7-11-24 Villager

Photo by Amanda Tipton

Photo by Douglas Wells Photography

Don’t Let Him In

Everything I hear on the news is about losing it as we age. Can we do the job? Are we mumbling and stumbling through life? I am tired of hearing about aging. Aren’t we all aging? Some do it better than others. At the end of Clint Eastwood’s movie The Mule, there was a short clip of a song sung by country star Toby Keith. The song’s words gripped my heart, and I wondered how this song came to be. It turns out that Toby Keith is good friends

with Clint Eastwood.

Apply by July 31 to serve on Aurora Police Pension Plan Board

The city of Aurora is accepting applications now through July 31 for an impending opening on the Aurora Police Pension Plan Board of Trustees.

Any Aurora resident or person who owns or operates a business in Aurora may apply to serve on the board, and the three-year term of service starts in January. This is a board-appointed position, and applicants will interview with the board virtually for consideration.

This board approves benefits, reviews financial information and takes other actions as needed related to the city’s “old hire” police plan, which is a closed defined-benefit public pension plan designed to provide lifetime monthly retirement benefits to uniformed officers of the Aurora Police Department—and their survivors—hired before April 8, 1978.

The seven-member board meets as needed in person or virtually, and generally meets one to two times per year. This is a non-compensated board.

To find out more and apply, visit AuroraGov.org/ Boards (click on Aurora Police Pension Fund Board) or call Eleanor Beeby at 303.739.6216.

The two friends were sharing a golf cart at a charity golf tournament in Pebble Beach, California. Eastwood had just starred and directed the film The Mule, based on a true story of a WWII veteran in his 80s who takes a job as a courier for a Mexican drug cartel. While golfing with Keith, Eastwood mentioned that he would be starting a new movie in two days, which was Eastwood’s 88th birthday. Impressed by Eastwood’s stamina and relentless energy supply, Keith asked how he kept going. Eastwood replied I get up every morning determined not to let the old man in. This response struck Keith, so he penned a song by that name, “Don’t Let the Old Man In.”

How can we not let the old

man in?

After reading dozens of articles on aging gracefully, I realized that the first and most important thing is to stay passionate about life, practice gratitude, and have a positive attitude. Of course, we must take care of our bodies by exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, hydrating, staying away from alcohol and other substances, reducing stress, asking for what we need, and hanging out with people we love and who love us. Meaningful relationships and a robust social network are essential!

Accept that aging is inevitable and part of the life cycle. We must make the best of it, even embrace it as an intentional choice. Find what brings you joy and do it every day. Stay curious, learn new things, go on adventures, find new hobbies, listen to music, and see the sacred in the simple. Volunteer and serve others. Stay

Let’s keep our tax dollars in our neighborhoods by shopping locally

After reading dozens of articles on aging gracefully, I realized that the first and most important thing is to stay passionate about life, practice gratitude, and have a positive attitude. Of course, we must take care of our bodies by exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, hydrating, staying away from alcohol and other substances, reducing stress, asking for what we need, and hanging out with people we love and who love us. Meaningful relationships and a robust social network are essential!

in the present with hope for a meaningful future. Do something positive for your legacy and the world. Know the incredible and awesome power of one. A phrase I have on my computer reads, “I cannot do everything, but I can do something.” Find that something and do it with passion and gusto. Dance. Smile. Sing (even if you cannot carry a tune) as it is good for the soul. Get regular medical, dental, and eye check-ups. Tell the truth. Remember, your character is your legacy. Greet each day with wonder. Search for your happy place with reckless abandon. Not letting the old man (or woman) in is more about living in joy, being healthy and helpful than keeping wrinkles away. I am determined not to let the old woman in by finding my joy, staying in the sacred, loving well, and living in overwhelming gratitude. joneen@narme.org

Election Nomination Season at Hand

Independence Day has come and gone with fireworks and celebrations of our great nation. America will prevail and the spirit of freedom and independence will live on. We do have a duty to participate in our government and that means at least registering to vote. Being a well-informed voter is also advised and that can be achieved by discussion with friends and family, reading newspapers (see Follow Freda in this issue), watching your favorite TV show and maybe even turning to a different TV channel to pick up the wide assortment of facts

and opinions. I’m a strong believer in our two-party system that has served us well in leadership of the free world. We need checks and balances between the two parties, candidate competition, and when all else fails, get an opinion from the Supreme Court.

BY BOB SWEENEY

While the lines can sometimes be blurred, we have three branches of government; executive, legislative, and judicial. We have a constitution as a blueprint to follow and Bill of Rights to makes things work fair and square.

The Republicans are now gathering in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the GOP Convention where former

President Donald Trump has locked up the nomination. He will be announcing his vice-presidential choice and elected delegates from 50 states and some territories will cast their votes for his election. The “keynote speech” is always important and will feature one of the best party speakers. I’ve attended a number of these National Conventions, once as an alternate delegate, and a number of times as media.

I’ve attended both Republican and Democratic Conventions and I was in the hotel in San Francisco when Gary Hart made his bid for the presidency. These conventions are powerful and a media frenzy.

This year the Republican Convention will be a “Coronation” for Trump

Proper Balance Between Government, the Private Economy and Every Citizen

“…When government over-extends and reaches into the private economy, into our independent and individual lives, a balance has been broken.”

Few understand the interactions between prices, inflation, economic stagnation and monetary policy. Fewer still, are those who care. Economic theory is a topic that’s like looking into a mirror where right is left and left, right. That said, every person is deeply affected by economic and federal policy. Monetary policy affects everyone in long-term and often disastrous ways. Getting to the source of a policy mistake takes a firm grasp of history and the relationship between various and numerous elements that make up an economy. It is as convoluted as the relationship between people…

Economics is truly the study of both human nature and of cause and effect, variously called unintended consequence or what is seen and not seen (Bastiat). As Sir Isaac Newton observed in the study of motion: “for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” This Natural Law is true in both science and economies.

Take inflation for example. We are painfully aware

of the cost of hyperinflation today because we all suffer every time we pay for something. We pay many more dollars for the same basket of commodities than a few years ago. Our dollar doesn’t “go as far.”

The decline in dollar buying power is inflation. The decline in the dollar is a direct result of policy decisions made years ago by employees of the government.

Inflation started 15 years ago through a short-sighted mistake in monetary policy by the president, congress, the Federal Reserve and Treasury. They decided that rather than allow the private economy to grow naturally, which means free of interference, they would prop up and stimulate the economy through printing more US Dollars.

These excess dollar bills were used by congress and the administration to spend more money on entitlement programs, handouts, to insure their re-election. Like all Keynesians and adherents to Modern Monetary Theory, they believe a dollar spent by the government is better. If $1 is good then why not print $8 trillion. Does anyone today believe that bigger government politicians have

our best interest in mind when they pay people not to work? It may be legal, but is still criminal.

For every effect, there is a cause. The cause is excess dollars in circulation, the effect is devaluation of all dollars and the resultant inflation we suffer today.

Inflation is a tax on every dollar. Inflation is a direct result of Federal Reserve monetary policy. Therefore, the Fed has managed to tax every citizen by devaluing the dollars we own. Strange, one thought that only congress can inflict taxation. Guess they didn’t read the Constitution.

There is a deeper psychology at work here. Remember, economics is the study of human nature, of interactions between people and governments. And herein lies the great divide.

Many bureaucrats and politicians think most economic solutions derive from government’s intervention, and not from private economic activity. This dichotomy is a fundamental chasm between two highly disparate groups: Those who are dependent on a government and those who prefer independence.

Those who wish dependency, find jobs in government or seek entitlement payments. Those who require independence, freedom, liberty, usually find jobs in

and his running mate. The Democratic Convention in Chicago, a month later, could be challenging. My guess is that President Biden will prevail along with Vice-President Kamala Harris. It was reported on TV that he has $200 million in campaign funds. I don’t believe that President Biden will quit.

I don’t begrudge his age. The only reason that I believe he would drop out would be further health challenges. While he has the delegates committed, some may want to stray from the party ticket. Only time will tell, but the event may be historic. If Biden stays in the race, I predict a close election with Trump winning. What do you think will happen? Letters are welcome.

private industry where meritocracy gains them advancement. Both are needed in a functioning society, one is not better than the other, just different.

That said, when government over-extents and reaches into the private economy, into our independent and individual lives, a balance has been broken. In order for our nation to survive and our free economy to thrive, we must demand that balance be re-established. One other maxim, our nations strength resides in a thriving private economy. Government takes, taxpayers pay.

In the case of dollar devaluation, which is inflation, we must insist that government reduce the number of dollars in circulation. This inexorably requires that Congress severely reduce federal spending as they reduce dollars in circulation.

In order to rebalance our relationship with government and the individual citizen we must free up private enterprise to naturally grow our economy by reducing federal interference like excess money supply, regulation, taxation and spending.

Jay Davidson is founder and CEO of a commercial bank. He is a student of the Austrian School of Economics and a dedicated capitalist. He believes there is a direct connection between individual right and responsibility, our Constitution, Capitalism, and the intent of our Creator.

Sweeney gerri@villagerpublishing.com

PUBLISHER Robert Sweeney bsween1@aol.com

CREATIVE MARKETING DIRECTOR Susan Sweeney Lanam 720-270-2018 susan@villagerpublishing.com

VICE PRESIDENT/MARKETING Sharon Sweeney sharon@villagerpublishing.com LEGALS

GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER Freda Miklin fmiklin.villager@gmail.com 303-489-4900

REPORTER Robert Sweeney bsween1@aol.com

FASHION & LIFESTYLE Scottie Iverson swan@denverswan.com

DESIGN/PRODUCTION MANAGER Tom McTighe production@villagerpublishing.com

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

Hearing Voices

Two family members and I were discussing our interactions with virtual receptionists, automated attendants and all manner of other nonhuman voices we have in our lives these days. One said it doesn’t matter how you talk to them. You won’t hurt their feelings.

The other said that if you’re a respectful person, you’ll be respectful whether you’re talking to a friend, a virtual receptionist or your azaleas. It’s a matter of habit. On the other hand, if you swear at poor defenseless recordings you probably have it in you to swear at anybody.

questions like, “Does the early bird really get the worm?” and “And “How much wood can a woodchuck chuck?” I apologized and Siri said, “It’s all good.” She’s so sweet.

Later that day I thanked the Google maps lady in my car for not saying “recalculating” all the time like my old GPS did. She didn’t say so, but I think she appreciated that I’d noticed.

I’m not sure who’s right, but I decided it’s best to live by the latter theory. Nowadays artificial voices sound so real that it’s easy to get confused. I’d hate to tell what I think is a robo caller that it’s a few gigs short of a full computer and find out it’s a real person.

Besides, I read that even calls with automated attendants are sometimes recorded for quality assurance purposes. I don’t want any temper tantrum of mine to be the entertainment at some company’s Christmas party.

But the discussion gave me something to think about. If we practice speaking politely to automated attendants and other talking devices we come across, we’ll be in shape to speak politely to real people— even if they’re as dumb as dirt when it comes to politics and other issues of the day. All sorts of gizmos including fitness devices, alarm clocks, vehicles and even gas pumps talk to us these days. Think of the practice we could get. And if we did mess up and mouth off to Alexa, there’d be no harm done.

With that in mind, I picked up my phone and said, “Hi Siri! Could you please tell me what the square root of 72 is?” She said, “Approximately 8.4852.” Instead of just going on with my business like I normally would, I thanked her. And she said, “You’re welcome.” She’s so nice when you treat her right.

Of course, I didn’t need to know the square root of 72. Suddenly I felt bad for always asking her silly

The next time I had the chance, I went to a self-checkout register. I prefer human clerks unless I’m buying something embarrassing like the sharing size of M&Ms. It’s probably a guilty conscience, but I always feel like the clerk knows I don’t intend to share.

I wasn’t buying M&Ms but I wanted to practice being respectful to the voice. On those rare occasions I’ve used self-checkout, I’ve found the voices to be helpful, but I’ve never once thanked them for it. I decided to make sure I did this time.

I followed the voice’s step-by-step instructions including pressing the button that said, “use my own bag.” Then I placed it in the bagging area and tried to scan my first item. The voice said, “There is an unknown item in the bagging area.”

I said gently, “That’s my bag, dear. You remember.”

The voice said, “Please remove the item from the bagging area.”

I repeated, not quite as gently, “It’s my bag.” But she still wouldn’t let me scan my first item.

“Now you’re just being unreasonable,” I said irritably.

I stuffed my bag into my purse and tried again. This time the voice let me scan my groceries. I was annoyed, but to my credit, I still thanked her when she reminded me to take my receipt. I believe what I said was, “Thanks for nothing.”

Dorothy Rosby is an author and humor columnist whose work appears regularly in publications in the West and Midwest. You can subscribe to her blog at www.dorothyrosby.com or contact at www.dorothyrosby.com/contact.

General Admission: $60 before July 10th $70 after

Ticket price includes food paired to enjoy with your beer and wine from award-winning restaurateur and caterer Jimmy Lambatos from Jimmy’s Jersey Street Café includes brisket, salmon, accompaniments, plus food for kids of all ages

Non-drinking adult food tickets are $20 each

Children's food tickets are $5 and refreshments included

Family-friendly games, face painting, magicians, and more Entertainment by well-known local entertainers

Supports over 30 local and global service projects in one year. We implement projects ourselves and in partnership with many organizations and communities in the Front Range, Colorado, and to all corners of the world. Here are a few of the many ways your support will help us provide a hand-up to those in need:

• Freedom Service Dogs in Centennial helps veterans and rescues animals that are trained to help those suffering from PTSD and other debilitating illnesses.

• Project Worthmore in Aurora helps refugees and other new arrivals in our community.

• Colorado Dream Foundation helps children to stay in school until they graduate from high school and they provide services for children at risk of dropping out.

• In many resource poor countries Rotary clubs help communities to get safe drinking water and proper sanitation.

• Past two years over $92,000 was sent to Ukraine for injured civilians and soldiers and to help many nongovernmental organizations that needed first aid kits, food, water, clothes and other items needed by those displaced or injured by the war.

• Over $15,000 was sent to Rotary clubs during the Turkey Earthquake setting up portable clinics to treat the victims and many other locations that suffered from the humanitarian crises.

These are just a few of the many ways we help locally and globally; please use the QR codes to learn more about Rotary and ask us about how to become a member.

How to Make a Better Salad

WITH TIPS FROM CHEF NATE WEIR, VP OF CULINARY AT MODERN MARKET EATERY

Have you ever noticed that a salad from a restaurant always tastes much better than a salad made at home?

Modern Market Eatery’s VP of Culinary, Chef Nate Weir, has thoughts on why that is and how to help you make the best salad of your life. Read on for his top tips to up your homemade salad game instantly.

PREP YOUR INGREDIENTS

Roast your veggies and protein with salt and spices before adding them to your salad. Restaurants season all elements individually before combining them for maximum flavor impact.

MAKE YOUR OWN BREADCRUMBS

Combine dry bread with herbs and spices of choice in a food processor. If you really want to get crazy, add a little cooked and crumbled bacon. Pulse until crumbly. Spread

on a cookie sheet, add a drizzle of oil, and bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Homemade breadcrumbs add so much flavor and texture — they’re the ideal salad topper!

GARNISH

Don’t underestimate the power of a squeeze of fresh citrus over top of a salad right before serving. Lemon, lime or orange juice brightens things up and helps bring out the flavors of the other ingredients. A sprinkle of parmesan and a handful of toasted nuts also provide additional umami. Don’t forget to add the perfect finishing touch!

When it comes to dressing your salad, absolutely nothing beats homemade. Sure, getting started can be a little intimidating, but we’ve got you covered. Here are Chef Nate’s suggestions for making an amazing salad dressing at home.

LOCATIONS

NEAR YOU

Visit modernmarket. com for all locations and to order. The Streets at SouthGlenn 6955 S. York St. Centennial

Cherry Hills 3475 S. University Blvd. Englewood

Greenwood Village 8575 E. Arapahoe Rd.

Greenwood Village

Highlands Ranch

537 W. Highlands Ranch Pkwy. Highlands Ranch

USE THE PERFECT RATIO

The oil-to-vinegar ratio is essential in creating a delicious salad dressing. Too much vinegar and the tartness will overwhelm the other flavors. Too much oil and the dressing will weigh down your delicate salad. Nate’s ideal dressing is 2 parts oil to 1 part vinegar. This creates the perfect balance of flavor and consistency for evenly coating greens.

EXPERIMENT!

Add mustard (any kind!), and try different sweeteners and spices until you discover your favorite combination. Here are some fun options in each category to get you started:

MUSTARD

Yellow, Dijon or Whole Grain

SWEETENERS

Honey, Agave or Maple Syrup

SPICES

Tumeric, Cumin or Smoked Paprika

TRY NATE’S FAVORITE

You can’t go wrong with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, honey, turmeric, and salt and pepper. Combine all ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake like crazy. If you’re not quite ready to jump headfirst into your salad chef era, no problem! Modern Market Eatery has a menu full of made-from-scratch salads that are fresh, delicious, and ready in a flash. 

Widowhood: The loss couples rarely plan for — and should

No one is ever emotionally ready for the death of a spouse. But these tips can help you prepare for the decisions and financial implications of widowhood.

More than 15 million Americans are currently widowed, according to the U.S. Census Bureau as of 2022. Widows and widowers may experience shock and grief. But those widely shared emotions can eventually give way to financial challenges, including adjusting to being the sole financial decisionmaker, dealing with a loss of income and navigating the paperwork.

Even as you learn to meet day-to-day needs and deal with issues like filing for life insurance and renaming joint accounts, more profound challenges may emerge. For newly single parents of young children, another worry is how to plan for their financial future — alone.

While older widows and widowers may find themselves dealing with other serious considerations. Those who have gone through a prolonged and expensive period of caregiving for their lost loved one, may worry about who will provide similar care for them.

While everyone experiences this profoundly difficult — but, for most couples, inevitable — life event differently, planning for the process can help alleviate the stress.

The importance of preparation

As difficult as it is to contemplate the loss of a spouse, taking steps to prepare can help the survivor better manage if the worst happens. The first thing to do is to take stock of your full financial picture, perhaps with the help of an advisor.

You will need an estate plan that includes a will, power of attorney, healthcare proxy, living will and possibly a trust. With minor children, be sure to name trusted guardians. And regularly confirm beneficiaries on your life insurance and retirement plans.

Share access to personal and joint plans with your spouse and designated

representatives, organize paperwork and store estate documents in a convenient place.

The tools to move forward

When the unthinkable happens, critical paperwork and decision-making kick in. To cope with this painful transition, follow these steps.

Start by gathering all the necessary paperwork, including multiple copies of the death certificate, which you will need to share with financial and insurance companies. Pull insurance documents, birth and marriage certificates, wills, trusts and tax returns. File for the support you are entitled to, including life insurance claims and Social Security survivor’s benefits.

You will need to untangle the finances you share. Remove your partner’s name from joint accounts. If you are covered by your partner’s healthcare plan, contact their employer or the insurance company. You should also ask about any survivor’s benefits you may be entitled to from your spouse’s employer, including deferred salary, bonuses or stock options.

Take stock of your assets, including retirement, investment and savings accounts. Working with an advisor can help you revisit your retirement plans and overall financial strategy. Finally, make sure you update your own estate plan.

Keeping an eye on the future

The financial burdens that come with the loss of a partner can be immense — especially for women, who are more than two times as likely to lose a spouse. Three-quarters of widows and widowers are women, and in the first two years after losing a spouse, women experience a 22% drop in income on average, according to the Stanford Center on Longevity.

That is when help from a knowledgeable professional can be invaluable. For example, how you manage a life insurance death benefit could affect your children’s eligibility for future financial educational aid. Solo decision-making can be even more daunting when you have dependents at home. Research suggests that any financial decision that is not time-sensitive should be put off until you are feeling less emotionally vulnerable.

If the deceased spouse was the primary breadwinner, you may have to address issues around returning to full-time work and saving for retirement. As difficult as the day-to-day financial pressures may be, retirement needs to be a high priority so you can take care of yourself in the future. Especially when you become a widow or widower at a young age, your long-term financial health is an important goal. You can always borrow for your children’s education, but you cannot borrow for your retirement. Finding the courage — and financial confidence — to go on alone Amid all the pain that losing a spouse brings, there is also healing. Widows and widowers can find courage and financial confidence that they never knew they had. In addition, these changes, although difficult, can help sustain you throughout your lifetime.

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

losing money when you invest in securities. Asset allocation, diversification, and rebalancing do not ensure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets. This material does not take into account a client’s particular investment objectives, financial situations, or needs and is not intended as a recommendation, offer, or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security or investment strategy. Merrill offers a broad range of brokerage, investment advisory (including financial planning) and other services. There are important differences between brokerage and investment advisory services, including the type of advice and assistance provided, the fees charged, and the rights and obligations of the parties. It is important to understand the differences, particularly when determining which service or services to select. For more information about these services and their differences, speak with your Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisor. Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A., member FDIC, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”) Bank of America, N.A. makes available The H.S.A. for Life® Health Savings Account. Bank of America is a marketing name for the Retirement Services business of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”). Banking activities may be performed by wholly owned banking affiliates of BofA Corp., including Bank of America N.A., member FDIC. Please consult your tax or legal advisor regarding specific use of Health Savings Accounts. Investments can lose money. Neither Bank of America nor any of its affiliates, provide legal, tax or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”) makes available certain investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”). MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp. Brokerage services are provided by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member SIPC, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation. Banking products such as checking accounts and certificates of deposit are FDIC insured to the maximum allowed by law and are offered through Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Investment products offered through MLPF&S, and insurance and annuity products offered through MLLA.:

in the know

befollow FREDA

BY FREDA MIKLIN I

Arapahoe County can’t make ends meet without new revenue

It is clear that Arapahoe County needs to raise additional revenue to fund basic county services. County commissioners have been engaged in a monthslong comprehensive process to determine how its residents want to accomplish that goal.

After years of support from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds used to stave off the revenue shortfall brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, 2025 will see Arapahoe County face a real challenge to fund the basic services it provides to its residents, with ever-increasing costs and static local revenues.

The 1992 Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) limits the amount of revenue the county can retain and spend, regardless of how much it receives. For example, as property values have increased, Arapahoe County has lowered its mill levy, effectively providing a tax credit to its residents, because it could not legally keep the increased revenue generated by high property values. The chart above shows that in 2024, the County reduced its share of property taxes by 29 percent compared to 2016.

nance and repair, services for atrisk children, and the department of motor vehicles.”

In February, Arapahoe County sent out a public survey to its residents and received 2,875 responses. After analyzing those, the County began additional public outreach, including launching an interactive website to gather more community input. County commissioners also appeared at 80 meetings of community groups, including the regular public meetings of the Cherry Hills Village, Greenwood

dents who are likely Presidential election voters, hence would be expected to cast a ballot in November 2024, which is when the county may ask for a vote on additional revenue. It also used a representative sample of population centers, age groups, genders, and political affiliation.

In February 2024, at the 95% confidence level, with a margin of error of approximately 2%, Magellan found that 63% of County residents believed that the County had sufficient financial resources to provide an ac-

This history of the Arapahoe County mill levy shows it has declined significantly over the past 12 years.

cient revenues.

Asked if they would support a 0.25% sales tax increase ballot measure to provide needed funding for services described in detail in the categories of roads maintenance, human services and the Sheriff’s Office, 55% of respondents said yes and 36% said no in February. Three months later, the number who said yes declined to 51% and the number who said no increased to 42%.

Asked if they would support any of four differently-worded versions of the County de-Brucing, i.e., retaining revenue received in excess of TABOR limits, from 39% to 60% of respondents said yes and 29% to 46% said no, depending on the specific ballot language. When respondents were told why the additional revenue was needed, they were much more likely to be in favor of de-Brucing until they were told it would increase their taxes by “about $2.60 per month for every $100,000 in home value.” With that information, support for any type of de-Brucing fell below 50%.

The other chart shows where property taxes paid by Arapahoe County residents go. As most people know, the majority goes to our public schools.

Translated to actual dollars, for a home valued at $500,000, the property tax revenue the County receives for all the services it provides is $32/month. Cities and towns, although they generally receive a smaller share of property taxes, also collect sales taxes, which, in most cases, provide half their total budget. The only sales tax collected by Arapahoe County is the onefourth of one percent open spaces sales tax, of which 50% is returned to cities, towns, and special districts for their open space projects, with the remainder used strictly for the maintenance and occasional acquisition of trails, parks, and open spaces.

Village, and Centennial City Councils, to explain the situation and answer questions about the financial challenges the County is facing.

The public input website has garnered 47,000 views and 1,500 contributions to its engagement opportunities.

ceptable level of county services to its residents for the foreseeable future.

In late May-early June, that number had declined to 50%, while those who believed that the County did not have enough financial resources increased from 23% to 29%. Interestingly,

The County also engaged investment banking consultants Stifel, Nicolaus & Company to conduct an objective fiscal analysis of, “its process for evaluating the need for additional revenue and its financial position compared to other similar counties.” The firm concluded that:

• “Arapahoe County has been operating on less revenue than its neighboring counties and has been fiscally responsible.

This chart shows that of total property taxes paid by Arapahoe County residents, only 12% goes to county government

• Compared with other neighboring counties, Arapahoe has the lowest mill levy, the lowest county sales tax rate, the least amount of tax revenue, and the least amount of tax revenue per capita.

• Arapahoe County does not have enough revenue to meet its increasing operating expenses and pay for needed capital projects.

Expenses paid by the county for its 655,000 residents include, “sheriff deputies, community resource officers, road mainte-

The County also engaged Magellan Strategies, a highly respected local opinion research firm specializing in public policy, to determine, at two different time intervals, what residents knew/believed about the financial challenges being faced by Arapahoe County. The survey was weighted in favor of respon-

the number of survey respondents who had no opinion on the question increased from 14% in February to 21% in May/June.

Also, in the late spring survey, 51% of survey respondents reported they had not seen, read, or heard anything about potential cuts to essential services in Arapahoe County due to insuffi-

• To maintain services and to complete at least some of its highest priority capital projects, Arapahoe County needs additional revenue starting as soon as 2025.”

This discussion will be ongoing as the November election approaches. For more information, go to https://acbudget.com.

Greenwood Entertainment District tax rebate was supposed to make the area more walkable—it has not

When the Arapahoe (now Greenwood) Entertainment District (GED) sales tax rebate program was created by the GV City Council five years ago, one of its stated objectives was “to improve aesthetics and walkability of the GED by encouraging enhanced improvements to both public and private property.”

Despite the City having rebated almost $372,000 to private property owners based on nearly $634,000 in sales taxes collected through June 2023, no public improvements have been made by any of the businesses in the GED and the challenges of aesthetics and walkability have increased. It is left to the City, with help from the Greenwood Consolidated Metro District, to address them.

GV City Manager John Jackson told The Villager, “We are in the process of working on several different opportunities, and options, that involve improvement to public and private property in this area. We remain committed to the goals of creating safe mobility for the public into, and around, the GED. Our relationship with the Metro District is strong.”

With little new commercial development on the horizon in GV in 2019, its city council began to look at how to encourage redevelopment along Arapahoe Road. In December 2019, the council created the Arapahoe Entertainment District, renamed the Greenwood Entertainment District (GED) in 2023. It runs along East Arapahoe Road from Syracuse Street east to Yosemite Street.

The goal of the GED was to, “encourage development that will… enhance the city’s tax base and protect and enhance the Greenwood Village identity (by) encouraging high quality development and redevelopment within the Arapahoe Road corridor…through a limited sales tax share back program.”

The types of businesses envisioned for the GED were: “1) art studios and galleries; 2) craft brew-

“We are in the process of working on several different opportunities, and options, that involve improvement to public and private property in this area. We remain committed to the goals of creating safe mobility for the public into, and around, the GED. Our relationship with the Metro District is strong.”

– GV City

Manager John

Jackson

ery, distillery, taproom, and wineries; 3) entertainment in conjunction with eating and drinking establishments; 4) hotels and motels; indoor amusement/entertainment facilities.”

The sales tax rebate program was to return 25% to 100% of sales taxes collected by the City annually, in excess of what had been collected at the location prior to redevelopment, to property owners for five years to reimburse what they spent on improvements to their own private property or to public property. The public property improvements contemplated by the plan included, “streetscape elements such as public signage, pavement treatments, street improvements, sidewalks, street lighting, street furniture, and landscaping.”

Although multiple new businesses have opened in the GED during the nearly five years that the sales tax rebate has been in effect, only two have received tax rebates

““Without the (Greenwood) Entertainment District, I’m not certain we would have done something now, or that we would have done this specific plan.”

–

Bob Koontz, owner of Greenwood 7939 Ltd Liability Company, an entity of Kelmore Development

up to now and one of those closed after just over a year.

The Grange Food Hall, which was operated by TAG Restaurant Group, lasted from September 2021 until December 2022, when it was sold to RCI Hospitality Holdings, which operates gentlemen’s clubs and sports-bar restaurants across the country. The property is currently operating as Cherry Creek Food Hall. Owners of The Grange collected two sales tax rebate payments for the time they owned the restaurant to reimburse them for remodeling the building that was formerly CB & Potts. Those payments totaling $29,298.63 were paid by GV in October 2022 and January 2023.

The only other business that has received sales tax rebates is Greenwood 7939 Ltd Liability Company, an entity of Kelmore Development and its owner Bob Koontz. 7939 E. Arapahoe Road is the address of Pindustry, an extremely popular and successful 30,000-square foot entertainment venue with a 20,000-square-foot rooftop and beer garden, along with a group of small

restaurants--Yonutz Donuts & Ice Cream, CSS Capriotti’s Sandwich, Sukiya Ramen, Carrera’s Mexican Food, and Rouge Wine & Bourbon Bistro.

As he began the redevelopment in 2019, Koontz said, “Without the (Greenwood) Entertainment District, I’m not certain we would have done something now, or that we would have done this specific plan.”

In 2022 and 2023, Koontz’s company collected sales tax rebates totaling $342,992.47 to reimburse it for a portion of what was spent redeveloping the property. Greenwood 7939 Ltd Liability Company is eligible to receive tax rebates for three more years.

Based on the other new businesses that have opened in the shopping center where Pindustry is located, including QuikTrip gas station and convenience store, Candeeland children’s playground, PickUp USA Fitness, Shake Shack hamburgers, and Starbucks, the shopping center has, by any measure, been revitalized, although one property, the former Regal Cinnebarre Greenwood Plaza Theatre at the east end of the shopping center, has been closed for over a year. Like many other movie theaters, it did not recover from the pandemic.

Pindustry’s tax rebates have been generated by improvements to its own private property. No public improvements to the center to improve walkability have been built. Pindustry’s popularity, along with the other new businesses, have made the parking lot area more crowded and less walkable than it was before the GED was created.

Since no private property owners in the GED have improved the public areas to enhance walkability and aesthetics during the soon-to-be five years it has existed, despite the tax rebates, Greenwood Village City Council retained transportation consultants Felsburg Holt & Ullevig to determine the best plan for doing so and has been consulting with the Greenwood Consolidated Metro District for help with paying for whatever plan they adopt.

CHV City Council wants its citizens’ guidance on improving cell phone service

In our June 27, 2024 issue, The Villager reported that the Cherry Hills Village Mayor and City Council had been working for the past year on a potential solution to residents’ longstanding complaints about the poor quality of cell phone service in the City.

We shared about the comprehensive process city staff had undertaken to formulate a proposed strategy that would meet the goals of 1) providing reliable cell service across the city; 2) require no financial contribution by CHV residents;

3) not involve intrusion on private property.

CHV and its consultants came up with a plan that met those goals and began to circulate it to its residents in small group meetings. The comprehensive public outreach effort was planned to include two citywide town halls scheduled for July 17 and August 7.

Initial feedback received by the City was that a number of residents were unhappy with the proposed plan. As information was circulated between residents, whether it was

entirely accurate or not, more questions and concerns arose, leading the city council to consider whether it should proceed in the manner it had intended, or take “three giant steps back.”

The only goal of the city’s elected officials was to fulfill the request they had received from many citizens to improve their cell phone service in the best possible way. City Council had no intention of getting ahead of the residents.

As of this writing, it is our understanding that all options will be on

the table when the CHV City Council meets next on July 16 (there is normally only one meeting scheduled in July, unlike most months, when there are two), including moving forward as planned or canceling the town hall meetings scheduled for July 17 and August 7, while staff “goes back to the drawing board.”

CHV residents are encouraged to let their city council members know their opinions on this question so that they can make the most informed decision about how to proceed.

Nestled in the historic town of Central City, Colorado, the Central City Opera's Yellow Rose Ball and Flower Girl Presentation is a cherished annual tradition that brings together the community in celebration of culture, history, and the performing arts. Held on June 15, 2024, and now in its 92nd year, this prestigious event combines elegance with a sense of nostalgia, paying homage to the town's rich heritage and the enduring charm of the opera.

Twenty-five Flower Girls participated in the program this year, representing fourteen schools across Colorado. The talented group of young women are rising high school seniors who are deeply invested in their communities with broad academic accomplishments. Many hail from families that have been in Colorado for generations with extensive ties to Central City Opera.

In preparation for the Yellow Rose Ball, the Flower Girls participated in several events giving them insight into Central City Opera and its remarkable place in Colorado’s history. They particularly enjoyed planting flowers in the Teller House Gardens, where the presentation took place.

Kimberly Victor Neckers, a Flower Girl in 1998, chaired the Yellow Rose Ball

The 2024 Central City Opera Flower Girls

• Miss Sydney Elisse Bouchard

• Miss Bridget Dale Brown

• Miss Marin Lee Calkins

• Miss Margaret Elizabeth Coors

• Miss Georgia Maile Dollarhide

•

•

• Miss Paige Elizabeth Furgason

• Miss Sophia Ellen Grauer

• Miss Josie Grace Hicks

• Miss Lila Margaret Inmann

• Miss Heather Virginia Jacoby

• Miss Stella Eileen Jansen

• Miss Margaux Elizabeth Lively

• Miss Grace Carter Lyford

• Miss Mary Elizabeth Mackenzie

• Miss Lillian Grace Moldenhauer

• Miss Ellie Hudson Perkins

• Miss Amelia Rose Roberts

• Miss Ashley Rose Seavall

• Miss Sora Quinn Sohn

• Miss Sophia June Stern

• Miss Sloane Sophia Thompson

• Miss O'Neill Emma Watts

• Miss Sophie Ann Zotti

and noted, “This is truly a special group of young ladies. They are incredibly accomplished in everything from athletics to theater, and they have all shown dedication to improving their communities. They are the future leaders of Colorado, and organizations like Central City Opera will be in great hands with their talent and leadership.”

While the Yellow Rose Ball is a night of beauty, it also serves a vital purpose. Proceeds from the event support Central City Opera's various programs, including its renowned summer festival, educational outreach, and historic preservation efforts. By attending the Ball, guests contribute to the preservation of Central City Opera's cultural heritage and ensure the continued success of the Opera House as a center for the performing arts.

Central City Opera’s 2024 Summer Festival is a five-week extravaganza of storytelling and powerful voices, featuring some of opera’s brightest talents. The 92nd annual Festival runs from June 29 – August 4, and includes magical performances of The Pirates of Penzance, The Girl of the Golden West, and Street Scene. Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.central cityopera.org or calling 303-292-6700.

Photos by Doug Wells Photography

Kate Lively, Margaux Lively Marin Calkins, William Blount Rhys Jansen, Stella Jansen, Beckett Jansen

Peter H. Coors, Caroline Coors, James Coors, Maggie Coors, Meredith Coors, Peter J. Coors

Shannon Mackenzie, Rob Mackenzie

Sonny Wiegand (Central City Opera Board CoChair), Lila Inmann, Pam Wiegand

Christopher Jacoby, Ginna Jacoby, Kim Fuller Jacoby, Rob Jacoby

John Victor, Joel Neckers, Kimberly Victor Neckers (2024 Yellow Rose Ball Chair), George Ann Victor (1998 Yellow Rose Ball Chair), Buzz Victor, Madeline Neckers

How to Hire a Caregiver for In-Home Help

Dear Savvy Senior,

I need to hire a good inhome caregiver to help my elderly father who lives alone. What’s the best way to do this?

Searching Sarah

Dear Sarah, Finding a good in-home caregiver for an elderly parent is not always easy. How can you find one that’s reliable and trustworthy, as well as someone your parent likes and is comfortable with? Here are some tips that can help.

Know His Needs

Before you start the task of looking for an in-home caregiver, your first step is to determine the level of care your dad needs.

For example, if he only

Dear Readers,

Denver 9-1-1 is launching a new technology for the nonemergency line

The Denver Office of Public Safety has announced that starting in July, 2024, the non-emergency line will be answered by a smart interactive voice response (IVR) system to improve customer experience, reduce call volume

needs help with daily living tasks like shopping, cooking, doing laundry, bathing or dressing, a “homemaker” or “personal care aide” will do. But if he needs health care services, there are “home health aides” that may do all the things a homemaker does, plus they also have training in administering medications, changing wound dressings and other medically related duties. Home health aides often work under a nurse’s supervision.

Once you settle on a level of care, you then need to decide how many hours of assistance he’ll need. For example, does your dad need someone to come in just a few mornings a week to cook, clean, run errands or perhaps help him with a bath? Or does he need more continuous care

to the non-emergency line and free up emergency call takers for when they are needed most. Callers to the non-emergency line will reach an automated system designed to assist callers and direct them to the best resources for their needs, rather than directly connecting callers to a call taker. This system will not be implemented on 9-1-1. Callers will still reach a call taker when

that requires daily visits?

After you determine his needs, there are two ways in which you can go about hiring someone. Either through an agency, or you can hire someone directly on your own.

Hiring Through an Agency

Hiring a personal care or home health aide through an agency is the safest and easiest option, but it’s more expensive. Costs typically run anywhere between $15 and $30 an hour depending on where you live and the qualification of the aide.

How it works is you pay the agency, and they handle everything including an assessment of your mom’s needs, assigning appropriately trained and pre-screened staff to care for her, and finding a fill-in on days her aide cannot come.

Some of the drawbacks, however, are that you may not have much input into the

dialing 9-1-1 for an emergency.

Why smart IVR?

Denver’s 9-1-1 non-emergency line received nearly one million calls last year. Many of these calls were transferred to other agencies and did not need public safety assistance. The smart IVR system will help reduce the number of calls that need to be handled by a call tak-

selection of the caregiver, and the caregivers may change or alternate, which can cause a disruption.

To find a home care agency in your dad’s area use search engines like Google or Bing and type in “home health care” or “non-medical home care” followed by the city and state your dad lives in.

You can also use Medicare’s search tool at Medicare.gov/ care-compare – click on “home health services.” Most home health agencies offer some form of non-medical home care services too.

You also need to know that original Medicare does not cover in-home caregiving services unless your dad is receiving doctor ordered skilled nursing or therapy services at home too. But, if your dad is in a certain Medicare Advantage plan, or is low-income and qualifies for Medicaid, he may be eligible for some coverage.

er, as a result of which, call takers will be more readily available to assist the callers who need public safety/emergency services.

What to Know:

y If a caller requests to speak to a call taker, the system does not understand what a caller says, or the system does not have the ability to assist with the request, it will transfer the call to a call taker for assistance.

y If a caller speaks a language other than English, such callers will be transferred to a call taker to get an interpreter on the line.

y The smart IVR is a tool designed to improve over time as residents use it. Denver 9-1-1 and Technology Services will actively review calls to identify improvements and refine the process to ensure the best customer service.

y Continue to call or text 9-1-1 only for true emergencies, such as a medical crises, fires, or active crimes.

y For Emergencies CALL 911.

y For Non-Emergency Police Response, CALL 720-9132000.

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

Many of my clients have asked what are the critical documents needed. Simply being married does not give you the legal right to gain access to your spouse’s medical records or make medical decisions on your spouse’s behalf, even in an emergency. To avoid this problem and to help others care for you and to achieve your overall estate planning goals,

Hiring Directly

Hiring an independent caregiver on your own is the other option, and it’s less expensive. Costs typically range between $12 and $25 per hour. Hiring directly also gives you more control over who you hire so you can choose someone who you feel is right for your dad.

But be aware that if you do hire someone on your own, you become the employer so there’s no agency support to fall back on if a problem occurs or if the aide doesn’t show up. You’re also responsible for paying payroll taxes and any worker-related injuries that may happen. If you choose this option, make sure you check the aide’s references thoroughly and do a criminal background check at companies like eNannySource.com

To find someone use an elder-care matching service like Care.com or CareLinx.com, which both provide basic background checks.v

the following documents create an effective medical/estate plan package:

1. Health Care Power of Attorney;

2. General Financial Power of Attorney;

3. Advanced Directive for Medical/Surgical Treatment (“Living Will”); and 4. Will (or a Will with a Trust). Careful medical/estate planning should include preparation and signing of these documents, to accomplish your goals and protect you, both during your lifetime, and at the time of passing. The Power of Attorney documents allow you to designate those agents whom you authorize to help you on your behalf during your lifetime, and the Will/Trust documents allow you to nominate others to help with your estate after your passing, as well as to identify the beneficiaries and the distributions to them, to accomplish your estate planning goals.

‘Nazty’ decision looms for rebuilding Rockies

Charlie Blackmon was born July 1, 1986, and Chuck Nazty on August 16, 2011.

Both should end their playing careers as Colorado Rockies, though not yet.

The only player so far who spent his entire career in purple pinstripes is Todd Helton, who is scheduled for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame 10 days from now.

But he waited until the Rockies picked him in the second round in 2008. By then he was a redshirt junior at Georgia Tech. (He graduated in 2011 with a degree in business administration with a concentration in finance.)

His Minor League stops between 2008 and 2010 were typical:

I’m not suggesting that Chuck Nazty merits a place alongside The Toddfather in Cooperstown.

But he should be a lifer like Helton, with his number 19 retired and displayed alongside 17 above the bullpens at Coors Field—when the time comes.

The temptation now is to ask if Colorado should move on from Blackmon after this season, as it was at the end of last season and will be every year until he retires. The Rockies are building for the future, and a guy who turned 38 this month does not qualify as part of a youth movement.

The answer, however, is that Blackmon belongs in that clubhouse as long as he can swing a bat effectively and douse teammates with postgame Gatorade showers.

He may not be a .300 hitter anymore, or hit home runs into the 20s or 30s, as he once did.

But the .260-ish batting average he has sported this season, albeit 30 points or more below his career average, nonetheless ranks among the top 60 to 70 marks in all of Major League baseball halfway through this season. He can still contribute.

More to the point, his example is just what young players need as they learn what it takes to excel in the Big Leagues.

Over the years, I’ve become convinced that Chuck Nazty’s greatest trait is his work ethic—his willingness to do whatever it has taken for him to become the best baseball player he could be, i.e. to get the most out of his abilities and talents.

What better example for young players?

Blackmon might have been a Marlins pitcher. They drafted him in the 28th round in 2004 out of North Gwinnett High School, where he was a three-time Academic Player of the Year.

Or he might have been a member of the Boston Red Sox, who drafted him the next year, following his freshman season at Young Harris College.

that August. Typically, when asked about it years later, he reflectively admitted, “I spent way too little time thinking about it . . . Had I known it would follow me around, I probably would have put more thought into it.”

Splitting time between Colorado Springs and Denver the next two seasons, he was clean-shaven and short-haired.

Pascoe, Washington (Tri-City, Short-Season Class A); Modesto (California League, High A); and Tulsa (Texas League, Class AA)

After hitting .337 in 58 games for Colorado Springs in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League in 2011, Blackmon was called up on June 7 and got his first Big League hit the next night, a one-out single off San Diego’s Dustin Moseley in the second inning at Petco Park.

About three weeks later at Coors Field, on his 25th birthday, he hit his first home run in the Majors, pinch-hitting for Carlos Gonzalez in the eighth inning of a 9-0 romp over Kansas City. Less than a week later he broke his foot running the bases in Atlanta and finished the season on the disabled list.

Charlie dubbed himself Chuck Nazty (with a ‘z,’ he specified) while out of action

A well-groomed beard showed up in the 2015 Rockies Information Guide, following his first full season in Denver. Since then, it has grown into the bushy—some would say unkempt—mess of facial hair that dominates his look now.

In the past 11 years, Nazty has won a National League batting title, topped 30 homers in a season twice, and collected more than 1,600 hits. He’s second to Helton in most offensive categories on the Rockies’ All-Time Leaders list.

He’s playing this season on a one-year contract, which means the Rockies could let him go elsewhere in 2025.

That would be a mistake. 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.

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Remodel vs. Refresh

Opinions vary on the difference between a remodel or renovation and a refresh. A kitchen & bathroom remodel can involve various degrees of invasiveness, but in my mind, even the simplest remodel will start with creating a blank slate by removing everything existing in the room.

A kitchen remodel might include reconfiguring the space, moving walls, shifting openings and possibly adding doors or windows. We might consider moving plumbing or gas lines and reconfigure electrical wiring including the locations of switches, outlets, and lighting. Everything we put back into the kitchen will be new with few exceptions.

By contrast, a kitchen refresh is primarily cosmetic. It leaves the layout and major elements of the kitchen largely intact, specifically the cabinetry. A refresh can be very basic and simple or it can encompass nearly every element in the kitchen resulting in a complete transformation of the kitchen’s aesthetic.

When advising a client whether to refresh or remodel, I take several factors into consideration: budget, layout, cabinetry, appliances, flooring & countertops and lastly, value based decisions that will meet the clients visions and goals.

#1 – Budget

What you want determines your budget. Budget has become the dirty word of remodeling; however with good planning upfront, it does not have to be scary or unknown. If you aren’t sure how to determine your budget, gather estimates for the following: cabinetry, flooring, appliances, lighting, pulls, tile backsplash, labor and shipping. There are many other factors, but these are big ones. Then put all that into a spreadsheet. Your budget is one of the biggest determiners of whether you choose to remodel or give your kitchen a facelift.

How can a designer help you with budget?

A designer can help you formulate the budget without all the aggravation of doing this yourself. We create a scope of work and all desired wants. Creating a budget upfront can be time consuming, however a designer can do this will be time-saving and less aggravating. The client can provide a budget I can work around, or I can create a budget that factors in all desired elements. Designers also have access to contractors and trades people, making the process much easier.

#2

– Layout

Often kitchen & bathroom layouts are already optimal for your space, home, and lifestyle and do not require major reconfiguration. If so, you might be a good candidate for a refresh. However, if your layout is awkward, constricting, or inefficient, a remodel might be able to address these issues and improve the functionality.

Working with a designer will help you determine the best directions to move in. A designer can provide you with ideas that can make a huge impact on how you and your family function in the space. I always provide my clients with layout options that we work through together.

I recently worked on a very small bathroom in Boulder. Really small! The client’s main desire was to have a stand alone tub. The existing tub was attached to the wall. This was not an easy feat given the size limitations. I completely reconfigured the bathroom. We bumped out the wall between the bathroom and the walk in closet to allow for better functionality and movement in the space.

#3 – Cabinetry

Is your cabinetry solid? Are the boxes in good condition? Does the cabinetry configuration provide you with ample storage? Are the hinges and drawer glides in good condition?

There are different ways to address cabinetry in a refresh that can improve both the look and the function: Cabinet refacing – where you paint the boxes and up-

date the door and drawer fronts – is a popular option, though it can cost almost as much as new cabinetry. But, if the boxes are poorly constructed, the hardware (which can be replaced but adds to the cost) is low quality or failing, and the storage is inadequate, you might want to think about replacing them.

I recently did a kitchen refresh. My client’s kitchen had a great layout, so there was no need to reconfigure. We kept the bottom cabinetry and polished it up. Installed new pulls, tile, stone and new appliances. We replaced the upper cabinetry with white to make the space feel more modern and bright. Replaced the upper cabinetry to the ceiling to create a more polished aesthetic. So, in this situation, we replaced half the cabinetry.

#4 – Appliances

Appliances – their size and location in your kitchen – are a major determinant for deciding whether to remodel or refresh. In a kitchen remodel, you have the opportunity to relocate appliances, whereas they remain in place during a refresh.

Depending on the new layout, you might be able to increase the size of your appliances and add different appliances. If you’re working with a decades old kitchen, there are plenty of options that will look great and provide more functionality, while keeping the layout.

In my recent Morrison project, we bumped the wall next to the refrigerator just over a foot. This allows for a much larger refrigerator for this active young family. This had little impact on the layout as the kitchen was quite large, but this made the kitchen much more functional.

We refreshed the powder room adjacent to the kitchen. We extended the kitchen color scheme, keeping the layout, though running new electrical due to old wiring. We repurposed the existing vanity, painted it a rich blue. We chose a stunning and whimsical peacock wallpaper (my client loves peacocks) and replaced the stone with a gorgeous remnant piece ($275!). (For small spaces, remnants can work well) We replaced the sink, lighting, mirror and fixtures.. Clients were thrilled!

#5 – Flooring & Countertops

Flooring is a lesser decision in deciding whether to refresh or remodel, but it still bears some weight. Flooring can be updated without changing your cabinet layout; however, this is a decision that should be weighed carefully.

Once your new flooring butts up to your existing cabinetry, it can be challenging to patch in and repair that new flooring should you decide to update your cabinetry in the future. If you refinish your wood flooring, a future layout change may mean you need to refinish all of your wood floors again.

Replacing a major element like flooring and/or countertops while keeping existing cabinetry can leave a client feeling like they made a mistake. Recently, I had a client who installed new granite on 40 year old cabinets before she consulted me. The new stone emphasized how tired and dated the cabinetry was. They ended up doing a full remodel and couldn’t reuse the granite, which had cost them thousands of dollars.

Why you should hire a designer

Interior designers are more than just decorators. Professionally educated designers’ skills go far beyond aesthetics. They combine creativity with functionality to create a space that reflects your style and meets your needs. While it may seem like an added expense to hire an interior designer, the cost-benefit analysis often proves otherwise. The value they add to your home or business can increase the property’s overall worth and appeal to clients. Plus, their expertise can save you time and effort in the long run by avoiding costly mistakes and ensuring an efficient use of space. More often than not, working with an interior designer means you are paying less than retail. Hiring an interior designer is an investment that pays off in more ways than one.

Sari Mina Ross Interior Design

Feeling inspired? Can’t decide between a remodel or refresh? We are ready to assist with all of your interior design needs. Our services provide budgeting, multiple layout options and design options that fit your style and budget for any room whether a small transformation or a big one. Visit www.sariminaross.com to book an exploratory call (646) 594-3476 or email sari@sariminaross.com today to get started!

#6 – Values Based Decision Making & why you need a designer

One of the first things I do as a designer is to help you, the client, determine what is most important. We discuss how you use and move through your space. What you want your space to feel like. Personal values as they pertain to how they want to design and decorate their home. Personal values can include everything from how you want to gather, cook, and entertain to your position on using animal products to how you spend money to certain material origins due to how they are manufactured or sourced.

One personal value that can feature heavily in deciding on a kitchen remodel vs. kitchen refresh is concern and care for the environment. A remodel generates more waste than a refresh, however sometimes it’s not worth the effort. I had an environmentally aware client who wanted to reuse all the facet hardware in the sink, however we needed to replace all the hardware in the shower. We did, but the style did not match the new bathroom. We ultimately changed out the facets which ended up costing more for labor. If you do go the remodeling route, please know that you can sell many of the items you’ll be removing – cabinets, countertops, appliances, light fixtures – on Facebook marketplace or Craig’s List. You can also donate to Habitat for Humanity. I find that donating is the best way to go.

The 38th Annual Award Winners Include:

Emerging Business of the Year: 4th Dimension Wraps & Graphics

Business of the Year: Great Guys Heating & Cooling Community Organization of the Year: Rooted 303 Innovation & Sustainability Award: Grow + Gather

Chamber Member of the Year: Ann Marlin

Lifetime Business Achievement Award: Integrated Family Community Services Legacy Award: AJ Guanella

Thank you to our 2024 Sponsors: Arapahoe County Government, Craig Hospital, Oxford Vista, The Pachner Group, Englewood Downtown Development Authority, First Bank and Frame De Art

Special thanks to: Holiday Inn Lakewood Erica Krys Photo + Design, Plugged In Productions, and the Chamber Board of Directors

Thank you to everyone who attended the 38th Annual Awards Banquet in May! We had an amazing evening networking and celebrating our local businesses!

Morning Story offers a delicious array of breakfast classics, infused with captivating plot twists that will leave you craving for more!

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MORNING STORY COMBO

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Red Pepper Pesto, Spinach, Avocado, English Muffin, Hollandaise, Poached Eggs, Fresh Herbs

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Pulled Pork, Ham, Fried Pickles, White

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BUTTER BACON BURGER

Ground Beef, White Cheddar, Butter

Bacon, Garlic Compound, Roasted Onions, Roasted Mushrooms, Mayonnaise, Grilled Brioche

MORNING STORY Denver Tech Center (DTC)

4930 S. Yosemite St., Suite D1C Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Hours: Daily 7:00AM-2:30PM Phone: (720) 596-4692 www.morningstoryrestaurant.com

– PHASE 2 (Contract No.

Notice is hereby given that on August 1, 2024, Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority shall make final payment to Concrete Express, Inc. dba CEI Constructors, 2027 West Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80204 in connection with full payment for all services rendered, materials furnished and for

provisions, provender or other supplies used or consumed by

TOR or any SUBCONTRACTOR in or about the performance of said WORK contracted to be

or that supplies

or equipment to the extent used in the prosecution of the

whose

therefore has not been paid by the CONTRACTOR or the SUBCONTRACTOR may at any time up to and including said time of such final settlement file a verified statement of the amount due and unpaid on account of such claim.

2. All such claims will be filed with Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority, 7437 South Fairplay Street, Centennial, Colorado, 80112, on or before the above-mentioned date and time of final settlement.

3. Failure on the part of a creditor to file such statement prior to such final settlement will relieve Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority from any and all liability for such claim.

IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to § 38-26-107, C.R.S., that on July 29, 2024 final settlement with Inliner Solutions, A Puris Company will be made by Havana Water and Sanitation District, for the “2023 Sewer Rehabilitation Project” project subject to satisfactory final inspection and acceptance of said facilities by the

PESTS 7 DISEASES IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

JULY 16, 6 p.m. Join Arapahoe County Master Gardeners for an informative class about the most common pests and diseases in the vegetable garden and how to manage these problems. Register at https://bit.ly/CSU Garden Pests

COLORADO FEDERATION OF REPUBLICAN WOMENJOINT DISTRICT MEETING

Luncheon on Saturday JULY 20 –DoubleTree Hotel – program starts at 11:30 Check in at 11:00 AM. Hosted by: Cherry Creek Republican Women, Douglas County Republican Women and Elbert County Republican Women. SPEAKER: Michael Fields, President Advance Colorado will speak on the 5 Propositions that will be on the ballot. $36 payable by July 10. Guests are welcome. Questions: Evie Ashmore 303-746-4608 or jeashmore@comcast.net

SAVE THE DATE - JULY 2528 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

CENTENNIAL UNDER

THE STARS AUG. 10, CENTENNIAL CENTER PARK

The Mural Walk project is the City of Centennial’s first public mural project. The murals will be at Big Dry Creek under Arapahoe Road and are set to be installed in late August. There are four local artists finalizing original art to be submitted for

the second round of judging. The winners will be announced AUG. 10 at Centennial Under the Stars. Upcoming is the Chalk Art Festival Sat., SEPT. 14 at the Streets at Southglenn.

CHERRY CREEK REPUBLICAN WOMEN

RESUME THEIR LUNCHEONS ON AUG. 13.

Watch for more information on the speaker and RSVP info.

CANCER LEAGUE OF COLORADO RACE FOR RESEARCH LOOKING FOR SPONSORS

AUGUST 18. LEARN MORE AT RACE4RESEARCH.COM

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

MS. COLORADO SENIOR AMERICA - QUEEN’S TEA

SUN, SEPT 22 2p.m. -5p.m. At Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Course, Antero Ballroom. It will be a fun afternoon of sipping tea and tasting the delights of an assortment of finger sandwiches, canapés, appetizers, and desserts. You will be entertained by the Ms. Colorado Senior America Pageant Queen 2024 Andrea Kehmeier and club members including the dance group, The Bella Donna’s! Bring your girlfriends and have an afternoon of fun. Silent auction and Live auction! This is an annual fundraiser that should not be missed. For tickets contact

yndy Oberdier at: 720-217-3560 or colosramerica.com

BUTTERFLY BALL COLORADO IS COLORADO’S BIGGEST NIGHT FOR CONSERVATION

SAT, SEPT. 28 6:00 p.m. Omni Interlocken Hotel, 500 Interlocken Blvd, Broomfield, CO 80021. Butterfly Inspired Formal Attire. Enjoy a magical stroll through the Monarch Menagerie filled with 400 live monarch butterflies, a champagne welcome, cocktail reception, sitdown dinner, live entertainment and fashion show, and silent and live auctions. You’ll also experience how Butterfly Pavilion embraces the principles of People. Planet. Promise. We’re excited to showcase how we conduct global conservation projects with an equity lens in Tanzania, Mongolia, Sumatra and many other locations around the globe! For information: Alex Peterson720.531.9362, apeterson@ butterflies.org or www.butterflies. org

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.

2024 Toyota “1958” Landcruiser exudes historic off-road capability

This interpretation of the historic Toyota Landcruiser nameplate, which has been a favorite for decades, is rugged and powerful with 326 horsepower from an I-Force MAX 2 liter 4cyl turbo-power train. The engine and the 8-speed automatic transmission with continuous all-wheel drive help to make this an iconic vehicle. Drivers can choose from three drive modes. Overall, the vehicle averages 23 mpg that is good for a large off-road capable vehicle.

It exudes a muscularly attractive appearance with “Meteor Shower” paint, the vehicle casts a military appearance of strength and durability. I had many onlookers of the Landcruiser ask questions and admire the vehicle. This Toyota

was assembled in Hamura, Tokyo, Japan, and has been since 1958.

Designed for rough outdoor roads, the vehicle has side rock rails and two steel skid plates, one protecting the transmission, both op-

By H. Throttle

tional features. Designed for camping in rugged terrain with a crawl gear and optional roof rails to haul more outdoor gear.

Loaded with safety fea-

tures and the standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 system and the Star -Pre-collision safety system that includes blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts, all-weather preparation with LED fog lights and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Somewhat surprising is lack of power seats, the old under seat latch/crank system to adjust front seats. Another surprise is no power lift for the heavy rear trunk. Maybe they didn’t have those features back in 1958. Toyota cutting costs, or tradition the base price of $55,950 with outdoor rugged features moving the suggested manufacturer’s retail price to $60,790.

This is a vehicle that will never go out of style for outdoor enthusiasm by those wanting to venture deep into the great Colorado mountain terrain.

Saturday Night BAZAAR Summer 2024

Denver BAZAAR

Announces Platte Street, Downtown Littleton and Lowry Night BAZAAR locations!

Night BAZAAR returns this summer! The funky, slightly smaller sister series to the seasonal Denver BAZAAR events you know and love, Night BAZAAR will pop up monthly at Platte Street, Downtown Littleton, and Lowry neighborhoods. Each market will feature 50+ craft vendors and makers, street food and food trucks, fashion trucks, a market bar, and more!

All Night BAZAAR locations are free to attend, dog-friendly, open to all ages, and all locations will feature live DJs. Market bars will be available at all locations, serving up summertime sips, including craft beer and hard seltzers from Denver Beer Co, craft spirits from local distillers, wine by the glass, and other refreshing cocktails. Happy Hour specials run from

4PM - 5PM at each market and include $1 off any beer, cocktail, or wine so you can shop, sip, and groove your way through your go-to spot!

Prefare Meals, the presenting sponsor of this year's Night BAZAAR series will pop up with delicious samples from their locally sourced and packaged at-home meal kits as well as weekly specials to get these chef-prepared meals delivered right to your door!

Shoppers and sippers that RSVP via Eventbrite for any Night BAZAAR event will receive $1 off their first drink. This discount is redeemable for any boozy offerings at each Saturday Night BAZAAR location. Present your Eventbrite QR code to the bartender!

For more information on market hours, vendor lineups, to RSVP and more, please visit denverbazaar.com/summer bazaar2024.

Saturday Night BAZAAR: Platte Street

A Denver BAZAAR favorite, Night BAZAAR is thrilled to return to this bustling neighborhood for this Shop

& Sip party August 3 from 4PM - 8PM. Taking over the newly revitalized community plaza and the Highland Bridge esplanade that connects the Highlands to Downtown Denver, this monthly market will feature more than 50+ carefully curated Colorado makers. Attendees can shop a wide variety of local goods, from jewelry and clothing to home goods and art, food and drink to vintage and thrift finds, as vendors line the walkway from bridge to bridge, joined by fashion trucks, food trucks and street food vendors, and a live DJ. Centrally located and easily accessible from LoHi, Downtown, Union Station and RiNo neighborhoods, Saturday Night BAZAAR: Platte St is the perfect weekend meet-up!

Saturday Night BAZAAR:

Downtown Littleton

Another new location joins the Night BAZAAR series this summer. On July 20, Saturday Night BAZAAR is taking over mainstreet and Denver Beer Cos newest taproom in Downtown Littleton. Shoppers can peruse 50+ vendors while they sip summer cocktails and Denver Beer Co brews. Early

birds can get $1 off all drinks during Happy Hour from 4PM - 5PM! Be sure to grab a bite from any of the local restaurants or from the food trucks lined up on the street. Catch a live DJ just outside of the taproom and dance your way through local vendor booths. Vendor lineups, live music schedule, and more will be shared at @DenverNight BAZAAR.

Saturday Night BAZAAR: Lowry

Popping up at one of Denver Beer Co’s bustling taprooms, Saturday Night BAZAAR heads to Lowry on August 17 from 4PM - 8PM. Shop with 50+ local vendors and makers at this one-time summer market, taking over the park just beyond Denver Beer Co’s bustling taproom and expansive patio. Fashion and food trucks will line the sidewalk for more local shopping and eating.

As always, the outdoor market bar will be serving summer sips and slinging Happy Hour deals for the first hour of the market from 4PM - 5PM. Grab a seat on the patio or pack a

blanket or chair to enjoy a live set from a different local band each month. Vendor lineups, live music schedule, and more will be shared at @Denver NightBAZAAR.

Attendees are encouraged to RSVP via Eventbrite for the Night BAZAAR of their choice to receive email announcements and event previews. Be sure to also follow @DenverNightBAZAAR on Instagram for all the latest updates and vendor lineups and visit

https://denverbazaar.com/ summerbazaar2024 www.facebook .com/denverbazaar www.instagram .com/denvernightbazaar

Platte St: June 1, July 6 & August 3 Aspen Grove: June 15 Downtown Littleton: July 20 Lowry: August 17

For market details, vendor lineups and Shop & Sip tickets, visit DenverBAZAAR.com. “DenverBAZAAR.com/ NightBAZAAR2023 for additional market information and to buy Shop & Sip tickets and RSVP for each event.

For more information about Denver BAZAAR and Night BAZAAR, please contact: Anna Zarrella: anna@gumpop presents.com"