Guess Who Just Had A Facelift?

Guess Who Just Had A Facelift?

Well-Established Retirement Community Brings Contemporary New Look To Southeast Denver

by Julie Hayden

Best Meals In Town: The Dining Room at Springbrooke Retirement Community has a brand new decor but the same great dining experience Springbrooke is known for.

Springbrooke Retirement Community, southeast Denver’s well-established retirement community, that’s who!

The multi-million-dollar renovation speaks volumes, as the community’s local owners, Michael Opatowski and Stephen Elken, believe their residents deserve the very best. In addition to quality health care, restaurant style dining, a full calendar of activities and a magnitude of other amenities that their residents enjoy, they know that re-investing in their building is very important. “We’re always striving to be the leader in the senior housing industry, and when I’m in Springbrooke weekly and talk with our residents and hear how happy they are then I know we have done our job,” says owner Michael Opatowski.

Springbrooke Retirement Community is conveniently located in central Denver near Leetsdale and Monaco.

The 142-unit community offers a lifestyle for everyone, including In

Multi-Million Dollar Renovation: Residents and family members at Springbrooke Retirement Community give rave reviews to the all-new look in the main Living Area.

dependent Living, Assisted Living and the newly remodeled Memory Care unit. Springbrooke also offers outpatient Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and Physical Therapy onsite.

Residents rave the “facelift” is gorgeous. Each apartment boasts brand new cabinets and lighting and features new granite counter tops and carpet. You notice the new décor as soon as you walk in the door, as the Entry, Living Room and Bistro are also newly remodeled. The Library, Dining Rooms, Fitness Center and Serene Courtyard also have a wonderful new look.

One thing that hasn’t changed is the excellent dining experience. Opatowski and Elken have owned Springbrooke Retirement Community for almost 10 years and their amazing chef, along with other upper level management and staff members have been part of the Springbrooke community from the beginning.

Relaxing And Restful Serene Courtyard: In addition to spectacular mountain views from apartment balconies, Springbrooke Retirement Community offers a beautiful courtyard for all to enjoy.

The delicious meals are just one thing that sets Springbrooke Retirement Community apart.

Residents and family members truly appreciate that Springbrooke is locally owned and operated. The building offers spectacular mountain views and there are balconies off every apartment.

Opatowski adds, “Longevity of our staff is also an anomaly and differentiates us. Our Executive Director, LPN, Activities Director and Culinary Chef have been with us since we opened the doors 10 years ago.”

The owners invite all to stop by Springbrooke Retirement Community. “Sit in on a lecture, have a cup of coffee in our Bistro, enjoy a lunch and spend a quiet moment in our Serene Courtyard. We’re proud of our ‘facelift’ and happy to show it off.”

Take a tour of Italy without leaving home

Take a tour of Italy without leaving home

(BPT) – Dreaming of an Italian vacation? You can experience the country’s stunning, ancient and romantic regions without even leaving home. The wines of Italy embody the heart and soul of the country itself, being a part of the land, the air and the water of the regions in which they’re grown.

Letting the vineyards be your guide, you’ll travel from the Tuscan coast to the Adriatic’s long, sandy beaches, to the black and rich slopes of an active volcano. You’ll marvel at Sicily’s crystal blue waters and be awed by Campania’s storied past. You can even learn about some dedicated winemakers along the way.

Invite your friends for a backyard wine tasting on a balmy evening, open up these Italian whites, and enjoy their not-commonly-known varieties accompanied by light, Italian fare. Buon viaggio!

Ca’Marcanda Vistamare: The playful name of this wine, which means “sea view,” was inspired by the Tyrrhenian sea breeze, the sun and the cheerful, lighthearted outlook of the Tuscan coast. Coastal innkeepers would use “vistamare” to entice hotel guests, even if their rooms only offered a limited view of the Mediterranean. The vineyards used for Vistamare actually enjoy a panoramic view of the Tuscan horizon, and their grapes are gently touched by the salt air and brilliant colors of the Tuscan sea.

Vistamare is fresh and light on the palate, with notes of bergamot, pear and nectarine. Then it shifts toward a more mineral and spicy character, with notes of flint, rosemary and saffron. The wine gets riper in the finish with hints of mango.

Terlato Vineyards Colli Orientali del Friuli Friulano: Travel to Northern Italy’s Friuli region, where mountains overlook the Adriatic Sea, its coastline dotted with lagoons and long sandy beaches. Friulano is the predominant wine here because of the ideal growing conditions for this indigenous varietal. This Friulano comes from very old vines located on Estate vineyards at 1,050 feet above sea level, with cool nights and warm days, ideal for producing wines with excellent acidity and elegance.

Attention to detail gives the wine floral aromas with distinct pear and almond notes, and a creamy, full-bodied texture.

Anselmi San Vincenzo: Grown in the Monteforte area within the Veneto region of Northern Italy, San Vincenzo vines are planted on 110 acres of volcanic tuff and limestone. Veneto is encircled by Lake Garda, the Dolomite Mountains and the Adriatic Sea. Imagine floating down the Grand Canal in Venice, and seeing Juliet’s balcony in Verona before finding a cafe where you can sip this delicious wine of the region.

San Vincenzo is medium bodied and fruit forward, with a clean, dry finish and scents of minerals, lemon, lime and melon.

Alta Mora Etna Bianco: Travel south to Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, where these grapes are grown and harvested on the slopes of the active volcano, Mount Etna. The soil is black, fertile and dynamic, and the name Alta Mora translates to “tall, black,” representing the great heights of the vineyards on the mountain and the dark, black volcanic soil.

This wine is a slight nod to Sauvignon Blanc in style. It’s fresh and fruity, with great minerality, and a classic match for seafood dishes. It’s easy to imagine sipping it while gazing out onto the Mediterranean’s crystal blue waters.

Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina: This vineyard is in Sorbo Serpico, a tiny village in Campania’s Irpinia region, near Mount Vesuvius. The area, with its numerous castles and fortresses, has ancient roots, and has been a transit land between the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic seas. Named after the method of vine cultivation in Sannio at the end of the Roman Era called Falangs (“poles”), this Falanghina is ideal as an aperitif. It can also accompany various types of appetizers, plates of simple fish and vegetables as well as fresh cheeses.

Floral notes like white blossoms and delicate apple and pear float through the air as you sip this medium intensity wine, which is crisp with hints of spice, light almond and a slightly bitter orange peel character.

Let these wines bring the beauty of Italy to your table tonight. Cincin!

Monaco 155 Moves In Near Crestmoor Park

Monaco 155 Moves In Near Crestmoor Park

New Condominium Development Enjoying Strong Interest, Scheduled For November/December Completion

by Julie Hayden

  Monaco 155 At Crestmoor Heights: Forty-one low maintenance condominiums include great views of Crestmoor Park, upgraded interior finishes, expansive floor to ceiling windows and underground parking.

Monaco 155 at Crestmoor Heights is one of the newest additions to Denver’s Crestmoor neighborhood and is announcing pre-sales of 41 low maintenance condominiums with starting prices as low as $340,000. The development is located at 155 South Monaco Parkway near Crestmoor Park. The new condominiums are the latest addition to the Crestmoor Heights development, which Community Manager Christine Sheldon says has enjoyed “tremendous success.” The project includes the construction of Cedar Avenue, 25 townhomes. These townhomes were priced from $600,000 t0 $750,000 and sold out within 11 months of their launch.

“There are many people who want to own a condominium in Denver, but prices in the new developments are skyrocketing and not attainable for most,” says Peter Kudla of Monaco 155. “Our condominiums are more reasonably priced and provide a boutique style of living in a great location.” He adds, “Monaco 155 is the perfect option for people who want a comfortable place to live in a community setting, without a lot of unnecessary added amenities and expenses.”

The condos at Monaco 155 are priced from $340,000 to $550,000 and include one- and two-bedroom residences. They range in size from 700 square feet to 1334 square feet. Some of the design features include great views of Crestmoor Park; expansive floor to ceiling windows, underground parking, elevator access, Kitchen Aid appliances and upgraded interior finishes.

“These are the perfect condominium homes for people who want to be connected to family, friends and traditions while living in a quiet, established Denver neighborhood, with easy access to life’s conveniences,” says Sheldon.

New Condos: Monaco 155 at Crestmoor Heights delivers comfortably priced condominiums alongside Crestmoor Park.

The project, which is in the former Mount Gilead Church parcel, was challenged by neighborhood groups objecting to the City’s zoning change that allowed the development. Neighbors were concerned about density and traffic issues, but the City Council voted to allow the development and a follow up lawsuit was unsuccessful. [See Chronicle p. 1, March, July and August 2015.] Crestmoor residents now say they want the project to be the best it can be.

Delivery at Monaco 155 is expected in November and December and Sheldon says, “We’re actively selling residences right now and this is the perfect time to purchase as we are offering pre-sale pricing and up to $8,000 in builder incentives.” She encourages people, “Call us to schedule your personal hard hat tour today!”

The Crestmoor Heights sales center is located at 185 South Monaco Parkway. You can get more information by calling 720- 840-0484 or www.crestmoorheights.com.

Beat The Competition With A Videographer And SEO Team

Beat The Competition With A Videographer And SEO Team

by Glen Richardson

Visual Content: JSD’s Jennifer Jordon behind the scenes at LAX producing compelling visual content that connects with customers.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. And in today’s online world, video can be worth thousands of views and that means more clicks to a business’s website, more likes, more shares and more positive connections with potential customers. Across the board, tech research shows that video content is crucial. Video posts are twice as likely to get views as still pictures. And one media company estimates videos are shared a thousand times more than a simple text post.

Julie Hayden, Marketing Director for the Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle says, “Business owners know how important it is to have an Internet and social media presence. But for almost any business, providing new and compelling video content is a challenge.”

That’s why the Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle is launching a partnership with JSD Digital, a video production and SEO (search engine optimization) company.

Jennifer Jordon oversees JSD Digital’s video production. Jordon says, “I discovered my passion for storytelling through the visual platform of cinematography in college.” She started out transcribing video tapes (back when footage was actually shot on tapes) and quickly moved up the ladder to an associate producer on an HGTV program.

She was promoted to field producer and director and has worked with networks like HGTV, Travel Channel, VH1 and many others. “I’ve braved grizzly bears while producing programs in Alaska, marveled at magnificent sunrises working on water park episodes in Costa Rica and been amazed at the engineering and zipline feats performed by the teams from DIY Network’s The Treehouse Guys.” Her many commercial business projects include a multi-year campaign on the renovations at LAX, Los Angeles World Airport. Hayden says, “Jennifer is uniquely qualified to handle whatever visual scope a business desires, from one camera shoots to multi camera produc

Expertise Gets Results: JSD’s Jennifer Jordon on location with reality TV series in Homer, Alaska.

tions including drones.”

Jordon adds, “Our productions range in scale from a “one-person band” operation where I do all of the preproduction, film all the components in the field while producing and directing and then edit everything in house. For clients looking for a higher cinematic value, I build teams of freelancers whose expertise complements each other. Both result in a dynamic and impactful finished product. We can achieve a lot with whatever budget a client has to work with.”

Because of her experience with large-scale productions, Jordon notes she’s seen big corporations out compete everyone else. “My goal is to give small businesses the marketing tools they need to compete with the bigger guys by making the right impression on their potential clients and customers.”

Jordon explains the Internet is both a blessing and a challenge for small businesses. “With the nature of social media like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter you don’t need network television advertising to get your commercial or video posting to y

SEO Maximizes Exposure: Seth Drake with JSD Digital utilizes SEO strategies to maximize internet search results.

our demographic. But you do still need a quality visual product and many businesses don’t have the time or the expertise to use the Internet to their full advantage. Video content can help make a great, lasting impression if you make the right impact and really captivate your viewers.”

Hayden points out, “We’re not talking about traditional commercials.” Jordon adds, “At JSD Digital, we meet with the business owner, talk about their brand and what message they want to convey. Our goal is to create visually compelling video and still pictures that spark a positive emotional connection with potential customers. We provide two to three minute clips or longer for use on websites or Facebook but also shorter ‘sizzle’ pieces for social media like Twitter. Our packages focus on maximizing the results with whatever budget the business has to work with.”

Customer Satisfaction

One of JSD Digital’s video partnerships is with Delastudio.photos. Owner Ariane Delafosse Uhll offers a unique brand where she photographs people doing whatever they are passionate about. She contacted JSD Digital because she wanted videos to show customers just what they could expect in a session with her. “I wanted to convey how fun it is, how our team of hair and makeup experts will make them look their best. I wanted a video that walked them through the process.”

Delafosse Uhll says JSD Digital exceeded her expectations. “Jennifer was totally professional and also excited and interested in my business. She worked wonders within my budget and the final product was amazing. She was able to produce something beautiful in a short period of time that perfectly captured my vision and what I wanted to convey.” Delafosse Uhll adds the investment was worth it. “Having a beautiful, professional video really helps set my business apart and sends the message that I am a high quality, successful business.”

Jordon says, ‘Seeing a business owner light up when they watch the commercial video I have created is my favorite moment. Knowing they will have something that makes them proud and will truly bring in new customers and build trust when a potential client visits their website is huge.”

SEO Maximizes Exposure

Creating compelling visuals is the first step to help businesses get noticed. JSD Digital’s SEO component provides the second step to make sure they keep getting noticed. Owner Seth Drake explains JSD Digital uses industry-leading tactics to first check and amend your site to make sure the architecture and design of the pages are recognized as relevant to your industry. He says, “This helps search engines understand your business and therefore rank them accordingly.” From reputation management to the discovery process behind keyword analysis, JSD Digital harnesses all avenues within SEO.

If you have considered maximizing your business’s potential through visual content or are curious about SEO potential, JSD Digital offers free consultation and website evaluations.

For more information, contact Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle Marketing Director Julie Hayden at julie@glendalecherrycreek .com or 303-359-8366.

Authors Share Love Stories In Newest Chicken Soup For The Soul Book

Authors Share Love Stories In Newest Chicken Soup For The Soul Book

Glendale Barnes & Noble Hosts Signing On June 16

The stories of three Colorado authors who found love in midlife when they least expected it are included in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Miracle of Love that will be available in bookstores and online June 5. Cindy Charlton of Lakewood, Lisa Marlin of Denver, and Susan Mathis of Colorado Springs, are among the 101 authors featured in the latest release from the popular book series.

The new book is a compilation of true stories from women and men who have written openly about their adventures in dating and romance, proposals and weddings, lasting marriages and second chances at finding love.

Charlton had resigned herself to being content without a relationship. Her story “Romance Therapy” is about reconnecting with the physical therapist she’d met 20 years ago when she was adjusting to life as a triple amputee. Their midlife lunch date evolved into a new relationship. “When it happened, I couldn’t believe that this was my life,” she said. “When I gave him the story to read, before I even submitted it, he was a bit in awe I think.”

This is Charlton’s fifth time to be published in Chicken Soup for the Soul. “I wanted to share this unbelievable lov

Susan Mathis

e story with the masses,” she said.

Marlin said she’s enjoyed Chicken Soup for the Soul books for years and decided to see what it would be like to write for them. Scanning the lists of topics on their website last year, this one caught her eye. “I’d already written a love story as an anniversary gift to my partner about how I remember us meeting as teens but not getting together until 30 years later,” she said. “So I polished it up and sent it in.”

In March, she got word that her story “Haven’t We Met Somewhere Before?” had been selected. “After I got over the shock, it occurred to me that I should ask my partner if it would be okay to share our story with the world,” Marlin said. He did not hesitate when he told her, “Of course. We’re a good story.”

Mathis said that she too has always liked reading the inspirational books and was in fact published two years ago in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Spirit of America. For this new book she said, “I wanted to share our love story since it’s a story of commitment, hope and enduring love. In a world that throws away relationships far too easily, ‘for better or worse, in sickness and health’ is a much-needed vow.”

Mathis’ story “Live Without Regret” is about how they faced her husband’s health issues before and after they married. The couple has also co-authored relationship books, including The ReMarriage Adventure. Just days before his birthday in May, she surprised her husband with an advanced copy of the new book. “He, too, is happy to be part of sharing our ‘miracle of love,’” she said.

Lisa Marlin

Before the authors knew they had been selected, Amy Newmark, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series, knew their stories would resonate with readers. “People tell us that they want to be able to offer hope,” she said. “They want to share this book with a 25-year-old daughter to encourage her as she waits for love or to let a widow or divorcee know that second chances at love are possible.”

With more than 150 books to her credit since she and her husband Bill Rouhana acquired Chicken Soup for the Soul in 2008, Newmark has a sense for what readers want. Sometimes she discovers that by what writers are submitting. That’s how this most recent book came about when a call for submissions for the topics “Step Outside Your Comfort Zone” and “Miracles and More” garnered a lot of love stories that fit into those categories but seemed to need a place of their own.

“As I got stories for the other books, there were all these fascinating ways people wrote that they found love,” Newmark said, adding that she approached her publishing team who all agreed when she suggested they do a book about finding love.

As with all Chicken Soup for the Soul books, this one delivers a message of hope. In this book, that hope comes from real life stories that prove love is possible at any age and often in the most unexpected ways because, after all, that’s the miracle of love.

Marlin and Mathis will sign copies of the book at Barnes & Noble, 960 S. Colorado Blvd., in Glendale, on Saturday, June 16, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Charlton is not available for the event.

Popular Steffan Tubbs Re-Emerges At 710 KNUS

Popular Steffan Tubbs Re-Emerges At 710 KNUS

by Glen Richardson

Veteran Newsman: Award-winning broadcaster Steffan Tubbs joined the lineup on Newstalk 710 KNUS radio this year.

Popular radio newsman Steffan Tubbs who anchored 850 KOA’s Colorado Morning Show for over a decade has joined 710 KNUS after the most challenging period of his life. Tubbs texted a highly confrontational girlfriend while intoxicated. She had previously been arrested for harassing him. She turned over the text messages to the Denver Police and he was arrested on July 30, 2017. He was charged with “domestic violence” by telephone with the legal authorities declaring that he used “vulgar language with the intent to annoy the victim.” He spent 36 hours behind bars until finally being brought before a judge.

His arrest photo led the evening news on FOX 31 News and he watched his life fall apart. He was suspended by KOA Radio and he saw friends and business acquaintances disappear. He credited his legal counsel with standing up for him when almost nobody other than his family, particularly his children, were willing to do so. All charges were dropped by the Denver District Attorney in October 2017. Notwithstanding the dismissal, KOA refused to rehire him and he found no one willing to give him an opportunity.

That was until 710 KNUS morning host Peter Boyles had him fill in for him and went to bat for him at the station. When Dan Caplis the evening drivetime host at the station retired to spend more time with his family and his highly successful law practice, Tubbs applied for the job.

He is now: “A longtime newsman, now with an opinion….” That’s the introduction you hear on Newstalk 710 KNUS radio at 4 p.m. every Monday through Friday as the veteran broadcaster begins his program. The “Steffan Tubbs Show” is on weekdays from 4 to 7 p.m.

“I thought I’d had dream jobs before,” Tubbs says. “But I’m absolutely loving my new position at 710 KNUS. I’m truly blessed. After 30 years as a newsman, I’m in a learning phase of how to incorporate news with talk. I value the opinions of o

Advocate For Veterans: Steffan Tubbs is a strong advocate for veterans. He was an embedded journalist with American troops in Iraq on several occasions. Here, he is pictured with U.S. Army WWII veteran Bill Brunger.

thers and even if we disagree I think we can have productive dialogue in a civil way.”

Tubbs has 30 years of news experience. He spent more than six years as a national correspondent with ABC News based in Los Angeles, and then moved to the other coast where he worked as a reporter and anchor for FOX5-TV in New York City. Tubbs says he returned to Denver in 2005 and for the next 12 years hosted the morning drive news program on KOA NewsRadio.

Tubbs has covered some of the most important stories not just in Colorado, but also throughout the country and the world. “I reported on the Oklahoma City bombings and subsequent trials, Columbine and 9/11,” Tubbs says. “As well as every type of natural disaster including fires and hurricanes, floods and earthquakes, drought and tornadoes.”

Tubbs’ broadcasting experience expands into sports as well. He reported on multiple Super Bowls, World Series, NBA and Stanley Cup finals and even the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. His numerous awards are a testament to the quality of his work. Tubbs is a four-time winner of the Edward R. Murrow Award for national reporting, he’s received several Colorado Broadcasters Association awards and has twice been named best radio personality in Denver.

Tubbs also has a documentary film company where he says he funnels his passion for real, honest storytelling. His films focus on military men and women, who he proudly supports.

Tubbs says, “I end my show every day by reminding us the remember our troops.”

Drive Time: The Steffan Tubbs Show can be heard Monday through Friday from 4 p.m to 7 p.m. on Newstalk 710 KNUS radio.

The Steffan Tubbs Show launched in February of this year in the crucial afternoon drive time slot on Newstalk 710 KNUS. Tubbs says, “I am blessed and truly love what I’m doing in this new chapter of my career with 710 KNUS.”

His show rounds out the other top-rated programs including the Peter Boyles Show from 5 to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday and the Chuck Bonniwell and Julie Hayden Show weekdays from 1 to 4 p.m.

Newstalk 710KNUS has led the coverage of the Denver Mayor Michael Hancock scandal and Tubbs says, “I think the Hancock scandal is a perfect example of how real news can be combined with the comments and questions of our audience.”

Tubbs adds, “I know we’re not reinventing the wheel with yet another new talk show but that said — I really think we have a unique opportunity to do a news program that integrates callers and opinion.”

A proud dad of two teenage boys, Tubbs notes he is very engaged on social media and loves to tweet and use Facebook posts before, during and after the show. You can follow the show’s Twitter @TubbsShow or @SWTubbs as well as The Steffan Tubbs Show on Facebook.