6 minute read
GOOD TO KNOW
HELPFUL NEWS, IDEAS, AND TIPS FOR COLORADO PARENTS
Custom Hobbit Houses for Your Home
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Rudi Monterroso grew up using natural materials to build shelters where he and other kids could escape threats from Guatemala’s armed conflict. He became a full-time artist in the U.S. and despite being completely colorblind and suffering from pain in his hands, has shown paintings at various locations in the Denver area, including the Denver Art Museum.
A father of three now living in Littleton, Monterroso built a life teaching and selling art. Then the COVID-19 pandemic stalled his work. Reaching back to his roots, Monterroso found a positive outlet in this time of need. He started building Hobbit houses and imaginative play structures full-time.
Using reclaimed and natural materials, Monterroso sculpts full playhouses in a Lord of the Rings-inspired style. He also constructs (lower cost) enchanting doors and props like branch archways and metal flowers for the corners of backyards or basement reading nooks. All a child needs is a portal for their imagination to take over, says Monterroso.
“In my romantic way of seeing these projects, [it’s] creating these spaces for families to come together and not depend on iPads or computers to entertain the kids,” he says.
A child-size 4-by-4-foot Hobbit house starts at around $3,000. An adult-size outdoor office space, about 8-by-10-feet, costs $7,000 and up. It’s a long-term investment, says Monterroso, whose girls have grown up with their own custom playhouse and redecorated the space for different uses.
Commissions from Monterroso are customizable; he works with each client’s needs, desires, and budget in mind. That said, customers should understand that reclaimed materials are not free to work with.
“It is not just picking up trash and putting it together,” he says, adding that recycled materials are increasingly in demand by the construction and art industries. “It’s being able to carefully select the right materials to create a magical place.”
Find Monterroso’s artwork and contact information at rudimonterroso.wordpress.com.
—Anna Sutterer
The newly refurbished Pikes Peak Cog Railway is open to all ages.
Pikes Peak Cog Railway Reopens
Families can once again travel to the top of Pikes Peak in style, following a major construction project of the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway.
WHAT’S NEW AND IMPROVED The cog railway has been operating since 1891, and has been owned by the Broadmoor since 1925. All the tracks have been replaced, and a new cog system has been installed. (For this system, cog wheels mesh into special rack rails, allowing the train to climb much steeper grades than a standard railroad track.) There are four refurbished trains and three brand-new trains with cushy seating, a new second-train platform, overhead walkway, remodeled bathrooms, and a gift shop. DURING THE RIDE In addition to spectacular mountain views during the nine-mile ride to 14,115 feet, the trains’ conductors point out sites of interest, offer history, and draw your attention to wildlife along the way. And they tell jokes, too.
THE PIKES PEAK VISITORS CENTER To give kids a better understanding of Pikes Peak history, geography, and climate, don’t miss the digital features and interactive exhibits in the new Pikes Peak Visitor’s Center, located at the summit. Also, make sure to try high-altitude donuts made from a special recipe by a “donut robot”—the only ones produced at an altitude above 14,000 feet in the world.
fundamentals with interactive games like freeze tag and red light green light to reinforce learning in a way that’s fun for everyone, instructors included! I always explain that I have two rules: be safe, and have fun.”
All students are required to bring and wear a helmet, knee pads, and wrist guards. Roller skates can be rented at the current lesson location, Roller City West in Lakewood. Weekly classes cost $25 for a drop in and $100 for four sessions. Ciriacks and all Denver Skates instructors are also available for private lessons. See online for details and registration. denverskates.com/skate-lessons —Anna Sutterer TIPS FOR YOUNG RIDERS Purchase snacks at the depot to bring along and don’t forget jackets and/or layers. The summit can be 30 degrees cooler than the base and you might experience a wide range of weather conditions. Children age two and under are free with a paid adult admission ticket but must sit on an adult’s lap. The ride to the summit takes a little more than one hour; visitors spend 40 minutes at the top before traveling back down.
Purchase tickets in advance and find other details about the reopening at cograilway.com. —Lydia Rueger
Kid-Focused Roller Skating Lessons Come to Denver
Denver Skates is a fast-growing hub for long-time and novice roller and inline skaters in the metro area. They've taught and hosted close to 400 people ages three to 73 since 2018. The group recently added Kids Roller Skating Fundamentals to their offerings.
Hailley Ciriacks teaches the students, ages four to 12. She has experience in swim coaching and education; her goal is to open skating to disabled skaters including hard-of-hearing folks. She’s excited to help build up a new generation of roller skaters.
“Kids’ lessons have been a blast,” she says. “We mix learning the importance of skate and safety Skate instructor Hailley Ciriacks' class includes fundamental training plus games and positive reinforcement for kids on roller skates and blades.
Add Some Spark to Your Table This 4th With Aristea Brady
Two things I love: all things holiday and show-stopping tablescapes. So, I jump at the chance when I get to combine the two. Here are three simple ways you can add a little spark to your seasonal tablescape.
DON’T BE PREDICTABLE
Rather than reach for your typical flatware, take a chance and mix up vintage and modern touches, which immediately add visual interest and create a fun, whimsical vibe.
Intentionally break rules by mixing formal dinner plates with a casual patriotic red salad plate. To further contrast a more dignified style, add jute placemats and casual indigo blue drinkware. Jute placemats, often seen on outdoor patio tables, also serve as a nod to summertime.
ADD PLAYFUL TOUCHES
Not only will your kids appreciate this, but so will the kid-at-heart in you! Cut white wooden stars from an inexpensive garland to serve as the focal point of the place setting. These could easily double as a name place card or they could be attached to a plain napkin holder.
Another easy yet impactful addition: cupcakes. Having the dessert sitting out at the table adds an element of fun. I almost always use cupcake holders when I create a tablescape. Whether they’re tall, covered glass domes (as pictured), or even small white ceramic ones you snag in the Target dollar section, they add anticipation for that post-dinner treat.
GET CREATIVE WITH A CAKE STAND
I’m a big believer in using cake stands for a plethora of reasons outside of displaying dessert. They add great dimension to tablescapes when you set items of varying heights on top of them. Plus, most people already have at least one on hand.
I added a bottle of French lemonade, a striped canister, and a bowl of red and blue candy-coated raspberries to my stand to serve as a bold accent for the centerpiece. —Aristea Brady
Watson Bear
We’re having an Open House and you’re invited!
Join us on Saturday, July 17 for a beary fun Open House, complete with Watson our bear mascot; arts, crafts, games, and refreshments; great prizes to win, and tours of our beautiful Boulder Hive – where we bring hope and meaningful change to the lives of children with autism and their families through expert ABA therapy. Buzz on by and say hello. We can’t wait to meet you and learn how we can help make the future brighter for you and your child.
