Re/Max Masters Millenium
We Are Special! You Are Not
We at the Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle received the great tidings that Colorado’s Governor Jared Polis had magnanimously decided that our “frontline journalists” would be part of the frontline for COVID-19 vaccinations. The definition of a “frontline journalist” is so loose that almost anyone working at the Chronicle qualifies. How glorious! We in the media have, of course, thought of ourselves as more special and better than the people we report on and if you have any doubts just ask Channel 9’s Kyle Clark. It is just so wonderful that Governor Polis has recognized the same. One of these days you too may be eligible for this life saving vaccine, but there is no great urgency on that front.
It is also great that the governor gets to make those life and death decisions. He has been ruling by proclamation for close to an entire year now with no end of the emergency in site. We, in theory, have a pesky election for the office in November of 2022, but why go to the annoyance of that charade. Polis spent over $23 million of his money in the last election and it is said he is willing to double that next time to harvest ballots.
Polis helped push campaign finance reform laws which make it impossible for anyone who is not extremely wealthy to win the governorship. It is amazing how laws that the purported purpose was to eliminate big money out of politics, in fact, allow only the wealthy to hold the top statewide office.
The COVID-19 emergency has worked out wonderfully for some. Many government workers and public school teachers have had a very nice, long vacation and are in no hurry to get back to full-time work anytime soon. Big box retailers and Amazon have grown wealthy on the backs of small businesses. Restaurants and bars have been decimated despite recent studies showing they do not particularly spread COVID-19. It just does not matter.
It also does not matter that highly effective treatments for COVID-19 exist if you’re wealthy and know the right doctors. During the pandemic the rich have gotten richer and the poor poorer but is not that the way it always works? The rich are in no hurry to end the emergency here in Colorado or anywhere else for that matter.
No, just sit back and enjoy the second year of the COVID-19 emergency. You cannot do anything about it even if you wanted to. The governor will one day make you eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine just like us “frontline journalists,” just not anytime soon.
- Editorial Board
You are so “special” Kyle. Governor Jared Polis (left) deemed “frontline journalists” like Channel 9 News anchor Kyle Clark (below) as so special as to deserve front of the line treatment for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Taking Care Of Your Ticker
by Caitlin Stackpool
February is American Heart Month and, no matter what your age, it’s important to consider some heart-healthy habits. Caitlin Stackpool, Director of Community Integrated Health at the YMCA of Metro Denver, answers some important questions about heart health and ways to look out for your “ticker.”
Q: Why is it important to talk about heart health?
A: According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure, also called hypertension, affects nearly half (46%) of adults and only 1 in 4 of those individuals have it under control. It is one of the leading causes of death in our country. Over time, unchecked high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure and other health problems.
Q: How would someone know they have high blood pressure? Are there signs?
A: Unfortunately, high blood pressure is often called the “Silent Killer” because there are typically no warning signs or symptoms. One critical thing you can do is regularly monitor your own blood pressure.
Q: What should people know about self-monitoring their blood pressure?
Studies have shown that routine self-monitoring of blood pressure can actually lead to a decrease in pressure and overall better blood pressure management. When people can physically see those numbers fluctuating, they can better adjust their behaviors — eating habits, exercise and other lifestyle changes.
A program like the YMCA’s Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program can help those struggling with high blood pressure. It is a program open to anyone — you don’t have to be Y member.
Q: What do you cover in the YMCA’s Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program and what does it cost?
It’s a four-month program working with a trained Healthy Heart Ambassador. Participants: 1. measure and record their blood pressure at least twice a month; 2. identify and control triggers that raise blood pressure; and 3. adopt healthier eating habits.
Something as simple as reducing the amount of salt you eat can help lower blood pressure significantly!
The program is offered virtually at this time and at no cost, although there is a fee for the blood pressure cuff.
Take control of your heart health and learn more about the program at denver ymca.org/blood-pressure.
Caitlin Stackpool is the Director of Community Integrated Health for the YMCA of Metropolitan Denver. With a background in clinical exercise physiology and health education, she has a passion for disease prevention through making small lifestyle changes.
Cloudy, Cold Cupid Month
“Love keeps the cold out better than a cloak,” Longfellow argued.” February weather plus the pandemic gives us added time to reflect and feel our deepest emotions, whether it be sadness, yearning, contentment or, yes, conceivably love. This month unshrouds and lays bare the constant contradictions in the weather and in life.
There’s something about the dreary spell outside that makes us romantic. It ’twas a brit in 1881 that coined the phrase: “February, fill the dyke with what thou dost like.”
Grab your coat and get your hat, here are our choices for shopping, dining and entertaining to keep you comfy on cloud 9 with your Valentine thru cupid month:
3 Valley families can enjoy the spectacular Sundance Film Festival without leaving home. Reserve your own private movie night as Sie FilmCenter hosts online through Feb. 3 from Park City. Information: 720-381-0813.
3 See circus acrobatics, juggling, and live music as Celestial Chaos performs at the Exdo Event Center Feb. 4-28. Information: rainbowmiltiaarial.com.
3 Join Treasure Box Tours for a Denver Parks Webinar of city’s green gems large and small, Feb. 10, 10-11 a.m. Information: coaarp@aarp.org.
3 View Josh Groban’s first PBS hosted national virtual concert An Evening Of Harmony Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day 6 p.m. Information: 303-296-1212.
3 Make Valentine’s Day magical this year by dining in Glendale. The Village has 45 eateries with breakfast, lunch & dinner options. Pick from popular spots such as Sam’s No. 3 and Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar.
3 Choose the Glendale Sports Center as the centerpiece for a healthy New Year. The YMCA-managed facility is equipped with modern equipment and offers fitness programs for every age. Information: 303-639-4711.
3 Support Rocky Mountain Children’s Health by attending Kaleidoscope dinner event at the Ritz-Carlton Feb. 20-21. Information: 720-507-0905.
3 View the artwork by Tony Ortega on display at the Botanic Garden’s Freyer-Newman Center through Feb. 28. Information: 720-865-3500.
3 In a year like no other, the Denver Jewish Film Festival is bringing the remarkable lineup of films directly to your living room Feb. 8-17. Enjoy emerging filmmakers with powerful feature-film debuts Shiva Baby and God of the Piano. Be inspired by powerful documentaries of social justice or eat your way through culinary fare such as Abe. Use your web browser or TV apps for Roku or Apple TV. Information: 303-399-2660.
February is wintertime in the Valley with the average temperatures in the 20°F to 46°F range. Snowfall is truly the lowest of the season, measuring up to 5.7” on average. Nights are frosty and drop below freezing most of the time. February has ample sunshine that lasts at least 10 hours daily with clear skies for about a week during the month.
Romance during the cold days of February is unique. It’s magical in the sense that you can go skiing together, sip hot cocoa and snuggle with the person you love.
Coming at the perfect time to be savored, Valentine’s Day is a love-note to the rest of the year. Cupid is sharpening his arrows and practicing his aim. But, but be certain to spread only love and not the coronavirus. While romance and roses make a lovely gesture, filling Feb. 14th with both love and laughter is often the best gift of all.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.