Lone Tree Voice 122922

Teens look to bag cornhole title — again

cornhole would have them traveling all over the country, landing sponsors and competing for big bucks for their school, they wouldn’t have believed you.

BY ALEX K.W. SCHULTZ SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

If two years ago you had told Cooper Bilbrey, Cooper Bingham, Gavin Hamann and Jaxson Remmick that

And why should they have? We’re talking about cornhole here — you know, the simplest of simple games where someone stands 27 feet away from an angled slab of plywood and attempts to toss a small bag lled

with resin pellets into a 6-inch-wide hole in the board. ere can’t be any opportunities or riches or glory in a game like that, right?

Wrong.

Last December, Bingham, Hamann and Remmick (along with Jake ayer, who isn’t on this year’s team; Bilbrey joined the squad

SEE CORNHOLE, P8

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

RTD suspends C and F light rail lines

Local travelers impacted

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

After suspending operation of the C and F light rail lines during the pandemic, RTD is permanently discontinuing rail service on these lines along with other changes that will go into e ect on Jan. 8. e changes come as part of RTD’s System Optimization Plan, which “aims to increase ridership and address changing travel needs while improving service performance, e ciency and quality,” according to RTD’s website.

“It was recommended that C/D service along the Southwest corridor and E/F service along the Southeast corridor be consolidated to improve service reliability north of I-25/Broadway Station, where trains consistently encountered delays because of heavy train tra c,” the system optimization plan reads. e plan was developed through ReimagineRTD, a two-year e ort to evaluate and forecast the changing transportation needs of the region as the district moves past the COVID-19 crisis. According to RTD’s website, the e ort was informed by travel patterns and public sentiments.

Littleton Public Works Director Keith Reester represented Littleton during the ReimagineRTD e orts. He said the C line has been closed since the pandemic began, so RTD’s recent announcement is just formalizing what has been going on for the last 20 months.

“It’s not really unexpected, they’re formalizing some of the service changes they made when COVID started and really impacted ridership,” he said. “Over the last couple of years, ridership levels have dropped so much.”

e C line used to run between Littleton-Mineral Station and Union Station, whereas the D line runs to the downtown business loop.

Reester said residents who previously used the C line will still be able to get to wherever they need to go by riding the D line, but some riders will now have to make a transfer if they want to go to Union Station.

From left: Cooper Bingham, Cooper Bilbrey, Gavin Hamann and Jaxson Remmick pose for a photo. The four teenagers are set to travel to the second annual National High School Cornhole Championships in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where they’ll look to defend their national title in the team portion of the event. COURTESY PHOTO

Election analysis continues for school district

2023 questions still loom

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Douglas County School District is planning a post-election analysis and exploring the possibility of putting a bond and mill levy override on the 2023 ballot.

e school board directed Superintendent Erin Kane to evaluate whether to return to voters for funding, as well as reinstated the Mill Bond Exploratory Committee, during its Dec. 13 meeting. e moves follow the board’s discussion of next steps for the bond and mill levy override at the Nov. 30 retreat.

“ e intent of this is to signify from the board, as a group of seven, that we would like sta to continue or re-undertake this work, starting with a retrospective and providing support going forward,” board president Mike Peterson said.

e Mill Bond Exploratory

Committee is a group of community members, board committee members and sta that will help carry out the analysis of the 2022 and 2023 elections.

e group will ultimately make recommendations to the school board about the details of a bond and mill levy override.

At the retreat discussion, all of the board members and Kane voiced support for putting a mill levy override and bond on the 2023 ballot.

Kane told the board at the retreat that the district’s nancial position will likely not be much di erent next year and putting o asking for a bond would probably increase the cost for building and maintaining schools.

On top of the potential funding questions, the school board has three seats, currently represented by board members Susan Meek, David Ray and Elizabeth Hanson, up for election. Ray is term-limited and Meek and Hanson have not commented about seeking reelection.

School board trial delayed without reason

Judge orders change

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e trial to determine whether Douglas County school board members violated Colorado Open Meetings Law has been postponed.

Originally scheduled for a three-day trial starting Jan. 30, Douglas County District Court Judge Je rey Holmes postponed the trial on Dec. 20. Holmes’ motion did not set a new trial date.

In a lawsuit brought by Representative-Elect Bob Marshall, Douglas County school board members Mike Peterson, Christy Williams, Becky Myers and Kaylee Winegar are accused of breaking open meeting requirements

by discussing the ring of former superintendent Corey Wise in one-on-one conversations.

In a preliminary order issued in March, Holmes found the board members’ serial meetings had violated the law and ordered the members to conduct all public business in public meetings and follow open meetings law.

Marshall and his attorney, Steve Zansberg, have asked Holmes to make his preliminary order permanent and formally nd the board members broke the law, as well as declare the decision to re Wise void.

Peterson, Williams, Myers and Winegar maintain they did not break the open meetings law, arguing a formal decision wasn’t made outside public meetings.

You Can Help Families Stay Warm This Winter

Energy insecurity a ects more than 1 million Coloradans.

By supporting Energy Outreach Colorado with a gift today, more of our neighbors in need will have a place to turn for help.

You can give the gift of warmth at www.energyoutreach.org/donate

The trial that will determine whether Douglas County School Board members Mike Peterson, Becky Myers, Christy Williams and Kaylee Winegar violated Colorado law has been postponed. SHUTTERSTOCK

Douglas County School District Superintendent Erin Kane presenting to Lone Tree City Council on Sept. 6.

PHOTO BY TAYLER SHAW

Douglas County schools to o er free lunches in 2023-24

Districts opts in

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Students at Douglas County schools will all be able to access free lunches starting next school year thanks to a new voter-approved statewide program.

At the Dec. 13 meeting of the Douglas County Board of Education, Superintendent Erin Kane conrmed the district will opt in to the free lunch program and is currently working out the logistics to feeding more students.

Colorado voters approved Proposition FF in November, which limits income tax rebates for people making over $300,000 per year and estimates raising $100 million in funding yearly. Douglas County voters did not approve the measure, but school districts can opt in or out of free lunch regardless of how their county voted.

“ e bene ts of the program are amazing,” Kane said. “Of course, it will make sure that our families will be able to have their kids get hot lunch if they want and be able to save more money. It will ensure that our students who already get free lunch will be able to avoid the stigma of being the only students who get free lunch.”

Citing data on the number of students who took advantage of the free lunches during the pandemic, Kane said the district expects to see demand for lunch double next year. Currently, 9% of district students are eligible for free or reduced lunch. With the jump in demand expected, Kane said sta are working

through sta ng needs, equipment and space requirements along with preparing for the potential for supply chain shortages and timing for lunch periods.

“We continue to see supply chain shortages around items that go into hot lunch and of course doubling the demand will exacerbate those,” she said. “We are also working with our schools and starting to discuss operationally how we can make sure to get all of our kids through the line because of course when demand doubles we want to make sure that the last student that is able to pick up their hot lunch has the time and ability to be able to eat that lunch.”

Responding to a question from board member Susan Meek, Kane added that most district charter schools utilize the district nutrition services and will be able to also o er free lunches, but will also face the same challenges.

“ e same considerations need to happen with them, but I don’t see why they wouldn’t be able to have free lunches as well,” she said.

District spokesperson Paula Hans said that the state will pay the district for the cost of providing lunches, but didn’t give an exact cost.

“ e District will receive funding from the State that covers the cost of meals provided to students who do not qualify for free meal bene ts,” Hans said in an email. “Investments may need to be made to equipment and technology to ensure our cafeterias are ready to welcome all of our students through our serving lines next school year.”

Hans added that students who qualify for specialized meals will continue to be accommodated at no cost.

County office closure

Douglas County offices will be closed Monday, January 2 in observance of the New Year Holiday.

Many services are available at DoItOnlineDouglas.com

Live Town Hall meetings

Did you know Douglas County offers Live Town Hall meetings, inviting you to engage in the local issues of importance to you and your neighbors? Register at douglas.co.us/townhall/ to ensure you are contacted about all future Live Town Halls – it’s always your choice whether or not to participate. Registering will also allow you to receive surveys so that you may share what topics YOU want to hear more about.

Skip the trip - motor vehicle services just a click away

Renew your driver license or motor vehicle registration and more from the convenience of your smartphone, tablet, desktop or laptop. You can also renew vehicle registrations at MVExpress kiosks. Find information at DouglasDrives.com

Christmas tree recycling

Douglas County provides several drop-off locations to recycle your Christmas tree. For locations, dates, and instructions on how to prepare your tree for recycling, visit douglas.co.us and search for Christmas tree recycling Free mulch is also available at many locations.

Do you have one hour to spare each week?

Consider giving that time to change the life of an older adult by volunteering with Aging Resources. You can help with transportation, go grocery shopping or provide company for older adults. For more information, visit agingresourcesdougco.org

Ring in the New Year with Family and Friends

Welcome 2023 and celebrate the spirit of our community with a fireworks show or lighted drone show at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. Fireworks will take place in Castle Rock and Highlands Ranch. A lighted drone show will take place in Parker. For details, visit douglas.co.us and search Fireworks

**Firework displays my be canceled the day of the event if conditions warrant.**

Visit douglas.co.us

A Centennial Elementary School fifth grader drinks water from a carton during a school lunch on Feb. 10, 2021, in Colorado Springs. PHOTO BY MARK REIS, SPECIAL TO THE COLORADO SUN

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

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 many prospective sellers don’t want to leave behind 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 Broom eld 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 association’s December report.

By contrast, in December 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.

New homes in fast-growing Elbert County are shown on the county’s website.

PHOTO FROM ELBERT COUNTY WEBSITE

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“I think that realistically, if people are primarily using it to, say, commute to work, then the (train) into downtown allows them to do that. And then you can make a transfer to anywhere else you need to,” he said Littleton Mayor Kyle Schlachter said he is disappointed the C line will not be a transportation option for residents going forward.

“It’s not unexpected given the fact that we haven’t had that option the last couple years here, but it’s still disappointing nevertheless,” he said. “I look forward to seeing how we can continue to work with RTD to make sure that we have accessible options for people to use transportation.”

In Reester’s eyes, more transit options, including the C line may come back.

“Overall, ridership is down across the district, but… as the whole transit industry and transportation industry adapts to the changes we saw from COVID and see how people respond coming back to that, we’ll start to see a reinvigoration of transit and I think we’ll see some of those things come back,” Reester said.

He said the timing of these decisions will give RTD a

chance to build a more effective system in the future.

“As ridership increases, it’s going to allow RTD… to be really strategic about how they add new services and bring services back online to be even more e ective going forward,” he said.

He said transit is a priority for Littleton and is included in the city’s Transportation Master Plan.

“In the long run, it’s important for (the city of Littleton) to have as many options as possible for people,” he said. “ at helps with everything from congestion to air

and from work and the other things that they want to do in life.”

e F line transported passengers between Ridgegate Parkway Station and the Downtown Central Business loop to Lone Tree.

Passengers who previously used these lines (C and F) will still be able to travel from southeast and southwest corridor stations to downtown, but may have to transfer lines at 10th and Osage, Alameda or I-25 and Broadway stations.

encouraged feedback from the public via emails, phone calls, public meetings and an online comment tool.

Over approximately two months, RTD received over 1,600 comments through these methods.

Several comments expressed a desire for RTD to bring back the F line. Fewer mentioned the C line, but there was some discontent about it being closed, highlighting concerns about crowded cars at Broadway station where more people

Douglas County Commissioners do not approve of the F line closure.

“Decreasing such services are especially harmful for individuals with disabilities or mobility restrictions,” commissioners said according to RTD’s comment database.

“ e continued suspension of the F line and the resulting burden of extended transfer times is signi cant. is disincentivizes the use of public transportation, promotes the use of single occupancy vehicles, and increases congestion.”

An RTD light rail train arriving at Sky Ridge Station in Lone Tree on Nov. 9.

PHOTO BY TAYLER SHAW

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, 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 ve-county 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 serious 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

this past summer) won the team event at the inaugural National High School Cornhole Championships in Myrtle Beach, S.C., bagging $8,200 for under Ridge High School. e money will be used to start a cornhole club at the Highlands Ranch school and continue to grow the sport.

Now, these teenagers are looking for more. ey’re set to return to the Palmetto State to defend their team title at the second edition of the championships, which will take place Dec. 29-31 and have $25,000 in total prize money up for grabs. In their encore, they’re not only hoping to repeat as national champions in the team portion of the event, but they want to snag the singles and doubles crowns as well.

“We want to take all of them and get the sweep,” said Hamann, 16, a junior at under Ridge. “ is year will be a lot di erent because we’ve already played at that high level, so we know what to expect.”

What wasn’t expected was their national championship win last year. ey’ve only been playing cornhole with any kind of seriousness since March 2021, when Hamann’s mom, Jennifer, started a cornhole club called South Side Baggers (the club has nearly 400 members today). Which means, if you do the math, they won the national title after playing the game for just nine months.

According to Bingham, the last game in the last match went down to the last shot — a tting way for a title match to end. e South Side Baggers ambassadors were on the brink of defeat, too, because all the opposing team had to do was execute a “basic slide shot” for the win, Bingham said, but the bag slid o the board. On his ensuing shot, Bingham planted his bag on the platform for the win.

“We went into the tournament as big underdogs,” said Bingham, 18, a senior at under Ridge.

Added Hamann: “Everyone was surprised. Nobody even had us in their top 4.”

is year, spectators and opposing teams will certainly be paying closer attention to these Colorado sharpshooters, who are now battle-tested, backed by a slew of sponsors and have an additional year’s worth of playing the game under their belts.

ey say they love the game for many reasons: the competition it provides, the friendships it makes possible and the in-game analysis and strategy it requires.

Most of them play other sports, but they insist that the competition in cornhole is just as erce and just as delicious as what they experience in “major” sports like baseball, football and soccer.

“Because you’re in the moment, you have to focus and you’re playing against someone else,” Hamann said.

Added the 16-year-old Remmick, a junior at under Ridge: “Knowing that you can always do better is what keeps me going. Even if I win, I know I can throw better and do di erent shots better.”

But strategy? Can a game like cornhole really involve any kind of strategy?

e four high schoolers snicker a little; they’ve surely heard this question a time or two before.

“Surprisingly, there are different bag styles and di erent shots you can try to make,” said Bilbrey, 18, a senior at Castle View. “Some people play with faster bags, others play with stickier bags. As far as shots go, there are blockers and pushes and ops, or rolls. A lot of people on the outside just see it as throwing a bag into a hole, but there’s so much more to it than that.”

Bingham jumps in: “Once you get to a certain level, whether you realize it or not, you’re analyzing every shot, every game, every round. You never know what you’re going to go up against each game. You have to not so much change your game, but make small changes to counter what the other team is doing, so it’s a di erent game every game.”

eir strategy going into the national championship event soon? It’s pretty simple, Remmick said.

“Win.”

Bilbrey

Gavin Hamann, left, and Cooper Bilbrey get some cornhole practice in. Hamann and Bilbrey, along with Cooper Bingham and Jaxson Remmick, are set to travel to the second annual National High School Cornhole Championships in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where they’ll look to defend their national title in the team portion of the event.

COURTESY PHOTO

‘Surprisingly, there are di erent bag styles and di erent shots you can try to make.’

Cooper

Time for resolutions

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?

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.

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.

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.

LOCAL VOICES

Behind every door is opportunity for change

WINNING

La 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.

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

AUDREY

ERIN

LINDSAY

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

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Voice. We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.

Email letters to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Deadline Wed. for the following week’s paper.

To opt in or out of delivery please email us at circulation@ coloradocommunitymedia.com

A legal newspaper of general circulation in Lone Tree, Colorado, the Voice is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 9233 Park Meadows Dr., Lone Tree, CO 80124.

Send address change to: Lone Tree Voice, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110

Lone Tree Voice

Thelma Grimes

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

The Colorado Sun is a journalist-owned, award-winning news outlet that strives to cover all of Colorado so that our state — our community — can better understand itself.

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

Wh en 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-yearold and 6-year-old sons were in total shock when Landeskog gave them high ves and signed their hats. e special 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 getaway 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 iceskating 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.

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 mustlisten. 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

Knit & Crochet-Advanced

@ 8pm

Jan 5th - Mar 16th

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

Thu 1/05 Fri 1/06

EVC Club Team Members Only:

Courtney Thompson & Tamari Miyashiro Camp

@ 6pm / $175

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

Sinners & Saints, 221 Perry St, Castle Rock

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

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

@ 11:30pm

Jan 6th - Feb 25th

Parker Recreation Center, 17301 E Lincoln Ave., Parker

Sat 1/07

Aqua Zumba

@ 3pm

Jan 7th - Mar 18th

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

Wed

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 @ 6:15pm / $250

Jan 9th - Feb 15th

Valor Stadium Weight Room, 3775 E Grace Blvd, Highlands Ranch. 303-471-3000

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

powered by

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

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!

7. Homemade Vegan Lasagna with Tofu Ricotta from Hummusapien is dish was a fun dairy-free challenge for me! At rst, I was hesitant about the tofu-hummus “ricotta,” but it ended up being delicious. I also added some sliced portobello mushrooms in between

Grandma Joss’ family cookbook surrounded by dried citrus fruits.

PHOTO BY NINA JOSS

The pair of shoes Tayler Shaw made. PHOTO BY TAYLER SHAW

ACTIVITIES

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

RECIPES

FROM PAGE 16

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.

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.

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!

CROWSS UP DRO ELZZ

9.

Kale Caesar Salad with Sweet Potatoes and Crispy Chickpeas from Half-Baked Harvest

I love any and all meals that incorporate tahini, and this dressing is to

Editor’s Note: Nina Joss is the Colorado Community Media community Editor for Littleton and Arapahoe County.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

Littleton NOTICE OF SALE

Public Trustee Sale No. 2022-0169

To Whom It May Concern: On 11/4/2022 3:27:00 PM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.

Original Grantor: Terrence Neff

Original Beneficiary: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. ("MERS") as nominee for First California Mortgage Company, Its Successors and Assigns

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: Caliber Home Loans, Inc. Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 2/22/2013

Recording Date of DOT: 2/28/2013

Reception No. of DOT: 2013017169

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $168,750.00

Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $133,256.90

Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: the failure to make timely payments required under said Deed of Trust and the Evidence of Debt secured thereby.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust.

Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 12, BLOCK 2, PULTE HOMES AT ROXBOROUGH VILLAGE FILING NO. 3, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of: 9678 Fairwood Street, Littleton, CO 80125

NOTICE OF SALE

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

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of 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 deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. 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.

First Publication: 12/29/2022

Last Publication: 1/26/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press Dated: 11/7/2022

DAVID GILL

DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

ILENE DELL'ACQUA

Colorado Registration #: 31755 7700 E. ARAPAHOE ROAD, SUITE 230 , CENTENNIAL, COLORADO 80112

Phone #: (877) 369-6122

Fax #: Attorney File #: CO-22-947393-LL

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE

DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/

Legal Notice No. 2022-0169

First Publication: 12/29/2022

Last Publication: 1/26/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

PUBLIC NOTICE

Highlands Ranch NOTICE OF SALE

Public Trustee Sale No. 2022-0159

To Whom It May Concern: On 10/13/2022 9:42:00

AM the undersigned Public Trustee caused the Notice of Election and Demand relating to the Deed of Trust described below to be recorded in Douglas County.

Original Grantor: HEATH B. FIRESTONE AND SHELLIE HARTSHORN

Original Beneficiary: LENDERS DIRECT CAPITAL CORPORATION

Current Holder of Evidence of Debt: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee for the Structured Asset Investment Loan Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-6

Date of Deed of Trust (DOT): 3/11/2005

Recording Date of DOT: 3/16/2005

Reception No. of DOT: 2005022655

DOT Recorded in Douglas County.

Original Principal Amount of Evidence of Debt: $232,760.00

Outstanding Principal Amount as of the date hereof: $202,129.72

Pursuant to C.R.S. §38-38-101 (4) (i), you are hereby notified that the covenants of the deed of trust have been violated as follows: Borrower’s failure to make timely payments as required under the Evidence of Debt and Deed of Trust.

THE LIEN FORECLOSED MAY NOT BE A FIRST LIEN.

The property described herein is all of the property encumbered by the lien of the deed of trust.

Legal Description of Real Property: LOT 51, HIGHLANDS RANCH FILING NO. 122-B, COUNTY OF DOUGLAS, STATE OF COLORADO.

Which has the address of: 9996 Strathfield Lane, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126

NOTICE OF SALE

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

THEREFORE, Notice Is Hereby Given that on the first possible sale date (unless the sale is continued*) at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at the Public Trustee’s office, Philip S Miller Building Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, I will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, the said real property and all interest of 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 deliver to the purchaser a Certificate of Purchase, all as provided by law. 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.

First Publication: 12/8/2022

Last Publication: 1/5/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Dated: 10/13/2022

DAVID GILL DOUGLAS COUNTY Public Trustee

The name, address and telephone numbers of the attorney(s) representing the legal holder of the indebtedness is:

ALISON L. BERRY

Colorado Registration #: 34531 9800 S. MERIDIAN BLVD. SUITE 400, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112 Phone #: (303) 706-9990 Fax #: (303) 706-9994 Attorney File #: 14-003726

*YOU MAY TRACK FORECLOSURE SALE DATES on the Public Trustee website: https:// www.douglas.co.us/public-trustee/

Legal Notice No. 2022-0159

First Publication: 12/8/2022 Last Publication: 1/5/2023

Publisher: Douglas County News Press

Bids and Settlements

Public Notice

PUBLIC INVITATION TO BID

Separate sealed bids for 2023 SIDEWALK REPAIR AND CURB RAMP RETROFIT PROJECT, will be received by the Owner, Douglas County Government, Department of Public Works Engineering, Philip S. Miller Building, 100 Third Street, Suite 220, Castle Rock, CO 80104, until Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. This project consists of placement of sidewalks, curb, and gutter at various locations throughout Douglas County. Bid items include the removal of sidewalk, replacement of sidewalk, curb ramp retrofit, removal and replacement of concrete pavement, emergency repairs and erosion control.

The Contract Documents will be available after 9:00 a.m. on Monday, January 2, 2023, through Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System Website (www.rockymountainbidsystem.com) or they may

be obtained at the above address. Electronic versions of the Plans obtained by any other means than as described above may not be complete or accurate, and it is the Bidder’s responsibility to obtain a complete set of the Project Plans and Specifications. Douglas County will not be held responsible for misinformation received from private plan rooms.

A PRE-BID CONFERENCE will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at the Department of Public Works Engineering, Philip S. Miller Building, 100 Third Street, Suite 220, Castle Rock, CO 80104. All questions are due to Keith Burke, Project Engineer, by 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 17, 2023. The Bid Opening will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at the same address.

The Project includes the following major items and approximate quantities:

• 20,200 linear feet of sidewalks, curb, and gutter

Prior to submitting a Bid Proposal, Bidders shall have received prequalification status (active status) with the Colorado Department of Transportation to bid on individual projects of the size and kind of work as set forth herein.

Any questions on the bidding process shall be directed to Keith Burke, Project Engineer at 303.660.7490.

Plan holder information, can be found on the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System Website.

Legal Notice No. 944393

First Publication: December 29, 2022

Second Publication: December 29, 2022

Publisher: Douglas County News Press Account Number: 2734

Public Notice

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION of INTEREST

(RFEI) #049-22

HEALTH DEPARTMENT SURGE ASSISTANCE

Douglas County, Colorado (“County”) is seeking responses from responsible and highly-qualified companies/organizations (“Respondent”) that have an interest in partnering with the County to facilitate the delivery of surge related services for the Douglas County Health Department, because demands for prevention and preparedness services/activities can exceed ambient capabilities.

Douglas County’s leadership is strongly supportive of collaborating with a private provider to assure the just-in-time ability to meet the needs of the community, as identified over the course of the Covid 19 Pandemic. The County is seeking one or more provider(s) to conduct the following scalable services.

This RFEI offers three areas of opportunity. Respondents may respond to one, all, or a mix of the following: Part 1 ~ Vaccine Services Part 2 ~ Testing Services Part 3 ~ Case Investigations and Contact Tracing

The RFEI document may be reviewed and/or printed from the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System website at www.rockymountainbidsystem.com. While the RFEI document is available electronically, Douglas

County cannot accept electronic RFEI responses.

Please submit one (1) original paper copy (no less than 11-point font) and one (1) identical version of the paper copy on a new flash drive (not password protected) of your RFEI response in a sealed envelope that is clearly marked with the information described above. Electronic and/or faxed responses will not be accepted. RFEI responses will be received until 4:00pm on Friday, January 13, 2023 by the Douglas County Finance Department, Purchasing Division, 100 Third Street, Suite 130, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104. Responses will not be considered which are received after the time stated, and any responses so received will be returned unopened.

Douglas County Government reserves the right to reject any and all responses, to waive formalities, informalities, or irregularities contained in a said response and furthermore, to award a contract for items herein, either in whole or in part, if it is deemed to be in the best interest of the County to do so.

Please direct any questions concerning this RFEI to Carolyn Riggs, Purchasing Supervisor, 303-660-7434, criggs@douglas.co.us, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Legal Notice No. 944392

First Publication: December 29, 2022

Last Publication: December 29, 2022

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press

Misc. Private Legals

Pubic Notice

DISTRICT COURT, DOUGLAS COUNTY, STATE OF COLORADO CONSOLIDATED NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT IN THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS FILED IN THIS COURT UNDER THE “UNIFORM DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE” AND “UNIFORM CHILD CUSTODY JURISDICTION” ACTS, due diligence has been used to obtain personal service within the State of Colorado and further efforts would be to no avail: therefore, publication has been ordered:

NUMBER : 2022DR030508

NAME: Daniel W. Leonard v Melissa Marie Sirbu/Meyers

TYPE OF ACTION: Dissolution

A copy of the Petition and Summons may be obtained from the Clerk of the above Court during regular business hours (7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and that failure to respond to this service by publication within thirty-five (35) days of the publication date may result in a default judgment against the non-appearing party.

Andrea K. Truett CLERK OF THE COURT 4000 JUSTICE WAY CASTLE ROCK, CO 80109

by Margaret Corbetta, Deputy Clerk

Legal Notice No. 944383

First Publication: December 29, 2022

Last Publication: December 29, 2022

Publisher: Douglas County News-Press ###