Mike's Blog Round-up

By JOHN SEEWER Violence and mass shootings often surge in the summer months, especially around the Fourth of July, historically one of the deadliest days of the year. A flurry of shootings around the holiday a year ago left more than a dozen people dead and over 60 wounded. Just two years ago, another mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade left seven people dead near Chicago. The Gun Violence Archive, which tracks mass shootings involving four or more people regardless of whether they died, shows June, July, and August have had the highest total number of mass shootings over the past decade.

Long-time Vail residents fondly say, “Winter is great, but summer is why we live here,” despite the global popularity of its ski slopes. While the winter experience at the sprawling slopes of the Bavarian-style resort is spectacular, Vail’s summer adventures are next level. Offering an abundance of treasures one typically seeks in Colorado’s High Country for a summer getaway — great hiking, biking, golf, and sunny patios — Vail also throws in extras like llama picnics, a world-class farmers market, and one-of-a-kind festivals. Hiking Vail offers several hiking trails with spectacular views.

“The Explorers,” by Amanda Blows (William Morrow) “The Explorers,” by Amanda Blows (William Morrow) The subtitle of “The Explorers” is “A New History of America in Ten Expeditions.”  It’s an odd description, because several of the 10 aren’t really explorers, and others aren’t exploring America.  That aside, the book is a list of people who’ve made a mark as pioneers. The book starts with two who actually are explorers, and well-known: Sacagawea and Jim Beckwourth.

After running and power walking 487 miles from Littleton to Durango to complete the Colorado Trail in record time, trail runner Kyle Curtin had plenty of time to reflect on the experience because the physical wear and tear he endured put him in a Durango hospital room. Curtin’s goal was to finish with the “fastest known time,” the vernacular endurance athletes use to describe record efforts, and to become the first to do it in less than a week.

The art business is no different than most other commercial enterprises: it takes a little money to make a little money. That is true for all of the artists who show their wares at the annual Cherry Creek Arts Festival. Setting up those displays of painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, ceramics and more requires a significant investment in raw material. A painting by Annie Anderson, one of the winners of the Cherry Creek Arts Festival’s Emerging Artists Program.

By HALELUYA HADERO Anyone who shops or uses the internet probably has encountered a TikTok trend – whether they know it or not. Since the social media platform made its U. S. debut almost six years ago, short videos posted there have created a rapidly changing menu of food and fashion fads.