November 2017 Search South Aurora

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SOUTHAURORA SOUTH AURORA’S PREMIER MONTHLY COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SINCE 2009

Happy Thanksgiving In This Month’s Issue

The Pond At Southlands l Turkey Day 5k Run/Walk No Shave November l The Bookends l Local Author Spotlight

Plus much more!

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S E A R C H

SOUTHAURORA NOVEMBER 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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The Pond At Southlands

Turkey Day 5k Burn some calories for Thanksgiving No Shave November Get your beard in shape The Bookends The Lost Letter: A Novel

By Jillian Cantor Local Author Spotlight Two books from local authors

Would you like a chance to win $500 in cash! Of course you would.

To enter, simply point your computer to SouthAuroraMagazine.com and make sure you have a copy of this month’s magazine with you so you can answer some questions about it. Details are online, at SouthAuroraMagazine.com.

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South Aurora

Magazine

OCTOBER 2017 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 11 PUBLISHER MIKE WAID

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

SALES DIRECTOR KAYCE ARTHUR

kayce@waidpublishing.com 303-805-9455 xt 706

EDITORIAL TIFFANY GRIZZLE

tiffany@waidpublishing.com

Search 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), 12760 Stroh Ranch Way, Suite 202, Parker, CO 80134, 303-805-9455. Search South Aurora Magazine is available online at www.SouthAuroraMagazine.com. Search 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 Search South Aurora Magazine. Copyright 2017 Search South Aurora Magazine - All rights Reserved.

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Sights and sounds at Southlands will soon take on the look and feel of the holiday season. Storefronts and streets will be adorned with lights and decorations and the speakers throughout the streets will play those familiar tunes you will find yourself humming along to as you stroll from shop to shop. With the countless stores to explore, restaurants and specialty food shops to sample and the amazing ambiance created by the holiday decorations up and down the streets of Southlands; it’s the perfect place for a night out or, of course, to get some holiday shopping done. Adding to the holiday Southlands experience is the much anticipated opening of the Pond at Southlands each November.

have your own pair, skate rentals are available at the rink.

One of the largest outdoor ice skating rinks in South Denver, The Pond is open daily from mid November to late February each year. Whether you’re more of a hockey aficionado or prefer the fluidity of figure skating, you can lace up those blades and hit the rink at Southlands. If you don’t

If you’re looking for one of the coolest jobs around this holiday season, consider applying for one of the many full and part time positions at The Pond. Currently, positions are available for skate monitors (must have good basic skating skills), cashiers (previous experience necessary), skate rental associates, and assistant manager. Previous rink experience, especially Zamboni operation, is a plus! For full descriptions of available positions and instructions on the application process, go to southlands.com.

The Pond at Southlands will reopen for the 2017-18 season the week of November 13th, with the official Grand Opening scheduled for Friday, November 17th.

Group reservations are available at the Pond and it’s the perfect destination for a winter family outing or an unforgettable birthday or holiday party. It’s never too early to make a reservation, just email southlands@icerinkevents. com to inquire about reservations and reserve the rink for your event.

Whether you plan on hanging out at The Pond at Southlands for work, for play or a little of both, be sure to make as many trips as you can this season. Enjoy all Southlands has to offer and make a few memories along the way.

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Don’t Miss the Turkey Day 5K Run/Walk Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 23rd 8:00am Parker Recreation Center Register at www.parkerrec.com

If you’re looking for a little less “wobble” after you gobble, get out with your family and friends and join the the Parker community at Parker Recreation’s annual Turkey Day 5K Run/Walk. Held at the Recreation center, this “scaled down” version of the Town’s 5K race series is a non-sanctioned event and unofficially timed but participants will still receive giveaways and have chances to win prizes. All participants who register by November 15th are guaranteed to receive a commemorative item from this year’s event. The Turkey Day 5K runner’s course will be a loop through the community while the walker’s course will be an outand-back route on the Cherry Creek Regional Trail. Little racers can get in on the fun too; strollers are welcome on the course but organizers ask that walkers and runners please leave their dogs, bikes and scooters at home for this event. Parking for the event will be limited so it is highly encouraged for participants to carpool.

The Turkey Day 5K will be held rain, snow or shine with no refunds issued due to weather. But hey, half the fun of outdoor events in Colorado is never knowing if you’ll be playing in the sun or snow! Early registration ($10) is available until October 15th, $15 pre-registration is available until November 21st at noon, and if you are a last minute racer, you can register as a walk-up participant on race day for $25. Race packets can be picked up from title sponsor RNK Running and Walking (13019 South Parker Rd.), on Wednesday, November 22nd, or at the event beginning at 6:45am on race day.

Start Thanksgiving Day off celebrating your health in the amazing town we live in and get out for Parker’s Turkey Day 5K! For more information on the Turkey Day 5K, additional sponsorship information and volunteer opportunities or to register to run (or walk) go to www. parkerrec.com.

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Get A Sweet Beard for No-Shave-November It’s that time of year…when men of all ages put aside their razor and let their beard grow in honor of “no-shaveNovember” and embrace their inner lumber-jack. This annual beard tradition has origins that are a bit scruffy. Some use this opportunity to raise awareness and money for men’s health issues, specifically prostate cancer, while others believe this hairy right began as a protest of college aged men who didn’t shave during midterms. Whatever the reason may be, here are some tips on growing a man mane that your friends will be envious of and you would be proud to display.

THE SCIENCE OF BEARDS First off you must understand that your facial hair is not the same as your head hair. Body hair is also called Androgenic hair. It is very different from the hair on your head and vellus hair, which are much finer and lighter in color. Androgenic hair is very much associated with levels of male hormones in your system. Because of this, typically men have more androgenic hair than women. Also, your beard hair tends to be much thicker and have a courser texture than the hair on your head. In addition, the growth cycles between active growth and dormancy of facial hair are much further apart. This is why your beard hair will never grow as fast or long as your head hair. The only things that affect these cycles of growth are your genetics and how much testosterone you have in your system.

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STEP ONE Most men who choose to not grow facial hair state that because of the “itch” associated with growing a beard they decide not to. The itch comes into play twice when growing a beard. It first arrives when you start to grow your beard out and the hair is pushing out of the follicles. This sensation is often described as itch. The second time is when the hair is long enough to “poke” back around at your skin. One simple remedy to eliminate or significantly reduce beard itch is to make sure and use good high quality beard oil (Extraordinary Beards is a favorite of ours) from day one. This keeps the hair softer and helps to keep your skin hydrated and healthy.

STEP TWO One of the most important factors for growth has nothing to do with your beard.

Plain and simple, be healthy! Beard growth is a metabolic process, so if you are pounding your body with bad food, smoking, no exercise, etc. then your beard will respond (or not respond) to how your body is. Your rate of hair growth is preset by your genetics so if you want to grow at that level then you need to give your body everything it needs to be healthy.

Cut out the cigarettes and start exercising.

STEP THREE By far the most important aspect is time.

Give it time, don’t give up. Your beard will grow and as long as you keep it healthy with beard oils and balms and keep your body healthy then nature will do what it does best and you will have a hair hedge to be proud of come November. Besides, your lady friend will appreciate your dedication and commitment, which are traits you should be proud of.

BONUS STEP If you are blessed with a very active growth beard then make sure you keep it neat and clean as it grows. Oil it up at least once a day and use a good wood comb to help train your beard and evenly distribute the beard oil. Plastic combs are a no no, so stay away from them. Most plastic combs are injection molded and under a microscope you can see that the teeth have barbs and cracks that will grab your hair and pull it out. Natural wood combs avoid this and help provide a good look when used.

With some basic prep, good quality beard oil conditioners and patience you will impress your friends this November with a healthy hedge on your face. Who knows, come December you may decide to keep your furry friend and grow it out for another year and fully realize the respect and admiration that comes from having an epic beard!

Extraordinary Beards premium beard care products are available at Roosters Men’s Grooming at the NE corner of Parker and Lincoln or online at extraordinarybeards.com

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THEBOOKENDS

with Pam & Becky

The Lost Letter: A Novel

By Jillian Cantor

This historical novel, which spotlights love and survival, is inspired by true resistance fighters in World War II. We begin in Austria in 1938, as we follow Kristoff who is a young apprentice to a master Jewish stamp engraver. He begins to fall in love with Elena, the engraver’s daughter as the country is forever changed by the Nazi forces. We jump to Los Angeles in 1989 and get acquainted with Katie, a journalist going through an unwanted divorce and coping with her father’s declining health. Her father’s love of stamps and the collection he leaves to her brings her into the mystery that unites both places and times.

PAM I was intrigued when I read the cover of this book at our local

BECKY I really enjoyed the two storylines and different characters.

The author seamlessly wove the different timeframes together for a beautiful tale that kept me intrigued. Did both stories come alive for you, or did one shine brighter than the other?

Kristoff was led by love and in my opinion a bit of manipulation.

However, they both risked their lives with the choice to alter the stamp making process. As we move over to the 1989 storyline we meet Katie. She is rediscovering her life as a single person and trying to manage her father as his memory deteriorates. Unsure what to do with her father’s impressive stamp collection she takes it to an appraiser to see if he has anything of value. An unopened letter, with an interesting stamp is among the collection and will tie these two timeframes together. Would you have been tempted to open the envelope and read the contents?

PAM At the beginning, I was more captivated by Kristoff’s tale in

PAM I would have been so tempted! But, I loved the

library. As I began to delve into the story it proved to be a good pick and I couldn’t put it down. We begin in Austria, then quickly transition to Los Angeles as the author works to unravel the mystery from both ends. Were you lost in this story, Becky?

1938. However, as the stories began to come together I was equally invested in both parts. The story begins as Kristoff begins work as an apprentice for a famed Jewish stamp engraver in Austria. Were you as intrigued as I was about this art? I had never learned about this art and enjoyed the descriptions of the process.

BECKY It was fascinating to learn more about the history of stamp making and collecting. I never really put much thought into that little square until this story. I had no previous understanding that the placement and intricate details could send a message to the recipient. The 1938 section will introduce you to the Faber family.

We hardly get to know this family and the apprentice, Kristoff before their life is quickly altered by the German takeover of Austria. I am always amazed when I hear about resistance workers and their absolute dedication to their cause. Do you feel like the author created a vivid scene for this terrifying time in history?

PAM The author certainly illustrated the uncertainty of the time

and how the people of Austria had little to no control in their lives. As events led to the separation of the family, there were no guarantees of reunion or safety. Elena was very passionate about the resistance and continued to push the limits, while Kristoff was a reluctant accomplice. Did you feel their different levels of commitment were due to their backgrounds and the fact that Elena’s family was Jewish?

BECKY Elena was more personally invested in the crusade due to her heritage but I think that it was ultimately her personality that drove her dedication to the cause. She was bold and fearless while 11

NOVEMBER 2017 search south aurora magazine

determination Katie found when she decided to try to find the intended recipient of the letter. She is struggling after her divorce and as she deals with her father’s deteriorating memory. Katie works for her ex-husband and must deal with this awkward situation on a daily basis. She feels stuck and is unable to move on and reclaim her life or find a new path. Did you feel that this letter and her mission to deliver it helped her find some of her self worth after the loss of her husband and her father (at least as she had known him)?

BECKY Katie is a journalist writing movie reviews. This is an easy job and below her level of experience but she is not ready for yet another change. Finding this letter was more than the desire to solve a mystery, it was tied to memories of her father and her childhood. I believe that it helped her find focus and anchored her while her life was spiraling out of control. Which eventually gave her some self worth and the strength to take the next step in her life. What resonated with me after reading this book was how much communication has changed. The author mentions in the Author’s Note that concentration camp prisoners were allowed to send and receive mail. When is the last time you wrote or received a letter?

Texting, tweeting and email have taken over our communications.

It is a quicker way to deliver information but I wonder if our older community feels the loss of connection due to our technology dependency. This was a wonderful book and I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. Join us next month as we read The Christmas Angel Project by Melody Carlson. A small book club is struggling with the loss of one of the members. Her last Christmas gift will challenge each lady to grow in ways that will change them forever.

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LOCALAUTHORSPOTLIGHT SALLY’S HARD DAY

By Christine Losciale-Thoemmes Illustrated by Dr. Marissa Robinson From the moment Sally woke up until she came home from school, she was having a hard day. Not know what to do with her negative emotions, she finally talks to her mama and learns new ways to help herself feel better.

About the Author & Illustrator Christine Losciale-Thoemmes lives in Colorado with her husband and 4 children. She has Master’s degrees in both Psychology and Creative Writing and is a certified Life Coach. She enjoys teaching Yoga and reading to children.

Marissa Robinson lives in San Francisco, California with her husband. She has a PhD in Psychology, specializing in Art Therapy. She is a licensed therapist and teaches Mindfulness.

Sally’s Hard Day is available online at amazon.com.

GRANNIE PANTIES ARE UNDER RATED

By Gayle Erickson

Elle Martin has it all.

Handsome and successful husband. Check.

Daughter and son in an exclusive private high school. Check Privilege, status and wealth. Check, check, check. ​ But there is more to Elle’s story.

Already struggling to keep up appearances in a social set full of pretension and ultra-competitiveness, Elle is thrown into a tailspin when a surprise announcement by her husband threatens to expose the truth behind her carefully constructed facade of perfection. ​ What will happen when long-buried secrets are unearthed and haunting new revelations are discovered? Will Elle finally be able to find her happy ending? ​ Toggling between the early nineties and the present day, Grannie Panties Are Under Rated captures the Gen X experience from latchkey kid to helicopter parent with keen insight and precision. A pageturner full of surprising twists, it is a must read for anyone who has struggled to reconcile the chasm between the person they long to be. ​ For maximum enjoyment, be sure to listen to the Grannie Panties playlist on Spotify!

Grannie Panties are Under Rated is online at www.milehighpublishinghouse.com.

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Harry Samora Foundation

TOY DRIVE

A note from Mia Samora, Harry’s Mom “Every day, all day, memories of my son flood my mind, but mostly my heart. Every day, all day I long to hold him once more. I long to look into his brown eyes that were as big as saucers when he smiled, and as big as the universe when he cried. People say, “I can’t imagine the pain.” They are right, they can’t.

Losing a child is more painful than anything I had ever imagined, and much worse.

When you lose a child, you have to start your life all over. You begin with learning how to breathe again.

It is the first step, and the hardest, because you just can’t imagine living without your baby. Step two: You have to learn how to talk yourself into getting out of bed to face another painful day. Third: You have to find something or someone that can make this life bearable. These are ongoing, daily steps that I, and every parent who has lost a child has to partake in.

When you lose a child, you lose a part of yourself.

You have wonderful memories, and you try to concentrate mostly, on those. The sad memories are

always there, always present, but you always try to replace that thought with a beautiful memory in an effort to make the bad one fade—sometimes it works.

Some of the hardest times for me have been to think of my son’s future. When you have a child, you dream of what they will become. How will they look in their tuxedo at prom? Who will be their first love? What will his voice sound like when he enters puberty?

Will he pass his driver’s license test? Where will he choose to go to college? What will it feel like to see him graduate? How exciting will it be to watch him get married, better yet…have your grandchild? There are a million “what ifs and should have beens.” All empty questions, with no answers. When you lose a child, their future is no more.

My son lived for eight years and fifty one days. In that short time he loved helping others, loved caring for others, and especially loved to see other children smile. He was a funny boy, with silly jokes. He was a warm person, giving hugs at just the right time. At school, if a student became ill, Harry would take his work into the nurse’s office so that his friends would not be alone. His heart was huge. He was not perfect, but he was perfect to me. Just the sight of him filled

my heart with love. His hugs sent me to the moon… and beyond. I can’t share a future with my son, but I can see his legacy live on. A legacy that will keep Harry’s spirit alive forever!

In an effort to honor my son, I created a toy drive on what would have been his 9th birthday. I gave a memorial birthday party and donated about 50 gifts to Children’s Hospital in Parker, in his name. Over the past years the toy drive has grown, last year we collected almost 1700 toys! I have not done this alone, as many businesses and schools have joined in, it has become a community effort, for certain.

The toys are delivered just before Christmas, making the holiday a bit more cheerful for the children that are at Children’s Hospital. These toys bring smiles to hospitalized children. I am hoping when my son looks down, he will see those smiles, and perhaps it will make him smile, too.”

Toy donations can be dropped off at Waid Publishing, 12760 Stroh Ranch Way, Suite 202, Parker, CO 80134 For more information, visit their foundation website at

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