The rains were so welcome last week. Wheat and corn farmers across Eastern Colorado must have been overjoyed. Lawns, trees, shrubs, welcomed the moisture after some blistering hot summer days. Those yellow lawn spots started to emerge where the sprinklers or hoses failed to reach. Water is the challenge of the future for Colorado residents. There is only so much snow that falls in the mountains and any year we can have a drought as weather patterns can change. Overall the metro area has about one year of reserve storage through wise water management by Denver and Aurora water authorities. Safeguards can include more mountain water storage dams and xeriscaping techniques for lawns and trickle pipe irrigation used in the Middle East. It is time to quit using water to flush toilets and developing more scientific ways to handle sewage wastes including recycling. Aurora water is a leader in some recycling efforts from the northern metro stream flows.
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Last Wednesday evening I was the guest speaker at Nancy Doty’s monthly dinner group now chaired by former Littleton Mayor Bruce Beckman. My topics rambled around changes in the newspaper industry and my experience as an exchange journalist in the Soviet Union in 1975. You can read about that adventure (above) this week. It was a life changing event for me as I witnessed the strengths and weaknesses of the communist regime. Only 13 percent of the nation belonged to the communist party and when the U.S.S.R. broke up guess who ended up with most of the wealth? China is now clearly the major threat that we face in business competition and pacts to defend Taiwan. Hong Kong has now fallen to the regime. Will Taiwan be next?
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Saturday night we attended a Bessie’s Hope virtual dinner party fund raiser at the home of Dianne Bartlett. The rain clouds cleared and some of the live virtual events flowed from Dianne’s backyard. Linda Holloway, one of the founders of Bessie’s Hope was in attendance. Linda has been one of the driving forces for Bessie’s Hope from the beginning. This non-profit promotes visits to assisted living facilities for senior citizens who many have no loved ones left to visit or care for them. A very deserving non-profit, check their web page for financial contributions. www.bessieshope.org Ph: 303 506-1522.
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Following a delicious hamburger at the Corvette car show that came off prior to an approaching rain I visited another Broadway business. This is a new Bonsai business opened by two Pacific Asian family members, Kim and Yong at 4097 S. Broadway. A large sign signals the corner location and inside you can find an assortment of the oriental ancient mini trees. Those who have watched “Karate Kid” know about the Japanese historic care of these revered mini trees.
Englewood is experiencing a rebirth that started before COVID-19, stalled badly during the pandemic, losing Kaufman’s Big and Tall store with the building now for sale. Right behind Kaufman’s is Front Range Pharmacy, a home-owned pharmacy referred to us by Cherry Hills friends who cherish the two owners, Michael and Bridget.
Englewood has some great restaurants and breweries. Heading South down Broadway to Belleview is an assortment of interesting business firms from the great stores to consignment shops.
One could easily spend an afternoon just cruising Broadway firms.
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Happy Canyon Shopping Center at 4950 Hampden Avenue is now full of exciting stores. I attended a grand opening a decade ago when the Super/Safeway opened at that location only to close and leave a large vacant building. We were excited when we read that Marczyk Fine Foods would open a store at that location. But, alas COVID-19 ended a lease agreement on 5,000 sq. ft. for the famous local market with two existing locations. Tony’s Meats and Market also walked away from that site in 2017.
Now a breaking story that Amazon, owner of Whole Foods, is contemplating opening their second Amazon Fresh grocery store at that location. Amazon has opened 13 of these specialty grocery outlets in California, Illinois, and Virginia in the past year.
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Growing concerns whether Critical Race Theory is being introduced into the Cherry Creek School District. Douglas County School District disavowed the curriculum. Standing room only last week as attendees spoke for and against the issue at the Creek school board meeting. Many voices heard on the subject. (See Villager full report in this issue.)
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The Littleton Business community gearing up for summer fun with a Friday, July 2 show and concert, part of the ongoing “Weekends On Main” summer event program. Many great restaurants have now reopened and serving great cuisine. Lots of parking on Greg Reinke’s parking lot in the center of town off Prince St.
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Watch for Paris Flea Market ads and Sunday morning Farmer’s Market at Belleview Station with special food and booths, a booming area with many new stores, apartments, and a new hotel. The new home of Newmont Mining, the world’s largest gold mining company with 14,300 employees worldwide.
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One of my very best high school friends owns a Corvette and resides South of Reno, Nevada. Murl and Ardell are driving the “Vette” to Colorado later this summer to see an aunt in Ft. Collins and a visit with his Craig classmate. He raked hay on the family ranch with me many decades ago. It’s one of those lasting friendships that evolves over a lifetime.
Another colleague’s husband has purchased one of the new 2021 corvettes at John Elway Chevrolet at 5200 So. Broadway and is awaiting delivery that has been delayed. General Motors is having a great year but suffering from a shortage of “chips” with many made in Taiwan and South Korea, ravaged by COVID-19 in the factories.
A. J. Guanella is the store iconic figure who has spent decades at that dealership in many capacities. He is a great public relations person who has countless friends. He called me last week to invite me to the annual “Vettes on Broadway” people’s choice car show Saturday. When A.J. calls I respond and rejoice in looking at classic cars. So it was that I strolled around the Elway parking lot covered with at least 100 corvettes from the Denver Corvette Association.
I met the president of the group, Pete Urenda, who presented the show awards and also a sponsorship trophy to Elway Chevy Manager Jeff Silverberg.
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We wish everyone a pleasant and patriotic July 4th.