SEE COFFEE

the team that started the shop did a lot of the construction themselves — outside of the 9-to-5 jobs they hold for MANNA Worldwide, the nonprofi t that owns Mango Tree.

They found the location at Broadway and Hampden a couple of years ago and didn’t mind the building’s “dilapidated state” because it was in an up-and-coming area, full of other new businesses doing renovations.

“We could come in and do the work,” Corona said. “And we were getting a great location with that.”

Meanwhile, Brad Nixon was approaching a decade of serving jitter juice in CityCenter when a ruptured 4-inch sprinkler pipe closed the Englewood location of Nixon’s Coffee in December 2020.

“That was kind of the kickoff to what we felt like we were going to do anyway — remodel the place,” said Nixon, who owns Nixon’s Coffee with his wife, Caren.

The work took longer than Nixon had hoped due to a shortage of laborers and a “calamity of things” he was uninterested in dwelling on. “That’s behind us,” he said.

He’d rather talk about his love for Englewood, “a small town in a big city,” and the cross section of people that he sees come through the shop.

“We try to create an environment where people like to come and stay with us for a while,” he said. “We love to see that cross pollination of thoughts, ideas, lifestyles, culture.”

Juliane Cassidy walks toward home after enjoying a drip co ee in her reusuable mug at Mango Tree Co ee in Englewood on Aug. 26.

PHOTOS BY RACHEL LORENZ SEE COFFEE, P7

Drew Macalady prepares a beverage at Nixon’s Co ee in Englewood on Aug. 17.

The coffeehouse, with its streamlined bar and large windows, offers grab-andgo food like sandwiches and salads from Share Good Food. Nixon’s is also a kombucha taphouse and serves up eight to 10 local brews every day.

But beyond satiating Englewood’s thirst and hunger, Nixon said he and his employees know they have the opportunity to change the trajectory of each customer’s day.

“So, number one core value here for us is loving everybody that comes through the door,” he said.

Like Nixon, Corona said Mango Tree Coffee wants patrons to leave “feeling more valued than when they came in.”

And that devotion to people extends beyond its customers. Mango Tree Coffee, with its red-brick walls and exposed ductwork, was born out of a love for children that paired up with a love for coffee.

The shop is part of MANNA Worldwide, which has about 200 projects in 45 countries working to rescue kids from poverty, Corona said. Everything from nutrition programs to orphanages, medical clinics and schools.

Mango Tree’s profi ts help fund those endeavors.

“When you partner your passions together, that ends up being more successful because you enjoy doing it,” Corona said. “I think people are attracted to passion.”

Nixon’s Coffee is located at 871 Englewood Parkway and is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day. Mango Tree Coffee is located at 3498 S. Broadway. It’s open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

Kimberly Rivera, Isabel Schley, Nathan Hoag and Joe Lloyd sit in Mango Tree Co ee in Englewood on Aug. 26. PHOTO BY RACHEL LORENZ

Your Financial Assistance Use a Reverse Mortgage to Fund Retirement

by Matt Witt

Are you a homeowner 62 or older? Have you ever found yourself having to choose between buying food or medicine? How about having to put o a medical or dental procedure due to limited funds? If you have been faced with having to make a tough nancial decision of any kind stop reading and call 720-458-4034 to speak to the local reverse mortgage experts at Silver Leaf Mortgage right now. Did you know the proceeds from a reverse mortgage are tax-free money that may be used in any way you choose? For some it’s the instant, lifesaving help needed today. For others, it’s the safety net for your future or the unplanned life events like medical emergencies that may arise. Qualifying for a reverse mortgage, it’s simple and easy. Quali cation is based on these important factors: • You (the borrower) must own the home. • You must be 62+. (A non-borrowing spouse may be under 62.) • e home must be your primary residence (you live there at least six months and one day per year).

According According to author Wade Pfau, PhD, CFA, nancial planning research has shown that coordinated use of a reverse mortgage early in retirement outperforms a “last resort” reverse mortgage. A reverse mortgage is a retirement tool that can be incorporated as part of an overall retirement cash ow plan. Coordinating retirement spending from a reverse Even if you have bad credit, have had a bankruptcy, or a foreclosure, you are not disquali ed. In most cases there is a remedy for past credit problems. So, don’t mortgage reduces strain on the investment think you can’t get the help you need. portfolio. is helps manage the risk of Let us help you navigate these di cult having to sell assets at a loss during market nancial times, call your local experts downturns. at Silver Leaf Mortgage today at Reverse mortgages can actually sidestep 720-458-4034 to see if a Reverse this risk by providing an alternate source of Mortgage is right for you. cash during market declines, creating more opportunity for the portfolio to recover. Additionally, opening a reverse mortgage early—especially when interest rates are low—ensures the principal limit (loan balance plus remaining line of credit) will continue to grow throughout retirement. To qualify for a government-insured reverse mortgage, at least one borrower must be 62, the home must be your primary residence, and you should have 40–60% equity. Most types of properties are acceptable. A Reverse Mortgage is also a non-recourse loan, meaning even if your home loses value due to a market downturn, you or your heirs can never be “under water.” And just to clarify—because I hear this a lot—you are the only one who owns your home and its equity. e bank does not. e reverse mortgage is not repaid until the last borrower leaves the home.

You owe it to yourself to get the facts. Call me today to see if a Reverse Mortgage can help you fund your Silver Leaf Mortgage, Colorado’s #1 retirement. I promise we will never pressure Reverse Mortgage Broker. you or guide towards a product that won’t Matt Witt, NMLS #1638881, meet your needs. We’ll simply answer your President at Silver Leaf Mortgage questions and help you determine if a in Centennial. Reverse Mortgage is right for you. Contact me at: 720-458-4034, Matt Witt, NMLS #1638881, or you can email me at: President at Silver Leaf Mortgage MattW@SilverLeafMortgage.com in Centennial. * e homeowner is still responsible for applicable Contact me at: 720-458-4034, property taxes and homeowner’s insurance, as well or you can email me at: as maintaining the property. MattW@SilverLeafMortgage.com

720-458-4034

Colorado’s #1 Reverse Mortgage Broker Colorado’s#1 Reverse Mortgage Broker

Mortgage Company Reverse Mortgage Company Mortgage Agent Call within the next 30 days and choose one of these great offers: choose one of these great offers:

• A Free Appraisal • A Free Home Inspection • $1,000 Paid Towards Closing Costs

Offer Code 0101CCM

Matt Witt

NMLS #1638881 Reverse Mortgage Specialist

720-458-4034

MattW@SilverLeafMortgage.com

Matt Witt: Reverse Mortgage Expert! Listen to: The Reverse Mortgage Show Hosted by Matt Witt Legends 810 and 94.3FM, 670 KLTT, 100.7FM KLZ and 560 KLZ or see us live on Colorado’s Best KWGN CW2 & Fox-31, or Colorado & Company KUSA 9News

Castle Rock resident, 21, killed while on vacation in Florida

BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Lora Wakefield said her son, Dustin Wakefield, taught her more in life than she ever taught him. Family and friends remember 21-year-old Dustin as loving, compassionate and caring.

Dustin, of Castle Rock, was killed on Aug. 24, shot while defending his 1-year-old son from a man with a gun at a Miami Beach restaurant.

“He was the brightest light I have ever known even as a mom,” Lora said. “He made friends with all that he met and made all feel seen and heard. He mostly wanted his wife to know she is his queen and made her feel like the most beautiful woman in the room.”

Dustin only wanted the best for his family and would work hard for them, Lora added.

“(Dustin) loved in the most purest way,” Lora said. “As a mom, I can honestly say he taught me more than I taught him. He was a kiss from heaven to me.”

Lora said she wants to carry on Dustin’s legacy to love and be caring. Dustin would want others to truly love, she said.

“My heart was ripped out of me, but I will do as he did and be love, light and peace to this world,” Lora said. “He is a heart of gold and a bright light to everyone he met. He never said bad things.”

As Dustin’s friends and family try to make sense of his death, his uncle Michael Wakefield called him a hero. On social media, Michael said he is proud that Dustin did what most fathers would do in trying to protect his son.

In the days following Dustin’s death, family and friends described a loving father who wad dedicated to his church, dedicated to his family, and loved making music.

Following the news of Dustin’s death, the Castle Rock community immediately stepped up to help the Wakefield family.

Michael created a GoFundMe account in Dustin’s honor. As the tragedy received national attention, the fund raised more than $200,000 in 24 hours.

The Dads of Castle Rock group also became involved. Matt Zien, secretary of the local organization, said, “When something like this happens, this is what the Dads of Castle Rock are built for. When this happened, we were notified and immediately came together to rally the troops.”

Zien said Wakefield is a hero who protected his child.

“He is a dad who did something extraordinary,” he said. “He did what we are all about as fathers.”

Because GoFundMe has restric-

SEE WAKEFIELD, P9

Dustin Wakefi eld with his wife and baby.

LEADING EDGETM

START-UP ESSENTIAL SERIES CHILD CARE BUSINESS SERIES

Create a short flexible plan to grow your business. Offered in English and Spanish

Register for the online series today! www.Aurora-SouthMetroSBDC.com/training

Free Virtual Consulting

AuroraSouth Metro SBDC

Helping existing and new businesses grow and prosper

Virtual appointments only

SBDC Host:

CITY OF AURORA

Aurora Municipal Center CONFIDENTIAL ONE-ON-ONE Request an appointment today! www.Aurora-SouthMetroSBDC.com/consulting

Funding/Resource Options

ENGLEWOOD BUSINESS RESOURCE EXPO SEPTEMBER 22nd, 8:30-9:30 AM, FREE

VISIT THE WEBSITE BELOW TODAY!

Dustin Wakefi eld, 21, was shot and killed protecting his 1-year-old son while on vacation in Florida. COURTESY PHOTO

WAKEFIELD

tions and time limits on when funds can be accessed, the Dads of Castle Rock created a Venmo account to allow family access immediately.

Within a day, the local community raised more than $40,000. Zien said the response from Castle Rock has been amazing.

“So many of us may not know Dustin, but he was a member of our community,” Zien said. “He is a dad with a young wife and was just starting to make a mark on this world. We are humbled and proud to have people who are so compassionate and loving in Castle Rock.”

To donate to Dustin’s young family, visit the website at gofundme.com/f/ fundraiser-for-dustin-family.

To donate through the Dads of Castle Rock, go to Venmo: @DadsOfCastleRock (#Dustin).

NEUROPATHY?

Introducing a physician-supervised, home-based treatment strategy for neuropathy that really works.

Perhaps you are one of the 24 million Americans that su er from peripheral neuropathy. HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE PERIPHERAL NERVE DAMAGE?

e following symptoms may start gradually and increase over time: • Numbness • Diabetic nerve pain • Sharp electric-like pain • Burning or tingling • Di culty sleeping from leg or foot discomfort • Sensitivity to touch • Pain when walking Maybe you have tried medications or surgery, but failed to nd long lasting results. By focusing on the health of the nerves, Dr. Cuviello can help you nd those long-lasting results and relief from the pain of neuropathy.

Dr. Cuviello’s passion is helping others to see a greater vision for themselves & obtain that vision through a healthier lifestyle. If you su er from peripheral neuropathy, Dr. Cuviello has cutting-edge treatments that can help you live your life pain free. He focuses on regenerating and reviving nerves and arteries that are dead or dying using the most state-of-the-art equipment without the use of dangerous drugs.

$49 Neuropathy Special

Personal Consultation, Exam, X-rays, & Report of Findings NO PILLS. NO INJECTIONS. NO SURGERY. CALL NOW 720-621-4003

You will discover

• Dangers associated with medications typically prescribed for peripheral neuropathy • How to stop nerve damage before the e ects are irreversible

Judge denied bail for alleged gunman who claimed to be intoxicated

BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Tamarius Blair Davis Jr., 22, has been charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder following the death of Dustin Wakefi eld, a 21-yearold Castle Rock father.

Wakefi eld was on vacation with his family in Florida when Davis allegedly shot him around 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 24.

Police and family members say Wakefi eld died while protecting his 1-year-old son. According to the affi davit provided by the Miami Police Department, Davis, suspected of being high on mushrooms, went into the restaurant, La Cerveceria, and picked Wakefi eld at random.

Davis allegedly pointed the gun at Wakefi eld’s 1-year-old son. When Wakefi eld stood between his son and Davis, he was shot multiple times. Police said Wakefi eld was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Following the shooting, a video shows Davis dancing outside of the restaurant. He then ran into a nearby alley got down on the pavement, following police commands. As police handcuffed Davis, he could be heard saying, “I did it. I did it.”

After being taken into custody, Miami police said, Davis waived his constitutional rights and confessed to shooting Wakefi eld and shooting at another bystander who was not injured.

“The defendant stated he was high on mushrooms, which made him feel empowered,” the police report said. “The defendant continued by saying he randomly chose two men to shoot at.”

On Aug. 25, during his initial court appearance, Davis asked Judge Mindy Glazer, of the Florida 11th Circuit Court, about bond. Judge Glazer replied, “There is no bond. You shot and killed someone in cold blood.”