Lone Tree Arts Center Announces Southern Decadence Luncheon
The Lone Tree Arts Center announces a “Southern Decadence Luncheon” to be held on Tuesday, April 7. The luncheon will launch the LTAC’s upcoming production of the play Steel Magnolias which will run from April 9 – 19, 2026.
“We’re thrilled to host this first-time event, which will introduce theater lovers to our production of Steel Magnolias,” states Marcus Turner, the Lone Tree Arts Center’s Associate Director for External Relations. He continued that the Arts Center has had great success with productions including the recent Nice Work If You Can Get It which marked the second highest selling theatrical production in the Arts Center’s history.
The “Southern Decadence Luncheon,” to be held from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, includes a delicious buffet lunch catered by Cranelli’s Italian Restaurant, followed by an exclusive backstage tour of the sets for Steel Magnolias
Suggested attire for the luncheon is “Southern Garden Party” with optional “Ladies-Who-Lunch” hats in tribute to Steel Magnolias
Tickets for the luncheon are $50 per person and are available by calling the Lone Tree Arts Center box office at (720) 509-1000 or visit www.lonetreeartcenter.org.
The Lone Tree Arts Center is located at 10075 Commons Street, Lone Tree, Colorado
About the Lone Tree Arts Center
Owned and operated by the City of Lone Tree, LTAC has created a dynamic model for the performing arts in both presenting and producing performances for all ages. In addition to producing our own theatrical shows, LTAC presents world-renowned national and international artists, and collaborates with premier Colorado performing arts companies to present their productions in Lone Tree.
The City of Lone Tree is an innovative, thriving, business-friendly, and family-oriented suburb located at the foot of the Rockies. Our 14,000 residents enjoy world-class cultural and recreational amenities both within Lone Tree and through easy access to the surrounding region. Learn more about the City of Lone Tree at www.cityoflonetree.com.
Ms. Colorado Senior America Pageant – “Can’t Stop the Feeling…”
Join us Saturday, April 25 at 2:00 p.m. at the Mizel Arts and Cultural Center’s Elaine Wolf Theater for the Ms. Colorado Senior America Pageant, celebrating women age 60 and better.
pete in Interview, Evening Gown, Philosophy of Life, and Talent.
Contestants will com-
The program will also feature former Colorado Queens, the Tambourine Group, the Bella Dance Group, and special musical guests.
Ms. Colorado Senior America 2026 will be crowned and advance to the national pageant in October. Tickets: Box Office 303316-6360 or the JCCDenver website https://www.jcc denver.org
Come celebrate and be inspired.
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Surviving Retirement
Retirement arrives like a long-anticipated vacation. No more waking up before dawn to get to the office before the staff arrives. I can finally relax over coffee, get a few overdue projects completed, and read that pile of books beside the bed.
It also means being together all the time. By week three, one spouse inevitably looks at the other and asks the quiet question lingering in the room: “Did you always breathe that loudly?”
The good news is that research shows retirement can strengthen marriages when couples learn how to adapt to this new stage. A supportive partnership can even boost health, lower stress, and improve overall well-being during retirement. How do couples survive, and even thrive, when the office disappears, and the house suddenly becomes a full-time shared workspace?
Experts advise couples to intentionally maintain individual hobbies and friendships, so they don’t become overly dependent on each other. They also suggest creating a new rhythm together. The time spent commuting, in meetings, or at the office can now be used for morning walks, regular date nights, playing cards, getting to know neighbors, or working together to entertain grandchildren. Learning and growing together, volunteering, taking a class, cultivating a hobby, or traveling are just some of the many benefits of retirement.
Speaking of traveling, my husband and I are on a 93-day South Pacific cruise visiting amazing places like American Samoa, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal, Australia, and New Zealand. We are on day 73 living in a 250-square-foot cabin. How have we managed to keep our relationship intact, free from wanting to kill each other?
What we have done is establish a routine. Who will have time at the desk? When will each of us shower? How will we get to our excursion on time, trying to get ready in such a tiny space? What time will we go to eat? Go to the gym? When does the TV turn on and off? We have been intentional about creating a balance between spending time together and having designated separateness. Planning activities to-
gether, like playing a game, is a good way to maintain a healthy connection amid forced togetherness. Scheduling time alone is essential for health and well-being. Independent experiences can strengthen togetherness because alone time fosters creativity, reflection, and wonder. It is in the quiet that we nurture intellectual curiosity, and the peace of solitude soothes our spirit. Constant stimulation keeps our minds running at full speed, preventing our brains from resting and recharging. We use headphones or
earbuds to block out noise and distractions when we’re together. Both of us are writers, and I continue to serve on the boards of a few national nonprofit organizations. This has required me to join Zoom calls in the middle of the night because of the crazy time differences in the South Pacific. With some planning, I have been able to find a private room on the ship to take my calls while my husband sleeps. Healthy togetherness and necessary alone time require planning and communication. Establishing a rhythm, understanding what to expect, and respecting boundaries are keys to surviving retirement and thriving in marriage. After all, I married for better and for worse, but not for lunch.
joneen@narme.org
From Cork to the Yampa River
The nation is celebrating 250 years since the birth of the United States, and Colorado is celebrating 150 years as the Centennial State. During this historic year, I plan to write often about Colorado’s history and the people who helped shape it.
The idea for the series came to me while having corned beef and cabbage for lunch at Slattery’s Pub & Grill in the DTC, and while thinking about my family roots.
young immigrant stepping onto American soil.
Years later, poet Emma Lazarus captured the spirit of that immigrant welcome in the words that would become famous at the Statue of Liberty:
BY BOB SWEENEY PUBLISHER
One of those people was my grandfather, Patrick Sweeney, who emigrated from County Cork, Ireland, in 1865. Family stories say Patrick was a strong young farmhand who entered a plowboy contest back home in Cork. He won first prize—five pounds sterling—which he promptly used to purchase passage to America.
When his ship arrived in New York Harbor, the nation was draped in black following the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. It must have been a sobering welcome to a
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…”
Like many immigrants of that era, Patrick soon looked west. The nation itself was expanding rapidly. Thomas Jefferson’s Louisiana Purchase in 1803 opened vast lands beyond the Mississippi River. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 added enormous territory across the Southwest. The driving of the Golden Spike at Promontory Summit, Utah, in 1869 linked the nation by rail and accelerated the movement of settlers toward the Rocky Mountains.
Northwest Colorado was still rugged frontier country. After the Ute Indians were relocated to Utah following the Meeker Massacre in 1879, settlers began moving into the valleys of the
White and Yampa Rivers.
Freight wagons pulled by powerful four-horse teams hauled provisions across rough trails and river crossings—flour, potatoes, dried fruit and tools needed by the ranchers and pioneers building new lives in the remote country.
It was in Meeker that another important chapter in my grandfather’s life began.
Patrick stopped in a small restaurant owned by the local bank. Working there was Mary Frawley, who also worked for the bank. Family history tells the story that is where they met and, after getting to know her, proposed as direct as the frontier itself.
“Mary,” he said, “when I come back next month, let’s get married.”
And they did.
Patrick and Mary were married in 1887 at the Methodist Church in Meeker. They were Catholics, but in those early days, there was no Catholic church in the community.
After their marriage, they homesteaded about 20 miles north of Meeker, filing on a
Is our entire economy at risk due to extreme money supply in circulation at present?
In economics, as in human nature, there is always a cause and an effect, that which is seen and that which is not seen (until later).
The Fed’s massive QE (Quantitative Easing) efforts inevitably lead to devaluation of the US Dollar, what the consumer sees as price inflation. This is just one of the unintended consequences of Fed action.
The extreme liquidity (mon-
ey supply) the Federal Reserve foisted into our economy almost two decades ago, in 2008, has other negative effects. The Fed and Treasury Department colluded with Congress and President Obama to create in excess of $8 Trillion additional dollars (Quantitative Easing) to flood the economy with liquidity.
Excess (artificial) liquidity, like QE, creates imbalances in the economy (just as insidious
as dollar devaluation) because these influences create excess that expose economic cycles to extremes. We saw these excesses in the stock market run up, in commercial real estate investment and in energy exploration.
For every expansion, there is contraction.
Redemptions out of BlackRock and other investment house are a strong indication that we are in a contracting phase. This is inevitable.
Wisdom lies in balance, in a tempered approach, long before the imbalance gets extreme.
160-acre claim. They lived on that homestead for three years, “proving up” the land as required under the Homestead Act to receive title.
Once they had done that, the young couple moved about 10 miles farther north, where they purchased a ranch along the Yampa River.
That ranch would become their home for the next 50 years.
Patrick and Mary raised five sons there. My father was the second oldest. All the boys grew up as cowboys, breaking horses, chasing cattle and learning the hard lessons of ranch life in northwest Colorado.
From a plowboy contest in County Cork to the ranch country of the Yampa Valley, my grandfather’s journey reflected the determination of immigrants who helped settle the American West.
Their story reminds us that the history of Colorado—and of America itself—is built from thousands of personal journeys like theirs, each one helping shape the nation we celebrate today.
Or, when the imbalance is identified, wisdom demands action to address the excess. We can take the pain mow or natural forces will take over. Since we are in a contraction phase, we can recognize its inevitability and contract the excess liquidity foisted on us by an errant Federal Reserve 20 years ago.
Jay Davidson is founder and CEO of a commercial bank, a student of the Austrian School of Economics and a dedicated capitalist. There is a direct connection between individual right and responsibility, our Constitution, capitalism, and the intent of our Creator.
SENIOR REPORTER Freda Miklin fmiklin.villager@gmail.com 303-489-4900 REPORTER Robert Sweeney bsween1@aol.com
EDITORIAL COLUMNIST Robert Sweeney bsween1@aol.com
The
Denver Holocaust Remembrance event
Denver will once again participate in the nationwide commemoration to honor the victims of the Holocaust and their families at the Denver Holocaust Remembrance event on Sunday, April 19th at Babi Yar Park, 10451 E Yale Ave in Denver, from 2-4 p.m. This event coincides with the annual observance of the Holocaust, established by Congress, and led by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., as well as Israel’s Yom HaShoah Remembrance day on April 14th, 2026. It is sponsored by the non-profit, Remember 6, an entity that uses educational and informational programs to combat the disturbing rise in Antisemitism and Holocaust denial.
Opening invocation will be given by Father Phil Eberhart, Pastor of Resurrection Anglican Fellowship in Greenwood Village. Father Phil and his Church are bold in their stance against the current rise of Antisemitism. The Denver Mayor, Michael Johnston’s Proclamation, in memory of the Holocaust, will be read by the Retired Colonel of the US Air-Force, Dr. David Murphy, a command pilot with over 2,300 flying hours including 274 in combat, and served as an F-16 flight lead, instructor pilot, and flight examiner. He is currently the Dean of the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences, as well as the College of Adult and Graduate Studies at Colorado Christian University.
Attendees of the Denver Holocaust Remembrance Event will have the privileged of hearing from Holocaust Survivor, Barbara Steinmetz who was born in Hungary in 1936. Her parents ran a flourishing hotel on an island off the coast of Croatia, providing her and her older sister an idyllic childhood. That all changed in the summer of 1938, when Jews across Europe saw a grave threat in the rise of the Nazi party and began making plans to leave their homelands to escape Hitler’s grasp.
Barbara’s family left Hungary in 1940, settling in Nice, France, but Hitler’s threat followed them, forcing them to flee again by train to Barcelona, then Madrid and finally to Lisbon, Portugal. Barbara’s father sought for asylum in 12 different countries but the only one accepting Jewish refugees was the Dominican Republic who would use them for hard labor. Barbara’s family eventually made it to the United States, when Barbara was 9. Her parents took on menial jobs and moved from state to state to find better pay and more affordable living. The moving around was necessary for survival but it meant Barbara couldn’t developed roots, nor establish lasting friendships. This changed after
We
Barbara married Howard Steinmetz, moved to Saginaw, Michigan, had 3 beautiful daughters and settled for 50 years! Barbara and Howard moved to Boulder, Colorado in 2005 where they lived together until his passing in 2010. Then on June 1st, 2025 much to the shock of the community in Boulder, a deadly attack on Jews occurred. It took place during the Run For Their Lives gathering that advocated for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Mohamed Sabry Soliman threw Molotov Cocktails into the crowd, injuring 15 people including Barbara and her daughter, Julie Shaffer. Another Holocaust Survivor, Karen Diamond, succumbed to her injuries and passed away nearly four weeks after the assault.
Because of this incident, and the continued rise in Antisemitism, Barbara is diligent about sharing her story at schools, churches, and community events emphasizing that “Silence is the enemy.”
Hannah Sperber will also be speaking. She was the daughter of a Nazi Officer who later became a Jewish Matriarch. She was born in Germany in 1936 and experienced a turbulent childhood. Her father was an active member of the Nazi party and Hannah describes him as very cruel. Though she didn’t know anything about the Holocaust and certainly not her fathers involvement, Hannah recalls seeing slow-moving freight trains with people in them and she wondered about these people and was told that they were prisoners of war.
“That’s all I knew,” she says. Even after the war Hannah remained unaware of the Holocaust or of Germany’s role in it until she met Henry Sperber in 1954. Henry was a Holocaust Survivor whose family posed as non-Jews during the war. Henry’s father, who spoke fluent German, even repaired military vehicles for the German army but the SS found out he was Jewish and attempted to arrest him. Henry’s father resisted the arrest, was beaten unconscious and died of his injuries. Henry’s mother was taken to Auschwitz and his two younger siblings tried to flee but were caught
and murdered. Henry escaped but was left all alone at age 10 until kind strangers from Poland took him in until the war was over. His mother survived Auschwitz and they reunited. She remarried in 1949 and this new family moved to Detroit, MI. In 1953, Henry enlisted in the U.S. Army and was sent to Germany, where he met Hannah. Hearing Henry’s story was the first time Hannah heard about the Holocaust. “I was just shocked,” she says. “I felt so guilty.” It wasn’t long before Hannah found herself drawn to Judaism and she remembers the first time she entered a Synagogue, she felt so comfortable, so at home, giving her great comfort and joy which she desperately needed. Hannah and Henry eventually married and built a life together, first in Detroit and then in Denver, during which Hannah found great security and purpose through Judaism, family and community.”
“In addition to those sharing their stories, there will be a panel of Holocaust Survivors who will speak about the rise of Antisemitism in our day, how it is affecting them and what they think should be done about it. This panel will include:
David Zapilar, who was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1932. When the Germans invaded Poland in 1939, the Zapiler Family fled to Russia, taking refuge on a Russian farm with 18 other Jews who were attempting to escape the Nazis. Eventually the Russians transported the Zapiler family to a slave camp in Siberia where David’s parents endured hard labor.
Asher Ben Basat, who was
born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria in 1940. In 1941, Bulgaria made an alliance with Hitler’s Germany so Asher’s earliest recollections of life was of constant dread and fear of deprivation. In March 1943, the entire Jewish Community of Plovdiv, including Asher’s family were sent to the train station. After a long period of waiting, they were released to go home. Asher learned years later, that that train was on its way to the extermination camp in Treblinka. His family was spared for unknown reasons and to this day, that memory haunts him.
Oscar “Osi” Sladek, who was born in 1935 in Prešov, Czechoslovakia. By the time he was seven, Osi was forced to wear a Yellow Star of David, was bullied and beaten by his classmates, and labeled a “dirty little Jew”. “That is where my personal Holocaust started” Osi states. In 1944 most Jews in Prešov had been deported to concentration camps, so Osi’s family was forced to flee into the Tatra mountains, facing great challenges just trying to survive the winter. Osi has documented this great trial in a book called “Escape to the Tartas: a Boy, a War and a Life Interrupted.”
Please join Remember 6 as they present the Denver Holocaust Remembrance Event, giving honor to Holocaust survivors and standing up against Antisemitism. They will also high-lite the venue of this annual event, Babi Yar Park, a living Memorial of the Holocaust that is a hidden gem in Denver. The original Babi Yar is a ravine in Kyiv, Ukraine, known for being the site of one of the largest mass murders
during the Holocaust, where approximately 33,771 Jews were killed by Nazi forces over two days in September 1941. The ravine was used as a mass grave. Babi Yar Park in Denver memorializes this atrocity. Remember 6 is working with the original founders of the park to bring improvements through signage that will highlight the memorial structures throughout the park, including the sidewalk system which is configured as the Star of David and a natural ravine at the western edge of the park that is reminiscent of the location where victims were buried in Kiev. This ravine is crossed by a narrow bridge with high, black wooden walls, which evoke the train cars used by the Nazis to transport prisoners. Many participants at last years event were not aware of these memorial structures and proceeded to explore the entire park in order to grasp its true essence. Signage will inspire every Babi Yar Park visitor to experience the same. Please consider donating to this special project using the QR code below. All these endeavors made by Remember 6 are for the purpose of restoring hope within the Jewish Community and speaking truth about the atrocities that happened to them in the past and those happening to them now. Please join in these efforts and stand firm in declaring: “We will NOT be silent!”
Asher Ben Basat
David Zapiler Dr. David Murphy
Father Phil Hannah Sperber Osi Sladek
Barbara Steinmetz
Nine ‘IFs’ will decide how ’26 Rockies fare
Will the 2026 Rockies avoid losing 100 or more games for the fourth season in a row?
Can Colorado climb out of the National League Western Division cellar after finishing last in the West the past four years?
SCOTTSDALE, AZ—After spending a week at Rockies Spring Training—a Christmas present from my spectacular wife—I believe the answers to the two questions on the minds of all Rockies fans depend on the outcomes of a bunch of unknowns as Opening Day looms.
IF . . . Ezequiel Tovar and Brenton Doyle both return to their 2024 form;
ever by a Rockies catcher? He had an underwhelming spring this year ,but does that matter?)
(Both won Gold Gloves in 2024, neither in ’25. And their offensive performance declined.)
While moving up in the standings in part requires at least one other team, presumably Arizona or San Francisco, to falter, losing fewer than 100 games is up to the Rockies. That is possible.
Here are the IFs I think will decide how the ’26 Rockies fare:
IF . . . Kyle Freeland posts only the second winning season of his career;
(In 2018, his second major league season, Freeland went 17-7 with a 2.85 earned run average, almost no-hit the Chicago White Sox—at Coors Field, no less—and finished fourth in voting for the Cy Young Award. It looked like Colorado had an ace in the making. But in seven seasons since, he is 37-72 with a composite 4.90 ERA, including seasons of 3-11, 6-14 and 5-17,)
IF . . . Hunter Goodman can at least match last season;
(How do you improve on a Silver Slugger year that was the best
IF . . . The three veteran starters added to the rotation—Michael Lorenzen, Jose Quintana and Tomoyuki Sugano— average 25 starts apiece;
(It remains to be seen what the Rockies got by signing these three, since they all spent the heart of camp with World Baseball Classic teams. They’re all in their mid30s with more than 10 years of major league experience, so if any pitchers can adapt to altitude, they should be up to it.)
IF . . . Jordan Beck takes a big step forward in his development.
(Rockies manager Warren Schaefer has said that he thinks Beck has superstar potential. In his third major league season, at age 26, it’s time.)
IF . . . The Rockies finish among the top 10 Major League teams in stolen bases;
(In 2025 the Rockies ranked
Who’s on first only one of Schaefer’s decisions
BY DENNY DRESSMAN
SCOTTSDALE, AZ—In the 1930s, Lou Costello asked Bud Abbott, “Who’s on first?” And Abbott answered, ”Yes.”
Decades later that skit earned Abbott & Costello a place in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
And today, the opening lines describe the decision facing Rockies manager Warren Schaefer as he constructs the roster he’ll take into battle when Colorado starts
the 2026 season in Miami next weekend.
T.J. Rumfield? Troy Johnston? Eduard Julien? Charlie Condon? Somebody has to take Todd Helton’s old place.
My prediction is Rumfield, who was acquired from the Yankees in trade for reliever Angel Chivilli in late January.
I don’t think he’ll hit for high average, but he gives the Rockies more power threat than either Johnston, who seems destined for
WEDNESDAYS 5–9PM
Albuquerque, or Julien, who came to Denver in a trade with Minnesota and thus is more assured of a place on the team. Condon, a prized prospect, will begin the season at AAA.
Who backs up Hunter Goodman is another interesting decision Schaefer must make.
It might be Brett Sullivan instead of the seemingly obvious choice of Braxton Fulford—for the unfortunate reason that Fulford is so highly thought of that they want
23rd in the majors with 87 steals. We’re not talking the second coming of the Blake Street Bombers with this team. Schaefer knows he will need to manufacture runs. If spring games this year are any indication, 120 steals seems in the ballpark.)
IF . . . Mickey Moniak continues to increase his offensive production;
(The first player chosen in the 2016 draft—by the Phillies, Moniak had the best season of his six in the majors last year and might finally be ready to perform to the level of a 1-1 pick, at age 28. He’s also expressed a desire to be a clubhouse leader as he hits his prime.)
IF . . . Kyle Karros takes charge at third base and in his first full season in the Bigs bats at least .260 with 15 home runs and 60 runs batted in; and (His father hit .257 with 20 homers and 80 RBI his first year as a starter for the Dodgers. And in his first year for the Rockies, No-
him to play regularly, which he can do at Albuquerque.
Sullivan is a journeyman who might be better-suited to limited, intermittent playing time.
And then there’s the pitching staff.
Ryan Feltner, Chase Dollander and Tanner Gordon are contending for the fifth spot in the rotation. I’d go with Gordon or Dollander, but Feltner, who is coming back from an injury and has the most Major League experience, likely will get first call. The Rockies believe other
lan Arenado batted .267 with 10 homers and 52 runs batted in.)
IF . . . Someone—T.J. Rumfield, Troy Johnston, Blaine Crim, Eduard Julien or ___?___ becomes the regular first baseman and consistently hits higher than eighth in the batting order.
(Finding a long-term replacement for Todd Helton has proven as difficult for the Rockies as coming up with a fixture to succeed John Elway was for the Boncos. From Morneau to Bernabel, Colorado has had 33 players take the field at first base in the 12 years since Helton retired.)
The regular season starts in Miami next weekend. Then we’ll begin to see which IFs pan out and if they’re enough to keep the losses under 100.
Denny Dressman writes a weekly sports column for The Villager. You can write to Denny at dennydressman@comcast.net
two will benefit from more time in the minors.
Most of the bullpen spots are claimed. The lone remaining spot will go to either Jaden Hill, John Brebbia, Keegan Thompson or Adam Laskey.
I favor Brebbia, who will join Jimmy Herget and Antonio Senzatela in providing some veteran seasoning for a young nucleus, but hard-throwing Hill has a lot of support.
This might be a good year to be a fan in Albuquerque.
Finally Someone Who Listens
I asked myself again today, “Should I be worried about how much I talk to myself?” I thought about it. Then I said, “Naw. I think you’re fine as long as you don’t start interrupting.”
And I do think that. In fact I’d go so far as to say, dear reader, that if you don’t talk to yourself, you should start. Ask yourself, is anyone else as interested in what you have to say as you are? If you answered, “No, they are not,” you’re not only correct, you’re already doing it—at least you are if you answered aloud and then looked around to see if anyone heard you.
For some of us, it’s natural. Thoughts bang around in our heads and tumble out our mouths. We couldn’t stop them if we wanted to. And mostly we don’t want to. Who doesn’t enjoy a little repartee with someone of equal wit and intelligence? I know I do.
Besides, it’s refreshing to chat with someone who always sees things my way. Listening to the news yesterday, I was inspired to make a remark out loud that would have gotten me in trouble in certain circles. But I responded, “You won’t get any argument from me.” Frankly I’d be worried if I had.
The downside is that occasionally I say things to myself that I would never say to someone else. For example, frequently when I cook a meal, I say, “That could have been better—if someone else had made it.” And this morning when I looked around my living room, I said out loud, “This place looks like a fraternity house without the beer cans.” I would never say that to anyone else. At least not to anyone in hearing distance.
I don’t mind telling you—and me—that kind of self-talk can be very hurtful. But generally my mutterings are fairly benign. I often do a kind of running commentary: I’ll chop the celery after I do the onions or I’ll stop by the bank on
my way to the grocery store, blah blah. It’s like play-byplay at a football game, only not as exciting.
And there are a lot of “shoulds” in my talks to myself. “You should finish the dishes.” “You should get off the couch and go to bed.” “You should stop talking to yourself so much.”
You might be hesitant to start talking to yourself for fear of getting caught in the act. I won’t deny it happens. And fairly often too, at least to me. But don’t let that stop you. There are graceful ways to handle the situation.
First, if someone walks in on you while you’re deep in conversation with yourself, don’t get flustered. They’re the ones who should be embarrassed, interrupting you like that.
If they ask you who you’re talking to, you could say, “You, of course! Do you see anyone else here?” But that’s risky because well-mannered or very gullible people may apologize and ask you to repeat yourself. This is a problem if you were in the process of praising your own brilliance or worse, saying something disparaging about them.
It’s safer to claim you were merely thinking aloud or even talking to the dog. But remember that’s only believable if you have a dog.
You may be especially concerned about being seen talking to yourself in a public place. And yes, there is a real danger of that. I often express dismay about the prices at the grocery store. But never fear. That’s why Bluetooth was invented. These days when someone walks around mumbling to themselves, everyone assumes they’re talking on their phone. At least I hope they do.
Dorothy Rosby is the author of “I Used to Think I Was Not That Bad and Then I Got to Know Me Better” and other books. Contact her at www.dorothy rosby.com/contact.
BY FREDA MIKLIN SENIOR REPORTER
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9-time Colorado Press Association award winner Former Greenwood Village City Council Member GV resident since 1992 Mother of five graduates of Cherry Creek High School and college FMiklin.Villager@gmail.com
CHV Mayor says her city will not pursue a joint study with GV about the possibility of a traffic light at Belleview and Franklin
On March 15, former Greenwood Village City Council
member Jerry Presley, a friend of Gerry Goldberg, who lost his life in a traffic accident on March 2 at Belleview Avenue and Franklin Street, published a guest commentary in the Denver Post, titled, “Debate over safety ended when my friend lost his life at the same intersection as his wife.”
As we have previously reported, Presley teamed up with Goldberg in the fall of 2024 to found a campaign called “Andie’s Light” to determine whether there was support for a traffic light at that intersection, and if so, for the cities of Greenwood Village and Cherry Hills Village to work together to determine next steps. This action came after the death of Andie Goldberg, Gerry’s wife, who was hit by a car that was pulling into the intersection to turn left and didn’t see Andie as she was crossing the street, in May 2024. The campaign included an online petition that attracted signatures from 492 people who agreed that something needed to be done to make the intersection safer.
The police report for the two-car accident in which Gerry Goldberg was fatally injured on March 2, 2026 has not yet been released.
Since the “Andie’s Light” campaign was undertaken, friends and neighbors have been asking why Greenwood Village and Cherry Hills Village have failed to act to make the intersection safer and when they can expect something to be done.
Now that Gerry has been killed at the same intersection, the questions are being asked even more strongly.
Although the mayors of both cities have expressed sympathy for the horrendous loss of both Mr. and Mrs. Goldberg, and a desire to work together to address the safety issue, no concrete action or timeframe has been identified.
In his guest commentary,
Presley calls on leaders of both cities to “find a path forward” to address the issues preventing a solution. According to his analysis, people opposed to a light are largely concerned that a traffic signal will “increase cut-through traffic on Cherryville Road in Greenwood Village and Franklin Street in Cherry Hills Village— streets where children bike and neighbors walk, yet where no sidewalks exist.” He goes on, “This is a valid concern,” leading to the question, “Are those who oppose a light also opposed to installing sidewalks?” asserting that the history of this intersection calls for something to be done to make it safer, even if that something potentially diminishes the “charm” of a neighborhood.
As he has previously, in his commentary, Presley calls on GV and CHV to “direct their staff to coordinate with each other and produce one joint staff report giving both city councils a common set of facts on the pros and cons of different options to make this intersection safer, including options for a traffic light and sidewalks.”
Before he submitted his guest commentary to the Denver Post, Presley shared it with the mayors and city council members of both Greenwood Village and Cherry Hills Village.
CHV Mayor Katy Brown responded to Presley on March 14. She copied the six members of the CHV city council.
She said, in part, “Your suggestion also highlights a primary reason I am not supportive of a joint study. Both of your suggestions (traffic light and sidewalks) address the concerns of primarily GV residents in ways that have the largest negative impacts upon CHV residents,” adding, “The fact is that this process has been driven primarily by GV residents. While we appreciate their concerns, as friends and neighbors, the CHV City Council is accountable to our residents - they elected us to represent their interests and that
is exactly what we are going to do.”
The mayor went on, “Interestingly, I haven’t seen you suggest anything that GV could do on its own to address safety concerns, such as installing sidewalks on the south side of Belleview or accepting CHV’s proposal to create a pedestrian underpass at Little Dry Creek. Those would improve safety with minimal negative impacts for CHV residents,” adding, “To answer your question about whether the people who oppose the light are also opposed to sidewalks, in our community the answer is a resounding yes. I think even some of the proponents of the light are opposed to sidewalks.”
She closed her response to Presley with, “Cherry Hills Village and Greenwood Village have long enjoyed a strong relationship. While we are not always in complete agreement, we have managed to find solutions to many challenges. I’m confident that relationship will continue as we work through this challenge too, with or without your attempts to create pressure through the court of public opinion.”
Nomination process for Colorado 2026 election is in full swing
Grass roots politics starts with county caucuses on every even-numbered year, for Democrats and Republicans. Those were held earlier this month, leading up to congressional and state assemblies. Both major parties will hold their state assemblies in Pueblo this year.
Democrats will meet on March 28 and Republicans will meet on April 11.
To gain a spot on the June 30, 2026 primary ballot for either of the two major parties, candidates for Colorado governor, U.S. Senate, State Attorney General, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer, must either get the support of at least 30% of the delegates at their party’s state assembly or submit the required number of valid signatures on petitions, from members of their party, to the Secretary of State by March 18, 2026, and get the support of at least 10% of the delegates at their state assembly.
Continued from page 8
tures on petitions, required for the top offices on the primary ballot on June 30, 2026, are:
Some of the more well-known congressional candidates expected to submit petitions by the March 18 deadline include Democrat Melat Kiros in U.S.
Office Number of valid signatures
Governor 1,500 per congressional district
U.S. Senate 1,500 per congressional district
U.S. House 10% of votes cast for the office in the last primary, or 1,500, whichever is less
Attorney General 1,000 per congressional district
Secretary of State 1,000 per congressional district
State Treasurer 1,000 per congressional district
As of March 15, the major party candidates for the offices named below who have been identified by the Secretary of State as having submitted sufficient petitions to get on the primary ballot, subject to getting the needed 10% at their congressional assembly, are:
House District 1, Republican incumbent Jeff Hurd in U.S. House District 3, Democrat Matthew Cavanaugh in U.S. House District 5, Democrat Manny Rutinel in U.S. House District 8, and Republican incumbent Gabe Evans in U.S. House District 8.
Name Office Party
Jessica Killin*
Jeff Crank (Inc.)*
U.S. House District 5 Dem.
U.S. House District 5 Rep.
Shannon Bird U.S. House District 8 Dem.
Evan Munsing U.S. House District 8 Dem
*Democrats held their congressional assembly for CD5 on March 14 and Killin met the requirements to get on the June 30 primary ballot. Crank is unopposed for the Republican nomination. Other congressional assemblies are pending.
Candidates for the offices listed have already submitted petitions to the Secretary of State that are currently being reviewed for sufficiency:
Gubernatorial candidates whose petitions are expected to be turned into the Secretary of State by the March 18 deadline include Republicans state Sena-
Name Office Party
John Hickenlooper (Inc.)
U.S. Senate Dem
Michael Bennet Governor Dem
Hetal Doshi Attorney General Dem.
Joe Neguse (Inc.)
U.S. House District 2 Dem Eileen Laubaucher U.S. House District 4 Dem
tor Barb Kirkmeyer and political newcomer Victor Marx. Well-known candidates who have not initiated the petition process and are therefore likely to be planning to get on their party’s primary ballot by getting the votes of at least 30% of delegates to their party’s state assembly include Democrat Phil Weiser and Republicans Scott Bottoms and Jason Mikesell for governor, and Democrats Julie Gonzales and Karen Breslin, along with Republicans Mark Baisley, Janak Joshi, George Markert, and Sean Pond, for U.S. Senate.
Candidates who appear to be planning to get that 30% support total at their party’s congressional district assembly include incumbent Democrat Diana DeGette in U.S. House District 1, Republican Hope Scheppelman in U.S. House District 3 (endorsed by President Trump over incumbent Republican Jeff Hurd), and Democrats Trisha Calvarese and John Padora in U.S. House District 4. Incumbent Democrats Jason Crow in U.S. House District 6 and Brittany Pettersen in U.S. House District 7 are unopposed in their party’s primary.
Democrats will hold any required congressional district assemblies virtually on March 27 for districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8. Republicans will hold any required congressional district assemblies for districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 on April 10. Democrats held their congressional district assembly for U.S. House District 5 on March 14, where Jessica Killin and Joe Reagan were certified for the June 30 Democratic primary ballot.
Also hoping to get on the
primary ballot via the assembly process are Democrats for statewide office Jena Griswold, Michael Dougherty, and David Seligman, seeking the Attorney General nomination, Jessie Danielson and Amanda Gonzalez, seeking the Secretary of State nomination, and Jeff Bridges, Gerald “Jerry” DeTullio, and John Mikos, hoping to be Colorado’s next State Treasurer.
On the Republican side, the only active candidate on the state’s campaign finance reporting site for Colorado Attorney General, Michael Allen, has reported no financial activity in his campaign to date. James (J.J.) McKinzie, Cory Parella, Ross Taraborel-
li, and James Brooks Wiley are listed on that site as Republicans actively running for Secretary of State, but none of them have reported any financial activity in their campaign accounts, either. One Republican, Kevin Grantham, is a candidate for state treasurer with an active bank account containing $7,076 as of December 31, 2025. After March 28, we will report on who the Democrats have selected for all the offices named here, for the June 30 statewide primary ballot. We will do the same for the Republicans as soon as they have completed their work on April 11.
Colorado Republican Party chair finally throws in the towel
her a RINO (Republican in Name Only), he continuously criticized her performance as state chair, especially for spending party funds to pay the lawyers who had sought to remove him when he was in that job. Horn also reportedly had trouble raising funds for GOP candidates during the past year.
On March 12, Horn made it official, saying she would resign her position on April 17, six days after the GOP State Assembly in Pueblo, where the party will choose candidates to run in its primary on June 30. She will chair that assembly.
Candidates for the U.S. House follow the same process but their assembly votes come from the congressional district assembly in their district, rather than the state assembly. All nominating petitions are reviewed by the Secretary of State’s office, which determines the sufficiency of valid signatures from party members. The number of valid signa-
Continued on page 9
Brita Horn, former Routt County Treasurer and chief of the Rock Creek Volunteer Fire Department, has announced she will resign as chair of the Colorado Republican Party six days after presiding over the GOP State Assembly in Pueblo on April 11. When she was elected to a two-year term, exactly one year ago, she got 53% of the vote, besting six other candidates for the job. Horn took over from Dave Williams, who held the position for one full term, choosing not to run for reelection after a tumultuous two years, during which the state party violated norms by taking sides in GOP primaries, including one in which Williams was the candidate (Colorado CD5) and lost, despite being endorsed by President Trump. He was also accused of using party funds to help his campaign. In June 2024, he sent out a highly offensive email regarding the LGBTQ
community. Memorably, 15 out of 18 GOP primary candidates the party supported under Williams’ leadership, lost their races.
Horn was part of a group of GOP leaders who tried to remove Williams in 2024, after he and the other 14 candidates he supported lost the primary, before the general election. They failed, but the effort left a mark, and Williams didn’t forget. After labeling
On February 21, around half the State GOP’s 500-member Central Committee held a meeting in which it voted for a measure expressing “no confidence” in her leadership. They also approved a resolution to stop her from spending any further party funds. Horn herself called for another meeting of the Central Committee on March 2, where the question was called again, and again, the Committee overwhelmingly approved a resolution expressing “no confidence” in the party chair and calling for her to step down.
Horn’s resignation follows the exit of her last two vicechairs during the past year; as they departed, both said they could not work with her. The office of vice-chair of the Colorado Republican Party is currently vacant.
In an email to party members announcing her decision to withdraw, Horn expressed, “When we came into office last year, we faced a tremendous divide within our party despite the efforts of our silent majority, whose only wish was to do the hard work of electing Republicans,” continuing, “Unfortunately, that divide has too often been marked by vitriol and hostility. Over the past year, we have endured
threats of violence, blackmail attempts, and continued efforts to fracture our party further.” Republicans, who last held the office of Colorado governor between 1999 and 2007 (Bill Owens), are hoping to change their fate this year. A rudderless and fractured statewide party will not be helpful, though the GOP has several credible candidates for key offices, including state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer and newcomer Victor Marx for governor, along with state Sen. Mark Baisley for U.S. Senate, and four incumbent Members of Congress. No GOP chair has served more than a single term since 2015, when Ryan Call left the position after serving since 2011. The one-term state chairs since Call have been Steve House (2015-2017), Jeff Hays (2017-2019), Ken Buck (20192021), Kristi Burton Brown (2021-2023) and Dave Williams (2023-2025).
This is drone footage from the aftermath of the March 2, 2026 accident that claimed Gerry Goldberg’s life.
Memorial erected at the corner of Belleview Avenue and Franklin Street by friends and neighbors of Gerry & Andie Goldberg Photo by Freda Miklin
Republican Barb Kirkmeyer
Democrat Michael Bennet Democrat Phil Weiser
Republican Victor Marx These are currently the top four candidates for Colorado governor, based on fundraising.
Outgoing GOP State Chair Brita Horn
G D NEWS
Celebrate 95 Years of Cripple Creek Colorado’s Famous Donkeys – 2026
The Two Mile High Club (TMHC), celebrating 95 years of caring for the Cripple Creek Donkeys, invites you to join their summer and fall events. The lineup features activities for all ages and highlights community spirit and local history. Since 1931, TMHC has been the heart of Cripple Creek, providing a loving home and enduring stewardship for a herd of remarkable donkeys—living symbols of the animals that once worked the veins of “The World’s Greatest Gold Camp.” Funds from these events support the care of the donkeys, now numbering 16, and special projects like building a new barn with clean rooms for medical treatment, spacious stalls and shelter from rugged mountain weather.
MAY - The excitement kicks off on Memorial Day, May 25, with the heartwarming Donkey Release—a tradition where the beloved herd returns to their city roaming ways from the Cripple Creek Donkey’s winter pasture. Imagine the smiles as TMHC Wranglers lead the donkeys down C Street and Thurlow Avenue, echoing the historic release of 1931 when the original donkeys were set free from their work in the Gold Mines. “President Teddy Roosevelt” returns to welcome the donkeys back to town, during this 95th annual celebration year.
JUNE – Don’t miss the most anticipated event of the season: the 95th Annual Donkey Derby Days, cripplecreekdonkeys. com/donkeyderbydays happening June 26–28, 2026! This vibrant festival transforms Cripple Creek into a playground of tradition and adventure. Lead Wrangler, Dale McKenzie invites all to enjoy the “thrilling donkey races on Saturday and Sunday. Registration opens May 15, 2026.” New this year, Pack Burro Races the “official summer heritage sport of Colorado” whereby a runner and a donkey traverse elevation and technical trails as running partners (two professional athletes). Feel the thrill, cheer for your
Exciting News for the Future of Zuma’s Non-Profit Equine Clinic
We have some very exciting progress to share as we continue building the vision for Zuma’s first non-profit large animal clinic for horses in need.
nary care. It is an ambitious project, and building the clinic will require significant funding for construction, equipment, and medical supplies.
favorites, or maybe even join the race yourself!
But that is not all—Donkey Derby Days is a true mountain festival, boasting a dazzling parade along Bennett Avenue with a vintage aircraft flyover that will take your breath away. Dance to live music all weekend long, including a Saturday night set from local favorite The Martini Shot, and Sunday afternoon tunes with Dakota Blonde Snag an autograph from up-and-coming Country Music Star, Maddox Ross! Savor delicious bites from an array of food trucks or a pancake breakfast at the Cripple Creek Fire Station. Visit a wide variety of vendors and craft booths. Get your bid on for some exciting items at the Silent Auction on Saturday. Let the kids run wild in the Kid’s Zone, try your hand at gold panning, and toast the festivities in a beer garden hosted by none other than a Brigade of Beer Burros!
OCTOBER - Enjoy Fall Fest in Cripple Creek on October 3–4, 2026, featuring live music, seasonal food, artisan markets, a Fall Photo Booth, and pumpkin carving contests—a great way to wrap up summer in the mountains.
“None of this is possible without the incredible support of the City of Cripple Creek, our donors, sponsors, and dedicated volunteers,” shares Annie Valades, President of the Two Mile High Club. “These events don’t just keep the donkeys happy and healthy— they unite our community in celebration and joy, year after year. We can’t wait to welcome everyone and make new memories together! So, gather your family and friends for the best festivals this side of Pikes Peak!”
Join our volunteers to help with tasks with everything from caring for donkeys, organizing the parade, providing information, or selling merchandise. Be part of the 95th anniversary celebrations! For event schedules or to donate, sponsor, or volunteer, visit https://www. cripplecreekdonkeys.com.
We may have found a strong candidate for Medical Director for the clinic in our new veterinarian, Dr. Kayle, who many of you already know from the wonderful dental care she has been providing to our herd. While our relationship is still new, we have begun working together to develop the framework for what this clinic can become.
In another exciting step forward, we recently met with a contractor who believes we can convert part of the hay barn into the clinic space. The plan is to build a wall and insulate the front half of the barn to create a functional and safe treatment area for horses
needing veterinary care.
Even more wonderful news, our very own Aimee will be working closely with Dr. Kayle to help develop the clinic’s policies and procedures. Aimee will also serve as the large animal veterinary technician, assisting in providing care for horses that come through the clinic.
This clinic will fill a critical gap for low-income horse owners, rescue horses, and animals that might otherwise end up at auction or worse, simply because their owners cannot afford veteri-
If you, or someone you know, would like to help make this life-saving resource possible, we are seeking founding and named donors for the clinic. Your support will directly help us create a place where horses can receive the care they deserve.
Together, we can make this much-needed clinic a reality for horses across our community.
If you would like to learn more about naming opportunities or making a contribution, please reach out. Your support can help save countless equine lives. ��
With gratitude, Jodi, Paul, and all of us two and four-legged at Zuma’s.
Arabian Horse Association Appoints Taryl O’Shea as Chief Executive Officer
Veteran industry leader to guide organization through next phase of renewal, growth, and modernization
The Arabian Horse Association (“AHA”) today announced the appointment of Taryl O’Shea as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective May 11, 2026. O’Shea succeeds lifelong Arabian horse trainer and breeder Stan Morey, who announced his retirement earlier this year after serving the organization with distinction for six years as Executive Director and previously as Commissioner since 2009. O’Shea will lead AHA’s strategic direction, operations, and long-term growth initiatives.
“Taryl brings the leadership, vision, and operational experience—both within and outside the Arabian horse industry—required to guide AHA through its next chapter,” said Lisa Blackstone, President of the AHA Board of Directors. “During our search process, we sought a leader capable of balancing our vision for the future with the change management required to make that vision a reality. Taryl’s passion for and experience with the Arabian horse, combined with her deep executive management background, make her uniquely suited for this role.”
“I am honored and thrilled to join AHA at such an important moment,” said O’Shea. “The
mandate coming out of the Convention last year was clear—we need to unite our breed and execute a growth plan. This organization has such an important mission to fulfill. I look forward to working with the Board and our dedicated staff to position AHA for success in a 21st-century world. We must become relevant to a broader audience while ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the association.”
Unite – Unifying the broad and diverse community of Arabian horse owners, breeders, and enthusiasts
Revamp – Refreshing how the Arabian horse is perceived by highlighting its beauty, athleticism, emotional intelligence, and rich history
Market – Providing industry leadership in the promotion and marketing of the Arabian horse
Taryl O’Shea, CEO, Arabian Horse Association
O’Shea brings more than 25 years of experience in the Arabian horse industry. She previously served as Executive Director of the Arabian Horse Association of Arizona for more than two decades, where she successfully managed and led the internationally recognized Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show. She has also served as Director of the Global Champions Arabians Tour – Americas, in addition to holding leadership roles in the automotive industry.
O’Shea has been a member of AHA for nearly three decades. Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in business marketing, and executive education programs from Yale University and the University of Pennsylvania.
As CEO, O’Shea will focus on several strategic priorities, including:
Grow – Expanding participation and significantly growing the Arabian horse community
Innovate – Transforming Arabian horse shows into dynamic experiences that are fun, rewarding, entertaining, educational, and competitive for exhibitors and spectators alike
The Board also extends its appreciation to Stan Morey for his leadership and contributions to AHA during his tenure and for his commitment to ensuring a smooth leadership transition.
As a full-service nonprofit breed association, AHA supports the breeding, competitive, and recreational interests of Arabian horse owners. The organization administers approximately $1 million in annual prize money, produces nationally recognized competitions, maintains official event and performance records, and develops programs designed to encourage participation, ownership, and responsible breeding. For more information, visit www.arabianhorses.org.
G D NEWS
MEET THE 2025 INDUCTEES
LIVING AUTHORS
Calling ALL Non-Published Authors in Colorado!
The Colorado Authors Hall of Fame (The Hall) will offer up to five $2,000 scholarships to aspiring Colorado authors and authors-to-be. The scholarship is part of its commitment to encourage, support, and nurture Colorado connected writers.
Applications must be received by March 31, 2026, and the winning recipients will be announced in early August. Recipients will be honored at a luncheon event to be held on Friday, September 11, 2026 at the Inverness Denver hotel in Englewood, Colorado.
To qualify: Be a Colo-
rado resident over 20 years of age; not be published under any name; summit a short essay as to “why” be an author; “what” genre to write in; and submit a minimum of 20 pages of writing or a manuscript (partial or full) by Tuesday, March 31, 2026, via the website: www. ColoradoAuthors Hallof Fame.org.
Sponsored by the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame, Aspiring Author Scholarship awards will range up to $2,000 each, plus the opportunity to participate in an extensive 12-month mentoring program to move them toward author success. Applications and addi-
LEGACY AUTHORS
tional information are available on the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame website: http://ColoradoAuthorsHall ofFame.org/scholarships.
html
The Colorado Authors’ Hall of Fame Scholarship is open to applicants who: Part of the application process will include writing an essay of up to 1,000 words on the topic: “Why I Want to Write and Become an Author” along with how they intend on using the money. Essays will be evaluated for excellence of writing, creativity, and yes, grammar by a panel of judges consisting of bookstore owners, librarians and
published authors.
The scholarships were envisioned by the founder of the Hall, Dr. Judith Briles. She shares, “Writing and publishing a book is like climbing one of our Rocky Mountain ‘fourteeners’. It requires years of preparation, unbelievable stamina, and courage. Facing that blank page is like starting an ascent. When you reach the top by completing the book, authors can suddenly see farther than ever before. This vision from the pinnacle is the gift authors give their readers. Now, the Hall would like to give a gift back to Colorado’s authors who desire to reach the publishing summit. Their impact on countless readers in providing entertainment, enlightenment and solutions is immeasurable.”
Board Chair Mara Purl, CEO of the award-winning Milford-Haven Novels adds, “We know what it takes to create awesome books that teach and inspire. The Hall dedicates
itself to honoring fellow authors who’ve proven their worth to the literary society and that their legacies never die. Now, we can reach out to support and encourage those who are just starting their authoring journey.”
The Hall is dedicated to recognizing and preserving the history of the accomplishments of past and present authors who have created and published books in or about Colorado.
The organization is an all-volunteer-run 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. Its mission is “to honor and promote the works of outstanding published authors from all genres and generations with a vibrant connection to Colorado, to ensure their legacies will not be lost.”
Information about the application process, nomination criteria for Hall Inductees, donations, events, and board members can be found at www.ColoradoAuthors HallofFame.org.
Jim Butcher Jim Davidson
Francine Mathews
Lucile Christy Bennett
Mary Ellen Gilliland
Tommy Spaulding
Dr. Stephen White
Kent Haruf
Oscar ‘Osi’ Sladek
Daniel Tyler
Rebecca Yarros
Wilfred “Perry” Eberhart
Dr. Linda Seger
Chicken Salad Chick opened a day early to friends and family and gave them free chicken salad, inviting them to donate to Make-A-Wish Colorado. They raised almost $2,500 and Maureen gave Make-A-Wish CEO Scott Dishong a check for that money they raised.
Chicken Salad Chick blasts into Greenwood Village
BY FREDA MIKLIN - SENIOR REPORTER
By 8:30 in the morning on March 4, Chicken Salad Chick had made its presence known at its new home at 5322 DTC Blvd. in the Village Plaza Shopping Center in Greenwood Village. Over 100 people were lined up outside waiting to get in and try the multiple varieties of chicken salad, four types of sandwiches, five different salads, and nine different sides, soups, and pastas, along with a wide variety of cakes and cookies for dessert.
Maureen “Mo” McFerson,
who owns the Denver metro area franchise for Chicken Salad Chick, told The Villager she first tasted the chicken salad in 2012 and decided she needed to bring it to Colorado in 2021. After making arrangements with the home office, she “signed for nine locations in 2022.” She has opened two of those so far, one in Littleton and one in Greenwood Village. We asked Mo what led her to this career. She told us, “I’ve worked in the food industry my entire career. I studied food science and technology in college. I got my
master’s degree at the University of Georgia. That’s where I learned about Chicken Salad Chick.”
We wanted to know how she chose this location. She said, “I was really excited about Greenwood Village because there are so many businesses that have their offices here. The Cherry Creek School District is fabulous. People move here to get their kids
into Cherry Creek Schools, and it seemed, from other business owners I talked to, like a very business-friendly city. Even the owners of this shopping center are from Colorado. Their offices are just up the street. I love that local ownership, and a lot of our team members attend Cherry Creek High School, so I was really excited to find this location.”
She also told us, “We want to be a part of this community. We will have lots of events here. We offer monthly Mah Jongg lessons from the Mahj Squad, who teaches all over the state. We will have needlepoint groups, book clubs, Bible study. We’re having a woman come in that will tell people how to clean their closet as a way to be empowered by making “thoughtful donations,” in April.”
You can stop by and visit this fun restaurant or order online at chickensaladchick.com or by calling 720-532-1428.
Chicken Salad Chick owner Maureen McFerson (in red) and her daughter Charlie got a first-class Greenwood Village welcome on their opening day from (left to right) GV Council Member Ann Nelson, Mayor George Lantz, Council Members Katrin Mezger and Bob Doyle.
Melt Sandwich Meal - Any chicken salad topped with provolone cheese and melted on a toasted croissant. Includes your choice of any Fresh Side, Scoop or Cup of Soup. Courtesy Photo
Neighbors of the new restaurant Michael from Centennial (left) and Dave from Denver (right) both arrived at 3:00 a.m. to qualify for the first prize of free chicken salad every week for a year.
Over 100 people lined up as early at 5:00 am to claim the second prize of free chicken salad every month for a year. Photos by Freda Miklin
Dear Readers,
What are an Agent’s duties under a Power of Attorney? (Part 2
of 2)
Under Colorado law, an agent who acts with care, competence and diligence for the best interest of the principal is not liable solely because the agent also benefits from the act or has an individual or conflicting interest in relation to the property or affairs of the principal.
If an agent is selected by the principal because of special skills or expertise possessed by the agent, or in reliance on the agent’s representation that the agent has special skills or expertise, the special skills or expertise must be considered in determining whether the agent has acted with care, competence and diligence under the circumstances.
Absent a breach of duty to the principal, an agent is not liable if the value of the principal’s property declines.
An agent who exercises authority provided in the Power of Attorney to delegate to another person authority granted by the principal, or who engages another person on behalf of the principal, is not liable for an act, error of judgment, or default of that person, if the agent exercises care, competence and diligence in selecting and monitoring the person.
Except as otherwise provided in the Power of Attorney, an agent is not required to disclose receipts, disbursements, or transactions conducted on behalf of the principal unless
ordered by a court or requested by the principal, a guardian, a conservator, another fiduciary acting for the principal, a governmental agency having authority to protect the welfare of the principal, or upon the death of the principal, by the personal representative or successor in interest of the principal’s estate. If so requested, within thirty days, the agent shall comply with the request or provide a writing or other record substantiating why additional time is needed and shall comply with the request within an additional thirty days.
What are the four key medical/estate plan documents you need now?
Many of my clients have asked: “What are the critical estate plan documents to have?” Merely being married does not give you the legal right to gain access to your spouse’s medical records or make medical decisions on
your spouse’s behalf, even in an emergency. To avoid this problem and to help others care for you and to achieve your overall estate planning goals, the following documents create an effective medical/estate plan package:
1. Healthcare Power of Attorney;
2. General Financial Power of Attorney;
3. Advanced Directive for Medical/Surgical Treatment (“Living Will”); and
4. Will (or a Will with a Trust).
Careful medical/estate plan-
ning should include preparation and signing of these documents, to accomplish your goals and protect you, both during your lifetime, and at the time of passing. The Power of Attorney documents allow you to designate those agents whom you authorize to help you on your behalf during your lifetime, and the Will/ Trust documents allow you to nominate others to help with your estate after your passing, as well as to identify the beneficiaries and the distributions to them, to accomplish your estate planning goals.
A 30% REDUCTION ON ESTATE PLAN DOCUMENTS IS CURRENTLY
BEING OFFERED DUE TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS! FOR A FREE TELEPHONE OR VIDEO CONSULTATION, PLEASE CALL: 5675 DTC Bouldevard, Suite 250 Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Telephone: (303) 758-0999 FAX: (303) 758-1091
E-mail: Donald@PetersonLaw.CO
Website: www.donpetersonlawfirm.com
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT: A Pickup–SUV Combo That Fits Colorado
During my week behind the wheel of the Hyundai Santa Cruz, I came away impressed with how well this unique vehicle fits Colorado driving. Part pickup and part SUV, Hyundai calls it a Sport Adventure Vehicle, and that description fits.
The model I tested was the 2026 Santa Cruz XRT all-wheel drive, finished in Sage Gray, a sharp color that drew more than a few looks in parking lots.
Under the hood is a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eightspeed automatic transmission with Shiftronic and Hyundai’s H-TRAC all-wheel-drive system. The turbo delivers strong performance and quick acceleration when merging onto highways or climbing into the foothills.
The Santa Cruz XRT rides on 18-inch alloy wheels with
all-terrain tires, which are especially useful for Colorado drivers heading into the mountains. With winter traction laws requiring proper tires during storms, those all-terrain tires add confidence for mountain driving.
Inside, the Santa Cruz feels more like a well-equipped SUV than a traditional pick-
up. The cabin is comfortable and loaded with technology. A 12.3-inch navigation screen, AM/FM audio system, heated front seats and adjustable lumbar support make longer drives easy.
Hyundai has also packed the vehicle with safety features, including front, side and side-curtain airbags along
with rear side airbags. Driver attention warning systems, forward collision alerts, blind-spot collision warning, a blindspot view monitor and rear cross-traffic collision warning add additional layers of protection.
Fuel economy averages about 20 miles per gallon overall, with 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. Considering the turbocharged performance and allwheel-drive capability, those numbers remain respectable.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE ON TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2026, AT 6:30 P.M. FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING WRITTEN AND ORAL COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC CONCERNING: 1). A MINOR SUBDIVISION TO CREATE TWO LOTS FROM ONE LOT, AND 2). A VARIANCE REQUEST TO THE FEE-INLIEU OF LAND DEDICATION REQUIREMENT AT 4650 S. UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD. THE APPLICATION IS AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW ON THE CITY’S WEBSITE AT WWW.CHERRYHILLSVILLAGE. COM/HEARINGS OR AT THE CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE STATE OF COLORADO 7325 S. Potomac Street Centennial, Colorado 80112 303-645-6600
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO Petitioner,
In the Interest of:
NICHOLAS WILLIAMREI
DARNELL, GENEVIEVE LYNN
DARNELL, RUBI REA NANCE, AND JA’MEIR JASON STEPHEN, Children, and concerning,
MISTY KRISTINE ROGERS, TAYLOR REYANNE DARNELL FKA TIMOTHY ROBERT
DARNELL, ISAIAH JORGE NANCE, AND JOHN DOE, Respondents.
Sylvia B. Geiger, Reg. #49589
DEPARTMENT, 2450 E. QUINCY AVENUE, CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, CO 80113, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M. OR YOU MAY CALL 303-783-2729 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
The Santa Cruz is also built in America, with final assembly at Hyundai’s manufacturing plant in Montgomery, Alabama. Vehicles assembled in the United States may also qualify for certain federal tax incentives depending on
COURTS
Assistant County Attorney 14980 E. Alameda Drive Aurora, CO 80012 sgeiger@arapahoegov.com
Case No: 25JV434 Division: 34
NOTICE OF ADJUDICATORY HEARING AND DEFAULT JUDGMENT
REGARDING RESPONDENT FATHER, JOHN DOE
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that an Adjudicatory Hearing and Default Judgment regarding RESPONDENT FATHER, JOHN DOE is set for March 30, 2026 at 10:45 a.m. in Division 34 at the Arapahoe County District Court, 7325 South Potomac Street, Centennial, Colorado 80112. You have the right to be represented by an attorney during these proceedings; if you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to represent you.
In the event you fail to appear
PROTESTS OR COMMENTS MAY BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, 2450 E. QUINCY AVENUE, CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, CO 80113 OR PWORKMAN@ CHERRYHILLSVILLAGE.COM ON OR BEFORE THE DATE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING, OR BY PERSONAL APPEARANCE AT THE PUBLIC HEARING.
in The Villager
March 19, 2026 Legal # 31296
By H. Throttle
current regulations.
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for said hearing at the date and time indicated, the Petitioner, the People of the State of Colorado, will request that the Court enter a default judgment against you and adjudicate the child dependent and neglected in accordance with the Colorado Children’s Code.
Participants may use any computer, tablet or smart phone equipped with a camera and microphone for audiovisual participation. Parties should use the following link:
•https://judicial.webex.com/meet/ D18-ARAP-Div34
•Enter your name and email address (so we know who you are). You will then be in the virtual courtroom.
•Select your audio setting. If the audio on your computer or tablet does not work, please use the
MUSEUM OF OUTDOOR ARTS
MADDEN GALLERY “BEYOND THE WESTERN HORIZON”
MARCH 19-JULY 31. Tue.-Fri. 10 a.m.
- 4 p.m. Sat. to be announced. Reception
MARCH 19, 5-8 p.m. Free. Featuring 20 artists. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, and themed cocktails. Music by Ryan Chrys and the Routh Cuts. Western Attire encouraged. Palazzo Verdi, 1st Floor, 6363 S. Fiddler’s Green Circle, Greenwood Village. Free with registration, free street and lot parking.
COTTAGE FOOD SAFETY
MARCH 20, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Online class. Learn food safety guidelines and specifics of operating a cottage food business from a home kitchen. Register: bit. lyCSUCottage Foods
CENTRAL CITY OPERA’S
THEATRE OF DREAMS
GALA
Celebrating 70th Anniversary - commission of the Ballad of Baby Doe. FRIDAY, APRIL 10 5:30 PM - Denver Art Museum cocktails, dinner, live performances. Black-tie fundraiser, gold and silver attire encouraged. RSVP deadline Fri March 20 Buy tickets or sponsor: centralcityopera. org/gala
COLORADO
BALLET ONE GALA
THURS., APRIL 16, Denver Center
Performing Arts Complex. Jill Anschutz, chair. 5:00 p.m. cocktail reception - Ellie Caulkins Opera House; 7:00 p.m. dinner, honoring Artistic Director Gil Bogg’s for 20-year anniversary with Colorado Ballet in Seawell Ballroom. 9:00 p.m. performances in Opera House; 10:00 p.m. Dessert, music & dancing.
FRIENDS OF NURSING SPRING LUNCHEON AND
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS PRESENTATION
On SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2026, at 11 am. Please join us as we celebrate our 45th Anniversary, honor our Founder, Great Pollard, bid on Silent Auction items, and award $180,000 in nursing scholarships! This event will be held at Cherry Hills Country Club, 4125 S. University Blvd., Cherry Hills Village, CO, 80113. For information, please call 720-934-6565.
13TH ANNUAL “A PERFECT PAIRING”
APRIL 25 4 p.m. Enjoy unlimited Food & Beer pairings. All proceeds help send children and adults with disabilities to EasterSeals Colorado’s Rocky Mountain Village in Empire, CO. Tickets: aesbid.org/ ELP/ESCANPO 26
CANCER LEAGUE CAR RAFFLE
Win a 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited 4x4. Drawing at the Hope Ball MAY 2, 2026, HyattRegency DTC, 9 p.m. You do not have to be present to win. Donated by Doug Moreland’s Family & Family of Dealerships. Only 3000 tickets sold. Info: www.cancerleague.org
CENTENNIAL FINE ARTS FESTIVAL
MAY 30-31 at the Streets at SouthGlenn. Featuring award-winning regional & national artists. Sponsored by the Centennial Arts & Cultural Foundation. Deadline to submit art is Feb. 28. https:// artist.callforentry.org/festivals
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT YOUTH TRAILBLAZER SUMMER CAMP
JUNE 15-19. Helps middle school students develop an understanding of basic business principles & the professional world. Scan the QR code in The Villager March 12 issue, page 14.
CLUB NEWS
OPTIMIST CLUB OF MONACO SOUTH
FRIDAYS from 7-8 a.m. for the pasts 49 years. American Legion Hall, Yale & I-25. Call Frank 303-759-9232 for a free breakfast. Have fun meeting new friends and an opportunity to give back to the community.
DENVER LIONS CLUB MEETINGS
Meets 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 12 noon at the American Legion Hall, I-25 & Yale. Interested in joining? Call Bob, 720-313-9741.
ENGLEWOOD LIONS CLUB MEETINGS
Meets 1st & 3rd Thursdays at 7:00 a.m. At Mango Tree Coffee, 3498 S. Broadway,Englewood. Info: Gail 720-3777682.
WHAT’S NEW?
COLORADO REPUBLICANS TO HOLD 2026 STATE ASSEMBLY IN PUEBLO
APRIL 11 - CSU Pueble Massari Arena.
SIGN UP FOR JOB ALERTS
Arapahoe County is hiring. Visit jobs. arapahoeco.gov. This is a new site.
“BLACK BASEBALL’S
HEYDAY” Capturing an Era in Art and Words, Written by Villager author Denny Dressman and Art by Anthony High. PreOrder Now! https://www.mcfarlandbooks. com/product/Black-Baseballs-Heyday/
COLORADO DEMOCRATS TO HOLD 2026 STATE ASSEMBLY IN PUEBLO
MARCH 28, 2026 at the Memorial Hall.
MS. COLORADO SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT
SAT., APRIL 25, 2 p.m. at the Mizel Arts & Cultural Center’s Elaine Wolf Theater, celebrating women 60 and better. Contestants will compete in interview, evening gown, Philosophy of life & talent. Featuring former Colorado. Queens, the Tambourine Group, The Bella Dance Group, and special musical guests. Ms. Colorado Senior America 2026 will be crowned and advance to the national pageant in October. Tickets: 303-316-6360.
RENEW YOUR VEHICLE REGISTRATION
Renewal kiosks are fast, easy and issue you tags on the spot? Go to COMVExpress.com to find a location near you.
SECOND ANNUAL AMERICA’S MILITARY HEROES GOLF EVENT
MON., JULY 27, Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Course benefiting Semper Fl and America’s Fund. Be a golfer, non-golfer, sponsor a hole or District Challenge. Call 301-404-2706 or militaryheroesgolf@gmail.com
BUSINESS NEWS
OLIVER’S “A TOAST TO THE TASSSEL!”
Host a graduation celebration on the full-private terrace. Accommodates 10-15
guests seated or up to 80 guests reception style. RSVP: nicole@oliversitalian.com
AISLYN DERMATOLOGY
Dr. Aislyn Nelson MD, PhD dermatologist is located in Lincoln Medical Center, 11960 Lioness Way, Ste. 225, Parker. 719-9920127. www.aislynderm.com “We Do It All.”
SOUTH METRO CHAMBER
BUSINESS IN FULL BLOOM ANNUAL BUSINESS AWARDS SHOW
APRIL 24, 6-10 p.m. Nominations open! Nomination close after Feb. 27. Reservations 303-795-0142.
JOSHUA TREE EXPERTSCERTIFIED ARBORISTS
Schedule a Winter Arborist Inspection to develop a tree care plan for the winter time.303-229-8777. www. joshuatreeexperts.com/denver-south-co
ROGERS & SONS INC. - ELEVATED CLIMATE CONTROL
Curated Cooling & A/C Services; Radiant Heating & Snow Melt Integration; WholeHome Humidification and more. Private Consultations: 720-408-7411. https:// rogershvac.com
CARLA’S A CLASSIC DESIGN
From unique gifts to festive decor. Shop small and local at The Streets at Southglenn, 6851 S. Gaylord St., Centennial. 303-683-0372
GE TREE SERVICE
Trusted & Reliable for 20 years. A Certified Arborist, Licensed & Insured, Family Owned & Operated.Free estimates. Call 303-500-2017. www. coloradotreeremoval.com
