Plum Creek Garden Market springs into gardening season with five locations in 2024.
As the weather warms up and Colorado gardeners begin planting, Plum Creek Garden Market is ready to provide premium, locally-grown flowers and plants, including perennials, annuals, vegetables, fruits, herbs, decorative grasses, and of course, gorgeous hanging baskets.
“Every year we are proud to offer hundreds of carefully selected and sourced varieties,” said owner Jeremy Friedman. “This year’s locations will be teeming with
CASTLE ROCK
441 S. Perry St. Castle Rock, CO 80104 (720)630-1461
ERIE
130 Wells St. Erie, CO 80516 (720) 693-0544
GOLDEN
911 12th St.Golden CO 80401(720) 692-8153
GREENWOOD VILLAGE AT ASPEN ACADEMY
2342 E. Orchard Road Greenwood Village, CO 80121 (303) 945-9308
LITTLETON (Aspen Grove Shopping Center) –7301 S. Santa Fe Dr. Littleton, CO 80120 (720)693-1161
ALL LOCATIONS NOW OPEN
gorgeous selections. We are especially pleased to feature the 2024 Flower of the Year, the fragrant and auspicious peony, “King of Flowers,” as well as the 2024 Annual of the Year, the vivid “Supertunia Vista Jazzberry.”
You can find Plum Creek’s local garden markets in Greenwood Village, Castle Rock, Littleton, Erie and Golden, see below for addresses.
Depending on weather, Plum Creek’s markets are open through July.
Annual and Flower of 2024 are subject to availability due to seasonal readiness.
GARDEN MARKETS OPEN ALL ALONG THE FRONT RANGE! We partner with the best local greenhouses to help Coloradans plant remarkable gardens. Brighten your home and neighborhood with the highestquality annuals, perennials, veggies, herbs, and other decorative plants.
The American Legion Post 1 hosted a Forgotten Heroes Campaign Awards Ceremony on April 27. More than 100 friends and family members filled the room for this wonderful event at which five veterans were honored with the presentation of a shadow box display of the military awards and service emblems.
U.S. Air Force Brigadier General David Warner (Ret.) emceed the event. Jan Weber from the Quilts of Valor Foundation presented a Quilt of Valor to the veterans. These brave men were recognized with a total of 105 medals and awards for their service while in uniform. Each of the men receiving the awards spoke briefly of their time in the military and those defining moments that they can never forget. It was truly a touching event, with lots of “sweating
eyes” moments of the family and friends gathered at the Post.
The Forgotten Heroes Campaign is proud to prepare and present these awards to these honored veterans, together with the Quilts of Valor Foundation. Thank you to all our brave men and women that have served our country!
The Value of Networking
I have many memories of The Cancer League of Colorado ball events. Reflecting back years, sitting on the balcony level of The DTC Hyatt hotel visiting with venerable Mort Marks and Francis Salazar, while our wives were bidding on the remarkable silent auction. Edie Marks, Mort’s wife, served as Cancer League President in 1996-97.
BY BOB SWEENEY
Speaking of the silent auction, I really liked the paper auction bids rather than the computer phone method used this past Saturday night at the 55th Emerald Anniversary Hope Ball. The paper bid sheet reflects who is bidding and what price the items are trending. Anyway, it is easier at the end of the evening to total up the bids and collect the credit card totals. It is what it is…but job well done.
I remember the many artists who donated paintings to the Ball. Among the greatest was famed wildlife artist Larry Fanning who is still survived by his wife Wanda Fanning. So many memories, Jake Jabs of American Furniture bidding on auction items, and Doug Moreland buying jewelry for his wife even after donating a car.
We were honored to be guests of Arlene Mohler Johnson this year who was the Sponsorship chair along with Barbara Reece. Arlene has been a constant supporter in the war against cancer.
This year’s 55th Emerald Anniversary was another banner year under the presidency of Gary Reece and his wife Barbara taking The Cancer League to new heights. Thank you to the Reece team.
Looking back over many years, I recall Cancer League President Michael Ann Hanzel, 1994-95, and volunteer Judith Girard calling on me to solicit a contribution. They brought me a mason jar of canned cucumber pickles from Judith’s garden. They got a check for the pickle
gift! That same year Judith and husband Larry were sitting with us at the Ball, and I sold them a raffle ticket for Dealin’ Doug’s Jeep Wagoneer, and they won the jeep and drove it for years. Incidentally, Judith’s funeral was April 23rd at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Lo, and behold, there was Michael Ann Hanzel, as pretty and perky as always. Larry Girard was Arapahoe County Republican chairman back in the early 2000s. I first met the Girard’s at a State Republican Convention in Ft. Collins. It was boiling hot that day and they were sitting right behind me during the long day and Judith was having a heat stroke. We shared drinks and became lifelong friends. Larry passed away a decade ago, leaving his wife Judith, and two sons Steven, Clayton, and daughter Cynthia.
It is graduation time at our local high schools. Eager graduates will be heading off to various careers, the military, colleges and universities, trade schools, and just new jobs. The cost of higher education has become preposterous, but still a necessity. One of the competitive advantages of seeking a higher education is learning the art of networking. The key to success in almost any field is learning how to network with people. Sadly, a skill that is not widely taught in many universities but can be learned from others in organizations like The Cancer League, service clubs such as Lions, Rotary, Optimists, and Kiwanis Clubs. Also, you can meet large numbers of interesting people participating in the political party of your choice. I have met many Republicans, Democrats and independents down through the years attending political events. Another great way of meeting business people is the local business chamber that hosts monthly networking events promoting individual businesses. Lastly, if you want to improve social relationships, find a Dale
Carnegie class or a local Toastmaster program. Graduating students, fortunate enough to be heading off to college, consider joining a Greek organization, either a fraternity or sorority. You will make lifetime friends. When I return to Colorado State University for class reunions the majority of the alumni attending belonged to Greek organizations. The bottom line, the more you participate in life, the more you will receive back in personal relationships and lasting lifelong friendships. What you learn about life isn’t all learned from reading a book or sitting in class.
Going back to The Cancer League of Colorado, my wife Gerri, and I, became lifelong friends with David and Glory Weisberg. Glory was our society
editor at The Villager for 30 years and I sponsored David into The Denver Lions Club. He became the first male president of the Cancer League in 2004-2005. They both rocked!
My advice to new graduates, and young and older folks, get involved and stay involved. Life is short, make the most of it.
Many people are experiencing surprising Property Tax increases this year.
Did you know if you are over 65 years old and have lived in your primary residence for 10 years you may be eligible for a Property Tax Credit of 50% of the first $200,000 of actual value of the qualified applicant's primary residence?
Visit our website at www.firstamericanstatebank.com/news-press/ for an overview and official links to detailed eligibility requirements, application instructions and forms.
BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER
The planned University of Northern Colorado College (UNC) of Osteopathic Medicine became a reality when Governor Polis signed HB241231 State Funding for Higher Education Projects this week. The new law provides $127.5 million to get the program up and running, along with funding for three other health education programs in the state.
According to the fiscal note accompanying the leg-
islation, “The bill directs the State Treasurer to execute a lease-purchase agreement of about $247 million total by December 31, 2024, to fund capital construction projects related to health care education for the construction” of the osteopathic college and:
• Construction of the Health Institute Tower at Metropolitan State University of Denver;
• Construction of the Veterinary Health Education Complex at Colorado State University;
• Renovation of the Valley Campus Main Building at Trinidad State College.
The path for UNC College of Osteopathic Medicine began two years ago when SB22-056 UNC Osteopathic Medicine Degrees was signed into law on March 17, 2022 authorizing the new medical school as an exception to the exclusive authority in medicine held by the University of Colorado’s health science campus.
In addition to financing the construction of facilities for all four medical education projects listed above, this year’s bill also includes $41 million for UNC to finance the costs of the accreditation process for the new osteopath-
ic school.
The funding bill, whose prime sponsors were Senators Kyle Mullica (D-24) and Barbara Kirkmeyer (R-23), along with Representatives Mary Young (D-50) and Lindsey Daugherty (D-24), says that the new medical college “will enroll 150 graduate-level medical students in a fouryear medical degree program every year,” to address “the urgent need to train providers for rural and other underserved communities.” UNC hopes to admit its first class in Fall 2026.
UNC College of Osteopathic Medicine will be the
state’s third school of medicine.
The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora was established as the University of Colorado School of Medicine in 1883 in Boulder. The school moved to 9th & Colorado Boulevard in Denver in 1924 and relocated to its present home in stages beginning in 2004, taking the name of Philip Anschutz in 2006 to honor the sizable donations he and his wife made to the campus.
Rocky Vista University (RVU) is a private osteopathic medical school located at 8401 S. Chambers Road in Englewood. The nation’s only for-profit medical school, RVU admitted it’s first class in 2008 and has additional locations in Utah and Montana. fmiklin.villager@gmail.com
Bob, oh Bob! Stop all this nostalgia! Going down memory lane with you is a blast! We so enjoy your columns and writing style. It’s as if we were all having coffee together at your breakfast room table. May I join you on this journey? Welcome Paul Tamburello to the burbs! Having established a reputable business “Little Man Ice Cream” in North Denver, Paul has returned home. I can remember Paul at Arapahoe High School growing up with our kids, the Turley clan. Welcome back to the neighborhood! Lest we not forget the Stellar boys, all AHS graduates and all successful on their own
paths. It appears Michael Stellar has bought and sold almost every house in the area. Congratulations and thank you for your commitment to our beautiful city. Arapahoe High School did a yeoman’s job in preparing our young people for today’s challenges and opportunities. I love to see how successful our young people have become and especially how they are giving back to the community. Keep on “Rambling” Bob! Memories are precious! Kathy Turley
The Villager encourages letters to the editor. Letters should be no longer than 350 words and are subject to editing for length, clarity and libel. Priority will be given to submissions about the newspaper’s content and/or issues of community concern. A phone number, not for publication, should be included for verification purposes. Letters must be emailed to gerri@villagerpublishing.com. Please include city of residence.
The Colorado Secretary of State’s office has made it official. The June 25 primary races to determine who will represent the two major parties on the November 5 general election ballot for Colorado’s eight seats in the Congress have been set.
In Congressional District One (Denver) there is no primary in either party. 14-term incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette will face Republican Valdamar Archuleta on November 5. There is also no primary competition in Congressional District
Two (Boulder and Fort Collins), where three-term incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse will face Republican Marshall Dawson, who also challenged Neguse in 2022, when Neguse got 70% of the vote and Dawson garnered 28% with three minor party candidates in the race.
In Congressional District Three (CD3), our state’s largest district by land mass that encompasses most of the western slope, two-term incumbent Republican
U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert declined to run for re-election, instead moving to Windsor on the eastern slope to compete in CD4. Former Aspen City Council Member Adam Frisch, who nearly beat Boebert in 2022, has no primary competition and will be the Democratic standard-bearer for CD3 in the November general election.
Six Republicans are on the primary ballot in CD3. They are, alphabetically, Russ Andrews, Ron Hanks, Jeff Hurd, Curtis M. McCrackin, Stephen A. Varela, and Lew Webb. Whichever of those six receives the highest number of votes on June 25 will face Frisch on November 5. The winner does not need to have a majority of the votes cast. Any plurality is sufficient.
In Congressional District Four, which includes most of the eastern slope, there are two separate elections on June 25.
The general election ballot will have Republican Greg Lopez facing Democrat Trisha Calvarese to fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of for-
mer U.S. Rep. Ken Buck. The winner will hold that office until January 2025 when the person who triumphs on November 5 is sworn into office. Calvarese is competing for the nomination in that race. Lopez is not. That brings us to the second race in CD4 on June 25, the primary for the November election.
In addition to Trisha Calvarese, Democrats Ike McCorkle and John Padora Jr. are also running for the right to represent their party in the CD4 general election.
On the Republican side, six people are running in the June 25 primary to be their party’s candidate in the CD4 general election on November 5. They are, alphabetically, current CD3
U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, Deborah Flora, State Rep. Richard Holtorf, State Rep. Mike Lynch, former State Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg, and Peter Yu. Here, also, any plurality wins the race in a primary.
In CD5 (El Paso County), there are two candidates from each of the two major political
parties competing for the nomination on June 25.
Democrats River Gassen and Joe Reagan are on the CD5 primary ballot, as are Republicans Jeff Crank and Dave Williams.
The Republican and Democratic primary ballots for CD6 (Aurora, Centennial, and Littleton) will each contain only one name. There is no competition in the primary within either party.
Three-term incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Jason Crow will face Republican John Fabbricatore on November 5. Likewise, in CD7 (Golden, Lakewood, Arvada, and Broomfield), one term incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Brittany Petterson will face Republican Sergei Matveyuk in the general election in November. Neither have primary opponents.
In CD 8 (Brighton, Commerce City, Greeley, Northglenn, & Thornton), one-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo will face either Republican State Rep. Gabe Evans or Janak Joshi, depending on which of the two comes out on top in the June 25 Republican primary. Both Caraveo and Joshi are medical doctors.
The 100 people who gathered at Maggiano’s DTC on April 23 for a meeting of the Capitol Club of the Colorado Republican Party heard keynote speaker western slope Congressional District Three (CD3) U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert talk about why Congressional District Four (CD4) voters on Colorado’s eastern slope should send her back to Washington.
Boebert is in her second term representing CD3 but declined to run for re-election there. The 2024 Democratic candidate for CD3, former Aspen City Council Member Adam Frisch, nearly beat Boebert in 2022, losing by 546 votes out of 327,282 cast. The most recent campaign reports available from the Federal Election Commission show Frisch has raised a total of $12.2 million and has $5.8 million on hand as of March 31, 2024. Boebert has been the most successful fundraiser out of the six people running for the Republican nomination for CD4, having brought in $3.4 million, though she had spent all but $980,000 of that total as of March 31, 2024. Also greeting the luncheon guests at Maggiano’s were selected GOP candidates running in the
June 25 primary, including former state Rep. Ron Hanks, running for Boebert’s old job in CD3, Darcy Van Der Jagt, hoping to get the GOP nod for district attorney in the new 23rd Judicial District, and Dave Williams, who is running in CD5 and is also the chair of the Colorado Republican Party. Not included in the program were 11 other Republican candidates for Congress competing with Boebert, Hanks, and Williams in the June 25 Republican primary.
Also not included was George Brauchler, former 18th Judicial District Attorney who is running against Van Der Jagt for the GOP
nod for the new 23rd Judicial District. You can read more about them above.
in the applicable Republican Assembly/Convention.”
Many rank and file members of the state GOP have cried foul because the Colorado Republican State Central Committee has made endorsements for the June 25 primary, something that was not done in years past. When asked, party officials pointed to the bylaws of the State Central Committee that were amended recently to say that the Committee will not endorse or support any candidate who “has gained access to the primary election ballot but has not participated
The bylaws even say that the Committee “may oppose any candidate who has gained access to the primary election ballot outside of the Assembly/Convention process.”
It has long been common practice in Colorado for candidates in nearly all elective offices to get on the primary ballot via petition rather than going through the assembly process because one must get 30% of the votes at assembly to get on the ballot. In races with
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multiple candidates, it is mathematically difficult to get 30%.
The argument has also long been made that party assemblies draw only the most active insiders in party politics and candidates can gain access to the primary ballot with a small number of votes, whereas the petition process shows support from a cross-section of the population because it requires a large number of signatures, e.g., candidates for Congress had to get 1,500 valid signatures from party members in their districts to qualify for the primary.
This year, there are six Republicans running for the nomination in both CD3 and CD4. In both districts, five out of six got on the ballot via petition.
Hanks told the gathering that he wants to go to Washington, “solely for the purpose of helping Trump and draining the swamp.”
Williams said, “We’re going to back up President Trump and bring back our America First values,” noting he’s been endorsed by Trump and
U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz. Boebert, whose has also been endorsed by the former president, told the group she voted to renew FISA (Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act) for 40 days as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. Then, she said, “The Intel Committee (chaired by Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Turner) hijacked the legislation…and (Republican) Speaker Mike Johnson caved to the Intel guys,” adding, “Instead of the reauthorization being
five years, which would absolutely skip over President Trump’s new administration, we got (it) down to two years.”
On the recent bipartisan foreign aid bill passed by the Congress, Boebert asserted that “$9 billion of that is going to Gaza and we know exactly who controls Gaza (thus we are) funding both sides of the war (in Israel).”
Asked if she would support a motion to vacate Speaker Johnson, Boebert said, “We already have a
(Democratic U.S. Rep.) Hakeem Jeffries as Speaker. We may as well. We have passed more legislation with Democrat approval out of the House since he’s become Speaker than with Republican approval. However, if Mike Johnson is successfully vacated, I know that there are at least three, four, or five of my corrupt Republican colleagues that would either resign immediately or they would vote for Hakeem Jeffries…So I cannot risk supporting a motion to vacate.”
Van Der Jagt told the crowd, “Over the last couple years, we have seen what Democrat liberal policies actually lead to. Nobody wants to go to Denver,” adding that if she is asked to appear in court for a client in Denver, “My rates double, because I don’t want to be attacked and mugged and my car all banged up and scratched up…I don’t want to be talking to drug dealers, people who are tweaked out on some fentanyl and other drugs...” She said her four children have been home-schooled because, “That’s how much I trust the government.”
At a time when political parties seem less like groups than barely-aligned coalitions trying to find something on which they can all agree, a local party leader has issued a call-to-arms that explains how and why political groups must work together to be successful.
Anne Rowland, chair of the Arapahoe County Republicans, a job for which few have re-upped after one term in recent years, issued a statement to her members in a recent public meeting she called, “Play as a Team or Lose.”
In it, the chair says she often hears her members say, “I’m tired of losing.” It’s understandable. In Arapahoe County, the clerk and recorder, the sheriff, the treasurer, the assessor, four out of five county commissioners, and even the
coroner are Democrats. Only the district attorney is a Republican and he has decided not to run for re-election. Democrats in Colorado also hold all the top statewide offices and control the general assembly.
Rowland has a solution for those who want to be in the political arena and try to change the landscape. She says, “If you’re tired of losing—stop name calling your own Party members and play as a team.”
She explains, “Within our Party –there’s plenty of name calling, purity tests and bullying – from all sides. RINOs, election deniers, never Trumpers, MAGA wingnuts, establishment, grass roots… I’ve heard it all. There are two names we should stick with: American
On April 22, four days after a jury convicted David Lechner of first-degree murder after deliberation, attempted second-degree murder, and prohibited use of a stun gun, following four hours of deliberations, Arapahoe County District Court Judge Jacob Edson sentenced Lechner to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Bond in the case had been set at $100 million.
Lechner, who was 45 at the time, was arrested on March 30, 2023, the day he now stands convicted of executing his wife, Tracy Lee Lechner, 42. Their divorce was scheduled to be final the next day. The murder occurred in the driveway of the home Tracy Lechner shared with the couple’s two children on South Geneva Way in the Hills West
at Cherry Creek neighborhood. Tracy was declared deceased at the scene due to gunshot wounds. Tracy Lee Lechner was described as a “supermom,” who had a successful legal practice that she often worked on at night so that she could devote her days to her children and volunteering. She loved taking her children, who were seven and nine when they lost their
and Republican.”
Rowland doesn’t hesitate to address the elephant in the room. She says, “Guess what! Donald Trump is the presumptive nominee. For those who wildly support him – terrific! For those that find him distasteful –get over it. You may see yourself as standing on principle, but the fact is – if you don’t support our nominee – for all practical purposes, you’re a Biden supporter.”
She continues, “To our strong Trump supporters – stop bullying your fellow teammates. Learn to listen respectfully to other viewpoints, find common ground and persuade. You can’t win if half your team stays on the bench. Many of you have
heard me say, ‘One of the best things about being a Republican is that we’re independent thinkers… and one of the worst things about being a Republican is that we’re independent thinkers.’”
The chair reminds her members, “Now is the time to come together. If you’re wearing a Republican jersey –play as a team or lose. You may not like some of your teammates’ positions; you may not like some of the key players. I repeat: Play as a team or lose. Encourage one another, even if you don’t agree on everything. Find and utilize one another’s strengths. Set aside the 5% you disagree on and focus on the 95% we do agree on.”
mother, “exploring outdoors” and “helping them with their schoolwork.”
Tracy’s children, whose last names will be changed to excise their father, who they referred to as “the monster,” from their lives, provided victim impact statements that were read by family members at the sentencing.
The younger child, a boy, wrote to his father, “I hate you. I hope you die soon and have fun rotting in hell.” The daughter wrote, “You brutally murdered a kind, sweet loving person. My mother did not deserve this,” ending her letter with the same words as her brother, “I hope you have fun rotting in hell.”
Evidence was presented during the four-day trial that demonstrated Lechner had gone to great lengths to plan and execute Tracy’s murder. He had purchased a getaway car under a fake name, and, using cash, bought a GPS
tracking device, gloves, zip ties, duct tape, and even a tarp to potentially wrap and remove her body. He also had a “go bag” with $10,000 in cash, a passport, and credit cards that police found.
In addition, according to the prosecutor, “The evidence shows he incapacitated Tracy with a stun gun and then shot her three times, including once in the head.” A witness who happened to be driving by saw Tracy on her back on the ground when her soon-to-be ex-husband put three bullets in her causing her to die instantly. The good Samaritan who saw what happened purposely crashed his truck into Lechner to prevent his escape from the scene.
“This heinous murder shocked the community and Mr. Lechner deserves to spend every last minute of his life behind bars,” 18th Judicial District Attorney John Kellner said after the case was concluded.
Celebration at Quincy Farm
What an incredible Earth Day Celebration last Sunday at Quincy Farm!
Over 200 Cherry Hills Village residents and neighboring friends gathered at the Farm under clear skies and sunshine to meet the visiting farm animals — chickens, goats, Maui the Turkey (on loan from Carol Breeze), the Ebel’s horses Aspen & Hope, and Oliver the Pig!
The barnyard was buzzing with family and friends and more strollers than you could count! Kids immersed themselves in fun activities—jumping on logs, digging in dirt, planting sunflowers, and interacting with the animals. A few visitors also got to check out the west side trail improvement.
The only hiccup of the morning was convincing Oliver it was time to head home. He didn‘t want to leave!
Haven't yet visited Quincy Farm? A very brief history...
This 17.5-acre farm was graciously donated to the City of Cherry Hills Village by Catherine (“Cat”) Anderson.
Quincy Farm is a unique property nestled among century-old trees and sweeping pastures and boasts a beautiful 1930s barn in an old-fashioned barnyard.
Quincy Farm is a place where visitors of all ages can enjoy educational programs, explore a unique, historical farm and its open space, connect with neighbors, and spark a lifelong curiosity about the larger issues of conservation, sustainability, and nature.
Cherry Hills Land Preserve is a local nonprofit organization, founded in 2005 to inspire nature conservation and open space stewardship in Cherry Hills Village. Since late 2021, in a partnership with the City of Cherry Hills Village, Cherry Hills Land Preserve has focused on revitalizing Quincy Farm to transform this long-dormant property into a vibrant community asset that connects people to nature and history.
For more information about who we are and what we do, including upcoming events please go to QuincyFarm.org Questions? Feel free to contact Ellen Thompson, Executive Director, Cherry Hills Land Preserve at 303-910-1813
No one is ever emotionally ready for the death of a spouse. But these tips can help you prepare for the decisions and financial implications of widowhood.
More than 15 million Americans are currently widowed, according to the U.S. Census Bureau as of 2022. Widows and widowers may experience shock and grief. But those widely shared emotions can eventually give way to financial challenges, including adjusting to being the sole financial decisionmaker, dealing with a loss of income and navigating the paperwork.
Even as you learn to meet day-to-day needs and deal with issues like filing for life insurance and renaming joint accounts, more profound challenges may emerge. For newly single parents of young children, another worry is how to plan for their financial future — alone. While older widows and widowers may find themselves dealing with other serious considerations. Those who have gone through a prolonged and expensive period of caregiving for their lost loved one, may worry about who will provide similar care for them.
While everyone experiences this profoundly difficult — but, for most couples, inevitable — life event differently, planning for the process can help alleviate the stress.
The importance of preparation
As difficult as it is to contemplate the loss of a spouse, taking steps to prepare can help the survivor better manage if the worst happens. The first thing to do is to take stock of your full financial picture, perhaps with the help of an advisor.
You will need an estate plan that includes a will, power of attorney, healthcare proxy, living will and possibly a trust. With minor children, be sure to name trusted guardians. And regularly confirm beneficiaries on your life insurance and retirement plans. Share access to personal and joint plans with your spouse and designated
representatives, organize paperwork and store estate documents in a convenient place.
The tools to move forward
When the unthinkable happens, critical paperwork and decision-making kick in. To cope with this painful transition, follow these steps.
Start by gathering all the necessary paperwork, including multiple copies of the death certificate, which you will need to share with financial and insurance companies. Pull insurance documents, birth and marriage certificates, wills, trusts and tax returns. File for the support you are entitled to, including life insurance claims and Social Security survivor’s benefits.
You will need to untangle the finances you share. Remove your partner’s name from joint accounts. If you are covered by your partner’s healthcare plan, contact their employer or the insurance company. You should also ask about any survivor’s benefits you may be entitled to from your spouse’s employer, including deferred salary, bonuses or stock options.
Take stock of your assets, including retirement, investment and savings accounts. Working with an advisor can help you revisit your retirement plans and overall financial strategy. Finally, make sure you update your own estate plan.
Keeping an eye on the future
The financial burdens that come with the loss of a partner can be immense — especially for women, who are more than two times as likely to lose a spouse. Three-quarters of widows and widowers are women, and in the first two years after losing a spouse, women experience a 22% drop in income on average, according to the Stanford Center on Longevity.
That is when help from a knowledgeable professional can be invaluable. For example, how you manage a life insurance death benefit could affect your children’s eligibility for future financial educational aid. Solo decision-making can be even more daunting when you have dependents at home. Research suggests that any financial decision that is not time-sensitive should be put off until you are feeling less emotionally vulnerable.
If the deceased spouse was the primary breadwinner, you may have to address issues around returning to full-time work and saving for retirement. As difficult as the day-to-day financial pressures may be, retirement needs to be a high priority so you can take care of yourself in the future. Especially when you become a widow or widower at a young age, your long-term financial health is an important goal. You can always borrow for your children’s education, but you cannot borrow for your retirement. Finding the courage — and financial confidence — to go on alone Amid all the pain that losing a spouse brings, there is also healing. Widows and widowers can find courage and financial confidence that they never knew they had. In addition, these changes, although difficult, can help sustain you throughout your lifetime.
For more information, contact Merrill Financial Advisor Andrew Neal in the Greenwood Village, CO, office at 303.689.8043 or andrew.neal@ml.com.
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My latest travel adventure was to the Middle East, to countries that the U.S. State Department cautions Americans to stay away from. From their website, “Do not travel to Syria due to terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed conflict, and risk of unjust detention.”
I am pleased to report that we encountered none of the above, only amazing history, friendly people, and delicious food!
IN THE EYES OF BRIAN
Bio Retinal specialist, writer, Greenwood Village resident email: joonbug@mac.com
My son and I first flew
to Europe then at the last minute decided to visit Cyprus for a day before flying to Beirut as planned for a couple of days. The latter has been called “The Paris of the Middle East.” From there a car picked us up and drove us across the mountains to the Syrian border, then on to Damascus.
Our trip included Damascus, Homs, and Aleppo, be-
fore returning to Damascus, then driving to Amman Jordan, meeting up with my daughter, and visiting Petra and Wadi Rum before heading back to Denver.
In Damascus we toured Old Damascus, the souks, or bazaars, everyone trying to sell us something. We visited the church where Saul of Tarsus traveled on the Road to Damascus and was baptized as the Apostle Paul by Ananias.
We sampled restaurant and street food, which was all fresh, healthy, and tasty.
Our guide drove us around the country and was of great assistance in obtaining the necessary travel visas ahead of our trip. North of Damascus we saw the carnage of a decade long civil war with bombed out buildings and neighborhoods.
Eventually we arrived in Aleppo which suffered recent earthquakes in addition to the war. We toured the Citadel, one of the oldest castles in the world, dating back 3 millennia before Christ. Aleppo is famous for soap, and we visited their one remaining soap factory. We also got $1 haircuts
kabobs, shawarma, were all so delicious. Everyone was both delighted and surprised to see Americans visiting their country.
from a barber working in a tent under one of the bombed-out buildings in Aleppo. The hummus,
Syria has suffered terribly due to the civil war, losing half its population due to the war and many migrating away from Syria. The president is an ophthalmologist, like yours truly, and his photo was on display everywhere.
Despite Syria being a dictatorship, the people are busy working and living their lives, with smiles and friendliness. Freedom and liberty are precious and easily lost, as we are discovering even in America.
In Jordan we visited the ancient fortress of Petra (Indiana Jones
and the Last Crusade was filmed there) and the desert of Wadi Rum filming site of Star Wars, Lawrence of Arabia, The Martian, Dune, and other films.
Jordan is far more affluent than Syria, reflected in Amman, although they have had their share of Middle Eastern war and strife over the years. There was even an Israeli missile strike in the Damascus suburbs while we were there, but I would not have known about it other than via the news.
The journey was long but fun and worthwhile to see a part of the world we only experience through news clips. The reality is often far different than what we are told. I am grateful to visit these many countries far off the beaten path for most American travelers.
This April, golf fans watched the Masters as Scottie Scheffler earned his second Green Jacket in Butler Cabin at Augusta National. While golf season revs up, ski resorts across Colorado celebrate the end of ski season with concerts, silent discos, festive ski attire and epic Apres Ski. As the snow melts, let us remember the 10th Mountain Division and the men who created many of Colorado’s ski resorts.
After training in the mountains of Colorado, the 10th Mountain Division was deployed to Italy at the tail end of World War II. Nestled in the rugged Apennine mountains of Italy, the United States’ 10th Mountain Division had been ordered to assault and weaken the Nazi stronghold. Over five months, these highly trained soldiers endured the cold winds and systematically dismantled five Nazi divisions totaling 100,000 people. However, the mission did not come without U.S. suffering, as upwards of 5,000 soldiers had been wounded, and close to 1,000 killed. The 10th Mountain Division was constructed to be a dominant army capable of surviving and fighting in the mountains during harsh winters. Returning home with an American victory in Europe, many 10th members began forming the Colorado ski industry into the modern-day ski mecca by building, staffing, and teaching at resorts.
The 10th Mountain Division was comprised entirely of volunteers and prior skiing or mountaineering experience was not required. By 1942, the 10th boasted 8,000 soldiers. Some hailed from Ivy League universities in the east and others were humble ditch diggers living on barren land in the west.
After WWII, the 10th Mountain Division was disbanded. Many who resided outside of Colorado eventually returned to the Centennial State. In the documentary Climb to Glory: Legacy of the 10th Mountain Ski Troopers, 10th Member Earl Clark stated, “I went back to my home in Chicago, was there 5 months, and couldn’t get back to Colorado fast enough so I made the move.” Clark added, “[the 10th was] the finest morale unit in the entire army.” According to Arapahoe Basin: A Colorado Legend, the 10th was known for its “gemütlichkeit” which took the form of “drinking, singing, jokes, stunts, and feats of strength” both on and off the mountain. Much of today’s “Apres Ski” culture may be accredited to the 10th’s gemütlichkeit.
10th veterans Larry Jump and Sandy Schauffler helped build Arapahoe Basin, the first Colorado resort to be developed after WWII. In 1947, three 10th members opened Aspen Mountain. In 1950, Aspen hosted the first International Ski Federation (FIS) Alpine World Ski Championships to be held outside of Europe. Not only did the Championship symbolize that skiing in the United States could rival the Swiss Alps, but the event drew special attention to the Rocky Mountains, the ski resorts of Colorado, and helped support the local economy. Five years later, in 1955, Aspen recorded 62,000 skiers as stated by the Aspen Sojourner. On the heels of Aspen’s success, 10th members would open six additional resorts within the four year window from 1959-1963: Aspen Highlands (1959), Breckenridge (1961), Crested Butte (1961), Vail (1962), Steamboat (1963), Buttermilk (1963). The “Ski Boom” of the 1960s had arrived thanks to the efforts, ingenuity, and perseverance of the 10th Mountain Division.
Over 2,000 10th members became
ski instructors at resorts across the country. In Aspen, Steve Knowlton, an ex-combat ski patrolman, who coached the local ski team opened a ski shop that featured a basement which acted as The Golden Horn Nightclub at night. Harry Poschman worked as a ski instructor in Aspen until he ran the
Edelweiss Ski lodge. 10th Mountain Division members’ also made substantial improvements and innovations to ski gear. Howard Head, a Baltimore native and an aircraft engineer, skied for the first time in 1947. Humiliated and disgusted, Head called the equipment, “long, heavy, [and] clumsy,” further joking that, “If wood [was] the best material, they’d be making airplanes out of wood” (Per Randy Wyrick of the Aspen Times). Head quit his job and traveled to Aspen where he worked in a basement fine tuning
what would become a revolutionary pair of skis. Over the next three years, Head created 30 prototypes and conducted countless tests. Steve Knowlton agreed to test a metal ski with a mirror-like underside. After, he quipped, “You see that outhouse over there? You can take these skis and nail them to the wall and guys can use them when they shave! That’s all these skis are good for!” The former aircraft engineer was down to his last dollars when his design with a bonded plastic surface (that could be polished) and sharp edges was finally perfected: The “Head Standard Ski” was easier to use, more durable, affordable and worked nearly perfectly in all conditions.
“The greatest blessing that came out of the 10th, for many of us, was the great common love of the mountains. And it became the lives of most of us,” reflected veteran Earl Clark. What Clark couldn’t foresee was that “the 10th’s resorts” would help to host a record 14.8 million skier visits to the state’s 27 lift-served ski areas in the 2022-23 season (as reported by Colorado Ski Country). Until the snow begins falling, we give thanks for the 10th’s service and honor the grandfathers of the modern ski industry: The 10th Mountain Division.
Fun Fact: Riva Ridge is not only Vail’s longest run, but is named after the location of the 10th’s most famous battle, in Italy’s Apennine range.
The 2024 National Football League draft is now history. Or, to put it another way, speculation about the Broncos’ quarterback situation can move to its next phase.
Will Bo Nix become a fixture under center?
What about Zach Wilson?
Is Jarrett Stidham just yesterday’s news?
The truth—despite whatever Sean Payton or anyone else says—is that no one knows at this point.
There’s no better proof of the impossibility of trying to predict the future performance level of a prospective NFL quarterback than the league itself.
NFL.com posts what it labels a “Draft and Combine Prospect Profile” on every college draft prospect each year, including a detailed written evaluation and final grade.
Here’s the league’s grading table:
8.0 The perfect prospect
7.3 – 7.50 Perennial All-Pro
7.0 – 7.10 Pro Bowl talent
6.70 – 6.90 Year 1 starter
6.50 – 6.60 Boom-or-bust potential
6.40 – 6.49 Will become good starter within 2 years
6.30 – 6.39 Will eventually be plus starter
6.20 – 6.29 Will eventually be average starter
6.10 – 6.19 Good backup with potential to develop into starter
6.0 – 6.09 Traits or talent to be above-average backup
5.80 – 5.99 Above-average backup or special teamer
5.60 – 5.69 Candidate for bottom of roster or practice squad
5.5 – 5.59 Priority undrafted free agent
This year’s six first-round quarterbacks, listed in draft order, were graded as follows:
Caleb Williams, 6.74; Jayden Daniels, 6.73; Drake Maye, 6.50; Michael Penix Jr., 6.25; J.J. McCarthy, 6.40; Nix, 6.39.
All are considered potential starters, sooner or later. But not even the Heisman Trophy winners—Williams and Daniels—are projected to reach Pro Bowl status.
That doesn’t mean any of them can’t, or won’t, however. Pre-draft grades also don’t assure success to any degree.
Tom Brady was the 199th player drafted, in the sixth round, in 2000. (The current grading table was not in use then.) One scouting report read, in part: “. . . Lacks mobility and ability to avoid the rush. Lacks a really strong arm. Can’t drive the ball down the field . . . Gets knocked down easily.”
At the Combine in 2000,
Brady ran the 40-yard dash in 5.3 seconds—the second-slowest time of all the quarterbacks in attendance that year and the fourth-slowest in the past quarter-century. His vertical jump of 24.5 inches also was near the bottom.
None of that mattered. The seventh quarterback drafted in 2000 wound up playing 23 seasons, won seven Super Bowls, and is considered by most the greatest NFL quarterback of all time.
camp.
That will be Zach Wilson, acquired in a trade with the Jets the week before the draft.
Wilson’s grade was 6.50 when New York picked him second in 2021.
Patrick Mahomes, winner of three Super Bowls before the age of 29, had a 6.30 grade (will eventually be plus starter) in 2017.
So? In his first seven seasons he was twice the league most valuable player and three times the Super Bowl MVP.
Taken eight picks ahead of Mahomes—second by the Bears—was Mitchell Trubisky, whose grade was 7.0 (Pro Bowl talent).
He has played for three teams and is now a backup in Buffalo. (He did make one Pro Bowl.)
Mahomes’ opposing quarterback in this year’s Super Bowl was Brock Purdy—despite a 5.57 grade (priority undrafted free agent). The 49ers made him the last player drafted in 2022, and last season he led the NFL in passer rating (113.0).
Getting back to the Broncos, Bo Nix will not be the QB with the highest NFL pre-draft grade, nor the highest draft choice, in
“Boom or bust potential” certainly described him, based on his three disappointing seasons in The Big Apple. But he won’t be 25 until August, so there’s still time for him to move from bust to boom with a fresh start.
At the least, he should push rookie Nix and incumbent Jarrett Stidham, who, incidentally, preceded Nix at Auburn, where Nix began his college career. Stidham’s pre-draft grade was 6.10 (good backup with potential to develop into starter).
The Broncos’ fruitless search for the next “John Elway/Peyton Manning” has been well-documented. But in the context of drafting Bo Nix, it’s worth recalling their last two attempts to draft the next star signal-caller.
Both Paxton Lynch, 26th pick in Round 1 in 2016, and Drew Lock, 10th pick in Round 2 in 2019, had higher pre-draft grades than Nix.
And we know how they did.
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
Arapahoe County, Colorado 7325 S. Potomac St. Centennial, CO 80112
In the Interest of: Aalyah Jasmyne Rojas
Respondent:
Isis Nicole Rojas-Scott and Bryan Carl Scott
8203 S. Valleyhead Way Aurora CO 80016
NOTICE OF HEARING TO INTERESTED PERSONS
Case Number: 24 PR 165
To all interested persons:
A hearing on the petition identified below will be held at the following date, time, and location.
Date: June 4, 2024
Time: 9 a.m.
Courtroom or Division: 12
Address: 7325 S. Potomac St., Centennial, CO 80112
Petition for Appointment of Guardian for a Minor
The outcome of this proceeding may limit or completely take away the respondent’s right to make decisions about the respondent’s personal affairs or financial affairs or both. The respondent must appear in person unless excused by the court. The petitioner is required to make reasonable efforts to help the respondent attend the hearing.
BY FREDA MIKLIN STAFF WRITER
appear to be school-related. The initial investigation suggests this was a homicide.”
The lead investigator on the case is GVPD Detective John Carr. The city’s public information officer is Megan Copenhaver, who can be reached at 303-486-5749 or mcopenhaver@greenwood village.com
The respondent has the right to be represented by an attorney of the respondent’s choice at the respondent’s expense. If the respondent cannot afford an attorney, one may be appointed for the respondent at state expense. The respondent may request a professional evaluation. The respondent has the right to present evidence and subpoena witnesses and documents; examine witnesses, including any court-appointed physician, psychologist, or other qualified individual providing evaluations, and the Court Visitor; and otherwise participate in the hearing. The respondent may ask that the hearing be held in a manner that reasonably accommodates the respondent. The respondent has the right to request that the hearing be closed, but the hearing may not be closed if the respondent
NOTICE TO CREDITORS Case No. 2023PR30646
Estate of Viola Lahana
First Publication: April 25, 2024 Last Publication: May 9, 2024 Legal # 11509 District Court
All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the court identified above on or before August 25, 2024, or the claims may be forever barred.
Date: April 17, 2024
Arianne Lahana
Personal Representative
7817 S. Ivy Way Centennial, CO 80112
Published in The Villager
Greenwood Village Police Department has reported that in the early morning hours of Saturday, April 27, they responded to a deceased person “in the area of East Union Avenue just east of South Yosemite Street. The area is adjacent to Cherry Creek High School; however, the incident does not
No further information has been made available at this time, including the coroner’s report.
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.
OBJECTIONS TO REAL PROPERTY CLASSIFICATIONS & VALUATIONS
Beginning MAY 1, 2024 and no later than JUNE 10, 2024. Assistance: County Assessor’s office at 303-795-4600.
ARAPAHOE COUNTY LINCOLN DAY DINNER
MAY 3, Reception 5:30 p.m.; Dinner 6:30 p.m. Double Tree Hotel DTC, Orchard Road West of I-25. Keynote Speaker Isabel Brown - Nationally Acclaimed author of “The End of the Alphabet: How Gen Z Can Save America.
THE BIG WONDERFUL 10TH ANNUAL DERBY PARTY
MAY 4, 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Beerfest, Bluegrass, Bazaar. Free Entry! Tickets required for beeriest. Use Code Villager5 for $5 off Best Fest tickets. Visit Belleviewbeergarden.com
ARAPAHOE ACRES 75TH ANNIVERSARY
SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2-4 p.m. Hampden Hall
- Englewood Civic Center. Reception with Historian Diane Wray Tomasso. “Spotlight on stewardship.” Book Signing/ Archives Display/Mid-A;00Century Modern Vendors/ Snacks/Drinks. RSVP: www. facebookcom/groups/arapahoeacres/ eventiler
DENVER HOLOCAUST
REMEMBRANCE MAY 5, 2-4
P.M. BABL YAR MEMORIAL PARK
REMEMBER 6. Six million Jews perished in the Holocaust - Remember and learn. Honor those who have been impacted by the Holocaust and stand with us against the rise in anti-Semitism. Featuring David Zapiler, Holocaust Survivor, who was born in Warsaw, Poland, in 1932. When the Germans invaded Poland in 1939, the Zapiler Family fled to Russia, and David’s life would never be the same. He was only 7 years old. Also featuring Barbara Steinmetz, Holocaust Survivor, who was born in Hungry in 1936 and enjoyed an idyllic childhood until Hitler made his advances when she was only 4 years old. Her family moved from place to place just to survive. Remember 6 is a nonprofit that seeks to confront the rise in Holocast and anti-semitism. Visit website: remember6. org
CHERRYCREEK REPUBLICAN
WOMEN LUNCHEON MEETING
MAY 14, 11:00 a..m. Social; 11:30 Luncheon. Speaker: Jake Jabs- “the One, the Only.” Will honor past CCRW President, June Robinson who passed away April 10, 2024. Wear a hat - just as June would. Double Tree by Hilton Denver Tech Center, 7801 E. Orchard Rd., Greenwood Village. RSVP by May 7 deadline to www. cherrycreekrepublicanwomen.org. Cost $36. Questions: Marcia Saas 303-4759148.
INDEPENDENCE INSTITUTE TO AWARD BICKEL AWARD TO WRITER CORY GAINES
MAY 16, 5-8 p.m. at the Independence Institute. Whine about the legislative session and enjoy wine pairings and appetizers. Register at https://i2i.org/ whine/ or call 303-279-6536 x 119.
ARAPAHOE COUNTY WINE & CHALK ART FESTIVAL
4TH ANNUAL - MAY 18 & 19 at the Fairgrounds. Visit arapahoecountyeventcenter.com
GREATER ENGLEWOOD 35TH ANNUAL BUSINESS AWARDS BANQUET
MAY 16, 5-8:00 p.m. Holiday Inn Lakewood. Tickets available thru May 3- Lindsey@myenglewoodchamber.org
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 720208-2220.
SOUTH METRO CHAMBER GOLF TOURNAMENT
JUNE 10 7 a.m.-3 p.m. at Meridian Golf Club. 8:00 a.m. Shotgun start. Four player scramble followed by an awards reception. Light breakfast, BBQ lunch, hors d’oeuvres during the awards ceremony. RSVP: jKeener@bestchamber.com or call 303-795-0142.
BOYS HOPE GIRLS HOPE COLORADO HOSTS 22ND ANNUAL HOPE CHALLENGE GOLF
JUNE 10. Tournament to be held at
Colorado Golf Club Preservation Trail in Parker. Four-person scramble. Breakfast, 18 holes of golf, drinks,Dinner. RSVP: 720-524-2061.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN BOYS STATE JUNE 2-8 FOR HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS
Premier civic program in Sterling, CO. Applications: www.CoLegionBoysState. org
CANCER LEAGUE OF COLORADO GOLF TOURNAMENT
JUNE 17 at The Ridge of Castle Pines North, 1414 Castle Pines Parkway, Castle Pines. RSVP: jreece11@mac.com
CLUBS: DENVER LIONS CLUB MEETINGS
Meets 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 12 noon at the American Legion Hall, I-25 & Yale. Interested in joining? Call Bob, 720-3139741.
SAVE THE DATE - JULY 25-28 ARAPAHOE COUNTY FAIR A.C. FAIRGROUNDS - REGIONAL PARK11:00 a.m. www.aprapahoecountyfair. com
ENGLEWOOD LIONS CLUB MEETINGS
Meets 1st & 3rd Thursdays at 7:00 p/m. At Mango Tree Coffee, 3498 S. Broadway, Englewood. Info: Gail 720-377-7682.
Featuring BEER FEST, Bluegrass & BAZAAR on Saturday, May 4
TheBigWonderful brings their winning combination of BEER FEST, Bluegrass & BAZAAR back to Belleview Station for its 10th Annual Derby Party on Saturday, May 4! Taking over Belleview Beer Garden and its surrounding streets, TheBigWonderful will feature 70+ Colorado craft vendors, all-day live bluegrass on the beer garden patio, food truck eats, and 15+ breweries, distilleries, canned cocktails and more pouring unlimited samples.
The Annual Derby Party has become a Denver favorite over the years, where craft
TheBigWonderful at Belleview Station
Belleview Beer Garden & Surrounding Streets
6971 E Chenango Ave Denver, CO 80237
12PM - 6PM
Tickets are on sale now at TheBigWonderful.com
beer lovers come together to don their Derby best and groove to bluegrass tunes. Festival-goers can race over to Belleview Beer Garden to sip on Derby-themed cocktails, catch the Kentucky Derby live stream watch party and vie for Derby King or Queen in the Best Dressed competition. In addition to Derby cocktails, Belleview Beer Garden will serve up canned beers, craft cocktails,
wine, and their regular wider selection of all-Colorado draft and canned options.
General Admission to the event is free to the public and all ages to enjoy live music on the BVBG patio, local shopping with 70+ craft vendors, and food truck eats. Clint Koury & Gil Clark is the first duo to take the patio at 12PM, followed by That Damn Sasquatch at 2:15PM. The event’s headliner, High Lonesome,
will go on at 4:30PM and close out the festivities ending their set at 6PM.
Only BEER FEST Ticket Holders will be able to enjoy unlimited tasters from 15+ breweries and non-beer brews, spread out throughout the event. Advance General Admission and VIP BEER FEST Tickets are on sale now. Each ticket includes a commemorative cup to hold your samples.
VIP ticket holders get one extra hour of sampling, starting at 2PM. They’ll also receive a nation-wide digital Hop Passport as a part of their purchase. Attendees can vote for their Favorite Brewery and Favorite Non-Beer Brew in the People’s Choice Awards!
A limited number of At-
The Mazda CX-50 is a “hot rod” on the freeway with twin-turbo power creating 227 horsepower. A really good sports car with five passenger capacity. The “Soul Red Crystal Metallic” paint gives a clue that this CX-50 can handle high-speeds with ease. Good to have the traffic road sign feature posted on the windshield with speed limits. There are some drawbacks at higher speeds; the wind and highway noises are distracting. But overall, this is a fun car with steering wheel paddle shifters, and versatile Skyactiv transmission. The engine and transmission are Japanese, with final assembly in Madison, AL. Suggest-
ed manufacturer’s price at $43,300 with some additional options adding to price increases.
The CX-50 is attractive, well-designed with a handsome appearance. Acceleration and sharp handling make
for an excellent freeway drive. However, off road the suspension system is stiff leading to a rougher ride and feeling those many spring potholes.
The interior is black and brown with fancy stitching, leather trimmed seats, and steering wheel. The radio is controlled by the center console with buttons, not knobs, making channel adjustments more difficult while driving.
A Bose 12 speaker audio system is al-
the-Door BEER FEST Tickets will be available for an additional $5. This event will sell out, so snag yours now for the best pricing and guaranteed samples! Individual drink purchases will also be available at Belleview Beer Garden and its pop-up bar.
SCHEDULE
12PM - 6PM - Craft Vendor Village Open (Free!)
2PM - 3PM - BEER FEST opens for VIP Ticket Holders (Tickets Required)
3PM -6PM - BEER FEST opens for GA Ticket Holders (Tickets Required)
12PM -6PM - Live Music on the BVBG Patio (Free!)
ways appreciated, delivering excellent acoustics. Mazda vehicles have sharp and exact controls with the latest electronics. A full line of safety, navigation, systems add to the driving experience.
Mazda vehicles are smart, and have very detailed support systems, safety features, and extensive premium plus features.
The CX-50 is a vehicle that can be appreciated by experienced drivers who appreciate performance and driving perfection, especially on freeways. This CX-50 is an allaround efficient road warrior.
