Whether you crave luxury, adventure or a little of both, this Southwest Florida gem lives up to its name.
22 Faith: My Grace is Sufficient
As age and illness take their toll, a powerful reflection on faith, purpose and the peace found in letting go of the trivial to focus on what matters.
23 Carrier Tips for Getting Your Cat to the Vet Without the Drama Vet visits don’t have to be a battle with your cat! The right carrier can make all the difference.
24 CALENDARS
24 Calendar
27 Beacon Bits
28 Clubs
29 Question of the Month
30 Support Groups 31 Fun After 50 Senior Center Activities
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38 Opinion: A Bumpy Road Ahead for Self-Driving Cars
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Lessons from lockdown
Pandemic reflections 5 years later
Curiousif there was a word referring to a span of five years, I encountered “quinquennium.” (Is there any other word that contains two q’s?) Such a strange word for a stranger time: March 2020. Life as we knew it mutated. Flipped. Stopped us in our tracks.
Earlier, there were reports of a worrisome new virus. But it seemed so far removed, confined to a smattering of cases overseas.
I’d made plans to attend my high school reunion in San Francisco mid-March. Our small but adventurous class fully embraced the idea of a destination reunion.
It seems laughable now, but I was gloved and mask-free at the airport. The jury was still out on how this mysterious virus spread, so just in case it was lurking on the seats or rails, I protected my hands.
A couple classmates couldn’t attend at the last minute because their jobs involved working with seniors and they didn’t want to chance getting sick. For the rest of us, it seemed like a reasonably safe bet.
Among the Bay Area’s typical experiences— strolling through Muir Woods and marveling at redwoods as tall as skyscrapers, wine tastings in the Napa Valley, browsing at Fisherman’s Wharf—we reminisced about old times, poring over yearbooks and scrapbooks. I was recognized as the classmate with the youngest child and was gifted a bottle of Aleve.
My mom called to report that the first case of COVID-19 had infiltrated Colorado Springs, which gave me pause. Still, the distractions of that hilly city kept me blissfully preoccupied.
Then my son, who was a senior in high school, called. School was dismissed early as a safety precaution against the threat of the virus. Hmmm. I imagined it would just be for a few days at most. But he gathered his things and hurriedly left, never to return. Ever.
I flew home for $35 one way from San Fran to Denver—the cheapest ticket I’ve ever bought.
All the festivities took their toll. I was California dreamin’ on the only flight I’ve ever slept straight through, takeoff to landing.
I came home to a disorienting world.
Post-trip, I headed to the grocery store to stock up. I saw bare shelves. I couldn’t find any eggs. A fight broke out in the store’s parking lot. The experience felt very apocalyptic.
When my son was born, I thought 2020 sounded like a classy graduation year—seeing your future with 20/20 vision and all that. In the months that followed, he enrolled in online learning, missed his prom and acquired his diploma at a socially distanced outdoor graduation with limited attendance—not the cool “2020” commencement I had anticipated.
The job I held then depended on performance royalties. No audiences meant no funds and thus, no paycheck. I filed for unemployment.
These consequences are small in the face of those who lost someone they loved before the vaccination was an option. That’s a wistful heartache that never leaves.
But I recall my daughter stitching us masks before they were readily available, innovation amid isolation, how we all became increasingly comfortable with Zoom and FaceTime but mostly, a neighborly kindness that was more contagious than the virus.
We’ve got one resilient planet.
LONG-HAUL HOSPITALITY
In February’s issue, two Broadmoor Hotel employees were misidentified in our print edition’s photos: MarySue Wildman, a concierge of 25 years who handles guests’ dilemmas with aplomb, and Payroll Manager Janet Corns, one of two “Janets” who expertly keeps the books. The BEACON regrets this error. ■
Thanks for all the work you and your staff put in to keep printing such a fine magazine. I especially like the stories about the music and culture of my era: The Beatles, novelty songs, etc. I would like to see some articles on the fads of our youth: hula hoops, how skateboards started, the fashions like pegged pants and granny dresses, the surfing craze…
- Charles G.
In the December issue, the Nativity (live) in Woodland Park brought back precious memories for me. I’m a Colorado Springs native, and I remember when there was a live Nativity in the old Union Printer home each year. My dad would bring us kids in from our farm out East to enjoy it. I wish it could be possible again for others to enjoy as I did.
- Shirley F.
Love of a Lifetime (February)
Thank you for a timely article for all “young in love” couples. My husband and I have been married 44 years and are still considered newlyweds in the eyes of my 99-year-old father who was married for 52 years when my mom passed away. This newlywed can only say: love your spouse, let them be an individual, argue fairly and make a commitment to your marriage vows. I hope we make it to 52 years and then some!
- Cynthia P.
My love advice: Never yell at each other unless the house is on fire.
- Toni S.
To All the Fitness Fads I Loved Before (January)
Just wanted to say how touched I was when reading the article by Amy Laundrie. Her description of Pedal, her old stationary bicycle, made it seem alive and something to care for. I was cheering when she finally found a home for Pedal at a local respite center! Keep up the good work!
- Lawrence S.
Rhonda Wray, Managing Editor
MarySue Wildman
Janet Corns
Your Library Reimagined
More than just books, local libraries are spaces to create, learn and connect
By Lisa Lowdermilk
Libraries aren’t just for books anymore. At the Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD), you can record a podcast, take a nature walk, learn to cook or create art— all for free.
It’s a new chapter for libraries. The hush-hush, staid, dusty volumes of yesteryear are nowhere to be found. Library locations offer the expected plethora of materials—namely books—for checkout alongside
an astonishing breadth of programs and services. Yet even with inflation affecting everything from fuel to food, the library is still free.
PPLD’s 14 branches provide a surprising array of programs and resources designed to engage people of all interests. And with cooking classes in a state-of-the-art kitchen, recording studios and intergenerational activities, today’s library is more than just a quiet place to read.
COOKING IN A LIBRARY?
Scott Crum, 57, never imagined he’d be teaching cooking classes inside a library, but in Library 21c’s kitchen, he does just that.
During a recent class, he diced vegetables, simmered broth made from Parmesan rinds and added mini meatballs for Italian wedding soup—all while fielding questions as he circulated the room with the soup at various stages so students
Dow-Rose, a librarian specializing in senior programs, actively seeks out ways to engage older patrons to determine what types of programs they want most.
“PPLD offers something for everyone. Being a senior doesn’t mean you have to fit in a certain niche. You can learn to create a podcast in your 60s.”
could get a glimpse or savory whiff before serving up small tasting cups.
Crum will spearhead a culinary program this spring for Library Explorers, a group for adults with differing abilities.
Cooking isn’t the only unexpected offering at PPLD. Yvette
“I visit senior living facilities and work with Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging. I ask them what days and times work best for them, as well as the types of programs they’re interested in,” said Dow-Rose. Through these conversations, she found that many seniors wanted financial education classes,
A lively game of mah jongg brings women together for fun at the library. Photo courtesy of Pikes Peak Library District.
John Young controls the pastry bag to produce cream puffs of standard height for uniform baking. Photos above by James Harris Photography.
Janet and John Young get a front-row view as Scott Crum demonstrates how to make light-as-air French pastry dough. Back row: Kristen Friedman, Robert and Phyllis Barto. Photo by James Harris Photography.
especially on avoiding scams related to Medicaid, romance and online fraud. This summer, PPLD will partner with the Association of Financial Educators to offer a course on protecting against financial scams.
“We make sure we find reliable speakers who won’t put attendees on a sneaky mailing list,” she said.
Art programs are another big draw. Elizabeth Stanbro leads Art for Older Adults, a monthly class where those 55 and older can create pieces that reflect their life experiences. One student, recovering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI), told Stanbro it was her first outing since her accident.
“She said she hadn’t been able to talk to people prior to the class,” Stanbro said, adding that the library gave her a safe space to reconnect.
For many seniors, the library leads to lasting friendships. People meet at a program, then go out to lunch afterward, sometimes introducing each other to new hobbies, said Dow-Rose,
Dr. Clara Tao, 66, is among many patrons who love visiting the library with their grandchildren.
“I grew up visiting the library every week with my older brothers to discover, read and borrow books,” she said. “Now I’m a grandmother and have taken my grandkids to the Monument branch for the Story-
time programs, to visit Ruby the salamander and to feed the ducks behind the library.”
PPLD also offers intergenerational programs, which gained popularity during COVID when traditional age-specific programming became difficult. Now, nature walks, storytime strolls and the Summer Adventure reading program welcome participants of all ages.
CREATIVITY, TECH AND MORE
Beyond these activities, the library is also a treasure trove for history buffs and tech-savvy seniors. Dow-Rose hopes more people take advantage of PPLD’s genealogy and
“Not only can you check out books, you can also check out video cameras, make a recording, create items on 3D printers or take a class.”
regional history programs, which are available in-person and online.
“This allows seniors to enjoy them from the comfort of their own home,” she said.
Jamie Wagner, 64, a former regional history and genealogy associate who retired in October 2024, said these classes had a loyal following.
“We would typically have anywhere from five to 15 people in a class, and many of them would come back for multiple classes,” he said. “Most of them were seniors.”
PPLD patrons also have access to Ancestry Library Edition at all locations and can use exclusive records from FamilySearch, available only through affiliate libraries.
For tech-savvy seniors, PPLDTV on YouTube offers past lectures, craft tutorials and other content. Northstar Computer Classes teach digital literacy, from using search engines effectively to mastering email and Microsoft Word. Participants can even test their skills in a proctored assessment.
PPLD also provides spaces for creators. The district offers professional-grade recording equipment, including lighting kits, microphones, guitars and keyboards. Patrons can
reserve studio spaces at Library 21c and Sand Creek Library and consult with specialists about filming or recording an album.
“Today, when so much information is available online with computers and phones, I think the library is still an invaluable place where all ages can learn, find books that have pages we can touch and feel, as well as the quiet solitude to immerse ourselves in worlds beyond our physical limits,” Tao said.
SENIOR-FRIENDLY LIBRARY PERKS
PPLD caters to seniors with extended 90-day checkout periods for homebound patrons, large-print materials and free resource publications.
“The libraries here in the Springs are a hidden gem,” said patron and retired pilot Jan Valentine, 74. “Not only can you check out books, you can also check out video cameras, make a recording, create items on 3D printers or take a class.”
“PPLD offers something for everyone,” Dow-Rose added. “Being a senior doesn’t mean you have to fit in a certain niche. You can learn to create a podcast in your 60s!” ■
PPLD MARCH ACTIVITIES
For a complete calendar, visit PPLD.LibraryMarket.com . Classes may be offered at multiple times and at several branches. All activities are free.
• Spring Makerspace open house
• Paper marbling
• German conversation group
• Yoga
• Device drop-in help
• Tea blend workshop
• Senior movie matinee: “Going in Style”
• 3D printer badging and modeling
• Transformational caregiving
• Repair Café
• Birds of the Pikes Peak Region
• Fiber arts club
• Sewing classes
• Skean Dubh concert (Celtic acoustic band)
• Jigsaw puzzle swap
• Paleo/vegan smoothie class
• Virtual author visits
Laura Quinlan and JoAnn Jones learn the finer points of turning choux pastry into cream puffs from the instructor as Cindy Simpson pipes them into proper form. Photo by James Harris Photography.
Lee Kowalski displays her handmade sock at Library 21c’s Fiber Arts Group. Photo by Rhonda Wray.
OF WISDOM
Susan Tormoen never considered words her strong suit.
At 89, fully independent and still driving, she worries whether she might have Alzheimer’s when she struggles to find the right word.
Tormoen is a painter.
Working in her studio, with her vibrant canvases brightening the walls, it’s clear expressing herself is the least of her issues. She’s found her voice in art.
Tormoen grew up in Minnesota and attended Carleton College. Eighteen months into college, her studies got postponed when she married and started a family.
Four children later, she resumed her studies at Lake Forest College, Illinois. Her fifth child was born shortly thereafter.
“The first course I took was a painting course, and I loved it. I had never painted before, never drawn, never sketched, never worked in art at all,” she recalled.
The school didn’t offer an art degree, so she studied philosophy instead—but painting became her true passion.
“I think I’d always had an eye for art. I always loved architecture,” she said.
CHALLENGES CREATE CANVASES
Tormoen painted off and on and eventually moved to Wisconsin. A year and a half after her husband divorced her, she had a mental break resulting in a month-long hospitalization. She lost custody of her children. Back then, the social stigma attached to schizophrenia
Local painter’s art proves ageless
By Jon Huang
was immense. When her life settled down, she was jobless and living alone.
With time on her hands, she returned to painting. It was something fun she could do on her own and required few supplies. She poured herself into her work.
She gestured to an early watercolor hanging on her wall.
“See that one? That’s what I did, and how I did it, I’ll never know,” she said.
Decades later, she was amused when a patron purchased one of her old pieces.
During her isolation, a social worker friend entrusted her with managing a group home for the elderly. The experience changed her life, proving to both her and her family that her mental health diagnosis didn’t define her.
GOLDEN YEARS, VIVID COLORS
In January 2000, Tormoen moved
to Colorado to be closer to her daughters. She took art classes in Pueblo, working with pastels before switching to oils.
“Pastels need glass and frames, and that was an expense you didn’t need when you had oils because you just had a canvas and that was it,” she said.
In 2001, she settled in Colorado Springs, where the scenic beauty inspired her to focus on landscapes. Occasionally, city parks and historic buildings become her subjects, while the photo boxes in her studio provide a limitless source of future projects.
Tormoen enjoys mixing her
own colors from a handful of base colors. Over a decade ago, she began experimenting with a palette knife in lieu of a paintbrush. While the knife lacked the precision of the brush, she liked how it handled, and it has become her predominant style today.
Painting began as a way to relax from the rigors of raising five children and evolved into a creative and emotional outlet during tough times. Over the years, it grew into something more.
“I’ve learned that it’s wonderful to have a hobby that you can do when you’re 90,” Tormoen said, anticipating her next birthday.
Tormoen paints almost daily in her studio at Cottonwood Center for the Arts at 427 E. Colorado Ave. Her works have been shown at area businesses like Poor Richards and Platte Furniture Gallery.
This past December, Tormoen received a lifetime achievement award from the Pikes Peak Pastel Society. As she nears her ninth decade, she has begun experimenting with multi-canvas pieces and incorporating more abstract elements into her work.
“I recommend everybody when they retire to either get a job that you like or something different than what you’ve been doing,” she said.
PURPOSE IN THE PALETTE
Painting has been a way for Tormoen to learn new skills, engage socially and stimulate her intellect. She has interacted with people whom she would have been unlikely to meet otherwise. Her love of art has permeated her connection with family as well.
“My grandsons went to Europe this summer, and I said, ‘For heaven’s sake, if you do nothing else, look at the buildings.’” she said.
To Tormoen’s delight, they sent her photos of themselves gazing at various buildings.
Despite requests, Tormoen doesn’t plan on teaching art anytime soon, citing her lack of formal education. Yet in her own life, she has plenty of lessons to impart.
“I think if I hadn’t been handicapped, I might not have been as involved in [painting] as I was,” she said.
For Tormoen, painting is more than a way to pass time; it’s been about exploring the world around her and sharing her perspective along the way. As a writer paints with words, she writes on canvas. Her lifelong education extends beyond pen and paper, and she’s a living testament to how sometimes a picture is, indeed, worth more than a thousand words. ■
To see more of Tormoen’s work, visit Susan-Tormoen.pixels.com She has original paintings for sale, along with prints on archival paper, canvas, metal, acrylic and wood, as well as posters. The art may be matted and/or framed if desired.
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Luck o’ the Irish Mint Pie
Recipe courtesy of Culinary.net
Makes: 2 pies (9 inches each)
Ingredients
33/4 cups heavy whipped cream, divided 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 11/4 cups, plus 2 tablespoons, powdered sugar, divided 5 drops green food coloring
11/4 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided 1/4 teaspoon mint extract
1 bag mint chocolate candies, chopped, divided
2 chocolate cookie crusts (9 inches each)
1 bag mint chocolate candies
Directions
To make filling: In bowl of stand mixer, whisk 2 1/2 cups heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Transfer to bowl.
In separate stand mixer bowl, beat cream cheese on high 2 minutes. Gradually add 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar and green food coloring; mix until smooth. Add 1/4 teaspoon vanilla and mint extract; mix well.
Fold prepared whipped cream into cream cheese mixture. Fold 1 cup chopped mint chocolate candies into filling.
To make frosting: In bowl of stand mixer, whisk remaining heavy cream and remaining powdered sugar. Add remaining vanilla extract and mix until stiff peaks form.
Pour filling into crusts and smooth tops.
Fill decorating bag with frosting and pipe thick band around edges of pies. Then pipe circle dollops evenly around edges of pies.
Scatter 1 cup chopped mint chocolate candies in middle of pies. Place whole mint chocolate candies into each dollop of frosting around edges of pies.
Refrigerate until firm, 5-6 hours.
Rosie the Riveter Day: A tribute to WWII’s working women
By Jan Weeks
During World War II, women were integral in keeping ships sailing and planes flying. Nothing depicts that better than the iconic “Rosie the Riveter” poster.
In 1943, Norman Rockwell painted a cover for “The Saturday Evening Post” featuring a woman in overalls eating a ham sandwich, her rivet gun resting across her lap. “Rosie” became the face of the hardworking women building the weapons of war.
Rockwell wasn’t the only artist inspired—Redd Evans and John Jacob Loeb wrote “Rosie the Riveter,” a song praising the female welders, riveters and other trades working three shifts seven days a week to help the war effort.
With thousands of men sent to war, women stepped in to fill the skilled labor occupations. Those unable to serve worked around the clock, often sleeping in hotels or boarding houses. Some had only one spare bed and the workers slept in shifts.
Women welders, riveters, boiler makers, ship fitters and laborers made up about 15% of the workforce, earning the same wages as men—$1.35 per hour and $1.50 on Sundays.
Jeanne Gibson, 99, is one of the 109 surviving “Rosies.” When she was a high school senior, she remembers the principal connecting the radio to the PA system when President Roosevelt declared war. Eager to help, she joined the cadet nurse corps, volunteering to roll bandages and staple ration books.
Gibson and a friend took a Greyhound bus to Seattle, getting a room in a private home. She joined the International Brotherhood of Welders, and after training, she had a choice of working for Boeing or at a shipyard. The shipyard paid better. Gibson ultimately landed at a Richmond, California shipyard,
welding on destroyers inside a frigid steel shed.
“We were working on cold steel and with cold steel…in a steel shed. It was cold!” Gibson said.
After the war, women returned to traditional roles, often earning less and receiving fewer promotions. Their wartime contribution was largely forgotten until former Rosie, Phyllis Gould, took action.
Believing that women who stepped into men’s shoes during the war deserved recognition, Gould wrote to President Clinton— and every president after—urging official acknowledgment of their contributions.
In 2014, Vice President Biden responded. Gould and other Rosies traveled to Washington and were honored by President Obama, whose grandmother had worked in a bomber plant in Wichita, Kansas.
Gould’s determination paid off. In 2020, March 21 was officially declared Rosie the Riveter Day. ■
Visit the Rosie the Riveter
National Historical Park
Open daily, Rosie the Riveter National Historical Park in Richmond, CA features exhibits on WWII’s working women. On Fridays, former Rosies share their stories at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The museum is located at 1414 Harbour Way, #3000, Richmond, CA. Visit RosieTheRiveter. org or call 510-232-5050.
Are you looking for something meaningful to do?
Your time and wisdom are valuable. Become a Foster Grandparent Classroom Volunteer. You can share your skills and experience while children shower you with curiosity and hugs. Get involved with Volunteers of America’s Foster Grandparent Program.
Could you use a little extra money each month?
• Do you love children and enjoy spending time with them?
• Are you able to volunteer 15-40 hours per week helping children learn and succeed?
• Are you 55 years old or older? Do you live in El Paso County?
• Are you or your household on a fixed or limited income? You could qualify for our volunteer stipend.
• Could you use an extra $200 - $400+ per month, plus travel reimbursement? If you answered YES to these questions, call (719) 632-1448 todayto get involved in the Foster Grandparent Program.
Jeanne Gibson and writer Jan Weeks
Smart results: How AI is revolutionizing healthcare
Imagine a world where your smartwatch detects a heart issue before you feel a single symptom, or where artificial intelligence (AI) spots early signs of cancer faster than a human doctor.
That world isn’t far off—it’s happening now. AI and health gadgets are transforming diagnostics, telehealth and personal health management, making healthcare smarter, faster and more personalized than ever.
FASTER & MORE ACCURATE DIAGNOSES
AI can now analyze X-rays, MRIs and pathology slides with remarkable speed and accuracy, sometimes catching details that even specialists might miss. This technology has also proven revolutionary in detecting early-stage cancers such as breast and lung cancer. A study published in “The Lancet
Digital Health” found that AI-assisted mammography can detect breast cancer as accurately as human radiologists while reducing false negatives.
WEARABLE TECH & TELEHEALTH
AI goes beyond just scanning images. Devices like KardiaMobile and the Apple Watch Series 9 can analyze your health data and complex medical history, genetic details and even lifestyle factors to create customized diagnostics.
They also allow healthcare providers to track key metrics in real time, from blood pressure to heart rate and glucose levels. This means potential health crises—like an irregular heartbeat or a hypertensive episode—can be detected before they escalate.
For managing diabetes, non-invasive glucose monitoring is the
next big thing. While Raman spectroscopy-based glucose monitors are still in development, devices like Dexcom G7 and Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre 3 have already revolutionized diabetes care. No more finger pricks—just continuous data sent straight to your smartphone.
Smartwatches like Fitbit also monitor sleep, activity and stress levels. For those managing long COVID or chronic fatigue syndrome, these devices can identify patterns and suggest lifestyle adjustments to optimize energy.
AI-POWERED TREATMENT PLANS
AI also helps tailor treatment plans
DEAR PHARMACIST BY SUZY COHEN
For more articles and advice, sign up for Suzy’s newsletter at SuzyCohen.com
for complex conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Apps like MyGIHealth analyze symptoms and dietary habits to recommend personalized lifestyle changes, all while tracking improvements over time. What does all this mean for you? This level of personalization makes healthcare more accessible and accurate than ever before. But as incredible as AI and health gadgets are, they’re not a replacement for the human touch in healthcare. Your doctor, pharmacist and other providers remain your most valuable resources for personalized care. So keep your health in check and your gadgets close! ■
Select Health is an HMO, PPO, SNP plan sponsor with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Select Health Medicare depends on contract renewal. Select Health obeys federal civil rights laws. We do not treat you differently because of your race, color, ethnic background or where you come from, age, disability, sex, religion, creed, language, social class, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and/or veteran status. This information is available for free in other languages and alternate formats by contacting Select Health Medicare: 855-442-9900 (TTY: 711) / Select Health: 800-538-5038. ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística.
A brewed awakening
By Roz de Lizarriturri
Ihate Gatorade. Or I should say I hate drinking massive quantities of Gatorade laced with Miralax in one sitting—the not-so-delightful preparation for my recent colonoscopy. It’s a lifesaving exam, yes, but the pre-test regimen is intense.
Doctor’s orders started with a low-residue diet three days before the procedure. Translation: a special shopping trip for everything nutritionists usually tell you to avoid. White bread, white pasta, white rice—anything processed and devoid of fiber. No fresh veggies or fruit, no whole grains, no nuts, no seeds, no legumes. According to WebMD, this limits the amount of undigested food in your colon, allowing the intestines to rest.
The day before, the real fun begins. Liquid diet only and four Dulcolax laxatives at 2 p.m., followed by a Gatorade-Miralax cocktail marathon at 4 p.m. Sixty-four ounces in two hours. That’s eight glasses of that repugnant sweet drink! Eight glasses! (This cleans you out so the doctor will have better visibility.)
And just when you think you’ve endured the worst, five hours before the procedure, it’s rinse and repeat. Another half-gallon, another two-hour countdown.
For me, that meant starting my day at 6:30 a.m., choking down the last drops of neon green liquid through sheer willpower. At 8:30 a.m., just as I took my last sip, my phone rang.
“I just swallowed the last drop!” I answered jovially, assuming it was a reminder call.
“Hi, Roslyn,” chirped Evelyn, the receptionist. “Actually, I was calling to tell you that Dr. Smith had a family emergency, so we have to reschedule. I have an opening tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” I screamed. “I just drank all that stuff! There’s no way I can do this again. No way! You have to get me in today!”
I pleaded, ranted and cried, unleashing every ounce of desperation on poor Evelyn. She promised to do her best and hung up quickly, probably scared that I might truly be losing it.
Normally, I’m pretty good at rolling with the punches. “Everything happens for a reason” is my motto. But come on—rescheduling a teeth cleaning is one thing, but a colonoscopy? Now that’s just downright crappy!
I sat there, stunned, clutching the phone like a lifeline. The minutes crawled by. What if Evelyn
didn’t call back? What if I’d scared her off? I even considered cold-calling other gastroenterologists, hoping someone had a last-minute opening. After all, I was primed and ready to go.
The phone rang. I held my breath. “Yes?” I answered.
“We can get you in at 4,” Evelyn announced triumphantly.
“Bless you, Evelyn!” I exclaimed. “Thank you so much!”
I didn’t even care that I couldn’t eat or drink anything for the next eight hours.
When I arrived at Gastroenterology Associates of Colorado Springs, Sylvia greeted me warmly, not at all surprised that Evelyn had come through for me. She assured me that in over 20 years, their office had never closed during operating hours—not even during a historic snowstorm.
Sylvia recounted how, during that blizzard, worried patients called to confirm their appointments before drinking their Gatorade cocktail. True to their word, the office stayed open, even enlisting the help of the local fire department to transport patients who couldn’t drive themselves.
I was whisked into a room buzzing with efficient activity, attended by a team of competent young professionals. I felt comfortable and safe.
Dr. Mann introduced himself with a calm confidence that put me at ease, even as he outlined the potential risks.
As they wheeled me into the procedure room, Dr. Mann accidentally bumped the gurney into a wall, quipping, “Don’t worry, I’m a much better doctor than a driver.” Minutes later, I woke up in recovery. Everything had gone smoothly. As I rested, a young woman peeked into the room, introducing herself as a barista—yes, a barista! This gastroenterology center has its own coffee shop—the Bottoms Up Café. Scanning the menu, there were so many choices. Should I get a Starbutts Steamer (espresso with foamed milk), or a Derriere Delight, a cozy tea with milk or honey? Maybe a Moon Me Mocha would hit the spot.
I settled on a Get Up and Go hot chocolate with steamed milk. Moments later, my barista returned with the perfectly prepared drink and a tray of snacks.
What had started as a day from hell ended with a brewed awakening that felt like a little slice of heaven on earth. ■
FIRST FLIGHT
Submitted by Corina Cole
A blonde is flying on a Boeing for the first time. Excited, she starts jumping on her seat, shouting, “Boeing! Boeing! Boeing!”
The pilot, visibly annoyed, walks up to her and says, “Be silent!”
For a moment, she stops. Then she starts jumping again, shouting, “Oeing! Oeing! Oeing!”
WHAT IS THREE TIMES THREE?
Submitted By Mike Madsen
Three elderly men visit the doctor for a memory test. The doctor asks the first man, “What is three times three?”
“274,” the first man confidently replies.
The doctor, puzzled, turns to the second man and asks, “It’s your turn. What is three times three?”
“Tuesday,” the second man answers without hesitation.
Shaking his head, the doctor looks at the third man and says, “Okay, your turn. What is three times three?”
The third man thinks for a moment and finally says, “Nine!”
The doctor, relieved, exclaims, “That’s correct! How did you figure it out?”
The third man proudly grins and says, “Easy! I just subtracted 274 from Tuesday!”
The doctor sighs and realizes that while one of them got the right answer, all three may still need a follow-up appointment!
WORK OR PLEASURE
Submitted by Ric Keagle
A U.S. Marine colonel was about to start the morning briefing to his staff. While waiting for the
coffee machine to finish brewing, he decided to pose a question to all assembled. He explained that his wife had been a bit frisky the night before and he failed to get his usual amount of sleep. He posed the question of just how much of sex was work and how much was pleasure.
A major chimed saying it was 75 percent work and 25 percent pleasure.
A captain said it was fifty-fifty.
A lieutenant responded saying it was 75 percent pleasure and 25 percent work, depending upon his state of inebriation at the time.
There being no consensus, the colonel turned to the PFC who was in charge of making the coffee and asked for his opinion.
Without any hesitation, the young PFC responded, “Sir, it has to be 100 percent pleasure.”
“Why do you say that?” the colonel asked.
“Well, sir, if there was any work involved, the officers would have me doing it for them.”
TOURING HEAVEN
Submitted by Florence Adams
An elderly couple was killed in a car accident and found themselves in heaven. Just after their arrival, St. Peter appeared and gave them a tour of heaven.
“Here is your oceanside condo, and over there are the tennis courts, swimming pool and two golf courses,” St. Peter said. “If you need any refreshments, just stop by any of the many bars located throughout the area.”
“Heck, Gloria,” the old man hissed when St. Peter walked off, “We could have been here 10 years ago if you hadn’t heard about all that stupid oat bran, wheat germ and low-fat diets.”
NO DOGS IN THE BAR
Submitted by Cloie Sandlin
A man goes to a bar with his dog. He goes up to the bar and asks for a drink.
The bartender says, “You can’t bring that dog in here.”
Without missing a beat, the guy
says, “This is my seeing-eye dog.”
“Oh, man,” the bartender says, “I’m sorry. Here, the first one’s on me.”
The man takes his drink and goes to a table near the door.
Another guy walks in the bar with a Chihuahua. The first guy sees him, stops him and says, “You can’t bring that dog in here unless you tell him it’s a seeing-eye dog.”
The second man graciously thanks the first man and continues to the bar. He asks for a drink.
The bartender says, “Hey, you can’t bring that dog in here.”
“This is my seeing-eye dog,” the second man replies.
The bartender says, “No, I don’t think so. I have never heard of them having Chihuahuas as seeing-eye dogs.”
The man pauses and replies, “What? They gave me a Chihuahua?”
LAST REQUEST
Submitted by Frank Bunker
A cowboy and a biker are on death row and are to be executed on the same day. The day comes and they are brought to the electric chair.
The warden asks the cowboy if he has a last request.
The cowboy replies, “I shore do, warden. I’d be mighty grateful if you’d play ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ fur me before I hafta go.”
“We can sure do that,” says the warden.
He turns to the biker and asks, “And you, biker, what’s your last request?”
The biker responds, “That you kill me first.”
SHORT FORTUNE TELLER
Submitted by Lacy Todd Madame Nyteshade could tell fortunes and was a midget. The local authorities had her arrested because they said fortune telling was fraudulent. She was placed in a holding cell but was able to squeeze
between the bars and escape. The judge ordered the local newspaper to print an article about her escape. The following was printed in the paper the next day: “Small medium at large.”
DYSLEXIC ATHIEST & OTHER MUSINGS
Submitted by Richard Frost
A dyslexic atheist lies awake at night wondering if there really is a Dog.
Did you hear about the guy who got the left side of his body amputated?
He’s all right now.
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
Submitted by Heather Portenier
As I’ve gotten older, I seem to have less and less patience for our neighborhood children. I’ve become the grouchy, “Get off my lawn, you whippersnappers!” person I never thought I’d be.
Now that I’m an empty nester, I have a lot of spare time on my hands, so I designated myself the sole Neighborhood Watch member. Not looking out for actual crimes per se—just tattling on kids to their parents. Call me the Whippersnapper Whistleblower!
I CAME, I SAW, I TOLD JOKES
Submitted by Bob Breazeale
Accountant: A guy who would marry Raquel Welch for her money.
Why is it that when you want to put in your 2 cents worth, they’ll only give you a penny for your thoughts?
Ms. Smith teaches high school Latin. She wrote on the blackboard: vine, vidi, vici. Underneath, she wrote, I came, I saw, I conquered. “Can someone write a similar phrase?”
The class clown wrote, “Volvo, video, Velcro.”
Ms. Smith asked, “What does that mean?”
“I came, I saw, I stuck around,” he said. ■
Mixing annuals like mustard, kale, radishes and turnips with grasses and clovers is another way to boost organic matter.
YOUR SOIL
Unlock the growing power of organic matter
credit: www.freepik.com
Irecently attended a soil health conference and organic matter was a hot topic. Ideally, soil should contain about 5% organic matter, but in our high desert environment, native soil typically has only 1%. Increasing organic matter to 6-8% can lead to stronger plant growth, higher protein content in grains, better crop flavor, a greater diversity of soil organisms and reduced water needs.
Organic matter comes from multiple sources—old leaves, decomposed plant material, manure, feathers and even decaying animals. Compost converts large chunks of debris into smaller forms that plants and soil microbes can
absorb. Another vital source of organic matter is the living biota in soil—roots and microorganisms that release nutrients into the soil but also break down into organic matter when they die.
As gardening season begins, now is the time to build organic matter in your soil. Here’s how:
PLANT COVER CROPS
Cover cropping with grasses and legumes dominate weeds, shade the soil for better moisture retention and reduce compaction by sending roots deep into the subsoil where the next crops’ roots will be.
Cool-season annuals planted in the next few
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Think of organic matter as tiny sponges in your soil. One hundred pounds of compost can hold up to 185 pounds of water.
weeks will grow through April. By May 1, cut them down with a weed whacker or apply pure vinegar (30% acetic acid) and allow the debris to decompose for two to three weeks. By the end of May, the soil will be ready for new seeds and transplants.
MIX ANNUALS WITH GRASS & CLOVER
Mixing annuals like mustard, kale, radishes and turnips with grasses and clovers is another way to boost organic matter. These plants die at the end of their season, leaving roots and debris that decompose quickly. Farmers often plant oats alongside new alfalfa. The oats provide shade and nutrients for the alfalfa, and when they die, they form a natural mulch while enriching the soil with decaying roots.
INCREASE MOISTURE RETENTION WITH ORGANIC MATTER
Think of organic matter as tiny sponges in your soil. One hundred pounds of compost can hold up to 185 pounds of water. Each 1% increase in organic matter expands a soil’s water-holding capacity by 20,000 gallons per acre. This not only helps after rainfall or irrigation but also reduces how often you need to water.
Organic matter also supports fungal networks that transport water molecules from areas of high concentration to plants that need it—even those on the other side of the yard!
BOOST SOIL HEALTH WITH HUMUS
As organic matter breaks down, it transforms into humus, turning soil from brown to rich black. Humus gives compost its earthy smell and aids in soil fertility, structure and moisture retention. It holds four to five times more water than clay
and provides a 3D structure ideal for storing water, giving a home to soil microbes, supporting soil porosity and absorbing nutrients that are released as plants grow.
As humus further decomposes, it produces humic acid, which also increases the water-holding capacity of soil, boosts seed germination and increases the permeability of the plant root cell walls. It also creates fulvic acid, a fast-acting compound that improves mineral uptake and helps plants withstand heat and drought.
USE NATURAL FERTILIZERS
Long ago, roaming mammals enriched the soil with manure, fur and feathers. Today, we must supplement with bloodmeal, bonemeal, feathermeal and similar products to mimic the nutrients nature once delivered naturally. These fertilizers contain essential minerals, amino acids and microbes that improve soil health.
You can also boost organic matter with leaves and aged manure. High-quality compost and natural fertilizers are the best option for avoiding weed seeds and providing nutrients to the soil. Even lawns and landscaped areas benefit from an extra dose of organic matter. ■
MARCH PLANTING DATES:
The ideal planting dates on the biodynamic calendar are March 6-19. Peppers and onions like to be seeded this month, along with all the cool season crops.
GROW WILD
BY BRYAN REED
Discover Vibrant Senior Living at
Engaging Lifestyle: Enriching programs and social events for every interest.
Exceptional Care: Personalized assisted living and memory care services.
Prime Location: Beautiful surroundings near shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Inclusive Amenities: Fitness center, salon, transportation, and more.
Independent Living: Enjoy a vibrant lifestyle with the freedom to live your way— no chores, no worries, just more time for what you love!
Delicious Dining: Chef-prepared meals that cater to your tastes. Call us at 719-623-7407 to schedule your tour today!
Schedule your visit today and see why life is better
Want more 2025 to
Seniors as students Curiosity Unlimited offers free lectures
away? BEACON Guides
By Lisa Lowdermilk
Whenit comes to lifelong learning, the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a valuable local resource. While most students in its lecture halls are in their late teens or 20s, a unique program welcomes inquisitive minds of all ages—especially seniors.
Curiosity Unlimited was founded in 1977 by a group of area residents and CU alumni. The goal was to provide a forum for stimulating community interest in UCCS, introduce attendees to faculty members and explore relevant topics through free lectures.
What began as a grassroots effort has grown alongside UCCS, which, at the time, had only two buildings on campus.
Today, Curiosity Unlimited continues to evolve. Rather than board members selecting lecture topics, the group now seeks input from its members.
Lectures, which run no longer than 90 minutes, take place at 10 a.m. on the second Friday of each month at the Ent Center for the Arts, 5225 N. Nevada Ave. Attendees are invited to arrive early for coffee and conversation starting at 9:30 a.m. Lectures cover a broad range of subjects, including travel, technology, food, climate change and artificial intelligence. When possible, topics are tailored to local issues. Last fall, Dr. John Harner from the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies led a lecture which explored the region’s drought challenges and the importance of conservation.
Health and wellness are popular themes among seniors. Field trips are also a hit—recent outings included a visit to the Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center, and board members are considering a tour of the newly renovated Pioneers Museum.
Unlike traditional lectures, attendees can ask speakers questions after presentations, and those interested in earning continuing education credits can do so by submitting a brief write-up.
The organization gives back by supporting students at UCCS. They have set an ambitious goal of raising $20,000 by 2025 to help even more students complete their degrees.
Members play a key role in funding the scholarship program. Annual membership dues, which cover operational expenses, are $35 for individuals and $45 for households.
“I cannot encourage people to come out enough,” said Curiosity Unlimited President Sandy Shakes, 72. “It’s not a large commitment, and it’s a great opportunity to meet new people, keep the brain going, learn something new and stay connected to our community.”
For more information, including the schedule for upcoming lectures, visit Curiosity-Unlimited.org. ■
What’s Happening to Religion?
Speaker: Jeffrey Scholes, Ph.D., Professor & Head of Department, Department of Philosophy
March 14. Coffee at 9:30 a.m., Lecture at 10 a.m.
Chapman Recital Hall, Ent Center for the Arts, 5225 N. Nevada Ave.
Scholes discusses “Religion and Sport in North America: Critical Essays for the Twenty-First Century,” which also includes an examination of racial issues. Scholes co-edited the book with noted historian of American religion Randall Balmer.
Call for info: 719-210-8168
Web: Curiosity-Unlimited.org
From family to forever home
Purple Elephant Realty helps seniors sell the nest
By Lisa Lowdermilk
Buying or selling a home is challenging at any stage of life, but it can be especially difficult for seniors. Emotional attachments, changing physical needs and financial limitations all play a role in the decision-making process. Fortunately, Seniors Real Estate Specialists (SRES) like David Zuercher, 68, are trained in guiding seniors through life’s transitions.
CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO SENIORS’ CHALLENGES
Acting as the executor of his parents’ estate of 50 years gave him firsthand insight into the complexities of senior relocation. But it was his rapport with seniors in Colorado Springs that inspired him to earn his SRES designation.
“Helping seniors reach their goals and achieve better results than they expected” is the most rewarding aspect of his work, he said. It also requires him to get creative.
Many seniors worry about affording a move, often due to mounting medical bills. Zuercher helps them explore refinancing options they didn’t know existed and educates them on programs where hospitals and medical providers negotiate lower payments.
“I try to construct a win-win for everyone,” he said.
That problem-solving mindset extends to unexpected situations. When a family he was working with faced a tight deadline to move out of state, they realized—midmove—that the walls behind their china cabinet and refrigerator needed painting. They had the paint but no time to do it. Without hesitation, Zuercher grabbed a roller and took care of it himself.
“They didn’t ask me to do it. I just thought, ‘We need to get this done, and they’re out of town,’” he said. “So, I was able to take care of it and
had a lot of fun helping them.”
In another case, an 80-something woman was relocating from Texas to be closer to her daughter and new grandchild. After an extensive search, they found the perfect home—within walking distance of her daughter’s. But just before closing, they learned the house was less than a mile from a raging wildfire.
Zuercher stayed in regular
“HELPING SENIORS REACH THEIR GOALS AND ACHIEVE BETTER RESULTS THAN THEY EXPECTED” IS THE MOST REWARDING ASPECT
contact with her throughout the buying process, reassuring her that her future home was safe. He met with the homeowner’s association to ensure there were no surprises.
Zuercher helps his clients understand the nuances of their new communities. For those moving to Monument, for example, he explains that its water and electric companies bill separately, unlike Colorado Springs Utilities.
He also prepares clients relocating to Monument or Pueblo for a slower pace of life.
FROM MUSIC TO REAL ESTATE
While Zuercher’s expertise in real estate and regulations is vital, it’s his upbeat personality that makes the process less stressful. Many clients appreciate his sense of humor and jovial attitude.
“I like to have fun, but fun is a byproduct of being successful,” he explained. “I’m very targeted and laser-focused, but I also want to make seniors feel at ease and in control.”
Zuercher’s career path wasn’t always in real estate. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, he moved to Colorado Springs in 1979 to pursue a career as a professional trumpeter with the Philharmonic.
After about 15 years, he experienced lip difficulties that made trumpeting a challenge. He decided to pivot to real estate.
“I’d always been interested in real estate, and I thought, ‘If I’m going to have trouble playing, then I need another source of income,’” said Zuercher.
He earned his real estate broker license in 1994 and eventually launched his own company, naming it Purple Elephant Realty.
“You would remember a purple elephant if you saw one, wouldn’t you?” he said. “If you want to sell your house, you need the messages about your house to be noticed.”
The name was no accident. Elephants are known for their loyalty and memory, and of course, they trumpet—a nod to his musical past.
PUTTING CLIENTS FIRST
Zuercher’s commitment to prioritizing people over profit has earned him a strong reputation in the real estate field. His passion, patience
Zuercher, pictured with his mother, managed his parents’ estate of 50 years and has since helped many seniors buy and sell homes.
and professionalism in working with seniors is a bonus.
“Sometimes I’ll have a handful of clients. Other times, it’s kind of slow. But I would rather be able to wait and give people my full attention,” Zuercher said.
And when you’re buying or selling a home, that kind of personalized attention makes all the difference. ■
Thinking of buying or selling?
Find out what your home’s worth! Contact Zuercher at 719-661-3702 or visit PurpleElephantRealty.com.
The luxury and wild beauty of Florida’s Paradise Coast
By Victor Block
ne morning, I took a scenic drive through a neighborhood of palatial mansions, each boasting three- or four-car garages filled with Cadillacs, Mercedes and other top-of-the-line automobiles.
That afternoon, I sped across mangrove swamps on an airboat, spotting alligators and a dazzling variety of birds before unwinding to work on my tan on a pristine white-sand beach.
Talk about a destination with something for everyone! Nestled in the tropical wilderness of southwest Florida, Naples offers enough variety to suit any taste. No wonder it, along with nearby Marco Island and the Everglades, proudly calls itself “Florida’s Paradise Coast.”
WHERE NATURE & LUXURY COLLIDE
Naples has long been a haven for the affluent. It boasts the sixth-highest per capita income and the second-highest concentration of millionaires in the country. Some villas are so large they seem worthy of their own zip codes.
Yet, even these examples of man-made splendor pale in comparison to the area’s natural beauty. Naples is home to some of Mother Nature’s finest works, starting with its stunning beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. Among the most inviting are:
• Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park – Serene stretches of sand framed by gentle dunes
• Seagate Beach – A favorite spot for sunset watchers
• Lowdermilk Park – A wide, sandy expanse dotted with thatched-roof palapas
While the beaches are enough reason to head for Naples, they provide only a hint of nature’s showcase. A short drive leads to the northwestern tip of Everglades National Park, the largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S. This vast landscape is home to nine distinct ecosystems, from pinelands and hardwood hammocks to cypress forests and coastal lowlands. Many plants and animals found here exist nowhere else.
I got my first taste of this wild world aboard an airboat, a flat-bottomed, propeller-driven vessel that skims over water only a few inches deep. It provided a twisting, turning journey that was equal parts thrill and education. While passengers scanned the surroundings for wild -
life, our captain offered mini-lectures about the surroundings and creatures that live there.
Later, the ride was much slower during a kayak paddle through the winding mangrove tunnels of Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Our guide, Samantha, paused along the way to share the bay’s history, explain its delicate balance of life and point out bald eagles, ospreys, cormorants and other resident birds.
Another boat trip led me to an isolated beach blanketed with seashells in every shape and color imaginable. This part of Florida is famous for its shells, attracting collectors from near and far eager to find treasures such as sea urchins, sand dollars and starfish remnants.
Millionaire’s Row
Lowdermilk Park
NATURE IN THE HEART OF NAPLES
You don’t have to leave town to immerse yourself in nature. The Gordon River Greenway features a scenic boardwalk winding through six plant communities, with signs identifying local flora and fauna—and warning visitors to keep an eye out for alligators.
Nature is tamed at the Naples Botanical Garden. Themed environments showcase plants from Asia, Brazil, the Caribbean and, of course, Florida.
Even the Naples Zoo—originally founded as a botanical garden decades before animals were introduced—is worth visiting for its landscaping alone. It resembles a lush tropical paradise that echoes the rich foliage of its surroundings, where residents live in environments similar to those in the wild and a proliferation of rare orchids adorns the palm trees.
CITY LIFE & CULTURE
Naples’ history is preserved in its museums. The Collier County Museum chronicles prehistoric animals—mastodons, lions and camels—that once roamed the area, along with tales of early settlers. The Depot Museum highlights everything from the legacy of the Calusa and Seminole tribes to the impact of hurricanes and sport fishing.
For those craving shopping, dining, and nightlife, two streets define the heart of Naples:
• Fifth Avenue South – A luxury shopper’s dream, lined with high-end boutiques, art galleries and fine dining
• Third Street South – “The birthplace of Old Naples,” where charming early 1900s cottages nestle among modern mansions.
Whether you come for the luxury, the natural wonders or a bit of both, Naples lives up to its Paradise Coast name.
Take a scenic drive along Gordon Drive, the original Millionaires Row in Old Naples or explore Gulf Shore Boulevard (Port Royal) and Bay Colony Drive (Pelican Bay) for more luxurious estates.
Nature & Outdoors:
• Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve 300 Tower Road, Naples, FL rookerybay.org I 239-530-5972
• Everglades National Park nps.gov/ever | 305-242-7700
• Gordon River Greenway gordonrivergreenway.org | 239-252-4000
Beaches:
• Delnor-Wiggins State Park 11135 Gulf Shore Drive, Naples, FL floridastateparks.org | 239-597-6196
• Seagate Beach
Accessible from Seagate Drive and North Gulf Shore Boulevard, Naples, FL naplesgov.com
• Marco Island Historical Museum 180 S. Heathwood Drive, Marco Island, FL themihs.info/museum | 239-252-1440
Orchids at the Naples Botanical Garden
Air boat tour of the Everglades.
Fifth Avenue South
A restaurant in Old Naples.
By Don Johnson
Awhileback I began one of my short novels with these words: “Sometimes a man’s great expectations come down to very little at the end: A few minutes’ relief from the pain. A few words of comfort from someone he trusts. The thought that he’ll be fondly remembered by someone.”
I had hoped to express a little of the feeling a dying man might have. I must have been partially successful because the well-known American poet, Harvey Stanbrough, who had just been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, said he felt compelled after reading the passage to write a poem in which he said, “How grandly you spoke of love yet never used the word.”
When I wrote that story I had no idea those words would apply in a very personal way to me and my life. Most of us have read at one time or another of the ending of life, but almost always from an outside point of view. I don’t recall ever reading of the winding down of one’s own life span. My immediate thought was that such an accounting might well be of interest to others who will, at some time, be faced with the situation themselves.
So I intend to put before you an honest recounting of one man’s thoughts and actions as he faces his coming and inevitable encounter with the Grim Reaper, like the school beauty does prom invitations.
I had prostate cancer, a right
My Grace is sufficient
SOMETIMES A MAN’S GREAT EXPECTATIONS COME DOWN TO VERY LITTLE AT THE END: A FEW MINUTES’ RELIEF FROM THE PAIN. A FEW WORDS OF COMFORT FROM SOMEONE HE TRUSTS. THE THOUGHT
THAT HE’LL BE FONDLY REMEMBERED BY SOMEONE.
hip replacement, rotator cuff tendon pull, sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, hypertension and a heart attack with stent insertion. To top it off, I then had to replace my left hip. This all led to a handful of pills twice a day which brought on a host of side effects.
I accumulated a cadre of physicians, including a general practitioner, rheumatologist, cardiologist, podiatrist and a plethora of other specialists.
Other than that, my recent life has been uneventful.
A while back, I complained to my general practitioner about a lack of progress in making a health comeback. His reply was not at all what I wanted to hear.
“It appears you’re in that old downward spiral that we don’t seem to be able to stop.”
My reaction was a little startling to myself. Oh! We’ll just have to see about that!
My feelings are not at all what I would expect and not what I suspect they would have been had I been confronted with such a statement at a younger age. I have lived a reasonably full life in which I
have been able to do pretty much what I wanted to. My bucket list is fairly short.
It’s not that I’m in any hurry to come to an end of this mortal coil, but neither does it fill me with a terrifying dread. I suspect the reason rests a great deal in the state of my faith.
I believe in an afterlife which I don’t fully understand but which will be directed by an all-powerful, forgiving and loving God. I believe that Jesus Christ became the son of that God and willingly sacrificed Himself to take away the guilt of my many sins.
The many maladies that have descended on me here in my latter days have been a powerful learning experience. I have learned that one can live with a fair amount of pain without it disrupting his life completely.
As the apostle Paul was told by the Lord, “My grace is sufficient for thee.”
I have learned that there is no shame in accepting help when needed with grace and dignity, and to do so blesses both the giver and the receiver.
I have learned that things I once would have valued fairly indiscriminately can be separated into what is eternal and good, that which is good but temporary, that which is trivial and not worth pursuing, and that which is off the mark and should be avoided.
I have learned that most people are not only willing to do good things but actually take pleasure in it.
I am eternally grateful for having had the opportunity to experience these extra days of learning and sharing rather than chasing an elusive bucket list of trivial and temporal pleasures.
Forgive me for using myself so blatantly throughout this accounting, but I am the only one about whom I can accurately pry so deeply. May you always know and walk in the pathway of the eternal God. ■
Keep calm and carry on: Carrier tips for getting your cat to the vet— without the drama
Dear Ms. Kitty: It’s time for my cat Coco’s annual trip to the vet, and we’re both dreading it. She freaks out the second I get out the carrier. How can I get her in for her checkup with less stress on both of us? Signed, Carried Away
Dear Carried: A good vet visit starts well before arrival, so thanks for planning ahead for Coco. The worst thing you can do to her before taking her to the vet is to chase her around trying to get her in the carrier! Instead, try these tips to make getting her into a carrier easier.
Make the carrier a safe place. Luring her into the carrier rather than forcing her in will get your vet visit off to a better start. Making the carrier part of her everyday landscape is the first step. Leave the carrier out if possible and cover it with a small towel. This serves two purposes: it camouflages the carrier at home and it helps Coco feel safer when traveling. Cats like to hide when they are stressed, and this helps her do that.
Reward her for going in. Place a trail of her favorite treats (saved just for the carrier) inside. Place a clip on the open door to keep it from accidentally closing.
Once Coco knows she can find treats in her carrier, she’ll likely go in it regularly. Do this every few
days to keep the carrier a happy place.
Soft sides or hard? There are many kinds of carriers available.
For shy cats, a hard-sided carrier is usually a better choice. She can hear it when you toss treats toward the back and it can become her safe space. Some cats even sleep in their carriers between vet visits because they feel so cozy!
You’ll need stealth and speed to close Coco into a soft-sided carrier. It’s nearly impossible to quickly zip a cat into a fabric carrier and even a small opening may allow her to push back out. This can make her more afraid of the carrier and set you back even further.
Many soft-sided carriers have poor quality framing. They can flatten after just a few outings. If that happens, please do not force Coco into a carrier that will collapse on her.
Stealth and speed. When it’s time to go to the vet, toss in treats and wait quietly within reach of the door. When she’s at least halfway in, gently—but firmly and quickly— close the door, making sure her tail doesn’t get caught.
If her most favorite treat is a soft, squeezable one, you can still make a trail into the carrier with dots of treats. Put that last dot on the inside back wall of the carrier to lure her all the way in to lick it off!
Top-opening carriers: If your carrier has a top opening, wire it open with a pipe cleaner during the training phase. She can hop in and out from the top as well as go in
ASK MS. KITTY
through the door. That gives you two options for getting her into it.
A top-opening carrier also gives your vet a way to examine Coco without removing her from the carrier. Unless she needs a procedure, most of the examination can be done while she’s safe inside.
Bubble carriers and backpacks. Carriers and backpacks with bubble windows may look cute, but they go against a cat’s instinct to hide when afraid. Instead, they force cats to be directly exposed to all the scary sights and sounds they experience while getting to your veterinarian. Unless your cat backpack is extra large, Coco won’t be able to lie down and that can be stressful too.
Cat bag terrors. Even worse are bags made to transport cats with their bodies trapped and their heads sticking out. This is the opposite of what a fearful cat needs. Imagine being trapped in a straight jacket while being forced to do something that terrifies you, and you’ll get a sense of what these misguided attempts at a carrier do to our feline friends.
Whichever carrier you use, please double check the latches or zippers before you leave the house. Having a carrier break or a cat get out in an unfamiliar place can be scary for everyone. ■
This free helpline is offered by Happy Cats Haven and Colorado Cats Boarding. Submit questions at HappyCatsHaven.org
March 1
Carnivale Parade
CALENDAR
March 1 & 2
Don your feathered masks and beads and celebrate Mardi Gras! This year’s theme is Cirque du Manitou. Come early for the Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cookoff in Soda Springs Park at 11 a.m. The parade marches down Manitou Avenue—a truly funky Manitou experience.
This dynamic nine-piece ensemble pays homage to the legendary music of Carlos Santana at Stargazers. Their fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms, blues/rock guitar, Hammond organ and horns honor the best of his five-decade career. Every beat pulsates with infectious energy!
“Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed” Jam out with a grandkid to this rock
March 8
Locate the Leprechaun Grab a grandkid and search for sneaky Lenny on this scavenger hunt! Start at Tony’s Bar and get your T-shirt, map and clue scroll. Solve riddles and collect treasures along a playful route downtown, with a sweet finale at Josh and John’s. 1-3 p.m. | 326 N. Tejon St. | $17 | csstpats.com
March 9
The Elders
Emerging Artistry
Listen as Lun Li takes on Bartók’s difficult Violin Concerto No. 2, 2023 Emerging Soloist, Ben Albertson, plays a piece by Gabriel Pierné on harp, and there’s a musical devotional by Florence Price and Ravel’s beloved evocation of the 16th-century Spanish court dance: the pavane at this Chamber Orchestra of the Springs concert.
‘n roll parable about being yourself based on the hit children’s book at the Fine Arts Center. Naked mole rats have always been, well… naked. Then Wilbur discovers fashion and that changes everything!
Various times | 30 W. Dale St. | $18-$28 | fac.coloradocollege.edu | 719-634-5581
March 3-5
“Mean Girls” It’s so fetch! This hilarious Broadway musical based on the hit 2004 teen movie follows naïve newcomer from Africa Cady Heron, navigating
the cutthroat cliques of suburban Chicago and taking on queen bee Regina George.
Bizet, Offenbach, Poulenc and Satie sit in a Parisian café (a.k.a. Patty Jewett Bar & Grill) and argue over whose music best captured that je ne sais quoi! This operatic parody offers French repertoire, history,
St. Patricks Day Events
a complimentary drink and a great view of the parade from Cowboys Nightclub! All proceeds benefit Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center.
9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | 24 N. Tejon St. | $40 | csstpats.com
March 15
5K for St. Patrick’s Day
Get a dose of Celtic culture at Stargazers with this six-piece, Irish American folk rock band! They’ve released 12 albums and have toured throughout Ireland and Europe. 6 p.m. | 10 S. Parkside Drive | $25 | stargazerstheatre.com | 719-476-2200
March 15
St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast
Enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet,
Enjoy a flat course through downtown wearing green or even a kilt! Stay afterward for the kids’ Leprechaun Fun Run and the parade. Pick up your packet at the St. Patty’s Sports Expo at the Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., on March 14 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
10 a.m. | 711 S. Tejon St., Unit 201 | $40-$45 | csstpats.com
March 15
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Wear green (but dress for the
weather) and cheer on all things Irish at the 41st annual parade! Booths sell food and beverages along the route. The parade features festive floats, marching bands and cultural displays celebrating Irish heritage.
12-1:30 p.m. | Tejon St. & E. St. Vrain | Free | csstpats.com
March 15
Bowl for the Green
Don your green for this annual Bowl-A-Thon at King Pin Lanes! It includes a snack voucher, two games, shoe rental, prizes and drawings. Proceeds support adults with disabilities and their families through Special Kids Special Families. 2-4:30 p.m. | 3410 N. Academy Blvd. | $35, $20 child | sksfcolor ado.org | 719-447-8983
culture—and silliness! There’s an appetizer buffet and beverages for purchase.
5-8 p.m. | 900 E. Espanola St. | $65$75 | pikespeakoperaleague.org | 719-481-0426
March 7-8
The Texas Tenors
This trio’s irresistible charm and vocal prowess has enchanted audiences since their “America’s Got Talent” debut. They’ll perform country hits to classical showstoppers at the Pikes Peak Center in an evening of spellbinding music with the Philharmonic.
Experiment with different tea leaves and ingredients to create personalized teas, then take your custom blend home to enjoy. Sessions are March 7, 10-11 a.m. at the Fountain Library, 230 S. Main St., Fountain, and March 10, 2:30-3:30 p.m. at
March 15
Shamrock Shindig
Wear your festive green and gold to Cheyenne Mountain Resort and support Catholic Charities’ work with the community’s vulnerable neighbors. Brie Groves of KOAA hosts, with Irish stew or corned beef and cabbage, Irish-themed drinks, live Celtic music and an auction.
This acoustic Celtic band features unforgettable vocals, haunting uilleann bagpiping, sophisticated fiddle and engaging rhythms on March 15, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Library 21c, 1175 Chapel Hills Drive, and March 29, 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the East Library, 5550 N. Union Blvd. Free | ppld.org | 719-531-6333
the High Prairie Library, 7035 Old Meridian Rd., Peyton. Registration is required.
Free | ppld.org | 719-531-6333
March 8
New-to-Colorado Gardening
Newcomers, this is for you! Mark Phelan helps you navigate gardens and yards in our semi-arid climate. You can succeed despite extremes in temperature and precipitation. Guard your garden, save your salvia and protect your prickly pear!
Bottoms up! This annual celebration in the Ivywild School Gym benefits the Colorado Brewers Guild. Sample cask-conditioned ales–unfiltered and unpasteurized naturally carbonated brews—from Colorado breweries, with styles ranging from eccentric to traditional. Includes a commemorative tasting glass and giant pretzel. 1-4 p.m. | 1604 S. Cascade Ave. | $30 | events.humanitix.com | 719-6332555
March 8-9
Colorado Cosmic Con
This family-friendly event at the Colorado Springs Event Center features celebrities, Star Wars, comics, cosplay (with contest), toys, action figures, anime, Funko pops, a car show, MTG and Pokemon cards, photo opps with superheroes and villains and 100+ vendors.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. | 3960 Palmer Park Circle | $10-$55 | coloradocosmiccon.com
March 11
Retirement Series: Transformational Caregiving
What is transformational caregiving? Join the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging and Lucy Crandall at the Sand Creek Library for an engaging discussion and explore techniques and practices to care for your—and others’—mind, body and soul. Registration is required.
4 p.m. | 1821 S. Academy Blvd. | Free | tiny.ppld.org/PPAAA | 719531-6333
March 13
Moving with Ease
Learn how to wrangle all the details, from packing to unpacking, to make your move a breeze at this informational workshop at Morningstar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Mountain Shadows. Please RSVP.
iSight Connections will educate you about low vision at the Inn at Garden Plaza. Learn about how reading glasses affect balance, if dementia is misdiagnosed as vision loss, if blindness can happen suddenly, what tai chi has to do with vision loss and more.
1-2 p.m. | 2520 International Circle | Free | innatgardenplaza.com | 719-630-1155
March 13-16 & 20-23
“Marie Antoinette”
Hang on—it’s a wild historical romp of towering wigs and haute couture at the Ent Center! Witness the infamous queen’s fall during the French Revolution.
2, 4 or 7:30 p.m. | 5225 N. Nevada Ave. | $23 | entcenterforthearts.org | 719-255-3232
March 13, 20 & 27
Facing the Mourning
Have you lost a loved one? This sixweek support and education group at Colorado Palliative & Hospice Care provides activities and a safe space to process your grief every Thursday through April 20. Scholarships are available. Registration deadline: March 6.
One of the best ghost stories ever written comes to life on the Ent Center stage by Theatreworks. Henry James’ terrifying classic features an isolated manor, an unsuspecting governess, her two enigmatic charges and horrors the governess witnessed—or did she? Plays Thursdays-Sundays.
2, 4 or 7:30 p.m. | 5225 N. Nevada Ave. | $12-$49 | entcenterforthearts. org | 719-255-3232
March 15
Rush Archives
“Tom Sawyer,” anyone? This spot-on reproduction of early Rush shows incorporates video to fully immerse fans in a feast of sight and sound. This tribute by three Denverites only happens a few times a year, so don’t miss this show at Stargazers!
You’ll appreciate these classical pieces beautifully played by the Philharmonic: Mazzoli’s Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres), Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1 (featuring cellist Maximilian Hornung) and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 6. Go inside the score with a pre-concert conversation one hour beforehand.
EAEPCC works to improve life for those at risk in rural communities and meets at Ellicott Community Open Door Church. Hear how TESSA empowers victims of partner violence. Serenity Recovery Connection will dispense free Narcan and explain how to respond to an opiate overdose.
The Black Jacket Symphony Hear Van Halen’s iconic album “1984” recreated note for note, followed by their greatest hits at the Pikes Peak Center. The Black Jacket Symphony performs flawless recreations of classic rock albums for an unforgettable night of rock and roll magic!
One comedian is a treat, but several make it a party! The original “Kill Tony” podcast featured hilarious comics with a variety of styles. This show at the Pikes Peak Center features your favorites doing longer stand-up sets.
Get your tickets before they’re extinct! Your grandkids can play with baby dinos, excavate fossils or train a raptor at the “prehistoric playground” of the Colorado Springs Event Center while animatronic behemoths like Spinosaurus and Tyrannosaurus rex look on.
Drop by the Makerspace at Library 21c to create some fun spring crafts and explore what the Makerspaces have to offer! Experiment with watercolors, sewing, pinback buttons and other projects to give as a gift or keep for yourself. All materials are provided.
Disney on Ice: Into the Magic A fun grandchild splurge awaits at the World Arena! Discover why no
dream is too big when your favorite Disney stories come to life through world-class ice skating. Choose from seven shows.
See website for times | 3185 Venetucci Blvd. | $26-$102 | broadmoorworldarena.com | 719-4772100
March 22-23
Motorcycle Super Show & Swap Meet
It’s the biggest motorcycle show in Southern Colorado at the Norris Penrose Event Center! There’s also a food/beer garden, tattoo competition, live music, charity auction and more. A senior discount is available at the door.
When award-winning comedy legend Madigan comes to the Pikes Peak Center, you never know if she’ll riff on her large and funny family, Ireland, drinking, Missouri (her home state) or something else entirely! Her specials include “Hunting Bigfoot” and “Bothering Jesus.”
“It’s the Hard Knock Life” at an orphanage in 1930s New York City. Annie is determined to find her parents, and her indomitable spirit charms even gruff billionaire Oliver Warbucks. Don’t miss this beloved musical at the Pikes Peak Center! 7:30 p.m. | 190 S. Cascade Ave. | $66-$126 | pikespeakcenter.com | 719-477-2100
March 26
History of American Flags
The flag seems static because it hasn’t changed much. But at this PILLAR Institute of Lifelong Learning class, Jamie Foster will show that for
the U.S.’s first 150 years, there were more versions of the flag than you might imagine!
10 a.m.-12 p.m. | 6385 Corporate Drive, Suite 200 | $25 if not a member | pillarinstitute.org | 719-6334991
March 28
Spring Wellness Workshop
Gain valuable wellness tips from Dr. Aaron Block about setting and achieving SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Appropriate, Relevant and Time-bound—to support a healthier lifestyle, with a Q & A, refreshments and trivia with prizes.
3-4 p.m. | 16601 Jackson Creek Parkway, Monument | Free | jacksoncreekseniorliving.com | 719-259-1331
March 28
Misfit Stand-Up Tour
Experience Gary Gulman live at the Ent Center! He created five TV specials, including “Born on Third Base” and “The Great Depresh,” a tour de force look at mental illness. Gulman’s first book, “Misfit: Growing Up Awkward in the ‘80s,” is a K-12 memoir.
You’ll be mesmerized by the world’s premier classical Chinese dance company’s beautiful costumes and lush orchestration against digital backdrops at the Pikes Peak Center. See cultural history preserved and presented in a kaleidoscope of color, patterns and exquisite movement.
Pikes Peak Library District hosts free tax preparation
Three libraries will serve as sites for income tax preparation. This assistance is by appointment only. Visit PPLD.org/taxes for a complete list of tax preparation services at PPLD locations or more information about filing your 2024 tax return.
• High Prairie Library, 7035 Old Meridian Road, Peyton, hosts the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) on March 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. VITA offers free tax preparation services to individuals who earned less than $67,000 in 2024. Call 2-1-1 to make an appointment.
• Fountain Library, 230 S. Main St., hosts AARP Foundation Tax-Aide through April 12 on Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Call 719-508-2629 or visit cotaxaide. org/appt to make an appointment.
• Library 21c, 1175 Chapel Hills Drive, hosts AARP Foundation Tax-Aide March 4-April 10, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Call 719-235-6757 to make an appointment.
Pikes Peak Post Acute Hospice opens
Expanding the local reach of hospice care is the newly opened Pikes Peak Post Acute Hospice unit. They are contracted with nearly all hospices in Colorado Springs. Their staff members are hospice trained and can accommodate all hospice
“A
Night of Music & Celebration” benefits Colorado Springs Senior Center
Support and celebrate the new Senior Center building opening in the fall at this special event on March 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Peel House. Playing ballads from the heart are Joe Uveges on guitar and vocals and his daughter Katie on violin. Consider partnering with the Colorado Springs Senior Center as they make an impact for seniors in the community. The cost is $20 in advance or $25 at the door. The Peel House is located at 1515 N. Cascade Ave. Call 719-955-3400 to register if you do not have an account with the Colorado Springs Senior Center.
needs within the community. With a focus on compassionate care, they offer a welcoming space where individuals and their families can find peace, comfort and dignity at the end of life. The unit, located at 2719 N. Union Blvd., is designed to meet a variety of needs, including general inpatient care, respite care and long-term care services. For more information, visit Pikes PeakPA.com or contact Director of Business Development Amanda Shalhout at 719-290-7617.
Silver Key at Tri-Lakes Senior Center seeks new home
Silver Key is reaching out to the community to help identify a new location for its Tri-Lakes Senior Center that has met at Grace Best Education Center for the past two years. The D38 Board of Education recently approved demolishing the deteriorating building. The Grace Best facility houses a vibrant activity center where older adults have access to essential services, including nutrition, socialization, trans-
Natural Grocers offers free classes for healthier eating
These four classes, held at Library 21c, 1175 Chapel Hills Drive, offer you the tools you need to make nutritious choices. Supercharge your eating for personalized health benefits!
• March 11, 12-1 p.m.: What Beets & Greens Can Do for You
• March 18, 12-1 p.m.: The Paleo/Vegan Smoothie: Healthy and Delicious on the Go
• March 21, 12-1 p.m.: Building Healthy & Delicious Meals
• March 21, 2-3 p.m.: Good for You—Nutrition 101
portation and health and wellness activities that foster intergenerational ties with the students of D38. Jason DeaBueno, CEO of Silver Key, said the organization is committed to the Tri-Lakes community’s seniors having continued access to these services and intergenerational connections. If you know of a space that is accessible and able to accommodate the Senior Center’s wide range of programs and services, please contact Silver Key at SilverKey.org or 719-884-2300.
Celebrate nature at the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour
Nature heals the soul, so save your seat! The Banff Film Festival World Tour returns to Colorado Springs for its 18th year March 4, 5 and 6. Mountain Chalet hosts these three nights of fresh films to invigorate, motivate and captivate you. Join 500 others and attend one or all three of these film festival nights, with different films each evening at Stargazers Theatre. The film festival supports the work of a local nonprofit, Rocky Mountain Field Institute, dedicated to the stewardship and conservation of public lands in the Southern Rocky Mountains. Stargazers Theatre is located at 10 S. Parkside Drive. Screenings start
at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $19 and may be purchased at Stargazers Theatre.com. For more information, call 719-476-2200.
Veterans Administration celebrates Colorado Springs Army POW’s 100th birthday VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System honored centenarian and retired U.S. Army Master Sgt. Edwin Beck at 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 7, on the second floor of the PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom VA Clinic in its Mt. Princeton/Yale Conference rooms. Springs native Beck, a World War II and Korean War veteran, served for more than 20 years in the U.S. Army. He fought during the Battle of the Bulge, one of the most decisive battles of WWII in the European Theater, where he was captured and held for six months. Beck continues to serve the veteran community in retirement by sharing the harsh treatment he endured as a prisoner of war. He hopes that relaying how he overcame those difficulties will provide PTSD and suicide prevention awareness for other veterans who may have difficulties after serving.
Commit to longevity and good health through the Blue Zones Challenge
Learn practical steps to live a long life at the Unity Spiritual Center, 1945 Mesa Road, by exploring health, happiness, movement, nutrition and social connection as explored in “The Blue Zones Challenge” by Dan Buettner. The complimentary introduction is March 2, 12-1 p.m. The remaining sessions are Wednesday evenings, 6-8 p.m., on March 5, 12, 19 and 26, with in-person and Zoom options. Cost is $100. Email Kelly Calabrese at fitfocus@qwestoffice.net or call her at 719-313-0329 to register. ■
CLUBS
21st Century Toastmasters meets at Colorado Springs Fire Station 19. Fridays | 1 p.m. | 720-989-8944 | 21c.toastmastersclubs.org
Curiosity Unlimited offers continuous learning opportunities with free UCCS professor lectures at the Ent Center, September through December and February through May. Check the website for date details.
10 a.m. | curiosity-unlimited.org | 719-210-8168
DAV Knob Hill meets monthly and holds a bingo fundraiser to help local veterans at 6880 Palmer Park Blvd. 5:30 p.m. | Sundays
Downtown Lions Club hosts a civic speaker at MacKenzie’s Chop House, 128 S. Tejon St.
3rd Tuesday | 12:15-1:30 p.m. | 719338-7375
Falcon Garden Club meets at High Prairie Library.
3rd Saturday | 10 a.m. | falcon gardenclub.org
Falcon Wanderers Volkssport Club meets for regular walks. 719-597-4307 | falconwanderers.org
Front Range Herb Society meets regularly. Call for the meeting schedule and events. 719-440-2888
Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship meets at Perkins, 3295 E. Platte Ave. Men and women are welcome.
2nd Saturday | 7:45 p.m. | 719-2293317
Garden of the Gods Rotary Club meets for lunch with a speaker at Texas T-Bone/Famous Dave’s BBQ. Please RSVP.
Gleneagle Sertoma, a community service organization, meets for lunch at Beast and Brews.
1st & 3rd Wednesdays | 11:30 a.m. | 719-331-1212
Gold Camp Victorian Society meets at Cripple Creek Heritage Center.
4th Saturday | 2 p.m. | info@gold
campvictoriansociety.org
Hi Country Newcomers is a social group for women. Activities include hiking, book discussions, games, lunches and tours.
2nd Monday | 10 a.m. | ldsjroberts@ icloud.com
Hills of Harmony Mountain Dulcimer Club meets at Downtown YMCA. Bring your mountain dulcimer or strum stick, tuner, picks and $1. 3rd Thursday | 1-2 p.m. | 719-2466820
International Dance Club hosts weekly dances. Live bands, variety of styles, family friendly. Cost is $12. Saturdays | 7-10 p.m. | international danceclub.org | 719-633-0195
Maxi’s Dance Group meets at Eagles Club #143 with music for ages 40+ and food and drinks for purchase. Cover is $5 members, $8 non-members.
Thursdays | 6-9 p.m. | 719-660-1358
Piecing Partners Quilt Guild meets at Elks Lodge 309, 3400 N. Nevada Ave.
3rd Wednesday | 9:30 a.m. | ppqguild@gmail.com
Pikes Peak Camera Club meets at Living Hope Church, 640 Manitou Blvd. 2nd Wednesday | 7 p.m. | 719-6342376 | pikespeakcameraclub.com
Pikes Peak Flyfishers Club meets at Colorado Parks and Wildlife Center, 4255 Sinton Road. There are monthly fishing trips also. All ages. 1st Monday | 6:30 p.m. | 910-6174714 | pikespeakflyfishers.com
Pikes Peak Genealogical Society meets virtually on Zoom with varied topics and speakers.
2nd Wednesday | 7-9 p.m. | ppgs.org
Pikes Peak Koi & Water Garden Society meets at Mountain View Church of Christ March-October.
2nd Thursday | 7 p.m. | ppkwgs.org
Pikes Peak Opera League hosts and promotes vocal arts events. See program schedule online. pikespeakoperaleague.org
Pikes Peak Pastel Society meets at the East Library on March 22 at 10:30 a.m. Call for details. 719-338-5548 | pikespeakpastel.org
Pikes Peak Posse of the Westerners meets for dinner and a program at the Masonic Center. Please RSVP.
2nd Monday | 6 p.m. | 719-473-0330
Pikes Peak Traditional Dance meets for contra dancing at the International Dance Center. No partner needed. Beginner lessons: 1:30 p.m. Dance to live music: 2-4:30 p.m. Cost is $10.
1st Sunday | 719-578-8979 | pptd contra.com
Pikes Peak Whittlers are woodcarvers who meet at Redeemer Lutheran Church.
2nd Saturday | 9 a.m. | pikespeak whittlers.com
Rampart Range Blue Star Mothers meets at Falcon Police Department. 1st Sunday | 2 p.m. | 719-651-8038
Read Amok Book Club meets at Florissant Library.
2nd Monday | 11 a.m. | 719-7483939
Reader’s Circle Book Club meets at Woodland Park Library.
2nd Thursday | 10:30 a.m. | 719-6879281
Red Hat Ladies meets at Fountain Valley Senior Center.
1st & 3rd Fridays | 1 p.m. | 719-6002644
Rocky Mountain Mustangers Club, for Mustang owners/enthusiasts, meets monthly at Phil Long Ford Motor City.
3rd Saturday | 4:30 p.m. | mustang ers.com
Sno-Jets Ski & Adventure Club meets at Trinity Brewing. See website for ski trips, biking, hiking and
other activities.
1st Thursday | 6:30 p.m. | snojets.org
Socrates Cafe meets weekly for discussion at the Monument Library. Tuesdays | 1-3 p.m. | 719-531-6333
Sons & Daughters of Italy meets for dinner and a meeting at VFW Post #101.
1st Tuesday | 5:30 p.m. | 719-2608773
Sons of Norway meets at Viking Hall. 2nd Wednesday | 6:30 p.m. | 719-574-3717
Spanish Conversation Group meets in room F1 at East Library. Intermediate-advanced Spanish learners and native speakers discuss a variety of topics.
Veterans of Korean Service meets at BPOE Elks 304, 3400 N. Nevada Ave. Lunch and speaker are $13. Call to RSVP.
3rd Saturday | 11:30 a.m. | 719-2146121
Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 1075, meets at Westside Global Methodist Church, 701 N. 20th St.
Last Saturday | 9 a.m. | 719-2358162 | vva1075.org
Walk with a Doc meets at the Santa Fe Trail parking lot, 1916 Baptist Road, for a short walk accommodating all ability levels.
Tuesdays | 12:30 p.m. | walkwitha doc.org
Women’s Army Corps Veterans Association meets at Sand Creek Police Station.
4th Saturday | 10 a.m. | peakwac vets@yahoo.com
Woodland Park Book Club meets at Woodland Park Library.
1st Tuesday | 10:30 a.m. | 719-687-9281
Yarnia! Knitting & Crochet Club meets at Florissant Library.
2nd Thursday | 10 a.m. | 719-748-3939 ■
By Rhonda Wray
Why did you move to Colorado Springs?
Al & Tamara Brody
“We moved from an Air Force ROTC assignment at UNC in Greeley to Peterson AFB in 1991. We loved it but got transferred. After retiring, we chose the Springs, settling in Rockrimmon. We traveled and lived in an Airstream trailer for almost seven years, then returned. The mountains, the outdoor activities, our friends and community— we love it here!”
Donna Cuevas
“My husband and I moved from Mississippi—the Gulf Coast—in 2022, when our daughter was pregnant. I just could not be a long-distance grandparent. Back there, it was heat and humidity. Here, it’s snow and below-zero weather. But I love it out here.”
Gina Gregory
“We moved here in 1999 from Salt Lake City, Utah. I worked for the IRS there, and then I got a job as a tax accountant with Focus on the Family out here. I’d always wanted to work for a nonprofit. It’s been a good place to raise my three children.”
Amy Linfield
“Ken and I moved from Louisville, Kentucky in 2021. We knew we would go where our kids went [earlier in life], because my parents did the opposite. At 87, my dad said, ‘We’re moving there so you can take care of us.’ When our son and his wife moved to the Springs, we did too, buying our house sight unseen! My daughter and her then-fiancé followed. We’re very happy to be here.”
SUPPORT GROUPS
12-Step Program meets weekly at Benet Hill Monastery, 3190 Benet Lane, for anyone dealing with trauma.
Wednesdays | 10 a.m. | 303-9028283 | wealreadyloveyou@gmail. com
Alzheimer’s Association offers free caregiver support groups, in person and virtually. Call for current info. 719-266-8773 | alz.org/events
Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group, Woodland Park, meets virtually.
1st Tuesday | 4:30-6 p.m. | 800-272-3900
Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group meets at 800 Valley View Drive, Woodland Park. 1st Wednesday | 2-4:30 p.m. | 800-272-3900
Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group meets at Broadmoor Community Church, 315 Lake Ave. 1st Saturday | 10-11:30 a.m. | 800-272-3900
Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group meets at Luther Hall, 1524 N. Tejon St. 2nd Tuesday | 1:15-2:45 p.m. | 800-272-3900
Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group meets at Sacred Heart, 2021 W. Pikes Peak Ave. 2nd Tuesday | 2:30-4 p.m. | 800-272-3900
Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group meets at Sunrise Church, 2655 Briargate Blvd.
2nd Friday | 10-11:30 a.m. | 800-272-3900
Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group meets at First National Bank of Monument, 581 Highway 105, Monument.
2nd Saturday | 9:45-11:15 a.m. | 800-272-3900
Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group meets at First Presbyterian Church, 219 E. Bijou St. 3rd Thursday | 1:30-3 p.m. | 800-272-3900
Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group meets at Calvary United Methodist Church, 4210 Austin Bluffs Pkwy.
4th Tuesday | 6:30-8 p.m. |
800-272-3900
Brain Injury Support Group meets at Penrose Hospital Cancer Center’s conference room A and B.
3rd Thursday | 5:30-7 p.m. | 719571-8372
Cancer Support Group meets at Woodmen Valley Chapel. Call or email to learn about meetings. 719-331-2269 | annehoward199@ yahoo.com
Community Reinforcement And Family Training (CRAFT) has support for families and friends of loved ones struggling with substance use. English, Spanish, virtual and in-person options are available at Springs Recovery Connection. 719-377-2161 | aneeley@srchope.org
Dementia Support Group meets at Fountain Valley Senior Center. 3rd Wednesday | 2-3:30 p.m. | 719-600-2644
Dementia Support Group meets at Jackson Creek Senior Living, 16601 Jackson Creek Pkwy in Monument. 2nd Tuesday | 3 p.m. | 719-259-1331 | jacksoncreekseniorliving.com
Depression & Bipolar Support meets at the Peel House at First Lutheran Church, 1515 N. Cascade Ave.
Multiple Sclerosis Alliance of Southern Colorado offers a men’s support group on Mondays, a women’s support group on Tuesdays and a mixed social group on Thursdays at 7011 Campus Drive and virtually on Zoom.
11 a.m. | 719-633-4603 | msasoco.org
NAMI Connection Support Group, for those living with mental health conditions, meets virtually on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and in person at First United Methodist Church, room 235. Thursdays | 7 p.m. | 719-473-8477
NAMI Family Support Group, for family members of people living with mental health conditions, meets virtually on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and in person at First United Methodist Church, room 234.
Thursdays | 7 p.m. | 719-473-8477
Parkinson’s Support Group for individuals and family caregivers meets at Jackson Creek Senior Living, 16601 Jackson Creek Pkwy in Monument. Please RSVP.
Parkinson’s Support Group meets monthly at Aberdeen Ridge, 2744 Grand Vista Circle. Please RSVP. 2nd Tuesday | 10-11:30 a.m. | 719-551-3704 | jcasey@pmma.org
PEARLS Connect is for people over 60 experiencing loneliness or feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges. Call for location.
2nd Monday | 3-4:30 p.m. | 719-204-3604
Pikes Peak Ostomy Association meets for support weekly via Zoom and once monthly in person. 6:30 | 719-459-2017 | pikespeak ostomy.com
Polio Survivors Support Group meets monthly in Colorado Springs. Call for details.
1st Wednesday | 303-212-0017
Prison Support Group, for those with incarcerated loved ones, meets in the prayer room at Woodmen Valley Chapel.
Thursdays | 1 p.m. | 602-762-0900
Space Holders offers support in times of suffering, loneliness, grief or passing through this life to the next. We offer handholding, humming and mercy with no advice, judgment or sermons. Text 719-640-0069
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets for support (not a specific diet) at various locations most days of the week.
719-331-2815 | RJW88@yahoo.com | tops.org
Voices of Grief offers 6- and 8-week support groups in Colorado Springs and Woodland Park. Call or email for details.
719-286-0612 | info@voicesofgrief center.org
Widowed Persons Grief Support Group meets twice monthly at Silver Key, 1625 S. Murray Blvd. 2nd & 4th Fridays | 1-2 p.m. | 719-955-3400 ■
Senior Center Activities FUN AFTER 50Senior Center Activities FUN AFTER 50
Turn your nest egg into a sustainable income stream.
1:30 -2:30 p.m. | March 13 | $2 | Downtown YMCA
719-955-3400
CSSeniorCenter.com
The Senior Center is open to adults 55+ from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday - Friday.
Registration is required for all activities. While the Senior Center is under renovation, programs will be held at the Downtown YMCA, 207 N. Nevada Ave. and Westside Cottages, 1616 W. Bijou St.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Forest Bathing
Immerse yourself in nature through guided invitations in North Shooks Run Park. Call for meeting location.
8:30-10:30 a.m. | March 1 | $8
Day Trip to Meow Wolf Denver
Don’t miss this fantastical narrative-driven, immersive art installation! Bring your lunch or buy it there.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. | March 4 | $70
A Night of Music and Celebration!
Support the new Senior Center’s fall opening and hear Joe Uveges and daughter Katie perform.
6:30-8:30 p.m. | March 13 | $20 in advance, $25 at the door | Peel House, 1515 N. Cascade Ave.
Hello Spring Bake Sale!
Smells like community spirit, as patrons showcase their baking skills.
1-2:30 p.m. | March 17 | Free | Westside Cottages
Pancake Breakfast
Eat a stack, plus juice, coffee and fruit for a great price.
9-10 a.m. | March 21 | $3 | Westside Cottages
LIFELONG LEARNING
This Day in History
Explore quirky milestones to major breakthroughs on March 11s throughout history.
10-11 a.m. | March 11 | Free | Westside Cottages
Making Your Money Last in Retirement
Nurse Chats:
Common Lab Values
Learn the meanings of CBC and CMP. These common blood tests reveal your health and guide medical decisions.
1-2 p.m. | March 19 | Free | Westside Cottages
MUSIC & ART
Ukulele Lessons
Beginner, intermediate and advanced players may take hour-long group classes.
8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday - Friday. Register for activities by calling 719-600-2644.
Transportation to and from the Senior Center is available by appointment for eligible zip codes. A 72-hour notice is required. Call 719600-2643 to schedule.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Sproul/Pinello Students Visit
Enjoy crafts and games with elementary and junior high students. 10-11 a.m. | March 5
EXERCISE
Suggested donation per class is $2.
Chair Yoga
Improve circulation and range of motion with a blend of seated and standing yoga poses.
2:30-3:30 p.m. Mondays | 9-10 a.m. Fridays
Zumba Gold
A gentle Latin-inspired dance workout.
9-10 a.m. | Tuesdays
T’ai Chi
Relax your mind with flowing movements and meditation.
9:30-11 a.m. | Wednesdays
Cardio Drumming
Drumming + music = a fun and rhythmic workout.
9-10 a.m. | Thursdays
Chi Kung
Gentle movements and meditation promote balance, relaxation and energy flow.
10-11 a.m. | Fridays
Wii Games
Stay active and have fun with a variety of virtual sports.
10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Fridays
Line Dancing
Get moving with choreographed dances to a variety of music.
1-2 p.m. | Fridays
GAMES
Game Day Fundraiser
Play cards, board games, chess and more. Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. Bring $5 and a dish to share. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | 1st Saturday | $5 Play games at the Senior Center all month long. Call for schedule.
Have questions about your phone, computer or other devices? We can help! Please RSVP.
12-1:30 p.m. | March 7 | trilakes@ silverkey.org ■
719-689-2502
CityOfCrippleCreek.com
The City of Cripple Creek hosts seniorfocused activities in partnership with local organizations.
Unless noted otherwise, events take place at Cripple Creek Parks & Rec (128 E. Bennett Ave.), Butte Theater (139 E. Bennett Ave.) or Aspen Mine Center (166 E. Bennett Ave.)
SPECIAL EVENTS
Ice Castles at Cripple Creek
See this winter attraction featuring massive, hand-crafted ice structures transporting visitors into a frozen wonderland. icecastles.com/cripple-creek-colorado for tickets and times
Pearl’s Follies
Support the Old Homestead House Museum at their annual fundraiser at the Chamonix Hotel and Casino.
5-10 p.m. | March 1 | $35 | 719689-2485
EXERCISE
Silver Sneakers
Join this fitness program for seniors.
10-11 a.m. | Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays Cripple Creek Parks & Rec Fitness Center
Open Skating
Enjoy laser roller skating and blading. Price includes skate rental.
Please call to confirm.
1-3 p.m. | Fridays & Saturdays | Cripple Creek Parks & Rec Fitness Center | $3
Boxing
Try this high-intensity combat sport that blends skill, strategy and power.
6-8 p.m. | Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays | Cripple Creek Parks & Rec Fitness Center | $50 per month or $10 per session
Kendo
Explore this modern Japanese martial art for fitness.
6:30-7:45 p.m. | Cripple Creek Parks & Rec Fitness Center
LIFELONG LEARNING
Women’s Bible Study
Held at Cripple Creek Parks & Rec. 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Wednesdays | Free
GAMES
Bingo
Play at the Aspen Mine Center. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Tuesdays
MEALS & FOOD
Lunch
Enjoy a nutritious meal weekly at the Aspen Mine Center. Donations accepted.
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Wednesdays
COMMODITIES
Qualified residents receive monthly food packages at the Aspen Mine Center.
9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Last Friday | Free ■
Cripple Creek Donkeys
Visit our famous Cripple Creek Donkeys in their winter pasture just off C Street and Thurlow Avenue.
Feed our donkeys approved “donkey biscuits” which can be found at local museums, shops and at the feeding platform located at their winter pasture.
Dine & Play!
From prime rib and seafood buffets to table games and slot machines, the fun never stops! Strike it rich with a wealth of dining and gaming options. Cripple Creek has non-stop fun and action along with something delicious to whet your appetite (and your whistle!)
Rita the Rock Planter
Just a short drive south you’ll find our famous troll, Rita the Rock Planter, crafted entirely from recycled wood.
Created by artist Thomas Dambo, Rita was inspired by the historic mining landscape. Rita kneels, attentively patching holes carelessly left behind by miners in the 1800s.
CROSSWORD
52. Painter Gerard ___ Borch
55. Exec’s note
56. To boot
57. Sheer fabric
59. Boyfriend
60. Make it to the end
61. Bert’s buddy
62. Places to stay
63. “Song of the South” song syllables
64. Royal DOWN
1. Plays a part
2. Ammo
3. Male head of a family
4. “Rocky ___” (1982)
5. King Minos, for one
6. First-year cadet
7. Swedish auto
8. Give it ___
9. Hamilton’s bill
10. Still
11. Accustom
12. Diarist Nin
13. Pouting grimace
22. ___ day now...
23. You ___ right!
50. Where Columbus was
25. Greek goddess of victory
26. Actor Morales
27. Sticky stuff
28. ___ and rave
29. Objects of devotion
30. Hawaiian goose
32. Noncommittal words
33. Detaching
34. Designer Gucci
35. Russian no
37. Aftermath
38. Q.E.D. part
39. Peter Fonda title role
43. Thin and watery
44. Tic-tac-toe win
45. Orifice of a volcano
46. Dutch painter Jan
47. Pertaining to people
48. Benjamin
49. Prefix with dexterity
50. Delighted
51. “___ quam videri” (North Carolina’s motto)
53. Director Kazan
54. Film spool
56. Pie-mode link
58. Metal-bearing mineral
SUDOKU
CLASSIFIEDS
FOR RENT
SENIORS HELP SENIORS
Starting at $60. Free pickup & delivery or up to 2 hours of on-site tune-up, virus removal and/or training. Call Richard with SOBE I.T. 719-747-3980.
The Villa at Sunny Vista, a HUD-subsidized senior and disabled adult apartment complex located at 2480 East Dale Street in Colorado Springs, announces their waitlist will close April 4, 2025. Any applications received after April 4, 2025, will not be accepted and will be returned. A notice will appear in this publication when it reopens. The Villa at Sunny Vista is pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.
Maxi’s Dance Group is back! Dance party every Thursday 6-9pm, Eagles Club 1050 S. 21st St. Music for ages 40+, food and drink available for purchase. $8 cover; $5 members. 719-660-1358.
HOME REPAIR
HANDYMAN SERVICES. ODD JOBS Plumbing, Carpentry, Fences, Decks, Doors, and more. (Mowing or yardwork in the spring and summer.) John 719-471-7471.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
MOUNTAIN MEDICAL FOOT CARE. Experienced, local wellness nurses helping seniors put their best foot forward! Now at Westside Community Center. Diabetic care, ingrowns, corns & more. $55. Call 719-510-5990 for appointments.
HELP WANTED
Wanted: Property caretaker, living quarters provided, small salary, close to Pueblo, retired married couple preferred. 719-542-6999
MUSICIAN WANTED
Volunteer brass & wind players wanted for The Salvation Army Colorado Springs Corps Band, 908 Yuma St. 80909. Performs every first Sunday of the month. 10:1512:15pm. For an audition, contact Major Lawrence Shiroma. Cell: 424247-3109. “Sing to the Lord with the sound of a horn.” Psalm 98:5-6
REAL ESTATE
Mobile Home: 2 bedroom, 2 bath, new vinyl windows & furnace, sheds, carport, large lot, great shape, all appliances included, senior park, Colorado Springs on Cascade Ave. $90,000 OBO. 719-358-9442.
SERVICES
“You Can Relax Knowing Helping Hands Are On The Job!” ~ We’re Full-Service Movers ~ PACKING • ALL THE
BETTER HOME AND YARD
Maintenance, Repairs, Yard Work, Organize. 15% Senior Discount (62+). Call Mike - a Senior and Veteran. 719-338-4279, no text, voice mail answered same day.
SENIORS LOVE HELPERS that arrive at the door! If you do heavy lifting, climb ladders, painting, cleaning, cooking or hair care, place an ad in the BEACON. Readers are hunting for your services! 719-900-7664
SERVICES
MODEROW JUNK HAULING Veteran Owned Junk Hauling and Yard Clean Up. Call or Text: 719-432-7672
Reasonable Rates For: Snow Removal (on call), Fence Repairs, Small Engine Repairs, Loading, Hauling, Delivery, Yard Clean-up and More! Call or Text 719-757-8653
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
VOLUNTEER AT SILVER KEY to help provide seniors with meals, rides, companionship, food pantry support, and veterans support. Office staff and handyman tasks are also needed. Please apply online at: silverkey.org/ vip-new/ or call 719-884-2300.
WANTED
1950S-1960S LP’S, 78’S AND 45’S. Blues, jazz, rock ‘n roll, country, Broadway, movie soundtracks, TV, R&B, soul, children’s, spoken word, etc. I’m a collector, not a business. Call me first - I pay the most for your records. 719-633-5848 or 719-440-9288
CASH FOR OLD BANKS AND TOYS, presidential pin back buttons, Simpich dolls, military insignia and memorabilia. Will buy single items or entire collections. 719-632-9904.
VINTAGE ITEMS WANTED. Toys, Comic Books, Halloween, Guitars, Amplifiers, Pedals. I’m a collector, not a business. 719-633-5848 or 719440-9288.
Puzzle Answers
RETAIL
RESTAURANTS
MISCELLANEOUS
3938 Maizeland Rd & Academy
The bumpy road ahead for self-driving cars
By Bill DeVries
Recent headlines suggest that the self-driving cars of the future have arrived. Google sibling Waymo has rolled out paid autonomous taxi rides in Phoenix, San Francisco and Los Angeles, with more cities to come. Tesla unveiled their Robotaxi in October 2024 and plans to commence production in 2027.
This progress is enough to make city planners hopeful for an imminent transformation. But widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles (AVs) could be a long time coming.
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Before self-driving cars can live up to their potential, we need major changes to our physical infrastructure, laws and the way we think.
Currently, the U.S. sees about 40,000 traffic fatalities a year, mostly due to human error. Transportation emits more greenhouse gases than any other sector, and traffic jams cost drivers countless hours of lost time.
AVs paired with well-designed roads can help solve these problems. But to achieve full effectiveness, cities need to incorporate sensor-enabled “smart roads”— dedicated AV lanes that synchronize vehicle movements and detect potential hazards.
Getting those roads built is just one challenge among many.
For AVs to be widely accepted, they need to protect passengers better than human-driven cars. That requires the vehicle’s software to be trained on every possible situation it could encounter.
One approach is extensive real-world testing—logging billions of miles with sensor-equipped vehicles to map streets and refine object detection. But this method is slow. One estimate suggests AVs would need to drive 8.8 billion miles to gather the necessary data.
A more efficient alternative is visual simulation. By creating “digital twins” of physical roadways, companies can simulate real-world environments and test AVs in hazardous conditions without endangering real people.
Producing AVs at scale is another obstacle. Since they use new and complex technological systems, they require a more sophisticated production process. Virtual models and simulations help ensure these technologies work properly before building expensive prototypes.
A lack of clear regulations could also further delay AV adoption. In the absence of federal rules, companies will be left with a patchwork of conflicting state laws, making it difficult for manufacturers to navigate compliance.
Perhaps the greatest challenge will be agreeing on a shared set of ethics. While AVs won’t drive distracted or fatigued, accidents will still happen. Who bears responsibility in a crash—the car manufacturer, the software developer or the passenger? Even more difficult is deciding how AVs should behave when a collision becomes unavoidable. Should a car prioritize protecting its passengers or minimizing casualties? Would consumers buy a car that might sacrifice its own passengers?
Self-driving cars have the potential to create safer streets, increase mobility and make transportation more efficient. But to realize these benefits, we must confront these challenges with smarter infrastructure, clearer regulations and a shared ethical framework. ■
Bill DeVries is the vice president of North America customer solution experiences at Dassault Systèmes. This piece originally appeared on Futurride.com.
us for an exceptional European tour during the year of the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. Visit battlefields and memorials honoring fallen American soldiers. This 12-day tour through France, Luxembourg, Belgium and Holland offers beautiful scenery and cultural highlights. See the Eiffel Tower, River Seine and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, explore the landing beaches and military cemetary of Normandy, visit the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne and the Waal Crossing Memorial in The Netherlands.
Steve Mrozek, Executive Director of the Selfridge Military Air Museum, will personally guide this small-group unforgettable journey through history and culture. Steve has been leading military history tours for the past 24 years, including for Smithsonian Journeys, and began leading tours while he served as the Historian of the 82nd Airborne Division Association. Steve is a 26-year Army Veteran and has fostered a life-long fascination with military history. His travels have taken him across battlegrounds throughout Europe, the Mediterranean region and the United States. An author of several books, Steve brings with him a wealth of experience, a deep understanding of military operations and the ability to provide a clear analysis of the events.
This 12-day tour includes:
Roundtrip Airfare from Colorado Springs
• Fully escorted tour aboard a luxury motorcoach
All entrance fees to museums and monuments
Tour Highlights Include:
• Paris: City tour including all of the major monuments and highlights of the City of Lights
• Reims, France: Museum of the Surrender
• Normandy: Sainte Mere Eglise, Airborne Museum, Ste. Marie du Mont, Normandy American Cemetery, Utah Beach Museum, Utah Beach, Pointe du Hoc, and Omaha Beach
The Netherlands: Eindhoven, Waal Crossing Memorial,
Beautiful hotel accommodations
• Breakfast each morning, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
Free time to explore each city on your own
Windmill at Eerde, Heeswijk Castle, Schooderlogt, Nijmegen, Groesbeek, Netherlands American Cemetery at Margraten
• Belgium: Fort Ebben Emael, Bastogne, Malmedy, and La Gileze
• Luxembourg: Luxembourg American Cemetery, Diekirch Plus many more!
