Centennial Citizen 122922

bread, pastries — and boundaries

Launches second location

BY DEBORAH GRIGSBY DGRIGSBY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

For Julien Renaut, bread is life. But then again, so are croissants, éclairs and other ne pastries.

And while the 36-year-old French-born chef will be among the rst to admit that he was never much of an academic, his prowess in the kitchen, and as the founder of La Belle French Bakery, is another story.

La Belle, or “the beautiful,” as it translates, is the area’s newest

connection to all things deliciously French and a manifestation of Ranaut’s lifelong dream to lead and grow a team of prominent pastry professionals.

Renaut describes La Belle as a boutique French bakery,

SEE LA BELLE, P6

Small drop unlikely to reverse skyrocketing home prices

Sellers, buyers play waiting game

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Danielle and Stephan Storinsky “saw the writing on the wall.” It foretold how the housing market might change. So, earlier this year, the married couple sold their Arvada townhome.

ey timed it just right. ey capitalized before concerns about in ation took center stage. ey sold their home when the metro area was gripped by historically high housing prices.

ey bought their townhome about ve years ago for $285,000. ey sold for $521,000.

“ at part’s pretty nice because now we have a decent amount of money to put down on something,” Stephan Storinsky said.

But now, on the other side of cashing in, they nd themselves playing a waiting game. Even with the tidy pro t they hauled in, they are struggling to nd a home at a good value.  Houses on the market today “are just not worth the price that people are asking,” said Stephan Storinsky.

e couple are living with parents, constantly keeping their eyes open for a good deal.

e couple isn’t alone. While the number of available metro area houses shot upward in a year, so has the number of days those homes are

CITY TO THE SLOPES Initiative aims to help city kids make tracks

Wild, crazy and definitely not your traditional French bakery, French-born Julien Renaut says many Americans may not know that when it comes to French bakeries, there is a very large range of possibilities — and chef styles. While he always respects the fundamentals, the 36-year-old chef is not afraid to experiment with tradition.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LA BELLE FRENCH BAKERY

Flu cases, hospitalizations on the rise

O cials push for vaccinations

BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Flu cases are on the rise, and according to state health o cials, hospitalizations are higher this year than they have been in the past 10 years. e surge has a variety of causes, including people not getting the u shot as consistently as in past years.

Dr. Ben Usatch, UCHealth ER director at Highlands Ranch Hospital, said COVID vaccinations brought on this onslaught of “mixed emotions” that resulted in other annual shots being a ected — u shots being one of them.

“ e bottom line is u vaccines are the best protection to get through the season,” Usatch said. “ ey do not hit the target right on the head, but they make a big di erence.”

In reality, said Dr. Reginald Washington, HealthOne chief medical o cer for Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Hospital and Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, with all the u strains, the vaccine’s e ectiveness is between 50% and 70%. But even with those odds, people fare better through the season with the shot that has nothing to do with COVID.

“Flu vaccines are not 100% e ective,” Washington said, “they never have been. is year, it is 70% e ective. People are just tired of being told to get a vaccine. But it does need to be updated every year.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Prevention (CDC), recent studies show that getting a u vaccination can reduce the risk of u illness between 40% and 60% during u season.

Even with the vaccination burnout, Colorado residents have already exceeded last year’s u-shot numbers, according to the Colorado Department of Health and Environment, with 1.68 million getting the u shot. Last year at the same time, 1.66 million were vaccinated. Still hospitalizations are increasing and health o cials say people are not getting the shot at rates they did before the COVID pandemic.

Brian Spencer, with the state health department, provided data showing that pre-pandemic numbers

had higher rates of vaccinations in Colorado. During the 2018-19 u season, 1.9 million got the u shot. In 2019-20 just over 2.1 million got the annual shot.

“In some states, u cases and hospitalizations are at their highest marks since the H1N1 u pandemic back in 2009,” said Dr. Eric France, chief medical o cer of the state health department. “Flu vaccines are recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older, with rare exceptions. Flu vaccines are the best way to prevent spreading the u to people who are most at risk, including older adults, young children, people who are pregnant, and people with certain chronic health conditions.”

According to the state health department, it can take up to two weeks for the shot to be fully e ective, which means during holiday gatherings this month, the unvaccinated can spread the u faster.

On a national level, the CDC reported at least 13 million have had the u already this year, with 120,000 hospitalized. ere are more than 7,300 deaths reported.

According to state health data,

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cases in Colorado include:

• ere were 306 people hospitalized with in uenza during the week ending Dec. 3, for a total of 952 people hospitalized with u since Oct. 2.

• ere have been 1,700 RSV-associated hospitalizations in the vecounty Denver metro area, which includes Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas, Je erson and Douglas counties, since Oct 1.

e state health department recommends:

• Adults 65 years and older should get one of three speci c u vaccine types. If one of these three products is not available, people aged 65 years and older can get any other age-appropriate in uenza vaccine. People can talk to their doctors about which vaccine is best for them.

• Children younger than 9 years old who are either getting the u vaccine for the rst time or have only previously received one dose of the vaccine should get two doses of the vaccine. e second dose should be given at least 28 days after the rst dose.

• Pregnant women have more seri-

ous complications if they get the u. e u vaccine can be given in any trimester of pregnancy.

Medicare, Medicaid, CHP+, and most private health insurers cover the full cost of the u vaccine. Coloradans without health insurance can still get the u vaccine for free at certain health care providers. Call ahead or schedule online with your local pharmacy or health care clinic to make an appointment for the u vaccine.

With the trifecta of COVID, RSV and u cases increasing, Dr. Sam Dominguez, the infectious disease specialist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, said children should not only get updated u vaccinations but should also have the COVID and chickenpox vaccinations.

With RSV and group A strep cases increasing, Dominguez advised parents that being fully vaccinated and keeping kids home when sick will help decrease illness this season.

Washington said besides vaccinations, practicing good hygiene in washing hands and getting tested for COVID, RSV and the u when symptoms are persistent is important.

Flu vaccinations still have not gone back to pre-pandemic numbers and cases and hospitalizations are increasing. SHUTTERSTOCK

What’s in a domain name?

and the White House because of the state.co.us domain extension, according to the proposal. at’s because a .gov email address is required to register for the brie ngs.

BY JESSE PAUL THE COLORADO SUN

Gov. Jared Polis’ administration wants to spend $2 million to change Colorado’s state government website and email domain extensions to .gov from state.co.us in a proposal billed as a way to mitigate cybersecurity risks and make it easier for state o cials to participate in federal brie ngs.

Until recently, all email addresses for state employees used the state. co.us domain name extension. e transition to .gov has already begun, but the Governor’s O ce of Information Technology is asking state lawmakers to let it spend $2 million to complete the switch.  Brandi Simmons, a spokeswoman for the o ce, declined to comment on the proposal since it’s still being considered by the legislature’s Joint Budget Committee. “We don’t have anything to share at this time,” she said.

But in a proposal sent to the JBC this month, the Governor’s O ce of Information Technology said the state.co.us domain extension poses a “serious security risk,” particularly when it comes to “phishing,” which is when bad actors try to use a deceptive email address to trick people into disclosing sensitive information or clicking on a dangerous link. “.us domains are subject to phishing attempts,” the budget proposal said. “Anyone can register a .us domain through many of the publicly available domain registrar. For instance, someone could register ‘co. state.us’ or ‘state.col.us’ or ‘states. co.us.’ then email our users from these fake domains.”

Colorado o cials have also had di culty participating in security brie ngs with federal agencies

Exceptions have to be made for Colorado o cials when they want to join the federal security brie ngs, which the governor’s o ce called “a barrier to entry.”

e proposal said Colorado is one of only seven states that still use a .us domain extension. Other states have transitioned to .gov domain extensions, which can’t be created or modi ed without government authentication and validation.

“I just kind of thought an extension was an extension,” said Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, an Arvada Democrat and chair of the JBC.

Scott ompson, a nonpartisan JBC sta er, said “going to .gov does give us that extra layer” of security protections.

Some state websites, including Colorado’s main landing page and the legislature’s website, already use the .gov domain extension. And some state employees’ email addresses now carry the .gov extension, too.

Jarrett Freedman, a spokesman for the Colorado House Democratic caucus, said his email switched over to the .gov domain extension Dec. 1.

But Colorado’s move to .gov isn’t complete.

e Colorado Secretary of State’s

O ce website, for instance, is sos. state.co.us, though it’s in the process of transitioning fully to coloradosos.gov. And Simmons declined an interview request from e Colorado Sun from a state.co.us email address.

is story is from e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support e Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com.

e Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

Local tea shop hosts Grinch-themed service

Annual event a success

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Part of Carolyn Autry’s holiday celebration this year was studying Dr. Suess’ “ e Grinch.” e original version, the Jim Carrey version and even the animated 2018 version starring Benedict Cumberbatch.

After all, she had to put time into it if she wanted to create the perfect menu.

On Dec. 17 and 18, patrons at Lynn’s Tea Shop and Café enjoyed Autry’s menu of Grinchthemed delicacies during its rst annual Grinch Tea Service. From “Betty Lou Who’s Roast Beast Canape” to “Mt. Crumpit Scones,” guests ate until their hearts – and bellies -were no longer three sizes too small.

“I hope that everybody left enjoying the food and having a really good time, and that they’re looking forward to future events that we do,” Autry said.

Jessi Hosler, who lives about ve minutes away from the shop, said the

food was delicious.

“My favorite thing… out of the whole thing was their ‘Grinch Garlic In Your Soul Rolls,’” she said. “It was so good, like my eyes rolled back into my head.”

Her other favorite part of the event was when the Grinch himself caused some mischief.

“ ey had a really fun little Grinch running around and he even stole our Pantookas Popcorn — how dare he!,” she said.

But just as in the lm, the green thief had a redemption arc during tea time.

“At the end of the tea, the Grinch of course gets his heart,” said Autry. “And so then he goes back around and, you know, he gives things back to everybody… It was so much fun.”

e event, which guests had to make reservations for ahead of time, was for patrons of all ages. Hosler said she though there were even more adults than there were children.

Since Autry opened Lynn’s Tea Shop and Café at the start of 2019, she has hosted regular tea services as well as themed events.

e Grinch Tea Service is a new addition to her an-

nual calendar, which also includes a popular Harry Potter Tea Service every July.

Autry said she hopes her shop can be a space of familiarity and fun gathering for community members.

“ e majority of our people that come in there are more like a family,” she said.

For Hosler, the shop is a very special place – not only because of the delicious soups, sandwiches, pastries, tea and cute teacups — but also because of the atmosphere.

“I just think it has a lovely atmosphere. e people there are lovely, they’re always warming and always just a great time,” she said.

“I think everyone should go and take their kids and nieces and nephews and whatever — Have a good time!”

Lynn’s Tea Shop and Café is open from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and o ers regular tea services every day between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m, according to Autry.

Reservations for tea services should be made 48 hours in advance at https://lynnstea.com/teaservices.

Carolyn Autry posing with her son, Dillon Autry, who is dressed as The Grinch. During the tea service, he caused mischief stealing snacks from patrons’ tables.

PHOTO BY CAROLYN AUTRY

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LA BELLE

specializing in a wide range of laminated dough, scones, mu ns, and even gluten-free items. ere are savory items, salmon quiche, breakfast sandwiches, and most importantly co ee.

“We make our own (co ee) syrups,” he said. “We try to make everything ourselves—eclairs, chocolate mousse, mocha—everything that a boutique pasty shop in France would have.”

Renaut says most Americans don’t realize that there is a very wide range of products and styles when it comes to French bakery goods.

“ e fundamentals of French baking are the same and need to be respected,” he said. “But there are more than 40,000 bakeries in France and each chef there has his own style. My bakery is very innovative, is very modern, and we have crazy stu , but it is still French. We like to open up more of the senses.”

But the story of how Renaut arrived at his newest retail shop in south Denver is almost as experimental as his wildly colorful and over-the-top culinary creations.

Before the pandemic, La Belle sold strictly to co ee shops, hotels and ne restaurants. But when public health restrictions forced many of his clients to close, Renaut was forced to rethink his large commercial operation in ornton if he wanted the business to survive.

Layo s were not an option, so on a whim, Renaut posted a video on social media announcing the bakery would sell to the public while restaurants were closed.

He built a small, rudimentary retail shop in the back of his warehouse, and was able to sustain his business and employees.

“But then the sales never slow down,” he said. “I have a retail location in ornton on top of a wholesale location—and a new opportunity.”

Fast forward to today, Renaut now has 38 employees and

two retail locations, the newest located in the Arapahoe Marketplace Shopping Center, near Interstate 25 and Arapahoe Road.

“I started my career as a pastry chef when I was 17,” said Renaut. “ e reason for that was I was not good at school, and it was not the direction I wanted to take.”

Growing up in a tough neighborhood in the north of France, near the Belgium border, Renaut said was bullied during his last year of school.

“My parents said to me I must decide to either stay in school, work or look into opportunities for an apprenticeship,” he said. e world is grateful Renaut chose the apprenticeship.

“I start and I fall in love with the work—with making pastries,” Renaut said. “I think it was the creativity that you need to have to deliver something spectacular to the customer.”

Renaut feels deeply that when customers eat his pastries, there is a connection that happens between the chef and the customer.

“ ere is the satisfaction of the customer when they try your pastries,” he explained. “ ey validate it is of high quality, and anytime they eat your pastry, especially, for example, a birthday cake, you are part of that celebration.”

And this year, Chef Julien hopes customers will connect and celebrate the holidays with him as La Belle o ers up a joyous lineup of Bûche de Noël.

Yes, Bûche de Noël, that same fancy chocolate cake WGBH Boston and Julia Child introduced Americans to in 1964, adorned with tiny mushrooms made from meringue and recklessly ung strands of hot caramel.

“ e Bûche de Noël is supposed to represent a log of wood that we cut for Christmas time because you need to warm up your house,” said Renaut. “So, a pastry chef created the log, and then so as a tradition, on Christmas, you have this dessert to share with your family.”

Renaut says this Christmas, a Yule Log cake will be on almost

La Belle French Bakery has opened a new retail location in Greenwood Village. The high-end boutique pastry ship features fresh French co ee to complement a lineup of traditional — and avant-garde — pastries.

Chef Julien Renaut began his career as a French pastry chef at the age of 17. Now, the 36-yearold French-born chef leads a team of 38 employees and is the founder of La Belle French Bakery in Thornton, but has just opened a second boutique retail shop in Greenwood Village.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LA BELLE FRENCH BAKERY

FROM

every table in France.

“As a wholesaler, I was not meant to create that Yule Log,” he said, “but I miss it, personally and I wanted to have one on my table, but I also wanted to show people that this tradition means a lot to me.”

And there’s more than just that chocolate cake, Renaut says his favorite Bûche de Noël is hazelnut, although the classic French Yule Log, he points out, is made with buttercream.

e butter cream is very traditional but again, Renaut emphasizes deference to the individual chef’s signature style.

“I make mine with Chantilly (cream) because it’s a lot lighter, “he said. But among all of the varied ingredients that Renaut uses, perhaps the most important ingredient is his commitment to growing his business and his employees.

In a way, Renaut views La Belle as more than just a bakery. He likes to think of it as a place where employees can receive more than just a paycheck.

“I want people to know we are a company that is dynamic, and I try to put e orts in building leadership and self-awareness in my sta ,” he said. “I give guidance to the sta so they can have goals for their lives at La Belle or somewhere else, and for them to execute their own dream, I am trying to give that at least to my employees.”

Corporate orders are welcome and come with delivery from Loveland to Castlerock. Retail orders are available in-store, with limited delivery from the ornton location, only. For more information, store hours and online orders, visit www. labellefrenchbakery.com.

Celebrate Christmas this year with a bit of a French flare—the Bûche de Noël, a traditional French cake created to represent the yule log placed on the fire on Christmas Eve. You can find them at La Belle French Bakery in Greenwood Village in three flavors, hazelnut, chocolate and vanilla with raspberry heart.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LA BELLE FRENCH BAKERY

sitting on the market until they sell, according to the latest report by the Colorado Association of Realtors.

One sign of the cooling real estate market are For Sale signs outside homes, an indication realtors are no longer overwhelmed by prospective clients.

e shift comes as mortgage rates — the amount of interest people pay on their home loans — ticked steadily upwards in recent months, making housing that’s been rising in price for the better part of a decade even costlier. e only light at the end of the tunnel lately could be a slight drop in interest rates. But a drop in home prices might not be in the cards, one metro-area realtor says.

“I think it’ll be a small increase throughout the rst half of the year and then potentially a small decrease the last half of the year,” said Andrew Abrams, a real-estate broker in Denver who has rental properties in Je erson County.

But, overall, home prices are expected to keep going up, Abrams said.

As it is, the market is stagnating. Not only are there buyers like the Storinskys playing a waiting game, but

the cheaper mortgage payments they clinched before, likely on mortgage loans with lower interest rates.

“Sellers are hesitant to sell at a lower price than their neighbors from last spring and leave their low interest rate behind, and buyers are afraid what the future will bring in terms of interest rates and home prices,” opined Kelly Moye, a Realtor in the Boulder and Broomeld area, in a statement.

A short break in price hikes

A deeper dive into the data shows that the median, or typical, price of a Denver area single-family home has seen a seven-month decline.

e price sat at $587,500 in November — still eye-catchingly high, but just a 1.3% increase from a year earlier, according to the Realtor as-

2021, the change in median home price was up a whopping 18.3% from a year earlier.

Something to keep in mind is that fall months typically see a slowdown in price growth and home sales each year. But the degree of the slowdown since March “has been more dramatic than normal seasonality, and I think that is dictated by interest rates,” Abrams said. It’s a calculation that means big changes for families looking to buy homes. Take, for example, a $600,000 home with a 20% down payment.

If the mortgage interest rate sits at 6.5%, the family’s monthly mortgage payment would be about $3,700, Abrams said. On the other hand, at the 3.5% rate locked in by buyers in years past,

the mortgage monthly payment would be $2,800.

Feeling priced out And so the Storinskys’ strategy to cash out while the market was at a high has come with a down side.

ey were “originally looking at around $650,000, but interest rates the way they are, we’re probably down into the max $600,000. But probably, more realistically, $550,000 to $575,000 is where we’ll end up,” Stephan Storinsky said.

e Storinskys are scouring the north and west metro area for a home – Lakewood, Arvada, Wheat Ridge and part of Westminster.

Danielle Storinsky, 31, a legal assistant, and Stephan Storinsky, 35, a utilities technician, said they’ve been more fortunate than many people in the market.

But the homes he and his wife have seen don’t seem worth it. e listed pictures of a place may “look great,” but in person leave something to be desired, he said.

“I’ve lived here my whole life, and I’ve seen what houses have sold for,” Stephan Storinsky said. “So for me, it’s just not worth it.”

“It’s hard to compete with people from out of state who come from California” and bring large sums of cash, he added. “Seems like you’re pricing the locals out of market.”

e Colorado Association of Realtors de nes the seven-county Denver metro area as Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broom eld, Denver, Douglas and Je erson counties. e association’s latest report is based on November data.

Long-term price drop unlikely, Realtor says

Abrams takes issue with predictions that raise the specter of a housing market crash.

“I disagree pretty strongly, and I think the practices that were done before the Great Recession are dramatically di erent than the market today,” Abrams said, adding that “the lending practices back then were just not nearly as strong.”

Before the Great Recession, banks were giving loans to people they knew couldn’t keep up with them, Abrams said.

Another di erence: Fewer houses are on the market today, Abrams said.

In metro Denver, there were about 7,300 homes on the market as of Nov. 1, but in 2006, there were about 3 1/2 times more homes available, Abrams said.

ough it’s tough to predict the market amid concerns over in ation and interest rates, the metro Denver housing market could behave in a more stabilized way in 2023.

A sign calls attention to a home for sale Dec. 5 in southeast Denver.

PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD

Time for resolutions

EDITOR’S COLUMN

I’ve heard a lot of people over the last few years say they are not doing resolutions anymore. Saying it’s a bad tradition. e more I think about it, the more I have mixed feelings on the topic.

t’s that time of year again when the New Year’s resolution topic comes up. What can we do better in 2023? How can we improve ourselves? Should I really have a resolution?I am a person who does not necessarily wait for a new year to think about how I can improve myself. As a bit of an overachiever, assessing and reassessing myself in life at work, at home and personally is a regular occurrence.

Thelma Grimes

However, with a new year, I often re ect on what I am proud of in the previous year and what I think I can continue doing well and improve on in the new 12-month cycle.

For 2023, my goals are a little di erent than in past years. So often, I set high expectations for how I can do more at work. A big one is always re ecting on what I need to do to be a better parent.

In 2023, one of my goals is centered more on myself. A common statement made to me throughout the years is, “You need to cut yourself a break.” I wouldn’t say that is only in 2022. In fact, I can’t remember a conversation about something I feel I have failed at or not done to my standards in which my parents, husband and other family members have not told me to cut myself a break.

Maybe this can be the year where I take their advice. ere were so many things in 2022 that were out of my control, but I still held myself accountable.

As many of my family and friends will say — It could be I hold myself accountable to a fault. Maybe a lot of us do.

As moms, we are hard on ourselves. Our child makes a mistake — we re ect on what we did wrong as a parent. Maybe they just make mistakes, and our job is to teach them past it and not think it’s something I, or we, did.

I will stand up and say I often blame myself and create plans on what to do when my kids do something. Again, in 2023, I will work harder to teach the kids but work to cut myself a break.

In regular life, I hope to cut myself a break and work a little less hard and stay a little less busy and go back to enjoying some of my hobbies in the New Year.

On a personal note, I love crafting. I make Tshirts and signs, and can spend hours creating things to usually give away. In 2022, I can probably count on one hand the number of projects I did because there were so few.

is hobby allows me to shut o my mind and relax. I am an overthinker on every level. In 2023, working to shut my brain o is me trying to better myself.

Do I know if this will work? I do not know, but I know the point of resolutions is to try to do better in an area of our lives that needs improvement. In 2023, I’m sure I am not alone in thinking that being more vigilant and thoughtful to our own personal needs is not a bad place to start in the new year.

elma Grimes is the south metro editor for Colorado Community Media.

LINDA

MICHAEL

Behind every door is opportunity for change

L

A

publication

SHAW Community Editor tshaw@coloradocommunitymedia.com

This time of year, I have often written about goal setting and goal achievement in the past as New Year’s Eve in all its New Year’s resolution splendor calls for us to think about what we may want to change, do differently, do better, or improve. Some take this time very seriously and have a well thought out and balanced plan for how they are going to enter the year, start strong and finish even stronger. Others take a more casual approach, maybe even waiting right

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a st week I was speaking with the CEO of one of our customers and he shared with me that although he has been in his role for almost two years, he feels like every door he opens presents itself with an opportunity for improvement. And although he was referring to the areas of his business, it made we wonder if the rest of us maybe looked for doors to open where we could also make improvements personally or professionally.up unto the clock strikes midnight before declaring their resolution.

And then there are those of us who simply do not believe in the nonsense of New Year’s resolutions — if we are going to make changes and improvements, we just get it done on our time and when we are good and ready.

Let’s revisit what my customer shared about opening doors and finding opportunities to improve. What would it look like if we put some intentionality behind this year’s game plan for our lives, goal setting, or business planning? Looking at all doors, every area of our personal and professional life, to identify areas that if we made some level of improvement, that it would bring us greater joy, success, wealth, vitality, or help to get us in better shape physically, mentally, or spiritually.

Maybe we start by looking to open those doors that we haven’t opened in a long time. As a matter of fact, these doors have remained locked for so long that we must give them a firm tug to pry them open. These

SEE NORTON, P11

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LIVING AND AGING WELL

Take part in lifetime learning

At the Douglas County Seniors’ Council Meeting on Thursday, Feb. 2, you’ll be introduced to a program that anyone of a certain age will appreciate. It is called OLLI at DU, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at University of Denver. OLLI offers an array of online and in-person classes that will spark your interest in a range of subject areas.

You’ll also get a sample course from OLLI at DU instructor and travel writer Bruce Caughey who has been teaching various courses for OLLI over the past four years. No matter how long you have lived in Colorado, Caughey will find a way to surprise you with what he has learned during a lifetime of travel. Come enjoy a multimedia and slide show presentation entitled “Out of the Way Places in Colorado” and learn about the many other courses that OLLI at DU provides in a relaxed, non-competitive atmosphere.

OLLI at DU has been around for 26 years and is now taking registrations for its Winter Term that starts on Jan. 9 (https://portfo-

lio.du.edu/olli). Courses last four to eight weeks and are facilitated by experienced and passionate teachers. Try one of the following courses: Aging and Spirituality; Alfred Hitchcock movies; Economic Crashes and Crises; Historical Survey of Yellowstone National Park; New Yorker Essays from a Chaotic Decade (1960s); or Essential Jazz Recordings.

OLLI at DU recognizes that we need to maintain our social connections and we offer many ways to connect with those who have a similar interest in lifelong learning. We offer special blended learning sessions with excursions, as well as social and travel outings for our members.

Lifelong learning does have an impact and we should pay attention to the research that shows that staying cognitively active throughout life — via social engagement and intellectual stimulation — is linked to better health and overall quality of life.

Learning with other like-minded adults has documented positive effects on wisdom, motivation, social interaction and general wellbeing. This impact was the inspiration behind the foundation of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute network (OLLI) back in 1977. OLLI at DU is part of a network of more than 150,000 students at 124 institutes across the U.S OLLI at DU is proud to announce a part-

nership with Douglas County Libraries. Caughey’s weekly “Travel Sampler” will kick off at the Parker Library each week starting on Jan. 11. He will provide details on his journeys across Colorado, New Zealand, Greece and, most recently, the United Kingdom and Ireland. Stay tuned for information about five other OLLI at DU classes to be held at various Douglas County Libraries during 2023.

Please plan to attend the meeting on Thursday, Feb. 2 at the library in Castle Rock, 100 S Wilcox, from 10-11:30 am. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Bruce Caughey co-authored “The Colorado Guide,” “Colorado’s Best” and “Crete: Off the Beaten Track” and has written dozens of freelance projects in magazines and newspapers. He served as the communications director for Douglas County Schools before being named the executive director of CASE (Colorado Association of School Executives). He retired from that role in 2016 and has served as a consultant, writer, board member and most importantly, an instructor at OLLI at DU. portfolio.du.edu/olli

This column is hosted by the Seniors’ Council of Douglas County. For more information on meetings and activities, visit www.MyDougCo. Email us at dcseniorlife@ douglas.co.us.

NORTON

FROM PAGE 10

are those doors to opportunities that we have always known we should have opened long ago, but we made the decision to focus on those other areas of our lives to make changes to instead. Or our desire to change gave way to laziness, and then laziness gave way to procrastination, and procrastination eventually led to defeat. Next, we can start with those doors of opportunities for change that we opened last year, last month, last week, or even yesterday and then for whatever reason we closed them. We had an inspiring or motivating moment, we opened the door, saw an area of life or work that we wanted to improve, and we may have even started before closing the door again. These are the easiest doors to open and re-explore as they once had our attention and intention to want to change. Something we wanted to start doing or maybe even something we wanted to stop doing, and those feelings are probably still in our hearts and top of mind.

The first doors were those hard

ones, the second doors were the easy ones, and now here are the most intriguing doors. These are the doors of opportunity we have yet to think about. Behind these doors lie untapped potential, new and creative ideas, bold steps, and big goals. By opening these doors, we become energized with new direction, inspired by what we see, and motivated by what we might become along the route of this journey.

Are there doors that are rusted shut, needing to be pried open? Are there doors that could be opened quite easily getting you back on track? Are there doors waiting for you to open, those doors of opportunity that could lead you to bigger and brighter goals and change? I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@ gmail.com, and when we can place intentionality behind seeking opportunity behind all these doors, it really will be a better than good life.

Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.

TURN TO THE COLORADO SUN FOR NEWS ACROSS THE STATE

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In this way, The Sun contributes to a more vibrant, informed and whole Colorado.

The Sun, launched in 2018, is committed to fact-based, in-depth and nonpartisan journalism. It covers everything from politics and culture to the outdoor industry and education.

Now, The Colorado Sun co-owns this and other Colorado Community Media newspapers as a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy. The Sun is CCM’s partner for statewide news.

For Colorado Sun stories, opinions and more, and to support The Sun’s misssion as a member or subscriber, visit coloradosun.com.

Bruce Caughey

Loveland Ski Area partnered with the Chris Anthony Youth Initiative Project to get fifth-graders onto the ski slopes

BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE OLOVE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Coloradans can always look to the west and see the mountains in the distance, but for some who live in the inner cities of Colorado, actually getting to the mountains can be a bigger task. irty- ve fth-graders hit the slopes in Loveland for the rst time on Dec. 13, some even experiencing the mountains for the rst time.

Students from Laredo Elementary School in Aurora came to Loveland Ski Area to ski with professional skier and Snow Sports Hall of Fame inductee Chris Anthony.

Anthony has been working with kids for many years and has hosted his youth program at Loveland for the past three.

e Chris Anthony Youth Initiative Project works to improve the lives of kids through educational enrichment. One of the ways the foundation does this is by busing classes of fth-graders out to Loveland ski area to spend a day learning to ski.

Anthony’s foundation pays for the bus, winter clothes, ski rentals and passes for the children to come experience the slopes. Most kids who come have never skied, and some have never spent time in the mountains despite living in Colorado.

Peter Zola is the teacher for the fth-graders at Laredo Elementary School.

“Every year we have at least two or three kids who have spent most of their life out on the plains in sight of the mountains but never in the mountains,” Zola said.

Zola has been taking his class to ski for eight years and said he always sees great behavior out of his students during this trip. He attributes that success to the active learning the kids get to see and experience on the mountain.

Anthony sees kids get o the bus with a wide range of emotions, from excitement to nervousness for the day. After a day on the slopes, he sees a common thread between all of them.

“No matter what, at the end of the day, all of them, you can see a bright light ignited in the process,” Anthony said.

Some of the kids were star-struck upon seeing Anthony, one even asking the hall of famer to sign his lunchbox.

After donning their coats and dancing out the

morning jitters, the fth-graders were ready to go get tted for skis.

irty- ve fth-graders getting tted for boots, skis and helmets all at the same time was a bit chaotic, but the sta ers at Loveland have done this before. e kids buzzed with excitement and quickly learned about the cumbersome feeling of ski boots.

After getting their skis ready to go, the kids

Loveland saw flurries all day while the kids skied.

PHOTO BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE

‘Entanglements’ show explores ties to nature

The Center for Visual Art, 965 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, will present a new exhibit, “Entanglements,” that explores our connections to the natural world through a variety of lenses, the gallery says. Eleven lensbased national and international artists will consider the complex relationships. e exhibit runs Jan. 13 to March 25. March is the Month of Photography in the Denver art scene. 303-615-0282, msudenver.edu/cva. Opening reception Jan. 13, 6-8 p.m.

SONYA’S SAMPLER

Denver Art Museum

Reminder: “Saints, Sinners, Lovers and Fools: 300 Years of Flemish Masterworks” is only at the Denver Art Museum through Jan. 22 and is a treasure trove of 15th- to 17thcentury Flemish art on a rst visit to the U.S. tickets: denverartmuseum. org, 720-865-4488. is exhibit is in the Hamilton Building.

Tesoro Cultural Center

Tesoro Cultural Center Historic Lecture Series presents “Pandemics on the Santa Fe Trail” by historian John Steinle. roughout the 19th century, successive pandemics engulfed travelers and tribes along the Santa Fe Trail: malaria, smallpox, cholera, in particular. Tesoro lectures will be at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 7 at the Buck Center, 2004 Powers Ave., Littleton; call 303-347-5999. Free, but registration required. On Jan. 8, Steinle will lecture at 1:30 p.m. at Goodson Recreation Center, 6315 S. University Blvd., Centennial. 303-347-5999. Free, but registration required. At 6 p.m. on Jan. 8, Steinle will speak at 6 p.m. at e Fort res-

SKI

FROM PAGE 12

headed out to the snow with the instructors. ey learned how to put on their skis and quickly learned how to get up after they inevitably fell down.

Dan Huston is the director of the ski and ride school at Loveland. He said one of the biggest barriers for people being able to ski is location/ transportation.

“ e mountains and ski areas usually aren’t very close to urban population centers. We’re unique in that we are 56 miles from Denver,” he said.

After working with the program for a few years, Huston knows the impact it has on kids.

“ ey’re gonna remember this for the rest of their lives,” he said.

Mailene Hernandez, one of the fth-graders on the trip, had a lot to say about the day. She said the bus ride to the ski area was full of mixed emotions, but mostly excitement.

“It was a little bit chaotic, but it was good,” Hernandez said. “I was kinda feeling excited and nervous at the same time.”

Hernandez took to the sport easily

taurant, 19192 Morrison Road, followed by dinner with prix xe menu. Call 303-839-1671 to register for dinner and lecture. Menus: TesoroCulturalCenter.org.

Stories on Stage

Stories on Stage presents “A Hall Pass to the Galaxy” at 2 p.m. Jan. 15 at Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, 721 Santa Fe Drive, Denver. Tales from top science ction writers, presented by Annie Barbour, Cajardo Lindsey, Ann Marie Nest. Tickets: $24. A virtual performance will begin at 7 p.m. Jan. 19 and will be available any time after that. A link will be provided to virtual performance ticket holders. storiesonstage. org, 303-494-0523.

Director stepping down

Rich Meredith, Hudson Gardens

and said the process of getting into her skis was pretty natural.

“While I was putting them on I guess I felt a little wobbly, but it was pretty easy,” she said.

Hernandez also had some advice for other kids who might be learning to ski for the rst time.

“It’s really a fun experience, but I do recommend having some ski clothes because of how cold it is, and because you’re going to fall,” she said.

She also went on to say how much of a blessing Chris Anthony was to her class and how happy she was that they even got the opportunity to come.

After lunch, the kids got their skis back on and some of them graduated from the Magic Carpet over to the ski lift. Skiing down the hill was a good opportunity to work on turns and pizza wedges for the fthgraders.

Anthony himself skied along with the kids throughout the day, helping to pick them up when they fell. His presence made the day even more exciting for the kids, with high- ves all around.

Hernandez and other students agreed that if they had the opportunity to ski again, they would denitely take it.

executive director, will retire at the end of 2022 after 22 years at the Gardens in Littleton. South Suburban Parks and Recreation District owns Hudson Gardens and will assume management. hudsongardens.org.

Arvada Center

Arvada Center has announced members of its Black Box Repertory Company and will perform ornton Wilder’s “Our Town,” plus “ e Book Club Play” by Karen Zacarias. Company members: Lavour Addison, Claylish Coldiron, Diana Dresser, Tresha Farris, Kate Gleason, Geo rey Kent, omas Morgan-Arzola, Frank Oden, Samantha Piel, Josh Robinson, Archer Rosencrantz, Emily Van Fleet, Matt Zambrano. Geo rey Kent will direct “Our Town” and Lynne Collins will direct “ e Book Club Play.”

Englewood Arts

Englewood Arts presents the Altius Quartet at 2 p.m. Jan. 18 in Hampden Hall, Englewood City Center, 1000 Englewood Parkway. Quartets by Haydn, Janacek, Brahms. See englewoodarts.org.

Lone Tree

An Evening With Laura Benanti will be presented at 8 p.m. Jan. 13 at Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree. 720509-1000, lonetreeartscenter.org. Benanti is a Tony Award-winning Broadway star and screen actor.

New plays

The Colorado New Play Summit will be held at Denver Center for Performing Arts on Feb. 24-25. denvercenter.org or 303-8936030.

Chris Anthony rode the lift with the kids up the hill.

PHOTO BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE

Felicity Hammond’s “Hidden Gems” is part of the “Entanglements” exhibit at the Center for Visual Art. COURTESY PHOTO

Thelma Grimes: Family fun and entertainment

When you have three kids ranging in age between 6 and 17, family fun can come in a wide variety from the movies and television shows we watch to what we do in the Denver metro area and beyond. For 2022, my top 5 list is all about the memories and best we did and enjoyed as a family.

1. The Colorado Avalanche e top choice for the Grimes

family has to be the Colorado Avalanche winning the Stanley Cup. It was spread over months, not just one day, and we had a blast going to games, attending the watch parties, and tuning in on television as Nathan McKinnon and Captain Gabriel Landeskog brought the title home. My 9-year-old and 6-year-old sons were in total shock when Landeskog gave them high ves and signed their hats. e special

Linda Shapley’s favorite podcasts

Tr aversing the 360 square miles that make up the coverage area for our two dozen newspapers means I spend a lot of time in my car. I live in ornton and work in Englewood. One can only listen to so much music and news — especially when tra c gums up by Mile High stadium. So, I turn to podcasts to make my commute more educational, and, let’s face it, more entertaining. ere are ve local podcasts that I think are worth your time. (I’m sure there are more that I need to hear. Please email me with your suggestions. I have a lot of miles to cover in 2023!)

1. Citycast Denver

I’ve fangirled to host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi at various journalism events, so this No. 1 is no surprise. Every weekday drive, I enjoy their takes on the news in and around the Mile High City. From the legendary Pizza Week battle (which I vehemently disagreed with - Big Bill’s in Centennial RULES!), to the TikTok fame of FashionNation and the programs to boost Black home ownership, I rarely encounter a clunker. e occasional inclusion of stalwart city voices Patty Calhoun and Jo Ann Allen just adds to my joy.

2. ¿Quien Are We?

e laurels that have been given to this podcast, with host May Ortega from Colorado Public Radio, are truly deserved. It debuted in July and was an immediate must-listen. e episodes that struck me the most were the ones that connected so much with my own life as a Latina: e Baseball Fan, e Journalist, and — for someone who every year attempts to replicate my late mother’s recipe for tamales — the Green Chile episode. Can’t wait for Season 2!

3. Lost Highways

Whereas podcast episodes that are “ripped from the headlines” can feel outdated as the news cycle moves on to other things, what I love about history podcasts is that, well, they never get old. Hosts Noel Black and Tyler Hill enlist historians to weave tales on some fascinating gures in Colorado history — Alfred Packer, Mother Jones and the Black men who in ltrated the KKK were featured in 2022 — and bring us back to the era in which they lived in ways both insightful and entertaining.

4. Back From Broken

In another CPR podcast, host

Vic Vela, a former Colorado Community Media reporter, has taken his personal story of recovery and found a way to help others, by sharing remarkable stories of addiction, mental illness or personal injury that transformed someone’s life. ere are times when the stories are super hard to hear, but I’m a believer that listening to a person’s struggles can be the ingredient that increases our capacity for empathy.

5. Daily Sun-Up is feels a little bit like cheating — e Colorado Sun, which produces this podcast, is a newsroom partner (and actually featured me in an episode talking about local news). But e Sun-Up’s quick rundown of the headlines and a focus on one of their many in-depth stories always gives me a quick education about what’s going on in our state.

And here’s a few non-local podcasts that get my attention every week:

Pop Culture Happy Hour - A rotating cavalcade of National Public Radio voices talk about whatever’s new in television, movies, music and books. e diverse voices who are brought on to talk are always interesting and entertaining, and the “What’s Making Us Happy” every Friday is always a must-listen.

Sawbones, a Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine - A weekly dive into ancient (and not-soancient) medical history, from Dr. Sydnee McElroy and husband Justin. From explaining vaccinations and RSV to debunking wellness fads, there’s always something to learn and laugh at here.

Work Life - Wharton professor and organizational psychologist Adam Grant dispenses leadership lessons and more on topics such as creativity, collaboration, burnout and e ective communication, or, in his words, “how to make work not suck.” Whenever I’m in a tough spot career-wise, I look to Grant’s wise counsel to help me think again about new ideas. (FYI, “ ink Again” is the book he wrote about nding di erent ways to approach thorny problems.)

Not Past It - My noted admiration for historical podcasts continues here. Host Simone Polanen takes a notable historical event from that week and goes indepth on it. Want more about the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League after watching “A League of eir Own”? Or remember when Zsa Zsa Gabor slapped that cop? She’s got the details.

Editors Note: Linda Shapley is the Colorado Community Media publisher.

South Metro Editor Thelma Grimes and family had a blast at the playo games and watch parties in 2022 as the Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup. COURTESY PHOTO

Thu 1/05

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Fri 1/06

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Courtney Thompson & Tamari Miyashiro Camp

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Elevation Volleyball Club, 12987 E Adam Aircraft Drive, Englewood. 720-524-4136

Baking Soda Volcano @ 8pm

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Phat Daddy @ 9pm

The Angry Clover, 15350 E Smoky Hill Rd, Aurora Knolls

Basketball: Kinder - Coed - Ages 4 to 6 - Winter 2023

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Parker Recreation Center, 17301 E Lincoln Ave., Parker

Sat 1/07

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Heather Gardens Clubhouse, 2888 S. Heather Gardens Way, Aurora

Soccer: Mini Mite - Ages 3 to 4Winter Indoor 2023 @ 3pm

Jan 7th - Feb 25th

Parker Fieldhouse, 18700 E Plaza Dr, Parker

Bunny Blake Music @ 8:30pm

Colorado Cork & Keg, 971 Park St, Castle Rock

Mon 1/09

School Break Camp - 1/9 @ 7:30am / $45

Parker Fieldhouse, 18700 E Plaza Dr., Parker. 303-805-6315

Torreys Peak Ages 8-11 - 2023 League Session #1 @ 4:30pm / $300

Jan 9th - Mar 4th

Elevation Volleyball Club, 12987 E Adam Aircraft Drive, Englewood. 720-524-4136

Crestone Peak Ages 13-14 - 2023 League Session #1 @ 4:30pm / $300

Jan 9th - Mar 4th

Elevation Volleyball Club, 12987 E Adam Aircraft Drive, Englewood. 720-524-4136

Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver

ARTS: Pottery @ Harvard Gulch @ 1am

Jan 11th - Mar 14th

Harvard Gulch Recreation Center, 550 E. Iliff Ave., Denver. 720-913-0654

ARTS: Pottery @ Platt Park @ 5pm

Jan 11th - Mar 15th

Platt Park Recreation Center, 1500 S. Grant St., Denver. 720-913-0654

Middle School Strength and Conditioning Camps - Camp 2

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Jan 9th - Feb 15th

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Tue 1/10

Culinary: Buddha Bowls (16+yrs) @ 1am

Jan 10th - Jan 9th PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker

Kids’ Zone: Rascal Roundup (3-6 yrs) W/S23 @ 5pm

Jan 10th - Jan 31st

Parker Recreation Center, 17301 E Lincoln Ave., Parker

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Nina Joss: Favorite recipes of 2022

Since moving to Colorado, I’ve really dived into the art of cooking! I grew up in a family that cooked together often. Now that I live away from them, sharing recipes and photos of our food is one of our favorite ways to stay in touch. is list includes some of my favorite recipes of the year (some vegan, some not) and a few ways you can make them your own. Bon Appétit!

1. Miso Maple Tempeh from Natalie Cooks

I don’t tend to eat a lot of meat, so this tempeh recipe has absolutely become a staple for me. Tempeh is a plant-based protein source made form fermented soybeans. To me, it has a much better texture than tofu. With the simple marinade, you can make a quick and avorful meatfree dish, even on a weeknight! I like to add the tempeh to a bowl with rice and whatever veggies I have around – some favorites include, kale, roasted sweet potatoes, avocado, pickled red onions, cashews and a sauce or dressing of your choice.

2. Maialano’s Olive Oil Cake from Food52

is elegant cake is delicious! As a lemon-lover, I decided to substitute lemon zest for orange zest and omit the orange juice and Grand Marnier. Remember to adjust for altitude when baking! It’s delicious with some homemade blackberry compote on top.

3. Pickled Red Onions from Love and Lemons

If you like to cook and you haven’t yet gotten into the quick pickling game, I’d like to welcome you. It’s so cheap, easy and can really enhance any meal. I love to put these pickled onions on bowls, salads, sandwiches or even eat them straight! If you want an extra vibrant color, you can include some of the onion skins

in the mason jar to create a super pretty pink!

4. Baked Pu Pastry Wrapped Brie with Fig Jam from Life Is But A Dish

Not to pat myself on the back, but this quick and easy recipe was a hit at the Colorado Community media holiday potluck! Feel free to include other jams as well if you have some jars in your fridge you want to empty out. I also mixed some lemon juice, cinnamon and clove into the jam to make the whole dish taste a bit more festive.

5. Miso Salmon from Well Plated is sweet-savory salmon is another go-to dinner of mine. I would recommend adding a clove of minced garlic to the glaze and serving the salmon with rice or mashed potatoes and roasted broccoli.

Tayler Shaw: Top activities — for better or worse

Whether it be getting lost in the middle of a lake while paddle boarding at night or making my own pair of shoes, this year has been lled with memorable activities — some for the better, and some for the worst.

In an e ort to try new things this year, myself and a group of friends committed to embarking on di erent adventures.

While not every activity is one I would do again, they collectively made 2022 a more surprising and fun year.

As 2023 approaches, I encourage you to try something new — maybe even something from the list below — and let me know how it goes!

1: Paddle boarding at night

When my friends and I decided to try paddle boarding at night — an organized group activity at the Cherry Creek Reservoir — the last thing we expected was a search party would end up having to look for us.

e night began calmly, as we traveled out on paddle boards into the lake with lit up lanterns. e moon brightly shined upon us as we admired the sky.

But then, we realized we had drifted far away from where we departed. In fact, we weren’t certain exactly where we needed to go to return the paddle boards.

On top of that, the winds began pushing us farther towards the edge of the lake, away from where we needed to go. We anxiously began paddling, trying to get back to where we began.

Somehow, we ended up stuck in the boating dock, unable to nd a

way out. We picked up our heavy paddle boards and walked around a portion of the lake until we found the shack from where we had departed — abandoned.

With no one in sight, we dropped o the paddle boards and our gear before returning to our cars, laughing and wondering how a peaceful night had gone so wrong. en, my friend got a call asking if we were OK and telling us people were searching for us. We couldn’t believe it!  ankfully, everyone was ne and now, my friends and I can’t help but laugh as we think back on it. But be warned — if you go paddle boarding at night, make sure you don’t drift too far.

2: Becoming a shoemaker e art of shoemaking is one I never could fully appreciate until my friends and I took a class in Fort Collins to make our own pair.  e full day experience involved cutting leather, dying it to the color

6.

Lemon-Honey Glazed Carrots from Girl Gone Gourmet

My brother originally shared this simple, cozy, balanced side dish recipe with me. It was a great anksgiving addition for my family this year, but these carrots will work anytime through the winter to warm you up with some sweet yummy veggies!

Grandma Joss’ family cookbook surrounded by dried citrus fruits. PHOTO BY NINA JOSS

The pair of shoes Tayler Shaw made.

of our liking, sewing and gluing it together and voilà! A brand new pair of shoes.

It was a more time consuming process than I had expected, and it gave me such admiration for people who craft shoes. I highly recommend trying it!

3: Yoga on the Rocks

Doing a “Yoga on the Rocks” class, where people get up early in the morning to take a yoga class at Red Rocks, was something I’d been wanting to do for several years. But as a natural night-owl, it wasn’t something that I always prioritized as a weekend activity.  at is, until 2022.

My friends and I were joined by a crowd of people, scattered throughout the amphitheater, as we stretched our stress away. Ironically, I’d say the hardest part of the experience was walking up the stairs to the amphitheater.

Afterwards, we all felt accomplished and relaxed — a great way to start the weekend.

4: Goat yoga

Speaking of yoga, after a few years of hearing about goat yoga but not really knowing what it was all about, my friend and I tried it at a local farm.

Turns out, it’s more about the goats and less about the yoga.

As you follow the guidance of the yoga instructor, a person carrying treats will come near you along with a parade of goats.

e person will drop treats near you, leading to a swarm of goats hopping on top of you, sni ng you and distracting you with their adorable nature.

However, make sure you’re wearing something you don’t care too much about, because the goats may poop on you. I’m speaking, unfortunately, from experience.

5: Painting class

As someone who can tend to be a perfectionist and doesn’t like failure, painting has always been something that intimidates me.

But when my friends and I decided to take a painting class, we became more comfortable with being outside of our comfort zone.

Although none of us felt our paintings turned out as masterpieces, we all enjoyed the process, laughing and giving each other ideas on creative things to add to the art pieces.

It reminded me it’s important to remove the expectation that we always have to be good at the things we do.

Continuing to try new things and be a novice is what keeps life interesting, light-hearted and joyful. It’s the qualities I hope for all of us to have in our lives in 2023.

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Light Housework Needed

Help Wanted for light housework in Highlands Ranch area. Own car needed. $25 per hour plus gas. (303) 791-6070

ERP Functional Analyst

Positions offered by Arrow Electronics Inc. in Centennial, CO. Provides functional expertise & contributes to improvements & enhancements for mission-critical, enterprise-wide information systems in Oracle Financials R12. Employee reports to office in Centennial, CO. Position may work from home but must live within commuting distance of stated office. Arrow Electronics, Inc. has a COVID-19 vaccination policy. For more information to apply online, please visit: http://bitly.ws/ vASx

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Merchandise

Firewood

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Health & Beauty

DENTAL INSURANCE -

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Covers 350 procedures. Real insurancenot a discount plan. Get your free dental info kit! 1-855-526-1060 www.dental50plus.com/58 #6258.

VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS!

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Medical

Attention oxygen therapy users! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. Free info kit. Call 877-929-9587

Miscellaneous

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CLASSIFIED LINE ADS: MONDAY, 5 P.M.

SERVICE DIRECTORY: THURSDAY, 5 P.M.

LEGALS: THURSDAY, 3 P.M.

OXYGEN

7. Homemade Vegan Lasagna with Tofu Ricotta from Hummusapien is dish was a fun dairyfree challenge for me! At rst, I was hesitant about the tofuhummus “ricotta,” but it ended up being delicious. I also added some sliced portobello mushrooms in between layers. You could add spinach, kale, bell peppers or sundried tomatoes as well!

8. Coconut Milk Dark Chocolate Mousse from Jacked on the Beanstalk

Looking for a classy dessert to serve at your New Year’s Eve party? Add a pinch of sea salt before mixing, and you’ve got it right here! Rich, simple and sure to wow your guests.

Potatoes and Crispy Chickpeas from Half-Baked Harvest

I love any and all meals that incorporate tahini, and this dressing is to die for. e crispy chickpeas, sweet potatoes and kale all go together beautifully. Perfect for when you want something hearty and healthy!

10. Dried Orange Garland from Francois et Moi

Although this is not exactly a recipe, it’s a fun food-related creation that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this holiday season! I like to include more citrus than just oranges, like lemons (cook a little shorter than the oranges) and grapefruit (cook a little longer). You can make a garland with these, add them to a wreath or use them as a garnish for your favorite drink!

Editor’s Note: Nina Joss is the Colorado Community Media

Editor for Littleton and Arapahoe County.

FAMILY FUN

FROM PAGE 14

memories of sitting at the rst playo game and hearing the magic of “All the Small ings” play at Ball Arena are just a few reasons this is the top Grimes family source of entertainment for 2022.

2. The Cheyanne Mountain Zoo

Since moving to the Denver area eight years ago, I have often heard about this zoo in Colorado Springs, but 2022 is when we nally took some visiting family members up the mountain way. is zoo is fantastic. Feeding the gira es and enjoying the mountainside layout made it an instant Grimes family favorite.

3. Glenwood Springs

Wanting a good weekend getaway that could become a family favorite, we found Glenwood Springs. e hot springs pool, a town that allows you to walk anywhere, the Colorado Hotel with great history and rumors of a ghost make this a great weekend family get-

away that every member of the family has enjoyed multiple times in 2022.

4. Family Sports Complex

In Centennial, South Suburban’s Family Sports Complex has become a regular for the Grimes family. With one son fully immersed in Arapahoe Warrior hockey and the rest of us just enjoy open skate time, this complex o Arapahoe Road is a great source for family entertainment and fun. On a side note, the family also loves the ice-skating rink in Parker. Any kind of ice skating is really a huge draw for the family in 2022

5. Denver Zoo

While we enjoyed the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, a constant family favorite year after year is the Denver Zoo. We love the hippo, Mahali. e kids also love the sea lions constantly ghting over one rock. Adults in the family tend to love the orangutan enclosure.

Editor’s Note: elma Grimes is the south metro editor for Colorado Community Media.

OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN OF THE DEED OF TRUST.

NOTICE OF SALE

The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, described herein, has filed Notice of Election and Demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will

at public auction, at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, 02/22/2023, at The East Hearing Room, County Administration Building, 5334 South Prince Street, Littleton, Colorado, 80120, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of the said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)' heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys' fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will issue to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law

First Publication: 12/29/2022

Last Publication: 1/26/2023

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent

IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED;

DATE: 10/21/2022

Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee in and for the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado

By: Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee

The name, address, business telephone number and bar registration number of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

Erin Croke #46557

Steven Bellanti #48306

Holly Shilliday #24423

Recording Date of Deed of Trust March 02, 2017

Recording Information (Reception No. and/or Book/Page No.) D7024666

Original Principal Amount $381,000.00

Outstanding Principal Balance $135,149.13

Pursuant to CRS §38-38-101(4)(i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the evidence of debt secured by the deed of trust and other violations thereof.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

LOT 12, BLOCK 2, UHLMAN SUBDIVISION SECOND FILING, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO.

Also known by street and number as: 3296 S FOX ST, ENGLEWOOD, CO 80110.

THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN OF THE DEED OF TRUST.

NOTICE OF SALE

The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, described herein, has filed Notice of Election and Demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.

First Publication: 12/29/2022 Last Publication: 1/26/2023

Name of Publication: Littleton

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will at public auction, at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, 02/15/2023, at The East Hearing Room, County Administration Building, 5334 South Prince Street, Littleton, Colorado, 80120, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of the said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)' heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys' fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will issue to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law.

First Publication: 12/22/2022

Last Publication: 1/19/2023

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent

IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED;

DATE: 10/14/2022

Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee in and for the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado By: Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee

The name, address, business telephone number and bar registration number of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

Amanda Ferguson #44893 Heather Deere #28597

Toni M. Owan #30580

Halliday, Watkins & Mann, PC 355 Union Blvd., Ste. 250, Lakewood, CO 80228 (303) 274-0155

©Public Trustees' Association of Colorado Revised 1/2015

Legal Notice NO. 0533-2022

First Publication: 12/22/2022

Last Publication: 1/19/2023

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent COMBINED NOTICE - PUBLICATION CRS §38-38-103 FORECLOSURE SALE NO. 0523-2022

To Whom It May Concern: This Notice is given with regard to the following described Deed of Trust: On October 7, 2022, the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in the County of Arapahoe records.

Original Grantor(s) STANLEY JAMES O'HALLORAN

Original Beneficiary(ies)

MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., ACTING SOLELY AS NOMINEE FOR VECTRA BANK COLORADO, NA Current Holder of Evidence of Debt NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC Date of Deed of Trust December 12, 2008

County of Recording Arapahoe Recording Date of Deed of Trust December 19, 2008 Recording Information (Reception No. and/or Book/Page No.) B8137580

Original Principal Amount $170,482.00

Outstanding Principal Balance $129,237.38

Pursuant to CRS §38-38-101(4)(i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Failure to pay principal and interest when due together with all other payments provided for in the evidence of debt secured by the deed of trust and other violations thereof.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

LOT 8, BLOCK 1, SOUTH PARK, COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO. Also known by street and number as: 6492 SOUTH CEDAR STREET, LITTLETON, CO 80120.

THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED BY THE LIEN OF THE DEED OF TRUST.

NOTICE OF SALE

The current holder of the Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, described herein, has filed Notice of Election and Demand for sale as provided by law and in said Deed of Trust.

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that I will at public auction, at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, 02/08/2023, at The East Hearing Room, County Administration Building, 5334 South Prince Street, Littleton, Colorado, 80120, sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of the said Grantor(s), Grantor(s)' heirs and assigns therein, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness provided in said Evidence of Debt secured by the Deed of Trust, plus attorneys' fees, the expenses of sale and other items allowed by law, and will issue to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law.

First Publication: 12/15/2022

Last Publication: 1/12/2023

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent

IF THE SALE DATE IS CONTINUED TO A LATER DATE, THE DEADLINE TO FILE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO CURE BY THOSE PARTIES ENTITLED TO CURE MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED; DATE: 10/07/2022

Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee in and for the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado

By: Susan Sandstrom, Public Trustee

The name, address, business telephone number and bar registration number of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is: Anna Johnston #51978

Ryan Bourgeois #51088

Joseph D. DeGiorgio #45557

Randall Chin #31149

Barrett, Frappier & Weisserman, LLP 1391 Speer Boulevard, Suite 700, Denver, CO 80204 (303) 350-3711

Attorney File # 00000009622739

The Attorney above is acting as a debt collector and is attempting to collect a debt. Any information provided may be used for that purpose.

©Public Trustees' Association of Colorado Revised 1/2015

Legal Notice NO. 0523-2022

First Publication: 12/15/2022

Last Publication: 1/12/2023

Name of Publication: Littleton Independent

Storage Liens/Vehicle Titles

Public Notice

Take notice that on Friday, January 13, 2023, at Noon, goods held on account of Marie Filiaga/ Marie Mageo will be sold by public auction at Centennial Moving and Storage Co., 7009 S. Jordan Road, Centennial, Colorado 80112 in satisfaction of unpaid charges incurred in connection with storage services. The goods to be sold include: personal household goods, and items used in a bathroom, bedroom, dining room, living room, kitchen, den, garage and office.

Legal Notice No. 530890-60890

First Publication: December 22, 2022

Last Publication: December 29, 2022

Publisher: Littleton Independent and the Centennial Citizen

9. Kale Caesar Salad with Sweet

community