Boulder Weekly 11.14.2024

What’s the tea? What’s the tea?

Five BoCo spots to sip a comfy, cozy cup of cheer P. 10

Courtesy: Buntport Theater

COMMENTARY

STRONGER PARTNERS

How nonprofits can better align to help our unhoused neighbors

BY LIBBY OGLETREE

Boulder Feet Forward is known for our Tuesdays in the Park event. Ours isn’t the only meal being served to Boulder’s unhoused community throughout the week, but it’s one of the larger events of its kind.

We bring 13 tables and load them with pet care supplies, clothing and gear, socks and gloves and hats and hand-warmers, hygiene supplies chosen and informed by lived experience (wipes are more useful than soap); water bottles; hot coffee and other beverages; snacks to go, including fruits and vegetables; and a bagged lunch. All this is in addition to our full, hot meal, prepared by a trained chef, which always includes a complete serving of protein and a heaping scoop of dignity.

We’ve brought care and intentionality to making this event what it is: not just a way to get some much-needed calories into unhoused

folks, but truly a gathering — a place to bring community together. When I first took over the events for Feet Forward, I began to learn the landscape of providers that worked in the same community. There was the Works Wagon, a harm-reduction outreach program from Boulder County Public Health, taking the opportunity to reach the large numbers of people that the meal draws. Through a fundamental misunderstanding of what harm reduction actually entails, the Works Wagon had been alienated, moved further and further to the fringes of our event before I took it over, barely tolerated and unappreciated for providing safe-use supplies like needles, test strips and crucial,

NOVEMBER 14, 2024

Volume 32, Number 13

PUBLISHER: Stewart Sallo

PUBLISHING CONSULTANT: Francis J. Zankowski

EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Shay Castle

ARTS EDITOR: Jezy J. Gray

REPORTERS: Kaylee Harter, Tyler Hickman

FOOD EDITOR: John Lehndorff

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Michael J. Casey, Courtney Johnson, Libby Ogletree, Dan Savage, Lindsay Temple, Toni Tresca, Gregory Wakeman

COVER: Hotel Boulderado

SALES AND MARKETING

MARKET DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: Kellie Robinson

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE: Matthew Fischer

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Chris Allred, Tony Camarda, Austen Lopp

SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER: Carter Ferryman

MRS. BOULDER WEEKLY: Mari Nevar

PRODUCTION

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Erik Wogen

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Chris Sawyer

CIRCULATION

CIRCULATION MANAGER: Cal Winn

CIRCULATION TEAM: Sue Butcher, Ken Rott, Chris Bauer

BUSINESS OFFICE

BOOKKEEPER: Austen Lopp

FOUNDER / CEO: Stewart Sallo

As Boulder County’s only independently owned newspaper, Boulder Weekly is dedicated to illuminating truth, advancing justice and protecting the First Amendment through ethical, no-holds-barred journalism and thought-provoking opinion writing. Free every Thursday since 1993, the Weekly also offers the county’s most comprehensive arts and entertainment coverage. Read the print version, or visit boulderweekly.com. Boulder Weekly does not accept unsolicited editorial submissions. If you’re interested in writing for the paper, please send queries to: editorial@boulderweekly.com. Any materials sent to Boulder Weekly become the property of the newspaper.

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overdose-reversing naloxone. They also supply snacks and other gear. During the summer, theirs is the wagon to visit for outdoor essentials like bug spray and sunscreen.

The Works Wagon provides a vital service with kindness and dignity, and I was quick to welcome them back with open arms to participate freely in our event and programming. With a renewed partnership, they have also provided us with naloxone training and sexual health supplies such as condoms.

This fantastic team is just one example of why all who want to provide a service to those in need should be welcome to do so, and why relationships between providers are crucial if we actually care about helping the most vulnerable members of our community.

Our event now hosts a variety of service providers, from Community Court to Annie and Millie’s Place for pet care, as well as outreach at intervals from Recovery Cafe, Mental Health Partners, Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence, All Roads, TGTHR youth shelter and others. Partnerships and communication can only strengthen the missions of all of us working in the same community.

When I took over as program director for Boulder Feet Forward, I was tasked with designing a Peer Support program, per the terms of a grant we’d received through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). I already knew it would be a street outreach program — we would not work from an office but would go into the community and literally meet people where they are: on park benches, in hospital beds, in courtrooms, under bridges, or in the grassy shade of a tree.

Peer support is not giving out a pair of shoes, nor is it serving a meal. The peer support program would have to go further in using lived experience, motivational interviewing and traumainformed practice to help our participants meet their goals for wellness — whatever they may be.

Along the way to meeting personal goals — whether for housing, substance use recovery, physical or mental health, employment, schooling or social needs — there will inevitably arise tasks and

projects. This is where the most vulnerable among us encounter formidable barriers; not just unhoused folks, but people with intersecting identities.

There are resources to be had: organizations that provide free or sliding scale mental health support and counseling, legal services, shelter, assistance with substance use recovery, medical care and housing. Boulder has one of the densest concentrations of nonprofits in the country.

avail themselves of available programs and services.

And yet, so starkly missing is anything resembling a roadmap to these services that my team often finds ourselves acting as resource navigator navigators. When we help folks plot their trajectories, often the list of appointments, different organizations they’ll need to involve and the sheer difficulties of taking the first step looks daunting.

Trying to get help is a full-time job.

But those of us who work among populations who have been marginalized and invisible for years, sometimes decades, find that the amount of savvy, effort and persistence it takes to navigate these services is a steep barrier, one that eventually becomes insurmountable as burnout, disillusionment and sheer trauma increase over time.

There are resource navigators, organizations who exist to help people

Ridge. No more will we operate as our own 501(c)(3) organization; rather, we’ll function as the outreach branch for an outfit that already operates two excellent programs. The Lodge offers shelter and navigation services for women and transgender people, and Mother House is a residential program for pregnant women and those with young children.

By joining with an organization already providing services that overlap our own in many areas, we can strengthen our mission. Maybe more importantly, we can increase how holistic our assistance is to those most in need.

As the issues and crises we face locally and globally mount, it can seem like we’re short on solutions. But there are solutions out there, creative minds at work on our worst issues and selfless workers doing all they can to solve every last piece of every puzzling problem.

Good old Mr. Rogers famously said “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”

I’m honored that a part of my job is to do just that. While we will continue unflinchingly in that role, perhaps it’s time for the community of helpers to raise our flags higher, to better pave the pathways to our doors and to create partnerships and roadmaps between us.

Perhaps doing so will empower those who want to become helpers, but haven’t known where to place their efforts. Would you have done anything differently if you’d known what to do with all the apples your tree dropped this fall? Or where to take the boots that fit your kids last winter?

The longer the wait, the more piecemeal the help on offer, the more potential there is for people to give up.

We exist to help people through those various processes, even when we have to hike into the canyon to deliver bad news, hold a hand under a bridge or walk into an encampment to make an appointment. That’s what we do, and we do it because it’s necessary.

Recently, Boulder Feet Forward announced its partnership with Haven

And perhaps the creation of a robust, well-communicating network of providers will shed enough light that even the most jaded of our marginalized, vulnerable populations could better see their way.

Libby Ogletree is now the program manager of Boulder Feet Forward at Haven Ridge and the executive chef who prepares the Tuesday meal. She is a Boulder native and aspiring artist.

Courtesy: Libby Ogletree

SUPERIOR HOME RULE CHARTER VOTER GUIDE

Special election set for Dec. 10

BY KAYLEE HARTER

The general election may be over, but Superior voters have one last vote to cast.

After a clerical error led to the town’s home rule charter question being left off the Nov. 5 ballot, Superior is conducting a special election on whether to adopt a new governing document. (You can read the full document at bit.ly/ SuperiorHomeRuleBW.)

The charter was drafted by a home rule commission of nine Superior residents elected in 2023.

The goals of the commission were to cause “minimal disruption to existing town laws, add clarity, safeguard values, and enshrine aspects of state charter into ours to hedge against state changes,” according to a website funded by the Yes for Superior Home Rule Issue Committee, of which all the commission members are a part.

Ballots are set to be mailed between Nov. 18 and Nov. 25. Absentee ballots must be requested by Dec. 6 and votes must be cast by the special election date, Tuesday, Dec. 10. The town recommends mailing ballots no later than Dec. 3 to ensure they’re received by Dec. 10. Uniformed and Overseas Citizens (UOCAVA) absentee ballots can be postmarked no later than Dec. 10. Informational sessions hosted by the commission will be held Nov. 14 (5-6 p.m.) and Dec. 2 (7-8 p.m) at the Superior Community Center, 1500 Coalton Road.

Here’s a rundown of what’s on the ballot and how it would impact Superior residents:

Ballot language

Shall the Town of Superior proposed home rule charter be adopted?

What is a home rule charter?

A home rule charter is a governing document that shifts power toward local control as opposed to state statutes. Home rule municipalities can have more control over things like zoning, elections and taxes — though it depends what’s written into the charter.

What happens if voters reject the charter?

The charter commission elected in 2023 will go back to the drawing board. They’ll revise the charter and try again next year.

Can I vote for pieces of the charter but not others?

No. This is an all-or-nothing approval.

What will change?

• According to the Colorado Municipal League, “Home rule municipalities are not required to follow state statutes in matters of local and municipal concern and therefore enjoy freedom from state

• The charter broadens who can run for the town council, specifying only that candidates must be a citizen, be a registered elector of the town, and be a resident of the town for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the election.

• The charter (and simply becoming a home rule municipality) gives Superior broader discretion over eminent domain.

What won’t change?

“It may seem like not much has changed, and that’s kinda the point,” commissioner Ryan Hitchler said at the April 18 public hearing.

• Elections will continue as is, but modifications could be made in the future.

• Even though its name will change, the town council will still include a mayor and six council members. There will not be a ward system.

• It’s still a majority vote for removal of town staff; the only item that would require a supermajority is an emergency ordinance, which takes effect immediately as opposed to 10 days after it is published following council approval.

interference regarding local and municipal matters.” Both commissioners and town trustees pointed to this as a major benefit of adopting home rule, especially in the case of issues like state legislation on local zoning.

• The charter specifies that selling or rezoning any open space would require a vote of the people. Currently, the town would not have to put selling or rezoning open space to a vote.

• The board of trustees would change its name to town council.

• Some home rule municipalities choose to collect sales and use tax directly rather than through the state. However, Superior’s charter keeps the current tax collection structure in place, because it would have been “extremely onerous for Superior to do on its own right now,” said Dalton Valette, chair of the home rule commission.

• The charter does not weigh in on specific issues such as affordable housing, transit, gun rights, off-leash dogs, short-term rentals or “business friendliness.”

• “We wanted to be conscientious of not making it something that a handful of issues made it a hot potato,” commissioner Clint Folsom said at the public hearing.

Other things to consider

• The document can be updated in the future. Valette said the document was meant to be “a stable document but one that is amenable to the changes of the future.”

• Charter amendments must be approved by a vote of the people, and can be referred by town council or by citizen initiative.

• There are more than 100 home rule municipalities in Colorado, including Boulder, Denver, Broomfield, Longmont, Louisville and Westminster.

• Mayor Mark Lacis called it “the right step forward” for Superior.

• All five of the six board of trustee candidates, including two incumbents, who responded to our voter guide questionnaire said they supported the adoption of the home rule charter.

• No one spoke out against adopting home rule in the public hearing. General arguments against home rule, according to the Colorado Municipal League, include:

• The risk of implementing an overly restrictive charter can make conducting town business more difficult. An overly broad charter can also create confusion. (The commissioners “believe we have written a Charter that is explicit in areas of clarification while being flexible enough to changes in the future,” according to their website.)

• “Unless restricted by the charter, a home rule municipality has the potential to exercise more governmental powers than are available to statutory municipalities, which some local citizens may see as a disadvantage.”

How much will it cost?

Adopting a home rule charter will cost an estimated $42,500, according to a presentation from the commission. Those costs include staff time, attorney fees and coordination with Boulder County for elections.

Those costs would come from the general fund. Taxes will not go up.

GOV’T WATCH

BY BOULDER WEEKLY STAFF

BOULDER CITY COUNCIL

On Nov. 21, council will:

• Vote on whether to review plans for a five-story, 50,000-square-foot addition to the St Julien. The project was approved by Boulder’s Planning Board in October despite opposition from nearby homeowners.

• Hold public hearings and vote on: a 20-year lease of the city’s fiber backbone for retail broadband services, changes to parking requirements for development at the city’s AlpineBalsam site, formerly home to Boulder Community Hospital, and adding the Area III Planning Reserve service area expansion to the 2025 update of the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. Read more: bit.ly/PlanningReserveBW.

LONGMONT CITY COUNCIL

On Nov. 12, council:

• Voted down a motion to extend a 30-day moratorium on the extermination of prairie dogs at Dry Creek Park to make room for a planned development to build ballfields, a plaza with interactive water features, restrooms and other amenities. The motion failed 2-2, and their extermination will commence as soon as possible, according to city officials.

The city started relocating the prairie dog colony in July to the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot. According to city representatives, the site in Pueblo is no longer accepting prairie dogs, and there are roughly 50 left that could not be relocated.

• Voted to waive an additional $140,000 in development fees for the Inn Between’s Wesley Townhomes project in order to offset a $550,000 gap in funding. The 11-unit development at 1170 Emery St. will provide

NEWS

transitional housing for low-income people and families experiencing homelessness.

Council voted 3-1 to approve the fee waiver, with three members absent due to their attendance at the National League of Cities summit in Tampa Bay, Florida.

BOULDER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

On Nov. 19, commissioners will:

• Hear a general update from the Boulder County Housing authority and hold a public hearing at this time. Sign up to speak in person here: boco.org/ InPerson-Nov19AM or attend virtually: boco.org/BOCC-Nov19AM

• Hold an in-person Town Hall at the Lafayette Senior Center (103 Iowa Ave.) to meet with local representatives and constituents to discuss the community’s affordable housing needs.

LOUISVILLE CITY COUNCIL

On Nov. 19, council will:

• Swear in the newly elected Ward 1 council member. In unofficial results, Josh Cooperman was leading Joshua Sroge by 22 votes as of Nov. 7.

An automatic recount is required if the margin between the two candidates is less than half a percent. Currently, the difference between the two Joshes is 1.3%, which would not trigger a recount.

The Boulder County Clerk plans to release another set of unofficial results Thursday, Nov. 14. Election results will be certified on or after Tuesday, Nov. 26.

All agenda items are subject to change.

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BOCO, BRIEFLY

Your local news at a glance

FAA SEEKS TO DISMISS BOULDER LAWSUIT

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) took its first formal legal action since Boulder sued the organization in August to seek an allowance to close its municipal airport without the approval of the FAA by 2040.

The FAA filed a motion to dismiss the suit Nov. 1, citing federal funds the city is beholden to which it says would require the airport to stay open indefinitely.

Boulder argues the FAA grants it accepted in the past require the airport to stay open for a maximum of 20 years after the funds are administered. The city has not accepted any federal funding for the airport since 2020, and claims they should be allowed to close the airport when the most recent agreement expires in 2040.

The FAA’s counterpoint cites several grants executed in the last 55 years that allowed for the purchase of land, excluding these agreements from the 20 year operational requirements. Most recently, funds awarded in 1991 were allocated to relocate an airport taxiway. In its filing, the FAA claims that when the city accepted this grant, it also agreed that “it would not sell, lease or dispose of any airport property without FAA approval.”

Boulder is considering closing the airport for environmental and noise concerns, and also sees the land as a potential site for affordable housing.

Earlier this year, community group Airport Neighborhood Campaign had gathered signatures for a ballot measure asking voters to approve converting the airport into affordable housing, but the measure was pulled after Boulder’s “surprise” suit was filed, postponing their efforts until the litigation is resolved.

If the judge dismisses the case, the lawsuit will be resolved in favor of the

FAA. Otherwise, the case will proceed to trial. Scheduling for new federal cases is about two years out, according to the Airport Neighborhood Campaign website.

AFFORDABLE HOMES IN ERIE TO OPEN PRE-APPLICATIONS

Pre-applications for 35 deed-restricted, for-sale homes in Erie will open Nov. 16 to families who meet income requirements. The Cheesman Affordable Homeownership Development, located at 755-765 Cheesman St., is a mixture of two- and three-bedroom attached and detached single family homes.

The residences, constructed by Vertikal Development on land Erie purchased in 2023, are scheduled to be ready for move-in by mid-2025. Homes are available to families of four who earn less than $146,000 annually. Preapplications are available now, and the portal will open Saturday at 9 a.m. For more information, visit: bit.ly/ CheesmanBW.

ERIE MAYORAL RACE, LOUISVILLE WARD 1 ‘BATTLE OF THE JOSHES’ WAGES ON

Multiple races for local government seats are neck and neck as ballots continue to be counted more than a week after polls closed on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

The vacant seat for Louisville’s Ward 1 city council representative between Josh Cooperman and Joshua Sroge

remains unresolved, with Sroge trailing by just 22 votes. The county is still verifying signatures and waiting for overseas ballots, according to a Nov. 7 press release, and the final unofficial results are expected on Nov. 16.

The state mandates a recount if the margin between candidates is “less than or equal to one-half of one percent of the highest vote cast in that election contest.” As it stands, the candidates are separated by 1.3% and do not meet the recount standard.

In the Erie race for Mayor, former mayor Andrew Moore is poised to defeat incumbent Justin Brooks and currently holds a 545-vote lead.

Seats on Erie’s town council are also still up for grabs. The race for the second vacant seat in District 1 continues, with John Mortellaro leading Andrew Sawusch by just 23 votes.

In District 2, three candidates remain in the running for two open seats. Dan Hoback currently leads the vote over Brandon M. Bell and Ben Hemphill by 155 and 370 votes, respectively.

The leading vote getter in Erie districts will serve a four-year term, while second place will serve two years.

In Superior, votes cast to elect three members to the board of trustees are still being tallied. Sandie Hammerly leads Heather Cracraft by just 16 votes for the third seat.

For up-to-date unofficial election results, visit bit.ly/2024Election ResultsBW.

11/15

SATURDAY • 11/16

SATURDAY 11/16

TYLER HICKMAN

TEA TIME

Cozy up with these winter warmer hotspots

BY COURTNEY JOHNSON

DUSHANBE TEA HOUSE

1770 13th St., Boulder

WBith temps dropping and the sun dipping below the mountains earlier each day, now is the perfect time to slow down by enjoying an afternoon tea service that captures the spirit of the season with those you love most. Don your best holiday garb and escape the hustle and bustle with laughter, storytelling and festive tradition at these winter warmer hotspots. Many of these cherished teas sell out, so make a note for next year if you miss out this season.

oulder’s sister city, Dushanbe, Tajikistan, famously gifted the People’s Republic the only authentic Persian teahouse in the Western Hemisphere. Celebrate the holiday season with Tajik chai khana wood-carved decor along with lights, winter greenery and more.

A large selection of teas, house-made chai and tea cocktails highlight traditional tea service with fresh-made festive pastries, finger sandwiches and scones with jam, pastry cream and other accompaniments. The tea service begins with a seasonal amuse bouche (chef’s choice) to set the mood. Food allergies and diets can be accommodated.

Cost: $32 per person / $18 for kids 9 and under Time: 3-5 p.m

Dates: Nov. 11 to Jan. 5, 2025

Reservations: Call 303-442-4993 at least 24 hours in advance

CHAUTAUQUA DINING HALL

900 Baseline Road, Boulder

With the snowy backdrop of the Flatirons, Chautauqua Dining Hall offers traditional tea service with a holiday twist. Expect customary linen table service with a pot of premium tea inside the Victorian-style dining hall, opened in 1898. A three-tier tray brims with scones, finger sandwiches and a mix of sweet and savory festive fare. Food allergies can be accommodated.

Cost: $32 per person / $18 for children 12 and under Time: 2-4 p.m.

Dates: Nov. 11 to Jan. 12, 2025

Reservations: Call 303-440-3776 at least 24 hours in advance

HOTEL BOULDERADO

2115 13th St., Boulder

It’s not surprising that Hotel Boulderado’s Holiday Tea was selected in 2024 as one of the Top 25 Historic Hotels of America Afternoon Tea Experiences. With the stained glass ceiling, tables along a historical mezzanine overlooking a beautifully decorated lobby and linen service, Hotel Boulderado is sure to create beautiful holiday memories.

Choose from a list of premium tea to accompany a buffet of sandwiches, pastries and sweets and all the add-ons. To extend the experience, Hotel Boulderado also offers seasonal cocktails and wine to enjoy posttea. Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options are available as well as accommodations for other food allergies. Dates are sold out through Dec. 22.

Cost: $42 per person / $28 per child / Free for kids 5 and under (served with hot cocoa upon request).

Tax + 20% service fee will be included in your bill

Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dates: Sundays Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Friday, Dec. 27, Saturday Dec. 28

Reservations: Open Table or call 303-440-2892 for parties of eight or more

Courtesy: Hotel Boulderado

Courtesy: Chautauqua Dining Hall

Courtesy: Boulder Dushanbe Tea House

TITLE

THE HUCKLEBERRY

700 Main St., Louisville

Since first opening in 1998, holiday tea has become a tradition for many Huckleberry patrons. Gather your closest loved ones to enjoy a pot of their well known huckleberry peach pie tea, seasonal teas of the month or many other black, white and herbal offerings.

Music softly plays in the background as you enjoy three towers of sandwiches, pastries and comforting, baked-fresh-daily sweets. Food allergies can be accommodated. Request the room with the fireplace for a cozier and quieter experience. Leave with wonderful memories plus a token of appreciation: a small gift bag with a sample of tea, cookies and truffles.

Cost: $24 per person / $15 for children under 9

Time: 2-3 p.m.

Dates: Daily, November to January

Reservations: Call 303-666-8020 at least 24 hours in advance

ST JULIEN

900 Walnut St., Boulder

Like walking on the set of a Hallmark film, the Gingerbread Tea at St Julien gives all the holiday feels. From carols to classics, live jazz tunes fill the air as you enjoy a selection of premium tea, petit fours, savory sweets and finger sandwiches from a tiered tray. Children will feel like little chefs, donning aprons and hats while they decorate gingerbread cookies.

Consider bringing an unwrapped toy for the annual toy drive presented by There with Care, a Boulder nonprofit supporting children and families facing critical illness. Don’t forget to snap a card-worthy pic by the large tree at the hotel entrance before you leave. Food allergies and diets can be accommodated.

Cost: $49 per person/ $29 for children 6-12 / Free for children 5 and under Time: Noon to 4 p.m.

Dates: Sundays Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29

Reservations: Open Table or call 720-406-9696 for parties of eight or larger

Courtesy The Huckleberry

Courtesy The St Julien

MUSIC

‘EVERYTHING IS MOVING’

Peter Sagar of bedroompop act Homeshake gets his feet underneath him

BY LINDSAY TEMPLE

Though beckoned by late-night recording sessions and cat cuddles, Peter Sagar will have to wait until the end of his 34-date North American tour before he can return home to his Zen zone.

For the Toronto-based artist and former Mac DeMarco guitarist better known as Homeshake, the days on the road start to blend together. Before he knows it, he’s back home — disoriented but grateful.

“It’s sort of like when you’re a kid, and you spin around in circles, and then you try to stand still, and everything is moving,” Sagar tells Boulder Weekly on a recent video call ahead of his Nov. 20 show at Denver’s Bluebird Theater. “What I need to do is immediately socialize when I get home. My instinct is to hide in the house, but that makes it more confusing.”

Sagar’s upcoming Front Range stop will find the self-described “shy” musician promoting two albums from this year, Horsie and CD Wallet. Both released on Sagar’s independent imprint SHHOAMKEE via WARP Records — which boasts electronic pioneers like

Flying Lotus and Aphex Twin — the DJ, vocalist and instrumentalist makes his art not to play sold-out shows, but purely for the love of creating.

“One of the rewarding things I’ve found in my work has been the self-discovery,” he says. “When you’re [in the middle of] the creative process and you’re letting it happen: You have the feeling, and you have the sound, and then you flesh out these little ideas. Then after some time, you start seeing what exactly you were getting at.”

This process has guided Sagar, 34, across seven full-length albums under the Homeshake moniker over the past

decade — including hours of instrumental demos released as the eight-volume Pareidolia Catalog in 2022. But he says nerves surrounding the reception of his music have only increased over the course of his solo career, especially after putting out two albums within three months of each other.

“Doing one record, that is just the job, but doubling down was crazier than I anticipated,” Sagar says. “People have expectations of what you’re supposed to continue doing. It’s something I’ve found difficult in the past, but it’s not something I can control, right?”

‘I’M TIRED OF BEING ALONE’

Sagar keeps producing new music simply because he can’t imagine spending his time doing anything else. That makes sense considering how rapidly his first album of the year, CD Wallet, came to fruition.

The nine-track LP was made in less than three weeks during the months-long process of recording Horsie. The twin records feel like two halves of a whole: The latter is lifted by lofi R&B-inspired cuts such as the dreamy “Simple,” while CD Wallet closes with two minutes of noisy feedback and a final descent into a mosh-inspiring breakdown.

“I had been cataloging little rock riffs in my voice memos on my phone — I would just come up with these little things,” he says. “Then I had all this downtime but was still very active in the studio, so I just decided to flesh them all out.”

Like the video for “Simple,” a psychedelic sojourn in which Sagar singularly absconds with someone else’s ’80s Honda Civic, the wallflower artist regards the process of music-making as meditative and private, though he has hopes of relaxing into the spirit of collaboration with time.

“I am quite guarded with my work. I found a new group of musicians lately who I’ve been enjoying working with, and it’s definitely something I’m trying to fix,” he says. “When I come up with something I think is good or albumworthy, I like hiding it, keeping it to myself … but it’s sort of lonely, and I feel like I’m tired of being alone.”

ON THE BILL: Homeshake with Green-House. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, Bluebird Theater, 3317 E Colfax Ave., Denver. $25

Toronto-based former Mac DeMarco guitarist Peter Sagar, better known as Homeshake, performs Nov. 20 at Denver’s Bluebird Theater. Credit: Matthew Yoscary

Horsie by Homeshake was released June 28; CD Wallet was released March 8. Courtesy: SHHOAMKEE/ WARP Records

THE CRAPPENING

Buntport Theater’s new play is a delightfully disgusting dive into Chicago’s messiest moment

BY TONI TRESCA

Leave it to Denver’s Buntport Theater to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the grossest accident to make national headlines. The experimental company continues its tradition of flushing traditional theater norms down the drain with Eyes Up, Mouth Agape, a riotous take on the infamous 2004 incident involving 800 pounds of shit and a Dave Matthews Band tour bus.

As the bus crossed Chicago’s Kinzie Street Bridge, it discharged sewage, showering an open-air tour boat below — a nightmare scenario of terrible timing. The driver of the bus was eventually fined $10,000 for polluting a waterway and sentenced to 150 hours of community service and 18 months of probation. The band paid the State of Illinois $200,000 and donated another $100,000 to environmental groups.

In a 2009 interview, Matthews told a radio host, “It would be funnier if it was anyone else but me. … I’ll apologize for that as long as I have to.”

SHIT GETS REAL

Buntport’s five-person ensemble, who co-wrote this original play with guest artist Emily K. Harrison of Boulder’s square product theatre, embraces this grotesque story with the same joyous absurdity that has defined the theater group since 1998, diving into the event’s fallout with wry humor, clever design and a slight wink to the audience.

Rather than reenacting the hilariously improbable incident, the creative team wisely focuses on the aftermath, as told by the key “players” involved: the bridge (Erik Edborg), bus (Brian Colonna) and boat (Hannah Duggan), all of whom are anthropomorphized by actors dressed in black with playful models of these objects hanging around their abdomens.

The play’s imaginative set includes a strikingly tall, stylized representation of

the Sears (er, Willis) Tower on one side, as well as a central projection screen that anchors the action and displays live footage from multiple onstage cameras. This combination of detailed costumes and real-time projections creates the

audience, questions whether this incident holds any deeper meaning or if it’s just an excuse for poop jokes. It’s a question the play never definitively answers, but one that allows for gleeful exploration of its own silliness.

WIT AND WASTE COLLIDE

While Rollman’s documentarian orchestrates the proceedings, it’s Duggan and Colonna who steal the show as the hapless boat and the unapologetic bus. Duggan’s boat, dubbed “Chicago’s Little Lady,” is fiery and bitter, delivering her grievances with biting wit. After enduring what was, quite literally, a

talking as a seasoned politician, spinning his own narrative with impressive dedication, despite the smelly evidence.

A BRIDGE TOO MILD

While Duggan and Colonna bring energy and memorable comic timing to their roles, the performances and writing around the Kinzie Street Bridge and the Sears/Willis Tower (Harrison) are less effective. Edborg’s bridge, though intentionally passive and mild-mannered, struggles to maintain the comedic momentum of the show. His dry delivery occasionally works, particularly with his joke about how he is better known for the 1992 Chicago flood than this, but the character often feels like an afterthought to the show’s zany energy.

impression of watching a bizarre but strangely captivating talking-head documentary come to life.

This decision to stage the incident as a series of post-mortem interviews heightens the farcicality while emphasizing the undeniable pathos of each player’s situation. Each character comes to life through interviews conducted by a frantic, truth-seeking documentarian, played with manic energy by Erin Rollman, who passionately (if curiously) seeks deeper meaning in the event.

The documentarian, standing in for both the Buntport team and the

crappier day than most, she is understandably salty, lamenting her fate as an essential cog in Chicago’s relentless tourism industry, forced back into duty almost immediately after the cleanup. Duggan’s sass and indignation make her both sympathetic and sharply funny.

Meanwhile, Colonna’s bus is a delightfully slippery character, playing the devil’s advocate in defense of the (supposedly) innocent Dave Matthews Band. His character exudes confidence and comes prepared with an “alternate bus theory” that blames Linkin Park’s tour bus instead. Colonna’s bus is as smooth-

Similarly, Harrison’s Sears Tower provides some clever laughs, particularly with running jokes about refusing to be referred to as the Willis Tower and her character’s desire to turn the entire ordeal into a musical. The jokes become repetitive, but the writing eventually culminates her arc with a spectacular payoff: a hilariously outrageous musical number that turns “Poopgate” into a chaotic spectacle of song and dance. Eyes Up, Mouth Agape doesn’t attempt to offer a profound message or extract deeper meaning from Chicago’s most infamous moment of public defecation. Instead, it revels in its own ridiculousness, finding comedy in the unlikely convergence of a bus, bridge and boat — and the unforgettable shit that ensued. The show’s refusal to take itself too seriously is what makes it work, offering up escapist, crass humor in a time when laughter feels more necessary than ever.

As we enter four more years of Trump’s America, it is nice to have a place where we can laugh at life’s unexpected chaos, no matter how messy it is.

ON STAGE: Eyes Up, Mouth Agape. Through Nov. 23, Buntport Theater, 717 Lipan St., Denver. Name your price.

Bridge (Erik Edborg), bus (Brian Colonna) and boat (Hannah Duggan) star in Eyes Up, Mouth Agape, recounting the harrowing moment when 800 pounds of sewage was dumped by the Dave Matthews Band tour bus onto a group of sightseers on Chicago’s Kinzie Street Bridge. Courtesy: Buntport Theater

DUST TO DUST

Annaleigh Ashford on isolation and the power of nature in psych-horror film ‘Hold Your Breath’

BY GREGORY WAKEMAN

Her latest film may be the stuff of nightmares, but Annaleigh Ashford will be the first to tell you horror movies aren’t really her thing.

“I’m a scaredy cat,” she says. “It’s not always a genre I’ve been attracted to.”

Ashford’s journey to the screen started with stage lessons as a kid on the Front Range. The Denver-raised artist performed across the region at places like Littleton’s Town Hall Art Center, the now-defunct Country Dinner Playhouse in Denver and the Boulder Theater right here in the People’s Republic.

“I just always loved stories,” Ashford says. “They help you understand the world and understand yourself. That’s at the heart of everything I do creatively.”

But while scary movies might not have been high on Ashford’s list of favorites — she was more shaped by the works of Bob Fosse, Mel Brooks and Martin Scorsese — the 39-year-old artist was ready to throw her talents behind the new psychological horror film, Hold Your Breath.

Set during the Dust Bowl on the desolate high plains of Oklahoma, the film revolves around young mother Margaret Vellum (Sarah Paulson) who, haunted by her past, becomes convinced that a mysterious presence in the dust storms is threatening her family.

Despite her usual aversion to horror movies, Ashford immediately signed on for the role as Margaret’s sister Esther, thanks in part to how writer Karrie Crouse — who co-directs Hold Your Breath with Will Joines — plays with the form.

“There’s such a heartbeat of humanity through the film that makes it even scarier,” she says. “It’s so smart. It’s genre bending, it makes you think and it’s thoroughly entertaining.”

MOTHER NATURE’S DAUGHTER

Ashford was grateful for the role, because it gave her a chance to deepen a bond with her greatgrandparents, whom she had a “sweet relationship with” growing up. They would regularly tell stories about the trauma of living through the Great Depression and Dust Bowl in the 1930s.

“The way they spoke about what happened to them was really striking and it really informed the role,” she says. “It was really special to feel close to my ancestors.”

But family ties aren’t the only thing binding Ashford to her role as Esther.

The importance of environmental stewardship was also on her mind.

“When I read the script, I was immediately struck by this idea that if you treat Mother Nature poorly, she’ll tell and show you she’s not well,” she says. “In this case, it’s set in the period of the Dust Bowl, when we massacred her land in that part of the country.”

Ashford always felt a connection to something “bigger than us as human beings.” She credits this worldview to her upbringing in Colorado, where a love for the outdoors was instilled from an early age.

“It was something so normal to me. I’m so grateful I grew up in a place where I got to put my feet in the river and learn how to fly fish,” she says. “If you put me in the woods for a week, I think I could make it. There’s just a connection to nature from growing up in Colorado.”

‘PLAY IN ALL THE PLAYGROUNDS’

But while her love for her home state is clear, the siren call of New York beckoned the artist from an early age. Her young dreams of stardom were guided by idols like Carol Burnett, Barbara Streisand, Liza Minnelli and Judy Garland.

“These were women who were character actresses, played leading ladies, but were also not the norm. They were in films, television and theater,” she says. “That was my goal. My dream was to play in all the playgrounds you can play in.”

Asked how she looked to achieve that, Ashford quips: “prayer.” But the real driving force was a desire to soak up as much knowledge as possible. “I always believe that learning the most you can about your craft helps you explore your craft.”

This was a lesson she learned from legendary actor James Earl Jones, who died in September at age 93. Ashford co-starred with the acting legend in You Can’t Take It With You on Broadway in 2014.

“Every day he looked at the play as an opportunity to learn something new and grow,” she says.

Those opportunities for growth aren’t limited to performers on stage. Ashford sees Hold Your Breath as a chance for audiences to not just learn more about the Dust Bowl and its parallels to how we’re “navigating climate change right now,” but also to help us process the collective trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The idea of the characters having to stay inside because they’re afraid of what’s outside was really fascinating to me,” she says. “It’s about what isolation feels like and the mental health issues it causes.”

Ultimately, Ashford hopes Hold Your Breath won’t just terrify and enrapture viewers, but will give people a deeper compassion for how they treat the Earth and those struggling with their mental health.

“These two narratives are explored so beautifully through the film, especially how they were navigated in the 1930s,” she says. “That’s the great thing about history: It teaches us and warns us about how to navigate the present and future. While this is a horror film, it will make people think and feel something, too.”

ON SCREEN: Hold Your Breath is streaming now on Hulu and Disney+.

Denver-born performer Annaleigh Ashford co-stars in the psychological horror film Hold Your Breath alongside screen veteran Sarah Paulson. Courtesy: Searchlight Pictures

Hold Your Breath tells the story of a family terrorized by mysterious forces during the Dust Bowl in 1930s Oklahoma. Courtesy: Searchlight Pictures

‘YOU GOTTA BE HERE’

George Nolfi on his Boulder-based sci-fi survivalist flick ‘Elevation’ and the future of filmmaking in Colorado

BY MICHAEL J. CASEY

An exterminating force has arrived. They come from below, kill without prejudice and cannot be destroyed by traditional means. The one thing that’ll stop them dead in their tracks is any elevation above 8,000 feet.

“Well, the script was originally written for above 6,000 feet,” director George Nolfi says. “I was looking at relief maps, and that [elevation] allows for whole parts of the country to be safe.”

So Nolfi bumped the altitude demarcation up a couple thousand feet, which turned safe havens into disparate zones, and the sci-fi survivalist movie Elevation was born.

“It is much more interesting if it can be like islands that are separated,” he says. “You can get to the other island, but you have to risk the raging sea.”

Out now in theaters, Elevation stars Anthony Mackie as Will, a father of a son with a respiratory illness. The child requires pure oxygen to live, which exists thanks to the filtering machine Will and

the small band of survivors living in the mountains west of Boulder have on hand. But they’re running out of filters. The child will die unless Will descends to what’s left of the People’s Republic to restock.

Standing between Will and his son’s life are the monsters, called Reapers, living below 8,000 feet.

“[In] a lot of movies, humans can survive if they’re just careful,” Nolfi, 56, explains. “Here, we’re saying: ‘If you go below 8,000 feet, you might survive for a few days, but then you are going to get killed. But if you stay above, then they’re leaving you alone.’”

‘THE REAL SPACE’

Hence why Elevation was shot primarily in Boulder County: “Once you get to 8,000 feet, you’re talking about the Rockies,” Nolfi said on a recent return trip to Colorado to promote Elevation at the 47th Denver Film Festival and to screen it for CU’s football team. “I always like to try and film in the real space, or the closest thing to the real space.”

That’s what brought the production to Boulder. The refuge in the movie, where the survivors have been living monsterfree for three years, was shot in Gold Hill. When Will leads a small team down the mountain to retrieve the air filters — their ultimate destination is the nowdemolished Boulder Community Health — they employ a chairlift, filmed in Loveland, and an underground mine: Idaho Springs’ Edgar Mine.

Each adds a visual flavor Nolfi was driving to get into his movie. “Otherwise, I’m doing all CGI mountains,” he says. And though “the state and the Boulder community made that easier,” shooting any movie in Colorado is a difficult proposition.

“You’re really pushing a rock up a hill,” Nolfi says. “Nobody in Hollywood wants to do that. Because they can’t estimate what the costs are. And the reason you can’t is because you don’t know how big of a crew base there is.”

‘A DIFFERENT RHYTHM’

As Nolfi explains, since there aren’t many movies or TV shows shot in Colorado, available crews are more experienced with commercials.

“Movies are a really different rhythm,” he says. “We need you for three months. The salary per hour is not what you get if you’re doing a commercial for two days. You can’t take three-day weekends. ... You just don’t know who you’re going to

be able to get, who has the requisite experience.”

That meant Nolfi had to fly the crew in — “and those people are wildly expensive just because of hotels, flights, per diem, weekends, off days” — as well as equipment.

“You have to bring cameras in from Atlanta or LA. You have to bring any kind of specialized equipment in. Specialized trucks to go up into the mountains, you have to bring in from New Mexico,” the Boston-born filmmaker says. “For various reasons, we lost those trucks, so we had to bring them in from LA. So you can see how the costs can spiral.”

If Nolfi shoots another movie here, and he wants to, he’ll have to ask the Colorado government for help increasing the tax incentive — which was 20% when he started financing Elevation

“I’ll have to say, ‘Here’s the two budgets. And they’re pushing me to go shoot in New Jersey,’” Nolfi says.

“Because New Jersey has a 35% tax credit, you can rent everything from rental houses in New York and a lot of actors live there.”

“Luckily, this one, I could make the case,” he says. “For the movie to look distinct ... you gotta be here.”

ON SCREEN: Elevation. is currently out in theaters.

Director George Nolfi filmed his new sci-fi thriller Elevation on location in Boulder and the surrounding region: “Otherwise, I’m doing all CGI mountains.” Courtesy: Vertical Entertainment

Nolfi (center) and Elevation star Anthony Mackie (left) meet Coach Prime. Credit: Tom Cooper/Getty Images

‘HELLO, GORGEOUS’

‘Funny Girl’ joins The Criterion Collection

BY MICHAEL J. CASEY

Ionce spent a week with a family friend in the London suburb of Cheltenham, England. “I call the place ‘Evergreen,’” the lady of the house proudly told me. And she wasn’t referring to the tree, but the Barbara Streisand song from the 1976 version of A Star is Born — a memorable moment from a forgettable movie.

Such is the gravitational pull of Streisand, a megawatt star of the 1960s and ’70s who has dimmed slightly in recent years but never diminished. A shame. But thanks to her 2023 autobiography, My Name is Barbara, and the newly restored and released Funny Girl on 4K UHD from The Criterion Collection, that ought to change. Some people just belong in the spotlight.

Streisand plays turn-of-the-century comedian and singer Fanny Brice, a real-life Ziegfield Folly, and Omar Sharif plays her husband and gambler, Nick Arenson. And Sharif’s dashing good looks don’t go unnoticed. When Brice first meets him, she practically

melts. When she sings of their marriage, she delivers the following lyrics with a comical level of resignation: “To tell the truth, it hurt my pride / The groom was prettier than the bride.”

Funny Girl is loaded with such quips, and they come with such force that the movie’s 155-minute runtime breezes by. It also helps that Streisand landed William Wyler as director. The old Hollywood warhorse had done it all: comedy, drama, romance, Westerns, war pictures, you name it.

At the age of 66, Funny Girl was Wyler’s first musical, but that didn’t slow him down. The movie would go on to become the top-grossing film of 1968 and garner eight Academy Award nominations, including one for Streisand, which she won. That made her the 14th actor Wyler directed to an Academy Award-winning performance. Not a bad track record.

And not a bad debut for Streisand.

From her opening line (“Hello, gorgeous”) to her bring-the-house down finale, “My Man” — with “Don’t Rain on My Parade” and “People” thrown in the middle — Funny Girl captures the allure of one of the 20th century’s brightest talents. Some stars shine. This one sparkles.

ON SCREEN: Funny Girl is available Nov. 19 on 4K UHD and Blu-ray from The Criterion Collection.

Barbara Streisand stars as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl Courtesy: The Criterion Collection

ON STAGE

New York City’s West Village is the setting for the first kiss between Sara and Callie — a moment of tenderness leading to a violent attack that upends the young couple’s lives in Stop Kiss. Running through Nov. 16 at Coal Creek Theater in Louisville, this 1998 drama by Diana Son explores love’s endurance in the face of hatred and bigotry. See listing for details.

ON VIEW

ON THE PAGE

Explore more than 450 artworks by beloved children’s book author Maurice Sendak in Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak, on display at the Denver Art Museum through Feb. 17. Taking its name from the artist’s beloved 1963 classic and featuring drawings, paintings, posters and mockups for books, this ongoing show “signals to all the beauty, whimsy, and mischief that his art inspired over his 65-year career.”

See listing for details

Sociologist and author Gretchen Sisson joins activist and storyteller Renee

Bracey Sherman in conversation about their respective new works, Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood and Liberating Abortion: Claiming Our History, Sharing Our Stories, and Building the Reproductive Future We Deserve The Nov. 17 conversation at Trident Booksellers and Cafe will be moderated by Imani Gandy and Jessica Pieklo, co-hosts of the award-winning podcast Boom! Lawyered See listing for details

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Through Dec. 6, Jesters Dinner Theatre, 224 Main St. Longmont. $35

STOP KISS. Through Nov. 16, Coal Creek Theater, Louisville Center for the Arts, 801 Grant Ave. $28. BW PICK OF THE WEEK

NUNSENSE Through Nov. 17, The Schoolhouse, 19650 E. Main St., Parker. $34

SMOKE & MIRRORS Through Jan. 12, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th St., Boulder. $2

DARCIE SHIVELY: A WOVEN CHANNEL Through Feb. 2, BMoCA @ Frasier, 350 Ponca Place, Boulder. Free

LAURA BRENTON: FULL CIRCLE. Through Dec. 8, Dairy Arts Center - Locals Only Gallery, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder. Free

APPRENTICE TO THE VILLAIN / THE GAMES GODS PLAY BY HANNAH

NICOLE MAEHRER AND ABIGAIL

OWEN. 6:30 p.m. Nov. 14, Boulder

Bookstore, 1107 Pearl St. $5+

RELINQUISHED / LIBERATION

ABORTION BY GRETCHEN SISSON AND RENEE BRACEY SHERMAN

6 p.m. Nov. 17, Trident Booksellers and Cafe, 940 Pearl St. Free. BW PICK OF THE WEEK

RUNNING OUT OF AIR BY LILLI

SUTTON 6:30 p.m. Nov. 20, Boulder

Bookstore, 1107 Pearl St. $5+

EYES UP, MOUTH AGAPE Through Nov. 23, Buntport Theater, 717 Lipan St., Denver. STORY ON P. 13

ANTIGONE. Through Nov. 17, Roe Green Theatre, CU Boulder - University Theatre Building 261. $23

CURIOUS REALMS: STEP INTO ABSTRACTION. Through Jan. 5, Dairy Arts Center - Locals Only Gallery, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder. Free

WILD THINGS: THE ART OF MAURICE SENDAK Through Feb. 17, Denver Art Museum, 100 W 14th Ave. Parkway, Denver. $22+ BW PICK OF THE WEEK

HANGTIME: ARTIST MEMBER ANNUAL EXHIBIT. Through Dec. 1, Firehouse Art Center, 667 4th Ave., Longmont

OTHER PEOPLE’S WORDS: FRIENDSHIP, LOSS AND THE CONVERSATIONS THAT NEVER END BY LISSA SOEP. 6 p.m. Nov. 20, Tattered Cover, 2526 E. Colfax Ave. $30+ (includes book)

WELCOMING BEGINNER’S MIND: ZEN AND TIBETAN BUDDHIST WISDOM ON EXPERIENCING OUR TRUE NATURE BY GAYLON FERGUSON. 6:30 p.m. Nov. 21, Boulder Bookstore, 1107 Pearl St. $5+

TOOTH AND CLAW: A LONGMIRE STORY BY CRAIG JOHNSON 6 p.m. Nov. 22, Tattered Cover, 2526 E. Colfax Ave. $30+ (includes book)

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7-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, Frasier Retirement Community Movie Theater, 350 Ponca Place, Boulder. Free

Got a passion for photography? Grow your craft and connect with neighbors at the Flatirons Photo Club. This month’s meet-up includes a presentation on iPhone photography by Cary Wolfson, followed by a slideshow and image critique by club members.

SIP,

PAINT AND CELEBRATE:

DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS ART NIGHT

6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, Butterfly Pavilion, 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster. $60

Head to the Butterfly Pavilion to celebrate Día de los Muertos with libations and art. Presented in partnership with the Chicano Humanities and Arts Council Gallery, this cultural education event includes two free drink tickets and all the materials you’ll need to paint your own Monarch butterfly masterpiece.

FALL AL FRESCO SIDEWALK SALE & STREET MARKET

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, Main St., Longmont. Free

Get a head start on your holiday shopping with a stroll down Main Street in Longmont. Peruse your favorite shops and boutiques in the open air for the perfect pair of quirky socks, a handmade candle, embroidery kits for your artsy loved ones and much more.

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OLD TOWN SKATE OPENING DAY

11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, The Steinbaugh Pavillion, 824 Front St., Louisville. $10 ($5 with your own skates)

Celebrate the return of Louisville’s community ice rink. Restrooms and concessions are on-site so you can skate as long as you like — there’s no time limit. Practice your pirouettes during daylight hours, or perfect your cha cha slide at night when the rink lights up like a dance floor. Rink will be closed 3-3:30 p.m. for ice resurfacing.

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TEEN CUPCAKE DECORATING COMPETITION

2:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday, November 16, All Boulder Library Branches. Free

Bust out your best buttercream at the first round of this competition for teens and tweens based on the Netflix show Nailed It! Each Boulder library branch will host up to 10 competitors and the top three from each will compete in a final round next weekend. Register at bit.ly/TeenBakersBW.

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HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, Josephine Commons, 455 N Burlington Ave., Lafayette. Free

O’ come all ye crafters to this holiday market featuring jewelry, clothing, prints and crafts from local artisans. For hungry shoppers, there’s also a bake sale and a $6 lunch of cream of broccoli or minestrone soup with a roll. All proceeds go to the events fund at Josephine Commons, an affordable housing development for seniors and families.

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GRITOGETHER MICRO FOOD FEST AND COMPETITION

6-10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, Lyons Farmette, 4121 Ute Highway. $90

This battle for “grits greatness” is hosted by 2024 Chopped winner and 2021 Hell’s Kitchen finalist Chef Cody Candelario and will bring together top chefs from across the state to make their best Farro-based grits. Drinks from Dry Land Distillers and live tunes from blues duo Hundred Pound Housecat will keep the vibes going all night at this “celebration of grains that are good for your health, good for our farms, and good for the planet.”

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CROCHET & CHILL

1-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, Thompson Park, 420 Bross St. Longmont. Free ($2 suggested donation)

Don’t let cooler temps keep you from crafting to your heart’s desire during this monthly session presented by Longmont Crochet Guild. Whether you’re looking to do some work on current projects, help others get the hang of it or have your questions answered by experts, this Crochet and Chill meetup is for you.

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MOLLIE MCGEE’S HOLIDAY MARKET

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16 and Sunday, Nov. 17, Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont. $5

‘Tis the season to be crafty at Mollie McGee’s annual holiday market. Explore over 150 booths decked with handmade crafts and artisan goods from local creators and enter to win raffle prizes throughout the whole weekend. For exclusive early entry and your very own Mollie McGee tote bag, spring an extra $7 for VIP access.

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TEA & TAROT

Noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, Day Day Up Tea, 535 W. South Boulder Road, Suite 210, Lafayette. $35

There’s been a shift in your aura — you need guidance. Luckily, Day Day Up Tea has drop-in Tarot readings from Choose Healing Center to help you on your journey of self discovery. Sip on your favorite tea from a selection of authentic green, white, oolong and fermented blends while a guide reveals your path.

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NEDERLAND THANKSGIVING POTLUCK

Noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, Nederland Community Center, 750 CO-72. Free ($5 donation suggested)

Bring your favorite side dish, dessert or secret family recipe to this three decadelong tradition in Ned. Organizing businesses and community members will provide the classics: turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, vegetables, drinks and coffee. This is a zero-waste event, so bring your own reusable tableware and utensils.

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QUEER + NERDY GAME NIGHT

6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, St. Vrain Cidery, 350 Terry St. #130, Longmont. Free ($2 suggested donation)

Escape the real world at this night of play, snacks, cider and community. Games range from simple and silly (Exploding Kittens, Red Flags) to slightly more serious (Mysterium, Betrayal at House on the Hill). Or skip the games and bring your own project to work on; you’re still welcome at this LGBTQ+ gathering.

Want more Boulder County events? Check out the complete listings online by scanning this QR code.

LIVE MUSIC

THURSDAY, NOV. 14

BOBCAT 6 p.m. BOCO Cider, 1501 Lee Hill Drive, Unit 14, Boulder. Free

RESPONDERS OLDIES BAND 6 p.m. Bricks on Main, 471 Main St., Longmont. Free

JT JONES WITH DAN FROELICH 6 p.m. Bootstrap Brewing Company, 142 Pratt St., Longmont. Free

VIV AND RILEY WITH LAUREN FRIHAUF 7 p.m. The Times Collaborative, 338 Main St., Longmont. $18

BILL GIEBLER. 7 p.m. Muse Performance Space, 200 E. South Boulder Road, Lafayette. $20

CARY MORIN WITH GHOST DOG. 7 p.m. Longmont Museum, 400 Quail Road. Free

AMERICAN AQUARIUM WITH BLAINE BAILEY. 8 p.m. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave., Denver. $38

FRIDAY, NOV. 15

SARAH BANKER. 11 a.m. OZO Coffee, 1015 Pearl St., Boulder. Free

CARIBOU WITH JOY ORBISON AND YUNÈ PINKU. 8 p.m. Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St., Denver.

DANIELLE TODD 5 p.m. The Stillery, 10633 Westminster Blvd., #900, Westminster. Free

FOOD FOR BEARS 5:30 p.m. Left Hand Brewing, 1265 Boston Ave., Longmont. Free

JEREMY GARRETT WITH RYAN CAVANAUGH 5:30 p.m. Stone Cottage Studios, 1928 Pearl St., Boulder. $125

A HUMAN NAMED DAVID 6 p.m. Longtucky Spirits, 350 Terry St., Suite #120, Longmont. Free

TUMBLEDOWN SHACK 6 p.m. Bootstrap Brewing Company, 142 Pratt St., Longmont. Free

ONE MORE TIME: TRIBUTE TO DAFT PUNK 6 p.m. Bounce Empire, 1380 S. Public Road, Lafayette. $29

JASON GREENLAW. 6:30 p.m. Full Cycle Bikes & Colorado Multisport, 2355 30th St., Boulder. $25

SPLINTERED AUTUMN WITH KAPEI. 7 p.m. The End Lafayette, 525 Courtney Way. $13

JERRY GARCIA BLUEGRASS NIGHT 7 p.m. eTown Hall, 1535 Spruce St., Boulder. $20

HANDEL’S JUDAS MACCABAEUS WITH FULL BAROQUE ORCHESTRA 7 p.m. Longmont Museum, 400 Quail Road. $55

MOJOMAMA WITH TAYLOR SHAE 7:30 p.m. Roots Music Project, 4747 Pearl St., Suite V3A, Boulder. $18

HIGH LONESOME (ALBUM RELEASE) 8 p.m. Chautauqua Community House, 301 Morning Glory Drive, Boulder. $25 BW PICK OF THE WEEK

DEADPHISH ORCHESTRA. 8 p.m. Velvet Elk Lounge, 2037 13th St., Boulder. $21

LANDON CONRATH 8 p.m. Fox Theatre, 1135 13th St., Boulder. $15

SATURDAY,

NOV. 16

DANIELLE TODD Noon. The Stillery, 10633 Westminster Blvd., #900, Westminster. Free

CHUCK SITERO & FRIENDS 4 p.m. Howlin’ Wind Brewing, 51 A Main St., Rollinsville. Free

BRUCE COOK 5 p.m. Left Hand Brewing, 1265 Boston Ave., Longmont. Free

JAY STOTT. 6 p.m. Spirit Hound Lyons Tasting Room, 4196 Ute Highway. Free

UNAUTHORIZED ABSENCE 6 p.m. Bootstrap Brewing Company, 142 Pratt St., Longmont. Free

GOOD MUSIC MEDICINE 6 p.m. Bricks on Main, 471 Main St., Longmont. Free

WAGING WILLOW 6 p.m. Trident Cafe, 940 Pearl St., Boulder. Free

THE DEMOCRACY 6:30 p.m. Full Cycle Bikes & Colorado Multisport, 2355 30th St., Boulder. $23

JOHNNY O BAND. 7 p.m. Muse Performance Space, 200 E. South Boulder Road, Lafayette. $20

MIKE IPPOLITO. 7 p.m. The Wheel House, 101 2nd Ave., Suite B, Niwot. Free

KITCHEN DWELLERS WITH DANIEL DONATO’S COSMIC COUNTRY AND THE FRETLINERS. 7 p.m. Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St., Denver. $55

GASOLINE LOLLIPOPS WITH THE ALCAPONES 7 p.m. The Caribou Room, 55 Indian Peaks Drive, Nederland. $20

STOMP STREET HEIST WITH NINE WIDE SKY 7:30 p.m. 100 Nickel, 100 Nickel St., Broomfield. $15

LIVE MUSIC

ON THE BILL

BoCo “bluegrass-ish” outfit High Lonesome celebrates the release of their self-titled debut album with a hometown show at Boulder’s Chautauqua Community House on Nov. 15. Boasting a twangy mix of mandolin, dobro, guitar and bass, this local quintet is sure to hit the sweet spot for roots music fans of all stripes. Scan the QR code for a Boulder Weekly feature on the band. See listing for details.

SHAWN CUNNANE 8 p.m. Longs Peak Pub, 600 Longs Peak Ave., Longmont. Free

DUNCAN COKER WITH SARAH ADAMS

8 p.m. Roots Music Project, 4747 Pearl St., Suite V3A, Boulder. $18

PINK FUZZ WITH FORTY FEET TALL AND HEADLIGHT RIVALS 8 p.m. Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway, Denver. $18

EARL NELSON & THE COMPANY WITH THE GOOD FOR NOTHIN THUNDER MOUNTAIN BOYS. 8 p.m. Velvet Elk Lounge, 2037 13th St., Boulder. $19

LATRIO 9:30 p.m. License No. 1, 2115 13th St., Boulder. Free

BOUNCE HOUSE OF HORRORS 10 p.m. Bounce Empire, 1380 S. Public Road, Lafayette. $24

SUNDAY, NOV. 17

LOCO UKULELE JAM 2 p.m. Bootstrap Brewing Company, 142 Pratt St., Longmont. Free

MICKI BALDER 3 p.m. Howlin’ Wind Brewing & Blending, 51 A Main St., Rollinsville. Free

MARTIN GILMORE WITH JOHN DEPEW. 5:30 p.m. Gold Hill Inn, 401 Main St., Boulder. Free

TAARKA 7 p.m. Moxie Bread Co., 442 High St., Lyons. Free

GILA TEEN WITH HORSE GIRL AND RABBIT FIGHTER. 7 p.m. Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway, Denver. $12

ZOE KEATING 8 p.m. Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. Free

DAISYCHAIN 8 p.m. Velvet Elk Lounge, 2037 13th St., Boulder. Free

MONDAY, NOV. 18

KURT TRAVIS WITH GEOFF RICKLY, DWELLINGS AND POST NC 7 p.m. Marquis Theatre, 2009 Larimer St., Denver. $35

TUESDAY, NOV. 19

DAVE HONIG 5:30 p.m. Boulder Depot, 2366 Junction Place. Free

FACE VOCAL BAND 7:30 p.m. Nissi’s, 1455 Coal Creek Drive, Unit T, Lafayette. $30

LIVINGSTON WITH CAMYLIO 8 p.m. Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder. $25

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20

TONY CRANK. 6 p.m. Beltran’s Grill, 16818 Sheridan Pkwy., Broomfield. Free

ALOOHMINIUM 6 p.m. Rosalee’s Pizzeria, 461 Main St., Longmont. Free

HOMESHAKE WITH GREENHOUSE. 8 p.m. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave., Denver. $38 STORY ON P. 12

THE TRIBONACCI TRIO 7 p.m. Dry Land Distillers, 519 Main St., Longmont. Free

JEFF CRAMER WITH DYLAN MCCARTHY. 7 p.m. The Times Collaborative, 338 Main St., Longmont. $20

ASTROLOGY

BY ROB BREZSNY

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): You may be on the verge of the breakthrough I prophesied a while back. Remember? I said you would be searching for the solution to a boring problem, and on the way you would discover a more interesting and useful problem. That exact scenario is about to happen. I also predict that the coming weeks will be a time when you tame an out-of-control aspect of your life and infuse more wildness into an overly tame part of you. I will speculate on one further stroke of good fortune: You will attract an influence that motivates you to be more passionately pragmatic about one of your key dreams.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): It’s time for some friendly warnings that will, if heeded, enable you to avoid problematic developments. 1. An overhaul in your self-image is looming; your persona requires tinkering. 2. Old boundaries are shifting and in some places disappearing. Be brave and draw up new boundaries. 3. Familiar allies may be in a state of flux. Help them find their new centers of gravity. 4. Potential future allies will become actual allies if you are bold in engaging them. 5. Be allergic to easy answers and simplistic solutions. Insist on the wisdom of uncertainty.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): I endorse Libran tennis star Serena Williams’ approach to self-evaluation — especially for you right now. She testified, “I’m really exciting. I smile a lot, I win a lot and I’m really sexy.” I’m convinced you have the right to talk like that in the coming weeks — so convinced that I suggest you use it as a mantra and prayer. When you wake up each morning, say what Williams said. When you’re asking life for a sweet breakthrough or big favor, remind life why it should give you what you want. Feel free to add other brags, too, like, “I’m a brilliant thinker, a persuasive negotiator and a crafty communicator.”

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): You are entering a phase when you can acquire more mastery in the arts of self-care and self-sufficiency. I hope you will become more skillful in giving yourself everything that nurtures your emotional and physical health. Have you gathered all you need to know about that subject? Probably not. Most of us haven’t. But the coming weeks will be a favorable time to make this your main research project. By the way, now is also an excellent time to kick your own ass and unbreak your own heart.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): To honor and celebrate your melancholy, I’m turning this horoscope over to Gemini author T. H. White and his superb formulation of the redemptive power of sadness. He wrote: “The best thing for being sad is to learn something. That is the only thing that never fails. You may lie awake at night listening to the disorder of your veins, you may miss your only love, you may see the world about you devastated by evil lunatics, or know your honor trampled in the sewers of baser minds. There is only one thing for it then — to learn. Learn why the world wags and what wags it. That is the only thing which the mind can never exhaust, never alienate, never be tortured by, never fear or distrust, and never dream of regretting.”

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): A Massachusetts woman named Andrea Martin loves chickens so much she treats them as family. A few years ago, she took pity on one of her favorites, a young bird named Cecily, who had been born with a damaged tendon in one of her legs. Martin arranged to have the limb amputated. Then she made a prosthetic device on a 3-D printer and had it surgically grafted onto Cecily’s body. Success! The $2,500 cost was well worth it, she testified. I propose we make Martin one of your role models for the coming weeks. May she inspire you to take extra good care of and shower bonus blessings on everyone and everything you love. (PS: This will be really good for your own health.)

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): Once a year, the city of Seoul in South Korea stages a Space-Out Festival. Participants compete to do absolutely nothing for 90 minutes. They are not allowed to fall asleep, talk or check their phones. To test how well they are banishing stress, burnout and worries, their heart rates are monitored. The winner is the person who has the slowest and most stable pulse. If there were an event like this in your part of the world sometime soon, Leo, I’d urge you to join in. I expect the winner would be a member of your astrological tribe, as you Leos now have a high potential for revitalizing relaxation. Even if you don’t compete in a Space-Out Festival, I hope you will fully cash in on this excellent chance to recharge your spiritual batteries.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): My favorite Virgos love to learn. They are eager to add to their knowledge. They have a highly honed curiosity that is always percolating, continually drawing them toward new comprehension. On the other hand, some of my favorite Virgos are inefficient at shedding long-held ideas and information that no longer serve them. As a result, their psyches may get plugged up, interfering with their absorption of fun new input. That’s why I recommend that you Virgos engage in regular purges of your mental debris. Now would be an excellent time for one of these sessions. PS: The futurist Alvin Toffler said that a key to intelligence is the ability to learn, unlearn and relearn. I invite you to act on that counsel.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): My father was a big fan of the military. As a young man, he served as a lieutenant in the army and for a time considered making that job his career. I’m the opposite of him. I keenly avoided becoming a soldier and have always been passionately anti-war. I bring this subject to your attention because I think now is an excellent time for you to get clearer than ever about how you don’t resemble your parents and don’t want to be like them. Meditate on why your life is better and can get even better by not following their paths and ways. There’s no need to do this with anger and blame. In fact, the healthiest approach is to be lucid, calm and dispassionate.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): At age 49, James Patterson retired from his job as an advertising writer. Until then, he had produced a few novels in his spare time. But once free of his 9-to-5 gig, he began churning out books at a rapid pace. Now, at age 77, he has published over 305 million copies of 200+ novels, including 67 that have been #1 New York Times bestsellers. Would you like to make an almost equally memorable transition, Capricorn? The coming weeks and months will be an excellent time to plan it and launch it.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): The Breakfast Club was an iconic 1985 film about teenagers coming of age. Critics liked it. At the box office, it earned 100 times more than it cost to make. Aquarian director John Hughes wrote the screenplay for the 97-minute movie in two days, on July 4 and 5 of 1982. I predict that many of you Aquarians will have a similar level of productivity in the coming weeks. You could create lasting improvements and useful goodies in short bursts of intense effort.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): Ben & Jerry’s is a wildly successful ice cream maker that sells its products all over the world. Its founders are two Pisceans who met in 7th grade. Over 45 years since they launched their business, they have become renowned for their wide variety of innovative flavors and their political activism. When they first decided to work together, though, their plans were to start a bagel business. They only abandoned that idea when they discovered how expensive the bagel-making equipment was. I suspect that you are near a comparable pivot in your life, Pisces: a time to switch from one decent project to an even better one.

SAVAGE LOVE

It’s the morning after the election and I am sobbing for what’s to come and for what we have all lost. Then I started thinking more personally about our youngest. Born female 19 years ago, they began transitioning to male three years ago. I fear for them. My first thought was to beg them to transition back to female, seeing as they haven’t had blockers or any surgeries yet. I feel horrible that was my first thought. I want them to live their true self, but as a mom, I want to make sure they are safe. My second thought was to get their passport renewed, so if we need to get them out of the country fast, we can get them out. Thoughts?

— Super Upset Mom

I’m planning to stay and fight — at least that’s my plan for now — but I’m not going to let my passport expire. So, I fully support your plan to get your trans kid’s passport renewed, SUM. Diana Adams, Esq., who founded the Chosen Family Law Center, posted a thread the day after the election with tons of actionable advice for queer people who are rightly worried about their rights and physical safety in the wake of an election: bit.ly/LGBTresourcesBW. Adams specifically recommended that trans people like your son update their passports, Social Security records and state IDs so all have the same names and gender markers. If you need help doing that, you can find additional resources and get legal help at chosenfamilylawcenter.org.

P.S. If you’re one of the 70% of Americans who don’t have a passport … now might be a good time to get one.

In an episode of the Lovecast over the summer, you urged your listeners to share their best sex stories to take their minds off current events. This seems like a good time to share mine. Last Tuesday in British Columbia — while we

BY DAN SAVAGE

watched the election results trickle in — I had a lovely first date with a prospective bisexual unicorn for me and my partner. The two of us have never had a threesome in our thirteen years together. This guy I met — a male unicorn — seems very sweet. He and my partner exchanged dick pics while I was on the date with him (hubby was at home with the kids), and knowing we were going to have a very special guest star join us this weekend made the rest of this distressing week a little more bearable.

— Scheduling Our First Threesome

Like everyone who just read your letter, SOFT, I’m jealous. Not just because you’re gonna have a threesome this weekend — although there is that — but because instead of spending last Tuesday night sitting on the couch watching election returns, you spent last Tuesday night on a date with a hot bi guy. And while you didn’t ask for advice, SOFT, I’m going to give you some.

Four quick tips for making your first MFM threesome a success from a guy who lost his virginity in an MFM threesome:

1. Every threesome becomes — at some point — a twosome. Instead of flipping out when that happens, enjoy the show for a few minutes before inserting yourself back into the action.

2. All three of you should agree — out loud — that anyone can call a timeout at any time for any reason. And since it’s easier to bounce back from a timeout called when someone is feeling off than it is when someone is feeling hurt, you shouldn’t hesitate to call for a timeout. (And, yes, you can call a timeout if that twosome goes on too long.)

3. Be clear with each other and your very special guest star about what is and isn’t on the menu. And no reopening negotiation of the menu during the threesome.

4. While couples usually do need some time alone to decompress, discuss and check-in with each other after a threesome, hustling your very special guest star out the door immediately after it’s over is rude. If things went well, you can and should offer your very special guest star a cuddle, a shower and some ice cream.

GET BAKED

How a passion for carbs inspired a Broomfield writer to master 30 breads inspired by local bakeries

BY JOHN LEHNDORFF

Cakes are not that complicated to bake. Almost any cook can whip up a batch of chocolate chip cookies. Great yeasty loaves, on the other hand, can be totally intimidating.

There are a gazillion bread cookbooks out there, but they tend to read like college textbooks because they are written by pastry chefs.

Allyson Reedy is the first to admit she is far from a professional baker. That’s why her new cookbook 30 Breads to Bake Before You Die, published in August via Ulysses Press, is such a joy.

“I’m definitely more of the eater than the creator of the food,” Reedy says. “I’m not an expert baker by any stretch of the imagination. I just really love breads and wanted to learn how to make them at home.”

The volume guides regular home cooks through making breads’ greatest hits — from brioche, challah and honey whole wheat sandwich loaf, to Japanese milk bread, focaccia and croissants (from renowned pastry chef Dominique Ansel).

The Broomfield-based food writer previously penned the post-pandemic cookbook, 50 Things to Bake Before You Die, in 2022. She devoted several years to seeking recipes for all her favorite loaves and then doing some “delicious research.”

Reedy started by requesting recipes from some of her favorite local sources: baguettes from Shawn Bergin of Denver’s celebrated Bakery Four, Caroline Glover’s English muffins from Annette’s in Aurora, and the pizza crust served at Pizzeria Alberico in Boulder.

Mastering sourdough was a priority, including variations like marble rye sourdough from Zach Martinucci, awardwinning baker at Rebel Bread in Denver.

But the toughest (and most rewarding) is the baguette recipe from Bakery Four, which uses dry yeast and sourdough starter.

“The biggest challenge was cutting professional bakers’ recipes down to versions that worked in a home kitchen,” according to Reedy.

Prep times can vary from a day or two for some sourdough recipes to quicker bakes like a simple three-ingredient beer bread.

“I also have a good banana quick bread,” she says.

FOR THE LOVE OF CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Reedy’s love of baked goods springs from a simple childhood memory.

“I grew up with a single teenage mom,” she says. “We weren’t going to fancy bakeries. When Mom made chocolate chip cookies, that was a big thing. I remember her sitting in our living room with a big bowl and a big spoon stirring as fast as she could.

“Eating the dough is still the best part of baking for me,” she says. “And now for my kids, too.”

Baking is a weekly occurrence in the Reedy household, and recipe testing and food photography produces a wealth of tasty goodies — something her husband and two kids welcome.

“We eat all the bread and desserts with no problem,” she says with a smile.

WHERE TO GET THE GOODS

Besides baking at home, Reedy’s work “requires” her to repeatedly visit bakeries in the metro area.

“I’ll always find an excuse to go to a new bakery,” she says.

Reedy happily points bread lovers to GetRight’s Bakery & Plant Nursery in Wheat Ridge, La Fillette Bakery and Rebel Bread in Denver, Aurora’s Banh & Butter Bakery, and Miette et Chocolat and

the Enchanted Oven in Broomfield. She also recommends Jeannot’s Patisserie in Lafayette and Longmont’s Babettes Bakery.

One bakery retains a special place in Reedy’s carb-loving heart.

“For me, it’s Moxie Bread Co,” she says. “That’s the one that changed the bread game in Colorado.”

BAKERY ROADTRIP

For many of us, the holiday gauntlet from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day means festive baked goodies from around the world: whether it’s Bûche De Noël (yule log), panettone (Italian yeast cake), stollen (German fruit and nut loaf), challah or baklava. Here is a brief itinerary to some of our favorite family-run international bakeries that produce authentic holiday treats.

Italian: Dolce Sicilia Italian Bakery (Wheat Ridge); German: Rheinlander Bakery (Arvada); Danish: Taste of Denmark (Lakewood); Japanese: Tokyo Premium Bakery (Denver); Middle Eastern: Istanbul Café and Bakery (Denver); Armenian: House of Bread (Denver); Cuban: Cuba Bakery and Cafe (Aurora); Jewish: Rosenberg’s Kosher (Denver); Vietnamese: Vinh Xuong Bakery (Denver); Greek: Omonoia Greek Bakery (Denver)

Bahn and Butter Bakery serves Asian-French inspired fare in Aurora. Credit: John Lehndorff

30 Breads to Bake Before You Die was published in August via Ulysses Press. Courtesy: Allyson Reedy

LOCAL FOOD NEWS: LOGAN’S RETURNS, BEST EAST COUNTY BAKERIES

Long a familiar North Boulder java and pastry stop, Logan’s Espresso Cafe has reopened at 2490 Junction Place. Denver’s Raquelitas Tortillas has crafted a limited-time tortilla made with regeneratively farmed India Jammu wheat grown in Longmont and milled at Boulder’s Dry Storage Pie crust challenged? Tip Top Savory Pies (Lafayette and Gunbarrel) is offering their French butter pastry in ready-to-bake 8-inch pie plates for Thanksgiving.

Moksha Chocolate recently won two silver medals for its 65% Kokoa Kamili Dark Mylk and 65% Oko Caribe with Blood Orange at the prestigious 2024 Americas Bean-to-Bar and Craft Chocolatier Competition. Be sure to check out the winners of the 2024 Best of Boulder East County competition. Our readers voted Moxie Bread Co. (Louisville, Lyons, Boulder) as their favorite East County bakery. The Longmont winner is Babettes Bakery, and Jeannot’s Patisserie & Bistro took Lafayette honors. Once again, LaMar’s ruled the doughnut category. Other winners include Landline Doughnuts & Coffee (Longmont) and Nok’s Donuts (Lafayette).

See all the categories and winners: bit.ly/BoBEastCountyBW.

CULINARY CALENDAR: YULE LOG SCHOOL

Longmont’s Journey Culinary cooking school offers holiday season classes including: Kids Panettone Baking for 7-11 year olds (Dec. 14); Bûche De Noël - Yule Log (Dec 14); Caramel Holiday Gifts (Dec. 5). journeyculinary.com

WORDS TO CHEW ON: KEROUAC ON PIE

“Wafts of hot pumpkin beckon from the oven. The three of us stuff ourselves further with pie while watching the six o’clock news side by side on the living room couch.” — From Trainsong, a novel by the late Jan Kerouac, former Boulder resident and daughter of Jack Kerouac.

Does your sourdough starter have a name? Do you talk to it?

Share its name (and its origins) and the age of your sourdough starter: Nibbles@boulderweekly.com

Moxie Bread Co. was once again named Best Bakery in East County by Boulder Weekly readers. Courtesy: Moxie Bread Co.

SYSTEM OF RECORD

As psychedelic healing centers prepare to open in Colorado, they have many questions to answer. Which clients will be screened for conflicting conditions? How many people have had bad reactions, and what were they? And most importantly, are the shrooms, DMT and other substances working?

To help answer those questions, Althea, a Boulder-based company, has created software they hope will become the de facto system for providers of psychedelicassisted therapy in Colorado and beyond, as dozens of other states explore the power of mind-expanding drugs to tackle depression, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and more.

Boulder Weekly sat down with Althea’s co-founders Sara Bates and Niko

Boulder-based software company hopes to measure success of psychedelic therapy BY SHAY CASTLE

Skievaski (whom readers will know from his Boulder Weekly columns on psychedelics) to learn how they got their start, how they feel about drugs and what’s next for the company.

The following has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Tell me how Althea got its start. How did you guys get interested in psychedelics and this particular space?

Bates: Two years ago, I was in a pretty traumatic car accident and had some PTSD symptoms. I tried psychedelics to see if they would help me process that trauma and had amazing results.

Niko and I met through the health tech industry; my previous company focused on postpartum health. So when he

started talking about this space, I was very intrigued — especially when he started talking about how to measure outcomes. My background is in data science and engineering. It’s something I know I can help with.

Skievaski: The first time I tried psilocybin was in the woods with friends maybe 15 years ago. I had a super profound experience. Since then, I have approached this type of medicine with respect and intention, using them every six months to a year.

Our country has this massive mental health problem, which has been growing with isolation and technology.

Psychedelics seem like a bright spot compared to AI and war and climate change.

Is the software a service you’re offering facilitators? Are you supplying the state with a system that facilitators have to use?

Skievaski: It’s a little bit up in the air. Colorado is unique in that we’re actually requiring practitioners to record outcomes. In Oregon, they don’t.

In Oregon, they built their own system. We’re working with clinics and facilitators to collect the data, then they get a report and enter that into the government system. Colorado doesn’t have a system yet. The state has to figure out: Do they build their own? Do they work with us directly? Do they recommend us to licensees?

Our long-term hope as a business model is that we can be the official system of record, really similar to cannabis with Metrc. They sell their software to a state that legalized cannabis, and that becomes the track-and-trace system for growers, retail stores, etc.

We’re going to do as best we can to offer software in Colorado and Oregon for free, and we’re hoping future programs…

Wait, so you’re not charging for this? Where are you getting the money to operate?

Skievaski: We’re currently committed to making the software free for facilitators, service/healing centers and their clients. We will explore revenue models that may include charging for certain features or charging other types of users.

We raised $1.5 million from two Colorado-based venture capital firms: Boulder Ventures and Matchstick Ventures. That should give us enough runway to pilot the company for another couple years with the hope of eventually generating revenue to fund it going forward.

Thirty states have put something within their legislative process around psychedelics. Even Texas, which typically doesn’t play in the progressive policy world, allowed funding to let the universities study it. Minnesota and New Mexico passed legislation to form committees to create recommendations on how to move forward.

We could bring it more into the mainstream if we know who should be using it, for what conditions, what its safety profile looks like, when it’s risky. It could be covered by insurance, by Medicare and Medicaid.

Our goal is to enable practitioners to understand if they’re being effective. Without the real-world evidence, it’s going to be anecdotal. That’s not enough to move the needle from a policy perspective.

Althea co-founders Sara Bates and Niko Skievask. Courtesy: Niko Skievask