NORTON

other side of our memories as we lament the missed opportunities in life, lost chances of love, and the mistakes we may have made along the way. We don’t often hear the word “lament” anymore. Merriam Webster’s Dictionary de nes “lament” as, to express sorrow, mourning, or regret often demonstratively, or, to regret strongly, or, to cry out in grief. ose are some very strong words that should emote some very deep feelings.

When given the choice, most of us would probably prefer to reminisce about the good old days, right? We can laugh with one another, embrace one another, and choose to only remember the best times of our lives. ere is nothing wrong with that and as a matter of fact I highly recommend it. ere is no greater cure for the blues than spending time with a family member or friend stirring up our greatest and most memorable escapades of our past.

Yet there is also something to be said of lamenting our past, our sorrows, our griefs, and the challenges we have faced in all our years here on earth. e struggles have been real, the hurts have been devastating, the challenges have brought us to tears, and the disappointments many and plentiful. Why would I say that there is something to be said about lamenting our past?

ing those interested can apply now for the summer cycle.

e application can be found on P3’s website at P3Parker.com/FLIP. In the past, FLIP funds have been used to change signage, paint a business’s exterior, improve landscaping, including purchasing a new fence, help fund outdoor seating projects like patios, create awnings and canopies, and more.

As a Parker community member, we bene t from these projects as new meeting places are created, our daily walks become nicer, and neighborhoods grow in property values. We’ve also heard it’s great for the businesses who participate! Previous FLIP recipient and Mainstreet property owner Andy Chanos commented on the program, saying, “P3’s FLIP grant is the best deal for businesses I have ever come across.”

FLIP was designed to encourage investment to help bolster the economic vitality of Parker. Studies show that facade and landscape improvements are one of the most e ective ways to enhance the appearance of a commercial building, drawing in customers and further investment. P3’s FLIP program assists not only local business and property owners, but also helps elevate Parker by creating a more wel- e daughter who lost her mom before her wedding day laments that she couldn’t experience that special occasion with her mom. e same daughter reminisces each holiday about how special her mom made each and every holiday, bringing both tears of sorrow and tears of joy to her face. Do you see how they can both exist in the same moment? coming environment for residents and families, increasing property value, and helping guide the vision of what Parker will be in the future. e program has been running since January 2020 and has helped 22 businesses in Parker. is includes $130,000 in funding used to improve the community.

Because sometimes even the pain brings back memories of something once cherished. Because sometimes it’s healthy to lament, and feel the pain so that we can maybe nally let it go. And sometimes, it’s OK to never let go of something or someone we cherished so deeply, that is now lost, because it keeps us connected forever.

How about you? Do you love and appreciate the moments where you get to reminisce about the best, happiest, and craziest times of life with your family and friends? Do you also lament those moments in life where you wish things could’ve been di erent? I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail. com, and when we can remember all of the sweet, bitter and bittersweet moments of life that shape who we are, 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.

To qualify, a business and building must be in one of Parker’s three urban renewal areas: Parker Road, Parker Central or Cottonwood. Additionally, the property cannot be classi ed as “exempt” by the Douglas County Assessor, must have a valid Town of Parker Business/Sales Tax license, and there cannot be code enforcement violations on the property. ose interested can nd a full list of quali cations on P3’s website.

FLIP is funded through Tax Incre- ment Financing, or TIF, which is a key nancing mechanism for P3 and urban renewal authorities. Put simply, TIF funding comes from increased property values in areas considered “blighted.” ese funds then are reinvested within urban renewal areas to reduce blight, encourage more investment and improve the community.

To learn more, you can read the full FLIP policy booklet, see past example projects, and ll out an online application at P3Parker.com/ FLIP. Applications are open from June 1 through June 30, 2023. We also recommend contacting the P3 o ce for additional assistance or with questions at 303.805.3136 or info@p3parker.com.

Be Studio is an all-inclusive space for people young and old to feel the music and express themselves. For dancers who want to break out of the traditional dance studio format, the international company based in Denver could be a dream come

Striving to bring the magic of global movement to people in Colorado, Caitlin BroznaSmith founded the dance studio that brings a piece of global culture along with self-expression and con dence with each class.

“It was so important to include people from where these cultures are sourced,” said Brozna-Smith. “I found people from Polynesia to teach Polynesian dance… teachers from Iran. We really have this beautiful, electric group of dancers from all over the

Among a multitude of dance styles, students can learn the soft style of Hula ‘Auana, Tahitian dance, Bollywood, Belly Dancing, adult ballet and Ginga Vibe, which draws on styles from the African Diaspora including Funk, Afro-Caribe, Dance Hall, Soca, Lambada and Samba. e studio also o ers Taiji Fit, a halfhour mind and low-impact body workout that combines traditional T’ai Chi with mindfulness and modern Western tness. Inspired by the Bollywood style of dance, BollyX Fitness is a 50-minute cardio workout and GROOV3 Hip Hop Dance Fitness.

Within the Bella Diva studio, both the

Students learn worldwide dance styles at Bella Diva World Dance Studio

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

teaching sta and students are multinational. e dance teachers come from ve di erent countries and teach a range of students from 29 di erent countries.

teach countries.

To bring as much authentic culture into Denver, many teachers have gone abroad to study di erent styles of dance.

“ e people (teachers) who are not native from the cultures that we’re teaching travel and learn from the source because it’s really important that we do cultural appreciation and cultural exchange,” Brozna-Smith said.

Samba styles (teachers) the from source appreciation exchange,” Brozna-Smith abso-

Samba, the high energy and fast footwork style is not just a dance form, it is a lifestyle. ose who teach Samba at Bella Diva make sure they are staying true to the culture and teach the students the history of where the dance originated.

“I am very careful when I am teaching my students because I am not Brazilian, it is not my culture, but it is something that I am absolutely fascinated with and love,” said instructor Chelsi Vecchiavelli. “I spend a lot of time outside of class researching, asking experts, listening to podcasts, consulting my mentors who are Brazilian and who are my teachers.”

Born out of the slave trade when it was down in Brazil, Samba was a means of hope and joy and is a dance of resistance and raises up against oppression.

Samba schools have often been located in a favela, which is the poor neighborhoods within Rio De Janeiro. Vecchiavelli said there