AvidLifestyle June 2020 issue

AvidLifestyle.com

JUNE 2020

Now is the time to fight FOOD WASTE VICTORY GARDENS are back to help with food shortages

10+

ways to make SUMMER DAYS at home RULE!

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Horse Power

Gentle giants saved DEVON COMBS’ life, now they help others too

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CONTENTS

// june 2020

departments

10 12

HOOFING IT The unlikely story of how I got to know Devon Combs and Unbridled Retreats.

By Kendall Kostelic

MAN ABOUT TOWN The work of Cherry Hills’ Temple Buell is still impacting the metro area.

local f lavors

16

WASTED Reduce food waste like a chef.

By Lori Midson

18

JUST ADD ALE Four ways to cook with Lone Tree Brewing Company’s craft beer. By John Lehndorff

dwelling well PHOTO: EBERHARD GROSSGASTEIGER ON UNSPLASH

FEATURED

24

MOVIE MAGIC Who’s up for taking in a film in an ideal backyard setting?

By Kathryn O’Shea-Evans and Mike Carver

28 30

HOME BIRDS Turn your yard into a bird— and birder—oasis.

By Laurel Thompson

WRITE TIME Therapeutic journaling tips.

By Daliah Singer

ready to wear

34

55

Horses heal—that’s what Devon Combs discovered during a life-changing equine therapy session 15 years ago, and it’s what she hopes participants in her Unbridled Retreats getaways experience now.

By Kathryn O’Shea-Evans

46

influencers

56

Stargazing apps. Obstacle courses. Sidewalk art with create-your-own puffy paint. Setting up a mini “car” wash. This summer, the kids’ days at home will be anything but boring.

By Kendall Kostelic

IT’S ON THE BAG How Lauren Zavala takes designer pieces a step up.

By Suzanne S. Brown

GARDENING 19.0 Crops are getting planted everywhere—just like during WWI and WWII.

By Kendall Kostelic

60

SECOND NATURE Christian Dore’s abstract re-creation of Colorado scenery. By Brittany Anas

wayfarers

COVER PHOTO: Devon Combs, courtesy Unbridled Retreats 6

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64

VACATION FOR THE BOOKS Reads that will take you all over. By Ali Longwell

June 2020 // vol. 2 // no. 3 PRESIDENT/GROUP PUBLISHER Allen J. Walters PUBLISHER Chris Phillips EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Anthony Cotton sales, marketing & advertising SENIOR SALES DIRECTOR Craig Hitchcock SALES DIRECTOR Mike Carver ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Hillary Locke Mujica DIGITAL SPECIALIST Ben Champion BUSINESS MANAGER Cindy Palmer art & editorial EDITOR Kendall Kostelic CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jani Duncan Smith ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Chelsea Oglesby CONTRIBUTORS Brittany Anas, Suzanne S. Brown, E.J. Carr, Mike Carver, Chad Chisholm, John Lehndorff, Ali Longwell, Lori Midson, Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Daliah Singer, Laurel Thompson PRINCIPALS Ray L. Baker, C. Don Baker, Dick B. Baker ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: chris@avidlifestyle.com

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june 2020 // AvidLifestyle

EDITORIAL INQUIRIES AND LETTERS: kendall@avidlifestyle.com CUSTOMER SERVICE: 720.493.1729 MAILING ADDRESS: 7200 S. Alton Way #A-180 Centennial, CO 80112 AvidLifestyle (ISSN 2642-0562) is published twelve times a year

by Baker-Colorado Publishing, LLC, and printed by Publication Printers Inc. volume two, number three. 7200 S. Alton Way #A-180, Centennial, CO 80112. Order your personal subscription to AvidLifestyle by calling 720-493-1729. Subscriptions are available at the rate of $12 per year. Copyright © 2020 by Baker-Colorado Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Postmaster: Send address changes to AvidLifestyle, 7200 S. Alton Way #A-180 Centennial, CO 80112.

The magazine welcomes editorial submissions but assumes no responsibility for the safekeeping or return of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, artwork or other material.

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SETTING THE STAGE

where you

LIVE

PHOTO: CHAD CHISHOLM, CUSTOM CREATIONS

LOVE

// editor’s letter

TALK OF THE TOWN

KNOW SOMEONE who should be featured in AvidLifestyle? Tell me about him or her at kendall@avidlifestyle.com.

Strategically connecting buyers and sellers with the best properties in Colorado.

HOOFING IT

Certain four-legged friends are ready to help us look forward.

IT’S SAFE TO SAY that, community-wide, our timing has felt anything but perfect these last few months. We’ve spent hours, days and weeks pivoting, trying to predict the unpredictable.

How about a change of pace?

Nothing has felt quite as serendipitous as my happenstance meetup with Devon Combs.

A whopping six months ago, sitting at my desk browsing Instagram for the daily goings on, I landed on the scene of a woman on a horse. She looked to be in conversation with a security officer, who was standing directly in front of her and her steed. His Cherry Hills Village Police community service vehicle was also in frame.

Whether or not said officer was scribbling something in his notepad was hazy. What was clear as day: The horse was sticking out its tongue at the guard. The caption on the photo: “Throwback to when I found out a full gallop surpassed the speed limit.”

And so began my getting to know Combs and her uplifting equine (and women!)-focused company, Unbridled Retreats, over a warm cup of tea.

Though I never could have imagined it while hearing the beginnings of her story, now more than ever we can benefit from Combs’ expertise in processing trying times and focusing on the good moment by moment, both with horse in tow. Her saga, starting on pg. 34, is a healing tonic in and of itself.

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LUXURY RE A L E S TATE BROKER WITH LIV SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

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The restorative topics within this issue don’t stop there. And neither do the rest of the details of Combs’ curious Instagram-catalogued ride: “I was riding on the High Line Canal Trail, saw the Cherry Hills Village security guy and asked if he’d ever written a ticket for a horse galloping too fast,” she recalls. “He said, ‘Not yet, but that should be a box on the ticket.’ And that if he did catch us going too fast, we might be taken in to get hoof-printed! The best part of the photo was the horse literally stuck his tongue out— that wasn’t planned.” And just like that, timing is once again everything.

Here’s to living well,

Kendall Kostelic

10

june 2020 // AvidLifestyle

COPING WITH COVID: During the stay-athome order, Curate: A Local Mercantile had an idea to offer custom care packages. More than 500 boxes later, that idea has become something of a movement. Get the full story at avidlifestyle.com.

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THE REST IS HISTORY

// on the scene

Man About Town TEMPLE BUELL laid the groundwork for how we’re living today.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE War I). Buell pushed to incorporate Cherry Hills Village; helped found Cherry Hills Country Club; made the state his own with the more than 300 buildings his architectural firm— then the largest in the Rocky Mountain area— designed; founded the Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation (now Buell Foundation), which has donated gifts totaling more than $220 million; and much more. He was even “an excellent bridge player, and held the highest master ranking available during his lifetime,” Steele shares. With this kind of account, the individual impacts the Cherry Hills resident has had on day-to-day life can get lost. Here, we tour five key extant Buell buildings.

CHERRY CREEK SHOPPING CENTER 3000 E. First Ave., Denver A retail epicenter has formed around what was considered a risky land purchase by

Buell in 1925. His innovative plans for a city dump—“way east of town where ‘no one will ever live,’” says Steele—garnered him recognition as “Father of the Shopping Mall.”

Adds Steele: “His design became the prototype for open-air shopping malls for many decades.” The original mall, opened in 1951, was the third in the U.S. You can still eye his original architecture in The Container Store.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE 1621 Glenarm Place, Denver According to History Colorado, this is the last remaining “movie palace” in metro Denver—with Buell’s Art Deco design still intact. An estimated 20,000 people celebrated the theater’s grand opening showing in August 1930.

there’s more ➼

THOSE WHO HAVE studied metro Denver history know that Temple Hoyne Buell’s physical stature was merely the personification of his larger-than-life impact on the city.

“Temple Buell was a tall man—6-foot-3 in an era when most men were well shy of 6 feet—and he loved to play on his ‘presence,’” says Susan Steele, president and CEO of Buell Foundation.

“He often appeared at formal social functions in his tux, top hat (adding 4-5 inches) and fulllength black cape.”

CHERRY CREEK SHOPPING CENTER 12

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PHOTOS: E.J. CARR

Simply put, metro Denver—roughly all 3040 towns and cities of it—would not be metro Denver without Buell’s relocation to the area in 1921 (to recover from tuberculosis after coming into contact with poison gas serving in World

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THE REST IS HISTORY

// on the scene

Navigating our “new normal ” in real estate

CATHERINE MULLEN MEMORIAL NURSES HOME Now: Saint Joseph Hospital Comprehensive 1895 Franklin St., Denver

In many ways, our homes have taken on new meaning in the post-coronavirus world.

They have morphed into our safe haven, impromptu remote office, make-shift workout space, children’s school, and more.

When evaluating your real estate wants and needs, the best advice I can give my clients is: 1. Strategically think long-term about your situation.

2. Partner with an experienced broker that can provide you current market statistics, facts, and updates.

3. Quiet the outside noise, and understand your motivation.

This can help give you the clarity to move forward. Here are some strong reasons you should sell your home, along with the reasons you may benefit from waiting:

Sell:

• Interest rates remain low • Denver inventory remains low, which means more demand • You have high equity in your house • Lifestyle change - e.g you’ve outgrown your space, newly empty nesters, etc.

Wait: • Your long-term job stability

is uncertain • You just refinanced • You don’t feel comfortable with buyers coming into your home (And that’s a valid reason too)

and one by Denver firm Hoover Berg Desmond in 1994.

STATE SERVICES BUILDING STATE SERVICES BUILDING 1525 Sherman St., Denver “Buell considered this civic structure to be one of his favorite projects,” says Anna Mascorella, Temple Buell associate curator of architecture at History Colorado. “He designed it in relation to the State Capitol Annex at 1375 Sherman St. Together, the buildings bookend the State Capitol. He has been quoted stating: ‘It’s low and classical—the way they ought to keep all of Civic Center—like in Washington, D.C. You look at my State Services Building from any angle and the proportions are good. It’s so simple and the fenestration fits the design.

These modernists think proportion doesn’t matter. That’s fallacious.’”

Explains Mascorella: “This building was originally the living quarters for the nurses at Saint Joseph Hospital, operated by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, also the hospital founders. Buell’s building was a stateof-the-art dormitory and training facility for the nurses and nursing students, who had previously been located throughout the hospital’s patient floors. The building is named in memory of Catherine Mullen, the wife of philanthropist John Mullen. This project had personal resonance for Buell: After arriving in Denver, he received medical treatment for his tuberculosis from the Sisters of Charity. As Donna Hilton of the Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation has said: ‘In exchange for compassionate, top-quality health care, he rewarded the Sisters with one of the most intricate and inviting medical facilities in Colorado at the time.’”

HORACE MANN MIDDLE SCHOOL Now: Trevista at Horace Mann 4130 Navajo St., Denver “Fun fact about this building: it was named after the education reformer Horace Mann, who was from Massachusetts,” the curator says. “But the reference to Horace Mann does not end in the school’s name: its floor plan was designed in the shape of an ‘H.’” Two additions have been added since: one by Buell in 1956

SAINT JOSEPH HOSPITAL COMPREHENSIVE

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303.921.2964 csanders@livsothebysrealty.com

14

june 2020 // AvidLifestyle

PHOTOS: E.J. CARR

TREVISTA AT HORACE MANN

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Golf members will further benefit from new amenities designed to enhance their golf experience both before and after their round.

To inquire about an invitation to Golf or Social Membership, contact: MARK LEWICKI, Director of Membership

303.660.6807 mlewicki@ccofcastlepines.com 6400 Country Club Drive

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Castle Rock, Colorado 80108 *project details subject to change as project develops

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www.ccatcastlepines.com

LOCAL FLAVORS

// expert advice

Wasted WE’VE BEEN REMINDED OF THE VALUE IN MAKING THINGS LAST IN RECENT MONTHS. KEEP IT UP AND WE COULD HELP SAVE THE WORLD.

By Lori Midson

The Feedery at Grow and Gather Old Hampden Kitchen: 720.535.7217 Market: 720.535.7805 feedery.com

16

june 2020 // AvidLifestyle

PHOTO: CHAD CHISHOLM, CUSTOM CREATIONS

EAT HERE. LEARN HERE.

LOCAL FLAVORS

Schwing is fighting a very, very big problem: food waste. In the United States alone, a staggering 30-50 percent, roughly, of food gets flung into the garbage bin every year.

That’s the equivalent of about $160 billion in annual waste and 1,160 pounds of food, on average, that’s trashed each year by a family of four. And then there are the environmental ramifications, including the generation of greenhouse gas emissions caused by the production of uneaten food.

The consequences of food waste, which have only been highlighted after months of unprecedented food shortages and struggles, are widespread and heartbreaking. This is why it’s so vital to take steps to minimize our food waste and maximize our efforts to eat what we have on hand. “Reducing food waste is about making small, daily decisions,” says Schwing.

And while those decisions may seem “mundane and insignificant, it’s the little things that make the biggest difference,” he adds.

The next time you eye those languishing carrots, think twice about tossing them.

Instead, consider these eleven tips from Schwing for reducing food waste and becoming a more responsible, educated and conscious consumer and home cook.

1. EAT THOSE LEFTOVERS! “Eating leftovers— or transforming leftovers into new dishes—is probably the number one way we can reduce food waste at home,” asserts Schwing. Chop up meats and vegetables to use in a crazy-good stir-fry, he suggests.

2. COMPOST WHENEVER YOU CAN. Most municipalities offer a compost collection program, which takes food scraps, yard debris and more that you accumulate at home to a facility to be turned into compost. Do-ityourself composting takes minimal space, says Schwing: “My dad has been composting for years and turns all his viable waste into fertilizer, which yields amazing results.” The quality of the “waste” that goes into compost makes a huge difference, the chef continues: “Organic food going in will reduce chemical waste in your end product.” A word of advice: If

you use a community program, take note of the rules and regulations specifying what can and can’t be composted.

3. REUSE OIL AND FAT as much as possible.

Bacon fat, frying oil, coconut oil and many other types of oils can be strained and reused, says Schwing. Hot oils, stored in mason jars and left at room temperature, can add complexity and flavor to dishes. Caution: Don’t reuse oils if they’re dirty, cloudy and don’t smell fresh.

4. PICKLING is a terrific way to maximize aging produce. It’s easy to master, especially with multiple online resources and videos to assist beginners. All that’s really needed to get started, says Schwing, are a few canning jars, any vinegar you fancy and simple aromatics, like black peppercorns, coriander or star anise.

PHOTO: CHAD CHISHOLM, CUSTOM CREATIONS

WE EYEBALL the flimsy carrots languishing in the bottom of the produce drawer in the fridge, and we don’t think twice about tossing them in the trash. And the leafy carrot tops? Nothing more than useless trimmings. But for Jeff Schwing, executive chef of seven-month-old The Feedery at Grow and Gather—the restaurant, farm, garden, greenhouse, market and communal gathering place on Old Hampden—his surplus of cosmetically imperfect scraps has more benefits than you can imagine.

Schwing is one of several chefs across Colorado who’s trending toward a zero-waste food model. “Founder/owner George Gastis and I want to try to create an ecosystem of sustainability,” he explains. “We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel—but we are trying to make it better any way we can.”

// expert advice

stockpot with veggie “waste” to add amazing flavor and depth to stocks. “At the restaurant, we use every single part of our amazing chickens.

After they’re butchered, we roast the bones, simmer them with veggies overnight, strain the stock and reduce it again to create tasty chicken demi-glace,” he explains. Everyone, says Schwing, should learn how to make stocks and demi-glaces.

8. USE A VACUUM SEALER to preserve food.

Yes, there’s an upfront investment, concedes Schwing, “but it pays for itself in no time.”

Almost anything—vegetables, meats, soups and stocks—can be vacuum-sealed and frozen.

9. “STALE BREAD IS GOLD,” reveals Schwing.

Don’t throw it away. Instead, rehydrate it in cream, egg and sugar for French toast, or dry

EXECUTIVE CHEF JEFF SCHWING

5. FERMENTATION, much like pickling, can extend the life of veggies and several other staples. “At the restaurant, for example, we use expiring heavy cream and buttermilk to make homemade crème fraîche,” says Schwing.

6. WHEN YOU USE A VEGETABLE, use the whole vegetable. Celery leaves and hearts, fennel fronds, carrot tops, beet greens and lemon rind or zest can be eaten raw and used for garnishes. And most, if not all, vegetable leftovers can be used to make an aromatic, delicious vegetable stock: Just boil onion skins and tops, carrot pieces, celery butts, any stems, green onion roots and garlic ends. Voilà!

7. USING THE WHOLE ANIMAL is also a wonderful way to reduce waste—and it often saves money while providing extra food. “One of the most important lessons any home cook can learn is how to break down and utilize entire cuts of meat,” says Schwing. Bones, for example, can be roasted and thrown into a 17

june 2020 // AvidLifestyle

it completely and give it a light roast with herbs for croutons or breadcrumbs. Another idea?

Soak stale bread in milk and add it to meatballs or sausage for moisture and texture.

10. USE SELL-BY DATES and expiration dates as guidelines, not hard-and-fast rules. Use your sense of sight, smell and touch as a gauge.

“Never throw something away just because a label tells you to,” advises Schwing.

11. RETHINK YOUR STORAGE, cooking and dining tools. Instead of single-use plastics and paper products, “invest in a good set of oven-safe glassware, multi-size mason jars for storage and cloth kitchen towels and napkins,” says Schwing. Follow the reusable grocery bag trend, and bring your own to-go boxes to restaurants. Recycle those Ziploc bags, which can be washed and reused multiple times.

LOCAL FLAVORS

// home cook

Just Add Ale

MEET YOUR NEXT CRAFT INGREDIENT FOR SUMMER RECIPES.

By John Lehndorff YOU DON’T NEED us to tell you how perfectly cold beer pairs with summer’s favorite foods—whether it’s hot dogs and an American lager, grilled lemon chicken washed down with a crisp IPA or smoked salmon matched with a juicy Belgian-style ale. Lone Tree Brewing Company, the city’s first independent craft brewery, certainly doesn’t need us to deliver the good news either. Beer pairings have been on the menu since the community hub opened in 2011. “We pair beers with all kinds of cuisines, as well as use food as a brewing ingredient,” says Emily Hutto, founder of RadCraft, a craft beer marketing co-op that includes Lone Tree Brewing. “But then, we started wondering about using Lone Tree’s beers as ingredients themselves.”

An experienced cook, Hutto went into her kitchen to create dishes that took advantage of Lone Tree brews’ flavor profiles, ending up with recipes that have gotten lots of thumbs-up from brewery customers: “We never expected these recipes to come in handy so much, but right now people are cooking and sipping our beers more at home.”

Hutto recommends cracking a fresh one for cooking (although leftover beers have a long, tasty history as an ingredient). Once your feast is complete, look no further than the brews used in the recipes to pinpoint beverage pairings. Finally, declare cheers! and bon appétit. Both tributes are friends to this spread.

“The Double IPA plays well with the brine and spices, and adds some citrus notes,” Hutto says.

DIPA DILL PICKLES These pickles should sit at least overnight, but can also happily ferment in the fridge and gain more flavor for many weeks.

INGREDIENTS 1 tablespoon whole peppercorns 1 teaspoon dill seed ½ teaspoon mustard seeds 3 teaspoons minced garlic 2 teaspoons fresh dill 1 pound mini cucumbers, cut into spears 2 cups rice vinegar 1 cup sugar ½ tablespoon salt ¼ cup water 1 12-ounce can Lone Tree Double IPA Optional: 2 serrano peppers, seeded and thinly sliced METHOD Mix first four spices and fresh dill in a bowl and sprinkle 1 teaspoon of the blend into the bottom of two Mason jars. Layer cucumber slices in jars, adding more spice blend as needed. For a spicier pickle, add serrano peppers.

Combine vinegar, sugar and salt in a pot and bring to a simmer to dissolve sugar.

Remove from heat; add water and beer.

Pour liquid into the jars, leaving ¼-inch of room at the top. Cover loosely and cool. Screw tops on tightly when cool; chill in refrigerator at least 24 hours before serving.

there’s more ➼

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LOCAL FLAVORS

Delivering Clarity In Any M arket

// home cook

MANGO-HABANERO PEACH PALE SALSA INGREDIENTS 3 teaspoons Lone Tree Peach Pale 3 large peeled, finely chopped mangos 2 slices red onion, ¼ inch-thick, chopped 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 1 teaspoon agave syrup or honey 1 teaspoon grated orange rind 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 teaspoon finely chopped, seeded habanero pepper ½ teaspoon salt

METHOD Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl; toss well.

Let stand on the counter for 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning. Can be served with chips, seafood and more. Refrigerate leftover salsa.

Use caution when handling the seriously hot habanero.

Don’t touch your eyes—or anything else— until you wash your hands thoroughly.

SPICY RED ALE BARBECUE SAUCE INGREDIENTS

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1 tablespoon olive oil ⅓ cup chopped onion 2 tablespoons minced garlic 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 2 cups ketchup 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon molasses 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon paprika ½ tablespoon cayenne powder ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon black pepper Hot sauce to taste 1 cup Lone Tree Red Ale METHOD Whisk all ingredients in a saucepan and turn heat to medium, bringing sauce to a slow boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Blend as desired for smoothness.

Smother short ribs and other grilled and smoked meats. Store in the fridge.

“This is an Irish-style ale, so it adds a lot of maltiness and rounds out flavors,” Hutto says. there’s more ➼

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LOCAL FLAVORS

// home cook

MEXICAN LAGER-BATTERED FISH TACOS INGREDIENTS SLAW 5 cups shredded green cabbage 2 tablespoons minced red onion 1 tablespoon minced green onion ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1½ teaspoons olive oil ½ teaspoon sesame or peanut oil ½ teaspoon salt SAUCE 2–3 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce ¾ cup mayonnaise 1 lime, juiced 2 tablespoons minced garlic

GET COOKING Lone Tree Brewing Company Park Meadows Drive 303.792.5822 lonetreebrewingco.com*

Only a little Mexican Lager is required to make a batch of these tacos. “That’s good, because you can sip the rest of it while you cook,” Hutto says.

FISH 1 cup flour 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon black pepper ½ teaspoon paprika 1 cup Lone Tree Mexican Lager 1–2 pounds skinless white fish, cut into strips (Any white fish, including tilapia and catfish) Corn tortillas and lots of lime wedges for serving METHOD FOR THE SLAW, combine all ingredients in a bowl and set aside.

FOR THE SAUCE, blend all ingredients together in a food processor and set aside.

FOR THE FISH, whisk flour, salt, pepper and paprika in a small bowl; slowly pour in beer. Dip fish in batter and pan fry until golden brown or to preferred taste. Drain on a plate lined with paper towels.

Warm your tortillas, gather lime wedges and assemble tacos.

*Lone Tree brews are also available at liquor & grocery stores across the metro area.

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Our SUVs are well-equipped to stand out from the crowd. Witness the F-PACE, our thrilling performance SUV with a powertrain of up to 550 hp; the All-Electric I-PACE, the 2019 World Car of the Year; and the E-PACE, our sporty yet spacious compact SUV. These vehicles deliver performance and style that are uniquely Jaguar. All vehicles come with Jaguar EliteCare, our Best-In-Class coverage, which includes a 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty, complimentary scheduled maintenance, roadside assistance and Jaguar InControl®.‡ Experience the attention for yourself and visit Jaguar Flatirons today.

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the All-Electric I-PACE, the 2019 World Car of the Year; and the E-PACE, www.jaguarflatirons.com our sporty yet spacious compact SUV. These vehicles deliver performance and style that are uniquely Jaguar. All vehicles come with Jaguar EliteCare, Vehicles shown: 2020 Jaguar I-PACE HSE, 2020 Jaguarincludes E-PACE R-Dynamic, 2020 Jaguar F-PACE S. Finance our Best-In-Class coverage, which a 5-year/60,000-mile newat 0% APR for 24-72 months on all eligible new Jaguar & Retired Service models. 2020 Jaguar models eligible for financing at the APR shown for well-qualified buyers as determined by approved lender. Payments per month per $1,000 financed, regardless of amount oflimited down payment, can be as low as $41.67 at 0% for 24 scheduled months or $13.89 maintenance, at 0% for 72 months. All amounts shown are estimates. Retailer sets actual amounts. Supplies are vehicle warranty, complimentary limited. Taxes, title, license and fees excluded. Residency restrictions ‡ apply. Customers must take new vehicle delivery from retailer stock by 6/30/2020. Model pictured may vary roadside and Jaguar from offer. ‡Doassistance not use Jaguar InControl® features InControl®. under conditions that will affect your safety or the safety of others. Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle control.

*For complete details on vehicle pricing or Jaguar EliteCare coverage, including the new vehicle limited warranty and maintenance coverage, please See Jaguar Flatirons or call 1.800.4.JAGUAR / 1.800.452.4827 for qualifications and complete details. Jaguar or approved lender may rescind or amend this offer without notice. © 2020 Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC

Experience the attention for yourself and visit Jaguar Flatirons today.

PHOTO: CHAD CHISHOLM, CUSTOM CREATIONS

DWELLING WELL

// night in

Movie Magic 24

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DWELLING WELL

// night in

FOR MUST-WATCH movie ideas you may not have heard of, we turn to Greenwood Village-based Neil Truglio, PR and education director for Denver Film (and a bona fide movie junkie). And to create a home theater worthy of the summer season—hint: you’ll be outside—we turn to Logic Integration, an award-winning audio and visual systems firm. All of these films are available via streaming or online; some on denverfilm.org itself, which supports the nonprofit. Just add popcorn.

Pahokee

Best of Fest ’19 Directed by Patrick Bresnan and Ivete Lucas 110 min.

Not rated “This is an incredible documentary about a really small agricultural town in Florida down the street from Mar-a-Lago, where the richest and poorest live a few miles apart,” Truglio says. The story follows four teens at Pahokee High School, where 91 percent of students qualify for free lunch but more than 90 percent graduate (and more than 40 alumni have been drafted by the NFL.) “It’s such an amazing community and builds these students up even though it’s going through challenges,” the movie buff continues. Did we mention the film has a 100 percent ranking on Rotten Tomatoes? denverfilm.org

Roma

Best of Fest ’18 Written and directed by Alfonso Cuarón 135 min.

Rated R This Golden Globe-winning black-and-white film about a live-in housekeeper and nanny in Mexico City is a partially autobiographical take on Cuarón’s own roots in the Colonia Roma neighborhood. “I recommend it for audiences who fell in love with foreign films because of movies like Parasite,” Truglio says. “I don’t know why Roma didn’t win best picture the year before. It’s a gorgeous story.” netflix.com

The Edge of Seventeen

Best of Fest ’16 Written and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig 104 min.

Rated R Boldfaced names—Hailee Steinfeld, Woody Harrelson and Kyra Sedgwick—star in this comedy from the people behind Jerry Maguire, Say Anything and As Good as it Gets. “It’s a really strong coming-of-age movie that some people missed,” Truglio says. “It’s so lovely, and is female director Kelly Fremon Craig’s first feature. It’s funny, but serious, and deals with good issues.” netflix.com

Best of CatVideoFest Curated by Will Braden 50 min.

Not rated

YOU’VE SEEN THE MUCH-BALLYHOOED TIGER KING AND EVERY OTHER HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BINGE OUT THERE—ALL SCREENED FROM YOUR BEST INDOOR CINEMA SETUP. TIME FOR SOMETHING NEW.

If you’ve ever LOLed, OMGed or responded in any other internet parlance to a viral cat video, this might be purrfect for you (sorry, had to). “For the first time ever, CatVideoFest is available to screen virtually outside of theaters!” says Truglio. “Longtime CatVideoFest curator extraordinaire Will Braden has crafted a ‘treat’ of a reel that includes the very best videos from CVF history.” denverfilm.org

—Kathryn O’Shea-Evans there’s more ➼ 25

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DWELLING WELL

// night in

Denver Film Denver 303.595.3456 denverfilm.org

Logic Integration Lone Tree 303.484.8237 logicav.net

Backyard Movie Night, Anyone?

THE ABILITY to enjoy a movie outdoors with family and friends does exist—thanks to advances in outdoor audio and visual entertainment.

What is the best way to display an outdoor movie?

don’t even have to have a smart TV. If the flat screen has an HDMI input on it, just purchase a streaming device (such as Apple TV or a Roku Streaming Stick), which plugs right in, and you’re ready to go.”

What about projectors?

“When we’re engineering systems, we are trying to think of the variables outside of our control,” says Tyler Bogart, vice president of business development at Logic Integration, based in Lone Tree. “One big variable when you go outside is the daylight, in addition to streetlights and the light coming off of your house at night.

My suggestion is to use a flat-screen television because you have a lot more flexibility on when you can use it. You don’t have to have it permanently mounted.”

“When you go to the park, rec center or an event in your neighborhood, they blow up a projection screen, shine a projector on it and watch a movie. For home use, this is subjective to the experience everybody is looking for. If you are wanting to watch on a projector at night, get a rather inexpensive projector and don’t have it permanently mounted.”

What do you need to make this work?

“One option is installing an ‘outdoor-rated’ TV. These are warranted and guaranteed against the elements. But if you have a covered patio, where tech wouldn’t be getting a lot of direct sunlight

“You’re going to need a power cord and to make sure your WiFi signal is really strong. You

How can you protect permanent systems from bad weather?

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and is somewhat protected from the elements, there are ‘all-weather’ covers for [indoor-rated] flat-screen TVs to help them last.”

How does one control the volume in order to not disrupt the neighbors?

“One very popular product that is used frequently outdoors is a landscape audio system.

When engineered properly, the system confines the sound to your space. The idea is to put multiple speakers around the outside of the listening area so you can keep a lower volume and still have audio clarity.”

—Mike Carver

PHOTO: CHAD CHISHOLM, CUSTOM CREATIONS

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DWELLING WELL

// around back PHOTO: DICK VOGEL

GARDEN FEAST

Home Birds

water, shelter and space,” Hogan explains. Here are her top tips to create a fowl’s paradise.

By Laurel Thompson WHEN IT COMES to summer bird feeding in Colorado, experienced and novice birders alike can learn a thing or two from Denver Audubon’s community outreach coordinator, Kate Hogan. With a background in exotic wildlife and years of experience educating the public about the ecosystems that all life depends on—locals have heeded her tutelage through the Lone Tree Arts Center, High Line Canal Conservancy and more—Hogan has a special place in her heart for protecting the region’s native birds. “There is so much work to be done in terms of wildlife conservation—particularly with bird populations along the Front Range,” she says. “Time is of the essence, so educating people and giving them the tools to cultivate wild bird habitats in their backyards has a big positive impact.”

A core focus in Hogan’s summer classes: There are better (and safer) methods than bird feeders to nourish area bird populations and attract more permanent yard guests. “All wildlife has four basic needs to thrive in a backyard environment: food, PHOTO: LYNNE HYDE

LEARN FROM THE PROS Denver Audubon Littleton 303.973.9530 denveraudubon.org

PHOTO: KATE HOGAN

THESE ARE THE BEST AND SAFEST WAYS—FOR YOU AND YOUR FEATHERED FRIENDS—TO FEED BIRDS FROM THE BACKYARD THIS SEASON.

Plants for seed COMMON SUNFLOWER (Helianthus annuus) Attracts sparrows, warblers, finches, vireos, woodpeckers, jays and titmice

USE BIRD FEEDERS SPARINGLY “It’s completely fine if you want to use a bird feeder in the summer—just be mindful of the ethics of feeding birds with seed during a time when bears are a big problem in Colorado. Set your feeders out for a few hours in the morning and bring them in for the remainder of the day (and especially all night) so you aren’t attracting unwanted predators and pests.

You’ll also need to disinfect and refill feeders with fresh seed regularly; feeders are one of the main ways birds transmit disease to one another. Tube feeders, dish and bottle hummingbird feeders, suet feeders and finch socks are all good to start with. For seed, I’ve had a lot of success with the patio blends that have a variety of small seeds mixed with black oil sunflower seeds and whole sunflower seeds.”

INSTEAD, INCORPORATE NATIVE PLANTS INTO YOUR LANDSCAPE “During the nesting season [April through August], over 96 percent of terrestrial birds switch from a seed diet to an insect and berry diet because it’s high in protein and energy. The key to attracting a more diverse palate of birds is to include native plants that produce berries, encourage insects and provide natural sources for seed. I also encourage chemical-free gardening and lawn care because consuming chemicals can be incredibly detrimental to birds.”

AND CREATE SHELTER WITH PLENTY OF SPACE “Oftentimes the first structures people think of when envisioning shelter for birds are birdhouses, but these man-made lodgings are only attractive to a smaller subset of birds in our region. I advise people to leave a dead or decaying tree on their property because it’s a wonderful way to provide a safe, natural shelter. If you have really dense grasses, shrubs and trees, birds will also build nests there because they feel safe. Just be sure to take into account any potential hazards near shelters—you’ll want to establish habitats away from large windows and keep domestic cats inside.”

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COMMON YARROW (Achillea millefolium) Attracts chickadees, titmice, orioles, warblers, jays, vireos and thrashers PRAIRIE CONEFLOWER (Ratibida columnifera) Attracts sparrows, finches, grosbeaks, buntings and chickadees

Plants for berries KINNIKINNICK (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) Attracts hummingbirds, thrushes, wrens, grouse and waxwings SERVICEBERRY (Amelanchier alnifolia) Attracts crows, thrushes, robins and Western tanagers CHOKECHERRY (Prunus virginiana) Attracts over 70 species, including woodpeckers, bluebirds and kingbirds (and bears, so be aware)

Plants for insects BLACK-EYED SUSAN (Rudbeckia hirta) Attracts waxwings, orioles, nuthatches, warblers, wrens, thrushes, jays and chickadees (and monarch butterflies) GOLDENROD (Solidago spp.)

Attracts finches, sparrows, buntings and grouse (and monarch butterflies) GAMBLE OAK (Quercus gambelli) Attracts warblers, vireos, towhees, buntings and grosbeaks

Plants for nectar COLUMBINE (Aquilegia spp.)

Attracts hummingbirds, orioles, vireos, thrashers, sparrows, warblers and waxwings INDIAN PAINTBRUSH (Castilleja) Attracts hummingbirds, sparrows, orioles and waxwings BEE BALM (Monarda) Attracts hummingbirds, wrens, vireos and woodpeckers

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DWELLING WELL

// expert advice

Write Time PENNING FOR YOUR THOUGHTS, AND IMPROVED HEALTH.

By Daliah Singer JOURNALING is all grown up. Once considered a largely adolescent hobby, the rise of mindfulness and meditation—and the advent of type-A bullet journals—has renewed the practice as a beneficial habit for all ages. Therapeutic journaling, or writing about our thoughts and feelings rather than just recording our days, has been shown to reduce stress, decrease health issues and boost mood. We asked Kim Johancen of Clear View Counseling and Consulting in Centennial and Lakewood, who hosts weekly journal therapy groups, to show us how to scribe our way to a healthier, more peaceful mindset.

Start small. Start with gratitude.

The best way to build a habit is to do an activity over and over, but the thought of adding journaling to the schedule can sound overwhelming. So, set a timer. Start by writing for five minutes each day. Free write— don’t lift your pen off the page, even if you’re writing the same thing again and again—or begin with a simple gratitude practice. Write one sentence about something you’re grateful for and expand from that statement as you get more comfortable.

Set the mood.

Find a space where you can limit distractions.

Maybe it’s a certain area of the house or even a specific chair; put on headphones if need be.

To help generate a routine, pick a time of day when you’ll commit to journaling. Johancen’s mind is clearest in the morning, but others prefer to journal right before bed. Figure out when works best for you and stick to that time.

Get inspired.

Not sure what to write about? Follow prompts.

Two of Johancen’s favorite guiding topics: 1. Train yourself for self-reflection by taking your “pulse” throughout the day. Ask: How am I feeling? What am I thinking about? And jot down a couple of sentences; it doesn’t have to be a lot.

“If I can get clear about what I’m going through at any given moment, then I can be clearer about what I need to do to get through it,” Johancen says. “Without awareness, we keep going.”

exposes how easily our perspectives can change when we take a moment to step outside of ourselves. (Find hundreds of other subjects online.)

Consider making this a screen-free zone: Use pen and paper.

Feeling your hand move across the page can be beneficial in and of itself, Johancen says: “Rhythm is very soothing to the nervous system.”

It’s OK to ask for help.

“You can absolutely do this on your own,” Johancen says. But check in with yourself throughout the process. If you notice that you’re feeling worse or more anxious, or you’re ruminating on one thing, it may be time to get a professional involved.

2. Pen a short paragraph about a challenge you’re experiencing. Then follow it with another paragraph about the opportunities it affords. The exercise

Kim Johancen Clear View Counseling and Consulting Centennial and Lakewood 970.946.8737 clearviewcounselingdenver.com

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PHOTO: CHAD CHISHOLM, CUSTOM CREATIONS

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AV E R A G E D AY S O N M A R K E T

GREENWOOD VILLAGE & CHERRY HILLS

R E A L E S TAT E M A R K E T U P D AT E APRIL 2020 Data shown is based on information from REColorado for the period 01/01/2019 - 03/31/2020.

REColorado does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for its accuaracy. Data maintained by REColorado may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. Neither the listing broker nor Kentwood Real Estate shall be responsible for typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Not all properties listed and/or sold by Kentwood Real Estate.

PHOTO: COURTESY UNBRIDLED RETREATS

Taking the 34

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Reins How one local woman is championing the true meaning of horse power.

By Kathryn O’Shea-Evans

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ANYONE WHO HAS EVER SEEN The Horse Whisperer, Robert Redford’s well-known 1998 film, understands the power man can have over beast. But they might not realize that the transformation goes both ways.

Devon Combs, the certified equine gestalt coach behind Littleton-based Unbridled Retreats should know: she lived it.

“In my late teens and early 20s, I had some control and perfectionism tendencies that carried into my life and manifested as an eating disorder,” says the Colorado native, now 36 years old. “I became bulimic and dropped out of three different colleges—it was pretty severe.” She found her salvation in an unlikely source: a horse. “I ended up going from a hospital to a mental institution to an eating disorder treatment center in Arizona, and was there for 60 days when I was 21 years old. That center had equine therapy, and the first day I tried it changed everything,” she recalls.

PHOTO: COURTESY UNBRIDLED RETREATS

Combs, who now calls a ranch on the Littleton and Greenwood Village border home, grew up with horses—both showing and competing—and was ecstatic to be in a horse barn again. She eagerly volunteered to go first in the coterie of women participating in the therapy session that day, women with a mixed bag of disorders—from anorexia to compulsive overeating. And yet the horse before her wanted nothing to do with her.

In fact, it moved as far away from her as it could get. “I felt rejection, like a loser, like I couldn’t even get this right in my life,” Combs recalls. The equine therapist encouraged her to stop trying, close her eyes and simply breathe. “She led me through this brief grounding meditation, and a wall of emotion came forward,” Combs continues. “For the first time in 21 years, I let myself be vulnerable and started wailing.

Something shifted where all my tears and fears came through, and I couldn’t control them. In that moment, the horse turned from the farthest part of the pen to put his head in my heart—his big sweet muzzle lowered right into my chest, and he did not move. He stood with me for five minutes while I was sobbing; his mane was streaked with my tears. It changed my life.”

“However we’re feeling, horses are drawn to it like a magnet.

Ever walk into a party and see someone walking towards you with a smile on their face, but the vibe is totally off and they’re hiding something? Horses can sense that times ten.”

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PHOTOS: COURTESY UNBRIDLED RETREATS

Combs enrolled in a two-year Equine Gestalt Coaching Method certification program (a life coaching model) led by Melisa Pearce in Elizabeth, Colorado. By 2011, she’d founded Unbridled Retreats (originally named Beyond the Arena), which offers all-inclusive threenight, four-day restorative getaways for women from as far away as Switzerland and Australia, as well as private sessions and trips. Combs leads these award-winning retreats in myriad locales, from Colorado’s Devil’s Thumb Ranch to California’s lavish Alisal Guest Ranch.

Hundreds of women have attended over the years, many returning again and again; Canyon Ranch has christened Combs the equestrian of the wellness world.

And while Combs has earned her certificate, none of the horses she works with are trained.

They don’t need to be. “Horses are intuitive,” Combs says. “They’re a prey animal and low on the food chain. A prey animal is ten times more sensitive and intuitive because it’s what keeps them safe in their surroundings. If they sense a threat or negativity, they sense it a mile away and move away if the threat is going to harm them.”

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PHOTOS: COURTESY UNBRIDLED RETREATS

4 WAYS TO CONNECT with your own trusty steed

Want to reinforce the bond you share with your riding mate(s)?

Combs suggests these tacks.

BREATHE TOGETHER. “Physically, I would invite people to stand a few feet away at first and feel the energy field of their horse. And through that, to invite the horse over to them by opening their heart—meaning they’re not overthinking or forcing, but connecting simply by surrendering to the moment. Many, many times a horse will walk right over to you. It’s a lot of intention and visualization: connection without words.”

COUNTRY STRONG. “I love sitting on my horse bareback. To feel that solid strength of a 1.200-pound intuitive animal beneath your own body is insanely powerful. It’s like being in the presence of somebody you really trust and lean into.”

HEART TO HEART. “Place a hand on your horse’s chest, right behind the girth that goes under the saddle. That’s the horse’s heart area. Close your eyes and take three deep breaths— breathing in the horse’s energy and releasing breath back into the horse. A horse’s heart is nine times the size of ours: it weighs nine pounds; ours weigh one.”

JUST BE. “With horses, you can easily get caught up in ‘doing’ and chores. It’s great to just ‘be’ with them. Put a chair out in your horse pasture, sit and watch them graze the grass. It’s meditative.”

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PERRY’S

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Today, Perry’s wants to share more pork chop love… so we’re offering our Famous Pork Chop Lunch special TO-GO on both Wednesdays and Fridays. Come see why it’s famous!

PERRY’S FAMOUS PORK CHOP LUNCH TO-GO WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS | 11 AM – 5 PM Lunch-cut portion of our Famous Pork Chop, served with whipped potatoes and homemade applesauce - $16 ADD AN INDIVIDUAL SIDE - $5 SWEET SRIRACHA BRUSSELS SPROUTS | STEAMED OR GRILLED ASPARAGUS CREAMED SPINACH | MACARONI & CHEESE | THICK-CUT CHARGRILLED VEGETABLES

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HORSE HEALING in COVID-19

Equine therapy and equine gestalt coaching is used to treat everything from PTSD to anxiety and depression.

No surprise, then, that Combs, who offers private sessions at her personal ranch for teens and adults with her own two horses, a pony (Bella) and an appendix mare (Detail), found her horses could help assuage stress during the anxietyridden coronavirus pandemic. “I have had clients come out and find peace in being able to share and express their grief and fears in a safe, nonjudgmental environment. … Horses don’t judge,” she says.

“It’s just honest, direct feedback they’re giving you in any given moment for what’s going on within you. It’s like a mirror.”

One of Combs’s clients had to shutter her massage business after two weeks without clients. “The horse came up behind the woman and wrapped around her, hugging her, to show her love,” Combs recalls.

PHOTO: COURTESY UNBRIDLED RETREATS

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Even the daily horsecare routine is a blessing in times like these. “I have found solace just going out and being with Bella and Detail,” Combs says. “Mucking out their stalls, brushing them ... I took a chair out yesterday and sat in my lawn to just be in their peaceful presence. It’s so helpful to feel the ground beneath our feet, breathe and live in the moment.”

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All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) nor Kentwood Real Estate shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless.

PHOTOS: COURTESY UNBRIDLED RETREATS

Over the years, Combs has seen horses interact with her clients in fascinating ways, like moving behind them to supportively nudge them as they talk about their goals, wondering if they’re on the right track. “However we’re feeling, horses are drawn to it like a magnet,” Combs says.

“Ever walk into a party and see someone walking towards you with a smile on their face, but the vibe is totally off and they’re hiding something?

Horses can sense that times ten. They call people out on their B.S.” Says former Unbridled Retreats guest Betsy Wagner, who grew up in Cherry Hills Village and now lives in Denver: “Having a horse there helped me be less afraid to share my concerns and things I’ve been struggling with. It’s like a therapy dog that is 100 times the size, but just as gentle.” Wagner remembers the horse coming closer to her when she used positive language and moving farther away when she focused on the negative. “I’m not a big touchyfeely kind of person and I don’t necessarily buy into the holistic healing belief. However, seeing the animals react and physically respond to emotions, body language and what people were saying was transformative,” she says. “I have a new view on what animals can perceive—if we just pay attention.”

UNBRIDLED RETREATS

303.547.0848 unbridledretreats.com

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Leave it to Katie Hiatt, founder and managing editor of South Denver Moms, to sum up the season’s mood for families in one neat phrase: “Summer vacation! feels a lot more like ‘summer vacation.’” Hiatt shares tips, activities, events and more with more than 1,500 area parents and businesses through her resident arm of The Local Moms Network, an online resource for almost 300,000 families nationwide.

The mother of two is dedicated to bettering family life. That’s why Hiatt and Cassidy Morris, camp director at kids camp outfit Avid4 Adventure, headquartered in Boulder, make a superb team for taking summer days at home to the next level.

Get ready—the kids are going to love this.

By Kendall Kostelic

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“Camping at home can be an awesome way to prepare for camping in remote areas in the future.

Go through all the things you would think about as if you were actually in the wilderness: making sure you find a flat, smooth spot for your tent, checking the weather, maybe having a discussion on what animals you might see.” – Cassidy Morris

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Plan the best backyard campout ever

3. Stargaze like an astronomer—with these insightful apps. To get going, just aim for the stars with your device camera: each curates a real-time view of the sky pinpointed by your location. The more you explore the apps, the more benefits you’ll get—like views of the sky at different moments in time (past or future) and images of deep-sky objects.

Or let the kids create an outdoor room with indoor blankets, pillows and beanbags.

STAR WALK 2 Available on iOS and Android, starwalk.space The kids will love: the “Visible Tonight” section, which lists upcoming sightings from your location, and the app’s atmospheric sound effects.

1. Boost the campsite with a nontraditional tent. “If possible, hiring a company that specializes in setting up fun and festive tents for parties—who can set up in the backyard, basement, anywhere you want—will make the kids feel like they’re at sleepaway camp,” Hiatt says.

“This isn’t everyday stuff: You’re not going to bring in one of those tent companies every week,” Hiatt says. “Kids see these activities as ‘oh we’re not doing normal everyday stuff’ and it gets them excited.”

2. Cook like you’re really camping. The more rustic and inventive the recipes—and the more you cook outside—the better. “It can feel intimidating to take on camping-style cooking with kids, especially young kids,” Morris says. “But from a life skills perspective, it’s a fun way to practice creativity and flexibility.”

S’mores 2.0: Crȇpes & S’mores

Courtesy the Dia sisters behind Le French; makes about 12 crêpes INGREDIENTS 2 cups milk 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour (or favorite gluten-free variation) 4 eggs, lightly beaten 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 teaspoons lemon zest 1 tablespoon granulated sugar ½ teaspoon salt Butter (for cooking) Graham crackers, chocolate squares and roasted or unroasted marshmallows Choice of fillings: chocolate sauce, roasted peanuts, fruit spread, fresh fruit, etc.

SKYVIEW LITE Available on iOS and Android The kids will love: following the sun and moon to their exact locations.

STAR CHART

Available on iOS and Android The kids will love: learning what the sky looks like on the other side of the world—simply point your camera toward the ground. »

TOOLS FROM THE HOUSE Large bowl Whisk Crêpe pan or small, nonstick sauté pan Small ladle Camp stove

INGREDIENTS 1 red and 1 green bell pepper 1 sweet potato Handful of cherry tomatoes Roughly 1 tablespoon oil 1 can pinto beans 1 can black beans 1 can corn Onion flakes Garlic powder Cumin Chili powder Salt and pepper Garnish with shredded cheese, cilantro and other favorite chili toppings TOOLS FROM THE HOUSE Large pot Mixing spoon Knives and cutting board Camp stove METHOD Chop bell peppers and sweet potato into small pieces. If you prefer, cut tomatoes in half.

Heat oil in a pot on medium heat and toss in peppers. Cook for about two minutes, stirring occasionally. Add everything except garnishes to the pot with whatever ratio of spices you prefer. Cook until sweet potato pieces are soft.

If chili looks too thick, add water and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve with toppings.

Once cooked, re-place crêpes in the pan at low heat. On only half of a crêpe, spread your sauce of choice, sprinkle with fruits or peanuts and layer graham crackers, chocolate pieces and marshmallows. Fold crêpe in half like a quesadilla. Flip, cooking until chocolate and marshmallow(s) melt. Plate, cut into triangles and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Can we roast marshmallows over a gas firepit?

Most enthusiasts and experts say absolutely!

The propane or natural gas used in firepits is the same fuel that powers barbecue grills. It should be noted, however, that gas firepits are not typically considered or safety-tested as cooking appliances.

Do be sure the family knows to be extra careful while roasting: Instead of gooey marshmallow drips getting burned away, the bits will stick to your faux logs or glass—your firepit media— and/or burner. If enough of those gather, the drippings could impede your firepit’s system and become extremely difficult to clean. So, keep watch while roasting and clean your burner and media often.

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PHOTO JULIAN PAUL ON UNSPLASH

The Simple Main: Avid4’s 2 Bean Chili

METHOD In a large bowl, whisk together milk and flour until batter is smooth and lump-free. Add eggs, vanilla, lemon zest, sugar and salt. Whisk until smooth. Heat pan over medium heat and grease with a small amount of butter. Spoon about one ladle’s worth of batter into the hot pan, tilting the pan so the bottom surface is evenly coated with batter. Cook over medium heat for about two minutes until golden. Flip crêpe and cook for about one minute. Repeat.

Make your own art studio

“Paint” Bubble Prints

Concoct Puffy Sidewalk Paint

INGREDIENTS AND TOOLS 1 teaspoon food coloring per color ½ cup water per color 2 tablespoons dish soap per color Straws Paper

The supplies you’ll need for these projects: flour, water, shaving cream, food coloring, dish soap, bowls or gallon freezer bags, condiment bottles, toothpicks, straws, paper and markers, crayons or colored pencils.

“I liked puffy paint as a kid and my 3 ½-yearold daughter, Willa, is sometimes finicky about chalk dust,” says Hiatt, who also has a 10-month-old son, Elliot.

INGREDIENTS AND TOOLS 1 cup flour 1 cup water ½ cup shaving cream Food coloring Gallon freezer bags or bowls Condiment bottles Toothpicks

“My mother-in-law is a teacher and sometimes gives us teaching books and magazines. This activity came from one of those,” Hiatt says. “It makes the coolest pictures: My daughter’s looks like something you might actually hang in the house.”

METHOD Combine food coloring, water and dish soap.

Have the kids dip straws into the mixture(s) and blow bubbles onto paper.

METHOD Combine flour, water and shaving cream.

Divide mixture into freezer bags or bowls. Add food coloring to each (as much as you’d like) and mix, making sure there are no clumps.

Cut one corner of each bag and squeeze, or carefully pour from bowls, into empty condiment bottles. Secure bottle tops, and paint! Toothpicks help reopen bottle tops if anything clumps later.

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THE AVID4 DAILY ROUTINE

Mindful moment: Sound Map

How Morris frames mindful activities: “I like to think of our minds as puppies,” she explains in a recent video Avid4 shared with virtual campers. “Puppies get really excited and sometimes have a hard time focusing.

Sometimes that’s our minds: We get distracted.

And we don’t want to get mad at ourselves—we wouldn’t get mad at the dog. We just want to remind our minds to be present and focus on what’s happening right now.”

1. Start with the respect talk. Avid4 camp leaders begin a typical summer camp day/week outlining what kids need to do to be considerate. “We have the acronym Respect PONY,” says Morris. “Each letter stands for a piece of the respect puzzle: the P is property, the O is others, the N is nature—if we’re going on a hike we’re not picking flowers, for example—and the Y is yourself. This talk is brought up again if needed.”

TOOLS Markers, crayons or colored pencils Paper

2. Decide intentions with goal setting.

“It’s kind of challenge by choice: going after challenges kids feel comfortable pursuing within activities that day.”

METHOD Have the kids draw themselves as stick figures in the center of a piece of paper. Set a timer for a few minutes and tell them to quietly listen to the sounds around them. Whenever they hear a noise, they guess where around them that sound is coming from. Then, they draw the object making the sound within that area on their paper—using whatever color of crayon, marker, etc. they feel best fits the noise.

3. Debrief at the end of the day. “We give everyone a chance to reflect on their day—maybe talking about high points, maybe low points and then having them say something they’re looking forward to.”

If they hear a dog barking in front of them, for example, they draw a puppy toward the front of their paper (in front of their stick figure). They continue until time is up. Have the kids share their drawings and explain what they heard.

Have teens around?

Have them try splatter painting, Morris says.

1. Choose a “canvas” (like butcher paper) and an area in the backyard to paint in. Hang that piece of butcher paper between two trees or lay it on the ground, weighing down the corners.

2. Pick a splattering tool—a paintbrush, spray bottle, flyswatter, etc.

3. Fill containers with paint and enjoy. » Splatter painting steps courtesy School Specialty

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Send them on treasure hunts

Outdoor and indoor obstacle courses and scavenger hunts are a blast, says Hiatt’s daughter Willa—and a number of other Local Moms Network kids. Routes and lists can be catered to any age group.

Create an outdoor obstacle course:

☐ Plan your course: How elaborate will it be?

What’s the finish line? “With younger kids, include up to four to five items,” Hiatt says.

“Beyond five, my daughter is like, ‘what am I doing here?’” ☐ Pick your obstacles. Any outdoor playthings and movable, safe indoor items are fair game.

“If you’re going to add a water element, you do need to be more cautious with the obstacles you include,” she adds. Hiatt has used a hula hoop, cones, baby pool and even an inflatable slide. ☐ Set a timer.

Create an indoor obstacle course:

☐ Stock up on painter’s tape, which will create the route. ☐ Prepare the map. “Think about things kids can crawl through and step over, and stops they should make,” Hiatt says. “A lot of parents have done sections where kids have to turn around three times or do four jumping jacks.

Allow them to go places or do things that they wouldn’t normally do, obviously thinking of safety first.” Indoor courses can be a little longer than outdoor courses. ☐ Set a timer.

SOUTH DENVER MOMS

Now, on to scavenger hunts.

southdenvermoms.com

“We’ve done outdoor versions my daughter completes on walks, but the other really fun way to do this—and is something my daughter just asked about today—is with an indoor hunt,” Hiatt says. Pick from the myriad of lists available online or make your own.

AVID4 ADVENTURE 720.605.3647 avid4.com

PHOTO LINDSEY BLOGS

a water table and had them—really, my daughter—wash that food,” Hiatt says. “My daughter had fun bubbly water to wash the toys in, she rinsed everything off in a big bucket of water and then she literally threw the toys onto towels I’d laid out.” Baby pools, with proper supervision, work as well as water tables.

Make them feel like movie stars

When they’re dragging their feet to clean up a mess or, say, won’t eat dinner, turn the activity into a filming session. Turn your phone’s camera to time-lapse shooting mode, Hiatt says, and “let them go to town. … My daughter is a very picky eater, so one day I told her we were going to make a video of her eating, which we could watch when she was done. I propped my phone in front of her and she ate that entire meal. She loved watching the video back.”

Transform chores

Fun ways to get the kids to (shhh) help you.

Start a mini “car wash”

In other words, create a fun way for the kids to wash their toys, bikes and more. “I took my kids’ toy food outside, put a ton of Dawn soap in

Race!

“My first summer with Avid4, the camp leadership got instructors to pack more efficiently by doing a relay race,” Morris says.

“There were different stations where we had to complete tasks we normally do at camp, but we had to do them really fast. Whether you’re doing this between siblings or you as the 52

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IF ALL ELSE FAILS, BRING SUMMER CAMP TO YOU In addition to hosting small group adventures and an online camp, Avid4 Adventure summer camps can happen at or around home this season. “With Camp at Home, one instructor will be meeting a group of three to five kids at one of the parents’ homes for a week,” Morris says.

“Parents privately register for the program, so they’ll know everyone going to the set home ahead of time. The instructor will use some curriculum-based learning, but also just a lot of fun activities.” parent are challenging your kid, this will help them practice doing chores and give them a fun memory of doing chores.”

Put them in charge

Kids who have leadership roles, Avid4 has found, are a lot more enthusiastic about completing tasks. “For example, if we’re going on a hike, we’ll make someone the toastmaster, who reminds everyone to drink water,” Morris says.

“If we’re climbing and someone is waiting their turn, we’ll ask them to be the rope wrangler.

The kids get excited because they feel like they have a purpose.”

For more tips and tricks, go to avidlifestyle.com.

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READY TO WEAR

// designer to watch

Both her graduate studies program in decorative art and historic interiors at the University of Buckingham and studying art history at the University of Colorado Boulder added to the love of painting she has had since childhood. But why add paint to designer bags, clothing, luggage and more? “One of my best friends had an older Louis Vuitton purse that she told me she liked, but was kind of plain,” Zavala recalls. After getting the Zavala Bespoke treatment, “she uses the bag all the time.”

Zavala also finds collaborations that artists like Jeff Koons have done with Louis Vuitton inspiring: “People want something that no one else has. I do a lot of monogramming that features characters and colors within the letters.

It’s still classic and simple, but unique.”

It’s On the Bag

To make the magic happen, Zavala and said item owners first agree on a design. Then Zavala

PHOTOS: COURTESY LAUREN ZAVALA

Like any genuine work of art, the story behind ZAVALA BESPOKE’s wearable custom paintings is inherently intertwined with the biography of its creator.

By Suzanne S. Brown

A GUCCI SATCHEL emblazoned with a purple butterfly. A Longchamp tote painted with a lighthouse and ship’s wheel. A Louis Vuitton bucket bag decorated with characters from Alice in Wonderland. Lauren Zavala’s creations, which can be regularly spotted within the south metro area, make onlookers do a double take.

That’s because each design that emerges from Zavala’s studio is a colorful, whimsical art piece you can wear. Her first piece of clothing as canvas was her boyfriend’s black leather jacket.

Decorated with cartoon characters, a skull and other assorted images, the piece drew raves— and questions about where to find other topcoats like it—wherever he went.

COCREATE YOUR OWN Zavala Bespoke zavalabespoke.com

Zavala, a Boulder resident, was studying art in England at the time and traveling around Europe with Braden, her boyfriend, on breaks. During a trip to London she got the idea to use highend apparel and accessories as her medium, using a key tool: Designed for leather, Angelus paint can be applied to purses, shoes, jackets and more, and remain malleable. Waterproof, the paint won’t crack or change color. Hence the reimagining of Braden’s motorcycle jacket and the eventual charge of her company, Zavala Bespoke: to hand-decorate luxury goods with one-of-a-kind “paintings,” created in collaboration with wearers.

“So many people were asking about the jacket that I thought, ‘I guess I can do this while I look for a job,’” Zavala recalls. Three years have come and gone, and she hasn’t looked back. “It was a hobby and a passion project. Then I started getting a fair amount of work, so I figured I could do it as a full-time job. I kind of fell into it,” admits the artist, now 26.

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sketches the idea on the piece. A deglazing material removes the existing outer surface of the item, the area is sanded and multiple coats of a white base paint are applied before color and images are added. “There’s not a lot of room for error,” Zavala admits.

When someone has “no idea what they want, it’s my chance to go crazy,” she says. “My favorite painting style is Pop Art. I also love Impressionism.” Everyone from Claude Monet and Frida Kahlo to such contemporary artists as Ashley Longshore have been Zavala’s muses.

Though based in Boulder, Zavala’s hobbyturned-voguish-métier has made her a favorite creator in this neck of the woods and big and small cities nationwide, as well as a source for those in the limelight: Val Kilmer and Denver style phenom Allison Ruchaber of Peach and Pepper both sport jackets with her handiwork.

Zavala doesn’t rule out the idea of one day creating large-scale works that could be exhibited on gallery walls, but for now she’s content: “I love making art more approachable, sharing it with people and making it relevant.”

INFLUENCERS

// farm-to-table

Gardening 19.0 IN LIGHT OF FOOD SHORTAGES, THE HOME GARDEN HAS BECOME EXTREMELY IMPORTANT—AGAIN.

By Kendall Kostelic

DENVER URBAN GARDENS 303.292.9900, dug.org GROW LOCAL COLORADO growlocalcolorado.org TAGAWA GARDENS 303.690.4722, tagawagardens.com

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INFLUENCERS IT’S BEEN 103 YEARS since Charles Lathrop Pack organized World War I’s National War Garden Commission to encourage Americans to grow food and prevent mass starvation in what became known as victory gardens in WWI and WWII. Think he would be surprised to learn that we’re on round three of practicing his life-saving tactic?

“In WWII, the Denver metro area was one of the quickest communities to respond to Eleanor Roosevelt’s call for victory gardens,” says Barbara Masoner, co-director of Grow Local Colorado, a group of volunteers that encourages growing local community, the local economy and local food. “That first WWII season, we had 41,500 gardens. … Current times are very similar in that there’s a big concern about what people are going to eat. We partnered with Slow Food Denver and The Table to celebrate Earth Day by giving seed packets away.

Within 24 hours of posting our signup sheet for picking up seed packets, we filled almost every single time slot—which is one car for every minute for two hours.”

“There’s this stark reality that people really do need food—some people use our community gardens because they are food insecure,” adds Violeta Garcia, executive director of Denver Urban Gardens, an organization with more than 180 community gardens in the metro area.

Hobby horticulturists in Lone Tree, Cherry Hills Village and more who use DUG plots for the fun of planting “are now looking out for areas that aren’t as fortunate,” Garcia continues.

“We’re encouraging anyone who can produce food to increase production by 10 percent.”

// farm-to-table

There’s proof that we may be in it—gardening for our own tables and, as such, creating a better food chain—for the long haul. The good news? “Interest in growing food has increased over the past few years,” says Luan Akin, garden ambassador at Tagawa Gardens.

“We weren’t ready for this,” Garcia says. “If we had local food systems in place, things would look a little different. But we don’t, so it’s a crisis. We’re hoping we’re essentially changing history in how we look at food production here.”

Let’s take a look at two people already personally planting this idea.

THE HOME GARDENER Normally, Marcia Tatroe would be one of the last people on the planet to leave her two 8-by4-foot raised garden beds empty come spring.

A retired journalist who wrote about gardens for Sunset and authored a gardening column for The Denver Post, she learned to grow plants from black and white Sunset books and her mom when she was young. The activity has been an irreplaceable part of her life since: “I thought gardening was like cooking. It never occurred to me there are people who don’t garden.”

But the dinged paint and siding that have been on the exterior of her Centennial home do not fall under normally. “Our house was very badly damaged by hail two years ago and, because I have a garden around the house, nobody wanted to paint it,” she says. “So now, my husband is out there painting and a relative, who’s a contractor, is replacing the siding. Because of that, my normal vegetable garden is gone right now.”

YES, you should START a produce GARDEN IN JUNE “A lot of people tend to think they missed the gardening boat in June, but last year we had to replant a lot of our gardens in early June because we had an unusual frost,” says Barbara Masoner. Here, helpful tips and tricks for your plot.

TIPS

TRICKS

SET UP in a very sunny spot

TALK ABOUT YOUR PLANTS (and, if possible, test your soil): “CSU Extension has offices in every county in the metro area,” Masoner says. “They are an incredible source of information. Their lab in Fort Collins tests soil samples. However, they aren’t doing as many tests this year because of COVID-19. CSU Extension does usually have a hotline. So, if you have an insect on your crops or your leaves are yellow, give them a call to find out what you need to do.”

START SMALL: “Otherwise it can get overwhelming,” Masoner says.

ALWAYS WORK ON YOUR SOIL: “Soil is essential,” Masoner continues. “Incorporate compost and organic matter.”

PLANT THESE NOW: ☐ Basil ☐ Beans ☐ Beets ☐ Carrots ☐ Celery ☐ Cucumbers ☐ Greens (kale, bokchoy, spinach, lettuce) ☐ Onions ☐ Pumpkins ☐ Tomatillos ☐ Tomato and hot pepper seedlings ☐ Winter squash ☐ Zucchini

CHANGE UP YOUR TECHNIQUES. Luan Akin’s recommendations: 1. “This year, I’m trying Roots Organics [ready-touse grow bag]. It’s a big bag of soil that you can plant a tomato plant directly into, using the bag as your container. We’re hearing it gets really good results.”

2. “A few years ago, I started planting in conditioned straw bales.”

3. “I think people underestimate the value of putting a trellis on something and growing up.”

HAVE A PROTECTION PLAN for bad weather: “Do you have spare tomato cages you can throw over your plant or some cloth you can clamp down?”

Akin says. “I’ve been known to put empty

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trash cans over something. Try laundry baskets.

Or back your patio chairs up to your plant and lay something over the chairs.”

START WITH HELP: “DUG has always specialized in community gardens,” says Violeta Garcia. Part of the nonprofit’s COVID-19 response has been to expand that focus to include backyard gardening with new To-Grow Boxes. Launched in April, the boxes are gardening kits designed to provide nearly everything needed to grow food at home (excluding soil and tools).

A “pilot” program of 1,000 boxes were up for grabs in April, ready to distribute May 12. Each set included two custom 10-by-10-foot plot layouts, 20 seedlings, 10 seed packets and a succession plan to provide food into fall. For every box ordered, DUG donated a To-Grow Box to an area family fighting food insecurity. Boxes could also just be bought and donated.

More To-Grow Boxes could be ready soon: “For now, we want to see what’s needed in the community to decide where we need to grow,” Garcia says. What is open to the metro public: “Our online gardening tools, launched May 12 with the boxes, are available for free for several months,” Garcia says. “Anyone can become a member to gain access.”

INFLUENCERS

// farm-to-table

PHOTO: COURTESY GROW LOCAL COLORADO

PHOTO: COURTESY DENVER URBAN GARDENS

combination of drought-resistant perennials, black currants, lovage—which is kind of like celery—and rhubarb.

SAMUELS COMMUNITY GARDEN

So, Tatroe is restrategizing to meet produce basics in the wake of COVID-19’s food shortage.

“I was just thinking about this,” she says. “I heard a story on, I believe, NPR about how there might be shortages of greens and things here because they can’t find people to harvest. So, I’ll put vegetables in the large pots and whiskey barrels I usually put flowers in.”

Really, says the gardener, current needs align with the values consistent gardeners already live out: “I always grow extra to share.” And mentally, people who garden or can garden are lucky, she continues: “Most of the time when you’re gardening you either have a plot or property. When the stay-at-home order happened, it didn’t change my life much—this time of year, if it’s not raining I’m gardening. We can have this instant escape.

EMPOWER RETIREMENT’S COMMUNITY GARDEN

“This is likely going to last for a year,” Tatroe adds. “And there’s only so many puzzles you can do. I say that because I tried to order puzzles online and you can’t get one right now.”

THE ADVOCATE “My wife and I were ahead of the curve,” Tom Abood says of his home garden in Centennial.

“Since I’m so local and climate change oriented, six years ago we retooled our whole yard with a combination of permaculture and drought-resistant plants. We had grass and lawn, which was driving me crazy because of the water consumption and energy waste. So we got rid of it.

“My goal was to have edibles or perennials wherever you walk. In the front we have a

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“Then you walk toward the back and get into probably 50 yards of strawberry beds. We planted a peach, sour cherry, sweet cherry and plum tree. And we have two apple trees and planted grapevines that produce incredible white table grapes. And then I have six raised garden beds where I grow a variety of vegetables.”

Abood believes in sustainability and supporting local food efforts. He vested out of Wall Street roughly a decade ago to put his investments towards local food through organizations like Slow Money and, for a time, his own LLC, Local Matters Investments. “Slow Money—similar to Slow Food, which I’m also involved in—was created to bring our money back to Earth: to devest out of those global casinos like Wall Street and really try to create a good local economy. At Local Matters Investments, a group I started with about 24 locals, we tried to help farmers and food producers. By the time Local Matters closed, we probably moved more than $300,000 to small food producers.”

Abood also detests food waste: Last year, he shared something like 300 pounds of squash with food pantries. At home, “what’s really been gratifying is to see neighbors start emulating what we’ve done,” he says.

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INFLUENCERS

// the artist

PHOTO: COURTESY CHRISTIAN DORE

CHRISTIAN DORE IN HIS STUDIO

Second Nature

PICTURE A FAVORITE COLORADO SETTING. Now, imagine that view being reinvented with the kind of creative shapes, playful hues and artistic talent that comes alive every time you step past. That is a CHRISTIAN DORE painting.

By Brittany Anas

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INFLUENCERS

// the artist

JOURNEY

TWENTY-ONE YEARS AGO, now-renowned abstract painter Christian Dore moved from London to Colorado and found himself a lovely new challenge.

“When I moved to Colorado—after squinting for about six weeks because it’s so much brighter here than London—I realized we have this wonderful environment with wildlife and an abundance of color,” says Dore, a Centennial resident whose acclaim stems from his talent for mimicking Mother Nature’s colors and shapes through intense tints, a blend of techniques and whimsical hints of his starting subject matter. “With the extreme changing of the seasons, it’s always lively and there’s always inspiration to paint.”

A graduate of England’s Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design with a background in television and animation (with work at the BBC, Nickelodeon and MTV), Dore transitioned to becoming a full-time artist here. Influenced by Colorado scenery, he finds importance in feeling insignificant in a field of wildflowers or at the base of the foothills. Below, he shares how untamed vistas transformed him to the celebrated, award-winning

So, you want to make

CREATING ART your next hobby

RED ROCKS artist he is today—showcased through more than 15 exhibits and installations and a treasured talent of private collections worldwide.

When did you first realize you were an artist?

“My artistic journey is honestly my whole life.

Sometimes people will ask me: ‘How long did it take you to make this painting?’ I’ll say, ‘It’s taken 49 years to paint that painting.’ I remember thoroughly enjoying drawing early in my life and I realized from a young age I wanted to follow a creative avenue. I loved to draw; it was something I would do to relax. I’ve always enjoyed trying to create something from nothing.

“After I went to art college, I took a job in graphic design and animation. I enjoyed working in television, but as a creative you need an outlet to express yourself so I always had my artwork to fall back on. If I ever had a bad day at work, I would come home in the evening and force myself to paint.

Within an hour, I’d feel much better.”

PELICAN STUDY christiandore.com

PHOTOS: COURTESY CHRISTIAN DORE

CHRISTIAN DORE

Tell us how your Centennial State views come into play.

“My surroundings are in my subconscious. I know my work doesn’t look like trees, but it’s an impression.

I don’t tend to paint what I see; it’s more that I paint what I remember. So, the details are broken up—almost like a puzzle. I also have a lot of hidden elements within paintings. As in the wild, animals blend in beautifully. I have an expression: ‘I struggle constantly to try and create nature, yet nature effortlessly has no problem creating itself.’”

Where in Colorado do you draw the most inspiration?

“My biggest source of inspiration is Grand Lake.

I have a cabin up there. Once, there was a moose right outside the place. He didn’t move and I just sat there and sketched him. That’s heaven for me. I also find inspiration in the foothills and Red Rocks. I like to walk around sketching in the Denver Zoo and along the High Line Canal.”

As an abstract artist, how do you recommend people shop for abstract art?

“If you see a piece you love, buy it. Don’t worry about matching the color of your couch or other décor in your home. You want art that stands out.”

RACCOON UNDER THE MOON

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With all of the time we are spending at home and the very real need for activities that will help relieve stress amid the COVID-19 pandemic, “this is the time for art,” says Dore, who also teaches abstract sketching and painting classes.

“This is the time for people to create and experience it.”

His tips:

1.

Let go and express yourself.

In class, Dore starts with simple shapes that overlap.

“Everyone has shapes in their heads,” he says. Dore encourages students to put those shapes in a sketchbook. It helps switch on the artistic side of your brain, much like a writer shaking writer’s block.

“Once you’ve developed your shape, we focus on overlapping it to create other shapes you hadn’t planned, therefore creating something in the subconscious,” explains the artist. The process allows you to “let go.” Dore says once he realized he had no control over his work, and there were no boundaries or rules, his creativity flourished.

2.

If you’re struggling to decide on a color palette, escape

into nature and become inspired by the hues. Dore uses just three colors for most of his pieces and finishes with an accent color.

“The great thing about using just three colors is that, when you experiment with mixing them together, tons of different color variations are created,” he says.

3.

Incorporate a “trademark item.” Dore hides a door hinge

in the bottom of his paintings.

It’s an ode to his love for imperfection, which he discovered when working summer jobs on construction sites—he was drawn to the beauty of rusty hardware. He has even thought about replacing his signature with the detail.

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Colorado Section

A Vacation for the Books

WAYFARERS

// traveler’s choice

PHOTO: BRANDI O’DONNELL

Bibliophiles have been on the best voyages lately.

Despite travel restrictions, they’ve relished the world over without ever leaving home libraries. We’re, well, taking a page from their books. Get on the road with these four recommended reads from Lisa Casper and Natalie Welch, community relations liaison and reference librarian for DOUGLAS COUNTY LIBRARIES.

GET GOING Douglas County Libraries All available as e-books and audiobooks dcl.org/digital-media

The River by Peter Heller For an adventure—a tale of “desperate wilderness survival,” to be exact—follow best friends Wynn and Jack. In a story constructed by an award-winning Denver writer and author, the two college students set out to canoe the Maskwa River in northern Canada and, along the way, must contend with a wildfire and a potentially sinister plot. “This is a roller coaster of a read, but the writing is so beautiful that the bones of the story—a once-in-a-lifetime trip with your best friend—still come through,” Welch says.

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter This carefully crafted novel’s starting venue will take you across the Atlantic Ocean to the coast of the Ligurian Sea in Italy 1962, where a young Italian innkeeper, Pasquale Tursi, meets an American starlet and is then catapulted into a journey of love, fate and secrets. “This is a gorgeous love story spanning fifty years that travels from Italy to Hollywood,” Casper says. “It draws readers into the inlet along the coast of Cinque Terre, Italy. Jess Walter took fifteen years to write this novel—while also writing others.

You might want to read it repeatedly.”

The Unhoneymooners

by Christina Lauren

PHOTO: LAUREL & IRON

“A vacation gone terribly wrong,” as Welch summarizes this work of fiction, makes for a guaranteed, snickerinducing (because we all have our own regretted getaways) page-turner. The best detail: This narrative takes place in the tropical paradise of Maui. Nemeses Olive Torres and Ethan Thomas decide to take a free honeymoon vacation after everyone else in Torres’ sister’s wedding party gets food poisoning. The pair sets out to enjoy a 10-day beach getaway while pretending to be the now-sick newlyweds, and all hilarity and unexpected romance ensues.

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PHOTO: ABE BOOKS

PHOTO: MYSTERY PLAYGROUND

By Ali Longwell

The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature, and Fowl Obsession

by Mark Obmascik Three men, a 365-day birdwatching competition, 275,000 miles traveled and, oh yeah, a very true story—sound intriguing?

In 1998, three men joined in the annual continent-wide birdwatching contest known as a Big Year. As the birders bounced coast-to-coast on the mission, the race became an all-out battle.

In this retelling by author and journalist Mark Obmascik, which became a fictionalized 2011 film, you’ll visit deserts, swamps and more across North America as these comrades seek victory.

“You’ll get sucked into this wild adventure,” Casper says.

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