Gingerbread House Making Party
Valuing Tradition
Do you find yourself wondering how we got so off track? Do you ever get mad at your cell phone and wonder if you were better off not being so available? Do you wonder how it became customary to shout at a faceless disk like Alexa or Google to ask a question or give a command to play a song? If you think we should not teach early elementary-age students about sexual things in school, you might be old-fashioned. If you believe parents have a right to know what their children are learning in school, you might be old-fashioned. If you question why males want to be in ladies’ bathrooms or play
on female sports teams, or you wonder why children are increasingly identifying as the opposite sex and want to go through medical castration or painful surgery, you may be old-fashioned. I was having dinner with a friend telling me about her nephew getting married. She snarled her nose while explaining that the couple was living together, which had become the new normal. She was apologetic and exclaimed, “I wish I weren’t so old-fashioned.” I told her that instead of thinking of herself as old-fashioned, perhaps a better descriptor for her would be a traditionalist. Being traditional is be-
ing wise about what works and what does not work. Tradition takes hold when activities or behaviors get passed down through generations, not because they are fashionable, but because they work. Even author Elizabeth Gilbert of Eat, Pray, Love fame, a marriage skeptic, researched marriage worldwide through the ages and made peace with the institution of marriage. Due to her intellectual curiosity, she discovered that marriage is the optimal relational structure for healthy connections, peace, healing, wellness, and lifelong commitment and the optimal incubator for child development. The CDC Family Structure Study goes a bit further and determines that marriage and family structure are essential to the health and well-being of children and
adults.
Being a traditionalist can be a great thing. A traditionalist uses “Sir” or Ma’am” when addressing an elder or someone of great stature. Regular use of this language allows one to stand out from the crowd. Those who are being addressed with this reverence feel respected and honored. This trait could be considered old-fashioned, but it is delightfully kind and charming because it makes the receiver feel important. Handwritten notes could be regarded as old-fashioned, but those on the receiving end will never forget the thoughtfulness of the extra effort. Asking someone out for a date in person is an old-fashioned construct. While “Wanna hang out?” texts are the usual mode of getting together. The traditionalist delights in
face-to-face interaction with flowers and a plan for the evening.
Dressing up for a court appearance, not being vulgar, having young children address you by your proper surname, consistently demonstrating etiquette and manners, or not drinking too much at a party can be considered old-fashioned. Yet, they are traditional because they have stood the test of time, and we, who honor these traditions, find that they make life more pleasant for all concerned. These pleasantries will always stay in style even though many social mores have changed. It is easy to stand out from the crowd, honor others, and be exceptional. It is easy to be above average by being a bit old-fashioned.
joneen@narme.org
It Is What It Is…
I’ve heard this statement quite a bit recently, “It is what it is…” This is a very life satisfying philosophy that also matches well with an old poker statement, “You have to play the hand that you’re dealt.” In both cases the theme is to do the best you can with your life situation. Another important statement is… “If it’s going to be, it’s up to me.” Don’t ever forget that one. Live your own life first.
BY BOB SWEENEY PUBLISHER
I’m back at my computer doing the best I can as I recover from somewhat of a miracle of medical science in treating my ruptured aorta and saving my life. My thanks to all involved that I’m still alive and improving each day.
My first venture outside of St. Anthony’s hospital, Holly Creek rehab, and home, was last Friday night. Gerri and I attended my Legacy stock club Christmas party held at Cherry Hills Country Club. The club has been meeting at Glenmoor Country Club for ten years but with the new facility at CHCC the party was reserved a year in advance at the legendary venue.
Arriving at 5:30 p.m. the outdoor red lighted trees were spectacular. Three doormen helped me to my walker; I can walk, but don’t want to fall. We rolled through the spectacular interior filled with decorations that are just beautiful. Took the elevator to the second floor, through a traditional bar dining area, to our club dinner. 15 active members, most live in the area and some are members of Cherry Hills Country Club. It has become a closeknit group as we’ve enjoyed the challenges of Wall Street together. We had a rough start, but overall have done well with savvy leadership with President Gary Autry and stock guru Bill Ahlborg leading the group at the monthly
meetings. When the club first started, we made the usual mistakes, buying high and selling low. Does that ring a bell with anyone? But down through the years we’ve learned to be patient, and we were able to buy NVIDIA, the richest tech firm on the planet at an early bargain price. It split this year after reaching $1000 a share to 10
for l. At last look the price was hovering at $138 a share with a yearly high of $152. That one stock was enough to pay for our Christmas party.
I was able to sit by my wonderful friend and stock cohort, Mario Mapelli and his wife Jean. Mario has been a member of CHCC for decades. Gary Autry, and his wife Sandy are also club members and planned the great party. Gary and his family once did Autry engraving and jewelry for school graduates. A great company started by his father many years ago. Also, club members Bill and Joy Ahlborg were present where Bill’s father was a long-time member of CCHC. Another very longtime friend of both Gerri and myself are Larry and Jean Pisciotta, Larry started Brakes Plus on Dayton St. over 40 years ago about the same
time we started The Villager newspapers. He sold the company a few years ago but still maintains an interest; a son is running the huge national firm. It all began in Greenwood Village at one little shop where I would get my Pisciotta discount on my tires, oil changes, and brake shoes.
Other friends are Tom and Mary Conroy. Tom and I both attempted to aid agricultural farmers in Russia many years ago to stimulate free enterprise for rural farmers. Anyway, we go from being friends with Russia to being foes with the Ukraine debacle. Trump will end that war quickly. I could write about many other members like Walter Fullerton, from my Denver Lions Club, with lovely JoAnne. His family has deep Fairmount Cemetery roots and Judge Fullerton was highly respected in the judicial system. Walt’s uncle, Don Fullerton, was a stellar Lion and local leader. His lovely wife Mary Alice is an award-winning artist. I could go on and on, but that’s enough from my first social outing since my surgery.
Reflections on a Psychological Battle
There is a war going on behind the scenes, below the conscious level, for the hearts and minds of every individual. The battle rages in the realm of thoughts and principles, of philosophy and religion. Its outcome determines the joy and freedom in our lives to come. This battle lasts for centuries, millennia, and ages, for the mind and soul. The enemy is not vanquished, merely thwarted. The antagonists’ (of freedom) ask citizens to give up some of their individual rights, their independence, for the “promise“ of something better, for a concept of safety and protection. And all they ask is that adherents give even more power to a central control government (actually, to a false concept) and exercise less independent self-reliance. This desire to control is the reason congress, the president and bureaucrats are willing to spend so much government money (which doesn’t exist, it all comes from us) on welfare and entitlements. When the individual gives up his duty to provide for himself, he gives up his individualism, his right and duty to freedom. When he gives up his freedom for a government, he becomes a serf. This is a battle of the mind and spirit. It rages behind the scenes, at a subconscious level, in the philosophical and spiritual
realm. Therefore this fight is for ideas and principles, virtue or falsehood. This realm is even more “real” than the physical. If we don’t recognize this subtle power we will be manipulated by it. Awareness brings knowledge. Politics is just an outward manifestation of this straggle. To understand our motivations we should know of the eternal battle that rages within us. And of the mechanism that those who would manipulate us, at a psychological level, will use. The following article is an excellent dissertation on the topic: https://www.americanthinker. com/articles/2024/12/the_shadow_of_socialism.html. The object of this knowledge is self-awareness to guide our path, so that we can wisely exercise our free will to choose the best way.Our founding fathers won the battle, not against the King of England, but against the concept of tyranny and control. They declared the independence of the individual and forged the concept of the divinity of the individual within the Constitution. The physical battle was won after the philosophical and spiritual battle. And here we are again, after 300 years, still engaged in the struggle for truth. It’s not the struggle, not even the winning or losing; rather, what we learn from it: How
we live our lives. How we manifest our deeper understanding of the goal.
If that goal is freedom to gain wisdom, then we have already prevailed. As divine individuals, free to choose, we may exercise our will to cast aside the shackles of tyranny and stand in the light.
If we, as individuals, are free, then how can we oppress others or allow the prevailing party (ours or theirs) to oppress others? The greatest lesson in the Constitution and Declaration is the divine nature of this concept of the individual. Conversely, tyranny or oppression relegates the individual to chattel, something to use, to possess.
Consider the Constitution, to whom or what do the majority of restraints pertain? They speak exclusively to restraint of our own government. The Constitution does not lay down laws that restrict the individual; rather, it protects the rights of the individual to the divine (inalienable) right of his own free will.
We have laws, commandments, religion and philosophy to guide the individual and lay out the actions that are unforgivable, those acts that the individual must never transgress. What need have we for additional rules and regulations from a body of men inhabiting our government? Are we not fully capable, as divine individuals, to
choose the correct path? And if we are not, retribution will be swift and just.
The nation rebelled against the constant creep of government incursion into every aspect of our lives. The vote decimated the entire concept of control through government edict that warped the nation for decades.
Pray that President-elect Trump and his cabinet keep one ideal, one principle, firmly in mind:
We put him in place for one reason only. To protect the divine rights and freedom of the individual and to do so in strict adherence with our Constitution.
Pray that our new president has an enlightened, and safe, tenure during his limited time in office. Pray that his cabinet keeps the same principles that begat our nation, don’t let power go to their heads. It is our responsibility to hold our elected to account. We did not give any politician or bureaucrat the edict to oppress any American citizen.
The original article can be found at: https://www.americanthinker. com/articles/2024/12/the_shadow_of_socialism.html
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.
PUBLISHER Robert Sweeney bsween1@aol.com
CREATIVE MARKETING DIRECTOR Susan Sweeney Lanam 720-270-2018 susan@villagerpublishing.com
LEGALS Becky Osterwald legal@villagerpublishing.com
NEWS EDITOR Gerri Sweeney 303-773-8313 gerri@villagerpublishing.com
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 cogambler@mac.com
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
AN EVENING OF BOND, JAMES BOND
Denver Ballet Guild’s Bondthemed fundraiser was the vision of Denver Ballet Guild (DBG) President Caroline Rodawig. Appropriately, the venue was Mike Ward Luxury Vehicle Dealership in Highlands Ranch with success far exceeding expectations. The evening featured a James Bond - inspired performance by Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, signature Vesper martinis, an exciting dance party led by DJ Freyja and dapper Emcee Doug Tisdale. Funds raised will support the Guild’s initiative including Showcase of Dance and Young Dancers Competition, as well as grant monies for Denver area dance companies.
BELOW: Cleo Parker Robinson and dancers Devrae Jefferson, Adrian Dominguez, Lauren Slaughter, Corey Boatner, Caeli Blake, Lamar Rogers, Samiyah Lynnice, Jasmine Francisco
The Committee: DBG VP Social - Julia Porterfield (granddaughter-in-law of the late grande dame of ballet Florence Ruston), Joann Cole, Chrissy Fedorowicz, Cory Dunnick, Ann Lindquist and DBG President Caroline Rodawig
Art lovers attend Hope Communities’ CURATING HOPE 2024 Art Auction
Artists featured were Quang Ho, Lorenzo Chavez and Katy Tartakoff
An incredible manse in the Cheesman Park neighborhood was the venue for a cocktails and hors d’oeuvres party hosted by Helen Atkeson and Stan Raine. Co-hosts were Eric Dallimore, Carolyn Fineran, Patti Klinge, Connie McArthur and Hayley Mirr. The purpose of the art auction from works of three prominent Colorado artists was to benefit the housing stability and economic mobility work of Hope Communities.
I first worked with the remarkable Quang Ho in the 90s when I chaired a gala for American Cancer Society. The charming and talented Quang designed an elegant Asian-themed trademark that graced the cover of our spectacular printed program which I have preserved all these years. Quang Ho is especially passionate about the work of Hope Communities as he is a refugee from Vietnam. In 1980, when Hope Communities was being established, Quang was already hosting a one-man-show at Tomorrows Masters Gallery when he was just 16 years old! He graduated from Colorado Institute of Art with the Best Portfolio Award and is now internationally known.
Hope Communities is a four-star, Platinum Seal from Candid (formerly Guidestar) 501 (c) (3) nonprofit that strengthens communities and provides pathways to economic and personal opportunities through affordable housing, educational programs and support services. More information: hopecommunities.org.
BY FREDA MIKLIN
Council member. Dr. Jerry Miklin and I are the parents of five young
FREDA
GV approves early childhood center for Aspen Academy
On December 2, Greenwood Village City Council approved an application for a new early childhood education center (ECE) for Aspen Academy (Aspen) at 1695 E. Orchard Road. The vote was 6-2, with council members Libby Barnacle and Tom Stahl dissenting.
The building that will house the program has been home to Greenwood Community of Christ Church since 1955. The church will continue to meet there after selling the building to Aspen, which plans to remodel the inside to accommodate up to 100 young children, updating the exterior but retaining its present configuration, adding a fence, landscaping, and playground features. The 2.796-acre property is zoned R-1, a residential classification that allows both churches and schools with a special use permit (SUP).
Aspen Academy opened in 2005 at 5859 S. University Boulevard, where it shares a parking lot with GV’s Curtis Arts Center. It currently serves 400 private school students, from Pre-K to 8th grade. The school focuses on “academics, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills,” and is a place where students “are empowered to lead purposeful and extraordinary lives.” Tuition is approximately $24,000/year.
David French, GV Senior Planner, presented the case to the city council, describing the site location, details of the request, and the accompanying traffic study, along with the applicable approval criteria. He concluded with a recommendation that the council authorize the proposed site development plan and SUP for the Aspen ECE.
French noted the unanimous recommendation for approval received from the city’s planning and zoning commission, also pointing out that, “Significant public comment was received for this case…143 comments were received prior to the publication of tonight’s packet. Of those, 24 were in opposition, 26 expressed concern, and 93 were in support.”
Kristina Scala, founder and head of school at Aspen, testified that an ECE was needed to serve the population in the area. She confirmed that the facility would be used solely for “church-related and school-related functions” between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. only.
Brian Horan, PE, PTOE, Galloway & Company traffic engineer for the project, testified that no significant increase in traffic was expected from the new facility, partly because, “50% of the students will be a sibling or a child of staff,” so they will arrive and depart in vehicles already going to and from the main Aspen campus.
Scala added that approving the request for the ECE would improve security in the area because the site had been the subject of break-ins, as well as broken windows and “evidence of mischief from needles and alcohol bottles,” which would be addressed by Aspen’s installation of fencing and continuous security monitoring, as well as a proposed expanded GVPD substation at the main Aspen campus.
City Council Member Paul Wiesner, a longtime resident and former HOA president of Green Oaks, the neighborhood
adjacent to the site, said, “For a long time, we’ve had a small, quiet church with limited operations, so anything that happens on that property is going to increase the level of noise, traffic, or interference with what the neighbors are used to…I’m here to try to make sure that (this plan) limits that intrusiveness as much as possible.” He confirmed with the city attorney that only those restrictions regarding hours of operation, number of students, weekend activities, lighting, noise, etc., specified on the SUP, would be enforceable.
Green Oaks residents Todd and Barrett Walker, who live across the High Line Canal from the site, both testified during the public hearing that was required before a vote on the request could be taken. The Walkers, along with every other person who testified at the hearing, acknowledged at the outset that Aspen was an excellent school.
Todd Walker testified that, despite the months that this application had been in process, Aspen had proposed updated rules for the site five days earlier and they did not contain any prohibition of “outdoor ECE activities on the weekend.” He asked the city council to add that restriction to the SUP. He also expressed concern about ECE parents parking in and cutting through the residential neighborhoods near the site, which will impact he and his neighbors. Later, Scala clarified that she could encourage Aspen and ECE parents not to cut through the Green Oaks neighborhood, but could not prevent them from doing so, since the streets are public.
Barrett Walker told the council that it was important to clarify the SUP because what people have heard from Aspen varied, based on who they are. She said, “If you are a current family at Aspen Academy, you’ve heard that the ECE will provide your students an opportunity for life and environmental sciences classes. If you are a Greenwood Village/Green Oaks resident, you’ve heard that it will just be 0 to 5-yearolds at the ECE… I see this SUP as a broader expansion of the school’s footprint, rather than just the addition of an ECE,
and I’d like the use restrictions to reflect absolute usage for ECE and not having 30 or 40 Aspen Academy students traveling daily or as needed for sciences and other experiences to the nature center… Students walking will impact traffic. We heard that the only usage for the K-8 students at the ECE would be for a mentoring program, so we were very disheartened to learn that environmental sciences and life sciences in the classroom activities would be going on there… We’ve been operating in a lot of gray area with this process. It would be really helpful to be good neighbors to understand exactly what we can expect from the school expansion project.”
Two other early witnesses at the hearing testified as GV residents and Aspen parents whose children had an excellent experience at the school and who supported the application for the ECE. Both are members of the Aspen Board of Trustees, however that did not come up because they were not testifying in that capacity.
On the topic of traffic, one of those two witnesses, who lives on the south side of The Preserve, which is served by Littleton Public Schools, testified that he faced daily traffic back-up at the corner of Orchard Avenue and Holly Street as a result of dropoff and pick-up traffic headed to and from Greenwood Elementary and West Middle School, adding, “Not to mention the continuous flow of traffic to the Orchard shopping center, Koelbel Library, and Sunrise Assisted Living.” He continued, “I don’t complain about this at all because it’s a small price to pay for the betterment of our community and the future of our children.” The witness asked that the council approve the application for the ECE program, “posthaste.”
Current GV resident Nancy Sharpe Kennedy testified, “I was the mayor of Greenwood Village (in 2004) when Aspen Academy was approved to purchase the Mission Hills Church property. I also lived in Green Oaks for 40 years. It is a beautiful and welcoming neighborhood… When Aspen Academy was going through the approval process, there were concerns from
neighbors regarding traffic and noise. Aspen Academy is an outstanding school, but those concerns were and are issues existing today. I’m here to ask you to work on that SUP to ensure that misunderstandings and misinterpretations do not happen. As an example, at the time of approval, Aspen Academy made representations that their students belonged to sports teams outside of school and would not need a field on their property. A few years later, the school wanted to put a sports field on the north end of their property, with bleachers and games on evenings and weekends, which would have been extremely close to several homes. The peace and quiet of homeowners would have been very negatively impacted.”
The former GV mayor continued, addressing the city council directly, “You all have the ability to prevent that from happening, tonight. I would ask that you ensure that the school will remain an early childhood center, ensure that the number of students does not exceed 100, and limit outdoor activities in the parking lot, including amplification. Stating in the current description of use that a vast majority of activities will take place inside the building, leaves a lot of room for interpretation. I don’t know what “vast” really is and I don’t think we want to get into that.”
Ms. Sharpe Kennedy went on, “Restrict lighting intensity. Don’t allow sporting activities of any kind and don’t allow students, other than early childhood students, to be picked up from this location. My antenna goes up when we hear, ‘We don’t anticipate this or that to happen. You have the authority to make sure that you are doing what GV residents deserve. Please remember significant traffic and safety impacts at this location will add to those already existing at Orchard and University. Orchard Road will always be a two-lane road. Access to this location is very close to the High Line Canal crossing, where a serious accident just happened a few days ago. In my many years of business and elected life, I know it is clarity and specificity at the beginning of a process that will avoid problems in the future. I’m asking you to make sure, today, that the SUP is clear and specific.”
Another Green Oaks resident, who lives on Oak Creek Lane, told the council, “When Aspen Academy was originally permitted, we were told there would be no problems with traffic. Unfortunately, that’s not been the case,” noting that pickup and drop-off times at Aspen result in traffic delays and congestion. Pointing to the current traffic study for the ECE that concludes it will not negatively impact traffic in the area, he asked the city council, “What if that’s wrong? Whose risk should that be? Should it be the developer’s risk or should it be the citizens’ risk? Because if this is approved, and there is no mechanism to correct it… Then it’s a life sentence. We’re stuck with that problem forever.” He asked that the city require follow-up traffic studies at five-year intervals, and, “If the traffic conditions don’t meet what we were told would occur, that Aspen Academy be required to take appropriate mitigation measures.”
The hearing to approve the SUP and the site development plan lasted three hours and thirty minutes, a significant portion of which was devoted to heeding former Mayor Sharpe Kennedy’s advice to carefully review the wording of the rules and restrictions of the SUP.
follow FREDA
BY FREDA MIKLIN
Cherry Creek Bruins return to 5A football dominance
After besting the Valor Christian Wolves, Erie Tigers, and Grandview Wolves in the playoffs leading up to the title game on December 7 in Fort Collins, Dave Logan’s Cherry Creek Bruins regained their crown as 5A state champions with a 13-10 win over the Legend Titans, coached by Monte Thelen. It was the Bruins’ fifth 5A state title in the past seven years, all earned under the coaching staff of Logan, who has accumulated 12 state 5A trophies in his high school football coaching career.
A report of the game by the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) described a technically sloppy affair with multiple turnovers by both teams and a key injury to Creek running back Jayden Fox near the end of the second quarter. According to CHSAA, Fox returned to the game with limited play in the second half, when the weight of the workload was picked up by freshman Elijah Cromwell, who ran for two touchdowns, accumulating 102 yards on 17 carries, an effort that earned him the National Football Foundation Player of the Game honor.
In addressing Creek’s ability to hang in and get the W, along with the turnovers by both sides that he remarked “probably aged Legend Coach Monte Thelen and me,” in an interview with CHSAA, Coach Logan pointed out, “When you’re coaching 15, 16, 17, 18-year-old men, those things happen. But two really good teams, hard fought game and I’m just really pleased that we were able to hang in there and find a way to win this game.”
This win wraps up Coach Logan’s 31st year as a Colorado 5A high school football coach, having won state championships at each of the four schools he coached. It is his sixth 5A championship with the Cherry Creek Bruins since he took over the team in 2012. No newcomer to the game, Legend Coach Thelen has led 5A high school football teams in Colorado for 24 years, the past nine at Legend.
The magic conTinues wiTh sugarplums in fesTive red and sugarplum alums in holiday green
Koelbel Library Cafe Offers
Winter Drink Specials
It’s the most wonderful time of the year to visit the library! While you’re stocking up on winter reads, you can warm up with a seasonal drink at the Koelbel Library Cafe (5955 S. Holly St., Centennial). Friendly baristas are serving up candy cane mochas, nutcracker lattes and fireside lattes.
Candy Cane Mocha
Peppermint syrup with choice of white or dark chocolate sauce, topped with whipped cream and candy cane pieces.
Nutcracker Latte
Praline and toffee nut syrups, topped with whipped cream and toffee pieces.
Fireside Latte
Cozy combination of orange and amaretto flavors, sprinkled with cinnamon.
“The Koelbel Library Cafe serves delicious drinks and snacks from local vendors, with all sales supporting the library. It’s a great place to meet, work or relax and crack open a book,” said Katie Holloman, Arapahoe Libraries cafes manager. “When you need a snack after Storytime or a cup of tea to go with your novel, stop in to enjoy a treat this holiday season.”
To learn more, visit arapahoelibraries.org or call 303-LIBRARY (303-542-7279).
About Arapahoe Libraries
Arapahoe Libraries includes eight community libraries, a jail library and a Library on Wheels in Arapahoe County, Colorado. For more information, visit arapahoelibraries.org.
La Razza Cellars opens new limited winery in Englewood and Cherry Hills Village
La Razza Cellars, Colorado’s newest winery that offers premium red wines, is pleased to announce the opening of its new limited winery in the old town Englewood and Cherry Hills Village section of Colorado. This opening marks the introduction of the first and only winery in the area, bringing a unique offering to the local community.
La Razza Cellars has gained recognition for its exquisite hybrid red wines, which are aged for one year to achieve a perfect balance of character and complexity. The winery takes pride in the meticulous handcrafting process, from the crush to the barrel and bottle, using locally produced wine grapes.
The man behind this exceptional winemaking is owner J. Leonard Razzo, who brings his expertise and passion to every step of the process. His dedication to the craft has earned him
prestigious accolades, including the Colorado Governor’s Cup bronze medals in 2024 and the American Wine Society silver and bronze medals in 2023 and 2024.
To celebrate the opening of the new winery, La Razza Cellars is offering a special promotion for residents leading up to Christmas. This presents a fantastic opportunity for wine enthusiasts to savor the unique flavor profile and complexity of La Razza wines.
J. Leonard Razzo expressed his excitement about bringing his
award-winning wines to the old town Englewood and Cherry Hills Village community, stating, “I believe in the power of local products and am committed to providing our customers with the highest quality wines. I look forward to welcoming everyone to our new winery.”
For more information about La Razza Cellars and the grand opening of the new limited winery, contact J. Leonard at larazzacellars @gmail.com or by phone at 303-901-4951.
About La Razza Cellars
La Razza Cellars is a small production winery specializing in hybrid red wines aged for one year. The wines are handcrafted in small batches using locally produced wine grapes. The winery is owned by J. Leonard Razzo, a distinguished winemaker who has received numerous awards for his exceptional wines.
Be Still My Beating Heart
Merry Christmas Friends! I just love leap years, though the fact that they fall during election years takes some of the fun out of having that extra day. I needed it though. It was a busy year.
For starters, I spent a lot of time at medical appointments. I hope you like hearing about health problems because they took up so much of my year that I don’t have much else to report in this holiday letter.
Still it didn’t seem right, so after an hour of it, I went to the emergency room.
To make a long story not quite so long, many doctor visits, a procedure for something called atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia, and a stack of medical bills later, I was back to having to get off the couch to exercise. Fortunately I have insurance and I was confident that I’d have my portion of the bills paid off by 2037.
My first health crisis started when the president of a club I belong to told me he was resigning and he wanted me to take over. Mind you, this is one of those clubs where people don’t run for office. They run from office. Electing officers in our club involves begging, arm-twisting and occasionally signing up someone who’s not there to defend themselves.
I blame the now former club president for what happened next. I felt faint and my heart started pounding. To be fair, this isn’t the first time that’s happened so it’s not his fault, but I still blame him.
According to my Fitbit, my heart was going 170 beats per minute. It was like exercising without getting off the sofa and wouldn’t that be handy?
Then, like a hurricane leaving destruction in its wake, a summer cold left behind serious damage. One evening, my left ear seemed to plug up. Suddenly I felt like I was hearing underwater or with my ear pressed against the door listening in on someone’s conversation. Not that I have.
I yawned. I chewed gum. I took piles of over-the-counter medicines. Then I went to the doctor many times and took piles of prescription medicines. Nothing helped. Not only was my hearing worse, I couldn’t tell which direction sounds were coming from. My husband would say, “come here,” and I’d go to the wrong room. He thought I was just being more contrary than usual.
Eventually I was referred
to a specialist and a few unpleasant treatments later I’m somewhat better. At least I can tell where my husband is when he calls me. Unfortunately now I don’t anticipate getting my medical bills paid off until 2050.
Along with going to medical appointments, I did do some traveling this year. For starters, I attended the hundred-year reunion of my school. Too bad I wasn’t in the original class. I’d be on Medicare by now.
I also went to the state fair where I ate many things on sticks. And I attended a writers’ conference in Dayton, Ohio. As luck would have it, it was the perfect time and place to see the total eclipse. But as my luck would have it, I’d made my hotel and airline reservations long before I knew it would be.
So yes, I missed the eclipse but I hit a buffalo. Those are not related. I just like the way they sound together. And I didn’t actually hit the buffalo. The buffalo hit me. I’m not making that up.
My sister and I were traveling in South Dakota’s Custer State Park. There was a steep hill beside the road and between the road and the hill was a buffalo. Maybe he was tired of cars passing him because he headbutted my rear passenger door as I went by. Naturally I stopped the car and got right out to check for damage. Not really. I can’t afford any more medical bills.
As featured in
Remember, you can donate any time of year by visiting individual nonprofit websites
First CFP upset omits ‘Bama from field of 12
Hell froze over last Sunday.
When the first 12-team field for the College Football Playoff was announced, Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama Crimson Tide—essentially Nick Saban’s prized recruits—did not receive an invitation to the party.
Inevitably, this slight will make the hot seat DeBoer already occupies as successor to the seven-time national champion and winner of 292 games (against only 71 losses and one tie) even hotter.
pointment” at the omission.
“Strength of schedule matters,” Byrne posted on social media the night before the CFP field was announced. “Not all schedules and conferences are created equal. Six of our eight wins are against bowl-eligible teams.”
goal. The Mustangs are seeded 11th—one spot ahead of the team that beat them in the ACC title game and two ahead of ‘Bama.
But a strength-of-schedule comparison shows Alabama’s slate ranked ninth and SMU’s 15th. And Clemson lost its season opener 34-3 to the same Georgia team that Alabama beat four weeks later.
The Crimson Tide handed second-seeded SEC champion
At the same time, it is stoking the fires beneath the CFP Selection Committee’s collective bench.
To appreciate the significance of the 13-member committee’s decision, consider that, in the 10-year history of the four-team national playoff under Saban:
Alabama appeared in it eight years.
Alabama won the national championship three times.
Alabama won the most playoff games: nine.
Let the debate begin.
The 12-team field includes (in seeding order): Oregon, Georgia, Boise State, Arizona State, Texas, Penn State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Tennessee, Indiana, SMU and Clemson.
Alabama, at No. 13, was the first team out, and ‘Bama athletic director Greg Byrne predictably expressed “disap-
Georgia one of its two losses, 41-34, on September 28 when both teams were unbeaten. But they later lost 24-17 to Tennessee, which made the bracket with a 10-2 record.
Alabama played only one nonconference opponent from a Power Four conference— that is, Big Ten, SEC, Big 12 and ACC—beating Wisconsin 42-10. Its other three nonconference foes were Western Kentucky (63-0), South Florida (42-16) and an FCS school (the old Division I-AA) Mercer (52-7).
Walloping those outmanned opponents wasn’t enough to overcome upset losses to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma—both 6-6 this season. (Vanderbilt hadn’t beaten Alabama in 40 years.)
SMU, whose only regular-season defeat was by three points against Colorado’s Alamo Bowl opponent, BYU, lost the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game to Clemson, also by three points, on a last-second 56-yard field
Alabama, of course, isn’t the only university unhappy with being passed over. Miami and BYU, both 10-2, and Ole Miss and South Carolina, with records that match ‘Bama, all are criticizing their exclusions. (Ole Miss handed Georgia its other loss and beat South Carolina, but those triumphs are offset by a loss to lowly Kentucky and a late-season slip to 7-5 Florida.)
But we’d have complaints no matter how large the field was (and it probably will grow in a couple years).
The most interesting objection comes from Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, whose 11-2 Longhorns lost the SEC championship game to Georgia 2219 in overtime after falling to the Bulldogs 30-15 during the regular season.
“I just look to the NCAA basketball tournament,” he said. “If you win your conference tournament, you get an automatic bid into the tournament.
“But then there’s seeding. There’s one-seeds; there’s twoseeds—so on and so forth— and nowhere in there does it say if you win your conference championship, you get an automatic one-seed.”
The first real football national championship tournament begins a week from Friday, December 20, when Indiana plays at Notre Dame. This Indiana team posted the best record in school history, 11-1, its only loss to Ohio State. Notre Dame also is 11-1, having lost to Northern Illinois early in the season.
The next day, SMU is at Penn State, Clemson’s at Texas and Tennessee ventures into Ohio Stadium to play Ohio State.
The quarterfinal round begins on December 31 with Boise State taking on the Penn State-SMU winner in the Fiesta Bowl, and continues with games in the Peach, Sugar and Rose Bowls January 1.
In a rematch of a national semifinal played in the Rose Bowl last New Year’s Day, Alabama also will play December 31 against defending national champion Michigan. But this time it’s in something called the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa.
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
Kelly Brough named CEO of Fitzsimons Innovation Community
Longtime metro leader will direct the future of one of the nation’s most innovative and cuttingedge health and life sciences campuses in Aurora
The Fitzsimons Innovation Community (FIC) has named Kelly Brough as its new Chief Executive to lead the integrated campus of more than 80 innovative health and life sciences companies.
Brough brings years of strategic management experience in government and higher education, having served as president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, chief of staff to then-Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, and chief strategy officer at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
“The FIC is already producing some of the nation’s
most exciting and groundbreaking work in life sciences, but it’s the community’s untapped potential that really has me excited to take on
Because
this role,” said Brough. “With more than 50 acres of prime development space and a multi-year plan in place, we are just at the beginning of all the health advancements and life-changing discoveries this campus has in store.”
The FIC is a collaborative effort between the city of Aurora and the CU Anschutz Medical Campus to redevelop the north side of the campus with a focus on expanding bioscience research. The FIC already has 410,000 square feet of space dedicated to biosci-
DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO 7325 South Potomac Street Centennial, Colorado 80112 (303) 649-6355 Telephone
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO, Petitioner,
IN THE INTEREST OF:
BELLA RIVERA-MOLINA
IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Glendale, Colorado, will hold a Public Hearing at Glendale City Hall, 950 South Birch Street, Glendale, Colorado, in the Courtroom/Council Chambers on the first floor, at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2025 concerning the following ordinances:
CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO
ORDINANCE NO. 5 SERIES of 2024
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO, REVISING THE WATER RATES AND FEES OF THE WATER ENTERPRISE
Copies of the ordinance is on file at the office of the City Clerk and may be inspected during regular business hours.
Dated the 4th day of December, 2024 City of Glendale, Colorado Veronica Marvin, City Clerk
Published in The Villager Published: December 12, 2024 Legal # 11681
Child, and concerning SONYA MOLINA-ROMERO aka SONYA GARCIA, CARLOS RIVERA and ZELTER GARCIAREMIGIO, Respondents.
Jordan Lewis, Esq., Reg. #50198 Assistant County Attorney Attorney for Petitioner 14980 East Alameda Drive Aurora, CO 80012
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Glendale, Colorado, will hold a Public Hearing at Glendale City Hall, 950 South Birch Street, Glendale, Colorado, in the Courtroom/Council Chambers on the first floor, at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2025 concerning the following ordinances:
CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO
ORDINANCE NO. 6 SERIES of 2024
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO, REVISING THE SEWER USER FEES AND SEWER CONNECTION FEES OF THE WASTEWATER ENTERPRISE
Copies of the ordinance are on file at the office of the City Clerk and may be inspected during regular business hours.
Dated the 4th day of December, 2024 City of Glendale, Colorado Veronica Marvin, City Clerk
Published in The Villager
Published: December 12, 2024 Legal # 11682
ence research with another 230,000 under development.
“With a $13 billion local economic impact, the CU Anschutz Medical Campus and the FIC have been a catalyst for economic growth for our city, and the FIC will drive more economic growth by increasing bioscience research on the campus and putting Aurora on the map as a hub for bioscience research nationally,” said Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman, who also serves as the chair of the FIC board.
Brough, who signed a three-year contract with an annual base salary of $320,000, will replace FIC President and CEO Steve
VanNurden, who is retiring at the end of 2024 after nearly 35 years as a life sciences industry leader, the last 12 at Fitzsimons.
“As CEO, Steve has transformed the FIC into a thriving, collaborative and growing community, and I want to thank him for setting such a strong foundation for the future,” said Don Elliman, chancellor of CU Anschutz and vice chair of the FIC board. “With Kelly coming aboard, we will build on our momentum in establishing Aurora as the go-to city for up-and-coming life-science companies with the potential to change the world.”
Tel: 303-636-1883
Fax: (303) 636-1889
Case No: 24JV277
Division: 34
NOTICE OF PARENTAGE HEARING CONCERNING THE MINOR CHILD, BELLA RIVERA-MOLINA
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the above captioned matter has been set for a Parentage Hearing Concerning the Minor Child, Bella Rivera-Molina, on January 10, 2025 at 9:00 AM, in Division 34, at the Arapahoe County Justice Center, 7325 South Potomac Street, Centennial, Colorado 80112. The Court requests that you to be at the Courthouse a half hour before the hearing is scheduled to begin, in order for you to discuss the case with an attorney and/or caseworker, if you wish to do so.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the People of the State of Colorado may request the Court enter an order finding that you
are the legal parent of the above named child(ren), entering an order requiring you to pay reasonable and necessary support pursuant to §19-4-116(6), on a monthly basis on a monthly basis commencing immediately for the support of the child(ren), entering a judgment for child support debt pursuant to §1414-104, C.R.S., medical support, and to grant such further relief as the Court deems proper.
Participants may use any computer, tablet or smart phone equipped with a camera and microphone for audiovisual participation. Parties should use the following link:
•https://judicial.webex.com/meet/ D18-ARAP-Div34
•Enter your name and email address (so we know who you are). You will then be in the virtual courtroom.
•Select your audio setting. If the audio on your computer or tablet does not work, please use the alternate audio option of calling in to the number below.
•If you do not have a device that will support a video connection,
you may still participate by audio only by calling 720-650-7664. When prompted enter access code: 2594 408 0614 then press #, # (no attendee ID is needed).
Respectfully submitted this 4th day of December 2024.
Jordan Lewis, Esq. #50198
Assistant County Attorney Attorney for Petitioner 14980 E. Alameda Dr. Aurora, Co 80012
Published in The Villager Published: December 12, 2024 Legal # 11679
DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE STATE OF COLORADO 7325 S. Potomac Street Centennial, Colorado 80112 (303) 645-6600
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO, Petitioner,
IN THE INTEREST OF:
BELLA RIVERA-MOLINA Child, and concerning SONYA MOLINA-ROMERO aka SONYA GARCIA, CARLOS RIVERA and ZELTER GARCIAREMIGIO, Respondents.
Jordan Lewis, Reg. #50198
Assistant County Attorney 14980 E. Alameda Drive Aurora, CO 80012 303-636-1883 / (F) 303-636-1889
Case No: 24JV277 Division: 34
NOTICE OF ADJUDICATORY HEARING AND DEFAULT JUDGMENT REGARDING
RESPONDENT FATHER, CARLOS RIVERA
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that an Adjudicatory Hearing and Default Judgement regarding
RESPONDENT FATHER is set for December 20, 2024 at 10:00 AM in Division 34 at the Arapahoe County District Court, 7325 South Potomac Street, Centennial, Colorado 80112. You have the right to be represented by an attorney during these proceedings; if you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to represent you.
In the event you fail to appear for said hearing at the date and time indicated, the Petitioner, the People of the State of Colorado, will request that the Court enter a default judgment against you and adjudicate the child dependent and neglected in accordance with the Colorado Children’s Code.
Participants may use any computer, tablet or smart phone equipped with a camera and microphone for audiovisual participation. Parties should use the following link:
•https://judicial.webex.com/meet/ D18-ARAP-Div34
•Enter your name and email address (so we know who you are). You will then be in the virtual courtroom.
•Select your audio setting. If the audio on your computer or tablet does not work, please use the alternate audio option of calling in to the number below.
If you do not have a device that will support a video connection, you may still participate by audio only by calling 720-650-7664. When prompted enter Access code: 2594 408 0614
THE POLAR EXPRESS20TH ANNIVERSARY
NOV. 22 TO JAN. 1, 2025 at Gaylord Rockies Resort. Carved from 300-pound blocks of ice to fill 17,000 s.f. frozen attraction with the temperature maintained at 9 degrees. Coats provided for the tour. The ice artisans are from Harbin, China where they will carve 2 million pounds of ice to recreate the classic Holiday event in Colorado’s largest indoor frozen attraction. Starting with 6,000 massive ice blocks, the carvers work approximately six weeks- more than 12,000 man-hours. Some of the events: Cirque: Frost; Festival of Trees, Mistletoe Mile Scavenger hunt, Gingerbread Decorating Corner; Build-A-Bear Workshop; Photos with Santa; Elf Training Academy; Mrs. Claus Christmas Traditions; Yuletide Street Marker and Cozy Comfort at Relate Spa. Visit ChristmasatGaylordRockies.com
ENGLEWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING
DEC. 12, 4-6 p.m. And after hours celebration to inaugurate the stunning new mural by artist Michael Ortiz on the backside of
FELT Bar. The Mural Contest was sponsored by the Englewood Chamber, City of Englewood Communications Dept., Cultural Arts Commission, Englewood Downtown Development Authority and FELT Bar located at 101 W. Floyd Ave., Englewood, RSVP: 303789-4473.
THIRD
ANNUAL LATKES AND LIGHTS HANUKKAH CELEBRATION
SUN. DEC. 15, 10 a.m. Hosted by Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center (JCC Denver). Two latke competitions, craft fair, live music, Hanukkah games and more. All ages invited. Tickets limited at https:/www. jccd DEenver.org/portfolio-items/ latkes-and-lights/
LITTLE MAN ICE CREAM UGLY SWEATER BINGO PARTY
SUNDAY, DEC. 15 4-6 p.m. 4940 S. Yosemite St. @ Belleview Square.
GINGERBREAD HOUSE MAKING PARTY
SUNDAY, DEC. 22 3-5 p.m.Craft your very own Gingerbread House with all of the fun frosting & delicious decorations .3455 S. Univ. Blvd. @ Kent Marketplace.Spots
are limited, so RSVP to join the fun. Use the QR code in this weeks Villager.
NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW PARADE
JAN. 9 12 noon. Downtown Denver.
SAVE THE DATE:
MONDAY, JAN. 20, 6-11:00
p.m. 2025 Colorado Inaugural Ball to celebrate Trump’s Victory, presented by the Lincoln Club of Colorado. Marriott DTC, 4900 S. Syracuse, Denver. Dinner and cash bar. Dancing to 22 piece Mile High Big Band, complementary champagne toast, live feed from the Washington DC Inaugural Ball. Formal attire or Black Tie. Looking for sponsors and volunteers. Call Lynne at 303-550-5115 or lcottrell@aol.com
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.
WHAT’S NEW?
Carla’s is decorated for the Holidays! SHOP LOCAL! Unique & festive holidays decor from vintage to modern. A magical experience for 29 years. The Streets at Southglenn, 6851 S. Gaylord St., Ste., 233, Centennial.
WHAT’S NEW? - BRIA BLAIR CREATIVE NOW OPEN!
The Streets at Southglenn, 6853 S. York St., 123. (Across the street from Carlas.) Open Monday by appointment or Tuesday-Sat. 10-5 p.m.
WHAT’S NEW?
James DeMarco has joined First American State Bank as AVP,
2025 Hyundai Tucson Is Home Run Winner
The South Koreans know how to build classic cars. This new 2025 Hyundai Tucson hybrid is outstanding. The many safety features set this vehicle above many cars driven this past year. The clarity of the photos from all angles, including vertical are vital to parking and backing on crowed streets and parking lots.
The appearance is sleek with sloping lines and “Deep Sea,” dark blue shimmering paint. The roof has a panoramic sunroof with side rails sloping back to a hand’s free rear power trunk. LED lighting front, rear, and running lights with excellent dimming controls. The Tucson rides on 19” inch alloy wheels.
Four drive modes control the 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with eco, my
choice, sport, and snow drive selections. The hybrid component works in harmony in the power train to provide a spirited drive with 35 mpg over-all fuel economy. I used the sport mode climbing up U.S.70 and the eco mode coming back down from the mountains. The snow mode would be
ideal for a wet highway or upcoming ice and snowy roads. Steering wheel paddle shifters work well for gear selection with the five-speed automatic transmission. The gear shift is a simple stud lever dial indicating R/P/D settings with paddle shift choices for select gear driving situations.
Another gold star is the comfortable ride and the strong suspension system for a firm drive. A center console 12.3” inch color screen controls the Bose sound system and displays the surround view monitor with clear pictures of the surroundings.
The signal lights show the trailing driving lanes along with warning lights on the panel to show cars in the blind spot space.
Safety features galore with the rearview mirror showing traffic, forward alert warnings lights, and collision avoidance braking to prevent hitting a forward object. Air bags galore, on the side, front, window and rear, making the cabin ultra safe for all passengers.
Treasury Management Solutions Product Manager. Larry & Jill Dipasquale are celebrating 35 years of operation for Epicurean Catering. Kelly Brough has been named CEO of Fitzsimmons Innovation Community in Aurora; a campus of more than 80 innovative health and life sciences companies. Brough was former president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.
WHAT’S NEW?ST. ANDREW’S VILLAGE SENIOR LIVING EVENTS
Upscale dining, engaging events and activities, indoor pool, pet friendly. Call 720-684-5913 to schedule a tour and enjoy lunch on the Village. Located at 133801 E. Yale Ave., Aurora.
By H. Throttle
The smart phone charger located near the center console is easy to use and green lights indicate that the phone is in the right position to charge quickly.
All the safety and luxury features are included in the manufacturer’s suggested list price of $42,550, a very competitive price for an all-wheel drive SUV sedan. The Tucson carries a 100,000 mile/10-year power train warranty that is one of the best in the business. The vehicle is assembled in Ulsan, South Korea with both engine and transmission pridefully built in the country of origin.
One thing that I didn’t like, no spare tire, just a tire mobility kit in lieu of a spare tire. The spare tires are starting to disappear in many new cars. This is a smart vehicle loaded with safety features, all-wheel drive, heated seats and steering wheel for winter driving. The price is right, and the vehicle is outstanding.