Brighton Buzz October 2023

One of the most notable features of October is the mesmerizing foliage, as trees and landscapes transform into a canvas of reds, oranges, yellows, and browns. And, it’s punctuated by a festival celebrated in numerous countries around the world – Halloween!

It is a time when creativity takes center stage, allowing both young and old to embrace their imagination and embrace the spooky, the mysterious, and the fantastical.

e origins of Halloween are ancient, with roots in Celtic and Christian traditions. It was originally known as Samhain, a Gaelic festival that marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter.

One of the most beloved Halloween traditions is trick-ortreating. Children, often accompanied by their parents, go from door to door in their neighborhoods, collecting candies and treats. It’s a joyous occasion that brings communities together, fostering a sense of unity and fun.

Another central tradition is the of carving of Jack-o’lanterns. Legend has it that a man named Jack, known for his trickery, was doomed to roam the earth with only a hollowedout turnip lit by a coal to light his way. Over time, the tradition evolved to carving faces into pumpkins, creating the iconic Jack-o’-lanterns we see today.

October and Halloween are a magical combination, inviting us to embrace the changing seasons and tap into our playful and creative sides. So, as the days grow shorter and the air crisper, let us welcome October and all the Halloween festivities it brings, celebrating the spirit of imagination and the joy of the unknown.

Happy Halloween!

Using Light to Enhance Your Home

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by: Jan Hepp-Struck, Hepp Realty

Outdoor lighting is a great tool for improving usability and your overall satisfaction with your home. Done right, it can also be a cost-effective way to really enhance your home’s curb appeal and make it more inviting.

Illuminate Pathways: Illuminating walkways, driveways, and other pathways creates a warm and inviting atmosphere and improves safety and security. Enhance Outdoor Living Spaces: Make your outdoor living space more enjoyable and appealing to potential buyers by creating a warm and inviting ambiance.

Accent Architectural Features, Trees, Shrubs, and Landscaping: Wellplaced outdoor lighting can showcase the unique features of your home, such as arches, columns, or stonework, to create dramatic effect and draw attention to the beauty of your home. It can also accentuate the beauty of your trees, shrubs, and other landscaping features to create a stunning visual effect. It’s important to select outdoor lighting fi xtures that are appropriate for the scale of your outdoor space and complement the style of your home. You want to create a cohesive look that enhances and adds depth to your home’s overall aesthetic. Additionally, choosing energy-efficient outdoor lighting options, such as LED bulbs or solar lighting, can save you money on your energy bills and provide long-lasting performance.

By carefully considering your options and selecting the right fi xtures and design, you can create a stunning outdoor space that enhances the beauty and value of your home, and makes it more enjoyable for you, your family, and your guests, and more attractive to potential buyers.

For proven expertise in establishing your home value and/or searching for a new or existing home and ensuring you are getting the best deal possible, please call Jan at (303) 520-4340

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Do any of these sound familiar?

• Aches and pains slowing you down?

• Frustrated you can’t play with your kids or grandkids?

• Tired of your doctor telling you your aches and pains are normal for your age?

What is pain? If you ask a Marine, they might say “Pain is weakness leaving the body.” If you ask a bodybuilder, they might say “No Pain, No Gain.”

Obviously, there can be pain from recent trauma, but what if there is pain with no known cause? I teach my patients that pain is the body’s way of saying that something isn’t right. If your check engine light comes on in your car, do you cover it up and just ignore it? No, because that could lead to catastrophic failure of your car. So, when we experience pain, it is important to identify what is causing it. Do you have damaged tissue? Do you have degeneration? Is there an imbalance somewhere?

As a Chiropractor, I explain that pain can be coming from something moving too much or something not moving. e goal is to evaluate for areas that have restricted motion, apply treatment to that area, repeat as necessary until the optimal range of mobility is achieved. I have seen people “pop” their own backs and necks, but unfortunately most people that can do this are “popping” the areas that are already moving too much. It stimulates the nerves in the area momentarily and so they think it’s helpful, but it is only creating bigger problems down the road. Exercise is a tough one, because if you haven’t exercised in a while, it will be very uncomfortable. I inform my patients that exercise will be uncomfortable, but to stay out of the pain zone. As their tolerance to exercise improves, so will their comfort zone. I also encourage my patients to use ice and heat as needed for various aches and pains as that approach does not interfere with the healing process.

I will always try more alternative approaches to aches and pains before going the medication and surgery route. e key is to have a provider that is properly trained and will do a thorough examination to investigate what might be the trigger to your pain. If you need our help, let us know by calling 303-993-6092

Dr. Eric Anderson, DC

Call or visit your local financial advisor today.

Start moving toward retirement security

Offered by: Tim Roberts - Edward Jones

It’snot as well-known as Halloween, but National Retirement Security week happens every October – the third week, to be precise — and while it doesn’t involve ghosts and goblins, it does deal with something even more frightening: the risk of not being able to enjoy a comfortable retirement. Through various events, this occasion highlights ideas about building retirement security. What steps can you take?

Here are some suggestions:

* Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

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• Don’t underestimate your longevity. Consider this: 65-year-old men can expect to live another 20 years, while 65-year-old women can anticipate almost 22 more years, according to the Society of Actuaries. And these figures are just averages, meaning you could well exceed these ages, perhaps by many years. So, in thinking about how much money you’ll need as a retiree, be aware that you could spend two, or even three, decades in retirement.

• Don’t underestimate health care costs. When you retire, some of your expenses — such as transportation, wardrobe and other costs associated with your career — will drop. Others will not and may even increase. Health care is a prime example: Many people assume that Medicare or their Medicare Advantage plan will take care of virtually all their health care costs in retirement, but that’s not the case. Generally speaking, you could plan on spending $4,500 to $6,500 per year on health care costs during retirement, excluding the large expenses connected with long-term care. Your actual costs could be higher or lower, depending on your health, prescription drugs and supplemental insurance coverage, but make sure you plan for sizable health care costs in your projected retirement budget.

• Contribute as much as you can afford to your retirement plans. Try to put in as much as you can afford to your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan and try to increase your contributions whenever your salary goes up. You may also be eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA, which offers tax benefits and a wide variety of investment options. (Contributions to a Roth IRA may be limited based on your income.)

Once you reach retirement, you can still make some moves that could help boost your financial security:

• Maintain an appropriate investment mix. When you retire, you might be tempted to shift most of your portfolio into highly conservative investments to “lock in” gains and avoid being over-exposed to market volatility that could cause short-term losses. Yet, even in retirement, you should still own some growth-oriented investments that can potentially help keep you ahead of inflation. In fact, it’s important to periodically rebalance your investments back to your preferred mix to avoid taking too much or too little risk, so you may want to consult with a financial advisor.

• Identify a suitable withdrawal rate. You don’t want to take out so much from your portfolio each year that you run the risk of outliving your money. So, you’ll want to determine an annual withdrawal rate that can reduce this danger. A common withdrawal rate to start retirement is 4%, but your own rate should be based on several factors: your age, size of portfolio, other sources of income and so on.

It can be challenging to make all the moves necessary to help achieve retirement security — but it’s worth the effort.

Break the Chains of Negative Thinking

“Iam not good at pushups” grunts a young beginner student as he struggles to peel himself off the ground. I have heard it all before: “I’m not very good at ____”, “I can’t ___”, “I have never been able to _____ ”, and many more. is time, for some reason, it struck a chord within me. I saw quite clearly that this student was, and is, incredibly capable of just about anything he could set his mind to. However, in his mind, that was not the case.

I stopped the class, and asked everyone if they knew the meaning of “Self Limiting Beliefs”. I was very surprised when one of our youngest students nailed the answer: “ at’s when you think you can’t do something, so you don’t even try!” Smiling, I nodded in agreement.

We collect self limiting beliefs over time. Family members, teachers, or friends, while well intentioned, sometimes create or reinforce them. “Math is not your thing”, “You never finish anything you start…”, “ at’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard from you.” en our mind translates them into: “I’m not good at math”, “I have trouble finishing tasks”, “I’m just not very smart”. And so we go through life fulfi lling these commands as if they were part of our DNA.

As a Karate instructor, one of my main goals is to squash my student’s self limiting beliefs and replace them with belief in themselves, true self-confidence. It is a slow process, but it works every time. All one has to do is prove that self limiting belief wrong ONCE for the individual to realize that they have been believing a lie about their true potential. e: “I’m not good at pushups” crumbles once the student is able to do just one good pushup, which then turns into two, five, 10, 20, and more.

As a parent, teacher, coach, mentor, or friend, when you hear someone talk negatively about themselves, challenge them, do not let them give in to their negative mental jail. And when you say something similar to yourself, also challenge yourself. We are always capable of more than we give ourselves credit for.

Continuing my class, I asked: “When you first started Karate, were the techniques easy? Students: “NO”, Me: “Is it easier now?”, Students: “YES”, Me: “So what happened?”, Students: “We practiced”.

Me: “Exactly, everything is hard before it becomes easy. But if you try something and give up because it seems hard, you will never get good at it. If you want to be good at something, you need to work hard at it, ask for help from someone who is good at it, and follow their advice. Before you know it, you will be great at it, whatever IT is.”

If you believe you can or you believe you can’t, you are correct. Every success starts first within our minds. Break the chains of negative thinking and a whole new world of possibilities will open in front of you.

O ered by: Colorado Karate Club

Here!

Medicare Annual Election Period is About to Start

Themoment you’ve all been waiting for is upon us!! It’s that “super fun” time of year when you can watch countless Medicare commercials, receive endless piles of Medicare marketing pieces and even more calls from solicitors. Aren’t you excited??

But honestly, this is a great time to re-evaluate your Medicare coverage. If you’ve had a change in medication, doctors, premium, etc., you can take a look at what is available for you in 2024.

If you haven’t had a change in medication, it’s still great to check your plan. First, you always want to be sure that your medications will still be covered on your plan next year. Second, you can also price compare your current plan with plans available in 2024 to see if you might be able to save a little money.

If you’re on a Medicare Advantage Plan, you want to check your Annual Notice of Changes. is is a notice that you will receive from your current plan. is document will show you and compare side-by-side the coverage detail changes from 2023 to 2024.

If you are having any problems with your current plan coverage, you are able to make a change between October 15 - December 7. is means you can change from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another. You can also change from a Medicare Advantage Plan to a Medicare Supplement (a.k.a. Medigap plan). And finally you can change from a Medicare Supplement to a Medicare Advantage Plan.

Medicare Advantage Plans and Prescription Drug Plans do not ask health questions when you fi ll out an application. e Medicare Supplement plans can ask health questions when you’re applying if you are outside of your Open Enrollment Period or outside another Guarantee Issue Period. is can be quite confusing so, as always, please call me if you have any questions. Calling or working with an insurance agent doesn’t cost you anything. 720-626-6524

We design surface spaces with a creative and professional approach. From the initial consultation to installing beautiful stone surfaces, we provide customers with expert guidance and excellent customer service throughout the entire process. We

Our custom surfaces are developed with a high level of precision and craftsmanship. Let us make your project beautiful and affordable. No matter the size of your project, we make your custom surfaces a work of art.

Recently my wife and her siblings had a complicated situation to resolve as they went through the process of moving her father into an assisted living facility. It was a learning opportunity for all of us as we went through the process of finding a place that would work to improve his quality of life. We learned that there are many reasons an individual would need to be in an assisted living facility and that there are different levels of assistance that are offered. e decision was made proactively rather than reactively as he needs the lowest level of care the facility that he chose provides, while allowing him to keep his independence. e main reason for the move was to help him have much more social interaction since he had lived alone for many years.

Interacting with other individuals, especially with conversation, is critical to keep the mind active and sharp. We as humans are highly social beings and it is imperative that we interact with others. While being in proximity to others and interacting through games and other activities is important, speaking, listening, and having conversations can improve our mental and emotional health. Being isolated can lead to numerous mental, emotional and physical problems. Barriers to interacting with others include mobility and transportation issues, health problems and hearing loss.

Hearing loss is a barrier that is both seen and unseen. Sometimes it is

obvious that an individual is struggling to hear others based on their reactions, responses, and other communication cues. Often, hearing loss symptoms (and vision impairments) mirror the early symptoms of dementia and memory loss. Some people with hearing loss have been incorrectly diagnosed with dementia. (In fact, untreated hearing loss significantly increases the risk of dementia.) Today, many medical professionals will require a hearing test be performed prior to a dementia diagnosis.

Many individuals are very good at hiding their lack of hearing by using different strategies. ese strategies generally require a significant amount of intelligence and energy. Over time, as the energy of the individual using these strategies diminishes, it becomes more difficult and tiring to hide the hearing loss. When these strategies start to fail, individuals will typically do one of two things: get help (hearing aids) or avoid interacting with others. We strongly encourage individuals with hearing loss to not wait to get help. We also encourage individuals to stay active and engaged socially with others whether they have a hearing loss or not. Participating in church, clubs, classes, other organizations and regular family activities can improve one’s physical and mental health. Locally, we have multiple recreation centers and Eagle View Adult Center offers many different

The Thinning of the Veil

Our ancestors have powerful influence in our lives, sometimes positive, sometimes negative. Ancestry effects our lives in many ways: the color of our eyes and skin, the way we walk, those seemingly innate or inborn talents that manifest themselves with little or no background or life exposure, our religion and belief systems. ese can all be influences that have flowed through your ancestors to you, today.

Our ancestors have a lot to tell us. ey want to tell us their story, they want to help us to not make the same mistakes they did, they want us to remember them. Sometimes healing is needed.

ere may be “bad blood” that needs to be addressed, a transgression perpetrated by an ancestor that needs to be made right; there may be forgiveness or compassion that is needed. Ancestor work can bring healing to old wounds.

Perhaps you have a person who was dear to you that has passed and moved on from this world? Maybe you’d like to reconnect with them one more time? Maybe there’s something that was left unsaid and you just need a chance to actually say that to them. You might just need to know that they are OK, and you might want to let them know that you are ok.

Traditionally, in May and October through mid-November, the veil between the realms of the living and the dead, thins for a while. is liminal space, this threshold, is more easily crossed during these times. Also, from an astrological perspective, the Sun moves into Scorpio, the zodiac sign associated with death and rebirth and occult explorations. is is a good time to do ancestor work and divination.

ere are numerous ways to accomplish this work, and we will decide on that when we meet. is work is priced by 15 minute increment - at $20/15 minutes. Divination: is is also an excellent time for divination. I can help you get answers, or understanding of a situation through tarot, oracle or the throwing of bones. $40/30 minutes, $80/60 minutes.

O ered by: Wellyssa’s Well

Will or a Trust?

O ered by: Dolan & Associates, P.C.

Last month, we provided an overview of the four typical types of estate plans. Now, let’s look at how you actually produce an estate plan that will allow things to go smoothly for your family after your disability or death. If your plan won’t work, why bother having one?

Effective estate planning is not an event. It is a process! If you would like your estate plan to produce results, you need to undertake a process through which you carefully craft instructions, align your assets with the plan, and regularly adjust and maintain the plan. Simply buying a Will or Trust document is like going to your financial advisor, choosing specific investments, and then never looking at them again. at would not be wise.

You should carefully look at your estate planning attorney’s process for maintaining your plan over time. Do they have a formal process for keeping the documentation up to date regarding legal changes and changes in your personal situation? Does your attorney have a process for notifying you when legal changes necessitate an adjustment in your plan? Does the attorney remind you periodically to review your plan to make sure it still meets your goals, and have a way for you to do so quickly and easily? Does the attorney work with you to ensure that your current and future assets stay properly aligned with your plan? Does your attorney have a process for helping prepare you and your family for the transitions that will come upon your disability and death?

If you can’t answer “Yes” to these questions, you may want to investigate a more thorough process of estate planning. Just having a set of documents is not the answer to eventual success. It is simply a false sense of security.

If you would like to learn more about an estate planning process that is producing great results for families, visit: www.EstatePlans atWork.com to sign up for a complimentary educational workshop.

Who You’re Going To Call

Annual Enrollment Period!!

First, let’s address the burning question: Why should you bother reviewing your Medicare coverage during the Annual Enrollment Period? The answer is simple: because your health and financial security are at stake. Medicare isn’t a one-size-fits-all program, and your needs and coverage may change over time. By taking advantage of the AEP, from October 15th to December 7th, you can ensure that your coverage aligns well with your unique circumstances and preferences. Here’s why you should care and how a local agent can help:

1. Stay Ahead of Healthcare Trends: Healthcare is constantly evolving. Ensure your plan keeps up with advancements in care.

2. Save Money: Some plans change yearly. Reviewing your coverage can lead to lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

3. Customize Your Coverage: Every plan has some strengths, be sure you have the care that fits your needs.

4. Navigate with Expert Guidance: Medicare can be confusing. A local agent provides clear, education of the system and options.

5. Personalized Assistance: Get help from a local agent who understands your community’s healthcare dynamics. Don’t miss this chance to understand and review your Medicare benefits. Your health and financial security may depend on it!

Calling 303-887-8584 will put you in touch with Lisa at Headwaters Health and Wealth LLC, a local insurance agent. All services at no cost to you!

Lisa Asmussen 303-887-8584 • Lisa@headwatershw.com

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 10 organizations which offer 106 products in your area.Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.

Offered by: Headwaters Health and Wealth LLC - Lisa Asmussen

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Flu Season

Thefall colors have started to change, school is back in session and football season has returned. These are all signs of the new season of fall returning to Colorado. As we get back into the school routine, planning trips to see fall colors and attending football games. Add getting your flu vaccination for your family to the top of the list. The flu season starts mid 0ctober with peak typically during the winter months (December, January, and February) and can last until middle of May. The Center of Disease control Prevention is urging everyone to get the flu vaccination by the end of October (CDC. gov, 2023). The flu has a very rapid onset of complaints of high fevers, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, runny nose, cough, headaches, and vomiting. The complication from the flu is most detrimental to children under 5 years old, (especially under the age of 2 years old), pregnant woman and people older than 65. In addition, at risk population with any problems with their lungs, heart or immune compromised are also at greater risk from complication of the flu.

One way to help prevent the spread of the flu and prevent the complication of the flu is to get your yearly flu vaccination for your family. The flu is spread up to 6 feet away by sneezing, coughing and can be inhaled or spread by touch. A sick family member can spread the flu typically 3-4 days and young children up to 7 days to other family members and friends. What is difficult about the flu is that symptoms come on very fast and you can be contagious 3-4 days before symptoms develop. Getting your annual flu vaccination is a great way to stop the spread of the flu in your family and friends. Please contact Brighton pediatrics to make an appointment for a nurse visit for the flu vaccination for your children this fall season.

We now have the Flu shots in our office. Please call our office to schedule your Flu shot – 303-659-4248.

For more information, please visit our website at www.brightonpeds.com

Support Local Business

Offered by: Kelly Fausey, CPNP – Brighton Pediatrics

Safety First

Children have a curiosity and a desire, for adventure! While it’s important to nurture these qualities ensuring their safety is of importance. One straightforward yet highly effective way to protect our children during activities like biking is by making sure they wear a helmet.

Biking offers kids an opportunity to stay active, explore the outdoors, and develop essential motor skills. However it also comes with risks especially when it comes to head injuries. According to the CDC head injuries are the leading cause of bicycle related fatalities among children.

Helmets serve as a shield for your childs most vital organ—the brain. In case of a fall or collision they help absorb and distribute the impact force significantly reducing the chances of head injuries, concussions, and brain trauma. Research even shows that wearing a helmet can decrease the risk of head injury by up to 85%.

Its not just biking where helmets play a role; activities like skateboarding, rollerblading, scootering—anything with a risk of head injury—should always be accompanied by wearing a fitted helmet.

Parents can lead by example! Make sure you wear a helmet yourself and insist that your child does too. Ensure that it fits snugly and comfortably. Teach them that wearing helmets is non negotiable—, like wearing seatbelts in cars.

Lets encourage our kids to discover, grow, and enjoy themselves! Lets also do it responsibly. By incorporating helmets into their activities we can grant them the freedom to flourish while ensuring the safety of their minds. For more details, I recommend healthychildren.org.

Top: Ellen McCormick, M.D. | Michele Tuepker, M.D. | Debra Campbell, D.O. | Janine Lechleitner, CPNP Bottom: Jamie Campbell, M.D. | Joseph Smith, M.D. | Caroline Albert-Martin, M.D.

Offered by: Premier PediatricsAaron Heaberlin, MD

Guides dressed in period attire reenact the lives of noteworthy figures from Brighton’s past. Maps will be available to help guide visitors through the tour. This is event is free to the public!

NEW TO

Scanvenger hunt for historical figures and headstone impression making

Should You Buy a Home Before 2024?

In2022, housing inventory dropped to its lowest since 1999, causing many homebuyers to become discouraged by rapidly rising prices and too much competition. By mid-year 2022, home prices began to moderate on rising mortgage interest rates. As the Federal Reserve continued to battle runaway inflation, homebuyers pulled back slightly, but so did home sellers who declined to sell high and buy another home at a much higher price and mortgage interest rate. New home construction lags demand by the millions, exacerbating housing shortages.

So, what’s changed? With mortgage interest rates that have risen to the point that 7% is “the new normal,” the housing market is reacting in surprising ways. Despite slower sales and lower prices throughout the first half of 2023, there are currently three offers for every home on the open market, according to Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of REALTORS,® suggesting that homebuyers are shrugging off higher interest rates.

Housing market analyst Black Knight says that housing sales could be on the verge of a resurgence and that housing prices will move higher in certain regions. Year-over-year, home prices are down 0.1%, but the reheating of the housing market is already underway in 27 of the 50 largest markets at or above their previous home price peaks, say researchers.

Ask your Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Colorado Real Estate Forever Agent SM to explain your local market conditions. Get prequalified for a mortgage loan so you can move quickly before home prices rise again before 2024.

Elmwood Cemetery

14800 Old Brighton Road Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-2090

www.brightonco.gov

Call us at 303-905-8850 or visit BHHScore.com to connect with a Trusted Real Estate Advisor who is knowledgeable about real estate in your neighborhood. We are always here to help with your real estate needs and questions.

Offered by: Scott and Lora Nordby, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Colorado Real Estate

Better together.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Early detection saves lives.

When detected early, breast cancer is treatable and saves lives. Why not schedule your annual mammogram to get peace of mind for yourself, and for the ones you love? Whether it’s your partner, kids, family, or friends, you want to be with them for many, many years to come. Nothing is better than being together.

Schedule your mammogram for the ones you love.