Mountain Parent Magazine December - January 2019

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MOUNTAINPARENT DEC 2019 + JAN 2020

R O A R I N G

F O R K

VA L L E Y,

C O L O R A D O

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SEASONAL SNIPPETS A N N U A L

WHAT'S HAPPENING

EVERY AGE & STAGE

RECREATION & OUTDOORS

LOCALLY SOURCED HOLIDAY

E D I T I O N

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MOUNTAIN PARENT

DECEMBER 2019 + JANUARY 2020 ISSUE 16

Contents FEATURES:

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Trail Map: 10th Mountain Hut System Stephen Szoradi guides us through the planning of a wintertime backcountry hut trip.

25

Seeing the World through a Wider Lens McBride Internship program leader Aaron Garland brings us on an African photo safari with students of the RF Valley at Kenya’s Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

7& 56-59 PICK A PECK OF PEACHES OR POTATOES

We’ve got plenty to harvest in our community’s foodshed. Find the intel on where to go and how to celebrate our local harvest.

CREDIT: Anna Stonehouse

29

Giving Ourselves Many struggle for ways to give something meaningful during the holidays. We asked grandmother and retired early childhood teacher CP Kanipe for advice.

DEPARTMENTS:

Seasonal Snippets Family-Night-Outs from Aspen to Glenwood Springs 7 DIY Osmia founder Sarah Villafranco shares how she soaks away stress 11 Helping Hands LIFT-UP and Farm Collaborative address local food insecurity 15 Good Sports Gabriella Sutro tells the story of her skiing family 45 What’s Happening Today + December & January events 54 Out & About "Society" snapshots from here and there 60 Up Next our annual HEALTHY edition 62 PUBLISHER Director of Business Development + Advertising Lauren Suhrbier EDITOR Creative Director + Designer Kathryn Camp TA L E N T Writers, Artists, Photographers & Friendly Support: Lee Beck, C2 Photography, Rich Camp, Kendall Clark, Brian Colley, Aaron Garland, Miles Elliot, Kay Graybill, CP Kanipe, Sarah Kuhn, Lisa Langer, Amy Hadden Marsh, Larry Martindale, Susan Martindale, Kris Mattera, Missy Morgan Hagen, Cherie Morton, Debbie Patrick, Jessi Rochel, Elana Royer, Lily Royer, Frank Shine, Anna Stonehouse, Jeremy Swanson, Tamara Susa, Gabriella Sutro, Steve Szoradi and Sarah Villafranco.

SPECIAL SEC TION:

33

LOCALLY SOURCED Guide to Giving Holiday 2019 Here is our alternative to big-box or online shopping this year – a collection of gifts from the artists and retailers in our community who keep it real.

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MOUNTAIN PARENT

Dear Readers,

I LEARN HOW TO BE A BETTER PERSON from my parents every day. Selflessness, joy and knowing when to pitch in. They know how to read others, and simply be present enough to observe, “Holy smokes. That person could use a hand.” It isn’t tit-for-tat with them. It isn’t about keeping score. As seen in this sweet photo, taken by Kathryn, my mom just knew it was time to pitch in. We were fumbling around, painting aspens white, right before the Locally Sourced photoshoot. She just knew we needed an extra hand without being asked. And there she was, showing my daughter how to step up and pitch in as well. Kids learn by doing. Mom stayed with us until late into the night moving products to just the right angle, cleaning and offering up enthusiasm for the long artistic process. It was a simple reminder for me to pitch in more, to be more open, and to realize that those little babes of mine are watching me, every step of the way.

COVER ARTISTS

ELANA & LILY ROYER

founders of Lilybart, an Aspen greeting card and paper-art product line created to raise awareness of Cystic Fibrosis

AS CUNNING AS A FOX Our first trip to the Barnard Hut included just the three of us – me, my husband & the resident fox. We arrived at twilight and placed our provisions on the frosty deck while we unpacked and lit candles. Within moments, we felt a quiet presence watching us – a bushy-tailed, wide-eyed fox sitting in the entryway. After she slipped back to her home in the wilderness, we found the discarded bag of our Alaskan Sockeye salmon! Later, while the winds howled and the snow blew, she re-emerged and sat stoically on the top railing of the deck, peering at us with a surreal, peaceful gaze – as if to say that she very much enjoyed our dinner!

A few winters later, we brought the children for an un-plugged Christmas weekend. They had heard our tales of this mesmerizing fox and her friendly exploits. It was then humorous and ironic to find a pastel sketch of a sweet woodland creature taped to the hut’s kitchen wall. Below the painting were the words, ‘PLEASE Do NOT feed the fox!’

We never did see her again and often think of her hauntingly beautiful presence and quick-witted calculations.

… Elana Royer

SAY HELLO:

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editor@mountain-parent.com kathryn@mountain-parent.com and on Facebook

DISCLAIMER

The opinions and views expressed by contributors to Mountain Parent are not necessarily those of the Publisher.

Mountain Parent Magazine is registered with the State of Colorado. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without permission is prohibited.

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Lauren Suhrbier Publisher DEAR SANTA, I saw you last winter in downtown Glenwood. I just know it was you. I recognized you by the twinkle in your eyes as you and Mrs. Claus walked past us on the pedestrian bridge under falling snow and magical lights – clearly in disguise, out for a well-deserved night on the town after your crunch time!

Here’s my first Santa letter in decades. All I want for Christmas is my two sweet kids – how they used to be, giggling and bursting with wonder while sliding around the house in footy pajamas. My childrens’ holiday wish lists have become, like them, teen-aged. “What if I just email Santa some links?” doesn’t make my heart sing, dear old friend, the way my son’s clamor to sit on your lap once did.

“How can we keep our children young longer?” I asked my friend CP Kanipe, way back when my eldest was graduating from kindergarten. I asked the same question of CP when he graduated from eighth grade. She told me something along these lines – each outgrown stage of childhood comes with a new stage of parenting, and there is something wondrous about every step of the journey.

This is true, and it is why we asked CP for ideas about how to bring more meaning to the holidays. Her Giving Ourselves article offers traditions that are spiritually deep, yet inclusive-of-all. In a way, this whole edition takes shape from CP’s advice. For example, Stephen Szoradi’s guide to the Backcountry Huts, along with our cover artwork by Lily and Elana Royer, inspires us to get out into our winter wonderland.

Aaron Garland’s story about taking Roaring Fork Valley teens to Africa reminds us of the gifts that come from opening ourselves to others – other places, other cultures, other world views. Amy Hadden Marsh’s article about food insecurity shows us the reality many face here every day all year – offering ways to join in the truest form of giving, the anonymous kind, which happens at our community’s LIFT-UP food banks.

Meanwhile, Osmia’s Sarah Villafranco reminds us how to give ourselves the Peace of the Season, the inner calm you can find in a quiet, warm bath.

Our annual Locally Sourced Guide to Giving seeks to provide an alternative to big-box and behemothscale online shopping by introducing you to the artists and retailers in our community who keep it real.

While we agree with the adage that the best things in life don’t come in a box – sometimes, you’ve just gotta wrap up your love and tie it with a bow, and here are some ways to do it with soul.

Santa, I will always believe in you, because I believe in the spirit of generosity that enters our home when we leave a light on for you. You give us an impulse to reach out to others, to create joy and to share it.

When we scatter popcorn in the snow for your reindeer and pause in the deep cold to look up at the bright stars, we see the miracle of infinite light twinkling back at us. Infinite light, life and love – that’s what it’s all about, the source of our wonder. May it bless us always, no matter how grown-up we become.

Kathryn Camp Editor

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Contributors ELEVATING THE SPECTRUM FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM

WINTER ADVENTURES The Only Autism-Specific

AARON GARLAND

CP KANIPE

SARAH KUHN

AMY HADDEN MARSH

SUSAN MARTINDALE

GABRIELLA SUTRO

STEPHEN SZORADI

SARAH VILLAFRANCO, MD

After a 20 year teaching career in the Roaring Fork Valley, Aaron has started a life coaching practice called TigerTiger where he focuses on developing the executive skills of middle, high school and college students. In this practice, as well as in the classroom, Aaron has used his varied careers from pro basketball player in Israel to stockbroker in Boston, from fisherman in Alaska, to horse breeder on Cape Cod to push his students to explore their worlds and venture into the unknown.

Through the McBride Internship, Aaron’s approach to working with teens has extended to Africa, where he leads trips to Kenya’s Lewa Conservancy. His article about the program takes us on a safari and shares his students’ reflections from their days in Lewa.

We asked CP for advice about how to make the holidays less materialistic, less stressful, more authentic and truly wonder-full – not exactly the easiest request. Her “Giving Ourselves” article brings together the heart of each faith’s holy day of light, along with simple ways we can enjoy this season with our families.

CP helped found the Aspen Waldorf School, which later became WSRF in Carbondale.

She also helped start the Children’s Garden at the Yellow Brick School House in Aspen.

She continues to be involved in the classroom as a mentor, volunteer and grandparent.

Top of our holiday wish list was to present our Locally Sourced Holiday Guide to Giving through an artistic lens that would honor the artists whose work we would feature. Sarah nailed it, and brought her sense of humor and thoughtfulness to the process.

Sarah is a fine art and family portrait photographer based in Carbondale. Her two kids are her favorite (and somewhat reluctant) muses.

Amy Hadden Marsh is a freelance reporter living in the Roaring Fork Valley. She is one of those informed souls whose questions leave you thinking – so when she suggested that we explore the topic of food insecurity in our region, we did.

Through her Helping Hands article, Amy makes us aware of the daily food reality for many families in our community. She also shines a light on LIFT-UP and The Farm Collaborative, two local nonprofits that are making a difference.

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Susan helped MP create the woodland scene and product styling for our Locally Sourced catalog. She is a former art teacher, interior decorator and volunteer. Her eye for design and detail help curate and create spectacular flower arrangements, staged homes and special events.

Getting to know the Roaring Fork Valley with her grandkids keeps her busy these days – that is, when she is not helping Mountain Parent magazine!

If you’ve ever been rapidly passed

by Gabriella “ Gella” Sutro on an uphill cross-country ski climb, you may find relief reading her Good Sports article and learning that she started skiing in Sweden as a very young child. Here, she shares her joy in giving this sport to her daughters, then cheering as they each found their passion for ski racing. Gabriella moved to Carbondale 30 years ago to be close to the mountains and skiing.

Here she met her husband Tripp and they both try to get out and ski as often as they can. She has worked as a real-estate broker for Coldwell Banker Mason Morse for the past 27 years.

Stephen began guiding with Aspen Alpine Guides in 2008 after moving from Switzerland where he spent the previous seven years training and working.

In the summer, Stephen guides the regional 14,000 ft peaks, as well as day hikes, rock climbs and high-altitude training coupled with trail running. In the winter, he is a backcountry ski and snowshoe guide, avalanche educator, and has worked for five years as a ski instructor. His expert knowledge of winter backcountry adventures helps us, in this edition, to plan a fun and safe family hut getaway.

Sarah’s DIY on the sacred art of soaking gives us a sense of the intentionality and science that goes into the bath and body products she has developed for her luxury skincare line, Osmia. Dr. Sarah Villafranco spent ten years practicing medicine in the emergency room, where she witnessed a broad spectrum of health issues in a system that treats symptoms more than the root causes of disease. She created Osmia as a beautiful opportunity for a different type of medicine — one that empowers people to heal themselves. This is precisely what her bathtime wisdom inspires us to do.

SE A SO N A L

S N I PPE T S

Plan Some Not-So

SILENT NIGHTS MP’s mini Wintertime Staycation Guide: Ways to vacation like you live here & play like a tourist in iyour own backyard.

K AT H RY N C A M P

WHERE TO GO TONIGHT OUR NOTION OF NIGHTLIFE evolves after kids. In the beginning, it’s all about grabbing a few winks between middle-of-the-night feedings. Soon we reach the sticky fingers stage of discovering restaurants where it’s okay for Papa to stroll with toddler and margarita while Mama eats peacefully, trading places in time for a second round.

Before long, we’ve cultivated our babysitter lists and it’s a whole new ballgame – until kids reach the golden age of childhood when they’re able and eager to accompany us on our adventures. Soon enough, they’ll climb that hill faster than we can and race down ahead of us – though that only makes it more fun to get out with them and howl at the moon. Along the way, we collect intel from other parents about best places to go, things to do and can’t-miss fun.

Here’s our after-hours to-do list from one end of the Valley to the other.

PHOTO: (above) Snow biking at Ullr Nights in Snowmass.

Credit: Jeremy Swanson

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MAP ILLUSTRATION K ATHRY N C A MP

Aspen

Snowmass

Basalt + Willits

As soon as Jack Frost shows up to help, the Silver Circle Ice Rink will reopen this winter after some back-an-forth with the City about synthetic ice v. the real deal. While you’re there, warm up at CP Burger, which is as family-friendly as it gets, serving Colorado beef, salads and milkshakes (spiked, if you’d like, for Mom & Dad).

On most Fridays from late December through March (+ extra special holidays nights) head to Snowmass Ski Area to honor the Norse God of Snow — Ullr — with Ullr Nights, a night time, winter wonderland party at Elk Camp. Evening gondola ride, tubing, Breathtaker Alpine Coaster, snow biking and dinner followed by s’mores and hot chocolate by the bonfire (above, credit: ASC).

Looking for a night out inside with the kids?

Book Movieland tickets in advance online as weekend and holiday nights will often sell out, especially for new release films. You’ll always find least one show for younger audiences.

Full Moon Uphill = parents + teens + friends. Skin or snowshoe to the Cliffhouse at the top of Buttermilk Mountain. Free hot chocolate around a cowboy cauldron, giveaway shwag, dinner and cash bar followed by a moonlit top-to-bottom. Bring extra layers, headlights and reflective clothing.

The Snowmass Village Ice Rink is an easy destination with night skating and hot beverages around the fire pit after free s’mores and before dinner at Slice, where kid-friendly meets the aprés crowd until it’s time for a real culinary treat.

Winterskol Fireworks, Jan 9-11, details p. 58 (photo: C2 Photography)

Before the show, take your pick of family-friendly, quick and easy dining spots. Sure Thing Burger serves local beef and free soft serve cones to every kid. New York Pizza has the same delectable pie that Mom & Dad discovered latenight in Aspen 20+ years ago, only grown-up now in a downvalley location. El Korita is the Mexican place mentioned on the previous page, known for its authentic menu and kid-cool vibe.

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Night Hockey has a near-cult following under the rodeo lights at Gus Darien Arena. The rink is open Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday nights, from 7:30–9:00 PM for big kid/grownup pickup games. Definately wear your full body armor. Or, if you’re only into watching, that’s fine. Bring a thermos and gather with other hockey moms and around the fire pit.

On a clear, bright night try a night time crosscountry ski up the road from Redstone to Coal Basin. The slight and steady climb is gentle both up and down hill. Dog friendly, nongroomed and typically good snow coverage.

Bring headlights.

Don’t ski? No problem. You can find plenty of adrenaline thrills this winter at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park where weekend hours extend to 9:00 PM. The Alpine Coaster and other rides are lit with holiday lights.

Or, for a more sociable time on the ice, go the Carbondale’s 4th Street Rink (above), which is strung with lights and mellow enough for boot-sliders of all ages. Because of nearby store windows, leave hockey pucks at home.

Afterwards, head to the Redstone Inn (above) for ski-attire-appropriate dining in the grill.

Start with their hot-buttered Grand Marnier and save room for the warm chocolate brownie dessert.

WEATHER INSURANCE: If it rains or snows bring the vehicle back within 48 hours after an Ultimate Wash and we will rewash it.

Anyone who has arrived to the Valley at night in December via I-70 has seen the Hotel Colorado’s grand light display. (Above, credit: Visit Glenwood). Make time to go inside to see the Hotel’s Victorian-era lobby decked out in holly, lights, ribbons and classic holiday scenes and tchotchkes. While you’re there, try the restaurant’s grown-up lobster mac-n-cheese.

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How will you help a cancer patient Rally?

From the beginning, Valley View has relied on the generosity of this community to bring exceptional healthcare close to home. Since that time, Valley View’s commitment to the health of our community has continued to grow.

This year, the Valley View Foundation is focused on raising funds to support patients of the Calaway•Young Cancer Center. Beyond the medical treatments typically provided at comprehensive cancer centers, Valley View works to personalize care, while demystifying the journey that is cancer. To do this, Valley View relies on donations from the community.

These funds provide survivorship programs, caregiver support groups, integrated therapies, overnight stays and Massage is available at no cost for our cancer patients, because of generous donations. Massage can reduce tension, improve sleep and offer relief for stress-related muscle strain.

emergency assistance at no additional cost. These resources and services are only available to our cancer patients because of donations like yours.

A gift to support cancer care can impact a cancer patient by lowering stress, decreasing pain, allowing for better sleep, decreasing anxiety, improving mobility and increasing energy; thus

Support groups are funded through donations and provide our patients and families an opportunity to build community with others who are going through a similar circumstance.

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Give today VVH.org/Foundation

leading to a more hopeful state-of-mind during and after treatment.

H O M EL I FE

DIY

Mama’ s BLISSTIME Return to your senses with a spa day in your own home.

SAR AH VILL AFR ANCO, MD Osmia SOMETIMES IT’S THE NEED TO UNWIND. Sometimes it’s a wet, chilly day that seeps into your bones and makes you cold right to your core. Sometimes it’s the way your co-worker snaps her gum. Sometimes it’s your kids, saying “Mama!” one too many times. Whatever the reason, sinking into that tub is one of life’s great pleasures and if you value natural skin care, you’re going to choose non-toxic products that are excellent for your skin and easy on the environment.

Baths have been praised for centuries for their relaxing and rejuvenating qualities. Some natural hot springs have earned reputations for near-miraculous cures of various ailments, from wrinkles to rheumatism to skin disorders. While few of these claims have been studied scientifically, there is no doubt that regular, warm baths contribute positively to one’s mental and physical well-being. These benefits are probably the combined effect of physical immersion in warm water and both conscious and unconscious psychological factors, not the least of which is making the choice to dedicate a few moments to yourself in a given day.

Conversely, a bath that is too hot can leave you feeling tired, dehydrated, and more prone to dizziness or low blood pressure when standing – so a nice, warm bath is always better than a hot one.

“

If it’s an escape, then ESCAPE! Lock the door, light a candle, put on some music, and don’t come back until you’re ready.”

… SARAH

VILL AFR ANCO

ANATOMY OF A BATH There are many things you can put in your bathwater, but the one broad certainty is that natural bath products are just plain better, since you’re going to be immersed in it for a while. When you soak in warm water, the absorptive capacity of your skin increases substantially.

Warm water causes the blood vessels near the surface of the skin to dilate, which is why people with lighter skin tones appear so pink after a warm bath. This dilation allows an increased exchange through the capillary walls - in short, higher absorption by an organ that already absorbs close to 60% of what we put on it at baseline.

Another aspect to consider if you’re trying to be greener in the home is that when your bath water goes down the drain, it either heads to a treatment facility or to a septic field. With it flows the dirt from our bodies and the chemicals we have put into the bath with us. So here’s an easy solution to one environmental issue: don’t put chemicals in your bath water!

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SALTS Epsom salt is a combination of magnesium and sulfate. Soaking in an epsom salt bath allows magnesium, deficient in many diets, to be replenished in the skin and muscles, which is important in maintaining a balanced cellular environment. The likelihood of imbalance at a cellular level is increased after serious physical exertion, which is why athletes often reach for epsom salt after their workouts. Sulfate acts to flush toxins and heavy metals from the skin. Both magnesium and sulfate are present in sea salt as well, in addition to other minerals and trace elements, depending on the body of water from which it was harvested. Some salts contain natural clay, which means even more skin-softening minerals. The reason these minerals in sea salt are so softening is that they attract water at a molecular level, plumping up the skin and softening callouses.

HERBS, FLOWERS, AND GRAINS One plant that has gained a great reputation for skin benefits is the sturdy, soothing oat. Both the oat grain itself and the straw upon which it grows have softening properties when placed in warm water. In fact, oats have been studied extensively for conditions like eczema: there is a component of the oat grain that has an inhibitory effect on the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (which trigger an inflammatory cascade) and histamine (which causes redness and itching). These avenanthramides are also strong antioxidants. The texture of bath water changes substantially when oats are added - it becomes softer and more emollient.

Various herbs and flowers can be added to the bath, with benefits specific to each. Skin-softening compounds, vitamins, and essential oils in the plant material are released when immersed in warm water, allowing your skin to absorb them. There is also the added benefit of the natural aromatherapy that occurs when the botanicals release their oils. Just make sure you keep the botanicals in some sort of tea bag (at Osmia, we use cotton muslin bags) or you’ll be dealing with a clogged drain!

Wishing you and your family Happy Holidays

and Best Wishes for a wonderful year ahead!

Sarah Murray Broker Associate 970.618.0109 | sarah@masonmorse.com

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MILK Cleopatra made this type of bath famous, although she required a herd of lactating donkeys for her routine, which you probably don’t have - or want. Luckily, most kinds of milk will have a softening effect on your skin when added to your bath water. Milk acids have an exfoliating effect: they help break down and slough away the top layer of dead skin cells, leaving behind soft, healthy skin. Whole milk and buttermilk have the highest fat content, and will leave your skin feeling the most moisturized, though a slight rinse is probably best to avoid a sticky feel from milk residue.

OILS Natural plant oils are very softening to wet, post-bath or shower skin.

Water has already hydrated the skin, and your warm skin is ready to accept the benefits of a well-chosen oil. That being said, using straight oil in the bath may not be the safest plan - many a hip has been bruised or broken by slipping when getting out of an oily tub! Try sweet almond, apricot kernel, jojoba, or sesame (not toasted). Olive oil works as well, but is best combined with another, more emollient oil.

ESSENTIAL OILS Ahhh, the aromatherapy bath - perhaps the Queen of all Baths.

Essential oils can be included in your bath preparation, but not without a word of caution. Undiluted essential oils can burn or irritate the skin if used incorrectly. Avoid too high a concentration or a poor choice of oils. The safest method is to pick your essential oils, and add them (6-8 drops) to a tablespoon of one of the carrier oils mentioned here. Or you can add them to milk for a bath that would make Cleopatra herself green with envy! Here are the best oils for the bath: lavender, sandalwood, neroli, chamomile (Roman, rather than German), rose otto, ylang ylang (watch for skin sensitivity), atlas or Virginia cedarwood, and geranium.

Whatever you choose - milk, oils, herbs, salt - make sure you protect your time in the tub. If it’s an escape, then ESCAPE! Lock the door, light a candle, put on some music, and don’t come back until you’re ready. And if it’s just an unwinding at the end of a day, use it as a transition to sleep if you can – step out of the tub and get straight into your jammies and into bed.

NOTE FROM MOUNTAIN PARENT: Sarah Villafranco is the mother and maven behind Osmia, a luxury skin care line produced in Carbondale. MP’s favorite go-to bath essentials include: Osmia’s Serenity Milk Bath, Tea Bath, or Recovery Salt Bath (made with French grey sea salt), followed by Osmia’s Sunset or Night Body Oils. If bliss comes from a store, this is it.

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H EL PI N G

H A N DS

Can you

FEED YOUR FAMILY BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER ON

$4

?

per day per person

AMY HADDEN MARSH

“Food insecurity doesn’t just come and visit in November,” says Angela Mills, executive director of LIFT-UP, a regional food bank and advocacy organization. “It’s everyday that people wake up with this.”

Splurge Items?

Fresh fruits and vegetables are often the first things to go when a family faces food insecurity. These are usually traded for processed carbohydrates and fats that can feel more satiating at a lower cost. The result is a loss of nutrient density and diversity, impacting pregnancy, fetal growth, brain development, childhood obesity and immunity.

PEPPERS Fresh, raw peppers contain antioxidants that reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. A “gateway food” for getting kids into eating their veggies.

TOMATOES All of the above with the added benefit of retaining significant levels of vitamin C, potassium, folate and vitamin K after canning, making it a good option when making a non-perishable donation.

GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES This is a powerhouse category within the vegetable world because it offers a higher level of absorbable calcium, iron and potassium than most cuts of meat at a lower price per pound. However, it is also perhaps the food category that is hardest to find on a child’s plate in a food-insecure household. Parents may opt for other items that are more readily embraced by their children and therefore not wasted. Greens also spoil more quickly than other vegetables, making them hard to keep in food banks.

EGGPLANT Not exactly anyone’s first choice of splurge items, eggplants represent a whole range of foods that children growing up in food-insecure households never get to discover. Anything hard to cook or less commonly understood tends to be overlooked.

Food insecurity means living without access to sufficient quantities of nutritious, affordable food. Last year, just over 14 million US households did not always have enough money to buy food. The US Department of Agriculture‘s 2018 Household Food Security Report shows that Colorado was one of 22 states below the national average – with food insecurity effecting around 9% of the state’s households. At least 3% of older adults in Colorado had to choose between buying groceries and paying for medication. One out of every eight children in the state did not know where or when they’d get their next meal. This means, in a classroom of 20, two or maybe three students may not have had breakfast or didn’t know if they’d eat dinner at the end of the day.

Close to a third of Colorado children live in households where families spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing. Mills explained that in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys, these are everyday situations. “Due to our cost of living, including the ever-growing cost of insurance, childcare, and increased costs of housing, many families find that proper nutrition often comes last,” she said.

Tight budgets force families to choose inexpensive and less nutritional items at the store. “For example, you can get a lot of ramen (dehydrated Chinese noodles) for $20 as opposed to securing nutrient-rich, fresh vegetables and high protein items,” she said.

Colorado Food Assistance Program statistics show that the average Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipient receives benefits equal to $1.39 per meal, adding up to $4.17 per day. So, LIFT-UP began a “$4-A-Day Challenge” to give local residents a chance to see what it’s like to live on this budget for one week.

Carbondale resident Aaron Taylor stepped up. “I was inspired to explore a different perspective and reality of what it would be like to shop for food with price being the first variable to focus on,” he explained.

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Taylor shopped at City Market and spent $25 for the week. He bought peanut butter, five pounds of rice and beans in bulk, and discount vegetables, fruit, and bread. “Dried cranberries were a big splurge,” he said. Other than feeling hungry during the week, Taylor said he also felt socially isolated.

“I can see how my own social engagements and price-conscious shopping turned me inward and away from others,” he explained. “I can see how the foundational level of having enough food can improve flourishing in an individual’s life.”

“1 8 in

KIDS IN COLORADO

live with food insecurity.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 2018 HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY REPORT

Angela Mills agreed. “Food insecurity does not mean people are starving,” she said. “It means they’re unsure of when they’ll be able to go grocery shopping again.”

PHOTO: For Thanksgiving, The Farm Collaborative offered free C.S.A boxes to everyone in the community who requested one. They accepted donations of any amount to help raise funds for the nonprofit’s initiatives, which include several programs that provide fresh produce for low-income families.

The boxes were filled with winter storage crops – beets, carrots, turnips, garlic, onions and apples.

Before industrialization, these storage crops were nutritional mainstays during times of scarcity.

Now they can be hard to find in a food-insecure household.

She said this leads to social isolation because people can’t afford to meet for coffee or at a restaurant. It also leads to lower self-esteem. “Without the basics, such as shelter and food, no one is in the space to develop,” she said. “If one out of eight kids in Colorado doesn’t know where the next meal is coming from, how do you dream of college?”

Buying to reduce global or environmental impacts is also a challenge on a SNAP budget. If a dozen freerange, organic eggs cost $6, for example, and a carton of regular eggs costs $2, which is attainable on $4 a day?

Mills said it’s a privilege to think about how food shopping impacts the world around us. “If someone is in survival mode, they’re not thinking about if they’re supporting the environment or local agriculture,” she said. “They’re thinking about how they’re going to make rent, how they’ll get to work today or can they afford daycare this month.”

But there are people and organizations working on solutions. According to guidelines developed this year by the EAT-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet, Health, fresh vegetables and fruit don’t have to be sacrificed on a tight budget. EAT is a non-profit organization based in Stockholm, Sweden dedicated to creating a global, sustainable food system to maintain both human health and that of the planet. While a plant-based diet may not be appealing to everyone, health experts, including Dr. Greg Feinsinger of Carbondale, say that moving away from a meat-based diet is better for the earth and better for human health. EAT’s guidelines show that the most affordable green diet would cost $2.84 per day.

Storage Crops BEETS There’s something to learn from the diets of Russian Centenarians. Their menu staple – pickled beets – contain powerful pyto-nutrient compounds that lower blood pressure while providing anti-inflamatory, antioxidant and detoxifying properties. Beet roots keep for months without refrigeration if properly stored, a bonus for food banks.

LIFT-UP is developing programs to support local farmers and help provide their clients with fresh food. “We want to advocate and not just hand off a can of beans,” Mills explained. “We’re providing our clients with food that they want and need.”

CARROTS A comparatively inexpensive vegetable, carrots are a great way to get vitamin A into a low-income diet.

The organization has received grants to help its food pantries purchase meat and produce grown and raised in Colorado, including ground beef and vegetables from Carbondale-based Potter Farms.

ACTUAL POTATOES The real deal, whole potatoes that are boiled or baked – not fried, packaged or dehydrated – contain a compound known as “resistant starch.” This has been shown to help control blood sugar and insulin sensitivity when part of a meal containing a balance of protein and fiber. Potatoes are also relatively cheap and good “keepers” if properly stored.

Mills said that’s all a part of the organization’s goal for next year. “We want to fill the food insecurity gap in our regions with high-quality, nutrition-rich items that will fuel our clients to reach their goals,” she said.

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(credit: Lauren Suhrbier)

Nutrient information provided by the Mayo Clinic and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Protection.

The MOST AWESOME benefit in town,

FAMILY FEUD ASPEN! for Aspen Youth Center!

FARM-TO-TABLE meets FOOD INSECURITY The Farm Collaborative, a nonprofit farm and education center at Cozy Point Ranch near Aspen, is helping low-income local families to get fresh foods. Ben Armstrong is the production manager for the Collaborative, where he ran three need-based programs this year. One was selling bulk kale and cabbage to LIFT-UP and connecting with other smallscale growers who were doing the same thing. The farm also sold food shares to Carbondale-based Senior Matters through a Garfield County program that distributed the food from Parachute to Carbondale.

The third program involved selling low-income food shares through the Town of Carbondale and Live Well Colorado to ten families in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys. “Each family received a box of veggies from us each week,” explained Armstrong.

First, the families toured the farm to get an idea about where the food came from. Armstrong said they lingered an hour longer than expected – a good thing.

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“When you have a group of young kids and they’re all there getting excited about their shares, it makes the whole atmosphere feel a little bit different,” he said.

“Instead of just giving something away, it’s more of a teaching and learning experience that everyone can get excited about.”

Armstrong delivered the shares once a week for seven weeks. He said the program benefited local farmers and families. Not only did the families receive fresh food, they learned how to cook items they weren’t familiar with. Boxes of produce included recipes provided by Cooking Matters, a national organization with a network in Colorado that offers cooking classes focused on nutrition.

Half of the families were qualified for the Free and Reduced School Lunch Program and half were not, but no one knew who was getting assistance and who was not. This helped create equity within the group. “The equity part is really important,” Armstrong explained.

“Since no one knew who was low-income, learning together helped remove the stigma of food insecurity.”

This program will resume next summer.

AYC is dedicated to providing a safe & supportive place where all youth connect, learn, and grow...for FREE!

17

MOUNTAINPARENT DEC+JA N F E AT U R E S

MOUN TA IN PA R ENT T R A IL MA P

COLORADO’S HUT SYSTEMS A family-friendly guide to planning winter adventures to nearby backcountry huts.

STEPHEN SZOR ADI

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Winter Mountain Huts So, there’s a hut trip on your bucket list or calendar...

I’ve planned a lot of hut trips, and now that I’m a parent, I like to compare the thinking that happens before a hut trip to the long ago planning for emergency contingencies we did before going to the hospital for the birth of our first child. Imagine, seasoned parents, a “labor & delivery bag” that takes into consideration the physical needs of yourself, your kids and spouse, There is a plus weather, winter snow, cars with racks and boxes, certain feeling skis, snowboards, sleds, frozen fingers, padlock combinations, friends, other peoples’ kids, food, of comradery allergies, cold toilet seats with headlamps and a fairly found sitting endless list of other essentials.

With the guide service, most of our operations are oriented to guest care and laying the groundwork, so that a vacation or weekend trip is a successful and positive experience for multiple levels of participants. Our basic formula revolves around asking many questions up front before even looking at where to go.

around a fire with friends, family and people you’ve just met.

These questions can be helpful for those going on a first trip, as well as for experienced hut travelers who are hosting others who may be less comfortable or familiar with the hut experience. For parents who have never gone to a backcountry hut, yet your kids are packing for their first school Ex-Ed, keep in mind that our schools have some awesome outdoor educators and coaches who are trained in working with kids in this kind of setting, and they will enable your child to participate in a great adventure with their classmates. My hope here is to help diminish your stress and give you a picture of what the allure is all about.

STEPHEN SZORADI, Aspen Alpine Guides

First, the back story.

The tradition comes out of the European Alps and the Himalayas where getting across mountaintops from town-to-town, hut-to-hut has been a way of life for centuries. The first American huts were build in the Northeast in 1904. When the U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division trained in nearby Camp Hale on the other side of Tennessee Pass, they prepared for campaigns across the Italian Alps by skiing a route from Leadville to Aspen. One night a small group bunked in a cabin near Halfmoon Creek, and this overnight stay has become a story of legends (and documentaries). Later, in the 1980s when a Colorado hut system was being planned, the families of several 10th Mtn. Division soldiers donated funds to name huts in their honor.

You can almost feel this history when you step inside a hut and take in the simple furnishings, rugged kitchen, wooden beams, sitting areas in nooks, and bunk beds. Spots are booked per person, so unless you have a large group that fills every bunk, you’ll likely meet other backcountry travelers. There is a certain feeling of comradery found sitting around a fire with friends, family and people you’ve just met. It’s part of every overnight hut trip. You’ve earned it. You’ve packed in everything you’ll need across miles of snowy woods on skis or snowshoes. You’re off the grid – no cell phones, no running water. You cook meals and melt snow on a propane burner or wood-burning stove.

If this is what you’re looking for, or if you have been invited to join a friend or group on your first hut trip, please consider this as a brief introduction to getting started. Setting yourself and crew up for success with a well thought-out trip is a whole project that needs some serious consideration weeks or months in advance – way more planning than we’re used to here, even for those of us who tend to push the limits to satisfy our adventurous spirits.

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Risk Management

Winter and snow conditions can pose real challenges. Cold temperatures and wind can suck the energy out of anyone, and particularly our smaller kids. White-outs can make finding the way to and from the hut difficult.

For that matter, a bluebird day preceded by a good fresh snowfall can cover tracks, which means you’re breaking trail, which is tiring and furthermore comes with the potential of losing your route. Watch weather forecasts and make sure your group understands from the beginning that last-minute changes in weather may warrant modifying your trip.

Avalanche risk in our continental snowpack is a critical factor in decision making. To be very clear, skiing in avalanche terrain is a much different prospect than traveling in the backcountry where routes and terrain conditions are not subject to avalanche activity. It is entirely possible to head out into the backcountry on a high avalanche risk day and not be in avalanche terrain. Conversely, it is also possible to be in nominal avalanche risk conditions and trigger an avalanche. Know your route and understand the terrain, so you are prepared to make the ultimate “go or no-go” decision.

To make a Go or No-Go decision, you need to understand: 1. Your particular group dynamic.

2. How to recognize and avoid avalanche terrain.

3. How to read a current avalanche report.

4. How the forecast will impact your specific area and terrain.

5. What to do if... contingency plans for route, medical, gear and cold.

PHOTOS: • (Left) When planning your menu, keep in mind that you will need to pack out everything – so consider packaging and food storage as well as how your garbage will fit in your pack.

(Credit: Catherine Aeppel, taken on a “Leave the Boys Behind” Aspen Alpine Guides Hut Trip) • (p. 19) In remote areas, huts are well away from the light pollution most of us are accostomed to and offer incredible night skies. You might get lucky and find a stargazing book in your hut. (Credit: Catherine Aeppel)

Thursdays 8:30–10:30am January 30, and March 5

Children’s Crafts • Delicious Food • Live Music • Puppet Play Enchanted Story • Winterfaire Store

$20 pre-sale (purchase online) $25 Day of event — 3 years & younger free

Come visit our classrooms, hear our students play music, and ask questions of our most experienced teachers.

Adults only, space is limited.

Please RSVP to catherine@waldorfschoolrf.org 970.963.1960

Bring the family for a warm and joyful winter celebration!

970.963.1960 • 16543 Old Hwy 82 • waldorfschoolrf.org

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MOUNTAINPARENT

TRAIL MAP A SECTION OF THE COLORADO HUT SYSTEM

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Choosing a hut

Sometimes the hardest part is reserving the right hut.

This Green-Blue-Black rating system is based on access to and from the hut in good conditions.

It looks at factors such as: terrain, route finding, distance and elevation gain. Be aware that inclement weather with heavy snow, high winds and/or cold temperatures can shift an easy green to a difficult black rating. Also, this rating system is for the standard routes noted here, and does not account for variations off-route that may involve potential avalanche paths. It also does not assess terrain and potential avalanche hazard in areas around the huts.

• Book well in advance as weekends fill quickly • Hut fees for children 12 and under are generally half price

Training

Getting to and from the hut is not a race, but it still needs some practice and attention. Kids do run around all day. They also spend time in a classroom just like many of us spend time at a desk. Training to prepare adults and children for a full day of exertion is important and may be the key to avoiding the, “plop down on the trail bonk or meltdown.”

• A strong downhill skier is not necessarily a strong uphill skier.

• Don’t book a hut that is beyond your or your group’s stamina or skill.

Distance and type of terrain should be decided based on: 1. Who’s going on the trip?

• Family • Friends

3. What’s the experience of each participant?

• First timers • Out of town friends (remember – altitude can be a factor) • Seasoned hut users with local terrain knowledge

GREEN:

BLUE:

BLACK:

1. Continental Divide & Point Breeze Cabins Tennessee Pass TH Route Distance +/- 1 m TH Elevation 10,424 ft Hut Elevation 10,500 ft Elevation Gain +/- 50 ft

4. Barnard Hut Top of Gondola / Sundeck Aspen Mtn TH Route Distance +/- 7 m TH Elevation 11,212 ft Hut Elevation 11,500 ft Elevation Gain +/- 700 ft

8. Benedict Huts (Fritz and Fabi’s) Upper Hunter Creek Drop Off TH Route Distance +/- 4.8 m TH Elevation 8,660 ft Hut Elevation 10,970 ft Elevation Gain +/- 2,300

3. The Shrine Mountain Inn (Walter’s, Chuck’s and Jay’s Huts) Vail Pass TH Route Distance +/- 2.7 m TH Elevation 10,580 ft Hut Elevation 11,223 ft Elevation Gain +/- 700 ft

6. 10th Mountain Division Hut Crane Park TH Route Distance +/- 4.4 m TH Elevation 10,137 ft Hut Elevation 11,370 ft Elevation Gain +/- 1,350 ft 7. Vance’s Hut Ski Cooper TH Route Distance +/- 2.8 m TH Elevation 10,424 ft Hut Elevation 10,980 ft Elevation Gain +/- 1,300 ft

MAP DESIGN

RICH C AMP

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4. What’s the skill level and athletic ability of each participant?

• Able to make the distance to the hut • Able to manage the time to the hut • Able to withstand sun, snow and wind

5. McNamara Hut Upper Hunter Creek Drop-Off TH Route Distance +/- 4.7 m TH Elevation 8,660 ft Hut Elevation 10,360 ft Elevation Gain +/- 1,760 ft

CRAFTED

{NO}

2 How is each person getting to the hut?

• Hikers • Skiers • Split boards

2. Francie’s Cabin Spruce Creek TH Route Distance +/- 2.2 m TH Elevation 10,360 ft Hut Elevation 11,360 ft Elevation Gain +/- 1,000 ft

CLEAN

9. Harry Gates Hut Montgomery Flats TH Route Distance +/- 6.9 m TH Elevation 8,250 ft Hut Elevation 9,700 ft Elevation Gain +/- 1,900 ft 10. Sangree M Froelicher Buckeye Gulch TH Route Distance +/- 3 m TH Elevation 10,180 ft Hut Elevation 11,650 ft Elevation Gain +/- 1500 ft

NOTE: Elevation gains represent the total gain over the course of the trail, not the difference between the elevations at the start and finish of the route.

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Assess your Gear and Clothing in Advance • Do a gear check or pre-run in controlled environment with clothing and gear.

• Clothing: base-layer, mid-layer and hard shell; one uphill (lightweight) set and one warm and dry set for breaks and downhill skiing.

• Summer-rated sleeping bags are lightweight and provide enough warmth in the huts with wood stoves.

• Note that you don’t need to pack certain things that you would otherwise take on a tent trip. Huts are not stocked with food, but they are equipped with basic amenities such as pots, pans, utensils, plates, cups, basic cooking tools, plenty of firewood and TP.

Weeks in Advance • Plan a day trip of a similar distance, elevation gain and terrain to test how much time you may spend on the trail.

• Written meal plans work well in groups, and allow various people to take the lead and distribute the weight.

• It’s easier to keep your crew hydrated and fed, rather than trying to make up the deficit in energy.

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On the Day Before Your Trip

Keep in mind, you will need an early morning start on the day of the trip, to allow enough time to travel to the trailhead, manage gear and make the ski-in before the sun sets beind the hills. So, the best practice is to be completely packed the day before, and make sure that you have a plan for each of the following topics: 1. Meeting and start time adequate to get to the hut Meeting at the trailhead with multiple vehicles from different areas has the potential to become a problem. Trailheads and backcountry areas rarely have good and reliable cell service. Meet at a place of known cell service and then if someone is delayed, stuck in bad weather… a plan can be discussed. Think: town or close to a town. Who forgot their skins?

2. At the Meeting Spot, the trip leader updates the group about: • Terrain map • Current avalanche report • Risk evaluation • Food and shared gear • Equipment and personal gear check • Hut combination 3. Current weather forecast Pay particular attention to changes in weather from when you are starting your ski-in to when you plan to ski out. An overnight storm or second day of storm weather changes your travel plan.

Maria B. Wimmer Broker Associate 970.274.0647 maria@masonmorse.com mariawimmerhomes.com

Resources

10th Mountain Division Hut System: reservations, maps and hut details huts.org • (970) 925-5775 Aspen Alpine Guides: planning, support and booking: aspenalpine.com • (970) 925-6618 Snow Conditions: Colorado Avalanche Information Center avalanche.state.co.us American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education avtraining.org

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Weather: National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration weather.gov

E X PE RIE NC ING L IF E T HRO UGH

a wider lens The McBride Internship brings Roaring Fork Valley students to Kenya’s Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to focus on an ancient way of life and a broader world view.

I

magine walking the endlessly rolling savannah of central Africa. You’re following two Maasai – Rubi, armed with an elephant gun and Dominic, dressed in his traditional red Shuka. A female rhino and her young calf suddenly appear about fifty yards away. The mother rhino drops her head threateningly as Dominic waves his arms and starts shouting. Rubi drops a charge into the chamber of his rifle. The rhino charges six or seven thunderous strides, a scant hundred feet away, triggering the ancient flight instinct of eight students who run, despite instructions to never run while on safari. I brace myself, waiting, watching, as the rhino is startled and pulls to a halt in a cloud of dust.

This heart-stopping rhino encounter was the result of an equally bold initiative that started over dinner in El Jebel in 2012 when my wife Molly and I met with John and Laurie McBride to discuss the possibility of taking students from our valley to Africa. We discussed the idea in the spirit of a “what if” proposition rather than the design of a long term program. John and Laurie had spent a considerable amount of time in Africa as a young couple and returned often with their children and then their grandchildren, drawn back by the desire to explore, traverse and ultimately be transformed by a place that seems to speak an ancient language.

“When Laurie and I first went to Lewa it was the most exciting place I had ever been,” says John McBride. “We camped out in tents with David and Deliah Craig who were cattle ranchers and their young son Ian was hunting lions. When we brought our kids you saw the impact being there had reflected in their eyes. It changed them on many levels and I have always thought it factored strongly in what they did with their lives, especially Peter who has become a well recognized National Geographic photographer.”

A ARON GARLAND It’s the simplicity of the great drama of life and death played out on a vast stage by the iconic animals that populate our collective imaginations: the largest, wildest, most ferocious and fascinating creatures on the planet. The deep shifts in their own perspectives that they experienced in themselves and witnessed in their children upon returning from Africa were profound. They wondered if a similar African experience for a new generation of Roaring Fork Valley students would be just as profound. We planned one trip with a small number of local kids.

One trip became two, then three, until eventually, the McBride Internship became established as an annual offering. Every year, we receive more applications than we can accept, and Molly and I interview each candidate and make difficult decisions. The result is that we’ve been fortunate to include some incredibly bright, curious and engaged students.

One student had to wait three years to be selected. Another applied late during the process and when he was turned down assumed it was because he told us that he would have trouble paying the full fee.

He immediately went out and got a job and worked the entire year so when it came time to apply the following year he had his painstakingly earned $2,000 in his hand.

The two-week adventure begins when a small aircraft deposits our group on the dusty airstrip of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, a 90,000 acre reserve employing some 400 Kenyans in one of the continent’s most successful wildlife conservation efforts. Each day during the halflight of dawn and dusk we are either in a vehicle or on foot exploring Lewa’s varied landscape of swamps, savannah, rugged lava-strewn hills, forests and river beds. Sometimes we are transfixed by the simple

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drama of watching a baby giraffe wobble on its new legs, or a massive herd of cape buffalo migrate across the savannah under the setting sun.

During the middle of the day, we meet with the people of Lewa who work to protect endangered species like the black rhino and the Grevy’s zebra. The success of their anti-poaching and conservation efforts has been built upon nurturing the trust and cooperation of the local Maasai and Meru people.

This enduring connection between Lewa and local Kenyans goes back to the mid-1980s when the Craig family turned their cattle ranch into the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. One of their big challenges was to overcome the locals’ enmity toward elephants and lions because they destroyed their crops and killed their livestock. To do so, Lewa has built medical clinics, schools and water projects. It has also established scholarships and funded a very successful micro-loan program.

We feel the significance of these bonds with the people when our students meet and play with Kenyan school children – whose openness and enthusiasm for connecting with us muzungus is infectious and gets our students excited in return. When you think about how polarized and tribal people can be over political differences, it’s truly encouraging to see how readily and eagerly young people can throw aside differences in race, background, language, culture and economics and simply connect over a rousing rendition of “When I’m Gone,” a traditional Maasai dance, a game of soccer and a smile.

Eight trips over seven years and 66 students later, John and Laurie McBride have shown up not only with generous support but also during some part of the adventure each year. They join us at our camp or meet us on the trail, or drive up to our sundowners party on the last night, where each student shares the insights gained and inspiration ignited by a close encounter with a fearless ranger, a child in the classroom, a baby elephant, or at least once, a charging rhino.

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I

think the program gave me the ability to see, and most importantly feel, that there were problems and challenges worth solving, and joys to be felt that were much more profound and existential in nature, than those of things like social acceptance, grades, or appearance.

SONJA PADDEN, 2014

T

here’s nothing in my life that rivals my time spent at Lewa. For two weeks, time stood still and all that mattered was the chirping of the birds as the sun rose through the clear sky to warm the savannah. I learned the importance of every moment and that the seemingly rapid movement of time isn’t what’s important in our lives, it’s the meaning we choose to give every day as we go about our normal lives.

JAMES BLAZIER, 2019 PHOTOS: • (Left) Mancala, being played here, predates chess by an estimated 500 years and originated on the African continent. This game, as well as soccer, dancing and singing help bring kids together. Credit: Aaron Garland • (p. 25) Evening and early morning hours are spent exploring the varied Lewa landscapes, from the savannah to swamps. Credit: Kendall Clark.

I

t was the best two weeks of my life. I learned more than I thought possible and about a range of subjects spanning from human nature to harvester ants, and yet even though I love it, upon leaving I felt more full than sad because Lewa really did change my perspective on the world and gave me dreams that made me a better person.

KATIA GALAMBOS, 2016

• (Above, right) Credit: Miles Elliot

Upcoming Events Parent Coffee Talk on Adolescent Anxiety

No Bully Evening

December 9 @ 8:15am at Carbondale Middle School

January 22 @ 5:30pm at Basalt Middle School

Join licensed therapist Dennis Ballinger to learn about the rising issues to adolescent anxiety. We will also discuss current solutions and build skills to recognize and support anxious kids.

Preventing Bullying is a community-wide endeavor. Please join us for this important evening to learn about how parents can be a part of the solution. We'll kick off with the movie with the Indieflix movie UPSTANDERS, a documentary about resilience and the power of peers to end bullying and then movie into a presentation and discussion for parents from the organization No Bully.

How Social Media Affects the Developing Brain December 12 from 6-8pm at the GWS District Office All are invited to an evening of learning and discussion about the impact of social media on adolescent brains and the recommended ways to manage social media use. We will be joined by the 9th Judicial District lead investigator, Lee Damuth, who will be sharing ways to keep our kids safe on the internet and in the ever changing world of technology.

Winter Carnival January 24 from 5:30-7:30pm at Riverview School All are invited to Riverview’s annual winter carnival. Come enjoy games, raffles, and great food.

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Application information:

Mcbrideinternship.org

I

think it’s changed my relationship to people. It’s helped me grow up a little bit, being more aware and getting some perspective. When you go out and you see all these big animals and these big huge savannahs and all these amazing passionate driven people in the communities, protecting their rhinos and helping themselves by protecting their animals and caring for them. You see all these big amazing things and until then, you hadn’t realized how small you’ve made your life.

CHLOE BRETTMANN, 2016

W

e were watching the sun set while standing over yellow hills and valleys filled with boulders and brush. The African landscape was wild and completely uncivilized, sprawled out beneath the wide open sky, and we were there, talking and eating like people do at a picnic. Lewa is remarkable for its environment in which humans and animals can both belong.

We were a contrast to the lions that walked on the same land, but each respected the other and allowed for coexistence.

KENDALL CLARK, 2019

I

t’s difficult for me to express what the Lewa trip meant to me. I could go on and on about every aspect of it, because it was all so great. It all comes down to the same thing though, the Lewa trip was life changing. Lewa has affected me in ways that are deep and profound. From this trip I have gained a deeper appreciation for what we have, both in my material possessions and also in my surroundings. It taught me to observe things that before I would have never noticed.

The memories of Lewa are bittersweet. When I was in Kenya, camping with friends, I was the happiest I can ever remember being. I made deep connections with people and the animals and was content with myself and relaxed. Words can not express what Lewa meant to me, but know this: By helping me go on this trip you have changed my life. Your generosity has made me a better person and altered what I want to do with my life. Your actions have changed me, and for that I am definitely grateful.

NICK PENZEL, 2014 PHOTO: Miles Elliot

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IT SEEMS WE ALL STRUGGLE THIS TIME OF YEAR to give our children something more than a pile of boxes to unwrap.

But how? Resisting the tug of more – one more gift, a few more errands, a tad more time, just a dozen more cards – is hard to do, maybe especially so in our busy winter wonderland.

So we asked for advice from Aspen grandmother and retired Waldorf early childhood teacher and mentor ~

C . P. K A N I P E

THE BEST PRESENT OF ALL

GIVING OURSELVES When I became a parent, I met the holidays with mixed feelings. My husband Stephen and I felt fed up with the materialism that seemed to dominate our culture from Halloween to Valentine’s day – and yet we loved this time of year. We asked ourselves how our culture has substituted physical gifts for what we really desire? We wanted to shape our celebration of the holidays around our values and the heart of our spirituality. As young parents, we didn’t know how to start.

One of the gifts of being a teacher is that I needed to think consciously about how I could bring the holidays to my students, and this helped me try a lot of different ways to bring this time of year to my family. In the following pages, I will share a few of the activities that worked for us. The Peace of the Season comes in avoiding taking on too much, so you might try just one new thing at a time.

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LOOK BACK

Sunlight Mountain Resort

MULTI-WEEK

It seems that many parents start, like my husband and I did, by talking about our childhood traditions and thinking about what truly felt good.

I look back on my own childhood, pouring through catalogues deciding what to ask for from Santa. Mostly it was about “things.”

This was during the 50’s and consumerism was on fast-forward. I come from a family of five children, so life was always busy.

At the holidays, more so. It seemed we had very little time or consciousness for slowing down.

WHAT RESONATES WITH YOU?

The most satisfying of my childhood memories center around the times spent together with others – baking and decorating traditional sugar cookies, spending Christmas Eve at my maternal grandmother’s house. Our neighbor, a fashion model without children, gathered 8-10 children for singing Christmas Carols door-to-door around our Kentucky community. The model asked for donations for orphans and children with special needs. Then she invited us to her beautiful home, where she served hot chocolate and homemade doughnut holes. I remember candlelight, wonderful aromas and a very talkative pet parrot. I can still taste those treats! And then, sometime in January an article would appear in our local paper with our picture and a narrative. At the time, we were too young to see this for anything other than the fun we had and the feeling of togetherness it brought.

Ski & Snowboard Classes

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FESTIVALS OF LIGHT

All of our religious and non-religious festivals have a spiritual component often coming from Pagan roots. These ancient people of the earth from many centuries ago did not have an organized religion. They followed the seasons, the movement of the stars and the rhythms of the natural world. From them, most cultures celebrate “Festivals of Light” that land during the darkest time of the year. As the outer light fades, we bring our own light, symbolized by candles, into the darkness of winter.

When I was teaching in preschool/kindergarten, I celebrated all of the holidays, to include every child in the class. This gave me an opportunity to grow spiritually by embracing other traditions.

ch to t u M o S Abou S mile

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KWANZAA

One year, a family in our school with both African and Native American heritage brought their celebration of Kwanzaa to the parents and students.

The name means “the first,” and it relates to the first fruits of the harvest.

So we tried Carribean and Creole dishes. The seven day celebration between December 26 and January 1 involves lighting one candle each night, and sitting with the underlying message, to: “walk gently, act justly, relate righteously in the world – for the world, and all that is in it.”

HANUKKAH

During Hanukkah, we ate potato latkes and applesauce for snack in the kindergarten classroom. We lit candles on a menorah – first one then two, adding one candle each day for eight days. We said the traditional prayer and even danced the Hora!

What fun with a group of 3, 4 and 5-year-olds!

A friend shared her family’s “no chores, no work” tradition that allowed her family to just “be” while they watched their Hanukkah candles burn. Chores waited until the next morning.

Everyone sat together relaxing and basking in the glow of the candles in the menorah.

BRINGING NATURE INSIDE

On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, we usually cut our Christmas tree in the woods. Sometimes that first night we put lights on, and sometimes lights have to wait. Next we string popcorn and cranberry ropes and add these. Then gradually over the next weeks, we add ornaments. No official night of decorating … sometimes we work alone, adding just one or two ornaments as time allows. Finally, we put on the tinsel; some years a little and some years none. And so by the time Christmas Eve arrives, the tree is ready. Gifts appear under the tree slowly as they arrive or are purchased. Only Santa’s gifts arrive as a surprise.

GIVING BACK TO NATURE

We have friends who take their children into some nearby woods and choose an evergreen tree to decorate for the birds and wildlife. They make edible treats for the creatures living there and hang them on the tree. When they return, they look for footprints of the animals who have visited.

ADVENT

In Christian traditions, Advent is preparing for the coming of the Light, the birth of the Christ child. For Pagan cultures, it is praying for the Light to return.

I grew up Christian, but we never celebrated advent. For me, this was a new concept. This time of “preparation” changed everything for me. Rather than thinking of the holidays as a long list of things that had to be done, we started seeing these things as ways to escape the frenzy, ways to slow down together.

SACRED TIME

We began seeing Advent as a time to “get things done,” and this lessened the hurry and impatience surrounding Christmas day. We began preparing our house, our food and gifts over time, usually beginning on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Of course with work and school, life was plenty busy so we did our best to hold this as a sacred time.

WREATH

Each year, we make an Advent Wreath using boughs trimmed from our tree, and we keep it on the dinner table.

Before dinner, we light a candle, adding one candle each week for four weeks. I like this because it is a physical reminder of the slow progression of time toward the holiday. We light a small candle in the center on Christmas Eve.

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apply for next year

by February 7 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Kindergarten Classroom Visit Day Friday, December 6, 8:30-9:30 am

There’s way more to it than a song. One gift per day beginning Christmas day and ending January 5.

The idea being that Christmas day isn’t a frenzy of opening one gift after another. It helps to calm the materialism that often seems overwhelming. Maybe one or two gifts on Christmas day – one from us and one from Santa. It allowed us to shop the “After Christmas” sales. I think the best part was that all the build up leading up to Christmas didn’t end abruptly December 26. It was a slow downhill coast back to normalcy. It felt more satisfying and complete this way.

HANDMADE GIFTS & HOLIDAY BAKING

PreKindergarten Visit Day Thursday, January 16, 9-10 am

The beauty of handmade gifts lies in the fact that someone took their time to make something. My husband brought the tradition of holiday baking into our homelife. He had baked cookies and treats with his mother as a child and so he baked with our children. In fact, he STILL bakes! Our daughter, now 37, is also a baker. She and her children make a variety of holiday treats, including jams and cookies, and give them as gifts to friends, neighbors and teachers.

They don’t need to be perfect. They just need to come from the heart.

Visits for all grades year round Academics, arts, and outdoor education at the Roaring Fork Valley's independent school for PreKindergarten through Eighth Grade

LET IT GO IF IT DOESN’T WORK

www.aspencountryday.org/visit 970-925-1909 32

GIVING EXPERIENCES INSTEAD OF THINGS

As our children grew older, we gave experiences; tickets to a future theater production in Denver.

Cross country skiing at Ashcroft and lunch at The Pine Creek Cookhouse.

This meant that we carved out time together as our lives became more busy and schedules didn’t always fit.

GRATITUDE

In the end, the sense of connection we feel for one another is what we can express when we acknowledge all that we have been given.

Cultivating the quality of gratitude is another way to slow down and savor this time of year.

Our own traditions started small and built upon themselves. We tried to keep things simple, mindful. We tried to slow down and breathe. Some traditions worked for us. Some didn’t. Some have evolved. Some have been adopted by our grown daughter and her husband for their five children, and some have not. Over the years, we learned that what we truly gave was our time, our intention and our love. This is the gift of ourselves.

MP

Locally

SOURCED GUIDE TO GIVING H O L I D AY

2019

PH OTOGR A PH Y

SARAH KUHN

33

GOT SLEEP?

Has your little one not yet mastered the art of sleeping through the night?

Sarah Bay Owner, 8 Straight Sleep Consulting 8straightsleep.com 34

Don't worry, help is just around the corner!

MP

GUIDE TO GIVING We curated this collection of GOODS to introduce you to the artists and retailers in our community who keep it real. We looked for value, longevity, meaning, intention, mission and inherant goodness.

V Indicates gifts that are $30 or less.

♥ Indicactes purchases that support community initiatives.

Some artisans featured here are without a storefront and are participating in pop-up shops where you can meet them and find their work. We have tagged their listings to correspond with these events: W = WALDORF SCHOOL ON THE ROARING FORK

L = THE LAUNCHPAD

WINTERFAIRE: A SEASONAL FAMILY FESTIVAL

POP-UP HOLIDAY ARTISAN FARMERS MARKET

Thursday, 12/5 –5:30 PM, Adult Shopping Night Saturday, 12/7 – 10:00 AM - 3:00, all ages

MERREL KIDS SNOW BOOTS

This waterproof leather boot is temperature rated to -25 degrees –in girls and boys styles.

INDEPENDENCE RUN & HIKE, CARBONDALE

(970) 704-0909

Screen printed pillow plush on canvas fabric with floral cotton backing, stuffed with recycled filling and lots of love for your little one to snuggle up with.

L

(715) 498-7833

Waldorf-style natural fiber doll stuffed with wool roving. She is complete with a wooden suitcase stuffed with an clothing & accessories.

Custom dolls on request.

(612) 805-5222

RILEY RACCOON & FENNEL FOX

THIMBLE FOX STUDIO, BASALT

HEIRLOOM HANDMADE DOLL

THEA DERUDDER, CARBONDALE

Saturday, 12/21: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday, 12/22: 12:00 – 4:00 PM

L+W

The playful Appaman hat with unicorn horn and Rylee + Cru eyelash knit sweater are whimsical and warm.

RO + FERN, ASPEN

(970) 925-2400

CAMDEN ROSE WOODEN TOOLS V ♥

Child’s wooden hammer, saw and dusting pan in carrying case.

WALDORF SCHOOL ON THE ROARING FORK

UNICORN HAT + SWEATER

W

(970) 963-1960

GROWING GARDEN BACKPACK V ♥

VIOLA STUDIO DOLL

Handmade with premium, natural cotton, wool, cashmere and vegan leather with accessories like backpacks and puppies.

VIOLA STUDIO, EL JEBEL

(970) 618-2303

W

The Eeboo embroidered youth backpack is stylish, small and ready to go anywhere. Find it at the arts campus’s gift shop, along with art supplies, decor, soft goods and a gallery.

ANDERSON RANCH, SNOWMASS

(970) 923-3181

Sawyer’s Closet Delightful Children’s Emporium

Fabulous Toys & Fantastic Clothing For Your Holiday Shopping!

Allow us to help you declutter your toy room and children’s closets.

327 Main St. Carbondale • 970-963-0258 35

having a baby?

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RUFFWEAR TRAIL BACKPACK SET

Your pooch will be the happiest kid on the block when he opens this 3 piece hiking ensemble with backpack, snow booties and leash.

RJ PADDYWACKS, EL JEBEL

(970) 963-1700

BONTRAGER YOUTH BIKE HELMET

You won’t miss spotting your kid in this bright Little Dipper MIPS Bontrager bike helmet.

THE HUB, ASPEN

(970) 925-7970

CUBEBOT V ♥

These special wooden toy robots are inspired by Japanese puzzles. Cubebots can be positioned to hold dozens of poses and folded back into a perfect cube. This classic toy isn’t just for kids. It’s for all ages and will endure generations of play.

ASPEN ART MUSEUM, ASPEN

(970) 925-8050

FLEECE GLOVES & KID’S SNOW SHOVEL V

Hoping to inspire your kid to shovel snow? A Paw Patrol snow shovel and extra warm fleece gloves will help.

ROARING FORK VALLEY CO-OP, CARBONDALE

(970) 963-2220

SUNLIGHT MOUNTAIN TRUCKER HAT V

Colorful trucker-style hats are great for skinning and lounging at the base after a big day. Find many styles at the shop.

SUNLIGHT MOUNTAIN SPORTS, GWS

(970) 945-9425

COTOPAXI TAAL CONVERTIBLE TOTE ♥

Your teen will love this “Gear for Good” bag made with repurposed nylon and big zippered pockets.

TOAD & CO, GLENWOOD SPRINGS

(970) 945-9778

HOBBY HORSE V

An all-time classic from the largest toy store in the Valley, where you can find everything from trucks to trains, babydolls, plush toys and board games.

GLENWOOD TOYS & GIFTS, GWS

(970) 945-1141

MINI & AWESOME MOCCASINS V

Baby and toddler leather moccasins with flexible rubber soles – perfect for indoor play and outdoor exploring! Created by a local mother who offers local deliveries.

MINI & AWESOME, CARBONDALE

miniandawesome.com

OOLY ART SUPPLIES V

Creativity galore with sparkle glitter pens, watercolor pencils, markers and sketch pad – plus Melissa & Doug plush toys, puzzles, games and kitchen sets.

SAWYER’S CLOSET, CARBONDALE

(970) 963-0258

HONEY BUNNY BABY GIFT SET V

Adorable cotton bib with matching knee pads perfect for learning to crawl + toys, games & gifts for all ages.

BASALT PRINTING & ART SUPPLY, BASALT

(970) 927-4705

EXPLORE BOOKSELLERS V

The Toll by Neal Shusterman (young adult) The Story Orchestra Series illustrated by Jessica Courtney-Tickle A magical children’s book room & 100s of books in every genre + cards and gifts.

EXPLORE BOOKSELLERS, ASPEN

(970) 925-5336

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HABITAT RESTORE LUXE DOWN THROW PILLOWS ♥ Support Habitat Roaring Fork while furnishing and decorating your home – high end appliances, new mattresses, sofas, tables, more.

HABITAT RESTORE , GLENWOOD SPRINGS

(970) 945-9138

TAYLOR & TESSIER JEWELRY

See page 42 for close-up and details

VASE BY HP BLOOMER + BOO AND FINNI CUP ♥ Find one-of-a kind collectables handmade by local artists. Tableware, vases & sculptures at every price.

CARBONDALE CLAY CENTER , CARBONDALE

(970) 963-2529

OSMIA SERENITY MILK BATH & NAKED BODY OIL Luxury skin care for the face and body made of the purest organic ingredients.

OSMIA, CARBONDALE

(970) 510-6610

SPIRO-LYON GLASS ORNAMENT Custom glass art, tableware and decor from Jacqueline Spiro-Balderson, Dylan Balderson and Lee Lyon.

SPIRO-LYON GLASS, CARBONDALE

(970) 274-1192

HER FAVORITE OUTFIT BY TREADZ Let the folks at Treadz help you put together a can’t miss combination for you – like this organic cotton Aventura dress with Pistil scarf, and Rab microlight Alpine European goose down jacket.

TREADZ, GLENWOOD SPRINGS

(970) 928-0620

MP

Locally

SOURCED

WISHING FOR A GIFT FROM UNDER OUR TREE?

HARMONY SCOTT JEWELRY

See page 42 for close-up and details

5028 SWEETWATER 2.0 Hand crafted in Portugal, designed in Carbondale.

Premium Embossed and burnished leathers and a weather friendly sole.

5028, CARBONDALE

(805) 705-6600

VISIT US ONLINE & SIGN UP FOR OUR LOCALLY SOURCED PRIZE DRAWING MOUNTAIN-PARENT. C O M 38

TRUE WEST HATS Dedicated to revitalizing and re-energizing an age-old tradition, these artisans custom make and hand-design one-of-a-kind pieces from beaver, European hare and straw.

TRUE WEST HATS, PAONIA

(970) 275-1903

KEI & MOLLY TEA TOWELS V ♥ W BEESWAX CANDLES BY JAN SCHUBERT ♥ V W&L

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DRYSHOD SNOW BOOTS & KINCO WORK GLOVES Dryshod waterproof boots are warm, lightweight and durable. They offer a great gift for outdoor work and adventure that will last for many years. These Kinco work gloves, made from pigskin leather and Otto stripe canvas, actually stay soft and flexible after getting wet. They are extremely warm, yet breathable.

Perfect for working outdoors in Colorado conditions.

ROARING FORK VALLEY CO-OP, CARBONDALE

(970) 963-2220

SMITH VANTAGE HELMET & SMITH I/O MAG GOGGLES Gear for mom, dad and the littles. The Bike & Ski Shop carries high quality outdoor gear, including the latest seasonal Smith products.

SUNLIGHT SKI & BIKE SHOP, GWS

(970) 945-9425

5028 MENS SWEETWATER A dress casual wing tip made with premium burnished leathers, dress shoe styling and a casual sole. Designed in Carbondale and hand crafted in Portugal.

5028 , CARBONDALE

(805) 705-6600

FLIKR INDOOR PERSONAL FIREPLACE ♥ Seriously - this is fun. It burns rubbing alcohol, produces no harmful soot or fumes, and can provide hours of entertainment . Have you ever roasted marshmallows inside? Straight up festive.

ASPEN ART MUSEUM, ASPEN

(970) 925-8050

KENICHI DESIGNS LASER CUT BAMBOO HAT V

Special pressings in collaboration with artists or custom designed for companies. Each release features original artwork laser engraved onto a signature bamboo patch and hand stitched onto stylish snap backs. The bamboo is hand rubbed with natural oils to make it weather resistant.

KENICHI WOODWORKING, CARBONDALE

(970) 274-9967

SCOUT & CELLAR FIELD HOUSE CABERNET V ♥ Clean-Crafted wines are free of synthetic pesticides, chemical additives and added sugars.

They have fewer than 100ppm of total sulfites.

Farming and production practices are held to high standards. Oh, and they are soooo delicious.

INDEPENDENT WINE CONSULTANT, PAULA EATON SCOUT & CELLAR, ASPEN

(970) 948-3197

HONEYTREE BOTANICALS V Sweeten the pot next time you hand your honey a honey-do list. Or just lavish him in sweetness with these solar-infused honeys in fun flavors like peppermint and lavender. Pick up a few jars when you make your wish list at Harmony Scott Jewelry.

HONEYTREE BOTANICALS, CARBONDALE

(303) 880-4835

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HARMONY SCOTT JEWELRY

Precious gemstones, garnet, green Tibetan turquoise and purple amethyst wrapped to 22kt gold (here) or sterling silver vermeil chain. Layer the look with a lariat and choker combination.

HARMONY SCOTT JEWELRY, CARBONDALE

(970) 963-7190

POLLINATOR CHOCOLATE V ♥

Small batch chocolate made with single-origin cocoa beans selected from growers committed to farming practices that honor bees (and every other living thing). Milk chocolate made from dehydrated cream from Sustainable Settings.

POLLINATOR CHOCOLATE, CARBONDALE

W

(970) 379-4581

TAYLOR & TESSIER

These bracelets, necklaces, cuffs and customengraved pieces are hand crafted from ethically sourced materials in Carbondale. The team describes their work as “place-based jewelry with a story.”

TAYLER AND TESSIER, CARBONDALE

(970) 480-0400

GLASSES FROM 20/20 EYECARE + SHOP Advanced technology, superior customer care, certified opticians and convenient locations in Glenwood Springs and Carbondale. Plus a wide selection of designer frames for adults and children by Cinzia (shown here), Oakley, Gucci, Dior, Ray Ban, Nine West, Jimmy Choo and more.

20/20 EYECARE, CARBONDALE & GLENWOOD SPRINGS

(970) 963-3937 or (970) 945-2020 42

MP

Locally

SOURCED GUIDE TO GIVING H O L I D AY

2019

LET US INTRODUCE YOU TO OUR RETAIL ADVERTISERS The eyeware shop carries designer frames for all faces and fashion tastes. Serving adults & children.

ANDERSON RANCH ARTS CENTER

There has never been a gallery store so beautiful and so worth the visit. Art supplies. Gallery art. Toys. Even clothing.

BASALT PRINTING

Walking in here can feel like walking into Santa’s Workshop. A curated treasure chest. Babies - Adults.

CARBONDALE CLAY CENTER

One-of-a-kind collectable art from artists in residence, local artists and nationally renowned potters.

FIREPLACE COMPANY

Santa would like to put his feet up in front of the (many) fireplaces here after a long day at work.

FOUR MOUNTAIN SPORTS

Aspen Ski Company’s retail outlet with locations in Aspen, Buttermilk, Highlands, Snowmass & el Jebel.

GLENWOOD TOYS & GIFTS

A birthday party in a toy shop?! Clearly they know their audience, and how to stock the BEST toys ever.

HABITAT RESTORE

Designer home furnishings at budget prices? Yes, please. The ReStore supports building homes for local families.

HEIRLOOMS

Happening here: Kids chilling at the ice cream counter while mom shops for high end consignments.

KENICHI WOODWORKING

Upping your cool-kid game? Options: Bamboo lasercut hat . . . or just go for the custom dining table.

LAUNCHPAD

Carbondale Arts’ homebase expands their ecclectic boutique for a holiday pop-up filling the gallery.

MIDLAND CLOTHING

Everything on Mama’s wishlist plus clothes for babies through teens (that they’ll really love) gifts & decor.

RJ PADDYWACKS

Do your dog a solid and put animal-friendly CBD in her stocking. Pet food, supplies, home delivery & more.

ROARING FORK FURNITURE

Organic mattresses, sleeper sofas, and wow decor that looks like you really have it together.

SAWYER’S CLOSET

Children’s emporium with carefully curated consignments brand new soft goods, toys, books, gear.

SCOUT AND CELLAR

If you are going to drink, do it right. These delicious clean-crafted wines make the perfect party gift.

SUNBURST CAR CARE

Immaculate detailing, tune-ups and snow tires – so your in-laws will trust that you’ll be safe on I-70 .

SUNLIGHT BIKE & SKI

Skip the family matching PJs this year. You’ll be much happier with matching ski helmets, Bro.

WALDORF SCHOOL

Winterfaire Store Dec 5 & 7 with handmade toys, natural body care, homegoods and ... fairy dust.

RETAIL DIRECTORY

20/20 EYECARE

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LILYBART V ♥ Lillian Bartholomew Royer was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis just before her first birthday. CF is an inherited disease that affects every organ in the body and shortens life expectancy for those suffering from CF to 38 years. Lily is now in college.

Lily and her mother Elana Royer created LILYBART, a greeting card and paper art line to raise awareness of CF and to provide access to integrative medical support.

We are honored to feature their artwork on our cover. Their whimsical designs can also be found on greeting cards, journals, notepads. And new this year – a delightful line of locally-inspired wrapping paper with matching gift tags.

LILYBART, ASPEN

(970) 518-0403

LET US INTRODUCE YOU TO OUR NONPROFIT ADVERTISERS A gift to these organizations is a gift to the children and families of our community.

ACES Nature giveth. Oh, the piglets! The carrots! Kids camps. Farms. Food. Fun and learning for all ages.

ANDERSON RANCH Taking a workshop on this campus will leave your soul soaring. Get ready for your own art epiphany.

ANGEL TREE Bring Christmas magic to a little angel. You can find an angel at locations listed on page 18.

ASCENDIGO Every family with a person on the autism spectrum will find empowerment and support here.

ASPEN ART MUSEUM Cool toys, sophisticated art experiences and family programming co-exist in remarkable harmony.

NONPROFIT DIRECTORY

ASPEN HOSPITAL FOUNDATION Any mom or dad who’s had knee surgery or delivered a baby knows you’ll receive extraordinary care at AVH. ASPEN SANTA FE BALLET Ballet Folklorico, afterschool dance classes and camps inspire and challenge. The Nutcracker is a holiday must.

ASPEN YOUTH CENTER We are eternally grateful for this spectacular free after school and holiday programming for our children.

CARBONDALE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The Carbondale Chamber bolsters local businesses. Let’s do the same this season.

CARBONDALE ARTS This group brings style and flare like no one else can. Check out the Launchpad Gallery Shop this season.

CARBONDALE CLAY CENTER Fire it up for a date night. Develop fine motor and dimensional awareness at kids camps. Find one of a kind gifts.

GLENWOOD COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER Shout from hilltops, “Hooray, it’s back! “ Find out about kids after school, 5th day, holiday camps and classes.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Swing a hammer. Gain perspective. Be part of the work to build more housing for the community.

JAS ASPEN EDUCATION Sometimes it’s hard to believe that such world-class music education is available for our local children.

LIFT UP Food for our neighbors in need. Donate or volunteer at local food pantries or the Rifle thrift store.

MOUNTAIN FAMILY HEALTH Regardless of your ability to pay, find exceptional medical and dental care at one of MFH’s 8 locations.

ONE MOMENT Find grief support for miscarriage, still birth or infant loss through their heartfelt healing services for you.

PITKIN COUNTY LIBRARY Unique, free youth programs, every book in the world - all in a renovated historic building full of character.

SOL THEATRE Watch your child’s fearless creativity shine through, just like the Sun, when they take to the stage.

THE ARTS BASE Any place that has a class titled Middle School Art Funk is both super-useful and super cool.

THEATRE ASPEN Training and inspiring the next generation of performers through afterschool programs and camps.

THUNDER RIVER THEATER Your date night escape, improv workshops and special productions for young audiences.

VALLEY VIEW HOSPITAL FOUNDATION Working to expand services and support at VVH and The Callaway Young Cancer Center.

YMCA Camp Chief Ouray, a kids summertime dream. Keep the dream alive through the winter at Snow King Ranch.

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YOUTH ENTITY Impressive career-forward internships and classes empower local youth with marketable, practical skills.

GO O D

S PO R T S

PHOTO:

LEARNING TO WALK WITH

Skis on your feet

In a family that loves skiing, with two almost-grown daughters who have embraced ski racing, it all began with small steps in the snow.

GABRIELLA SUTRO

AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER, my stomach begins to tingle when I see the first snow on the mountains.

This is the thrill of knowing that when the snow comes I can go skiing.

It was my grandmother who introduced me to skiing in Sweden when I was 3-years-old. She put me on a pair of red wooden skis, fastened my snow boots with a leather strap, and off we went down the street. Today skiing is as natural as walking to me. I don’t have to think. My body knows what to do when there is a steep pitch, bad visibility or icy conditions.

The love of skiing was passed down to me from my grandmother and later my parents and of course, this was something I wanted to pass on to my own children when I got the opportunity.

Evelina Sutro represented the U.S. in the 2019 U23 World Championship Nordic race in Lahti, Finland. Here, she is on the 10k classic course.

She also races on the University of Vermont team, and will compete this January in the U.S. Nationals World Cup.

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When my two girls were only babies, my husband and I would borrow a small sled with skis, cover the girls with blankets and sheepskins and go up to Spring Gulch for a ski, pulling our daughters behind us.

It did not take long before we had our own red wooden skis to strap on our daughter’s snow boots and shuffle down the track. With lots of encouragement in the form of hot chocolate and Starbursts, we finally made it one lap around the bottom of Spring Gulch ski area.

We used the same tactics with our girls to get them down Panda Peak at Buttermilk, and before we knew it both enrolled in the Aspen Valley Ski Club (AVSC) ski school to learn how to Alpine ski.

At this time there were no Nordic children’s programs at Spring Gulch, so a group of parents decided that we should all meet on Wednesdays after school and take our kids cross-country skiing. This made it more fun for our kids, as they thought it was “boring” to ski with mom and dad. This continued for a couple of winters and the number of children and families increased.

We named ourselves “Nordic Wolves“ and spent most Wednesdays in January and February playing and encouraging kids to have fun on their cross-county skis. With no formal instruction, only a few Nordic skiing parents, we reached out to AVSC to see if they would be interested in having their ski program come down to Spring Gulch once a week, and this was the beginning of their Nordic after school program that now serves 80-90 children and their families.

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“

ON SMALL FIRSTS AND KEEPING IT FUN

With lots of encouragement in the form of hot chocolate and Starbursts, we finally made it one lap around the bottom of Spring Gulch ski area. .” … GABRIELLA SUTRO

ASPEN VALLEY SKI CLUB PROGRAMS AVSC ALPINE SKIING PROGRAMS

AVSC NORDIC SKIING PROGRAMS

• Weekend ASK: All levels, starting at age 3.5 years.

• After School in Aspen & Spring Gulch, 1-2 days/week. Ages 5-11

• Devo Teams: Level 7 or higher, ages 7-11.

PHOTO:

Evelina (age 7) and Kajsa (age 5) at the Spring Gulch Ski for Sisu race.

This was the first year the sisters participated in this event together, completing one lap – an annual fundraiser and Sutro family tradition.

• Seasonal Ski Racing: 3 days per week, ages 7-15 • Year-round Competitive Team: Ages U12 through post-graduate FISU training.

• Devo: Aspen & Carbondale. Ages U12 - U14 • High School Teams: Aspen & Carbondale • National Competitive Team: Ages U16-U20

SNOW MOUNTAIN RANCH

YOUR BASE CAMP FOR ADVENTURE Set off on a snow-filled mountain getaway this winter!

Explore all 120 km of groomed Nordic Ski trails tucked away in the Rocky Mountains.

Find your adventure with snowshoeing, dog sledding, tubing and more.

No matter how you choose to explore, Snow Mountain Ranch has something for the whole family.

SnowMountainRanch.org | 888-613-9622 YMCA-2019-MtParent-8.5x5.indd 1

11/1/19 2:06 PM

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PHOTO:

Calling all Winter Explorers!

Don’t miss ACES’ winter break camps at Hallam Lake!

Grades K - 6th December 30, 31 January 2, 3

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My younger daughter Kajsa continued through the AVSC alpine program until she graduated from Roaring Fork High School, ending her competitive career skiing for Aspen High School, as there is no high school Alpine program at RFHS. Meanwhile my other daughter Evelina ended up in the AVSC Nordic program in Aspen. Then she joined the cross-country team at Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS ) where as a freshman she won the state championship. This gave her even more inspiration to pursue cross-country skiing. With my Swedish background Evelina decided she wanted to spend a year abroad and Sweden seemed a good choice.

She spoke a little Swedish and could continue to ski at a Nordic ski academy. One year ended up being five years of Nordic skiing before Evelina returned to the US to ski for the University of Vermont, where she is currently a junior. Last season, she won every eastern college skate race and was third at the NCAA Championships – only 1 second off first place. So this year she is aiming for the top spot in the NCAA as well as hopefully qualifying for a World Cup start representing the U.S.

Register today! a sp e n n at u re .o r g

MtnParent_2019_1.4vert.indd 1

During these years when our girls were small (3-10 years old) I was consciously trying not to push my own passion for skiing and make my girls feel that skiing was a requirement or a must. I tried to make it fun and optional to ski. As it turned out, my elder daughter Evelina decided she loved to cross-country ski and her sister Kajsa decided that she loved Alpine skiing, though they both are very capable at both disciplines.

11/5/19 3:16 PM

All this because of the love of skiing. As a family we absolutely love skiing together and I cannot think of a better way than spending a day together on the Alpine hill or at the Nordic track. By sharing my passion for skiing, I hope my daughters will get the same enjoyment out of this wonderful sport and continue the tradition of skiing.

As a student at Roaring Fork High School, Kajsa Sutro joined the Aspen High School Alpine ski team because RFHS does not have an Alpine program. This meant committing, along with her parents, to commuting up valley after school for practice. On the team, she raced Slalom, Giant Slalom, Super G and Downhill. Here she is in the 2018 CHSAA State Championship Slalom race in Steamboat Springs. AHS was ranked number one in the state as a result of the team’s success on that day. Now at CSU, Kajsa skis only for fun, heading home whenever she gets a chance to make turns on her favorite runs.

Aspen

RECREATION DEPARTMENT 0861 Maroon Creek Rd, Aspen (970) 544-4100 aspenrecreation.com

• FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION AND CURRENT FEES GO TO ASPENRECREATION.COM •

CELEBRATE YOUR BIRTHDAY

AT THE ASPEN REC CENTER Choose the Green Room or the Aspen Youth Center for older kids.

Includes pool, climbing and skating if available. Add-ons: themes with set-up, color schemes, cakes.

AT THE RED BRICK Fee includes tables, chairs, setup and tear-down. Add-ons are available for an additional fee, including bounce houses, aerials, trampolines and more.

BASKETBALL

Dates: April 3 - May 12 Ages: Kindergarten, Co-ed Time: Practice/Games once a week 3:30 - 4:30 PM or 4:30 - 5:30 PM Ages: 1st & 2nd Grades, Co-ed Time: Practice once a week M/T/W/Th, 3:30 - 4:30 PM or 4:30 - 5:30 PM and games on Fridays from 3:30 - 4:30 PM or 4:30 - 5:30 PM

See the website for rental fees and more information.

Learn the fundamentals. Work on coordination, ball handling, balance and teamwork.

DANCE

AFTERSCHOOL CLUB

Dates: January 6 – April 1 Where: Aspen Recreation Center Jazz: Ages 5 - 8, Mondays 4:00 - 5:00 PM Hip Hop Mondays: Ages 5 - 8 5:00 - 6:00 PM Jazz: Ages 9-14, Wednesdays 4:00 - 5:20 PM

Ages: Kinder – 10 Dates: Aspen School District Calendar Time: M/T/Thr/Fri: 3:15 – 5:30 PM Wednesday: 1:55 – 5:30 PM Where: Aspen Elementary School The Afterschool Club is a state licensed program that includes homework help and lots of fun recreational activities like crafts, games & field trips on Wednesday.

Dance classes will focus on proper dance techniques. Students will also develop strength, flexibility, coordination, rhythm, and performance quality.

KARATE

Ages: 4 - 18 Dates: Starting in January Time: Tues/Thrs Beginner Belts: 4:30 - 5:15 PM Advanced Belts: 3:45 - 4:30 PM Where: Aspen Recreation Center Elaine Kozel is a certified 2nd Degree Black Belt through the International Tang Soo Do Federation. She will teach your kids the basics of karate, including self-discipline and gross motor skills. $35 for new member uniform.

FULL DAY FUN CAMP

Ages: Kinder – 10 Dates: Dec. 23, 26, 27, 30 & 31 Jan. 2 - 3, 17, 20, 27 Time: Drop off: 7:30 – 9:30 AM Pick up: 3:30 – 5:30 PM Where: Aspen Elementary School Play with Recreation Department staff on the days school is out. The days will be packed full of fun & educational activities. This is a state licensed program. See more dates on the website.

ADULT ACTIVITIES

The Aspen Recreation Department has a variety of activities and classes for adults too. Choose from ice hockey, pickleball, swim lessons, indoor pickleball, basketball and more. Plus, there are over 40 fitness classes a week with two locations to choose from. Punch passes, monthly and annual memberships are available, see our website for information.

The Golf Simulator at the Aspen Golf Club is open December – March. Visit the Open House on 12/12 from 4:30 – 6:30 PM.

SWIM LESSONS

Ages: 6 months and up Dates: January, Register by 12/24 Time: Days based on specific class Where: Aspen Recreation Center Beginners learn to be safe in the water and develop basic swim skills in a fun environment with their instructor. Various levels of classes to choose from.

Private lessons are available for kids and adults, book online.

YOUTH ART CLASSES AT THE RED BRICK CENTER FOR THE ARTS | REDBRICKASPEN.COM PRE-K ART STUDIO

Dates: Most Wednesdays during the school year (no class: 12/25, 1/1, 3/25) Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Ages: PRE-K Fee: Free Pre-K Studio explores many mediums and elements of art through new projects each week.

Open to all Pre-K aged students with guardian or parent.

FULL DAY ART CAMP

Dates: Days when school is closed, see website.

Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Ages: K – 4th Grade Fee: $60 Campers explore a theme through a variety of mediums such as papier-mâché, ceramics, mosaic, painting and collage. Weather permitting campers may head outside for more art making, exploring and play.

AFTER SCHOOL ART PLAY

Dates: Most Wednesdays during the school year. (no class: 12/25, 1/1, 3/25) Time: 2:15 - 4:00 PM Ages: K – 4th Grade Fee: $20 Each week children explore a theme through a different medium such as collage, painting, papiermache, ceramics and more.

Art Play is a time for children to use their imagination, be with friends and have fun!

• LEARN MORE AT ASPENRECREATION.COM •

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Snowmass VILLAGE PARKS, RECREATION & TRAILS

2835 Brush Creek Road, Snowmass Village (970) 922-2240 snowmassrecreation.com

RECREATION CENTER PASSES

FREE ICE SKATING

KIDS DAY CAMPS

SWIM LESSONS

HOST A PARTY

DROP-IN PROGRAMS + CLIMBING

Whether you want to work out for the day or have ambitious fitness goals that may take a little longer. There are a variety of memberships for every budget.

You don’t have to live in Snowmass Village to enjoy this great facility.

Options include youth and adult one-time daily visits, monthly, yearly and a 20-visit punch cards.

The Recreation Center offers yearround swim lessons for all ages and levels. Don’t let the weather deter you. The salt water pools are heated and open all winter. If you are interested in signing up your children, or perhaps even yourself, call (970) 922-2240.

Basalt

RECREATION DEPARTMENT 101 Midland Avenue, Basalt (970) 927-8214 x 400 Basalt.net/recreation

PICKLEBALL DATE NIGHT + SATURDAY MORNINGS

Time: 5:45 - 8:00 PM, Saturdays 9:30 AM - noon Ages: 10 - Adult Where: BMS Gymnasium Fee: $2 drop in fee.

This is a great way for the whole family to get together for some fun competition with the pickleball crowd. Join us on Friday nights for entertaining competition with people from around the valley.

Pickleball is a wonderful way to get some exercise and meet new people. Special New Year’s Potluck Celebration on Tuesday, December 31 from 4:00-8:00 PM. Bring a dish and join the fun!

The outdoor skating rink at the Snowmass Village Recreation Center will be open throughout the winter as soon as the temperatures drop and ice can be made. The Recreation Center has a limited number of ice skates that can be used free of charge. Stay informed on opening dates by visiting our website and social media pages.

Have your next party at the Snowmass Village Recreation Center.

There are a variety of rental options that include use of the swimming pool, bounce houses, ice rink and indoor climbing wall. Price and times dependent upon packages.

LEAGUE BASKETBALL

Date: January 6 through tournaments in first week of March.

Cost: $75 (includes t-shirt); $85 after Dec 2 deadline.

Ages: 3rd + 4th grade teams and 5th + 6th grade teams for boys and girls.

Recreation Basketball is a great way to learn the game of basketball.

Two practice nights per week with weekday evening games MonThurs. Games are scheduled with Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, and Aspen.

Dates: Dec 23, 26, 27, 30, 31 January 17, 18 Time: Full day, see website.

Ages: 5 - 14 Fee: $33 - $67 Join friends for a fun-filled day of recreation and adventure, utilizing the great facilities so close to home during the Winter school breaks. Activities will include but are not limited to: indoor rock climbing, swimming, arts and crafts, gym games and playground.

Schedules can be found online at snowmassrecreation.com.

Drop-in basketball, picklebal and futsal are all all available over the winter season.

The Recreation Center’s climbing wall and bouldering cave offers an excellent indoor climbing experience for all ages and abilities. A self-belay system is available on the climbing wall and instruction on the system is offered by Recreation staff.

Climbing shoes can be rented at the front desk.

K-2 BASKETBALL FOR GIRLS

Dates: Jan 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30 Time: 3:30 - 4:30 PM Ages: K - Grade 2 Where: BES gym Registration deadline January 10 Fee: $30; $35 after deadline date Girls rock in this camp designed for girls only. Learn the basic fundamentals of the game. This is a great way to introduce girls to the wonderful game of Basketball.

K-2 MUD SEASON BASKETBALL

Date: Feb 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27 Time: Kinders-3:30 - 4:20 1st/2nd-4:30-5:20 Ages: K - Grade 2 Where: BES gym Fee: $30; $35 after deadline date This is an opportunity for the younger basketball players, both boys and girls, to get off the bench and on the courts with our K2 Mud Season Basketball League. Work on hoop fundamentals with games every practice day. End the season with a mini tournament for all players.

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Carbondale RECREATION & COMMUNITY CENTER

567 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale (970) 510-1278 carbondalerec.com

LETTERS TO SANTA

Date: Dec 1 - 20 If you have been a good little boy or girl, let Santa know what you would like for Christmas. Write a letter or draw a picture and address it to Santa at the North Pole. Drop it off at Santa’s mailbox at the Carbondale Recreation and Community Center from December 1 – December 20.

Make sure to sign your name and address so Santa can write back!

LIGHT UP CARBONDALE

Time: 5:00 - 8:00 PM Date: Friday, December 6 Location: The Launchpad, 4th Street Plaza, and Main Street The Town of Carbondale Parks and Rec Department along with Carbondale Arts invites everyone to light up Carbondale and welcome Santa. The lights on the trees lining Main Street will come on when Santa reaches the 4th Street Plaza. There will be carolers, free hot chocolate, and cookies.

DODGEBALL DERIVATIVES

INTRO TO HOCKEY

FAMILY SKATE NIGHT

JUNIOR HOCKEY

Days: Fridays Dates: December 6, 13, 20 Time: 3:30 - 4:30 PM Ages: 8 - 11 years Fee: $30 Keep your kids active after school by joining Dodgeball Derivatives.

Explore many different ways to play the game of Dodgeball.

Have your kids played Artillery, Shipwreck, Minefield or Last One Standing?

Date: Friday, January 3 Time: 5:30 - 8:00 PM Come down to the 4th Street Plaza Ice Rink on January’s First Friday for a free Community Skate Party.

There will bea fire pit, roast hot dogs and marshmallows, and drink hot chocolate. Ice skate rentals will be available at the Rec Center until 9pm.

STORYTIMES BABY TUESDAYS/ 10:30 AM

Ages: 0 - 24 months Lapsit storytime. Learn songs, bounces and rhymes to share with your child with a few stories thrown in. Storytime lasts about 20 minutes with stay-and-play following.

PRESCHOOL WEDNESDAYS / 10:15 - 10:45 AM Ages: 3 - 5 years

TODDLER WEDNESDAYS / 11:00 - 11:30 AM Ages: 2 - 3 years

AFTER SCHOOL WEDNESDAYS

WEDNESDAYS/ 2:30 - 4:00 PM

A new activity every week for school-aged children. Featuring science experiments, crafts and games. Always creative and always fun.

THE LAB

pitcolib.org

THE LAB is a makerspace located at the Pitkin County Library in Aspen, CO. What is a makerspace, you ask? It’s simple!

A makerspace is an intellectual space that fosters the ideals of creativity and collaboration. Patrons will be given the opportunity to create, invent and learn all manner of things through various hands-on activities.

Days: Tuesdays & Thursdays Dates: January 7 - February 6 **ice permitting Time: 4:00 - 5:00 PM Ages: 7 - 9 years Fee: $60 This is an introductory program for ice hockey for boys and girls. These lessons are for those who have some skating skills with little or no hockey skills. Hockey helmets with full face mask and an appropriatelysized hockey stick required for all participants. Shin pads, elbow pads, hockey pants, and hockey gloves are highly recommended. Coaches are needed. Please call 970-510-1279.

Days: Tuesdays & Thursdays Dates: January 8 - February 7 **ice permitting Time: 5:00 - 6:30 PM Ages: 9 - 14 years Fee: $60 This program is for more advanced players who are looking to take their skills to the next level without the stress and time commitment of other more competitive hockey programs. Players will work on the fundamentals of the game along with learning and practicing more advanced skills and strategies. team. recommended. Coaches are needed. Please call 970-510-1279.

WEALTHY WEDNESDAYS DECEMBER 4, 12:00 PM

“Common Investment Types” centers on a thorough, but easily understood, discussion of cash, stocks, and bonds, the core investment types that most people include in their investment portfolio.

DECEMBER 11, 12:00 PM

Information from an expert guest regarding: Retirement, Spousal and Widows benefits, Disability, Child benefits, and Medicare.

DECEMBER 11, 12:00 PM

The seminar “Managing Money During Retirement” will bring all the prior information together as the discussion centers on how to use all this knowledge to make certain financial assets last throughout the happy, relaxing retirement years.

12 DAYS OF ASPEN HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

DECEMBER 20 - 31 TIMES RANGE BETWEEN 12:00 - 2:00 PM

Activities include: Mason jar cookie gifts, a present wrapping party, indoor treasure hunt, snowflake cutouts, dreidel painting, crocheting and knitting, cookie decorating, salt ornament decorations and more. manner of things through various hands-on activities.

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W H AT ’ S

H A PPE N I N G

Today?

MONDAY JAZZ DANCE FOR TEENS

4:00 - 5:15 PM Glenwood Springs Arts Council For beginning & intermediate dancers ages 14-18. Jazz dance is a great way to explore improvisational, free-form dance movements. Build strength and balance. Register through Colorado Mountain College.

TUESDAY CREATIVE DANCE FOR 3-5 YEAR OLDS

Jan 15 - April 29 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Colorado Mountain College, Glenwood Springs Kids can learn spatial awareness, rhythm and more in the context of modern dance and ballet fundamentals.

FOR

KIDS O2 ASPEN –HIIT

PHOTO: Don’t put away the push-bike for winter!

Looks like an easier way for littles to get from here to there in ski boots.

(Credit: Frank Shine )

FOR

6:00 - 6:45 AM O2, Aspen Start your New Year and each new week with this mix of high-intensity interval training, strength training, body weight and functional movements to burn fat, add muscle, and improve aerobic endurance.

PAINT @ PATINA

6:00 – 9:00 PM Patina Bar & Grill, Carbondale Explore your artistic side with painting and wine. Class fee includes instruction, canvas, paints and a glass of wine.

PARENTS

HERE WHEN YOU NEED US! DR. HEATHER MURPHY

Ear, Nose & Throat Specialist Head & Neck Surgeon Whether it’s a tonsillectomy to treat recurrent ear infections in children, sinus surgery or advanced diagnostics, your family will receive the highest quality care.

Appointments: 970.544.1460 0401 Castle Creek Road, Aspen

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY & CONCUSSION CARE FOR KIDS

CONVENIENT AFTER-HOURS CARE IN BASALT

Our specialized team uses progressive care and state-of-the-art technology to treat adult and pediatric brain injury patients.

Open weekends and evenings, when you have urgent medical needs and your doctor’s office is closed. Walk-ins welcome!

Appointments: 970.544.1177 0401 Castle Creek Road, Aspen aspenhospital.org |

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AspenValleyHospital

Monday – Friday, 5:00 pm – 10:30 pm Saturday & Sunday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Call the clinic: 970.544.1250 234 Cody Lane, Basalt

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

AFTER-SCHOOL ART CLASS

AFTER WORK STORYTIME

PEAS & CARROTS PARENT-CHILD CLASS

3D PRINTING WORKSHOP SERIES

JAMMIN JIM MAGIC WORKSHOP

WEALTHY WEDNESDAYS

WOMAN’S GATHERING

VAUDEVILLE HOLIDAY

FLOW YOGA

PRE-NATAL WORKSHOP

2:00 – 4:00 PM Art Fusion, Basalt Students spend the afternoon drawing, painting, studying, catching up on assignments and getting homework help.

They can also take a break from table time with basic yoga stretches, improvisational games, and refreshing walks by the Frying Pan river.

12:00 PM Pitkin County Library For three weeks in December, the library brings in e erts to disc ss financial matters. Topics include retirement, investing, money management, social security and detailed advice.

5:30 - 6:00 PM Basalt Regional Library Can’t make it to morning story times? Then this program is for you.

6:00-8:00 PM Art Fusion, Basalt Free. A cozy evening of sisterhood and empowerment. Draw, paint, listen to music, make tea, share snacks, and enjoy conversation.

9:00 – 11:30 AM Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork Jan. 17 – Feb. 14 Spend a morning together with your child in a warm and cozy kindergarten classroom.

Snack and tea served; highend craft materials provided.

Connection with other parents, and a chance to slow down, relax and feel nurtured.

6:00 PM Friday & Saturday Glenwood Springs An all-ages original dinner-theatre production that will make you laugh until you cry, with holiday songs and a fun, engaging cast of characters. Kids menu, glutenfree options. Also Christmas Eve matinee + extra shows during the holiday week.

T H E

4:00 PM Pitkin County Library, Aspen Tweens and teens can learn about 3D printing and walk away with their own print.

Facilitators will go over basic techniques for success and provide hands-on instructions using 3D printers.

8:45 – 10:15 AM True Nature Healing Arts, Carbondale Wake and ow. ild eat explore energy centers, and increase awareness in the body, mind, and spirit. The perfect warm-up for a day of skiing – or simply a way to OM away your work week.

1:00 PM Glenwood Toys & Gifts Ages 5+ learn to juggle and make rabbits disappear (maybe) with the help of master magician and circus arts wiz Jammin’ Jim.

4:00 –5:15 PM Kula Yoga, Carbondale 5 weeks beginning January 6th, s ecificall foc sed on renatal care. A full body workout for stren t alance and e i ilit – while also addressing certain issues that can plague women during pregnancy.

S C H O O L

O F

ASPEN SANTA FE BALLET

Give the gift of dance!

Classes start January 7

PHOTO: SHAREN BRADFORD

ent Enrollm 3-8 in r ages open fo d Springs o Glenwo ndale Carbo Basalt

Creative Dance Pre-Ballet Beginning Ballet Level-1 Ballet TO REGISTER, PLEASE VISIT:

aspensantafeballet.com 53

W H AT ’ S

H A PPE N I N G

December CONTINUED

DEC 1: KID’S HOLIDAY GLAZE DAZE

2:00 - 4:00 PM Carbondale Clay Center Handmade gifts are the best. All ages can drop in and paint pieces of pottery for holiday gifts. You paint it and the Clay enter will la e fire it in time for t e olida s.

FIND MORE EVENTS:

M O U N TA I N - PA R E N T. C O M

DEC 6: FIRST FRIDAY SANTA PARADE

DEC 6: SNOWMASS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

DEC 7: HILARIOUS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

DEC 7: WSRF WINTERFAIRE

DEC 8: ROARING FORK YOUTH ORCHESTRA HOLIDAY CONCERT

DEC 10: COLORADO GIVES DAY

DEC 10: GLENWOOD SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL HOLIDAY BAND CONCERT

DEC 10: CMS & RFHS HOLIDAY HARMONIES

6:00 PM GSHS Auditorium Show up and celebrate the culmination of the fall semester band program. It’s sure to get you up on your feet moving to the music. This line up of traditional and rockin’ carols is a must for jazz fans of all ages.

7:00 PM The Orchard, Carbondale Join the choral classes of Carbondale Middle School and Roaring Fork High School for an “Old-fashioned Christmas” performance. Silent auction and holiday desserts to help raise funds for the high school Honors Chamber Choir’s performance at Carnegie Hall in NYC next summer.

DEC 12: PARENT ED NIGHT – SOCIAL MEDIA

DEC 13: KIDS-ONLY HOLIDAY SALE

DEC 13-15: ASPEN SNOWMASS PASSAPALOOZA

DEC 12-15: SOL THEATRE – A CHRISTMAS CAROL

5:00 – 8:00 PM Main Street, Carbondale Join Santa and his elves for merriment on Main Street and the lighting of the Town’s beloved 40’ tall Christmas tree on the corner of Main and Weant. Kids can later visit with Santa at the Launchpad.

6:00 - 9:00 PM St. Regis, Aspen ilario s for t e olida s is a enefit f ndraiser for Cornerstone Christian School. Enjoy an evening of Christian comedy with dinner, comedy show with Kenn Kington.

5:30 PM Basalt Regional Library Here’s an orchestral performance where you’ll be encouraged to raise your voice and sing along, as the RFYO brings new life to the holiday classics.

6:00 PM Glenwood Springs High School All parents are invited, not just those whose children attend the high school. This presentation will cover cyber bullying and the ways that social media can impact self-esteem, creating addictive behavior as kids come to associate “likes” as validation.

Aspen Mountain, Snowmass Ski Area A new early-season celebration. Lift tickets will be deeply discounted, (1/3 regular price per day) for skiers/ snowboarders who have a valid ski pass from any ski resort in the world. Plus family-friendly festivities including a light show, snow sculptures, food and drink specials, live music and an ice skating show at Snowmass Base Village.

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5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Snowmass Chapel Light up the night with carols, cookies & cocoa, pictures wit anta a isit from t e fire de artment and o er lit trees li t dis la s and in ata les. are welcome.

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork All are invited to the Waldorf School’s annual celebration of winter. Parent-child crafts, candle-making, marionette show, carols, storytelling, organic lunch, tea room and stellar gift shop featuring items for all ages, many made by local artisans.

Colorado Gives Day is an annual state-wide movement to celebrate and increase philanthropy in Colorado through online giving. Donations are accepted through ColoradoGives.org.

4:00 - 6:00 PM Carbondale Clay Center This Annual KID’S ONLY sale gives your child the chance to buy beautiful holiday gifts for friends, teachers and family members on their piggy-bank budget. Ceramic pieces are all donated by local ceramic artists. Plus paint-your-own ornaments in many shapes and styles.

7:00 PM; with 2:00 PM matinee on 12/15 Third Street Center, Carbondale Bring the whole family for this kids’ production of the Dickens classic reinterpreted by Jim Henson who wrote the script, bringing his characteristic humor, wonder and heart. A fun and joyous transformation of Scrooge.

Let it Snow!

Leave the driving to RFTA! PHOTO:

DEC 12: OLAF THE ELF VISITS HALLAM LAKE

4:00 PM - 5:30 PM Aspen Center for Environmental Sciences A magical winter afternoon with Olaf, the winter elf. Visitors will enjoy hot chocolate and holiday cheer with a story about Olaf, arts and crafts, and an adventure out into the winter wonderland to help Olaf feed the birds.

DEC 13: LITTLE RED SKI HOUSE CASINO NIGHT

6:00 - 9:00 PM The Collective, Snowmass Base Village Why should kids have all the fun? This adult-only event com ines casino amin food drinks and raf es to enefit preschool programming.

DEC 13: BASALT HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

5:30 PM Midland Avenue, Basalt Shops along Midland Avenue will be open late for shopping and merriment. Tree lighting, Santa and Mrs. Claus, s’mores, carollers and ornament-making at the Art Base.

You will always remember your child’s first snowman. Here’s an oldtimer trick for helping Frosty last a little longer. While you’re building, mist him occasionally with cold water using a kitchen spray bottle.

By adding some moisture to our Colorado powder-dry snow, you’ll help your layers of snow become more dense, creating structure.

As the water freezes, more snow will cling to it, making it easier to build up – so your snowman can grow taller than even your big little helpers . (Credit: Jordan Curet )

DEC 13: OFFED AT THE HOLIDAY BAKE-OFF – THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE

The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) offers the perfect ride on a snow day, 365 days a year.

Fun, fast and frequent public transit from Aspen to Rifle.

Kids 5 and under ride FREE

6:00 PM Roaring Fork High School A family-friendly murder mystery, a matter of “loaf and death,” served up with just desserts.

DEC 15: 120TH ANNUAL AUDUBON CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

7:30 AM – 3:00 PM Aspen Area, meet at Hallam Lake Join the longest-running citizen science survey in the world.

Volunteers will count birds as part of a Western-Hemispherewide census to assess bird populations and guide conservation efforts. One way to get out and enjoy the peace of the season with older children.

Let it Snow!

www.rfta.com 970.925.8484 55

W H AT ’ S

H A PPE N I N G

December FIND MORE EVENTS:

DEC 15, 17, 18, 19: THEATRE ASPEN CABARET

various locations in Aspen and Snowmass Specially-created family or date-night evenings featuring ensemble and solo performances around the piano, brimming with holiday cheer. The venues change each evening (Caribou Club, Casa Tua, Pinons, Toro), where you’ll enjoy a delicious pre-show dinner.

DEC 17: ANDERSON RANCH HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

5:00 - 7:00 PM Follow candlelit paths through campus to tour artists’ studios, visit the opening of the latest exhibition, and shop for original artwork and creatively inspired gifts. Photos with Santa and a kids’ craft. Free and open to the public with dinner available.

M O U N TA I N - PA R E N T. C O M

DEC 18: RMS COAT + FOOD + DRIVE

DEC 19: GROWING UP COY

DEC 20: POLAR EXPRESS LIFT-UP BENEFIT

DEC 21: SANTA LOVES FIRE TRUCKS

DEC 24: DECORATE A GINGERBREAD HOUSE AT THE REDSTONE INN

DEC 30: AVSC AUDI AJAX CUP

Ross Montessori School Drop off non-perishable foods, clean coats of all sizes and new, unwrapped toys to help support LIFT-UP and Shining Stars Foundation.

5:30 PM Basalt neighborhoods The Basalt Fire Department and Santa are old friends, and he loves getting a ride on their big rig. When you hear holiday music, come outside and give Santa a wave! The truck will travel through these neighborhoods in this order: Elk Run, Old Town, Southside, Blue Lake, El Jebel, Sopris Village, Willits and Summit Loop.

6:00 – 7:30 PM Carbondale Middle School n award-winnin film a o t one famil ’s fi t for transgender bathroom rights. Free. Peppinos Pizza, salad, lemonade and decorated holiday cookies will be sold to enefit t e .

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM The Redstone Inn Decorate Gingerbread Houses on Christmas Eve at The Inn. All materials included. Bring your creativity and Holiday Spirit! RSVP.

5:30 PM The Wheeler Opera House ree entrance to t is screenin of a famil fa orite film w en you bring a non-perishable food for LIFT-UP.

Head-to-head slalom races on Little Nell at Aspen o ntain enefitin s en alle ki l and it’s 2,300+ athletes. All ages can cheer on the racers as they navigate the challenging course, and then stick around for one of the hottest après ski parties of the year.

After-School Art

ages 6-11

WINTER & SPRING Summer Mermaids CLASSES PIANO VOCALS PRIVATE LESSONS YOUTH AND ADULTS Lessons at convenient locations Event performances: solo, duo, trio or full band

• In Carbondale with Pam Porter • Wednesdays or Thursdays • Month-Long Sessions •3:30-5:00 pm

Learn more & sign up: THECREATIVEFLOWSTUDIO.COM

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~ Monthly support gatherings in Glenwood Springs and Eagle ~ Bereavement care packages ~ Emotional and physical support for any birth in any trimester ~ Bereavement doula services, providing labor and delivery support ~ Walk For Hope, annual event with butterfly release Because you don‛t have to be alone on your journey www.one-moment.org

DEC 17, 18, 19: CHILDREN’S ART EXHIBIT

5:30 PM Handmakery, Carbondale All are invited to a mini-exhibit celebrating the work of young artists who created “Arctic Animals in an A-Frame.”

DEC 21 & 22: ASPEN SANTA FE BALLET’S NUTCRACKER

12/21: 2:00 & 7:00 PM 12/22: 1:00 & 5:00 PM A whimsical twist on the classic story with a cast of over 60 performers (many of whom are students in ASFB’s after school programs in Aspen, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs). Don’t miss this perfect opportunity to create lifelong memories for you and your loved ones.

PHOTO:

When you’re skiing/boarding Buttermilk, be sure to take a detour into the trees alongside No Problem run. ere o ’ll find t e new Fort Frog, which reopened last winter, replacing a beloved play area that burned in 2016. e first ort ro was ild ttermilk ski instr ctors w o named their fort after fellow instructor Greg “Frog” Fortin.

The new fort features three towers, swinging rope bridges, a spiral slide and large net hammocks. (Credit: Jeremy Swanson )

A SPOILED PET IS A HAPPY PET.

j. deam law

Family Law Mediation Services Jackie@jdlawmediation.com

970.710.9644

970-216-5365 familynestcolorado.com facebook/familynestcolorado Birth & Postpartum Doula Support • Childbirth Classes • Meet the Doula Nights • Support Groups for Moms & Dads • Certified Placenta Encapsulation • Breastfeeding & Baby Care Classes • Community Gatherings

~Established 1995 ~ M-F 9am- 6:30 pm + Weekends 10am-5pm 970-963-1700 + RJPaddywacks.com Next to City Market in El Jebel CALL FOR VALLEYWIDE DELIVERY 57

W H AT ’ S

H A PPE N I N G

January FIND MORE EVENTS:

JAN 2: ACES WINTER WILDERNESS SURVIVAL DAY CAMP

JAN 3: CARBONDALE FAMILY SKATE NIGHT

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Aspen Center for Environmental Studies Three wilderness survival courses, grouped by grade (K-1; 2-3; 4-6), in which kids learn the ancient survival skills of starting a fire ildin s elter findin food and at erin water.

5:00 - 8:00 PM 4th Street Outdoor Ice Rink, Carbondale Lights over ice in downtown Carbondale during the First Friday celebration. Rent skates at the Carbondale Rec Center before festivities start. Find your friends at the rink or aro nd a onfire. ot c ocolate for all.

JAN 9-12: WINTERSKOL

JAN 11: FULL MOON TRIATHLON

JAN 22 & 29: KIDS FIRST PARENTING COUNTS WORKSHOP SERIES

JAN 23-26: X GAMES COLLEGE PASS

M O U N TA I N - PA R E N T. C O M

RING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH ALL AGES REDSTONE INN NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY Redstone Priced for families with party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. Dress to the Nines and enter the Best Dressed Couple contest. Childcare is available at the Inn, please call for contact information.

NEW YEAR’S EVE UNDER THE BRIDGE Glenwood Springs Live Music and lights in the new pedestrian promenade under the bridge. Fireworks at 10:00 PM. Find family-friendly dining options within steps of the party. Try Rocky Mountain Pizza Kitchen, Glenwood Brew Pub or Smoke BBQ. Dining reservations recommended.

AM & PM events Downtown Aspen A celebration of Aspen’s “Legendary Past & Visionary Future” ce sc l tin fireworks a torc -lit skier arade down ittle Nell, canine fashion show, Winterkol Royalty, ski history, live music, food, and of course, costumes.

5:30 – 7:00 PM Yellow Brick School House, Aspen Two presentations: “Connecting with Your Child During Emotional Moments to Build Resilience” and “Discipline Really Means to Teach: Keeping Your Child’s Brain in Mind.”

Attend one or both of the sessions. Dinner is provided.

Parents only. Space is limited. RSVP.

4:30 PM Carbondale + Rio Grande Trail Run through Carbondale to the Rio Grande trail, where you’ll ski to the Gus Darien Rodeo Arena for a fat tire bike course.

Register through the Carbondale Rec Department.

Buttermilk Mountain College students will once again be able to save big and ski/ ride for less by purchasing a College X Pass, which can be combined with a package for X Games Aspen concert series.

WINTER ROCK CONCERT

SUNDAY, JANUARY 12 •12:00 PM • BELLY UP ASPEN FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

15 WEEK AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM STARTING JANUARY 27

A play-based program in a positive and dynamic social atmosphere.

Kids form bands, learn songs they love & present a rock concert.

No musical experience necessary. Instruments provided.

Scholarships available.

ROCKANDROLLROARINGFORK.com

(970) 379-9685

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GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY

JAN 9: PARENT ED NIGHT – VAPING

6:00 PM Glenwood Springs High School All are welcome for a presentation on the highly-addictive cigarette substitute that is pervasive in teenage and youngadult circles in our community. Find out how to talk to your child about it, and how to help those who are hooked.

JAN 18: LGBTQ+ ICE SKATING PARTY

time TBA Silver Circle Ice Rink & CP Burger, Aspen All are welcome for an afternoon of skating and burgers hosted by Aspen Out. This event is offered in tandem with a first-e er-an w ere amil ki Weekend.

Aspen Out has partnered with the Family Equality Council, Aspen Gay Ski Week and RF Vacations to create a three-day line-up of activities for LGBTQ+ youth with their parents and siblings during MLK weekend.

JAN 27: ROCK & ROLL ACADEMY CONCERT

12:00 PM Belly Up, Aspen Free all-ages concert sponsored by Gibson Guitars. Rock out as student musicians perform songs that they learned during Rock & Roll Academy’s Fall semester after-school program.

The 15-week experience is focussed on building connection and confidence as kids form ands and learn son s t e lo e.

Baby & Kids High School Career Exploration Program

JAN 31: ROARING FORK AUDUBON SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE

Would your child, ages 12-18, like to learn about the birds of Colorado at a week-long camp next summer? The Roaring Fork Audubon Society will sponsor the entire tuition for one student. Roaringforkaudubon.org for more info.

THE ROARING FORK VALLEY’S LARGEST SELECTION OF

s &Gifts y o T

PHOTO: Here’s something that’ll get your college-aged kids back home for the weekend – mere weeks after winter break, nonetheless – the hottest (and coldest) extreme sports bonanza in the country. This year’s aprés X Games concert line-up includes: Rae Sremmurd, Illenium, Alesso, and Bazzi. (Credit: Tamara Susa )

MOUNTAINPARENT R O A R I N G

F O R K

V A L L E Y ,

C O L O R A D O

Classes?

Useful Services?

Special Events?

Program runs during school hours Explore careers in architecture, hospitality, building & more Earn class credits Talk to your school career counselor to see if you qualify

Learn more about Career Academy & YE University:

Who it’s for: students who will be juniors or seniors next school year

youthentity.org/careeracademy

&

Art

MP can help you reach locals, visitors and families of all ages.

PRINTING • COPYING • GIFTS • TOYS 23252 Two Rivers Road www.basaltprinting.com bprint@comcast.net • 970 927 4705

mountain-parent.com 970.319.3939

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