I saw the most amazing moon halo* on Thanksgiving evening as I walked outside after dinner at my brother’s mountain home, about 20 miles southwest of Denver. Though the luminous disk surrounding the moon filled nearly the whole sky above our heads, I never even thought of photographing it as I saw my relatives off and rushed back inside to get warm.
I truly wish I could share that vision with you. (If anyone else got a photo of the halo, e-mail it to me at Tanya@urbanspectrum.net and perhaps we can print it later.) Instead, I will just share with you what this little episode taught me. I was reminded we should not get so wrapped up in our usual activities that we ignore the special, unanticipated moments. While cherishing our families is essential, especially during holidays, we should also celebrate the beauty around us.
Whatever traditions you honor this time of year, I hope this Holiday Issue of the Denver Urban Spectrum helps you observe the unexpected and rejoice in the season. We present you with a fun story about the Mexican Christmas tradition of making tamales, an inspirational description of Pastor Joel Osteen’s ministry, a unique personal column on a childhood without holidays, and dozens of pages filled with news, ideas, opinions and community happenings.

Merry reading and best wishes for the holidays!
Tanya Ishikawa
Editor

* Halos are caused when ice crystals in high, thin clouds bend the moonlight and produce a glowing ring around the moon. Seeing a moon halo often forecasts precipitation, and in fact, it did snow the day after Thanksgiving this year.

P.S. Lots of political and election news occurred in the past month, which I must note. First, kudos to Colorado Sen. Peter Groff, D-Denver, for being selected as the first African- American president of the state Senate in mid-November, and Sen. Abel Tapia, D-Pueblo, for his selection as the first Latino to serve as Senate president pro tem. Also, congratulations to the winners of the November 2007 elections.
Denver ballot issues 1A-I passed, providing funding for maintenance, repairs and construction of various facilities across the city. Denver’s Initiated Question 100 passed, making the private use and possession of marijuana by people 21 years or older the city’s lowest law-enforcement priority. For Denver Public Schools, Theresa Pena, Bruce L. Hoyt and Arturo Jimenez won the open school board seats.
Aurora City Council Mayor Ed Tauer won a second term while Sue Sandstrom, Molly Markert, Bob Broom, Brad Pierce and Ryan Frazier won council seats. Voters passed Aurora ballot issue 2A, giving the city an additional option to help individual neighborhoods finance fence building projects. For Aurora Public Schools, Peter Cukale, Mary W. Lewis and Amy Prince won the open school board seats.
For full election statistics, go online to www.denvergov.org or www.auroragov.org.

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