Inside Longmont The Magazine January 2014 by Inside Longmont

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January 2014

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Our December Photo Contest

WINNER

Congratulations Donnamae Miller!

Enter the January Photo Contest at www.insidelongmont.com for the chance to have your photo featured on this page in next monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issue. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to vote for your favorite photo and help choose the next winner! insideLONGMONT.com

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Contents 10

iL Photo Contest

Business Profile: Coffee & Connections

Non-Profit Spotlight: The Inn Between of Longmont

Fashion: StarBrite Designs

Music: Center Stage - Bonnie & The Clydes

Arts & Entertainment: Longmont Youth Theatre’s 24 Hour One Act Festival

Ridgecrest Art Gallery Exploring The Great Outdoors

Health & Fitness: The Finer Points of Acupuncture

New Year’s Resolutions

Local Events

iL Business Directory

January 2014

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January 2014

insideLONGMONT THE MAGAZINE

insidelongmontthemagazine@gmail.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Brian T. Wolf WRITING & PHOTOGRAPHY Brian T. Wolf Mari Wolf

MARKETING & ADVERTISING Mari Wolf insidelongmont@gmail.com

COVER PHOTO: Sandstone Ranch from the Historic Longmont 2014 Calendar. insideLONGMONT The Magazine is published monthly by Inside Longmont, LLC. Copyright 2014 by Inside Longmont, LLC. All rights reserved. The entire contents of insideLONGMONT The Magazine are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the express written consent of the publisher. Inside Longmont, LLC is not responsible for unsolicited materials.

January 2014

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Get your limited edition 2014 calendar while supplies last!

Look for the Web Store at insidelongmont.com

Thank You to our 2014 Calendar Sponsors! Please support these great local businesses. insideLONGMONT.com

January 2014

From the Editor Welcome to the very first issue of Inside Longmont The Magazine! This has been part of my vision for Inside Longmont since the day we relaunched the website back in April and I am so glad that the time has finally come for us to introduce our magazine to you. I have to admit that this whole publishing thing is a new course for us and I fully expect some bumps along the way, but I guarantee we will do our best to make it a fun ride. Even though we are just getting warmed up here, I would still love to hear what you think about our first issue. Please connect with us on Facebook and feel free to send me an email with any feedback you may have (see the Credits page for all our contact info). You can even leave us a message in our online Guestbook at insidelongmont.com. I would like to say thank you to everyone who has helped get this issue off the ground, from the people who agreed to be interviewed to everyone who contributed to our first fashion photo shoot. This has been an amazing, gut-wrenching, soul-searching, and sleep-depriving experience that has left me totally and completely drained. But I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have traded it for anything and I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to get up tomorrow and start the whole thing all over again. Okay, maybe the day after tomorrow.

Brian T. Wolf Editor-in-Chief

Calling all artists! Inside Longmont The Magazine is looking for creative content to publish within our pages each month. You can get more information and details on our submission guidelines by emailing insidelongmontthemagazine@gmail.com.

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January 2014

Business Profile

Coffee

&Connections

For many entrepreneurs and small business owners, venturing out to network and

promote their business can be very intimidating. It’s not easy to walk into a room filled with strangers and start selling yourself. It’s even harder to know how to deal with a roomful of people suddenly trying to sell themselves to you, too. Often it comes down to a matter of finding a networking group with the right balance of professional and relaxed. Too professional and it can feel too stiff and impersonal. Too relaxed and it can feel too casual and chaotic. Finding that perfect balance in a networking group can be difficult, but the ladies of Coffee & Connections seem to have been able to do just that. Coffee & Connections is a weekly networking group where local business women meet to interact, share success stories, promote their business, and support local non-profits. It’s also a place where women can let down their hair, speak from the heart, and be part of something bigger than themselves. Led by founder Rose Chamberlain, Coffee & Connections is designed not only to help its member grow their business but to inspire personal growth in them as well.

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With Coffee & Connections, Rose Chamberlain has created a format that is both simple and profound: She begins every meeting by telling a story. This usually involves an anecdote about a challenge that she had to face earlier in the week and how she handled the situation. Once Rose has finished, she turns this story around and poses the anecdote as a question the ladies in the group. One by one, everyone stands in front of the group, introduces herself, and answers the question of the day by explaining how she would respond in that same situation. And as each member of the group gives her response, Rose sits quietly and takes notes. “I don’t write down what they say, I write down what I heard. That’s not always the same thing.” After everyone has had a chance to address the group, Rose returns to the front of the room with her notes to offer her feedback. She uses this as an opportunity to show how each answer reflects that person’s attitudes towards business and marketing. Rose’s goal is to help every member of the group ultimately see how she is marketing her business and presenting herself to the world. One Friday morning, Rose began by telling the ladies in attendance that she had been reminiscing about her very first job. Knowing that she had grown up in Iowa it was not a big surprise that her first job involved manual labor in the corn fields. Rose then said

that she wanted to know about everyone’s first job when they were really able to make some money. As they got up to give their answers, each woman in the group began to remember those difficult early days, those seemingly menial jobs they had as teens. And

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along with the memories came laughter and elaborate stories about people and events and tasks that, in hindsight, helped shape each of them into the women they are today. After they had all shared their answers, it was time for Rose to offer her feedback. She pointed out how everyone who got up to speak was

smiling and laughing and grateful for that experience. Then she told the them, “I want you to use that same feeling, enthusiasm, and energy when you talk about your business today!” As Rose read aloud the take-home message from her notes, the connection was made between the effects of that first job and how they could be turned into an advantage. Every opportunity life throws at you can be used as a way to enhance how you market your business and how you present yourself to prospective clients. This is what makes Coffee & Connections different from any other networking group in Longmont, or anywhere else for that matter. By putting herself out there and being the first to discuss her own personal experiences, Rose has created a safe environment where women can express themselves free from judgement. She has also fostered a supportive atmosphere that allows everyone to build the confidence it takes to get up in front of a group of people and deliver a clear and concise message. And she has built a group based not just on business, but on relationships. In fact, if you were to ask any C&C member why she comes to the meetings, the answer you are most likely to get is because of the relationships she has developed. This has become a very close group with many lasting friendships, and yet they are always welcoming to new faces.

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meeting. “We turn right around and give that money back to the community.” Whether it is purchasing raffle tickets, sponsoring local events, or helping out a member in need, C&C always finds a way to support the Longmont community. This was never more evident than in April, 2012 when Coffee & Connections hosted their first Longmont Business Expo. Complete with a variety of vendor booths, hair and makeup makeovers, three guest speakers, and a fashion show, the expo was able to raise $2,500 for the Longmont non profit, A Woman’s Work. Meanwhile, the success of Coffee & Connections has not gone unnoticed by the men of Longmont. “Men are always asking if they can come to the meeting and I have to tell them no. Eventually, there was such a demand, I just couldn’t say no anymore.” Recently, Rose created CO-ED Coffee & Connections, which meets Tuesdays at Kay Carol Gallery & Priscila Working Art Studio. The idea to create Coffee & Connections first began to form while Rose was transitioning from banking to real estate. In order to expand her network, she attended various networking meetings and professional groups, but wasn’t able to find anything that truly worked for her. “The networking meetings I attended were all about collecting business cards and hearing what people did for a living. I always felt there was a better way to go about it.” Never one to settle for something that doesn’t meet her needs, Rose realized that she needed to start a networking group of her own. The first Coffee & Connections meeting was in late 2006 and consisted of four people sitting at a table in a coffee shop. Today, C&C’s weekly meetings attract an average of 20 professional to the conference room at Guaranty Bank. While there is no annual membership fee to attend the weekly meetings, there is a $5 charge for each

The goal of building relationships and growing business is still a huge part of the new CO-ED meeting, but with a little different slant. “The structure is the same, but the energy is very different. The emphasis is geared more toward growing business first and the relationships are following. The complete opposite of the women’s group.” Rose’s vision for the future of Coffee & Connections is far-reaching and, typical to her nature, driven by other people’s needs and requests. She is currently developing a system that outlines the overall structure and operation of the meetings in order to spread Coffee & Connections throughout Colorado. “I receive messages all the time from women who want to start their own Coffee & Connections meeting, but they don’t know how. I thought the best way to help them was to actually write out a system.” Rose may not see herself as the leader of Coffee & Connections, simply a facilitator, but rest assured that to the women who have been part of the Coffee & Connections family, she is much more than either of these things. She is a friend. If you would like to learn about attending a Coffee & Connections weekly meeting, you can visit their page at www.facebook.com/coffeeconnect1. - BW & MW

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January 2014

Non Profit Spotlight

The Inn Between of Longmont At some point in our lives, we are all faced with difficult times and hardships. It is an inev-

itable fact of life. We all stumble. We all fall. Sometimes it happens as a result of poor decisions we make, other times it happens through no fault of our own. It could come as a sudden, devastating event or it could be something that develops slowly over time almost without notice. One way or another, we all get knocked down. And for many there is no bigger fall than to lose a home. Homelessness is not a state of being, but rather it is an event that happens to people in our community, more frequently than you may want to think and many times for reasons beyond their control. In 2011 alone, over 600 people were reported as being homeless in Longmont, with over half that number represented by families with children. In todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world, the number of reasons a person could become homeless is increasing. This may be someone who has lost a job, canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find work, or cannot afford permanent housing; this might be a woman fleeing a physically abusive relationship; or this could be a teen forced to leave home with nowhere to go. For all of these people and more, The Inn Between of Longmont is here to help get them back on their feet and return to being successful members of our community. 14

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The face of homelessness has changed, the way to help the homeless has changed as well. Since 1993, The Inn Between has been providing transitional housing and supportive services designed to help a diverse homeless population achieve self-sufficiency. The people they serve include single- and two-parent families, seniors, single teens as young as 16, single adults, and individuals with physical or mental disabilities. The Inn Between has made it one of their missions to help everyone understand that the face of homelessness has changed, and that statement has not been shown to be more true than following the devastating floods this past September when many people were suddenly and unexpectedly left without a home. This resulted in a very personal story for the staff at The Inn. One of their previous case managers, Jill, lost her home in Lyons from the flood and is now a resident of The Inn Between. “To see Jill’s life come full circle is a blessing and we’re so grateful to provide a safe place for her to recover and rebuild,” Donna Lovato told us. “She once helped the residents of The Inn and now we’re here to help her in her time of need.” They have also been able to help many of the families who had thought they would be able to return to their homes after they were evacuated and therefore took very little with them. “What do you do when your kids just started school and they no longer have their school clothes or school supplies? They even lost their music! It’s hard to see, so we’re trying to get items donated to help them recover.” There are currently 6 families who were made homeless by the flood and who are now residents at The Inn. True to their motto, The Inn Between believes if the face of homelessness has changed, the way to help the homeless has changed as well. For many of the people who have lost their homes, it is important that they have enough time to get their lives back on the right track. While other agencies are only able to offer shelter on an emergency basis and usually for only a few days, residents at The Inn can stay for up to 24 months, giving them the time they need to find work, finish school, establish credit, and basically get their life on solid ground.

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The Inn Angels The residents and staff of The Inn Between have had their share of experiences with spirits inside the nearly 100 year-old building. “I would have residents tell me there are ghosts here,” Donna Lovato has said. “I would always tell them, ‘We don’t have ghosts, we have angels!’” Over time, thinking of these spirits as angels led to turning to them for help. “We once had a resident who was in desperate need of new tires for his car and we had no idea how we were going to help him. Someone walked by and said, ‘Hey Donna, ask the angels!’ I thought, yeah, let me ask the angels for help.” Within just a few days a new set of tires were spontaneously donated by a member of the community. Angels have now become the unofficial patrons of The Inn Between. It is not uncommon for the staff to receive gifts and donations from the community with angel iconography on it. “We get angel gifts all the time and my office is filled with angel figures. I know we’re not alone.” No matter what challenges they have to overcome, Donna knows that the angels are on their side and a solution will aways appear. “We love our angels!” Art Above by Diane Goldenstein

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Beyond housing alone, The Inn Between also offers a number of services including comprehensive case management and in-house trainings designed to help develop skills that will lead their residents back to a life of self-sufficiency. Classes taught by experts from the community and coordinated by the Innâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on-site case managers are available to residents covering a variety of topics that include parenting, life skills, effective communication, and financial management. The staff at The Inn believe that education is the key to ending the cycle of homelessness. There is even an Education Center that provides after-school tutoring for The Innâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s school-age residents.

Executive Director Donna Lovato

Yet probably their most significant achievement is how the caring staff at The Inn Between has created a community of support for residents that offers a safe place for those who are experiencing a difficult time in their lives. It is important to them that they provide an environment that inspires a feeling of normalcy for their residents. This is especially important for the children residing at The Inn, since they are the most innocent in this kind of situation. There are lounge areas where residents can get together and watch television, read books, or just visit with their neighbor and a playground where the kids can play. The Inn also provides residents with a computer area made up of donated laptops where students can do their homework, adults can apply for jobs, and everyone can stay connected through email. Under the careful guidance of Exectutive Director Donna Lovato, The Inn has grown significantly over its 20 years of operation. Starting out with 31 units in the historic Great Western Hotel building, they have since added a 12-unit complex, an 8-unit complex, and most recently a 17-unit complex that includes 13 three-bedroom units. And there is no doubt they will continue to grow as they provide assistance to more and more people in our community who are in need.

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The Inn Between believes that everyone deserves a second chance. Homelessness doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be the end to anyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s story. With the proper help it can simply be a single chapter in their life. The dedicated staff at The Inn are determined to do whatever they can to help their residents transition back into the community and into affordable permanent housing. If you would like to support The Inn Between, they are always in need of household items such as linens, clothing, reading glasses, gift cards, furniture, school supplies, and more. Financial contributions can also be made at their website, www.theinnbetween.org. - BW & MW

Photo of a typical family unit.

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January 2014

Fashion

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Starbrite Designs

Jewelry

is not always meant to be just an accessory. Sometimes it is designed to make a statement. Bold pieces created with eye-catching and attention-grabbing style, the jewelry of StarBrite Designs is made to empower women and allow them to express who they truly are. Artist Kathy Santore creates each hand-made piece with a unique blend of size, texture, and color. “For me, it’s all about color. Each piece starts with a color.” And each piece ends with quality. As a trained gemologist, Santore uses semi-precious stones and gems in all of her work. When you see one of her pieces in person, there is no mistaking that it has been constructed with high-quality materials.

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By combining her technical training with an artistic flare, Santore designs big, striking pieces that can truly be called one-of-a-kind. She regularly draws inspiration from nature, from the materials themselves, and even from the personalities of people she has met. “I’m inspired everyday by the world around me and by the people I meet.” StarBrite Designs offers a variety of jewelry including necklaces, bracelets, belt buckles, and earrings. You can find the latest pieces made by Kathy Santore available online at www.starbritedesign.com. - BW

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January 2014

Stylist:

Lucas Busby Models:

Sara Bengston Nancy Cano Dani Coonts Tori Coonts 24

Photography by Brian T. Wolf On Location at

The Callahan House

January 2014

Hair & Makeup provided by

Ciao Bella Hair Studio Manicures provided by

Sunflower Spa insideLONGMONT.com

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January 2014

Music

Center Stage

Bonnie & the Clydes

Inside Longmont caught up with Bonnie & The Clydes as they were running through their

final warm-up before performing along with Halden Wofford and the Hi Beams at the 3rd Annual “A Country Christmas” show at the Dicken’s Opera House. The atmosphere was an intoxicating mixture of music, excitement, creativity, and laughter that felt more like a quirky family gathering than a band rehearsal. As the fiddle spontaneously broke out into familiar Christmas melodies in the middle of a Bonnie & The Clydes’ ditty, everyone began swaying with childish abandonment. “Yeah, that’ll work!” It’s been a strong year for Bonnie & The Clydes; a game-changing year. They have been busy in the studio working on their third album and the consensus among them is unanimous that this felt different. “It feels like this album is the first time we’ve been ready to make an album,” mused Bonnie Sims, vocalist and band namesake. Bonnie & The Clydes have a unique fusion of country, bluegrass and Americana that takes you back to the days when musicality and storytelling were the point of making music as well as half the fun. The contagious hooks and hummable melodies stay with you long after you’ve stopped tapping your feet. The minute you think it can’t get any better, they roll into the next song and, as a clever turn of phrase stops you in your tracks, you realize that they are having as much fun as you are. 26

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Musicians love playing music, it’s as simple as that. And make no mistake, Bonnie & The Clydes are born musicians. Bonnie’s dad played the guitar and banjo in a family band. Growing up surrounded by music, she has been singing since she can remember. “Even as a child, I saw myself as a country singer. It’s always been a singular dream”. Among all the inspirations that guided this dream, Alison Krauss and Dolly Parton were the central figures leading her down a path of playing a musical instrument in addition to singing. She eventually enrolled at South Plains College where she studied vocals and the mandolin. “Playing an instrument is valuable to a singer because you’re able to communicate and play with musicians. If you want to play with great musicians, you better speak their language.” It wasn’t until she moved to Colorado and formed the first lineup of Bonnie & The Clydes that songwriting began to play a bigger role. “I didn’t start out as a songwriter, but I didn’t want to be a cover artist either, it’s too limited,” she admitted. “I thought, if I’m gonna start a band, part of making music is making original music.” It was at South Plains College that Bonnie first met Taylor Sims, who is now her husband and guitarist in The Clydes. Like Bonnie, and everyone else from West Texas, Taylor grew up listening to country music and Texas swing. “Music was always in the house.” At 16 he started playing guitar on a whim and never looked back. “I saw this guitar in a pawn shop and

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I honestly thought, what the hell have I been doing with my life? I could have been playing guitar!” He has been playing everyday since then. Spending day after day making music, it didn’t take long before he started writing songs to go along with the music he was creating. “I felt a strong calling towards songwriting.” Though they don’t always write songs together, they are working on it. “Songwriting is hard enough alone,” Taylor said. “Being creative with another, yes, it’s fun, but it can be just as hard if not harder.” Whether a new song is written by one of them or both, the collaborative effort has become a more democratic process than it has ever been in the past. “We come to the band with a structure of the song, lyrics, melody, chord changes, groove ideas, and a general feeling,” said Taylor. Once the initial song introduction is made, the band members work together to infuse their own individual ideas about arrangement and progression. “I used to be very guarded with my songs before this lineup,” Bonnie confessed. “With this group of amazing musicians, though, it’s very natural to share ideas and collaborate.” Once you realize the combined time each band member has devoted to music over the years, it’s easy to see how collaborating would feel so natural and easy for them.

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the framework of the song and rhythm.” Unlike the others in the band, Nancy did not grow up listening to country music. She discovered bluegrass music 11 years ago and has been playing with bluegrass bands ever since. “The great thing about bluegrass is that a group of people who have never met before can get together and start making music and it sounds good and it’s fun,” she said. “Bluegrass is very interactive and collaborative.” Two years ago, Nancy filled in for The Clydes’ original fiddler during a tour following the group’s first album. After the tour they all returned to Colorado and she officially joined the band, playing on their second album. Michael Schenkelberg has the distinction of being the only Clyde to play on all three Bonnie & The Clydes albums. “The first guitar player in the band asked me if I wanted to play bass and I had only recently bought an upright bass. So I just started playing bass in the band.” Unlike the rest of the band, he didn’t grow up knowing he was going to play music. “I started playing guitar in high school and studied finger-style guitar and played some blue tunes.” After college he worked in the tropical biology field in Costa Rica and Hawaii, but moved to Colorado seven years ago to become a music school director before joining the band.

A year ago the missing piece of the lineup was added when Jake Coffin joined the band as their drummer. “Jake is our rainbow unicorn!” Bonnie likes to say. “Our lineup is complete and it feels like the family I’ve always hoped for.” Jake got his first drum set at the age of 8 and has been playing music ever since. This included playing in a band with his brothers as well

“Longmont is our hub and we will always play here. This town is so supportive of the arts.” Originally trained in classical violin, Nancy Steinberger also spent time studying jazz fiddle. “Classical violin is structured and played note for note, you’re not making anything up. It’s creative, but in a very narrow box. Jazz fiddle was great training to riff, it’s very creative, but you still had to stay within

as with a variety of other bands. “I had been touring with a band for years, so I took some time off. But I was looking to work with a stable band and stay closer to home.” Little did he know he was joining more than just a band. “This is a very communicative and collaborative effort on everyone’s part and we genuinely care about each other.” Combining creative forces with Michael Schenkelberg on bass is pure magic. “We complement each other really well. That’s not always the case when you’re in a band. It can be stressful.” According to Bonnie, their goal is to become a touring band. And they are well on their way to achieving that goal. In May, she put out a casting call for audience members to help them with a live concert video they were producing to promote the band. Bonnie, who is currently also the booking manager for the band, knows that in order to get a good job you need have

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a good resume. Their mission with the concert video was to capture the the band in action and it now serves as their “live” audition tape. The mini concert that was recorded did a wonderful job of capturing not only the sound of Bonnie & The Clydes, but also their enthusiasm. “Venues don’t like taking chances. They want to know who they’re booking,” Bonnie told us. “And that’s fair. All of the videos I had been using were very outdated and poor quality. Plus, we didn’t have any videos with the current band lineup, so none of them were a good representation of what we sound like!” she said, laughing. “It’s made a big difference having some professional videos out there for promotion. It was money well spent!” Never ones to rest on their laurels, it’s no surprise that Bonnie & The Clydes already have big plans in store for 2014. Over the coming weeks, the band will head back into the studio to put the finishing touches on their new 6-song album and begin shopping the EP around to record labels and radio stations. And, of course, they will continue touring. Having new music under their belt and a dream team in place, the plan is to extend their reach beyond Colorado.

we’ll hit California in June,” Bonnie told us. “Yeah, but we’re still going to do some local stuff, too,” Taylor chimed in. “Of course!” replied Bonnie. “Longmont is our hub and we will always play here. This town is so supportive of the arts.” With the end of rehearsal, Bonnie & The Clydes shifted into roady mode and began packing their gear. Equipment cases and boxes of CDs were collected and carried out to the waiting vehicles. Everyone in the band was pumped for their performance, and yet they couldn’t wait for it to be over. “We go on first, which means we get to stick around and enjoy Halden Wofford & the Hi Beams!” Bonnie exclaimed, clapping her hands. And in a moment like that it becomes clear that, deep down, Bonnie & The Clydes are music fans at heart! You can find out more about Bonnie & The Clydes by visiting their website, www.bonnieandherclydes.com. - MW

“We’re planning on just touring with the band next year. We have a Texas tour starting in May and then

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January 2014

Arts & Entertainment

Longmont Youth Theatre’s 24 Hour One Act Festival

What happens when over 25 Longmont-area teens and young adults spend 24 hours

straight locked inside the Longmont Theatre reahearsing for a production? No, this is not yet another spin-off of the Real World. This is the Longmont Youth Theatre’s 24 Hour One Act Festival! On December 21st, the Longmont Youth Theatre held their annual Christmas-themed show for the seventh year in a row. The Festival was centered around the performance by the entire group of 12 Daze of Christmas, a one-act play which finds a young girl named Alice being visited not by three ghosts but by twelve incarnations of the Twelve Days of Christmas. The performances also included a rousing monologue by Sgt. Elf and a gender-bending monologue by The Tooth Fairy in which a blue-collar worker explains how he has taken a temp job as the famous tooth collector, as well as a dance number performed by the entire cast, choreographed by Kelsey Schulz, and a second one-act play titled Not A Creature Was Stirring. And while the Festival itself was a great show and a lot of fun to watch, the real story that many people don’t know about is what it takes to bring this one-night-only show to the stage. After all, they don’t call it a “24 Hour One Act Festival” for nothing. 30

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When they say “24 Hour”, they really mean it. Beginning Friday night at 7pm, the entire cast and crew, from directors and performers to artistic and technical staff, work together throughout the night and all the next day to put together Saturday night’s performce almost entirely from scratch. Imagine the cast and crew of Saturday Night Live locking themselves in the studio to prepare for their show not in a week but in a single day. Now, imagine trying that with teenagers. Are you impressed yet?

Alice meeting her partridge with a pear tree.

Enter the Three French Hens.

Seven pipers piping, of course. insideLONGMONT.com

Led by Artistic Directors Chris Parr and Emma Cavcey, the 24 Hour One Act Festivals are the Longmont Youth Theatre’s way of offering busy teens an opportunity to perform on stage as part of the group. With school, sports, jobs, and more taking up so much time these days, it is difficult for many kids to commit to the weeks-long rehearsals required for most traditional performances. As an alternative, Parr and Cavcey have condensed the rehearsal process into a 24 hour boot camp starting Friday night with rehearsals and ending Saturday night with the single performance. So far the Youth Theatre has put on 15 of their One Act Festivals, with one show usually in late spring and a second scheduled around Christmas time. Even though the rehearsal itself didn’t begin until Friday evening, for the artistic and technical staff their day started much earlier. Technical Directors Ryan Dahoney (a veteran of 11 Festivals) and Kevin Dehner (14 Festivals) arrived early to begin preliminary stage design and start preparing lights, music, and sound effects. This way the performers would arrive to more than just an empty stage that night. This also gave Dahoney and Dehner a head start so they would be better able to make adjustments to the stage, lights, music, and more to fit the changing needs of the directors and artistic staff throughout the rehearsal. Friday also began early for the directors and artistic staff. Although auditions for the December Festival were held in November and all the roles cast at that time, not everyone who successfully auditioned was able to attend the Festival in the end. Out of the 26 originally cast, 8 people were unable to make it to rehearsals. In order to fill these spots, phone calls were made and Facebook messages were sent as the search went out for last minute replacements. Fortunately, by 7pm that night all the empty roles had been filled.

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Some of the replacements who answered the call turned out to be previous Festival performers who simply hadn’t auditioned for this year’s cast. Taylor Smith, now a teacher, has performed in the Festival on and off since her Freshman year of high school. Although she had not planned on being in this year’s performance, Taylor was contacted barely two hours in advance and agreed to fill in on short notice, making this her 8th Festival. Elijah Donovan, a Freshman at Skyline High School, also got the call Friday afternoon after being recommended by a friend. An avid performer, Elijah had not auditioned earlier either and this became his very first experience with the Festival, though most assuredly not his last. Finally it was time for everyone to arrive at the theatre, and for the countdown to begin. By 7:30pm everyone was gathered at the theatre and the night started off with a few introductory games to break the ice and to help everyone get to know each other better. It’s a diverse group with students coming from a variety of schools, including Skyline, Niwot, and Frederick, and for many of them this was their first time attending a 24 Hour Festival rehearsal.

Once everyone had gotten to know each other a little better, the performers broke into groups and began their first read-through with the scripts. Even though all of the roles had been given out weeks earlier, this would be the first time that the cast had been together to read through the script as a group. This would also be the first opportunity for the directors to make any last-minute changes to fill the gaps made by the performers who had been unable to attend the Festival. With the casting finalized, rehearsal was now able to move into full swing. Throughout the night the cast worked with the directors to begin learning their lines and the blocking for each scene. Around 1am the group stopped to select costumes from the Theatre’s costume department for Saturday’s performance. At about 2am, the entire cast returned to the stage to learn the Festival’s single dance routine. Finally, about 3:30am the theatre quietted down and the cast was given a couple hours to rest. The next morning the entire group gathered again in the front lobby of the theatre for breakfast. With 13 Festivals already under his belt, Chris Parr has learned to keep his cast well-fed during the 24 hours of frenzied preparation. “You can mess with their sleep or

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you can mess with their food, but you can’t do both.” With most of the cast still in pajamas, they returned to the stage for the morning run-through of all the performances. Co-directors for 12 Daze of Christmas Sam Roberts and Rachelle Hillin divided their time between watching the rehearsals and creating props for that night’s performance. For Sam, who would also be performing in her 7th Festival, this was her first time in the director’s seat and an opportunity to expand her theatre experience. This was Rachelle’s second time directing, having also participated in 11 previous Festivals as a performer and then house mother for the group. Meanwhile Chris Parr and Emma Cavcey somehow managed to oversee all of this activity and maintain the controlled chaos. After taking another break for lunch, there was time for one more run-through of all the acts before it was time to clean. Everyone pitched in, whether it was sweeping the stage or washing the lobby windows, and soon nearly all traces of this giant slumber party were gone. Then at the end of the day, everyone got

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together one last time prior to showtime so they could eat their final meal as a group. By the time the audience members shuffle in and take their seats there is little evidence remaining of the marathon rehearsal session that took place over the preceeding 24 hours. For anyone watching the performance there is nothing to distinguish it from any other collection of one acts. But for those who know the real story, this is anything but just another show. If you have never attended one of the Longmont Youth Theatre’s 24-Hour One Act Festivals, it is definitely a show worth watching, as well as a cast worth supporting. Your next opportunity to see what it’s all about should be later this spring. You can follow their schedule at www.longmonttheatre.org or check the Calendar of Events at www.insidelongmont.com.

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- BW

Ridgecrest Art Gallery

Exploring TheGreat Outdoors

Donnamae Miller

Living in Colorado, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard not to find inspiration in the scenic beauty that surrounds us on a daily basis. To celebrate the spirit of Colorado, this month the Ridgecrest Art Gallery features wildlife, landscape, and nature photography from three different artists. Enjoy!

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Brian T Wolf

Mari Wolf insideLONGMONT.com

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Donnamae Miller 36

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Mari Wolf insideLONGMONT.com

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Donnamae Miller

Brian T Wolf 38

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Brian T Wolf

Brian T Wolf insideLONGMONT.com

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Donnamae Miller 40

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Mari Wolf

Donnamae Miller insideLONGMONT.com

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Mari Wolf

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Brian T Wolf

Mari Wolf insideLONGMONT.com

January 2014

Health & Fitness

The Finer Points of Acupuncture With the start of the New Year, many of us often turn our attention to making new resolutions for our health. For some this means starting a new diet, for others it means joining a gym or starting a new exercise program. One person might set a goal for losing 10 pounds while another may decide to train for a marathon later this year. And for yet another, this might be the year to finally deal with a chronic pain that has been lingering for years. In the spirit of New Year traditions, we at Inside Longmont The Magazine have decided to present a multi-part series covering various programs and therapies available within Longmont that are designed to improve your overall health and fitness. While we are not specifically endorsing any of these programs or treatments, we do hope that by presenting them to you it will inspire you to find something that is right for you and help you take the next step to becoming a healthier you. We decided to start things off with one of the oldest medical treatments still in practice today.

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While acupuncture has been practiced in China for more than 2,000 years as a way to prevent and treat disease as well as to improve overall health, it has only been widely used in the US since the 1970s. Yet thanks to many Hollywood (and Hong Kong) movies, as well as the increasing popularity of alternative medicine throughout the country, most people today have at least heard of acupuncture and many have a general idea of what it is. Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in which needles are placed at specific points in the body to correct imbalances of energy by modifying the flow of that energy throughout the body. According to TCM, most disorders are caused when the flow of energy through the body is disrupted, and it is by restoring this natural flow that the body can be returned to a normal state of health. Today, most people think of acupuncture as being used primarily for treating pain. Numerous studies have shown it to be effective in relieving pain due to injury or pain associated with chronic degenerative diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Even chronic back pain and dental pain can be managed successfully with acupuncture. However, it is not limited simply to pain management. Because the principles behind it are to promote and restore the balance of energy in the body, acupuncture can actually be used to treat a wide variety of conditions and disorders that may otherwise be difficult to treat or require the long-term use of medicications. The use of acupuncture has been shown to be effective in treating emotional disorders (anxiety, depression), respiratory conditions (sinusitis, asthma), digestive issues (nausea, IBS), and even neurological problems (Parkinsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease, migraines).

Many practitioners of acupuncture tend to be drawn towards specific types of clients based on their own personal experiences, and this certainly appears to be true for Stacey Donelson, owner of Good Life Acupuncture and Wellness Center. Her clients are primarily women and children, with women making up over 60% of the Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s patients. The same is true for Dean Hocking, also an acupuncturist at Good Life. As a certified yoga instructor and personal trainer, he tends to work primarily with people suffering from sports injuries, such as joint and back pain, as well as insomnia. For many women, acupuncture is often used to treat emotional and reproductive health issues. This can include anxiety or depression, menstrual disorders, fibromyalgia, and even morning sickness. With men, the most commonly treated conditions are related to anxiety and stress. This primarily includes digestive issues such as ulcers, IBS, and colitis. Acupuncture is effective and safe for children as well. There are even alternatives to needles that can be used to stimulate sensations. For infants acupuncture can treat teething pain, fever, and digestive disorders such as colic. In children ages 2-4, it is commonly

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used to alleviate night terrors, clear up rashes and skin disorders like psoriasis and eczema, ease constipation, and even to treat asthma and allergies. So, what can you expect from a visit to an acupuncture practitioner? The first visit will usually involve a comprehensive health history assessment prior to any treatment. While the questions may sometimes seem unusual, they are used to help the acupuncturist get a more complete picture of your total health. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, energy flow and whole-body interactions are central to diagnosing and treating physical diseases. You may be asked about diet, exercise, and sleep habits, stress levels, and other physical or mental characteriscs. The acupuncturist may feel your pulse and examine your tongue to look for signs of imbalances in energy flow. And obviously you will be asked about any injuries or pain you may be experiencing at the time of your visit. Once the assessment is complete it is time for the first treatment. The number of needles to be used and the areas they will be placed depend entirely on what the session will be treating. It could be as simple as requiring only 6 needles, one placed in each hand, one placed on each lower leg, and one placed on each foot. The actual insertion of the needles is obviously of great concern for many people who have never experienced an acupuncture treatment before. Doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it hurt? While there may be a momentary stinging sensation when the needle is inserted, for many patients there is no sensation at all. It is fairly common for some of the needles to cause a deep ache for a brief period of time, radiating from the point of insertion. After a needle has been placed, the acupuncturist may also manipulate it to stimulate sensation.

Auricular therapy is a specialized form of acupuncture based on the concept that the outer ear is a direct link to the brain. By using a sensitive instrument the practitioner determines the proper place to insert the needles.

With a patient who is receiving treatment specifically for pain in a particular area of the body, one of the first things that she might notice is that a needle is almost never inserted near the site of the pain. Instead, the practitioner will most likely place needles in another area that corresponds to the spot that is actually feeling the pain. For example, pain felt on the left side of the body could actually be caused by an energy imbalance on the right side of the body, and so it is the right side that needs to be treated in order to bring the body back into balance.

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Once all the needles are placed, they are left in for a period of time while the patient relaxes and allows the energy to flow throughout the body, now guided by the needles. The treatment time varies but is generally 30-40 minutes. According to Donelson, often during this time the patient enters a deeply relaxed state and may even fall asleep while the needles are in place. When the session is finally complete the needles are removed, again typically without pain, though some bruising may occur following a treatment. Additional treatments may be required depending entirely on the patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health or as part of an overall health plan. The patient may also be given stretching and breathing exercises as homework to do between treatments.

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Western science is still trying to explain how acupuncture actually affects the body and, of course, some skepticism does still exist. But because this treatment offers so many benefits with almost no side effects, it is often considered as part of an alternative medicine treatment plan. One thing is certain, acupuncture is more than simply inserting needles into the body to alleviate pain. Whether acupuncture can work for you is something you will have to decide for yourself. You can get more information about acupuncture by contacting the Good Life Acupuncture and Wellness Center at www.goodlifelongmont.com.

January 2014

- BW

What’s your New Year’s Resolution? We asked the people of Longmont what goals they had for the New Year and here are some of our favorite responses. Good luck to everyone, we hope you all achieve great things in 2014!

“Run another half-marathon.”

“Be more organized so I can be more thoughtful in my planning.”

“Travel the world more.”

“Make more people smile. Smiling makes the world a better place.”

“Stop smoking...for real this time.” “Make enough money to get out of debt.” “Go back to school and finish my accounting degree.” “Relax and go with the flow.”

“Play more golf with friends.” “Make better use of my time.”

“Do more outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and even nice walks.”

“Become a more balanced and engaged person.” 48

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Local Events

Upcoming Events January 10 FREE Boulder County Movie Night The Desire MapBook Club January 11 Auditions for Sweeney Todd Broadway Performing Academy Auditions January 12 Brews & Tunes with The Prairie Scholars January 17-19 Dial “M” for Murder January 24-26 Dial “M” for Murder January 25 Practical Solutions to Keeping Resolutions January 29 Practical Solutions to Keeping Resolutions January 30-31 Dial “M” for Murder

For details on any of these events, visit our online Calendar of Events at www.insidelongmont.com

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MerryTini Holiday Celebration/Fundraiser Coffee & Connections joined forces with Martini’s Bistro to host an event to benefit a local woman battling breast cancer. C&C members raised funds to help with her expenses as well as donated gifts. Colorado Firefighter 2014 Calendar’s Cover Model, Matt Horton, was also on hand and presented her with an autographed copy. And Ann Kaven not only generously matched the funds raised on behalf of Martini’s Bistro, but also matched them personally as well!

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January 2014

Longmont Lights 2013

“Lights On Parade”

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Special appearance by Santa Claus!

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Longmont Lights in Roosevelt Park and Fireworks Show

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Celebrating New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve with

SubUrban Cowboy Noise

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Your Ad Here Contact Mari Wolf at insidelongmont@gmail.com for current advertising rates.

303-746-4563

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Visit www.insidelongmont.com

And Learn More About The Great Businesses In Our Online

Business Directory Automotive Car Works of Longmont Essex Motors Steve’s Automotive

Health Services Active Family Chiropractic Good Life Acupuncture & Wellness Center Strategies For Wellness Weeks Wellnes Chiropractic

Business Services ARS Printing Double Time Personal Assistants Fotodrama

Home & Garden Fabulous Furnishings Consignment Mike’s Main Street Vacuum

Cleaning Services 2 Buckets Cleaning Pristine Carpet Care, LLC

Insurance Cindy Miller Insurance Agency Landscaping 3D Tree Care

Clothing & Accessories Apparel Valley

Legal Services The Law Firm of Amy Okubo, LLC

Coins Chamberlain Gold & Silver Exchange

Medical Services Always Best Care Senior Services

Computers Computer Specialists of Longmont, LLC

Personal Care Body & Face Aesthetics D.J. Everett Hair Design Studio Mary Kay Mystic Garden Spa & Salon

Contractors Twin Peaks Heating Cooling Plumbing Financial Services Home Loan Solutions The Niwot Financial Group, LLC

Professional Services MindSet-For-Success

Fitness & Recreation Airborne Gymnastics & Dance Blooming In Place Broadway Performing Academy CrossFit Longmont Fox Hill Club Independent Team Beachbody Coach Logan’s GYM & MMA Training Center Longmont Theatre Company Small Planet eVehicles

Restaurants East Moon Asian Bistro Mac’s Place Martini’s Bistro Shops & Stores 9th Avenue Liquor Warehouse Fox Creek Liquors La Momo Maes Bakery La Vita Bella Longmont Liquors Play & Get Smart Simply Bulk Market

Gifts & Flowers Diaper Cakes by Barb

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