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Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
THE VOICE OF NORTHERN COLORADO FOR
30 YEARS.
s t y le me d ia a n d d es i g n , i n c .
| 970.226.6400 |
w w w. s t y l e m a g a z i n e c o l o r a d o . c o m w w w. m e d i c a l a n d w e l l n e s s . c o m PUBLISHER Lydia Dody | lydia@stylemedia.com MANAGING EDITOR Angeline Grenz angie@stylemedia.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Scott Prosser SENIOR DESIGNER Lisa Gould DIGITAL DIRECTOR / BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Austin Lamb | austin@stylemedia.com ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVES Jon Ainslie (970) 219-9226 Lydia Dody (970) 227-6400 Tanya Horn (970) 980-7936 David Knight (970) 619-9846 Elaine Ryan (970) 541-4915 OFFICE MANAGER/ABOUT TOWN EDITOR Ina Szwec | ina@stylemedia.com ACCOUNTING MANAGER Karla Vigil CIRCULATION MANAGER Trisha Milton COPY EDITOR Corey Radman PHOTOGRAPHER Marcus Edwards Photography CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Malini Bartels, Kyle Eustice, Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer, Corey Radman, Kay Rios, Brad Shannon, Michelle Venus AFFILIATIONS Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce Greeley Chamber of Commerce 2014 STYLE MAGAZINES January-Northern Colorado Medical & Wellness Magazine and McKee Medical Center & North Colorado Medical Center Medical Directory February-Style March-Northern Colorado Medical & Wellness April-Style May-Style June-Style July-Northern Colorado Medical & Wellness August-Style September-Women’s Health & Breast Cancer October-Northern Colorado Medical & Wellness November-Holiday Style December-Best Of & Winter Activities Style Media and Design, Inc. magazines are free monthly publications direct-mailed to homes and businesses in Northern Colorado. Elsewhere, a one year subscription is $25/year and a two year subscription is $45/year. Free magazines are available at nearly 300 locations throughout Northern Colorado. For ad rates, subscription information, change of address, or correspondence, contact: Style Media and Design Inc., 211 W. Myrtle St., Suite 200, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521. Phone (970) 2266400, ext. 208. Fax (970) 226-6427. E-Mail: ina@StyleMedia.com ©2014 Style Media and Design Inc. All rights reserved. The entire contents of Style Magazine are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher. Style Media and Design Inc. is not responsible for unsolicited material. All manuscripts, artwork, and photography must be accompanied by a SASE. The views and opinions of any contributing writers are not necessarily those of Style Media & Design Inc.
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Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
Style 2014
CONGRATS TO STYLE ON 30 YEARS
Congratulations on celebrating your 30th year of Style Magazine! What a neat milestone for such a classy lady! You have been a wonderful friend to both of us over the years and we both want to wish you the very best in the coming years... I believe the best is yet to come for you! And you have been a great ‘communicator’ for the people of this area so keep it up. When I go into almost any business in the area, there is your Style Magazine!
beautiful advertisements, photos of community happenings and so much important information on a variety of topics. The magazine has a proud history and this newcomer was able to get a sense of Fort Collins very quickly. However, to me, the most impressive thing has been the way that Lydia Dody makes it personal in the way that she clearly loves this city and is not afraid to “go public” about medical issues. To the one-of-a-kind publisher and her terrific staff, I wish you 30 more great years!
Best regards and continued success, Tom and Dawn Weimer, Loveland
Laurie Beals, Fort Collins
When my husband and I moved to Fort Collins in September 1998, I was sure that this “town” would not have a great magazine like the Scottsdale Scene that I had enjoyed reading for the 13 years we lived in Arizona. I could not have been more wrong! Lydia’s Style Magazine has such well-written articles,
ENJOYING THE MAGAZINE
I love your publications. I look forward to each issue to stay informed regarding the activities and successes of all the fascinating people, businesses and nonprofits in our community. Keep up the quality work! Kristi Helzer, Greeley Kristi’s Kreations, LLC & Northern Colorado Women in Business I look forward to every issue!
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Peggy Hunter, Wellington
We love your magazine. It’s so wonderful to read about local happenings and people.
I always enjoy reading the interesting articles and such. Thank you for the great publication! Keep up the good work!
Laurel Eberhart, Fort Collins
Brenda Moote, Mac’s Frame Shop, Fort Collins
Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
I enjoyed your publisher’s letter in the March 2014 Northern Colorado Medical & Wellness issue that just arrived. I, too, had Dr. Clark and have been singing his praises since November 2009. He is the only one to do ceramic knees as I developed an allergy to metal. I did both at the same time and had to spend 17 days at the rehab center that was featured in the magazine [Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital]. Like you, things do not always go as planned. But we are both better now for it! Susan Selby, Fort Collins
WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM READERS. SEND YOUR COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS TO:
angie@stylemedia.com Phone: 970.226.6400, ext.215 Fax: 970.226.6427 www.stylemagazinecolorado.com
Style 2014
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on the cover A mouthwatering selection of cheese from Style’s day trip to Cheese Importers in Longmont. Read more about our adventure on page 56. Cover photo by Marcus Edwards Photography.
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EAT: WELSH RABBIT BISTRO . . . .
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TRAVEL: SPEND A DAY IN LONGMONT . . . . . . . . . . .
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FAMILY FOCUS: FAMILY FOCUS: FOCOMX PROMISES FAMILY FUN . . . . .62
about town
A PHOTO TOUR OF NONPROFIT EVENTS . . . . . . . . 64
32 features
SUN SHINES ON THE NORTHERN COLORADO ECONOMY . . . . . . . 18 THE FUTURE OF I-25 . . . . . . . . 20 GROWN UPS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN . . . . . . . . . . 50
golf
GOLF SEASON BLOOMS . . . .
54 APRIL 2014 :: STYLE
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BEST COURSES FOR EATING AND DRINKING . . . . . . . . . . .
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GOLF TECH SWINGS INTO MOTION . . . . . . . . . . . .
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YOUTH GOLF LEAGUES GET KIDS IN THE SWING . . . . . . . .
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BEGINNERS SNAG A GAME OF GOLF . . . . . . . . . . .
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Loveland Chamber Investors Dinner Masquerade in Venice
departments
Greeley Chamber Evening of Champions
FROM OUR READERS . . . . . . . . 8
Simply Red
PUBLISHER’S LETTER . . . . . .12
Butterfly Kisses
STYLE FILES: WHAT STYLE IS RAVING ABOUT THIS MONTH . . . . . . . .14
Style Celebrating 30 Years
BUSINESS PROFILE: SIENA WOOD FLOORS . . . . . . . 16
RamStrength’s Valentine’s Day Party
HOME & GARDEN: EDIBLE LANDSCAPES . . . . . . . 25
Fort Collins Chamber 108th Annual Dinner
HOME & GARDEN: LAWN & GARDEN PRODUCTS WE LOVE! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
WomenGive Luncheon
HOME & GARDEN: ORGANIC GARDENING: SORT THE HYPE FROM THE HEALTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Rocky Mountain Raptor Gala
2014 SPIRIT Mardis Gras
Night for the Museum
Dancing With the Stars from the Heart
WWW.STYLEMAGAZINECOLORADO.COM Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
Publisher’s Letter my total lack of knowledge. It will be a while before I have the courage to actually play the game but Brandon McDermott at GolfTEC is patiently starting to teach me the basics at their indoor facility. I’ve committed to one lesson a week and two 30-minute practice times, so my progress will probably be quite slow, but I’m determined to learn to be a social, non-competitive golfer this season! The minute the days start warming up, I start visiting the garden centers to begin getting ideas for the flowerbeds at home and at the office. I can’t wait to plant some containers with vegetables and others with beautiful flowers and lush foliage. This year I also hope to enhance my landscape at home so I already have an appointment with Kris Nylander at Alpine Gardens to discuss possibilities. Read “Edible Landscapes” for some tips and ideas on including garden-to-table plantings in your yard or in containers on your patio. Our increasing interest in healthy eating has resulted in a big emphasis on organic. Is it healthy or just trendy? Read “Organic Gardening, Sort the Hype From the Health” to examine the truth behind choosing organic. This April issue of Style has always included an economic snapshot of our region, and this year Northern Colorado is enjoying nice growth and positive budget reports with Greeley topping the state in job growth, revenue and new housing starts. Be sure to read “Sun Shines on the Northern Colorado Economy” to learn more details on the bright future of the municipalities in our region. When thinking about the future, all of us must agree that something needs to be done sooner then later to improve the congestion on I-25 from Fort Collins to Denver. I find myself making that trip at least once a week and the traffic never eases up. It is definitely a complex problem with challenging funding issues. Read “The Future of I-25,” where we examine the current situation and discuss possible solutions. We hope you enjoy this issue, which is filled with interesting, relevant and informative articles focused on the business and lifestyle of Northern Colorado. As always, we welcome your questions, comments and suggestions. We love hearing from you!
New Season, New Possibilities Every year as the weather starts to warm many reach for their golf clubs and head to a favorite course to hit some balls. Northern Colorado is home to many beautiful courses offering instruction with golf pros, and providing nice dining amenities and season passes. Be sure to browse through our annual golf section to learn what might be new this season at our public and private golf clubs. And keep the overview of area courses chart for reference throughout the season. An important attraction of the game of golf is the company of friends, enjoying good food and drink. Read “Best Courses for Eating and Drinking” to learn about some golfer’s preferences for dining, drinking and ambiance. A great way to improve and refine your golf game is making use of the new golf gadgets and apps that are now available. Read “Golf Tech Swings into Motion” for an overview of some of the more popular golf tech toys. Most area courses participate in the Northern Colorado Junior Golf League tournaments in the summer presented by Pedersen Toyota. Read “Youth Golf Leagues Get Kids in the Swing” for insight on how you can get your kids involved in the game. Spring is the perfect season to consider new possibilities, opportunities and the positive changes we can make. And, in that spirit, I have decided to finally learn how to play golf so that I don’t embarrass myself with
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Wishing you a happy and healthy spring! lydia@stylemedia.com Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
Style 2014
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Files
in the mood
Have you caught the gardening bug? In that case, explore landscape and gardening trends on pages 25-32 of this magazine. Then get ready to get a little dirty this spring! Remember cool season vegetables can go in the ground as early as March and into April - as soon as you can work the soil. Cool season veggies include lettuce, peas, onions, radish and spinach. Semi-hardy plants can be sown in late April and include beets, carrots, potatoes and Swiss chard. The typical rule of thumb for warm season vegetables is to wait until mid-May. Most nurseries will tell you to wait to plant your tomatoes, beans, corn, cucumbers and summer squash until after Mother’s Day. Join Home Grown Food, a Fort Collins based group that encourages organic backyard gardening and organizes events and seminars around the local growing culture, including seed and starter swaps. Membership is free. www.homegrownfoodcolorado.org Stock up on annuals, herbs, perennials and veggie starts at The Gardens on Spring Creek’s annual Spring Plant Sale on May 10-11. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 11. www.fcgov.com/gardens
on the
web now The Fascination with Fermentation By Malini Bartels You may be a foodie but are you a fermento? Between fresh and rotten lies the most intriguing form of food where compelling flavors arise. Fermented food encompasses that creative space of taste involving a variety of microbial communities, each with different dimensions. Trust me – the art and science of fermentation can lead to a new addiction and a lifetime of new discoveries. Follow my quest in seeking out this “growing culture” in Northern Colorado. For the full story, visit our website at www.stylemagazinecolorado.com.
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signature event 35th Annual Kitchen Kaper Home Tour Join the Fort Collins Service League for their 35th annual Kitchen Kaper Home Tour on April 24 and 25. The preview tour runs from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, culminating in a dinner and silent auction at the Fort Collins Country Club. Tickets on this day are $60. On Friday, the tour runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Fort Collins Service League was started almost 40 years ago by a group of women who cared about children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities in Larimer County. Thirty-five years ago the annual Kitchen Kaper Home Tour was established as the fundraiser for their chosen non-profit, Foothills Gateway, Inc. To date, Kitchen Kaper home tours have raised over $1,000,000 for Foothills. “The Fort Collins Service League is proud to present our 35th annual Kitchen Kaper Home Tour to the Northern Colorado and southern Wyoming communities,” says Nancy Warburton, co-chairman of the Kitchen Kaper committee. “We are excited to showcase five spectacular homes in Fort Collins for our 2014 lineup. And we are grateful beyond words to the numerous homeowners, business owners, silent auction donors, advertisers and attendees who have made the past 35 years of the Kitchen Kaper possible!” The dollars raised by Kitchen Kaper make it possible for Foothills to provide wheelchairs, communication devices, emergency respite care, specialized therapies, vehicles and guardianship. Foothills Gateway serves over 2,000 clients and provides the necessary skills and training that enable them to become participating and contributing members of our community. This year, the Fort Collins Service League is expecting nearly 500 persons to attend the tours over the two days. Tickets can be purchased at The Cupboard, Palmer Flowers, Outpost Sunsport or at the door the day of the tour. Tour-only tickets cost $30. For more information contact (970) 225-2897 or visit Fort Collins Service League’s Facebook page. This year’s tour includes the following homes in Fort Collins: Scott & Nancy Baker 2004 Lakeview Drive Brian & Monica Burck 1420 Richards Lake Road Thomas & Maria Livingston 4124 Spring Canyon Court Jane Sullivan 2105 Country Club Cove Frans Westenbrink & Petra van Wingerden 818 Breakwater Drive
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business profile
The Siena Wood Floors team: (back row) Jarrod Wellmann, Nick Sheffield, Shiloh Stallmann, Mark Dugdale, Martin Segura, Cruz Segura, Sam Kdivera, (front row) Robbie Drtina, Travis Wagner, Todd Rohs, Carol Hass, Danny Sisneros and Leon Garcia.
Master Craftsmen:
The Art of Wood Flooring
By Kyle Eustice
Walking into Siena Wood Floors, 46 flawless wood floor samples are strewn across the showroom so customers have the opportunity to see firsthand the possibilities the Fort Collins-based company has to offer. Owner Todd Rohs founded Siena Wood Floors in April 2012, making it a fairly new endeavor for not only him, but also his various partners. Although it’s under 2-years-old, the combined years of experience reaches almost two decades. “I’ve been in the business for 16 years,” Rohs says. “I started while in college. Originally, it was a part-time job. I started in delivery then moved to install then to sand and finish. Eventually I started doing the bidding.” Born and raised in Fort Collins, Rohs earned a degree in business. After spending more than a decade in the flooring industry, he felt it was time to branch out on his own. He took the leap and never looked back. Siena Wood Floors currently has six teams of two employees that service all of Northern Colorado, parts of Wyoming and various spots in Denver. Rohs is part of the Home Builder’s Association (HBA) and takes great pride in everything he does. “Our philosophy revolves around our customer service,” he explains. “We guarantee our clients
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that we are going to be there when we say we are going to be there, do a great job and follow up. That’s it. As a business structure, good customer service and follow-through on business promises is crucial. Good communication is at the core of everything we do.” Integrity clearly fuels Rohs’ business. It is important to him that he builds a trusting relationship with all of his customers. “I think it’s best to talk to people about what’s going on, get people involved and meet often. If we run into a problem in the middle of a job, we stop work and talk to the customer about it so they stay involved and aware of the costs.” He also believes in a family-like work environment. “The guys and I are able to joke around,” he says. “We have a good relationship, but we
still get the job done.” Siena Wood Floors offers a variety of services and products, including cork, laminate and prefinished/finished flooring, which are all made of sustainable hardwood products. They are able to re-sand floors, add on to existing flooring and lay treads. Prefinished flooring is usually completed in one to two days, while a sand and finish job (on-site) can take up to six days. One of the most enticing services Siena Wood Floors provides is in the beginning stages of every job. “We offer free estimates,” says Rohs. “The customers give us a call, Carol [Hass, business manager] schedules a bid, and we go out, measure everything and find out what they want. Then we go back to the office, type up the bid, itemize it by services and generally email it out. Then, based on Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
Siena offers an extensive variety of floor samples in a variety of sustainable hardwoods.
the customer’s approval, we book the job.” The concise business model ensures Siena’s customers that there is no delay. As soon as the job is scheduled, a team goes out, completes the tear out and begins the install, which typically takes one to two days. “The next step in the process is to have our sanders come out, sand the floor and apply the first coat, which could be a stain or sealer,” he explains. “Then we come back and do two more coats, oil-based or water-based, according to the customer’s preference.” With so many stunning options for wood flooring, Rohs is accustomed to seeing smiles on his customers' faces when they see the custom job his company has completed. It’s something that never grows old. “I love to see people’s reactions when I transform their homes. It’s exciting for them to go from picking a sample on a floor in our office that might be 3 ft. by 4 ft. to seeing it installed throughout their house. To see them get excited and see how it changes their decor is very gratifying.” “I’ve been doing this for a long time,” adds Rohs. “Our customers are our business. We approach every job like it’s our first. Word of mouth from happy customers is most of our advertising.” Staying active in the community is equally important to Rohs. Siena Wood Floors has participated in charity auctions and donated over 200 sq. ft. of flooring to families in need. He also supports CSU basketball and football. Kyle Eustice recently relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. After spending four years living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, she couldn’t wait to get back to the mountain region. She is a regular contributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine, Wax Poetics, Ghettoblaster, and many others. Style 2014
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Sun Shines on the
Northern Colorado Economy By Michelle Venus
For the most part, Northern Colorado weathered the Great Recession better than the rest of the state — and better than the country. But that doesn’t mean the economy has bounced back to prerecession levels. While officials of northern Front Range municipalities give good marks to their communities, they admit that economically, they could be healthier.
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’d describe it [the Fort Collins economy] as healthy; not robust, but very healthy,” states Mike Beckstead, chief financial officer at the City of Fort Collins. “As an organization, we take a conservative stance when it comes to the annual budget. Right now, we’re in a positive revenue environment. One reason for this is that Fort Collins pays cash for capital projects with tax revenue we’ve saved instead of borrowing to fund these projects. We don’t incur debt that has to be paid back with future revenue.” Beckstead points to two recent projects the City has funded as examples: The Woodward headquarters on Lincoln Avenue, northeast of Downtown, and the completion of North College Avenue from Conifer to Willox. “Fort Collins is one of three Colorado municipalities in the entire state that has a AAA rating from Moody’s. That puts the City in the top 3 percent [of Moody’s clients]. It’s something we’ve worked hard to achieve,” says Beckstead, “and it’s something all of Fort Collins should be proud of.” In 2013 Fort Collins revenue edged out expenditures most months. The September floods and early fall snowstorms required massive cleanup efforts that outpaced revenue. December’s expenditures were 25 percent higher than what was taken in during the same time period, which follows historical trends. Overall, the City saw $961,000 (or 1 percent) in positive earnings. Economic Health Director, Josh Birks, is looking at 2014 to be on par with 2013. “Midtown is
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seeing a lot of growth,” he explains. “The mall project is going to revitalize an area that hasn’t seen its full potential in a very long time. Even before it brings in new retailers, it will generate new construction jobs. Trader Joe’s and Sierra Trading Post are both moving into The Square. The MAX [Bus Rapid Transit] line, which officially starts in May, has already created new growth. One of the reasons The Summit apartment complex chose their site because of its proximity to the line.” Midtown isn’t the only area that has Birks excited. Further north, the Lincoln Corridor, North College Avenue, the Brewery District and development along the Poudre River are top of mind. “These are parts of town that haven’t gotten enough attention until now. While there have been some growing pains, the north side is seeing long-needed revitalization,” says Birks. But Fort Collins isn’t the only municipality on the northern Front Range that is experiencing growth and positive budget reports. Greeley tops statewide growth on just about every list: Job growth, revenue and new housing starts. “Life is good in Greeley,” says Finance Director Victoria Runkle. “New businesses are opening in Downtown and it’s exhilarating. The Greeley Chophouse is a wonderful addition to the existing restaurants and Stuft Burger Bar will be opening this spring. I can’t say enough good things about the Cranford Cove Tea Tavern. There’s a really good energy growing in Downtown.” Businesses aren’t the only new residents in Downtown Greeley. People looking for a more urban lifestyle are staking claim to loft spaces. Urban lifestyles? Lofts? In Greeley? “Yup,” says Runkle. “And that’s adding to the energy, too. Greeley is attracting a lot of creatives. People are intentionally moving here — they are choosing Greeley as their home so they can enjoy the quality of life this city offers and make their art.” In fact, Greeley is the first Northern Colorado community, and one of the first in the state, to achieve candidate status as a Creative District. Once it completes the rigorous two year candidacy program and meets all the requirements, Greeley becomes eligible to become a Certified Creative District. According to the Colorado Creative Industries (the state-run agency that oversees the Creative District program), a Creative District is a community that makes the commitment to develop the “administrative structure, funding streams, community engagement process, strategic plan and staff structure that provide both immediate sustainability and opportunities to evolve” within the arts community. On the flip side of that coin is the oil and gas industry. It’s booming. When the Niobrara Play was discovered in 2010, it completely changed the game. Primarily located in the DJ Basin (DenverJulesburg) and parts of Wyoming, Nebraska and Kansas, it stretches as far north as the MontanaCanada border. A big chunk of the play is in Weld County. The income generated from the oil and gas industry has eliminated Weld County’s debt and is responsible for $3.3 million in direct revenue to the City of Greeley. Within Greeley city limits, there are 427 wells, with the potential for an additional 1,605 to be developed in the growth Style 2014
area. Approximately 20,000 wells are outside the city limits. That’s raising a stink for some residents who don’t like the possibility of having oil companies drilling and fracking right underneath their homes. They’re worried about longterm health issues and the effect a neighboring wellhead could have on their property values. A project approved by the City will put 16 horizontal fracking wells under the west-side Fox Run subdivision. Last year, the University of Northern Colorado leased the mineral rights underneath 246 acres, allowing for horizontal drilling. Mineral Resources, the company in charge of the Fox Run project promises to capture 95 percent of the methane and other pollutants that could be released into the air above the neighborhood. Still, it makes for seething residents and unpopular policies. It also makes for dicey negotiating between big oil and residents; the drilling companies have the legal authority to access subsurface minerals. Homeowners have the right to a healthy, enjoyable and peaceful environment in their homes. However it shakes out, someone is bound to be unhappy. Despite that, there’s no denying the positive economic impact gas and oil is making in the region. It is estimated that Anadarko Petroleum Corporation will invest $7 billion in Weld County over the next five years. Noble Energy has similar plans. Greeley’s hotel vacancies are among the lowest in Northern Colorado due to the surge of new workers coming into the region. Fast casual restaurants such as Chipotle and Noodles are springing up. Auto sales are up, especially in the large vehicle categories. The employment picture is looking rosier throughout Northern Colorado. According to a report issued by professor Martin Shields, of Colorado State University’s Regional Economics Institute, jobs have not just rebounded since the recession started in December 2007, but have surpassed pre-recession levels. The report looked at the seven Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) throughout the state and found that the Greeley MSA saw the greatest growth in employment with a 6.8 percent (5,600 jobs) increase, fueled in great part by the petroleum industry. Fort Collins-Loveland (including Windsor) also fared better than other MSAs throughout Colorado. This MSA experienced a 4.1 percent (5,900 jobs) increase in total employment since the third quarter of 2007. All in all, good news. But while the quantity has increased, the quality of available jobs has lost some luster. Many of these new positions pay well below the state average and are concentrated in the food services, ambulatory healthcare and retail sectors. Factor these wages with higher paying management and executive salaries, and the average annual earnings were $43,160 in the 3rd quarter of 2013, only 87 percent of the state average. Greeley’s average annual earnings were $43,264 in the 3rd quarter of last year, also 87 percent of the state average. Windsor is seeing a brighter employment environment. Stacy Johnson, the town’s director of Economic Development, reports that over 600 primary jobs were created in 2012 and 2013. Most of these positions were in construction,
manufacturing, machining and welding, heavy equipment operation and in technical fields, including pharmaceutical machine operation, R&D testing and engineering. Some of the new primary employers that came on board during that time frame include Titan Machinery, Tolmar, Woodward, Blue Water Resources and Halliburton. Vestas inked three new contracts last fall. It plans to hire “hundreds” of new employees in all three of its Colorado facilities in the first half of this year in order to fulfill them. In 2012, the company laid off several hundred workers when the federal wind Production Tax Credit was scheduled to expire at the end of 2013. The picture is a little bit different in Loveland. Robin Shukle, executive director of the Loveland Center for Business Development, is seeing more people walk through the agency’s front door. Their strengthening economy is spurring entrepreneurial dreams and people are feeling more encouraged and confident to take that first important step. Shukle notes that it’s not the young and unencumbered Millennial making the leap. “It’s the Baby Boomers who are starting new businesses,” she says. “A lot of them have spent their entire careers working for someone else and now it’s time for them to be their own boss.” Up the hill in Estes Park, the economy is seeing improvement, despite last September’s devastating floods. Mayor Bill Pinkham attributes the town’s “Mountain Strong” spirit for the comeback. When the roads into Estes opened up in time for the holiday season, the shopping district was packed with people who came up from Fort Collins, Loveland and other neighboring communities to buoy the mountain community’s businesses and help them get back on their feet. “The support Estes Park received was amazing,” says Pinkham. “We lost a lot of revenue at the height of our season. Most of our income is generated through tourism, and the floods impacted everyone tremendously. But I’m here to say that Estes Park is open — and ready — for business.” Plans are on the drawing board to build the $15 million Anschutz Wellness Center at the Stanley Hotel, a facility on the hotel’s property that will cater to residents and visitors alike. The proposed wellness center will include a 15,000 square foot training center, an 8,000 square foot pool facility, a 15,000 square foot wellness center, a 13,000 square foot space for physician lodging and an 8,000 square foot atrium and assembly space. The project also includes 24,000 square feet of cottages and 11,000 square feet of townhouses. It is part of a larger master plan for the Stanley Hotel District. It is estimated that the project will create more than 100 construction jobs as well as dozens of full time, high-paying positions once the wellness center opens for business. Tax revenue from the center will potentially add millions of dollars to the town’s annual budget. The recession is behind us. The economic foundation has been set in Northern Colorado. Now it’s time to build a brighter future.
Michelle Venus is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins.
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The Future of I-25 By Brad Shannon
It can ruin your day, whether you’re headed to work, play or home. You get on Interstate 25, traffic slows to a crawl and you realize you won’t reach your destination anywhere near the time you had planned.
For several years, it’s been typical to head to the highway with hopes of, not plans for, a trouble-free trip, but that was not always the case. In the early 90s, it seemed I-25 was relatively lightly traveled most of the time. In recent years, it’s typically congested 24/7. Traffic volume has roughly doubled in the last decade. “We see I-25 as the transportation spine for Northern Colorado,” notes Larimer County Traffic Engineer Martina Wilkinson. “It is critical for mobility, for regional and inter-regional travel, and a key to the economic success of our county. Business, agriculture and tourism rely on it, and as the area has grown, and traffic has ballooned, we’ve not added any capacity since it was built in the 1960s.” That growth is expected to continue, doubling again by 2035. From 2003 to 2011, a carefully crafted $22 million Environmental Impact Statement found that “full build out” of the highway,
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along with mass transit additions and improvements to U.S. Routes 287 and 85, will require $2.2 billion in 2008 dollars. “There is a definite need to make improvements in safety, system quality and mobility,” notes Myron Hora, Colorado Department of Transportation's (CDOT) regional transportation director for Northern Colorado. “We need to make sure we can provide a timely trip to support economic vitality for the whole area.” To get an idea of where I-25 is headed if no improvements are made to the current four-lane configuration, think back to September of last year, in the immediate aftermath of the historic flood. Major north-south arterials in Longmont and Loveland were impassable. For about a week, I-25 was the only way north and south between Fort Collins, Loveland and Longmont. CDOT gathered traffic data on the highway during that time. Traffic volume varies along the
highway, but south of U.S. Highway 34 the roadway typically sees 78,000 vehicles a day. South of State Highway (SH) 66, that grows to 100,000/ day. For that post-flood week, volume grew to what CDOT expects to be typical for 2024. Even worse, current State of Colorado projections suggest that it will have the $2.2 billion needed for improvements available – by 2075. “When it’s that congested, traffic backs up and travels slower, and we just can’t put any more cars through,” said Hora. “We don’t have that money now, but we do have a transportation plan that takes us out to 2035,” said Hora. “It identifies $640 million worth of improvements from SH 66 to the SH 56 interchange, from SH 392 to SH 14, and some transit work.” That, combined with some changes in the way CDOT allocates and spends money on projects, and “P3s” (public-private partnerships) enable the department to be more flexible, figure out what Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
projects to prioritize, accept projects sooner and get plans out the door faster. Clearly, if the current state of I-25 is not untenable, it soon will be. Loveland City Council member Joan Shaffer, who acts as the Northern Colorado I-25 coalition representative, also emphasizes the importance of the I-25 corridor for commerce, noting that “Northern Colorado is the fastest growing region in the state.” She points out that the connection I-25 provides between I-80 and I-70, along with the distribution needs of the likes of Wal-Mart, UPS, FedEx and Budweiser, as well as the oil and gas industry, makes some movement – any movement – toward getting improvements started a priority. “All of the communities and chambers of commerce in Northern Colorado, and the economic development groups, have made I-25 a priority,” she observes. Kathy Gilliland, appointed by the governor as the state transportation commissioner for Larimer, Weld and Morgan counties, agrees. “The congestion of 25 and 34 are causing businesses to have concerns, and it is beginning to have an impact their economic perspective,” she reports. “That makes it harder to recruit businesses here, and it reduces the range and shrinks the pool that employers can look to draw employees from. We’re making the case for action within the next five years.” Shaffer’s immediate vision for priority needs on I-25 include adding a lane or lanes, and rebuilding most of the existing interchanges to accommodate them, for around $1 billion. In addition to adding lanes, she is focused on fixing topographic issues that cause congestion, including reducing the grade on “Berthoud Hill,” and straightening the S-curve at SH 402. A long-time supporter of public transportation, she agrees with Hora and Wilkinson that it is not possible to build ourselves out of the inevitable congestion that comes with growth. In making the case for the importance of public transportation, she cites two demographic trends: Aging baby boomers who live an average of 10 years after they lose the ability to drive; and the tendency of “millenials” to eschew a suburban house with two cars in the garage for a more walkable, urban lifestyle. She also expresses concerns about securing needed funds in a timely manner, noting that the underlying I-25 road bed north of SH 66 was originally meant to last until 2024. “Then, to fix it properly, we have to go down to dirt and start over. If we are not adding lanes and just fixing the existing lanes and working to fix the topographical features, that’s just a Band-Aid.” Fortunately, a number of state, regional and local groups have been working for years to figure out the challenge of how to have the long-overdue work on the roadway done – and paid for – sooner rather than later. That means it will be done in stages, will cost more than projected and require substantial compromises by many of the stakeholders, including taxpayers; but in some way, shape or form, it will get done, because it has to. “We can’t not do anything,” confirms Hora, “and we have a lot of opportunities to continue the discussion and find a solution.” Unfortunately, with so many different entities at the table, competing priorities and expectations Style 2014
come into play. The current situation sees $90 million set aside for design services to add a third lane to the north stretch of I-25 from SH 66 to SH 14. The problem comes in how to pay for the construction and maintenance. CDOT’s original plan was to add a third lane, and make it a “managed lane” – for use by those who pay a toll or meet high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) requirements. Given that a managed lane would go from SH 14 to SH 66, CDOT also planned to convert the existing third lane in each direction between SH 66 and Denver to a managed lane, too. That was something communities and drivers who’d become used to having that lane as a general purpose lane did not react well to. “People had become attached to those lanes, they had taken ownership of them since they were put in place in 2001,” notes Hora, “and rightfully so.” That unwillingness to agree to allow those lanes to be converted to managed lanes by communities along that stretch of I-25 has consequences. It takes toll revenue to pay for construction and maintenance and to help lure private capital to do the project as part of a P3, off the table. It lengthens the time it will take to find funding and plan and do the work, which means the project grows in cost. It puts taxpayers in the position of having to put more money in up front, and obligates us to a longer time period to pay off the construction costs. Gilliland notes that adding a general purpose lane, rather than a managed lane, leads to a loss of efficiencies. “If you have express busses, carpools or VanGo vehicles, but they all have to be in traffic like everyone else, everyone’s trip reliability suffers.”
Shaffer agrees. “The businesses with fleets are not big fans of managed lanes, since they don’t use them; but they do offer benefits, including the ability to provide a reliable trip time. Managed lanes thrive on congestion, but they provide the option to have a reliable route when you have to have it.” Gilliland adds, “It is not just about tolling for revenue – it provides capital construction costs and funds maintenance, as well.” It also has the potential to put the $90 million currently set aside for design services at risk, unless some consensus is reached that allows creating a workable P3. After an original December deadline for unanimous agreement by the local governments impacted by the project, September’s flood led to an extension of the timeline until April. There is still no agreement, and Hora plans to request an additional extension to the end of the calendar year to allow those communities to continue the conversation. The good news is that Northern Colorado is making headway in its efforts to get CDOT and the federal government to prioritize expanding I-25. The bad news is that paying for the planning, construction and maintenance remains a challenge that will require some creative solutions. It will get worse before it gets better. One change on the horizon: HOV lane requirements go from two people per vehicle to three in 2017. Plan your travel accordingly. Brad Shannon is a freelance writer based in Loveland.
21
GRO Kathy Albertz Harmony | 690-6011
Kathy Arents Mulberry | 222-1784
Georgena Arnett Loveland | 481-9801
Deb Baker Harmony | 218-9777
Sheila Benshoof Harmony | 377-4957
Greg Bever Harmony | 377-4916
Jason Billings Mulberry | 419-2364
Cindy Blach Mulberry | 481-5821
Kathy Boeding Loveland | 231-9073
Brian Bogaard Harmony | 377-4954
Judy Bogaard Harmony | 377-4931
Jim Chance Horsetooth | 377-6022
Kelli Couch Horsetooth | 310-8804
Joanne DĂŠLeon Harmony | 691-2501
Tim DĂŠLeon Harmony | 377-4942
Lane Everitt Harmony | 377-4923
Kurt Faulkner Harmony | 377-4906
Mark Goldrich Horsetooth | 218-1930
Cassie Hau Centerra | 679-1547
Shelly Hill Mulberry | 419-2348
Linda Hopkins Horsetooth | 377-6004
Michelle Hubbard Harmony | 377-6077
Keith Huntsman Harmony | 377-4941
Nicole Huntsman Harmony | 402-0221
Jeni Jones Harmony | 481-8900
OUP Cindy Kurtz Centerra | 679-1545
Cindy Kutin Centerra | 391-4735
Kim LaPlante Harmony | 377-4926
Alycia Martinez Centerra | 679-1657
Nancy Maus Centerra | 213-0554
Deanna McCrery Harmony | 377-4971
Chris McElroy Harmony | 377-4927
Mary Ann Michels Mulberry | 310-7944
Doug Miller Mulberry | 481-9444
Kelly Milton Mulberry | 286-8511
Tracie Milton Harmony | 227-8097
Vern Milton Harmony | 377-4940
Elaine C. Minor Horsetooth | 215-9236
James W. Mitchell Mulberry | 420-2487
Jim Murray Harmony | 377-4909
Dave Muth Harmony | 481-5963
Rob Mygatt Harmony | 229-5411
Carl Nelson Harmony | 377-4914
Mary O’Neal
Nikki Onda Harmony | 691-0176
Dennis Pfeifer Horsetooth | 377-6057
DR Phillips Centerra | 679-159523
StyleCenterra 2014 | 679-1646
John Peden Centerra | 679-1574
Sally Lee Horsetooth | 377-6024
Diana Luthi Centerra | 481-2692
Patti Phillips Mulberry | 419-2334
Joey Porter Harmony | 481-4814
Miki Roth Centerra | 679-1568
Tracey Ryk Harmony | 377-4934
Valerie Schlageter Horsetooth | 377-6029
Bob Skillman Centerra | 679-1632
Todd Sledge Harmony | 377-4901
Wendy Sparks Harmony | 691-4243
Tami Spaulding Horsetooth | 377-6003
Ryan Spencer Centerra | 214-0263
Kim Summitt Loveland | 689-6950
Don Svitak Harmony | 215-1571
Jessica Tate Centerra | 305-2400
Jack Taylor Mulberry | 419-2351
Matt Thompson Harmony | 443-9910
Dave Trujillo Centerra | 679-1550
Cathy Vance Centerra | 679-1554
Karla VanDenBerg Centerra | 405-8530
Becky Vasos Harmony | 377-4969
Carol Voorhis Mulberry | 419-2343
Danny Valles
Nancy Walker Mulberry | 419-2321
Robert Walkowicz Harmony | 377-4945
Bill West Horsetooth | 690-0505
24Horsetooth | 377-6072
Hep Wilkins
Lydia’s STYLE Magazine | 377-6033 Horsetooth
home & garden
EDIBLE landscapes By Corey Radman
Maybe your outside spaces are typical of many others in Northern Colorado. Low maintenance. Low water. Easy, right?
25
W
hether yours is an apartment, a patio home or you have a generous yard with an established landscape, the plant experts say the one thing everyone has in common is a desire for a bit of blooming pizzazz. Kris Nylander, designer and project manager for Alpine Gardens, indicates that hardscapes like outdoor kitchens and fire pits are in still high demand, “but beyond that everybody still wants color and a space that is relaxing.” He says the term relaxing means something different to everyone, but often it means small spaces where homeowners can tinker and garden without committing to hours of labor. Nylander often accommodates these requests with a 4 by 8 foot raised garden, located near the water or tool shed. “That’s a comfortable size people can access and manage.” Mundy Miller, manager at Bath Nurseries, says they are hearing requests not just for color, but
edible color in the landscape. “We understand that not everyone wants to plunk a huge garden in the middle of their landscape.” Bath’s marketing specialist, Carly Risley says that’s where containers come in. “Our number one request is for containers. It’s so much more manageable for people. You’ll have time to get to it. You can be more successful with one tomato or one lettuce bowl. You just water or harvest as you walk past.” Nylander agrees that containers are a great way to squeeze in a bit more color in a small yard or around the edges of a patio. “We often install lightweight reinforced fiberglass pots that can be moved around from year to year on rollers, depending on their need.” Edibles in the landscape aren’t a new concept. Sketches of 19th century English gardens include vegetable beds right along side the maze-like hedges. Fruit trees don’t have to be relegated to CONT. TO PG 28
Top Trends
Landscaping and Design If you are wondering what to do with that awkward corner of the lawn, or it is time for a landscape re-design, here are some of the top national gardening and landscaping trends in 2014: • Table to garden to table: Composting is on the rise and cities are offering incentives to compost and reduce food waste. • Super food gardens that grow hard-to-find specialty vegetables and herbs, like blueberries, kale and dandelions, are super hip. • Drink up! Gardens that focus on raw ingredients for healthy smoothies, fermentation gardens, and grains and grapes for wine and beer making. • Landscape designs with a monochromatic themes like black and white or color blocking with a single color. • Geometric gardening trends. Modern looks that use dimension and shape to make a statement. • The local trend – Buying from farmers’ markets or local CSAs, being good stewards of the Earth. • An increase in the number of men getting dirty in the garden, especially in the 18 to 34 year age group.
Spending Trends
for Gardens and Landscapes
• Bees! Encouraging bee health and an awareness that bees help 70 percent of the world’s flowering plants to reproduce through pollination. Using bio-diversity principles to counter habitat loss, creating structural habitats like bee hotels to encourage bees to stay in the garden.
{ 78 million U.S. households have a lawn, garden or grow plants in containers. 54 percent grew vegetables. – Garden Writers Association
• Gardens and landscapes built into workspaces, outdoor meetings and other ways to increase office productivity while decreasing work stress.
{ Perennial plant sales are up 10 percent in the
• Bringing tech to the garden: mobile gardens, solar and hydroponic gardens, garden apps and virtual container design technology.
report
• An increased awareness of the importance of planting more trees.
last 10 years, while annuals have dropped by 10 percent. – 2012 U.S. Department of Agriculture
{ The USDA reports that total bedding/garden
plants sales are up 3.1 percent, foliage is up 4.6 percent, but potted flowering plants are down (3.5 percent) as are domestically produced cut flowers (down 4.7 percent). – U.S. Department of Agriculture
{ North Americans spend more per year on lawn
and garden purchases ($58 billion) than they do on pets ($53 billion), weddings ($42 billion) or coffee ($27.8 billion). However, it’s less than that spent on weight-loss methods ($61 billion) and Christmas gifts ($586 billion). – Garden Media Group
26
{ In 2012, America’s 85 million do-ityourself gardeners increased by 2 million more households and spent an average of $347 a year on plants and gardening products, doing so mostly at home-improvement centers (27 percent), mass merchants (20 percent), local garden centers and nurseries (17 percent) and local hardware stores (15 percent). – National Gardening Association and the U.S. Department of Agriculture
BUILDING & LANDSCAPING NORTHERN COLORADO
Special Advertising Section
LIGHT UP YOUR LANDSCAPE As the outdoor living trend grows in popularity, so does the landscape lighting industry. Landscaping your home is a big investment, so why not try to enjoy your investment for more hours of the day? Low voltage landscape lighting can help to achieve this. The goal should be to enjoy and use your outdoor space much like you would during the day. Finding creative ways to light the garden, large shade trees and pathways will instantly increase the functionality within any landscape. And remember that landscape lighting is not only about aesthetics, but about safety and security as well. There are many fixtures available that can be nicely hidden from view, while giving the proper amount of light needed on that pathway or outdoor kitchen. And finally, with the evolution of LED bulbs, landscape lighting is now so much more affordable and longer lasting.
www.alpinelandscaping.com 970.226.2296
CONT. FROM PG. 26
orchards. They are just as lovely as ornamentals with the added benefit of a harvest. Risley describes her ideal landscape. “I think about edible landscaping as my own little food forest. I can just walk out in my back yard and pick my breakfast. At Bath, we have many small dwarf fruit trees that won’t overpower a yard. Apples, cherry, pear, peach, plum... all of those do well here,” she says. Hurdles to Food as Decoration One other complaint people cite is that fruit trees are labor intensive and messy. “Yes, we hear that, but you gotta eat!” bemoans Risley. “Fruit is not a problem, it’s a good thing.” Miller nods. Yes, there is a learning curve to growing fruit trees or shrubs. “The birds eat the cherries or the worms eat the apples... you just have to learn about different ways to protect those things. There are organic sprays you can use so you don’t get the worms in the apples.” Additional water will also be required for anything that grows a fruit. It’s important to amend the existing soil; Colorado clay is no place to be nurturing apples. Bath offers lots of classes and support as you learn how to grow a new plant. “The next step,” she says, “is learning how to preserve the harvest. Often people are able to feed themselves most of the way through the winter.” Other great plants to work into existing landscapes can include raspberries, currents or gooseberries for shrubbery. Strawberries provide low perennial cover and do quite well in flowerbeds. Grape vines wind up trellises or pergolas, providing shade and food. Asparagus offer a leggy but dainty late summer fern that is covered in small red berries. When planning a potted garden, Bath staff suggests asking for plants or seeds that note “container garden” on the package. Salad greens do really well since they don’t require a full eight hours of sunlight (great for apartment balcony gardeners). Watch out for heirloom tomatoes because they tend to be leggy and sprawling. Ask for tomatoes that will stay short and sturdy. Strawberries are gorgeous in a hanging basket mixed with flowers. To maximize space, Nylander recommends vertical gardens like the brand Wooly Pocket. “They work really well in small spaces. People grow annuals, food like strawberries or greens. We’re even seeing them pop up indoors in restaurants growing herbs.” He suggests using vertical gardens along a garage wall leading to a front door, or for building a privacy screen in the backyard. He indicates that it is possible for the handy to build this on their own. “Just frame in a sturdy wall and follow the instructions,” he says, adding that he’s still working on a self-watering system solution. So, add a watering can to the shopping list when you get supplies. As you plan your summer projects, remember container gardens, vertical gardens, earth boxes or just a small raised bed can give you the tinkering spaces you crave. Corey Radman writes and gardens in Fort Collins. Contact her at fortcollinswriter.com.
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Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
BUILDING & LANDSCAPING NORTHERN COLORADO
Special Advertising Section
STANDING OUT BY BLENDING IN The Jeanerett project was a renovation project in Windsor. Their house backs up to open space and so Hurr wanted to give them an outdoor living area that they could enjoy year round and that would blend in nicely with the surrounding open space. They incorporated boulders into a stamped concrete patio with night lighting in the stairs, added an outdoor kitchen, hot tub area that is protected from the neighbors and then softened the entire area with plants that have color for the entire growing season. For your ultimate outdoor living space, call Hurr Sprinkler & Landscape at (970) 613-0225 or visit www.HurrColorado.com.
www.HurrColorado.com 970.613-0225
home & garden 1 2
3
4
Lawn & Garden Products We Love!
Get in the gardening mood with these great must-have products and decor. 1 Skyline’s line of igloo outdoor furniture is outdoor luxury at its best. Constructed from weatherproof rattan in fun shapes, these pieces are worth the splurge. Hanging chair from $2,500+ or apple daybed from $8,500+, available at Surroundings, Fort Collins. www.surroundingsstore.com
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2 Bring the garden indoors with these bright and cheery blue anemone pillows from Evergreen. $29.99 at Bath Garden Center, Fort Collins. www.bathgardencenter.com
3 Zap those wanted suckers in your lawn. Sucker-Stopper by Monterey is a lifesaver. The easy-to-use spray controls sprouts and suckers from a variety of pesky trees. $44.99 at Fossil Creek Nursery in Fort Collins. www.fossilcreeknursery.com
4 Go all nostalgic with a Radio Flyer red wagon. We like them filled with ice and cold beverages at your next outdoor party or filled with plants and parked in the garden for a funky decor. $109.99 at Downtown Ace Hardware, Fort Collins.
Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
You name it...
We Make it Easy! Graduations Weddings Children’s Parties Church Events
bock & icia Stein
Tr
Tents
elsick
Ron Neb
der it!
t goes un
ing tha & Everyth
Fund Raisers
Anniversaries Company Events
1550 Riverside • Fort Collins
970-267-6500 Style 2014
31
home & garden
Organic Gardening
sort the hype from the health By Corey Radman
There is no doubt that the food we eat impacts our health. Because of that knowledge and also because of economic concerns, families have come back to the garden for at least part of their food. Last year’s National Garden Association trends report noted that consumer spending on vegetable gardens was second only to spending on lawns. Backyard vegetable gardens, CSAs and farmer’s markets are inextricably linked with healthy eating. That’s a good thing. People have also learned to look for the USDA organic label on food, plants and at farmer’s markets. But is organic really the healthiest option any more? These days it is possible to buy organic potato chips, organic Oreo-like cookies, and even organic t-shirts and
32
socks. It seems the organic concept has gotten a bit muddy. But people are still worried about what’s in their food – and rightly so. No one wants to eat an herbicide-laden tomato, but sorting healthy from trendy is tougher. Mundy Miller, manager at Bath Nursery in Fort Collins, says they have absolutely seen an increase in people wanting to grow their own food because they want to know what’s in it – and on it. But, she says, the process of getting certified isn’t really possible for the way they do business. And she worries that people are getting hung up on a label while missing naturally grown local producers. Carly Risley, Bath’s marketing specialist, agrees. “I think the USDA certification is hype. Because of the restrictions on the certification process, we’ll never be able to grow completely organically within these four acres even though we grow all our vegetables, herbs and foods to that standard. We can’t say it’s organic, but instead call it naturally grown. There are so many other small farmers, CSAs and gardeners in the same boat. I don’t think people need to be stuck on that label. They just need to talk to their supplier about what processes they use.” When choosing plant starts for optimal health, ask if the nursery used any pesticides or herbicides. If they pass the test, you can count on the plant being as healthful for you as a certified organic one. Organic seeds are available and can be purchased locally and through seed catalogues, but don’t be afraid to buy a hybrid seed if it’s what serves your needs. Some hybrid varieties are crossed for growing in container gardens; they stay small, but still fruit. Still others have been bred to fruit faster and who doesn’t appreciate an early pepper? “Hybrid doesn’t necessarily mean it’s GMO,” says Risley. “People get them mixed up. And we do have a lot of hybrid seeds that are organic.” Win – win! Once you get it home, be sure you have properly prepared soil. No plant will thrive in Northern Colorado if you haven’t amended the dirt. It’s a pitiful clay soil we live on. Raised beds or container gardens with fresh soil/compost mix will be much more successful. “It takes several years of amending the soil here to get that rich black soil that you want,” says Miller. If the soil is robust, most of the typical plant maladies can be avoided. Miller suggests starting the season by amending with either compost, or an organic fertilizer like Alpha One, which is optimized for Colorado gardens. She adds, if you commit to organic, you have to stick with it. No fair releasing ladybugs on the tomatoes and then inviting ChemLawn to spray the grass or trees with pesticide. Miller says if your soil is well fortified with compost and you water properly, you’ll be fine. Miracle Grow is not necessary. Though, Miller hedges her bets against the potential pests by planting marigolds around her potato and tomato plants. “I never have flea beetles or aphids.” Corey Radman alternates writing with shooing her chickens out of the kale. Contact her at fortcollinswriter.com.
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Building & landscaping NortherN Colorado
Special advertising Section
Water ScapeS Breathe Life into Your LandScape Adding the element of running water to a landscape is a rewarding experience. Whether the space is large or small, steep or flat, sunny or shaded, there is a multitude of different designs that can be created for that space. Liebl Landscape, LLC has been designing and installing custom water features for the past 15 years. Each one is unique, depending on the client’s desires and the site’s characteristics. Liebl Landscape has created water gardens that vary in size and complexity. Some are small, intimate features located near a back patio where space and budget were limited. Or, some have been large Koi ponds with extravagant patios and landscape to accompany them. When considering a water garden for your yard, it is important to keep a few considerations in mind. The first one is location. We recommend situating the water feature near a patio or porch where outdoor activities take place. Or it might make sense to have it close to a bedroom window where you can see and enjoy the sound. You may also want to take advantage of a steep slope for the benefit of having several waterfalls. The second question is: What type of feature do you want? Are you going to want fish? How much maintenance do you want to have to keep up with? Do you have small children or pets, that a pond could potentially present a danger? There are several different types of features that address each of these concerns. The last question is budget. There are different styles and sizes of water features to meet most budgets. Once you have answered these questions then the next step is to have a professional look over your project and put together a detailed design that will bring your project to life.
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www.liebllandscape.com 970.215.9937
Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
GOLF IS LIKE A LOVE AFFAIR. IF YOU DON’T TAKE IT SERIOUSLY, IT’S NO FUN; IF YOU DO TAKE IT SERIOUSLY, IT BREAKS YOUR HEART. ~ARTHUR DALEY
Golf season beckons and Northern Colorado offers golfers a superb playground. In Style’s annual golf section, we will explore the local courses available in our region, the best course restaurants for relaxing after a game, the latest tech for golfers and find the best way to pass this love affair on to your children and grandchildren. The greens are calling – get out there and enjoy.
The view of Harmony Club’s 11th hole at sunrise.
Golf Season Blooms “The most important shot in golf is the next one.” – Ben Hogan Golf lovers rejoice! Spring’s arrival is returning grass to that vibrant shade of green all of us have been longing for. A few hardy souls may have played year-round where able, but fair-weathered golfers are looking to dust off the clubs and break out the shoes. Style’s annual golf section is designed to keep Northern Colorado informed and up-to-date on the latest golf courses, products and amenities. Here is an overview of the golf courses available in our region: COURSE NAME
ADDRESS
Boomerang Golf Links
7309 West 4th St., Greeley
(970) 353-4653
Cattail Creek
2116 West 29th St, Loveland
City Park Nine
411 S. Bryan Ave, Fort Collins
Collindale Golf Course
WEBSITE
HOLES
GOLF PRO
Season Passes/ Deals
TYPE
DINING
golfingreeley.com
Public
Outback Restaurant & Grill, (970) 351-8958, www. OutbackRestaurantandPub.com
18
Bob McNamee
Variety of passes available. Please check website.
(970) 663-5310
cityofloveland.org
Public
No
9
Jim Dargis
Annual pass for Loveland and Berthoud residents. Punch passes available.
(970) 221-6650
fcgov.com/golf/citypark-nine.php
Public
No
9
Doug Perry
Season passes available.
1441 E. Horsetooth Road, Fort Collins
(970) 221-6651
fcgov.com/golf/collindale.php
Public
CB & Potts, (970) 2260148, cbpotts. com/locations/ collindale/
18
Dale Smigelsky
Season passes available.
Eaton Country Club
37661 County Road 39, Eaton
(970) 454-2587
eatoncountryclub. com
Private
Restaurant
18
Rick Cole
Call for membership information.
Estes Park Golf Course
1480 Golf Course Rd., Estes Park
(970) 586-8146
golfestes.com
Public
Hangar Restaurant, (970) 5868146, ext. #3
18
Mark Miller
Visit website for fee schedule and specials.
Fort Collins Country Club
1920 Country Club Road, Fort Collins
(970) 482-1336
fcgolf.org
Private
Restaurant
18
John Hanrahan
Call for membership information.
Greeley Country Club
4500 West 10th St, Greeley
(970) 353-2431
greeleycc.org
Private
Restaurant
18
Greg Heiny
Call for membership information.
Harmony Golf Club
4176 Club Dr., Timnath
(970) 482-GOLF
harmonyclub.info/ golf
Private
The Harmony Cabin
18
Steve Lind
Call for membership information.
Highland Hills
2200 Clubhouse Drive, Greeley
(970) 330-7327
golfingreeley.com
Public
Bogey’s Pub and Grille
18
Chris Colling
Variety of passes available. Please check website.
Highland Meadows
6300 Highand Meadows Pkwy., Windsor
(970) 204-4653
highlandmeadowsgolfcourse.com
Public
Tavern on the Green, (970) 203-0424
18
Paul McQuade
Visit website for fee schedule and specials.
Lake Estes Golf Course
690 Big Thompson Ave., Estes Park
(970) 586-8176
golfestes.com
Public
Snack Bar
9
Mark Miller
Visit website for fee schedule and specials.
The Mad Russian Golf Course
2100 Country Club Pkwy., Milliken
(970) 587-5157
madrussiangolf.com
Public
Snack Bar
18
Heidi Heckenlable
Season passes and punch cards available.
Mariana Butte
701 Clubhouse Dr, Loveland
(970) 667-8308
cityofloveland.org
Public
The Wapiti Pub, (970) 635-1985, www.thewapitipub.com
18
Winston Howe
Annual pass for Loveland and Berthoud residents. Punch passes available.
Mountain Vista Greens
2808 NE Frontage Rd., Fort Collins
(970) 482-4847
mountainvistagreens.com
Public
Bently’s Concession Stand
18
Irma Whitman
Season passes and punch cards available.
The Olde Course at Loveland
2115 West 29th St, Loveland
(970) 667-5256
cityofloveland.org
Public
Snack Bar
18
Kim Stiener
Annual pass for Loveland and Berthoud residents. Punch passes available.
Pelican Lakes Golf & Country Club
1620 Pelican Lakes Point, Windsor
(970) 674-0930
watervalley.com
Semi private
Pelican Lakes Restaurant, (970) 674-1100
18
Stacy Kleve
Call for membership information.
Ptarmigan Golf & Country Club
5416 Vardon Way, Fort Collins
(970) 226-6600
ptarmigancc.com
Private
Restaurant
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Jeff Ulvedal
Call for membership information.
Southridge Golf Club
5750 S. Lemay Ave, Fort Collins
(970) 416-2828
fcgov.com/golf/ southridge.php
Public
MacKenzie’s Pub & Grill, (970) 223-0630
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David McCleave
Season passes available.
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C.B. & Potts Restaurant at Collindale Golf Course
C.B. & Potts Restaurant at Collindale Golf Course
Best Courses for Eating and Drinking By Kay Rios
Even a bad day of golf can be made better by good company and good food where you can talk about that one good hole that will keep you coming back. Fortunately, Northern Colorado has a lot to offer in the way of both challenging courses and stomach-pleasing repasts. An informal survey of some local golf enthusiasts generated a list of the best courses for eating and drinking.
Collindale Golf Course in Fort Collins features the ever-popular C.B. & Potts Restaurant, which received rousing reviews by many golfers. Potts has almost 40 years of experience pleasing people. They opened in Campus West in 1974 and began brewing their own beer in 1996 so when the operation was opened at Collindale in 2010, the popularity spread easily. Potts' beer alone draws the after golf crowd (as well as non-golfers). It has garnered over 100 medals from prestigious institutions such as the North American Brewers Association and Great American Beer Festival. Potts just released Rabbit Punch Irish Red Proper Ale, the first of five annual seasonal selections. In addition to the beer, happy hour is a favorite. Specialty drinks range from the Blueberry Lemon Drop and Patio Punch, to a variety of martinis and, of course, the Long
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Island Ice Tea (after golf only, if you want to keep your eye on the ball). Potts is well known for its jumbo burgers but also offers the “skinny burger combos” and several dinner options. On top of that, the appetizers are stellar. Go ahead – eat the loaded waffle fries with cheddar-jack cheese, chopped hickory smoked bacon, sliced green onion and garlic sour cream – hefty, but then you’ve just worked out, right? Golfers rated the sports bar atmosphere and food choices high and said the southern patio view of the ninth and eighteenth holes are particularly pleasant after a hard game. Mariana Butte Golf Course in Loveland was rated for the best views for enjoying after your golf game. Overlooking the rush of the Big Thompson River and taking in the breathtaking vistas of the Rocky Mountain Front Range will
have you smiling regardless of how the game went. The newest addition to The Mariana Butte Clubhouse is The Wapiti Colorado Pub. The Wapiti received third place in the 2013 Reporter Herald Readers' Choice Award for best outdoor dining. Golfers also gave this pub high marks, saying the food is delicious, portions are plentiful, views are amazing and the service is excellent. Golfers like the moderate prices and appreciate the loyalty program that gives back generously and frequently. Much of the food is grown locally and the menu is long and enticing, beginning with a variety of starters and lighter fare of soups, salads and wraps. The dinner menu features hefty portions of thick-cut steaks, ribs, pork chops and a Wapiti (elk) filet that will satisfy even the largest appetite (all that walking and Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
The Wapiti Colorado Pub at the Mariana Butte Clubhouse
swinging can make a person very hungry). The Wapiti also boasts the largest all-Colorado beer list in the State. SouthRidge Golf Course in Fort Collins offers food fare at Mackenzie’s Pub & Grill and has been serving golfers since 1995. Mackenzie’s focus is on friendly service, high quality products and a relaxed atmosphere. Golfers agree that the patio is a welcoming place to discuss the day’s round over drinks. But, if you want to start the day off right and get a protein boost to carry you through the game, try the breakfast burritos. They are overflowing with eggs, potatoes, cheese and homemade green chili. The “To-Go Burrito” is made to be carried out to the links for early tee-times. They range from $5 to $7 and are a great bargain. Appetizers are plentiful and a large selection of salads provides lighter fare. The standard burgers are all half-pounders grilled to order (burger patties can be substituted with a grilled chicken breast for $1). Mackenzie’s has a variety of signature “Sandwedges” to help golfers forget about any sand trap experiences during the day and a variety of “Wraps” are also available to keep you from wrapping that club around the nearest pole. Highland Meadows Golf Course offers a relaxed atmosphere at its Tavern on the Green Grill. The Tavern provides a warm welcome with its traditional rocky mountain architecture and a peaceful view located off the eighteenth green, overlooking the water. It serves breakfast, lunch Style 2014
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The Wapiti Colorado Pub at the Mariana Butte Clubhouse
The Wapiti Colorado Pub at the Mariana Butte Clubhouse
and dinner and has some very tasty starters: Blue Lip mussels are served in a fresh herb garlic sauce and the Stinger Shrimp is crisp-fried, tossed in a spice cream sauce, served over cabbage and topped with crushed peanuts. You won’t even remember your score after tasting one of those and following it with a cold beer. Many of the dishes are gluten-free and the Tavern will make all sandwiches on gluten free bread upon request. Boomerang Links in Greeley pleases golfers and non-golfers alike with food at the Outback Pub & Grill, which features a full restaurant/bar menu. The Pub can handle up to 200 people and is well-known for its food – particularly its quality beef and prime rib, Danish baby back ribs and a legendary pepper steak. The Pub runs drink specials all week long and has an extremely popular happy hour. Every Monday the Outback offers a one-of-a-kind specialty burger. The Pub takes pride in its scratch-base cooking, weekly specials and hand-cut steaks. So make a day of it – eat, golf, eat more, drink and be social. It’s a great way to enjoy life.
Kay Rios, Ph.D., is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins. Golf is one of her favorite pastimes. When she’s not out on a course amazing other golfers (probably not in a good way), she’s watching late night golf tournaments, trying to pick up tips on both golf and fashion.
Loveland is crazy fore golf!
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Golf Tech Swings into Motion By Kay Rios
I have to admit it: I like gadgets. I like apps. But I’ve never thought about them on a golf course. So in looking around I was amazed to find that, while the game of golf hasn’t changed much in several hundred years, the available technology certainly has. A variety of applications are out there. Here are just a few.
With GolfLogix GPS 1 , you can find and download your home course, and then check your location as you play, using it to target the distance to any point on the course. It’s free. www.golflogix.com Swing by Swing Golf GPS Rangefinder is a free app with access to more than 34,000 courses worldwide, with dead-on distances to the centers of greens and hazards. A $14 per-year upgrade offers distances to the fronts and backs of greens and allows tracking of vital playing stats. www.swingbyswing.com For $29.99, Golfshot 2 uses aerial maps from Bing and Google, showing more than 40,000 fairways and holes in the best possible detail. Once you find your location and green on the map, the app calculates the distance. Score and stats are also provided (iOS only). www.golfshot.com But it’s not all about location, location,
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location. The apps go beyond GPS and provide some helpful hints for your personal game. From local company, GolfTEC, comes My Pro To Go 3 , an app you can download for free to your iPhone or Android. This instructional-based app includes a state-ofthe art swing-capture program that allows you to analyze your technique using quick and easy drawing tools that show if you are making the correct moves or not. For a small fee, the app also allows you to upload your swing for an expert analysis by a GolfTEC certified personal coach. Visit golftec.com/ parplan to register for a 50 percent discount on My Pro To Go lessons, or call (970) 6925270 for more information. The free Ubersense app lets you record a swing and compare the results to a pro golfer. Fifty pro videos show how to play the game, and 40 lessons give advice on key
fundamentals like fixing a slice and extending your spine. The app only works on the iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. www.ubersense.com GolfSense 4 is a wearable motion sensor and free mobile app than can help analyze and improve your golf swing. Attach the GolfSense motion sensor to any golf glove and use Bluetooth to sync the data to your phone (iOS or Android) or tablet (iPad). It shows exact swing arc, speed and angle, and offers tips on wrist position, swing plane and tempo ($129.99). www.zepp.com/golfsense But, for a moment, step away from the phone and look at some of the gadgets available. The Bushnell Tour Z6 5 uses PinSeeker with JOLT Technology to provide short vibrating bursts to reinforce that the laser has locked on the flag. It will lock on to flags up to 450 yards away with extreme speed and incredible Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
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range. With Second Generation E.S.P. (Extreme Speed Precision) and Vivid Display Technology, it’s a very advanced laser that fits in the palm of your hand (Around $400 and available at Dick’s Sporting Goods and the PGA Superstore www.pgatoursuperstore.com). SkyPro can help improve your golf swing. It is a small sensor that fits below your grip and monitors the club motion during a swing. The information is sent wirelessly to your smartphone or tablet and offers feedback on key features of your swing. It weighs less than an ounce and runs $199.95. www. golfskypro.com. While motion sensors in golf previously focused predominately on the full swing, 3Bays now has technology for putting stroke analysis. The 3Bays GSA PUTT 6 claims to be the world’s lightest putting analyzer. It is designed to plug into the putter grip and Style 2014
can digitize and analyze key aspects of your putting stroke. It can detect and capture even the most subtle movements of the putter and provide instant feedback on mobile devices via Bluetooth connection. The 3Bays GSA Putt weighs a third of an ounce and runs $199.99. www.3bayslife.com/gsa/home.php While these are all very cool apps, remember to consider other golfers. Best advice? Use cell phones sparingly and carefully on the course or you’ll bring angst to the course with people yelling at you to “Put that phone away and play the game!”
Kay Rios, Ph.D., is a freelance writer who loves the game of golf. She could be the person yelling at you to keep it moving.
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The combined Mariana Butte and Olde Course team in Loveland took home the Pedersen Toyota Cup last year as the 2013 Northern Colorado Junior Golf League champions.
Youth Golf Leagues Get Kids in the Swing By Kay Rios
At 13 years old, her swing is smooth and easy, and her follow-through is perfect. She can’t get me on distance yet but that’ll come in no time. My granddaughter, Ariana, picked up a club a few years ago and quickly showed promise. After a few lessons, she’s finding her form.
Like all young golfers, she’s still learning, not so much in the physical realm but more in the area of etiquette. Since there’s no referee or umpire, the game relies on the integrity and consideration of each individual. That’s the hardest part for any golfer to pick up because there’s so much to learn. For example, not talking or making any distraction when someone is shooting, never leaving your bag behind you but keeping it close at hand so play isn’t delayed. There are many other nuances, such as not casting a shadow over the hole or standing in the line of sight when someone’s putting; staying behind the ball that’s in play;
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keeping up pace of play. The easiest way to learn is to play and one of the quickest ways to do so is to play in a league. Rules of the game and rules of etiquette are quickly discovered. Most of the local golf courses provide youth programs that cover a number of different areas of golf but there are only a couple of current options for actual league play. The following describes two of them. The oldest one is the Northern Colorado Junior Golf League presented by Pedersen Toyota. “We have five tournaments in the summer with participating clubs from around
the area,” says Stan Fenn, PGA director of instruction for the Golf Academy of Northern Colorado at Harmony Club. The participating clubs include the City Park North, Southridge, Collindale, Ptarmigan, the Harmony Club and the Fort Collins Country Club in Fort Collins, Mariana Butte and the Olde Course in Loveland, Pelican Lakes in Windsor, and Boomerang and Greeley Country Club in Greeley. The league is divided into two age groups, one for the 10 to 14 year olds and one for the 15 to 18 age group. “For the 10 to 14 age, each team has two boys and two girls. The older group has one girl on every team Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
and two boys,” he says. The clubs provide a qualifying round each week to determine who will play in that club’s team for the tournaments. Players within the teams rotate depending on the qualifier outcome each week. “We had around 200 kids play in the local qualifiers last year and that provides the 70 or so players for the weekly tournaments.” The league begins in mid-June and runs through July. The teams play nine holes and, for the younger group, match play is used so that scoring is accomplished hole by hole. In match play, a point is given for each hole in which the team beats their opponents. Stroke play is used for the older group with lowest number of strokes winning. At the end of the season, the Pedersen Cup is awarded to the team with the most points. Cost is minimal with $12 per kid per round in the younger group and $20 per kid per round for the older group. The money pays for the greens fees and all prizes are sponsored. Experience levels vary, but Fenn says, “The kids need to have been around the golf course. Most kids who play have experience in playing. We try to get kids into junior programs first and then we tell them about the tournaments so most of these kids come out of the junior programs at the courses. We make this userfriendly so they can play well and we want it to be a fun event.” Fenn says the best way to get kids involved is to contact the pro at any of the home courses for information. A new league option this year is the Junior Match Play at the Golf Training Center at Highland Meadows. “Children in different age groups will play players of similar levels and age brackets throughout the summer,” says Paul McQuade, head golf professional at Highland Meadows Golf Course. The league’s flights will be determined by age ranges and ability. Teams will play once a week starting June 3 through the end of July, using either tee times or shot gun start depending on the number of players with start times between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The cost will be a discounted junior rate. Players will need some basic experience and will have to be approved to play, McQuade says. The registration deadline is May 31. Call the golf shop at (970) 204-4653 for pricing and additional information.
Kay Rios is a freelance wrter based in Fort Collins Style 2014
Beginners SNAG a Game of Golf By Kay Rios
The Mini-Course at Cattail in Loveland offers a new 9-hole mini-golf facility that uses SNAG-friendly golf on a real grass putting 9 hole course. SNAG stands for “Starting New at Golf” and is an easy way to learn the game at any age. SNAG contains all the elements of golf but in a modified form, falling somewhere between miniature golf and regulation golf, and allowing full shots, pitching, chipping and putting. Any age group can play and no previous playing experience is needed. “We wanted to provide an easy, no fear, no intimidation introduction and entrance to playing and learning the game of golf,” says Steve Southard, golf manager for the City of Loveland. “The Mini-Course at Cattail Creek matches up a one-of-a-kind, unique facility with specialized and modified easy-learn equipment. It provides a fundamentally new approach to teaching and learning the sport.” Two specialized clubs and a tennislike ball are provided to play nine holes of golf at a cost of $7 for 13 years and older, $6 for the 4 to 12 year
olds, and free to those 3 and under. The facility offers a self-teaching component, says Jim Dargis, head golf professional at Cattail Creek. “Anyone can come and learn the game at their own pace without the worry of looking ‘too new’ for lessons.” Self-teaching stations help beginners learn the basics on full swing, pitch, putt and chip. It’s also a good way for parents or grandparents to introduce kids to golf. The idea for the course is based on what other sports have used for learning opportunities. For example, the “bunny hill” for skiing, tee-ball for baseball, shorter courts and special balls for tennis. The Mini-Course at Cattail is that facility for new golfers. The Mini-Course is the first step into golfing for youth (or any beginner) even before the driving range. The specialized equipment makes learning easy and the mini-course offers an opportunity to play nine holes, learn to manage the course and work on the oft-overlooked pitch and chip swings. It’s located at 2116 West 29th Street in Loveland.
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GOLFING NORTHERN COLORADO
Special Advertising Section
PELICAN LAKES LAUNCHES NEW RESTAURANT, BAR Come join us in our completely remodeled restaurant and bar at Pelican Lakes. Our new chef has created a menu that is as adventurous as it is delicious. Dishes include sesame-encrusted tuna over a bed of soba noodles swimming in a rich Asian broth, or for dessert, a satisfying Bourbon Bacon Apple Crisp topped with candied bacon that will delight your taste buds. Enjoy our unique ambiance highlighted by the carved pine, sculpted copper and the sumptuous furniture that adorns our dining room. This unique dining experience is unmatched in Northern Colorado. Our more casual basement bar, The Sand Bar, is the first to feature state-ofthe-art golf simulators so you can continue your play while you enjoy our fabulous food and drinks. The Sand Bar has its own kitchen and will serve both the bar and swimming pool patrons. And don’t forget to try our very own handcrafted beer, Pelican Lakes Lager, available in the dining room and bar. Of course, Colorado golfers have come to love Pelican Lakes’ championship course. In 2005 we earned a 4-star rating by Golf Digest as well as a top five Colorado course rating by Colorado Golf Magazine. With more than 300 surface acres of water and trees surrounding the links, golfers will be challenged by our spectacular stadium-style championship course. The front 9 on The Lakes is currently undergoing a remodel to offer an even greater golf experience as its fairways, cart paths and a few tee boxes are receiving a face lift. The front 9 will be open for play by Memorial Day. A driving range, putting green and chipping green round out the course’s amenities. Pelican Lakes’ sister course, Pelican Falls, opened on July 2006. This 9-hole championship golf course features dramatic elevation changes from several bluff side tee boxes, a series of spectacular waterfalls and streams, and a unique island green finish. Don’t miss the one-of-a-kind golfing – and dining – experience available at Pelican Lakes. Let Pelican Lakes host your wedding or event. Contact Anna Becerra at 970460-1701 or anna@pelicanlakescc.com.
1625 Pelican Lakes Point, Suite 201 Windsor, CO 970.674.1100 | www.watervalley.com
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GROWN UPS JUST WANNA
HAVE FUN By Malini Bartels
“EXCUSE ME, KID, CAN YOU GET OUT OF MY WAY SO I CAN PLAY WITH THAT THEREMIN?”
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Local couple Chris and Cassandra Green play at the Wind Wall at February’s FCMoD Adult Night. Photo courtesy of Dave Dahms. Style 2014
opefully, you have never heard anyone say those words at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery. The 2012 opening of the state-of-the art building at 408 Mason Court combines both the Discovery Science Center and the Fort Collins Museum into one grand location. With this merger comes a wonderful place of exploration for families, children – and curious adults. Recently, the museum started offering numerous activities, parties and themed nights intended for an 18+ crowd so nobody needs to bug a kid to hurry up to let you have a turn. While all ages are welcome during operational hours, the second Thursday of every month is Adult Night at the Museum of Discovery. After regular hours, the doors are open from 5:30 to 9 p.m. for those 18 and over. Exhibits are less crowded so adults can play around with all the fantastic things the museum has to offer. In the near future, themes will accompany the Adult Night, making it a perfect date night or ideal girls/guys night out with friends. Without the worry of children running around, grown ups can find themselves spending as much time as they like with an exhibit whether it be for reading or
hands-on exploring. This is particularly exciting with the arrival of the Live Animals in mid March! Free to the adult public on the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m., the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society (NCAS) brings in a new presenter for their monthly meeting with exciting topics such as tracking satellites, the science of black holes and extreme natural occurrences. More information at www.fcmod. org/plan-your-visit/adult-programs/. Children of all ages love to visit the museum for the most jaw dropping and spectacularly inspiring visual sensation Northern Colorado has to offer. The OtterBox Digital Dome Theatre at FCMoD is a major draw for obvious reasons. With the combination of high-resolution digital projection and state-of-the art surround sound, the 360° immersive experience alone is worth a trip. Ben Gondrez is the Digital Dome Specialist at the museum. He has a background in computers and a love for design and the convergence of technology and art. It was only natural for him to attend the IMERSA* Summit in 2013. “It’s an immersive art experience,” says Gondrez. “Lots of domes around the world are strictly educational
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(Right) The Jumpin’ Jive Cats performed at last year’s Noir event, FCMoD’s themed fundraiser event. (Below) Frames from movies shown at the FCMoD’s Dome. Join the Dome Club, a monthly adults event that features full-dome films by independent artists. The club meets the third Thursday of every month.
planetariums. At FCMoD, I have the freedom to bring what I feel is necessary and creative.” Gondrez is the organizer of Dome Club, a monthly event for adults featuring full-dome films of independent artists from around the world. A group of art, culture and film aficionados meet every third Thursday of the month from 7 to 9 p.m. to have an immersive experience unlike anything else in Colorado ($10 per person). Cutting edge mathematical symphonies combined with artistic creativity create visual and auditory masterpieces that will completely astonish you. It might be a little difficult to explain, but as the first rule of Dome Club states, You have to see it to believe it. The museum also knows how to party while raising money. It offers a great way for adults to spend an evening supporting an organization while having fun. Dave Wisbon attended the inaugural Fort Collins Noir fundraiser late last year. “Everything about it looked really cool,” says Wisbon. “I like supporting the museum and hanging out. Since costumes were involved, I knew it would be fun.” Wisbon and his girlfriend dressed up in their best 1920’s/1930’s attire and made a date night out of the event. He recalls, “This is entertainment that’s different from the brewery culture. It’s cool to explore the museum without it being crowded with kids.” Noir’s classy quality provides an insight to the bootlegger history in Fort Collins while guests dance the night away with a live swing band and a speakeasy feeling complete with moonshine based on an original recipe and reinvented by local distillers, Feisty Spirits. “There are not a lot of opportunities to get dressed up. It’s fun when there’s a theme and everyone else is dressed up too,” he adds. Do you know about the Brainiac Bowl? It’s an annual trivia contest and wildly successful fundraiser for the
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FCMoD, with a focus on local history and science. Enthusiastic museum supporters and friends show off their general knowledge prowess in conjunction with costume fanfare, a banquet dinner, raffle prizes and flowing bar. Gene Younkin is the assistant technical coordinator for the Lincoln Center and has attended four Brainiac Bowls with plans to continue participating in what he considers the town’s most exciting fundraiser of the year. Various teams in themed costumes vie for the electric brain trophy and bragging rights for one year. “My favorite thing about the night is the silliness,” says Younkin. “It’s a fun night of grown up entertainment and it’s for a good cause.” As a big history and science buff and supporter of all things non-profit, the Brainiac Bowl is right up Younkin’s alley. He joined an organized team from the Lincoln Center years ago and has the proud distinction of winning the costume contest three out of the four years he has attended. He began as the lighting guy for The History Mystery, a scavenger-hunt-style fundraiser for the history side of the museum filled with crazy antics, costumes and clues about the history of Fort Collins. While this particular event is currently on hiatus, museum staff is not ruling out its return. “I meet the coolest people at the Brainiac Bowl,” says Younkin with a smile. “It’s a fun and inviting event. I want to win the trivia contest, but the team from NVIDIA is tough to beat.” *Immersive Media Entertainment, Research, Science & Arts. The 2014 Summit took place in Denver, Colorado, March 6-9.
Malini Bartels is a freelance writer, chef, mother, radio host and actress living the good life in Fort Collins. Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
eat: review
Welsh Rabbit Cheese Bistro 200 Walnut Street, Unit B, (970) 232-9521 www.thewelshrabbit.com
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By Angeline Grenz
he Goods: Specialty cheese and meats, a Peasant Fare menu with small plates and a nice selection of wines by the half glass, glass, carafe or bottle. Local beer selection available. The Vibe: Perfect place for a mid-day snack, a stop to catch up with girlfriends or the beginning to date night. Exposed brick, dark padded chairs and white marble surfaces give the small bistro a sophisticated, comfortable feel. The Challenges: If you are looking for a hearty meal – this is not your stop. Small plates are a few bites, though a salad and second small plate make an adequate light lunch. No children’s menu. Drinks limited to lemonade, wine and beer. Come Back For: The bar. The bistro is managed by brother Nate Hines – one of the three brother-owners. A chef by profession, Nate is passionate about food and sitting at the bar will afford you the opportunity to experience a global cheese journey through his eyes. Though many of the cheese varieties you sample are available for purchase at the bistro, it is well worth it to walk around the corner to peruse the Cheese Shop on Pine Street. Price: $$ (Average small plate $6, cheese/salami plates with 3 varieties each average $12+.) Over the course of two visits, we were able to sample a variety of the small Peasant Fare plates available on the menu as well as a plate of cheese and salamis. On the first visit I enjoyed the Herbed Goat Salad, a light salad with micro greens, tangy goat cheese and a nice sweet-tart vinaigrette dressing. Toasted hazelnuts added the right amount of crunch to the salad, $5. I followed the salad course with the Sage Quail, a nice pan-seared quail finished with a cider sauce, $6. The quail, though challenging to eat daintily, was delicious, accompanied by a nicely seasoned potato cake. On our second visit, my husband and I shared a plate of cheese and meats chosen from the sushi-style menu by marking our selections on a provided list. We sampled five separate cheeses from the decadent French Delice De Bourgogne, a triple cream soft cheese that was delightfully rich, to the nutty, tangy Lincolnshire Poacher, an English cheese that can only be found in the States at Welsh Rabbit. The salamis included the Loukanika, a Greek-style salami with a wonderful cumin bite and the Secchi, a traditional Italian-style salami. The plate was served with Nita Crisp and wafer crackers. On this particular trip, we also sampled the Shrimp and Polenta, $6. Of the small plates, this was my favorite. The plate consisted of a triangular piece of polenta heaven with a single seared shrimp on top, enrobed in smoked gouda. Tucked under the polenta was a little crispy chorizo. The combination was heavenly but the winner for me the polenta; it was soft, creamy and slightly sweet. It contrasted nicely with the rich cheese and shrimp and the crisp of the chorizo. Welsh Rabbit Bistro is definitely a must-stop during your next visit to Downtown Fort Collins. The atmosphere is relaxing; the Hines family embraces the Slow Food movement by encouraging guests to linger at their tables and enjoy conversation enhanced by a little cheese, a little wine and, with its prime Walnut Street location, a little people watching.
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travel
By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer
Gallery walks, artisan cheese tasting, craft beer, tree-filled parks and highly unique neighborhoods – you will find all of this and more in Longmont.
Cheese Importers’ retail store.
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A trip to Longmont would not be complete without a stop at Robin Chocolates. Chocolatier and pastry chef Robin Autorino produces amazing edible art at her Longmont store. Photos courtesy of Robin Chocolates.
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his former colony, turned town, turned agricultural powerhouse is now a city fueled by high tech companies and residents who enjoy the finer things in life. Visitors to Longmont can explore the city’s rich agricultural past, taste the bounty of one of today’s favorite crops – hops – or jump on a bike and ride one of the city’s many trails. Longmont has activities suited to every taste, including symphony and theater, but if taste is truly what you’re after, then you are in store for a treat.
Foodie Fun
Cheese Importers is a Longmont company that has been doing the “foodie thing” long before foodie became a word. The White family has been selling cheese and specialty food items since 1976. Today their wholesale customers include more than 400 restaurants, natural grocers, hotels and neighborhood buying clubs. A happy French tune greeted me as I entered La Fromagerie, the Cheese Importers’ European Marketplace located in a historic building at 103 Main Street. Walking through the doors, I was instantly transported to an enchanting world where the smell of baking bread mingled with the tang of fresh cheese. I felt my entire body tingle with excitement as I wandered through the boutique section, browsing housewares, linens, specialty foods Style 2014
and more. Then I entered the cheese cooler where rows and rows of cheese are displayed in accordance with their country of origin. I walked by England, Switzerland and Holland before stopping in France to sample a velvety Brie, one of the best I have ever tasted. After exploring the world’s many cheeses, I ordered lunch in Bistrot des Artistes, the café inside the marketplace. I got a French club sandwich featuring turkey, ham, French brie, whole grain mustard and arugula on a baguette. It was a delightful combination of crunchy and creamy. I left with a bag full of cheese, a fresh baguette, some specialty olives and an enormous desire to come back as soon as possible. Cheese Importers has more than 350 cheeses in their inventory and the best selection of Colorado cheese I’ve come across, including Haystack Mountain Goat Cheese from Longmont. In operation since 1989, Haystack Mountain Goat Dairy welcomes small groups by appointment on Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. An ideal stop for a true foodie, Haystack tours include an educational session on goats and cheese making. My next epicurean stop was Robin Chocolates, located at Airport Road and Nelson Road. Owner and chocolatier, Robin Autorino, was recently named one of the Top 10 Chocolatiers in North America by Dessert Professionals.
During her culinary school internship in France, Autorino fell in love with pastries and dessert. After returning to the states she worked in the pastry kitchens of a number of historic hotels in Boulder and Denver before starting her own company in Longmont in 2008. Autorino was working in her kitchen on the day I stopped by Robin Chocolates and she invited me behind the scenes to watch her and an assistant enrobe chocolates, a beautiful and mesmerizing task that involves coating (or enrobing) the chocolates in more chocolate. I felt like I had wandered onto the set of a Food Network show, but this VIP treatment isn’t reserved just for writers; if you happen to catch Autorino in her kitchen when you visit, you will likely get a sneak peek behind the scenes, too. Autorino’s chocolates are divine, but tasting these sumptuous desserts may forever spoil the taste of ordinary grocery store chocolate. Robin Chocolates are available in Fort Collins at The Cupboard or you can visit her store in Longmont at 600 S. Airport Road, Building B. No food-inspired trip to Longmont is complete without a stop at Sugar Beet Restaurant. Their seasonal menu often features local delicacies. This place is wildly popular with selfprofessed foodies across Boulder County and beyond. (www.sugarbeetrestaurant.com, 101 Pratt Street, Longmont)
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Longmont’s Museum & Cultural Center offers a glimpse into Longmont’s past. Photo courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer.
Family Fun
If you’d like to experience a day in Longmont with the family, there are several museums worth checking out. First, the beautiful Longmont Museum and Cultural Center, just south of downtown, tells the city’s ethnically diverse story. There are lots of interactive exhibits where young and old can touch, see and hear the stories of real people who have called Longmont home; from Native Americans to German and Mexican immigrants. Don’t miss the third floor where children can play dress up in historical costumes and adults can enjoy a breathtaking view of Longmont. The museum hosts workshops and presentations, and is the site of Colorado’s largest Day of the Dead Festival taking place every fall. If someone in your family loves automobiles or tractors, the Dougherty Museum, located just south of the Longmont Museum and Cultural Center, should be on your must-see list this summer. This museum houses a collection of antique automobiles, including models powered by steam, electricity and early internal combustion types. In addition to the cars, the Dougherty Museum is known for their enormous collection of late 19th
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Century and early 20th Century farm equipment, attracting fanatics of antique machinery from around the country. The museum is open seasonally from June to August, so plan your trip accordingly. Longmont has a thriving arts community, and several new galleries have opened in downtown just this year. ArtLinkLongmont.org is a good resource for keeping tabs on the city’s growing art scene. Visitors can try their hand at making art at Crackpots. They offer pottery painting, glass fusing and mosaics for walk-in customers of all ages, and a variety of classes in other mediums including clay and sliver clay. Their upscale studio in the heart of downtown Longmont is open seven days a week. With 26 parks, five breweries, farms tours and more, Longmont has lots of fun in store for the day visitor. Whether you are visiting alone or with family, there’s plenty to explore in Longmont, Colorado. Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer and founder of HeidiTown.com, the place for entertaining information on Colorado festival and travel. Her articles have appeared in IndependentTraveler.com and EnCompass Magazine.
La Fromagerie by Cheese Importers 103 Main St., Longmont (303) 772-9599 www.cheeseimporters.com Haystack Mountain Goat Dairy 1121 Colorado Ave., Longmont (720) 494-8714 www.haystackgoatcheese.com Robin Chocolates 600 S. Airport Rd., Longmont (720) 204-8003 www.robinchocolates.com Longmont Museum and Cultural Center 400 Quail Rd., Longmong (303) 651-8374 www.ci.longmont.co.us/museum/ Dougherty Museum 8306 N. 107th St., Longmont (303) 776-2520 www.bouldercounty.org Crackpots 501 Main St., Longmont (303) 776-2211 www.ecrackpots.com Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
The comforts of home and the feeling of family.
Experiencing the changes in a loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease or a related Dementia can be difficult. Finding a place for your loved one to call home shouldn’t be.
Contact: Shirley Saucedo 720-448-9922 for a tour. w w w. a s h l e y c a r e s . c o m
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You are the best defense against a wildfire
We can all make improvements to better prepare for wildfire and some good places to start include making sure your home is insured up to 100 percent of its replacement cost, taking steps to create a safety zone around your home, and by completing a home inventory. State Farm® agents recommend communities work together now to address and mitigate their wildfire risk utilizing local resources and following the guidelines outlined by Firewise® Communities. Agents regularly meet with customers and review their homeowner’s insurance policy, which agents recommend everyone do each year, especially if customers have made changes to their home. Homeowners should consider if their house were destroyed whether the coverage amount they have selected would be enough to cover the cost to replace their home, personal belongings, and other property structures. Understanding the difference between the replacement cost vs. market value of a home helps customers make an informed decision about insurance needs and their family’s financial future. It’s also important for homeowners to document their belongings by creating a home inventory. By keeping an accurate inventory and proof of ownership in a safe place off the premises homeowners can make the claim settlement process easier and faster. For more information about these and other insurance topics, visit your local State Farm Agent or visit us online.
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family focus
Veteran FoCoMX performers, the Gremlins, will perform again this year on stage at the Museum. Drummer Riley Williams, guitarist Max Williams and bassist Aidan Hilinski.
FoCoMX Promises
Family Fun By Angeline Grenz
The FoCoMX performances include: Friday Night –
After six years of providing a weekend of music focused primarily on the evening and bar crowd, FoCoMX is widening their audience this year by providing a venue specifically to draw in families. This year, parents and children of all ages will be able to see youth and teen musicians performing at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery (FCMoD) during the two-day music festival, which will be held on April 25 and 26. FoCoMX is a Downtown Fort Collins two-day music festival presented by the Fort Collins Music Association. Participants purchase a wristband for the weekend event that gets them in to 20 venues showcasing more than 150 Northern Colorado artists. The partnership between FoCoMX and the museum has been in the works for quite some time, according to Nick Duarte, Music Zone manager for FCMoD. “We had the idea of partnering with FoCoMX since before we opened in 2012… We have the space and some of the teen and underage music groups need a place to play where their fans (some also underage) can come and watch them perform.” Duarte adds that some parents are much more comfortable allowing their children to perform in a setting such as FCMoD rather than a local bar. At the museum, there will be two separate venues for people to check out the music. The first is on the main level inside the gallery, where
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TriForte – 6 to 6:45 p.m. Holdfast – 7 to 7:45 p.m. The Gremlins – 8 to 8:45 p.m. Blue Taboo – 9 to 9:45 p.m. Saturday Night – The Lincoln Jam – 6 to 6:45 p.m. bands have performed in the past. The other venue will be inside the digital dome theater on the mezzanine level. Within the dome theater, acoustic performers will play short sets while images are projected on the 360-degree screen. “It is like a sophisticated laser light show – high definition video images plus the music performed live,” says Duarte. During the weekend, the museum will be open during normal hours (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) then close at 6 p.m. to allow only those sporting a FoCoMX wristband to enter. A bonus: the museum gallery will be open to attendees to explore during and between performances. (Note: the museum will be open only to those with a FoCoMX wristband, which must be purchased in advance. No wristbands are available for purchase at the door.)
Lineage Music – 7 to 7:45 p.m. Elevation – 8 to 8:45 p.m. Noel Thomas and Michaela Rae Knox – 9 to 9:45 p.m. “As a local musician myself, I’ve performed in every FoCoMX since the beginning and I have always thought it was an amazing festival run by locals for locals,” says Duarte. The weekend also gives the museum the opportunity to capture a new audience: “There will be lots to see and we’re hoping that we’ll be able to grab the interest of some families that haven’t yet had the chance to experience FCMoD.” Wristbands are on sale for $30 and can be purchased at local retailers or online at www. focoma.org.com. Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
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LOVELAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL INVESTORS DINNER January 17 :: Embassy Suites :: Loveland The Loveland Chamber of Commerce held their annual Investors Dinner meeting with more than 350 of Loveland’s business community in attendance. The evening included outgoing board chair Nathan Klein reviewing achievements realized in 2013 and incoming board chair Miki Roth prepping guests for the exciting 2014 year planned. The evening also included the reveal of winners of the five prestigious Loveland Chamber of Commerce 2013 Annual Awards. Photos courtesy of DJR Imaging Photography.
Mindy McCloughan, Troy Krenning, Phil Farley, Bill Cahill, Steve Adams , Rod Wensing, Mayor Cecil Gutierrez, Nathan Klein, Miki Roth, Miss Loveland Valentine Nicole Wilson, Joan Shaffer City of Loveland - Heart Award Recipient
2 0 1 4 N C M C F O U N D AT I O N G A L A - M A S Q U E R A D E I N V E N I C E January 25 :: Embassy Suites :: Loveland The 25th Annual North Colorado Medical Center (NCMC) Foundation Gala provided a night of intrigue and mystery at this premier fundraising event, this year themed Masquerade in Venice. A record-breaking 700 guests in attendance at the black-tie event were treated to Italian cuisine and specialty drinks, enjoyed entertainment by a stilt walker, contortionist, juggler, tightrope walker and a rocking violinist, and had a chance to place bets on for-fun gaming tables. Mike Shoop was presented the 2014 NCMC Foundation Legacy Award for his distinguished service and commitment to improving healthcare in our region. The evening festivities raised a record $220,000 to benefit technology upgrades for and expansion of NCMC Cancer Institute. Photos courtesy of Juan Leal.
Jim & Cindy Wolach, Greg & Christine Goodell, Jim & Beth Hall, Doug & Sue Carter
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Mike & Lori Shoop 2014 NCMC Foundation Legacy Award recipient
Bonnie & Rick Sutton
John & Wendy Sparks
Jose & Lourdes Amaya
Sam Bachar, Jill Hanck, Elisa Dannemiller, Caleb Hernandez, Seth Peacock, Camille Ingram Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
Mindy McCloughan, Miss Loveland Valentine Nicole Wilson, JB Kellogg - Young Professional of the Year recipient
Egle & Oleg Metsaev, Gina & Greg Pickerel
Ryann & Curtis Crylen
Adam & Shannon Bakersky
Bleny & Benjamin George
Jessica & Brian Leonard
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GREELEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EVENING OF CHAMPIONS February 6 :: Island Grove Events Center :: Greeley More than 600 guests, including a large number of Greeley Chamber of Commerce members, came to celebrate an Evening of Champions at the Greeley Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner and Awards event. Many guests dressed in their favorite team colors or sported their favorite sports jerseys to support the evening theme. Three awards were presented to individuals, and the Community Foundation Serving Greeley and Weld County and United Way of Weld County were honored for their collaborative efforts that resulted in raising more than $1.3 million for flood relief as of December 2013.
Jean Morrell, Wes Sargent, Renee Norcross, Dan Wheeler, Marilyn Norcross Jean Morrell - Leann Anderson Community Care Award recipient
Steve LaForest, Susan Arbini Ambassador of the Year recipient
Steve LaForest, Brian Seifried Young Entrepreneur of the Year recipient
Debbie & Steve Lehwald, Randy & Chris Moser
Bob & Jeannine Truswell, Kim & Ryan Mayeda
S I M P LY R E D February 7:: Hilton :: Fort Collins Simply Red, the signature fundraiser for TEAM Fort Collins (TFC), was especially sweet this year as TFC celebrated its 25th anniversary. Nearly 300 guests, many adorned in red attire, enjoyed the evening festivities including the presentation of the Lamplighter Award to Dr. Kent Obermann for being a ‘light’ in the community with his commitment to youth and their families. The evening raised almost $30,000 for Team Fort Collins and their educational programs that focus on promoting healthy lifestyles through substance abuse prevention among our youth, their families and our community. Photos courtesy of Craig Vollmer Photography.
Fernando & Julie Castro
Jeannie & Dell Benson
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Ashley Kasprzak, Natasia Lovato Garcia, Mrs. Colorado – Mina Muirhead, Diane Atwood, Audrey Baird, Dawn Nannini
Jake Gannon, Lacey Wirt, Tim & Candy Wirt
John & Connie Hanrahan
Kent & Deb Obermann
Toby & Mehgan Castor Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
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B U T T E R F LY K I S S E S D A N C E S February 7, 8, 9 :: Christ Center Community Church :: Fort Collins The theme of candlelight and chandeliers provided a warm, elegant backdrop for the 3,200 daughters and their fathers/father figures at the 17th annual Butterfly Kisses Dance. Daughters of all ages, with some traveling in from out of state and some having attended all 17 years, came dressed up looking their best for their special “date with dad.” Food, beverages, socializing and plenty of dancing was enjoyed by all and helped to create many cherished memories for those that attended. Proceeds from the event benefit Encore! Encore! and their mission to provide clean family entertainment to the community. Photos courtesy of Expression Photography.
Addyson Kuzmich, Steve Kuzmich, Mikaela Kuzmich
Tim Wilson, Aubrey Wilson
Chris Pague, Savanna Pague
Bill Solberg, Elizabeth Solberg
Greg Knoll, Victoria Knoll
Elle Dusek, Brad Dusek, Clara Dusek
Sadler Merrill, Mia Merrill
Rob Gorges, Brooklyn Gorges
S T Y L E C E L E B R AT I N G 3 0 Y E A R S February 7:: Lincoln Center :: Fort Collins Nearly 200 guests attended a client appreciation event to celebrate Style Magazine’s 30th anniversary of publishing and to thank the many community members that have supported Style over the years. Held at the Lincoln Center, guests mingled and savored hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and an assortment of desserts, and enjoyed a private pre-opening of OpenStage’s production “Moonlight & Magnolia’s.”
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Bud & Robyn Phillips, Nancy Stilson-Herzog, Bob Herzog
Cheyenne Perales, Cheri Coker
Kay & Larry Edwards
Janie & Marcus Edwards, Terha Tullius, Caroline & Aaron Walker
Kelli Wallace, Joy Ferguson, Kristi Collins
Jack & Deanna McCrery Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
Seated-Andy Smith, Ellie Smith. Standing-Maddy Smith, Brionn Tonkin with Linden Tonkin, Molly Smith
Standing-Morgan Fife, Jason Fife, Kaela Fife, Haley Fife. Seated-Brynlee Fife.
Gary & Carol Ann Hixon, Dustin & Lesli Tanski
Mark Backstrom, Maura Buckner, Ariela Potts, Mandy Potts Style 2014
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2014 SPIRIT MARDIS GRAS FUNDRAISER February 8 :: Hilton :: Fort Collins Masks, beads and a Dixieland Band set the tone for Saint Joseph Catholic School’s SPIRIT Mardis Gras fundraising event. More than 450 guests enjoyed an evening of fellowship and fun as well as a Southern flare dinner, live entertainment, silent and live auctions, presentations to teachers Mary Grisby and Natalie Travis, casino night and more! Proceeds from the annual SPIRIT event will benefit the school and its tuition assistance program.
Jody Wood, Sean Tomlinson, Ann Woodley, Alex Dwoinen, Kelly Dwoinen
Mary Grigsby, Sister Rose Mary
Tahni Clay, Sarah Kent
Ciarran Murphy, Ellie Murphy
Ed Holloway, Renee Holloway, Caitlin Carlson, Curtis Carlson
Bryan VanMeveren, Rev Grzegorz Cioch, Martin Johns
Brad Caldwell, Kate Orr, Julie Tynan
8 T H A N N U A L R A M S T R E N G T H ’ S VA L E N T I N E ’ S D AY C O C K TA I L PA R T Y February 14 :: Silver Grill Cafe :: Fort Collins This Valentine’s Day celebration brought nearly 150 guests together to celebrate relationships, partnerships and survivorship, and to ‘spread the love.’ The event was especially poignant as Tim Rickett, who passed away in October, was remembered by RamStrength and guests for his selflessness and giving spirit during his fight with cancer. The 1st annual Tim Rickett award was presented during the evening and an inspiring video was shared. Proceeds from the evening will benefit RamStrength, which has raised more than $1,000,000 to help improve the lives of local people affected by cancer. Photos courtesy of Novello Photography.
Kristy Janicki, Julie Rickett, Terri Johnson
Sharon Neenan, Michelle Boyle, David Neenan
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Ken Seaman, Cindy Williams, Mike Rickett, Mary Seaman
Mark & Patressa Pojar
Janice Soukup, Jim & Karen McElwain
Steve Dundee, Adrian Ross
John Arnolfo, Ian Beckman Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
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FORT COLLINS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 108TH ANNUAL DINNER February 20 :: Hilton :: Fort Collins Nearly 575 guests came to honor and celebrate Business Super Heroes in Northern Colorado at this 108th annual dinner hosted by the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce. Several outstanding business leaders were recognized with Chamber honors, including Tom Gendron, President of Woodward and winner of the Chamber’s prestigious 2013 Collins Award. Additional award presentations included Alphagraphics and Anheuser-Busch Fort Collins, both receiving the 2013 Environmental Business Awards, and Chuck Jacquinot receiving the Volunteer of the Year Award, to name a few. Photos courtesy of Craig Vollmer Photography.
John Carroll, David May 2013 Board of Directors Award recipient
Bryron Collins, Donna Chapel Board of Directors Award recipients
John Carroll, Chuck Jacquinot 2013 Volunteer of the Year Award recipient
Rocky Scott, David May, John Carroll Rocky Scott accepted the 2013 Collins Award on behalf of Tom Gendron and Woodward
Shannon Hein, Jared Reimer, Amy Kolczak, David May 2013 Young Professional of the Year Finalists pose with David May. Amy Kolczak was named winner of the 2013 Young Professional of the Year Award.
Kendra Bielefeld, Rick Sutton, Lindsey Rohrbaugh
Victoria Noe, Jessica Veal, Bill Sallaz, Colleen Mahan
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Christine Jaramillo, Bryan Quick Anheuser-Busch, Fort Collins Brewery 2013 Environmental Business Award recipient
Mark Soukup, Mark Driscoll, Chris Richmond
Scott Beasley
Monica Cook, Matt Cook
Jared Goodman, Michele Bolkovatz , Jeremy Hamilton, April Peterson, Michael Nagl
Doug Dohn, Connie Dohn
Kevin Hoyer, Deborah Flynn, Bob Flynn
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WOMENGIVE 8TH ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON February 20 :: Embassy Suites :: Loveland More than 500 women and a few men gathered in support of WomenGive, a partnership between United Way of Larimer County and Women’s Foundation of Colorado that is dedicated to helping women in Larimer County achieve economic self-sufficiency. This annual luncheon presented Wynne Odell with the 2014 WomenGive Philanthropist of the Year Award. Proceeds from the event benefit childcare scholarships for single mothers who wish to continue their education. Photos courtesy of zebrajellyfish.com.
Steph Jay, Molly Obert, Liz Gaylor, June Macon, Amy Morgan, Susanna Dominguez, Dawn Duncan, Julie Sutter, Tara Mason, Alana Rolfe
Christy Wilbur, Savannah Ahrens, Emily Marzolf, Lily Adams, Sonia ImMasche, Natalie Davis, Megan Thomas
Kim Willis, Kim Bitner
Allison Hines, Dawn Paepke
Quinha McBride, Paula Edwards, Debbie McCubbin
Alice Griff, Melody Hayden, Maria Dellota
Janene Dellenbach, Wynne Odell Philanthropist of the Year Award
Kate Hagdorn, Gordan Thibedeau
Pam Jessen, Dawn Putney
NIGHT FOR THE MUSEUM February 22 :: Fort Collins Country Club :: Fort Collins Guests experienced the ultimate evening of intercultural delights with art, a variety of live entertainment and music, silent and live auctions and food at the 2nd annual Night for the Museum. More than $18,000 was raised at this signature event and will benefit the Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures, the only international museum in Colorado, and their community outreach programs. Photos courtesy of Mike Barry and RoseAnne Wheeler.
Front-Barbara Stimmel, Janet Stephens, Mary Bahus-Meyer, Tracey Kellogg Middle- Robin Kelly, Irene Kling, Emily Alligood Back-Rene Price, John Roberts, Janet Schreiner, JoAnn Mendoza
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Standing-Ken Oltjenbruns, LaVon Blaesi, George Morgan. Seated-Kevin Oltjenbruns, Alicia Cook, Hilde Morgan Lydia’s STYLE Magazine
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R O C K Y M O U N TA I N R A P T O R P R O G R A M G A L A February 22 :: Hilton :: Fort Collins The Rocky Mountain Raptor Program (RMRP) celebrated their 21st Annual Gala Dinner & Auction with 350 guests in attendance. Attendees enjoyed an evening of elegance and fun with a buffet dinner, live and silent auctions, entertainment, and, of course, the birds. The event raised more than $65,000 to benefit RMRP’s programs for the protection and appreciation of raptors and the spaces where they live through rehabilitation, education and research. Photos courtesy of westwindphoto.com.
Lisa Winta, Judy Scherpelz, Michael Tincher, Gail Kratz, Carin Avila, Lynsey Reed
Kimmi Laman, Lisa Mason, Bonnie Cleaver, Amanda Sutton
Gray Jones, Susan Baker, Kristen LaCroix, Steven Scheid
James Hoovler , Conner Runyan, Ashley Montoya-Stock, John Stock, Carina Price
Tandie Opsal, Kimmi Laman, Logan Opsal
Joe Leske, Leah Geurts, Beth Nelson, Susan Selby
D A N C I N G W I T H T H E S TA R S F R O M T H E H E A R T February 22 :: Embassy Suites :: Loveland Six local celebrities, each partnered with a professional dancer, competed at the inaugural Dancing with the Stars fundraising gala, hosted by the Loveland Chamber of Commerce and 2013-2014 Leadership Loveland class. Judges rated the performances of the dancing couples who each completed two choreographed routines. The event netted $50,000 with 100 percent of all proceeds going directly into the Business Flood Relief Fund, which helps fund business recovery efforts for businesses affected by the devastating September 2013 floods. Photos courtesy of
Debbie Mayer, Paul Matthews, Molly Buirgy, Kelly Studer Paul Matthews and Molly Buirgy were the winners of the 2014 Dancing With the Stars Trophy.
Betsey Hale with partner Gil Lopez
Deanna Sloat, Mayor Cecil Gutierrez
Aimey Depperschmidt, Amanda Steele, Jamie Steele
Miss Loveland Valentine Nicole Wilson, Norma Jean Goodheart
DJR Imaging and Bill Standerfer Photography.
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Jim & Mary McCambridge
Therese & Walt Elish
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