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Being falsely accused

Growing up in New York, my parents would drive to Brooklyn, Long Island, Queens, and even Manhattan to visit their siblings. What fun it was to connect and get together with my cousins, who were all about the same age. Then, something radically changed. As I think and write about this, I feel my muscles tense and my eyes water even after 50+ years when I was falsely accused of taking money from my cousin’s money jar. When I was seven years old,

I was fascinated with counting coins. My brother had a coin collection, and every night, when my dad would come home from work, he would empty his pockets of change on the kitchen table. My brother and I would examine the coins and look for the dates they were minted. Every so often, we would squeal with delight when we found a coin that was added to my brother’s navy-blue cardboard coin slot in his collection. I crowned myself my brother’s coin finder and

helper. I would look for coins to count or go through every chance I had. I was fascinated with coins. One Fall weekend, we drove to Long Island to be with my father’s brother and his family. The kids got together upstairs in the kids’ section of the house. My cousins, brother, and I played Parchisi, and then the four males got interested in building with the massive erector set. I was left to play by myself. I asked my cousin if I could count and look at the coins that were in a large jar on the shelf in his room. He told me I could. While the boys were in another room, I was lost in counting and examining. I had no idea how much time had passed before my parents called us to get

into the car to leave. I carefully got all the coins off the floor and put them back into the money jar, placing it back on the shelf. When we returned home, the phone rang. It was my uncle. He told my mom that money from my cousin’s jar was missing. She came into my room and asked about it. I told her that I did not take any of the coins. More phone calls came to clarify, and then an outright accusation. There was at least $15.00 missing from the jar, and I was the one who had taken the money. I was hurt and outraged. My mom and dad interrogated me separately and then went through my closet and dresser, searching for missing coins. I protested, cried,

Aurora awards $60K in Neighborhood Improvement

The city of Aurora has awarded $60,000 in grant funds to 14 groups across all city wards as part of its 2024 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program. Among the projects selected are neighborhood little libraries, backto-school neighborhood celebrations, neighborhood cleanups and landscaping initiatives.

These competitive grants, of up to $5,000 each, support projects that enhance a neighborhood’s physical condition, foster community pride and identity, improve neighborhood communication, and introduce new assets that encourage gathering and positive experiences.

The awarded neighborhood groups and their projects for 2024 include:

• Del Mar Rebel Marketplace (new community events and programming at existing seasonal market)

• Aurora Economic Opportunity Coalition (community clean-up event in northwest Aurora, and shade structures and benches to be installed in their facility parking lot)

• 45th Place of Hawks Landing (community events for neighborhood youth)

• Meadowood Neighborhood Association (neighborhood “dump day” for bulky waste items and document shredding)

• Highland Park East Neighborhood Association (neighborhood “dump day” and door hangers to advertise event)

• Bayberry Community (refresh communal gathering spaces and parking lots, install raised garden beds, composters and little free library)

• Peachwood Homeowners’ Association (repair and refresh community entryway fencing and signage)

• Mission Viejo Homeowners’ Association (neighborhood “dumpster days”)

• Lake Shore Community Association (update community entryway landscaping and lighting)

• Sterling Hills Homeowners’ Association (little free library installation)

• Red Sky Condominiums (repair and refresh common areas)

• Dam East Townhome Association (replace outdoor furniture in common areas and community events)

• Star Pass at Saddle Rock (re-

place entryway island median landscaping with waterwise materials and install informational signage around waterwise landscaping, plus a community event after landscaping installed)

• Quincy Hill Townhouse Com-

munity (replace entryway landscaping with waterwise materials)

Neighborhood organizations and residents (where a neighborhood organization may not exist) were encouraged to apply.

Awarded groups have until Oc-

tober 2024 to use the grant funds and complete their projects.

Although the Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program is now closed for the year, residents are encouraged to apply for one or more neighborhood minigrants, including a Know Your

and even remember screaming that I had not brought home one penny. Nothing I could say or do would make them believe me. I felt powerless, helpless, and incredibly emotional. I felt shame, frustration, and anger. My relationship with my uncle, aunt, and cousins was never the same. I lost something extraordinary in this incident… my self-respect, dignity, voice, and attachment to my cousins. I would liken being falsely accused to being a traumatic event in my childhood. It is horrible, and it affects everything. For those falsely accused or set up by corruption, this is not the American way and is hurtful to all involved. joneen@narme.org

Neighbor Grant for a block party or clean-up events, a Printing Assistance Grant to provide posters and flyers for community activities, and a Small Neighborhood Activity Grant for events like festivals or tournaments. Mini-grant applications are open now at Aurora Gov.org/NeighborhoodGrants.

Father’s Day brings back Historic Memories

I’m writing this column on Father’s Day, June 16, 2024. It is a great experience in life to be a father, and to honor your father. I loved my father greatly and as I grow older, I respect him more and more. My father was a rugged rancher. Second oldest son of six boys from Irish immigrants; my grandfather Patrick coming from County Cork in 1865 and my grandmother arriving later in 1880s from County Mayo. She worked for a banker in Meeker, Colorado who also had a café to take care of wagon trains coming from the railroad in Rawlins, WY. to a train in Rifle. She worked in the café and lived with the banker’s family. Meeker was a pioneer cow town on the edge of the White River. The town was just starting to be developed, recovering from the Indian uprising in September 1879, described in history as the Meeker Massacre with the murder of Nathan Meeker, the Indian Agent at The White River Indian Agency. U.S. troops came from Ft. Laramie, Wyo., to quell the uprising and a battle occurred at Milk Creek, northeast of Meeker, where there were both Indians and military casualties. The result turned out badly for the Ute Indians who were taken from the White River agency to Utah, never to return to their homeland along the

BY BOB SWEENEY

White River that became Rio Blanco, County with the courthouse in Meeker. The booming Rangely oil field was discovered where Texaco, Chevron et al. discovered millions of dollars of oil piped to Houston, Texas with most of the wealth leaving Rangely, Rio Blanco County, and Colorado. A sad tale of mineral wealth leaving Colorado for other destinations. Much of the gold and silver wealth from Idaho Springs, Leadville, Black Hawk, and Central City ended up in Denver and Colorado Springs. Back to my ancestors. Patrick was an expert teamster and horseman, stopped at the Meeker café and met Mary. My grandmother’s story goes like this, with Patrick telling her, “Mary, on my next trip here, let’s get married;” She apparently said “yes”, and their wedding story was published in the historic Meeker Herald. They were married in the Methodist Church in 1885, the only church in early day Meeker of course named after the slain Indian agent.

The couple homesteaded in the Axial Basin North of Meeker on the cusp of where a book describes the region as, “Where the Old West Stayed Young,” by John Rolfe Burroughs. The couple soon learned that homesteading was a tough deal with no irrigation water and 160 acres. But,

with the grace of God, moved 15 miles to the Yampa River where they were able to purchase a river spread where my father and his brothers were born and raised.

The lived in a log cabin built with logs from a nearby mountain. They raised cattle, and horses, and the boys all became rugged cowhands and hard workers. Another story goes that once a year a Catholic priest would come riding by on his horse and the boys would run and hide, fearful of the messenger of God in his black clothing. But the Lord blessed them, and my father married a Maybell school teacher, and they had their own ranch nearby to the original family ranch. Every time a brother would marry the family would buy another ranch with many failed homesteads dotting the landscape.

I was raised on this ranch, surrounded by cattle, horses, dogs, cats, flies, and mosquitoes. We drank raw water from the nearby river, took a bath in a copper tub, and ate food cooked on a coal stove from a large pot of stew, boiled potatoes, and fresh meat fried in a black cast- iron frying pan. We had fresh milk and cream delivered twice a day from our milk cow, but we had to milk her to get it, sharing half of it with her calf.

Back to my father. He worked seven days a week; his livestock always came first with morning chores at daybreak. Fol-

lowed by boiled Folger coffee, biscuits, eggs, and slab bacon. We went into Craig, a 29-mile drive, once a month, but we raised all the food we needed. He needed tobacco and a quart of “Old Grand Dad Whiskey.”

During the summer months, weekends, and holidays, even home from college I was always helping dad with the chores and working with the livestock. So many stories about cattle drives, rattlesnakes, and making a living with horses, wagons, shovels, and pitchforks.

I learned so much from my father about horses, agriculture, and honesty. About honesty, “a man’s word is a man’s bond.” Because he smoked, he died at age 75 of lung cancer. He could still outwork us all, but the dust, bitter cold winters, and those Lucky Strike cigarettes ended his life way too early.

My parents and grandparents are all buried in the Craig. I was so fortunate to have very loving, talented, hard- working parents. I’m cherishing some memories of my dad today. He saved my life once during a horse incident, I could have been dragged to death, caught up in a lariat rope.

Tell your father you love him and cherish the man who brought you into this life and to the best country in the world.

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

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Congratulations Russell Gruber of Gruber Commercial Real Estate on being named Denver Metro Commercial Association of Realtors Heavy Hitters 2023 Top Small Shop Broker! First American State Bank is proud to be your banking partner. Just like First American State Bank, Gruber Commercial Real Estate is known for the high level, personalized service it brings to every customer interaction.

Jay Davidson, CEO with Michelle Gruber, VP, First American State Bank and Russell Gruber, Gruber Commercial Real Estate

Unless you were an invited guest to the magnificent one-story condo that was John Madden’s Greenwood Village home atop an office building at 5700 S. Quebec Street, you may have driven by it every day and never noticed it was there.

The 5,512-square foot, one-story, three-bedroom, four-bath penthouse, with full wraparound decks, incredible mountain views, and enough space to have a private pickleball court and multiple putting greens, has a private elevator next to the front door of the office building under it. This was the place John Madden entertained friends and business associates when he wasn’t at his home in Sanibel Island, Florida, before it was destroyed by Hurricane Ian in 2022. The Quebec Street condo, for which the asking price was $4 million until it was dropped last week, was also a spot from which Madden could survey the multiple properties he owned in the area, including Greenwood Athletic Club, just across the street.

One thing is certain. There’s no other residential property like this one.

John W. Madden, Jr. passed away from natural causes at the age of 94 on January 19, 2024.

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

Condo is on the roof with outdoor space all around.

Realtor’s sign advertising property is on Quebec Street.

Nathan Yip Foundation hosts annual Sushi Party at AMG Dome Art Show addition introduces eight participating artists

With June being the birth month of their late son Nathan Yip for whom the foundation was named,

Linda and Jimmy Yip added an art show to the annual Sushi Party fundraiser complemented by Jimmy’s famous rum cake. Participants, with a portion of sales going to the Nathan Yip Foundation (NYF), were:

Susan Cooper Art, Jutta Golas Ceramics, Barbara Lunger Fine Art, Spring Creek Wood Turning, Wayne Redovian Photography, J.R. Monks Fine Art, CSextonW Studio and Marian Davis Art. J.R. Monks is an

educator on the Eastern Plains and Ray Hirman (Spring Creek Wood Turning) is an educator on the Western Slope.

Nathan Yip Foundation provides financial support to rural schools and teachers to

help provide equitable and innovative opportunities for students in rural Colorado and has awarded over $1 million in grants. Primary fundraisers celebrate the Yip family heritage.

ABOVE: Cherry Hills Village artist Cora Sexton Wheeler,

Fleurish purchased this fun lollipop creation, part of a series, by Barbara Lunger Fine Art (Greenwood Village)

Cynthia and Dr. Larry Chan with Mary and Tom Conroy

Senate Majority Fund event held at Hacienda Colorado in Lone Tree

One of the several critical messages of the gathering was The Importance of 12 in 2024. If the Republicans fail to maintain a minimum of 12 seats and the

Democrats have a 24-vote supermajority, they would gain the following powers: Amend the Colorado Constitution (With 24 votes, Democrats could bypass the petition process and simply vote to place a question on

“The Senate Republican caucus is the center of gravity for the common sense legislation that comes out of the general assembly and the firewall against the worst ideas. We must work diligently and generously to keep and grow the strength of the Senate Republican caucus.

– Paul Lundeen - Colorado State Senate, District 9 Senate Minority Leader

the ballot amending the state constitution.) Override a Governor’s Veto (With 24 votes, Democrats would hold 2/3 of the seats of both chambers, meaning they could override a gubernatorial veto of more extreme legislation passed by the body.) Suspend the Senate Rules (With 24 votes, Democrats can change

any rules of procedure or vote to suspend all Senate rules without Republican consent. Such action would give Democrats ability to, among other things, expedite bills through the legislative process, leaving less time for public scrutiny. Normally a bill must be scheduled two days after it is heard in committee. With 24 votes,

Democrats could vote to hear the bill the same day on the floor.) Increase or diminish the number of judicial districts and/or district judges (Any bill that increases or decreases the number of judges or judicial districts requires 24 votes). Having 12 seats in the state Senate allowed Republicans to stop or amend 23 bills.

Cor2Cor features new board member Cheryl Wilson, business strategist

Manager Darren Povero went all out for an appetizer spread when Cor2Cor held its recent meeting at Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Belleview Station. New Board member and business strategist Cheryl Wilson was featured speaker. She is president and founder of Right on Time, Inc. Cheryl is a hands-on strategist focusing mainly on marketing tactics and daily operations. One of her high-profile clients is award-winning oil painter (and later, sculptor) Craig Tennant. She shared their business success from the beginning and also gave a door prize of a painting by Craig Tennant.

ABOVE: Leslie Frost won the door prize gift of a painting by Craig Tennant presented by speaker Cheryl Wilson which Leslie says will be of her cockapoo Sadie

LEFT: Cor2Cor board members in attendance Co-Founder Nepeta Godek, Cheryl Wilson, Lisza Gulyas and Holly McNamara

RIGHT: A sculpture by Craig Tennant on display that turned out to be his self likeness

Former Senate President Bill Cadman, Senate Minority Leader and Senate Majority Fund Chair Paul Lundeen, Senator Jim Smallwood (SD-2), Senator Larry Liston (SD-10), Senator Cleave Simpson (running for re-election in SD – 6), Former Senator Jack Tate (SD-27), Senator Kevin Van Winkle (SD-30)

Sen. Cleave Simpson (running for re-election in SD-6), Rep. Lisa Frizell (candidate for SD-2), Scott Bright (candidate for SD-13), Robyn Carnes (candidate for SD-16)

Photos by Scottie Iverson

in the know

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BY FREDA MIKLIN

I am passionate about government and giving our readers straightforward information that will help them make informed choices when they vote. I am also a licensed

C.P.A. and former Greenwood Village City Council member. Dr. Jerry Miklin and I are the parents of five young adults, including two sets of twins, all of whom graduated from Cherry Creek High School and college. I am a 7-time Colo. Press Assn. award winner. If you have any questions about local or state politics or government, or something you want to share, email me at fmiklin.villager@gmail.com.

Democrats add controls over firearms but don’t ban assault weapons

There are eight new laws in Colorado that add additional controls to the business of selling firearms and rules for possessing them, along with a possible new tax to provide financial resources for crime victims.

HB24-1292, that would have banned assault weapons, along with HB24-1162, which would have changed the way the theft of a firearm was punished, and HB24-1270, which would have required gun owners to buy liability insurance, were defeated in the 2024 general assembly. These are the bills that were passed and have been signed into law by Governor Jared Polis.

SB24-131

Prohibiting Carrying Firearms in Sensitive Spaces

Effective July 1, 2024, carrying a firearm, whether openly or concealed, is prohibited in all schools, public or private, from pre-school through college, except by security personnel. Firearms are also prohibited from being taken, open or concealed, into state legislative buildings, including buildings where elected officials’ offices are located, buildings of a local government’s governing body (city hall or county building), courthouses or any buildings used for court procedures.

HB24-1353 Firearms Dealer Requirements & Permit

Beginning July 1, 2025, a firearms dealer must obtain a state firearms dealer permit for $400, in addition to the federal firearms license that they must possess. Firearms dealers and employees must complete an annual

training course and not have been convicted of any crime involving the possession, purchase, or sale of firearms. Permits will be valid for three years.

HB24-1174

Concealed Carry Permits & Training

Beginning July 1, 2025, an applicant for a permit to carry a concealed handgun must have completed a law enforcement training firearms safety course or a firearms safety course taught by a verified instructor, held in person, that includes instruction in safe handling of firearms and ammunition, safe storage of firearms and child safety, safe firearms shooting fundamentals, federal and state laws pertaining to the lawful purchase, ownership, transportation, use and possession of firearms, the use of deadly force for self-defense, best practices for safely interacting with law enforcement personnel who are responding to an emergency, and techniques for avoiding a violent confrontation, including conflict resolution.

A passing score on a written concealed handgun competency exam and a live-fire exercise after a class with at least eight hours of instruction from an instructor verified by a county sheriff is required, unless the applicant is a currently certified peace officer.

HB24-1122

Protection Orders for Victims of Crimes

Beginning January 1, 2025, while a temporary protection order is in effect that is based on an act of domestic violence that involved the threat or use of physical force, the respondent to the protection order is prohibited

There are eight new laws in Colorado that add additional controls to the business of selling firearms and rules for possessing them, along with a possible new tax to provide financial resources for crime victims.

from possessing or purchasing a firearm or ammunition and must relinquish possession of any firearm or ammunition in his or her immediate possession or control.

HB24-1349 Firearms & Ammunitions Excise Tax

This bill, which we previously reported about in the May 16 issue of The Villager, would impose a new 6.5% excise tax on firearms and ammunition, effective April 1, 2025, if voters agree to it in November. The proceeds would be used to assist crime victims and school security programs.

HB24-1348 Secure Firearm Storage in a Vehicle

Beginning January 1, 2025, one may not knowingly leave a handgun in an unattended vehicle unless it is stored in a locked hard-sided container that is locked in the vehicle’s trunk or otherwise not left in plain view or in a locked recreational vehicle. A person with a disability may use a soft-sided container for a firearm if the firearm has a locking device installed on it. There are exceptions for antiques and firearms used for farm and ranch operations, as well as peace officers, active military

CHV is using extra revenue to add three new police officers to its force

At its May 21 regular meeting, the Cherry Hills Village City Council considered a recommendation from its city manager, finance director, and chief of police to permanently add three additional police officers to its force. The request was given final approval at the next council meeting on June 4.

The idea to increase the number of police officers by three was based on a conceptual staffing model for 2025 that CHV Police Chief Jason Lyons presented to the city council on March 5 at

The idea to increase the number of police officers by three was based on a conceptual staffing model for 2025 that CHV Police Chief Jason Lyons presented to the city council on March 5 at their 2024 annual retreat. That model showed an immediate police staffing need and the city council agreed it should be implemented.

members, and “certain activities related to lawful hunting.”

SB24-003 Colorado Bureau of Investigation Authority to Investigate Firearms Crimes

The CBI is authorized to investigate, “egregious attempts to purchase firearms by previously convicted felons who are identified through the Instacheck unit denial process,” and, “unlawful activity involving illegal firearm components and accessories.” The CBI is required to notify the applicable local law enforcement agency and district attorney of any findings and to coordinate any required investigation with local authorities.

SB24-066 Firearms Merchant Category Code

This tracks payments made for firearms and ammunitions through financial processors by using a specific processing code. Enforcement is exclusively through the attorney general’s office.

Any law that does not contain a specific effective date in the future is automatically effective 90 days after the close of the legislative session, which ended on May 8 this year.

their 2024 annual retreat. That model showed an immediate police staffing need and the city council agreed it should be implemented.

CHV Finance Director Doug Farmen supported the recommendation. He told the city council that additional, unanticipated 2024 sales tax and investment revenue would allow the city to appropriate the additional $222,400 needed to cover the cost of the three officers for the second half of the year without having a negative impact on the city’s general fund balance. He was also confident that funding the positions into the future would not present a challenge to city finances.

Strongest sign yet that local land use policy must look beyond offices

Greenwood Village, once coined, “The headquarters of headquarters,” almost certainly still has more than its share of company home offices than one might expect to find in its eight square miles, but indications continue to emerge that office space will not be needed in the foreseeable future at anywhere near the level is was before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Two Greenwood Village office buildings on East Crescent Parkway, near the intersection of East Belleview Avenue and DTC Boulevard, recently sold for 70% less than what they fetched a decade ago. Both buildings were built in 1996.

On June 13, Business Den reported that 8350 E. Crescent Parkway and 8390 E. Crescent Parkway were recently sold to two local real estate investment firms, Westside Investment Partners (Westside) and Knightbridge Capital (Knightbridge).

Westside and Knightbridge reportedly paid $11.85 million for 8390 E. Crescent Parkway and

Crescent on December 18, 2015 and $17,250,000 for the183,856square foot building on 4.22 acres at 8350 E. Crescent on November 20, 2014, for a total of $47,275,000.

The Villager went to check out the two buildings. At 8350 E. Crescent, a four-story building, the directory had an electronic message that said it was not connected to the internet. The only door with a business name on the first floor was Clear Choice Dental Implant Center. It was locked and had a sign that directed customers to the Clear Choice office at 8200 E. Belleview Avenue.

8390 E. Crescent, which

$2.3 million for 8350 E. Crescent Parkway, for a total of $14.15 million.

According to Arapahoe County records, both buildings were

owned by Texas-based American National Insurance Company (ANIC), which paid $30,025,000 for the 149,846-square foot building on 3.44 acres at 8390 E.

Supporters of Israel and local CU

has six stories, had a bank on the first floor. The directory listed four other tenant companies, besides the building manager. Westside Investment Partners was formed in 1998 by Andy

Klein, founder and managing principal. Other principals are Kenneth Ho, Larry Jacobson, and Mark Witkiewicz. Westside’s focus is on distressed asset purchases.

Last November, Westside picked up the former headquarters of Direct TV at 161 Inverness Drive West for $16.5 million. The 255,000- square foot building had last changed hands on July 31, 2013 for $71 million, when it was fully leased. It was vacant when Westside bought it.

Knightbridge Capital’s co-founders and principals are longtime Colorado real estate professionals Matt Ritter and Riki Hashimoto. According to its website, the firm’s investments are focused on Colorado multifamily and commercial assets.

The challenges faced by the owners of the buildings on Crescent Parkway are shared throughout metro Denver. BusinessDen reported on June 13 that Cherry Creek Plaza I and II, located at 600 S. Cherry Street and 650 S. Cherry Street in Glendale, have gone into foreclosure. These properties were purchased on March 10, 2020, just as the Covid-19 pandemic began to take hold. The buildings, which were longtime standouts in the local market, are each 13 stories and consist of about 335,000 square feet, combined.

Regent outnumber masked protesters who demand university cuts all ties to the Jewish state

When the word spread through the community that protesters from Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) planned to stage a protest in front of the home of CU Regent Ilana Spiegel to support the Palestinians, it got the attention of many people, including Senior Rabbi Richard Rheins of Temple Sinai Denver, community leader and South Metro Fire Rescue board member Rich Sokol, and Miri Kornfeld, director of Stand With Us Colorado, the local chapter of an international, non-partisan education organization that supports Israel and fights antisemitism.

Sprinkled among the over 200 community members who came to the park at East Belleview Avenue and South Havana Street on Father’s Day afternoon, carrying American and Israeli flags to show their support for American values, Israel, and Regent Spiegel, were politicians from various persuasions, including Cherry Hills Village City Council Member Al Blum and congressional candidates Deborah Flora and John Fabbricatore.

Rabbi Rheins told the crowd that protesters like those representing SDS who will come to a private home to intimidate a public servant’s family are, “threatening not just Israel and not just the United States, but democracy itself.”

Sokol said, “We are here to show our unity. We stand with Israel, we stand with the Spiegels,

and we stand with America.” Explaining why he loves America and loves Israel, he pointed out that, in both countries, citizens are free to criticize their government, vote to change their government, safely and openly practice any religion they choose, and even express non-traditional sexuality, things that Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank cannot do if they value their freedom and possibly their very lives. He concluded, “America is not going anywhere. Israel is not going anywhere. We are staying and we are thriving and we are flourishing.”

Among the over 200 community members who came to stand up for the cause was congressional candidate Deborah Flora, holding the flags of the United States and of Israel.

Upon arriving in front of Spiegel’s home in Greenwood Village, Khalid Hamu, of SDS Denver, told a local reporter, “Our goal is to see ties cut to genocide. Our primary demand is divestment from Israel. We are seeing students fight for change like we saw during the Vietnam War.”

Miri Kornfeld of Stand With Us Colorado told the group of counterprotesters gathered in the park, “SDS Denver is part of an anti-Israel, anti-American, anti-Jewish organization that has been around for a very long time. They have been in charge of many of the anti-Israel encampments and rallies we’ve seen on college campuses across the country. They have been demanding that

the University of Colorado divest from Israel.” She explained that when CU regents refused to do what SDS demanded, they began targeting regents’ homes, having staged a similar protest to the one today, last week in Superior at the home of CU Regent Callie Rennison, adding that Stand With Us organized a counterprotest there, as well, and was credited by local authorities in Superior for doing so.

Spiegel issued this statement regarding the protest in front of her home on Father’s Day, “Targeting me and my family, American Jews and descendants of Holocaust survivors at my personal home is un-American. It was and is blatant, brazen, and dangerous antisemitism, which we as Americans cannot tolerate.”

Making it clear that CU is aware of the protesters’ demands, she said, “The Board of Regents has not ignored the demands of protestors. We said: ‘No regent is offering any policy changes in response to the demands.’ In my opinion, that is saying NO. The decades-old Boycott, Divest and Sanctions (BDS) movement they are part of aims to dismantle the Jewish state and end the right to Jewish self-determination. It forbids people-to-people exchanges, dialogue opportunities, or interactions between those with opposing viewpoints. It is antithetical to the ideals of higher education as a marketplace of ideas. “ Local law enforcement was on the

to make sure there were no incidents.

8390 E. Crescent Parkway

8350 E. Crescent Parkway

Photos by Freda Miklin

scene

Paulette Yousefzadeh and her son, Shai Greenfield, 13, who attends Cherry Creek Schools, held a sign that shared their message.

Renowned attorney and GV resident Tzvi Gelt and CHV City Council Member Al Blum came to say they stand for Israel and freedom from harassment of a community leader.

Some of the small group of protesters covered their heads and faces so they could not be recognized.

Photo by Carole Altman

Local realtor Edie Marks, in the foreground, came to show her support.

Photos by Freda Miklin

Saturday, June 8th, was a beautiful day at Columbine Hearing Care in Littleton, CO. 24 volunteers, including 10 audiologists and 2 audiology students, came together to give the gift of hearing to 14 lucky recipients through Hearing the Call - Colorado. A desperate mother made the dangerous journey from Venezuela to the U.S. to allow her 9-year-old daughter to hear for the first time. A 96-yearold woman can finally hear her family, be included in conversations, and be treated with the dignity and respect she deserves. A 19-year-old student can now hear the professors and follow her dream of earning a college degree

and becoming a school teacher.

Lives were changed this day - not just the lives of those served, but also the lives of every volunteer privileged to see the amazing transformation that happens when a person can hear again. Recipients arrived at the event feeling shy, nervous, and isolated. But they left feeling happy, hopeful, and connected.

Hearing the Call - Colorado is a local non-profit organization that provides access to quality and affordable hearing health care for qualified individuals across the state. Eight audiology practices support this initiative through quarterly hearing aid fitting clinics.

Once a year they all come together for a large community event like this one, hosted by Dr. Dusty Jessen and Columbine Hearing Care. Hearing the Call - Colorado is a 501(c) (3) non-profit that relies on financial support from individuals and businesses who believe in their vision that no person be prevented from full participation in life due to hearing loss. They also accept donated hearing aids of all types and ages. Please go to www.HearingTheCall. org/Colorado for more information about supporting their cause or to submit an application for free hearing aids. Recipients pay nothing for the hearing aids and the ini-

tial follow-up care. Hearing the Call - Colorado follows the “circle of giving” model and asks recipients to pay it forward by completing 10 hours of community service or acts of kindness. This has been a beautiful part of the process as recipients use their newfound hearing ability to spread goodness in their local communities.

The June 8th event was made extra special by the collaboration with another local non-profit organization, Cycling Without Age Littleton (CWAL). Cycling Without Age is an international organization that gives free trishaw rides to local communities. A trishaw is an electric-assisted

tricycle with a bench seat in the front for passengers. The Littleton chapter is extremely active, providing thousands of “wind in the hair” experiences to those who wouldn’t otherwise be able to enjoy the outdoors in this way. CWAL pilots volunteered their time at this special event to give trishaw rides to the recipients after they were fit with their hearing aids. They were thrilled to hear the river flowing, birds chirping, children laughing, and the sweet sounds of The Wicked Pitches performing at the nearby Dirt Coffee Bar. CWAL even provided sparkling cider for “champagne” toasts to celebrate this special day. Visit www.cwalittleton.com for more information.

INTERESTINGPEOPLE Peter Boyles

Peter Boyles is a Denver talk radio institution, gracing the morning airways with his wit and encyclopedic knowledge of history. My story with Pete goes back a decade. He liked something I wrote and had me on as a callin guest on his KNUS morning show. Casey, his producer at the time, casually told Pete that Dr Joondeph actually lives in Denver. Thereafter I spent many a morning in the KNUS studios as his guest, discussing my latest article, the news of the day, or kvetching over the state of politics and the country. He is a dear friend, and I am happy to share a bit of his story with Villager readers.

Let’s learn about your roots. Share a bit about where you grew up and your journey to Denver?

I am a Pittsburgh steel mill kid who started working in the mills at age 17. After high school I ended up in Colorado, met a woman and stayed. While in college at Metro State, I was offered a part time job with AAA writing traffic reports.

One day the on-air traffic reporter at a local radio station didn’t come to work and I got the nod to read the traffic report on the air. Then came reports on travel and recreation. Soon thereafter I was a radio DJ. In the early 1980s I was offered a morning talk show at KWBZ. Next came an

evening talk show at KHOW, then mornings at KOA, pivoting to a long running morning show at KNUS. Now at age 80, I am doing a Saturday morning talk show at KNUS, a podcast, and a new opinion column for the Denver Post.

Denver is known for its unique charm and diverse offerings. What specific elements of life here do you find most enchanting and why? I love the mountains and flying down the ski slopes. I have a place in Winter Park and spend as much time as I can up there. Colorado has great roads for road biking and motorcycling.

As a resident deeply connected to Colorado, what do you perceive as the most significant challenge currently facing our state?

Colorado is plagued by two dysfunctional political parties and associated party leadership. In a bipartisan manner, the two parties are unable to compromise or accomplish anything beneficial for the state.

Reflecting on your journey, both personally and professionally, could you share a pivotal moment that left a lasting impression on you?

My most significant moment came 36 years ago when I became sober, allowing me to be alive and productive today at 80 years of age.

While in grad school at DU studying history, I realized how much I liked radio. It gave me a career, starting as a DJ, ending up doing decades of talk radio. I have proudly covered or created notable big local stories including DIA, Jon Benet Ramsey, Players and Sugar, and the truth of Matthew Shepard.

Family bonds often bring us immense pride. Would you be willing to share a cherished moment or achievement involving your family that holds a special place in your heart?

I have two adult children that have grown into wonderful and decent people. I love spending time with my 12-year-old grandson, watching him grow up and admiring his baseball skills.

Beyond the demands of daily life, what activities or hobbies bring you the greatest joy and fulfillment in your free time?

I love skiing and riding my motorcycle. I hit the gym daily, spending an hour on the lifecycle reading a book. I am a voracious reader with a half dozen books going at any given time. I particularly enjoy history (I was once in grad school

at DU studying history) and biographies of interesting people.

Denver is a culinary melting pot. Could you recommend one or two local restaurants that hold a special place in your heart?

I’m not much of a restaurant guy but my favorite eateries are the Black Eye Pea, The Butchery, and for lunch the New York Deli News.

As we conclude, could you share with us a favorite quote or mantra that serves as a guiding light in your life or encapsulates your outlook on the world?

“You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas.” Davy Crockett said angrily after losing his Tennessee bid for the U.S. Congress.

Other mantras include “Don’t back down” and “Make sure you are right then go ahead and do it”

IN THE EYES OF BRIAN Bio Retinal specialist, writer, Greenwood Village resident email: joonbug@mac.com

Pete on his motorcycle

On the slopes at Winter Park

Pete and Brian in studio at KNUS

Kathy Finley, Julie Hayden, Peter Boyles, Stephanie Riggs, Tom Martino

Olympic Trials next in Anna Hall’s rehab

The 10-day U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials begin tomorrow, and the heptathlon will be among the first events decided.

If she weren’t recovering from knee surgery, Anna Hall, who grew up in Greenwood Village and attended Valor Christian, would be the handsdown favorite to win the women’s equivalent of the men’s decathlon.

“It breaks my heart to be passing on the indoor world championships,” she wrote on Instagram in late January, “but this was something we needed to do now in order to focus on the Olympics.”

Jackie Joyner-Kersee, the acknowledged G.O.A.T. of the heptathlon responded: “Stay strong and take it one day at a time, Champ.”

“Nothing special . . . just plugging along,” she told Track World News recently. Asked about her confidence level heading into the Trials, she responded: “The Trials are never a given. Just taking it one event at a time.”

Interviewed at the end of March by Citius Mag, she had said: “It’s not the way I wanted to start an Olympic year.”

door NCAA championships, and was a finalist for the 2022 Bowerman Award, collegiate track’s equivalent of football’s Heisman Trophy.

“The injury was a really big inflection point in my career,” Hall told Olympics.com in a 2023 interview. “I honestly don’t think I would have done what I did last year had I not gotten injured.”

Hopefully she can say the same

But she’s just 18 weeks out of what she insists was “a minor procedure” at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, so her goal is “to be in position to be on the team” representing the United States at next month’s Paris Summer Olympics.

If she achieves that goal, she’ll then focus on earning a medal— with the benefit of another month of rehab before she tries.

The injury was to her PCL, which is jock-speak for posterior cruciate ligament. She doesn’t know for sure when it happened, only that it’s different than the knee problem that contributed to her silver medal finish at last August’s World Championships.

The PCL is one of four major ligaments in the knee. It helps connect the thighbone to the shinbone.

Minimum recovery time for the

The world record holder and three-time Olympic gold medalist has become one of Hall’s mentors and an ardent admirer.

“She’s the best we are ever going to see,” JJK said last year during an online interview with Citius Mag.

“What I love about her is, she is going to compete. She has that competitive spirit. You can’t ask for anything more. That’s what the multi-events are all about.”

During an NBC Broadcaster Roundtable two weeks ago promoting the network’s coverage of the Trials, Trey Hardee, silver medalist in the decathlon at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, said of Hall:

“Anna Hall is a superstar. Anna Hall is fantastic . . . She’s tough as nails . . .”

In addition to missing the World Indoor Championships, Hall had to skip what she calls her favorite meet, the prestigious Hypo in Gotsis, Austria. She came within 12 points of joining Joyner-Kersee as one of few heptathletes to reach 7,000 points in a meet there last year. But 7,000 points is not her concern right now.

“I’m trying to get ready for Trials,” she told Citius. “I’m really focused on that—get through the Trials and medal in Paris.”

The 2024 USATF Olympic Trials will be held at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field, which presents its own unique challenge to Hall. It was there, during the U.S. Trials for the Tokyo Games, that Hall clipped a hurdle and broke her foot.

Not only did that deny her an opportunity to qualify for the trip to Japan, but it also threatened to derail a promising collegiate

thing about this latest injury and its impact on her performance at the 2024 Trials.

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.

Holland - Salay Engagement

Sean Holland of Florissant and Carrie Christensen of Littleton announce the engagement of their son, Wyatt Christian Holland to Samantha Lynn Salay, daughter of Rich and Jo Ann Salay of Evergreen.

Wyatt is a graduate of Heritage High School in Littleton. He studied Petroleum Engineering at the University of Wyoming. He attended Arapahoe Community College in Littleton and received his associates degree in Business Administration. Wyatt enlisted in the United States Army Reserve in 2012 and completed his basic training at Fort Benning in 2013. He is currently serving as a Staff Sergeant and plans to retire in eight years. He is employed at Premo Steel Buildings as a Regional Manager.

Samantha is a graduate of Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch. She attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins and earned her bachelors degree in Health and Exercise Science with a Concentration in Sports Medicine. She also earned a Bachelors of Nursing from the Denver College of Nursing. She is employed at AdventHealth Littleton as an Operating Room Registered Nurse.

Wyatt and Samantha met at the gym in August 2017. After a six-year courtship, Wyatt proposed to Samantha at Goodman’s Bay Beach in Nassau, Bahamas on a white sandy beach beside the turquoise – blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

A summer wedding will be held on July 8th at the Douglas County Courthouse with close family. A ceremonial celebration is being planned for the Fall of 2025 with extended family and friends.

The couple live in Castle Rock and plan to raise a family in their community located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

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

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD BEFORE THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE ON TUESDAY, JULY 9, 2024, AT 5:00 P.M. FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING WRITTEN AND ORAL COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC CONCERNING A REZONING FROM R-1 TO 0-1 AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF E. QUINCY AVENUE AND S. UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD.

THE APPLICATION IS AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT THE CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

DEPARTMENT, 2450 E. QUINCY

AVENUE, CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, CO 80113 MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M. OR YOU MAY CALL 303-783-2729 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

PROTESTS OR COMMENTS MAY BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, 2450 E. QUINCY AVENUE, CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, CO 80113 OR PWORKMAN@CHERRYHILLSVILLAGE. COM ON OR BEFORE THE DATE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING, OR BY PERSONAL APPEARANCE AT THE PUBLIC HEARING.

Published in The Villager Published: June 20, 2024 Legal # 11534

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 DE-

If you fail to file your answer or other response to the first amended complaint in writing

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.

Antelope Drive West, Bennett,

NOURISH MEALS ON WHEELS RAFFLE

Raffle tickets must be purchased separately per the Colorado Secretary of State guidelines. Proceeds benefit Nourish Meals on Wheels EIN: 84-0617651- Raffle License #2024-19440. All raffle prizes are valued at $100 or more, and you need not be present to win. Raffle drawing will be held at Town Hall Arts Center, 2450 W. Main Street, Littleton. Ticket sales will close at 7 p.m. on JUNE 20, to allow for drawing preparation. Drawing will be held at 9 p.m. Winners will be announced at the event, via an email and posted at www.NourishMealsonWheels.org within 24 hours. For questions call 303-798-7642.

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.

Job site: Greenwood Village, CO. Salary: $108,992/yr (min.) + perf. bonus + health/ dental/vision benefits. Send resume to: Askey International Corp. 4017 Clipper Court, Fremont, CA 94538

2025 Mazda CX-70 arrives in luxury style

I’ve had a flurry of Mazda vehicles, and they are really an exciting line-up of vehicles. I can remember back in the 1969s when the first Japanese cars arrived in the U.S. Honda, I believe, was the initial offering that was small and a bargain. There was controversy about the imported cars and the impact on Detroit. Well, decades later Ford no longer makes passenger sedans except the Mustang that they have converted to an electric vehicle. Ford still dominates the pickup truck category. All the foreign cars have become American household names.

Many of the foreign cars are now manufactured in America. Quite a few assembly plants have been relocated to Mexico for the abundant labor market. President Trump was able to increase tariffs on the imported cars, and now we have Chinese EV cars hitting the U.S. markets. If Trump is elected, more tariffs may be imposed.

Bottom line, the car industry is very competitive both in price and quality. For the most part consumers are the winner of this intense competition that brings me back

to Mazda, a prime Japanese product. These are well built quality vehicles, loaded with safety, navigation, technical applications, styling, design, and high-performance.

The Mazda CX-70 test car this week is one of the topend luxury brands in the Mazda fleet with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of

$59,420, loaded with options, including “Rhodium White Premium,” paint that is an extra $585; the only charge in a massive list of special Mazda options.

Starting with the hybrid and gasoline combination that generates 323 combined horsepower for an exciting drive linked to the 5-speed

“Skyactiv” drive with steering wheel paddle shifters. EV mileage is rated at 56 mpg and gasoline at 25 mpg overall. The two systems work in tandem, and I only used the gasoline sport mode.

The CX rides on 21” machine cut alloy wheels with all-season tires. The rear

deck can be used hands-free, great at the grocery store. The windshield wipers have deicer function. There is also a 120V outlet for outdoor camping usage. There are aluminum roof rails for additional storage items. This is a powerful vehicle with 3500 lbs. of mode towing capacity.

The interior features 5-way passenger heated front seats and heated second row seats. Something new is the front row cross-traffic alert that blends well with the rear traffic warnings. I’m also fond of the windshield warnings on speed limit and school warning signs. There is every safety system with knee, frontal, curtain, and side impact bags. There are at least three wireless charging stations and a raft of high-tech Blue-tooth features. Heating and cooling controls are under the center 12.3” color monitor.

Mazda vehicles are loaded with about every luxury, safety, and comfort feature, and this CX-70 has a very attractive price.