November 2015 South Aurora Magazine

Prsrt Std U.S. Postage

South Aurora

Magazine

19751 E. Mainstreet Suite R-18 Parker, CO 80138 303-805-9455

PAID

Permit 5377 Denver, CO

ECRWSS

POSTAL PATRON

in w ld

NOVEMBER 2015

e Se

ge pa

4

ls! ai et rd fo

ou SHu c A yo Cest and 00cont $1r hunt IN nge Wscave

SouthAuroraMagazine.com

t En

er

r ou

Have a Happy Thanksgiving

AURORA e n i z a g Ma SOUTH

SOUTH AURORA’S PREMIER MONTHLY COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER 2015 1 SOUTH AURORA MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER 2015 WWW.SOUTHAURORAMAGAZINE.COM 2

NOVEMBER 2015 3 SOUTH AURORA MAGAZINE

CONTENTS SOUTH AURORA MAGAZINE

southauroramagazine.com

This Issue

5 7 9 11 11 13

FROM THE PUBLISHER

7

Starting Some New Family Traditions

Volume 7 Issue 11 PUBLISHER MIKE WAID

mike.waid@waidpublishing.com 303-805-9455 xt 700

SALES DIRECTOR JAMY BEATON

jamy@waidpublishing.com 303-805-9455 xt 705

ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT TIFFANY GRIZZLE

tiffany@waidpublishing.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN CHRIS WAID

chris@waidpublishing.com

South Aurora Magazine is published 12 times per year by Waid Publishing (www.

WaidPublishing.com), a division of Mike Waid & Associates, Inc. (www.MikeWaid.com), 19751 E. Mainstreet, Suite R-18, Parker, CO 80138, 303805-9455. South Aurora Magazine is available online at www.southauroramagazine.com.

South Aurora Magazines is a trademark of Waid Publishing. All rights reserved. The views, opinions and/or statements made or expressed by individuals and/or entities, are not necessarily reflective of the views and opinions of Waid Publishing. No part of this publication may be reproduced without explicit permission from South Aurora Magazine. Copyright 2015 South Aurora Magazine - All rights Reserved.

South Aurora

Magazine

IT’S TIME FOR A FAMILY VACATION

THE BOOKENDS Orphan #8

by Kim van Alkemade

LOCAL AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT Hegira

by Jim Cronin

LOCAL AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT Escaping Yesterday

by Pamela Nowak

9 13 13

KNEADERS BAKERY AND CAFE

Win $100 Cash!

Head over to SouthAuroraMagazine.com or scan this QR code to enter our Scavenger Hunt contest. Have this copy of South Aurora Magazine near by to enter. You could win $100 cash! Good Luck!

NOVEMBER 2015

NOVEMBER 2015

WWW.SOUTHAURORAMAGAZINE.COM 4

From the Publisher NOVEMBER 2015

STARTING SOME NEW FAMILY TRADITIONS 5 SOUTH AURORA MAGAZINE

N

ovember is a time of the year that usually has one central focus…

Thanksgiving.

Yes, usually the Christmas decorations start coming out in the stores at the beginning of November, but for most people the most memorable part of the month is preparing for and enjoying Thanksgiving dinner.

Every family has traditions that they celebrate throughout the year.

Growing up I remember my mom was always starting new traditions every year.

She loved having family together and loved doing new things together. One of my favorites is when she would go around the Thanksgiving table asking each of us what we were thankful for from the previous year and what we hope to be thankful for in the New Year. It was always a great time slow down and reflect on our lives together.

Another tradition my mom had started was taking old Christmas cards from the year before, cutting the front of the cards off, and writing down something you are looking forward to for the next year. She would then collect them all and put them away with the Christmas decorations when the holiday was over.

They would stay packed up until the next year when we would decorate for Christmas on Thanksgiving Day. We would unpack the cards and read each other’s “wishes” for this year.

Traditions are the glue that holds a family’s love together. This year, start a new tradition with your family. It may feel strange or awkward at first but stick to it. You will never know when one of these traditions will stick in your children’s minds and give them a warm, happy memory when they have grown up and have families of their own. Most of all, these traditions will help strengthen the love your family has for each other.

This year, I am going to start a tradition where each of us will write four letters.

One note will be written to each of the three other family members and one to ourselves…to be read the next year. Anything can be on these notes. They can have a memory from the past year, a wish for the future, anything. We will seal them up and put them away to be opened next year.

What better memories to keep than letters from times past?

What tradition will you start this year? How will you engage your family to strengthen your love for each other? Come up with something fun…easy or extravagant…and let me know about it. Email me at mike.waid@waidpublishing. com and share what great new family tradition you are starting.

Enjoy your November and have fun starting a new family tradition.

NOVEMBER 2015 WWW.SOUTHAURORAMAGAZINE.COM 6

Family Vacation O

ur busy lives have a way of sometimes taking over.

We all find it hard to slow down and simply enjoy life. This year, my family and I decided to throw the stop sign up and embrace the timed honored tradition of a family vacation.

Ten years ago was the first time we took a real family vacation with our two boys.

Back then they were 6 and 4 and we visited Disneyland in California. This year we decided to take them back to California as teenagers and spend some time enjoying each other and the very sunny and warm environment of the west coast.

NOVEMBER 2015

DAY ONE We arrived at LAX around lunch time. I very much recommend flying into Orange County Airport (SNA) but since this was a last minute vacation LAX would have to do. We picked up our rental car and headed out to enjoy the beach before checking into our hotel.

On a recommendation from the waitress at lunch, we turned our car towards Seal Beach, just outside of Long Beach. It was a very hot day with temps touching 101 but the beach was not crowded at all and the cool ocean was a welcome sight.

Seal Beach is not overly commercial like some of the other stops in California and the pier didn’t even have a single vendor…which was very nice. We kicked off our shoes, found a nice stretch of beach and enjoyed listening to the waves roll in. Of course we spent some time wading out into the surf and marveled at the majesty and power of the ocean.

After a couple of hours we cleaned 7 SOUTH AURORA MAGAZINE

times in a row when you wanted to. With many 4D rides ranging from Transformers to the Simpsons, your senses will be invigorated and

By Mike Waid amazed. We enjoyed shows like Universal’s up and strolled along Seal Beach’s Animal Actors and quaint downtown mainstreet.

Waterworld and really had a great With a very nice variety of small, time on the Universal Studio Tour locally owned shops we found which also takes you through the solace in many air conditioned new Fast and Furious attraction. stores offering every type of touristy keepsake you can imagine. We even After our full day of enjoying this enjoyed some homemade ice cream terrific theme park we really had fun from one of the shops while taking going through the City Walk, which in our first day. is full of great restaurants and lots of shopping. When all was said and From there, done, we realized that we will most we headed to certainly be back in the spring when our hotel. We the new Wizarding World of Harry chose where to Potter will be open. We could see stay based on the construction taking place and it proximity to the looks to be incredible! various places we wanted to visit.

DAYS THREE AND FOUR We have done the We spent these days at both theme park hotels Disneyland (www.disneyland.com) in the past, and and Disney’s California Adventure. while they are great You can’t visit California without a if you have young trip to Disney. Since I proposed to ones, the cost can be quite my wife at Disneyland and we went staggering. We chose the Hyatt there on our honeymoon, it holds House (cypressanaheim.house. a special meaning to us. With hyatt.com) in Cypress. This was the Park Hopper one of the best decisions we made pass you can go on this trip. The hotel had recently between the two been renovated and was very clean parks all you want. and nice. Also, the 2 queen bed Be aware of the suite was very large and had a crowds though. full kitchen. Add to that a most Although Disney welcome, delicious complimentary is a master at breakfast buffet and all for under moving lines $180 per night. The location was along, at certain also ideal because Cypress is a very times the nice safe community and only parks can be about a 20 minute non-highway very crowded. drive to Disneyland!

Definitely take advantage of the “fast pass” DAY TWO program. Once an hour you are We headed out early for our allowed to get a pass that will allow first day of “theme-parking” at you to use a shorter line for specific Universal Studios Hollywood rides at specific times. (universalstudioshollywood. com.) With two teenagers, our Disney is king when it comes to day at Universal was hands down live action rides. If you are not a one of our favorites. The biggest fan of the 3D or 4D styles of rides recommendation I can give is to then Disneyland and California purchase the “Front of the Line” Adventure are the places for you. ticket which allows you to skip the The biggest piece of advice I can line one time for many of the rides. give is to know and accept that lines Fortunate for us we never had lines will be long. So, use this as a time that were super long. However, to enjoy your family. We played this pass was great to hit a ride two games, talked about our trip and

enjoyed our time together. Being in line is a blessing as it forces you to slow down and enjoy your family in the “happiest place on Earth.”

The Downtown Disney district is also a fun place to go through. Lots of restaurants and shops live there and it is FREE. At night many musicians and performers setup in the district playing live music. It is a great way to take a break and let your feet rest from walking through the parks.

DAY FIVE For our final day on vacation we scheduled our flight at night so we could enjoy the day somewhere.

We chose to spend it at Knott’s Berry Farm (www.knotts.com.)

One thing is for sure, if you are a roller coaster lover then this is the place for you. Knott’s Berry Farm has an amazing array of roller coasters for all ages and thrill levels.

It is a massive park and has lots to see and do. The best part was that there were no lines anywhere. It was very easy to get onto any ride without long waits. They also have several actual stand-alone restaurants in the park, which is a nice change from quick serve food.

I am not a big roller coaster fan but my family is. There were plenty of other non-roller coaster rides and attractions and we had an amazing last day on vacation for sure.

The best part of a California family vacation is that you can have a very memorable vacation at various budget levels. You don’t have to mortgage the house to unplug for a little bit. Find a good beach and enjoy time with the family.

Or choose a theme park and make some incredible memories. In any case remember that a family vacation is about the memory of being together…not what you do but who you do it with. Weather sitting on the beach or riding a world class ride, spending time with your loved ones is priceless…do it often!

NOVEMBER 2015 WWW.SOUTHAURORAMAGAZINE.COM 8

BOOKENDS Orphan #8 by Kim van Alkemade

Rachel Rabinowitz lost her parents and her home, in the tenements of New York City, at the tender age of four. After this tragedy changes life for Rachel and her brother, they are taken to Jewish orphanages in the city. They are taken to different places due to their age difference and must wait before being reunited. During this time apart, Rachel is subjected to medical experiments by a young doctor trying to make her mark on a male dominated field. Dr. Mildred Solomon and her experiments change the course of Rachel’s life. Years later, Rachel finds herself caring for an ill patient, Dr. Solomon, in Manhattan’s Old Hebrews’ Home. Rachel must choose revenge or compassion as she faces her past.

PAM: This book caught my interest from the first pages. The author takes us from the past to present and back again as we learn of Rachel’s story. There were many struggles Rachel faced during her life. She didn’t remember the details of her past until she was faced with an aging and ailing Dr. Solomon.

She initially had warm feelings for this woman, until the facts began to unravel. Why do you think Rachel felt fondness for the doctor?

NOVEMBER 2015

BECKY: I love the situation that this book puts the characters in. Can you imagine caring for an elderly person that harmed you during your childhood?

There is a moral tug-of-war that would create great conversation for a book club. Rachel desperately wants answers, and an apology, for how she was treated by Dr. Solomon. Unfortunately, this doctor is still tough as nails and may not give Rachel what she needs to calm her nightmares. Is it hard to believe that although this story is a piece of fiction, it is based on actual events from the early 1900’s?

PAM: It is definitely difficult to believe (or at least accept) that it is based on actual events. The doctors in the Jewish orphans’ home were compiling research during studies that used some of the children as subjects. As Rachel discovered later, the doctors had a different view of the situation, and the ethics involved, than we would. Dr. Solomon was eager to make a mark in the field of radiology and used the children in a study she would later publish. I realize the risks of radiology were not understood at the time, but do you think she could have anticipated some hazards that faced the children?

BECKY: You would think that a doctor should realize that this research could have serious complications on the subject used.

They continued to test even after some issues became obvious, like alopecia (hair loss.) However, one could argue that how medicine/procedures should be tested if not by human or animal 9 SOUTH AURORA MAGAZINE

test subjects. This could be another interesting topic to discuss for a book club. This part of the book touched me deeply as I knew a young girl that suffered from alopecia. To some degree, Rachel seemed to accept her baldness and embraced her nickname “Egg”. As a child she was given a wig but she found it uncomfortable and preferred to hide her difference with a hat instead.

The radiation caused a number of problems for Rachel. What caused her more emotional pain, the visible scars and hair loss, or the internal complications that were less obvious to the world?

PAM: Rachel had such deep internal scars from the tests and time in the system, but also from earlier in her life.

After being reunited with her brother, she realized he was ashamed of her differences. In this way, her visible scars exacerbated her internal pain.

Although her brother struggled with feelings about their relationship, he still worked to ensure that Rachel was safe and taken care of. He initially does this by arranging for an older student to keep an eye on Rachel in the girls’ side of the school. What do you think caused his complicated feelings about Rachel?

BECKY: As the “man” of the family he felt the need to protect her but he was not in a situation to do much of anything. I thought that finding an older girl, in a more powerful position to watch out for Rachel was brilliant. I would imagine that he also had some guilt that his situation was better than hers. This was an interesting story that provoked a number of good topics to discuss. The characters were well developed and as much as I hate to say goodbye to Rachel, it’s time to move on and get ready for the holidays. Join us next month as we discuss A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote.

Yes, the same author that wrote In Cold Blood. Trust me on this pick.

Merry Texas Christmas YʼAll!

November 27 2:00 p.m.

Ray Benson and nine-time Grammy© winners Asleep at the Wheel invite you to a honky-tonk holiday concert y’all don’t want to miss.

COLORADO JAZZ REPERTORY ORCHESTRA: Big Band Christmas with the CJRO

November 28 7:30 p.m.

The sixteen piece big band will perform holiday tunes such as Duke Ellington’s “Nutcracker Suite” and Maynard Ferguson’s “Music for Moderns.”

Featuring the lovely vocals of Heidi Schmidt.

A CLASSIC PARKER HOLIDAY

December 4 - 6 Celebrate the holidays with the Parker Chorale and the Parker Symphony Orchestra.

MANHATTAN TRANSFER

December 12 7:30 p.m.

Seasonal songs from this ten-time Grammy© winning vocal quartet that has enchanted audiences for years.

THE NUTCRACKER OF PARKER December 17 - 20

The Colorado School of Dance wraps up the holiday season with Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic.

BUY TICKETS AT www.ParkerArts.org OR CALL 303.805.6800 WWW.SOUTHAURORAMAGAZINE.COM 10

NOVEMBER 2015

ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL:

LOCAL AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT Hegira by Jim Cronin

His home world is dead; the victim of a supernova, but this does not stop Karm from attempting to save the Brin, his extinct species. Rescued by an alien race from a derelict spacecraft as a vial of DNA, then cloned, Karm must travel back in time, convince a small team of co-conspirators to join him in his quest, and outmaneuver a power hungry monarch and his fanatic brother, leader of The Faith, both absolutely committed to opposing him.

All of Karm’s plans rest on the untested and controversial cloning theories of the young geneticist Dr. Jontar Rocker, and the abilities of his bodyguard, personal assistant, and surrogate niece, Maripa. Will their combined efforts be enough to overcome the power of the monarchy and the planet’s most influential religion?

Will Karm’s secrets destroy the trust of his companions and ruin his campaign to save the Brin?

Jim Cronin worked for thirty five years as a middle school science teacher, but is now semi-retired, working part-time as an educator/performer at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. He has been married for thirty seven years to the love of his life, Diane. Together, they raised two incredible sons, and now have a beautiful granddaughter to spoil rotten. For more information on Hegira or to purchase it, visit www.authorjimcroninhegira.com.

Escaping Yesterday by Pamela Nowak

NOVEMBER 2015

Lottie Chase is willing to take any risk to save her daughter from their abusive uncle. Stranded in Denver during the summer of 1905, Lottie meets Caleb Hudson, manager at Elitch Gardens amusement park, who sees her as a manipulative huckster.

Caleb, a veteran suffering from PTSD, craves the tranquility of the park’s gardens.

Lottie brings anything but peace as she seeks to convince the owners to add thrill rides so she can collect the sales commission and support her daughter. Neither anticipates their growing passion, common demons, or the dangers they will face as they confront their pasts and free their love.

Ms. Nowak is a local author whose previous release, Changes, was honored with the 2014 Colorado Book Award for genre fiction. Her previous three books earned high marks from Publishers’ Weekly, Booklist, Library Journal, and Historical Novels Review, among others.

She has been lauded for her research, deep characterization, and substance. A 2013 national magazine article included Nowak as an emerging author skilled in weaving contemporary issues into historical fiction. For more information, visit pamelanowak.com or visit amazon.com to purchase Escaping Yesterday.

Are you a local author? If so, we would love to showcase your book (at no cost to you) in our local author spotlight. To be considered, email mike.waid@waidpublishing.com.

11 SOUTH AURORA MAGAZINE

For more information on Trails activities: www.aprd.org (303) 269-8400

NOVEMBER PASS SPECIAL

Purchase a 40 punch pass during the month of November and get 5 FREE visits.

STAY AHEAD OF THE HOLIDAY GAIN WORKSHOP

November 19th; 6:30 – 8pm; $25 For More Info 303 269-8409

HOLIDAY ART & POTTERY SALE

Saturday, November 21st; 9a – 3p FREE to the public

Looking for Great Food & a Fun Place to Go?

Charming Patio Area • Saturday Night Karaoke • Monday Night Texas Hold em’ • Host Your Private Party Here • $7.95 Lunch Menu Mon-Fri until 2:00 pm • Full Breakfast Menu Sat-Sun until 2:00 pm •Full Menu Also Available

“BEST HAPPY HOUR IN COLORADO”

$10 OFF

Purchase of $50 or More

*before sales tax One Coupon Per Table/Group. Not valid with the $7.95 lunch menu, on holidays, or with happy hour drink specials. Expires 11-30-15

22775 E. Aurora Parkway E470 & Gartrell

303-693-6200

One Coupon Per Table/Group. Not valid with the $7.95 lunch menu, on holidays, or with happy hour drink specials. Expires 11-30-15

www.parkwaybarandgrill.com WWW.SOUTHAURORAMAGAZINE.COM 12

NOVEMBER 2015

50% OFF

Buy 1 Entree & 2 Drinks Receive 1 entree of equal or lesser value 50% off

Kneaders Bakery & Café

K

NOVEMBER 2015

neaders is an award-winning bakery and café franchise that uses only the highest-quality ingredients to create freshly baked artisan breads, delicious sandwiches, homemade pastries, hearty soups and refreshing salads. Kneaders is best known for its European hearth breads, slow-roasted, hand-pulled turkey sandwiches, Chunky Cinnamon French Toast, seasonal pastries made fresh daily, and award-winning gift baskets. Kneaders also provides catering services for groups of all sizes, from business meetings to weddings, and offers a variety of retail products, including holiday-themed decor.

Colleen and Gary Worthington are the founders and franchisors of Kneaders Bakery and Cafe. The first Kneaders opened in Orem, Utah in 1997. Shortly after opening, James Worthington and David Vincent joined them and they all continue to operate as the Kneaders franchisor.

What makes Kneader’s Bakery and Café’s bread so outstanding is that it is “honest,” artisan bread. The dough base is made from scratch daily with four simple ingredients (levain natural yeast, flour, water, salt—no preservatives), then aged for 20-36 hours depending on the type of bread. The aging, or proofing process, combined with baking at 500 degrees in an Italian hearthstone oven, brings out complex flavors and gives it a sweet, buttery taste. Certain breads have additional fresh ingredients, such as Asiago cheese and hazelnuts. You will not find bread this delicious and fresh anywhere else.

The Worthington took years of study, training and research to hone their bread making skills and perfect their European hearth breads. They were pleased with the results and believed in the bread, so much that the original concept was a bread bakery. But due to demand they decided to make Kneaders a bakery and café and began serving a full menu complete with breakfast, lunch and dinner within a year.

Kneaders also takes an “honest” approach to every item on the menu, from its slow-roasted, hand-pulled turkey sandwiches, to their ever-popular pumpkin pie that Gary Worthington takes personal pride in.

As a fast-casual concept, Kneaders quickly took off. Over the past 16 years, the company has expanded to 29 total locations across five states.

Kneaders has received many local awards in its home state of Utah, including the 2013 Utah Valley Business of the Year award, numerous consecutive Best of State awards, and has earned national recognition in “Modern Baking” magazine for the Leadership Award for management. They also earned the No. 8 rating on “Restaurant Business” magazine’s Future 50 list, and a No. 100 rating in the Technomic’s 150 Fast-Casual Sales Growth list. v

13 SOUTH AURORA MAGAZINE

Oh, where to begin?

Kneaders of Aurora 14455 E. Arapahoe Rd | Aurora, CO 80016 (303) 996-0601 K N E A DE RS.CO M

Our Doors Are Open Grab a friend and let's go for a ride.

Buy One Admission and Get One Free Cut this out and bring it, and a friend, to the Front Range's premier Auto Gallery and two can get in for the for the price of one adult admission.

Offer good through Feb 28, 2016

A1115

WWW.SOUTHAURORAMAGAZINE.COM 14

NOVEMBER 2015

And five other Denver-area locations

L O V E

|

P E A C E

|

H A P P I N E S S Wella and Aquage Professional Hair Care Products Image Skin Care Products Mirabella Makeup

November 2015

Color Specialists Hair Cuts Style & Design Waxing Wedding Packages Facials Microdermabrasion Chemical Peels Eyebrow/Eyelash Tinting Makeup Eyelash Extensions Hair Extensions

C O M E E N J O Y A D AY- M A K I N G E X P E R I E N C E !

FREE

$25

GIFT CERTIFICATE

Buy $100 or more in Gift Certificates for the Holidays and receive a free $25 Gift Certificate that can be used in January or February (Only one free gift certificate per client.)

TUESDAYS* SENIORS

(60 and over)

Receive 20% OFF

(Not valid w/ any other offer; expires 12/15/15)

*Now open at 9:00 a.m.

on Tuesdays.

$129.00

EYELASH EXTENSIONS

$200.00 value (First-time customers only; expires 12/15/15)

Free Haircut and Style with any color service

up to a $55 value (First-time customers only; expires 12/15/15)

$49.99

Customized Peel or Microderm

$90.00 value

(First-time customers only; expires 12/15/15)

open seven days a week!

6750 Cornerstar Way, Suite C, | Aurora, CO 80016 303.690.4247 | lovehaircoloranddesign.com (Southwest Corner of Arapahoe Rd. & Parker Rd. in the Cornerstar Shopping Center)