12-26-24 Villager

VOLUME 43 • NUMBER 5 • DECEMBER 26, 2024

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PEACE AND JOY TO THE WORLD THIS HOLIDAY AND INTO THE NEW YEAR from the villager Silent night! Holy night!

All is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin mother and child!

Holy infant, so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace!

Sleep in heavenly peace!

Silent night! Holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight!

Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!

Christ the Saviour is born!

Christ the Saviour is born!

Silent night! Holy night!

Son of God, love’s pure light Radiant beams from thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth!

Jesus, Lord, at thy birth!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE VILLAGER TODAY - CALL 303-773-8313

"Silent Night" (German: "Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht") is a popular Christmas carol, composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria.

It was declared an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2011.

The song was first recorded in 1905 and has remained a popular success, appearing in films and multiple successful recordings, as well as being quoted in other musical compositions.

It is the world's most recorded Christmas song, with more than 137,000 known recordings.

Credit - Wikipedia.com

PAGE 2 | THE VILLAGER • December 26, 2024

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December 26, 2024 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 3

Aurora announces new at-large council member and mayor pro tem SUBMITTED BY THE CITY OF ARUORA

The Aurora City Council on Monday voted to approve the appointment of Amsalu Kassaw to fill the council seat vacated following the resignation of At-large Council Member Dustin Zvonek.

Kassaw, who works at the Geo Group, Inc., describes himself as a community organizer, human rights ad-

Serving Arapahoe County for 43 Years Keep up on your city, people, politics & social events SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

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vocator and public servant from Aurora. According to his application for the position, he applied to help Aurora residents and gain a better understanding of the issues to solve resident concerns wisely.

A recipient of the 2024 Aurora Community Spirit Award for the Community Volunteer category, Kassaw also has earned the 2023 Leadership Service Unify-

ing Achievement Award on International Diplomacy and the Ethiopian American Community Service Award.

Kassaw will complete the remainder of the term, which ends the first council meeting in December 2025. He will be sworn in Jan. 13 during the regular council meeting.

During the November 2025 Regular Municipal Election, registered electors will vote into office a new

Amsalu Kassaw

Steve Sundberg

at-large council member to complete the next full term.

Also on Monday at their regular council meeting, the

City Council voted to appoint Ward II City Council Member Steve Sundberg as mayor pro tem for 2025.

C NVERSATIONS ARAPAHOE COUNTY

HAPPY NEW YEAR All County offices will be closed Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025 in observance of the New Year’s holiday.

Share your passion–Get involved today!

Apply now to serve on the Water and Wastewater Authority

Our water resources are precious, and as a board member of the Arapahoe County Water and Wastewater Authority you'll help guide the use and management of our existing resources and ensure we provide customers with sustainable water/wastewater services and efficient customer service.

Visit https://bit.ly/ACWWA or scan the QR code with your smartphone to apply.

arapahoeco.gov

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

WEEK OF DEC. 23

Opinion

PAGE 4 | THE VILLAGER • December 26, 2024

and laughing. I suddenly The real meaning of Christmas spirit thrilled went from being an angry little It was many years candy. ago on a remote ranch I rushed to the woodin NW Colorado that pile and gathered an this little story begins. I armload of kindling and was around six yeas old then to the coal house to and we lived in a very fill the coal bucket. had rural area in a small visions of fudge and wooden frame house cookies running thru heated only by one

BY BOB SWEENEY my young brain. kitchen stove that was PUBLISHER As darkness descendfired by wood and coal. ed, my father came to Everyone on a ranch or farm the house from his evening chores has daily chores to perform. All that included milking our jersey of the livestock must be fed in the milk cow. This wonderful cow early morning, every day. My provided us abundant milk and chore was to make sure that the cream, kept cool by a block of ice wood box was full and the coal in the wooden icebox, now a valbucket had coal from the nearby ued treasure in antique stores. coal house in the ranch yard. We The kitchen was filled with had an icehouse with blocks of the aroma of chocolate, cookies, ice cut from the nearby Yampa fudge and cakes cooling on the river. A barn kept the 1945 white table. I could hardly contain my Plymouth car, tack for the horsmirth and joy for the upcoming es and the team that pulled the feast of these homemade deliwagon to feed the livestock. We cacies. Sugar had been rationed did not have any running water in during World War II and sweets the house and drank water from were scarce around our house. the nearby river from a bucket.

But, instead of offering me any The outhouse was across the yard of the treats my mother wrapped having no indoor plumbing. We up the sweets and put them in used lamps for evening light. sacks and into a cardboard box It was late in the afternoon of with some other packages. My Christmas eve when my mother father meantime had pulled the asked me to bring in some more car to the front door and so I wood and coal for the stove. She knew we were going somewhere. related that she was going to I was furious, how could they not make some cakes, cookies and share these treats with me. This

was just an outrageous act and I was full of disappointment as we donned our coats and hit the frozen dirt road.

We traveled four miles past Juniper Springs where there was a remote country store and post office and headed up a mountainous sagebrush ravine. My mother was a teacher and taught school at the Saddle Mountain school in the nearby area. Well named because she rode horseback to the school.

It was pitch black when we turned off the narrow road and went down into a gulch and back up into a yard with a small cabin and lamplight glowing out of the cabin window.

“What is this all about?” I wondered. Several dogs came barking at the car as we gather the sacks and approached the cabin door. From the dark entryway, I heard a man say, “Hello June, what brings you here tonight?”

That was my mother’s name. As I entered the cabin, there were six children of varying ages sitting around the kitchen table. I looked on the table and there was one tin pan of cornbread for the Christmas evening meal.

Out of the box came cookies, my beloved fudge, candies and presents. The children were

The Ethics of Capitalism

will not long sustain itself.

There is a point at which the tax burden becomes untenable. At that point, businesses and the wealthy will seek tax shelters or even move their product lines offshore. This is self-limiting, since tax revenues are dependent on profits, and business profits will decline as tax rates increase.

Our nation’s founders recognized the need for limited government.

Therefore, the compromise, so brilliantly executed in our Constitution, is to limit government activity to highly restricted avenues. They gave taxing authority only to a body that regularly must stand for re-election by the very people they tax.

“Big Government” politicians found a way around the Constitution by “robbing Peter to pay Paul,” so they could always get Paul’s vote.

But this is a highly limited endeavor, since Peter, the producer of wages and taxes, will eventually rebel. Ayn Rand wrote volumes on this topic, as did Milton Freedman and the entire Austrian Schools of Economics.

The deepest principles of capitalism are found in the definition of free trade: “A willing buyer and a willing seller deciding on a transaction without outside coercion.”

Two individuals arrive at an agreement. This point is critical.

Capitalism exists only in individual freedom to choose. True capitalism doesn’t spring from any law or any government. The economic system called capitalism arose naturally from the individual freedom on which our nation was founded.

For eons, mankind has bartered, the first seeds of capitalism — but all nations were subject to their more powerful neighbor taking through force. Free markets didn’t reach their full power until our nation was founded on the concept of the sanctity of the individual. No other nation codified the concept of inalienable rights, from our creator, not man, until our Declaration of Independence and Constitution were forged. The entire concept of capitalism is that free trade and individual rights inexorably united our nation and the sanctity of the individual into one concept.

Therefore, the single role of government is to protect the individual freedoms that accrue from our creator.

Capitalism has been maligned for decades. The main arguments against are greed and avarice. No doubt some capitalists are guilty; however, the vast majority of business owners, inventors, and founders created a better way that other

people want. In a capitalist economy, individuals decide, not governments.

Cronyism

Cronyism is not capitalism. Cronyism uses the power of government to subvert free enterprise. It creates an unfair advantage through manipulation of a market.

While it is legal for Musk or a Buffett to use government contracts to keep a market to themselves, it is not ethical to do so. For instance, the subsidy E.V.s get from the government distorts the market; it takes money in the form of taxes from one person to pay off another.

The subsidy that E.V. buyers get is actually taken from other people, through taxation, to benefit one small group, thus costing the majority. If the E.V. were desirable in a free, capitalist market, then it would not need a federal subsidy.

Taxation

All federal revenue comes from taking from the individual.

The government is not capable of generating profit, so it must tax its citizens. Government is antithetical to individual freedom and, therefore, to capitalism. It’s a zero-sum game: what government has, it must take and the individual must give up.

There must be a limit, a balance.

Citizens realize that some portion of their income should go to supporting our government. But when a certain group pays the vast majority of taxes, and when another group pays no taxes, the burden is not equally partitioned. The high wage–earners are disproportionately impaired, while low wage–earners pay almost nothing. The system

Federal Debt

Federal debt is really your debt, since every wage-earner must pay it back.

When the government, especially the Administrative State and Congress, spend more that they take in through taxes, the government places every citizen in our nation into debt, just so the politicians can continue to spend other people’s money.

The solution is to force government, through elected politicians, to stop and reduce spending. How many more welfare programs do we need? How effective are the programs in place? Would not private enterprise better serve the needs of the needy?

Profit

Profit allows a business to

boy to being so proud of my mother. How did she know that these children had nothing for Christmas? But, of course, she knew as my mother was their school teacher, knowing everything about this family and these children. Their joy meant everything to me and I laughed all the way back home. I was so proud of my parents.

I never got a bite of fudge, but I received a message of sweetness from my mother and father that I have never forgotten from many years ago.

Occasionally I will read about one of these family members in the local Craig newspaper as they have grown up and have families of their own. I saw an obituary on one of the girls some years back.

It was on this Christmas eve that I learned the real meaning of Christmas and that the real joy is in giving and not receiving.

I’ve written this story many times and this won’t be the last time, but I hope that it leaves a lasting memory in the minds of those who really wish to capture the true meaning of the Christmas spirit. Happy Holidays. self-perpetuate. Profit requires that the business owner balance employee satisfaction with other costs and sell his product or service for a price above his total cost...and thereby create profit. Remember that capitalism requires a willing buyer. If the seller doesn’t provide a product or service that satisfies the buyer, the seller won’t sell, and the business will fold.

The key point is that freedom to choose, free of government influence, perpetuates capitalism.

Because capitalism is available for everyone, it has propelled the majority of citizens out of subsistence living to relative wealth.

Even the poorest among us benefit greatly from free markets. It’s too bad that the government wants to pay people to remain in poverty, using welfare and entitlements. Instead, we should encourage people to engage in the uplifting process of fending for themselves. Entitlement breeds dependency. Free enterprise, capitalism, breeds independence.

The golden thread that unites freedom, capitalism, and our nation is the sanctity of the individual, whose rights are noted in the Declaration of Independence and bestowed by our Creator. Our constitutional republic allows, and even demands, that we exercise our rights as individuals to limit and balance our government.

We have a golden opportunity to right the wrongs and bring order to the chaos.

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 joining individual right and responsibility, our Constitution, capitalism, and the intent of our Creator.

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 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 cogambler@mac.com 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!”

2024 Member

QUOTE of the WEEK I stopped believing QUOTE thewhen WEEK in SantaofClaus I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph.

– Shirley Temple

December 26, 2024 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 5

Happy 70th Birthday Cherry Creek Republican Women!

Double celebration with festive holiday entertainment – Kerry Edwards Cherry Creek Republican Women (CCRW) President Dorothy Gotlieb always leads an interesting and inspirational meeting.

This one, recognizing CCRW’s 70th birthday, was no exception.

As always, her careful research for each “monthly moment of history” is revealed.

70 years ago, when CCRW was founded, Dwight D. Eisenhower was our president. So, this time she cited examples of the unique and vital contributions women made to the GOP in the 50s. For the first time there was an organized effort to mobilize the U.S. women’s vote – for Republican presidential candidate Eisenhower. Ivey Baker Priest, later U.S. Treasurer, led the drive. Other unique contributions made by women during this era included Eisenhower’s appointment of Oveta Culp Hobby as the first woman to serve as Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare. He also appointed Clare Booth Luce, the first woman to be named a U.S. ambassador to a major power – Italy. But the closer and exclamation point to President Gotlieb’s “monthly moments in history” is meant as a call to action: “What will YOU do today?”

Colorado Federation of Republican Women District VI Director (and immediate past president of CCRW) Evie Ashmore shared a National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) moment – a reflection on the organization’s history. Inspired by the Republican Platform of 1872, Republican women’s clubs began many years before women even had the right to vote. Hundreds of independent Republican women’s clubs grew up around the nation.

In 1938, Marion Martin, assistant chairman of the Republican National Committee, called a meeting at the Palmer House in Chicago to organize what would become the National Federation of Republican Women. At age 31, Joyce Arneill of the Denver Republican Women’s Club was elected its first president. As a member of CCRW or any other Colorado Republican women’s club, you are automatically a member of CFRW and NFRW. The finale of this meeting was the much-anticipated performance by Kerry Edwards. Many in the audience were already familiar with Kerry from his past affiliation with Tony David and WildeFire. Kerry is now enjoying tremendous success on his own. He is a native of Salt Lake City, began singing at age seven and has appeared in numerous musical theater productions. He moved to Colorado in 1972 and began his professional career.

His vocal range enables him to perform a variety of material with ease – which he generously shared as well as took requests including Christmas songs.

Entertainer Kerry Edwards with CCRW President Dorothy Gotlieb FAR RIGHT: Susan Stiff and Dianne Bartlett surround “President-Elect Trump” who sports an Ike button and Santa hat

Photos

by Scottie Iverson

The very cherry celebration dessert by Masterpiece Cakeshop

Mamie and President Dwight D. Eisenhower Courtesy photo

ABOVE: Former Greenwood Village Mayor as well as former Arapahoe County Commissioner Nancy Sharpe and Centennial Councilwoman Robyn Carnes at the festive balloon arch LEFT: Immediate Past CCRW President and Colorado Federation of Republican Women District VI Director Evie Ashmore gave a report

PAGE 6 | THE VILLAGER • December 26, 2024

fo l l ow F R E DA

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 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.

BY FREDA MIKLIN

Aurora Mayor Coffman at December 20 press conference

Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain

Edge at Lowry apartment complex in Aurora

On December 20, Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman held a press conference to respond to questions about crime in his city, especially the most recent widely reported incident that resulted in two people being hospitalized and the arrest of over a dozen people.

He began by telling reporters, “My heart is with the two victims of that horrific attack.” Later, he explained, “Sadly, there’s such rampant criminality in Venezuela, it’s essentially a failed state. Whenever you have a concentration of Venezuelan migrants—it is unfortunate that the criminal element follows the Venezuelan people that are fundamentally good, superimposing themselves where there is a concentration of Venezuelans.” I think that was part of what occurred (on December 16). I’m glad that the perpetrators were apprehended.”

Explaining what led to the criminal situation at the apartment complex where the December 16 incident occurred, Mayor Coffman described a process that resulted in non-governmental organizations using federal grants to place migrants in apartments in Aurora, adding that Denver Mayor Mike Johnston had a role in it. According to Coffman, “He (Mayor Johnston) had the legal right to do it but I thought it was gutless, politically, not to let us know, and it not only hurt us, it hurt the very people that were moved over here.”

Coffman pointed out that Denver does not have this problem of Venezuelan gang violence, noting that there are three apartment complexes in Aurora which have become a target for criminality because Venezuelan migrants live there and Venezuelan gangs often prey on people from their own country.

Coffman concluded, “It’s unfair to us as a city because it compromised our public safety and it’s unfair to the people that were moved here because we are not a city and a county (like Denver) and they didn’t inform our county partners

(Arapahoe County) who have human services capability…Part of the problem…is people trying to survive. It’s not just the gang activity.

It’s a form of human dumping that is unfair to the (impacted) people and unfair to our city, what the mayor (Johnston) did.

Coffman also pointed to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who he said had “targeted about four cities in the country that had Democratic mayors (including Denver). He said he asked Mayor Johnston to go with him to visit Abbott to discuss the situation but Johnston declined because, according to Coffman, “Johnson (said he) wanted to go to the President (Biden),” and tell him, “We need more immigration judges.

We need the federal government to take control of dispersing the people from the border across the country so it wouldn’t impact Denver so much.”

On the evening of December 16, two people were violently kidnapped and brutalized in Aurora.

At a press conference the next day, Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain said that two victims, a male and a female, “were accosted by 13 to 15 individuals,” most, but not all of whom were males. The victims were forcibly taken from their apartment to a different one in the same complex, where they were bound, pistol-whipped, and beaten, while some of the perpetrators returned to the victims’ apartment and burglarized it, taking items of value. After the victims were finally released in the middle of the night, they went to a different location and notified Aurora Police, who interviewed them, then responded to the apartment complex where the crime occurred.

There, they located and arrested a group of individuals, later identified as being associated with the infamous Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang. All those arrested were undocumented, according to a news release issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that was viewed by Denver7.

The incident happened at the Edge at Lowry apartments at 1258 Dallas Street in Aurora, a 60-unit complex that has been the subject of nationwide attention due to previously reported criminal activity publicized on cable news.

In response to multiple civil and legal actions filed against the property by the City of Aurora, and owing to unsafe conditions at the five-building complex, the property’s owners, CBZ Management, have agreed to close down the entire apartment complex. The date of closure has not been finalized, nor has a plan to relocate the current residents of the complex. It is also not clear if the property will reopen later, after much-needed repairs have been made. The current case against CBZ requires them to respond in court to the complaint previously filed by the city by December 30.

When a reporter asked Coffman if he “regretted making inaccurate, misleading statements,” about gang activity in his city, the mayor pushed back, answering, “I have to be the adult in the room, as a mayor,” noting he “took issue” with descriptions like, “Aurora is being overrun,” because, he said, “That’s simply not true…The narrative that’s floating around nationally is not that it’s these three apartment complexes, it’s the City of Aurora, and that’s the concern that I have.

People don’t realize that we are a city of 400,000 people…This is not our entire city.”

Significantly, Mayor Coffman pointed out that legal immigrants who violate criminal law are always subject to deportation.

He read an email that was sent to the Aurora City Council from a realtor in Telluride that said, “It is disturbing to hear the news of the Venezuelan gangs taking over your fine city. Unfortunately, this also affects Telluride, as the nation thinks that all towns are close to Aurora. We rely on tourism. Who wants to come to Colorado with this gang mess that has happened in your sanctuary

Mayor Coffman says Denver Mayor Johnston had a hand in Venezuelan gang trouble in Aurora

city? Please work on getting this resolved and work with the governor.

Do it for Colorado.”

Said Coffman, “The president-elect came to Aurora and put out that false narrative, as well…I put out a statement challenging that narrative because it’s not true and it has economic consequences to the city. He gave that statement in the largest hotel conference center in the State of Colorado, Gaylord, which happens to be in the City of Aurora. The hospitality industry is a significant part of our economy. That’s why the governor is concerned, which he expressed to me. You think about the big story, it’s one apartment complex in this city…I look forward to closing it down,” noting the Aurora Police have been effective in responding and making arrests there, which, he pointed out, “ought to be the story, but that’s not the story (because) there’s a partisan political narrative out there that is being fed by all this.

It was evident during the campaign and it’s significant now, going into the leadup for the swearing in of the new president. I have an obligation as a mayor to tell the truth even if it’s not popular, particularly in conservative circles.”

Regarding his expectations of what the incoming Trump administration will do in the area of immigration enforcement, the mayor said, “Having been a Member of Congress for two years when President Trump was in office, when he wants Congress or anybody to do something—and I think he wants to do something on immigration reform…” adding, “Now that he’s not going to be running again, this is his last four years, I think he’s going to be more open to immigration reform.”

Coffman said he felt that Trump was reluctant to take significant action on immigration in his first term out of fear of offending his base. He expects that the incoming President Continued on page 7

December 26, 2024 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 7

fo l l ow F R E DA

5775 DTC Boulevard in Greenwood Village Photo courtesy Loopnet.ca

Another GV office building sells for a fraction of its former price While residential homes are selling more slowly than in prior years, and their prices have not gone up appreciably in the past two years, the pattern of decline in the value of DTC/Greenwood Village office buildings is clear and unmistakable.

A new addition to that list is Orchard Centre at 5775 DTC Boulevard in Greenwood Village, a four-story, 126,000-square-foot, Class B office building constructed between 1974 and 1977 and listed as having been renovated from 2012 to 2014. According to a

recent listing in loopnet.ca, it has 346 surface parking spaces and 58 covered ones. Another real estate service, crexi.com, lists the building as being 36% occupied.

Business Den reports that Valley Equity Group (Valley) was the successful bidder in a recent bank-

Cell phones can only be used hands-free while driving Beginning January 1, 2025, a first offence for driving while using a cell that you are holding in your hand can result in a fine of $75 and an assessment of two points against your driver’s license. A second offence within two years will cost $150 and three points. For purposes of your auto insurance, this ticket will likely be counted as a moving violation.

SB24-065 Mobile Electronic Devices & Motor Vehicle Driving, signed into law by Gov. Polis on June 5, 2024, prohibits any driv- This is illegal in Colorado starting January 1. er 18 years of age or older of data, i.e., talking, texting, or from physically holding a mobile electronic device in his or her hand watching a video. Drivers under the while conducting voice-based com- age of 18 are already legally prohibited from these activities while munication or the wireless transfer

operating a motor vehicle.

It remains legal to talk on a cell phone while driving using handsfree equipment like BlueTooth.

Venezuelan gang trouble in Aurora Continued from page 6

will do so in his second term, beginning with tightening the border, which Coffman believes is not well controlled, currently.

According to a CBS News report dated November 1, U. S. Customs and Border Protection reported between 54,000 and 58,000 apprehensions of migrants between legal entry points during each of the months from July to October.

These were the lowest numbers they had experienced since September 2020, during Trump’s first

term.

Noting that incoming President Trump has stated that he will begin deportations with what he termed “Operation Aurora,” a reporter asked Coffman who in Aurora he believes should and should not be deported.

The mayor said, regarding Trump, “Sometimes there’s a gap between his rhetoric during a campaign and reality,” so it is questionable whether “he will start here or somewhere else,” but, “Those people who have violated criminal laws, and particularly, been violent,

have no place in the United States,” which he pointed out, again, is the law, regardless of one’s immigration status.

Coffman said he expects Trump to focus on key industries that are believed to employ illegal immigrants, naming agriculture and meat packing. Overall, he believes Trump is hoping to pass comprehensive, lasting legislation on immigration policy through the Congress, on a bipartisan basis.

On the question of the relationship between Aurora and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforce-

ruptcy auction for Orchard Centre, acquiring it for $4.5 million, less than one-fourth of what Aztec Fund, its former owner, paid for the building in 2018. The August bankruptcy filing in Texas of Aztec Fund, based in Mexico City, led to the auction of Orchard Centre.

Valley, “a real estate investment firm specializing in the acquisition and management of office properties across the United States,” was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in the University Hills neighborhood of Denver. The firm currently owns property in Denver and Illinois.

Previous Valley investments include Arapahoe Medical Center in Centennial and Holly Center in Denver, as well as buildings in Ohio and Indiana. The firm’s principals are Andy Ward, founder, Joe Knolmayer, operations, and Dave Miller, acquisitions.

Exceptions to this prohibition are emergencies, including reporting an accident or serious road hazard, first responders performing their duties, and utility workers responding to a utility emergency.

Included with traditional first responders are code enforcement and animal control personnel.

A driver cited under this law might get a first offence for which he or she is charged, dismissed, by producing a hands-free accessory or proof of purchase of one, but that will only work once.

If it is found that the illegal use of a mobile electronic device is the proximate cause of bodily injury or the death of another person, the act will be treated as a class one misdemeanor traffic offense with possible jail time, a fine, and restitution.

Prime sponsors of this new law included former state Senator and current Arapahoe County Commissioner Rhonda Fields, Cherry Hills Village and Englewood state Rep. Meg Froelich, and recently retired Centennial state Rep. David Ortiz. ment (ICE), Coffman said, “We will work with ICE as much as we are legally allowed to under state and federal law. We have never been a sanctuary city and we will cooperate as much as legally possible.”

Mayor Coffman closed the press conference by responding in Spanish to questions from Univision, a Spanish outlet.

The mayor also praised Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain, noting, “He is doing an extraordinary job…He’s really turned this department around in the short time he’s been here, from a department that wasn’t proactive to a department that is. It’s his leadership.”

Tables Extra rdinaire 2024

PAGE 8 | THE VILLAGER • December 26, 2024

December 26, 2024 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 9 Livy’s First Christmas

by Andria White & Brittany Kline Let’s Go Glamping by Olga Payne, Laura Yeros and Natasha Bealer

The ladies from the Pastry Shop Mary, Did You Know

by Presvytera Marsha Christopulos & Elaine Cladis

A Rose Garden

by Elaine Karubus & Chris Skogen

A Checkered Christmas Past

by Elaine Cladis & Presvytera Marsha Christopulos Santa’s Golden Girls

by Christie Finch, Cassandra Hensarling and Martha Chapman

A Novel NOEL

by Vivian Bouzarelos

A Coastal Christmas

by Missy Katsoulas, Sophiha Katsoulas and Jean Greos

Oops! Wrong Holiday

by Michele Kapaun, Trina Bibbero and Aleksandra Gopsill

American Christmas

by Lexi Payne & Rachel Tavlarides

TABLES EXTRAORDINAIRE 27 YEAR TH

St. Catherine Philoptochos Chapter members have decorated tables for their annual fundraiser to support over 20 charities throughout the year for over 27 years.

The general public is invited to from the Pastry Shop. view these beautiful tables, reserve a The Greek Orthodox Ladies spot at their private Tea Events and/ Philoptochos Society is the women’s or purchase delicious baked goods philanthropic arm of the Greek Or-

thodox Archdiocese of America. It has been providing philanthropic aid for over 90 years. The society has 26,000 members and 450 chapters nationwide. The local Clergy Advisers are Fr Theodore Dorrance and Fr Dino Sinos.

This is a not-to-miss event every year during the holidays. The tables tell a story by the collectibles, china, silver, and stemware used by the members to create their beautiful tables.

Christmas Wonderland Gala Brought to You by Barbie

by Valerie LeVier & Ramona Harbour

PAGE 10 | THE VILLAGER • December 26, 2024

Holiday Challenges and Celebrations

Business Banking Built Around A Personal Relationship We’re changing business banking throughout the neighborhood.

At Berkley Bank, we provide your business with a range of banking services and deliver them with a uniquely personalized touch. We’re building relationships throughout the neighborhood by providing individual attention and responsiveness. Our Team is the same every time you visit.

We know that the business landscape is constantly evolving, and Berkley Bank is there for you with innovative banking solutions to help your business thrive in this dynamic environment. It’s a style of banking that most people rarely encounter these days. It’s worked for the Berkley family since 1924 and we think you’ll love it!

Our goal is to be a bank you can rely on and to also be a long-term partner in your business journey. Let us help you build a solid financial foundation for sustained success.

LISTEN FIRSTHAND WHAT MAKES BERKLEY BANK DIFFERENT.

Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations are here. Most are realistic enough to know that family gatherings this time of year can be stressful. Financial stress is added to the mix now that we are experiencing higher costs. Perhaps you have that one family member you know who drinks too much and starts the political wrangling we all agreed to avoid. Maybe there is an angst about the outcome of the election.

The question is, why do we get stressed around the holidays? Behavioral research outlines that one of the most common reasons we get stressed is because we have high, almost unrealistic, levels of expectations around these yearly events. We reminisce about holiday celebrations we experienced as a child when we were woefully ignorant of what the adults were experiencing. As children, we watched holiday television specials and enjoyed all the gifts, fanfare, smells, and traditions. Making holidays special for children and keeping them away from adult challenges is wonderful. Once we become adults, however, and host holiday gatherings of our own, this stress level kicks in. We have little experience with passive-aggressive relatives and those who want to disrupt rather than devote themselves to healthy family interaction.

Sometimes stress happens because we are reminded of how time marches on and affects our health and vitality. Grandma may no longer be capable of cooking an entire feast or baking cookies with the Littles.

She may even be unable to travel to see her children and grandchildren changing the traditions we have had in place for years. With social and cultural norms changing

rapidly, the picture of the happy nuclear family is even further from our experience. More people have more complex family structures—parents divorce and remarry, families blend—and, as a result, childhood traditions are crushed. Traditions are foundational to our faith, identities, and childhood experiences.

Life is full of challenges, including inflation, uncertainty, and health and safety concerns. These challenges become baggage and stressors we bring into the holidays. Sometimes, adults hear critical comments from their parents, which makes us feel unworthy, guilty, childlike, and angry.

Experts in happiness, life satisfaction, and human flourishing challenge us to enjoy the holidays by lowering our expectations and looking at things differently regarding the blessings of belonging to a family, even though dysfunction and eccentricity exist. They recommend that we all seek to be givers rather than takers and not be sensitive or offended by a flippant remark.

Taking the power away from someone to hurt us is empowering. Finding humor in chaos is a skill. A way to reduce stress is to set realistic boundaries and prepare ourselves mentally for the onslaught of disappointment we might feel when expectations are not met. Staying thankful and in gratitude is a superpower.

Finally, the experts advise us to create new traditions that are realistic and even a bit quirky. View the holidays as a great family adventure, and we are privileged to design and participate in creating fun, joy, memories, and laughter for all concerned.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah! joneen@narme. org

THANK YOU

7887 East Belleview Avenue, Suite 100 Englewood, Colorado 80111 P. 303.770.0361 www.BerkleyBank.com

to our subscribers & advertisers for your support in 2024.

Happy Holidays!

December 26, 2024 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 11

Be Wary of Winter Heart Attacks Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve heard that people with heart problems need to be extra careful during the winter months because heart attacks are much more common. What can you tell me about this?

AFib Alan

Dear Alan, Everyone knows winter is cold and flu season, but many don’t know that it’s also the prime season for heart attacks too, especially if you already have a heart condition or have suffered a previous heart attack. Here’s what you should know, along with some tips to help you protect yourself.

In the U.S., the risk of having a heart attack during the winter months is twice as high as it is during the summertime. Why? There are a

number of factors, and they’re not all linked to cold weather. Even people who live in warm climates have an increased risk. Here are the areas you need to pay extra attention to this winter.

Cold temperatures: When a person gets cold, the body responds by constricting the blood vessels to help the body maintain heat. This causes blood pressure to go up and makes the heart work harder. Cold temperatures can also increase levels of certain proteins that can thicken the blood and increase the risk for blood clots. So, stay warm this winter and when you do have to go outside, make sure you bundle up in layers with

Dear Readers,

Snow shoveling: Studies have shown that heart attack rates jump dramatically in the first few days after a major snowstorm, usually a result of snow shoveling.

Shoveling snow is a very strenuous activity that raises blood pressure and stresses the heart. Combine those factors with cold temperatures and the risks for heart attack surges. If your sidewalk or driveway needs shoveling this winter, hire a kid from the neighborhood to do it for you, or use a snow blower.

Or, if you must shovel, push rather than lift the snow as •

What are the alternatives to animal trusts?

In a prior article, I advised that Colorado honors “Pet Trusts” under Colorado Revised Statutes, Section 15-11-109 (2) and (3), which provides that a trust can be set up for the care of one or more designated animals during their lifetime, and can also continue for the lifetimes of their offspring which are “in gestation” when the pets become present beneficiaries of the trust.

A trust is not always the best option for an individual. Each person’s situation should be analyzed based on the following: • The amount of money available for the animal(s)’ care; • The amount of money available to set up the trust before death; • Whether there are people you can trust to take care of your animal(s) without the

gloves and a hat, and place a scarf over your mouth and nose to warm up the air before you breathe it in.

need

of a trust.

Options other than a trust include: • Outright cash bequest in your Will, to the caregiver; • (a) This bequest can be contingent upon the person actually taking custody of

your animal(s); • (b) There is no control over how the money is then used by the favgiver once

he/she receives it.

• Arrange for family or friends to care for the animal(s);

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 Boulevard, Suite 250 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 Telephone: (303) 758-0999 FAX: (303) 758-1091 E-mail: Donald@PetersonLaw.CO

Website: www.donpetersonlawfirm.com

The Guardian Program of the Denver Dumb Friends League which keeps the animal(s) in a foster home (not the kennels) until adoption occurs.

If you want to provide for your animals, it is best to consult with an attorney so that the appropriate options can be explored, coupled with drafting needed language that is legally enforceable under Colorado law.

What are the four key medical/estate plan documents you need now?

Many of my clients have asked what are the critical documents needed. Simply 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. Health Care 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 planning should include preparation and signing of these documents, to ac-

much as possible, stay warm, and take frequent breaks.

New Year’s resolutions: Every Jan. 1, millions of people join gyms or start exercise programs as part of their New Year’s resolution to get in shape, and many overexert themselves too soon. If you’re starting a new exercise program this winter, take the time to talk to your doctor about what types and how much exercise may be appropriate for you.

Winter weight gain: People tend to eat and drink more and gain more weight during the holiday season and winter months, all of which are hard on the heart and risky for someone with heart disease. So, keep a watchful eye on your diet this winter and avoid binging on fatty foods and alcohol.

Shorter days: Less daylight in the winter months can cause many people to develcomplish 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.

op “seasonal affective disorder” or SAD, a wintertime depression that can stress the heart. Studies have also looked at heart attack patients and found they usually have lower levels of vitamin D (which comes from sunlight) than people with healthy hearts. To boost your vitamin D this winter, consider taking a supplement that contains between 1,000 and 2,000 international units (IU) per day.

Flu season: Studies show that people who get flu shots have a lower heart attack risk. It’s known that the inflammatory reaction set off by a flu infection can increase blood clotting which can lead to heart attacks in vulnerable people. So, if you haven’t already done so this year, get a flu shot and Covid-19 booster for protection. And, if you’ve never been vaccinated for RSV or pneumococcal pneumonia, you should consider getting these vaccines too.

Selected information in this column has been taken with permission by Continuing Legal Education in Colorado, Inc. from the Colorado Senior Law Handbook, 2023 Edition (Chapter 15B: Making Provisions for the Care of Your Animals After Your Incapacity or Death, Bette Heller, Esq.) which is a copyrighted publication and may be accessed and downloaded for free at: http://seniorlawhandbook. org/.

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PAGE 12 | THE VILLAGER • December 26, 2024

money sense

The one secret to creating a smarter wealth transfer plan Holding a family meeting to share your intentions is a critical step too often skipped.

Here are some tips from Bank of America for getting the conversation started.

When you set up an estate plan, signing the paperwork is the easy part. What comes before that — making oftendifficult decisions about who gets what when and sharing your plans with your family — can be an emotional minefield.

After all, you are talking about your mortality. No wonder many people keep their plans under wraps.

But the price of silence can be steep: Not sharing your estate plans can create family quarrels later or make it harder for your heirs to manage their inheritance. Hosting a family meeting to communicate your plans is crucial to successful wealth planning.

Your financial advisor and estate attorney or tax professional can help you think through how to structure your estate. Then your advisor can attend your family meeting — having an objective advisor present to lead the conversation and answer questions can help family members talk freely about their feelings.

These four tips can help you have a productive conversation: Come prepared. Before you involve family members in an estate planning discussion, you and your spouse, if you are married, need to agree on what you hope to leave to your kids and other family members and what you would like those assets to help them achieve.

Gather information about your account balances and other assets — your advisor can help. Having those numbers in mind can help your family members understand how an inheritance might affect their own financial plans. Think, too, about whether you want to pass on your legacy while you are still living or after you are gone.

Finally, sharing an agenda in advance will allow family members to prepare for a thoughtful and open conversation and not get caught off guard.

Share the ground rules. For a matter as important and potentially fraught as your estate plan, it can be a good idea to set up a series of discussions.

They do not have to take place face to face. Virtual meetings can be easier to schedule, and the physical distance can help remove some of the emotion.

Then there is the question of estate taxes. During your family meeting, your advisor can help make sure everyone understands the implications of their inheritances and can work with your estate attorney or tax professional to see whether there might be ways to lessen their potential tax burden.

Make clear that you want people to be candid but respectful. The idea is to forge consensus. Instead of talking about numbers for the first meeting or two, start by sharing your thoughts about what the assets you have accumulated have meant to you. Then you can talk about the impact you hope your money can have on the next generation.

Even after all the paperwork is done, think of this as an ongoing conversation.

As your family’s needs change — through divorce, marriage or a new grandchild, for instance — you will want to revisit your plan. And each time you do, it should come closer to capturing your vision for empowering the next generation.

Set a positive tone. Emphasize a “we are all in this together” approach. Estate planning is a collective responsibility requiring a collective solution. To encourage feedback, offer discussion points as questions, such as “Do you feel the estate plan gives you the help you may need?”

For more information, contact Merrill Financial Advisor Andrew Neal in the Greenwood Village, CO, office at 303.689.8043 or andrew.neal@ml.com.

Explain that your heirs will be better able to manage their financial plans based on realistic expectations and point out that everyone in the family might feel more at ease knowing where to find your estate planning paperwork and which advisors or estate attorneys they should turn to in the event of your passing.

Leave with an action plan. As you work together to create an estate plan, your advisor can help with practical strategies for many complex situations.

These may involve financial documents such as wills, trusts and life insurance policies. Say you are considering passing on part of your estate while you are alive but wonder whether your children are prepared to handle it. Your advisor can help you implement a “test drive” approach in which you periodically give financial gifts through a trust.

Neither Bank of America nor any of its affiliates, provide legal, tax or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions.

Investing involves risk. There is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities.

Asset allocation, diversification, and rebalancing do not ensure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

This material does not take into account a client’s particular investment objectives, financial situations, or needs and is not intended as a recommendation, offer, or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security or investment strategy. Merrill offers a broad range of brokerage, investment advisory (including financial planning) and other services. There are important differences between brokerage and investment advisory services, including the type of advice and assistance provided, the fees charged, and the rights and obligations of the parties. It is important to understand the differences, particularly when determining which service or services to select. For more information about these services and their differences, speak with your Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisor.

Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”).

Bank of America, N.A. makes available The H.S.A. for Life® Health Savings Account.

Bank of America is a marketing name for the Retirement Services business of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”). Banking activities may be performed by wholly owned banking affiliates of BofA Corp., including Bank of America N.A., Member FDIC. Please consult your tax or legal advisor regarding specific use of Health Savings Accounts. Investments can lose money.

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”) makes available certain investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”). MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp.

Brokerage services are provided by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member SIPC, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation.

Banking products such as checking accounts and certificates of deposit are FDIC insured to the maximum allowed by law and are offered through Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Investment products offered through MLPF&S, and insurance and annuity products offered through MLLA.:

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May Lose Value Are Not a Condition to Any Banking Service or Activity

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December 26, 2024 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 13

Which bet do you like, Buffs, Rams, Broncos?

Merry December 26!

Hope your Christmas was everything you wanted it to be.

Two days from now—Saturday, December 28—is a big day for area football fans.

As we await the quarterfinals of the first 12-team College Football Playoff next week, we have this to look forward to: • The Broncos going for their first season of double-digit victories since 2015, in Cincinnati against the Bengals, kickoff at 2:30 p.m. MST, on NFL Network; • Colorado State (8-4), a three-point underdog against Miami of Ohio (85), out to finish strong in the Arizona Bowl in Tucson, kickoff at 2:30 p.m.

MST, on Channel 2 (CW Network); and • Coach Prime, Travis, Shedeur and the rest of the CU Buffaloes trying to reach 10 victories in a season for only the second time in the last 23 years by beating BYU in the Alamo Bowl, kickoff at 5:30 p.m. MST, on Channel 7 (ABC).

Of the three, CU’s bowl matchup is the most intriguing.

The Buffs and Cougars were two of the four teams that tied atop the Big 12’s regular-season final standings.

Their 7-2 conference records

matched those of Arizona State and Iowa State.

But tiebreakers put the Sun Devils and Cyclones in the Big 12 championship game, leaving CU and BYU to decide third place in the conference by meeting in San Antonio.

The Buffs are 5-point favorites, despite finishing 9-3 to BYU’s 10-2.

Why? Maybe this examination of their overall schedules and performances against common opponents sheds a little light on oddsmakers’ thinking.

Then again, maybe not.

Each team won two of three outside the conference.

Which one had the more difficult three games to start the season is a matter of opinion.

CU’s season-opening opponent was North Dakota State, which played South Dakota State in the semifinals of the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) playoffs last Saturday. BYU throttled Southern Illinois, which finished 4-8.

Week Two saw the Buffs lose to Nebraska, which finished .500 but is playing Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl Saturday morning, while Brigham Young edged SMU—the eventual 11th seed in the 12-team national championship playoff, 18-15.

That was the Mustangs’ only defeat until a last-play

loss to Clemson in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game.

Each played a Mountain West team in its third game.

CU beat intense in-state rival (and ultimately bowl-bound) CSU 28-9, while the Cougars beat up on Wyoming, which won only three of 12 games, 34-14.

In Big 12 play, both beat Central Florida, Baylor (which lost only two other games will play LSU in the Texas Bowl), Oklahoma State, Utah. But CU won more convincingly over Oklahoma State (52-0 to 38-35) and Utah (49-24 to 22-21).

Both lost to Kansas. BYU beat Kansas State, which beat CU—in Boulder.

Playing their second game against a team that made it into the 12-team FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) bracket, BYU lost to Arizona State by five points, 28-23.

BYU averaged 30.8 points on offense and allowed an average of 20.1. With Prime’s son throwing to several dynamic targets—including Heisman winner Travis Hunter—for 1,121 more yards than the Cougars, CU scored 34.5 points per game, while the Hunter-led defense gave up 22 per.

In the Associated Press poll, BYU is ranked 17th and CU 20th. In the Playoff Selection Committee’s final ratings, BYU was 17 and CU 23. In a poll of coaches, BYU is 17 and Colorado 22.

So why are the Buffs’ favored?

In reality, it has little or nothing to do with which team has the edge on paper.

The simple explanation is that the oddsmakers decided that the way to balance their risk on both teams—i.e. get bettors to wager equally, or close to it—was to give BYU some points.

The same logic applies to SCU-Miami. In my view, the Mountain West Conference is stronger than the Mid-American.

In the Broncos-Bengals game, meanwhile, the smart money will be on the team most in need of a victory. This could mean avoiding a losing season, reaching double figures in wins or building momentum for the postseason.

Home field is worth four points, according to those responsible for helping the house win more each week than the betting public.

I’m not a bettor. But if I were, I’d take CU and give the points, go with CSU plus the points, and steer clear of the game in Cincinnati. ______________ Denny Dressman’s 17th book, a collaboration with Kansas City artist Anthony High titled Black Baseball’s Heyday – Capturing An Era in Art and Words, will be published next spring. You can write to Denny at dennydressman@ comcast.net.

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PAGE 14 | THE VILLAGER • December 26, 2024

LEGALS

For the Person on Your Gift List Who Has Everything

W

ondering what to get that hard-to-buyfor person on your gift list? How about a Gulfstream jet? Tom Cruise once gave his now ex-wife Katie Holmes one of those and it only set him back $20 million. I’m not sure what she did with it after their divorce. I hope not what a lot of other people do with an expensive gift they got from an ex—pawn it.

Speaking of flying, here’s another great idea. Popstar Katy Perry surprised her now former husband Russell Brand with tickets for the two of them aboard the Virgin Galactic spaceship for only $200,000. It just goes to show you, extravagant gifts don’t necessarily improve your relationship.

Perry and Brand broke up before take-off. Maybe they were fighting over who’d get to sit by the window.

Here on earth but still out of this world, Angelina Jolie gave Brad Pitt a California waterfall one Christmas.

I’m not sure how much it cost her, but I guess if you have to ask you can’t afford it.

These are just a few of the terrific ideas I found while surfing the net looking for gifts for those people on my list who have everything. In the end, I didn’t buy anything because I believe in shopping locally.

But I’ll share some of the other gift ideas I found in case you have some hardto-buy-for folks in your life.

I didn’t find any waterfalls for sale, but I did come across a website where you

could buy an actual island. Prices vary but I did see a really nice one for around $19 million. For $19 million, there’s probably a waterfall included.

If you’re looking for something a little smaller for your loved one, how about the Graff Diamonds Hallucination watch for the clock-stopping price of just $55 million? Heart stopping too.

But it would be less expensive and equally as impressive if they just checked the time on their new Goldvish Le Million cellphone with diamond-encrusted body. At only $1 million, it’s also more affordable than an island, a waterfall or a Gulfstream jet. Plus it’s easier to wrap.

Of course, you can go cheaper still, with cheaper

being a relative term. The VIPN Black Diamond iPhone 5 is just $300,000 and the Vertu Signature V is a measly $87,350.00. These may be better options for the person on your gift list who misplaces their cellphone often. Me, for example.

That’s exactly why I don’t want my husband to get me one of those for Christmas. I’m afraid I’ll run it through the washer.

Well that and also because he’d have to cash in our retirement savings and sell our house and everything in it to do it.

Same goes for the Atelier Des Ors Larmes du Desert perfume. It’s just $125,240 for 3.4 ounces. Honey, you shouldn’t have. You really, really shouldn’t have. But it’s the perfect gift for that special someone on your list who loves the smell of money.

And let’s not forget the

kiddos on your list. What little one wouldn’t love the Kid’s Swarovski Crystal Embellished Maserati Ghibli for just $32,000? It’s never too early to start instilling the wholesome lifetime habits of driving safely, going in style and squandering money.

And finally, let’s not forget your pampered pooch.

Sure, your dog eats anything he finds on the floor or in the road ditch. But that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t prefer to eat it out of the $4,800 Mastercraft Pet Bowl.

I don’t have a dog, but if I did, I’d want him to have the La Jeune Tulipe Diamond Dog Collar for just $150,000. My cat has managed to slip every collar we’ve ever tried to put on him, so I don’t intend to buy him a fancy new one. I just hate spending $150,000 on someone who doesn’t appreciate the gesture.

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

1st place - 2018, 2nd place - 2023

COURTS DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO 7325 So. Potomac Street Centennial, Colorado (303) 649-6355 Telephone PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO Petitioner, In the Interest Of: RUBEN BARAJAS MARES Children, and concerning CARLA BARAJAS MARES, JOHN DOE, JESSE HERRERA AKA JESSE SABEDRA, AND JOSE NEGRETE Respondents.

Shannon Nichols, Esq. #50527 Assistant County Attorney Attorney for the People 14980 East Alameda Drive Aurora, CO 80012 Tel: (303) 636-1895 Fax: (303) 636-1889 Case No: 22JV523 Division: 22 NOTICE OF DEFAULT ADJUDICATION AND DISPOSITIONAL HEARING CONCERNING JESSE HERRERA AKA JESSE SABEDRA PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a Default Adjudication Hearing and Dispositional Hearing and setting hearing regarding JESSE HERRERA AKA JESSE SABEDRA is set on MARCH 3 2025 at 9:00 a.m. in Division 22 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, 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 and adopt the prepared treatment plan for you in accordance with the Colorado Children’s Code, or to determine that there is no appropriate treatment plan.

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/ D18-ARAP-Div22 •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 720-650-7664.

When prompted enter Access code: 2594 887 9073 then press #, # (no attendee ID is needed).

If you elect to appear in person, you must be at the Courthouse a half hour before the hearing is scheduled to begin.

Date: December 13, 2024Shannon Nichols, Esq. Assistant County Attorney Attorney for Petitioner 14980 E. Alameda Dr. Aurora, CO 80012 Phone: (303) 636-1895 Email: SNichols@arapahoegov. com Published in The Villager Published: December 26, 2024 Legal # 11692 ___________________________

DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO 7325 So. Potomac Street Centennial, Colorado (303) 649-6355 Telephone PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO Petitioner, In the Interest Of: RUBEN BARAJAS MARES Children, and concerning CARLA BARAJAS MARES, JOHN DOE, JESSE HERRERA AKA JESSE SABEDRA, AND JOSE NEGRETE Respondents.

Shannon Nichols, Esq. #50527 Assistant County Attorney Attorney for the People 14980 East Alameda Drive Aurora, CO 80012 Tel: (303) 636-1895 Fax: (303) 636-1889 Case No: 22JV523 Division: 22 NOTICE OF DEFAULT ADJUDICATION AND DISPOSITIONAL HEARING CONCERNING JOSE NEGRETE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a Default Adjudication Hearing and Dispositional Hearing and setting hearing regarding JOSE NEGRETE is set on MARCH 3, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. in Division 22 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, 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 and adopt the prepared treatment plan for you in accordance with the Colorado Children’s Code, or to determine that there is no appropriate treatment plan.

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/ D18-ARAP-Div22 •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 720-650-7664.

When prompted enter Access code: 2594 887 9073 then press #, # (no attendee ID is needed).

If you elect to appear in person, you must be at the Courthouse a half hour before the hearing is scheduled to begin.

Date: December 13, 2024Shannon Nichols, Esq. Assistant County Attorney Attorney for Petitioner 14980 E. Alameda Dr. Aurora, CO 80012 Phone: (303) 636-1895 Email: SNichols@arapahoegov. com Published in The Villager Published: December 26, 2024 Legal # 11693 ___________________________

DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE, STATE OF COLORADO 7325 So. Potomac Street Centennial, Colorado (303) 649-6355 Telephone PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO Petitioner, In the Interest Of: ZACHARIAH JONES Child, and concerning DAEMAURIN JONES AND JOHN DOE, Respondents.

Shannon Nichols, Esq. #50527 Assistant County Attorney Attorney for the People 14980 East Alameda Drive Aurora, CO 80012 Tel: (303) 636-1895 Fax: (303) 636-1889 Case No: 24JV294 Division: 22 NOTICE OF DEFAULT ADJUDICATION AND DISPOSITIONAL HEARING CONCERNING JOHN DOE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a Default Adjudication Hearing and Dispositional Hearing and setting hearing regarding JOHN DOE is set on MARCH 3, 2025 at 3:30 PM in Division 22 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, 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

and adopt the prepared treatment plan for you in accordance with the Colorado Children’s Code, or to determine that there is no appropriate treatment plan.

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/ D18-ARAP-Div22 •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 720-650-7664.

When prompted enter Access code: 2594 887 9073 then press #, # (no attendee ID is needed).

If you elect to appear in person, you must be at the Courthouse a half hour before the hearing is scheduled to begin.

Date: December 13, 2024Shannon Nichols, Esq. Assistant County Attorney Attorney for Petitioner 14980 E. Alameda Dr. Aurora, CO 80012 Phone: (303) 636-1895 Email: SNichols@arapahoegov. com Published in The Villager Published: December 26, 2024 Legal # 11694 ___________________________

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The Villager!

Villager!

December 26, 2024 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 15

NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW PARADE JAN. 9 12 noon. Downtown Denver.

SAVE THE DATE: MONDAY, JAN. 20, 6-11:00 p.m. 2025 Colorado Inaugural Ball to celebrate Trump’s Victory, presented by the Lincoln Club of Colorado. Marriott DTC, 4900 S. Syracuse, Denver. Dinner and cash bar. Dancing to 22 piece Mile High Big Band, complementary champagne toast, live feed from the Washington DC Inaugural Ball. Formal attire or Black Tie. Looking for sponsors and volunteers. Call Lynne at 303-550-5115 or lcottrell@ aol.com

Aurora History Museum, 15051 E. Alameda Parkway.

Created in collaboration with the city of Aurora, Poet Laureate, Ahj a Fox. The poetry on display was selected from over 100 entries by local artists, highlighting the Aurora Community. Aurora Museum.org

MS. COLORADO SENIOR AMERICA - CALL FOR CONTESTANTS Ms. Colorado Senior America Pageant is taking applications for the 31st pageant on APRIL 26, 2025. If you are a lady 60 years or better, this is your opportunity to get out and do something for you in 2025!!! Not just a “one and done” pageant, we are involved with year round activities and make a difference in our communities. This is the “Age of Elegance!” For more information - website: ColoSrAmerica.com, FB - Ms Colorado Senior America Pageant or call René Green, Pageant Administrator at 720- 384-6249.

WHAT’S NEW? James DeMarco has joined First American State Bank as AVP, Treasury Management Solutions Product Manager.

Larry & Jill Dipasquale are celebrating 35 years of operation for Epicurean Catering.

Kelly Brough has been named CEO of Fitzsimmons Innovation Community in Aurora; a campus of more ARLENE & BARRY than 80 innovative health HIRSCHFELD TO BE and life sciences companies.

HONORED Brough was former president DENVER LIONS TUESDAY, JAN. 28, 6-8:00 and CEO of the Denver Metro CLUB MEETINGS p.m. JEWISH Colorado Chamber of Commerce.

Meets 2nd & 4th Tuesdays presents a Signature Event at 12 noon at the American featuring Emmy winning WHAT’S NEW? Legion Hall, I-25 & Yale. actress Debra Messing at ST. ANDREW’S Interested in joining? Call the Bluebird Ballroom at VILLAGE SENIOR Bob, 720-313-9741.

Colorado Convention Center. LIVING EVENTS Hirschfelds to be honored Upscale dining, engaging with Lifetime Achievement events and activities, indoor ENGLEWOOD LIONS Award for more than 50 pool, pet friendly. Call 720- CLUB MEETINGS Meets 1st & 3rd Thursdays years of service to the Jewish 684-5913 to schedule a community. RSVP: 303tour and enjoy lunch on the at 7:00 p/m. At Mango 316-6464 or jkatchen@ Village. Located at 133801 E. Tree Coffee, 3498 S. jewishcolorado.org Broadway,Englewood. Info: Yale Ave., Aurora.

Gail 720-377-7682.

CYBERSECURITY IN DENVER SOUTH FEB. 6, 7:30-9a.m. Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree.

Panel discussion on how cyber criminals across our networks, take advantage Classified Advertising of our systems, etc. There Colorado Classified Advertising were 9,500 cyberattacks the Statewide Network first half of 20224 plus those not reported. RSVP: 303To place a 25-word COSCAN Network ad in 91 Colorado Newspapers for only $300, contact The Villager at 303-773-8313 792-9447 or Kellie@denverTHRASHER FOUNDATION LEAFGUARD south.com AURORA HISTORY MUSEUM PRESENTS NEW COMMUNITY STORY EXHIBIT NOW - FEB. 16, 2025. A rich tapestry of community stories brought to life at Community Gallery of the

Call LeafGuard and say goodbye to gutter cleaning for good. No cleaning, No Leaking. No water damage. No more ladder accidents. Get LeafGuard today and be protected for life.

FREE estimate. Financing available. 20% off total purchase (Restrictions may apply) Call 1-844-264-8866

Does your basement or crawl space need some attention? Call Thrasher Foundation Repair! A permanent solution for waterproofing, failing foundations, sinking concrete and nasty crawl spaces. FREE Inspection & Same Day Estimate. $250 off ANY project with code GET250.

Call 1-888-717-0104

COLORADO PRESS ASSOCIATION NETWORK To Place a 25-word COSCAN Network ad in 91 Colorado Newspapers for only $300

Contact your Local Newspaper or email: rtoledo@colopress.net

Candy Cane Mocha

Koelbel Library Cafe Offers Winter Drink Specials

It’s the most wonderful time of the year to visit the library! While you’re stocking up on winter reads, you can warm up with a seasonal drink at the Koelbel Library Cafe (5955 S. Holly St., Centennial). Friendly baristas are serving up candy cane mochas, nutcracker lattes and fireside lattes.

Candy Cane Mocha

Peppermint syrup with choice of white or dark chocolate sauce, topped with whipped cream and candy cane pieces.

Nutcracker Latte

Nutcracker Latte

Praline and toffee nut syrups, topped with whipped cream and toffee pieces.

Fireside Latte

Fireside Latte

Cozy combination of orange and amaretto flavors, sprinkled with cinnamon.

“The Koelbel Library Cafe serves delicious drinks and snacks from local vendors, with all sales supporting the library. It’s a great place to meet, work or relax and crack open a book,” said Katie Holloman, Arapahoe Libraries cafes manager. “When you need a snack after Storytime or a cup of tea to go with your novel, stop in to enjoy a treat this holiday season.”

To learn more, visit arapahoelibraries.org or call 303-LIBRARY (303-542-7279).

About Arapahoe Libraries

Arapahoe Libraries includes eight community libraries, a jail library and a Library on Wheels in Arapahoe County, Colorado. For more information, visit arapahoelibraries.org.

PAGE 16 | THE VILLAGER • December 26, 2024