NoCo Spring 2020

2 0 2 0 S P R I N G

Covid-19

How to Talk to Your Kids About the Virus

WHAT;

5 Ways

to Find the CALM AMONGST THE CHAOS

ME WORRY?

BREATHE

THE ALMOST

HOW IS THE

FORGOTTEN SOUND OF BAYING WOLVES

REAL ESTATE MARKET

NOW?

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CONTRIBUTORS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

TRISHA VENTKER

CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER

TRISHA VENTKER

CHIEF COPY EDITOR

JOHN SMALL

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

JONATHAN JACKSON

WRITERS:

ABOUT THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

BERNADETTE MELTON

JOHN SMALL

Trisha Ventker is an author, photographic artist, branding and social media infuencer and publisher of ELIFE, NoCo, Denver Colorado Luxury magazines.

Reader impressions have surpassed 7.5 million for the magazines, with the Denver publication being nationwide.

She is best known for her first best-selling book Internet Dates From Hell which had the movie rights to it optioned by Paula Wagner. Trisha is also one of the first Indie Book authors to have a book optioned for the big screen.

JIM SMALL

CHERYL MAGUIRE

Ventker is originally from New York City, presently residing in Colorado for the last 12+ years, with her husband and son.

REBECCA ABRAXAS

Trisha Ventker EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

NoCo magazine offers businesses the most cost-effective way to reach consumers virally in Northern Colorado.

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INSIDE

HOME

HEALTH

SELF

How is Covid-19 Affecting the Real Estate Market?

What, Me Worry?

5 Ways to Find the Calm Amongst the Chaos

SELF

PARENTING

NATURE

Breathe

Covid-19 How to Talk to Your Kids About the Virus

The Almost Forgotten Sound of Baying Wolves

NoCo is published by Ventker Media Group. All editorial material, including editorial, comments, opinion and statements of fact appearing in this publication, represents the views of the respective authors and does not necessarily carry the endorsement of Ventker Media Group.

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H O

M E

HOW IS COVID-19 AFFECTING THE REAL ESTATE MARKET? It seems like such a simple question on the surface, but there are many factors that are currently affecting our market.

First, the market in our area started off very strong this year. I’ve had more conversations with new buyers and sellers this year earlier in the season than ever before. Our average days on market in the Denver area dropped over 50% in February while home prices rose a modest 2.5%. Last year saw homes enter the market and have price drops before selling, this year has been seeing the return of the multiple offer situation and homes are going under contract within days of being listed. So going into this health scare we’ve had a market that’s been very strong.

Now what? A few things. The stock market’s rapidly changing values have left a turbulent wake. The Fed originally responded by lowering interest rates even further, resulting in interest rates at an all time low, which spurred on both buyers to purchase and existing homeowners to refinance. Both of those strained the mortgage lenders and led to an increase in rates at the end of the week. I predict that will settle back down so rates will stabilize in the coming weeks before rising again, so if you’re thinking of buying or refinancing for a lower rate then now is the time!

The rapid spread of the disease and resulting business closures will have a different kind of effect. Most real estate agents, lenders, and other people involved in the business are able to work remotely so it’s work as usual for most of us. But government agencies are different, and if government offices close we may not have access to all the data we potentially need to complete transactions, resulting in extended closing dates. For a typical transaction this won’t affect us too much, but talk to your agent to see if dates need to be changed. Lenders may need additional information to verify employment, including reassurances that those employers won’t be shutting their doors, and it may take longer to get those verifications if businesses are temporarily closed. Our closings still need to be conducted in person so shutting down of title companies may also delay them.

But all is not lost! Yes, the stock and financial markets are experiencing volatility, but real estate has always been considered a sound investment. Most homeowners are experiencing quite a bit of equity due

to rising home values and hopefully have a rainy day fund to avoid any shortfalls in case of temporary business closures. Our area real estate market continues to be strong, I’m still seeing homes enter the market daily and continue to take buyers out on showings. Selling a home may look a little different for a while as some agents decline to host open houses, but online exposure is still the best for reaching buyers anyway!

A lot remains to be seen - how widespread will the disease be in Colorado? What will warmer weather bring? How will the disease spread in other states affect us? When will there finally be toilet paper at the grocery store?!

For now, sit tight and don’t panic. If you’re thinking of selling this year, now is a great time to enter the market while the buyers can still take advantage of record low interest rates and inventory is still low. If you’re thinking of buying, now is a great time to take advantage of those interest rates while everyone else is watching the news and hunting for hand sanitizer! And as always, wash your hands and stay home if you’re sick, protecting my family is even more important to me than selling a home, and we can always facetime :)

Bernadette Melton is a Northern Colorado resident with COListings Real Estate. She believes real estate is about you and your journey to get to where you want to be, whether that is finding your dream home, downsizing to meet a new dream, building an investment portfolio, or building your own equity after renting.

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How is Covid-19 Affecting the Real Estate Market?

by Bernadette Melton

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What; Me Worry?

by John Small

What do you remember from your early childhood days, especially those of which allowed you the first taste of “freedom”, so to speak? If you’re like me, some of my most memorable initial phenomena are the freedom of expression, the freedom of speech and most important - the freedom of buying “stuff” on your own; not having to rely on your parents, grandparents, uncles or aunts to supply you with - the needed or frivolous crap that all kids love. And let’s face it folks, all kids like to have extraneous crap; don’t they?

Since I was the firstborn of four to a school teacher and a salesman, our finances were limited, to put it mildly!

Believe me when I say this, wherever we lived, either the South Bronx, New York for the better part of my first ten years or Nassau County, N.Y. for just the next ten, I never felt deprived - this was our reality - that was that - period - no! - exclamation point. We all felt we were in the early 60’s New York proverbial “same boat”, and we consistently, all-but-enjoyed our lot in life and moved forward in the strongest manner possible, for “sucking it up” became the universal mantra! However, when we could afford something we didn’t need, we felt oddly exhilarated when we paid the price, nominal or otherwise and left the store before realizing our unnecessary and silly purchase. That was then, though; “the good old days” some call it.

One of those “necessary” monthly “buys” was the controversial periodical, namely, Mad Magazine. The highly criticized and equally acclaimed satirical mag which featured a fictional spokesperson (more like a mascot) who represented us kids who espoused the philosophy of throwing care, caution and seriousness to the wind and just enjoying life through laughter aimed at anything and everything laughable. His name was Alfred E. Newman, whose sardonic grin appeared on nearly all of the front covers in different manners suiting

the monthly themes of the circulated parody. His personal mantra was, “What, me worry?”. As young people through our adult years, we espoused that thought as we grew older, bolstering strength through multiple and various adversity as we aged. Well, now that I just turned 66 years-young and haven’t seen (nor can any more) an issue of my favorite lampoon, I am truly worried, if not scared beyond comparison!

As I write this article, President Trump has just declared a National Emergency to combat the deadly Coronavirus or “Covid-19” that has killed over 3,200 in China alone, over 1,000 in Italy and near 40 here in the states to mention just three of the over 82,000 confirmed cases in China, over 15,000 in Italy and over 1,200 in our own country, the greatest country in the world, The United Staes of America! Over 150 countries as of this article are posting their confirmed cases - some astronomical some menial as the numbers grow, not by the hours or minutes but by the seconds, so quickly, yours truly can’t keep up with the empirical data. Not that I want to, be assured, for I now sit within one of the few target areas or “medically deprived realms”, namely the elderly with respiratory ailments (double ouch). Therefore, Mr. Newman, I can no longer ascribe to your beloved philosophy, albeit immature to say the least, of “devil may care” or “love life without the necessary caution life requires” or in your own words, “What, Me worry?”. Conversely, I am really worried now. Really worried!

Additionally, I have worked within “ground zero”, or what the Governor of New York, Mr. Andrew Cuomo has called it - “The Epicenter” of New York’s Coronavirus Epidemic, namely, the City of New Rochelle, where more than half of the state’s confirmed cases (and counting) have emerged.

Teaching at two schools, one high school for the better part of 24 years and a college for seventeen, I can tell you

HEALTH

that I am worried to say the least. As of now, this moment, on one of my favorite days of the year (when it happens) - Friday the thirteenth (which unlike the poor Knights Templar back in October on the 13th of 1307 in France which resulted in the beginning of the end of their two hundred year-old campaign’s demise) I conversely recognize it as a lucky day and lucky number, much the way most other people consider the numbers three and seven. Therefore, since both schools have closed indefinitely and as an Instructor for each, now teaching electronically or under “distance learning” mode, I feel less stressed but still worrisome for not only my family and me, but also for my colleagues, students and their families until this awful pandemic burns itself out. That could very well be months from now when the temperatures consistently average 75 degrees or above. Around these parts, that won’t occur until the end of May or perhaps the beginning of June! Alas, three more months of this if we’re “lucky”? T here’s that word again! So, as a last thought or two, as the great songwriter and musician, Stephen Stills once said, “Love the one you’re with!” and as I, a far lesser philosopher can suggest - do good things for others, especially the target victims, young or old and feel good about yourself in the process I espouse a new adage or slogan, namely “get strong and stay strong”! After all, Chinese, Italians, Americans or whatever - we’re all humans and God’s creatures, sick or well, rich or poor! Take good care of each other, and maybe, after we survive this all-encompassing, viral terror, we can resort back to the inane slogan of yesteryear’s Mad Magazine’s chief spokesperson. You know, I really miss that kid’s oversized head, protruding ears, missing front tooth and awful red bangs haircut. I miss a lot of things from the “good old pandemic-free days” - don’t you?

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S E

L F

5 Ways to Find the Calm Amongst the Chaos

by Rebecca Abraxas

My friends it is an interesting time we are navigating. It is easy to let ourselves get swept away in our own emotions as well as everybody else’s emotions too. Sometimes it’s even hard to find the baseline of how we are really doing. This is because when a cultural crisis happens the collective energetic is strong and we get swept into it like getting too close to a tornado. But at times like this our intuition and our inner calm is what will serve us the best. Below are 5 practices for you to try. I know they work because I use them personally everyday. I hope they work for you too!

1. Dry Bath

Take your right hand and brush down your left arm. Then use your left hand and brush down your right arm. Say to yourself, “I let go of all the emotions and energy that is not mine”.

2. Breath into your toes

Basically take a full deep breath and imagine it is flowing down your body all the way to the tips of your toes. This can be very relaxing and grounding.

3.

Tone a vowel sound

4.

Ground above and below

5.

Pause and presence

Tune into where you are feeling tension in your body. Then let your voice be the voice of that tension. Let out an “AH” sound. Continue to do this until you feel a shift. This surprisingly is very effective in letting go of tension.

Imagine there is a grounding cord that looks like a tree trunk going from your hips all the way to the center of the earth. Next imagine the space just above your head expanding into a funnel that energetically opens up and grounds in to the heavens.

This practice gives you a support system for above and below. It is very stabilizing.

Lastly, pause, sit in stillness and feel. Feel your body, feel your mood, and feel your emotions. Feel them without attaching a story. If tears or laughter come through, allow the movement without judgment.

SELF

Jim has been writing, singing and playing guitar since he could walk. He has recorded several solo albums of his original music and with his band The Jim Small Band, and has penned two best-selling books of his poetry and lyrics, with interpretive photographs from his sister, Trisha Ventker. (Heartstrings, and Other Things) Jim and his family live in New York and he is currently the General Manager for Sam Ash Music in Huntington Station, N.Y.

Breathe Social distance, build resistance at least three feet away stay hydrated, isolated a somber shadow play bogus news from Donald's crews intent to galvanize updates from the CDC confirmed that sad disguise a foreign virus, we were warned as if that mattered most clever game, let's pin the blame and fail to diagnose matters little how it starts or who was ill prepared we need solutions not delusions not this bill of fare perhaps we overestimate how invincible we are to be on our kness from this disease not in our repertoire must be a notion, a magic potion an official communique we're snug, and smug, incredulous to think its here to stay this new world order, close the border blame it all on them Sanitize and close your eyes the perfect stratagem practice patience, comfort those compromised, in fear time will heal and love reveals the strength of vision clear Everybody, breathe in deep we've been through this before common sense, the best defense for calm we must implore.

Jim Small 3/13/2020

P A R E N

N T I N G

EXPERT ADVICE ON HOW TO TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS

Expert Advice on How to Talk to Your Kids About the Coronavirus

by Cheryl Maguire Will I get sick?

Why are they closing the schools?

I’m scared.

I’m upset that I can’t go to ballet class.

These are some of the questions and comments I’ve heard from my three kids over the past week. Given the recent school closures, lack of toilet paper and bombarding messages about handwashing, it is understandable why kids may feel confused or scared. Most parents are fielding similar concerns and are wondering how to respond.

Recognize Your Feelings Before you discuss the Coronavirus with your kids, acknowledge your own feelings about the situation.

“It is important to recognize your own anxiety before talking to your child. If I am feeling anxious, I choose not to talk to my child. Instead, I allow myself to calm down and then approach the topic,” says Dr. Soma Mandal, internist and partner at Summit Medical Group in Berkeley Heights, NJ. Remain Calm Even though you may feel anxious you should try to reframe from showing these feelings to your child.

Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a Northwestern University professor, clinical psychologist and author of Loving Bravely says, “In the therapy world, we stress the importance of ‘regulating the regulator.’ In order to be able to provide regulation, parents need to feel regulated.”

She recommends that parents practice self-care by staying informed but also unplugging. She also suggests that parents shore up their foundation by eating healthy food, getting adequate sleep, and exercise. She stresses limiting alcohol and drug use and taking breaks before becoming irritable or impatient.

Dr Robin Goodman, clinical psychologist agrees with Dr. Solomon by saying, “Fear can be contagious so above all, parents need to monitor and manage their own worry especially with their children. Being calm is also contagious so it is better to spread calm.”

Validate Their Feelings When you recognize and accept your child’s feelings as being valid then it can help them to feel calm and understood.

Dr. Solomon says, “Our goal as parents is to validate their stress and encourage them to practice healthy coping strategies like distraction, focusing on what’s going well, exercise, and radical acceptance (radical acceptance means reminding ourselves that this is beyond our control).”

Assess What They Already Know Kids have heard about Coronavirus from their friends, the Internet, and on TV. Before providing any information ask them what they know about the pandemic.

Dr. Damon Korb, behavioral and developmental pediatrician at The Center of Developing Minds and author of Raising An Organized Child says, “Children need information, just like adults.

PARENTING

EXPERT ADVICE ON HOW TO TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS

Dr. Madal agrees with Dr. Korb by saying, “I invite my daughter to let me know what she has heard first and what she has questions about so we can start the conversation there. I give her the room to let me know her feelings about it, including feeling scared and confused.”

Be Honest and Reassure It is okay to let your child know you don’t have all the answers. You can also explain the reasons for the school closures are to try to prevent the spread of the virus.

Dr. Solomon explains that living through this pandemic is challenging because of the uncertainty. She says, “We don’t know when life is going to return to normal, but we also don’t want to lie to our kids. We can tell kids the essential truth and reassure them that you will be together every step of the way.”

She suggests using distraction as a method of coping.

She recommends shifting the focus away from the Coronavirus and towards a game, a walk, or a movie.

“When you are reassuring children it is always important to be honest. We talk about how one can get sick, but how you can protect yourself the best way you can.

Washing hands with soap and water, covering a cough and sneeze, staying away from other sick people, eating healthy food and getting plenty of sleep are what I call ways to overpower the germs,” says Dr. Madal.

Dr. Korb explains that when children are anxious parents should be patient, tolerant, and provide reassurance.

He says, “Reassure your child by explaining the steps that your family is taking to remain safe such as social distancing, hand washing, and visiting a doctor if feeling sick.”

Create and Maintain Routines Routines provide comfort, security and predictability for children, so it is important to create and continue these practices.

Dr. Lea Lis, adult and child psychiatrist, a clinical professor at NYU and author of the book Shame-less: Talking to your kids about sexuality, self-confidence, and healthy relationships says, “Stick to familiar routines. Wake them up the same time every day. Go to bed at the same time every day, and make sure to get plenty of exercise, even if all of their sports and activities are cancelled.”

She also recommends prioritizing education since kids love to learn and learning provides a distraction from their worries. Amazing Educational Resources provides a list of websites offering free educational materials for kids.

Travel and Leisure offers links to museums you can visit virtually.

Dr. Korb says, “Parents can emphasize the things that are not going to change like the routines and rules and expectations. Bedtimes will be the same. Rules on electronics will still exist. Kids can still chat with friends and relatives through the phone, games, and the Internet.”

Kids are resilient. When we provide a safe, comforting environment for kids, it will help to preserve through this pandemic.

Originally published on Signature Moms.

Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree.

She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, Parents Magazine, AARP, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessing, Your Teen Magazine and many other publications.

You can find her at Twitter @CherylMaguire05

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U R E

THE ALMOST F SOUND BAYING W

By John

It’s been 80 years since Coloradans have had the scary privilege of hearing the once indigenous lupine creature, namely The Rocky Mountain Gray Wolf howl at the moon (or anything else for that matter)! Hunted to near extinction in the early 1940’s, The Grays are resurrecting, or perhaps a better word fits here - are being - “Reintroduced” as per the projected initiative proposed for November’s ballots in 2020. The “yes” vote supports the requiring of Colorado’s Parks and Wildlife Commission to manage after reintroducing the grays in lands west of The Continental Divide through 2023. The “no” opposes all means of reintroducing the species by 2023. The Commission would also manage the state funding and direction of the project, including the reimbursement of local farmers or owners of livestock for any losses due to the reintroduction. It’s not as easy as that, some feel. Let’s weigh the pros and cons, shall we?

As for the support, the RMWAF (Rocky Mountain Wolf Action Fund) has cited the gray as an endangered animal species under The Endangered Species Act, and that since its classification and methods of reintroduction have increased the restoration of over 6,000 wolves in the states of Minnesota, Michigan, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin and Montana as of 2016.

Although this isn’t the first attempt at reintroduction; 1982, 1989, 2004 and 2016 have been previous years wherein the CPWC has met and discussed the issue, it

could very well be the last, for the commission each time deemed that it doesn’t have the authority to make the ultimate decision. Therefore, the state legislature is next, who’d lean upon the voting populace to make the decision for them. Another decision to be made requires how much human intervention would be needed to sustain the species back in a territory relatively unknown to it for the better part of 75 years! A good model is the 1995 reintro of the wolf into Yellowstone National Park where the benefits are still being analyzed today, some calling it a “trophic cascade” of benefits or “domino effect” from the culling of over populating herds of elk and deer, to the cleaning of rivers and streams increasing their aquatic life and restoration of certain grasses and plants otherwise eaten by too many animals in one place restoring a more natural balance throughout the park.

Furthermore, many experts and scientists believe the gray will revive the ecosystem, controlling the over populations of said deer and elk who eat away the important vegetation that retain the rivers and streams, increasing erosion and disruption of other habitats and ecosystems.

It is also believed that wolves limit the spread of certain diseases such as CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) by removing certain animals from existence. However, many feel that reintroducing a major “apex” carnivore on a continental scale which could reunite the wolf populations of Canada and Mexico could have catastrophic residual effects.

NATURE

FORGOTTEN D OF WOLVES Small

The chief opposition to the measure reminds the residents of Colorado that there is also a high number of other endangered species who could all but disappear if the wolves increase their population, preying upon the weaker animals as do migrating grays from Canada. The impact the measure would also have on the lifestyles of some Coloradans is also an issue. Outdoor recreation industries would suffer as might those who pursue those sports or activities from a safety and insurance perspective. Most feel that the migratory behavior of the Canadian Gray is already occurring, and expediting or interfering in the natural progression could also bring about dangerous consequences. Finally, the untold and unpredicted amount of tax dollar costs could interrupt monies presently going to other animals like the greenback trout and the Prebles meadow jumping mice preservation and management.

Whether you are of the 84% ilk who support or the 16% who doesn’t, your vote this November will matter, if not for the current initiative, but also for the future ones. as the former owner of a feral dog, Half wolf/half Malamute, I can surely attest to the beauty, strength, intelligence and communicative value of these incredible creatures, mine living for nearly 15 years. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of that animal and the length of time he spent with me, from one end of this country to the other!

So, while we wait for November’s multiple voting issues (the wolves on both sides of the esteemed legislative aisle, who preyed upon each other mercilessly since September concerning the “Reintroduction of Impeachment” notwithstanding), let’s relax and patiently wait and maybe take in a good book or two. My suggestions: Jack London’s “The Call of the Wild” and “White Fang” of course, unless you’re more in line with non-fiction. In that case, another great book have I assigned to my high school and college students over the years, namely “Of Wolves and Men” by Barry Lopez. I do warn you though - you may never look at any or all of the year’s twelve full moons the same again.

John J.K. Small was born in Manhattan, N.Y. in 1954.

Educated in both public and private schools through college, he holds 3 college degrees. As a teacher, John has taught high school English and History for the past 36 years and English, Writing and Education courses for 20 years at two colleges. As a journalist, he is the copy editor for two magazines, both of which is he also the chief contributing writer. As a consultant, John has assisted published writers with editing and entrepreneurs with business plan writing, power point presentations and marketing strategy planning.

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