BIKE TO WORK

“We ride around as much as possible, so its fun to see everybody else out today too,” he said.

Kenna Davis, a transportation planner in the city’s public works department, said her favorite part of the event was seeing the excitement around biking.

She said this was the city’s rst downtown station for Bike to Work day and they are hoping to have a station there every year going forward.

Josie Haggerty and Ben Traquair, the organizers of Littleton Social Cycle, took the opportunity to spread the word about their informal, casual cycling group. ey gather to ride in Littleton three times a week and all levels are

South Suburban changes needed

I want to express my thanks and appreciation to reporter Nina Joss and editor elma Grimes for their reporting and opinion of South Suburban Parks & Rec. I too would like more transparency and forthright communications from this special district board. I also want to see changes in their election processes, including all registered voter residents automatically receiving a ballot.

With an annual budget of $128M

I think they should prioritize the expense to involve as many citizens as possible. ey also need to improve the in-person voting and ballot drop-o options. e past few elections have had a dismal turnout, but as I am unable to nd the exact and beliefs about their own mortality. Most of us don’t want to think about that because it’s too sad. But as Benjamin Franklin said, “…in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” ere is a wonderful guide called “Five Wishes” that serves as a legal document for end-of-life decisions. Most hospices, funeral homes and cemeteries have some version of the types of questions outlined in the “Five Wishes” document and you can nd it online, too. e last wish of the “Five Wishes” discusses “What I want my loved ones to know.” is section addresses the emotional realm, as welcome. ey said the group has a lot of social overlap with Vibrant Littleton, an informal community group that advocates for sustainable and a ordable transportation and housing options in Littleton.

Most end-of-life caregivers will tell you the best gift you can give yourself and your family is the gift of pre-planning. If nances are tight, at a minimum, make some decisions so your family and friends will know your wishes.

For Traquair, one of the best parts of the day was the communitybuilding aspect.

“It was really fun to have people on bikes stop and hang out and talk and stu , versus the people in the cars, just go through,” he said. “I feel like events like this reinforce that Littleton is a place to be, not just pass through.” numbers my best guess is less than 1% participation.

Arapahoe County Open Spaces, South Suburban Parks and Recreation District, GoodTurn Electric Cycles and other groups also hosted stations across the city and county, including one on the Mary Carter Greenway Trail and another at Aspen Grove.

Lastly, as stated by Ms. Grimes, “Do you need to be reminded that you are a board that can increase property taxes at will without a special election?” is is a concern as property taxes are reported to increase by as much as 40%. e 2023 amended budget lists property tax revenue as almost $27.8 million. A 40% increase would be an additional $11M. On June 13th at their public meeting, I requested the board to consider a reduction in the mill levy amount they collect. I hope they take this seriously. anks again for your articles and opinions.

John Levene Littleton

well as physical placement of one’s body after passing. Some key decisions include … How do I want to be remembered? Do I want to be buried or cremated? Do I want to be near relatives? Do I want to be placed somewhere close to my family so it’s convenient for them to visit? Do I want my ashes to be placed at sea or scattered out of an airplane or in a cemetery? Do I want a permanent monument engraved?

Determining key end-of-life decisions ahead of time will set you free from worry, provide for a smooth transition, and be a gift of peace of mind for your family and friends.

At the Aug. 3, 2023 Seniors’ Council of Douglas County meeting, our host from Seven Stones Cemetery and Botanic Gardens, Becky Holm, will discuss pre-planning, the different cemetery options available in Colorado and the beautiful and serene environment at Seven Stones. e meeting is scheduled outdoors from 10-11:30 a.m. at Seven Stones, located at 9635 N. Rampart Range Road in LIttleton. e Seniors’ Council of Douglas County serves to advocate for and engage older adults. Meetings are free and open to the public. Our signature daylong educational event, Vintage and Vibrant, is ursday, Sept. 28 at the Parker Arts, Culture, and Events Center (PACE) in Parker. For up-to-date information about Seniors’ Council visit Facebook and our website www.douglas. co.us.

How to take up running, from starting out to marathons

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Roxane Geisler started running in high school as a new challenge — somebody told her she should run cross country.

“I didn’t even know how to run a mile,” said Geisler, who is now president of the Highlands Ranch Running Club.

Getting into running “just gradually happened for me,” said Geisler, who is 54. “Suddenly, I was like, ‘Oh, I really do enjoy it, and I love getting out and seeing the views.’”

For people who are inexperienced at running but want to improve, it’s key not to be intimidated, Geisler said.

“A lot of people think, ‘Oh, I can’t join the running club because I’m not a real runner.’ And that’s totally silly,” Geisler said. “If you run, you’re a runner.”

Ryan Marker, an assistant professor who teaches exercise physiology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, said it’s important for beginners to start slow. “Setting appropriate expectations, I think, is really important,” Geisler said. “So if someone’s never run before, you’re not going to get o the couch and do a marathon.”

But with the right plan, even beginners can work their way up to a marathon within months. (Here’s a tip: You don’t have to run the whole thing.)

Here’s some advice on how to start running or take your training to the next level.

Part of the group

One thing that can help you get into running: nding a group of runners to keep you moving.

When Geisler moved to Highlands Ranch in 2003, she noted how many people were out running by themselves.

She learned about the Highlands Ranch Race Series, and part of the idea behind starting her running club was to get some runners to train together.

“It makes running so much easier, training so much easier, when you have people to train with,” Geisler said.

And the people she’s met through her club “were a tremendous in uence on me — just people who really push themselves and try to get the best out of themselves,” said Geisler, who has run marathons.

e club provides a communal atmosphere: