2015-06 Lydia's Style Magazine by Style Media & Design, Inc.

Lydiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s STYLE Magazine

THE VOICE OF NORTHERN COLORADO FOR

31 YEARS.

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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 Debra Davis (917) 334-6912 Lydia Dody (970) 227-6400 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 Michelle Venus PHOTOGRAPHER Marcus Edwards Photography CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Malini Bartels, Kyle Eustice, Kelly K. Serrano, Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer, Brad Shannon, Michelle Venus AFFILIATIONS Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce Loveland Chamber of Commerce 2015 STYLE MAGAZINES January-Northern Colorado Medical & Wellness 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 Style October-Northern Colorado Medical & Wellness November-Holiday Style December-Best Of & Winter Activities Style 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 more than 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 ©2015 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.

Lydia’s STYLE Magazine

HERE’S TO A RETURN TO WHAT MATTERS. TO KNOWING YOUR TRUE SOCIAL NETWORK ISN’T DIGITAL, IT’S PHYSICAL AND ROOTED IN THE COMMUNITY YOU CALL HOME.

HERE S TO

MAIN ST. NOT WALL ST. HERE’S TO A NEW SPIRIT OF LOCALISM. WELCOME HOME.

Style 2015

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THANK YOUS

Thank you for having an article and pictures of alpacas! We have owned them since 1999 and are always happy when other people get a chance to learn about these wonderful animals. One correction though: the LOWER the micron count of their fiber, the better, not the higher. Under 20 microns is "baby fine" and over 30 is a lot coarser and would probably be used to make rug yarn. Marjean Bender Kitchell Kriations Alpacas Editor’s Note: Marjean, thank you for the clarification. We regret the error. Thank you, Lydia and Style Media, for the huge amount of advertising for “Jazz & Jeans.” Your work is truly wonderful and everyone enjoyed the evening, Dorlies Rasmussen, Friends of the Symphony EFFECTIVE ADVERTISING

We are currently having a hard time keeping up with jobs. I received great feedback

on the advertisement we did with you and it generated new jobs. Thanks, John M Esh Esh Construction LLC I wanted to pass on a note to you and tell you how much value we find in your wonderful publication. We find it to be an excellent platform to reach affluent clientele. We have recently promoted our Premier Listing Program in Style and just this last month we had a customer contact us to list his luxury home mainly because of the presence we had in Style! Thank you so much! It’s a pleasure doing business with you and your team! Eric Thompson, President Windermere Services Colorado I thought you would be interested to know that initially I wasn't expecting any big results from my advertising in Style Magazines, but to my surprise, the results have been amazing. So many people have commented on seeing my ad in the magazine that I am extremely pleased; I can't believe how many people read it! Even

people I don't know have stopped me to tell me they saw my ad. And, surprisingly even my landscape maintenance person commented. Advertising in Style is the best advertising I've ever done! Thank you—you do a wonderful job providing Northern Colorado with interesting, high quality magazines. Bob McCulley, McCulley & Associates, Inc.

OOPS!

In our May issue of Lydia’s Style Magazine, we inadvertently left out one fantastic local resource in our article “Alpaca to Argyle.” Your Daily Fiber, located on 4019 South Mason in Fort Collins, offers classes, equipment and knitting and crocheting products. Please visit this great resource: www.yourdailyfiber.com. 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

Lydia’s STYLE Magazine

Style 2015

on the cover Bath Nursery’s new leadership: Sara Bath and husband Aaron Salzman with their children: Aishlin, age 14, Caiden, age 5, and the youngest, Skye, who turns 2 in July. Cover photo by Marcus Edwards.

departments

features

about town

FROM OUR READERS . . . . . . . . 8

NEW STADIUM WILL CHANGE FACE OF CSU, FORT COLLINS . . 18

A PHOTO TOUR OF NONPROFIT EVENTS . . . . . . . . 56

PUBLISHER’S LETTER . . . . . .

STYLE FILES: WHAT STYLE IS RAVING ABOUT THIS MONTH . . . . . . . .14 BUSINESS PROFILE: SELECT WOOD FLOORS . . . . . .17 HOME & GARDEN: THE COOL FACTOR . . . . . . . . . 44

BATH NURSERY CELEBRATES 50 YEARS . . . . . . 22 TOP 20 PLACES YOU CAN GO! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 MUSIC MAKES ITS MARK IN NOCO . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

OUTDOOR STYLE: CELEBRATE SUMMER IN NOCO . 49

NOCO’S RELOCATION BOOM . . . . . . . . 38

TRAVEL: DO DURANGO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

MAGIC BUS: BUSTANG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

RFC Awards Gala Top Chef Black Tie Bingo BBB Torch Awards Taste of Loveland Masks Gala Stone Soup Jazz & Jeans Down & Derby Party Meet the Author Cultivate Hope Rockin’ & Blockin’ Sock Hop

Lydia’s STYLE Magazine

Publisher’s Letter

Summer Happenings Fort Collins is home to many entrepreneurs whose ambition and drive have resulted in growing businesses that have become the foundation of our community. One such business is celebrating its 50th anniversary and we decided to celebrate this occasion by featuring the young family continuing its tradition. My first memories of Tom Bath of Bath Landscape, Irrigation, Garden Center and Power Equipment are of a wiry man who always had a project underway. Every year he was adding a plant area, building a pergola, adding a greenhouse or working

on some expansion of his facility. He was never happy with a status quo. He was always growing his business to make it better for his customers. Tom is a driven man whose work ethic made some employees nervous because they questioned if they could ever measure up to his drive. As long as I’ve known Tom, he has never been satisfied to stand still and this is the example he set for his children, Sara and Spencer. We profiled Bath in 2007 as leaders in introducing organic and sustainable horticulture in the area (largely due to Sara’s naturopathic health background). And their most recent addition has been adding a beautiful outdoor living showroom in the midst of their retail plants. Be sure to read, “Bath, 50 Years and Growing” to learn about Sara and husband, Aaron, as they take the reins to continue the tradition Tom started 50 years ago. We wish them great success as they raise their family in the business where they grew up. As we begin to feel summer has finally arrived, after many weeks of experiencing an unusual rainy season, we know friends and family will be migrating here to visit. With that in mind, we thought it might be helpful to feature some fun Northern Colorado attractions. As residents, we often take our area for granted so read up on “Oh the Places You Can Go” to be reminded of fun attractions that will show off our area to out-of-town guests. Our area is quickly also becoming a hub for music. Dani Grant, a pioneer in developing and co-founding SpokeBUZZ, an incubator to help develop area musicians, has contributed to growing

this industry. The Bohemian’s contribution to our enjoyment of music has been enormous through hosting NewWestFest and, most recently, developing The Music District at College and Laurel. Read “Music Makes its Mark in NOCO” to get a taste of what’s happening in the music scene. The warmth of summer draws us outdoors to enjoy a variety of annual family-friendly events. Festivities complete with entertainment, music, competitions and food and drink fill the summer months. Check out “Celebrate Summer in NOCO” to put some of these happenings on your calendar. Speaking of family, I am off to Missouri in early June to help my daughter, Meredith, and son-in-law, Josh, move to St. Louis for their residency. Meredith has two years remaining and Josh has three and I’m hoping they will find Northern Colorado their home when they complete residency. As a reminder to you, the Hope Lives Pink Boa 5K is June 13, celebrating awareness, remembrance and survivorship of breast cancer. Invite a friend to join you, walk or run the course and know you’re doing a little bit to help women diagnosed with this disease in Northern Colorado. Pre-register online at hopelives.org or the morning of the event at Front Range Village starting at 7 a.m., race starting at 8:30. And bring your dog all dressed in pink for the Prettiest Pup in Pink contest, too! Wishing you a sunny summer. lydia@stylemedia.com

Meet the Team of Top Personal Financial Advisers & Retirement Professionals in Fort Collins! We provide money management assistance in the following areas: Investments: • Mutual Funds • Educational IRA • Traditional IRA • Roth IRA • SEP IRA • Simple IRA • Brokerage Accounts • Variable Annuity

Sarah Holz Registered Representative Executive Assistant

Wealth Planning: • Financial Planning • Retirement Plans • 401(k) Planning • 403(b) Planning • College Plans • Estate Plans • Profit Sharing Plans

Insurance: • Disability Income Insurance • Life Insurance • Long Term Care Insurance

Visit us on the web for a wealth of additional information! Caren L. Pendleton Marketing Director

Robert M. McCulley, CFP®, MAFM

Bruce Harris IT Director

“I am a Certified Financial Planner ™ and hold a Masters Degree in Accounting and Financial Management. As a licensed representative, I am able to offer a variety of investment and insurance options. I am dedicated to developing lasting relationships with all my clients. I believe in helping you achieve your financial goals while participating in the management of your finances.”

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Masters Degree Accounting & Financial Management

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www.mcculleyassociates.com

Securities and Investment advisory services offered through Cetera Advisors LLC, MEMBER FINRA/SIPC. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other entity.

Lydia’s STYLE Magazine

Style 2015

Files good for you How Does Free Sound? Miramont Lifestyle Fitness is offering a great opportunity for teens this summer: free TeenFit Memberships. The memberships are available for teens between the ages of 14 and 17 and they will have access to the Central and North locations from June 1 to August 16. Teens can enroll at the Central location until June 15. Miramont’s goal is “to engage, energize and inspire the teen community to take part in a healthy and active lifestyle.” A parent or guardian must be present with the teen when they sign up and all teens are required to participate in a one-hour fitness certification. Sign up soon; enrollment is capped at 200 teens. The registration form can be found at www.miramontlifestyle.com.

try something new Join Downtown Greeley for Friday Fest one night this summer. Every Friday you can find special events for the family, featuring music, art and more. Friday Fest’s schedule of events extends well into September, with festivities starting at 5 p.m. Here are the highlights for June and July: •

June 5 – Kickoff Greeley Unexpected event with a performance by Greeley’s own The Burroughs.

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June 12 – Greeley Blues Jam kickoff with The Boogie Boys.

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June 19 – Greeley Stampede kickoff event with Union Gray.

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June 26 – Classic rock and blues with Zzyzx Road.

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July 3 – Rock and roll band Wild Nights.

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July 10 – Groove Nation Orchestra performs.

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July 17 – Atlanta band Dank performs rock and roll and rhythm and blues.

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July 24 – Greeley Arts Picnic kickoff event with Funkiphino.

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July 31 – Brothers of the Sun from Golden, Colo. perform Southern Rock. For more information, visit: www.greeleydowntown.com.

Lydia’s STYLE Magazine

check it out Here at Style, we love nothing better than to stumble upon a gem, especially one tucked in a charming alleyway in Downtown Fort Collins. In this case, it is the Trimble Court alleyway and the gem is The Lounge, a tiny little speakeasy situated across from the Trimble Court Artisans. The Lounge, owned and operated by the owners of The Yeti, is a great pre- or postdinner stop. While the vibe is a little more modern than we would normally embrace, the cocktails are pure throwbacks. We especially loved the Vieux Carre, a 1930s New Orleans cocktail made with rye, cognac, Italian sweet vermouth, Benedictine and Peychaud’s and Angostura bitters. These cocktails are lovingly handcrafted— they aren’t thrown together by a slick bartender in 30 seconds or less. Expect to wait a couple minutes while the maestros work their magic. More than one cocktail on the list has citrus rind flamed tableside. Go early, this place can get packed later in the evening and loses a little of its ambiance when over-full.

bike month Colorado’s Bike to Work Month takes place every June and culminates with a Bike to Work Day on the fourth Wednesday of the month. As always, fun events, informative seminars, safety courses and more are offered by the City of Fort Collins during the month. Bike to Work Day, this year on Wednesday, June 24, is always a great event for the whole family, with over 40 breakfast stations set up all over Fort Collins. A full listing of events in Fort Collins can be found at www.fcgov.com/ bicycling. Loveland hosts its own a Bike to Work Day, also on June 24. More information on local breakfast stations and other special events can be found at www.ci.loveland.co.us. Style 2015

Lydiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s STYLE Magazine

business profile

All About Quality Select Wood Floors By Kelly K. Serrano

Builder Lee Barker knows exactly where to go for wood floors—as well as stairs and garage floors—for the homes he builds: 225 N. Lemay Ave. in Fort Collins, home of Select Wood Floors, StairOne and Select Garage Floors. That’s where Barker finds the quality materials and customer service he has come to expect since meeting Select Wood Floors and StairOne owner Jay Janicki 15 years ago. Janicki opened StairOne in 1988, Select Wood Floors in 1997 and Select Garage Floors in 2005. The three businesses employ 30 workers. He and Barker met while coaching their sons’ baseball team, and Barker found Janicki reliable and trustworthy. “It doesn’t matter the scope of the project,” Barker says, “whether it’s simple, entry level, or a high-end custom home, he handles both of those equally well. He certainly provides a reliable product and he stands behind it.” Janicki learned woodworking skills in high school shop and was later hired by a custom woodworker. He bought the stair business from a local contractor a few years after graduating. Whether floors or staircases, the business offers prefabricated and custom-built wood products as well as some laminate, cork and prefinished flooring. “Anything that needs to be made that you just can’t buy we can make at the stair shop,” a manufacturing facility on Link Lane, Janicki says. “We don’t do carpet or tile or anything like that; we specialize in wood flooring. A lot of carpet places will do wood flooring but they sub-contract it out.” Janicki’s employees—who are trained by working alongside experienced employees—install the floors or stairs, and customers have come to expect the service they provide. “(Customers) know that they’re getting our guys, and that's what they want,” Janicki says. Barker describes Janicki’s employees as “neat, Style 2015

personable and well-organized.” “A number of employees have been there a long time and that speaks well to him and his company,” he says. “Retaining employees these days is not an easy thing.” Janicki says his showroom also sets his businesses apart. “We’ve been in business for a long time and no one has a showroom like this,” he says, noting that he located the two businesses to the current location in 1999 and expanded in 2002 for additional desk space and displays. “He’s got a great showroom,” Barker agrees. “Whether flooring or stairs, he’s got a great variety of product and willingness to look at new products when clients ask for something out of the norm. As a rule, he’s researched the market and brings in products with a proven track record.” Janicki says his businesses have thrived because of hard work, dedication and quality employees who treat customers with respect and consideration. And Janicki has supported the community that has supported his family—wife Kristy, who works with him, and a son and two daughters—over the years, not only by coaching youth baseball but sponsoring high school athletics and supporting programs such as RamStrength and Colorado State University sports. That kind of community involvement and exposure has resulted in more word-of-mouth business that keeps him busy, he says. “We don’t have to advertise much—a lot of our business is referral,” Janicki says. For more information, call (970) 224-1452 or visit www.selectfloors.com.

New stadium

will change face of CSU, Fort Collins By Kelly K. Serrano

In the next couple of years, a new stadium will change not only the Colorado State University campus landscape, but life as its students and Fort Collins-area residents know it during football season and beyond. 18

CSU officials and supporters believe the stadium will improve the football game experience for students, alumni and staff, and attract students. It will also benefit the community economically as well as strengthen the bond between it and CSU. “It will put the university in a position to engage its community and stakeholder groups for decades to come,” says Joe Parker, CSU athletics director. “We’re proud of our institution, we’re proud of our campus. If someone gets an opportunity to spend time here, they’ll have a better understanding of what we’re about.” “For alumni, it’s all about memories and

experiences, evoking the emotion of being close to their alma mater” and allowing them to share that with their families, which is missing with an off-campus stadium, he says.

Moving forward With $220 million available from the sale of bonds to fund the construction, the site selected between Lake and Pitkin Streets, and an intergovernmental agreement for road and infrastructure improvements with the City of Fort Collins approved, plans for stadium construction to begin in August or September are moving forward. If all goes well, the stadium will host its Lydia’s STYLE Magazine

games at that stadium and insufficient revenue sources to pay back the debt. “I am concerned that they’re not using my tax money wisely,” Vangermeersch says, noting the cost of building and running the new stadium is far greater than claimed and will outweigh any other benefits. Supporting the football program should not be the university’s priority, especially since the athletics program has lost millions of dollars in recent years, he says. “It is one big, humongous financial gamble,” Vangermeersch says. “We don’t think the board did a proper judiciary examination of the process.”

Addressing arguments

Rendering of the proposed on-campus stadium at Colorado State University. The project is looking for a mid-2017 completion date.

first football game in fall 2017. Work such as realigning streets and sidewalks will begin in early summer, Parker says. But Save Our Stadium Hughes LLC (SOS Hughes), made up of more than 2,000 local residents who oppose the new stadium, is considering courses of action—such as onsite protests and a lawsuit—to prevent that from happening, says Bob Vangermeersch, founder and executive director. The group has expressed concerns including the CSU Board of Governors’ failure to address ongoing structural issues at Hughes, traffic and parking issues related to an on-campus stadium, the likely high cost of attending Style 2015

Parker says CSU officials heard arguments against the on-campus stadium, but the benefits to an on-campus stadium and issues with renovating Hughes outweighed concerns. “You reach a point where you’ve got to address the deferred maintenance issues, deficiencies with existing infrastructures and address fans today versus 50 years ago,” he says. As CSU was unable to raise 50 percent of the stadium construction cost through donations, officials are turning to other revenue streams to service the debt, including sales of premium seating and club seats, increased hospitality areas and concession point of sales, and encouraging season-ticket purchases, Parker says. The fact that the bonds sold in 90 minutes says investors are confident in CSU’s ability to pay them back, he notes. “It’s a sound model.” Ticket prices are not yet set but they will be available at a wide range of prices so “if people are interested in watching and supporting team, they will find a way to afford it,” he says. CSU has also tried to address many concerns over parking, traffic and impacts to the neighboring areas through an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the City of Fort Collins, he notes. A designated group will manage any ongoing concerns. “Our goal moving forward is to just be educative, to explain the rationale and the reasons why,” Parker says.

Working with the City According to the IGA, CSU will pay for significant infrastructure improvements to help with game-day traffic both on and off campus. It will make various improvements for traffic and/or pedestrians and bicyclists to College and Centre Avenues and Shields, Laurel, Elizabeth, Whitcomb, Pitkin, Sherwood and Washington Streets. CSU will also work closely with the city to add buses on game days. The agreement also calls for construction of an additional campus parking garage with at least 400 net new parking spaces, a parking lot off Research Boulevard with at least 900 parking spaces, and continued operation of

CSU On-Campus Stadium By the Numbers

the Lake Street parking garage, which has 864 spaces. The stadium will not have its own parking lot, but attendees can park elsewhere around campus. “It is anticipated that greater numbers of students and community members will be able to walk, bike or take alternative transportation to an on-campus stadium, helping to ease some of the traffic demand,” the agreement states. Karen Cumbo, director of Planning, Development and Transportation for the city, says because the stadium is on a state agency’s property, it doesn’t need the city’s approval or to meet city development requirements. “They didn’t have to agree to build any of the infrastructure improvements we asked them to, but they agreed to do that,” she says. “There will be an impact from the stadium, even with the improvements; we’re trying to (lessen) that impact.”

Economic impacts

businesses before or after the game. “I don’t think it’s going to help the local community,” he says. But the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce is betting that it will, citing Development Research Partners’ estimation of a $70 million impact over the new stadium’s first 10 years of operations. That does not include the economic impact from construction spending. In a statement supporting the new stadium, the Chamber notes that “the driving argument in favor of building a new stadium is that a successful athletics program, especially football, will attract students and financial support to the university. And with the current stadium in need of substantial investment, it is logical to consider other options, including a new on-campus stadium.” “We think that ultimately it’s a positive for the community from an economic point of view and a quality-of-life point of view,” says David May, chamber president and chief executive officer.

Vangermeersch also argues that relocating the venue won’t bring in new money but only redistribute what people are already spending. And if the cost of attending a game at the new stadium is higher than it already is, people won’t have money to spend at local

Kelly K. Serrano is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins.

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722,478 square feet – The proposed size of the on-campus stadium, not including approximately 80,000 square feet of future academic space

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16.9 acres – The size of the stadium parcel between Lake and Pitkin Streets

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90 minutes – The time it took CSU to sell $239 million in bonds to finance stadium construction and support payments

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$40 million – The approximate amount of donations raised to apply to debt service if other revenue streams fall short of conservative estimates

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40,000 – The number of attendees the stadium will accommodate including 36,000 seats and 4,000 standing-room-only spaces

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896 – The number of indoor and outdoor club seats planned for the west sideline

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$72.3 million – The total direct and indirect economic benefits in Larimer County from construction of the stadium, according to Development Research Partners.

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$70 million – The amount of direct and indirect economic benefit the new stadium will have on the Fort Collins area over its first 10 years of operations, according to a study by Development Research Partners

Lydia’s STYLE Magazine

Style 2015

By Angeline Grenz

After several weeks of wet weather, Coloradans are feeling a little blue. It is never more evident than when we get an abundance of one of our most precious commodities—rain—that the truth shines brightest. We love to be outside. Even our dogs get depressed when the weather prevents us from spending time outdoors. So on a singularly sunny day in late-May, well after most would have gone ahead and put their gardens in (snow be damned), Bath Garden Center was overflowing with people. It was mid week and mid morning. Some of these ecstatic shoppers were probably supposed to be at work but the break in the rain meant that everyone flocked to the garden center to buy flowers and vegetables. A sea of pinks, yellows, purples and reds flowed out the doors as people fought against the current to grab a cart and start their shopping. Bath was ablaze with color and the promise of a great growing season. The air smelled sweetly of flowers and a little earthy from that organic fish fertilizer that does amazing things to green stuff. Staff was abuzz, assisting people with their selections, ringing them up with smiles on their faces. It was Thursday morning and it felt like a party. Of course, Bath experiences this phenomenon yearly as Colorado pulls out of the dormant winter into the promising spring. For 50 years, they have delighted customers with their service and products. As Bath reaches the half-century mark, a new generation is ready to take the reins; father Tom is passing the torch to daughter Sara and her husband, Aaron Salzman. It all began in 1965. Tom, fresh from a track scholarship to Colorado State University, started a small landscape business. As a farm kid from Fort Morgan, it was an easy career choice, and Tom was one of the first landscapers to offer irrigation installation, an idea that was just beginning to take off. After a series of locations and a stint with a partner, Tom moved the landscape company to its present location on the northwest corner of Prospect and Timberline in 1973. At that time, the corner was a field and north on Timberline was a dirt road. Tom would often stage the plants that were to go into his next commercial landscape on the street corner and

people would stop and ask if they could purchase them. “After a while I decided maybe I should start a retail store,” he recalls, making the decision to set up a shop in 1978. Today, most plant material is brought in, although Bath does grow bedding plants, vegetables and a few perennials. While it would be easy to say the rest is history, it wouldn’t tell the full Bath story. Bath’s 50 years reflects not only a great understanding of the local market and ability to change with the times, but it also shows the sort of roll-up-your-sleeves hard work that Tom seems to magnify. While he built his retail store and commercial installation business, Tom was also raising two children, son Spencer and daughter Sara. The two children were fixtures in the store as they grew up. Spencer worked on the installation crew and Sara worked in the Garden Center during school holidays. “Of course, I didn’t realize how cool [the store] was until I was older,” says Sara. While she and Aaron were in Seattle for grad school, where Sara was working to become a naturopathic doctor, they got pregnant with their first child and decided to return home for just a short while. But returning to the family business was not what she expected. “I started back and began to really enjoy it.” In fact, she enjoyed it so much that over a decade later, history is repeating itself; now it is her children running around Bath while she and Aaron work the family business. The hardworking gene runs deep at Bath. Aaron, who grew up best friends with Spencer, worked at Bath during summers from his 8th grade year through high school. He moved his way up the crews to work under Tom but eventually left to go to Colorado State University for a business degree. However, those years working with Tom left an impression: “Tom had a great work ethic and really taught me to work hard.”

After returning to Fort Collins, Aaron worked for a hotel chain and other local businesses for a few years before Tom approached him to join Bath. Aaron started in maintenance but as he worked with the team, Tom recognized his sales ability. At the same time, they began to see the need to diversify Bath’s services and looked toward re-entering the residential landscape market after years of focusing on commercial landscapes to help them through the economic downturn of recent years. A stellar team was assembled. Jordan Mestas took over the design side and Aaron became sales manager. The duo has since continued to build the residential and construction side, which comprises 60 percent of Bath’s business. The remaining percentage comes from the retail store and power equipment shop. In peak season, Bath employs 120 employees with two-thirds in the construction side. But Bath has found creative ways to diversify the retail division to make it more relevant to shoppers year round. Their changes include classes on fairy gardens, orchids and wildscapes, and in the winter, Bath draws in customers with their cut trees and greens and the two reindeer that live on the property during the holiday season. In addition to classes, Bath Garden Center has local food trucks, with locally sourced ingredients,

set up during lunchtime. What could be better than picking up a gourmet hot dog, wood fired pizza or vegetarian wrap for lunch and wandering through rows of blooming plants? (Schedule available at www.bathgardencenter.com.) They also feature local artists on the weekend, displaying their works in the greenhouse. It is the perfect marriage of art, nature and culinary wonderment. Recently, however, Bath has added something new to the Garden Center. After years of successfully running the retail and design/installation sides of the business separately, they began to realize that not all of their retail clients even knew the landscape side existed. To better educate retail shoppers what the other half of Bath is capable of, they installed a beautiful outdoor living space— fireplace, water feature, outdoor kitchen—in midst of their retail plants. At the same time, as Sara and Aaron take the reins, they are building a workplace culture with teamwork at its heart. “Our employees truly love what they do,” says Sara. But until recently, the two divisions of Bath were relative strangers. Now, through strategic planning, team building and other efforts, the goal is to bring the groups together with that mutual love and create a sense of family at Bath. “Tom has always made a really big push to have family here,” says Aaron. “It was a big push

for Tom’s kids to be here and now it is a big push for his grandkids to be here. It is not just a place of business.” “All of our kids have spent their first year here everyday with us,” adds Sara. They have three children: Aishlin, age 14, Caiden, age 5, and the youngest, Skye, who turns 2 in July. This philosophy creates a work-life balance that employees can appreciate and gravitate towards. “We are doing the same thing our employees are—raising a family and making a living. We truly live that balance,” adds Sara. How is the leadership transformation taking place? Tom still sits in on the important meetings and you can see him working around the Center, but he is also taking more time for personal projects. In the meantime, Sara and Aaron look at it like this: “As Sara and I take a more active role in management and move towards ownership, we run the business but treat Tom as our banker.” The the passing of the torch is one that embraces the legacy Tom leaves in his wake, one of hard work, entrepreneurial spirit and love of family.

Angeline Grenz is managing editor for Lydia’s Style Magazine. Lydia’s STYLE Magazine

Sara’s Life Lesson When Sara was 17 she went to work for Style’s publisher, Lydia Dody, as a personal assistant. She spent seven years with Lydia, in between college semesters and summers off. “I did not truly appreciate the lessons Lydia taught me in that time until I became a mother myself. But at the time, I admired the way Lydia always put her kids first, although she would work crazy hours. She always wanted to put her kids to bed and to be the one that ran them around. She didn’t want others to do that for her. In hindsight, it was pretty amazing and inspiring. I had an inside view of their family and her example inspired me to have the same goal when I had children.”

50 Bath Garden Center will celebrate their 50 years with some customer-appreciation events later this summer, after the growing season slows down. Sara and Aaron encourage the community to keep up to date with their website www.bathgardencenter.com for more details. Style 2015

Kathy Arents Mulberry | 222-1784

Georgena Arnett Loveland | 481-9801

Sheila Benshoof Harmony | 377-4957

Greg Bever Harmony | 377-4916

Cindy Blach Mulberry | 481-5821

Kathy Boeding Loveland | 231-9073

Brian Bogaard Harmony | 377-4954

Judy Bogaard Harmony | 377-4931

Jo Carney Mulberry | 310-1836

Kelli Couch Horsetooth | 310-8804

Joanne DĂŠLeon Harmony | 691-2501

Mary Doty Centerra | 396-3454

Brandi Garifi Harmony | 377-4917

Chris C. Hau Horsetooth | 377-6017

Jim Hauan Mulberry | 419-2303

Amy Hayden Centerra | 215-5950

Shelly Hill Mulberry | 419-2348

Chuck Hoburg Harmony | 377-4903

Michelle Hubbard Harmony | 377-6077

Keith Huntsman Harmony | 377-4941

Nicole Huntsman Harmony | 402-0221

Cindy Kurtz Centerra | 679-1545

Bob Loner Horsetooth | 231-2222

Diana Luthi Loveland| 481-2692

Ali Lofquist Centerra | 744-8490

Anna DiTorrice-Mull Horsetooth| 631-2649

Jim Murray Horsetooth| 377-4909

John Peden Centerra | 679-1574

Miki Roth Centerra | 679-1568

Karen Rowan Horsetooth | 310-5797

Adrienne Scharli Harmony | 217-7350

Todd Sledge Harmony | 377-4901

Ryan Spencer Centerra | 214-0263

Linda Sioux Stenson Loveland | 215-9044

Faren Stroh Loveland | 222-6391

Jack Taylor Mulberry | 420-9302

Laura Thomas Loveland | 290-7544

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

Robert Walkowicz Harmony | 377-4945

Bill West Horsetooth | 690-0505

Alycia Martinez Centerra | 679-1657

Deanna McCrery Harmony | 377-4971

Elaine C. Minor Horsetooth | 215-9236

Dave Muth Harmony | 481-5963

Rob Mygatt Harmony | 229-5411

Andrea Schaefer Mulberry | 290-3758

1. Say Hello to Science (and History) The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery houses enough experiments, visuals and artifacts to keep someone occupied for an entire day. The OtterBox Digital Dome is an absolute must see for a 360º immersive experience. There is an entire room for history buffs, a toddler zone and an interactive music section. FCMoD is also the home to the nearly extinct black-footed ferrets. Catch a live feeding of the two creatures every Saturday afternoon. If you need a break from visitors, pay their admission fee and come back to pick them up…knowing they’ll be entertained for hours! Check their calendar for daily events and summer day camps for kids. www.fcmod.org

2. First Friday of the Month The doors are open later than usual on the first Friday of each month in Old Town Fort Collins. The artistic pleasures during the no-charge self-guided art walk are family-friendly and particularly delightful during the warmer months. Do you enjoy spoken word performances? Wolverine Farm Publishing Company and Bookstore hosts a free Poetry Slam every first Friday in the Bean Cycle coffee shop. It’s a unique form of entertainment and utterly compelling to witness writers pour their hearts out with passion, angst and truth. Think you have what it takes to perform poetry from your gut? Sign up at 7:30 p.m.; the Slam starts at 8 p.m. It’s also fun to be a judge if you know you’re going to be there the entire time. www.wolverinefarm.org

By Malini Bartels

You’ve got out-of-town guests coming to visit and you need things to do with them before cabin fever sets in and vacation is no longer a fun word. If this is your situation, then we have the list for you. Keep your visitors busy this summer and show off our glorious state. Northern Colorado has some of the best outdoor festivals, art, music, mountains and sunshine.

Enjoy it!

3. Do the Mish They don’t call it the musical playground on the Poudre River for nothing! The Mishawaka Amphitheatre is the ideal backdrop for an outdoor concert in a crystal clear iconic setting under the stars. Local and national acts grace the stage throughout the concert season nestled against the historic canyon and the rushing sound of the Poudre River. The Mish has a yummy restaurant and local beers on tap to accompany the experience. Hint: Parking is difficult and driving down the winding road is not recommended if you choose to drink during your stay. A convenient shuttle is the best way to get to and from the venue. Explore www.themishawaka.com for musical acts, shuttle timings, camping information and more.

4. Get Your Zen On! The beautifully serene Shambhala Mountain Center, nestled in the Roosevelt National Forest of Red Feather Lakes, showcases the largest stupa this side of the equator. The Buddhist retreat and meditation center is a sacred getaway welcoming all faiths and interests. They have educational programs throughout the summer focusing on mindfulness, spirituality, renewal and much more. Visiting The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya is free and provides an exotic background for pictures. All the information you need is at www.shambhalamountain.org.

5. Hiking Greyrock The views at the top provide breathtaking photo ops, the rise in elevation is over 7,000 feet, the feeling you’ll get when you look down at the Poudre Canyon…priceless. Greyrock is that iconic hike people visiting Colorado want to undertake. Google “Greyrock Mountain Trailhead” to map out your trek of one of the most sought-after hikes in Northern Colorado… and don’t forget your camera.

6. Tour de Fat It’s the celebration of beer, bikes and bemusement that put New Belgium Brewing Company on the map! Typically held on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, the hilarious bike pageant has become a Fort Collins tradition for spectators and participants. The fanfare, which weaves its way through Mountain and Oak streets, and entertainment at Civic Center Park is free. All proceeds from beer sales and merchandise are channeled to various local nonprofit organizations. Whether you throw on a costume and jump in the festivities or just sit on a lawn chair and watch, the entire spectacle is “semi” family friendly (warning: some costumes are outrageously risqué and many participants are inebriated). Visit www.newbelgium. com/events/tour-de-fat for all the details.

7. Thursday Night Live Free live music by Colorado artists every week on an outdoor stage. That’s the intention of Bohemian Night’s Thursday Night Live series. Every Thursday starting June 4 and concluding August 6 at 354 Walnut Street in Old Town Fort Collins. Usually happening on the Old Town Square stage, this year’s location has traveled a block away due to Square renovations. It’s a fun time for all. Dancing is encouraged and good attitudes are a requirement. This is just another opportunity to support the burgeoning music scene our talented state has to offer! Check out www.bohemiannights.org for the weekly lineup. Post photos and thoughts on social media with the hashtag #FoCoMusic.

8. Eat at a Food Truck Not only is our town exploding with delicious food trucks located at what seems like every turn, but you can also bring everyone to a food truck rally at City Park! Every other Tuesday throughout the months of June, July, August and September will be a gathering of food trucks to please all palates. They even accept credit cards. Seating will be limited, so bring your own blanket to stretch out on the lawn and have a locally prepared feast. Rally starts at 5:30 p.m. and ends at dusk.

9. Theatre Under the Stars The summertime is perfect to enjoy a variety of outdoor performances, especially live theatre. OpenStage Theatre Company performs their summertime production The Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni, a hilarious play with romance and mistaken identities. Opening night is Saturday, May 30, and the production runs for nearly the entirety of June on the lawn at the Columbine Health Systems on Worthington Circle in Fort Collins. The perfect setting for a picnic and a play, the company has brought this live art form to audiences of all ages for over 40 years. Visit www.openstagetheatre.org for times, casting and offers.

10. At the Drive-In The nostalgia of drive-in movies is still going strong at the Holiday Twin on Overland Trail Road, but is quickly disappearing across the rest of the country. Kids of all ages love the experience of sitting in the car, nestled with blankets and equipped with snacks. Pop open the back of a van, bring a lawn chair and enjoy a double feature! There are two gigantic screens operating thru September. Quiet dogs welcome; keep the necking to a minimum there are children present! Visit www.holidaytwindrivein.com for showtimes and ticket information. 11. Art in Public Places Art is everywhere you turn in Fort Collins, and that’s mostly due to the Art in Public Place program provided by the City of Fort Collins. The gorgeous murals and “pretty transformer boxes” scattered throughout the city constantly amaze folks visiting our town. Summertime is when Pianos About Town rolls out and graces us with sound and color. Enjoy a stroll, grab a cookie at Mary’s Mountain Cookies and see how much art in public places you can find. If you see an adorned piano, sit down and play a song! But please, no Chopsticks…

12. Have a Hansom Carriage Ride The old-fashioned buggies are parked near the intersection of Mountain and Linden Streets, and are beckoning you to jump in! The clip-clop of the horses reminds us all of a romantic era when people took time to enjoy the scenery in the slow open air. Old Town Fort Collins has never looked quainter than from a horse drawn carriage. Take advantage of this unique experience with your out of town guests and show them a traditional time. Visit www.coloradocarriage.com for scheduling.

15. The Stanley Hotel It’s scenic, beautiful, historic and possibly haunted. The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park is the eerie setting for the psychological horror film, "The Shining." They even offer ghost tours along with ghost adventure packages. They are known for their exquisite dining and romantic rooms; however, the easy access to hiking and the rugged outdoors cannot be ignored. Just minutes away from Rocky Mountain National Park, the hotel offers a convenient and luxurious place to stay with views superb enough for a wedding. Don’t forget RMNP for some of the most outstanding hiking trails, views and camping. Nymph Lake is a must-do trail. Visit www.stanleyhotel.com for information on tours, rooms and activities.

13. Take a Beer & Bike Adventure Beer and Bike Tours is a locally owned company that allows people to enjoy some of the best things our region has to offer—craft beer and the freedom of two wheels. Each excursion is unique and combines scenic bicycle tours with quality craft beer. In Northern Colorado there are several options for a brew cruise, day tour, family friendly “root beer” adventures, and even trips to Rocky Mountain National Park and Boulder. Book an entire group to explore the area and visit some breweries in a combined adventure! More information at www.beerandbiketours.com or call MyHandleBar for a group ride, (720) 431-0119.

14. Eat at the FoCo Café Northern Colorado’s only pay-what-you-can café is a brilliant stop for lunch with family and friends. The predominately locally sourced soups and salads showcase the freshest of the fresh in the area. Spent all your money on the other activities on this list? Visit their website or Facebook page and sign up to volunteer while family is in town. Show your guests how we pay it forward here in FoCo. www.fococafe.org

16. Pingree Park Camping Just 50 miles west of Fort Collins is the beautifully secluded Mountain Campus of Colorado State University. This real estate gem is known as Pingree Park, an idyllic setting for studying natural resources, hiking, fishing and wildlife viewing. The campus offers an organized ropes course, cabin and tent camping for groups of all variations. If roughin’ it is not your thing, don’t worry…they have bathroom facilities, amenities and even an area to park your RV.

17. Visit a Pot Shop No matter your viewpoint, the fascination with being able to legally purchase cannabis, as if it were a six-pack of brew, keeps out of state friends of legal age curious and eager. Use with caution and never cross a state line with product in possession. Your friends might also be interested in knowing that Foria spray is available at Organic Alternatives. www. organicalternatives.com

18. Johnson’s Corner Historic Johnson’s Corner off I-25, south of Loveland, is home to world famous cinnamon rolls and pure Colorado hospitality. Everything made at the legendary truck stop, restaurant and travel plaza is larger than life and prepared with homestyle goodness and affection. This place is a destination for some and a guilty pleasure for most. Johnson’s Corner has been featured on The Travel Channel and Food Network as “The Best Truck Stop Restaurant in the U.S” in 2004. You can visit them any time. They have been open 24/7 since 1952. Go to www.johnsonscorner. com to read their full story (even the cinnamon rolls have their own story).

20. Horsetooth Reservoir Water adventurers and sunbathers love the reservoir. Whether you’re on a motorboat, paddleboard, kayak, raft or water bike, the Horsetooth Reservoir provides a scenic aquatic enjoyment and plenty of rays. Rent a boat for the day with Mountain Whitewater Descents or try your hand at standup paddleboarding (SUP). Partygoers “in the know” venture out to the infamous Party Cove and kick back. Apparently it’s the place to be on the reservoir during the summer.

Lydia’s STYLE Magazine

Sell With Confidence Buy With Clarity

The Windermere Certified Listing Program is one of a kind. It is designed to reduce the friction that commonly occurs between a buyer and a seller in a typical real estate transaction. Windermere sellers see that their properties stand out distinctly in the market. Buyers of these listings feel informed and confident. 19. Take an Interactive Tour Interesting tours in our town are easy to come by, whether you’re a foodie or a freak. The third Friday of every month is a great opportunity for culinary adventurists to stroll through Old Town and visit specialty food shops for theme based presentations and unique tastings. Information about the Foodie Walk at: downtownfortcollins. com/events/foodie-walk

All of Windermere’s listings follow a consistent, thorough 10-step process to prepare the property for market. To learn more, visit: www.windermerecolorado.com/windermere-certified-listings

Expertly guided tours through the eerie buildings of Fort Collins is another way to entertain guests while learning a bit about our “haunted history.” Ghost tours can be scheduled at www. hauntedfortcollins.com.

3862 Bidens Gate Dr, Timnath $1,295,000, 3 bedroom, 4 bathrooms, 5,748 square feet

Getting Around: Ride the MAX North-south public transportation in Fort Collins has never been more fun! The MAX Bus Rapid Transit is not only a convenient way to bypass some extremely congested intersections in town, but it’s also a great way to avoid parking in Old Town Fort Collins, if that is your destination. MAX is handicap accessible, bicycle friendly and equipped with free WiFi. Visit www.ridetransfort. com/max for more information.

Welcome home to a custom home in Harmony Club. Two decks, main floor living room, kitchen, and master suite face a beautiful view of the 8th fairway and a lake right outside your backyard! There is a second master bedroom and large laundry room on the main level. The open kitchen and living room feature a gorgeous stone surround fireplace, rich wood floors, and a pantry. Full wet bar and wine storage downstairs, and a large family room for entertaining. Your walkout basement opens to a beautifully landscaped yard.

For more information on this home, please contact Paul Hunter 970-673-7285 or phunter@windermere.com

Malini Bartels is a freelance writer, chef, mother, radio host and actress living the good life in Fort Collins. Style 2015

www.windermerecolorado.com | 970-460-3033 33

Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest, 2014.

Music Makes its Mark in NOCO By Michelle Venus

Northern Colorado has a well deserved reputation as a mecca for craft brewing aficionados. Bikers (mountain, road and engine-powered) flock here in droves to take to the trails and winding canyon roads. Now, the local music scene is making a significant mark on the region. The rest of the country is taking note, especially with what is happening in Fort Collins. “Local music is gaining more respect as a business as well as an important part of the cultural fabric,” says Dani Grant, owner of the Mishawaka Amphitheater and co-founder of SpokesBUZZ, a Fort Collins based nonprofit music incubator whose mission is to provide ongoing education and inspiration for bands, with a chance to connect with and learn from music industry leaders. “The music scene in Northern Colorado has been a secret for a long time,” Grant continues. “It really is an asset [to the community] and SpokesBUZZ’s aim is to show it off and get that needed recognition for the musicians so they know how important their art is to the entire region.” SpokesBUZZ has been the buzz among local musicians since 2009, when the first “class” of bands started with the organization, learning about the fundamentals of the music business. That group—including Fierce Bad Rabbit, Wire Faces and The Patti Fiasco, among others—graduated in 2011 after completing the two year program

and has gone on to see increasing success and recognition as performers. Since then, 27 bands have completed SpokesBUZZ’s incubator program. Maxwell Hughes, the self-taught former guitarist for The Lumineers and member of the Class of 2015, even has a Grammy nomination tucked into his pocket. Dawn Duncan owns Fort Collins-based Yellowbright, Inc. Yellowbright is a publicity, marketing, management and booking firm working with mostly Colorado musicians. In the three years that she has owned Yellowbright Duncan has seen “…a much more focused and intelligent approach to treating music as an industry and business, the same as any other business in the community.” Duncan says that much of the growth has stemmed from the musicians themselves, a generation that has grown up with access to technology that previous generations did not have. The Internet has created a sophisticated and competitive sink-or-swim environment; one that requires

them to pursue their ambitions wholeheartedly. “There is an unprecedented level of talent right here in Northern Colorado,” states Duncan. “It’s exciting. It’s vibrant. And it’s getting noticed by a lot of people in a lot of places.” Greta Cornett, president and founding member of The Fort Collins Musicians Association (as well as singer and trumpeter with Ska band 12 Cents for Marvin), notes the success of FoCoMX—the Fort Collins Music Experiment. This past April marked the festival’s seventh year of taking over downtown Fort Collins, hosting more than 200 bands in 20 different venues. “It started as a grassroots effort with the musicians, when we noticed that Fort Collins bands were somewhat disconnected from the Denver and Boulder music scenes,” she explains. Several years ago, when 12 Cents for Marvin was nominated for an award by WestWord magazine, many of the band’s peers from those more southern locales expressed surprise at the number of high quality bands in FoCo. “So we decided to do a Lydia’s STYLE Magazine

The Patti Fiasco at FoCoMX, 2012.

showcase the following year and that turned into FoCoMX. We got so much support from the music community, and had 107 bands in 11 venues the very first year.” On the Radio, Whoa Oh OH, On the Radio Chris K, noted DJ and the go-to guy when it comes to Colorado music, is the host of the Colorado Sound, a radio show dedicated to Colorado music and musicians. He’s been spinning discs since 1978, when he was hired by KAFM in Greeley and has witnessed many changes. In addition to all the new bands coming to the forefront, he’s seeing more venues cropping up. “Greeley is coming into its own right now,” he says. “Bandwagon Magazine, The Moxie Theater and the DDA have done a tremendous job elevating their local music scene.” He points to Pandas and People and The Burroughs as Greeley bands to pay attention to. “Pandas and People have gotten a lot of radio love,” he says. “KRFC, 94.9 and KUNC give them a lot of play. The Burroughs have grown more organically. Their claim to fame is based more on their live performances, which are just otherworldly. That front guy, Johnny, is explosive onstage.” “Radio has exploded,” he says. “The support of radio, particularly in Northern Colorado, has been a tremendous boon to local musicians. I used to be on the board [of directors] at KRFC (88.9 FM), and we had ongoing conversations about flipping the format to all-Colorado music. In terms of material, yes, it could be done—there is that much amazing Colorado music. KRFC has led the charge in local music. There is no other radio station in the state that plays as much Colorado music as KRFC. Not Style 2015

even close. “Radio 94.9 made a commitment that they would air a minimum of one Colorado track per hour. They are the only commercial radio station in the entire state to have taken such a step. No other commercial station does that.” KUNC’s (91.5 FM) music director, Benji McPhail, comments, “We’re quite blessed with a vibrant local music scene … putting out music that is on par with nationally touring bands. And that’s really how we judge what we’re going to play: Does it sound as good as something you’d find on a major label?” New Rooms to Grow Fort Collins is experiencing something of a venue boom, with several new, intimate spaces having either recently opened or coming soon. The Downtown Artery on Linden Street is slated to open a 300-person music venue in June, which will pair local acts with national touring acts. In addition to existing gallery space, individual art studios and Higher Ground Rehearsal Studio, there are living quarters for musicians coming through the area. Illegal Pete’s is looking to open a room attached to its restaurant on Walnut. Owner Pete Turner has long been interested in creating a live music venue and the Fort Collins burrito restaurant has the space, and more importantly, the audience to fill it. According to a WestWord article, the space would be smaller than Hodi’s and the Aggie, with a beer garden and patio connected to it. The Bohemian Foundation, who has been hosting Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest, marks its 11th anniversary of hosting the free, three-day music festival in Old Town. This year, the festival runs from August 14 through the 16. At press time, this year’s lineup has still not been released. Bohemian Nights has also started a concert series at the historic Armory building on East Mountain Avenue. The soaring two-story space was converted from an office to a venue with seating for fewer than 200 attendees. Bohemian’s newest project is The Music District, which is currently under construction at the corner of College and Laurel. The vision is to create a musiccentric gathering place for musicians to cultivate talents, encourage connections and mentoring, and support professional development. Moving east, downtown Greeley’s Moxie Theater is stirring things up in that community. With everything from local music to '80s tribute bands to country and rap, there is something for everyone in this 400-plus capacity venue. Charles Hale, program director and host of the Ajax Diner Book Club on KRFC, sums up the music scene: “The future of the Northern Colorado music scene is limitless. My hope is that there's some young kid sitting in a dorm room or a rental house that's on the verge of creating music that makes me stand up and listen. That's the exciting part about a local music scene, you never know what music is about to emerge. The future of the Northern Colorado music scene is in the hands of the young artists who are discovering what it means to write songs and play instruments. And I can't wait to hear what they create.” Michelle Venus is a writer based in Fort Collins.

Lydia’s STYLE Magazine

www.DowntownFortCollins.com Colorado Brewersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Festival, Washington Park and Civic Center Park, June 27 and 28, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

Discover the Magic of Downtown There is always something magical happening in Downtown Fort Collins! Experience daily entertainment, beautiful artwork, historic buildings, and one of a kind shopping. The Downtown Business Association (DBA) annually produces over 100 events and promotions that foster an unique hometown feeling.

NOCO’s Relocation Boom By Brad Shannon

As you travel Northern Colorado, you may experience more congestion lately. In Fort Collins, in particular, the days when the arrival and exodus of CSU students was noticeable are long past.

You see new residential and commercial construction. Businesses struggle to find commercial space to start or expand. If you want to buy a home, you’re frustrated with low inventory and bidding wars. If you own property, you’re relieved to see the first significant bump in value and equity in years, and displeased with the bump in real estate taxes. If you’re like most, you relocated to Northern Colorado for a variety of reasons. In 2012, just 42 percent of Coloradans were born here; although through most of Colorado’s history, a minority of its residents has been born in the state. The fact is, despite the better-thanmost-places economy we’re now experiencing and its contribution to a current influx of new

residents, Colorado has always been a popular relocation destination. At some point, no matter how long you’ve been here, you may wonder, “Where did all these people come from?” For as long as people have been moving to the area, natives and migrants alike have had some desire to close the doors behind them to protect and preserve what makes this a great place to live. Because keeping our area and its amenities a secret isn’t possible, the larger question is what will it take to support our continuing rate of immigration and growth, and what will the impacts of this trend be? Data provide plenty to ponder, but opinions on the driving forces vary.

Given ongoing concerns about infrastructure and resources, particularly the long-overdue expansion of I-25 and skyrocketing price of water, housing may be the least of our worries. Long-Term Trends Last summer, a New York Times article examined migration to and from each state since 1900. “Where We Came From and Where We Went, State by State,” by Gregor Aisch, Robert Gebeloff and Kevin Quealy, notes that “a generation ago, about 100,000 Colorado residents were born in California. Today, that figure is well above 300,000, and Colorado remains one of the most diverse states in terms of domestic migration.” Lydia’s STYLE Magazine

They add, “While California migrants are an increasing share of the state's population, the reverse was true in the past. In the 1950s and 1960s, you could find more than one out of every seven Colorado natives in California.” Today, our “state’s retention of its own residents is the highest it has been since 1920.” Movement by those already living in Colorado to Northern Colorado is by far the top source of local population growth, with nearly seven times the number of migrants seen from any other state. Top Colorado counties sending residents to Larimer include Weld and Jefferson counties. The top states where residents moved from to settle in Colorado include California and Texas. At The Group Real Estate’s office in Old Town Fort Collins, Relocation Director Kathleen Hollerbach sees that daily. “We get a lot of relocation referrals from within the state. People move to be closer to kids who have moved here, they appreciate our quality of life and many move here for the energy industry. We see a lot of movement here from Texas for work in the oil fields, too.” “We see the gamut in terms of where people come from, why they look here,” she says, “but it seems employers are driving it—major players in town and smaller ones, too. We continue to see people who want to be here because it’s such a great place to live.” Jobs and Employment Group founder Larry Kendall also credits the job market as a primary driver of recent growth. “Historically, in a ‘normal’ economy—not like now—20 to 25 percent of home sales are to people moving into the area. I’ve lived here 42 years, and it’s different now. Many used to move to Fort Collins because they wanted to live and retire here, but most were not gainfully employed. Now, in my experience, most people coming in have jobs.” For perspective, Kendall notes that Woods and Poole Economics, based in D.C., forecast job growth for Larimer and Weld Counties from 2012 to 2022 at 2.44 percent per year. “That’s very high. One percent is good, 2 percent is outrageous. That would give us the second hottest job market in the U.S. over that time period. Then look at the latest numbers. Since September, our region’s job growth has been 3.61 percent.” “Denver,” he continues, “which is winning all sorts of notoriety for its economy and job market, is at 2.81 percent. Jobs are driving this economy in a lot of areas, from CSU to Otterbox to New Belgium and the high tech employers.” One foggy area, he notes, is the oil and gas industry, especially in Weld County. “Other places where it costs more to produce a barrel of oil will be hit harder; but, as Martin Shields at CSU has reported, every closed well costs about 100 jobs directly or indirectly. Last I checked, around 30 rigs had closed in the region.” Style 2015

With job growth moderating because of caution in the oil and gas industry, builders struggle to find laborers. There is hope, given this imbalance, that displaced oil workers may switch to construction. That, notes Kendall, could mean the hit to our economy won’t be as bad as it could be. Others are less optimistic about jobs. Fort Collins Chamber President David May, in his blog, notes that Fort Collins ranks ninth out of 365 communities for under-employment. Labor participation (those who are currently employed or looking for employment) is down nationally and locally. As job openings have gone up, labor participation has not. With projections of the population of Fort Collins to reach 245,000 people by 2045, we will need to add 65,050 jobs to employ a workforce of approximately 165,000. That’s in light of a typical annual loss of 10 to 15 percent of a community’s jobs annually. May and Kendall both note that there is a significant gap, for a variety of reasons, between the skills job seekers have and those that employers are seeking. There is also a “perception gap.” More educators (72 percent) feel young people are work-ready, while just 42 percent of employers and 45 percent of students feel they are prepared for the workforce. Dr. Martin Shields of CSU echoes some of May’s concerns when it comes to primary employment. “We are way behind on goodpaying jobs,” Shields notes. He also says it is hard to disentangle just how the job market and the housing market are linked at the moment. “Is the rise in housing prices because of new folks moving here, and how much of a contributing factor is the lack of builders building houses at the $330,000 sweet spot price level in the real estate market right now?” The Housing Market “With supply fairly fixed, and more people chasing that supply, it bids up prices,” Shields notes. “In Fort Collins there is not that much land. If you can build a $500,000 home or a $300,000 home on the same land, which do you choose?” The city needs to explore options to make land less scarce, allowing taller, denser development, he suggests. “That increased supply will knock down prices; but the market says one thing, and communities say another—how do we keep housing affordable?” The median home price in Denver just hit $400,000, while the median in Fort Collins is now at $300,000. “How sustainable are these increases? Are they legitimate or a bubble? We’re not producing better-paying jobs at the rate we need, and the fundamentals to support this annual appreciation rate are not there.” Kendall, though, notes that the housing market tends to take time responding to an improving economy. One of his favorite topics to teach at CSU’s College of Business is real estate market cycles. “The job market is a

leading indicator by 12 to 18 months. Jobs are still growing, and the real estate market will be strong for the next 12 to 18 months, at least.” He expects the ongoing increase in real estate prices will exert upward pressure on wages. “As the economy improves, people want to buy. Millenials, a large generation, are hitting home-buying age. Coming out of the recession, the home building industry is slower to respond. Our booming job growth and the uncertainty of the construction defects law have exacerbated that locally.” Colorado’s construction defect law was created late last decade. It was overlooked at the time, because not much was being built. Its intention was to protect homeowners from construction defects. The unintended impact, though, has led to a drop in condominium construction from a typical 30 percent of new units built down to 4-5 percent. The three “most onerous” parts of the law, according to Larry Kendall, include the requirement for a six-year warranty on units, the denial of a chance for the builder to fix the problem (once a suit is brought, it must go to court), and the fact that it takes only two homeowners to bring suit, instead of requiring a bigger group to take legal action. That has made the risk, compared to the reward for building lower-priced housing, not worth it for many builders, and has led to higher rents in Colorado. What can you do? Like with most economic questions, the issues are complex, with no one-size-fits-all answers. Options and resources are available, and here are a few to consider. If you’re unemployed or underemployed, free and inexpensive resources can help freshen and expand your skills or train and transition you into a new line of work. Consider options to start a business or join the growing freelance economy, expected to be 20 percent of the workforce by 2020. For concerns with transportation and infrastructure, stay in touch with elected officials at the local, state and national levels, and encourage them to find solutions. In particular, options to fix the growing problem that is I-25 is needed well before the state’s current timeline, which stretches out to mid-century and beyond. Hollerbach recommends working with a Realtor with front-line information on new listings. What’s online isn’t always the most up-to-date or accurate information. A relocation expert will have a lot of information and can help with logistics, including short- and long-term rental options, trustworthy movers and more.

Brad Shannon is a freelance writer based in Loveland.

Magic Bus

Bustang Takes Commuters to Denver By Kyle Eustice

Colorado transplant Amy Ford recognizes the irony of her last name in relation to her latest project, Bustang. As Director of Communications for the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), she’s preparing to launch the new commuter bus program in mid-July. Ford’s “Bustang" adds a little humor to her very serious job.

“I’ve been working with CDOT for two years,” Ford states. “I helped plan the Fort Collins MAX Transit System and worked on the Regional Transit District (RTD) in Denver, as well. Bustang is the latest project.” An interregional express bus service, Bustang connects commuters from Fort Collins, Colorado Springs or Glenwood Springs to Denver on a Monday through Friday basis. Beginning July 13, Bustang heads from Fort Collins to Denver and back six times a day.

Each bus holds about 50 people and Ford anticipates 300 to 400 riders per day. Although CDOT is certainly optimistic, 400 people is the goal for the time being. “In a sense, the people came up with this idea,” she says. “The public tells us they want more choices in how they travel. When you have corridors like the I-25 corridor, which is a challenging one right now from a congestion perspective, people are looking for options.” In 2009, the Funding Advancements for

Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery (FASTER) legislation was passed, which slightly raised vehicle registration fees. The legislature said the money was to be spent on three things: bridges, safety and transportation. “We recognized there was a significant need to connect the transit systems together,” Ford says. “Fort Collins, Denver, Glenwood Springs and Colorado Springs all have great transit systems. Our service connects all of the transit systems so it’s this interregional transit Lydia’s STYLE Magazine

Style 2015

“It’s a service that comes with all of the amenities, specifically free Wi-Fi, USB ports, electrical outlets, bathrooms and bike racks. It really is a full service bus so when you put all that together, it’s very oriented for commuter service.” —Amy Ford, Director of Communications for the Colorado Department of Transportation system. It’s designed to alleviate congestion on the most heavily used corridors in the state, which are I-70 and I-25.” There are a few stops along the way where commuters can board. In Fort Collins, passengers are picked up at the Downtown Transit Center, on Harmony Road or near US 34/I-25 in Loveland. The trip’s duration is normally around 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the time of day and if the passenger is heading to the Denver Union Station or Denver Bus Center. From Harmony Road, the fare is $10 oneway and from Loveland Centerra Park-n-Ride, it’s $9 one-way. One-way and multi-trip discount tickets are offered and single tickets are sold on all buses from each Park-n-Ride. There are also advance and multi-trip ticket packages available, and 25 percent discounts for disabled persons and seniors 65 years and older. Passengers can also purchase packs of 10, 20 and 40 rides ranging from $81 to $300. The low fares are one thing that sets the Bustang program apart from others. “I think it’s very reasonably priced,” she says. “It’s a service that comes with all of the amenities, specifically free Wi-Fi, USB ports, electrical outlets, bathrooms and bike racks. It really is a full service bus so when you put all that together, it’s very oriented for commuter service. This is designed to get you back and forth to work, at least to start. I think that will be very appealing for those people who make that trip every day.” Expansion is also something CDOT is exploring. Ford is well aware there may be a need for the Bustang service to extend into the weekend, as many people travel to Denver for different events every week. Traffic can be a driver’s worst nightmare on Friday nights, Saturday and Sunday. “We are starting discussions with a CSU student group to see if there could be special services for students that maybe run on Friday night so kids can get downtown, things like that,” she says. “Right now, we’ll start with

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the services we have and then look to see if there is room for expansion. Certainly, the service need is there from a commuter perspective. We will look into it once we have it up and going and are more comfortable with that service. Then we’ll look at what the next phases are.” While no alcohol is allowed on the bus, food and non-alcoholic beverages are welcome. Additionally, the affordability makes it suitable for people of all ages. Ford believes fewer people are driving these days, making Bustang an ideal option for transportation. “The younger generations aren’t buying cars like they used to,” she says. “They’re not driving like they used to either, so you want them to always have options on how to travel. You can throw your bike on the bus or underneath the bus. One day, you’ll be able to throw your luggage underneath, hop on the bus, ride it into Denver Union Station and catch a ride out to the airport. There will be some connections there so if you want to take advantage of it, it’s a really neat way to go.” Bustang also has a “cool” factor; the bright purple color demands attention. With its huge Mustang logo and eye-catching font, there’s no way to miss one, something CDOT did intentionally. “We want people to see them and we want those busses to look different from anything else you see on the road,” she says. “That’s partly why we chose the name Bustang. We think it’s indicative of what Colorado encapsulates: the Mustangs, those wild herds, the Broncos and even the Blue Mustang at the Denver International Airport. We thought the name Bustang represented the speed and energy you’re going to have with this service. In fact, we hope it becomes a verb. We hope people ‘bustang’ down to Denver.” The Bustang service employs 13 over-theroad coaches in rotation on each route. The seats have seatbelts that allow for car seats to be strapped in. There are also storage bins on the outside of each bus that provide room for strollers and other equipment to be stored. Overall, Bustang is one of the most progressive transportation alternatives Northern Colorado has seen since the MAX. Ford’s enthusiasm is evident and there’s no doubt other people in the community are thrilled about Bustang’s arrival, too. “I love people’s excitement for something they think is really going to keep Colorado moving,” she says. “It’s fun to hear people talk about this project. They really want to ride it and I want to do everything on my part to make it a success.”

Kyle Eustice relocated to Fort Collins from her hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. After spending four years living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, she was eager to return to the mountain region. She is a regular contributor to Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine, Wax Poetics, Boulder Weekly Bandwagon Magazine, Ghettoblaster, and many others. Style 2015

home & garden

The Cool Factor By Michelle Venus

When outdoor temperatures climb higher and higher during summer months, what’s the best way to keep your cool indoors? Cranking the AC is one way to ensure you won’t get hot under the collar. But is it the only way? And how can you make the best and most efficient use of your air conditioning system? Tim Swan, owner of Swan Heating & Air Conditioning with locations in Loveland and Denver, has been helping to up the cool factor for clients for over 20 years. Cooling your home is a bit more complicated than in-with-the-cold, out-with-the-hot-and-stuffy. “Air conditioning is not magically adding cold air to a space,” Tim explains. Simply put, a chemical called refrigerant loops from the A/C unit inside your home or office to outside and back again, absorbing and casting out heat in the process. The refrigerant cools and then reenters the building, and the cycle starts again. It’s not just about removing heat from the

air, A/C units condition the air by removing humidity (the amount of water vapor in the air). Humidity factors highly in how the body feels heat. More humid environments prevent sweat from evaporating off the skin, which is the body’s personal cooling process. Lowering internal humidity levels makes the environment more comfortable. While window units are an affordable option to central air conditioning systems, in the long run they may not be as efficient as whole-house systems. Tim recommends considering high efficiency ductless units as an alternative for older homes (think Old Town bungalows) where

installing ductwork could be problematic. Like central air conditioners, these units have a split design but without an elaborate system of ducts. The split system (also called a mini-split, ductless split or duct-free system) has at least one unit inside the home—the evaporator—and one outdoor unit—the condenser. Small tubes of refrigerant run from the outdoor unit to the indoor units which can be wall- or ceiling- mounted. Ductless splits can be used to cool one zone or multiple zones applying two to four indoor units to one condenser, and indoor units can all be used independently of each other. Installing air conditioning systems does not

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S P E C I A L A D V E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N

MOUNTAIN LANDSCAPES Mountain landscaping can be a true challenge, but those challenges can lead to one of a kind spaces. Designers often look to help people improve access around their property, while enhancing views. Some key points to consider are the existing soil conditions, local wildlife, the use of native plantings, erosion and drainage control, micro climates, and fire mitigation. Most mountain property owners have a special attachment to their land and finding materials to reuse or incorporate onsite can have an amazing effect on the overall design. Contact Alpine Gardens for help with your landscape challenge!

FORT COLLINS 7029 S. College Avenue Fort Collins, CO, 80525 (970) 226-2296 GREELEY 5030 W. 20th Street Greeley, CO, 80634 (970) 506-2727 alpinelandscaping.com

have to be cost prohibitive. According to Tim, proper sizing, installation and maintenance are the three factors that contribute to efficient operation. “It’s not uncommon to see A/C systems that are much larger than they need to be installed in homes in our region,” he says. Choosing a reputable and qualified installation and service company is key to ensuring the proper system is chosen for your home or business. Are there other options out there? Evaporative coolers, also known as swamp coolers, are well suited for hot and arid climates, like Colorado’s. They lower indoor temperatures by combining the natural cooling properties of evaporating water with an efficient air moving system. This combination of moisture and a steady breeze can lower indoor temperatures by as much as 30°F. Airflow is controlled by opening windows to allow the unit to push warm air outside. Evaporative coolers also add moisture, which helps keep fabrics and wood from drying out, and the water-filled pads act as a type of filter, removing dust and allergens from the air. Evaporative coolers can be used as the sole cooling system, or to complement existing air conditioning systems. Warning: they should never be used at the same time. One adds humidity while the other removes it. Some people just don’t like air conditioning. What can they do to keep their cool? “Keep the heat out,” advises Tim. “Lower window blinds and close curtains during the hottest part of the day.” Adding outside awnings to shield windows from direct sunlight can help. Long term solutions include planting trees around the house to ward off the sun’s rays. For those with ceiling fans, set them to rotate counter-clockwise in the warmer months. While standing directly under the ceiling fan you should feel a cool breeze. The airflow produced creates a wind-chill effect, making you "feel" cooler. Conversely, reversing the motor and operating the ceiling fan at low speed in the clockwise direction during the winter helps to warm the room, producing a gentle updraft, which forces warm air near the ceiling down into the occupied space. Whole house fans pull air in from open windows and exhausts it through the attic and roof. They provide good attic ventilation in addition to whole house cooling. Whole house fans should provide houses with 30 to 60 air changes per hour (this varies with climate, floor plan, etc. Check with a professional to determine what is appropriate for your home). In our Northern Colorado climate, with nights that cool down significantly, they can be an efficient and affordable option. Whole-house fans have their fans and their detractors. “On those really hot days, when the outdoor air does’t cool down until midnight, all you’re doing is sucking in hot air,” warns Tim. Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont, Loveland and Platte River Power Authority have united all of their efficiency offerings, including rebates, under Efficiency Works. Information about these programs can be found at the website, www. EfficiencyWorks.prpa.org. Michelle Venus is a writer based in Fort Collins.

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S P E C I A L A D V E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N

DESIGNED TO INSPIRE Hurr Sprinkler & Landscape knows the power of a beautiful design. Great design can set apart your landscape and transform your home and property from ho hum to an outdoor dreamscape. The designers at Hurr are in-house; they do not hire out to a third party for your design. Hurr also provides home consultations where their designers spend the time to learn about your dream landscape and help formulate a design that can make it a reality. Designers will provide regular communication with you from start to finish, and can give direction and ideas for how best to develop your unique space. From the correct plantings to hardscapes to water features, Hurr will help you create a unique outdoor living space that offers the comfort, enjoyment and privacy you want in your landscape.

127 E 8th St, Loveland, CO 80537 (970) 613-0225 hurrcolorado.com

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outdoor style

Celebrate Summer in NOCO Nothing can be better than enjoying the Colorado sunshine with a little music, entertainment, some food and drink. And music and festivities abound in Northern Colorado from the warm days of June through Labor Day. Here are some of our favorites.

Weekly Offerings

June

Noontime Notes Concert Series

Greeley Blues Jam

Downtown Fort Collins, Oak Street Plaza, June 2 through August 11, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is free. www.downtownfortcollins.com An intimate lunchtime concert series in Oak Street Plaza with live, small-scale music performances. These weekly concerts begin the first Tuesday in June and continue on consecutive Tuesdays through the second week of August.

The Bohemian Nights Presents Thursday Night Live

Downtown Fort Collins, 354 Walnut St., June 4 through August 6 on Thursdays at 7 p.m. Admission is free. www.bohemiannights. org From world music to funk, the Thursday Night Live provides the perfect family outing. The event showcases Colorado’s finest established and emerging musical talent. Bohemian Nights Presents Thursday Night Live concerts are a natural extension of the Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest festival held each August.

Summer Concert Series / All Town BBQ

Windsor, Boardwalk Park, 100 N. 5th St., June 4 through August 6, Saturdays at 5 p.m. Admission is free. www.windsorgov.com The Summer Concert Series kicks off on June 4 with a BBQ for the residents of Windsor. Come and enjoy a free hot dog or hamburger and stay for the free concert, which starts at 6:30 p.m. The free concerts continue throughout the summer and feature a variety of musical acts. Style 2015

Friday Fest

Downtown Greeley, June 5 through September 25, Fridays at 5 p.m. Admission is free. www.greeleydowntown.com Enjoy many nights of great music and fun for the family on the 9th Street Plaza. Music provided by groups like The Burroughs, Zzyzx Road, Groove Nation and Dank.

Lagoon Summer Concert Series

Fort Collins, Colorado State University Lagoon, June 17 through August 5, Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free. www. lagoonseries.com A celebration of NOCO music, the Lagoon Summer Concert Series has been a summer event in Fort Collins for over 18 years. This year features The Damsels, Swing Je T’aime, Mama Lenny and the Remedy, Three Shots and more.

Downtown Greeley, 9th Street Plaza, June 12 and 13, Friday 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Admission is free. www.greeleybluesjam.com A family-oriented atmosphere where everyone can enjoy a wonderful Blues experience, the Greeley Blues Jam features food and drink, merchandise vendors, free parking, plus camping and RV sites available just outside the Island Grove Arena. This year’s line-up includes Josh Hoyer and the Shadowboxers, Boogie Boys, Jason Ricci and Bad Kind, and Elvin Bishop.

Greeley Stampede

Island Grove Park, 600 N. 14th Ave., Greeley, CO, June 25 through July 5. Events begin Friday, June 25 at 8 a.m. Tickets are $30-$45. www.greeleystampede.org The Greeley Stampede offers more than just PRCA rodeo action, the Stampede Western art show, Wild West Comedy Show, parades and fireworks, it also features several musical acts. This year artists such as Kenny Rogers, Whitesnake, Skid Row, Tyler Walker Band, and Clare Dunn all make their way to the Greeley stage.

Loveland Museum/Gallery 2015 Foote Lagoon Concert Series

Loveland, Foote Lagoon at Civic Center, June 25 through July 30, Thursdays beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is free. www.visitlovelandco.org. Amphitheater seating available on a first come, first serve basis. Featuring performances by Cool Shooz, Hazel Miller, Creole Stomp, Mary Louise Lee, Quemando and 101st Army Dixieland Band.

Colorado Brewers’ Festival

Downtown Fort Collins, Washington Park and Civic Center Park, June 27 and 28, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. www.downtownfortcollins.com

Billed as the largest outdoor brewing festival in Colorado and one of the highest profile events of its kind in the nation, the Brewers’ Festivals draws over 20,000 people. The weekend features 100+ Colorado beers, over 50 Colorado breweries, live music, dozens of vendors and food trucks, and an interactive "Beer School" with tastings and demonstrations.

July Loveland Loves BBQ Bands & Brews

Downtown Loveland, 4th St. and Lincoln, July 10 and 11, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is free. www.lovelandlovesbbq.com Featuring the music of Amplified Souls, Bakersfield Band, Been There Done That, Soul School and more, the Loveland Loves BBQ Bands and Brews event donates 100 percent of all proceeds to local charities, such as Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County, House of Neighborly Services and Loveland Sertoma.

The Colorado Room Art and Music Fair

The Colorado Room, 642 S. College Ave., Fort Collins, July 18, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is free. www.thecoloradoroom.com Featuring artworks priced at $100 or less, the event features works by local artists Kieran Clute, Lauren Karbula, Anna Klausmeyer, Jed Hutt, Professor Lunchbox, Caroline Butterfield and M. Shane Pyles. In addition, starting at 5:30 p.m. there is music from Deejay Gyro, DJ THC & Es-sence, and Sam Mouton and Jesse Neth of The Write Minded.

Larimer County Fair and Rodeo

The Ranch Complex, 5280 Arena Circle, Loveland, July 31 through August 4, Friday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday and Tuesday 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is free. www. larimercountyfair.org With over a dozen musical acts, including Mojomama and The Tyler Walker Band, the Larimer County Fair and Rodeo has a little something for the entire family. It also features a carnival, rodeo, contests, great food, dog and pony show, horse show, pancake breakfast and much more.

August Arise Music Festival Cherry Pie Celebration

Loveland, Peters Park, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., July 18, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free. www.cityofloveland.org In honor of Loveland’s longstanding connection with the cherry industry, celebrate with delicious cherry pie and tasty ice cream while listening to live music, including The Joe O’Bryan Band.

Arts Picnic

Greeley, Lincoln Park 802 10th Ave., July 25 and 26, Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. www.greeleygov.com Colorado performers entertain on two stages throughout the weekend while clowns, magicians and balloon artists rove through the park.

Sunrise Ranch, Loveland, August 7 through 9, Gates open at 9 a.m. on Friday and close at noon on Monday. Three-day passes are $179. www.arisefestival.com Featuring over 100 artists over a period of three days, the Arise Music Festival is one of the biggest music events in Northern Colorado. Headliners include Edward Sharpe + the Magnetic Zeros, The Polish Ambassador and Ozomatli. Yoga, workshops, Arise dialogues, a children’s village and more are all part of the package. General Admission parking is $15.

Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest

Downtown Fort Collins, August 14 through 16, Begins 5 p.m. on Friday and ends on Sunday 7 p.m. Admission is free. www.bohemiannights.org

A free, three-day community music festival, Bohemian Nights showcases the best music Colorado has to offer. In addition to several local acts, the festival features three internationally renowned headliners.

Old Fashioned Corn Roast

Downtown Loveland, 4th Street and Lincoln, August 21 & 22, beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday. Admission is free. www. loveland.org. This iconic event features a corn shucking competition, a corn eating contest and all the roasted corn you can eat! Enjoy music and entertainment for the entire family.

September Downtown Summer Sessions Downtown Fort Collins, September 4, 11 and 18, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is free. www.downtownfortcollins.com A Friday evening concert series in Old Town that features a diverse line-up of small to medium sized Colorado musical acts. The event features beer service from local breweries and possible addition of select food vendors.

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Style 2015

travel

By Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer

Cowboy hats, ear gauges, veganism, steaks: you’ll find it all in Durango, and for some reason it all works together really, really well. Not only do they all seem to go together in Durango, nothing seems to frazzle this chilled-out town of 16,900. Maybe it’s the six breweries or the hundreds of days of sunshine every year. Whatever the reason, you won’t find a more laid back city in all of Colorado, and if you want to relax for a while, this is the place to do it.

Photo courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer

We spent three nights in Durango in April, a time of year when there’s still a chill in the air at night, but flowering trees are in full blossom around town. Every time I arrive in Durango I feel my anxiety and stress instantly drain away. The drive from Fort Collins to Durango is just around 7 hours through some beautiful scenery. At the Strater Hotel, an historic and architectural landmark in Durango, we were greeted by smart-looking desk clerks who could have stepped right out of the 1800s. Our suite at the Strater was named for President Gerald Ford. Part owner of a Durango radio station in the 1980s, Ford stayed at the hotel several times. Our room’s décor reminded me of a scene straight out of Downton Abbey: wall paper with a swirling gold design graced the walls and ceilings, and our sitting area featured period furniture fit for a queen. The Strater is a good example of how Durango is a mixture of old and new. The town oozes with history, but has also embraced nouveau cuisine and modern day art. One of our favorite

galleries, Open Shutter, features contemporary fine art photography that feels just as at home in Durango as does the Strater Hotel’s Diamond Belle, a bar with waitresses dressed in saloon girl attire. If you are interested in learning about Durango’s history, take a walking tour with the Victorian Aid Society, or if you’d like an even more colorful story of the town, take a carriage ride with Dean of San Juan Sky Outfitters. Several years ago, Dean gave us an exhilarating tour of downtown Durango, shattering all my preconceived stereotypes of boring carriage rides. You don’t need a reservation, just sign up for this tour at the Strater Hotel’s front desk. We spotted Dean and his spirited Haflinger horses trotting through a Durango intersection as we made our way to Durango Craft Spirits. In January of this year, Michael and Amy McCardell opened Durango’s first-ever legal distillery. Their Soiled Doves vodka is incredibly smooth and is surprising even non-vodka drinkers like my husband. To make their vodka, Durango Craft

Spirits uses corn from the Ute Mountain Farm near Cortez and grain from Alamosa. They hope to release their first batch of Boulevard Blue Corn Whiskey later this year. I ordered a gimlet and Ryan went with The Butler, made with vodka, grapefruit juice and a splash of pomegranate and fresh lime. Both went down nicely and we look forward to returning later this year to try Michael’s whiskey. We started day two by fueling up at the Durango Diner. This place has become one of our Durango traditions, and we’re not the only ones. You must arrive early if you want a seat in this tiny diner that serves up Paul Bunyansize portions. After breakfast we walked up the hill to 2nd Avenue Sports where we rented bicycles. We wanted to check out the Animas River Trail, seven miles of paved waterfront trail that’s perfect for folks like me who aren’t keen on roughing it on a bike. The leaves on the trees along the Animas River were an early spring shade of green and the air Lydia’s STYLE Magazine

Photo courtesy of Durango Area Tourism Office

was still a bit crisp as we rode along, feeling a bit like children as we flew down the hills and then feeling exactly like middle age adults as we huffed and puffed up the hills, which are thankfully gentle enough for a fun family ride. We rode north to the end of the trail at Animas City Park and then turned around, managing to catch a glimpse of the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad on our way south. We stopped to wave because we knew from our own experiences of riding this train that it is a Durango tradition to stop and wave whenever the train goes by. Our destination was now Ska Brewery, a muststop whenever we’re in Durango. The brewery is uphill from the trail, but totally worth the effort. After a few beers and a delicious plate of hummus from their new restaurant, we were on our way again, heading back into town. That afternoon, we abandoned the bikes for our car and headed ten miles north of Durango to James Ranch. This working ranch raises grass fed beef, Jersey milk cows and grows spruce Style 2015

Photo courtesy of Durango Area Tourism Office

Photo courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer

trees and a variety of organic vegetables. The ranch also sells farm fresh eggs and makes their own cheese, a process you can watch through the Plexiglas inside the James Ranch Market. James Ranch is quiet in April, as farm tours are only held in the summer, but it’s still a great place to grab a hamburger at Harvest Grill & Greens, a permanent food truck style restaurant on the property. My hamburger melted in my mouth and Ryan’s grilled Belford cheese sandwich was creamy with a sweet tang. On the way back we stopped at Honeyville to pick up some wildflower honey and try some honey whiskey. This is a super touristy destination and always busy, but I’ve enjoyed delicious Colorado honey on toast nearly every morning since our trip, so it was worth visiting. Durango is a dream for foodies, especially if you love farm-to-table cuisine. I’ve heard a rumor that there are more restaurants per capita here than in San Francisco. Dining can get expensive, but it’s worth splurging for at least one high-end meal at Ken & Sue’s Restaurant or El Mora Spirits

Photo courtesy of Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer

& Tavern. The latter is relatively new and owned by the owners of Steamworks Brewing Company. These guys know how to make good food. We ate at both Steamworks and El Mora on this trip and were extremely pleased with both dinners. On the way back to the Front Range, we stopped at the Villa Grove Trade for lunch. This is a hidden gem in the San Luis Valley serving up fresh, handmade sandwiches for under $6, a treat for our palates and our wallet. I must confess that I absolutely love Durango. There are lots of remote locales in Colorado where you’ll find peace, but in Durango you’ll find peace plus world-class dining, incredible hotels and an array of activities from rafting to skiing to theater. You’ll never be bored when you do Durango. Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer is a freelance writer from Loveland and founder of HeidiTown.com, the place for entertaining stories about Colorado festivals and travel.

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R E A L I T I E S F O R C H I L D R E N ( R F C ) AWA R D S G A L A April 11 :: Hilton :: Fort Collins The 18th annual Realities for Children (RFC) Awards Gala celebrated compassion, service and triumph. The inspirational evening featured a presentation of the 2015 Triumph Awards, designed to recognize and honor exceptional youth in our community who have not only survived the adversities of childhood abuse, but have also triumphed over them. More than $40,000 in collegiate scholarships was awarded to these youth members. RFC also honored those in our community aligned in the fight against child abuse. Photos courtesy of Craig

Back: Angela Mead, Angela Bartges, Sarah Masters, Malia Lawrence, Corie Douglas, Leticia Fernandez, LeAnn Pacheco, Jessica Ortler, Becka Payne. Front: Cathy Pierce. Not pictured is Kodi Johnson. Department of Human Services caseworkers – Realities for Children Caseworker Award recipients

Vollmer Photography.

DeAnn Zamora presented Becky & Jason Filler the Foster Parents of the Year Award.

Kristi Volesky, Caleb Robertson, Sheriff Justin Smith Detective Caleb Robertson – Super Hero of the Year Award Winner

Molly Secher, Nathan Schmidt, Cindy Kroeger, Levi Moe, Craig Secher Clay Pot Creative – Business of the Year Award Winner

TOP CHEF OF NORTHERN COLORADO April 18 :: Island Grove Exhibition Hall :: Greeley An evening marked by fine food, drink and friendly competition between the area’s “Top Chefs” was the cornerstone at this 5th annual event. Trevor Schultze from Coyote’s Southwestern Grill took home the coveted title of “Top Chef of Northern Colorado” while Adam Smith from the Pourhouse Bar and Grill won for “Best Flavors” and Chad Young from The Tavern at St. Michael’s won “Most Creative Dish and Plating.” The event helped to raise nearly $70,000 for A Kid’s Place and their programs to help abused and neglected children in NOCO. Photos courtesy of Ducks

Julie Walker, Ron Richards

Cheryl Brown, Beth Florin, Shannon Fendley

Cecily Hahn, Melanie Falvo, Eli Kapitancek, Jon Basso

In A Row Photography and Ally’s One Duck Photography.

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BLACK TIE BINGO April 18 :: The Rio Agave Room :: Fort Collins The sold-out event provided 175 guests an evening of fun, delicious appetizers from local businesses, auctions and five dynamic games of bingo with a chance to win great prizes. Guests also had a chance to vote on Best Appetizer; this year the title was bestowed on The Colorado Room. The event raised nearly $35,000 and will benefit Fort Collins Rotary After Work Club and Idea Wild their individual missions and local and global projects. Photos courtesy of Caitlin Brennan Photography.

Ryan & Melissa Schaefer

Mike Tormey, Judy TeSelle

Matt Walisis, Nicole Ellis, Brandon & Jeny Hardy

Adam Hertzler, Lauren Weber

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Juliet & Norm Peterson

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2 0 1 5 B B B T O R C H AWA R D S F O R E T H I C S April 21 :: Embassy Suites :: Loveland Four diverse businesses from Northern Colorado and Wyoming were honored and presented the prestigious BBB Torch Award for Ethics at this 17th annual event presented by the BBB Center for Character Ethics. Additionally, six Colorado companies were awarded the Best Practice in Safety Award and the BBB presented the 15th annual $5,000 BBB/Rotary Ethics Scholarship to Kirsten Brodeen, a senior at Rocky Mountain High School. Photos courtesy of Tres Photography.

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Phil Pich, Dave Malehorn Professional Auto Body â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Winner, Category 2, 11-15 Employees

David Burkel (UNC), Linda Hulse, Eric Johnson, Jake Adler, Asa Beck, Jenny Fabian, Jim Fargo, Laurel Deringer Centennial Ag Supply Co. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Winner, Category 4, 51 or more employees

Mary Hall, Judy Wiedeman, Laura Myers, Samantha Hagerman, Kris Tann

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F O O T H I L L S TA S T E O F L O V E L A N D April 23 :: Rocky Mountain Center for Innovation :: Loveland More than 80 local restaurants, wineries and craft breweries tantalized the taste buds of nearly 900 guests with their creative samples at this 10th annual culinary benefit sponsored by the Foothills Service League in Loveland. A silent auction of appealing items provided the mingling guests with bidding opportunities and helped to raise nearly $50,000 for Foothills Gateway Inc., and their programs to help people with cognitive disabilities and their families in Northern Colorado, and the Namaqua Center, whose programs serve abused and neglected children in Colorado. Photos in part courtesy of AMA Divine Photography.

Gayle Aaron, Alyssa McConkey, Amber Epstein, Lynn Runyan, Ann Becker

Greg & Andi Guest

Don & Nancy Churchwell, Nancy & Jon Piper, Mary & Tony Fonte, Arlene & Ben Connell

Brigetta Schlotter, Ali Lofquist, Shayna Gallagher

Troy & Pam Skoglund, Mike & Brooke Hupp

Penne Sperry, Bev Campbell

Jayson & Sherri Specht, Ryan & Kim Dietrich

Melissa Bakel, Kevin Bakel, Wallis Osborn, Jessica Osborn

MASKS GALA & AUCTION April 25 :: Hilton :: Fort Collins Nearly 200 one-of-a-kind ceramic masks created by community artists and non-artists were featured at the Fort Collins Museum of Art (FCMOA), with five being hand-selected to auction off at the Masks Gala Celebration & Live Auction event. These artistic works, sought after by area collectors, provided spirited bidding for the more than 200 guests during the live auction. Nearly $37,000 was raised at the Masks Gala Celebration. The monthlong exhibition and signature gala fundraiser collectively raised more than $143,000 and will benefit FCMOA and their mission to promote awareness and appreciation of the visual arts. Photos courtesy of Richard Haro Photography.

Back-Diane Erickson, Dave Beard, Doug Beard Front-Doreen Beard, Donna Beard, Don Beard Don & Donna Beard – 2015 Masks Honorary Chairs Pam Sunderman, Lisa Hatchadoorian, Rick Sutton

Dean Bratz shows off “The Awakening”

Bill Kissock, Susan Eastham

Myles O’Reilly shows off “Tinker” Lydia’s STYLE Magazine

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STONE SOUP April 25 :: Island Grove Event Center :: Greeley Fighting hunger in Weld County was at the forefront at the 13th annual Stone Soup event. The theme at this year’s signature fundraiser, “night of rustic elegance,” provided the sold-out crowd of 500 corporate, business and community guests a delicious farm-inspired culinary dining experience along with locally sourced libations, a moving live painting performance, auctions, award presentations and culminated in kick-up-yourboots dancing. The event raised a record-breaking $190,000 for hunger relief in Weld County, the equivalent of 1,140,000 meals for the hungry, in one night. Photos courtesy of Candid Creative Photographic Services and Shannon Cuthbert.

Art & Juleen Weigle

Keith & Peggy Decker

Abbie Conner, Craig Conner, Jacob Shepard, Michelle Shepard, Matt Notter, Emily Notter, Bill Fisher, Rachelle Fisher, Beth Jiricek, Jeremy Jiricek

Perry Bell, Sue Tresham

Craig Rasmuson

Kim Barbour, Chalice Springfield

Mike & Cheryl Guinn

JAZZ & JEANS April 26 Hilton:: Fort Collins Multi-generational families had an afternoon of fun at the “Jazz & Jeans” inaugural fundraising event, hosted by Friends of the Symphony (FOS). Adults and children both enjoyed playing heads n’ tails, listening and dancing to the Queen City Jazz Band and bidding on their favorite jazz performer at the event. Proceeds will benefit the Fort Collins Symphony (FCS) in keeping with the FOS mission to support and promote the Symphony financially, socially and educationally. FOS, and its predecessor the FCS Guild, has contributed more than $1,000,000 to the Symphony since 1964.

Shannon & Gray McGinnis with their children Jake, Elyse and Scout

Lee & Carla Jeffrey, Sharyn Salmen

Carol Story, Kay Edwards, Josephine Guerriero, Larry Edwards, Jennifer Guerriero

Cheryl & Dan Kaup with granddaughter Emerson

Cassie Archuleta, Mia Archuleta, Debby Morgan

Lesli Tanski, Gary Hixon, Peyton Cunningham, Ainsley Cunningham, Carol Ann Hixon

Alison & David Dennis

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D O W N A N D D E R B Y PA R T Y W I T H N O C O U N I F Y May 2 :: The Island at Water Valley :: Windsor More than 1,200 of the community’s who’s who attended the 6th Annual I25 Kia Down & Derby Party in classic derby attire. The popular event celebrates the pageantry and excitement of the Kentucky Derby— in Colorado style. Guests, many in bold, large-brimmed Kentucky Derby hats, sipped on mint juleps, listened to live music and tossed corn hole bags as they patiently awaited the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby as well as the awarding of the lucky raffle winner to the 2016 Kentucky Derby. The event raised more than $120,000 for Northern Colorado United For Youth (formerly known as NOCO Active 20/30) and this year’s primary beneficiaries: Turning Point, SAVA and Book Trust. Photos courtesy of Sage Marketing Group.

Erin Devany, Savannah Ahrens, Mayan Smith, Christie Wilbur

Charlie Pappas, Sara Pappas, Emily Kincaid, Cody Kincaid

Corey Barnes, Lindsay Roselle, Maegan Batson, Hunter Clarke, Rory Schaar, Patrick Edmiston

Patricia Diudea, Jeffrey Johnson, Julia Blyumkin

Stephane & Kim Mary

Trevor Roberts, Sarah Rudy

Russell Baker, Kate Baker, Courtney Elder, Chris Elder, Annah Schnaitter, Paul Schnaitter

MEET THE AUTHOR LUNCHEON – RESILIENT WOMEN May 2 :: Fort Collins Country Club Fort Collins Local author Laura Resau delivered an empowering presentation in keeping with this year’s theme, Resilient Women, at the 4th annual Meet the Author Luncheon. Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the charitable and educational programs of the Zonta Club of Fort Collins, including scholarship opportunities, service and advocacy projects that benefit Back: Judy Wray, Andrea O’Connell, Joan Dyer, Cindy Williamson, Judy Barth. Front: Deanne Mulvihill, women locally and globally. Julie Formby, Patti Smith, Kris Johnson, Karen Spruill, Robyn Moore, Jan Gunderson

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May 7 :: Embassy Suites :: Loveland A feel-good evening of celebration was on hand at the 8th annual Cultivate Hope event, commemorating the 10th anniversary of The Matthews House. The garden-themed party hosted a splendid silent auction and live music for its 330 guests to enjoy. Presentations during the evening honored youth and families, who shared their powerful personal stories of success in partnership with The Matthews House. Generous supporters helped to raise more than $100,000 to benefit The Matthews House and their mission to help young adults and families shape positive futures for themselves on their road to self-sufficiency. Photos courtesy of Craig Vollmer Photography.

Back: Courtney Schleusener, Bri Barbera, Lyman Baete, Tyra Morrison. Front: Elvira Sanchez, Katie Vodraska

Sean & Sarah Lambourne

Nicole Armstrong, Renee & Clark Miller Renee & Clark Miller – Volunteer of the Year Recipients

James & Sheena Chand

Nancy & Ken John, Jim Drendel Nancy & Ken John – Jim Drendel Growing Stronger Together Award Recipients

Nicole Kershner, Ann Schofield, Susan Garvin

Tasha & John Runkles

Matt Prater, Ali Adsit

Mark & Jen Sleeter, Talyn, Mary Beth Green Mark & Jen Sleeter – HOST Home of the Year Award Recipients

ROCKIN’ & BLOCKIN’ SOCK HOP May 8 :: Best Western Plus :: Loveland Guests decked out in saddle shoes, poodle skirts and leather jackets enjoyed reliving the '50s at the inaugural Rockin’ and Blockin’ Sock Hop. The event held in concert with May Melanoma Awareness month, included a presentation by Sha Na Na saxophonist and spokesperson for Melanoma Education Foundation (MEF), Michael Brown, and added to a fun-filled evening of live music, food and dancing. Proceeds from the event will benefit MEF’s mission to educate youth about the dangers of melanoma in middle and high schools on a local and national level. Photos courtesy of Julie Ulstrup Photography.

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