9-5-24 Villager

VOLUME 42 • NUMBER 41 • SEPTEMBER 5, 2024

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WITH FOOD, FUN, ART & CRAFTS TRAGEDY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR SURVIVORS

See page 5

19th Annual TAPS Colorado Celebrity Classic Supporting Colorado Survivors

See page 15 for more local events and activities

Saturday, September 14, 2024 5:30 pm Wings Over the Rockies | Denver, Colorado

AND

ACTIVITIES

For the past thirty years, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors has been a beacon of hope and support for families that have lost a military loved one.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Evening of Hope See page 15

JOIN US as we honor our fallen military service members and pay tribute to the See lovedpage ones 2they left behind.

Event Chairs Laura Benton George Dempsey Auction Chairs David & Annette Jewell Edie Marks Sharon Sweeney

TAPS Legacy Award presented to Pete Coors See page

Entertainment by:

Entertainment Chair Sara Duke

The Jay Silence Band

See page 15

"Keeping a vibe of yesteryear alive through his well-built songs, Executive Committee Indulge in a culinary adventure during Littleton’s Restaurant Week, where local flavors take center stage. Discover a vibrant dining scene offering diverse cuisines, from your local favorites Bo & Lynne Cottrell rich with storytellling, crisp to international fusion, all while supporting your Littleton Business Chamber Member’s talentedmusicianship and strong vocals. chefs and restauranteurs. Each restaurant, winery, brewery, coffee shop, or tea house will offer Vic & Sharon Evans See page 15 Featuring songs from his new album, Fly Me Away." its own unique offer.

Elise Marks Gruitch Don’t miss the opportunity to “find your new favorites.”

See Patricia McKenna-Mersch This fall, the Littleton Business Chamber is hosting Littleton’s 2nd Annual Restaurant Week. Restaurants throughout page 15 the city of Littleton will offer special menus, discounts, or fun extras over 10 days, so try them all!

Pat Robinson Participating restaurants include: Eric Schierburg See Black+Haus Tavern Littleton "Guitarist extraordinaire whose style is Ned Kellys Irish Pub page 16Cencalli Taqueria Jeff & Rene Tomczak Palenque Cocina Y Agaveria

and Billy Bower

Chez Lizeth Creperie Chicken Salad Chick Aspen Grove Colorado Pinball Pub Flying Pig Burger Co Gracefull Cafe Grande Station Harley’s Hot Dog Revolution iN-TEA Kate’s Wine Bar Los Portales Mexican Restaurant

rockin' blues with a side of country."

Pho Real Piccino Wood Oven Pizza Platte River Bar and Grill Rice Bistro & Sushi – Aspen Grove Romanos Pizzeria Social Bar and Lounge The 49th - Littleton The Melting Pot Viewhouse Littleton Vinameals Vietnamese Kitchen

Emeritus Pete & Marilyn Coors Miles & Jan Cortez Emcee Michael Spencer LtGen Mike Gould (R) & CBS News Colorado Col Paula GouldVisit(R) the Littleton Business Chamber home page www.littletonbusinesschamber.org or the event page Littleton Restaurant Week September 6-15, 2024 – Littleton Business Chamber Search by restaurant name or dining options. Link to the Steve & Marla Grove

by Epicurean restaurants tell them, “I’m here for Restaurants home page where you canCatering find their unique special.

When you visit theseand Gen Gene Renuart (R) & Jill Renuart Restaurant Week and they will serve you with Littleton Love.

Live and Silent Auctions

Sweet Sixteen Gala

Presented by:

See page 3

Attire: Country Casual

the Coors Cowboys

“We are so excited to support our chamber members during Littleton Restaurant Week” said Korri Lundock, Executive Director, Littleton Business Chamber. “We have so many great restaurants, wineries, breweries, coffee, and tea shops– there is no need to leave Littleton when going out! Each restaurant creates their own unique specials! You can play an hour of free pinball, enjoy specialty appetizers/desserts/menus, discounted meals, drink specials, even try new tea flights.

Everyone can find something they love. Don’t forget to start booking your holiday parties as you find your new favorites.”

In support of Littleton Restaurant Week, The City of Littleton Open Rewards Program users can earn up to a 10% cash reward for dining at these participating businesses. If individuals are not already signed up for the app, they can visit bludot.io/rewards-littleton to participate. For more information on the Open Rewards program, please reach out to jcrout@littletongov.org.

For more information and to purchase tickets: TAPS.org/Colorado - CALL 303-773-8313 SUBSCRIBE TO THE VILLAGER TODAY

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Complete your complimentary hearing assessment* and receive a $20 GIFT CARD* *See office for details.

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PAGE 2 | THE VILLAGER • September 5, 2024

Indulge in a culinary adventure during Littleton’s Restaurant Week, where local flavors take center stage. Discover a vibrant dining scene offering diverse cuisines, from your local favorites to international fusion, all while supporting your Littleton Business Chamber Member’s talented chefs and restauranteurs. Each restaurant, winery, brewery, coffee shop, or tea house will offer its own unique offer.

Don’t miss the opportunity to “find your new favorites.”

This fall, the Littleton Business Chamber is hosting Littleton’s 2nd Annual Restaurant Week. Restaurants throughout the city of Littleton will offer special menus, discounts, or fun extras over 10 days, so try them all!

Participating restaurants include: Black+Haus Tavern Littleton Cencalli Taqueria Chez Lizeth Creperie Chicken Salad Chick Aspen Grove Colorado Pinball Pub Flying Pig Burger Co Gracefull Cafe Grande Station Harley’s Hot Dog Revolution iN-TEA Kate’s Wine Bar Los Portales Mexican Restaurant

Ned Kellys Irish Pub Palenque Cocina Y Agaveria Pho Real Piccino Wood Oven Pizza Platte River Bar and Grill Rice Bistro & Sushi – Aspen Grove Romanos Pizzeria Social Bar and Lounge The 49th - Littleton The Melting Pot Viewhouse Littleton Vinameals Vietnamese Kitchen

Visit the Littleton Business Chamber home page www.littletonbusinesschamber.org or the event page Littleton Restaurant Week September 6-15, 2024 – Littleton Business Chamber Search by restaurant name or dining options. Link to the Restaurants home page where you can find their unique special. When you visit these restaurants tell them, “I’m here for Restaurant Week and they will serve you with Littleton Love.

“We are so excited to support our chamber members during Littleton Restaurant Week” said Korri Lundock, Executive Director, Littleton Business Chamber. “We have so many great restaurants, wineries, breweries, coffee, and tea shops– there is no need to leave Littleton when going out! Each restaurant creates their own unique specials! You can play an hour of free pinball, enjoy specialty appetizers/desserts/menus, discounted meals, drink specials, even try new tea flights.

Everyone can find something they love. Don’t forget to start booking your holiday parties as you find your new favorites.”

In support of Littleton Restaurant Week, The City of Littleton Open Rewards Program users can earn up to a 10% cash reward for dining at these participating businesses. If individuals are not already signed up for the app, they can visit bludot.io/rewards-littleton to participate. For more information on the Open Rewards program, please reach out to jcrout@littletongov.org.

September 5, 2024 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 3

Nostalgia or Poor Memory?

I’ve never been the nostalgic type. The way I see it, nostalgia is the false sense that things were better because they happened so long ago we can’t remember them accurately.

Still I have to admit there are a few things I miss from the past—rolodexes, manual typewriters, encyclopedias, prizes in the bottom of cereal boxes. I’m kidding. I don’t miss those.

But one thing I really do miss is letters. You remember those. I used to love getting letters in the mail—real letters from friends or family. Not letters from political candidates asking for money or letters from the clerk of courts

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telling me I’m on jury duty. I still get those.

There’s something truly wonderful about receiving a letter from someone you care about. I’m not nostalgic about it though. You’ll notice I said I miss receiving letters. I don’t miss writing them. I spent a lot of time writing letters long ago because it vastly improved my chances of getting any. That probably wouldn’t even work these days. If I wrote someone a letter now, they’d probably text me back to thank me for it.

And I miss how easy it used to be to turn my television on and off. There was a time the power button was

right there on the TV. And I could change the channel with a dial that was also right there on the TV. Then I could turn it off fast with the same power button because there was nothing to watch on the only two channels that were available to me at the time.

I don’t think it’s even possible to turn on my current television without a remote and if it is, I don’t know how to do it. This is a problem because, as I’m sure you’re aware, remotes have a bad habit of following the last person who used them to wherever that person was heading when they turned off the TV. We do have access to far more programming than I once had, but finding something to watch requires knowing which of our 10 or 12 remotes to use. Maybe it’s not

quite that many, but it’s a lot.

Consequently, I don’t spend any more time watching television than I did long ago, but I do spend a lot of time tracking down remotes and trying to figure out which one to use.

I also miss drinking pop out of glass bottles. It really does taste better and it’s not just my imagination.

Apparently there aren’t any chemicals in glass bottles that can affect the taste of the beverage inside. Meanwhile,

the chemicals in aluminum cans and plastic bottles can actually alter the drink’s flavor—at least if what you read on the internet can be believed. And I believe everything I read on the internet.

Not really. But speaking of the internet, I miss a time long ago when lies, insults and other stupid stuff couldn’t yet go around the world in literally minutes and then be repeated so easily and so often that they started being accepted as common knowledge. But I’m not nostalgic about the pre-internet days. I’d never want to go back to a time when I’d have had to research beverage containers in a dusty set of encyclopedias. Or for that matter, to a time when we had to mimeograph and mail our lies, insults and other stupid stuff.

ARAPAHOE COUNTY C NVERSATIONS September is National Suicide Prevention Month All month, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness. Learn more: 988lifeline.org Fall Planted Bulbs Learn everything you need to know about how to plant, care for and maintain fall planted bulbs for springtime flowers.

Thursday, Sept. 12, 6–7:30 p.m.

Hudson Gardens Visit https://bit.ly/ACFallBulbs or scan the QR code to register.

Presented by:

Time to hit the trails!

Lace up your sneakers for the Arapahoe County 5K Trail Run, Thursday, Sept. 12 from 6–8 p.m. along the Cherry Creek Regional Trail in Centennial. Registration includes a t-shirt, dinner, craft beer or sports drink, and live music at the finish line. Walkers and all ages welcome! Funds support trail maintenance and Arapahoe County Open Spaces.

Learn more and register at arapahoecountyeventcenter.com/5ktrailrun THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS AND PARTNERS:

arapahoeco.gov

Visit arapahoegov.com/osmasterplan to read the DIVE summary report.

WEEK OF SEPT. 2

Opinion

PAGE 4 | THE VILLAGER • September 5, 2024

Home On the Range

I’m working on Labor Day, that’s what many of us do that have jobs.

I’m pleased that many Americans can take the day off, and some have been smart enough to combine the weekend and Labor Day to take a little more time away from their labor. Americans are known worldwide to be ambitious, hard-working people, from the first colonists that arrived on these shores.

America has been built by hard work, sweat equity by so many people of all races, nationalities, creeds, religions, men and women. Together, with a Constitution and Bill of Rights written by God inspired geniuses, we have prevailed through many tests; a Revolutionary War against the British to obtain our freedom, a Civil War to end slavery, World War I, a war to end all wars, and then the big one, WWII. Then we have had UN conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan; and we seem to be on

business and later a the brink of more warhardware and furniture fare. Let us all pray for store. My wife had to peace so more innocent look for “skyhooks” victims won’t have to from teasing patrons in perish from this earth. her high school job at It’s Labor Day, and his store.

I’m doing my column In my high school for this week’s newspaper. I hung up my flag BY BOB SWEENEY history class I learned about the “Ludlow this morning to show PUBLISHER Massacre” that occurred in my appreciation for America Southern Colorado at Ludlow and particularly labor. My wife, on April 20, 1914. Striking coal and I, have worked all our marminers at the Ludlow Mine, ried life together in the newspaowned by John Rockefeller, per business. It’s a miracle that who operated Colorado Fuel we still talk to each other after all these years, but we love what and Iron (CF&I),were pelted by machine gun fire killing 11 we do and continue to publish children and two women in the newspapers because we believe striking miner’s tent colony. in the concept of a free press in It was the first major clash in a free country. I think we both America between capital and wish for just good government. labor. The miners were striking We came from hard working for better wages and working families, my family in the conditions. Rockefeller later ranching business, a 24/7 work apologized for the “Massacre” week of caring for animals. My at the mine. The chilling history wife’s family involved in the of the event is well recorded and retail business in a small town, her father working night and day led to better working conditions for coal miners. to operate his gasoline delivery

do by living according to The Bureaucratic Dystopia theWeprinciples of our Constitution,

The original progressive (communist) president of the United States, Woodrow Wilson, in 1911, started what is now a behemoth, a leviathan of public (government employment) sector bureaucracies. These bureaucracies have proliferated exponentially over the 115 years of their existence.

Franz Kafka and C. S. Lewis both wrote about a similar dystopia in 1930’s Germany, just as Hitler was taking control of that nation, first with bureaucracy and then murder. The Marxist/Stalinists dispense with gradual bureaucratic take-over and murdered millions using the USSR’s military and police force.

Regardless of how they assume control (regulatory bureaucracy, administrative state, or force of arms), there is one common denominator: control of the private sector, the citizen, the individual, through a central government.

This is the source of the general malaise we citizens feel today.

Mutual respect and common goals are replaced with hate, anger, violence, destruction. It doesn’t make sense to decent people, unless we postulate an intent behind this vast disruption of everything we hold dear.

Our family, friends and neighborhood; our religion and our nation, the very idea of America, Land of the Free and Home of the Brave is being torn apart: With intent and malaise of forethought.

However, evil can’t live in the light of intelligent curiosity, awareness and knowledge. In opposition to our adversaries, who concocted a lie in the dark to subjugate us, we can remember and rediscover the truth behind our nations‘ founding. We can know the principles upon which this nation was founded and in the pure light of that knowledge and those principles, we can drive back the evil malaise that infests our nation.

which controls the government, and the inalienable rights noted in the Declaration of Independence, which recognizes that the individual was created by an entity greater than any man or government.

Then we go to wok on the politicians and bureaucrats that make up the government. We hold them accountable at every step of the way. We tell them: no more lies, no more platitudes, reduce the size and power of the administrative state or lose your elected position.

If we individuals want to live in freedom and liberty, then we must take control of our destiny, as our Founding Fathers intended.

We have it easy, they gave us the Constitution, all we have to do is remember its meaning, embrace its principles and apply them.

Our nation is not its government. In fact, the government is a necessary evil, it’s not a means to an end, unless that end is control.

The intent of our nations founding is a Constitutional Republic. The Constitution is the law of the land, it is based on bedrock principles

Labor disputes and Unions have been a part of American life to this date. Right now, the Teamsters are deciding whom to endorse for President of The United States. The Union vote has been a major influence in American politics.

The first Labor Day parade was held in New York City on June 28, 1894, and Congress passed legislation making Labor Day a national holiday on June 28, 1894, the bill signed by President Grover Cleveland.

While there is much said about the cost of homes, most Americans have labored long and hard to own their homes.

They were never a gift, but earned by the sweat, tears, and brains of hard-working Americans. It is a dream to own a home, and work is the key to the doorway. Hopefully, interest rates will fall, and dreams be realized.

“Home on The Range” is a great song to sing. that transcend human foolishness.

Our Constitution controls the federal, state and local governments.

A Republic is rule by the people. It is not democracy, which devolves into rule of the majority over the minority, or tyranny of the many over the few. Republic is self-governance by each and every individual citizen in adherence to the law of the land. It’s not anarchy as long as the individual understands, deeply, the principle of freedom and responsibility, especially the sanctity of the individual.

We can complain and do nothing, in which case we will have failed future generation; or we study, understand and live by the principles that recognized our individual freedom. Time to choose.

Jay Davidson is founder and CEO of a commercial bank. He is a student of the Austrian School of Economics and a dedicated capitalist. He believes there is a direct connection between individual right and responsibility, our Constitution, capitalism, and the intent of our Creator.

Name: __________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________

The Villager

Office: 6972 S. Vine St., Suite 363, Centennial, CO 80122 • (303) 773-8313 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Arapahoe County, Colorado. (USPS 431-010) Published weekly by the Villager Publishing Co., Inc. 6972 S. Vine St., Suite 363, Centennial, CO 80122. Available for home or office delivery by U.S. Mail for $62 per year. Single copies available for $1 per issue.

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PUBLISHER & EDITOR Gerri Sweeney gerri@villagerpublishing.com PUBLISHER Robert Sweeney bsween1@aol.com CREATIVE MARKETING DIRECTOR Susan Sweeney Lanam 720-270-2018 susan@villagerpublishing.com VICE PRESIDENT/MARKETING Sharon Sweeney sharon@villagerpublishing.com LEGALS Becky Osterwald legal@villagerpublishing.com NEWS EDITOR Gerri Sweeney 303-773-8313 gerri@villagerpublishing.com GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER Freda Miklin fmiklin.villager@gmail.com 303-489-4900 REPORTER Robert Sweeney bsween1@aol.com FASHION & LIFESTYLE Scottie Iverson swan@denverswan.com DESIGN/PRODUCTION MANAGER Tom McTighe production@villagerpublishing.com ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Susan Lanam — 720-270-2018 susan@villagerpublishing.com Sharon Sweeney — 303-503-1388 Gerri Sweeney — 720-313-9751 gerri@villagerpublishing.com Scottie Iverson swan@denverswan.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Gerri 303-773-8313 EDITORIAL COLUMNIST Robert Sweeney bsween1@aol.com The Villager is an award-winning, locally owned, independent newspaper. All letters to the editor must be signed. The contributor’s name, hometown and phone number must also accompany all letters to the editor for verification and we reserve the right to edit contributions for space. We attempt to verify all matters of fact but hold contributors liable for the content, accuracy and fairness of their contributions. All submissions become the property of The Villager and may be reused in any medium.

Reverend Martin Niemoller “In Germany, the Nazis first came for the communists and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a communist. Then they came for the Jews and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me and by that time there was no one left to speak for me!”

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2024 Member

QUOTE of the WEEK QUOTE of the WEEK What’s

another word for Thesaurus?

– Steven Wright

September 5, 2024 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 5

TAPS Celebrity Classic to benefit Military Loved Ones to the Editor Commissioner Jeff Baker Deserves Your Vote

For six years, I had the opportunity and privilege to work alongside Commissioner Jeff Baker. He knows the concerns of the residents in District 3, as well as the rest of Arapahoe County.

Because of that, he has voted for and worked for the needs in both areas.

Now is not the time to change commissioners. Our county needs a proven leader and Jeff is that leader. Here are a few examples.

For almost eight years, Jeff has represented Arapahoe County on the Denver Regional Council of Governments then was honored to be voted chair of that 58 member group. Since inception of the Arapahoe, Douglas and Aurora Crime Lab, Jeff has represented Arapahoe County on that board that solves crimes bringing justice for victims. Jeff also protects children across Colorado on the Colorado Sex Offender Board.

Finally, he represents residents on the Centennial Airport Authority Board. These are positions that require hard work and considerable time but provide valuable services to residents of District 3 and the County.

Contrast, this with Jeff’s opponent, who will have a significant learning curve because he knows nothing about the many, complex County finances and service issues.

In addition, Jeff’s opponent is the father of the current Arapahoe County Sheriff.

The financial health of Arapahoe County is the primary responsibility of a county commissioner.

Every vote is very important especially on financial matters.

The Sheriff has Arapahoe County’s largest budget of $130 million.

Would Jeff’s opponent’s vote be compromised by family self-interest rather than what voters want?

By removing himself from voting, would it be okay to lose your representation on critical and controversial financial issues because of these ethical concerns?

Right now, two current financial issues are facing Sheriff Brown’s office.

The first is that Sheriff’s Office overspent their approved budget by $1 million dollars in 2023.

The second is that Sheriff Brown’s office set up a fund that accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars from Cherry Creek School District. That fund was not authorized and violated Arapahoe County financial policy.

Our Commissioners must be able to vote on ALL issues. That is the financial oversight voters expect and deserve.

Retaining Commissioner Jeff Baker as your District 3 County Commissioner will keep a good and ethical person with significant experience representing you on financial matters that are critical to Arapahoe County!

Nancy Sharpe Kennedy Former Arapahoe County Commissioner, District 2

September 14, 2024 @ Wings Over the Rockies The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors is hosting the 19th Colorado Celebrity Classic on September 14, 2024, at Wings Over the Rockies.

The evening will feature a fantastic collection of auction items that include: • Windstar Cruises to Tahiti and the Mediterranean • Jewelry from Shane Co. • Amazing shopping experience with Axels of Vail • Dinner for 8 from Epicurean Caterers • Sporting Experiences from Colorado Teams • One of a kind artwork from Craig Tennant and Cheryl Harley-Volz • Sports Memorabilia from Colorado teams • Golf at exclusive courses like The Pinery, Pradera, Cherry Creek Country Club, Black Bear Country Club, Blackstone Country Club, Beaver Creek Country Club • Local dining experiences in Avon,

Vail, Beaver Creek, Colorado Springs, Denver, Daytona, Centennial Airport, and more.

TAPS helps surviving families cope and heal in the aftermath of their loss through a variety of programs, including a national peer support network, the annual National Survivor Seminar, Good Grief Camps, grief and trauma resources, and a toll-free 24-hour helpline. All services are free of charge to the families.

To purchase tickets or for more information, go to TAPS.org/ Colorado. If you cannot attend consider making a donation to TAPS. TAPS is grateful to the sponsors of the Colorado Celebrity Classic: Presenting Perfect Cloud Solutions Eagle PEMA Foundation Gold AHEPA Chapter 145 Amy and Mitch Vallee Edie Marks Fidelity National Title

InSPIRE Corporation David & Annette Jewell LIUNA! MDC/Richmond America Homes Mike Maroone Automotive Nestle Purina Pet Care V2X

Dempsey International First American State Bank Miles & Jan Cortez Matthew O’Grady Parsons Corporation Pat Robinson Rich Schierburg Family Chip Spratlen The Villager Ronald Alford Vic & Sharon Evans

Silver American Furniture Warehouse Carol Waller & Jane Ames Dan Ball

TRAGEDY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR SURVIVORS

19th Annual TAPS Colorado Celebrity Classic Supporting Colorado Survivors Saturday, September 14, 2024 5:30 pm Wings Over the Rockies | Denver, Colorado

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

For the past thirty years, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors has been a beacon of hope and support for families that have lost a military loved one.

Event Chairs Laura Benton George Dempsey

JOIN US as we honor our fallen military service members and pay tribute to the loved ones they left behind.

Auction Chairs David & Annette Jewell Edie Marks Sharon Sweeney

TAPS Legacy Award presented to Pete Coors Entertainment by:

Entertainment Chair Sara Duke Executive Committee Bo & Lynne Cottrell Vic & Sharon Evans Elise Marks Gruitch Patricia McKenna-Mersch Pat Robinson Eric Schierburg Jeff & Rene Tomczak Emeritus Pete & Marilyn Coors Miles & Jan Cortez LtGen Mike Gould (R) & Col Paula Gould (R) Steve & Marla Grove Gen Gene Renuart (R) & Jill Renuart

The Jay Silence Band

"Keeping a vibe of yesteryear alive through his well-built songs, rich with storytellling, crisp musicianship and strong vocals.

Featuring songs from his new album, Fly Me Away."

and Billy Bower

"Guitarist extraordinaire whose style is rockin' blues with a side of country."

Emcee Michael Spencer CBS News Colorado

Live and Silent Auctions

Catering by Epicurean and the Coors Cowboys

Attire: Country Casual

For more information and to purchase tickets: TAPS.org/Colorado

PAGE 6 | THE VILLAGER • September 5, 2024

fo l l ow F R E DA

BY FREDA MIKLIN I am passionate about government and giving our readers straightforward information that will help them make informed choices when they vote. I am also a licensed C.P.A. and former

b e i n t h e k n ow

Greenwood Village City Council member. Dr. Jerry Miklin and I are the parents of five young adults, including two sets of twins, all of whom graduated from Cherry Creek High School and college.

I am a 9-time Colo. Press Assn. award winner. If you have any questions about local or state politics or government, or something you want to share, email me at fmiklin.villager@gmail.com.

What came out of the special legislative session to lower property taxes?

T

he effect of the 2020 repeal of the Gallagher Amendment that had kept residential property taxes unnaturally low and commercial property taxes unnaturally high for 38 years, combined with the unexpected leap in property values in 2022, led to increases of up to 40% in 2023 residential property taxes, payable in 2024.

The first action to address the problem came on May 16, 2022, when Gov. Polis signed SB22-238 - 2023 and 2024 Property Tax. It lowered tax rates and assessed values for the 2023 and 2024 tax years.

The next action came in a special session of the legislature in November 2023 that cut property taxes by $434 million and took other actions to support the state’s lower earners, including rental assistance and a summer meals program for children from lower-income families. An attempt to cut taxes further that required voter approval, Proposition HH, failed primarily because voters concluded it was designed to use their TABOR refunds to lower their taxes.

As this year’s regular legislative session ended on May 8, 2024, the general assembly came together to pass the strongly bipartisan SB24-233 Property Tax bill. According to colorado.gov, that bill “reduced property taxes by $1.3 billion for 2024 and 2025, providing an average of $500 in relief for Colorado families, while prioritizing school funding revenue.”

Many believed the property tax issue was at least temporarily settled.

It was not widely known that Advance Colorado, a con-

servative policy organization, had already collected 227,357 signatures in 2023, months before the 2024 legislative session even started, for a ballot measure, Proposition #50 Voter Approval to Retain Property Tax Revenue, that would have required a citizen vote to retain revenue generated by property taxes statewide in excess of 4% over the amount collected the prior year.

Proposition #50 was approved for the November 5 ballot more than a year in advance (See Villager Newspaper - February 1, 2024). There were more questions than answers about how that measure would work.

Another ballot measure from Advance Colorado, Proposition #108 Valuation for Assessments, created in partnership with Colorado Concern, a highly regarded group of leading business CEOs, garnered 196,994 signatures this year and was certified for the November 5 ballot on August 21.

According to the nonpartisan Legislative Council Staff, Proposition #108 would have reduced property tax revenue to local governments by “an estimated $3 billion in property tax year 2025, for which taxes are paid in 2026, and by larger amounts in later years.” The analysis noted that $2.25 billion of that total would be reimbursed to local governments by the state, which would also need to replace “about $800 million in lost school district revenue.”

The possibility of Propositions #50 and #108 being approved by Colorado voters brought the governor and legislative leaders from both sides of the aisle together to agree

to hold a special legislative session between August 26 to August 29. Its goal was to craft a measure to address property taxes that would result in Advance Colorado and Colorado Concern withdrawing both ballot measures to avoid what some viewed as potential fiscal chaos in state government.

There were loud whispers going into the special session that the outcome had been negotiated in advance.

The bill that came out of the special session, HB24B-1001, passed the state House 45-18, with 15 of the no votes coming from the House’s 46 Democrats and 3 from the House’s 19 Republicans, an unusual result.

The state Senate vote was also uncommon. The bill passed that chamber 30-4, with three of the no votes coming from Democrats and one from a Republican.

When it was all over, according to the governor, the “savings from the special session, combined with savings from SB24-233 passed earlier this year,” will result in these savings to owners of median-value homes: • In Denver, $233 in property tax year 2025 (paid in 2026), and $260 in property tax year 2026 (paid in 2027); • In Adams County, $324 in property tax year 2025 and $366 in property tax year 2026; • In Garfield County, $189 in property tax year 2025 and $214 in property tax year 2026; • In Pueblo County, $173 in property tax year 2025 and $196 in property tax year 2026.

There were grumblings from

some legislators that the bill would benefit the wealthy more than those of lesser means.

According to the fiscal note for HB24B-1001, 99.8% of the impact of the bill will be to increase the state’s share of K-12 funding. That number goes up whenever local property tax collections go down. The estimated total impact to state finances is: • $5.1 million in FY 2024-25 • $83.3 million in FY 2025-26 • $99.8 million in FY 202627.

There is zero impact to TABOR refunds.

Another change contained in HB24B-1001 is, beginning with the 2025 property tax year, county assessors will not include assessment rates on the notice of valuation sent to property owners because those rates could change, depending on economic conditions. If actual values go up, rates go down.

Also, county treasurers will not include the amount of assessed value on property tax statements because there will be one assessed value used for school district levies and a different one used for all other taxing jurisdictions, with schools being allowed higher property tax rate caps than other local governmental entities. Local government caps can be overridden by a vote of the residents of the locality.

Property values will be updated to market value again by county assessors for tax years 2025 and 2026 next spring, using sales made between January 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024, per state law. Those numbers can trigger different results under this bill.

CHV residents will see competing ballot measures about Quincy Farm on their November ballot On August 26, the Cherry Hills Village City Council passed an emergency ordinance to place a measure on the November 5 ballot amending the city’s Home Rule Charter “regarding the management and protection of Quincy Farm in accordance with applicable law and the Conservation Easement.”

The amendment describes

Quincy Farms’s location and size (17.5 acres at 4400 E. Quincy Avenue), as well as the Conservation Easement, which has been in place since December 18, 2007, as: “A 28-page document established for the purpose of preserving and protecting in perpetuity the Conservation Values of Quincy Farm and with the intent to permit all uses of that prop-

erty that are not inconsistent with such values or expressly prohibited by the Easement,” and which “grants solely to Colorado Open Lands, a Colorado nonprofit corporation, the right to prevent, correct, or require correction of violations of the terms and purposes of the Easement.”

The ordinance goes on to explain that the CHV City Council

has significant concerns about the potential impact of a Citizen Petition for a ballot measure that was submitted to the City Clerk on July 18 regarding Quincy Farm.

Due to statutory deadlines pertaining to the November 5 election, the council determined it needed to pass this ordinance on this date “for the immediate Continued on page 7

September 5, 2024 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 7

Continued from page 6

preservation of the public peace, health and safety,” because the council believes that the Citizen Petition ballot measure would: “(1) prohibit public access to the West Area of Quincy Farm without City supervision; (2) attempt to authorize City residents to enforce the terms of the Easement through legal action in addition to Colorado Open Land’s existing authority to enforce the Easement; and (3) in addition to the constraints imposed on Quincy Farm by the Easement, and regardless of any measures that may be necessary to protect the general health, safety, and welfare of the public, require the City to repair, maintain and preserve to

an unknown standard all City-owned or controlled structures, ponds, and areas listed on the United States Department of the Interior National Register of Historic Places unless otherwise approved in advance by a majority of the City’s registered electors.”

On August 27, one day after the council bill was passed, CHV City Clerk Laura Gillespie announced that supporters had submitted sufficient valid signatures to put the Citizen Petition measure on the ballot on November 5.

The language in the Citizen Petition ballot measure and the city council ballot measure concerning Quincy Farm contain potentially conflicting language regarding how the property is to be managed and who has

what rights concerning actions taken or not taken by the City at Quincy Farm.

To account for possible conflicts that could arise if voters approve both measures on November 5, the ballot language adopted by the City Council also asks CHV voters to answer yes or no to the question: “If both (the City Council-initiated) Ballot Question and citizen-initiated Ballot Question are approved (on November 5), shall the question receiving more votes prevail and the other question be deemed void and not effective?”

The citizen-initiated ballot measure for a Home Rule Charter amendment was filed by CHV residents Russell Stewart, Gordon Rockafellow, Rebecca Benes, Howard Schirmer, and

Mary Catherine Stinson.

The primary contact for the group is attorney Scott Gessler.

The citizen-initiated charter amendment states: “The City shall repair, maintain and preserve all City-owned or controlled homes, barns, ponds, and other structures and areas listed on the United States Department of the Interior National Register of Historic Places, unless otherwise approved in advance by a majority vote of registered electors.

The City received the historic Quincy Farm as a gift, which is protected by a conservation easement dated December 18, 2007.

As set forth in that gift, the City may use the East Area of Quincy Farm for recreation, preservation, and

agriculture. The City shall honor the terms of the gift by managing and protecting the West Area as an unimproved natural area, and it may allow public access to the West Area only for City-supervised activities identified in the conservation easement. Residents of the City may enforce the provisions in this Section and the terms of the conservation easement.”

Inasmuch as there are no contested elections for city council or mayor on November 5, these competing ballot amendments are the only local issues CHV residents will need to decide… in addition to their choices for President, Congress, the state legislature, and seven statewide ballot measures on a wide range of topics.

No matter who wins battle for control of state GOP, Colorado Republicans lose After 88% of the members representing 182 votes of the GOP state central committee met on August 24 and decided that current State Chair Dave Williams and his leadership team of Hope Scheppelman and Anna Ferguson should be replaced by former El Paso County GOP Chair Eli Bremer, former Routt County Treasurer Brita Horn, and former Mesa County GOP Chair Kevin McCarney, Williams told The Denver Post that the claim that he had lost his position was “beyond absurd.” He also sent an email to party members that said any action taken by the group that met on August

24 (to vote him out) “was or will be null and void.”

For his part, Bremer publicly referred to Williams and his team as “squatters,” for failing to vacate Republican state party headquarters on South Willow Way in Greenwood Village.

On August 28, an email on state GOP letterhead authored by Ron Hanks, a former state legislator who lost the June 25 Republican primary for CD3 to Jeff Hurd 41% to 29% after being endorsed by Williams (four other candidates split the rest of the vote), and who holds the position of state “Ballot & Election Security Committee Chair,” referred to the folks who

attended the August 24 meeting as, “behaving no differently than lowly property squatters,” “frauds,” and “posers,” who had staged a “sophomoric coup d’etat.” Hanks’ message also called Bremer a “masquerading-emperor.”

Williams and his supporters held a meeting on August 31 that drew mostly different members of the state central committee than those who attended the August 24 get-together. These folks represented 202 votes on the state central committee and they registered a 95% to 5% tally to retain Williams and his team in their leadership roles.

It will surprise no one

that both sides in this mess have filed lawsuits—one in Arapahoe County District Court and one in El Paso County District Court— seeking a declaration that they are the rightful party chair.

While the kerfuffle continues, Colorado Republicans wonder how much focus the party is giving to supporting the numerous candidates for Congress and the state legislature, in the all-important November 5 election, for which ballots will begin to appear in voters’ mailboxes 36 days from the publication date of this newspaper.

In the good news category, Williams recently sent

New Cherry Hills Village city council members are now known On November 5, three of the six seats on the Cherry Hills Village City Council, along with the mayor’s, will be up for election. Current CHV City Council Members Al Blum, Dan Sheldon, and Randy Weil will be completing their permitted

CORRECTION:

two four-year consecutive terms thus are not eligible for re-election.

On August 27, CHV City Clerk Laura Gillespie announced the names of candidates certified to run for the three city council seats and mayor.

There is one candidate

for each of the three city council vacancies and one candidate for mayor, incumbent Mayor Katy Brown, running for her second two-year term. All the certified candidates will be elected, since they are running in uncontested elections.

The candidates and the districts they will represent beginning in January 2025 are: • Council District 1: Doug Robinson • Council District 3: David Heller • Council District 5: Karen Fisher

out a sweet email, sharing the arrival of a new son to he and his wife Emily, including a photo of father and son that would warm the coldest heart. Congratulations to the Williams family.

The email also included a statement that, “Under Chairman Dave Williams’ strong leadership, we are on a winning path, laser-focused on the upcoming general election and fully dedicated to our 226 candidates…unlike the fringe minority faction that seeks to disrupt our progress through deceit and lies.” Oh well.

Doug Robinson is a former candidate for Colorado governor. David Heller has previously served on the board of South Metro Fire Rescue. Karen Fisher is a former president of the Cherry Creek Schools Board of Education.

The Villager will have a more detailed profile on each of the future CHV council members in an upcoming issue.

In our August 22 article on the rezoning of an office building at 4340 S. Monaco Street for conversion to residential property, we incorrectly reported that Greenwood Village Mayor George Lantz had sent a letter to Shea Properties questioning why a staff report that was part of the documentation for the project had stated neighboring jurisdictions had been notified about the rezoning request when GV had not been notified. Mayor Lantz’ letter inquiring about the lack of notification was sent to Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, not Shea. The Villager regrets the error.

PAGE 8 | THE VILLAGER • September 5, 2024

September 5, 2024 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 9

Castle Pines delivers epic PGA to Colorado through the eyes of a rookie journalist

A

It struck me that despite golf bes I boarded ing their “job” most considered the media bus themselves fortunate to be playto the BMW ing the game of golf each week.

Championship The practice round comat Castle Pines menced and I walked each of the Golf Club early last Tuesday picture perfect holes at Castle morning, I received inquisiPines Golf Club. The course tive glances from other jourwas immaculate, with the greens nalists and media members.

Arriving at the clubhouse, I BY RYAN rolling like marble, the fairways was unsure of my next steps, BOUBLIK feeling like carpet, and the rough so deep you could barely see the so I did as any lone wolf ball when it sat down. As I walked would do: join the pack. I followed along I recalled the age old adage, the stream of reporters past the sign “Never meet your heroes”; however, that read “No Spectators” and proceeded to enter the media tent. Eight meeting Sahith Theegala did not disappoint. Although his practice long rows of tables that could seat round wasn’t going well, Theegala much of my senior class were laid was kind-enough to take a selfie with out before me. Each seat had a card me. (Side note: I watch the PGA tour taped to the desk designating the newspaper or reporter that would fill fairly religiously and my parents are the chair. I was surrounded by titans of industry from USA Today, CBS, The Denver Gazette, and The Denver Post. Positioned at the opposite end of the tent stood an electronic interview backdrop covered with repeating logos for the BMW Championship and FedEx Playoffs that appeared to span the width of the tent.

(If only I could watch football on that screen!)

Stepping onto the driving range, I was concerned my appearance did not match my credentials and a security guard might tackle me. As a reminder, I was a high school senior amongst a sea of seasoned reporters. Soon, however, I was filled with excitement as mere feet away were the best players in the world: Wyndham Clark, Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffle, and my personal Mom (Kristen), Brother favorite, Sahith Theegala. I was in (Colin), and myself camped awe as golfers launched one pure out on the 15th green shot after another. Warming up, it was evident that each was seeking to hone their yardages (at altitude) growing tired of my repeated Sahith and perfect what appeared to be an chants. I rave about his great shots already perfect stroke. The players bantered and chatted with each other and wallow in sorrow when he hits a ball into a penalty area.) Our brief before their tee times. I heard Shane meeting was a highlight for me.

Lowery tell Rory Mcllroy that they When lunch rolled around, I was should “debrief with a diet coke” pleasantly surprised that the media after the round. Scottie and another tent housed a “pop-up” Starbucks player laughed at a joke told by one and deluxe buffet which, trust me, I of the caddies. The mood was light.

With “hero” Sahith Theegala

made the most of. Sitting down at a table full of strangers with my angus burger, fries and a fruit cup, I struck up a conversation with my new lunch buddies. One was a sports reporter and the other a representative for Good Good (a golf brand).

When my plate was licked clean, the young man from Good Good asked if he’d be seeing more of me. I explained that since school started the following day, sadly, I wouldn’t be on the course Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

He looked me dead in the eye and said, “Dude, screw that… screw school.” He asked and after I shared my grade point average, he doubled down repeating, “screw that, you can afford to miss a few days of school to watch the 50 best golfers in the world.” (He might have used some choice language in place of “screw”, but I will leave that to your imagination). Despite being a serious student, this conversation infected my goody-two-shoes mindset.

I sat in on Wyndham Clark and Xander Schauffle’s interviews after Tuesday’s practice round. I was shocked by how casually media members treated the moment.

Choosing to remain an observer, I tried to soak in the surreal experience, witnessing first hand interviews that would later be aired across social media.

I couldn’t afford to be absent for three days of school, but I found myself back at Castle Pines on Friday. With increased crowds, I spent the majority of the day camped out on the 17th and 18th greens. Afterwards, I returned to the range to find Billy Horschel and Aaron Rai working on their swings. The intensity and focus they possessed while hitting each shot was remarkable.

It didn’t matter whether they held a driver or 60 degree wedge. Prior to

each shot, Horschell mounted his phone on a stake to video his swing. He’d hit a single flawless ball then watch the video, making sure he had implemented whatever swing “feel” he was working on. I watched him repeat this process 20 times: record, hit one ball, then watch the video. Perhaps most surprising, was that Horschel could Scottie Scheffler on the 18th green have asked his caddy to set-up the video which would Before I let him go, I asked what he have cut his range was looking for on the range after time in half, but he did it himself. shooting nine under par (a score As Horschell continued his postthat would prove to tie for the best round practice, Ludvig Åberg apround of the tournament). “I work proached the range. I figured it was “now or never.” This was my chance on the same things I normally do,” said Åberg. “It’s always nice to get a to perform my first interview of a check up and make sure everything PGA Tour Player. During my two is in order.” To me, this was proof days at Castle Pines, I could confithat pro golfers are not complacent. dently say that walking the course They are always trying to confirm or was no walk in the park. I asked improve the tiniest details. Åberg, due to the altitude and hilly Saturday and Sunday proved to course, was level of fitness a facbe thrilling as the golfers were chaltor? He answered, “Obviously it’s lenged by the thickening rough, the a tough walk. It would have been wind, and greens that were growing a tough walk at sea level, but the more firm each day the tournament altitude definitely makes it harder. progressed. Perhaps the most humWe all play so much golf and we’re bling moment for me as a golfer walking a lot, so we should be able occurred on Sunday afternoon. I to handle it.” Åberg’s response was watched Rory hit a ball from above a little more professional than Max his feet while standing in the creek Homa’s who put out a tweet on X, on #9, to 20 feet past the pin. Standsaying, “...I’m finally going to grow an ass after walking Castle Pines this ing behind the green, I overheard a few people betting on the outcome of week.” I was also curious whether Rory’s escape. One person guessed Åberg had any “strange” yardages Rory was punching out to the fairwhen hitting his clubs at altitude.

(Compared to sea level, the ball flies way, another thought he was going to be 30 feet short of the green, and roughly 10-12% further in Denver). another guessed that the ball was He told me, “The wind switched a “going for a swim.” No one even few times which made the course a little bit trickier. A few of these holes considered Rory could get to, much have pretty high tee boxes so there’s less hold the putting surface. Even though the best golfers are capable a big elevation change and the ball stays in the air a little bit longer. I of hitting less than stellar shots (just think we’re all good enough to figlike the rest of us), they have the ure out the yardages and the wind.” tools and experience to hit recover-

ies that I couldn’t even imagine.

On the 72nd hole, Keegan Bradley, the last man to qualify for the 50 person tournament, was crowned champion to patriotic chants of “USA, USA, USA” and “Captain my Captain.” The

overwhelming feeling on the course was that you couldn’t help but root for our 2025 Ryder Cup Team USA Captain, who finished Sunday with a total score of 276 (12 shots under par). Although Bradley has 6 previous wins on Tour and is considered a veteran, it was heartwarming to watch him share this victory with his father, who had yet to see his son win in person.

It’s not everyday that a publication trusts a 17 year old with a media pass to the first PGA tournament in Colorado in a decade. I am grateful to the Villager for what was an exceptional experience and honor to witness golf history. Until the Tour “swings” back to Colorado, I will be working on my short game and college essays.

Ryan is a senior at Kent Denver and is on the golf team.

In the media tent with the “ultimate football screen” With Sam Burns on the 12th tee box

Photos by Ryan Boublik

PAGE 10 | THE VILLAGER • September 5, 2024

September 5, 2024 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 11

Mac’s ‘arch-rival’ next foe for Prime’s Buffs Thirty-eight years ago— in 1986—University of Colorado football coach Bill McCartney declared that, henceforth, the Buffs’ arch-rival would be the then-powerful Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Coach Mac was building his program, and he wanted his players to have a lofty goal to aim for. The Huskers had beaten CU 18 straight years and 23 of the past 24.

Between 1975 and 1985, the final scores were nightmarish. Among the worst: 69-19, 40-14, 59-0, 45-7, 5214, and 63-21.

Most fans chuckled at McCartney’s delusional proclamation.

But his Buffs upset Nebraska 20-10 in Boulder that year, prompting a memorable Drew Litton cartoon in the Rocky Mountain News that depicted husband-andwife Husker fans at an open front door, exclaiming “The doormat’s alive!” as a Buffalo welcome mat reared up.

The rivalry was on.

Through the remainder of McCartney’s career, Colorado won two more, tied one and lost five. From ’89 through ’91, his Buffs were 2-0-1 against Nebraska, while winning three straight conference titles and the 1990 Associated Press national championship.

Since Coach Mac’s proclamation, CU is 10-17-1 versus Nebraska—not exactly domination but a whole lot better than 1-23.

Having dispatched North Dakota State 31-26 in a tough season opener a week ago, the current iteration of the Buffs, now coached by Coach Prime, Neon Deion Sanders, will renew the Nebraska rivalry Saturday in Lincoln. (The annual clashing ended when CU joined the PAC 12 and Nebraska bolted to the Big Ten.) The Buffs have won the last three meetings, but this one won’t be as easy as last season’s 36-14 romp.

The Huskers have skyhigh hopes that five-star freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola, the second-highest-rated recruit in the history of Nebraska football, will return the Cornhuskers to college football’s top echelon, beginning with a victory over CU. Raiola is the son of former Nebraska All-America Dominic Raiola, winner of the inaugural Rimington Trophy as the nation’s top collegiate center in 2000. He passed for 88 touchdowns and 8,595 yards—with only 11 interceptions—in 878 pass attempts during three high school seasons.

Colorado should benefit from being tested to the limit

in the battle of Buffaloes vs.

Bison.

North Dakota State played like the nine-time Football Championship Series national champ it is, gaining 449 yards; possessing the ball for 13 ½ minutes more than CU (36:45 to 23:15); leading at halftime, 20-17; and reaching CU’s four-yard line on the last play of the game, a 49yard Hail Mary pass.

But, whatever CU’s Game One imperfections—and there were several, to be sure—one hard reality for opponents was crystal clear: Any team facing the Buffs this fall will have to contend with what can legitimately be called a dual Heisman Trophy threat.

Shedeur Sanders completed 26 of 34 yards for 445 yards, including gains of 41, 69, 31, 40 and 41 yards, and threw for four touchdowns, making several precise throws just as he was about to be creamed by an onrushing defender.

Best of them was taking a snap one second before the play clock expired and firing a three-yard strike to Travis Hunter for a touchdown halfway through the fourth quarter that ultimately represented the difference in the game.

A remarkable, one-handed grab with a defender draped on him, that play was one of Hunter’s seven catches for 132 yards and the third of his three receptions for scores. Another of the TDs was an acrobatic catch in the back of the end zone on which he had enough body control to keep his feet in play as he came down with the ball.

Without that catch, Colorado would have faced a fourth-and-three at the NDSU 13, and Prime would have had to decide between a field goal that would have left the Bison leading by one and a last-chance try for a first down—at risk, a turnover on downs.

Clutch catches aside, what makes Hunter a Heisman candidate in his own right is that he played virtually every snap—on defense as well as offense, more than 130 in all.

Film review will show vulnerabilities on defense, weaknesses in the running game (59 yards on 23 carries), and inconsistencies in the performance of the rebuilt offensive line.

But better to identify them BEFORE traveling to Lincoln, than there, on the field of battle.

After all, the “arch-rival” of the McCartney years lies in wait.Denny Dressman is a veteran of 43 years in the newspaper business, including 25 at the Rocky Mountain News, where he began as executive sports editor.

He is the author of 16 books, nine of them sports-related. You can write to Denny at dennydressman@comcast.net.

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September 5,2024 2024••THE THEVILLAGER VILLAGER||PAGE PAGE15 13 July 25,

INTERESTINGPEOPLE A NIGERIAN WEDDING

My middle son Chris recently married his love and travel buddy Adenike in Nigeria.

Talk about destination weddings!

They met over three years IN THE EYES OF BRIAN ago during Bio Retinal specialist, writer, Chris’s first Greenwood Village resident trip to Ni- email: joonbug@mac.com geria, were friends for a year, then more, and after lots of traveling together, decided to tie the knot in her home city of Lagos.

The next step for her is a spousal visa, which can take up to two years due to US bureaucracy. It’s ironic that a successful Nigerian businesswoman married to a US

Newlyweds Chris and Adenike

citizen has to wait on a very long line, while at the same time thousands of other foreign nationals, with no ties to the US, stream across our southern border daily, gifted with food, shelter, medical care, education, and spending money. But that’s a discussion for another time.

Stephanie, Ellen, and I were the only ones from my family able to make the long trek to Nigeria, flights available from Dulles on United or from Atlanta on Delta.

Nigeria is poor and populous, with a population two thirds that of America. Everyone was friendly and both surprised and delighted to see white Americans visiting their country. Chris, having spent much time in Nigeria,

was a great tour guide.

One visit was to Arena Market, a huge outdoor market selling everything from machine parts and appliances to clothing and food. You could pick out a chicken or goat and have it slaughtered and cleaned in a few minutes. Talk about bringing home fresh produce!

As is my tradition when traveling, I got a $1 haircut in the market, a fun experience and a true taste of Nigeria. We stayed in an Airbnb home with excellent air conditioning, a wonderful antidote to the Nigerian heat and humidity.

The first day of the wedding was a traditional ceremony, everyone wearing clothes based on their role in the family, fathers and mothers of the bride and groom, siblings, and guests. The ceremony starts with a family introduction and dowry discussion, followed months later by a traditional wedding with singing, dancing and other rituals.

This was all held at Adenike’s family home.

In our case, both ceremonies were the same day due to all of us being there for the wedding. Adenike’s family

My Nigerian haircut

instagram.com/authentic_ traveling/ and me https://www. instagram.com/traveling. boomer/ On Sunday morning we attended a Nigerian mega church. The service was loud and energetic, with singing and dancing, and the pastor speaking in tongues, a far different energy compared to most American churches.

The wedding was organized quickly to get moving on the onerous visa process and there was not time to plan and organize a big wedding reception, but that is to come sometime next year, meaning a return trip to Lagos. It’s a good thing we all have Nigerian visas, good for five years.

That itself was a process, requiring us all to travel to Atlanta for the necessary in-person application at the Nigerian consulate.

Nigeria is a country that few Americans would travel to but for this wedding it was an amazing adventure and fun time!

was wonderful, and we all hit it off fabulously.

The next day was a civil ceremony, in western attire, two government officials holding a simple service of wedding vows resulting in a legal marriage license needed to begin the visa process.

The final Brian and Ellen ready for a Nigerian wedding day was a dinner with the two families, a chance to get to know each other better, sharing lots of laughs and stories. Of course, there were lots of photos and videos given Chris’s growing digital content creation business. Fun videos of our trip are on Instagram under Chris https://www.

Ellen, Steph, and Adenike in Nigeria

PAGE 14 | THE VILLAGER • September 5, 2024

Because the public has a right to know 1st place - 2018

1st place - 2018, 2nd place - 2023

CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE CITY OF CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE NOTICE OF ELECTION

ordinance for the planning, financing and supervision of community bridle paths, parks and recreation programs. The Council may provide for equipping, financing and maintaining City-owned or controlled bridle paths, parks, recreational areas and facilities, by ordinance, both in and outside the corporate limits of the City.

The City may cooperate with other public authorities, special districts, organizations or individuals in or outside the City to implement the operation of these programs.

All parks, trails, and open space located within the corporate limits of the City, in which the City has or hereafter acquires a property interest, shall be held, protected, and maintained in public trust for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of the public, and shall not be pledged, vacated, granted, transferred, or conveyed, directly or indirectly (except as set forth below), without a majority vote of registered electors voting on the question. A lease and/or license of land or improve-

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to state law that the City of Cherry Hills Village will participate in the November 5, 2024 Coordinated General Election with Arapahoe County. This election will be conducted as a mail ballot election. In addition to candidates and other possible ballot measures yet to be determined, the registered electors of Cherry Hills Village will vote on the following proposed Charter amendment questions: Council Referred Charter Amendment (existing Charter language is in plain text, new language is underlined, and deleted language is struck through): Section 3.9. - Bridle Paths, Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Programs: The Council may provide by

COURTS DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE STATE OF COLORADO 7325 S. Potomac Street Centennial, Colorado 80112

PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO Petitioner, In the Interest of: ALANAH NI’LAYE TARAY DENNIS, and AZAI NIRELL PRINE DENNIS, Children, and concerning, AYANA PATRICE BARRITEAU, and CORTEZ D’ANGELO DENNIS, Respondents.

Kiley Schaumleffel, Esq., Reg. #46107 Assistant County Attorney 14980 E. Alameda Drive Aurora, CO 80012 (P) 303-636-1308 (F) 303-636-1889 NOTICE OF ADJUDICATORY HEARING AND DEFAULT JUDGMENT CONCERNING RESPONDENT FATHER, CORTEZ D’ANGELO DENNIS Case No: 24JV41 Division: 34 To The Respondents: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that an Adjudicatory Hearing and Default Judgement regarding Respondent Father, Cortez D’Angelo Dennis is set for September 25, 2024, at the hour of 9:30 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 for said hearing at the date and time indicated, the Petitioner will request that the Court

ments within a park or open space which does not exceed five years inclusive of renewals shall not be subject to the above requirement of a majority vote of registered electors, provided that both the provisions of the license or lease and the use by the licensee/lessee would not materially diminish the public’s opportunity to use and enjoy the respective park and/ or open space during the term of the lease or license. The City shall manage and protect Quincy Farm: (1) in accordance with applicable law and with the Conservation Easement dated December 14, 2007 as may be amended; (2) as necessary to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of the public; and (3) in accordance with all powers set forth in Section 1.2 of this Charter.

For the purposes of this Section 3.9, “open space” shall mean land in which the City has or hereafter acquires a property interest for the use and enjoyment of members of the public, including but not limited to the property known as Quincy Farm. The

enter a default judgment against you and adjudicate the children, dependent and neglected in accordance with the Colorado Children’s Code.

The Arapahoe County District Court is holding hearings via Cisco WebEx Meetings to allow for audiovisual and/or audio participation. 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/D18ARAP-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 alternate audio option of calling in to the number below.

If you do not have a device that will support a video connection, you may still participate by audio only by calling 720650-7664. When prompted enter Access code: 2594 408 0614 then press #, # (no attendee ID is needed).

YOU ARE FURTHER COMMANDED to appear before the Court at said time and place, either in person, virtually via WebEx, or by phone. If you elect to appear in person, you must be at the Courthouse a half hour before the hearing is scheduled to begin.

term “open space” shall exclude (i) the residential property known as 90 Meade Lane and (ii) streets and right of way, exclusive of that portion of either containing a public trail.

In the event of a conflict between this Section 3.9 and any other provision hereof, the terms of this Section 3.9 shall prevail.

Citizen Initiated Charter Amendment The full text of the charter amendment shall be as follows: Section 3.9 -- Bridle Paths, Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Programs: The City shall repair, maintain and preserve all City-owned or controlled homes, barns, ponds, and other structures and areas listed on the United States Department of the Interior National Register of Historic Places, unless otherwise approved in advance by a majority vote of registered electors.

The City received the historic

Quincy Farm as a gift, which is protected by a conservation easement dated December 18, 2007. As set forth in that gift, the City may use the East Area of Quincy Farm for recreation, preservation, and agriculture. The City shall honor the terms of the gift by managing and protecting the West Area as an unimproved natural area, and it may allow public access to the West Area only for City-supervised activities identified in the conservation easement. Residents of the City may enforce the provisions in this Section and the terms of the conservation easement.

Laura Gillespie, City Clerk Designated Election Official City of Cherry Hills Village The City of Cherry Hills Village has caused this Notice to be given and published as required by law this 5th day of September, 2024.

Published in The Villager Published: September 5, 2024 Legal # 11565 ___________________________

CITY OF CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE ORDINANCE 5, SERIES 2024 AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, COLORADO SUBMITTING TO THE REGISTERED ELECTORS OF THE CITY A MEASURE AMENDING THE HOME RULE CHARTER REGARDING THE MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION OF QUINCY FARM IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW AND THE CONSERVATION EASEMENT AT THE COORDINATED ELECTION TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 5, 2024 Copies of the Ordinances are on file at the office of the City Clerk and may be inspected during regular business hours.

Published in The Villager Published: September 5, 2024 Legal # 11566 ___________________________

SPECIAL DISTRICTS CENTENNIAL AIRPORT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Environmental Specialist, 7565 S. Peoria St. Unit D-9, Englewood, CO, 80112 no later than 4:00 p.m. MST, on October 7, 2024. DBE Firms are encouraged to submit.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Commissioners of the Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority will conduct a Public Meeting in the Wright Brothers Room of the Airport Authority Administration Office, 7565 S Peoria Street, Englewood, Colorado at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 12, 2024. Please go to the following link to attend this meeting virtually: https://centennialairport.com/virtual-boardroom

Published in The Villager First Publication: August 29, 2024 Last Publication: September 5, 2024 Legal # 11560 ___________________________ NOTICE OF OPEN MEETING FOR HEARING ON PETITION FOR EXCLUSION OF REAL PROPERTY FROM THE BENNETT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT 7

The agenda will include a Public Hearing on an application under Centennial Airport’s Development Policy and Application Procedures for Aeronautical and Non-Aeronautical Land Use (“Development Procedures”) from Colorado Karting Circuit for a go-kart track Development Plan.

Information concerning these items may be reviewed at the Airport Authority offices by appointment at 7565 South Peoria Street, Englewood, CO 80112. To schedule an appointment please call 303-790-0598.

Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority Published in The Villager First Publication: August 29, 2024 Last Publication: September 5, 2024 Legal # 11559 ___________________________ PUBLIC NOTICE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS CENTENNIAL AIRPORT ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO The Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority (ACPAA), owner and operator of Centennial Airport in Englewood, Colorado is soliciting proposals from qualified firms to supply, install, and maintain a replacement Noise and Operations Monitoring System (NOMS) to support airport noise office operations.

Dated: July 29, 2024 ..................................

Kiley Schaumleffel, Esq., Reg. #46107 Assistant County Attorney Attorney for the Petitioner

The firm must supply all information required by the Request for Proposals. The Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority reserves the right to waive any informalities and minor irregularities in the submittals and to select the Consultant deemed to be in the best interest of the Airport.

Published in The Villager Published: September 5, 2024 Legal # 11564 ___________________________

For any questions and to obtain a complete copy of the Request for Proposals starting September 9, 2024, please contact Zachary Gabehart, Noise & Environmental Specialist at Centennial Airport at zgabehart@centennialairport.com or 303-218-2919.

The Proposals must be submitted to Zachary Gabehart, Noise &

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NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to all interested persons that a Petition for Exclusion of real property has been filed with the Board of Directors of the Bennett Fire Protection District 7. The Board of Directors has fixed September 12, 2024 at the hour of 7:00 p.m., at 355 4th Street, Bennett, Colorado, as the date, time and place of an open meeting at which such Petition shall be heard.

The name and address of the Petitioner is: ........................................................................................................ ..........................................................................................................

Fischahs, LLC ........................................................................................................ ..........................................................................................................

288 Clayton Street, Suite 306 ........................................................................................................ ..........................................................................................................

Denver, CO 80206 The properties to be excluded from the District are generally described as follows: Two parcels of land being a portion of the Northeast Quarter of Section 34, Township 3 South, Range 65 West of the 6th Principal Meridian, City of Aurora, County of Adams, State of Colorado All interested parties may appear at such hearing to show cause in writing why such Petition should not be granted.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE BENNETT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT 7.

BENNETT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT 7 By:................................................................................................... /s/ Steve Dambroski ........................................................................................................

Secretary Published in The Villager Published: September 5, 2024 Legal # 11567 ___________________________

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September 5, 2024 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 15

WINGS OF HOPE FOR PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH PRESENTS EVENING OF HOPE SEPT. 6, Presenting Miss America- Madison Marsh at Exploration of Flight Centennial Airport. Benefiting CU Cancer Center. Tickets: www.wingsofhopecr.org 2ND ANNUAL LITTLETON RESTAURANT WEEK SEPT. 6-15. Hosted by the Littleton Business Chamber.

Restaurants will offer special menus, discounts, or fun extras over 10 days. Check out participating restaurants, wineries, breweries, coffee and tea shops listed in an ad in this weeks’ Villager. Interested in dining? Visit Littleton Restaurant Week Sept. 6-15, 2024 Littleton Business Chamber. Search by restaurant name.

35TH ANNUAL FRIENDSHIP POWWOW SAT. SEPT. 7 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free day at Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave., Pkwy. Non-profits offer fry bread & Indian tacos and vendors will showcase jewelry, art, crafts, clothing, and more. 11:00 a.m. all dancers perform together in the Sie Welcome Center and Sturm Grand Pavilion.

SOSU ARTIST COLLECTIVE CELEBRATES 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH OPEN HOUSE SAT., SEPT. 7, 4—6 p.m. Enjoy a cupcake, new art and enter a drawing for an art box at the Streets at SousthGlenn at 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 306.

ARTWORKS AT STREETS AT SOUTHGLENN ART GALLERY & GIFT SHOP SAT., SEPT. 7, 4-6 p.m. First Saturdays Open House at Arapahoe & University. Drinks & nibbles at the Gallery.

Two students from Thomas Jefferson High School featured.

SAT., OCT. 5, 4-6 p.m. Two students from Arapahoe High School to be featured.

SAT., NOV. 2, 4-6 p.m. Two students from Littleton High School to be featured.

SAT., DEC. 7, 4-6 p.m. Two students from Heritage High School to be featured.

CHALK ARTWORK ON MAIN ST. LITTLETON SEPT. 7. Local artists create chalk artwork, activities, live music, local shopping and dining.

REXRUN FOR PAWSITIVITY SEPT. 7, 3rd annual 5K Trail Run/Walk hosted by the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds. Funds raised will purchase working K-9s, and their safety equipment and pay for their medical bills.

A PRECIOUS CHILD Celebrate 16 years of transformative impact at their upcoming Sweet 16 Gala on SEPT. 7. Hosted at Sheraton Denver Downtown. 9News Anchor, Kyle Clark will emcee.

For more info and reservations: Events@APreciousChild. org or 720.850.5516. Visit: APreciousChild.org or bit.ly/ Sweet16APC RISING FROM THE RUBBLE: REFLECTIONS ON 9/11 AND THE NEED TO REMEMBER WED., SEPT. 11, 6-7:30 p.m. Join the Centennial

Institute at Colorado Christian Univ. for a conversation about what happened on that day in Sept. 2001 and how America’s response changed the lives of millions of Americans and others around the world. With backgrounds in military and intelligence, Dr. David Murphy and Dr. Tom Copeland will unpack 9/11, its aftermath, and the need to remember. To register for this FREE event call 303-963-3157 or centennial@ccu.edu A flag memorial will also be displayed on the main CCU campus from Sept. 7-12. This memorial honors the 2,977 lives lost at the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and on flights 11, 175, 77, and 93.

CHERRY CREEK REPUBLICAN WOMEN GENERAL MEEETING TUE., SEPT. 10 11:00 a.m. TOPIC: Oil & Gas Crisis?

Should We Be Worried? SPEAKERS: Steve Strung, Pres./CEO of Bayswater E&P & Dan Haley, President & CEO of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association. A reservation made is a reservation paid. RSVP: www. cherrycreekrepublicanwomen.org Questions? Call Marcia Sass 303-475-9148. DoubleTree by Hilton, DTC, 7801 E. Orchard Rd., Greenwood Village. Parking free for CCRW. Enter on the West side, lower level. Cost: $36.

BOILING WATER BATH CANNING CLASS SEPT. 11, 6-8 p.m. Food Preservation Training. Can Apple Pie Filling. Cost $30. To register: Scan QR code on page 3 of this weeks Villager.

FALL PLANTED BULBS THURS., SEPT. 12, 6-7:30 p.m. at Hudson Gardens. Learn how to plant, care for and maintain fall planted bulbs for Springtime flowers. https:/bit.ly/ACFallBulbs ACSK TRAIL RUN SEPT. 12, 6-8 p.m. along the Cherry Creek Regional Trail in Centennial. Registration includes a t-shirt, dinner, craft beer or sports drink, and live music at the finish line. Walkers & all ages welcome. Funds support trail maintenance and Arapahoe County open spaces. Register at arapahoecountyeventcenter.com/SKtrailrun AN EVENING TO BENEFIT QUINCY FARM BARN PARTY AT THE VILLAGE CLUB SEPT. 13, 6-9:30 pm. Dress up in your best country-chic attire. Bluegrass, cocktails, barbecue, silent auction.

AURORA’S ANNUAL AGRICULTURE FESTIVAL SAT., SEPT. 14, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Celebrate food, nature and fun. Learn ways to support healthy farming environments and sustainable eating practices at Plains Conservation Center, 21901 E. Hampden Ave. Learn where your food comes from, wagon rides, 1880s homestead & tipi camp tours, food vendors and more. $5 per vehicle.

Event presented by the city of Aurora Parks, Recreation & Open Space Sept. & Denver Botanic Gardens Tickets: AuroraGov.org/AGFest 19TH ANNUAL TAPS-COLORADO CELEBRITY CLASSIC-SUPPORTING COLORADO SURVIVORS SAT., SEPT 14, 5:30 p.m. at Wings Over the Rockies, Denver. Honor our fallen military service members and pay tribute to the loved ones they left behind. TAPS LEGACY AWARD presented to Pete Coors. Entertainment

by The Jay Silence Band and Bill Bower, Guitarist extraordinaire. Emcee, Michael Spencer, CBS News

Colorado; Catering by Epicurean & the Coors Cowboys; Live & Silent Auctions. Attire: Country Casual. To purchase tickets: TAPS.org/Colorado CENTENNIAL CHALK ART FESTIVAL SAT., SEPT. 14, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Streets at SouthGlenn (6851 S. Vine St., Centennial). Chalk art, live music, family activities, local vendors.

5TH ANNUAL ART ON THE GREEN SEPT. 14 & 15. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Curtis Park, 2323 E. Orchard Road. 90+ local artists, live music, food trucks.

Free to attend. InVINtions Winery & Down Hill Brewery to serve beer & wine selections. Local bands. Sponsored

by TING. THE COLORADO AUTHORS’ HALL OF FAME MON., SEPT. 16. Honoring Five $2,000 scholarships to aspiring Colorado Authors To-Be plus participation in an extensive 12-month mentorship to support their success as an author, valued at $15,000. HallChair Mara Purl will emcee the celebration event. Vanessa Gomez and Chris Veasey, recipients of 2022 will give a short presentation of their authoring success. Cost: $80 or $75 each if more than one luncheon event ticket is bought.. Tickets: www.

ColoradoAuthorsHallofFame.org The event was founded

by The Book Shepherd - Judith Briles, local author.

CANCER LEAGUE OF COLORADO OVER THE EDGE SEPT. 20, 21. Rappel by raising $1,000 for charity down Denver’s McGregor Square, 200 ft. Scared of Heights? Donate to a friend or volunteer. Reservations: 303-534-4317 or ote@hsaglaw.com. Later: An evening of fun at Tom’s Watch Bar on McGregor Square, 1901 Wazee St., 6-9 p.m. Tickets $30. Proceeds benefit Cancer League of Colorado.

4TH ANNUAL MAGIC OF THE JACK O’LANTERNS ILLUMINATES HUDSON GARDENS SEPT. 20-NOV. 2. More than 7,000 pumpkins on select nights. Walk through a glowing trail of thousands of magnificent, can-carved pumpkins. For a unique optical experience, 3-D glasses are available for purchase.

Food trucks, S’mores stations, drink stations. Tickets: magicofthejackolanters.com beginning on Wed., August 28.

TESOR0 CULTURAL CENTER 22ND ANNUAL RENDEZVOUS AT THE FORT SEPT. 21 & 22. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily on the grounds of Colorado’s iconic restaurant, The Fort. Authentic Rendezvous Encampments, Ceremonial Dance Demonstrations, Hands-On activities and AwardWinning Artists. Tickets online or day day of at the door.

Free parking with concessions provided onside by The Fort. New this year on Sat. morning is an art preview and award ceremony that will include a continental breakfast from 9-10 a.m. with a $20 ticket. Purchase award-winning art before the show opens. More info: Call 303-839-1761.

CHERRY CREEK REPUBLICAN WOMEN MEETING SEPT. 21-22 for the 86th Annual Board of Directors Meeting & Fall Convention at the Hotel Colorado, 526 Pine St., Glenwood Springs, CO. SEPT. 21 registration 8-10 a.m. Bring your own tote bag to be voted on and win a prize. SEPT. 20 Executive Committee Meeting & Welcome Reception 5:30-7 p.m. in the Veranda Room. Host

Clubs: Garfield County Republican Women & Centennial Republican Women. Early Bird registration must be postmarked by Sept. 8. Checks payable to CFRW, Jacque Stafford, Reservations Chairman, 1174 22 Rd., Grand Junction, CO 81505.

MENTAL HEALTH COLORADO 41ST TRIBUTE FUNDRAISING GALA SAT., OCT. 12, Grand Hyatt-Denver 6 p.m. Tickets aperales@menetalhealthcoloado.org

MS. COLORADO SENIOR AMERICA QUEEN’S TEA SUN., SEPT. 22, 2-5 p.m. at Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Course, Antero Ballroom. It will be a fun afternoon of sipping tea & tasting the delights of an assortment finger sandwiches, canapés, appetizers, and desserts. You will be entertained by the Ms. Colorado Senior America Pageant Queen 2024 Andrea Kehmeier and club members including the dance group, The Bella Donna’s! Bring your girlfriends and have an afternoon of fun. Silent auction and Live auction? This is an annual fundraiser. Tickets: contact Cindy Oberdier at 720-217-3560.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION-COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY - 50 YEAR CLUB CELEBRATION FRI., OCT. 25, 10:30 a.m. pre-reception; 11:45-1 p.m.

Luncheon & Awards Program, Hilton Fort Collins, 425 W. Prospect Rd., Fort Collins. The class of ’74 will be inducted into the 50 Year Club. Award Winners: Career Achievement Award: Dr. Vijay Singh, ’74 and Public Service Award: Susan Campbell ’73. Registration: 800-286-2586.

A LIVE DEBATE LIKE YOU’VE NEVER SEEN: ALEXANDER HAMILTON VS THOMAS JEFFERSON SEPT. 25. Doors open at 6:30 for general admission, program at 7-8:30. Sponsorships available. See registration page for details. Aspen Academy, 5859 S. University Blvd., Greenwood Village. Constituting America, a nonpartisan, educational foundation, founded in 2010 is hosting this program from the American Historical Theatre for a one night only live debate. A not to miss event for the whole family! A live historical debate between our amazing Founding Fathers. An education about the U.S. Constitution and our nation’s founding principles. Tickets to Register: us.constitutingamerica.org/HamiltonJefferson Questions: Jill@constitutingamerica.org or call 72-4270148.

THE COLO CHRISTIAN BUSINESS ALLIANCE CCBA 2024 CONFERENCE SEPT. 27, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. “Mutuality of Business Working Together for Christ.”Speakers: Wil Armstrong, Tamra Andress, Paul Cuny. Conference Emcee, Parker Samelson. Sign up: 303-335-4217 for the conference at The Cable Center, 2000 Buchtel Blvd., Denver.

2024 COLORADO UPLIFT GUILD ANNUAL LUNCHEON SEPT. 27, 10-11 a.m. Shop, sip & silent auction.

11-1 p.m: Lunch & Program. Columbine Country Club. Interested in attending? Call 720-982-3460 or uplifftguildvp@gmail.com.

BUTTERFLY BALL COLORADO IS COLORADO’S BIGGEST NIGHT FOR CONSERVATION SAT., SEPT. 28. 6 p.m. Omni Interlocken Hotel, 500 Interlocken Blvd., Broomfield. Butterfly inspired formal attire. Enjoy a magical stroll through the Monarch Menagerie filled with 400 live monarch butterflies, a champagne welcome, cocktail reception, sit-down dinner, live entertainment and fashion show, and silent and live auctions. See how Butterfly Pavilion embraces the principles of People. Planet. Promise. Will showcase how we conduct global conservation projects with an equity lens in Tanzania, Mongolia, Sumatra and many other locations around the globe. For info: Alex Peterson, 720-531-9362. or peterson@butterflies.org or www. butterflies.org RODEO ALL-STAR MUTTON BUSTIN COMPETITION OCT. 4 & 5 National Western Complex. For children 5-7 and under 55 pounds. Open to 900 kids. Visit rodeoallstar.com

2024 Acura TLX Sports Sedan Sizzles

I think that the car gods that deliver new test cars every week must be teasing me; the new cars just keep getting better, and better.

This current Acura TLX sports sedan is a classic model with amazing engineering and some pioneering of new safety features.

They even offer a 24,000 miles two-year complimentary maintenance program that comes with the suggested manufacturer’s list price of $63,270.

This TLX is a mean looking dude, designed low and wide with “Urban Gray Pearl” paint, “Shark Gray” 20”/ “Berline Black” wheels with racing famous Pirelli “Centurato” P7 tires. The front brakes feature red caliper four-piston Brembo brakes that complement the sloping hood racing car appearance.

It’s not all glamour, this is a 3.0L turbo six-cylinder motor producing 355 horsepower and is made at a special engine factory

in Anna, Ohio, with the final assembly of this Acura, and sister Integra models, in Marysville, Ohio. All Acura models are made in America.

The powerful package has improvements in “quick throttle response” that works in harmony with a 10-speed transmission and paddle shifters. Twin chrome tail exhaust pipes bid “adieu” to any laggards on the freeway.

Appearance, first-class, power train better than first-class… Let’s go inside the cabin with the seats finished in red Melano leather with an ELS premium sound system and LED ambient cabin lighting. The 12.3” cockpit digital instrument panel cluster offers an assortment of information including gasoline fuel consumption, running around 22 mpg driven in sport mode.

The camera system is awesome with both sharp rear images complimented by an aerial view

that shows precisely the distance of rear parking lot vehicles. Acura has also made advances in radar camera on distance shown in all directions including frontal drive lanes.

The state of Colorado highways are dismal, with harsh winter weather taking a toll on asphalt with many cracks, and potholes and major wear and tear inflicted on vehicles. This puts a strain on

By H. Throttle

tires and suspension systems but this Acura has a strong suspension system with front double wishbone and rear link suspension to cushion those rough roads. Precise electric steering adds to the steering control and the electronic all-wheel drive.

The front “Diamond Pentagon”

COLORADO BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE VIEW FROM THE TOP: INNOVATION IN THE FACE OF UNCERTAINTY. OCT. 23, 7:30-9:00 a.m. at the Denver Museum of Nature an Science. Featured Speakers: Bryan Leach, Founder & CEO, Ibotta; Ron Lopez, Pres., Astroscale U.S. Inc. and Anne Noonan, Pres. & CEO, Summit Materials.

This event unites CEOs from America’s largest and most innovative companies to tackle the theme of“Innovation in the Face of Uncertainty.”Leaders from aerospace, consumer technology, and construction materials will share how they drive technological advancements, boost operational efficiencies, and foster resilience amidst rapid change. Tickets: events@cobrt.com Colorado Business Roundtable is located at 62925 Greenwood Plaza Blvd, Suite 100 in Greenwood Village.

SOUTH SUBURBAN GOLF COURSE 50TH ANNIVERSARY 7900 S Colo. Blvd., Centennial. Five leagues have joined together to raise funds for“Nourish Meals on Wheels”this month. Nourish delivered more than 200,000 meals and groceries in 2023 to those in need. Concerts and karaoke nights throughout the year. Info: 303-70-5500.

CLUBS: 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 p/m. At Mango Tree Coffee, 3498 S. Broadway,Englewood. Info: Gail 720-377-7682.

GLOBAL DOWN SYNDROME FOUNDATION “BE BEAUTIFUL BE YOURSELF FASHION SHOW NOV. 16, 5 p.m. Zaya Biel honored as Global Ambassador and Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Awardee, Sofia Sanchez. Questions: 303-321-6277.

Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel.

WHAT’S NEW? Arapahoe County calling for people to serve on the Justice Coordinating Committee. To apply, visit arapahoeco.gov/ getinvolved

grille adds to the luxurious appearance of this TLX sport sedan. How nice to have the phone charger up close to the center console rather than buried deep under the dashboard.

Two smart phone chargers located in the rear seating area for passenger convenience.

Acura has been building these vehicles for the past 35 years and have mastered the art of creating state-of-the art transportation with every safety feature in their “Safety Watch System.” Especially appreciated are the traffic sign recognition windshield alert warnings with schools opening this past week.

The “Jewel Eye” LED headlights light up the night with the daytime “Chicano” LED running lights for daytime running safety.

Acura has equipped the TLX with next generation front passenger airbag technology that just adds additional safety to this outstanding Acura package.

I would like to keep this sedan.

PAGE 16 | THE VILLAGER • September 5, 2024