RMP Magazine | April 2021

APRIL 2021 • RMPARENT.COM

SIBLINGS,

FRIENDS FOR LIFE! Denver field trip

Create a bird-friendly yard Gardening for first timers

5 ways to regain a healthy family balance Celebrate Earth Day

SPECIAL SECTION: Youth

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APRIL 2021

Departments PERSPECTIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Special Sections YOuth

Extraordinarily ordinary—Longer, brighter days ahead

YOUTH PROGRAM AND ACTIVITY GUIDE

AS WE GROW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Find programs and activities that interest your child. Choose from sports, arts, outdoor programs and more.

Siblings, friends for Life!—Encourage respect and kindness

FAMILY ACTIVITIES . . . . . . . . 10 Visit Denver—Outdoor venues offer limited capacity, timed ticket sales

Program & A

ctivity Gu ide

ADVERT I SUPPLE SING MENT

LEARN AND LIVE . . . . . . . . . . 12 Create a bird-friendly yard—Make bird feeders from recycled or repurposed items

COMMUNITY NEWS . . . . . . . 14 Opportunities to give and get—Child abuse prevention, rent assistance, teen opportunities, family resources

HEALTHY LIVING . . . . . . . . 16

Gardening for first timers—Simple guidelines for a successful garden

CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 0 Events and activities for parents, kids and families

Features 18 CELEBRATE EARTH DAY

This year’s Earth Day celebrations will include both virtual and in-person celebrations. But, you can still find plenty of events including: Farmer’s markets, gardening lectures, nature walks, bird watching, restorations projects, eco-tip bingo and craft projects.

TIME OUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 The Lessons of Lego—Learning from the master

School District News GR-E 6 School District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

20 EASING INTO THE

Poudre School District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Many students are back to in-person learning, sports and other activities.

While that can be exciting it can also be overwhelming. Here are some tips on finding a healthy balance within your family postpandemic lockdown.

Student wins art award, registration for kindergarten

Volunteers return to classrooms, sports return, school of choice, free meals, Covid-19 protocols

Thompson School District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Meet Joe Vodjansky, TSD Safety & Security Manager

NEW NORMAL

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perspective perspective

Generosity Extraordinarily ordinary learning, being and doing

Longer, brighter days ahead

IA

young manlast approached me would in a parking did something evening that yesterday. havelot seemed crazy a month ago. I stopped “My family and we I are over by my parents’ house and satstaying down in there and if we could get five dollars we could their living room and chatted for an hour. We get a pizza. we could we could get hugged and If snacked andget justten enjoyed hanging two and that would cover us.” out together. They left this morning to go visit I had no idea whether his story was true. family in Nebraska.

He looked as thoughordinariness he was living rough, The extraordinary struck us all though—gaunt, sunken cheeks, despairing eyes. as we fell back into once familiar territory talking Without hesitation, I pulled out my wallet about the people and all the little things in our lives. and Ihanded him ten I don’t in know why I did it.(later He wasn’t think about thebucks. line repeated Jonijust Mitchell’s song covered threatening. wasn’t imploring.

He just seemed to really by Counting He Crows) Bigover Yellow Taxi. “Don’t it always seem to go need that a boost right then and interacting with him right there a couple of feet you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone. They paved paradise and put away, I just felt it was a moment. a parking lot.”

It’s not I’mbeen on atransformed mission to in give away allwe of probably our money.

I walk Our livesthat have ways that don’t and drive by plenty of people who are asking for a little push.

And I’m understand yet. We’ve all missed out on a lot—visits to and from friends not driven to help others by a sense of guilt or even a feeling of being and family, a sense of ordinariness about once-routine activities, school luckywork enough to have it and these others don’t and so therefore it’s my and schedules. social obligation do Ithe getpandemic a big senseis of satisfaction. have I don’t mean to to do talkit.asNor though over and we canI all a hard time pinpointing why I feel compelled to help out sometimes, just go back to our normal routines. There is no more normal, and we’re whether scooping a sidewalk neighbor or stopping push a car, not sure what the new normal for willa look like. Will we avoidtohandshakes? and other times not so much.

Will we travel by air less? Will we keep Zooming with friends and Every fall,meetings? a neighbor of ours withlarge his air compressor family and for How long comes will weby avoid groups, indoor and blows out our sprinkler lines.

He makes the rounds in our entertainment, eating in restaurants? corner of the neighborhood and getsout everyone ready for He I know that we’re not completely of the woods andwinter. that many doesn’t ask for anything.

He just does it because he can.

It is not a more will get sick, have long-term effects and any will die. And I don’t transactional offer in any way. want to minimize that.

Theresa writes thisrunning month stories in her like Learn andNichols’ Live column It is nice,Baer though, to be Lynn story about teaching children to be generous and to volunteer.

She also offers “Easing into the new normal, 5 ways to regain a healthy family balance” some ideas about where and how.

The idea is to help children to be instead of stories about how to survive the long, dark COVID-19 winter. awaresooftoothers’ needs to understand that they,to themselves, And celebrate thatand thaw, we’re running stories help us all have get something to offer. outside and appreciate this spring, this season of life emerging once again goalasisitfor them, really all of us, to not just do generosity as an in theThe cycle, does. activity that we have to understand that we should We have a couplecome of stories to get you as outsomething into your backyard to do because we’re lucky enough to have something and those connect with the natural world. Lea Hanson has put together aother story for people aregardeners struggling.

Where we’re really headedtowith for our first-time with the idea that it’s tough dive this into issomething children to see people who are just like they are, who just want toto be new without a little guidance. And Theresa Baer shares some ideas happy just as they do and who don’t want to feel bad just as they don’t liven up your yard with some creative bird feeders from repurposed want to. We want to get beyond the them and us feelings. We don’t just household items. dropIfmoney a canlike anda walk Wetrip, stop.

We out talk Shelley and engage with you’re in feeling smallby. road check Widhalm’s people are just us. ideas forwho a nature daylike in Denver.

Also, check out her story about Earth we want be generosity, not just generosity, though Day In andthe all end, the virtual andtoin-person activities that do support us as we learn the path to being generosity, it seems, lies through the path of doing about our green and blue planet. generosity.

We need to keep our guard up and our masks on for a bit longer, but season,feel the days growing longer and brighter.

I, for‘Tis one,the definitely Scott Thanks for reading, Scott

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OCTOBER 2019 • Volume 24, Issue 6 APRIL 2021 • Volume 25, Issue 11

PUBLISHER Scott Titterington, (970)221-9210 PUBLISHER scott.rmpublishing@gmail.com Scott Titterington, (970)221-9210 EDITOR scott.rmpublishing@gmail.com Kristin Titterington, (970)221-9210 EDITOR kristin.rmpublishing@gmail.com Kristin Titterington, (970)221-9210 CREATIVE DIRECTOR kristin.rmpublishing@gmail.com Emily Zaynard CREATIVE DIRECTOR emily.rmpublishing@gmail.com Emily Zaynard ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR emily.rmpublishing@gmail.com Greg Hoffman, (970)689-6832 ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR greg.rmpublishing@gmail.com Greg Hoffman, (970)689-6832 DISTRIBUTION MANAGER greg.rmpublishing@gmail.com ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Susan Hartig ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE susan.rmpublishing@gmail.com Susan Harting COVER PHOTO susan.rmpublishing@gmail.com Cheri Schonfeld, Courtesy of COVER- skysopendesign.com PHOTO Sky’s Open Design istock.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Theresa Baer, Lea Hanson, Katie Harris, Theresa Baer, Lea Hanson, Lynn U. Nichols Lynn U. Nichols, Scott Titterington Tim Van Schmidt, Shelley Widhalm

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PUBLISHING PO Box 740 ROCKY MOUNTAIN PUBLISHING Fort Collins, CO 80522 PO Box 740 Voice 221-9210 • Fax 221-8556 Fort Collins, CO 80522 editor@rockymountainpub.com Voice 221-9210 • Fax 221-8556 www.RMParent.com editor@rockymountainpub.com www.RMParent.com

Rocky Mountain Parent magazine is published monthly by Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. Rocky Mountain Parent magazine is published Publication of this paper does not consitute an enmonthly by Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. dorsement of the products or services advertised.

Publication of this paper does not constitute RMP reserves the right to refuse any advertisean endorsement of the products or services ment for any reason. The opinions expressed by advertised. RMP reserves the right to refuse contributors or writers do not necessarily reflect any advertisement for any reason. The opinions the opinions of Rocky Mountain Publishing. expressed by contributors or writers do not ©2019 Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. All rights necessarily reflect the opinions of Rocky Mountain reserved. Reproduction without express written Publishing. ©2021 Rocky Mountain Publishing, permission is prohibited.

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first years Siblings, friends for life!

Encourage respect and kindness

LY NN U. NICHOLS

W

hen my boys were young, I’d make them shake hands and say they were sorry whenever they fought. I’d remind them that their brother was their lifetime friend—one that trumped all other friendships. It felt a little corny at the time, but I did it anyway. After all, I wanted them to know what I knew: friends come and go but siblings last a lifetime.

If you want your kids to be close, take every chance that comes along to strengthen the relationship between them. Here are some ideas.

DO ACTIVITIES THEY BOTH ENJOY Activities unite people, and people who play together, often stay together. That’s why it’s important to engage in activities that define you as a family—things you all love doing together, whether it’s skiing and biking or tennis and basketball. You’ll be surprised how your kids will be willing to do these activities together through the years—even when the oldest becomes a teenager and mostly wants to hang out with friends.

When the family habit is engrained, kids are less likely to buck it. If you are lucky, your kids will grow up and continue to do these activities, with or without you.

RESIST COMPARING ONE TO THE OTHER Statements like, ‘Why can’t you study hard, like your sister?’ only work to drive a wedge between siblings. No one wants to be compared to someone else and fall short. If you want one child to study harder, speak directly to him or her about the behavior, as in, “I’d like to see you try harder with your homework.

Let’s brainstorm ways to make it easier for you.” Also, be conscious about pointing out what each child is good at in front of their siblings. This not only builds self pride, but pride in each other.

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HELP THEM FIND THE WORDS When your kids have a disagreement, break it up and make them spend time apart until they cool down. When ready, help them come back together by initiating a conversation where they both start with, “When that happened, I felt….” Speaking from the I point of view (rather than using the word “you” or blaming) empowers kids to share what the dispute was like for them and encourages siblings to see what happened from their sibling’s perspective. By teaching some basic communication skills early on, you give them tools to build on as they grow older.

Besides helping them find the right words, help your kids identify their emotions. A child might seem angry, when they are really frustrated, or sad when they are really lonely.

Helping your kids identify their feelings helps them calm down. Instead of stating what you are observing, as in, “You’re mad because he hurt your feelings,” ask it as a question.

“You seem mad, and that maybe your feelings were hurt, is that right?”

FORCE MUTUAL RESPECT Set some ground rules on acceptable behavior (e.g., no name calling, yelling, hitting, taking someone’s possessions) and stick to them. Share the ground rules and the consequences for breaking them with your kids, making sure they are clear. Repeat them over and over again, post them on the fridge, tell the nanny, babysitter, or grandparents. Behavioral ground rules take really hurtful behavior off the table and limit the chance that siblings will create scars that don’t heal and build resentments. It’s exhausting to feel like you are policing your children’s behavior, but letting it slide, even now and then, gives them unspoken permission to act poorly next time. On the flip side, when you see your children being kind to each other, point it out.

Simply saying, “I really like how you two are getting along, today” reinforces the good behavior and the expectation for it.

Of course, disagreements will still happen, and their closeness will wax and wane over the years. But when you see your kids getting along and hanging out together as young adults in the future, the satisfaction will be worth it.

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family activities

Visit Denver

Outdoor venues offer limited capacity, timed ticket sales SHELLEY WIDHALM

A

fter a year of being cooped up indoors, families will want to head outside this spring while also remaining safe.

The Denver Zoo, the Denver Botanic Gardens and the Butterfly Pavilion have reopened with limited capacity and restrictions in place to maintain that safety for staff and guests.

The 84-acre campus at the Denver Zoo, 2300 N. Steele St., is limiting the number of visitors per day and requires online tickets, even for its members, to visit the more than 3,000 wild animals from all over the world. The tickets are timed and are staggered every 15 minutes 9am to 5pm seven days a week (to reserve a ticket, visit denverzoo.org or call 720-337-1400).

The zoo, which reopened in June 2020, created a one-way path around the entire park, the Denver Zoo Parkway, to provide a view of the majority of the animal habitats and gardens. The buildings have capacity limits, and animal demonstrations and encounters are on a more limited schedule. Most exhibits are open, but some attractions and play areas, such as Explore the Shore, are temporarily closed.

“It doesn’t feel as packed and crowded, and families are enjoying that,” says Carlie McGuire, public relations coordinator for the Denver Zoo. “Seeing animals outside enjoying themselves brings people a lot of joy.”

The Butterfly Pavilion invertebrate zoo, 6252 W. 104th Ave. in Westminster, is operating at a limited capacity with timed-entry tickets reserved in advance and 20 guests admitted every 20 minutes 9am to 4pm seven days a week (visit butterflies.org).

The pavilion’s five exhibit areas feature live animals, outdoor gardens and nature trails. Guests can visit the 1,600 free-flying tropical butterflies in 10

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Wings of the Tropics, view Rosie the tarantula (but touching is not allowed at this time) and touch the aquatic animals at Water’s Edge that has coral reefs and ocean invertebrates. Guests will not be able to dig for worms in the Dugout.

The Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street, 1007 York Street, in cooperation with the city and county of Denver, also is operating at limited capacity with timed tickets purchased in advance (visit botanicgardens.org). Summer hours begin April 2 from 9am to 8pm seven days a week.

Several of the botanic gardens’ buildings are closed, including The Science Pyramid, which is scheduled to reopen in July, and the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory that likely will remain closed all summer. The Marnie’s Pavilion, the Orangery and the Freyer-Newman Center art gallery reopened through summer and fall 2020.

The gardens and collections on 24 acres showcase a variety of plants from all over the world. The gardens are

many and include Gardens of the West, 18 arid gardens that showcase plants suitable for Colorado’s climate, as well as the Internationally Inspired Gardens, Ornamental Gardens, Shady Gardens and Water Gardens.

“Spending time outside with plants, with nature, provides many healing and wellness benefits,” says Erin Bird, communications manager for Denver Botanic Gardens. “There will be more and more color as we move from March into summer. …

There are so many sensory connections with colors, textures and heights that are good conversation starters.”

The Mordecai Children’s Garden, a 3-acre garden across the street from the main garden, is expected to open in June. It features plants of the Rocky Mountain region and several hands-on elements, though they may be limited.

“It’s just a place for kids to run around and interact in a more kid-like way than at the main garden,” Bird says.

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learn and live

Create a bird-friendly yard

Make bird feeders from recycled or repurposed items THERESA BAER

I

t’s springtime! Get outside and connect with nature by feeding the birds. Bird feeders made from natural, recycled or repurposed items are simple, fun activities to do with your children and they provide entertainment long after you complete the craft.

USE NATURAL ITEMS Cut an orange in half and scoop out the inside. Poke 3–4 evenly spaced holes and push twine through with a wood skewer and tie the twine together to use as a hanger. You can also use two long wood skewers and poke all the way through, crossing them and leaving them sticking out either side of the orange to provide perches. Then, fill the orange half with seed and hang in a tree or from your porch. Lauren DeRosa, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited Fort Collins also suggested apple halves with the center cored out and filled with dried cranberries or dried cherries, or using a pinecone rolled in peanut butter or suet then sprinkled with sunflower seeds to hang in a tree.

RECYCLE OR REPURPOSE SUPPLIES Recycled and repurposed items make fun feeders. Punch 3–4 holes in the edge of a tin/aluminum/plastic plate and string twine through the holes that are long enough to hang in your desired location. Spread peanut butter in the bottom of the plate and seed on top. The peanut butter helps the seed stick for less spillage outside. Used milk cartons or jugs can also be used by cutting holes in the side and filling with seed up to the bottom of the larger holes. Full directions from Wild Birds Unlimited are available at www.wbu. com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/wbuactivities-bird-feeder.pdf.

Narrow plastic bottles can also easily transform into bird feeders. For

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perches, poke two sticks or wooden skewers in a crisscross manner through the bottle so that they stick out a couple inches on both sides. About 2–3 inches above each perch, cut a small hole for the birds to access the seed but not so big that the seed spills out. Poke a hole in the bottle’s lid to run twine through, fill with seed, screw the lid on and hang.

CHOOSE THE FOOD What type of bird seed to use? DeRosa from Wild Birds Unlimited Fort Collins says, “All songbirds love black oil sunflower, in or out of the shell, and not the large striped sunflower humans eat. Larger birds will eat that but small songbirds find the shell too hard to crack open. Fillers such as cracked corn, milo, wheat or canary seed are just a waste of money. A blend of seeds like

Birdhouses provide another fun activity to bring birds around!

Lauren DeRosa, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited Fort Collins, offers kits for feeders, bird and bat houses. To build from scratch, DeRosa suggests using natural wood or recycled lumber 3/4” thick for insulation and to keep surfaces natural as paint might make birds sick. Also avoid putting a dowel below the entry hole as predators will use it to raid the nest.

sunflower, roasted peanuts and a little white proso millet will create a buffet to attract the widest variety of birds.”

After the bird feeder is hung, enjoy the show! Watch for parents bringing their fledglings, journal the number and/or types of visitors (they may not all be birds) or draw pictures and make observations about their behavior.

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community news Opportunities to give and get

Child abuse prevention, rent assistance, teen opportunities, family resources THERESA BAER

RAISING AWARENESS FOR CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION April is National Child Abuse Prevention month, and this year Realities for Children created a unique way to bring awareness to the issues of child abuse in the community with their inaugural Realities Rooftop Raise event April 7–8 at the Elizabeth Hotel. Townsquare Media will broadcast live from the hotel’s roof with live entertainment including music performances and interviews, an on-site donation bucket and a pulley system to the roof for collection, stories of triumph and survival and pinwheel distribution. Learn more online at www.realitiesforchildren.com/events/ realities-rooftop-raise and join in supporting youth who have been abused, neglected, abandoned, or are at-risk.

FORT COLLINS OFFERS REBATES FOR WATER-WISE LANDSCAPES The City of Fort Collins is offering utilities rebates to residential customers for transforming part of their yard into xeric urban habitat. Through the Xeriscape Incentive Program (XIP), City of Fort Collins utility customers receive expert advice and a rebate on their Fort Collins utilities bill.

Landscape and irrigation plans must be approved by XIP prior to project installation and an inspection of the project area must be completed prior to receiving a rebate. Starting this year, Nature in the City is partnering with Utilities to offer an additional bonus for plans that contain at least 80 percent native plants. To learn more or register for an upcoming online training on Saturday, April 3 from 9–11am or Friday, May 7 from 1–3pm, visit www.fcgov.com/utilities/ residential/conserve/water-efficiency/ xeriscape/incentive-program.

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SEEKING MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENTS’ VACCINE OPINIONS Parents of middle schoolers in Larimer County are asked to share their thoughts about vaccines for their child(ren) and experiences with communication about vaccination from your child’s school or school district. This five-minute survey, conducted by the University of Colorado, can be accessed online at https://tinyurl.com/yxqq6ta3 and you will receive a $5 gift card for your time. For more information, contact Myra Shanks, Health Educator, Larimer County Health and Environment at 970-498-6796 or mshanks@ larimer.org.

OPPORTUNITY FOR GREELEY YOUTH TO SHAPE CITY’S FUTURE Greeley’s civic-minded youth can look to an upcoming position on the Youth Commission which “fosters a greater understanding of youth concerns and contributions, and encourages greater youth participation in the community.” The commission has 14 members including 11 appointed by the

city council and three adult advisers appointed by the commission. The city seeks applicants that are 11- to 18-yearold Greeley residents to serve a twoyear term with an average commitment of three hours per month. View open positions and learn more online at www.greeleygov.com/government/b-c.

Though advertising for this position won’t begin until April 21, applications can be submitted at any time and will be kept on file until the recruitment process begins. The deadline to apply is 8am on Monday, May 3.

BE READY FAMILY FUN FAIRS The Be Ready program of United Way of Larimer County will host free drive-thru school readiness fairs in three cities this spring. Families with children ages 0–8 years are invited to drive through any of the events below to receive take-home activities, book giveaways, and community resources. Learn more at www.bereadylarimercounty. org/events.

• Loveland: Saturday, April 24, 9–11am, Zion Lutheran Church, 815 E. 16th St.

• F ort Collins: Saturday, May 1, 9–11am, First Presbyterian Church, 531 S. College Ave. • Estes Park: Thursday, May 6, 5–6:30pm, Estes Park Elementary School, 1505 Brodie Ave.

LARIMER COUNTY AND NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR TO PROVIDE $9.5 MILLION IN RENT ASSISTANCE Larimer County was recently awarded a $10.7 million Emergency Rental Assistance Program grant from the United States Treasury Department and has contracted with Neighbor to Neighbor to assist families in need with rent assistance. Approximately $9.5 million of the federal housing money will be distributed through 2021 directly to those in need across the county, mostly with rent but also some for utilities. The remainder will go to hiring a county housing stability manager, overhead and administrative costs. To learn more and apply for assistance, visit www.n2n. org/rent-assistance or call 1-888-4800066 to apply by phone.

LOVELAND LIBRARY BOARD SEEKING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT The Loveland Public Library Board is an official board created to advise the city manager, library director, and city council on issues concerning library services in the Loveland community. Board members meet on the third Thursday of every month at 5pm via Zoom, and may also participate in training workshops and outreach

events throughout the year. Currently, the board has an opening for one high school student to serve as a board member for the 2021–2022 school year with participation beginning in August 2021. Applicants must be a high school student under the age of 21, a resident of the City of Loveland, and have an interest in information technology, literacy and/or community leadership. Learn more and download an application at www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org/services/ teens/youth-library-board-member. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, May 5.

LOCAL TRAILS OPEN? KNOW BEFORE YOU GO This spring, Know Before You Go out trekking local trails as they are frequently closed to prevent damage

to natural areas when wet and muddy conditions exist. Going around mud widens the trail and going through the mud damages the trail. Remember to keep physically distant (6 ft) from other visitors and wear a mask in areas when physical distance is difficult to maintain. Step off the trail and wait rather than walking off the trail for several feet to protect the native plants on the edge of the trail.

To learn status of natural area closures, parking lots and other announcements, look to: • Natural Areas Trail Conditions webpage: www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/status • Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX): https:// trails.colorado.gov • Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ FCNaturalAreas • Twitter: @FCNaturalAreas

LIBRARY OFFERS PRACTICE DRIVING TESTS If you or someone you know is learning how to drive, the Poudre River Public Library District (PRPLD) can help.

PRPLD has partnered with DrivingTests.org to offer a series of DMV practice tests which are now available online at www.poudrelibraries. driving-tests.org/colorado along with many other drivers’ education resources. Links to the Colorado Driver Handbook and Practice Quiz can also be found on the library’s Teen webpage (https://read.poudrelibraries.org/teen/ z39.html).

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healthy living

Gardening for first timers Simple guidelines for a successful garden

LEA HANSON

G

ardening at home is a great way to eat healthy foods while getting up close and personal with nature. Not only do you save money (you’re buying a few plants rather than the produce all season), but you’ll also find that the flavor and texture of gardengrown produce is even better than what you’re used to finding at the grocery store.

But, even though the reasons to garden may be easy to buy into, starting the first garden can be intimidating.

Michelle Heronema, Greenhouse Manager at The Windsor Gardener (http://www.thewindsorgardener.com/) says the lack of knowledge is the biggest hold up for starting a garden. “Nobody wants to fail at anything,” she says. “If you want to do it, you want to be successful. Luckily, Heronema says, it’s really not that hard to start a garden. It’s all about the basics: soil, sun, and water.

But, for those wanting more, here are some tips for making the transition: START SMALL It’s better to be thrilled by what you produce in a small garden than be frustrated by the time commitment a big one requires. Starting small can ease the transition into gardening and make it less intimidating. Heronema says assessing your space is one of the first steps. “Whether you have an apartment balcony, a rental yard you may not stay with, or a large yard, impacts the direction you can go.” Luckily, growing things in containers all season long is realistic, Heronema says.

GROW WHAT YOU LOVE What do you like to eat? Your answer will tell you what you should plant in your vegetable garden. But, consider productivity, as well. Think about how much you and your family will eat and

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how likely you are to freeze, can, or give away excess produce. Heronema says, “Grow easy plants and appreciate the small wins.” Squash, cucumbers, tomatoes are all things that grow easily in northern Colorado and you can be successful with right away.

CHOOSING A SPOT Choose your growing site thoughtfully.

If you plant your garden at the back of the yard, make sure you’re willing to trek out every day or so to check for droopy plants that need water, destructive pests, and produce that’s ready to pick.

A good size for a beginner’s vegetable garden is 10x10 feet, about the size of a small bedroom. Keep it simple.

Select up to five types of vegetables

to grow, and plant a few of each type.

You’ll get plenty of fresh produce for your summer meals, and it will be easy to keep up with the chores. If 10x10 feet seems intimidating, you can go smaller (the veggies won’t mind) or consider growing vegetables in containers. With them you don’t even need a yard; a sunny deck or balcony work fine.

LOVING LOO MUCH The biggest mistake gardeners make, Heronema says, is loving their plants too much. In other words, they overwater. Pay attention to your watering cycle, the weather and precipitation, and the type of plant. And just ask questions, she says. “That’s why we do what we do!”

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Day

t a e r E b a e l r e t h C

Bingo, cleanups and restoration projects Shelley Widhalm

E

arth Day is about getting outdoors and engaging in spring cleanups, river restorations and tree plantings, but this year with the pandemic, some agencies are taking their events indoors.

Landing on April 20, Earth Day started in 1970 to launch a worldwide environmental movement that addresses everything from climate change to species loss, natural disasters and environmental degradation.

The theme of this year’s movement, Restore Our Earth back to a healthy state, will focus on those communities disproportionately affected by environmental issues. The sponsoring 18

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organization, Earthday.org, is the world’s largest recruiter to the movement and works with more than 75,000 partners in 190 countries.

EVENTS Here at home, agencies in Fort Collins, Greeley and Larimer County are offering contactless and in-person events to help celebrate Earth Day. The Sustainable Living Association, a Fort Collins-based nonprofit promoting a sustainable lifestyle

through educational programs and events, will host the 11th annual Earth Day Fort Collins, a Virtual Earth Day Celebration April 22-24 to help local residents stay connected to the earth.

The association, in partnership with the city of Fort Collins, will present three days of virtual speakers, educational videos, activities to do at home, live streaming of music, and tips and resources focused on sustainable living. There will be more than 100 educational and awareness activities centered on conserving natural resources, protecting and preserving the environment, and leaving less of an impact on the earth.

“It’s a way for people to celebrate

Earth Day at home,” says Kellie Falbo, executive director of the Sustainable Living Association. “It’s more important than ever to celebrate our natural environment considering how much we are all needing that connection with nature right now.”

The celebration will include the 2nd annual Earth Day ShiftFoCo Challenge, which aims for a 1,500-household participation to reduce CO2 output by 1,000 tons through April 22. Fort Collins residents who compete in the challenge can do simple, everyday things to reduce their impact, while also saving money.

They simply need to create a profile and enter information on their current activities and browse a list of sustainable actions to add to their dashboards.

Last year, 564 households signed up and reduced their CO2 emissions by 447 tons, which is the equivalent of taking 87 cars off the road for one year.

For more details about the Sustainable Living Association’s Earth Day events, visit sustainablelivingassociation.org/events/ earth-day-fort-collins/.

The city of Greeley will host several events in April to celebrate Earth Day and support the environment and sustainable living.

The events will include a winter farmers’ market April 6 and April 20 at Zoe’s Café & Events, 715 10th St., plus lectures, restoration projects and spring clean-ups. The featured events are: April 17: Fruit Trees in Colorado Landscape Lecture, 6-7:30pm, City Center South, City Council Chambers, 1001 11th Ave. Amy Lentz, CSU Extension agent for Horticulture in Weld County, will talk about the science behind caring for fruit trees and cover things like site selection, cold hardiness, harvesting, diseases and insects for tree fruits.

April 20: The Poudre River TrailAthlon, 9am-noon, Poudre Learning Center, 8313 W. F St. There will be 10 outdoor activities from which to choose, such as a fun run, a bike ride along the Poudre River, a nature walk, bird watching and a scavenger hunt. There also will be booths, music, refreshments and prizes.

April 27: Signature Bluffs Natural Area Trail and River Restoration

Volunteer Project, 8am-4pm, Signature Bluff Natural Area, 629 N. 71st Ave.; Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, 10am-2pm, Greeley Police Headquarters, 2875 W. 10th St. May 4: Greeley Green Gardening Fair (compost bin and rain barrel sale), 9am-noon, Greeley Xeriscape Garden, 2503 Reservoir Road; Volunteer Tree Planting, 9am-2pm, along the newly constructed trail at the Mountain Vista Natural Area, 20th Street and 74th Avenue.

The Greeley Forestry Arbor Day Celebration on April 20 was cancelled in response to the pandemic. The Spring Clean-up Weekend originally planned for April 26-27 was moved to Oct. 2-3.

Earth Day participants also are encouraged to take the Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation by pledging to save water, protect water quality and conserve energy. To sign up and enter a chance for prizes, go to mywaterpledge.com.

CONTESTS Bingo is a great way to learn a few eco-tips without having to go outside.

Larimer County will offer the second annual Celebrate Earth Day 2021 with a Bingo contest for its residents with entries accepted starting April 20.

To participate, county residents can download a bingo card and cross off each eco-tip they put into practice to enter into a drawing for a county parks pass.

They can receive one entry for crossing off a row, column or diagonal, and if they complete the card, they can be entered twice. For a third entry, they can take selfie photos of their green actions.

“We want people to rethink their shopping and disposal habits by reducing and reusing things and finally recycling what they have to discard,” says Gloria Cohen, environmental educator for Larimer County Solid Waste. “It’s a way to bring awareness to Earth Day and to encourage participants to participate in having a safe and

healthy community.”

Participants are asked to send in their bingo cards by May 7 to gcohen@ larimer.org. The winner will be drawn on May 10.

Larimer County Solid Waste is offering two additional Earth Day contests. The first is the 21-Day Reuse Challenge for grades K-12. There will be a challenge each day April 1-21 where participants are encouraged to reuse and upcycle their trash to create the craft for the day. They will need to take a selfie photo of the completed daily challenges and send them to gcohen@larimer.org for a chance to receive a robot kit. For details, visit larimer.org/reusechallenges.

The second contest is a Public Service Announcement for grades K-12, Dear Planet Earth-PSA Video Contest. Participants are asked to develop a 30- to 60-second video or radio spot that addresses the issue of excess waste and to inspire the community action to address this issue.

“This is to raise awareness about caring for the planet and improving the quality of life in Larimer County,” Cohen says.

The deadline for entries is April 20, and the winner will receive a $150 Visa debit card and have the video showcased in May through the Larimer County Solid Waste’s website and social media accounts. For details, visit larimer.org/ dearplanetearth.

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Easing into the new normal Lynn U Nichols

Y

our kids are back at school after months of sheltering in place and they are likely enjoying sports, friends, and extracurricular activities. While it’s great they are dipping their toes (or diving in) to all life has to offer, you might find they are grumpy, anxious or stressed. In their desire to break the boredom of pandemic life, maybe they are doing too much, too soon. Or maybe they got used to a lot of downtime and are now overwhelmed. Here’s some tips on finding a healthy balance within your family post pandemic lockdown.

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1. WELCOME FEELINGS Help your kids voice what they are feeling. When your kids act irritated or anxious, point it out. Reflect their feelings back to them, as in ‘you look and sound really mad,’ or, ‘you are telling me by your actions that you are stressed.

Stressed is when you feel like you have too much to do, or you don’t like what you are doing or what’s happening.’

“Start talking to your kids about the true nature of feelings, explaining how some are not much fun to feel, but they won’t last. Kids need to know to expect times of discomfort,” says

Tom Kowalski, MA, LPC, a licensed professional counselor in Fort Collins.

If your elementary-aged son waited all day for a friend who didn’t show, you could say, ‘you must be disappointed that he didn’t come over,’ and leave it at that. Resist trying to dig in too much to find out why your kids are feeling the way they are feeling.

Open the door and let them walk in and start talking, if they so choose.

Even if they don’t share, you’ve let them know you care.

“Make it safe for kids to have feelings. The best way to do this is

for your kids to witness their family expressing their feelings and affections,” Kowalski adds.

2. MATCH YOUR CHILD’S PERSONALITY WITH THE ACTIVITY LOAD Every child’s comfort level with activity is different. Some prefer to run from one event to the next. Others feel overwhelmed with just making it to school and a practice a few times a week.

One way is not better than the other.

What’s imperative is matching your child’s activity level with their nature.

When picking activities and making plans, take cues from your kids on how much they can handle.

Maybe your kindergartener decided they liked doing school at home, with you nearby and the lack of pressure of a classroom. After all, kindergarten is a great place for kids to learn at their own pace and with someone who can provided one-on-one attention.

Make it a point to mimic personal time with your child after school or in the evenings, so she gets a fix of quiet,

5 ways to

regain a healthy family balance downtime. If her school offers a hybrid model, consider opting for it to let her get back into the swing of school at a slower pace.

3. HAVE A SET DAILY SCHEDULE Structure is a good thing. Having daily routines—eating meals together and going to bed at about the same time each day—has great value in helping kids feel secure. It also helps kids stay healthy and reduces stress.

Requiring some structure and asking kids to get involved in something other than school is important. Some

parents make a rule that their kids have to, say, join one sport or club each semester at a minimum. Others insist they join the youth group at church. This all helps kids find balance in their lives.

4. FIND CALM WITHOUT MEDIA Make it a family goal to cut down on media use. After so many months of interacting with friends and family online, performing school online, and all kids’ natural obsession with media, it’s a good idea to consciously cut back on computer and cell phone use. Too much media time can cause stress and create a sense of disconnection in kids or between family members.

“Kids can get bad information from movies, television and other forms of media that they don’t know what to do with, and they find it overwhelming,” Kowalski says.

You may have to establish some new rules. Maybe it’s creating devicefree zones in your house, or setting device-free times each day. Or, set the rule that media can only be used after kids have finished their daily duties of homework, chores, meals and exercise.

Another idea is to take regular vacations from social media. You could literally go away but leave all devices (except cell phones) at home, making a rule that cell phones can only be used for emergencies. Or, take random 24-hour vacations from texting or social media. Instead, of rewarding with media, reward with quality time together as a family.

5. WATCH YOUR EXPECTATIONS As parents, we have expectations of our kids. Maybe you want them to carpe diem and get involved in lots of activities. Maybe you expect straight As and their names on the honor role. Or maybe you want your teen to get a job and help with family responsibilities.

Once in a while, it’s wise to step back and consider your expectations and how well they match with your child’s needs, desires and skills. After all, your kids might act to please you—and feel stressed doing it—because they don’t want to disappoint you.

Help in a crisis With the disruption of the pandemic, ER visits have increased across Northern Colorado due to behavioral health problems. If someone in your family is in crisis, contact one of the following:

Crisis Assessment Center, Emergency Department of PVH/UCH 1024 S. Lemay, Fort Collins 970-495-8090 Mental Health Connections 525 West Oak, Fort Collins 970-221-5551 Walk in services 8- 4 pm North Range Behavioral Health 928 12th St., Greeley 970-347-2120 Crisis walk-In service SummitStone Health Partners 700 Centre Ave, Fort Collins 1250 N. Wilson Ave, Loveland 24/7 Crisis line: (970) 494-4200, Text: TALK to 38255

If your child says they no longer like an activity they were doing before, resist shutting it down. Instead, be open to hearing their point of view and considering other options. Also, with school, send the message that the goal is working hard and doing their best, not earning the highest scores.

In general, if your child signs up for an activity and wants to quit halfway through, encourage him to stick it out for the session or season, letting him know he doesn’t have to sign up again next time. Try to get to the root of his hesitation. If he doesn’t feel like he is good at an activity, remind them that taking the time to do something is how he learns and gets better, and that practice includes making mistakes or not knowing the answer. After all, learning how to cope rather than quitting can create self confidence in unknown situations, increasing a sense of calm.

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greeley district 6 news Greeley West Student wins award for art Aili Gibson, a senior at Greeley West High School, was awarded a blue ribbon for her artwork by the Colorado Association of School Boards.

Aili competed with students around the state in the annual CASB Art Show and Contest. Usually, winners are honored in person at the winter CASB conference. This year, the students were honored virtually.

Aili’s painting reflects different cultures from around the world.

“I was wanting to bring awareness to different cultures around the world that are losing their influence, whether it be because of colonization or just fewer people practicing it,” Aili says. “I just really wanted to give them attention that they are lacking.”

Aili plans to study exercise science in hopes of becoming a physical therapist. She says she plans to continue pursing art as a hobby and plans to enter other art contests.

She says winning the award is confirmation of her artistic abilities.

“Like everyone, I started not knowing how to do art at all, and I just kind of improved over time,” Aili says.

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“So, winning means I’m really getting somewhere with it. Of course, I can keep improving, but I am on the right track.”

ONLINE REGISTRATION OPEN FOR D6 KINDERGARTEN Online registration is now open for all incoming kindergarten students who will be starting in Greeley-Evans School District 6 schools in August 2021.

Incoming kindergarten students must be 5 years old by October 1, 2021, in order to register for the 2021-2022 school year. To register online, visit www.greeleyschools.org/ kindergarten. For assistance with this registration process, or to find out the schools in your attendance area, please email admissions@ greeleyschools.org.

Parents who sought to openenroll their students in a school outside their attendance area, and received a letter of acceptance from

that school, should register with the school in which they successfully open enrolled.

To register for school, parents will need:

• A birth certificate or its equivalent for the student • Proof of guardianship, if not listed on the birth verification • U p-to-date immunization records for the student • Proof of address including a recent utility bill, lease agreement, or something similar. The document must show the parent/guardian’s name and be dated within the past 60 days.

For more information, visit www. greeleyschools.org/Admissions.

Please note that charter schools may have different age requirements, enrollment processes, policies and timelines. Contact charter schools directly for information.

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poudre school district news PSD celebrates Read Across America Day of consideration for School of Choice, the second period is now open. Families have a wide array of wonderful PSD schools to choose from.

Visit the school options webpage on the PSD website to learn more.

Register online at olr.psdschools. org. Even if you opt to send your child to a school outside your neighborhood through School Choice, you must still register your child at your neighborhood school.

To celebrate Read Across America Day this year, Poudre School District purchased books for each of the district’s 1,793 kindergarteners.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Check out updated FAQs about middleand high-school students shifting to Phase 4 on our website.

PSD VOLUNTEERS RETURN TO SCHOOLS Schools can decide whether to engage volunteers in-person again. Sites and volunteers are expected to follow district protocols.

MEALS The district will provide free meals to PSD students (PreK-12) through the end of the 2020-21 school year.

ATHLETICS High school sports are underway, and middle school athletics with health protocols began March 1.

PSD COVID-19 PROTOCOLS Want to know what happens when there is a COVID-19 case in school? Need to know what other health and safety protocols are in place this school year? Visit the PSD website for more information.

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PSD COVID-19 DATA AND SCHOOL INFORMATION View COVID-19 cases by school and department, trends across age groups, outbreak statuses, total students and staff in remote learning and more on the PSD website.

PSD’s health-centered practices, the 3 W’s, cleaning, sanitization of schools, and more can be found on the Health and Safety web page.

Current Larimer County Department of Health and Environment: LCDHE) COVID-19 data and county pandemic response information can be found on the LCDHE website.

For the 2021-22 school year, Poudre Global Academy Virtual will replace Poudre School District Virtual (PSDV), the district’s current 100 percent online option that sunsets at the end of this school year. PGA Virtual is one of two tracks—the existing hybrid and 100-percent online—offered through Poudre Global Academy. Families may apply now, during the School of Choice second-consideration application period. For more PGAV information, visit PGAV’s website.

SCHOOL OF CHOICE If you missed the first period

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH Learn what more than 2,300 parents/ guardians, staff, students, and community members had to say about what they want to see in our next superintendent. A search firm hired by the Board of Education captured feedback, from forums, focus groups, interviews, and a survey, in a leadership profile report that was presented at a Feb. 9 meeting.

TEACHER HIGHLIGHTS Every Tuesday we showcase one of PSD’s many dedicated educators on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Follow us on social to celebrate these dedicated teachers.

NUTRITION SERVICES School Nutrition is collaborating with the Colorado Department of Human Services to ensure P-EBT benefits are automatically issued to eligible students based on current student eligibility status and household data from sponsors. For more information about the P-EBT program, go to https://cdhs. colorado.gov/p-ebt.

STATE ASSESSMENT TESTS Pending any changes from the U.S. Department of Education, PSD is currently planning to administer spring state assessments. Information on grade level and testing content areas is

available on PSD’s district and state assessments webpage as well as guidance for excusing students from state assessments. Please contact your school for details on test schedules and plans.

TECH SUPPORT For technical support information, how-to guides and more, visit the PSD Community Tech Portal or email covidtechhelp@psdschools.org or call the Family and Student Support Line at 970-490-3339.

PSD IS HIRING PSD is hiring substitute teachers, bus drivers, paraprofessionals and more. For more information, and to view opportunities, visit PSD’s job fair website.

ALUMNI GROUP Did you graduate from PSD? As an alumnus, we invite you to join our PSD Alumni group on LinkedIn to stay connected after you graduate.

Poudre School District is pleased to announce that Rebecca Benedict has been named the new director of Early Childhood Education.

Poudre School District is thrilled to announce that Lindsey Matkin has been selected as the principal for Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School.

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thompson school district news Meet Joe Vodjansky, TSD Safety & Security Manager

For Joe Vodjansky, a 2006 graduate of Thompson Valley High School, returning to Thompson School District to serve as the Safety and Security Manager several years ago seemed like a perfect fit.

Joe started his career in law enforcement, serving as both a patrol deputy and detention deputy with the Larimer County Sheriff ’s Office.

“I wanted to help people,” Joe explains. “In law enforcement, you encounter people who are going through a crisis.

I wanted to help people through that and make them feel safe when they didn’t feel like anyone else was there to care.”

That desire to help make things better for people inspired Joe to pursue a career in education. After several years as an assistant football and wrestling coach for Thompson Valley High School, Joe realized he really enjoyed supporting students and helping them to achieve their goals.

“The sheriff ’s office is a first-class agency, but I felt like if I was going to make a career change, I should do it while I was still young,” Joe says. He started out as a campus monitor at Walt Clark Middle School, and later became 28

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a threat assessment specialist for the district, managing student safety plans while keeping his focus on helping kids through tough times.

From there, it was a natural transition to managing the safety and security department for the district, a position that allows Joe to combine his passion for safety and law enforcement with his desire to help students. As the leader of the team charged with keeping TSD students safe, Joe oversees the district’s

14 campus monitors, responds to emergencies, and serves as a liaison between the district and the first responder agencies in our community.

It’s a job he enjoys, but also takes very seriously. “As of 2018, every kid in our school district is post-Columbine.

I think that when Columbine hit, the unimaginable became possible. Our kids don’t deserve to think about that. My job is to deal with that so they can focus on this very important but limited time in their lives. It’s a gift that all of us can work together to give them.”

Joe also works closely with the 13 school resource officers serving in the district and believes that his background in law enforcement is a huge asset to his current role.

“The biggest area where law enforcement has benefitted me is staying calm in managing an emergency,” Joe says. “A lot of my job is to make sure the what-if never happens but be prepared if it does. Our main goal is to be preventative, not responsive.”

Joe believes the SRO team has a critical responsibility to help the students in our district, but he also thinks that, in many ways, they are in a unique position to support kids. “They provide an extra layer of safety, and help educate kids on

things they might encounter,” he explains.

“They talk about substance abuse, mental health, safe relationships. They support us in helping our students understand things that don’t necessarily come from a textbook. There are things we all learned in school that have nothing to do with science and social studies.”

Lately, Joe’s job has been even more challenging, as he has helped organize the Covid-19 response in TSD. From doing contact tracing to helping coordinate vaccines, and everything in between, Joe has helped to manage the unmanageable, but he is quick to share the credit.

“I love the people of TSD. Our people here are incredible,” Joe says.

“They really excel. We all work together to make sure our schools are safe. All of us, every single district employee is part of our team to make sure that kids are safe every day.”

But despite the enormity of that responsibility, Joe says there is no other district, or job, he would rather be in.

“Thompson is home,” he says.

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APRIL 2021

EVENTS CALENDAR Please check websites for the status of the following events as cancelations or postponements may have been announced after our publication date.

FESTIVALS, FAIRS & CELEBRATIONS

THROUGH APRIL 30 Virtual Northern Colorado Home & Garden Show NoCo’s annual event moves to a 7-week online experience with virtual booths plus access to home and improvement tips and articles, exhibitor discounts and giveaways and a show sweepstakes. www.nocohomeandgardenshow.com.

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY APRIL 9 AND 10 Grow with Me Kids Sale NoCo’s largest gently used consignment sale for baby, kids and maternity items.

Weekend event held only two times per year. The Outlets at Loveland, south side across from Nike store, 5740 McWhinney Blvd., LV. Friday 10am–7pm, Saturday 8am–2pm. www.facebook.com/ GrowWithMeKidsSale.

SATURDAY APRIL 10 Northern Colorado Children’s Festival: Celebrating Diversity Celebrate diversity with this drive-thru festival offering take-n-make activities that develop fine motor skills and provide fun one-on-one interaction/learning time with your children; music and art at a safe distance to entertain and spark imagination; and community resources.

Island Grove, 501 N. 14th Ave., GR. Noon–3pm. www.unitedway-weld.org/ festival.

APRIL 22 THROUGH 23 UNC/Greeley Virtual Jazz Festival Internationally recognized artists, jazz lovers, award-winning clinicians, and 250+ college, high school, and middle school big bands/combos/vocal groups come together for live stream main stage concerts, afterhours sessions, daytime performances, and many educational workshop sessions.

All ages. Virtual event, links/passwords sent following registration. 970-351-4849 www.uncjazzfest.com.

APRIL 22 THROUGH 24 11th Annual Virtual Earth Day Fort Collins Celebrate the 51st anniversary of Earth Day with three days of virtual speakers, activities, music and resources to help you stay connected to the earth.

Online. 9am–7pm each day. www. sustainablelivingassociation.org/events/ earth-day-fort-collins.

APRIL 24, MAY 1, MAY 6 Be Ready Family Fun Fairs Free drive-thru school readiness fairs in three cities with take-home activities, book giveaways and resources. Ages 0–8 with families. Loveland: April 24, 9–11am, Zion Lutheran Church, 815 E. 16th St., Fort Collins: May 1, 9–11am, First Presbyterian Church, 531 S. College Ave., Estes Park: May 6, 5–6:30pm, Estes Park Elementary School, 1505 Brodie Ave. www.bereadylarimercounty.org/events.

COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14 Child Abuse Prevention Workshop Learn how to protect your children from online cyber predators and more in this online workshop. RSVP by April 13 to receive meeting link. Life Stories Child & Family Advocacy Zoom meeting. 6–8pm. www.lifestoriesweld.org/programs/ darkness-to-light.

Spring Activities to Promote Vocabulary Skills: • Use descriptive language when talking about the weather and seasons with your child (hot, cold, rainy, wet, sunny, cloudy, etc.)

• Use action words to describe what your child is doing when playing outside (run, jump, hop, splash, skip, hide, etc.)

• Go for a walk and talk about the senses (“What do you see in the sky?”, “What does that flower smell like?”, “How does the grass feel?” etc.)

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VISIT FRCBALLET.COM TO REGISTER!

970.980.8425 | 3501 South Mason Street Unit 1 | Fort Collins RMPARENT

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LIBRARY & BOOK EVENTS

Many libraries are open with limited hours and services plus designated curbside pick-up hours. In-person programs continue to be suspended— check websites for storytimes.

ONGOING Kids 365 Learning Challenge Kids can download or pick up a printed log every month that includes reading challenges and other activities. Once completed, they redeem it for a prize at the beginning of the next month. Ages 0–11. Loveland Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org/ elementary-aged-learning.

Loveland Teen Monthly Activity Bag Visit the Teen Hangout to receive a free activity bag featuring robotics, crafts, experiments and more! Ages 11–17.

Loveland Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org/teens.

Loveland’s Kids Craft Kits Watch this month’s craft video tutorial and pick up your craft supply kit starting the first of each month (or the next day the library is open), while supplies last. www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org. Loveland Public Library’s Facebook page, @LovelandPubLibrary. www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

APRIL 1 THROUGH 30 Story Stroll Front Range Village Free self-guided tour families enjoy at their leisure. Simply follow the path on the map in order to see the story unfold in front of you. This month, each stop on the path features another portion of the story as told in “Maria had a Little Llama” by Angela Dominguez. https://blog.poudrelibraries.org/story-stroll.

Teen Take and Make: Paper Garden Available while supplies last, each kit includes instructions and materials to create flowers and plants out of paper for an everlasting garden. Grades 4–12.

Council Tree Library & Harmony Library, FC. 970-221-6740. www.poudrelibraries.org.

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Kids Crafterschool Take-and-Make: Birdhouses Learn how to build a birdhouse. Pick up supplies while they last at the library and follow the instructional video of Farr’s Facebook page. Grades 3–5. Farr Regional Library, 1939 61st Ave., GR. http://mylibrary.evanced.info/signup.

Teen Art Attack Take & Makes Create your very own spinning brushbot with Take and Make Kits picked up from the library, while supplies last. Ages 12–17.

Farr Regional Library, 1939 61st Ave., GR. http://mylibrary.evanced.info/signup.

Spring Storytime Kit Pick up your kit for crafts, activities and storytime fun. Pick up supplies while they last at the library. Early learning, music/ art/maker. Farr Regional Library, 1939 61st Ave., GR. http://mylibrary.evanced.info/signup.

Take and Make Kits: Awwww April!

Those sleepy seeds are starting to wake up so stop by to pick up a simple craft (while supplies last) that celebrates the springing up of Spring. Grades PreK–5. Council Tree Library & Harmony Library, FC. 970-221-6740. www.poudrelibraries.org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 8 Y is for Yoga Build literacy skills and healthy minds and bodies through books, songs, rhymes and yoga. Ages 2–5. Clearview Library YouTube, www.youtube.com/ clearviewlibrary. 10–10:30am. https:// clearviewlibrary.org/event/4853494.

The Works: Engineering the Da Vinci Bridge Develop your STEAM skills using everyday items found at home or in nature, or pick up one of 15 kits available from the library. Ages 6–12. Clearview Library YouTube Channel. 3–3:30pm. https://clearviewlibrary.org/event/4867075.

SUNDAY, APRIL 11 & 25 Virtual ASL Stories Learn basic American Sign Language during these sessions of stories and songs.

Ages 0–6. Clearview Library YouTube, 10–10:30am. 970-686-5603 https://clearviewlibrary.org/event.

MONDAY, APRIL 12 Teen Cooking Challenge: Spaghetti (with Take & Make Kits) Your challenge is experiment with ingredients to make your own fabulous version of spaghetti. Local firefighters will join our Zoom meeting to show how they make firehouse-worthy spaghetti. Pick up Take & Make Kits from the library.

Ages 12–18. Zoom meeting, 4:30–5:30pm.

Registration required. https://clearviewlibrary.org/event/4867467.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14 Getting Crafty: Earth Day Seed Bombs Celebrate Earth Day creating seed bombs with a limited number of kits supplied in advance—flower seeds, construction paper and water from home. Ages 6–12.

Clearview Library YouTube, 3–3:30pm. https://clearviewlibrary.org/event/4852935.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14 AND FRIDAY APRIL 16 We Dream in STEAM: Pollinators Explore pollinators such as honeybees, butterflies, hummingbirds, bats, ants and ladybugs, and engage in hands-on project-based activities centered around pollination, plant anatomy, honeybee anatomy and pollinator support. Ages 9–12. Registration required to receive Zoom meeting details. Clearview Library Zoom meting, 4–5:30pm both days https://clearviewlibrary.org/event/4868019.

SATURDAY, APRIL 17 IMAGINANTES X: Writing & Pizza Virtual writing workshop with the opportunity to read, hear and discuss diverse writings of Latino and migrant artists in the U.S. in English, Spanish and both languages combined. Pizza will be delivered during this free workshop and participants will receive a journal to practice writing. Register for Zoom link.

Ages 12–17. Poudre River Public Library District Zoom meeting. 1–3:15pm.

970-221-6740. www.poudrelibraries.org.

MONDAYS, APRIL 19 THROUGH MAY 10 Youth Ukulele Lessons Four-week outdoor course teaches the basics of strumming, chords and rhythm.

Ukuleles provided (or bring your own) and masks required. Ages 10–18. Centennial Park Library, grass area on the north side, 2227 23rd Ave., GR. http://mylibrary.evanced.info/signup.

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TUESDAY, APRIL 20 Clearview Homeschooler’s Academy: Build It Explore several building challenges to see how tall, light, strong and “weird” you can build. You will have a wide variety of unique building materials with the library’s Take & Make Kit. All ages. Clearview Library YouTube, 1–2pm.

970-686-5603, https://clearviewlibrary. org/event/4870340.

THURSDAY, APRIL 22 The Works: Spring Kites Develop your STEAM skills using everyday items found at home or in nature, or pick up one of 15 kits available from the library. Ages 6–12. Clearview Library YouTube Channel, 3–3:30pm.

970-686-5603 https://clearviewlibrary.org/event/4867094.

Teen Craft-a-Thon: Bad Art Contest Embrace the ridiculous, wacky, hideous, useless and tacky. You’re challenged to make bad art with a blank canvas in your Take and Make Kit as the base for whatever bad art you dream up. Ages 12–18. Clearview Library Zoom meeting, 6–7pm. 970-686-5603 https://clearviewlibrary.org/event/4871746.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28 Getting Crafty: April Showers Craft Use critical thinking to craft a raindrop suncatcher for spring with a limited number of kits supplied in advance—or supplies from home. Ages 6–12. Clearview Library YouTube, 3–3:30pm. https://clearviewlibrary.org/event/4852971.

FRIDAY, APRIL 30 Design a Mask Create a design for your mask using (special) markers and colored paper, and watch as the Teen Librarian irons your design right onto your mask. Each teen will get at least one finished mask to take home. Space limited and registration required. Grades 4–12. Twin Silo Park, in the shelter, FC. 1–3:15pm. 970-221-6740. www.poudrelibraries.org.

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CONNECT TO NATURE

MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS The Gardens Read and Seed Garden storytime, movement or song plus a hands-on, nature-inspired activity. Ages 2–4 with adult. Limit of five students/ caregivers per session. Registration required. Free/members; $8/non-member child; $11/ non-member adult (includes gardens/butterfly house.) Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. 11:15–Noon. www.fcgov.com/gardens/read-and-seed.

SATURDAY, APRIL 3 Winter Nature Walk: Wellness in the Woods Join a naturalist for a slow and peaceful wellness walk. Easy, 1–2 miles.

Registration required. North Shields Ponds Natural Area, 1333 N. Shields St., FC. 12:30–2pm. www.fcgov.com/events.

FRIDAY, APRIL 16 School’s Out Day at The Gardens A full day outdoors with garden-centric games, science, exploration and art.

Grades K–5. $55/child/day (scholarships available.) Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. 8:30am–4:30pm.

970-416-2486, www.fcgov.com/gardens.

SATURDAY, APRIL 17 Skygazing Hear an overview of visible constellations and look at multiple objects with your binoculars or as seen through the telescope via video monitor to allow for distancing.

Registration required. Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area, FC. 8:30–10:30pm. www.fcgov.com/events.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28 School’s Out Day at The Gardens A full day outdoors with garden-centric games, science, exploration and art. Grades K–5. $55/child/day (scholarships available.)

Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. 8:30am–4:30pm. 970-416-2486 www.fcgov.com/gardens.

MUSEUM EVENTS

EVERY OTHER TUESDAY Tune-Out Tuesdays Parents, if the daily grind is getting you down, then sit back and relax with soothing music and stunning visuals produced by the Digital Dome’s team. Fort Collins Museum of Discovery Facebook Live.

Noon–1pm. www.facebook.com/focomod.

EVERY OTHER WEDNESDAY FCMoD Discovery Live: Ask an Expert Tune in to Facebook Live to hear from a variety of guest experts, ask questions and discover science, history and art happening in your own backyard. Fort Collins Museum of Discovery Facebook Live. 5–6pm. www.facebook.com/focomod.

THURSDAY, APRIL 1 Model Magic Magnets Make spring-themed miniature magnets.

Grades 1–5. $30/non-members, $24/ members. Beet Education Center at the Loveland Museum, 201 E. 5th St., LV. 3:45–5pm. 970-962-2410 www.lovelandmuseumgallery.org/ classes-camps-workshops.

FRIDAY, APRIL 2 THROUGH JULY 24 Magical and Mythical Animals in Human Imagination The exhibit showcases drawings of magical and mythical animals by youth ages 5–16 from 13 different countries. All ages Global Village Museum, 200 W. Mountain Ave., FC. Appointments available 11am–4pm Wednesdays–Saturdays. www.globalvillagemuseum.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 3 THROUGH SATURDAY, MAY 8 Thompson School District Student Art Show: Can’t Cancel Creativity See K–12 student artwork including two and three-dimensional pieces from the areas of photography, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, collage, painting and drawing.

Reserve free tickets in advance. Loveland Museum, 201 E. 5th St., LV. www.lovelandmuseumgallery.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 3 THROUGH SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 War Comes Home: The Legacy This traveling exhibition features private letters and email correspondence spanning conflicts from the Civil War through the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Explore the joys and hardships of wartime separation, the adjustment to life back at home, and the costs of war. Greeley History Museum, 714 8th St, GR. Thursday–Saturday, 10am–4pm. www.greeleymuseums.com.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 8 Vibrant Mugs Create a one-of-a-kind ceramic mug with the magic and wonder of vibrant alcohol inks. Grades 1–5. $30/non-members, $24/ members. Beet Education Center at the Loveland Museum, 201 E. 5th St., LV. 3:45–5pm. 970-962-2410 www.lovelandmuseumgallery.org/ classes-camps-workshops.

THURSDAY, APRIL 15 Glowing Northern Lights Paint a night sky in acrylic paint with the Northern Lights, then use Glow in the Dark Paints to make them really shine at night. Grades 1–5. $30/non-members, $24/members. Beet Education Center at the Loveland Museum, 201 E. 5th St., LV. 3:45–5pm. 970-962-2410 www.lovelandmuseumgallery.org/ classes-camps-workshops.

THURSDAY, APRIL 22 Big, Colorful Flowers Using liquid watercolor, wax-resist and salt, play with watercolor to make BIG and colorful flowers. Grades 1–5. $30/nonmembers, $24/members. Beet Education Center at the Loveland Museum, 201 E. 5th St., LV. 3:45–5pm. 970-962-2410 www.lovelandmuseumgallery.org/ classes-camps-workshops.

The Life and Empire of Genghis Khan Digital Exhibition/Lecture Held in conjunction with the Museum’s digital exhibit, Genghis Khan and the Empire He Created, this virtual lecture is presented by Eli Alberts of CSU’s Department of History. $5/adults, $2/ students. Global Village Museum Zoom meeting. 6–8pm. www.globalvillagemuseum.org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 29 Acrylic Paint Pour No brushes needed! Make an amazing marbleized painting on canvas with a paint, glue and water mixture. Grades 1–5. $30/non-members, $24/members. Beet Education Center at the Loveland Museum, 201 E. 5th St., LV. 3:45–5pm.

970-962-2410, www.lovelandmuseum gallery.org/classes-camps-workshops.

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ENTERTAINMENT

ONGOING The Comedy Fort Adults needing a night out can enjoy some comic relief at Fort Collins’ first comedy club in 30 years. Ages 21+. The Comedy Fort, 167 N. College Ave., FC. www.comedyfortcollins.com.

THROUGH OCTOBER Garden Concert Series Off the Hook Arts presents a socially distanced outdoor concert series experience, this March through October.

Seating is limited to 100 people. $50/ person; $90/duo. WaterWise Landscaping, 1930 N. Whitcomb St., FC. 1:30–4pm. www.offthehookarts.org/gardenseries.

THURSDAY, APRIL 8 Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble One of America’s foremost modern dance companies, this ensemble performs a dynamic body of works inspired by the African American experience. Lincoln Center Performance Hall, 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. 7:30pm. 970-221-6730, www. lctix.com.

APRIL 8 THROUGH JUNE 6 Little Women Based on Louisa May Alcott’s novel, this Broadway musical follows the adventures of four sisters growing up in Civil War America, and conveys personal discovery, heartache, and hope. Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, 4747 Marketplace Dr., Johnstown. Days/times vary. www.coloradocandlelight.com.

FRIDAY, APRIL 23 Claire de Lune / Gary Schmidt Pianist Gary Schmidt provides an evening of relaxing, stress relieving solo piano music. $17/adult; $0/child 11 and under.

Rialto Theater, 228 E. 4th St. LV. 7:30pm. www.rialtotheatercenter.org.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, APRIL 23 & 24 Canyon Concert Ballet Presents Alice in Wonderland Join Alice in a world filled with fantastical characters like the Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter, and Queen of Hearts. All ages. $20 live stream; $50 in-person. Livestream or Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. Saturday, 1pm and 7pm; Sunday, 2pm.

970-221-6730, www.lctix.com/ccb-alicein-wonderland.

Easter EVENTS

THROUGH SATURDAY, APRIL 3 Evans Egg Hunt Find the sticker eggs placed on Evans businesses, take selfies and win prizes from the Riverside Library and Cultural Center. Complete all 12 and their trivia questions to be entered into a drawing for a grand prize. https://mylibrary.evanced.info/signup.

SATURDAY, APRIL 3 Easter EGGstravaganza Egg Drop An exciting afternoon of fun, crafts, and an epic drop of 5,000 Easter eggs from a helicopter! Register for free tickets. Northern Colorado Christian Church, 2506 Zurich Dr., FC. 1:30–3:30pm. www.facebook.com/ events/155697129710489.

The Ridge at Harmony Egg Hunt Free Easter egg hunt event utilizing the neighborhood’s outdoor spaces with an opportunities to win prizes from local businesses. Registration required. Parents must attend with their children. Harmony Ridge Parkway and Goslar Dr. and along Harmony Ridge Parkway, FC. Noon. www.facebook.com/ events/177763817487082.

Visit with the Easter Bunny Spots limited! Reserve your time online to visit with the Easter Bunny, and bring your own camera to take photos. Children receive a free gift, while supplies last. Barnes & Noble Music Department, 5835 Sky Pond Dr., LV. Noon–3pm. www.thepromenadeshopsatcenterra. com/events.

Easter Egg Hunt & Photos with Easter Bunny Egg hunt begins at noon sharp and photos from noon–3pm. RSVP by posing number of children to attend.

Hosted by Sweet & Salty Apple Girls, 582 Cherryridge Dr., WS. Noon–3pm. www.facebook.com/ events/1190426344707586.

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time out The Lessons of Lego Learning from the master

TIM VAN SCHMIDT

A

s a grandpa, you could say I’ve been around the block before.

But when it comes to little tiny blocks that fit together to make intricate and fantastic assemblages that spark the imagination, I’m a little lost and must bow to a master.

That master would be my 5-yearold grandson who is kind of a Lego genius. I think so anyway and I am worthy only to be his personal assistant in times of intense creation.

Yes, I’m talking about the venerable Lego building brick brand that has been around for ages.

But to my grandson, the word “Lego” isn’t a company, it’s an idea— and it’s one of the first words he has learned to spell and write. The idea is that fun materials and meticulous process yields really cool results—like swift looking space crafts and an underwater hangout for heroes.

He knows what is in those boxes when a new Lego project arrives. He sees the photo and immediately knows what the contents should become.

I can only wait for him to rip open the numbered bags that come with each project before I am of any use.

Usually those numbered bags carry inside them a full million little pieces.

Fortunately we have learned that the bags should be opened onto a lipped tray rather than onto the open table where they will certainly bounce crazily, slide off the table and down into the nearest air vent.

But there is no waiting, no hesitation once the bags are open. The master’s eyes dart from the instruction booklet to the mass of tiny pieces in front of him and he immediately begins to build.

I must look at the mound of pieces and make some sense out of it. I sort the pieces into colors and place like 42

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shapes together. The master simply grabs the exact piece he needs from anywhere in the pile.

I have acted as the master’s personal assistant on numerous projects and have shared the joy of creation. But I was not ready for what came recently.

I once again had come to serve the master when he pulled me aside and gave me a present—my very own Lego project!

I thought it was just another way to work on something new. But no, the master made it clear that this was not his project, but mine. I was on deck to be the head builder.

Now I was really on the spot. I had to decipher the instructions, squinting at the tiny illustrations, trying to decide exactly what color and shape they really

meant for me to find.

I was so slow that the master got busy with something else entirely and I was left to struggle on my own. It was decided that I should go ahead and pack up the pieces and finish it at home.

I did so and was proud of my accomplishment. But the lesson I learned was that there are Lego geniuses and there are those who are not. I may be one of the latter.

But someday I hope to be as cool as the master. Until then, I must train.

I must practice. I must build with the laser focus the master does. Only then will I be more worthy.

Tim Van Schmidt is a writer and photographer, and grandpa, based in Fort Collins.

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