6-13-24 Villager

The Purple Gala Committee: Christy Palazzo, Gala Chairs Libby Weaver and Annabel Bowlen,

Diecidue

Photo by Scottie Iverson

Rich Sokol shares the update from Israel

Rich Sokol is a member of the South Metro Fire District Board of Directors and a former chair of the Arapahoe County Republican Party. But anyone who knows him knows that he is most passionate about the State of Israel. He has gone there many times, especially since the October 7, 2023 brutal surprise attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians as they went about their daily lives, resulting in 1,200 deaths, many in a manner indescribably barbaric, and the kidnapping of about 220 hostages, including women and children.

Wherever he goes, Rich greets his audience with, “Shalom,” the Hebrew word for hello, goodbye, and peace. Then he shares what is happening in the homeland of the Jewish people from his personal knowledge of facts on the ground.

On June 5, Rich spoke to the 100 people who came to the Arapahoe County Republican Breakfast Club’s monthly meeting.

He told them, “As of today, Israel, which is one-twelfth the size of Colorado, has mostly conquered Gaza, which is only 140 square miles. Having started from the north end of Gaza, Israel now has Hamas cornered in the very southern tip of Gaza, which people often forget, borders Egypt. People scream about Israel turning Gaza into a prison but no one says a word about Egypt, of course, because Jews don’t live in Egypt. They only live in Israel.”

He continued, “Right now, the last four Hamas battalions are stationed in Rafah. The United States is doing everything it can possibly do to keep Israel from going into Rafah. In my opinion, Hamas has to be wiped out, period.”

Explaining how the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) work, Rich said, “Israel has broadcast to all the Palestinians living in Rafah—and I should say, in all fairness, a lot of Palestinians living in the north moved into Rafah to take shelter as Israel started in the north and moved their way down---Israel has now created a safe zone for them. And, much to the U.S.’s surprise, one million civilians have moved out of Rafah, into the safe zone and out of harm’s way. That safe zone was set up solely by Israel. I don’t remember another military that broadcast, in advance, that it was going to attack, and set up safe zones for civilians. On the other hand, Hamas (on October 7) came into Israel and attacked civilians. There was no warning. They brutalized. They raped. They murdered. It was the most horrible massacre you could imagine.”

He went on, “Right now, Israel has circled Rafah, where the remaining battalions are, but, for the last four months, the U.S. has been putting incredible pressure on Israel not to go into Rafah and finish the job.”

President Biden wants a two-state solution, but that is really about politics, according to Rich. The two states he has in mind are Michigan and Min-

nesota, which are both home to many Arabs whose vote he hopes to get in November.

“Let’s not forget that Hamas is still holding many hostages,” Rich reminded people. “Of the about-220 hostages taken, Israel knows for a fact now that 41 of them are dead. We’re down to about 75 hostages (after four were rescued by the IDF on June 7) that we don’t know if they are alive or dead. Among those 75 are five American citizens and they are holding three American citizens’ bodies hostage because they know that Israel will pay for the dead bodies, not just the live bodies. So, Hamas continues to hold the dead bodies.”

Rich pointed out that President Biden “going public with his peace proposal last week to try to put pressure on everyone to accept it, was highly unusual.”

Under that proposal, Hamas would return 30+ alive and

dead hostages, Israel would release many times that number of Palestinian prisoners, and, “Israel would pull out of any populated area.” In the second stage of the plan, “Israel will leave Gaza and there will be a permanent cease fire,” Rich said.

The plan is ambiguous, he explained, because, “It says that Hamas will no longer be in charge, but there’s nothing in the peace plan that says how Hamas will be eliminated. Israel has basically accepted the plan and we’re waiting to hear from Hamas,” adding that he hoped Hamas would say no because, “If Hamas lives, they’ll just regroup and there will be another war with more hostages in the future.”

It is important to remember, Rich said, “Hamas is our common enemy. They don’t just want to wipe out the Jews in Israel. They have no love for the United States. Their goal is

Islam everywhere.”

Rich closed by cautioning everyone to keep their eyes on northern Israel, which borders Lebanon, because Hezbollah began attacking Israel there on October 8th, and, “The pace of those border attacks has picked up dramatically. They used to come just within a mile or two of the border. Now Hezbollah missiles are reaching five to ten miles into Israel. A large swath of northern Israel was on fire yesterday from those bombs. There are still 80,000 Israelis who have not been able to return to their homes near the Lebanese border and there’s no sign that they are going to return anytime soon. There is a big fear that Israel is about to go to war with Hezbollah, which is directly funded by and gets their weapons from Iran. Those weapons are much more powerful than what Hamas has. If this happens, it will be a real war with lots of killing. My gut is that it’s going to happen.”

Rich Sokol

Well, it looks like someone else does care about the hard work of Chris Stevens, former director of the Curtis Arts Center. A 30-year Greenwood resident, Bob Doyle does care and wrote an inspiring support letter as a patron of the arts and the Curtis Arts Center. I would

Does Anybody Care?

– Yes and No

BY BOB SWEENEY

hope that the leadership at Greenwood Village would take a second look at this action and right, what we perceive to have been a wrong. It appears other people do care about Chris and the great work done under his direction. See a letter to the editor below in support of him.

I read with interest Bob Sweeney’s article about the firing of Chris Stevens (Director of Greenwood Village Curtis Arts Center) and Chris Stevens letter to the Mayor and City Council published in the June 6th Villager. At the end of his article Bob asks about the firing of Chris, “Does Anybody Care But Me?”

The answer is a resounding, YES, from those of us who took classes and regularly visited exhibits at Curtis. We are very saddened by this seemingly unjust action. I know this because I know many other artists who, like me, taught or participated in events at Curtis.

I have taken many art classes at Curtis, curated an art exhibit there, with Chris’s support, exhibited multiple times in the annual All Colorado Art show, and have participated, since the inception, in the Art on the Green art fair, held in Curtis Park, which was conceived and run by Chris Stevens as one measure to overcome limitations brought on by the COVID pandemic.

Those of us who know what Chris did to make the Curtis Art Center what it is today, with its diverse art exhibits, many youth and adult art classes, and other new cultural programs offered by Greenwood Village, including the hugely popular Concerts in the Park and Art on the Green, are very ap-

preciative of Chris. We will greatly miss Chris’s leadership and hope that his positive influence will live on.

Sadly, it appears the city administration and

council are not among the people who knew or appreciated what Chris achieved, because they have rarely shown up for or supported art in our community, in my opinion. In fact members of the City Council voiced disapproval and eventually quashed the public art program led by Chris in collaboration with the Museum of Outdoor Art. Additionally, the annual Art Students Scholarship Program as recommended and administered by the volunteer GV Citizen’s Arts Council, was canceled after the city council demanded that it be changed to exclude Arapahoe County high school students whose parents do not reside in Greenwood Village.

The City Manager and

Council have rarely paid enough attention to what is going on at Curtis to know how Chris was making a significant contribution to the community’s collective embrace and enjoyment of art and culture. This action shows me and many others that they really do not understand what Chris did to make the Curtis Center an exceptional arts destination in the Denver area. Whatever happened to cause them to summarily discharge an eight-year employee who gave so much to this community and was never the subject of a disciplinary action, is hard to imagine. Just like it’s hard to understand why city council would complain about free public art or the distribution of student scholarships funded by proceeds from Curtis Art Center events, attended and supported by people all around the SE metropolitan area. Disarming a malfunctioning fire alarm that would not go off just prior to a large event at Curtis doesn’t sound like a sufficient or the complete reason to me.

What happens now? There is no one to replace Chris right now. I suspect the city will hire someone, someone of their liking who maybe has good ideas. But, watch out if they act without watching their back. This is what I think the firing was about.

Don’t get me wrong, Greenwood Village, where I have now lived for nearly 30 years, is a great place to live. But actions like this one will not help us keep it that way.

Bob Doyle

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Susan Lanam — 720-270-2018 susan@villagerpublishing.com

Sharon Sweeney — 303-503-1388 Gerri Sweeney — 720-313-9751 gerri@villagerpublishing.com Scottie Iverson swan@denverswan.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS Gerri 303-773-8313

EDITORIAL COLUMNIST Robert Sweeney bsween1@aol.com

Newrez in GV is cutting over 400 jobs and office could be next

Newrez, which has two office buildings and a parking structure comprising 1,135,907 square feet at 6200 S. Quebec Street, just south of Greenwood Village City Hall. Computershare Mortgage Services was recently acquired by New Yorkbased Rithm Capital Corporation for $720 million. It is being consolidated into NewRez LLC, a subsidiary of Rithm Capital Corp. NewRez has an-

nounced it will permanently dismiss 317 employees at the GV location beginning August 2. A previous announcement said that 103 workers would be let go in early May. When asked by the Denver Business Journal whether it intends to retain that location as a place of business, NewRez declined to comment.

The 26.08-acre Computershare property is owned by 6200 S Quebec LLC, located in Beverly Hills CA, which purchased it for $85.2 million on October 2, 2018.

Alzheimer’s Association presents Purple Gala at Wings Over the Rockies

Memories in the Making Art Auction, live auction, dinner, program and more!

“Look around at those at your table. One will have Alzheimer’s and women are more likely.”

- Tom Nelson, keynote speaker who says he and his wife blame everything on AL (the Alzheimer’s thief)

A Night in Flight to End Alzheimer’s

Chairs, pageant winners and many in the audience know about Alzheimer’s firsthand

“We focus on what we can do, not our deficiencies.”

– Joanna Fix who was crowned Mrs. Colorado Springs 2023 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s

ABOVE: Supporters Reed and Boo Dixon RIGHT: Rob and Mary Brooks from Castle Rock with Joanna Fix who was diagnosed with early-onset

LEFT: The Purple Gala Committee: Christy Palazzo, Gala Chairs Libby Weaver and Annabel Bowlen, Lindsey Ames, Sylvia Waller and Patron Party Co-Chair Rosalina Lombardi – Diecidue Photos by Scottie Iverson

Gala Chairs and Emcees Annabel Bowlen and Libby Weaver pose by the POP! Balloons LLC backdrop

One of the amazing 15 pairings for auction – a professional artist with an Alzheimer’s patient: Bold Simplicity by artist Michelle Norcross and Tulips by Memories in the Making artist Myke Woods

Bonnie and David Mandarich of Silver Sponsor MDC Richmond American Foundation

Mrs. Colorado American 2024 Christina Joymon, keynote speaker Tom Nelson (who is caregiver for his wife Mary Ellen) and Sylvia Waller

Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter Executive Director and Rocky Mountain Region Lead Jim Hammelev; Associate Director, Field Relationship Events Wakeelah Abdullah and VP Development Colorado Chapter, Interim Executive Director Montana Chapter Kaley Hutchinson

Enjoying the museum ambiance – John and Nancy (commercial pilot) Hemstad with Lyn (whose late mom had Alzheimer’s) and Roy Drake

Ms. Colorado Senior 2023 Joanie Ryan holds a photo of her late mom who had Alzheimer’s

the know

follow FREDA

BY FREDA MIKLIN

Denver South releases 2024 South I-25 Corridor Study

The dome at AMG National Trust Bank in Greenwood Village was the sight of the annual Constructing the Future program held on June 6 by Denver South (DS).

Denver South brings together local jurisdictions Arapahoe and Douglas Counties and the Cities of Centennial, Denver, Greenwood Village, and Lone Tree, with Centennial Airport and the region’s businesses “to solve transportation challenges and support economic development in the region.”

Eric Hecox, DS board member and Senior VP of Operations at Shea Properties, opened the meeting with, “From I-225 on the north all the way down to Ridgegate Parkway on the south, and a couple miles on either side of I-25, through property taxes, we fund an organization that helps to do economic development and transportation for this region,” adding that DS is the location of up to 20% of Colorado’s entire economy and is home to twice as many jobs as the downtown Denver central business district.

DS has been instrumental in virtually every significant transportation project in the I-25 South corridor, starting with the largest multi-modal transportation project in Colorado history, T-REX, a project that combined highway construction and light-rail extension, built between 2001 and 2006.

Today, the organization is focused on multi-modal transportation and micro-mobility with options like Link On Demand and scooter programs, all designed to play a role in getting people exactly where they need to be, to and from their homes to jobs, local transportation hubs, shopping, and entertainment destinations.

The newest South I-25 Corridor Study undertaken by DS is a 173-page document that covers activity during the ten years from 2013 to 2023. The complete study can be found at https://denver-south.com/ wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ South-I-25-Corridor-Study_Final-Report.pdf.

Conducted by Felsburg Holt & Ullevig (FHU), the area’s premier transportation consultant, and Economic & Planning Systems (EPS), its goal, in addition to calculating the impact of activity during the past decade, was to evaluate current economic, real estate, and transportation conditions in the Corridor, analyzing that data to forecast future growth through 2043. Finally, the consultants were to also recommend strat-

egies, actions, and investments to capitalize on expected growth and provide necessary transportation facilities and infrastructure to support it. Some of its key findings were: Impacting trends were 1) the land use mix is changing, 2) employers need less space per employee, and 3) office hours have permanently changed.

In the employment space, the study found that the South I-25 Corridor added 18,500 jobs from 2013-2022, creating a total of 152,562 jobs in the Corridor, as of the first quarter of 2022. The highest concentration of employment was in four sectors:

• Finance and Insurance

• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services

• Information

• Health Care

The industries that had the highest rate of job growth were:

1. Professional, Scientific and Technical Services

2. Health Care and Social Assistance

3. Finance and Insurance

4. Construction

5. Management of Companies and Enterprises

An important detail researchers found was that 18 out of 19 companies that participated in the employer survey of the study had adopted a flexible work schedule that featured hybrid working conditions such that Denver South employees overall average 3.3 days per week in the office. That has led to significant changes in office development that boomed for decades, beginning in the 1980s. As of the

Dave Williams’ attacks on the LGBTQ+ community in the name of the Colorado GOP have gone too far for many Republicans

A message with the subject line,

second quarter of 2023, the office vacancy rate in the Corridor was 18% compared to 15% for Metro Denver overall. Researchers made two significant findings about that:

• 83% of new office space built since 2006 was within one-half mile of a light rail station.

• Vacancy rates were lowest in newer office buildings and those that were closer to light rail stations.

In the all-important category of housing trends, the study tells us, “The Corridor is quickly transitioning from primarily an office employment location to a mixed-use environment with the addition of primarily multifamily housing.”

Since 2001, there have been 17,000 housing units added in the Corridor, 80% of which are multifamily apartment units. Only 225 townhomes have been built since 2012 in the Corridor, along with few condos. Those familiar with the history of construction defects laws, which came close but were not addressed in the 2024 legislative session, won’t find the lack of condominium development surprising.

Researchers forecast another 17,500 housing units will be built in the Corridor between 2022 and 2042, “growing (the total) from 22,000 to 39,500 housing units. It is impossible to predict whether those will be townhomes, condos, or apartments, because that answer depends on what action is or is not taken by our legislature in the area of construction defects.

We know that single family homes are the least likely type of new housing because of the overall lack of space, and because they are very unlikely to ever be built near light rail.

Transportation trends demonstrate that although Link on Demand and Spin scooters have increased in popularity as innovative methods to get around, by 2023, 75% of commuters had returned to their pre-pandemic habits of driving alone in their cars to get to work. That number, in 2019, before Covid, was 83%.

Public transit, especially light rail, which still has problems from staying on schedule to staying safe, went in the wrong direction, drawing only 5% of commuters in 2023, compared to 9% in 2019. Working at home, a significant factor in commuting habits, had settled at 18% of Corridor employees by 2023, compared to only 1% in 2019, pre-Covid.

“God Hates Pride” showed up in email boxes across the state on June 3rd It contained a message signed by Colorado GOP Chair Dave Williams that pointed to the month of June, designated as gay pride month, as a time when, “the godless groomers in our society want to attack what is decent, holy, and righteous so they can ultimately harm our children.”

It also said that “radicals in the LGBTQ+ community are indoctrinating children and hoping to recruit them into their twisted lifestyle. They want boys and girls to think they can change their biological sex and encourage them to suffer barbaric medical procedures that are irreversible. In short, they want to mutilate and chemically castrate your children…to justify their madness… Ultimately, these LGBTQ+ reprobates want to groom your children and sexually exploit them so they can normalize pedophilia.”

The story of the Colorado GOP’s attack on gay pride month and the people who celebrate it was picked up and broadcast on cable news stations nationwide.

Williams had already drawn criticism from many in the party

for retaining his position as state chair while running in a Republican primary for Colorado’s fifth congressional district, from which current Republican U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn is retiring. Williams had also made enemies of his own party members who did not approve of him publicly calling dozens of widely respected Republicans “RINOs” (Republicans in name only), including at least two people who preceded Williams as GOP state chair.

By June 7, Jefferson County GOP Chair Nancy Pallozzi had seen enough and initiated a petition to convene a meeting of the Colorado GOP’s central committee to decide whether Williams should be removed as party chair, explaining to the Denver Gazette, “He is not speaking on behalf of the Republican Party. He is speaking for himself.” One day later, she announced that had gotten the number of signatures needed to set the meeting. The bylaws state that, “Any elected officer of the CRC (Colorado Republican State Central Committee) may be removed from office at any time for whatever cause the CRC may deem sufficient, by a vote of three-fifths of the entire member-

ship of the CRC eligible to vote at a meeting called for that purpose.”

Routt County Republican chair Pete Wood posted on the state GOP’s Facebook page, “Chairman Williams’ disgusting remarks are absolutely unacceptable and do not represent the Republican Party to which I belong… Dave Williams must be removed as the chair of the Colorado GOP.”

State Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, who barely lost her bid for Congress two years ago in CD8, said on social media, “Instead of focusing on what unites us, under the leadership of Dave Williams, the message from the state GOP has been one of division fueled by hateful narratives. Dave Williams uses state GOP funds that are supposed to be used to defeat Democrats to further his own candidacy, attack Republicans, and just recently, to deliver his latest messages of hate. It is past time to part ways with Dave Williams.”

Also publicly on board with firing Williams as party chair is Todd Watkins, the GOP vice chair in El Paso County, where Williams lives. Said Watkins, “He has absolutely used his position in charge of all the finances, all the resources, and diverted them to his campaign.”

In a text-message reported response, Williams said, “We aren’t worried about these discussions, and if people want a special meeting, we

will accommodate. We look forward to the discussion over their defense of Pride Month and its harmful agenda against children while notifying their constituents of their publicly aligned Pride position with radical Democrats.”

On June 10, Williams’ doubled down in a message to GOP members that said he is “prepared to lose everything, including an election as well as my position, over this fight,” because, he said, his Christian beliefs dictated his actions. He also accused other unnamed Republicans of “preparing to wage civil war within the Republican Party to defend transgender procedures for minors.”

Williams is on the June 25 GOP primary ballot, currently in voters’ hands, to replace Lamborn in CD5, which is contained entirely in El Paso County. His only opponent, Jeff Crank, has been endorsed by Lamborn, Scott Tipton, who preceded him in that seat, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, The Gazette Newspaper, the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, Americans for Prosperity Action, former Governor Bill Owens, and more than 30 other current and former Republican elected officials. Williams’ sole public endorsement in the race is from former President Donald Trump.

GOP candidate for CD6 John Fabbricatore talks to supporters

Over 50 Arapahoe County Republicans gathered at a private home in Centennial on June 6 to enjoy a barbecue dinner and hear from two of their candidates who will be on the ballot in November.

Tyler Linnebur, a young C.P.A. who is challenging Arapahoe County District One Commissioner and 2024 Board of County Commissioners chair Carrie Warren-Gully in her bid for re-election to a second term, said hello to the crowd first and talked about the importance of building more sustainable housing in the county.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, who is running for a fourth term in the Congress, on November 5. Crow is a former Army Ranger and an attorney. He serves on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in the House.

try get ahead, Let this country get ahead, that’s not good for us and it’s not good for the United States.”

Public Schools, Fabbricatore said he came across “a lot of frustrated teachers.”

John Fabbricatore, 51, former Colorado and Wyoming field office director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), whose campaign slogan is “Secure America,” told supporters he wants to “strengthen our economy,” that he is a conservationist who has had a hunting license since he was 14, and he is “for oil and gas,” adding that, “Ending oil and gas and looking at all these other alternatives that we’re not ready to use yet, affects…our national security.”

Fabbricatore will face incumbent

As they feasted on a yummy barbecue dinner, supporters listened to the candidate explain, “We need to ensure that the United States can remain strong and a way to do that is for us to keep our economy strong. There are many other countries right now that want to destabilize our dollar and make their dollar more important than ours…We have to be done with allowing these other countries to say, ‘No, America, take a back seat.’ We shouldn’t be taking a back seat…”

After pointing to the significance of D-Day and what America did for the world 80 years ago, Fabbricatore continued, “If we allow America to keep taking a back seat because other people say, ‘Let this coun-

The candidate pointed to the important role this country has had in helping other nations when natural disasters struck their lands, adding, “We need to make sure we stay at the top of the heap because the people who want to take control are Russia, Brazil, India, China… they want to see us at the bottom. They want to see us destabilized, China especially.”

Fabbricatore talked about the Opium Wars of the 1800s, especially the first one that Great Britain won, resulting in the destabilization of China. He said, “China has never forgotten it and they’re trying to do the same thing now to the United States that they had done to them in the 1800s. Part of the way they’re doing that is flooding our country with fentanyl. They’re poisoning our country.”

Moving to education, the candidate said he believes that our children are “not being educated the right way.” As a substitute teacher for a very short time in the Aurora

Focusing on President Biden’s recent executive order to control the number of immigrants crossing the border, Fabbricatore said his experience as an ICE official led him to the conclusion that it was not a serious plan, adding, “In 2018…I was basically in charge of the whole southern border…There were loads of juveniles coming across the border and President Trump decided to put them in custody…We couldn’t determine who they were so we started DNA-testing them…The Democrats sued President Trump over 700 times to stop him from doing what he wanted to do…He was following the law…President Biden got rid of the DNA testing at the border.”

Asked what bills he would propose if elected, Fabbricatore said he wouldn’t expect to have much power as a freshman in the Congress but he would “vote for bills that will benefit the United States and do oversight of how money is being spent.”

As of June 1, 2024, 48% of the 450,873 active voters in Congressional District Six are unaffiliated, 29% are registered Democrats, and 20% are registered Republicans.

Eric Hecox, Senior Vice President of Operations, Shea Properties

John Fabbricatore Tyler Linnebur Photos by Freda Miklin

New Lone Tree Mayor Marissa Harmon with HD37 state Rep. Chad Clifford

Wynne Shaw, Chair, DRCOG Regional Transportation Committee, Centennial Mayor Stephanie Piko, and RTD Board Member Doug Tisdale

Dave Simonson, Highlands Ranch Metro District Board Member, Lone Tree City Council Member Alecia Brown, and Matt Gordon, Lone Tree Economic Development and Housing Police Specialist Photos by Freda Miklin

The Morgan Adams Foundation is thrilled to announce the 21st Annual Morgan Adams Concours d’Elegance, an exclusive, exhilarating gathering showcasing rare and exotic automobiles, aircraft, and motorcycles from around the country. This prestigious event will be held on Saturday, August 24 at Centennial Airport in Englewood, CO from 6-10 pm.

The Morgan Adams Concours d’Elegance is more than a celebration of mechanical beauty and innovation; it is a vital fundraiser supporting pediatric cancer research.

Since its inception, the event has raised millions of dollars, contributing significantly to groundbreaking research and treatments for children, teens,

and young adults with cancer.

This year’s event promises to be an unforgettable experience, featuring a carefully curated selection of vintage and contemporary vehicles, each with its own unique history. Attendees will have the opportunity to get up close with some of the finest examples of automotive and aeronautical design, all while enjoying an evening of luxury, gourmet food, and fine wine.

“The Morgan Adams Concours d’Elegance combines a passion for motorsports with our commitment to improving pediatric cancer outcomes,”

said Joan Slaughter, the organization’s Executive Director.

“Every ticket purchased, every auction bid, and every sponsorship goes directly to fund critical research projects that are leading us toward a

cure.”

Highlights of the event will include:

• Live and Silent auctions featuring one-ofa-kind experiences and items.

• A chance to enjoy delicious bites from some of Colorado’s finest restaurants

• Two spectacular aerial demonstrations

Beyond the main event on Saturday, there are three days of exciting extras including a guided road tour, museum tours, a ladies’ tea at the Four Seasons Denver and The Sunday Soirée: A Cars, Coffee and Community Event at The Sanctuary Golf Course.

Sponsors of the event had

this to say:

Kitchen Distributors

“At Kitchen Distributors, we believe in the power of community and the impact that collective efforts can have on creating meaningful change. Sponsoring the Concours d’Elegance event is not only an opportunity to support The Morgan Adams Foundation’s vital mission but also a chance to see firsthand the difference being made in the lives of children battling cancer. Our partnership since 2012 has allowed us to contribute to groundbreaking research and provide hope to families in need. The tangible results and the courage of these kids inspire us to continue our support, knowing that together, we can make a lasting difference.”

5280

“5280 is proud to continue partnering with The Morgan Adams Foundation and their tireless effort to fund kid’s cancer research.”

Chubb

“Chubb has chosen to support The Morgan Adams Foundation year after year because of its impact in the lives of children fighting cancer and to support their families during this difficult time. Supporting childhood cancer research is important to our employees, clients, and stakeholders, who share the desire to make a positive impact on society.”

Mercedes Benz of Littleton

“What a tremendous need

The Morgan Adams Foundation is filling in our community! We are so incredibly proud to be a part of this wonderful event to support the Morgan Adams Foundation and its mission to support children and their families in need.”

City celebrating new High Line Canal trail connection and pedestrian bridge opening as part of Bike to Work Day

The opening of a new trail connection and pedestrian bridge will serve as the highlight of the city of Aurora’s participation this year in Bike to Work Day, which is Wednesday, June 26.

Residents and riders participating in Bike to Work Day are invited to stop by our breakfast station for donuts, coffee and fruit anytime from 6:45 to 9 a.m. on the south side of the new pedestrian bridge spanning Interstate 70 on the High Line Canal trail east of Tower Road.

The High Line Canal Conservancy will join the city at 8:30 a.m. for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of the High Line Canal Trail: Colfax to I-70 project that closes a two-mile gap along the canal. A ceremonial walk across the bridge will follow the ribbon cutting event. Project information is available at Aurora Gov.org/HLCT.

The city also will host a breakfast station farther south on the High Line Canal trail near the trail underpass on the west side of Chambers Road, just northeast of the Aurora Municipal Center. Free beverages and breakfast burritos (sponsored by Bicycle Aurora) will be available from 6:45 to 9 a.m.

Anyone who stops by either station is encouraged to share thoughts about transportation in Aurora as part of the city’s Connecting Aurora multimodal transportation master plan project.

Whether you are working in the office, working in the field, working remotely or just working to complete a few errands on June 26, pledge to take two wheels instead of four to help improve the region’s air quality. Combining the ride with public transit or parking your car closer to work and biking the rest of the way makes participation even easier.

Anyone who registers at BikeToWorkDay.co will be entered into drawings to win prizes, including an e-bike. The Anschutz Medical Campus, Hardt Family Cyclery, Second Dawn Brewery and Stanley Marketplace (hosted by Northeast Transportation Connections) also will provide station stops for riders in Aurora.

Bike to Work Day is presented by Way to Go—a program of the Denver Regional Council of Governments. For more information, including station locations, visit Bike ToWorkDay.co.

THIS EXTRAORDINARY, NEARLY-NEW TRADITIONAL HOME ON A RARE COUNTRY LANE IN THE PRESTIGIOUS GREENWOOD VILLAGE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN COMPLETELY TRANSFORMED, TOP TO BOTTOM BY SODERSTROM CONSTRUCTION. WITH EXQUISITE ATTENTION TO EVERY DETAIL THE HOME AND PROPERTY HAS BEEN CONVERTED FROM CLASSICAL TRADITIONAL TO TRANSITIONAL STYLING. WALLS HAVE BEEN REMOVED, SURFACES HAVE BEEN CONVERTED AND ENHANCED TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF PERFECTION. TOP OF THE LINE APPLIANCES, TILES, NATURAL WOODS AND GRANITES GRACE EVERY SURFACE. CEILINGS HAVE BEEN RAISED AND RE-IMAGINED AND THE ONCE LUSH POND HAS BEEN SUPPLANTED BY IRON FENCED EXQUISITE

GARDENS, AN EXTRAORDINARY DIVING POOL AND SPA WITH A CASCADING FOUNTAIN AND AN OUTDOOR GAZEBO FIT FOR ANY OCCASION. IN ADDITION TO THE ATTACHED 3-CAR GARAGE AND STOREROOM, THE INDOOR POOL ROOM HAS BEEN REPLACED BY A 1,400 SQ FT PARTY/SPORTS/ADDITIONAL 6 CAR GARAGE WITH GLASS DOORS THAT OVERLOOK THE FABULOUS YARD AND ROLLING GROUNDS OF THE METICULOUSLY TREED 2 1/2 ACRE SITE. 3400 S WILLIAMETTE LANE IS REMINISCENT OF THE ESTATES OF THE SOUTH, YET IT SITS ACROSS FROM GLENMOOR COUNTRY CLUB, MINUTES FROM EVERY AMENITY AND TRANSPORTATION HUB. THIS HOME IS THE EPITOME OF QUALITY, LIVABILITY, FUNCTION AND STYLE. COME SEE IT FOR YOURSELF!

CHERRY HILLS FARM $3,850,000 SOLD

Relationships, not championships define Johnson’s 52-year career

Marc Johnson experienced every high school coach’s dream Saturday-before-last.

Yes, his Cherry Creek Bruins won the Colorado Class 5A state baseball championship.

Every prep coach, no matter the sport, hopes one day to develop the state’s best team.

But that’s not the dream I’m talking about.

When Creek beat neighborhood rival Regis Jesuit—not once but twice in the same day—to claim that coveted championship, it’s who was in the stands that mattered more than anything else.

“We had fifty-some players from five decades who showed up,” he said. “It was a really humbling experience. The whole idea of a family really checked out.”

Johnson, 79, was concluding a 52-year run as head baseball coach at Cherry Creek High School. Fifty-two years!

Long ago he had learned what matters most.

“What happened,” he explained, “is, I thought at first, ‘I’m a coach. I’m just trying to make a better baseball player.’ But as time went on, I realized that developing relationships is more important than championships.

“You become a part of their lives, and they become a part of your life. You try to create a baseball family.”

Talk with any high school coach—I talked with dozens covering high school sports for a decade early in my newspaper career—and almost all of them will say something along those lines.

That’s what is so special about high school coaches. They don’t get paid enough to put in all the hours and effort just for the money.

“I realized that I had made some kind of impact, or Cherry Creek baseball had made some kind of impact, on these boys to want to be here.

“Several flew in from out of state. One of them came in from Los Angeles and said, ‘I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.’ They all knew it was going to be my last games.”

Johnson began coaching at

Cherry Creek after coaching at Fort Hood while in the Army. His first Bruins team went 4-14. He had only one losing season in the next 51.

“I taught physical education at Walnut Hills Elementary for six or seven years,” he said, “then a job opened up at the high school, and I moved there. I stayed until 1999, when I retired from teaching.”

He continued at CCHS as coach, only, for another 25 years.

“I thought I was going to teach in high school and that maybe it would work out, that I’d be lucky enough to move up to a college program,” he said.

Instead, he discovered the rewards of working with 14-to-18-year-olds.

Johnson’s teams won state titles in 1983, 1992, five straight from ’95 through ’99, 2012 and this year— nine in all. Six others made the finals but lost.

That means his teams played for the championship 15 times—28.8% of the time over 52 seasons.

“Because we’ve won some state championships, people think it’s easy,” he said. “It’s not. It’s extremely difficult.

“Everything has to fall just right. You have to keep away from injuries. You’ve got to have guys be eligible. You’ve got to have guys committed to each other.

“You’ve got to keep people happy who aren’t starters but who still want to be a part of what you’re trying to do. And there’s lots of dealing with parents. So many things become a part of this.”

Johnson has spoken with many of his fellow coaches over the years and knows that most—all the good ones who are in it for the long haul—share his feelings.

“Anybody who been into it for a length of time starts to look at it that way,” he says.

“It’s fun to take a group and try to get them to bond and work as a team, rather than just doing it by yourself. We all have to know there’s something bigger than ourselves.”

The proof in that was on display at All-Star Park in

Lakewood when all of those former players watched the 2024 Creek team beat Regis 11-1 and 5-2.

“When kids come back,” Johnson reflects, “they never talk about championships. They talk about relationships—with coaches and with other players on the team. About how much fun it was . . .

“I think that’s what really made me stay.”

Denny Dressman is a veteran of 43 years in the newspaper business, including 25 at the Rocky Mountain News, where he began as executive sports editor. He is the author of 16 books, nine of them sports-related. You can write to Denny at denny dressman@comcast.net.

Do you feel bewildered and lost when you contemplate giving your home a refresh? Do you have absolutely no idea where and how to start? Here are some ideas to help you renew and revitalize your space without doing a major overhaul. The psychological side-effects of a living area refresh can be amazing!

Step 1: First, pick a specific area where you will start. A good idea is to start with a small space, such as an entry way, mudroom or powder room. It can even be that cluttered corner where you do your work from home. What is great about doing a powder room refresh is that the space is small but it has a big impact.

Step 2: Once you’ve decided where to start, the next step is to declutter. Declutter, declutter, declutter. Then declutter a little bit more. You will be amazed at how much bigger and cleaner your space feels!

Step 3: Next, purge and organize. Do I really need that blender I haven’t used in 5 years? What about all those thread-bare towels and washcloths that are still in my linen closet? If you feel you can’t do this on your own, hire

someone to help.

Step 4: Now it’s time to maximize space. Try moving your furniture around in differing lay-outs.

Step 5: Identify what makes your space unique and emphasize that uniqueness. What architectural elements do I want to emphasize and how? A beautiful fireplace? A window with outstanding views of the mountains? Or perhaps even lovely powder room fixtures. Sometimes, something as simple as a new coat of paint in an eye-popping color will do the trick.

Step 6: Think about functionality. What would make your life/work easier? A desk? More counter space? A family communications center?

Not ready to work with a designer? Here are some easy things to do that can have a big impact on your space.

Swap out light fixtures. Make sure to choose the right light bulbs. Change the pulls on your cabinet door and drawers. Update your window treatments. Should I remove those old drapes, curtains or swags to streamline my space? This might make my room appear bigger! And – it’s a great way to emphasize that

lovely view of the mountains. Invest in a new rug. Paint! Paint the walls or paint a piece of furniture or paint a picture!

If you are ready to work with a designer, start early. Do not make any decisions or purchases that could end up being a costly mistake. This could actually save you money as well as provide you with fresh ideas that you never would have thought of. When selecting a designer, make sure you look at samples of their work. A professional designer should have a portfolio and an online presence with samples of their work. Also, check out their professional training and education. There are many self-declared designers out there with little or no professional training or experience. Working with a designer can be a fun and enriching experience!

Sari Mina Ross Interior Design www.sariminaross.com

646.594.3476

Does Data Rule?

Data indicates that approximately 18.3 million children across America live without a father in the home, affecting about 1 in 4 US children. About 80% of single-parent homes are led by single mothers. Children from single-parent families are twice as likely to suffer from mental health and behavioral problems as those living with married parents. In one study, 70% of youth in state-operated facilities were from single-parent homes. Children with an actively engaged father perform much better in school. In a survey of 56 school shootings, only 10 of the shooters (18%) were raised in a stable home with both biological parents. Eighty-two percent grew

up in either an unstable family environment or grew up without both biological parents together. Fathers play a pivotal role in the development and well-being of their children, providing more than just financial support. Their involvement significantly impacts their offspring’s emotional, social, and cognitive growth. Fathers are fundamental in providing emotional stability and security for their children. A father’s presence can foster a sense of safety and confidence, helping children navigate the complexities of life. Studies have shown that children with involved fathers exhibit lower levels of behavioral problems and higher levels of sociability. The emotional bond formed with a father can act as a buffer against stress

and anxiety, promoting a healthy psychological state.

Another area significantly influenced by a father’s presence is a child’s cognitive development. Engaged fathers tend to participate in activities stimulating intellectual growth, such as reading, problem-solving tasks, and educational games. This involvement enhances the child’s cognitive abilities and encourages a positive attitude toward learning.

Fathers play a critical role in the development of social skills. They serve as role models for their children, teaching them how to interact with others, manage conflicts, and build healthy relationships. Children’s diverse interactions with their fathers can help them develop empathy, cooperation, and practical communication skills. These social competencies are crucial for personal and professional success in

adulthood.

In today’s diverse society, the concept of fatherhood extends beyond biological ties. Stepfathers, adoptive fathers, and father figures in extended families play equally important roles. Regardless of the family structure, the presence of a father or father figure contributes to a stable and nurturing environment. The positive impact of these relationships underscores the universal need for paternal involvement in the upbringing of children. My parents divorced when I was in my early teens. I am positive that I succeeded because of my grandfather’s influence, guidance, and love.

The importance of fathers extends beyond individual families to society. Engaged fathers contribute to developing well-rounded individuals who are more likely to become responsible,

productive members of society. This, in turn, fosters stronger communities and reduces social issues such as crime and poverty. Policies and programs encouraging paternal involvement can have far-reaching benefits, promoting social stability and cohesion.

Fathers are essential to the healthy development of children, offering emotional support, intellectual stimulation, social guidance, and moral direction. Their profound and multifaceted influence contributes to their children’s well-being and healthy communities. Recognizing and supporting the role of fathers is essential in nurturing the next generation and fostering a more balanced and resilient society. We can no longer ignore the data. Happy Father’s Day. joneen@ narme.org

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Helen Louise Evans, Deceased Case Number 2024PR30610

All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to District Court of Arapahoe, County, Colorado

Glenn Peterson – Attorney for Personal Representative 5675 DTC Blvd., Suite 250 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 Published in The Villager First Publication: June 13, 2024 Last Publication: June 27, 2024 Legal # 11533

SPECIAL DISTRICTS

PINEY CREEK VILLAGE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT NOTICE CONCERNING 2023 BUDGET AMENDMENT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to all interested parties that the necessity has arisen to amend the Piney Creek Village Metropolitan District (“District”) 2023 Budget; and that a copy of the proposed Amended 2023 Budget has been filed at the District’s offices, 141 Union Boulevard, Suite 150, Lakewood, Colorado, where the same is open for public inspection; and that adoption of the Resolution Amending the 2023 Budget will be considered at a public meeting of the Board of Directors of the District on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. This District Board meeting will be held Zoom. Join Zoom Meeting HYPERLINK “https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5469119353?pwd=SmtlcHJE TFhCQUZEcVBBOGZVU3Fqdz09”https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5469119 353?pwd=SmtlcHJETFhCQUZEcVBBOGZVU3Fqdz09 Meeting ID: 546 911 9353 Passcode: 912873 Dial In: 1-719-359-4580

Any elector within the District may, at any time prior to the final adoption of the Resolution to Amend the 2023 Budget, inspect and file or register any objections thereto.

PINEY CREEK VILLAGE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

By. /s/David Solin

District Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado Judicial Center 7325 S. Potomac St. Centennial, CO 80112

Plaintiff: Reynolds Roofing Systems, a Colorado corporation v.

Defendants: Ronald E. Lowry, a/k/a Ronald Lowry, a/k/a Ron Lowry; and Richelle Lowry

Newman E. McAllister

Attorney for Plaintiff 8740 Chipita Park Road Cascade, CO 80809

Phone Number: 719-641-4424

E-mail: nemlawcos@aol.com

Atty. Reg. #: 601

Case Number 2024CV30573 Courtroom 204

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO

TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANT RICHELLE LOWRY

You are hereby summoned and required to appear and defend against the second claim for relief of the first amended complaint filed with the court in this action, by filing with the clerk of this court an answer or other response. You are required to file your answer or other response within 35 days after the service of this summons upon you. Service of this summons shall be complete on the day of the last publication. A copy of the first amended complaint may be obtained from the clerk of the court.

If you fail to file your answer or other response to the first amended complaint in writing within 35 days after the date of the last publication, judgment by default may be rendered against you by the court for the relief demanded in the first amended complaint without further notice.

This is an action to foreclose a mechanic’s lien against real property with a street address of 1120 Antelope Drive West, Bennett, CO

COURTS

80102, and legally described as follows:

Lot 61, Antelope Hills Filing No. 1, County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado

Dated: May 26, 2024

Published in The Villager First Publication: May 30, 2024 Last Publication: June 27, 2024 Legal # 11526

DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE STATE OF COLORADO

7325 S. Potomac Street Centennial, Colorado (303) 645-6600 Telephone

DISTRICT COURT ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO Arapahoe County Justice Center 7325 S. Potomac St. Centennial, CO 80112

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO, Petitioner - Plaintiff, v. Arnol Jonathon Galeas-Gonzalez, and Emily Valdez, and any unknown persons who may claim any interest in the subject matter of this action, to wit: $4,080.00 in United States Currency, Respondent – Defendant(s)

Prosecuting Attorney(s): JOHN KELLNER

18th Judicial District Attorney #35737 6450 S. Revere Pkwy Suite 100, Centennial, CO 80111

Phone: 720-874-8500 Fax: 720-874-8501

Case Number: 2024CV30754 Div./Ctrm.: 14

CITATION TO SHOW CAUSE WHY CONTRABAND PROPERTY SHOULD NOT BE FORFEITED

THIS MATTER comes before the court pursuant to §16-13-501, et seq., C.R.S., as a Petition in Forfeiture seeking a Citation to Show Cause Why Contraband Property

Should Not Be Forfeited, brought by the District Attorney for the Eighteenth Judicial District, State of Colorado.

The Court has examined the Petition and the supporting affidavit and has considered the PetitionerPlaintiff’s request for the issuance of a Citation to Show Cause.

The Court is satisfied that the Petitioner-Plaintiff has shown probable cause that the seized property in this action, as described in the caption above, is contraband property subject to seizure, confiscation, and forfeiture pursuant to §16-13-501, et seq., C.R.S. The Court finds that each named Respondent-Defendant in the caption is the only person or persons known to have, an interest in, or to have asserted and interest in, the subject matter of the action.

The Court, therefore, issues this citation:

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO TO THE ABOVE RESPONDENT-DEFENDANT:

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED AND ORDERED TO APPEAR for a first appearance on this case in the District Court in and for the Eighteenth Judicial District, State of Colorado, at the Arapahoe County Justice Center, 7325 S. Potomac St., Centennial, Colorado 80112 in Division/Courtroom 14, on July 11, 2024 at 8:30 a.m., and to show cause, if any there be, why the court should not grant the relief requested in the Petition in Forfeiture served herewith, which seeks the forfeiture of the subject matter property described in the caption above, which was seized on the date of August 31, 2023, at or near the location 2221 S. Havana Street, Aurora, Colorado 80014, Arapahoe County, State of Colorado. Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office is the agency holding the seized subject matter property.

The Court orders that this citation may be served by certified mail, in accordance with §16-13505(7), C.R.S.

WARNING: If you wish to have

the subject property returned to you, you must respond to this Citation to Show Cause. You are warned that, pursuant to §16-13505(1.7)(b) and (8), C.R.S., if you fail to file a response to the Petition in Forfeiture in accordance with §16-13-505(2)(d), or if you fail to appear personally, by counsel, or as otherwise directed by the Court at the first appearance, pursuant to §16-13-505(8), C.R.S., judgment by default shall be entered against you by the Court forthwith for the relief demand in the Petition in Forfeiture, without further notice and any interest you may have in the subject property will be lost forever.

Pursuant to §16-13-505(2)(d), C.R.S., the responsive pleading shall be designated a response to petition and citation to show cause and shall be filed with the court at or before the first appearance on the petition and shall include:

(I) A statement admitting or denying the averments of the petition;

(II) A statement setting forth with particularity why the seized property should not be forfeited. The statement shall include specific factual and legal ground’s supporting it and any affirmative defense to forfeiture as provided in this part 5.

(III) A list of witnesses whom the respondent intends to call at the hearing on the merits, including the addresses and telephone numbers thereof; and

(IV) A verified statement, supported by documentation, that the claimant is the true owner of the property or an interest therein.

You are advised that, pursuant to §16-13-505(5) C.R.S.: “Continuance of the hearing on the merits shall be granted upon stipulation of the parties or upon good cause shown.”

ENGLEWOOOD CHAMBER

RIBBON CUTTING AT WOK SPICY

JUNE 13, 4-6 p.m. at 3021 S. Broadway in Englewood. Free & open to the public but must RSVP. 303-789-4473.

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

50TH ANNUAL MADAM LOU BUNCH DAY & FAMOUS BED RACE

JUNE 22, 12 noon-7:30 p.m. Bed race, costume contests, live music and Ball. Sponsored by Main Street Central City.

HUDSON GARDENS RED, WHITE & ROCK EVENT

JULY 3. Family-friendly festivities will feature live music from Super Diamond - The Neil Diamond

Tribute Band. City of Littleton an Hudson Gardens partnership with kids’ activities, Food trucks, cocktails for purchase, and a grand finale fireworks show. Gates open at 5 p.m. with the School of Rock Littleton band taking stage art s6 p.m. Super Diamond will start at 7:30 p.m. Bring folding chairs and blankets. To purchase tickets, visit hudsongardens.tixr.com/ROCK

SAVE THE DATE - JULY 25-28 ARAPAHOE COUNTY FAIR

A.C. FAIRGROUNDS - REGIONAL PARK - 11:00 a.m. www. aprapahoecountyfair.com

SCOTTISH FESTIVAL

AUGUST 3, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

AUGUST 4, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Denver Polo Club, 6359 Airport Rd., Sedalia. Tickets: www.scottishgames.org

WINGS OF HOPE FOR PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH PRESENTS EVENING OF HOPE

SEPT. 6, Presenting Miss AmericaMadison Marsh at Exploration of Flight Centennial Airport. Benefiting CU Cancer Center. Tickets: www. wingsofhopecr.org

WHAT’S NEW?

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION OF COLORADO PURPLE

GALA RAISES $540,000. 500 people gathered at Denver’s Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum to raise funds to support research and provide educational programs and services at no charge.

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, 720-313-9741.

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.

Lexus UX300h Has F-Sport Package Performance

This Lexus has a deluxe “Ultrasonic Blue” paint over the sleek compact Hybrid UX300h F-Sport H model.The latest of some exceptional 2024 test cars driven this year. What a pleasure to enjoy this state-of-the art vehicle with a 2.0L four-cylin der engine with hybrid components achieving 197 net horsepower. Fuel econo my has been outstanding at an overall 40 mpg. The auto industry is shifting fast

the

premium heated and ventilated seats, all LED lighting, and many sports car features.

The UX300h has the Lexus Safety Sense 3.0 that covers all the bases with air bags, and high-tech drive brakes, and safety items. If a safety feature exists it is engineered into this vehicle.

Final assembly is in Miyawaki, Fukuoka, Japan where they assemble quality Lexus vehicles. A great hybrid/gas vehicle. This is one of the best all-around bargains in the car

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