43 minute read
SEE JOGAN
He later told Jogan CEO Dan Dietrich that the department would no longer give the company new work. In June, Jogan’s final project ended. That same month, Douglas County extended its contract with Jogan until the end of 2022 with a maximum payout of $3.5 million.
Michael Hill, the public health director for Douglas County, said he was unaware of why the state was no longer working with Jogan.
“I know they did some contract changing as the pandemic was winding down a little bit,” he said. “I assumed it was because of just that slowdown.”
Dietrich did not respond to detailed questions about CCM’s reporting on Jogan.
Hill added that the Douglas County Health Department hasn’t had any complaints or issues with Jogan.
“I feel confident we’re getting what we’re paying Jogan for,” he said. “They’re very impressive people, they’re very dedicated and I think they’re doing an outstanding job.”
CDPHE paid Jogan $74.3 million for their services before deciding not to extend their contract. During that time, Jogan administered more than 175,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“From the state’s perspective, Jogan Health did meet its obligations with the state,” according to an emailed statement from CDPHE.
State complaints
According to public records, the state received complaints that Jogan staff had administered expired doses of vaccines, that leadership from the company displayed “aggressive behavior” toward its staff and that it struggled to provide enough vaccine supplies for clinics.
“We have received complaints from multiple sources and for multiple areas,” Rockwell wrote about the expired vaccines.
Dietrich responded to the state’s emails about complaints, saying he needed more information to respond to some allegations. Regarding expired doses, he said it was simply staff who misunderstood the difference between manufactured dates and expiration dates and refused to administer the vaccines.
In response to complaints about vaccine clinics, Hill said this hasn’t been an issue because Jogan doesn’t distribute vaccines for the county. Tri-County still runs those services, he said.
The state’s labor and employment department is investigating Jogan following a complaint, a spokesperson for the department said. No further information was released about the nature of the ongoing investigation.
Douglas County litigation
A civil case in the county settled in June shows further allegations that Jogan failed to pay one of its subcontractors $5 million for more than six months while simultaneously purchasing multimillion-dollar homes. A judge granted a temporary protection order against Jogan in March, ordering the company and Dietrich not to use or transfer Jogan’s financial assets.
In October 2021, SMS alerted Jogan that the company was past due on its payments for services, according to the lawsuit.
Public records show that in September 2021, a company called Jogan Properties Colorado, also formed by Dietrich, purchased a $3 million home in Parker. In December, another Dietrich company called Jogan Properties Hawaii purchased a $3.5 million home in Hawaii.
When the lawsuit was filed in April, the debt to SMS was still owed, according to the document.
The lawsuit filed by SMS also claims that Jogan used false credentials to gain legitimacy and work with them and then used SMS’s background and abilities to gain contracts with CDPHE, acting as if the accomplishments were Jogan’s.
The same format and references used by Jogan for its state health department application appear in one from SMS to work for the Louisiana Health Department.
Garner Environmental, one of the companies listed on Jogan’s application as a reference for their work, told Colorado Community Media they have “no association” with Jogan “either directly or through a subcontractor.”
Three times since Jogan Health was formed in January 2021, the Colorado Department of Revenue contacted Dietrich regarding unpaid taxes, according to court documents. The latest was in June. All cases were closed the same day they were filed.
Jogan Health is one of eight companies founded by Dietrich since 2020. He also founded Jogan 5G, Jogan Security, Jogan Traffic and Jogan Thermal Checkpoint.
In June, the SMS lawsuit was settled out of court.
Douglas County responds
Douglas County’s health director Michael Hill says none of the information he’s heard about Jogan has an impact on their current contract.
“As long as they’re doing what we’ve hired them to do and their invoices check out and the state keeps paying us for paying those invoices, it would not be in the best interest of Douglas County to discontinue at this point and then have to re-invent that wheel on the fly, again, in a pandemic,” he said.
Hill says that while the county hasn’t seen any issues with Jogan’s work, new information about the organization could impact future contracts with them.
A Douglas County records custodian said there are no applications or background information from Jogan for their request to work with the county and the company was considered to have already been vetted by the state.
The state pays for Jogan’s services with Douglas County through federal grant money.
Split from Tri-County
When Douglas County first voted to leave Tri-County’s jurisdiction, they entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the agency that stated the county would continue to receive all public health services from Tri-County until at least 2023.
Under the IGA, the county health department is in control of things like governance and county-wide public health orders.
In October, the county health board began considering a health order that would give any individual the ability to opt out of mask mandates in the county and for parents to be able to opt out their children.
Jennifer Ludwig, deputy director of Tri-County and soon-to-be director of the Arapahoe County Health Department, emailed the Douglas County board of health president, calling the action “greatly concerning” and saying it would make it difficult for Tri-County to continue providing COVID services.
After the order was approved on Oct. 8, Ludwig told Douglas County they would no longer provide COVID-19 services, and by early November, the county chose Jogan to do so instead.
In an email sent through a spokesperson, Douglas County staff member Jon Surbeck said the county looked at six other contractors before choosing Jogan.
“Jogan Health offered an on-site staffing solution within Douglas County that we could easily visit/ monitor and utilized secure computers rather than personal devices,” according to the email.
Hill said Douglas County is not considering ending its contract with Jogan early.
“We would be right back in the frying pan trying to do an emergency solicitation for somebody to take over,” he said. “We aren’t staffed up to take on that much work, and Tri-County isn’t going to take it back up.”
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Happy for kindness
In a recent cross-county trip to see my brother, I saw and experienced several acts of kindness that I am hoping are signs of good things changing in the country.
Over the last few years, I feel like political division, a pandemic and the economy have created some bitter, angry citizens. This means seeing more fi ghting, angry groups and less kindness in public.
FROM THE In fl ying recently, I was brought to
EDITOR tears a few times. Or, maybe, close to tears is a better way to describe it. I was traveling with my children who are now 6, 8 and 17. No husband on this trip. I was a parent fl ying solo and that is tough any time. Due to a lengthy drive from my brother’s home and to save on some costs on my rental car — I had to go to the airport extremely early, meaning
Thelma Grimes Thelma Grimes my 6 a.m. fl ight from Newark to Denver meant almost all night in the airport. I had no idea how much Newark worked to prevent sleeping in the airport. Chairs are screwed down, big metal bars prevent you from stretching out on other chairs. The fl oor does not have carpet. There may as well have been signs say, “Do not try to rest here.”
Anyway, it was what it was. My kids and I were going to tough it out. However, after about an hour of us trying to fi nd ways to get comfortable — just picture a 17-year trying to sit cross-legged, backwards in a chair against the wall — it was not going well.
Then, a man who worked at the airport came through. He did not speak English but shook his head as he walked by me. The pessimistic side of me fi gured I was being judged as a not-so-good mom having my kids there.
Instead, he pulled out a key, went into a storage room and came out carrying four cots. He gave each of my kids a cot, a blanket and a pillow. He got one for me and encouraged me with his hand gestures to get some rest as well.
When my kids seemed overwhelmed with his gesture and thanked him with their tired voices — I was brought to tears.
I am a true believer that most people are good. I just love having that belief reaffi rmed in a strange place.
Once on the plane, I saw another act of kindness that was not aimed at me but still mattered.
An older woman who also did not speak English took her seat next to my son and myself. Come to fi nd out, she was not in the right seat. However, my Spanish has gone way downhill since living in Arizona and the fl ight attendant struggled.
Before long, a man in a nearby seat came over and helped translate, easing the woman’s stress and alleviating a tough situation.
On the news, I have heard reports of families being separated from their children on fl ights. This happened to me as well. My son and daughter were put in a different row, and I sat with my 6-year-old separately.
I trusted my 17-year-old to manage my 8-year-old (praying they would not argue over some nonsense). I wasn’t happy but did not raise a stink with the airline.
After the fl ight, my daughter told me a nice woman sitting near them opened her arms and allowed my son to sleep against her, telling my daughter his comfort mattered to her.
I hope this is a sign that we are getting better. I hope these instances can become regular again as we travel or go about our daily lives.
Thelma Grimes is the south metro editor for Colorado Community Media.
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Community Editor
The tidal wave of complacency
There is plenty of discussion happening around what is being called “The Great Resignation.” The impact of people not willing to work has a vast-reaching impact and implications on every aspect of life. We are all experiencing fractured supply chains, an understaffed service industry, and gaps in inventory resulting in shortages around the world, just to name a few.
This disruption and rising inflation are causing severe emotional and financial stress, leading to anxiety for businesses and many of us at home. When will it end? That is a question no one can answer, with some experts believing that it will be around longer than we think and whether that is a little longer or a lot longer.
What many businesses are experiencing that is worse than “The Great Resignation,” is a tidal wave of complacency. When the pandemic began, both employer and employee were trying to figure out the whole remote work situation. In the beginning, there were struggles with working from home, and leaders were anxious because they felt work might not be getting done in the same capacity. But within just a few short months, employees became extremely comfortable and grateful to be able to work from home, especially those who had difficult commutes.
The work-life balance began to get better for most of us. We became aware of the fact that we could decide to work when we wanted to work and take a few hours off and then return to our work in the evening. This strategy worked well for some, but it also created an opportunity for complacency for others. We would convince ourselves we would do the work later, and then later became tomorrow, and tomorrow became next week. We lost any sense of urgency that we may have had before. Hunger and desire have been replaced by distractions and atrophy of our business muscles and attitude. Where we once strived for excellence, we have settled into striving for mediocrity. We know that talent without effort breeds mediocrity. We have fantastic people on our teams, and we know they can do more, do better, and once again be capable of striving for excellence.
There is so much great content around how we can break out of our comfort zone, or as I heard this week, how we can break free from our confinement zone. Comfort zones are breeding grounds for mediocrity, and confinement zones hold us hostage, as they hamper our enthusiasm and our creativity. Just because we may work from home or have a hybrid work schedule does not mean we should settle for doing the minimally acceptable level of work. We owe our company, customers, co-workers and ourselves more than that. We owe ourselves and all of them our absolute best effort.
We become frustrated because we cannot find what we need at the store because of no inventory. We have the right to be upset because it takes our meals longer to come out because the restaurant is short on help. Our impatience grows because
WINNING WORDS
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Parker Chronicle
A legal newspaper of general circulation in Parker, Colorado, the Chronicle is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 9233 Park Meadows Dr., Lone Tree, CO 80124.. Send address change to: Parker Chronicle, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110
Ahhh, summer. Soon thoughts of swimming pools, part-time jobs and relaxing time with family and friends will be replaced with class schedules, homework and locker combinations as our Douglas County students return to another new school year this month.
While summer is the well-needed break that all students, staff and parents need, as a community we can’t help but be excited for the beginning of a brand new school year to focus on learning, relationships and opportunities for growth. Bringing back education, and the well-being of students and staff as our primary focus is exactly what our school district needs. When we think about all we have to be thankful for — at the top of the list is the fact that we have the privilege of living, working and playing in Douglas County! We are excited to have our students (all 64,000 of them!) back in the classroom learning and taking part in activities and milestones our school district has to offer across
our 89 schools.
Here in the Douglas County School District (DCSD) we have much to celebrate. We have one of the highest graduation rates in the Denver metro area at 90.7%. The Class of 2021 earned more than $116 million in scholarships and our students and parents saved $3.7 million in college expenses through DCSD’s concurrent enrollment partnerships in the 2021-2022 school year.
Currently, over 70% of residents in Douglas County do not have school-aged children. We know that much of that population includes older adults. We also know that there are many residents in Douglas County who are grandparents with grandchildren attending our schools — many of you have active and special relationships in your grandchildren’s lives. Grandparents, along with parents, have many concerns about school safety as well as the mental and physical health of students following the pandemic. As a district, we want nothing more than for each and every student to be able to focus on learning and education while we continue to provide safe and healthy environments for all students and staff.
A meeting is planned for Thursday, Sept. 1 at 10 a.m. in the Event Room at the Castle Pines Library. Your input and suggestions are very important to our school community, as are the relationships between all grandparents and grandchildren. Superintendent Erin Kane is looking forward to an interactive dialogue and the opportunity to answer your questions and address your concerns regarding our students.
LIVING & AGING WELL
Erin Kane
Erin Kane is the superintendent of the Douglas County School District.
This column is hosted by the Seniors’ Council of Douglas County. For more information please visit www.MyDougCoSeniorLife.com, email DCSeniorLIfe@douglas.co.us or call 303-663-7681.
NORTON
we cannot get the car we want for several months. And we believe we have the right to be frustrated, upset and impatient, being angry about what we cannot get or have. Yet we never stop to think about how our lack of effort and complacency impacts our company, customers, co-workers, and even our ability to grow, advance, and earn a higher income. Complacency is the enemy of achievement.
“The Great Resignation” is very real. So, we must ask ourselves a hard question. Are we willing to accept or tolerate complacency just to keep the company going? Or do we need to fi nd a way back to leading and motivating those who are on our team to break out of the complacency zone and into the striving for excellence zone?
I would love to hear your thoughts at mnorton@xinnix.com, and when we can get back to what made our economy thrive in the past, that awesome work ethic, it really will be a better than good year.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Drama was overwrought
Regarding Linda Newell’s guest column “Fewer freedoms, more politics”:
Kudos to letter writer Mike Morgan, who pointed out in a somewhat satirical fashion, that your column, prominently placed, may have had some misconceptions nicely wrapped in tearful emotion. No, your daughters can still get an abortion. Up to the time of delivery, if you so choose to get rid of a grandchild. As long as you stay in Colorado, where our overwhelmingly Democratic house and senate passed a very liberal abortion law. So those tears did not need to be shed. And that nasty Supreme Court has no effect over you, as long as Colorado is the abortion capital of the US. You are safe here.
Mary Ann McCoy Lone Tree
School funding? Not for this board
Regarding Douglas County School District’s upcoming bond issue:
ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Colorado Community Media welcomes letters to the editor. Please note the following rules: • Email your letter to letters@coloradocommunitymedia.com. Do not send via postal mail. Put the words “letter to the editor” in the email subject line. • Submit your letter by 5 p.m. on Wednesday in order to have it considered for publication in the following week’s newspaper. • Letters must be no longer than 400 words. • Letters should be exclusively submitted to Colorado Community Media and should not submitted to other outlets or previously posted on websites or social media. Submitted letters become the property of CCM and should not be republished elsewhere. • Letters advocating for a political candidate should focus on that candidate’s qualifi cations for o ce. We cannot publish letters that contain unverifi ed negative information about a candidate’s opponent. Letters advocating for or against a political candidate or ballot issue will not be published within 30 days of an election.
I have always voted for school bond issues wherever I’ve lived — even if I had no children in the district. That refl ects how strongly I believe in the value of public education. But, I have no intention of supporting the bond issue of the Douglas County School District this time around.
The actions of the school board in recent years have been appalling and embarrassing. More time has been spent on politicking and infi ghting than on discussions of education.
I will not support a board that has spent excessively on legal fees, shown their support for using public funds for private education, watered down what should be taught about our nation’s history — and has allowed board meetings to become the laughingstock of the metro area.
Now they’re fi nally ready to discuss education? Now they want my tax money? They haven’t earned it. Jane Gruhl Lone Tree Michael Norton is the grateful president of XINNIX, a personal and professional coach, and a consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator to businesses of all sizes.
OBITUARIES
DIXON Joselyn Mabelle “Jo” (Fisher) Dixon
March 21, 1937 - July 22, 2022
Joselyn (Jo) Dixon, 85, died peacefully on July 22, 2022. She was born in Scott City, Kansas, on March 21, 1937, to Charlie (Gertrude) Preedy Fisher and Bud (Forrest) Fisher. e family moved to a farm in Genoa, Colorado, when Joselyn was three years old. She graduated from Genoa High School in the Class of ’55 and was the Worthy Advisor of Rainbow Girls. Joselyn attended CSU (Colorado A & M) earning a two-year business degree. While at CSU, she met the love of her life, Dick (Lester Jr) Dixon. ey married on July 2, 1957 in Genoa. After living in Fort Collins for a time, they moved to Parker where they took over management of the family farm and built a feedlot. ey were innovative, hard-working and built a good life for their four kids. Joselyn was very involved in the Parker and Douglas County communities. She was an active member of the Douglas County Republican Women, hosting caucuses and serving as an election judge. Joselyn also kept the records for the Parker Cemetery and enlisted the help of the whole family in mowing, painting, and putting ags out for our veterans. Most importantly, she was a great mom supporting her children by volunteering in their schools and attending every ball game, band concert, fair, and stock show. After moving to New Mexico to farm in 1981, Dick and Joselyn returned to Colorado in 1993. As Dick began new careers in real estate and later water brokerage, Joselyn was a priceless partner continuing to perform administrative support as she had when they had farmed and fed cattle. Above all, she loved being with her family and is leaving them with many wonderful memories. She is survived by her sister, Chris Ann (Rawlin) Fisher Herigstad, her children, Kerrie Monti, Kristie (Jim) Doche , Lee (Alexis) Dixon, and Jody (David) Nighswonger; 10 grandchildren and 11 greatgrandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dick Dixon, her parents, Charlie and Bud Fisher, and her brother, Lynn Fisher. Joselyn will be laid to rest in a private family service at Parker Cemetery. ere will be a gathering for friends and family at the Pike’s Peak Grange at 3093 N State Highway 83, Franktown, CO 80116 from 1:00-3:00 on Sunday, August 7. Contributions, in lieu of owers, may be made to NCSA (Northeast Colorado Sportsman Association) and mailed in care of Joselyn Dixon to 5597 WCR 55, Keenesburg, CO 80643.
Place an Obituary for Your Loved One.
BY DEB HURLEY BROBST DBROBST@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then taking a walk through most metro area communities can be a delightful treat for the eyes.
Many communities have outdoor sculptures placed either in sculpture gardens or throughout the cities to provide beauty, create community, revitalize metropolitan areas and make people think. For those in charge of acquiring the sculptures, it’s vital work.
“I think there are a lot of reasons why public sculpture is important,” City of Northglenn Arts, Culture and Community Manager Michael Stricker said. “Not only does it help beautify parks and public areas, but it builds a sense of identity and community. Our community has really embraced all of the public art as their own.”
While public art also includes outdoor murals and other displays, sculptures come in all shapes and sizes, created out of every sort of material and in various genres from traditional to modern. And the best part is that viewing public sculptures is free.
“Outdoor sculptures are like a museum without walls in a way,” explained Tim Vacca with the Greenwood Village-based Museum of Outdoor Arts. “Our mission is to make art part of everyday life where people are walking in public areas, and it might bring a pleasant surprise to them. We want it to be accessible to all.”
Tricia Rosenthal, president of Sculpture Evergreen, a nonprofi t that has placed 42 permanent sculptures throughout Evergreen, called it an artistic imperative to place sculptures in the downtown area and in area parks.
“They speak to people,” Rosenthal said. “It is fun for me to see that, and it’s pretty exciting. I’ve been to numerous places where many communities have decided this is something they want to do as part their community cultural enhancement, and people relate to the sculptures. There is something for everyone — especially with the pieces that change.”
Some communities have sculptures that are displayed on a rotating basis along with their permanent collections.
For Golden, which has extensive public sculptures throughout the city, the Public Art Committee believes sculptures contribute to community identity, civic pride and economic development, and allows the community to feel engaged with the city, according to Robin Fleischmann, Golden’s economic development manager.
Sculptor Shohini Ghosh of Highlands Ranch agrees that public sculptures are a great and important way to introduce art into people’s lives. The sculptor, originally from India, has work displayed as close as Evergreen, Hudson Gardens and the Denver Art Museum, and as far away as Topeka, Kansas; Edina, Minnesota; and even China.
“Sculpture is a mode of expression,” she explained of her art. “The whole concept of expressing a whole idea in one form excites me. It’s not a canvas where you have a story visually developing. Sculpture is one idea, one moment, one emotion that you want to catch and make it permanent. Each sculpture has its own rapport with the public. That’s how it is supposed to be.”
Different styles
Public-sculpture selection and tastes vary wherever you go. In Evergreen, for example, a committee selects the sculptures that are part of the rotating Sculpture Walk. Since Evergreen is not incorporated, the nonprofi t Sculpture Evergreen needs to look for sites by working with private property owners and other entities that own area parks. Evergreen’s Sculpture Walk was started 28 years ago.
“For us, it’s a grassroots thing,” Rosenthal explained. “Other than money from the Scientifi c and Cultural Facilities District and Colorado Creative Industries, everything is funded by donors. Also, in many ways, Evergreen is unique because of the environment we have.” The rural area makes selecting sites that enhance the sculptures more challenging, she added. In Northglenn, a committee of 50 people selects six sculptures for its rotating Art on Parade and invites the public to vote for their favorite, which is purchased by the city to add to its permanent collection of about 30. Northglenn started its collection in 2000.
Stricker said Northglenn is committed to public art and putting it throughout the city, with Art on Parade located at Eleanor M. Wyatt Centennial Park to create a destination feel. The permanent collection is throughout the city and continues to grow.
Golden’s sculpture collection is on temporary hold as the Public Art Committee evaluates its current collection and determines what sculptures should be added. Many of the 34 sculptures are along Clear Creek and Washington Avenue. Golden also has what it calls the Itty Bitty Art Project, which includes 14 tiny sculptures.
The commission wants to begin diversifying its sculpture collection since a large number of the sculptures are traditional bronze donated to the city by other entities, Fleischmann said.
The Museum of Outdoor Arts’ permanent sculpture garden is at Marjorie Park just outside Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre in Greenwood Village, with 40 sculptures, plus more than 30 throughout Englewood. The Museum of Outdoor Arts was started in 1981.
Making sculpture relevant
Ghosh is excited that public sculptures have caught on in many cities in the United States and abroad in part to help rejuvenate municipalities. Historically, a sculpture was put in town squares to help identify the town, and public sculpture is continuing that mission, she added.
“I love that this art form is used as a tool to help cities as they go through the revival process of bringing a city back to life,” Ghosh said.
She wants to see sculptures generate discussion among those who see them.
“I’ve seen people stop and contemplate sculptures,” she explained. “Even in their hurried day, most people don’t just walk by. They give (the sculpture) a moment of thought. Art is a very strong form of communication other than writing or talking. (Sculptors) express directly from our souls — unadulterated, honest expression.”
For those who help bring public art to their communities, its importance is without measure.
“(Sculptures) really reach into people’s hearts,” Rosenthal said. “That’s something worth preserving.”
“Brother and Sister at the Rodeo” by Mario Pahua in Golden. by Mario Pahua in Golden.
PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN
In Greenwood Village, Harry Marinsky’s “The Mad Tea Party” from the “Alice in Wonderland” series is displayed by the Museum of Outdoor Arts in Marjorie Park. COURTESY PHOTO
Shohini Ghosh’s “Man” sculpture being installed in Ever-
green’s Bergen Park. PHOTO BY DEB HURLEY BROBST
“Joy of Music” by George Lundeen in Golden.
PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN
To learn more about public sculptures in the Denver metro area:
Evergreen: sculptureevergreen.org Golden: www.cityofgolden.net/play/ recreation-attractions/public-art/ Lakewood: www.lakewood.org/Government/Departments/CommunityResources/Arts-and-Culture/Exhibitionsand-Public-Art/Public-Art Wheat Ridge: www.ci.wheatridge. co.us/482/Public-Art Arvada: arvada.org/explore/culture-andcommunity/public-art Westminster: www.cityofwestminster.us/ ParksRecreation/ArtsCulture/PublicArt Northglenn: northglennarts.org/publicart/ Brighton: www.brightonco.gov/1677/ Outdoor-Art Commerce City: www.c3gov.com/explore/public-art Lone Tree: artencounters.douglas.co.us/ lone-tree/ Parker: parkerarts.org/art-gallery-exhibits/public-art/ Douglas County: artencounters.douglas. co.us Highlands Ranch: hrcaonline.org/aboutus/hrca-nonprofi ts/cultural-a airsassociation/public-art Littleton: www.littletongov.org/mylittleton/parks-trails/public-art
As Mark Twain once (supposedly) wrote, “history doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.” Miners Alley Playhouse is proving that’s true with its summer production of the rock and roll classic, “Hair.”
“There’s a timelessness to this show, which is unfortunate,” said Valerie Igoe, who plays Sheila in the production. “Sixty years later, the relevance is still here. There’s something that completely resonates.”
Sponsored by The Buffalo Rose, “Hair” runs at Miners Alley, 1224 Washington Ave. in Golden, through Oct. 2. The show runs at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Directed by Len Matheo, and featuring music direction by David Nehls and choreography by Angie Simmons, the show brings alive the 1960s counterculture with memorable songs, vivid costumes and a story that examines ideas that include identity, global responsibility and much more.
“The shows that meant the most to me in the past have been the shows that really bring the community together and are more actual events than just going to see a musical or play,” Matheo said. “People in the older crowd will remember those times and it will connect them to their youth and everyone else in the audience.”
What most recognize “Hair” for is the tunes, which include favorites like “Aquarius,” “Good Morning, Starshine,” and “Let The Sun Shine In.” Performing these songs will be Brian Bohlender, Alejandro Roldan, Bussy Gower, Ben Hilzer, Preston Adams, Katie Jackson, Vi Dang. Jasmyn Pierce, Ronald McQueen, Jade McGee and Daja McLeod. Matheo said the production’s non-traditional and colorblind casting allows everything about the show to take on a layer of meaning.
“There’re so many music scenes in the show, but in some ways, it’s like a French fi lm,” Igoe said. “You’re thrown into all these characters’ relationships and lives… and see them build their tribe.”
Regardless of if the show is something audience members are familiar with or not, Matheo is certain everyone will fi nd something that moves them.
“I want people to know what they’ll feel when they come to the show — for much of the show, they won’t be able to stop smiling,” he said. “Audiences will have a wonderful time and possibly a cathartic experience around the pure joy of being young and the pain and grief of being young.”
Get tickets at www.minersalley.com.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
Clarke Reader
Immerse yourself in ancient Egypt
There’s been a string of immersive
Beat the heat
Reduce your electric bill by cooking outside, installing a smart thermostat and staggering your use of large appliances, especially during the “on-peak” period of 4 to 8 p.m. Visit www.CORE.coop for more energy e ciency tips.
events in the Mile High City this year, but this is one I’m most excited about (history nerd that I am) — Im-
mersive King Tut: Magic Jour-
ney to the Light, which is set up at Lighthouse Denver at 3900 Elati St., through Oct. 10.
According to provided information, this event celebrates the 100th anniversary of archeologist Howard Carter’s discovery of the tomb of the legendary “boy king” in November 1922. Visitors will learn more about “Amduat, an important ancient Egyptian funerary text, thought to be the oldest known illustrated story that was depicted on the tombs of pharaohs.” For those who long to explore Egypt but may not get there, this is the next best thing.
Secure your passport to the exhibit at immersive-kingtut.com/denver.
Get your soul sizzle on with Larry Braggs and the CJRO
There’s a reason soul music will never go out of style and if you are curious about that reason, all you need to do is listen to the vocals of Larry Braggs. The lead vocalist of Tower of Power for 14 years, he’s returning to the Arvada Center Amphitheatre after last year’s brilliant visit.
Braggs and the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra will be bringing their A Night of Sizzling Soul to the center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 6. As someone who attended last year’s performance, I can attest that both the band and singer bring their A-game to all kinds of classics of the genre.
If you love some of the best music ever written (and why wouldn’t you?), this is a can’t-miss event. Get tickets at www.coloradojazz.org/ concerts.
Clarke’s Concert of the Week — The Wild Hearts Tour at Mission Ballroom
Three of the best voices in modern alternative rock are joining forces for what will undoubtedly be a truly wonderful concert - one of the best in a season of killer bills. Julien Baker, Sharon Van Etten and Angel Olsen are the three members of the Wild Hearts Tour and will be performing at Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St. in Denver, at 6 p.m. Aug. 7.
All three artists have unleashed stellar releases this year — Baker just dropped a companion EP to last year’s “Little Oblivion,” while Olsen’s “Big Time” is a stirring and searing album that ranks amongst her best (and that’s no small thing). And Van Etten’s “We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong,” shows that six albums in, her pen remains as powerful as ever.
With talents this strong, you don’t want to miss this show. Get tickets at www.axs.com.
Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail. com.
FRIENDSHIP
FROM PAGE 10
waited a few months and asked me if I’d go out with him, and I did,” said Gunther.
She was married to Wilson for nine and a half years before he died. Gunther said both of her husbands loved her very much and she was lucky to have two wonderful people take care of her.
Gunther has been very involved in the community over the years, founding chapters of Toastmasters in Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock and Parker.
“It’s a great organization where you learn to speak,” said Gunther. “I was made president of three clubs at one time, and I thought, ‘Oh my goodness, I need to have some experience talking in front of people,’ so I started Toastmasters.”
She taught kindergartners in Denver for a few years, including one year of Spanish. “The next year they said, ‘You have to take the test now to see if you can pass,’ and I said, ‘I don’t think I can pass the test,’ so I dropped out quick,” said Gunther.
Gunther volunteered for AARP for many years, founding two chapters in Colorado.
She also competed as a senior pageant queen, winning Miss Senior Colorado in 1998 among others.
Now, Gunther attends an aerobics class every Monday and Thursday with her friends and walks her dog and best friend, Toby, every day.
She said maintaining good friendships is the most important part of life.
“I think to have a good friend, you have to be a good friend,” said Gunther. “I try to be a good friend. I remember everybody’s birthday and do things like that and remember to call them every once in a while. Friendship is the most important thing right now.”
TURN TO THE COLORADO SUN FOR NEWS ACROSS THE STATE
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For Colorado Sun stories, opinions and more, and to support The Sun’s misssion as a member or subscriber, visit coloradosun.com.
Thu 8/11
Featured
The Knotty G's Duo at The Club at Ravenna @ 5pm The Club at Ravenna, 11118 Care‐taker Rd, Littleton
Dance: Level 4B Ballet & Contem‐porary (13-18yrs) Thur 6:00pm
@ 11pm Aug 11th - Dec 8th PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
Featured
Scott Fowler Music: Scott Fowler @ Clock Tower Grill @ 3pm Clock Tower Grill, 9360 Station St #100, Lone Tree
Featured
Vamonos Pest/Mobro: Va‐monos Pest plays Private Party during Welcome Western Week @ 4pm Sterne Park, 5800 S Spotswood St, Littleton Featured
Scotty McCreery @ 6pm Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W Plum Creek Pkwy, Castle Rock Zach Winters Music: ZACH WINTERS | Denver, CO
@ 6pm Littleton House Show, Littleton
Los Telez
@ 7pm Stampede, 2430 S Havana St, Aurora
Black Pistol Fire
@ 7:30pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood
Sat 8/13
Lacrosse: Kinder - Ages 4 to 6 - Fall 2022
@ 2pm Aug 13th - Oct 8th Parker Fieldhouse, 18700 E Plaza Dr, Parker
Featured
Buckstein: Backyard Beats at
Sweetwater Park @ 4pm Sweetwater Park, 8300-1/2 Sweet Water Rd, Lone Tree Steve Everett: Earth Angel: The Barn Raising
@ 4pm Earth Angel Barn, S �uintero St, Fo��eld
@ 5pm Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre, 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd, Englewood Featured
Dramarama
@ 5:30pm Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre, 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd, Greenwood Village
@ 5:30pm Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre, 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd, Englewood
Featured
Jenny Shawhan: Centennial Under the Stars @ 6pm Centennial Center Park, 13050 E Peakview Ave, Centennial
Sun 8/14
Featured
Pancake Stampede 5K @ 7am / $20 The Hudson Gardens & Event Center, 6115 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton. SarahN@ssprd.org, 303483-7034
powered by
Featured
Dave Mensch - Tailgate Tavern - Parker, CO @ 12pm Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker
Tue 8/16
Nimesh Patel
@ 6:30pm Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Pl, Greenwood Village
Wed 8/17
AOA: Pickleball 101 @ Eisenhower
@ 2:30pm Aug 17th - Sep 7th Eisenhower Recreation Center, 4300 E. Dartmouth Ave., Denver. 720-913-0654
Ladies Night
@ 5pm / $5 Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora
Featured
DJ Rockstar Aaron: Forbidden Bingo at 'Bout Time Pub & Grub @ 7pm Bout Time Pub & Grub, 3580 S Platte River Dr A, Sheridan
Thu 8/18
Wind, Women, & Water Clinic
@ 4:30pm / $35 Cherry Creek Reservoir, 4800 S Dayton St, Greenwood Village. 303-757-7718
Unprocessed
@ 7pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood
“Volcanic Sunrise,” a metal print by photographer Jason Weiss, was chosen as Best of Show in the All Colorado Art Show at Littleton’s Depot Art Gallery, where the exhibit runs through Aug. 27. COURTESY IMAGE
Traditional exhibit opens at gallery
Old depot is venue for annual show
BY SONYA ELLINGBOE SELLINGBOE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Wild West — the 38th All Colorado Art Show at Littleton’s Depot Art Gallery — opened with a reception where juror Doug Dawson awarded the Best of Show to photographer Jason Weiss for his “Volcanic Sunrise,” a fi ne metal print. It is one of 400 entries submitted for this highly competitive exhibit. Dawson selected 70 works to be displayed through Aug. 27.
Dawson’s own piece, a pastel called “A Break in the Sky,” is hung just to the right of the entrance, as one faces the front door. Pause and enjoy it.
Jason Weiss’ winning work is fi nely detailed, with every small bit of rock clearly depicted and beautifully balanced color. A viewer really feels drawn to a special spot with an amazingly serene view, given the explosive subject …
Also winning a Best of Show ribbon is Mike Grant’s very clever cat image: a grinning kitty fi lled with other animals — you have to look at this one to get it. I’m thinking kids will be as enchanted as I was ...
Many of the works selected for the exhibit are landscapes. Entrants would be aware that Dawson is a master pastellist and teacher, known for his landscapes, fi gures and twilight city scenes. He teaches pastel workshops across the country.
A Second Place ribbon was awarded to Paul Nutting’s painting, “Evening Quiet,” an oil on canvas depicting a creek fl owing toward mountains. One can almost hear a gurgle ...
Third Place winner was Diane Fechenbach’s pastel painting, “Frozen.”
Honorable Mention ribbons include Sheryl Detert’s acrylic painting, “Alone,” and Elizabeth Kayle’s digital fi ne art photograph, “Sunset Sentinel,” silhouetting a lone raven ...
For years, there has been more than one “All Colorado Show” appearing in mid- summer, so we just specify “at the Depot” or “at Curtis Center” and encourage readers to enjoy both after years of suggesting one or the other venue change a summer show title ... They really are both crowd pleasers, and a great introduction to art for young people who are just starting to create their own images. Here are many approaches to making a thing of beauty ...
IF YOU GO
The Depot Art Gallery is at 2069 W. Powers Ave., Littleton, in the 1861 red Santa Fe Depot near the old courthouse on Littleton Boulevard. Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. depotartgallery.org.
Castle Rock/Franktown WORLD MISSION CHURCH (KOREAN CHURCH)
7249 E. Park Dr. Franktown, CO TIME: 10:30 PM PHONE: 303-688-1004
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
To advertise your place of worship in this section,
Serving the southeast Denver call Erin at 303-566-4074 or email area eaddenbrooke@ColoradoCommunityMedia.com
Greenwood Village
Congregation Beth Shalom Parker
Sunday Services - 10:00 a.m. Meditation before service - 9:30 a.m. Cimarron Middle School
12130 Canterberry Pkwy, Parker, CO 80138 www.CSLParker.org • (303) 805-9890
Advertise Here! Advertise Here!
Castle Rock painter and teacher Cindy Welch will exhibit her works, original watercolors and prints, in the Marketplace at the Douglas County Fair on Aug. 5, 6 and 7. At 500 Fairgrounds Road in Castle Rock.
Water blossom celebration
Reminder: Aug. 6, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. is the date for the annual Water Blossom Festival at Denver Botanic Gardens, with activities near the Monet Pool. Information, tours and free water plants, while supplies last.
Isakov
Gregory Alan Isakov will perform with the Colorado Symphony at Boettcher Concert Hall on Aug. 19 and 20, with works from his album “Evening Machines,” as well as a selection from his full catalog. Conductor will be Christopher Dragon. Tickets: coloradosymphony.org/ tickets, 303-623-7876.
Littleton Symphony
Catherine Sailer, new music director and conductor, and the Littleton Symphony Orchestra will perform two free outdoor summer concerts: Aug. 21, 6:30 p.m. at Bega Park in downtown Littleton and Aug. 24, 7 p.m. at Clement Park, 7306 West Bowles Ave. Music by Rossini, Bizet, Beethoven, Holst and John Williams. No tickets needed. Bring the family, a picnic and a blanket.
Mosaics
The Colorado Mosaics Artists’ “Mosaics 2022: As Seen Through New Eyes” is at Foothills Art Center, 809 15th St., Golden, through Oct. 2, with a “contemporary translation of an ancient language.” Admission free. See foothillsartcenter.org.
Sondheim
Tickets are on sale at the Arvada Center for Sondheim’s modern fairy tale, “Into the Woods.” It runs from Sept. 9 to 23 and interprets the real life of fairy tale characters ... 720-898-7200. arvadacenter.org.
CVA
“Banana Craze” will bring two shows to the Center for Visual Arts, 965 Santa Fe Drive, Denver (Metro State University’s fi ne gallery) Aug. 26 to Oct. 22. “Banana Craze” looks at how one fruit has shaped the culture and environment of a continent and “Cultivate” explores food access in Colorado. Admission free. Hours: Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday: noon to 5 p.m. Adjacent free parking. 303-294-5207, msudenver.edu/cva.
Western Welcome Week
The event schedule for Littleton’s Western Welcome week is available online, with concert and fi reworks at Sterne Park on Aug. 13 (bring a picnic and stay after dark). Followed by pancake breakfast, “Summer Comes to the Diamond O,” play at Littleton United Methodist Church and the 93rd Grand Parade from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 13 — plus more ... fi nd a schedule around town! Or online. 303-794-4870 or westernwelcomeweek.org for questions.
SONYA’S SAMPLER
Sonya Ellingboe
“Wheel of Thrills” is among the works that Castle Rock artist Cindy Welch will display in the Marketplace at the Douglas County Fair on Aug. 5, 6 and 7. COURTESY OF CINDY WELCH
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