC CLUB METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
By: /s/ ICENOGLE | SEAVER | POGUE A Professional Corporation
Published in The Villager
Published: May 11, 2023
Legal # 11214
CANCER LEAGUE OF COLORADO
HOPE BALL MAY 13
Hyatt Regency Aurora, Denver Conference Center. 5:30 - Midnight. Rene’ Green and Ms. Colorado 2023 Queen Joanie Ryan are 2023 honorary co-chairs. Tickets: barbarareece@aol. com/info@cancerleague.org
WOOL SPINNING AT 17 MILE HOUSE OPEN HOUSE
MAY 13, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Discover how animal wool is spun into sweaters. Try wool carding by hand and dye your own sheep’s wool. Smallgroup tours of the 17 Mile House and barn located at 8181 S. Parker Rd. Centennial. FREE event but registration is required at www. arapahoegov.com/17milehouse.
NATIONAL ASSOC. OF LETTER CARRIERS STAMP OUT HUNGER
FOOD DRIVE
MAY 13, leave a non-perishable food donation in a bag by your mailbox. Your letter carrier will collect the items and will get the food to a local food bank or pantry.
SPRING WINE & CHALK ART
FESTIVAL
MAY 13 & 14. Sponsored by Arapahoe County. Sample wines from 15+ Colorado wineries, watch chalk artists bring their masterpieces to life, enjoy live music and entertainment. $10 discount for the first 300 tickets sold! 21+ over only, tickets at arapahoecountyeventcenter. com.
MEET STEPHANIE KANE: AUTHOR OF ‘TRUE CRIME REDUX’
MAY 17, 7 p.m. via the zoom platform. The book recounts Kane’s personal experience with an Arapahoe County murder 50 years ago. The murder of Betty Frye had gone unpunished for decades when Kane, ex-wife of Betty’s son first decided to tell her story of fictionalizing the homicide. The result was the novel “Quiet Time.”To register for the event and info, visit arapahoelibraries.org or call 303-542-7279.
FREE ALZHEIMER’S EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE
MAY 17, 10 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Univ. of Denver’s Fritz Knoebel Events (2022 E. Evans Ave., Denver). Learn from experts in the field of Alzheimer’s disease, brain heath, and caregiving. To register, go to www.alzfdn. org/tour
ARAPAHOE COUNTY TELEPHONE
TOWN HALL
MAY 18, 6:30 p.m. Call-in number 1-855436-3656.
ART WINE & DESIGN FUNDRAISER
MAY 18, 6:30-9:00 p.m. To raise funds for ACC’s Art & Design programs and ACC Foundation general scholarships. Location: Art & Design Complex, 2400 W. Alamo Ave., Littleton. Registration required to attend. 303-797-4222.
ARAPAHOE COUNTY SHRED-ATHON
MAY 20, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. at 13101 E. Broncos Parkway in Centennial. Info: arapahoe sheriff. org
VETERANS MEMORIAL DAY TRIBUTE
MAY 27 FROM 10 a.m. - noon. Honoring Colorado Fallen & Gold Star Families with Special Recognition of Vietnam War. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Paris Peace Accords. Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E. Hampden Ave., Cherry Hills Village.
ARAPAHOE COUNTY ANNUAL
REPUBLICAN LINCOLN DAY
DINNER
JUNE 3, 5:30-9:30 at the Double Tree DTC, 1701 E. Orchard Rd., Greenwood Village.
Keynote speaker Thomas J. Baker, acclaimed author of “The Fall of the FBI”. Tom is a 33-year FBI Veteran and legend of the FBI. He will tell how a once great agency became a threat to democracy. He will have a book signing.
Jimmy Sengenberger will be the Emcee & Auctioneer. Tickets: www.arapahoerepublican. org Cutoff date is May 25 at 4 p.m.
TESORO CULTURAL CENTER
ANNUAL INDIAN MARKET & POWWOW
JUNE 3 & 4 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., both days. A celebration of American Indian Art, Culture, and Dance at The Fort: 19192 Highway 8, Morrison. Adults $15, Children 7-12 $10, 6 & under Free. Free parking.
ARAPAHOE COUNTY STATE OF THE COUNTY
JUNE 7, 7:30-10 a.m. Arapahoe County Fairgrounds and Park.
WESTERN CONSERVATIVE SUMMIT
JUNE 9-10 at Colorado Convention CenterDenver. For tickets, sponsorship, and exhibit info., visit WesternConservativeSummit.com. Call 1-866-455-8500.
SOUTH METRO CHAMBER GOLF
TOURNAMENT
JUNE 12, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Meridian Golf Club. Registration now open. Info: 303-795-0142.
NOURISH MEALS ON WHEELS
THEATER NIGHT
JUNE 14, Reception 6-7 p.m. A signature fundraising event. This year features a special performance of the Tony Award-winning musical Memphis. Fabulous food, fun, raffle prizes and toe-tapping entertainment. Tickets online at https://bebids.me/nourish23/tix
SAVE THE DATE - CANCER LEAGUE OF COLORADO ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
JUNE 19, 2023, The Ridge at Castle Pines North.
ART SMART SUMMER
June 26-July 24. The Children’s Art School invites young artists to a summer of creative
discoveries. Three hour morning and afternoon sessions at 2290 South Clayton St. in the University Park neighborhood. Info: visit www. artcreates.org
DENVER LYRIC OPERA GUILD DLOG SUMMER PARTY
AUGUST 12. A French-themed Luncheon at Columbine Country Club. Tickets available at the DLOG website in mid-June. SAVE THE DATE!
COLORADO UPLIFT KIDS NEED HELP
The Guild is asking for support for 55 kiddos in need of some basic hygiene items. Click on https://www.signupgenius.com/ go/10COA4BA4AD29A6F94-tween for details.
“WHAT’S NEW? CHERRY HILLS GARDEN & HOBBY CLUB SEEKING MEMBERS
In existence for 60 years to serve Cherry Hills Village residents and has expanded to include Greenwood Village residents. Programs cover a variety of topics from antiques to zinnias and include a holiday luncheon. Dues - $35/ year. Meetings held March - Dec. on the fourth Tues. of each month from 10 a.lm. -noon in members’ homes. Please attend a meeting as a guest. Info: Wendy, 303-803-0512.
AURORA HAS NEW INTERIN CITY MANAGER
Jason Batchelor was sworn in as Interin City Manager of the city of Aurora on March 27. Jason will act as the City Manager as the city finds a replacement of Jim Twinkly, who recently retired.
WHAT’S NEW? THREE AREA
REGAL MOVIE THEATERS CLOSE
Locations: Regal Continental at 3635 S. Monaco St. Pkwy in Denver; Regal Cinebarre Greenwood Plaza at 8141 E. Arapahoe Road in Greenwood Village, and Regal Meadows at 9355 Park Meadows Drive in Lone Tree.
